Flower-shaped sculpture

Abstract

To provide a flower-shaped mold article that embodies such a real change as if a fresh flower were blooming, allowing an observer to be significantly impressed.SOLUTION: Multiple opening / closing members 7a to 7e formed in petals are provided respectively in an outward tiltable manner, and a rotatable member 20 that is rotated by driving means is provided so as to be surrounded by the opening / closing members 7a to 7e. The rotatable member 20 and leading ends of the opening / closing members 7a to 7e are respectively connected by line-like members 22a to 22e that have flexibility and elastic restorability, fixing sheet members 26a to 26e that are formed petal-like to the respective line-like members 22a to 22e. The rotatable member 20 rotates in one direction, thereby pulling the respective line-like members 22a to 22e, causing the opening / closing members to be in the closed condition, allowing the sheet members 26a to 26e to be stored inside the opening / closing members 7a to 7e in the closed condition. The rotatable member 20 rotates in the other direction, thereby relaxing the respective line-like members 22a to 22e, causing the opening / closing members 7a to 7e to be in the open condition, allowing the sheet members 26a to 26e to expand on the front side of the opening / closing members 7a to 7e in the open condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flower-shaped object that can be installed as a performance device, toy, or decoration inside game machines such as pachinko, arrange ball, and mahjong ball, or in show windows, event venues, hotel lounges, etc., and that can become the center of people's attention by moving like a naturally blooming flower. [Background technology]

[0002] Toys and decorative artificial flowers that incorporate a drive mechanism such as a motor and are configured to open and close multiple petals have been proposed in the past. For example, the following Patent Document 1 presents a toy that opens the petals in time with music and lighting when operated by a player. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 presents a pachinko gaming machine equipped with a variable device that operates in accordance with the variable display mode of a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display. This pachinko gaming machine enhances the excitement of the game through a unique presentation in which multiple petal-shaped movable pieces of the variable device open and close simultaneously in conjunction with the display presentation of the variable display device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-057329 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional movable artificial flower as described in Patent Document 1 has a mechanism in which the upper and lower rods in the center are moved up and down by a driving mechanism such as a motor to tilt the petal-shaped movable pieces outward to make the flower appear to open, and it is merely a mechanical and monotonous mechanism that is very different from the way natural flowers open. Also, the variable accessory shown in Patent Document 2 has an impact in that it can open multiple flowers at once, but it has the same mechanical and monotonous structure as Patent Document 1 and does not give the viewer the same impression as a natural flower opening. The present invention is intended to solve these problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To this end, the flower-shaped object of the present invention is characterized in that a number of opening and closing members formed in the shape of sepals are arranged so that each can be tilted outward, a rotating member rotated by a driving means is arranged so as to be surrounded by the opening and closing members, the rotating member and the tip of each opening and closing member are respectively connected by linear material having flexibility and elastic recovery, a sheet member formed in a petal shape is attached to each linear material, and by rotating the rotating member in one direction, each linear material is pulled and the opening and closing members are brought into a closed state, and the sheet member is stored inside the opening and closing members in the closed state, and by rotating the rotating member in the other direction, each linear material is relaxed and the opening and closing members are brought into an open state, and the sheet member is deployed in front of the opening and closing members in the open state. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the flower-shaped object has a decorative member formed to resemble a pistil, which is provided at the center of the rotating member. Effect of the Invention

[0006] The flower-shaped object according to the present invention can embody realistic changes as if a fresh flower were blooming, which can impress a viewer. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a calyx of a flower-shaped object according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a drive unit of the flower-shaped object according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the drive unit of the flower-shaped object according to the present invention, seen from the rear. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rotating member and an elastic wire of the flower-shaped object according to the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a petal portion of a flower-shaped object according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flower-shaped object according to the present invention before a sheet member is attached. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a front view of a flower-shaped object according to the present invention before a sheet member is attached. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flower-shaped object according to the present invention in a bloomed state. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a front view of a flower-shaped object according to the present invention in a bloomed state. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a flower-shaped object according to the present invention in a closed state before a sheet member is attached. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a side view of a flower-shaped object according to the present invention in a closed state before a sheet member is attached. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flower-shaped object according to the present invention in a closed state. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a front view of a game board of a pachinko machine provided with a flower-shaped object according to the present invention. EXAMPLES

[0008] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is modeled on a "hibiscus", and the calyx of the flower-shaped object is shown in an exploded view in FIG. 1. The base 1 is formed integrally with a mounting base 2 formed in a rectangular box shape and a substantially disk-shaped base 3, a circular recess 4 is formed at the center of the base 3, and five pivot pieces 5a-5e are formed at equal intervals around the circular recess 4 on the front surface of the base 3. Each of the pivot pieces 5a-5e has an axle hole 6. 7a-7e are five opening and closing members formed in a sepal shape, and a protrusion 8 is formed integrally on the inner surface of the tip of each of the opening and closing members 7a-7e, and a pin hole 8' is formed in each of the protrusions 8. A pivot piece 9 is formed integrally at the base end of each of the opening and closing members 7a-7e, and a pivot hole 10 is formed through each of the pivot pieces 9. Then, the shaft through-hole 10 is aligned with the shaft through-hole 6, and the pin 11 is inserted therethrough. As a result, the opening / closing members 7a to 7e are supported on the front surface of the base portion 3 so as to be able to tilt outward.

[0009] As shown in Fig. 3, the rear side of the base portion 3 has a through hole 12 at the center of the circular recess 4 (circular protrusion 4 when viewed from the rear), bosses 13a and 13b are formed on both sides of the through hole 12, and a circular gear housing portion 14 is formed adjacent to the circular protrusion 4. A window hole 15 communicating with the inside of the circular protrusion 4 is opened in the side wall of the gear housing portion 14. Reference numeral 16 denotes a central shaft inserted through the through hole 12, and a rectangular mounting plate 17 is formed integrally with the base end of the central shaft 16. By fastening the mounting plate 17 to the bosses 13a and 13b with screws, the central shaft 16 is allowed to protrude from the center of the circular recess 4 to the front surface of the base portion 3. Reference numeral 18 denotes a motor with a reducer, which is an electric driving means, and a gear 19 is fixed to the rotating shaft output shaft of the motor 18. The motor 18 is fixed with screws to a boss 18' for mounting the motor which is formed integrally around the periphery of the base portion 3, and in this way the gear 19 is rotatably arranged in the gear accommodating portion 14.

[0010] Next, the rotating member 20 that is rotatably supported on the central shaft 16 and thus disposed within the circular recess 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The rotating member 20 has a generally cylindrical shape with a through hole formed in the center through which the central shaft 16 can pass, and a gear 21 is integrally formed around the rear side. Therefore, when the rotating member 20 is rotatably disposed within the circular recess 4, the gear 21 meshes with the gear 19 through the window hole 15. When the motor 18 is driven to rotate in this state, the rotating member 20 rotates via the gears 19 and 21. In addition, five locking pieces 21a to 21e are formed at equal intervals on the front surface of the rotating member 20. The wires 22a to 22e are made of a hard plastic material with a thickness of about 0.8 mm, a width of about 2 mm, and a total length of about 120 mm, and are formed to have flexibility and elastic recovery. Fig. 4 shows a state in which a retaining ring portion 23 formed at one end of each of the wires 22a to 22e is fixed to each of the locking pieces 21a to 21e by a retaining pin. Then, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, a retaining ring portion 25 formed at the other end of each of the wires 22a to 22e is pinned to the protrusion 8 of the opening / closing members 7a to 7e. Since the total length of each of the wires 22a to 22e is longer than the distance connecting the locking pieces 21a to 21e and the protrusion 8, when connected in this manner, each of the wires 22a to 22e has a smoothly curved shape as shown in the figures.

[0011] Also, soft, thin fabric or the like is cut into a desired shape to form petal-like sheet members 26a-26e as shown in Fig. 5. Then, a part of the periphery of each of the sheet members 26a-26e is sewn to the linear members 22a-22e. As a result, each of the sheet members 26a-26e is arranged to draw a loop as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The periphery of each of the sheet members 26a-26e that is not sewn to the linear members 22a-22e is made to overlap front and back. This allows the sheet members 26a-26e to look more like the petals of a real flower.

[0012] The central shaft 16 protrudes forward from the center of the rotating member 20, and a decorative member 27 formed in the shape of a pistil (ovary) is provided on the protruding portion of the central shaft 16. That is, the decorative member 27 is formed by inserting a cylindrical body 27' into the central shaft 16, fastening a rectangular LED light-emitting board 28 to the tip end 16' of the central shaft 16 with screws, and further fastening a pair of lens members 29a, 29b with screws so as to sandwich the light-emitting board 28 from both sides. Lead wires are wired to the light-emitting board 28 through the inside of the cylindrical body 27', and power is supplied to the light-emitting board 28 through the lead wires, so that the LEDs arranged on the light-emitting board 28 emit light. In this embodiment, the decorative member 27 is provided on the protruding portion of the central shaft 16, and the central shaft 16 is fixed to the back side of the base portion 3 as described above, but it is also possible to support the decorative member 27 so that it can rotate freely together with the gear 21 by attaching this central shaft 16 to the center of the gear 21.

[0013] In the flower-shaped object thus constructed, by operating the motor 18 to rotate the rotating member 20 in one direction, the linear materials 22a-22e are pulled, and as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the linear materials 22a-22e become twisted in a spiral shape around the central axis 16 and pull the opening / closing members 7a-7e inward, so that the opening / closing members 7a-7e stand up and enter the closed state as shown in Figure 12, and the sheet members 26a-26e are stored inside the opening / closing members 7a-7e in the closed state. When the motor 18 is operated to rotate the rotating member 20 in the other direction, the linear members 22a-22e are relaxed and the opening / closing members 7a-7e are tilted outward, and at that time, the linear members 22a-22e are smoothly curved as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, so that the sheet members 26a-26e are deployed in front of the opening / closing members 7a-7e in the open state as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and the flower-shaped object is brought into a blooming state. The flower-closing speed can be freely set by controlling the rotation speed of the motor 18. The blinking of the LED light-emitting board 28 can also be freely set.

[0014] Figure 13 shows an example of this flower-shaped object provided on the game board 30 of a pachinko machine. When a flower-shaped object according to the present invention is provided on a game machine in this way, the flowering can be controlled according to the game situation, for example by making the flower gradually open when there are signs of a big win and then opening completely when a big win occurs, thereby effectively presenting the game and making the player more entertained.

[0015] The flower-shaped object according to the present invention is not limited to the "hibiscus" shown in this embodiment, and the type and size of the flower can be freely set according to the purpose. Specifically, the number, color, shape, size, etc. of the sepal-shaped opening / closing members 7a-7e, the petal-shaped sheet members 26a-26e, and the pistil-shaped decorative member 27 can be freely set. In addition, although the opening / closing members and the sheet members are each composed of five sheets in this embodiment, they do not necessarily have to be composed of the same number, and the number of combined sheets can be freely set, for example, by composing the sheet member with one sheet. It is also possible to create large, impactful flower-shaped objects that are not found in nature. For this reason, in addition to game machines such as pachinko machines, they can be placed in hotel lobbies, event venues, show windows, living rooms, etc. as a substitute for fresh flowers, or used as a performance device, toy, or decoration. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a motor as a driving means, and the blooming state can be changed manually.

[0016] In any case, the flower-shaped object according to the present invention has a plurality of sepal-shaped opening / closing members tiltably arranged so as to surround a rotating member, the rotating member and the tip of each opening / closing member are connected by a flexible and elastically restorable linear material, a petal-shaped sheet member is attached to the linear material, the rotating member is rotated in one direction to pull the linear material in a spiral shape and close the opening / closing members, with the sheet member stored inside the opening / closing member in the closed state, and the rotating member is rotated in the other direction to relax the linear material and open the opening / closing members, with the sheet member deployed in front of the opening / closing member in the open state, so that the sheet member follows the shape of the supple curved linear material and moves like a real petal in opening. This results in an object of appreciation that is as realistic and detailed as a natural flower, and is effective enough to attract attention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0017] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...base, 2...mounting base, 3...base portion, 4...circular recess, 5a-5e...shaft support piece, 6...shaft through hole, 7a-7e...opening / closing member, 8...projection, 8'...pin hole, 9...shaft support piece, 10...shaft through hole, 11...pin, 12...through hole, 13a,13b...boss, 14...gear housing portion, 15...window hole, 16...central shaft, 16'...tip portion of central shaft, 17...mounting plate, 18...motor, 18'...boss, 19...gear, 20...rotating member, 21...gear, 22a-22e...wire material, 23...retaining ring portion, 25...retaining ring portion, 26a-26e...sheet member, 27...decorative member, 27'...cylindrical body, 28...LED light-emitting board, 29a, 29b... lens members, 30... game board

Claims

1. A flower-shaped object comprising: a plurality of sepal-shaped opening / closing members each arranged so as to be tiltable outward; a rotating member rotated by a driving means arranged so as to be surrounded by the opening / closing members; the rotating members and the tips of each of the opening / closing members are connected by linear materials having flexibility and elastic recovery; a petal-shaped sheet member is attached to each of the linear materials; by rotating the rotating member in one direction, each of the linear materials is pulled to close the opening / closing members, and the sheet member is stored inside the opening / closing members in the closed state; and by rotating the rotating member in the other direction, each of the linear materials is relaxed to open the opening / closing members, and the sheet member is deployed in front of the opening / closing members in the open state.

2. 2. The flower-shaped object according to claim 1, wherein a decorative member formed in the shape of a pistil is provided at the center of the rotating member.

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