JP6039035B1 - Game media transport device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a game medium transport device capable of reducing the installation area in a configuration having a plurality of transport bodies for transporting game media and capable of preventing circulation of surplus game media. A game medium transporting apparatus includes a pair of sprockets that can rotate around a rotation shaft extending in a horizontal direction, a rotation drive unit that rotates at least one of the pair of sprockets, and a pair of sprockets. A plurality of endless chains 4 that are wound around the endless chain 4 and provided on the outer peripheral side of the endless chain 4 along the circumferential movement direction of the endless chain 4. The transport plate 5 is provided. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium transport device for transporting game media such as medals in a game hall.

  Conventionally, a medal transport device described in Patent Document 1 is known as a transport device that transports game media such as medals in a game hall.

  This transport device moves along an endless travel path in which a plurality of transport plates on which medals are placed circulates in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the transport device includes a pair of sprockets extending in the axial direction and rotating in the horizontal direction, an endless chain wound around the pair of sprockets in a horizontal direction, and an endless chain. And a plurality of transport plates provided so as to be swingable in the horizontal direction with respect to the endless chain.

  In this transfer device, the endless chain moves in the horizontal direction between the pair of sprockets, so that the plurality of transfer plates move around between the pair of sprockets. For this reason, in the circuit where the transport plate moves around, the medal is transported on the path for transporting the medal, and the medal is transported with the medal placed on the transport plate. All or a part is distributed from the transfer device to a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine by the distribution device. The transport plate after all or part of the medals are distributed moves along the path for returning the transport plate to the initial position and returns to the initial position in the peripheral circuit.

Japanese Patent No. 2618262

  However, in the above transport device, a plurality of transport plates on which medals are placed move along an endless travel path that circulates in the horizontal direction, so that the game medium is transported along the path for returning the transport body to the initial position. It is necessary to install it side by side with the route to be performed. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the installation area of the transfer device.

  Further, of the medals on the transport plate, surplus medals remaining on the transport plate without being distributed to the gaming machine continue to circulate in the peripheral circuit. For this reason, dirt may adhere to the medal during circulation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and in a configuration having a plurality of transport bodies for transporting game media, the installation area can be reduced, and circulation of excess game media can be prevented. An object of the present invention is to provide a possible game medium transport device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the game medium transport device of the present invention is a game medium transport device for transporting game media, and a pair of rotations that can rotate around a rotation axis that extends substantially in the horizontal direction. A support body, a rotation drive unit that rotates at least one of the pair of rotation support bodies, and an endless traveling body that is wound around the pair of rotation support bodies, and a plurality of protrusions that protrude substantially horizontally. A plurality of transport bodies having an endless traveling body having protrusions and a mounting surface on which a game medium is placed, and arranged on the outer peripheral side of the endless traveling body side by side along the circumferential movement direction of the endless traveling body And at least a portion where the endless traveling body is folded up and down, and a projection guide portion that guides the projection in the circumferential movement direction .

  According to such a configuration, the endless traveling body is wound around the pair of rotation support bodies that rotate about the rotation axis that extends substantially in the horizontal direction. For this reason, the endless traveling body has a path that is folded downward from the path for transporting the game medium and returns the transport body to the initial position below the path. Therefore, it is not necessary to install the path for returning the transport body to the initial position in parallel with the path for transporting the game medium. As a result, the installation area of the transfer device can be reduced in a configuration having a plurality of transfer bodies for transferring game media.

In addition, since the transport body is folded downward together with the endless traveling body to which the transport body is connected, even if the game medium placed on the transport body remains without being distributed to the gaming machine, the transport body faces downward. When turning back, it is possible to collect surplus game media. Thereby, it is possible to prevent circulation of surplus game media.
Further, according to the above configuration, the protrusion guide portion guides the protrusion in the direction of circling the rotation support body at the portion where the endless traveling body is folded up and down, so that the portion folded up and down of the endless traveling body is rotationally supported. It becomes possible to suppress separation from the body. Thereby, the endless traveling body can be stably sent in the circumferential movement direction, and the resistance when the endless traveling body is fed can be reduced.

  The endless traveling body has flexibility capable of bending in a substantially horizontal direction, and the transport body is attached to the endless traveling body so as to be swingable in a substantially horizontal direction. preferable.

  According to such a configuration, the endless traveling body is arranged in a horizontal direction between the pair of rotation supports, so that the transport path of the game medium is bent in the horizontal direction using one transport device. It becomes possible. For this reason, the degree of freedom of installation of the transfer device in the game hall is improved. Further, with this configuration, it is possible to reduce the construction cost as compared with a case where a plurality of transfer devices that perform linear transfer are combined to form a transfer path bent in the horizontal direction. Moreover, since the transport body is attached to the endless traveling body so as to be swingable in the horizontal direction, it is possible to avoid interference with the subsequent transport body when the transport body passes through a bent portion of the transport path. It is.

  Provided between the pair of rotation supports, and restricting at least one of the endless traveling body and the transport body from moving substantially horizontally during the circular movement of the endless traveling body and the transport body. It is preferable to further include a guide portion.

  According to this configuration, the endless traveling body and the transport body can travel accurately on a predetermined traveling route bent in the horizontal direction.

  It is preferable that the protrusion guide portion has a portion that extends in the horizontal direction when the endless traveling body is folded downward and guides the protrusion in the horizontal direction.

  According to such a configuration, when the endless traveling body is folded downward, the projection guide portion guides the projection in the horizontal direction, so that the lowering of the endless traveling body portion that is folded downward is regulated. Thus, it is possible to suppress the drooping of the endless traveling body. Thereby, the said rotation support body can extrude and send the lower part of an endless traveling body to a horizontal direction, and it becomes possible to reduce resistance when sending an endless traveling body.

  The endless traveling body is preferably configured to allow bending in the vertical direction of the endless traveling body between the pair of rotation supports.

  According to such a configuration, even when the installation location of the transfer device has undulations in the up and down direction in the game hall, it is possible to construct the transfer device while following the undulations of the installation location.

  The apparatus further includes a lowering restricting portion that abuts on the lower side of the endless traveling body in contact with the lower side of the endless traveling body and regulates the lowering of the transporting body and the endless traveling body. preferable.

  According to such a configuration, the lowering of the conveying body and the endless traveling body is regulated by the lowering restricting portion coming into contact with the conveying body in a state suspended from the lower portion of the endless traveling body from the lower side. It becomes possible to prevent the endless traveling body from hanging down. Thereby, the said rotation support body can extrude and send the lower part of an endless traveling body to a horizontal direction, and it becomes possible to reduce resistance when sending an endless traveling body.

  The endless traveling body is preferably an endless chain. According to such a configuration, since the endless traveling body is an endless chain, the elongation in the circumferential movement direction is smaller than that of the rubber belt or the like, so that the game medium can be stably conveyed.

  The endless chain is a plurality of cylinders, and through holes are formed in the axial directions of the cylinders, and the cylinders are arranged in a state where the axial direction of the cylinders is substantially horizontal. A plurality of cylinders respectively arranged at intervals in the width direction, a plurality of end plates respectively installed between end faces of the cylinders adjacent to each other on the end faces on both sides of the cylinder, and the cylinder A plurality of pins inserted into the through-holes and rotatably supporting the end plate with respect to the cylindrical body at both end faces of the cylindrical body, and the through-holes of the cylindrical body The gap between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the pin is preferably set to a size that allows the chain to be bent substantially in the horizontal direction.

  According to such a configuration, since the endless chain is allowed to bend in the horizontal direction due to the gap between the cylinder and the pin, even when the endless running body is configured by the chain, the transport path bent in the horizontal direction is not used. It is possible to manufacture the conveying apparatus which has.

  The transport unit further includes a connecting portion that connects the transport body to the endless travel body, and the connection portion is located on an outer peripheral side of the endless travel body and has an attachment surface that extends along the circumferential movement direction. It is preferable that the body is connected to the connecting portion in a state where the surface on the back side of the mounting surface of the transport body is in contact with the mounting surface.

  According to such a configuration, the transport body is connected to the connecting portion in a state where the back surface of the mounting surface of the transport body is in contact with the mounting surface of the connecting portion, so that the transport body is endless by the mounting surface. Since the chain is positioned at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral side of the chain, a plurality of transport bodies can be continuously arranged on the same horizontal plane at regular intervals.

  As described above, according to the game medium transport device of the present invention, the installation area can be reduced in a configuration having a plurality of transport bodies for transporting game media. In addition, it is possible to prevent circulation of surplus game media.

It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the game medium conveying apparatus of this invention. It is the side view to which the peripheral part of the drive side sprocket was expanded in the internal structure of the conveying apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a peripheral portion of a drive-side sprocket as viewed from a direction in which a conveyance path extends in the internal configuration of the conveyance device in FIG. 1. It is a perspective view of the endless chain and conveyance plate of FIG. It is the enlarged view to which the part turned up downward of the endless chain of FIG. 4 was expanded. It is a cross-sectional view in the middle of the conveyance path | route in the conveying apparatus of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the endless chain of FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the mounting surface side of the conveyance plate of FIG. 1 from diagonally upward. It is the perspective view which looked at the opposite side with respect to the mounting surface of the conveyance plate of FIG. 1 from diagonally upward. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a pair of pin guide portions of FIG. 3 guides pins of an endless chain. It is an expansion perspective view of the pin guide part of FIG. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the example by which a round belt is used as an endless traveling body which is a modification of the game medium conveying apparatus of this invention. It is the enlarged view which looked at the round belt of FIG. 12, the conveyance plate, and the bracket from the conveyance direction.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the game medium transport device of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

  The game medium transport apparatus (hereinafter referred to as the transport apparatus 1) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is installed in a game hall where a game machine such as a pachislot machine is installed, and a game medium C such as a medal used in the game hall is stored. Transport to a predetermined transport destination such as a gaming machine or a lending machine.

  The conveying device 1 is hung around a pair of sprockets 2 (specifically, a driving side sprocket 2A and a driven side sprocket 2B), a rotation driving unit 3 that rotationally drives the driving side sprocket 2A, and the pair of sprockets 2. Endless chain 4, a plurality of transport plates 5 having a placement surface 5 a on which game medium C is placed, guide unit 6 that guides endless chain 4 and transport plate 5, and transport plate 5 below guide unit 6. A pair of pin guide portions 16 (see FIGS. 3 and 10) for guiding the pin 4c of the endless chain 4 in the circumferential movement direction A in the peripheral portion 30 of the drive side sprocket 2A, A plurality of connecting portions 40 (see FIGS. 3 and 5) for connecting the transport plate 5 to the endless chain 4 are provided. The plurality of transport plates 5 are continuously arranged along the circumferential movement direction A of the endless chain 4, thereby constituting a transport path R (see FIG. 4) of the game medium C on the upper side of the endless chain 4.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transport device 1 further includes an input unit 7, a sorting unit 8, and a collection unit 9 along the transport path R of the game medium C. The input unit 7 is provided at the upstream end of the transport path R and inputs the game medium C onto the transport plate 5. The sorting unit 8 is provided in the middle of the transport route R, and distributes the game media C placed on the transport plate 5 to a gaming machine or the like. The collection unit 9 is provided at the downstream end of the transport path R, and collects excess game media C remaining on the transport plate 5 from, for example, the side or the front of the transport path R. Even when the collecting unit 9 is not provided, the surplus game medium C is recovered by dropping from the transport plate 5 when the transport plate 5 is folded downward. Further, at least a part of the transport path R is covered with a cover 10 on the upper side thereof.

  Since the transport device 1 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the endless chain 4 is folded up and down as described above, the transport plate 5 is placed below the transport path R of the game medium C at the initial position (that is, the position of the loading unit 7). A route Q (see FIG. 4) returning to the position is arranged, and as a result, the installation area of the transfer device 1 can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, the structure of each part of the conveying apparatus 1 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, the pair of sprockets 2 can rotate around a rotating shaft 11 that extends substantially in the horizontal direction. The sprocket 2 is fitted to the rotary shaft 11 so that it can rotate together with the rotary shaft 11. The rotating shaft 11 is rotatably supported by the base 12. The sprocket 2 has a disk-shaped chain contact portion 2 a that contacts the inner peripheral side of the endless chain 4.

  In the present embodiment, the pair of sprockets 2 constitutes a pair of rotating supports of the present invention. However, any rotating object that can be wound around an endless traveling body may be used. The rotating support may be constituted by a roller or the like.

  The rotation drive unit 3 rotates the drive side sprocket 2 </ b> A of the pair of sprockets 2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the rotation drive unit 3 is a rotation in which the drive motor 3a, the drive sprocket 3b fixed to the drive shaft 3c of the drive motor 3a, and the drive side sprocket 2A are fitted. A driven sprocket 3d fixed to the shaft 11 and an endless chain 3e hung between the drive sprocket 3b and the driven sprocket 3d. Thereby, the rotational driving force of the drive motor 3a can be transmitted to the drive side sprocket 2A via the drive sprocket 3b, the chain 3e, and the driven sprocket 3d. The rotation drive unit 3 may have a configuration including a pair of pulleys and an endless pulley belt instead of the sprockets 3b and 3d and the endless chain 3e.

  In addition, you may make it the rotation drive part 3 rotate both of a pair of sprocket 2 simultaneously. Alternatively, a pair of rotational drive units 3 may be provided to apply a rotational driving force to the pair of sprockets 2 respectively.

  The endless chain 4 is a chain that is continuous in an endless manner (that is, a loop shape). The endless chain 4 is wound around a pair of sprockets 2 that rotate about a rotation shaft 11 extending in the horizontal direction so as to be folded back and forth. The endless chain 4 is supported from the inner peripheral side of the endless chain 4 by the chain contact portion 2a of the pair of sprockets 2 so that the endless chain 4 can move between the pair of sprockets 2. The endless chain 4 is included in the concept of the endless traveling body of the present invention.

  5-7, specifically, the endless chain 4 includes a plurality of cylinders 4a, a plurality of end plates 4b disposed on both end faces of the cylinder 4a, and a plurality of pins 4c. Have

  Each of the plurality of cylinders 4a is formed with a through hole 4a1 in the axial direction of the cylinder 4a. The plurality of cylinders 4a are arranged at intervals in the width direction of the cylinder 4a in a state where the axial direction of the cylinder 4a is substantially horizontal.

  The length of the cylindrical body 4a is longer than the thickness of the chain contact portion 2a so that the end plates 4b arranged on both end faces of the cylindrical body 4a do not interfere with the chain contact portion 2a of the sprocket 2. Is set to Therefore, the cylindrical body 4a can abut on the chain abutting portion 2a (see FIG. 3) of the sprocket 2 at the position where it is hung around the sprocket 2 of the endless chain 4.

  The plurality of end plates 4b are respectively constructed between the end surfaces of the adjacent cylinders 4a on the end surfaces on both sides of the cylinder 4a. Part of the two end plates 4b overlap each other at the end face of each cylindrical body 4a.

  The plurality of pins 4c are rotatably inserted into the through holes 4a1 of the plurality of cylinders 4a. Each pin 4c is fitted to two overlapping end plates 4b on both end surfaces of the cylinder 4a, thereby supporting the two end plates 4b rotatably with respect to the cylinder 4a. Both ends of each pin 4c penetrate the end plate 4b and protrude in the horizontal direction from the outer surface of the end plate 4b.

  The endless chain 4 is configured to allow the endless chain 4 to bend in the vertical direction between the pair of sprockets 2. Specifically, the cylindrical body 4a is disposed so as to extend in the horizontal direction, and end plates 4b are connected to both end surfaces of the cylindrical body 4a so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction around the pin 4c as a rotation center.

  In the present embodiment, the endless chain 4 is configured to be flexible so that it can be bent substantially in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the gap g (see FIG. 7) between the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 4a1 of the cylindrical body 4a and the outer peripheral surface of the pin 4c in the endless chain 4 indicates that the endless chain 4 is bent substantially in the horizontal direction. It is set to an allowable size. As described above, the endless chain 4 is allowed to bend in the horizontal direction by the gap g between the cylindrical body 4a and the pin 4c. Therefore, even when the endless chain 4 is composed of the endless chain 4, the endless chain 4 is bent in the horizontal direction. It is possible to configure the transport apparatus 1 (see FIG. 1) having the transport path R.

  The endless chain 4 may be configured such that it cannot be bent in the horizontal direction when it is disposed on the conveyance path R configured by a straight line.

  The connecting portion 40 connects the transport plate 5 to the endless chain 4. Specifically, the connecting unit 40 connects the transport plate 5 to a part of the end plates 4b among the plurality of end plates 4b.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the connecting portion 40 has an L shape. Specifically, the connecting part 40 is connected to the end plate 4b by extending a plate-like portion 401 extending in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical body 4a and extending downward from the end of the plate-like portion 401 at a right angle. Connecting portion 402. The plate-like portion 401 has an attachment surface 403 that is located on the outer peripheral side of the endless chain 4 and extends along the circumferential movement direction A. A through hole 4 e is formed in the plate-like portion 401.

  The transport plate 5 is a plate of the connection portion 40 by the connection pin 14 in a state where the contact surface 5b (see FIGS. 6 to 7 and FIG. 9) on the back side of the placement surface 5a of the transport plate 5 is in contact with the mounting surface 403. The portion 401 is pivotably connected in a horizontal direction B (see FIG. 5). The connecting pin 14 is continuously inserted into the through hole 5e and the through hole 4e in a state where the through hole 5e (see FIG. 8) of the transport plate 5 and the through hole 4e of the plate-like portion 401 are centered. In this way, since the transport plate 5 is positioned at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral side of the endless chain 4 by the mounting surface 403, a plurality of transport plates 5 can be continuously arranged on the same horizontal plane at regular intervals. become.

  As described above, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the plurality of transport plates 5 are substantially arranged on the outer peripheral side of the endless chain 4 in a state of being aligned along the circumferential movement direction A of the endless chain 4. It is mounted so that it can swing in the horizontal direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 to 9, each transport plate 5 has a flat placement surface 5 a on which the game medium C can be placed on one surface, and the connection portion 40 on the other surface. It is composed of a plate-like member having a contact surface 5b that contacts the mounting surface 403. The transport plate 5 is formed with the through hole 5e penetrating from the placement surface 5a to the contact surface 5b.

  Each conveyance plate 5 has a substantially crescent-shaped planar shape. The front end 5c facing the circumferential movement direction A (front) of the transport plate 5 is constituted by an arcuate curved surface protruding forward in the direction A, and the rear end facing in the opposite direction (rear) to the direction A. The part 5d is configured by an arcuate curved surface that is recessed in the direction A. The arcuate curved surface that constitutes the front end 5c has a shape that matches the arcuate curved surface that constitutes the rear end 5d. That is, the front end portion 5c and the rear end portion 5d have a shape that can be connected substantially without a gap. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, in the upper portion of the endless chain 4, a series of transport paths R can be configured by the plurality of transport plates 5 being continuous while fitting with each other. Further, since the transport plate 5 is connected to the endless chain 4 so as to be swingable in the horizontal direction by the connecting pin 14, even when the endless chain 4 is bent in the horizontal direction, the front end portion 5c and the rear end portion 5d. It is possible to advance the conveyance plate 5 in the circumferential movement direction A while maintaining the state in which the two are fitted.

  The guide unit 6 can restrict the movement of the endless chain 4 and the transport plate 5 in a substantially horizontal direction during the circular movement of the endless chain 4 and the transport plate 5, thereby guiding the endless chain 4 and the transport plate 5 to a predetermined travel path. It has a configuration. The guide portion 6 is between the pair of sprockets 2 shown in FIG. 1 except for the section provided with the pin guide portion 16 (see FIG. 3) around the drive side sprocket 2A shown in FIG. It is provided so as to extend in the transport path R.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the guide portion 6 is attached to a long guide frame 6 a extending between the pair of sprockets 2 and both sides in the width direction D of the guide frame 6 a. A pair of long side plates 6b extending between the sprockets 2 and a pair of friction reducing members 6c attached to the upper surface of the guide frame 6a and extending between the pair of sprockets 2 are provided.

  The guide frame 6a has a cylindrical shape with a substantially rectangular cross section. Specifically, the lower portion 6a1, the upper portion 6a2 spaced above the lower portion 6a2, and the lower portion 6a1. And a side wall portion 6a3 that connects the side ends of the upper portion 6a2. Guide grooves 6a4 each having a width slightly larger than the width of the endless chain 4 are formed in the lower portion 6a1 and the upper portion 6a2.

  The upper portion 6a2 supports the transport plate 5 traveling on the transport path R from below, thereby preventing the transport plate 5 and the endless chain 4 suspended from the transport plate 5 from hanging down. At the same time, the endless chain 4 suspended from the transport plate 5 is inserted into the guide groove 6a4 of the upper portion 6a2. The inner wall of the guide groove 6a4 can guide the endless chain 4 traveling along the transport path R to a predetermined travel path while restricting movement in the horizontal direction. In addition, since the endless chain 4 that travels along the path Q for returning the transport plate 5 to the initial position is inserted into the guide groove 6a4 of the lower portion 6a1, the endless chain 4 is predetermined while restricting movement in the horizontal direction. It is possible to guide to the travel route.

  The pair of side plates 6b are attached to both sides in the width direction D of the guide frame 6a so as to be spaced apart at a slightly larger interval than the width of the transport plate 5, and respectively protrude above the upper surface of the guide frame 6a. As a result, the transport plate 5 travels between the pair of side plates 6b on the upper surface side of the guide frame 6a, thereby guiding the transport plate 5 to a predetermined travel path while substantially restricting movement in the horizontal direction. Is possible.

  The friction reducing member 6c is provided on the upper surface of the upper portion 6a2 of the guide frame 6a. The friction reducing member 6c comes into contact with the lower surface of the transport plate 5 traveling on the upper side of the guide frame 6a to reduce the frictional resistance between the transport plate 5 and the guide frame 6a. The friction reducing member 6c is manufactured from a material that generates low friction with the conveying plate 5 (for example, a resin having good sliding properties such as polyacetal is preferable). The friction reducing member 6c is preferably provided with a protrusion or the like on the surface in contact with the transport plate 5 in order to reduce the contact area with the transport plate 5 for the purpose of reducing friction.

  As described above, the guide unit 6 guides the endless chain 4 and the transport plate 5 to a predetermined travel path while substantially restricting the movement in the horizontal direction, so that the endless chain 4 and the transport plate 5 are bent in the horizontal direction. It is possible to accurately travel along a predetermined travel route.

  In addition, the guide part 6 should just guide at least one of the endless chain 4 and the conveyance plate 5 to a predetermined | prescribed driving | running route, restrict | limiting the movement to a horizontal direction substantially.

  In the configuration in which the endless chain 4 is folded up and down as described above, the transport plate 5 is also folded up and down together with the endless chain 4, and the transport plate 5 is hung from the endless chain 4 below the endless chain 4. The vehicle travels on a route that returns to the initial position (the charging unit 7 in FIG. 1). At this time, the endless chain 4 tends to hang down due to the weight of the transport plate 5, so that the resistance when the endless chain 4 is fed may increase.

  Therefore, as described above, the transport device 1 according to the present embodiment abuts the transport plate 5 in a state suspended from the lower portion of the endless chain 4 from the lower side so that the transport plate 5 and the endless chain 4 are in contact with each other. The lowering restricting portion 15 for restricting the lowering is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the lowering restriction portion 15 is disposed below the guide frame 6 a of the guide portion 6. The lowering restricting portion 15 is attached to the upper surface of the elongate lowering restriction frame 15a extending along the conveyance path R and the lowering restriction frame 15a between the pair of sprockets 2, and extends along the conveyance path R. And a friction reducing member 15b.

  The lowering restriction frame 15a includes a bottom plate 15a1 and a pair of side plates 15a2 erected upward from both side ends in the width direction D of the bottom plate 15a1.

  The pair of side plates 15a2 are fixed to both side surfaces of the guide frame 6a, whereby the bottom plate 15a1 is disposed at a position spaced downward from the guide frame 6a. The bottom plate 15 a 1 defines the height of the travel path of the transport plate 5 that hangs downward from the endless chain 4.

The friction reducing member 15b is attached to the upper surface of the bottom plate 15a1, contacts the transport plate 5 from below, and reduces the frictional resistance between the transport plate 5 and the bottom plate 15a1. The friction reducing member 15b is manufactured from a material that generates low friction with the conveying plate 5 (for example, a resin having good sliding properties such as polyacetal is preferable).

  Further, the pair of side plates 15a2 are attached to both sides in the width direction D of the guide frame 6a so as to be separated by a distance slightly larger than the width of the transport plate 5. Thus, the transport plate 5 travels between the pair of side plates 6b, whereby the transport plate 5 can be guided to a predetermined travel route.

  The lowering of the transport plate 5 and the endless chain 4 is regulated by the lowering restricting portion 15 coming into contact with the transport plate 5 in a state suspended from the lower portion of the endless chain 4 from the lower side. 4 can be suppressed. Thereby, the sprocket 2 can push and feed the lower part of the endless chain 4 in the horizontal direction, and the resistance when sending the endless chain 4 can be reduced.

  Further, the transport device 1 according to the present embodiment uses the plurality of pins 4c protruding in the horizontal direction of the endless chain 4 to stably feed the endless chain 4 in the circumferential movement direction A. A guide unit 16 is provided. The pin guide part 16 is included in the concept of the protrusion guide part of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, the pair of pin guide portions 16 are arranged in the peripheral portion 30 of the drive side sprocket 2 </ b> A so as to surround the drive side sprocket 2 </ b> A along the circumferential movement direction A of the endless chain 4. Yes. A pair of pin guide parts 16 are being fixed to the base 12 (refer FIG. 3) in the outer side surface of those directions.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 10 to 11, the pair of pin guide portions 16 are disposed on both sides of the endless chain 4 so as to sandwich the endless chain 4 from both sides. Each pin guide portion 16 has a shape extending in a U shape along the circumferential movement direction A of the endless chain 4. The pair of pin guide portions 16 have pin grooves 16a that are fitted to both ends of the pin 4c on the surfaces facing each other. The pin groove 16a is continuously formed along the circumferential movement direction A. Therefore, the pin guide part 16 can guide the pin 4c in the circumferential movement direction A by the pin groove 16a. Thereby, the endless chain 4 can stably send the endless chain 4 in the circumferential movement direction A while suppressing the deviation from the predetermined travel route in the circumferential movement direction A, and resistance when the endless chain 4 is sent. Can be reduced.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the pin guide portion 16 is folded back with a U-shaped folded guide portion 161 and an upper guide portion 162 extending in the horizontal direction continuously from the upper end of the folded guide portion 161. A lower guide portion 163 extending in the horizontal direction continuously from the lower end of the guide portion 161. The lower guide portion 163 extends in parallel on the lower side of the upper guide portion 162. The pin groove 16a includes a folded portion 16a1 formed in the folded guide portion 161, an upper portion 16a2 formed in the upper guide portion 162, and a lower portion 16a3 formed in the lower guide portion 163. ing.

  The folding guide portion 161 is a portion that guides the pin 4c in a portion where the endless chain 4 is folded up and down. The folding back guide portions 161 are disposed on both sides of the drive side sprocket 2A (see FIGS. 2 to 3). The folded back guide portion 161 has a shape that is folded back and extended in a U shape from above. Correspondingly, the folded portion 16a1 of the pin groove 16a formed in the folded guide portion 161 also has a shape that is folded back and extended in a U shape from the upper side to the lower side. The folded portion 16a1 is opened to the inner peripheral side of the endless chain 4, but the inner peripheral side may be closed.

  The turn-back guide portion 161 of the pin guide portion 16 can guide the pin 4c in the direction of turning around the drive side sprocket 2A by the turn-back portion 16a1 of the pin groove 16a at the portion of the endless chain 4 that is turned up and down. Thereby, it becomes possible to suppress the part where the endless chain 4 is folded downward from the drive side sprocket 2A.

  The upper guide portion 162 guides the pin 4c of the endless chain 4 in the upper portion of the endless chain 4, that is, the portion of the endless chain 4 before the endless chain 4 is folded back from the drive side sprocket 2A to the lower side. Part. The upper guide portion 162 and the upper portion 16a2 of the pin groove 16a extend in the horizontal direction along the direction in which the upper portion of the endless chain 4 extends. On the upper surface of the upper guide portion 162, a plurality of protrusions 162a extending in the extending direction of the upper guide portion 162 are provided. The protrusion 162 a can reduce friction between the transport plate 5 and the upper guide portion 162 by contacting the lower surface of the transport plate 5.

  The lower guide portion 163 is a portion that guides the pin 4c of the endless chain 4 when the endless chain 4 in the endless chain 4 is folded downward. The lower guide portion 163 and the lower portion 16a3 of the pin groove 16a extend in the horizontal direction along the direction in which the lower portion of the endless chain 4 extends.

  The lower guide portion 163 of the pin guide portion 16 can guide the pin 4c in the horizontal direction by the lower guide portion 16a3 of the pin groove 16a when the endless chain 4 is folded back on the drive side sprocket 2A. Is possible. As a result, the lowering of the endless chain 4 portion that is folded back to the lower side is restricted, and the drooping of the endless chain 4 can be suppressed, and the lower side of the endless chain 4 is moved by the drive side sprocket 2A. It will be possible to feed it out in a stable manner in the horizontal direction.

  Note that the pin guide portion 16 shown in FIGS. 10 to 11 may be disposed not only on the peripheral portion 30 of the driving side sprocket 2A but also around the driven side sprocket 2B (see FIG. 1).

  According to the transport device 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the endless chain 4 is wound around a pair of sprockets 2 that rotate about a rotation shaft 11 that extends substantially in the horizontal direction. For this reason, the endless chain 4 has a path Q (see FIG. 4) that is folded downward from the transport path R that transports the game medium C and returns the transport plate 5 to the initial position below the path R. Therefore, it is not necessary to install the path Q for returning the transport plate 5 to the initial position in parallel with the transport path R of the game medium C. As a result, the installation area of the transfer device can be reduced in the configuration having the plurality of transfer plates 5 for transferring the game medium C.

  Moreover, since the transport plate 5 is folded downward together with the endless chain 4 to which the transport plate 5 is connected, the transport plate 5 can be transported even if the game medium C placed on the transport plate 5 remains without being distributed to the gaming machines. When the plate 5 is folded downward, it is possible to collect surplus game media C. Thereby, it is possible to prevent circulation of surplus medals.

  Further, since the endless chain 4 has flexibility that can be bent substantially in the horizontal direction, the endless chain 4 can be bent between the pair of sprockets 2 in the horizontal direction. Thereby, it becomes possible to make the conveyance path | route R of the game media C into the path | route curved in the horizontal direction using the one conveying apparatus 1. FIG. For this reason, the degree of freedom of installation of the transfer device in the game hall is improved. In addition, with this configuration, it is possible to reduce the construction cost compared to a case where a plurality of conventional transfer devices that perform linear transfer are combined to form a transfer path bent in the horizontal direction.

  In addition, since the transport plate 5 is attached to the endless chain 4 so as to be swingable in the horizontal direction, when the transport plate 5 passes through a bent portion of the transport path R, it is prevented from interfering with the subsequent transport plate 5. Is possible.

  Further, according to the transport device 1 of the present embodiment, the endless chain 4 that can be bent in the horizontal direction is guided by the guide portion 6, and thus travels accurately on a predetermined travel route that is bent in the horizontal direction. It is possible.

  Further, the transport device 1 according to the present embodiment is fitted to the pin 4c of the endless chain 4 and a pair of pin guides for guiding the pin 4c in the circumferential movement direction A at least in a portion where the endless traveling body is folded up and down. A portion 16 is provided. In this configuration, in the portion where the endless chain 4 is folded up and down, the folding guide portion 161 of the pin guide portion 16 guides the pin 4c in the direction of circling the drive side sprocket 2A, thereby folding the endless chain 4 up and down. However, it is possible to suppress detachment from the drive-side sprocket 2A. Thereby, the endless chain 4 can be stably sent in the circumferential movement direction A, and the resistance when the endless chain 4 is sent can be reduced.

  Furthermore, according to the conveying apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the lower guide portion 163 of the pin guide portion 16 guides the pin 4c in the horizontal direction when the endless chain 4 is folded downward, so that the lower side Lowering of the endless traveling body portion that has been folded back is restricted, and drooping of the endless chain 4 can be suppressed. As a result, the drive-side sprocket 2A can push the lower part of the endless chain 4 in the horizontal direction and send it, and the resistance when sending the endless chain 4 can be reduced.

  Furthermore, according to the transport device 1 of the present embodiment, the lowering restricting portion 15 is suspended from the lower portion of the endless chain 4 in the section where the guide portion 6 and the lowering restricting portion 15 between the pair of sprockets 2 are provided. The lowering of the transport plate 5 and the endless chain 4 is regulated by coming into contact with the transport plate 5 in the lowered state from the lower side, and the drooping of the endless chain 4 can be suppressed. As a result, the drive-side sprocket 2A can push the lower part of the endless chain 4 in the horizontal direction and send it, and the resistance when sending the endless chain 4 can be reduced.

  Furthermore, according to the transport device 1 of the present embodiment, the endless chain 4 is configured to allow bending in the vertical direction of the endless chain 4 between the pair of sprockets 2. Therefore, even when the installation location of the transport apparatus 1 has ups and downs in the game hall, it is possible to construct the transport apparatus 1 in a state of following the ups and downs of the installation place.

  Furthermore, according to the transport device 1 of the present embodiment, since the endless chain 4 is used as the endless chain 4, the elongation in the circumferential movement direction A is smaller than that of a rubber belt, so that the game medium C can be transported stably. Is possible.

  Moreover, according to the transport device 1 of the present embodiment, the endless chain 4 is allowed to bend in the horizontal direction by the gap g between the cylindrical body 4a and the pin 4c, so that the endless chain 4 is constituted by a chain. Even in this case, it is possible to manufacture the transport apparatus 1 having the transport path R bent in the horizontal direction.

  Furthermore, according to the transport device 1 of the present embodiment, the transport plate 5 is attached to the mounting surface 403 in a state where the contact surface 5b on the back side of the mounting surface 5a of the transport plate 5 is in contact with the mounting surface 403 of the connecting portion 40. Since the transport plate 5 is positioned at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral side of the endless chain 4 by the mounting surface 403, the plurality of transport plates 5 are continuously arranged at regular intervals on the same horizontal plane. It becomes possible.

(Modification)
In the above embodiment, the endless chain 4 that is endlessly continuous has been described as an example of the endless traveling body of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various forms of endless chains 4 (for example, , Round belts, wires, etc.) can be employed.

  For example, as a modification of the present invention, in the configuration of the conveying device shown in FIGS. 12 to 13, an endless round belt 31 in which a belt having a circular cross section is continuously endlessly used as the endless traveling body of the present invention. Also good. In this configuration, an endless round belt 31 is wound around a pair of sprockets 2 whose rotating shaft extends in the horizontal direction. The conveyance plate 5 is attached to the round belt 31 via a bracket 32. Also with this configuration, similarly to the transport device 1 of the above embodiment, it is possible to reduce the installation area of the transport device in a configuration having a plurality of transport plates 5 for transporting the game medium C.

  Further, if an endless traveling body such as the round belt 31 or the wire shown in FIGS. 12 to 13 that can be bent in the horizontal direction is used, the round belt 31 or the like can be used even in a route bent in the horizontal direction. Circulation movement is possible without wrinkles or creases.

  The bracket 32 may be configured so that the transport plate 5 can be attached to the round belt 31. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the bracket 32 includes a ring-shaped fastening portion 32 a fastened to the round belt 31, and a surface including the endless round belt 31 from the fastening portion 32 a. A support shaft 32b extending in a direction away from (upward in FIG. 11) and a pair of protrusions 32c protruding horizontally on both sides of the fastening portion 32a. The transport plate 5 is connected to the end of the support shaft 32b on the front end side so as to be swingable in the horizontal direction.

  The pair of protrusions 32c are guided by a protrusion guide portion such as the pin guide portion 16 (see FIGS. 10 to 11) of the above embodiment. Specifically, the pair of protrusions 32 c is inserted into the pin groove 16 a of the pin guide portion 16 and guided in the circumferential movement direction A by the pin guide portion 16. As a result, the endless round belt 31 can also be stably sent to the circumferential movement direction A while suppressing the deviation from the predetermined traveling route in the circumferential movement direction A, similarly to the endless chain 4 described above. The resistance when the round belt 31 is fed can be reduced.

  As described above, in the configuration in which the endless traveling body has a plurality of protrusions protruding substantially in the horizontal direction, as long as the endless traveling body can be fitted to the protrusions and can guide the protrusions in the circumferential movement direction. It is included in the concept of the protrusion guide part of this invention.

  In the said embodiment, although the flat plate-shaped conveyance plate 5 was mentioned as an example and demonstrated as an example of the conveyance body of this invention, this invention is not limited to this. The transport body of the present invention is not limited to a flat transport body in the present invention as long as it has a placement surface 5a on which the game medium C is placed.

  In the transport apparatus of the present invention, various game media can be transported as long as the game media has a size or shape that can be placed on the transport body. The game medium C that can be transported by the transport device of the present invention may be a chip used in a casino game or the like in addition to a medal.

1 game media transport device 2 sprocket (rotating support)
3 Rotation drive 4 Endless chain (endless traveling body)
4a Cylindrical body 4b End plate 4c Pin 40 Connecting part 403 Mounting surface 5 Conveying plate (conveying body)
5a Placement surface 5d Rear end 6 Guide part 15 Lowering restriction part 16 Pin guide part (projection guide part)
161 Folding guide portion 163 Lower guide portion C Game medium

Claims (9)

A game media transport device for transporting game media,
A pair of rotation supports rotatable about a rotation axis extending in a substantially horizontal direction;
A rotation drive unit that rotates at least one of the pair of rotation supports;
An endless traveling body that is hung around the pair of rotation supports, and has an endless traveling body that has a plurality of protrusions that project substantially in the horizontal direction ;
A plurality of transport bodies provided on the outer peripheral side of the endless traveling body side by side along the circumferential movement direction of the endless traveling body;
At least a portion where the endless traveling body is folded up and down, a projection guide portion for guiding the projection in the circumferential movement direction;
Comprising
Game media transport device. The endless traveling body has flexibility capable of bending in a substantially horizontal direction,
The carrier is attached to the endless traveling body so as to be swingable in a substantially horizontal direction.
The game medium carrying device according to claim 1. Provided between the pair of rotation supports, and restricting at least one of the endless traveling body and the transport body from moving substantially horizontally during the circular movement of the endless traveling body and the transport body. A guide part,
The game medium carrying device according to claim 2. The protrusion guide portion has a portion that extends in a horizontal direction when the endless traveling body is folded downward and guides the protrusion in the horizontal direction.
The game medium carrying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The endless traveling body is configured to allow bending in the vertical direction of the endless traveling body between the pair of rotation supports.
The game medium carrying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . A descent restricting part that abuts the conveyance body in a state suspended from the lower part of the endless traveling body from below and regulates the descent of the conveyance body and the endless traveling body;
The game medium carrying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . The endless traveling body is an endless chain,
The game medium carrying device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . The endless chain is
A plurality of cylinders, each having a through hole formed in the axial direction of each cylinder, and spaced in the width direction of the cylinder in a state where the axial direction of the cylinder is substantially horizontal. A plurality of cylinders arranged respectively,
A plurality of end plates respectively constructed between the end surfaces of the cylinders adjacent to each other on the end surfaces on both sides of the cylinder;
A plurality of pins inserted into the through-holes of the cylindrical body and rotatably supporting the end plate with respect to the cylindrical body at both end surfaces of the cylindrical body;
Have
The gap between the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the cylindrical body and the outer peripheral surface of the pin is set to a size that allows the chain to be bent in a substantially horizontal direction.
The game medium carrying device according to claim 7 . A connecting portion that connects the transport body to the endless traveling body;
The connecting portion is located on the outer peripheral side of the endless traveling body, and has an attachment surface extending along the circumferential movement direction,
The transport body is connected to the connecting portion in a state where a surface on the back side of the mounting surface in the transport body is in contact with the mounting surface.
The game medium carrying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 .

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