JPH0552556B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to solve the following problems.

(Industrial application field) This invention relates to a game hall.

(Prior Art) In this type of gaming hall, a large number of gaming machines are installed side by side, and inter-machine ball rental machines are interposed between them. If you run out of coins and want more balls, you can conveniently insert coins into a nearby ball lending machine, borrow balls from the machine, and immediately continue playing. However, if you run out of coins to insert into the machine, you will have to go to a money exchange machine located far away, which is a hassle, and the money exchange machine will not be managed by the operator. In this case, there was a problem in that it was a hassle to constantly manage the coins in the exchange machine so that they did not run out.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) This invention eliminates the above-mentioned conventional problems, and allows the user to exchange money while being near the gaming machine. The aim is to provide a device that can save time and effort.

The configuration of the present invention is as follows.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention takes the measures as described in the claims above, and its effects are as follows.

(Operation) The coins inserted into the inter-machine coin lending machine are transported to the collection area by the transfer device. The coins transported to the collection site are stored in a supply tank by means of transport. On the other hand, the money changer moves along moving rails. Therefore, a person wishing to exchange money can bring the exchange machine nearby and fulfill the purpose of exchanging money. When the money exchange machine arrives at the supply field, the coins stored in the supply tank are supplied to the money exchange machine.

(Example) Below, drawings showing examples of the present application will be described. 1 shows an island of a well-known pachinko game hall. In this figure, 2 is a machine frame, 3 is a large number of gaming machines installed in parallel on the machine frame 2, and 4 is an inter-machine machine, which is installed in the machine frame 2 with two gaming machines 3 separated from each other. . 5 indicates a coin input port, and 6 indicates a ball output port. Next, 7 is a moving rail attached to the machine frame 2 above the game machine 3, and has a support part 8 and a guide part 9. 10
1 shows a laterally movable money changer installed on the rail 7, which is composed of a lateral movable body 11 attached to the rail 7 so as to be laterally movable, and a change unit 12 attached to the transverse body 11 so as to be vertically movable. The horizontal moving body 11 has a supply coin receiving port on its upper surface, and a transfer means is provided between the horizontal moving body 11 and the exchange section 12 for transferring the coins received from the receiving port to the currency exchange section 12. . As the transfer means, any means such as a free-fall transfer means such as a chute or an active transfer means such as a conveyor can be used. Reference numeral 13 indicates a bill slot, and 14 indicates a coin output slot for the gaming machine 3. In the above-mentioned lateral moving body 11, 15 is a machine frame, 16
indicate the holding frame integral with it. Next, machine frame 15
In the lateral movement mechanism 17 attached to the machine frame 15, reference numeral 18 is a wheel shaft and is rotatably attached to the machine frame 15 by a bearing 19. Reference numeral 20 indicates a driving wheel attached to the wheel shaft 18, and reference numeral 21 indicates a sprocket. Above wheel 2
0 is adapted to roll along a bearing 8 on a rail 7. 22 is a lateral movement motor, and a sprocket 23 is attached to its rotating shaft.
24 indicates a chain wound around sprockets 21 and 23. A wheel 20a is rotatably attached to the holding frame 16 and is designed to roll along the support portion 8. 25 is an arm attached to the machine frame 15,
A guide roll 26 is attached to the tip of the moving rail 7 so as to move along the guide part 9, and the wheels 20, 20a and the guide roll 2
6 maintains the installation state of the money changer 10 on the rail. Next, 27 is a guide member fixed to the holding part 16, and 28 is a machine frame 29 in the exchange part 12.
It is connected to the guide member 27 so as to be vertically movable by a vertically moving rail fixed to the guide member 27. Further, a large number of balls 30 are interposed between the two, so that the exchange section 12 can smoothly move up and down with respect to the holding frame 16. Next, the vertical movement mechanism 31 provided in the horizontal movement body 11 for vertically moving the exchange unit 12 will be explained. 32 is a rotating shaft rotatably mounted on the holding frame 16, to which sprockets 33 and 36 are attached.
34 is a suspension chain that engages with the sprocket 33, and one end of the chain is attached to the machine frame 29 using a fastener 35.
The other end is left hanging freely. 37 is a vertical movement motor attached to the machine frame 15, and a sprocket 38 is attached to its rotating shaft. 39 indicates a chain wound around sprockets 36 and 38. Next, 41 and 42 are switches attached to the holding frame 16, and are switches for detecting that the exchange section 12 has reached the upper end position and the lower end position, respectively. A dog 43 is attached to the machine frame 29 and is used to operate the switches 41 and 42. Next, 40, 40... is the operation part that uses the push button to call the money exchange machine.
They are attached to the machine frame 2 at appropriate intervals.
In this example, it is installed above the intermachine ball rental machine 4, but it may be installed below it, or it may be provided in each gaming machine 3. Reference numeral 44 denotes a positioning element provided on the rail 7, and is provided near each operation section 40, respectively. Further, each positioning element 44 is configured to indicate a different code from each other in order to specify its respective position. In this example, a barcode is used. Reference numeral 45 indicates a barcode detection sensor provided on the transverse moving body 11 in the exchange machine. Next, referring to FIG. 6, a structure for installing a cord (electric wire) connected to the money exchange machine will be explained. 46 is a cord (electric wire) for a power supply line and a communication line, one end 46a of which is fixed to the rail 7, and the other end 46b fixed to the exchange machine 10. 4
Reference numeral 7 denotes a pulley frame which can be moved laterally, and a pulley 48 for a cord and a pulley 49 for a wire are rotatably attached to the pulley 48, and a cord 46 is hung on the pulley 48. 50, 50 is a wire pulley rotatably attached to the rail 7, 51 is a wire for removing slack, one end 51a of which is attached to the rail 7,
The other ends 51b are fixed to the money changer 10, respectively. Further, the intermediate portion is hung on wire pulleys 49 and 50.

When playing a pachinko game with the above configuration, coins are inserted into the slot 5 of the inter-machine ball rental machine 4, and pachinko balls are taken out from the ball outlet 6. Then, using the ball, the player heads to the gaming machine 3 and plays a game. If the coins run out during the game, the coins may be inserted into the slot 5 again, the balls taken out from the slot 6, and used for the game.

On the other hand, if the user runs out of coins and needs to exchange money, he or she operates the nearby operation unit 40 to call for the exchange machine 10. Money exchange machine 1 in this case
The program for the operation of 0 is shown in FIG.
That is, when one of the operation sections 40 is operated and a signal specified for that operation section is transmitted to the money exchange machine 10 via the code 46, that is, when a call is made, the money exchange machine 10 performs the call operation. The controller moves to the right or to the left in a direction approaching the operating unit 40 that has been moved (such control can be performed using well-known or publicly known circuit technology). That is, as the motor 22 rotates, the wheels 20 are rotated through the chain 24.
is rotationally driven, and the exchange machine 10 moves along the rail 7. When the money exchange machine 10 moves laterally and reaches the position corresponding to the operating unit 40 where the call is made, and the sensor 45 detects the positioning element 44 that specifies the position, the operation of the motor 22 is stopped. The exchange machine stops running at that position. Next, the motor 37 is driven to connect the rotating shaft 3 via the chain 39.
2 is rotated, and the exchange section 12, which is suspended by the chain 34, moves downward. When the dog 43 operates the switch 42 and detects that the money exchanger 12 has reached the lower end position, the motor 37 is stopped and the money changer 12 stops at that position (see left side in FIG. 2). (See the exchange section of the exchange machine and the exchange section indicated by the imaginary line in Figure 4). When the money exchange machine 10 is called in as described above, banknotes are put in through the insertion slot 13 and coins obtained by the exchange are taken out from the exit 14. The time required for the above exchange operation is generally a few seconds to 10
Since the duration is approximately seconds, the time during which the exchange unit 12 is stopped at the lower end position as described above is counted by a timer provided in the transverse moving body 11, and when the count value reaches, for example, 10 to 15 seconds, the motor 37 is activated as described above. is driven in the opposite direction, and the exchange section 12 is moved upward. When it reaches the upper end position, the dog 43 activates the switch 41 and the motor 37
stops and waits for the next call. Incidentally, the above operations can be controlled using a commonly known control circuit.

A player who has obtained coins through the above-mentioned exchange may put the coins into the slot 5 of the ball lending machine 4 again, take out the balls from the slot 6, and use them for playing the game.

When the money exchange machine 10 moves laterally as described above, since the cord 46 and the wire 51 for removing the slack thereof are stretched as shown in FIG.
Whether the cord 46 moves to the right or to the left, the cord 46 remains properly taut at all times without becoming slack or over-tensioned. Next, FIG. 8 showing the coin collection and replenishment mechanism will be explained. Reference numeral 61 denotes a transfer device, for example a belt conveyor, which is arranged along a plurality of inter-machine ball lending machines 4, 4, . . . . 62 indicates a collection site. Reference numeral 63 indicates a supply area defined at one end of the moving rail 7, and reference numeral 64 indicates a switch for detecting the arrival of a money changer attached to the machine frame 2. Next, reference numeral 65 indicates a replenishment tank provided close to the replenishment field. In this figure, 66 is the main body, 67 and 68 are rolls rotatably attached to the main body 66, and 69 is a replenishment belt stretched around these rolls. 7
0 is a replenishment motor, which is connected to the roll 68 via a chain 71. 72 indicates a guide plate.
Reference numeral 73 indicates a switch for detecting that the amount of coins in the tank has fallen below a certain amount for replenishment. Next 74
Reference numeral 75 indicates a frame fixed to the machine frame 2, and 75 indicates a conveying means provided on the frame. This conveyance means 7
5, 76 is a drive roll, and 77, 77 and 78, 78... are support rolls. Reference numeral 79 indicates a belt stretched over the rolls 76 and 77, and 80 indicates a belt stretched over the roll 78, respectively. Reference numeral 81 denotes a motor attached to the frame 74 and connected to the driving roll 76 via a chain 82. In the conveying means 75, 83 indicates a receiving section, and 84 indicates a sending section. Reference numeral 85 indicates a coin collection case.

In the case of the above structure, the coins inserted into the plurality of inter-machine coin lending machines 4 are conveyed to the collection area 62 by the transfer device 61.

On the other hand, when the coins stored in the exchange machine 10 are running low, the exchange machine 10 is replenished with coins using the program shown in FIG. That is, by giving a command to the lateral movement mechanism 17 of the exchange machine 10, the exchange machine 10 moves to the supply station 63. The above-mentioned command may be a command from a detection switch provided in the money exchange machine 10 to detect that the amount of coins held in the money exchange machine 10 has fallen below a certain level, or a command may be issued by the administrator from outside the money exchange machine. It may also be an electrical command given to 10. As mentioned above, the arrival of the money exchange machine 10 at the supply station 63 is detected by the operation of the arrival detection switch 64. The operation of the switch 64 causes the motor 70 to
is driven for a fixed period of time determined by a timer. As a result, the belt 69 rotates, and the coins stored in the main body 66 are moved by the belt 69 toward the arrow 69.
The coins are carried in the direction a and inserted into the replenishment coin receiving opening of the exchange machine 10. The inserted coins are supplied to the exchange section 12 by the transfer means. When the money exchange machine 10 is replenished with coins in this manner, the money exchange machine 10 is ready to move in response to a call as described above. When the supply coins in the tank 65 fall below a certain amount due to the above-mentioned coin supply,
The switch 73 is activated and the motor 81 is driven to rotate in the forward direction. As a result, the belts 79 and 80 are connected to the arrow 79, respectively.
a, move in the direction of 80a. As a result, the collection point 6
2, the coin 86 dropped from the transfer device 61 onto the receiving section 83 is sandwiched between both belts 79, 80, moves upward, and is thrown into the supply tank 65 from the sending section 84. When such input is continuously performed and the switch 73 detects that the amount of coins in the tank 65 has reached a certain amount or more, the motor 81 is switched to reverse rotation. the result,
Coin 86 dropped from transfer device 61 to receiving section 83
is dropped from the receiving section 83 into the collection case 85. Such operation continues until the switch 64 detects the arrival of the money exchange machine 10 again. When the switch 64 detects the arrival of the money exchange machine 10 again, the money exchange machine 10 is replenished with coins in the same manner as described above. In the embodiment described above, the replenishment of coins to the tank 65 and the collection of coins by the collection case 85 are switched by switching between forward and reverse rotation of the motor 81, but the switching may be done as follows. . That is, a chute 87 that is raised and lowered in the direction of the arrow is provided in the collection area 62. On the other hand, the operation of the belts 79 and 80 by the motor 81 is continued in the same manner as in the case of normal rotation. When the switch 73 detects that the amount of coins in the tank 65 has fallen below a certain amount, the chute 87 is raised to allow the coins 86 to fall from the transfer device 61 to the receiving section 83. On the other hand, if the switch 73 detects that the amount of coins in the tank 65 has exceeded a certain amount, the chute 87 is tilted so that the coins 86 falling from the transfer device 61 fall into the case 85 through the chute 87. Make it.

In a further different embodiment, an overflow outlet 88 is provided in the main body 66 of the tank 65 as shown in phantom lines. Further, the operation of the belts 79 and 80 by the motor 81 is the same as in the case of normal rotation. By doing this, when the amount of coins in the tank 65 is less than a certain amount, the coins are accumulated in the tank one by one, and when the amount exceeds a certain amount, the coins are discharged from the overflow outlet 88. The coins can be ejected into a collection case provided close to the coins. As a result, a certain amount of coins can always be held in the tank 65. Note that in such a configuration, the switch 73 is, of course, unnecessary.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, when a player inserts coins into the inter-machine ball lending machine 4 in order to borrow balls, the coins are transported by the transfer device 61 to the collection area and there. It has the advantage of being recoverable.

On the other hand, if a player runs out of coins, the money exchange machine 10, which can be moved along the plurality of inter-machine coin lending machines 4, is moved to the customer and the coins stored in the money exchange machine 10 are transferred to the customer. Another feature is that it can be supplied to customers through their exchange.

Moreover, as described above, the coins collected at the collection site are sent to the replenishment tank 65 by the conveyance means 75 and stored there, so when the coin storage in the exchange machine 10 runs out, the exchange machine 10 is refilled. By moving the coins to the exchange machine 1 in a short time, the coins stored in the supply tank 65 can be transferred to the exchange machine 1.
It has the advantage of being able to replenish to 0. This can be done quickly;
This has the effect of making the money exchange machine 10 ready for the next money exchange request. Furthermore, since the present invention allows the money changer 10 to move along the plurality of inter-machine coin lending machines 4 that are installed side by side, the customer can move along the inter-machine coin lending machines 4 and the inter-machine coin lending machines 4 as described above. When playing while using the money changer 10, there is a very high probability that the coins supplied to the customer from the money changer 10 will be used in the multiple inter-machine coin lending machines 4 along which the money changer 10 moves. It has its features. This means that there is an extremely high correlation between the number of coins used in the plurality of inter-machine coin lending machines 4 and collected in the collection area and the number of coins supplied to the exchange machine 10 at the supply area, There is very little chance of an excess or shortage of coins being supplied to the supply depot, and it is possible to eliminate the need for manpower to make up for the excess or deficiency.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present application, and FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view of the gaming machine, FIG. 2 is a side view, and FIG.
The figure is an enlarged view of the main part of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a partially cutaway front view of the exchange machine, Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the - line, Fig. 6 is a diagram explaining the cord tensioning structure, Fig. 7 8 is a partially omitted vertical sectional view of the coin replenishing device, and FIG. 9 is a flow chart of the coin replenishing operation. 3...Game machine, 4...Inter-machine ball lending machine, 7...Movement rail, 10...Money exchange machine, 40...Operation unit, 6
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Transfer device, 62... Accumulation site, 63... Supply station, 65... Supply tank, 75... Transport means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Between a large number of gaming machines arranged side by side, a plurality of inter-machine ball lending machines, each configured to lend out balls by inserting coins, are arranged at appropriate intervals between them, and A transfer device for transporting the inserted coins to a collection area is arranged along the inter-machine ball lending machines, and a moving rail is arranged along the plurality of inter-machine ball lending machines. At the same time, the moving rail is equipped with a money changer that can move laterally and sends out a number of coins corresponding to the amount of banknotes inserted,
In addition, a part of the area along the moving rail is designated as a supply area, and a location close to the area stores coins carried by the transport means, and the exchange machine transfers the stored coins to the area. A replenishment tank is provided to replenish the exchange machine when coins arrive at the exchange machine, and a replenishment tank is provided between the above-mentioned accumulation area and the above-mentioned replenishment tank to transport coins to be accumulated at the accumulation area to the replenishment tank. 1. A coin replenishing device for a mobile money exchange machine in a game hall, characterized in that a coin replenishing device is provided with a conveying means.