JPH0970477A - Prize ball dispenser for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more reduce cost not only by exactly ejecting prize balls at high speed base don the processing of a prize winning ball but also by further much more simplifying or miniaturizing configuration. SOLUTION: A cam 20 for regulating the down flow of the prize winning ball is arranged so as to be swung in the middle of a prize winning ball guide 12, a sprocket 30 for regulating the down flow of prize balls is arranged so as to be rotated in the middle of a prize ball guide 14 and between the cam 20 and the sprocket 30, an operating member 40 is arranged as one element so as to be reciprocatively moved by a solenoid 50. Then, one terminal part 42 of the operating member 40 is directly connected to the cam 20 for transmitting motive power so that one prize winning ball can be fed out each time the operating member 40 is once reciprocatively moved and to another terminal part 44 of the operating member 40, a lock pawl 45 is attached so as to be separated from the side of the sprocket 30 when the operating member 40 is moved in one direction during one time of reciprocative move and to be engaged again when the operating member is moved in the other direction.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention discharges one winning ball, which has entered a winning opening formed on a game board, one by one on the back side of the game board, each time a predetermined number of prize balls are paid to the player side. The present invention relates to a prize ball dispensing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a general gaming machine, there are a winning ball discharging mechanism for discharging winning balls that have entered a winning slot of a gaming board one by one on the back side of the gaming board, and the winning ball discharging mechanism. It has been installed on the back side of the game board as a separate body from the prize ball payout mechanism for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls to the player side each time a prize ball is discharged one by one.

Specifically, in the case of a type in which the winning ball discharging mechanism and the winning ball paying-out mechanism each have a sprocket that rotates depending on the weight of the ball and the balls are sequentially paid out by the rotation,
In order to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls for each prize ball, both the locking means and the power system for controlling the rotation of the sprocket of each mechanism based on the signal of each sensor for separately counting prize balls and prize balls. , Provided for each mechanism quite separately. That is,
Although each mechanism is connected via a signal line for transmitting and receiving a signal of the sensor to each other, it is basically configured as a completely separate body, and each of them is independently installed on the back side of the game board.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional prize-ball payout device, since the prize-ball discharge mechanism and the prize-ball payout mechanism are separate bodies, they must be separately installed on the back side of the game board. However, there is a problem that it takes a lot of man-hours for installation and it takes time, and a power system for controlling the rotation of the sprocket of each mechanism has to be separately provided, resulting in a large number of components and a cost increase. It was

Therefore, the applicant has proposed, in Japanese Patent Application No. 6-34705, a prize ball payout device for operating the prize ball discharge part and the prize ball payout part by one driving means. This enables accurate and high-speed discharge of prize balls based on the processing of prize balls, simplification of the configuration, downsizing, cost reduction, and reduction of the failure rate. Although it can be done, there were actually the following problems to be improved.

That is, the locking member for transmitting the power of the solenoid as one driving means to the winning ball discharging section and the winning ball paying section is divided into two parts, that is, the upper part and the lower part corresponding to each part. Therefore, the number of parts is relatively large, and the number of assembling steps is also large.

Further, since the locking member is divided into two, the drive means is limited to the solenoid of the type in which the movable plunger projects vertically, and there is no choice. Furthermore, for the prize ball payout part, the power of the solenoid is indirectly used and the rotating sprocket is stopped by sliding it in the axial direction, so there is a possibility that the reaction may be delayed depending on the operating condition, and the wrong prize There was also the possibility that balls would be paid out.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the problems of the prior art as described above, and not only can the prize balls are discharged accurately and at high speed based on the processing of the prize balls, but further more. It is an object of the present invention to provide a prize ball payout device for a gaming machine, which can realize a simplification and a downsizing of the configuration and further reduce the cost.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the gist of the present invention resides in that in the invention according to claim 1, a winning ball entered in a winning opening formed in a game board is
A prize ball payout device (10, 10) that discharges one by one on the back side of the game board and pays out a predetermined number of prize balls to the player side each time.
In A), in the middle of the prize ball guide (12) in which the prize balls successively flow down one by one, a cam (20) that appears in the guide (12) and restricts the flow of the prize ball is swingably arranged. In the middle of the prize ball guide (14) that flows down in a state where the prize balls are aligned in one row, a recess (31) into which one prize ball is fitted is formed on the outer periphery facing the guide (14). The sprocket (30) is rotatably arranged, and the cam (20)
Between the sprocket (30) and the sprocket (30), the actuating members (40, 40A), which are integrally connected and have both ends (42, 44) extending toward the sprocket (30), can be reciprocated by one driving means (50, 70). The operating member (40, 40)
A) one end (42) of the operating member (40, 40A)
Each time the vehicle moves back and forth, the cam (20) is directly connected to the cam (20) so that the winning balls constrained in the middle of the prize ball guide (12) are fed one by one so that power can be transmitted. When the operating member (40, 40A) moves to the other end (44) of the member (40, 40A) in one direction of one reciprocating movement, it disengages from the sprocket (30) side to release the rotation restraint. In addition, the prize ball payout device (10, 10A) is provided with a locking claw (45) that engages with the sprocket (30) side when it moves in the other direction and restrains the rotation again.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the sprocket (30) is provided with a disk (35) on the outer periphery of which a locked claw (36) protruding radially corresponding to a recess (31) on the outer periphery of the sprocket (30) is provided. ), The locking claws (45) of the actuating members (40, 40A) are disengaged from the locked claws (36) of the disk (35), and the sprockets ( The prize ball payout device (10, 10A) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotation of (30) is restricted.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a prize winning ball detection sensor (6) for detecting a prize winning ball restrained by the cam (20) and outputting a signal in the middle of the prize winning ball guide (12).
1) is provided, and the drive means (50, 70) is operated based on the detection signal of the winning ball detection sensor (61), and the operation member (40, 40A) is moved in one of the reciprocating movements. The prize ball detection sensor which is set appropriately, counts prize balls paid out along with the rotation of the sprocket (30) in the middle of the prize ball guide (14), and outputs a signal when a predetermined number is reached. (62) is provided, and the drive means (50, 70) is operated based on the signal of the prize ball detection sensor (62), and the operating member (40, 40A) is moved in the other direction of the reciprocating movement. The prize ball payout device (10, 10A) according to claim 1 or 2 is characterized by being set appropriately.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the cam (20), the sprocket (30), and the operation are provided in the housing (11, 11A) in which the winning ball guide (12) and the winning ball guide (14) are formed. The prize ball payout device (10, 10A) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the member (40, 40A) and the driving means (50, 70) are provided as one unit.

Next, the operation based on the above-mentioned problem to be solved will be described. According to the prize ball payout device (10, 10A) according to claim 1, when the ball hit on the game board enters the winning opening,
These winning balls are located on the back side of the game board, and the winning ball guide (1
2) Sequentially flow down one by one, and guide (1
2) It temporarily stops by the cam (20) that swings so as to appear and disappear inside.

On the other hand, the rotation of the sprocket (30) in the middle of the prize ball guide (14) is restricted in a normal state, and the prize ball is not paid out. The cam (2
0) swing regulation and sprocket (30) rotation regulation
This is realized by the reciprocating movement of the operating member (40, 40A), which is a single component with both ends (42, 44) extending toward each.

The actuating member (40, 40A) is one member and is reciprocally moved by one driving means (50, 70). Each time the actuating member (40, 40A) reciprocates, The cam (20) directly connected to the one end (42) swings so as to eject the winning balls that have been once restrained one by one.

When the actuating member (40, 40A) moves in one direction (starting position → ending position) of one reciprocating movement, the locking claw (45) at the other end (44) locks non-rotatably. Remove from the sprocket (30) that was on. Then, the sprocket (30) has a recess (31) on the outer periphery thereof.
Unless the rotation is restricted by the weight of the sphere engaged with the prize balls, the prize balls that flow down in a line in the prize ball guide (14) are continuously paid out.

Therefore, when a predetermined number of prize balls preset for each prize ball are paid out, the actuating member (40, 40A) is moved in the other direction (end position → start position) of one reciprocating movement. To the operating position (40, 40).
Since the locking claw (45) of (A) is re-engaged with the sprocket (30) side, the sprocket (30) is again restrained from rotating and the payout of prize balls is stopped. As described above, 1
By controlling the timing of the reciprocating movement of the operating members (40, 40A) made up of members, a preset number of prize balls can be appropriately paid out for one prize ball.

A prize ball payout device according to claim 2 (10, 10)
According to A), the sprocket (30) is concentric with the disk (35) provided on the outer circumference with the locked claws (36) protruding in the radial direction corresponding to the recesses (31) on the outer circumference. So that the locking claws (45) of the actuating members (40, 40A) are locked to each other by the locked claws (36) of the disk (35).
Since it is configured to be engaged and disengaged with each other, the engagement and disengagement portion for rotation restriction can be separated from the rotation center. Therefore, compared with the case where the locking claw (45) is directly engaged with and disengaged from the recess (31) of the sprocket (30), the load applied to the operating member (40, 40A) can be reduced, and the size and size are low. It can be activated by the output drive means (50, 70).

Various sensors may be used to control the timing of the reciprocating movement of the operating members (40, 40A). According to the prize ball payout device (10, 10A) according to claim 3, a prize ball detection sensor for detecting a prize ball constrained by the cam (20) and outputting a signal in the middle of the prize ball guide (12). (61) is provided, and based on the detection signal of the winning ball detection sensor (61), the drive means (50, 7).
0) actuates, and the actuating members (40, 40A) move in the one direction to release the rotation constraint of the sprocket (30).

In the middle of the prize ball guide (14), the prize ball detecting sensor (counts the prize balls paid out with the rotation of the sprocket (30) and outputs a signal when the number reaches a predetermined number. 62) is provided, and based on a signal from the prize ball detection sensor (62), the drive means (50, 7).
0) actuates and the actuating members (40, 40A) move in the other direction that again constrains the sprocket (30) non-rotatably.

Thereby, the respective sensors (61, 62)
One drive means (50, 70) operates based on the signal of
While the driving member (50, 70) reciprocates the operating member (40, 40A), which is one member, in one direction at a predetermined timing and further in the other direction, the winning ball 1
A predetermined number of prize balls is paid out to each individual.

A prize-ball payout device (10, 10) according to claim 4
According to A), the housing (11, 11A) in which the prize ball guide (12) and the prize ball guide (14) are formed.
Since the cam (20), the sprocket (30), the actuating members (40, 40A) and the driving means (50, 70) are internally provided as one unit, they can be easily and quickly attached to the back side of the game board. You can

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention. The prize ball payout device 10 according to the present embodiment is attached to a game machine typified by a pachinko machine, and a prize ball entering a prize opening formed in a game board (not shown) is placed on the back side of the game board. It is a device for discharging a predetermined number of prize balls to the player side each time.

The prize ball payout device 10 has a cam 11, a sprocket 30, an actuating member 40 and a solenoid 50 as a driving means provided in a housing 11 in which a prize ball guide 12 and a prize ball guide 14 are formed. It is configured as a unit. The housing 11 includes a vertically long box-shaped housing body 11a in which a storage space for each member is formed, and a lid 11
and b. The winning ball guide 12 is formed in the lower part of the housing body 11a, and the cam 2 is placed in a storage space 13 formed so as to communicate with the guide 12 in the middle thereof.
0 is pivotally supported via a pivot 25.

The winning ball guide 12 is a ball passage through which the introduced winning balls are sequentially arranged in a line and flow down, and the ball introducing port 12a communicates with a winning port of a game board (not shown). , The ball outlet 12b is the housing body 11
It has an opening at the bottom of a. When the cam 20 swings, the first convex portions 21 and the second convex portions 22 of the cam 20 alternate, and the winning ball guide 1
It is a member that appears in 2 and regulates the flow of winning balls. The cam 20 is set so as to swing each time an operating member 40, which will be described later, which is directly connected to one end side 23 thereof so as to be able to transmit power, makes a reciprocating motion, and pays out one winning ball one by one.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the middle of the winning ball guide 12, one winning ball once restrained by the cam 20 is provided.
A winning ball detection sensor 61 is provided which detects each one and outputs a signal. More specifically, the winning ball detection sensor 6
1 is that the ball introduced into the winning ball guide 12 is the cam 20
Is a photosensor for projecting sensor light to a position immediately after engaging with the first convex portion 21, and is for detecting the introduction state of the winning ball.

The winning ball detection sensor 61 is connected so as to output a drive start signal to a solenoid 50 described later each time a winning ball is detected one by one. The winning ball detection sensor 61 may be configured by a proximity sensor that detects that the winning ball has reached a specific position in the winning ball guide 12, a magnetic sensor that detects the approach of the ball, or the like. Housing 1
A mounting hole 16 for holding the winning ball detection sensor 61 is formed in the lower portion of the first lid 11b.

On the other hand, a prize ball guide 14 is formed on the upper part of the housing body 11a, and a sprocket 30 is rotatable via a pivot 32 in a storage space 15 formed so as to communicate with the guide 14 midway. It is pivotally supported.
The prize ball guide 14 is a ball passage through which the prize balls sequentially supplied are made to flow in a state of being aligned in one row, and the ball supply port 14a communicates with a ball storage tank (not shown). 14b is opened at a side portion of the housing 11 and communicates with a destination of the dispensed prize balls, for example, an upper plate of a pachinko machine via a gutter or the like.

On the outer periphery of the sprocket 30, there are formed a plurality of recesses 31, 31 ... In which prize balls are fitted one by one at regular intervals. The sprocket 30 is a member for discharging the prize balls toward the ball discharge port 14b while rotating by the weight of the prize balls sequentially engaged with the recess 31. A disc 35 having locked pawls 36, 36, ... Protruding in the radial direction corresponding to each recess 31 is integrally fixed to one side surface of the sprocket so as to be concentric.

The locked claws 36, 36, ... Of the disk 35 are farther away from the pivot 32, which is the center of rotation, than the recess 31 of the sprocket 30, and the locked claw 36 has an operating member 40 to be described later. Locking claw 4 provided on the upper end portion 44 of the
5 is disengaged, and the rotation of the sprocket 30 is restricted. In addition, in the present embodiment, the recess 31 of the sprocket 30 and the locked claws 36 are each provided in five pieces, but the number of these can be set arbitrarily and is not limited to the illustrated one.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the middle of the prize ball guide 14, the prize balls paid out with the rotation of the sprocket 30 are indirectly counted, and a predetermined number (for example, 7 balls) is obtained.
A prize ball detection sensor 62 is provided which outputs a signal when it reaches. More specifically, the prize ball detection sensor 62 is
When the sprocket 30 rotates, it is a photosensor that projects sensor light to a position where the locked claw 36 of the disk 35 extending to the outside passes, and is indirectly measured by counting the number of the locked claws 36. The number of prize balls paid out is detected.

The prize ball detecting sensor 62, when the number of paid prize balls reaches a predetermined number (for example, 7),
It is connected to a solenoid 50 described later so as to output a drive stop signal. The prize ball detection sensor 62 may be configured by a proximity sensor that detects that the prize ball has reached a specific position in the prize ball guide 14, a magnetic sensor that detects the approach of the ball, or the like. A mounting recess 17 for holding the prize ball detection sensor 62 is formed in the upper portion of the housing body 11a.

The actuating member 40 is a member having both ends 42 and 44 extending vertically from the frame body 41, and reciprocates in the vertical direction by a very general solenoid 50 as one driving means. It is a thing. This operating member 40
Are arranged in a cubic storage space 18 formed substantially in the center of the housing body 11a and are set so as to move up and down with respect to a solenoid 50 fixed in the storage space 18 so as not to move. .

The lower end portion (one end portion) 42 of the operating member 40 is
Each time the operating member 40 reciprocates, the winning balls guided by the cam 20 are directly connected to the cam 20 so that power is transferred to the winning balls one by one. More specifically, the lower end portion 42 of the operating member 40
The guide groove 43 is provided in the guide groove 43.
An engaging pin 24 projecting from one end side 23 of the cam 20 is fitted in the inside of the casing so as to be able to be pushed and pulled.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the operating member 40
When the actuating member 40 moves downward (from the initial position to the final position) in one reciprocating movement, the upper end portion (the other end portion) 44 of the disc moves away from the sprocket 30 side, that is, the engaged claw 36 of the disk 35. Further, there is provided a locking claw 45 which is again engaged with the locked claw 36 of the disk 35 when moved upward (from the final position to the initial position).

The actuating member 40 is normally held at the initial position where the locking claw 45 is engaged with the locked claw 36 of the disk 35. The solenoid 50 is the operating member 4
The movable plunger 52, which is fixed to the housing 11 side so as to be positioned in the frame body 41 of 0 and projects only above the main body 51, is connected to the inside of the upper end surface of the frame body 41 of the operating member 40. ing.

The actuating member 40, which moves integrally with the movable plunger 52, is normally in the initial position extending upward as shown in FIG. 2, but the solenoid 50 inputs the signal from the winning ball detecting sensor 61 to excite it. Then, the coil spring 53 is held at the final position (see FIG. 3) moved downward (one direction) against the biasing force of the coil spring 53. When the solenoid 50 receives the signal from the prize ball detection sensor 62 and is demagnetized, the solenoid 50 moves upward (in the other direction) by the urging force of the coil spring 53 and is again held at the original initial position shown in FIG. It is set.

Next, the operation will be described. As shown in FIG.
The prize balls supplied to the prize ball guide 14 in the housing 11 are fitted into the recesses 31 of the sprocket 30 one by one.
In the normal state, the locking claw 45 of the actuating member 40 held at the initial position is engaged with the locked claw 36 of the disk 35 integrated with the sprocket 30, and the sprocket 30 is non-rotatably restrained. Therefore, the prize balls in the prize ball guide 14 are
The sprocket 30 is blocked by the outer periphery of the sprocket 30 and cannot fall toward the ball payout outlet 14b, so that the ball is not paid out.

On the other hand, when the balls hit on the game board enter the winning opening, the winning balls are guided one by one in the winning ball guide 12 on the back side of the game board. When the winning ball reaches the cam 20 which is locked so as not to swing by the actuating member 40 in the initial position as described above, it first engages with the first convex portion 21 thereof. The winning balls once held by the cam 20 are sequentially detected one by one by the winning ball detecting sensor 61, and the winning ball detecting sensor 61 outputs a drive start signal.

Upon receipt of the drive start signal, the solenoid 50 is excited, and its movable plunger 52 has a coil spring 53.
It moves downward against the urging force of and is held at the position retracted downward as shown in FIG. When the movable plunger 52 moves downward as described above, the actuating member 40 also moves downward accordingly. Due to the actuating member 40, the cam 20 and the sprocket 30 are mechanically quick and reliable as follows. Controlled by.

That is, first, regarding the cam 40, when the operating member 40 moves downward from the initial position shown in FIG. 2 to the final position shown in FIG. 3, the lower end portion 4 of the operating member 40 is moved.
The cam 20 to which 2 is directly connected swings counterclockwise in FIG. 2 about the pivot 25. Then, the sphere that is engaged with the first convex portion 21 of the cam 20 and detected by the winning ball detection sensor 61 is discharged as it is to the downstream side, and at this time, if there is another winning ball, the ball swings. Cam 20
It engages with the second convex portion 22 and is held at a position that is not detected by the winning ball detection sensor 61. During this time, the solenoid 50
Is excited.

Next, the sprocket 30 will be described. When the operating member 40 moves downward as described above, the locking claw portion 45 on the upper end side of the operating member 40 causes the locked claw of the disk 35 on the sprocket 30 side. Since it is disengaged from 36, the sprocket 30 becomes rotatable as shown in FIG. Therefore, the sprocket 30 has the recess 31
The award ball can be paid out from the award ball payout opening 14b of the award ball guide 14 while rotating by the weight of the pachinko ball that is inserted into the award ball. The award balls successively paid out are counted while being indirectly detected by the award ball detection sensor 62, and the award ball detection sensor 62 has a predetermined number of paid award balls (for example, 7). When it reaches, the drive stop signal is output to the solenoid 50.

When the solenoid 50 receives the drive stop signal, the solenoid 50 is demagnetized, and the movable plunger 52 from the retracted state shown in FIG. 3 to the original projecting state shown in FIG. 2 again by the biasing force of the coil spring 53. Return to the state. When the movable plunger 52 moves upward in this manner, the operating member 40 also moves upward accordingly. As a result, the cam 20 swings clockwise in FIG. 3 about the pivot 25, and the first convex portion 21 of the cam 20 restricts the downward flow of the winning ball of the winning ball guide 12 in the original prize ball waiting state. Return to. On the other hand, the locking claw portion 45 again engages with the locked claw 36 of the disk 35 on the sprocket 30 side, the rotation of the sprocket 30 is stopped, and the payout of prize balls is stopped.

As described above, the solenoid 50, which is one driving means, operates based on the signals from the winning ball detecting sensor 61 and the winning ball detecting sensor 62, and the movable plunger 52 causes the operating member 40, which is one member, to be predetermined. A predetermined number of prize balls can be paid out for one prize ball during the reciprocating movement of returning upward and further downward at the timing.

5 to 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The award ball payout device 10A according to the present embodiment has the same basic structure as that of the above-described first embodiment, but the first one is that one drive means is not the usual solenoid 50 but the rotary solenoid 70. Different from the embodiment.

The rotary solenoid 70 has its output shaft 7
The rotating plate 72 is fixedly connected to the rotating plate 72, and the engaging pin 73 is projectingly provided at an eccentric position of the rotating plate 72. The frame 41 of the actuating member 40A that reciprocates by the rotary solenoid 70 is provided with a guide groove 46 into which the engaging pin 73 is relatively movably fitted. The rotary solenoid 70 is fixed in the housing space 18 formed in the housing body 11a of the housing 11A. The engagement pin 74 of the rotary solenoid 70 is
Normally, it is in the position shown in FIG.
The cam 20 and the sprocket 36 are fixed so as not to move.

When the winning ball detection sensor 61 detects a sphere,
The rotary solenoid 70 operates to engage the engagement pin 7
4 rotates clockwise to the position shown in FIG. Then, the operating member 40A moves downward, the cam 20 swings, discharges the detected winning ball, and when there is the next winning ball,
The ball stops at a position that is not detected by the winning ball detection sensor 61. At the same time, actuating member 4 from the sprocket 30 side
The 0A locking claw 45 is disengaged, and the payout of prize balls is started.

When the payout of the prize balls is started, the prize ball detection sensor 62 reads the locked claw 36 of the disk 35 integrated with the sprocket 30, and indirectly counts the number of prize balls corresponding thereto. Rotary solenoid 7 when the number of prize balls reached
When 0 is demagnetized, the engaging pin 73 returns to the original position shown in FIG. 6, and accordingly, the operating member 40A also returns to the normal winning ball standby state.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, one prize ball is delivered one by one in one reciprocating motion of the actuating member, but the prize ball is moved in the other direction for returning. Since the payout is restrained without being paid out, eventually, each time the operating member makes one reciprocating movement, the winning balls are paid out one by one by the cam. Of course, the winning ball may be configured to be paid out only when the operating member makes one reciprocating movement, and one winning ball may be paid out when the operating member moves in the other direction in one reciprocating motion. May be.

The drive means is a normal solenoid or a rotary solenoid, but it may be a self-holding solenoid. Here, the self-holding solenoid is excited when it receives one of the positive and negative pulse signals, moves in one direction, and is held by the permanent magnet at this position while receiving the positive or negative pulse signal. It has a movable plunger that is excited when moving, moves in the other direction, and is held by a permanent magnet at such a position.

[0051]

According to the award ball payout device for the gaming machine of the present invention, when the operating member, which is one component, reciprocates at a predetermined timing by the one driving means, the cam directly connected to one end of the operating member is actuated. Since one winning ball in the winning ball guide is swung and ejected, and the other end of the actuating member is disengaged, the sprocket rotates and a predetermined number of winning balls in the winning ball guide are paid out. Can be accurately and quickly paid out, and the series of operations can be controlled by one driving means, and it is not necessary to provide a separate power system as in the past, and the number of parts can be increased accordingly. Can be reduced and the number of mounting steps can be simplified.

In particular, since the operating member forming the main part of this apparatus is also constructed as one component, the number of components can be further reduced and the cost can be reduced. Also, due to the miniaturization of the device, it can be easily installed on the back side of the game board where there is not enough space, and the number of components is relatively small and the structure is relatively simple, so the failure rate can be reduced and reliability is improved. improves.

Moreover, since the operating member is, for example, a single component without being divided into upper and lower parts, the driving means is not limited to a solenoid of the type in which the movable plunger projects above and below the main body, but is generally used. It is possible to use a movable plunger in which the movable plunger projects only on one side. Furthermore, since one end of the actuating member is directly connected to the cam that regulates the flow of the winning ball so that power can be transmitted, the power of the actuating member will not be transmitted with a delay through other members. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent incorrect payout of prize balls.

Further, the sprocket is integrally fixed so as to be concentric with the disk provided on the outer periphery of the sprocket so that the engaged claws protruding in the radial direction corresponding to the recesses on the outer periphery of the sprocket are concentric with each other. By engaging and disengaging the locked claws of the disk, it is possible to separate the engagement and disengagement part for rotation restriction from the center of rotation, which makes it easier to engage and disengage the locking claws directly in the recess of the sprocket. Then, the load applied to the actuating member can be reduced, and the actuating member can be operated by a small-sized and low-power driving means.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a prize ball payout device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a normal state in which the operating member is moving upward in the prize ball payout device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state where the operating member has moved downward in the prize ball payout device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing a prize ball payout device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a prize ball payout device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a normal state in which the operating member is moving upward in the prize ball payout device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state in which an operating member of the prize ball payout device according to the second embodiment of the present invention has moved downward.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view showing a prize ball payout device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 10A ... Award ball payout device 11, 11A ... Housing 12 ... Award ball guide 14 ... Award ball guide 20 ... Cam 30 ... Sprocket 40, 40A ... Actuating member 50 ... Solenoid (driving means) 61 ... Award ball detection sensor 62 ... Award ball detection sensor 70 ... Rotary solenoid (driving means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A prize ball payout in which a prize ball entered into a prize opening formed on a game board is discharged one by one on the back side of the game board and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player each time. In the device, in the middle of the prize ball guide in which the prize balls sequentially flow down one by one,
A cam that appears in and out of the guide and regulates the downward flow of the winning balls is oscillatably arranged. In the middle of the prize ball guide that flows down in a state in which the prize balls are aligned in a row, on the outer periphery facing the inside of the guide. A sprocket having a concave portion into which one prize ball is inserted is rotatably arranged, and an operating member integrally connected between the cam and the sprocket, the both end portions of which extend toward each, is driven. Means so as to reciprocate, so that each time the operating member makes one reciprocating movement, one end of the operating member is paid out one by one by one of the winning balls held in the middle of the winning ball guide by the cam. Directly connected to the cam in a power-transmittable manner, and when the operating member moves in one direction of one reciprocating movement to the other end of the operating member, the operating member is disengaged from the sprocket side to release the rotation restraint, and the other direction. Move to the sprocket side A prize ball payout device characterized in that a locking claw for restraining the rotation again is provided. 2. The sprocket is integrally fixed so as to be concentric with a disk provided with an engaged claw protruding in a radial direction corresponding to a recess on the outer periphery of the sprocket so as to be concentric with the disc. The prize ball payout device according to claim 1, wherein the stop claw is configured to restrict the rotation of the sprocket by engaging and disengaging from the locked claw of the disk. 3. A winning ball detection sensor for detecting a winning ball constrained by the cam and outputting a signal is provided in the middle of the winning ball guide, and the drive means is based on the detection signal of the winning ball detection sensor. The operation member is set to move in one direction of the reciprocating movement by operating, and in the middle of the prize ball guide, the prize balls to be paid out as the sprocket is rotated are counted, and the predetermined number is determined. Is provided with a prize ball detection sensor that outputs a signal when the number of times reaches, and the driving means is operated based on the signal of the prize ball detection sensor, and the operating member is set to move in the other direction of the reciprocating movement. The prize ball payout device according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The cam, the sprocket, the operating member and the driving means are internally provided in a housing in which the winning ball guide and the winning ball guide are formed as one unit. The prize ball payout device described in 2 or 3.