JP5078297B2 - Game media transport system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium transport system for transporting game media for playing with a gaming device.

  Conventionally, for example, a game device generally called “pachinko” is widely known as an entertainment facility. A plurality of the gaming devices are arranged side by side to constitute an island structure. At the top of the island structure, a game medium transport device is provided for transporting and distributing game media such as pachinko balls to each game device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The one described in Patent Document 1 transports a pachinko ball introduced from a counter to a main tank through a counter ball collecting bowl that is inclined downward toward the center of the island, and is connected to the downstream end of the main tank. The collected ball collector is transported to an upper tank provided on the upper part of the island using a lifting and polishing machine standing in the center of the island. Then, a replenishment rod that descends from the upper tank toward the end of the island is provided, the pachinko balls transported to the upper tank are sent to the replenishment cage, and the pachinko balls are replenished to each gaming machine from a replenishment pipe provided in the replenishment cage. The structure to do is taken.

JP 2005-261733 A

  By the way, in the conventional technology as described above, since the replenishment rod that continuously slopes downward from the upper tank toward the end of the island is provided, the height of the upper tank side of the replenishment rod is high in the vertical direction. Installed, the island edge side needs to be installed low. However, in such a configuration, since the height of the island is high, installation is difficult, and the height position of the island upper end and the ceiling are close to each other, so the efficiency of air conditioning deteriorates as an example. Can be mentioned.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a game medium transport system capable of minimizing the height dimension.

The game medium transport system of the present invention is provided in an island structure in which a plurality of game devices to be played using game media are installed in substantially parallel, and the game media is transported substantially along the alignment direction of the game devices. A medium transport system, which is provided in a longitudinal direction substantially in the same direction as an arrangement direction of the gaming devices, and in which the gaming media are inclined at an inclination angle at which the game media can be moved by its own weight, and the gaming devices arranged The game medium is provided in a longitudinal direction substantially in the same direction as the direction, and the game medium is inclined at an inclination angle at which the game medium can be moved by its own weight, and an upstream end in the movement direction of the game medium is the game medium of the first transport lane. Connected to a second transport lane provided at a height position higher than the downstream end in the moving direction, and a downstream end of the first transport lane, and the game medium is transferred from the first transport lane. A carry-in port, a transport unit that moves the game medium carried into the carry-in port upward and transports it to the vicinity of the upstream end of the second transport lane, and an upstream end of the second transport lane And a carry-out port for carrying out the game medium carried by the carrying unit to the second carrying lane.
According to the present invention, in the game medium transport system, the first transport lane is inclined at an inclination angle at which the game medium can be moved by its own weight, and the upstream side is inclined at an inclination angle at which the game medium can be moved by its own weight. A second transport lane having an end provided at a height position higher than the downstream end of the first transport lane. And in the conveyance part, the game medium carried in from the carrying-in port connected with the downstream edge part of the 1st conveyance lane is conveyed upwards, and the carry-out port connected with the upstream edge part of the 2nd conveyance lane To be carried out.
For this reason, the game medium transport system moves the game medium moved to the downstream end of the first transport lane upward in the transport unit, and transports it to the upstream end of the second transport lane. Game media can be transported substantially along the line-up direction of the game devices. Therefore, even if the length of the island structure is increased, the vertical dimension difference between the position of the upstream end of the first transport lane and the position of the downstream end of the second transport lane is minimized. The game media can be guided in a limited state. Therefore, the height of the island structure can be reduced. In addition, the installation work of the island structure can be easily performed, and it is possible to provide a sufficient gap between the upper end of the island structure and the ceiling surface, improving the efficiency of air conditioning and strengthening the crime prevention surface. Can be achieved.

In game medium transport system of the invention holds the transport unit, which comprises a feeding unit holding member removably attached between the first conveying lane and the second conveying lane.
According to this invention, the transport unit holding member that holds the transport unit and is detachably attached between the first transport lane and the second transport lane is provided.
For this reason, for example, even when the transport unit is damaged or the game medium is clogged with the transport unit, the transport unit can be removed simply by removing the transport unit holding member, and repair of the transport unit and removal of the game medium are easy. Can be. Therefore, the maintenance is easy, and an emergency maintenance such as a case where the game medium is jammed can be dealt with immediately.

In the game medium transport system of the present invention, the carry-in port, the carry-out port, the first positioning support unit that supports the first transport lane in a state of positioning with respect to the carry-in port, and the second transport lane are transported. A second positioning support portion for supporting the outlet in a state of positioning with respect to the outlet; and a lane connecting member provided between the first transport lane and the second transport lane, wherein the transport holding member includes the lane connecting member to the Ru detachably attached.
According to the present invention, the loading support, the unloading port, the first positioning support unit for positioning and supporting the first transfer lane with respect to the loading port, and the positioning support unit on the table for positioning and supporting the second transfer lane with respect to the loading port. A lane connecting member having And the conveyance part holding member is set as the structure attached to a lane connection member so that attachment or detachment is possible.
For this reason, each conveyance lane can be easily positioned with respect to the carry-in port and the carry-out port by the lane connecting member, and the game transport system can be easily assembled. Moreover, even if each transportation lane is damaged, the transportation lane replacement work can be facilitated and maintenance can be facilitated.

In the game medium transport system of the present invention, the transport section is provided continuously with the transport entrance, and is transported with a transport path section having a transport path surface inclined upward and facing the transport path surface. A conveying member provided with a plurality of fins provided at least partially on the conveying path surface so as to be substantially movable and spaced apart from each other so that the game medium is lifted up, and the conveying member as the fin And at least a part of the driving path that is driven to move upward substantially along the transport path surface.
According to the present invention, the transfer unit is provided continuously with the carry-in entrance so as to face the transfer path surface of the transfer path unit inclined upward, and at least a part of the transfer path surface can move along the transfer path surface. A conveying member having a plurality of fins that are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in a state where the game medium is lifted up and provided substantially in parallel is provided, and the fins of the conveying member are moved upward substantially along the conveying path surface by the driving means. Yes.
For this reason, the game medium carried in from the carry-in port can be pushed upward by the fins along the carrying path surface and carried upward. Therefore, the game medium can be transported upward with a simple configuration for driving the transport member provided facing the transport path section, and no other drive member is required on the transport path section side, so the transport section is small. Can be Further, for example, compared to a configuration in which the game medium is held and conveyed by magnetic force, adsorption force, adhesive force, or the like, the held state can be easily released, and the game medium can be conveyed with a simpler configuration.

In the game medium transport system of the present invention, the transport portion is formed in an annular band shape, and a part of the peripheral surface thereof is substantially continuous with the carry-in port and the carry-out port and is provided to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. A ring-shaped part, and a second ring-shaped band that is formed in a ring-shaped part and is provided so as to be able to hold the game medium in a part of the circumferential surface of the ring-shaped part And a driving means for rotating the first part-band part and the second ring-band part in a direction in which the game medium carried from the carry-in port is sandwiched and conveyed to the carry-out port. Is preferred.
According to this invention, a part of the peripheral surface is substantially continuous with the carry-in port and the carry-out port in the transport unit, and is provided so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction, and a part of the peripheral surface And a second ring band portion provided so as to be able to pinch the game medium with the first one band portion and rotatable in the circumferential direction, and the first one band portion and the second ring band portion by the driving means Is rotating.
For this reason, the game medium can be transported with a simple configuration in which the game medium is held between the peripheral surfaces of the first band-shaped part and the second ring-shaped band part and these are rotated.

The game medium transport system according to the present invention preferably includes a carry-in control member that is provided in the vicinity of the carry-in port and allows the stacked game media to be loaded from the carry-in port in a non-stacked state.
According to the present invention, the carry-in control member is provided in the vicinity of the carry-in port so that the stacked game media are brought into the non-stacked state and carried from the carry-in port.
For this reason, a game medium can be carried in the state which is not always piled up to a 1st 1st strip | belt-shaped part and a 2nd ring strip | belt-shaped part, and conveyance of a game medium can be implemented appropriately in the stable state.

In the game medium transport system of the present invention, it is preferable that the game medium transport system includes a game medium supply unit that is provided in the first transport lane and the second transport lane and supplies the game medium to the game device.
According to the present invention, the game medium can be supplied to the game apparatus while being conveyed, and the convenience of the game medium conveyance system can be improved.

  Hereinafter, a gaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko game device called a “pachinko” will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a slot machine for playing using a spherical game medium, an arcade video game machine. It can also be applied.

[Game system configuration]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a part of the gaming system in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a part of the ball conveying device at the top of the gaming system. FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the vicinity of the ball transport unit of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a replenishing rod in the ball conveying device. FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view in which the ball transport unit of FIG. 3 is enlarged. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ball transport unit. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the ball transport unit as seen from the top side. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view in which the transport drum member in the ball transport unit is sectioned in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a core portion constituting the transport drum member. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the fin-installed cylinder portion that constitutes the transport drum member.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a game system, and this game system 100 includes an island structure 200, a game main body 300, a game medium lending device 400, and a ball transfer device 500 as a game medium transfer system. Yes. This gaming system 100 is configured as an island structure 200 that is a single independent structure in which a plurality of gaming main bodies 300 and a gaming medium lending device 400 are integrally installed on a floor of a store called “Hall”. ing. The game main body 300 and the game medium lending device 400 constitute a game device of the present invention.

And this island structure 200 is comprised on the rectangular frame, for example with a timber, aluminum alloy, etc. As shown in FIG. On both side surfaces of the island structure 200 with respect to the longitudinal direction, a gaming machine window portion 210 into which the game main body 300 is inserted and closed, a lending machine window portion 220 into which the game medium lending device 400 is inserted and closed, A plurality of openings are formed so as to form a pair with an unillustrated lifting machine window portion into which the lifting device 250 is inserted and closed. In the present embodiment, the case where the number of gaming machine window portions 210 and the number of lending machine window portions 220 provided on both side surfaces of the island structure 200 is the same will be described. It is good also as a structure opened only to the one surface side provided in the wall.
In addition, a lower portion of the island structure 200 is provided with a recovery storage portion 260 where the island recovery means 240 is provided, and an upper portion of the island structure 200 is provided with a transfer storage portion 270 where the ball transfer device 500 is provided. Yes. The island structure 200 includes a power supply means for supplying power to the game main body 300, the game medium lending device 400, the lifting device 250, and the ball transfer device 500, and the game main body 300 and the game medium lending device 400. , A control device for controlling the operation of the lifting device 250 and the ball conveying device 500, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the island collection unit 240 includes a collection basket 241 and a plurality of collection hoppers 242. The collection basket 241 is formed in a substantially bowl shape, for example, and is provided so as to be inclined downward from the end side of the island structure 200 toward the lifting device 250. The collection hoppers 242 are provided above the collection baskets 241 in a number corresponding to the number of game main bodies 300. The collection hopper 242 sends a substantially spherical pachinko ball P (see FIGS. 5 and 6) as a game medium collected by each game main body 300 to the collection basket 241.

  As described above, the lifting device 250 is provided adjacent to the game main body 300 and the game medium lending device 400 at a substantially central position of the island structure 200. The lifting device 250 collects the pachinko balls P that have flowed through the collection basket 241 and conveys the collected pachinko balls P to the ball conveying device 500 provided on the upper part of the island structure 200. Specifically, the lifting device 250 includes a ball collecting port 251 having a lower end portion connected to a recovery basket 241, a ball outlet port 252 provided at the upper end portion, and a pachinko ball from the ball collecting port 251 to the ball outlet port 252. An unillustrated lifting means for conveying P and a driving source (not shown) for driving the lifting means are provided. Further, the lifting device 250 is provided with a cleaning means (not shown), and the pachinko balls P collected by the cleaning means are cleaned.

[Configuration of ball transport device]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the ball transport device 500 includes a replenishment basket 510 serving as a plurality of transport lanes, a ball transport unit 520 that connects these replenishment baskets 510, and a control device as a control unit (not shown). , Etc. Here, the replenishment rod 510 provided on the lifting device 250 side across the ball transport unit 520 constitutes the first transport lane in the present invention, and is provided on the end side of the island structure 200 across the ball transport unit 520. The supplied replenishing rod 510 constitutes the second transport lane.

The replenishment basket 510 is formed in a longitudinal shape in substantially the same direction as the arrangement direction of the game main body 300 and the game medium lending device 400 of the island structure 200, and is directed from the transfer device 250 toward the end of the island structure 200, for example. It is provided in a state of descending and tilting at an angle of 5 minutes (2.86 degrees). The length dimension of the supply basket 510 in the longitudinal direction is set to the length dimension of two game main bodies 300 and game medium lending devices 400 as shown in FIG. Among these replenishing rods 510, the end of the replenishing rod 510 disposed adjacent to the lifting device 250 on the side of the lifting device 250 is connected to the ball discharge port 252 of the lifting device 250. Further, the replenishment rod 510 disposed at the end of the island structure 200 is connected to an end recovery hopper (not shown), and the pachinko balls P that have reached the end of the replenishment reed 510 are recovered from the end recovery hopper. It is transported to the collection basket 241 of the means 240. Further, a ball transport unit 520 is disposed between the replenishing rods 510 disposed adjacent to each other, and the end portions of the respective replenishing rods 510 are connected to the ball transport unit 520.
As shown in FIG. 4, the replenishing rod 510 includes a replenishing rod main body 511, a saddle side member 512, a roof plate 513, and the like.

  The replenishment rod main body 511 includes a pair of holding portions 511A provided in parallel with each other along the longitudinal direction. The holding portion 511A is formed in a substantially U shape with a side opening at the lower end. The replenishing bowl main body 511 is held by locking the holding portion 511 </ b> A to a locking portion (not shown) provided in the transport storage portion 270.

In addition, a lower side wall portion 511B is formed to rise from the upper end portion of the holding portion 511A. On the inner surface side of the lower side wall portion 511B, that is, the side facing the other lower side wall portion 511B, a transport plate holding portion 511C protrudes.
A conveying plate foot 511D is formed upright from the protruding tip of the conveying plate holding portion 511C so as to face the lower side wall 511B. Further, a concave groove 511D1 is formed along the longitudinal direction of the replenishing rod main body 511 on the surface of the conveying plate foot portion 511D facing the lower side wall portion 511B.

  Further, the replenishing rod main body 511 is provided with a conveyance plate 511E that connects the rising tips of the pair of conveyance plate legs 511D. The transport plate 511E is formed in a curved shape with a central portion raised upward along a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the replenishment rod main body 511. Thereby, the pachinko ball P that rolls on the transport plate 511E moves to the side of the transport plate 511E.

  In addition, a pair of substantially hook-like engaging portions 511 </ b> F projecting downward are provided at the lower portion of the transport plate 511 </ b> E. These engaging portions 511F are formed with hook portions in directions opposite to each other, and are provided in parallel with the substantially central portion of the transport plate 511E along the longitudinal direction of the transport plate 511E.

The heel side member 512 is a substantially plate-like member erected along the side surface along the longitudinal direction of the replenishment jar body 511. A lower portion of the saddle side member 512 has a convex portion 512 </ b> A that protrudes inward of the replenishing rod main body 511. Then, the heel side member 512 has a lower portion inserted between the lower side wall portion 511B of the replenishing jar body 511 and the transport plate foot portion 511D, and the convex portion 512A is engaged with the concave groove 511D1 of the transport plate foot portion 511D. Thus, it is fixed to the replenishment bowl main body 511.
Further, a top surface engaging portion 512B having a substantially circular cross section is provided at the upper end portion of the heel side member 512.

Furthermore, a ball outlet 512C (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is formed in the heel side member 512 so as to correspond to a predetermined position above the game main body 300 and the game medium lending device 400, for example.
Each ball outlet 512C is provided with a ball supply chute 514 as a game medium supply unit. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ball supply chute 514 is connected to the game main body 300 or the game medium lending device 400, respectively.
The ball supply chute 514 is provided with an electric opening / closing valve (not shown), and the electric opening / closing valve is electrically connected to the game main body 300 and the game medium lending device 400. For example, when a predetermined signal is input from the game main body 300 or the game medium lending device 400, the electric on-off valve is opened, and the pachinko ball introduced to the ball replenishment chute 514 from the transport plate 511E via the ball outlet 512C. P is supplied to the game main body 300 or the game medium lending device 400 connected to the ball supply chute 514.

Furthermore, the movement state of the pachinko ball P rolling on the upper surface of the conveying plate 511E is detected at the end side of the island structure 200 of the side surface member 512, that is, on the downstream end side, at a position of a predetermined dimension from the end. A heel side detection sensor C1 is provided.
For example, the heel side detection sensor C1 emits light such as infrared rays from one heel side member 512 toward the other heel side member 512, and is emitted by a light receiving unit provided on the other heel side member 512. Receives light. And the heel side detection sensor C1 is electrically connected to the control device, and when light is detected by the light receiving unit, a predetermined detection signal is appropriately output to the control device. Note that the heel side detection sensor C1 is not limited to the above-described optical sensor and infrared sensor. For example, a light receiving portion is provided on the heel side member 512 on the light emitting side, and the light reflected by the pachinko ball P is received. Then, a configuration for outputting to the control device or a configuration using other sensors may be used.

The roof plate 513 is a plate-like member that is formed in a longitudinal direction in substantially the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the replenishing bowl main body 511. On both sides along the longitudinal direction of the roof plate 513, a substantially U-shaped top surface mounting portion 513A protruding downward is formed. The ceiling plate 513 is attached so as to cover the transport plate 511E by engaging the top surface attaching portion 513A with the top surface engaging portion 512B of the side surface member 512.
Here, a region surrounded by the transport plate 511E, the saddle side member 512, and the transport plate top surface portion 513 of the replenishing spear body 511 is a transport region for rolling and transporting the pachinko balls P.

As described above, the ball transport unit 520 is disposed between the replenishing rods 510 adjacent to each other, and connects the end portions of the replenishing rods 510. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ball transport unit 520 is fixed to a bracket 280 fixed in advance to the transport storage unit 270 of the island structure 200 by, for example, bolting.
The ball transport unit 520 is configured to transfer the pachinko ball P introduced from the replenishment basket 510 arranged on the lifting device 250 side, that is, the upstream side in the moving direction of the pachinko ball P, to the end side of the other island structure 200. That is, it is conveyed to the replenishment basket 510 arranged on the downstream side in the moving direction of the pachinko ball P.
The ball conveying unit 520 includes a lower case 530 as a lane connecting member, an upper case 540 as a conveying unit holding member, a conveying drum member 550 as a conveying member constituting the conveying unit, and a drive constituting the conveying unit. And a drive unit 560 as means.

  The lower case 530 is formed of a synthetic resin such as polyoxymethylene (POM: polyoxymethylene, generic name: Duracon). As shown in FIGS. 3, 5 to 7, the lower case 530 has a first side surface 530 </ b> A that faces the replenishment rod 510 disposed on the upstream side, and a first surface that faces the replenishment rod 510 disposed on the downstream side. Two side surfaces 530B, a front surface 530C in the same direction as the front surface of the game body 300 of the island structure 200, a rear surface 530D facing the front surface 530C, and the first side surface 530A, the second side surface 530B, the front surface 530C, and the rear surface 530D It is formed in a substantially box shape having an adjacent bottom surface (not shown). Further, an opening window 531 through which the transport drum member 550 can be taken in and out is formed on the upper surface side of the lower case 530. Further, an attachment portion (not shown) is provided on the bottom surface of the lower case 530, and the lower case 530 is fixed to the island structure 200 by, for example, bolting the attachment portion to the bracket 280.

On the lower side of the first side surface 530 </ b> A of the lower case 530, a carry-in port having a substantially rectangular cross section in cross section and a first connection portion 532 serving as a first positioning support portion are formed so as to protrude toward the lifting device 250. A wall-shaped first stopper 532 </ b> A that rises from the bottom surface of the first connection portion 532 is formed at the base end portion of the first connection portion 532, that is, the inner side of the lower case 530.
The first stopper 532A is formed to have substantially the same height as the length from the lower end of the holding portion 511A of the replenishing rod main body 511 of the replenishing rod 510 to the conveying plate 511E. Further, the upper end portion of the first stopper 532A is provided with a not-shown flexible tongue piece portion that protrudes substantially in parallel with the conveying plate 511E of the replenishing rod 510 disposed on the upstream side. .
The first connecting portion 532 is inserted so that the end portion of the replenishing rod 510 arranged on the upstream side is in contact with the first stopper 532A. At this time, the tongue piece is engaged with the engaging portion 511F provided on the lower surface side of the conveying plate 511E, so that the height position of the upper surface of the conveying plate 511E and the height position of the upper end portion of the first stopper 532A are set. They substantially coincide with each other and prevent the generation of a gap between the transport plate 511E and the first stopper 532A.

In addition, on the upper side of the second side surface 530B of the lower case 530, a carry-out port having an approximately U-shaped cross-section opening on the upper side and a second connection portion 533 as a second positioning support portion are formed to protrude downstream. ing. A wall-like second stopper 533 </ b> A that rises from the bottom surface of the second connection portion 533 is formed at the base end portion of the first connection portion 532, that is, the inner side of the lower case 530. The second connecting portion 533 is placed and installed from above so that the end of the replenishing rod 510 disposed on the downstream side comes into contact with the second stopper 533A.
In addition, it is good also as a structure by which a flexible tongue piece part is provided from the 2nd stopper 533A of the 2nd connection part 533 similarly to the 1st connection part 532, In this case, this tongue piece part is good for the conveyance board 511E. By engaging with the engaging portion 511F, the replenishing rod 510 can be reliably connected, and the height positions of the transport plate 511E and the second stopper 533A can be reliably aligned.

  The lower case 530 includes a transport path portion 534 that constitutes a transport portion that connects the upper end edge of the first stopper 532A of the first connection portion 532 to the upper end edge of the second stopper 533A of the second connection portion 533. , And disposed between the front surface 530C and the rear surface 530D. The conveyance path portion 534 is disposed adjacent to the movable plate 535, the curved surface portion 534A disposed adjacent to the second connection portion 533 side of the movable plate 535, and the second connection portion 533 side of the curved surface portion 534A. And a carry-out surface 534B connected to the upper end edge of the second stopper 533A.

The movable plate 535 is a plate-like member that connects the upper end edge of the first stopper 532A and the first connecting portion 532 side of the curved surface portion 534A, and is, for example, a synthetic resin such as polyoxymethylene (POM: polyoxymethylene, generic name: Duracon). It is formed by. A bearing portion 535A that protrudes downward is formed at the end of the movable plate 535 on the curved surface portion 534A side.
The bearing portion 535A is formed in a cylindrical shape that is coaxial with a direction from the front surface 530C toward the rear surface 530D, and a pin 535B protruding from the front surface 530C and the rear surface 530D is engaged therewith. The pin 535B is provided at a position where the height position is lower than the upper end edge of the first stopper 532A. Accordingly, by engaging the bearing portion 535A with the pin 535B, the movable plate 535 is slightly inclined at an inclination angle of, for example, 5 minutes (2.86 degrees) from the upper end edge of the first stopper 532A toward the curved surface portion 534A. And is attached so as to be rotatable about the bearing portion 535A.
Further, below the movable plate 535, an urging spring 535C is provided on at least one of the front surface 530C and the rear surface 530D, for example. One end of the biasing spring 535C is fixed to the front surface 530C or the rear surface 530D, and the other end is in contact with the movable plate 535. The urging spring 535C is configured such that when the movable plate 535 rotates downward about the bearing portion 535A, the distal end portion of the movable plate 535 on the first connecting portion 532 side is the upper end edge of the first stopper 532A. The movable plate 535 is urged upward so as to reach the height position.
Further, below the movable plate 535, a movable detection switch C2 is provided. For example, the movable detection switch C2 is fixed to a surface facing the rear surface 530D of the front surface 530C, and has a button that can freely move forward and backward. The movable detection switch C2 is electrically connected to the control device. In the movable detection switch C2, when the movable plate 535 is rotated downward by a predetermined distance, the button is pushed by the lower surface of the movable plate 535, and a predetermined detection signal is output to the control device.

  For example, when a predetermined number or more of pachinko balls P are carried into the conveyance path portion 534 in the ball conveyance unit 520, the movable plate 535 is moved downward by the rotation of the conveyance drum member 550. The movable plate 535 is rotated.

  The curved surface portion 534A constitutes the transport path surface of the present invention. As described above, the curved surface portion 534A is provided adjacent to the second connecting portion 533 side of the movable plate 535 and is connected to the second connecting portion 533. It is connected to the first connecting portion 532 side. The curved surface portion 534A extends from the end portion of the movable plate 535 on the second connection portion 533 side to the end portion of the carry-out surface 534B on the first connection portion 532 side so that the curvature of the transport drum member 550 described later is substantially the same curvature. In other words, the curved surface is curved upward with a curved surface having a predetermined radius around the rotation axis of the transport drum member 550. Moreover, the central angle with respect to the circular arc which connects the 2nd connection part side edge part from the 1st connection part side edge part of curved surface part 534A is set to substantially right angle. Note that although an example in which the central angle of the curved surface portion 534A is substantially a right angle is described in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and any configuration may be used as long as the central angle is 90 degrees or less.

The carry-out surface 534B is integrally formed with the curved surface portion 534A and the second stopper 533A. In addition, the carry-out surface 534B is formed to slightly tilt upward from the upper end edge of the second stopper 533A of the second connecting portion 533, for example, in 5 minutes (2.86 degrees), and to extend toward the first connecting portion 532. Has been.
A carry-out sensor C3 is provided on the front surface 530C side of the carry-out surface 534B. The carry-out sensor C3 is fixed to the outside of the front surface 530C, for example. That is, a sensor hole 530C1 that penetrates the inside and outside of the lower case 530 is formed in the vicinity of the carry-out surface 534B of the front surface 530C, and a carry-out sensor C3 is provided facing the sensor hole 530C1. Examples of the carry-out sensor C3 include an optical sensor and an infrared sensor. That is, sensor light for detection is emitted from the sensor hole 530C1 toward the inside, and the sensor light emitted by a light receiving unit (not shown) provided on the rear surface 530D side is received. In the carry-out sensor C3, the light reception time interval of the sensor light received by the light receiving unit is output to the control device. The carry-out sensor C3 is not limited to this. For example, the light receiving unit may be configured to detect the sensor light reflected by the pachinko ball P, or may use another sensor.

The upper case 530C and the rear surface 530D are provided with mounting pieces 536 that protrude outward at positions adjacent to the first side surface 530A and the second side surface 530B, respectively. The attachment piece 536 is formed with a hole through which a bolt passes when the upper case 540 is attached.
Further, a U-shaped groove 537 communicating with the opening window 531 is formed at the upper end edges of the front surface 530C and the rear surface 530D. The U-shaped groove 537 is formed in a longitudinal shape from the approximate center position of the upper edge of the front surface 530C and the rear surface 530D toward the bottom surface. A conveyance drum member 550 described later is inserted into the U-shaped groove 537.

  Further, a motor attachment hole 538 is formed below the corresponding positions of the curved surface portion 534A and the carry-out surface 534B of the front surface 530C of the lower case 530. A motor 561 of the driving unit 560 is fitted and fixed in the motor mounting hole 538. Further, a transmission gear 562 of the drive unit 560 is rotatably supported on the front surface 530C.

  In the present embodiment, the first side surface 530A, the second side surface 530B, the front surface 530C, the rear surface 530D, the first connection portion 532, the second connection portion 533, the curved surface portion 534A, and the carry-out surface 534B of the lower case 530 are provided. Although the structure currently formed integrally is illustrated, it is not restricted to this. For example, the first side surface 530A, the second side surface 530B, the first connection portion 532, the second connection portion 53, the curved surface portion 534A, and the carry-out surface 534B are synthetic resins such as polyoxymethylene (POM: polyoxymethylene, generic name: Duracon). The front surface 530C and the rear surface 530D are formed of, for example, a metal member, etc., and the first side surface 530A, the second side surface 530B, the first connection portion 532, the second connection portion 533, the curved surface portion 534A, and the carry-out surface It is good also as the structure currently fixed to the front surface 530C side and back surface 530D side of 534B.

  The upper case 540 is formed of, for example, a metal member. The upper case 540 is detachably attached to the lower case 530 and holds a conveyance drum member 550 described later rotatably. The upper case 540 includes a top surface 541, a front holding surface 542, and a rear holding surface 543 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 to 7.

  The top surface 541 is formed with a drum insertion port 541A through which a part of the transport drum member 550 can be inserted. In addition, at four corners of the top surface 541, that is, at positions corresponding to the attachment pieces 536 of the lower case 530, attachment / detachment pieces 541B projecting to the front surface 530C side and the rear surface 530D side are provided. Each of the detachable pieces 541B has a hole portion through which a bolt is inserted. Then, the upper case 540 is detachably attached to the lower case 530 by bringing the attachment / detachment piece 541B into contact with the attachment piece 536 of the lower case 530 and bolting.

  The front holding surface 542 and the rear holding surface 543 are formed continuously adjacent to the top surface 541. The front holding surface 542 and the rear holding surface 543 are arranged so as to cover the front surface 530C and the rear surface 530D of the lower case 530, respectively, in a state where the upper case 540 is fixed to the lower case 530. Further, the front holding surface 542 and the rear holding surface 543 are formed such that a drum mounting piece 544 protrudes downward at a substantially central position. A shaft insertion groove 545 formed in a longitudinal shape toward the top surface 541 is formed at the lower end edge of the drum mounting piece 544. The drum attachment piece 544 includes a drum holding member 551A that rotatably holds the shaft portion 551 in a state where the shaft portion 551 of the transport drum member 550 is inserted into the shaft insertion groove 545 of the drum attachment piece 544. For example, the conveyance drum member 550 is detachably attached by fixing by screwing or the like.

  The conveyance drum member 550 includes a shaft portion 551, a core portion 552, a fin installation cylinder portion 553, and a plurality of fins 554 having a conveyance blade portion 553C.

The shaft portion 551 is disposed on a substantially central axis of the transport drum member 550.
A drum gear 551B that can mesh with the transmission gear 562 of the drive unit 560 is fixed at a predetermined position on one end side of the shaft portion 551 on the front surface 530C side. For example, the drum gear 551B is fixed to the shaft portion 551 by notching a part of the shaft portion 551 and forming a hole through which the shaft portion 551 of the drum gear 551B is inserted into a shape corresponding to the notch.
Further, a pressing member 551C is inserted and fixed on the further end side of the fixing position of the drum gear 551B of the shaft portion 551. The pressing member 551C is engaged with the drum gear 551B to prevent the drum gear 551B from falling off. In addition, it is good also as a structure etc. which fix a drum gear 551B to the axial part 551 by inserting a pin member etc. in the radial direction of the axial part 551, and making this pin member and the drum gear 551B latch.
Further, an operation knob 551D is fixed to the end portion of the shaft portion 551 on the front surface 530C side. Specifically, a male screw portion (not shown) is provided at the end portion of the shaft portion 551 on the front surface 530C side, and an operation knob 551D is screwed and fixed to the male screw portion. Accordingly, the transport drum member 550 can be forcibly rotated by manually rotating the operation knob 551D. Therefore, for example, when the pachinko ball P is clogged in the ball conveyance unit 520, the conveyance drum member 550 is rotated by rotating the operation knob 551D, and the clogging can be eliminated.

  Further, the drum holding member 551A as described above is rotatably provided on the inner side of the fixed position of the drum gear 551B, that is, on the other end side. Further, similarly, a drum holding member 551A is rotatably provided at a predetermined position on the other end portion side on the rear surface 530D side of the shaft portion 551. Then, as described above, the drum holding member 551A is screwed to the drum mounting piece 544 of the upper case 540, for example, so that the transport drum member 550 is rotatably and detachably fixed to the upper case 540. Yes.

  Furthermore, the other end portion of the shaft portion 551 is provided with a drum torque sensor C4 as shown in FIG. The drum torque sensor C4 includes a meniscus C41 provided at the other end of the shaft portion 551, an infrared sensor (not shown) that detects infrared rays reflected from the meniscus by irradiating, for example, infrared rays toward the half moon pieces. Etc. The infrared sensor of the drum torque sensor C4 is electrically connected to the control device, and the detection interval of the meniscus C41 is input to the control device as a detection signal. Thus, the control device can calculate the rotational speed of the transport drum member 550 based on the detection interval of the half-moon C41 of the infrared sensor.

  The core part 552 is made of a synthetic resin such as Duracon. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the core portion 552 includes an inner cylinder portion 552A into which the shaft portion 551 is inserted, an outer cylinder portion 552B inserted through the fin installation cylinder portion 553, and these inner cylinder portions 552A. And a plurality of radiation connecting portions 552C for connecting the outer cylinder portions 552B. The inner cylinder part 552A, the outer cylinder part 552B, and the radiation connection part 552C are integrally formed of, for example, synthetic resin.

  The inner cylinder portion 552A is formed such that the diameter of the inner peripheral surface is substantially the same as the diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 551, and the shaft portion 551 is fitted into the inner peripheral portion. Accordingly, when the shaft portion 551 is rotationally driven, the inner cylinder portion 552A is also rotated, and the transport drum member 550 is rotationally driven. In addition, although it was set as the structure which inserts the axial part 551 in the inner cylinder part 552A, it is not limited to this, For example, in the state which inserted the axial part 551 in the inner cylinder part 552A, the axial part 551 from the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder part 552A. It is good also as a structure fixed so that the axial part 551 may not rotate with respect to the inner cylinder part 552A by inserting a pin member toward the center axis | shaft. Further, a plurality of radial coupling portions 552C are formed in the radial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 552A. As described above, the inner cylindrical portion 552A and the outer cylindrical portion 552B are coupled by the radial coupling portion 552C. Has been.

  As described above, the outer cylindrical portion 552B is connected and fixed to the inner cylindrical portion 552A by the radiation connecting portion 552C. When the inner cylindrical portion 552A is rotationally driven by the rotation of the shaft portion 551, the outer cylindrical portion 552B is also rotationally driven. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, positioning pins 552B1 protruding in the outer diameter direction are formed at predetermined intervals, for example, at intervals of 90 degrees, as shown in FIG. These positioning pins 552B1 are formed at the end portion on the front surface 530C side in the axial direction of the outer cylinder portion 552B. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder portion 552B, rotation stop portions 552B2 that protrude in the outer diameter direction at predetermined intervals and are formed in a longitudinal shape in parallel with the axial direction of the core portion 552 are formed. These rotation stoppers 552B2 are disposed, for example, two at equal intervals between adjacent positioning pins 552B1.

As shown in FIG. 10, the fin installation cylinder portion 553 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape using, for example, a synthetic resin. The inner peripheral diameter of the fin installation cylinder 553 is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer cylinder 552B of the core 552. Further, the length dimension in the axial direction of the fin installation cylinder portion 553 is formed to be approximately the same as the distance dimension between the front surface 530C and the rear surface 530D of the lower case 530.
And this fin installation cylinder part 553 is provided with a pin insertion hole 553A and a rotation stop insertion groove 553B at positions facing the positioning pins 552B1 and the rotation stop part 552B2 formed on the outer cylinder part 552B of the core part 552, respectively. Yes. Further, the pin insertion hole 553A is formed on the end side on the front surface 530C side of the fin installation cylinder portion 553, and a sliding groove is formed from the pin insertion hole 553A toward the end portion of the fin installation cylinder portion 553. Thereby, when inserting the core part 552 in the fin installation cylinder part 553, the positioning pin 552B1 can be slid along the sliding groove and moved to the pin insertion hole 553A, and the assemblability is improved.

  In addition, a plurality of fin installation holes 553C penetrating the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface and extending in the axial direction are formed in the fin installation cylinder portion 553 at predetermined intervals. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the fin installation holes 553C are arranged at equal intervals, for example, at intervals of 30 degrees, between the adjacent pin insertion holes 553A and the rotation stop insertion grooves 553B, and between the rotation stop insertion grooves 553B adjacent to each other. Each is provided in between. The fins 554 are inserted through the fin installation holes 553C so as to protrude from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side. In this embodiment, an example in which the fin installation holes 553C are formed at intervals of 30 degrees is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a pachinko ball conveyed by the fin 554 to the curved surface portion 534A of the conveyance path portion 534 The distance is not particularly limited as long as it can be lifted and conveyed.

The fins 554 are substantially plate-like members formed of, for example, flexible synthetic resin such as urethane rubber, and are formed in a longitudinal shape along the axial direction of the transport drum member 550. As shown in FIG. 8, the fin 554 includes a fixed end portion 554A, an insertion portion 554B, and a conveying blade portion 554C. The fixed end portion 554A, the insertion portion 554B, and the conveying blade portion 554C are integrally formed.
The fixed end portion 554A is provided at an end portion of the fin 554, and is formed in a substantially T shape with respect to the insertion portion 554B. The fixed end portion 554A is a portion that is sandwiched and fixed between the core portion 552 and the fin installation cylinder portion 553. The length dimension in the tangential direction of the core part 552 and the fin installation cylinder part 553 is formed to be larger than the groove width of the fin installation hole 553C of the fin installation cylinder part 553. As a result, the fixed end portion 554A prevents the fin 554 from falling off the transport drum member 550.

  The insertion portion 554B is formed to rise substantially vertically from a substantially center position in the tangential direction of the fin installation cylinder portion 553 of the fixed end portion 554A. The insertion portion 554B is inserted into the fin installation hole 553C of the fin installation cylinder portion 553.

The conveying blade portion 554C is formed continuously with the insertion portion 554B and is inclined with respect to the insertion portion 554B at a predetermined angle. Here, the conveying blade portion 554 </ b> C is formed at a predetermined inclination angle that inclines in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the conveying drum member 550 toward the outer diameter side of the conveying drum member 550.
Further, the length dimension of the conveying blade portion 554C in the radial direction of the conveying drum member 550 is such that the gap between the tip end portion of the conveying blade portion 554C and the curved surface portion 534A of the lower case 530 is at least the diameter of the pachinko ball P to be conveyed. The size is smaller than the size.

  The drive unit 560 includes a motor 561, a transmission gear 562, and the like. As described above, the motor 561 is fitted into the motor mounting hole 538 provided in the front surface 530C of the lower case 530, and is fixed by, for example, screwing. The motor 561 is electrically connected to the control device, and rotates a motor shaft that projects from the front surface 530C side when predetermined power is supplied from the control device. A motor gear 561A is fixed to the tip of the motor shaft of the motor 561, and the rotational driving force of the motor 561 is transmitted to the transmission gear 562.

  As described above, the transmission gear 562 is rotatably attached to the front surface 530C and meshes with the motor gear 561A of the motor 561. The transmission gear 562 meshes with a drum gear 551B fixed to the shaft portion 551 of the transport drum member 550 in a state where the upper case 540 is fixed to the lower case 530. Then, the rotational driving force transmitted from the motor 561 is transmitted to the drum gear 551B, and the transport drum member 550 is rotationally driven.

The control device controls the overall operation of the ball conveying device 500.
Specifically, as described above, the control device is electrically connected to the lifting device 250, the heel side detection sensor C1, the movable detection switch C2, the carry-out sensor C3, the drum torque sensor C4, the motor 561, and the like. A predetermined power is supplied to these.
Further, the control device recognizes various detection signals input from the heel side detection sensor C1, the movable detection switch C2, the carry-out sensor C3, and the drum torque sensor C4, and the motor of the lifting device 250 and each ball transport unit 520. The drive of 561 is controlled.

  Specifically, the control device determines the clogged state of the pachinko ball P moving on the transport plate 511E based on the detection signal input from the heel side detection sensor C1. That is, the control device recognizes the time when the detection signal is not input from the heel side detection sensor C1. When the time during which this detection signal is not input is equal to or longer than a predetermined time set in advance, it is determined that the replenishment basket 510 is in a clogged state, for example, a ball transport unit 520 disposed on the upstream side of the replenishment basket 510. The motor 561 is temporarily stopped and driven again after a predetermined time.

  Further, when the control device recognizes the detection signal from the movable detection switch C2, the control device stops the motor 561 of the ball transport unit 520 of the ball transport device 500 and the lifting device 250.

  Further, the ball transport unit 520 recognizes the time when the detection signal is not input from the carry-out sensor C3 based on the detection signal input from the carry-out sensor C3. If the time during which this detection signal is not input is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, it is determined that the pachinko ball P on the carry-out surface 534B has not moved, that is, the replenishment basket 510 on the downstream side of the ball transport unit 520 is clogged. Then, control is performed to stop the motor 561 of the ball transport unit 520 provided with the carry-out sensor C3. Further, when the detection signal is input from the carry-out sensor C3 with the motor 561 stopped, the control to drive the motor 561 again is performed.

  Furthermore, the control device recognizes the rotational speed of the transport drum member 550 based on the detection signal input from the drum torque sensor C4. When the rotational speed of the transport drum member 550 is lower than a predetermined rotational speed set in advance, the control device urgently stops the motor 561 of the ball transport unit 520 of the ball transport device 500 and the transport operation of the transport device 250. To control.

[Game system operation]
Next, the operation of the ball transport device 500 in the installed gaming system 100 will be described.

  The pachinko balls P introduced into the collection hopper 242 provided in the game main body 300 arranged in the island structure 200 and the pachinko balls P introduced from the counting means (not shown) provided at, for example, the end of the island structure 200 are Then, it is stored in the collection tank 241 of the island collection means 240.

  Then, the control device controls the lifting means of the lifting device 250 to convey the pachinko balls P stored in the collection basket 241 from the ball collection port 251 to the ball discharge port 252.

  The pachinko balls P discharged from the ball discharge port 252 are introduced into the ball transport device 500. That is, the pachinko balls P are discharged onto the transport plate 511E of the replenishing basket 510 connected to the ball discharge port 252 and flow on the transport plate 511E to be transported downstream.

At this time, since the transport plate 511E of the replenishing rod 510 is formed in a substantially arc shape with the substantially central portion on the upper side, the pachinko ball P moves on the transport plate 511E along the saddle side surface member 512. Then, the pachinko balls P are conveyed and supplied to the game main bodies 300 and the game medium lending devices 400 from the ball outlets 512 </ b> C provided on the heel side member 512 through the ball supply chute 514.
In addition, when the pachinko balls P are sufficiently supplied to the ball supply chute 514, about 1/4 of the pachinko balls P in the vicinity of the final tail among the pachinko balls P supplied to the ball outlet 512C are balls. Projecting from the outlet 512C onto the conveying plate 511E. As a result, the pachinko balls P conveyed from the upstream side of the conveying plate 511E come into contact with some of the pachinko balls P near the final tail, bounce back to the central side of the conveying plate 511E, and are conveyed downstream. Is done.

  Further, the control device recognizes the number of transport movements per unit time of the pachinko balls P transported on the transport plate 511E based on a detection signal input from the heel side detection sensor C1 provided on the downstream side of the replenishment jar 510. . Then, when the number of transport movements is smaller than a predetermined number, the control device determines that the replenishment basket 510 is clogged with pachinko balls P conveyed from the upstream side, and the upstream of the replenishment basket 510 The motor 561 of the ball conveying unit 520 arranged on the side, that is, the upstream side, or the lifting means of the lifting device 250 is controlled to be temporarily stopped, and the lifting of the motor 561 and the lifting device 250 is again performed after a predetermined time. Control to drive the feeding means.

  Thereafter, the pachinko balls P transported by the replenishing basket 510 are carried into the first connecting portion 532 of the ball transport unit 520.

  Further, the control device controls the motor 561 of the ball transport unit 520 to rotate the transport drum member 550. Thereby, the fins 554 of the transport drum member 550 lift the pachinko balls P transported to the first connecting portion 532 to the unloading surface 534B side along the curved surface portion 534A. At this time, since the fins 554 are formed in a shape that is inclined in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the transport drum member 550, for example, the problem that the pachinko balls P are picked up by the fins 554 and are not discharged to the carry-out surface 534B is prevented. It becomes possible.

  And a control apparatus recognizes the detection signal input from the carrying-out sensor C3 provided in the side of the carrying-out surface 534B, and recognizes the movement state of the pachinko ball P in the carrying-out surface 534B. When the control device determines that the pachinko ball P on the carry-out surface 534B is clogged, the control device controls the motor 561 to stop. Then, when the control device recognizes that the clogged state of the pachinko balls P on the carry-out surface 534B has been eliminated based on the detection signal input from the carry-out sensor C3, the control device drives the motor 561 again and uses the conveyance drum member 550. Control to resume the lifting operation of the pachinko ball P is performed.

  In addition, when a predetermined number or more of the pachinko balls P conveyed from the upstream side are carried into the ball conveyance unit 520, the pachinko balls P are stacked on the movable plate 535 in multiple stages. When the transport drum member 550 is rotationally driven in this state, the movable plate 535 is pushed downward, and the movable detection switch C2 is pushed. In such a case, the control device recognizes the detection signal input from the movable detection switch C2, and urgently stops the motor 561 of the ball transport unit 520 in which the movable detection switch C2 is pressed.

  Further, the control device calculates the rotation speed of the transport drum member 550 based on the detection signal input from the drum torque sensor C4. When the rotation speed calculated in a state where the motor 561 is driven is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed set in advance, the ball transport unit 520 and all the balls disposed on the upstream side of the ball transport unit 520 are arranged. The motor 561 of the ball transport unit 520 and the lifting device of the lifting device are stopped in an emergency.

  Further, when the pachinko ball P starts to accumulate in the replenishing rod 510 due to the stop of the motor 561 as described above, the clogging of the pachinko ball P is detected by the carry-out sensor C3 and the rod-side detection sensor C1 of the upstream ball conveyance unit 520. Then, the motor 561 of the upstream ball conveying unit 520 is also stopped. Here, when the motor 561 of the ball transport unit 520 located on the downstream side of the lifting device 250 is stopped, the control device performs control to stop driving of the lifting means of the lifting device 250.

  On the other hand, the pachinko balls P carried out to the carry-out surface 534 </ b> B are carried out to the supply basket 510 connected to the second connecting portion 533. Then, the replenishment basket 510 connected to the second connection portion 533 transports the pachinko balls P to the downstream side and introduces them into the ball transport unit 520 disposed on the downstream side, similarly to the above-described supply basket 510. Hereinafter, similarly, the pachinko balls P are transported by the replenishment basket 510 and the ball transport unit 520 to the end of the island structure 200, and each game body 300 and the Pachinko balls P are supplied to each game medium lending device 400.

[Effects of Embodiment]
As described above, when the pachinko ball P is carried into the first connecting portion 532 of the ball carrying unit 520 from the replenishment basket 510 arranged on the upstream side, the ball carrying device 500 of the gaming system as described above carries the ball. In the unit 520, the pachinko ball P is transported upward, and the pachinko ball P is carried out from the second connecting portion 533 to the replenishment basket 510 arranged on the downstream side.
For this reason, the pachinko ball P that has moved to the downstream end of the upstream replenishment basket 510 is transported upward and is transported to the upstream end of the downstream replenishment basket 510, whereby the pachinko ball P is played. Can be conveyed substantially along the direction in which they are arranged. Therefore, even if the length of the island structure 200 is increased, the vertical direction between the position of the upstream end of the upstream supply rod 510 and the position of the downstream end of the downstream supply rod 510 The pachinko ball P can be guided in a state where the dimensional difference is minimized. Therefore, the height of the island structure 200 can be reduced. Furthermore, the installation work of the island structure 200 can be easily performed. Moreover, since the height dimension of the island structure 200 becomes low, the efficiency of air conditioning can be improved. Furthermore, when a security camera or the like is installed on the ceiling, the height of the island structure 200 is reduced so that the field of view of the security camera is improved, the illegal use of the game main body 300 can be prevented, and the crime prevention side should be strengthened. Can do.

Further, in the ball transport unit 520, a transport drum member 550 is attached to the upper case 540, and the upper case 540 is detachably attached to the lower case 530.
Therefore, as described above, even when clogging or the like occurs in the ball transport unit 520, the transport drum member 550 can be removed simply by removing the upper case 540, and the jammed pachinko balls P can be easily removed. Can do. Therefore, the maintenance is easy, and an emergency maintenance such as when the pachinko ball P is clogged can be dealt with immediately. Further, the transport drum member 550 can be easily repaired.

A lower case 530 having a first connecting portion 532 and a second connecting portion 533 is provided, and the upper case 540 is detachably attached to the lower case 530.
For this reason, the replenishing rod 510 can be easily positioned by the lower case 530, and the ball conveying device 500 can be easily assembled. Further, even when the replenishing rod 510 is damaged, the replacement operation of the replenishing rod 510 can be facilitated, and maintenance can be facilitated.

Further, the ball transport unit 520 rotates the transport drum member 550 by the driving force of the motor 561 and moves the fins 554 along the curved surface portion 534A, thereby causing the pachinko balls P that have been carried in along the curved surface portion 534A. The pachinko ball P lifted to the second connecting portion 533 side and lifted up and transported from the second connecting portion 533 to the replenishment basket 510 disposed downstream is carried out.
For this reason, the pachinko ball P is scraped by the fins 554 from the first connecting portion 532 arranged at the low position to the second connecting portion 533 arranged at the high position with a simple configuration in which the transport drum member 550 is rotationally driven. It can be extruded and transported as if fried.

A ball replenishing chute 514 is provided on the replenishing rod 510 of the ball conveying device 500.
For this reason, the pachinko ball P can be supplied to the game main body 300 while being transported, and the convenience of the ball transport device 500 can be improved.

[Modification of Embodiment]
The present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various improvements and design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Is possible.

For example, the conveyance drum member 550 may be provided in the lower case 530 without providing the upper case 540.
With such a configuration, the number of parts of the ball conveying device 500 can be reduced, and the assembling work can be facilitated. Moreover, the weight reduction of the ball conveying apparatus 500 can be achieved.

The replenishing rod 510 may be firmly fixed to the lower case 530 with a screw or the like.
With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the replenishing rod 510 from being detached from the lower case 530, and it becomes easy to carry the replenishing rod 510 while being fixed to the lower case 530, and the ball conveying device 500 is installed. Easy to do.

Further, as the conveying member, the fin 554 protrudes from the peripheral surface of the substantially cylindrical conveying drum member 550, and the fin 554 is moved upward along the arcuate curved surface of the curved surface portion 534A. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. .
For example, as the conveying member, an annular belt may be wound around a plurality of rotating shafts, and a plurality of fins may be provided on the belt. In such a configuration, a plate-like member that is inclined upward can be used as the transport path portion 534. That is, the rotation shafts of the conveyance members are arranged to face the lower end position and the upper end position of the conveyance path portion 534, respectively, and a belt having fins on the circumferential surface is wound around these rotation shafts.
Then, the driving means moves the rotating shaft so that the belt facing the conveyance path portion 534 moves upward, so that the fins provided on the belt also move upward along the conveyance path portion. Even with such a configuration, the pachinko balls can be easily transported upward along the transport path portion 534 by the fins.
In addition, the shape of the transport path portion is not limited to the flat plate shape as described above, but may be an arcuate curved surface shape as in the above embodiment, may be a shape that curves upward, or any shape. The pachinko balls can be transported upward by arranging the rotating shaft according to the shape of the transport path surface of the transport path section and winding the belt.

And instead of the ball conveyance unit 520, you may apply the ball conveyance unit 600 as shown in FIG.
A ball transport unit 600 shown in FIG. 11 includes a case 610, a transport unit 620, and the like.

  The case 610 includes a front surface (not shown) in the same direction as the front surface of the game body 300 of the island structure 200, a rear surface 611 facing the front surface, and a bottom surface 612 connecting the front surface and the rear surface 611. Is formed in a substantially open shape. Since the front surface and the rear surface 611 have substantially the same configuration, the rear surface 611 will be described in detail.

On the upper side of the rear surface 611, a first shaft fitting insertion groove 611A provided on the lifting device 250 side (right side in FIG. 11) and an end side (left side in FIG. 11) of the island structure 200 are provided. And a second shaft insertion groove 611B.
The first shaft insertion groove 611A includes a first groove 611A1 provided from the upper end of the rear surface 611 to the substantially vertical center, and a second groove provided in a state bent from the first groove 611A1 to the lifting device 250 side. 611A2 and a third groove 611A3 provided from the second groove 611A2 toward the lower end.
Further, on the rear surface 611, a first bearing portion 613A and a second bearing portion 613B are provided in a portion that is outside the case 610. The first bearing portion 613A is provided at a connection portion between the first groove portion 611A1 and the second groove portion 611A2. The second bearing portion 613B is provided at the lower end portion of the third groove portion 611A3.

The second shaft insertion groove 611B is a first groove 611B1 provided from the upper end of the rear surface 611 to the vicinity of the upper end, and a first bent portion provided in a state bent from the first groove 611B1 to the end side of the island structure 200. A second groove portion 611B2 and a third groove portion 611B3 provided from the second groove portion 611B2 toward the vicinity of the lower end are provided.
Further, on the rear surface 611, a third bearing portion 613C and a fourth bearing portion 613D are provided in a portion that is outside the case 610. The third bearing portion 613C is provided at a connection portion between the first groove portion 611B1 and the second groove portion 611B2. The fourth bearing portion 613D is provided at a connection portion between the second groove portion 611B2 and the third groove portion 611B3.

  The front surface also includes first and second shaft insertion grooves (not shown), similar to the rear surface 611. Furthermore, the 1st-4th bearing part which is not shown in figure is provided also in the front surface.

Furthermore, the carrying control member 614 and the 1st connection part 615 are provided in the state by which these are bridge | crosslinked in the edge part by the side of the feeding apparatus 250 in the front surface and the rear surface 611.
The carry-in control member 614 closes the closing portion 614A that closes the upper end side of the conveying area of the replenishing rod 510 so that the height dimension of the opening portion of the conveying area is smaller than the dimension that is twice the diameter dimension of the pachinko ball P. I have. When the pachinko balls P are transported in a stacked state from the replenishing basket 510, the closing portion 614A guides the case 610 in a non-stacked state.
The first connecting portion 615 includes a pair of side stoppers 615A (only the side stopper 615A on the rear surface 610 side is shown) that is in contact with the side surface of the replenishing rod 510, and the inner side of the case 610 at the upper end of these side stoppers 615A. A carry-in guide portion 615B that guides the pachinko balls P from the replenishing basket 510 into the case 610, and extends downward from the end of the carry-in guide section 615B on the replenishment rod 510 side. The end center stopper 615C that is provided in a state where the opening end of the replenishing rod 510 is substantially in contact with the upper end and the state that the flat end extends from the lower end of the end center stopper 615C to the replenishing rod 510 side. And a lower end stopper 615D with which the lower end of the open end of the replenishing rod 510 is brought into contact. And the 1st connection part 615 supports the replenishment gutter 510 in the state which descent | falls toward the edge part side of the island structure 200 from the lifting apparatus 250 side. In addition, the part enclosed by the front surface, the rear surface 611, the carrying-in control member 614, and the carrying-in guide part 615B respond | corresponds to the carrying-in port of this invention.

Moreover, the bridge | crosslinking part 616, the carrying-out guide part 617, and the 2nd connection part 618 are each provided in the state which bridge | crosslinks these in the edge part by the side of the edge part of the island structure 200 in the front surface and the rear surface 611. ing.
The carry-out guide part 617 is provided at the upper end of the bridging part 616 and guides the pachinko ball P to the outside of the case 610.
The second connecting portion 618 is provided on the end side of the island structure 200 in the bridging portion 616. The second connecting portion 618 includes a pair of side stoppers 618A (only the side stopper 618A on the rear surface 610 side is shown) that is in contact with the side surface of the replenishing rod 510, and a bottom surface stopper that is in contact with the bottom surface of the replenishing rod 510. 618B and an end lower stopper 618C with which the lower side of the opening end of the replenishing rod 510 is abutted.
And the 2nd connection part 618 supports the replenishment gutter 510 in the state inclined downward toward the edge part side of the island structure 200 from the lifting apparatus 250 side. In addition, the part enclosed by the front surface, the rear surface 611, and the carry-out guide part 617 respond | corresponds to the carry-out port of this invention.

The transport unit 620 includes a first belt 621 as a first band-like part, a second belt 622 as a second ring-like part, and a first belt holding part that rotatably holds the first belt 621 in the circumferential direction. 623, a second belt holding unit 624 that holds the second belt 622 rotatably in the circumferential surface direction, a driving unit 625 as a driving unit, and the like.
The first belt 621 and the second belt 622 are formed of a material such as rubber in a ring band shape whose dimension in the direction orthogonal to the circumferential surface direction is substantially equal to the width dimension of the replenishing rod 510. Further, the first belt 621 is formed in a shape having a larger length in the circumferential direction than the second belt 622.

The first belt holding part 623 includes a first lower holding part 623A provided in the vicinity of the first connecting part 615 and a first upper holding part 623B provided in the vicinity of the second connecting part 618.
The first lower holding portion 623A includes a columnar column portion 623A1 and a shaft portion 623A2 provided in a state protruding from the column portion 623A1 at both ends in the axial direction and received by the second bearing portion 613B. The columnar portion 623A1 is provided in a state where its upper end is located at a position slightly lower than the height position of the carry-in guide portion 615B.
Similar to the first lower holding portion 623A, the first upper holding portion 623B includes a columnar portion 623B1 and a shaft portion 623B2 received by the fourth bearing portion 613D. The cylindrical portion 623B1 is provided in a state where the upper end thereof is located at a position slightly higher than the height position of the carry-out guide portion 617.
The first belt 621 is stretched over the cylindrical portions 623A1 and 623B1, and the downstream end of the supply rod 510 on the lifting device 250 side and the upstream end of the supply rod 510 on the end side of the island structure 200. Are provided in a state of being substantially connected to each other.

The second belt holding part 624 includes a second lower holding part 624A provided on the upper side of the first lower holding part 623A and on the first upper holding part 623B side, and an upper side of the first upper holding part 623B and the first lower side. A second upper holding portion 624B provided on the side holding portion 623A side.
The second lower holding portion 624A includes a column portion 624A1 and a shaft portion 624A2 received by the first bearing portion 613A. The cylindrical portion 624A1 is provided in a state where the dimension between the lower end thereof and the upper end of the cylindrical portion 623A1 of the first lower holding portion 623A is substantially equal to the diameter dimension of the pachinko ball P.
The second upper holding portion 624B includes a cylindrical portion 624B1 and a shaft portion 624B2 received by the third bearing portion 613C. The cylindrical part 624B1 is provided in a state where the dimension between the second belt 622 and the first belt 621 spanned over the cylindrical part 624B1 is substantially equal to the diameter dimension of the pachinko ball P.
And the 2nd belt 622 is spanned over cylinder part 624A1 and 624B1, and is provided in the state which can pinch the pachinko ball P in cooperation with the 1st belt 621. In addition, when the pachinko ball P is held between the first and second belts 621 and 622, a portion of the pachinko ball P that faces the second lower holding portion 624 </ b> A in the first belt 621 is held in the second lower side. Deformed by being pushed away from the portion 624A. The pachinko ball P is firmly held between the first and second belts 621 and 622 by the reaction force generated by the pressing and deformation.

The drive unit 625 includes a motor 626, a transmission unit 627, and the like.
The motor 626 is provided in the vicinity of the lower end on the end side of the island structure 200 inside the case 610. The motor 626 is connected to the control device, and rotates the motor shaft 626A that protrudes outward from the front surface of the case 610.

  The transmission unit 627 includes a first transmission gear 627A, a second transmission gear 627B, and a third transmission gear 627C. The first transmission gear 627A is provided at the tip of 610 of the motor shaft 626A. The second transmission gear 627B is provided at the front end of the shaft portion 623B2 of the first upper holding portion 623B so as to mesh with the first transmission gear 627A. The third transmission gear 627C is provided at the front end of the shaft portion 624B2 of the second lower holding portion 624A so as to mesh with the second transmission gear 627B.

  When the pachinko ball P is transported by the ball transport unit 600, the pachinko ball P unloaded from the replenishment basket 510 on the lifting device 250 side is moved to the first lower side of the first belt 621 via the loading guide portion 615B. Guide to the holding portion 623A side. Further, the first and second belts 621 and 622 are driven to rotate by the drive unit 625, and the pachinko balls P are conveyed obliquely upward while being pinched, and the island structure 200 is connected via the carry-out guide unit 617. It is carried out to the replenishment rod 510 on the end side.

  With such a configuration, the pachinko ball P can be transported with a simple configuration in which the pachinko balls P are held between the peripheral surfaces of the first and second belts 621 and 622 and are rotated.

  In addition, the carry-in control member 614 can carry the pachinko balls P from the replenishing basket 510 to the first and second belts 621 and 622 in a state in which the pachinko balls P are not stacked at all times. Can be implemented appropriately.

  In the above embodiment, the substantially spherical pachinko ball P is used as the game medium. However, the game medium may be formed in a substantially elliptical shape or other shapes.

Although the best configuration for carrying out the present invention has been disclosed in the above description, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the invention has been illustrated and described primarily with respect to particular embodiments, but may be configured for the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art in terms of materials, quantity, and other detailed configurations.
Therefore, the description limited to the shape, material, etc. disclosed above is an example for easy understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. The description by the name of the member which remove | excluded the limitation of one part or all of such is included in this invention.

  The present invention can be used for a game medium transport unit that transports game media for playing with a gaming device.

It is a front view which shows a part of game system in one embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a front view which shows a part of ball conveying apparatus of the upper part of a game system. It is the front view which expanded further the vicinity of the ball conveyance unit of FIG. It is a perspective view of the replenishment basket in a ball conveyance apparatus. It is the enlarged front view which expanded the ball | bowl conveyance unit of FIG. It is sectional drawing of a ball conveyance unit. It is the top view which looked at the ball conveyance unit from the top side. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the conveyance drum member in the ball | bowl conveyance unit in the direction substantially orthogonal to an axial center. It is a perspective view of the core part which comprises a conveyance drum member. It is a perspective view of the fin installation cylinder part which comprises a conveyance drum member. It is sectional drawing of the ball | bowl conveyance unit in other embodiment which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 200 ... Island structure 300 ... Game main body 400 which comprises a game device ... Game medium rental device 500 which comprises a game device ... Ball transport device 510 as a game media transport system ... Supply bowl 514 as a transport lane ... Game media supply part Ball supply chute 530 as a lower case 532 as a lane connecting member ... a first connecting portion 533 as a carry-in port and a first positioning support portion ... a second connecting portion 534 as a carry-out port and a second positioning support portion ... Conveying path part 534A constituting the conveying part ... Curved part 540 constituting the conveying path surface ... Upper case 550 as the conveying part holding member ... Conveying drum member 554 as the conveying member constituting the conveying part ... Fin 560 ... Constructing the conveying part Drive unit 614 as drive means to perform ... Carry-in control member 620 ... Conveyance unit 621 ... First as first strip-shaped part Belt 622 ... pachinko balls as the driver P ... game medium as the second belt 625 ... driving means as a second ring belt portion

Claims (5)

A game medium transport system provided on an island structure in which a plurality of game devices to be played using game media are installed substantially in parallel, and transports the game media substantially along the alignment direction of the game devices,
A first transport lane that is provided longitudinally in the same direction as the line-up direction of the gaming devices, and the game medium is inclined at an inclination angle at which the game medium can be moved by its own weight;
The game apparatus is provided in a longitudinal direction substantially in the same direction as the arrangement direction of the game devices, and the game medium is inclined at an inclination angle at which the game medium can be moved by its own weight, and an upstream end in the movement direction of the game medium is the first transport. A second transport lane provided at a height position higher than the downstream end in the moving direction of the game medium in the lane;
Connected to the downstream end of the first transport lane, and a carry-in entrance into which the game medium is loaded from the first transport lane;
A transport unit configured to move the game medium carried into the carry-in port upward and transport the game medium to the vicinity of the upstream end of the second transport lane;
A carry-out port connected to the upstream end of the second transfer lane and carrying out the game medium transferred to the second transfer lane by the transfer unit;
A transport unit holding member that holds the transport unit and is detachably attached between the first transport lane and the second transport lane;
The carry-in port, the carry-out port, the first positioning support unit that supports the first transport lane in a state of positioning with respect to the carry-in port, and the second transport lane in a state of positioning with respect to the carry-out port. A second positioning support portion, and a lane connecting member provided between the first transport lane and the second transport lane,
The game medium transport system , wherein the transport holding member is detachably attached to the lane connecting member . The game medium transport system according to claim 1 ,
The transport unit is
A transport path portion provided continuously with the transport entrance and having a transport path surface inclined upward;
A conveying member provided with a plurality of fins provided opposite to the conveying path surface so as to be movable at least partially along the conveying path surface and spaced apart from each other so as to lift up the game medium. When,
And a driving means for driving the conveying member so that at least a part of the fin moves upward substantially along the conveyance path surface. The game medium transport system according to claim 1 ,
The transport unit is
A first band-like portion formed in an annular shape and having a part of its peripheral surface substantially continuous to the carry-in port and the carry-out port and rotatable in the circumferential surface direction;
A second ring band portion formed in an annular shape and provided so as to be able to sandwich the game medium on a part of the circumferential surface thereof and the circumferential surface of the first one-piece band portion and to be rotatable in the circumferential direction;
Drive means for rotating the first part-band part and the second ring-shaped part in a direction in which the game medium carried in from the carry-in port is sandwiched and conveyed to the carry-out port. Game media transport system. The game medium transport system according to claim 3 ,
A gaming medium transport system, comprising: a loading control member that is provided in the vicinity of the carry-in port and allows the stacked game media to be loaded from the carry-in port in a non-stacked state. A game medium transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A game medium transport system provided in the first transport lane and the second transport lane, and further comprising a game medium supply unit for supplying the game medium to the game device.