JP2000079227A - Send-out device for game ball - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly send out game balls without performing excessive pay-out or making a load on an operation excessive. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a fetch port 81 on a primary side capable of fetching the plural game balls, a rotary transfer body 82 for aligning and transferring the fetched game balls in a rotating direction and a discharge port 83 for discharging the transferred game balls to a secondary side passage. A transfer path 822 by the rotary transfer body 82 is inclined to a horizontal plane, the fetch port 81 is provided on the inclined direction lower part of the transfer path 822, the discharge port 83 is provided on the upper part and the game balls are lifted from the fetch port 81 at the lower part to the discharge port 83 at an oblique upper along a circular arc following the rotating direction of the rotary transfer body 82. In such a manner, by imparting appropriate carriage resistance opposing gravity, the game balls are prevented from being imprudently snapped away or excessively paid out by an avalanche phenomenon or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game ball sending device used for playing a ball game machine represented by a pachinko game machine, and more specifically, a game ball stored in a primary side is sent to a secondary side. The present invention relates to a game ball sending device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a pachinko game machine, when cash or a prepaid card is inserted into a ball lending machine (cash sand) or a card reader unit (CR sand) between tables, a ball lending machine is installed on the machine installation equipment side, that is, from an island to a plate. Will be paid out. And
The game ball on the upper plate is fired from the launch device toward the game board,
After the prize processing or the out ball processing, it is discharged again to the island side. Prize balls by winning are paid out using the game balls supplied from the island to the ball tank of the payout device, and when the upper plate is full, the surplus balls are stored in the lower plate.

A payout device for paying out balls and prize balls pays out a predetermined number of game balls based on a payout command by using gravity drop. The ball is sent out.

[0004]

However, in the above method, since the game balls are sent downward from above along the direction of gravity, the game balls are inadvertently flicked off or excessively avalanche. Payment may be made.

According to the present invention, there is provided a game ball sending device capable of smoothly sending game balls without excessive payout and without excessive operation load. That is the task.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
To solve the above problems, FIGS. 9, 13, 40, 4
4. As shown in FIG. 46, in a game ball sending device for sending game balls stored on the primary side to the secondary side, a primary-side intake port 81 capable of taking in a plurality of game balls, a game ball to be taken in , A discharge port 83 for discharging game balls to be transferred to the secondary passage, and a transfer path 822 for the rotary transfer body 82 being inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, An intake port 81 is provided below the transfer path 822 in the inclined direction, and a discharge port 83 is provided above the transfer path 822.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 44 and the like, the inclination angle of the transfer path 822 is set to 45 ° or near this in order to facilitate both smooth operation and load reduction.

According to the third aspect of the invention, as shown in FIG. 44 and the like, the downstream transfer path 822 remote from the intake port 81 passes one ball in order to improve the detection accuracy of the game ball. The restriction passage is allowed, and the ball detector 8
5 were arranged.

In the present invention, a second ball detector 86 is provided at the outlet of the discharge port 83 as shown in FIG.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 13, FIG. 40, FIG. 44, and FIG. , And is transported along an arc following the rotation direction of the rotary transfer body 82. Thereby, by the provision of an appropriate transport resistance against the gravity, the game balls are not accidentally flipped off, no excessive payout is performed due to an avalanche phenomenon, etc.Moreover, the lifting load becomes excessive, Smooth forced conveyance can be performed without causing ball jamming or ball clogging during lifting.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 44 and the like, the inclination angle α of the transfer path 822 is set to 45 ° or around 45 °, so that both smooth operation and load reduction can be achieved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 44 and the like, along with the transfer path 822 which is directed obliquely upward, the transfer path while imparting an appropriate transfer resistance against gravity is combined with the restriction path. Since the ball detector 85 detects each game ball passing through the sphere, good and reliable detection can be performed without any detection error, and the detection accuracy can be improved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 44 and the like, the two ball detectors 85 and 86 can further improve the detection accuracy of the game ball and can ensure the security.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a main body of a ball-and-ball game machine composed of an enclosed ball-type pachinko game machine.
00 is provided. Bill slot 201 or coin slot 2
02, a predetermined number of lent balls from the gaming machine installation facility side, that is, the island 300, is supplied from the supply nozzle 20.
3, it is paid out to the receiving tray 4 through the charging port 6 and the charging passage 64. For example, if it is 500 yen, 125 rental balls will be paid out. See FIG. 15, step 001. Since the slot 6 corresponds to the upper plate of the current machine, it is possible to reduce the sense of incongruity to the player, and the compatibility with the gaming machine installation equipment is good.

Instead of the cash sand 200 in FIG. 1, a CR sand having a prepaid card insertion slot may be used. In this case, when the card is inserted, the first display portion 111 of the operation portion 110 of the gaming machine main body 100 is displayed. The remaining number of cards is digitally displayed, and every time the lending button 120 is pressed, 500
125 balls of a circle are paid out from the island 300 to the receiving tray 4 through the payout device 3 and the payout passage 34 in the gaming machine main body 100. When the return button 130 is pressed, the card is returned from the CR sand. As described above, see steps 002 to 006 in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the automatic supply button 150 or the manual supply button 160 of the operation unit 110 is pressed, the discharge device 5 provided inside the tray 4 in the depth direction is operated, and the ball of the tray 4 is moved to the island 300. Is forcibly discharged. The credit frequency increases by the number equal to the number of discharged balls, and the operation unit 110
Is displayed on the third display unit 113. In the case of automatic supply, if the credit is 10 or less, the number of ejected balls from the saucer 4 is automatically counted until the maximum is 250, and the credit is increased. In the case of manual supply, the number of ejected balls is counted only while the manual supply button 160 is being pressed or a number obtained by multiplying the number of presses by a predetermined multiple, and the credit is increased within a maximum of 250 as well. When the credit is reduced to 0 by the automatic supply and the discharge device 5 is driven for 3 seconds, the ball is not counted and the credit does not increase, the supply is switched to the manual supply. As described above, see steps 007 to 013 in FIG.

Although the number of enclosed game balls enclosed in the main body 100 of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1 is 25 in total, it is possible to play a game using a total number of enclosed game balls according to the credit frequency. That is, if the credit frequency is 200, for example, 20
A game ball can be fired 0 times. By operating the firing handle 10, a ball is launched from the solenoid type firing device 1, and the ball flows down to the game board 2 provided inside the windshield 2 </ b> A. Then, the game ball that has become a winning ball or an out ball is circulated again to the launching device 1. The closed circuit N in which the enclosed game balls circulate is independent of the open circuit O side including the payout device 3, the receiving tray 4, and the discharge device 5 in the path.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 112 denotes a second display unit for displaying an error code when a trouble occurs, and reference numeral 140 denotes a clearing button for paying out the number of balls corresponding to the remaining credit frequency to the receiving tray 4. Reference numerals 121, 131, 141, 151, and 161 are auxiliary indicator lights that are turned on in synchronization with the lighting of the button portion when each of the buttons 120, 130, 140, 150, and 160 is operated. Reference numeral 9 denotes an ashtray, and reference numeral 40 denotes a push-button-type ball-pulling-out operation tool for putting the ball of the receiving tray 4 into a dollar box near the player.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 170 denotes a door-type front cover which covers the front of the game board 2, 171 denotes a decorative lamp at the top of the frame, 172 denotes a payout lamp, 173 denotes a trouble lamp, and 173 denotes a trouble lamp.
Reference numerals 74 to 178 denote left and right symmetric various effect lamps, and 179 denotes an effect stereo speaker. Reference numerals 181 and 182 denote upper and lower hinge portions for opening the game machine main body 100 in a door-like manner with respect to the fixed frame 180.
This is a keyhole that allows the front cover 170 to be opened by turning the door in the reverse direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 100 of the gaming machine
When viewed two-dimensionally, the center is rounded so as to protrude forward. The ball tank 30 of the payout device 3 has its upper opening facing the game ball supply port on the island side (not shown). by the way,
The island includes a current mainstream collective island in which a plurality of gaming machines are installed side by side, as well as a single island in which one gaming machine is independently installed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the charging port 6 has a funnel shape and the charging passage 64 extending from the lower outlet is connected to the discharging passage 3.
4 at the downstream part. Therefore, there is only one exit of the game ball passage connected to the tray 4.
As described above, the input passage 64 and the discharge passage 34 join and are connected to the receiving tray 4, so that the passage connecting portion to the receiving tray 4 is integrated at only one place, and the structure can be simplified.

As shown in FIG. 4, the operation unit 110 is in a backward tilted posture corresponding to the player's looking down line of sight. Auxiliary indicator lights 121 to 161 provided in a rounded portion
Can be seen from the side.

As shown in FIG. 5, on the back side of the gaming machine main body 100, a main board 191 for controlling a control object mainly around the game board, such as a variable symbol display device, an operation unit 110, a payout device 3, and a discharge device. Frame substrate 19 for controlling 5 etc.
2. A board protection device 193 with a locking mechanism for preventing tampering of the CPU and ROM on these boards, an error display board 194 attached to the main board, a board terminal board 195, a frame relay terminal board 196, and a power switch 197 provided therein. And various components such as a connection board 198 for connection with CR sand.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 7 denotes an upstream side of the payout passage 34;
A downstream passage 343 merging with the charging passage 64;
This is a switching mechanism for switching and communicating with the collection passage 70 side which is opened to the outside. Reference numeral 341 denotes an upstream pipe portion of the payout passage 34, and reference numeral 342 denotes a coil-shaped flexible passage connecting the pipe portion 341 and the switching mechanism 7. Reference numeral 11 denotes a ball circulating device that includes a sphere feeding device 12 that sends the sealed sphere to the built-in launching device 1 and an upstream passage 13 that guides the sealed sphere thereto.

As shown in FIG. 6, a game board 2 has a guide rail 20 for guiding an enclosed game ball launched from the launching device 1 to the board surface, and a variable display of three rows of numbers and symbols and various design pictures on a liquid crystal screen. A variable symbol display device 21 to be activated, a starting winning port 22 for activating the variable display, an auxiliary starting winning port 23 also made of an electric tulip, and opened when a big hit in which all three numbers or the like are aligned on the variable symbol display device 21 occurs. An attacker 24, a left and right gate 25 for starting a lottery for opening the auxiliary starting winning opening 23, a general winning opening 26 for up, down, left and right,
Board side lamp 27, six windmills 28, outlet 29
Is provided.

The variable symbol display device 21 shown in FIG. 6 has a large 10-inch liquid crystal screen 210 and allows the symbols to be seen through from the back of the game board 2 made of a transparent resin plate.
Although not shown, a large liquid crystal screen 210 is provided on the game board 2.
Many nails have been hammered, including the part.

As shown in FIG. 7, on the back of the game board 2, there are provided a collecting gutter 220 for collecting winning balls to the respective winning ports 22, 23, 26 and the attacker 24. The ball that has won the general winning opening 26 passes through the downflow gutters 221 to 224 and collects the gutter 2
Opened to 20. Downstream gutter 22 at both ends with long downflow span
The staggered protrusions 225 are provided on the reference numerals 1 and 224 to reduce the flow velocity of the ball. The balls that have won the starting winning ports 22 and 23 pass through the starting port switch b1 from the downflow gutters 226 and 227, and then are opened to the collecting gutter 220. Attacker 24
After passing through the ten-count switch b2, the ball that wins is released from the downflow gutter 228 to the collecting gutter 220.

The balls collected in the collecting gutter 220 of FIG. 7 pass through the winning ball detection switch b3, and then fall into the board discharge ball passage 14 of the ball circulation device 11. The ball at the outlet 29 falls directly from the downflow gutter 229 into the board discharge ball passage 14.

The ten count switch b2 in FIG. 7 has a function of closing the attacker 24 when the number of winning balls to the attacker 24 reaches ten, and the maximum opening time 3 of the attacker 24.
Of the 0 seconds, if at least one ball is won in the V winning timing set for 5 seconds from 15 seconds to 20 seconds after opening, the attacker 24 is reopened up to a maximum of 16 repetitions. Has functions. The number of prize balls per winning ball to the attacker 24 and the general winning opening 26 is set to 13, and the number of prize balls per winning ball to the starting winning openings 22 and 23 is set to 5.

FIG. 8 shows the details of the ball circulation device 11. The base 11A has a firing device 1 having a firing solenoid 1M, a pair of front and rear shooting ball detection switches 15, and a return ball detection switch 1 for detecting a ball returning without reaching the game board surface.
6. A ball transfer device 17 having a ball transfer motor 17M and a transfer screw 17S is provided. A cover 1 that can be folded and expanded freely on a base 11A via a deployment mechanism 11B.
1C includes a ball feed solenoid 12M and a slider 12S.
Ball feeder 12 having an upstream path 13, a ball passage switch 1 for detecting a ball from the upstream path 13 to the ball feeder 12
8, board discharge ball passage 14, downstream passage 19 communicating therewith
Is provided.

In FIG. 8, the flow of the sphere is as follows. The ball in the upstream passage 13 flows to the ball feeder 12. It is sent to the firing device 1 by the operation of the ball feeding solenoid 12M. By the operation of the firing solenoid 1M, it passes through the firing ball detection switches 15, 15 and is fired on the board. Out ball or winning ball falling into the board discharge ball passage 14 is A
And flows to B through the downstream passage 19. The ball that has flowed to B is guided to the screw lower end position C of the ball transfer device 17 and rises to the screw upper end position D by the operation of the ball transfer motor 17M. The ball ascending to D returns from E to the upstream passage 13. The return ball that does not reach the board passes through the return ball detection switch 16, passes from F to G, merges with the board discharge ball, and flows to B.

If the ball passage switch 18 in FIG. 8 cannot detect a ball for a certain period of time, it is considered that a ball is clogged in the circulation path, and an error state is set. The ball feeding device 12 and the launching device 1 are driven by the turning operation of the launching handle 10, and when the launching ball detection switch 15 detects the launching ball and the return ball detection switch 16 does not detect the returning ball, the credit frequency is counted down. (Fig. 15
Steps 014 to 019). When the credit becomes 0, the launching device 1, the ball feeding device 12, and the ball transporting device 17 of the enclosed ball stop, and the game ends (step 020).

The detailed operation of the ball feeder 12 shown in FIG. 8 is as follows. (1) The sphere flowing in the upstream passage 13 is the slider 12S
To stop. (2) The slider 12S is raised by the suction operation of the ball feed solenoid 12M. (3) As the slider 12S rises, the ball moves to the slider 12S.
Enter inside S. (4) By stopping the power supply to the ball feed solenoid 12M, the slider 12S descends and returns to the normal state, and the ball inside is discharged.

The detailed operation of the ball transfer device 17 shown in FIG. 8 is as follows. [1] The ball that has passed through the downstream passage 19 is guided to the lower end portion C of the transport screw 17S of the ball transport device 17. [2] The ball rises by the rotation of the screw 17S. [3] The sphere that has risen to the exit D is pushed out by the teeth of the screw 17S and flows into the upstream passage 13. Note that the screw 17S is always rotating during the operation of the firing device 1.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 11D denotes a stopper receiving hole for locking the cover 11C to the base 11A in a folded state, and 11E.
Is a terminal plate for relaying signals from the launching device 1, the ball feeding device 12, the ball transporting device 17, and the like.

FIG. 9 shows details of the payout device 3. A ball out detection switch 31 is provided on the bottom surface of the upstream bottom of the ball tank 30.
Is provided. At the downstream end of the ball tank 30, a rotary ball delivery device 8 having the same structure as the discharge device 5 is attached with its axis inclined. The ball sending device 8 includes a game ball inlet 81 communicating with the tank 30 by a guide body 810 fitted into the claw 32 at the bottom of the tank,
21 is provided with a rotating disk 82 having a groove 820 which is transported along an arc-shaped passage 822 by the drive of 21.

As shown in FIG. 10, the ball delivery device 8 is provided at one end of the arc-shaped passage 822 with the counterclockwise rotation (forward rotation) of the rotating disk 82 along the ball tank 30.
Outlet 8 for discharging game balls transferred from
3 is provided. At the other end of the arc-shaped passage 822, the clockwise rotation (reverse rotation) of the rotating disk 82 along the clockwise direction
A return port 8 for discharging game balls staying upstream of the discharge port 83
4 is provided, but the return port 84 is not used because the payout device 3 does not reverse.

As shown in FIG. 11, an upstream detection switch 85 and a downstream detection switch 86 for detecting the passage of a game ball are provided before and after the discharge port 83 of the ball sending device 8.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the operation of the payout device 3 is as follows. The game balls supplied from the island 300 to the ball tank 30 flow down to the intake 81 due to the gradient of the tank 30. The game ball that has flowed down to the intake 81 is stored in the groove 820 of the rotating disk 82 or above it. When paying out a game ball as a prize ball, a current is supplied to the motor 821 so that the rotating disk 82 rotates left (forward rotation). The game ball that has entered the groove 820 of the rotating disc 82
It moves with the rotation of the disk 82 and passes above the upstream detection switch 85. (When the predetermined number of game balls is counted by the upstream detection switch 85, the motor 821 is stopped.) The game balls that have passed through the upstream detection switch 85 fall to the outlet 83. In the middle of this, a downstream detection switch 86 is provided, and the number of game balls counted by these two switches becomes the number of awarded balls paid out. In this way, when the enclosed game balls are won, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the receiving tray 4 (see steps 021 and 022 in FIG. 15). When the stored ball in the tank 30 is no longer detected by the ball out detection switch 31 of the ball tank 30, the payout of the prize ball is stopped.

FIG. 12 shows the details of the pan 4 part. At the bottom of the tray 4, a ball outlet 41 for pulling a ball into a dollar box is opened, and a ball slider 42 is provided to open and close the hole. Pin 43 projecting from the back surface of slider 42
Is received in the long hole 442 of the crank 44 which swings around the shaft 441 by the advance and retreat of the ball removing operation tool 40. When the ball removal operation tool 40 is pushed in, the slider 42 moves and the ball removal port 4
1 is opened, and the game ball is released 4
1 is dropped into the dollar box through a lower passage 45 connected to the lower part of the dollar box. When pushing the ball removal operation tool 40, the crank 4
The ball removal detection switch 46 is operated by the fourth small protrusion 443.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the back of the receiving tray 4, a ball suction port 47 is opened in four sections in which only one ball is allowed to pass by a partition 470, and below the ball suction port 47, Four rows of inclined guide rails 48 having partitions 480
Is provided. The game balls to flow down to the rails 48 are guided to the discharge device 5. The reason why each of the ball suction ports 47 has a partitioned structure in which each ball allows only one ball to pass through is to prevent a goofing action such as insertion of an illegal ball.

As shown in FIG. 13, the discharge device 5 employs the same rotary ball delivery device 8 as used in the payout device 3. A guide body 810 connected to the game ball intake 81 is fitted into the lower end claw 49 of the guide rail 48. Although the structure is basically the same as that of FIGS. 10 and 11, the outlet of the discharge port 83 is left open to the island 300 as it is in the ball sending device 8 used for the discharge device 5. Also, by rotating the rotating disc 82 in reverse, game balls staying upstream of the outlet 83 can be returned from the return port 84,
The outlet 870 of the return passage 87 extending from the return opening 84 is arranged adjacent to the lower passage 45 near the lower part of the ball outlet 41.

As described above, the discharging device 5 is connected to the rotating disk 8
The rotation of the rotary disc 2 allows the game ball to be forcibly discharged smoothly, and the rotation of the rotary disc 82 causes the rotary disc 8 upstream of the discharge port 83 to rotate.
The game balls accumulated in the second transfer path can be returned to the player's hand from the return port 84. Further, the staying ball returned from the return passage 87 and the game ball pulled out from the ball outlet 41 of the receiving tray 4 can be received from the same position,
Balls can be easily removed from dollar boxes and the like.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 421 denotes a guide rod integrated with the ball-pull slider 42, and reference numeral 422 denotes a spring which receives one end of the guide rod 421 and urges the ball-pull slider 42 in the closing direction.

As shown in FIG. 13, the credit-up operation by the normal rotation of the discharge device 5 is as follows. When a game ball is thrown into the saucer 4, the game ball flows down to the suction port 47 due to the gradient of the saucer 4. After passing through the inlet 47, the game ball reaches the inlet 81 via the guide rail 48. The game balls are stored in the groove 820 of the rotating disk 82 or above it. When performing credit up by counting the number of game balls, a current is supplied to the motor 821 so that the rotating disk 82 rotates left (forward rotation). The game ball that has entered the groove 820 of the rotating disc 82
The disk 82 moves along with the rotation of the disk 82 and passes above the upstream detection switch 85 (see FIGS. 10 and 11). (When the predetermined number of game balls is counted by the upstream detection switch 85, the motor 821 is stopped.) The game balls passing through the upstream detection switch 85
Fall to zero. In the middle of this, the downstream detection switch 8
6 are provided, and the number of game balls counted by these two switches becomes a credit.

As shown in FIG. 12, the return of the remaining ball and the ball on the guide rail 48 by the reverse rotation of the discharge device 5 is as follows. When the ball removing operation tool 40 is pushed in, the crank 44 rotates. The rotation of the crank 44 activates the ball removal detection switch 46, and a current is supplied to the motor 821 so that the rotating disk 82 rotates clockwise (reverse rotation). The game ball that has entered the groove 820 of the rotating disc 82
The disk 82 moves with the rotation of the disk 82 and falls from the return port 84 to the return passage 87. The game balls flow down due to the gradient of the return passage 87, merge with the lower passage 45 connected below the tray 4 (dollar box), and are returned.

As described above, when the ball removing operation tool 40 is operated to remove the ball stored in the receiving tray 4, it is possible to automatically return the staying ball by automatically rotating the rotating disk 82 in reverse.

As described above, the ball can be returned to the dollar box arbitrarily when the number of stored balls in the saucer 4 increases (step 023 in FIG. 15). At the end of the game, the clearing button 140 is pushed to pay out the credit to the saucer 4. Thereafter, all the balls in the saucer 4 can be collected at hand by performing the operation successively (see step 0).
24 to 027). When the player resumes the game after paying out the credits to the saucer 4 and pressing the automatic supply button 150 or the manual supply button 160 without operating the ball removal operation tool 40, the game is played on the island 300 side. The ball can be ejected and the credit can be increased again.

FIG. 14 shows the switching mechanism 7 in detail. In the base 7A, the upstream flexible passage 3 of the payout passage 34 is provided.
, A secondary right passage 721 continuous with the downstream passage 343 of the discharge passage 34, and a secondary left passage 722 continuous with the collection passage 70. , And is covered with a cover 7B which covers the upper part. A shaft 730 is provided in the selector chamber 72.
A selector 74 which is integrated with the back of the circular disk 73 is disposed. By turning the knobs 75, 75 on the front of the disk 73 left and right, the primary passage 71 is changed to the secondary right passage 72.
The communication is switched to either the first passage or the left passage 722.

In FIG. 14, reference numeral 740 denotes a left-right symmetric recess provided on the side of the base 7A for receiving the tip of the selector 74.
Cover 7B that allows rotation of knob 75 in a predetermined range
A pair of upper and lower openings provided on the side, 76 are four positioning recesses provided on the base 7A, 77 is a left positioning latch with a switch operation piece 770 provided on the disk 73, and 78 is provided on the disk 73. This is the right-side positioning latch.

FIG. 14 shows a normal state in which the upstream side of the payout passage 34 is connected to the downstream side. At this time, the disk 7
The changeover detection switch 79 attached to the side of No. 3 is off. When the primary side passage 71 is connected to the collection passage 70 by rotating the disk 73 by turning the knob 75, each latch 7
7 and 78 are changed to the left positioning latch 77.
The switch detection piece 79 is turned on by the switch operation piece 770, and in conjunction with this, the motor 821 of the ball sending device 8 in the payout device 3 is driven forward to automatically rotate the game balls stored in the ball tank 30 into the island 300. To be collected.

At this time, the game balls in the insertion passage 64 are not collected, so that no unexpected damage is given to the player. Further, since the payout device 3 is driven in conjunction with the switching to the collection passage 70 side, the game ball can be easily collected by one operation of the switching mechanism 7. Further, the game balls paid out from the payout device 3 reach the switching mechanism 7 via the coil-shaped flexible passage 342, so that the path configuration connecting the payout device 3 and the switching mechanism 7 can be simplified, and the flexible and coiled The fallen sphere can be decelerated by the internal passage having the shape, the collision with the switching mechanism 7 can be reduced, and the mechanism can be protected.

In FIG. 14, reference numeral 350 denotes an overflow detector for detecting when the tray 4 overflows and the ball in the payout passage 34 stays without flowing and faces the inside of the secondary right passage 721. Pendulum type detection piece 351
And a switch 352 that is turned on / off by this movement. When the overflow is detected, the payout device 3 is forcibly stopped.

In the above, a closed circuit N for circulating a total number of enclosed game balls according to the credit frequency between the launching apparatus 1 and the game board 2 and the game balls between the game machine installation equipment side An open circuit O for supplying and discharging is independently provided, and the open circuit O is a payout device 3 for sequentially paying out winning balls by winning on the game board 2, a receiving tray 4 for storing the paid game balls, and a game ball for storing in the receiving plate 4. Discharge device 5 that discharges to the gaming machine installation facility side,
A controller is provided for updating the credit frequency based on the number of ejected balls. In addition, that the closed circuit N and the open circuit O are independent means that, in a normal game state, the game balls of both circuits do not interfere with each other and do not mix. The controller is constructed using, for example, a microcomputer on the main board 191 and the frame board 192.

According to the above, the player can shoot the enclosed game ball from the launching device 1 toward the game board 2 a total number of times corresponding to the credit frequency held at the present time, and enjoy the game. . When a prize is generated in the game board 2, prize balls are sequentially paid out from the payout device 3 to the saucer 4. For this reason, the player can obtain a real feeling of payout every time as the game progresses. When the credit frequency decreases due to consumption of the enclosed game balls, the discharge device 5 discharges the game balls stored in the receiving tray 4 to the gaming machine installation equipment side. Then, the credit frequency is updated based on the number of discharged balls, and the game with the enclosed game balls can be continued.

Moreover, the dispensing device 3, the receiving tray 4, and the discharging device 5
Is on an open circuit O for supplying and discharging gaming balls to and from the gaming machine installation equipment side, and can be paid out by supply balls from the gaming machine installation equipment side, and can cope well with a large number of balls such as big hits. . Further, the game balls paid out to the saucer 4 can be directly obtained by the player, and can be put in a dollar box or the like.
Further, the credit frequency can be updated by discharging the game balls in the saucer 4, and it is possible to flexibly cope with the replay of the obtained balls or the carry-in balls. Of course, on the game board 2, only the enclosed game balls which are isolated from the outside independent of the open circuit O side circulate, so that there is little trouble, the measures against goto can be improved, and the advantages of the enclosed ball type remain as they are. Be alive.

In step 022 in FIG. 15, every time there is a prize, a prize ball is paid out to the saucer 4 each time.
Instead of step 022, as shown in steps 122 and 222, priority is given to increasing the credit by the prize ball, and when the credit reaches the upper limit value 250, the prize ball exceeding this is paid out to the saucer 4. Is also good.

In this way, a credit frequency within a certain range can be secured by compensating for the decrease in the credit frequency that decreases each time the enclosed game ball is fired, and the credit frequency becomes zero and the continuous game stops. Can be avoided. However, when the credit frequency reaches the upper limit (step 222 in FIG. 15), prize balls exceeding the upper limit are sequentially paid out from the payout device 3 to the receiving tray 4.
Therefore, when there is a certain amount of balls to be played, the player can obtain a real feeling of the balls in accordance with the progress of the game.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view around the launching device 1 in FIG. 8-I. The launching device 1 has a base 11A, which is a first main case of the ball circulation device 11, and can be folded and unfolded with respect thereto. Between the cover 11C and the cover 11C. The base 11A and the cover 11C constitute a main body casing 11F of the ball circulation device 11, and the base 11A has a firing solenoid 1
A guide rail 20 on the game board 2 for the ball P launched from M
A launch sphere lead-out passage 11G for guiding to (see FIG. 6) is provided. As described above, by completely inserting the entire launching device 1 into the casing 11F having the launching ball outlet passage 11G, it is possible to reduce the transmission of the impact sound accompanying the launching of the ball to the outside.

In addition to the launching device 1 shown in FIG. 16, the ball feeding device 12 and the ball transporting device 17 (see FIG. 8)
The interior is completely installed between the A and the cover 11C to further reduce noise. In addition, firing solenoid 1M,
By assembling these devices 1, 12, and 17 having driving units such as the ball feed solenoid 12M and the ball transport motor 17M into the main body casing 11F of the ball circulating device 11, the entire system can be easily handled and maintained. At the same time, appropriate vibration is applied to the main body casing 11F of the ball circulation device 11 so that the enclosed game balls flow smoothly in the upstream passage 13 and the internal ball passage.

FIG. 17 shows the launcher 1 shown in FIG.
It is an enlarged view of the surroundings, and the firing solenoid 1M is sandwiched between a first housing 1A and a second housing 1B having a half-split structure (see FIG. 16) covering the outside thereof, and each flange portion 1Af, 1Bf are attached to the base 11A with a plurality of screws 1N. Each of the housings 1A and 1B is formed of a transparent member such as transparent ABS so that the appearance of the internal firing solenoid 1M can be easily understood. Furthermore, circular vent holes 1Ah, 1Bh for releasing heat generated from the firing solenoid 1M are provided in the large central semi-cylindrical portions 1Am, 1Bm of the housings 1A, 1B.
Is open.

FIG. 18 further clarifies the housings 1A and 1B having the half-split structure of the firing solenoid 1M shown in FIGS. The cylindrical case 1MK of the firing solenoid 1M is a central semi-cylindrical portion 1 of the housings 1A and 1B.
Am, 1Bm, inside the rod 1ML front bearing 1Mt
Is the rod 1 inside the front half cylindrical portion 1At, 1Bt.
The rear bearing 1Mr of the ML includes the rear semi-cylindrical portions 1Ar and 1Br.
Each is stored inside. At the tip of the rod 1ML, a hammer tip 1M made of a tapered rubber for hitting a ball is attached. In this embodiment, the gun parts 1Ag and 1Bg having a half-split structure are provided at the front end of each of the housings 1A and 1B. However, for example, the gun parts may be provided only on the first housing 1A side.

FIG. 19 is an assembly view of the firing solenoid 1M. A metal cylindrical case 1MK is fitted over the outside of the bobbin 1MB on which the stator winding 1Mf is interposed. Plunger 1 with rod 1ML connected inside bobbin 1MB
Mp is inserted. On the front side of the plunger 1Mp, a locking coil 1Mz of the front bearing 1Mt is fitted to four front latch legs 1Mi integrated with the bobbin 1MB with a return coil spring 1Mc and a front cushioning member 1Ma interposed. Stopped. On the rear side of the plunger 1Mp, a rear cushioning member 1 is provided.
The locking holes 1Mw of the rear bearing 1Mr are fitted and locked to the four rear latch legs 1Mj integrated with the bobbin 1MB with Mb interposed therebetween.

In FIG. 19, 1Mn and 1Ms are magnetic pole plates at both ends of the winding of the bobbin 1MB. The front side of the rod 1 is a cylinder, while the rear side is a non-cylinder having a flat portion 1Mu on one side, which is inserted into the D-shaped through hole 1Md of the rear bearing 1Mr. Thereby, the plunger 1Mp
To stabilize its movement.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the completed firing solenoid 1M. Here, the bobbin 1MB and each bearing 1Mt, 1
Mr is made of a hard synthetic resin material so that the rod 1ML and the plunger 1Mp do not shake. On the other hand, the buffer members 1Ma, 1M
b is made of a soft material such as rubber and has a plunger of 1 Mp
Absorbs and relaxes the impact caused by the forward and backward movement of the
The noise is further reduced.

In FIG. 21, 1Me is the stator winding 1M
This is a lead line connected to f, and is taken out from the cutout portion 1My of the rear buffer member 1Mb as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 22, there is no lead wire from the front cushioning member 1Ma side, but in order to facilitate material and assembly management, the front cushioning member 1Ma is also provided with a notch 1Mx to share parts. But of course there is no functional problem. Note that the lead wire 1Me is taken out from the notch 1Bq of the rear half cylinder portion 1Br of the second housing 1B shown in FIG.

FIGS. 24 to 26 show details of the second embodiment of the ball circulating device 11. FIG. The base 11A, which is the first main case of the main body casing 11F, is attached to the back side of the gaming machine main body 100 as in FIG. 8 (see FIG. 5).

As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the base 1
1A, a launching device 1 having a launching solenoid 1M, a launching ball discharge passage 11G, a pair of front and rear launching ball detection switches 15
(15a, 15b), a return ball collection passage 11H for collecting a ball returning without reaching the game board surface, a return ball detection switch 16 for detecting a return ball, a plate-shaped firing ball and a return ball cover 11J, and firing. The related mechanism section is summarized.
The shooting ball and return ball cover 11J are detachably attached to the base 11A by sharpened triangular hook-shaped locking claws 11K located on three sides and positioning pins 11L at two places in the plane.

In FIG. 24, a cover 11C, which is a second main case of the main body casing 11F, is provided with
By 1B, the position can be freely changed between a folded state (normal use state) superimposed on the base 11A and a developed state corresponding to inspection, cleaning, etc., by expanding the base and opening each other to the outside. Base 11 with launch-related mechanisms
Unlike the A side, the ball circulation mechanism is integrated on the cover 11C side. Thus, the main case 1 divided into two
By assembling independent functions in each of 1A and 11C, assembling and maintenance are further facilitated.

As shown in FIGS. 24 and 26, the cover 1
On the front side of 1C, an upstream passage 13 composed of an inclined passage and its passage cover 11M, and excess balls in the closed circuit N are transferred to the island 300.
Sphere discharge passage 11N and the cover 1
1P is provided. The upstream passage cover 11M is detachably attached to the cover 11C by a pair of upper and lower outer projecting claws 11Q and hooking claws 11R for hooking them.
The discharge passage cover 11P has three sharp triangular hook-shaped locking claws 11S and locking holes 11T and two positioning pins 11U.
This makes the cover 11C detachable from the cover 11C.

In FIGS. 24 and 26, the cover 11C
Inside the ball transfer device 17 having a ball transfer motor 17M, a speed reducer 17m and a transfer screw 17S, an upstream passage 1
A ball passage switch 18 for detecting a ball from 3 to the ball feeder 12, a ball feed passage case 11W having a slanted communication passage 11V and a board discharge ball passage 14 which are turned back to communicate with the upstream passage 13, and a board discharge ball passage. 14 and return ball collection passage 1
Downstream passage case 11 having downstream passage 19 communicating with 1H
X, a ball feed device 12 having a ball feed solenoid 12M and a slider 12S, and a ball feed case 11Y holding the same.
Is provided.

In FIG. 24 and FIG.
Reference numeral 7 is attached to the inside of the cover 11C by three screws. The ball feed passage case 11W is detachably mounted inside the cover 11C by four sets of sharpened triangular hook-shaped locking claws 11Z and locking holes 11a, and two sets of positioning cylindrical bosses 11b and receiving holes 11d. . Downstream passage case 11X
Are two sharp triangular hook-shaped locking claws 11e and locking holes 1
It is detachably attached to the back side of the ball feed passage case 11W by 1f and two positioning pins 11g. The ball feed case 11Y includes an upper sharpened triangular hook-shaped locking claw 11h and a locking hole 11i, and a lower L-shaped claw 11j and a hooking hole 11m.
Ball feed path case 11W by two positioning pins 11n
It is detachably attached to the back side of.

In FIG. 24, the flow of the sphere is as follows. The ball in the upstream passage 13 flows to the ball feeder 12 through the communication passage 11V. It is sent to the firing device 1 by the operation of the ball feeding solenoid 12M. By the operation of the firing solenoid 1M, the light passes through the firing ball detection switches 15a and 15b and is fired on the board. Out ball or winning ball falling into the board discharge ball passage 14 is A
And flows to B through the downstream passage 19. The ball that has flowed to B is guided to the screw lower end position C of the ball transfer device 17 and rises to the screw upper end position D by the operation of the ball transfer motor 17M. The ball ascending to D returns from E to the upstream passage 13. The return ball that does not reach the board surface passes through the return ball detection switch 16 from the return ball collection passage 11H, passes through G from F,
In the downstream passage 19, it merges with the board discharge ball, flows to B,
Like the out ball and the winning ball, the ball is moved up to the screw upper end position D by the ball transport device 17.

In FIG. 24, the function of the ball passage switch 18, the countdown of credits, the operation of the ball feeder 12, the operation of the launching device 1, the operation of the ball transport device 17, and the like are the same as those described with reference to FIG. Is the same as 8 and 24 is a proximity switch for detecting whether or not a game ball is present on the detection end face across a wall. Also, base 11
A and cover 11C, launch sphere and return sphere cover 11J,
The upstream passage cover 11M, the discharge passage cover 11P, the ball feed passage case 11W, the downstream passage case 11X, and the ball feed case 11Y are formed of a transparent member such as transparent ABS so that the circulation state of the enclosed game balls can be easily performed. It has become visible.

In FIG. 24 and FIG.
Reference numeral 7 denotes a ball lifting device 17 for lifting a lower ball upward. By providing such a ball lifting device 17, it is possible to sufficiently secure the ball passage head of the board discharge ball (winning ball, out ball) and the return ball in the ball circulation device 11, and to smoothly flow the ball. In addition, since the balls once collected below are lifted and guided to the launching device 1, the balls can be stably supplied to the launching device 1. In addition, such a ball transporting device 17 is not limited to a sealed type. For example, a mechanism that automatically guides a returning ball due to a hit or the like in a normal game machine to a launching device, instead of discharging the returning ball to a lower plate. Also applicable to In this case, it is possible to save the trouble of reinserting the ball into the upper plate by hand from the lower plate.

The upstream passage 13 and the communication passage 11V in FIGS. 24 and 26 are inclined passages for aligning the enclosed game balls before being guided to the launching device 1 via the ball feeding device 12, but are closed at the same time. A predetermined number of enclosed game balls in the circuit N,
For example, it constitutes a sphere storage permitting part for temporarily storing 25 spheres P. That is, in this example, a maximum of 25 balls P can be held in the upstream passage 13 and the communication passage 11V. The allowable number is 25 or more (for example, 30)
Or a smaller number.

As shown in FIG. 26, the width of the inlet of the upstream passage 13, that is, the outlet of the ball transfer device 17, is approximately the size of one ball and the depth is less than one and a half to two balls. A ball inheritance gutter 13J of a size is provided, and an overflow distributing body that allows the enclosed game balls exceeding the permissible storage number (in this example, 25) to pass over the upstream passage 13 side of the ball inheritance gutter 13J. 13W is provided, and the inlet side of the excess sphere discharge passage 11N is adjacent to the distributor 13W.

As shown in FIG. 26, when the enclosed game balls are excessively enclosed in the closed circuit N at the time of inspection and cleaning, etc.
If a maximum of 25 enclosed game balls P are constantly stored in the upstream passage 13 and the communication passage 11V, a new ball P conveyed from the ball conveyance device 17 will overflow.
W is discharged to the island 300 via the excess sphere discharge passage 11N. This automatically corrects the over-encapsulation. Upstream passage 13 and communication passage 11V which are ball storage permitting portions
And the excess sphere discharge passage 11N constitute a means for correcting the number of excess spheres. This correction means automatically corrects the excess enclosing, so from the opposite viewpoint, the staff does not need to strictly count the prescribed number at the time of inspection, etc. Can be improved.

The state shown in FIG. 26 occurs not only when overfilling is performed but also when a ball is clogged in the upstream passage 13 or the communication passage 11V. Also in this case, when the spheres accumulate at the entrance of the upstream passage 13, a new sphere P conveyed from the sphere conveyance device 17
Is discharged to the island 300 through the overflow ball discharge passage 11N. This allows
It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a new ball bite or the like, in which balls are cumulatively and continuously packed on the upstream side of the ball clogging site. Therefore, the means for correcting the number of excess spheres also serves as means for coping with clogging at the same time.

In FIG. 26, there is dust clogging or ball biting in the ball inheritance gutter 13J.
Even if an obstacle occurs in the transfer of the ball to J, the new ball P conveyed from the ball conveyance device 17 gets over the overflow distributing body 13W and is discharged to the island 300 via the excess ball discharge passage 11N. You. This can prevent an accident in which an excessive load is applied to the ball transporting device 17 or a passage is broken due to excessive pushing of the ball. Therefore, the means for correcting the excess number of balls also serves as a means for dealing with a ball inheritance failure from the ball transfer device 17.

FIG. 27 is a plan view around the launching device 1 of the second embodiment, and FIG. 28 is a front view thereof, which respectively correspond to FIGS. 16 and 17 of the first embodiment. This is also basically the same as the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. However, as shown in FIG. 27, only a first housing 1A having a half-split structure is provided with a gun section 1AG having a substantially 3/4 cylindrical outer surface. Further, a V-shaped cross section firing rail 1R made of a steel plate or the like is provided at the bottom of the gun section 1AG to reduce wear and the like.

FIG. 29 shows an assembling diagram of the launching apparatus 1 using the same launching solenoid 1M as shown in FIGS. 19 to 23, which is sandwiched between the first half of the structure and the housings 1A and 1B to form a 4 It is attached to the base 11A with two screws 1N.

As shown in FIGS. 30 to 32, the base 11A
Has a recess 1W for receiving the outside of the first housing 1A of the firing device 1 and a screw boss 1Y for receiving the cylindrical seat 1X of the first housing 1A.

FIGS. 33 to 37 show the details of the ball transfer device 17. The transport screw 17S is provided between the first screw case 17A and the second screw case 17B. The two cases 17A and 17B can be disassembled by four sets of sharpened triangular hook-shaped locking claws 17F and fitting holes 17H into which they are inserted. Two cases 17A, 17B
, A ball transfer passage 17G extending from the ball inlet 17J to the ball outlet 17Q is formed. The transport screw 17S is
An inner shaft 17D is integrally provided at the center, and both ends are supported by bearings 17R and 17T. The speed reducer 17m and the ball transport motor 17M are mounted via a motor bracket 17Z, and the shaft 17
It is connected to D. A ball stop wall 17W is provided between the screws near the outlet to prevent the ball from biting on the shaft end side so that the ball can be smoothly discharged from the ball outlet 17Q. The discharged ball P is released to a ball inheritance gutter 13J located at the entrance of the upstream passage 13 (see FIG. 26). 17a, 1
Reference numeral 7b denotes a mounting seat for mounting the cases 17A and 17B to the cover 11C. The whole is made of a transparent member such as transparent ABS. The rotation speed of the transfer screw 17S is about 200 rpm, with the output of the ball transfer motor 17M reduced to 1/15 by the speed reducer 17m.

FIG. 38 shows a ball polishing device 17C detachably attached to the ball transporting device 17, and has a semi-cylindrical filter case 17f, an outlet case 17e in which the corresponding portion of the ball outlet 17Q is opened straight, and a 1 screw case 1
A locking piece 17t that locks on a projection 17r provided on the 7A-side mounting seat 17a and a lever piece 17g that hooks on a blind hole 17h provided on the first screw case 17A are integrated.
A filter made of non-woven fabric, sponge, soft rubber, or the like is placed in the filter case 17f, and is periodically replaced. The ball polishing device 17C is formed of, for example, black ABS or the like because it is a dirty portion.

In the gaming machine shown in FIG. 39, the insertion passage 64 from the insertion port 6 to the tray 4 and the dispensing passage 34 from the dispensing device 3 to the tray 4 are provided independently of each other without being merged. 4 has a passage structure which is opened by being displaced left and right inward in the depth direction. On one side in the width direction of the gaming machine main body 100, that is, on the left side when viewed from the front of the gaming machine, an insertion passage 64 is provided.
On the other side, that is, on the right side, a payout passage 34 is disposed.

As described above, the game balls in the input passage 64 and the game balls in the payout passage 34 are independently opened to the tray 4 from different outlets, and there is no junction in the ball path leading to the tray 4. The game balls in the insertion passage 64 and the payout passage 34 can be smoothly guided to the receiving tray 4. Also, the input passage 64
And the payout passage 34 are arranged separately on one side and the other side in the width direction of the game machine main body, so that a wide space for installing a board and a space for disposing a back mechanism can be secured in the center in the width direction of the game machine main body, and the back structure is united. Can be good.

As shown in FIG. 40, the payout device 3 includes a ball tank 30 for storing game balls as in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, and a predetermined number of game balls are supplied based on a payout command. The ball sending device 8 for forcibly sending out game balls to be paid out to the payout passage 34 is directly connected to the ball tank 30. This eliminates the conventional long ball alignment gutter extending from the ball tank to save space, and forcibly uses the ball delivery device 8 instead of the conventional dispensing using gravity drop. By paying out with a good ball feed, the payout operation is speeded up, so that it is possible to respond to a large number of throwing balls such as a big hit with good followability.

Also, as in the first embodiment, the sphere sending device 8
Is a take-in port 81 communicating with the ball tank 30, a rotary transfer body 82 for transferring game balls to be taken in a rotational direction along a transfer path 822 formed of an arcuate path, and a payout path 3 for transferring game balls to be transferred.
4 is a rotary type having a discharge port 83 for discharging to the outside. In this way, by making the ball sending device 8 a rotary type, the structure can be made more compact, and the ball sending operation can be performed reliably and smoothly. As in the first embodiment, the intake port 81 is connected to the inside of the ball tank 30 by a detachable ball guide body 810 that is fitted into the claw 32 provided on the bottom of the ball tank 30. Consists of a rotating disk provided with a number of grooves 820 having a predetermined depth for receiving a game ball and having a circular arc shape when viewed from a plane.

Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the rotary transfer body 8
2 and the axis 82L of the drive motor 821 are inclined with respect to the horizontal line 30H of the ball tank 30 so that the ball can be smoothly taken into the rotary transfer body 82 and stored in the ball tank 30. Thus, the load of a large number of game balls acting directly on the drive motor 821 is reduced, and the load on the drive motor 821 is reduced as much as possible. The inclination angle α of the axis 82L is preferably set to 45 ° or near this as shown in the figure, so that both smooth capture of the sphere and reduction of the load due to the stored sphere are successfully achieved.

Along with the inclined arrangement of the axis 82L, a primary-side intake port 81 capable of taking in a plurality of game balls, a rotary transfer body 82 for transferring the game balls to be aligned in the rotation direction and transferring the game balls, In the ball delivery device 8 provided with a discharge port 83 for discharging the oil to the secondary side passage, the transfer path 822 of the rotary transfer body 82 is also inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and the intake port 81 is provided below the transfer path 822 in the inclination direction. Are provided at the top, respectively, so that the game balls are lifted obliquely upward from below along an arc following the rotation direction of the rotary transfer body 82. Thereby, by the provision of an appropriate transport resistance against the gravity, the game balls are not accidentally flipped off, no excessive payout is performed due to an avalanche phenomenon, etc.Moreover, the lifting load becomes excessive, Smooth forced conveyance can be performed without causing ball jamming or ball clogging during lifting.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 40, similarly to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the rotary transfer member 82 faces the lower bottom of the ball tank 30, and the rotary transfer member 82 , A drive motor 821 is arranged to protrude inward of the ball tank 30. Thus, the drive motor 821 can be prevented from protruding outside the ball tank 30, and the size can be further reduced.

Further, in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 40, similarly to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the drive motor 821 is held by the motor case 823 together with the speed reducer 82D directly connected to the front. The motor case 823 has a cylindrical portion 82T that accommodates the drive motor 821 and the speed reducer 82D at the center,
In combination with the inclined configuration of the axis 82L, the lower abdominal surface of the cylindrical portion 82T faces from the inside of the ball tank 30 to the intake port 81 side, thereby forming a guiding portion for guiding a game ball to the intake port 81 side. I have. In this way, coupled with the downsizing of the drive motor 821 due to the inclined arrangement, the ball can be taken in more smoothly. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the blade-like plate portions 82F, 82F which project integrally on both the left and right sides of the cylindrical portion 82T of the motor case 823 are also the cylindrical portions 82F.
Like the lower abdominal surface of T, the guide portion guides the game ball to the intake 81 side.

The second embodiment shown in FIG. 40 is different from the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The lower free end of a cantilever spring 824 that extends parallel to the axis of the rotary transfer body 82 faces obliquely from above in the middle of 22. A lift for one ball is secured between the free end and the bottom of the transfer path 822, and the intake port 8
1, the most downstream transfer path 822 near the outlet 83 away from
Together with d, it constitutes a restricting passage allowing passage of one ball. The upper end of the spring 824 is fixed to the motor case 823.

By providing the spring 824 in this manner, a large number of game balls to be stored are appropriately divided at the entrance side so that the rotation transfer body 82 smoothly takes in the game balls one by one, and the game balls to be transferred have an appropriate play. To prevent the game balls from being caught or clogged between the rotary transfer body 82 and the transfer path 822. Therefore,
The game ball is smoothly taken into each groove 820 of the rotary transfer body 82 and is smoothly transferred without biting or the like. The spring 824 is made of a conductive material so that the static electricity of the game ball can be grounded.

In FIG. 40, reference numeral 310 denotes a ball out detector in the ball tank 30. In FIG. 9, a proximity switch is used to detect whether or not a game ball is present on the detection end face across the wall. However, in FIG. 40, when there is a ball, the micro switch 311 swings downward. And a detection plate 312 that turns off the switch 311 when the ball runs out. The micro switch 311 and the detection plate 312 are held by a holder 313 and attached to the lower surface of the ball tank 30. Reference numeral 33 denotes a ball fall prevention guide from the ball tank 30, which is formed of a synthetic resin integrally molded product having a large number of narrow guide pieces 330 protruding upward. 825 is the transfer path 82
2 is a hopper case that partitions the bottom and side surfaces of the hopper case 2. A motor case 823 and a ball guide 810 are attached to the hopper case 825 by screwing. Hopper case 825, motor case 823, ball guide body 810
Thus, a main body housing that integrates the ball sending device 8 is constituted.

FIGS. 41 and 42 show a state in which the ball delivery device 8 has been removed from the ball tank 30 together with its main body housing. Four claws 32 into which the tip of the ball guide body 810 is fitted are provided along the arc-shaped opening 320 at the bottom of the tank. Three
Reference numerals 21 and 321 denote bosses for mounting the main body housing of the ball sending device 8, and a hopper case 825 shown in FIG.
The flanges 826 and 826 protruding from side to side are brought into contact with each other and attached by screws. Therefore, nail 3
By fitting the two parts and tightening the two screws of the boss 321, the ball delivery device 8 can be easily and reliably mounted, and removal can be easily performed by removing them.

As shown in FIG. 43, the second embodiment shown in FIG. 40 differs from the first embodiment shown in FIG.
A game in which a second discharge port 84 located on the other side in the circumferential direction opposite to the discharge port 83 provided on one side in the circumferential direction with the is interposed in the groove 820 of the ball tank 30 and the rotary transfer body 82 The ball is used as a collecting port to collect the ball on the gaming machine installation facility, that is, on the island. That is, the rotary transfer body 82 is also of the forward / reverse switching type by the forward / reverse switching type drive motor 821, and the reverse rotation causes the game ball to be transferred by the rotary transfer body 82 to be provided separately from the outlet 83.
Through the recovery passage 70. Thereby, in addition to the normal payout, the game ball can be collected at the time of inspection, closing of the store, and the like at the ball tank 30, and there is no need to provide a special switching mechanism 7, further simplifying the configuration and The size can be reduced. The exit of the recovery passage 70 is opened to an island as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 43, the first discharge port 83 and the second discharge port 84 are formed by partition walls 833, 8 adjacent in a C shape.
43, the transfer paths 822 and 822 leading to the respective outlets 83 and 84 are secured as long as possible within a limited size range. Good forced transfer can be performed. In the middle of the transfer path 822 leading to the second discharge port 84, the same cantilever spring 824 provided in the middle of the transfer path 822 leading to the first discharge port 83 is disposed at a symmetrical position. Smooth operation can be performed even when collecting game balls.

As shown in FIG. 44, the transfer path 822 on the downstream side away from the intake port 81 is, as described above, a restricting passage that allows the passage of one ball. Is provided. This is the same in FIG. In FIG. 11, the transfer path 822 is drawn vertically, but as is apparent from FIG. 9, it is actually inclined at 45 °, which is the same as FIG. Thus, along with the transfer path 822 facing obliquely upward, in conjunction with the transfer configuration while imparting an appropriate transport resistance against gravity, each game ball passing through the regulation path is detected by the ball detector 8.
By performing the detection at 5, good and reliable detection is performed without any detection error, and the detection accuracy is increased.

At the outlet of the discharge port 83, a second sphere detector 86 comprising a downstream detection switch is provided. With the two sphere detectors 85 and 86, the detection accuracy is further improved. Security is thorough.

FIG. 44 shows a configuration in which game balls stored on the primary side are sent to the secondary side through a transfer path 822 that allows the passage of one ball by forced transfer means such as a rotating disk. 822 is an inclined passage facing upward from the upstream portion to the downstream portion, and an outlet 83 to the secondary side is opened above the inclined passage, and the opening position of the outlet 83 is set to the top. The game balls are taken out to the secondary side by crossing over the top, while the first and second pair of ball detectors 85 and 86 are placed before and after the opening position of the outlet 83.
Has been arranged. In this way, along with good conveyance by imparting an appropriate conveyance resistance against gravity, it is assumed that discharge is caused by climbing over the top, and before and after this overcoming portion, the game ball that is about to be ejected and the game ball that is actually ejected are Is detected, a very appropriate and accurate sphere counting can be performed, and the reliability and accuracy can be extremely increased.

In FIG. 44, the inclined passage and the outlet 83
A derivative 830 is provided in the continuation portion of the guide 830 for changing the direction of the game ball rising on the inclined passage and guiding the game ball to the outlet 83. The derivative 830 is composed of a receiving guide 831 on the hopper case 825 side for securing wide trapezoidal stealing at the inflow portion of the outlet 83, and a triangular extrusion guide 832 on the motor case 823 side opposed thereto. The second discharge port 84 side has the same configuration, and a derivative 840 including a receiving guide 841 and an extruding guide 842 is provided. Thus, by providing the derivatives 830 and 840, smooth discharge of the ball can be performed.

FIG. 45 is a plan view showing the second embodiment of the receiving tray 4 with the ball sending device 8 removed. Basically, it is the same as the first embodiment in FIG. 12, but the outlet of the charging passage 64 is connected to the left side in the depth direction of the tray 4,
The outlet of the dispensing passage 34 is connected to the opposite right side.

As shown in FIG. 46, a ball delivery device 8 for forcibly sending out game balls to be counted to a discharge path leading to an island on the side of the game machine installation equipment is directly connected to the back of the receiving tray 4, and Automatic supply button 150 or manual supply button 16 on the front of the machine
The game balls discharged from the tray 4 are counted based on the counting command resulting from the operation of 0, and the credit is increased. In this way, the ball sending device 8 is directly connected to the back of the receiving tray 4 to reduce the size of the overall configuration, and the ball sending device 8 forcibly feeds the ball to speed up the counting process. This technique can be applied to a so-called jet counter provided at a prize exchange place or an appropriate place on an island.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 46, similarly to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the ball sending device 8 includes an intake port 81 communicating with the receiving tray 4 and a transfer path formed of an arcuate passage for playing game balls. 82
The rotary type has a rotary transfer body 82 that transfers the game balls in the rotation direction along 2, and a discharge port 83 that discharges the game balls to be transferred to the island side serving as a discharge path. In this way, by making the ball sending device 8 a rotary type, the structure can be made more compact, and the ball sending operation can be performed reliably and smoothly.

It is to be noted that the second embodiment of FIG. 46 is different from the first embodiment of FIG. 13 in that the ball guide body 810 reaching the intake port 81 and the guide rail 48 from the tray 4 are separated. The ball guide 810 and the guide rail 48 are formed as a single ball joint path 481, and the tray 4 and the intake port 81 are connected via the ball joint path 481. The ball joint path 481 is of a detachable type whose tip is fitted into a claw 490 provided at the bottom of the tray 4.

In addition, the rotary transfer member 82 is formed of a rotary disk provided with a number of grooves 820 having a predetermined depth on its outer periphery for receiving a game ball and having a circular arc shape when viewed from a plane. 821 is inclined with respect to the horizontal line 4H of the saucer 4, and the inclination angle α
Should be set to 45 ° or near this, the transfer path 822 should be similarly inclined and the transfer should be performed by applying a suitable transfer resistance against gravity, and the ball guide 81
The rotating transfer body 82 faces the ball joint path 481 instead of 0,
The point that the drive motor 821 is arranged so as to protrude toward the ball joint path 481 above the rotary transfer body 82, and the intake port 81 is provided in the motor case 823 holding the drive motor 821.
That the guide section for guiding the game ball is provided on the side, the rotary transfer body 8
In the middle of the game ball transfer path 822 by the
The point at which the free end of the cantilever spring 824 extending in parallel with the axis of, and the related items are the same as those described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 47, the second embodiment of the pan 4 is similar to the first embodiment of FIG.
2 is a forward / reverse switching type, in which game balls transferred by the reverse rotation are guided to a return passage 87 via a return port 84 which is a second discharge port provided separately from the discharge port 83. The return passage 87 in FIG. 47 is integrated with the structure of the ball joint path 481. In addition, a point that the first outlet 83 and the second outlet 84 are close to each other, a point that the cantilever spring 824 is disposed even during transfer to the second outlet 84, and Are the same as those described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 47, the ball joint path 481 is
Partition 480 (48i, 48j, 48k, 48m, 48
Ball passages 48A, 48B, 48 of 4 lanes defined in n)
C, 48D, and a slit 482 that opens downward is provided on the bottom surface of each passage. As shown in FIG. 46, below each slit 482,
A trapping object 483 for falling objects is disposed to prevent foreign substances other than regular game balls, such as liquids such as juice and ash of cigarettes, from entering the ball sending device 8 side. The collector 483 is provided integrally with the component member 450 of the lower passage 45 for removing balls extending from the bottom of the tray 4, and the foreign matter is returned to, for example, the inside of the dollar box below.
The main body housing of the ball sending device 8 directly connected to the receiving tray 4 includes a hopper case 825, a motor case 823, and a ball joint path 481 instead of the ball guide body. Flanges 826 and 826 are brought into contact with each other and attached with screws.

As shown in FIG. 48, the ball suction port 47 from the receiving tray 4 to the ball sending device 8 side, that is, the ball taking-in portion connecting the ball staying portion and the ball counting mechanism allows the passage of one ball. Corresponding to four lanes of the ball joint path 481, specifically, four opening sections 47A, 47B, 47C,
Has 47D. Each is a partition 470 (47i, 47
j, 47k, 47m, 47n). In this way, by making the ball intake section a plurality of opening sections that allow passage of one ball, a sufficient number of supply balls to the ball counting mechanism side can be secured and the counting process can be speeded up. In this way, it is possible to effectively prevent the insertion of foreign matter and the goto action.
In addition, since the ball intake section is divided into a plurality of opening sections, vibration such as hitting a hitting portion such as an eccentric cam or a hammer against a wall surface near the opening section so that the ball is smoothly sucked into each opening section. An application unit may be provided to apply vibration to the opening section.

In addition, the second part of the pan 4 part of FIGS.
The embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in FIGS. 12 and 13, but the point described with reference to FIG.
The point that the transfer path 822 on the downstream side away from the road is a restricted passage that allows passage of one ball, the point that the ball is discharged by climbing over the top, and the pair of ball detectors 8 before and after climbing over the top.
The content is the same as that of the arrangement of 5,86.

FIG. 49 shows details around the substrate in FIG. As described above, the main board 191 as the first board and the frame board 192 as the second board are locked by the single lock mechanism 193 including the board protection device with the locking mechanism. By locking a plurality of boards of different types with one lock mechanism 193 in this way, security can be achieved for the plurality of boards at the time of locking, and at the time of unlocking, a plurality of boards can be simultaneously maintained.
It is possible to easily and surely protect against gross acts such as falsification of ROM while enhancing the convenience of inspection and repair.

As shown in FIG. 50, a main board 191 serving as a first board includes a lower case 19i and an upper case 19j,
It is housed in a box-shaped first substrate case 19A through a plurality of locking means including a locking step 9e and a locking step 19g. Similarly, the frame substrate 192 as the second substrate is
k and the upper case 19m are housed in a box-shaped second board case 19B via a plurality of locking means including a claw 19f and a locking step 19h. These board cases 19
A and 19B are formed entirely of a transparent synthetic resin material. CPU, RO, except external connection such as connector
M and all peripheral circuit components are housed inside the board cases 19A and 19B.

The first board case 19A is supported at its right end by a pair of upper and lower turning support mechanisms comprising a hinge 19x having a pin 19p, and can be opened rightward about the pin 19p. Like that. On the other hand, the left end of the second board case 19B is pin 1
A pair of upper and lower rotating support mechanisms, each of which includes a hinge 19y having a 9q, is supported by a base member on the back of the game machine main body.
The door can be opened to the left around 9q.
Supporting pieces 19s are integrated with the left and right lower hinges 19x and 19y to abut against each of the board cases 19A and 19B and to prevent falling down.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 50, each board case 19A, 19B can be opened independently, and these board cases 19A, 19B can be opened double. As a result, as shown in FIG. 49, the base member opening 2R on the back of the main body of the gaming machine, which is normally covered with the bottom surface of each of the board cases 19A and 19B, can be opened. The liquid crystal control board and various relay boards attached to the back side of the display device 21 and the back of the game board can be exposed, so that inspection and repair can be easily performed.

As shown in FIG. 51, the lock mechanism 1
Reference numeral 93 denotes a long support portion 193A that covers the step portions 19a and 19b on the upper side of the mating sides of the board cases 19A and 19B from above, and is rotatably supported by a bracket 19z that stands on a base member on the back of the main body of the gaming machine. L-shaped operating side distal end portion 1 that holds a movable portion of a lock that locks and unlocks between a pivot-side base end portion 193B to be locked and a base member side on the back of the game machine main body.
93C. When the lock is released by inserting and rotating the key to release the lock, the entire body can be rotated by 90 ° or more around the base end portion 193B, and the support portion 193A
Can be released from the top of each of the board cases 19A and 19B to release the security around the board.

It is to be noted that one printed circuit board is housed inside each of the board cases 19A and 19B, and two or more kinds are housed such that the main board 191 and the error display board 194 are housed together as shown in the figure. May be accommodated in one substrate case. In addition, each board case 19A, 19B
May be divided in the vertical direction, or the like, and three or more substrate cases may be collectively locked by one lock mechanism 193. Further, screws for fixing the hinges 19x and 19y and the bracket 19z to the base member on the back of the game machine main body are as follows.
All of them are hidden by the shadows of the board cases 19A and 19B in the locked state and the shadow of the lock mechanism 193, and have a structure in which a driver or the like cannot be inserted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a ball game machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a passage around an inlet.

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the game board.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a ball circulation device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a payout device.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a main part of a ball sending device.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line YY of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory plan view of a tray portion.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a receiving tray and a discharging device.

FIG. 14 is a front view of a switching mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a game operation.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 8-I.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 8-II.

18 is an exploded view of FIG.

FIG. 19 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a firing solenoid.

FIG. 20 is a completed sectional view of the same.

FIG. 21 is a completed front view of the same.

FIG. 22 is a right side view of the completion.

FIG. 23 is a left side view of the same.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory view of a second embodiment of the ball circulation device.

FIG. 25 is a completed view of assembling the base of the ball circulating device.

FIG. 26 is a completed assembly view of the cover of the ball circulation device.

FIG. 27 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the launching apparatus corresponding to FIG. 16;

FIG. 28 is a front view of a second embodiment of the launching apparatus corresponding to FIG. 17;

FIG. 29 is an assembly view of the second embodiment of the launching apparatus.

FIG. 30 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 is a sectional view taken along line YY of FIG. 30;

32 is a side view as viewed in the direction of the arrow Z in FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is a front view of a ball transfer device.

FIG. 34 is a sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a WW end view of FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is a side view as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow R in FIG. 33;

FIG. 37 is a sectional view taken along line TT of FIG. 33;

FIG. 38 is an explanatory view of a ball polishing device.

FIG. 39 is a front view of a ball game machine having a different passage configuration.

FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram of a second embodiment of a payout device.

FIG. 41 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the ball tank.

FIG. 42 is a left side view of the second embodiment of the ball tank.

FIG. 43 is an enlarged view as seen from the arrow β1 in FIG. 40;

44 is a sectional view taken along line Y2-Y2 of FIG.

FIG. 45 is an explanatory plan view of the second embodiment of the pan portion;

FIG. 46 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the tray and the discharge device.

FIG. 47 is an enlarged view as seen from the arrow β2 in FIG. 46.

FIG. 48 is an explanatory front view of the second embodiment of the tray portion;

FIG. 49 is a plan view around a substrate case.

50 is a bottom view of FIG. 49 with a partial cross section.

FIG. 51 is a sectional view of a lock mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

1; launching device 1A; first housing, 1B; second housing 1M; launching solenoid, 1Mp; plunger, 1ML;
Rod 1Ma; front buffer member, 1Mb; rear buffer member 2: game board, 20; guide rail, 2R; base member opening 3; payout device, 30; ball tank, 34; payout passage 4: receiving tray, 482; 483; Collection device 5; Discharge device 6; Input port 7; Switching mechanism, 70; Collection passage 8; Ball delivery device; 81;
3; outlet, 84; second outlet (return port), 85; ball detector, 86; second ball detector, 87; return passage, 82
1; drive motor, 822; transfer path, 823; motor case, 824; cantilever spring 11; ball circulation device, 12; ball feed device, 17; ball transfer device (ball lift device) 11F; main body casing, 11A; First main case (base) 11B; deployment mechanism, 11C; second main case (cover) 17S; transport screw, 17W; ball retaining wall, 17C; ball polishing device 19A; first substrate case, 19B; , 1
93; lock mechanism

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshihiko Matsushita 3-1-25 Ariake Frontier Building A, Koto-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Norio Mori 3-1-25 Ariake Koto-ku, Tokyo Ariake Frontier Building A (72 ) Inventor Hiroshi Nakamura Ariake Frontier Building A, 3-1-25 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo

Claims (4)

[Claims] In a game ball sending device for sending game balls stored on a primary side to a secondary side, a primary side inlet (81) capable of taking in a plurality of game balls, and rotating the game balls to be taken in. A rotary transfer body (82) for transferring the game balls to be aligned in the direction, and a discharge port (83) for discharging the game balls to be transferred to the secondary passage, and a transfer path (822) by the rotary transfer body (82) with respect to a horizontal plane. The transfer path (822)
The intake port (81) is downwardly inclined and the discharge port (8
(3) A game ball sending device characterized in that each of (3) is provided. 2. The game ball sending device according to claim 1, wherein the inclination angle of the transfer path (822) is set to 45 ° or around 45 °. 3. A downstream transfer path (822) distant from the intake port (81) is a restriction passage allowing passage of one ball, and a ball detector (85) is disposed in this restriction passage. 3. The game ball sending device according to claim 1, wherein the game ball is sent. 4. The game ball sending device according to claim 3, wherein a second ball detector (86) is provided at an outlet of the discharge port (83).