JP5898147B2 - Game ball lifting device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game ball lifting device that transports a game ball used in a gaming machine upward.

  In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, for example, an apparatus that transports (lifts) a gaming ball such as a pachinko ball upward is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3). In these devices, the wide lifting belt and the polishing cloth for polishing the game ball are arranged to face each other, and the game ball is sandwiched between the lifting belt and the polishing cloth, and the surface of the polishing cloth is It is conveyed upward while rolling.

JP 2012-45432 A JP 2012-125273 A JP2013-91000A

  However, in the devices of Patent Documents 1 to 3, a wide lifting belt is used for transporting the game balls, so that foreign matter such as screws and nails that are mixed during the installation of the gaming machine equipment or the replacement of the gaming machine is removed. In addition to being transported along with the game ball by the lifting belt, it becomes easy to stab the lifting belt, causing a malfunction of the operating game ball lifting device. In the worst case, there is a possibility that the feeding belt is cut by a foreign object such as a stuck screw or a nail. When the lifting belt runs out, it becomes necessary to replace the lifting belt, so that there is a problem that the operating game machine must be temporarily stopped and the business using the game ball cannot be performed.

  In addition, the game ball is transported upward while being sandwiched between the lifting belt and the polishing cloth. In this case, the gaming ball is in contact with only one place on the lifting belt and the polishing cloth. Therefore, it is impossible to secure a sufficient contact area for transporting the game ball upward, and there is a demand for improvement in the lifting capacity of the game ball.

  Therefore, the present invention can suppress damage to the transport belt due to foreign matter even when foreign matter such as unrecovered screws and nails remain, and can reliably increase the lifting capacity of the game ball. An object of the present invention is to provide a game ball lifting device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention described in claim 1 is a game ball lifting device that transports a game ball used in a gaming machine upward, and extends in a vertical direction in which the game ball can be contacted. A linear lifting belt that is driven so that a side facing the plate-like member is moved upward and is in contact with the game ball. Are arranged, and the game ball can roll upward by being pinched by contact with at least two linear lifting belts and contact with the plate-like member.

According to the present invention, the game ball is sandwiched between at least two linear lifting belts and the plate-like member, and the game ball rolls upward while maintaining the sandwiched state.

The invention described in claim 2 is a game ball lifting device for transporting a game ball used in a gaming machine upward, and is a plate-like member extending in the vertical direction that can be contacted by the game ball, and an endless ring. A linear lifting belt that is driven so as to move upward on the side facing the plate-like member and can come into contact with the gaming ball, and a plurality of the linear lifting belts are arranged, and the gaming ball Is capable of rolling upward by clamping by contact with the linear lifting belt and contact with the plate-like member, and the plate-like member is provided with a guide groove for guiding the game ball upward. The guide groove is characterized in that at least two linear lifting belts are arranged with respect to one game ball so that the game ball is located.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the game ball lifting device according to the first or second aspect, the game rolls upward on a surface of the plate-like member facing the linear lifting belt. A polishing cloth for polishing a surface of the game ball by contact with the ball is provided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the game ball lifting device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the linear lifting belt is formed of a round belt having a circular cross-sectional shape. It is characterized by that.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the game ball rolls upward by being sandwiched between the plate-like member and the linear lifting belt, so that foreign matters such as unrecovered screws and nails remain. Even in this case, compared to the conventional wide lifting belt, the foreign matter is less likely to stick into the linear lifting belt, and the damage to the lifting belt due to the foreign matter can be suppressed. As a result, it is unnecessary to replace the lifting belt, and the game business using the game ball can be continued. Moreover, since a plurality of lifting belts are provided, even if one lifting belt is damaged, the game balls can be continuously lifted by other lifting belts, and the business of the game can be continued.

  In addition, since the linear lifting belt is arranged so that a plurality of contacts can be made simultaneously with one game ball, a sufficient contact area between the game ball and the lifting belt can be secured, and the game ball can be It can be rolled in a stable state with at least three points of support, and the lifting capacity of the game ball can be reliably increased.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the plate-like member is provided with a guide groove for guiding the game ball upward, and the guide groove has at least two lifting belts for one game ball so that the game ball is positioned. Since it is arranged, the game ball can be rolled upward in a state where the game ball is reliably in contact with the guide groove, and the reliability of the device can be improved. That is, in the prior art, since the lifting belt and the game ball are in contact with each other only at one place, the game ball cannot be stably held and the game ball is lifted off the guide groove. However, in the present invention, since at least two lifting belts are arranged for one game ball, the game ball rolls in a state where the game ball is securely in contact with the guide groove. Reliability can be increased.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the surface of the plate-like member facing the lifting belt is provided with the polishing cloth for polishing the surface of the game ball by contact with the game ball rolling upward. , Dirt on the ball can be removed automatically. In addition, since the linear lifting belt is arranged so that a plurality of simultaneous contact with one game ball is possible, the game ball can be pressed against the polishing cloth in a stable state, and the polishing efficiency of the game ball can be increased. Can be increased.

  According to the invention of claim 4, by using a round belt having a circular cross-sectional shape as the linear lifting belt, the cross-sectional area of the belt is minimized while maintaining the strength required for the lifting belt. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the device.

It is principal part sectional drawing of the game ball lifting apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part front view of the game ball lifting apparatus of FIG. It is a principal part side view of the game ball lifting apparatus of FIG. It is a principal part expanded sectional view of the plate-shaped member of the game ball lifting apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the holding | grip state of the game ball by the lifting belt and the plate-shaped member in the game ball lifting apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the cleaning brush in the game ball lifting apparatus of FIG. It is a perspective view of the whole gaming machine island provided with the game ball lifting device of FIG. It is a whole perspective view of the game ball lifting device of FIG. It is a whole perspective view which shows the state which opened the cover of the game ball lifting apparatus of FIG. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the modification of the plate-shaped member of FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modification of the lifting belt of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing another modified example of the lifting belt of FIG. 5.

  The present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiments.

  1 to 12 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a game ball lifting device 10 according to the present invention, which is a device that transports (lifts) the game ball 7 used in the gaming machine upward. is there. Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the case where the game ball lifting device 10 is arranged in one gaming machine island 1 will be described. However, a plurality of gaming machine islands 1 are arranged. In the case of a system, a game ball lifting device 10 is arranged in each gaming machine island 1. The gaming machine island 1 has a frame body 2 that houses a plurality of gaming machines (pachinko machines) 4, and an upper tank that replenishes and receives game balls (pachinko balls) 7 at the upper center of the frame body 2. 3 is provided. As shown in FIG. 7, the game ball lifting device 10 is housed in the center of the frame body 2 and has a function of transporting the game balls 7 from the respective game machines 4 side to the upper tank 3.

“Configuration of Game Ball Lifting Device 10”
This game ball lifting apparatus 10 mainly includes a container 11, a first plate member 12, a second plate member 13, a drive roller 15, a driven roller 16, and holding rollers 17 to 19. A cleaning roller 20, a round belt 21 as a linear lifting belt, and a collection box 22 are provided.

“Configuration of container 11”
The container 11 is a substantially rectangular box shape and extends in the vertical direction. The container 11 is made of a metal such as an aluminum alloy, for example. The container 11 includes the first plate member 12, the second plate member 13, the drive roller 15, the driven roller 16, the holding rollers 17 to 19, the cleaning roller 20, and the round belt 21 described above. And has a function of storing the collection box 22. The container 11 has a vertically long cover 11a that can be opened and closed. The cover 11a is provided at a position facing the round belt 21, and the first plate member 12 is fixed to the inner surface side.

“Configuration of the plate members 12 and 13”
As shown in FIG. 3, the first plate-like member 12 extends in the vertical direction along the storage body 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the 1st plate-shaped member 12 is comprised from the urethane member 12a and the polishing cloth 12b. The urethane member 12a is made of, for example, a foamed urethane resin. The polishing cloth 12 b is provided on the surface of the urethane member 12 a that faces the round belt 21, and has a function of polishing the surface of the game ball 7 by contact with the game ball 7. In this embodiment, an arcuate guide groove 12c for guiding the game ball 7 upward is provided on the surface of the urethane member 12a facing the round belt 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the second plate member 13 is provided below the first plate member 12. One end of the second plate member 13 is connected to the lower end of the first plate member 12. The second plate member 13 extends in an arc shape along the outer periphery of the drive roller 15. The second plate-like member 13 has a structure similar to that of the first plate-like member 12 and can contact the game ball 7. A supply plate 14 is connected to the other end of the second plate-like member 13 for supplying the game ball 7.

“Configuration of Drive Roller 15”
As shown in FIG. 3, the drive roller 15 is disposed in the vicinity of the second plate member 13. The drive roller 15 is connected to an electric motor (not shown), and is driven to rotate around the axis P1 by this electric motor. Grooves 15 a for guiding the plurality of round belts 21 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drive roller 15. Each groove 15a has a function of aligning the respective round belts 21 at a predetermined interval in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the driving roller 15 has a function of driving the eight round belts 21 at the same time.

"Configuration of driven roller 16"
As shown in FIG. 3, the driven roller 16 is disposed above the first plate member 12. The driven roller 16 is rotatable around the axis P2. Grooves 16 a for guiding the plurality of round belts 21 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the driven roller 16. Eight round belts 21 extending from the drive roller 15 side are hung on the driven roller 16, and the driven roller 16 is rotated by the movement of the round belt 21. Each groove 16a of the driven roller 16 has a function of aligning the round belts 21 at a predetermined interval in the horizontal direction.

"Configuration of holding rollers 17 to 19"
As shown in FIG. 3, holding rollers 17 to 19 are provided between the driving roller 15 and the driven roller 16. The holding rollers 17 to 19 hold the distance between the first plate-like member 12 and the round belt 21 substantially constant, so that the round belt 21 is excessively separated from the first plate-like member 12. It has a function to suppress this. The first holding roller 17 is formed with a groove 17a that can contact eight round belts 21 extending from the driving roller 15 side. The second holding roller 18 is formed with a groove 18a that can contact eight round belts 21 extending from the first holding roller 17 side. The third holding roller 19 is formed with a groove 19a that can contact eight round belts 21 extending from the second holding roller 18 side. Each groove | channel 17a, 18a, 19a has the function to align each round belt 21 with a predetermined space | interval in a horizontal direction.

“Configuration of Cleaning Roller 20”
As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning roller 20 is provided on the opposite side of the first plate-like member 12 around the position where the round belt 21 is disposed. The cleaning roller 20 can come into contact with each round belt 21 moving downward, and has a function of removing dust and the like attached to each round belt 21. As shown in FIG. 6, the cleaning roller 20 has a cleaning brush 20 a on the outer surface side, and dust attached to each round belt 21 is caused by the contact between each round belt 21 and the cleaning brush 20 a. Removed automatically. The cleaning roller 20 has a torque for rotationally driving around the axis P <b> 3, not simply rotating by contact with each round belt 21. For example, the cleaning roller 20 is filled with a fluid having a high viscosity, and rotates around the axis P by applying a constant torque from the outside. Thereby, the contact resistance between the cleaning roller 20 and each round belt 21 can be increased, and the efficiency of dust removal from the round belt 21 by the cleaning brush 20a is enhanced. The dust or the like removed from the round belt 21 by the cleaning roller 20 falls into a collection box 22 arranged below the cleaning roller 20. As will be described later, foreign matter 8 such as unrecovered screws and nails that have moved upward due to contact with the round belt 21 also falls into the collection box 22.

"Configuration of round belt 21"
As shown in FIG. 3, the round belt 21 as a linear lifting belt is provided between the driving roller 15 and the driven roller 16. The round belt 21 is formed in a linear shape, and is formed in an endless annular shape in which both ends are joined. Here, linear means an elongated shape like a line. As an example of a linear article, for example, a loop-shaped article having a constant thickness over the entire length by molding a rubber material or the like into an elongated shape is included. The round belt 21 is made of, for example, urethane resin. As shown in FIG. 5, the cross-sectional shape of the round belt 21 is circular over the entire length. As shown in FIG. 3, the round belt 21 is driven so that the side facing the first plate-like member 12 moves upward, and can come into contact with the game ball 7.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, two round belts adjacent to one game ball 7 for increasing contact resistance with the game ball 7 and stabilizing the lifting of the game ball 7. 21 can be simultaneously contacted. As shown in FIG. 2, the game ball lifting device 10 has eight round belts, and the game ball 7 has contact with two adjacent round belts 21 and plate-like members 12 and 13. It is designed to be pinched by contact. That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, since eight round belts 21 are arranged in the horizontal direction at a predetermined interval, seven game balls 7 are provided between the round belts 21. Thus, a plurality of game balls 7 can be simultaneously transported upward. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, each game ball 7 can roll upward by being sandwiched by contact with the round belt 21 at two locations and contact with the plate-like member 12 at one location. .

"Configuration of collection box 22"
As shown in FIG. 3, a collection box 22 is disposed between the driving roller 15 and the holding roller 17. The collection box 22 is a metal plate formed into a box shape, and can be easily removed from the container 11. The collection box 22 has a function of collecting the foreign matter 8 such as unrecovered screws and nails that have been dropped in the middle, the dust removed by the cleaning roller 20, and the like that has been moved upward by contact with each round belt 21. Yes. Here, the foreign matter 8 such as unrecovered screws and nails has a smaller outer shape than the game ball 7, and therefore cannot be sandwiched between the first plate member 12 and the round belt 21. Even if it is moved upward by a certain height due to the contact, the uppermost driven roller 16 cannot be reached and falls toward the driving roller 15. Therefore, by arranging the collection box 22 directly above the drive roller 15, it is possible to reliably collect the foreign matter 8 such as unrecovered screws and nails.

"Operation of the game ball lifting device 10"
Next, the operation and action of the game ball lifting device 10 will be described.

  When a switch of a control box (not shown) arranged on the gaming machine island 1 shown in FIG. 7 is turned on, the driving roller 15 of the game ball lifting device 10 is rotationally driven by an electric motor (not shown), and eight The round belt 21 starts to move all at once. As shown in FIG. 3, when the round belt 21 starts to move, the game ball 7 that has entered the second plate-like member 13 located below is sandwiched between the round belt 21 and the second plate-like member 13. Is conveyed (lifted) upward. As described above, in this embodiment, the eight lifting belts 21 are arranged in the axial direction of the drive roller 15 at a predetermined interval, so that seven games are provided between the round belts 21. The ball 7 enters, and a plurality of game balls 7 can be simultaneously conveyed upward.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the game ball 7 is sandwiched by contact with two adjacent linear round belts 21 and contact with the first plate-like member 12. Thus, it is possible to increase the lifting capacity of the game ball 7 as compared with the wide lifting belt as in the prior art. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the game ball 7 is supported at three points by the two round belts 21 and the first plate member 12, so that the frictional force with the game ball 7 increases and the game The ball 7 can be stably held from three directions, and the lifting ability of the game ball 7 can be increased.

  Since the surface of the first plate-like member 12 facing the round belt 21 is provided with a polishing cloth 12b for polishing the surface of the game ball 7 by contact with the game ball 7 rolling upward, The dirt of the sphere 7 can be automatically removed. Further, since the two round belts 21 are arranged so as to be in contact with one game ball 7 simultaneously, the game ball 7 can be pressed against the polishing cloth 12b in a stable state, and the polishing efficiency of the game ball 7 is improved. Can be increased.

  Since the game ball 7 is lifted by the linear round belt 21, the round belt 21 makes it difficult for the foreign matter 8 such as screws and nails mixed during the installation of the gaming machine equipment or the replacement of the gaming machine to be lifted. The foreign matter 8 is less likely to pierce the round belt 21, and the round belt 21 is significantly less likely to be damaged than the conventional wide lifting belt. Further, for example, even if one of the eight round belts 21 is cut, the other round belt 21 operates normally, so that the lifting capacity of the game ball 7 is not significantly reduced. There is no need to stop the device.

  Here, foreign matter 8 such as unrecovered screws and nails cannot be sandwiched between the first plate-like member 12 and the round belt 21, and is moved upward by a certain height due to contact with each round belt 21. Even if it moves, it cannot reach the uppermost driven roller 16 and falls downward. Accordingly, the foreign matter 8 such as unrecovered screws and nails is reliably collected in the collection box 22, and the foreign matter 8 is prevented from being supplied to the upper tank 3 positioned above.

The linear lifting belt is composed of round belts 21 having a circular cross-sectional shape, and the round belts 21 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction, so that spaces are formed between the round belts 21. becomes Rukoto, foreign matter 8 such uncollected screws or nails are less likely sticks facilitate a round belt 21, it is possible to increase the life of the round belt 21. In addition, by using the round belt 21 having a circular cross-sectional shape, it is possible to minimize the cross-sectional area of the belt while maintaining the strength required for the lifting belt, and the gaming ball lifting device 10 can be made compact. I can plan.

  Thus, since the round belt 21 is formed in an elongated linear shape, even if foreign matter 8 such as unrecovered screws and nails remain in the gaming machine 4, it is a conventional wide transport belt. In comparison, the foreign matter 8 is less likely to pierce the round belt 21, and damage to the round belt 21 can be suppressed. Thereby, even if the foreign material 8 remains, it is not necessary to almost replace the round belt 21, and the operating rate of the gaming machine 4 can be increased. In addition, since eight round belts 21 are provided, even if one of them is cut, the lifting capacity of the game ball 7 is only slightly lowered, and the game ball by the game ball lifting device 10 is reduced. 7 can be continuously carried out without problems.

  Further, since the two round belts 21 as linear lifting belts are arranged so as to contact two game balls 7 simultaneously, a sufficient contact area between the game balls 7 and the round belt 21 can be secured. It is possible to reliably increase the lifting capacity of the game ball 7. Thereby, the reliability of the game ball lifting device 10 can be improved, and troubles caused by the lifting of the game ball 7 can be solved. Thus, even when foreign matter 8 such as unrecovered screws or nails remains, damage to the round belt 21 due to the foreign matter 8 can be suppressed, and even if some round belts 21 are damaged. Since the lifting ability can be reliably maintained, it is possible to avoid an emergency situation in which the game business is stopped due to a trouble with the game ball lifting device 10.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the specific configuration is not limited to the above embodiment, and even if there is a design change or the like without departing from the gist of the present invention, Included in the invention. For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, the guide groove 12c is provided in the plate-like member 12. However, as shown in FIG. 10, the guide groove 12c is not provided and the contact surface with the game ball 7 is flattened. Also good. In the above-described embodiment, the game ball 7 is supported at three points by the two round belts 21 and the first plate-like member 12, but as shown in FIG. The round belt 21 and the first plate-like member 12 may support four points.

  In the embodiment described above, the ball game ball 7 is configured to come into contact with the two independent round belts 21, but as shown in FIG. 12, the two round belts 21a and 21b arranged in the horizontal direction. Is used, and a relief groove 21c is provided between each of the round belts 21a and 21b to allow the foreign matter 8 such as screws and nails to escape. It is good also as a structure which suppresses. Further, the round belt 21 as the linear lifting belt has a circular cross-sectional shape, but may be a polygon, an ellipse, or other cross-sectional shapes.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine island 4 Game machine main body 7 Game ball 10 Game ball lifting apparatus 11 Container 12 First plate-shaped member (plate-shaped member)
12a Urethane member 12b Polishing cloth 12c Guide groove 13 Second plate member (plate member)
15 driving roller 16 driven roller 17 first holding roller 18 second holding roller 19 third holding roller 20 cleaning roller 21 round belt (linear lifting belt)
22 Collection box

Claims (5)

A game ball lifting device for conveying a game ball used in a gaming machine upward,
A plate-like member extending in the vertical direction with which the game ball can contact;
A linear lifting belt that is driven to move upward on the side facing the plate-like member in an endless ring shape, and can contact the game ball;
With
A plurality of the linear lifting belts are arranged, and the game ball can roll upward by being sandwiched by contact with at least two linear lifting belts and contact with the plate-like member. A featured game ball lifting device. A game ball lifting device for conveying a game ball used in a gaming machine upward,
A plate-like member extending in the vertical direction with which the game ball can contact;
A linear lifting belt that is driven to move upward on the side facing the plate-like member in an endless ring shape, and can contact the game ball;
With
A plurality of the linear lifting belts are arranged, and the game ball can be rolled upward by nipping by contact with the linear lifting belt and contact with the plate-like member,
The plate-like member is provided with a guide groove for guiding the game ball upward, and the guide groove has at least two linear shapes with respect to one game ball so that the game ball is positioned . Yu Technical sphere pumped device you characterized in that pumped belt is located.   A surface of the plate-shaped member facing the linear lifting belt is provided with a polishing cloth for polishing the surface of the game ball by contact with the game ball rolling upward. The game ball lifting device according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The game ball lifting device according to claim 1, wherein the linear lifting belt is formed of a round belt having a circular cross-sectional shape. 5. A game ball lifting device for conveying a game ball used in a gaming machine upward,
A plate-like member extending in the vertical direction with which the game ball can contact;
A lifting belt that is driven to move upward on the side facing the plate-like member in an endless ring, and is capable of contacting the game ball;
With
The game ball can roll upward by clamping by contact with the lifting belt and contact with the plate-like member,
The lifting belt has a plurality of round belt portions that come into contact with the game ball, and the plurality of round belt portions are connected to each other and an escape groove is provided between the plurality of round belt portions. A featured game ball lifting device.

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