JP2003230663A - Ball-detecting device for pachinko game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact ball-detecting device wherein attaching/detaching operability or a ball-detector is favorable. <P>SOLUTION: This ball-detecting device is equipped with ball-detectors 101 and 102 which detect game balls passing through detection sections 101a and 102a, a holder member 110 which removably houses the ball-detectors, and a locking member 120 which is attached to the holder member 110 and engages/ holds the ball-detectors 101 and 102 with/by the holder member by detachably engaging with the ball-detectors which are housed in the holder member. Then, the ball-detecting device 100 is constituted in such a manner that when the ball-detectors are engaged/held with/by the holder member, and the holder member 110 is attached to a specified location of the pachinko game machine, the detection port sections 101a and 102a of the plurality of ball-detectors may be arranged in a manner to be located at a ball passage in which game balls pass through. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention includes a game board and a hitting ball launching device for launching a game ball toward the game board. More specifically, the present invention relates to a structure of a ball detection device provided in a ball passage of such a ball game machine for detecting a game ball.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a ball game machine as described above, there are pachinko machines, arrange ball machines, smart ball machines, sparrow ball game machines and the like. Inside these ball game machines, a ball passage for guiding a game ball is provided, and a predetermined ball passage, for example,
A ball passage for processing game balls that have won a prize, a ball passage for guiding game balls from the prize ball tank to the prize ball dispensing device, and a game ball paid out from the prize ball dispensing device to an upper ball plate or a lower ball plate. A ball detection device for detecting a game ball passing through these ball passages is provided in the ball passage to be introduced.

The sphere detection device is mainly composed of a sphere detector which has a predetermined detection area and detects a game sphere when it passes through the detection area. For example, a rectangular chip-shaped detector main body. A sphere detector is used which has a circular hole-shaped or polygonal hole-shaped detection region (detection hole portion) which penetrates through and detects electromagnetically when a game ball passes through this detection hole portion. ing. The sphere detector is generally designed to be housed in the holder member so that it can be inserted into and removed from the sphere detector in consideration of convenience of assembling and replacement, and the sphere detector is attached to a predetermined position of the gaming machine. When the holder member is locked and held, the detection hole portion of the sphere detector is arranged in the sphere passage and is arranged to detect the game sphere passing through the sphere passage.

For example, in a holder member that accommodates a sphere detector so that it can be inserted / removed from the rear of the holder member and is retained, a window portion that communicates vertically is formed in front of the accommodation portion, and a game ball is passed through this window portion. Is configured to be able to pass through the detection hole portion of the sphere detector. An outer shell portion surrounding the intermediate portion of the main body of the sphere detector is formed behind the window portion, and a lock arm portion is formed rearward from this outer shell portion in an arm shape and having a wedge-shaped locking portion at its rear end. . The holder member is integrally formed of a thermoplastic resin material by molding means such as injection molding.

When the sphere detector is mounted on such a holder member, the sphere detector is inserted from the rear into the outer shell while the lock arm portion is elastically deformed so as to retract the locking portion. The detector is accommodated in the accommodating portion, and the locking portion of the lock arm is engaged with the rear end of the sphere detector to be retained and retained by the holder member. On the other hand, when removing the ball detector, the lock arm portion is elastically deformed to release the engagement between the locking portion and the ball detector, and the ball detector is pulled out backward to be removed.

[0006]

However, in the conventional ball detecting device as described above, the lock arm portion needs to be elastically deformed when the ball detector is engaged and disengaged. Because it is formed integrally,
There were the following problems. First of all, under the circumstances where the sphere detector is becoming smaller, it is difficult to secure a sufficient arm length, and as a result, the operating force required to elastically deform the lock arm increases. There was a problem of operability that it was difficult to attach and detach. In particular, like the above-mentioned sphere detector, if there is a passage area of the game sphere that penetrates a part of the sphere detector, it is necessary to provide the holder member with a window portion having a size corresponding to the passage area. However, there was a problem that the arm length was inevitably shortened and the operability deteriorated.

Secondly, as a means for downsizing without lowering the mechanical strength of the entire holder member, a hard resin material having a relatively high flexural modulus has come to be used, so that the problem of operability is more remarkable. Is becoming. In recent years, as a measure against static electricity to prevent malfunction or damage of the control device due to static electricity, a conductive resin material (for example, a resin material to which a conductive substance such as metal powder, metal fiber or graphite fiber is added) is used. The use of the resin material has been studied, and the resulting hardening and brittleness of the resin material further deteriorates the operability of the attachment / detachment operation, and there is a new problem that the lock arm portion may be broken.

Further, in the payout prize ball detecting device in a pachinko machine (CR machine) and the prize winning ball detecting device disposed inside the special winning opening, a plurality of ball detectors are provided in a limited space of one holder member. Are installed in close proximity. In such a sphere detection device, if a configuration is provided in which each sphere detector is provided with a locking member that releasably locks and holds each sphere detector, the number of parts and the number of assembly steps are increased, and the cost is increased. In addition to inviting, it is necessary to upsize the holder member to secure a space for mounting multiple locking members, and along with this, it is necessary to change the peripheral structure of the holder member as well. There was a problem that it was not enough.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems and problems, and it is possible to hold a plurality of ball detectors in a disengageable manner and to hold the ball detectors in a small size, which has good operability. An object is to provide a detection device.

[0010]

To achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention is provided with a game board and a hitting ball launching device for shooting a game ball toward the game board, and the game ball is played by the hitting ball launching device. In a ball-ball game machine in which a plurality of ball passages through which game balls pass in the up-and-down direction are provided close to each other inside a ball-ball game machine that shoots a game on a board, a predetermined detection area (for example, Detection hole portions 101a, 1 in the embodiment
02a) has a ball detector for detecting a game ball passing through the detection area, and is attached to the ball game machine so as to traverse a plurality of ball passages, and accommodates the plurality of ball detectors so as to be insertable and withdrawable in the front-rear direction. Holder member (for example, the sensor holders 110, 160, 210, 310, 510, 56 in the embodiment).
0) and the sphere detector attached to the holder member and releasably engaged with the sphere detector housed in the holder member, and the sphere detector engaged with the sphere detector is regulated so as not to move in the removing direction. A locking member that locks and holds the sphere detector thus formed on the holder member (for example, the locking members 120 and 17 in the embodiment).
0, 220, 320), and when the holder member is attached to the ball game machine and the plurality of sphere detectors are locked and held by the holder member by the locking member, the detection areas in the plurality of sphere detectors are The ball detection device of the ball game machine is configured so as to be respectively located in a plurality of ball passages.

According to the sphere detecting device having such a structure, since the holder member and the lock member are separately formed, each member has an optimum material and shape according to the characteristics required for each member. It is possible to select and configure the device, and thereby, it is possible to obtain a sphere detection device having satisfactory operability and satisfying various characteristics that have been difficult to achieve in the past.
Further, since the plurality of sphere detectors are releasably locked and held by one lock member, the device can be made compact.

Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, a game board and a hit ball launching device for launching a game ball toward the game board are provided, and a ball for launching a game ball to the game board by the hit ball launching device to play a game. In a ball game machine in which a plurality of ball passages through which game balls pass in the vertical direction are provided close to each other inside a game machine, a predetermined detection area (for example, detection hole portions 101a and 102a in the embodiment) And a ball detector for detecting a game ball passing through the detection area, and a holder member attached to the ball game machine so as to traverse a plurality of ball passages and housing the plurality of ball detectors so that the ball detectors can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction. (For example, the sensor holders 110, 160, 210 in the embodiment,
510, 560) and attached to this holder member,
The sphere detector housed in the holder member is engaged with the sphere detector so that the sphere detector engaged with the sphere detector is prevented from moving in the removing direction, and the engaged sphere detector is attached to the holder member. A locking member (for example, the locking members 120, 170, 220 in the embodiment) for locking and holding the holder member is attached to the ball game machine, and a plurality of ball detectors are locked to the holder member by the locking member. The ball detecting device of the ball-and-ball game machine is configured such that the detection areas of the plurality of ball detectors are respectively located and arranged in the plurality of ball passages when held.

According to the sphere detecting device having such a structure, since the holder member and the lock member are separately formed, each member is made of an optimum material and shape according to the characteristics required for each member. It is possible to select and configure the device, and thereby, it is possible to obtain the sphere detection device having satisfactory operability and satisfying various characteristics which have been difficult to be compatible with each other.
In addition, a single lock member locks multiple sphere detectors in a disengageable manner, and each sphere detector can be independently attached and detached as needed, so it is compact and has good workability. It is possible to provide a simple sphere detection device.

In a third aspect of the present invention, a ball-ball game machine is provided which includes a game board and a ball-striking ball launching device for launching a game ball toward the game board, and the game ball is launched by the ball-striking ball launching device onto the game board to perform a game. In a ball game machine in which a plurality of ball passages through which game balls pass in the vertical direction are provided close to each other, a predetermined detection area (for example, detection hole portions 101a and 102a in the embodiment) is provided. Then, a ball detector that detects a game ball that passes through the detection area, and a holder member that is attached to the ball game machine so as to cross a plurality of ball passages and that houses the plurality of ball detectors so that they can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction (for example, , The sensor holders 110, 160, 560 in the embodiment), and an arm that is attached to the holder member and has a plurality of arm portions that are elastically deformable in the left-right direction and a locking portion formed at the tip of each arm portion. The elastic deformation of the locking part engages with the ball detector housed in the holder member in a disengageable manner so that the engaged ball detector does not move in the removing direction. A plurality of ball detectors are provided, each of which is provided with a locking member (for example, the lock members 120 and 170 in the embodiment) that locks and holds the engaged ball detector in the holder member, and the holder member is attached to the ball game machine. A ball detection device of a ball-and-ball game machine is configured such that the detection regions of a plurality of ball detectors are respectively positioned and arranged in a plurality of ball passages when locked and held by a holder member by a locking member. .

According to the sphere detecting device having such a structure, since the holder member and the lock member are separately formed, each member is made of the optimum material and shape according to the characteristics required for each. It is possible to select and configure the device, and thereby, it is possible to obtain a sphere detection device having satisfactory operability and satisfying various characteristics that have been difficult to achieve in the past.
In addition, a single lock member locks multiple sphere detectors in a disengageable manner, and each sphere detector can be independently attached and detached as needed, so it is compact and has good workability. It is possible to provide a simple sphere detection device. Furthermore, since the lock member of this configuration includes the lock arm that is elastically deformable in the left-right direction, it is possible to suppress the vertical dimension of the sphere detection device and configure a thin sphere detection device.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is provided with a game board and a hitting ball launching device for launching a game ball toward the game board, and a ball-ball game machine for launching a game ball on the game board by the hitting ball launching device to play a game. In a ball game machine in which a plurality of ball passages through which game balls pass in the vertical direction are provided close to each other, a predetermined detection area (for example, detection hole portions 101a and 102a in the embodiment) is provided. Then, a ball detector that detects a game ball that passes through the detection area, and a holder member that is attached to the ball game machine so as to traverse a plurality of ball passages and that houses the plurality of ball detectors so that they can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction (for example, The sensor holders 210 and 510 in the embodiment), and a plurality of arm portions attached to the holder members and elastically deformable in the vertical direction, and a locking portion formed at the tip of each arm portion. Elasticity The engaging portion is engaged with the ball detector housed in the holder member in a disengageable manner, and the engaged ball detector is regulated so as not to move in the removing direction. And a locking member (for example, the locking member 220 in the embodiment) that locks and holds the sphere detector to the holder member, the holder member is attached to the ball game machine, and the plurality of sphere detectors are held by the locking member. The ball detection device of the ball-and-ball game machine is configured such that the detection areas of the plurality of ball detectors are respectively located and arranged in the plurality of ball passages when the members are locked and held by the member.

According to the sphere detecting device having such a structure, since the holder member and the lock member are separately formed, each member has an optimum material and shape according to the characteristics required for each member. It is possible to select and configure the device, and thereby, it is possible to obtain the sphere detection device having satisfactory operability and satisfying various characteristics which have been difficult to be compatible with each other.
In addition, a single lock member locks multiple sphere detectors in a disengageable manner, and each sphere detector can be independently attached and detached as needed, so it is compact and has good workability. It is possible to provide a simple sphere detection device. Further, since the lock member of this configuration includes the lock arm that is elastically deformable in the vertical direction, it is possible to suppress the dimension of the sphere detection device in the front-rear direction and configure a small sphere detection device.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is provided with a game board and a hit ball launching device for launching a game ball toward the game board, and a ball-ball game machine for launching a game ball onto the game board by the hit ball launching device to play a game. In a ball game machine in which a plurality of ball passages through which game balls pass in the vertical direction are provided close to each other, a predetermined detection area (for example, detection hole portions 101a and 102a in the embodiment) is provided. Then, a ball detector that detects a game ball that passes through the detection area, and a holder member that is attached to the ball game machine so as to cross a plurality of ball passages and that houses the plurality of ball detectors so that they can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction (for example, The sensor holder 310) according to the embodiment, a plurality of arm portions attached to the holder member and integrally rotatable in a vertical plane, and a plurality of locking portions formed at the tips of the arm portions. Rotation of arm Position the latching part by using the engaged plurality of spheres detector and each engaging detachably engaged housed in the holder member was regulated so that a plurality of balls detectors does not move removing direction,
A locking member (for example, the lock member 320 in the embodiment) that locks and holds the plurality of sphere detectors on the holder member, the holder member is attached to the ball game machine, and the plurality of sphere detectors are the locking members. The ball detection device of the ball-and-ball game machine is configured such that the detection areas of the plurality of ball detectors are respectively located and arranged in the plurality of ball passages when locked and held by the holder member.

According to the sphere detecting device having such a structure, since the holder member and the lock member are separately formed, each member has an optimum material and shape according to the characteristics required for each member. It is possible to select and configure the device, and thereby, it is possible to obtain the sphere detection device having satisfactory operability and satisfying various characteristics which have been difficult to be compatible with each other.
In addition, a single lock member locks a plurality of sphere detectors in a disengageable manner, and a plurality of sphere detectors can be attached and detached at the same time by a single operation of rotating the lock member. It is possible to provide a sphere detection device having high work efficiency. Furthermore, since the lock member of this configuration includes the lock arm that is rotatable in the vertical plane, it is possible to suppress the dimension of the sphere detection device in the front-rear direction and configure a small sphere detection device.

The vertical direction in each invention is as follows.
The concept includes not only the vertical up and down direction but also the diagonal up and down direction having the up and down direction component. In addition, the front-rear and left-right directions are
The above two directions are shown in a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction, and are used for the sake of simplicity of the configuration of the invention. It may have a configuration in which it is rotated once.

[0021]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, a pachinko machine is taken as a representative example of a ball game machine equipped with the ball detection device according to the present invention, and a case where the present invention is applied to a payout prize ball detection device of the pachinko machine will be mainly described. First, the overall configuration of a pachinko machine PM to which the present invention is applied will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine PM seen from the front side, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine PM seen from the back side (the backside configuration of the game board is not shown).

The pachinko machine PM has a front frame forming an open / close mounting frame formed on the front surface of the opening of the outer frame 1 having an outer rectangular frame size and forming a vertically fixed holding frame, and having a square frame size corresponding to the opening frame. 2 are laterally opened and closed by upper and lower hinge members 3a and 3b arranged on the left edge of each other, and are detachably attached, and the outer frame 1 is always closed and locked by using a locking device 4 provided on the right side edge. It is held in the state where it was kept.

On the front side of the front frame 2, a rectangular glass door 5 matching the front side surface area of the front frame 2 and an upper ball plate 6 for storing and aligning game balls are built in on the left side edge. The hinge mechanism is installed so that it can be opened and closed laterally and opened and closed, and can be attached and detached.
At the bottom of the front frame 2 is provided a lower ball plate 7 for storing game balls,
Along with the lower ball plate 7, an operation handle 8 for shooting game balls is attached.

On the upper rear surface of the front frame 2, a rectangular frame-shaped storage frame (not shown) is formed integrally with the front frame 2, and a game board 20 configured with a predetermined gauge setting is attached to and detached from the storage frame. It is exchangeably set and held, and the front area of the glass door 5 is desired. In the game board 20, a band-shaped outer rail 22a and an inner rail 22b are fixed in an arc shape on the front side of a decorative plate 21 having cells attached to the surface, and a game area PA is provided inside the rails. Is partitioned. In the game area PA, a plurality of wind nails 23, a plurality of wind turbines 23, general winning tools 24, starting winning tools 25, winning devices such as a special winning opening 26, and a predetermined symbol according to the progress of the game are displayed. A symbol display device 28 or the like is attached, and at the lower end of the game area PA, an out port 27 is provided for discharging a game ball that has fallen without winning the winning device to the back side of the game board 20.

A hitting ball launching device 9 is attached to the lower rear surface of the front frame 2, and between the hitting ball launching device 9 and the game board 20, the gaming ball launched by the hitting ball launching device 9 is placed on the outer rail 22a. A launch rail that guides toward the speaker, a speaker that produces a sound effect, and the like are attached. The launch rail, the speaker, and the like are attached to the front-side intermediate region of the front frame 2 located on the back side of the upper bowl plate 6, and the front surface side is covered with the upper bowl plate 6 which is always kept closed.

A back set board BSP located on the back side of the front frame 2
Is equipped with upper and lower hinges 18, 18 so that it can be opened and closed laterally and opened and closed, and is always held closed by using the closing levers 19, 19 ... To cover the back surface of the game board 20. The back set board BSP is configured with a base frame body 30 integrally formed in a rectangular shape slightly smaller than the inner size of the outer frame 1 with a window 31 penetrating the front and back in the central portion, A ball storage / supply mechanism 40 that stores and supplies game balls above the window 31, and a prize ball payout mechanism that receives game balls from the ball storage / supply mechanism 40 on the right side of the window 31 in rear view and performs prize ball payout processing. 50 and the like are provided, and below the prize ball payout mechanism 50, the prize balls paid out from this mechanism are discharged from the game board 20 below the prize ball payout path 60 and the window 31 for guiding the prize balls to the upper and lower ball plates 6 and 7. A game ball discharging route for collecting the collected game balls and discharging the collected game balls to a collecting bucket on the game facility side is formed.

The ball storage / supply mechanism 40 is a tank member 4 which receives supply from a supply duct on the game facility side and stores game balls.
1 and an alignment gutter member 42 that mainly flows down the game balls (referred to as "preliminary prize balls") stored in the tank member 41. The tank member 41 is in the form of a box having an open upper surface, and an outlet opening of the tank member is formed in a slanted lower portion of a bottom surface which is gently tilted to the left and tilted forward, and an alignment gutter member 42.
It is connected to the ball passage. The alignment gutter member 42 forms a long gutter body in the mounting posture, and connects the outlet opening of the tank member 41 located on the upper left side with the prize ball payout mechanism 50 located on the lower right side so that the gutter surface gently tilts to the right. It is arranged so that. A rib-shaped partition wall whose height gradually increases toward the lower side of the gutter surface is provided upright, and the terminal end of the alignment gutter member 42 is bent downward at a substantially right angle and opens downward. A deflection outlet 43 is formed. Tank member 4
The spare prize balls stored in No. 1 are aligned with the gutter member 42 from the exit opening.
Are supplied to the prize ball payout mechanism 50 from the deflecting outlet 43 while being aligned in two rows in the front and rear in the process of flowing down the alignment gutter member 42.

The prize ball payout mechanism 50 receives the preliminary prize balls sent from the deflection outlet 43, and makes a predetermined number of preliminary prize balls stand by in a two-row front-rear alignment state.
a, 52b, and is disposed inside the cover member 54 in FIG. (See FIGS. 3 and 5), this prize ball waiting passage 5
The prize ball cassette 53, which is attached to the lower part of the exit of No. 2, and which holds the preliminary prize ball held in standby in the prize ball waiting passage 52 from the right or left payout port to the prize ball payout path 60, the payout port of the prize ball cassette 53 The payout prize ball detecting device 100 (150, 20) that is removably disposed between the prizeball payout path 60 and the prizeball payout path 60 and detects the game balls paid out from the prizeball cassette 53.
0, 300), a ball out detection that is detachably attached between the deflection outlet 43 and the prize ball waiting passage 52 to detect whether or not a predetermined number of preliminary prize balls are held in standby in the prize ball waiting passage 52. It is composed of a switch 51 and the like. The operation of the prize ball cassette 53 is controlled by a prize ball control board 92, which will be described later, and pays out a quantity of game balls based on the command signal to the prize ball payout path 60 from the right or left payout opening. The configuration and operation of the payout prize ball detection device of each embodiment will be described in detail later.

The prize ball payout path 60 is composed of a wall path-formed ball path formed in the base frame 30, and has an upper ball plate payout path leading to the upper ball plate 6 and a lower ball plate payout path leading to the lower ball plate 7. Mainly composed of and. The upper and lower payout paths are prize ball payout paths 6
In the 0 entrance area, the prize balls are integrally connected to the exit of the prize ball payout mechanism 50, and when the upper ball plate payout passage is full and the prize balls cannot be paid out to the upper ball plate 6, an overflowing prize ball is generated. It is configured to be discharged to the lower bowl 7 through the lower bowl dispensing passage.

On each part of the back side of the back set board BSP, there are a main control board 91 for integrally controlling the operation of the pachinko machine, and a prize ball control board for controlling the payout of prize balls based on a command signal from the main control board. 92, various circuit boards such as a lamp / sound control board 93 for controlling the operation of effect lighting and sound effects are detachably attached, and each device is connected by a wire harness (not shown) to form a pachinko machine PM. .

The pachinko machine PM configured as described above is
The outer frame 1 is fixedly installed on the game island of the game facility by using fixing means such as nails, and the front frame 2, the glass door 5, the upper bowl plate 6, the back set board BSP, etc. are closed for use in the game. To be done. The game is started by storing the game balls in the upper ball plate 6 and rotating the operation handle 8, and the game balls stored in the upper ball plate 6 are rotated by the hitting ball launching device 9 to rotate the operation handle 8. One ball is struck in the game area PA with the strength according to. A game ball hit in the game area PA falls in this area while being hit by a game nail, and a game ball drops into the prize winning device 24, 25, 26 on the way of this drop,
The game balls that have fallen in this area without falling into the winning device are discharged from the outlet 27 to the back side of the game board 20.

On the back side of each winning device 24, 25, 26,
A safe ball passage for guiding a game ball (referred to as a "safe ball") that has entered the winning device to the played ball discharging route is provided, and a winning ball detecting device for detecting a game ball is attached to each safe ball passage. The detection signal is output to the main control board 91. When the safe ball detection signal is input from the winning ball detection device, the main control board 91 controls the operation of the entire pachinko machine based on this detection signal, and the prize ball payout mechanism 50 is also sent via the prize ball control board 92. A command signal is output to the device to cause a predetermined number of prize balls to be paid out to the prize ball path 60 and to be discharged to the upper and lower ball plates 6 and 7. On the other hand, a game ball (referred to as an “out ball”) discharged from the outlet 27 to the back side of the game board 20 is guided to the played ball discharging route without passing through the ball detecting device and detected by the winning ball detector. It is discharged to a collection bucket on the side of the game facility together with the safe ball.

A pachinko machine P constructed as described above
In M, a payout prize ball detecting device is provided between the payout opening of the prize ball cassette 53 and the entrance of the prize ball payout path 60. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the prize ball cassette 53 will be described first with reference to FIGS.
The configuration and operation of the payout prize ball detecting device 100 according to the embodiment will be described. Here, FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear view showing a region in the vicinity of the payout prize ball detecting device 100 in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a payout prize ball detecting device 100 mainly showing the payout prize ball detecting device 100 and its mounting portion. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view, and FIG. 5 shows a ball passage inside the prize ball cassette 53 and the payout prize ball detecting device 10.
6 is a side sectional view showing the relationship with 0 and the operating state, FIG. 6 is a main plan sectional view of the payout prize ball detecting device 100, and FIG.
A rear view (partial cross-sectional view) of the payout prize ball detecting device 100 along arrow VII-VII in the figure, FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view along arrow VIII-VIII in FIG. 7, and FIG. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are side cross-sectional views illustrating a mounting state of the payout prize ball detecting device 100, and FIG. 12 is a plan cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XII-XII in FIG. In the following, since the configuration of the back set board BSP viewed from the rear side is mainly described, the left-right direction in the rear view shown in FIG. The front side of the pachinko machine will be referred to as the front side, and the front side (the back side thereof) will be referred to as the rear side.

The prize ball cassette 53 is housed in two front and rear cassette cases 531 and 532 to form a slightly rounded rectangular box-shaped module. Receiving port 53 for receiving the preliminary prize balls that are connected to the lower end of the
a, 53b, and payout openings 53c, 53d are provided at the left and right of the lower part of the case to open the prize balls. Inside the case, there are two stages of front and rear impellers 534a, 534b, a motor 533 for rotating the impellers, and a receiving port 53a,
Preliminary prize balls received from 53b are impellers 534a, 5
A taper-shaped cassette internal passage that leads to the payout openings 53c and 53d as the 34b rotates is provided.

The front and rear impellers 534a and 534b have
U-shaped receiving parts for receiving the preliminary prize balls are formed at three places at intervals of 120 degrees, and the positions of the front and rear receiving parts are 6 to each other.
It is attached to the rotary shaft with an offset of 0 degree. Therefore, the preliminary prize balls supplied from the receiving ports 53a and 53b are alternately received by the receiving portions of the front and rear impellers, and pass through the passage in the cassette on the right or the left as the impellers 534a and 534b rotate, and form the tapered surface. Is guided to the center of the front-rear direction and is paid out from either the left or right payout outlet.

Prize balls are paid out based on a payout command signal output from the prize ball control board 92 under a predetermined condition. The prize ball cassette 53 operates the motor 533 in response to the payout command signal from the prize ball control board 92, and the impeller 53
The prize balls are paid out from the left payout exit 53c or the right payout exit 53d by rotating 4a and 534b clockwise or counterclockwise.

Specifically, the impellers 534a and 534b are rotated counterclockwise, for example, in response to a payout command signal output from the prize ball control board 92 when the game balls are won into the prize winning devices 24, 25 and 26. Then, the number of game balls according to the command signal is paid out to the prize ball payout route 60 as the prize ball from the payout opening 53c on the left side. Further, when a ball lending operation is performed in a so-called CR machine, the impellers 534 and 534 are rotated in the reverse direction, for example, clockwise according to the payout command signal output from the prize ball control board 92, and in response to the command signal. A certain number of game balls are lent out to the prize ball payout route 60 from the payout exit 53d on the right side.

The prize ball cassette mounting portion 37, to which the prize ball cassette 53 is mounted, has a mounting surface which is offset and formed forward in accordance with the thickness of the cassette case 531. The ball passages in the corresponding receiving ports 53a and 53b are connected without a step. Further, the prize ball cassette mounting portion 37 has a cassette engaging portion 3 protruding rearward in an L-shape in a plan view.
7a is formed in three places (only one is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), and a lock piece portion 37b is formed in which a lower end portion of an arm elastically deformable in the front-rear direction is formed with an engaging protrusion protruding rearward. Are formed by integral molding. On the other hand, on the back surface of the cassette case 531, a case side engaging portion 531 that engages with the cassette engaging portion 37a in a disengageable manner.
a is formed in three places (only one is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), and a groove portion 531b which is engageable by receiving the engaging projection of the lock piece portion 37b is integrally formed. .

In the attachment mechanism of the prize ball cassette 53 thus formed, as shown in FIG. 6, with the payout prize ball detecting device 100 opened, the case side engagement formed on the back surface of the cassette case 531. The fitting portion 531a and the cassette engaging portion 37a formed on the prize ball cassette mounting portion 37 are aligned with each other, and the prize ball cassette 53 is slid upward while being pressed forward. Then, the case side engaging portions 531a and the cassette engaging portions 37a at each of the three places are connected, and the engaging protrusions of the lock piece portions 37b project and engage with the groove portions 531b on the case side,
The prize ball cassette 53 is locked and held by the prize ball cassette mounting portion 37.

The payout prize ball detecting device 100 for detecting the game balls (prize balls and loan balls) paid out from the prize ball cassette 53 is provided below the prize ball cassette 53 locked and held as described above. . The payout prize ball detection device 100 according to the present embodiment has detection hole portions 101a and 102a, and ball detection sensors 101 and 102 that electromagnetically detect a game ball when it passes through the detection hole portion. A sensor holder 110 that accommodates the two ball detection sensors 101 and 102 in such a manner that it can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction, and lock arms 121 and 122 that are attached to an intermediate portion between the left and right sides of the sensor holder 110 and that are elastically deformable in the left-right direction. , The engaging portions 121b, 122b formed at the tip of the arm portion engages with the ball detection sensors 101, 102 housed in the sensor holder 110 in a detachable manner to attach these ball detection sensors to the sensor holder 110. The sensor holder 110 is attached to the base frame body 30, and the ball detection sensors 101 and 102 are mounted on the base member 30. Click member 1
When the sensor holder 110 is locked and held by the sensor holder 110, the detection hole portions 101a and 102a are respectively provided in the outlet 53.
It is arranged in the ball passage immediately below c and 53d, and is configured to detect the game balls paid out from the prize ball cassette 53.

The two sphere detection sensors 101, 1 are
02 is a sphere detector of the same model, but here, for convenience, the left sphere detection sensor (the sphere detection sensor corresponding to the payout outlet 53c on the left side of the prize ball cassette 53) is detected as the first sphere. The sensor 101, the detection sensor on the right side (the ball detection sensor corresponding to the payout opening 53d on the right side) are the second ball detection sensor 1
This will be described as 02.

The structure of the sensor holder 110 is roughly divided into a holder main body for accommodating and holding the two ball detection sensors 101, 102 and the lock member 120, and a swivel arm 113 protruding laterally from the holder main body. And is integrally molded by a molding means such as injection molding using a conductive resin material such as ABS resin or polycarbonate having conductivity. The holder main body includes a first housing portion 111 that houses and holds the first sphere detection sensor 101, a second housing portion 112 that houses the second sphere detection sensor 102, and a first housing portion 111 and a second housing portion 112. The lock member accommodating portion 115 is formed between and holds the lock member 120.

The first accommodating portion 111 includes the first ball detection sensor 1
No. 01 is formed into an outer rectangular frame shape, and the first sphere detection sensor 101 is removably housed from the rear end receiving side, and the first sphere detection sensor 101 is attached to the front end stopper portion 111c. This detection sensor 1 is brought into contact with the front end surface of
01 is stored and held. A window portion 111a is formed in front of the first accommodating portion 111 by cutting out a part of the upper and lower supporting surfaces to communicate with each other in the upper and lower portions.
Is formed, and the game ball is detected through the window portion 111a when the first ball detection sensor 101 is accommodated and held.
It is configured to be able to pass through 1a. The second accommodating portion 112 is also configured similarly to the first accommodating portion 111, and accommodates the second ball detection sensor 102 so that it can be inserted and removed from the rear of the second accommodating portion 112 and abuts on the stopper portion 112c at the front end. When the second ball detection sensor 102 is housed and held as described above, the game ball is detected through the front window 112a as the detection hole 1
It is configured to be able to pass through 02a.

The first housing portion 111 and the second housing portion 112 have their respective window portions 11 when the sensor holder 110 is attached to the base frame 30 and is closed and held.
1a and 112a are formed so as to be located directly below the left and right payout openings 53c and 53d of the prize ball cassette 53, and the game balls paid out from the payout openings 53c and 53d are accommodated in the respective accommodation portions. It is configured to drop through the detection hole portions 101a and 102a of the first and second sphere detection sensors.

A lock member accommodating portion 115 is formed between the first accommodating portion 111 and the second accommodating portion 112 thus configured, and the lock member accommodating portion 115 has the first and second sphere detection sensors 101. , 102, and a lock member 120 for engaging and holding these ball detection sensors on the sensor holder 110 is attached. Lock member housing 115
Is a recessed accommodation space between the left and right sphere detector accommodating portions surrounded by wall surfaces on the upper, lower, left, right and front end sides, and the lock member 120 is accommodated and fixed from the rear in this space.
The bottom surface of the lock member accommodating portion 115 is notched in a U shape to form a closing engagement portion 115f, and engages with a lock claw 39f of a main body holding portion 39, which will be described later, in a disengageable manner.

The lock member 120 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and extends in the vertical direction, and two lock arms 1 that extend from the base portion 125 to the rear left and right in a V-shape and extend.
21 and 122 are mainly composed of nylon (P
A), polyacetal (POM), polypropylene (P
P), a soft resin material such as a natural material of ABS resin having a relatively low flexural modulus is integrally molded by a molding means such as injection molding.

A hole for receiving the cylindrical collar 127 is formed on the inner surface of the base 125, and a convex portion 125b protruding forward and extending vertically toward the front end side of the outer surface of the cylinder.
Are formed. On the other hand, a seat 115a for supporting the bottom surface of the base 125 and a screw receiving portion 115c are formed in the inner portion of the lock member accommodating portion 115, and a slit-like concave portion 115b for receiving the convex portion 125b is formed on the front end wall surface. Has been done. In the lock member 120, the collar 127 is fitted into the base 125 and inserted from the rear of the lock member accommodating portion 115, and in the state in which the convex portion 125b at the front end is engaged with the concave portion 115b, the flat machine screw 128 is inserted from the upper surface. The lock member accommodating portion 1
It is fixed at 15.

The two lock arms that open and extend in a V-shape from the base 125 fixed in this way, that is, the first lock arm 121 and the second lock arm 122, extend from the base 125 obliquely to the left and right, respectively. 1st arm part 121a and 2nd arm part 122a, the 1st engagement part 121b and the 2nd engagement part 122b which are respectively projected and formed in the tip of each arm part toward the outside of right and left, the arm part and the engagement part A first knob portion 121c and a second knob portion 122c which are bent and formed by connecting the above and project upward.
And the like, and both lock arms are formed symmetrically with the base portion 125 interposed therebetween.

The first arm portion 121a of the first lock arm 121 is formed in a leaf spring shape extending obliquely leftward and rearward from the base portion 125 as shown in the respective drawings, and is elastically deformed by the first arm portion 121a. The tip side of the fixed base 125 is elastically deformable in the horizontal direction in the horizontal plane. The first locking portion 121b formed at the tip of the first arm portion is the accommodated first sphere detection sensor 101 when the first sphere detection sensor 101 is inserted and accommodated in the first accommodation portion 111. The first knob 121c is formed to be engageable with the rear end surface of the first ball detection sensor 101 housed in the first housing 111, and the first ball 121c is engaged with the rear end surface of the first ball detection sensor 101. It is set so as to project above the upper surface of the detection sensor 101.

When the lock member 120 is attached to the lock member accommodating portion 115, the first arm portion 121a comes into contact with the left wall surface end portion of the lock member accommodating portion 115 and is slightly elastically deformed to the left. It is arranged so as to maintain a constant biasing force toward. Therefore, the first locking portion 121
b and the first knob portion 121c are the first accommodating portion 11 due to the elastic force of the first arm portion 121a thus held.
The first locking portion 121 is biased in the direction 1 (leftward).
b is disposed at the position behind the first accommodation portion 111 and protruding leftward.

The second lock arm 122 is formed symmetrically with the first lock arm 121, and the second arm portion 122a is formed like a leaf spring extending obliquely rearward and rightward from the base portion 125. , The base portion 12 fixed by elastically deforming the second arm portion 122a
5, the tip end side is elastically deformable in the horizontal direction in the horizontal plane. The second locking portion 122b formed at the tip of the second arm portion 122a is attached to the second accommodation portion 112 by the second locking portion 122b.
When the sphere detection sensor 102 is inserted and accommodated, the sphere detection sensor 102 is formed to be engageable with the rear end surface of the accommodated second sphere detection sensor 102, and the second knob portion 122c is accommodated in the second accommodation portion 112. The second ball detection sensor 102 is formed so as to be engageable with the rear end surface of the second ball detection sensor 102, and is set to project above the upper surface of the second ball detection sensor 102.

When the lock member 120 is attached to the lock member accommodating portion 115, the second arm portion 122a comes into contact with the right wall surface end portion of the lock member accommodating portion 115 and slightly moves, as shown in FIG. It is elastically deformed and is arranged so as to maintain a constant biasing force to the right. Therefore, the second locking portion 122b and the second grip portion 122c are biased toward the second housing portion 112 (rightward) by the elastic force of the second arm portion 122a held in this way. The second locking portion 122b is disposed behind the second accommodation portion 112 at a position protruding rightward.

Since the first lock arm 121 and the second lock arm 122 are restricted from rotating in the left-right direction due to the engagement between the convex portion 125b and the concave portion 115b, the operating force is applied to either one of the arms. Even if it acts, both arms do not rotate integrally, and the first arm portion 121a and the second arm portion 122a each independently elastically deform and the locking portions 121b, 122b at the tips are individually displaced in the left-right direction. It is possible.

The sensor holder 110 having such a structure
When the ball detection sensors 101 and 102 are attached to the, the lock arm is elastically deformed toward the center of the left and right to retract the locking portion, and the ball detection sensor is inserted from the rear of each accommodation portion and accommodated. Now, a case where the first ball detection sensor 101 is attached will be described. First, the first knob 12
Put your finger on 1c to displace it to the right,
By elastically deforming a, the first locking portion 121b protruding rearward of the first accommodating portion 111 is retracted from the rear extension line of this accommodating portion. Next, the first ball detection sensor 101 is inserted from the rear of the first housing portion 111 toward the front, and is housed until the front end portion of the first ball detection sensor 101 contacts the stopper portion 111c. When the finger is released from the first knob 121c after the first ball detection sensor 101 is housed in this way, the first arm 121a is self-recovered by the elastic force and the side end surface of the first knob 121c is moved to the first side. While engaging with the rear end surface of the ball detection sensor 101, the first locking portion 121b is the first
The sphere detection sensor 101 is regulated so that it does not move in the removal direction by protruding to the left behind the sphere detection sensor 101, and the sensor holder 110 is locked and held.

When the first ball detection sensor 101 is locked and held by the sensor holder 110 in this manner, the detection hole portion 101a of the first ball detection sensor is arranged in position alignment with the upper and lower windows 111a, and the game ball is Through the window portion 111a, the detection hole portion 10
It is arranged so that it can pass through 1a. The protruding end of the first locking portion 121b is chamfered at a corner in the insertion direction to form a tapered surface. For example, the first ball detection sensor 1
Even if the finger is removed from the first picking portion 121c while 01 is being inserted into the first accommodating portion 111, the first ball detecting sensor 101 can be smoothly inserted by pressing the first ball detecting sensor 101 forward. It is configured so that it can be housed and retained.

When removing the first ball detection sensor 101, the procedure may be the reverse of the above-mentioned mounting. This will be briefly described. First, by placing a finger on the first knob 121c and displacing it to the right, the first arm 121a is elastically deformed and the first locking portion 121b and the first ball detection sensor 101 are separated. The engagement is released, and the first locking portion 121b is retracted from the rear extension line of the accommodating portion. Next, the first ball detection sensor 101
The rear part is picked up and pulled out backward to be removed from the first accommodating part 111. After that, if you release your finger from the first picking portion 121c, the first
The arm portion 121a is self-returned by the elastic force, and the first locking portion 121b is returned to the standby state in which it projects rearward of the first accommodating portion 111 (the second lock arm 122 in FIG. 9).
See).

As described above, the first lock arm 121
The second lock arm 122 and the second lock arm 122 are formed symmetrically, and the mounting and removal of the second ball detection sensor 102 are performed in the same manner as the mounting and removal of the first ball detection sensor 101.
Therefore, those skilled in the art can easily understand the operation, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

Now, the turning arm portion 113 is formed so as to project rightward from the holder main body portion constructed as described above. The revolving arm portion 113 is composed of a plate-shaped upper arm 113U and a lower arm 113L extending in parallel in the vertical direction, and cylindrical fitting protrusions 11 projecting upward and downward from each other at the tips of these arms 113U and 113L.
3Uh and 113Lh are formed. The upper and lower fitting protrusions 113Uh and 113Lh are formed by tapering off the columnar heads of the tip ends of the revolving arms 113 that are obliquely cut off to facilitate mounting on the base frame body 30. In addition, the upper arm 113U and the lower arm 11
On the base end side of 3L, inwardly facing R portions 113Ur and 113Lr are formed at joints with the holder main body, respectively.
Both arms are configured to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction (see FIG. 11).

On the other hand, the base frame body 30 to which the sensor holder 110 is attached is formed with a swing arm support portion 38 which projects rightward from the base frame body 30 and supports the swing arm 113. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the swivel arm support portion 38 is formed in a concave shape in a side view, and the swivel arm fitting projection 113U is formed on the upper and lower surfaces sandwiching the concave portion.
Fitting support grooves 38U and 38L for receiving h and 113Lh and supporting the sensor holder 110 so as to be horizontally rotatable are formed. To the left and right of the fitting support grooves 38U and 38L,
A rib 38c is provided upright to restrict the sensor holder 110 from excessively turning.

Further, there is provided a main body holding portion 39 which is located below the prize ball cassette 53 mounting portion 37 and which projects rearward from the base frame 30 and holds and holds the holder main body portion of the sensor holder 110 in a closed state. ing. The main body holding portion 39 is
The sensor holder 11 is engaged with the bottom surface of the sensor holder 110.
It comprises a support portion 39a for supporting 0, and a lock portion 39b which is separated from the left and right in the center of the support portion 39a and extends rearward in an arm shape. The left and right end portions of the support portion 39a are bent downward to function as vertical ribs, and are configured to increase the resistance force against the downward force acting on the support portion 39a, that is, the support force. Further, the lock portion 39b is configured to be elastically deformable up and down relatively easily by separating it from the base end side of the support portion 39a, and the rear end portion thereof projects upward like a wedge and engages with the above-mentioned closing engagement portion 115f. A detachable lock claw 39f is formed.

The sensor holder 110 is attached to the turning arm support 3
When attaching to 8, the tapered surfaces of the fitting protrusions 113Uh and 113Lh are attached to the swivel arm support portion 3 as shown in FIG.
8 and presses the sensor holder 110 toward the fitting support grooves 38U and 38L. At this time, the upper and lower turning arms 113U and 113L are easily elastically deformed and fitted by the action of the tapered surface formed on the fitting protrusion and the action of the R portions 113Ur and 113Lr formed at the base end of the turning arm. When the projection portion enters between the upper and lower surfaces of the swivel arm support portion 38 and the fitting projections 113Uh and 113Lh reach the fitting support grooves 38U and 38L, the elastic force returns to the original state, and the fitting projection portion 113Uh, 113Lh and the fitting support grooves 38U, 38L engage with each other. As a result, the sensor holder 110 is supported by the revolving arm support 38 so as to be horizontally rotatable.

Next, the sensor holder 110 is horizontally swung, and the main body of the sensor holder 110 is closed so as to be inserted between the prize ball cassette 53 and the payout prize ball path 60.
The main body holding portion 39 is locked and held. At this time, the lower surface of the sensor holder 110 comes into contact with the lock claw 39f of the lock part, but by further pressing the holder main body forward, the arm of the lock part 39b elastically deforms downward and the lock claw 39f.
f retracts downward and receives the sensor holder 110. When the front end surface of the sensor holder 110 is swung to the closed position where it abuts on the prize ball cassette mounting surface 37, the central portion of the lower surface of the sensor holder 110 is supported by the support portion 39a, and the lock claw 39f is closed. The sensor holder 110 is locked and held in the closed position by engaging with 115f.

When the sensor holder 110 is locked and held at the closed position in this way, the detection hole portions 101a and 102a of the first and second ball detection sensors are respectively arranged on the left and right outlets 53c of the prize ball cassette 53. The game balls (prize balls or loan balls), which are arranged immediately below 53d and are paid out from the prize ball cassette 53, fall into the payout prize ball path 60 through the detection hole portions 101a and 102a (FIG. 5). And FIG.
See). First and second sphere detection sensors 101, 102
When the game ball passes through the detection hole, for example, Lo
Level or Hi level detection signal is sent to the prize ball control board 92.
Output to. The prize ball control board 92 counts the actual number of game balls actually paid out based on the detection signals input from these ball detection sensors 101 and 102, and feeds it back to the payout control of prize balls and loan balls. As a result, accurate payout control of the prize balls and the loan balls paid out from the prize ball cassette 53 is performed.

In the above, the procedure for assembling the sensor holder 110 to the base frame 30 with the first and second sphere detection sensors 101 and 102 held in engagement with the sensor holder 110 has been illustrated. 110 is the base frame 3
Each ball detection sensor 10 even after being attached to 0
1, 102 can be easily attached and detached and replaced. That is, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the sensor holder 110
The first and second knobs 121c and 122c can be operated to easily attach and detach the first and second ball detection sensors 101 and 102 in a state where the ball is swung from the lower part of the prize ball cassette 53 to the open position. it can.

On the other hand, in the normal game state, that is, in the state where the prize ball cassette 53 is attached to the prize ball cassette mounting portion 37 and the sensor holder 110 is locked and held by the main body holding portion 39, the first and second picking portions. 121c and 122c are located directly below the prize ball cassette 53, and these knobs cannot be easily operated. Therefore, for example, when the entire front frame is opened during the game, the first or second knob is operated to release the lock by the locking portion, and the first or second ball detection sensor 101, 102 is operated. It is possible to prevent fraudulent acts such as removal from each accommodation unit. If the probability of such fraudulent behavior is extremely low or if it can be prevented by other means, for example, the first and second knobs may be projected rearward from the rear end surface of each locking portion. Even if both the prize ball cassette 53 and the sensor holder 110 are locked and held on the base frame side by the formation or the like, the knob can be operated to unlock the sensor holder 110. It is possible to configure a payout prize ball detection device in which the ball detection sensors 101 and 102 can be attached / detached and replaced without opening.

According to the payout prize ball detecting apparatus 100 having the above-described structure, the sensor holder 110 and the lock member 120 are formed as separate members, and therefore, depending on the characteristics required for each member. It is possible to configure the device by selecting the most suitable material and shape, and thereby to compose a sphere detection device that is compact and has good operability, satisfying the characteristics that were difficult to achieve in the past. You can Further, in the payout prize ball detecting device 100, both the left and right ball detecting sensors 101 and 102 are releasably locked by one lock member 120, and each ball detecting sensor is independently or individually as necessary. It can be attached and detached at the same time by operating the left and right knobs together. Further, since the first and second lock arms 121 and 122 are formed so as to be elastically deformable in the left-right direction, it is possible to suppress the vertical dimension of the sensor holder 110 and configure a thin sphere detection device.

Further, in the payout prize ball detecting device 100 shown in this embodiment, the base 125 of the lock member 120 is arranged in front of the lock member accommodating portion 115 while the ball detecting sensors 101 and 102 are locked. Since the stoppers 121b and 122b are formed so as to project rearward from the lock member accommodating portion 115 and engage with the rear ends of the respective ball detection sensors, the elastically deformable arm portions 121a and 122a should be formed long. This makes it possible to configure a sphere detection device having good operability even when a relatively hard resin material is used.

Next, a payout prize ball detecting device 150 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The payout prize ball detection device 150 is a ball detection device in which the lock arm is displaceable in the left-right direction, like the payout prize ball detection device 100 of the first embodiment described above. Only the structure of the lock member and the structure of the sensor holder accommodating and holding the lock member are different. Therefore, in the following description, the configuration of these members will be mainly described, the same parts as those of the payout prize ball detecting device 100 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted. Note that FIG. 13 corresponds to FIG. 4 and is a perspective view showing a main part of the payout prize ball detecting device 150, FIG. 14 is a plan view of a lock arm part in an engaged state with a ball detecting sensor, and FIG. 15 corresponds to FIG. FIG. 16 is a plan sectional view for explaining a detached state of the ball detection sensor, and FIG. 16 is a rear view of the payout prize ball detection device 150 corresponding to FIG. 7.

The payout prize sphere detection device 150 includes first and second sphere detection sensors 101 and 102 for detecting a game sphere when it passes through the detection hole portion, and these sphere detection sensors 1
01 and 102 are housed in the sensor holder 160 so that the sensor holder 160 houses the sensor holder 160 so that it can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction, and the lock arms 171 and 172 that are attached to the left and right intermediate portions of the sensor holder 160 and are elastically deformable in the left-right direction. The main components are a locking member 170 that engages with the sphere detection sensors 101 and 102 that are engaged with each other in a detachable manner to lock and hold these sphere detection sensors on the sensor holder 160.

The holder main body of the sensor holder 160 has a lock member accommodating portion 165 for accommodating and retaining the first accommodating portion 111 and the second accommodating portion 112, which accommodate the ball detection sensors 101 and 102 in such a manner that they can be inserted and removed from the rear side, and the lock member 170. And the swing arm part 1 protruding laterally from the holder body part.
63 is formed. The sensor holder 160 is integrally molded with the same molding material using the same resin material as that of the sensor holder 110 in the first embodiment.

The first accommodation section 111 and the second accommodation section 112
Is similar to each of the above-mentioned housings, and the windows 111a and 112a and the stoppers 111c and 11 are provided at predetermined positions in the front.
2c is formed, and the ball detection sensor 1 is provided from the rear end receiving side.
01, 102 are inserted and removed freely, and the front stopper part 1
When the ball detection sensor is housed until it comes into contact with 11c and 112c, the game ball can pass through the detection holes 101a and 102a through the windows 111a and 112a.

A lock member accommodating portion 165 is formed between the first accommodating portion 111 and the second accommodating portion 112, and the lock member accommodating portion 165 has the first and second sphere detection sensors 101, 1.
02 to engage these ball detection sensors with the sensor holder 1
A lock member 170 that locks and holds 60 is attached. The lock member accommodating portion 165 forms a concave accommodating space between the left and right sphere detector accommodating portions, and the upper, lower, left, right, and front end sides are surrounded by the wall surface.
0 is stored and fixedly held. The lock member accommodating portion 165 is provided with a pedestal portion 165a extending rearward from the front wall surface, and an engaging protrusion 165 protruding rearward from the seating surface at a rear end thereof.
b is formed, and a screw receiving portion 165c is formed from the seat surface toward the front.

On the other hand, the lock member 170 is mainly composed of a rectangular flat plate-shaped base portion 175, and a first lock arm 171 and a second lock arm 172 which open from the base portion 175 obliquely rearward and leftward and rightward, respectively. The lock member 120 is integrally molded using the same resin material as the lock member 120 by the same molding means. The base portion 175 has an engagement hole 17 that is removably engaged with an engagement protrusion 165b at the rear end of the pedestal portion 165a.
5b is formed, and a flat fixing hole 175c for receiving the flat machine screw 178 is formed. Lock member 1
In the reference numeral 70, the base portion 175 is inserted from the rear of the lock member accommodating portion 165, and the engagement hole 175b of the base portion is inserted into the engagement protrusion 1 of the pedestal portion.
In a state of being fitted to the 65b and positioned, the flat small screw 178 is inserted from the rear into the flat fixing hole 175c and screwed to the screw receiving portion 165c, whereby the position is fixed to the lock member accommodating portion 165.

A first lock arm 171 and a second lock arm 172 extending obliquely rearward from the base 175 to the left and right.
Are first and second arm portions 171a and 172 that are formed in leaf spring shapes and are elastically deformable in the horizontal direction in the horizontal plane.
a, the first and second locking portions 171b and 172b that are respectively formed on the distal ends of the arm portions so as to project outward in the left and right directions, and are bent and formed between the arm portions and the engagement portions and project upward. The first and second knobs 171c and 172c are formed, and both lock arms 171 and 172 are formed symmetrically with the base 175 in between. In addition, the first and second locking portions 171a,
172b and the first and second knobs 171c and 172c
The configuration of is similar to that of the locking portions (121b, 12b) of the above-described embodiment.
2b) and the knobs (121c, 122c), the following will briefly describe the configuration of the first lock arm 171.

The first locking portion 171b is the first locking portion 171b when the first ball detection sensor 101 is housed in the first housing portion 111.
It is formed so as to be engageable with the rear end surface of the sphere detection sensor 101, and the first knob portion 171c is formed so as to be engageable with the rear end surface of the first sphere detection sensor 101 and from the upper surface of the first sphere detection sensor 101. Is also set to project upward. Further, a taper surface for smoothly accommodating the first ball detection sensor 101 is formed on the protruding end of the first locking portion 171b. When the first ball detection sensor 101 is not inserted into the first accommodating portion 111, the first arm portion 171a is placed in a natural state without contacting the side wall surface of the lock member accommodating portion 165, and the natural state is maintained. The first engaging portion 171b at the arm tip is positioned so as to project rearward of the first accommodating portion 111, and is disposed so as to be displaceable in the left-right direction (see FIG.
(See second lock arm 172 in 5).

The first lock arm 171 and the second lock arm 172 define the vertical and horizontal positions and the rotation angle position of the arm portion by the engagement between the engagement protrusion 165b and the engagement hole 175b, and the small swing angle. The lock member 17 is resisted against the rotational moment acting around the fixed axis of the screw 178.
0 is fixedly supported. Therefore, even if an operating force is applied to either one of the lock arms, both arms do not rotate integrally, and the first arm portion 171a and the second arm portion 17 are not rotated.
2a and 2a are elastically deformed independently of each other, and a locking portion 171 at the tip end
b and 172b are individually displaceable in the left-right direction.

The sensor holder 160 configured as described above
When the first ball detection sensor 101 is attached to the first holding part 171c, a finger is placed on the first picking part 171c to displace it to the right, and the first arm part 171a is elastically deformed to project to the rear of the first housing part 111. The existing first locking portion 171b is retracted from the rear extension line of this accommodating portion. Next, the first ball detection sensor 101 is inserted from the rear of the first housing portion 111 and is housed until the front end of the first ball detection sensor 101 abuts the stopper portion 111c. Then, when the finger is released from the first knob 171c,
The first arm portion 171a is self-returned by the elastic force and
The side end surface of the grip portion 171c engages with the rear side end surface of the first ball detection sensor 101, and the first locking portion 171b projects leftward behind the first ball detection sensor 101 so that the first ball detection sensor 101. Is regulated so that it does not move in the removal direction,
The sensor holder 160 is locked and held.

When the first ball detection sensor 101 is locked and held in this way, the detection hole portion 101a of the first ball detection sensor is arranged in position alignment with the upper and lower windows 111a, and the game ball passes through the window 111a. It is arranged so that it can pass through the detection hole portion 101a. In addition, when removing the first ball detection sensor 101, it suffices to perform the procedure in the reverse order of the above-mentioned mounting, and since this operation is the same as that of the award ball detection apparatus 100 described above,
The description is omitted here.

The sensor holder 160 configured as described above
Of the swivel arm portion 16 protruding rightward from the holder main body portion of
3 is formed. The swivel arm portion 163 is composed of a plate-shaped upper arm 163U and a lower arm 163L extending in parallel in the vertical direction, like the above-described swivel arm portion 113, and a screw 168 is provided at a tip portion of both arms 163U and 163L.
Is formed with a threaded hole through which is inserted. On the other hand, the base frame 3
On the 0 side, a swivel arm support portion (not shown) that receives the screw 168 and supports the sensor holder 160 so as to swivel horizontally around the axis of the screw 168 is formed, and similar to the main body holding portion 39 described above. A main body holding portion for holding the sensor holder 160 in a closed state is formed on the.

Then, when the sensor holder 160 is locked and held at the closed position, the detection hole portions 101a and 102a of the first and second ball detection sensors are respectively formed on the left and right payout openings 53c and 53d of the prize ball cassette 53. It is located directly below,
The game balls (prize balls or loan balls) paid out from the prize ball cassette 53 fall into the payout prize ball path 60 through the detection hole portions 101a and 102a. First and second sphere detection sensor 10
1, 102 output a detection signal to the prize ball control board 92 when the game ball passes through the detection hole portion, and the prize ball control board 92 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls based on the input detection signal. Give feedback to. With this, prize ball cassette 5
With respect to the prize balls and the lending balls paid out from 3, accurate payout control is performed.

According to the payout prize ball detecting device 150 configured as described above, the sensor holder 160 and the lock member 17 are provided.
Since 0 and 0 are configured by different members, the apparatus can be configured by selecting the optimum material for each, and thus the sphere detection apparatus having a small size and good operability can be configured.
Also, while the left and right sphere detection sensors 101 and 102 are releasably locked by one lock member 170, the sphere detection sensors can be attached or detached independently or simultaneously as necessary. In addition, the first and second lock arms 1
Since 71 and 172 are formed so as to be elastically deformable in the left-right direction, it is possible to prevent fraudulent acts as with the above-described payout prize ball detecting device 100, and the sensor holder 160 is provided.
It is possible to configure a thin sphere detection device by suppressing the vertical dimension of the.

Further, in the payout prize ball detecting device 150 according to the present embodiment, both the sensor holder 160 and the lock member 170 can be constructed with a relatively simple structure, so that the member cost and the assembly man-hour can be suppressed. Thus, the sphere detection device having good operability can be constructed at low cost.

Next, a payout prize ball detecting device 200 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The payout prize ball detection device 200 is a ball detection device in which a lock arm can be displaced in the vertical direction, and has a configuration of the payout prize ball detection devices 100 and 150 and the lock member described above, and stores and holds the lock member. Only the configuration of the sensor holder is different. Therefore, in the following description, the configuration of these members will be mainly described, and the same parts as those in the payout prize ball detecting device described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted. In addition,
FIG. 17 corresponds to FIG. 4 and FIG.
18 is a partial cross-sectional view (side cross-sectional view) showing a mounting state of a lock member, and FIG. 19 is a horizontal cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 9 and FIG. 20 is a rear view of the payout prize ball detecting device 200 corresponding to FIGS.

The payout prize ball detection device 200 includes first and second ball detection sensors 101 and 102 for detecting a game ball when it passes through the detection hole portion, and these ball detection sensor 1
The sensor holder 210, which houses 01 and 102 so as to be insertable and removable in the front-rear direction, and the lock arms 221, 222 which are attached to the left and right intermediate portions of the sensor holder 210 and are elastically deformable in the obliquely vertical direction, are provided in the sensor holder 210. The main components are a lock member 220 that engages with the housed sphere detection sensors 101 and 102 in a disengageable manner, and locks and holds the sphere detection sensors on the sensor holder 210.

The holder main body of the sensor holder 210 has a lock member accommodating portion 215 for accommodating and retaining the first accommodating portion 111 and the second accommodating portion 112, and the lock member 220, which accommodates the ball detection sensors 101 and 102 in such a manner that they can be inserted and removed from the rear side. And a laterally projecting arm portion 2 from the holder body.
13 is formed. The sensor holder 210 is integrally molded using the same resin material as that of the sensor holder 110 described above by the same molding means.

First accommodation section 111 and second accommodation section 112
Is similar to each of the above-mentioned housings, and the windows 111a and 112a and the stoppers 111c and 11 are provided at predetermined front positions.
2c is formed, and the ball detection sensor 1 is provided from the rear end receiving side.
01, 102 are inserted and removed freely, and the front stopper part 1
When the ball detection sensor is housed until it comes into contact with 11c and 112c, the game ball can pass through the detection holes 101a and 102a through the windows 111a and 112a.

A lock member accommodating portion 215 is formed between the first accommodating portion 111 and the second accommodating portion 112, and the lock member accommodating portion 215 includes the first and second ball detection sensors 10.
A lock member 220 that engages with the sphere detection sensors 1 and 102 to lock and hold these sphere detection sensors on the sensor holder 210 is attached. The lock member accommodating portion 215 forms a recessed accommodating space between the left and right sphere detector accommodating portions whose upper, lower, left, right and front end sides are surrounded by wall surfaces, and the lock member 220 is accommodated and fixed from the rear in this space.

The lock member accommodating portion 215 is provided with a stepped cylindrical shaft portion 215a extending rearward from the front wall surface, and above the shaft portion 215a is opened downward and extends in the front-rear direction in a rail shape. The combined rail portion 215b is formed, and below the shaft portion 215a, a receiving recess 215d that opens upward and extends in the front-rear direction is formed. Shaft 215a
The screw receiving portion 215c from the rear end side of the shaft toward the front.
Are formed.

On the other hand, the lock member 220 has a base portion 225 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and extending in the front-rear direction, and the base portion 22.
5 mainly includes a first lock arm 221 and a second lock arm 222 which open in the left-right upward direction in a V shape and are integrally formed by the same molding means using the same resin material as the above-mentioned lock member 120. Molded. Base 225
Is formed with a bearing portion 225a which penetrates the cylindrical shaft center portion in the front-rear direction and is removably engaged with the front portion of the shaft portion 215a in the lock member accommodating portion, and protrudes upward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder. Engaging protrusions 225b that extend in the direction and are engageable with the engaging rail portions 215b are formed.

In the lock member 220, the bearing portion 225a is fitted to the shaft portion 215a, the engaging rail portion 215b and the engaging projection portion 225b are engaged, and the front end surface of the bearing portion 225a is a step of the shaft portion 215a. It is inserted until it comes into contact with the mounting surface, and the seated screw 128 is inserted into the screw receiving portion 215c from the rear end side and screwed to fix and position it in the lock member accommodating portion 215. The receiving recess 215d receives the base 225 so that it can be inserted and removed.

A first V-shaped opening extending from the base 225
The lock arm 221 and the second lock arm 222 are
A first arm portion 221a and a second arm portion 222a extending obliquely upward and to the left and right from the base portion 225, and first and second locking portions 221b protruding outward from the left and right at the tip of each arm portion, 222b, first and second knobs 221 formed to project upward from the upper end of the arm portion
c, 222c, etc., both lock arms 221 and 2
22 are formed symmetrically with the base portion 225 sandwiched therebetween. Therefore, hereinafter, the configuration of the first lock arm 221 will be mainly described, and the description of the second lock arm 222 will be omitted.

The first arm portion 221a of the first lock arm 221 is formed in a leaf spring shape extending obliquely upward to the left from the base portion 225, and the elastic deformation of the first arm portion 221 causes the base portion 225 to move. The arm tip end side is elastically deformable in an obliquely vertical direction with respect to the base portion 225 in a plane orthogonal to the axial direction. The first locking portion 221b formed at the tip of the first arm portion is the first arm portion 2
The engaging piece portion is formed so as to project substantially horizontally from the upper end portion of 21a to the left, and the locking piece portion is formed to project vertically to the left from the upper rear end surface of the first arm portion 221a. When the ball detection sensor 101 is housed in the first housing part 111,
The engagement piece portion is formed to be engageable with the rear end surface of the first ball detection sensor 101, and the locking piece portion is formed to be engageable with the rear end surface of the first ball detection sensor 101. Further, the first knob portion 221c projects further upward from the upper surface of the engagement piece portion of the first locking portion 221b, and when the first ball detection sensor 101 is housed in the first housing portion 111, the first ball portion 221c. Detection sensor 1
It is formed so as to project above the upper surface of 01. In addition, a taper surface that allows the first ball detection sensor 101 to be housed smoothly is formed at the protruding end of the first locking portion 221b.

In the first lock arm 221, when the first ball detection sensor 101 is not inserted in the first accommodating portion 111, the engaging pieces of the first arm portion 221a and the first locking portion 221b are locked. It is placed in a natural state without coming into contact with the side wall surface of the member accommodating portion 215, and in this natural state, the engaging piece portion and the engaging piece portion of the first engaging portion 221b are the first accommodating portion 11.
1 is disposed so as to project to the rear of 1 (see the second lock arm 222 in FIG. 19).

The upper and lower left and right positions of the first lock arm 221 and the second lock arm 222 are defined by fitting the shaft portion 215a and the bearing portion 225a, and the engaging rail portion 215b.
The rotation angle position is defined by the engagement between the engagement protrusion 225a and the engagement protrusion 225a. Further, the lock member 220 is supported by the engagement of the engagement rail portion 215b and the engagement protrusion portion 225a against the rotation moment acting around the fitting axis, and the rotation thereof is restricted. Therefore, even if the operating force acts on either the left or right lock arm in the vertical direction, both lock arms do not rotate integrally, and the first arm portion 221
a and the second arm portion 222a are independently elastically deformed so that the locking portions 221b and 222b at the tips can be individually displaced in the obliquely vertical direction.

The sensor holder 210 having such a configuration
When the first ball detection sensor 101 is attached to the first holding portion 221c, a finger is placed on the first grip portion 221c to displace it diagonally upward to the right, and the first arm portion 221a is elastically deformed to project to the rear of the first accommodating portion 111. The first locking portion 221b that is open is retracted from the rear extension line of the accommodation portion. Next, the first ball detection sensor 1
01 is inserted from the rear of the first accommodating portion 111 and accommodated until the front end portion of the first ball detection sensor 101 abuts the stopper portion 111c. Then, when the finger is released from the first grip portion 221c, the first arm portion 221a is self-recovered by the elastic force, and the side end surface of the engaging piece portion of the first locking portion 221b becomes the first end portion.
While engaging with the rear end surface of the ball detection sensor 101,
The locking piece portion of the first locking portion 221b protrudes leftward behind the first ball detection sensor 101 to project to the first ball detection sensor 10
1 is regulated so as not to move in the removing direction, and is held by the sensor holder 210.

When the first ball detection sensor 101 is locked and held in this manner, the detection hole portion 101a of the first ball detection sensor is disposed in position alignment with the upper and lower windows 111a, and the game ball passes through the window 111a. It is arranged so that it can pass through the detection hole portion 101a. The protruding end of the locking piece of the first locking portion 221b is chamfered at the corner in the insertion direction to form a tapered surface. For example, the first ball detection sensor 10
1 is inserted into the first accommodating portion 111, even if the finger is removed from the first pick portion 221c, the first ball detection sensor 1
By pressing 01 into the front, the first ball detection sensor 101 can be smoothly accommodated and locked and held.

On the other hand, when removing the first ball detection sensor 101, the procedure may be reversed from the above-mentioned mounting. That is, first, a finger is first applied to the first grip portion 221c to displace it diagonally upward to the right, and the first arm portion 221a is elastically deformed to move the first arm portion 221a.
The engagement between the locking portion 221b and the first ball detection sensor 101 is released, and the first locking portion 221b is retracted from the rear extension line of the housing portion. Then, the rear part of the first ball detection sensor 101 is picked up and pulled out backward to be removed from the first accommodating part 111. After that, when the finger is released from the first grip portion 221c, the first arm portion 221a is self-recovered by the elastic force, and the first locking portion 221b is displaced diagonally leftward and downward and protrudes rearward of the first accommodating portion 111. Return to the standby state (second in FIG. 19)
See lock arm 222).

The sensor holder 210 having such a configuration
Of the swing arm portion 21 protruding rightward from the holder main body portion of
3 is formed. The swivel arm portion 213, like the swivel arm portion 163 described above, includes a plate-shaped upper arm 213U and a lower arm 213L that extend in parallel in the vertical direction, and a screw 168 is provided at the tip of both arms 213U and 213L.
Is formed with a threaded hole through which is inserted. On the other hand, the base frame 3
On the 0 side, a swivel arm support portion (not shown) is formed which receives the screw 218 and horizontally swivels the sensor holder 210 around the axis of the screw 218. A main body holding portion for holding the sensor holder 210 in a closed state is formed on the. The lock portion (39b in FIG. 4) in this embodiment is formed by offsetting downward from the support portion (39a) in accordance with the receiving recess 215d protruding downward in an arc shape.

Then, when the sensor holder 210 is locked and held at the closed position, the detection hole portions 101a and 102a of the first and second ball detection sensors respectively correspond to the left and right payout openings 53c and 53d of the prize ball cassette 53. It is located directly below,
The game balls (prize balls or loan balls) paid out from the prize ball cassette 53 fall into the payout prize ball path 60 through the detection hole portions 101a and 102a. First and second sphere detection sensor 10
1, 102 output a detection signal to the prize ball control board 92 when the game ball passes through the detection hole portion, and the prize ball control board 92 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls based on the input detection signal. Give feedback to. With this, prize ball cassette 5
With respect to the prize balls and the lending balls paid out from 3, accurate payout control is performed.

According to the payout prize ball detecting device 200 configured as described above, the sensor holder 210 and the lock member 22 are provided.
Since 0 and 0 are configured by different members, the apparatus can be configured by selecting the optimum material for each, and thus the sphere detection apparatus having a small size and good operability can be configured. Also, while the left and right sphere detection sensors 101 and 102 are releasably locked by one lock member 220, each sphere detection sensor can be independently attached and detached as required. In addition, the first and second lock arms 221, 22
Since 2 is formed to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction, the size of the sensor holder 210 in the front-rear direction can be suppressed and a small sphere detection device can be configured.

Further, in the payout prize ball detecting device 200 according to the present embodiment, the first and second lock arms 221 and 222 are formed so as to extend obliquely upward and the first and second ball detecting sensors 101 and 102 are provided. When attaching and detaching, the first and second locking portions 221b and 222b at the tip of the arm are configured to be displaced upward. Therefore, the normal game state, that is, the prize ball cassette 53 is attached to the prize ball cassette mounting portion 37, and the sensor holder 210 is the prize ball cassette 53.
In the state where the ball detection switch is locked and held in the lower part of the prize ball cassette 5
3 is positioned so that the first and second knobs 221c, 221c, 2
22c cannot be moved upward, and the lock of each ball detection sensor cannot be released. Therefore,
It is possible to reliably prevent fraudulent activity such as unlocking the first front frame or the second ball detection sensor 101, 102 by releasing the lock from the plow in which the entire front frame is opened.
In the payout prize ball detecting device 200 of the present embodiment, the left and right arm parts can be directly operated. For this reason,
If the frequency of fraud is low, for example,
The prize ball cassette 53 and the sensor holder 110 may be configured such that the first and second knob portions are not provided, or the relationship between the protrusion height of the knob portion and the disposition position of the locking portion is appropriately set.
Can be unlocked even when both are locked and held on the side of the base frame, whereby the ball detection sensors 101, 1 can be opened without opening the sensor holder 110.
It is also possible to configure a payout prize ball detecting device capable of attaching and detaching 02.

Next, a payout ball detecting apparatus 300 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 30. The payout prize ball detecting device 300 is a ball detecting device in which the left and right lock arms rotate integrally with each other, and the engaging portions at the tips of the arms are displaced together, so that the left and right ball detecting sensors can be engaged and disengaged at the same time. Of the drawings presented, FIG. 21 corresponds to FIG. 3, and is a rear view showing a region near the payout prize ball detecting device 300 on the back set board 30, and FIG. 22 corresponds to FIG. Internal ball passage and payout prize ball detection device 1
FIG. 23 is a side sectional view showing the relationship with 00 and the operating state, FIG. 23 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 4 and showing a disassembled state in the vicinity of the attachment portion of the payout prize ball detecting device 300, and FIG. 24 is shown in FIGS. 25 is a perspective view showing the main part of the corresponding payout ball detecting device.
7 is a front view of the lock member 320 as viewed from the front side (game board side), FIG. 26 is a partial cross-sectional view (flat cross-sectional view) showing an attached state of the lock member and a detached state of the ball detection sensor, and FIG. , A rear view of the payout prize ball detecting device 300 corresponding to FIGS. 16 and 20, and FIGS. 28 and 29 correspond to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, respectively, and payout prize ball detecting device 300.
FIG. 30 is a side sectional view for explaining the attached state of FIG. 30, and FIG. 30 is a plane sectional view corresponding to FIG. 12 and taken along arrows XXX-XXX in FIG.

The payout prize ball detecting device 300 is different from the payout prize ball detecting device 100 described above only in the structure of the lock member and the structure of the sensor holder for accommodating and holding the lock member. , Prize ball cassette 53,
The payout prize ball path 60, the prize ball cassette 52, and the payout prize ball detecting device mounting structures 37, 38, 39, etc. are similar to those of the payout prize ball detecting device 100 described above. The duplicate description is omitted.

The payout prize ball detecting device 300 includes first and second ball detecting sensors 101 and 102 for detecting a game ball when it passes through the detection hole portion, and these ball detecting sensor 1
Sensor holder 310 that accommodates 01 and 102 so that it can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction, and lock arm 321, which is rotatably attached integrally to the left and right intermediate portions of this sensor holder 310.
Mainly composed of a lock member 320 which has 322 and is releasably engaged with the ball detection sensors 101 and 102 housed in the sensor holder 310, and locks and holds these ball detection sensors on the sensor holder 310. To be done.

The holder main body of the sensor holder 310 has a lock member accommodating portion 315 for accommodating and retaining the first accommodating portion 111 and the second accommodating portion 112, which accommodate the ball detection sensors 101 and 102 in such a manner that they can be inserted and removed from the rear, and the lock member 320. And the swing arm part 1 protruding laterally from the holder body part.
13 is formed. The sensor holder 310 is integrally molded by the same molding means using the same resin material as the sensor holder 110 described above.

First accommodation section 111 and second accommodation section 112
Is similar to each of the above-mentioned housings, and the windows 111a and 112a and the stoppers 111c and 11 are provided at predetermined front positions.
2c is formed, and the ball detection sensor 1 is provided from the rear end receiving side.
01, 102 are inserted and removed freely, and the front stopper part 1
When the ball detection sensor is housed until it comes into contact with 11c and 112c, the game ball can pass through the detection holes 101a and 102a through the windows 111a and 112a.

A lock member accommodating portion 315 is formed between the first accommodating portion 111 and the second accommodating portion 112, and the lock member accommodating portion 315 has the first and second sphere detection sensors 10.
A lock member 320 that engages with the ball holders 1, 102 to lock and hold these ball detection sensors on the sensor holder 310 is attached. The lock member accommodating portion 315 forms a concave accommodating space between the left and right sphere detector accommodating portions, and the upper, lower, left, right, and front end sides thereof are surrounded by wall surfaces, and the lock member 320 is accommodated and fixed from the rear in this space.

The lock member accommodating portion 315 is provided with a cylindrical portion extending rearward from the front wall surface, a bearing portion 315a having a predetermined inner diameter is formed on the rear end side of the cylindrical portion, and the head of the screw 328 is formed on the front end side. Is held, and a hexagonal hole 315d for restricting rotation of the screw 328 by itself is formed. The bearing portion 315a and the hexagonal hole 315d are communicated with each other through an insertion hole into which the screw portion is inserted. In addition, the lock member housing portion 315
The bottom surface of the main body holding portion 39 is cut out in a U shape to form a closing engagement portion 115f, and the main body holding portion 39 is formed on the base frame side.
The lock claw 39f is engaged with the lock claw 39f in a detachable manner.

On the other hand, the lock member 320 is formed in a two-stepped cylindrical shape and extends in the front-rear direction, the first lock arm 321 and the second lock arm 321 extending in the direction perpendicular to the axis from the rear end of the base 325. The lock arm 322 is mainly used, and the lock arm 322 is integrally molded by the same molding means using the same resin material as that of the lock member 120 described above. The front end side of the base portion 325 has the bearing portion 3 in the lock member housing portion.
A shaft portion 325a is formed so as to be removably engaged with the shaft 15a, and a screw receiving portion 325c capable of receiving the screw 328 and being screwed therein is formed at the center of the shaft portion 325a.

The lock member 320 is the sensor holder 310.
The screw 328 from the front of the sensor holder 310 to the hexagonal hole 315d, and the shaft 325a of the lock member is fitted to the bearing 315a from the rear of the sensor holder 310 and rotated around the screw shaft to form the screw 328 and the screw receiving portion 325c. And the lock member 320 is screwed. The required dimensions of the shaft portion 325a, the bearing portion 315a, and the screw 328 are set so that the left and right lock arms 321 and 322 are at horizontal angular positions when the lock member 320 is screwed to the deadline position. .

A thin plate-shaped knob portion 320c is formed at the rear portion of the base portion 325 so as to extend rearward.
A lock arm 321 and a second lock arm 322 are formed. The first lock arm 321 and the second lock arm 322 include a first arm portion 321a and a second arm portion 322a linearly extending from the knob 320c,
First and second engaging portions 321b and 322b formed at the tip of each arm portion, and first and second engaging portions 321c formed by projecting forward on the base end sides of these engaging portions. , 32
2c and the like, and both lock arms 321 and 322 are formed symmetrically with the knob 320c interposed therebetween. Therefore,
Hereinafter, the configuration of the first lock arm 321 will be mainly described, and the description of the second lock arm 322 will be omitted.

The first arm portion 321a has a grip portion 320c.
It is formed in a flat plate shape orthogonal to and extending outward from the knob 320c at right angles to the axis. At the tip end side of the first arm portion 321a, the first arm portion 321a extends outward as it is to form a first locking portion 321b, and at the same time, the first locking portion 3
A first engaging portion 321c protruding forward from the first arm portion 321a is formed on the base end side of 21b. As described above, the first and second lock arms 321 and 32
2 is set to be horizontal when the lock member 320 is screwed to the shut-off angular position, and the first ball detection sensor 101 is housed in the first housing portion 111 to lock the lock member 320 at the shut-off angular position. The first engaging portion 321c engages with the rear side end surface of the first ball detecting sensor 101 when rotated up to, and the first locking portion 321b causes the first ball detecting sensor 1 to move.
01 is formed to be engageable with the rear end surface. The first
The engaging portion 321c (and the second engaging portion 322c) is shown in FIG.
As shown in the front view of the lock member 320 in FIG. 5, the side end surface on the outer peripheral side is formed in an R shape according to the radial position thereof, and when the lock member 320 is rotated, the engaging portion 321 is formed.
The c and 322c are configured to smoothly engage with and disengage from the ball detection sensors 101 and 102.

The sensor holder 310 thus configured
In addition, the first sphere detection sensor 101 and the second sphere detection sensor 1
When mounting 02, the knob 320c is grasped and the lock member 320 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise (the direction in which the screw is loosened) to rotate the first and second lock arms 321 and 322.
Is rotated to the retracted position shown by the solid line in FIG. 26 and the chain double-dashed line in FIG. Then, the first and second sphere detection sensors 101 and 102 are respectively attached to the housing portions 111 and 112.
And is inserted from the rear side of each of the ball detection sensors until the front end portions of the respective ball detection sensors come into contact with the stopper portions 111c and 112c. Then, when the knob 320 is rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction (the direction in which the screw is tightened) to the shut-off angular position by picking the knob 320c, the first and second lock arms 321 and 322 rotate integrally, and the first and second lock arms 321 and 322 rotate together. While the side end surface of the second engaging portion engages with the rear end surface of each sphere detecting sensor, the first and second locking portions project to the left and right outside behind each sphere detecting sensor 101, 102, and First and second sphere detection sensors 101, 102
Are restricted so as not to move in the removing direction, and these two ball detection sensors 101 and 102 are simultaneously moved to the sensor holder 310.
To hold.

When the ball detection sensors 101 and 102 are locked and held in this manner, the detection hole portions 101a and 101a of the respective ball detection sensors are
102a is the window part 111a, 112a of each accommodation part.
The game balls are arranged so as to be able to pass through the detection holes 101a and 102a through these windows.

On the other hand, the first and second sphere detection sensors 101, 1
When removing 02, the procedure may be the reverse of the above-mentioned mounting. That is, first, the knob 320c is grasped to rotate the lock member 320 counterclockwise by 90 degrees to retract the first and second lock arms to the retracted angular position. Then the first,
The rear part of the second ball detection sensor 101, 102 is picked up and pulled out backward to be pulled out from the first and second accommodating parts 111, 112. After that, the first and second sphere detection sensors can be simultaneously attached and detached by mounting a new sphere detection sensor as needed and rotating the lock member 320 90 degrees clockwise.

The sensor holder 310 thus configured
Of the swing arm 11 protruding rightward from the holder main body of the
3 is formed. The swivel arm portion 113 is similar to the swivel arm portion 113 of the sensor holder 110 described above, and has a plate-like upper arm 113 extending in parallel in the vertical direction.
Cylindrical fitting protrusions 113Uh and 113 projecting upward and downward from each other at the tips of U and the lower arm 113L.
Lh is formed. The upper and lower fitting protrusions 113Uh and 113Lh are formed by tapering off the columnar heads of the tip ends of the revolving arms 113 that are obliquely cut off to facilitate mounting on the base frame body 30. Further, on the base end sides of the upper arm 113U and the lower arm 113L, the inwardly facing R portion 1 is formed at the joint portion with the holder main body portion.
13Ur and 113Lr are formed, and both arms are configured to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction.

On the other hand, on the base frame 30, the upper and lower fitting protrusions 1 are provided.
A swivel arm support portion 38 that receives 13Uh and 113Lh and supports the sensor holder 310 so that the sensor holder 310 can be swung horizontally is formed, and the sensor holder is detachably engaged with the closing holding portion 115f formed on the sensor holder 310. A body holding portion 39 that holds 310 in a closed state is formed.
The sensor holder 310 is attached to the sensor holder 1 described above.
This is carried out in the same manner as in 10, so that the sensor holder is held by the base frame 30 so as to be horizontally rotatable and detachable at the closed position.

Then, when the sensor holder 310 is locked and held at the closed position, the detection hole portions 101a and 102a of the first and second ball detection sensors are provided at the left and right payout openings 53c and 53d of the prize ball cassette 53, respectively. It is located directly below,
The game balls (prize balls or loan balls) paid out from the prize ball cassette 53 fall into the payout prize ball path 60 through the detection hole portions 101a and 102a. First and second sphere detection sensor 10
1, 102 output a detection signal to the prize ball control board 92 when the game ball passes through the detection hole portion, and the prize ball control board 92 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls based on the input detection signal. Give feedback to. With this, prize ball cassette 5
With respect to the prize balls and the lending balls paid out from 3, accurate payout control is performed.

According to the payout prize ball detecting device 300 configured as described above, the sensor holder 310 and the lock member 32 are provided.
Since 0 and 0 are configured by different members, the apparatus can be configured by selecting the optimum material for each, and thus the sphere detection apparatus having a small size and good operability can be configured. In addition, both the left and right ball detection sensors 101 and 102 can be engaged and disengaged at the same time only by rotating one lock member 320. Further, since the first and second lock arms 321 and 322 are linearly provided at the rear end portion of the lock member, the dimension in the front-rear direction can be made small. It is possible to configure a sphere detection device having good operability even when the directional dimension is limited.

Furthermore, in the payout prize ball detecting device 300 according to the present embodiment, the first and second lock arms 321 and 322 are configured to be rotated in the vertical plane, and the first and second ball detecting sensors 101 are provided. , 102 are attached and detached at a retracted angle position in which a locking portion (generally the second locking portion 322b) at the tip of the arm is displaced upward. For this reason,
In a normal game state, that is, in the state where the prize ball cassette 53 is attached to the prize ball cassette mounting portion 37 and the sensor holder 310 is locked and held under the prize ball cassette 53, the ball detection switch is unlocked. Even if
Since the prize ball cassette 53 is located right above, the lock member 320 cannot be rotated, and the lock of each ball detection sensor cannot be released. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent a fraudulent act, such as unlocking the first front frame or the second ball detection sensor 101, 102 from each of the accommodating portions by unlocking the lock when the entire front frame is opened.

In the above embodiment, the screw 328 is supported while being restricted in rotation by the hexagonal hole 315d, and the first and second lock arms 321 and 3 are held at the cut-off angular position of this screw.
Although the example in which 22 is configured to be horizontal is disclosed,
The deadline angular position (and the retracted angular position) is provided with another rotation angle restriction means, for example, a convex portion and a concave portion that engage with each other at a predetermined angular position on the base portion 325 of the lock member and the lock member accommodating portion 315. OK, and screw 3
The lock member 320 is provided with a constant urging force by providing a wave washer, a flat spring washer, or the like between 28 and the mounting seat surface thereof.
May be configured to be retracted.

Now, as a typical example of the sphere detecting device according to the present invention, a payout prize sphere detecting device arranged below the prize sphere cassette 53 for detecting prize spheres paid out from the prize sphere cassette 53 will be described. Although the case where the present invention is applied has been described above, the ball detecting device of the present invention is not limited to such a payout prize ball detecting device, and may be a ball detecting device attached to another place. As another embodiment of such a ball detecting device, FIGS. 31 (a) and 31 (b) show prize winning ball detecting devices 500 and 550 arranged on the back side of the special winning opening 26. With reference to winning ball detection devices 500 and 550
Will be described. 31 (a) and 31 (b) both have a special winning opening 26 in the center of the front surface, and the winning device including the general winning openings 24, 24 on the left and right of the big winning opening 26 is viewed from the back side. It is a rear view.

As is well known, the special winning opening 26 has an opening / closing door that opens and closes based on predetermined winning conditions, and two ball passages through which game balls can pass vertically are close to the inside of the opening / closing door. Is provided. A first ball detection sensor (count sensor) 101 and a second ball detection sensor (specific area sensor) for detecting a game ball passing through the ball passage are arranged in the two ball passages, and the detection signal is the main control. It is output to the substrate 91. The main control board 91, from the detection signals input from these ball detection sensors 101, 102, for example, whether the game ball has passed a specific area within a predetermined time, or whether a predetermined number of game balls have been won. Whether or not it is detected, and based on this, the operation of the opening / closing door of the special winning opening 26 is controlled.

The winning ball detecting device 500 shown in FIG.
Is a ball detecting device that detachably locks and holds the two ball detecting sensors 101 and 102, and has a lock arm that is vertically displaceable like the payout prize ball detecting device 200 described above. It is a sphere detection device. Therefore, in the following, the same members as those of the payout prize ball detecting device 200 will be denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted, and the configuration of the prize winning ball detecting device 500 will be briefly described.

The winning ball detecting device 500 has a sensor holder 510 fixed to the winning device and having a structure similar to that of the main body of the sensor holder 210 in the main part for accommodating and holding the ball detecting sensor, and front and rear of this sensor holder 510. First and second sphere detectors 101, 10 that are housed so that they can be inserted and removed in any direction
2 and the sphere detection sensor 10 attached to the left and right intermediate portions of the sensor holder 510 and housed in the sensor holder 510.
The main components are a lock member 220 that engages with each other in a detachable manner and that locks and holds these ball detection sensors on the sensor holder 510.

The sensor holder 510 is formed with first and second accommodating portions 111 and 112 for accommodating the first and second sphere detection sensors 101 and 102 so that the first and second sphere detecting sensors 101 and 102 can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction. A window through which the ball can pass is formed and connected to the two ball passages inside the door. First housing section 111
And in the lower part of the 2nd accommodating part 112, the derivation passage 111d, 112d which guides the game ball to the rear is formed, and the game ball dropped through the detection holes of the first and second ball detection sensors 101, 102. It is guided to the rear of the game board through the lead-out passages 111d and 112d. Further, a lock member housing portion 215 similar to that described above is formed between the first housing portion 111 and the second housing portion 112, and a similarly formed lock member 220 is screwed and fixed from the rear (FIG. 17-
See FIG. 20).

The prize ball detecting device 500 configured as described above.
Then, the sensor holder 510 is attached to the sphere detection sensors 101, 10
When attaching and detaching 2, the upper knob (221c, 222)
Put a finger on c) and displace it diagonally upward, and retract the locking parts (221b, 222b) projecting to the rear of the ball detection sensor from the rear extension line of the housing part, and the ball detection sensor of each housing part. Inserted and removed from the rear, and picked up (221c, 222
Complete by removing your finger from c). Then, in this way, the ball detection sensors 101 and 102 are connected to the sensor holder 510.
When the ball is locked and held by the detection hole (10
1a, 102a) are arranged in the vertical ball passage, and the game ball that has won the special winning opening 26 falls through the detection hole portion of either the left or right ball detection sensor and falls on each ball detection sensor. To be detected.

Further, the winning ball detecting device 5 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 50 is a ball detection device having a lock arm that is displaceable in the left-right direction like the payout prize ball detection device 100 described above. In the following, the same members as those of the payout prize ball detecting device 100 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicate description is omitted, and the configuration of the prize winning ball detecting device 550 will be briefly described.

The winning ball detecting device 550 includes the sensor holder 1
A sensor holder 560, which has a structure similar to that of the main body 10 and is integrally formed with the winning device, and first and second ball detectors 101 and 102 which are housed in the sensor holder so as to be insertable and removable in the front-rear direction. And the ball detection sensors 101 and 102 housed in the sensor holder 560, which are attached to the right and left intermediate portions of the sensor holder 560, are detachably engaged with each other, and these ball detection sensors are locked and held by the sensor holder 560. The lock member 120 is used as a main component.

The sensor holder 560 is formed with first and second accommodating portions 111 and 112 for accommodating the first and second sphere detection sensors 101 and 102 so that the first and second sphere detecting sensors 101 and 102 can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction. A window through which the ball can pass is formed and connected to the two ball passages inside the door. First housing section 111
And in the lower part of the 2nd accommodating part 112, the derivation passage 111d, 112d which guides the game ball to the rear is formed, and the game ball dropped through the detection holes of the first and second ball detection sensors 101, 102. It is guided to the rear of the game board through the lead-out passages 111d and 112d. Further, the same lock member housing 115 as described above is formed between the first housing 111 and the second housing 112, and the similarly formed lock member 120 is screwed and fixed from above (FIG. 6 to 9).

The prize ball detecting device 550 configured as described above.
Then, the sphere detection sensors 101, 10 are attached to the sensor holder 560.
When attaching and detaching 2, the left and right knobs (121c, 122
Put a finger on c) and displace it so that it moves toward the center, and the locking parts (121b, 122b) protruding rearward of the ball detection sensor.
b) is retracted from the extension of the rear of the housing, and the ball detection sensor is inserted / removed from the rear of each housing, and the knob (121c,
This is completed by releasing the finger from 122c). Then, when the ball detection sensors 101, 102 are locked and held by the sensor holder 560 in this manner, the detection hole portions (101a, 102a) of the respective ball detection sensors are arranged in the vertical ball passage. The game ball that has won the special winning opening 26 falls through the detection hole portion of either the left or right ball detection sensor and is detected by each ball detection sensor.

Therefore, according to the prize ball detecting devices 500 and 550 configured as described above, the same effect as that of the payout prize ball detecting devices 200 and 100 can be obtained. Further, as is apparent from the above configuration, the ball detection devices 150 and 300 of the other embodiments described above can be similarly applied to the prize ball detection device.

In each of the embodiments described above, a hole-shaped detection area (detection hole portion) is provided as an example of a ball detection sensor for detecting a game ball, and when the game ball passes through this detection hole. Although the sensor of the form that electromagnetically detects the game sphere has been illustrated, the sphere detection sensor is not limited to the sensor of such a form, and has a U-shaped or front open detection region, for example. The game ball may be magnetically, electromagnetically, optically, or mechanically detected when the game ball passes through this detection area. Specific examples of such a detector include a proximity switch, a photo switch, and a lever switch (limit switch) that opens and closes an electrical contact according to the tilt angle position of the lever.

Further, in each embodiment, the example in which the ball detection sensor is arranged in the ball passage through which the game balls fall in the vertical direction is shown.
The sphere passage may be diagonal including the vertical direction, and the insertion / removal direction of the sphere detection sensor is not limited to the case where the detection hole portion is inserted and removed frontward, and the case where the detection hole portion is inserted laterally and rearward or backward. May be. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the payout prize ball detecting device and the prize ball detecting device are illustrated as a configuration example of the ball detecting device, but the ball passage in which the ball detecting device is disposed is not limited to these ball passages, and for example, , Award ball waiting passage 52
Alternatively, the payout prize ball path 60 or the like may be used. Further, in each of the embodiments, the case where the number of adjacent ball passages is two is illustrated, but the number of ball passages may be three or more.

[0135]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a ball game machine in which a plurality of ball passages through which game balls pass in the vertical direction are provided close to each other in the game machine, a game that passes a predetermined detection area A sphere detector that detects a sphere, a holder member that is installed so as to cross a plurality of sphere passages and that houses a plurality of sphere detectors that can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction, and a holder member that is attached to this holder member and housed in the holder member. And a locking member for releasably engaging the sphere detector to lock and hold the sphere detector on the holder member, wherein the holder member is attached to the ball game machine and the plurality of sphere detectors are engaged with the holder member. The ball detection device of the ball-and-ball game machine is configured such that the detection areas of the plurality of ball detectors are respectively located and arranged in the plurality of ball passages when the ball is held and held. According to the sphere detection device having such a configuration, since the holder member and the lock member are separately configured, the device can be configured by selecting an optimum material and shape for each member, As a result, it is possible to obtain a sphere detection device having good operability. Further, since the plurality of ball detectors are held by the single lock member in a disengageable manner, a small ball detector can be provided.

Further, in a ball game machine in which a plurality of ball passages through which game balls pass vertically are provided in the game machine, a ball detector for detecting a game ball passing through a predetermined detection area, and a plurality of ball detectors. Holder member that is installed so as to traverse the sphere passage and accommodates a plurality of sphere detectors so that the sphere detector can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction, and the sphere detector that is attached to this holder member and accommodated in the holder member can be individually engaged and disengaged. An engaging member that engages and holds the engaged sphere detector on the holder member, the holder member is attached to the ball game machine, and the plurality of sphere detectors are retained on the holder member. At this time, the ball detection device of the ball-and-ball game machine is configured so that the detection areas of the plurality of ball detectors are respectively located in the plurality of ball passages. According to the sphere detection device having such a configuration, since the holder member and the lock member are separately configured, the device can be configured by selecting an optimum material and shape for each member, As a result, it is possible to obtain a sphere detection device having good operability. Further, since the plurality of sphere detectors are individually retained by the single locking member so as to be engageable and disengageable, it is possible to provide a sphere detecting device having a small size and good workability.

Further, in a ball game machine in which a plurality of ball passages through which game balls pass vertically are provided in the game machine, a ball detector for detecting a game ball passing through a predetermined detection area, and a plurality of ball detectors. A holder member that is installed so as to traverse the ball passage of (1) and accommodates a plurality of ball detectors that can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction; Using the elastic deformation of the arm portion, which has a locking portion formed at the tip, the locking portion individually engages and disengages with the ball detector housed in the holder member. A plurality of ball detectors when the holder member is attached to the ball game machine and a plurality of ball detectors are locked and held by the holder member. The detection areas in And location constitutes a sphere detecting device pinball game machine to be disposed. According to the sphere detection device having such a configuration, since the holder member and the lock member are separately configured, the device can be configured by selecting an optimum material and shape for each member, As a result, it is possible to obtain a sphere detection device having good operability. Further, since it is configured to be elastically deformed in the left-right direction and provided with a plurality of ball detectors and lock members that can be individually engaged and disengaged, it is possible to provide a ball detection apparatus that is small in size and has good workability by suppressing vertical dimensions. You can

Also, in a ball game machine in which a plurality of ball passages through which game balls pass vertically are provided in the game machine, a ball detector for detecting a game ball passing through a predetermined detection area, and a plurality of ball detectors. A holder member that is installed so as to cross the sphere passage and that accommodates a plurality of sphere detectors so that the sphere detector can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction, and a plurality of arm portions that are attached to the holder member and that are elastically deformable in the vertical direction and Using the elastic deformation of the arm portion, which has a locking portion formed at the tip, the locking portion individually engages and disengages with the ball detector housed in the holder member. A plurality of ball detectors when the holder member is attached to the ball game machine and a plurality of ball detectors are locked and held by the holder member. The detection areas in And location constitutes a sphere detecting device pinball game machine to be disposed. According to the sphere detection device having such a configuration, since the holder member and the lock member are separately configured, the device can be configured by selecting an optimum material and shape for each member, As a result, it is possible to obtain a sphere detection device having good operability. Further, since it is configured to elastically deform in the vertical direction and includes a plurality of sphere detectors and a lock member that can be engaged and disengaged individually, it is possible to provide a sphere detection device that is small in size in the front-rear direction and has good workability. You can

Further, in a ball game machine in which a plurality of ball passages through which game balls pass vertically are provided inside the game machine, a ball detector for detecting a game ball passing through a predetermined detection area, and a plurality of ball detectors. A holder member that is installed so as to traverse the sphere passage and accommodates a plurality of sphere detectors so that it can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction; An engaging portion formed at the tip of the arm portion is used to releasably engage each of the engaging portions with the plurality of ball detectors housed in the holder member by utilizing the rotational displacement of the plurality of arm portions. And a locking member for locking and holding the plurality of ball detectors to the holder member, when the holder member is attached to the ball game machine and the plurality of ball detectors are locked and held by the holder member, The detection areas of multiple sphere detectors are Located in the sphere passage constituting monkey as the ball detection apparatus pinball game machine disposed of. According to the sphere detection device having such a configuration, since the holder member and the lock member are separately configured, the device can be configured by selecting an optimum material and shape for each member, As a result, it is possible to obtain a sphere detection device having good operability. Further, since it is provided with a lock member capable of rotationally displacing in the vertical plane and engaging and disengaging a plurality of sphere detectors at the same time, it is possible to provide a sphere detection device that is small in size in the front-rear direction and has high work efficiency. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine shown as an example of a ball game machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the back side of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 3 is a rear view showing an attached state of the ball detection device (payout prize ball detection device) of the first embodiment in the pachinko machine.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a peripheral configuration of a sphere detection device and a mounting portion thereof according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a main side sectional view showing the relationship between the ball detection device of the first embodiment and a ball passage including a prize ball cassette.

FIG. 6 is a plan view (partial cross-sectional view) of the sphere detection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a rear view (partial cross-sectional view) of the sphere detection device according to the first embodiment.

8 is a cross-sectional view of the sphere detection device taken along arrow VIII-VIII in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a plan sectional view for explaining an attachment / detachment operation of the sphere detection sensor in the sphere detection device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a mounted state of the ball detection device and the prize ball cassette of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view (side view) for explaining a mounting process of the sensor holder in the sphere detection device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XII-XII in FIG. 3, which is a plan cross-sectional view of the pachinko machine showing the mounting state and the opening / closing action with the sensor holder closed in the sphere detection device of the first embodiment. Is.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a ball detection device (payout prize ball detection device) of a second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an engagement state between a lock member and a ball detection sensor in the ball detection device of the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a plan sectional view for explaining an attachment / detachment operation of a sphere detection sensor in the sphere detection device of the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the sphere detection device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a ball detection device (payout prize ball detection device) of the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a main side sectional view of a sphere detection device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a plan sectional view for explaining the attachment / detachment operation of the sphere detection sensor in the sphere detection device of the third embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the sphere detection device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a rear view showing an attached state of the ball detection device (payout prize ball detection device) of the fourth embodiment in the pachinko machine.

FIG. 22 is a sectional side view showing the relationship between the ball detection device of the fourth embodiment and the ball passage including the prize ball cassette.

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view showing a peripheral configuration of a sphere detection device and a mounting portion thereof according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a ball detection device (payout prize ball detection device) of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a front view showing the shape of a lock member in the sphere detection device.

FIG. 26 is a plan sectional view for explaining the attachment / detachment operation of the sphere detection sensor in the sphere detection device of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a rear view of the sphere detection device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a side view showing an attached state of the ball detection device and the prize ball cassette of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory view (side view) for explaining a mounting process of the sensor holder in the sphere detection device of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XII-XII in FIG. 21, which is a plane cross-sectional view of a pachinko machine showing an attached state and an opening / closing action with the sensor holder closed in the sphere detection device of the fourth embodiment. Is.

FIG. 31 is a rear view of the winning device showing the ball detecting device (winning ball detecting device) of the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment as a view (a) and a view (b), respectively.

[Explanation of symbols]

BSP Back set board PA Game area PM Pachinko machine 1 Outer frame 2 Front frames 3a, 3b Hinge member 4 Locking device 5 Glass door 6 Upper ball plate 7 Lower ball plate 8 Operation handle 9 Hitting ball launching device 18 Hinge 19 Closing lever 20 Game board 21 Decorative Plate 22 Guide Rails (22a Outer Rail, 22b Inner Rail) 23 Windmill 24 General Prize Winner 25 Start Prize Winner 26 Big Prize Win 27 Out Exit 28 Design Display 30 Base Frame 31 Window 37 37 Prize Ball Cassette Mount (37a Cassette engaging part,
37b Lock piece portion 38 Swiveling arm support portion (38U, 38L fitting support groove, 38c rib) 39 Main body holding portion (39a support portion 39a, 39b lock portion 39b, 39f lock claw) 40 Ball storage supply mechanism 41 Tank member 42 Alignment gutter member 43 Deflection outlet 50 Prize ball payout mechanism, 51 Ball break detection switch 52 Prize ball standby passage (52a, 52b) 53 Prize ball cassette (53a, 53b receiving port, 53
c, 53d payout opening) 54 cover member 60 prize ball payout path 91 main control board 92 prize ball control board 93 lamp / voice control board 100 payout prize ball detection device (ball detection device of the first embodiment) 101 first ball detection Sensor 102 2nd sphere detection sensor 110 Sensor holder 111 1st accommodating part (111a window part, 111c stopper part) 112 2nd accommodating part (112a window part, 112c stopper part) 113 turning arm part 113U upper arm (113Uh fitting protrusion) 1
13Ur R part) 113L lower arm (113Lh fitting protrusion, 113
Lr R part) 115 Lock member accommodating part (115a seat part, 115b
Recessed portion, 115c screw receiving portion, 115f closing engagement portion) 120 lock member 121 first lock arm (121a first arm portion,
121b 1st locking part, 121c 1st knob part) 122 2nd lock arm (122a 2nd arm part,
122b 2nd locking part, 122c 2nd knob part 125 base part (125b convex part) 128 screw with seat 150 payout prize ball detection device (ball detection device of 2nd Example) 160 sensor holder 163 turning arm part (163U upper arm) 1
63L lower arm) 165 Lock member accommodating part (165a pedestal part, 165
b engaging protrusion, 165c screw receiving portion) 168 screw 170 lock member 171 first lock arm (171a first arm portion,
171b First locking portion, 171c First knob portion) 172 Second lock arm (172a Second arm portion,
172b Second locking portion, 172c Second knob portion) 175 Base portion (175b engaging hole, 175c Sara fixing hole) 178 Sara small screw 200 Dispensing prize ball detecting device (sphere detecting device of the third embodiment) 210 Sensor holder 213 Revolving arm part (213U upper arm, 2
13L lower arm 215 Lock member accommodating portion (215a shaft portion, 215b
Engaging rail portion, 215c screw receiving portion, 215d receiving concave portion) 218 screw 220 lock member 221 first lock arm (221a first arm portion,
221b First locking portion, 221c First knob portion) 222 Second lock arm (222a Second arm portion,
222b 2nd locking part, 222c 2nd knob part) 225 Base part (225a bearing part, 225b engagement protrusion part) 300 Payout prize ball detection device (ball detection device of 4th Example) 310 Sensor holder 315 Lock member accommodating part (315a Bearing part, 315
d Hexagon socket) 320 Lock member (320c knob part) 321 1st lock arm (321a 1st arm part,
321b 1st engaging part, 321c 1st engaging part) 322 2nd lock arm (322a 2nd arm part,
322b 2nd engaging part, 322c 2nd engaging part) 325 Base part (325a shaft part, 325c screw receiving part) 328 Screw 500 Prize ball detection device (ball detection device of 5th Example) 510 Sensor holder 531 Cassette case ( 531a Case side engaging part,
531b groove portion) 532 cassette case 550 prize ball detection device (sphere detection device of the sixth embodiment) 560 sensor holder

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A ball-ball game machine comprising a game board and a ball-striking launcher for shooting a game ball toward the game board, wherein the ball-striking device launches the game ball onto the game board to perform a game. In a ball-ball game machine in which a plurality of ball passages through which the game balls pass vertically are provided close to each other, a ball detection which has a predetermined detection area and detects a game ball passing through the detection area Device, a holder member attached to the ball game machine so as to cross the plurality of ball passages, and a holder member for accommodating the plurality of ball detectors so as to be insertable and removable in the front-rear direction, and the holder member attached to the holder member. Is engaged with the sphere detector housed in the housing so that the sphere detector engaged with the sphere detector is prevented from moving in the removing direction, and the engaged sphere detector is engaged with the holder member. A locking member for holding and holding, When the holder member is attached to the ball game machine and the plurality of sphere detectors are locked and held by the holder member by the locking member, the detection areas in the plurality of sphere detectors are respectively the plurality of detection regions. A ball detection device for a ball-and-ball game machine, wherein the ball detection device is disposed in the ball path of the. 2. A ball-ball game machine comprising a game board and a ball-striking ball launching device for shooting a game ball toward the game board, wherein the ball-striking device launches the game ball onto the game board to perform a game. In a ball-ball game machine in which a plurality of ball passages through which the game balls pass vertically are provided close to each other, a ball detection which has a predetermined detection area and detects a game ball passing through the detection area Device, a holder member attached to the ball game machine so as to cross the plurality of ball passages, and a holder member for accommodating the plurality of ball detectors so as to be insertable and removable in the front-rear direction, and the holder member attached to the holder member. The respective ball detectors housed in the holder are individually engageably and disengageably restricted so that the engaged ball detectors do not move in the removing direction, and the engaged ball detectors are held by the holder member. And a locking member that locks and holds Comprising, when the holder member is attached to the ball game machine and the plurality of ball detectors are locked and held by the holder member by the locking member, the detection areas in the plurality of ball detectors are respectively A ball detecting device for a ball-and-ball game machine, wherein the ball-detecting device is arranged in the plurality of ball passages. 3. A ball-ball game machine comprising a game board and a ball-striking ball launching device for shooting a game ball toward the game board, wherein the ball-striking device launches the game ball onto the game board to perform a game. In a ball-ball game machine in which a plurality of ball passages through which the game balls pass vertically are provided close to each other, a ball detection which has a predetermined detection area and detects a game ball passing through the detection area And a holder member attached to the ball game machine so as to traverse the plurality of ball passages, and a holder member for accommodating the plurality of ball detectors so as to be insertable and removable in the front-rear direction, and attached to the holder member in the left-right direction. The ball detection in which a plurality of elastically deformable arm portions and a locking portion formed at the tip of each arm portion are used and the locking portion is accommodated in the holder member by utilizing the elastic deformation of the arm portion. Removably engage with the vessel individually And a locking member that locks and holds the engaged sphere detector in the holder member so that the engaged sphere detector does not move in the removing direction. When the plurality of ball detectors attached to the ball game machine are locked and held by the holder member by the locking member, the detection regions of the plurality of ball detectors are respectively located in the plurality of ball passages. A ball detection device for a ball-and-ball game machine. 4. A ball-ball game machine comprising a game board and a ball-striking launcher for shooting a game ball toward the game board, wherein the ball-striking device launches the game ball onto the game board to perform a game. In a ball-ball game machine in which a plurality of ball passages through which the game balls pass vertically are provided close to each other, a ball detection which has a predetermined detection area and detects a game ball passing through the detection area And a holder member attached to the ball game machine so as to traverse the plurality of ball passages, and a holder member for accommodating the plurality of ball detectors so as to be insertable and removable in the front-rear direction, and attached to the holder member in the vertical direction. The ball detection in which a plurality of elastically deformable arm portions and a locking portion formed at the tip of each arm portion are used and the locking portion is accommodated in the holder member by utilizing the elastic deformation of the arm portion. Removably engage with the vessel individually And a locking member that locks and holds the engaged sphere detector in the holder member so that the engaged sphere detector does not move in the removing direction. When the plurality of ball detectors attached to the ball game machine are locked and held by the holder member by the locking member, the detection regions of the plurality of ball detectors are respectively located in the plurality of ball passages. A ball detection device for a ball-and-ball game machine. 5. A ball-ball game machine comprising a game board and a ball-striking ball launching device for shooting a game ball toward the game board, wherein the ball-striking device launches the game ball onto the game board to perform a game. In a ball-ball game machine in which a plurality of ball passages through which the game balls pass vertically are provided close to each other, a ball detection which has a predetermined detection area and detects a game ball passing through the detection area And a holder member that is attached to the ball game machine so as to traverse the plurality of ball passages and that houses the plurality of ball detectors so that the ball detectors can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction. Has a plurality of arm portions that can rotate integrally with each other, and a locking portion formed at the tip of each arm portion, and uses the rotational displacement of the plurality of arm portions to attach the locking portions to the holder member. Each of the plurality of sphere detectors housed therein A holder member that locks and holds the plurality of ball detectors on the holder member by regulating the plurality of ball detectors so that the plurality of ball detectors do not move in the removing direction. When the plurality of ball detectors are attached to the ball game machine and the plurality of ball detectors are locked and held by the holder member by the locking member, the detection areas of the plurality of ball detectors are respectively the plurality of ball passages. A ball detection device for a ball-and-ball game machine, characterized in that the ball detection device is arranged at a position.