Prize ball payout device

Abstract

To provide a prize ball putout device capable of easily engaging multiple gears in a predetermined rotation position by connecting the gears to cams and can improve efficiency of assembly work by preventing erroneous assembly.SOLUTION: A first gear 16, a second gear 17, and a third gear 18 driven by motors are disposed on a surface of a mounting plate, and a rotor for feeding balls is disposed on the back of the mounting plate 15. The first gear 16 has a first flange having a first cutout part 16b. The second gear 17 has a second connection part that can be connected to the first connection part of the rotor, a second flange including a second cutout part 17e, and a first arrow 17f. The third gear 18 has a third flange 18a including a third cutout part and a fourth cutout part, and a second arrow 18d.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a prize ball payout device for a gaming machine, such as a pachinko machine, which is installed side by side with the pachinko machine.

Background Art

[0002] For example, a prize ball payout device is provided between adjacent pachinko machines. When a bill is inserted into a bill insertion slot provided between adjacent pachinko machines, or when a win occurs on a pachinko machine, the prize ball payout device has a function of counting and paying out balls while counting the number of balls. The payout mechanism for paying out balls is composed of, for example, a passage for storing balls, a rotating body for paying out the balls in the passage, and a motor for driving the rotating body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] When replacing or repairing a pachinko machine, it is necessary to extract the balls accumulated inside the prize ball payout device. For this reason, the prize ball payout device has a lever provided on the front surface and a switching member provided inside that switches the ball passage in conjunction with the lever. When extracting the balls, by operating the lever, the ball passage is switched, and the balls accumulated inside the prize ball payout device are configured to be extracted.

[0004] In the prize ball payout device, in the case of an emergency trouble such as balls clogging in the ball passage, for example, the prize ball payout device may be repaired by a store clerk unavoidably. However, the prize ball payout device has a plurality of gears for driving a cam as a rotating body for sending out balls. These gears have a determined rotation angle (meshing position) in order to accurately rotate the cam corresponding to the rotation angle of the motor. Therefore, if the plurality of gears are assembled at an incorrect angle, it becomes impossible to pay out balls normally.

[0005] In addition, a technique has been developed in which a plate member having a notch portion is provided on each gear, and the notch portions of the plate members are made to coincide, enabling the plurality of gears to automatically mesh according to a predetermined phase (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4530430 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-137373 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] When there are not only multiple gears but also components such as cams hidden behind the gears, it is difficult to connect the gears to the cams and mesh the multiple gears at the predetermined rotational positions almost simultaneously, leading to assembly errors.

[0008] This embodiment provides a prize ball dispensing device that makes it easy to connect gears to a cam and to mesh multiple gears at predetermined rotational positions, thereby preventing incorrect assembly and improving the efficiency of the assembly process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The prize ball dispensing device of this embodiment comprises a case having a ball passage, a mounting plate provided on the case and having a first surface and a second surface parallel to the first surface, covering the passage, a first gear positioned on the first surface side of the mounting plate and driven by a motor, a rotating body positioned on the second surface side of the mounting plate and having a first connecting portion, which feeds the balls in the passage, a second gear positioned on the first surface side of the mounting plate and having a second connecting portion on a surface facing the first surface that can be connected to the first connecting portion of the rotating body, and a third gear positioned on the first surface side of the mounting plate in a position that can mesh with the first gear and the second gear, wherein the first gear is positioned on the side of the mounting plate facing the first surface and the side opposite the first surface either It is equipped with a first flange on one side, The first flange is provided with a first notch in part, and the second gear is provided with the mounting plate on the side facing the first surface and the side opposite the first surface. On the same side as the first flange The third gear is provided with a second flange, the second flange having a second notch in part, and the mounting plate has a side facing the first surface and a side facing the first surface. Our front 1st and 2nd flanges and the opposite side The gear is further provided with a third flange, the third flange comprising a third notch located at a position corresponding to the first notch of the first gear, and a fourth notch located at a position corresponding to the second notch of the second gear. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing an example of a prize ball dispensing device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] A plan view showing the cover in Figure 1 removed. [Figure 3] A plan view showing multiple gears removed from Figure 2. [Figure 4] A plan view showing the mounting plate removed from Figure 3. [Figure 5] A perspective view showing the second gear and cam from Figure 2. [Figure 6] A plan view showing the configuration of the first gear, the second gear, and the third gear. [Figure 7] A plan view showing the reverse side of Figure 6. [Figure 8] A side view showing the configuration of the first gear, the second gear, and the third gear. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0012] Figure 1 shows an example of the prize ball payout device 10 according to this embodiment. The prize ball payout device 10 is removably installed, for example, between adjacent pachinko machines not shown in the figure. The prize ball payout device 10 has a case 11 and a cover 12 attached to the case 11. A lever 13 is provided on the front surface of the case 11. The lever 13 is operated, for example, when replacing or repairing the pachinko machine to forcibly discharge the balls accumulated in the passage described later in the prize ball payout device 10. An opening 14 is provided on the side surface of the cover 12. A fourth gear 19 described later is exposed from the opening 14. The function of the fourth gear 19 will be described later.

[0013] Figure 2 shows the state in which the cover 12 shown in Figure 1 is removed. The case 11 has a mounting plate 15, and the mounting plate 15 covers the inside of the case 11. On the surface (first surface) of the mounting plate 15, a first gear 16, a second gear 17, a third gear 18, a fourth gear 19, and a connector 21 are arranged. The first gear 16, the second gear 17, and the fourth gear 19 are meshed with the third gear 18.

[0014] The first gear 16 is driven by a motor 22 arranged on the back surface (second surface) of the mounting plate 15 to drive the third gear 18. The second gear 17 is rotated as the third gear 18 rotates, and drives a cam 24 as a rotating body described later.

[0015] Figure 3 shows the state in which the second gear 17, the third gear 18, and the fourth gear 19 are removed from Figure 2. An opening 15a, a shaft 15b, and a shaft 15c are provided on the surface of the mounting plate 15. The opening 15a is provided at a position corresponding to the center of the second gear 17. The shaft 15b rotatably holds the third gear 18. The shaft 15c rotatably holds the fourth gear 19.

[0016] A first connecting portion 24b provided on the cam 24 described later protrudes from the surface of the mounting plate 15 through the opening 15a. The first connecting portion 24b is connected to a second connecting portion provided at the center of the second gear 17, and the cam 24 is rotated by the second gear 17.

[0017] Furthermore, the first connection 24b of the cam 24 does not necessarily have to protrude from the surface of the mounting plate 15 and may be arranged on the back side of the mounting plate 15.

[0018] FIG. 4 shows the state excluding the mounting plate 15 of FIG. 3. The case 11 includes a supply port 11a for supplying the balls 25, a first discharge port 11b and a second discharge port 11c for discharging the balls 25, a first passage 11d connecting the supply port 11a and the first discharge port 11b through which the balls 25 flow, and a second passage 11e connecting the middle of the first passage 11d and the second discharge port 11c through which the balls 25 flow.

[0019] In the middle of the first passage 11d, at the entrance 11f of the second passage 11e, a switching member 23 and a cam 24 as a rotating body are provided. Downstream of the cam 24 in the first passage 11d, that is, between the cam 24 and the first discharge port 11b, a sensor 20 for detecting the passage of the balls 25 is arranged. The sensor 20 is, for example, a magnetic sensor. The sensor 20 is electrically connected to the connector 21 shown in FIG. 2.

[0020] The switching member 23 has a length substantially equal to the length of the entrance 11f of the second passage 11e. The switching member 23 has a shaft 23a at one end and is rotatably held with respect to the case 11 by the shaft 23a. Therefore, the switching member 23 is rotatable in the directions of the arrows B and C in the figure. In a state where there are no balls 25 in the first passage 11d, the switching member 23 hangs down in the state shown in the figure due to its own weight. The switching member 23 has, for example, a protrusion 23b as a first engaging portion in the vicinity of the shaft 23a. The shape of the first engaging portion is not limited to the protrusion 23b and may be a shape such as a projection.

[0021] The lever 13 has an operating portion 13a and a projection 13b as a second engaging portion, which is provided almost perpendicular to the operating portion 13a. The lever 13 has an axis 13c between the operating portion 13a and the projection 13b, and is rotatably held in the case 11 by the axis 13c. For this reason, the lever 13 is rotatable in the directions of arrows D and E shown in the figure. When the operating portion 13a of the lever 13 is in a position almost parallel to the front of the case 11 (a position rotated in the direction of arrow E shown in the figure), the projection 13b abuts against the projection 23b of the switching member 23, and the switching member 23 is held in a hanging position. For this reason, the entrance 11f of the second passage 11e is closed by the switching member 23.

[0022] Furthermore, a first torsion spring may be provided on the shaft 23a of the switching member 23, and the switching member 23 may be biased in the direction of arrow B in the diagram by the first torsion spring. In addition, a second torsion spring may be provided on the shaft 13c of the lever 13, and the lever 13 may be biased in the direction of arrow E in the diagram by the second torsion spring. In this case, the biasing force of the second torsion spring may be greater than that of the first torsion spring.

[0023] Furthermore, a cam 24 is rotatably provided at the entrance 11f of the second passage 11e. The cam 24 has a first connecting portion 24b on its shaft 24a. As described above, the first connecting portion 24b protrudes from the surface of the mounting plate 15 through an opening 15a provided in the mounting plate 15 and is connected to the second connecting portion of the second gear 17.

[0024] When the motor 22 is driven, the cam 24 rotates clockwise (in the direction of arrows B or E in the diagram) in conjunction with the rotation of the first gear 16, the third gear 18, and the second gear 17.

[0025] Figure 5 shows the second gear 17 and cam 24 separately. The second gear 17 has a second connecting portion 17a which is connected to the first connecting portion 24b of the cam 24. The second connecting portion 17a is located at the center of the surface of the second gear 17 facing the mounting plate 15. Furthermore, the second gear 17 has a side wall 17c with a plurality of slits 17b. The plurality of slits 17b and the side wall 17c are arranged around the perimeter of the surface of the second gear 17 facing the mounting plate 15.

[0026] Multiple slits 17b are used to control the number of balls ejected by the cam 24. Specifically, an optical sensor (not shown) for detecting the slits 17b is placed on the mounting plate 15. The optical sensor includes, for example, a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, which are positioned on the inside and outside of the side wall 17c, respectively. The rotation speed of the cam 24 is controlled according to the number of slits detected by the light-receiving element, thereby controlling the number of balls ejected.

[0027] The configurations of the first gear 16, the second gear 17, and the third gear 18 will be further explained with reference to Figures 6, 7, and 8.

[0028] The first gear 16 has a first flange 16a on the side opposite to the mounting plate 15. The first flange 16a has a first notch 16b in part, and a part of the first gear 16 is exposed through the first notch 16b.

[0029] The second gear 17 has a second flange 17d on the side opposite to the mounting plate 15. The second flange 17d has a second notch 17e in which a portion of the second gear 17 is exposed. Furthermore, a first arrow 17f is provided on the surface of the second flange 17d as a first marker. The first arrow 17f is provided radially from the center of the second flange 17d (second gear 17) and indicates the center of the second notch 17e.

[0030] The third gear 18 has a third flange 18a on the side facing the mounting plate 15. The third flange 18a has a third notch 18b in a first portion and a fourth notch 18c in a second portion that is different from the first portion. Specifically, the third notch 18b is positioned to mesh with the first gear 16, and the fourth notch 18c is positioned to mesh with the second gear 17. The third notch 18b exposes a part of the third gear 18, and the fourth notch 18c itself has the same shape as multiple gears of the third gear 18, for example, four gears. However, the fourth notch 18c may also have a shape that exposes a part of the third gear 18, similar to the third notch 18b.

[0031] Furthermore, a second arrow 18d is provided on the side of the third gear 18 opposite to the mounting plate 15, serving as a second marker. The second arrow 18d is positioned radially from the center of the third gear 18 and indicates a position corresponding to the center of the fourth notch 18c.

[0032] The first mark on the second gear 17 and the second mark on the third gear 18 are not limited to the first arrow 17f and the second arrow 18d, respectively, but can be any mark that can recognize the center of the second notch 17e and the center of the fourth notch 18c. Therefore, the first mark and the second mark may each be a projection-like component.

[0033] In the above configuration, if a problem occurs in the prize ball dispensing device 10, such as a ball jam, the prize ball dispensing device 10 is removed from the pachinko machine and repaired. After the repair, the second gear 17 and the third gear 18, which were removed from the mounting plate 15, are mounted on the mounting plate 15.

[0034] The following describes the assembly process for mounting the second gear 17 and the third gear 18 onto the mounting plate 15.

[0035] In this embodiment, when mounting the second gear 17 and the third gear 18 on the mounting plate 15, the second gear 17 is mounted first, and then the third gear 18 is mounted. Specifically, the second connecting portion 17a of the second gear 17 engages with the first connecting portion 24b of the cam 24 exposed on the mounting plate 15, and the second gear 17 is positioned on the mounting plate 15. At this time, the second connecting portion 17a cannot be seen through the slit 17b between the side walls 17c provided on the back side of the second gear 17, so the second connecting portion 17a engages with the first connecting portion 24b of the cam 24 almost by feel. That is, if the second gear 17 is positioned above the first connecting portion 24b, the first connecting portion 24b and the second connecting portion 17a cannot be seen from above the second gear 17. Therefore, as shown in Figure 8, the first connecting portion 24b and the second connecting portion 17a are connected while visually inspecting them from the side of the case 11. However, the gap between the upper surface of the mounting plate 15 and the second gear 17 is small, and a sensor (not shown) for detecting the slits 17b provided between the side walls 17c of the second gear 17 is placed on the upper surface of the mounting plate 15, making it difficult to visually inspect the first connecting portion 24b and the second connecting portion 17a. For this reason, the first connecting portion 24b and the second connecting portion 17a are connected almost by feel. With the first connecting portion 24b and the second connecting portion 17a connected, the second gear 17 and the cam 24 can rotate as a single unit.

[0036] Next, as shown in Figure 6, the third gear 18 is mounted on the shaft 15b on the mounting plate 15 with the first arrow 17f of the second gear 17 aligned with the second arrow 18d of the third gear 18. Specifically, the second gear 17 is rotated so that the first arrow 17f is moved to the position shown in Figure 6, and the third gear 18 is positioned so that the second arrow 18d of the third gear 18 faces the first arrow 17f. At this time, the third notch 18b of the third gear 18 corresponds to the first notch 16b of the first gear 16, and the fourth notch 18c of the third gear 18 corresponds to the second notch 17e of the second gear 17. In this state, the third gear 18 is mounted on the shaft 15b on the mounting plate 15, thereby meshing with the first gear 16 and the second gear 17.

[0037] As described above, after connecting the second gear 17 to the cam 24, the third gear 18 can be easily installed in the predetermined position by aligning the first arrow 17f and the second arrow 18d. Therefore, the rotational position of the cam 24 can be precisely controlled.

[0038] It is also possible to install the third gear 18 first and then the second gear 17, but this makes the work more difficult. Specifically, when installing the second gear 17 with the third gear 18 meshed with the first gear 16 and mounted on the shaft 15b of the mounting plate 15, it is necessary to simultaneously align the first connecting portion 24b of the cam 24 with the second connecting portion 17a of the second gear 17 and align it with the third gear 18. Moreover, the second connecting portion 17a of the second gear 17 is on the back side of the second gear 17 and is not visible from the front side of the second gear 17. For this reason, installing the second gear 27 after the third gear 18 is a more difficult and time-consuming task than installing the second gear 27 first.

[0039] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the above embodiment, the first gear 16 attached to the shaft of the motor 22 has a first flange 16a on the side opposite to the mounting plate 15, and the first flange 16a has a first notch 16b. The second gear 17 has a second connecting portion 17a on the side facing the mounting plate 15 that can be connected to the first connecting portion 24b of the cam 24, and a second flange 17d on the side opposite to the mounting plate 15. The second flange 17d has a second notch 17e and a first arrow 17f indicating the center of the second notch 17e. The third gear 18 has a third flange 18a on the side facing the mounting plate 15, and the third flange 18a has a third notch 18b and a fourth notch 18c. Furthermore, the third gear 18 has a second arrow 18d on the side opposite to the mounting plate 15 that indicates the center of the fourth notch 18c. Therefore, when attaching the second gear 17 and the third gear 18 to the mounting plate 15, with the second connecting portion 17a of the second gear 17 connected to the first connecting portion 24b of the cam 24, the third gear 18 can be easily meshed with the first gear 16 and the second gear 17 by aligning the first arrow 17f of the second gear 17 with the second arrow 18d of the third gear 18. Thus, the assembly work of the prize ball dispensing device 10 can be made more efficient, and the working time can be reduced.

[0040] In the case of conventional products, if a malfunction occurred because a store employee assembled the product without knowing the assembly order, it was sometimes impossible to determine whether the cause was the assembly work itself or the manufacturer's production process. However, in this embodiment, if the assembly order is unknown, the assembly itself is difficult, making it easy to determine the cause of the malfunction.

[0041] Furthermore, the first arrow 17f, which serves as the first marker, only needs to be provided on the side of the second gear 17 opposite to the mounting plate 15, and does not necessarily need to be provided on the second flange 17d. The second arrow 18d, which serves as the second marker, only needs to be provided on the side of the third gear 18 opposite to the mounting plate 15, and if the third flange 18a is provided on the side of the third gear 18 opposite to the mounting plate 15, it may be provided on the third flange 18a.

[0042] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the components can be modified and implemented in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Also, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the embodiments described above. For example, some components may be removed from all the components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 11...Case, 11d...First passage, 11e...Second passage, 16...First gear, 16a...First flange, 16b...First notch, 17...Second gear, 17a...Second connecting part, 17b...Slit, 17c...Side wall, 17d...Second flange, 17e...Second notch, 17f...First arrow (first marker), 18...Third gear, 18a...Third flange, 18b...Third notch, 18c...Fourth notch, 18d...Second arrow (second marker), 22...Motor, 24...Cam (rotating body), 24a...Shaft, 24b...First connecting part.

Claims

1. Cases that have a path for the ball, A mounting plate is provided in the case, having a first surface and a second surface parallel to the first surface, and covering the passage. A first gear, which is arranged on the first surface side of the mounting plate and driven by a motor, Displaced on the second surface side of the mounting plate, having a first connecting portion, a rotating body that moves the ball in the passage, A second gear is positioned on the first surface side of the mounting plate and has a second connecting portion on a surface facing the first surface that can be connected to the first connecting portion of the rotating body, A third gear is positioned on the first surface side of the mounting plate so as to be able to mesh with the first gear and the second gear, It is equipped with, The first gear is provided with a first flange on either the side of the mounting plate facing the first surface or the side opposite the first surface. The first flange is provided with a first notch in part, The second gear is provided with a second flange on the same side as the first flange, on the side of the mounting plate opposite to the first surface and on the side opposite to the first surface. The second flange is provided with a second notch in part, The third gear is provided with a third flange on the side of the mounting plate opposite to the first surface and on the side opposite to the first surface, which is opposite to the first and second flanges. The third flange comprises a third notch provided at a position corresponding to the first notch of the first gear, and a fourth notch provided at a position corresponding to the second notch of the second gear. A prize ball dispensing device characterized by the following features.

2. The prize ball dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fourth notch of the third flange has the same shape as the plurality of gears of the third gear.

3. The prize ball dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second gear has a side wall having a plurality of slits on the surface facing the mounting plate.

4. The prize ball dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first flange of the first gear and the second flange of the second gear are provided on the surfaces of the mounting plates of the first gear and the second gear opposite to the first surface, and the third flange of the third gear is provided on the surface of the mounting plate of the third gear facing the first surface.

5. The prize ball dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the second notch of the second gear and the fourth notch of the third gear are facing each other, the first notch of the first flange and the third notch of the third flange correspond to each other, and the second notch of the second flange and the fourth notch of the third flange correspond to each other.

6. The second gear is provided with a first mark indicating the center of the second notch on the surface of the mounting plate opposite to the first surface, The prize ball dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the third gear has a second mark indicating the center of the fourth notch on the surface of the mounting plate opposite to the first surface.

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