JPH0410352B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a collecting gutter in a pachinko machine, and more particularly to a collecting gutter in a pachinko machine with a simple configuration that can accommodate a wide range of design changes in the position of the winning opening.

Traditionally, it was used as a collection gutter for pachinko machines in 1974.
There is a winning ball gathering gutter for a pachinko machine described in Publication No. 12185. However, since this collecting gutter counts pachinko balls one by one by the swinging movement of the stopper, there is a problem in that there are many failures.

In addition, there is a pachinko machine ball box described in Publication No. 47-39527 as this type of collecting gutter.
In this case, it is possible to easily connect the inflow gutter and the case by providing a notch, but it is not possible to easily change the flow path of the inflow gutter itself.

This invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to easily change the flow path of the pachinko ball to accommodate various design changes in the position of the winning opening. It is an object of the present invention to provide a collection gutter in a pachinko machine that can simply and reliably hold a detector that can accurately count.

The outline of this invention for achieving the above object is as follows:
A flow path changing piece is formed on a partition plate erected on the substrate to form a flow path for pachinko balls, and a pachinko ball detector can be held at a predetermined portion of the flow path using a holding plate and a locking piece. This is a gathering gutter in a pachinko machine.

Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to one embodiment thereof.

A collecting gutter (hereinafter simply referred to as collecting gutter) 1 in a pachinko machine which is an embodiment of the present invention is as follows:
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of partition plates are erected on a substrate 3 that defines an opening 2 for fitting an accessory device placed approximately in the center of a pachinko game board.

The first partition plate 4 stands perpendicularly to the substrate 3 so as to be gently inclined from the upper central part of the substrate 3 toward one side and extend straight downward from the upper side of the side. Set up The second partition plate 5 has a distance larger than the diameter of a pachinko ball from the first partition plate 4, and is gently inclined from the upper center of the substrate 3 toward one side. It is vertically installed on this substrate 3 so as to extend straight from above to below. A first flow path 6 is formed by this first partition plate 4 and this second partition plate 5.

The third partition plate 7 has a distance larger than the diameter of a pachinko ball from the part of the second partition plate 5 that is gently sloped from the upper center of the board 3 toward one side. A first bent piece 8 is vertically provided on the substrate 3 so as to be gently inclined parallel to the second partition plate 5, and is bent slightly downward at the lower end of the gently inclined side. Fourth partition plate 9
is branched from the middle of the second partition plate 5 extending straight downward from above one side of the substrate 3, and curved from this branching point 10 toward the opening 2 from above. Extends straight downward,
Next, it is erected perpendicularly to the substrate 3 so as to extend straight downward via the first step 11 and then be inclined toward the lower end of one side of the substrate 3. Further, the fifth partition plate 12 is connected to the opening 2 from the lower end of a plate-like piece 13, which has an end opposite to the end of the bent piece 8 of the third partition plate 7 at an interval smaller than the diameter of a pachinko ball. , then extends straightly from above to below through the curved portion, then extends straightly further downwards through the second step 14 , and then extends straightly from above to below through the second step 14 , and then extends straightly from above to below through the second step 14 . The board 3 is erected perpendicularly to the base plate 3 at a distance larger than the diameter of the pachinko ball from the fourth partition plate 9 so as to be inclined toward the lower end of the side. And the second
The partition plate 5, the fourth partition plate 9, and the third
The partition plate 7 and the fifth partition plate 12
A flow path 15 is formed.

The sixth partition plate 16 slopes from substantially below the side of the opening 2 to a portion slightly below the second step 14 of the fifth partition plate 12 and joins the fifth partition plate 12, Next, this fifth partition plate 1
2, the straight line section extending downward from the second step 14 of the substrate 2 branches into an inclined section, and then extends downward in a curved manner toward the bottom of the opening 2, and then toward the lower end of the substrate 3. It is erected vertically on this substrate 3 so as to extend straight. The seventh partition plate 17 is
the fifth partition plate 12 from substantially the lower end of the opening 2;
, and then extends parallel to the fifth partition plate 12 at an interval larger than the diameter of the pachinko ball with respect to the straight line part of the fifth partition plate 12. The opening 2 is then gently inclined toward the bottom of the opening 2.
It is vertically installed on the substrate 3 so as to extend directly below the substrate 3 toward the lower end of the substrate 3. The sixth partition plate 16 and the seventh partition plate 1
7, a third flow path 18 is formed.

The eighth partition plate 19 gently slopes from the upper center of the substrate 3 toward the other side, then extends straight downward, then curves toward the opening 2, and then It extends straight downward, further extends straight through the third step 20, bends toward the other side of the substrate 3, slopes gently, and then curves downward. It is installed perpendicularly to this substrate 3. The ninth partition plate 21 includes the substrate 3
branching from a portion of the eighth partition plate 19 that gently slopes from an upper substantially central portion of the substrate 3 toward the other side to reach the other side of the substrate 3;
Next, it is erected perpendicularly to the substrate 3 so as to extend along the other side of the substrate 3 from above to below to the middle of the other side. 10th partition plate 22
is branched from the portion of the eighth partition plate 19 that curves toward the opening 2 and extends perpendicularly to the substrate 3 so as to extend parallel to the ninth partition plate 21 . The straight portions of this ninth partition plate 21 and the eighth partition plate 19 and the tenth partition plate
A fourth flow path 23 is formed with the partition plate 22 .

The eleventh partition plate 24 has a distance larger than the diameter of a pachinko ball from the portion of the eighth partition plate 19 that gently slopes from the upper center of the board 3 toward the other side. 8. A bent piece 25 is vertically provided on the substrate 3 so as to be slightly inclined almost parallel to the partition plate 19 portion, and is bent slightly downward at the lower end of the gently inclined part. The twelfth partition plate 26 is directed toward the opening 2 from the lower end of a plate-like piece 27 whose end is opposite to the end of the bent piece 25 of the eleventh partition plate 24 at an interval smaller than the diameter of a pachinko ball. Then, it extends straightly from above to below through the curved part, and then extends straightly further downwards through the fourth step 28, and then extends to the lower end of the other side of the substrate 3. The pachinko ball is vertically disposed on the substrate 3 with a distance from the eighth partition plate 19 that is larger than the diameter of the pachinko ball so as to be inclined toward the pachinko ball. The eighth partition plate 19, the eleventh partition plate 24, and the twelfth partition plate 26
A fifth flow path 29 is formed.

The thirteenth partition plate 30 slopes from substantially below the side of the opening 2 to a portion slightly below the fourth step 28 of the twelfth partition plate 26 and merges with the twelfth partition plate 26, Next, this 12th partition plate 2
6, the straight portion extends downward from the fourth step 28 of the substrate 3, and branches from a point where the straight portion curves into an inclined portion, extends downward in a curved manner toward the opening 2, and then extends toward the lower end of the substrate 3. It is erected vertically on this substrate 3 so as to extend straight. The fourteenth partition plate 31 is
The twelfth partition plate 26 extends from the substantially lower end of the opening 2.
, and then extends parallel to the twelfth partition plate 26 at an interval larger than the diameter of the pachinko ball with respect to the straight part of the twelfth partition plate 26 . the substrate 3 so as to extend horizontally below the opening 2 and then straightly below the opening 2 toward the lower end of the substrate 3; Set up A sixth flow path 32 is formed by the thirteenth partition plate 30 and the fourteenth partition plate 31.

The fifteenth partition plate 33 extends vertically from the lower end of the opening 2 toward the bottom and joins the horizontally extending portion of the fourteenth partition plate 31. erect. 16th partition plate 34
starts from a predetermined position on the horizontal extension line of the horizontally extending portion of the fourteenth partition plate 31, with the end portion having a distance from the fifteenth partition plate 33 that is larger than the diameter of a pachinko ball, and slightly downward. After extending, it curves and slopes toward the inclined lower end of the thirteenth partition plate 30 so that its lower end faces the inclined lower end of the thirteenth partition plate 30 at an interval larger than the diameter of the pachinko ball. , are installed perpendicularly to the substrate 3. Then, this 16th partition plate 34 and the 15th partition plate 3
3, and a seventh flow path 3 that merges with the sixth flow path 32.
5 is formed.

The first partition plate 4, the part of the eighth partition plate 19 that gently slopes from the upper center of the substrate 3 toward the other side, and the portion of the eighth partition plate 19 that extends straight downward from the top of the other side of the substrate 3. The ninth partition plate 2
A first abutting board 36 is provided on the upper edge of each of the parts, extending toward the outside of the board 3 and coming into contact with the back surface of the pachinko game board. In particular, the first abutting board 36 provided at the upper edge of the eighth partition plate 19 is a large flat surface, and the connector printed circuit board 37 is attached to this first abutting board 36 part.

A portion of the fifth partition plate 12 that slopes toward the lower end of one side of the substrate 3, this fifth partition plate 1
2, the straight line section extending downward from the second step 14 of the substrate 2 branches into an inclined section, and then extends downward in a curved manner toward the bottom of the opening 2, and then toward the lower end of the substrate 3. the sixth partition plate 16 portion extending straight; the seventh partition plate 17; the twelfth partition plate 26 portion inclined toward the lower end of the other side of the substrate 3; 4 Branches from a straight line portion extending downward from the step 28 to an inclined portion, curves and extends downward from the opening 2, and then extends straight toward the lower end of the substrate 3. The 13th partition plate 30 portion, the 15th partition plate 33 portion, and the 16th partition plate
A second contact board 38 that contacts the back surface of the pachinko game board is commonly provided on the upper edge of each of the partition plates 34.

Note that the first partition plate 4 to the sixteenth partition plate 34 are all at the same height, and the first abutment board 36 and the second abutment board 38 are both on the same plane.

In the straight line portion extending from above to below of the second partition plate 5, a first A pair of upper and lower first thin parts 40, 40 are formed opposite to the gap 39, and a rectangular first notch 41 (second (see figure), and a flow path changing piece 42 is formed between the pair of upper and lower first thinner parts 40, 40, and extends over the first notch 41. Further, a first engaging protrusion 43 (see FIG. 2) is provided on the substrate 3 near the first gap 39, and the upper thin part of the pair of first thin parts 40, 40 is cut with a cutting tool. For example, after cutting with pliers or the like, bend the first flow path changing piece 42 at the lower thin part and bend the tip of the first flow path changing piece 42 to the first flow path changing piece 42.
It is made possible to lock onto the engagement protrusion 43.

Similarly, a pair of upper and lower second thin parts 44 are formed in a portion of the fourth partition plate 9 that extends below the first step 11, and the pair of upper and lower second thin parts 44 Correspondingly, a rectangular second notch 45 (see FIG. 2) is opened in this substrate 3, and this second
A second flow path changing piece 46 extends over the notch 45 and between the pair of upper and lower second thin parts 44 . Further, a second engagement protrusion 47 (a second engagement protrusion 47
(see figure), and after cutting the upper thin part of the pair of second thin parts 44 with a cutting tool such as pliers, the second flow path changing piece 46 is bent at the lower thin part. The tip of the second flow path changing piece 46 can be locked to the second engagement protrusion 47.

In the straight line portion extending downward from above the eighth partition plate 19, the eleventh partition plate 2
A pair of upper and lower third thin portions 49, 49 are formed opposite to the second gap 48 formed by the bent piece 25 of No. 4 and the plate-like piece 27 of the twelfth partition plate 26. A rectangular third notch 50 is provided in this substrate 3 corresponding to the third thin portions 49, 49, and the third thin portion 50 crosses over the third notch 50 and the pair of upper and lower third thin portions 49, 49 The space between them is defined as a third flow path changing piece 51. Further, a third engagement protrusion 52 (see FIG. 2) is provided on the substrate 3 near the second gap 48,
After cutting the upper thin part of the pair of third thin parts 49, 49 with a cutting tool such as pliers,
As shown in FIG. 3, the third flow path changing piece 51 is bent at the lower thin part so that the tip of the third flow path changing piece 51 can be locked to the third engaging protrusion 52. Make it.

Similarly, the third step 20 of the eighth partition plate 19
A pair of upper and lower fourth thin parts 53, 53 are formed in the portion of the eighth partition plate 19 extending downward from Four notches 54 are opened, and a fourth flow path changing piece 55 is formed between the pair of upper and lower fourth thin parts 53 and 53 that spans over the fourth notches 54. Further, the tenth partition plate 22 extends vertically from above to below in the vicinity of the other side of the substrate 3.
A fourth engaging protrusion 56 is provided on this substrate 3 near the lower end of the portion, and after cutting the upper thin part of the pair of fourth thin parts 53, 53 with a cutting tool such as pliers, the fourth engaging protrusion 56 is provided. The flow path changing piece 55 is bent downward at the thin portion so that the tip of the fourth flow path changing piece 55 can be locked to the fourth engagement protrusion 56.

The second contact board 38 includes a first holding plate 57, a second holding plate 58, and a third holding plate 59 extending horizontally on the surface opposite to the surface that contacts the pachinko game board.
are vertically arranged on this substrate 3, and are opposed to the first to third holding plates 57 to 59, and have first to third locking pieces 61 to 63 having locking claws 60 at their tips. 3. Install it vertically. Furthermore, a second contact board 38 on the opposite side of the surface that contacts the pachinko game board
The surface includes a first positioning protrusion 64 extending parallel to the fifteenth partition plate 33 and perpendicular to the first holding plate 57, and a first positioning protrusion 64 extending directly below the opening 2 of the substrate 3. a second positioning protrusion 6 extending parallel to a portion of the seventh partition plate 17 extending toward the lower end and extending orthogonally to the second retaining plate 58;
5, and a third partition plate 59 extending parallel to a thirteenth partition plate 30 extending straight below the opening 2 toward the lower end of the substrate 3, and extending perpendicularly to the third holding plate 59. 3 positioning protrusion 66 (see Figure 2)
and to form a protrusion. And this first holding plate 57
A first detector 67 for counting pachinko balls is installed in a space surrounded by the first locking piece 60, the fifteenth partition plate 33, and the first positioning protrusion 64. This first
The detector 67 is mounted on the first positioning protrusion 64.
This can be easily done by pressing the tip of the detector away from the first holding plate 57 to widen the distance between the tip and the first holding plate 57, and attaching the first detector 67. If this occurs, the locking claw 60 of the first locking piece 60 prevents it from falling off easily. Similarly, this second
Holding plate 58, second locking piece 62, and seventh partition plate 17
and the second positioning protrusion 65,
A second detector 68 for counting pachinko balls is installed,
As shown in FIG. 4, a third detector 69 for counting pachinko balls is provided in a space surrounded by the third holding plate 59, the third locking piece 63, the thirteenth partition plate 30, and the third positioning protrusion 66. Attach.

The substrate 3 has appropriate parts other than the surface forming the first to seventh channels, such as the side of the opening 2, the eleventh partition plate 24, the twelfth partition plate 26, and the thirteenth partition plate 30. For example, a rectangular first hole 70 and a second hole 71 are opened in the surface surrounded by the substrate, and each of the first hole 70 and the second hole 71 is provided with a substrate opposite to the substrate 3 surface on which the partition plate is erected. A first presser plate 72 and a second presser plate 73 protruding from three sides are exposed. Each of the first presser plate 72 and the second presser plate 73 has a substantially inverted L-shape as shown in FIG. 5, and a locking portion 74 is provided at the tip thereof. This first presser plate 72,
The second holding plate 73 gathers together the plurality of lead wires 75 drawn out from the first to third detectors 69 and locks the lead wires 75 to the substrate 3 . Note that the first
In addition to the presser plate 72 and the second presser plate 73, an inverted L-shaped third presser plate 76 is provided on the outer surface of the first partition plate 4, extending from the upper center of the substrate 3 to the other side. It is provided on the outer surface of the eighth partition plate 19 that slopes gently.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

This collecting gutter 1 is attached to the back surface of a pachinko game board by abutting the first abutting board 36 and the second abutting board 38. In this case, the first abutment board 36 is connected to the eighth part, which is gently inclined from the upper center of the first partition plate 4 and the board 3 toward the other side.
At the upper end edge of each of the partition plate 19 portion and the ninth partition plate 21 portion extending straight downward from above the other side of the substrate 3, a portion extending toward the outside of the substrate 3 is provided. The second abutment board 38 is located at a portion of the fifth partition plate 12 that slopes toward the lower end of one side of the board 3, and is located below the second step 14 of the fifth partition plate 12. The sixth partition branches from a point where the extending straight portion curves into an inclined portion, extends in a curved manner toward the bottom of the opening 2, and then extends straight toward the lower end of the substrate 3. Plate 16 portion, said seventh
The partition plate 17, the twelfth partition plate 26 portion inclined toward the lower end of the other side of the substrate 3,
12 branching from a straight line extending downward from the fourth step 28 of the partition plate 26 to an inclined portion, and extending in a curved manner downward of the opening 2;
Thereafter, the 13th partition plate 30 portion extending straight toward the lower end of this substrate 3, and the 15th partition plate 3
3 and the 16th partition plate 34 so as to extend within a plane common to the first abutment board 36, this collective gutter 1 can be used as a pachinko game board. It can be installed snugly and stably.

When installing this collecting gutter 1, if the flow path has to be changed depending on the position of the winning hole opened in the pachinko game board, for example,
The upper thin part of the thin parts 40, 40 is cut with pliers or the like, and then the first flow path changing piece 42 is bent at the lower thin part, and the tip of the first flow path changing piece 42 is connected to the first part. It is locked to the mating protrusion 43. Then,
The course of the second flow path 15 can be changed so that the pachinko balls rolling and falling on the third partition plate 7 can enter the first flow path 6 in the middle of the second flow path 15. . Similarly, if necessary, cut the upper thin part of the pair of upper and lower second thin parts 44, 44 with pliers or the like, and then bend the second flow path changing piece 46 at the lower thin part. The tip of the second flow path changing piece 46 is locked to the second engaging protrusion 47 . Then, the pachinko balls in the space sandwiched between the second partition plate 5 and the fourth partition plate 9 facing the second partition plate 5 can enter the second flow path 15. Become. Similarly, if necessary, the third flow path changing piece 51 is engaged with the third engaging protrusion 52 and/or the fourth flow path changing piece 55 is engaged with the fourth engaging protrusion 56. Stop.

In this way, the flow path can be easily changed by simply cutting the thin wall part and locking the tip of the flow path changing piece to the engagement protrusion.
Even if the position of the winning hole of the pachinko game board changes due to a design change, the system can be applied as is without particularly preparing another collecting gutter 1.

Before installing this collecting gutter 1 to the pachinko game board,
Alternatively, after mounting, the first positioning protrusion 6
By pressing the tip of 4 away from the first holding plate 57 and widening the distance between the tip and the first holding plate 57,
A first detector 67 for counting pachinko balls is installed in a space surrounded by the first locking piece 7, the first locking piece 60, the fifteenth partition plate 33, and the first positioning protrusion 64. Similarly, a second detector 68 for counting pachinko balls is mounted in a space surrounded by the second holding plate 58, second locking piece 62, seventh partition plate 17, and second positioning protrusion 65. , this third holding plate 59, the third locking piece 63, the thirteenth partition plate 30, and the third positioning protrusion 66
A third detector 69 for counting pachinko balls is installed in the space surrounded by.

Once the detectors 67, 68, and 69 are attached to the collecting gutter 1, the lead wires 75 extending from these three detectors are locked to the first holding plate 72 and the second holding plate 73, and the board is closed. 3, and the connector at the end of the lead wire 75 is provided on the upper edge of the eighth partition plate 19 portion.
Connector printed circuit board 37 attached to section 6
Connect to the socket.

In this way, the collecting gutter 1 can easily be equipped with the connector printed circuit board 37 and the detectors 67, 68, 69, and also has a plurality of lead wires 7.
5 to the surface of the board 3 with a holding plate and connect the lead wire 75.
can prevent tangling.

After the collecting gutter 1 is installed, pachinko balls will pass through each flow path, but since each flow path has curved parts and steps, the straight-line falling distance of the pachinko balls can be shortened. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the impact on the partition plate due to the straight fall of the pachinko balls in the channel, and to prevent damage to the collection gutter 1.

One embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above,
It goes without saying that this invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented with various modifications as long as the gist of the invention is not changed.

Instead of the engagement protrusion in the embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, there is a tapered surface 78 on which the lower end of the flow path changing piece 77 rides as the flow path changing piece 77 rotates. The substrate 3 may be provided with a tapered protrusion 80 having a blocking surface 79 that prevents the flow path changing piece 77 from rotating back after passing through, or as shown in FIG. Instead, the tip of the flow path changing piece 77 may be locked to the end 81 of another partition plate facing the flow path changing piece 77 before rotation. Furthermore, the ninth
As shown in FIGS. 10 to 10, a protrusion 82 is provided at the lower end of the flow path changing piece 77, and a hole 83 into which the protrusion 82 is fitted is provided in the substrate 3, and the flow path changing piece 77 is rotated. The flow path changing piece 77 may be locked by fitting the protrusion 82 into the hole 83. In the illustrated embodiment, a thin wall portion is provided on the partition plate to form a flow path changing piece, but other means may be used if the partition plate can be easily cut and bent in place of the thin wall portion. You can also do that.

In the collecting gutter 1, a printed circuit board 3 for a connector is installed.
7 is placed on a plurality of cylindrical support members erected on the first abutment board 36 and held by screws.Instead, as shown in FIG. The connector printed circuit board 37 may be held on the first abutment board 36 by a positioning plate 84 and an engaging claw 85 that are provided upright on the board 36 . Further, as shown in FIG. 12, a member having an insertion groove 86 and a locking piece 87 are provided on the first contact board 36, and one end of the connector printed circuit board 37 is inserted into the insertion groove 86. This connector printed circuit board 37 is fixed to the first contact board 3 by fixing the other end with the locking piece 87.
It may be kept at 6.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily change the flow path by operating the flow path change piece. It can be used for a variety of pachinko game boards in which the position of the winning opening varies depending on the modification. Moreover, since there are many partition boards installed,
This partition plate also serves as a reinforcing member, making this collection gutter extremely strong. Furthermore, since the holding plate and the locking piece are provided on the substrate, the detector can be easily and reliably mounted.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a flow path changing section in the embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the mounting part of the detector in the embodiment, FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the holding part of the lead wire in the embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a front view showing the first modification of the invention. , FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the first modification, FIG. 8 is a front view showing the second modification of the invention, and FIG. 9 is a front view showing the third modification of the invention. FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the third modification, FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing the fourth modification of the invention, and FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing the fifth modification of the invention. It is a diagram. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Collection gutter, 3... Substrate, 4... First partition plate, 5... Second partition plate, 6... First channel, 7...
...Third partition plate, 9...Fourth partition plate, 12...
Fifth partition plate, 15... second flow path, 16... sixth
Partition plate, 17...7th partition plate, 18...3rd
Channel, 19...8th partition plate, 21...9th partition plate, 22...10th partition plate, 23...4th flow path, 24...11th partition plate, 26...12th partition plate , 29...Fifth channel, 30...Thirteenth partition plate,
31...14th partition plate, 32...6th channel, 33
...15th partition plate, 34...16th partition plate, 35
...Seventh channel, 40... First thin part, 41... First notch, 42... First flow path changing piece, 44... Second thin part, 45... Second notch, 46 ...Second flow path changing piece, 49...Third thin part, 50...Third notch, 51...Third flow path changing piece, 53...Fourth thin part, 54...Fourth notch , 55... Fourth flow path changing piece, 57... First holding plate, 58... Second holding plate, 59... Third holding plate, 61... First locking piece,
62...Second locking piece, 63...Third locking piece, 67
...First detector, 68...Second detector, 69...
Third detector.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of partition plates are erected on the substrate so as to face each other so as to be able to abut against the back surface of the pachinko game board to form a plurality of flow paths, and flow path changing pieces are formed at appropriate locations on the partition plates. A collection gutter for a pachinko machine, characterized in that a pachinko ball detector can be held at a predetermined portion of the flow path by a retaining plate and a locking piece formed upright on the base plate.