Crane game device

Abstract

To provide a crane game device realizing a new method of playing the same.SOLUTION: In the crane game device, multiple catchers are controlled by a player so as to simultaneously attempt to grasp prizes, the catchers being mounted on drive means operated to move within a housing of the crane game device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a crane game device.

Background Art

[0002] As shown in Patent Document 1 and FIG. 1, a conventional crane game device 1 includes a housing 10 that surrounds an accommodation space 100 in which a prize (not shown) is accommodated, a catcher means 11 that is disposed in the accommodation space 100 and is configured to be able to grab the prize, and an operation unit 12 that is disposed on the housing 10 and is configured to be able to operate the catcher means 11. In this way, it is a device that provides a game in which a player challenges whether they can transport a prize to an exit with an accuracy of controlling the movement of the catcher means 11 in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction and the timing of lowering the catcher means 11, but it cannot be denied that there is monotony and a sense of staleness in that it can only provide such a game.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a crane game device having a new direction different from the conventional one.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To achieve the above object, the crane game device of the present invention a housing that surrounds an accommodation space and is partitioned by a first partition plate whose lower part of the accommodation space extends along a predetermined left-right direction into a prize area where prizes are arranged on both sides in the front-rear direction orthogonal to the left-right direction and an initial area where a prize drop port is arranged, A rail module disposed in the accommodation space so as to extend along the front-rear direction above the first partition plate; A pedestal disposed on the rail module so as to extend along the left-right direction and be movable along the front-rear direction, a plurality of catchers disposed on the pedestal with a space therebetween in the left-right direction, and a drive motor that provides a driving force for driving the movement of the pedestal in the rail module of the pedestal; A control module signal-connected to the drive means, the crane game apparatus comprising: The control module includes: A sensor that outputs a detection signal when detecting that the pedestal has reached a reference position where each catcher is located above the first partition plate; An operation unit that receives an operation by a player and outputs a corresponding activation signal, movement signal, and grasping signal, and is signal-connected to the sensor, the drive motor, and the operation unit. In a standby state where each catcher is located above the initial area, when receiving the activation signal from the operation unit, the drive motor is activated to drive the pedestal to move from a position corresponding to the initial area along the rail module to the reference position, and when receiving the detection signal from the sensor, the drive motor is stopped and switched to an operation waiting state where the driving of the pedestal is temporarily stopped. In this operation waiting state, the drive motor is activated according to the movement signal from the operation unit to drive the pedestal to move from the reference position along the rail module to a position corresponding to the prize area, and when receiving the grasping signal from the operation unit, each catcher is lowered to attempt to grasp a prize arranged in the prize area, and then the drive motor is used to move the pedestal above the initial area along the rail module to release each catcher. A control module that executes a control process;

Advantages of the Invention

[0006] With the above configuration, the present invention can provide a new-direction game experience of simultaneously attempting to grab prizes by multiple catchers using a simple structure and operation method.

Brief Explanation of Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the crane game apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0009] A first embodiment of the crane game apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in the figure, the crane game apparatus of this first embodiment includes a housing 2, a rail module 3, a driving means 4 disposed on the rail module 3, and a control means 5 signal-connected to the driving means 4.

[0010] The housing 2 surrounds the accommodation space 210, and the lower part of the accommodation space 210 is partitioned by a first partition plate 22 extending along a predetermined left - right direction D1 into a prize area 221 where prizes are arranged on both sides in the front - rear direction D2 orthogonal to the left - right direction D1 and an initial area 222 where a prize drop port 229 is arranged. That is, the space in which the game is played is defined by the housing 2, and examples of the prizes placed in the prize area 221 include packages of snack foods, but it is not limited to this and various prizes can be selected.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 2, the rail module 3 is arranged in the accommodation space 210 so as to extend along the front - rear direction D2 above the first partition plate 22. Specifically described, the rail module 3 is arranged above the prize area 221 and the initial area 222 and has a pair of guide rails 31 that are spaced apart from each other in the left - right direction D1 and fixed to the housing 2.

[0012] Each guide rail 31 is configured to have a first substrate 311 arranged as a plate - like body that is orthogonal to the left - right direction D1 and extends along the front - rear direction D2, a first rail portion 312 arranged on the first substrate 311 so as to extend along the front - rear direction D2 while opening toward the other guide rail 31, a second substrate 313 that bends from the upper end of the first substrate 311 toward the other guide rail 31, and a second rail portion 314 arranged on the second substrate 313 so as to extend along the front - rear direction D2 while opening downward.

[0013] That is, a pair of guide rails 31 in this embodiment includes a first substrate 311 fixed to the housing 2 so as to sandwich the upper part of the accommodation space 210 from both sides, and a second substrate 313 fixed to the upper end of the housing 2 so as to be orthogonal to the first substrate 311. The first rail part 312 fixed to the first substrate 311 and the second rail part 314 fixed to the second substrate 313 extend along the front-rear direction D2 while opening so as to face the inside of the accommodation space 210. Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, an adjustment groove 319 is formed in the first substrate 311 of one of the guide rails 31 shown on the left side, and the sensor 51 (described later) of the control means 5 is arranged to extend along the front-rear direction D2.

[0014] The driving means 4 includes a pedestal 41 arranged on the rail module 3 so as to extend along the left-right direction D1 and be movable along the front-rear direction D2, a plurality of (five in the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 4) catchers 42 arranged on the pedestal 41 with a space therebetween in the left-right direction D1, and a driving motor 43 that provides a driving force for driving the movement of the pedestal 41 in the rail module 3 to the pedestal 41.

[0015] The pedestal 41 includes a pedestal main body 411 to which the driving motor 43 is fixedly arranged, a pair of first rollers 412 attached to the pedestal main body 411 so as to be respectively fitted into the first rail parts 312 of the pair of guide rails 31 and move along the first rail parts 312, and a pair of second rollers 413 attached to the pedestal main body 411 so as to be respectively fitted into the second rail parts 314 and move along the second rail parts 314.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, when a pair of first rollers 412 attached to the pedestal main body 411 are respectively fitted into the first rail parts 312 of the pair of guide rails 31, and a pair of second rollers 413 are respectively fitted into the second rail parts 314, stable movement of the pedestal 41 with respect to the rail module 3 along the front-rear direction D2 is realized.

[0017] In this embodiment, the drive motor 43 is configured to provide a driving force for driving the movement of the pedestal body 411 to which the drive motor 43 is fixed and the rail module 3 of the pedestal 41 by controlling the winding / release of the drive belt 431 connected to the housing 2. This is a conventional technique, and since there are also many driving means that do not use the drive belt 431, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0018] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, when driven by the drive motor 43, the pedestal 41 moves along the front-rear direction D2 in the rail module 3. However, the five catchers 42 in this embodiment are accommodated in the accommodation space 210 at substantially equal intervals from each other and move along the front-rear direction D2 together with the pedestal 41. Therefore, the regions in which each catcher 42 can grasp the commodity do not overlap with each other.

[0019] The control means 5 includes a sensor 51 that outputs a detection signal when detecting that the pedestal 41 has reached a reference position where each catcher 42 is located above the first partition plate 22, an operation unit 53 that receives an operation by the player and outputs a corresponding activation signal, movement signal, and grasping signal, and a control means 52 that is signal-connected to the sensor 51, the drive motor 43, and the operation unit 53.

[0020] Specifically, the sensor 51 in this embodiment is arranged in the adjustment groove 319, so that its position in the front-rear direction D2 along the adjustment groove 319 can be adjusted. By sensing that the sensing beam emitted from the sensor 51 is reflected by the first partition plate 22 below in the vertical direction H perpendicular to the left-right direction D1 and the front-rear direction D2, each catcher 42 senses that the pedestal 41 has reached the reference position located above the first partition plate 22 and outputs a corresponding sensing signal to the control means 52. Instead of such an optical sensor, for example, a switch actuated by the movement of the pedestal 41, or a sensor that senses the rotation of the drive motor 43 or the movement of the drive belt 431, as long as it is a means capable of directly or indirectly sensing / measuring the position of each catcher 42 or the pedestal 41, it can be configured as the sensor 51 in the present invention.

[0021] The operation unit 53 has an operation stick 531 that is electrically connected to the control means 52 and outputs a movement signal, an operation button 532 that outputs a gripping signal, and a coin insertion slot 533 that outputs a start signal.

[0022] The control means 52 is a component that controls the operation of the crane game apparatus of this first embodiment, and can be configured, for example, by a CPU and a memory, or a control board that combines these. Incidentally, in FIG. 2, the control means 52 is represented by a dotted line to show the concept of being signal-connected to the operation unit 53 and the sensor 51, but this does not indicate the specific installation position of the control means 52.

[0023] The control means 52 in this embodiment is configured to execute the following control process. First, in a standby state where each catcher 42 is positioned above the initial area 222, when the control means 52 receives an activation signal output from the operation unit 53 that confirms and outputs the insertion of a coin (by the player) at the coin insertion slot 533, the control means 52 activates the drive motor 43 to drive the pedestal 41 to move along the rail module 3 from the position corresponding to the initial area 222 to the reference position. Then, when receiving a sensing signal from the sensor 51 that the pedestal 41 has reached the reference position corresponding to the first partition plate 22, the control means 52 stops the drive motor 43 and switches to an operation waiting state where the drive for the pedestal 41 is temporarily stopped. And in this operation waiting state, according to the movement signal from the operation stick 531 of the operation unit 53, the drive motor 43 is activated to drive the pedestal 41 to move along the rail module 3 from the reference position to the position corresponding to the prize area 221. And when receiving a grasping signal from the operation button 532 of the operation unit 53, the control means 52 stops the drive motor 43 and lowers each catcher 42 along the vertical direction H to attempt to grasp the prize placed in the prize area 221. Then, the drive motor 43 is activated again to move the pedestal 41 along the rail module 3 above the initial area 222 and release each catcher 42. In this way, if a prize is grasped by each catcher 42, the grasped prize is discharged through the prize drop port 229.

[0024] Note that since each catcher 42 is positioned above the initial area 222 after releasing the grasped prize, the control means 52 switches to a standby state waiting for an activation signal from the operation unit 53.

[0025] With this configuration, the present invention can provide a new-direction game experience of simultaneously attempting to grasp prizes with a plurality of catchers 42 in a simple structure composed of an operation method using only the operation stick 531 and the operation button 532 of the operation unit 53 and a driving means 4 that moves along the rail module 3.

[0026] Also, in this embodiment, the strength of the force with which the catcher 42 attempts to grab the prize varies depending on the voltage that drives each drive coil 44 (the voltage output to the drive coil 44), and the voltage that drives each drive coil 44 is controlled by the control means 52 of the control means 5.

[0027] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the crane game apparatus of the present invention. As shown in the figure, while this second embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment, the prize area 221 of the housing 2 is partitioned into sub-areas 230 that respectively correspond to the positions of the catchers 42 and are vertically aligned by four second partition plates 23 that are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction D1.

[0028] With this configuration, for example, different types of prizes can be placed in each sub-area 230. Therefore, while controlling a plurality of catchers 42, the player can select a play method such as aiming for a specific type of prize or aiming for and catching a plurality of prizes simultaneously. Note that the number of the second partition plates 23 is not limited to the above and can be appropriately determined according to the number of catchers 42 and the number of sub-areas 230 to be provided.

[0029] Furthermore, in this second embodiment, the drive means 4 has a plurality of drive coils 44 that respectively correspond to the catchers 42 and drive the movement in which each catcher 42 attempts to grab the prize. Each catcher 42 is configured to execute a movement in which it descends from the pedestal 41 side to the corresponding sub-area 230 for each catcher 42 and attempts to grab the prize placed there in response to the drive of the corresponding drive coil 44. And the voltage that drives each drive coil 44 is individually controlled by the control means 52.

[0030] With this configuration, the control means 52 can set the output so that the strength of the force with which the catcher 42 attempts to grab the prize is appropriate according to, for example, the type and characteristics (price, size, shape, weight, etc.) of the prize placed in each sub-area 230.

[0031] To summarize the above, the crane game device of the present invention controls the driving means 4 corresponding to the positions of the prize area 221 and the initial area 222 partitioned by the first partition plate 22 using the sensor 51. Since the pedestal 41 can be operated by the operation unit 53 after passing through the first partition plate 22, a situation where the game is not played properly, such as when the operation button 532 is pressed at the timing when each catcher 42 is above the initial area 222, is avoided, and a new directional game that operates a plurality of catchers 42 simultaneously can be proposed.

[0032] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof. In addition, the present disclosure includes the following aspects. 〔Aspect 1〕 A housing that surrounds an accommodation space and is partitioned by a first partition plate whose lower part extends along a predetermined left - right direction into a prize area where prizes are arranged on both sides in the front - rear direction orthogonal to the left - right direction and an initial area where a prize drop opening is arranged, A rail module arranged in the accommodation space so as to extend along the front - rear direction above the first partition plate, A pedestal arranged on the rail module so as to extend along the left - right direction and be movable along the front - rear direction, a plurality of catchers arranged on the pedestal with a space therebetween in the left - right direction, and a drive motor that provides a driving force for driving the movement of the pedestal in the rail module of the pedestal, A control means signal - connected to the drive means, a crane game device comprising: The control means is: A sensor that outputs a detection signal when it senses that the pedestal has reached a reference position where each catcher is located above the first partition plate, An operation unit that receives an operation by a player and outputs a corresponding activation signal, a movement signal, and a grasping signal, Signal - connected to the sensor, the drive motor, and the operation unit. In a standby state where each catcher is located above the initial area, when the activation signal is received from the operation unit, the drive motor is activated to drive the pedestal to move from a position corresponding to the initial area along the rail module to the reference position, and when the detection signal is received from the sensor, the drive motor is stopped and switched to an operation waiting state where the driving of the pedestal is temporarily stopped. And in this operation waiting state, according to the movement signal from the operation unit, the drive motor is activated to drive the pedestal to move from the reference position along the rail module to a position corresponding to the prize area, and when the grasping signal is received from the operation unit, each catcher is lowered to attempt to grasp a prize arranged in the prize area, and then the drive motor is used to move the pedestal above the initial area along the rail module to release each catcher. A control module that executes a control process. A crane game device having the above. 〔Aspect 2〕 The crane game apparatus according to Aspect 1, wherein the number of the catchers is five. [Aspect 3] The rail module has a pair of guide rails arranged at intervals in the left - right direction, each of the guide rails is configured as a first substrate that is orthogonal to the left - right direction and extends along the front - rear direction, a first rail portion arranged on the first substrate so as to extend along the front - rear direction while opening toward the other one of the guide rails, a second substrate that bends from the upper end of the first substrate toward the other one of the guide rails, and a second rail portion arranged on the second substrate so as to extend along the front - rear direction while opening downward. The crane game apparatus is configured to have these components, the pedestal of the driving means includes a pedestal body on which the driving motor is arranged, and a pair of first rollers that are respectively fitted into the first rail portions of the pair of guide rails and are attached to the pedestal body so as to move along the first rail portions, and a pair of second rollers that are respectively fitted into the second rail portions and are attached to the pedestal body so as to move along the second rail portions. The crane game apparatus according to Aspect 1 or Aspect 2 has these components. [Aspect 4] An adjustment groove extending along the front - rear direction is formed in the first substrate of one of the pair of guide rails, the sensor of the control means is arranged in the adjustment groove, so that the position in the front - rear direction can be adjusted along the adjustment groove. The crane game apparatus according to Aspect 3 has this configuration. [Aspect 5] The prize area of the housing is partitioned into sub - areas that respectively correspond vertically to the positions of the catchers by one or more second partition plates arranged at intervals in the left - right direction. The crane game apparatus according to Aspect 1 or Aspect 2 has this configuration. [Aspect 6] The driving means has a plurality of drive coils that respectively correspond to the catchers and drive the movement of each catcher to attempt to grab a prize, and the voltage for driving each drive coil is individually controlled by the control module. The crane game apparatus according to Aspect 5 has this configuration. [Explanation of Reference Numerals]

Explanation of Symbols

[0033] 2 housings 210 Storage space 22 First partition board 221 Prize area 222 Initial area 229 Prize drop opening 23 Second partition board 230 Sub - area 3 Rail module 31 Guide rail 311 First substrate 312 First rail part 313 Second substrate 314 Second rail part 319 Adjustment groove 4 Driving means 41 Pedestal 411 Pedestal body 412 First roller 413 Second roller 42 Catcher 43 Driving motor 431 Driving belt 44 Driving coil 5 Control means 51 Sensor 52 Control module 53 Operation part 531 Operation stick 532 Operation button 533 Coin insertion slot D1 Left - right direction D2 Front - back direction H Up - down direction

Claims

1. a housing that surrounds a storage space and is partitioned in a lower portion of the storage space into a prize area in which prizes are placed and an initial area in which a prize drop port is placed, the prize area being partitioned into both sides in a front-rear direction perpendicular to the left-right direction by a first partition plate that extends in a predetermined left-right direction; a rail module disposed in the accommodation space above the first partition plate and extending along the front-rear direction; a drive means including a base disposed on the rail module so as to extend along the left-right direction and move along the front-rear direction, a plurality of catchers disposed on the base at intervals in the left-right direction, and a drive motor that provides the base with a drive force for driving the base to move on the rail module; A crane game machine comprising: a control means connected to the driving means in a signal manner, The control means a sensor that outputs a detection signal when it detects that the base has reached a reference position where each of the catchers is located above the first partition plate; an operation unit that receives an operation by a player and outputs a corresponding start signal, a movement signal, and a grab signal; a control module which executes control processing to signally connect the sensor, the drive motor, and the operation unit, and in a standby state in which each of the catchers is positioned above the initial area, when the start signal is received from the operation unit, start the drive motor to drive the base to move along the rail module from the position corresponding to the initial area to the reference position, and when the detection signal is received from the sensor, switch to an operation standby state in which the drive motor is stopped and drive to the base is temporarily stopped, and in this operation standby state, start the drive motor in accordance with the movement signal from the operation unit to drive the base to move along the rail module from the reference position to a position corresponding to the prize area, and when the grab signal is received from the operation unit, lower each of the catchers to attempt to grab a prize placed in the prize area, and then use the drive motor to move the base along the rail module to above the initial area and release each of the catchers.

2. The crane game machine according to claim 1 , wherein the number of the catchers is five.

3. The rail module has a pair of guide rails arranged with a space between them in the left-right direction, Each of the guide rails is A first substrate is arranged as a plate-like body extending along the front-rear direction and perpendicular to the left-right direction; a first rail portion disposed on the first substrate so as to extend along the front-rear direction while opening toward another one of the guide rails; a second substrate that is bent from an upper end of the first substrate toward the other one of the guide rails; a second rail portion disposed on the second substrate so as to extend along the front-rear direction while opening downward, The base of the driving means includes a base body on which the driving motor is disposed, and a pair of first rollers attached to the base body so as to be fitted into the first rail portions of the pair of guide rails and move along the first rail portions.

3. The crane game device according to claim 1, further comprising: a pair of second rollers attached to the base body so as to be fitted into each of the second rail portions and move along the second rail portions.

4. An adjustment groove is formed in the first substrate of one of the pair of guide rails, the adjustment groove extending along the front-rear direction, The crane game device according to claim 3 , wherein the sensor of the control means is arranged in the adjustment groove so that a position of the sensor in the front-rear direction can be adjusted along the adjustment groove.

5. A crane game device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the prize area of ​​the housing is divided into sub-areas corresponding to the positions of each of the catchers above and below by one or more second partition plates arranged at intervals from each other in the left-right direction.

6. The crane game device described in claim 5, wherein the driving means has a plurality of driving coils corresponding to each of the catchers to drive the movement of each of the catchers attempting to grab a prize, and the voltage driving each of the driving coils is individually controlled by the control module.

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