Field of the Invention
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a game device.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Conventionally, a game device is known, the game device being provided with a plurality
of hidden mechanisms serving as obstacles and a plurality of operating members for
operating the hidden mechanisms in a game board, wherein a ball is conveyed from a
start point to an end point by operating the hidden mechanisms using the operating
members (for example, patent document 1).
Prior art document
Patent document
[0003] Patent document 1: Japanese Utility Model Publication No.
57-5009
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be solved by the present disclosure
[0004] According to the game device, if the hidden mechanisms are not smoothly operated
using the operating members, the ball may not advance forward, or the ball may return
to a predetermined position, so that one cannot enjoy a game with excitement.
[0005] In such a game device, new hidden mechanisms with unexpectedness and excitement are
desired.
[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problem, and an object
of the present disclosure is to provide a game device having hidden mechanisms with
unexpectedness and excitement.
Means used to solve the problem
[0007] A first solution is a game device for conveying a ball from a start point to an end
point by operation of operating members, characterized in that, the game device includes:
a conveying rod having a spiral protrusion formed on a surface of a shaft extending
in a substantially horizontal direction;
a ball capable of being engaged with the spiral protrusion;
a driving mechanism rotating the conveying rod by operation of an operating member,
to cause the ball engaged with the spiral protrusion to be conveyed in a predetermined
direction along the shaft; and
a guide member provided near the conveying rod and forming a wall and having an upper
end portion having an inclined guide portion, the inclined guide portion being inclined
so as to have an upward slope toward a predetermined direction with respect to the
shaft in a side view, wherein when the ball is conveyed in the predetermined direction,
the shaft and an upper end portion of the inclined guide portion support the ball
from below while slidingly contacting the ball, so that the ball is moved around the
shaft, thereby discharging the ball from a predetermined position.
[0008] A second solution is characterized in that, on the basis of the first solution,
the guide member includes a first guide member provided below the conveying rod and
extending so as to be inclined with respect to the shaft in a plan view, and a second
guide member provided on a side of the conveying rod and having the inclined guide
portion and extending along the shaft in a plan view, and
when the ball is conveyed in the predetermined direction, the first guide member moves
the ball close to a side of the second guide member, and the ball is raised by slidingly
contacting the ball with the first guide member and the upper end portion of the inclined
guide portion, and further, by slidingly contacting the ball with the shaft and the
upper end portion of the inclined guide portion, the ball is raised while moving around
the shaft.
[0009] A third solution is characterized in that, on the basis of the second solution,
in a plan view, the second guide member extends parallel to the shaft.
[0010] A fourth solution is characterized in that, on the basis of the second or third solution,
an upper surface, except a ball discharge portion, of the inclined guide portion is
an inclined surface having a downward slope toward the shaft.
[0011] A fifth solution is characterized in that, on the basis of the fourth solution,
the upper surface of the second guide member at the discharge portion is an inclined
surface having an upward slope toward the shaft.
[0012] A sixth solution is characterized in that, on the basis of any one of the first to
fifth solutions,
the shaft is configured to have a slope in an extending direction, and a drum having
an end plate on which walls forming a maze are erected is provided at an end portion,
which is located at a lower position, of two end portions of the shaft.
[0013] A seventh solution is characterized in that, on the basis of any one of the first
to sixth solutions,
the ball is a metal ball.
Effect of the Invention
[0014] According to the above technical solutions, when the ball is conveyed in a predetermined
direction, the ball is moved around the conveying rod, and thus there is unexpectedness.
In addition, the ball is raised while the ball is supported from below by the shaft
of the conveying rod and the upper end portion of the guide member, and thus the ball
is unstably supported. If a speed of rotation of the conveying rod is high, the ball
will fall off from the guide member. Therefore, in order to prevent the ball from
falling off, delicate speed adjustment is required so that a game with excitement
can be realized.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0015]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a game device according to the
present disclosure.
Fig. 2 is a side view showing a sawtooth step and a first operating member.
Fig. 3 is a side view showing a seesaw passage.
Fig. 4 is a front view showing a ferris wheel maze.
Fig. 5 is a plan view showing passages from the ferris wheel maze to a conveying rod.
Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a first guide member and a second guide member.
Fig. 7 is a front view showing the first guide member and the second guide member.
Fig. 8 is a side cross-sectional view showing a bounce platform and a second operating
member.
Fig. 9 is a side view showing a third guide member and a fourth guide member.
Fig. 10 is a plan view of a launch platform.
Fig. 11 is a side view showing the launch platform and a fourth operating member.
Fig. 12 is a plan view of an inclined passage.
Fig. 13 is a rear view of the inclined passage.
Fig. 14 is a side view showing the inclined passage and a fifth operating member.
Fig. 15 is a side view showing a rotating arm and a sixth operating member.
Fig. 16 is a diagram for explaining functions of the first to fourth guide members.
Description of reference signs
[0016] 100: game device; 110: game board; 10: sawtooth step; 20: seesaw passage; 30: ferris
wheel maze; 40: conveying rod; 42: first guide member; 43: second guide member; 50:
bounce platform; 60: launch platform; 70: basin; 80: inclined passage; 90: final bounce
platform; B: ball.
Detailed Description of the Embodiments
[0017] A game device of the present disclosure will be described below based on the embodiments
shown in the drawings.
"Overall Structure"
[0018] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a game board 110.
[0019] A game device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a game board 110.
The game board 110 is used in a laid-flat state.
[0020] The game board 110 is provided with a start point S, a sawtooth step 10, a seesaw
passage 20, a ferris wheel maze 30, a conveying rod 40, a bounce platform 50, a launch
platform 60, a basin 70, an inclined passage 80, a final bounce platform 90, and an
end point G.
[0021] In addition, the game board 110 is provided, at a front side thereof, with a first
operating member 1a, a second operating member 1b, a third operating member 1c, a
fourth operating member Id, a fifth operating member 1e, and a sixth operating member
If sequentially from the right to the left.
[0022] Then, in the game board 110, the first operating member 1a, the second operating
member 1b, the third operating member 1c, the fourth operating member 1d, the fifth
operating member 1e, and the sixth operating member If are appropriately operated,
so that a ball B made of metal is conveyed from the start point S to the end point
G. The ball B may not be made of metal, but may be made of resin. However, in order
to reliably guide the ball from the start point S to the end point G, a ball that
is somewhat heavy is preferable.
"Detailed Structure"
1. Start point S
[0023] A hole 111 capable of holding the ball B is provided at the start point S. As shown
in Fig. 2, a lever 11 having a front end portion connected to the first operating
member 1a is provided below the hole 111. The lever 11 is configured to be rotatable
about a shaft 11a, and a protruding portion 12 attached to the lever 11 is located
below the hole 111.
[0024] The first operating member 1a is a button-type operating member. When the first operating
member 1a is pressed, the ball B placed at the start point S is hit by an upper end
of the protruding portion 12, so that the ball B advances toward the sawtooth step
10.
2. Sawtooth step 10
[0025] The sawtooth step 10 is formed by left and right steps 13a and 13b which are arranged
side by side. The left step 13a is a fixed step, and the right step 13b is a movable
step that moves up and down. Width dimensions of pedal portions of the left and right
steps 13a and 13b are set to be equal, and depth dimensions of the pedal portions
of the left and right steps 13a and 13b are set to be equal. In addition, the pedal
portions of the left and right steps 13a and 13b have a slightly downward slope toward
an inner side, and the pedal portions of the left step 13a and the pedal portions
of the right step 13a have a slightly downward slope toward opposite steps. In addition,
curb-like walls are provided on edges of the pedal portions of the left and right
steps 13a and 13b, notches are appropriately provided on said walls, and the ball
B easily falls off from said notches.
[0026] In addition, vertical plate portions of the left step 13a and vertical plate portions
of the right steps 13b are formed so as to be shifted in a depth direction.
[0027] Further, an abutting portion 14 of the lever 11 is located below the right step 13b.
[0028] Moreover, by means of the operation of the first operating member 1a, the ball B
placed on the left and right steps 13a and 13b bounces and moves to the pedal portions
of the left and right steps 13a and 13b alternately, and is guided from an uppermost
pedal portion of the left step 13a into the seesaw passage 20.
3. Seesaw passage 20
[0029] As shown in Fig. 3, a road surface of the seesaw passage 20 is U-shaped. In the seesaw
passage 20, when a speed of movement of the ball B is slowed down after the ball B
moves back and forth on the U-shaped road surface, the ball B is guided, from a notch
22 of a wall 21 attached to the seesaw passage 20, to a passage 31 nearby the ferris
wheel maze 30. The passage 31 is inclined downward toward the ferris wheel maze 30.
4. Ferris wheel maze 30
[0030] The ferris wheel maze 30 is formed by a drum 32. The drum 32 is provided in such
a manner that a central axis thereof extends in a front-rear direction. As shown in
Fig. 4, a ball inlet 32a (see Fig. 1) formed by a notch is formed on a peripheral
surface of the drum 32. In addition, walls 32b of various shapes forming a maze are
formed inside the drum 32, and a ball outlet 32c is formed upright at a bottom (end
plate) of the drum 32. The drum 32 is connected to the third operating member 1c by
means of the conveying rod 40 described later. In addition, a front end of the drum
32 is open, but a transparent plate that prevents the ball B from falling off may
be attached to the front end of the drum 32.
[0031] The third operating member 1c is a rotary operating member, and the drum 32 is rotated
by rotating the third operating member 1c. Thus, the ball B is guided into the drum
32 from the ball inlet 32a, and is guided out from the ball outlet 32c to a passage
33 through the maze.
[0032] The passage 33 extends in a width direction of the game board 110, and has a downward
slope toward the left. As shown in Fig. 5, a left end of the passage 33 is connected
to a passage 34 extending in the front-rear direction. The passage 34 has a downward
slope toward the front. A hole 34a is formed in a front end portion of the passage
34. The hole 34a communicates with a hole (not shown) formed on a wall, facing the
conveying rod 40, among walls forming the passage 34.
[0033] Thus, the ball B guided out from the ball outlet 32c passes through the passage 33
and the passage 34, and is guided into a passage 35 through the hole 34a of the passage
34, the passage 35 being an underground passage arranged below the conveying rod 40.
The passage 35 is a U-shaped passage similar to the seesaw passage 20, and the ball
B guided into the passage 35 is guided, by means of the momentum, to a position below
the conveying rod 40 through a passage 36 having a hairpin bend.
5. Conveying rod 40
[0034] The conveying rod 40 is a member provided with a spiral protrusion on a surface of
a shaft 41. The shaft 41 of the conveying rod 40 is configured to extend in the front-rear
direction, a rear end of the shaft 41 of the conveying rod 40 being slightly lower
than a front end thereof. The front end of the shaft 41 of the conveying rod 40 is
connected to the third operating member 1c, and the rear end thereof is connected
to the drum 32 mentioned above.
[0035] A first guide member 42 for moving the ball B from a position below the conveyance
rod 40 toward a side of the conveying rod 40, and a second guide member 43 for raising
the ball B, are provided near the conveying rod 40.
[0036] The first guide member 42 forms a wall and is inclined, with respect to the shaft
41 of the conveying rod 40, in such a manner that the first guide member 42 extends
from a position below the conveying rod 40 toward a side of the conveying rod 40 in
a plan view (see Fig. 5 and a part (B) of Fig. 6). An upper end portion of the first
guide member 42 has a same height in the extending direction. A front end of the first
guide member 42 is connected to the second guide member 43.
[0037] In addition, the second guide member 43 forms a wall, and extends in the front-rear
direction in parallel with the shaft 41 of the conveying rod 40 in a plan view. An
upper end portion, except a front end portion, of the second guide member 43 becomes
gradually higher toward the front (see a part (A) of Fig. 6), and forms an inclined
guide portion. Moreover, an upper surface, except a ball B discharge portion, of the
second guide member 43 is inclined downward toward the conveying rod 40 (see a part
(A) of Fig. 7). This inclined surface is denoted by reference sign 43a. The downwardly
inclined surface is provided so as to press the ball B toward the conveying rod 40.
Besides, the front end portion of the upper end portion of the second guide member
43 has a substantially fixed height, and the ball B discharge portion at the front
end portion is inclined upward toward the conveying rod 40 (see a part (A) of Fig.
6 and a part (B) of Fig. 7). This inclined surface is denoted by reference sign 43b.
The upwardly inclined surface is provided so as to discharge the ball B loaded on
the front end portion to the outside of the conveying rod 40.
[0038] As shown in a part (A) of Fig. 16, according to the first guide member 42 and the
second guide member 43 in such a configuration, by rotating the conveying rod 40 in
one direction, the ball B located below the conveying rod 40 is gradually pushed,
by means of the first guide member 42, toward a side of the conveying rod 40, such
that the ball B is loaded on the second guide member 43. After that, by slidingly
contacting the ball B with the upper end portion of the second guide member 43 and
the shaft 41, the ball B gradually raises while moving around the shaft 41.
[0039] Then, the ball B is discharged to the outside of the conveying rod 40 from a position
at the inclined surface 43b of the front end portion of the second guide member 43,
and is guided to the bounce platform 50. In addition, when the ball B is loaded on
a front end portion of the conveying rod 40, a portion directly below the center of
gravity of the ball B is preferably loaded on the inclined surface 43b. Moreover,
here, the inclined surface 43b is connected to the inclined surface 43a with a step
difference therebetween such that a downslope of the inclined surface 43a is set as
an upslope of inclined surface 43b. However, a boundary portion, where the inclination
is reversed, may be flat without being inclined, or the inclination may be gradually
reversed. That is, the downward inclination may be gradually reduced, and the upward
inclination may be achieved after a state without inclination.
6. Bounce platform 50
[0040] As shown in Fig. 8, the bounce platform 50 includes three impact cylinders 51a, 51
b, and 51c. Heights of the impact cylinders 51a, 51b, and 51c are set such that the
impact cylinder 51a is the lowest and the impact cylinder 51c is the highest.
[0041] A lifting body 53 is provided below the bounce platform 50. In the lifting body 53,
protruding portions 53a, 53b, and 53c are provided vertically so as to be in one-to-one
correspondence with the impact cylinders 51a, 51b, and 51c. Upper ends of the protruding
portions 53a and 53b are inclined so as to have a downward slope toward the front.
In addition, an upper end of the protruding portion 53c is inclined so as to have
a downward slope toward the left. Moreover, the protruding portions 53a, 53b, and
53c face the corresponding impact cylinders 51a, 51b, and 51c. Besides, heights of
the protruding portions 53a, 53b, and 53c are set such that the protruding portion
53a is the lowest and the protruding portion 53c is the highest.
[0042] A lever 52 configured to be rotatable about a shaft 52a is provided below the lifting
body 53. The second operating member 1b, which is a button-type operating member,
is attached to a front end portion of the lever 52, and an abutting portion 53d abutting
the lifting body 53 is attached to a rear end portion of the lever 52. Moreover, when
the second operating member 1b is pressed, the lifting body 53 is pushed upward by
means of the lever 52, and the protruding portions 53a, 53b, and 53c hit the ball
B.
[0043] By means of the bounce platform 50, the ball B from the conveying rod 40 is first
loaded on the impact cylinder 51a. After that, each time the second operating member
1b is pressed, the ball B bounces and moves toward the impact cylinders 51b and 51c,
successively. Further, the ball B loaded on the impact cylinder 51c passes over the
conveying rod 40 by pressing the second operating member 1b, hits a semi-cylindrical
collecting portion 55c attached to a third guide member 55, and falls into a position
between the third guide member 55 and the conveying rod 40. Then, an upper end portion
of the third guide member 55 and the shaft 41 of the conveying rod 40 support the
ball B from below.
[0044] The third guide member 55 forms a wall and is located on a side of a front half of
the conveying rod 40. In a side view, the third guide member 55 has an upward slope
toward the rear with respect to the shaft 41 (see Fig. 9), and in a plan view, the
third guide member 55 is inclined so as to gradually approach the conveying rod 40
in a direction from the front to the rear of the conveying rod 40 (see Fig. 1). Moreover,
as shown in a part (B) of Fig. 16, when the third operating member 1c is rotated clockwise,
the ball B gradually raises while moving around the shaft 41, by slidingly contacting
the ball B with the upper end portion of the third guide member 55 and the shaft 41;
the ball B then falls off from a notch 55a located at a middle portion in the front-rear
direction of the conveying rod 40, and is discharged to a launch platform 60 (see
Fig. 9) outside the conveying rod 40.
[0045] In addition, the third guide member 55 is configured such that it has an upward slope
toward the rear with respect to the shaft 41 in a side view and is inclined to gradually
approach the conveying rod 40 in the direction from the front to the rear of the conveying
rod 40 in a plan view. However, this is to make the ball B raise easily, and the third
guide member 55 may be set to either structure. In short, the ball B moves around
the shaft 41 by the rotation of the conveying rod 40. Thus, the ball B is unstably
supported, and a game with a sense of urgency can be realized.
7. Launch platform 60
[0046] Fig. 10 shows a launch platform 60. A disk surface of the launch platform 60 is inclined
downward toward the front (see Fig. 11). The launch platform 60 includes two ball
receiving portions 61 and 62. The ball receiving portion 61 forms a front end portion
of the launch platform 60 and has a width of approximately one ball B. The ball B
from the conveying rod 40 is guided to the ball receiving portion 61. In addition,
the ball receiving portion 62 is located at the center of the disk surface of the
launch platform 60, and has a U-shape in a plan view.
[0047] Below the launch platform 60, a sliding plate 65 movable in the front-rear direction
is provided. A spring 66 biases the sliding plate 65 rearward. A front end of the
sliding plate 65 is connected to the fourth operating member Id. The fourth operating
member Id is configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The fourth operating
member 1d is provided with hitting portions 66a and 66b which are in one-to-one correspondence
with the ball receiving portion 61 and the ball receiving portion 62.
[0048] Then, by pulling the fourth operating member Id and releasing it, the ball B located
in the ball receiving portion 61 is bounced by the hitting portion 66a, and the ball
B is loaded on the ball receiving portion 62. By pulling the fourth operating member
1d and releasing it once again, the ball B located at the ball receiving portion 62
is bounced by the hitting portion 66b, and then is guided to a basin 70 through an
inclined surface 64.
8. Basin 70
[0049] The ball B guided into the basin 70 moves and rotates in the basin 70, and is finally
guided to a bottom of the basin 70. Two holes 71a and 71b are formed at the bottom
of the basin 70. In addition, a column 72 supporting the basin 70 is provided below
the basin 70 (see Fig. 5). A passage 73a communicating with the hole 71a is formed
inside the column 72, and the ball B having entered the hole 71a is guided into an
inclined passage 80. Moreover, a passage 73b communicating with the hole 71b is formed
inside the column 72, and the ball B having entered the hole 71b is guided, through
passages 74 to 76, to a position between a rear end portion of the conveying rod 40
and a fourth guide member 77.
[0050] The fourth guide member 77 forms a wall and is located on a side of a rear half of
the conveying rod 40; the fourth guide member 77 is inclined so as to gradually approach
the conveying rod 40 in a direction from the rear to the front of the conveying rod
40 in a plan view (see Fig. 1). In addition, an upper end portion, except a rear end
portion, of the fourth guide member 77 has an upward slope toward the front with respect
to the shaft 41 so as to raise the ball B toward the front of the conveying rod 40
when the third operating member 1c is rotated counterclockwise. Then, as shown in
a part (C) of Fig. 16, when the third operating member 1c is rotated counterclockwise,
the ball B guided to a position between the rear end portion of the conveying rod
40 and the fourth guide member 77 gradually raises while moving around the shaft 41,
by slidingly contact the ball B with the upper end portion of the third guide member
55 and the shaft 41. Then, the ball B falls off from a notch 55a located at the middle
portion in the front-rear direction of the conveying rod 40, and is discharged to
the launch platform 60 outside the conveying rod 40.
[0051] In addition, the fourth guide member 77 is configured such that it has an upward
slope toward the front with respect to the shaft 41 in a side view and is inclined
to gradually approach the conveying rod 40 in the direction from the rear to the front
of the conveying rod 40 in a plan view. However, this is to make the ball B raise
easily, and the fourth guide member 77 may be set to either structure. In short, the
ball B moves by the rotation of the conveying rod 40. Thus, the ball B is unstably
supported, and a game with a sense of urgency can be realized.
9. Inclined passage 80
[0052] Fig. 12 is a plan view of the inclined passage 80. The inclined passage 80 includes
a passage plate 82 on which a meandering passage 81 is formed. The passage plate 82
is configured to be rotatable around a shaft 82a extending in the front-rear direction.
As shown in Fig. 13, a triangular protrusion 83 is provided below the passage plate
82. In addition, as shown in Fig. 14, a lever 84 having a front end attached to the
fifth operating member 1e is provided below a disk surface. The lever 84 is configured
to be rotatable about a shaft 84a extending in a vertical direction. An end of the
lever 84 abuts the protrusion 83.
[0053] The fifth operating member 1e is an operating member slidable to the left and right.
By operating the fifth operating member 1e to the left and right, the lever 84 is
rotated, and the inclined passage 80 is inclined toward the left and right.
10. Final bounce platform 90
[0054] As shown in Fig. 15, the final bounce platform 90 includes a rotating arm 91. The
rotating arm 91 is configured to be rotatable about a shaft 91a extending in the width
direction. A ball receiving portion 92 is provided at a front end of the rotating
arm 91.
[0055] In addition, a lever 93 having a front end attached to the sixth operating member
If is provided below a disk surface. The lever 93 is configured to be rotatable about
a shaft 93a extending in the vertical direction. A protrusion 93b is provided at a
rear end of the lever 93, and the protrusion 93b abuts the rotating arm 91.
[0056] The sixth operating member If is a button-type operating member. By pressing the
sixth operating member If, the rotating arm 91 is rotated, the ball B located at the
ball receiving section 92 enters a bell 120 of the end point G by means of the reverse
rotation of the ball receiving section 92, and the bell 121 rings.
"Game Method"
[0057] The ball B is loaded on the start point S, and the first operating member 1a is pressed.
Then, the ball B is loaded on the sawtooth step 10. When the first operating member
1a is pressed in this state, only the right step 13b is raised, and when the first
operating member 1a is released, the right step 13b is lowered. By such a raising/lowering
operation of the right step 13b, the ball B moves to the left and right steps 13a
and 13b alternately, and at the same time, the ball B is moved to the uppermost section
of the left step 13a. At this time, if the operation timing or the like of the first
operating member 1a is not appropriate, the ball B will fall off from the sawtooth
step 10, or the ball B cannot smoothly bounce and move to a next step.
[0058] The ball B moved to the uppermost section of the left step 13a is guided to the seesaw
passage 20. In the seesaw passage 20, the ball B moves back and forth in the seesaw
passage 20, and is guided to the ferris wheel maze 30 when the momentum decays. If
the ball B reaches the ferris wheel maze 30, the third operating member 1c is operated.
When the third operating member 1c is rotated, the drum 32 is rotated, and the ball
B is guided to a maze in the drum 32. Then, the ball B is guided to the ball outlet
32c, while rotating the third operating member 1c in such a manner that the ball B
passes through the maze in one direction or the other. After that, the ball B is discharged
from the ball outlet 32c toward the passage 33. Then, the ball B is guided, through
the passages 33 to 36, to a position below the conveying rod 40.
[0059] Here, when the third operating member 1c is rotated counterclockwise, the ball B
located below the conveying rod 40 is pushed out toward a side of the conveying rod
40 by the first guide member 42, and at the same time, the ball B is raised by means
of the second guide member 43. Then, the ball B having reached the front end portion
of the second guide member 43 falls off from the second guide member 43 and is loaded
on the impact cylinder 51a of the bounce platform 50. In addition, if the rotation
operation of the third operating member 1c is excessively accelerated, the ball B
will fall off from the second guide member 43 halfway, and the ball B will not be
loaded on the impact cylinder 51a of the bounce platform 50.
[0060] In a state in which the ball B is loaded on the impact cylinder 51a of the bounce
platform 50, when the second operating member 1b is pressed, the ball B bounces and
moves toward the impact cylinder 51b nearby. When the second operating member 1b is
pressed again, the ball B further bounces and moves toward the impact cylinder 51c
nearby. Then, when the second operating member 1b is pressed while the ball B is loaded
on the impact cylinder 51c, the ball B is hit to the left at this time, and passes
over the conveying rod 40 and falls to a position between the third guide member 55
and the conveying rod 40. In addition, if the operation of the second operating member
1b becomes weak, the ball B will fall out of the forward path.
[0061] In a state in which the ball B falls to a position between the third guide member
55 and the conveying rod 40, when the third operating member 1c is rotated clockwise,
the ball B is conveyed rearward by the cooperation of the third guide member 55 with
the conveying rod 40, and is guided to the launch platform 60 from the notch 55a.
Further, in this case, if the rotation operation of the third operating member 1c
is excessively accelerated, the ball B may fall off from the third guide member 55
halfway, and the ball B may fall out of the forward path.
[0062] The ball B guided to the launch platform 60 is guided to the ball receiving portion
61. In this state, when the fourth operating member Id is pulled and then released,
the ball B will enter the ball receiving portion 62 if all goes well. Then, when the
fourth operating member Id is pulled and released again, the ball B passes over the
inclined surface 64 and enters the basin 70. In addition, if the operation of the
fourth operating member Id becomes weak, the ball B will return to the ball receiving
portion 61.
[0063] The ball B having entered the basin 70 moves and rotates inside the basin 70, and
when the momentum becomes weak, the ball B enters either of the holes 71a and 71b.
When the ball B enters the hole 71b, the ball B is guided, through the passages 74
to 76, to a position between the rear end portion of the conveying rod 40 and the
fourth guide member 77.
[0064] In this state, when the third operating member 1c is rotated counterclockwise, the
ball B is conveyed forward by the cooperation of the fourth guide member 77 with the
conveying rod 40, and returns to the launch platform 60 from the notch 55a. Further,
in this case, if the rotation operation of the third operating member 1c is excessively
accelerated, the ball B may fall off from the fourth guide member 77 halfway, and
the ball B may fall out of the forward path.
[0065] Moreover, when the ball B enters the hole 71a, the ball B is guided to the inclined
passage 80. In this state, when the fifth operating member 1e is operated, the passage
plate 82 is inclined toward the left and right, and the ball B moves in the meandering
passage 81. Then, if all goes well, the ball B will be conveyed to an exit, and the
ball B can be loaded on the ball receiving portion 92 of the rotating arm 91. In addition,
if the operation timing of the fifth operating member 1e is not appropriate, it will
be difficult for the ball B to move out of the inclined passage 80, or the ball B
will fall off from the inclined passage 80.
[0066] When the ball B is loaded on the ball receiving portion 92 of the rotating arm 91,
the sixth operating member If is pressed. Thus, the rotating arm 91 is rotated around
the shaft 91a, the ball B enters the bell 120 of the end point G, and the bell 121
rings.
[0067] The embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, but the present
disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. Various modifications can be made without
departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.
[0068] In the above embodiment, two guide members, the first guide member 42 and the second
guide member 43, are provided in order to raise the ball B from a lower side of the
conveying rod 40 to an upper side the conveying rod 40. If the ball B is merely raised
from a side of the conveying rod 40 to the upper side of the conveying rod 40, it
is sufficient to provide a guide member, such as the third guide member 55, 77, having
an upper end portion having an upward slope with respect to the shaft 41 in a conveying
direction. In this case, the guide member may extend parallel to the shaft 41 of the
conveying rod 40 in a plan view. Alternatively, it is only necessary to provide a
guide member formed so as to gradually approach the conveying rod 40 in the conveying
direction in a plan view.