Expandable member

Abstract

In an expandable member whose overall length expands and contracts vertically and with an item acquisition device positioned at the lower end, the invention prevents the item acquisition device from rotating around the axis of the expandable member. [Solution] The expandable member 20 is provided on a vertical movement device 1 that moves an item acquisition device 100 capable of acquiring items based on player operation in the vertical direction, with the item acquisition device 100 positioned on the lower end side, and the overall length expands and contracts in the vertical direction, comprising a plurality of hollow shaft members that extend in the vertical direction, the plurality of shaft members comprising at least a first shaft member and a second shaft member of the same shape but with different outer diameters, the second shaft member having a smaller outer diameter than the first shaft member, and from a state where its upper end is housed inside the first shaft member, it slides downward inside the first shaft member as the item acquisition device moves downward, and its lower end moves in a direction away from the first shaft member, and the plurality of shaft members are characterized in that the dimensions from the axis C extending in the vertical direction to the outer circumferential surface are different from each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a telescopic member provided in an article acquisition game device, with an article acquisition device arranged on the lower end side and having a total length that expands and contracts in the vertical direction.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an article acquisition game device that moves an article acquisition device in the vertical direction based on a player's operation to acquire an article housed inside an article housing section.

[0003] In such an article acquisition game device, for example, in Patent Document 1, a telescopic tube formed by fitting a plurality of pipes with a circular cross-section in a nested manner is proposed as a support section for raising and lowering while supporting a prize acquisition section. And in Patent Document 1, this telescopic tube is formed by slidably fitting four pipes with sequentially smaller diameters in a nested manner, and stoppers formed to project on the circumferential surfaces of the respective pipes are engaged with grooves formed along the axial direction in the outer pipes, showing that each pipe has a structure that does not rotate or fall off.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since the cross-sectional shapes of the plurality of pipes constituting the telescopic tube, which is a telescopic member, are circular in the first place, there is a problem that the prize acquisition section being supported rotates around the axial center of the telescopic tube.

[0006] The present invention was made to solve the aforementioned problems in the prior art, and aims to prevent the item acquisition device from rotating around the axis of the expandable member in an expandable member in which the entire length expands and contracts vertically and in which the item acquisition device is arranged on the lower end. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) In an item acquisition game device in which an item stored inside an item storage section can be acquired, an expandable member is provided on a vertical movement device that moves an item acquisition device capable of acquiring the item in the vertical direction based on the player's operation, the item acquisition device is positioned at the lower end, and the overall length expands and contracts in the vertical direction, It comprises multiple hollow shaft members that extend in the vertical direction, The plurality of shaft members comprises at least a first shaft member and a second shaft member having the same shape but different outer diameters from each other. The second shaft member has a smaller outer diameter than the first shaft member, and initially has its upper end housed inside the first shaft member, it slides downward inside the first shaft member as the item acquisition device moves downward, and its lower end moves in a direction away from the first shaft member. The expandable member is characterized in that the multiple shaft members have portions whose dimensions from the axis extending in the vertical direction to the outer surface differ from each other.

[0008] In configuration (1), the expandable member is provided on a vertical movement device that moves an item acquisition device, which is capable of acquiring items based on player operation, in the vertical direction of an item acquisition game device in which items stored inside an item storage section can be acquired, with the item acquisition device positioned at the lower end and the overall length expanding and contracting in the vertical direction. The expandable member comprises multiple hollow shaft members that extend in the vertical direction. The multiple shaft members comprise at least a first shaft member and a second shaft member that have the same shape but different outer diameters. The second shaft member has a smaller outer diameter than the first shaft member. Starting from a state where its upper end is housed inside the first shaft member, it slides downward inside the first shaft member, and its lower end moves in a direction away from the first shaft member. Furthermore, each of the multiple shaft members has portions with different dimensions from the axis extending in the vertical direction to the outer surface.

[0009] According to the configuration of (1), the expandable member has an item acquisition device positioned at its lower end, its overall length expands and contracts in the vertical direction, and is composed of multiple shaft members. The multiple shaft members include at least a first shaft member and a second shaft member that are identical in shape but have different outer diameters, and as the item acquisition device moves downward, the second shaft member moves from inside the first shaft member in a direction in which its lower end moves away from the first shaft member. Furthermore, these multiple shaft members have portions with different dimensions from each other, from the axis extending in the vertical direction to the outer surface.

[0010] As a result, when a force is applied to the second shaft member in a direction that causes it to rotate around an axis extending in the vertical direction, the portion of the outer surface of the second shaft member with a relatively large dimension from the axis to the outer surface can suppress rotation around the axis. This makes it possible to prevent rotation around the axis without having to provide a separate mechanism to prevent rotation in multiple pipes, as in the telescopic pipe described in Patent Document 1. Therefore, in an expandable member in which the overall length expands and contracts vertically and in which the item acquisition device is located at the lower end, it is possible to prevent the item acquisition device from rotating around the axis of the expandable member.

[0011] (2) The expandable member according to (1), characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the plurality of shaft members, when viewed from above, is elliptical.

[0012] According to the configuration of (2), since the cross-sectional shape of the shaft member when viewed from above is elliptical, when a force is applied to the second shaft member in a direction that causes rotation around an axis extending in the vertical direction, the portion of the outer surface of the second shaft member in the direction of the major axis can suppress the rotation around the axis. This produces the same effects as the invention of (1). Furthermore, compared to a rectangular shape (such as a rectangle), there are no corners on the outer surface, allowing the second axis member to slide smoothly inside the first axis member.

[0013] (3) A plurality of the shaft members are formed with engaging portions that engage with the other shaft members at a portion where the dimension from the shaft center to the outer peripheral surface is the largest. The telescopic member according to (1) or (2), wherein the engaging portions are formed in a pair at positions facing each other across the shaft center.

[0014] Here, when the second shaft member rotates about the shaft center with respect to the first shaft member, the amount of rotation increases as the distance from the shaft center increases. According to the configuration of (3), a pair of engaging portions facing each other across the shaft center are formed at a portion where the dimension from the shaft center to the outer peripheral surface is the largest, and a plurality of shaft members are engaged with each other by these engaging portions. As a result, rotation can be suppressed at a portion where the amount of rotation is the largest, so that rotation can be suppressed more stably.

Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, in a telescopic member in which an article acquisition device is arranged on the lower end side and the overall length expands and contracts in the vertical direction, it becomes possible to prevent the article acquisition device from rotating about the shaft center of the telescopic member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] It is a diagram for explaining a vertical movement device in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram for explaining the main body of a vertical movement device in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a side view for explaining a displacement portion of a vertical movement device in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a side view for explaining a displacement portion of a vertical movement device in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a side view for explaining a displacement portion of a vertical movement device in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view of a telescopic member in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view of the telescopic member in one embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically using preferred embodiments. However, the following embodiments are merely examples of embodying the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. [Configuration of the vertical movement device] The configuration of the vertical movement device in one embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a vertical movement device in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] An article acquisition game device provided with a vertical movement device 1 includes a base (not shown) installed on the floor, an article storage unit (not shown) disposed on the base and storing articles (prizes, etc.), a movement device (not shown) provided above the article storage unit, a vertical movement device 1 that moves an article acquisition device 100 attached to the movement device and capable of acquiring articles in the vertical direction, and a control unit 50 that controls the operations of the movement device, the vertical movement device 1, and the article acquisition device 100.

[0019] The article acquisition game device (not shown) moves the vertical movement device 1 in the left-right direction and the front-back direction by a movement device (not shown) provided above the article storage unit based on an operation by a player on an operation unit such as a switch provided on the base, and then moves the vertical movement device 1 downward. An article disposed on the vertical movement device 1 is sandwiched by a pair of arm portions 110 of the article acquisition device 100, and after moving the article above a drop hole provided on the base, the pair of arm portions 110 are opened and the article is dropped into the drop hole, thereby discharging the article to the outside. Thereby, the player can acquire the article disposed in the article storage unit.

[0020] The vertical movement device 1 is provided within the item storage section (not shown) of such an item acquisition game device (not shown), and is connected to a movement device (not shown) provided at the top of the item storage section. The device comprises a main body 10 attached to the movement device, and an expandable / contractable member 20 whose upper end is connected to the main body 10 and whose lower end is connected to the item acquisition device 100, and whose overall length expands and contracts in the vertical direction by the feeding or winding of a wire 5 (for example, a wire, which is flexible and has a linear shape that can be wound onto a pulley, etc.) by the main body 10.

[0021] The main body 10 is connected to a moving device (not shown) and feeds out or winds up the wire 5 under the control of the control unit 50. The main body 10 includes a drive unit 11, a wire extension direction changing unit 12, a displacement unit 13, a detection unit 14, and an adjustment unit 15, all of which are attached to the base 10a that forms the main body 10.

[0022] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the main body of a vertical movement device in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a view of the main body 10 with the lid and part of the side cover removed, seen from an oblique angle above. The drive unit 11 comprises a motor 111 and a drive pulley 112.

[0023] The motor 111 rotates the drive pulley 112 under the control of the control unit 50. The motor 111 also changes the rotation direction of the drive pulley 112 under the control of the control unit 50 (changing from forward rotation to reverse rotation or from reverse rotation to forward rotation).

[0024] The drive pulley 112 is fixed to the base 10a next to the portion where the base end of the expandable member 20 is attached (on the right side in the example shown in Figure 2), and the base end of the wire 5 is connected to it, and the wire 5 is wound around it. The drive pulley 112 is rotated by the motor 111 to feed out and wind up the wire 5.

[0025] The wire extension direction changing section 12, located on the base 10a, includes a pulley on its outer edge over which the wire 5 is hung, and a rotating shaft that serves as the center of rotation of the pulley and extends horizontally, rotating in accordance with the movement of the wire 5. When viewed from above, one end of the pulley of the wire extension direction changing section 12 is positioned on a vertical line passing through the center of gravity of the expandable member 20 and the item acquisition device 100 (see Figure 1), and the other end is fixed facing the drive pulley 112. With this arrangement of the wire extension direction changing section 12, regardless of the position of the drive pulley 112, the tip of the wire 5 extends from the drive pulley 112, is hung on the wire extension direction changing section 12, and extends toward the center of gravity of the expandable member 20 and the item acquisition device 100 (see Figure 1). The wire extension direction changing section 12 may be provided on the base 10a so as to be slidable horizontally, and the position of one end of the pulley may be adjustable.

[0026] The displacement section 13 includes a rotating body 130 that rotates around an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the wire 5 moves.

[0027] Figures 3, 4, and 5 are side views illustrating the displacement portion of a vertical movement device in one embodiment of the present invention. Figures 3, 4, and 5 are views of the main body 10 with the lid and part of the side cover removed, as seen from the front side shown in Figure 2.

[0028] The rotating body 130 is positioned on the base 10a so as to contact a portion of the wire 5, which is fed out or wound up by the drive unit 11, and moves in a predetermined direction (to the left in the example shown in Figure 2) or in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction (to the right in the example shown in Figure 2). Specifically, the rotating body 130 is rotatably mounted on the axis of the wire extension direction changing section 12, and the portion that contacts the wire 5 is biased by an elastic member such as a coil spring to rotate in a direction that presses against the wire 5 (clockwise rotation in the example shown in Figure 3).

[0029] The rotating body 130 includes a contact portion 131 positioned between the drive pulley 112 and the wire extension direction changing portion 12, and a detection piece 132 provided in a position detectable by the detection portion 14.

[0030] The contact portion 131 is biased in the direction of the wire by an elastic member that biases the rotating body 130, and is always in contact with the wire. The contact portion 131 is composed of, for example, a rotatable pulley, and the pulley rotates as the wire 5 moves. With this configuration, friction caused by the contact portion 131 contacting the wire 5 can be prevented from hindering the movement of the wire 5.

[0031] The detection piece 132 extends in the direction from which the detection unit 14 is provided (to the left in the example shown in Figure 3), and its tip is positioned so that it can be detected by the detection unit 14 when the rotating body 130 is in a predetermined state (when a predetermined tension is applied to the wire 5). When the wire 5 is in a state where the tension is weaker than the predetermined state (when the wire 5 is loose), the detection piece 132 rotates from the predetermined state and moves to a position where it cannot be detected by the detection unit 14.

[0032] Furthermore, the detection piece 132 may be a plate-like body having a predetermined width in the direction of movement of the detection piece 132 (the rotation direction of the rotating body 130). This allows the detection unit 14 to have a wider range of detection time.

[0033] The detection unit 14 detects the detection piece 132 formed on the displacement unit 13 (rotating body 130). The detection unit 14 is composed of a photoelectric sensor that includes, for example, a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, and can detect whether or not the light emitted from the light-emitting unit was received by the light-receiving unit (whether or not it was blocked by the detection piece 132). The detection unit 14 can be any configuration that can detect the movement of the detection piece 132, such as a fiber sensor, laser sensor, proximity sensor, ultrasonic sensor, etc.

[0034] The detection unit 14 transmits a predetermined signal to the control unit 50 at least when it stops detecting the detection piece 132 after having detected it. The detection unit 14 may also transmit a detection signal to the control unit 50 at predetermined intervals while it is detecting the detection piece 132, indicating that the detection piece 132 is being detected.

[0035] The adjustment unit 15 changes the position of the detection unit 14. More specifically, the adjustment unit 15 includes a support unit 151 that supports the detection unit 14 and an operation unit 152 that changes the position of the support unit 151.

[0036] The support portion 151 is attached to the main body 10 so as to be slidable in the direction of movement of the detection piece 132 (up and down in the example shown in Figure 3), and the base end of the detection portion 14 is connected to it.

[0037] The operating section 152 is formed of a shaft member that extends in the direction of movement of the detection piece 132 (up and down in the example shown in Figure 3). One end protrudes to the outside of the main body 10, engages with the main body 10 in the middle section, and the other end is connected to the end of the support section 151 in the direction of movement (the lower end in the example shown in Figure 3). For example, the operating section 152 has screw threads formed in the part that engages with the main body 10, and screws into the main body 10 at this part. The administrator of the item acquisition game device (not shown) rotates one end around the axis, thereby moving it in the direction of movement of the detection piece 132 (up and down in the example shown in Figure 3). As a result, the administrator can move the support section 151 (detection section 14) in the direction of movement of the detection piece 132 (up and down in the example shown in Figure 3) by rotating one end of the operating section 152.

[0038] Here, the rotating body 130 rotates according to the tension of the wire 5. For example, in the example shown in Figure 3, when feeding out the wire 5, if the tension of the wire 5 is relatively high, the detection piece 132 is positioned relatively low. On the other hand, when feeding out the wire 5, if the tension of the wire 5 is relatively low, the detection piece 132 is positioned relatively high.

[0039] Therefore, the administrator operates the control unit 152 to move the support unit 151 (detection unit 14) and adjust the position of the support unit 151 (detection unit 14) to match the position of the detection piece 132 when feeding out the wire 5. In other words, the administrator operates the control unit 152 to position the support unit 151 (detection unit 14) relatively lower when the tension of the wire 5 is relatively high. On the other hand, the administrator operates the control unit 152 to position the support unit 151 (detection unit 14) relatively higher when the tension of the wire 5 is relatively low.

[0040] Returning to Figure 1, the expandable member 20 comprises a plurality of hollow shaft members extending in the vertical direction (in the example shown in Figure 1, there are five shaft members: a first pipe 21, a second pipe 22, a third pipe 23, a fourth pipe 24, and a fifth pipe 25). The upper end of the outermost first pipe 21 is connected to the main body 10, and the lower end of the innermost fifth pipe 25 is connected to the item acquisition device 100. Inside, a wire 5 extending from the wire extension direction changing section 12 passes through, and the tip of the wire 5 is connected to the center of the lower end (the center of gravity when the item acquisition device 100 is connected). Details of the expandable member 20 will be described later.

[0041] The control unit 50 is, for example, a computer, and controls the motor 111 of the drive unit 11, causing the drive unit 11 to feed out or wind up the wire 5 at a predetermined tension set in advance. Furthermore, when the control unit 50 is causing the drive unit 11 to feed out the wire 5, if it receives a predetermined signal from the detection unit 14 indicating that it can no longer detect the detection piece 132, it causes the drive unit 11 to rewind the wire 5 (reverse the motor 111) and change the direction of movement of the wire 5. In addition, if the control unit 50 is detecting the detection piece 132 and receives a detection signal from the detection unit 14 at predetermined intervals indicating that the detection piece 132 is being detected, it may cause the drive unit 11 to rewind the wire 5 (reverse the motor 111) and change the direction of movement of the wire 5 at the timing when the detection signal is interrupted.

[0042] Next, the operation of the vertical movement device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. From the initial state shown in Figure 3 (the state in which the item acquisition device 100 is positioned at the highest position as shown in Figure 1), the motor 111 of the drive unit 11 feeds out the wire 5 at a predetermined tension based on the control of the control unit 50, which is controlled by the player of the item acquisition game device (not shown). As a result, the item acquisition device 100 (see Figure 1) moves downward.

[0043] Furthermore, when the wire 5 is being fed out at a predetermined tension, if, for example, the item acquisition device 100 (see Figure 1) or an item held by the item acquisition device 100 comes into contact with the base of the item storage section, the tension of the wire 5 decreases. Then, the rotating body 130 rotates in a direction that presses against the wire 5 (clockwise in the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4), and consequently, the detection piece 132 moves (upward in the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4), and the detection piece 132 is positioned outside the detection range of the detection unit 14, resulting in the state shown in Figure 4. In this case, the detection unit 14 transmits a predetermined signal to the control unit 50 indicating that it can no longer detect the detection piece 132. When the control unit 50 receives this predetermined signal, it causes the drive unit 11 to wind up the wire 5 (reverses the motor 111) and changes the direction of movement of the wire 5.

[0044] Next, referring to Figure 5, the procedure for changing the position of the detection unit 14 will be described. For example, when feeding out the wire 5, if the tension of the wire 5 is higher than the state shown in Figure 3, the detection piece 132 will be positioned lower than in the example shown in Figure 3. In such cases, the administrator of the item acquisition game device (not shown) rotates one end of the operating section 152 of the adjustment section 15 to lower the support section 151 (detection section 14) to a position where the detection section 14 can detect the detection piece 132 when the wire 5 is fed out. This results in the state shown in Figure 5.

[0045] Next, we will describe the details of the expandable member 20. The multiple shaft members constituting the expandable member 20 (five shaft members: the first pipe 21, the second pipe 22, the third pipe 23, the fourth pipe 24, and the fifth pipe 25) include at least the first and second shaft members, which have the same shape but different outer diameters. Note that the number of shaft members in the expandable member 20 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 1; it may be two, six or more.

[0046] The second shaft member has a smaller outer diameter than the first shaft member. Initially, its upper end is housed inside the first shaft member. As the item acquisition device moves downward, the second shaft member slides downward inside the first shaft member, and its lower end moves away from the first shaft member.

[0047] Specifically, in the example shown in Figure 1, the first pipe 21, the second pipe 22, the third pipe 23, and the fourth pipe 24 each function as the first axial member. Furthermore, for example, when the first pipe 21 functions as the first shaft member, the second pipe 22, third pipe 23, fourth pipe 24, and fifth pipe 25 function as second shaft members; when the second pipe 22 functions as the first shaft member, the third pipe 23, fourth pipe 24, and fifth pipe 25 function as second shaft members; when the third pipe 23 functions as the first shaft member, the fourth pipe 24 and fifth pipe 25 function as second shaft members; and when the fourth pipe 24 functions as the first shaft member, the fifth pipe 25 functions as the second shaft member.

[0048] Furthermore, the expandable member 20 is constructed by combining multiple pipes of the same shape but with different outer diameters (in the example shown in Figure 1, the first pipe 21, the second pipe 22, the third pipe 23, the fourth pipe 24, and the fifth pipe 25) in a nested structure, and its overall length expands and contracts according to the amount of wire 5 that is fed out. In the example shown in Figure 1, the upper end of the outermost first pipe 21 of the expandable member 20 is connected to the main body 10, the other pipes are slidably engaged with the pipe member one position outside of it, and the item acquisition device 100 is connected to the lower end of the innermost fifth pipe 25.

[0049] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an expandable member in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view AA of the expandable member 20 shown in Figure 1. Multiple shaft members (first pipe 21, second pipe 22, third pipe 23, fourth pipe 24, fifth pipe 25) have portions where the dimensions from the axis C extending in the vertical direction to the outer surface differ from each other (for example, in the example shown in Figure 6, portions on the major axis line a and portions on the minor axis line b). Specifically, in the example shown in Figure 6, the cross-sectional shape of the multiple shaft members (first pipe 21, second pipe 22, third pipe 23, fourth pipe 24, fifth pipe 25) when viewed from above is elliptical. While an elliptical shape without corners on the outer surface is preferred for the cross-sectional shape of the multiple shaft members when viewed from above, it is not limited to an elliptical shape and can be any shape such as a polygon, as long as the portions where the dimensions from the axis C to the outer surface differ from each other are present.

[0050] Furthermore, each of the multiple shaft members (first pipe 21, second pipe 22, third pipe 23, fourth pipe 24, and fifth pipe 25) has an engaging portion formed at the point where the dimension from the shaft center to the outer surface is largest (the portion on the major axis line a), which engages with other shaft members. In detail, the engaging portions are formed in pairs at positions facing each other, with the shaft center C in between.

[0051] Specifically, the first pipe 21, second pipe 22, third pipe 23, fourth pipe 24, and fifth pipe 25 have the following engaging parts. Note that the engaging parts may be omitted for the telescopic member 20. Even in this case, the telescopic member 20 has parts with different dimensions from the axis C extending in the vertical direction to the outer surface (for example, in the example shown in Figure 6, a part on the major axis line a and a part on the minor axis line b), so that the article acquisition device 100 attached to the lower end can be prevented from rotating around the axis C.

[0052] The outermost shaft member, the first pipe 21, has an engaging portion on its inner wall, which is a recess 21a that extends vertically and engages with a protrusion 22b of the second pipe 22, which is located one position inward. The second pipe 22 has, as an engaging portion, a recess 22a on its inner wall that extends vertically and engages with a protrusion 23b of the third pipe 23 which is located one position inward, and a protrusion 22b on its outer wall that extends vertically and engages with a recess 21a of the first pipe 21 which is located one position outward. The third pipe 23 has, as an engaging portion, a recess 23a on its inner wall that extends vertically and engages with a protrusion 24b of the fourth pipe 24 which is located one position inward, and a protrusion 23b on its outer wall that extends vertically and engages with a recess 22a of the second pipe 22 which is located one position outward. The fourth pipe 24 has, as an engaging portion, a recess 24a on its inner wall that extends vertically and engages with a protrusion 25b of the fifth pipe 25 which is located one position inward, and a protrusion 24b on its outer wall that extends vertically and engages with a recess 23a of the third pipe 23 which is located one position outward. The fifth pipe 25, which is the innermost shaft member, has a protrusion 25b as an engaging portion that extends vertically on the outer wall and engages with a recess 24a of the fourth pipe 24, which is located one position to the outside.

[0053] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of an expandable member in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the expandable member 20 cut by a vertical plane including the major axis direction line a shown in Figure 6. In the example shown in Figure 7, the expandable member 20 is shown with the third pipe 23, fourth pipe 24, and fifth pipe 25 moved to their respective lowest positions, and the second pipe 22 moved to an intermediate position between the uppermost and lowest positions.

[0054] The protrusion 22b is formed on the upper end of the second pipe 22, the protrusion 23b is formed on the upper end of the third pipe 23, the protrusion 24b is formed on the upper end of the fourth pipe 24, and the protrusion 25b of the fifth pipe 25, which is located at the lowest position, is formed below the upper end of the fifth pipe 25 and above the intermediate position.

[0055] A stopper 21a' is provided at the lower end of the recess 21a, against which the lower end of the protrusion 22b abuts. A stopper 22a' is provided at the lower end of the recess 22a, against which the lower end of the protrusion 23b abuts. A stopper 23a' is provided at the lower end of the recess 23a, against which the lower end of the protrusion 24b abuts. A stopper 24a' is provided at the lower end of the recess 24a, against which the lower end of the protrusion 25b abuts.

[0056] Furthermore, the lower end of the fifth pipe 25 is provided with a projection 25c that protrudes outward from the outer wall surface. The projection 25c is formed such that the dimension from the axis C to the outer end is greater than the dimension from the axis C to the outer edge of the second pipe 22.

[0057] With this configuration, when the wire 5 is fed out, the item acquisition device 100 moves downward due to gravity, and in response, the expandable member 20 moves downward as the fifth pipe 25 to which the item acquisition device 100 is attached is pulled downward, and when the lower end of the protrusion 25b comes into contact with the stopper 24a', the fourth pipe 24 is also pulled downward and moves downward, and when the lower end of the protrusion 24b comes into contact with the stopper 23a', the third pipe 23 is also pulled downward and moves downward, and when the lower end of the protrusion 23b comes into contact with the stopper 22a', the second pipe 22 is also pulled downward and moves downward.

[0058] Furthermore, when the wire 5 is wound up, the item acquisition device 100 moves upward, and in response, the expandable member 20 moves upward, the fifth pipe 25 moves upward, and when the protruding portion 25c comes into contact with the lower end of the fourth pipe 24, the fourth pipe 24 also moves upward, when the protruding portion 25c comes into contact with the lower end of the third pipe 23, the third pipe 23 also moves upward, and when the protruding portion 25c comes into contact with the lower end of the second pipe 22, the second pipe 22 also moves upward. Through this action, the overall length of the expandable member 20 expands or contracts.

[0059] As described above, the vertical movement device 1 of this embodiment includes an adjustment unit 15 that changes the position of the detection unit 14, which detects a detection piece 132 that is displaced according to the movement state of the wire 5. This allows, for example, when adjusting the tension of the wire 5 according to the type of prize or the model of the item acquisition device, the tension of the wire 5 is first appropriately adjusted without considering the position of the detection unit 14. Then, by changing the position of the detection unit 14 to the position of the detection piece 132 in the adjusted state, the detection unit 14 can accurately detect the timing at which the wire 5 loosens in the adjusted tension of the wire 5 (for example, the timing at which the item acquisition device comes into contact with an item, the wall of the item storage area, or the table on which the item is placed). Therefore, it is possible to easily adjust the range for detecting when the wire suspending the item acquisition device has loosened.

[0060] Furthermore, the vertical movement device 1 allows the detection piece 132 to be displaced vertically, and the detection unit 14 that detects this detection piece can be moved vertically by the adjustment unit 15. This allows the timing of the wire 5 loosening to be intuitively grasped, and the adjustment unit 15 moves the detection unit 14 vertically to position it in a location where this timing can be detected. Therefore, it is possible to easily adjust the range in which the detection of loosening of the wire 5 that suspends the item acquisition device 100 is performed.

[0061] Furthermore, according to the vertical movement device 1, when the item acquisition device 100 is lowered, for example, when the detection piece 132 of the rotating body 130 is detected by the detection unit 14, the drive unit 11 feeds out the wire 5 and lowers the item acquisition device 100. At this time, a predetermined tension is applied to the wire 5. Then, for example, when the item acquisition device 100 comes into contact with a prize or the base of the item storage unit on which the prize is placed, the tension of the wire 5 decreases.

[0062] Then, when the tension of the wire 5 decreases, the contact portion 131, which is biased in the direction of the wire 5, moves in a direction that pushes the wire 5 inward. As a result, the rotating body 130 rotates, the detection piece 132 moves, and it moves out of the detection range of the detection unit 14, making it impossible to detect the detection piece 132. As a result, for example, the detection signal indicating that the detection unit 14 is detecting the detection piece 132 is interrupted. At this timing, the item acquisition game device can detect that the wire 5 suspending the item acquisition device 100 has loosened.

[0063] In this way, the change in tension of the wire 5 that raises and lowers the item acquisition device 100 makes it possible to detect when the wire 5 has loosened.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the vertical movement device 1 of this embodiment described above, the telescopic member 20 has an item acquisition device 100 positioned at its lower end, its overall length extends and retracts in the vertical direction, and is composed of a plurality of shaft members (first pipe 21, second pipe 22, third pipe 23, fourth pipe 24, fifth pipe 25). The plurality of shaft members include at least a first shaft member and a second shaft member that are the same shape but have different outer diameters, and as the item acquisition device 100 moves downward, the second shaft member moves from inside the first shaft member in a direction in which its lower end moves away from the first shaft member. Furthermore, these multiple shaft members have portions (for example, a portion along the major axis line a and a portion along the minor axis line b) whose dimensions from the axis C extending in the vertical direction to the outer surface are different from each other.

[0065] As a result, when a force is applied to the second shaft member in a direction that causes it to rotate around the axis C extending in the vertical direction, the portion of the outer surface of the second shaft member where the distance from the axis C to the outer surface is relatively large (for example, the portion on the major axis line a) can suppress the rotation around the axis C. This makes it possible to prevent rotation around the axis C without having to provide a separate mechanism to prevent rotation in multiple pipes, as in the telescopic pipe described in Patent Document 1. Therefore, in an expandable member 20 whose overall length expands and contracts in the vertical direction and in which the item acquisition device 100 is positioned at the lower end, it is possible to prevent the item acquisition device 100 from rotating around the axis C of the expandable member 20.

[0066] Furthermore, since the shaft members (first pipe 21, second pipe 22, third pipe 23, fourth pipe 24, fifth pipe 25) have an elliptical cross-sectional shape when viewed from above, if a force is applied to the second shaft member in a direction that causes rotation around the axis C extending in the vertical direction, the portion of the outer surface of the second shaft member in the direction of the major axis can suppress the rotation around the axis C. Furthermore, compared to a rectangular shape (such as a rectangle), there are no corners on the outer surface, allowing the second axis member to slide smoothly inside the first axis member.

[0067] Furthermore, at the point where the distance from the axis to the outer surface is greatest, a pair of engaging parts (for example, recess 21a, recess 22a, protrusion 22b, recess 23a, protrusion 23b, recess 24a, protrusion 24b, protrusion 25b) are formed facing each other with the axis C in between, and multiple shaft members (first pipe 21, second pipe 22, third pipe 23, fourth pipe 24, fifth pipe 25) are engaged with each other at these engaging parts. As a result, rotation can be suppressed at the point where the amount of rotation is greatest, thus enabling more stable suppression of rotation.

[0068] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, it is clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1. Vertical movement device 5 wire rod 10 Main Unit 10a base 11 Drive unit 12 Wire extension direction change section 13 Displacement part 14 Detection unit 15 Adjustment part 20 Expandable members 21. First pipe 21a Recess 21a' Stopper 22 Second pipe 22a Recess 22a' Stopper 22b Convex part 23 Third Pipe 23a Recess 23a' Stopper 23b Convex part 24. Fourth pipe 24a recess 24a' Stopper 24b Convex part 25. Fifth pipe 25b Convex part 25c protrusion 50 Control Unit 100 Goods acquisition device 110 Arm section 111 Motor 112 Drive pulley 130 rotations 131 Contact area 132 detection pieces 151 Support part 152 Operation section

Claims

1. In an item acquisition game device capable of acquiring items stored inside an item storage section, an expandable member is provided on a vertical movement device that moves the item acquisition device capable of acquiring the items in the vertical direction based on the player's operation, the item acquisition device is positioned at the lower end, and the overall length expands and contracts in the vertical direction. It comprises multiple hollow shaft members that extend in the vertical direction, The plurality of shaft members comprises at least a first shaft member and a second shaft member having the same shape but different outer diameters from each other. The second shaft member has a smaller outer diameter than the first shaft member, and initially has its upper end housed inside the first shaft member, it slides downward inside the first shaft member as the item acquisition device moves downward, and its lower end moves in a direction away from the first shaft member. The expandable member is characterized in that the multiple shaft members have portions whose dimensions from the axis extending in the vertical direction to the outer surface differ from each other.

2. The expandable member according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the plurality of shaft members, when viewed from above, is elliptical.

3. Multiple shaft members have an engaging portion formed at the portion with the largest dimension from the shaft center to the outer surface, which engages with other shaft members. The expandable member according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the engaging portions are formed in pairs at positions facing each other with respect to the axis.

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