A crane game machine with multiple interconnected prize display sections.

Abstract

To reduce the burden on staff involved in replenishing prizes, the prize display units are arranged in multiple tiers vertically, and the movement of each tier of prize display units is synchronized when prizes are dropped and replenished. [Solution] A lifting member is suspended by a crane and operated. The lifting member has a hook portion for hooking and lifting, and a base member that rotates upward as the hook portion rises. The prize placement section has multiple levels arranged downwards. The first prize placement section, which is located at the bottom of the multiple levels, is pivotally attached at its rear end and is in a horizontal position when its front end is locked to the base member. When the hook portion is lifted by the lifting member, the base member rotates upward and the lock is released, causing the first prize placement section to tilt and the prize placed on it to fall.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a crane game machine, and particularly to a crane game machine in which prize placement sections are arranged in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction and these prize placement sections are interlocked with each other.

Background Art

[0002] In a general crane game machine, a catcher provided below a crane is operated, and prizes are directly grasped and lifted by this catcher to be obtained. In contrast, the applicant of the present application has previously proposed a new crane game machine in which, separately from a hook section that catches and lifts by crane operation, a prize placement section is provided, and in conjunction with the play of lifting this hook section, the prize placement section tilts in an inclined direction and prizes placed on this prize placement section fall (Patent Document 1). In the above crane game machine, the prize placement section was arranged in one stage, but in the present invention, the prize placement sections are arranged in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction and these prize placement sections are interlocked with each other.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to reduce the burden on staff related to prize replenishment by arranging prize placement sections in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction and interlocking the movements of the prize placement sections at each stage when these prizes are replenished by falling.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The crane game machine according to the present invention has a lifting member suspended by a crane, a hook portion for hooking and lifting with the lifting member, and a base member that rotates upward as the hook portion rises, and has prize placement sections arranged in multiple stages in the vertical direction, the first prize placement section located at the lowest stage of the multiple prize placement sections is pivotally attached at its rear end and is in a horizontal state when its front end is locked to the base member, and when the hook portion is lifted by the lifting member, the base The device is characterized in that a component rotates upward and the lock is released, causing the first prize placement section to tilt and the prize placed on it to fall, and the device has a return means to return the first prize placement section from the tilted state to a horizontal state, and a detection means to detect when the first prize placement section has returned to a horizontal state, and when the detection means detects the return, the second to Nth prize placement sections placed on it sequentially tilt, and the prizes placed on them are replenished onto the first prize placement section.

[0006] In this game, the crane game machine operates a lifting member located at the bottom of the crane to lift the hook. If the player successfully hooks and lifts the hook, the front end of the first prize placement section tilts downwards, causing the prize placed on it to fall and be retrieved from the game machine's dispenser. In this case, the hook portion is provided on the upper surface of the base member to which the rear end is pivotally attached. As a result, when the hook portion is hooked onto the lifting member and lifted, the front end of the base member rotates upward, and consequently the locking of the first prize placement portion, which was locked to the locking portion of the base member, is released, causing it to change from a horizontal to an inclined state, and the prize placed on it falls. When the detection means detects that the first prize placement section has tilted and a prize has fallen, the recovery means is activated and the first prize placement section returns to a horizontal position.

[0007] Here, the second to the Nth prize placement section is pivotally attached at its rear end and is in a horizontal position when locked to the horizontal holding means. When the first prize placement section returns to a horizontal position after being tilted, the signal causes the second to the Nth prize placement section to tilt sequentially.

[0008] These second to Nth prize placement sections are arranged in multiple tiers above the first prize placement section. Here, the expression "the Nth prize placement section" means that if N is 3 or greater, there is no limit to the number of such sections. Furthermore, the second to the Nth prize placement sections are each plate-shaped, and their rear ends are pivotally supported on the inside of the rear surface of the crane game cabinet. Each prize placement section has a locking piece and is locked to a horizontal holding means having a pin-shaped locking portion that is controlled to extend and retract by a solenoid or the like, keeping it in a horizontal position. The locked and unlocked states are detected by sensors and recorded in the control unit. In this horizontal position, prizes are placed in each prize placement area. When it is detected that the first prize placement section has returned to a horizontal position, the prizes placed on the second to the Nth prize placement sections are not dropped into the game machine's dispensing opening, but are instead sequentially replenished on the upper surface of the first prize placement section at the bottom.

[0009] The prizes come in a variety of sizes, both large and small. Therefore, in order to accommodate larger prizes, the present invention provides a configuration in which multiple base members or the first prize placement section and the second to Nth prize placement sections are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction, and the parallel-arranged base members or the first prize placement section have connecting means for connecting each other. Each of the multiple base members arranged horizontally has a corresponding sensor, and the prize placement section located above each base member is linked by the signals from these sensors. Therefore, by connecting at least two base members on the left and right, it is possible to place large prizes that span across the prize placement sections on both sides. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In this invention, if the prize is lifted by the crane using a hook and dropped directly to the prize dispensing opening in the machine, there is a risk that the prize will be subjected to a large impact when it falls. Therefore, the prizes that were stocked on each of the second to Nth stepped prize placement sections are first dropped to the first prize placement section below and replenished, thereby keeping the height from which the prize falls low. This reduces the impact on the prizes compared to conventional methods where they fall directly into the game machine's dispensing slot. Furthermore, since the replenishment of prizes in each prize display area can be done all at once, it reduces the amount of manpower required. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This shows an overall diagram of the crane game machine according to the present invention. [Figure 2] The images show the state in which the hook portion is hooked and lifted by crane operation. (a) shows the hooked state, and (b) shows the state in which the hook portion is raised and the front end of the base member rotates upward. [Figure 3] Figures (a) and (b) show the movement in which the first prize placement section returns to a horizontal position by a shaft that is provided as a means of returning it to a horizontal position by pushing upward from below. [Figure 4] Examples of the fourth prize placement section being tilted and prize d being replenished in the first prize placement section are shown in (a) and (b). [Figure 5] This example shows how the left and right base members, arranged in parallel horizontally, are connected by connecting members provided on their lower surfaces. [Figure 6] An example of the hook shape is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] An example of the configuration of a crane game machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the figures, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, as long as a plurality of prize placement parts are arranged in the vertical direction and their movements are linked.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the crane game machine 10 has a transparent panel body on the front side of a box-shaped housing and has an operation unit of the crane game machine. A support portion 21 is provided inside the rear surface of the housing, and the rear ends of a plurality of prize placement portions (14A to 17A) provided as the second to Nth prize placement portions are pivotally attached thereto, and the front ends are rotatable in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the first prize placement portion 13A arranged at the lowermost side is formed in a plate shape as shown in FIGS. 1 and FIG. 2, and the rear end portion 13b is pivotally attached to a sub-frame 23a in the left-right direction.

[0014] The horizontal holding structure of the first prize placement portion 13A will be described below. The rear end portion of the base member 12A is pivotally attached to a pivot frame 24a arranged in the left-right direction via a pivot portion 12b. On the upper surface of the base member 12A, a substantially L-shaped hook portion 12a is attached. The hook portion 12a is bent in an L shape toward the free end side in front of the base member 12A, and in a horizontal state, the free end portion 12d which is the front end portion of the base member is held so as to rest on a support frame 24b arranged in the left-right direction. By operating the crane 11 by operating the operation buttons 18a and 18b of the operation unit, the hook portion 12a can be hooked by a suspension member 11a suspended below the crane 11, and when lifted upward, the free end portion 12d of the base member 12A rotates upward accordingly. A locking portion 12c is provided from the lower side of the base member 12A. In a state where the front end portion (locked portion) 13c of the first prize placement portion 13A is locked to the locking portion 12c, the first prize placement portion 13A is held in a horizontal state. However, when the hook portion 12a is lifted by the suspension member 11a as described above, the base member 12A rotates, the locking by the locking portion 12c is released, the first prize placement portion 13A falls forward and inclines, and the prize 1a drops and can be obtained from the outlet 19 shown in FIG. 1.

[0015] When the first prize placement section 13A tilts forward, this movement is detected by a detection means such as a sensor 22b. As shown in Figure 3(a), the push-up shaft 31, which is provided as a horizontal return means from below, is raised by the drive unit of the drive unit 32, and the first prize placement unit 13A returns to a horizontal position.

[0016] The second to the nth prize placement sections 14A to 17A are each plate-shaped as shown in Figures 1 and 2, with their rear ends pivotally attached to the support section 21, and each prize placement section has a locking piece 22a protruding from it. The locking portion 122, which is controlled to protrude and retract by a horizontal holding means 22 such as a solenoid provided on the support portion 21, holds the locking piece 22a in a horizontal position, and the prizes 1b to 1e are placed on it. As explained in Figures 2 and 3, when the detection means detects that the first prize placement section has returned to a horizontal position, the signal is transmitted to the horizontal holding means 22 of the second prize placement section 14A, causing the second prize placement section 14A to tilt forward, and the prize 1b slides onto the first prize placement section 13A and is replenished, as shown in Figure 3(b). Each of the second to the Nth prize placement section is fitted with a sensor 22b, and by detecting a forward tilt state with the sensor 22b, the prize placement sections are controlled to tilt sequentially from the lower to the upper levels. As a result, as shown in Figure 4, prizes are sequentially replenished on the first prize placement section 13A. Furthermore, when the front end of each prize placement section is lifted upward, a spring-loaded pin-shaped locking mechanism returns it to a horizontal position.

[0017] There is no limit to the number of prize placement sections that can be arranged in the left-right direction, but in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the base members 12A are arranged in parallel in four locations horizontally in the left-right direction, and correspondingly, the first prize sections 13A are also arranged in parallel in four locations. Similarly, this example shows the second prize placement section 14A, the third prize placement section 15A, the fourth prize placement section 16A, and the fifth prize placement section 17A arranged in four parallel rows. In Figure 1, prize placement areas are provided corresponding to 12A to 12D, and some of the labeling has been omitted. By arranging multiple first prize placement units and second to Nth prize placement units in parallel in the left-right direction, as shown in Figure 5, they can be connected by a connecting member 41 and operated as a single unit. The example shown in Figure 5 involves attaching one end of a connecting bar-shaped connecting portion 41 to the lower surface of one base member 12B via a pivot attachment portion 41a, and fitting the other end into a key-shaped connecting recess 41b provided on the other base member 12A. There are no restrictions on how the left and right base members are connected, but since the first prize placement sections 13A to 13D and the upper section 14A to 14D, 15A to 15D, 16A to 16D, and 17A to 17D are linked to the movement of each base member, it is possible to accommodate large prizes simply by connecting the base members together.

[0018] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, there are no restrictions on the shape of the hook portion 12a, as long as the base member 12A rotates and the lifting member 11a detaches from the hook portion 12a. For example, it may have a curved shape as shown in Figure 6. [Explanation of symbols]

[0019] 10 Crane game machines 11 Cranes 11a Lifting member 12a Hook part 12b Pivot joint 12c Locking part 12A Base component 13A First Prize Display Section 14A Second Prize Display Section 15A Third Prize Placement Section 16A Fourth Prize Placement Section 17A Fifth Prize Display Section 19 Outlet 21 Support part 21a Pivot joint 22 Horizontal holding means 22a Locked piece 22b Sensor 23a Subframe 24a Pivot Frame 24b Support frame 31. Recovery method 122 Locking part

Claims

1. The lifting member is suspended by a crane and operated, and the device has a hook portion for hooking and lifting with the lifting member, and a base member that rotates upward as the hook portion rises. It has prize placement sections arranged in multiple tiers in the vertical direction, The first prize-holding section, located at the bottom of the multiple prize-holding sections, is pivotally attached at its rear end and is in a horizontal position when its front end is locked to the base member. When the hook portion is lifted by the lifting member, the base member rotates upward and the lock is released, causing the first prize placement portion to tilt and the prize placed on it to fall. The first prize placement section has a return mechanism to return it from the inclined state to a horizontal state, A crane game machine characterized by having a detection means for detecting when the first prize placement section returns to a horizontal position, and when the detection means detects the return, the second to Nth prize placement sections placed on it sequentially become inclined, and the prizes that were placed on them are replenished onto the first prize placement section.

2. The second to the nth prize placement section is pivotally attached at its rear end and is in a horizontal position when locked to the horizontal holding means. The crane game machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the second to Nth prize placement sections are tilted sequentially based on a detection signal from a detection means that detects when the first prize placement section returns to a horizontal state after being tilted.

3. The base member or the first prize placement section and the second to Nth prize placement sections are arranged in parallel horizontally in multiple locations. The crane game machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the parallel-arranged base members or prize placement sections have connecting means for connecting each other.

Images