Catcher Adjustment Device

Abstract

To provide a catcher adjustment device capable of easily and quickly changing the position of an interlocking link. [Solution] The catcher adjustment device has a catcher unit having a drive unit 21, a plurality of catcher arms 24 pivoted to the peripheral edge of a pivot base connected to the lower end of an axle extending telescopically from the drive unit 21 along the axial direction L, and a plurality of interlocking links 25 each having a first pivot end 251 pivoted to correspond to the catcher arm 24, and the catcher adjustment device has an annular portion 31 attached to be fitted onto the drive unit 21, and pivot adjustment portions 32 each protruding from the annular portion 31 to the opposite side of the drive unit 21 along a lateral direction perpendicular to the axial direction L, extending parallel to the axial direction L, and having a plurality of pivot holes 321 in which the first pivot end portions 252 of the interlocking links 25 can pivot, aligned parallel to the axial direction L.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a catcher adjustment device, and more particularly to a catcher adjustment device used in a crane game machine that can adjust the opening degree of the catcher arm. [Background technology]

[0002] Fig. 1 shows a conventional catcher device described in Patent Document 1, which comprises a drive means 11, a shaft 12 arranged coaxially with the drive means 11, a connection base 13 connected to the lower end of the shaft 12, a plurality of catcher arms 14 pivoted at equal angular intervals on the periphery of the connection base 13, and a plurality of interlocking links 15 pivoted between the catcher arms 14 and the drive means 11. The drive means 11 can move the connection base 13 up and down by, for example, using a coil arranged inside it to drive the shaft 12 to expand and contract in the vertical direction relative to the drive means 11, and when the connection base 13 moves upward, the inner ends of each of the catcher arms 14 pivoted on the periphery of the connection base 13 move upward together with it, and the points where each catcher arm 14 is pivoted to the corresponding interlocking link 15 become fulcrums, so that the outer ends of each of the catcher arms 14 swing downward and approach each other to grab a prize placed in the crane game machine. Furthermore, when the connecting base 13 moves downward due to the driving of the driving means 11, the inner ends of each catcher arm 14 pivoted to the periphery of the connecting base 13 move downward along with it, and the points where each catcher arm 14 is pivoted to its corresponding interlocking link 15 become fulcrums, causing the outer ends of each catcher arm 14 to swing upward and move away from each other, so that if each catcher arm 14 is holding a prize, the prize will be dropped.

[0003] Meanwhile, the range within which the outer ends of each catcher arm 14 can swing (the degree to which the catcher arms open) during this movement is determined by the position and dimensions of each catcher arm 14 or the position and dimensions of the interlocking link 15. Meanwhile, the preferred swing range or degree of opening of each catcher arm 14 of a catcher device within a crane game machine should be adjustable according to the size of the crane game machine, the type of prizes, and the policy of the crane game machine operator. However, with the configuration of this conventional catcher device, adjustment is not possible without replacing the catcher arm 14. This makes replacing the catcher arm 14 costly and extremely inconvenient. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] China Utility Model Registration No. 212433850 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a catcher adjustment device that allows the opening degree of the catcher arm to be easily and quickly adjusted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a catcher adjustment device for use in a crane game machine having a catcher unit including a drive unit, an axle arranged on the drive unit so as to be extendable and retractable from the drive unit along a predetermined axial direction, a pivot base connected to the tip of the axle extending from the drive unit, a predetermined number of catcher arms pivoted to the periphery of the pivot base so as to surround the pivot base, and the predetermined number of interlocking links, one end of each of which is pivoted as a first pivot end corresponding to one of the catcher arms, a ring unit having a predetermined number of pivot adjustment parts, each of which protrudes from the annular part along a lateral direction perpendicular to the axial direction toward the opposite side of the drive unit, extending parallel to the axial direction, and each of which has a plurality of pivot holes aligned parallel to the axial direction; a predetermined number of pivot pins, each corresponding to one of the interlocking links and one of the pivot adjustment parts, for selectively pivoting a second pivot end portion of the corresponding interlocking link, located opposite the first pivot end portion, to any one of the pivot holes formed in the corresponding pivot adjustment part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The catcher adjustment device of the present invention, having the above-mentioned configuration, can use a pivot pin to selectively pivot the second pivot end of the interlocking link to one of the pivot holes formed in the pivot adjustment part.Therefore, without replacing the catcher arm, by removing the pivot pin, the pivot pin can pivot the second pivot end of the interlocking link to another pivot hole, thereby changing the position of the interlocking link and easily and quickly adjusting the opening degree of the catcher arm, which reduces maintenance costs and improves time efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an example of a catcher device of a conventional crane game machine. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a catcher adjustment device for a crane game according to the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a ring unit in the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partial top view showing the configuration of a pivot pin in the embodiment. [Figure 5]1 is a side view showing how the opening degree of the catcher arm is adjusted using the catcher adjustment device of the crane game of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a side view showing how the opening degree of the catcher arm is continuously adjusted using the catcher adjustment device of the crane game of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In order to more clearly explain the objectives, technical means, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical means in the embodiments of the present invention in combination with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. It should be apparent that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention depicted and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided below in the accompanying drawings does not constitute any limitation on the protection scope of the present invention, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a catcher adjustment device for a crane game of the present invention. The catcher adjustment device for a crane game of the present invention is used in a catcher unit of a crane game machine, and in Figure 2, the catcher unit to which this embodiment is applied includes a drive unit 21 having a cylindrical case extending along a predetermined axial direction L, a shaft 22 arranged so as to be exposed from the lower end of the drive unit 21 and be extendable and retractable from the drive unit 21 along the axial direction L, a pivot base 23 connected to the tip of the shaft 22 extending downward from the drive unit 21, a predetermined number of catcher arms 24 (three in this embodiment) pivoted on the periphery of the pivot base 23 so as to surround the pivot base 23, and a predetermined number of interlocking links 25, one end of each of which is pivoted as a first pivot end 251 corresponding to one of the catcher arms 24.

[0011] The catcher adjustment device of the present invention comprises a ring unit 3 and a predetermined number (three in this embodiment) of pivot pins 4 corresponding to each interlocking link 25. Incidentally, only two pivot pins 4 are shown in Figure 2 due to the viewing angle.

[0012] Explaining in more detail, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the ring unit 3 has an annular portion 31 attached to the cylindrical case of the drive unit 21 so as to be extrapolated onto the drive unit 21 of the catcher unit, a predetermined number (three in this embodiment, but only two are shown in Figure 2 due to the display angle) of pivot adjustment portions 32 that protrude from the annular portion 31 to the opposite side of the drive unit 21 in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the axial direction L, corresponding to each interlocking link 25 and the catcher arm 24 to which the interlocking link 25 is pivotally supported, and each extend parallel to the axial direction L and have a plurality (four in this embodiment) of pivot holes 321 aligned parallel to the axial direction L, and at least one fastening member 33 that penetrates the annular portion 31 in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the axial direction L and then abuts against the cylindrical case of the drive unit 21, thereby fixing the annular portion 31 to the drive unit 21.

[0013] In this embodiment, each pivot adjustment portion 32 of the ring unit 3 is formed as a plate-like body extending in a lateral direction perpendicular to the axial direction L and parallel to the axial direction L, and is formed integrally with the annular portion 31 so as to be positioned above one corresponding catcher arm 24. Three thick portions 311 (only two are shown in FIG. 2 due to the viewing angle) are formed in the annular portion 31 between each pair of adjacent pivot adjustment portions 32, and each thick portion 311 has one fastening member 33 attached to the top and one to the bottom. In other words, the inner diameter of the annular portion 31 is formed slightly longer than the outer diameter of the cylindrical case of the drive unit 21, and thereby the annular portion 31 is extrapolated to be movable relative to the cylindrical case of the drive unit 21 in the axial direction L. However, when the tip of each of the fastening members 33 attached to each thick portion 311 of the annular portion 31 penetrates the annular portion 31 and abuts against the cylindrical case of the drive unit 21, the relative movement of the annular portion 31 in the axial direction L with respect to the drive unit 21 is restricted and the annular portion 31 is fixed. Furthermore, when each fastening member 33 is removed, for example, the tip of each of the fastening members 33 penetrating the annular portion 31 no longer abuts against the cylindrical case of the drive unit 21, and the annular portion 31 becomes movable relative to the cylindrical case of the drive unit 21 in the axial direction L.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, each pivot pin 4 corresponds to one interlocking link 25 and one pivot adjustment part 32, and selectively pivots the second pivot end part 252 opposite to the first pivot end part 251 of the corresponding interlocking link 25 to any one of the pivot holes 321 formed in the corresponding pivot adjustment part 32.

[0015] Furthermore, each pivot pin 4 has a main body 41 extending along a predetermined extension direction, a spring 43, an engagement ball 42, and an operation ring 44.

[0016] The main body 41 has dimensions that allow it to pass through the pivot holes 321 formed in each pivot adjustment section 32, and at one end of its extension direction, a blind hole 411 is recessed extending in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction, and at the other end opposite the one end, a through hole 413 is formed extending in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction.

[0017] The spring 43 is housed in the blind hole 411 so that one end abuts against the bottom of the blind hole 411 of the main body 41 and the other end opposite the one end is located near the opening 412 of the blind hole 411. The engagement ball 42 is disposed in the blind hole 411 and abuts against the other end of the spring 43 and is pushed outwardly by the spring 43 toward the outside of the opening 412 of the blind hole 411, so that a portion of the engagement ball 42 is held in the blind hole 411 so as to be exposed from the opening 412. By forming the diameter of the opening 412 of the blind hole 411 to be slightly shorter than the diameter of the engagement ball 42, the engagement ball 42 can be held in the blind hole 411 while being exposed to the outside of the opening 412 of the blind hole 411.

[0018] The operation ring 44 is attached to the main body 41 so as to pass through the through-hole 413 .

[0019] With this configuration, when the engagement ball 42 is pushed into the blind hole 411 by an external force, the spring 43 is compressed, and with the engagement ball 42 pushed into the blind hole 411, the main body 41 of the pivot pin 4 can be inserted into the pivot holes 321 formed in each pivot adjustment part 32 and enters any one of the pivot holes 321 formed in each pivot adjustment part 32, thereby selectively pivoting the second pivot end part 252 of the interlocking link 25 to that pivot hole 321.When the external force pushing the engagement ball 42 into the blind hole 411 is released, the engagement ball 42 is exposed outside the opening 412 of the blind hole 411, and the main body 41 of the pivot pin 4 can engage with the corresponding pivot adjustment part 32.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, in the catcher adjustment device of the present invention, when the operating ring 44 of any one of the pivot pins 4 is pulled, the engaging ball 42 on the opposite side of the operating ring 44 abuts against the opening periphery of the pivot hole 321 formed in the corresponding pivot adjustment part 32 and is pushed into the blind hole 411, so that the main body 41 of that pivot pin 4 can be removed from the pivot adjustment part 32 and the second pivot end 252 of the interlocking link 25 pivoted to that pivot adjustment part 32. This releases the pivot relationship between that pivot adjustment part 32 and that interlocking link 25. The second pivot end 252 of that interlocking link 25 can then be moved to another pivot hole 321 of the pivot adjustment part 32, and the removed pivot pin 4 can then be inserted again to pivot the second pivot end 252 of that interlocking link 25 to the other pivot hole 321 of the same pivot adjustment part 32. In other words, by simply removing and reattaching the pivot pin 4, the position at which the second pivot end 252 of the interlocking link 25 is pivoted to the pivot adjustment part 32 can be changed, and the swingable range of the catcher arm 24, which is determined by the position at which the interlocking link 25 is pivoted to the pivot adjustment part 32, can be changed.

[0021] For example, as shown on the left side of Fig. 5, when the interlocking link 25 is pivotally supported on the pivot hole 321 located at the lowest position in the pivot adjustment part 32, the distance between the tips of the catcher arms 24 is smallest when the pivot base 23 is closest to the drive unit 21, making it suitable for capturing prizes with a small size (width), and when the interlocking link 25 is pivotally supported on the pivot hole 321 located at the highest position in the pivot adjustment part 32, the distance between the tips of the catcher arms 24 is largest when the pivot base 23 is closest to the drive unit 21, making it suitable for capturing prizes with a large size (width). In other words, by pivoting the second pivot end part 252 of the interlocking link 25 on one of the pivot holes 321 of the pivot adjustment part 32, the degree to which the tips of the catcher arms 24 open can be adjusted in stages.

[0022] 3 and 6, when the second pivot end portion 252 of the interlocking link 25 is not changed, the degree of opening of the tips of the catcher arms 24 can be finely adjusted in a stepless manner by moving the annular portion 31 relative to the cylindrical case of the drive unit 21 in the axial direction L with the fastening member 33 removed (loosened), as shown in Fig. 6. That is, as shown in Fig. 6, when the annular portion 31 is moved downward relative to the cylindrical case of the drive unit 21 while the interlocking link 25 remains pivotally supported by the pivot hole 321 located at the lowest position in the pivot adjustment portion 32 (left side of Fig. 6), the distance between the tips of the catcher arms 24 becomes relatively small, and when the annular portion 31 is moved upward relative to the cylindrical case of the drive unit 21 (right side of Fig. 6), the distance between the tips of the catcher arms 24 becomes relatively large.

[0023] In this way, the catcher adjustment device of the present invention makes use of stepwise adjustment, in which the second pivot end 252 of the interlocking link 25 is pivoted to one of the pivot holes 321 of the pivot adjustment part 32, and stepless adjustment, in which the relative position of the annular part 31 and the drive unit 21 is changed, to easily and quickly adjust the preferred swing range or opening degree of each catcher arm 24 in accordance with the size of the crane game machine, the type of prize, and the policy of the crane game machine operator, thereby reducing maintenance costs and improving time efficiency. Thus, the object of the present invention is reliably achieved.

[0024] The above-described embodiments are illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art may make slight changes or modifications to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention should be considered to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 21 Drive unit 22 shaft rod 23 Pivot Table 24 Catcher's Arm 25 Supported Links 251 First pivot end 252 Second pivot end 3 Ring Unit 31 Circular section 32 Pivot adjustment unit 321 Pivot Hole 33 Fastening member 4 pivot pin 41 Main body 411 Blind Hole 412 Aperture 413 Through hole 42 Engagement ball 43 Spring 44 Operation ring L axis direction

Claims

1. A catcher adjustment device for use in a crane game machine having a catcher unit including: a drive unit; an axle rod disposed on the drive unit so as to be extendable and retractable from the drive unit along a predetermined axial direction; a pivot base connected to the tip of the axle rod extending from the drive unit; a predetermined number of catcher arms pivoted to the peripheral edge of the pivot base so as to surround the pivot base; and the predetermined number of interlocking links, one end of each of which is pivoted as a first pivot end corresponding to one of the catcher arms, a ring unit having a predetermined number of pivot adjustment parts, each of which protrudes from the annular part along a lateral direction perpendicular to the axial direction toward the opposite side of the drive unit, extending parallel to the axial direction, and each of which has a plurality of pivot holes aligned parallel to the axial direction; a predetermined number of pivot pins, each corresponding to one of the interlocking links and one of the pivot adjustment parts, for selectively pivoting a second pivot end portion of the corresponding interlocking link, located opposite the first pivot end portion, to any one of the pivot holes formed in the corresponding pivot adjustment part.

2. Each of the pivot pins extends along a predetermined extension direction, and a main body portion is provided at one end of the extension direction with a blind hole extending in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction; a spring accommodated in the blind hole of the main body; an engaging ball that abuts against the spring and is held by the spring so as to be exposable outside the opening of the blind hole, 2. The catcher adjustment device of claim 1, wherein the spring is compressed when the engaging ball is forced into the blind hole by an external force.

3. 3. The catcher adjustment device of claim 2, wherein a through hole extending in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction is formed at the other end of the main body portion of each pivot pin opposite to the one end, and the pivot pin further has an operating ring attached to the main body portion so as to pass through the through hole.

4. 2. The catcher adjustment device of claim 1, wherein the ring unit further includes at least one fastening member that passes through the annular portion along a lateral direction perpendicular to the axial direction and abuts against the drive unit, thereby fixing the annular portion to the drive unit.

5. The catcher adjustment device of claim 1, wherein each of the pivot adjustment portions of the ring unit is formed as a plate-like body extending in a lateral direction perpendicular to the axial direction and parallel to the axial direction, and is integrally formed with the annular portion so as to be positioned above one of the corresponding catcher arms.

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