JPH1043413A - Ball feeding device for ball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the array of the balls from being disordered and the speed of ball feeding from being instable due to the mutual contact of balls in adjacent arrays and to prevent the balls from being damaged. SOLUTION: A roller 9 is fixed to a rotary shaft 4 and the outer periphery of the roller 9 is covered with a cylinder part 12 arranged without contacting the roller 9. To the outer periphery of a roller main body 19, plural partition plates 20 in a regular circle ring shape are fixed. The balls 8 dropped to a ball carry-in part are aligned in 10 arrays by the partition of the ball carry-in part and advanced to the roller 9 in an order from the front. The balls 8 advanced to the roller 9 are held between the partition plates 20, forcedly moved inside the cylinder part 12 while being rolled corresponding to the rotation of the roller 9 and fed to the entrance of the carrying groove 11a of a ball carrying path 11. At the time, since each ball 8 is partitioned by the partition plates 20, the adjacent balls 8 are not brought into contact with each other, the balls 8 are smoothly moved and the feeding speed of the balls 8 is stabilized. The balls 8 which arrive at the entrance of the carrying groove 11a are pushed by the succeeding ball 8, pushed up into the carrying groove 11a and lifted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball feeder for feeding a ball of a ball game machine to a ball conveying path by using power.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a pachinko game hall, for example, a ball is supplied to a pachinko island, a ball is moved between islands,
The balls are transferred via the ball transport path when replenishing the balls to the ball lending machine or when flowing the balls collected by the premium ball counting machine to the circulation path. In addition, since the ball may be lifted upward from below, the ball is lifted using a ball feeder.

A conventional ball feeder is disclosed in, for example,
JP-A-38725 and JP-A-8-47574. In these devices, gears, rollers or belts are rotated by the power of a motor,
The ball is forcibly sent out to the ball transport path by the rotational force of the gear, roller or belt.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional ball feeder, balls are arranged in a plurality of rows, and gears,
It is sent to rollers or belts, but gears,
Since the roller or the belt is not provided with a partition for separating adjacent balls, the adjacent balls come into contact with each other and rub against each other. For this reason, the row of balls may be disturbed, or the speed of ball feeding may become unstable. Further, in the case of the gear, the ball may be bitten by the tooth tip or the ball may be damaged by the tooth tip.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a rotary member (roller, roller body) which is provided in a flange shape on the outer periphery thereof, is a separate member from the rotary member, and is softer than the rotary member. It is made of a material having elasticity or flexibility, is disposed at intervals substantially the same as the diameter of the ball or slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball, the protrusion amount larger than the radius of the ball and smaller than the diameter of the ball A plurality of partition plates capable of pinching the ball and substantially storing the entire ball, and disposed outside the partition plate so as not to contact the partition plate, and connected to the ball transport path; A cover portion (tube portion) or the like that comes into contact with the outside of the ball sandwiched between the plates is provided.

Further, a plurality of rows of locking projections are provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the partition plates between the partition plates on the outer periphery of the rotating body, and a curved concave portion is formed between the locking projections. The curved concave portion may be a semi-cylindrical concave surface having a radius substantially equal to the radius of the ball, and further, the partition plate or the rotary Even if a ball contact member (roller ring, sponge) that is made of a material that is softer than the body and has elasticity or flexibility and is considerably deformed by the contact of the ball and that surrounds the rotating body in an annular shape is provided. Good.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

1. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a side view of a ball feeder. A motor 2 and brackets 3 and 3 are mounted on a frame 1 provided on the back of the pachinko machine.
Is attached. Rotating shaft 4 on brackets 3
Is rotatably supported, and a large-diameter pulley 5 is pivotally attached to one end of the rotating shaft 4. Rotary shaft 2 of motor 2
A small diameter pulley 6 is pivotally mounted on a, and a belt 7 is stretched between the pulley 5 and the pulley 6.

A roller 9 for forcibly sending out a pachinko ball 8 is fixed to the rotating shaft 4, and the outer periphery of the roller 9 is a cylindrical portion (cover portion) arranged in non-contact with the roller 9.
12 is covered. A ball loading section 10 is provided between one side of the brackets 3, and a ball transport path 11 is fixed at an upper portion. The tip of the ball loading section 10
It is adjacent to a part of the outer periphery of the roller 9 and is inclined so as to descend toward the roller 9.

The ball transport path 11 is inserted between regulating frames 13 and 14 arranged at intervals substantially equal to the thickness of the ball transport path 11 and is fixed to a guide frame 15. The guide frame 15 is fixed to the restriction frame 13 or the brackets 3,3. The lower end of the ball conveying path 11 is adjacent to a part of the outer periphery of the roller 9, and the conveying groove 11a extends vertically upward.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the ball feeder. The pulleys 5 and 6 are double pulleys, and two belts 7 and 7 are stretched. Thus, even if one belt 7 is broken, the rotation of the motor 2 can be transmitted to the large-diameter pulley 5. In the ball loading section 10, a plurality of partitions (partition plates) 16 are erected at intervals substantially equal to the diameter of the ball (pachinko ball made of metal) 8. The balls 8 that have fallen from the holes provided on the game surface of the pachinko machine are sent to the ball carry-in section 10 and are arranged in a plurality of rows by the partitions 16.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the roller 9. The rotating shafts 4 and 4 are divided into bearings 17 and 18 respectively.
Are rotatably supported by brackets 3 and 3. A cylindrical roller body 19 is fixed between the rotating shafts 4, 4. A plurality of right circular ring-shaped partition plates 20 are fixed to the outer periphery of the roller body 19.

The roller body 19 is made of metal or synthetic resin,
The partition plate 20 is made of a material having relatively high rigidity such as rubber or synthetic resin, and is made of a material having a high friction coefficient, such as hard rubber, and is softer than the roller body 19. It is. Note that the roller body 19 may be solid. The partition plate 20 is fixed to the outer periphery of the roller body 19 by crimping, press fitting, fitting, fitting, sandwiching, or the like. The partition plate 20 may be formed integrally with the roller body 19.

The partition plates 20 are arranged at intervals substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball 8. The difference between the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the partition plate 20 is larger than the radius of the ball 8 and slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball 8, and the amount of projection of the partition plate 20 is larger than the radius of the ball and smaller than the diameter of the ball. The difference between the outer diameter of the roller body 19 and the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 12 is substantially equal to the diameter of the ball 8. The partition plate 20 is arranged so as to be continuous with an end of the partition 16 of the ball loading section 10. A minute gap is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the partition plate 20 and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 12, so that the partition plate 20 and the cylindrical portion 12 are not in contact with each other. Ball transport path 11
Is formed in a comb shape, and a comb portion 11b is inserted one by one between the partition plates 20. Each partition plate 20 may be gradually thinned outward.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the ball conveying path 11. As shown in FIG. The ball transport path 11 is formed by joining two plates 21 and 22 with bolts 23, 23. A plurality of conveying grooves 11a, 11a,... Are formed in parallel at regular intervals on the joint surface of the plate 21. When the plates 21 and 22 are joined, the cross-sectional shape of the transfer grooves 11a becomes circular. Conveyance grooves 11a, 11
The inner diameter of a ... is slightly larger than the diameter of the ball 8, and the microfibers 24 are raised on the inner surface by electrostatic flocking, and the ball 8 is polished. The transfer grooves 11a are arranged so as to correspond to the partition plate 20. Transport groove 1
The inner surfaces of 1a, 11a... May be adhered to a cloth sheet or provided with another polishing means.

The plates 21 and 22 may be made of any material such as metal, wood, and synthetic resin. Alternatively, a sponge-like synthetic resin may be used, and in this case, it is not necessary to form the hair 24. The ball transport path 11 has a fixed length (for example, 2500 m
m to 2600 mm) or various different lengths are facilitated and used in connection to the required length.
Also, bent and branched ones are facilitated. This makes it possible to freely set the transport path of the ball, and to form a transport path that bypasses the cash transport conveyor, columns, electric wires, and the like. Also, assembling, disassembling,
Partial replacement is easy.

The motor 2 rotates when the power of the pachinko machine is turned on, and the roller 9 is constantly rotating. The roller 9 sends the ball 8 from the ball carry-in section 10 to the ball transport path 11 (see FIG. 1).
In the clockwise direction). The balls 8 that have fallen into the ball carry-in section 10 are arranged in ten rows by the partitions 16 of the ball carry-in section 10.

The balls 8 arranged in the ball loading section 10 enter the rollers 9 in order from the top. The ball 8 that has entered the roller 9 is sandwiched between the partition plates 20 and transported in the cylindrical portion 12 according to the rotation of the roller 9. When the ball 8 enters between the partition plates 20, the partition plate 20 is elastically deformed and the ball 8 is held.

The ball 8 is forcibly moved inside the cylindrical portion 12 while rolling while being held by the partition plate 20,
It is sent to the entrance of the conveyance groove 11a of the ball conveyance path 11. At this time, since the balls 8 are partitioned by the partition plate 20, the adjacent balls 8 do not come into contact with each other, the balls 8 move smoothly, and the feed speed of the balls 8 is stabilized. Also, the partition plate 2
0, the entire ball 8 is almost stored, so that the stored and partitioned ball 8 is hardly exposed, and the ball 8 to be stored from now on.
Will not be hit.

The ball 8 reaching the entrance of the transport groove 11a is
The comb-shaped portion 11b prevents the roller 9 from rotating together with the roller 9, and is pushed by the subsequent ball 8 to be pushed up into the transport groove 11a. The ball 8 that has entered the transport groove 11a is pushed up by the ball 8 sent by the roller 9 and is lifted. Each transport groove 11a is adjacent to the transport groove 11a as shown in FIG.
Ball 8 in the adjacent transport groove 11a
Are not in contact with each other, and the balls 8 in the respective transport grooves 11a are smoothly lifted.

Further, when the ball 8 is lifted in the conveying groove 11a, dirt such as oil and fat components adhering to the ball 8 or dust adhering due to static electricity is removed and polished by the hairs 24 in the conveying groove 11a. . Note that the bristles 24 are made of a material having rigidity.
Or an abrasive is used instead of the bristles 24 to transport the polishing grooves 11a.
By being attached to the inside, the balls 8 which are transported in the transport groove 11a can be polished.

As described above, according to the ball feeder of this embodiment, the balls 8 are placed between the elastic or flexible partition plates 20.
And the ball 8 is forcibly sent out to the ball conveyance path 11 by the rotation of the roller 9. Since the ball 8 is sandwiched by the partition plate 20 which is softer than the ball 8, the surface of the ball 8 is not damaged, and the ball 8 is not bitten by the teeth of the gear like a gear. Further, since the adjacent rows of the balls 8 are partitioned by the partition plate 20, the adjacent rows of the balls 8 are not rubbed against each other and worn, and the transfer speed is not unstable.

2. Second Embodiment FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a ball feeder according to a second embodiment. In addition,
The same parts as those of the ball feeder of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, the rotating shaft 4 has a single continuous rod shape, and a roller 25 is attached to the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 4.

The roller 25 is composed of a plurality of roller bodies (rotating members) 26, 26 and a plurality of partition plates 27, 27. The roller bodies 26 are overlapped in the axial direction. A circular ring-shaped partition plate 2 on one side
7 is fixed. The thickness of the roller body 26 is slightly larger than the diameter of the ball 8, and the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 26 and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 12 is substantially equal to the diameter of the ball 8.

The roller body 26 is made of a relatively rigid material such as metal or synthetic resin, hard rubber, or the like.
The partition plate 27 is made of a material having elasticity or flexibility such as rubber or rigid resin and having a high friction coefficient.
It is softer than 6. Each partition plate 27 is attached to each roller body 2
6 between. The partition plate 27 may be fixed to the center of the outer periphery of the roller body 26 by crimping, press fitting, fitting, fitting, sandwiching, or the like. The roller body 26
The partition plate 27 may be integrally molded. The partition plates 27 are arranged at intervals substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball 8. In the present embodiment, the projection amount of the partition plate 27 is slightly larger than the radius of the ball 8, but may be slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball 8.

For example, as shown in FIG.
, Are formed on the entire outer periphery. The cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical concave surfaces 28 is a semicircular or semielliptical shape having a radius substantially equal to or slightly larger than the radius of the ball 8. Alternatively, as shown in FIG.
6, hemispherical holes 29, 29 at regular intervals
... are formed. The radius of the hemispherical hole 29 is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the radius of the ball 8. The hemispherical hole 29
May be replaced with a semi-elliptical spherical hole.

Each partition plate 2 on the outer periphery of the roller body 26
7, a plurality of rows of locking projections 28a are provided in a direction substantially orthogonal to the partition plate 27, and a curved recess is formed between the locking projections, and the curved recess is formed of the cylindrical concave surface. 2
8, 28 ...

FIG. 8 is a side view of a ball feeder having a roller 25 in which a cylindrical recess 28 is formed. Ball loading section 10
The balls 8 that have fallen into the rollers 25 are arranged in a plurality of rows and sequentially enter the rollers 25 from the top. The ball 8 that has entered the roller 25
Is held between the partition plates 27 and fitted into the cylindrical concave surface 28, and the cylindrical portion 1 is rotated by the rotation of the roller 25.
2 is transferred. When the ball 8 enters between the adjacent partition plates 27, the partition plate 27 is elastically deformed and the ball 8
Is pinched.

The ball 8 is sandwiched by the partition plate 27 and is rolled in a state of being fitted into the cylindrical concave surface 28 while rolling.
2 is forcibly moved in the conveying groove 11a of the ball conveying path 11.
Sent to the entrance. The ball 8 that has reached the entrance of the transport groove 11a is pushed by the subsequent ball 8 and is pushed up into the transport groove 11a. The ball 8 that has entered the transport groove 11a is pushed up by the ball 8 sent by the roller 25 and is lifted. Similarly, in the case of the roller 25 in which the hemispherical hole 29 is formed, the ball 8 that has entered the roller 25 is sandwiched between the partition plates 27 and the ball 8 is fitted in the hemispherical hole 29. Forced transfer.

As described above, according to the ball feeder of the present embodiment, the balls 8 are placed between the elastic or flexible partition plates 27.
Is inserted into the cylindrical concave surface 28 or the hemispherical hole 29, and the ball 8 is forcibly sent out to the ball conveying path 11 by the rotation of the roller 25. Thereby, the partition plate 2
Since the feed force of the ball 8 due to the pinching of the ball 7 is added to the feed force of the cylindrical concave surface 28 or the hemispherical hole 29, the feed force of the ball 8 is increased, and the ball 8 is forcibly moved to a higher place or a distant place at high speed. Can be transported.

Further, since the adjacent rows of balls 8 are partitioned by the partition plate 27, the adjacent rows of balls 8 do not rub against each other and wear, and the transfer speed does not become unstable.
Further, when only the partition plate 27 is used, slippage occurs between the partition plate 27 and the ball 8. However, by providing the cylindrical concave surface 28 or the hemispherical hole 29 together, the ball 8 and the partition plate 27 No slippage between them occurs. Therefore, the number of balls 8 conveyed is proportional to the number of rotations of the roller 25, and the number of conveyed balls 8 can be counted from the number of rotations of the roller 25. In addition, since the roller body 26 is divided, the number of rows of the rollers 8 can be easily changed by changing the number of the roller bodies 26. The other configuration and operation are the same as those of the first embodiment.

3. Third Embodiment FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a ball feeder according to a third embodiment. In addition,
The same parts as those of the ball feeder of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, the rotating shaft 4 has a single continuous rod shape, and a roller 30 is attached to the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 4.

The roller 30 is composed of a plurality of circular ring-shaped roller bodies 31, 31... And circular ring-shaped partition plates 32, 32. Has been superimposed. Partition plate 3
Numeral 2 protrudes from one side of the outer periphery of the roller body 31 in a flange shape. Note that the partition plate 32 may be protruded in a flange shape from the center of the outer periphery of the roller body 31. The thickness of the roller body 31 is slightly larger than the diameter of the ball 8. The roller body 31 and the partition plate 32 are made of metal or synthetic resin,
It is made of a relatively rigid material such as hard rubber.
The partition plates 27 are arranged at intervals substantially equal to the diameter of the ball 8 or at intervals slightly smaller.

Further, a roller ring 33 is fixedly or detachably fitted to the outer periphery of each roller body 31. The roller ring 33 is provided between the partition plates 32 on the outer periphery of the roller body 31. It is located around the roller body 31 in a ring shape of a perfect circle. The roller ring 33 is connected to the partition plate 32 or the roller body 31.
And is made of an elastic or flexible material, and is made of an elastic body having a high friction coefficient such as a sponge-like synthetic resin, rubber, or an elastic synthetic resin. Deform considerably. The outer diameter of the roller ring 33 is smaller than the outer diameter of the partition plate 32, and the difference between the two is
Is approximately equal to the radius of The distance between the outer peripheral surface of the roller ring 33 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball 8.

On the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12, a partition plate 33,
A ring-shaped partition (partition plate) facing 33 ...
Are protruded. A gap is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the partition 34 and the outer peripheral surface of the partition plate 33, and the amount of projection of the partition 34 is slightly smaller than the radius of the ball 8.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a ball feeder having a roller 30. The balls 8 that have fallen into the ball carry-in section 10 are arranged in a plurality of rows and sequentially enter the rollers 30 from the top.
The ball 8 that has entered the roller 30 enters between the partition plate 32 and the partition 34 and is isolated from the adjacent rows of balls 8.
At this time, when the interval between the partition plates 32 is smaller than the diameter of the balls 8, the balls 8 are sandwiched between the partition plates 32.

The roller ring 33 is elastically deformed by being pressed by the ball 8, and presses the ball 8 against the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 12 by an elastic repulsive force. As a result, the ball 8 is sandwiched between the roller ring 33 and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 12, and the ball 8
Is forcibly moved in the cylindrical portion 12 according to the rotation of the roller 30.

The ball 8 moves while rolling in the cylindrical portion 12 and is sent to the entrance of the conveying groove 11 a of the ball conveying path 11. The ball 8 that has reached the entrance of the transport groove 11a is pushed by the subsequent ball 8 and is pushed up into the transport groove 11a. Transport groove 1
The ball 8 that has entered the inside 1a is pushed up by the ball 8 sent by the roller 30, and is lifted.

As described above, according to the ball feeder of this embodiment, the ball 8 is sandwiched between the elastic or flexible roller ring 33 and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 12, and is forced by the rotation of the roller 30. The ball 8 is sent out to the ball transport path 11. The ball 8 is formed by the roller ring 33 which is softer than the ball 8.
Is pinched, so that the surface of the ball 8 is not damaged, and the ball 8 is not bitten by the teeth of the gear like a gear. Further, since the adjacent rows of the balls 8 are partitioned by the partition plate 33 and the partition 34, the adjacent rows of the balls 8 are not rubbed and worn, and the transfer speed is not unstable. The other configuration and operation are the same as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

4. Modifications Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in each embodiment, the electric motor 2 is used as a power source for rotating the rollers 9, 25, 30. However, another power source may be used. Further, if a built-in motor of a direct drive system in which the rotating shaft 4 is integrated with the rotating shaft of the motor is used, further miniaturization is possible. The motor 2 may be provided inside the rollers 9, 25, 30 so that the rollers 9, 25, 30 rotate.

The rotation of the motor 2 is controlled by rollers 9, 25,
As means for transmitting the rotation to the roller 30, other means other than the combination of the pulleys 5 and 6 and the belt 7 as in the above embodiment may be used. For example, the rotation may be transmitted by a gear. Also,
The ball feeder of each embodiment may be provided at any place as long as the ball 8 is forcibly transferred. In addition, by making the motor 2 rotatable in the forward and reverse directions, the rollers 9, 25, and 30 may be rotated in the forward and reverse directions to switch the transport direction of the balls 8. Further, in the above-described embodiment, a device for sending out a plurality of rows of balls 8 is shown, but a device for sending out only one row may be used.

Further, in the first embodiment, the partition plate 2
The protrusion amount of 0 may be slightly larger than the radius of the ball 8 as in the second embodiment, or a partition 34 may be protruded from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12 as in the third embodiment. . Further, in the second embodiment, the protrusion amount of the partition plate 27 may be substantially equal to the diameter of the ball 8 as in the first embodiment, or may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12 as in the third embodiment. The partition 34 may be protruded. In the third embodiment, the partition (partition plate) 3
, May not be provided, or may not include the partitions 34, 34, and, as in the first embodiment, such that the outer peripheral surface of the partition plate 32 reaches near the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12. 3
The diameter of 2 may be increased.

Further, like the roller body 26 of the second embodiment, a cylindrical concave surface 28 or a hemispherical hole 29 may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the roller ring 33 in the third embodiment. As a result, the feeding force of the ball 8 is increased, the ball 8 can be conveyed to a higher place or a distant place at high speed, and the number of conveyed balls 8 can be counted from the number of rotations of the roller 30.

Further, the roller body 31 in the third embodiment
The cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface of may not be a perfect circle, an oval,
It may be a polygon or the like. In this case, the roller ring 33
Is made to match the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 31. Further, the thickness of the roller bodies 26, 31 shown in the second and third embodiments may be the thickness of a plurality of balls 8, and in this case, the roller bodies 26, 31
31 can be increased or decreased. 6 and 7, the roller body 26, the partition plate 27, the cylindrical concave surface 28, the locking convex portion 2
8a, the hemispherical hole 29 may be belt-shaped.

The roller bodies 19, 26, 31 and the roller ring 33 are separate members independent of the partition plates 20, 27, 32.
Even if the roller bodies 19, 26, 31 and the roller ring 33 are greatly bent by strongly contacting the roller 31 and the roller ring 33, the partition plates 20, 27, and 32 are not greatly bent with this. There is no hindrance to pinching.

[0045]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
The ball is sandwiched between the elastic or flexible partition plates, and the ball is forcibly sent out to the ball conveying path by the rotation of the roller. Since the ball is sandwiched by the partition plate which is softer than the ball, the surface of the ball is not damaged, and the ball is not bitten by the teeth of the gear like a gear. In addition, since the adjacent rows of balls are partitioned by the partition plate, the adjacent rows of balls are not rubbed against each other and worn, and the transfer speed is not unstable.

When a cylindrical concave surface is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the roller body, the ball is sandwiched between elastic or flexible partition plates and is fitted into the cylindrical concave surface to rotate the roller. The ball is forcibly sent out to the ball conveying path. As a result, since the feeding force of the cylindrical concave surface or the hemispherical hole is added to the feeding force of the ball caused by the sandwiching of the partition plate, the feeding force of the ball is increased, and the ball is forcibly transferred to a higher place or a distant place at a high speed. Can be done. Further, the number of conveyed balls can be counted from the number of rotations of the roller.

Further, when a ball contact member (roller ring) is provided, the ball is sandwiched between the ball contact member having elasticity or flexibility and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion, and is forced by the rotation of the roller. The ball is sent out to the ball transport path. Since the ball is sandwiched by the ball contact member which is softer than the ball, the surface of the ball is not damaged, and the ball is not bitten by the teeth of the gear like a gear.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a ball feeding device.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the ball feeding device.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the ball feeder of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the ball transport path 11.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a roller 25 of the ball feeder of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a roller 25 of the ball feeder of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another example of the roller 25 of the ball feeder of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a roller 25 of the ball feeder according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a roller 30 of the ball feeder of the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a roller 30 of the ball feeder of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Frame, 2 ... Motor, 3 ... Bracket, 4 ... Rotary shaft, 8 ... Ball, 9, 25, 30 ... Roller (rotating body), 10
... Ball loading section, 11 ... Ball transport path, 12 ... Cylinder section (cover section), 19, 26, 31 ... Roller body (rotary body), 2
0, 27, 32: partition plate, 28: cylindrical concave surface, 28a
... locking projections, 29 ... hemispherical holes, 33 ... roller rings (ball contact members), 34 ... partitions (partition plates).

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A ball transport path in which a plurality of balls are transported in a line or a plurality of rows, and a rotating body rotatably provided corresponding to the ball transport path and having a substantially cylindrical outer peripheral surface. And is provided in a flange shape on the outer periphery of the rotating body, is a member separate from the rotating body, is softer than the rotating body, is made of a material having elasticity or flexibility, and is substantially the same as the diameter of the ball or A plurality of partition plates arranged at intervals slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball, having a protrusion amount larger than the radius of the ball and smaller than the diameter of the ball, and capable of holding the ball and substantially storing the entire ball, A cover portion that is disposed outside the partition plate so as not to contact the partition plate, is connected to the ball conveyance path, and abuts on the outside of the ball sandwiched between the partition plates, and the roller body and the partition plate. Rotation power source to rotate Ball feeder ball game machine, characterized in that. 2. A plurality of rows of locking projections are provided between the partition plates on the outer periphery of the rotating body in a direction substantially orthogonal to the partition plates, and a curved concave portion is formed between the locking projections. And
2. A ball feeding device for a ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein said curved concave portion is a semi-cylindrical concave surface having a radius substantially equal to the radius of the ball. 3. A space between the partition plates on the outer periphery of the rotating body, which is softer than the partition plate or the rotating body and is made of a material having elasticity or flexibility, and is provided by contact of a ball. 3. A deformable ball contact member surrounding the rotating body in an annular shape is provided.
A ball feeder for a ball game machine as described in the above. 4. The rotating body is divided into a plurality of rotating members in the axial direction, and the partition plate is provided between the rotating members or on the outer periphery of each rotating member. The partition plate of the cover portion and the partition plate of the rotating body are also provided at positions corresponding to each other, and the total protrusion amount of both partition plates is larger than the radius of the ball and Smaller than the diameter, the rotator is rotatably provided on a support, the ball transport path is detachably connected to the support, and, from the ball transport path to the rotator, a ball is provided between the partition plates. 4. The ball feeding device for a ball game machine according to claim 1, further comprising a ball carry-in portion for feeding the ball in a line.