Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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',fARGE-VOLUME-TYPE APPARATUS FOR EJECTING
CIRCULAR PLATE BODIES
The present invention relates to an apparatus for ejecting and
sending out one by one circular plate bodies which are thrown
into at loose loading conditions.
Especially, this invention relates to an ejecting apparatus for
l0 forcibly sending out circular plate bodies one by one which are
thrown into at loose loading conditions in a huge amount.
This invention concretely relates to a large-volume-type
ejecting apparatus which can forcibly and one by one send out
circular plate bodies, such as coins with circular plate forms
which are money or medals with circular plate forms which are
used for games and so on, which are thrown into at loose
loading conditions.
20 This invention more concretely relates to an apparatus for
ejecting circular plate bodies which is suitable for game
machines which uses a great amount of medals or coins or
tokens.
grior art
In the past, many kinds of apparatus for ejecting coins which
are circular plate bodies are well-known.
30 For example, there is an apparatus for forcibly send out coins
one by one, by rotating a coin sending disk within a pipe-
shaped tank for receiving a stack of coins in loose loading
conditions.
In concrete, the disk for sending coins which is set
approximately upright in this tank is rotated to send out coins
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which are picked up one by one from the inside of said tank.
This type apparatus for ejecting circular plate bodies is
disclosed in the gazette of Japanese Patent Publication N° 6-
44305 or Application N° 2-152852 or United States Patent Number
5,122,094 corresponding thereto.
A perspective view of the coin sending-out apparatus which is
disclosed in this publication is shown in Fig. 5 and a side
l0 section view thereof is shown in Fig. 6.
Using Figs. 5 and 6, the operation of said coin sending-out
apparatus is summarily explained here.
First, by means of an electric motor (not shown), a coin
sending disk 2 with a deep plate form is rotated in the
clockwise direction in a big pan form tank 1 about a center
rotating axis 12.
20 By the rotating of this disk 2, the coins in the drum-shaped
disk 2 receives the agitating effects by the projections 6
which are formed inside of the surrounding wall 4 of the disk
2.
As a result, the coin in the disk 2 goes into holes 5 for
receiving coins which are opened in the bottom of disk 2
circumferentially. The coins which went into the receiving
holes 5 go through the receiving holes 5 and are slidably held
on the surface of big square support plate 11.
After this, the sliding coin is forcibly sent out by a coin
outlet 23 which is shown in Fig. 5 left.
Namely, the coin is guided to the outlet 23 and sent out, by
means of coin sending nails (not shown) formed on the lower
surface of disk 2, a guiding plate 15 formed on the surface of
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support plate 11, and a flange of surrounding wall 22 for
attaching the tank 1.
In other words, the coin which is moved by the sending nail is
guided by the flange surrounding wall. 22 rrf tank 1 and the
guiding plate 15.
Then, finally, said coin is guided by a fixed guide roller (not
shown) and a movable guide roller 26, and pumped out from the
coin outlet 23.
However, in the above-mentioned apparatus for ejecting a
circular plate body, there was a problem that the payout
operation of coins were at high speed and ended immediately,
because the tank has a small capacity. especially, in a case
of game apparatus using a great amount of tokens, there was a
problem that a coin sraortage occurred and damaged the
attractive game on the way of game playing.
This invention was developed at an object to supply an
apparatus for ejecting circular plate bodies, of which the
receiving capacity of circular plate bodies such as coins paid
out is greatly improved., ~n addition, the invention was
developed at another object to supply an apparatus for ejecting
circular plate bodies, which can dispense all of circular plate
bodies without leaving.
Means to solve problems
F~ccordi:rig t.o true pa~c 4,F~,~t_: ..r~~r n ,,:..e. c~ v,, t x~~,re ~_~~
pro~rided a
ruigh-capacity apparak~~a~ fc~ ~:~,~ ~~t.a..ri~~ :;i :cJu:Lax: ~:>late bodies,
comprising
first fork rna~ns ~~~i j w~i..~0~ r~ ~_n t-_ha itor_m of a
tube having openi r :~~ <=~.t it ~;~ lux>~nt~.~~ ~lvt~ !.r..~wer ends and
being
provided iuciineLl,
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an outl~e~ (~~) f~.:~ the ~;i._cu~.ar plate )~;odies (C)
formed at the lower openinc:.:~f ~:lm i.rsr tank means,
ejecting means (t16? fc::z c:_ie~~riric:~ a circular plate
body which is rotatable anc~ pr;=>vri.~te::~ s _ar~t.ingly within the
first tank means,
secon~~ tank rnE:anc:. ('°irj wrii~iu i:~ at least partly
in a .Large tubu.laz: c. rm ~arrd a r z:::-~rlc~e:~d t.o ~u'b:>tantially
:::ommunicate with tt-~e~ ~.ipper c:~~veru~~nc~ ~.1tror' f:_i rst: t~~nk
means,
and
c.onveyi.nc:l means , ~:::' > tsar c~c:>nvc_~y:inc~ the circ!~lar
plate bodies from the sacs>ncl t.~=~,r~k. rrce<~ros (56) to the first
ank means ( 91 j , cW <~r.~c t.ez : , :r~ i n ~, h,~t-, t ~e conveying means
( 52 j has the form of a bi.~::~ ri.r~c:l ~inc~i ,... prc;~vided iota tably
at the upper opening oir thr:= f i gist. tatak means, and
in that a gr:~~c::tre (r:l j i.:~ i~:~r~rf:ed along the inside
of the lower opening of the second t,:~nk means (56i .
Preferably, this s_n~rer~t:<i.c:n ~~:~~ ~~rn. ;:~~~par~tu~, for ~~jectirug a
c::ircular plate ioc>dy _:I-:az ~~~a_~ ~ :~f:~i. i.rv t.:.h.at ~~ clroove is
formed along the v.rzi~.de rf= L :wcer: ~:~J~~~rni.ng edgr.Y c:f paid
::second tank means.
Preferably, this ~.nvent:i.on is an apparatus for ejecting a
circular plate bo::.~y ;~harac:a:erW~~:c.l i r hat said means for
r_.onveying circular plate b;~~:i.e:i:~ pr-c.», filed with means for
t:oldi.r~g a c::ir~~:u La:~ plat:e r~c:,:a~.; :.r, i j:~~ s~.~t l _~<~e
t_herc~<:~f .
E~,odying form of ~~ a invent5"5~
This invention is explained below, zeferring to the attached
drawing of the embodying,
Fig. 1 is a summarized side view which shows one embodiment
according to this invention.
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Fig. 2 is a section end view of a subject portion which is
seen from the diagonal top of Fig. 1 front.
Fig. 3 is a side view which shows the subject portion of
Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a front view which shows a subject portion of
another.
Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective and side-views, respectively,
of the apparatus of the prior art as described above.
Referring to the present invention, symbol 31 which is
shown in
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the lower portion of Fig. 1 is a big rectangular base plate,
and this base plate 31 is horizontally installed within a game
machine which uses coins, tokens and so on. A thing with a
triangle form which is shown in the left of Fig. 1 is one of a
pair of frames 32 which are fixed in the setting-up state at
each end of the base plate 31, respectively.
33 which is shown in the central portion of Fig. 1 is a
rectangular fixation plate, and the plate 33 is inclined and
l0 fixed on the pair of frames 32 in setting up condition.
Further, in the both ends at the upper edge of fixation plate
33, hinges 34 and 34 are formed respectively.
35 stacked on the fixation plate 33 is a rectangular movable
plate, and the both ends at the upper edge of this movable
plate 35 are pivoted respectively by the hinges 34 and 34 so
that the movable plate 35 becomes rotatably.
20 36 shown on the lower portion of fixation plate 33 is a coil-
shaped spring, and this spring 36 is provided between the both
ends of lower edge of fixation plate 33 and the both ends of
lower edge of movable plate 35, being slidably without loosing.
Concretely, a hole with bottom is formed in the surface of the
fixation plate 33 which faces the movable plate 35, and the
spring 36 is slidably inserted and projected in the hole.
Therefore, when the movable plate 35 becomes light weight, the
30 movable plate 35 can be slightly rotated upward about the hinge
34 under the action of spring 36.
A thing with a small box form which is shown on the lower
portion of fixation plate 33 is a switch 37 such as a limit
switch, and this switch 37 is turned on or off by the
approaching or leaving of movable plate 35.
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41 which is shown on the upper portion of movable plate-35 is
a short tubular tank. On the first tank 41, a flange 42 which
protrudes outside is formed at the opening edge of the lower
portion.
Through this first flange 42, the tank 41 is fixed on the
movable plate 35.
Further, an outlet 43 for the circular plate body is formed at
l0 a part of flange 42.
A second flange 44 which protrudes outside is formed at the
upper opening edge on the tank 41. The lower portion of this
flange 44 is mainly formed for the outside (see Fig. 2).
46 within the tank 41 is a disk with deep plate form, and this
disk 46 is rotated by an electric motor 39, a deceleration
apparatus (not shown) and a rotating axis 38.
In addition, as clear from the drawing, the rotating axis 38 is
20 on the central axis line of the disk 46 and the first tank 41.
Also, 47 shown on Fig. 2 is a pierced hole, and a plurality of
pierced holes 47 are opened in the circumference of disk 46 and
at regular interval.
These pierced holes pile and stores circular plate bodies.
A plurality of small gears 51 are provided on the upper portion
of the second flange 44, these gears 51 for three-point support
30 are circumferentially provided in regular intervals and
moreover rotatably. A big ring 52 is provided on these gears
51, and on the underside of this ring, a big gear 53 is formed
and engaged with three gears 51. Further, this big ring 52 is
a means for conveying circular plate bodies C (see Fig. 2).
Also, in the upper surface of ring 52, a large number of
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approximately U-shaped recesses 54 are formed circumferentially
and at equal intervals (see Fig. 2).
A symbol 55 which is shown in the lower portion of second
flange 44 is an electric motor (see Fig. 1), and this electric
motor 55 is a means for rotating the big ring 52 by means of
the small gears 51 and large gear 53.
56 which is shown in the right of Fig: 1 is a second tank with
l0 big tubular form, and on the opening edge of the lower portion
of this tank 56, a flange 57 is outwardly formed.
Further, this flange 57 is mounted on the second flange 44
intervening the three gears 51 by means of bolts and nuts or
clamps (not shown).
Also, as clear from Fig. 1, the central axis line 59 of second
tank 56 is situated on a lower portion than the rotating axis
38 as the central axis line of the first tank 41.
Further, the whole wall of lower opening of second tank 56 is
projected outwardly, and in the inside thereof, a groove 61
with ring form is formed (see Fig. 3).
This groove 61 is used for conveying circular plate bodies into
the first tank 41 without leaving, when a number of circular
plate bodies in the second tank 56 becomes small.
In other words, making the circular plate bodies which slipped
out from the inner bottom of second tank 56 fall into the
groove 61, and filliping the circular plate bodies in the
groove 61 by the standing pins 58, as the result, the circular
plate bodies are received in the recesses 54.
Therefore, it is desirable that the width W in the opening of
groove 61, i.e. the distance between the surface of ring 52 and
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the inner bottom of second tank 56 is bigger than the radius of
circular plate body C.
In operation of this embodiment having the above-mentioned
constitution, firstly, a lot of circular plate bodies are
thrown into the first tank 41 and the second tank 56 and are
stored in loose loading conditions (not shown).
When the disk 46 is rotated by the electric motor 47 in this
condition, the disk 46 is rotated in the clockwise direction,
for instance.
Thus, the circular plate bodies which are in loose loading
conditions in the first tank 41 are piled into the pierced
holes 47 of turning disk 46.
The circular plate body which is situated on the lowest portion
in said pierced hole 47 is slidably moved on the upper surface
of movable plate 35, and by means of the projection arm (not
shown), the circular plate bodies are forcibly sent out one by
one to the outlet 43.
Further, in other words, by the rotation of disk 46 with a deep
plate form, the circular plate bodies are agitated with the
projections (not shown) which are formed inside of the
surrounding wall 48 of disk 46.
As the result, the circular plate bodies in the disk 46 are
stored into the pierced holes 47 in the bottom of disk 46.
The circular plate bodies which went into the pierced holes 47
go through the pierced holes 47 and is slidably held on the
surface of big rectangular movable plate 35.
The circular plate bodies are ejected to the outlet 23, by
means of the sending nails (not shown) which are formed on the
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underside of disk 46, a guidance plate (not shown) which is
formed in the surface of movable plate 35, and the flange 42
for mounting the tank 41.
Like mentioning above, most of the circular plate bodies in the
first tank 41 are ejected from the outlet 43.
However, at the lower portion of second tank 56, the circular
plate bodies are leaved.
When the circular plate bodies in the first tank 41 becomes
little in the weight, the load of movable plate 35 is reduced
and the elasticity power in spring 36 acts.
As the result, the switch 37 is turned on, the electrical motor
55 is driven, and the ring 52 turns.
When the ring 52 is turned counterclockwise for example, the
circular plate bodies C ( see Fig . 2 ) which are in the lower
20 portion of second tank 56 are fitted into a numerous number of
recesses 54 to be held and are upwardly conveyed.
The upwardly conveyed circular plate bodies C fall below,
because of the self-weight of circular plate body C, against
the centrifugal force by the rotation of ring 52 (see Fig. 2).
Falling circular plate bodies C go through the opening 50 of
ring 52 and fall to the lower portion of first tank 41, as
shown at the arrow in Fig. 3.
Thus, a lot of circular plate bodies are stored up into the
first tank 41 and the ejecting of the circular plate bodies
which depends on the disk 46 is continued.
When the circular plate bodies in the first tank 56 becomes
many, the movable plate 35 turns off the switch 37 by the
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weight thereof and the rotation of motor 55 is stopped.
Of course, the electric motor 55 may be made the stop some
later, after the switch 37 is turned on.
Also, the disk 41 is explained as a deep plate form. However,
a disk with a thin disk form may be used of course, as
described in the specification of United States Patent N°
4,589,433 or Japanese Application N° 59-22825 (Japanese Patent
l0 Publication N° 62-45586) corresponding thereto. In this case,
a plurality of pins with circular axis form are planted at
equal intervals on the limb part of the thin circular disk.
These pins hitch to hold circular plate bodies and convey them.
Also, it is good of course that a pin with small strip form or
a square axis-shaped pin and so on may come across the
replacement of said circular axis-shaped pin.
Further, it is of course enough that the depth of the recess in
20 ring 52 is equal to or more than one thickness of the circular
plate body C. In addition, the size of opening 50 of ring 52
and the size of opening in the first tank 41 (that is, the size
of opening 40 in the disk 46) are decided, considering the
inclined angle of ring 52 and the direction of the fall of
circular plate body C and so on.
Also, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a lot of recesses 54
are formed in the surface of large-sized ring 52. However, as
shown in Fig. 4, pins 17 with circular axis-shaped form or
3o small strip-shaped pins or square axis-shaped pins, etc. may be
used of course. In Fig. 2, the pins 58 are planted in the
suitable peripheral portion of large ring 52. However, as shown
in Fig. 4, step portions 72 with small recess or projection may
be used of course.
In other words, circular plate bodies C are flicked from the
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groove 61 by means of the step potions 72. As the result, the
circular plate bodies C can be put among a plurality of pins 71
or in recesses 54.
Moreover, replacing the combination of spring 36 and switch 37,
a sensor such as a pressure sensitive element or a strain
detective element, etc. (not shown) are of course permitted.
In this case, for example, the movable plate 35 is removed, the
pressure sensitive element is provided on the proper place on
the surface of fixation plate 33, and the flange 42 of first
tank 41 is directly contacted to the pressure sensitive
element.
In addition, a belt apparatus for the replacement of the small
gear and large-sized gear is permitted to be used of course.
Also, combining a gear apparatus and a belt apparatus is
permitted to be used of course.
As above mentioned, this invention adds the second tank to the
first tank and also disposes the conveying means from the
second tank to the first tank.
Therefore, the circular plate bodies can be housed in the
communicated first and second tank at large quantities.
Further, every circular plate bodies which are left at the
lower portion of second tank can be transferred to the first
tank by the conveying means.
Therefore, this present invention gets a big effect that all of
a great amount of disk bodies can be perfectly used.
Accordingly, as for the game apparatus which huge medals are
especially used for, this invention gets a big advantage that
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the attractiveness of the game is maintained without medal
shortage occurring.
Explanation of the symbol
C: circular plate body,
First tank means ---
41: first tank,
44: flange,
Means for ejecting a circular plate body ---
43: outlet,
46: disk,
Means for conveying circular plate bodies ---
52: ring,
54: recess,
Second tank means ---
56: second tank,
57: flange, and
61: groove.
