JP3578702B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to the technical field of gaming machines.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, there is a game machine using a game ball (pachinko ball) like a pachinko machine. In this type of gaming machine, for example, a game ball is paid out as a prize ball for winning. Therefore, in the gaming machine, a ball tank for storing game balls, an alignment gutter for aligning the game balls flowing out of the ball tank, and a game ball as a prize ball by passing the flow of the game balls passing through the alignment gutter. A mechanism that holds the prize ball dispensing device to be dispensed, and is provided with a relay gutter connecting the alignment gutter and the inflow side of the prize ball dispenser, a passage for connecting the prize ball dispenser with the upper and lower ball trays, and the like. A board was provided (for example, JP-A-2000-140332).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-140332, the conventional mechanical panel is a frame having a window facing the back of the game board, so that a large molding die is required for injection molding the frame. Needed.
[0004]
The mechanism board is connected to the main body of the gaming machine via a pivot mechanism, and for example, the game board could be replaced for inspection or repair on the back side of the gaming machine, but the mechanism board could be opened. Opening and closing was not easy, as it occupied a significant portion of the back of the aircraft. In addition, if the wiring connected to the game board or the electric components attached to the back of the game board straddles the frame of the mechanism board, those wires are temporarily disconnected or reconnected at the time of opening and closing described above. I had to.
[0005]
In addition, since the mechanical panel is so large that it occupies a considerable portion on the back side of the gaming machine, the space for other parts is limited accordingly.
That is, since the mechanical panel is large, there are various disadvantages as exemplified above.
[0006]
Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine in which a game board, a middle frame holding the game board, a ball tank storing game balls, and game balls flowing out of the ball tank are arranged. An alignment gutter, a prize ball dispensing device for dispensing a game ball as a prize ball by passing a flow of game balls aligned on the alignment gutter, an upper ball tray for receiving the dispensed game ball, and In a gaming machine having a lower ball saucer,
A horizontal portion to which the ball tank and the alignment gutter are fixed, and a vertical portion provided with a descending passage for guiding a game ball that has passed through the alignment gutter, and having a substantially L-shape;
The vertical portion includes a portion connected to an upper plate passage leading to an upper ball tray disposed on the front side of the gaming machine, and the lower end of the vertical portion cannot flow into the upper plate passage. There is a lower end outlet for letting out the game balls,
A passage structure that is connected to the main body of the gaming machine via pivot means arranged along the outer side of the vertical portion;
An upstream end is connected to a lower end outlet of the passage structure, and a downstream end includes a lower plate passage communicating with a lower ball tray disposed on a front side of the gaming machine, and is fixed to a lower rear portion of the middle frame. And a lower passage structure,
The lower end of the passage structure substantially corresponds to the lower side of the game board, and the opening of the passage structure allows the game board to be detached from the rear side of the gaming machine.
It is characterized by the following.
[0007]
This passage structure has a substantially L-shape in which a horizontal portion and a vertical portion are integrated, and there is no portion corresponding to a window in a conventional mechanism panel, so that a molding die for injection molding this becomes small. .
In addition, since this L-shape occupies a small area on the back side of the gaming machine as compared with the conventional mechanical panel, it can be easily opened and closed, and the reduced size can be used as space for other parts. Can be turned to.
[0008]
In particular, by passing wiring to a game board (attached electric parts) through a portion (a portion lacking an L-shape) that does not straddle the passage structure, such wiring interferes with the passage structure during opening and closing. This can be avoided, and there is no need to temporarily disconnect or reconnect the wiring when opening and closing.
[0009]
The vertical portion includes a portion connected to an upper plate passage leading to an upper ball tray disposed on the front side of the gaming machine .
The upper plate passage usually passes through a part of the lower part of the game board cut out. Therefore, the lower end of the passage structure including the connection portion with the upper plate passage substantially corresponds to the lower side of the game board. Therefore, by opening the passage structure, the back surface of the game board can be almost completely exposed. This facilitates operations such as inspection, repair, and replacement of components mounted on the back surface of the game board .
[0010]
At the lower end of the vertical portion, there is provided a lower end outlet for letting out the game balls that could not flow into the upper plate passage, and the lower end outlet is connected to the upstream end of the lower plate passage of the lower passage structure. The lower passage structure is fixed to a lower rear portion of the middle frame, and a downstream end of the lower plate passage communicates with a lower ball tray disposed on the front side of the gaming machine. Thereby , a series of passages from the ball tank to the upper ball tray and the lower ball tray can be configured.
[0011]
The passage structure is connected to the main body of the gaming machine through a shaft supporting means disposed along the outer side of the vertical portion, and the lower end of the passage structure substantially corresponds to the lower side of the game board. When the game board is opened, the game board is set at a position where it can be attached to and detached from the rear side of the game machine.
Since the conventional mechanical panel also includes a portion corresponding to the lower passage structure (lower plate guiding portion), for example, the lower plate guiding portion that does not need to be moved when inspecting the back side of the game board. Has been released. For this reason, a mechanism for fixing the lower plate guiding portion to the main body side and releasing the fixing is required by means of preventing the game balls from flowing out from the lower plate guiding portion or the lower ball receiving tray.
[0012]
However, by adopting the above configuration, it is not necessary to make the lower passage structure movable, and the above-described mechanism and the like required when opening and closing the lower passage structure are not required. Therefore, the structure of the lower passage structure is simplified, and the structure of the gaming machine as a whole is also simplified.
Moreover, since the game board can be detached from the back side of the game machine by opening the passage structure, the game board can be easily replaced (so-called face change).
[0013]
Gaming machine according to claim 2 is a characterized by the gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the prize ball delivery device is attached to the middle of the inlet portion or the falling path of the descending path of the passageway structure I do.
The prize ball payout device requires that the supplied (flowing) game balls be aligned, so that the prize ball payout device may be basically installed anywhere downstream of the alignment gutter. However, if installed at the entrance of the descending passage, a so-called relay gutter can be eliminated. Also, there is an advantage that the position in the vertical direction can be appropriately selected in the middle of the descending passage according to the relationship with other components.
[0014]
Gaming machine of claim 3, wherein, in claim 1 or 2 gaming machine, wherein the axial support means are constituted by a shaft and the bearing, the other one of the shaft and the bearing is provided in the passage structure wherein It is characterized by being arranged in the middle frame .
[0015]
The bearing means is not particularly limited as long as it is a so-called hinge structure, but a simple structure, that is, a structure constituted by a shaft and a bearing is preferable in consideration of injection molding of the passage structure. One of the shaft and the bearing may be disposed in the passage structure, and the other may be disposed in the middle frame .
[0016]
Since the gaming machine of the present invention is provided with the passage structure and the lower passage structure as described above, it is not necessary to make the lower passage structure movable as described above, and it is necessary to open and close the lower passage structure. The above-described mechanism and the like, which have been described above, become unnecessary. Therefore, the structure of the lower passage structure is simplified, and the structure of the gaming machine as a whole is also simplified.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples of the present invention.
[0018]
【Example】
FIG. 1 is a rear view of a pachinko machine, which is a kind of a game machine, with an outer frame removed (that is, a middle frame portion). FIG. 2 is a view in which the passage structure is removed from the state of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the passage structure.
[0019]
The middle frame 10 is a molded product of a synthetic resin. The hinge 11 used for connection with the outer frame, the locking and unlocking of a glass frame (not shown) attached to the front side, and the locking and unlocking of the middle frame 10 itself are performed. Metal fittings 12, a firing device 13 and the like are attached.
A lower tray gutter 21 communicating with a lower ball tray (not shown) is provided at a lower portion of the middle frame 10, and a window 14 is provided from the center to the upper portion. An upper plate passage 22 (see FIG. 2) is provided to project from the lower side of the window 14 and communicate with an upper ball receiving plate (not shown).
[0020]
Although not shown in detail, the rear end of the upper dish passage 22 protrudes from the rear surface of the game board 15, the rear end is closed by a wall 22a, and an opening 22b is provided in the upper part. For this reason, normally, the game ball from above is received from the opening 22b and guided to the upper ball tray. However, when the upper ball receiving tray is full and the area near the opening 22b is full of game balls, the game balls from above become overflowing balls without entering the opening 22b.
[0021]
The window 14 is provided with a holding protrusion 14a, and holds the game board 15 so as to be sandwiched between the holding protrusion 14a and the front edge of the window 14. The game board 15 can be removed by lifting it upward from the state shown in FIG. 2 and pulling it out to the rear side of the pachinko machine, and can be attached by the reverse operation. That is, the game board 15 can be attached / detached in the manner of attaching / detaching the sliding door to / from the threshold.
[0022]
A main control board 16, a voice control board 17, a lamp control board 18 and the like are arranged on the back of the game board 15, and a symbol control board (not shown) is arranged at a position hidden by the main control board 16. . On the back of the game board 15, a back board 19 that supports these boards and serves as a path for guiding a winning ball (safe ball) to fall is attached. At the lower end of the rear panel 19, a drop port 20 for dropping a winning ball is provided.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 2, hinge shafts 23 and 25 forming a pair at the top and bottom are attached to the right side in the drawing of the middle frame 10. The upper hinge shaft 23 is urged downward by the coil spring 24, but can be lifted against this urging force. On the other hand, the position of the lower hinge shaft 25 is fixed.
[0024]
A passage structure 30 is attached to the middle frame 10 via the hinge shafts 23 and 25.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the overall shape of the passage structure 30 is L-shaped, and in the use state shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal portion 31 is located along the horizontal direction, and the horizontal portion 31 is also located along the vertical direction. And a vertical portion 32.
[0025]
The tank body 34 is attached to the horizontal portion 31. The tank body 34 is a structure in which a ball tank 34a for storing game balls and an alignment gutter 34b for aligning (in this embodiment, two rows) game balls flowing out of the ball tank 34a are integrated. An upstream portion of 34b is provided with a tank switch 34c for detecting presence or absence of a game ball. Further, an external relay board 35 for relaying between the pachinko machine and the outside (power supply, management computer of the game store) is attached to the corner portion.
[0026]
A pair of bearings 36 and 37 respectively corresponding to the hinge shafts 23 and 25 are provided on the outer side of the vertical portion 32, and the hinge shaft 23 is inserted into the bearing 36, and the hinge shaft 25 is inserted into the bearing 37. This constitutes the shaft support means. If the hinge shaft 23 is pulled up, it can be removed from the bearing 36, and if the hinge shaft 23 is removed, the hinge shaft 25 and the bearing 37 can be separated. On the contrary, the bearing structure is first fitted on the lower hinge shaft 25, and then the upper hinge shaft 23 is pulled up to align with the bearing 36, and then the hinge shaft 23 is lowered. 30 can be attached to the middle frame 10 (that is, the main body of the pachinko machine).
[0027]
The vertical section 32 is provided with a merging device 38 for merging two rows of game balls received from the tip of the alignment gutter 34b into one row. Below the upper passage 40, there is provided an upper passage 40 having an inflow portion 40a for receiving a row of game balls from the merger 38. The upper passage 40 supplies the game ball from the inflow portion 40a to the prize ball payout device 42 after relaxing the ball pressure by meandering in a meandering portion (not shown).
[0028]
In addition, a switching mechanism 44 for switching the flow of the game ball passing through the meandering portion to the ball passage 43 is provided below the upper passage 40. Note that the switching mechanism 44 is normally in a state of guiding game balls to the prize ball payout device 42, and is switched to the ball removal passage 43 by manual operation in the present embodiment.
[0029]
The prize ball payout device 42 has a publicly known structure, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, the prize ball payout device 42 has two payout mechanisms, one for a prize ball and the other for lending a ball, and each system can be operated independently. In other words, more precisely, it is a prize ball and a ball rental payout device.
A lower passage 45 is provided below the winning ball payout device 42. The lower passage 45 is formed with downstream portions of the payout passage 46 and the ball ejection passage 43. In addition, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 1, the ball passage 43 passes through the front side of the prize ball dispensing device 42 and forms a series with the portion on the upper passage 40 side.
[0030]
Game balls (prize balls and lending balls) discharged from the prize ball payout device 42 flow into the payout passage 46. A downstream portion of the payout passage 46 is a branch portion 46a bulging behind the pachinko machine. The branch portion 46a covers the rear end of the above-mentioned upper plate passage 22, and has a structure in which the game ball that has passed through the payout passage 46 falls toward the opening 22b. The branch portion 46a corresponds to a connection portion with the upper plate passage 22.
[0031]
In addition, a space is provided between the rear end wall 22a of the upper plate passage 22 and the inner surface of the diversion portion 46a so that the game ball can pass with a margin, and the ball overflows without entering the opening 22b. The game ball further falls through this space. The lower end of the branching portion 46a is not closed but is formed as a lower end outlet 48 to allow overflow balls to flow out.
[0032]
The tank body 34, the external relay board 35, the merging device 38, the movable parts of the switching mechanism 44, and the winning ball payout device 42 are detachable from the passage structure 30. In this passage structure 30, a lower passage is constituted by the upper passage 40 and the lower passage 45. In addition, both the tank body 34 and the passage structure 30 are molded products of synthetic resin.
[0033]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a lower passage structure 50 is attached to a lower rear portion of the middle frame 10.
The lower passage structure 50 is provided with a lower plate passage 52 having a receiving portion 52 a connected to the lower end outlet 48. The receiving portion 52a has a funnel shape with the upper end protruding behind the pachinko machine, and the upper end is aligned with the lower end outlet 48. Thereby, the overflowing ball from the lower end outlet 48 can be received from the receiving portion 52a. The downstream end of the lower dish passage 52 communicates with the lower dish gutter 21, and the game balls flowing from the receiving portion 52 a are discharged from the lower dish gutter 21 to the lower ball catcher.
[0034]
A lower ball passage 53 is provided along the right side of the lower plate passage 52 in the figure. The upstream end of the lower ball ejection passage 53 is connected to the downstream end of the ball ejection passage 43, and the downstream end communicates with the external discharge port 54. Therefore, the game balls that have flowed into the ball passage 43 by the operation of the switching mechanism 44 are discharged from the outside discharge port 54 to the outside of the pachinko machine (the equipment side of the game store) through the lower ball passage 53.
[0035]
Further, the lower passage structure 50 is provided with a prize ball discharge path (not shown) for receiving a game ball (prize ball) falling from the drop port 20 of the rear panel 19 and guiding the game ball to the external discharge port 54. The winning ball is discharged in this passage.
As described above, the passage structure 30 has a substantially L-shape in which the horizontal portion 31 and the vertical portion 32 are integrated, and does not have a portion corresponding to a window in a conventional mechanical panel. The mold can be small.
[0036]
Further, since the passage structure 30 is L-shaped and occupies a small area on the rear side of the pachinko machine as compared with the conventional mechanical panel, it can be easily opened and closed, and the size is reduced. Can be redirected to the space of other parts.
In particular, wiring to the electric components (such as a prize winning device) attached to the game board 15 in a portion that does not straddle the passage structure 30 (the portion lacking an L-shape) and wiring to boards and the like held in the game board 15 By passing through, it is possible to avoid interference with such wiring when opening and closing the passage structure 30, and it is not necessary to temporarily disconnect or reconnect the wiring when opening and closing.
[0037]
The vertical portion 32 includes a branching portion 46a serving as a connection portion with the upper plate passage 22 communicating with the upper ball tray, and the lower end thereof is located at a position substantially corresponding to the lower side of the game board 15, By opening the passage structure 30, the back surface of the game board 15 can be almost completely exposed. This facilitates operations such as inspection, repair, and replacement of components mounted on the back surface of the game board 15. In addition, since the game board 15 is configured to be attached to and detached from the back side of the pachinko machine, the game board 15 can be easily replaced (so-called face change) by opening the passage structure 30.
[0038]
Furthermore, since the passage structure 30 and the lower passage structure 50 form a series of passages from the ball tank 34a to the upper ball tray and the lower ball tray, and the lower passage structure 50 is fixed to the middle frame 10, For example, the lower passage structure 50 is not opened / closed when the back side of the game board 15 is inspected or the like, and when the passage structure 30 is opened, the outflow of the game ball from the lower dish passage 52, the lower dish gutter 21 or the lower ball tray is performed. There is no need for a preventive means or a mechanism for fixing the lower passage structure 50 to the main body and releasing the fixation. Therefore, the structure of the lower passage structure 50 and its surroundings is simplified, and the structure of the pachinko machine as a whole is also simplified.
[0039]
The shaft supporting means for connecting the passage structure 30 to the middle frame 10 is constituted by the hinge shafts 23, 25 and the bearings 36, 37, and the passage structure 30 is connected to the middle frame 10 by the lifting operation of the upper hinge shaft 23. , The structure is detachable, so that the attaching and detaching operation is simple. Further, since the passage structure 30 is small, the attachment / detachment work is further simplified.
[0040]
As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described according to the examples. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to such examples, and can be variously implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, while the embodiments is an example of applying the present invention to a pinball machine is a kind of gaming machine, the gaming machine if the type and format of the configuration for discharging the game balls have a game board as winning balls or lent spheres The present invention can be applied to any cases.
[0041]
In the embodiment, the tank body in which the ball tank and the alignment gutter are integrated is adopted, but both can be separate parts as in the conventional case. Alternatively, one or both of the ball tank and the alignment gutter can be integrated with the horizontal.
Further, in the embodiment, the bearing means is constituted by the hinge shaft and the bearing, but it is also possible to adopt a structure in which bearings are provided on both the passage structure and the gaming machine main body side, and these are penetrated and connected by the shaft. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a rear view of a pachinko machine of an embodiment with an outer frame removed.
FIG. 2 is a view in which a passage structure is removed from the state of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the passage structure of the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 middle frame (the main body of the gaming machine)
15 Game board 21 Lower tray gutter 22 Upper tray passage 23 Hinge shaft (supporting means)
25 Hinge shaft (supporting means)
Reference Signs List 30 passage structure 31 horizontal part 32 vertical part 34 tank body 34a ball tank 34b alignment gutter 36 bearing (shaft support means)
37 Bearings (supporting means)
38 Combiner 40 Upper passage (downward passage)
42 prize ball payout device 43 ball removal passage 44 switching mechanism 45 lower passage (downward passage)
46 Discharge passage 46a Dividing portion 48 Lower end outlet 50 Lower passage structure 52 Lower plate passage

Claims (3)

A game board, a middle frame holding the game board, a ball tank for storing game balls, an alignment gutter for aligning the game balls flowing out of the ball tank, and a flow of the game balls aligned by the alignment gutter. A prize ball payout device that pays out a game ball as a prize ball by passing through the game machine, and an upper ball tray and a lower ball tray that receive the paid game ball,
A horizontal portion to which the ball tank and the alignment gutter are fixed, and a vertical portion provided with a descent passage for guiding a game ball that has passed through the alignment gutter, and having a substantially L-shape;
The vertical portion includes a portion connected to an upper plate passage leading to an upper ball tray disposed on the front side of the gaming machine, and the lower end of the vertical portion cannot flow into the upper plate passage. There is a lower end exit for letting out game balls,
A passage structure that is connected to the main body of the gaming machine through a pivot means disposed along the outer side of the vertical portion;
An upstream end is connected to a lower end outlet of the passage structure, and a downstream end includes a lower plate passage communicating with a lower ball tray disposed on a front side of the gaming machine, and is fixed to a lower rear portion of the middle frame. And a lower passage structure,
The lower end of the passage structure substantially corresponds to the lower side of the game board, and when the passage structure is opened, the game board is set to a position where the game board can be detached from the rear side of the game machine.
A gaming machine characterized by that: The gaming machine according to claim 1,
A gaming machine, wherein the prize ball payout device is attached to an entrance portion of the descending passage of the passage structure or halfway of the descending passage. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2,
The gaming machine, wherein the shaft support means comprises a shaft and a bearing, one of the shaft and the bearing being provided in the passage structure and the other being provided in the middle frame.

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