JP3580757B2

JP3580757B2 - Game ball tank

Info

Publication number: JP3580757B2
Application number: JP2000097706A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 稔三輪
Original assignee: 有限会社愛和ライト
Priority date: 2000-03-31
Filing date: 2000-03-31
Publication date: 2004-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-31
Also published as: JP2001276370A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、遊技球が使用される遊技機の技術分野に属し、詳しくは遊技球を貯留するための遊技球タンクに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
遊技を実行するために遊技球の投入を要する遊技機や遊技結果に応じて遊技球を払い出す遊技機等、遊技球が使用される遊技機が各種ある。遊技球が使用される遊技機の代表例であるパチンコ機の場合、賞球として遊技者側に排出するための遊技球を貯留しておくための遊技球タンクを備えている。なお、機種によっては遊技球タンクの遊技球を貸球としても排出することがある。また、パチンコ機以外でも、遊技球が使用される遊技機では、遊技者側に排出するための遊技球を貯留しておくための遊技球タンクを備えるのが普通である。
【０００３】
遊技球タンクの遊技球は例えば賞球払出装置に供給されるが、賞球払出装置は、遊技球が例えば２列で整然と流入することを要求するので、遊技球タンクから流出した遊技球を例えば２列に整列させる必要があった。そのために、従来は遊技球タンクの底面に設けられた遊技球の出口から落下してきた遊技球を、タンクレールと呼ばれる整列用の樋で複数列例えば２列や３列に整列していた。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
つまり、従来の遊技球タンクは貯留していた遊技球を無秩序に排出するだけであったから、遊技球を整列させるための付属部品（例えばタンクレール）が必須であった。したがって、部品点数が多く、また遊技球タンクと付属部品（例えばタンクレール）をそれぞれ別個に遊技機の本体側に装着する構成であったから、それらを取り付けるための機構等も必要となっていた。
【０００５】
本発明は、従来は別部品であった遊技球タンクとタンクレールを一体化した構造を実現して、従来の構造に存在していたさまざまな不都合を解消するものである。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段及び発明の効果】
請求項１記載の遊技球タンクは、遊技球を貯留する貯留部を備える遊技球タンクにおいて、前記貯留部に貯留していた遊技球を流動させつつ整列させて該遊技球タンクの外部に誘導する整列レール部を前記貯留部の底部に一体化して設けたので、貯留部の遊技球が整列レール部に流れ込み、そこで流動しつつ整列させられて遊技球タンクの外部に誘導される。
【０００７】
従って、遊技球タンクから流出する遊技球は既に整列していて、これを整列させるための装置や機構は不要となる。
よって、従来のタンクレールのような遊技球を整列させるための付属部品を遊技球タンクと別個に備える必要はなくなるので、部品点数を低減できる。また付属部品（例えばタンクレール）を遊技球タンクとは別個に遊技機の本体側に装着する必要もなくなるので、そうした付属部品を取り付けるための機構等も不要となる。
【０００８】
この遊技球タンクでは貯留部の内側に貯留されている遊技球が整列レール部に流れ込むが、整列レール部の貯留部の内側における下流端部の上方から流入可能にすると、この下流端部付近に過剰な球圧が集中して遊技球の流動が不良となるおそれがある。
しかし、請求項１記載の遊技球タンクは、整列レール部の貯留部の内側における下流端部の上方に配された庇部にて下流端部の上方を閉じたので、下流端部付近に過剰な球圧が集中することはなく、これによる流動不良や球詰まりを防止できる。
【０００９】
また、請求項１記載の遊技球タンクは、前記整列レール部の一部であり前記貯留部の外部に突出する突出部と、前記貯留部の周壁の前記整列レール部の上方に位置する切欠と、前記突出部の天井となる天井部及び前記切欠に挿入されて該切欠を閉鎖する閉鎖体と一体化されていて前記整列レール部の前記貯留部の内側における下流端部の上方に配される庇部とを設けたので、貯留部の開口方向と整列レール部の開口方向とを同方向にすることができ、遊技球タンクを射出成形にて製造するのに好適となる。また、閉鎖体の周壁への取り付け作業が庇部及び天井部の取り付けともなるから、取り付け作業が複雑化することもない。
【００１０】
請求項２記載の遊技球タンクは、遊技球を貯留する貯留部を備える遊技球タンクにおいて、前記貯留部に貯留していた遊技球を直線に沿って流動させつつ整列させて該遊技球タンクの外部に誘導する整列レール部を前記貯留部の内側になる貯留部側部分と前記貯留部の外部に突出する突出部とで構成して、射出成形により前記貯留部の底部に一体化し、前記貯留部側部分を前記貯留部の底部の全長にわたる溝状に形成したので、請求項１記載の遊技球タンクと同様に、整列レール部に誘導されて遊技球タンクから流出する遊技球は既に整列しているから、これを整列させるための装置や機構は不要となる。よって、従来のタンクレールのような遊技球を整列させるための付属部品を遊技球タンクと別個に備える必要はなくなるので、部品点数を低減できる。また付属部品（例えばタンクレール）を遊技球タンクとは別個に遊技機の本体側に装着する必要もなくなるので、そうした付属部品を取り付けるための機構等も不要となる。
また、請求項２記載の遊技球タンクは、前記貯留部側部分の上流端部に隣接する第１底面と、前記貯留部側部分に隣接し段差により前記第１底面よりも上方に位置する第２底面とを前記貯留部側部分に沿って並べて前記底部に設け、前記第２底面に沿って配される庇部にて前記貯留部側部分の下流端部の上方を閉じているので、庇部よりも上流側ではともかく、第２底面から貯留部側部分の下流端部へと遊技球が流入することはない。一方、第１底面は第２底面よりも低い位置にあるので、貯留部内の遊技球の大まかな流れは上方に位置する第２底面側から第１底面側に向かう方向となる。そして、第１底面は整列レール部の上流端部に隣接するので、貯留部内の遊技球は主に第１底面から整列レール部に流入する。
【００１１】
したがって、整列レール部の貯留部の内側における下流端部への球圧集中の防止効果が向上される。
しかも、請求項２記載の遊技球タンクは、前記第２底面から前記貯留部側部分への遊技球の落下を阻害する内壁を前記第２底面と前記貯留部側部分との境界部分に立設したので、第２底面側から第１底面側に向かう貯留部内の遊技球の大まかな流れをより確実にする。
ところで、庇部が固定されておらずに移動或いは変位可能であると、これの位置がずれて上記の作用効果を発揮しないおそれがある。
【００１２】
そこで請求項３記載の遊技球タンクは、請求項２記載の遊技球タンクにおいて、前記庇部を、前記貯留部の周壁に保持させている。これにより庇部が移動或いは変位することはなく、庇部による作用効果を確実とする。なお、庇部は、例えば周壁から延出（周壁と一体化）してもよいし、周壁或いは周壁に設けた嵌合部に嵌着するような構成でもよいし、請求項４記載のように間接的に周壁に保持される構成も可能である。ただし、貯留部及び整列レール部を射出成形で製造するので、金型の構造などから庇部と貯留部とを別々に成形する方が好ましいので、庇部を周壁に嵌着などで取り付ける構成が望ましい。
【００１３】
請求項４記載の遊技球タンクは、請求項２または３記載の遊技球タンクにおいて、前記貯留部の周壁の前記整列レール部の上方に位置する部分に切欠を設け、前記庇部は、該切欠に挿入されて該切欠を閉鎖する閉鎖体と一体化されているので、閉鎖体を周壁に取り付けるだけで庇部をも周壁に取り付けることができる。よって取り付け作業が簡単になる。
請求項５記載の遊技球タンクは、請求項４記載の遊技球タンクにおいて、前記庇部は、前記突出部の天井となる天井部及び前記閉鎖体と一体化されていることを特徴とする。このように構成すると、貯留部の開口方向と整列レール部の開口方向とを同方向にすることができ、遊技球タンクを射出成形にて製造するのに好適となる。また、閉鎖体の周壁への取り付け作業が庇部及び天井部の取り付けともなるから、取り付け作業が複雑化することもない。
【００１５】
【発明の実施の形態】
次に、本発明の実施例により発明の実施の形態を説明する。
【００１６】
【実施例】
図１に示すように、遊技球タンク１０は、いずれもプラスチックの射出成形品である本体１２、差込体１４及びストッパ１６から構成されている。
図１〜３等に示すように、本体１２は、周壁２１、底部２３及び整列レール部２５に区分でき、また周壁２１で囲まれた内側が貯留部２７となる。
【００１７】
周壁２１の外面には遊技球タンク１０を遊技機（例えばパチンコ機）に取り付けるための取付部材２９ａ〜２９ｄが設けられている。周壁２１には、整列レール部２５の上方に位置する部分に切欠３０が設けられ、その横には一対の嵌合受部材３１が設けられている。
【００１８】
周壁２１の下端部に連設されている底部２３は、切欠３０が設けられている壁面２１ａ側からこれに対面する壁面２１ｂ側に傾斜していて第２底面に該当する傾斜底面３３ａ、３３ｂ及び傾斜底面３３ａ、３３ｂと壁面２１ｂとの間に位置し第１底面に該当する送出底面３４ａ、３４ｂにて構成されている。
【００１９】
そして、対をなす傾斜底面３３ａ、３３ｂ間及び送出底面３４ａ、３４ｂ間は溝状に凹陥して整列レール部２５の貯留部側部分２５ａとなっている。また、傾斜底面３３ａ、３３ｂと整列レール部２５の境界部分には、内壁３５ａ、３５ｂが立ち上がっている。これら内壁３５ａ、３５ｂの傾斜底面３３ａ、３３ｂからの立ち上がり高さは遊技球の半径程度であり、傾斜底面３３ａ、３３ｂから整列レール部２５への遊技球の落下を阻害する。
【００２０】
整列レール部２５は、上述の貯留部側部分２５ａと壁面２１ａ側に突出している突出部２５ｂとからなり、その底２５ｃは壁面２１ｂが高く突出部２５ｂの先端側が低く傾斜している。整列レール部２５の内部は隔壁３６によって２分割されており、それぞれ遊技球が一列で通過可能な整列溝３７となっている。隔壁３６の下流側端部には切欠状の断絶部３８が設けられ、整列レール部２５の底２５ｃには断絶部３８に対応して長方形の貫通穴３９が設けられている。また、貫通穴３９の周縁部４０は底２５ｃの下側に突出している。
【００２１】
整列レール部２５の上流端部（送出底面３４ａと送出底面３４ｂの間になる部分）には荷重検出用の開口４１が設けられている。この開口４１の内部には遊技球による荷重の有無に対応して昇降（下降時には整列レール部２５の底２５ｃと実質的に一連となる。）する昇降板（図示略）が配され、その昇降変位にて荷重（すなわち遊技球タンク１０内の遊技球の有無）を検出するためのスイッチ（図示略）がオン、オフされる。
【００２２】
差込体１４は、その中央部に配された壁状の閉鎖体４５、閉鎖体４５の一方の面側に延出された庇部４６及び庇部４６とは反対側に延出された天井部４７を一体化した構成である。
閉鎖体４５の幅は壁面２１ａに設けられた切欠３０の幅と整合し、その高さ（天井部４７からの立ち上がり）は、切欠３０の高さとほぼ一致する。したがって、閉鎖体４５にて切欠３０を隙間無く閉鎖することができる。
閉鎖体４５の内面（庇部４６側の面）には張出４８を介して円柱状の嵌合体４９が取り付けられている。この嵌合体４９の径は嵌合受部材３１の内径とほぼ等しく、嵌合体４９を嵌合受部材３１の上方から差し込むことで嵌合体４９を嵌合受部材３１に嵌合させることができる。そして、そのように嵌合させた際には、閉鎖体４５が切欠３０を隙間無く閉鎖し、それによって周壁２１が筒状に閉じた状態とされる。つまり、閉鎖体４５は周壁２１の一部をなすといえる。
【００２３】
閉鎖体４５と庇部４６との連結部には断面形状が略三角形のサポート部５０が設けられている。庇部４６は、このサポート部５０の上辺に沿って延伸された状態となっている。庇部４６の上面は、中心部５１が低く両縁部５２が高い緩やかなＶ谷状で、全体として閉鎖体４５側が高く先端側が低い傾斜を施され、両縁部５２をそれぞれ内壁３５ａ、３５ｂ上に載せている。また、縁部５２の下面側には規制突起５３が設けられており、規制突起５３を内壁３５ａ、３５ｂの内面（整列レール部２５側の面）に接触させることで、整列レール部２５を横切る方向の移動を規制している。
【００２４】
天井部４７はサポート部５０の斜辺の延長線に沿って延出され、一方の縁（図において手前側となる縁）はほぼ直角に折り曲げられた形状で外接部５５とされている。天井部４７は、突出部２５ｂの上縁に整合する緩やかな湾曲が施され、上述のように嵌合体４９を嵌合受部材３１に嵌合させて閉鎖体４５で切欠３０を閉鎖した際には、天井部４７は突出部２５ｂの天井となって突出部２５ｂを筒状にしている。また、外接部５５は突出部２５ｂの外面に接して位置決め及びずれ防止の働きをする。
【００２５】
天井部４７の断絶部３８及び貫通穴３９のほぼ直上になる部分には、円と長方形を組み合わせた形状のストッパ保持穴５７が設けられており、これらストッパ保持穴５７、断絶部３８及び貫通穴３９を貫いて、ストッパ１６が差し込まれている。
【００２６】
ストッパ１６は、最上部に位置する操作摘５８、この下側に連設された円柱状の主軸５９、主軸５９の下端に連接された板部６０、板部６０から主軸５９に沿って上向きに延出された一対の上弾性片６１、それとは逆に延出された下弾性片６２からなり、上弾性片６１には下向きの係止爪６３、６４が２段に設けられ、下弾性片６２の先端には上向きの係止爪６５が設けられている。なお板部６０の板厚は隔壁３６の板厚と等しい。
【００２７】
この遊技球タンク１０は、例えばパチンコ機に取り付けて使用され、その際には開口４１は昇降板にて閉鎖状態とされる。
また、通常はストッパ１６は引き上げ位置にされる。引き上げ位置とは、上弾性片６１の下側の係止爪６４がストッパ保持穴５７の上縁に係止され、下弾性片６２の係止爪６５が貫通穴３９の周縁部４０に係止された状態である。ストッパ１６が引き上げ位置にあるときには、板部６０及び下弾性片６２が隔壁３６の断絶部３８に嵌合し、主軸５９はさらに上方に位置している。このため、整列溝３７内の遊技球の移動はストッパ１６によって阻害されない。
【００２８】
一方、ストッパ１６を押し下げ位置、すなわち上弾性片６１の上側の係止爪６３がストッパ保持穴５７の上縁に係止され、下弾性片６２が貫通穴３９の下方に突出した位置にすると、板部６０が貫通穴３９に嵌合し主軸５９が整列溝３７を閉塞する。このため、整列溝３７内の遊技球は主軸５９によって移動を阻まれ、それよりも下流側へは移動できない。つまり、整列レール部２５からの流出を阻止される。
【００２９】
なお、ストッパ１６を引き上げ位置から押し下げ位置に移動させるには、例えば両方の上弾性片６１を指で挟むようにして、それらを主軸５９に近づける側に弾性変形させて係止爪６４とストッパ保持穴５７の上縁との係止を解除する。そして、ストッパ１６を少し押し下げてから（係止爪６４がストッパ保持穴５７内に入るか通過後に）上弾性片６１を弾性変形させていた力を解除し、さらに押し下げる。すると弾性復帰した上弾性片６１の上の係止爪６３がストッパ保持穴５７の上縁に係止されてストッパ１６の下降が停止する。これにてストッパ１６の位置が引き上げ位置から押し下げ位置に変化する。
【００３０】
これとは逆に、ストッパ１６を押し下げ位置から引き上げ位置に移動させるには、例えば操作摘５８を持ってストッパ１６を引き上げるだけでよい。すると、係止爪６４が上弾性片６１の弾性変形によってストッパ保持穴５７を通過して上に出たところでストッパ保持穴５７の上縁と係止する。また、このときに下弾性片６２の係止爪６５が貫通穴３９の周縁部４０に係止されて、ストッパ１６の上昇を停止させる。
【００３１】
このように、ストッパ１６を引き上げ位置から押し下げ位置に移動させるには、係止爪６４とストッパ保持穴５７の上縁との係止を解除する必要があるので、例えば操作摘５８に荷重がかかってもストッパ１６が押し下げ位置に変位することはない。つまり、予期しない外力が働いて整列レール部２５が閉塞されるおそれはない。一方、ストッパ１６を押し下げ位置から引き上げ位置に移動させるには、操作摘５８を持ってストッパ１６を引き上げるだけでよいので、操作は簡単である。ストッパ１６は、通常の使用時には引き上げ位置にされ、例えば整列レール部２５よりも下流側部分（一例として払出装置）の点検、修理、交換等の作業を行う際には、その作業対象部分に遊技球が流れ込ませないために、また樋などを取り外す際にそこから遊技球が外部に流出するのを防止するために、ストッパ１６を押し下げ位置にして整列レール部２５から下流側への遊技球の流下を停止させる。
【００３２】
さて、ストッパ１６を引き上げ位置にしておいて、遊技球タンク１０の貯留部２７に例えば遊技店の補給設備からの遊技球を供給すると、遊技球は、送出底面３４ａ、３４ｂから開口４１を閉鎖している昇降板上を経て整列レール部２５に流れ込む。そして、整列レール部２５を移動するうちに、隔壁３６により２つの流れに分離され、さらにサポート部５０から天井部４７にかけての絞り作用により上下に重なる状態から１段とされることで、２本の整列溝３７でそれぞれ一列に整列され、２条の流れとなって整列レール部２５の先端から外部に（例えば賞球等の払出装置に通じる樋に）排出される。
【００３３】
貯留部２７に多量の遊技球が在る場合には、傾斜底面３３ａ、３３ｂ上だけでなく庇部４６上にも遊技球が貯留される。しかし、それら庇部４６上の遊技球による球圧は庇部４６によって支承され、その下側すなわち整列レール部２５の内の遊技球にはかからない。よって庇部４６下の遊技球の流れが上からの球圧で阻害されることはない。また、庇部４６は傾斜底面３３ａ、３３ｂと同方向に傾斜しているので、整列レール部２５の上流側の遊技球が減少するに応じて庇部４６の先端から整列レール部２５に落下する。よって、庇部４６上に遊技球がとどまることもない。
【００３４】
この遊技球タンク１０は、貯留部２７に貯留していた遊技球を流動させつつ整列させて遊技球タンク１０の外部に誘導する整列レール部２５を貯留部２７の底部２３に一体化して設けたので、貯留部２７の遊技球が整列レール部２５に流れ込み、そこで流動しつつ整列させられて遊技球タンク１０の外部に誘導される。
【００３５】
従って、遊技球タンク１０から流出する遊技球は既に整列していて、これを整列させるための装置や機構は不要となる。よって、従来のタンクレールのような遊技球を整列させるための付属部品を遊技球タンクと別個に備える必要はなくなるので、部品点数を低減できる。また付属部品（例えばタンクレール）を遊技球タンクとは別個に遊技機の本体側に装着する必要もなくなるので、そうした付属部品を取り付けるための機構等も不要となる。
【００３６】
遊技球タンク１０は、整列レール部２５の貯留部側部分２５ａの下流端部の上方に庇部４６を設けたので、貯留部側部分２５ａの下流端部付近に過剰な球圧が集中することはなく、これによる流動不良や球詰まりを防止できる。
遊技球タンク１０は、整列レール部２５の上流端部に隣接する送出底面３４ａ、３４ｂ（第１底面）と、庇部４６に沿い送出底面３４ａ、３４ｂよりも上方に位置する傾斜底面３３ａ、３３ｂ（第２底面）とを底部２３に設けており、傾斜底面３３ａ、３３ｂは庇部４６に沿っているので、庇部４６よりも上流側ではともかく、傾斜底面３３ａ、３３ｂから整列レール部２５の貯留部側部分２５ａの下流端部へと遊技球が流入することはない。一方、送出底面３４ａ、３４ｂは傾斜底面３３ａ、３３ｂよりも低い位置にあるので、貯留部２７内の遊技球の大まかな流れは上方に位置する傾斜底面３３ａ、３３ｂから送出底面３４ａ、３４ｂに向かう方向となる。そして、送出底面３４ａ、３４ｂは整列レール部２５の上流端部に隣接するので、貯留部２７内の遊技球は主に送出底面３４ａ、３４ｂから整列レール部２５に流入する。したがって、整列レール部２５の貯留部側部分２５ａの下流端部への球圧集中の防止がより確実になる。
【００３７】
遊技球タンク１０は、庇部４６を貯留部２７の周壁２１（壁面２１ａ）に保持させているので庇部４６が移動或いは変位することはなく、上記の庇部２６による効果が確実となる。
その庇部４６の取付形態は、貯留部２７の周壁２１に切欠３０を設け、庇部４６は、切欠３０に挿入されて切欠３０を閉鎖する閉鎖体４５と一体化されているので、閉鎖体４５を周壁２１に取り付けるだけで庇部４６をも周壁２１に取り付けることができる。よって取り付け作業が簡単になる。
【００３８】
遊技球タンク１０の整列レール部２５は貯留部２７の外部に突出する突出部２５ｂを備え、庇部４６は、突出部２５ｂの天井となる天井部４７及び閉鎖体４５と一体化されているので、貯留部２７の開口方向と整列レール部２５の開口方向とを同方向にすることができ、遊技球タンク１０を射出成形にて製造するのに好適となる。また、閉鎖体４５の周壁２１への取り付け作業が庇部４６及び天井部４７の取り付けともなるから、取り付け作業が複雑化することもない。
【００３９】
以上、実施例及び変形例にしたがって本発明の実施の形態を説明したが、本発明はこれらの例に限定されるものではない。例えば実施例では整列溝を２条としているが、１条としたり３条以上とすることもできる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】実施例の遊技球タンクの分解斜視図である。
【図２】実施例の遊技球タンクにおいてストッパを引き上げ位置にした状態の説明図であり、図２（ａ）は平面図、図２（ｂ）は図２（ａ）のＣ−Ｃ断面図、図２（ｃ）は図２（ｂ）のＤ−Ｄ断面図、図２（ｄ）は図２（ａ）のＡ−Ａ断面図、図２（ｅ）は図２（ｂ）のＢ−Ｂ断面図である。
【図３】実施例の遊技球タンクにおいてストッパを引き上げ位置にした状態の斜視図であり、図３（ａ）は全体斜視図、図３（ｂ）は図２（ａ）のＣ−Ｃ断面斜視図、図３（ｃ）は図２（ｂ）のＤ−Ｄ断面斜視図、図３（ｄ）は図２（ｂ）のＢ−Ｂ断面斜視図である。
【図４】実施例の遊技球タンクにおいてストッパを引き上げ位置にした際の遊技球の移動状態の説明図であり、図４（ａ）、図４（ｂ）、図４（ｃ）、図４（ｄ）は、それぞれ図２（ｂ）、図２（ｃ）、図２（ｄ）、図２（ｅ）に対応している。
【図５】実施例の遊技球タンクにおいてストッパを引き上げ位置にした際の遊技球の移動状態の説明図であり、図５（ａ）、図５（ｂ）、図５（ｃ）は、それぞれ図３（ｂ）、図３（ｃ）、図３（ｄ）に対応している。
【図６】実施例の遊技球タンクにおいてストッパを押し下げ位置にした状態の説明図であり、図６（ａ）、図６（ｂ）、図６（ｃ）、図６（ｄ）は、それぞれ図２（ｂ）、図２（ｃ）、図２（ｄ）、図２（ｅ）に対応している。
【図７】実施例の遊技球タンクにおいてストッパを押し下げ位置にした状態の斜視図であり、図７（ａ）、図７（ｂ）、図７（ｃ）は、それぞれ図３（ｂ）、図３（ｃ）、図３（ｄ）に対応している。
【図８】実施例の遊技球タンクにおいてストッパを押し下げ位置にして遊技球の流出を阻んだ状態の説明図であり、図８（ａ）、図８（ｂ）、図８（ｃ）、図８（ｄ）は、それぞれ図４（ａ）、図４（ｂ）、図４（ｃ）、図４（ｄ）に対応している。
【図９】実施例の遊技球タンクにおいてストッパを押し下げ位置にして遊技球の流出を阻んだ状態の斜視図であり、図９（ａ）、図９（ｂ）、図９（ｃ）は、それぞれ図５（ａ）、図５（ｂ）、図５（ｃ）に対応している。
【符号の説明】
１０遊技球タンク
１２本体
１４差込体
１６ストッパ
２１周壁
２１ａ壁面
２３底部
２５整列レール部
２５ａ貯留部側部分
２５ｂ突出部
２６庇部
２７貯留部
３０切欠
３３ａ傾斜底面（第２底面）
３３ｂ傾斜底面（第２底面）
３４ａ送出底面（第１底面）
３４ｂ送出底面（第１底面）
３６隔壁
３７整列溝
４５閉鎖体
４６庇部
４７天井部[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention belongs to the technical field of gaming machines in which game balls are used, and more particularly, to a game ball tank for storing game balls.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There are various types of gaming machines that use gaming balls, such as gaming machines that require the insertion of gaming balls in order to execute a game and gaming machines that pay out gaming balls in accordance with game results. In the case of a pachinko machine, which is a typical example of a gaming machine in which a game ball is used, a game ball tank for storing a game ball for discharging to a player as a prize ball is provided. Note that, depending on the model, game balls in the game ball tank may be discharged as rental balls. In addition to the pachinko machines, game machines that use game balls usually include a game ball tank for storing game balls to be discharged to the player.
[0003]
The game balls in the game ball tank are supplied to, for example, a prize ball payout device, but the prize ball payout device requests that the game balls flow in order, for example, in two rows. It had to be aligned in two rows. For this purpose, conventionally, game balls that have fallen from the outlets of the game balls provided on the bottom surface of the game ball tank are arranged in a plurality of rows, for example, two or three rows, by an alignment gutter called a tank rail.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
That is, since the conventional game ball tank merely discharges the stored game balls randomly, an accessory (for example, a tank rail) for aligning the game balls is essential. Therefore, the number of parts is large, and the game ball tank and the accessory parts (for example, tank rails) are separately mounted on the main body side of the gaming machine. Therefore, a mechanism for mounting them is also required.
[0005]
The present invention realizes a structure in which a game ball tank and a tank rail, which are conventionally separate parts, are integrated, and eliminates various disadvantages existing in the conventional structure.
[0006]
Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention
A game ball tank according to claim 1, wherein the game ball is provided with a storage section for storing game balls, wherein the game balls stored in the storage section are aligned while flowing, and guided to the outside of the game ball tank. Since the alignment rail portion is provided integrally with the bottom of the storage portion, the game balls in the storage portion flow into the alignment rail portion, are aligned while flowing there, and are guided to the outside of the game ball tank.
[0007]
Therefore, the game balls flowing out of the game ball tank are already aligned, and a device or mechanism for aligning the game balls is unnecessary.
Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide an accessory for aligning game balls, such as a conventional tank rail, separately from the game ball tank, so that the number of components can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to attach an accessory (for example, a tank rail) to the main body of the game machine separately from the game ball tank, a mechanism for attaching such an accessory is not required.
[0008]
While the game ball that is stored inside the reservoir in the game ball tank flows into the alignment rail unit, enabling flow from the upper downstream end inside the reservoir of the alignment rail portion, near the downstream end Excessive ball pressure may concentrate and the flow of the game ball may be poor.
However, in the game ball tank according to the first aspect, since the upper portion of the downstream end is closed by the eaves disposed above the downstream end inside the storage portion of the alignment rail portion, the excess amount of the ball near the downstream end is obtained. A strong ball pressure does not concentrate, thereby preventing poor flow and clogging of the balls.
[0009]
Further, the game ball tank according to claim 1, wherein a protruding portion which is a part of the alignment rail portion and protrudes outside the storage portion, and a notch located on the peripheral wall of the storage portion above the alignment rail portion. And a ceiling portion serving as a ceiling of the protruding portion and a closing body inserted into the notch and closing the notch, and are arranged above the downstream end inside the storage portion of the alignment rail portion. Since the eaves portion is provided, the opening direction of the storage portion and the opening direction of the alignment rail portion can be made the same direction, which is suitable for manufacturing a game ball tank by injection molding. In addition, since the work of attaching the closure to the peripheral wall is also the work of attaching the eaves and the ceiling, the attachment work does not become complicated.
[0010]
The game ball tank according to claim 2, wherein the game ball tank includes a storage section for storing the game balls, wherein the game balls stored in the storage section are aligned while flowing along a straight line. An alignment rail portion for guiding to the outside is constituted by a storage portion side portion inside the storage portion and a protrusion projecting to the outside of the storage portion, and integrated with a bottom portion of the storage portion by injection molding, Since the part side portion is formed in a groove shape over the entire length of the bottom of the storage part, the game balls guided by the alignment rail portion and flowing out of the game ball tank are already aligned in the same manner as the game ball tank according to claim 1. Therefore, a device or mechanism for aligning them is unnecessary. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide an accessory for aligning game balls, such as a conventional tank rail, separately from the game ball tank, so that the number of components can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to attach an accessory (for example, a tank rail) to the main body of the game machine separately from the game ball tank, a mechanism for attaching such an accessory is not required.
Further, the game ball tank according to claim 2 , wherein a first bottom surface adjacent to an upstream end of the storage portion side portion and a first bottom surface adjacent to the storage portion side portion and located above the first bottom surface by a step. Since two bottom surfaces are arranged along the storage portion side portion and provided on the bottom portion, and the eave portion arranged along the second bottom surface closes the upper part of the downstream end portion of the storage portion side portion. Regardless of the upstream side of the part, the game ball does not flow from the second bottom surface to the downstream end of the storage part side part. On the other hand, since the first bottom surface is at a position lower than the second bottom surface, the rough flow of the game balls in the storage portion is in a direction from the second bottom surface located above to the first bottom surface. And since a 1st bottom surface is adjacent to the upstream end part of an alignment rail part, the game ball in a storage part flows into an alignment rail part mainly from a 1st bottom surface.
[0011]
Therefore, the effect of preventing the ball pressure from concentrating on the downstream end inside the storage portion of the alignment rail portion is improved.
Moreover, the game ball tank according to claim 2, wherein the upright inner wall of inhibiting the fall of game balls from the second bottom surface to the reservoir portion at the boundary portion between the second bottom surface and said reservoir portion As a result, the rough flow of the game balls in the storage section from the second bottom surface side to the first bottom surface side is further ensured.
By the way, if the eaves portion is movable or displaceable without being fixed, there is a possibility that the position of the eaves portion is shifted and the above-mentioned effect is not exerted.
[0012]
Therefore, in a game ball tank according to a third aspect, in the game ball tank according to the second aspect , the eaves portion is held on a peripheral wall of the storage portion. As a result, the eaves are not moved or displaced, and the effect of the eaves is ensured. In addition, the eaves portion may extend from the peripheral wall (integral with the peripheral wall), or may be configured to fit on the peripheral wall or a fitting portion provided on the peripheral wall. A configuration that is indirectly held on the peripheral wall is also possible. However, since the storage part and the alignment rail part are manufactured by injection molding, it is preferable to separately form the eaves part and the storage part from the structure of the mold, so that the eaves part is attached to the peripheral wall by fitting or the like. desirable.
[0013]
A game ball tank according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the game ball tank according to the second or third aspect, wherein a notch is provided in a portion of the peripheral wall of the storage portion located above the alignment rail portion, and the eave portion is the notch. And the eaves can be attached to the peripheral wall only by attaching the closure to the peripheral wall. Therefore, the mounting work is simplified.
A game ball tank according to a fifth aspect is characterized in that, in the game ball tank according to the fourth aspect, the eave portion is integrated with a ceiling portion serving as a ceiling of the protruding portion and the closing body. With this configuration, the opening direction of the storage portion and the opening direction of the alignment rail portion can be made the same direction, which is suitable for manufacturing a game ball tank by injection molding. In addition, since the work of attaching the closure to the peripheral wall is also the work of attaching the eaves and the ceiling, the attachment work does not become complicated.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples of the present invention.
[0016]
【Example】
As shown in FIG. 1, the game ball tank 10 includes a main body 12, an insert 14 and a stopper 16, all of which are plastic injection molded products.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the like, the main body 12 can be divided into a peripheral wall 21, a bottom 23, and an alignment rail 25, and the inside surrounded by the peripheral wall 21 is a storage part 27.
[0017]
On the outer surface of the peripheral wall 21, mounting members 29a to 29d for mounting the game ball tank 10 to a game machine (for example, a pachinko machine) are provided. The peripheral wall 21 is provided with a notch 30 at a portion located above the alignment rail portion 25, and a pair of fitting receiving members 31 is provided beside the notch 30.
[0018]
The bottom portion 23 connected to the lower end of the peripheral wall 21 is inclined from the wall surface 21a where the notch 30 is provided to the wall surface 21b facing the same, and the inclined bottom surfaces 33a and 33b corresponding to the second bottom surface and It is constituted by delivery bottom surfaces 34a and 34b located between the inclined bottom surfaces 33a and 33b and the wall surface 21b and corresponding to the first bottom surface.
[0019]
A pair of inclined bottom surfaces 33a and 33b and a pair of sending bottom surfaces 34a and 34b are recessed in a groove shape to form a storage portion side portion 25a of the alignment rail portion 25. In addition, inner walls 35a, 35b rise at the boundary between the inclined bottom surfaces 33a, 33b and the alignment rail portion 25. The rising height of the inner walls 35a, 35b from the inclined bottom surfaces 33a, 33b is about the radius of the game ball, and prevents the game balls from falling from the inclined bottom surfaces 33a, 33b to the alignment rail portion 25.
[0020]
The alignment rail portion 25 includes the above-mentioned storage portion side portion 25a and a protruding portion 25b protruding toward the wall surface 21a. The bottom 25c of the alignment rail portion 25 has a high wall surface 21b and a tip end side of the protruding portion 25b is inclined low. The inside of the alignment rail portion 25 is divided into two by a partition wall 36, and each is an alignment groove 37 through which game balls can pass in a line. At the downstream end of the partition wall 36, a cut-out cutout 38 is provided, and at the bottom 25c of the alignment rail 25, a rectangular through hole 39 is provided corresponding to the cutout 38. Further, the peripheral portion 40 of the through hole 39 protrudes below the bottom 25c.
[0021]
An opening 41 for load detection is provided at an upstream end portion (a portion between the delivery bottom surface 34a and the delivery bottom surface 34b) of the alignment rail portion 25. An elevating plate (not shown) that moves up and down (substantially becomes a series with the bottom 25c of the alignment rail portion 25 when descending) in accordance with the presence or absence of the load by the game ball is disposed inside the opening 41, and the elevating plate is raised and lowered. A switch (not shown) for detecting a load (that is, the presence or absence of a game ball in the game ball tank 10) by the displacement is turned on and off.
[0022]
The plug-in body 14 has a wall-shaped closing body 45 disposed at the center thereof, an eave portion 46 extending to one surface side of the closing body 45, and a ceiling extending to the opposite side to the eave portion 46. This is a configuration in which the unit 47 is integrated.
The width of the closing body 45 matches the width of the notch 30 provided on the wall surface 21a, and its height (rise from the ceiling 47) substantially matches the height of the notch 30. Therefore, the notch 30 can be closed without a gap by the closing body 45.
A cylindrical fitting body 49 is attached to the inner surface of the closing body 45 (the surface on the side of the eaves portion 46) via an overhang 48. The diameter of the fitting body 49 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the fitting receiving member 31, and the fitting body 49 can be fitted to the fitting receiving member 31 by inserting the fitting body 49 from above the fitting receiving member 31. When the fitting is performed in such a manner, the closing body 45 closes the notch 30 without a gap, and thereby the peripheral wall 21 is closed in a cylindrical shape. That is, it can be said that the closing body 45 forms a part of the peripheral wall 21.
[0023]
A support portion 50 having a substantially triangular cross section is provided at a connection portion between the closing body 45 and the eave portion 46. The eave portion 46 is in a state of extending along the upper side of the support portion 50. The upper surface of the eaves portion 46 has a gentle V-valley shape with a central portion 51 being low and both edge portions 52 being high, and the closing body 45 side is high and the tip side is low as a whole, and both edge portions 52 are formed by inner walls 35a and 35b, respectively. On top. In addition, a regulating protrusion 53 is provided on the lower surface side of the edge portion 52, and the regulating protrusion 53 contacts the inner surfaces of the inner walls 35 a and 35 b (the surface on the side of the aligning rail portion 25) to cross the aligning rail portion 25. Restricts movement in the direction.
[0024]
The ceiling portion 47 extends along an extension of the oblique side of the support portion 50, and one edge (the edge on the front side in the figure) is formed as a circumscribed portion 55 in a shape bent at substantially a right angle. The ceiling portion 47 has a gentle curve aligned with the upper edge of the protruding portion 25b, and when the fitting body 49 is fitted to the fitting receiving member 31 and the notch 30 is closed by the closing body 45 as described above. The ceiling portion 47 serves as a ceiling of the protruding portion 25b, and the protruding portion 25b has a cylindrical shape. Further, the outer circumscribing portion 55 contacts the outer surface of the protruding portion 25b and functions for positioning and preventing displacement.
[0025]
A stopper holding hole 57 having a shape obtained by combining a circle and a rectangle is provided in a portion of the ceiling 47 that is almost directly above the cutoff portion 38 and the through hole 39. The stopper hold hole 57, the cutoff portion 38 and the through hole 39 are provided. The stopper 16 is inserted through 39.
[0026]
The stopper 16 includes an operation knob 58 located at the uppermost portion, a columnar main shaft 59 connected to the lower side, a plate portion 60 connected to the lower end of the main shaft 59, and an upward direction along the main shaft 59 from the plate portion 60. The upper elastic piece 61 includes a pair of extended upper elastic pieces 61 and a lower elastic piece 62 extended in the opposite direction. The upper elastic pieces 61 are provided with downward locking claws 63 and 64 in two stages. At the tip of 62, an upward locking claw 65 is provided. Note that the plate thickness of the plate portion 60 is equal to the plate thickness of the partition wall 36.
[0027]
The game ball tank 10 is used by being attached to, for example, a pachinko machine, and in this case, the opening 41 is closed by an elevating plate.
Normally, the stopper 16 is set at the raised position. The raised position is such that the lower locking claw 64 of the upper elastic piece 61 is locked to the upper edge of the stopper holding hole 57, and the locking claw 65 of the lower elastic piece 62 is locked to the peripheral portion 40 of the through hole 39. It has been done. When the stopper 16 is at the raised position, the plate portion 60 and the lower elastic piece 62 are fitted into the cut-off portions 38 of the partition 36, and the main shaft 59 is located further upward. For this reason, the movement of the game ball in the alignment groove 37 is not hindered by the stopper 16.
[0028]
On the other hand, when the stopper 16 is in the depressed position, that is, when the locking claw 63 above the upper elastic piece 61 is locked to the upper edge of the stopper holding hole 57 and the lower elastic piece 62 projects below the through hole 39, The plate portion 60 fits into the through hole 39, and the main shaft 59 closes the alignment groove 37. For this reason, the game ball in the alignment groove 37 is prevented from moving by the main shaft 59, and cannot move further downstream. That is, outflow from the alignment rail portion 25 is prevented.
[0029]
In order to move the stopper 16 from the raised position to the depressed position, for example, both upper elastic pieces 61 are sandwiched between fingers, and they are elastically deformed toward the side closer to the main shaft 59 so that the locking claws 64 and the stopper holding holes 57 are formed. Release the lock with the upper edge. Then, after the stopper 16 is slightly pressed down (after the locking claw 64 enters or passes through the stopper holding hole 57), the force that has elastically deformed the upper elastic piece 61 is released, and the stopper 16 is further pressed down. Then, the locking claw 63 on the upper elastic piece 61 which has been elastically restored is locked to the upper edge of the stopper holding hole 57, and the lowering of the stopper 16 is stopped. As a result, the position of the stopper 16 changes from the raised position to the depressed position.
[0030]
Conversely, to move the stopper 16 from the depressed position to the raised position, it is only necessary to lift the stopper 16 by holding the operation knob 58, for example. Then, when the locking claw 64 passes through the stopper holding hole 57 and comes out upward due to the elastic deformation of the upper elastic piece 61, it is locked with the upper edge of the stopper holding hole 57. At this time, the locking claw 65 of the lower elastic piece 62 is locked to the peripheral portion 40 of the through hole 39, and the stopper 16 stops being lifted.
[0031]
As described above, in order to move the stopper 16 from the raised position to the depressed position, it is necessary to release the locking between the locking claw 64 and the upper edge of the stopper holding hole 57. However, the stopper 16 does not move to the depressed position. That is, there is no possibility that an unexpected external force acts to close the alignment rail portion 25. On the other hand, in order to move the stopper 16 from the depressed position to the raised position, it is only necessary to lift the stopper 16 with the operation knob 58, so that the operation is simple. The stopper 16 is set to the raised position during normal use. For example, when performing work such as inspection, repair, or replacement of a portion downstream of the alignment rail portion 25 (for example, a dispensing device), a game target is provided on the work target portion. In order to prevent the ball from flowing in and to prevent the game ball from flowing out of the gutter when removing the gutter or the like, the stopper 16 is pushed down and the game ball is moved from the alignment rail portion 25 to the downstream side. Stop the flow.
[0032]
Now, when the stopper 16 is set at the raised position and game balls are supplied to the storage portion 27 of the game ball tank 10 from, for example, a supply facility of the game store, the game balls close the opening 41 from the delivery bottom surfaces 34a and 34b. It flows into the alignment rail section 25 via the elevating plate. Then, while moving along the alignment rail section 25, the flow is separated into two flows by the partition wall 36, and is further reduced from a vertically overlapping state to a single step by the drawing action from the support section 50 to the ceiling section 47, thereby forming two flows. Are aligned in one row in the alignment grooves 37, and are discharged as two streams from the tip of the alignment rail portion 25 to the outside (for example, to a gutter connected to a payout device such as a prize ball).
[0033]
When a large number of game balls are present in the storage section 27, the game balls are stored not only on the inclined bottom surfaces 33a and 33b but also on the eaves section 46. However, the ball pressure of the game balls on the eaves portion 46 is supported by the eaves portion 46 and is not applied to the lower side thereof, that is, the game balls in the alignment rail portion 25. Therefore, the flow of the game ball below the eaves portion 46 is not hindered by the ball pressure from above. Further, since the eaves portion 46 is inclined in the same direction as the inclined bottom surfaces 33a and 33b, as the number of game balls on the upstream side of the alignment rail portion 25 decreases, the eaves portion 46 falls from the tip of the eaves portion 46 to the alignment rail portion 25. . Therefore, the game ball does not stay on the eaves portion 46.
[0034]
The game ball tank 10 is provided with an alignment rail portion 25 for guiding the game balls stored in the storage portion 27 to the outside of the game ball tank 10 while flowing and aligning the game balls in the bottom portion 23 of the storage portion 27. Therefore, the game balls in the storage section 27 flow into the alignment rail section 25, where they are aligned while flowing, and guided to the outside of the game ball tank 10.
[0035]
Therefore, the game balls flowing out of the game ball tank 10 are already aligned, and a device or mechanism for aligning the game balls is not required. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide an accessory for aligning game balls, such as a conventional tank rail, separately from the game ball tank, so that the number of components can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to attach an accessory (for example, a tank rail) to the main body of the game machine separately from the game ball tank, a mechanism for attaching such an accessory is not required.
[0036]
Since the gaming ball tank 10 is provided with the eaves 46 above the downstream end of the storage portion side portion 25a of the alignment rail portion 25, excessive ball pressure concentrates near the downstream end of the storage portion side portion 25a. However, poor flow and ball clogging due to this can be prevented.
The game ball tank 10 has delivery bottom surfaces 34a, 34b (first bottom surface) adjacent to the upstream end of the alignment rail portion 25, and inclined bottom surfaces 33a, 33b located above the delivery bottom surfaces 34a, 34b along the eaves portion 46. (The second bottom surface) is provided on the bottom portion 23, and the inclined bottom surfaces 33a, 33b are along the eaves portion 46. Therefore, regardless of the upstream side of the eaves portion 46, the inclined rails 33a, 33b extend from the inclined bottom surfaces 33a, 33b. The game ball does not flow into the downstream end of the storage section side portion 25a. On the other hand, since the sending bottom surfaces 34a and 34b are located at a position lower than the inclined bottom surfaces 33a and 33b, the rough flow of the game balls in the storage portion 27 is directed from the upper inclined bottom surfaces 33a and 33b to the sending bottom surfaces 34a and 34b. Direction. Since the sending bottom surfaces 34a and 34b are adjacent to the upstream end of the alignment rail portion 25, the game balls in the storage portion 27 mainly flow into the alignment rail portion 25 from the sending bottom surfaces 34a and 34b. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the ball pressure from being concentrated on the downstream end portion of the storage portion side portion 25a of the alignment rail portion 25.
[0037]
In the game ball tank 10, the eaves 46 are held on the peripheral wall 21 (wall surface 21a) of the storage 27, so that the eaves 46 do not move or displace, and the effect of the eaves 26 is ensured.
The mounting form of the eave portion 46 is such that the notch 30 is provided in the peripheral wall 21 of the storage portion 27, and the eave portion 46 is integrated with the closing body 45 that is inserted into the notch 30 and closes the notch 30. The eaves portion 46 can also be attached to the peripheral wall 21 simply by attaching the 45 to the peripheral wall 21. Therefore, the mounting work is simplified.
[0038]
The alignment rail portion 25 of the game ball tank 10 has a protruding portion 25b protruding outside the storage portion 27, and the eave portion 46 is integrated with a ceiling portion 47 serving as a ceiling of the protruding portion 25b and the closing body 45. The opening direction of the storage portion 27 and the opening direction of the alignment rail portion 25 can be made the same direction, which is suitable for manufacturing the game ball tank 10 by injection molding. In addition, since the work of attaching the closing body 45 to the peripheral wall 21 is also the work of attaching the eaves portion 46 and the ceiling portion 47, the attaching work does not become complicated.
[0039]
The embodiments of the present invention have been described according to the examples and the modifications, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, in the embodiment, the number of the alignment grooves is two, but may be one, or three or more.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a game ball tank according to an embodiment.
2 (a) is a plan view, and FIG. 2 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 2 (a). 2 (c) is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 2 (b), FIG. 2 (d) is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2 (a), and FIG. It is -B sectional drawing.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the game ball tank according to the embodiment in a state where a stopper is in a raised position, FIG. 3 (a) is an overall perspective view, and FIG. 3 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. FIG. 3C is a perspective view taken along line DD in FIG. 2B, and FIG. 3D is a perspective view taken along line BB in FIG. 2B.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a moving state of the game ball when the stopper is set to a raised position in the game ball tank of the embodiment, and FIGS. 4 (a), 4 (b), 4 (c), 4 (D) corresponds to FIGS. 2 (b), 2 (c), 2 (d), and 2 (e), respectively.
5 (a), 5 (b), and 5 (c) are explanatory views of a moving state of a game ball when a stopper is set to a raised position in the game ball tank of the embodiment. 3 (b), 3 (c) and 3 (d).
6 (a), 6 (b), 6 (c), and 6 (d) are explanatory views of a state in which a stopper is set to a depressed position in the game ball tank according to the embodiment. 2 (b), 2 (c), 2 (d) and 2 (e).
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the game ball tank of the embodiment in a state where a stopper is in a depressed position, and FIGS. 7 (a), 7 (b) and 7 (c) are FIGS. 3 (b) and 3 (b), respectively. This corresponds to FIGS. 3C and 3D.
8 (a), 8 (b), 8 (c), and 8 (c) are diagrams illustrating a state in which the outflow of the game ball is prevented by setting the stopper in the down position in the game ball tank according to the embodiment. 8 (d) corresponds to FIGS. 4 (a), 4 (b), 4 (c) and 4 (d), respectively.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the game ball tank of the embodiment in a state where a stopper is pushed down to prevent outflow of game balls, and FIGS. 9 (a), 9 (b), and 9 (c) 5 (a), 5 (b) and 5 (c), respectively.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 Game ball tank 12 Main body 14 Insert body 16 Stopper 21 Peripheral wall 21a Wall surface 23 Bottom portion 25 Alignment rail portion 25a Storage portion side portion 25b Projection portion 26 Eave portion 27 Storage portion 30 Notch 33a Inclined bottom surface (second bottom surface)
33b Inclined bottom (second bottom)
34a Feeding bottom (first bottom)
34b Delivery bottom (first bottom)
36 Partition wall 37 Alignment groove 45 Closure body 46 Eave part 47 Ceiling part

Claims

In a game ball tank provided with a storage unit for storing game balls,
An alignment rail section for aligning the game balls stored in the storage section while flowing and guiding the game balls to the outside of the game ball tank is provided integrally with the bottom of the storage section ,
A protruding part that is part of the alignment rail part and protrudes outside the storage part,
A notch located above the alignment rail portion of the peripheral wall of the storage portion,
An eave integrated with a ceiling portion serving as a ceiling of the protruding portion and a closing body inserted into the notch to close the notch and arranged above a downstream end inside the storage portion of the alignment rail portion. Department and
Game ball tank, characterized in that the provided.

In a game ball tank provided with a storage unit for storing game balls,
The storage rail portion that is arranged inside the storage portion and the alignment rail portion that guides the game balls stored in the storage portion while flowing along the straight line and guides the game balls to the outside of the storage ball portion, and the storage portion. It is composed of a protrusion protruding to the outside and integrated with the bottom of the storage part by injection molding,
The storage portion side portion is formed in a groove shape over the entire length of the bottom of the storage portion,
A first bottom surface adjacent to the upstream end of the storage portion side portion, and a second bottom surface adjacent to the storage portion side portion and located above the first bottom surface by a step along the storage portion side portion. Arranged side by side on the bottom,
Closing the upper part of the downstream end of the storage part side portion with an eave part arranged along the second bottom surface,
A game ball, wherein an inner wall for preventing a game ball from falling from the second bottom surface to the storage portion side portion is erected at a boundary portion between the second bottom surface and the storage portion side portion. tank.

The game ball tank according to claim 2 ,
A game ball tank, wherein the eaves portion is held on a peripheral wall of the storage portion.

In the game ball tank according to claim 2 or 3,
A notch is provided in a portion of the peripheral wall of the storage portion located above the alignment rail portion,
The game ball tank, wherein the eaves portion is integrated with a closing body inserted into the notch to close the notch.

In the game ball tank according to claim 4,
A game ball tank, wherein the eaves portion is integrated with a ceiling portion serving as a ceiling of the projecting portion and the closing body.