JP6133046B2 - Ball circulating device for enclosed game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball circulation device for an enclosed game machine, and more specifically, a circulation bag that is returned from a launching device and returns a game ball collected from at least one of an out port, a winning port, and a foul port to the launching device. The present invention relates to a ball circulation device for an enclosed game machine.

  As this type of ball circulation device, for example, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is already known. In this technique, the kite (circulating kite) is provided with a long rotating brush that removes dirt on the surface of the game ball whose inside is returned to the launching device. Thereby, the dirt on the surface of the game ball being returned to the launching device can be removed. That is, the game ball returning step and the game ball dirt removing step can be performed simultaneously.

JP 2004-81584 A

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1 described above, the game ball returned to the launching device rolls inside the bag due to its own weight. For this reason, if a rotating brush is provided inside the basket, this rotating brush acts as a resistance against the rolling game ball, and there is a risk that the gaming ball will stop in the basket. Further, in the technique of Patent Document 1 described above, the bag is provided on the back side of the front frame of the enclosed game machine. For this reason, the front frame has to be opened when carrying out the work to deal with ball clogging inside the bag and the cleaning work inside the bag. Therefore, the problem that maintenance property is bad has occurred.

  An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game ball in the middle of return in a ball circulation device of an enclosed game machine that can remove dirt on the surface of the game ball in the middle of return to the launching device. It is to improve maintainability without causing ball stoppage.

The present invention is for achieving the above object, and is configured as follows.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a ball of an enclosing game machine including a circulation rod that is returned from at least one of an outlet, a prize winning port, and a foul port and is returned to the launching device. In the circulation device, the dirt is removed by the dirt removing means for removing the dirt on the surface of the game ball returned to the launching device inside the circulation rod, and the dirt removing means is removed inside the circulation rod. conveying means for conveying the middle of game balls to launch device includes a circulation trough, soil removal means and the conveying means is mounted on the front side of the front frame being hinged to the outer frame, the transport A driving means for driving the means, and a sensor capable of detecting the stay of the game ball on the exit side of the circulation basket, and when the sensor detects the stay of the game ball, the driving of the transport means is stopped, sensor It consists of a base assembled to the circulating cage, a seesaw body that is pivotally supported by the base and a photo sensor, and is pressed against one of the seesaw bodies by a game ball being conveyed A possible pushing piece is formed, and a weight is formed on the other side of the seesaw body to expose the pushing piece from the notch formed in the circulating rod at all times when the sensor is assembled to the circulating rod. In the seesaw body, a shielding piece capable of shielding between the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion of the photosensor is formed .
According to this structure, the game ball in the middle of which the dirt is removed by the dirt removing means can be conveyed (returned) to the launching device by the conveying means. Since it can be transported by the transport means in this way, the game ball that is being transported (in the middle of return) does not stop. Further, the conveying means and the dirt removing means are assembled on the front side of the front frame. Therefore, it is not necessary to open the front frame even when the work to deal with the ball of the game ball inside the circulating cage and the cleaning operation inside the circulating cage are performed. Therefore, maintainability can be improved.

It is a front view of the enclosure type game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1. It is an enlarged view of the dish unit of FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at FIG. 3 from the back side. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the ball circulation device of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a plan view of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a front view of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 6. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the sensor unit of FIG. 9. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the ball circulation device of FIG. 5. It is a control circuit memorize | stored in the control apparatus of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the flow of game balls in the ball circulation device of FIG. 5. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the ball | bowl circulation apparatus of FIG. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the ball | bowl circulation apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the control circuit of FIG. It is a figure explaining the flow of counting of a game ball.

  Hereinafter, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated using FIGS. First, with reference to FIGS. 1-2, the whole structure of the enclosure type game machine 1 (encapsulation type pachinko machine 1) which concerns on the Example of this invention is demonstrated. The enclosed pachinko machine 1 mainly includes an outer frame 2 and a front frame 3 assembled to the outer frame 2 via hinges 6 and 6 (the axis of the lower hinge 6 is not shown). Has been. A glass door frame (not shown) that covers the game board 4 having a game area is assembled on the upper side of the front frame 3. On the other hand, a dish unit 5 is assembled below the front frame 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the dish unit 5 is assembled to the base 10 formed in a rectangular shape and the base 10, and an out port 4 a, a winning port (not shown), and a foul port (not shown) which will be described later. The game ball (out ball, safe ball, foul ball) P collected from the ball circulation device 30 for returning the game ball P to the launching device (not shown) and the dish cover 80 covering the ball circulation device 30 assembled to the base 10 It is configured. A winning ball (not shown) is provided with a safe ball count sensor capable of detecting a game ball (safe ball) P that has won the game. Below, these base 10, the ball circulation apparatus 30, and the dish cover 80 are demonstrated separately.

  First, the base 10 will be described. The base 10 has an out port 4 a of the game board 4, a main return port 12 for discharging the game balls P collected from a winning port (not shown), and a game collected from a foul port (not shown) of the game board 4. A sub return port 14 for discharging the ball P and a feed port 16 for feeding the collected game balls P to the ball feeding device 20 are formed. Further, a handle 18 that can be operated by the player is assembled to the base 10. When the game ball P sent to the ball feeder 20 is further fed to a launcher (not shown), the game ball P is launched into the game area of the game board 4 by operating the handle 18 of the player. The ball feeding device 20 is assembled with a firing count sensor 22 capable of detecting the passage of the game ball P fed to a launching device (not shown).

  Next, the ball circulation device 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. The ball circulation device 30 includes an inner dish body 40, a ball feed screw 50, a rotating brush 54, a motor unit 60, and a sensor unit 70. The middle dish main body 40 is configured by a member formed in a bowl shape having a ball path 40 a through which the game ball P discharged from the main return port 12 and the sub return port 14 of the base 10 is fed into the feed port 16. The inner tray main body 40 corresponds to the “circular bowl” described in the claims.

  Therefore, a main return port 42, a sub return port 44, and a feed port 46 corresponding to the main return port 12, the sub return port 14, and the feed port 16 of the base 10 are also formed in the inner tray body 40. Note that a foul ball sensor 44 a capable of detecting the passage of the discharged game ball P is assembled to the sub return port 44. The ball feed screw 50 has spirally formed wings, and is assembled along the longitudinal direction of the ball path 40a so that the game ball P passing through the ball path 40a can be transported. The ball feed screw 50 corresponds to “conveying means” described in the claims.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 17, the flow of counting the remaining amount of the game balls P that can be played by the player will be described. When the game ball P passes through the outlets 16 and 46 (S201 in FIG. 17) and the firing count sensor 22 detects the passage of the game ball P, the game ball counting means (not shown) An arithmetic process for subtracting 1 from the amount is performed (S202).

  Then, when the game ball P launched from the launching device (not shown) reaches the game area of the game board 4, the game ball P is collected from the winning port (not shown) and the out port 4a (S203), It returns to the ball path 40a through the main return port 42 of the main body 40 (S204). In S203, when the safe ball count sensor detects the passage of the game ball P, the game ball counting means (not shown) adds (for example, plus 3, 10, 13, etc.) from the remaining ball of the player. Perform arithmetic processing.

  On the other hand, if the game ball P launched from the launching device (not shown) does not reach the game area of the game board 4 (if it does not reach the game area), the game ball P is a foul mouth (not shown). Not collected) (S205) and returned to the ball path 40a via the sub return port 44 of the inner tray main body 40 (S207). At this time, since the foul ball sensor 44a detects the passage of the game ball P (S207), the game ball counting means (not shown) performs a calculation process to add 1 to the remaining ball amount of the player (S206).

  Thus, the game ball P returned to the ball path 40a passes through the sending ports 16 and 46 again (S208, S209). Thereafter, S201 to S209 are repeated. Note that the game ball counting means (not shown) blocks the passage of the game ball P of the ball feeding device 20 when the remaining amount of the ball of the player becomes zero. Therefore, the player cannot continue the game unless a predetermined operation is performed (for example, an operation for inserting cash is not performed).

  The rotating brush 54 is assembled through a brush receiving press 58 by screwing B along the longitudinal direction of the ball path 40a so that the surface of the game ball P conveyed by the ball feeding screw 50 can be brushed (polished). . Therefore, the ball feed screw 50 and the rotary brush 54 are assembled side by side along the longitudinal direction of the ball path 40a. The rotating brush 54 corresponds to “dirt removing means” described in the claims.

  The motor unit 60 includes a housing 62 that is assembled to the inner plate body 40 via screws B, and a first motor 64 and a second motor 66 that are respectively assembled to the housing 62. The drive shaft (not shown) of the first motor 64 is connected to a gear 52 a fastened to the rotation shaft 52 of the ball feed screw 50. Accordingly, when the first motor 64 is driven, the ball feeding screw 50 can be rotated, so that the game ball P can be conveyed from the main return port 42 and the sub return port 44 to the feed port 46.

  On the other hand, the driving shaft (not shown) of the second motor 66 is also connected to a gear 56 a fastened to the rotating shaft 56 of the rotating brush 54. Accordingly, when the second motor 66 is driven, the rotating brush 54 can be rotated, so that the game ball P conveyed from the main return port 42 and the sub return port 44 to the feed port 46 can be brushed. The motor unit 60 is assembled to the inner tray main body 40 via screws B. The motor unit 60 corresponds to “driving means” described in the claims.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the sensor unit 70 includes a base 72 that is assembled to the inner tray main body 40 via screws B, a seesaw body 74 that is pivotally supported by the base 72 so that a seesaw can be supported, and a photosensor 76. ing. On one side of the seesaw body 74, a pressing piece 74a that can be pressed by the game ball P being transported through the ball path 40a is formed. Further, a weight 74b is formed on the other side of the seesaw body 74 so that the pressing piece 74a is always exposed from the notch 40b of the ball path 40a when the sensor unit 70 is assembled to the inner tray main body 40. Further, a shielding piece 74c capable of shielding between the light projecting portion 76a and the light receiving portion 76b of the photosensor 76 is formed below the pressing piece 74a of the seesaw body 74.

  Therefore, when the game ball P is transported through the ball path 40a without staying, the state where the pressing piece 74a is momentarily pressed against the game ball P is repeated. Therefore, the shielding plate 74c also repeats the state of momentarily shielding between the light projecting portion 76a and the light receiving portion 76b of the photosensor 76.

  Note that the inner tray main body 40 in which the ball feeding screw 50, the rotating brush 54, the motor unit 60, and the sensor unit 70 are assembled is assembled to the surface of the base 10 via screws B. This description corresponds to “the circulating rod, the dirt removing unit, and the conveying unit are assembled on the front side of the front frame that is hinged to the outer frame” described in the claims.

  Finally, returning to FIGS. 3 to 5, the dish cover 80 will be described. The dish cover 80 is a cover that covers the ball circulation device 30 assembled to the base 10. Since this dish cover 80 can cover the ball circulation device 30, it is possible to prevent the player from touching the game ball P. That is, the gaming machine 1 becomes a sealed pachinko machine.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the ball circulation device 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. The front frame 3 is assembled with a control device 90 (not shown in the enclosed pachinko machine in the figure) that controls the gaming machine 1. The control device 90 is electrically connected to the first motor 64, the second motor 66, and the photo sensor 76, respectively. The control device 90 stores a control circuit as shown in FIG.

  Thus, for example, the motors 64 and 66 are stopped only when the photo sensor 76 is continuously operated for 1 second or longer (between the light projecting unit 76a and the light receiving unit 76b is shielded by the shielding plate 74c). be able to. Therefore, in a state where the shielding plate 74c instantaneously shields between the light projecting unit 76a and the light receiving unit 76b of the photosensor 76, the timer T of the control circuit does not time up. When the operation of the photo sensor 76 is no longer detected, both motors 64 and 66 start to drive. Of course, when the operation of the photo sensor 76 is less than 1 second, both the motors 64 and 66 are driven.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 16, when the shielding plate 74c of the seesaw body 74 shields between the light projecting portion 76a and the light receiving portion 76b of the photosensor 76 (the game ball P stays on the ball path 40a). And this shielding time is detected (S101 in FIG. 16). When the detection time is 1 second or less, the system waits repeatedly until it becomes 1 second or longer. When the detection time is 1 second or longer (S102), both motors 64 and 66 are stopped (S103).

  Next, the operation of the ball circulation device 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. When the game ball P is fired from a launching device (not shown) by the start of the game of the player (operation of the handle 18) (S1 in FIG. 15), the launched game ball P is output from the outlet 4a of the game board 4. , It is collected from either a winning opening (not shown) or a foul opening. The collected game balls P are discharged from either the main return port 12 or the sub return port 14 of the base 10, and the discharged game balls P are discharged from the main return port 42 or the sub return port 44 of the inner tray main body 40. Is sent to the ball path 40a (see FIG. 13).

  The sent game ball P rolls the ball path 40a toward the ball feed screw 50 through its own weight. Then, the rolled game ball P is transported through the ball feed screw 50 toward the feed port 46 through the ball path 40a (a process of returning the game ball P is performed), and at the same time, the rotating brush 54 is rotated. As a result, the surface is brushed (the process of removing the dirt of the game ball P is performed) (S2 to S8). Eventually, the transported and brushed game ball P is returned from the outlet 46 to the launching device (not shown) via the ball feeder 20 (S9). Thereafter, the game ball P repeats this series of flows.

  As long as the player is playing a game, the game ball P is in a state of flowing (not staying) on the ball path 40a (see FIGS. 14A and 14B). Therefore, as already described, the state in which the shielding plate 74c instantaneously shields between the light projecting unit 76a and the light receiving unit 76b of the photosensor 76 is repeated. Therefore, since the timer T of the control circuit does not operate (time up), both the motors 64 and 66 continue to be driven.

  Eventually, when the game ball P remains in the ball path 40a with the end of the game of the player (S10), the shielding plate 74c of the sensor unit 70 connects the light projecting unit 76a and the light receiving unit 76b of the photosensor 76. It will be in the state (it continuously shielded for 1 second or more) which has been shielded (refer to Drawing 14 (C)). Then, since both the motors 64 and 66 are stopped by the operation of the timer T of the control circuit (S11 to S12), the rotation of the ball feed screw 50 and the rotating brush 54 is also stopped (S13).

  The ball circulation device 30 of the enclosed pachinko machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above. According to this configuration, the game ball P in the middle of which the dirt is removed by the rotating brush 54 can be transported (returned) to the launching device by the ball feed screw 50. For this reason, the game ball P that is being transported (returned) does not stop. Further, the ball feed screw 50 and the rotating brush 54 are assembled on the surface side of the base 10. Therefore, it is not necessary to open the front frame 3 even when the work to deal with the ball clogging of the game balls P in the ball path 40a of the inner tray main body 40 and the cleaning work of the ball path 40a of the inner tray main body 40 are performed. Therefore, maintainability can be improved.

  Further, according to this configuration, the rotating brush 54 can brush the surface of the game ball P. Further, the ball feed screw 50 has a wing formed in a spiral shape, and can transport the game ball P passing through the ball path 40a. Since brushing can be performed in this way, the surface of the game ball P can be easily removed. Moreover, since it has a wing formed in a spiral like this, it is possible to easily carry the game ball P.

  Further, according to this configuration, for example, when the game ball P stays on the ball path 40 a with the end of the game of the player, the shielding plate 74 c of the sensor unit 70 is connected to the light projecting unit 76 a of the photo sensor 76. The light receiving unit 76b remains shielded (a state where it is continuously shielded for 1 second or longer) (see FIG. 14C). Then, since both the motors 64 and 66 are stopped by the operation of the timer T of the control circuit, the rotation of the ball feed screw 50 and the rotating brush 54 is also stopped. Therefore, the ball feed screw 50 and the rotating brush 54 can be moved only when the player is playing. Therefore, the movement of the ball feed screw 50 and the rotating brush 54 is not wasted.

  According to this configuration, when the first motor 64 that rotates the ball feed screw 50 is driven, the second motor 66 that rotates the rotating brush 54 is also driven. That is, the first motor 64 and the second motor 66 are driven and stopped simultaneously. Therefore, even if there are individual motors, a single circuit for operating these individual motors can be used. Therefore, since two circuits for moving individual motors are not required, the control circuit stored in the control device 90 can be simplified.

The contents described above are only related to one embodiment of the present invention, and do not mean that the present invention is limited to the above contents.
In the embodiment, a mode has been described in which the drive shafts of the motors 64 and 66 are fastened to the gear 52a of the rotary shaft 52 of the ball feed screw 50 and the gear 56a of the rotary shaft 56 of the rotary brush 54, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of motors 64 and 66 may be one. In that case, the gear 52a of the rotating shaft 52 of the ball feed screw 50 and the gear 56a of the rotating shaft 56 of the rotating brush 54 are connected to the driving shaft of one motor.

1 Enclosed pachinko machine (enclosed game machine)
2 Outer frame 3 Front frame 6 Hinge 4a Out port 30 Ball circulation device 40 Middle dish body (circulation bowl)
50 ball feed screw (conveying means)
54 Rotating brush (dirt removal means)
76 Photosensor P Game Ball

Claims (1)

A ball circulation device for an enclosed game machine equipped with a circulation rod that returns a game ball that is launched from a launcher and collected from at least one of an outlet, a winning opening, and a foul mouth to the launcher,
A dirt removing means for removing dirt on the surface of the game ball returned to the launching device inside the circulation cage,
A transporting means for transporting the game ball in the middle of which the dirt is removed by the dirt removing means to the launching device inside the circulation cage,
The circulation rod, the dirt removing means and the conveying means are assembled on the front side of the front frame which is hinged to the outer frame ,
Driving means for driving the conveying means;
A sensor capable of detecting the stay of the game ball is provided on the exit side of the circulation cage,
When the sensor detects the stay of the game ball, it stops driving the transport means,
The sensor is composed of a base assembled to the circulation cage, a seesaw body that is pivotally supported by the base so that it can be seesawed, and a photo sensor.
On one side of the seesaw body, there is formed a pressing piece that can be pressed by a game ball that is being transported through the circulating cage,
On the other side of the seesaw body, when the sensor is assembled to the circulation rod, a weight that always exposes the pressing piece from the notch formed in the circulation rod is formed.
A ball circulation device for an enclosed game machine, wherein a seesaw body is formed with a shielding piece capable of shielding between a light projecting portion and a light receiving portion of a photosensor .

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