JP2003093634A - Obstacle member adjusting device for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily adjust a pin interval. SOLUTION: Each of pin adjusting mechanisms 46 and 47 is composed of a pair of L-shaped holding plates 51 and 52 erected with pins 49 and 50, a stepping motor 53 and a ball screw 54. The holding plates 51 and 52 are respectively attached to a play panel 4 so that the pins 49 and 50 are passed through holes 4a and 4b formed on the game board 4 and can be slid in the lengthwise direction of the holes 4a and 4b. Both the terminal parts of the ball screw 54 are provided with a screw part 54a formed with a forward screw and a screw part 54b formed with a backward screw. The screw part 54a is attached on the holding plate 51 and the screw part 54b is attached through a screw hole onto the holding plate 52. When the setting value of a payout rate is changed in initial setting, the stepping motor 53 is rotated forward or backward so that the pin interval corresponding to this setting value can be provided. The holding plates 51 and 52 are slid and the pin interval can be adjusted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine that uses balls or medals as a game medium, and more particularly to an interval adjusting device for obstacle members that changes the path of a game medium flowing down a game board surface. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Pachinko balls and balls are used as game media in pachinko machines and smart ball game machines, and medals are used as game media in the medal game machines described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-56924. These gaming machines often incorporate various forms of winning devices that give the amusement hall benefits within the gaming machine board surface, and depending on whether or not the game medium enters these winning devices, the result of the game is determined. It has a great influence by making a big impact. For example,
The medal game machine described in the above publication basically belongs to the medal pusher game machine, but an electric roulette is incorporated before the medal inserted by the player falls on the pusher plate. It is designed to flow down on the game board. When a medal passes through a predetermined winning gate on the surface of the game board, the roulette operates and the number of payout medals corresponding to the stop position is paid out as a privilege.

In such a medal game machine, the payout rate (ratio of the number of medals to the number of inserted medals) changes depending on whether or not the medals easily pass through the winning gate when flowing down the game board surface. Whether or not a medal easily passes through the winning gate depends on whether or not the medal easily passes between a pair of obstacle nails provided as obstacle members immediately before the winning gate. The payout rate is set and stabilized by adjusting the interval.

[0004]

However, in the prior art,
The distance between each of the pair of obstacle nails fixed and fixed to the game machine board is adjusted by changing the inclination using a tool such as a hammer. For this work, it is possible to use a gauge machine with a measuring function as known from, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3010543, but the work requires extremely skill, and anyone can easily do it. It is not something you can do.

The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and like the obstacle nail, a pair of obstacle members that affect the payout rate by changing the flow path of the game medium flowing down the surface of the game board. It is an object of the present invention to provide an obstacle member adjusting device for a gaming machine, which can easily adjust and change the interval.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention does not fix an obstacle member to a game board, but fixes it to a moving member that is movably incorporated in the game board surface, and this moving member has a predetermined size. The distance between the obstacle members can be adjusted by moving the obstacle members in the direction. The moving member is linked so as to move in association with an adjusting member that is displaced by an external input, and the distance between the obstacle members can be easily adjusted by displacing the adjusting member manually or electrically. If the amount of movement of the moving member is smaller than the amount of displacement of the adjusting member, it becomes easier to perform more accurate adjustment, and the adjusting member is displaced by the drive of a motor, solenoid, etc. If the position when displaced can be identified by an index, a position sensor, or the like, simpler and more accurate adjustment work can be performed.

[0007]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medal pusher game machine using the present invention. A game board 4 arranged vertically is provided in the back of the cabinet 3, and its front surface is covered with a transparent glass plate 5 which is installed at a distance that allows medals to pass through. A medal discharge guide 6 is formed above the game board 4. The medal discharge guide 6 is configured to swing with an end portion provided on the upper portion as a base point. The angle when swinging is
It can be arbitrarily set depending on the width of the game board 4 or the like. Therefore, the player inserts the medal 8 from the medal insertion slot 7 in consideration of the timing when the medal ejection guide 6 swings.

Obstacle nails are implanted in the game board 4 in an appropriate array pattern, and the route of the medals 8 flowing down on the surface of the game board can be variously changed. An electric roulette 10 is provided in the center of the game board 4, and gates 11 and 12 are provided on the left and right of the roulette 10. The lightning-type roulette 10 starts driving when the medal 8 passes through either one of the gates 11 and 12, and the light spot rotates. Then, the rotation of the light spot is stopped after a lapse of random time, and the privilege in the game is determined by the type of the symbol displayed at the stop position.

A storage box 14 is provided below the roulette wheel 10.
Is provided, and the medals 8 that have flowed down the board surface and have reached the storage box 14 are stored. This storage box 14 has 20
About 30 sheets can be stored.
In the storage box 14, when the light spot of the roulette wheel 10 stops at a predetermined symbol, the door on the bottom surface of the storage box 14 is opened, and the stored medals 8 are dropped.

The pusher game section 16 comprises a pusher plate 17 and a field board 18. In the pusher game unit 16, the pusher plate 17 is reciprocally moved back and forth on the upper surface of the field board 18 fixed to the main body of the game machine, and the medals 8 accumulated on the upper surface of the field board 18 are dropped from the front edge of the game. Done. Then, when the pusher plate 17 is retracted, the medals 8 accumulated on the pusher plate 17 are the stopper plates 1 provided at the bottom of the game board 4.
9 is pushed out relatively by the pusher plate 1
It is designed to fall onto the field board 18 from the front edge of 7.

The medal 8 dropped from the front edge 18a of the field board 18 is sent to the inside of the cabinet 3 by the chute 21 and is paid out to the medal payout opening 22. The medals paid out from the medal payout opening 22 become winning medals.

FIG. 2 shows this medal pusher game machine 2.
The electrical configuration used in the above is outlined. CPU25
Configures a microcomputer together with the memory 26 and controls the game machine as a whole. Memory 26 is R
It is composed of an OM area and a RAM area. The ROM area stores a basic sequence program of this game machine and a processing program executed by various interrupt signals, and the RAM area is obtained in the course of the processing of the program. Data etc. are written, and these information are stored in the CPU2.
5 is read as appropriate.

The medal sensor 28 detects the medal 8 inserted from the medal insertion slot 7. This medal sensor 28
The detection signal from is sent to the inserted medal counter 29, and every time this detection signal is input, it is integrated and counted. The medal passage sensors 30 and 31 are made up of microswitches, photosensors, etc., and are incorporated in the centers of gates 11 and 12 described later. When the medal passage sensors 30 and 31 detect that the medal 8 has passed either of the gates 11 and 12, a detection signal is input to the CPU 25 and the roulette controller 35 is operated.

The roulette controller 35 includes an electronic lottery device and a winning table. For example, when the detection signals from the medal passage sensors 30 and 31 are input to the roulette controller 35, the roulette controller 35
Causes the light spot of the roulette wheel 10 to rotate and causes the electronic lottery device to sample a random number. Then, the corresponding symbol is determined from the sampled random value using the winning table. Then, the light spot of the roulette 10 is controlled so as to stop at a predetermined position.

The roulette wheel 10 is provided with a display plate in which, for example, symbols “⋄”, “10”, “5”, and “x” are arranged in a ring shape, and the light spot rotates behind the display plate so that the symbols are sequentially arranged. It is designed to be illuminated one by one. Then, when the light spot stops, the roulette determination unit 3
At 6, the stopped symbols are judged to judge whether or not they are actually hit. Then, a winning signal indicating whether or not the player wins is output to the CPU 25.

For example, when stopped at the symbol "⋄", the storage section driver 37 operates to open the bottom door of the storage box 14, and the stored medals 8 fall onto the pusher plate 17. Also, the symbol "10",
At "5", the respective number of medals 8 is paid out to the medal payout opening 22, and at the symbol "x", it is lost. The payout of these medals 8 is performed by the CPU 2
Dispensing hopper 3 operated by command from 5
8 is used.

The CPU 25 drives the pusher plate drive mechanism 42 via the motor 41 when the main power source of the pusher game machine 2 is turned on. This causes the pusher plate 17 to slide back and forth. Although details of the pusher plate drive mechanism 41 are not shown, the pusher plate drive mechanism 41 includes a plurality of gear trains and a cam mechanism.

The medals 8 dropped on the shoot 21 in the pusher game section 16 flow down in the guide passage one by one. Then, when passing through the guide passage, the falling medal sensors 43 are detected one by one. This detection signal is C
The payout hopper 38 is driven according to the count value by the PU 25, and the medals 8 are paid out to the medal payout opening 22. The paid-out medal 8 is multiplied by the payout counter 44. The count value of the payout counter 44 is saved as it is even after one game ends, and as will be described later in detail, the number of medals actually inserted by the player in the process of sequentially digesting the game, It is used when calculating the actual payout rate based on the number of medals actually paid out.

The pin adjusting mechanisms 46 and 47 include gate 11,
It is provided in order to adjust the position of the pin provided at 12. In addition, the pin adjusting mechanism 46 and the pin adjusting mechanism 47.
Have the same configuration, only the pin adjusting mechanism 46 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the pin adjusting mechanism 46 is arranged on the rear surface of the picture plate 11 a of the gate 11. The pin adjusting mechanism 46 includes L-shaped holding plates 51 and 52 on which pins 49 and 50 are respectively erected, and a stepping motor 53 which is a drive source for moving the holding plates 51 and 52 by a predetermined amount. It It should be noted that instead of the stepping motor 53, a solenoid and a notch mechanism are used for the pin 4
The interval of 9,50 may be changed in two steps or a plurality of steps.

The holding plates 51 and 52 are slidably attached to the rear surface of the game board with screws 55 after inserting pins 48 and 49 into the elongated holes 4a and 4b of the game board 4 from the back side of the game board 4, respectively. To be Since the holding plate 51 and the holding plate 52 have the same configuration, the holding plate 51 will be described here. The holding plate 51 is formed with elongated holes 51a and 51b for allowing sliding, and is attached so that the longitudinal direction thereof is the same as the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 4a formed in the game board 4. Has been. In addition, the holding plate 51
A screw hole is provided in the ball screw 54, which will be described later.
Is screwed on. An index (not shown) is provided on the back surface of the holding plate 51, and the position sensor 56 detects the index to confirm the position of the sliding holding plate 51.

A ball screw 54 is attached to the drive shaft of the stepping motor 53. This ball screw 5
At both ends of 4, a screw portion 54a formed with a forward screw and a screw portion 54b formed with another reverse screw are provided. As a result, when the ball screw 54 rotates, the pins 49, 50
Holding plates 50, 51 so that the space between them can be opened or closed
Slides. The distance between the pins 49 and 50 is at least 2
It is 5.5 mm, and the maximum width is, for example, 28.5 mm. In this embodiment, the pin interval is adjusted, but the pin position may be slid left and right without adjusting the pin interval.

As shown in FIG. 2, the data setting input unit 56.
Are used to input initial setting data for setting and adjusting the payout rate, which is a feature of the medal pusher game machine 2. As the type of data set by the data setting input section, there are data such as reference payout rate data. As shown in FIG. 5, in the ROM area of the memory 26, set values in the medal pusher game machine 2,
The table data of the interval between the pins 49 and 50 and the payout rate corresponding to this set value is stored. This setting value can be set in seven steps of 1 to 7, for example, and the payout rate corresponding to these setting values is set to 80 to 110%, for example. When the payout rate setting operation is performed using the data setting input unit 56, the CPU 25 causes the memory 26 to operate.
The stepping motor 52 is driven so as to have a corresponding pin interval from the ROM area. At the time of initial setting, the payout rate is set to the set value 4 (payout rate 90%). The pin interval at this time is 27.0, for example.
mm, and the pin interval is adjusted by 0.5 mm by shifting the set value by 1.

The payout rate calculator 57 calculates the ratio of the count value of the payout counter 44 to the count value of the inserted medal counter 29, that is, the actual payout rate. The actual payout rate data is read by the CPU 25 each time and compared with the initially set payout rate. Then, the CPU 25 performs a payout rate adjustment process according to the comparison result.

Next, the flow of the game of this embodiment will be described. When starting the game, the player inserts the medals 8 one by one based on the swing timing of the medal insertion guide 6. Then, it flows down from the medal insertion guide 6 onto the game board surface, is hit by an obstacle nail, and the path of the medal 8 is changed in various ways. When the inserted medal 8 enters the storage box 14, one game ends there.

On the other hand, when the inserted medal 8 falls on the pusher plate 17, the pusher game section 16
The game at will start. The medal 8 dropped on the pusher plate 17 is pushed out by the stopper plate 19 as the pusher plate 17 retreats. Since the medals 8 are also accumulated on the upper surface of the pusher plate 17,
When the medal 8 is pushed out of the pusher plate 17 by the stopper plate 19, the pusher plate 1
The medal 8 on the front edge side of 7 falls on the field board 18. Then, when the pusher plate 17 moves forward, the medal 8 is pushed out by the pusher plate 17 and pushes the medals 8 accumulated on the upper surface of the field board 18. Then, the medal 8 dropped on the shoot 21 is paid out.

When the inserted medal 8 passes through either the gate 11 or the gate 12, the roulette 10
Is driven to rotate the light spot on the roulette 10. Then, when the light spots stop at the symbols “5” and “10”, for example, the respective numbers are paid out from the medal payout opening 22. Further, when the light spot stops at the symbol “⋄”, the bottom surface of the storage box 14 is opened, and the stored medals 8 drop toward the pusher plate 17. When the symbol “star” in the center of the roulette 10 is turned on, the storage box 14 is once housed inside the game board 4. Then, after 20 medals 8 are stored in the storage box 14, the medals 8 are projected again, the bottom surface of the storage box 14 is opened, and the medals 8 are dropped. This operation is repeated twice. In these cases, gate 1
All of the medals 8 that have passed through 1 and 12 and the medals 8 released from the storage box 14 fall on the upper surface of the pusher plate 17, so that a large amount of medals 8 will be paid out. When the light spot stops at the symbol “x” on the roulette wheel 10, the pusher game is played without any medals 8 to be paid out.

It should be noted that the number of inserted medals and the number of medals paid out accordingly are calculated by the inserted medal counter 2.
9 and the payout counter 44 are summed up.
Based on these numerical values, the payout rate calculator 57 calculates the actual payout rate, compares it with the set payout rate, and controls the CPU 25 so that the actual payout rate approaches the set payout rate. .

When changing the payout rate in the medal pusher game machine 2, the data setting input section 5 is used.
Change the setting in 6. In the ROM area of the memory 26, set values, pin intervals for these set values, and payout rates are previously stored as table data. When the set value is changed by operating the data setting input unit 56, the stepping motor 53 of the pin adjusting mechanisms 46 and 47 is driven by a predetermined number of steps based on the changed value, and the pin interval is changed. At this time, the CPU confirms the position of the sliding holding plate by the output of the position sensor 56.

For example, when the set value is 4 and the payout rate is lowered (the set value is set to 5 to 7), the interval between the pins 49 and 50 becomes narrow as shown in FIG. Is more likely to be flipped by either the pin 49 or the pin 50, and the payout rate is substantially reduced. On the other hand, when the payout rate is increased (the set value is set to 1 to 3), the interval between the pins 49 and 50 is widened, and the falling medal easily passes between the pins 49 and 50. For this reason,
Since the medal 8 is easily obtained with the roulette wheel 10, the payout rate is substantially increased.

In the present embodiment, the pin interval is adjusted at the time of initial setting in the data setting input section. However, the payout rate is calculated each time the number of games is exhausted, and the pinout is automatically performed according to the calculated value. The interval may be adjusted.

In this embodiment, the medal pusher game machine is taken up as the game machine for explanation, but it may be applied to a pachinko machine. In this case, the nail formed on the winning opening or the upper part of the attacker can be automatically adjusted.

In this embodiment, the pin interval is adjusted by the stepping motor, but it may be manually adjusted. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the pin adjusting mechanism 60 includes holding plates 61 and 62, a cam 63, and a coil spring 64. A coil spring 64 is attached to each of the holding plates 61 and 62 and is biased so that the pin interval becomes narrow. A cam 63 is arranged between the holding plates 61 and 62, and the holding plates 61 and 62 are brought into contact with the cam 63 by the bias of the coil spring 64. This cam 63
Is rotatably attached to the frame 65, and the handle 66 can be rotated to adjust the distance between the pins 67 and 68. Also, as shown in FIG.
A set value corresponding to the payout rate is written on the cam 63, and by adjusting this adjusted value to the index 70, the pin 6
A space adjustment of 7,68 can be performed. In addition, when lowering the payout rate, the cam 63 is rotated counterclockwise in the figure.
Is rotated, the holding plate receives the bias of the coil spring and the gap between the pins 67 and 68 is narrowed. On the other hand, in order to increase the payout rate, by rotating the cam 63 clockwise in the drawing, the holding plate slides against the bias of the coil spring, and the distance between the pins 67 and 68 becomes wider.

[0033]

As described above, according to the obstacle member adjusting device for a gaming machine of the present invention, a pair of obstacle members are fixed to each other, and the pair of obstacle members are movable so as to change the mutual interval. Since it is composed of the moving member and the adjusting member which is displaced by an external input to move the pair of moving members, even an unskilled person can easily adjust the obstacle member as in the prior art.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a medal pusher game machine embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the medal pusher game machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a pin adjusting mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a pin adjusting mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of set values, pin intervals, and payout rates of a medal pusher game machine.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment in which the pin adjusting mechanism is manually adjusted.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a cam and a holding plate.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 medal pusher game machine 8 medals 11,12 gates 25 CPU 26 memory 30, 31 medal passage sensor 46,47 pin adjustment mechanism 49,50 pin 51,52 holding plate 53 stepping motor 54 ball screw

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An obstacle member adjusting device for a gaming machine, which is incorporated in a game plate, for adjusting an interval between a pair of obstacle members provided with an interval through which a game medium passes, wherein the pair of obstacle members are It is characterized in that it has a pair of moving members that are fixed to each other and are movable so as to change the mutual distance between the pair of obstacle members, and an adjusting member that is displaced by an external input to move the pair of moving members. Obstacle member adjustment device for game machines. 2. The obstacle adjusting device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the moving amount of the moving member is smaller than the moving amount of the adjusting member. 3. The obstruction member adjusting device for a gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the adjusting member is displaced by a driving unit driven in response to an input of an electric adjusting signal. 4. The obstacle member adjusting device for a gaming machine according to claim 2, further comprising position identifying means for identifying a position of the adjusting member.