JP6330585B2 - Ball dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, a ball payout device provided in a gaming machine pedestal machine, and relates to a ball payout device that pays out game balls in response to insertion of banknotes or coins.

  Conventionally, pachinko balls are brought into contact with the inclined walls 10a and 10b formed at the lower ends of the ball introduction cylinders 4a and 4b, and the pachinko balls are urged in the feeding direction by the lead screw 6 arranged in the horizontal direction. A ball dispensing device has been proposed in which the load direction (vertical direction) of the pachinko balls connected in the ball introduction cylinders 4a and 4b is converted into a parallel direction, and the pachinko balls are smoothly sent by the lead screw 6. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Moreover, in the screw-type payout device that reduces the rotational load of the screw caused by the gravity of the game ball stored in the storage unit 2 of the tank 1, a device in which the screw is arranged in the vertical direction has been proposed (for example, , See Patent Document 2).

  Moreover, although it is different as an objective, the invention which arrange | positions a screw to a perpendicular direction and lifts a game ball is proposed (for example, refer patent document 3, 4).

JP 2001-157760 A JP 2010-82366 A JP 2003-340086 A JP 2001-29566 A

  By the way, in patent documents 1 to 4 mentioned above, although it is indicated about sending a plurality of game balls via a screw and lifting a plurality of game balls via a screw, any game ball is disclosed. Are not surely lifted one by one.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a ball payout device that can surely lift and pay out game balls one by one.

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a ball dispensing device (20) for dispensing a plurality of game balls (P1), which is inclined downward from the entrance (31a) as a whole, and the plurality of game balls. An entrance-side transfer path (31b) that sequentially transfers (P1) and a screw (35) that lifts the plurality of game balls (P1) transferred on the entrance-side transfer path (31b) from below to above. ) And an outlet side transfer path (32b) for sequentially transferring the plurality of game balls (P1) lifted by the screw (35) toward the outlet (32a), the screw (35) A lower horizontal blade (P1) on which the game ball (P1) transferred on the entrance-side transfer path (31b) is placed below the shaft portion (35a) is formed in a disk shape centered on the shaft portion (35a). 35d) and the lower horizontal A spiral centering on the shaft portion (35a) is started from the end (35de) of the root (35d) and is integrally formed around the shaft portion (35a) from below to above the shaft portion (35a). The spiral blade (35h) to be formed, the end of the spiral blade (35h) (35he), and at a height corresponding to the outlet-side transfer path (32b), parallel to the lower horizontal blade portion (35d). And the upper horizontal blade | wing (60) integrally formed with the circumference | surroundings of the said shaft part (35a) protruded to the orthogonal | vertical orthogonal to the axis line of the said shaft part (35a) is provided.

  In the present invention, the screw (35) is attached to the ball dispensing device (20) so that the inlet side transfer path (31b) and the upper horizontal blade (60) are in parallel with each other.

  In the present invention, the upper horizontal blade (60) has a fan shape, the length of the arc is at least equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball (P1), and from the end (35he) of the spiral blade (35h) The lower horizontal blade (35d) is formed horizontally up to the position in the height direction corresponding to the vicinity of the end (35de).

  In the present invention, the screw (35) is integrally formed with the upper horizontal blade (60) in a direction along the shaft portion (35a) orthogonal to the upper horizontal blade (60), and the screw (35 ) To push out the game ball (P1) toward the outlet transfer path (32).

  In the present invention, the diameter of the blade of the screw (35A) is gradually enlarged from the lower side to the upper side of the spiral blade (35h).

  According to the present invention, when the first game ball (P1) sequentially transferred on the entrance side transfer path (31b) is placed on the lower horizontal blade (35d), it is pushed by the rear game ball (P1). The first game ball (P1) is located between the lower horizontal blade portion (35d) and the parallel upper horizontal blade (60) and may contact the lower surface of the upper horizontal blade (60). Since the game ball (P1) does not rotate the spiral blade (35h) from the entrance side transfer path (31b) side, the game ball (P1) is prevented from rotating unintentionally. P1) can be reliably lifted and dispensed one by one.

  According to the present invention, the screw (35) is attached to the ball dispensing device (20) so that the inlet side transfer path (31b) and the upper horizontal blade (60) are in parallel with each other. The game balls (P1) are smoothly and continuously transferred from (31b) between the lower horizontal blade (35d) and the upper horizontal blade (60) of the screw (35), and the game balls (P1) are reliably transferred one by one. In addition, it can be continuously lifted and paid out.

  According to the present invention, the upper horizontal blade (60) has a fan shape, the length of the arc is at least equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball (P1), and from the end (35he) of the spiral blade (35h). The game ball (P1) is placed on the lower horizontal blade portion (35d) because it is horizontally formed up to the position in the height direction corresponding to the vicinity of the end (35de) of the lower horizontal blade (35d). The game ball (P1) enters the spiral blade (35h) from the end (35de) of the lower horizontal blade (35d) until it is lifted upward by the spiral blade (35h) where the spiral is started. Since it is possible to prevent the screw (35) from rotating unintentionally by pressing from the side transfer path (31b) side, the game balls (P1) can be reliably lifted and paid out one by one. .

  According to the present invention, the game ball (P1) is forcibly pushed out toward the outlet side transfer path (32) by the pushing portion (61) formed integrally with the upper horizontal blade (60) of the screw (35). Therefore, the balls (P1) can be surely paid out from the outlet (32a) one by one through the outlet-side rolling path (32b) without causing a ball clogging in the screw (35).

  According to the present invention, since the diameter of the blade gradually increases from the lower side of the spiral blade (35h) toward the upper side of the screw (35A), the game ball (P1) is surely inserted into the spiral blade (35h). It can be lifted on the board and delivered securely one ball at a time.

It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the ball dispensing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the open state in which the cover was opened from the main body in the ball dispensing apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the surface side of the cover of the ball dispensing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the back surface side of the cover of the ball dispensing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the side view structure of the main body of the ball dispensing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is CC sectional drawing of FIG. 5 which shows the upper surface structure in the entrance side transfer path of the main body of the ball dispensing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 5 showing the positional relationship between the game ball transferred on the entrance side transfer path of the main body of the ball dispensing apparatus according to the present embodiment and the cover. It is an expanded sectional view of FIG. 7 which shows the inclination state in the entrance side transfer path of the main body of the ball | bowl dispensing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the screw of the main body of the ball dispensing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the structure of the screw of the main body of the ball dispensing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the top view structure of the spiral blade | wing, upper horizontal blade | wing, and extrusion part in the screw of the main body of the ball dispensing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is A enlarged view of FIG. 5 which shows the state of the initial position when starting to lift a game ball with the screw of the main body of the ball dispensing apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is A enlarged view of FIG. 5 which shows the state of the intermediate position in which the game ball is being lifted with the screw of the main body of the ball dispensing apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is A enlarged view of FIG. 5 which shows the extrusion state by the extrusion part when a game ball is lifted with the screw of the main body of the ball | bowl dispensing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the structure of the screw which concerns on other embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

<Overall configuration of ball dispensing device>
As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, a ball payout device 20 installed below a gaming machine pedestal machine installed between a gaming machine (not shown) includes a main body 30, and the main body 30. It is comprised by the cover 80 which covers a part above upper side 30b.

  The ball dispensing device 20 can be developed between a closed state (FIG. 1) in which the cover 80 is closed with respect to the main body 30 and an open state (FIG. 2) in which the cover 80 is opened with respect to the main body 30. . The ball payout device 20 can pay out the game ball P <b> 1 (FIG. 5) when the cover 80 is closed, and can clean the inside of the main body 30 when the cover 80 is open.

  In the ball dispensing device 20, a plurality of gaming balls P <b> 1 that are supplied from the inside of the gaming machine pedestal machine to the entrance-side transfer space 31 having a U-shaped section of the main body 30 via the inlet 31 a have a U-shaped section. Payment is made to the user from the exit 32a of the front panel 30a via the exit-side transfer space 32.

<Configuration of cover 80>
The cover 80 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the side surface 30 b of the main body 30 and is detachably attached to the side surface 30 b of the main body 30.

  The cover 80 includes a front surface 80a and a back surface 80b. The front surface 80 a of the cover 80 protects the inside of the main body 30 from the outside, and the back surface 80 b closes the inside of the main body 30. The back surface 80 b functions as a wall surface for configuring the entrance side transfer space 31 and the exit side transfer space 32.

  Engaging convex portions 81 to 83 that engage with the engaging concave portions 21 to 23 of the main body 30 are formed at positions corresponding to the engaging concave portions 21 to 23 at the upper end portion (FIG. 3) in the arrow C direction of the cover 80. Has been.

  At the lower end of the cover 80 in the direction of the arrow D (FIG. 3), arm-shaped engagement claws 85 and 86 that engage with the engagement holes 25 and 26 of the main body 30 are connected to the engagement holes 25 and 26. It is formed in a state projecting downward in the direction of arrow D at the corresponding position.

<Main body configuration>
Next, the configuration of the main body 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 to 11. On the side surface 30b of the main body 30, an entrance-side transfer space 31 having a U-shaped cross section that is slightly inclined downward in the direction of the arrow D from the direction of the arrow A to the direction of the arrow B, and an arrow from the direction of the arrow A An exit-side transfer space 32 having a U-shaped cross section that is slightly inclined downward in the arrow D direction as it goes in the B direction is formed.

  In the main body 30, an entrance 31a of the game ball P1 (FIG. 5) is formed on the back surface 30g on the back side of the front panel 30, and an entrance-side transfer path having a predetermined length that forms the entrance-side transfer space 31 from the entrance 31a. 31b is formed. Further, the main body 30 is formed with a linear wall surface portion 31c that is orthogonal to the transfer surface of the entrance-side transfer path 31b and determines a linear path of the game ball P1.

  The height in the arrow CD direction defined by the linear wall surface portion 31c of the entrance-side transfer space 31 is formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball P1. Further, the width in the direction of the arrow EF defined by the transfer surface of the entrance side transfer path 31b in the entrance side transfer space 31 is formed slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball P1.

  Further, in FIG. 6, a curved wall surface portion 41 that continuously changes the straight path of the game ball P1 by the straight wall surface portion 31c to a substantially S shape in FIG. 6 is formed continuously from the straight wall surface portion 31c. ing.

  When the cover 80 attached to the side surface 30b of the main body 30 is in the closed state, the release surface having a U-shaped cross section in the entrance-side transfer space 31 is blocked by the back surface 80b of the cover 80. At the same time, the U-shaped release surface in the outlet-side transfer space 32 is also closed by the back surface 80b of the cover 80.

  The back surface 80b of the cover 80 is provided so as to project in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 6, and when the cover 80 is closed, the linear shape of the game ball P1 is similar to the linear wall surface portion 31c of the main body 30. It functions as a straight wall surface for forming a course.

  Further, a curved wall surface portion 42 is formed on the back surface 80 b of the cover 80 so as to face the curved wall surface portion 41 of the main body 30 in the same manner as the curved wall surface portion 41. The curved wall surface portion 42 is also configured to be continuous with the back surface 80 b (straight wall surface portion) of the cover 80.

  Thereby, the main body 30 changes the straight path of the game ball P1 rolling on the entrance-side transfer path 31b to the curved path by the curved wall surface portion 41 and the curved wall surface portion 42 formed on the back surface 80b of the cover 80. After this, the game ball P1 can reach the screw 35.

  In the main body 30, the entrance-side transfer path 31b, the straight wall surface portion 31c, the curved wall surface portion 41, the back surface 80b (straight wall surface portion) of the cover 80, and the curved wall surface portion 42 constitute the entrance-side transfer space 31, and the entrance 31a. The game ball P <b> 1 supplied to is transferred to the screw 35 after being changed from a straight path to a curved path by the curved wall surface portions 41, 42 of the entrance-side transfer path space 31.

  Further, in the main body 30, the locking portion 58 having a locking surface 58a for locking the game ball P1 is provided at the end portion of the entrance-side transfer path 31b by the screw 35 so that the game ball P1 is locked. It is provided along the direction of the arrow EF orthogonal to the course of.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 that is an enlarged view of the entrance-side transfer path 31b in the main body 30, the transfer surface is inclined downward from the arrow F direction to the arrow E direction.

  Therefore, the game ball P1 transferred on the entrance-side transfer path 31b of the entrance-side transfer space 31 is always in contact with the back surface 80b of the cover 80 because the transfer surface of the entrance-side transfer path 31b is inclined downward. It is transferred toward the screw 35 in the state.

  In addition to this, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, in the closed state where the cover 80 is closed to the main body 30, the curved wall surface portion formed on the inlet-side transfer path 31 b in the main body 30 and the back surface 80 b of the cover 80. A concave portion 50 is provided between the two and 42.

  The recess 50 is formed so that the width W1 (FIG. 8) in the direction of the arrow EF is shorter than the diameter of the game ball P1. Therefore, when the game ball P1 is transferred on the entrance-side transfer path 31b while being in contact with the back surface 80b of the cover 80 in the direction of arrow E by the transfer surface inclined downward of the entrance-side transfer path 31b, the game ball P1 is prevented from entering the recess 50 in advance.

  At the same time, when a ball P2 having a diameter smaller than that of the game ball P1 is mistakenly supplied to the entrance-side transfer space 31, the ball P2 is drawn in the direction of arrow E by the transfer surface inclined downward of the entrance-side transfer path 31b. In this case, a part or all of the sphere P2 (indicated by a broken line) enters the recess 50, and the sphere P2 is prevented from being accidentally lifted by the screw 35.

  On the other hand, the exit-side transfer space 32 is parallel to the entrance-side transfer path 31b of the entrance-side transfer space 31, and has the same angle as that of the entrance-side transfer path 31b, from the direction of arrow A to the direction of arrow B, and in the direction of arrow D An outlet-side transfer air passage 32b having a predetermined length shorter than the inlet-side transfer passage 31b inclined downward is formed toward the outlet 32a.

  Similarly to the entrance-side transfer space 31, the height of the exit-side transfer space 32 in the direction of the arrow CD is formed slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball P1, and the width of the exit-side transfer path 32b in the direction of the arrow EF As with the entrance-side transfer space 31, the diameter of the game ball P <b> 1 is slightly larger.

  In the outlet-side transfer space 32 having a U-shaped cross section, when the cover 80 attached to the side surface 30b of the main body 30 is in the closed state, the release surface of the outlet-side transfer space 32 is blocked by the back surface 80b of the cover 80. Thereby, the game ball P1 transferred on the exit side transfer path 32b is paid out from the exit 32a without falling.

  Between the entrance-side transfer space 31 and the exit-side transfer space 32 of the main body 30, that is, between the terminal end in the arrow B direction in the entrance-side transfer path 31b and the base end in the arrow A direction in the exit-side transfer path 32b. Is attached with a screw 35 (FIG. 5) as a lifting portion for lifting the game ball P <b> 1 from the lower side in the arrow D direction to the upper side in the arrow C direction.

<Configuration of screw>
As shown in FIG. 9, the upper end and lower end of the central shaft 35j of the screw 35 are rotatably supported with respect to the upper end piece 55a and the lower end piece 55b of the screw holding plate 55 having a U-shaped cross section. The

  For example, a stepping motor (hereinafter simply referred to as “motor”) 65 is attached to the lower surface of the lower end piece 55b of the screw holding plate 55, and a gear 66 is attached to the motor shaft of the motor 65 protruding from the upper surface of the lower end piece 55b. It is fixed. A gear 67 that is rotatably supported on the lower end piece 55 b of the screw holding plate 55 is engaged with the gear 66.

  A screw base 69 is integrally fixed below the screw 35, and the central axis 35 j of the screw 35 is integrated in a state of passing through the center of the screw base 69. A gear 68 is integrally fixed to the lower surface of the screw base 69 and meshes with the gear 67 on the lower end piece 55b.

  That is, the gear 68 of the screw base 69 is drivingly connected to the gear 66 fixed to the motor shaft of the motor 65 via the gear 67. Therefore, the rotation of the motor 65 is transmitted to the screw base 69 via the gears 66, 67 and 68. As a result, the screw 35 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction (CCW) in FIG. 6 as the screw base 69 rotates.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 to 11, the screw 35 has a shaft portion 35 a integrated with a central shaft 35 j along the arrow CD direction, and around the lower portion (arrow D direction) of the shaft portion 35 a. Is formed in a disk shape centered on the shaft portion 35a, and a horizontal lower horizontal blade 35d is placed along the arrow AB direction and the arrow EF direction on which the game ball P1 transferred on the entrance-side transfer path 31b is placed. 35a is provided integrally.

  The lower horizontal blade 35d has its axis in a state of projecting outward from the start end (not shown) to the end end 35de (FIG. 9) and extending outwardly perpendicular to the axis of the shaft portion 35a. It is formed so as to surround the lower periphery of the portion 35a.

  A spiral spiral blade that gradually rises while rotating around the shaft portion 35a from the end end 35de (start end) toward the arrow C direction from the end end 35de (start end) with the end end 35de of the lower horizontal blade 35d as the start end. 35h is formed integrally with the shaft portion 35a.

  That is, the end 35de of the lower horizontal blade 35d is the start end of the spiral blade 35h, and the lower horizontal blade 35d and the spiral blade 35h are formed around the shaft portion 35a in a continuous state.

  The spiral blade 35h starts to spiral with the end 35de of the lower horizontal blade 35d as a start end, and rotates about 250 degrees around the shaft portion 35a, that is, the transfer surface at the base end of the outlet transfer path 32b. The spiral ends at the same height position.

  Here, the spiral blade 35h protrudes outward by the same amount perpendicular to the axis of the shaft portion 35a, that is, the blade having the same width with respect to the periphery of the shaft portion 35a has an end 35de of the lower horizontal blade 35d. Is spirally wound by about 250 degrees.

  Thus, the spiral blade 35h is a portion that is spirally wound by about 250 degrees from the end 35de of the lower horizontal blade 35d with respect to the shaft portion 35a. However, 250 degrees is merely an example in design.

  Therefore, in the spiral blade 35h, if the same height position as the transfer surface at the base end portion of the outlet side transfer path 32b is the end of the spiral, the rotational position rotated by another angle around the shaft portion 35a is set. The spiral may end as an end.

  The spiral end 35he (FIGS. 10 and 11) where the spiral of the spiral blade 35h ends corresponds to the transfer surface of the upper end portion of the spiral blade 35h and the base end of the outlet side transfer path 32b. At the height position, fan-shaped upper horizontal blades 60 (FIG. 11) projecting outward perpendicular to the axis of the shaft portion 35a are formed integrally with the periphery of the shaft portion 35a.

  In FIG. 11, the upper horizontal blade 60 has a fan-shaped arc length of at least the diameter of the game ball P1, and corresponds to the vicinity of the end 35de of the lower horizontal blade 35d from the end 35he of the spiral blade 35h. It is horizontally formed up to the position in the height direction. In FIG. 10, the lower surface of the upper horizontal blade 60 and the upper surface of the lower horizontal blade 35d are parallel to each other.

  In FIG. 11, it is the spiral end 35he of the spiral blade 35h, and the extrusion end 61 (FIG. 10) formed in the vertical direction along the arrow CD direction is integrally provided at the start end of the upper horizontal blade 60. .

  The pushing portion 61 pushes the game ball P1 lifted by the spiral blade 35h to the transfer surface of the outlet-side transfer path 32b, so that the spiral ends along the axis of the shaft portion 35a. It has an extrusion surface 61a formed upward from the end 35he.

  That is, in the screw 35, the upper horizontal blade 60 is integrally provided at the end 35de of the lower horizontal blade 35d, that is, the spiral end 35he at a rotational position of about 250 degrees from the start of the spiral blade 35h. An extruding portion 61 is integrally provided at the base end portion.

  Further, the screw 35 is formed with a gear-shaped periphery at the upper end of the shaft portion 35a, and a rotation operation portion 62 for manual operation having a diameter larger than that of the shaft portion 35a is fixed integrally therewith. Therefore, the operator can rotate the screw 35 without removing it from the main body 30 by manually rotating the rotation operation unit 62 (FIG. 5) while the screw 35 is attached to the main body 30. is there.

  As a result, if the cover 80 is opened from the main body 30, the operator can remove the screw 35 from the main body 30 and remove the screw 35 from the upper surface of the lower horizontal blade 35d with which the game ball P1 contacts, the spiral blade 35h, It becomes possible to clean the lower surface of the horizontal blade 60.

  Thus, in the lower horizontal blade 35d, the spiral blade 35h, and the upper horizontal blade 60 of the screw 35, there is no clogging of the game balls P1, and the balls can be reliably lifted and discharged one by one.

  The screw holding plate 55 (FIG. 9) in which the screw 35, the motor 65, and the like configured as described above are integrated, has an end portion in the arrow B direction in the inlet side transfer path 31 b of the main body 30 and an arrow A in the outlet side transfer path 32 b. It is attached to the space between the base end of the direction.

  At this time, the arrangement relationship between the main body 30 and the screw 35 is such that the upper surface of the lower horizontal blade 35d of the screw 35 and the transfer surface of the inlet-side transfer path 31b are substantially parallel, and the lower surface of the upper horizontal blade 60 of the screw 35. The screw 35 is attached to the main body 30 via the screw holding plate 55 so that the transfer surface of the inlet transfer path 31b is parallel to the transfer surface.

  In a state where the screw holding plate 55 (FIG. 9) is attached to the main body 30, a part of the rotation operation portion 62 of the screw 35 is exposed from the through hole 24 (FIGS. 2 and 5) of the main body 30.

<Ball payout operation of ball payout device>
The ball payout operation of the ball payout device 20 having such a configuration will be described. In FIG. 5, when a plurality of game balls P1 are supplied from the entrance 31a of the ball dispensing device 20 to the entrance-side transfer space 31, the plurality of game balls P1 are transferred in the direction of arrow B while rolling on the entrance-side transfer path 31b. The

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 12, the first game ball P1 locked by the locking portion 58 in the arrow B direction of the entrance side transfer path 31b is initially partially placed on the lower horizontal blade 35d. However, since the screw 35 is rotating in the counterclockwise direction while being locked by the locking portion 58, the screw 35 is eventually placed on the spiral blade 35h of the screw 35.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the first game ball P <b> 1 placed on the spiral wing 35 h of the screw 35 remains locked by the locking portion 58, so that the direction of the arrow D corresponds to the rotation of the screw 35. Is lifted upward in the direction of arrow C.

  At this time, the next game ball P1 following the first game ball P1 is prevented from being transferred in the direction of arrow B due to the presence of the rotating spiral blade 35h (FIG. 13), and only the first game ball P1 is transferred to the entrance side. It is pumped from the terminal end of the path 31b toward the transfer surface at the base end of the exit side transfer path 32b.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the first game ball P1 lifted up to the transfer surface at the base end portion of the outlet-side transfer path 32b by the spiral blade 35h of the screw 35 is rotated along with the rotation of the screw 35. The pushing-out surface 61a of the pushing-out portion 61 formed at the spiral end 35he is forcibly pushed out to the transfer surface of the outlet-side transfer path 32b. As a result, the first game ball P1 rolls on the exit side transfer path 32b and is paid out from the exit 32a.

  At the timing when the first game ball P1 is forcibly pushed out by the push-out surface 61a of the push-out portion 61 to the transfer surface of the exit-side transfer path 32b (FIG. 14), the transfer of the next game ball P1 in the arrow B direction is spiral. It will not be obstructed by the spiral part of the blade 35h.

  For this reason, the next game ball P1 is placed on the lower horizontal blade 35d of the screw 35, and is lifted by the spiral blade 35h as the screw 35 rotates, similarly to the first game ball P1.

  Here, the screw 35 is rotated by the motor 65 and, for example, seven game balls P1 are pumped at a high speed per second. Since the pumping is performed at such a high speed, a force in the direction of lifting upward in the direction of the arrow C by the spiral blade 35h of the screw 35 acts on the game ball P1 greatly. If waiting to start rolling on the outlet side transfer path 32b toward the outlet 32a, the ball clogging occurs.

  Therefore, in the ball dispensing apparatus 20, the screw 35 is forcedly and reliably pushed out to the transfer surface of the outlet-side transfer path 32b by the pushing surface 61a of the pushing portion 61 of the screw 35 with the rotation of the screw 35. The game balls P1 can be reliably paid out from the outlet 32b one by one without causing the balls of the game balls P1 to become clogged.

By the way, the game ball P1 transferred on the entrance-side transfer path 31b is transferred on the entrance-side transfer path 31b in a state where a plurality of game balls P1 are continuously and closely attached in FIG. Is pushed in the direction of arrow B by the next and subsequent game balls P1.

At this time, even though the first game ball P1 placed on the lower horizontal blade 35d may contact the horizontal lower surface of the upper horizontal blade 60, the first game ball P1 moves the spiral blade 35h toward the entrance-side transfer path 31b side. Will not be pushed and rotated. Thereby, the ball payout device 20 can reliably pay out the game balls P1 one by one while avoiding an unnecessary ball paying operation due to unintended rotation of the screw 35.

<Other embodiments>
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the cover 80 is attached to the main body 30 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the main body 30 may be provided with a hole-like entrance-side transfer space and an exit-side transfer space that allow the game ball P1 to be transferred while rolling, and the cover 80 may not be attached.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which the entrance-side transfer space 31 and the exit-side transfer space 32 are inclined downward from the direction of the arrow A toward the direction of the arrow B while being parallel to each other.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in order to transfer the game ball P1 while rolling due to its own weight, as long as the game ball P1 is inclined downward from the arrow A direction to the arrow B direction, the entrance side transfer space 31 and the exit side transfer are transferred. The space 32 may not be parallel to each other.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the end 35de of the lower horizontal blade 35d with respect to the periphery of the shaft portion 35a in a state where the spiral blade 35h protrudes by the same amount outwardly perpendicular to the axis of the shaft portion 35a. The case where the screw 35 spirally wound by about 250 degrees from the above is used has been described.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 15, the protruding amount is gradually increased from the lower side to the upper side as it is orthogonal to the axis of the shaft portion 35 a. A screw 35A having a spiral blade 35hs may be used. In this case, the game ball P1 can be more reliably picked up and transported by the spiral blade 35hs of the screw 35A.

  20... Ball dispenser, 21 to 23... Engaging recess, 24 .. through hole, 30... Body, 30 a .. front surface, 30 b .. side surface, 31. 31b... Entrance side transfer path, 31c... Straight wall surface, 32... Exit side transfer space, 32a... Exit, 32b... Exit side transfer path, 35, 35A ... screw, 35a. ...... Lower horizontal blade, 35de …… End end, 35h …… Helix blade, 35j …… Center axis, 41, 42 …… Curved wall surface portion, 50 …… Recessed space, 55 …… Screw holding plate, 58… Locking 60, upper horizontal blade, 61 ... extruding part, 61a ... extruding surface, 62 ... rotating operation part, 65 ... motor, 66, 67, 68 ... gear, 69 ... screw base, 80 ... Cover, 80a ... front surface, 80b ... back surface, 81- 3 ...... engaging projection, 85 and 86 ...... engagement claws, P1 ...... game ball.

Claims (5)

In a ball dispensing device for dispensing a plurality of game balls,
An entrance-side transfer path that is inclined downward from the entrance as a whole and sequentially transfers the plurality of game balls;
A screw for lifting the plurality of game balls transferred on the entrance-side transfer path from below to above;
An exit-side transfer path that sequentially transfers the plurality of game balls lifted by the screw toward the exit,
The screw is
A lower horizontal blade on which the game ball transferred on the entrance-side transfer path is placed below the shaft portion, which is formed in a disk shape centered on the shaft portion,
A spiral blade centered on the shaft portion from the end of the lower horizontal blade, and a spiral blade integrally formed around the shaft portion from the lower portion to the upper portion of the shaft portion;
Around the shaft portion projecting outwardly at the end position of the spiral blade and at a height corresponding to the outlet-side transfer path, parallel to the lower horizontal blade and perpendicular to the axis of the shaft portion; A ball dispensing device comprising: an upper horizontal blade formed integrally. The screw is
The ball payout device according to claim 1, wherein the ball transfer device is attached to the ball payout device so that the entrance-side transfer path and the upper horizontal blade are parallel to each other. The upper horizontal blade is fan-shaped, the length of the arc is at least equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball, and the position in the height direction corresponding to the vicinity of the end of the lower horizontal blade from the end of the spiral blade The ball dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the ball dispensing device is horizontally formed. The screw is
An extrusion unit is formed integrally with the upper horizontal blade in a direction along the shaft portion orthogonal to the upper horizontal blade, and pushes the game ball toward the outlet-side transfer path according to the rotation of the screw. The ball dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein 5. The ball dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the blade of the screw is gradually enlarged from the lower side to the upper side of the spiral blade.

Images