JP2002191772A - Game ball anti-returning member and method for preventing static electricity of anti-returning piece - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that electrical noise is caused by static electricity which may be generated on the anti-returning piece because of electrical charge accumulated on it. SOLUTION: The game ball anti-returning member is provided with a fitting member which is mounted on an end of an inner rail laid on a game board and an anti-returning piece of an elastic body whose base is fixed to the fitting member and whose end on the opposite side to its base extends out toward an outer rail laid outside the inner rail. In this case, the anti-returning piece is composed of a member exhibiting conductivity and is conducting from the base of the outer rail by bridging the inner rail and the outer rail. By forming the outer rail a member exhibiting conductivity and connecting it to the ground, the electrical charge flows from the anti-returning piece to the ground through the outer rail. Accordingly, even if electrical charge is generated on the anti- returning piece, it is not accumulated and no static electricity is generated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game ball return preventing member and a method for preventing static electricity of a return preventing piece, and more particularly, to a fixture attached to an end of an inner rail, and a base fixed to the fixture. The present invention relates to a game ball return prevention member including a return prevention piece made of an elastic body and having a tip opposite to the outer rail extending toward the outer rail, and a method for preventing static electricity of the return prevention piece.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a game board of a gaming machine is provided with metal outer rails and inner rails for guiding a game ball fired from a launching device to a game section, and the game ball is placed inside these rails. It is released to the game section through between the rail and the outer rail. Here, a game ball return prevention member is attached to the end of the inner rail so that the game ball does not return from the game unit to the launching device. As this kind of game ball return preventing member, there is known a member disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-11779, as shown in FIG. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the game ball return preventing member 1 in an exploded state as viewed from the game board side.

In FIG. 1, a game ball return preventing member 1 is generally composed of a return preventing piece 2 made of a metal spring plate and an attachment 3 formed of a synthetic resin material. The return preventing piece 2 is formed such that when the game ball return preventing member 1 is attached to the end 4a of the inner rail 4, the tip 2a extends from the base 2b toward the outer rail. The attachment 3 includes a concave portion 3a for inserting and holding the base 2b of the return preventing piece 2, cylindrical portions 3b and 3b into which screws 5 and 5 with flanges are screwed, and an end 4a of the inner rail 4. A minute width slit 3c to be inserted is formed. Base 2b
Is inserted into the concave portion 3a, and the screws 5, 5 with flanges are screwed to the cylindrical portions 3b, 3b, so that the return preventing piece 2 fixes the base portion 2b to the fixture 3. Then, slit 3c is formed at end 4a.
Is fitted, the game ball return preventing member 1 is attached to the end 4a of the inner rail 4. At this time, since the tip 2a of the return preventing piece 2 extends from the inner rail 4 toward the outer rail, the game ball which is going to return from the game section is bounced by the return preventing piece 2.

[0004]

The above-mentioned conventional game ball return preventing member has the following problems.
That is, when a large number of game balls fired from the launch device collide with the return preventing piece, electric charges may be accumulated on the return preventing piece and static electricity may be generated. Then, since electric noise is generated, there is a possibility that the operation of the electronic device provided in the gaming machine may be affected. Further, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 8-570, when the return preventing piece is directly attached to the inner rail, it is necessary to form a hole for locking the return preventing piece on the inner rail. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and does not require special processing on the inner rail, and can prevent static electricity generated on the anti-return piece from being returned. The purpose is to provide a method.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a fixture attached to an end of an inner rail laid on a game board, and a base fixed to the fixture. And a return-preventing piece made of an elastic body extending toward the outer rail laid outside the inner rail at the tip opposite to the base. The piece is a member having conductivity, and is formed so as to extend from the base to the inner rail and the outer rail so as to be electrically connected to the outer rail.

[0006] In the invention according to claim 1 configured as described above, the return preventing piece whose base is fixed to the fixture has conductivity. The return preventing piece extends from the base to the outer rail from the inner rail, and is formed to be conductive from the base to the outer rail.
Then, the electric charge existing in the return preventing piece can be conducted from the base to the outer rail through the inside of the return preventing piece.
Here, if the outer rail is connected to the ground as a conductive member, the charge flows from the return preventing piece to the ground through the outer rail. Therefore, even if charges are generated in the return preventing piece, they are not accumulated and no static electricity is generated.
As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of electric noise that may affect the operation of the electronic device provided in the gaming machine. In addition, since the return preventing piece is attached to the end of the inner rail via the attachment, it is not necessary to perform special processing on the inner rail.

Here, there are various conductive members applicable to the return preventing piece. For example, a plate-shaped metal spring may be applied, or elastic rubber, a semiconductor, or the like may be applied. Also, the anti-return piece may be formed so as to be conductive from the base to the outer rail. As an example thereof, the invention according to claim 2 is the game ball return prevention member according to claim 1, wherein the base of the return prevention piece is a contact portion that extends from the inner rail and contacts the outer rail. Is formed. In the invention according to claim 2 configured as described above, the contact portion formed at the base of the return preventing piece contacts the outer rail. Then, the charge generated in the return preventing piece can move from the contact portion to the outer rail. Therefore, static electricity generated in the return preventing piece can be prevented with a simple configuration.
At this time, it is not necessary to perform special processing on the outer rail.

The contact portion may have various configurations. As an example, the invention according to claim 3 is a game ball return preventing member according to claim 2, wherein the base is provided with the game board. A bridging portion extending in the outer rail direction from the opposite edge is formed, and the contact portion is formed to extend in the gaming board direction from the outer rail side edge of the bridging portion. At the same time, it is configured to contact the outer surface of the outer rail. In the invention according to claim 3 configured as described above, the contact portion is formed from the edge of the base of the return preventing piece via the bridging portion, and contacts the outer surface of the outer rail. That is, the contact portion is formed with a simple structure.

Of course, extending from the edge on the outer rail side of the bridging portion in the direction of the game board to a contact portion is merely an example, and the configuration of the contact portion can be variously changed. For example, the edge of the game board side at the base is folded back to the inner rail side, and a bridging portion extending in the outer rail direction from the edge of the folded portion opposite to the gaming board is formed. The contact portion may be formed by extending from the edge on the rail side in the game board direction. Also, since the outer rail is laid on the game board so as to draw a curve, in order to increase the number of contact points with the outer rail, a plurality of projecting pieces from the outer rail side edge of the bridging part in the game board direction It may be formed.

[0010] Here, the invention according to claim 4 as an example of the configuration of the attachment when the contact portion is formed at the base of the return preventing piece, the game ball according to any one of claims 2 or 3 above. In the return preventing member, the mounting tool is configured to extend from the inner rail to the outer rail to fix the contact portion. In the invention according to claim 4 configured as described above, the contact portion is fixed by a fixture that is bridged from the inner rail to the outer rail.
That is, the contact portion can be more reliably brought into contact with the outer rail, and static electricity generated on the return preventing piece can be prevented.

Further, even when the distance between the inner rail and the outer rail differs depending on the game board to be laid, it is advantageous if the contact portion can be brought into contact with the outer rail. Therefore, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the game ball return preventing member according to the fourth aspect, the contact portion abuts on an outer surface of the outer rail, and the mounting member is provided on an outer surface of the outer rail. And a biasing mechanism for biasing the contact portion abutting on the outer rail in the same outer rail direction. In the invention according to claim 5 configured as described above, the biasing mechanism biases the contact portion in contact with the outer surface of the outer rail in the outer rail direction. That is, even when the distance between the inner rail and the outer rail is different, the contact portion can be brought into contact with the outer rail by the same game ball return preventing member, and the charge generated in the return preventing piece can be moved to the outer rail. Here, the configuration of the biasing mechanism can be various. For example, a configuration may be employed in which a spring is provided on the opposite side of the contact portion from the outer rail to bias the contact portion toward the outer rail, or rubber may be provided instead of the spring.

By the way, the conduction from the base of the return preventing piece to the outer rail can be achieved in addition to the above-mentioned various contact portions. As an example, the invention according to claim 6 is a conductive member for fixing the game ball return prevention member according to claim 1 to the mounting fixture and for conducting a base of the return prevention piece to the outer rail. Is provided. In the invention according to claim 6 configured as described above, the conduction member fixed to the mounting member conducts the base of the return preventing piece to the outer rail. That is, the charge generated on the return preventing piece can move to the outer rail via the conductive member. Therefore,
Static electricity generated on the return preventing piece can be prevented. Also in this case, since the return preventing piece is attached to the end of the inner rail via the fixture, it is not necessary to perform special processing on the inner rail.

Here, in the game ball return preventing member according to claim 6, the conductive member is deformable, and the conductive member is interposed between the base of the return preventing piece and the outer rail. You may comprise with a sexual elastic member. In this case, the electric charge generated in the return preventing piece can move to the outer rail via the conductive elastic member interposed between the base of the return preventing piece and the outer rail. Here, since the conductive elastic member is deformable, the contact area with the return preventing piece and the outer rail increases. Therefore, the electric charge of the anti-return piece can be more reliably moved to the outer rail, and the static electricity generated in the anti-return piece can be prevented.

Various materials such as a conductive rubber, a conductive sponge, and a conductive polymer can be used for the conductive elastic member. Needless to say, even if a conductive elastic member is not used for the conductive member, the charge of the return preventing piece can be moved to the outer rail, so that, for example, a metal plate, a light emitter, a semiconductor, a buzzer, etc. It may be. Further, the attachment may be formed as a conductive member, and the base of the return preventing piece may be formed to be conductive to the outer rail.

Incidentally, when the electric charge generated in the return preventing piece does not sufficiently move to the outer rail, it is advantageous that the charge can be moved to the inner rail. Therefore, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the game ball return prevention member according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the base of the return prevention piece has a second contact that comes into contact with the inner rail. This is a configuration in which a portion is formed. In the invention according to claim 7 configured as described above, the second contact portion formed at the base of the return preventing piece is in contact with the inner rail. Then, the charge generated on the return preventing piece can move from the second contact portion to the inner rail. Here, if the inner rail is connected to ground as a conductive member,
Charge flows from the anti-return strip to ground through the inner rail. Therefore, even when the charge generated in the return preventing piece does not sufficiently move to the outer rail, static electricity generated in the return preventing piece can be reliably prevented.

The configuration of the second contact portion can be various. For example, in the game ball return preventing member according to claim 7, the second contact portion is formed by folding an edge portion of the base portion toward the inner rail, and abuts on an inner surface of the inner rail. It is good also as a structure to make it. In this case, the contact portion formed by folding the edge of the base of the return preventing piece toward the inner rail contacts the inner surface of the inner rail.
That is, the second contact portion is formed with a simple structure.

Here, the edge of the return preventing piece at the base of the game board at the base may be folded back toward the inner rail to form a second contact portion, or the edge of the base opposite to the game board at the side of the inner rail. The second contact portion may be folded back. Further, the edge of the base opposite to the tip may be folded back toward the inner rail to form a second contact portion. Obviously, turning the edge of the base portion toward the inner rail to form the second contact portion is merely an example, and the configuration of the second contact portion may be various other than the above. For example, the second contact portion may be formed so that the edge of the base extends to the side opposite to the tip of the return preventing piece and abuts against the inner side surface of the inner rail. At that time, in order to increase the contact area with the inner rail laid on the game board so as to draw a curve, the second contact portion may be formed into a curved shape substantially matching the inner side surface of the inner rail, In order to increase the number of locations, the edge of the base may be formed as a plurality of projecting pieces extending to the side opposite to the tip of the return preventing piece.

As described above, the method of preventing static electricity on the return preventing piece does not necessarily need to be limited to a substantial game ball return preventing member. Therefore, as one example, the invention according to claim 8 is a mounting device attached to an end of an inner rail laid on a game board, and a base fixed to the mounting device and having a tip opposite to the base. A game ball return prevention member having an elastic return member formed of an elastic body extending toward the outer rail laid outside the inner rail. The prevention piece is formed of a member having conductivity, and the inner rail and the outer rail are bridged from the base and are formed so as to be electrically connected to the outer rail, thereby preventing static electricity of the return prevention piece. is there. That is, the present invention is not necessarily limited to a substantial game ball return prevention member, and is also effective as an antistatic method for a return prevention piece.
It goes without saying that the configuration described in claim 7 can be adapted to the method.

[0019]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game ball return preventing member capable of preventing static electricity generated on a return preventing piece without requiring special processing on an inner rail. . Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent static electricity generated in the return preventing piece with a simple configuration. Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the invention, the contact portion can be formed with a simple structure.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to more reliably prevent static electricity generated on the return preventing piece. Furthermore, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, even when the distance between the inner rail and the outer rail is different depending on the game board to be laid, the contact portion is brought into contact with the outer rail with the same game ball return preventing member, thereby ensuring the And the static electricity generated in the prevention piece can be prevented. Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 6, there is provided another example of a game ball return preventing member which does not require special processing on the inner rail and can prevent static electricity generated on the return preventing piece. Can be.

Further, according to the present invention, even when the electric charge generated in the return preventing piece does not sufficiently move to the outer rail, it is possible to reliably prevent static electricity generated in the return preventing piece. Further, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an antistatic method for the anti-return piece, which does not require special processing on the inner rail and can prevent static electricity generated on the anti-return piece. .

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a game machine to which a game ball return preventing member 30 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached. In the same figure, a front frame 11 formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape is mounted on the front of the gaming machine, and a metal frame 12 formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape is provided inside the front frame 11. I have. A flat glass door 13 is attached to the upper side of the metal frame 12, and a flat front plate 14 is attached to the lower side. A game board 15 is arranged behind the glass door 13, and is visible through the glass door 13. A metal guide rail 16 is laid on the front of the game board 15, and a plurality of windmills 17 a are provided in a game section 17 surrounded by the guide rail 16.
And a normal winning opening 17b, a variable winning opening 17c in which the size of the entrance where the game ball wins changes, a large winning opening 17d in which the entrance where the game ball wins is opened and closed, and the like are provided. In addition, an opening is provided at a substantially central portion of the game section 17, and a display device 17e for displaying a state such as a big hit state is attached.

An upper plate 14a is mounted on the front surface of the front plate 14, so that game balls to be hit are accommodated. Further, below the metal frame 12, a handle 18 for changing the strength of hitting a game ball supplied from the upper plate 14a,
A lower plate 19 for storing extra balls is attached. Note that a prize ball tank and various pachinko ball processing mechanisms (not shown) are attached to the rear side of the front frame 11.

The guide rail 16 includes an inner rail 21 and
Outer rail 22 laid outside this inner rail 21
It is composed of The end of the inner rail 21 at the upper left of the game section 17 has a discharge port 2 between the outer rail 22 and the outer rail 22.
3 are formed. A game ball return prevention member 30 according to the present invention is attached to an end of the inner rail 21. And the return prevention piece 31 of the game ball return prevention member 30
Has a tip extending substantially upward from the end of the inner rail 21 toward the outer rail 22, so that when the game ball does not pass through, the discharge port 23 is closed. A game ball fired from a firing device (not shown) moves between the inner rail 21 and the outer rail 22, passes through the return prevention piece 31 of the game ball return prevention member 30, and is released to the game unit 17. . The return preventing piece 31 is a metal elastic body,
When a game ball collides, it bends toward the inner rail 21 to pass the game ball. When the speed of the game ball passing through the return preventing piece 31 is high, the game ball collides with a return rubber 24 provided at the upper right of the game section 17 and can change its traveling direction. On the other hand, the game ball moving from the game section 17 toward the discharge port 23 is bounced back by the return preventing piece 31 arranged so as to close between the inner rail 21 and the outer rail 22. Therefore, the game balls released to the game section 17 do not return to the launch device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the game ball return preventing member 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in an exploded state as viewed from the game board 15 side. That is, the upper side of the figure is the game board 15 side, and the lower side is the glass door 13 side. The illustration of the game board 15 is omitted. Also,
In the present embodiment, the inside direction of the game board 15 is simply described as an inside direction, and the outside direction of the game board 15 is simply described as an outside direction. In the figure, the game ball return preventing member 30 is generally composed of a metal spring plate material, that is, a return preventing piece 31 made of an elastic body having conductivity, and a fixture 32 made of a synthetic resin material. The return-preventing piece 31 is the inner rail 2
The tip 31a is formed so as to extend from the base 31b toward the outer rail 22 when the end 21a is at a predetermined position. The attachment 32 is formed to be slightly wider than the inner rail 21, and flanges 32 a, 32 a project from both ends on the side facing the game board 15, respectively. The flanges 32a, 32a are fitted to holes formed in the game board 15 to temporarily fix the fittings 32, and the fittings 32 are fixed to the game board 15 with screws. Through holes 32c, 32c are formed. Also, a recess 32 d for inserting and holding the base 31 b of the return preventing piece 31 in the fixture 32,
A cylindrical portion 32e into which a screw 33 with a flange is screwed, and a slit 3 having a small width into which the end 21a of the inner rail 21 is inserted.
2f is formed. At the tip of the slit 32f, a stopper projection 32g for defining an insertion position with respect to the inner rail 21 is formed along a direction orthogonal to the slit 32f.

The recess 32d opens in the direction of the game board 15 and has an opening 32h formed on the surface from which game balls are released. The opening 32h is set to have an opening width that allows the return prevention piece 31 to sufficiently allow the required bending deformation. Further, the stopper projection 3 is moved from the edge 32j on the inner rail 21 side.
Substantially half of the side opposite to 2g is cut out to form an opening 32k. The opening 32k is provided with a return prevention piece 31 described later.
The width is slightly wider than the bridging portion 31f. The bridging portion 3 extending outward from the glass door 13 side of the opening 32k
2l extends, and an extending portion 32m extends in the direction of the game board 15 from the outer edge of the bridging portion 32l. The bridging portion 32l is slightly longer than the interval between the inner rail 21 and the outer rail 22, and the game ball return preventing member 3 is provided at the end 21a.
The extension 32m is disposed outside the outer rail 22 when 0 is attached. The inner surface of the extension 32m is in close contact with the outer surface of the contact portion 31d of the return preventing piece 31 when the return preventing piece 31 is attached to the fixture 32. That is, the attachment 32 is attached to the inner rail 21.
From the outside rail 22 to fix the contact portion 31d.

The return preventing piece 31 has an end 31c opposite to the tip 31a of the base 31b inserted into the recess 32d.
Are bent inward at substantially right angles. Base 31
b into the recess 32d, the end 31c
The side surface d is hooked on a hook portion 32i formed on the side opposite to the opening 32h. Then, the cover 34 is put on the opening of the recess 32d, the screw portion 33a of the screw 33 with a flange is passed through the through hole 34a formed in the cover 34, and the screw 33 with the flange is screwed into the cylindrical portion 32e. 3
Reference numeral 1 denotes a base 31b fixed to a fixture 32. When the attachment 32 is slightly moved from the position on the side of the glass door 13 toward the end 21a, and the slit 32f is fitted to the end 21a, as shown in FIG. Is attached to the end 21a of the inner rail 21.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the state of the game ball return preventing member 30 at this time. The illustration of the game board 15 is omitted. In the same figure, the tip 31a side of the return preventing piece 31 extends from the portion protruding from the opening 32h to the outlet 2
3 is gently bent in the direction of closing. That is,
The return preventing piece 31 is assembled so that the discharge port 23 is closed. The return prevention piece 31 is made of a material having a low rigidity that does not hinder the passage of the fired game balls, but is sufficiently resistant to the impact when the return balls from the game board 15 hit. The rigidity is such that it can withstand the pressure.

When a large number of game balls fired from the launching device collide with the return preventing piece 31, electric charges may be accumulated on the return preventing piece 31 and static electricity may be generated. The accumulated charge may be a positive charge or a negative charge depending on the material of the game board 15 or the like. Then, electric noise is generated, which may affect the operation of an electronic device (not shown) provided in the gaming machine. On the other hand, if the return prevention piece 31 is directly attached to the inner rail 21, it is necessary to machine a hole for locking the return prevention piece on the inner rail 21. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the outer rail 22 made of metal is connected to the ground, and
A contact portion 31d is formed on the base 31b so as to extend from the base 31b to the inner rail 21 and the outer rail 22 so as to conduct to the outer rail 22.

The contact portion 31d is formed such that the bridging portion 31f extends outward from the edge 31e of the base 31b of the return preventing piece 31 on the side of the glass door 13 and extends from the outer edge 31g of the bridging portion 31f. It is formed to extend in the direction of the game board 15. The bridge 31f is the inner rail 2
When the game ball return preventing member 30 is attached to the end 21a, the contact portion 31d is formed between the inner surface of the extension 32m of the attachment 32 and the outer rail 22. It is sandwiched while being in contact with the outer side surface 22a. That is, the contact portion 31 d formed on the base portion 31 b of the return preventing piece 31 extends from the inner rail 21 and contacts the outer rail 22. In the present embodiment, although a slight gap occurs between the bridging portion 31f and the edge of the inner rail 21 on the glass door 13 side, the bridging portion 31f is in contact with the edge of the inner rail 21. You may.

When the return preventing piece 31 is fixed to the fixture 32, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 4, the surface of the bridging part 31f on the glass door 13 side comes into close contact with the bridging part 32l of the fitting 32, and The outer surface of the portion 31 d is the extension 32 of the fixture 32.
m. When the attachment 32 is attached to the end 21a of the inner rail 21 as shown in FIG. 3, the contact portion 31d formed on the base 31b of the return prevention piece 31, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. It is bridged from the inner rail 21 to the outer rail 22 on the glass door 13 side and abuts on the outer surface 22 a of the outer rail 22. In addition,
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the game ball return preventing member 30 attached to the end 21a of the inner rail 21 as viewed from the position AA in FIG. That is, it is possible to conduct from the base 31b of the return preventing piece 31 to the outer rail 22 with a simple structure.

Here, the outer rail 22 connected to the ground has conductivity, and the return preventing piece 31 is also formed of a member having conductivity. Then, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 6, the electric charge existing in the return preventing piece 31 moves inside the return preventing piece 31 from the tip 31a toward the base 31b, and further moves inside the bridging part 31f in the outward direction. Go to Then, after being transferred from the contact portion 31d to the outer surface 22a of the outer rail 22, it moves inside the outer rail 22 in the direction of the ground connection portion, and flows to the ground. That is, the charge generated in the return preventing piece 31 flows out to the ground via the outer rail 22. 6 shows the game ball return preventing member 30 attached to the end 21a of the inner rail 21 as seen vertically from the game board 15 side through the attachment 32 and the like. Therefore, even if electric charge is generated in the return preventing piece 31, it is not accumulated, and no static electricity is generated. As a result, generation of electric noise can be prevented, and the operation of the electronic device provided in the gaming machine is not affected. Further, since the return preventing piece 31 is attached to the end 21a of the inner rail 21 via the attachment 32, there is no need to perform special processing on the inner rail 21. Contact part 31d
Is formed so as to contact the outer side surface 22a of the outer rail 22, so that there is no need to perform special processing on the outer rail 22. Furthermore, from the inner rail 21 to the outer rail 2
Since the contact portion 31d is fixed by the fixture 32 bridged between the outer rail 22, the contact portion 31d can be reliably brought into contact with the outer rail 22, and static electricity generated on the return preventing piece 31 can be prevented.

By the way, the conduction from the base of the return preventing piece to the inner rail can be realized by means other than providing the above-mentioned contact portion. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the game ball return preventing member 40 according to the second embodiment of the present invention viewed from the game board side in an exploded state. In the figure, a contact portion is not provided on the return preventing piece 41, and instead, a conducting member 45 fixed to the fixture 42 and conducting the base 41 b of the return preventing piece 41 to the outer rail 22 is provided. .
The conductive member 45 is formed from a metal spring plate so that the cross section thereof is substantially U-shaped with the opening facing the game board 15 side. When the conductive member 45 is fixed to the fixture 42, the conductive member 45 contacts the outer surface of the base 41b at the innermost contact surface 45a. Also, the glass door 1 on the contact surface 45a
The bridging portion 45f extends outward from the third side edge 45e, and the outer brim 45f of the bridging portion 45f.
The contact surface 45d extends from g to the game board 15 direction.

The base 41b of the return preventing piece 41 and the conductive member 4
5 is inserted into the concave portion 42d, and the concave portion 42d
The cover 44 is put on the opening of the
When screwed to 2e, the base 41b and the contact surface 45a of the return preventing piece 41 and the conductive member 45 are fixed to the fixture 42.
Then, the slit 42f of the attachment 42 is inserted into the inner rail 21.
Of the game ball return preventing member 4
0 is attached to the same end 21a. The appearance of the game ball return preventing member 40 at this time is slightly different,
It is the same as the game ball return prevention member 30 shown in FIG. Then, the contact surface 45d of the conductive member 45 contacts the outer surface 22a of the outer rail 22.

That is, the conductive member 45 fixed to the mounting member 42 connects the base 41 b of the return preventing piece 41 to the outer rail 2.
Conduction to 2. Then, the electric charge generated in the return preventing piece can move to the outer rail via the conductive member with a simple structure. Also in this case, since the return preventing piece is attached to the end of the inner rail via the fixture, it is not necessary to perform special processing on the inner rail.

The conductive member can have various configurations. For example, as in a game ball return preventing member 50 shown in FIG. 8, a deformable conductive elastic member 5 that conducts the base 51b of the return preventing piece 51 to the outer rail 22 as a conductive member.
5 may be used. In addition, as the conductive elastic member 55,
Conductive rubber having a substantially U-shaped cross section with the opening facing the glass door 13 is used. In the drawing, for convenience, the surface of the conductive elastic member 55 is marked with a number of points. Here, as the conductive elastic member 55, in addition to the conductive rubber,
A conductive polymer such as conductive polyacetylene, conductive polypyrrole, or conductive polythiophene may be used, or a porous conductive sponge may be used.

The return preventing piece 51 has a bridging portion 51f extending outward from an edge 51e on the glass door 13 side of the base portion 51b and an extending portion 51d extending from an outer edge 51g of the bridging portion 51f. Extend in the direction of the game board 15. The extending portion 51d can be inserted into a concave portion 55a sandwiched between both opposing wing sides of the conductive elastic member 55. Fix the return prevention piece 51 to the mounting fixture 52,
When the attachment 52 is attached to the end 21a of the inner rail 21 by inserting the extension 51d into the recess 55a, the extension 51d formed on the base 51b of the return prevention piece 51 and the outer surface 22a of the outer rail 22 are connected. The conductive elastic member 55 is interposed therebetween.

Then, the electric charge generated in the return preventing piece 51 moves from the extending portion 51d formed on the base 51b to the outer rail 22 via the conductive elastic member 55. Here, since the conductive elastic member 55 is deformable, the contact area with the return preventing piece 51 and the outer rail 22 is large. Therefore, the electric charge of the anti-return piece can be more reliably moved to the outer rail, and the static electricity generated in the anti-return piece can be prevented. The conductive member 45 in FIG. 7 may be replaced by a conductive elastic member such as conductive rubber instead of a metal spring plate.
Similar effects can be obtained.

In addition, a configuration may be adopted in which the conducting member is a light emitting body, and light is emitted using electric charges moving from the return preventing piece to the outer rail. Various light sources such as a neon lamp and a light emitting diode can be used as the light emitter.
In addition, when a certain voltage is required to allow a current to flow through the light-emitting body, the light-emitting body can be turned on and off according to the number of game balls that have passed the return preventing piece. Obviously, forming the conductive member with a light emitting body is only an example. For example, the conducting member may be configured by a diode or other semiconductor that does not emit light, or may be configured by a buzzer, and various configurations are possible. Even in these cases, static electricity generated on the return preventing piece can be prevented.

When the electric charge generated in the return preventing piece does not sufficiently move to the outer rail because the outer rail cannot be connected to the ground or the like, it is advantageous that the electric charge can be moved to the inner rail. It is. FIG. 9 shows a game ball return preventing member 60 according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the disassembled state viewed from the game board 15 side. In this embodiment, both the inner rail 21 and the outer rail 22 are connected to the ground. Also, the base portion 6 is connected to the outer rail 22 from the base portion 61b.
A contact portion 61d is formed in 1b, and a second contact portion 61h is also formed to conduct from the base 61b of the return preventing piece 61 to the inner rail 21. That is, the edge 61e of the base portion 61b on the game board 15 side is folded back toward the inner rail 21 to form the second contact portion 61h, and the second contact portion 61h is bridged from the edge of the glass door 13 side. The contact portion 61d is formed so that the portion 61f extends outward and extends from the outer edge of the bridging portion 61f toward the game board 15 toward the game board 15.

On the other hand, the mounting member 62 has no opening formed on the inner rail 21 side of the concave portion 62d.
When fixing 1 to the fixture 62, the second contact portion 61h passes over the edge 62j on the inner rail 21 side. The attachment 62 has a bridging portion 62l extending outward from the glass door 13 side in accordance with the shape of the bridging portion 61f of the return preventing piece 61, and bridging in accordance with the shape of the contact portion 61d of the return preventing piece 61. An extending portion 62m extends from the outer edge of the transfer portion 62l toward the game board 15. When the attachment 62 is attached to the end 21 a of the inner rail 21, the attachment 62 is bridged from the inner rail 21 to the outer rail 22 at the bridge 621, and the extension 62.
The contact portion 61d is fixed at m.

When the return preventing piece 61 is fixed to the fixture 62, the second contact portion 61h becomes the edge 62 on the inner rail 21 side.
j, and the contact portion 61d comes into contact with the inner surface of the extending portion 62m. Then, when the attachment 62 is attached to the end 21 a of the inner rail 21, the contact portion 6 formed on the base 61 b of the return preventing piece 61 is formed.
1 d abuts on the outer surface 22 a of the outer rail 22, and the second contact portion 61 h formed on the base 61 b abuts on the inner surface 21 b of the inner rail 21.

Then, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 10, the electric charge existing on the return preventing piece 61 flows from the contact portion 61d to the ground via the outer rail 22, and also from the second contact portion 61h to the ground. After being delivered to the inner side surface 21b of the rail 21, it flows to the ground through the inside of the inner rail 21. That is, the charge generated in the return preventing piece 61 escapes to the ground through the inner rail 21. Therefore, even when the charge generated in the return preventing piece does not sufficiently move to the outer rail, static electricity generated in the return preventing piece can be reliably prevented. Forming the contact portion 61d from the edge of the second contact portion 61h via the bridging portion 61f is merely an example, and the configuration of the second contact portion can be variously changed. For example, in the return preventing piece 31 of FIG. 2 in which the contact portion 31d is formed, the edge of the base portion 31b on the game board 15 side may be extended and folded back toward the inner rail 21 to form a second contact portion.

Further, even when the distance between the inner rail and the outer rail is different, it is convenient if the above-mentioned contact portion can be brought into contact with the outer surface of the outer rail. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the game ball return preventing member 70 according to the fourth embodiment when viewed from the game board 15 side in an exploded state.
In the figure, the return preventing piece 71 is formed of conductive rubber which is a conductive elastic member. The return prevention piece 71 is formed in substantially the same shape as the return prevention piece 61 of FIG. 9 except that it is slightly thick. On the other hand, an urging plate 7 is provided on the inner side surface of the extension 72m via coil springs 72n, 72n.
2o is attached substantially parallel to the extension 72m. Then, when the return preventing piece 71 is fixed to the fixture 72,
The urging plate 72o urges the contact portion 71d inward. That is, the extension 72m, the coil springs 72n, 72
n, the urging plate 72o constitutes an urging mechanism according to the present invention, which urges the contact portion in contact with the outer surface of the outer rail in the direction of the outer rail.

When the attachment 72 is fixed to the end 21a of the inner rail 21 while the biasing plate 72o is pulled outward, the return prevention piece 71 is fixed to the attachment 72.
The contact portion 71d formed on the base 71b of the outer rail 2
2 is in contact with the outer surface 22a. Here, since the contact portion 71d is urged in the direction of the outer rail 22 by the urging plate 72o, the contact portion can be brought into contact with the outer rail even when the distance between the inner rail and the outer rail is different. Therefore, even when the distance between the inner rail and the outer rail is different, the contact portion can be brought into contact with the outer rail.

As described above, according to the present invention, the electric charge existing in the return preventing piece flows from the base to the outer rail and the inner rail through the inside of the return preventing piece.
At this time, since the return preventing piece is attached to the end of the inner rail via the attachment, it is not necessary to perform special processing on the inner rail. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform special processing on the inner rail, and it is possible to provide a game ball return preventing member and a method for preventing static electricity of the return preventing piece that can prevent static electricity generated on the return preventing piece.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a gaming machine to which a game ball return preventing member according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached, as viewed from the front.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the game ball return prevention member in an exploded state viewed from the game board side.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state of a game ball return preventing member attached to an end of an inner rail.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state of the game ball return prevention member when the return prevention piece is fixed to the fixture.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the game ball return preventing member attached to the end of the inner rail, as viewed from the position of AA in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view showing the game ball return preventing member attached to the end of the inner rail viewed from the game board side in a vertical direction through a fixture and the like.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the game ball return preventing member according to the second embodiment in an exploded state viewed from the game board side.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a game ball return preventing member according to a modification in an exploded state as viewed from the game board side.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the game ball return preventing member according to the third embodiment in an exploded state viewed from the game board side.

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing the game ball return preventing member attached to the end of the inner rail as seen vertically from the game board side through the attachment and the like.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the game ball return preventing member according to the fourth embodiment in an exploded state viewed from the game board side.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a game ball return preventing member according to a conventional example in an exploded state viewed from the game board side.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Inner rail 21a ... End part 21b ... Inner side surface 22 ... Outer rail 22a ... Outer side surface 23 ... Discharge port 24 ... Return rubber 30 ... Game ball return prevention member 31 ... Return prevention piece 31a ... Tip 31b ... Base 31c ... End part 31d ... contact part 31e ... edge part 31f ... bridge part 31g ... edge part 32 ... mounting part 32l ... bridge part 32m ... extension part 45 ... conduction member 55 ... conductive elastic member 61d, 71d ... contact part 61h ... Second contact part 72m ... extension part 72n ... coil spring 72o ... urging plate

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A fixture attached to an end of an inner rail laid on a game board, and a base fixed to the fixture and having a tip opposite to the base laid outside the inner rail. A game ball return prevention member comprising an elastic member extending toward the outer rail, wherein the return prevention member is a member having conductivity, and the inner rail is formed from the base. A game ball return preventing member formed so as to extend between the outer rail and the outer rail so as to be electrically connected to the outer rail. 2. The game ball return prevention member according to claim 1, wherein a base portion of the return prevention piece is formed with a contact portion that extends from the inner rail and contacts the outer rail. Characteristic game ball return prevention member. 3. The game ball return preventing member according to claim 2, wherein the base portion has a bridging portion extending in a direction of the outer rail from an edge portion on a side opposite to the game board, The contact portion is formed so as to extend from the edge of the bridging portion on the side of the outer rail in the direction of the game board, and abuts against the outer surface of the outer rail. . 4. The game ball return preventing member according to claim 2, wherein the mounting member is bridged from the inner rail to the outer rail to fix the contact portion. A game ball return prevention member characterized by the above-mentioned. 5. The game ball return preventing member according to claim 4, wherein the contact portion abuts on an outer surface of the outer rail, and wherein the mounting member abuts on an outer surface of the outer rail. A game ball return preventing member comprising an urging mechanism for urging the contact portion in the same outer rail direction. 6. The game ball return preventing member according to claim 1, further comprising: a conductive member fixed to the fixture and configured to conduct the base of the return preventing piece to the outer rail. Characteristic game ball return prevention member. 7. The game ball return prevention member according to claim 1, wherein a second contact portion that contacts the inner rail is formed at a base of the return prevention piece. A game ball return preventing member. 8. A fixture attached to an end of an inner rail laid on a game board, a base fixed to the fixture, and a tip opposite to the base laid outside the inner rail. A game ball return prevention member having a return prevention member made of an elastic body extending toward the outer rail, wherein the return prevention piece is a member having conductivity. Forming the inner rail and the outer rail from the base to conduct to the outer rail to prevent static electricity of the return preventing piece; Method.