JP5765752B2 - Island where game machines are installed - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine installation island in which gaming machines are arranged.

Conventionally, this kind of game machine installed islands (hereinafter, abbreviated as game island) is generally set the upper tank for storing game balls to replenish above the plurality arrayed been gaming machine the recreation machine when the storage amount of the upper tank is reduced, by replenishing the upper tank and pumped by pumped device Yu technique balls, thereby enabling circulating game ball in a game island.

Further, the upper tank and main tank, there is also a game island type for storing the majority of the game balls necessary for the game island at the upper tank (e.g., see Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, when a big hit occurs in multiple gaming machines on any of the multiple gaming islands installed in the game hall, the amount of storage in the upper and lower tanks decreases and the number of game balls replenished to the gaming machines decreases Some game balls are complemented with each other by transferring the game balls between the game islands using a transfer rod constructed between the game islands. Such a transfer rod is generally connected at one end to an outlet provided at an upper position of the upper tank so that game balls flowing out from the outlet can be supplied to other islands by natural flow.

JP-A-4-357985

The game island where the upper tank and the main tank as this, for example, among the plurality of game island, game ball to another island reservoir located in the upper tanks one island becomes lower position than the position of the outflow port If the storage position of the game balls stored in the upper tanks of other islands decreases to a storage position where there is a possibility that the supply of game balls to the game machine may be interrupted in a situation where they are not transferred, the game is immediately played from one island to the other islands. Although it is necessary to give priority to avoiding the emergency situation of other islands by transferring the ball, the storage position of the upper tank on one island has not decreased to the storage position like other islands, but the arrangement of the outlet When the position is lower than the position, there is a problem that the game ball cannot be immediately transferred to another island.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and it is necessary to replenish the game medium even when the storage position of the game medium stored in the game medium storage section is below the outlet. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine installation island capable of transferring game media to another island.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the gaming machine installation island according to claim 1 of the present invention,
A gaming machine installation island where gaming machines are arranged,
A game medium storage unit provided on an upper part of the gaming machine installation island and capable of storing a game medium to be supplied to the gaming machine;
A lifting device for lifting game media from the lower part of the gaming machine installation island to the game media storage unit;
An outlet that is provided in the game medium storage unit and from which a game medium supplied to another adjacent gaming machine installation island can flow out;
Guiding means for guiding at least a part of the game medium fed by the lifting device to the outlet;
The game medium stored in the game medium storage unit is stored when the game medium is supplied to the other gaming machine installation island when the storage position of the game medium is lower than the position of the outlet. Supply means for discharging the gaming medium to the lower part of the gaming machine installation island and supplying it to the lifting device;
It is characterized by having.
According to this feature, even when the storage position of the game medium stored in the game medium storage section is below the outflow port, the other adjacent game machine installation islands that need to be supplied with the game medium Game media can be supplied.

The game medium circulation system in the gaming machine installation island according to means 1 of the present invention,
A game medium storage which is provided on an upper part of a plurality of gaming machine installation islands (game island 1) where a plurality of gaming machines (pachinko machines 2) are arranged, and which can store gaming media (pachinko balls) to be supplied to the gaming machines. Part (upper tank 3),
A lifting device (lifting polishing device 11) for lifting the gaming medium discharged from the gaming machine to the lower part of the gaming machine installation island and discharging it into the gaming medium storage unit;
A game medium transfer for transferring a game medium from the one island to the other island, constructed between the game medium storage portions of the one island and the other islands (right island, left island) among the plurality of game machine installed islands. A bowl (transfer bowl 40) and a game medium receiving bowl (receiving bowl 41) for the one island to receive game media from the other island;
A game medium circulation system on an island with a gaming machine installed,
The game medium storage unit is
An outlet (52) for allowing game media to flow out to the game media transporting cage;
Guiding means (first guiding plate 56, second guiding plate 57, third guiding plate 58, fourth guiding plate 59) for guiding at least a part of the game medium transported by the lifting device to the outlet; ,
The storage position (storage amount level) of the game medium stored in the game medium storage unit has reached a first position (reference position) from which the game medium can flow out from the outlet (storage amount level is LV3). First position detecting means (reference sensor 70) for detecting
The storage position (storage amount level) of the game medium stored in the game medium storage unit has reached the second position (lower limit position) below the first position and the outlet (outflow position). Second position detection means (lower limit sensor 71) for detecting
With
The game medium stored in the game medium storage unit is discharged from a position below the second position (the ball removal unit 30 provided at the most downstream position of the supply basket 4) and replenished to the gaming machine. Supply means that can be supplied to the lifting device without the ball (the ball removal part 30, the ball removal shutter device 31, the ball removal pipe 7, the collection chamber 21, the collection ball flow passage 23, the connecting rod 10),
When the first position detection means on the other island does not detect that the first position has been reached (reservoir level LV2, LV1), the first position detection means on the one island is On the condition that it has reached the first position (storage amount level LV3), the game medium is transferred from the outlet of the one island to the other island via the game medium transfer rod. First transfer control means for performing control (normal transfer control performed by the management computer 300 and the island controller 200, see FIG. 12);
When the second position detection means on the other island does not detect that the second position has been reached (storage amount level LV1), the first position detection means on the one island is the first position detection means. On the condition that the first position has not been detected and the second position detecting means has detected that the second position has been reached (storage level LV2). Control for transferring the game medium supplied and transferred to the transfer device by the supply means on the one island to the other island via the guide means, the outlet and the game medium transfer rod. Second transfer control means for performing (emergency transfer control performed by the management computer 300, the island controller 200, see FIG. 13);
Further comprising
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, the gaming media stored in the gaming media storage unit is supplied to the gaming machine, and the gaming media discharged from the gaming machine is discharged again to the gaming media storage unit by the lifting device. When the storage position of the game medium stored in the game medium storage section on the other island does not reach the first position, that is, when the storage position cannot transfer the game medium to one island, When the game medium stored in the medium storage unit has reached the first position, the game medium is transferred from the island to the other island. In addition, when the storage position of the game medium stored in the game medium storage section on the other island does not reach the second position, the game medium stored in the game medium storage section on one island is at the first position. Even if not reached, if the second position is reached, the game medium stored in the game medium storage unit is discharged by the supply means of the one island, and the game medium is not transferred to the lifting device without passing through the game machine. At the same time, at least a part of the game medium that is fed and discharged to the game medium storage part by the lifting device is guided to the outlet by the guide means without being stored in the game medium storage part. Thus, the game medium can be transferred to the other island without restoring the storage position of the one island to the first position, so that the emergency state of the other island can be immediately released.

The gaming medium circulation system in the gaming machine installation island according to means 2 of the present invention is a gaming medium circulation system in the gaming machine installation island described in means 1,
The supply means includes
The game medium storage section (upper tank 3) is inclined and extended downward toward the longitudinal end of the gaming machine installation island (game island 1), and is connected to the plurality of gaming machines (pachinko machines 2). A replenishment bowl (4, 4) provided with a replenishment section (replenishment port 4b) for replenishing game media (pachinko balls);
A replenishment spear discharger (ball removal part 30) provided on the replenishment spear for discharging the game medium of the replenishment spear;
A discharge device (ball-shutter device 31) for discharging the game medium from the replenishment bowl discharge unit and supplying it to the lifting device (lifting polishing device 11);
including,
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, the game media stored in the game media storage unit can be discharged to the outside and supplied to the lifting device using a supply basket for supplying game media to a plurality of gaming machines. Therefore, it is not necessary to form a discharge port or the like in the game medium storage unit that requires strength.

The gaming medium circulation system in the gaming machine installation island according to means 3 of the present invention is a gaming medium circulation system in the gaming machine installation island according to means 1 or 2,
The replenishment tub discharge portion (ball removal portion 30) is provided on the downstream side of the replenishment portion (replenishment port 4b) provided at the most downstream position of the replenishment tub (4, 4).
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, the game medium can be discharged from the supply bag discharging unit without hindering the supply of the game medium to the gaming machine.

The gaming medium circulation system in the gaming machine installation island according to the means 4 of the present invention is a gaming medium circulation system in the gaming machine installation island described in the means 3,
The plurality of replenishing portions (replenishing ports 4b) are arranged in a plurality in the flow-down direction of the replenishing troughs (4, 4),
The replenishing basket includes replenishing part guiding means (mountain-folded bottom plate 4c, guiding piece 80) for guiding a game medium (pachinko ball) flowing down the replenishing bowl toward each of the plurality of replenishing parts.
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, the game medium flowing down the downhole is guided to the replenishment unit, so that the game medium is preferentially supplied to the gaming machine.

The gaming medium circulation system in the gaming machine installation island according to means 5 of the present invention is a gaming medium circulation system in the gaming machine installation island described in means 3 or 4,
Between the game medium storage part (upper tank 3) between the one island and a plurality of other islands (right island, left island), the game medium transfer rod (transfer rod 40) and the game medium receiving rod (receiving rod 41). ), And the game medium storage section of the island is provided with a plurality of outlets (52, 52) corresponding to the plurality of other islands,
The guiding means includes
A first guiding state (horizontal position) in which the game medium (pachinko balls) lifted by the lifting device (lifting polishing device 11) can be uniformly guided to all the outlets; A direction changing device (swing guide plate 90) provided to be changeable to a second guiding state (inclined position) that can be guided in preference to any of the outlets of
Direction change device control means (island controller 200) for controlling the direction change device;
Including
When the control by the first transfer control means is being performed, the direction change device control means sets the direction change device to the first guiding state and performs control by the second transfer control means. The direction changing device is connected to the outlet corresponding to the other island of the plurality of other islands where the second position detecting means has not detected that the second position has been reached. Performing control to change the medium to the second guiding state capable of guiding;
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, the game medium discharged from the lifting device can be preferentially transferred to other islands where the game medium needs to be replenished more quickly.

It is a front view which shows the game machine installation island as an Example with which this invention was applied. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. (A) is a top view which shows a lower tank, (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a lower tank, (c) is BB sectional drawing of (b). (A) is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of an upper tank, (b) is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of an upper tank. (A) is CC sectional drawing of Fig.4 (a), (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of an upper tank. (A) is a right view of an upper tank, (b) is DD sectional drawing of FIG.5 (b). (A) is principal part sectional drawing which shows a ball extraction part, (b) is a top view of (a), (c) is EE sectional drawing of (b). (A) is a top view which shows the transfer rod and receiving rod constructed between upper tanks, (b) is a side view of (a). It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a gaming machine installation island. (A) is a table | surface figure which shows the relationship between the detection condition of a reference | standard sensor and a lower limit sensor, and a storage amount level, (b) is the schematic which shows the storage amount level of an upper tank. (A)-(c) is a conceptual diagram which shows the circulation condition of the pachinko ball in the gaming machine installation island. (A)-(d) is the schematic which shows an example of the normal transfer control content. (A)-(e) is the schematic which shows an example of the emergency transfer control content. It is a figure which shows the replenishment rod as a modification. It is the schematic which shows the modification of the guidance means of an upper tank.

  The form for implementing the game medium circulation system in the game machine installation island which concerns on this invention is demonstrated below based on an Example.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is a front view showing a gaming machine installation island 1 in which a plurality of pachinko machines 2 as gaming machines are arranged in a row. In the following description, the front side of FIG. 1 will be described as the front side of the gaming machine installation island 1, the back side as the rear side, and the left and right sides as the left and right sides.

  A pachinko ball, which is a game medium used for the game of the pachinko machine 2, is located at the upper part of the longitudinal center of the gaming machine installation island 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as “game island”), that is, the upper position of each pachinko machine 2. An upper tank 3 is provided as a stored game medium storage section, and pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 are arranged at both ends in the longitudinal direction (left and right sides) of the game island 1 from the lower surface of the upper tank 3. In this way, it flows into a pair of left and right replenishing rods 4 and 4 arranged so as to be inclined downward.

  The pachinko balls that have flowed into the replenishing rods 4 and 4 are replenished to the ball tanks 6 provided on the back of each pachinko machine 2 through a plurality of tributary rods 5 provided at predetermined intervals in the downstream direction. It is used for the game of the pachinko machine 2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

  Further, at the downstream end of one of the left and right (right side in FIG. 1 in this embodiment), a ball removal portion 30 for discharging the pachinko balls in the supply rod 4 is provided. Two ball punching tubes 7 for guiding the pachinko balls discharged from the ball punching portion 30 into the lower tank 9 below are suspended from the ball punching portion 30 further downstream. A detailed description of the replenishing rods 4 and 4 and the ball removal portion 30 will be described later.

  Each pachinko machine 2 is placed on the upper surface of a repair plate 13 installed in the longitudinal direction on each of the front and rear surfaces of the game island 1, and on the back side of each pachinko machine 2 in the repair plate 13 A plurality of out ball tanks 8 that receive the out balls discharged from the machine 2 and discharge them into the lower tank 9 are provided corresponding to the respective pachinko machines 2.

  Below each pachinko machine 2, there are lower tanks 9, 9 in which pachinko balls overflowed from the upper tank 3 and pachinko balls transferred from other game islands 1 as described later are stored. Are respectively provided on the left and right sides of the lifting and polishing apparatus 11 disposed at a substantially central position. Since the left and right lower tanks 9 and 9 have different longitudinal width dimensions but have the same internal structure, the right lower tank 9 in FIG. 1 will be described below, and the left lower tank 9 in FIG. Omitted. As shown in FIG. 3, the lower tank 9 is formed in a horizontally long box shape whose upper surface is open. The inside of the lower tank 9 is partitioned in the longitudinal direction by a partition plate 22 extending in the front-rear width direction, and the region on the center side of the game island 1 with respect to the partition plate 22 has pachinko balls overflowing from the upper tank 3 and others. The pachinko balls transferred from the game island 1 are stored in a storage chamber 20, and the region on the end side of the game island 1 with respect to the partition plate 22 is an out ball and a ball tube discharged from each pachinko machine 2. 7 is a gathering chamber 21 in which pachinko balls discharged from 7 gather.

  The upper surface of the bottom plate 20a of the storage chamber 20 is an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the longitudinal center of the game island 1, and a pachinko ball stored in the storage chamber 20 is formed on the side wall of the lower tank. It is guided in a natural flow toward the discharge port 24. A lower tank shutter device 28 including a lower tank shutter 26 capable of opening and closing the lower tank discharge port 24 and a lower tank motor 27 for driving the lower tank shutter 26 is provided above the lower tank discharge port 24. It has been. The lower tank shutter 26 closes the lower tank discharge port 24 in a normal state, and retracts upward from the lower tank discharge port 24 when it is requested to open. A ball pressure reducing plate 25 for reducing the ball pressure is provided above the lower tank discharge port 24 in the storage chamber 20.

  In the upper part of the storage chamber 20, a falling plate 18 on which pachinko balls guided through an overflow pipe 12, an overflow hose 12 b, and a sorting rod 12 c, which will be described later, flow from the side wall on the central side in the longitudinal direction of the game island 1. It extends so as to incline downward toward the partition plate 22. In addition, on the front and rear sides of the falling plate 18, collection baskets 17 and 17 that collect out balls discharged from each pachinko machine 2 and guide them to the collecting chamber 21 are positioned slightly above the falling plate 18. The island 1 extends from the side wall on the center side in the longitudinal direction so as to incline downward toward the partition plate 22.

  The falling plate 18 is formed with a plurality of falling holes 18a for dropping the falling pachinko balls at predetermined intervals in the flowing direction, and between the falling plate 18 and the recovery rods 17 and 17, a pachinko ball is provided. Is formed in the storage chamber 20 from the drop hole 18a or both end portions in the flow-down direction, and is stored substantially uniformly in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the pachinko balls that flow down the collection baskets 17 and 17 are all guided to the collecting chamber 21 without falling in the middle of the flow.

  The pachinko balls guided to the collective chamber 21 are discharged to the collective ball flow-down passage 23 that is inclined in the longitudinal direction on the lower surface of the bottom plate 20a of the storage chamber 20, and the game ball 1 passes through the collective ball flow-down passage 23. After flowing down toward the center side of the steel, it is guided to the lift polishing apparatus 11 via a connecting rod 10 that connects the lift polishing apparatus 11 and the lower tank 9. Further, the pachinko balls discharged from the lower tank discharge port 24 are discharged to the connecting rod 10 and joined with the pachinko balls that have flowed down the collective ball flow-down passage 23 and are guided to the lifting and polishing apparatus 11.

  Although not shown in detail in detail, the hoisting and polishing apparatus 11 uses a hoisting motor 11b (see FIG. 9) to pull a belt stretched around a pulley provided on the upper and lower sides of a box-shaped main body facing in the vertical direction. The pachinko balls guided by the connecting rod 10 and introduced from the inlet provided at the lower part of the lifting and polishing apparatus 11 are lifted by being pressed against the lifting groove by the belt. Since the polishing cloth is laid between the lifting groove and the pachinko ball, this is a conventionally known device that lifts the pachinko ball while polishing it. Further, the lifted pachinko balls are discharged from a lifted ball discharge port 11a (see FIG. 11) formed in the upper part of the box.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the upper tank 3 is fixed to the upper part of the game island 1, and is formed in a horizontally-long box shape in which the left and right width dimensions are longer than the front and rear width dimensions. Pachinko balls discharged from the lifting ball discharge port 11a arranged in the upper part are stored. Its capacity is larger than that of the lower tanks 9 and 9 and is large enough to store most of the pachinko balls to be replenished to each pachinko machine 2 installed on the amusement island 1 (about 110,000 shots in this embodiment). And can store a larger amount of pachinko balls than the total storage amount when both the storage chambers 20 of the lower tanks 9 and 9 are full.

  Specifically, the upper tank 3 is formed in a box shape by a front plate 50a, a rear plate 50b, a pair of left and right side plates 50c, 50c, a bottom plate 50d, and an upper plate 50e. A concave groove 51 for accommodating and arranging the upper part of the lifting and polishing apparatus 11 is provided to be recessed from the upper end to the lower end. At the upper part of each of the left and right side plates 50c, 50c, there is formed an outlet 52 to which a connecting member 40a for connecting a transfer rod 40 as a game medium transfer rod to be described later is connected. Is formed with an inflow port 53 to which a connecting member 41a for connecting a receiving bowl 41 as a game medium receiving bowl is connected.

  The bottom plate 50d is formed in a substantially concave shape in plan view, and a storage ball outlet 54 is formed at a substantially central position thereof, that is, on the rear surface side of the groove 51, and the upper surface of the bottom plate 50d is a central storage. Inclined downward toward the ball outlet 54. The upper surface of the supply ball outlet 54 is connected to the upper end of the supply rod connection pipe 65 to which the upstream ends of the supply rods 4 and 4 described above are connected, and the pachinko balls stored on the bottom plate 50d, That is, all the pachinko balls stored in the storage area of the upper tank 3 flow out from the storage ball outlet 54 to the supply rods 4 and 4 through the supply rod connection pipe 65. The replenishment rod connecting pipe 65 is disposed so that the front surface thereof is substantially flush with the rear surface of the concave groove 51.

  At the upper end portion of the concave groove 51 in the front plate 50a, a receiving port 55 is formed so as to face the lifting ball discharge port 11a of the lifting polishing apparatus 11, and the pachinko ball discharged from the lifting ball discharge port 11a is received. 55 is received in the upper tank 3.

  At the lower position of the receiving port 55 in the upper part of the upper tank 3, a first guide plate that receives a pachinko ball that is discharged from the lifting ball discharge port 11 a and falls from below and guides it toward the left and right outlets 52, 52. 56 is arranged. The first guide plate 56 is disposed between the concave groove 51 and the rear plate 50b, is made of a metal plate bent in a mountain fold centered on the center in the left-right direction, and is inclined downward from the center toward the left-right side. Since it has an inclined surface, the pachinko balls that have been discharged from the lifting ball discharge port 11a and dropped onto the top of the first guide plate 56 are distributed approximately evenly to the left and right sides. In addition, a rear notch 56a is formed at the center of the rear side of the first guide plate 56, and a front notch 56b is formed at the center of the front side. A part of the sphere falls from the rear notch 56a and the front notch 56b.

  On the lower left and right sides of the first guide plate 56, a pair of left and right second guide plates 57, 57 that are inclined downward from the lower left and right side portions of the first guide plate 56 toward the side plate 50c are disposed. In addition, a pair of left and right third guide plates 58, 58 that are inclined downward from the center position in the left-right direction toward the side plate 50c are provided below the second guide plates 57, 57. It is arrange | positioned so that the downward direction may be covered. The second guide plates 57, 57 are formed with a plurality of drop holes 57a.

  A pair of front and rear cutouts 58a and 58a are formed on the front and rear sides of the left and right end sides of the third guide plates 58 and 58, respectively, and a gap is formed between the inner surface of the side plate 50c. Further, the tip of the central piece 58b between the pair of front and rear cutouts 58a, 58a is at a substantially central position in the vertical direction in the outlet 52 as shown in FIGS. 4 (b) and 5 (b). Thus, it is arranged so as to slightly protrude outward from the outflow port 52. Therefore, the pachinko balls that have flowed down on the third guide plates 58 and 58 can be directly guided into the outlet 52, and the storage position of the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 rises to lower the lower edge of the outlet 52. When the pressure exceeds the value, the outflow is not hindered by the third guide plates 58 and 58 and the outflow port 52 flows out from below the central piece 58b.

  Further, below the first guide plate 56, a fourth guide plate 59 that receives the pachinko balls dropped from the rear notch 56a and guides them to the left and right third guide plates 58, 58 is disposed. The fourth guide plate 59 is in the form of a strip having a front-back width smaller than the front-back width of the first guide plate 56, and is made of a metal plate bent in a mountain fold centered in the left-right direction. By having an inclined surface that inclines downward toward the left and right, pachinko balls that have fallen from the rear notch 56a can be distributed substantially evenly to the left and right sides.

  Between the first guide plate 56 and the storage ball outlet 54, the overflow pipe 12 is disposed in the vertical direction. The upper end of the overflow pipe 12 is opened to form an overflow port 12a through which the overflowing pachinko ball can flow out. The overflow port 12a has an opening smaller than the front cutout portion 56b of the first guide plate 56 (see FIG. 5A), and is disposed close to the front cutout portion 56b. As shown in FIG. 6B, the overflow pipe 12 is suspended vertically downward from the lower surface side of the front notch 56b along the rear surface of the concave groove 51 in the front plate 50a. In an upper position, after being bent rearward in order to avoid interference with the replenishing rod 4, it passes through the rear part of the bottom plate 50d and extends below the bottom plate 50d. In addition, an impact relaxation plate is provided at an upper and lower position above the bent portion in the overflow pipe 12 to reduce an impact when a falling ball falls on the inner surface of the bent portion.

  An overflow hose 12b is connected to the lower end of the overflow pipe 12 extending below the bottom plate 50d, and the overflow hose 12b is suspended along the lift polishing apparatus 11 (see FIG. 1). . As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the lower end of the overflow hose 12b is disposed above the top of the sorting rod 12c bent in a mountain fold, and the pachinko that has flowed out from the lower end opening of the overflow hose 12b. The balls are distributed to the left and right lower tanks 9,9.

  Further, on the left and right side surfaces of the bent portion of the overflow pipe 12, confluence ports 61 and 61 to which the other ends of the inflow sphere guide pipes 60 and 60 whose one ends are connected to the inlets 53 and 53 are connected. It is formed at a position slightly lower than 53. As a result, the pachinko balls that have flowed in from the inflow ports 53 and 53 naturally flow down in the inflow sphere guide tubes 60 and 60 facing in the left-right direction, and are not stored in the upper tank 3, but are bent in the overflow tube 12. Are merged into the overflow pipe 12 from the merge ports 61, 61 formed on the left and right side surfaces.

  As described above, the pachinko ball overflowing from the overflow port 12a and the pachinko ball flowing in from the inflow ports 53 and 53 are guided to the rear side of the upper tank 3 by the overflow pipe 12 and then fall downward, and overflow hose After being guided to the flow-down plate 18 of the lower tanks 9 and 9 by 12b and the distribution rod 12c, they are stored in the storage chamber 20 (see FIG. 11).

  In addition, since the upper part of the overflow pipe 12 is disposed immediately above the storage ball outlet 54, it is prevented that the ball pressure of the storage ball is applied to the storage ball outlet 54. The air flows smoothly into the storage ball outlet 54 from the gap formed between the lower surface of the bent portion of the overflow pipe 12 and the storage ball outlet 54.

  Further, since the overflow port 12a is disposed at a height above the upper edge of the outlets 52, 52, the storage position of the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 is changed from the outlets 52, 52 to the pachinko. There is no overflow at the storage position where the ball does not flow out naturally. That is, the pachinko ball can be stored in the upper tank 3 from the outlets 52 and 52 to a storage position where the pachinko ball can naturally flow out.

  As described above, the pachinko balls discharged from the lifting ball discharge port 11a fall over the front notch portion 56b to the center position in the left-right direction of the first guide plate 56 on the rear surface side, and part of the pachinko balls are left and right. And partly falls onto the fourth guide plates 59 and 59 from the rear notch portion 56a and is guided to the left and right third guide plates 58 and 58, and basically is moved forward. There is almost no drop directly from the notch 56 b and flowing into the overflow pipe 12 or being stored in the upper tank 3.

  The pachinko balls guided left and right by the first guide plate 56 fall on the second guide plates 57 and 57 and flow down to the left and right sides. A part of the pachinko balls that have fallen on the second guide plates 57 and 57 are directly dropped from the drop hole 57a and stored, but most of the pachinko balls are left or right side edges of the second guide plates 57 and 57 or dropped. After being dropped onto the third guide plates 58 and 58 from the hole 57a, flowing down on the third guide plates 58 and 58 and being guided to the outlets 52 and 52, the central piece 58b flows out of the outlets 52 and 52. . That is, these first to fourth guide plates 56, 57, 58, 59 give most of the pachinko balls discharged from the lifting ball discharge port 11a to the outlets 52, 52 in preference to the storage in the upper tank 3. The guiding means of the present invention for guiding is configured.

  When there are few pachinko balls in the transfer rod 40 and the outlets 52 and 52 are not blocked, the pachinko spheres guided to the outlets 52 and 52 by the third guide plates 58 and 58 52. On the other hand, when the pachinko balls are filled in the transfer rod 40 and the outlets 52, 52 are blocked, the pachinko balls guided to the central piece 58b of the third guide plates 58, 58 are distributed back and forth, The pair of front and rear cutouts 58a and 58a (see FIG. 5A) is dropped and stored in the upper tank 3.

  Further, when the storage position of the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 rises and reaches the lower end edge of the outlet 52, the pachinko ball is discharged from a position below the central piece 58b of the third guide plate 58 at the outlet 52. To go. The notches 58a and 58a are arranged close to the inner surface of the side plate 50c in which the outflow port 52 is formed, so that they are closer to the end than the central portion of the storage area where the overflow port 12a is arranged. Pachinko balls are preferentially stored, and the storage position easily reaches the outlet 52.

  In addition, when the storage position of the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 rises and reaches the upper position of the first guide plate 56, the rear cutout portion 56a is also in a closed state. The pachinko sphere discharged from 11a falls from the front notch 56b and flows out into the overflow port 12a (overflow) without flowing down on the first guide plate 56.

  On the inner surface of the rear plate 50b, it is detected that the storage position of the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 has reached the reference position, which is the first position where the pachinko balls can flow out from the outlets 52, 52. The reference sensor 70 as the first position detecting means and the storage position of the pachinko sphere stored in the upper tank 3 are the second position below the reference position and the lower edge of the openings of the outlets 52, 52. A lower limit sensor 71 as second position detecting means for detecting that a certain lower limit position has been reached is provided above and below.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5B and FIG. 6B, the reference sensor 70 is disposed at a height slightly above the overflow port 12a, and the lower limit sensor 71 is connected to the outflow port 52. , 52 is located at a reference position where pachinko balls can flow out, that is, below the lower opening edge of the outlets 52, 52, and slightly below the intermediate position between the bottom plate 50d and the reference position.

  That is, the reference sensor 70 is a sensor for detecting that the storage position of the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 has reached the overflow port 12a, that is, has reached the upper limit storage position of the upper tank 3. Yes, the lower limit sensor 71 indicates that the storage position of the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 has become half or less. Specifically, the pachinko balls cannot flow out of the outlets 52 and 52, and It is a sensor for detecting that it is the lower limit storage position where there is a risk that supply to the pachinko machine 2 will be interrupted if it falls below.

  In addition, since the hook piece 72 for preventing detecting the pachinko ball falling from the upper part is protrudingly provided in the upper position of each of these sensors 70 and 71, the stored pachinko ball Is reliably detected.

  In the present embodiment, the reference sensor 70 is disposed slightly above the position where the overflow port 12a is disposed, but is higher than the outflow position above the lower opening edge of the outlets 52, 52. If so, it may be disposed below the position where the overflow port 12a is disposed, or may be disposed above the position where the overflow port 12a is disposed. Further, the position of the lower limit sensor 71 may be a height position corresponding to the quantity, model, and capacity of the upper tank 3 of the pachinko machine 2 installed on the amusement island 1, and the height described in the present embodiment. The position is not limited.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the replenishing rods 4, 4 have a substantially upward U-shaped longitudinal section, and the pachinko balls that flow down are placed on the front and rear side plates 4 a, 4 a of each pachinko machine. A plurality of replenishing ports 4b that are replenishing portions for replenishing 2 are formed at predetermined intervals in the flow-down direction. On the outer surface of these replenishing ports 4b, the upper part of the branch basin 5 hanging downward is attached, and the pachinko balls flowing into each replenishing port 4b flow down the tributary basin 5 and each pachinko machine 2 Is supplied to a ball tank 6 provided on the back surface of the ball.

  As shown in FIG. 7C, the bottom plate 4c of the replenishing rod 4 is bent and formed into a mountain fold slightly inclined downward from the center in the width direction toward both ends, thereby flowing down on the bottom plate 4c. The pachinko ball to be guided is guided to the supply port 4b formed in the front and rear side plates 4a, 4a. That is, the inclined surface of the bottom plate 4c constitutes the replenishment portion guiding means of the present invention that guides the pachinko balls flowing down on the replenishing rods 4 and 4 toward the plurality of replenishing ports 4b.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), the ball removal portion 30 is provided at the downstream end portion of the supply rod 4 on the right side in FIG. 1, more specifically, among the plurality of supply ports 4b provided in the supply rod 4 Further, it is provided on the downstream side of the supply port 4b provided on the most downstream side, and the pachinko balls in the supply basket 4 can be discharged as required. Specifically, the ball removal unit 30 includes a ball removal shutter 32 that can open and close a flow path of the ball removal unit 30 and a ball removal motor 33 that drives the ball removal shutter 32. Is provided. The ball removal shutter 32 is made of a plate-like member and is arranged in the width direction of the flow path of the ball removal portion 30. In a normal time, the ball discharge shutter 32 protrudes upward from below the flow path to close the flow path. Emergency transfer control is performed, and when the pachinko balls in the replenishing basket 4 are discharged and supplied to the lifting and polishing apparatus 11, the flow path is opened by retreating downward from the flow path.

  When the ball removal shutter 32 is retracted from the flow path and the flow path is opened, the pachinko balls in the replenishing basket 4 flow down and flow into the upper end opening of the ball removal pipe 7 provided on the downstream side, It flows down in the ball removal tube 7 and is guided into the above-described collecting chamber 21. The diameter of the upper end opening of the ball punching tube 7 is smaller than the front-rear width dimension of the replenishing rod 4, and the pachinko balls in the replenishing rod 4 flow all at once when the flow path of the ball removing portion 30 is opened. Thus, the discharge does not hinder the supply of pachinko balls to the pachinko machine 2.

  Thus, the replenishment rod 4, the branch flow rod 5, the ball drain tube 7, the overflow tube 12, the overflow hose 12b, the sorting rod 12c, the recovery rod 17, the falling plate 18, the collecting ball flow arranged in the game island 1 The passage 23, the connecting rod 10, the upper tank 3, the lower tank 9, the pachinko machine 2, the lifting and polishing device 11, etc. constitute a circulation path for circulating pachinko balls in the game island 1.

  Next, one of the plurality of game islands 1 installed in the game store and another island which is another game island arranged adjacent to the front and rear of the island (here, one island from the left and right sides) When viewed, the amusement islands arranged adjacent to the left and right of the island are respectively called left and right islands), and the pachinko balls are transferred from the island to the other islands. A transfer rod 40 as a game medium transfer rod for the purpose and a receiving rod 41 as a game medium receiving rod for one island to receive a pachinko ball from another island will be described.

  The transfer rod 40 is a rod for transferring (supplying) pachinko balls from any one of the plurality of game islands 1 to other islands, and the receiving rod 41 is a pachinko ball from one island to another. It is a cage for receiving (transferred). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, when the game island 1 on the left side in the figure is an island (also referred to as its own island) and the other island on the right side is a right island, One end of a transfer rod 40, 40 for transferring a ball to the left island, which is the other island on the left (not shown), and one end of a receiving rod 41, 41 for receiving a ball from the right island and the left island are connected. Yes.

  On the contrary, when the right and left islands are used as a reference, the transfer rod 40 on one island becomes a receiving rod (41), and the receiving rod 41 on one island becomes a transfer rod (40), so they have the same function. In the following, when one of the plurality of amusement islands 1 is defined as a single island, the transmission / reception frame constructed between the single island and another island is used as a reference. These will be referred to as a transfer rod 40 and a receiving rod 41.

  One end of the transfer rod 40 is connected to a connecting member 40a attached to the outlet 52 of one island, and the other end is connected to a connecting member 41a attached to the inlet 53 of the right or left island. Since the outflow port 52 is formed at a position above the inflow port 53, the transfer rod 40 is an inclined reed that is inclined downward from one island toward the right island or the left island. The pachinko ball that has flowed out of the island is transferred to the right or left island by natural flow.

  One end of the receiving rod 41 is connected to a connecting member 41a attached to the inlet 53 of one island. The other end is connected to a connecting member 40a attached to the right island or the left island outlet 52, and the inlet 53 is formed at a position lower than the outlet 52 so that the receiving rod 41 can be The sloping ridge is inclined upward toward the right island or the left island, and the pachinko balls that have flowed out from the outlet 52 of the right island or the left island are received by the island by natural flow.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6A, an inflow shutter 75 that can open and close the inlet 53 of the pachinko ball that has flowed down the receiving basket 41 is provided in the connecting member 41a of each gaming island 1, Are provided with an inflow shutter motor 76 and an inflow shutter device 77 having a drive mechanism for allowing the inflow shutter 75 to be moved in and out of the flow path in the connection member 41a.

  Since the inflow shutter 75 normally closes the inlet 53, the receiving basket 41 is basically filled with pachinko balls. Then, as will be described later, when receiving a ball from the right or left island, the inflow shutter 75 is opened to accept a pachinko ball in the receiving rod 41, that is, a pachinko ball transferred from the right or left island. The inflow shutter device 77 is provided on the connection member 41a of the inflow port 53 of all the game islands 1.

  In the present embodiment, the inflow shutter 75 is provided on the connection member 41a of the inflow port 53. However, for example, the inflow shutter 75 may be provided on the connection member 40a of the outflow port 52 of each game island 1, or You may provide in the arbitrary positions of the transfer rod 40. FIG.

  Further, in this embodiment, one end of the receiving rod 41 is connected to the inlet 53 provided in the upper tank 3, but it can be directly guided to the overflow pipe 12, the lower tank 9, etc. instead of the upper tank 3. It may be connected.

  Next, the configuration of the game island 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  Various devices and various sensors arranged inside are connected to the amusement island 1, and the pachinko balls are placed inside the amusement island 1 by controlling the driving of various devices according to the storage status of the pachinko balls in the upper tank 3. Or it is designed to circulate between other islands.

  Specifically, in each amusement island 1, management for managing the operation status of the pachinko machines 2 and various devices on all the amusement islands 1 via the communication cable K and the storage status in the upper tank 3 as will be described later. An island controller 200 connected to a management computer 300 as a means is arranged. This island controller 200 is connected to the island controller 200 of another island via a communication cable K, and signals and data are transmitted between the island controllers 200. Communicate.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the management computer 300 is connected to the island controller 200 in each gaming island 1, and stores an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) 332 that controls each island controller 200, a control program in the management computer 300, and the like. Control unit 331 provided with storage means 333, etc., a display 334 (output device) for confirming the storage status and error status of each game island 1, and an input device 335 (input device) It is mainly composed.

  The island controller 200 communicates with a control unit (not shown) that controls various devices, a control unit having a storage unit that stores a control program, and the like, the management computer 300, and other island controllers 200. A plurality of pachinko machines 2 arranged on the amusement island 1 and a reference sensor for detecting that the storage position of the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 has reached the reference position 70, a lower limit sensor 71 for detecting that the storage position of the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 has reached the lower limit position, a lift motor 11b of the lift polishing apparatus 11, and inflow shutter devices 77, 77 The inflow shutter motors 76 and 76 for opening and closing the inflow shutters 75 and 75, and the opening and closing shutters 32 and 32 of the ball removal shutter devices 31 and 31 are opened and closed. A vent motor 33, a lower tank motor 27, 27 for opening and closing driving of the lower tank shutter 26 of the lower tank shutter device 28, it is mainly connected.

  The island controller 200 outputs various signals indicating the operating status of each pachinko machine 2 and the driving status of various devices, the detection signal of the reference sensor 70 or the lower limit sensor 71, and the like to the island controller 200 and the management computer 300 on other islands. At the same time, drive control of various devices is performed based on various signals received from the management computer 300 and the island controller 200 of another island.

  The management computer 300 monitors the output status of the detection signal of the reference sensor 70 or the lower limit sensor 71 output from each game island 1 via the island controller 200, and based on the reception status of the detection signal, each game island 1 The storage position (storage amount level) of the pachinko sphere stored in the upper tank 3 is specified, and transfer control is performed to transfer the pachinko sphere between the mutual game islands 1 and 1 based on the specified storage amount level. .

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the management computer 300 determines the upper part of each game island 1 based on the reception status of the detection signal of the reference sensor 70 or the lower limit sensor 71 output from each game island 1. The storage level (abbreviated as LV) of the pachinko sphere stored in the tank 3 is specified as LV 1, 2, or 3. In addition, the mesh area | region in FIG.10 (b) has shown the area | region where the pachinko ball is stored.

  In this embodiment, when both the reference sensor 70 and the lower limit sensor 71 detect pachinko balls (reference sensor; on, lower limit sensor; on), the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 of the game island 1 are used. Is specified as the storage level 3 (LV3) at which the storage position reaches the reference position. That is, in LV3, the pachinko ball storage position is a height position higher than the reference position above the outflow position where the pachinko sphere can flow out from the outflow port 52 (lower edge of the opening of the outflow ports 52, 52). Pachinko balls can be transported to the island.

  When the reference sensor 70 has not detected a pachinko ball and the lower limit sensor 71 has detected a pachinko ball (reference sensor; off, lower limit sensor; on), it is stored in the upper tank 3 of the game island 1. It is specified that the storage position of the pachinko sphere does not reach the reference position and is the storage amount level 2 (LV2) that reaches the lower limit position. That is, in LV2, the storage position of the pachinko sphere is a height position below the outflow position where the pachinko sphere can flow out from the outflow port 52 (range below the reference position and above the lower limit position). It is impossible to transfer pachinko balls to other islands.

  When neither the reference sensor 70 nor the lower limit sensor 71 detects a pachinko ball (reference sensor; off, lower limit sensor; off), the storage position of the pachinko ball stored in the upper tank 3 of the game island 1 is the lower limit position. It specifies that it is the storage amount level (LV1) which has not reached. That is, in LV1, the pachinko ball storage position is a height position below the lower limit position below the outflow position where the pachinko ball can flow out from the outlet 52, and the supply of the pachinko ball to each pachinko machine 2 is interrupted. there is a possibility.

  The management computer 300 constantly monitors the storage amount level of the upper tank 3 of each gaming island 1 and controls the storage amount level of the upper tank 3 of each gaming island 1 to be maintained at LV3. In the initial state in which the storage amount level of the upper tank 3 of each gaming island 1 is maintained at LV3, the upper tank 3 of any of the gaming islands 1 (referred to herein as one island) among the plurality of gaming islands 1 When the storage amount level is LV2, other islands arranged adjacent to the front and rear of one island (here, when the island is viewed from the left and right sides, the game islands arranged adjacent to the left and right of the island are left (Referred to as “island” and “right island”) based on the detection statuses of the reference sensor 70 and the lower limit sensor 71 of the left island and the right island, respectively.

  If the storage amount level of at least one of these left and right islands is LV3 (here, the storage amount level of both the left island and the right island is LV3), the left island and the right of the storage amount level are LV3. The normal transfer control for transferring the pachinko balls from the island to one island with a storage amount level of LV2 is started. Specifically, the inflow shutters 75 and 75 corresponding to the left island and the right island are opened to the island controller 200 on the island, and the left and right lower tank shutters 26 and 26 on the island are opened. As a result, the pachinko balls stored in the lower tanks 9 and 9 on one island and the pachinko balls received from other islands are lifted by the lifting and polishing device 11 and supplied to the upper tank 3. The storage amount level is restored to LV3.

  Then, when the storage amount level of one island is restored to LV3, the management computer 300 closes the inflow shutters 75 and 75 corresponding to the left island and the right island and the left and right lower tank shutters 26 and 26 on the island, respectively. Normal transfer control is terminated.

  In addition, when the reference computer 70 of one island is turned on after starting the normal transfer control, the management computer 300 waits for a predetermined time (in this embodiment, 5 minutes) from that point. It is determined that the storage level has recovered to LV3, and the normal transfer control is terminated. This prevents the normal transfer control from being terminated due to a temporary recovery or erroneous detection due to noise or the like.

  Further, in this embodiment, in the normal transfer control that is performed when the storage amount level of one island is LV2 and the storage amount level of at least one of the left island and the right island is LV3, the lower tank shutter 26 The inflow shutter 75 is opened simultaneously with the opening. For example, the lower tank shutter 26 is first opened, and the inflow shutter 75 is opened when a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) has elapsed since the lower tank shutter 26 was opened. The game balls stored in the lower tank 9 of the game island 1 are preferentially lifted, so that the amount of balls received from the left island or the right island can be increased. Can be minimized.

  In addition, when the storage amount level of one island is LV2, for example, only the left island of the left island or the right island is LV3, and if the right island is LV2, pachinko balls are not received from the right island. The inflow shutters 75 and 75 and the lower tank shutters 26 and 26 corresponding to both the left and right islands are opened. In addition, even when the storage level of both the left and right islands is LV2, pachinko balls are not received from the left and right islands, but inflow shutters 75 and 75 and lower tank shutters corresponding to both the left and right islands. 26 and 26 are left open.

  In this way, when the storage volume level of one island becomes LV2, regardless of the storage volume level of the left island and the right island, it corresponds to both the left island and the right island until the storage volume level of the island returns to LV3. By opening the inflow shutters 75 and 75 and the lower tank shutters 26 and 26, the pachinko ball can be received immediately when the storage level of the left island or the right island returns to LV3.

  In addition, while the inflow shutter 75 and the lower tank shutter 26 corresponding to the left island or the right island are opened and the normal transfer control is being performed, the storage amount level of either the left island or the right island becomes LV2. Even in this case, the inflow shutter 75 and the lower tank shutter 26 corresponding to both the left island and the right island are kept open until the storage amount level of one island becomes LV3. That is, the management computer 300 and the island controller 200 that perform such normal transfer control constitute the first transfer control means of the present invention.

  In addition, when the storage amount level of at least one of the left island or the right island is LV1, that is, in an emergency state (assuming the storage amount level of the left island is LV1 here), the management computer 300 If the storage amount level is LV3, the left island inflow shutter 75 and the lower tank shutter 26 are left open. And when the storage amount level of one island is LV2, or when it becomes LV2 on the way, the inflow shutter 75 of the left island is opened, but the pachinko ball is not transferred from one island. Therefore, the management computer 300 opens the ball-shutter shutter 32 of the one island and opens the supply tank 4 from the upper tank 3 of the one island on the condition that the storage amount level of the one island is LV2 and not LV1. The ball that has flowed down is forcibly extracted and supplied to the lifting and polishing apparatus 11, and emergency transfer control is started for causing the raised pachinko ball to flow out of the outlet 52 by the first to fourth guide plates 56 to 59.

  Thereby, even if the storage amount level of one island is LV2, the pachinko ball is transferred from the one island to the left island, so that the storage amount level of the left island is recovered. That is, the management computer 300 and the island controller 200 that perform such emergency transfer control constitute the second transfer control means of the present invention.

  Such emergency transfer control is performed for a predetermined period of time from the time when the left island storage amount level is restored to LV2, that is, when the left island lower limit sensor 71 is turned on, unless the one island storage amount level becomes LV1. Continue until 5 minutes e.g. Then, when the predetermined time of 5 minutes has elapsed, the ball shutter 32 on one island is closed, the emergency transfer control is terminated, and the normal transfer control is returned to. At this time, the storage amount level of both the one island and the left island is LV2, and no pachinko balls are sent and received between the one island and the left island. If so, a pachinko ball is received from the other island.

  In addition, when the storage amount level of one island becomes LV1 before the storage amount level of the left island recovers to LV2, the ball shutter 32 on the one island is closed and the storage amount level is not LV1. The ball shutter 32 on the right island is opened, and the pachinko ball is transferred from the adjacent right island to the right island.

  Next, the control contents of various devices performed by the island controller 200 of each gaming island 1 and the pachinko ball circulation state will be described with reference to FIG.

  The island controller 200 of each amusement island 1 always drives the lifting and polishing apparatus 11 and, in the initial state where the storage amount level of the upper tank 3 is maintained at LV3, the lower tank shutter 26, the ball release shutter 32 and the inflow shutter 75 are closed, and the pachinko balls are circulated in the game island 1.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 flow out of the storage ball outlet 54 and flow into the supply rods 4, 4. Each pachinko machine 2 is replenished via a tributary trough 5. The pachinko balls discharged from each pachinko machine 2 flow down the collection basket 17, the collecting chamber 21, the collecting ball flow passage 23, and the connecting bowl 10 and are supplied to the lifting and polishing apparatus 11, and then the lifting and polishing apparatus 11 And is fed into the upper tank 3.

  In the initial state, the storage amount level of the upper tank 3 is maintained at LV3, so that the pachinko balls flow out into the transfer rod 40 from the outlets 52, 52. When the pachinko ball is filled in the transfer rod 40 and the outlets 52 and 52 are blocked, the pachinko ball discharged from the lifting ball discharge port 11 a is stored in the upper tank 3. When the storage position of the stored pachinko ball has reached the overflow port 12a, the pachinko ball discharged from the lifting ball discharge port 11a falls into the overflow port 12a and flows down the overflow pipe 12 and the overflow hose 12b. It is dropped and stored in the storage chamber 20 from the sorting rod 12c and the flow down plate 18.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the storage amount level of the upper tank 3 becomes LV2, the island controller 200 opens the lower tank shutter 26 and the inflow shutter 75. As a result, the pachinko balls stored in the storage chamber 20 are discharged from the lower tank discharge port 24 and supplied to the lifting and polishing apparatus 11 via the connection rod 10. Further, when the inflow shutter 75 is opened, the pachinko balls in the receiving basket 41 are joined into the overflow pipe 12 via the inflow ports 53 and 53 and the inflow sphere guide pipes 60 and 60, so that the pachinko received from other islands is received. A sphere is supplied from the storage chamber 20 to the lift polishing apparatus 11.

  Further, when the storage amount level of the upper tank 3 is LV2 and the storage amount level of the other island is LV1, the island controller 200 further opens the ball shutter 32 while keeping the lower tank shutter 26 and the inflow shutter 75 open. Is opened (see FIG. 11C). As a result, the pachinko balls of the replenishing rods 4 and 4 are discharged from the ball removal portion 30, flow down the ball removal tube 7 and fall into the collecting chamber 21, and flow down through the collecting ball flow down passage 23 and the connecting rod 10. It is supplied to the polishing apparatus 11.

  Thus, in the state where the storage amount level of the upper tank 3 on one island is LV2, normally, pachinko balls will be received from other islands where the storage amount level is LV3. If there is less LV1 than one island and there is an urgent need, it is necessary to give priority to the supply to other islands over the supply to one island. However, since the storage amount level of one island is LV2, that is, the storage position of the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 has not reached the outflow position where it can flow out from the outlets 52, 52, the upper part of the island Pachinko balls stored in the tank 3 cannot be transferred to other islands.

  Accordingly, the pachinko balls are discharged and extracted from the ball removing portions 30 provided in the supply rods 4 and 4 where the pachinko balls flowing out from the storage ball outlet 54 formed on the bottom plate 50d of the upper tank 3 flow down. A pachinko ball stored in a position below the outflow ports 52 and 52 in the upper tank 3 by being supplied to the lifting and polishing apparatus 11 through the pipe 7, the collecting chamber 21, the collecting ball descending passage 23, and the connecting rod 10. That is, pachinko balls that cannot flow out from the outlets 52 and 52 can be discharged and supplied to the lift polishing apparatus 11. That is, the storage ball outlet 54, the replenishing rods 4, 4, the ball removal unit 30, the ball removal shutter device 31, the ball removal tube 7, the collection chamber 21, the collection ball flow down passage 23, and the connection rod 10 are supplied in the present invention. Means.

  Furthermore, some of the pachinko balls that have been lifted by the lifting and polishing apparatus 11 and discharged into the upper tank 3 from the lifting ball discharge port 11a are a first guide plate 56, a second guide plate 57, and a third guide plate. 58 and the fourth guide plate 59 are guided to the outlets 52 and 52 in preference to dropping into the upper tank 3. That is, the first guide plate 56, the second guide plate 57, the third guide plate 58, and the fourth guide plate 59 constitute the guide means of the present invention.

  In this way, the pachinko balls stored in a position below the outlets 52, 52 in the upper tank 3 are discharged and extracted, and supplied to the lifting and polishing apparatus 11 without replenishing each pachinko machine 2, After being lifted by the lifting and polishing apparatus 11, the first guide plate 56, the second guide plate 57, the third guide plate 58, and the fourth guide plate 59 are directly guided to the outlets 52, 52 to be discharged and transferred. Since it can be transferred to other islands through the ridge 40, even if the storage level is LV2, the pachinko balls stored in the storage area below the outlets 52, 52 in the upper tank 3 are extracted. It can be quickly supplied to other islands that need an emergency.

  Next, an example of normal transfer control performed by the management computer 300 and the island controller 200 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, the normal transfer control contents performed between the left, middle, and right game islands 1 among the plurality of game islands 1 arranged adjacent to each other will be described. Is the left island in the figure and the other island on the right is called the right island. Also, other islands installed on the left side of the left island and on the right side of the right island are omitted. In addition, the area | region shown with the oblique line in the figure has shown the area | region where the pachinko sphere is stored.

  First, the management computer 300 monitoring the storage amount level of each island starts from the state where the storage amount levels of the left island, one island, and the right island are LV3 (see FIG. 12A), and the storage amount of the left island. When the level decreases to LV2, the lower tank shutter 26 and the inflow shutter 75 are opened for the island controller 200 on the left island, and normal transfer control between the island and the left island is started. As a result, the pachinko balls are transferred from the island to the left island through the transfer rod 40 and replenished to the upper tank 3 of the left island (see FIG. 12B).

  And if the storage level on one island becomes LV2 before the storage level on the left island returns to LV3, the transfer of pachinko balls from the island to the left island stops as soon as the storage position falls below the outflow position. To do. At this time, when the storage amount level of the right island is LV3, the management computer 300 opens the lower tank shutter 26 and the inflow shutter 75 with respect to the island controller 200 on the island, and between the island and the right island. Start normal transfer control. Thereby, the pachinko balls are transferred from the right island to the island through the receiving basket 41 (see FIG. 12C).

  As a result, when the storage amount level of one island is returned to LV3, if the storage amount level of the right island is maintained at LV3, the island controller 200 of one island is closed with the lower tank shutter 26 and the inflow shutter 75, The normal transfer control between the island and the right island is terminated, and the transfer of the ball from the right island to the island is stopped. In addition, the transfer of the sphere from the island to the left island is resumed when the storage amount level of the island is returned to LV3 (exactly when the storage position reaches or exceeds the outflow position) (FIG. 12D). Finally, when the left island storage amount level returns to LV3 due to the transfer of the ball from the island to the left island, the island controller 200 on the left island closes the lower tank shutter 26 and the inflow shutter 75, and End normal transfer control between the island and the left island.

  Next, an example of emergency transfer control performed by the management computer 300 and the island controller 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when the storage level of the left island is LV2 from the state where the storage amount level of the one island, the left island, and the right island is LV3, the management computer 300 sets the lower tank to the island controller 200 of the left island. The shutter 26 and the inflow shutter 75 are opened, and normal transfer control between one island and the left island is started. Thereby, the pachinko ball is transferred from the island to the left island via the transfer rod 40 (see FIG. 13A).

  Then, when the storage level of the left island further decreases to LV1, if the storage amount level of the island remains LV3, the pachinko ball is transferred from the island to the left island as it is (FIG. 13 ( b))) If the storage level of the island becomes LV2 before the storage level of the left island returns to LV3 and the storage position is lower than the outflow position, the pachinko ball from the island to the left island Since the transfer is stopped, the management computer 300 opens the ball shutter 32 to the island controller 200 on one island and starts emergency transfer control between the island and the left island. Thereby, even if the storage position of the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 of the island is below the outflow position, the pachinko balls stored below the outflow position of the upper tank 3 are extracted from the ball extraction portion 30. After being lifted by the lifting and polishing apparatus 11, the first to fourth guide plates 56 to 59 are directly guided to the outflow port 52. Therefore, even if the storage position does not reach the outflow position, Pachinko balls are transferred to the island (see FIG. 13C).

  At this time, if the storage amount level of the right island is LV3, the management computer 300 opens the lower tank shutter 26 and the inflow shutter 75 to the island controller 200 on the island, and between the island and the right island. Start normal transfer control at As a result, the pachinko ball is transferred from the right island to the one island and replenished to the upper tank 3 on the one island, so even if the pachinko ball is transferred from the one island to the left island, the storage level of the one island is LV2. (See FIG. 13C).

  As a result, when the storage amount level of the left island returns to LV2, when the predetermined time of 5 minutes elapses from when the lower limit sensor 71 is turned on, that is, when the lower limit sensor 71 is turned on, the management computer 300 The island controller 200 closes the ball shutter 32 and ends the emergency transfer control between the island and the left island, thereby stopping the transfer of the ball from the island to the left island ( (Refer FIG.13 (d)).

  If the transfer of the ball from the right island to the one island is continued, and the storage amount level of the one island returns to LV3 (to be exact, the storage position has reached the outflow position), the transfer from the one island to the left island While the transfer of the sphere is resumed, the management computer 300 causes the island controller 200 of the island to close the lower tank shutter 26 and the inflow shutter 75, and ends the normal transfer control between the island and the right island, The transfer of the sphere from the right island to one island is stopped (see FIG. 13 (e)).

  Finally, when the left island storage level returns to LV3 due to the transfer of the ball from the island to the left island, the management computer 300 causes the island controller 200 on the left island to close the lower tank shutter 26 and the inflow shutter 75. The normal transfer control between the island and the left island is terminated, the transfer of the sphere from the island to the left island is stopped, and the storage amount level of all the islands is maintained at LV3.

  As described above, in the game medium circulation system on the gaming machine installation island as an embodiment of the present invention, the storage position of the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 of the other island (left island, right island) When the position becomes lower than the reference position, that is, when the storage position is such that the pachinko balls cannot be transferred to one island, the storage position of the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 of the island reaches the reference position. If so, normal transfer control is started in which pachinko balls are transferred from one island to another.

  Moreover, when the storage position of the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 on the other island does not reach the lower limit position, that is, the stored pachinko balls are remarkably reduced, and there is a possibility that supply to the pachinko machine 2 may be interrupted. If a certain state is reached, the ball-shutter shutter 32 of the island is opened if the pachinko ball storage position stored in the upper tank 3 of the island does not reach the reference position but reaches the lower limit position. The pachinko balls stored below the outflow position in the upper tank 3 are supplied to the lifting and polishing apparatus 11 without passing through the pachinko machine 2 and are lifted by the lifting and polishing apparatus 11. A part of the pachinko balls discharged to the upper tank 3 are guided directly to the outlets 52 and 52 by the first to fourth guide plates 56 to 59 without being stored in the upper tank 3. Top of the island Because be transferred to other islands pachinko balls even without recovering the stored position of the pachinko ball which is stored in the tank 3 to the reference position, it is possible to cancel the emergency condition in the other islands within early.

  In addition, a ball extraction unit 30 that discharges and extracts the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 is provided in the supply rods 4 and 4 for supplying the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 to the plurality of pachinko machines 2. By being provided, the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 3 can be discharged to the outside and supplied to the lifting and polishing apparatus 11 using the existing replenishing rods 4 and 4. It is not necessary to form a ball outlet or the like separately from the stored ball outlet 54 in the required upper tank 3.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the ball punching portion 30 is provided on the downstream side of the supply port 4b provided in the most downstream position of the supply rods 4 and 4, so that the pachinko machine 2 is connected to the pachinko machine 2. Pachinko balls can be discharged from the ball removal portion 30 without hindering the supply of the balls.

  Specifically, for example, when the upper tank 3 is provided with a ball outlet (ball outlet) that is separate from the stored ball outlet 54, the stored ball flow is caused by the outflow of the ball from the ball outlet. Although there is a possibility that the balls are less likely to flow out from the outlet 54 to the replenishing rod 4, the ball removal portion 30 is provided downstream of the replenishing port 4 b provided at the most downstream position of the replenishing rods 4 and 4 as in the present invention. As a result, since the ball flows into the upstream supply port 4b in preference to the discharge from the ball removal portion 30, the supply of the pachinko ball to the pachinko machine 2 is not hindered.

  In this embodiment, the ball punching portion 30 is provided on the downstream side of the supply port 4b provided at the most downstream position of the supply rods 4 and 4, but the ball punching portion 30 is provided on the supply rods 4 and 4 respectively. You may provide in arbitrary places. Further, the ball punching portion 30 may be provided at a position lower than the outlet 52 in the side plate 50c, the bottom plate 50d, etc. of the upper tank 3 instead of the replenishing rods 4 and 4. 3 can be extracted from a position below the outflow position.

  Further, when the ball removal portion 30 is provided on the downstream side of the supply port 4b provided at the most downstream position of the supply rods 4 and 4 in this way, the balls flowing down on the supply rods 4 and 4 are more replenished. 14, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, on the upper surface of the bottom plate 4c on the upstream side of each supply port 4b provided on the side in the flow-down direction, toward the supply port 4b. The guide piece 80 for guiding the pachinko sphere may be erected. Thereby, even when the pachinko ball is discharged from the ball removal portion 30, the pachinko ball flowing down is preferentially replenished to the replenishment port 4b and the ball pressure applied to the ball removal shutter 32 is reduced. .

  Moreover, in the said Example, the pachinko ball discharged | emitted from the raising ball discharge port 11a in the upper tank 3 is substantially equal to the right and left outflow ports 52 and 52 by the 1st-4th guide plates 56-59 as a guidance means. For example, the pachinko ball discharged from the lifting ball discharge port 11a is lower in other storage islands before and after being connected by the transfer rod 40 and the receiving rod 41. You may enable it to transfer preferentially with respect to another island.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, above the topmost portion of the first guide plate 56 and directly below the lifting ball discharge port 11 a, on the inner surface upper portion of the rear plate 50 b of the upper tank 3. The swing guide plate 90 is pivotally supported by the projecting shaft member 91 facing in the front-rear direction, and the shaft member 91 can be rotated by a swing motor (not shown) and discharged from the lifting ball discharge port 11a. The horizontal position (not shown), which is a first state in which the pachinko balls thus distributed can be distributed to the left and right sides, that is, the left and right outlets 52, 52, and the left outlet 52 or the right outlet 52 It is possible to oscillate between the inclined position, which is the second state that can be guided only to any one of them.

  When the pachinko balls discharged from the lifting ball discharge port 11a are transferred equally to both the front and rear other islands connected by the transfer rod 40 and the receiving rod 41, the island controller 200 drives the swing motor. When the control is performed and the swing guide plate 90 is positioned in the horizontal position and is transferred preferentially to another island having a lower storage amount level, the flow guide plate 90 is moved to the outlet 52 side corresponding to the other island to be transferred. By positioning at the inclined position inclined downward, the sphere is preferentially guided to the other island. That is, the swing guide plate 90 constitutes the direction changing device of the present invention.

  In addition, for example, a plurality of drop holes 57a formed in the second guide plate 57 and a shutter (not shown) that can open and close the notches 58a formed in the third guide plate 58 are provided. When the inclined position is the second state, the shutter 57 closes the drop hole 57a and the notch 58a so that the pachinko balls discharged on the first guide plate 56 are preferentially flowed down to the outlet 52. You may do it.

  As another example of the guiding means, for example, the first state in which the pachinko balls are discharged to the top of the first guide plate 56 to the lifting ball discharge port 11a of the above-described embodiment, and the pachinko balls of the first guide plate 56 A movable swinging device (not shown) may be provided in the second state of discharging to the right or left side of the top, and in this way, either the left or right outlet 52 is prioritized. Thus, pachinko spheres can be induced.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and modifications and additions within the scope of the present invention are included in the present invention. Needless to say.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the ball removing portion 30 is provided only on the right supply rod 4 among the left and right supply rods 4, 4, but may be provided on the left and right supply rods 4.

  In the above embodiment, the pachinko balls discharged from the ball removal unit 30 flow down the ball removal tube 7, the collection chamber 21, the collection ball flow passage 23, and the connecting rod 10, and are supplied to the lifting and polishing apparatus 11. However, it may be supplied directly from the ball removal tube 7 to the lift polishing apparatus 11.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although the ball removal part 30 and the ball removal shutter apparatus 31 were provided in the downstream end part of the replenishing rod 4, the ball removal shutter apparatus 31 is, for example, the ball removal pipe 7, the collecting chamber 21, It may be provided in any of the collecting ball flow-down passages 23.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although the pachinko ball discharged | emitted from the ball | bowl extraction part 30 was supplied to the inflow port which is not shown provided in the lower part of the raising polishing apparatus 11, for example, the raising polishing apparatus 11 A separate supply port (not shown) is provided between the lower inflow port and the upper lifting ball discharge port 11a in the box body so as to be supplied to the supply port. Can be shortened.

  Further, when the emergency transfer control is being performed, the pachinko ball can be quickly transferred to other islands by increasing the lifting speed of the pachinko ball by the lifting and polishing device 11 than usual. Also good.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although the lower tanks 9 and 9 were provided in the lower part of the game island 1, the lower tank 9 does not need to be provided in particular.

  Moreover, in the said Example, based on the reception condition of the detection signal of the reference | standard sensor 70 or the lower limit sensor 71 output from each game island 1, the management computer 300 specifies the storage amount level of each game island 1, and performs transfer control. The island controller 200 on one island and the other islands that are the targets of the islands is subjected to the transfer control by outputting the drive command of each shutter, but the island controller of each amusement island 1 without using such a management computer 300 The members 200 may specify the storage amount level based on the reception status of the detection signal of the reference sensor 70 or the lower limit sensor 71 on the other island, and perform the transfer control.

  For example, the island controller 200 of each amusement island 1 has the inflow shutter 75 and the inflow shutter 75 until the stored amount level of the own island returns to LV3 regardless of the stored amount level of the other islands when the stored amount level of the own island becomes LV2. The lower tank shutter 26 is opened. In addition, when the storage amount level of the own island becomes LV1, a replenishment request signal is output to the island controller 200 of the other island, and the ball shutter 32 on the other island is opened to receive the pachinko ball, and When the storage level returns to LV2, a replenishment end signal is output to the island controller 200 on the other island, and the ball shutter 32 on the other island is closed. Further, when a supply request signal is received from another island, the self-island ball removal shutter 32 is opened and the self-island ball removal shutter is received when the self-island ball removal shutter 32 is opened unless the own island storage amount level is LV1. 32 may be closed.

1 gaming machine installation island (amusement island)
2 Pachinko machine 3 Upper tank 4 Replenishment bowl 7 Ball extraction tube 9 Lower tank 11 Lifting polishing device 12 Overflow tube 12a Overflow port 20 Reservation chamber 21 Collection chamber 23 Collection ball flow down passage 24 Lower tank discharge port 26 Lower tank shutter 30 Ball removal Section 32 Ball shutter 40 Transfer rod 41 Receiving rod 52 Outlet 53 Inlet 54 Storage ball outlet 56-59 First to fourth guide plates 70 Reference sensor 71 Lower limit sensor 75 Inlet shutter 200 Island controller 300 Management computer

Claims (1)

A gaming machine installation island where gaming machines are arranged,
A game medium storage unit provided on an upper part of the gaming machine installation island and capable of storing a game medium to be supplied to the gaming machine;
A lifting device for lifting game media from the lower part of the gaming machine installation island to the game media storage unit;
An outlet that is provided in the game medium storage unit and from which a game medium supplied to another adjacent gaming machine installation island can flow out;
Guiding means for guiding at least a part of the game medium fed by the lifting device to the outlet;
The game medium stored in the game medium storage unit is stored when the game medium is supplied to the other gaming machine installation island when the storage position of the game medium is lower than the position of the outlet. Supply means for discharging the gaming medium to the lower part of the gaming machine installation island and supplying it to the lifting device;
A gaming machine installation island characterized by comprising.

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