JP2004305607A - Ball removal device for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent trouble due to malfunction of a channel changeover valve while reducing the cost and saving the space, when removing balls by changing the flowing destination of Pachinko balls, which are put out of a ball putout device, from a ball putout channel to a ball removal channel. <P>SOLUTION: The subject ball removal device for a game machine is so constituted that the channel changeover valve 21 can be manually changed over between a putout position, where the Pachinko balls put out of the putout device 15 are made to flow down to the ball putout channel 18, and a ball removal position of making them flow down to the ball removal channel 19. This ball removal device, in a period while a changeover position detecting sensor detects a state of changing over the channel changeover valve 21 to the ball removal position, executes the ball removal processing of putting out the Pachinko balls inside the Pachinko machine by the ball putout device 15 and making them flow down to the ball removal channel 19 and, when a state where no Pachinko ball is detected by a putout ball detecting sensor during the ball removal is continued for a prescribed time or when a prescribed ball removal completion time elapses from starting the ball removal, completes the ball removal processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball-pulling device for a gaming machine that switches a flowing-down destination of a pachinko ball discharged from a ball-pulling device from a ball-discharging channel to a ball-pulling channel to remove balls.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine uses a ball tray provided at an upper portion of a rear surface thereof as a prize ball (or a lending ball) by a ball dispensing device and a predetermined number of balls as ball balls at a lower front portion of the gaming machine. To pay out. Normally, pachinko balls to be supplied to the ball dispensing device are used in a state where they are stored inside the gaming machine (passage from the ball tank to the ball dispensing device). It is necessary to perform "ball removal" to remove the pachinko balls stored inside.
[0003]
Therefore, for example, as described in Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Patent No. 3258910), a flow path switching lever for switching the downstream of a pachinko ball discharged from a ball discharging device from a ball discharging flow path to a ball removal flow path is provided. When the ball release switch is turned on, a solenoid for driving the flow path switching lever is provided, the flow path switching lever is switched to the ball release position by the solenoid, and the ball dispensing device is dispensed to perform a dispensing operation. There is an apparatus in which a pachinko ball is discharged by a ball discharging device and is caused to flow down to a ball discharging channel to discharge the ball.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 3258910 (Pages 2 to 3 etc.)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described ball removing device of Patent Document 1, since the flow path switching lever is driven by a drive source such as a solenoid, the configuration is complicated, the manufacturing cost is increased, and the ball removing device is enlarged. There are drawbacks. Also, if an operation failure such as the flow path switching lever not switching to the ball release position (or not being held) even when the ball release switch is turned on occurs, the flow path switching lever is not switched to the ball release position. Then, the dispensing operation of the ball dispensing device is started, and the problem that the pachinko ball that should flow down to the ball removing channel and remove the ball flows down to the ball discharging channel and is discharged to the ball plate. Can occur.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and accordingly, has as its object to prevent a problem due to a malfunction of the flow path switching member while satisfying the requirements for cost reduction and space saving. It is an object of the present invention to provide a ball punching device for a gaming machine which can perform the above.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, claim 1 of the present invention is a ball-pulling device for a gaming machine that performs ball-pulling by switching the downward flow of pachinko balls paid out from a ball-pulling device from a ball-pulling channel to a ball-pulling channel. A flow path switching member capable of manually switching between a dispensing position where pachinko balls dispensed from a ball dispensing device flow down to a ball discharging flow path and a ball discharging position where the pachinko balls flow down to a ball discharging flow path; An urging member that urges the member toward the dispensing position, an operating member that operates integrally with the flow path switching member, and the flow path switching member is switched to the ball release position by being operated by the operating member. A switching position detecting means for detecting a state, an engaging member which operates integrally with the flow path switching member, and a holding means for holding the flow path switching member at the ball release position by engaging with the engaging member. Provided, and the flow path switching member is in the ball extraction position The switched state during the period in which is detected by the switching position detecting means, in which a spherical vent process by dispensing operation of the ball disbursement apparatus so as to allow the balls vent control means.
[0008]
In the configuration of the present invention, when the ball is removed, when the flow path switching member is manually switched to the ball removal position, the state where the flow path switching member is switched to the ball removal position is detected by the switching position detection means, and the ball is removed. The pulling out process (payout operation of the ball payout device) is permitted.
[0009]
Since the present invention has a configuration in which the flow path switching member is manually switched, there is no need to provide a drive source for driving the flow path switching member, the configuration can be simplified, and cost reduction and space saving are required. Can be satisfied.
[0010]
In addition, since the flow path switching member can be held at the ball-pulling position by the engagement between the engagement member and the holding means, it is possible to more reliably prevent a malfunction in which the flow path switching member is not held at the ball-pulling position. In addition, the ball removal process is permitted only when the state where the flow path switching member is switched to the ball removal position is not permitted. In a state where the path switching member is not switched to the ball-pulling position, it is possible to prevent the ball-pulling process (payout operation of the ball-pulling-out device) from being started, and the ball is made to flow down to the ball-pulling flow path. It is possible to prevent a problem that the pachinko ball that should be removed flows down to the ball discharge channel.
[0011]
In this case, the flow path switching member, the urging member, the operating member, and the engaging member may be integrally formed. With this configuration, the flow path switching member, the urging member, the operating member, and the engaging member can be manufactured at the same time, so that the manufacturing process can be simplified and the number of components can be reduced by integration to assemble. Workability can also be improved.
[0012]
Further, the ball payout channel and the ball removal channel may be arranged so as to be aligned in the front-rear direction of the gaming machine. In this way, the space in the left-right direction of the arrangement space for the ball payout flow path and the ball removal flow path can be reduced, and the game area can be expanded accordingly.
[0013]
The present invention provides, for example, a ball removal switch for starting the ball removal process, and in a state where the flow path switching member is switched to the ball removal position, turns on the ball removal switch to start the ball removal process. Alternatively, the ball removing process may be automatically started based on the output signal of the switching position detecting means. With this configuration, the switching position detecting means can also function as a ball-pulling switch, so that the ball-pulling-out process is automatically started only by the operator switching the channel switching member to the ball-pulling-out position. And the operation is simple, and there is no need to provide a switch for starting the ball removing process.
[0014]
Further, it is preferable that the ball removing process is terminated when a predetermined ball removing completion period has elapsed from the start of the ball removing process. In this way, the ball-pulling completion period required for ball-pulling out all the pachinko balls of the maximum storage number that can be stored inside the gaming machine (in the ball payout device and upstream thereof) from the start of the ball-pulling process When the time has elapsed, the ball removing process can be automatically terminated.
[0015]
By the way, if the number of pachinko balls stored in the gaming machine is smaller than the maximum number of stored balls, the balls must be removed before the ball-pulling completion period necessary to remove all the pachinko balls of the maximum stored number elapses. Since the extraction is completed, the ball dispensing device idles thereafter.
[0016]
Therefore, in the case where there is provided the payout ball detecting means for detecting the pachinko ball paid out from the ball payout device on the upstream side of the flow path switching member as in claim 6, the payout ball detecting means is provided during the ball removing process. Accordingly, when the state in which the pachinko ball is not detected continues for a predetermined time, the ball removing process may be ended. That is, when the pachinko ball dispensed from the ball dispensing device is no longer detected, it is determined that the ball removal has been completed, and the ball removal process ends. In this way, if the number of pachinko balls stored inside the gaming machine is smaller than the maximum storage number, the ball-pulling process can be immediately terminated when ball-pulling is completed, It is possible to prevent useless idle rotation of the dispensing device, and to shorten the ball removing work time.
[0017]
Further, it is preferable that the notifying means be operated to notify the state in which the state in which the flow path switching member is switched to the ball-pulling position is detected by the switching position detecting means. With this configuration, it is possible to notify by the notification means that the gaming machine is in the ball-pulling state (the state in which the flow path switching member is switched to the ball-pulling position). After the maintenance and inspection work after the pulling process is completed), the pachinko clerk can be encouraged to release the ball-pulling state of the gaming machine, thereby preventing the gaming machine from being left in the ball-pulling state. Can be.
[0018]
If the game is started and the pachinko balls are dispensed from the ball dispensing device while the gaming machine is in the ball extracting state, the pachinko balls that should flow down to the ball dispensing channel will flow down to the ball extracting channel and the ball will be removed. Will be done.
[0019]
Therefore, during the period in which the switching position detecting means detects the state in which the flow path switching member is switched to the ball removing position, the launching operation of the ball launching device and the normal ball payout command (prize) are performed. At least one of the normal payout processing of the ball payout device based on the ball payout command and the ball loan payout command) may be prohibited. If the launching operation of the ball launching device is prohibited, the pachinko ball does not win (that is, no prize ball payout command is issued), so that the payout operation of the ball payout device based on the prize ball payout command can be prevented. Therefore, if the game machine is in the ball-pulling state, and if the ball-shooting operation of the ball-launching device and the normal pay-out process of the ball-paying device are prohibited, the pachinko balls that should flow down to the ball-paying channel flow down to the ball-pulling channel. It is possible to prevent the ball from being pulled out.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a schematic configuration of the back side of the pachinko machine 11 will be described with reference to FIG. A ball tank 12 for supplying pachinko balls from a ball supply passage (not shown) of the pachinko island is provided at an upper portion on the back side of the pachinko machine 11 (game machine), and the ball tank 12 has pachinko balls flowing therefrom. A tank rail 13 that allows the balls to flow down in an aligned state is connected. A ball supply path 14 is connected to the lower end of the tank rail 13, and a ball dispensing device 15 that pays out pachinko balls (prize balls or lending balls) is connected to the lower end of the ball supply path 14.
[0021]
In addition, below the ball discharge channel 16 of the ball discharging device 15, a ball discharging channel 18 and a ball discharging channel 19 (see FIG. 2) are provided before and after the pachinko machine 11 via a ball discharging device 17 described later. It is arranged so that it may line up in the direction. Thereby, the dimension in the left-right direction of the arrangement space of the ball payout channel 18 and the ball removal channel 19 can be reduced, and the game area can be expanded accordingly.
[0022]
The ball dispensing passage 18 is connected to a ball plate (not shown) arranged on the front side of the pachinko machine 11, while the ball removing passage 19 is connected to a ball collection passage (not shown) of the pachinko island. Have been. In addition, a payout ball detection sensor is provided inside the ball payout device 15 or in a ball discharge flow path 16 upstream of a flow path switching valve 21 to be described later, as payout ball detecting means for detecting pachinko balls to be paid out from the ball payout device 15. 20 (see FIG. 8).
[0023]
Next, the configuration of the ball removing device 17 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, in the ball removing device 17, a flow path switching valve 21 (flow path switching member) discharges pachinko balls discharged from the ball discharge device 15 to the ball discharge flow path 18 (FIG. 2). The position shown by a solid line in FIG. 2) and the position of a ball to flow down to the ball draining channel 19 (the position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) can be manually switched.
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the flow path switching valve 21, an operation lever 22 for operating the flow path switching valve 21, and an elastic piece 23 for urging the flow path switching valve 21 toward the dispensing position (Biasing member) are provided so as to be integrally rotatable about the rotation shaft 24. As shown in FIG. 4, when the flow path switching valve 21, the operation lever 22, the elastic piece 23, and the rotating shaft 24 are assembled in the ball removing device 17, the distal end 23 a of the elastic piece 23 is attached to the ball removing device. The elastic piece 23 is in an elastically deformed state in contact with the case wall 33 of the case 17. The flow path switching valve 21, the operation lever 22 (including a switching position detecting projection 26 and an engagement projection 28 described later), the elastic piece 23, and the rotating shaft 24 are integrally formed of resin or the like.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 4, a slide member 25 is provided in front of the operation lever 22 (leftward in FIG. 4) so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 4). 4 to the right) and pushing the operation lever 22 backward, the operation lever 22 and the flow path switching valve 21 rotate rearward (toward the ball removing position).
[0026]
A switching position detecting projection 26 (operating member) is provided on the rear surface of the operating lever 22, and the switching position detecting projection 26 is provided behind the operating lever 22 at a position corresponding to the switching position detecting projection 26. A sensor 27 (switch position detecting means) is provided. The switching position detection sensor 27 is composed of an optical sensor including a light emitting element (for example, a light emitting diode) and a light receiving element (for example, a phototransistor), and as shown in FIG. When the position is switched to the position, the switching position detection sensor 27 detects the switching position detecting projection 26 of the operation lever 22 and outputs a detection signal. Note that the switching position detection sensor 27 may be configured by another non-contact type or contact type sensor such as a proximity switch or a micro switch.
[0027]
Further, an engagement projection 28 (engaging member) is provided on the upper rear surface of the operation lever 22, and a latch 29 (holding means) is provided at a position corresponding to the engagement projection 28 behind the operation lever 22. Is provided. As shown in FIG. 7, each time the pressing portion 30 is pressed by the engaging projection 28 of the operation lever 22, the latch 29 closes the pair of engaging pieces 31 as shown in FIG. 7B, and the disengagement state in which the engagement piece 31 is opened to release the engagement with the engagement protrusion 28 as shown in FIG. It is designed to switch to
[0028]
In a normal state, as shown in FIG. 4A, the operation lever 22 and the flow path switching valve 21 are rotationally urged forward by the elastic force of the elastic piece 23, and the ball switching apparatus 17 normally operates as shown in FIG. 21 is held at the payout position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2). When the ball dispensing device 15 is dispensed in this state, the pachinko balls dispensed from the ball dispensing device 15 flow down to the ball dispensing channel 18 and are dispensed to the ball plate.
[0029]
On the other hand, when removing the ball, as shown in FIG. 4B, the slide member 25 is pushed backward from the front side of the pachinko machine 11 with a rod-shaped jig or the like, and the operation lever 22 and the flow path switching valve 21 are pushed. Is rotated backward against the elastic force of the elastic piece 23, the engaging projection 28 of the operation lever 22 pushes the pressing portion 30 of the latch 29. As a result, the engagement piece 31 of the latch 29 is closed, and the engagement projection 28 of the operation lever 22 is engaged with the engagement piece 31 of the latch 29, whereby the flow path switching valve 21 is moved to the ball release position. (The position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2). In this state, when the ball dispensing device 15 is dispensed, the pachinko balls dispensed from the ball dispensing device 15 flow down to the ball removing channel 19 and are removed.
[0030]
Then, when the slide member 25 is pushed backward and the pressing portion 30 of the latch 29 is pushed in by the engaging projection 28 of the operation lever 22, the engagement piece 31 of the latch 29 is opened and the engagement projection 28 of the operation lever 22 is opened. Is released from the engagement piece 31 of the latch 29, the elastic force of the elastic piece 23 rotates the operation lever 22 and the flow path switching valve 21 forward, and holds the flow path switching valve 21 at the dispensing position. You.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 8, output signals from the payout ball detection sensor 20, the switching position detection sensor 27, and the like are input to the control circuit 32 of the pachinko machine 11. The control circuit 32 executes a ball payout control program (not shown) stored in a ROM (storage medium) so that when the flow path switching valve 21 of the ball removing device 17 is switched to the payout position. The ball payout device 15 is caused to perform a payout operation based on a prize ball payout command or a lending ball payout command, and a predetermined number of pachinko balls (prize balls or lendable balls) are caused to flow down to the ball payout channel 18 and are discharged to a ball plate. In addition, you may make it pay out only a prize ball, without having a rental ball payout function.
[0032]
The control circuit 32 of the pachinko machine 11 detects the state in which the flow path switching valve 21 has been switched to the ball removal position by the switching position detection sensor 27 by executing the ball removal control program shown in FIG. When the state continues for a predetermined time, the ball discharging process of discharging the pachinko balls inside the pachinko machine 11 (inside and upstream of the ball discharging device 15) with the ball discharging device 15 and flowing down to the ball discharging channel 19 is automatically performed. The ball-pulling process is started when the state where pachinko balls are not detected by the payout ball detection sensor 20 during the ball-pulling process has continued for a predetermined time or when a predetermined ball-pulling completion period has elapsed from the start of the ball-pulling process. Automatically exits.
[0033]
Further, the control circuit 32 of the pachinko machine 11 executes the notification control program shown in FIG. 10 so that the switching position detection sensor 27 detects the state in which the flow path switching valve 21 is switched to the ball release position. Then, the notification lamp 33 (notifying means) provided on the front side of the pachinko machine 11 is turned on or blinked, and the pachinko machine 11 is in the ball-pulling state (the state in which the flow path switching valve 21 is switched to the ball-pulling position). Notify that there is.
[0034]
Hereinafter, processing contents of each program of FIGS. 9 and 10 executed by the control circuit 32 of the pachinko machine 11 will be described.
[0035]
The ball removal control program of FIG. 9 is executed at a predetermined cycle, and plays a role as a ball removal control means referred to in the claims. When this program is started, first, in step 101, it is determined whether or not the switching position detection sensor 27 has been on for a predetermined time (for example, one second), that is, the state in which the flow path switching valve 21 has been switched to the ball release position. If the ON state of the switching position detection sensor 27 has not been continued for a predetermined period of time, it is determined that the flow path switching valve 21 has not been switched to the ball-pulling position, and the processing related to ball-pulling after step 102 is performed. This program is terminated without executing.
[0036]
Thereafter, in step 101, when it is determined that the ON state of the switching position detection sensor 27 has been continued for a predetermined time, it is determined that the flow path switching valve 21 has been switched to the ball-pulling position, and step 102 and subsequent steps are performed. And the following process is performed by permitting the processing relating to the removal of the ball. First, in step 102, the ball dispensing device 15 is operated to perform a dispensing operation, so that the pachinko balls inside the pachinko machine 11 (inside and upstream of the ball dispensing device 15) are dispensed by the ball dispensing device 15 and flow down to the ball emptying channel 19. Start ball removal processing.
[0037]
During the ball removing process, (1) a process of determining whether the switching position detection sensor 27 is off (step 103), and (2) a state in which the payout ball detection sensor 20 does not detect a pachinko ball for a predetermined time (for example, (Step 104) to determine whether or not the operation has continued (for several seconds); and (3) the ball-pulling completion time from the start of the ball-pulling processing (all the pachinko balls having the maximum storage number that can be stored inside the pachinko machine 11 The processing (step 105) for determining whether or not the time required for disconnection has elapsed has been repeated.
[0038]
Thereafter, when it is determined that the state in which the pachinko ball is not detected by the payout ball detection sensor 20 has continued for a predetermined time in step 104, or when it is determined in step 105 that the ball removal completion time has elapsed from the start of the ball removal process. Then, it is determined that all the pachinko balls stored in the pachinko machine 11 (inside and upstream of the ball payout device 15) have been removed, the process proceeds to step 106, and the payout operation of the ball payout device 15 is stopped. The ball removal process ends, and this program ends.
[0039]
If it is determined in step 103 that the switching position detection sensor 27 is off during the ball removing process, it is determined that the flow path switching valve 21 has been switched to the payout position, and the routine proceeds to step 106, where the ball payout is performed. The payout operation of the device 15 is stopped, the ball removing process is forcibly terminated, and the present program is terminated.
[0040]
The notification control program of FIG. 10 is executed at a predetermined cycle, and plays a role as notification control means referred to in the claims. When the program is started, first, in step 201, it is determined whether or not the on-state of the switching position detection sensor 27 has continued for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second). If the flow has not been continued, it is determined that the flow path switching valve 21 has not been switched to the ball release position, and the present program is ended as it is.
[0041]
Thereafter, in step 201, when it is determined that the ON state of the switching position detection sensor 27 has continued for a predetermined time, it is determined that the flow path switching valve 21 has been switched to the ball release position, and the process proceeds to step 202. Then, the notification lamp 33 is turned on (or blinks) to notify that the pachinko machine 11 is in the ball-pulling state (the state in which the flow path switching valve 21 is switched to the ball-pulling position).
[0042]
While the notification lamp 33 is on (or blinking), it is determined in step 203 whether or not the switching position detection sensor 27 is off. When the switching position detection sensor 27 is determined to be off, the flow path switching valve 21 is turned off. Is determined to have been switched to the payout position, the process proceeds to step 204, the notification lamp 33 is turned off, and the program ends. The notification operation (lighting method) of the notification lamp 33 may be different before and after completion of the ball removing process of the ball dispensing device 15.
[0043]
In the present embodiment described above, since the switching position of the flow path switching valve 21 is switched by manually pushing the operation lever 22, there is no need to provide a drive source for driving the flow path switching valve 21, and the ball punching device 17 is not required. Can be simplified, and requirements for cost reduction and space saving can be satisfied.
[0044]
Further, since the flow path switching valve 21 can be held at the ball release position by the engagement between the engagement projection 28 of the operation lever 22 and the engagement piece 31 of the latch 29, the flow path switching valve 21 is moved to the ball release position. In addition to the above, it is possible to more reliably prevent an operation failure such as not being held at a predetermined position, and only when the switching position detection sensor 27 is in the ON state, that is, when the flow path switching valve 21 is switched to the ball removing position, the ball removing process ( (The payout operation of the ball payout device 15) is not permitted. Therefore, even if an operation failure of the flow path switching valve 21 occurs, the flow path switching valve 21 is not switched to the ball emptying position. It is possible to prevent the ball-pulling process (payout operation of the ball pay-out device 15) from starting, and the pachinko balls that are to flow down to the ball-pulling channel 19 to remove the ball flow down to the ball-pulling channel 18. Malfunction It is possible to prevent in advance.
[0045]
In this embodiment, the operation lever 22 (including the switching position detection projection 26 and the engagement projection 28), the elastic piece 23, and the rotating shaft 24 are integrally formed. They can be manufactured at the same time, and the manufacturing process can be simplified, and the number of parts can be reduced by integration, and the assembling workability can be improved.
[0046]
However, the flow path switching valve 21, the operation lever 22 (including the switching position detecting projection 26 and the engaging projection 28), the elastic piece 23, and the rotating shaft 24 do not necessarily need to be integrally formed. Some or all of the components may be formed separately and assembled integrally and rotatably.
[0047]
Further, in the present embodiment, the ball discharging channel 18 and the ball discharging channel 19 are arranged so as to be arranged in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 11, so that the left and right of the arrangement space of the ball discharging channel 18 and the ball discharging channel 19 are set. The dimension in the direction can be reduced, and the game area can be expanded accordingly.
[0048]
Further, in this embodiment, when the flow path switching valve 21 is switched to the ball removal position and the on-state of the switching position detection sensor 27 continues for a predetermined time, the ball removal process is started. 27 can also function as a ball removal switch, and the ball removal process can be automatically started only by performing the operation of switching the flow path switching valve 21 to the ball removal position, and the operation is simple. In addition, there is no need to provide a switch for starting the ball removing process, and the cost of the ball removing device 17 can be further reduced.
[0049]
Further, in the present embodiment, the ball-pulling process is ended when the ball-pulling completion time (the time required to pull out all the pachinko balls of the maximum storage number) from the start of the ball-pulling process has elapsed. Therefore, after all the pachinko balls inside the pachinko machine 11 have been removed, the removal process can be automatically terminated.
[0050]
By the way, if the number of pachinko balls stored in the pachinko machine 11 is smaller than the maximum storage number, the ball removal is completed before the ball removal completion time elapses from the start of the ball removal process. , The ball dispensing device 15 spins idle.
[0051]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, when it is determined that the state in which the pachinko ball has not been detected by the payout ball detection sensor 20 has continued for a predetermined time during the ball removal process, it is determined that the ball removal has been completed, and the ball removal process is performed. If the number of pachinko balls stored in the pachinko machine 11 is smaller than the maximum storage number, the ball-pulling process can be immediately terminated when ball-balling is completed. In addition, power can be saved by preventing useless idling of the ball dispensing device 15, and the efficiency of the replacement work of a new stand and the maintenance and inspection work can be improved by shortening the ball removing work time.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, when the switching position detection sensor 27 is in the ON state, that is, when the flow path switching valve 21 is switched to the ball release position, the notification lamp 33 is turned on (or blinks), and the pachinko machine 11 is turned on. Is notified of the ball removal state (the state in which the flow path switching valve 21 is switched to the ball removal position), so that the completion of the ball removal processing (or the end of the maintenance inspection work or the like after the ball removal processing). Later), it is possible to urge the pachinko clerk to release the ball removing state of the pachinko machine 11, thereby preventing the pachinko machine 11 from being left without the ball removing state.
[0053]
If the game is started and the pachinko balls are dispensed from the ball dispensing device 15 while the pachinko machine 11 is in the ball extracting state, the pachinko balls that should flow down to the ball dispensing channel 18 flow down to the ball extracting channel 19. And the ball is pulled out.
[0054]
Therefore, when the switching position detection sensor 27 is in the ON state, that is, when the flow path switching valve 21 is switched to the ball-pulling position, the sphere based on the launch operation of the ball launching device and the prize ball payout command or ball lending payout command. At least one of the normal payout processing of the payout device 15 may be prohibited. If the launching operation of the ball launching device is prohibited, the pachinko ball does not win (that is, no prize ball payout command is issued), so that the payout operation of the ball payout device 15 based on the prize ball payout command can be prevented. Therefore, if the pachinko machine 11 is in the ball-pulling state and the firing operation of the ball launching device and the normal payout process of the ball payout device 15 are prohibited, the pachinko balls that should flow down to the ball payout channel 18 will have a ball-pulling flow. It is possible to prevent the ball from flowing down to the road 19 and being removed.
[0055]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the ball removal process is started when the flow path switching valve 21 is switched to the ball removal position and the ON state of the switching position detection sensor 27 continues for a predetermined time. A ball release switch for starting is provided, and in a state where the flow path switching valve 21 is switched to the ball release position, the ball release switch is manually turned on to start the ball release process, or the ball release switch is manually turned off. Then, the ball removing process may be terminated.
[0056]
Further, in the above embodiment, when the ball-pulling completion time (the time required for ball-pulling all the pachinko balls of the maximum storage number) has elapsed from the start of the ball-pulling process, the ball-pulling process is automatically terminated. However, the amount of operation (for example, the amount of motor rotation) of the ball dispensing device 15 after the start of the ball-pulling process becomes equal to the amount of ball-pulling-out operation (the amount of motion required to remove all balls with the maximum number of stored pachinko balls). ), The ball removing process may be automatically terminated.
[0057]
Further, the configuration of the ball removing device 17 may be changed as appropriate, such as changing the shape of the flow path switching valve 21 or the method of manually operating the flow path switching valve 21.
[0058]
In addition, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to general pachinko machines, and the present invention may be applied to various game machines such as an arrangement type pachinko machine and a game machine that performs a slot game using a pachinko ball.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the ball removing device for a gaming machine of the first aspect of the present invention, since the flow path switching member is manually switched, it is necessary to provide a drive source for the flow path switching member. In addition, cost reduction and space saving can be realized. In addition, since the flow path switching member can be held at the ball pulling-out position by the engagement between the engagement member and the engagement holding means, it is possible to more reliably prevent the operation failure that the flow path switching member is not held at the ball pulling-out position. In addition to this, since the ball removal process is permitted only when the switching position detecting means detects that the flow path switching member has been switched to the ball removal position, the ball is removed by flowing down to the ball removal flow path. It is possible to prevent a problem that a pachinko ball that should be flowing down to the ball discharge channel can be prevented beforehand, and reliability can be improved.
[0060]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the flow path switching member, the urging member, the operating member, and the engagement member are integrally formed, these parts can be manufactured simultaneously, and the manufacturing process is simplified. In addition, the number of components can be reduced by the integration to improve the assembly workability.
[0061]
Furthermore, in the third aspect, the ball dispensing channel and the ball removing channel are arranged so as to be arranged in the front-rear direction of the gaming machine. By reducing the size, the game area can be expanded.
[0062]
According to the fourth aspect, the ball-pulling process is automatically started based on the output signal of the switching position detecting means. Therefore, it is not necessary to manually start the ball-pulling process, and the operation is simplified. There is no need to provide a ball empty switch, so that further cost reduction can be realized.
[0063]
Furthermore, in claim 5, when a predetermined ball-pulling completion period has elapsed from the start of the ball-pulling process, the ball-pulling process is terminated. When the necessary ball-pulling completion period has elapsed, the ball-pulling process can be automatically terminated.
[0064]
Further, in the sixth aspect, when the state where the pachinko ball is not detected by the payout ball detecting means during the ball removing process continues for a predetermined time, the ball removing process is terminated, so that the pachinko ball inside the gaming machine is removed. If the number is less than the maximum number of storages, the ball removal process can be completed immediately when the ball removal is completed, preventing the ball dispensing device from running idle and saving power, and a new platform with ball removal. The efficiency of replacement work and maintenance work can be improved.
[0065]
In the seventh aspect, the notifying means is caused to perform a notification operation during a period in which the state in which the flow path switching member is switched to the ball removing position is detected by the switching position detecting means. (Or after the maintenance and inspection work after the ball removal process is completed), the pachinko clerk can be encouraged to release the ball removal state of the gaming machine, and the gaming machine is left in the ball removal state Can be prevented.
[0066]
Further, in the eighth aspect, the launching operation of the ball launching device and the normal payout operation of the ball payout device are prohibited while the switching position detecting means detects the state in which the flow path switching member is switched to the ball removing position. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a problem that the pachinko ball that should flow down to the ball discharge channel flows down to the ball release channel and is removed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a back view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a ball punching device and a peripheral portion thereof.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal rear view of the ball removing device and its peripheral portion.
4A is a longitudinal side view of a ball removing device showing a normal state, and FIG. 4B is a vertical side view of the ball removing device showing a state of removing a ball.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a flow path switching valve and its peripheral portion.
FIG. 6 is a side view of a flow path switching valve and its peripheral portion.
7A is a plan view of the latch showing a state at the time of engagement, and FIG. 7B is a partially broken plan view of the latch showing a state at the time of disengagement;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration related to ball-pulling control.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of a ball removal control program.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a notification control program;
[Explanation of symbols]
11: Pachinko machine (game machine), 15: Ball dispensing device, 17: Ball removing device, 18: Ball dispensing channel, 19: Ball removing channel, 20: Discharge ball detection sensor (discharge ball detection means), 21 ... Flow path switching valve (flow path switching member), 22 ... operating lever, 23 ... elastic piece (biasing member), 25 ... slide member, 26 ... switching position detecting projection (operating member), 27 ... switching position detection sensor (Switching position detecting means), 28: engaging projection (engaging member), 29: latch (holding means), 32: control circuit (ball release control means, notification control means).

Claims (8)

In a ball-pulling device of a gaming machine that performs ball-pulling by switching the downward flow of pachinko balls to be discharged from a ball-pulling-out device to a ball-pulling-out channel from a ball-pulling-out channel,
A flow path switching member provided so as to be manually switchable between a discharge position for causing the pachinko balls to be dispensed from the ball dispensing device to flow down to the ball discharge flow path and a ball discharge position for flowing down to the ball discharge flow path,
An urging member for urging the flow path switching member in the direction of the dispensing position,
An operating member provided to operate integrally with the flow path switching member,
A switching position detecting unit that detects a state in which the flow path switching member is switched to the ball-pulling position by being operated by the operating member;
An engagement member provided to operate integrally with the flow path switching member,
Holding means for holding the flow path switching member at the ball emptying position by engaging with the engagement member;
A ball-pulling-out control unit for permitting ball-pulling-out processing by a payout operation of the ball payout device during a period in which the switching position detecting unit detects a state in which the flow path switching member is switched to the ball-pulling position. A ball punching device for a gaming machine. 2. The ball removing device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the flow path switching member, the urging member, the operating member, and the engaging member are integrally formed. The ball removing device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball payout channel and the ball removing channel are arranged so as to be arranged in a front-rear direction of the gaming machine. 4. The ball-pulling device of a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball-pulling control means automatically starts the ball-pulling process based on an output signal of the switching position detecting means. . The game according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ball-pulling control means ends the ball-pulling process when a predetermined ball-pulling completion period has elapsed from the start of the ball-pulling process. Machine for emptying the machine. Dispensing ball detection means for detecting pachinko balls dispensed from the ball dispensing device upstream of the flow path switching member,
6. The ball-pulling-out control means terminates the ball-pulling-out processing when a state in which no pachinko ball is detected by the payout ball detecting means continues for a predetermined time during the ball-pulling-out processing. A ball punching device for a gaming machine according to any one of the above. 2. A notifying control means for notifying a notifying means during a period in which the switching position detecting means detects a state in which the flow path switching member is switched to the ball removing position. 7. The ball removing device for a gaming machine according to any one of claims 6 to 6. During the period when the switching position detecting means detects the state in which the flow path switching member has been switched to the ball removing position, the launch operation of the ball launching device and the normal operation of the ball dispensing device based on a normal ball dispensing command. The ball removing device for a gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a game prohibiting means for prohibiting at least one of the payout processes.

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