JP2964003B2 - A mechanism for adjusting the amount of balls flowing down the recovery gutter of the pachinko ball supply and return system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a pachinko ball replenishing system for replenishing pachinko balls to each table stand, collecting out balls, renting out game balls, and collecting premium balls on each pachinko island in a pachinko game store. This is related to the return system, and more specifically, by appropriately adjusting the amount of pachinko balls flowing down the collection gutter, it is possible to prevent the pachinko balls from overflowing from the collection gutter and to prevent the pachinko balls from being discharged to the pachinko ball lifting device. The present invention relates to a mechanism for adjusting the amount of balls flowing down a collecting gutter of a pachinko ball replenishment and return system for preventing the supply amount from becoming excessive.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a pachinko game store, there are blocks provided with a large number of table stands called "pachinko islands", and various management controls are performed using the blocks as one unit. As a system for managing the amount of balls in the pachinko island, the present applicant provides a pachinko ball supply and return system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 3-352744, and also maintains an appropriate amount of balls in the pachinko island, and maintains a proper amount of balls in the pachinko island. As a system for preventing uneven distribution of balls, the present applicant has filed Japanese Patent Application No. 3-352.
743 is provided. These pachinko ball replenishment and return systems mainly have the following configuration.

[0003] That is, the pachinko ball replenishment return system comprises a prize ball counter provided on a pachinko island provided with a table stand and a betting machine, a replenishing gutter above the island, and a collecting gutter below. A pachinko ball lifting device for transferring the pachinko balls of the recovery gutter to the supply gutter is provided to form a first circulation path, and the pachinko balls driven into each table and the prize balls input to the prize ball counter are provided. In addition to returning to the pachinko island, the upper tank provided above the pachinko ball lifting device is configured so that the balls can be maintained at all times, and the supply gutter connected to the upper tank supplies the balls to each front table. In addition, a ball storage tank is provided at the island end or the center of the ball circulation path, the balls are stored in the ball storage tank, and the collected balls in the ball storage tank are collected through any control means. And discharge it to It is formed so as to discharge the ball, which is counted by the article ball counter to the collection trough.

Further, in the pachinko ball replenishment and return system according to claims 2 and 3 of Japanese Patent Application No. 3-352743, a control means for discharging stored balls in a ball storage tank to a collecting gutter is provided by an automatic opening / closing device. The shutter is opened for a set time, closed for a set time and formed so as to be automatically controlled and discharged in a dispensing mode. In particular, with regard to the pachinko ball replenishment and reduction system according to claim 3, when a prize ball is put into a prize ball counter, The discharge mechanism is set so that the automatic opening / closing device does not open / close the outlet.

[0005]

However, since the pachinko balls are discharged from the ball storage tank by the time control by the shutter of the automatic opening and closing device, the pachinko balls are discharged periodically, regardless of the state of the pachinko balls flowing down on the collecting gutter. It was done.
Also, when the prize ball is inserted into the prize ball counter, the prize ball is completely discharged from the prize ball counter even if the discharge of the storage ball from the ball storage tank is stopped without opening and closing the outlet. After that, since the discharge of stored balls from the ball storage tank is restored, a large number of prize balls are continuously input to the prize ball counter,
Immediately after counting the prize balls, although the recovery gutter is full of pachinko balls discharged from the prize ball counter, the discharge of the storage balls from the ball storage tank is restored, and the automatic opening and closing device is opened. Ejection was performed by opening the shutter. As a result, even when the pachinko balls still stay in the collection gutter, the amount of pachinko balls that exceed the processing capacity of the pachinko ball lifting device will remain on the collection gutter due to the discharge of the storage balls from the ball storage tank. Then, the recovery gutter becomes full of pachinko balls, and finally, the problem that the pachinko balls overflow from the recovery gutter has occurred. When pachinko balls overflowed from the collecting gutter to the floor of the island, the task of collecting the overflowing pachinko balls was also a task that required a large amount of labor on the narrow island.

Further, even if the pachinko balls do not overflow from the collecting gutter, the pachinko balls continue to flow down due to the pachinko balls remaining on the collecting gutter, and the prize balls are discharged from the prize ball counter. And the prize ball counter becomes unusable as a result. If the prize ball counter becomes unusable and the prize ball cannot be inserted, the customer is inconvenienced and the service is remarkably reduced.

Furthermore, since the pachinko balls having a capacity higher than the lifting capacity of the pachinko ball lifting device stay on the collecting gutter, the inflow of the pachinko balls into the pachinko ball lifting device becomes excessive,
For this reason, there arises a problem that abrasive particles to be put into the lifting pipe of the pachinko ball lifting device for polishing pachinko balls are pushed away by an excessive amount of pachinko balls and do not flow into the lifting pipe. I was If the abrasive particles do not flow into the lifting pipe of the pachinko ball lifting device, insufficient polishing of the pachinko balls will occur, and the pachinko balls will rub against each other when lifting the pachinko balls, causing the problem that the pachinko balls will be damaged. When the air is in a dry state or the like, static electricity is generated, and the static electricity flows to the front table, causing a problem that the table operates abnormally. In addition, if the abrasive particles do not flow into the lifting pipe of the pachinko ball lifting device and only the pachinko balls are formed, an excessive load is applied to the lifting motor in the lifting pipe due to the weight of the pachinko balls. There is also a problem that the lifting motor may be damaged, or an excessive load may be applied to the lifting spiral in the lifting pipe, so that the lifting spiral may be extended completely.

Conversely, even when the number of prize balls into the prize ball counter is small, the prize balls are not discharged while being closed for a set time, so that the number of balls to be transported is reduced, so that replenishment cannot be performed in time. Was. That is, in the conventional apparatus, since the control means is not opened or closed in accordance with the state of the amount of flow of the ball of the collection gutter, a number of problems have occurred.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to continuously input a large amount of prize balls into a prize ball counter in a pachinko game store, and when the pachinko balls become full on the collecting gutter and stay there, the ball in the ball storage tank. By stopping or stopping the discharge of the storage balls and temporarily suspending the use of the prize ball counter, the amount of pachinko balls on the collection gutter does not exceed the processing capacity of the pachinko ball lifting device. Therefore, overflow of the balls from the collection gutter is prevented beforehand, and furthermore, an excessive amount of the pachinko balls is prevented from flowing into the pachinko ball lifting device. Then, an appropriate amount of abrasive grains flow into the pachinko ball lifting device, so that the pachinko balls do not become insufficiently polished, and the pachinko balls are not damaged. Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for adjusting the amount of balls flowing down the collection gutter of a pachinko ball replenishment return system in which replenishment does not become too late.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pachinko ball replenishment and return system according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the pachinko ball replenishment and return system has a pachinko island equipped with a front table and a table ball lending machine. A prize ball counter is provided, a supply gutter is provided above the pachinko island, and a collection gutter is provided below the pachinko island, to supply pachinko balls discharged from each table and pachinko balls put into the prize ball counter. A first circulation path provided with a pachinko ball lifting device for lifting into a gutter, and returning from the pachinko ball lifting device to each table via a supply gutter, and an upper portion above the pachinko ball lifting device. A ball amount adjusting device provided in a tank, for discharging a pachinko ball having a set amount or more in the upper tank, connecting an overflow gutter to the discharging port, and providing an end portion at an island end or an island center. To the ball storage tank of the vessel. A pachinko ball replenishment and reduction system comprising a second circulation path configured to discharge the stored balls in the tank to the collection gutter via any control means, wherein the ball stays at an arbitrary position of the collection gutter. At least one falling ball amount detecting means for detecting a ball is provided, and the opening and closing of the control means is controlled based on the detection of the falling ball amount detecting means or a stop signal, and the detection of the falling ball amount detecting means At the time, the opening and closing of the control means is stopped, and the use of the prize ball counter is temporarily stopped.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pachinko ball replenishment and return system, comprising a collecting gutter flowing down ball amount adjusting mechanism, wherein a prize ball counter is provided on a pachinko island provided with a table and a betting machine. A pachinko ball lifting device that arranges a supply gutter above the island and a recovery gutter below it, and pumps pachinko balls discharged from each table and pachinko balls put into the prize ball counter to the supply gutter. A first circulation path provided with, and from the pachinko ball lifting device to be returned to each table via a supply gutter,
An upper tank is provided above the pachinko ball lifting device, a discharge port for discharging a pachinko ball of a set amount or more is provided in the upper tank, an overflow gutter is connected to the discharge port, and the end is connected to an island. The second is configured to extend into the ball storage tank of the ball amount adjuster provided at the end or the center of the island, and discharge the stored balls in the ball storage tank to the collection gutter through any control means. A pachinko ball supply and return system having a circulation path, wherein the opening and closing of the control means is controlled in accordance with the count processing time of the prize ball counter or the output signal of the number of prize balls. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the ball downflow rectifying plate provided at least at one or more arbitrary positions in the recovery gutter is located near the upper side of the downflow ball amount detecting means. The pachinko balls flowing down toward the pachinko ball lifting device are detoured down the ball downflow rectifying plate so as not to come into contact with the downing ball amount detecting means.

[0013]

According to the pachinko ball replenishment and reduction system of the present invention, the mechanism for adjusting the amount of balls flowing down the collecting gutter according to the present invention is provided by the pachinko ball lifting and discharging device when a large amount of pachinko balls are continuously fed into the collecting gutter. As a result, the pachinko balls (staying balls) temporarily stay on the collecting gutter. When the staying ball stays at the position of the falling ball amount detecting means attached to an arbitrary position of the collecting gutter, the falling ball amount detecting means detects the staying ball (it is in a staying state). While the staying ball on the recovery gutter is detected by the falling ball amount detecting means,
Periodically controlled discharge of stored balls by the control means (shutter of automatic opening / closing device) provided in the ball storage tank is stopped, and in addition, an extra There is no discharge (supply) and there is no increase in the amount of residence. That is, extra pachinko balls (balls that cause trouble) due to the suspension of the storage balls from the ball storage tank and the suspension of the use of the premium ball counter.
Does not discharge to the collection gutter. For this reason, the pachinko balls on the collecting gutter are lifted by the pachinko ball lifting device to the upper tank and gradually decrease, so that the stagnation of the pachinko balls on the collecting gutter is eliminated.

Therefore, the pachinko balls (retained balls) do not overflow from the collecting gutter, and excessive pachinko balls do not flow into the pachinko ball lifting device. The pachinko balls are insufficiently polished, and the pachinko balls are rubbed and damaged in the lifting pipe of the pachinko ball lifting device. Thereby, the malfunction of the table can be avoided.

Further, since an appropriate amount of abrasive grains and pachinko balls are mixed in the lifting pipe of the pachinko ball lifting device, an excessive load is not applied to the lifting motor, and the failure of the lifting motor can be prevented. Since no load is applied to the lifting spiral in the lifting pipe, there is no trouble that the lifting spiral is extended.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the flow-down ball amount detecting means is not provided, and the opening and closing of the control means is controlled in accordance with the count processing time of the prize ball counter or the output signal of the number of prize balls. I do. When a large number of prize balls are continuously supplied to the prize ball counter, the prize balls stay on the collecting gutter. Therefore, the prize balls are stopped for the amount of time during which the prize balls are supplied, and the control means is not operated (opened) even when the set time comes. As a result, the amount of stagnation on the recovery gutter does not increase. That is, it is considered that the collection gutter naturally stays on the collection gutter for the counting processing time of the prize ball counter (when it is long), so that the excess pachinko balls (balls that cause trouble) are collected as in the first embodiment. They are not allowed to drain into the gutter.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the ball downflow rectifying plate is provided at at least one arbitrary position in the collection gutter near the upper side of the downflow ball amount detecting means. The pachinko ball when flowing down toward the ball rolls down along the ball down flow straightening plate. In other words, since the pachinko balls bypass the falling ball amount detecting means, the falling pachinko balls do not contact the detection switch, so that the detection switch does not malfunction and unnecessary chattering does not occur. . Therefore, an accurate staying state can be detected.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the right half of the island, FIG. 2 is a front view of the ball amount adjuster at the island end, FIG. 3 is a side view of the ball amount adjuster, and FIG. It is a front view of the upper tank of a doffing and conveying device.

The pachinko island 1 of this embodiment is provided with a plurality of table stands 2 arranged side by side and a ball-to-ball rental machine 4. For example, at the right end of the island 1, a prize ball counter 17, a display device 16, and a shutter are provided. 12
In addition, a ball amount adjuster 3 in which a stored ball amount detector 15 is incorporated in the open / close mechanism 13 and the ball storage tank 10 is attached. Further, a prize ball counter 1 is provided at the rear of the prize ball counter 17.
An opening / closing operation mechanism 17a provided with an opening / closing door 17b for permitting or disabling the insertion of the shutter 7 is provided. Above the island 1, a supply gutter 5 is provided in an inclined manner so that pachinko balls (hereinafter simply referred to as balls) can flow down from the center toward both ends, and a pachinko ball lifting device to be described later is provided below. The collection gutter 6 is arranged in an inclined manner so that the balls gather toward 8, and a supply pipe 26 is interposed from the supply gutter 5 to the upper plate of each table 2, and is driven into each table 2. A pachinko ball lifting device 8 is provided for collecting the outflow balls and the prize balls input to the prize ball counter 17 in the collecting gutter 6 and pumping the balls of the collecting gutter 6. A first circulation path is formed by connecting the supply gutter 5 to a lower opening of an upper tank 9 provided at an upper portion of the feeding device 8.

At a position slightly to the right of the center of the side wall 6a of the collecting gutter 6, for example, one micro switch 40 as a falling ball amount detecting means is fixed as shown in the plan views of FIGS. Sensing lever 4 of the micro switch 40
Reference numeral 0 a protrudes from the collection gutter 6. Also sensing lever 4
The bent piece 40b at the tip of 0a is bent in an inverted V shape toward the center line of the collection gutter 6, and as shown in FIG. The opening and closing operation of the microswitch 40 is reliably performed by the contact pressure.

On the upstream side of the microswitch 40, a ball downflow rectifying plate 41 is provided at two locations facing each other with a gap therebetween. As shown in FIG. 10, the ball meanders (detours) along the ball flow straightening plate 41 so that the ball Q does not contact the sensing lever 40 a of the microswitch 40. In this embodiment, a microswitch is used as the falling ball amount detecting means. However, other detecting means such as a touch sensor, an optical sensor, and a magnetic sensor may be used. In addition, when detecting the staying ball of the collecting gutter more accurately, a plurality of balls may be attached instead of one. In addition, the ball downflow rectifying plate 41 only needs to be able to change the ball downflow direction so that the ball does not come into contact with the microswitch 40. Instead of two places as in the present embodiment, three places or one place may be used. ,shape·
The size and the like are not limited.

In the above description, the micro switch 40 of the falling ball amount detecting means is provided in the collecting gutter 6 to control the opening and closing of the shutter 12 of the automatic opening / closing device of the control means. The opening and closing of the means may be controlled. That is, the opening / closing time of the shutter of the automatic opening / closing device of the control means is controlled in accordance with the count processing time of the prize ball counter 17 or the result of the output signal of the number of prize balls. As shown in the time chart of FIG. 14, normally, when there is no insertion, the shutter 12 of the automatic opening / closing device of the control means is opened for a set time, and the normal operation of closing the set time is repeated. During the insertion, the shutter 12 of the automatic opening / closing device of the control means is closed without being opened, and when the number of balls to be inserted is small as a result of the output signal of the time or number of balls being inserted, the closed state is short, When the number of thrown balls is large, the closed state is made longer by T2.

Next, in the second circulation path, a discharge pipe 18 is erected from the bottom in the upper tank 9,
If the number of balls stored in the container exceeds the set amount, excess
8a is discharged to the overflow gutter 7 from the oblique plate 18b, and the overflow gutter 7 is held under the supply gutter 5 so as to be inclined toward the ball storage tank 10, and the end thereof is, for example, the ball amount adjuster 3 at the island end. The ball is introduced into the ball storage tank 10 provided on the inner upper part and the back part, and the ball in the ball storage tank 10 is collected through the outlet 12a of the shutter 12 which is an automatic opening / closing device of the control means provided at the lower part of the storage tank 10. It is configured to be discharged to the gutter 6 and circulated. Here, the surplus balls are guided to the end of the island, but may be guided to a tank provided at the center of the island.

Next, a description will be given with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.
The opening and closing mechanism 13 is provided for the purpose of discharging the balls in the ball storage tank 10 to the collection gutter 6. The opening and closing mechanism 13 is provided with a cam 2 of a drive motor 13 a.
The pin 22 attached to the eccentric position of 0 is the shutter 1
The cam 20 has a rotation detecting plate 21 coaxially attached to the cam 20. The rotation detecting plate 21 has a notch in the outer peripheral portion, and detects the rotation position of the pin 22 in combination with a light emitting / receiving element placed at a position sandwiching the notch to provide for rotation control of the motor. The opening and closing movement of the shutter 12 is set so as not to be opened and closed in order to prevent the collection gutter 6 from overflowing when the prize ball is thrown into the prize ball counter 17, and further, the shutter 12 is attached to a required portion in the upper tank 9. Based on a detection signal from the pachinko ball amount detection switch 11, the upper tank 9 is set to be kept open for a predetermined time in order to keep the ball amount from falling below a specified value. It is automatically controlled so that is repeated. The automatic opening / closing device of the control means has a mechanism for discharging as described above, so that the balls are discharged without being stored in the ball storage tank 10 by discharging them in small dispensers so that the balls can be polished by the pachinko ball discharging device 8. This is because

In an emergency such as when the motor malfunctions, manual operation is set. Note that the shape of the guide groove 24 is such that the pin 22 rotating clockwise rotates the left-hand groove pushed up downward and the right-hand groove pushed down excessively notch upward, so that the shutter is rotated despite the continuous rotation of the motor. It is set so that the movement at the uppermost and lowermost ends in the vertical movement of No. 12 is temporarily stopped.
In this embodiment, the door is opened and closed vertically, but may be opened and closed right and left.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the ball quantity adjuster installed on the island end.
A ticket issuing machine 19 is installed, and a display device 16 is attached to an upper stage. Uppermost stage of ball quantity adjuster 3 and display device 1
6. A ball storage tank 10 is provided on the back of the prize ball counter 17 and the ticket issuing machine 19. The ticket issuing machine 19 is for changing the number of balls counted by the prize ball counter 17 to a card or the like. A detection switch serving as a stored ball amount detector 15 is attached to one of the side walls of the ball storage tank 10. The display guide 16a displays the destination by a message together with the left and right arrows when the prize ball counter 17 is stopped. Normally sales information (welcome)
And so on. Further, when the prize ball counter 17 is inserted, the number of the prize ball is displayed. When the total number is displayed in order of 5 digits, the number of prizes is 3 digits, and the number of remaining balls is 3 digits, the displayed one is issued by the simultaneous ticket issuing machine 19.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stored ball amount detector 15 is arranged vertically and at appropriate intervals.
5 to 15b are attached. The stored ball amount detector 15 will be described in order from the top. The first detection switch 15a is a switch for detecting a signal for closing the prize ball counter 17 of the own island, and the second detection switch 15b is a switch for detecting the prize ball counter 17 of the own island. , A third detection switch 15c is a switch for checking the amount of balls in the ball storage tank 10, a fourth detection switch 15d is a switch for detecting a signal for opening the prize ball counter 17 of another island, The five detection switch 15e is a switch that detects a signal for closing the premium ball counter 17 on another island. In the above description, "opening" and "closing" of the prize ball counter 17 is performed by the open / close door 17b. Door 17b
Is an opening / closing operation mechanism 17a provided on the rear side of the prize ball counter 17.
Thus, it operates. That is, when the input to the prize ball counter 17 is stopped by the signal of the first detection switch 15a in the ball storage tank 10, the opening / closing door 17b is lowered so that the prize ball counter 17 cannot be input. Become. Further, when the signal is input by the signal of the fifth detection switch 15e, the opening / closing door 17b is raised, and the input to the premium ball counter 17 becomes possible.

The role of each detection switch will be described in detail. Normally, the prize balls are stored in the vicinity of the second and third detection switches 15b and 15c in the ball storage tank 10 so that the prize ball is supplied to one prize, for example. When the ball is concentrated on the ball counter 17, the number of stored balls increases, and when the ball is detected by the first detection switch 15 a, the opening / closing door 17 b closes and the insertion into the prize ball counter 17 is stopped. In the meantime, the use of the prize ball counter 17 is stopped, and the display device 16 displays an instruction for another island. Then, when the number of stored balls decreases from the first detection switch 15a and is detected by the second detection switch 15b, the opening / closing door 17b is opened and the prize ball counter 17 on the own island can be inserted.

Conversely, when the number of balls in the ball storage tank 10 becomes smaller than the third detection switch 15c, that is, when the number of stored balls decreases to the vicinity of the fifth detection switch 15e, the storage amount of another adjacent island is large. The opening / closing door 17b of the prize ball counter 17 on the island is closed so that the prize ball counter 17 can be thrown into a deserted island. When the detection is performed by the fourth detection switch 15d from the fifth detection switch 15e, the opening / closing door 17b of the prize ball counter 17 of the other island is released, and the prize ball counter 17 can be turned on. The display device 16 is provided with an electric light indicator for displaying an arrow on either of the right and left islands adjacent to each other. Further, the display device 16 is provided with an artificial detection sensor 29,
The voice guidance is also provided at the same time as the above-mentioned lightning display only when it is sensed. That is, when there is no person, only the display is made, and when a person is sensed, a sound is also output, so that an error at the time of insertion can be prevented.

The dropping portion 10b of the ball storage tank 10 is provided with a distribution member 10a near the center so that the balls flowing down from the overflow gutter 7 are evenly distributed in the ball storage tank 10 as shown in FIG. , Ball storage tank 10
The balls falling inside are sorted left and right, and the balls are stored evenly. Therefore, the first to fifth detection switches can accurately detect the stored balls in the ball storage tank 10 without tilting and storing. Further, if the distribution member 10a is made of rubber or the like, there is also an effect of silencing a sound when the distribution member 10a falls from the overflow gutter 7.

Next, a flow chart of the collecting gutter falling ball amount adjusting mechanism according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. First, the process starts, and an input is determined in step n101.
If O, the control means operates normally. If YES, the process proceeds to n102, where it is determined whether or not the prize ball counter is counting, and counting is being performed (YE
In the case of S), the control means is not opened but stopped at n103.
That is, if the prize ball counter (hereinafter, referred to as a counter) is counting, there is no need to discharge the stored balls in the ball storage tank.
Proceeding to n104, the time counted by the counter is observed. When the charging into the counter is completed, the process proceeds to n105, and the micro switch detects whether or not there is a staying ball in the collecting gutter. If the detection is made by the microswitch (retained in the recovery gutter so as not to be retained any more), that is, if YES, the discharge by opening the control means and the use of the counter are stopped (steps n106 and n10).
7). Next, it is determined in n108 whether the staying ball is processed by the pachinko ball lifting device and the micro switch is turned off, and if it is turned off, the use of the counter is canceled (step n109). If there is no input into the counter and the micro switch is not detected, the ball in the ball storage tank is opened and closed again via the control means, and the ball is periodically dispensed to start again (steps n110 and n111). During this operation, for example, even if the detection is performed by the microswitch during the counting, in the case of the counting, the operation is not stopped until the closing is completed. That is, there is a case where the micro switch is turned on during the closing, but the stop signal is not sent to the counter.

Also, it has been described that the use of the counter is stopped when the micro switch is turned on. However, the counter is not stopped and the counting mechanism of the counter is delayed so as not to stop. Is also good. For example, normal minutes / 10
The number of 000 shots to be counted is reduced to the number of minute / 9000 shots at the time of detection to reduce the number of balls to be discharged to the collection gutter, and to be able to count without stopping for customers. It may be.

Next, a time chart showing operating states of the control means, the prize ball counter and the microswitch will be described with reference to FIG. Ordinarily, when there is no counting due to the insertion of the prize ball counter and when there is no stagnant ball in the collection gutter and the detection is not performed by the microswitch, the dispensing by the control means is performed.
Next, when there is input to the counter (during counting), the control means stops (closed state) and does not open until the counting is completed.
Next, even if the counting is completed, if it is turned on by the micro switch, it remains as it is. If the counter is not turned on and turned off by the micro switch, the operation returns to the normal operation of the control means.

Finally, the pachinko ball fryer 8 according to the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes a table, and the balls discharged from the table 2 fall onto a ball collection gutter 6. 3
Reference numeral 2 denotes a transfer pipe, in which a transfer spiral is internally provided, and the transfer spiral is formed so as to be rotated by a transfer motor 33.

In this embodiment, the inflow port of the ball into the transfer pipe 32 is made of stainless steel. Conventionally, the inflow port is made of metal plating, which causes peeling of the plating due to long-term use, increases the rolling resistance of the ball, and lowers the ball flow rate. In this embodiment, since the material of the inflow port is made of stainless steel, this decrease in the flow rate is solved, and the balls flow smoothly even after long-term use.

A vertically mounted lifting pipe 30 is connected to the transfer pipe 32, and a lifting spiral is provided inside the lifting pipe 30. The lifting spiral is rotated by a lifting motor 31. It is formed so that. Therefore, transfer pipe 3
The ball which has flowed down into the pipe 2 is transferred to the lower part of the pumping pipe 30 by the rotation of the transfer spiral by the rotation of the transfer motor 33, and is successively rotated by the rotation of the pump motor 31 by the rotation of the pumping spiral, together with the abrasive grains. It is mixed and stirred in 30 and is pumped upward while being polished.

The lower portion of the pumping pipe 30 is provided with a flexible abrasive grain outlet for use when exchanging abrasive grains. This is a conventional fixed type, which is an improvement that the case where the abrasive grains cannot be taken out by pillars in the island etc. is improved.By forming the abrasive grain take-out port flexibly as in this embodiment, This makes it easy to take out the abrasive grains.

A sorting device 37 is provided at the upper part of the pachinko ball frying device 8 so that the balls and the abrasive grains which are fed by the sorting device 37 are separated.
Further, supply gutters 5 are connected to both ends of the sorting device 37,
The balls separated by the sorting device 37 roll on the supply gutter 5 and are again supplied to each of the front tables 2 and the betting machine 4.

Numeral 34 denotes an abrasive particle cleaning device for cleaning the abrasive particles separated by the sorting device 37 when they are contaminated. The abrasive particles flow down from the abrasive particle cleaning circulation pipe through the abrasive particle separation section of the abrasive particle recovery pipe. It is made to do. The abrasive particles cleaned by the abrasive particle cleaning device 34 are returned to the lower portion of the pumping pipe 30 again.

Reference numeral 38 designates an abrasive grain input port which is a long cylindrical body, which is conventionally provided only with an opening. By attaching the long cylindrical body, it becomes easier to input abrasive grains when the abrasive grains are insufficient. Things. 36 is a dust collection motor, 35
Denotes a dust collection box, which collects dust generated in the pachinko ball lifting and feeding device 8.

In this embodiment, when the falling ball amount detecting means detects the stagnant balls on the collecting gutter, the supply of the prize balls to the prize ball counter is stopped. When a large number of customers count prize balls at the time (after 9:00 pm), the prize ball counter may not be stopped by a timer or the like.

In the unlikely event that the accumulation of balls on the collecting gutter 6 is not eliminated by the collecting gutter falling ball amount adjusting mechanism according to the present invention, the emergency storage tank 45 movable below the collecting gutter 6 can be used.
May be provided to temporarily evacuate the staying balls into the emergency storage tank 45.

[0043]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the mechanism for adjusting the amount of balls flowing down the collecting gutter of the pachinko ball replenishing and reducing system according to the first aspect, when a large amount of pachinko balls are continuously thrown into the collecting gutter. Pachinko balls (retained balls) temporarily exceed the processing capacity of the pachinko ball lifting device, and as a result, the pachinko balls (retained balls) temporarily stay on the collection gutter. When the staying ball stays at the position of the falling ball amount detecting means attached to an arbitrary position of the collecting gutter, the falling ball amount detecting means detects the staying ball (it is in a staying state). While the accumulated balls on the collecting gutter are detected by the flowing ball amount detecting means, the periodic discharge of the accumulated balls of the time control by the control means (the shutter of the automatic opening / closing device) provided in the ball storage tank is stopped, In addition, since the use of the prize ball counter is temporarily stopped, no extra discharge (supply) is performed on the collection gutter, and the amount of stay does not increase. That is, since the discharge of the stored balls from the ball storage tank and the use of the prize ball counter are temporarily stopped, excess pachinko balls (balls that cause trouble) are prevented from being discharged to the collection gutter. is there. For this reason, the pachinko balls on the collecting gutter are lifted by the pachinko ball lifting device to the upper tank and gradually decrease, so that the stagnation of the pachinko balls on the collecting gutter is eliminated.

As a result, the pachinko balls (retained balls) do not overflow from the collecting gutter, and the excessive pachinko balls do not flow into the pachinko ball lifting device. The pachinko balls can flow into the device by an appropriate amount, which causes insufficient polishing of the pachinko balls, or occurs when the pachinko balls rub against each other in the lifting pipe of the pachinko ball lifting device, or when they rub against each other This eliminates the possibility of malfunction of the front table due to static electricity.

Further, since an appropriate amount of abrasive grains and pachinko balls are mixed in the pumping pipe of the pachinko ball pumping apparatus, an excessive load is not applied to the pumping motor, and the pumping motor may be damaged. There is no such effect, and no excessive load is applied to the lifting spiral in the lifting pipe, which has the effect of eliminating the failure of the lifting spiral to extend completely.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the flow-down ball amount detecting means is not provided, and the opening and closing of the control means is controlled in accordance with the counting processing time of the prize ball counter or the output signal of the number of prize balls. I do. When a large number of prize balls are continuously supplied to the prize ball counter, the prize balls stay on the collecting gutter. Therefore, the prize balls are stopped for the amount of time during which the prize balls are supplied, and the control means is not operated (opened) even when the set time comes. As a result, the amount of stagnation on the recovery gutter does not increase. That is, it is considered that the collection gutter naturally stays on the collection gutter for the counting processing time of the prize ball counter (when it is long), so that the excess pachinko balls (balls that cause trouble) are collected as in the first embodiment. They are not allowed to drain into the gutter.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the ball downflow rectifying plate is provided at at least one arbitrary position in the collection gutter near the upper side of the downflow ball amount detecting means. The pachinko balls flowing down toward the device roll down along the ball down flow straightening plate. In other words, since the pachinko balls bypass the falling ball amount detecting means, the falling pachinko balls do not contact the detection switch, so that the detection switch does not malfunction and unnecessary chattering does not occur. . Therefore, an accurate staying state can be detected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an island according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a ball amount adjuster in the pachinko ball supply and return system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the ball amount adjuster in the pachinko ball supply and return system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an upper tank of the pachinko ball fryer.

FIG. 5 is a front view when the automatic opening / closing device is opened.

FIG. 6 is a side view when the automatic opening / closing device is opened.

FIG. 7 is a front view when the automatic opening / closing device is closed.

FIG. 8 is a side view when the automatic opening / closing device is closed.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the ball amount adjuster at the island end.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a main part of the recovery gutter when pachinko balls are flowing down the recovery gutter smoothly.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a main part of the recovery gutter when pachinko balls are staying on the recovery gutter.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart according to claim 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a time chart according to claim 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a time chart according to claim 2 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 3 ball amount adjuster 7 overflow gutter 8 pachinko ball lifting device 9 upper tank 10 ball storage tank 12 shutter 13 opening and closing mechanism (control means) 17 premium ball counter 40 micro switch (flowing ball amount detecting means) 41 ball downflow rectifying plate

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-176485 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) A63F 7/02

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A prize ball counter is provided on a pachinko island provided with a table stand and a betting machine, a supply gutter is provided above the pachinko island, and a collection gutter is provided below the pachinko island. A first circulation path provided with a pachinko ball lifting device for lifting a pachinko ball discharged from the pachinko ball and a pachinko ball charged into the prize ball counter to a supply gutter, and from the pachinko ball lifting device via a supply gutter. While returning to each table stand, provided in the upper tank above the pachinko ball lifting device, provided with a discharge port for discharging a pachinko ball of a set amount or more in the upper tank,
An overflow gutter is connected to the discharge port, the end of which is extended into a ball storage tank of a ball quantity adjuster provided at the island end or at the center of the island, and any control means for storing the stored balls in the ball storage tank is provided. And a second circulation path configured to discharge to the collecting gutter through the pachinko ball replenishment and reduction system, wherein at least a flowing-down ball amount detecting means for detecting a staying ball at an arbitrary position of the collecting gutter. One or more provided, configured to control the opening and closing of the control means based on the detection or stop signal of the falling ball amount detection means, at the time of detection of the falling ball amount detection means,
A mechanism for adjusting the amount of balls flowing down a collection gutter of a pachinko ball replenishment and reduction system, wherein the opening and closing of the control means is stopped and the use of the prize ball counter is temporarily stopped. 2. A prize ball counter is provided on a pachinko island provided with a table stand and a betting machine, a supply gutter is provided above the pachinko island, and a collection gutter is provided below the pachinko island. A first circulation path provided with a pachinko ball lifting device for lifting a pachinko ball discharged from the pachinko ball and a pachinko ball charged into the prize ball counter to a supply gutter, and from the pachinko ball lifting device via a supply gutter. While returning to each table, an upper tank is provided above the pachinko ball lifting device, and a discharge port for discharging a pachinko ball having a set amount or more in the upper tank is provided.
An overflow gutter is connected to the discharge port, the end of which is extended into a ball storage tank of a ball quantity adjuster provided at the island end or at the center of the island, and any control means for storing the stored balls in the ball storage tank is provided. And a second circulation path configured to discharge to the recovery gutter through the pachinko ball supply and return system, wherein the prize ball counter counts processing time or an output signal of the number of prize balls. And a control means for controlling the opening and closing of the control means. 3. A ball downflow rectifying plate provided at at least one position at an arbitrary position of the recovery gutter is provided near the upper side of the downflow ball amount detecting means, and flows down toward the pachinko ball lifting device. 2. The amount of collected gutter flowing down in the pachinko ball replenishment and reduction system according to claim 1, wherein the pachinko ball is made to flow downward along the ball downflow straightening plate so as not to contact the flowing down ball amount detecting means. Adjustment mechanism.