JP5625099B2 - Amusement machine island equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine island facility in which gaming machines and the like are installed. In particular, the present invention relates to a gaming machine island facility capable of transferring a moving ball between the gaming machine islands.

  Generally, a plurality of gaming machine island facilities in which a plurality of gaming machines and ball lending machines are installed are arranged in a game hall. Different game machine island facilities communicate with each other by crossovers, and game balls can be exchanged between the game machine island facilities. By providing this crossover, it is possible to prevent a situation in which there is a shortage of game balls in a certain game machine island facility or an excess of game balls in a certain game machine island facility.

  On the other hand, in the gaming machine island facility, there are a lower tank, an out trough, a polishing and lifting device, an upper tank, and the like.

  The lower tank is arranged at the lower part of the gaming machine island facility for storing gaming balls (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “out balls”) discharged from the game machines on the own island, overflow balls and crossing balls, which will be described later. Yes. In addition, the out basket is arranged at the lower part of each gaming machine in order to guide the out ball discharged from the gaming machine to the lower tank. The polishing and lifting device is provided in the center of the gaming machine island facility for polishing and lifting the game balls discharged from the lower tank. The upper tank is arranged at the upper part of the gaming machine island facility to store the game balls that have been polished and lifted.

  In such a gaming machine island facility, for example, when a large number of out balls are generated, there is a possibility that the amount of game balls that are polished and lifted from the polishing and lifting device increases, and a situation that does not fit in the upper tank may occur. . Alternatively, there may be a situation in which a large number of game balls held by other game machine island facilities or the like are sent via a crossover or the like. In the following, a game ball sent from the polishing and lifting device as described above that does not fit in the upper tank is referred to as an “overflow ball”, and a game ball from a crossover or the like is sometimes referred to as a “crossover ball”. is there.

  In order to solve such a situation, there is a gaming machine island facility provided with a path for guiding the overflow ball and the transition ball to the lower tank.

  For example, in the gaming machine island facility described in Patent Document 1, when an overflow ball and a transition ball are guided to the lower tank, there is a configuration of a detour that bypasses the overflow ball in order to guide the transition ball to the lower tank preferentially. It is disclosed (see FIG. 3, FIG. 4, etc.). In general, it is more likely that the transition ball is more dirty than the overflow ball. Therefore, Patent Document 1 also adopts a configuration that preferentially guides the crossing ball to the lower tank.

JP 2003-181109 A

  However, in the gaming machine island facility described in Patent Document 1, in order to give priority to the moving ball, the upper and lower tank communication ports 321 are arranged at the falling position of the moving ball, and the upper portion is used to bypass the overflow ball path. A configuration in which a guide portion is provided at the bottom of the tank 300 is employed. Therefore, there is a problem that it becomes necessary to make a route complicated, large, space, and secure a place for forming a detour.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described problems, and preferentially places an overflow ball or a transition ball in a lower tank (polishing lifting device) while simplifying the route, reducing the size, saving space, and easily securing the location of the route. It is an object to provide a configuration of the gaming machine island facility that can be led to.

In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine island facility according to claim 1 is provided at an upper part of the gaming machine island facility, and an upper tank for storing game balls to be supplied to each gaming machine, and the gaming machine island facility A lower tank for storing game balls discharged from each gaming machine, a polishing and lifting device for polishing and lifting game balls discharged from the lower tank to the upper tank, and a game ball that has been polished and transferred A first path for transferring the game balls from the upper tank to the lower tank, and a second path for transferring game balls transferred from outside the gaming machine island facility to the lower tank from above or above the gaming machine island facility. Have. The first path is provided with a first ball outlet through which the game balls passing through the first path are discharged in the lower tank, and the second path is provided with game balls passing through the second path in the lower tank. A second ball outlet to be discharged is provided, and in the lower tank, the first ball outlet is arranged at a different height from the second ball outlet, and is used for transferring the game ball discharged from the gaming machine to the lower tank. The third path is further provided with a third ball outlet through which the game ball is discharged into the lower tank. In the lower tank, the third ball outlet has the first ball outlet and the second ball outlet. It is arranged at a position higher than the ball exit.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the gaming machine island facility according to claim 2 is provided at an upper part of the gaming machine island facility, and an upper tank that stores game balls to be supplied to each gaming machine, A lower tank provided in the lower part of the facility for storing game balls discharged from each gaming machine, a polishing and lifting device for polishing and feeding game balls discharged from the lower tank to the upper tank, and other game machine island facilities A transfer fence for transferring game balls from the first tank, a first path for transferring polished game balls from the upper tank to the lower tank, and transfer from other game machine island facilities via the transfer fence A second path for transferring the played game ball to the lower tank. The first path is provided with a first ball outlet through which the game balls passing through the first path are discharged in the lower tank, and the second path is provided with game balls passing through the second path in the lower tank. A second ball outlet to be discharged is provided, and in the lower tank, the first ball outlet is arranged at a different height from the second ball outlet, and is used for transferring the game ball discharged from the gaming machine to the lower tank. The third path is further provided with a third ball outlet through which the game ball is discharged into the lower tank. In the lower tank, the third ball outlet has the first ball outlet and the second ball outlet. It is arranged at a position higher than the ball exit.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the gaming machine island facility according to claim 3 is the gaming machine island facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower tank includes the first ball outlet and the second ball outlet. A first lower tank portion for storing game balls from the lower tank portion and a lower tank ball outlet for discharging the game balls from the lower tank to the polishing and lifting device, and a second for storing game balls from the third ball outlet. And a lower tank portion. The communication port that communicates the first lower tank portion and the second lower tank portion is arranged at a position lower than the third ball outlet.
In order to solve the above problem, the gaming machine island facility according to claim 4 is the gaming machine island facility according to claim 3, wherein the lower tank ball outlet and the communication port are provided in the second lower tank portion. It arrange | positions in the position which opposes the lower position of a 3rd bulb | ball exit in the middle.

  According to the present invention, a game ball from the first route or a game ball from the second route (with a simple configuration in which the height of the ball exit of the first route and the ball exit of the second route is changed in the lower tank ( It is possible to preferentially guide the gaming balls from the route with the higher ball outlet to the lower tank.

It is a figure showing the whole amusement machine island equipment concerning this embodiment. It is the figure showing the AA cross section of FIG. It is a front view of the lower tank concerning this embodiment. It is a side view of the lower tank concerning this embodiment. It is drawing explaining the flow of the game ball in a 1st lower tank part. It is drawing explaining the flow of the game ball in a 1st lower tank part. It is drawing explaining the flow of the game ball in a 1st lower tank part. It is drawing explaining the flow of the game ball in a 1st lower tank part. It is drawing explaining the flow of the game ball in the 2nd lower tank part. It is drawing explaining the flow of the game ball in the 2nd lower tank part. It is drawing which concerns on the modification 1 of a lower tank. It is drawing which concerns on the modification 2 of a lower tank. It is drawing which concerns on the modification 3 of a lower tank. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. It is drawing which concerns on the modification 3 of a lower tank. It is drawing which represented the AA cross section of FIG.

<Composition of Pachislot Island equipment>
The configuration of the gaming machine island facility 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 shows a part of the gaming apparatus installed in parallel with the gaming machine island facility 1 according to the present embodiment and the internal structure of the gaming machine island facility 1. FIG. 2 shows an AA cross section in FIG.

  In the present specification, unless otherwise specified, the “front” means a surface on which the gaming machine 2 is arranged in FIG. The “side surface” means a surface viewed from the lateral direction with respect to the “front” of the gaming machine island facility 1. Further, “up, down, left, right” means up, down, left, right when the gaming machine island facility 1 is viewed from the “front”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine island facility 1 is provided with a plurality of gaming devices in which a gaming machine 2 and a gaming machine lending machine 3 are juxtaposed as a set. FIG. 1 shows only one of a plurality of gaming devices. In FIG. 1, the configuration on the left side with respect to the lower tank 4 (described later) is the same as the configuration on the right side, and a part thereof is omitted.

  The gaming machine 2 can launch a game ball on the game board 2b by operating the operation unit 2a. The launched game ball wins a starting opening (not shown) provided on the game board 2b, thereby starting a symbol variation game by a variable display device (not shown). In this symbol variation game, when a specific symbol combination (for example, “777”) is reached, a jackpot is awarded. In the case of a big win, the player can obtain a large number of game balls by winning the game balls in a big winning opening (not shown). On the other hand, the game balls that have not entered the start opening or the big winning opening are discharged into the gaming machine island facility 1 from an out ball opening (not shown) provided at the lower part of the game board 2b.

  The gaming machine ball lending machine 3 is a device for lending a game ball used in the gaming machine 2 to a player.

  A lower tank 4 in which game balls (out balls) discharged from each game machine and excess game balls (overflow balls) in an upper tank 6 (described later) are stored is arranged at the lower center of the gaming machine island facility 1. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lower tank 4 includes a first lower tank portion 4a and a second lower tank portion 4b. The first lower tank portion 4a and the second lower tank portion 4b are partitioned by a partition wall 4c. The first lower tank portion 4a and the second lower tank portion 4b are communicated with each other through the communication port 12. Further, the second lower tank portion 4 b is communicated with the polishing / lifting device 5 through the lower tank ball outlet 13. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the second lower tank portion 4 b of the present embodiment is disposed between the first lower tank portion 4 a and the polishing / lifting device 5 (described later). The lower tank 4 only needs to be able to store out balls and overflow balls, and the position thereof is not limited to the center lower part of the gaming machine island facility 1. For example, it can be provided at the end of the gaming machine island facility 1.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a polishing and lifting device 5 for polishing and lifting game balls discharged from the second lower tank portion 4b is erected in the center of the gaming machine island facility 1 (FIG. 1). The illustration is omitted in FIG. The polishing and lifting device 5 includes a polishing cloth 5a for polishing a game ball, an upper roller 5b and a lower roller 5c for transporting the game ball from the lower part to the upper part of the gaming machine island facility 1, and a conveyor belt 5d. . The conveyor belt 5d is arranged between the upper roller 5b and the lower roller 5c so as to go around.

  The game balls discharged from the second lower tank portion 4b are wiped off the dirt attached to the game balls by the frictional force with the polishing cloth 5a in the process of being transported by the transport belt 5d, and the upper tank 6 (described later). To be discharged.

  The polishing / lifting device 5 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the polishing apparatus and the lifting apparatus are separately configured such that the polishing apparatus is lifted from the lower part to the upper part of the gaming machine island facility 1 after being polished by the polishing apparatus. Further, since it is sufficient that the game ball discharged from the second lower tank portion 4b can be polished and lifted, when the lower tank 4 (second lower tank portion 4b) is at the end of the gaming machine island facility 1, the polishing and lifting device 5 can also be provided at the end of the gaming machine island facility 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an upper tank 6 in which game balls lifted by the polishing and lifting device 5 are stored is disposed at the upper center of the gaming machine island facility 1. The upper tank 6 only needs to be able to store the game balls lifted from the polishing and lifting device 5, and the position thereof is not limited to the upper center of the gaming machine island facility 1. For example, when the lower tank 4 is at the end of the gaming machine island facility 1, it can be provided above the lower tank 4 (the end of the gaming machine island facility 1).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the game balls stored in the upper tank 6 are connected to a plurality of game devices (the game machine 2 and the game machine ball rentals) via a supply basket 7 that extends over the game machine island facility 1. Machine 3) respectively. The supply rod 7 is arranged with a downward gradient from the upper tank 6 along the left-right direction. The game balls supplied from the supply basket 7 to each game device are stored in a storage tank (not shown) arranged above the game device, and are stored in the game machine 2 or the game machine ball lending machine 3 depending on the game situation. Supplied.

  Here, when game balls are stored in the storage tank, the supply of the game balls to the storage tank is stopped by closing a shutter (not shown) provided between the storage tank and the supply rod 7. . Therefore, when the shutters of all the gaming devices arranged in the gaming machine island facility 1 are closed, depending on the structure of the gaming machine island facility 1, the supply basket 7 is filled with the game balls and transferred from the upper tank 6. The game ball may return from the supply basket 7 into the upper tank 6. In the present embodiment, the game balls returned from the supply basket 7 into the upper tank 6 are also included in the “overflow balls”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, above the gaming machine island facility 1, there is a crossover 8a for transferring a game ball from the upper tank 6 to another gaming machine island facility, or from another gaming machine island facility. A plurality of crossovers 8b for transferring game balls to the island facility 1 are provided. FIG. 1 shows only a part of it.

  For example, the following method can be considered for the transfer of the game ball through the crossovers 8a and 8b. First, shutters (not shown) are provided on the crossovers 8a and 8b, respectively, and the shutters are normally closed. The upper tank 6 is provided with a sensor (not shown) for detecting the amount of game balls possessed by the gaming machine island facility 1. If the sensor detects that the amount of game balls in the gaming machine island facility 1 has decreased, the shutter on the side of the crossover 8b is opened, and the gaming machine island facility 1 moves from another gaming machine island facility. The game balls can be transferred. Conversely, when the sensor detects that the amount of game balls in the gaming machine island facility 1 has increased, the shutter on the side of the crossover 8a is opened, and the game balls are transferred to other gaming machine island facilities. Is possible.

  Note that the game balls transferred to the gaming machine island facility 1 through the crossing fence 8b are not limited to those transferred from other gaming machine island facilities. The game balls are transferred from, for example, a game ball counter (not shown) of a prize exchange counter or a game ball storage tank (not shown) arranged on the ceiling of a game store or the like. It may be a sphere.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a first cylindrical member 9 and a second cylindrical member 10 are arranged in a line in the left-right direction between the upper tank 6 and the lower tank 4.

  The first cylindrical member 9 is connected to the upper tank 6 and has a function of transferring the overflow ball in the upper tank 6 to the first lower tank portion 4a. The first tubular member 9 has a first ball outlet 9a (see FIG. 3) for discharging the game balls from the upper tank 6 to the first lower tank portion 4a via the first tubular member 9. Is provided. The first tubular member 9 acts as a first path. In the present embodiment, two first cylindrical members 9 are provided, but the number is not limited to this and may be one or three or more.

  The second cylindrical member 10 is connected to the crossover 8b in the upper tank 6 and has a function of transferring a game ball (crossover ball) from the crossover 8b to the first lower tank 4a. Further, the second cylindrical member 10 has a second ball outlet 10a (see FIG. 3) for discharging the game ball from the crossing rod 8b to the first lower tank portion 4a via the second cylindrical member 10. Is provided. This second cylindrical member 10 acts as a second path. In addition, in this embodiment, although the 2nd cylindrical member 10 is provided, it is not restricted to this, One or 3 or more may be sufficient.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the 1st cylindrical member 9 and the 2nd cylindrical member 10 are linearly arrange | positioned from the lower end part of the upper tank 6 to the upper end part of the lower tank 4 (1st lower tank part 4a). Thus, the game ball can be transferred to the lower tank 4 with a simple configuration without detouring the route (first route and second route) for discharging the game ball.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an out ball cage 11 for receiving a game ball (out ball) discharged from the gaming machine 2 and transferring it to the second lower tank portion 4b is provided at the lower part of each gaming device. Yes. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the game balls transferred by the out ball cage 11 are discharged from the out ball outlet 11a (third ball outlet) provided in the second lower tank portion 4b into the second lower tank portion 4b. Is done. In the present embodiment, the out bulbs 11 are provided on the left and right sides of the lower tank 4, respectively. Further, the out bulb 11 is stretched with a downward slope toward the second lower tank portion 4b. Accordingly, the out ball discharged from the gaming machine 2 descends the out ball cage 11 and is discharged into the second lower tank portion 4b through the out ball outlet 11a. In the present embodiment, the out bulb 11 acts as a “third path”.

  In addition, since the game ball discharged from the out ball exit 11a via the out ball cage 11 is a game ball actually used in the game, it is dirty than the game ball via the first route and the second route. Probability is high.

  In addition, the gaming machine island facility 1 is provided with a control unit (not shown) for performing various controls such as circulation of game balls in the facility. The control unit is managed by a management computer (not shown) that manages the entire gaming machine island facility.

<Structure of lower tank 4>
Next, the structure of the lower tank 4 in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a view of the inside of the lower tank 4 as viewed from the front of the gaming machine island facility 1. FIG. 4 is a view of the inside of the lower tank 4 as seen from the side of the gaming machine island facility 1.

  The lower tank 4 includes a first lower tank portion 4a in which game balls discharged from the first ball outlet 9a and the second ball outlet 10a are stored, and a game ball and an out ball outlet discharged through a communication port 12 (described later). It consists of a second lower tank part 4b for storing game balls discharged from 11a.

  A first cylindrical member 9 (first sphere outlet 9a) and a second cylindrical member 10 (second sphere outlet 10a) are disposed above the inside of the first lower tank portion 4a. The two second cylindrical members 10 are arranged in a row so as to sandwich the two first cylindrical members 9 arranged in a row in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the second ball outlet 10a is disposed at a position (on the upper tank 6 side) higher than the first ball outlet 9a in the first lower tank portion 4a.

  In addition, if the 2nd bulb | ball exit 10a is arrange | positioned in the 1st lower tank part 4a in the position higher than the 1st bulb | ball exit 9a, the 1st cylindrical member 9 and the 2nd cylindrical member 10 will be in a line in the left-right direction. It does not need to be arranged in.

  A communication port 12 is provided below the partition wall 4c that partitions the first lower tank portion 4a and the second lower tank portion 4b. The communication port 12 communicates the first lower tank portion 4a and the second lower tank portion 4b in order to discharge the game balls stored in the first lower tank portion 4a to the second lower tank portion 4b. The communication port 12 is, for example, a rectangular opening. Further, the bottom surface of the first lower tank portion 4 a is inclined downward toward the communication port 12. Accordingly, the game balls discharged from the first ball outlet 9a and the second ball outlet 10a fall below the first lower tank portion 4a, roll due to the downward slope of the bottom surface of the first lower tank portion 4a, and communicate with each other. It will be discharged | emitted through the opening | mouth 12 to the 2nd lower tank part 4b.

  Above the second lower tank portion 4b, an out ball outlet 11a (third ball outlet) through which game balls from the out ball cage 11 are discharged is provided. The game ball discharged from the out ball outlet 11a is stored in the second lower tank portion 4b. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the out ball outlet 11 a is arranged at a position higher than the communication port 12.

  A lower tank ball outlet 13 is provided below the second lower tank portion 4b. The lower tank ball outlet 13 discharges the game balls discharged from the communication port 12 and the game balls discharged from the out ball outlet 11a from the second lower tank portion 4b to the polishing and lifting device 5. Further, the bottom surface of the second lower tank portion 4 b is inclined downward from the communication port 12 toward the lower tank ball outlet 13. Therefore, the game ball discharged from the communication port 12 and the out ball outlet 11a falls below the second lower tank portion 4b, rolls due to the downward slope of the bottom surface of the second lower tank portion 4b, and the lower tank ball outlet 13 Then, it is transferred to the polishing / lifting device 5.

  In the present embodiment, the first ball outlet 9 a and the second ball outlet 10 a (communication port 12) are disposed at positions other than the vicinity immediately above the lower tank ball outlet 13. Further, the lower tank ball outlet 13 and the communication port 12 are arranged at positions facing each other with the lower position of the out ball outlet 11a (third ball outlet) in the second lower tank portion 4b.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the size of the communication port 12 and the size of the lower tank ball outlet 13 are substantially equal, but this is not restrictive. For example, by forming the lower tank ball outlet 13 larger than the communication port 12, it is possible to increase the amount of game balls transferred to the polishing and lifting device 5, and to suppress the stopping of the game balls in the second lower tank portion 4 b. It becomes possible.

<Motion of the game ball in the first lower tank 4a>
Next, the movement of the game ball in the first lower tank portion 4a in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5-7 is the figure which looked at the inside of the 1st lower tank part 4a from the front of the game machine island equipment 1. FIG. FIG. 8 is a view of the inside of the first lower tank portion 4a in FIG. 5 to 8, only the configuration in the first lower tank portion 4a is described, and the configuration and the like of the second lower tank portion 4b are omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which the game ball is not stopped in the first lower tank portion 4a. When the number of game balls discharged from the first ball outlet 9a and the second ball outlet 10a is small, the state is as shown in FIG. That is, the game ball is discharged from the communication port 12 without stopping in the first lower tank portion 4a, and is transferred to the polishing and lifting device 5 via the second lower tank portion 4b. In this state, priority is not given to either the game ball discharged from the first ball outlet 9a or the game ball discharged from the second ball outlet 10a.

  When the amount of game balls discharged from the first ball outlet 9a and the second ball outlet 10a is larger than the amount of game balls discharged to the second lower tank portion 4b through the communication port 12, as shown in FIG. The game ball starts to stop in the first lower tank portion 4a.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the game balls are accumulated up to the height of the first ball outlet 9a, the game balls are hardly discharged from the first ball outlet 9a. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the 2nd bulb | ball exit 10a is arrange | positioned in the position higher than the 1st bulb | ball exit 9a. Therefore, even after the discharge of the game ball from the first ball outlet 9a stops, the game ball from the second ball outlet 10a can be discharged into the first lower tank portion 4a (in FIG. 6). Arrow). Accordingly, the game balls from the second ball outlet 10a are discharged into the first lower tank portion 4a in preference to the game balls from the first ball outlet 9a.

  Thus, the game ball from the second ball outlet 10a is discharged into the second lower tank portion 4b in preference to the game ball from the first ball outlet 9a. Further, the game balls discharged from the communication port 12 are sequentially transferred to the polishing / lifting device 5 in the second lower tank portion 4b. In summary, the game balls from the second ball outlet 10a are transferred to the polishing and lifting device 5 in preference to the game balls from the first ball outlet 9a.

  Next, a case where game balls are accumulated up to the height of the second ball outlet 10a as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (when game balls are accumulated more than in the case of FIG. 6) will be described.

  In this case, when the game ball is discharged from the communication port 12, the movement of the game ball as indicated by arrows A to D in the drawing mainly occurs. That is, the game balls stored above the communication port 12 move downward (arrow B) by discharging the game ball from the communication port 12 (arrow A). Then, the game balls in the vicinity of the arrow B decrease, and the game balls in the vicinity move so as to fill the space generated by the decrease (arrow C). Then, due to the movement of the arrow C, the number of game balls in the vicinity of the second ball outlet 10a is reduced, so that the game balls in the second ball outlet 10a are discharged into the first lower tank portion 4a (arrow D). On the other hand, since the first ball outlet 9a is in a position lower than the second ball outlet 10a in the first lower tank portion 4a, the first cylinder must be accumulated unless the accumulated game balls are reduced to the height of the first ball outlet 9a. The game balls stored in the member 9 are not discharged.

  Further, in the state of FIGS. 7 and 8, the game ball in the vicinity immediately above the communication port 12 (the game ball indicated by the arrow B) is discharged with priority, so the game ball immediately below the first ball outlet 9a is discharged. hard. That is, even in the case of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the game ball from the second ball outlet 10a is given priority over the game ball from the first ball outlet 9a to the second lower tank portion 4b via the communication port 12. Discharged. That is, the game ball from the second ball outlet 10a is preferentially transferred to the polishing and lifting device 5.

  As described above, from the first ball outlet 9a as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the second ball outlet 10a is provided at a position higher than the first ball outlet 9a in the first lower tank portion 4a. Even if it is difficult for the game balls to be discharged into the second lower tank portion 4b, the game balls from the second ball outlet 10a move as shown by the arrows in FIGS. Discharged inside. Accordingly, it is possible to discharge the game balls from the second path into the first lower tank part 4a (in the second lower tank part 4b and the polishing / lifting device 5) preferentially over the game balls from the first path. It becomes. In other words, it becomes possible to preferentially transfer the game balls that are likely to be dirty to the polishing and lifting device 5.

  As described above, the game ball in the vicinity immediately above the communication port 12 is easily moved into the second lower tank portion 4b with priority. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first ball outlet 9a and the second ball outlet 10a are provided in positions other than the vicinity immediately above the communication port 12 in the first lower tank portion 4a, but the game ball to be prioritized is discharged. By disposing only the ball outlet in the vicinity immediately above the communication port 12, it is possible to discharge the game ball to the second lower tank portion more smoothly.

<Movement of the game ball in the second lower tank 4b>
Next, the movement of the game ball in the second lower tank portion 4b in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 are views of the inside of the first lower tank portion 4a and the second lower tank portion 4b as seen from the side of the gaming machine island facility 1. FIG. The description of the configuration of the polishing / lifting device 5 and the like is omitted.

  When the number of game balls discharged from the communication port 12 and the out ball outlet 11a is small (not shown), the game ball does not stop in the second lower tank part 4b and passes through the lower tank ball outlet 13. It is transferred to the polishing and lifting device 5. In this state, priority is not given to either the game ball discharged from the communication port 12 or the game ball discharged from the out ball exit.

  The amount of game balls discharged from the communication port 12 and the out ball outlet 11a is more than the amount of game balls transferred to the polishing and lifting device 5 through the lower tank ball outlet 13 provided in the second lower tank portion 4b. When the number increases, the game ball starts to stop in the second lower tank portion 4b as shown in FIG.

  When the game balls are accumulated up to the height of the upper end of the communication port 12 as shown in FIG. 9, it becomes difficult for the game balls to be discharged from the communication port 12. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the out ball outlet 11a is arranged at a position higher than the communication port 12, so that the game ball is not discharged from the communication port 12 and the game is stored in the second lower tank part 4b. It is possible to discharge the sphere (arrow in FIG. 9). Accordingly, the game ball from the out ball outlet 11a is discharged into the second lower tank portion 4b in preference to the game ball from the communication port 12. Further, the game balls in the second lower tank portion 4b are sequentially transferred to the polishing and lifting device 5 through the lower tank ball outlet 13, so that the game balls from the out ball outlet 11a become the game balls from the communication port 12. It will be discharged into the second lower tank part 4b with priority. In summary, the game ball from the out ball outlet 11a is transferred to the polishing and lifting device 5 in preference to the game ball from the communication port 12.

  Next, a case where game balls are accumulated up to the height of the out-ball exit 11a as shown in FIG. 10 (when game balls are accumulated more than in the case of FIG. 9) will be described.

  In this case, when the game ball is discharged from the lower tank ball outlet 13, the movement of the game ball as indicated by arrows E to G in the drawing mainly occurs. That is, due to the discharge of the game ball from the lower tank ball outlet 13 (arrow E), the game ball stored above the lower tank ball outlet 13 moves downward (arrow F). Therefore, the game ball near the out ball outlet 11a is filled in the space created by the movement of the game ball indicated by the arrow F (arrow G). On the other hand, since the communication port 12 is located below the out ball outlet 11a in the second lower tank portion 4b, the game accumulated in the first lower tank portion 4a unless the game balls are reduced to the height of the communication port 12. The sphere is not discharged into the second lower tank portion 4b. That is, in the case shown in FIG. 10, the game balls from the out ball outlet 11a are transferred to the polishing and lifting device 5 in preference to the game balls from the communication port 12 (the first ball outlet 9a and the second ball outlet 10a). Will be.

  As described above, with the simple configuration in which the out ball outlet 11a is provided at a position higher than the communication port 12 in the second lower tank portion 4b, the game balls from the communication port 12 are firstly connected as shown in FIGS. 2 Even if it is difficult to be discharged into the lower tank portion 4b, the game ball from the out ball outlet 11a is discharged into the second lower tank portion 4b by the movement as shown by the arrows in FIGS. Therefore, the game ball from the out ball outlet 11a can be discharged into the second lower tank portion 4b (polishing / lifting device 5) preferentially over the game ball from the communication port 12. In other words, it becomes possible to preferentially transfer the game balls that are likely to be dirty to the polishing and lifting device 5.

  As described above, the first sphere outlet 9 a and the second sphere outlet 10 a (or the communication port 12) are arranged at positions other than the vicinity immediately above the lower tank sphere outlet 13. In general, a game ball located immediately above the lower tank ball outlet 13 is most easily moved to the lower tank ball outlet 13. Therefore, in order to give the highest priority to the game ball from the out ball outlet 11a as in this embodiment, at least the first ball outlet 9a and the second ball outlet 10a (or the communication port 12) are directly above the lower tank ball outlet 13. It is necessary to arrange other than the vicinity. With such a configuration, it is possible to preferentially guide the game ball from the out ball outlet 11 a to the lower tank ball outlet 13.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the communication port 12 and the lower tank ball outlet 13 are arranged at positions facing each other with the lower position of the out ball outlet 11a (third ball outlet) in the second lower tank portion 4b. ing. With this configuration, in the second lower tank portion 4b, the communication port 12 and the lower tank ball outlet 13 can be disposed at positions apart from each other with the out ball outlet 11a interposed therebetween. Further, the out bulb outlet 11 a is disposed at a position higher than the communication port 12. Therefore, the game ball from the out ball outlet 11a can be guided to the lower tank ball outlet 13 with priority over the game ball from the communication port 12.

<Modification 1>
In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the lower tank 4 is divided into two parts (the first lower tank portion 4a and the second lower tank portion 4b) has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the first cylindrical member 9, the first bulb outlet 9a, the second tubular member 10, the second bulb outlet 10a, the out bulb outlet 11a, and the lower tank bulb outlet 13 are provided in one lower tank 4. May be provided.

  In FIG. 11, the 2nd bulb | ball exit 10a is arrange | positioned in the position higher than the 1st bulb | ball exit 9a. Therefore, as described in the above embodiment, even when the game ball is stopped in the lower tank 4 to a position higher than the first ball outlet 9a, the game ball from the second outlet 10a has priority. And discharged into the lower tank 4. Further, the out ball outlet 11a is disposed at a position higher than the first ball outlet 9a and the second ball outlet 10a. Therefore, as described in the above embodiment, even if the game ball is stopped in the lower tank 4 to a position higher than the first ball outlet 9a and the second ball outlet 10a, the out ball outlet 11a Game balls are discharged into the lower tank 4 in preference to the game balls from the first ball outlet 9a and the second ball outlet 10a.

  As described above, even when the number of the lower tank 4 is one, it is possible to preferentially transfer the game ball from any ball outlet to the polishing and lifting device 5 by adjusting the height of the ball outlet. It becomes.

<Modification 2>
The positional relationship between the out ball outlet 11a and the lower tank ball outlet 13 is not limited to that shown in the above embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, it is also possible to dispose the out sphere outlet 11a in the vicinity immediately above the lower tank sphere outlet 13.

  In FIG. 12, the out bulb outlet 11 a is arranged at a position higher than the communication port 12. In addition, the out ball outlet 11 a is disposed in the vicinity immediately above the lower tank ball outlet 13. Further, the bottom surface of the second lower tank portion 4 b is inclined downward toward the lower tank ball outlet 13.

  In this configuration, when the game ball is discharged from the lower tank ball outlet 13, the game ball located immediately above the lower tank ball outlet 13 moves preferentially in the direction of the lower tank ball outlet 13. As described above, the out ball outlet 11a is arranged in the vicinity immediately above the lower tank ball outlet 13, so that the game ball from the out ball outlet 11a moves preferentially in the space generated by the movement of the game ball. It becomes. Accordingly, the game balls discharged from the out ball outlet 11 a are transferred to the polishing and lifting device 5 through the lower tank ball outlet 13 in preference to the game balls discharged from the communication port 12.

  Also with the above configuration, it is possible to preferentially transfer a game ball from an arbitrary ball outlet to the polishing and lifting device 5.

<Modification 3>
Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, it is possible to provide a mechanism for adjusting the length of the tubular member in the lower tank 4 in accordance with the game ball to be discharged with priority.

  The pin 14 is provided at the lower end portion of the first tubular member 9, and protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the first tubular member 9. The slide cylinder 15 is fitted on the outside of the lower end portion of the first cylindrical member 9. The slide cylinder 15 is formed with a lock groove 16 for height adjustment. The lock groove 16 includes upper and lower horizontal grooves 16a and 16b and a vertical groove 16c connecting them.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, by guiding the pin 14 into the upper horizontal groove 16a, the slide cylinder 15 moves downward relative to the first cylindrical member 9, whereby the game ball is discharged. The height of the ball outlet of the slide cylinder 15 (hereinafter referred to as the slide cylinder ball outlet 15a) can be reduced (that is, disposed below the lower tank 4).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, by guiding the pin 14 into the lower horizontal groove 16b, the slide cylinder 15 moves upward with respect to the first cylindrical member 9, and the slide cylinder bulb outlet 15a is moved. The height can be increased (arranged above the lower tank 4).

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, the second spherical outlet 10a of the second cylindrical member 10 is composed of a slide cylindrical bulb outlet 15a in a state where the pin 14 is guided in the upper horizontal groove 16a and a lower cylindrical bulb outlet 15a. It arrange | positions at the height between the slide cylindrical ball | bowl exits 15a in the state in which the pin 14 was guided to the horizontal groove | channel 16b.

  In such a state, when the pin 14 is guided to the upper horizontal groove 16a, the slide tube ball outlet 15a can be lowered by h1 with respect to the second ball outlet 10a. In this case, priority can be given to the game ball discharged from the second ball outlet 10a (FIG. 14).

  On the other hand, when the pin 14 is guided to the horizontal groove 16b, the slide tube ball outlet 15a can be raised by h2 with respect to the second ball outlet 10a. In this case, priority can be given to the game balls discharged from the slide tube ball outlet 15a (first ball outlet 9a).

  As described above, according to this modification, it is possible to change the priority order of the game balls discharged from the first cylindrical member 9 and the game balls discharged from the second cylindrical member 10.

  Further, a pin 14, a slide cylinder 15, etc. are also provided on the second cylindrical member 10, and by adjusting each, a game ball discharged from the first ball outlet 9 a and a game ball discharged from the second ball outlet 10 a It is also possible to change the priority order. As described in the above embodiment, since the out sphere is most dirty, it is desirable that the height at which the slide cylinder 15 is disposed is lower than the out sphere outlet 11a.

  Alternatively, it is possible to adjust the height in multiple steps by providing three or more horizontal grooves.

<Modification 4>
Further, it is possible to adjust the height of the ball outlet by using a screwing configuration instead of the configuration of the lock groove 16.

  In this case, screw parts (male screw part and female screw part) that engage with each other are provided on the outer periphery of the first cylindrical member 9 and the inner periphery of the slide cylinder 15. Further, the slide cylinder 15 is provided with a screw hole through which a retaining screw used for fixing the male screw portion and the female screw portion in an engaged state.

  After screwing the slide cylinder 15 to the desired height with respect to the first cylindrical member 9, by inserting a retaining screw from the screw hole, to stop the mutual rotation of the first cylindrical member 9 and the slide cylinder 15, The first cylindrical member 9 and the slide cylinder 15 are fixed.

  According to the present modification, the height can be finely adjusted as compared with the case where the lock mechanism 16 adjusts the height of the first ball outlet 9a (slide tube ball outlet 15a) and the second ball outlet 10a.

<Modification 5>
Further, when attention is paid only to the point that priority is given to the game ball from the out ball exit 11a, if the out ball exit 11a is arranged at a position higher than the communication port 12, the first in the first lower tank portion 4a. The height relationship between the bulb outlet 9a and the second bulb outlet 10a is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment. That is, the 1st bulb | ball exit 9a may be provided in the position higher than the 2nd bulb | ball exit 10a, and you may make the 1st bulb | ball exit 9a and the 2nd bulb | ball exit 10a the same height.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to preferentially transfer the game ball from the out ball outlet 11a to the polishing and lifting device 5 only by considering the positional relationship between the out ball outlet 11a and the communication port 12. .

<Modification 6>
In addition, the positional relationship between the first ball outlet 9a, the second ball outlet 10a, and the out ball outlet 11a (including the positional relationship between the communication port 12 and the out ball outlet 11a) may be arbitrarily changed according to the game ball to be prioritized. Is possible. For example, when it is desired to send the overflow ball preferentially to the polishing and lifting device 5 in the first lower tank portion 4a, the first ball outlet 9a may be arranged at a position higher than the second ball outlet 10a.

  Also with the above configuration, it is possible to preferentially transfer a game ball from an arbitrary ball outlet to the polishing and lifting device 5.

<Modification 7>
Moreover, it is desirable that the first cylindrical member 9 and the second cylindrical member 10 have the same material. In this case, the 1st cylindrical member 9 and the 2nd cylindrical member 10 can be created only by preparing a single material. That is, the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the material of the first tubular member 9 and the material of the second tubular member 10 are prepared separately.

  Further, when the first cylindrical member 9 and the second cylindrical member 10 have the same diameter, a long cylindrical member is created, and the first cylindrical member 9 and the second cylindrical member 10 are simply cut to an arbitrary length. The 1 cylindrical member 9 and the 2nd cylindrical member 10 can be created. That is, the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the first cylindrical member 9 and the second cylindrical member 10 are separately formed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine island equipment 2 Game machine 3 Game machine ball lending machine 4 Lower tank 4a 1st lower tank part 4b 2nd lower tank part 4c Bulkhead 5 Polishing lifting apparatus 6 Upper tank 7 Supply rod 8a, 8b Crossover 9 First Cylindrical member 9a First sphere outlet 10 Second cylindrical member 10a Second sphere outlet 11 Out bulb bowl 11a Out sphere outlet 12 Communication port 13 Lower tank ball outlet

Claims (4)

In the gaming machine island facility where multiple gaming machines are installed,
An upper tank that is provided at the upper part of the gaming machine island facility and stores game balls to be supplied to each gaming machine;
A lower tank provided at the lower part of the gaming machine island facility for storing game balls discharged from each gaming machine;
Polishing and lifting device for polishing and feeding game balls discharged from the lower tank to the upper tank;
A first path for transferring the ground and lifted game balls from the upper tank to the lower tank;
A second path for transferring game balls transferred from outside the gaming machine island facility to the lower tank from above or above the gaming machine island facility,
The first path is provided with a first ball outlet through which the game balls passing through the first path are discharged into the lower tank,
The second path is provided with a second ball outlet through which the game balls passing through the second path are discharged into the lower tank,
In the lower tank, the first ball outlet is disposed at a different height from the second ball outlet,
A third path for transferring game balls discharged from the gaming machine to the lower tank;
The third path is provided with a third ball outlet through which the game ball is discharged into the lower tank,
In the lower tank, the third ball outlet is disposed at a position higher than the first ball outlet and the second ball outlet. In the gaming machine island facility where multiple gaming machines are installed,
An upper tank that is provided at the upper part of the gaming machine island facility and stores game balls to be supplied to each gaming machine;
A lower tank provided at the lower part of the gaming machine island facility for storing game balls discharged from each gaming machine;
Polishing and lifting device for polishing and feeding game balls discharged from the lower tank to the upper tank;
A crossover for transporting game balls from other game machine island facilities,
A first path for transferring the ground and lifted game balls from the upper tank to the lower tank;
A second path for transferring game balls transferred from other gaming machine island facilities via the crossover to the lower tank,
The first path is provided with a first ball outlet through which the game balls passing through the first path are discharged into the lower tank,
The second path is provided with a second ball outlet through which the game balls passing through the second path are discharged into the lower tank,
In the lower tank, the first ball outlet is disposed at a different height from the second ball outlet,
A third path for transferring game balls discharged from the gaming machine to the lower tank;
The third path is provided with a third ball outlet through which the game ball is discharged into the lower tank,
In the lower tank, the third ball outlet is disposed at a position higher than the first ball outlet and the second ball outlet. The lower tank includes a first lower tank portion for storing game balls from the first ball outlet and the second ball outlet, and a lower tank ball outlet for discharging the game balls from the lower tank to the polishing and lifting device. And a second lower tank portion for storing game balls from the third ball outlet,
3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a communication port that communicates the first lower tank portion and the second lower tank portion is disposed at a position lower than the third ball outlet. Island facilities.   4. The game according to claim 3, wherein the lower tank ball outlet and the communication port are arranged at positions facing each other with the lower position of the third ball outlet in between in the second lower tank portion. Machine island equipment.

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