JPH0446791Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Purpose of the invention] (Field of industrial application) The invention is used in pachinko halls, and is a coil provided so that pachinko balls flow down from a ball supply path. This invention relates to an attachment for a pachinko ball counter for connecting a spring-like flexible tube and a pachinko ball counter provided corresponding to a prize ball storage tank of a pachinko game machine.

(Prior art) A gutter-like ball supply path through which pachinko balls flow is installed inside a pachinko hall, and from this ball supply path to a prize ball storage tank provided at the upper back of each pachinko game machine. Pachinko balls are now being supplied. Specifically, one end of a flexible tube made of a coil spring is connected to the ball supply path so that the pachinko balls in the ball supply path flow down, and the other end, the lower end, of the flexible tube is connected to the pachinko ball. It is directly connected by fitting to the connecting cylinder formed around the ball falling passage of the counter, and the pachinko balls from the ball supply passage are passed through the flexible tube and the pachinko ball counter to the winning balls. It is supplied into a storage tank.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) Conventionally, as described above, by fitting a flexible tube around the connecting cylinder of the pachinko ball counter, the connection between the flexible tube and the pachinko ball counter is achieved. However, in reality, the diameter of the flexible tube made of the coil spring is not constant, so it is difficult to fit the flexible tube into the connecting cylinder of the pachinko ball counter. It may become. If such a situation occurs, there is a problem that the connection workability between the two is deteriorated, and such a problem occurs when a new pachinko hall is opened or when pachinko game machines are being replaced. This is a particular problem when the connection between the pipe and the pachinko ball counter must be made a large number of times. Additionally, if the diameter of the flexible tube is too large, the fitting condition of the flexible tube will become loose and the connection condition between the flexible tube and the connecting cylinder will become uncertain. In this case, there is a risk that the flexible tube once connected may come off carelessly and cause an accident such as a large amount of pachinko balls falling out from the flexible tube.

The present invention was developed in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to extremely easily and reliably connect the flexible tube through which pachinko balls flow down from the ball supply path and the pachinko ball counter. To provide an attachment for a pachinko ball counter that allows

[Structure of the invention] (Means for solving the problems) The attachment for a pachinko ball counter according to the invention consists of a coiled spring-like flexible tube connected to a ball supply path through which pachinko balls flow, and a prize for a pachinko game machine. This is for connecting the ball storage tank to a pachinko ball counter installed correspondingly, and has a connecting cylinder into which the tip of the flexible tube is inserted through an opening at one end. The other end of the connecting cylinder is placed in communication with the ball falling path of the pachinko ball counter, and the flexible tube is inserted into the peripheral wall of the connecting cylinder. A window is formed so that the flexible tube is exposed, and a latching fitting having a circular arc portion and a claw portion protruding inward from the circular arc portion is provided, and the latching fitting is attached to the connecting cylinder. The flexible tube is rotatably supported between a position outside the window and a position inserted into the window, and the arcuate portion is attached to the flexible tube at the position where the latching fitting is inserted into the window. The flexible tube is fitted around the flexible tube, and in the fitted state, the claw portions are configured to bite between each unit wire ring of the flexible tube.

(Function) When connecting the flexible tube and the pachinko ball counter, first insert the tip of the flexible tube into the interior of the connecting cylinder through the opening at one end thereof. In such an inserted state, the flexible tube comes to be exposed in the window of the connection cylinder, so in this state, the latch is rotated to the position where it is inserted into the window. Then, the arc portion of the latching fitting fits around the flexible tube, and the claw portion of the latching fitting comes to bite into each unit wire ring tube of the flexible tube, so that the flexible tube is connected to the pachinko ball counter via a connecting cylinder in a state where it is prevented from coming off.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In Fig. 7, which shows the pachinko game machines arranged in a row as seen from the back, 1 is the pachinko game machine, 2 is a prize ball storage tank provided at the upper part of the back of the pachinko game machine 1; A tank switch 3 that is turned on when the prize ball storage tank 2 is empty is provided. Reference numeral 4 denotes a ball supply path through which pachinko balls (not shown) from a pachinko ball supply source flow, and this ball supply path is provided in an inclined shape that descends from one end side to the other end side. Reference numeral 5 denotes a pachinko ball counter, which is removably installed on a support frame A for supporting the pachinko game machine facing the upper back of the pachinko game machine 1 via a mounting device 6 to be described later. It communicates with the ball supply path 4 via a flexible tube 7 made of a coil spring, and is located so as to face the prize ball storage tank 2 from above.

Therefore, the pachinko ball counter 5 and the mounting device 6 will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. That is, 8 is a main body case of the pachinko ball counter 5, and a ball falling passage 9 is formed on the side thereof to pass vertically through the main body case. Although not shown, inside the main body case 8 is a sprocket that has teeth facing into the ball falling passage 9 and rotates once every time a certain number of pachinko balls that fall through the ball falling passage 9 pass. When the tank 2 for storing prize balls becomes empty, the tank switch 3 is activated.
When turned on, the rotating body is allowed to rotate and the pachinko balls start falling, and when the rotating body is rotated a predetermined number of times (in other words, when a predetermined number of pachinko balls have passed), the rotating body is rotated. A ratchet mechanism that prevents the rotation of the pachinko balls and stops the passage of pachinko balls, and a permanent magnet attached to the rotating body that counts one piece each time it rotates (in other words, every time a certain number of pachinko balls pass). Each is provided with a reed relay that generates a pulse. In addition, the body case 8 of this pachinko ball counter 5 has an engaging recess 10 formed on one side (left side), and a recess 11 on the opposite side (right side). Engagement protrusion 1 located within recess 11
2 is formed. Reference numeral 13 denotes an attachment for a pachinko ball counter according to the present invention, the details of which will be described later.

On the other hand, in the mounting device 6, reference numeral 14 denotes a base plate fixedly attached to the support frame A, which is made of, for example, a press-molded iron plate, and has a left part that is engaged with the engagement recess 10. The mating protrusion 15 is formed in a raised manner. The base plate 14 also has a pair of arms 16, 1 on both upper and lower edges on the right side thereof.
6 is bent and the arm 16 is bent.
A support protrusion 17 whose tip is oriented rightward is cut and raised at a portion located between the two. Reference numeral 18 denotes a support shaft supported across the arms 16, 16, and reference numeral 19 denotes a shutter member rotatably supported by the support shaft 18. This shutter member 19 is formed by bending a long iron plate. It has a shutter plate 19a on its upper part and an L-shaped pressing plate 19b on its lower part. The shutter member 19 has an operating position where the shutter plate 19a closes the upper part of the ball falling passage 9 of the pachinko ball counter 5, and a working position where the shutter plate 19a closes the upper part of the ball falling passage 9 of the pachinko ball counter 5.
The press plate 19b is retracted from the upper part of the pachinko game machine 1 and rotated back and forth between the inactive position and the open position. It is pressed and held in the non-operating position. A plastic holder 20 is firmly fixed to the supporting protrusion 17, and has a guide hole 20a oriented in the left-right direction. Reference numeral 21 denotes an engaging protrusion held movably in the left-right direction within the guide hole 20a, which is engaged with the engaging protrusion 12 of the pachinko ball counter 5 when moved leftward. At the same time, the engagement with the engagement convex portion 12 is released in the state of being moved to the right. The engaging protrusion 21 has a generally T-shape as a whole, and has a pair of spring receiving grooves (not shown) formed on the left side thereof, and a leftward retaining groove on the right end. A stopper 21a for use is provided protrudingly. Reference numerals 22, 22 denote a pair of torsion coil springs wound around the support shaft 18, each of which has one end 22a hooked to the shutter member 19, and the other end 22b of which is hooked to the engagement protrusion 21. It is locked in the spring receiving groove (not shown), thereby urging the shutter member 19 in the direction of the operating position, and also pushing the engaging protrusion 21 to the left (i.e., in the direction in which it engages with the engaging protrusion 12). ). Note that the engagement protrusion 21 is prevented from coming off to the right by the end 22b of the torsion coil spring 22 coming into contact with the support protrusion 17.

Now, the attachment 13 for the pachinko ball counter will be explained below with reference also to FIGS. 1 and 2. That is, 23 is a support made of reinforced plastic, for example, which has a circular hole 23a penetrating in the vertical direction.
(a part viewed from above) by a combination of screws and engaging means. Reference numeral 24 designates a first cylindrical body also made of reinforced plastic, which integrally has a cylindrical portion 24a oriented in the vertical direction and a main cylindrical portion 24b oriented in the left-right direction in communication with each other. It is structured in a letter shape. The first cylindrical body 24 has a cylindrical portion 24a on its base end side.
is inserted into the circular hole 23a of the support body 23, and is thereby supported by the support body 23 so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction (around a vertical line). In this supported state, the proximal opening of the first cylindrical body 24 (the cylindrical part 2
4a (lower end opening) is located opposite to and in communication with the ball falling passage 9 of the pachinko ball counter 5. Incidentally, the cylindrical portion 24a of the first cylindrical body 24
is a pair of slits 24c extending in the axial direction,
24d is formed so that it can be elastically deformed in the direction of diameter reduction, so that it can be easily inserted into the circular hole 23a. Further, one slit 24c is provided so as to extend to the bottom wall of the main cylindrical portion 24b, so that foreign matter such as dirt that has entered the first cylindrical body 24 is removed by falling through the slit 24c. has been done.

The opening on the distal end side of the first cylindrical body 24 is also opened upward, and a second cylindrical body 25 made of reinforced plastic, for example, is connected to the opening.
is supported so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction via a shaft portion 26 integrated therewith. Therefore, in the case of the second cylindrical body 25, the proximal opening thereof is located in the first cylindrical body 2 with respect to the ball falling passage 9 of the pachinko ball counter 5.
4, and the direction of the opening on the distal end side can be freely changed in the vertical and horizontal directions. The inner diameter of the second cylindrical body 25 is such that the flexible tube 7 has an inner diameter at least in its upper half.
The outer diameter of the flexible tube 7 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the flexible tube 7, so that the lower end of the flexible tube 7 can be inserted into the second cylindrical body 25 from its tip opening. Also, the second
The cylindrical body 25 is provided with support pins 27 oriented in the axial direction on the outside of the circumferential wall, and extends in the circumferential direction on the circumferential wall so that the end edges thereof are aligned with the support pins 2.
A relatively wide slit-shaped window portion 25a corresponding to No. 7
is formed. Therefore, when the flexible tube 7 is inserted into the second cylindrical body 25, the flexible tube 7
comes to be exposed from the window portion 25a.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a latch that is rotatably supported by the support pin 27, and is constructed by, for example, bending a metal plate. That is, in such a latch fitting 28, 28a is formed narrower than the window portion 25a, which is curved to approximately the same curvature as the outer shape of the flexible tube 7, and has knob portions at both ends in the longitudinal direction. 28b and a curled portion 28c that is fitted around the support pin 27 is formed.
Furthermore, a plurality of claw portions 28d that can protrude inward are formed on both sides of the arcuate portion 28a. The locking fitting 28 has a curled portion 28c rotatably supported by a support pin 27 oriented in the axial direction of the second cylindrical body 25, so that the position outside the window portion 25a and the window can be adjusted. It is configured to be rotatable between a position inserted into the portion 25a.

Therefore, when connecting the pachinko ball counter attachment 13 configured as described above and the flexible tube 7a, first insert the lower end of the flexible tube 7 into the second cylindrical body 25 through its distal opening. Insert from. Then, the flexible tube 7 comes to be exposed facing the window 25a formed in the second cylindrical body 25.
In this state, the latch 28 is rotated toward the window 25a, and the arc portion 28a of the latch 28 is fitted around the flexible tube 7. As a result, the claw portion 28d of the latch 28 is press-fitted between each unit wire ring 7a of the flexible tube 7, and thereby the flexible tube 7 is held in the second cylindrical shape. It becomes connected to the body 25. Furthermore, when the flexible tube 7 is removed from the pachinko ball counter attachment 13, the latch 28 may be rotated in the opposite direction to the above using the knob 28b.

When attaching the pachinko ball counter 5 to the base plate 14 of the mounting device 6, first, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. While engaging the engagement protrusion 12 with the engagement protrusion 21, the engagement protrusion 21 is moved to the right against the spring force of the torsion coil spring 22. Next, when the left side of the main body case 8 is positioned to the right of the engaging protrusion 15 by such movement, the main body case 8 is positioned so as to be in contact with the base plate 14, and in this state, the main body case 8 is moved. The movement operation to the right is released and the main body case 8 is moved to the left by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 22, whereby the engaging recess 10 is moved to the left.
is engaged with the engagement protrusion 15. As a result, the pachinko ball counter 5 is fixedly attached to the base plate 14 by the engagement between the engagement recess 10 and the engagement protrusion 15 and between the engagement protrusion 12 and the engagement protrusion 21. will be done. When the pachinko ball counter 5 is to be removed from this attached state, the operation reverse to the above may be performed. Further, when the pachinko game machine 1 is in a normal state, the shutter member 19 is pressed and displaced by the upper part of the back surface of the pachinko game machine 1 via the press plate 19b and is in an inactive position. 1 is pulled forward,
When the prize ball storage tank 2 is no longer located below the pachinko ball counter 5, the pressure via the pressing plate 19b is released and the shutter member 19 is moved to its operating position by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 22. will be moved to Therefore, the ball falling passage 9 is connected to the shutter plate 19.
a, thereby preventing the pachinko balls from the ball supply path 4 from accidentally falling to the outside of the prize ball storage tank 2.

According to the present embodiment described above, when attaching and detaching the flexible tube 7 and the pachinko ball counter 5, the flexible tube 7 is inserted into the second cylindrical body 25, and the latch Since it is sufficient to perform a one-touch operation of rotating 28, the connection work between the flexible tube 7 and the pachinko ball counter 5 becomes extremely simple. Moreover, in this case, even if the inner diameter of the second cylindrical body 25 into which the flexible tube 7 is inserted has a margin, there is no support at all, so even if the diameter of the flexible tube 7 is not constant,
This allows the flexible tube 7 to be reliably connected to the second cylindrical body 25, thereby eliminating the problems encountered in the prior art. Furthermore, in the state where the flexible tube 7 and the pachinko ball counter 5 are connected as described above, the claw portion 28d of the latch fitting 28 is
By biting between each unit wire ring 7a of the flexible tube 7, the flexible tube 7 is reliably prevented from coming off, so that the connected state is ensured. In addition, since the pachinko ball counter attachment 13 having an L-shaped first cylindrical body 24 is interposed between the flexible tube 7 and the ball falling passage 9 of the main body case 8, The falling speed of the balls is weakened by the attachment 13, and the pachinko balls are passed through the ball falling passage 9 in the main body case 8.
This eliminates the possibility of direct collision with the surroundings, thereby eliminating the possibility that the main body case 8 will be damaged. In this case, the pachinko balls will collide with force, especially against the first cylindrical body 24 of the attachment 13, but since the first cylindrical body 24 is made of reinforced plastic, it is relatively unlikely to be damaged. Furthermore, even if the attachment 13 is damaged, only the attachment 13 needs to be replaced, compared to the case where the expensive main body case 8, which has internal components such as a rotating body, ratchet mechanism, reed relay, etc., is damaged. can reduce repair costs. In addition, the tip of the second cylindrical body 25 in the pachinko ball counter attachment 13, that is, the portion connected to the ball supply path 4 via the flexible tube 7, is configured to have a structure in which the direction can be freely changed. Therefore, even if the clearance between the ball supply path 4 and the main body case 8 is extremely small, the ball supply path 4 and the ball falling path 9 of the main body case 8 can be easily connected, and the pachinko balls can be easily connected. There is no risk that the installation work of the counter 5 will become troublesome.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, but can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist thereof.

[Effect of the invention] According to the attachment for a pachinko ball counter according to the invention, as is clear from the above explanation, the pachinko balls from the ball supply path flow down into the ball supply path through which the pachinko balls flow. A connected flexible tube shaped like a coil spring, and a pachinko ball counter provided so that pachinko balls flowing down the flexible tube pass through, the pachinko ball counter supplying the passing pachinko balls to a prize ball storage tank of a pachinko game machine. This has the practical effect that the connection between the two can be made extremely easily and reliably.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the main part, Fig. 2 is a front view of a latching fitting used for an attachment for a pachinko ball counter,
Figure 3 is a side view in the installed state, Figures 4 and 5 are a front view and cross-sectional view respectively in the same installed state, and Figure 6 is a side view in the installed state.
The figure is a perspective view of the pachinko ball counter, and FIG. 7 is a front view showing the state of use. In the figure, 1 is a pachinko game machine, 2 is a prize ball storage tank, 4 is a ball supply path, 5 is a pachinko ball counter,
6 is a mounting device, 7 is a flexible tube, 7a is a unit wire, 8
9 is the main body case, 9 is the ball drop passage, 13 is the attachment for the pachinko ball counter, 23 is the support body, 24
25 is a first cylindrical body, 25 is a second cylindrical body (connecting cylindrical body), 25a is a window, 28 is a latch, 28a is an arcuate portion, and 28d is a claw portion.

Claims (1)

[Claim for Utility Model Registration] A coiled spring-like flexible tube provided in a ball supply path through which pachinko balls flow so that the pachinko balls flow down from the ball supply path, and the pachinko balls flowing down the flexible tube. A device for connecting a pachinko ball counter that is provided so that the pachinko balls pass therethrough and supplies the passing pachinko balls to a prize ball storage tank of a pachinko game machine, and is characterized by having the following configuration: Attachment for pachinko ball counter. A connection cylinder into which the tip of the flexible tube is inserted through an opening at one end, and the other end of which is placed in communication with the ball falling path of the pachinko ball counter. A window formed in the peripheral wall of the connecting cylinder so that the flexible tube is exposed when the flexible tube is inserted. It has a circular arc portion and a claw portion protruding inward from the circular arc portion, and is rotatably supported with respect to the connecting cylinder between a position outside the window portion and a position inside the window portion. , the arcuate portion is fitted around the flexible tube at a position inserted into the window portion, and in the fitted state, the claw portion bites between each unit wire ring of the flexible tube. Latch fitting provided.