AUTOMATIC TILE-BASED GAME MACHINE

An automatic tile-based game machine includes a table. The table is provided with a shuffle mechanism, four conveying mechanisms, four stack mechanisms, four lift mechanisms and a central lift mechanism. The four conveying mechanisms the four stack mechanisms and the four lift mechanisms are disposed on four sides of the table. The central lift mechanism is disposed at the center of the table. The present invention has a simple configuration and the tiles can be shuffled quickly. Only one set of the tiles is required.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an automatic tile-based game machine.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Tile-based game machines, such as Domino machines and Okey machines, are popular entertainments in Europe and Latin America. In the past, the tiles are shuffled manually. This way has some drawbacks. Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention developed an automatic Domino machine as disclosed in Chinese Patent No. ZL200810062993.X. The Domino machine comprises a card table with a tabletop. The middle of the card table is provided with a shuffle device having a conveying groove. The shuffle device has tile passages around the shuffle device to communicate with the conveying groove. Four push and lift devices are provided above the tile passages. Stack devices are provided between the conveying groove and the tile passages. This patent achieves automation to shuffle and deal the tiles to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks.

However, the automatic Domino machine has the following drawbacks. The structure is complicated and the time to shuffle the tiles is long. Through the complicated shuffle device, the stack device and the lift device, it takes about one minute or more from the tiles shuffled in the shuffle barrel to the tile lifted to the tabletop. The distance for the tiles to be conveyed from the shuffle barrel to the tabletop is long and the tiles are jammed with ease. Two sets of the tiles are required, one set is playing on the table and the other set is standby in the machine. After play, the other set is lifted to the tabletop. Because the time to shuffle and convey the tiles is long, two sets of tiles are required to save the time.

Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devoted himself based on his many years of practical experiences to solve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an automatic tile-based game machine which has a simple configuration and is cost-effective. The tiles can be shuffled quickly and the failure rate is low.

In order to achieve the aforesaid object, the automatic tile-based game machine comprises a table. The table is provided with a shuffle mechanism, four conveying mechanisms, four stack mechanisms, four lift mechanisms and a central lift mechanism. The four conveying mechanisms, the four stack mechanisms and the four lift mechanisms are disposed on four sides of the table. The lift mechanism comprises a lift plate. One end of the lift plate is coupled to the table, and another end of the lift plate is a movable end. A lift bracket is provided under the lift plate. A crank is provided under the lift bracket to cooperate with the lift bracket. An electric motor is connected with the crank.

Preferably, the stack mechanism comprises a support seat. The support seat communicates with the lift plate through a tile passage. The support seat is disposed at the exit of the conveying mechanism. The position of the support seat is lower than the exit of the conveying mechanism. A tile stop is provided opposite the exit of the conveying mechanism. A detection light control is provided on the tile stop. A push member is provided at one side of the support seat and installed on a push rod. The push rod is mounted on a transmission rack. The transmission rack is mounted on a slide rod. A transmission gear meshes with the transmission rack. A stack motor is connected with the transmission gear. The stack mechanism is direct connected with the conveying mechanism and the lift mechanism, instead of the conventional tile passage. The support seat is improved. The push action is completed by the gear rack. The structure is simple. The distance and time for the tiles to be conveyed and stacked is greatly reduced. The tiles are pushed obliquely quickly. The gear rack facilitates the tiles to be conveyed stably.

Preferably, the shuffle mechanism is disposed at a central portion of the table. The shuffle mechanism comprises a shuffle barrel. The shuffle barrel comprises the shuffle plate therein. The shuffle plate has a plurality of scrape ribs thereon. A transmission gear is connected with the shuffle plate. A main driving gear is connected with the transmission gear. An electric motor is connected with the main driving gear. A plurality of ribs is provided on the periphery of the shuffle plate. A plurality of strong magnets is provided under the shuffle plate.

Preferably, the conveying mechanism comprises a draw wheel. The draw wheel is disposed above a shuffle plate. The draw wheel comprises a plurality of small strong magnets therein. The conveying mechanism further comprises a driving wheel, a driven wheel and a conveying belt to connect the driving wheel, the driven wheel and the draw wheel. A conveying motor is connected with the driving wheel. The structure is simple, the conveying distance is short, and the tiles can be conveyed more quickly.

Preferably, the shuffle plate has a high central portion and a lower circumferential edge to form an inclination. The shuffle plate has four scrape ribs radially from the center of the shuffle plate. The structure is more simply and the tiles can be shuffled quickly. Each of the tiles has a weak magnet therein. Through the action of magnetism, the faces of the tiles are kept to face downward by the strong magnets. The draw wheel is disposed above the ribs of the shuffle plate. The conveying mechanism further comprises a driving wheel, a driven wheel and a conveying belt to connect the driving wheel, the driven wheel and the draw wheel. A tightening wheel is adapted to tighten the conveying belt. The support seat has a first end close to the push member and a second end. The first end is lower than the second end. A small strong magnet is provided under the support seat. The movable end of the lift plate is provided with a door. The door is provided with a restoring spring.

Preferably, one end of the crank is connected with the electric motor and another end of the crank is a movable end. The movable end of the crank is provided with a bearing. The lift bracket has a hook extending from a left side thereof to cooperate with the bearing. The crank is provided with an induction magnet and a lift control plate corresponding in position to the crank. The lift control plate is provided with an upper sensor and a lower sensor corresponding in position to the induction magnet of the crank when the lift plate is ascended and descended. The tiles can be lifted more exactly and conveniently and the cost is lowered greatly.

Preferably, the conveying mechanism further comprises an electric valve and a tile sensor mounted on a side wall of a conveying passage. The electric valve is adapted to control pass of the tiles on the conveying belt in the conveying passage through disconnecting or connecting a power supply. The tile sensor is adapted to count the tiles passing the conveying belt. When the tiles reach a predetermined number, the tile sensor sends out a signal. The electric valve is controlled by the signal from the tile sensor. It is convenient and exact to count number of the tiles and to convey the exact number of the tile so as to enhance the play of the machine game.

Preferably, the electric valve comprises an electric valve shaft, a reset spring and an electromagnet. When the electric valve is disconnected from the power source, the electric valve shaft is retracted in the electric valve by the reset spring. When the electric valve is connected with the power source, by the action of the electromagnet, the electric valve shaft extends out of the electric valve to stop the surplus tiles. It is more convenient and exact to convey the required number of the tile and the cost can be lowered greatly.

Preferably, the push member of the stack mechanism has a contact surface at a certain angle. The contact surface of the push member is contact with tiles and perpendicular to the lift plate when the lift plate is descended to the lowest and the push member pushes the tiles to the lift plate. The tiles on the lift plate can be lifted to the tabletop in order, which is beneficial to play the game.

Preferably, a lid is provided at an upper end of the push member. The lid has a bottom surface. The tiles have a thickness. A distance defined between the bottom surface of the lid and the tiles is smaller than the thickness of the tiles. Alternatively, the lid is disposed at an upper end of the tile passage. The distance between the bottom surface of the lid and the tiles is smaller than the thickness of the tiles. This ensures the topmost tile won't move upward when the tiles are pushed. Preferably, the distance between the bottom surface of the lid and the tiles is from 1 mm to 2 mm, which is beneficial to achieve the aforesaid object.

Preferably, the stack mechanism further comprises a stop device. The stop device comprises a pair of stop plates and an elasticity setting device. The pair of stop plates is disposed at two sides of the tile passage. The elasticity setting device is mounted on the stop plates for the stop plates to be pushed away toward the direction that the tiles are moved forward. The design can overcome the problems that the stacked tiles are not neat and the tiles fall to the lift plate.

Preferably, the pair of stop plates is disposed at both sides of the tile passage. There are two elasticity setting devices at each side. The stop plates are mounted in the tile passage through the elasticity setting devices. The elasticity setting spring is a torque spring. This is beneficial to overcome the problems that the stacked tiles are not neat and the tiles fall to the lift plate. The cost can be lowered greatly.

Preferably, the conveying mechanism further comprises a sensor facing the tiles on the conveying belt of the conveying mechanism to detect the tiles whether they face upward.

Compared to the prior art, the present invention has a simple configuration and the tiles can be shuffled quickly about 5 to 8 seconds. The present invention provides four places to draw tiles, stack tiles and lift tiles. The distance to shuffle and deal the tiles is short. Only one set of tiles is required for playing games. The cost is lowered greatly. There is no chain, turning angel and jam. The failure rate is low. There is no need for maintenance. The present invention uses an oblique way to push the tiles instead of the conventional transverse way to push the tiles and/or the way to ascend/descend the tiles. Because the front end of the lift plate is fixed, the tiles are obliquely pushed from the bottom to the top and won't be jammed due to foreign articles or slight vibration of the tiles or displacement of the lift mechanism. One end of the lift plate is fixed to the tabletop, which is beneficial for a seamless connection of the lift plate and the tabletop to ensure a tidy machine and to play games conveniently. The lift plate is driven by the crank, which can be operated stably and conveniently and has a simple configuration. The game machine can be operated quietly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the shuffle mechanism taken along line A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the conveying mechanism taken along line B-B of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the stack mechanism to push the tiles toward the lift mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the present invention in a first operating state;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the present invention in a second operating state;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the present invention in a third operating state;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the conveying device of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the conveying device of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the oblique push member and the lid;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic views showing the oblique push member and the lid when in use;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing the stop device of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a top view showing the stop device of the present invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic tile-based game machine comprises a table 1. The table 1 is provided with a shuffle mechanism 2, four conveying mechanisms 3, four stack mechanisms 4, four lift mechanisms 5, and a central lift mechanism 6. The four conveying mechanisms 3, the four stack mechanisms 4 and the four lift mechanisms 5 are disposed on four sides of the table 1. The central lift mechanism 6 is disposed at the center of the table 1. The central lift mechanism 6 is provided with operation buttons to shuffle and lift tiles.

As shown in FIG. 2, the shuffle mechanism 2 is disposed at a central portion of the table 1, and comprises a shuffle barrel 20. The shuffle barrel 20 comprises a shuffle plate 21 therein. In this embodiment, the shuffle plate 21 has a high central portion 211 and a lower circumferential edge 212 to form an inclination. The shuffle plate 21 has a plurality of scrape ribs 22 thereon. In this embodiment, there are four scrape ribs 22 disposed radially from the center of the shuffle plate 21. A transmission gear 23 is connected with the shuffle plate 21. A main driving gear 24 is connected with the transmission gear 23. An electric motor 25 is connected with the main driving gear 24.

A plurality of strong magnets 26 are provided under the shuffle plate 21. A plurality of ribs 28 are provided on the periphery of the shuffle plate 21. Each of Domino tiles 27 has a weak magnet therein. Through the action of magnetism, the faces of the tiles 27 are kept to face downward by the strong magnets 26. This is beneficial to shuffle the tiles so as to ensure accuracy and to enhance the speed of shuffle.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the conveying mechanism 3 comprises a draw wheel 30. The draw wheel 30 is disposed above the ribs 28 of the shuffle plate 21. The draw wheel 30 comprises a plurality of small strong magnets 31 therein. In this embodiment, there are four small strong magnets 31 in the draw wheel 30. The conveying mechanism 3 further comprises a driving wheel 32, a driven wheel 33 and a conveying belt 34 to connect the driving wheel 32, the driven wheel 33 and the draw wheel 30. A tightening wheel 35 is adapted to tighten the conveying belt 34. A conveying motor 36 is connected with the driving wheel 32.

As shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the stack mechanism 4 comprises a support seat 40 which is disposed at the exit of the conveying belt 34 of the conveying mechanism 3. The position of the support seat 40 is lower than the exit of the conveying mechanism 3, as shown in FIG. 3. A small strong magnet 41 is provided under the support seat 40. A tile stop 43 is provided opposite the exit of the conveying mechanism 3. A detection light control 44 is provided on the tile stop 43. A push member 42 is provided at one side of the support seat 40 and installed on a push rod 47.

The push rod 47 is installed on a transmission rack 49 and slides along a slide rod 48. The transmission rack 49 is installed on the slide rod 48. A transmission gear 46 meshes with the transmission rack 49. A stack motor 45 is connected with the transmission gear 46. In this embodiment, the support seat 40 has a first end close to the push member 42 and a second end. The first end is lower than the second end, which is beneficial to stack the tiles in order.

As shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, the lift mechanism 5 comprises a lift plate 54. The lift plate 54 communicates with the support seat 40 of the stack mechanism 4 though a tile passage 7. The tiles 27 are pushed by the push member 42 through the tile passage 7 to the lift plate 54. One end of the lift plate 54 is coupled to the table 1 through a hinge 55. The lift board 54 can be turned about the hinge 55. Another end of the lift plate 54 is a movable end. A lift bracket 53 is provided under the lift plate 54. A crank 51 is provided under the lift bracket 53 to cooperate with the lift bracket 53. An electric motor 50 is connected with the crank 51. Preferably, the movable end of the lift plate 54 is provided with a door 511. The door 511 is provided with a restoring spring 510.

Preferably, one end of the crank 51 is connected with the electric motor 50 and another end of the crank 51 is a movable end. The movable end of the crank 51 is provided with a bearing 52. The lift bracket 53 has a hook 531 extending from a left side thereof to cooperate with the bearing 52. Through turning of the crank 51, when the bearing 52 is pushed to the lower end of the hook 531 at the left side of the lift bracket 53, the lift bracket 53 will descend by the push of the crank 51. The end facing the tile passage 7 of the lift board 54 is driven by the lift bracket 53 to descend for the tiles to be pushed forward. When the tiles 27 are completely pushed to the lift board 54, the crank 51 continues to turn from the hook 531 to the flat end. Thus, the lift bracket 53 drives the lift plate 54 to complete ascending.

The crank 51 is provided with an induction magnet 56, and a lift control plate 59 corresponds in position to the crank 51. The lift control plate 59 is provided with upper and lower sensors 57 corresponding in position to the induction magnet 56 of the crank 51 when the lift plate 54 is ascended and descended.

The procedures to practice the present invention are as follows:

1. Shuffling tile: When the user presses the operation button, the central lift mechanism will be lifted. The Domino tiles 27 are pushed into the shuffle barrel 20. The operation button is pressed again to descend the central lift mechanism 6 to be flush with the tabletop of the table 1. The shuffle plate 21 starts to turn clockwise. The four scrape ribs 22 on the shuffle mechanism 21 scatter the Domino tiles 27, and then the Domino tiles 27 are pushed to the circumferential edge of the shuffle plate 21. The four strong magnets 26 are disposed under the circumferential edge of the shuffle plate 21. Each of the Domino tiles 27 has a weak magnet therein. The Domino tiles 27 are kept to face upward when they meet the strong magnets 26 by the principle that the same magnetic poles are rejected and the different poles are attracted each other. The ribs 28 on the shuffle plate 21 guide the tiles to the draw wheel 30 of the conveying mechanism 3, as shown in FIG. 3. The draw wheel 30 is provided with the four small strong magnets 31. The draw wheel 30 is driven by the conveying motor 36 to bring the main driving wheel 32. The main driving wheel 32 drives the conveying belt 34. The tightening wheel 35 is adapted to adjust the tightness of the conveying belt 34 automatically. The other end of the conveying belt 34 is provided with the driven wheel 33. The draw wheel 30 is driven by the conveying belt 34. The draw wheel 30 draws the tiles at the ribs 28 of the shuffle plate 21. The tiles are delivered to the support seat 40 of the stack mechanism 4 through the conveying belt 34. The position of the support seat 40 is lower than the exit of the conveying mechanism 3, as shown in FIG. 3. The small strong magnet 41 disposed under the support seat 40 is adapted to attract the falling tiles. The first end of the support seat 40, close to the push member 42, is lower than the second end, so that a number of the tiles can be stacked in order. The tile stop 43 in front of the support seat 40 is used to stop all the tiles. The detection light control 44 on the tile stop 43 is used to detect the distance of the tiles and to count the tiles. Two tiles are stacked together to be a block. The transmission gear 46 is driven by the stack motor 45 to bring the push rod 47 and the push member 42 to push the tiles. The push member 42 is reciprocated to push the tiles until the predetermined number of the tiles, and then the shuffle mechanism 2 and the stack mechanism 3 stop running to complete shuffle, as shown in FIG. 4.

2. Lifting tiles: after the tiles are shuffled, the stacked tiles are ascended to the tabletop. The user operates the operation button of the central lift mechanism 6 to drive the electric motor 50 to bring the crank 51. The crank 51 is provided with the bearing 52. Through the turning of the crank 51, the bearing 52 is moved to the lower end of the hook at the left side of the lift bracket 53 and the other end of the lift plate 54 activated by the crank 51 is descended to the lowest to be inclined, as shown in FIG. 5. The lowest end of the lift plate 54 is flush with the tile passage 7. The crank 51 is provided with the induction magnet 56, and the lift control plate 59 corresponds in position to the crank 51. The lift control plate 59 is provided with the upper and lower sensors 57 corresponding in position to the induction magnet 56 of the crank 51 when the lift plate 54 is ascended and descended. When the lift plate 54 is fully descended, the induction magnet 56 on the crank 51 will be turned to the lower sensor 57 of the lift control plate 59. The sensor 57 will send a signal to stop the electric motor 50. The stack motor 45 drives the transmission gear 46, and the transmission gear 46 drives the transmission rack 49. The transmission rack 49 drives the push rod 47 and the push member 42. The stack mechanism 4 runs to push the tiles 27 in the tile passage 7 to the lift plate 54 until all the tiles are over the lowest end of the lift plate 54 as shown in FIG. 6. This can prevent the tiles from holding against the edge of the tabletop when the lift plate 54 is ascended. At the moment, the electric motor 50 drives the bearing 52 of the crank 51 to the other end of the lift bracket 53 so as to raise the lift plate 54 and the tiles. When the lift plate 54 and the tiles 8 are ascended to be flush with the tabletop, the crank 51 will be turned to the upper sensor 57 and the upper sensor 57 will send a signal to stop the electric motor 50. During ascending, the door 511 having the restoring spring 511 of the lift plate 54 will automatically turn downward. After ascending, the door 511 will automatically turn upward. The stack motor 45 drives the transmission gear 46, the transmission rack 49, the push rod 47 and the push member 42 to retract for next tile stack and lift.

Compared to the prior art, the present invention has a simple configuration and the tiles can be shuffled quickly about 5 to 8 seconds. There is no chain, turning angel and jam. The present invention provides four places to draw tiles, stack tiles and lift tiles, which is quiet and cost-effective. The failure rate is low. There is no need for maintenance. Only one set of tiles is required for playing games.

As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the conveying mechanism further comprises an electric valve 8 and a tile sensor 89 mounted on a side wall of a conveying passage. The electric valve 8 is adapted to control the pass of the tiles 27 on the conveying belt in the conveying passage through disconnecting or connecting the power supply. The tile sensor 89 is adapted to count the tiles passing the conveying belt. When the tiles reach the predetermined number, the tile sensor 89 will send out a signal. In order to achieve this function, the electric valve 8 and the tile sensor 89 are preferably disposed close to the working surface of the conveying belt. Alternatively, they are parallel to the tiles on the conveying belt in the conveying passage. The electric valve 8 is controlled by the signal from the tile sensor 89.

The electric valve 8 can be in different forms to control the pass of the tiles by disconnecting or connecting the power source. As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the electric valve 8 comprises an electric valve shaft 81, a reset spring 82 and an electromagnet 83. The electromagnet 83 uses the frame-type JY-0730T electromagnet. When the electric valve 8 is disconnected from the power source, the electric valve shaft 81 is retracted in the electric valve by the reset spring 82, not interfering with the conveying of the tiles. When the electric valve 8 is connected with the power source, by the action of the electromagnet 83, the electric valve shaft 81 will extend out of the electric valve to stop the surplus tiles, so that the required tiles can be conveyed exactly and conveniently. The cost is lowered. In order to achieve the aforesaid function, the present invention uses the electric valve as the conveying device. The connection way is a traditional technique and won't be described in detail hereinafter.

The tile sensor 89 can be infrared light control, temperature control or magnetic control to count the tiles passing the conveying belt and to send out a signal when the tiles reach the predetermined number. In order to achieve the aforesaid function, the tile sensor is used as the conveying device of the present invention. The sensor with its other parts and their connection are the traditional technique, which can be purchased on the market. To count the number of the tiles can be set by a program. The electronic valve is controlled by the signal from the tile sensor. The circuit how to control the electric valve by the signal is the prior art and won't be described hereinafter.

The distance between the electric valve and the tile sensor is to ensure the electric valve can close the conveying passage in time when the tile sensor detect the tiles reach the predetermined number. Preferably, the distance is not smaller than the length of a tile on the conveying belt, for example, equal to or slight greater than the length of a tile. The distance between them means the working distance in the conveying direction, such as the distance between the electric valve shaft and the tile sensor in the conveying direction. The position of them is not limited to the same side. Either of them can be in front of the other one. The operation program will do the corresponding setting. As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the electric valve is located behind the tile sensor.

The present invention has a simple configuration and is cost-effective. The tiles can be counted and conveyed exactly and conveniently to enhance the fun of the tile-based game machine.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the push member 42 has a contact surface at a certain angle. When the lift plate 54 is descended to the lowest and the push member 42 pushes the tiles 27 to the lift plate 54, the contact surface of the push member 42 is contact with the tiles 27 and perpendicular to the lift plate 54. Thus, the tiles on the lift plate are ascended to the tabletop and arranged in order.

The present invention further comprises a lid 44 disposed at an upper end of the push member or at an upper end of the tile passage. The lid 44 has a bottom surface. The tiles have a thickness. The distance between the bottom surface of the lid and the tiles is smaller than the thickness of the tiles. The bottom surface of the lid can be flat or oblique to ensure the topmost tile won't move upward. Preferably, the distance between the bottom surface of the lid and the tiles is from 1 mm to 2 mm, which is beneficial to achieve the aforesaid object. The size and shape of the lid can be changed and its installation is the prior art, just not interfering with the operation of the push member to push the tiles to the lift plate as well as the operation of the lift plate to ascend the tiles to the tabletop. The size of the lid is adapted to cover both the tile passage and the push member, or to cover the tile passage only, or to cover the middle portion of the tile passage. The shape of the lid can be sealed or hollow. The lid can be installed to the upper ends of both sides of the tile passage or disposed above the tile passage or the push member through support ribs.

As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the automatic tile-based game machine further comprises a stop device 9. The stop device 9 comprises a pair of stop plates 91 and an elasticity setting device 92. The pair of stop plates 91 is disposed at both sides of the tile passage 7. Preferably, the pair of stop plates 91 is located at the exit end of the tile passage 7, close to the lift plate 54. The size, shape and height of the stop plates 91 are not limited, just not interfering with the push member 42 to push the tiles 27 and the installation of the entire tile-based game machine. The elasticity setting device 92 is mounted on the stop plates 91 for the stop plates 91 to be pushed away toward the direction that the tiles are moved forward. The number of the elasticity setting device 92 can be one, two or more. As shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, there are two elasticity setting devices 92 at each side under consideration of cost and effect. The stop plates 91 can be direct mounted at both sides of the tile passage 7 through the elasticity setting device 92. The design can overcome the problems that the stacked tiles are not neat and the tiles fall to the lift plate. The cost can be lowered greatly.

Each stop plate can be a big piece or a small piece or a plurality of pieces. The installation position of the stop plate can be at the upper end or both upper and lower ends, or corresponding to each layer of the tiles 27. The number of the stop plates corresponds to the number of the tiles layers. In order to save the cost, the installation position can correspond to the middle thickness of each layer. This is beneficial to overcome the problems that the stacked tiles are not neat and the tiles fall to the lift plate. The cost can be lowered greatly.

In this embodiment, the elasticity setting spring is a torque spring. This is beneficial to overcome the problems that the stacked tiles are not neat and the tiles fall to the lift plate. The cost can be lowered greatly.

The working procedures are as follows:

First, as to the conveying device, according to the program setting, the tile sensor mounted at the side wall of the conveying passage counts the number of the tiles passing the conveying belt. When tiles reach the predetermined number, the tile sensor will send a signal for the electric valve to be connected with the power source. The electric valve will close the conveying passage. The electric valve shaft extends out to stop the surplus tiles. When the tiles are required to pass, the electric valve is disconnected from the power source and the electric valve shaft is retracted into the electric valve by the setting spring.

Secondly, as to the push device, the push member 42 has a contact surface at a certain angle. When the lift plate 54 is descended to the lowest and the push member 42 pushes the tiles 27 to the lift plate 54, the contact surface of the push member 42 is contact with the tiles 27 and perpendicular to the lift plate 54. Thus, the tiles on the lift plate are ascended to the tabletop and arranged in order.

Finally, as to the stop device, when the stop plates meet the power, such as the push member pushes the tile to move forward, the stop plates will be pushed to be hidden. After the articles pass, the stop plates will be pushed back to its original position by the elasticity setting device, so that the tiles can be arranged in order and stably. This is beneficial to overcome the problems that the stacked tiles are not neat and the tiles fall to the lift plate. The cost can be lowered greatly.

Thus, when the tile-based game machine runs, the push member 42 pushes the tiles 27 to pass the tile passage 7. Through the stop device, the tiles are pushed to the lift plate 54 in order and lifted to the tabletop for the players to play the game.

The present invention further comprises a sensor facing the tiles on the conveying belt of the conveying mechanism to detect the tiles whether they face upward. In this embodiment, the sensor is TCRT5000 sensor. When playing the game, the tiles on the table must face downward. Through the shuffle mechanism, the tiles are attracted to face downward. When in use, few of the tiles may face upward, but the probability is very low. The sensor is adapted to detect the tiles facing upward. When there is a tile facing upward, the sensor sends a signal to the CPU of the control system. The CPU controls the conveying motor 36 to turn reversely. The conveying motor 36 brings the conveying belt to move reversely, so that the tiles are retracted from the conveying belt to the shuffle mechanism to shuffle again.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tile-based game machine, comprising a table, the table being provided with a shuffle mechanism, four conveying mechanisms, four stack mechanisms, four lift mechanisms and a central lift mechanism, the four conveying mechanisms, the four stack mechanisms and the four lift mechanisms being disposed on four sides of the table, the lift mechanism comprising a lift plate, one end of the lift plate being coupled to the table, another end of the lift plate being a movable end, a lift bracket provided under the lift plate, a crank provided under the lift bracket to cooperate with the lift bracket, and an electric motor connected with the crank.

2. The automatic tile-based game machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stack mechanism comprises a support seat, the support seat communicating with the lift plate through a tile passage, the support seat being disposed at an exit of the conveying mechanism, the position of the support seat being lower than the exit of the conveying mechanism, a tile stop provided opposite the exit of the conveying mechanism, a detection light control provided on the tile stop, a push member provided at one side of the support seat and installed on a push rod, the push rod being mounted on a transmission rack, the transmission rack being mounted on a slide rod, a transmission gear meshing with the transmission rack, a stack motor connected with the transmission gear.

3. The automatic tile-based game machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the conveying mechanism comprises a draw wheel, the draw wheel being disposed above a shuffle plate, the draw wheel comprising a plurality of small strong magnets therein, the conveying mechanism further comprising a driving wheel, a driven wheel and a conveying belt to connect the driving wheel, the driven wheel and the draw wheel, and a conveying motor connected with the driving wheel.

4. The automatic tile-based game machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the shuffle mechanism is disposed at a central portion of the table, the shuffle mechanism comprising a shuffle barrel, the shuffle barrel comprising the shuffle plate therein, the shuffle plate having a plurality of scrape ribs thereon, a transmission gear connected with the shuffle plate, a main driving gear connected with the transmission gear, an electric motor connected with the main driving gear, a plurality of ribs provided on the periphery of the shuffle plate, a plurality of strong magnets provided under the shuffle plate.

5. The automatic tile-based game machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the shuffle plate has a high central portion and a lower circumferential edge to form an inclination, the shuffle plate having four scrape ribs radially from the center of the shuffle plate, tiles each having a weak magnet therein, through the action of magnetism, the faces of the tiles being kept to face downward by the strong magnets, the draw wheel being disposed above the ribs of the shuffle plate, the support seat having a first end close to the push member and a second end, the first end being lower than the second end, a small strong magnet provided under the support seat, the movable end of the lift plate being provided with a door, the door being provided with a restoring spring.

6. The automatic tile-based game machine as claimed in claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4 or claim 5, wherein one end of the crank is connected with the electric motor and another end of the crank is a movable end, the movable end of the crank being provided with a bearing, the lift bracket having a hook extending from a left side thereof to cooperate with the bearing, the crank being provided with an induction magnet and a lift control plate corresponding in position to the crank, the lift control plate being provided with an upper sensor and a lower sensor corresponding in position to the induction magnet of the crank when the lift plate is ascended and descended.

7. The automatic tile-based game machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the conveying mechanism further comprises an electric valve and a tile sensor mounted on a side wall of a conveying passage, the electric valve being adapted to control pass of the tiles on the conveying belt in the conveying passage through disconnecting or connecting a power supply, the tile sensor being adapted to count the tiles passing the conveying belt, when the tiles reach a predetermined number, the tile sensor sending out a signal, the electric valve being controlled by the signal from the tile sensor.

8. The automatic tile-based game machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein the electric valve comprises an electric valve shaft, a reset spring and an electromagnet, when the electric valve is disconnected from the power source, the electric valve shaft being retracted in the electric valve by the reset spring, when the electric valve is connected with the power source, by the action of the electromagnet, the electric valve shaft extending out of the electric valve to stop the surplus tiles.

9. The automatic tile-based game machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the push member of the stack mechanism has a contact surface at a certain angle, the contact surface of the push member being contact with tiles and perpendicular to the lift plate when the lift plate is descended to the lowest and the push member pushes the tiles to the lift plate.

10. The automatic tile-based game machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the stack mechanism further comprises a stop device, the stop device comprising a pair of stop plates and an elasticity setting device, the pair of stop plates being disposed at two sides of the tile passage, the elasticity setting device being mounted on the stop plates for the stop plates to be pushed away toward the direction that the tiles are moved forward.

11. The automatic tile-based game machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the conveying mechanism further comprises a sensor facing the tiles on the conveying belt of the conveying mechanism to detect the tiles whether they face upward.

Patent History
Publication number: 20130001875
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 20, 2012
Publication Date: Jan 3, 2013
Inventors: Hu Wang (Shaoxing City), Guo-Xin Wu (Shaoxing City)
Application Number: 13/528,715
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Electrical (273/237); Game Board Structure (273/287)
International Classification: A63F 3/00 (20060101); A63F 11/00 (20060101);