Cart for amusement machines

Abstract

We provide a trolley that can accommodate pachinko and pachislot gaming machines with different width specifications, and that can also accommodate situations where gaming machines are stored on tables in warehouses. [Solution] The trolley 100 is equipped with a loading platform 141A. The loading platform 141A has a rectangular cutout 141A2, and when viewed from above, it is U-shaped with the rear open. The width of the loading platform 141A is greater than the width of the pachinko game machine when the game machine is a pachinko game machine (520 mm in this embodiment). Also, the width of the cutout 141A2 is smaller than the width of the pachislo game machine when the game machine is a pachislo game machine (480 mm in this embodiment).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hand-pushed cart mainly used in a game arcade for transporting a gaming machine selected from either a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine.

Background Art

[0002] A pachinko machine or a pachislot machine (in the present application, a combination of a pachinko machine and a pachislot machine is referred to as a "gaming machine") is used by being attached to a structure commonly called an island in the hall of a game arcade. Before being attached to the island, the gaming machine is first carried into, for example, a warehouse of the game arcade from a gaming machine manufacturer. Naturally, there are not one but a plurality of gaming machines carried into the warehouse or the like, and in many cases, a considerably large number. The gaming machines carried into the warehouse or the like are transported from the warehouse or the like to the hall of the game arcade where the island is located. Generally, a well-known hand-pushed cart for a gaming machine is used for transportation. The gaming machine placed on the hand-pushed cart for a gaming machine and transported to the front of the island is attached to the island.

[0003] However, this work imposes a considerable amount of labor on the worker who performs the work of attaching the gaming machine to the island, and therefore the cost tends to increase. This is common to both the case where the gaming machine is a pachinko machine and the case where it is a pachislot machine. In other words, it is common regardless of whether the island is for a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine. Usually, the island is provided with a horizontally arranged upper plate and a lower plate that are arranged vertically at a predetermined interval. And, whether the gaming machine is a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine, the gaming machine is fixed to the island so as to be positioned between the lower plate and the upper plate. The lower board is where equipment such as ashtrays and coin tray holders are attached as needed, and the height of its upper surface from the hall floor is somewhat fixed. This height is approximately 600 mm from the floor for islands of pachinko machines and approximately 500 mm from the floor for islands of pachislot machines. In other words, the upper surface of the lower board is located at a height that is a certain distance above the floor. Therefore, workers who transport the gaming machines on a cart to the front of the island must lift the machines to the height of the lower platform. As is well known, the surface on which the object to be transported (the top surface of the loading platform) of conventional carts is often about 100 mm above the floor. Consequently, the task of lifting the gaming machines is essential. This task requires a great deal of effort from the workers. With the increasing complexity of the equipment these days, pachinko machines can weigh as much as 25 kg for lighter models, but as much as 60 kg for heavier ones, and pachislot machines are similar. The effort required to lift such heavy gaming machines from the cart to the lower platform is considerable. Moreover, this work is generally done manually in a narrow hall, and as mentioned above, the number of gaming machines installed on the island is considerable, so it is easy to imagine that the effort involved is enormous. On the other hand, transporting gaming machines on carts also occurs when removing them from the island and moving them to a warehouse or other location. In this case, the task of lowering the gaming machines from the base plate onto the cart arises. As with the case described above, this also requires a great deal of effort from the workers. Recently, the replacement cycle for gaming machines has shortened, mainly for operational reasons such as preventing players from getting bored. Consequently, the frequency of tasks such as installing gaming machines on rows of machines and removing them from rows has increased. In other words, the burden on workers, as described above, due to the transportation of gaming machines by trolley and the associated work is increasing more and more. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] Due to the frequent installation and removal of gaming machines from arcades, there has been a growing demand for carts to transport these machines, and various types of carts have been proposed and put into practical use. Some types of carts are equipped with a loading platform for placing amusement machines. This loading platform is designed to move horizontally up and down while maintaining a horizontal position with the amusement machine on it. This reduces the amount of work required for workers to lift and lower the amusement machines.

[0005] As mentioned above, there are two types of gaming machines: pachinko machines and pachislot machines. The length of both pachinko and pachislot machines in the front-to-back direction varies depending on the model, but the width in the left-to-right direction is standardized to some extent, with the former being about 520 mm and the latter about 480 mm. Therefore, there is some difference between pachinko and pachislot machines when focusing on their width. Furthermore, gaming machines are often stored in warehouses on platforms that extend in the front-to-back direction of the machine, with the platform's width being narrower than the machine's width. This is because when the machine is placed on such a platform, space or gaps are created below it in the left-right direction in the width direction (i.e., on both sides of the platform), and this space can be used when lifting the machine from the platform. For example, if the pair of forks on a small forklift are inserted into these spaces on both sides of the platform, the machine can be easily lifted upwards by moving the forks upwards.

[0006] As mentioned above, there are two types of gaming machines, pachinko machines and pachislot machines, which have different width specifications. Furthermore, while the aforementioned stands are used when gaming machines are stored in warehouses, there are no practical carts for gaming machines that are designed to be easy to use in accordance with these circumstances. The present invention aims to provide a practical trolley for gaming machines that addresses the circumstances of the existence of two types of gaming machines, pachinko machines and pachislot machines, which have different width specifications, and the circumstances of the use of such trolleys when gaming machines are stored in a warehouse. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The cart for a gaming machine in the present invention, which solves the above problems, is as follows. Note that in this application, "cart for a gaming machine" may sometimes be simply referred to as "cart". The cart for a gaming machine according to the present invention comprises a base that is movable on the floor and has a plurality of casters attached to it, a plate-shaped loading platform having a horizontal surface on its upper surface for placing a gaming machine selected from either a pachinko gaming machine or a pachislo gaming machine, and a movable body that is mounted on the base and is capable of moving in parallel in the vertical direction within a range that includes a lower position where the height of the upper surface of the loading platform is close to the floor and an upper position where the height of the upper surface of the loading platform is a height corresponding to the height of the lower plate of the island on which the gaming machine is mounted, and can be positioned at a desired height. The base, to which the casters are attached, is intended to ensure the cart can move on the floor. The cart can be a hand-pushed type. Therefore, the cart may be equipped with handles or other components that make it easy for the worker using it to grip. From the standpoint of base stability, at least three casters are provided, and usually four or more. A movable body is attached to the base. The movable body is capable of parallel movement in the vertical direction and can be positioned at a desired height. The movable body includes a loading platform. The loading platform is plate-shaped and has a horizontal surface for placing a gaming machine on it. The gaming machine placed on the loading platform can be either a pachinko machine or a pachislo machine, and can be selected from these. The movable body's range of motion includes a lower position and an upper position. The lower position is the height at which the top surface of the loading platform is close to the floor. For example, the lower position is when the height of the loading platform from the floor is less than 10 mm. The upper position is the height at which the top surface of the loading platform corresponds to the height of the lower plate of the island on which the gaming machine is mounted. When pachinko machines are installed on an island, the height of the bottom of the pachinko machine from the floor is often around 600mm, and when pachislot machines are installed on an island, the height of the bottom of the pachinko machine from the floor is often around 500mm. Therefore, the upper position can be the higher of these two, that is, the position where the height of the loading platform from the floor is 600mm. However, the range of movement of the moving body only needs to include the lower and upper positions, so it can also extend from a position lower than the lower position to a position higher than the upper position. For example, the lower limit of the range of movement of the moving body is the height at which the bottom of the loading platform touches the floor, and the upper limit of the range of movement of the moving body can be a height of about 1100mm or more, or even about 1500mm, at which the height of the top of the loading platform from the floor. Furthermore, the loading platform of the mobile body has an outer shape that is approximately rectangular in plan view, and when the gaming machine is placed on the top surface, it is intended that the gaming machine be slid from one side of the approximately rectangular outer shape toward the opposite side to a predetermined position, and it is provided with a rectangular notch of a predetermined width extending from one side of the outer shape toward the opposite side, so that it is approximately U-shaped in plan view. In addition, the width of the loading platform is greater than the width of the gaming machine when the gaming machine is a pachinko gaming machine, and the width of the notch is smaller than the width of the pachislo gaming machine when the gaming machine is a pachislo gaming machine. The loading platform of the trolley according to the present invention has a substantially rectangular outer shape (or outline) when viewed from above. Furthermore, the loading platform is designed so that a gaming machine can be placed on its upper surface, starting from a specific side of its rectangular outer shape. The gaming machine is placed on the loading platform by sliding it along the platform from the aforementioned side toward the opposite side. The gaming machine is slid along the loading platform to a predetermined position. The loading platform has notches. The notches are provided at a predetermined width from one side of the loading platform's outer shape to the opposite side, and are roughly rectangular in shape. As a result, when viewed from above, the loading platform has protruding ends in the width direction, giving it an overall U-shape. This type of U-shaped loading platform produces the following effects: As mentioned above, gaming machines are often stored in warehouses on platforms that extend in the front-to-back direction of the machines and are narrower than the width of the machines themselves. If the shape of the platform is U-shaped when viewed from above, as described above, the protruding parts in the width direction can be used like a pair of forks on a forklift to insert into the space below the gaming machine on the platform in the left-right direction. This makes it easier to lift the gaming machine stored in the warehouse off the platform, or to lower the gaming machine from the platform onto the platform. Furthermore, the width of the loading platform is greater than the width of the pachinko machine when the gaming machine is a pachinko machine, and the width of the notch is smaller than the width of the pachislot machine when the gaming machine is a pachislot machine. As mentioned above, the widths of both pachinko and pachislot machines are standardized, and the width of a pachinko machine is greater than that of a pachislot machine. Here, since the width of the notch is smaller than the width of the pachislot machine, the pachislot machine can be placed on the protruding parts on both sides in the width direction of the loading platform while straddling the notch. Also, because the width of the loading platform is greater than the width of the pachinko machine, the pachinko machine that can be placed on the protruding parts on both sides in the width direction of the loading platform while straddling the notch can be prevented from protruding from both sides in the width direction of the loading platform. Therefore, the trolley according to the present invention is practical in that it addresses the circumstances of the existence of two types of gaming machines, pachinko machines and pachislot machines, which have different width specifications, and the circumstances that such a trolley is used when the gaming machines are stored in a warehouse.

[0008] The trolley according to the present invention may further include a cover plate, which is a plate that covers the notch in the loading platform plate, by being placed on the loading platform plate. Even with the presence of a notch, the width of the loading platform is greater than the width of a pachinko machine, and the width of the notch is smaller than the width of a pachislo machine. As mentioned above, this makes it possible to place both pachinko and pachislo machines on the loading platform. However, there is still a risk of the machine falling off the loading platform, and this risk increases when a relatively narrow pachislo machine is placed on the loading platform. Covering the notch in the loading platform with a cover plate reduces the risk of the machine falling out of the notch. Furthermore, by covering the notch with a cover plate, the trolley according to the present invention becomes suitable for transporting items other than game machines as an ordinary trolley. On the other hand, when the notches in the loading platform are not covered with a cover plate, the loading platform can function like the forks of a forklift.

[0009] The cover plate may be hinged to the loading platform and be able to swing between two positions: a covered position where it is approximately horizontal and covers the notch, and an uncovered position where it is approximately vertical and does not cover the notch. By hinged the cover plate to the loading platform, the possibility of losing the cover plate is virtually eliminated. The cover plate in the covered position prevents it from falling out of the notch in the loading platform of the gaming machine, and when the cover plate is moved to the uncovered position, the loading platform can function like the forks of a forklift.

[0010] In the case where the gaming machine is a pachinko gaming machine fitted into a frame-like structure and placed on the loading platform from the front, the loading platform is provided with a front contact body that slides to the front of the frame attached to the pachinko gaming machine when it reaches the planned position, and the cover plate may be configured so as not to interfere with the contact body when the cover plate is in the covering position. As mentioned above, when a gaming machine is placed on a loading platform, it is slid on the platform from one side to the opposite side of the roughly rectangular shape of the platform to a predetermined position. Incidentally, if the gaming machine is a pachinko machine, it is usually fitted into a frame that is constructed in a picture frame-like manner. The frame is a component used when attaching the pachinko machine to an island, and the pachinko machine is already fixed to the frame when it is delivered from the manufacturer to the gaming parlor. When sliding such a pachinko game machine on a loading platform, providing the aforementioned contact body allows the front of the frame attached to the pachinko game machine to come into contact with the contact body when it reaches the desired position, thereby enabling the pachinko game machine, which has a small thickness in the front-to-back direction, to be positioned and placed on the loading platform at the desired location. Enabling the positioning of the pachinko game machine in the front-to-back direction is useful, for example, when enabling the use of a mechanism to prevent the pachinko game machine from tipping over in the front-to-back direction. The thickness of pachinko game machines in the front-to-back direction varies depending on the model, but the structure of the frame attached to the pachinko game machine is relatively standardized, so it is reasonable to use the frame to position the pachinko game machine on the loading platform. For the reasons stated above, the contact body is meaningful, but if the contact body is attached to the upper surface of the loading platform, there is a risk that the cover plate, when moved to the covering position, will interfere with the contact body unless some measures are taken. To avoid such problems, it is useful to configure the cover plate so that it does not interfere with the contact body when the cover plate is in the covering position. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] A perspective view of an island on which amusement machines are mounted using the trolley of the present embodiment. [Figure 2] A perspective view from the rear of a trolley used to carry a pachinko game machine. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows a side view of the trolley. [Figure 4] Figure 2 shows a rear view of the trolley. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a plan view of the trolley shown. [Figure 6] A perspective view from the rear of a trolley used to carry a pachinko slot machine. [Figure 7] Side view of the trolley shown in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 6 shows a plan view of the trolley. [Figure 9](A) Front view showing a pachinko gaming machine placed on a platform inside a warehouse, (B) Front view conceptually showing a loading plate inserted under the pachinko gaming machine. [Figure 10] Perspective view seen from the back side of the cart when the upper surface of the loading plate is about 1500 mm above the floor. [Figure 11] Side view of the cart shown in Fig. 10. [Figure 12] Rear view of the cart shown in Fig. 10. [Figure 13] Perspective view seen from the back side of the cart when a pachinko gaming machine is placed on the loading plate. [Figure 14] Side view of the cart shown in Fig. 13. [Figure 15] Rear view of the cart shown in Fig. 13. [Figure 16] Perspective view seen from the back side of the cart when a pachislot gaming machine is placed on the loading plate. [Figure 17] Side view of the cart shown in Fig. 16. [Figure 18] Rear view of the cart shown in Fig. 16. [Figure 19] Perspective view of the bolt shaft and the mounting box according to the modified example. [Figure 20] Plan view of the bolt shaft and the mounting box according to the modified example.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the cart for a gaming machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] First, the structure of the island in a state where a gaming machine transported by the cart described below according to this embodiment is attached will be briefly described. In Fig. 1, 300 is a gaming machine. The gaming machine 300 in this embodiment is a pachinko gaming machine, but the gaming machine 300 may also be a pachislot gaming machine. Since the gaming machine 300 in this embodiment is a pachinko gaming machine, the island to which it is attached hereinafter is called an island for pachinko gaming machines. The game machine 300, a pachinko game machine, is a very common type and is usually commercially available. There is nothing particularly special about the game machine 300, so no further explanation is provided. Below the game machine 300, there are generally trays for receiving the dispensed balls, consisting of an upper tray and a lower tray, and a handle used for launching the balls, but these are unrelated to the present invention and are well known, so they are not shown in the illustration. The gaming machine 300 is fixed inside a rectangular component called a frame 500. The frame 500 may be made of metal, but in most cases it is made of wood and is constructed by combining four boards so that they form the four sides, either in a picture frame or a rectangle. The gaming machine 300 is fitted into the rectangular space inside the frame. Generally, the gaming machine 300 is fixed to the frame 500 from the stage when it is shipped from the manufacturer to the amusement parlor, and this embodiment follows that example. The gaming machine 300 is attached to the island (described later) either frame 500 or via frame 500. The gaming machine 300 is hinged to frame 500 and can be opened and closed relative to frame 500, similar to how a door can be opened and closed relative to a door frame (see Figure 1). The reason for making the gaming machine 300 open and closed relative to frame 500 is to allow for maintenance of the gaming machine 300, among other purposes.

[0014] The gaming machine 300 is usually fixed to a structure called an island 400 in an arcade. The island 400 may be made of metal, but is often made of wood and is structured to allow many gaming machines 300 to be mounted in parallel. Island 400 may also be fitted with other features as needed, such as a ball dispenser for lending game balls to users, a call lamp to inform users and hall staff of the status of the game machines, and a ball circulation mechanism to supply balls to the dispenser and game machines, and to collect lost balls from the game machines and circulate them, but illustrations of these are omitted. The gaming machine 300, fixed to the frame 500, is attached to the island 400 along with the frame 500. With the gaming machine 300 fixed to the frame 500, the frame 500 is then fixed to the island 400, thereby securing the gaming machine 300 to the island 400. The island 400 has a horizontal bottom plate 401 on which the frame 500 is placed, and an upper plate 402 that is parallel to the bottom plate 401 and located above the frame 500. The frame 500 is fixed to the island 400 while resting on the bottom plate 401. The frame 500 is fixed to the island 400 by fixing the plate 501, which is the lower edge of the frame 500, to the bottom plate 401, and the plate 502, which is the upper edge of the frame 500, to the upper plate 402, using nails, special fittings, or other appropriate means. The distance between the lower plate 401 and the upper plate 402 of island 400 corresponds to the height of the frame 500 attached to the gaming machine 300. When the gaming machine 300 is a pachislot gaming machine and not a pachinko gaming machine, the configuration of the island, i.e., the island for pachislot gaming machines, follows that of island 400 for pachinko gaming machines. However, there may be some differences between island 400 for pachinko gaming machines and island for pachislot gaming machines based on differences in size between pachinko gaming machines and pachislot gaming machines. For example, the height from the floor to the top surface of the lower plate 401 is approximately 600 mm from the floor for island for pachinko gaming machines and approximately 500 mm from the floor for island for pachislot gaming machines. Furthermore, a front plate 403 is located directly below the bottom plate 401 of the island 400. The front plate 403 is a plate of a predetermined thickness that comes into contact with the lower surface and upper surface of the bottom plate 401, and it protrudes slightly forward from the bottom plate 401. Its front end is also configured to be slightly thicker than the rear part. Generally, an ashtray is attached to the front plate 403, or it is used as a place to put so-called cash boxes.

[0015] The following describes the trolley 100. The trolley 100 in this embodiment is used when transporting a game machine 300 (more precisely, a game machine 300 that is fixed to a frame 500), for example, when transporting a game machine 300 from a warehouse or the like to the front of an island 400 and attaching it to the island 400, or when removing a game machine 300 that was attached to an island 400 from the island 400 and transporting it to a warehouse or the like.

[0016] The trolley 100 is shown in Figures 2 to 8. Figures 2 to 5 are perspective views from the rear (Figure 2), side view (Figure 3), rear view (Figure 4), and top view (Figure 5) of the trolley 100 when it is carrying a pachinko game machine 300. Figures 6 to 8 are perspective views from the rear (Figure 6), side view (Figure 7), and top view (Figure 8) of the trolley 100 when it is carrying a pachislo game machine 300. Note that even when transporting a pachislo game machine 300, the trolley 100 may be in the state shown in Figures 2 to 5, and the trolley 100 shown in Figures 6 to 8 may also be used to transport items other than the game machine 300. Furthermore, the front and rear of the trolley 100 shall follow the front and rear of the game machine 300 when the game machine 300, which is a pachinko game machine, is placed on the trolley 100. For example, in Figure 2, the far right side of the trolley 100 is the front of the trolley 100.

[0017] Unless otherwise specified, each component of the bogie 100 is made of metal. The trolley 100 is equipped with a base 110. The base 110 provides support for the trolley 100 and is configured to stably support the trolley 100. In this embodiment, however, the base 110 is a member assembled in a U-shape in plan view, with the rear open. Below the base 110 are casters 111, which allow the base 110, and by extension the trolley 100, to move smoothly on the floor. The casters 111 are known or well-known rotatable wheels. The casters 111 are made of rubber or resin in part. As is widely known, the casters 111 are mounted on the base 110 so as to be rotatable even in a plan view, allowing the direction of travel of the trolley 100 to be changed. In this embodiment, there are four casters 111. However, there are three or more casters 111; they do not necessarily have to be four.

[0018] A column 120 is erected in front of the base 110. The column 120 is for attaching a movable body, which will be described later. The movable body can move parallel to the column 120 in the vertical direction and can be fixed at any height position on the column 120. The column 120 is a rod-shaped body with a rectangular cross-section, although this is not an exhaustive description. A movable body 140, which will be described later, is attached to the column 120. The movable body 140 is designed to move parallel to the column 120 in the vertical direction. The role of the column 120 is to support the movable body 140 and guide its direction of movement. A box-shaped case 130 is provided at the front of the lower part of the column 120. A power unit (not shown) is housed in the case 130. The role of the case 130 is to house the power unit. The power unit is a motor, a hydraulic pump, or, in this embodiment, a motor. For example, the power generated by the power unit, which is a motor, causes the movable body 140 to move vertically along the column 120. Inside the column 120 is a linear motion mechanism that converts the rotational force generated by the power unit into linear motion along the length of the column 120. The movable body 140 is connected to this linear motion mechanism (not shown), enabling movement along the length of the column 120. The linear motion mechanism can be a known or well-known one, for example, a combination of a sprocket and a chain, or a combination of a pulley and a timing belt. A switch is provided on a suitable part of the trolley 100, for example, on a suitable part of the upper part of the case 130, for inputting a signal to the power unit to drive the mobile body 140 upward, to drive the mobile body 140 downward, or to stop the mobile body 140. By operating the switch (not shown), the worker can drive or stop the power unit as intended, thereby causing the mobile body 140 to rise along the column 120, to descend along the column 120, or to stop the mobile body 140. The above-described switch and the technology for controlling the power unit using the switch are, of course, publicly known and well-known, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0019] As described above, the movable body 140 is connected to the column 120. More precisely, the movable body 140 is connected to the linear motion mechanism built into the column 120. This allows the movable body 140 to move parallel to the column 120 in the vertical direction. The gaming machine 300 is placed on the movable body 140 as will be described later. In this state, the gaming machine 300 moves parallel to the vertical direction together with the movable body 140. The movable body 140 is composed of a lower member 141, a middle member 142, and an upper member 143. The lower member 141, the middle member 142, and the upper member 143 are arranged in that order from bottom to top. The lower member 141 and the upper member 143 are connected to each other via the middle member 142, and as a result, the lower member 141, the middle member 142, and the upper member 143 are integrated as a single unit.

[0020] The lower member 141 is equipped with a plate-shaped loading platform 141A. The loading platform 141A is a plate on which the gaming machine 300 is placed. The upper horizontal surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A is horizontal, and the gaming machine 300 is placed on the upper surface 141A1. When viewed from above, the outer shape (outline) of the loading platform 141A is approximately rectangular. The gaming machine 300 is placed on the loading platform 141A, straddling the rear edge of the loading platform 141A and starting from that edge. When placing the gaming machine 300 on the loading platform 141A, the worker slides the gaming machine 300 along the rectangular loading platform 141A from the rear edge toward the opposite edge. The worker slides the gaming machine 300 on the loading platform 141A to the planned position, which is the position where the loading platform 141A is to be placed, and places the gaming machine 300 on the loading platform 141A at the planned position. A rectangular notch 141A2 is provided in the loading platform 141A of the lower member 141. The notch 141A2 is provided from the rear side of the loading platform 141A toward the opposite side, and its width is constant. The shape of the notch 141A2 is effectively rectangular. Due to the presence of the notch 141A2, both sides of the loading platform 141A in the width direction of the lower member 141 protrude to the rear side, flanking the notch 141A2, when viewed from above. As a result, when viewed from above, the loading platform 141A as a whole has a roughly U-shape with the rear side open. Here, the width L of the loading platform 141A is greater than the width of the pachinko game machine 300 when the game machine 300 is a pachinko game machine (520 mm in this embodiment). Also, the width l of the notch 141A2 is smaller than the width of the pachislo game machine when the game machine 300 is a pachislo game machine (480 mm in this embodiment) (Figure 5). As a result, the pachislo game machine can be placed on the protruding parts on both sides in the width direction of the loading platform 141A while straddling the notch 141A2. Furthermore, because the width of the loading platform 141A is greater than the width of the pachinko game machine, a pachinko game machine that can be placed on the protruding parts on both sides in the width direction of the loading platform 141A while straddling the notch 141A2 can be prevented from protruding from both sides in the width direction of the loading platform 141A. Side plates 141B are provided at both ends in the width direction of the loading platform 141A of the lower member 141, extending vertically upward from the loading platform 141A. The side plates 141B are intended to prevent the amusement machine 300 placed on the loading platform 141A from moving excessively in the lateral direction. Front contact bodies 141C are provided immediately inside the side plates 141B in the portion of the loading platform 141A that protrudes to the rear side, flanking the notch 141A2 (see Figures 2 and 5). The front contact bodies 141C are placed on the loading platform 141A and slide from the rear side edge of the loading platform 141A toward the opposite edge to reach the intended position, thereby contacting the front surface of the frame 500 attached to the amusement machine 300, which is a pachinko amusement machine. Although not limited to this, the shape of the front contact bodies 141C in this embodiment is a rectangular parallelepiped. Furthermore, both front contact bodies 141C are attached to the loading platform 141A at symmetrical positions in the width direction, with their bottom surfaces in contact with the loading platform 141A and one outer edge of their bottom surfaces in contact with the side plates 141B. Furthermore, the distance between the two front contact bodies 141C is greater than the width of the gaming machine 300 in the case of a pachislo gaming machine (480 mm in this embodiment).

[0021] Next, the middle member 142 will be described. The middle member 142 is connected to the lower member 141. The middle member 142 includes two column members 142A erected at both ends of the side of the loading platform plate 141A of the lower member 141 that is opposite to the side on the rear side. Although not limited to this, the column members 142A in this embodiment are made of square pipes with a rectangular cross-section. The two column members 142A are connected by a connecting plate 142B. Although not limited to this, the connecting plate 142B in this embodiment is plate-shaped. However, despite its name, the connecting plate 142B does not have to be plate-shaped; for example, it could be rod-shaped. A box-shaped mounting box 142C is provided at a predetermined height above each of the two column members 142A. Although not shown in the illustration, nuts are housed inside the mounting box 142C. The axis of the threaded hole drilled in the inner surface of the nut is aligned with the front-rear direction of the trolley 100. Both the mounting box 142C and the nuts inside it are located in front of the column members 142A. A long bolt shaft 142D is attached to a nut inside the mounting box 142C. The bolt shaft 142D is round in shape and has threads on its outer circumference. The bolt shaft 142D is screwed into a hole in the nut inside the mounting box 142C, with the bolt shaft 142D passing through the column member 142A. By rotating the bolt shaft 142D around its axis, the bolt shaft 142D can be moved in the front-rear direction relative to the nut. A contact plate 142D1, which is a circular plate (though not necessarily so in this embodiment), is attached to the rear end of the bolt shaft 142D coaxially with the bolt shaft 142D (though not necessarily so in this embodiment). The front-rear position of the contact plate 142D1 can be adjusted by moving the bolt shaft 142D back and forth relative to the nut inside the mounting box 142C. By appropriately adjusting its front-rear position, it can be brought into contact with the front of the game machine 300, which is a pachinko game machine placed on the loading platform 141A, as will be described later. In this embodiment, the bolt shaft 142D can be moved back and forth relative to the mounting box 142C and its front-to-back position can be determined by the mechanism described above. However, if the bolt shaft 142D is moved back and forth by rotating it relative to the nut, it may be necessary to rotate the bolt shaft 142D several times relative to the nut in order to move it back and forth sufficiently relative to the mounting box 142C. Taking this into consideration, the back-and-forth movement of the bolt shaft 142D relative to the mounting box 142C can also be performed by the following mechanism (modified version). Figure 19 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the bolt shaft 142D and mounting box 142C in a modified example, and Figure 20 is a plan view thereof. In the modified example, the mounting box 142 is a box-shaped component. In the modified example, the bolt shaft 142D passes through the mounting box 142C from front to back. However, in the modified example, the bolt shaft 142D is not threaded on its outer circumference and is simply a round bar. Also, in the modified example, there is no nut inside the mounting box 142C. Instead of a nut, the modified example includes a swing plate 142F and an elastic body 142G in addition to the bolt shaft 142D and the mounting box 142C. The oscillating plate 142F is a long, narrow rectangular plate, though not limited to this, that is attached to the mounting box 142C. The oscillating plate 142F is pivotally supported at its base end (near the upper end in Figure 20) by a shaft provided in the mounting box 142, and is designed to oscillate between the states shown in Figure 20(A) and Figure 20(B). The oscillating plate 142F has a hole 142F1 through which the bolt shaft 142D passes. The oscillating plate 142F is attached to the mounting box 142C with the bolt shaft 142D passing through the hole 142F1. The cross-sectional shape of the hole 142F1 is slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape of the bolt shaft 142D. More specifically, the hole 142F1 in the oscillating plate 142F is such that when the oscillating plate 142F is tilted relative to the bolt shaft 142D as shown in Figure 20(A), its edge contacts the bolt shaft 142D, and when the oscillating plate 142F is perpendicular to the bolt shaft 142D as shown in Figure 20(B), its edge moves away from the bolt shaft 142D. The size and shape of the bolt shaft 142D and the size and shape of the hole 142F1 are such that when the angle of the oscillating plate 142F relative to the bolt shaft 142D is changed, the aforementioned contact relationship and separation relationship can be created. The elastic body 142G is for providing an elastic force to the oscillating plate 142F. The force that the elastic body 142G exerts on the oscillating plate 142F is such that it moves the oscillating plate 142F from the state shown in Figure 20(B) to the state shown in Figure 20(A). Therefore, in normal conditions where no particular force is applied by an operator, the oscillating plate 142F is positioned as shown in Figure 20(A). In this embodiment, the elastic body 142G is a coil spring, although it is not limited to this configuration. The coil spring is in a compressed state, with one end in contact with the mounting box 142C and the other end in contact with the oscillating plate 142F, constantly biasing the oscillating plate 142F with a large force. In this embodiment, however, the elastic body 142G, which is a coil spring, is wound around the bolt shaft 142D. When the operator is not touching the oscillating plate 142F, that is, under normal conditions, the oscillating plate 142F is positioned in the position shown in Figure 20(A) due to the biasing force provided by the elastic body 142G. In this state, the inner edge of the hole 142F1 of the oscillating plate 142F abuts against the bolt shaft 142D. This creates a strong frictional force between the edge of the hole 142F1, which is strongly pressed against the bolt shaft 142D by the biasing force from the elastic body 142G, and the outer surface of the bolt shaft 142D. This frictional force effectively locks the fixing mechanism 140, including the oscillating plate 142F, against the bolt shaft 142D, preventing the bolt shaft 142D from moving back and forth relative to the mounting box 142C to which the oscillating plate 142F is attached. In other words, the bolt shaft 142D becomes fixed to the mounting box 142C. On the other hand, let's consider the case where the operator applies a force to the tip of the oscillating plate 142F that opposes the biasing force that the elastic body 142G exerts on the oscillating plate 142F, and oscillates the oscillating plate 142F to approach the state shown in Figure 20(B). In this state, the inner edge of the hole 142F1 in the oscillating plate 142F separates from the bolt shaft 142D. As a result, the frictional force that normally acts between the edge of the hole 142F1 and the outer surface of the bolt shaft 142D disappears or at least becomes smaller. Consequently, the lock of the bolt shaft 142D on the mounting box 142C, which includes the oscillating plate 142F, is released, and the bolt shaft 142D becomes capable of moving back and forth relative to the mounting box 142C. In other words, the bolt shaft 142D becomes capable of moving back and forth relative to the mounting box 142C. As is clear from the above explanation, in the modified example, when the worker wants to move the bolt shaft 142D back and forth, the worker rotates the oscillating plate 142F from the state shown in Figure 20(A) to the state shown in Figure 20(B). As long as the oscillating plate 142F maintains that state or angle, the bolt shaft 142D can move back and forth. Therefore, when bringing the contact plate 142D1 into contact with the front of the game machine 300, which is a pachinko game machine placed on the loading platform 141A, the worker sets the oscillating plate 142F to the state shown in Figure 20(B). On the other hand, when the worker releases their hand from the oscillating plate 142F and the biasing force of the elastic body 142G returns the oscillating plate 142F to the state shown in Figure 20(A), the bolt shaft 142D will no longer be able to move back and forth relative to the mounting box 142C.

[0022] The upper member 143 is mounted on top of the middle member 142. The upper member 143 has a U-shape when viewed from above, with the back side open. The upper member 143A comprises a horizontal section 143A that horizontally connects the upper ends of the two column members 142A, and arm sections 143B that extend horizontally from both ends of the horizontal section 143 towards the rear side of the trolley 100. The length of the arm sections 143B is made somewhat larger than the length (thickness) of the game machine 300, which is a pachinko game machine, in the front-to-back direction. The distance between the two arm sections 143B roughly corresponds to the distance between the two side plates 141B of the lower member 141. A rear contact body 143C is provided at the rear end of the arm portion 143B. The rear contact body 143C is a rod-shaped body, although this is not necessarily the case in this embodiment. The rear contact body 143C is pivotally supported at one end to the rear end of the arm portion 143B so that it can rotate in a virtual plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 143B. The rear contact body 143C is rotatable at least between two states: a non-contact position where it extends vertically downward from the rear end of the arm portion 143B (see Figures 16, 17, and 18), and a contact position where it extends horizontally from the rear end of one arm portion 143B toward the rear end of the other arm portion 143B (see Figures 2 to 8). The rear contact body 143C can be fixed in both the contact position and the non-contact position. As for the technique to fix the rear contact body 143C in those two states, any known or well-known technique can be adopted.

[0023] The trolley 100 also includes a cover plate 150. The cover plate 150 is a thin plate. The cover plate 150 has the function of covering the notch 141A2 in the loading platform plate 141A. As will be described later, the cover plate 150 can be used when the gaming machine 300 placed on the loading platform plate 141A is a pachislo gaming machine, in which case it plays a role in preventing the pachislo gaming machine 300 from falling out of the notch 141A2 provided in the loading platform plate 141A. The cover plate 150 can also be used when something other than a gaming machine 300 is placed on the loading platform plate 141A, such as cardboard boxes. If it can perform such a role, the cover plate 150 does not need to cover the entire surface of the notch 141A2. In this embodiment, the cover plate 150 is made to straddle the notch 141A2 in the width direction and further cover the entire surface of the notch 141A2. The cover plate 150 is connected to the loading platform plate 141A by a hinge 151 near the edge opposite the rear edge of the loading platform plate 141A. As a result, the cover plate 150 can rotate at least between two states: a covering position where it abuts against the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform plate 141A and is substantially horizontal, thereby covering the notch 141A2 (see Figures 6, 7, and 8), and an uncovering position where it is substantially perpendicular to the loading platform plate 141A and does not cover the notch 141A2 (see Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5). In the uncovering position, the cover plate 150 is positioned along the rear side of the connecting plate 142B. The widthwise edges of the cover plate 150 are designed so as not to interfere with the front contacts 141C when the cover plate 150 is positioned in the covering position. Specifically, the width of the portion of the cover plate 150 corresponding to the front contacts 141C when it is positioned in the covering position is slightly smaller than the distance between the two front contacts 141C. As a result, the cover plate 150 in the covering position fits between the two front contacts 141C without interfering with either of them.

[0024] The usage and operation of the trolley 100 described above will now be explained. As already explained, the trolley 100 is used to transport the gaming machines 300, and there are two types of gaming machines 300 transported by the trolley 100: pachinko machines and pachislo machines. In the following explanation, pachinko machines may be referred to as 301 and pachislo machines as 302.

[0025] First, let's explain the case where the object being transported is a pachinko game machine 301. When it is necessary to transport the pachinko game machine 301, for example, when moving a pachinko game machine 301 stored in a warehouse to a hall and installing it on an island 400 in the hall, when removing a pachinko game machine 301 that was installed on an island 400 and moving it to a warehouse, or when removing a pachinko game machine 301 that was installed on an island 400 and installing it on another part of the island 400. In some cases, the pachinko game machine 301 may be transferred from a dolly 100 to the back of a truck, or from the back of a truck to a dolly 100.

[0026] In either case, first, the height of the top surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A on the mobile body 140 of the trolley 100 is aligned with the height of the bottom surface of the pachinko game machine 301. While it is certainly desirable for the height of the top surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A to match the height of the bottom surface of the pachinko game machine 301, it is not necessary for them to match perfectly. For example, if the pachinko game machine 301 is placed on the floor, the height of the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A should be set to the lowest possible position, for example, the position shown in Figures 2 to 5. Furthermore, when the pachinko game machines 301 are stored in a warehouse, they are often placed on a platform 600 as shown in Figure 9. The platform 600 is a rectangular parallelepiped that is narrower than the pachinko game machines 301 and is configured to extend perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 9. Typically, multiple platforms 600 are arranged side by side, and multiple pachinko game machines 301 are placed side by side on top of each platform 600 (Figure 9(A)). There is space or a gap on both sides of the platform 600 below each pachinko game machine 301 in the width direction. This space or gap can be used when lifting the pachinko game machines 301. If the pachinko game machines 301 are placed on such a platform 600, the height of the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A on the trolley 100 is matched to the height of the upper surface of the platform 600. In addition, the pachinko game machine 301 may be attached to the island 400. When the pachinko game machine 301 is attached to the island 400, it rests on the lower plate 401 of the island 400. Therefore, in this case, the height of the upper surface 141A1 of the loading plate 141A on the trolley 100 is matched to the height of the upper surface 401 of the lower plate 401 of the island 400. In this case, the height of the upper surface 141A1 of the loading plate 141A from the floor is approximately 600 mm. Furthermore, if the pachinko game machine 301 is to be transferred from the truck bed to the dolly 100, the height of the top surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A on the dolly 100 should be adjusted to match the height of the truck bed. In this case, the height of the loading platform 141A from the floor (ground surface) will be approximately 1000mm to 1100mm. Thus, the height of the upper surface of the loading platform 141A needs to be adjustable within a range from a height almost close to the floor to approximately 1100 mm from the floor or ground surface. Although not limited to this, in this embodiment, the height of the loading platform 141A can be adjusted within a range from a height almost close to the floor to approximately 1500 mm from the floor or ground surface. In other words, the height of the column 120 is set to a length that allows for such parallel vertical movement of the loading platform 141A (or the movable body 140 including the loading platform 141A). Figures 10 to 12 show the trolley 100 with the top surface of the loading platform 141A raised approximately 1500 mm from the floor. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the trolley 100 from the rear, Figure 11 is a side view of the same, and Figure 12 is a rear view of the same.

[0027] Similarly, when moving the loading platform 141A (or the mobile body 140 including the loading platform 141A) in the vertical direction, the worker handling the trolley 100 operates a switch (not shown in the diagram). As described above, in this embodiment, the switch on the trolley 100 can input a signal to the power unit to drive the movable body 140 upward, to drive the movable body 140 downward, or to stop the movable body 140. Upon receiving any of these signals, the power unit drives the movable body 140 to rise along the column 120, to descend along the column 120, or to stop the movable body 140. As described above, the column 120 of the trolley 100 contains a power unit and a linear motion mechanism connected to the movable body 140. Therefore, the operation of the power unit is transmitted to the movable body 140 via the linear motion mechanism. As a result, the movable body 140 moves vertically in accordance with the operation of the power unit. Note that the mechanism for moving the movable body 140 is not limited to that described above. It is naturally possible to employ other configurations other than those described above to control the vertical movement of the mobile body 140, such as known or well-known mechanisms like sensors to suppress excessive vertical movement of the mobile body 140. By operating switches as needed, the worker can adjust the height of the mobile body 140, and consequently the height of the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A included in the mobile body 140, to a desired height.

[0028] Once the height of the top surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A on the mobile body 140 of the trolley 100 is aligned with the height of the bottom surface of the pachinko game machine 301, the worker places the pachinko game machine 301 on the top surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A of the trolley 100. When performing this operation, the cover plate 150 is positioned in an uncovered position, and the rear contact body 143C is positioned in a non-contact position. The bolt shaft 142D is advanced to a position where the contact plate 142D1 does not contact the front of the pachinko game machine 301, which is positioned in a planned position described later. The bolt shaft 142D can be moved back and forth by rotating the bolt shaft 142D relative to the nut inside the mounting box 142C. In the modified example described above, if the oscillating plate 142F is oscillated from the normal state shown in Figure 20(A) to the state shown in Figure 20(B), the bolt shaft 142D becomes capable of moving back and forth relative to the mounting box 142C. In this state, the worker places the pachinko game machine 301 onto the top surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A, which has a roughly rectangular outline when viewed from above, straddling the rear edge of the loading platform 141A. At this time, the pachinko game machine 301 is placed on the loading platform 141A from the front side. In other words, the front of the pachinko game machine 301 is the far right side in Figure 13, which will be explained later. The pachinko game machine 301, placed on the top surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A, is straddling the notch 141A2. For example, when lifting a pachinko game machine 301 placed on a platform 600 in a warehouse, the parts of the loading platform 141A that protrude to the rear side, flanking the notch 141A2, are used like forks on a forklift and inserted under both sides of the pachinko game machine 301 in the width direction, that is, into the space or gap on either side of the platform 600 (Figure 9(B)). In this way, the pachinko game machine 301 rests on the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A, straddling the notch 141A2. In that state, the worker pushes the pachinko game machine 301 from the rear edge of the loading platform 141A toward the opposite edge, causing the pachinko game machine 301 to slide toward the opposite edge of the loading platform 141A, that is, toward the front of the loading platform 141A. Eventually, the front of the frame 500 of the pachinko game machine 301 comes into contact with the back of the front contact body 141C, and the pachinko game machine 301 stops moving forward. More specifically, the front of the lower plate 501 that makes up the frame 500 attached to the pachinko game machine 301 comes into contact with the back of the front contact body 141C. The front contact body 141C naturally comes into contact at a position below half the height of the frame 500 attached to the pachinko game machine 301. The position of the pachinko game machine 301 on the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform plate 141A when the front of the frame 500 comes into contact with the back of the front contact body 141C and the pachinko game machine 301 stops moving forward is the planned position. When loading the pachinko game machine 301 from the platform 600 in the warehouse onto the trolley 100, the trolley 100 is moved closer to the platform 600, maintaining the position of the protruding parts on both sides of the loading platform 141A in the width direction, respectively, until the back of the front contact body 141C and the front of the frame 500 of the pachinko game machine 301 come into contact. In this state, if the loading platform 141A is raised slightly, the pachinko game machine 301 will be placed on the loading platform 141A, and its position at that time will already be the intended position. In this way, when loading the pachinko game machine 301 from the platform 600 onto the trolley 100, there is no need to slide the pachinko game machine 301 on the loading platform 141A, thereby reducing the burden on the workers.

[0029] Once the pachinko game machine 301 is in the planned position, the two rear contact bodies 143C are moved from the non-contact position to the contact position. That is, the rear contact bodies 143C are rotated from the non-contact position, where they extend vertically downward from the rear end of the arm portion 143B, to the contact position, where they extend horizontally from the rear end of one arm portion 143B toward the rear end of the other arm portion 143B. As a result, the rear contact bodies 143C come into contact with the back of the pachinko game machine 301. In this embodiment, however, the rear contact bodies 143C come into contact with the back of the pachinko game machine 301 at a position above half the height of the pachinko game machine 301. As a result, the frame 500 is held between the front contact body 141C and the rear contact body 143C. This makes the pachinko game machine 301 less likely to tip over in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, by rotating the bolt shaft 142D relative to the nut in the mounting box 142C, the bolt shaft 142D is retracted to a position where the contact plate 142D1 contacts the front of the pachinko game machine 301, which has been positioned in a predetermined location as described later. In this embodiment, however, the contact plate 142D1 contacts the front of the pachinko game machine 301 at a position above half the height of the pachinko game machine 301. As a result, the pachinko game machine 301 (and frame 500) is also held between the contact plate 142D1 and the rear contact body 143C. This makes the pachinko game machine 301 even less likely to tip over in the front-to-back direction. Figures 13 to 15 show the state in which the pachinko game machine 301 is placed on the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A and is sandwiched between the front contact body 141C and contact plate 142D1 and the rear contact body 143C. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the trolley 100 as seen from the rear side, Figure 14 is a side view thereof, and Figure 15 is a rear view thereof.

[0030] In the state shown in Figures 13 to 15, the pachinko game machine 301, placed on the loading platform 141A, is in a stable state. In this state, the worker moves the trolley 100. The trolley 100 can be moved smoothly by using the casters 111. Once the cart 100 is moved to an appropriate position, the height of the upper surface 141A1 of the movable body 140 of the cart 100, or the loading plate 141A included in the movable body 140, is adjusted to match the height of the object on which the pachinko game machine 301 will be lowered. For example, if the pachinko game machine 301 is to be mounted on an island 400, the height of the upper surface 141A1 of the loading plate 141A is adjusted to match the height of the upper surface 401 of the island 400. If the pachinko game machine 301 is to be placed on the bed of a truck, the height of the upper surface 141A1 of the loading plate 141A is adjusted to match the height of the truck bed. Such adjustments to the height of the loading plate 141A are made by operating a switch as described above. After adjusting the height of the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A as appropriate, the pachinko game machine 301 is lowered onto the target surface. Of course, when lowering the pachinko game machine 301, the rear contact body 143C is moved to a non-contact position beforehand. Otherwise, the rear contact body 143C will come into contact with the back of the pachinko game machine 301, making it impossible to lower the pachinko game machine 301 from the loading platform 141A. When lowering the pachinko game machine 301 from the cart 100 onto the platform 600 in the warehouse, the cart 100 is moved closer to the platform 600, maintaining the position of the pachinko game machine 301 on the platform 600 with the protruding parts on both sides of the width direction of the loading platform 141A positioned on either side of the platform 600, until the pachinko game machine 301 is in the appropriate position on the platform 600. In this state, the loading platform 141A is lowered slightly, and the pachinko game machine 301 is placed on the platform 600. Then, the rear contact body 143C is moved to the contact position, and the cart 100 is moved away from the platform 600. In this way, the pachinko game machine 301 can be lowered from the cart 100 onto the platform 600.

[0031] Next, we will explain the case where the object being transported is a pachislo gaming machine 302. The situations in which the pachislo gaming machine 302 needs to be transported are the same as when the gaming machine 300 is a pachinko gaming machine 301. For example, when a pachislo gaming machine 302 stored in a warehouse is moved to a hall and installed on an island 400 in the hall, when a pachislo gaming machine 302 that was installed on an island 400 is removed from the island 400 and moved to a warehouse, or when a pachislo gaming machine 302 that was installed on an island 400 is temporarily removed from the island 400 and installed on another part of the island 400. In some cases, the pachislo gaming machine 302 may be transferred from a dolly 100 to the back of a truck, or from the back of a truck to the dolly 100.

[0032] In either case, first, the height of the top surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A on the movable body 140 of the trolley 100 is adjusted to match the height of the bottom surface of the pachislo gaming machine 302. This is the same as when the gaming machine 300 is a pachinko gaming machine 301. For example, if the pachislo gaming machine 302 is placed on the floor, the height of the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A should be set to the lowest possible position, for example, the position shown in Figures 6 to 8. Furthermore, when the pachislo gaming machine 302 is stored in a warehouse, it is often placed on a platform 600 similar to that of the pachinko gaming machine 301. If the pachislo gaming machine 302 is placed on a platform 600, the height of the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A on the trolley 100 is matched to the height of the upper surface of the platform 600. In addition, the pachislo gaming machine 302 may be mounted on the island 400. When the pachislo gaming machine 302 is mounted on the island 400, it rests on the lower plate 401 of the island 400. Therefore, in this case, the height of the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A on the trolley 100 is matched to the height of the upper surface 401 of the lower plate 401 of the island 400. In this case, the height of the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A from the floor is approximately 500 mm. Furthermore, if the pachislo gaming machine 302 is to be transferred from the truck bed to the dolly 100, the height of the upper surface 141A1 of the loading plate 141A on the dolly 100 should be adjusted to match the height of the truck bed. As previously mentioned, the height of the mobile unit 140 or the loading platform 141A included therein is adjusted by a worker using a switch (not shown in the illustration).

[0033] Once the height of the top surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A on the mobile body 140 of the trolley 100 is aligned with the height of the bottom surface of the pachislo gaming machine 302, the worker places the pachislo gaming machine 302 on the top surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A of the trolley 100. When this operation is performed, the cover plate 150 is positioned in the covering position, and the rear contact body 143C is positioned in the non-contact position. The bolt shaft 142D is rotated relative to the nut in the mounting box 142C to advance the contact plate 142D1 to a position where it does not come into contact with the pachislo game machine 302, which is positioned in the planned position described later. When positioned in the covering position, the front contact body 141C, which is on the loading platform plate 141A, is exposed above the edge of the cover plate 150. The front contact body 141C does not come into contact with the cover plate 150 in the covering position. In that state, the worker places the pachislo game machine 302 on the top surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A, which has a roughly rectangular outline when viewed from above, straddling the rear edge of the loading platform 141A. While the pachinko game machine 301 is placed on the top surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A from the front, the pachislo game machine 302 is not placed in that way and is placed on the loading platform 141A from either the front or the rear. For example, in Figure 16, which will be explained later, the rear of the pachislo game machine 302 is located on the far right side. Since the cover plate 150, which is in the covering position, rests horizontally on the loading platform plate 141A, the notch 141A2 is covered by the cover plate 150. Therefore, even when the pachislo game machine 302 is placed on the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform plate 141A, there is no risk of the pachislo game machine 302 falling out of the notch 141A2. Furthermore, when transferring a pachislo game machine 302, which is placed on a platform 600 in the warehouse, onto the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A, if the cover plate 150 is in the covering position, the portion of the loading platform 141A that protrudes to the rear side, flanking the notch 141A2, cannot be inserted into the space or gap on both sides of the width direction of the pachislo game machine 302, that is, the space or gap on both sides of the platform 600. Therefore, when the cover plate 150 is in the covering position, the loading platform 141A is abutted against the platform 600 on which the pachislo game machine 302 is placed, and in that state, the pachislo game machine 302 is slid from the platform 600 onto the loading platform 141A. In any case, the worker pushes the pachislo game machine 302 from the rear edge of the loading platform 141A toward the opposite edge, causing the pachislo game machine 302 to slide toward the opposite edge of the loading platform 141A, that is, toward the front of the loading platform 141A. As mentioned above, the width of the pachislo gaming machine 302 is smaller than the width of the pachinko gaming machine 301. The pachislo gaming machine 302 moves forward by passing between the two front contact bodies 141C located at both ends of the loading platform 141A in the width direction. The pachislo game machine 302 is slid forward until it is stable on the loading platform 141A, or on the loading platform 141A and the cover plate 150. The position of the pachislo game machine 302 on the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A when the pachislo game machine 302 is stable is the planned position. If the game machine 300 is a pachinko game machine 301, the pachinko game machine 301 is considered to be in the planned position when the front surface of the frame 500 attached to the pachinko game machine 301 comes into contact with the back surface of the front contact body 141C. On the other hand, if the game machine 300 is a pachislo game machine 302, the definition of the planned position is not so clear. Furthermore, if the cover plate 150 is in an uncovered position, the pachislo game machine 302 can be moved from the stand 600 onto the loading plate 141A of the trolley 100 in the same manner as in the case of the pachinko game machine 301, without sliding the pachislo game machine 302 on the loading plate 141A, or with very little sliding.

[0034] Even when the pachislo gaming machine 302 is positioned in the planned location, the rear contact body 143C remains in a non-contact position. This is because the pachislo gaming machine 302 has a greater length (thickness) in the front-to-back direction than the pachinko gaming machine 301, and there is less risk of it tipping over in the front-to-back direction on the loading platform 141A, so clamping between the rear contact body 143C and the front contact body 141C is unnecessary. When the pachislo gaming machine 302 is in the planned position, the bolt shaft 142D may be rotated relative to the nut in the mounting box 142C to retract the bolt shaft 142D until the contact plate 142D1 contacts the front or rear surface of the pachislo gaming machine 302 in the planned position. In Figure 17, the contact plate 142D1 is in contact with the rear surface of the pachislo gaming machine 302. However, it is not always necessary for the contact plate 142D1 to contact the front or rear surface of the pachislo gaming machine 302. Figures 16 to 18 show the pachislo gaming machine 302 placed on the planned position on the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A. Figure 16 is a perspective view of the trolley 100 as seen from the rear side, Figure 17 is a side view thereof, and Figure 18 is a rear view thereof.

[0035] In the state shown in Figures 17 and 18, the pachislo game machine 302, placed on the loading platform 141A, is in a stable state. In this state, the worker moves the trolley 100. The trolley 100 can be moved smoothly by using the casters 111. Once moved to an appropriate position, the height of the upper surface 141A1 of the movable body 140 of the trolley 100, or the loading platform 141A included in the movable body 140, is adjusted to match the height of the target on which the pachislo game machine 302 will be lowered. This is the same as when the game machine 300 is a pachinko game machine 301. After adjusting the height of the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A as appropriate, the pachislo gaming machine 302 is lowered onto the target surface.

[0036] Furthermore, when using the trolley 100 with the cover plate 150 in the covering position, it is not necessary to limit what can be placed on the loading platform 141A to the game machine 300, which was the pachislo game machine 302 in the above example. For example, a certain type of cardboard or various parts can be placed on the loading platform 141A covered with the cover plate 150 and transported by the trolley 100.

[0037] Furthermore, it is also possible to transport the pachinko game machine 302, which is the game machine 300, with the cover plate 150 in the uncovered position. In this case, the method of using the trolley 100 is the same as when transporting the pachinko game machine 301 with the cover plate 150 in the uncovered position, except that the front contact body 141C, rear contact body 143C, bolt shaft 142D, and contact plate 142D1 are not used. For example, since the width l of the notch is smaller than the width of the pachislo game machine (480 mm in this embodiment), when the pachislo game machine 302 is placed on the upper surface 141A1 of the loading platform 141A, the pachislo game machine 302 will straddle the notch 141A2, just as in the case of the pachinko game machine 301. Furthermore, if the cover plate 150 is in an uncovered position, it becomes easy to move the pachislo game machine 302, which is placed on the stand 600 in the warehouse, onto the loading plate 141A. In other words, as shown in Figure 9(B) when the game machine 300 is a pachinko game machine 301, the parts of the loading plate 141A that protrude to the rear side on either side of the notch 141A2 can be used like forks on a forklift to insert into the space or gap on both sides of the width direction of the pachislo game machine 302, that is, into the space or gap on either side of the stand 600. In this way, the pachislo game machine 302 can be placed on the upper surface 141A1 of the loading plate 141A with the notch 141A2 straddling it. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 110 base 111 Caster 120 pillars 130 cases 140 Mobile Units 141 Lower member 141A Cargo bed plate 141A1 Top side 141A2 Notch 141B Lateral plate 141C Front contact body 142 Inner component 142A Column member 142B Connection Plate 142C Mounting Box 142D Bolt Shaft 142D1 Contact plate 143 Upper member 143A Horizontal section 143B Arm section 143C Rear contact body 150 Cover Plate 151 Hinge 300 gaming machines 301 Pachinko gaming machines 302 Pachislo (slot machine) 400 islands 401 Lower plate 403 Front panel 500 slots

Claims

1. A base with multiple casters attached, making it movable on the floor, A movable body is attached to the base and is capable of being positioned at a desired height, and is provided with a plate-shaped loading platform having a horizontal surface on its upper surface for mounting a gaming machine selected from either a pachinko gaming machine or a pachislo gaming machine, and is capable of being moved parallel in the vertical direction within a range that includes a lower position where the height of the upper surface of the loading platform is close to the floor, and an upper position where the height of the upper surface of the loading platform is corresponding to the height of the lower plate of the island on which the gaming machine is mounted, and is capable of being positioned at a desired height. A trolley for a gaming machine, comprising the following: The loading platform of the moving body has an outer shape that is approximately rectangular in plan view, and when the gaming machine is placed on the upper surface, it is intended that the gaming machine be slid from one side of the approximately rectangular outer shape toward the opposite side toward the intended position, and it has a rectangular notch of a predetermined width extending from one side of the outer shape toward the opposite side toward the intended position, so that it is approximately U-shaped in plan view. The width of the loading platform is greater than the width of the pachinko game machine when the game machine is a pachinko game machine, and the width of the notch is smaller than the width of the pachislo game machine when the game machine is a pachislo game machine. A trolley for amusement machines.

2. The system further includes a cover plate, which is positioned on the aforementioned cargo bed plate and covers the notch in the cargo bed plate. A trolley for a gaming machine according to claim 1.

3. The cover plate is hinged to the cargo bed plate and can swing between two positions: a covered position where it is approximately horizontal and covers the notch, and an uncovered position where it is approximately vertical and does not cover the notch. A trolley for a gaming machine according to claim 2.

4. In the case where the gaming machine is a pachinko gaming machine fitted into a frame-like structure and placed on the loading platform from the front, the loading platform is provided with a front contact body that slides to the front of the frame attached to the pachinko gaming machine when it reaches the planned position. The cover plate is configured so as not to interfere with the contact body when the cover plate is in the covering position. A trolley for a gaming machine according to claim 3.

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