Prize putout slot structure of prize acquisition game machine

Abstract

To establish a closed space allowing a prize to be taken out with a simpler configuration even in a game machine handling a large-sized prize.SOLUTION: The prize putout slot structure of a prize acquisition game machine 11 in which an acquired prize Z can be taken out by opening an opening / closing door 16 provided in a prize putout slot 15 includes a lock member 51 for preventing opening of the opening / closing door 16. In addition, the prize putout slot structure of a prize acquisition game machine is provided with a lock member drive section 52 for driving the lock member 51 to a lock position for preventing opening of the opening / closing door and a non-lock position for permitting opening, and a prize detection section for detecting acquisition of a prize. A control section for connecting the prize detection section and the lock member drive section 52 is allowed to perform control for driving the lock member drive section 52 and setting the lock member 51 to a non-lock position at the time of detection of acquisition of a prize by maintaining the lock member 51 in a lock position until detection of acquisition of a prize by the prize detection section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a prize-winning game machine that allows a player to win prizes contained in a game space inside a cabinet. [Background technology]

[0002] The prize-winning game machine allows players to win prizes stored in an enclosed space by playing some kind of game. The prizes won are dropped into a prize outlet at the bottom of the machine, and are then removed by the player.

[0003] A door is provided at the prize payout outlet, and the inside and outside of the machine are separated by the door. The door is opened when the prize is to be taken out. In most cases, this door is made of a flap with a hinge on the top edge, and is structured so that it can be opened and closed freely.

[0004] In these types of prize-winning game machines, the prizes are becoming larger. For example, if the prize becomes larger, such as a stuffed animal that is one meter long, the prize payout opening must be made larger accordingly. However, as described above, if the door can be opened and closed freely, the prize payout opening is a different space compared to the space in which the prize-winning game machine is installed and to the prize-winning game machine itself. In other words, although the prize payout opening has a door, the prize payout opening is large, so it gives the impression that the prizes are easily accessible even without playing the game.

[0005] This reduces the intended effect of encouraging players to play the game, and in some cases may lead to fraud, such as the theft of prizes from the prize payout opening.

[0006] Up to now, devices such as those in the following Patent Documents 1 and 2 have been proposed for the purpose of theft prevention. The device in Patent Document 1 is configured with a flap plate that is pivoted between the prize removal opening and the prize insertion opening in the prize storage section so as to be rotatable at a right angle toward the depth direction, in addition to a door that opens and closes the prize payout opening (prize removal opening). The flap plate is provided with a stopper means for stopping it at a position that blocks the prize insertion opening. By providing such a flap plate, it is said that it is possible to prevent an act of inserting a hand or a tool into the prize storage section to illegally remove a prize. The device in Patent Document 2 is configured with a drop port opening / closing unit that is disposed above the drop port or on the path from the drop port to the removal port, in addition to a door that also opens and closes the prize payout opening (removal opening), and that opens and closes the drop port or the path. The drop port opening / closing unit is provided with an opening / closing drive mechanism that opens and closes the drop port or the path. In this device, when the outlet opening / closing section has the outlet closed, the drop inlet opening / closing section is driven and controlled so that the drop inlet or path is open; while the player is operating it, the drop inlet or path is open, allowing the prize to be dropped into the drop inlet while preventing the prize from being illegally removed from the outlet.

[0007] These machines require a flap plate and a drop port opening and closing section in addition to the prize payout door, which tends to make the structure complicated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3900641 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4720503 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to establish, with a simpler configuration, a closed space that allows prizes to be taken out, even in a game machine that handles large prizes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] Therefore, the present invention provides the following prize winning game machine.

[0011] That is, in a prize payout structure for a prize winning game machine in which a prize can be taken out by opening a door provided at the prize payout opening, the structure is provided with a locking member that prevents the door from being opened. In addition, the structure is provided with a locking member drive unit that drives the locking member to a locked position that prevents the door from being opened and an unlocked position that allows the door to be opened, and a prize sensing unit that detects that a prize has been won. The control unit that connects the prize sensing unit and the locking member drive unit maintains the locking member in the locked position until the prize sensing unit detects that a prize has been won, and drives the locking member drive unit to switch the locking member to the unlocked position when the prize sensing unit detects that a prize has been won.

[0012] In this configuration, the locking member is in the locked position until a prize is won, preventing the prize payout door from opening and ensuring that the prize payout door is closed. When a prize is won in a game and the prize sensing unit detects this, the control unit drives the lock drive unit to move the locking member to the unlocked position, allowing the door to open. After the prize is taken out of the prize payout door, the door may automatically return to the locked state, or the store may manually return it to the locked state. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to this invention, the locking member that prevents the door from being opened is provided with a locking drive unit that drives the locking member, and a prize sensor unit that detects when a prize has been won, and these are linked together, so the structure that establishes the closed space can be constructed more simply. Moreover, since the amount of additional structure required is reduced and existing structures can be utilized, it can also be constructed as a retrofit to an existing device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of the internal structure of the upper part of the prize winning game machine. [Diagram 3] An oblique view showing an overview of the opening and closing door as viewed from inside the prize payout outlet. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a lock mechanism having a lock member. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] Block diagram. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows an example of a prize winning game machine 11 in a perspective view. This prize winning game machine 11 allows the player to win a large prize X, which is stored by being directly suspended within a housing 12, which is an enclosed space, or placed on a suspended shelf. In the game, a rope 14 is suspended by a scissors unit 13 (see FIG. 2), which moves forward and cuts with a cutting blade attached to the tip. When the rope 14 is cut, the prize X falls and can be taken out from a prize payout opening 15 provided at the bottom.

[0017] The prize payout outlet 15 is provided with an opening / closing door 16, and the dropped prize X can be taken out by opening the opening / closing door 16.

[0018] In the figure, 17 is an operation unit, which has a coin insertion portion 17a and an operation button for moving the scissors unit 13 forward. 18 is a display panel. In FIG. 2, 19 is a hanging hook for hanging the rope 14. 20 is a hanging pipe for stabilizing the hanging rope 14, and the rope 14 is passed through a groove 20a (see FIG. 2) formed on the front side. The rope 14 passed through the groove 20a is prevented from falling off by using a clip member (not shown) separate from the hanging pipe 20. That is, the clip member is configured to have a protruding piece that protrudes in the longitudinal direction and regulates the front surface of the rope 14 at one end in the longitudinal direction of a clip having a C-shaped cross section that fits into the hanging pipe 20.

[0019] The prize winning game machine 11 having such a general configuration includes a locking member 51 that prevents the opening / closing door 16 from being opened, a locking member driving unit 52 that drives the locking member 51, and a prize sensing unit 53 that detects that a prize X has been won. The locking member driving unit 52 drives the locking member 51 to a locked position that prevents the opening / closing door 16 from being opened, and to an unlocked position that allows the door to be opened. By employing such a configuration, the prize payout opening 15 is ensured to be closed except when necessary.

[0020] The prize payout outlet 15 is formed of a space of a predetermined size having a bottom, and is provided with an opening / closing door 16 inside an opening 15a on the front surface of the housing 12. The opening / closing door 16 is a flap that uses one fixed side as a fulcrum, makes the other side movable, and opens by rotating in one direction, more specifically, it is formed of a flap with a fixed upper side. The opening / closing door 16 made of a flap is configured to be in a position in which the lower end faces downward in a normal state, that is, in a position to close the prize payout outlet 15. In the normal closed position, the opening / closing door 16 has its outer peripheral edge facing the inner surface of the edge that forms the opening 15a. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the opening / closing door 16 as seen from the inside of the prize payout outlet 15. The hinge portion 16a at the upper end of the opening / closing door 16 biases the opening / closing door 16 in a closing direction, and the outer peripheral edge of the opening / closing door 16 faces the inner surface of the edge that forms the opening 15a, so that the opening / closing door 16 closes the prize payout outlet 15 without rattling.

[0021] An opening / closing door sensor 54 is provided on one side of the inside of the opening 15a of the prize payout outlet 15. The opening / closing door sensor 54 is composed of a reflective photoelectric sensor, and is set so as to detect a flap sensor guard 16b provided on one side of the opening / closing door 16 when the opening / closing door 16 is in the closed posture (closed position).

[0022] Since the opening and closing door 16 is configured to be opened by rotating in one direction as described above, the locking member 51 is configured to be able to appear and disappear from the track of the opening and closing door 16 in the opening direction of the opening and closing door 16. In other words, when the locking member 51 protrudes and interferes with the track of the opening and closing door 16, it prevents the opening of the opening and closing door 16, and when the locking member 51 does not protrude and does not interfere with the track of the opening and closing door 16, it allows the opening of the opening and closing door 16. Since the opening and closing door 16 is a flap with a fixed upper edge, it is preferable that the locking member 51 is configured to be able to move up and down and is configured to switch between interfering and not interfering with the track of the lower end, which is the open end of the opening and closing door 16. This is because it is easy to secure a space for incorporating a structure for the locking member 51, etc. at the bottom of the prize payout opening 15.

[0023] In this example, the locking member 51 is formed in a plate shape. The thickness of the locking member 51 is set to have a sufficient structure, and the length of the locking member 51 corresponding to the lateral direction of the opening / closing door 16 is set to be sufficient to prevent the opening of the door 16 in accordance with the lateral length of the opening / closing door 16.

[0024] The locking member 51 is provided in a slit 15b formed in the bottom of the prize payout outlet 15, further inward than the lower end of the opening / closing door 16 when the door is in the closed position.

[0025] 4 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of a lock mechanism 55 having a lock member 51 and a lock member drive unit 52. As shown in this figure, the lock mechanism 55 has a rectangular plate-shaped lock member 51, a lock motor 52a serving as the lock member drive unit 52, and a lock motor sensor 56 for controlling the rotation of the lock motor 52a. The lock motor 52a is formed of a forward / reverse rotating motor with a reducer, and the lock motor sensor 56 is formed of, for example, a photosensor.

[0026] The locking member 51 has a through hole 51a in the center that is a long rectangle, is housed in a case 57 with an open top, and is held by a slide guide 58 fixed inside the case 57 so that it can move up and down. Mounting flanges 57a are formed on both the left and right sides of the top of the case 57, and a bent piece 57b is formed at the end on the front side, which are fixed to the underside around the slit 15b described above. The slide guide 58 is fixed by spreading the plate surface up and down, and mounting flanges 58a for the case 57 are formed on both the left and right sides, and bent pieces 58b are formed at both the top and bottom ends. The bent piece 58b at the upper end is fixed to the underside around the slit 15b described above, similar to the bent piece 57b of the case 57.

[0027] A window 58c that is vertically larger than the through hole 51a of the locking member 51 is formed in the center of the slide guide 58, and the transmission part 52b from the locking motor 52a is connected to the locking member 51 through this window 58c. That is, an eccentric link boss 60 is fixed to the output shaft 59 of the locking motor 52a, and a bearing roller 61 that is held in the through hole 51a of the locking member 51 is provided at the tip of the link boss 60. That is, the rotation of the locking motor 52a rotates the link boss 60, and the bearing roller 61 rotates, so that the locking member 51 moves up and down as shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of the main part in FIG. 5. The locking member 51 is preferably made of synthetic resin for smooth operation.

[0028] The lock motor sensor 56 is provided at a position closer to the link boss 60 than the lock motor 52a, and in this example, is fixed to a motor stand 62 that supports the lock motor 52a. A link sensor dog (shielding plate) 63 to be detected by the lock motor sensor 56 is fixed to the link boss 60. The link sensor dog 63 is formed corresponding to the lock motor sensor 56 so that it is detected when the lock member 51 is raised, i.e., the locked position, and when it is lowered, i.e., the unlocked position.

[0029] In the drawing, reference numeral 64 denotes a rear cover attached to the rear surface of the case 57 .

[0030] Such a lock mechanism 55 is fixed so that the direction in which the slide guide 58 and the lock motor 52a are provided faces the opening direction of the opening / closing door 16. The vertical movement range of the lock member 51 is set from a position slightly above the slit 15b (unlocked position) to a position where it fully enters the arcuate track at the lower end of the opening / closing door 16 (locked position).

[0031] The prize sensing unit 53 is composed of a prize sensing switch 53a that detects when the rope 14 is cut and the prize X falls. The prize sensing switch 53a is a microswitch incorporated in the mechanism that supports the hanging hook 19 as shown in Fig. 2. The prize sensing switch 53a, which is made of a microswitch, detects when the rope 14 is cut and the prize X is no longer bearing its own weight.

[0032] The prize sensing switch 53a, the lock motor sensor 56, the door sensor 54, and the lock motor 52a are connected to a control unit 71 (see FIG. 6) in which a computer program required for restricting the opening of the door 16 is installed. The control unit 71 drives and controls each unit according to the program as follows.

[0033] From the initial state in which the prize detection switch 53a detects a state in which the prize X is present, the lock member 51 is in the locked position, and the door sensor 54 detects the closed position of the door 16, when the game is played and the prize detection switch 53a detects the drop of the prize X, the control unit 71 drives the lock motor 52a. The control unit 71 drives the lock motor 52a until the lock motor sensor 56 detects the link sensor dog 63, thereby lowering the lock member 51 to the unlocked position.

[0034] At this time, the door 16 can be rotated in the opening direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 5 since there is no lock member 51 preventing the door 16 from being opened.

[0035] When the door 16 is opened by a player who wishes to take out the prize X, the control unit 71 inputs and stores an open detection signal from the door sensor 54, and when the door 16 is subsequently closed, the control unit 71 inputs a closed detection signal from the door sensor 54. The control unit 71 then starts timing a predetermined time, such as one minute, and after timing ends, drives the lock motor 52a until the lock motor sensor 56 detects the link sensor dog 63, thereby raising the lock member 51 to the locked position. This establishes a closed state of the prize payout opening 15.

[0036] When the prize X is hung from the hanging hook 19 and the initial state is reached, the control unit 71 repeats the above-mentioned operation for restricting the opening of the opening / closing door 16.

[0037] As described above, the prize winning game machine 11 is configured such that the prize payout outlet 15, as well as the space housing the prize X, are kept closed with the opening and closing door 16 until the prize X is won through the game. In other words, since the prize payout outlet 15 is kept closed when the game is to be played, it is possible to encourage the player to play the intended game.

[0038] When prize X is won in the game, the control unit 71 drives the lock motor 52a based on the detection of the prize sensor 53 to release the lock by the lock member 51 and enable the opening and closing door 16 to be opened. Since the opening and closing door 16 is automatically unlocked, it does not diminish the player's interest and does not increase the store's workload.

[0039] In addition, since the opening / closing door sensor 54 is provided so that the opening / closing door 16 is automatically locked after the prize X is removed from the prize payout opening 15, the work burden on the store is not increased and the closed state can be reliably achieved.

[0040] Furthermore, since the lock member 51 that prevents the opening and closing door 16 from being opened is provided, there is no need to provide a separate shutter or the like, and the configuration can be simplified.

[0041] The simple configuration can be effectively achieved by configuring the opening / closing door 16 as a flap that opens by rotating in one direction, and in particular by configuring the door 16 as a flap with a fixed upper edge and by configuring the locking member 51 to be movable up and down.

[0042] The locking member 51 is formed in a plate shape and configured to be vertically movable, so that the locking member 51 can be configured to be large and sturdy, and sufficient strength can be obtained. In particular, the locking member 51 is housed in a case 57 that is fixed from below to the bottom of the prize payout outlet 15, and is fixed so that the direction in which the slide guide 58 and the locking motor 52a are located faces the opening direction of the opening / closing door 16. Moreover, the case 57 and the slide guide 58 have bent pieces 57b, 58b at the upper ends, so that the locking member 51 can be firmly supported, resulting in high strength.

[0043] The prize detection unit 53 uses a prize detection switch 53a provided on the hanging hook 19, and the locking mechanism 55 has the configuration described above, so that a game machine having the effects described above can be created without making major changes to existing equipment.

[0044] The above configuration is one embodiment for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to only the above configuration, and other configurations can be adopted.

[0045] For example, the prize sensing unit 53 can be provided at the prize payout outlet 15. When the prize sensing unit 53 is provided at the prize payout outlet 15 in addition to the hanging hook 19 portion, the locking member 51 can be returned to the locked position taking into consideration the presence or absence of a prize X at the prize payout outlet 15. In this case, it is possible to prevent the lock from being applied while the prize X remains in the prize payout outlet 15.

[0046] The lock member drive unit 52 that drives the lock member 51 may be configured with a motor, or may be configured with other actuators such as a solenoid, etc. The lock member 51 may be a rod-like object other than a plate.

[0047] The game of the prize winning game machine 11 may be, for example, a grabbing game, other than the above-mentioned example in which the prize is won by cutting the rope 14. The prize X may be small, or may include small prizes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 11…Prize-winning game machine 15…Prize payout outlet 16...Opening and closing door 51...Lock member 52...Lock member drive section 53…Prize Sensor 54...Open / close door sensor X…Prize

Claims

1. A prize payout structure for a prize winning game machine in which a prize can be taken out by opening an opening / closing door provided at the prize payout opening, A lock member that prevents the opening and closing door from being opened; a lock member driving unit that drives the lock member to a lock position that prevents the opening of the opening and closing door and an unlock position that allows the opening; A prize sensing unit is provided for detecting whether a prize has been won, A control unit connecting the prize sensing unit and the locking member driving unit maintains the locking member in a locked position until the prize sensing unit detects that a prize has been acquired, and drives the locking member driving unit to set the locking member to an unlocked position when the prize sensing unit detects that a prize has been acquired. A prize payout structure for a prize-winning game machine.

2. The opening and closing door is a flap that opens by rotating in one direction with one side fixed as a fulcrum and the other side movable, The locking member is configured to be able to appear and disappear from the track in the opening direction of the door. A prize payout outlet structure for a prize acquisition game machine according to claim 1.

3. The opening and closing door is a flap with a fixed upper edge, The locking member is formed in a plate shape and is provided so as to be movable up and down. A prize payout outlet structure for a prize acquisition game machine according to claim 2.

4. A door sensor is provided to detect the closed position of the door, The control unit controls the locking member to be in the locked position by driving the locking member driving unit after a predetermined time has elapsed since the door sensor detected the open state of the door and then detected the closed position of the door by the door sensor.

3. A prize payout outlet structure for a prize acquisition game machine according to claim 1 or 2.

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