JPH1099501A - Prize ball machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a prize ball machine such that it is possible to reduce time, especially when continuously giving balls, and to continuously carry and count pachinko balls. SOLUTION: A pachinko ball conveying device 84 is constituted of a spiral coil 2, which is rotated and driven by a driving force, a spiral coil holding part, which holds the circumference of the spiral coil 2, and a guide part for transferring pachinko balls, formed outside of the radius direction of the spiral coil holding part. And a part of pachinko balls enters the gap between the pitch of the spiral coil from the circumference side of the spiral coil and is conveyed by the guide part for transferring pachinko balls. A prize ball machine conveys pachinko balls, by rotating and driving the spiral coil 2, to give balls as a prize, and has a sensor 7 for detecting pachinko balls being conveyed through the guide part for transferring pachinko balls.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prize ball device for displaying a pachinko ball as a prize ball by rotationally driving a spiral coil by a driving source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A player plays a game by driving a pachinko ball into a pachinko gaming machine so that as many pachinko balls as possible enter a winning place. Then, when the player enters the place where the pachinko ball driven into the pachinko gaming machine wins, the pachinko ball as a prize ball is awarded to the pachinko ball storage section provided near the player's hand. The award is controlled by the award sphere.

Here, a conventional prize ball device will be described.
In FIG. 14, reference numeral 80 denotes one pachinko gaming machine in a group of pachinko gaming machines constituting an island.
Reference numeral 86 indicates a supply gutter provided for each island,
Pachinko balls are supplied from the supply gutter 86 to an upper plate 82 provided above the pachinko gaming machine 80 via a counter 87. At the bottom of the upper plate 82, a prize ball sending path 91 is provided continuously. Therefore, the pachinko balls supplied to the upper plate 82 are supplied to one end 91 a of the prize ball sending path 91 by their own weight.

[0004] One end 91a of the prize ball sending path 91 is provided.
Is opposed to one end 92b of a prize ball feeding device 92 to be described later.
When a and the one end 92b of the prize ball feeding device 92 face each other, the pachinko ball as the prize ball rolls on the prize ball transmission path 91 by its own weight, and the prize ball from one end 91a of the prize ball transmission path 91. It flows into one end 92b of the feeding device 92.

Reference numeral 92 denotes one end 9 of the award ball sending path 91.
When a certain number of pachinko balls as prize balls that have flowed into the one end 92b of the prize ball feeding device 92 from 1a are reserved, and when the player enters a place where the pachinko balls driven into the pachinko gaming machine 80 win, this is determined. The award ball feeding device for awarding suspended pachinko balls is shown. The prize ball payout device 92 is provided rotatably about the shaft 92a. As described above, when the player enters the place where the pachinko ball driven into the pachinko gaming machine 80 wins. , And is turned in the direction of arrow Y to win a pachinko ball. The detailed description of the award will be described later. Also,
An inflow restricting member 95 is attached to a lower portion of one end 92b of the prize ball feeding device 92.

The inflow restricting member 95 is rotated by the award ball feeding device 92 in the direction of arrow Y about the shaft 92a.
2 ', that is, when the one end 91a of the prize ball sending path 91 and the one end 92b of the prize ball feeding device 92 are no longer opposed to each other, one end 9 of the prize ball sending path 91 is stopped.
This is for preventing a pachinko ball from flowing out from one end 91a of the prize ball sending path 91 in opposition to 1a.

Reference numeral 96 denotes a prize ball lead-out path for leading a prize ball sent from the prize ball feeding device 92 to a pachinko ball storage section provided near a player's hand. Reference numeral 96a denotes the prize ball feeding device 92.
When the prize ball feeding device 92 is turned around the shaft 92a in the direction of the arrow Y to be in the state of a broken line 92 ', the prize ball feed is performed. Opposite to the other end 92c of the device 92, a prize ball sent from the prize ball feeding device 92 is provided so as to be introduced. In addition, the introduction port 96a of the prize ball outlet path 96
An inflow restricting member 95 'is attached to the upper part of the. Reference numeral 93 denotes a prize ball discharging device for discharging a prize ball from the prize ball prize exit path 96 to the pachinko ball storage section.

The inflow restricting member 95 ′ is connected to the prize ball transmitting path 9.
When one end 91a of the ball 1 and the one end 92b of the prize ball feeding device 92 face each other, that is, the pachinko ball is
When the pachinko ball flows into one end 92b of the prize ball feeding device 92 from one end 91a of the prize ball sending path 91 by its own weight, it is prevented from flowing out from the other end 92c of the prize ball feeding device 92. belongs to.

Next, a detailed description will be given of the operation of winning a pachinko ball in the above-described pachinko gaming machine 80. Pachinko balls are supplied to the upper plate 82 from a supply gutter 86 via a counter 87. The pachinko balls supplied to the upper plate 82 roll in the prize ball sending path 91 by their own weight. Further, since one end 91a of the prize ball sending path 91 and one end 92b of the prize ball feeding device 92 are opposed to each other, the pachinko balls that have rolled in the prize ball sending path 91 are sequentially placed on the prize ball sending path 91. The prize ball feeding device 92 from one end 91a
Flows into. At this time, since the inflow restricting member 95 'is opposed to the other end 92c of the prize ball feeding device 92,
The prize balls flowing into the prize ball feeding device 92 are prevented from flowing out from the other end 92c of the prize ball feeding device 92, and a certain number of prize balls are retained in the prize ball feeding device 92.

As described above, the prize ball feeding device 92 is provided.
Is set so as to reserve a certain number of prize balls flowing into the prize ball feeding device 92 from one end 91a of the prize ball sending path 91. The number of prize balls to be retained is determined by the player. This is the number of prize balls to be awarded when a pachinko ball hit into the gaming machine 80 enters a place where a prize is won. That is, the award ball feeding device 92 is set so as to hold the number of award balls to be awarded. For example, if the number of award balls to be awarded is 15, the length of the award ball feeding device 92 is set so that 15 award balls are retained in the award ball feeding device 92.

When the player enters a place where a pachinko ball hit into the pachinko gaming machine 80 wins, the prize ball feeding device 92 rotates in the direction of arrow Y about the axis 92a, and the prize ball feeding device. The other end 92c of the 92 and the introduction port 96a of the prize ball outlet path 96 are in a state of facing each other. That is, the award ball feeding device 92 is in the state of the broken line 92 '. In this state, the prize balls retained in the prize ball feeding device 92 sequentially flow by their own weight from the other end 92c into the introduction port 96a, and pass through the prize ball discharge path 96 and the prize ball discharge device 93. , The pachinko ball storage section provided near the player's hand. In this state, since the inflow restricting member 95 and one end 91a of the prize ball sending path 91 are opposed to each other, the pachinko balls in the prize ball sending path 91 are moved from one end 91a of the prize ball sending path 91. Does not leak.

As described above, when the prize ball is presented to the pachinko ball storage section 93, the prize ball delivery device 92 is provided.
Rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow Y direction, and the prize ball sending path 9
The state returns to a state in which the one end 91a of the first and the one end 92b of the award ball feeding device 92 face each other. In this state, the pachinko ball supplied to one end 91a of the prize ball sending path 91 rolls on the prize ball sending path 91 by its own weight, and sequentially sends out the prize ball from one end 91a of the prize ball sending path 91. Device 92
Flows into the one end 92b. By holding a certain number of prize balls in the prize ball feeding device 92 in this way, preparation for the next prize is completed.

[0013]

According to the conventional prize ball device, when a player enters a place where a pachinko ball driven into the pachinko game machine 80 enters a prize, the prize ball feeding device 92 is moved by an arrow Y. Since it is a mechanical operation in which the pachinko ball is awarded by rotating in the direction, there is a problem that it takes time to award. In particular, when winning continuously, the prize ball feeding device 92 is once rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow Y direction, and a certain number of prize balls are retained in the prize ball feeding device 92, and thereafter, However, there is a problem that it takes a very long time since the prize ball feeding device 92 must be rotated in the direction of arrow Y to win a prize.

[0014] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and in particular, it is possible to shorten the time for continuously winning, and to continuously play pachinko machines. It is an object of the present invention to provide a prize ball device capable of lifting and counting balls. Another object of the present invention is to provide a prize ball device that can omit a prize ball feeding device, an upper plate, and the like, and can simplify mechanical components.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A helical coil rotated and driven by a drive source, a helical coil holding portion for holding the outer peripheral side of the helical coil, and a part of the pachinko ball entering the gap between the pitches of the helical coil from the outer peripheral side of the helical coil. A pachinko ball conveying device is configured by having a pachinko ball moving guide portion formed radially outside the spiral coil holding portion so as to be able to convey the pachinko ball, and conveys the pachinko ball by rotating the spiral coil. It is a prize ball that prizes as a prize ball, and has a sensor for detecting a pachinko ball conveyed through the pachinko ball moving guide section, and the driving source is activated by detecting a prize ball to form a spiral. The coil is driven to rotate, and stops when the count value of the detection signal of the sensor reaches a predetermined value.

[0016] The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the pachinko ball conveying device conveys pachinko balls from a tank provided in the pachinko gaming machine.

The third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the pachinko ball conveying device conveys pachinko balls from a tank provided for each island.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the pachinko ball conveying device conveys pachinko balls from an upper plate provided in a pachinko game machine.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the pachinko ball conveying device conveys pachinko balls from a supply gutter provided for each island.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a prize ball apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The prize sphere according to the present invention is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei.
Since the pachinko ball conveying device described in the specification and the drawings of No. 145619 is used and a sensor is added thereto, the invention according to the above application will be described first.

7 and 8, reference numeral 50 denotes a pachinko ball inserting block. The pachinko ball inserting block 50 includes three pachinko ball inserting block members 51, 52, and 53. These pachinko ball insertion block members 51, 52, and 53 form two guide holes 5c having a circular cross section that stand up in a circular arc to be described later. The upper end of the guide hole 5c is a pachinko ball insertion port 5a, and the pachinko ball 3 inserted from the insertion port 5a falls down the guide hole 5c by its own weight and rolls down to be a horizontal movement block described later. 4 to one end 4x.

The guide hole 5c is, as shown in FIG.
The three pachinko ball insertion block members 51, 52, and 53 each having a semicircular cross-sectional groove 5c 'are bonded together, and the grooves 5c' and 5c 'of the pachinko ball insertion block members 51, 52, and 53 face each other. It is formed by doing. In FIG. 8, grooves 5c 'and 5c' are formed on both surfaces of the intermediate block member 52, and the grooves 5c are formed only on one surface.
An example is shown in which two of the guide holes 5c are formed by bonding the block members 51 and 53 formed with c 'to the block member 52. In FIG. 7, one pachinko ball inserting block member 5 is provided.
Only 1 is shown.

The above-described guide hole 5c which rises in an arc.
May be formed by bending a pipe, but when the pipe is bent, there is a problem that the pipe is deformed at the bent portion and the cross-sectional shape is distorted. In this regard, as described above, if the guide holes 5c are formed by bonding the pachinko ball inserting block members 51, 52, and 53, the pachinko ball inserting block members 51, 52, and 53 are formed in advance.
The groove 5c 'having a semicircular cross section may be formed by cutting or shaping, so that a guide hole having a good cross sectional shape without distortion in the cross sectional shape can be formed. The cross-sectional shape of the guide hole 5c does not need to be circular. For example, the cross-sectional shape may be formed in a polygonal shape, or may be formed in an elliptical shape.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 4 denotes a block for horizontal movement, which extends linearly. One end 4x (the right end in FIG. 7) of the horizontal movement block 4 communicates with the two guide holes 5c, and the other end 4y (the left end in FIG. 7) is connected to a guide hole 6c that rises in an arc described later. Communicating. The horizontal movement block 4
Is formed by bonding two horizontal moving block members 41, 41 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, a helical coil holding portion having a circular cross section is inserted into the horizontal moving block 4 so that a helical coil 2 described later can be inserted and the outer peripheral side of the helical coil 2 can be held. 4a are formed. Further, the pachinko ball moving guide having an arc-shaped cross section on both sides of the spiral coil holding portion 4a and radially outward from the spiral coil holding portion 4a so that the pachinko ball 3 described below can be transported. Parts 4b and 4b are formed.

The spiral coil holding portion 4a and the pachinko ball moving guide portion 4b are formed by bonding the horizontal moving block members 41, 41 as described above. That is, the horizontal movement block member 41
As shown in FIG. 9, three arc-shaped grooves 4b ', 4a', and 4b 'connected in parallel appear in the cross section of FIG. By bonding, the grooves 4b ', 4a', 4b 'of both the horizontal moving block members 41, 41 are opposed to each other, so that the spiral coil holding portion 4a and the pachinko ball moving guide portions 4b, 4b are arranged in parallel on both sides thereof. It can be formed continuously. Therefore, the outer peripheral side of the spiral coil 2 can be held by the spiral coil holding section 4a, and the pachinko ball 3 can be transported along the pachinko ball moving guide section 4b. The details of the transport of the pachinko balls 3 will be described later.

FIG. 9 shows an example in which two pachinko ball moving guides 4b are formed. In FIG. 9, the outer diameter of the spiral coil 2 is larger than the diameter of the pachinko ball 3, and therefore, the sectional circle of the spiral coil holding portion 4 a is larger than the radius of the arcuate section of the pachinko ball moving guide 4 b. Although the radius of the arc is larger, the spiral coil 2
The outer diameter may be a size that does not affect the conveyance of the pachinko balls 3 described later.

In FIGS. 7 and 10, reference numeral 6 denotes a curve moving block. This curve moving block 6
Is formed by bonding two curve moving block members 61, 61 together. A groove having a semicircular cross-section is formed on one surface of the curve moving block member 61, and the curve moving block members 61, 61 are attached with the two curve moving block members 61 facing each other. The guide holes 6c are formed by the combination. The guide hole 6c is formed to stand up in an arc. The cross-sectional shape of the guide hole 6c is
The grooves 4 of both the horizontal moving block members 41, 41
It has the same shape as the spiral coil holding part 4a and the pachinko ball moving guide parts 4b and 4b formed by facing b ', 4a' and 4b '. That is, in the guide hole 6c, the spiral coil holding section 6a having the same cross section as the spiral coil holding section 4a and the pachinko ball moving guide section 6b having the same cross section as the pachinko ball moving guide section 4b draw an arc. It was formed by standing up. Therefore,
The spiral coil holding portion 6a and the pachinko ball moving guide portion 6b are formed in series from one end 4x of the horizontal movement block 4 to one end 6y of the curve movement block 6 via the other end 4y. FIG. 10 shows one end 6y of the curve moving block 6 viewed from a plane.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a spiral coil used to transport a pachinko ball. This spiral coil 2
9 is installed in the spiral coil holding portions 4a and 6a as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and passes through the curve moving block 6 from one end 4x of the horizontal moving block 4 as shown in FIG. It is installed up to a position protruding from one end 6y of the block 6. The gap between the pitches of the spiral coil 2 is smaller than the outer diameter of the pachinko ball to be conveyed. One end 2a of the spiral coil 2 is connected to a motor 1 as a driving source.
Is attached to the drive shaft 1a. Therefore, the spiral coil 2 is driven to rotate by the motor 1. Since the spiral coil 2 has flexibility and elasticity, it can rotate even in the arc-shaped spiral coil holding portion 6a.
The motor 1 rotates the spiral coil 2 so as to convey the pachinko balls 3 in the direction of the arrow α shown in FIG.

Next, a series of operations of the above embodiment will be described. As described above, the motor 1 rotationally drives the spiral coil 2 so as to convey the pachinko ball 3 in the direction of the arrow α. Then, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 11, the pachinko balls 3 are inserted from the input port 5a. The inserted pachinko ball 3 falls down in the guide hole 5c by its own weight, falls down, and flows into the pachinko ball moving guide portion 4b from one end 4x of the horizontal movement block 4. The one end 4x side of the block 4 is herein referred to as a pachinko ball introduction side.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the pachinko balls 3 flow into the pachinko ball moving guide portion 4b from one end 4x of the horizontal moving block 4, a part of each pachinko ball 3 becomes the spiral coil. From the outer peripheral side of the spiral coil 2 installed in the holding portion 4a, the spiral coil 2 enters a gap between the pitches of the spiral coil 2 and is restricted in position by the pachinko ball moving guide portion 4b. Each pachinko ball 3 in a state where a part thereof enters the gap between the pitches of the spiral coil 2 is driven by the rotation of the spiral coil 2 by the motor 1 to move inside the pachinko ball moving guide 4b as shown in FIG.
Is transported from right to left. In FIG. 11, the pachinko balls are transported in two rows along the two rows of pachinko ball moving guides 4b.

As described above, the pachinko ball 3 conveyed in the pachinko ball moving guide portion 4b from one end 4x to the other end 4y of the horizontal movement block 4 by the rotational drive of the spiral coil 2 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the spiral coil is guided to a pachinko ball moving guide portion 6b formed in a guide hole 6c of the curve moving block 6, and inside the pachinko ball moving guide portion 6b, the spiral coil is formed in the same manner as described above. 2 is driven in the direction of arrow α by the rotation drive. And the pachinko ball 3 which has been lifted to one end 6y of the curve moving block 6
Is spilled out and accommodated in a pachinko ball accommodating section (not shown) or the like. The accommodated pachinko balls 3 are appropriately conveyed to a target position.

According to the pachinko ball conveying device described above, a part of the pachinko ball 3
a, into the gap between the pitches of the spiral coils 2 installed in the spiral coil 2 from the outer peripheral side of the spiral coil 2,
The pachinko ball 3 is transported by rotating the spiral coil 2 by the motor 1 as a drive source, so that the pachinko ball 3 can be transported in the horizontal direction. Further, the spiral coil 2 can lift the pachinko ball 3 while drawing a curve in the guide hole 6c formed in the curve moving block 6.
Therefore, the spiral coil 2 can lift the pachinko ball 3 while drawing a curve such as an S-shape, or can convey (float) a path that combines a straight line and a curve. It is possible to obtain a pachinko ball conveying device which can be reduced in size and has a high degree of freedom in design.

Next, various modifications of the present invention will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the end of the spiral coil 2 on the introduction side of the pachinko ball 3 is formed in a conical shape whose diameter decreases toward the introduction port of the pachinko ball 3. By using such a spiral coil 2, the pachinko ball 3 that has flowed into one end 4x of the horizontal movement block 4 is not repelled by the rotating spiral coil 2, and a part of the pachinko ball 3 The pachinko balls 3 can be smoothly transported from the outer peripheral side of the spiral coil 2 to the gap between the pitches of the spiral coil 2 without difficulty. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the spiral coil 2 whose end on the pachinko ball introduction side has a conical shape whose diameter decreases toward the introduction port of the pachinko ball 3 is used.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, the end of the pachinko ball introduction side uses a conical spiral coil 2 whose diameter decreases toward the introduction port of the pachinko ball 3, and thereby the pachinko ball 3 is used. Is smoothly carried out, but as shown in FIG.
A horizontal movement block 4 whose end on the pachinko ball introduction side b has a conical shape whose diameter increases toward the introduction port of the pachinko ball 3 may be used. By doing so, the introduced pachinko balls 3 can be smoothly guided into the gap between the pitches of the spiral coils 2 without being repelled by the rotating spiral coils 2, and the transport of the pachinko balls 3 can be smoothly performed. Can be done.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, reference numeral 8 denotes a flexible core material. The flexible core 8 is provided inside the spiral coil 2. In the spiral coil 2, the gap between the pitches is widened or narrowed due to the fluctuation of the load. However, even if the gap between the pitches is widened, the pachinko ball 3 is formed by the use of the core material 8. It can be prevented from entering the inside. In the example of FIG. 13, the core member 8 is provided on a pachinko ball introduction side end using a conical horizontally moving block member 4 whose diameter increases toward the pachinko ball introduction port. However, it is also possible to provide the core material 8 in the case of using the spiral coil 2 formed in a conical shape in which the end on the pachinko ball introduction side becomes smaller in diameter toward the pachinko ball introduction port. In this case, the end of the core material 8 may have a conical shape in accordance with the conical shape of the end of the spiral coil 2. In this embodiment, the gap between the pitches may be larger than the outer diameter of the pachinko balls.

In the example described so far, the spiral coil holders 4a and 6a and the pachinko ball moving guide 4
b, 6b are the block members 41, 41, the block member 6
1, 61 are formed by laminating in a belly shape. For example, they can be formed by plastically deforming a pipe made of resin or the like, or can be integrally molded, extruded (linear portion). ), Lost wax, or even casting. The pachinko ball moving guides 4b and 6b are
It may be formed in one line.

The cross-sectional shapes of the spiral coil holding portions 4a and 6a and the pachinko ball moving guide portions 4b and 6b may not be formed in an arc shape. For example, the cross-sectional shape may be formed in a polygonal shape, or the concave and convex stripes may be formed to extend parallel to the transport direction. Further, the cross section may be formed in an elliptical shape. When the cross-sectional shape is formed in an elliptical shape, the positions of the spiral coil holding portions 4a and 6a are regulated, and the spiral coil holding portions 4a and 6a and the pachinko ball moving guide portions 4b and 6b are arranged in parallel in the long axis direction. Any cross-sectional shape that can be used may be used.

A plurality of the pachinko ball moving guides 4b may be provided on the radially outer periphery of the spiral coil holder 4a. For example, four pachinko ball moving guide portions 4b may be provided around the spiral coil holding portion 4a, and the pachinko balls 3 may be conveyed in four rows by one spiral coil 2. Therefore, four pachinko ball moving guides are also formed on the pachinko ball inserting block 50 and the curve moving block 6 in correspondence with the pachinko ball moving guides 4b. As described above, by providing a plurality of the pachinko ball moving guide portions 4b on the radial outer periphery of the spiral coil holding portion 4a, more pachinko balls 3 are provided.
Can be transported, and the transport capacity can be increased.

The pachinko ball conveying device described above can also be used for a device that lowers a pachinko ball. In this case, there is an advantage that the lowering speed can be suppressed and the conveyance can be performed while maintaining the order. Further, the transport path may be an inverted U-shaped transport path.

According to the pachinko ball conveying device described above, the pachinko balls are conveyed in a state of being aligned along the guides 4b, 4b.
The number of pachinko balls to be conveyed can be counted, and a constant feeder for pachinko balls can be configured by using the counted value. In the present invention, a prize ball device is obtained by using the payout device. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1b denotes a spiral coil 2
2 shows a rotation sensor for detecting the rotation amount of the pachinko ball 3 and counting the number of pachinko balls 3 conveyed. More specifically, the rotation sensor 1b is attached to the drive shaft 1a of the motor 1 and faces a rotation plate 1c provided with a detected portion 1d on an outer peripheral portion, a rotation path of the detected portion 1d, and 2 arranged at intervals of 180 degrees in the rotation direction
And 10 detection elements 10 and 10. The detected part 1d may be a simple protruding part or a magnet piece. The detecting elements 10 and 10 may be an optical or magnetic detecting element for detecting the detected part 1d, or any other appropriate detection. It may be an element. The rotation sensor 1b detects the amount of rotation of the spiral coil 2 due to the rotation of the motor 1. That is, each time the drive shaft 1a of the motor 1 makes a half turn, a detection signal is output from one of the two detection elements 10 and 10, and the pachinko balls 3 are fed out of the transport device one by one. Therefore, by counting the detection signals of the detecting elements 10 and 10, it is possible to count the pachinko balls 3 which are conveyed to the one end 70 of the pachinko ball moving guide portion and then spill outside.

As in the above example, the drive shaft 1a of the motor 1
The rotation of the pachinko ball is caused by two rotation amount detection signals being output by one rotation of the pachinko ball.
This is because two pachinko balls are paid out by one rotation of the spiral coil 2 in a row.
In some cases, one detection signal may be output with one rotation of the drive shaft 1a, and counting may be performed assuming that two pachinko balls have been paid out with this one detection signal. Also,
In FIG. 3, two detected parts 1 d may be provided at 180 ° intervals on the rotating plate 1 c, and this may be detected by one detection element 10.

The user sets the required number of pachinko balls 3 in advance, and when the count value of the detection output of the rotation sensor 1b reaches a value set by the user, stops the motor 1 and conveys. The pachinko balls 3 can be stopped and conveyed to a desired position by a required number of pachinko balls 3.

FIG. 3 shows a case in which the pachinko ball moving guides are provided in two rows.
When the spiral coil 2 rotates by 180 degrees, one pachinko ball 3 is counted. As described above, the rotation sensor 1b detects the amount of rotation of the helical coil 2 so that the pachinko ball 3 that spills outward is detected.
May be of any type as long as it can count.

Next, another embodiment corresponding to the rotation sensor 1b will be described. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 7 denotes a ball sensor. The ball sensor 7 is attached to the outer periphery of one end 70 of each pachinko ball moving guide.
The pachinko balls 3 which have been conveyed to one end 70 of each pachinko ball moving guide and then spill out are detected and counted for each pachinko ball moving guide. In this case, the number of the pachinko balls 3 spilling outward from the pachinko ball moving guide portion is counted regardless of the rotation amount of the spiral coil 2. As the ball sensor 7, a magnetic type, an optical type, or any other appropriate type can be used.

Also in this case, the number of pachinko balls 3 set by the user can be appropriately conveyed to a target position.
When the count value of the detection signals of the ball sensors 7 reaches the number of pachinko balls 3 set by the user, the rotation of the motor 1 is stopped.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which a ball sensor 7 'is provided on the outer periphery of one end 70 of the pachinko ball moving guide so as to be in parallel with the ball sensor 7 in addition to the ball sensor 7. The ball sensor 7 'detects the pachinko ball 3 spilling outward similarly to the ball sensor 7 described above. By providing the two sensors 7 and 7 'in this way and by counting a signal if at least one of the sensors outputs a signal, it is possible to prevent erroneous counting due to abnormality of this sensor. it can.

That is, it is possible to determine whether the detection of the sensors 7, 7 'is normal or abnormal. Therefore, the ball sensor 7
If either one of the sensor 1 and the ball sensor 7 'does not detect, it is determined that the sensor is abnormal, and the rotational driving of the motor 1 may be stopped. Thus, the two sensors 7, 7 '
Is provided, the abnormality of the sensor can be determined, and the counting of the pachinko balls 3 can be performed more accurately.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the rotation sensor 1b detects the amount of rotation of the spiral coil 2 and, after being conveyed to one end 70 of the pachinko ball moving guide, spills outward. In order to count the number of pachinko balls 3 that come out, if the pachinko balls 3 are not continuously present in the pachinko ball moving guides, that is, after being transported to one end 70 of the pachinko balls moving guides, they will spill outward. If the pachinko balls 3 are not continuous, it is not possible to accurately count the pachinko balls 3. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, if both the rotation sensor 1b and the ball sensors 7, 7 'are attached, even if the pachinko ball 3 is not continuously present in the pachinko ball moving guide portion, the pachinko ball is not required. The ball 3 can be accurately counted.

More specifically, in FIG. 6, when the pachinko balls 3 are continuously present in the pachinko ball moving guide portion, the rotation sensor 1b detects the amount of rotation of the spiral coil 2. Thereby, the pachinko balls 3 spilling outward after being conveyed to the one end 70 of the pachinko ball moving guide portion can be counted accurately. Also, the ball sensor 7 can accurately count the pachinko balls 3 spilling outward after being conveyed to one end 70 of the pachinko ball moving guide.

On the other hand, when the pachinko balls 3 are not continuously present in the pachinko ball moving guide portion, that is, after the pachinko balls 3 are conveyed to one end 70 of the pachinko ball moving guide portion, the pachinko balls 3 spilling outward are continuously. If not, counting the detection signal of the rotation sensor 1b alone will result in erroneous counting. Therefore, when the detection signal is output from the rotation sensor 1b and the detection signal is output from the ball sensor 7, the detection signal is counted. Thus, the pachinko balls 3 that have been conveyed to the one end 70 of the pachinko ball moving guide and that spill outside can be accurately counted.

Also in this example, the ball sensor 7
If either the ball sensor 7 'or the ball sensor 7' does not detect, it is determined that the ball sensor is abnormal, and the rotational drive of the motor 1 is stopped. Therefore, the abnormality of the sensor can be determined, and the counting of the pachinko balls 3 can be performed more accurately. In the example of FIG. 6, the rotation plate 1c of the rotation sensor 1b is used.
Has two detected parts 1d and 1d at 180 ° intervals in the outer peripheral part, and is opposed to the rotation path of the detected parts 1d and 1d.
Pieces of detection elements 10 are arranged. Also in this example, two detection signals can be obtained per one rotation of the drive shaft 1a.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 to 6 described above, when the count value of the detection signal approaches the predetermined number of pachinko balls 3 set by the user, the rotation speed of the motor 1 as the driving source is reduced. If the speed is reduced, overrun due to the inertial force can be prevented, so that the apparatus can be stopped at a more accurate position, and only the set number of pachinko balls 3 can be transported more reliably. be able to. In addition, the impact at the time of stopping can be reduced.

Next, a description will be given of a prize ball device utilizing the above-described pachinko ball conveying device to which a sensor is added.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 80 denotes one pachinko gaming machine in a group of pachinko gaming machines forming an island. The pachinko gaming machine 80 is provided with a tank 81 at a lower portion. The tank 81 stores the pachinko balls 3 which are driven into the pachinko gaming machine 80 and are used for games, and which are out balls. In addition, pachinko machine 80
If the number of pachinko balls held in
Pachinko balls are supplied from 2 through the counter 73 into the tank 81. Reference numeral 88 indicates a tank provided for each island.

Reference numeral 84 denotes a pachinko ball conveying apparatus as described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 13, which pumps the pachinko balls stored in the tank 81 or the tank 88 and awards an award described later. It is provided for sending to the ball prize output section 83. The motor 1 for rotating and driving the spiral coil 2 is mounted above one end of the prize ball awarding portion 83, and the pachinko ball discharge port (one end of the pachinko ball moving guide portion) 70 of the pachinko ball conveying device 84 is awarded. A pachinko ball cleaner 85 is mounted in the middle of the pachinko ball conveying path, located above the ball prize output section 83.

The prize ball prize output section 83 is provided with a pachinko ball as a prize ball near a player's hand when the player enters a place where a pachinko ball hit into the pachinko gaming machine 80 wins. It is for giving a prize to the pachinko ball storage section.

Reference numeral 7 denotes the ball sensor shown in FIG. As described above, the ball sensor 7 is for counting the prize balls sent out from the pachinko ball discharge port (one end of the pachinko ball moving guide portion) 70 of the pachinko ball conveying device 84 to the prize ball prize output unit 83. is there. That is, the detection signal of the ball sensor 7 is counted by a counter in the control unit 71, and when the count value reaches the set value, the motor 1 is stopped, and a certain number of signals are generated while the motor 1 drives the spiral coil 2 to rotate. The prize ball is fed to the prize ball prize delivery section 83. The fed prize ball is awarded to a pachinko ball storage section provided near a player's hand via a prize ball award section 83.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the case where only the ball sensor 7 is mounted on the pachinko ball conveying device 84. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the ball sensor 7 'and the drive of the motor 1 are driven. The rotation sensor 1b may be attached to the source 1a to count winning balls.

Reference numeral 71 indicates a control unit. The control unit 71 has an up-down counter that adds a count value each time a driven pachinko ball enters a winning place and decrements the count value each time a predetermined number of pachinko balls are won. The motor 1 is driven until the count value of the down counter becomes zero. Therefore, it is possible to continuously award prize balls, and to prize swiftly and smoothly as compared with a conventional prize ball device that mechanically and intermittently prizes a predetermined number at a time. be able to. For example, when five pachinko balls enter a place where a prize is almost simultaneously won, the count value of the up / down counter becomes “5”, and five prize balls are continuously won. At this time, the up / down counter of the control unit 71 decrements the count value each time a predetermined number of prize balls are won, counts five prize balls, and when the count value becomes “0”, the motor 1 To stop.

Next, a description will be given of a prize winning operation in the prize ball device of the present invention. When the player enters a place where a pachinko ball driven into the pachinko gaming machine 80 wins, the up / down counter is added, the motor 1 is started, and the spiral coil 2 is driven to rotate. The rotation of the spiral coil 2 causes the tank 81 or the tank 8 to rotate.
The pachinko balls supplied to 8 are pumped through the pachinko ball conveying device 84. At this time, if the pachinko ball cleaner 85 is attached as shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko balls can be cleaned at the time of transport.

The pachinko balls discharged to the pachinko ball discharge port 70 (one end of the pachinko ball moving guide portion) 70 of the pachinko ball conveying device 84 are fed out to the prize ball prize delivery section 83 as prize balls, and the prize ball prize is presented. The pachinko ball storage section provided near the player's hand is awarded via the section 83.

From the pachinko ball discharge port 70 to the prize ball prize output section 83
When the ball is paid out, a pachinko ball as a prize ball is detected by the sensor 7. The detection signal of the ball sensor 7 is counted by the counter, and when the counted value reaches a predetermined set value, a signal is output from the counter. ", The motor 1 stops and the award is completed. When winning continuously, the count value is decremented by the up / down counter every time a predetermined number of winning balls are won. When the count value becomes "0", the motor 1 is stopped, and Exit ends.

As described above, since the pachinko ball conveying device to which the sensor for counting the pachinko balls is added is used as the prize ball device, the upper plate 82 as shown in FIG. Mechanism (prize ball feeding device 92)
) Is not required, the configuration of the prize ball can be extremely simplified, and the entire prize ball can be reduced in size. In addition, since the number of winning balls is stored in a memory, and the stored value can be subtracted every time a predetermined number of winning balls are won, it is also possible to continuously win a winning ball. Compared to a device such as a device that mechanically and intermittently awardes a predetermined number at a time, the award can be made more quickly and smoothly.

In FIG. 1, the pachinko ball conveying device 84 is attached to the tanks 81 and 88, but the pachinko ball conveying device 84 can be attached to the upper plate 82 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper plate 82 is supplied from a supply gutter 86 provided for each island to a counter 8.
The pachinko ball supplied as a prize ball is fed from the upper plate 82 to the prize ball prize delivery section 83 via a pachinko ball conveying device 84. Therefore, also in this example, a mechanism for awarding the upper plate 82 and the pachinko balls by a fixed number is unnecessary, and the configuration of the prize ball device can be extremely simplified, and the entire prize ball device can be downsized. You can also. Furthermore, if the pachinko ball conveying device 84 is attached to the supply gutter 86 provided for each island, the configuration of the prize ball device can be further simplified, and the entire prize ball device can be downsized. .

Further, if the pachinko ball conveying device 84 to which the sensor is added, the prize ball awarding section 83, and the control section 71 are unitized, the prize ball unit is replaced even if the pachinko game machine is replaced with a new pachinko game machine. It can be used again without any cost, and cost reduction and effective use of resources can be achieved.

[0067]

According to the present invention, a helical coil rotated by a driving source, a helical coil holding portion for holding an outer peripheral side of the helical coil, and a space between the helical coil pitch from the outer peripheral side of the helical coil. A pachinko ball conveying device is configured by having a pachinko ball moving guide portion formed radially outside the spiral coil holding portion so that the pachinko ball can be conveyed by a part of the pachinko ball entering the gap, A prize sphere that conveys a pachinko ball by a rotational drive of a helical coil and awards as a prize ball, and has a sensor for detecting a pachinko ball conveyed through the pachinko ball moving guide portion, and the driving source includes: It is activated by detecting a winning ball and rotationally drives the spiral coil,
Since the stop is performed when the count value of the detection signal of the sensor reaches a predetermined value, the configuration of the prize ball can be extremely simplified, and the entire prize ball can be downsized. In addition, since the number of winning balls is stored in a memory, and the stored value can be subtracted every time a predetermined number of winning balls are won, it is also possible to continuously win a winning ball. Compared to a device such as a device that mechanically and intermittently awardes a predetermined number at a time, the award can be made more quickly and smoothly. Further, the number of winning balls by winning balls can be arbitrarily set according to the place of winning, or a combination of patterns and numbers, so that diversification of games can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear view showing an embodiment of a prize ball apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing another embodiment of the prize ball apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a rotation sensor applicable to the present invention and a peripheral portion thereof.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an example of a ball sensor applicable to the present invention and a peripheral portion thereof.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a ball sensor applicable to the present invention and a peripheral portion thereof.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a rotation sensor and a ball sensor applicable to the present invention and a peripheral portion thereof.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a pachinko ball conveying device applied to the prize ball device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a pachinko ball insertion block in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a horizontal movement block in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view showing a curve moving block in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a spiral coil applicable to the present invention and a peripheral portion thereof.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a horizontal movement block applicable to the present invention and a peripheral portion thereof.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing an example of a spiral coil with a core material applicable to the present invention and a peripheral portion thereof.

FIG. 14 is a rear view showing an example of a conventional prize ball device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Motor 2 Spiral coil 3 Pachinko ball 4 Horizontal movement block 50 Pachinko ball insertion block 6 Curve movement block 1b Rotation sensor 7 Ball sensor 7 'Ball sensor 71 Control unit 83 Prize ball awarding unit 84 Pachinko ball conveying device 81, 88 tank

Claims (5)

[Claims] A spiral coil rotatably driven by a drive source, a spiral coil holding portion for holding an outer peripheral side of the spiral coil, and a portion of a pachinko ball from an outer peripheral side of the spiral coil to a gap between pitches of the spiral coil. The pachinko ball conveying device is configured by having a pachinko ball moving guide portion formed radially outside the spiral coil holding portion so that the pachinko ball can be transported by entering the pachinko ball conveying device, and the spiral coil is driven by rotation. A prize ball device that conveys a pachinko ball and presents it as a prize ball, comprising a sensor for detecting a pachinko ball conveyed on the pachinko ball moving guide portion, wherein the drive source detects a prize ball. Characterized in that the helical coil is driven to rotate, and stops when the count value of the detection signal of the sensor reaches a predetermined value. 2. The pachinko ball transfer device transfers pachinko balls from a tank provided in a pachinko game machine.
The prize sphere described. 3. The prize ball device according to claim 1, wherein the pachinko ball conveying device conveys the pachinko balls from a tank provided for each island. 4. The prize ball device according to claim 1, wherein the pachinko ball conveying device conveys the pachinko balls from an upper plate provided in the pachinko game machine. 5. The prize ball device according to claim 1, wherein the pachinko ball conveying device conveys the pachinko balls from a supply gutter provided for each island.