(19)
(11) EP 3 747 515 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
09.12.2020 Bulletin 2020/50

(21) Application number: 20161809.7

(22) Date of filing: 09.03.2020
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A63F 7/00(2006.01)
A63F 7/28(2006.01)
A63F 7/02(2006.01)
A63F 7/38(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
Designated Extension States:
BA ME
Designated Validation States:
KH MA MD TN

(30) Priority: 07.06.2019 JP 2019107180

(71) Applicant: Tomy Company, Ltd.
Katsushika-ku Tokyo 124-8511 (JP)

(72) Inventor:
  • MIZUNUMA, Masanori
    Tokyo, 124-8511 (JP)

(74) Representative: Dr. Gassner & Partner mbB 
Wetterkreuz 3
91058 Erlangen
91058 Erlangen (DE)

   


(54) GAME DEVICE


(57) Provided is a game device including hidden mechanisms with unexpectedness and excitement. In the game device, a ball is guided from a start point to an end point by operation of operating members. The game device includes: a conveying rod (40) having a spiral protrusion formed on a surface of a shaft (41) extending in a horizontal direction; a ball (B) capable of being engaged with the spiral protrusion; a driving mechanism rotating the conveying rod (40) by operation of an operating member (lc), to cause the ball (B) to be conveyed in a predetermined direction; and a guide member (42, 43) provided near the conveying rod (40) and forming a wall, wherein when the ball (B) is conveyed, the shaft (41) and an upper end portion of the guide member (42, 43) support the ball (B) from below while slidingly contacting the ball (B), such that the ball (B) is moved around the shaft (41), thereby discharging the ball (B) from a predetermined position.




Description

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.


Claims

1. A game device (100) conveying a ball (B) from a start point (S) to an end point (G) by operation of operating members, the game device (100) including:

a conveying rod (40) having a spiral protrusion formed on a surface of a shaft (41) extending in a substantially horizontal direction;

a ball (B) capable of being engaged with the spiral protrusion;

a driving mechanism rotating the conveying rod (40) by operation of an operating member (1c), to cause the ball (B) engaged with the spiral protrusion to be conveyed in a predetermined direction along the shaft (41); and

a guide member (42,43) provided near the conveying rod (40) 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 the predetermined direction with respect to the shaft (41) in a side view, wherein when the ball (B) is conveyed in the predetermined direction, the shaft (41) and an upper end portion of the inclined guide portion support the ball (B) from below while slidingly contacting the ball (B), so that the ball (B) is moved around the shaft (41), thereby discharging the ball (B) from a predetermined position.


 
2. The game device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that,
the guide member (42,43) includes a first guide member (42) provided below the conveying rod (40) and extending so as to be inclined with respect to the shaft (41) in a plan view, and a second guide member (43) provided on a side of the conveying rod (40) and having the inclined guide portion and extending along the shaft (41) in a plan view, and
when the ball (B) is conveyed in the predetermined direction, the first guide member (42) moves the ball (B) close to a side of the second guide member (43), and the ball (B) is raised by slidingly contacting the ball (B) with the first guide member (42) and the upper end portion of the inclined guide portion, and further, by slidingly contacting the ball (B) with the shaft (41) and the upper end portion of the inclined guide portion, the ball (B) is raised while moving around the shaft (41).
 
3. The game device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that,
in a plan view, the second guide member (43) extends parallel to the shaft (41).
 
4. The game device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that,
an upper surface, except a ball (B) discharge portion, of the inclined guide portion is an inclined surface having a downward slope toward the shaft (41).
 
5. The game device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that,
the upper surface of the second guide member (43) at the discharge portion is an inclined surface having an upward slope toward the shaft (41).
 
6. The game device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that,
the shaft (41) is configured to have a slope in an extending direction, and a drum (32) 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 (41).
 
7. The game device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that,
the ball (B) is a metal ball.
 




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Cited references

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description