JP2000140389A - Game machine and ball polisher - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable pinballs to be polished either inside or outside a game machine as desired. SOLUTION: This PACHINKO game machine 1 is shaped such that a first polisher unit 7 for polishing PACHINKO balls inside the PACHINKO game machine 1 and a second polisher unit for polishing outside the PACHINKO game machine 1 are attached removably as a processing means of the game machine 1 for polishing PACHINKO balls. The units can be selectively attached to the PACHINKO game machine 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine represented by a pachinko game machine, a coin game machine or a slot machine, and more particularly, to a game machine in which a game is played using a game medium such as a pachinko ball. Further, the present invention relates to a processing apparatus for polishing, and in particular, it is possible to perform processing required for polishing dirt attached to a game medium of a gaming machine in which a game is performed using the game medium, on the game medium. And a polishing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a game machine of this type in which a game is played using a game medium such as a pachinko ball. In such a gaming machine, dirt adheres to the game medium as the game medium is used in the game. For this reason, a game medium used in a game machine is polished to remove dirt attached to the game medium.

There are two types of polishing methods for a game medium: polishing inside a game machine and polishing outside a game machine. In the case of polishing in a game machine, a polishing device is fixedly provided inside the game machine,
The game medium held by the gaming machine is circulated inside the gaming machine and polished by an internal polishing device. In the case of polishing outside the gaming machine, the polishing device is not provided on the gaming machine but is provided fixedly outside the gaming machine, such as an island where the gaming machine is installed, and the gaming medium held by the gaming machine is It is discharged outside and polished by an external polishing device.

[0004]

However, conventional gaming machines have the following problems. Since a gaming machine configured to perform polishing in a gaming machine is not provided with a game medium discharging means for polishing, it is structurally impossible to perform polishing outside the gaming machine. Further, since a gaming machine configured to perform polishing outside the gaming machine does not include a polishing device, it is structurally impossible to perform polishing inside the gaming machine. Therefore, in a conventional gaming machine, one gaming machine cannot be used for both polishing inside the gaming machine and polishing outside the gaming machine. For this reason, in the conventional case, if the polishing method is switched between in-game machine polishing and out-of-game machine polishing in a game arcade, all existing gaming machines must be replaced with those compatible with the polishing method. Was.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of performing polishing according to a desired one of polishing inside the gaming machine and polishing outside the gaming machine. It is to make it.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a game machine in which a game is played using a game medium, wherein the game machine is formed so as to be separable from the game machine and is attached to the game machine. A polishing processing means capable of performing a polishing process necessary for polishing dirt attached to the game medium on the game medium in a state in which the polishing medium is polished, and the polishing processing means performing the polishing process. And a processing area to which the polishing means can be attached.
A first polishing processing means capable of performing a polishing process for polishing the game medium inside the gaming machine; and the game medium for polishing the game medium outside the game machine. One selected from a second polishing processing means capable of performing a polishing process discharged to the outside of the machine is used in the gaming machine, and the processing region performs the polishing process. One of the first polishing processing means and the second polishing processing means is formed so that it can be attached in a detachable manner. I do.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the first polishing processing means performs an operation for polishing the game medium. And a polishing control means for controlling the operation of the game medium polishing means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the second polishing processing means includes means for discharging the game medium to the outside of the game machine. It is characterized by including game medium discharging means for performing an operation, and discharging control means for controlling the operation of the game medium discharging means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the first aspect further includes a game medium storing means for storing a game medium used for the game.
The processing means for polishing includes: a game medium polishing means for performing an operation for polishing the game medium; a polishing guide path for guiding the game medium to the game medium polishing means; and a game medium storing the game medium. A game taxiway leading to the means,
It is characterized by including guideway switching means capable of switching the guideway of the game medium to one of the polishing guideway and the game guideway.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the game apparatus further includes a game medium storing means for storing a game medium used in the game, and
The polishing processing means includes an external guideway for guiding the game medium to the outside of the gaming machine, a game guideway for guiding the game medium to the game medium storage means, and a guideway for the game medium. It is characterized by including guideway switching means capable of switching to one of the external guideway and the game guideway.

According to the present invention, there is provided a polishing machine capable of performing processing necessary for removing dirt adhered to a game medium of a gaming machine in which a game is played using the game medium, with respect to the game medium. A processing device, which is detachably formed in the gaming machine, and in a state where the gaming medium is attached to the gaming machine, a guiding path for guiding the game medium used in the gaming machine, and the guiding path together with the guiding path. And a game medium polishing means formed detachably on the game machine and capable of polishing the game medium guided by the guide passage.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a polishing machine capable of performing processing necessary for removing dirt attached to a game medium of a gaming machine in which a game is played using the game medium, on the game medium. Processing device, which is detachably formed on the gaming machine, and in a state attached to the gaming machine, can discharge a game medium used in the gaming machine to the outside of the gaming machine. It is characterized by including a game medium discharging means.

[0013]

According to the present invention, the operation is as follows. By the operation of the polishing processing means formed so as to be separable from the gaming machine, it is possible to perform the polishing processing necessary for polishing dirt attached to the game medium on the game medium in a state attached to the game machine. It is. A polishing processing means is attached to the processing area so that the polishing processing can be performed. A first polishing processing means capable of performing a polishing process for polishing the game medium inside the gaming machine, and discharging the game medium to the outside of the gaming machine for polishing the game medium outside the gaming machine One selected from the second polishing processing means capable of performing the polishing processing is used as the polishing processing means in the gaming machine. The processing region is a first region for performing a polishing process.
One of the polishing processing means selected from the above-mentioned polishing processing means and the second polishing processing means can be attached in a detachable manner. As described above, in the processing area provided in the gaming machine, the first polishing processing means used for polishing the gaming medium inside the gaming machine, and the first processing means for polishing the gaming medium outside the gaming machine. The second polishing processing means to be used is detachable. Therefore, by selecting the processing means for polishing to be attached as desired, the polishing of the game media inside the gaming machine and the polishing of the game media outside the gaming machine can be performed in one gaming machine. Can be polished as desired. Furthermore, since the processing means for polishing is detachably attached to the gaming machine, the polishing method of the game medium used in the gaming machine can be changed from one of the polishing inside the gaming machine and the polishing outside the gaming machine. In the case of changing to the other, it is only necessary to replace the previously attached polishing processing means with a polishing processing means corresponding to the polishing method to be changed. That is, when the polishing method of the game medium is changed, it is possible to cope with the change of the polishing method only by replacing the polishing processing means constituting a part of the gaming machine without replacing the entire gaming machine. For this reason, it is possible to easily respond to the needs of the game arcade when changing the polishing method of the game medium. Further, since it is possible to cope with a change in the polishing method of the game medium only by replacing a part of the gaming machine, the polishing method is changed as compared with the case where the entire gaming machine is replaced for the change in the polishing method. In this case, the cost required can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, the following operation is performed.
The first polishing processing means includes a game medium polishing means and a polishing control means. An operation for polishing the game medium is performed by the function of the game medium polishing means. The operation of the game medium polishing means is controlled by the operation of the polishing control means. As described above, since the polishing control means for controlling the game medium polishing means is provided on the first polishing processing means side, the first polishing processing means is not affected by the control system on the gaming machine main body side. In addition, it is possible to independently control the drive of the game medium polishing means. For this reason, the first polishing processing means can be standardized as a polishing processing means applicable to any gaming machine to which the polishing processing means can be attached. With this configuration, as long as the gaming machine can be equipped with the polishing processing means, the first polishing processing means can be commonly used regardless of the model of the gaming machine and the manufacturer of the gaming machine. It is convenient for the gaming side in terms of operation such as purchase and management of the polishing processing means. Further, since it is not necessary to provide such control means on the gaming machine side, it is possible to reduce the number of parts of the gaming machine body excluding the processing means for polishing, and to reduce the manufacturing cost of the gaming machine body. Will be possible.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the following operation is performed.
The second polishing processing means includes a game medium discharge means and a discharge control means. By the function of the game medium discharging means, an operation for discharging the game medium to the outside of the gaming machine is performed. The operation of the game medium discharging means is controlled by the function of the discharging control means. As described above, since the discharge control means for controlling the game medium discharge means is provided on the second polishing processing means side, the second polishing processing means is not affected by the control system on the gaming machine main body side. It is possible to independently control the drive of the game medium discharging means. For this reason, the second polishing processing means can be standardized as a polishing processing means applicable to any gaming machine to which the polishing processing means can be attached. In this way, as long as the gaming machine can be equipped with a polishing processing means, regardless of the model of the gaming machine and the manufacturer of the gaming machine,
This makes it possible to use the first polishing processing means in common, which is convenient for the gaming side in terms of operation such as purchase and management of the polishing processing means. Further, since it is not necessary to provide such control means on the gaming machine side, it is possible to reduce the number of parts of the gaming machine body excluding the processing means for polishing, and to reduce the manufacturing cost of the gaming machine body. Will be possible.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the following operation is performed in addition to the operation of the first aspect.
The game medium used for the game is stored by the game medium storing means. The first polishing processing means includes a game medium polishing means, a polishing guideway, a game guideway, and a guideway switching means. By the action of the game media polishing means,
An operation for polishing the game medium is performed. The game medium is guided to the game medium polishing means by the guide path for polishing. The game medium is guided to the game medium storing means by the game guiding path. By the function of the guideway switching means, it is possible to switch the guideway of the game medium to one of the polishing guideway and the game guideway. As described above, in the first polishing processing means, the polishing guide path for guiding the game medium to the game medium polishing means, and the game guide path for guiding the game medium to the game medium storage means are provided, Since the guide path of the game medium is selectively switched to one of the guide paths, the game medium can be polished as necessary. This makes it possible to polish the game medium in accordance with the operation state of the gaming machine, thereby preventing inconveniences such as invalid consumption of a polishing member caused by polishing the game medium more than necessary, and performing polishing. Not only can it be performed effectively, but also the game hall can reduce the running cost associated with the replacement of the polishing member.

According to the invention described in claim 5, according to claim 1,
In addition to the operation of the invention described in the above, the following operation is performed. The game medium used for the game is stored by the game medium storing means. The second polishing processing means includes an external guideway, a game guideway, and a guideway switching unit. The game medium is guided to the outside of the gaming machine by the external guiding path. The game medium is guided to the game medium storing means by the game guiding path. By the function of the guideway switching means, it is possible to switch the guideway of the game medium to one of the external guideway and the game guideway. As described above, in the second polishing processing means, the external guiding path for guiding the game medium to the outside of the gaming machine and the gaming guiding path for guiding the game medium to the game medium storing means are provided. Since the guide path of the game medium is selectively switched to one of the guide paths, when the game medium used in the game machine is discharged to the outside of the game machine, the guide to the game medium storage means is prevented. You. Therefore, when polishing the game media used in the game machine and the remaining game media in the storage section and the gutter (main flow gutter, tributary gutter) above the game machine, all of them are easily discharged to the outside of the game machine. Becomes possible. For this reason, it becomes possible to polish all of the game media used in the gaming machine collectively outside the gaming machine, thereby suppressing variation in the degree of polishing among the individual gaming media used in the gaming machine. It becomes possible to do.

According to the present invention, the operation is as follows. The guide medium detachably formed in the gaming machine guides a game medium used in the gaming machine when attached to the gaming machine. By the function of the game medium polishing means detachably formed in the game machine together with the guide passage, it is possible to polish the game medium guided by the guide passage. As described above, in a state where the guide path and the game medium polishing means are attached to the game machine, the game medium used in the game machine is guided by the guide path, and the game medium is polished by the game medium polishing means. . For this reason, when polishing inside the gaming machine is desired, it is possible to perform the polishing of the game medium inside the gaming machine according to the desire by attaching the processing apparatus for polishing to the gaming machine. Become. Further, when polishing outside the gaming machine is desired, it is possible to remove the polishing processing apparatus from the gaming machine to meet the demand.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the following operation is performed. By the function of the game medium discharging means detachably formed in the game machine, it is possible to discharge the game medium used in the game machine to the outside of the game machine while being attached to the game machine. In this way, in a state where the game medium discharging means is attached to the gaming machine, it is possible to discharge the game medium used in the gaming machine to the outside of the gaming machine by the game medium discharging means. For this reason,
If polishing outside the gaming machine is desired, this processing device for polishing is attached to the gaming machine, and the gaming medium is discharged to the outside of the gaming machine according to the wish and the game medium outside the gaming machine is removed. Can be polished. Further, when polishing inside the gaming machine is desired, it is possible to remove the polishing processing apparatus from the gaming machine to meet the demand.

[0020]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko gaming machine is shown as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to gaming machines other than pachinko gaming machines such as coin gaming machines and slot machines. is there. That is, the present invention can be applied to any gaming machine in which a game is played using a gaming medium.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine 1 and a stand-to-frame machine 10.

Referring to FIG. 1, the machine 10 is provided on the left side of the pachinko gaming machine 1. On the front side of the machine 10, an operation lamp 16, a machine display 17, and a prepaid card insertion / ejection port 180 are provided. The player inserts a prepaid card possessed by the player into the prepaid card insertion / ejection port 180 of the machine 10 and performs a predetermined ball lending operation, so that the player is given a point. The game with the used pachinko gaming machine 9 becomes possible. The prepaid card is a magnetic recording type card and can be purchased by a player paying a predetermined amount.

A prepaid card reader / writer 18 for reading and writing information from / to the prepaid card is provided near the prepaid card insertion / ejection port 180 inside the inter-chamber machine 10.

The operation lamp 16 is turned on when the machine 10 is operating, that is, when the machine 10 is usable. Then, when the player inserts the prepaid card into the prepaid card insertion / ejection port 180 while the operation lamp 16 is lit, the recorded information of the inserted prepaid card is read by the prepaid card reader / writer 18.

The display unit 17 is a liquid crystal display panel (including a function as a touch panel) for displaying information.
It has a display surface 170 made of. Display unit 17
Is mounted above the prepaid card insertion / ejection port 180. The display surface 170 of the stand-to-machine display unit 17 is provided so as to face a player sitting in front of the pachinko gaming machine 9. For this reason, the display content of the inter-chamber display unit 17 is configured to be easily visible to the player. Various images such as predetermined advertisements, operation guidance, various operation buttons, and the like are displayed on the display unit 17.

In the pachinko gaming machine 9, an operation panel 11 is provided on the lower front frame 3 of the vertically divided front frames 2 and 3. The operation panel 11 includes:
A point display section 12, a prepaid card balance display section 13, a ball lending key 14, and a return key 15 are provided.

When a prepaid card usable in the game arcade 3 is inserted into the prepaid card insertion / ejection port 180, the card balance of the inserted prepaid card is displayed on the prepaid card balance display section 13. If the player operates the ball lending key 14 in that state, the predetermined ball lending unit amount is deducted from the card balance of the prepaid card and reduced, and the point for the ball lending unit amount is changed by the player. Is given to Such an operation is called a ball lending operation. On the point display 12, the player's points are displayed. The points given to the player by the withdrawal operation are indicated by the addition and updating of the points on the point display section 12.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 is a ball-filled pachinko gaming machine. A player playing a game with this pachinko gaming machine 1 does not directly hold a pachinko ball, but plays a game based on the points displayed on the point display unit 12 of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The points include a point obtained by the player as a result of the game and a point obtained by withdrawal before starting the game. Further, in this embodiment, the points are expressed as the number of balls (the number of balls) so that the player can play the game with the same concept as in the case of a pachinko machine in which a prize ball (payout ball) is paid out according to the game result. Is done.

When the return key 15 is pressed by the player, the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is terminated. In this case, the points displayed on the point display unit 12 are stored in the prepaid card, and the balance displayed on the prepaid card balance display unit 13 is updated and recorded on the prepaid card as the card balance. The prepaid card on which these recordings have been completed is ejected from the prepaid card insertion / ejection port 180. The display surface 17
When the ball storage key is operated at 0, the current point can be deposited as a ball storage.

When the player operates the hit ball operation handle 4 in a state where the point is present, the pachinko balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are fired one by one, and the game area 1
It is driven into 00. The hit pachinko balls are detected one by one by the hit ball sensor 37 shown in FIG. 2, and the number of points displayed on the point display unit 12 is decremented and updated one by one every time there is detection.

The foul ball, which is a pachinko ball whose firing momentum is too weak to reach the game area 100, is collected by a foul ball inlet 50 shown in FIG.
It is detected by a foul ball detector 28 shown in FIG. Each time a foul ball is detected, the points displayed on the point display section 12 are added and updated one by one. Thus, the player can effectively use the ball that has been subtracted and updated by the detection of the ball sensor without having the opportunity for the ball to reach the game area 100.

When a hit ball hit in the game area 100 wins the starting port 105, the starting winning ball sensor 117 detects the hit ball, and the variable display device 101 starts variable display of symbols. In addition, the fact that the hit ball wins the starting port 105 is particularly called a starting winning.

Variable display device 1 based on occurrence of start winning
At 01, variable display of symbols such as numbers is started. And
If the variable stop result of the variable display device 101 becomes a predetermined specific display mode (for example, 777), a so-called big hit occurs. If a big hit occurs, the solenoid 130
Is excited, the open / close plate 111 provided in the variable winning ball device 109 is opened, and the big winning opening 110 is opened,
This is the first state that is advantageous for the player. The first state is established when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of the pachinko balls in the variable winning ball apparatus 109 is won or a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) elapses, whichever is earlier. A second state that is terminated and disadvantageous to the player,
That is, the opening / closing plate 111 is closed and the special winning opening 110 is closed.

If the ball hits the starting port 105 again while the variable display device 101 is variably displaying, the start prize is stored, and after the variable display device 101 is variably stopped, it is waited until the variable display device 101 is ready to start variably. The variable display device 101 is variably started again based on the start winning. The upper limit of the start winning prize memory is set to “4”, and the starting prize storing number at the present time is displayed on the start winning prize number display 104.

A pachinko ball that has entered the variable prize ball device 109 during the period when the variable prize ball device 109 is in the first state is detected by the 10 count sensor 116 or the specific prize ball sensor 115. If the pachinko ball is detected by the specific winning ball sensor, the repetition continuation control of controlling the variable winning ball device 109 to the first state again after the first state of the variable winning ball device 109 for that time is completed. Is performed. The upper limit number of executions of the repetition continuation control is set to, for example, 16 times. The number of times such repetition continuation control is executed is called the number of rounds. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, when the big hit state occurs, the continuous control can be repeatedly executed from the first round to a maximum of the 16th round. The numerical value indicating the first round number is displayed on the round number display 103 including a 7-segment LED display.

After the repetition continuation control ends, the so-called big hit state ends, and the open / close plate 111 does not open unless a big hit occurs again. In addition, when the state shifts to such a state, if the big hit that occurred before the state shift is caused by a particular combination of special symbols, the probability of the big hit occurring increases. Such a gaming state in which the jackpot probability fluctuates is particularly called a probability fluctuation state (abbreviation, probable change), and a symbol corresponding to this is called a probability fluctuation design (abbreviation probable change symbol). Such a state in which the jackpot probability fluctuates continues, for example, until a jackpot occurs once thereafter. Then, when the next big hit is the probability variation symbol again, the state where the big hit probability has changed continues until one big hit occurs thereafter. An upper limit (limiter) is set for the continuation of the probability fluctuation state by the probability fluctuation symbol, and generally, the upper limit is 5 hits. When the upper limit of the continuation is reached or when a big hit is hit with a symbol other than the probability changing symbol, the probability changing state ends, and the normal jackpot probability returns. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, a predetermined symbol (numerical value) is determined as a lucky number among combinations of symbols (numerical values) in which a big hit occurs. When the display result of the symbol (numerical value) when the big hit occurs matches the lucky number determined by the game hall, a certain privilege is given to the player as a special service. For example, this privilege can be used for a game without exchanging prizes for valuables provided with the occurrence of the jackpot.

The hit ball is variable winning ball device 109, starting port 10
5. If a prize is won in a prize area such as the normal prize port 108 or the normal prize port 112, a predetermined number of balls held according to the prize are given to the player. The number of balls held to the player is
The added ball is updated and displayed on the ball display section 8. Pachinko balls that did not win any of the winning areas are collected by the out port 113 provided below the gaming area 100.

The front frame 2 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 has
A game effect lamp 14 that performs a predetermined lighting display or a predetermined blinking display according to a game state such as occurrence of a big hit.
a, 15a are provided. In addition, pachinko machine 1
Speakers 13a, 13a for generating predetermined sound effects such as voices in accordance with the game state are provided on the left and right sides of the front frame 2 of. Furthermore, in the game area 100,
On the upper portion of the variable display device 101, a game effect lamp 10b for performing a predetermined lighting display or a predetermined blinking display according to a game state such as occurrence of a big hit is provided. Further, at the left and right ends in the game area 100, there are provided game effect lamps 107 for performing a predetermined lighting display or a predetermined blinking display according to a game state such as occurrence of a big hit.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with an enclosed ball circulation path in which a predetermined number of pachinko balls are enclosed, and the enclosed pachinko balls are circulated and used for a game. A part of the encircling ball circulation path is provided in a polishing processing unit which will be described later and is configured separately from the pachinko gaming machine 1. The polishing processing unit is a unit for performing a polishing process necessary for removing dirt attached to a pachinko ball. The polishing processing unit is attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a normal use state, but FIG. 2 shows the pachinko gaming machine 1 to which the polishing processing unit has not been attached yet.

On the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1, a game board 4
2 and a holding frame 43 for holding the polishing processing unit in a detachable manner. The holding frame 43 includes a game board holding portion 43a having a shape for partitioning a space for holding the game board 42, and a polishing processing unit holding portion 43 having a shape for partitioning a space for holding the polishing processing unit.
b are formed.

The holding frame 43 is provided with a plurality of turning levers 57 for attaching and detaching the game board 42 so as to face the game board holding frame portion 43a. , The game board 42 becomes detachable. Further, the holding frame 43 is provided with a plurality of turning levers 64 for attaching and detaching the polishing processing unit so as to face the polishing processing unit holding portion 43b. Thereby, the polishing processing unit becomes detachable.
The polishing processing unit holding frame 43b is formed in a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the polishing processing unit. Inside the space formed by the polishing processing unit holding portion 43b, a polishing processing unit mounting area 60, which is an area where the polishing processing unit is mounted, is provided.

All prize balls won from a prize port or a variable prize ball device provided in the game area 100 are guided to a prize ball detector 46 through a prize ball collection cover member 44, and are detected by the prize ball detector 46. Is detected. After the out ball is discharged from the out port 113, the out ball is detected by the out ball detector 48. After the foul ball is discharged from the foul ball return port 50, the foul ball detection 28 detects the foul ball.

The winning ball detected by the winning detector 46, the out ball detected by the out ball detector 48, and the foul ball detected by the foul ball detector 28 are merged and guided to the unit communication outlet 62. Is done. The unit communication outlet 62 is an opening that is connected to an inlet of a ball path provided in the polishing processing unit, and is opened so as to face a space formed by the polishing processing unit holding frame 43b. At the unit communication outlet 62, all pachinko balls sent to the polishing processing unit pass downward.

In the polishing processing unit mounting area 60, a unit communication inlet 63 is provided at a diagonally lower left portion of the unit communication outlet 62 (above the firing unit 67). The unit communication inlet 63 is an opening connected to an outlet of a ball path provided in the polishing processing unit. In the unit communication inlet 63, a pachinko ball supplied as a hit ball through a ball path provided in the polishing processing unit is received. The pachinko ball received at the unit communication inlet 63 is fired as a hitting ball, and is fired in a firing ball standby passage (not shown) serving as a storage means in which firing balls of the firing device unit 67 are aligned and made to wait. Sent.

In the polishing processing unit mounting area 60, a connector 61 for electrically connecting a control unit, which will be described later, provided on the polishing processing unit side is provided in a diagonally lower right part of the unit communication outlet 62. I have. The connector 61 is configured to transmit and receive power supply power and various signals.

In this pachinko gaming machine 1, a first polishing processing unit for performing a polishing process necessary for removing dirt attached to the pachinko ball inside the pachinko gaming machine 1, and a dirt attached to the pachinko ball. And a second polishing processing unit that performs a polishing process necessary to polish the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

Next, an example in which the first polishing processing unit is attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 when the first polishing processing unit 7 is attached. In the case of FIG. 3, in order to make it easy to see the internal configuration of the first polishing processing unit 7,
The internal configuration of the polishing processing unit 7 is shown with the outer cover member removed, and the inside of the path is shown for the path of the ball in order to explain the flow of the pachinko balls. .

The first polishing processing unit 7 is configured so as to protect the internal structure with two plate-shaped cover members 720 interposed therebetween. Polishing processing unit mounting area 6
The first ball path 72,
A ball reduction machine 73, a second ball path 74, a control device 70, and a polishing device 77 are mounted.

The first ball path 72 is connected to the ball inlet 7 at one end.
1 is provided at a position where it can be connected to the unit communication outlet 62, and the other end is mounted in a manner connected to the internal space of the ball reduction machine 73 located at the lower lower portion of the first polishing processing unit 7. The ball reduction machine 73 has an internal space for ball discharging having a circular cross section. A sprocket 78 that is rotationally driven by a lift motor 79 is provided in an internal space for ball lifting and feeding in the ball reducing machine 73 to engage and lift the pachinko balls.

When the first polishing processing unit 7 is mounted on the cover member 720, a ball outlet 75 opening at a position overlapping the unit communication inlet 63 is provided at a position facing the unit communication inlet 63 described above. Is provided. The second ball path 74 has one end connected to the ball outlet 75 and the other end connected to the pachinko ball outlet of the ball reduction machine 73.

The second ball path 74 extends right above the ball return machine 73 to a position higher in the up-down direction of the pachinko gaming machine 1 than the formation position of the ball outlet 75, and further bends obliquely downward to bend the ball. It is formed in a bent shape extending to the outlet 75. The polishing device 77 is provided so as to be interposed in a portion of the second ball path 74 that extends in a direction directly above the ball reduction machine 73. The polishing apparatus 77 includes a polishing cassette 7
70 is detachably attached. That is, the polishing apparatus 77 is provided with a holder for mounting the polishing cassette 770, and the polishing cassette 770 is detachably mounted on the holder.

The polishing cassette 770 includes a polishing cloth 733 serving as a polishing member for polishing a ball, and a cassette reel 77.
1,772. Here, the polishing cloth 733 is a tape-shaped cloth coated with silicone oil, and has a function of polishing the ball and simultaneously applying the silicone oil to the ball surface to improve the flow of the ball. Apart from this, for example, the polishing cloth 773 itself may be made of the same material as nylon pellets used for ordinary ball polishing, or similar effects can be obtained by using Teflon or the like. In the polishing cassette 770, the polishing cloth 773 wound around the cassette reel 772 is sequentially sent out to the polishing position by rotating the cassette reel 771 at a predetermined speed.

The polishing position of the polishing cassette 770 faces the inner space of the lifting path in the second ball path 74, and at this polishing position, the polishing pad 773 is fed from above to below at a predetermined speed. The ball that is pumped in the second ball path 74 is pumped upward while contacting the polishing pad 773 at the polishing position.
By contact with the polishing cloth 773 at such a polishing position,
The ball being pumped is polished. The polishing cloth 77 used for polishing in the polishing cassette 770 is a cassette reel 77.
One by one. The polishing device 77 is provided with a reel drive motor (not shown), and the cassette drive 771 is rotationally driven by the reel drive motor.
Winding of the polishing cloth 773 as described above is performed.

In the cover member 720, the connector 6 described above in a state where the first polishing processing unit 7 is attached.
A control device 70 having a connector 701 connected to the connector 61 is provided at a position facing 1. The control device 70 includes a microcomputer, and when the first polishing processing unit 7 is attached, the connector 70
1 is connected to the connector 61.

The control device 70 receives power supply power from the main body of the pachinko gaming machine 1 via the connector 61 and the connector 701 and operates to execute various control programs by executing a predetermined control program. . The controller 70 is connected to a lift motor drive circuit (not shown) for driving the lift motor 79 of the ball reduction machine 73 via a cable (not shown), and the lift motor is connected via the cable. By supplying power and a control signal to the drive circuit, the ball reduction machine 73 is controlled. Further, the control device 70 controls the polishing device 77 via the cable C.
Is connected to a reel drive motor drive circuit (not shown) for driving the reel drive motor, and supplies power and a control signal to the reel drive motor drive circuit via the cable C to control the polishing apparatus 77. Perform The first polishing processing unit 7 configured as described above is fitted along the polishing processing unit holding frame 43b, mounted in the polishing processing unit mounting area 60, and the ball inlet 71 is connected to the unit communication outlet 62. Connected, ball exit 7
5 is connected to the unit communication inlet 63, and is mounted so that the connector 701 of the control device 70 is connected to the connector 61, and is fixed by the rotating lever 64.

Next, a control circuit in the first polishing processing unit 7 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit in the first polishing processing unit 7.

Referring to FIG. 4, control device 70 comprises a microcomputer, CPU 70a, ROM 70b
And a RAM 70c. The ROM 70b stores various data such as a control program for executing the control processing of the ball reduction machine 73 and the polishing device 77. CP
The U 70a reads the data from the ROM 70b, executes the control program, and controls the ball reduction machine 73 and the polishing device 77 using the RAM 70c as a work area.

The control device 70 supplies a control signal to a reel drive motor drive circuit 775 for driving a reel drive motor 774 in order to control the polishing device 77. The reel drive motor drive circuit 775 drives the reel drive motor 774 in accordance with the control signal, and the polishing cloth 773 is used for polishing.
Are sequentially sent to the polishing position. The control device 70
Is a lift motor 79 for controlling the ball reduction machine 73.
Is supplied to a lift motor drive circuit 790 that drives the motor. The lift motor drive circuit 79 according to the control signal
0 drives the lift motor 79 to lift the pachinko balls.

In the first polishing processing unit 7 attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the controller 70 performs the following polishing processing on the pachinko balls.

Referring to FIG. 3, pachinko balls P gathered at unit communication outlet 62 are guided into first ball path 72 through ball inlet 71. Then, the pachinko ball P guided into the first ball path 72 is guided downward by its own weight, and is sent into the internal space for ball lifting of the ball reduction machine 73.
In the ball reduction machine 73, the lift motor 79 is drive-controlled by the control device 70, and the pachinko balls P are engaged and sent according to the rotation of the sprocket 78, and are pushed up into the second ball path 74. Can be Then, as the pachinko balls P are sequentially pushed up into the second ball path 74, the pachinko balls P guided into the second ball path 74 are lifted upward.

In the polishing apparatus 77, the drive of the reel drive motor 774 is controlled by the control device 70, and the polishing cloth 7
73 are sequentially sent out to the polishing position. Thereby, the second
The pachinko balls P transported in the ball path 74 are polished in the course of transporting, and attached dirt is removed. Then, the pachinko balls P that have been transported to the uppermost portion of the second ball path 74 roll in the second ball path 74 to the ball outlet 75 by their own weight. Then, the pachinko ball P rolled in the second ball path 74
Is guided into the unit communication inlet 63 through the ball outlet 75, and is fired as a hit ball.
Sent to

As described above, when the first polishing processing unit 7 is attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the pachinko balls are constantly polished in the first polishing processing unit 7, so that the pachinko gaming machine 1 The pachinko balls can be polished inside.

In addition, since the pachinko balls ejected and fired are all circulated through the first ball path 72 and the second ball path 74, including the foul balls, the polishing apparatus 77 is used each time.
As a result, the pachinko balls are polished. Therefore, even if the polishing ability of the polishing member (polishing cloth 733) of the polishing device 77 is not so high, the pachinko balls in the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be kept clean. Therefore, a relatively inexpensive polishing member having a low polishing ability can be used as the polishing member (polishing cloth 733) of the polishing device 77, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since the game can be continued while the pachinko balls are being polished, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of having to stop the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 in order to polish the pachinko balls.

Next, an example in which the second polishing processing unit is attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram of the gaming machine installation island when the second polishing processing unit is attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1. In FIG.
(A) is a front view of the gaming machine installation island 8, and (b) is a rear view of the gaming machine installation island 8.

Referring to FIG. 5, game machine installation island 8 is provided in a game store (game room). On the gaming machine installation island 8, a plurality of pachinko gaming machines 1 are installed side by side.

A supply device 80 for supplying a refill ball, which is a pachinko ball to be supplied to all the pachinko gaming machines 1 in the gaming machine installation island 8, is provided in the upper center of the gaming machine installation island 8. The supply device 80 includes a ball tank 801 and a ball sending unit 802. The ball tank 801 stores supply balls. The ball sending unit 802 has a shutter that closes the outlet of the ball tank 801 when no supply ball is supplied, and has a shutter that opens the outlet of the ball tank 801 when no supply ball is supplied. By operating the shutter, When replenishment is necessary, the replenishing balls stored in the ball tank 801 are sent to a replenishing gutter described later.

In the upper part of the gaming machine installation island 8, on the left and right sides of the supply device 80 in the drawing, there are supply gutters 81 for guiding supply balls to a plurality of pachinko gaming machines 1 arranged on both left and right sides of the supply device 80. 81 are provided. The supply gutter 81 extends from the position of the supply device 80 to the left and right ends of the gaming machine installation island 8 in the drawing, and is inclined from the supply device 80 toward the both ends of the gaming machine installation island. are doing. Supply balls are distributed from the supply device 80 to each of the supply gutters 81 on both sides and sent out.

In the middle of the path of each supply gutter 81, a plurality of branch gutters 810 branched downward from the path of the supply gutter are provided. These tributaries 810 are connected to each pachinko gaming machine 1
And is formed in a tubular shape. A connection pipe 87 is connected to each branch gutter 810. The connecting pipe 87 is provided corresponding to each pachinko gaming machine 1, and a supply gutter 81 is provided inside the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 1.
Is a bellows-like tube in which a passage for introducing the ball guided by the above is formed.

In the portion of the supply gutter 81 where the tributary gutter 810 is provided, a flow passage switching device 83 as described later is provided. That is, in the supply gutter 81, a plurality of flow path switching devices 83 are provided. These flow path switching devices 83 do not switch the flow path of the replenishing balls to the side of the corresponding tributary gutter 810 in the normal state. It operates to switch to the side of the tributary gutter 810. Thus, the pachinko ball is guided into the connecting pipe 87 from the tributary gutter 810 only when replenishment is necessary.

At the lower part of the center of the gaming machine installation island 8 (below the supply device 80), a lifting device 84 for lifting pachinko balls to the supply device 80 is provided. This hoisting device 84 has a configuration similar to that of the ball reduction machine 55 described above. That is, the lifting device 84 has a lift motor (not shown) and a sprocket that is rotationally driven by the lift motor, and lifts the pachinko balls upward according to the rotation of the sprocket.

Between the lifting device 84 and the supply device 80,
The pachinko ball fed by the feeding device 84 is supplied to the feeding device 8.
A pumping gutter 86 for guiding to zero is provided. The lifting gutter 86 extends directly above the lifting device 84.
The lifting gutter 86 has an opening at one end connected to the upper part of the lifting device 84 and receives pachinko balls pushed up from the lifting device 84. The opening of the other end of the lifting gutter 86 is open above the ball tank 801 of the supply device 80, and pachinko balls are dropped into the ball tank 801 from the opening.

Below the game machine installation island 8, on the left and right sides of the lifting device 84 in the drawing, the balls are discharged from the ball discharging tanks 88 of the plurality of pachinko gaming machines 1 arranged on the left and right sides of the lifting device 84 in the drawing. Collection gutters 82 for collecting collected balls and guiding the collected balls to the lifting device 84 are provided. The ball discharging tank 88 is provided corresponding to each pachinko gaming machine 1 and is a tank for storing pachinko balls discharged from the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 1, and the pachinko balls discharged from the outlet thereof are collected by the collecting gutter 82. Fall into. The fallen pachinko ball is guided inside the recovery gutter 82 toward the lifting device 84.

The collection gutters 82 extend from the left and right ends of the gaming machine installation island 8 to the position of the lifting device 84, respectively.
It is inclined in a manner descending toward 4. Thereby, the pachinko balls in the collecting gutters 82, 82 roll by their own weight and head toward the lifting device 84. The two collection gutters 82 are connected near a lifting device 84. Two recovery gutters 82,
Reference numeral 82 indicates a junction at the connecting portion, and the merged gutter is connected to the lifting device 84. In other words, two recovery gutters 82,
The pachinko balls collected by 82 are joined near the lifting device 84 and guided into the lifting device 84. The pachinko balls guided into the pumping device 84 through the collecting troughs 82 in this way are pumped by the pumping device 84.

A polishing device 85 is provided above the lifting device 84. The polishing device 85 includes the polishing device 7 described above.
7 and is provided interposed between the lifting gutter 86. The polishing apparatus 85 includes the polishing cassette 770 described above.
A polishing cassette 850 having the same configuration as that described above is detachably mounted, and a reel drive motor for rotating a cassette reel of the polishing cassette is provided. In the polishing device 77, when the lifting device 84 is driven and the pachinko balls are pumped in the lifting gutter 86, the reel drive motor is driven, and the polishing cassette 850 is moved in the same manner as the polishing cassette 77 described above. The polishing cloth is sent out, and the pachinko balls which are pumped in the pumping gutter 86 by the polishing cloth are polished. As a result, dirt attached to the pachinko balls pumped in the pumping gutter 86 is polished off. The pachinko balls polished by the polishing device 85 are directly pumped through the pumping gutter 86 and sent to the ball tank 801 of the supply device 80.

As described above, when the pachinko gaming machine 1 is installed on the gaming machine installation island 8 in which the pachinko balls are polished by the polishing device 85 provided outside the pachinko gaming machine 1, the second polishing The unit is provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1. In this case, when the pachinko balls are polished, the pachinko balls are discharged from the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the balls are collected by the collecting gutter 82 to be lifted by the lifting device 84.
It is guided to. Then, the pachinko balls discharged from the lifting device 84 are polished by the polishing device 85 and supplied to the supply device 80.
Sent to Then, the polished pachinko balls are sent out to the supply gutter 81 by the supply device 80, and the pachinko balls are supplied to each pachinko gaming machine 1. That is, when the balls used in the pachinko gaming machine 1 need to be polished outside the pachinko gaming machine 1, the second polishing unit is provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1.

Next, the configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 when the second polishing processing unit 9 is mounted will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 when the second polishing processing unit 9 is attached. In FIG. 6, portions common to FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will not be repeated. In the case of FIG. 6, in order to make the internal configuration of the second polishing processing unit 9 easy to see, the internal configuration of the second polishing processing unit 9 is shown with the outer cover member removed. The path of the ball is shown inside the path in order to explain the flow of the pachinko ball.

Referring to FIG. 6, the supply gutter 81 is provided with a tributary gutter 810 having a short passage in a direction toward the pachinko gaming machine 1 at a position corresponding to each pachinko gaming machine 1. One end of the connection pipe 87 described above is connected to the end of the tributary gutter 810. The end of the tributary gutter 810 has a large-diameter portion in which a part of the outer diameter is made larger than other parts. One end of the bellows-shaped connecting pipe 87 is connected to the tributary gutter 8
The connecting pipe 87 is connected to the tributary gutter 810 so as to cover the end including the large-diameter portion in 10 from the outside. In this case, a part of the tributary gutter 810 has a large diameter portion, and the connecting pipe 87 is locked to the large diameter portion.
And it is hard to come off. The connecting pipe 87 extends downward along the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

The channel switching device 83 includes a channel switching member 832
And a rotary solenoid 831. The flow path switching member 832 is provided near the inlet of the tributary gutter 810, and is configured such that a flow path switching bottom plate 832a is attached to a tip end of the flow path switching arm 832b. The channel switching device 83 is provided for each pachinko gaming machine 1. The flow path switching device 83 switches the flow path of the ball P to the pachinko gaming machine 1 side, as shown, when refilling the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 1 with balls. In addition, the flow path switching device 87 switches the flow path of the ball P to the supply gutter 81 side when the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 1 does not supply the ball.

The inlet of the tributary gutter 810 is connected to the flow path switching member 83.
It is opened and closed by 2. In the tributary gutter 810, the tributary gutter 81
A supply ball detector 89 for detecting a supply ball supplied to the inside of the pachinko gaming machine 1 through 0 is provided. Based on the detection output of the supply ball detector 89, the number of supply balls actually supplied into the pachinko gaming machine 1 is recognized.

The flow path switching member 832 includes a flow path switching bottom plate 832a constituting a part of the bottom surface of the supply gutter 81 when the inlet of the tributary gutter 810 is closed, and a switching arm 832b for operating the flow path switching bottom plate 832a. It is composed of A flow path switching bottom plate 832a is attached to a tip end of the switching arm 832b. The end of the switching arm 832b is attached to the rotary solenoid 831. The rotary solenoid 831 swings the switching arm 832b according to its excitation state.

When the switching arm 832b is swung upward, the flow path switching bottom plate 832a is lifted into the internal space of the supply gutter 81 as shown in FIG. open. In the supply gutter 81, the upper end of the flow switching bottom plate 832a is supplied so that the upper end of the flow switching gutter 832a does not contact the upper wall of the supply gutter 81 when the flow switching bottom plate 832a is lifted into the internal space of the supply gutter 81. A bottom plate escape portion (not shown) for allowing the gutter 81 to escape to the outside is provided. The bottom plate relief is formed by bending a part of the upper wall of the supply gutter 81 upward.

As shown in the figure, the flow path switching bottom plate 832
a rises into the internal space of the supply gutter 81 and when the entrance of the tributary gutter 810 is opened, the ball P moves from the supply gutter 81 to the tributary gutter 8.
The pachinko gaming machine 1 is guided to the inside of the pachinko gaming machine 1 through the connection pipe 10 and the connecting pipe 606.

On the other hand, when the switching arm 832b is swung downward, the flow path switching bottom plate 832a moves on the same plane as the bottom surface of the supply gutter 81, as shown in FIG. At, the entrance of the tributary gutter 810 opens. When the flow path switching port to the tributary gutter 810 is opened in the supply gutter 81 as described above, the flow path switching bottom plate 832 a forms a part of the bottom surface of the supply gutter 81 and the ball guided by the supply gutter 81. P
Flows over the flow path switching bottom plate 832a and flows downstream in the downflow direction.

As described above, the flow path switching device 83 sets the flow path of the replenishing balls in the flow direction of the supply gutter 81 or the branch gutter 810.
(The side of the pachinko gaming machine 1). Accordingly, the flow path of the replenishment balls is changed by the flow path switching device 83 in the direction of the tributary gutter 810 (the side of the pachinko gaming machine 1).
, The balls sent from the ball supply device 80 can be supplied to the pachinko gaming machine 1.

The second polishing processing unit 9 is configured in such a manner that the internal structure is sandwiched and protected by two plate-shaped cover members 920. Polishing processing unit mounting area 6
0 is provided on the cover member 920 facing the connection pipe connecting portion 9.
2. First ball path 93, second ball path 94, third ball path 9
5. A ball discharging device 97 and a control device 99 are attached.

In the cover member on the side facing the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1, a cylindrical connecting pipe connecting portion projecting obliquely upward to the outside is provided at a portion in contact with the uppermost portion of the frame of the polishing processing unit holding portion 43 b. 92 are provided. The connecting pipe connecting portion 92 is connected to the other end of the connecting pipe 87 described above. The connecting pipe connecting portion 92 has a large-diameter portion in which a part of the outer diameter is made larger than other portions. Bellows-like connecting pipe 8
The connecting pipe 87 is connected to the connecting pipe connecting part 92 such that the other end of the pipe 7 covers the connecting pipe connecting part 92 having the large-diameter portion from the outside. In this case, a part of the connecting pipe connecting part 92 is a large diameter part, and the connecting pipe 87 is locked to the large diameter part, so that the connecting pipe connecting part 92 and the connecting pipe 87 are not easily separated. I have.

The first ball path 93 is connected to the unit communication entrance 63.
A ball outlet 96 opening at a position overlapping with the connecting pipe connecting portion 9
2 and a ball outlet 96 from the connecting pipe connection portion 92.
It extends in such a manner as to descend obliquely downward. As a result, the pachinko balls guided into the connecting pipe 87 pass through the first ball path 93 from the connecting pipe connecting portion 92 and pass through the ball outlet 9.
Up to 6 can be induced. The pachinko ball guided to the ball outlet 96 is received at the unit communication inlet 63 and sent to the firing device unit 67 for firing as a hit ball.

The second ball path 94 is connected to the ball entrance 9 at one end.
1 is provided at a position where it can be connected to the unit communication outlet 62, and the other end is connected to an intermediate portion of the first ball path 93 located on the lower side. As a result, the second ball path 94 joins the first ball path 93. For this reason, the pachinko balls used in the game can be received in the second ball path 94 via the ball inlet 91 and guided to the ball outlet 96 through the second ball path 94.

The third ball path 95 includes a portion where the first ball path 93 and the second ball path 94 of the second ball path 94 meet.
One end is connected to the ball outlet 96, and the pachinko ball can be guided into the third ball path 95 from the connection portion. The third ball path 95 extends to the lower part of the second polishing processing unit 9, and the other end is opened as a ball discharge port 950 at the lowermost part. Ball outlet 950
Is opened above the above-described ball discharge tank 88, and the pachinko balls guided to the ball discharge port 950 are discharged to the outside of the second polishing processing unit 9, and the pachinko gaming machine 1
Falls into the ball discharge tank 88.

A ball discharging device 97 is provided at the connection side of the second ball path 94 and the third ball path 95 at the entrance side of the third ball path 95. The ball discharging device 97 includes a shutter member 970 that operates to close or open an opening at a connection portion between the second ball path 94 and the third ball path 95;
And a shutter driving solenoid (not shown) for driving the shutter member 970. Specifically, the shutter member 970 plays a role as a movable bottom plate of the connection portion.

When the pachinko balls in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are not ground, the shutter driving solenoid is de-energized, and the shutter member 970 closes the opening. In this case, since no opening is formed at the bottom of the second ball path 94, all the pachinko balls guided through the second ball path 94 are guided to the ball exit 96, and then used as hit balls.
On the other hand, in a state in which the pachinko balls in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are polished, the shutter driving solenoid is energized and the shutter member 970 opens the opening. In this case,
Since an opening is formed at the bottom of the second ball path 94, all pachinko balls guided through the second ball path 94 are in the third ball path 9.
5 and is discharged to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

In the cover member 920, the connector 6 described above with the second polishing processing unit 9 attached thereto.
A control device 90 having a connector 99 connected to the connector 61 is provided at a position facing 1. The control device 90 includes a microcomputer, and the connector 99 is connected to the connector 61 when the second polishing processing unit 9 is attached.

Control device 90 receives power from the main body of pachinko gaming machine 1 via connector 61 and connector 99 and operates to execute various control programs by executing a predetermined control program. . The control device 90 is connected via a cable C1 to a solenoid control circuit (not shown) for controlling the energization of the shutter driving solenoid of the ball discharging device 97.
The drive control of the shutter member 970 of the ball discharge device 97 is performed by giving a control signal to the solenoid control circuit via the control circuit. Further, control device 90 receives a detection signal of supply ball detector 89 via connector 61 and connector 99. Further, the control device 90 is connected to a solenoid control circuit (not shown) for controlling the energization of the rotary solenoid 831 of the flow path switching device 83 via the connector 99 and the connector 61, and supplies a control signal to the solenoid control circuit. Thus, the drive control of the flow path switching member 832 of the flow path switching device 83 is performed.

The second polishing processing unit 9 configured as described above is fitted along the polishing processing unit holding frame 43b, and is mounted in the polishing processing unit mounting area 60. The connection outlet 62 is connected, the ball outlet 96 is connected to the unit connection inlet 63, the connection pipe 87 is connected to the connection pipe connecting portion 92, and
The connector 99 of the control device 90 is mounted so as to be connected to the connector 61, and is fixed by the rotating lever 64.

Next, a control circuit in the second polishing processing unit 9 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit in the second polishing processing unit 9.

Referring to FIG. 7, control device 90 comprises a microcomputer, CPU 90a, ROM 90
b, a RAM 90c and a timer 90d. ROM 9
Various data such as a control program for executing the control processing of the ball discharging device 97 and the flow path switching device 83 is stored in 0b. The CPU 90a reads data from the ROM 90b, executes a control program, and
The ball discharge device 97 and the flow path switching device 83 are controlled using c as a work area. In the control of the ball discharge device 97 and the flow path switching device 83, time is measured (time measurement such as time) by the timer 90d, and time management is performed.

The control device 90 receives the detection output of the replenishment ball from the replenishment ball detector 89, and counts and recognizes the number of the replenishment ball actually supplied into the pachinko gaming machine 1 based on the detection output. I do. The control device 90 supplies a control signal to a solenoid control circuit 833 for controlling the energization of the rotary solenoid 831 in order to control the flow path switching device 83.
Rotary solenoid control circuit 8 according to the control signal
33 controls the energization of the rotary solenoid 831 by the rotary solenoid 831, and causes the flow path switching device 83 to switch the path of the pachinko balls. Control device 70
Is a solenoid control circuit 9 for controlling energization of a solenoid 971 for driving a shutter in order to control the ball discharging device 97.
A control signal is given to 72. In response to the control signal, the solenoid control circuit 972
The power supply control of 1 is performed, and the path of the pachinko balls is switched by the ball discharging device 97.

Next, the flow of pachinko balls in the second polishing processing unit 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9. FIG. 6 described above shows the pachinko gaming machine 1
3 shows a state in which pachinko balls are being replenished. FIG. 8 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 when the second polishing processing unit 9 is attached.
3 shows a state in which a game is played using a pachinko ball enclosed in the game. FIG. 9 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 when the second polishing processing unit 9 is attached, and shows a state where the polishing processing is performed on the pachinko balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine 1. Have been.

Referring to FIG. 6, a case where pachinko balls are supplied to pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. In this case, the supply of the pachinko balls is automatically performed when the control device 90 manages the execution start time by using a timer, for example, at a predetermined timing before opening of the game arcade.

When replenishment of pachinko balls is performed,
The shutter member 97 of the ball discharging device 97 is controlled by the control device 90.
0 is controlled so as to close the entrance of the third ball path 95. Then, at a predetermined time, the control device 90 causes the flow channel switching member 832 of the flow channel switching device 83 to switch to the tributary gutter 81.
It is controlled so as to open the 0 entrance. In this state, the pachinko balls guided into the supply gutter 81 are guided into the first ball path 93 in the second polishing processing unit 9 via the branch gutter 810, the connecting pipe 87, and the connecting pipe connecting portion 92. Is done. In that case, the control device 90 counts and grasps the number of replenishment of the replenishment balls based on the detection signal received from the replenishment ball detector 89, and the number of replenishment becomes a predetermined number (for example, 30). In this case, the flow path switching device 83 is controlled so that the flow path switching member 832 closes the entrance of the tributary gutter 810, and the supply is terminated. Thus, a predetermined number of pachinko balls can be accurately supplied to the pachinko gaming machine 1. The pachinko ball guided into the first ball path 93 is guided to the ball outlet 96 as it is, and then goes out of the second polishing processing unit 9 and can be used as a ball.

Next, referring to FIG. 8, pachinko gaming machine 1
When the game is played using the pachinko balls enclosed in the controller, the controller 90 controls the flow path switching member 832 of the flow path switching device 83 to close the entrance of the tributary gutter 810. Further, the shutter member 970 of the ball discharging device 97 is controlled by the control device 90 so as to close the entrance of the third ball path 95. In this state, the supply balls are prevented from flowing into the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the pachinko balls used in the game are passed through the ball inlet 91 to the second ball path 9.
4 The pachinko ball guided into the second ball path 94 is guided into the first ball path 93 and is guided to the ball outlet 96 as it is, and then goes out of the second polishing processing unit 9 and is used as a ball. You.

Next, referring to FIG. 9, pachinko gaming machine 1
A case in which a polishing process is performed on a pachinko ball enclosed in a box will be described. The polishing process in this case is automatically performed when the control device 90 manages the execution start time by using a timer, for example, at a predetermined timing after the game hall is closed.

When the polishing process is performed, the control device 90 controls the flow path switching member 832 of the flow path switching device 83 to close the inlet of the tributary gutter 810.
At a predetermined timing after the store is closed, the control device 90 causes the shutter member 970 of the ball discharging device 97 to move to the third position.
The opening of the ball path 95 is controlled to be opened. Due to such a state, the inflow of the supply ball into the pachinko gaming machine 1 is prevented, and the pachinko ball guided into the second ball path 94 via the ball inlet 91 is guided into the first ball path 93. Thereafter, the ball is not guided to the ball exit 96, but is guided into the third ball path 95, and is discharged from the ball discharge port 950 to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1. As described above, the pachinko balls discharged from the ball discharge port 950 are sent to the ball discharge tank 88, and then guided from the ball discharge tank 88 into the collection gutter 82, and the lifting device 84 is moved through the collection gutter 82. Is guided until. Lifting device 8
The pachinko ball guided to 4 is transported to the supply device 80 and polished by the polishing device 85 on the way. The pachinko balls polished and sent to the supply device 80 as described above can be sent to the supply gutter 81 as supply balls.

As described above, when the second polishing processing unit 9 is attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the pachinko balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are periodically removed from the second polishing processing unit 9. The pachinko balls are discharged to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1 for polishing. The process of discharging the pachinko balls to the outside for polishing in this manner is the polishing process in the second polishing processing unit 9. Therefore, in this case, the pachinko balls can be polished outside the pachinko gaming machine 1.

Next, main effects obtained by the above-described first embodiment will be described. As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, in the polishing processing unit mounting area 60, the first polishing processing unit 7 used for polishing pachinko balls inside the gaming machine, and the outside of the gaming machine. The second polishing processing unit 9 used for polishing pachinko balls is detachable. For this reason, by selecting the processing unit for polishing to be installed as desired,
In one pachinko gaming machine, it is possible to perform polishing as desired among polishing of a pachinko ball inside the pachinko gaming machine and polishing of a pachinko ball outside the pachinko gaming machine.

Further, since the polishing processing unit is removably attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the method of polishing the pachinko balls used in the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be polished inside the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the pachinko gaming machine can be polished. When changing from one of the external polishing to the other, it is only necessary to replace the previously mounted polishing processing unit with a polishing processing unit corresponding to the polishing method to be changed. That is, when changing the polishing method of the pachinko balls, it is possible to cope with the change of the polishing method only by replacing the polishing processing unit constituting a part of the pachinko gaming machine 1 without replacing the entire pachinko gaming machine 1. it can. For this reason, it is possible to easily respond to the needs of a game arcade when changing the polishing method of pachinko balls. Also,
Since it is possible to cope with a change in the polishing method of pachinko balls simply by replacing a part of the pachinko gaming machine 1, the polishing method is changed as compared with the case where the entire pachinko game machine is replaced in order to change the polishing method. In this case, it is possible to reduce the cost required.

Further, a control device 70 for controlling the ball reduction machine 73 and the polishing device 77 is provided on the side of the first polishing processing unit 7 for the first polishing processing unit 7. , The ball reduction machine 73 and the polishing device 77 can be independently driven and controlled without being affected by the control system on the main body side of the pachinko gaming machine 1. For this reason, the first polishing processing unit 7 can be standardized as a polishing processing unit that can be applied to any pachinko gaming machine as long as the gaming processing unit can be mounted thereon. By doing so, the first
A pachinko gaming machine to which a polishing processing unit can be attached enables the first polishing processing unit 7 to be used in common regardless of the type of the pachinko gaming machine and the manufacturer of the pachinko gaming machine. It is convenient for the gaming side in terms of operation such as purchasing and managing units. Further, since it is not necessary to provide such a control means on the pachinko gaming machine 1 side, the number of components of the pachinko gaming machine main body excluding the polishing processing unit can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the pachinko gaming machine main body can be reduced. be able to. Accordingly, in the case where the pachinko game machine 1 is replaced with another pachinko game machine by using the polishing processing unit as it is in the existing pachinko game machine, the price of the pachinko game machine body is kept low. It is possible to reduce the expenditure of the game hall when replacing the machine body.

Further, since the control device 90 for controlling the ball discharging device 97 is provided on the side of the second polishing processing unit 9 in the second polishing processing unit 9, the pachinko gaming machine is provided in the second polishing processing unit 9. The drive of the ball discharging device 97 can be independently controlled without being affected by the control system on the main body side. For this reason, the second polishing processing unit 9 can be standardized as a polishing processing unit applicable to any pachinko gaming machine as long as the second polishing processing unit 9 can be mounted thereon. . In this way, the second polishing processing unit 9 can be commonly used regardless of the type of the pachinko gaming machine and the manufacturer of the pachinko gaming machine as long as the pachinko gaming machine can be mounted with the second polishing processing unit. Is possible, which is convenient for the gaming side in terms of operation such as purchase and management of the polishing processing unit. Further, since it is not necessary to provide such a control means on the pachinko gaming machine 1 side, it is possible to reduce the number of components of the pachinko gaming machine body excluding the polishing processing unit, and to reduce the manufacturing cost of the pachinko gaming machine body. Can be reduced. Accordingly, in the case where the pachinko gaming machine 1 is replaced with the existing pachinko gaming machine using the polishing processing unit as it is, the price of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is kept low. It is possible to reduce the expenditure of the game hall when replacing the main body.

Further, the following effects can be obtained for the first polishing processing unit 7 alone. In a state where the first polishing processing unit 7 is attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the pachinko balls used in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are guided by the first ball path 72, and the game medium is passed through the ball reducing machine 73. It is transported and polished by the polishing device 77. Therefore, when polishing inside the pachinko gaming machine 1 is desired, the first polishing processing unit 7 is attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1 so that the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be polished inside the pachinko gaming machine 1 as desired. Polishing of the ball can be performed. When polishing outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is desired, it is possible to remove the first polishing processing unit 7 from the gaming machine to meet the request.

The following effects can be obtained for the second polishing processing unit 9 alone. In a state where the second polishing processing unit 9 is attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the pachinko balls used in the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be discharged to the outside by the ball discharging device 97 and the third ball path 95. . Therefore, when polishing outside the pachinko gaming machine 1 is desired, the second polishing processing unit 9 is attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1 so that the pachinko balls can be pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the desire.
The pachinko ball can be polished outside the pachinko gaming machine 1 by discharging the pachinko gaming machine 1. In addition, pachinko machine 1
If polishing inside is desired, the second polishing processing unit 9 can be removed from the pachinko gaming machine 1 to meet the request.

Note that in the first embodiment, the first
The example in which the ball reduction machine 73 and the polishing device 77 are driven and controlled by the control device 70 provided on the first polishing processing unit 7 side with respect to the polishing processing unit 7 has been described. But,
The present invention is not limited to this, and the drive of the ball reduction machine 73 and the polishing device 77 may be controlled by the control unit on the main body side of the pachinko gaming machine 1. In that case, the control unit on the main body side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is electrically connected to each of the ball reduction machine 73 and the polishing device 77 via the connector 61, and the control unit controls the ball reduction machine 73 and the polishing device. What is necessary is just to give a control signal to 77 and drive-control each of the ball reduction machine 73 and the polishing device 77. In such a case, the control unit may be a microcomputer for game control, or may be a control unit provided other than that. Such a control may be performed by a management device such as a hall management computer provided separately from the pachinko gaming machine 1.

In the first embodiment, the second
Regarding the processing unit 9 for polishing, the ball discharging device 97 is connected to the second
An example in which the drive is controlled by the control device 90 provided on the polishing processing unit 9 side has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
May be drive-controlled. In that case, the control unit on the main body side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the ball discharging device 97 are electrically connected via the connector 61, and a control signal is given from the control unit to the ball discharging device 97 to output the ball discharging device 97. 97 may be controlled. In such a case, the control unit may be a microcomputer for game control, or may be a control unit provided other than that. Such a control may be performed by a management device such as a hall management computer provided separately from the pachinko gaming machine 1.

In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the flow path switching device 83 is drive-controlled by the control device 90 provided on the second polishing processing unit 9 side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control unit provided on the gaming machine installation island 8 side may drive and control the flow path switching device 83. By the control unit provided on the gaming machine installation island 8 side, the flow path switching device 83 corresponding to each pachinko gaming machine 1 provided in the gaming machine installation island 8 is totally controlled.

In the first embodiment, the second
The example in which the polishing processing unit 9 automatically executes the polishing processing at a predetermined timing by performing time management has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the polishing process may not be automatically executed, but may be executed on the basis of a predetermined operation input by a staff member as a start condition.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, another example of the second polishing processing unit will be described.

FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram of a gaming machine installation island when the second polishing processing unit according to the second embodiment is attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1. In FIG.
(A) shows a front view of the gaming machine installation island 8a, and (b) shows a rear view of the gaming machine installation island 8a. In FIG. 10, the same parts as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

The gaming machine installation island 8a of FIG. 10 differs from the gaming machine installation island 8 of FIG. 5 in the following points. At a branch portion of the supply gutter 81, a ball introduction path body 811 is provided instead of the tributary gutter 810 described above. The configuration of the ball introduction path body 811 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. At a branch portion of the supply gutter 81, the flow path switching device 83 is not provided. That is, on the gaming machine installation island 8a,
The pachinko balls can always flow from the supply gutter 81 to the ball introduction path body 811. A supply ball discharge pipe 880 for discharging supply balls to be supplied to the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1 when the store is closed is provided at a lower portion of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The pachinko balls discharged from the supply ball discharge pipe 880 are guided to the collection gutter 82. In other words, in the case of the gaming machine installation island 8a, in addition to the enclosed balls discharged from the ball discharging tank 88, the supply ball discharging pipe 88
From 0, the replenishing ball is also guided to the collecting gutter 82 and collected.

Next, the configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 when the second polishing processing unit 900 according to the second embodiment is mounted will be described in detail. FIG. 11 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 when the second polishing processing unit 900 according to the second embodiment is mounted. In FIG. 11, the same parts as those in FIG.
Do not repeat duplicate descriptions. In the case of FIG. 11, the internal configuration of the second polishing processing unit 900 is shown in a form in which the outer cover member is removed so that the internal configuration of the second polishing processing unit 900 can be easily seen. For the path of the ball, the inside of the path is shown to explain the flow of the pachinko ball. FIG.
With reference to, at the position corresponding to each of the pachinko gaming machines 1, the supply gutter 81 is provided with a ball introduction path body 811 in which a passage bent in a manner capable of holding a large number of pachinko balls is formed. The ball introduction path body 811 is provided at its lower end with a ball discharge part 811 a formed in a tubular shape for guiding the pachinko balls to the connection management 87. One end of the connection pipe 87 is connected to the ball discharge portion 811a. Ball discharging unit 811
“a” has a large-diameter portion in which a part of the outer diameter is made larger than other parts. The connecting pipe 87 is connected to the ball discharging section 811a in a manner that one end of the bellows-shaped connecting pipe 87 covers the end including the large diameter portion of the ball discharging section 811a from the outside. In this case, a part of the ball discharge portion 811a has a large diameter portion, and the connecting pipe 87 is locked to the large diameter portion.
11 and the connecting pipe 87 are unlikely to come off. Connecting pipe 8
7 extends downward along the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

The entrance of the ball introduction path 811 is always open. Therefore, the ball introduction path body 811 is in a state where the pachinko balls guided by the supply gutter 81 can be always introduced.

The second polishing processing unit 900 is configured in such a manner that the internal structure is protected by two plate-shaped cover members 920. The cover member 921 on the side facing the polishing processing unit mounting area 60 includes a connection pipe connecting portion 92, a first ball path 901, a second ball path 902, a third ball path 903, a fourth ball path 905, and a fifth ball. Path 904, ball discharge device 97, ball feed device 910, and control device 99
a is attached.

The connecting pipe connecting portion 92 similar to that provided in the second polishing processing unit 9 is connected to the connecting pipe 8.
7 is connected to the other end. One end of the first ball path 901 is connected to the connection pipe connecting portion 92. Second ball path 90
2 is connected to a ball outlet 96 whose one end is opened at a position overlapping the unit communication inlet 63 described above. The ball feeder 910 is provided so as to be located above the ball outlet 96 in the second polishing processing unit 900.

In the ball feeder 910, one ball inlet 911a is provided on the upper peripheral surface, and two ball outlets 911b and 911c are provided on the lower peripheral surface. , A rotating body 912 that can hold and rotate a plurality of pachinko balls is housed. Rotating body 9
12 has a plurality of concave ball receiving portions 912a (in this case, 6
The ball receiving portion 91
2a is a ball inlet 911c, a ball outlet 911b, and a ball outlet 9
11c in a predetermined order.

The ball feeder 910 is provided with a stepping motor (not shown) as a rotating body driving means, and the rotating body 912 is driven to rotate forward and reverse by the stepping motor. When the rotating body 912 is driven to rotate forward, the ball receiving portion 912a is connected to the ball inlet 911a and the ball outlet 9
11b and the ball outlet 911c in order of the entrance and the exit, and such a traveling operation is continuously performed. On the other hand, when the rotating body 912 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, the ball receiving portion 912a
Is a ball inlet 911a, a ball outlet 911c, and a ball outlet 911b.
, And the patrol operation is continuously performed. During the patrol, if the pachinko ball P is supplied to the ball inlet 911a, the pachinko ball P is received in the ball receiving portion 912a. The pachinko ball P received in the ball receiving portion 912a is held between the ball receiving portion 912a and the cover body 911, and is sent in the rotation direction of the rotating body 912.

The rotating body 912 is rotated counterclockwise when the ball feed motor is driven to rotate forward, and clockwise when the ball feed motor is driven to rotate reversely. When the rotating body 912 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing, the ball receiving portion 91
The pachinko ball P received in 2a is discharged from the ball receiving portion 912a to the outside at the ball outlet 911b. On the other hand, when the rotating body 912 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing, the ball receiving portion 91
The pachinko ball P received in 2a is discharged from the ball receiving portion 912a to the outside at the ball outlet 911c.

The first ball path 901 is connected to the connecting pipe connecting portion 92.
And a ball inlet 911a of the ball feeding device 910. Thereby, the connecting pipe 87 is connected to the connecting pipe connecting portion 9.
The replenishment balls sent to the second polishing processing unit 900 through the second ball path 901 are supplied to the ball feeder 910 by the first ball path 901.
To the ball entrance 911a.

The second ball path 902 is connected between the ball outlet 911b of the ball feeder 910 and the ball outlet 96, and extends obliquely downward from the ball outlet 911b toward the ball outlet 96. ing. Thereby, the ball feeder 910
The pachinko ball discharged from the ball outlet 911b of the second ball path can be guided to the ball outlet 96 through the second ball path 902. In the vicinity of the ball outlet 911b in the second ball path 902, a replenishment detector 906 for detecting pachinko balls sent from the ball feeder 910 to the second ball path 902 for replenishment is provided. The replenishment detector 906 has a second ball path 902
And detects the passage of pachinko balls. Third
The ball path 93 is provided at a position where a ball inlet 91 as one end can be connected to the unit communication outlet 62, and the other end is connected to a middle part of a second ball path 902 located below. As a result, the third ball path 903 merges with the second ball path 902. For this reason, the pachinko balls used for the game can be received in the third ball path 903 through the ball inlet 91 and guided to the ball outlet 96 through the second ball path 902.

One end of the fourth ball path 905 is connected between the merging portion of the second ball path 93 and the third ball path 903 of the second ball path 902 and the ball outlet 96. A pachinko ball can be guided into the fourth ball path 905 from the connection portion. The fourth ball path 905 extends to the lowermost portion of the second polishing processing unit 9, and the other end of the fourth ball path 905 is opened as a ball discharge port 905a. The ball discharge port 905a is open above the above-mentioned ball discharge tank 88, and the pachinko ball guided to the ball discharge port 905a is discharged to the outside of the second polishing processing unit 900,
It falls into the ball discharge tank 88 of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

A ball discharging device 97 is provided at the connection portion between the second ball path 902 and the fourth ball path 905, at the entrance side of the fourth ball path 905. This ball discharging device 97
It is similar to that shown in FIG. 6, and the description of its function will not be repeated.

The fifth ball path 904 has one end connected to the ball outlet 911 c of the ball feeder 910, and extends to the lower portion of the second polishing processing unit 9. The other end of the fifth ball path 904 is open at the lowermost portion thereof as a supply ball discharge port 904a. The above-described supply ball discharge pipe 880 is connected to the supply ball discharge port 904a. Thereby, the replenishment ball discharged from the ball outlet 911c of the ball feeder 910 is guided to the replenishment ball discharge port 904a through the fifth ball path 904, and further, the replenishment ball discharge pipe 88
0 and is discharged onto the collection gutter 82. Fifth ball route 9
In the vicinity of the ball exit 911c in the ball feeder 04, the ball feeder 9
An ejection detector 907 for detecting pachinko balls sent from the 10 to the fifth ball path 904 for ejection is provided. The discharge detector 907 is provided facing the fifth ball path 904, and detects the passage of a pachinko ball.

In the cover member 922, a control device 90A having a connector 99a connected to the connector 61 is provided at a position facing the connector 61 in a state where the second polishing processing unit 900 is mounted. . The control device 90A includes a microcomputer, and the connector 99a is connected to the connector 61 when the second polishing processing unit 900 is attached.

Control device 90A receives power from the main body of pachinko gaming machine 1 via connector 61 and connector 99a and operates to execute various control programs by executing a predetermined control program. . The control device 90A is connected to a solenoid control circuit (not shown) for controlling the energization of a shutter driving solenoid (not shown) for driving the shutter member 970 of the ball discharging device 97 via a cable C1. By supplying a control signal to the solenoid control circuit via
The shutter member 970 of the ball discharging device 97 is controlled.
The control device 90A controls the ball feeder 9 via the cable C2.
10 is connected to a stepping motor driving circuit (not shown) for driving the stepping motor 10 and supplies a control signal to the stepping motor driving circuit via the cable C2 to thereby rotate the rotating body 91 of the ball feeder 910.
2 is performed. The control device 90A also controls the supply detector 906 via the connector 61 and the connector 99.
And the discharge detector 907 receives the respective detection signals.

The second polishing processing unit 900 thus configured is fitted along the polishing processing unit holding frame 43b, mounted in the polishing processing unit mounting area 60, and the ball inlet 91 is connected to the unit. The outlet 62 is connected, the ball outlet 96 is connected to the unit communication inlet 63, the connecting pipe 87 is connected to the connecting portion 92, and the fifth ball path 9
The supply ball discharge pipe 880 is connected to the connector 04, and the connector 99 of the control device 90 is attached so as to be connected to the connector 61, and is fixed by the rotating lever 64.

Next, a control circuit in the second polishing processing unit 900 will be described. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit in the second polishing processing unit 900 according to the second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, control device 90A comprises a microcomputer, and includes a CPU 9a, a ROM 9
b, a RAM 9c and a timer 9d. The ROM 9b stores various data such as a control program for executing the control processing of the ball discharging device 97 and the ball feeding device 910. The CPU 9a reads data from the ROM 9b, executes a control program, and controls the ball discharging device 97 and the ball feeding device 910 using the RAM 9c as a work area. In the control of the ball discharging device 97 and the ball feeding device 910, time is measured by the timer 9d (time measurement such as time).
And time management is performed.

The control device 90A receives the detection output of the replenishment ball from the replenishment detector 906, and counts and recognizes the number of the replenishment ball actually supplied into the pachinko gaming machine 1 based on the detection output. . The control device 90A includes a ball feeder 91
In order to control 0, a control signal is given to a stepping motor drive circuit 194 for driving the stepping motor 193. In response to the control signal, the stepping motor drive circuit 194 drives the stepping motor 193, thereby rotating the rotating body 912 to send the pachinko balls to the second ball path 902 or the fifth ball path 904. The control device 90A supplies a control signal to a solenoid control circuit 972 for controlling the energization of the shutter driving solenoid 971 in order to control the ball discharging device 97. In response to the control signal, the solenoid control circuit 972 controls the energization of the shutter driving solenoid 971 and causes the ball discharge device 97 to switch the pachinko ball flow path. To the control signal. The shutter driving solenoid 9 is operated in accordance with the control signal.
71 drives the shutter member 970 and the ball discharging device 97
To switch the pachinko ball flow path.

Next, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG.
4, the flow of the pachinko balls in the second polishing processing unit 900 will be described. FIG. 11 described above shows a state in which pachinko balls are supplied to the pachinko gaming machine 1. FIG. 13 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 when the second polishing processing unit 900 is attached, and shows a state where a game is being played using pachinko balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine 1. Have been. FIG.
4 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 when the second polishing processing unit 900 is attached, and shows a state in which a supply ball is discharged to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

Referring to FIG. 11, the replenishment of the pachinko balls in this case is controlled by control device 90A using a timer to automatically start the execution. It is performed.

When a pachinko ball is supplied to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the shutter member 970 of the ball discharging device 97 is controlled by the control device 90A so as to close the entrance of the fourth ball path 905. Then, the control device 90A controls to rotate the rotating body 912 of the ball feeding device 910 in the normal direction. As a result, the rotating body 912 is rotated in the direction of the arrow (leftward) in the drawing, and the supply balls guided into the first ball path 901 via the connecting pipe 87 and the connecting pipe connecting portion 92 are the balls of the rotating body 912. The receiving unit 912a sequentially receives and transports the same, and is guided into the second ball path 902. The pachinko ball guided into the second ball path 902 passes through the ball exit 9 as it is.
After being guided to 6, it goes out of the second polishing processing unit 900 and can be used as a ball.

In that case, a ball guided from the ball feeder 910 into the second ball path 902 is detected by the supply detector 906. Based on the detection signal received from supply detector 906, control device 90A counts and grasps the supply number of supply balls, and when the supply number reaches a predetermined number (for example, 30), ball feed device 910. Is stopped. Thus, a predetermined number of pachinko balls can be accurately supplied to the pachinko gaming machine 1.

Next, referring to FIG. 13, when playing a game using pachinko balls enclosed in pachinko gaming machine 1, ball feeding device 910 is stopped by control device 90A. Further, the shutter member 970 of the ball discharging device 97 is controlled by the control device 90A so as to close the entrance of the fourth ball path 905. In such a state, the supply balls are prevented from flowing into the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the pachinko balls used in the game are guided into the third ball path 903 through the ball entrance 91. The pachinko ball guided into the third ball path 903 is guided into the second ball path 902, is guided to the ball outlet 96 as it is, and goes out of the second polishing processing unit 900 to be used as a ball. You.

Next, with reference to FIG. 14, a case in which a polishing process is performed on a pachinko ball enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. In the polishing process in this case, the control device 90A manages the execution start time using a timer, and, for example, when a predetermined timing after the game hall is closed,
Done automatically.

When the polishing process is performed, the enclosed balls of the pachinko gaming machine 1 are discharged, and the replenishing balls in the replenishment waiting state are discharged. Control for driving the rotating body 912 of the ball feeding device 910 in the reverse direction is performed by the control device 90A. Thereby, the rotating body 912 is rotated in the direction of the arrow (rightward) in the figure, and the supply gutter 81, the connecting pipe 87, and the supply balls in the first ball path 901 are sequentially received in the ball receiving portion 912 a of the rotary body 912. And transferred to the fifth ball path 9
04. The pachinko balls guided into the fifth ball path 904 are further guided to a supply ball discharge pipe 880 via a supply ball discharge port 904a, and discharged from the supply ball discharge pipe 880 onto the collection gutter 82.

Further, the control device 90A controls the shutter member 970 of the ball discharging device 97 to open the entrance of the fourth ball path 905. In such a state, the pachinko ball guided into the third ball path 903 through the ball inlet 91 is guided into the second ball path 902, and then the ball exit 9
Without being guided to 6, it is guided in the fourth ball path 905,
It is discharged from the ball discharge port 905a to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1. Thus, the pachinko balls discharged from the ball discharge port 905a are sent to the ball discharge tank 88, and then discharged from the ball discharge tank 88 onto the collection gutter 82.

The pachinko balls discharged from the supply ball discharge pipe 880 and the ball discharge tank 88 onto the recovery gutter 82 are guided to the lifting device 84 in the recovery gutter 82 before opening the next day. Then, the pachinko balls guided to the lifting device 84 are lifted to the supply device 80, and the polishing device 8
5 is polished. The pachinko balls that have been polished and sent to the supply device 80 are sent to the supply gutter 81 as supply balls.

When such a polishing treatment is performed,
A ball guided from the ball feeder 910 into the fifth ball path 904 is detected by the discharge detector 907. Control device 90
A is based on the detection signal received from the discharge detector 907, when the discharge of the supply ball has not been performed for a predetermined time,
The control which stops the ball feeder 910 is performed. This makes it possible to easily grasp the discharge completion timing of the supply ball, and to stop the discharge operation of the supply ball when the discharge of the supply ball is completed.

As described above, the second polishing processing unit 90
When the “0” is attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the pachinko balls sealed inside the pachinko gaming machine 1 are periodically replaced with the second pachinko balls.
The pachinko balls are discharged from the polishing processing unit 900 to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1 for polishing the pachinko balls. Therefore,
In this case, the pachinko balls can be polished outside the pachinko gaming machine 1.

In the above-described second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are referred to as the first embodiment.
The same effect as the effect described in the embodiment can be obtained. Further, in the second embodiment, the first
The following characteristic effects can be obtained with respect to portions different in configuration from the embodiment.

In the second polishing processing unit 900,
A fourth ball path 905 and a fifth ball path 904 for guiding a pachinko ball to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and a second ball path 902 for guiding a game medium to a launching ball waiting path are provided. Since the guide path is selectively switched to one of the ball paths, when the game medium used in the pachinko ball 1 is discharged to the outside of the pachinko game machine 1, the guide to the firing ball standby passage is prevented. You. Therefore, the pachinko balls used in the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the remaining gaming media (including main gutters and tributary gutters) such as the storage portion of the ball introduction path body 811 above the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the supply gutter 81 are provided. In the example, when polishing the supply gutter 81, the ball introduction path body 811, the connection pipe 87, and the pachinko balls remaining in the first ball path 901, all of them can be easily discharged to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1. it can. Therefore, all of the pachinko balls used in the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be polished collectively outside the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the pachinko balls used in the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be individually polished. Variations in the degree of polishing can be suppressed. Thus, it is possible to meet the needs of a game arcade where it is desired to suppress the variation in the degree of polishing between individual pachinko balls.

Further, in the second polishing processing unit 900, a control device 90A for controlling the ball discharge device 97 and the ball feed device 910 is provided on the second polishing processing unit 900 side. At 900, the ball discharging device 97 and the ball feeding device 9 are independently affected by the control system on the main body side of the pachinko gaming machine 1.
10 can be driven and controlled. Therefore, the second
The polishing processing unit 900 can be standardized as a polishing processing unit that can be applied to any pachinko gaming machine to which the second polishing processing unit 900 can be attached. In this way, the second
If the pachinko gaming machine can be mounted with a polishing processing unit, the second polishing processing unit 900 can be used in common regardless of the type of the pachinko gaming machine and the manufacturer of the pachinko gaming machine. It is convenient for the gaming side in terms of operations such as purchasing and managing units. Further, since it is not necessary to provide such control means on the pachinko gaming machine 1 side, it is possible to reduce the number of parts of the pachinko gaming machine body excluding the polishing processing unit,
The manufacturing cost of the pachinko gaming machine body can be reduced. Accordingly, in the case where the pachinko gaming machine 1 is replaced with the existing pachinko gaming machine by using the polishing processing unit as it is, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is replaced.
Since the price of the main body is kept low, it is possible to reduce the expenditure of the game hall when replacing the main body of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

In addition, the following effects can be obtained with respect to the second polishing processing unit 900 alone. Second
In a state where the polishing processing unit 900 is attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the pachinko balls used in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are discharged to the ball discharging device 97 and the fourth ball path 905.
And the ball can be discharged to the outside by the ball feeder 910 and the fifth ball path 904. For this reason, pachinko machine 1
When external polishing is desired, the second polishing processing unit 900 is attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1 so that pachinko balls can be attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1 as desired.
The pachinko ball can be polished outside the pachinko gaming machine 1 by discharging the pachinko gaming machine 1. In addition, pachinko machine 1
When the internal polishing is desired, it is possible to remove the second polishing processing unit 900 from the pachinko gaming machine 1 to meet the request.

Note that, in the second embodiment, the second
Regarding the polishing processing unit 900, the ball discharging device 97 and the ball feeding device 910 are connected to the second polishing processing unit 900.
The example in which the drive control is performed by the control device 90A provided on the side is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ball discharging device 97 and the ball feeding device 9 are controlled by the control unit on the main body side of the pachinko gaming machine 1.
10 may be driven and controlled. In that case,
A control unit on the main body side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and a ball discharging device 97
And the ball feeding device 910 are electrically connected to each other through the connector 61, and a control signal is given from the control unit to each of the ball discharging device 97 and the ball feeding device 910 so that the ball discharging device 97 and the ball feeding device 910 are controlled. Drive control may be performed for each. In such a case, the control unit may be a microcomputer for game control, or may be a control unit provided other than that. Such a control may be performed by a management device such as a hall management computer provided separately from the pachinko gaming machine 1.

In the second embodiment, in order to grasp the number of pachinko balls to be supplied into the pachinko gaming machine 1, the pachinko balls sent from the ball feeder 910 to the second ball path 902 are used. The example in which the supply detector 906 for detecting is provided is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of providing the supply detector 906, the number of pachinko balls to be supplied may be grasped as follows. That is, the rotating body 912 and its surroundings are made of a member other than metal, and near the entrance to the ball feeder 910 in the first ball path 901, a pachinko machine is provided in the ball receiving portion 912 a of the rotating body 912 closest to the position. The presence or absence of the ball is detected by a metal sensor, and when the presence of the pachinko ball is detected, the pachinko ball sent from the ball feeder 910 to the second ball path 902 based on the rotation amount of the stepping motor. May be determined.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, another example of the first polishing processing unit will be described.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 when the first polishing processing unit according to the third embodiment is mounted. In FIG. 15, the same parts as those in FIG. 3 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated. In the case of FIG. 15, the internal configuration of the first polishing processing unit 700 is shown in a state in which the outer cover member is removed so that the internal configuration of the first polishing processing unit 700 can be easily seen. The path of the ball is shown inside the path in order to explain the flow of the pachinko ball.

The first polishing processing unit 700 is configured in such a manner that the internal structure is sandwiched and protected by two plate-shaped cover members 721. The first ball path 7 is provided on the cover member 721 on the side facing the processing unit mounting area 60 for polishing.
02, a second ball path 703, a third ball path 704, a ball reduction machine 73, a ball discharge device 97, a control device 70A, and a polishing device 77 are attached.

The first ball path 702 is provided at a position where the ball inlet 71 at one end can be connected to the unit communication outlet 62. The third ball path 704 is the same as the second path 74 described above.
It is attached in such a manner that one end is connected to the ball outlet 75 and the other end is connected to the pachinko ball outlet of the ball reducing machine 73. The first ball path 72 is connected to a middle part of the third ball path 704 whose other end is located on the lower side. As a result, the first ball path 702 joins the third ball path 704. For this reason, the pachinko balls used in the game can be received in the first ball path 702 through the ball inlet 91 and guided to the ball outlet 75 through the third ball path 704.

One end of the second ball path 703 is connected between the merging portion of the first ball path 702 and the third ball path 703 of the third ball path 704 and the ball outlet 75,
A pachinko ball can be guided into the second ball path 703 from the connection portion. The second ball path 703 has a ball return machine 7 at the other end.
3 in a connected manner. As a result, the pachinko balls are guided to the ball reduction machine 73 by the second ball path 703, and are guided into the internal space from the entrance.

A ball flow switching device 97a is provided on the connection side of the third ball path 704 and the second ball path 703 at the entrance side of the second ball path 703. The ball path switching device 97a includes a third ball path 704 and a second ball path 703.
Member 970a that operates to close or open the opening at the connection portion with the shutter member, and the shutter member 970
and a shutter driving solenoid (not shown) as driving means for driving the shutter driving solenoid a. Specifically, the shutter member 97
Oa serves as a movable bottom plate of the connection portion.

When the pachinko balls in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are not polished, the shutter driving solenoid is de-energized, and the shutter member 970a closes the opening. In this case, since an opening is not formed at the bottom of the third ball path 704, all the pachinko balls guided through the third ball path 704 are guided to the ball outlet 75 and then used as hit balls.

On the other hand, in a state in which the pachinko balls in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are polished, the shutter driving solenoid is energized, and the shutter member 970a opens the opening.
In this case, since an opening is formed at the bottom of the third ball path 704, all the pachinko balls guided through the third ball path 704 are sent to the ball reduction machine 73 through the third ball path 703. Is polished by the polishing device 77. After that, the polished pachinko ball is guided to the third ball path 704.

In the cover member 721, a control device 70A having a connector 701a connected to the connector 61 is provided at a position opposed to the connector 61 when the first polishing processing unit 700 is mounted. . The control device 70A includes a microcomputer, and the connector 701a is connected to the connector 61 when the first polishing processing unit 700 is attached.

The control device 70A receives power from the main body of the pachinko gaming machine 1 via the connector 61 and the connector 701a and operates to execute various control programs by executing a predetermined control program. . The control device 70A is connected to a shutter driving solenoid of the ball flow switching device 97a via a cable C1, and supplies a control signal to the shutter driving solenoid via the cable C1 to perform ball flow switching. The control of the shutter member 970a of the device 97a is performed. The control device 70A is connected to the reel drive motor of the polishing device 77 via the cable C2 via C, and supplies electric power and a control signal to the reel drive motor via the cable C to thereby control the polishing device 77A. Is controlled.

The first polishing processing unit 700 thus configured is fitted along the polishing processing unit holding frame 43b, mounted in the polishing processing unit mounting area 60, and the ball inlet 71 is connected to the unit. It is connected to the outlet 62, the ball outlet 75 is connected to the unit communication inlet 63, and the connector 701 a of the control device 70 </ b> A is attached so as to be connected to the connector 61, and is fixed by the rotating lever 64.

Next, a control circuit in the first polishing processing unit 700 will be described. FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit in the first polishing processing unit 700 according to the third embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 16, control device 70A comprises a microcomputer, and includes a CPU 7a and a ROM 7b.
And a RAM 7c. The ROM 7b has a ball reduction machine 7
3. Various data such as a control program for executing control processing of the polishing device 77 and the ball flow switching device 97a are stored. The CPU 7a reads data from the ROM 7b, executes a control program, and controls the ball reducing machine 73, the polishing device 77, and the ball flow switching device 97a using the RAM 7c as a work area.

The control device 70A supplies a control signal to a reel drive motor drive circuit 775 for driving a reel drive motor 774 in order to control the polishing device 77. In response to the control signal, the reel drive motor drive circuit 775 drives the reel drive motor 774, and the polishing cloth 77
3 are sequentially sent to the polishing position. The control device 70
A is a lift motor 7 for controlling the ball reduction machine 73.
9 is supplied with a control signal to a lift motor drive circuit 790 that drives the motor 9. The lift motor drive circuit 7 according to the control signal
90 drives the lift motor 79 to lift the pachinko balls. In addition, the control device 90A includes the ball flow switching device 9
7a, a shutter driving solenoid 97
A control signal is supplied to a solenoid control circuit 972a for controlling the energization of 1a. In response to the control signal, the solenoid control circuit 972a controls the energization of the shutter driving solenoid 971a, and causes the ball flow switching device 97a to switch the pachinko ball flow path. The control device 70A receives the polishing process execution condition determination information described below, and controls the ball flow switching device 97a based on the information.

In the first polishing processing unit 70 attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the following polishing processing is performed on the pachinko balls by the control device 70A.

Referring to FIG. 15, FIG. 16 and FIG.
The flow of pachinko balls in the first polishing processing unit 700 will be described. In FIG. 15 described above, the pachinko gaming machine 1
3 shows a state in which the pachinko balls enclosed in the table are not polished. FIG. 17 shows the first polishing processing unit 7.
It is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 when 00 is attached, and shows a state where the pachinko balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are polished.

Referring to FIG. 15, unit communication outlet 62
The pachinko balls P gathered in the above are guided through the ball inlet 71 into the first ball path 702. And the first ball path 7
The pachinko ball P guided into 02 is guided downward by its own weight and sent into the third ball path 704.

In the case where the polishing treatment is not carried out, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the shutter member 970a of the ball flow path switching device 97a is moved by the control device 70A to the second ball path 90.
3 is controlled to be closed. In such a state, the pachinko balls used for the game are guided from the first ball path 702 into the third ball path 704 and are guided to the ball outlet 76 as they are, and then the first polishing processing unit 7
It goes out of 00 and is used as a hit ball.

On the other hand, when a polishing process is performed,
As shown in FIG. 17, the control device 70A controls the shutter member 970a of the ball flow switching device 97a to open the entrance of the second ball path 903. In such a state, the pachinko ball used for the game is guided from the first ball path to the second ball path 903 via the inside of the third ball path 704. And it is guided in the 2nd ball path 903, and is sent into the internal space for ball discharge of ball reduction machine 73. In the ball reducing machine 73, the pachinko balls P are engaged and sent according to the rotation operation of the sprocket 78, and are pushed up into the second ball path 74. Then, as the pachinko balls P are sequentially pushed up into the third ball path 704, the pachinko balls P guided into the third ball path 704 are lifted upward.

The pachinko balls P transported in the third ball path 704 are polished by the polishing device 77 in the course of transporting, and the attached dirt is removed. Then, the pachinko ball P which has been lifted to the top of the third ball path 704 is moved to the third ball path 704.
Rolls inside by its own weight.

In the case of the second embodiment, the pachinko ball is guided from the third ball path 704 to the ball outlet 75 without performing the polishing process in the normal state, but the following polishing process execution conditions are satisfied. In this case, polishing processing is performed for a predetermined time by control device 70A.

That is, that the player has not inserted the prepaid card into the inter-machine 10 or that the inserted prepaid card has a card balance less than the amount required for playing the game, and The condition is that the ball is dirty to some extent or is in a state expected to be dirty. As a specific method of determining whether or not the enclosing ball is in a state where it is expected that the enclosing ball is dirty, when a predetermined number of driving balls are detected by the hit ball sensor 37, it is expected that the enclosing ball is dirty. Is determined to be in a state. Such a determination is made by control device 70A.

Various information (polishing process execution condition determination information) necessary for determining the polishing process execution conditions as described above
Is provided from the pachinko gaming machine 1 main body side to the control device 70A via the connector 61 and the connector 701. The control device 70A performs the above-described determination based on the polishing process execution condition determination information, and executes the polishing process in a manner as shown in FIG. 16 when the above-described polishing process execution condition is satisfied. Let it.

It is to be noted that whether or not the enclosed ball is expected to be dirty is determined by using a touch sensor for detecting whether or not a hand is touching the hit ball operation handle 4 in the pachinko gaming machine 1.
And when the detection time of the touch sensor reaches a predetermined time, it may be determined that the sealed ball is expected to be dirty. In addition, in order to actually check the dirt on the sealed ball, for example, a sensor for detecting dirt is provided in a ball path such as the first ball path 702, and a predetermined degree of dirt is detected by the sensor. In this case, it may be determined that the sealed ball is dirty.

Thus, in the case of the third embodiment, the first
Unlike the embodiment, since it is a part-time method in which the polishing process is performed when necessary, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the polishing pad 733 as a polishing member is quickly deteriorated by polishing the pachinko balls more than necessary. And polishing cloth 73
3 can be used effectively.

In the third embodiment, an example has been described in which the above-described predetermined condition is satisfied, that is, the polishing process is performed irregularly. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the polishing process of the second embodiment may be performed periodically during a time period when the operation of the pachinko gaming machine is not hindered, such as when the game arcade is opened and closed.

Also, in the third embodiment, the first
In the polishing processing unit 700, an example has been described in which the polishing processing is executed when it is determined that the enclosing ball is in a state expected to be dirty. However, not limited to this,
The polishing process may be performed at a predetermined time, such as when a game is not played, regardless of the degree of contamination of the enclosing ball.

In the third embodiment described above, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are used in the first embodiment.
The same effect as the effect described in the embodiment can be obtained. Further, in the third embodiment, the first
The following characteristic effects can be obtained with respect to portions different in configuration from the embodiment.

In the first polishing processing unit 700,
Second ball path 703 for guiding pachinko balls to ball reduction machine 73
And a third ball path 704 for guiding the pachinko balls to the firing ball standby path, and the path for switching the pachinko balls to the ball path switching device 97a is selectively provided to one of the ball paths. Since the switching is performed, the pachinko balls can be polished as necessary. As a result, it becomes possible to grind the pachinko balls in accordance with the operation state of the pachinko gaming machine 1, so that the unnecessary consumption (polishing) of the polishing member (polishing cloth 733) caused by grinding the pachinko balls more than necessary. Not only can the polishing member be unnecessarily consumed by polishing the unclean stained pachinko balls, which is not necessary for the need), and can effectively perform the polishing. Running costs associated with replacement can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to meet the needs of a game arcade where polishing of a pachinko ball according to the operation state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is desired.

Further, since the control device 70 for controlling the ball reduction device 73, the polishing device 77, and the ball flow switching device 97a is provided on the first polishing processing unit 700 side, the first polishing processing unit 700 Pachinko machine 1
The ball reduction device 73, the polishing device 77, and the ball channel switching device 97 are independently affected without being affected by the control system on the main body side.
a can be drive-controlled. Therefore, the first polishing processing unit 700 can be standardized as a polishing processing unit that can be applied to any game machine to which the polishing processing unit can be attached. In this way, as long as the pachinko gaming machine 1 to which the polishing processing unit can be attached, the first polishing processing unit 700 is commonly used regardless of the type of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the manufacturer of the pachinko gaming machine 1. This makes it possible for the gaming side to be more convenient in terms of operation such as purchasing and managing the polishing processing unit. Further, since it is not necessary to provide such control means on the pachinko gaming machine 1 side, the number of components of the pachinko gaming machine 1 excluding the polishing processing unit can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the pachinko gaming machine 1 itself can be reduced. Can be reduced. As a result,
When replacing the gaming machine body using the first polishing processing unit 700 as it is for an existing pachinko gaming machine, the cost of the gaming machine body when replacing the gaming machine body is reduced because the price of the gaming machine body is kept low. Can be reduced.

The following effects can be obtained for the first polishing processing unit 700 alone. First
In a state where the polishing processing unit 700 is attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1, pachinko balls used in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are guided by the second ball path 703 via the ball flow path switching device 97a, and the game is performed. The medium is discharged by the ball reduction machine 73 and polished by the polishing device 77. Therefore, when polishing inside the pachinko gaming machine 1 is desired, the first polishing processing unit 700 is attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1 so that the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be polished according to the desire. Polishing of the ball can be performed. Also, when polishing outside the pachinko gaming machine 1 is desired, it is possible to remove the first polishing processing unit 700 from the gaming machine to meet the request. In the third embodiment, for the first polishing processing unit 700, the ball reduction device 73, the polishing device 77, and the ball flow path switching device 97a are provided with a control device 70A provided on the first polishing processing unit 700 side. The example in which the drive control is performed by is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the drive of the ball reducing machine 73, the polishing device 77, and the ball flow switching device 97a may be controlled by the control unit on the main body side of the pachinko gaming machine 1. In that case, the control unit on the main body side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is electrically connected to each of the ball reducing machine 73, the polishing device 77, and the ball flow switching device 97a via the connector 61, and What is necessary is just to give a control signal to the ball reduction machine 73, the polishing device 77, and the ball flow switching device 97a to drive-control them. In such a case, the control unit may be a microcomputer for game control, or may be a control unit provided other than that. Such a control may be performed by a management device such as a hall management computer provided separately from the pachinko gaming machine 1.

[0184] Modifications and features of the above-described embodiment of the present invention will be listed below.

(1) The first polishing processing unit 7 shown in FIG. 3 or the first polishing processing unit 700 shown in FIG. 15 or the like allows game media to be placed inside a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 1). First polishing processing means capable of performing polishing processing for polishing is configured. The first polishing processing means includes a game medium transfer means (ball reducing machine 73) for transferring a game medium (pachinko ball) for polishing, and a polishing means for polishing the game medium transferred by the ball transfer means. (Polishing device 77). The game medium polished by the polishing means is sent to the main body of the gaming machine (the main body excluding the polishing processing means).

(2) As shown in FIG.
The polishing processing unit 7 guides the game medium transported by the game medium transporting means to the polishing means by a first guide path (first ball path 72) for guiding the game medium to the game medium transporting means. Thereafter, the game machine further includes a first guiding path (second ball path 74) for guiding to the main body of the gaming machine.

(3) The game medium is polished outside the gaming machine by the second polishing processing unit 9 shown in FIG. 6 or the like or the second polishing processing unit 900 shown in FIG. 11 or the like. A second polishing processing means capable of performing a polishing process for discharging the game medium to the outside of the gaming machine. This second polishing processing means is a game medium discharging operation means (a ball discharging device 97 shown in FIG. 6 or the like or a ball discharging device 97 shown in FIG. 11 or the like) for performing an operation for discharging the game medium to the outside of the gaming machine. Ball discharging device 9
7) and a discharge path (third ball path 95 or fourth ball path 905) for guiding the game medium discharged by the game medium discharge operation means to the outside of the gaming machine.

(4) The second polishing processing means is provided separately from the guide path for guiding the game medium to the main body of the game machine and the discharge path, and is provided with a game machine installation island (game machine installation). A replenishment game medium discharge path (fifth ball path 9) for guiding the game medium replenished from the island 8) to the outside of the gaming machine.
04) and a game medium sending means for receiving a game medium supplied from the gaming machine installation island and selectively sending the game medium to the guide path and the supply game medium discharge path.
The control device 90A shown in FIG. 11 and the like constitutes a discharge control means for controlling the operations of the game medium operation discharge means and the game medium delivery means. Until a predetermined timing (a predetermined timing after the store closes), the discharge control means sends out the game medium so that the replenished game medium is sent out to the guide path from the game medium sending means. Means for controlling the game medium so that the game medium used in the game machine is discharged from the game medium from the game medium operation discharge means when the predetermined timing is reached. In addition to controlling the discharging means, the game medium sending means is controlled such that the game medium supplied from the game medium sending means is discharged to the outside of the gaming machine.

(5) Third ball path 7 shown in FIG.
04 and the end of the ball exit 75 and the launcher unit 67
By the firing ball standby passage where the firing balls of
A game medium storing means for storing game media used for the game is configured. The first polishing processing means (first polishing processing unit 700) includes a game medium polishing means, a polishing guideway, a game guideway, and a guideway switching means. The ball reduction machine 73 and the polishing device 77 shown in FIG. 15 and the like constitute a game medium polishing means for performing an operation for polishing the game medium. The second ball path 703 shown in FIG. 15 and the like constitutes a polishing guide path for guiding the game medium to the game medium polishing means. The third ball path 704 shown in FIG. 15 and the like constitutes a game guiding path for guiding the game medium to the game medium storing means. A guide path switching means capable of switching the guide path of the game medium to one of the polishing guide path and the game guide path by the ball path switching device 97a shown in FIG. Have been. The guideway switching means switches the guideway of the game medium to the gaming guideway side when a predetermined switching condition is not satisfied, and when the predetermined switching condition is satisfied, The guideway of the game medium is switched from the game guideway to the polishing guideway.

(6) The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[0191]

Specific Examples of Means for Solving the Problems (1) The pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the like constitutes a gaming machine in which a game is played using a gaming medium (pachinko balls). The first polishing processing unit 7 shown in FIG. 3, the second polishing processing unit 9 shown in FIG. 6, etc., the second polishing processing unit 900 shown in FIG. 11, etc., or FIG. By the first polishing processing unit 700 shown, the polishing processing necessary to polish off the dirt attached to the game medium is formed so as to be separable from the gaming machine and attached to the gaming machine. A polishing processing means that can be performed on the game medium is configured.
The polishing processing unit mounting area 60 shown in FIG. 2 constitutes a processing area to which the polishing processing means is mounted so that the polishing processing can be performed. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, etc., the polishing processing means is a first polishing processing means (FIG. 3) capable of performing a polishing processing for polishing the game medium inside the gaming machine.
And the first polishing processing unit 700 shown in FIG. 15 or the first polishing processing unit 700 shown in FIG. 15, etc., and the gaming medium for polishing the game medium outside the gaming machine. A second polishing processing means capable of performing a polishing process for discharging to the outside of the wafer (the second polishing processing means shown in FIG.
One selected from the polishing processing unit 9 or the second polishing processing unit 900 shown in FIG. 11 and the like is used in the gaming machine. As shown in FIG. 2, the processing area is one of a first polishing processing means and a second polishing processing means selected from the first polishing processing means and the second polishing processing means for performing the polishing processing. It is formed so that the means can be attached in a detachable manner.

(2) The first polishing processing means includes a game medium polishing means and a polishing control means. Ball reduction machine 73 and polishing apparatus 77 shown in FIG. 3 or FIG.
This constitutes a game medium polishing means for performing an operation for polishing the game medium. By the control device 70 shown in FIG. 3 or the control unit 70A shown in FIG.
Polishing control means for controlling the operation of the game medium polishing means is constituted.

(3) The second polishing processing means includes a game medium discharge means and a discharge control means. FIG.
The ball discharging device 97 shown in FIG. 11 or the like or the ball discharging device 97 shown in FIG. 11 or the like constitutes a game medium discharging means for performing an operation for discharging the game medium to the outside of the gaming machine. The discharge control means for controlling the operation of the game medium discharge means is constituted by the control device 90 shown in FIG. 6 or the like or the control device 90A shown in FIG. 11 or the like.

(4) Third ball path 7 shown in FIG.
04 and the end of the ball exit 75 and the launcher unit 67
By the firing ball standby passage where the firing balls of
Game medium storage means for storing game media used for the game is configured. The first polishing processing means includes:
It includes a game medium polishing means, a polishing guideway, a game guideway, and a guideway switching means. The ball reduction machine 73 and the polishing device 77 shown in FIG. 15 and the like constitute a game medium polishing means for performing an operation for polishing the game medium. The second ball path 703 shown in FIG. 15 and the like constitutes a polishing guide path for guiding the game medium to the game medium polishing means. The third shown in FIG.
The ball path 704 constitutes a game guiding path for guiding the game medium to the game medium storing means. FIG.
And the like, a guide path switching means capable of switching the guide path of the game medium to one of the polishing guide path and the game guide path. I have.

(5) Second ball path 9 shown in FIG.
02 and the end of the ball exit 96 side and the launcher unit 67
By the firing ball standby passage where the firing balls of
Game medium storage means for storing game media used for the game is configured. The second polishing processing means includes:
It includes an external taxiway, a game taxiway, and taxiway switching means. The fourth ball path 905 and the fifth ball path 904 shown in FIG. 11 and the like constitute an external guiding path for guiding the game medium to the outside of the gaming machine. The second ball path 902 shown in FIG. 11 and the like constitutes a game guiding path for guiding the game medium to the game medium storing means. Guideway switching capable of switching the guideway of the game medium to either the external guideway or the game guideway by the ball discharging device 97 and the ball feeding device 910 illustrated in FIG. 11 and the like. Means are configured.

(6) A game in which a game is played using a game medium (pachinko ball) by the first polishing processing unit 7 shown in FIG. 3 or the first polishing processing unit 700 shown in FIG. A polishing processing apparatus is configured which can perform processing (polishing processing) necessary for removing dirt attached to a game medium of a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 1) on the game medium. The first ball path 72 and the second ball path 73 shown in FIG. 3 or the first ball path 702, the second ball path 703, and the third ball path 704 shown in FIG. Removably formed,
In a state where the game medium is attached to the game machine, a guide path for guiding the game medium used in the game machine is formed. Ball reduction machine 7 shown in FIG. 3 or FIG.
3 and the polishing device 77 constitute a game medium polishing means which is detachably formed in the game machine together with the guide path and is capable of polishing the game medium guided by the guide path.

(7) The second polishing processing unit 9 shown in FIG. 6 or the like or the second polishing processing unit 900 shown in FIG. 11 or the like plays a game using a game medium (pachinko ball). A polishing processing apparatus capable of performing processing (polishing processing) necessary for removing dirt attached to a game medium of a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 1) on the game medium is configured. The ball discharging device 97 and the third ball path 95 shown in FIG. 6 and the like, or the ball discharging device 97 and the fourth ball path 905 shown in FIG. In the state where the game medium is attached to the game machine, game medium discharge means is provided which can discharge the game medium used in the game machine to the outside of the game machine.

[0198]

The effect of the concrete example of the means for solving the problems.
With regard to, the following effects can be obtained. In a processing area provided in the gaming machine, a first polishing processing means used for polishing the gaming medium inside the gaming machine, and a second polishing processing means used for polishing the gaming medium outside the gaming machine. Is removable. Therefore, by selecting the processing means for polishing to be attached as desired, the polishing of the game media inside the gaming machine and the polishing of the game media outside the gaming machine can be performed in one gaming machine. Can be polished as desired. Furthermore, since the processing means for polishing is detachably attached to the gaming machine, the polishing method of the game medium used in the gaming machine can be changed from one of the polishing inside the gaming machine and the polishing outside the gaming machine. In the case of changing to the other, it is only necessary to replace the previously attached polishing processing means with a polishing processing means corresponding to the polishing method to be changed. That is, when changing the polishing method of the game medium, it is possible to cope with the change of the polishing method only by replacing the polishing processing means constituting a part of the gaming machine without replacing the entire gaming machine. For this reason, it is possible to easily meet the needs of the game arcade when changing the polishing method of the game medium. Further, since it is possible to cope with a change in the polishing method of the game medium only by replacing a part of the gaming machine, the polishing method is changed as compared with the case where the entire gaming machine is replaced for the change in the polishing method. The cost required in such a case can be reduced.

Regarding claim 2, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of claim 1. Since the polishing control means for controlling the game medium polishing means is provided on the first polishing processing means side, the first polishing processing means can be independently controlled without being affected by the control system on the gaming machine main body side. The drive of the game medium polishing means can be controlled. For this reason, the first polishing processing means can be standardized as a polishing processing means applicable to any gaming machine to which the polishing processing means can be attached. With this configuration, as long as the gaming machine can be equipped with the polishing processing means, the first polishing processing means can be commonly used regardless of the model of the gaming machine and the manufacturer of the gaming machine. It is convenient for the gaming side in terms of operation such as purchase and management of the polishing processing means. Further, since it is not necessary to provide such a control means on the gaming machine side, the number of components of the gaming machine main body excluding the polishing processing means can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the gaming machine main body can be reduced.

Regarding claim 3, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the following effect can be obtained. Since the discharge control means for controlling the game medium discharge means is provided on the side of the second polishing processing means, the second polishing processing means can be independently controlled without being affected by the control system on the gaming machine main body side. It becomes possible to drive and control the game medium discharging means. For this reason, the second polishing processing means can be standardized as a polishing processing means applicable to any gaming machine to which the polishing processing means can be attached. With this configuration, as long as the gaming machine can be equipped with the polishing processing means, the first polishing processing means can be commonly used regardless of the model of the gaming machine and the manufacturer of the gaming machine. It is convenient for the gaming side in terms of operation such as purchase and management of the polishing processing means. Further, since it is not necessary to provide such control means on the gaming machine side, it is possible to reduce the number of parts of the gaming machine body excluding the processing means for polishing, and to reduce the manufacturing cost of the gaming machine body. it can.

Regarding claim 4, in addition to the effect according to claim 1, the following effect can be obtained. First
In the polishing processing means of the above, there is provided a polishing guide path for guiding the game medium to the game medium polishing means, and a game guide path for guiding the game medium to the game medium storage means, and the guide path of the game medium is Since the mode can be selectively switched to any one of the guide paths, the game medium can be polished as necessary. This makes it possible to polish the game medium in accordance with the operation state of the gaming machine, thereby preventing inconveniences such as invalid consumption of a polishing member caused by polishing the game medium more than necessary, and performing polishing. Not only can it be performed effectively, but also the game hall can reduce the running cost associated with the replacement of the polishing member.

Regarding claim 5, in addition to the effect according to claim 1, the following effect can be obtained. Second
In the polishing processing means of the above, there is provided an external guide path for guiding the game medium to the outside of the gaming machine, and a game guide path for guiding the game medium to the game medium storage means. Is selectively switched to one of the guide paths, so that when the game medium used in the game machine is discharged to the outside of the game machine, the guide to the game medium storage means is prevented. Therefore, when polishing the game media used in the game machine and the remaining game media in the storage section and the gutter (main flow gutter, tributary gutter) at the top of the game machine, all of them are easily discharged to the outside of the game machine. Can be. For this reason, all of the game media used in the game machine can be polished collectively outside the game machine, and the variation in the degree of polishing between the game media used in the game machine can be suppressed. can do.

According to claim 6, the following effects can be obtained. In a state where the guide passage and the game medium polishing means are attached to the game machine, the game medium used in the game machine is guided by the guide path, and the game medium is polished by the game medium polishing means. For this reason,
When polishing inside the gaming machine is desired, the processing device for polishing can be attached to the gaming machine, so that the game medium can be polished inside the gaming machine as desired. Also, if polishing outside the gaming machine is desired,
By removing the polishing processing apparatus from the gaming machine, it is possible to meet the demand.

According to the seventh aspect, the following effects can be obtained. When the game medium discharging means is attached to the game machine, the game medium used in the game machine can be discharged to the outside of the game machine by the game medium discharging means. For this reason, when polishing outside the gaming machine is desired, this processing apparatus for polishing is attached to the gaming machine so that the game medium can be discharged to the outside of the gaming machine according to the desire, and the polishing medium can be discharged outside the gaming machine. Of the game medium can be performed. Also, when polishing inside the gaming machine is desired, it is possible to remove the polishing processing apparatus from the gaming machine to meet the demand.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine and a stand-behind machine.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko game machine when the first polishing processing unit is attached.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit in the first polishing processing unit.

FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram of a gaming machine installation island when a second polishing processing unit is attached to a pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine when a second polishing processing unit is attached.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit in a second polishing processing unit.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the pachinko game machine when a second polishing processing unit is attached.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine when a second polishing processing unit is attached.

FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram of a gaming machine installation island when a second polishing processing unit according to a second embodiment is attached to a pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine when a second polishing processing unit according to the second embodiment is mounted.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit in a second polishing processing unit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine when a second polishing processing unit according to the second embodiment is mounted.

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine when the second polishing processing unit according to the second embodiment is mounted.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 when the first polishing processing unit according to the third embodiment is mounted.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit in a first polishing processing unit according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 when the first polishing processing unit according to the third embodiment is mounted.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a pachinko gaming machine (game machine), 7,700 is a first polishing processing unit (polishing processing means, first polishing processing means), and 9,900 is a second polishing processing unit (polishing processing means). , Second polishing processing means), 60 is a polishing processing unit mounting area (processing area), 73 is a ball reduction machine (game medium polishing means), 77 is a polishing apparatus (game medium polishing means), 70, 70A Is a control device (polishing control means), 97
Is a ball discharge device (game medium discharge means, guideway switching means), 90 and 90A are control devices (discharge control means), 70
Reference numeral 4 denotes a third ball path (game medium storage means, game guiding path, guide path), 67 denotes a launching device unit (game medium storage means), 703 denotes a second ball path (polishing guide path), and 97a denotes a ball flow. Road switching device (guidance road switching means);
A ball path (game medium storage means, game guide path), 905 is a fourth ball path (external guide path), and 905 is a fourth ball path (game medium discharge means).

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A game machine in which a game is played using a game medium, wherein the game machine is formed so as to be separable from the game machine and, when attached to the game machine, removes dirt attached to the game medium. A polishing processing means capable of performing a polishing process necessary for the game medium, and a processing region to which the polishing processing means is attached so as to perform the polishing process. Processing means, a first polishing processing means capable of performing a polishing process for polishing the game medium inside the gaming machine, and said polishing means for polishing the game medium outside the gaming machine One selected from a second polishing processing means capable of performing a polishing process of discharging a game medium to the outside of the gaming machine is used in the gaming machine, and the processing region is One of the first polishing processing means and the second polishing processing means is formed so as to be removably attachable in order to perform the polishing processing. A gaming machine, characterized in that: 2. The first polishing processing means includes: a game medium polishing means for performing an operation for polishing the game medium; and a polishing control means for controlling an operation of the game medium polishing means. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is characterized in that: 3. The second polishing processing means includes: a game medium discharge means for performing an operation for discharging the game medium to the outside of the game machine; and a discharge control for controlling an operation of the game medium discharge means. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising means. 4. A game medium storage means for storing a game medium used for the game, wherein the first polishing processing means comprises: a game medium polishing means for performing an operation for polishing the game medium; A polishing guide path for guiding the game medium to the game medium polishing means, a game guide path for guiding the game medium to the game medium storage means, and a polishing guide path for the game medium; The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a guideway switching unit capable of switching to one of the gaming guideway. 5. A game medium storing means for storing a game medium used for the game, wherein the second polishing processing means includes an external guideway for guiding the game medium to the outside of the gaming machine. A game guideway for guiding the game medium to the game medium storage means, and a guide capable of switching the guideway for the game medium to one of the external guideway and the game guideway. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a road switching unit. 6. A polishing processing apparatus capable of performing processing necessary for removing dirt attached to a game medium of a game machine in which a game is played using the game medium, on the game medium, A guide path for guiding the game medium used in the game machine in a state in which the game medium is used in the game machine and which is detachably formed in the game machine in a state where the guide medium is attached to the game machine; And a game medium polishing means capable of polishing the game medium guided by the guide passage. 7. A polishing processing apparatus capable of performing processing necessary for polishing dirt attached to a game medium of a game machine in which a game is played using the game medium, on the game medium, A game medium discharging means formed detachably on the game machine and capable of discharging a game medium used in the game machine to the outside of the game machine when attached to the game machine. A polishing processing apparatus characterized by the following.