JP6566792B2 - Supply chute and game medium supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a supply chute for relaying game media distributed from a supply line to a game medium use machine on a game machine island, and a game medium supply device for supplying game media to a game medium use machine.

  The gaming hall has a gaming machine island in which gaming machines such as slot machines and coin gaming machines are inserted side by side in a predetermined area. Normally, a medal lending machine is disposed adjacent to a slot machine, and medals are paid out according to the amount of money inserted. When the medal paid out from the medal lending machine is inserted into the slot machine, the game is started, and when the result of the game is a combination of reels in multiple rows set in advance, a corresponding number of medals are distributed. It is a mechanism to be paid as. Therefore, in order to continue the game, it is necessary to sequentially replenish the slot machine with a winning medal and the medal lending machine with a lending medal.

  There is a game medium circulation system that replenishes and collects medals inside the gaming machine island as means for replenishing medals in response to requests for medals from such slot machines and medal lending machines. As an example of the game media circulation system, a pipe connected to the supply chute is dropped on a supply chute by a medal distribution device provided at a distribution position on the line with a medal conveyed on a line constituted by a belt conveyor. There are those that supply medals to slot machines and medal lending machines.

  This replenishment chute is connected between the medal distribution device provided at the distribution position on the line of the gaming machine island and the pipe connected to the slot machine and the medal lending machine and relays the replenishment of medals. It has a rectangular shape and has one side that has a wide inlet to prevent spilled medals from spilling out.The upper part of the main body is formed integrally with the lower part of the upper part of the main body. It is known that a lower part of a main body having a substantially funnel-shaped side wall is provided, and a flow outlet is arranged at a left deflection position to be connected to a pipe (Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-188191 A

  By the way, for example, when installing the game medium circulation system on the gaming machine island, the supply chute intake port is connected to the distribution position on the line, and one end is connected to the slot chute and medal lending machine at the supply chute flow-down port. Connect the other end of the pipe. During this operation, since the distribution position on the line is determined to some extent, the replenishment chute is positioned, and it is necessary to appropriately move the piping side according to the position of the replenishment chute and attach it to the replenishment chute.

  However, in the thing of patent document 1, when piping goes through the narrow space which was surrounded by various equipment in an amusement machine island, it may not be attached to the supply chute unless the pipe is excessively bent. There is a possibility that the medal clogging may occur in the pipe because the bending prevents the medal from passing through. Further, the pipe cannot be arranged at a position suitable for connection with the replenishment chute, and there is a possibility that it cannot be attached unless the pipe is replaced or the type of the replenishment chute itself is changed. Furthermore, the pipes connected to the slot machine and medal lending machine may vary in length depending on the manufacturer and type, and there is a possibility that the pipes cannot be attached to the supply chute unless the pipes are replaced or the type of the supply chute itself is changed. It was.

  The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a replenishment chute that can improve the attachment property with a pipe to be connected and a game medium supply device including the replenishment chute. .

In order to solve the above-described problems, a replenishment chute according to the present invention is a replenishment chute comprising an intake port for taking game media into the interior, and a discharge port through which game media taken inside falls. An upper chute provided with the intake port on the side and a first opening surface formed on the lower surface; and the discharge port disposed on the lower and left and right biased positions with a second on the upper surface. A lower chute formed with an opening surface, and the lower chute is connected with the second opening surface overlapped with the first opening surface from below and connected to the left and right sides of the lower chute. Even if the direction is reversed, the second opening surface is overlapped with the first opening surface so as to be connectable , and the upper chute is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped long to the left and right, and the intake port is Right and left perpendicular to the long side A first convex portion is formed on the side surface of the first convex portion and a second convex portion is formed on the upper portion of the first convex portion, and the lower chute is fitted with the first convex portion formed on one of the left and right side surfaces. The first engagement portion that can be engaged, and the second engagement that can be engaged and engaged with the first projection and the second projection formed on the other left and right side surfaces. The stop portion protrudes from the upper surface (claim 1).

By configuring in this way, the lower chute has the second opening surface even if the discharge port is disposed at the lower and left and right biased positions and the left and right directions of the lower chute are reversed with respect to the upper chute. Since it is formed so that it can be connected to overlap with the first opening surface, the position of the discharge port can be moved by changing the left and right direction of the lower chute according to the arrangement of the pipe connected to the discharge port. it can. The upper chute is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped that is long on the left and right, and has a first protrusion on the left and right side surfaces orthogonal to the side surface on the long side provided with the intake port, and a second protrusion on the top of the first protrusion A convex portion is formed, and the lower chute is formed on a first locking portion that can be locked by fitting the first convex portion formed on one of the left and right side surfaces, and on the other left and right side surfaces. The second locking portion that can be locked by fitting the first convex portion and the second convex portion protrudes from the upper surface, thereby improving the connection reliability of the upper chute and the lower chute. be able to.

In this case, it is preferable that the second locking portion is provided with an inclined piece inclined in the outward direction at the upper end and can be elastically deformed (Claim 2 ).

  By comprising in this way, an upper chute and a lower chute can be easily attached or detached.

The supply chute according to the present invention is a supply chute comprising an intake port for taking in game media inside and a discharge port through which the game media taken inside falls and is discharged. An upper chute provided on a side surface and having a first opening surface formed on the lower surface, and the discharge port disposed at a position which is biased to the lower side and the left and right sides, and a second opening surface formed on the upper surface A lower chute, wherein the lower chute is connected with the second opening surface overlapped with the first opening surface from below, and the left and right orientations of the lower chute are reversed. The bellows tube formed so that it can be connected by overlapping the second opening surface with the first opening surface, and the lower chute is provided with the discharge port at the lower end and alternately provided with peaks and valleys. Inserted through the outlet A cylindrical portion protruding from the lower surface, the cylindrical portion including at least two openings formed through the peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion, and the cylindrical portion from an opening end portion below the opening. The cylindrical portion is disposed on a horizontal surface formed on a third convex portion projecting on the outer peripheral side of the convex portion and an upper side surface of the third convex portion, and penetrates the opening. And a flat elastic member that supports the bellows tube with the protruding end portion contacting at least the valley portion of the bellows tube, and the elastic member includes the opening portion. are allowed to elastically deform upward by a space it gives, who is formed can pass through the crests of the bellows tube is elastically deformed upward when inserting the bellows tube is good (claim 3) .

  With this configuration, the elastic member is allowed to elastically deform upward due to the space provided by the opening. Therefore, when the bellows tube is inserted into the cylindrical portion and pushed in, a force in the direction of pushing the elastic member upward from the peak portion of the bellows tube on the lower side of the elastic member is applied, and the elastic member is elastically deformed upward. The peak portion can be passed above the member. For this reason, if the elastic member is attached to the cylindrical part before construction, it can be connected simply by inserting and pushing the bellows tube into the cylindrical part during installation work, so the replenishment chute and the bellows pipe can be easily connected can do.

  The elastic member is allowed to be elastically deformed upward by the space provided by the opening, but cannot be elastically deformed downward or largely elastically deformed because no space is provided below. I can't. Therefore, when trying to pull out the bellows tube from the inside of the cylindrical portion, a force is applied in a direction to push the elastic member downward from the peak portion of the bellows tube on the upper side of the elastic member, but the elastic member does not elastically deform downward. Alternatively, since it cannot be elastically deformed to such an extent that it passes through the peak portion of the bellows tube, the peak portion cannot pass below the elastic member. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the bellows tube from coming off from the replenishing chute, so that the connection reliability can be improved.

A game medium replenishing device according to the present invention is a game medium replenishing device for replenishing game media to a plurality of game media using machines arranged in a row, through the replenishment chute according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The game medium is supplied to the game medium use machine (claim 4 ).

  According to the replenishment chute of the present invention, it is configured as described above, and the position of the discharge port is moved by changing the horizontal direction of the lower chute according to the arrangement of the pipe connected to the discharge port. Therefore, the attachment property with the connected pipe can be improved.

It is a front view which shows a part of game machine island provided with the supply chute | shoot according to this invention. It is a general | schematic whole block diagram of the game media supply apparatus which comprises the said gaming machine island. It is a perspective view which shows the supply line vicinity which comprises the said game media supply apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows a part of game medium supply apparatus provided with the supply chute based on this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the supply line which comprises the said game medium supply apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view of the replenishment chute concerning this invention. It is the front view (a) of the supply chute concerning this invention, and the rear view (b) of the supply chute concerning this invention. It is the right view (a) of the supply chute concerning this invention, and the left view (b) of the supply chute concerning this invention. It is the bottom view (a) of the replenishment chute concerning this invention, and the C section outline enlarged view in Drawing 9 (a). It is sectional drawing (a) in alignment with the AA line of Fig.7 (a), and the D section schematic enlarged view in Fig.10 (a). It is a figure explaining the assembly procedure of replenishment chute 20A concerning this invention. It is a figure explaining the assembly procedure of supply chute 20B concerning this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the BB line of Fig.8 (a) at the time of starting insertion of a bellows tube in the cylindrical part in this invention. It is the E section schematic enlarged view in FIG. It is figure (a), (b), (c) which shows the change at the time of the elastic member at the time of inserting a bellows tube in the cylindrical part in this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the BB line of Fig.8 (a) when insertion of a bellows tube is completed in the cylindrical part in this invention. It is F section schematic enlarged view in FIG. It is a figure which shows the connection state to the bellows pipe and supply line of the supply chute | shoot according to this invention.

  Hereinafter, a replenishment chute according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, a case where the supply chute according to the present invention is applied to the gaming machine island 1 in the gaming hall will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a gaming machine island 1 includes a slot machine 2 which is a game medium using machine, and a medal lending machine 3 (game medium using machine) which is attached to the slot machine 2 and which pays out game media, for example, medals. They are arranged in a double-sided format with them back to back. A game medium supply device 4 is incorporated along the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 1 in the vicinity of the center between the slot machines 2 of the gaming machine island 1.

  The game medium supply device 4 is a device for supplying a prize medal to the slot machine 2 and a medal for lending to the medal lending machine 3, and is arranged at the upper part of the gaming machine island 1 as shown in FIG. And the replenishment line 10 for conveying the medals by a belt conveyor to the replenishment chutes 20A and 20B connected to the slot machine 2 and the medal lending machine 3 through the bellows tubes 40A and 40B, and the lower part of the gaming machine island 1, A collection line 6 that receives medals discharged from the slot machine 2 and the medal lending machine 3 and medals that have fallen via the communication path 5 and conveys them by a belt conveyor, and a storage tank that stores medals collected by the collection line 6 ( (Not shown), a lifter device (not shown) for lifting medals stored in the storage tank onto the replenishment line 10, and other medal washing machines and dehydrators. A storage box 7 provided on the end of the game machine island 1, the main constructed.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the replenishment line 10 is inserted into a conveyance belt 11 for conveying medals, a hollow frame 12 supported from the inner surface side of the conveyance belt 11, and a hollow portion of the frame 12. A joint 13 that connects the two frames 12, a connection pulley that is connected to one end of the frame 12 and that connects the connecting path 5 to a drive pulley (not shown) that drives the conveyor belt 11 in a fixed direction (not shown). ), A second pulley unit 15 connected to the other end of the frame 12 and having a return pulley (not shown), and a roller (not shown) by adjusting the position thereof. A tensioner 16 that applies a predetermined tension to the belt 11.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the supply line 10 includes a flapper unit 17. The flapper unit 17 includes two shielding plates 17a formed with an inclined tip, and a solenoid (not shown) serving as a drive source for moving the shielding plate 17a in the vertical direction. The flapper unit 17 moves the solenoid downward by a command from a control unit (not shown) to lower the shielding plate 17a, and the tip of the flapper unit lands on the conveyor belt 11 to block it obliquely. When hitting 17a, it is configured to be extruded from above the conveyor belt 11 in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. Further, the flapper unit 17 can push out the medals in the direction opposite to the direction in which the medals were pushed out by changing the descending shielding plate 17a, and push out the medals in both the left and right directions orthogonal to the transport direction. It is configured. Six flapper units 17 configured in this way are mounted on the replenishment line 10, and medals can be pushed out and distributed to a total of 12 positions on the right side of the conveyor belt 11 and 6 on the left side (see FIG. 3). ).

  Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the supply line 10 includes a cover unit 18. The cover unit 18 is a cover material that encloses and covers the conveyor belt 11 and the shielding plate 17a of the flapper unit 17. The cover unit 18 ejects medals that the flapper unit 17 pushes from the conveyor belt 11, and the upper part of the ejection port 18a. And an open / close door 18b that is pivotally supported. As described above, six flapper units 17 are attached. There are a total of 12 distribution positions, 6 on the right side of the conveyor belt 11 and 6 on the left side, and a discharge port 18a is provided at each of these positions.

  The medals distributed by the flapper unit 17 and discharged from the discharge port 18a of the cover unit 18 are dropped and received on the supply chutes 20A and 20B, then dropped and passed through the supply chutes 20A and 20B, and then the bellows tube It passes through 40A and 40B and is conveyed to the slot machine 2 and the medal lending machine 3. Next, the replenishment chutes 20A and 20B according to the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the replenishment chute 20A according to the present invention includes an upper chute 21 provided on the side with an intake port 21A for taking in a medal discharged from the discharge port 18a, and a medal taken in the inside. Depending on whether or not the light receiving unit has received the light beam transmitted from the lower chute 25 provided with the discharge port 25A to be dropped and discharged at a lower and left or right biased position, and between And a medal detection sensor 29 for detecting the presence or absence of a medal that blocks light.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the upper chute 21 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped that is long in the left-right direction, and includes a rectangular inlet 21A for taking a medal into the side surface on the back side, and has a rectangular shape on the lower surface. A first opening surface 24 that opens is provided. Moreover, the 1st convex part 22 formed in the substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape which arrange | positions a long side from the front to the back direction is protrudingly provided by the right and left side surface orthogonal to the side surface of a back side, and the 1st convex part On the upper part of 22, a second convex part 23 formed in a substantially rectangular shape with long sides arranged from the front to the back is projected. In this case, the first convex portions 22 and the second convex portions 23 formed on the left and right side surfaces are arranged in the same position in the vertical direction from the lower surface.

  In addition, the upper portion of the side surface on the back side provided with the intake port 21A is engaged with a metal fitting (not shown) provided on the upper side of the open / close door 18b of the replenishment line 10 to engage the replenishment chute 20A on the side surface of the replenishment line 10. There is provided a mounting bracket 21b for fixing. As shown in FIG. 10, the opening end on the long side of the first opening surface 24 of the upper chute 21 is bilaterally symmetric about a center line that bisects the long side from the front to the back. An upper recess 24a is formed in the upper portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the lower chute 25 is provided such that only the left side surface of the four side surfaces is inclined inward, so that the inside gradually narrows toward the lower part and the right side. In this way, the side surface can be provided with a gradient. And the lower end of a side surface is equipped with the discharge port 25A via the cylindrical part 30. FIG. From the discharge port 25A, medals taken into the supply chute are dropped and discharged. By comprising in this way, the discharge port 25A can be arrange | positioned in the position biased to the lower part and the right.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower chute 25 is a second opening surface formed by an opening having the same size as the rectangular opening of the first opening surface 24 formed on the lower surface of the upper chute 21. 26 is provided on the upper surface. In this case, the first opening surface 24 and the second opening surface 26 are formed symmetrically about a center line that bisects the long side from the front to the back, and the left and right sides of the lower chute 25 are left and right. The second opening surface 26 is overlapped with the first opening surface 24 so as to be connectable regardless of the direction.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 6, 8 (a) and 8 (b), the first protrusion 22 formed in a substantially rectangular shape is formed from the short side on the right side of the second opening surface 26. A piece-like first locking portion 27 formed with a substantially rectangular hole 27a that can be fitted is projected upward. Further, from the short side on the left side of the second opening surface 26, a substantially square in which the first convex portion 22 and the second convex portion 23 formed in a substantially rectangular shape can be fitted with one hole. A piece-like second locking portion 28 in which a hole-like hole 28a is formed is projected. In this case, an inclined piece 28b that is inclined outward is extended from the upper end portion of the second locking portion, and the inclined piece 28b is formed outward (in this case, left by the operator) with respect to the inclined piece 28b. When the force is applied toward the direction, the second locking portion 28 has an elastic force that elastically deforms in the left direction.

  In this case, as described above, the first and second convex portions 22 and 23 are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the upper chute 21, respectively. Even in this direction, the first convex portion 22 is fitted and locked to the first locking portion 27, and the first convex portion 22 and the second convex portion 23 are locked to the second locking portion 28. Can be fitted and locked.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the opening end on the long side of the second opening surface 26 of the lower chute 25 is left and right about the center line that bisects the long side from the front to the back. A lower convex portion 26a is formed symmetrically. The lower convex portion 26a is formed so as to be able to fit into the upper concave portion 24a of the upper chute 21 described above. In this case, as described above, the lower convex portion 26a and the upper concave portion 24a are both formed symmetrically about the center line that bisects the long side from the front side to the back side, and the upper chute 21 On the other hand, the lower projection 25a can be fitted into the upper recess 24a regardless of the left / right orientation of the lower chute 25.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the lower chute 25 has a cylindrical portion 30 projecting from the lower end of the side surface provided with a gradient so that the inside gradually narrows toward the lower and rightwardly biased positions. A discharge port 25 </ b> A is provided at the lower end of the cylindrical portion 30. In this case, the tubular portion 30 is a tubular body having a substantially circular cross section that can be connected by inserting a bellows tube 40A in which crest portions 40c and trough portions 40d are alternately provided. As shown in FIGS. 9 (a), 9 (b), 10 (a), and 13, a flange portion 35 is formed on the inner peripheral side near the upper end of the cylindrical portion 30. The flange portion 35 can contact the upper end portion of the inserted bellows tube 40A to restrict excessive insertion of the bellows tube 40A.

  As shown in FIGS. 6, 8 (a), 8 (b), 10 (a), and 13, it is formed below the flange portion 35 of the cylindrical portion 30 so as to penetrate the peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion 30. The rectangular openings 31 and 32 are formed. Two openings 31 and 32 are arranged at positions 180 degrees apart from each other about the axis of the cylindrical portion 30. Moreover, the opening part 31 and the opening part 32 are arrange | positioned in the position shifted | deviated to the up-down direction. In this case, the opening 32 formed in the right direction is formed at a position shifted upward.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, substantially rectangular parallelepiped third convex portions 33 and 34 project from the lower opening end portions of the opening portions 31 and 32 to the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 30. ing. Horizontal surfaces 33a and 34a are formed on the upper side surfaces of the third convex portions 33 and 34 from the outer peripheral side upper end portion of the third convex portions 33 and 34 to the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 30, and the horizontal surfaces 33a and 34a Vertical surfaces 33b and 34b are formed in the direction orthogonal to the horizontal surfaces 33a and 34a from the outer peripheral end.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the elastic member 50 is formed by bending a stainless steel flat plate, a flat plate piece 50a disposed on the horizontal surfaces 33a, 34a of the third convex portions 33, 34, and a flat plate piece 50a. The fixed piece 50b bent at right angles from the edge part of this is provided. In the present embodiment, a stainless material is used as the material of the elastic member 50, but other metals may be used as long as they have elasticity. Moreover, if it has elasticity, it does not need to be a metal and may be a resin material, for example. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 14, if a force in the direction of pushing up from the lower side is applied to the protruding end of the flat plate piece 50 a, the material can be elastically deformed to be bent upward, and in the direction of pushing down from the upper side. Any material may be used as long as it does not cause damage such as large elastic deformation and cracking to pass through the peak portion 40c of the bellows tube 40A when force is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the flat plate piece 50 a of the elastic member 50 penetrates through the opening 31 and projects an end on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 30. In the present invention, with respect to the degree of protrusion of the end portion of the flat plate piece 50a toward the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 30, the protruding end portion contacts at least the valley portion 40d of the bellows tube 40A to support the bellows tube 40A. In addition, it is only necessary that the flat plate piece 50a is elastically deformed upward when the bellows tube 40A is inserted and the protrusion 40c can be passed through the peak portion 40c of the bellows tube 40A. In this respect, “at least in contact” means that the protruding end may simply contact the valley 40d of the bellows tube 40A, or the protruding end engages with the valley 40d of the bellows tube 40A. This means that it may be engaged, fitted, inserted into the inner peripheral side of the bellows tube 40A, or the like.

  In this regard, in this embodiment, as will be described later, the bellows tube 40A is formed by spirally winding a metal wire, and adjacent metal wires are not bonded to each other. For this reason, the end of the flat plate piece 50a can be inserted between the metal wires and enter the inner peripheral side of the bellows tube 40A (see FIG. 17). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the degree of protrusion of the end portion of the flat plate piece 50a toward the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 30 is inserted into the valley portion 40d of the bellows tube 40A so that the inside of the bellows tube 40A is inserted. It protrudes so that it may enter the circumferential side and support the bellows tube 40A. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9B, the outer peripheral line of the valley portion 40d of the bellows tube 40A (indicated by Z in FIG. 9B) is slightly protruded.

  Moreover, the flat piece 50a is formed in the circular arc shape in which the edge part which protrudes in the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical part 30 follows the outer peripheral surface of the valley part 40d of 40 A of bellows tubes. By configuring in this way, it is possible to prevent the flat plate piece 50a from being inserted into the valley 40d of the bellows tube 40A and entering the inner peripheral side of the bellows tube 40A, thereby preventing the medal from passing.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 13, the bellows tubes 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B are metal tubes formed by spirally winding a metal wire having a substantially circular cross section. As shown in FIG. 14, the semicircular outer periphery of the metal wire forms a peak portion 40c on the peripheral walls of the bellows tubes 40A and 40B, and a valley is formed between the peak portions 40c of the metal wires that are continuously stacked one above the other. A portion 40d is formed, and a bellows surface is provided in which the mountain portions 40c and the mountain valley portions 40d are alternately provided. One end of the bellows tube 40 </ b> A is connected to the slot machine 2, and the other end stands in the vicinity of the supply line 10 with the open end facing upward. Further, one end of the bellows tube 40B is connected to the medal lending machine 3, and the other end stands in the vicinity of the replenishment line 10 with the open end facing upward. In the present invention, the bellows tubes 40A and 40B may be cylindrical tubes in which crest portions 40c and trough portions 40d are provided alternately. For example, various resins made of resin such as vinyl chloride and elastomer, and various resins that are foamed. It may be.

  In the above description, the supply chute 20A is illustrated and described. However, the supply chute 20B is connected to the above-described upper chute 21 with the left and right orientations of the lower chute 25 reversed (FIG. 11). , 12). Therefore, description of the replenishment chute 20B is omitted.

  Next, the assembly procedure and connection procedure of the replenishing chutes 20A and 20B according to the present invention will be described. In this case, the replenishment line 10 shown in FIG. 5 is assembled outside the gaming machine island and placed from the upper side in the vicinity of the center inside the gaming machine island sandwiched back and forth between the slot machine 2 and the medal lending machine 3. The other end of the bellows tubes 40A, 40B connected at one end to the medal lending machine 3 and the supply chutes 20A, 20B are connected, and the supply chutes 20A, 20B and the supply line 10 are connected to install the game medium supply device 4. The case where it does is demonstrated.

  First, the worker fixes the elastic member 50 to the cylindrical portion 30 of the lower chute 25 outside the gaming machine island. In this case, the flat piece 50 a of the elastic member 50 is placed on the horizontal surface 34 a of the third convex portion 34 of the cylindrical portion 30, and the fixing piece 50 b of the elastic member 50 is placed on the vertical surface 34 b of the third convex portion 34. They are joined and fixed by screwing with screws 55 from the outside of the fixed piece 50b (see FIG. 6). As a result, the elastic member 50 is fixed by screwing the fixing piece 50b to the vertical surface 34b of the third convex portion 33 of the cylindrical portion 30, so that the flat plate piece 50a of the elastic member 50 generates a desired elastic force. It is possible to make the structure easy to do. As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, another elastic member 50 is attached to the third convex portion 33 in the same manner as described above.

  Next, the upper chute 21 and the lower chute 25 are connected to assemble the replenishing chutes 20A and 20B. The operator confirms the position where the other end of the bellows tubes 40A, 40B is arranged with respect to the discharge port 18a of the cover unit 18 which is the medal distribution position on the replenishment line 10.

  As a result, the operator confirmed that the bellows tube 40A connected to the slot machine 2 is disposed near the lower right of the discharge port 18a as shown in FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, the assembly of the replenishment chute 20A is performed such that the discharge port 25A is on the right side with respect to the upper chute 21 that is arranged so that the side surface including the intake port 21A is on the back side. The chute 25 is disposed, and the second opening surface 26 formed on the upper surface of the lower chute 25 is overlapped and connected to the first opening surface 24 formed on the lower surface of the upper chute 21 from below.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the worker confirmed that the bellows tube 40B connected to the medal lending machine 3 is arranged near the lower left of the discharge port 18a. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the replenishment chute 20B is assembled so that the discharge port 25A is on the left side with respect to the upper chute 21 arranged so that the side surface including the intake port 21A is on the back side. The chute 25 is disposed, and the second opening surface 26 formed on the upper surface of the lower chute 25 is overlapped and connected to the first opening surface 24 formed on the lower surface of the upper chute 21 from below.

  In this case, a specific connecting method of the upper chute 21 and the lower chute 25 will be described by taking the replenishing chute 20A as an example. The upper portion of the hole 27a of the first locking portion 27 on the right side protruding from the lower chute 25 is In a state where the chute is inclined and the left side is floated, the first convex portion 22 formed on the right side surface of the upper chute 21 is inserted diagonally and engaged. Next, a force is applied to the left side of the inclined piece 28b extending from the upper end of the second locking portion 28 projecting from the lower chute 25, and the second locking portion 28 is elastically deformed leftward. Then, the left side of the upper chute 21 is lowered. When the upper chute 21 and the lower chute 25 are joined, the second opening surface 26 of the lower chute 25 and the first opening surface 24 of the upper chute 21 overlap and are formed at the opening end of the first opening surface 24. The upper concave portion 24a and the lower convex portion 26a formed at the opening end portion of the second opening surface 26 are fitted.

  Next, when the force applied to the inclined piece 28b is released and the elastic deformation of the second locking portion 28 is released, the first convex portion 22 and the second protrusion formed on the left side surface of the upper chute 21 are released. A hole 28a of a second locking portion 28 projecting from the lower chute 25 is fitted and locked to the convex portion 23, and the engaged first locking portion 27 and first The convex portion 22 is fitted and locked. Note that the connection method of the upper chute 21 and the lower chute 25 of the replenishment chute 20B can also be coupled in the same manner as the replenishment chute 20A described above.

  As described above, the lower chute 25 is disposed at a position where the discharge port 25A is located at the lower side and the left and right sides of the lower chute 25, and the second chute 25 is opened even if the left and right directions of the lower chute 25 are reversed with respect to the upper chute 21. Since the surface 26 is overlapped with the first opening surface 25 so as to be connectable, the left and right orientations of the lower chute 25 depend on the arrangement of the pipes (bellows tubes 40A and 40B) connected to the discharge port 25A. And the position of the discharge port 25A can be moved.

  An upper recess 24 a is formed at the opening end of the first opening surface 24 of the upper chute 21, and the upper recess 24 a can be fitted into the opening end of the second opening surface 26 of the lower chute 25. By forming the lower projection 26a, the connection reliability between the upper chute 21 and the lower chute 25 can be improved.

  Further, the first locking portion 27 and the first convex portion 22 are fitted and locked, and the second locking portion 28, the first convex portion 22 and the second convex portion 23 are fitted. By locking together, the connection reliability of the upper chute 21 and the lower chute 25 can be improved. Further, the second locking portion 28 is formed to be elastically deformable and includes an inclined piece 28b that is inclined outward, so that the upper chute 21 and the lower chute 25 can be easily attached and detached. it can.

  Next, the worker connects the bellows tubes 40A and 40B to the supply chutes 20A and 20B assembled as described above. In this case, the case where the supply chute 20A is connected to the bellows tube 40A will be described. The operator inserts the bellows tube 40A standing up in the vicinity of the replenishment line 10 with the opening end facing upward in the discharge port 25A of the cylindrical portion 30 of the replenishment chute 20A (see FIG. 4). When the operator inserts the bellows tube 40A into the cylindrical portion 30, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, until the first peak 40c on the uppermost side of the bellows tube 40A comes into contact with the end of the flat plate piece 50a. The bellows tube 40A can be pushed in without resistance, but when the crest portion 40c comes into contact with the end of the flat plate piece 50a, there is resistance and it cannot be pushed in. In this case, as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 14, the flat plate piece 50 a of the elastic member 50 is allowed to be elastically deformed with its end bent upward by the space provided by the opening 31. For this reason, when the bellows tube 40A is further pushed into the cylindrical portion 30, a force is applied in a direction to push the flat plate piece 50a upward from the peak portion 40c of the bellows tube 40A below the flat plate piece 50a. The peak portion 40c can be passed through the upper side of the flat plate piece 50a by being elastically deformed upward.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15A, the operator inserts the bellows tube 40 </ b> A into the cylindrical portion 30 and connects the first peak portion 40 c on the uppermost side of the bellows tube 40 </ b> A to the flat plate of the elastic member 50. It contacts the end of the piece 50a. Next, as shown in FIG. 15 (b), the operator applies a force that pushes down the cylindrical portion 30 from above (force that pushes the elastic member 50 upward) and bends the end of the flat plate piece 50a upward. And elastically deform. Next, as shown in FIG. 15 (c), the operator further applies a force that pushes down the cylindrical portion 30 from the upper side (force in a direction to push the elastic member 50 upward), and the upper side of the flat plate piece 50 a of the elastic member 50. The crest 40c can be passed through. Next, the worker passes the crest portions 40c of the plurality of bellows tubes 40A to the upper side of the flat plate piece 50a of the elastic member 50 in the same manner as in FIGS. 15 (a) to 15 (c).

  As shown in FIG. 16, when the worker passes a plurality of peak portions 40 c of the bellows tube 40 </ b> A to the upper side of the flat plate piece 50 a of the elastic member 50, the worker moves toward the inner peripheral side above the opening 31 of the cylindrical portion 30. The formed flange portion 35 comes into contact with the upper end portion of the bellows tube 40A and restricts excessive insertion of the bellows tube 40A. Thus, since the flange portion 35 contacts the end portion of the bellows tube 40A to restrict the insertion of the bellows tube 40A, the operator does not need to consider the length of the bellows tube 40A to be inserted at the work site. The bellows tube 40 </ b> A can be easily connected to the cylindrical portion 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, when the worker completes the connection of the bellows tube 40A to the cylindrical portion 30, the protruding end of the flat plate piece 50a of the elastic member 50 is connected to the valley portion 40d of the bellows tube 40A. The bellows tube 40A is supported by being inserted into the inner peripheral side of the bellows tube 40A. In this case, the flat plate piece 50a of the elastic member 50 is allowed to be elastically deformed upward by the space provided by the openings 31 and 32, but may be elastically deformed downward because no space is provided below. Cannot be elastically deformed. Therefore, when the bellows tube 40A is pulled out from the cylindrical portion 30, a force is applied in a direction to push the flat plate piece 50a downward from the peak portion 40c of the bellows tube 40A on the upper side of the flat plate piece 50a. Is not elastically deformed downward, or cannot be elastically deformed to such a degree that it can pass through the peak portion 40c of the bellows tube 40A, so that the peak portion 40c cannot pass below the flat plate piece 50a. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the bellows tube 40A from coming off from the cylindrical portion 30 and to improve the connection reliability.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, in this embodiment, two elastic members 50 are arranged at positions 180 degrees apart from each other about the axis of the cylindrical portion 30, and one elastic member 50 and another elastic member are arranged. 50 is arranged at a position displaced in the vertical direction, and each end portion is inserted into a different valley 40d of the bellows tube 40A and enters the inner peripheral side of the bellows tube 40A to support the bellows tube 40A. . Thereby, the one elastic member 50 and the other elastic member 50 can be brought into contact with different valleys 40d of the bellows tube 40A, and the two elastic members 50 are brought into contact with the one valley 40d, and the force is applied to the one valley 40d. It is possible to prevent the peaks 40c and the valleys 40d from concentrating and spreading. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the bellows tube 40A from coming off due to the spread of the peak portion 40c and the valley portion 40d, and to improve the connection reliability.

  Further, when the worker has completed the connection of the bellows tube 40A to the tubular portion 30, the end of the flat plate piece 50a is inserted into the valley portion 40d of the bellows tube 40A and enters the inner peripheral side of the bellows tube 40A. Although the bellows tube 40A is supported, since the end of the flat plate piece 50a is formed in an arc shape along the valley 40d of the bellows tube 40A, it is possible to prevent the passage of medals.

  The connection work of the bellows tube 40A to the supply chute 20A is thus completed. Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the operator connects the side surface including the intake port 21 </ b> A of the supply chute 20 to the vicinity of the discharge port 18 a of the cover unit 18 of the supply line 10. Note that the replenishment chute 20B can be similarly connected to the bellows tube 40B arranged next to the bellows tube 40A by the above-described procedure.

  As described above, according to the replenishment chutes 20A and 20B of the present invention, the direction of the lower chute 25 in the left-right direction is changed according to the arrangement of the bellows tubes 40A and 40B connected to the discharge port 25A. Since the position can be moved, the attachment property with the bellows tubes 40A and 40B to be connected can be improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the upper recess 24 a is formed at the opening end of the first opening surface 24 of the upper chute 21, and the upper end is formed at the opening end of the second opening surface 26 of the lower chute 25. Although the lower convex part 26a into which the concave part 24a can be fitted is formed, the upper convex part is formed at the opening end of the first opening face 24 of the upper chute 21, and the second opening face 26 of the lower chute 25 is formed. A lower concave portion into which the upper convex portion can be fitted may be formed at the opening end portion. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to the said embodiment is acquired.

  In the above-described embodiment, the end portion of the elastic member 50 that protrudes toward the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 30a of the flat plate piece 50a is inserted into the valley portion 40d of the bellows tubes 40A and 40B, and the bellows tubes 40A and 40B. The bellows tube 40 is supported by entering the inner peripheral side. However, in the present invention, it is only necessary to support the bellows tubes 40A and 40B with the projecting ends at least contacting the valley portions 40d of the bellows tubes 40A and 40B. . For example, the protruding end portions may simply contact the valley portions 40d of the bellows tubes 40A and 40B to support the bellows tubes 40A and 40B. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to the said embodiment is acquired.

  In the above-described embodiment, the two elastic members 50 are arranged in the cylindrical portion 30, but a plurality of, for example, three may be used. In this case, it is only necessary to arrange three at positions 120 degrees apart from the axis of the cylindrical portion 30 and arrange the three elastic members 50 at positions shifted in the vertical direction. If comprised in this way, the effect which can improve connection reliability from the said embodiment is acquired.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and examples, and the technical scope of the claims includes various design changes within the scope of the invention.

2 Slot machines (game media use machines)
3 Medal lending machine (game media use machine)
4 gaming medium supply device 20A, 20B supply chute 21 upper chute 21A intake port 22 first convex portion 23 second convex portion 24 first opening surface 24a upper concave portion 25 lower chute 25A discharge port 26 second opening surface 26b Lower convex portion 27 First locking portion 28 Second locking portion
28b Inclined piece 30 Cylindrical part 31, 32 Opening part 33, 34 Third convex part 33a, 34a Horizontal surface 33b, 34b Vertical face 35 Flange part 40A, 40B Bellows tube 40c Mountain part 40d Valley part 50 Elastic member 50a Flat piece 50b Fixed piece

Claims (4)

A replenishment chute comprising a take-in port for taking game media into the interior and a discharge port through which game media taken in the game falls and is discharged,
An upper chute provided with the intake port on the side surface and having a first opening surface formed on the lower surface;
A lower chute having the second outlet surface formed on the upper surface and the lower outlet and the left and right of the left and right biased positions.
The lower chute is connected with the second opening surface overlapped with the first opening surface from the lower side, and the second opening surface is not changed even if the left and right directions of the lower chute are reversed. It is formed so as to be able to be overlapped and connected to the first opening surface ,
The upper chute is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped long to the left and right, and has a first protrusion on the left and right side surfaces orthogonal to the side surface on the long side provided with the intake port, and a second on the upper part of the first protrusion. The lower chute has a first locking portion that can be locked by fitting the first convex portion formed on one of the left and right side surfaces, and the other left and right side surfaces. A replenishment chute characterized in that a formed second engaging portion that can be engaged and engaged with the first convex portion and the second convex portion is projected from the upper surface . In the replenishment chute according to claim 1 ,
The replenishing chute according to claim 2, wherein the second locking portion is provided with an inclined piece that is inclined outwardly at the upper end and is formed to be elastically deformable. A replenishment chute comprising a take-in port for taking game media into the interior and a discharge port through which game media taken in the game falls and is discharged,
An upper chute provided with the intake port on the side surface and having a first opening surface formed on the lower surface;
A lower chute having the second outlet surface formed on the upper surface and the lower outlet and the left and right of the left and right biased positions.
The lower chute is connected with the second opening surface overlapped with the first opening surface from the lower side, and the second opening surface is not changed even if the left and right directions of the lower chute are reversed. It is formed so as to be able to be overlapped and connected to the first opening surface,
The lower chute is provided with the discharge port at the lower end, and a cylindrical portion formed by inserting a bellows tube having alternately peaks and troughs from the discharge port is projected from the lower surface, and the cylindrical portion Are at least two openings formed through the peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion, and a third convex portion protruding from the opening end on the lower side of the opening to the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical portion And disposed on a horizontal plane formed on the side surface on the upper side of the third convex portion, projecting an end portion through the opening to the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion, and the projected end portion A flat elastic member that supports the bellows tube at least in contact with the valley portion of the bellows tube, and the elastic member is allowed to be elastically deformed upward by a space provided by the opening, When the bellows tube is inserted, it is elastically deformed upward so that it can pass through the peak portion of the bellows tube. , Supply chute, characterized in that. A game medium supply device for supplying game media to a plurality of game media use machines arranged in a row,
A game medium replenishing device, wherein the game medium is replenished to the game medium using machine via the replenishment chute according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .