JP2002306785A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine, which prevents launched pinballs from scattering outside or entering a game field when a glass frame thereof is open or an error occurs. SOLUTION: The game machine comprises a pinball blocker 40 provided at the base of a pinball path 30 to be selectively projectable. The pinball blocker 40 is retracted in a pocket 35 formed on a game board 36 when the game machine is in a normal state, while prevents pinballs continuously launched by a pinball launcher from entering a game field 20 and leads them to a foul pinball outlet when the game machine is in a predetermined state where a glass frame 37 is open or an error occurs.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly, to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine which plays a game by driving a game ball into a game area.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A game machine such as a pachinko machine starts a game by hitting a game ball into a substantially circular game area from a game ball firing device with a firing intensity that can be adjusted by a player. A game ball driven into the game area from the launch device along the ball path collides with a large number of nails and the like implanted on the entire surface of the game area and flows down while changing the path in a complicated manner.

In the game area, there are a plurality of winning ports, gates,
A plurality of devices such as a start area and a winning opening are provided. When a game ball flowing down in the game area wins a winning port, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to a player from a prize ball payout device in the gaming machine.

[0004] On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the gate, the normal symbol starts to fluctuate by a normal symbol display device generally formed by a plurality (for example, three) of LEDs (light emitting diodes), and a "hit" or "missing" occurs. Is displayed. In the case of "hit", the electric accessory formed in the starting area is opened for a certain period of time to facilitate the passage of the game ball to the starting area.

When the game ball passes through the starting area, the special symbols displayed in a plurality of symbol display areas of the special symbol display device generally formed of a color liquid crystal display device start to fluctuate and effect display. Determine "big hit" or "miss". In the case of the "big hit", a big hit round advantageous to the player who opens the big winning port for a fixed time and facilitates winning of the game ball is exhausted a predetermined number of times.

[0006] In the above-mentioned gaming machine, for example, a game ball is clogged in a winning opening or the like, so that it becomes impossible to win a subsequent game ball,
An error (an error caused by the game ball count switch) may occur.

[0007] When such an error occurs, the player needs to call a store clerk of the game store to open the glass frame on the front of the game board and repair the error. Also, in the case of a U error, it is necessary to cause one game ball to win in a specific area of the special winning opening by hand.

[0008]

However, in a conventional gaming machine, when the player grips the firing handle,
The touch sensor operates to keep launching game balls from the launch device. Therefore, a store clerk may open the glass frame of the game board for error correction while the player holds the firing handle.

When a game ball is driven into the game area with the glass frame opened, the game ball scatters from the game area to the front (outside). And the work of collecting the game balls scattered around the gaming machine was very troublesome. In addition, if the game ball is continuously fired when an error occurs, the game ball is wasted and the player is disadvantaged.

The present invention has been conceived in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional gaming machine. When the gaming machine is in the above-mentioned specific state, a game ball fired from a game ball launching device is provided in a game area. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine which can be prevented from being driven into the inside.

[0011]

A game machine according to the present invention is a game machine in which a game ball continuously fired from a game ball launching device is driven into a game area of a game board along a ball path, A game ball blocking portion for preventing a game ball fired from a game ball launch device from being driven into a game area is provided in a ball passage.

Further, the gaming machine according to the present invention provides a game ball continuously fired from a game ball launching device with a strength adjustable by a player rotating a firing handle along a ball path on a game board. A game ball is driven into the area, and includes a game ball blocking unit for preventing a game ball launched from the game ball launching device from entering the game area when the gaming machine is in a predetermined state. Things.

Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, the game ball blocking portion is formed so as to protrude into the ball passage. The game ball blocking portion is spring-biased and automatically projects into the ball passage when the front glass frame of the game board is opened. The game ball blocking portion is accommodated in the game board surface in a normal state, and is driven by the driving means to protrude when an error occurs. A buffer member is provided on the game ball collision surface of the game ball blocking unit.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The construction and operation of a preferred embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board of a first embodiment of a game machine according to the present invention. The game board 10 is substantially square and has a substantially circular game area 20 inside. In this game area 20, a pair of left and right gates 21, a plurality of winning openings 22,
3, starting area 24, large winning opening 25, special symbol display device 26, normal symbol display device 27, the lower exit port 28 of the game area 20, and a large number of nails 29 planted in a complex geometric pattern over the entire surface Is provided. For example, the special symbol display device 26 is formed by a color liquid crystal display panel, and the normal symbol display device 27 is formed by a plurality (three) of LEDs (light emitting diodes).

A ball passage 30 including an inner rail 31 and an outer rail 32 is formed on the left side in the game area 20. A game ball fired from a game ball launching device (not shown) arranged below the game board 10 is played by being driven into the upper part of the game area 20 along the ball path 30.

At the base (or lower end) of the ball passage 30, a game ball blocking portion (or firing ball blocking piece) 40 is formed. The game ball blocking portion 40 is housed in a storage room 35 formed on the game board surface in a normal state (or a normal state where there is no error in the gaming machine), and formed so as to protrude into the ball passage 30 in a predetermined state. Have been.

The above-described game ball launching device is configured to continuously shoot, for example, about 100 game balls per minute when a player grips a launch handle (not shown). The firing intensity of the game ball can be adjusted by rotating the firing handle by the player according to the rotation angle. The game ball fired from the game ball launching device collides with a nail or the like in the game area 20 and flows down the game area 20 along a complicated path while repelling.

A game ball flowing down the game area 20 has a winning opening 22,
When one of the prizes is won, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player from a prize ball payout device (not shown) provided in the gaming machine. When the game ball passes through the gate 21, the symbol of the symbol display device 27 is usually changed to “hit” or “miss”.
To determine. In the case of "hit", the electric accessory provided in connection with the starting area 24 is opened, and the starting area 24 of the game ball is opened.
Facilitates the passage to

When the game ball passes through the starting area 24, for example, the display symbols "0" to "9" displayed on the plurality of symbol display areas set in the special symbol display device 26 are changed (scroll). To display “big hit” or “losing”. If the symbol displayed (or stopped) in the plurality of symbol display areas is the "big hit symbol", the big winning port 25 having a wide game ball entrance is opened for a certain period of time, and a plurality of big hit operations (rounds) are performed. )I do.

It should be noted that, of the game balls hit into the game area 20, the game balls which have not won or passed through the winning ports 22, 23, the starting area 24 or the open large winning port 25 in the open state are out ports.
Guided to 28. The game balls guided to the out port 28 are transferred to the outside of the machine (for example, an island facility of a game shop where a number of game machines are installed).

In the normal state of the gaming machine, the above-described gaming ball blocking portion 40 is accommodated (retracted) in the accommodation room 35 and does not prevent the passing of the gaming balls fired from the gaming ball launching device in the ball passage 30. . However, when the clerk of the game store is in a predetermined state such as opening the glass frame on the front of the game board 10, the game ball blocking portion 40 automatically projects into the ball passage 30. As a result, the game balls continuously fired from the game ball launching device move to the ball passage.
It is effectively prevented from entering the game area 20 along 30 and guided to the foul ball discharge port and discharged to the lower tray, so that the game balls are not scattered outside the machine.

Next, FIGS. 2 and 3 show a main part of a first embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention. The game ball blocking unit 40 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
FIG. 2 shows the configuration and operation of the gaming machine according to the present invention when the glass frame 37 provided on the front surface of the game machine 10 is opened and closed, FIG. 2 shows a normal state in which the glass frame 37 is closed, and FIG. State. 2 and 3, (A) is a sectional view, and (B) is a perspective view excluding a glass frame 37.

The game ball blocking portion 40 is a substantially inverted "L" -shaped integral member including a substantially vertical flat plate portion and a key portion at the upper portion thereof, and is formed of metal or plastic. The game ball blocking portion 40 is sized to be slidably accommodated in the accommodation room 35 of the game board surface 36. Also,
A pressing portion 43 extends forward from the front surface of the flat plate portion of the game ball blocking portion 40, and for example, two cuts 42 are formed on the rear surface, and each receives one end of a coil spring 44. The other end of the coil spring 44 is fixed to a storage chamber 35 formed on the game board surface 36 by a mounting screw 45.

First, a normal state in which the glass frame 37 shown in FIG. 2 is closed will be described. In this normal state, the glass plate 38 covering the front surface of the game board and the glass frame 37 attached to the periphery thereof are held at a fixed interval from the game board 36, and the above-mentioned game balls flow down inside the space. When the glass frame 37 is closed, as shown best in FIG. 2A, the pressing portion 43 of the game ball blocking portion 40 is pushed by the back surface of the glass frame 37 and the main body of the game ball blocking portion 40 is formed. Are pushed into the storage chamber 35 against the elasticity of the coil spring 44. That is, since the main body of the game ball blocking unit 40 is located substantially at the same position as the front surface of the game board surface 36 and does not protrude into the ball passage 30, the game ball fired from the game ball launching device is The ball is hit into the game area 20 along the ball passage 30 without being hindered.

On the other hand, when the glass frame 37 is in the open state, as shown in FIG.
, The game ball blocking portion 40 projects into the front ball passage 30 due to the elasticity of the coil spring 44. Therefore, the game ball fired from the game ball launching device collides with the flat plate portion and the key-shaped portion of the game ball blocking portion 40 and is rebounded, guided to the foul ball discharge port, and discharged to the lower tray, so that the ball is discharged. The entry into the game area 20 along the passage 30 is prevented.

Next, a second embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the same reference numerals are used for the components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment for convenience of explanation. In the first embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention described above, the game ball blocking unit 40 uses the elasticity of the coil spring 44 to move the game ball blocking unit 40 into the ball passage 30 in response to opening and closing of the glass frame 37. Selectively protruding. But,
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the game ball blocking unit 40a is driven via an arm 52 by a solenoid 50 disposed behind the game board surface 36. Therefore, in this game ball blocking unit 40a,
The push-out portion 43 and the coil spring 44 are unnecessary.

FIG. 4A shows that the gaming machine is in a normal state,
The game ball blocking portion 40a is accommodated in the accommodation room 35 of the game board 36 and does not protrude into the ball passage 30. Therefore, the game ball fired from the game ball launching device is driven into the game area 20 along the ball passage 30, and the player can play the game.

On the other hand, FIG. 4B shows that when an error occurs in the gaming machine, for example, an error signal from a game ball count switch provided in a special winning opening (see 25 in FIG. 1) is sent to the main board. This shows a state where the solenoid 50 is operated by a control signal from the main board. In this state, the arm 52 extends to cause the game ball blocking portion 40a to protrude into the ball passage 30. Therefore, the game balls fired from the game ball firing device are guided to the foul ball discharge port and discharged to the lower tray, so that they can be prevented from entering the game area 20. When the above-mentioned error is recovered, the game ball blocking unit 40a is operated by the solenoid 50.
Is returned to the normal state of FIG.

The configuration and operation of the preferred embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention have been described above in detail. However, these embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention in any way. Without departing from the spirit of the invention,
Various modifications can be made according to the specific application. For example, the shape of the game ball blocking unit 40 is not limited to the specific shape described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 and may be configured as shown in FIGS.

In the modification shown in FIG. 5 (A), the upper part of the game ball blocking portion 40 is a diagonally formed key-shaped portion 41a, and the game ball 60 fired from the game ball launching device is sent to the game board 36 side. Repel. Thereby, it is reliably guided to the foul ball discharge port. In the modification shown in FIG. 5B, a game ball blocking unit is provided.
The contact surface of the upper portion 40 with the game ball 60 is formed obliquely as in FIG. 5 (A) and has an arc-shaped key-like portion 41b. Further, in the modification shown in FIG. 5C, a cushioning member (or elastic member) 46 such as rubber is provided on the game ball collision surface of the game ball blocking section 40.
To adhere. As a result, it is possible to reduce the impact of the game ball blocking unit 40 due to the collision of the game balls, to prevent damage, and to reduce the impact sound.

The game ball blocking portion 40 is attached to the ball passage 30 by a hinge, and lays along the ball passage 30 in a normal state. May be used.

[0033]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, the following remarkable practical effects can be obtained. By providing the game ball blocking portion at the base of the ball passage of the game machine so that it can protrude, even if the glass frame of the game machine is opened while the game ball is being fired from the game ball launching device, it is fired. The game ball is guided to the foul ball discharge port and discharged to the lower tray, so that it is possible to effectively prevent the game ball from scattering outside (without stopping the firing motor of the game ball firing device). it can.

When an error occurs in the gaming machine, the game ball blocking portion is driven by the error detection signal to prevent the game ball from entering the game area, guided to the foul ball discharge port, and discharged to the lower tray. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the player's dissatisfaction caused by wasting the game balls by continuously firing the useless game balls. Further, the configuration of the game ball blocking section is relatively simple, and can be realized at low cost without significantly changing the configuration of the gaming machine.

Further, for example, when the glass frame is opened, the player does not need to release his / her hand from the game ball firing handle, so that there is no need to readjust the once adjusted rotation angle of the firing handle. In addition, by selecting the game ball collision surface of the game ball blocking portion to have a specific shape and further attaching a buffer member, it is possible to guide the game ball in a predetermined direction and reduce the impact.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming board in a preferred embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention.

2 shows a state in which the glass frame of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1 is closed, (A) is a cross-sectional view, and (B) is a perspective view without the glass frame.

3A and 3B show a state in which the glass frame of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1 is opened, FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view excluding the glass frame.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part of a second embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A is a normal state, and FIG.

FIG. 5 shows various modified examples of a game ball blocking unit in the gaming machine of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 36 game board 30 ball passage 35 accommodation room 37 glass frame 40, 40a game ball blocking part 44 spring 46 cushioning member 50 solenoid (drive means)

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2C088 BA43 BA49 BA50 BA82 BC52 BC62 CA16 EB52

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A game machine in which a game ball continuously fired from a game ball launching device is driven into a game area of a game board along a ball path to play a game, wherein the game ball fired from the game ball launching device is A gaming machine, characterized in that a game ball blocking portion for preventing the ball from being driven into the game area is provided in the ball passage. 2. A game ball continuously fired from a game ball launching device at an intensity adjustable by a player rotating a firing handle is driven into a game area of a game board along a ball path to play a game. In the gaming machine, it is provided with a game ball blocking portion for preventing a game ball fired from the game ball launching device from entering the game area when the game machine is in a predetermined state. Gaming machine. 3. The game ball blocking portion is formed so as to protrude into the ball passage.
A gaming machine according to claim 1. 4. The game according to claim 1, wherein the game ball blocking portion is spring-biased and automatically projects into the ball passage when the front glass frame of the game board is opened. Machine. 5. The game according to claim 1, wherein the game ball blocking portion is allowed to protrude into a ball passage when an error occurs when the game machine is in a predetermined state. Machine. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game ball blocking section is housed in a game board in a normal state, and is driven by driving means in the predetermined state. 7. A game ball collision surface of the game ball blocking unit,
7. A cushioning member is provided.
A gaming machine according to any one of the above.