Pickup arm of a prize-winning game machine

Abstract

To reduce the number of actuators for simultaneous drive by allowing closing operation of an arm to show originality.SOLUTION: A pickup arm is allowed to have a lifting member 15 that moves up and down, and a pressing section 52 for rotating an arm 12 in an open direction by touching a depressed section 25a of a base end relative to a pivotal section 21 in the arm 12 from above is protrusively formed corresponding to the arm 12 in a lower section of the lifting member 15.In the meantime, a shelf board section 53 having space above and below is formed in a middle part in a vertical direction of the lifting member 15 in accordance with the arm 12, and a pin member 54 having a collar section 54a in an upper end is loosely retained by the shelf board section 53. A lower end of the pin member 54 and an adjacent position of the depressed section 25a in the arm 12 are connected by a tension spring 55. The arm 12 rotated in a closing direction because of a rise in the lifting member 15 increases its gripping force owing to its empty weight by extending the tension spring 55 by upper movement of the pin member 54 following further rise in the lifting member 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a prize acquisition gaming machine that allows a prize housed in the game space of a housing to be acquired by an external operation.

Background Art

[0002] As a device for operating on prizes and things that support them, there is a pickup arm having a plurality of rotating arms.

[0003] As disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, the pickup arm is attached to the tip of a suspension wire or the like, and can move in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction within the game space, and is also provided so as to be able to move up and down. Its main body case is formed in a cylindrical shape, and an arm is rotatably provided by an annular mounting base provided at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction on the outer peripheral surface of the main body case and an arm mounting portion provided movably up and down below the main body case. That is, the mounting base is provided with the same number of portions protruding in the outer peripheral direction as the number of arms, and a rotation support portion is pivotally supported on the protruding portion, and the proximal end side portion of the arm is rotatably supported at the lower end of the rotation support portion. The arm mounting portion is provided at the lower end of a cylinder that advances and retreats from the lower surface of the main body case by driving a motor housed inside the main body case, and supports the base of the arm so as to be rotatable.

[0004] When the pickup arm configured as described above protrudes the cylinder by driving the motor and lowers the arm mounting portion, the arm rotates in the opening direction, and conversely, when the cylinder is retracted and the arm mounting portion is raised, the arm rotates in the closing direction. That is, the operation of grasping the prize is performed by the vertical movement of the arm mounting portion based on the drive of the motor.

[0005] The operation of the arm is a grasping operation. However, when grasping, a plurality of arms start simultaneously. This is a mechanical movement and is not interesting.

[0006] In contrast, Patent Document 2 discloses a pickup arm equipped with independently opening and closing arms, and furthermore, an adjustable gripping force.

[0007] This pickup arm is constructed with a solenoid for each arm that controls the opening and closing motion of the arm, as well as a drive source for adjusting the gripping force. Specifically, the drive source is located in the center of the housing that makes up the pickup arm, and the solenoids are arranged around it. The base end of the arm is connected to an actuator protruding from the lower end of the solenoid via a spring. The position where the lower end of this spring is connected is on the outer circumference side of the pivot point at the base end of the arm. On the other hand, a nut member for vertical movement is provided on the output shaft of the drive source, and the upper end of a spring, separate from the above spring, is arranged on this vertical movement nut member corresponding to the arm. The position where the lower end of this spring is connected to the arm is on the inner circumference side of the pivot point at the base end of the arm.

[0008] In this type of pickup arm configuration, each solenoid can independently open and close the arm, and the gripping strength of the arm can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of spring tension at the drive source.

[0009] However, the independent rotation of the arms allows for games where, for example, multiple arms grab a prize, and then the player selects an arm to open, ultimately enabling the prize to be carried with a smaller number of arms, such as two, while maintaining balance. This relates to the type of game, and does not introduce any novelty to the grabbing method.

[0010] Moreover, the pickup arm described in Patent Document 2 requires a solenoid (drive source) for each arm, as well as a drive source for adjusting the gripping force, resulting in a large number of required drive sources. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6925659 [Patent Document 2] Registered Utility Model No. 3095996 Gazette [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] The main objectives of this invention are to introduce novelty to the closing operation of the arm and to simplify the configuration by reducing the number of actuators required for driving. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To that end, this invention provides the following pickup arm for a prize-winning game machine, which has an arm supported by a pivot at the base and whose tip rotates in an opening and closing direction.

[0014] In other words, the pickup arm is equipped with a vertically moving lifting member, and a pressing portion is provided projecting from the lower part of the lifting member, corresponding to the arm, which strikes the lower part to be pressed at the base end of the arm from above, rather than the pivot point, causing the arm to rotate in the opening direction. On the other hand, a shelf portion is formed in the middle of the vertical direction of the lifting member, corresponding to the arm, with space above and below it, and a pin member is loosely fitted and held in the shelf portion, having a flange portion that protrudes outward on its outer circumference at its upper end to prevent it from coming out downward. The lower end of the pin member and the adjacent position of the lower part to be pressed on the arm are connected by a tension spring. The arm, which rotates in the closing direction as the lifting member rises, is configured such that its gripping force becomes higher than the gripping force due to its own weight due to the extension of the tension spring caused by the upward movement of the pin member as the lifting member rises further.

[0015] In this configuration, the action for picking up prizes and the application of gripping force are performed solely by the vertical movement of the lifting member. Specifically, the waiting position is set with the lower part of the arm being pressed down appropriately by the lifting member. The prize picking operation is then initiated by raising the lifting member, and if multiple arms are provided, each arm closes with an independent movement. From this position, the lifting member is further raised to a predetermined height, the flange of the pin member is hooked onto the shelf, and the tension spring is stretched to accumulate gripping force. At this point, if the prize is grasped, the arm maintains the accumulated gripping force; if the prize is not grasped, the pin member and tension spring free the arm, causing it to rotate and close under its own weight. In the self-closed position, the arm lifts the tension spring and pin member, so the pin member floats in the air with its flange away from the shelf. In either case, at the position where the prize is to be dropped, the lifting member is lowered, and the lower part being pressed down by the pressing part opens the arm to its maximum extent. In the former case, if the prize is still being held at that point, the prize will fall. After that, the lifting mechanism is raised to a predetermined height to assume the aforementioned waiting position, and the above operation is repeated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to this invention, the flange portion of the pin member is hooked onto the shelf plate during the upward movement of the lifting member that closes the arm, thereby extending the tension spring. In the state before the tension spring exerts stress and attempts to close the arm with gripping force, the arm moves according to the situation. When multiple arms are provided, each arm does not necessarily start closing at the same time, but moves independently, allowing for a more natural movement for grasping prizes and adding a novelty to the arm closing operation.

[0017] The gripping force of the arm is applied by pulling up a pin member and extending a tension spring during the upward movement of the lifting member that closes the arm. Therefore, the gripping force can be applied simultaneously with the closing motion of the arm during the upward movement of the lifting member. As a result, there is no need to provide a separate drive source for applying the gripping force in addition to the opening and closing of the arm, which allows for a simplified and miniaturized configuration.

[0018] Regarding the drive source, as long as the lifting member can be lifted and lowered, for example, one motor is sufficient. Therefore, the structure of the pickup arm can be made extremely simple, and it is excellent in terms of miniaturization and the like.

Brief Explanation of Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the main part of the pickup arm. [Figure 2] Plan view of the pickup arm. [Figure 3] Structure explanatory diagram in a state of being cut along the A-A section in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] Structure explanatory diagram in a state where the arm is fully opened. [Figure 5] Structure explanatory diagram in a state where the arm is left to its own weight. [Figure 6] Schematic explanatory diagram showing the change in the height of the lifting member at each stage in the operation of the pickup arm. [Figure 7] Structure explanatory diagram showing the state of the arm etc. during standby. [Figure 8] Explanatory diagram showing the state of the arm etc. from standby to the start of gripping. [Figure 9] Explanatory diagram showing the state of the arm etc. from the start of gripping to the exertion of the gripping force. [Figure 10] Explanatory diagram showing the operation when gripping is successful. [Figure 11] Explanatory diagram showing the operation when gripping fails. [Figure 12] Structure explanatory diagram showing the pickup arm with the position of the motor changed

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] One embodiment for carrying out this invention will be described below using the drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the main part of a pickup arm 11 in a prize-winning game machine (not shown). This pickup arm 11 constitutes the tip of the crane in a so-called crane game machine and is equipped with multiple arms, specifically three arms 12, so that it can directly grasp prizes. The base of each arm 12 is rotatably supported, and the tip can rotate in the open and closed directions. In Figure 1, 13 indicates a pivot shaft that rotatably supports the base of the arm 12.

[0022] The three arms 12 are arranged at equal intervals, as shown in the plan view in Figure 2. Therefore, the structure is difficult to understand from the front or side views. For this reason, the following explanation will use a diagram showing two arms 12 arranged symmetrically, as shown in Figure 3. Figures such as Figure 3, which show the arms 12 arranged symmetrically, are cross-sections taken at position AA in Figure 2. For the sake of simplicity, the hatching indicating the cross-section has been omitted.

[0023] As shown in these figures, the pickup arm 11 is equipped with a lifting member 15 that moves up and down within the housing 14. To move the lifting member 15 up and down, a screw shaft 16 extending in the vertical direction is supported within the housing 14, and a sliding screw nut 17 that moves longitudinally (up and down) in accordance with the forward and reverse rotation of the screw shaft 16 is held on the screw shaft 16. The lifting member 15 is fixed below the sliding screw nut 17. To rotate the screw shaft 16 in forward and reverse directions, the rotation shaft 18a of a motor 18 that rotates in forward and reverse directions is connected to the upper end of the screw shaft 16. The motor 18 is composed of a stepping motor or a servo motor, etc., and is mounted on the same axis as the screw shaft 16. By aligning the motor 18 on the same axis as the screw shaft 16, the diameter of the housing 14 can be made as small as possible. Although not shown in the figures, necessary equipment such as a sensor to detect the stopping position of the motor 18 and a sensor to detect the rotation speed of the motor 18 are also provided.

[0024] The lifting member 15 is formed in an approximately polygonal prism shape, with a screw shaft 16 passing through its center in a plan view. It has protrusions 51 at 120-degree intervals on its outer surface for association with the arms 12. Each of these protrusions 51 is divided into two parts in the width direction: one is an opening operation part 51a, and the other is a pin holding part 51b. These protrusions 51, each having an opening operation part 51a and a pin holding part 51b, are arranged in three equal parts corresponding to the arms 12, so that the three arms 12 can each be opened and closed independently.

[0025] The opening operation section 51a has a pressing section 52 protruding from its lower part. The pressing section 52 is rod-shaped and strikes from above the portion of the arm 12 that is located at the base end of the pivot section 21 supported by the housing 14, thereby rotating the arm 12 in the opening direction.

[0026] Now, let's explain arm 12.

[0027] The arm 12 has the aforementioned pivot 21, which is rotatably supported, at its base end, and beyond the base side portion 22 having the pivot 21, it has an arm tip 24 that is oriented in a different direction from the base side portion 22, via a bent portion 23. The shape of the arm 12 and the position of the pivot 21 on the arm 12 are configured such that when the arm 12 is suspended by its own weight with the pivot 21 as the fulcrum, the arm tip 24 is close to a virtual center line C (see Figure 3) that extends in the vertical direction of the pickup arm 11.

[0028] Specifically, the arm 12 has a straight base side portion 22, and when the base side portion 22 is horizontal, the bent portion 23 has an outward-sloping portion 23a that extends diagonally downward outwards, and an inward-sloping portion 23b that extends diagonally downward inwards from the tip of the outward-sloping portion 23a. The inward-sloping portion 23b is shorter than the outward-sloping portion 23a, and is of a length that allows a space to be formed inside the arm tip 24 where a prize can be placed when the base side portion 22 is in a nearly horizontal position. Furthermore, a flat tongue-shaped piece 25 is formed at the base end of the base side portion 22, extending diagonally downward when the base side portion 22 is horizontal. One side of the tongue-shaped piece 25 in the width direction is the pressed portion 25a, which is the part that the pressing portion 52 provided on the opening operation portion 51a of the lifting member 15 contacts. The other end of the tongue piece 25 corresponds to the pin holding portion 51b of the lifting member 15, and a fastening portion 25b is provided protruding from its upper surface.

[0029] Since the tongue-shaped piece 25 that constitutes the pressed portion 25a of the arm 12 is flat, an arcuate surface 52a that draws a convex arc in the longitudinal direction of the arm 12 is formed at the lower end of the pressing portion 52 of the lifting member 15.

[0030] The pin holding portion 51b of the lifting member 15 has a shelf portion 53 formed in the middle of its vertical direction, with space above and below it. A through hole 53a is formed in the shelf portion 53, penetrating in the thickness direction, and the pin member 54 is loosely fitted and held therein. The upper end of the pin member 54 has a flange portion 54a that is larger in diameter than the through hole 53a and protrudes outward, and the thickness of the flange portion 54a is thinner than the height of the space above the shelf portion 53. The length of the shaft portion 54b below the flange portion 54a is longer than the thickness of the shelf portion 53, and the lower end portion 54c is formed to protrude into the space below the shelf portion 53 when the pin member 54 is raised to its maximum extent relative to the lifting member 15. In other words, the pin member 54 moves relative to the through hole 53a of the shelf plate portion 53 with the portion above the lower end 54c of the shaft portion 54b, and the flange portion 54a moves up and down in the space above the shelf plate portion 53, preventing it from coming out below the shelf plate portion 53.

[0031] A tension spring 55 is connected between the lower end 54c of the pin member 54 and the adjacent position of the pressed portion 25a on the arm 12, i.e., the fastening portion 25b. The tension spring 55 is made of a coil spring and generates stress (repulsive force) that causes it to contract when pulled beyond a certain level.

[0032] The length of the tension spring 55 and its relationship to the surrounding members are set as follows. As shown in Figure 4, when the lifting member 15 is lowered and the base end side portion 22 of the arm 12 is made horizontal and opened to its maximum extent, the tension spring 55 of its natural length pushes up the pin member 54, so that the flange portion 54a of the pin member 54 is positioned at the upper end of the space above the shelf portion 53. Also, as shown in Figure 5, when the lifting member 15 is raised and the arm 12 rotates and hangs down by its own weight, that is, in a free state with a gripping force due to its own weight, the tension spring 55 of its natural length pushes up the pin member 54. At this time, the flange portion 54a is located in the middle of the vertical direction in the space above the shelf portion 53. Furthermore, the pickup arm 11 is configured such that when the lifting member 15 rises, the arms 12 rotate in the closing direction, and as the lifting member 15 rises further, the extension of the tension spring 55 due to the upward movement of the pin member 54 increases the gripping force, making it greater than the gripping force due to its own weight.

[0033] The series of actions by the pickup arm 11 from grasping the prize to releasing it can be conceptually represented as shown in Figure 6, with the vertical position of the lifting member 15 on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis. In other words, the grasping and releasing actions and the application of gripping force occur during the one-stroke movement of the lifting member 15 from rising to descending.

[0034] Specifically, it is as follows (see Figures 7 to 11).

[0035] During standby and at the start of the game ([1]), as shown in Figure 7, the lifting member 15 is raised higher than when the arm 12 is fully open (see dashed line) so that it closes to a predetermined angle narrower than the maximum opening of the arm 12. At this time, the pressing portion 52 of the lifting member 15 is pressing down the pressed portion 25a of the arm 12.

[0036] When the game start switch is operated, as shown in Figure 8, the pickup arm 11 moves horizontally and stops at the position determined by the player, and then descends, the gripping operation at that position (prize X position) begins ([2]). First, the motor 18 drives the screw shaft 16 by a predetermined amount to raise the lifting member 15 (arrow a), and in some cases, the arms 12 are completely closed as the pickup arm 11 rises (arrow b). At this time, the lifting member 15 rises independently of the pin member 54 without stretching the tension spring 55. The gripping force of the three arms 12 is due to the weight of the arms 12, and depending on the condition of the part where the arm tip 24 is located, for example, whether or not it is touching prize X, whether or not it is touching other prize X, etc., each arm 12 tries to rotate in the closing direction with a gentle force. In other words, the lifting member 15 is raised until the shelf plate portion 53 approaches or comes into contact with the flange portion 54a of the pin member 54, which does not move in conjunction with the lifting member 15. This is a preparatory step before the arm 12 exerts gripping force ([3]).

[0037] Next, as shown in Figure 9, the lifting member 15 is raised further by a predetermined amount (height) (arrow c). This is the process of applying gripping force ([4]). As the lifting member 15 rises further, the flange 54a of the pin member 54 catches on the shelf 53, extending the tension spring 55 and applying gripping force to the prize X held by the arm 12 (arrow d). The gripping force can be changed by the amount the lifting member 15 rises. If the prize X is held when the gripping force is applied, the gripping force will be maintained during the subsequent rise of the pickup arm 11 and during the horizontal movement after the rise (Figure 10(a)).

[0038] On the other hand, if prize X is not grasped, that is, if the gripping of prize X fails and it falls off, the arm 12 rotates under its own weight to the closed position. In other words, as shown in Figure 5, the arm tip 24 approaches the virtual center line C extending vertically from the pickup arm 11, resulting in a closed state due to its own weight (Figure 11(a)). At this time, the arm 12 lifts the tension spring 55 and the pin member 54, and the pin member 54 floats in the air with its flange portion 54a separated from the shelf portion 53.

[0039] If the prize X is grabbed as in the former case, the gripping state is maintained and the arm moves to the release point, and as shown in Figure 10(b), the lifting member 15, which has been intermittently rising, is lowered to the lowest position and the arm 12 is opened to its maximum extent ([5]). As a result, the prize X that was being held falls and is removed from the game machine. If the prize X is not grabbed as in the latter case, the arm 12 moves to the release point in a closed state due to its own weight, as shown in Figure 11(a), and the lifting member 15 is lowered to the lowest position as shown in Figure 11(b). As a result, the arm 12 is opened to its maximum extent, similar to when the prize X is grabbed ([5]).

[0040] Next, the lifting member 15, with the arm 12 fully extended, is raised slightly as shown by the solid line in Figure 7 to enter the aforementioned standby state ([1]) and wait for the next game to start.

[0041] As described above, the action for picking up prizes and the application of gripping force are performed solely by the vertical movement of the lifting member 15. Therefore, the structure can be simplified, miniaturization is possible, and the application and control of gripping force are easy. Moreover, since the lifting member 15 consists of a screw shaft 16 and a single motor 18 that rotates it in forward and reverse directions, the structure is extremely simple and reliable control is also possible.

[0042] The shape of the arm 12 and the position of the pivot point 21 on the arm 12 are configured such that when the arm 12 is supported by its own weight with the pivot point 21 as the fulcrum, the tip of the arm 12 is close to the virtual center line C of the pickup arm 11. Therefore, the ability to close the arm 12 by its own weight can be effectively utilized to perform the gripping action, which also simplifies the configuration. Moreover, if the prize is not grasped, the arm 12 will immediately close by its own weight, which does not give the player the impression that it is being manipulated and can increase their motivation to play the game.

[0043] For the gripping action of the arm 12, a pin member 54 is loosely fitted and held in the lifting member 15, and the base end of the arm 12 is connected to this pin member 54 via a tension spring 55, allowing for switching between a stage where the tension spring 55 is extended and a stage where it is not extended. Therefore, instead of multiple arms 12 starting to close simultaneously before stress is generated in the tension spring 55, each moves independently according to the situation. Then, when the tension spring 55 is applied to exert gripping force, the arm 12 actively moves to close. As a result, a natural gripping action with independent movements is possible, adding a novelty to the closing action of the arm 12 and stimulating the desire to play the game.

[0044] The above configuration is one embodiment for carrying out this invention, and this invention is not limited to the above configuration; other configurations can also be adopted.

[0045] For example, as shown in Figure 12, the motor 18 may be configured to be arranged parallel to the screw shaft 16. The motor 18 is housed between the protrusions 51. This configuration is convenient when a low height is desired or when a large diameter is acceptable. In Figure 12, the same reference numerals are used for parts identical to those in the previously described configuration, and their detailed explanations are omitted.

[0046] The arm 12 may consist of a single arm.

[0047] The shape of the arm 12 may be other shapes, such as an L-shape or C-shape when viewed from the side. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 11... Pickup arm 12... Arm 15…Lifting / lowering member 16... Screw shaft 18…motor 21…Central branch 25a...Pressed part 51...Protruding part 51a...Opening operation part 51b...Pin holding part 52... Pressing part 53...Shelf section 54...Pin component 54a…Tsubabe 54c…lower end 55...Tension spring

Claims

1. A pickup arm for a prize-winning game machine, which is supported by a pivot at the base and has an arm whose tip rotates in an opening direction and a closing direction, It is equipped with a lifting member that moves up and down, A pressing portion is provided at the lower part of the lifting member, corresponding to the arm, which strikes from above the lower part of the arm that is pressed at the base end, rather than the pivot point, causing the arm to rotate in the opening direction. A shelf portion is formed in the upper and lower intermediate part of the lifting member, corresponding to the arm, with space above and below it. A pin member is loosely fitted and held in place on the shelf board, having a flange portion that protrudes outward on the outer circumference at its upper end to prevent it from coming loose downwards. The lower end of the pin member and the adjacent position of the pressed portion on the arm are connected by a tension spring. The arm, which rotates in the closing direction as the lifting member rises, is configured such that its gripping force becomes greater than the gripping force due to its own weight as the tension spring extends due to the upward movement of the pin member as the lifting member rises further. The pickup arm of a prize-winning game machine.

2. The shape of the arm and the position of the pivot point on the arm are such that when the arm is suspended by its own weight with the pivot point as the fulcrum, the tip of the arm is close to a virtual center line extending vertically from the pickup arm. A pickup arm for a prize-winning game machine as described in claim 1.

3. The lifting member is provided on a screw shaft that extends in the vertical direction, A motor that rotates in both forward and reverse directions is connected to the aforementioned screw shaft. A pickup arm for a prize-winning game machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The motor is mounted on the same axis as the screw shaft. A pickup arm for a prize-winning game machine as described in claim 3.

5. The motor is arranged parallel to the screw shaft. A pickup arm for a prize-winning game machine as described in claim 3.

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