Crane game device

Abstract

To provide a crane game device capable of coping with even a case when a prize or the like that becomes an acquisition target for each gripping section that operates simultaneously is allowed to differ.SOLUTION: A crane game device has: at least three gripping sections; a horizontal bar that extends along a first horizontal direction of play space and has the gripping sections; an upper / lower drive section for moving the horizontal bar in a vertical direction; a front / rear drive section for moving the upper / lower drive section and the horizontal bar in a second direction; a control section for controlling operation of an opening / closing drive section for opening or closing the arm section, the upper / lower drive section, and the front / rear drive section; an operation section for operating the position in the second direction of the gripping section before the control; and a prize discharge passage. The control section can adjust gripping force of the gripping section by controlling the opening / closing drive section, and can independently adjust one gripping force of at least three gripping sections, and another gripping force of at least three gripping sections.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a crane game device in which a player operates a crane to win a prize. [Background technology]

[0002] A crane game device is a device in which a player operates a crane installed in a play space via an operating unit outside the play space, thereby moving prizes in a prize placement area within the closed play space to a prize drop opening and winning the prizes.

[0003] In conventional crane game devices, a designated player basically moves one crane (also called a gripping part) in two dimensions within one play zone, aims at a prize at a designated location, and aims to capture the targeted location (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] However, in conventional crane game devices, one crane is generally operated for one play zone, meaning that players can only aim to win prizes in one place in the play zone, which means that the maximum number of prizes that can be won is not large, making it difficult to generate a wide range of success (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-164317 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides a crane game device that increases the maximum number of prizes that can be won and can also appropriately handle cases where the prizes to be won differ for each of the simultaneously operating gripping parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The crane game device according to the present invention comprises: Three or more gripping parts are arranged in a housing part in which a play space to be closed is formed inside, and each gripping part has a plurality of arms which rotate around a base part and open and close at the tip; a horizontal bar extending along a first horizontal direction of the play space and having three or more of the grip portions; a vertical drive unit that moves the horizontal bar in the vertical direction; a front-rear drive unit that moves the vertical drive unit and the horizontal bar in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal direction and the vertical direction; an opening / closing drive unit that opens and closes the arm unit, a control unit that controls the operations of the up / down drive unit and the front / rear drive unit; an operation unit that is disposed outside the play space and drives the front-rear drive unit via the control unit to operate the positions of the three or more grip units in the second direction; A prize outlet passage is provided which connects a connection opening connected to the play space and a prize outlet formed on the outer surface of the housing portion, The vertical drive unit has a first wire section whose first wire tip is connected near a first end, which is one end of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction, a second wire section whose second wire tip is connected near a second end, which is the other end of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction, and a winding unit that is capable of winding up and pulling out the first wire section and the second wire section and is positioned above the horizontal bar and closer to the center position of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction than the first end and the second end in the first horizontal direction.

[0008] The crane game machine according to the present invention has three or more gripping units, which are arranged along a horizontal bar extending in a first direction, i.e., the width of the play space. In such a crane game machine, the multiple gripping units allow prizes to be acquired simultaneously at multiple points in the play space, resulting in a large maximum number of prizes that can be acquired, enabling a wide range of success, such as winning a large number of prizes. Furthermore, in such a crane game machine, for example, when different prizes are to be acquired by each gripping unit, appropriate gripping force can be individually set for each gripping unit according to the weight of the prize. Furthermore, by weakening the gripping force of gripping units that are intended to acquire high-value prizes to reduce the probability of winning, and strengthening the gripping force of gripping units that are intended to acquire low-value prizes to increase the probability of winning, it is possible to appropriately set the expected value of prizes to be acquired per play while placing multiple prizes of different values ​​on the field.

[0009] Furthermore, for example, the vertical drive unit may have a first wire portion having a first wire tip connected near a first end, which is one end of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction, a second wire portion having a second wire tip connected near a second end, which is the other end of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction, and a winding unit capable of winding up and pulling out the first wire portion and the second wire portion, which is positioned above the horizontal bar and closer to the center position of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction than the first end and the second end in the first horizontal direction.

[0010] In such a crane game device, the vertical drive unit moves the horizontal bar extending in a first horizontal direction up and down using a first wire unit connected near the first end and a second wire unit connected near the second end, thereby enabling the gripping unit and the horizontal bar to move up and down in a balanced manner while appropriately absorbing the force generated when the arm unit comes into contact with a prize, the play field, etc. Furthermore, the vertical drive unit has a winding unit that is located near the center of the horizontal bar and can wind and unwind the first wire unit and the second wire unit, which prevents deterioration of the center of gravity balance due to vibration or shaking, and improves the maintainability of the winding unit.

[0011] The winding section may also have a common drive section that is capable of winding and unwinding both the first wire section and the second wire section.

[0012] A vertical drive unit having such a winding unit can achieve accurate and highly reliable vertical movement with a simple mechanism, and is also easy to maintain.

[0013] Furthermore, for example, the crane game device according to the present invention includes a first prize discharge sensor that is provided to form a first detection area in the prize discharge passage where a first gripping part, which is one of the three or more gripping parts, overlaps in the first horizontal direction, and detects prizes discharged from the play space to the first detection area; It may also have a second prize discharge sensor that is arranged to overlap with a second gripping portion, which is another one of the three or more gripping portions, in the first horizontal direction to form a second detection area in the prize discharge passage that is different from the first detection area, and that detects prizes discharged from the play space to the second detection area.

[0014] In such a crane game machine, a first prize discharge sensor is provided corresponding to the first gripping part, and a second prize discharge sensor is provided corresponding to the second gripping part, so it is possible to identify, for example, which gripping part a prize was won in. Therefore, in such a crane game machine, even when different prizes are to be won by each gripping part, it is possible to recognize the type and number of prizes won by a player.

[0015] Further, for example, the device may include a first detection switch having a first insertion hole through which the first wire portion is inserted and detecting loosening of the first wire portion, and a second detection switch having a second insertion hole through which the second wire portion is inserted and detecting loosening of the second wire portion, The control unit may stop the vertical drive unit from lowering the horizontal bar based on a detection result of at least one of the first detection switch and the second detection switch.

[0016] With this type of crane game device, the wire portion does not come out of the insertion holes of the first detection switch and the second detection switch, so if the first wire portion or the second wire portion becomes loose due to the arm coming into contact with a prize, for example, the descent of the horizontal bar can be safely and reliably stopped.

[0017] Furthermore, for example, the first detection switch and the second detection switch may be arranged approximately symmetrically with respect to the first horizontal direction on one side and the other side of the center position of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction.

[0018] By arranging the first and second detection switches symmetrically, it is possible to accurately detect loosening of the wire section due to contact between the gripping section and the prize, and such a crane game device can stop the descent of the horizontal bar at a more appropriate time.

[0019] Further, for example, the device may include a first detection switch having a movable pulley with which the first wire portion is engaged and detecting slack in the first wire portion, and a second detection switch having a movable pulley with which the second wire portion is engaged and detecting slack in the second wire portion, The control unit may stop the vertical drive unit from lowering the horizontal bar based on a detection result of at least one of the first detection switch and the second detection switch.

[0020] The first and second detection switches using movable pulleys can properly detect loosening of the wire section unless an unexpected sudden loosening of the wire section occurs, and the control unit can stop the descent of the horizontal bar at the appropriate time.

[0021] Furthermore, for example, the opening / closing drive unit may perform the operation of opening the tip of the arm portion of each of the gripping units above the connection opening at different times for at least one of the three or more gripping units and at least one other of the three or more gripping units.

[0022] In this type of crane game machine, even if prizes are won by multiple grippers at the same time, the problem of won prizes getting caught in the prize discharge passage can be prevented by staggering the timing at which the arms open. Also, by staggering the timing at which the grippers open rather than all opening at the same time, the timing at which the prize discharge sensor detects the prize can be made different for each gripper, so in this type of crane game machine, even if prizes are won by multiple grippers at the same time, it is possible to identify which gripper won the prize. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a crane game machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the crane game machine shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the front side. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a first side view of the crane game machine shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a second side view of the crane game machine shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the side. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a third side view of the crane game machine shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the side. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view of the gripping portion, horizontal bar, vertical drive portion, etc. of the crane game machine shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view of the vicinity of the winding section in the vertical drive section shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation of the first detection switch and the second detection switch in the crane game machine shown in FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a partially enlarged view of the prize discharge passage and the periphery of the prize discharge sensor in the crane game machine shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the function of the control unit in the crane game device shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of division of the bottom surface of the play space in the crane game machine shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a partial enlarged view of the gripping section, horizontal bar, vertical drive section, etc. of the crane game machine equipped with the winding section according to the first modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a partial enlarged view showing the structure of a detection switch according to a second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a crane game machine 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the crane game machine 10 has a substantially rectangular cabinet 20. A play space 21 is formed inside the cabinet 20. The play space 21 is closed by a transparent sliding door 24 that constitutes part of the cabinet 20.

[0025] The crane game machine 10 is placed in a play space 21 inside a cabinet 20, and has three or more gripping units 30 that can grasp prizes placed in the play space 21. In the crane game machine 10 according to the embodiment, the three or more gripping units 30 are made up of five gripping units: a first gripping unit 30a, a second gripping unit 30b, a third gripping unit 30c, a fourth gripping unit 30d, and a fifth gripping unit 30e.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a front view of the crane game machine 10 shown in Fig. 1. As shown using the first gripping unit 30a and the fifth gripping unit 30e in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e each have a plurality of (three in this embodiment) arm units 31 that rotate around a base 31a as an origin and whose tip ends 31b open and close. In Figs. 1 to 6, etc., the arm units 31 of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e are in an arm-open state in which the tip ends 31b are open. However, as will be described later, in the crane game device 10, when the first to fifth gripping portions 30a to 30e are lowered (see Figure 3, etc.), the arm portions 31 of each of the first to fifth gripping portions 30a to 30e enter a closed arm portion state with the tip 31b closed, and the first to fifth gripping portions 30a to 30e are able to grip prizes placed within the play space 21.

[0027] That is, the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e have opening and closing drive units 32a to 32e (see FIGS. 6 and 10) that open and close the tips 31b of the arm units 31. As shown in FIG. 6, the opening and closing drive units 32a to 32e are arranged on the gripping units 30a to 30e near the bases 31a of the arm units 31 so as to be indirectly connected to the bases 31a of the arm units 31. The opening and closing drive units 32a to 32e may be of a solenoid type that opens and closes the multiple arm units 31 using the opening and closing drive units 32a to 32e having a solenoid, or may be of a motor type that opens and closes the multiple arm units 31 using an opening and closing drive unit having a rotary motor, and the type of the opening and closing drive units 32a to 32e that the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e have is not particularly limited.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the crane game machine 10 has a horizontal bar 40 that extends along a first horizontal direction D1, which is the width direction of the play space 21, and on which three or more gripping units 30 are provided. In the crane game machine 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e are arranged in a row along the first horizontal direction D1. Note that the first horizontal direction D1, which is the width direction of the play space 21, is the left-right direction when the crane game machine 10 is viewed from the front, as shown in FIG. 2. The horizontal bar 40 is made up of a rod-shaped member that extends in the first horizontal direction D1, but it may also be in the shape of a plate, a lattice, or any other shape that extends in the first horizontal direction D1.

[0029] The first to fifth gripping portions 30a to 30e are suspended from the horizontal bar 40 so that the arm portions 31 of the first to fifth gripping portions 30a to 30e extend downward from the horizontal bar 40. The first to fifth gripping portions 30a to 30e constituting the three or more gripping portions 30 are arranged at approximately equal intervals along the first horizontal direction D1. The first to fifth gripping portions 30a to 30e constituting the three or more gripping portions 30 are similar to one another, except that they are installed at different positions on the horizontal bar 40.

[0030] However, the three or more gripping units 30 of the crane game machine 10 are not limited to the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e being equally spaced along the first horizontal direction D1. For example, the three or more gripping units 30 may include gripping units with different sizes or different numbers of arms 31, and the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e may be spaced unevenly or arranged in two or more rows. As will be described later, the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e of the crane game machine 10 are identical in terms of hardware, but at least a portion of the software control can be performed independently for each of the gripping units 30a to 30e. This allows the control unit 66 (see FIG. 10) of the crane game machine 10 to individually adjust the gripping force of each of the gripping units 30a to 30e.

[0031] 3 to 5 are first to third side views of the crane game machine 10 as viewed from the left side. All of FIGS. 3 to 5 are left side views of the crane game machine 10, each showing the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping portion 30 in different positions. The third side view shown in FIG. 5 shows the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping portion 30 in the raised position, in a first position (P1) directly above the connecting opening 72 in the prize discharge passage 70. The second side view shown in FIG. 4 shows the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping portion 30 in the raised position, in a second position (P2) above the prize placement surface 26. The third side view shown in FIG. 3 shows the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping portion 30 in the lowered position, in a third position (P3) above the prize placement surface 26. In Figure 3, the prize on the prize placement surface 26 is not shown, so the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping portion 30 appear to be suspended in mid-air, but as will be described later, the descent of the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping portion 30 stops when the gripping portion 30 comes into contact with the prize or the prize placement surface 26.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 4, the crane game machine 10 has a front-rear drive unit 64 that moves the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth grip units 30a to 30e in a second direction D2, which is the depth direction of the play space 21. The front-rear drive unit 64 is provided on the ceiling of the play space 21 and includes a movable beam unit 64a that is substantially parallel to the horizontal bar 40 and moves in the second direction D2, as well as a guide unit and a drive mechanism (not shown) that guide the movement of the movable beam unit 64a. The drive mechanism of the front-rear drive unit 64 may be, for example, a combination of a drive motor and a drive belt, but is not particularly limited thereto. The second direction D2, which is the depth direction of the play space 21, is the front-rear direction (depth direction) when the crane game machine 10 is viewed from the front, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. The first horizontal direction D1 and the second direction D2 are perpendicular to each other, and both the first horizontal direction D1 and the second direction D2 are substantially perpendicular to the up-down direction D3.

[0033] 4 and 3, the crane game machine 10 has a vertical drive unit 50 that moves the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e in the vertical direction D3 of the play space 21. The vertical drive unit 50 has a first wire unit 51 and a second wire unit 52 that connect to the horizontal bar 40 from above, a winding unit 53 (see FIG. 6) that is provided on the movable beam unit 64a of the front-rear drive unit 64, and the like.

[0034] 6 is a partially enlarged view of the gripper 30, horizontal bar 40, and vertical drive unit 50, at least a portion of which is provided within the movable beam 64a, of the crane game apparatus shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the vertical drive unit 50 has a first wire portion 51, a second wire portion 52, and a winding portion 53. A first wire tip 51a, which is the tip of the first wire portion 51, is connected to the vicinity of a first end 40b, which is one end of the horizontal bar 40 in the first horizontal direction D1. A wire base end of the first wire portion 51 is connected to the inside of the winding portion 53.

[0035] On the other hand, the second wire tip 52a, which is the tip of the second wire portion 52, is connected near the second end 40c, which is the other end of the horizontal bar 40 in the first horizontal direction D1. The wire base end of the second wire portion 52 is connected to the inside of the winding portion 53, similar to the wire base end of the first wire portion 51. Note that the first wire portion 51 and the second wire portion 52 may be formed as separate, independent wires, or may be formed as a single wire in which the wire base ends of the first wire portion 51 and the second wire portion 52 are connected to each other inside the winding portion 53.

[0036] The winding section 53, to which the base ends of the first wire section 51 and the second wire section 52 are connected, is disposed above the horizontal bar 40 and closer to the center position 40a of the horizontal bar 40 in the first horizontal direction D1 than the first end section 40b and the second end section 40c. The winding section 53 has a reel section (not shown) and a motor for rotating the reel section, etc., and is capable of winding up and pulling out the first wire section 51 and the second wire section 52.

[0037] The vertical drive unit 50 has a pulley 58a located at the same height as the winding unit 53, directly above where the first wire tip 51a connects to the horizontal bar 40. The first wire part 51 engages with the pulley 58a. The first wire part 51 connects from the winding unit 53 to the vicinity of the first end 40b of the horizontal bar 40 via the pulley 58a in the first horizontal direction D1. The vertical drive unit 50 also has a pulley 58b located at the same height as the winding unit 53, directly above where the second wire tip 52a connects to the horizontal bar 40. The second wire part 52 engages with the pulley 58b. The second wire part 52 connects from the winding unit 53 to the vicinity of the second end 40c of the horizontal bar 40 via the pulley 58b in the first horizontal direction D1.

[0038] The winding unit 53 has a rotary motor as a common drive unit that can wind and unwind both the first wire portion 51 and the second wire portion 52. Because the winding unit 53 has a common drive unit, it is possible to wind and unwind the first wire portion 51 and the second wire portion 52 in a balanced manner with simple control and structure. For example, when the common drive unit of the winding unit 53 rotates in a first direction, the first wire portion 51 and the second wire portion 52 are wound onto the reel of the winding unit 53, and the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping unit 30 are raised. On the other hand, when the common drive unit of the winding unit 53 rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the first wire portion 51 and the second wire portion 52 are unwound from the reel of the winding unit 53, and the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping unit 30 are lowered.

[0039] Fig. 7 is a partial enlarged view of the periphery of the winding unit 53 in the vertical drive unit 50 shown in Fig. 6. The crane game machine 10 has a first detection switch 56 that detects slack in the first wire part 51 and a second detection switch 57 that detects slack in the second wire part 52. The first detection switch 56 and the second detection switch 57 are arranged on one side and the other side of the winding unit 53 in the first horizontal direction D1.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 7 , the first detection switch 56 has a first insertion hole 56a through which the first wire portion 51 is inserted. In the first detection switch 56, a first movable portion 56b in which the first insertion hole 56a is formed is biased upward by the force of a spring (not shown) or the like, while the upward movement of the first movable portion 56b is restricted by the first wire portion 51 extending horizontally without slack. In addition, the second detection switch 57 has a second insertion hole 57a through which the second wire portion 52 is inserted. In the second detection switch 57, a second movable portion 57b in which the second insertion hole 57a is formed is biased upward by the force of a spring (not shown) or the like, while the upward movement of the second movable portion 57b is restricted by the second wire portion 52 extending horizontally without slack.

[0041] Figure 8 shows a state in which the first wire part 51 and the second wire part 52 have become loose in the crane game apparatus 10 shown in Figure 7. The loosening of the first wire part 51 and the second wire part 52 occurs when the gripping part 30 shown in Figure 3 etc. is lowered by the up / down drive part 50 and comes into contact with the prize placement surface 26 or a prize placed on the prize placement surface 26, preventing the gripping part 30 and the horizontal bar 40 from moving downward.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 8, in the crane game apparatus 10, when the first wire portion 51 and the second wire portion 52 become loose, the force of the first wire portion 51 and the second wire portion 52 restricting the lifting of the first movable portion 56b and the second movable portion 57b is lost. As a result, the first movable portion 56b and the second movable portion 57b move upward, which is the biasing direction indicated by arrow 59. When the first movable portion 56b and the second movable portion 57b move upward, the first detection switch 56 and the second detection switch 57 send a detection signal to the control unit 66 (see Fig. 10) to detect the loosening of the first wire portion 51 and the second wire portion 52.

[0043] 10, the control unit 66 stops the lowering operation of the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping unit 30 by the vertical drive unit 50, i.e., the pulling-out operation of the first wire unit 51 and the second wire unit 52 by the winding unit 53, based on the detection result of at least one of the first detection switch 56 and the second detection switch 57. This allows the control unit 66 to stop the lowering of the horizontal bar 40 by the vertical drive unit 50 at an appropriate position where the arm unit 31 of the gripping unit 30 comes into contact with the prize, regardless of the quantity and size of the prizes placed on the prize placement surface 26.

[0044] 7 and 8, the first detection switch 56 and the second detection switch 57 are disposed substantially symmetrically in the first horizontal direction D1 on one side and the other side of the center position 40a of the horizontal bar 40 in the first horizontal direction D1. By disposing the first detection switch 56 and the second detection switch 57 symmetrically in the first horizontal direction D1 with the take-up portion 53 disposed at the center position 40a in between, it is possible to detect slack in the first wire portion 51 and the second wire portion 52 in a balanced manner.

[0045] 10 is a block diagram illustrating the function of the control unit 66 in the crane game machine 10. The control unit 66 has a calculation unit and a memory unit, and controls the operations of the opening / closing drive units 32a to 32e, the up / down drive unit 50, the front / rear drive unit 64, etc. in response to input signals from the operation unit 60, the decision operation unit 62, the first detection switch 56, the second detection switch 57, etc.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 1, the crane game machine 10 is placed outside the play space 21, and has an operation unit 60 that drives a front-rear drive unit 64 via a control unit 66 shown in Fig. 10 and controls the positions of three or more gripping units 30 in the second direction D2 (see Figs. 4 and 5). Examples of the operation unit 60 include directional buttons and operation levers, but the specific form of the operation unit 60 is not particularly limited.

[0047] Furthermore, the crane game machine 10 has, in addition to the operation unit 60, a decision operation unit 62 provided adjacent to the operation unit 60. A player of the crane game machine 10 uses the operation unit 60 to move the grip unit 30 to a desired position in the second direction D2, and then operates the decision operation unit 62, which is comprised of a button or the like. When an input signal from the decision operation unit 62 is sent to the control unit 66, the control unit 66 starts the downward movement of the horizontal bar 40 and the grip unit 30 by the up-down drive unit 50. As shown in FIG. 1 , the operation unit 60 and the decision operation unit 62 are provided on the front surface 23 side of the outer surface of the cabinet 20 of the crane game machine 10.

[0048] When the player operates the operation unit 60 and the decision operation unit 62, the operation signal is transmitted to the control unit 66 shown in FIG. 10. The operation unit 60 and the decision operation unit 62 may be separate or integrated. For example, the operation unit 60 and the decision operation unit 62 may be embodied by a single control lever or input button. In this case, the control unit 66 operates the front-rear drive unit 64 while the input of the operation signal continues, and stops the operation of the front-rear drive unit 64 and starts the operation of the up-down drive unit 50 when the input of the operation signal ceases.

[0049] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the crane game machine 10 has a prize discharge passage 70 that discharges prizes won by the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e to a prize outlet 74. The bottom of the play space 21 has a prize placement surface 26 on which prizes to be won in the crane game machine 10 are placed, and a connection opening 72 that leads to the prize discharge passage 70. The prize placement surface 26 is formed in a rear area in relation to the second direction D2, and the connection opening 72 is formed in a front area in relation to the second direction D2. A partition plate 68 may be provided between the prize placement surface 26 and the connection opening 72 to prevent prizes on the prize placement surface 26 from sliding down into the connection opening 72.

[0050] The prize discharge passage 70 of the crane game machine 10 connects a connection opening 72 communicating with the play space 21 and a prize outlet 74 formed on the outer surface of the housing 20. Prizes acquired by actions of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e or the like are discharged to the outside of the play space 21 via the prize discharge passage 70 and move to the prize outlet 74 so that the player can receive the prize. In the crane game machine 10 shown in the embodiment, the prize outlet 74 is located below the front surface 23 on the outer surface of the housing 20, below the operation unit 60, but the location of the prize outlet 74 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1 etc.

[0051] 9 is a partially enlarged view of the prize discharge passage 70 and the vicinity of the prize discharge sensor in the crane game machine 10. Note that FIG. 9 shows a state in which a prize placing table 68a is provided between the prize placement surface 26 and the connection opening 72 instead of the partition plate 68 shown in FIG. 1 etc. As shown in FIG. 9, the crane game machine 10 has prize discharge sensors that detect prizes discharged from the fray space 20 to the prize discharge passage 70. As shown in FIG. 9, the prize discharge sensors have a first prize discharge sensor 81a, a second prize discharge sensor 81b, a third prize discharge sensor 81c, a fourth prize discharge sensor 81d, and a fifth prize discharge sensor 81e.

[0052] Fig. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the division of the bottom of the play space 21 in the crane game machine 10 shown in Fig. 9 etc. As shown in Fig. 11, a first prize discharge sensor 81a detects prizes discharged from the play space 21 to a first detection area 82a, and a second prize discharge sensor 81b detects prizes discharged from the play space 21 to a second detection area 82b. The first prize discharge sensor 81a shown in Figs. 10 and 11 forms a first detection area 82a near the connection opening 72, where the position in the first horizontal direction D1 overlaps with that of a first gripping portion 30a (see Figs. 1 and 2), which is one of the three or more gripping portions 30.

[0053] 10 and 11 forms a second detection area 82b near the connection opening 72, the second detection area 82b overlapping in the first horizontal direction D1 with the second gripping portion 30b (see FIGS. 1 and 2), which is one of the three or more gripping portions 30. Similarly, the third prize discharge sensor 81c, the fourth prize discharge sensor 81d, and the fifth prize discharge sensor 81e form a third detection area 82c, a fourth detection area 82d, and a fifth detection area 82e corresponding to the third gripping portion 30c, the fourth gripping portion 30d, and the fifth gripping portion 30e, respectively.

[0054] The first to fifth prize discharge sensors 81a to 81e shown in Fig. 9 are configured, for example, with optical sensors having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and detect that a prize has passed through each detection area 82a to 82e from a change in the detection value of the light-receiving element. The detection results of the first to fifth prize discharge sensors 81a to 81e are transmitted to the control unit 66 (see Fig. 10). The crane game machine 10 having such first to fifth prize discharge sensors 81a to 81e can distinguish and recognize which of the first to fifth gripping elements 30a to 30e has won a prize.

[0055] Furthermore, in the crane game machine 10, the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e move only in the second direction D2 and the vertical direction, and do not move in the first horizontal direction D1. Therefore, in the crane game machine 10, as shown in Fig. 11, the prize placement surface 26 may be divided into first to fifth areas 26a to 26e corresponding to the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e from which prizes can be won, and different prizes may be placed in each area. In such a case, in the crane game machine 10 having the first to fifth prize discharge sensors 81a to 81e, the control unit 66 can recognize which area of ​​the first to fifth areas 26a to 26e the prize placed in has been won by the player.

[0056] The crane game machine 10 operates as follows, for example, through operation by a player. That is, a player playing the crane game machine 10 starts play by inserting a coin or the like into the crane game machine 10. The control unit 66 shown in FIG. 10 starts play when it receives a signal indicating that a coin has been inserted, and starts accepting input signals from the operation unit 60 and the decision operation unit 62.

[0057] At the start of play, the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping portions 30 are at a first position P1 shown in FIG. 5. The arms 31 of the first to fifth gripping portions 30a to 30e are in an open state with their tips 31b open. When an operation signal is input from the operating unit 60 after play has started, the control unit 66 drives the front-rear drive unit 64 in response to the signal, and moves the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth gripping portions 30a to 30e in the second direction D2. As a result, the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth gripping portions 30a to 30e move to a position (second position P2) on the prize placement surface 26, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0058] Furthermore, when an operation signal is input from the decision operation unit 62, the control unit 66 causes the front-rear drive unit 64 to terminate movement in the second direction D2. The control unit 66 also drives the up-down drive unit 50 shown in Fig. 6 etc. to lower the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e from their positions (second position P2) on the prize placement surface 26. More specifically, the winding unit 53 of the up-down drive unit 50 pulls out the first wire unit 51 and the second wire unit 52, and lowers the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e as shown in Fig. 3.

[0059] As the vertical drive unit 50 continues to lower the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e, the arms 31 of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e come into contact with the prizes or the prize placement surface 26, preventing their descent, and causing slack in at least one (or both) of the first wire unit 51 and the second wire unit 52, as shown in FIG. 8. Then, the first and second detection switches 56, 57 provided on both sides of the winding unit 53 detect the slack in the first wire unit 51 and the second wire unit 52 and send a signal to the control unit 66. The control unit 66, having received the signal, controls the drive of the vertical drive unit 50 to stop the descent of the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e.

[0060] Next, the control unit 66 shown in Fig. 10 drives the opening / closing drive units 32a to 32e of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e to close the tips 31b of the arm units 31 of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e. Furthermore, the control unit 66 drives the up / down drive unit 50 and the front / rear drive unit 64 to move the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e via the second position (P2) shown in Fig. 4 to the first position (P1) which is a position directly above the connection opening 72 in the prize discharge passage 70 shown in Fig. 5. While the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e move from the lowered position to the first position (P1), the control unit 66 maintains the arm units 31 of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e in a closed state. However, the control unit 66 may change the gripping force of the arm units 31 of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e during movement.

[0061] After moving the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e to a first position (P1) directly above the connection opening 72, the control unit 66 drives the opening / closing drive units 32a to 32e of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e to open the tips 31b of the arm units 31 of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e. If the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e are holding a prize, the opening of the arm units 31 of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e causes the prize to fall from the arm units 31, pass through the connection opening 72, the prize discharge passage 70, and move to the prize outlet 74.

[0062] When a prize passes through the prize discharge passage 70 from the connecting opening 72, the first to fifth prize discharge sensors 81a to 81e shown in Figures 9 and 10 detect the passage of the prize and transmit the detection results to the control unit 66. The opening / closing drive units 32a to 32e of the crane game machine 10 may perform the operation of opening the tips 31b of the arm units 31 of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e above the connecting opening 72 (first position P1) at different times for at least one of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e and at least one other of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e. For example, the opening / closing drive units 32a to 32e may first open the arm unit 31 of the central third gripping unit 30c, then after a short delay (for example, about 0.1 to 1.0 seconds) open the arm units 31 of the second gripping unit 30b and the fourth gripping unit 30d, and after another short delay (for example, about 0.1 to 1.0 seconds) open the arm units 31 of the first gripping unit 30a and the fifth gripping unit 30e.

[0063] By staggering the timing at which the arms 31 of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e open in this manner, the crane game machine 10 can correctly determine which of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e has won the prize, even in cases where the prize falls obliquely and passes through an adjacent first to fifth detection area 82a to 82d that is different from the corresponding location, or where the prize passes across two of the first to fifth detection areas 82a to 82d. Note that while some or all of the arms 31 of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e may be opened simultaneously, from the perspective of prize discrimination, it is preferable that at least adjacent first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e open at different times.

[0064] As described above, the control unit 66 of the crane game machine 10 shown in Fig. 10 etc. controls the operations of the opening / closing drive units 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e, the up / down drive unit 50, the front / rear drive unit 64, etc., to provide the player with a play in which they aim to win prizes. In addition, the control unit 66 of the crane game machine 10 receives signals from the operation unit 60, the decision operation unit 62, the first detection switch 56, the second detection switch 57, and the first to fifth prize discharge sensors 81a to 81e.

[0065] 10 may be capable of adjusting the gripping force (the force with which the arm portion 31 grips the prize) of the first to fifth gripping portions 30a to 30e during the prize acquisition operation described above by controlling the opening / closing drive portions 32a to 32e of the first to fifth gripping portions 30a to 30e. Furthermore, the control portion 66 may be capable of independently adjusting the gripping force of one of the first to fifth gripping portions 30a to 30e and the gripping force of another of the first to fifth gripping portions 30a to 30e.

[0066] Because the control unit 66 can independently adjust the gripping force for each of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e, the arm unit 31 can perform an appropriate prize-winning operation even when prizes of different sizes or weights are placed in the first to fifth regions 26a to 26e of the prize placement surface 26 shown in FIG. 11 . Furthermore, the control unit 66 can independently adjust the gripping force (including the probability of a change in gripping force) for each of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e, thereby setting different prize-winning difficulties (prize winning probabilities) for each of the first to fifth regions 26a to 26e. The method for adjusting the gripping force by the opening / closing drive units 32a to 32e is not particularly limited. For example, if the opening / closing drive units 32a to 32e are solenoid-type, the gripping force can be adjusted by the voltage (current) value of the solenoid. If the opening / closing drive units 32a to 32e are motor-type, the gripping force can be adjusted by the rotation amount of the motor.

[0067] As described above, the crane game machine 10 has three or more gripping units 30, which are arranged along a horizontal bar 40 extending in a first horizontal direction D1, which is the width direction of the play space 21. In this type of crane game machine 10, the multiple gripping units 30a-30e allow prizes to be won simultaneously at multiple points in the play space 21, resulting in a large maximum number of prizes that can be won, making it possible to achieve a wide range of success, such as winning a large number of prizes. Furthermore, the vertical drive unit 50 moves the horizontal bar 40 extending in the first horizontal direction D1 up and down using a first wire unit 51 connected near the first end 40b and a second wire unit 52 connected near the second end 40c. This allows the gripping units 30a-30e and the horizontal bar 40 to move up and down in a balanced manner while appropriately deflecting the force generated when the arm unit 31 comes into contact with a prize, the prize placement surface 26, or the like. In addition, the vertical drive unit 50 is positioned near the center of the horizontal bar 40 and has a winding unit 53 that can wind and pull out the first wire unit 51 and the second wire unit 52, which prevents deterioration of the center of gravity balance due to vibration or shaking, and improves the maintainability of the winding unit 53.

[0068] Additionally, the winding unit 53 of the crane game apparatus 10 has a rotary motor as a common drive unit capable of winding up and unwinding both the first wire portion 51 and the second wire portion 52. Because the winding unit 53 has a common drive unit, it is possible to wind up and unwind the first wire portion 51 and the second wire portion 52 in a balanced manner with simple control and structure. Furthermore, according to the crane game apparatus 10, the first and second wire portions 51, 52 do not deviate from the first and second insertion holes 56a, 57a of the first detection switch 56 and the second detection switch 57. Therefore, even if the first wire portion 51 or the second wire portion 52 becomes loose due to, for example, the arm portion 31 coming into contact with a prize, the descent of the horizontal bar 40 can be safely and reliably stopped.

[0069] Furthermore, in the crane game device 10, by arranging the first detection switch 56 and the second detection switch 57 symmetrically on either side of the winding section 53 in the first horizontal direction D1, it is possible to accurately detect loosening of the wire sections 51, 52 due to contact between the gripping sections 30a to 30e and the prize, and such a crane game device 10 can stop the descent of the horizontal bar 40 at a more appropriate timing.

[0070] While the crane game machine 10 has been described above using an embodiment, the crane game machine according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described crane game machine 10. It goes without saying that many other embodiments and modifications are possible. For example, the number of three or more gripping units 30 suspended from the horizontal bar 40 is not limited to five. It can be any number greater than three, such as 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, or 9. However, from the viewpoint of achieving balanced vertical movement by the vertical drive unit 50 and accurate detection of the stop position by the first detection switch 56 and the second detection switch 57, it is preferable to limit the number of gripping units 30 to nine or less so that the horizontal bar 40 does not become too long.

[0071] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a vertical drive unit 150 having a winding unit 153 according to a first modified example. The crane game apparatus 10 can also use the winding unit 153 shown in FIG. 8 instead of the vertical drive unit 50 shown in FIG. 6. The winding unit 153 of the vertical drive unit 150 shown in FIG. 12 has a first winding unit 153a that winds and unwinds the first wire unit 51 and a second winding unit 153b that winds and unwinds the second wire unit 52. The base end of the first wire unit 51 is connected to the first winding unit 153a, and the end of the second wire unit 52 is connected to the second winding unit 153b.

[0072] 12, the drive unit (motor, etc.) of the first winding unit 153a and the drive unit of the second winding unit 153b are independent. The drive of the first winding unit 153a and the drive of the second winding unit 153b are both controlled by the control unit 66. As shown in FIG. 12, by using separate drive units to wind and unwind the first wire unit 51 and the second wire unit 52, a drive unit with a relatively low output can be used, and the tilt of the horizontal bar 40 can be easily adjusted.

[0073] 13 is an enlarged view showing a second detection switch 257 according to the second modification. The second detection switch 257 has a movable pulley 257a that engages with the second wire portion 52. The second wire portion 52 engages with the movable pulley 257a of the second detection switch 257 between the wire base end of the second wire portion 52 that connects to the second take-up portion 253b and the wire tip end of the second wire portion 52 that connects to the horizontal bar 40.

[0074] 13, a movable pulley 257a of the second detection switch 257 and a support piece 257b supporting the movable pulley 257a are biased in the rotational direction indicated by an arrow 259. When the second wire portion 52 becomes loose, the support piece 257b supporting the movable pulley 257a rotates in the direction of the arrow 259 and presses the push switch 257c, causing the second detection switch 257 to detect the looseness of the second wire portion 52.

[0075] In the crane game apparatus 10, instead of the second detection switch 57 shown in Figures 7 and 8, a second detection switch 257 having a movable pulley 257a as shown in Figure 13 may be used. Also, for the first detection switch 56 of the crane game apparatus 10, it is possible to adopt a first detection switch that has a movable pulley that engages with the first wire part 51, similar to the second detection switch 257 shown in Figure 13, and detects slack in the first wire part 51.

[0076] In the crane game machine using the second detection switch 257 shown in FIG. 13 , the control unit of the crane game machine stops the descent of the horizontal bar 40 by the vertical drive unit based on the detection result of at least one of the first detection switch and the second detection switch 257, similar to the control unit 66 described in the embodiment. The second detection switch 257 shown in FIG. 13 has the possibility that the second wire 52 may deviate from the movable pulley 257a if the wire suddenly loosens. However, in the crane game machine using such a second detection switch 257, similar to the crane game machine 10 using the second detection switch 57 shown in the embodiment, the horizontal bar 40 and the three or more gripping units 30 can be stopped at appropriate positions by appropriately adjusting the retraction speed of the second wire unit 52, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 10...Crane game device 20...Housing 21...Play space 23…Front side 24...Sliding door section 26...Prize display area 30...Gripping part 30a...first gripping part 31...Arm section 31a...Base 31b…Tip 30b…Second gripping part 30c...Third gripping part 30d...4th grip part 30e...5th grip part 32a, 32b, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e... Opening and closing drive units 40...Horizontal bar 40a…Center position 40b...first end 40c…Second end 50, 150...Up / down drive unit 51...First wire section 52...Second wire section 51a, 52a...Wire tip 51b, 52b...wire base end 53, 153...winding section 153a...First winding section 153b, 253b...Second winding section 56...First detection switch 56a...first insertion hole 57, 257...Second detection switch 57a...Second insertion hole 56b, 57b...Movable part 58a, 58b...pulley 257a... Movable pulley 257b…Support piece 257c...Push switch 259...Arrow 60…Operation unit 62...Decision operation section 64...Front and rear drive unit 64a...Movable beam part 66...Control unit 68...Partition board 70...Prize outlet 72...Connection opening 74...Prize outlet 81a to 81e: 1st to 5th prize discharge sensors 82a to 82e: 1st to 5th detection areas D1…1st horizontal direction D2…Second direction D3: Up and down direction

Claims

1. Three or more gripping parts are arranged in a housing part in which a play space to be closed is formed inside, and each gripping part has a plurality of arms which rotate around a base part and open and close at their tips; a horizontal bar extending along a first horizontal direction of the play space and having three or more of the grip portions; a vertical drive unit that moves the horizontal bar in the vertical direction; a front-rear drive unit that moves the vertical drive unit and the horizontal bar in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal direction and the vertical direction; an opening / closing drive unit that opens and closes the arm unit, a control unit that controls the operations of the up / down drive unit and the front / rear drive unit; an operation unit that is disposed outside the play space and drives the front-rear drive unit via the control unit to operate the positions of the three or more grip units in the second direction; A prize outlet passage is provided which connects a connection opening connected to the play space and a prize outlet formed on the outer surface of the housing portion, The control unit controls the opening / closing drive unit to adjust the gripping force of the gripping unit, and the crane game device is capable of independently adjusting the gripping force of one of the three or more gripping units and the gripping force of another of the three or more gripping units.

2. The up and down drive unit is a crane game device having a first wire section whose first wire tip is connected near a first end, which is one end of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction, a second wire section whose second wire tip is connected near a second end, which is the other end of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction, and a winding unit that is capable of winding up and pulling out the first wire section and the second wire section and is positioned above the horizontal bar and closer to the center position of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction than the first end and the second end in the first horizontal direction.

3. The crane game machine according to claim 2 , wherein the winding section has a common drive section that can wind up and unwind both the first wire section and the second wire section.

4. a first prize discharge sensor that is provided to form a first detection area in the prize discharge passage where a first gripping portion, which is one of the three or more gripping portions, overlaps in the first horizontal direction, and detects prizes discharged from the play space to the first detection area; The crane game device of claim 1 further comprises a second prize discharge sensor that is arranged to overlap with a second gripping portion, which is another one of the three or more gripping portions, in the first horizontal direction to form a second detection area in the prize discharge passage that is different from the first detection area, and that detects prizes discharged from the play space to the second detection area.

5. a first detection switch having a first insertion hole through which the first wire portion is inserted and detecting looseness of the first wire portion; and a second detection switch having a second insertion hole through which the second wire portion is inserted and detecting looseness of the second wire portion, The crane game machine according to claim 2, wherein the control unit stops the lowering of the horizontal bar by the vertical drive unit based on the detection result of at least one of the first detection switch and the second detection switch.

6. The crane game device according to claim 5, wherein the first detection switch and the second detection switch are arranged approximately symmetrically with respect to the first horizontal direction on one side and the other side of the center position of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction.

7. a first detection switch having a movable pulley with which the first wire portion is engaged and detecting slack in the first wire portion; and a second detection switch having a movable pulley with which the second wire portion is engaged and detecting slack in the second wire portion, The crane game machine according to claim 2, wherein the control unit stops the lowering of the horizontal bar by the vertical drive unit based on the detection result of at least one of the first detection switch and the second detection switch.

8. The crane game device described in claim 1, characterized in that the opening / closing drive unit performs the operation of opening the tip of the arm portion of each of the gripping units above the connection opening at different times for at least one of the three or more gripping units and at least one other of the three or more gripping units.

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