JPH0587275B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides a prize ball tank installed on the back of a pachinko machine that is constantly and continuously supplied with prize balls supplied from a supply route of a pachinko island stand. This invention relates to a ball supply device.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, a prize ball supply device that supplies prize balls from a supply route of a pachinko island to a prize ball tank installed on the back of a pachinko machine supplies a fixed number of prize balls at once. There is a constant supply method, in which prize balls are constantly supplied, and a constant supply method, in which prize balls are constantly supplied. In the latter method, conventionally, as shown in FIG. The balls are led to a prize ball supply device 7 via a spring hose 6. The prize ball replenishing device 7 is fixed to the horizontal beam of the pachinko island stand 1 by a pedestal 9, and includes a replenishing counter 8. And this replenishment counter 8
The counting section faces the alignment path 10 to which the spring hose 6 is connected, and counts the prize balls flowing down the alignment path 10 in a line. Further, a supply port 11 is formed at the lower end of the alignment path 10, and this supply port 11 is positioned above the prize ball tank 4 installed on the upper back surface of the pachinko machine 3 fixed to the pachinko island stand 1. It's getting old. For this reason, the branching device 5, the spring hose 6, and the alignment path 1 are connected from the supply path 2.
The prize balls that have flown down zero are continuously replenished into the prize ball tank 4 from the replenishment port 11 while being counted by the replenishment counter 8. In addition, when the pachinko machine 3 breaks down and the front frame is opened, the prize ball tank 4 will also move, so in this case, to prevent the prize balls from falling from the supply port 11, close the supply port 11. A closing lever 12 is provided. The ball cutting lever 12 is integrally provided with an operating arm 13, and when the front frame of the pachinko machine 3 is closed, the operating arm 13 and the side wall of the prize ball tank 4 come into contact with each other, causing the ball cutting lever 12 to When the front frame of the pachinko machine 3 is opened and the ball replenishment port 11 is not blocked, the prize ball tank 4 moves and does not come into contact with the operating arm 13, so the ball release lever 12 is moved by a spring (not shown). It can be moved to a position where the supply port 11 is closed. In addition, the prize ball replenishing device 7 is provided with a stop solenoid 14 near the replenishment counter 8, and a stopper 15 operated by the stop solenoid 14 rushes into the alignment path 10 and the prize ball The flow of water is now stopped.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The conventional prize ball replenishing device 7 described above first has a first
In order to allow the prize ball tank 4 to move freely, the supply outlet 11, which is the lower end of the alignment path 10, is located above the prize ball tank 4.
When the prize balls are replenished using the constant supply method, the prize balls are always stored in the prize ball tank 4 full of prize balls. For this reason, not only is the slump state peculiar to pachinko machines always the same no matter what type of pachinko machine, but also when the front frame is opened to move the prize ball tank, the stored prize balls There was a problem that the accuracy of the counted value in the control computer could not be ensured from the perspective of the prize ball after being counted, as the ball overflowed due to vibration etc. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, a box-shaped box called a pressure release device (the lower part communicates with the storage part of the prize ball tank) is installed inside the prize ball tank 4 and directly below the supply port 11. The box was installed and fixed, and the pressure reliever was used to prevent the prize balls from filling the prize ball tank and prevent overflow, but every time the pachinko machine was replaced, the pressure reliever was removed from the prize ball tank. There was a problem in that it required time and effort to install the device and to perform adjustment work to adjust the slump.

Second, the above-described conventional prize ball supply device 7
Since the replenishment counter 8 and the stop solenoid 14 are provided close to each other, and the prize ball supply device 7 is provided near the wiring concentration point of the pachinko island stand 1, the excitation of the stop solenoid 14 is There was also the problem that noise generated by signals and noise generated from other wiring caused the replenishment counter 8 to malfunction.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its first purpose is to provide a prize ball replenishing device with a constant replenishment system that can significantly reduce the labor costs even when pachinko machines are replaced. It's about doing.
A second object is to provide a prize ball replenishment device that can prevent malfunctions of the replenishment counter.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned first objective, the prize ball supply device according to the present invention installs the prize balls supplied from the supply route of the pachinko island stand on the back side of the pachinko machine. The prize ball replenishing device constantly and continuously replenishes the prize ball tank, which is equipped with: a support base equipped with an alignment passage for aligning the prize balls in a line and flowing down; a rotary supply member that is rotatably supported in a second state and has a fork-shaped supply cylinder and an operating arm that communicates with the alignment passage and whose tip faces into the prize ball tank; and a ball stopping member that follows the rotation of the rotary replenishment member to control the flow of prize balls from the alignment path to the replenishment cylinder, and the replenishment cylinder of the rotary replenishment member is connected to the prize ball. When in the first state facing the ball tank, the ball stopping member is in a retracted state to allow the prize balls to flow down from the alignment path to the supply cylinder, and the supply cylinder of the rotating supply member When in the second state where it no longer faces the ball tank,
The ball stopping member is in a protruding state to prevent the prize balls from flowing down from the alignment path to the supply tube, and the rotation of the rotating supply member between the first state and the second state is such that the prize balls are prevented from flowing down from the alignment path to the supply cylinder. This is characterized by the engagement between the side wall of the ball tank and the replenishment tube or operating arm.

In addition, in order to achieve the second purpose mentioned above,
In addition to the above-described configuration, the prize ball replenishing device according to the present invention further includes a stopping solenoid on the support base that stops the flow of the prize balls flowing down the alignment path; The present invention is characterized in that a replenishment counter for counting the number of prize balls to be replenished is arranged in the middle of the flow path of the prize balls to the prize ball tank and at a position apart from the stop solenoid.

[Function] When the supply cylinder of the rotating supply member is in the first state facing the prize ball tank, the ball stopping member is in a retracted state and the prize balls are allowed to flow down from the alignment path to the supply cylinder. Since the tip of the supply tube faces into the prize ball tank, the prize balls stored in the prize ball tank extend from the bottom of the prize ball tank to almost the tip of the supply tube. Therefore, the amount of prize balls stored in the prize ball tank can be suppressed without providing a special device to the prize ball tank, and the distance between the tip of the supply tube and the bottom of the prize ball tank can be adjusted. The storage amount can be adjusted by

On the other hand, when the supply cylinder of the rotating supply member is in the second state where it no longer faces the prize ball tank, the ball stopper member is in a state of pushing in and prevents the prize balls from flowing down from the alignment path to the supply cylinder. Moreover, since the rotating replenishing member is rotated between the first state and the second state by engaging the side wall of the prize ball tank with the replenishing cylinder or the operating arm, it is difficult to open and close the front frame of the pachinko machine. In response to the accompanying movement of the prize ball tank, the supply of prize balls is automatically resupplied by connecting the supply cylinder to the prize ball tank, and the supply of prize balls is stopped by stopping the supply cylinder.

Furthermore, a stop solenoid is provided on the support base, and a stop solenoid is installed at a location in the middle of the prize ball's downstream path from the supply route to the prize ball tank, at a location away from the stop solenoid, and also away from the wiring concentration area. To,
By arranging the replenishment counter that counts the replenished prize balls, it is possible to prevent the replenishment counter from malfunctioning due to noise generated from the stop solenoid or noise generated from other wiring.

[Examples] Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the relationship between a pachinko machine 3 and a pachinko island stand 1 to which a prize ball replenishing device 30, which constitutes the main part of this embodiment, is applied. The relationship between the pachinko island stand 1 and the pachinko machine 3 is almost the same as the conventional configuration shown in FIG. In the prize ball supply system, whereas the conventional prize ball supply device 7 included a supply counter 8, in this embodiment,
The two points are that the replenishment counter 20 is installed separately from the prize ball replenishing device 30 and that the configurations of the prize ball replenishing device 7 and the prize ball replenishing device 30 are completely different. First, the configuration related to the replenishment counter 20 will be explained with reference to FIG. 7. As in the conventional art, prize balls flowing down the replenishment path 2 are branched by the branching device 5. This branching device 5 takes in the prize balls while arranging them in a line,
A ball leveler 5a is suspended in the middle of the path, and a stopper 5b is further provided that can stop the prize ball from flowing down when repairing a malfunction. A replenishment counter 20 is detachably attached below the branching device 5 by means of a support stand 23.
As is well known, this replenishment counter 20 is formed in a box shape, and has a ball passage 21 at its tip side through which prize balls pass.
A counting gear 22 (see FIG. 1) is rotatably supported on the opposite side. The prize balls flowing down the ball path 21 engage with the claws of the counting gear 22 to rotate the counting gear 22, and a pulse signal is emitted every time the counting gear 22 rotates once. In other words, one pulse is emitted each time a prize ball corresponding to the number of pawls on the counting gear passes, so the actual number of prize balls supplied is "number of pawls (for example, 10) x number of pulses"
Calculated by. Note that a wiring 29 is connected to the pulse generation circuit.

By the way, the support stand 23 that supports the replenishment counter 20 is fixed below the branching device 5, but to explain in more detail, it is formed in a box shape with an open rear wall and one side wall. A box-shaped replenishment counter 20 is inserted between the top wall 25 and the bottom wall 26 so that the front surface of the replenishment counter 20 on the ball passage 21 side comes into contact with the front wall 24. There is. Further, a guide wall 27 that slightly protrudes upward is fixed to the front side of the bottom wall 26, and the guide wall 7
The replenishment counter 20 is mounted on a support stand 23 at the upper rear end of the
An engaging portion 28 is formed that engages with the rear end surface of the replenishment counter 20 when the replenishment counter 20 is completely inserted into the replenishment counter 20 . Since this engaging portion 28 is formed to be elastically deformed, when removing the replenishment counter 20, it is easy to pull the engaging portion 28 toward you and pull out the replenishment counter 20 rearward. can be done. Furthermore, since the replenishment counter 20 is installed apart from the prize ball replenishment device 30, which will be described later, there is an advantage that it is easy to replace the replenishment counter 20 inside the narrow pachinko island stand 1.

In addition, the support stand 23 has an outlet formed at its upper front end to guide the prize balls flowing down from the branching device 5, and the upper end of the spring hose 6 is fixed to the lower front end thereof. Therefore, when the replenishment counter 20 is installed, the upper end of the ball passage 21 is aligned with the outlet, and the lower end of the ball passage 21 is aligned with the upper end of the spring hose 6. As a result, the prize balls flow from the branching device 5 into the replenishment counter 20, and the prize balls counted by the replenishment counter 20 are discharged to the spring hose 6 and supplied to the prize ball replenishment device 30.

Next, the prize ball replenishing device 30, which constitutes the main part of this embodiment, will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The prize ball replenishing device 30 includes a support base 31 equipped with an alignment passage 37 for aligning prize balls in a line and flowing down, and a pivot support on the support base 31 so as to be rotatable between a first state and a second state. a rotary replenishment member 42 in which a replenishment tube 43 and an operating arm 44 are formed into a forked shape, and the replenishment cylinder 43 and the operating arm 44 are connected to the alignment passage 37 and whose tip faces into the prize ball tank 4; 42 to control the flow of prize balls from the alignment path 37 to the supply cylinder 43.

First, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the support stand 31 includes a fixed plate 32 fixed to the horizontal beam of the pachinko island stand 1, and a slide slidably attached to the fixed plate 32. It is composed of a plate 33. The fixing plate 32 is formed in an "L" shape, and is fixed with one side in contact with the horizontal beam of the pachinko island stand 1, but horizontal slide holes 34a and 34b are formed so that the fixing position can be adjusted. ing. Therefore, the fixed position of the prize ball replenishing device 30 relative to the pachinko island stand 1 can be easily moved in accordance with the position of the prize ball tank 4, which varies depending on the type of pachinko machine 3. Moreover, on the side of the fixed plate 32,
Vertical slide holes 35a, 35b (however, 35b is
) is also formed. These vertical slide holes 35a and 35b are for passing screws protruding from the slide plate 33, and by screwing the screws that have passed through them with wing nuts, the slide plate 33
The position with respect to the fixed plate 32 can be freely set. With this configuration, the amount of prize balls stored in the prize ball tank 4 can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the tip of the supply cylinder 43 of the rotating supply member 42 to be described later and the bottom surface of the prize ball tank 4. That's what I do.

On the other hand, the sliding plate 33 has a connecting portion connected to the end of the spring hose 6 on one side thereof, and an alignment passage 37 is provided continuously to the connecting portion. A display window 36 is formed in the alignment path 37 as shown in FIG. 5, and it is possible to determine whether prize balls are being supplied to the alignment path 37 when the front frame of the pachinko machine 3 is opened. I'm starting to be able to do it. In addition, at the top of the alignment path 37,
As shown in FIG. 4, a stopping solenoid 38 is arranged, and a stopper portion 39 that protrudes and retracts from the alignment passage 37 is connected to the plunger of the stopping solenoid 38. For this reason, a predetermined number (for example, 3000
When the stop solenoid 38 is energized based on a stop signal derived from a management computer (not shown) when a prize ball of 1) is paid out to a player, the stopper part 39 enters the alignment passage 37. The flow of prize balls is stopped, and no more prize balls are delivered from the prize ball supply device 30 to the prize ball tank 4. Note that current is supplied to the stopping solenoid 38 through the wiring 40, but even if noise occurs due to the excitation state of the stopping solenoid 38, the replenishment counter may malfunction due to the noise. 20 is provided at a separate position as described above, so that such malfunctions can be prevented from occurring. Furthermore, since the replenishment counter 20 and the stop solenoid 38 are installed separately, there is an advantage that the concentration of wiring inside the pachinko island stand 1 can be alleviated, and the prize ball replenishment device 30 can be Since the installation location is close to the location inside the pachinko island stand 1 where the wiring is most concentrated, it is possible to prevent the replenishment counter 20 from malfunctioning due to noise generated from the wiring.

On the other hand, a notch 41 is formed at the other end of the alignment path 37, and a rotary supply member 42 is rotatably provided in the notch 41. Rotation supply member 42
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there is a "T"-shaped replenishment tube 43 with a hollow interior, and an actuating arm that projects at an angle more acute than perpendicular to the replenishment tube 43. 44 is formed in a bifurcated shape, and a joint portion between the supply cylinder 43 and the operating arm 44 is rotatably supported in the notch 41 by a support shaft 46. At the tip of the supply cylinder 43,
A replenishment port 45 is formed. Further, the rotating replenishment member 42 is rotatable between two positions: a first state in which the replenishment cylinder 43 is in a vertical state, and a second state in which the replenishment cylinder 43 is in a horizontal state. In order to maintain the two positions, a spring 47 is secured to the outer periphery of the rotating disk supported by the support shaft 46.

On the other hand, a semi-elliptical engagement cam 48 is protruded from the outer periphery of one side of the upper end of the supply cylinder 43.
A ball stopper member 49 is pivotably supported around a support shaft 51 so as to correspond to 8 . Ball stopper member 4
9 is formed in an inverted "L" shape, and a stopper pin 50 that enters into the interior from between the alignment passage 37 and the supply tube 43 is attached downward to the tip of its upper side. Further, a convex portion 49a is formed at the tip of the hanging side of the ball stopper member 49, and a concave portion 49b corresponding to the shape of the engagement cam 48 is formed from the convex portion 49a to the upper side. The intersection of the upper side and the hanging side is pivotally supported on the side surface of the notch 41 by the support shaft 51. The upper end of the stopper pin 50 is pressed by a spring-like locking piece 52, which buffers the reaction force when the stopper pin 50 comes into contact with a prize ball flowing down inside. However, it is designed to smoothly enter between the prize balls.

In addition, inside the upper end support portion of the supply tube 43,
A guiding piece 53 is provided to project and allow the prize ball to flow downward smoothly.

The operation of the rotating replenishing member 42 having the above configuration will be explained with reference to FIG. 6.
c is a side view showing how the pachinko machine 3 transitions from an open state to a closed state. Therefore, when the pachinko machine 3 is opened as shown in a, the rotating replenishing member 42 is in the second state in which the replenishing cylinder 43 is in a horizontal state, and the prize ball tank 4 is in the forward position. It's moving. In this second state, the engagement cam 48 and the convex portion 4 of the ball stopper member 49
9a, the upper tip of the ball stopper member 49 is rotated downward around the support shaft 51, so that the stopper pin 50 enters the supply cylinder 43 and flows down inside. Stop the flow of prize balls. Thereby, the prize balls do not flow out from the supply port 45 of the supply cylinder 43, so the prize balls do not fall into the pachinko island stand 1 even if the prize ball tank 4 moves forward.

When the pachinko machine 3 is moved in the direction of the arrow to close it from the state a, the side wall of the prize ball tank 4 and the operating arm 44 come into contact with each other, forcing the rotating supply member 42 to rotate. At this time, the engagement cam 48 also rotates and moves from the convex portion 49a to the concave portion 49b, and finally, as shown in b, they are completely aligned.
In this state, the engagement cam 48 and the convex portion 49a are released from contact, and the engagement cam 48 and the concave portion 49a are released.
9b, the upper end of the ball stopper member 49 is in a raised position, so that the stopper pin 50 is retracted from the supply tube 43, allowing the prize ball to flow down. At the time of this permission, the supply port 45 of the supply tube 43 is already located inside the prize ball tank 4, so that the prize balls that flow out do not spill into the interior of the pachinko island stand 1.

Furthermore, in the state c where the pachinko machine 3 is completely closed from the state b, the supply tube 43 is maintained in the first vertical state, and the supply port 45 of the supply tube 43 is inside the prize ball tank 4. Located in The prize balls are then discharged from the supply port 45 and stored in the prize ball tank 4. In this case, the amount of prize balls stored is from the bottom of the prize ball tank 4 to the height of the supply port 45. This is because if the prize balls are stored up to the height of the supply port 45, the prize balls attempting to flow out from the supply port 45 will be pressed by the stored prize balls and will not be able to flow out. Therefore, the amount of prize balls stored can be reduced without installing special parts such as pressure relievers, so there is no need to take any trouble when replacing the pachinko machine. Also, by adjusting the vertical slide holes 35a and 35b and moving the slide plate 33 up and down as necessary, the amount of prize balls stored in the prize ball tank 4 can be changed to match the model of the pachinko machine 3. It is possible to create a slump state.

Contrary to what has been explained above, when the pachinko machine 3 is opened, the transition will be from c to a in Fig. 6.To briefly explain this, when the pachinko machine 3 is moved to release it, the prize The inner side wall of the ball tank 4 and the supply tube 43 are engaged with each other, and the supply tube 43 is rotated counterclockwise. At this time, the engagement cam 48 also rotates and escapes from the portion 49b of the ball stopper member 49 and comes into contact with the convex portion 49a, causing the ball stopper member 49 to come into contact with the protrusion 49a.
A stopper pin 50 at the tip of the cylinder is inserted into the supply tube 43 to stop the prize ball flowing down inside. Then, when the engagement between the supply tube 43 and the side wall of the prize ball tank 4 is released, the supply tube 43 is maintained in a horizontal state by the biasing force of the spring 47.

The embodiment has been described above, and in this embodiment, the ball stopper member 49 has a stopper pin 50, but any other structure may be used as long as it stops the prize ball from falling. good.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above explanation, in the prize ball supply device according to the present invention, when the supply tube of the rotary supply member is in the first state facing the prize ball tank, the ball stopper member has been evacuated and the prize balls are allowed to flow down from the alignment path to the supply tube, and the tip of the supply tube is facing into the prize ball tank, so the prize balls stored in the prize ball tank are The balls can be placed from the bottom of the prize ball tank to almost the tip of the supply tube, and therefore, the amount of prize balls stored in the prize ball tank can be reduced without the need to provide a special device to the prize ball tank. The storage amount can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the tip of the supply tube and the bottom of the prize ball tank.

On the other hand, when the supply cylinder of the rotating supply member is in the second state where it no longer faces the prize ball tank, the ball stopper member is in a state of pushing in and prevents the prize balls from flowing down from the alignment path to the supply cylinder. Moreover, since the rotating replenishing member is configured to rotate between the first state and the second state by engaging the side wall of the prize ball tank with the replenishing tube or the operating arm, the front surface of the pachinko machine is In response to the movement of the prize ball tank as the frame opens and closes, it is possible to automatically replenish the supply of prize balls by connecting the supply cylinder and the prize ball tank, and to stop the supply of prize balls by stopping the supply cylinder. .

Furthermore, a stop solenoid is provided on the support base, and a stop solenoid is installed at a location in the middle of the prize ball's downstream path from the supply route to the prize ball tank, at a location away from the stop solenoid, and also away from the wiring concentration area. To,
By arranging the replenishment counter that counts the replenished prize balls, it is possible to prevent the replenishment counter from malfunctioning due to noise generated from the stop solenoid or noise generated from other wiring.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a rear view showing a state in which the prize ball replenishing device according to the embodiment is applied to a pachinko island stand and a pachinko machine, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of a rotating replenishing member that constitutes a part of the prize ball replenishing device. A perspective view, FIG. 3 is a side view showing the relationship between the rotary supply member and the pachinko machine, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the prize ball supply device seen from the back, and FIG.
The figure is a perspective view of the prize ball replenishment device seen from the front, FIG. 6 is a side view showing the action of the rotary replenishment member and the pachinko machine, and FIG. 7 is the installation of the replenishment counter according to the embodiment. FIG. 8, which is a perspective view showing the state, is a rear view showing a state in which the conventional prize ball replenishing device is applied to a pachinko island stand and a pachinko machine. 1...Pachinko island stand, 2...Supply route, 3...
Pachinko machine, 4...Prize ball tank, 20...Replenishment counter, 30...Prize ball supply device, 31...Support stand, 37...Alignment path, 38...Stopping solenoid, 42...Rotation Supply member, 43... supply tube,
44... Operating arm, 45... Supply port, 49... Ball stopper member.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A prize ball supply device that constantly and continuously supplies prize balls supplied from a supply path of a pachinko island to a prize ball tank installed on the back of a pachinko machine, the prize ball supply device comprising: , a support base equipped with an alignment passageway for aligning prize balls in a line and flowing down; a support base rotatably supported on the support base so as to be rotatable between a first state and a second state, and communicating with the alignment passageway; a rotary replenishment member having a fork-shaped replenishment cylinder and an operating arm whose tip faces into the prize ball tank; a ball stopper member that controls the flow of prize balls to the ball stopper, and when in the first state in which the replenishment cylinder of the rotary supply member faces the prize ball tank, the ball stopper member is in a retracted state. In the second state, in which the prize balls are allowed to flow down from the alignment path to the supply cylinder, and the supply cylinder of the rotary supply member no longer faces the prize ball tank,
The ball stopping member is in a protruding state to prevent the prize balls from flowing down from the alignment path to the supply tube, and the rotation of the rotating supply member between the first state and the second state is such that the prize balls are prevented from flowing down from the alignment path to the supply cylinder. A prize ball replenishment device characterized by being operated by engagement between a side wall of a ball tank and a replenishment cylinder or an operating arm. 2. The support stand is provided with a stopping solenoid that stops the flow of the prize balls flowing down the alignment path, and on the other hand, the stopping solenoid that stops the flow of the prize balls from the supply route to the prize ball tank is provided. The prize ball replenishing device according to claim 1, characterized in that a replenishment counter for counting the replenished prize balls is disposed at a position apart from the stop solenoid.