JP7553745B1 - Crane game device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a crane game device that increases the maximum number of prizes that can be won and allows the gripping parts to be operated in a balanced manner. [Solution] The crane game device has three or more gripping parts, a horizontal bar that extends along a first horizontal direction of a play space and on which the gripping parts are provided, a vertical drive part that moves the horizontal bar in the vertical direction, a front-rear drive part that moves the vertical drive part and the horizontal bar in a second direction, an opening/closing drive part that opens and closes the arm part, a control part that controls the operation of the vertical drive part and the front-rear drive part, an operation part that controls the position of the gripping part in the second direction, and a prize discharge passage, and the vertical drive part has a first wire part whose first wire tip is connected to the horizontal bar, a second wire part whose second wire tip is connected to the horizontal bar, and a winding part that can wind and pull out the first wire part and the second wire part and is located above the horizontal bar and near the center position in the first horizontal direction. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

(1) February 28, 2024 Monthly Amusement Journal March 2024 issue (2) April 25, 2024 to May 7, 2024 Northport Mall 6F Surpura Yokohama Asobi Town (1-25-1 Nakagawa Chuo, Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) Test machine exhibit and test use

The present invention relates to a crane game device in which a player operates a crane to win prizes.

A crane game device is a device in which a player operates a crane installed in a play space via an operating unit outside the play space to move prizes in a prize placement area in a closed play space to a prize drop opening, allowing the player to win the prizes.

In conventional crane game devices, a player basically moves one crane (also called a gripping part) in two dimensions through one play zone, aims at a prize at a specific location, and aims to capture the targeted location (see Patent Document 1).

However, in conventional crane game devices, one crane is generally operated for one play zone, meaning that a player can only aim to win prizes in one place in the play zone, and the maximum number of prizes that can be won is not large, making it difficult to generate successes with a large fluctuation (Patent Document 1). In addition, if multiple cranes are to be operated simultaneously, it is difficult to operate them in a balanced manner.

JP 2017-164317 A

Therefore, the present invention provides a crane game device that increases the maximum number of prizes that can be won and allows the gripping parts to be operated in a balanced manner.

The crane game device according to the present invention comprises:
The game device includes three or more gripping parts each having a plurality of arms that rotate around a base and open and close at their tips, the gripping parts being disposed in a housing in which a play space to be closed is formed, and the gripping parts each having a plurality of arms that rotate around a base and open and close at their tips;
A horizontal bar extending along a first horizontal direction of the play space and having three or more gripping portions;
A vertical drive unit that moves the horizontal bar in a vertical direction;
a front-rear drive unit that moves the vertical drive unit and the horizontal bar in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal direction and the vertical direction;
an opening/closing drive unit that opens and closes the arm unit, a control unit that controls the operation of the up/down drive unit and the front/rear drive unit;
an operation unit that is disposed outside the play space and drives the front-rear drive unit via the control unit to operate the positions of three or more of the grip units in the second direction;
A prize outlet passage that connects a connection opening connected to the play space and a prize outlet formed on the outer surface of the housing portion,
The up-down drive unit has a first wire section having a first wire tip connected near a first end, which is one end of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction, a second wire section having a second wire tip connected near a second end, which is the other end of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction, and a winding unit capable of winding and pulling out the first wire section and the second wire section, which is positioned above the horizontal bar and closer to the center position of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction than the first end and the second end in the first horizontal direction.

The crane game device according to the present invention has three or more gripping parts, which are arranged along a horizontal bar extending along a first direction, which is the width direction of the play space. In such a crane game device, the multiple gripping parts allow prizes to be acquired at multiple points in the play space at the same time, so that the maximum number of prizes that can be acquired is large, and it is possible to generate successes with a large fluctuation, such as winning a large number of prizes. In addition, the vertical drive unit moves the horizontal bar extending in the first horizontal direction up and down using a first wire part connected near the first end and a second wire part connected near the second end, so that the gripping parts and the horizontal bar can be moved up and down in a balanced manner while appropriately deflecting the force when the arm part contacts a prize, a play field, etc. In addition, the vertical drive unit has a winding part arranged near the center of the horizontal bar that can wind and pull out the first wire part and the second wire part, so that it is possible to prevent deterioration of the center of gravity balance due to vibration, shaking, etc., and to improve the maintainability of the winding part.

The winding section may also have a common drive section capable of winding and unwinding both the first wire section and the second wire section.

A vertical drive unit with such a winding section can achieve accurate and reliable vertical movement with a simple mechanism, and is also easy to maintain.

Also, for example, the crane game device according to the present invention includes a first prize discharge sensor that is provided in the prize discharge passage to form a first detection area in which a first gripping part, which is one of the three or more gripping parts, overlaps with a position in the first horizontal direction, and detects prizes discharged from the play space to the first detection area;
It may also have a second prize discharge sensor that is arranged to overlap with a second gripping portion, which is another of the three or more gripping portions, in the first horizontal direction to form a second detection area in the prize discharge passage that is different from the first detection area, and detects prizes discharged from the play space to the second detection area.

In this type of crane game device, a first prize discharge sensor is provided corresponding to the first gripping part, and a second prize discharge sensor is provided corresponding to the second gripping part, so it is possible to identify, for example, which gripping part a prize was won with. Therefore, in this type of crane game device, even in cases where the prizes to be won differ for each gripping part, it is possible to recognize the type and number of prizes won by the player.

Also, for example, the switch may include a first detection switch having a first insertion hole through which the first wire portion is inserted and detecting loosening of the first wire portion, and a second detection switch having a second insertion hole through which the second wire portion is inserted and detecting loosening of the second wire portion,
The control unit may stop the lowering of the horizontal bar by the vertical drive unit based on a detection result of at least one of the first detection switch and the second detection switch.

With this type of crane game device, the wire portion does not come out of the insertion holes of the first and second detection switches, so if the arm comes into contact with a prize and the first or second wire portion becomes loose, the descent of the horizontal bar can be stopped safely and reliably.

For example, the first detection switch and the second detection switch may be disposed approximately symmetrically with respect to the first horizontal direction on one side and the other side of the horizontal bar with respect to the center position in the first horizontal direction.

By arranging the first and second detection switches symmetrically, it is possible to accurately detect loosening of the wire caused by contact between the grip and the prize, and this type of crane game device can stop the descent of the horizontal bar at a more appropriate time.

Also, for example, the device may have a first detection switch having a movable pulley with which the first wire portion engages and detecting slack in the first wire portion, and a second detection switch having a movable pulley with which the second wire portion engages and detecting slack in the second wire portion,
The control unit may stop the lowering of the horizontal bar by the vertical drive unit based on a detection result of at least one of the first detection switch and the second detection switch.

The first and second detection switches using movable pulleys can properly detect loosening of the wire section unless the wire section loosens suddenly and unexpectedly, and the control unit can stop the descent of the horizontal bar at the appropriate time.

Also, for example, the opening/closing drive unit may perform the operation of opening the tip of the arm portion of each of the gripping parts above the connection opening at different times for at least one of the three or more gripping parts and at least one other of the three or more gripping parts.

In this type of crane game device, even if prizes are won simultaneously with multiple gripping parts, the timing at which the arms open can be staggered to prevent the problem of the won prizes getting caught in the prize discharge passage. Also, by staggering the timing at which the gripping parts open rather than all opening at the same time, the timing at which the prize discharge sensor detects the prize can be made different for each gripping part, so with this type of crane game device, even if prizes are won simultaneously with multiple gripping parts, it is possible to identify which gripping part won the prize.

For example, the control unit may be capable of controlling the opening/closing drive unit to adjust the gripping force of the gripping unit, and may be capable of independently adjusting the gripping force of one of the three or more gripping units and the gripping force of another of the three or more gripping units.

In such a crane game device, for example, when different prizes are to be won from each gripping part, an appropriate gripping force according to the weight of the prize can be set individually for each gripping part. Also, by weakening the gripping force for gripping parts that are to win high-value prizes to reduce the probability of winning, and strengthening the gripping force for gripping parts that are to win low-value prizes to increase the probability of winning, it is possible to appropriately set the expected value of the prizes that can be won per play while placing many prizes of different values on the field.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a crane game device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the crane game device shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the front side. FIG. 3 is a first side view of the crane game machine shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the side. FIG. 4 is a second side view of the crane game machine shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the side. FIG. 5 is a third side view of the crane game machine shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the side. FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view of the gripping portion, the horizontal bar, the vertical driving portion, etc., of the crane game device shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view of the vicinity of the winding section in the vertical drive section shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of the first detection switch and the second detection switch in the crane game device shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged view of the prize discharge passage and the prize discharge sensor periphery in the crane game machine shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining the function of the control unit in the crane game device shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the division of the bottom surface of the play space in the crane game device shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a partial enlarged view of the gripping section, horizontal bar, vertical drive section, etc., of a crane game machine equipped with a winding section according to the first modified example. FIG. 13 is a partial enlarged view showing the structure of a detection switch according to a second modified example.

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a crane game device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the crane game device 10 has a roughly rectangular housing 20. A play space 21 is formed inside the housing 20. The play space 21 is closed by a transparent sliding door 24 that constitutes part of the housing 20.

The crane game device 10 is placed in a play space 21 inside the housing 20, and has three or more gripping parts 30 that can grab prizes placed in the play space 21. In the crane game device 10 according to the embodiment, the three or more gripping parts 30 are composed of five gripping parts: a first gripping part 30a, a second gripping part 30b, a third gripping part 30c, a fourth gripping part 30d, and a fifth gripping part 30e.

Figure 2 is a front view of the crane game device 10 shown in Figure 1. As shown by the first gripping portion 30a and the fifth gripping portion 30e in Figures 1 and 2, the first to fifth gripping portions 30a to 30e each have multiple (three in this embodiment) arm portions 31 that rotate around the base portion 31a and open and close the tips 31b. In Figures 1 to 6, etc., the arm portions 31 of the first to fifth gripping portions 30a to 30e are in an arm-open state with the tips 31b open. However, as described below, in the crane game device 10, when the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e are lowered (see FIG. 3, etc.), the arm parts 31 of the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e are in a closed arm part state with the tip 31b closed, and the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e are able to grip prizes placed in the play space 21.

That is, the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e have opening and closing drive units 32a to 32e (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 10) that open and close the tip 31b of the arm unit 31. As shown in FIG. 6, the opening and closing drive units 32a to 32e are arranged near the base 31a of the arm unit 31 in the gripping units 30a to 30e so as to be indirectly connected to the base 31a of the arm unit 31. The opening and closing drive units 32a to 32e may be of a solenoid type that opens and closes the multiple arm units 31 using the opening and closing drive units 32a to 32e having a solenoid, or may be of a motor type that opens and closes the multiple arm units 31 using an opening and closing drive unit having a rotary motor, and the type of the opening and closing drive units 32a to 32e that the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e have is not particularly limited.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the crane game machine 10 has a horizontal bar 40 that extends along the first horizontal direction D1, which is the width direction of the play space 21, and has three or more gripping parts 30. In the crane game machine 10 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e are arranged in a row along the first horizontal direction D1. Note that the first horizontal direction D1, which is the width direction of the play space 21, is the left-right direction when the crane game machine 10 is viewed from the front as shown in Fig. 2. The horizontal bar 40 is composed of a rod-shaped member that extends in the first horizontal direction D1, but it may be a plate-like, lattice-like, or other shape that extends in the first horizontal direction D1.

The first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e are suspended from the horizontal bar 40 such that the arm parts 31 of the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e extend downward from the horizontal bar 40. The first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e constituting the three or more gripping parts 30 are arranged at approximately equal intervals along the first horizontal direction D1. The first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e constituting the three or more gripping parts 30 are similar to each other, except that they are installed at different positions on the horizontal bar 40.

However, the three or more gripping parts 30 of the crane game device 10 are not limited to those in which the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e are arranged at equal intervals along the first horizontal direction D1. For example, the three or more gripping parts 30 may include gripping parts with different sizes or numbers of arms 31, and the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e may be arranged at uneven intervals or in two or more rows. As described later, the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e of the crane game device 10 are similar to each other in terms of hardware, but at least a part of the software control can be performed independently for each of the gripping parts 30a to 30e. This allows the control unit 66 of the crane game device 10 (see FIG. 10) to adjust the gripping force of each of the gripping parts 30a to 30e individually for each of the gripping parts 30a to 30e.

Figures 3 to 5 are first to third side views of the crane game device 10 as viewed from the left side. All of Figures 3 to 5 are left side views of the crane game device 10, but each shows the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping portion 30 in different states. The third side view shown in Figure 5 shows the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping portion 30 in the raised position and in the first position (P1) which is directly above the connection opening 72 in the prize discharge passage 70. The second side view shown in Figure 4 shows the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping portion 30 in the raised position and in the second position (P2) which is a position on the prize installation surface 26. The third side view shown in Figure 3 shows the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping portion 30 in the lowered position and in the third position (P3) which is a position on the prize installation surface 26. In FIG. 3, the prize on the prize placement surface 26 is not shown, so the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping part 30 appear to be suspended in mid-air. However, as described below, the descent of the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping part 30 stops when the gripping part 30 comes into contact with the prize or the prize placement surface 26.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 4, the crane game device 10 has a front-rear drive unit 64 that moves the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e in the second direction D2, which is the depth direction of the play space 21. The front-rear drive unit 64 is provided on the ceiling of the play space 21 and has a movable beam unit 64a that is approximately parallel to the horizontal bar 40 and moves in the second direction D2, a guide unit that guides the movement of the movable beam unit 64a, and a drive mechanism (not shown). The drive mechanism of the front-rear drive unit 64 is exemplified by a combination of a drive motor and a drive belt, but is not particularly limited. Note that the second direction D2, which is the depth direction of the play space 21, is the front-rear direction (depth direction) when the crane game device 10 is viewed from the front, as shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5. The first horizontal direction D1 and the second direction D2 are perpendicular to each other, and both the first horizontal direction D1 and the second direction D2 are approximately perpendicular to the up-down direction D3.

As shown in Figures 4 and 3, the crane game device 10 has a vertical drive unit 50 that moves the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e in the vertical direction D3 of the play space 21. The vertical drive unit 50 has a first wire unit 51 and a second wire unit 52 that connect to the horizontal bar 40 from above, a winding unit 53 (see Figure 6) that is provided on the movable beam unit 64a of the front-rear drive unit 64, and the like.

Figure 6 is a partially enlarged view of the gripping portion 30, horizontal bar 40, and vertical drive portion 50, at least a portion of which is provided within the movable beam portion 64a, of the crane game device shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 6, the vertical drive portion 50 has a first wire portion 51, a second wire portion 52, and a winding portion 53. A first wire tip 51a, which is the tip of the first wire portion 51, is connected near a first end 40b, which is one end of the horizontal bar 40 in the first horizontal direction D1. A wire base end of the first wire portion 51 is connected to the inside of the winding portion 53.

On the other hand, the second wire tip 52a, which is the tip of the second wire portion 52, is connected near the second end 40c, which is the other end of the horizontal bar 40 in the first horizontal direction D1. The wire base end of the second wire portion 52 is connected to the inside of the winding portion 53, similar to the wire base end of the first wire portion 51. Note that the first wire portion 51 and the second wire portion 52 may be composed of separate, independent wires, but the wire base ends of the first wire portion 51 and the second wire portion 52 may be composed of a single wire that is connected to each other inside the winding portion 53.

The winding section 53, to which the base ends of the first wire section 51 and the second wire section 52 are connected, is disposed above the horizontal bar 40 and closer to the center position 40a of the horizontal bar 40 in the first horizontal direction D1 than the first end section 40b and the second end section 40c in the first horizontal direction D1. The winding section 53 has a reel section (not shown) and a motor that rotates the reel section, etc., and can wind and pull out the first wire section 51 and the second wire section 52.

The vertical drive unit 50 has a pulley 58a located at the same height as the winding unit 53, directly above the position where the first wire tip 51a connects to the horizontal bar 40. The first wire part 51 engages with the pulley 58a. The first wire part 51 connects from the winding unit 53 to the vicinity of the first end 40b of the horizontal bar 40 via the pulley 58a in the first horizontal direction D1. The vertical drive unit 50 also has a pulley 58b located at the same height as the winding unit 53, directly above the position where the second wire tip 52a connects to the horizontal bar 40. The second wire part 52 engages with the pulley 58b. The second wire part 52 connects from the winding unit 53 to the vicinity of the second end 40c of the horizontal bar 40 via the pulley 58b in the first horizontal direction D1.

The winding unit 53 has a rotary motor as a common drive unit capable of winding and unwinding both the first wire part 51 and the second wire part 52. Because the winding unit 53 has a common drive unit, it is possible to wind and unwind the first wire part 51 and the second wire part 52 in a balanced manner with simple control and structure. For example, when the common drive unit of the winding unit 53 rotates in a first direction, the first wire part 51 and the second wire part 52 are wound onto the reel of the winding unit 53, and the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping unit 30 rise. On the other hand, when the common drive unit of the winding unit 53 rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the first wire part 51 and the second wire part 52 are unwound from the reel of the winding unit 53, and the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping unit 30 fall.

Figure 7 is a partial enlarged view of the area around the winding section 53 in the vertical drive section 50 shown in Figure 6. The crane game device 10 has a first detection switch 56 that detects slack in the first wire section 51 and a second detection switch 57 that detects slack in the second wire section 52. The first detection switch 56 and the second detection switch 57 are arranged on one side and the other side of the winding section 53 in the first horizontal direction D1.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first detection switch 56 has a first insertion hole 56a through which the first wire portion 51 is inserted. In the first detection switch 56, the first movable portion 56b in which the first insertion hole 56a is formed is biased upward by the force of a spring (not shown) or the like, while the upward movement of the first movable portion 56b is restricted by the first wire portion 51 that extends horizontally without slack. In addition, the second detection switch 57 has a second insertion hole 57a through which the second wire portion 52 is inserted. In the second detection switch 57, the second movable portion 57b in which the second insertion hole 57a is formed is biased upward by the force of a spring (not shown) or the like, while the upward movement of the second movable portion 57b is restricted by the second wire portion 52 that extends horizontally without slack.

Figure 8 shows the state in which the first wire part 51 and the second wire part 52 have become loose in the crane game device 10 shown in Figure 7. The first wire part 51 and the second wire part 52 become loose when the grip part 30 shown in Figure 3 etc. is lowered by the vertical drive part 50 and comes into contact with the prize placement surface 26 or a prize placed on the prize placement surface 26, preventing the grip part 30 and the horizontal bar 40 from moving downward.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the first wire portion 51 and the second wire portion 52 become loose in the crane game device 10, the force of the first wire portion 51 and the second wire portion 52 restricting the lifting of the first movable portion 56b and the second movable portion 57b is lost. As a result, the first movable portion 56b and the second movable portion 57b move upward, which is the biasing direction indicated by the arrow 59. When the first movable portion 56b and the second movable portion 57b move upward, the first detection switch 56 and the second detection switch 57 send a detection signal to the control unit 66 (see FIG. 10) and detect the loosening of the first wire portion 51 and the second wire portion 52.

The control unit 66 of the crane game device 10 shown in FIG. 10 stops the lowering operation of the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping unit 30 by the vertical drive unit 50, i.e., the pulling out operation of the first wire unit 51 and the second wire unit 52 by the winding unit 53, based on the detection result of at least one of the first detection switch 56 and the second detection switch 57. This allows the control unit 66 to stop the lowering of the horizontal bar 40 by the vertical drive unit 50 at an appropriate position where the arm unit 31 of the gripping unit 30 contacts the prize, regardless of the amount and size of the prizes placed on the prize placement surface 26.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the first detection switch 56 and the second detection switch 57 are arranged on one side and the other side of the horizontal bar 40 with respect to the center position 40a of the first horizontal direction D1, and are approximately symmetrically arranged in the first horizontal direction D1. By arranging the first detection switch 56 and the second detection switch 57 symmetrically in the first horizontal direction D1 with the winding part 53 located at the center position 40a in between, it is possible to detect the occurrence of slack in the first wire part 51 and the second wire part 52 in a balanced manner.

Figure 10 is a block diagram explaining the function of the control unit 66 in the crane game device 10. The control unit 66 has a calculation unit and a memory unit, and controls the operation of the opening and closing drive units 32a to 32e, the up and down drive unit 50, the front and rear drive unit 64, etc. in response to input signals from the operation unit 60, the decision operation unit 62, the first detection switch 56, the second detection switch 57, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the crane game device 10 is disposed outside the play space 21, and has an operation unit 60 that drives the front-rear drive unit 64 via a control unit 66 shown in FIG. 10 and operates the positions of three or more gripping units 30 in the second direction D2 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Examples of the operation unit 60 include a directional button and an operation lever, but the specific form of the operation unit 60 is not particularly limited.

In addition to the operation unit 60, the crane game machine 10 also has a decision operation unit 62 provided adjacent to the operation unit 60. The player of the crane game machine 10 uses the operation unit 60 to move the grip unit 30 to a desired position in the second direction D2, and then operates the decision operation unit 62, which is composed of a button or the like. When an input signal from the decision operation unit 62 is sent to the control unit 66, the control unit 66 starts the lowering operation of the horizontal bar 40 and the grip unit 30 by the up-down drive unit 50. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 60 and the decision operation unit 62 are provided on the front surface 23 side of the outer surface of the cabinet unit 20 of the crane game machine 10.

When the player operates the operation unit 60 and the decision operation unit 62, the operation signal is transmitted to the control unit 66 shown in FIG. 10. The operation unit 60 and the decision operation unit 62 may be separate from each other, or may be integrated. For example, the operation unit 60 and the decision operation unit 62 may be embodied by a single operation lever or input button. In that case, the control unit 66 can operate the front-rear drive unit 64 while the input of the operation signal continues, and can stop the operation of the front-rear drive unit 64 and start the operation of the up-down drive unit 50 when the input of the operation signal ceases.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the crane game device 10 has a prize discharge passage 70 that discharges prizes acquired by the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e to a prize outlet 74. The bottom of the play space 21 has a prize placement surface 26 on which prizes to be acquired in the crane game device 10 are placed, and a connection opening 72 that leads to the prize discharge passage 70. The prize placement surface 26 is formed in a rear area in relation to the second direction D2, and the connection opening 72 is formed in a front area in relation to the second direction D2. A partition plate 68 may be provided between the prize placement surface 26 and the connection opening 72 to prevent prizes on the prize placement surface 26 from sliding down into the connection opening 72.

The prize discharge passage 70 of the crane game device 10 connects a connection opening 72 that communicates with the play space 21 to a prize outlet 74 formed on the outer surface of the housing 20. Prizes acquired by the actions of the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e are discharged to the outside of the play space 21 via the prize discharge passage 70 and move to the prize outlet 74 so that the player can receive the prize. In the crane game device 10 shown in the embodiment, the prize outlet 74 is located below the front surface 23 on the outer surface of the housing 20, below the operation unit 60, but the location of the prize outlet 74 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1, etc.

Figure 9 is a partial enlarged view of the prize discharge passage 70 and the prize discharge sensor in the crane game device 10. Note that Figure 9 shows a state in which a prize placement table 68a is provided between the prize placement surface 26 and the connection opening 72 instead of the partition plate 68 shown in Figure 1 etc. As shown in Figure 9, the crane game device 10 has a prize discharge sensor that detects prizes discharged from the free space 20 to the prize discharge passage 70. As shown in Figure 9, the prize discharge sensor has a first prize discharge sensor 81a, a second prize discharge sensor 81b, a third prize discharge sensor 81c, a fourth prize discharge sensor 81d, and a fifth prize discharge sensor 81e.

Figure 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the division of the bottom of the play space 21 in the crane game device 10 shown in Figure 9 etc. As shown in Figure 11, the first prize discharge sensor 81a detects prizes discharged from the play space 21 to the first detection area 82a, and the second prize discharge sensor 81b detects prizes discharged from the play space 21 to the second detection area 82b. The first prize discharge sensor 81a shown in Figures 10 and 11 forms a first detection area 82a near the connection opening 72 where the first gripping part 30a (see Figures 1 and 2), which is one of the three or more gripping parts 30, overlaps with the position of the first horizontal direction D1.

The second prize discharge sensor 81b shown in Figures 10 and 11 forms a second detection area 82b near the connection opening 72, where the second detection area 82b overlaps with the second gripping portion 30b (see Figures 1 and 2), which is one of the three or more gripping portions 30, in the first horizontal direction D1. Similarly, the third prize discharge sensor 81c, the fourth prize discharge sensor 81d, and the fifth prize discharge sensor 81e form a third detection area 82c, a fourth detection area 82d, and a fifth detection area 82e corresponding to the third gripping portion 30c, the fourth gripping portion 30d, and the fifth gripping portion 30e, respectively.

The first to fifth prize discharge sensors 81a to 81e shown in FIG. 9 are composed of, for example, optical sensors having a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section, and detect when a prize has passed through each detection area 82a to 82e from changes in the detection value of the light-receiving section. The detection results of the first to fifth prize discharge sensors 81a to 81e are transmitted to the control unit 66 (see FIG. 10). A crane game device 10 having such first to fifth prize discharge sensors 81a to 81e can distinguish and recognize which of the first to fifth gripping sections 30a to 30e has won a prize.

In addition, in the crane game machine 10, the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e move only in the second direction D2 and the vertical direction, and do not move in the first horizontal direction D1. Therefore, in the crane game machine 10, as shown in FIG. 11, the prize placement surface 26 may be divided into first to fifth areas 26a to 26e corresponding to the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e where prizes can be obtained, and different prizes may be placed in each area. In such a case, in the crane game machine 10 having the first to fifth prize discharge sensors 81a to 81e, the control unit 66 can recognize which area of the first to fifth areas 26a to 26e the prize placed in has been obtained by the player.

The crane game device 10 performs the following operations, for example, through operation by the player. That is, a player playing the crane game device 10 inserts a coin or the like into the crane game device 10 to start playing. The control unit 66 shown in FIG. 10 starts playing when it receives a signal indicating that a coin has been inserted, and starts accepting input signals from the operation unit 60 and the decision operation unit 62.

At the start of play, the horizontal bar 40 and the gripping parts 30 are in the first position P1 shown in FIG. 5. The arms 31 of the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e are in an open arm state with their tips 31b open. When an operation signal is input from the operation unit 60 after play has started, the control unit 66 drives the front-rear drive unit 64 in response to the operation signal, and moves the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e in the second direction D2. As a result, the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e move to a position (second position P2) on the prize placement surface 26, as shown in FIG. 4.

Furthermore, when an operation signal is input from the decision operation unit 62, the control unit 66 causes the front-rear drive unit 64 to end the movement in the second direction D2. The control unit 66 also drives the up-down drive unit 50 shown in FIG. 6 etc. to lower the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth grip units 30a to 30e from their positions (second position P2) on the prize installation surface 26. More specifically, the winding unit 53 of the up-down drive unit 50 pulls out the first wire unit 51 and the second wire unit 52, lowering the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth grip units 30a to 30e as shown in FIG. 3.

When the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e continue to descend due to the vertical drive unit 50, the arm parts 31 of the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e come into contact with the prize or the prize placement surface 26, preventing the descent, and at least one (or both) of the first wire part 51 and the second wire part 52 becomes loose, as shown in FIG. 8. Then, the first and second detection switches 56, 57 provided on both sides of the winding part 53 detect the slack in the first wire part 51 and the second wire part 52 and send a signal to the control unit 66. The control unit 66, which receives the signal, controls the drive of the vertical drive unit 50 and stops the descent of the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e.

Next, the control unit 66 shown in Fig. 10 drives the opening/closing drive units 32a-32e of the first to fifth gripping units 30a-30e to close the tips 31b of the arm units 31 of the first to fifth gripping units 30a-30e. Furthermore, the control unit 66 drives the up-down drive unit 50 and the front-rear drive unit 64 to move the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth gripping units 30a-30e to the first position (P1) which is a position directly above the connection opening 72 in the prize discharge passage 70 shown in Fig. 5 via the second position (P2) shown in Fig. 4. The control unit 66 maintains the arm units 31 of the first to fifth gripping units 30a-30e in a closed state while the first to fifth gripping units 30a-30e move from the lowered position to the first position (P1). However, the control unit 66 may change the gripping force of the arm units 31 of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e during movement.

After moving the horizontal bar 40 and the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e to the first position (P1) directly above the connection opening 72, the control unit 66 drives the opening/closing drive units 32a to 32e of the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e to open the tips 31b of the arm parts 31 of the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e. If the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e are holding a prize, the arm parts 31 of the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e open, causing the prize to fall from the arm parts 31, move from the connection opening 72 through the prize discharge passage 70, and to the prize removal opening 74.

When a prize passes through the prize discharge passage 70 from the connection opening 72, the first to fifth prize discharge sensors 81a to 81e shown in Figures 9 and 10 detect the passage of the prize and transmit the detection result to the control unit 66. The opening/closing drive units 32a to 32e of the crane game device 10 may perform the operation of opening the tip 31b of the arm unit 31 of each of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e above the connection opening 72 (first position P1) at different times for at least one of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e and at least one other of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e. For example, the opening/closing drive units 32a to 32e may first open the arm 31 of the central third gripping unit 30c, then slightly later (e.g., about 0.1 to 1.0 seconds) open the arm 31 of the second gripping unit 30b and the fourth gripping unit 30d, and then slightly later (e.g., about 0.1 to 1.0 seconds) open the arm 31 of the first gripping unit 30a and the fifth gripping unit 30e.

In this way, by staggering the timing at which the arms 31 of the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e are opened, the crane game device 10 can correctly determine which of the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e has won the prize, even if the prize falls diagonally and passes through an adjacent first to fifth detection area 82a to 82d that is different from the corresponding area, or if the prize passes across two first to fifth detection areas 82a to 82d. Note that some or all of the arms 31 of the first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e may be opened at the same time, but from the perspective of prize discrimination, it is preferable that at least the adjacent first to fifth gripping parts 30a to 30e open at different times.

As described above, the control unit 66 of the crane game machine 10 shown in FIG. 10 etc. controls the operation of the opening/closing drive units 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e, the up/down drive unit 50, the front/rear drive unit 64, etc., to provide the player with a play aimed at winning prizes. In addition, the control unit 66 of the crane game machine 10 receives signals from the operation unit 60, the decision operation unit 62, the first detection switch 56, the second detection switch 57, and the first to fifth prize discharge sensors 81a to 81e.

The control unit 66 shown in FIG. 10 may be capable of adjusting the gripping force (the force with which the arm unit 31 grips the prize) of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e during the prize acquisition operation described above by controlling the opening/closing drive units 32a to 32e of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e. The control unit 66 may also be capable of independently adjusting the gripping force of one of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e and the gripping force of another of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e.

The control unit 66 can independently adjust the gripping force for each of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e, so that the arm unit 31 can perform an appropriate prize acquisition operation even when prizes of different sizes or weights are placed in the first to fifth regions 26a to 26e of the prize placement surface 26 shown in FIG. 11. In addition, such a control unit 66 can independently adjust the gripping force (including the probability that the gripping force will change) for each of the first to fifth gripping units 30a to 30e, and set different prize acquisition difficulty levels (prize acquisition probabilities) for each of the first to fifth regions 26a to 26e. Note that the method of adjusting the gripping force by the opening/closing drive units 32a to 32e is not particularly limited, but for example, if the opening/closing drive units 32a to 32e are solenoid type, the adjustment is made by the voltage (current) value of the solenoid, and if they are motor type, the adjustment is made by the amount of rotation of the motor.

In this way, the crane game device 10 has three or more gripping parts 30, which are arranged along the horizontal bar 40 extending along the first horizontal direction D1, which is the width direction of the play space 21. In such a crane game device 10, the multiple gripping parts 30a to 30e allow prizes to be acquired at multiple points in the play space 21 at the same time, so that the maximum number of prizes that can be acquired is large, and it is possible to generate successes with a large range of fluctuation, such as winning a large amount of prizes. In addition, the vertical drive unit 50 moves the horizontal bar 40 extending in the first horizontal direction D1 up and down using the first wire part 51 connected near the first end 40b and the second wire part 52 connected near the second end 40c, so that the gripping parts 30a to 30e and the horizontal bar 40 can be moved up and down in a balanced manner while appropriately deflecting the force when the arm part 31 contacts the prize or the prize installation surface 26, etc. In addition, the vertical drive unit 50 is located near the center of the horizontal bar 40 and has a winding section 53 that can wind and pull out the first wire section 51 and the second wire section 52, which prevents deterioration of the center of gravity balance due to vibration or shaking, and improves the maintainability of the winding section 53.

The winding section 53 of the crane game device 10 has a rotary motor as a common drive unit capable of winding and unwinding both the first wire section 51 and the second wire section 52. Because the winding section 53 has a common drive unit, it is possible to wind and unwind the first wire section 51 and the second wire section 52 in a balanced manner with simple control and structure. Furthermore, according to the crane game device 10, the first and second wire sections 51 and 52 do not deviate from the first and second insertion holes 56a and 57a of the first detection switch 56 and the second detection switch 57. Therefore, when the first wire section 51 or the second wire section 52 becomes loose due to the arm section 31 coming into contact with a prize, the descent of the horizontal bar 40 can be stopped safely and reliably.

In addition, in the crane game device 10, the first detection switch 56 and the second detection switch 57 are arranged symmetrically on either side of the winding section 53 in the first horizontal direction D1, making it possible to accurately detect slack in the wire sections 51 and 52 that occurs when the gripping sections 30a to 30e come into contact with the prizes. This type of crane game device 10 can stop the descent of the horizontal bar 40 at a more appropriate time.

Although the crane game device 10 has been described above with reference to an embodiment, the crane game device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned crane game device 10. It goes without saying that there are many other embodiments and variations. For example, the number of three or more gripping parts 30 suspended from the horizontal bar 40 is not limited to five. Any number of gripping parts 30 greater than or equal to three, such as 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, or 9, can be used. However, from the viewpoint of moving the horizontal bar 40 up and down in a balanced manner using the vertical drive unit 50 and accurately detecting the stop position using the first detection switch 56 and the second detection switch 57, it is preferable that the number of gripping parts 30 be nine or less so that the horizontal bar 40 does not become too long.

Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing a vertical drive unit 150 having a winding unit 153 according to a first modified example. The crane game device 10 can also use the winding unit 153 shown in Figure 8 instead of the vertical drive unit 50 shown in Figure 6. The winding unit 153 of the vertical drive unit 150 shown in Figure 12 has a first winding unit 153a that winds and pulls out the first wire unit 51, and a second winding unit 153b that winds and pulls out the second wire unit 52. The base end of the wire of the first wire unit 51 is connected to the first winding unit 153a, and the base end of the second wire unit 52 is connected to the second winding unit 153b.

In the winding section 153 shown in FIG. 12, the drive section (motor, etc.) of the first winding section 153a and the drive section of the second winding section 153b are independent. The drive of the first winding section 153a and the drive of the second winding section 153b are both controlled by the control section 66. As shown in FIG. 12, by winding and pulling out the first wire section 51 and the second wire section 52 using separate drive sections, a drive section with a relatively small output can be used and the inclination of the horizontal bar 40 can be easily adjusted.

Figure 13 is an enlarged view showing the second detection switch 257 according to the second modified example. The second detection switch 257 has a movable pulley 257a with which the second wire portion 52 engages. The second wire portion 52 engages with the movable pulley 257a of the second detection switch 257 between the base end of the second wire portion 52 that connects to the second winding portion 253b and the tip of the second wire portion 52 that connects to the horizontal bar 40.

The movable pulley 257a and the support piece 257b supporting the movable pulley 257a of the second detection switch 257 shown in FIG. 13 are biased in the rotational direction indicated by the arrow 259. When the second wire portion 52 becomes loose, the support piece 257b supporting the movable pulley 257a rotates in the direction of the arrow 259 to press the push switch 257c, causing the second detection switch 257 to detect the looseness of the second wire portion 52.

In the crane game device 10, instead of the second detection switch 57 shown in Figures 7 and 8, a second detection switch 257 having a movable pulley 257a as shown in Figure 13 may be used. Also, for the first detection switch 56 of the crane game device 10, it is possible to adopt a first detection switch that has a movable pulley that engages with the first wire part 51 like the second detection switch 257 shown in Figure 13 and detects slack in the first wire part 51.

In the crane game machine using the second detection switch 257 shown in FIG. 13, the control unit of the crane game machine stops the descent of the horizontal bar 40 by the vertical drive unit based on the detection result of at least one of the first detection switch and the second detection switch 257, similar to the control unit 66 described in the embodiment. In the second detection switch 257 shown in FIG. 13, the second wire 52 may deviate from the movable pulley 257a if the wire suddenly loosens. However, in the crane game machine using such a second detection switch 257, the horizontal bar 40 and three or more gripping units 30 can be stopped at appropriate positions by appropriately adjusting the withdrawal speed of the second wire unit 52, similar to the crane game machine 10 using the second detection switch 57 shown in the embodiment.

10...Crane game device 20...Cabinet section 21...Play space 23...Front side 24...Sliding door section 26...Prize placement surface 30...Gripping section 30a...First gripping section 31...Arm section 31a...Base section 31b...Tip section 30b...Second gripping section 30c...Third gripping section 30d...Fourth gripping section 30e...Fifth gripping section 32a, 32b, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e...Opening/closing drive section 40...Horizontal bar 40a...Center position 40b...First end section 40c...Second end section 50, 150...Up/down drive section 51...First wire section 52...Second wire section 51a, 52a...Wire tip section 51b, 52b...Wire base end 53, 153...Winding section 153a...First winding section 153b, 253b...second winding section 56...first detection switch 56a...first insertion hole 57, 257...second detection switch 57a...second insertion hole 56b, 57b...movable section 58a, 58b...pulley 257a...movable pulley 257b...support piece 257c...push switch 259...arrow 60...operation section 62...decision operation section 64...front-rear drive section 64a...movable beam section 66...control section 68...partition plate 70...prize discharge passage 72...connection opening 74...prize removal port 81a-81e...first to fifth prize discharge sensors 82a-82e...first to fifth detection areas D1...first horizontal direction D2...second direction D3...up-down direction

Claims (8)

The game device includes three or more gripping parts each having a plurality of arms that rotate around a base and open and close at their tips, the gripping parts being disposed in a housing in which a play space to be closed is formed, and the gripping parts each having a plurality of arms that rotate around a base and open and close at their tips;
A horizontal bar extending along a first horizontal direction of the play space and having three or more gripping portions;
A vertical drive unit that moves the horizontal bar in a vertical direction;
a front-rear drive unit that moves the vertical drive unit and the horizontal bar in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal direction and the vertical direction;
an opening/closing drive unit that opens and closes the arm unit, a control unit that controls the operation of the up/down drive unit and the front/rear drive unit;
an operation unit that is disposed outside the play space and drives the front-rear drive unit via the control unit to operate the positions of three or more of the grip units in the second direction;
A prize outlet passage that connects a connection opening connected to the play space and a prize outlet formed on the outer surface of the housing portion,
The up and down drive unit includes a first wire section having a first wire tip connected near a first end which is one end of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction, a second wire section having a second wire tip connected near a second end which is the other end of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction, and a winding unit capable of winding up and pulling out the first wire section and the second wire section, which is positioned above the horizontal bar and closer to the center position of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction than the first end and the second end in the first horizontal direction. The crane game device according to claim 1, wherein the winding section has a common drive section capable of winding and unwinding both the first wire section and the second wire section. a first prize discharge sensor that is provided in the prize discharge passage to form a first detection area in which a first gripping portion, which is one of the three or more gripping portions, overlaps with a position in the first horizontal direction, and detects a prize discharged from the play space to the first detection area;
The crane game device of claim 1, further comprising: a second prize discharge sensor that is arranged to overlap with a second gripping portion, which is another of the three or more gripping portions, in the first horizontal direction to form a second detection area in the prize discharge passage that is different from the first detection area, and that detects prizes discharged from the play space to the second detection area. a first detection switch having a first insertion hole through which the first wire portion is inserted and detecting loosening of the first wire portion; and a second detection switch having a second insertion hole through which the second wire portion is inserted and detecting loosening of the second wire portion,
The crane game device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit stops the lowering of the horizontal bar by the vertical drive unit based on a detection result of at least one of the first detection switch and the second detection switch. The crane game device according to claim 4, wherein the first detection switch and the second detection switch are arranged approximately symmetrically with respect to the first horizontal direction on one side and the other side of the center position of the horizontal bar in the first horizontal direction. a first detection switch having a movable pulley with which the first wire portion engages and detecting slack in the first wire portion; and a second detection switch having a movable pulley with which the second wire portion engages and detecting slack in the second wire portion,
The crane game device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit stops the lowering of the horizontal bar by the vertical drive unit based on a detection result of at least one of the first detection switch and the second detection switch. The crane game device according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening/closing drive unit opens the tip of the arm of each of the gripping parts above the connection opening at different times for at least one of the three or more gripping parts and at least one other of the three or more gripping parts. The crane game device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of controlling the opening/closing drive unit to adjust the gripping force of the gripping parts, and is capable of independently adjusting the gripping force of one of the three or more gripping parts and the gripping force of another of the three or more gripping parts.