JP2000167128A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent deficiency caused by vibration of a valve body from generating in a game machine equipped with a return ball preventing device for preventing a discharged game ball from returning. SOLUTION: An ordinary prize winning port 6, variable prize winning device 7, working port 8, variable display device 9, or the like are equipped on the front face of a game board 5 of this Pachinko (Japanese pinball game) machine 1. An exit part through which a discharged game ball B discharged by a game ball discharger is discharged to a game area of the game board 5 is equipped between almost the upper end part of an inside rail 10 and an outside rail 11, and a game ball B is guided from the exit part to the upper part of the game board 5 and then dropped along the game board 5 face. A ball pattern preventing device 21 for preventing returning of a discharged game ball B is equipped on the exit part. A vibration suppressing means to suppress vibration of a valve body 25 when the valve body b25 is restored by a restoration means is equipped on the ball pattern preventing device 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, and more particularly, to a ball-return preventing device provided on a front surface of a game board for preventing a released game ball from returning. It relates to a gaming machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a substantially arc-shaped outer guide rail and an inner guide rail are laid on the inside of a front face of a game board of a pachinko machine. Further, an exit portion is provided between the substantially upper end portion of the inner guide rail and the outer guide rail, and the game ball fired from the game ball launching device is guided by both guide rails, and then from the exit portion to the upper portion of the game board surface. Released to the game area.

[0003] In recent years, a ball return preventing device for preventing a game ball once discharged from returning is provided at the outlet. As the ball return prevention device, there are a fixed type in which the base end of the valve body is fixed and which can be bent by a game ball hitting the distal end portion, and a shaft-supported type in which the valve body is pivotally supported in a tiltable manner. Are known.
The fixed type is superior in that the structure is simple, but the pivot type is superior in that it can withstand long-term use.

In general, the above-mentioned ball-return preventing device of the pivot type has a fixed portion mounted and fixed to a game board, a valve body pivotally supported so as to be tiltable with respect to the fixed portion, and the valve body being returned to its original position. Return means for returning. The return means is constituted by a weight integrally provided so as to hang down from the valve body. According to the pachinko machine equipped with such a ball return preventing device, the game ball fired from the game ball launching device is guided by both guide rails, and then hits the valve located at the outlet. Then, the valve body is tilted by the kinetic energy of the game ball, and the outlet is opened. Thereby, release of the game ball to the upper portion of the game board surface is permitted. After the game ball is released, the valve body returns to the original position by the action of the weight. When game balls are fired continuously, the above-described operation is repeatedly performed.

In recent years, the ball return preventing device has
Attempts have been made to provide emission detection means such as a photosensor. In other words, the lower end portion (for example, weight) of the valve body is arranged between the light emitting and receiving portions of the photo sensor. Will be tolerated. Accordingly, it is considered that one game ball has been fired (released to the game board), and the total number of released game balls can be counted.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the following problems may occur. That is, after the game ball is released, the valve element returns to the original position by the action of the weight. At this time, the valve element vibrates (bounces) several times upon returning. There was a risk. For this reason, there is a possibility that the following inconveniences associated with the bounding operation may occur.

First, if the next game ball is fired while the valve element is performing a bouncing operation, the next game ball will hit the valve element during the bouncing operation. For this reason, there is a difference in the momentum of the released game balls between the case where the ball hits the valve element during the bouncing and the case where the ball is not hit. As a result, the flying distance of the game ball may be varied.

[0008] Secondly, by the above-mentioned bouncing operation,
There is a possibility that erroneous detection by the photo sensor may be induced. That is, there is a case where the light emitting and receiving of the photo sensor is allowed (referred to as "chattering") even though there is no release of the game ball. There was a risk that the number would be counted.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a ball return preventing device for preventing a released game ball from returning backward on a front surface of a game board. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine which can suppress occurrence of a trouble due to vibration of a valve body.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outer guide rail laid in a substantially arc shape on a front surface of a game board, and an inner guide rail laid inside the outer guide rail. Having an outlet between the substantially upper end portion of the inner guide rail and the outer guide rail, from which the shot game ball is released, and the released game ball returning to the outlet portion. In a gaming machine provided with a ball return prevention device for preventing, the ball return prevention device, at least a fixed portion, pivotally supported to be tiltable with respect to the fixed portion,
A valve body that is allowed to tilt with the release of the game ball, release detection means for detecting the release of the game ball based on the tilt of the valve body, and the valve body after the release of the game ball to its original position. And a return means for returning the pressure to the valve element. Vibration suppression means for suppressing vibration of the valve element when the valve element returns by the return means is provided.

(Operation) According to the gaming machine of the first aspect, the game is fired by the outer guide rail laid in a substantially arc shape on the front surface of the game board and the inner guide rail laid inside the outer guide rail. The game ball is guided and discharged from the substantially upper end of the inner guide rail and the exit between the outer guide rail. Further, the existence of the ball return preventing device prevents a situation in which the game ball once discharged returns from the exit portion.

In the ball return preventing device, the launched game ball hits a valve body pivotally supported by a fixed portion and is allowed to tilt and is released. At this time, the release of the game ball based on the tilt of the valve body is detected by the release detecting means. Further, after the game ball is released, the valve body is returned to the original position by the return means. Here, the vibration of the valve element when the valve element is returned by the return means is suppressed by the vibration suppression means. For this reason, the situation where the next shot game ball hits while the valve body is still vibrating is unlikely to occur.

[0013] Further, since the minute tilt of the valve body due to the vibration is suppressed, erroneous detection by the discharge detecting means is also suppressed.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which a gaming machine is embodied as a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as "pachinko machine") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pachinko machine 1 comprises:
An outer frame 2 and a front frame 3 are provided. A glass door frame 4 to which a transparent glass plate is attached is provided on the inner periphery of the front surface of the front frame 3 so as to be openable and closable.

The rear side of the front frame 3 (behind the glass door frame 4,
A middle plate (not shown) is provided on the inside of the outer frame 2), and the game board 5 is detachably mounted on the middle plate. On the front surface of the game board 5, a normal winning opening 6, a variable winning device 7, an operating opening 8, a variable display device 9, an inner guide rail (inner rail) 10, an outer guide rail (outer rail) 11, and the like are arranged. ing. Here, the inner rail 10 and the outer rail 11 are guide members for guiding the game balls B fired by the game ball firing device U to the upper portion of the game board 5, and are laid in an arc shape. The front frame 3 is provided with an upper tray 12 and a lower tray 13.

The variable display device 9 has a display screen composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD). The display screen displays three display rows, for example, a left symbol row, a middle symbol row, and a right symbol row. Each symbol row is composed of a plurality of symbols, and these symbols are scrolled for each symbol row and displayed on the display screen.

The variable winning device 7 is usually in a state where the gaming ball B cannot be won or is hardly won. More specifically, the symbol of the variable display device 9 disposed at the center of the game board 5 fluctuates randomly based on the winning of the game ball B to the operating port 8. Then, on condition that the stopped symbols are a specific combination, the special winning opening of the variable winning device 7 is opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times so that the gaming ball B is in a state where it is easy to win (big hit state). It is configured.

An outlet is provided between the substantially upper end of the inner rail 10 and the outer rail 11 so that the game balls B fired by the game ball firing device U are discharged to the game area on the game board 5. ing. The game ball B is guided from the exit to the upper portion of the game board 5 and then falls along the surface of the game board 5. At this time, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the upper tray 12 (in some cases, the lower tray 13) based on the gaming balls B winning in the general winning opening 6, the variable winning device 7, and the operating opening 8. It has become.

Next, a characteristic portion of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a ball return preventing device 21 for preventing the released game balls B from returning backward is provided at an upper end of the inner rail 10 and an exit between the outer rail 11.
Is provided. More specifically, the inner rail 10 according to the present embodiment is made of resin, and a ball return preventing device 21 is integrally provided on the upper end of the inner rail 10. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the ball return preventing device 21 includes a mounting member 22, a shaft 24, a valve body 25, a helical spring 26, a photosensor unit 27, a back cover 28, and the like as a fixing portion. ing.
A casing 23 having an opening for accommodating the valve body 25 is integrally formed with the mounting member 22. Axis 2
4 is fixed between the casing 23 and the back cover 28. A valve body 25 is supported on the shaft 24 so as to be tiltable. That is, the valve body 25 is made of a hard synthetic resin and has a shaft support portion 31 having a through hole for inserting the shaft 24, and a base end portion buried in the shaft support portion 31, and is smooth and thin. And a projection 33 formed integrally with the shaft support 31 and extending downward. The valve body 25 is supported with the shaft 24 inserted through the through hole.
4 can be tilted.

A helical spring 26 as a return means is inserted through the shaft 24. One end of the helical spring 26 abuts the casing 23, and the other end is formed on the shaft support 31. It is in a state of being abutted on the valve body 25 so as to be hooked on the notch 31a. The restoring force of the helical spring 26 causes the valve body 25
Is always in a basic state (a state in which almost the exit part is closed).

Further, the photo sensor unit 27 is provided at the lower part of the ball return preventing device 21 at the casing 23.
And between the back cover 28. The photo sensor unit 27 includes a concave-shaped photo sensor 27a, and the photo sensor 27a includes a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit. The projection 33 of the valve body 25 is always located between the facing light emitting part and light receiving part. As a result, the light emitted from the light emitting unit is always
3 so that light is not received by the light receiving unit. When the protrusion 33 moves due to the tilting of the valve body 25 (when the distance between the tip of the tongue piece 32 of the valve body 25 and the outer rail 11 becomes substantially equal to the diameter of the game ball B), the light is received. The light reception by the section is permitted, and the release of the game ball B by the photo sensor 27a is detected.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a large number of nails are planted on the surface of the game board 5, and one nail G1 is located near the opening of the casing 23 (the shaft support 31). (Near). As a result, a situation in which the game ball B once released hits the shaft support portion 31 of the valve body 25 is avoided.

Next, the operation and effect of the embodiment constructed as described above will be described.

As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the game ball B fired by the game ball firing device U is guided between the inner rail 10 and the outer rail 11 by the two rails 10, 11 to the exit. Be guided. The game ball B hits the tongue piece 32 of the valve body 25 of the ball return prevention device 21.

At this time, due to the kinetic energy of the game ball B, as shown in FIG.
With the fulcrum 4 as a fulcrum, the helical spring 26 tilts against the restoring force of the helical spring 26. And the game ball B, the tip of the tongue piece 32,
It is discharged from a gap between the outer rail 11 and a game area above the game board 5.

At this time, in the photosensor 27a, the projection 33 moves with the tilting of the valve body 25, so that light emission and reception between the light emitting part and the light receiving part are temporarily permitted. Thereby, the release of the game ball B by the photo sensor 27a is detected.

After the game ball B is released, FIG.
As shown in (c), the valve body 25 returns to the original position by the restoring force of the helical spring 26. As a result, the projection 33 returns to the original position.
The light emission / reception between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit 7a is prohibited again. Also, at this time, unlike the related art in which the valve body is returned to the original position by the weight, the valve body 25 is returned to the original position by the action of the helical spring 26, and when the valve body is returned to the original position. , The valve body 25 hardly vibrates.

For this reason, while the valve element 25 is still oscillating (bounced), the next game ball B fired is applied to the valve element 25.
Is less likely to occur. As a result, a difference occurs in the momentum of the released game balls B,
It is possible to suppress a problem that the flight distance of the laser beam varies.

Further, since slight tilting of the valve body 25 due to vibration is suppressed, erroneous detection (chattering) in the photosensor 27a is also reliably suppressed. as a result,
It is possible to accurately count the total number of game balls B released to the game area.

Further, in the present embodiment, the helical spring 26 is used for both the return means for returning the valve body 25 to the original position and the vibration suppressing means. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified, and the space can be saved.

In addition, in this embodiment, the shaft support 31 of the valve body 25 is made of a resin material. For this reason, it is suitable for mass production, and a shaft supporting structure can be easily secured. Further, the durability can be improved.

In addition, in the present embodiment, at least a portion of the valve body 25 which is to be hit by the game ball B is constituted by a smooth and thin metal tongue piece 32. For this reason, when the game ball B hits, the game ball B is
It is possible to minimize the frictional force from receiving. Therefore, a smooth flight of the game ball B can be secured.

In this embodiment, the inner rail 10 is made of resin, and the ball return preventing device 21 is integrally provided on the upper end of the inner rail 10. Therefore, the arrangement position of the ball return prevention device 21 does not shift between the individual pachinko machines 1, and the arrangement state can be optimized.

Further, when the distance between the tip of the tongue piece 32 of the valve body 25 and the outer rail 11 becomes substantially equal to the diameter of the game ball B, light emission and reception by the photo sensor 27a are allowed. did. For this reason, when the game ball B is released to the game area, the release can be reliably detected, and even if some vibration occurs when the valve body 25 returns to the original position, the game ball B is released. Emission of B is not erroneously detected. As a result, the above operation and effect can be further ensured.

In addition, in the present embodiment, one nail G1 is provided in the vicinity of the shaft support portion 31 among a large number of nails. For this reason, the situation where the game ball B once released hits the shaft support 31 of the valve body 25 is avoided. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the tilting of the valve body 25 due to the released game ball B hitting the pivot portion 31, and as a result, erroneous detection due to the tilting can be reliably prevented. At the same time, since the released game balls B do not hit the pivots 31, the pivots 31 and thus the valve body 25 are hardly damaged. As a result, the product life can be further extended.

It is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the above embodiments, and may be implemented as follows, for example.

(A) In the above embodiment, one nail G1 is implanted near the shaft support 31. On the other hand, two or more nails may be implanted. Also,
As shown in FIG. 7, a cover 41 for protecting the shaft support 31 may be provided on the casing 23.
With such a configuration, the nail G1 can be omitted.

(B) In the above embodiment, the tongue piece 32
Is fixed to the shaft support portion 31 by insert molding, but as shown in FIG. 8, the tongue piece portion 42 may be separately fixed to the shaft support portion 31 with a screw 43 or the like.

(C) In the above embodiment, the tongue piece 32 is made of a metal material, and the shaft support 31 is made of a hard resin material. However, both may be made of a metal or resin material.

(D) In the above embodiment, the photo sensor 27a is employed as the emission detecting means. However, other detecting means (for example, a limit switch) may be used.

(E) In the above embodiment, another elastic member (for example, a leaf spring or the like) may be used instead of the helical spring 26.

(F) In the above embodiment, the notch 31a is formed in the shaft support portion 31 and the end of the helical spring 26 is hooked on the notch 31a. It may be omitted.

(G) The casing 23 may be omitted, or at least a part of the casing 23 may be made transparent so that the internal structure of the ball return preventing device 21 can be visually recognized from the outside.

(H) The shaft 24 may be directly fixed to the game board 5. In this case, the attachment member 22 and the like may be omitted.

(I) The present invention can be applied to a pachinko machine of a type different from the above embodiment. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a pachinko machine without the variable display device 9 or the like, or a pachinko machine having another accessory. Further, the present invention can be applied to a game machine such as a sparrow ball and an arrangement ball in addition to a pachinko machine.

(J) In the above embodiment, when the projection 33 is disposed between the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion of the photosensor 27a, and the light emitting and receiving is allowed by the tilt of the valve body 25, the game is performed. Although the configuration is such that the release of the ball B is detected, the light emitting and receiving is always allowed, and when the light emitting and receiving is prohibited (obstructed) by the tilting of the valve body 25, the game ball is played. It is good also as composition which discharge of B is detected.

Hereinafter, technical ideas which can be grasped from the above embodiment will be described.

(1) An outer guide rail laid in a substantially arc shape on the front surface of the game board, and an inner guide rail laid inside the outer guide rail, between a substantially upper end portion of the inner guide rail and the outer guide rail. A game machine having an exit portion from which a launched game ball is released, and having a ball return preventing device provided at the exit portion to prevent the released game ball from returning. The ball return preventing device is based on at least a fixed portion, a valve body that is pivotally supported with respect to the fixed portion and that is allowed to tilt with the release of the game ball, and a valve body after the release of the game ball. And a return means for returning to the position of the valve body, and a vibration suppressing means for suppressing vibration of the valve element when the valve element returns by the return means is provided.

(2) In the gaming machine described in the above item (1), the return means and the vibration suppressing means are pivotally supported together with the valve body, and one end is in contact with the fixing portion.
A gaming machine, characterized in that the other end is constituted by an elastic member disposed so as to contact the valve body.

(3) Claim 1, the above supplementary notes (1) and (2)
In the gaming machine described in the above, the emission detecting means is constituted by a photosensor, and a part of the valve body is provided with a projection for permitting or prohibiting light emission and reception of the photosensor when emitting the game ball. A gaming machine characterized by:

(4) Claim 1, the above supplementary notes (1) to (3)
3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a shaft portion of the valve body is made of a resin material.

(5) Claim 1, the above supplementary notes (1) to (4)
3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the valve body that the gaming ball hits is formed of a smooth and thin metal piece.

(6) Claim 1, the supplementary notes (1) to (5)
3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball return preventing device is provided integrally with a tip portion of the inner guide rail.

(7) The gaming machine according to the above (6), wherein the inner guide rail is made of a resin material.

(8) Claim 1, the supplementary notes (1) to (7)
In the gaming machine described in the above, when the distance between the distal end of the valve body and the outer guide rail is substantially equal to the diameter of the game ball, the release detection means detects the release of the game ball. A gaming machine characterized by being arranged.

(9) Claim 1, the supplementary notes (1) to (8)
In the gaming machine described in (1), a large number of nails are implanted on the front surface of the game board, and at least a part of the nails is provided near a pivot portion of the valve body. Gaming machine.

[0058]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
In a gaming machine provided with a ball return prevention device for preventing a released game ball from returning to the front of a game board, an excellent problem that an occurrence of a trouble due to vibration of a valve body can be suppressed. It works.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a game board of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a ball return preventing device.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a ball return preventing device.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a ball return preventing device.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a ball return prevention device and the like, wherein (a),
(B), (c) is a partially broken partial front view showing an operation at the time of releasing a game ball.

FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway front view showing a ball return preventing device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a valve body according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachinko machine as a game machine, 2 ... Outer frame, 3 ... Front frame, 5 ... Game board, 10 ... Inner rail, 11 ... Outer rail, 2
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ball return prevention device, 22 ... Mounting member, 24 ... Shaft, 25
… Valve element, 26… helical spring, 27a… photo sensor,
31 ... shaft support, 32, 42 ... tongue piece, 33 ... projection.

Claims (1)

[Claims] An outer guide rail laid in a substantially arc shape on a front surface of the game board; and an inner guide rail laid inside the outer guide rail, wherein a substantially upper end portion of the inner guide rail and the outer guide rail are provided. In a gaming machine having an exit portion from which a released game ball is released, and provided with a ball return preventing device at the exit portion for preventing the released game ball from returning, the ball A return prevention device, at least a fixed portion, a valve body that is pivotally supported with respect to the fixed portion and that is allowed to tilt with the release of the game ball, and releases the game ball based on the tilt of the valve body. A discharge detecting means for detecting the valve element, and a return means for returning the valve element after the release of the game ball to an original position, wherein the return means returns the valve element to a vibration when the valve element returns. That vibration suppression means for suppressing The gaming machine to.