Prize replenishment structure for crane game machines and arrangement structure for such crane game machines

Abstract

The objective is to provide a prize replenishment structure that allows prizes to be replenished from the rear side of the crane game machine, and to provide a layout structure for when multiple such crane game machines are arranged. [Solution] A prize replenishment structure for a crane game machine in which players operate a crane to win prizes, wherein the crane game machine has a crane operating section on the front side, a replenishment opening on the rear side for replenishing prizes, and has a plurality of prize placement sections for placing prizes, and prizes can be directly replenished from the replenishment opening to the plurality of prize placement sections.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a crane game machine, and particularly to a prize replenishment structure thereof and an arrangement structure of a plurality of crane game machines having such a prize replenishment structure.

Background Art

[0002] A crane game machine is a game machine that gets prizes by operating a crane. Various game machines have been proposed, such as those that pick up prizes with a catcher having a plurality of claws, or those that lift a hook portion linked to a prize placement portion on which prizes are placed in a horizontal state in a tilting direction by operating a crane. However, in all of them, it is necessary to replenish the prizes because they decrease or disappear by being obtained through play. Conventional crane game machines have a transparent panel and an operation portion of the crane on the front side, and are box-shaped with the rear side being wall-shaped. Therefore, staff replenished prizes from the front side or the side of the crane game machine. In this case, while the staff is replenishing the prizes, players cannot play and must wait until the prize replenishment is completed.

[0003] The applicant of the present application has previously proposed a game machine provided with a prize stock portion on the rear side (Patent Document 1). In contrast, the present invention enables direct replenishment of prizes to a plurality of prize placement portions that tilt forward in conjunction with a hook portion lifted by a lifting member provided on the crane.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a prize replenishment structure that allows prizes to be replenished from the rear side of a crane game machine, and to provide an arrangement structure for when multiple such crane game machines are arranged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The prize replenishment structure for a crane game machine according to the present invention is a prize replenishment structure for a crane game machine in which a crane is operated to obtain a prize, wherein the crane game machine has a crane operating section on the front side, a replenishment opening for replenishing prizes on the rear side, and a plurality of prize placement sections for placing prizes, and prizes can be directly replenished from the replenishment opening to the plurality of prize placement sections. The present invention has a replenishment opening on the rear side of the crane game machine for replenishing prizes, and since prizes can be directly replenished from this replenishment opening into each prize placement area, prizes can be replenished from the rear side while playing from the front side, or with only a brief interruption.

[0007] With this prize replenishment structure, multiple crane game machines with prize replenishment structures can be arranged in a manner that is roughly parallel or in a frame shape, with the rear sides of each crane game machine facing inward. This allows staff (attendants) to be positioned on the inside to replenish prizes, as shown in Figure 3, while players (customers) on the front side can play freely and continuously.

[0008] The crane game machine having the prize replenishment structure according to the present invention includes a lifting member controlled by the crane to move up and down, and a hook part linked to the tilting movement of the prize placement section, wherein when the lifting member lifts the hook part, the prize placement section tilts and the prizes placed on it fall, or the hook part has a plurality of prize placement sections that are sequentially linked to the hook part at the same position, and the lifting member may detach from the hook part when it lifts and raises the hook part to a predetermined height.

[0009] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of prize placement sections consist of a plurality of shelves arranged in the vertical direction, and that the plurality of shelves are linked to predetermined hook sections so that they each tilt forward. This method not only allows prizes to be replenished from the rear of the crane game machine, but also reduces the number of times staff need to replenish prizes, thus saving labor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In a crane game machine having a prize replenishment structure according to the present invention, prizes can be replenished from the rear side, thus eliminating or reducing the waiting time for players during that time. Furthermore, by arranging multiple crane game machines parallel to each other with their rear sides facing inward, or by arranging them in a frame shape such as a U-shape or a square, staff can replenish prizes to multiple machines from the inside (the rear side of each machine), eliminating player waiting times, reducing replenishment time, and further saving manpower. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This shows an example of the structure of a prize replenishment opening located on the rear side of a crane game machine. [Figure 2] This shows a perspective view of the crane game machine from the front. [Figure 3] This shows an example of the layout structure of a crane game machine. [Figure 4] An example of the ring structure is shown. [Figure 5] An example of the hook structure is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The crane game machine according to the present invention is characterized by having a prize replenishment opening on the rear side, which allows prizes to be directly replenished in multiple prize placement sections. It can be applied to various types of crane game machines, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0013] Fig. 2 shows a configuration example of the crane game machine 10 as seen from the front side, and Fig. 1 shows a structural example of the rear portion 10c. The rear portion 10c forms a replenishment opening 30 that allows direct replenishment of prizes 1a to 1d etc. into their respective prize placement sections by attaching prize placement sections (11A1 to 11D1), (11A2 to 11D2), (11A3 to 11D3), (11A4 to 11D4) (some reference numerals are omitted in Fig. 1) consisting of plate-like shelves in multiple stages between each pair of left and right vertical frames (31a, 31b), (32a, 32b), (33a, 33b), (34a, 34b).

[0014] A structural example of the crane game machine according to the present invention will be described based on Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the crane game machine. The crane game machine 10 has a box shape composed of a front portion 10a made of a transparent panel, left and right side portions 10b made of transparent panels, and a rear portion 10c. Inside the rear portion 10c, there are multiple prize placement sections 11A1 to 11D1, 11A2 to 11D2, 11A3 to 11D3, 11A4 to 11D4 (some reference numerals are omitted in Fig. 1), etc.

[0015] Each prize placement section is pivotally attached to the inside of the rear portion 10c at the rear end side and holds prizes 1a to 1d in a horizontally held state. When a prize can be lifted by a lifting member consisting of a ring portion 22 attached to a chain member 21 provided at the lower part of the crane 20 by operating the crane 20, the front end side of the corresponding prize placement section falls downwards (tilts) and the prize falls into the drop opening 10h and can be obtained from the take-out port 10d. Although not shown, the crane 20 can be moved in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction by a rail-shaped traveling portion. For example, by inserting a coin etc. into the operation section 10e, the crane can be operated using the left-right operation button 10f and the front-rear operation button 10g.

[0016] A plurality of prize placement sections may be interlocked corresponding to one hook section 13. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the prize placement sections 11A1 to 11D1, which are composed of four shelves provided in four vertical stages with respect to the hook section 13 of the base member 12A, are interlocked. Similarly, the prize placement sections 11A2 to 11D2, which are four - stage ones, are interlocked with the hook section 13 of the base member 12B, the prize placement sections 11A3 to 11D3, which are four - stage ones, are interlocked with the hook section 14 of the base member 12c, and the prize placement sections 11A4 to 11D4, which are four - stage ones, are interlocked with the hook section 14 of the base member 12D. When the ring section 22 lifts the hook section 13 above a predetermined height, it disengages from the hook section 13. The structure thereof will be described later. Thus, in this embodiment, the player can play continuously until getting 4 - stage × 4 places = 16 prizes. Therefore, the number of times of prize replenishment by the staff is reduced, and labor - saving can be achieved.

[0017] By making the rear part of the crane game machine 10 have the structure as shown in FIG. 1, an example of the arrangement structure of a plurality of crane game machines according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 3. The arrangement structure of a plurality of crane game machines according to the present invention is such that the rear parts of the crane game machines having the prize replenishment openings 30 are made inside, and a plurality of crane game machines are arranged substantially in parallel, or in a U - shape, a square - shape, etc., in a frame - shape as a whole.

[0018] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, five crane game machines 10 are arranged in series on the back side, five crane game machines are arranged in series on the front side substantially parallel to this, and two crane game machines 10 are arranged at both end portions thereof, respectively, so that the whole is arranged in a square - shape. With such an arrangement structure of a plurality of crane game machines, the staff can replenish prizes from the rear side of each crane game machine, so the player can freely enjoy playing without waiting for prize replenishment. Thereby, labor - saving of the staff becomes possible.

[0019] In this particular embodiment, a single hook section is lifted by a lifting member operated by a crane, and multiple plate-shaped prize placement sections, consisting of multi-tiered shelves, are pivotally attached to the rear end. The prizes can be obtained sequentially from each shelf in conjunction with the lifting movement of the hook section, so staff do not need to replenish prizes after each play. Instead, they only need to replenish prizes all at once after players have continued playing for a certain period, thus reducing the workload.

[0020] As a means of arranging multiple prize placement sections for a single hook section, an example of a modified ring section structure is shown in Figure 4, and an example of a modified hook section structure is shown in Figure 5. Figure 4 shows that a hook portion 13 is erected on the upper side of the base member 12, the rear end of the base member 12 is attached to the left-right frame 12e via a pivot portion 12c, and the free end 12a is placed on the frame 12d. The hook portion 13 is attached and raised by the ring portion 22. The upper side of the ring portion 22 is attached to the lower end of the chain member 21 with a connecting portion 23, and a separation portion 23a is formed on the lower end side of the ring portion 13. The separation portion 23a may be constructed by making the ring portion 13 out of an elastic material, or a rotating portion may be formed in the connecting portion 23 and a spring member 24 such as a spring may be provided inside the ring portion 22. As a result, as shown in Figure 4(b), when attempting to lift the hook portion 13 above a predetermined height, the hook portion 13 is pulled downwards so that the separation portion 23a opens. This causes the ring portion 22 to detach from the hook portion 13, returning it to its original ring shape.

[0021] Figure 5 shows an example where the shape of the hook portion 14 is roughly L-shaped. In this example, the hook portion 14 is formed by bending the tip of the raised portion 14a, which is erected from the base member 12, at approximately 90° toward the free end 12a to create a hook portion 14b. As a result, when the hook portion 14 rises and the hook portion 14b tilts, the ring portion 22 detaches from the hook portion 14. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0022] 1a~1d Prizes 10 Crane game machines 10a Front part 10b Side part 10c Rear part 10d outlet 10e Control unit 10f Operation Buttons 10g operation button 10h Drop opening 11A1~11D1 Prize Display Section 12A~12D Base components 23a Separation part 30 Refill opening 31a, 31b Vertical Claims

Claims

1. This is a prize replenishment mechanism for a crane game machine where the player operates a crane to win prizes. The crane game machine has a crane control panel on the front and a replenishment opening on the rear for replenishing prizes. It has multiple prize placement sections for placing prizes, and a lifting member whose raising and lowering is controlled by a crane. The aforementioned lifting member has a hook portion for lifting, The aforementioned multiple prize placement sections consist of multiple shelves arranged in the vertical direction. Each of the aforementioned multiple shelf sections is pivotally attached to the inside of the rear section at its rear end and is held horizontally by a horizontal holding mechanism. In conjunction with a single hook section, the horizontal holding mechanism is sequentially released, causing the shelves to tilt forward sequentially. When the hook is lifted by the aforementioned lifting member, the shelf tilts, and the prize placed on it falls. The lifting member detaches from the hook portion when the hook portion is lifted and raised to a predetermined height. A prize replenishment structure for a crane game machine, characterized in that prizes can be directly replenished into each of the multiple shelves from the replenishment opening.

2. A configuration of multiple crane game machines, each having the prize replenishment structure described in claim 1, wherein the machines are arranged substantially parallel to each other or in a frame shape so that the rear sides of each machine face inward.

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