JPH08112437A - Gaming media polishing device and gaming machine island - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] A game with a simple structure that can significantly reduce the cost, can use the space in the gaming machine island as effectively as possible, and can significantly reduce the cost. To provide a medium polishing device. Also, to provide a gaming machine island that can reduce the space occupied by the island and can respond to a request for space saving in a gaming shop. [Structure] A game medium polishing device 30 comprises a plurality of polishing units 30A to 30 arranged so as to be continuous in the longitudinal direction.
Each gaming machine 2 is provided with C and by opening and closing the guide members 38 and 39 provided between the polishing units 30A to 30C.
The length of the polishing span in which the polishing units 30A to 30C are connected can be adjusted in accordance with the increase in the unpolished game medium discharged from No. 1. Further, the island middle tier 20B is formed by arranging a plurality of gaming machines 21 back to back so as to extend in the lateral direction in a state of being in contact with each other without interposing other gaming-related equipment between their backs.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game medium polishing apparatus which is installed in a lower stage of a game machine island in which a plurality of game machines are arranged in parallel and which conveys a game medium used in the game machine while polishing the same. Here, the game machine mainly refers to a pachinko machine, and the game medium is a pachinko ball.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of apparatus, for example, there is a game medium polishing apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. That is, the stirrer cylinder 4 in which the coil body 3 that is driven to rotate by the motor 2 is installed, the separating portion 5 of the abrasive C that follows the discharge port 4a of the stirrer cylinder 4, the separating portion 5 and the stirring cylinder. 4 entrance 4b
And a return tube 6 for connecting the.

The pachinko ball P enters the receiving port 4b from the carry-in path 7 and the discharging port 6a of the returning cylinder 6 to the receiving port 4 of the stirring han cylinder 4.
The abrasive material C entered in b is mixed and agitated by the coil body 3 in the agitating cylinder 4 and discharged from the discharge port 4a, and the abrasive material C is separated by the separating portion 5 so that only the pachinko ball P comes from the gutter 8. Sent out. The abrasive material C separated by the separating portion 5 falls on the hopper 6b, passes through the inside of the return cylinder 6 and returns to the discharge port 6a for circulation. The decrease amount of the abrasive C and the like are replenished from the replenishment tank 9.

Such a polishing apparatus 1 is shown in FIG.
It is installed integrally with the gaming machine island 10 as shown in FIG. Above the gaming machine island 10, a storage tank 11 for pachinko balls polished by the gaming medium polishing apparatus 1 is arranged. Further, a lower tank 13 that stores a spare pachinko ball is connected to the storage tank 11 via a bypass 12. When the amount of pachinko balls in the storage tank 11 is reduced, the lower tank 13 is used by the game media polishing device 1.
The pachinko balls stored in the storage tank 11 are supplied to the storage tank 11.

As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the gaming machine island 10 is constructed by arranging a plurality of pachinko machines 14 side by side in a lateral direction side by side, with the island front surface side and the island rear surface side. The back faces of the pachinko machine rows arranged in a line are arranged so as to be separated from each other. In the space between the backs of the pachinko machine rows forming the middle stage of the island, a paper piece conveying device 16 is arranged to convey the banknotes sent out from the ball lending machine 15 in the island lateral direction.

[0006] As described above, since it is necessary to secure a space for arranging the paper piece transporting device 16 between the respective pachinko machine rows, the depth of the entire island is at least two pachinko machine boards 14. Paper piece transport device 1 with a corresponding depth width
It was necessary to set the size in consideration of 6.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional game medium polishing apparatus 1, the polishing section such as the stirring han cylinder 4 for polishing the pachinko balls and the separating section for separating and collecting the polishing material. 5, and a recovery section such as the return tube 6, and a tank for storing the polished pachinko balls needs to be provided at the upper part of the island or at the lower part. Therefore, there are problems that the number of parts is increased and the overall configuration tends to be complicated, which is a great obstacle in reducing the cost and requires a very large installation space. Moreover, a separate structure for separating the pachinko ball and the abrasive material C is required, and a part of the abrasive material C is carried together with the pachinko ball.
There was a risk that it would enter the board of No. 4 and cause a failure.

Further, in the conventional game machine island 10 equipped with the game medium polishing apparatus 1, the depth width thereof is a pachinko machine 14
The size is almost standardized by adding the paper piece conveying device 16 to the two units. Therefore, even if you want to increase the number of pachinko machines without expanding the floor area of the game store, in relation to the island width,
The problem was that the number of islands that could be installed on the floor was limited. In view of such circumstances, there has been a strong demand for the development of a space-saving gaming machine island that can reduce the occupied space in the depth direction of the island and increase the number of islands that can be installed on the floor.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the problems of the prior art as described above. The structure is simple and the cost can be significantly reduced, and the space in the gaming machine island is used as effectively as possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game medium polishing apparatus capable of playing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine island which is equipped with the above-mentioned gaming medium polishing apparatus and which can reduce the occupied space of the island and can meet the request for space saving in the gaming shop.

[0010]

The gist of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object lies in the following respective items.

1. A game which is installed in a lower stage (20A) in a game machine island (20) in which a plurality of game machines (21) are arranged side by side and which conveys a game medium used in the game machine (21) while polishing the same. The medium polishing apparatus (30), which is the lower stage of the island (20A)
A plurality of polishing units (30A to 30C) are arranged inside the island so as to be continuous with each other in the longitudinal direction, and each polishing unit (30A to 30C) includes a pair of conveyors (31a, 31b). ) Are arranged side by side in parallel in the vertical direction with an interval enough to sandwich the game medium between the conveyor belts (32), and the pair of conveyors (31a, 3a)
At least one of the conveyor belts (32) of 1b) is formed of an abrasive, and one polishing unit (30A / 30B)
Between the end side of the first polishing unit (30A / 30B) and the start side of the next polishing unit (30B / 30C) following the first polishing unit (30A / 30B). While the game medium is guided to the starting end side of the game medium, a guide member (38, 39) for dropping the game medium from the gap between the one end side and the next starting end side when opened is provided. Device (30).

2 A game which is installed in a lower stage (20A) in a game machine island (20) in which a plurality of game machines (21) are arranged side by side and which conveys a game medium used in the game machine (21) while polishing the same. A medium polishing apparatus (30) comprising a plurality of polishing units (30A to 30C) arranged in a lower stage of an island along the longitudinal direction of the island so as to be continuous in the longitudinal direction. -30C) is a pair of conveyors (31a, 31b) arranged side by side in parallel with each other with an interval sufficient to sandwich the game medium between the conveyor belts (32). In one of the polishing units (30A / 3), a polishing layer made of an abrasive is provided on the front side of at least one of the conveyor belts (32).
0B) and the one polishing unit (30A / 30)
Between the start end side of the next polishing unit (30B / 30C) following B), it can be opened and closed, and when closed, it guides the game medium from one end side to the next start side, while it is opened. A game medium polishing device (30), characterized in that a guide member (38, 39) for dropping the game medium through a gap between one end side and the next start side is provided.

3 In accordance with the increase of the unpolished game medium discharged from each gaming machine (21), each of the polishing units (30
A to 30C) is a control means (100) for adjusting the length of a polishing span, and each time the unpolished game medium is increased by a predetermined amount, the unpolished game medium is first introduced from the upstream side in order. 3. The game medium polishing according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising control means (100) for displacing a guide member (38, 39) between the polishing units (30A to 30C) from a normal open state to a closed state. Device (30).

4 In accordance with the increase of the unpolished game medium discharged from each gaming machine (21), each of the polishing units (30
A to 30C) is a control means (110) for adjusting the length of a polishing span, and each time the unpolished game medium is increased by a predetermined amount, the unpolished game medium is first introduced from the upstream side in sequence. Control means (11) for starting the operation of the conveyor (31a, 31b) of each polishing unit (30A to 30C)
0), and the guide members (38, 39) between the polishing units (30A to 30C) are configured to be displaced from the open state to the closed state by the weight of a certain amount of the game medium, and each polishing unit. On the guide members (38, 39) between (30A to 30C), the upstream conveyors (31a, 31).
When the b) is stopped, the downstream conveyor (3
3. The game medium polishing apparatus (30) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a pool portion (36) capable of retaining the game medium sent from 1a, 31b) by the fixed amount.

5 Each of the polishing units (30A-30
C), the height position of the next polishing unit (30B / 30C) subsequent to the one polishing unit (30A / 30B) becomes lower than that of the one polishing unit (30A / 30B), and the conveying belts ( 32) The game medium polishing device (30) according to any one of items 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the device 32 is arranged so as to extend in a substantially horizontal direction.

6 Each of the polishing units (30A to 30)
C), the starting end sides of the conveyor belts (32) are aligned at substantially the same height position, and the conveyor belts (3)
2. The game medium polishing apparatus (30a) according to item 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein 2) is arranged so as to incline upward from the starting end side toward the terminal end side.

7 A plurality of gaming machines (21), which are constructed to form an island middle tier (20B) and are back-to-back, are laterally connected to each other without interposing other gaming-related equipment between their backs. A gaming machine installation section having a depth width corresponding to two gaming machines (21) arranged in a row so as to face each other back to back, and an island lower stage (20A) below the gaming machine installation section. It is constructed so as to form a box-shaped frame that stores the game medium discharged from each gaming machine (21) as it is, and inside thereof is item 1, item 2, item 3, item 4, item 5, or item 6. A game machine island (20), comprising: a game medium polishing pool in which the game medium polishing device (30) described in (1) is arranged.

[0018]

A plurality of polishing units (30A to 30C) constituting the game medium polishing apparatus (30) are respectively provided with a pair of conveyors (31a, 31b) and their conveyor belts (3).
2) The game media are formed in parallel with each other with an interval enough to hold the game medium therebetween. Each polishing unit (30A-30
At least one of the conveyor belts (32) of the pair of conveyors (31a, 31b) of C) is formed of an abrasive material. Alternatively, a polishing layer made of an abrasive may be provided on the front side of at least one of the conveyor belts (32). Here, the abrasive is composed mainly of, for example, 6-nylon, and is also mixed with a static electricity removing material, a polishing enhancing material, or is synthesized with other synthetic resin, fiber material, or the like.

The polishing units (30A to 30C) are arranged in the lower stage (20A) of the gaming machine island (20) in which a plurality of gaming machines (21) are arranged side by side so as to be continuous with each other along the island longitudinal direction. Just set it up. One polishing unit (30A / 30
B) end side and subsequent polishing unit (30B
A guide member (38, 39) that can be opened and closed is provided between the / 30C) and the start end side. Such guide members (38, 3
9) is closed, each polishing unit (30A-30
It is possible to smoothly transfer the game medium between C). On the other hand, when the guide members (38, 39) are opened, the game medium can be dropped downward from the gap between the polishing units (30A to 30C).

The game medium is the polishing unit (30A to 3A).
One polishing unit (30 located on the most upstream side of 0C)
When it is introduced to the start end side between the pair of conveyors (31a, 31b) in A), it is polished by the transfer belt (32) while moving to the end side while being sandwiched by the upper and lower transfer belts (32). When the guide members (38, 39) are open, the game medium is one polishing unit (30A).
/ 30B) from the end side of the polishing unit (30A
To 30C) are sequentially transferred to the starting end side of the polishing unit, and after being repeatedly polished, the polishing unit (30
A to 30C).

By opening and closing the guide members (38, 39), the polishing units (30A to 30C) corresponding to the increase in the unpolished game medium discharged from the gaming machines (21).
It is also possible to adjust the length of the polishing span which is continuous. For example, each time the unpolished game medium increases by a predetermined amount by the control means (100), the guide member (38, 30) between the polishing units (30A to 30C) is sequentially arranged from the upstream side where the unpolished game medium is first introduced. 39) may be displaced from the normal open state to the closed state.

As a result, the polishing capacity of the game medium polishing apparatus (30) can be increased as the unpolished game medium increases by a predetermined amount, that is, as the number of players increases. Unnecessary polishing by the medium polishing device (30) can be prevented.

Further, by another control means (110),
Each time the unpolished game medium is increased by a predetermined amount, the polishing units (3
It may be set to start the operation of the conveyors (31a, 31b) of 0A to 30C). In this case, the guide members (38, 3) between the polishing units (30A to 30C).
9) When the upstream conveyors (31a, 31b) are stopped in the pool portion (36) provided above, the game media sent from the downstream operating conveyors (31a, 31b) Stay.

When a certain amount of the game medium is stored in the pool portion (36), the weight of the game medium causes the guide members (38, 39) to be displaced from the open state to the closed state, so that the game medium drops downward.
Thereby, according to the another control means (110), when the number of game players is small, unnecessary operation of the game medium polishing apparatus (30) can be eliminated, and the waste of cost can be saved accordingly.

Since the game medium polishing apparatus (30) is divided into the polishing units (30A to 30C), it is easy to carry and assemble before assembling, and moreover,
Only some units can be easily exchanged for others. Further, the configuration of each polishing unit (30A to 30C) is relatively simple and does not require a large installation space.

The length of each polishing unit (30A to 30C) can be set differently as required.
For example, a polishing unit (30A) located on the most upstream side
Is the most likely to get dirty, so the total length should be set in advance to allow for replacement with a new one, and the polishing unit (30C) located on the most downstream side should be able to handle the length of the island as appropriate. In addition, several different lengths may be prepared for adjustment.

Further, each of the polishing units (30A to 30C) which are continuous in the longitudinal direction is provided with a conveyor belt (32) thereof.
By aligning the starting end sides of the same at substantially the same height position and arranging the conveyor belts (32) so as to incline upward from the starting end side to the terminal end side, the vertical width of the game medium polishing device (30) is increased. It can be suppressed as much as possible. Alternatively, each of the polishing units (30A to 30C) continuous in the longitudinal direction is moved from one polishing unit (30A / 30B) to the next polishing unit (30B / 30B).
If the height position of 30C) is sequentially lowered and the respective conveyor belts (32) are arranged so as to extend in a substantially horizontal direction, the game medium can be smoothly polished and moved.

In the game machine island (20) equipped with the above-mentioned game medium polishing device (30), a plurality of game machines (21) are back to back and are paired with each other without interposing other game-related equipment between their backs. If they are installed in a row so as to extend in the lateral direction while being in contact with each other, the game machine installation section that forms the middle tier (20B) of the island is suppressed to a depth width equivalent to two game machines (21) that are contacted back to back. To be

As described above, by making the island middle tier (20B) that substantially determines the depth width of the entire island thin, the island (2
The occupied space of 0) can be greatly reduced. This allows more islands (2
0) can be installed, and it is possible to respond to the request for space saving, which is extremely advantageous in business, for example, it is possible to equip more gaming machines (21) in the depth direction even in a small store. .

After the game medium polished by the game medium polishing device (30) is discharged, it is stored in the game medium polishing pool which is the lower stage (20A) of the island of the game machine island (20). The lower part of the island (20A) plays the role of a storage tank for game media. As described above, the game medium polishing apparatus (30) of the present invention can effectively utilize the space under the game machine island (20) to polish the game medium.

[0031]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of a game medium polishing apparatus according to the present invention and a game machine island equipped with the apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, a game medium polishing apparatus 30.
Is installed in the island lower stage 20A of the gaming machine island 20 in which a plurality of pachinko machines (game machines) 21 are arranged side by side.
It is a device for transporting while polishing the pachinko ball (game medium) used in 1. Here, the gaming machine island 20 has a plurality of pachinko machines 21 arranged side by side in the lateral direction, a pachinko ball used in each pachinko machine 21 and a game-related facility (ball) for processing bills taken in exchange for lending of the pachinko balls. Lending machine 27,
The banknote transport device 70, etc.).

The game medium polishing apparatus 30 is provided with a plurality of polishing units 30A to 30C arranged in the island lower stage 20A along the island longitudinal direction so as to be continuous in the longitudinal direction. More specifically, each polishing unit 30A-3
0C is arranged such that the height position of the polishing unit 30B / 30C subsequent to the one polishing unit 30A / 30B on the upstream side becomes lower sequentially, and each of them extends substantially in the horizontal direction.

Between the end side of the most upstream polishing unit 30A and the start side of the next succeeding polishing unit 30B,
The first guide member 38 is provided so as to be openable and closable. The first guide member 38 guides the pachinko ball from the end side of the polishing unit 30A to the start end side of the polishing unit 30B when closed (state shown in FIG. 1), and when opened, the polishing unit 30A. End side and polishing unit 30B
The pachinko ball is dropped downward from the gap with the starting end side of the.

Further, a similar second guide member 39 is provided so as to be openable / closable between the end side of the middle polishing unit 30B and the start end of the next most downstream polishing unit 30C. . Above each of the guide members 38 and 39 between the polishing units 30A to 30C is a ball pool 36 that can store a certain amount of pachinko balls. As shown in FIG. 6, each of the guide members 38, 39 has a control means 100.
The guide members 38 and 39 are set so as to be displaced from the normal open state to the closed state based on a command from the control means 100.

The control means 100 responds to the increase in the number of unpolished pachinko balls ejected from each pachinko machine 21, which indicates the number of players on the island 20, and the polishing units 30A to 30A.
The length of the polishing span in which 0C is continuous is adjusted.
That is, every time the unpolished pachinko ball increases by a predetermined amount, the control unit 100 sequentially commands the guide members 38 and 39 to be displaced from the normal open state to the closed state from the upstream side where the unpolished pachinko ball is first introduced. Is output.

More specifically, when the control means 100 receives a signal from a first detection means 91, which will be described later, the first means
A command for displacing the guide member 38 to the closed state is output, and thereafter, the number of unpolished pachinko balls increases, whereby the second detection means 92 is output.
When a signal from is input, a command for displacing the second guide member 39 to the closed state is output. The control means 100 centrally manages various game-related equipment in the game machine island 20, and normally has an interface and a CP.
It is composed of a micro computer composed of U, RAM, ROM and the like.

Each of the polishing units 30A to 30C has a pair of conveyors 31a and 31b. Each of the conveyors 31a and 31b has a drive pulley 33 that is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) and a driven pulley 3
4, a conveyor belt 32 wound around the pulleys 33 and 34, and a support member 35 (see FIG. 2) for the conveyor belt 32.
The pair of conveyors 31a and 31b are arranged in parallel vertically so that the conveyor belts 32 and 32 face each other, and the interval between them is set so that a pachinko ball can be sandwiched between the upper and lower conveyor belts 32 and 32. There is.

The conveyor belt 32 is formed of a material having elastic force into a belt shape, and may be arranged so that the conveyor belts 32 of the upper and lower conveyors 31a and 31b may come into contact with each other depending on the thickness of the conveyor belt 32. . It is the conveyor belt 3
This is because, depending on the thickness of No. 2, when the pachinko balls pass through the pulleys 33 and 34, even if the conveyor belt 32 is in contact with the pachinko balls, the pachinko balls can be inserted into the conveyor belt 32 and pass therethrough. Each of the polishing units 30A to 30C is configured to be easily attachable / detachable to / from a predetermined position inside a waist plate 40 surrounding a lower step of an island, which will be described later, by an engagement / disengagement structure or the like provided on the support 35.

Of the upper and lower conveyors 31a and 31b, at least one of the conveyor belts 32 is made of an abrasive material in a belt shape. As the abrasive material, for example, 6 nylon or 66 nylon is used. These abrasives are the main components, and other materials such as static eliminators and polishing enhancers are mixed in, or they are synthesized from other synthetic resins, fiber materials and the like. In order to further increase the polishing force, both the conveyor belts 32 of the pair of conveyors 31a and 31b can be made of an abrasive material or the like.

The pachinko balls are polished by rotating or sliding while being conveyed while being sandwiched by the elastic force of the upper and lower conveyor belts 32 which are driven at different speeds. A protrusion 32a as shown in FIG. 3 may be formed on the surface of the conveyor belt 32 for frequent operation. Alternatively, conversely, a concave depression may be formed. Further, as described above, the conveyor belt 32 itself is not entirely made of an abrasive, but it is omitted in the drawings, but on the front side of a normal conveyor belt,
A polishing layer made of an abrasive may be provided.

The rotation direction and the number of rotations of the upper and lower conveyor belts 32 can be arbitrarily set within a range that does not hinder the polishing and conveying of the pachinko balls. For example, when the rotation direction of the lower conveyor belt 32 is made to coincide with the conveyance direction of the pachinko balls and the rotation speed is 14 rpm, the upper conveyor belt 32 is rotated in the opposite direction to the lower belt. Then, if the rotation speed is suppressed to about 7 rpm, the polishing efficiency can be further improved.

In addition, in order to prevent the pachinko balls from spilling from between the upper and lower conveyor belts 32 during conveyor / polishing, the lower conveyor belt 32 is raised at its both edges along its entire circumference (see FIG. (Not shown) may be formed so that the raised portion reaches the upper conveyor belt 32 from the outside. On the contrary, ridges may be formed on both edges of the upper conveyor belt 32 so as to reach the lower conveyor belt 32 from the outside. Or
In order to prevent the pachinko balls from spilling from between the conveyor belts 32, a plate-shaped guide plate (not shown) or the like may be provided along both edges of the conveyor belt 32.

The lower island stage 20A in which the game medium polishing apparatus 30 is arranged is formed in a box-like frame shape for storing the pachinko balls discharged from the respective pachinko machines 21 after polishing. More specifically, the island lower stage 20A is formed in a box-like frame shape surrounded by the waist plate 40, the bottom plate 41, and the top plate 42, and the island lower stage 20A itself is configured as a pachinko ball polishing storage unit that stores pachinko balls as they are. Has been done. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a storage tank on the lower stage of the island as in the prior art.

A ball gutter 43 is provided above the game medium polishing device 30 in the pachinko ball polishing storage section. The ball gutter 43 is a member for guiding a pachinko ball discharged from each pachinko machine 21 to the ball pool 36a on the start end side of the polishing unit 30A on the most upstream side.
The ball trough 43 is arranged so as to gently incline downward from one end side of the island 20. A guide member 44 for preventing the pachinko ball from spilling from the starting end side of the lower conveyor 30b is provided beside the ball reservoir 36a facing the terminal outlet of the ball receiving trough 43.

A first detecting means 91 and a second detecting means 92 for detecting the amount of pachinko balls in the ball receiving trough 43 are provided midway between the end and the middle of the ball receiving trough 43. Each of the detection means 91 and 92 may be configured by, for example, a non-contact type proximity switch or the like that operates according to the distance to the pachinko ball that is the detected object. Specifically, the detection means 91, 92
While the pachinko ball is flowing in the ball gutter 43 at the respective positions, the ball gutter 43 is intermittently turned ON, while the ball gutter 43 is filled with the pachinko ball, and the pachinko ball is in the ball gutter 43. When it stays or is slowly flowing, it is turned on continuously, and when this on state continues for 2 seconds or more, a signal is output to the control means 100 described above.

The pachinko balls discharged from each pachinko machine 21 flow down the ball gutter 43 and first accumulate in the ball pool 36a. When the number of unpolished pachinko balls to be discharged increases, the pachinko balls on the downstream side of the ball gutter 43 are discharged. When the number of unpolished pachinko balls increases in the vicinity of the first detection means 91, and when the number of unpolished pachinko balls increases, the second detection means 92 in the middle of the ball gutter 43 collects. Therefore, in each of the detecting means 91, 92, the first detecting means 91 and then the second detecting means 92 output a signal to the control means 100 as the number of unpolished pachinko balls increases.

On the bottom plate 41 of the pachinko ball polishing storage portion, there is disposed a rotatable spiral member 50 for transferring the pachinko balls in one direction. One end of the spiral body 50 is connected to the output shaft of the drive motor 51. As shown in FIG. 4, a guide inner wall 40a that obliquely descends toward the spiral body 50 is provided inside the waist plate 40. The guide inner wall 40a plays a role of collecting the pachinko balls in the spiral body 50. Further, on the other end side of the spiral body 50,
A hoisting mechanism 60 for hoisting the pachinko balls to the island upper stage 20C side is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the island middle tier 20B
The gaming machine installation section is formed by arranging a plurality of pachinko machines 21 back to back so as to extend laterally in a state in which they are in contact with each other without interposing other game-related equipment between their backs. Therefore, the width is configured to be a depth width corresponding to two game machines that are placed back to back and face each other. A ball lending machine 27 is interposed between the pachinko machines 21 arranged in the horizontal direction.

The gaming machine is a pachinko machine 21 in this embodiment. That is, the pachinko machine 21 aims to win a pachinko ball by hitting the pachinko ball on the board by operating the handle 22, and the front plate 23 for introducing the pachinko ball into the machine and the pachinko ball storage for the pachinko ball storage. A spare dish 24 is provided. Further, the ball lending machine 27, when receiving a signal from the bill judgment means, counts a considerable number of balls and pays them out.

As shown in FIG. 5, a bulky specific component 2 such as a CRT used for an accessory is provided on the back side of the pachinko machine base 21.
5 is protruding, but the two back-to-back pachinko machines 21 are arranged so as to successfully contact each other in the state where these specific parts 25 avoid each other. Two pachinko machines 21
The back sides of the may be closely fitted to each other, or may be contacted with each other with a slight gap. In any case, front and rear 2
There is no room for interposing other game-related equipment between the backs of the pachinko machines 21 in a row, and the banknote transfer device 70 conventionally intervened between the backs is arranged on the island upper stage 20C side. .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the island upper stage 20C
In this case, a banknote transport device 70 for laterally transporting the banknotes taken in exchange for the pachinko balls and a supply gutter 71 for supplying the pachinko balls to each pachinko table 21 are arranged so as to extend in the lateral direction. There is. The banknote transport device 70
The supply gutter 71 is covered with a dome-shaped cover member 72 forming an outer wall of the island upper stage 20C.

Next, the operation will be described. Game media polishing device 3
In the gaming machine island 20 equipped with 0, as shown in FIG. 5, the island middle tier 20B is a state in which a plurality of pachinko machines 21 are back-to-back contacted with each other without interposing other game-related equipment between them. In order to extend in the horizontal direction, the game machine installation section is constructed. There is no room for interposing any other game-related equipment between the back and front of the two rows of pachinko machines 21, and the game machine installation section that makes up the middle stage 20B of the island is equivalent to the two pachinko machines 21 that face to face back to back. A depth width L ₁ corresponding to The lower island 20A and the upper island 20 according to this width L _1.
C is also thinned.

As described above, by thinning the island middle tier 20B, which substantially determines the depth width of the entire island, the space occupied by the island 20 can be greatly reduced. Thereby,
Since more islands 20 can be installed per given floor area, and in addition, it is possible to meet the demand for space saving, it is possible to equip more pachinko machines 21 in the depth direction even in a small store, for example. , Becomes extremely advantageous in business.

The game medium polishing apparatus 30 is the lower island 20A.
Although provided inside, the game medium polishing apparatus 30 can polish pachinko balls by effectively utilizing the space of the island lower stage 20A of the game machine island 20 as described below. A plurality of polishing units 30 constituting the game medium polishing apparatus 30
A to 30C are a pair of conveyors 31a and 31b, respectively.
Are formed side by side in parallel with each other at intervals such that a pachinko ball is sandwiched between the transport belts 32.

At least one of the conveyor belts 32 of the pair of conveyors 31a and 31b of the polishing units 30A to 30C is made of an abrasive material. Alternatively, a polishing layer made of an abrasive may be provided on the front side of at least one of the conveyor belts 32. Here, the abrasive is, for example, 6 nylon or 6
6 Nylon is the main component, and other materials such as static eliminator and polishing enhancer are mixed in, or it is synthesized with other synthetic resin, fiber material, etc. Conveyor belt 32 of the pair of conveyors 31a and 31b
Of these, only one may be made of an abrasive material, but more effective polishing can be performed by making both of the conveyor belts 32 of an abrasive material.

As shown in FIG. 1, each polishing unit 30A
˜30C are arranged in the lower island 20A so as to be continuous with each other at some intervals along the longitudinal direction of the island. In this embodiment, in order to make the flow of the pachinko balls smooth, from the polishing unit 30A on the upstream side to the polishing unit 30C on the downstream side.
Arrange so that the height position gradually decreases. Further, the first guide member 38 is provided between the polishing unit 30A and the polishing unit 30B, and the second guide member 39 is provided between the polishing unit 30B and the polishing unit 30C.

When the guide members 38 and 39 are in the normally closed state shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko balls can be smoothly transferred between the polishing units 30A to 30C. On the other hand, when the guide members 38 and 39 are opened,
The pachinko balls can be dropped downward from the gaps between the polishing units 30A to 30C, whereby the length of the polishing span can be adjusted as described below.

When the number of players is small, that is, in the morning at a game shop, the pachinko balls discharged from the pachinko machine 21 quickly flow down in the ball receiving gutter 43, and first in the polishing unit 30A on the most upstream side. Pair of conveyors 31
It is introduced on the starting end side between a and 31b. In this case, since the number of pachinko balls in the ball receiving gutter 43 is small, the first detecting means 91
The ON state does not continue for 2 seconds or more, and the first guide member 38 is maintained in the normally open state.

Therefore, the pachinko ball introduced to the starting end side of the polishing unit 30A is polished while moving to the terminal end side while being sandwiched by the upper and lower conveyor belts 32, and then from the first guide member 38 in the open state. Fall down. In this way, a small number of pachinko balls are used in the most upstream polishing unit 30A.
While being sandwiched by the conveyor belt 32, it advances while rotating and is uniformly polished.

When the number of players increases and the number of pachinko balls discharged from the pachinko machine 21 increases by a predetermined amount, the pachinko balls flowing down in the ball gutter 43 accumulate in the ball accumulating portion 36a and gradually in the ball gutter 43. It also collects on the downstream side. Then, the ON state of the first detection means 91 continues for 2 seconds or more, and the control means 100
Output signal to. The control means 100 uses the first detection means 91.
When receiving the signal from the first guide member 38, the first guide member 38 is displaced from the normal open state to the closed state. In this case, as the number of pachinko balls increases, the pachinko balls pass from the end side of the polishing unit 30A over the first guide member 38 in the closed state, and are transferred to the start side of the next polishing unit 30B to be sufficiently polished. After that, the second guide member 39 in the open state falls downward.

When the number of players further increases from around the evening and the pachinko balls discharged from the pachinko machine 21 reach the peak, such unpolished pachinko balls start to stay in the middle of the ball receiving gutter 43. Then, the ON state of not only the first detecting means 91 but also the second detecting means 92 continues for 2 seconds or more, and outputs a signal to the control means 100. When the control means 100 receives a signal from the second detection means 92, the second guide member 39.
Also moves from the normal open state to the closed state.

As a result, the pachinko ball moves from the end side of the polishing unit 30A to the start side of the next polishing unit 30B and further through the second guide member 39 to the polishing unit 3a.
While being sequentially transferred from the terminal end side of 0B to the last polishing unit 30C, after being repeatedly polished, it is discharged into the island lower stage 20A. As described above, the polishing capacity of the game medium polishing device 30 can be increased as the number of unpolished pachinko balls increases by a predetermined amount, that is, the number of game players increases. Conversely, when the number of game players is small, the game medium polishing device is increased. Unnecessary polishing by 30 can be prevented.

Further, since the game medium polishing apparatus 30 is divided into the polishing units 30A to 30C, it is easy to carry it before assembling and the assembling work, and moreover, only a part of the units can be easily exchanged with other units. can do. Furthermore, the configuration of each of the polishing units 30A to 30C is relatively simple and does not require a large installation space. The lengths of the polishing units 30A to 30C can be set differently as needed. For example, since the polishing unit 30A located on the most upstream side is most likely to be contaminated, it is possible to set the total length of the polishing unit 30A in advance to be short and replace it with a new one. As for 30C, several types with different total lengths may be prepared for length adjustment so that the length of the island can be appropriately accommodated.

After the pachinko balls polished by the game medium polishing device 30 are discharged, they are stored in the pachinko ball polishing storage portion which is the lower stage 20A of the island. The pachinko ball polishing storage part functions as a pachinko ball storage tank as it is. As described above, the game medium polishing apparatus 30 of the present invention includes the island lower stage 20A.
It is possible to polish pachinko balls by effectively utilizing the space.

The pachinko balls in the pachinko ball polishing reservoir are
By the rotation of the spiral body 50, the spiral body 50 is transferred to the lower end portion of the lifting mechanism 60. Subsequently, the pachinko balls are scooped up by the hoisting mechanism 60 and hoisted to the island upper tier 20C, and returned to the respective pachinko machines 21 and ball lenders 27 of the island middle tier 20B while flowing down the supply gutter 71.

7 and 8 show the second embodiment of the game medium polishing apparatus according to the present invention. The game medium polishing apparatus according to the present embodiment has various parts in common with the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, but the polishing units 30A to 30C are connected in series as the number of unpolished pachinko balls increases. The means for adjusting the length of the span is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, every time the unpolished pachinko balls increase by a predetermined amount, the conveyors 31a of the polishing units 30A to 30C are sequentially arranged from the upstream side where the unpolished pachinko balls are first introduced.
31b has a control means 110 for starting the operation.

More specifically, the control means 1 shown in FIG.
When the signal from the above-mentioned first detecting means 91 is input, 10 outputs a command to start the operation of the conveyors 31a, 31b of the polishing unit 30B, and thereafter, the number of unpolished pachinko balls increases and the second detecting means 92 outputs. When a signal is input, a command to start the operation of the conveyors 31a and 31b of the polishing unit 30C is output. The most upstream polishing unit 30A is normally in operation.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, each guide member 3
8 and 39 are configured to be displaced from the open state to the closed state by the weight of the pachinko ball of a certain amount by the elastic force of the pressing spring 38a. As shown in FIG. 1, on the guide members 38 and 39 between the polishing units 30A to 30C, when the upstream conveyors 31a and 31b are stopped, from the downstream operating conveyors 31a and 31b. It is a reservoir portion 36 capable of retaining the sent pachinko balls by the predetermined amount.

In this case, each polishing unit 30A to 30C
When the conveyors 31a, 31b on the upstream side are stopped, the pachinko balls sent from the operating conveyors 31a, 31b on the downstream side are retained in the pool portion 36 provided on the guide member 38 in between. When a certain amount of pachinko balls are accumulated in the pool 36, the weight of the pachinko balls causes the guide member 38 to be displaced from the open state to the closed state, so that the pachinko balls fall downward. Therefore, according to the control means 110 of the present embodiment, when the number of game players is small, unnecessary operation of the game medium polishing apparatus 30 can be eliminated, and the waste of cost can be saved accordingly.

FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the game medium polishing apparatus according to the present invention. Game medium polishing apparatus 3 of the present embodiment
0a is each of the polishing units 30A to 30 continuous in the longitudinal direction.
C are arranged such that the starting end sides of the conveyor belts 32 are aligned at substantially the same height position, and the conveying belts 32 are respectively inclined upward from the starting end side toward the terminal end side.
Thereby, the vertical width of the game medium polishing device 30 can be suppressed as much as possible, and the space in the island lower tier 20A can be used more effectively. The same types of parts as those in the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted. Further, the game medium polishing apparatus 30a has one control means 100 or another control means 110.

The game medium polishing apparatus and the game machine island according to the present invention are not limited to the above embodiment.
For example, the number of polishing units constituting the game medium polishing apparatus is three in the above embodiment, but the number can be appropriately selected according to the total length of the island. For example, the gaming machine is not limited to a pachinko machine, and may be a slot machine or the like that uses a medal as a pachinko ball.

[0073]

According to the gaming medium polishing apparatus of the present invention, it is provided with a plurality of polishing units arranged so as to be continuous with each other in the longitudinal direction, and each polishing unit has a pair of conveyors arranged in parallel vertically. Since at least one of the pair of conveyors is made of abrasive material, the structure is simple and the cost can be significantly reduced, and a large installation space is not required. Can be used as effectively as possible.

Further, by opening and closing the guide member provided between the polishing units, the length of the polishing span connecting the polishing units is appropriately adjusted according to the increase of the unpolished game medium discharged from each gaming machine. Therefore, the unpolished game medium increases by a predetermined amount, that is, the polishing capacity of the game medium is increased as the number of the game players increases, and conversely, when the number of the game players is small, unnecessary polishing of the game medium is prevented. Or, unnecessary operation of the device can be eliminated, and the waste of cost can be saved accordingly.

Further, in a gaming machine island equipped with the above-mentioned gaming media polishing device, a plurality of gaming machines are placed back to back in a lateral direction in a state where they are in contact with each other without interposing other gaming-related equipment between them. By arranging so as to extend and thinning the middle part of the island that almost determines the depth width of the whole island, it is possible to significantly reduce the occupied space of the island, and it is possible to meet the request for space saving, More islands can be installed per given floor area, which is extremely advantageous in business.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a game medium polishing device and a game machine island according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view showing a conveyor constituting the game medium polishing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of a conveyor constituting the game medium polishing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a game medium polishing device and a game machine island according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an island middle tier of the gaming machine island according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing control of the game medium polishing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing control of a game medium polishing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing a guide member of the game medium polishing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view schematically showing a game medium polishing device and a game machine island according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a conventional game medium polishing apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a front view schematically showing a game machine island including a conventional game medium polishing device.

FIG. 12 is an end view showing a conventional gaming machine island.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a middle stage of a conventional gaming machine island.

[Explanation of symbols]

 20 ... Game machine island 20C ... Island upper stage 20B ... Island middle stage (game machine installation part) 20A ... Island lower stage (game medium polishing storage part) 21 ... Pachinko machine game machine 30 ... Game medium polishing device 30A-30C ... Polishing unit 31a, 31b ... Conveyor 32 ... Conveying belt 38, 39 ... Guide member 91, 92 ... Detection means 100, 110 ... Control means

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A game medium polishing apparatus which is installed in a lower stage of a game machine island in which a plurality of game machines are arranged in parallel, and which conveys a game medium used in the game machine while polishing the same. Equipped with a plurality of polishing units arranged along the island longitudinal direction so as to be continuous in the longitudinal direction, each polishing unit is provided with a pair of conveyors, with an interval sufficient to sandwich the game medium between the conveyor belts. And at least one of the conveyors of the pair of conveyors is formed of an abrasive material, and the end side of one polishing unit and the start side of the next polishing unit following the one polishing unit. The game medium is openable and closable between the one end side and the next start side when closed, while the game medium is opened from the gap between the one end side and the next start side when opened. If a guide member for dropping the Game medium polishing apparatus according to claim. 2. A game medium polishing apparatus which is installed in a lower stage of a game machine island in which a plurality of game machines are arranged side by side and which conveys a game medium used in the game machine while polishing the same. Equipped with a plurality of polishing units arranged along the island longitudinal direction so as to be continuous in the longitudinal direction, each polishing unit is provided with a pair of conveyors, with an interval sufficient to sandwich the game medium between the conveyor belts. The upper and lower sides of the pair of conveyors are provided with a polishing layer made of an abrasive on the front side of at least one of the conveyor belts. Between the start end side of the polishing unit, it is possible to open and close, while guiding the game medium from one end side to the next start side when closed, and one end side and the next start side when opened Guy who drops the game medium from the gap Game medium polishing apparatus characterized in that a member. 3. A control means for adjusting the length of a polishing span in which the respective polishing units are connected in accordance with an increase in the unpolished game medium discharged from each gaming machine, wherein the unpolished game medium has a predetermined amount. 2. A control means for displacing the guide member between the polishing units from the normal open state to the closed state in order from the upstream side where the unpolished game medium is first introduced each time the number of the polishing machines is increased. 2. The game medium polishing device according to 2. 4. A control means for adjusting the length of a polishing span in which the respective polishing units are connected in accordance with an increase in the unpolished game medium discharged from each gaming machine, and a predetermined amount of unpolished game medium. Each time it increases, it has a control means for starting the conveyor operation of each polishing unit in order from the upstream side where the unpolished game medium is first introduced. It is configured to be displaced from the open state to the closed state by the weight, and on the guide member between the polishing units, when the upstream conveyor is stopped, the game medium sent from the operating conveyor on the downstream side is transferred. The game medium polishing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a pool portion capable of retaining the fixed amount. 5. The polishing units are arranged such that the starting ends of the conveyor belts are aligned at substantially the same height and the conveyor belts are inclined upward from the starting end to the terminating end. The game medium polishing apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4. 6. The polishing units are arranged such that the height position of the next polishing unit subsequent to the one polishing unit becomes lower than that of the one polishing unit, and the respective conveyor belts extend in a substantially horizontal direction. The game medium polishing apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, which is provided. 7. A plurality of gaming machines, which are constructed so as to form an island middle tier, are arranged back to back so as to extend laterally in a state of being in contact with each other without interposing other gaming-related equipment between their backs. , A game machine installation section configured to have a depth width corresponding to two game machines facing each other back to back, and is constructed to form a lower island on the lower side of the game machine installation section and is discharged from each game machine. The game medium is formed into a box-shaped frame that stores the game medium as it is, and the game medium is stored in the box frame.
A game machine island, comprising a game medium polishing reservoir in which the game medium polishing device described in 3, 4, 5 or 6 is arranged.