JP4390782B2 - Game ball transport device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game ball transfer device for transferring a game medium such as a game ball to each gaming device accommodated in the gaming machine islands, in particular, Yu technique sphere with substantially horizontally disposed has been powered belt conveyor The present invention relates to a transport device.

  On a gaming machine island that houses a plurality of gaming machines such as pachinko machines, a replenishment basket is installed over the gaming apparatus with a downward slope. Game balls were supplied to each gaming device. Since such a replenishment method needs to earn a gradient, the height of the gaming machine island is inevitably increased. In particular, in large game machine islands, it is difficult to reduce the height of the game machine islands because the supply baskets are provided in two upper and lower stages.

  Therefore, a game ball transport device has been proposed that transports game balls horizontally with a power belt conveyor. For example, a plurality of tension rollers are arranged between the driving roller and the driven roller, and the horizontal conveyance belt stretched between the driving roller and the driven roller is circulated along the peripheral surfaces of the plurality of tension rollers. There is a game ball transport device that transports game balls and supplies the game balls along the arc of a tension roller to a plurality of separators provided on both sides of a horizontal transport belt (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .)

  In this transport device, the horizontal transport belt is pivotally supported by a support shaft, and a gradient adjusting mechanism for adjusting the gradient angle of the horizontal transport belt is provided, and by adjusting the gradient as necessary, The replenishment speed is increased, and even when a big hit occurs simultaneously with a plurality of gaming machines, the refilling of the game balls can be performed smoothly.

  In addition, the power-type conveyance apparatus by a belt conveyor is used also for the use which conveys a game ball between adjacent game machine islands (for example, refer patent document 2).

JP-A-6-39136 JP 7-148334 A

  In a horizontally installed power transfer device, if the transfer operation is stopped due to a motor failure or belt cutting, a large number of game balls remain on the transfer path, which puts a burden on the restoration work. . In a device having a gradient adjustment mechanism, when a transport operation is stopped due to a motor failure or belt cutting, a game hall employee closes the shutter of the upper tank and supplies game balls onto the horizontal transport belt. If it is stopped and the gradient adjusting mechanism is further operated to make the gradient of the horizontal conveyor belt steep, it is possible to eliminate the game balls on the horizontal conveyor belt and proceed with the restoration work. However, until an employee notices an abnormality in the horizontal conveyor belt and performs the above operation, game balls continue to be supplied on the horizontal conveyor belt that is not in operation, so a large number of game balls overflow on the horizontal conveyor belt. There was a problem of slow recovery.

  Further, in the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a motor failure or belt cut occurs, the game ball on the horizontal conveyance belt immediately spills onto the separator along the arc of the tension roller. On the other hand, there was a problem that there was no room for explaining the situation or guiding to other game machine islands, and the trouble to sales increased.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems. When the transport operation is stopped due to a motor failure or belt cutting, the game medium is automatically forcibly ejected from the belt conveyor and the recovery operation is performed. it is an object to provide a can Ru game ball transport apparatus to reduce the burden.

The invention according to claim 1 is provided in a gaming machine island (10) including an upper tank (13) for storing a plurality of gaming devices (2, 3) side by side and storing gaming balls, A game ball transport device comprising a transport path installed in the longitudinal direction of the machine island (10) and transporting the game balls supplied from the upper tank (13) to the game devices (2, 3) through the transport path (50, 80)
The transport path is constituted by belt conveyors (51a, 51b) arranged substantially horizontally,
An upper tank shutter (13a) for opening and closing the supply port of the upper tank (13);
Operation state detection means (58) for detecting the operation state of the belt conveyor (51a, 51b);
Forced discharge means (60) for forcibly discharging game balls on the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) by inclining the belt conveyor (51a, 51b);
Control means (28) for controlling the opening / closing of the upper tank shutter (13a) and the forced discharge operation of the game ball by the forced discharge means (60) according to the detection result of the operation state detection means (58). This is a game ball transport device characterized by that.

    According to the invention, the operation state of the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) is detected by the operation state detection means (58), and the upper tank shutter (13a) is opened and closed and the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) according to the detection result. ) Is controlled to forcibly eject the game ball. Since the game balls roll, by tilting the belt conveyor (51a, 51b), almost all the game balls can be easily forcibly discharged from the belt conveyor (51a, 51b).

  For example, when the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) becomes inoperable due to a motor failure or belt cutting, the situation is detected quickly and the supply of game balls to the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) is stopped. At the same time, the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) are inclined. As a result, the game balls roll from the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) and are quickly cleared, the load of the restoration work of the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) is reduced, and the restoration work can be performed quickly and smoothly. .

  When the restoration work of the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) is completed, the operation start of the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) is detected, the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) are automatically returned to a substantially horizontal state and the upper part is restored. Since the supply of game balls from the tank (13) to the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) is resumed, it is possible to reduce the work burden related to the operation preparation of the belt conveyors (51a, 51b).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the control means (28) controls the upper tank shutter (13a) on the condition that the operation state detection means (58) detects the stop of the belt conveyor (51a, 51b). The game ball transport device according to claim 1 , wherein the game ball transport device is closed, and the forcible discharge means (60) is driven to incline the belt conveyor (51a, 51b).

  According to the above invention, when the operation of the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) is stopped by cutting the belt or the like, the supply of game balls from the upper tank (13) to the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) is stopped, Since the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) are inclined and the game balls are rolled to forcibly discharge from the belt conveyors (51a, 51b), almost all the game balls are easily placed on the belt conveyors (51a, 51b). Can be forcibly discharged, and the work load for restoring the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control means (28) further includes the upper tank shutter (13a) on the condition that the operation state detection means (58) detects the operation of the belt conveyor (51a, 51b). 3. The game ball transport device according to claim 1, wherein the opening control is performed and the forcible discharge means (60) is driven so that the belt conveyors (51 a, 51 b) are substantially horizontal. .

  According to the above invention, when the restoration work of the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) is completed and the operation start of the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) is detected by the operation state detecting means (58), the upper tank (13) The supply of game balls to the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) is resumed, and the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) are returned to a substantially horizontal position. Thereby, the work burden concerning the operation preparation of the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) can be reduced.

In the invention according to claim 4 , the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) is provided along the direction from the upper tank (13) toward the end of the gaming machine island (10),
The forced discharge means (60) tilts the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) by lowering the end side of the gaming machine island (10) with the upper tank (13) side as a rotation shaft (61). The game ball transport device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 , wherein the game balls on the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) are forcibly discharged from the end side of the gaming machine island (10). is there.

  According to the above invention, for example, the game ball transport devices are installed on the left and right sides of the upper tank (13) installed at the center of the gaming machine island (10), and each game ball transport device is connected to the upper tank (13). ) Side is used as a rotation axis to lower the end side of the gaming machine island (10) to form an inclination, and the game ball is forcibly discharged from the end side of the gaming machine island (10). Compared to the case where one belt conveyor is installed over the entire length of the gaming machine island (10), it becomes easier to secure a large inclination of the belt conveyors (51a, 51b), and the gaming machine island (10). Even if the total length of the game machine becomes longer, the game balls on the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) can be forcibly discharged by the inclination.

In the invention according to claim 5 , the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) is provided along the direction from the upper tank (13) toward the end of the gaming machine island (10),
The forcible discharge means (60) tilts the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) by raising the upper tank (13) side with the end side of the gaming machine island (10) as a rotation axis (61). The game ball transport device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 , wherein the game balls on the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) are forcibly discharged from the end side of the gaming machine island (10). is there.

  According to the above invention, the upper tank (13) side is raised to incline the belt conveyors (51a, 51b). For example, along with the raising operation of the upper tank (13) side belt conveyors (51a, 51b). The closing of the upper tank shutter (13a) can be performed in conjunction with a simple mechanism.

In the invention according to claim 6 , the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) is provided along the direction from the upper tank (13) toward the end of the gaming machine island (10),
The said forced discharge means (60) inclines the said belt conveyor (51a, 51b) by raising the edge part side of the said game machine island (10) by making the said upper tank (13) side into a rotating shaft (61). The game ball transport device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 , wherein the game balls on the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) are forcibly discharged from the upper tank (13) side.

  According to the above invention, when the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) are inclined, the end side of the gaming machine island (10) is raised with the upper tank (13) side as the rotation shaft (61). Even if (51a, 51b) is inclined, there is no possibility that the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) interferes with the upper tank (13), and a sufficient gradient (inclination) can be ensured. Since the game balls are forcibly discharged from the upper tank (13) side, the hose (24) for discharging the game balls from the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) and the overflow hose (21) of the upper tank (13). Can be aggregated.

In the invention according to claim 7 , the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) is provided along the direction from the upper tank (13) toward the end of the gaming machine island (10),
The forced discharge means (60) tilts the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) by lowering the upper tank (13) side with the end side of the gaming machine island (10) as a rotation axis (61). a Yu TECHNICAL ball conveying apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that to force discharged allowed by the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) on the game ball from the upper tank (13) side.

  According to the above invention, when the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) is inclined, the upper tank (13) side is lowered with the end side of the gaming machine island (10) as the rotation axis (61). Even if (51a, 51b) is inclined, there is no possibility that the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) interferes with the upper tank (13), and a sufficient gradient can be ensured. Since the game balls are forcibly discharged from the upper tank (13) side, the hose (24) for discharging the game balls from the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) and the overflow hose (21) of the upper tank (13). Can be aggregated.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the belt conveyor (51a, 51b) has rollers disposed at both ends of a conveyance frame having a planar support portion (52c) extending in the longitudinal direction of the conveyance path, and an endless belt (55a , 55b) and the side onto which the game ball so as to laid on the support portion (52c) of claim 4, 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that that spanned between the roller It is a game ball transport device.

    According to the above invention, the endless belts (55a, 55b) are stretched between the rollers at both ends of the transport frame so that the side on which the game ball is placed is placed over the flat support portion. Is maintained in a substantially flat state even when a game ball is placed, and the endless belt (55a) is compared with the case where the surface of the conveying path is curved in a convex cross section along the peripheral surfaces of the plurality of tension rollers. 55b) The game ball is likely to stay on the top. Therefore, even when the belt conveyors (51a, 51b) are tilted and the upper tank shutter (13a) is closed at the same time in response to a motor failure or belt cutting, there are some game balls on the endless belts (55a, 55b). A game ball can be replenished to the gaming device for a while. During this time, the attendant at the amusement hall can explain the situation to the player or be guided to other gaming machine islands, which can somewhat alleviate the business trouble.

According to Yu Technical sphere conveying device that involved in the present invention, when the belt conveyor becomes a non-operating state due to disconnection failure or a belt of a motor, the supply of the abnormality by detecting game medium on the conveyor belt the so forcibly discharge the particular Hence game medium is to and inclined belt conveyors stop from the belt conveyor, without remaining game balls forever on the belt conveyor has stopped, the burden of recovery work of the belt conveyor is reduced In addition, recovery work can be performed quickly.

  In addition, when the belt conveyor restoration work is completed, the operation of the belt conveyor is detected, the inclination is automatically restored, and the supply of game media from the upper tank to the belt conveyor is resumed. The related work burden can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an internal structure of a gaming machine island 10 provided with a game ball supply device according to the present embodiment. The gaming machine island 10 accommodates a large number of gaming machines 2 and inter-ball ball lending machines 3 arranged in parallel as gaming machines. In addition, various incidental facilities for repetitively using a game ball, which is a game medium provided for a game, in the gaming machine island 10 are accommodated. Here, the gaming machine 2 is a pachinko machine, and the platform ball lending machine 3 is a device that lends a game ball (pachinko ball) to a player.

  The gaming machine island 10 is constructed by constructing island frames and island pillars 11 on the floor of the game hall, attaching gaming devices 2 and 3 and incidental facilities to them, and providing an exterior not shown in other necessary places. The In the center of the gaming machine island 10, there is a lifting device 12 that lifts the game ball while polishing it from the lower part to the upper part of the island. A large number of ball lending machines 3 are installed on both front and back surfaces of the gaming machine island 10 in a state of being back-to-back.

  At the upper center of the gaming machine island 10, an upper tank 13 for storing the game balls lifted by the lifting device 12 is installed. On both the left and right sides of the lifting device 12, the game ball transport device 50 is hung substantially horizontally above the gaming machine 2 and the inter-ball ball lending machine 3 from below the upper tank 13 to the left or right end of the gaming machine island 10. Handed over and installed.

  The upper tank 13 includes an electric upper tank shutter 13 a that opens and closes a supply port for supplying game balls to the game ball transport device 50. The game ball transport device 50 is a belt conveyor type transport device, and transports the game balls supplied from the upper tank 13 substantially horizontally along the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 10 to each game device (the gaming machine 2 and the game machine 2). It fulfills the function of replenishing the ball machine 3). The game balls being transported are appropriately taken in and aligned with the chutes 31 arranged along both longitudinal edges of the transport path, and then replenished to each gaming machine 2 and the interbank ball lending machine 3. . A chute 31 serving as a game ball take-in port is installed for each gaming machine 2 and each inter-ball ball lending machine 3 corresponding to the installation location of the gaming machine 2 and the inter-ball ball lending machine 3.

  A plurality of lower tanks 15 for storing game balls are installed below the gaming machines 2 and the inter-ball ball lending machines 3 accommodated in parallel on the gaming machine island 10. At the bottom of the lower tank 15, a lower tank shutter 15a for opening and closing the discharge port is provided. Below the lower tank 15, a recovery conveyor 16 is installed from the left and right island ends to the ball inlet 12 a at the lower part of the lifting device 12, and the game balls discharged from each gaming machine 2 as out balls The game balls discharged from the lower tank 15 are collected by the collection conveyor 16 and conveyed to the ball introduction port 12a of the lifting device 12.

  The upper tank 13 is provided with an overflow pipe 21 for allowing excess game balls to escape. The game balls that have flowed down the overflow pipe 21 are discharged into the lower tank 15 and stored. Further, the surplus game balls in the game ball transport device 50 are guided and stored in the lower tank 15 through the overflow pipe 23 from the dedicated chute 31a provided with the overflow shutter 22.

  A discharge hose 24 that hangs down to the collection conveyor 16 is installed at the end of each game ball transport device 50 on the island end side, and the game balls forcedly discharged from the game ball transport device 50 are collected by the discharge hose 24. 16 to guide.

  In the gaming machine island 10, the game balls discharged from each gaming machine 2 are collected by the collection path 17 and the collection conveyor 16, and are lifted and stored in the upper tank 13 while being polished by the lifting device 12. Based on a route in which the game balls supplied from the upper tank 13 are transported by the game ball transport device 50 and supplied to each game machine 2 again, the game balls used for the game are circulated in the game machine island 10. It is designed to be used repeatedly. A control panel 28 containing electronic devices for performing various controls related to circulation and storage of game balls in the island is installed at the upper end of the island on the left side of the gaming machine island 10. The control panel 28 functions as control means for controlling the operation of the game ball transport device 50, the opening and closing of the upper tank shutter 13a, the forced discharge operation of the game ball from the game ball transport device 50, and the like.

  FIG. 2 shows an entire front view of a replenishing device including two left and right game ball transfer devices 50 and an upper tank 13 installed on the gaming machine island 10, and FIG. 3 shows both end portions of the left game ball transfer device 50. 4 shows a plane near the center of the game ball transport device 50, and FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the transport path of the game ball transport device 50. As shown in FIG. The two left and right game ball transport devices 50 have the same structure. In FIG. 2, the left game ball transport device 50 appears on the front side of the game ball transport device 50, and the right game ball transport device 50 transports the game balls. The back side of the device 50 appears.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the game ball transport device 50 includes a first belt conveyor 51 a and a second belt conveyor 51 b arranged in parallel as transport paths for transporting the game balls 5, the transport directions being opposite to each other. Prepare. Here, the first belt conveyor 51a conveys game balls in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 4, and the second belt conveyor 51b conveys game balls in the direction of arrow C opposite thereto.

  The game ball transport device 50 includes a transport frame 52 that has substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the transport path, and the first belt conveyor 51a (see the right side of FIG. 2) is pivotally supported by one end of the transport frame 52. An endless first conveyor belt 55a is stretched between the first drive pulley 53a and a first driven pulley 54a pivotally supported at the other end. Furthermore, a first motor 56a that drives the first drive pulley 53a and a first tension roller 57a that removes the slack of the first transport belt 55a are provided.

  The second belt conveyor 51b (see the left side of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3) is configured in the opposite direction to the first belt conveyor 51a, and has a second drive pulley 53b and a second driven pulley provided at both ends of the transport frame 52. 54b, and an endless second conveyor belt 55b. The second motor 56b for driving the second drive pulley 53b and a set of second tensions for loosening the second conveyor belt 55b. And a roller 57b.

  Further, the game ball transport device 50 includes a slit sensor 58 (see FIG. 3) that detects the rotation of the tension rollers 57a and 57b. The slit sensor 58 detects whether or not the first and second transport belts 55a and 55b normally circulate, and functions as an operation state detection unit that detects the operation state of the belt conveyors 51a and 51b. Fulfill.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game ball transport device 50 includes two chutes 31 (a gaming machine chute 31 b and a gaming machine chute 31 b) with respect to a distance D obtained by combining the lateral widths of the gaming machine 2 and the interball ball lending machine 3. Chute 31c) for the ball lending machine is attached along both sides in the longitudinal direction of the game ball transport device 50.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the transport frame 52 has a planar support portion 52a extending in the longitudinal direction of the transport path. The first belt conveyor 51a and the second belt conveyor 51b are spanned so that the back surfaces of the game balls are placed on the support portions 52a of the transport frame 52, and support the weight of the transported game balls. It is received and supported by the portion 52a. The support portion 52a is supported by a U-shaped pedestal portion 52c having a substantially downward cross section.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the transport frame 52 of the game ball transport device 50 is supported by a rotating shaft 61 in the vicinity of the end on the upper tank 13 side, and is driven in the vicinity of the end of the gaming machine island 10. It is supported by a telescopic rod 63 that advances and retreats from the cylinder 62. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the drive cylinder 62 is fixed to the inward curtain support portion 11 a of the gaming machine island 10, and the distal end of the telescopic rod 63 supports the lower end of the pedestal portion 52 c.

  The conveyance frame 52, the first belt conveyor 51a, and the second belt conveyor 51b rotate about the rotation shaft 61 by extending and contracting the telescopic rod 63, and the end side of the gaming machine island 10 is raised and lowered. It is configured to be displaceable between an inclined state in which the end portion side is lowered and a horizontal state. A position Dp in FIG. 7 indicates the position of the pedestal portion 52c in the lowered state. The rotating shaft 61, the drive cylinder 62, and the telescopic rod 63 serve as a forced discharge means 60 that forcibly discharges the game balls from the first belt conveyor 51a and the second belt conveyor 51b.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a discharge portion 25 is disposed at the end of the gaming machine island 10 in the gaming ball transport device 50, and a discharge hose 24 is provided below the discharge portion 25. In addition, a discharge rail 26 that guides the game ball from the ends of the first belt conveyor 51a and the second belt conveyor 51b to the discharge unit 25 is installed.

  At both ends in the longitudinal direction of the game ball transport device 50, contact members 65a and 65b with which the game balls that have reached the vicinity of the end in the transport direction are provided are provided. The game balls that have been transported to the end of one belt conveyor come into contact with the contact members 65a and 65b and stay in front of them, eventually overflow and move to the other belt conveyor (see FIG. 6). By making such a transition at both ends, the game balls on the game ball transport device 50 circulate between the contact member 65a and the contact member 65b by the first belt conveyor 51a and the second belt conveyor 51b. To be conveyed.

  The contact member 65a provided on the discharge unit 25 side is attached to the upper end of the support frame 66 that is fixed to the support unit 11a within the curtain plate and extends upward. When the end of the machine island 10 moves up and down, the transport frame 52 and the contact member 65a move relative to each other. When the transport frame 52 is in a substantially horizontal state, the transported game ball and the contact member 65a are in contact with each other. When a state is formed in which the game balls transition from one to the other belt conveyor in contact with each other and the end side of the gaming machine island 10 of the transport frame 52 is lowered, the contact member 65a is connected to the first belt conveyor 51a and the first belt conveyor 51a. A state is formed in which the game ball and the contact member 65a which have been separated from the two-belt conveyor 51b and are not in contact with each other are not in contact.

  Next, a game ball transfer operation by the game ball transfer device 50 will be described.

  By opening the upper tank shutter 13a of the upper tank 13, game balls are supplied from the upper tank 13 onto the first belt conveyor 51a and the second belt conveyor 51b of the game ball transport device 50. As shown in FIG. 4, the supplied game balls are transported in the direction of arrow B by the first belt conveyor 51a, and transported in the direction of arrow C opposite to this by the second belt conveyor 51b. Further, at both ends, the abutment with the abutment members 65a and 65b causes a transition from one belt conveyor to the other belt conveyor, so that the game balls circulate around the two belt conveyors 51a and 51b. Be transported.

  In addition, since the first belt conveyor 51a and the second belt conveyor 51b have no steps or barriers at the boundary and the game balls are formed so that they can freely come and go, collision between the game balls conveyed in the opposite direction It occurs at the boundary between the two belt conveyors 51a and 51b.

  For example, as shown by the arrow F in FIG. 4, the game ball that has collided is changed in its course, and the game ball that has been changed in course is more likely to collide with other game balls. The game ball inside takes a course in various directions. For example, a certain game ball changes its course due to a collision at the boundary, and is directly taken into the intake port 32 of the chute 31. In addition, various collisions occur in a chain due to the collision occurring at the boundary, so that the game ball being transported is taken into the intake port 32 of the chute 31.

  The game balls in the ball receiving spaces 52d on both sides of the belt conveyors 51a and 51b are also dragged to the intake port 32 by the game balls conveyed by the first belt conveyor 51a or the second belt conveyor 51b. Then, it is transported and taken in.

  As described above, the game balls collide at the boundary between the first belt conveyor 51a and the second belt conveyor 51b whose transport directions are reversed, and thereby the game balls are transported along the transport direction, and the game balls are replenished. The function of distributing and replenishing game balls to the intake ports 32 of the chute 31 arranged along both longitudinal edges of the device 50 is realized. Further, since the game balls are transported horizontally, it is not necessary to provide a gradient as in the conventional replenishment basket, and the height of the gaming machine island 10 can be reduced accordingly. Furthermore, since the course of the game ball is changed due to a collision at the boundary, it is not necessary to provide a special mechanism for directing the course to the side, and the configuration of the game ball supply device 50 is simplified. be able to.

  Next, the game ball forced discharge operation will be described.

  When the control panel 28 detects the operation state of the left and right game ball transport devices 50 by the respective slit sensors 58 and detects that the transport operation has been stopped due to a failure of the motors 56a, 56b or the disconnection of the transport belts 55a, 55b, The upper tank shutter 13a on the side where the game ball is supplied to the game ball transport device 50 whose transport operation has been stopped is closed, and the telescopic rod 63 of the game ball transport device 50 whose transport operation has been stopped is retracted, and the discharge unit 25 The belt conveyors 51a and 51b are inclined so that the side becomes lower.

  FIG. 8A shows the game ball transport device 50 in a horizontal state, and FIG. 8B shows the game ball transport device 50 in an inclined state. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the telescopic rod 63 is extended, the transport frame 52 (belt conveyors 51a and 51b) is maintained in a substantially horizontal state. Further, the contact member 65a is substantially in contact with the road surfaces of the belt conveyors 51a and 51b, and the game balls are conveyed so as to circulate around the two belt conveyors 51a and 51b. In FIG. 8A, the upper tank shutter 13a is opened, and game balls are appropriately supplied from the upper tank 13 onto the belt conveyors 51a and 51b.

  When the telescopic rod 63 retracts, as shown in FIG. 8B, the transport frame 52 rotates and tilts about the rotation shaft 61. At this time, the contact member 65a supported by the support frame 66 stays at the same position as in the horizontal state, so the contact member 65a is detached from the transport frame 52 (belt conveyors 51a and 51b). As a result, the game balls that have flowed down on the inclined belt conveyors 51a and 51b roll as they are without contacting the contact member 65a and are discharged from the discharge unit 25 as shown in FIG.

  In this way, the game balls can be forcibly discharged from the belt conveyors 51a and 51b with a simple configuration without newly providing a shutter device or the like. At this time, since the upper tank shutter 13a is closed as shown in FIG. 8B, the supply of game balls from the upper tank 13 onto the belt conveyors 51a and 51b is stopped, and all the belts on the belt conveyors 51a and 51b are stopped. The game ball is eventually discharged from the discharge unit 25. Thereby, compared with the case where game balls remain on the belt conveyors 51a and 51b, the burden related to the restoration work of the failed game ball transport device 50 is reduced. Further, when the stop of the transport operation is detected, the upper tank shutter 13a is automatically closed and the belt conveyors 51a and 51b are tilted to forcibly discharge the game balls, so that a game attendant closes the upper tank shutter 13a. Compared with the case where the belt conveyors 51a and 51b are tilted by manual operation, the staff can hardly notice and the restoration work can be proceeded quickly.

  Further, since the belt conveyors 51a and 51b are stretched over the support portion 52a of the transport frame 52, the cross section of the transport path is substantially horizontal in the width direction. As a result, compared with a case where the road surface of the conveyance path is curved in a convex cross section along the peripheral surfaces of the plurality of tension rollers, the game balls are likely to stay on the belt conveyors 51a and 51b, and the conveyance operation is stopped. Thus, even when the belt conveyors 51a and 51b are tilted and at the same time the upper tank shutter 13a is closed, some game balls remain on the belt conveyors 51a and 51b, and the game balls are removed from the chute 31 for a while. Can be replenished. During this time, the situation can be explained to the player or guided to another gaming machine island, which can somewhat alleviate the business trouble.

  Thereafter, when the restoration work of the belt conveyors 51a and 51b is completed and the operation of the belt conveyors 51a and 51b is started, the slit sensor 58 detects the start of the operation of the belt conveyors 51a and 51b. Upon detection, the control panel 28 performs a series of control operations such as extending the telescopic rod 63 to bring the transport frame 52 (belt conveyors 51a and 51b) into a horizontal state and opening the upper tank shutter 13a. Thereby, the operation preparation work of the belt conveyors 51a and 51b is reduced, and resumption of operation can be advanced smoothly and quickly.

  In addition, independent game ball transfer devices 50 are provided on the right and left sides of the gaming machine island 10, respectively, and the upper tank shutter 13a is closed and forcedly discharged by tilting only on the side where the transfer operation is stopped due to a failure or the like. Therefore, even when one of the left and right game ball transport devices 50 breaks down, the operation of the other game ball transport device 50 can be maintained, and the influence on the player can be suppressed to a minimum. Furthermore, by providing the game ball transport device 50 separately on the right side and the left side of the game machine island 10, compared to the case of installing a long game ball transport device over almost the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the game machine island 10, The overall length of one game ball transport device 50 is shortened, and the descending distance for obtaining a necessary gradient can be shortened. As a result, even if the entire length of the gaming machine island 10 is increased, a necessary gradient can be ensured, and smooth forced discharge from the end of the gaming machine island 10 becomes possible.

  FIG. 10 shows a game ball transport device 50B in a case where the orientation is changed so that the discharge unit 25 is on the upper tank 13 side with respect to that shown in FIG. The rotating shaft 61 is on one end side of the gaming machine island 10, and the end of the transport frame 52 on the upper tank 13 side is moved up and down by expansion and contraction of the drive cylinder 62. When the slit sensor 58 detects the stop of the transport operation, the telescopic rod 63 retracts, the upper tank 13 side end of the transport frame 52 descends, and the game ball rolls from the end side of the gaming machine island 10 toward the center. It is discharged and discharged from a discharge portion 25 provided at an end portion on the upper tank 13 side. The lower end of the discharge hose 24 is connected to a collection path 17 for collecting game balls and the like discharged from the gaming machine 2.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 10, since the game balls are forcibly discharged from the upper tank 13 side, the discharge hose 24 for discharging the game balls from the belt conveyors 51a and 51b and the overflow pipe 21 from the upper tank 13 are provided. Can be aggregated. Further, even if the belt conveyors 51a and 51b are inclined, there is no possibility that the belt conveyor interferes with the upper tank 13, and a sufficient gradient can be ensured.

  In FIG. 10, the transport frame 52 (belt conveyors 51a and 51b) is inclined so that the game ball rolls toward the upper tank 13 by lowering the end of the transport frame 52 on the upper tank 13 side. The rotation axis 61 is provided on the upper tank 13 side of the transport frame 52, and the game ball rolls toward the upper tank 13 side by extending the telescopic rod 63 provided on one end side of the game machine island 10 of the transport frame 52. It may be inclined like this.

  Also in this case, the discharge hose 24 and the overflow pipe 21 from the upper tank 13 can be integrated as shown in FIG. Further, even if the belt conveyors 51a and 51b are inclined, there is no possibility that the belt conveyor interferes with the upper tank 13, and a sufficient gradient can be ensured.

  FIG. 11 shows a game ball transport device 50C in which the belt conveyors 51a and 51b are inclined downward toward the end side of the gaming machine island 10 by raising the upper tank 13 side. Compared to the one shown in FIG. 8, the rotation shaft 61c is arranged on the end side of the gaming machine island 10 of the transport frame 52, and the upper tank 13 side of the transport frame 52 is moved up and down by the telescopic rod 63c of the drive cylinder 62c. It is different in that it was made. The contact member 65a on the discharge unit 25 side is attached to the tip of a support frame 66 fixed to the in-screen plate support 11a. Further, the upper tank shutter 13 a is connected to a predetermined portion at the end of the transport frame 52 on the upper tank 13 side by a shutter interlocking mechanism 74.

  When the game ball transport device 50C is placed in a horizontal state, the telescopic rod 63c on the upper tank 13 side is retracted as shown in FIG. In the horizontal state, the shutter interlocking mechanism 74 is substantially extended, the upper tank shutter 13a is opened, and game balls are supplied from the upper tank 13 onto the belt conveyors 51a and 51b. Further, in this case, the contact member 65a is in a state of being substantially in contact with the road surfaces of the belt conveyors 51a and 51b, and the game balls are conveyed so as to circulate on the two belt conveyors 51a and 51b.

  When it is detected by the slit sensor 58 that the transport operation of the game ball transport device 50C is stopped, as shown in FIG. 11B, the telescopic rod 63c is extended, and the upper portion of the transport frame 52 around the rotation shaft 61c. Raise the tank 13 side. At this time, since the contact member 65a is fixed to the support frame 66, the contact member 65a is slightly detached from the road surface of the belt conveyors 51a and 51b, and the game ball is between the contact member 65a and the belt conveyors 51a and 51b. There is enough space to pass through. As a result, the game balls on the belt conveyors 51a and 51b roll to the end side of the gaming machine island 10 due to the inclination of the game ball transport device 50C. Further, as the end of the transport frame 52 on the upper tank 13 side rises, the shutter interlocking mechanism 74 is compressed, the upper tank shutter 13a is interlocked and the supply of game balls from the upper tank 13 is stopped.

  Further, since the contact member 65a is detached from the road surfaces of the belt conveyors 51a and 51b, the game balls flowing down on the inclined belt conveyors 51a and 51b roll as they are without contacting the contact members 65a and are discharged. 25 is discharged. As a result, the burden associated with the restoration work of the malfunctioning game ball transport device 50C is reduced, and the restoration work can be proceeded quickly.

  In this way, the upper tank 13 side of the transport frame 52 is moved up and down to displace it between a horizontal state and an inclined state, so that the upper tank shutter 13a can be opened and closed with a simple mechanism such as a shutter interlocking mechanism 74 according to the displacement. This eliminates the need for a special control device for opening and closing the upper tank shutter 13a, thereby simplifying the device configuration.

  FIG. 12 shows a configuration example in the case where one game ball transport device 50D is provided over substantially the entire length of the gaming machine island 10 in the longitudinal direction. In the game ball transport device 50D, a rotation shaft 61d is provided on one end side of the gaming machine island 10 in the transport frame 52, and the other end side of the game machine island 10 is connected to the support part 11a in the curtain plate. The telescopic rod 63d is moved up and down from the fixed drive cylinder 62d to move up and down. When the telescopic rod 63d is extended, the transport frame 52 (belt conveyors 51a and 51b) is substantially horizontal, and the contact member 65a supported by the support frame 66 is in contact with the road surfaces of the belt conveyors 51a and 51b.

  On the other hand, when the telescopic rod 63d is retracted as shown in FIG. 12, the transport frame 52 (belt conveyors 51a and 51b) is inclined, and the contact member 65a supported by the support frame 66 is moved to the belt conveyors 51a and 51b. Leave the road. As a result, the game ball that has been on the game ball transport device 50 </ b> D over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 10 rolls toward the lower end of the slope and is discharged from the discharge unit 25. The point of controlling the opening / closing of the upper tank shutter 13a and the inclination of the game ball transport device 50D according to the detection state of the slit sensor 58 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 12, the number of forcible discharge means (rotating shaft 61, drive cylinder 62d, telescopic rod 63d, etc.) for inclining the belt conveyors 51a and 51b can be reduced to one. Furthermore, since the discharge hose 24 and the discharge portion 25 need only be provided at one island end, the apparatus configuration is simplified.

  FIG. 13 shows a substantially central portion of a game ball transport device 80 of a type in which a course changing member is arranged on the partition wall. The game ball conveying device 80 has partition walls 81 standing along the boundary between the first belt conveyor 51a and the second belt conveyor 51b, and the path changing members 82 are provided at various locations on both wall surfaces of the partition wall 81. It is attached. The partition wall 82 is formed over substantially the entire length excluding the vicinity of both ends of the transport path, and the height thereof is set slightly higher than the game ball.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, the course changing member 82 is obtained by bending a leaf spring into a U-shape. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the first posture (S1) is inclined so that the surface on the chute 31 side faces the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the posture parallel to the transport direction (arrow M in the drawing). Then, it is displaced to the second posture (S2) having a smaller inclination than the first posture (S1) and is biased toward the first posture (S1) by the elastic force of the leaf spring. The elastic force is substantially maintained in the first posture (S1) when an appropriate amount of game balls collide with the course changing member 82 from the upstream side, and is second when a large amount of game balls collide with the course changing member 82. The strength is set so as to be displaced to the posture (S2).

  The course changing member 82 is provided in association with the intake port 32 of each chute 31, so that a game ball whose course has been changed due to a collision caused by the course changing member 82 or a game ball that has collided in a chain manner can be taken in well. A course changing member 82 is disposed so as to be taken into the mouth 32. Specifically, the course changing member 82 is set to the upstream side in the transport direction to some extent with respect to the target intake port 32. For example, in FIG. 13, a course changing member 82A is provided for the intake port 32A, and a course changing member 82B is provided for the intake port 32B.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the game balls supplied to the game ball transport device 80 are transported in the direction of arrow B by the first belt conveyor 51a, and in the direction of arrow C opposite to this by the second belt conveyor 51b. Be transported. FIG. 13 shows a state where an appropriate amount of game balls are being conveyed. When an appropriate amount of game balls are being transported, the course change member 82 is in the substantially first posture, so that a collision between the game balls and the course change member 82 occurs during transport.

  The game ball that has collided changes its course diagonally, for example, as indicated by an arrow H in the figure. The game sphere whose course has been changed in this way is more likely to collide with other game spheres. Collisions occur in various places, and the game sphere being transported takes a course in various directions. For example, a certain game ball changes its course due to a collision with the course changing member 82 and is taken into the intake port 32 of the chute 61 as it is. Further, various collisions occur in a chain due to the collision with the course changing member 82, so that the game ball being conveyed is taken into the intake port 32 of the chute 31.

  On the other hand, when a large amount of game balls are being transported, as shown in FIG. 15, the course change member 82 is pushed by the large amount of the game balls being transported so that the course changing member 82 is almost parallel to the transport direction of the game balls. It is displaced to. Thereby, the course changing member 82 does not interfere with the course of the game ball, and a large amount of conveyance is performed efficiently. Note that when a large amount of game balls are being transported, the game balls are present almost the full width of the transport path, so even if the course changing member 82 is in the second position, it passes through the ball receiving spaces 52d on both sides. Game balls are sequentially taken into the take-in port 32 of the chute 31.

  Thus, by attaching the course changing member 82 to both wall surfaces of the partition wall 81 provided at the boundary between the first belt conveyor 51a and the second belt conveyor 51b, the function of transporting the game ball along the transport direction; The function of distributing and replenishing the game balls to the intake ports 32 of the chute 31 arranged along both longitudinal edges of the game ball transport device 80 is realized. Further, since the game balls are transported horizontally, it is not necessary to provide a gradient as in the conventional replenishment basket, and the height of the gaming machine island 10 can be reduced accordingly. Further, since the course of the game ball is changed due to the collision with the course changing member 82 attached to the wall surface of the partition wall 81, there is no need to provide a special mechanism for directing the course to the side. The configuration of the ball transport device 80 can be simplified.

  As described above, as the game ball replenishing device 50, the first belt conveyor 51a and the second belt conveyor 51b whose transport directions are opposite to each other are arranged close to each other in parallel, and the game balls collide at the boundary. Although a system in which the trajectory of the sphere changes and is taken into the chute 31 is used, other systems may be used. For example, as will be described later, the present invention can also be applied to a system in which game balls are conveyed by a single belt conveyor.

Next, reference embodiments related to the present invention will be described.

In the embodiment, the game ball transport devices 50 and 80 are used for transporting the game balls in the gaming machine island 10, but in the reference mode , the game balls between the gaming machine island 10 and other gaming machine islands 10 It is used to transport FIG. 16 shows an inter-island conveyor 90 as a game ball transporting device spanned between the first upper tank 13A of the first gaming machine island 10A and the second upper tank 13B of the second gaming machine island 10B. ing. The game ball transport device 50 has two belt conveyors 51a and 51b whose transport directions are opposite to each other. However, in the inter-island conveyor 90, the game ball is transported from the first upper tank 13A to the second upper part by the single belt conveyor 91. It is conveyed in one direction J to the tank 13B.

  The transport frame 92 of the inter-island conveyor 90 is supported so that the end portion on the first upper tank 13A side is pivotable by a pivot shaft 93, and the end portion on the second upper tank 13B side is a predetermined portion of the second upper tank 13B. It is supported by the tip of a telescopic rod 95 that moves up and down from a drive cylinder 94 fixed to the head. The operation state of the belt conveyor 91 is detected by the slit sensor 96 as in the case of the game ball transport device 50.

  When the operation of the belt conveyor 91 is detected normally by the slit sensor 96, as shown in FIG. 16A, the telescopic rod 95 is extended, and the belt conveyor 91 is held in a substantially horizontal state. A transfer operation from the first upper tank 13A to the second upper tank 13B (in the direction of arrow J) is performed.

  When the slit sensor 96 detects the stop of the conveying operation of the belt conveyor 91 due to a failure of the motor 97 or the like, the telescopic rod 95 is retracted as shown in FIG. The end is lowered and the belt conveyor 91 is inclined. Due to this inclination, the game balls on the belt conveyor 91 roll in the same direction as the normal conveyance direction J, and the transfer of the game balls from the first upper tank 13A toward the second upper tank 13B is ensured. Thereby, it is not necessary to add a separate control for adjusting the amount of game balls stored in the gaming machine islands 10A and 10B in case the belt conveyor 91 breaks down.

  Note that the supply of game balls from the first upper tank 13A to the belt conveyor 91 may be stopped by closing the shutter or the like when the stop of the conveying operation of the belt conveyor 91 is detected. If the supply of the game balls on the belt conveyor 91 is stopped in accordance with the stop of the transport operation, the game balls remaining on the belt conveyor 91 are forcibly discharged due to the inclination, and therefore there are no game balls on the belt conveyor 91. The burden of recovery work is reduced, and the recovery work can proceed quickly.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment, the telescopic rod 63 is used to raise and lower the conveyance frame 52, but the conveyance frame 52 may be raised and lowered using a cam. FIG. 17 shows a game ball transport device 50E using the cam mechanism 100, and FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the cam mechanism 100. Except that the cam mechanism 100 is used instead of the drive cylinder 62 and the telescopic rod 63, the configuration is the same as that of the game ball transport device 50 shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 17A shows a state in which the conveyance frame 52 is held in a horizontal state by bringing the cam mechanism 100 rotated by power into an upright posture. In this state, the contact member 65a is substantially in contact with the road surface of the belt conveyors 51a and 51b, and the game balls are conveyed so as to circulate around the two belt conveyors 51a and 51b. In FIG. 17A, the upper tank shutter 13a is opened, and a game ball is appropriately supplied from the upper tank 13 onto the game ball transport device 50E.

  When the slit sensor 58 detects the failure of the motors 56a and 56b or the stop of the conveying operation due to the cutting of the conveying belts 55a and 55b, as shown in FIG. The upper tank shutter 13a is closed. By causing the cam mechanism 100 to lie sideways, the transport frame 52 rotates about the rotation shaft 61 and the end on the cam mechanism 100 side descends and tilts. At this time, the abutting member 65a supported by the support frame 66 is held at the same position as in the horizontal state shown in FIG. 17A, so that the abutting member 65a is moved to the transport frame 52 (belt conveyors 51a and 51b). ). Thereby, the game balls on the belt conveyors 51a and 51b roll to the discharge unit 25 and are forcibly discharged.

  In addition, in the embodiment, as the game ball transport devices 50 and 80 used in the gaming machine island 10, two belt conveyors are used. However, like the game ball transport device 50F shown in FIG. One belt conveyor may be used. FIG. 19A shows a state during conveyance, and FIG. 19B shows a state when the conveyance operation is stopped. When a single belt conveyor is used, the game balls are conveyed in one way from the upper tank 13 side toward the discharge portion 25 on the end side of the gaming machine island 10. Therefore, when forced discharge is performed from the end portion on the upper tank 13 side, the discharge portion 25 and the discharge hose 24 are also provided on the end portion on the upper tank 13 side. The discharge hose 24 may be integrated with the overflow pipe 21.

  In addition, the inclination mechanism of the belt conveyor is not limited to the method exemplified in the embodiment, and any mechanism may be used. Furthermore, the method of forcibly discharging the game balls is not limited to the method of inclining the belt conveyor.

  In the embodiment, the upper tank shutter 13a is closed based on the detection of the stop of the conveying operation by the belt conveyor. However, a game ball (game) on the belt conveyor can be used even by a method other than closing the shutter. The supply of the medium may be stopped. For example, the game ball supplied onto the belt conveyor may be allowed to escape to the overflow pipe 21 or the like.

It is a front view which shows the internal structure of the game machine island provided with the game ball | bowl conveying apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the whole game ball conveying apparatus installed in the gaming machine island. It is an enlarged view which shows the drive part of a game ball conveying apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the behavior of the game ball in conveyance. It is sectional drawing of the conveyance path part of a game ball conveying apparatus. It is a top view which shows the discharge part side termination | terminus part of the game ball conveying apparatus in a horizontal state. It is explanatory drawing which shows the cross section of the installation state of a game ball conveying apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which compares the horizontal state and inclination state of the type of game ball conveying apparatus of the type which lowers | removes a game machine island edge part side and forcibly discharges a game ball to this edge part side. It is a top view which shows the discharge part side termination | terminus part of the game ball conveying apparatus in an inclined state. It is explanatory drawing which shows the game ball conveying apparatus installed so that a game ball may be forcedly discharged to the upper tank side. It is explanatory drawing which shows the horizontal state and inclination state of the type of game ball conveying apparatus of the type which raises an upper tank side and forcibly discharges a game ball to the gaming machine island end side. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example at the time of providing one game ball | bowl conveying apparatus over the substantially full length of the longitudinal direction of game machine island. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the state in which the game ball conveying apparatus of the type which arranged the course change member on the partition wall conveys a suitable amount of game balls. It is explanatory drawing which shows a course change member. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the state in which the game ball conveying apparatus of the type which arranged the course change member on the partition wall conveys a lot of game balls. It is explanatory drawing which shows the horizontal state (at the time of normal) of an inter-island conveyor, and the inclined state (at the time of conveyance operation stop) by contrast. It is explanatory drawing which shows the horizontal state and inclination state of the game ball conveying apparatus using a cam mechanism in comparison. It is an enlarged view which shows a drive part and a cam mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which compares and shows the time of the normal conveyance of the discharge part side termination | terminus part of a game ball | bowl conveying apparatus using one belt conveyor, and the time of conveyance operation stop.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Game machine 3 ... Tama ball lending machine 5 ... Game ball 10 ... Game machine island 11 ... Island pillar 11a ... Curtain board support part 12 ... Lifting device 12a ... Ball introduction port 13 ... Upper tank 13a ... Upper tank shutter 13A ... 1st upper tank 13B ... 2nd upper tank 15 ... Lower tank 15a ... Lower tank shutter 16 ... Recovery conveyor 17 ... Recovery path 21 ... Overflow pipe 22 ... Overflow shutter 23 ... Overflow pipe 24 ... Discharge hose 25 ... Discharge part 26 ... discharge rail 28 ... control panel 31 ... chute 31a ... dedicated chute 31b ... chute for game machine 31c ... chute for ball lending machine 32 ... intake 50 ... game ball transport device 51a ... first belt conveyor 51b ... Second belt conveyor 52 ... Conveying frame 52a ... Supporting part 52c ... Base part 52d ... Ball receiving space 53a 1st drive pulley 53b ... 2nd drive pulley 54a ... 1st driven pulley 54b ... 2nd driven pulley 55a ... 1st conveyance belt 55b ... 2nd conveyance belt 56a ... 1st motor 56b ... 2nd motor 57a ... 1st tension roller 57b ... Second tension roller 58 ... Slit sensor 60 ... Forced discharge means 61, 61d ... Rotating shaft 62, 62d ... Drive cylinder 63, 63d ... Extensible rod 65a, 65b ... Contact member 66 ... Support frame 71 ... Drive cylinder 72 ... telescopic rod 74 ... shutter interlock mechanism 80 ... game ball transport device 81 ... partition wall 82 ... course changing member 90 ... inter-island conveyor 91 ... belt conveyor 92 ... transport frame 93 ... rotating shaft 94 ... drive cylinder 95 ... telescopic rod 96 ... Slit sensor 97 ... Motor 100 ... Cam mechanism

Claims (8)

Provided in a gaming machine island having an upper tank for storing a plurality of gaming devices side by side and storing game balls, and having a transfer path installed in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island, and supplied from the upper tank in the game ball transfer device for conveyed game balls to the respective game equipment by the transport path,
The transport path is constituted by a belt conveyor arranged substantially horizontally,
An upper tank shutter for opening and closing the supply port of the upper tank;
An operation state detecting means for detecting an operation state of the belt conveyor;
Forcibly discharging means for forcibly discharging game balls on the belt conveyor by inclining the belt conveyor;
A game ball transport device comprising: control means for controlling opening and closing of the upper tank shutter and forced discharge operation of the game ball by the forced discharge means in accordance with a detection result of the operation state detection means. The control means closes the upper tank shutter on the condition that the operation state detection means detects the stop of the belt conveyor, and drives the forced discharge means to incline the belt conveyor. The game ball transport device according to claim 1 . Further, the control means controls the opening of the upper tank shutter on the condition that the operation state detection means detects the operation of the belt conveyor, and drives the forced discharge means to make the belt conveyor substantially horizontal. The game ball transport device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein: The belt conveyor is provided along the direction from the upper tank toward the end of the gaming machine island,
The forcible discharge means tilts the belt conveyor by lowering the end side of the gaming machine island with the upper tank side as a rotation axis, so that the game balls on the belt conveyor are moved to the end of the gaming machine island. The game ball transport device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 , wherein the game ball is forcibly discharged from the side. The belt conveyor is provided along the direction from the upper tank toward the end of the gaming machine island,
The forcible discharge means tilts the belt conveyor by raising the upper tank side with the end side of the gaming machine island as a rotation axis, so that the game balls on the belt conveyor are moved to the end of the gaming machine island. The game ball transport device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 , wherein the game ball is forcibly discharged from the side. The belt conveyor is provided along the direction from the upper tank toward the end of the gaming machine island,
The forcible discharge means forcibly discharges the game balls on the belt conveyor from the upper tank side by tilting the belt conveyor by raising the end side of the gaming machine island with the upper tank side as a rotation axis. The game ball transport device according to claim 1, 2, or 3 . The belt conveyor is provided along the direction from the upper tank toward the end of the gaming machine island,
The forced discharge means forcibly discharges the game balls on the belt conveyor from the upper tank side by tilting the belt conveyor by lowering the upper tank side with the end side of the gaming machine island as a rotation axis. Yu TECHNICAL ball conveying apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that. The belt conveyor has rollers disposed at both ends of a transport frame having a planar support portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the transport path, and the endless belt is placed on the support portion so that the side on which the game ball is placed The game ball transport device according to claim 4, 5, 6, or 7 , wherein the game ball transport device is stretched between rollers.

Images