MX2012008298A

MX2012008298A - Vertical interactive amusement system for mechanical dispensing machines.

Info

Publication number: MX2012008298A
Application number: MX2012008298A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Aniceto Pedro Alcaraz Garcia
Original assignee: Aniceto Pedro Alcaraz Garcia
Priority date: 2010-01-21
Filing date: 2011-01-18
Publication date: 2013-02-12
Also published as: ES2363414B1; US20120289349A1; WO2011089295A1; ES2363414A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a vertical interactive amusement system for mechanical dispensing machines, of the type that dispenses spherical or oval gift products (2). Said system (1) comprises a vertical game panel (6) that is designed in such a way a to carry out a game using the product (2), and has at least one outlet (7) leading said product (2) to a delivery receptacle (8) where said product is ejected when the game is completed successfully. Said system also comprises positioning means (9) designed to orient the product (2) towards a lower collection zone (10) when the game is not successfully completed, and manually actuated mechanical means (11) designed to lift the product (2) from the lower collection zone (10) to the upper part of the vertical game panel (6), enabling the game to be restarted repeatedly until it is successfully completed.

Description

VERTICAL AND INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM FOR MECHANICAL VENDING MACHINES Field of the invention.

The present invention relates to a vertical and interactive entertainment system for mechanical vending machines, which operate without connection to the electrical network, of the type that sell products such as plastic balls usually spherical or oval with toys inside for children of short age, incorporating in these machines an interactive entertainment with the product expended in a vertical environment that allows unlimited interaction with the product until entertainment is completed successfully and it is dispensed, thus increasing the interest of users .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known in the state of the art mechanical vending machines (without network connection) for the sale of toys wrapped in plastic balls, chewing gums and others, in which when introducing the coin in the purse and mechanically turning the handle of it activates and starts the mechanical systems and causes the ball or product to fall into games with which to interact before the product is dispensed.

ES1026440U, ES1030758U and ES1065455U claim different options on coin-operated vending machines. All of them coincide in that they have a transversal playing field of the pinball type to the dispensing machine, document ES1066302U proposes a diversity of alternative play fields such as foosball, hockey or a game of shovels. The mentioned machines have a common problem and that is that the configuration of the game that they incorporate is located transversely to the machine, so they require a greater occupation of space in the premises, which greatly limits their installation. Another problem they have is that younger children have difficulty correctly visualizing the playing field and even making use of the controls, which greatly affects the profitability of the machine.

The document ES1027724U discloses a vertical vending machine claiming the insertion of an integrated entertainment inside it and being positioned transversely, this is a drawback because it makes it difficult to visualize it by young children. When introducing the right currency causes the direct dispensation of an article while dispensing another item in the game area, this will only be dispensed if it manages to solve the game and for this only has a single opportunity, if not achieved, this one it will be deposited in the tray arranged in the lower part of the game and will be evacuated with a lifting system taking advantage of the next start-up of the machine in order to feed back the game. This lack of being able to interact with the product that is dispensed in the play area repeatedly until it can be obtained causes enormous frustration in young children and quickly loses interest.

Document ES1050975U refers to an award vending machine that presents a vertical game. The game is made with balls that are in a closed circuit and with them you will obtain a score and through an electronic selection system will be sold the product. The document ES2166699A1 presents a programmable vending machine that has a CPU that controls the delivery of prizes; the mentioned documents refer to vertical vending machines that use mechanical systems in combination with electrical and electronic systems. The main problem of these is that they do not have the possibility of functioning without electrical power, in addition to the complexity of this type of machines requires a high maintenance and qualified personnel.

The document ES1039197U refers to a play-vending machine of spherical articles; This type of machines lack the possibility that the child can interact with the product by simply observing the different forms of product fall.

The document ES190544Y refers to a machine in which the user transmits a control movement on a disk by means of a steering wheel and the objective is to recover the currency that was previously introduced, document ES246791Y provides a series of improvements and proposes the use of game discs with rows of obstacles arranged on the surface or interrupted partitions as a labyrinth; the machines described have the lack of not selling product, the service they provide is the entertainment with the currency that is introduced by opting only to the recovery or the loss of it due to lack of ability; another shortcoming is that they do not have any system that provides a second opportunity to restart the entertainment in case of not overcoming it.

That is why there is a need for a machine that solves the problems and shortcomings that have been mentioned and provide a new concept of mechanical entertainment vending machine.

Description of the invention The present invention solves in a fully satisfactory manner the above-mentioned problem by means of an interactive vertical entertainment system specially designed for this type of vending machines, thanks to which the product is expended once a certain game has been successfully completed.

To this end, the vertical and interactive entertainment system for mechanical vending machines, of the type that dispenses gift products in a spherical or oval form upon introduction of the appropriate currency in a purse, comprises: - a vertical game panel that is configured to develop an entertainment using the product and that has at least one exit hole that leads said product to a delivery receptacle where it is delivered when entertainment is successfully completed; - positioning means configured to direct the product to a lower collection area when the entertainment is not completed successfully; Y -Manually operated mechanical means configured to elevate the product from the lower collection area to the upper part of the vertical game panel, allowing to restart the entertainment repeatedly until it is successfully completed.

The user can, therefore, play continuously until he successfully overcomes the game. This eliminates the feeling of frustration of the user for not achieving the object if it misses the game and increases the attractiveness of the machine.

Likewise, as far as the attractiveness of the machine is concerned, it also benefits from the fact that the vertical game panel is easily interchangeable by other vertical game panels with entertainment and different decorative motifs. The decoration of these panels not only attracts users, but also prevents the display of the product stored in the machine. This aspect minimizes the risk of theft, since it is impossible to predict which is the collection of the machine at all times.

Preferably, the positioning means are configured to receive the product at the start of the entertainment, by means of a game starting hole communicated with a tank, and to direct said product towards the lower collection area.

Optionally, the vertical game panel comprises a plurality of rebounders in different locations between which the product moves along random paths. This adds a probability factor that subtracts weight from the skill factor that the user must show during the development of the game, which facilitates the achievement of the game and user satisfaction.

The system of the present invention admits a large number of possible embodiments in which different entertainment can be carried out. Following are two examples of them, not limiting of the present invention.

According to a first embodiment, the vertical game panel comprises: a rotating panel where the exit hole is arranged; Y a collection box secured to the rotating panel configured to collect the product from the lower collection area and release it on the upper part of the rotating panel.

According to this first example, the positioning means comprise: a collection platform configured to direct the product to the lower collection area.

In turn, the mechanical means of manual operation comprise; a control wheel configured to transmit a rotating movement on the rotating panel, allowing the product to be picked up by the collection box from the lower collection area and moved towards the top of the rotating panel to initiate entertainment.

Preferably the collection platform comprises a first inclined straight section connected to a second concave section, where both sections are arranged across the width of the rotating panel in the lower part thereof and independent thereof, defining the point of attachment of both sections the lower collection area.

Preferably the rotating panel comprises a plurality of rails at different height levels on which the product is moved by interacting with the control wheel, allowing the product to reach the outlet or fall on the collection platform, depending on the the skill with which said steering wheel is handled. If you want to add to the game the probability factor you can add the bouncers mentioned above.

According to a second embodiment, the vertical game panel comprises: a static panel where the exit orifice is arranged.

According to this first example, the positioning means comprise: an inclined ramp disposed along the width of the static panel configured to direct the product to the lower collection area.

In turn, the mechanical means of manual operation include: an impeller located in the lower collection area that raises the product towards the upper part of the rotating panel to start the entertainment.

This second example of embodiment additionally comprises: a convex ramp on top of the static panel that provides a parabolic path to the product launched by the impeller.

Finally, this second example of embodiment can be completed with an aiming element, such as a goal or a basketball basket, arranged on the static panel and connected to the exit hole.

Brief description of the drawings.

Next, a series of drawings that help to better understand the invention and that expressly relate to several embodiments of said invention that are presented as non-limiting examples thereof will be described very briefly.

Figure 1A is a front view of a vending machine with the entertainment system of the present invention, according to a first preferred embodiment.

Figure 1 B is a profile section of a vending machine with the entertainment system of the present invention, according to a first preferred embodiment.

Figure 2A is a front view of a vending machine with the entertainment system of the present invention, according to a variant of the first preferred embodiment.

Figure 2B is a profile section of a vending machine with the entertainment system of the present invention, according to a variant of the first preferred embodiment.

Figure 3A is a front view of a vending machine with the entertainment system of the present invention, according to a second preferred embodiment.

Figure 3B is a profile section of a vending machine with the entertainment system of the present invention, according to a second preferred embodiment.

Figure 4A is a front view of a vending machine with the entertainment system of the present invention, according to a variant of the second preferred embodiment.

Figure 4B is a profile section of a vending machine with the entertainment system of the present invention, according to a variant of the second preferred embodiment.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In Figure 1 A it can be seen that the system (1) of vertical and interactive entertainment for mechanical vending machines, of the type of those who sell gift products (2) of spherical or oval form upon introduction of the appropriate currency in a purse (3), comprises: - a vertical game panel (6) that is configured to develop an entertainment using the product (2) and that has at least one exit hole (7) that leads said product (2) towards a delivery receptacle (8) ) where it is issued when entertainment is successfully completed; - positioning means (9) configured to direct the product (2) to a lower collection area (10) when entertainment is not completed successfully; Y - manually operated mechanical means (11) configured to elevate the product (2) from the lower collection area (10) to the upper part of the vertical game panel (6), allowing the entertainment to be restarted repeatedly until it is Successfully complete the same.

As can be seen, the positioning means (9) are configured to receive the product (2) at the start of the entertainment, by means of a game starting hole (25) communicated with a tank (4), and directing said product (2) towards the lower collection area (10).

In Figure 1 B it can be seen that the deposit (4) of the product (2) is located in the back (4) with respect to where the entertainment takes place.

According to this first embodiment, the vertical game panel (6) comprises: a rotating panel (12) where the outlet hole (7) is arranged; Y a collection box (13) secured to the rotating panel (12) configured to collect the product (2) from the lower collection area (10) and release it on the upper part of the rotary panel (12).

According to this first embodiment, the positioning means (9) comprise: a collection platform (14) configured to direct the product (2) to the lower collection area (10), either at the start of the game or during its development until it is completed successfully.

The collection platform (1) comprises a first inclined straight section (16) connected to a second concave section (17), where both sections (16, 17) are arranged across the width of the rotating panel (12) in the lower part of the same and independent of it, defining the point of union of both sections (16, 17) the lower collection area (10). As can be seen, at the beginning of the game, the first inclined straight section (16) receives the product (2) from the game starting hole (25). Due to the spherical or oval shape of said product (2) and the inclination of the section (16) the product begins to roll until it is in the collection zone (10).

In turn, the mechanical means of manual operation (11) comprise; a control wheel (15) configured to transmit a turning movement on the rotating panel (12), allowing the product (2) to be picked up by the collection box (13) from the lower collection area (10) and moved towards the top of the rotating panel (12) to start the entertainment.

Figure 1 B shows a set of pulleys (26) that make possible the interaction of the consumer by means of the control wheel (15) with the product (2).

The rotating panel (12) comprises a plurality of rails (18) at different height levels on which the product (2) moves by interacting with the control wheel (15), allowing the product (2) to reach the exit hole (7) or fall on the collection platform (14), depending on the skill with which said steering wheel (15) is handled.

Figures 2A and 2B show a variant of this first preferred embodiment, in which the rails (18) have been replaced by a plurality of bouncers (23).

According to the second embodiment shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the vertical game panel (6) comprises: a static panel (19) where the outlet orifice (7) is arranged; According to this second embodiment, the positioning means (9) comprise: an inclined ramp (20) arranged across the width of the static panel (19) configured to direct the product (2) to the lower collection area (10), either at the start of the game or during its development until it is completed successfully.

In turn, the manually operated mechanical means (11) comprise: an impeller (21) located in the lower collection area (10) that raises the product (2) towards the upper part of the rotating panel (12) to start the entertainment.

This second embodiment additionally comprises: a convex ramp (22) in the upper part of the static panel that provides a parabolic path to the product (2) thrown by the impeller (21).

Finally, this second embodiment is completed with a pointing element (24) arranged on the static panel (19) and connected to the outlet hole (7).

Figures 4A and 4B show a variant of this second preferred embodiment, in which the aiming elements (24) have been replaced by a plurality of bouncers (23).

Claims

1. - Vertical and interactive entertainment system for mechanical vending machines, of the type that sell products (2) which are spherical or oval shape upon introduction of the appropriate currency in a purse (3), said system (1) characterized in that includes: - a vertical play panel (6) and at least one control wheel (15) configured to transmit a rotational movement by means of a set of pulleys (26) on the vertical rotating panel (12) and positioning means (9) which are configured to initiate an entertainment repeatedly until it is successfully completed achieving that the product (2) is dispensed, attached to the rotating panel (12) is a box or pickup shovel (13) configured to collect repeatedly the product (2) from the lower collection area (10) and raise it towards the upper part of the vertical game panel (6), allowing to start or restart the entertainment repeatedly until it is successfully completed; - positioning means (9) have a collection platform (14) configured to direct the product (2) to the lower collection area (10) when the entertainment is not completed successfully, comprises a first inclined straight section (16) ) connected to a second concave section (17), where both sections (16, 7) are arranged across the width of the rotating panel (12) in the lower part thereof and independent thereof, defining the junction point of both sections (16, 17) the lower collection area (10).

2. - Vertical and interactive entertainment system for mechanical vending machines according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning means (9) are configured to receive the product (2) at the start of the entertainment, by means of a game starting hole (25) communicated with a tank (4), and directing said product (2) towards the lower collection area (10).

3. - Vertical and interactive entertainment system for mechanical vending machines according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 2 characterized in that the vertical game panel (6) is configured to develop an entertainment using the product (2) and has at least one hole outlet (7) leading the product (2) into a delivery receptacle (8) being thus dispensed upon successful completion of the entertainment.

4. - Vertical and interactive entertainment system for mechanical vending machines according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rotating panel (12) comprises a plurality of rails (18) at different height levels on which the product moves (2). ) by interacting with the steering wheel (15), allowing the product (2) to reach the exit hole (7) or fall on the collection platform (14) depending on the skill with which said steering wheel is handled (fifteen).

5. - Vertical and interactive entertainment system for mechanical vending machines characterized in that it consists of: - a vertical static panel (19) which has an inclined ramp (20) that is arranged across the width of the static panel (19) configured to direct the product (2) to the lower collection area (10) enabling initiate or reinitiate the entertainment repeatedly by manually operating the impeller (21) until it is completed successfully upon getting the product (2) into the outlet hole (7) which leads the product to a delivery receptacle (8) ) being thus finally dispensed.

6. - Vertical and interactive entertainment system for mechanical vending machines according to claim 5, characterized in that it additionally comprises: - a convex ramp (22) in the upper part of the static panel (19) that provides a parabolic path to the product (2) launched by the impeller (21).

7. - Vertical and interactive entertainment system for mechanical vending machines according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the static panel (19) comprises at least one aiming element (24) connected to the outlet hole (7).

8. - Mechanical vending machine characterized in that it comprises a vertical and interactive entertainment system according to any of claims 1 to 7.