JP2005058484A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique effective for improving the continuousness of expectations of the distribution of game balls which advance from a ball entrance in a distribution device of a game machine. <P>SOLUTION: In the game machine provided with a game ball distribution device in a game area, the distribution device is provided with a retaining part 189 where the game ball 102 which advances from the ball entrance is temporarily retained and a plurality of distributing and carrying members 179 for carrying the game balls retained in the retaining part in a peripheral direction by relative movement with the carrying route of the game balls. For the distributing and carrying members, two kinds of the one for distributing the game balls to the inner peripheral side of the carrying route and the one for distributing them to the outer peripheral side of the carrying route are arranged at a prescribed interval, and at least the ball distributing operation of the distributing and carrying member is hidden from a player for a prescribed area including an area to execute the distribution of the game ball retained in the retaining part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a gaming ball sorting device is provided in a gaming area.

  An example of a gaming machine in which a gaming ball sorting device is arranged in a gaming area is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3233109 (Patent Document 1). In this disclosed document, there is provided a sorting member that has a concave portion for special winning and a concave portion for general winning on the outer periphery, and is constituted by a rotating body whose surface is parallel to the game board surface, A structure in which a winning ball dropped from an electric winning device is received by a winning ball receiving frame, and then guided and distributed to any one concave portion of a rotating body rotating through an intrusion concave portion formed in the winning ball receiving frame; It is a thing.

In the above disclosed technique, the winning ball dropped from the electric winning device is received by the winning ball receiving frame and guided to the intrusion recess, and then waits in the intrusion recess, and the recess of the rotating body during the rotation operation enters the intrusion recess. When it opposes, it is guide | induced to the said recessed part. Therefore, when the winning ball is received by the winning ball receiving frame or when it is guided to the intrusion recess, the player distributes the winning ball to the special winning recess or to the general winning recess. It is a setting that allows you to easily know whether it can be distributed. In other words, the player can identify whether the game ball is special or general at an early point in time, so from the player's point of view, the expectation for the distribution is poor, and this is an improvement. There is room for.
Japanese Patent No. 3233109

    The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a technique effective in improving the sustainability of expectation for the distribution of game balls that have entered from the ball entrance in a game machine distribution device. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 of the claims is constructed.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine having a sorting device in the gaming area is configured. As a gaming machine, a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball machine, etc. correspond to this typically. In the gaming machine according to the present invention, the allocating device is configured such that the game ball that has entered from the ball entrance is temporarily stopped, and the game ball that is stopped at the stop portion is relative to the transport path of the game ball. It is set as the structure provided with the some distribution conveyance member conveyed in the circumferential direction by general movement. The aspect of “transporting in the circumferential direction by relative movement” in the present invention is not limited to the aspect of moving the sorting transport member in the circumferential direction, but also the mode of moving the transport path in the circumferential direction, or the sorting transport member The aspect which moves both with a conveyance path is also included suitably.

  According to the sorting apparatus according to the present invention, the sorting and transporting members are arranged in a plurality of types at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, one that sorts the game balls to at least the inner circumference side of the feeding path and the one that sorts the game balls to the outer circumference side. The configuration is made. The “distribution between at least the inner circumference side and the outer circumference side” of the conveyance path is not limited to the mode of distribution between the inner circumference side conveyance path and the outer circumference side conveyance path, but also between the inner circumference side conveyance path and the outer circumference side conveyance path. An embodiment having an intermediate conveyance path in between is also included, and the case where the number of intermediate conveyance paths is one or more is also included. The game balls that have entered from the ball entrance are temporarily stopped at the stop portion, and are distributed and transported to at least the outer peripheral side or the inner peripheral side by a plurality of types of sorting transport members.

Further, in the present invention, the plurality of types of sorting and conveying members are arranged and distributed for a predetermined area including an area for performing the distribution of the game balls that are parked in the parking portion, among the moving areas relative to the carrying path. At least the ball distributing operation of the member is configured to be hidden from the player. It should be noted that the “area for executing the distribution” widely includes not only the area where the distribution action is actually started, but also the area immediately before or after the start of the distribution action. In addition, as a mode of “blindfolding from the player”, a mode of hiding using a wall or a curtain corresponds to this, but it is not limited to a mode of hiding so that the player can not see completely from any direction, A state in which a wall or curtain is placed in front of the field of view so that the player can hardly see it when viewed from the front of the gaming machine in a normal gaming posture, or the wall or curtain is made of a translucent material, etc. Thus, it broadly encompasses aspects that are difficult to see.
By adopting such a configuration, there is a time “between” after the game ball is stopped at the stop portion and actually distributed by the distribution transport member, and the distribution operation of the game ball by the distribution transport member Until the start of the game, it is difficult to distinguish the type of the sorting conveyance member, and it is difficult to predict whether the game ball is distributed to the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side. As a result, the player has a sense of expectation for the distribution, and the fun of the game is improved.

  According to the present invention, a technology that is effective in improving the sustainability of a sense of expectation for the distribution of game balls that have entered from the ball entrance is provided in the distribution device for gaming machines.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

  Hereinafter, a pachinko machine 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Among these, the overall configuration of the game board 103 which is a main component in the pachinko machine 101 is shown in FIG. 1, and the detailed configuration of the sorting device 161 arranged in the electric accessory device 105 in the pachinko machine 101 is shown in FIGS. 7 to 15 show the distribution mode of the game ball 102 by the distribution device 161, and FIG. 14 shows the electrical system configuration of the pachinko machine 101. The pachinko machine 101 is an example of the “game machine” in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the game area 104 formed on the surface of the game board 103 of the pachinko machine 101 according to the present embodiment has an electric accessory device 105 and three winning start ports 107 and 108, in particular. Along with well-known elements such as guide nails, windmills, and general winning holes without reference numerals, they are arranged in place. The electric accessory device 105 constitutes a “winning device”. The pachinko machine 101 according to the embodiment is classified into a so-called “second type” type.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electric accessory device 105 includes a left and right opening / closing blade 151 that opens and closes the left and right winning holes where the game ball 102 (see FIGS. 4 to 14) can win, and a game won from the winning hole. The distribution device 161 that distributes the balls 102 to the specific winning port 153 or the normal winning port 155, the specific winning port 153 disposed below the distributing device 161, and the normal winning port 155 are mainly configured. The above winning opening corresponds to the “ball entrance” in the present invention. The electric accessory device 105 has a space area having a predetermined depth at the center of the front surface, and the distribution device 161, the specific winning port 153, and the normal winning port 155 are arranged in the space region.

  Next, details of the sorting apparatus 161 will be described with reference to FIGS. The distribution device 161 has a shape imitating a merry-go-round as an overall shape, and includes a ceiling portion 163 that receives the game balls 102 that are won from the left and right winning openings of the electric accessory device 105, and a drop opening from the ceiling portion 163. The upper and lower two-stage structure mainly includes a ball sorting and transporting mechanism 173 that sorts and transports the game balls 102 that have entered through 171.

  The upper ceiling portion 163 includes a substantially conical bulging portion 165 protruding from the center upper surface, a circular plate wall 167 disposed at a predetermined interval so as to surround the bulging portion 165, and a bulging portion. An annular ball rolling floor surface 169 formed between the lower end of the projecting portion 165 and the lower end of the plate wall 167 is configured, and the game ball 102 is placed on the lower ball side of the ball rolling floor surface 169. A single ball drop port 171 for guiding to the sorting and transport mechanism unit 133 is formed. Note that the ball rolling floor surface 169 is formed in a substantially horizontal shape, and has a slope 171 a (see FIG. 7) that gently slopes to guide the game ball 102 to the ball drop port 171.

  The ball distribution and transport mechanism 173 horizontally rotates in the circumferential direction along the circular (annular) transport path 177 disposed below the cylindrical support column 175 that supports the ceiling 163. A plurality (four in this embodiment) of the sorting and conveying members 179 are mainly configured. The conveyance path 177 is formed in a substantially cross-sectional groove shape by an outer wall surface of the support column 175, an inner wall surface of a plate wall 181 having a predetermined height surrounding the support column 175, and a substantially horizontal floor surface 183 formed between both wall surfaces. (See FIG. 4). The plate wall 181 corresponds to the “wall portion” in the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the game ball 102 dropped from the ball drop port 171 of the ceiling portion 163 falls on a spherical guide surface 185 formed inside the support column 175, and then from the guide surface 185 to the support column 175. It is configured to enter the conveyance path 177 through an opening 187 penetrating the pier. In the transport path 177, a stopping unit 189 is set in which the game ball 102 that has entered through the opening 187 can temporarily stop. The stop 189 is set slightly to the left of the center when the sorting device 161 is viewed from the front. The stopping portion 189 may be set by denting the floor surface 183 at an appropriate depth.

  The distribution conveying member 179 is formed in a shape imitating a horse, and in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the game ball 102 stopped at the stopping portion 189 by rotating counterclockwise is conveyed while pushing with the front foot. It is supposed to be configured. A rotating ring member 192 is disposed on the lower surface of the outer periphery of the ceiling portion 163 so as to be horizontally rotatable, and the sorting and conveying member 179 is supported on the rotating ring member via a hanging rod 191 in a suspended manner at a predetermined interval in the rotation direction. It is configured. The rotating ring member 192 is configured to be horizontally rotated through an appropriate rotation driving device (not shown in particular for convenience) using a motor as a driving source.

  The sorting conveyance member 179 is provided with two types, that is, a right front foot 179a protruding forward and a left front foot 179b protruding forward in the conveyance direction (traveling direction). The left or right forefoot 179a, 179b acts on (contacts) the game ball 102 stopped at the stopping portion 187 from the center and pushes the game ball 102 diagonally forward, thereby transporting the game ball 102 to the transport path 177. It is set as the structure distributed to either the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side. The operation of pushing the game ball 102 diagonally forward by the front legs 179a and 179b corresponds to the “ball distribution operation” in the present invention. The right front foot 179a moves on the outer peripheral side of the transport path 177, and the left front foot 179b moves on the inner peripheral side of the transport path 177. The right forefoot 179a and the left forefoot 179b constitute a “ball pusher”.

  The mode of distribution of the game balls 102 by the distribution transport member 179 is shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. For example, when the sorting transport member 179 is pushed by the right forefoot 179a, the right side of the game ball 102 is the point of action of the force with respect to the traveling direction, so that the game ball 102 has an inside of the transport path 177. A force acts so as to approach the periphery (see FIG. 12A). On the other hand, when the left forefoot 179b is pressed, the left side of the game ball 102 acts as a force application point, and the force acts so as to bring the game ball 102 toward the outer peripheral side (see FIG. 12B). That is, the sorting and conveying member 179 guides the game ball 102 to either the inner periphery or the outer periphery of the transfer path 179. The right forefoot 179a and the left forefoot 179b correspond to the “ball sorting unit” in the present invention. The distribution conveying member 179 has the same external shape and the same color for the portions excluding the front legs 179a and 179b.

  On the other hand, the floor surface of the transport path 177 has a shape that divides the transport path 177 into an inner peripheral side and an outer peripheral side over a predetermined area (a front area of the sorting device 161) from the stop portion 189 toward the transport direction of the game balls 102. Is formed. That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 or as shown in the distribution mode diagrams of FIGS. 7 to 11, the floor surface 183 of the transport path 177 has a mountain-shaped partition having a ridge line formed in the circumferential direction. 193 is provided, and the partition 193 divides the conveyance path 177 into an outer peripheral path 177a and an inner peripheral path 177b. Therefore, the game ball 102 pushed out to the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side by the right front foot 179a or the left front foot 179b of the sorting transport member 179 is guided to the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface of the mountain-shaped convex portion of the partition 193. That is, the game balls 102 are configured to be distributed and transported to either the outer peripheral side path 177a or the inner peripheral side path 177b by the interaction between the distribution transport member 179 and the partition 193.

  As for the plate wall 181 which comprises the conveyance path | route 177, the front side (front) part is open | released over the predetermined range. That is, an opening 181a is set in the plate wall 181 so that the player can see the game balls 102 distributed by the distribution transport member 179, and the opening 181a is a game ball after distribution. The opening 102 is opened over a region where it is possible to confirm whether the route 102 is conveyed along the inner or outer route. In other words, the distribution transport member 179 serves as a ball distribution unit over a predetermined area including an area for performing the distribution of the game balls 102 that are parked on the parking section 189 except for the opening area in the horizontal rotation area. The front legs 179a and 179b are concealed from the player by the plate wall 181. This plate wall 181 corresponds to “blindfolding” in the present invention. Further, since the sorting and conveying member 179 rotates horizontally around the support column 175, the whole is hidden from the player while moving on the rear side of the support column 175. Therefore, this support column 175 also corresponds to “blindfolding” in the present invention.

  On the floor surface 181 of the conveyance path 177, a ball outlet 195 of the outer peripheral side path 177a and a ball outlet 197 of the inner peripheral side path 177b are formed. The ball outlet 195 of the outer peripheral path 177a and the ball outlet 197 of the inner peripheral path 177b are set at different positions in the circumferential direction. That is, the ball outlet 195 of the outer circumference side path 137a is set on the near side (front left side) in the traveling direction, and the ball outlet 197 of the inner circumference side path 137b is set on the back side (front right side).

  A guide rod 199 is disposed below the ball outlet 195 or 197, and the game ball 102 discharged from the ball outlet 195 or 197 is guided to the specific winning port 153 or the normal winning port 155 through the guide rod 199. It is set as the structure. In the present embodiment, the game ball 102 discharged from the ball outlet 195 of the outer peripheral path 177a is guided to the specific winning opening 153, and the game ball 102 discharged from the ball outlet 197 of the inner peripheral path 177b is the normal winning opening. It is configured to be guided to 155. In the present embodiment, one of the four distribution transport members 179 is the distribution transport member 179 that distributes the game balls 102 to the outer peripheral side, and the remaining three are distributions that distribute the game balls 102 to the inner peripheral side. A conveying member 179 is used. The distribution transport member 179 that distributes to the outer peripheral side corresponds to the “first distribution transport member” in the present invention, and the distribution transport member 179 that distributes to the inner peripheral side corresponds to the “second distribution transport member” in the present invention. Correspond.

  Next, for each of the winning start ports 107 and 108 shown in FIG. 1, a winning start port sensor (indicated by reference numeral 135 in FIG. 15) not particularly shown is set for convenience, and the winning start port 107, 108 is set by the winning start port sensor. It is detected at 108 that the game ball has won. In the pachinko machine 101 according to the present embodiment, three winning start ports 107 and 108 are provided. The winning start ports 107 and 108 are arranged side by side in the lower region of the electric accessory device 105 and at predetermined intervals. Is placed. When the game ball 102 wins one of the winning start ports 107 and 108, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out from a prize ball device (indicated by reference numeral 133 in FIG. 15) arranged on the back side of the game board 103. Further, the open / close blade 151 is opened a predetermined number of times in the electric accessory device 105 in accordance with winning in the winning start ports 107 and 108. In the present embodiment, the number of opening operations of the opening / closing blade 151 is appropriately changed depending on which winning start opening 107, 108 is won. That is, when the left and right winning start ports 107 are won, one opening / closing operation is performed, and when the center winning start port 108 is won, two opening / closing operations are performed. While the opening / closing blade 151 is in the opening operation, the game ball wins the specific winning opening 153, so that a so-called big hit state is realized. The jackpot state corresponds to the “special gaming state” in the present invention, and the unit of the gaming state in which the jackpot state is continued is defined as “round”. Unless the conditions for transition to the next round are met, the round is open until the opening / closing blade 151 is opened a predetermined number of times or a predetermined number of game balls are won. It is set to continue.

  On the other hand, the next round transition condition in the present embodiment is achieved by further winning a game ball in the specific winning opening 153 during execution of the jackpot state, that is, during a game in one round. In other words, when a game ball wins a specific winning opening 153 in one round, the game in the big win state in that round is terminated at the same time as the win, and the round related to the next big win state (next round) is executed. Has been.

  The electrical system of the pachinko machine 101 according to the present embodiment is schematically shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the pachinko machine 101 according to the present embodiment has a main control unit 125 connected to a power supply device 121 connected to an AC power supply via a relay board 123 as a main component. Composed. In the main controller 125, a CPU, a memory, an input processing circuit, and an output processing circuit (not shown) are appropriately set. Furthermore, a winning start port sensor 135 and a specific winning port sensor 137 are connected to the main control unit 125, and detection signals from the sensors 135 and 137 are appropriately input. Further, a solenoid 139, a display control unit 131, a sound control unit 129, and a prize ball control unit 127 are connected to the main control unit 125, respectively. The prize ball control unit 127 is further connected with a prize ball device 133 for executing a prize ball payout.

  The solenoid 139 switches the excitation / non-excitation state as appropriate based on a drive control signal from an output processing circuit (not shown in particular) provided in the main control unit 125, so that the electric accessory device 105 can be operated as described above. The opening / closing driving of the opening / closing blade 151 and the rotation driving of the sorting conveying member 179 of the sorting device 161 are performed. The display control unit 131 performs drive control of the display device of the electric accessory device 105 based on a control signal from a communication control circuit (not shown) provided in the main control unit 125. The sound control unit 129 controls the sound output of the speaker based on a control signal from a communication control circuit similarly provided in the main control unit 125.

  Although not shown, the prize ball control unit 127 includes a CPU, an input / output port, and the like. The prize ball control unit 127 is driven by power supplied from the power supply device 121 and is also supplied from the prize start port sensor 135 and the specific prize port sensor 137. Upon receiving a prize ball control signal from the main control unit 125 that has received the detection signal, the prize ball apparatus 133 appropriately controls the payout of the prize ball. Further, the main control unit 125 is connected to a hall computer 141 provided in the game hall in which the pachinko machine 101 is installed, and appropriately outputs business information related to the game such as the number of jackpots.

  The pachinko machine 101 according to the present embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 101 will be described. In the pachinko machine 101 shown in FIG. 1, when the game ball 102 injected into the game area 104 on the surface of the game board 103 via a launch handle device (not shown) wins one of the winning start ports 107 and 108, The played game ball is detected by a winning start sensor 135 shown in FIG. As a result, a detection signal from the winning start sensor 135 is sent to the main controller 125. The main control unit 125 outputs a control signal to the prize ball control unit 127, and the prize ball control unit 127 causes the prize ball device 133 to pay out the number of prize balls corresponding to the winnings at the winning start ports 107 and 108. . The prize ball payout information is also output to the hall computer 141. Note that winning in the winning start ports 107 and 108 corresponds to a special gaming state start condition in the gaming machine.

  Further, the main control unit 125 outputs a control signal to the solenoid 139 to open and close the opening / closing blade 151 of the electric accessory device 105 shown in FIG. 1 a predetermined number of times, and to rotate the sorting conveyance member 179 of the sorting device 161. To drive. As the opening / closing blade 151 opens, the winning opening is opened and the winning of the game ball 102 is permitted. On the other hand, when the opening / closing blade 151 is closed, the winning opening is closed and the winning of the game ball 102 is restricted. As the opening / closing blade 151 opens, the game ball 102 that has won the opened winning opening falls onto the ceiling 163 of the sorting apparatus 161. After the game ball 102 that has fallen on the ceiling portion 163 rolls on the ball rolling floor surface 169, as shown in FIG. 4 or 7, the stopping portion 189 of the ball sorting and transporting mechanism portion 173 from the ball dropping port 171. And temporarily stops at the stop 189.

  The game balls 102 stopped at the stopping portion 189 are distributed to either the outer peripheral side path 177a or the inner peripheral side path 177b by the sorting conveyance member 179 rotated horizontally. That is, as described above, when the right front foot 179a is pushed by the right front foot 179a of the sorting conveyance member 179 that is forward, for example, the game ball 102 is caused to interact with the inner side path by the interaction with the partition 193. When the left front foot 179b is pushed by the left front foot 179b of the sorting conveying member 179 that is forward, the outer side path is interacted with the partition 193 when guided to 177b (see FIGS. 5 and 8). 177a (see FIGS. 6 and 10).

  The game balls 102 distributed to the inner peripheral side path 177b are pushed and conveyed by the right front foot 179a or the left front foot 179b of the sorting and conveying member 179 and discharged from the ball outlet 197 (see FIG. 9). After 199, it is guided to the normal winning opening 155. On the other hand, the game balls 102 distributed to the outer periphery side path 177a are pushed and conveyed by the left front foot 179b or the right front foot 179a of the distribution conveyance member 179, and discharged from the ball outlet 195 (see FIG. 11), and then guided. It is guided to the specific winning opening 153 through 樋 199. When the game ball 102 wins the normal winning slot 155, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out via the prize ball device 133 shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the game ball 102 wins the specific winning opening 153, the pachinko machine 101 is in a big hit state, and a so-called special game state round is executed.

  As described above, one round is either the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing blade 151 a predetermined number of times, or the game ball wins a predetermined number, except when the next round transition condition is achieved and ends. Continue until the conditions are met. On the other hand, when the next round transition condition is achieved during the execution of the round, that is, when the game ball 102 wins the specific winning opening 153 during the execution of the round, the round ends at the time of winning the specific winning opening 153. Then, it will move to the next round. In other words, a round in a special gaming state can be continued until a predetermined expiration condition is reached, and transitions to the next round by satisfying the next round transition condition, thereby overlapping a predetermined number of rounds. It is performed repeatedly.

  Now, in the sorting device 161 according to the present embodiment, the game ball 102 that has won a prize through the winning opening of the electric accessory device 105 passes from the upper ceiling portion 163 of the sorting device 161 to the lower stage through the ball drop port 171. After entering the stopping portion 189 of the ball distribution / conveying mechanism 173 on the side and temporarily stopping at the stopping portion 189, the ball is distributed to the outer peripheral path 177a or the inner peripheral path 177b by the distribution conveying member 179. It is a configuration. In other words, there is a time “between” from when the game ball 102 stops at the stop 189 until it is actually distributed by the distribution transport member 179. This makes it possible for the player to maintain a sense of expectation for the distribution and improve the game's preference.

  In addition, the sorting and conveying member 179 rotates horizontally around the support column 175. Some of the sorting and conveying members 179 are hidden behind the support column 175 and cannot be seen by the player. The front legs 179a and 179b of the minute conveying member 179, that is, the lower part, is configured to be hidden from the player in most of the rotation area except for the area opened by the opening 187 formed in the plate wall 181. From this, when the game ball 102 stops at the stopping portion 189, it is difficult to understand which type of sorting conveyance member 179 comes next. As a result, the expectation for the distribution is further maintained.

  In the present embodiment, since the transport path 177 is divided into an outer peripheral path 177a and an inner peripheral path 177b by the partition 193, the route of the game balls 102 after the sorting is not changed midway. It can be stably conveyed to the ball outlets 195 and 197. Therefore, a sense of security can be given to the player.

  Further, the ball outlet 195 of the outer peripheral side path 177a and the ball outlet 197 of the inner peripheral side path 177b in the transport path 177 are set at different positions in the circumferential direction, and the game ball 102 is discharged to the front side. For this reason, the setting of the subsequent guidance route of the game ball 102 discharged from the ball outlets 195 and 197 is facilitated.

Further, in the present embodiment, even if two game balls 102 are parked side by side at the stopping portion 189, the two game balls 102 are surely routed differently by one sorting transport member 179. Can be sorted to the side. This is because a force is applied to a point where the right front foot 179a and the left front foot 179b of the sorting transport member 179 deviate from the center of the game ball 102. This is illustrated in FIG.
For example, as shown in FIG. 13, in the case of the sorting and conveying member 179 in which the right front foot 179a is forward in the direction of travel, the right game ball 102 is moved from the center by the preceding right front foot 179a. The left side is pushed and guided (distributed) to the outer peripheral side (right side in the figure), and the left game ball 102 is pushed (distributed) to the outer peripheral side by pushing the left side from the center by the subsequent left forefoot 179b. That is, according to the present embodiment, when two gaming balls 102 are parked side by side at the same time in the stopping unit 189, one gaming ball 102 is placed in the specific winning opening 153 and the other gaming ball 102 is placed in the normal winning opening. It is possible to reliably distribute to 155. Thus, the fact that the path of the game ball 102 can be surely distributed is suitable for the so-called “three types” of pachinko machines of a type that causes a disadvantageous state for the player if consecutive winnings are made in the specific winning opening. Can be applied to.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the game balls 102 can be smoothly and easily distributed to the inner peripheral side path 177a and the outer peripheral side path 177b of the transport path 177 because of the distribution method by rotation in the horizontal plane. it can.

In the present embodiment, the ball distribution unit is divided into two types, that is, the right forefoot 179a protruding forward and the left forefoot 179b protruding forward at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction. However, the ball distribution unit may be configured by a movable body. This is shown as a modification in the schematic diagram of FIG. For example, the right front foot 179a and the left front foot 179b are configured to be repositionable by moving in the front-rear direction (traveling direction) with respect to the main body (torso) of the sorting and conveying member (not shown in FIG. 14). The right forefoot 179a and the left forefoot 179b constitute a “ball pusher”. As the position changing mechanism, for example, a right and left swinging (turning) type in which the right forefoot 179a and the left forefoot 179b are moved back and forth to change the position, or a slide type in which the position is moved by linearly moving horizontally is used. Is possible. The right forefoot 179a and the left forefoot 179b are moved in the front-rear direction individually or in conjunction with each other by using an actuator as appropriate.
With such a configuration, even with one sorting and conveying member, the right forefoot 179a is moved forward as shown by the solid line in FIG. 14, and the left forefoot 179b is moved forward as shown by the dotted line, so that the game ball The distribution direction of 102 can be changed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the game balls 102 are distributed to the two paths of the outer peripheral side path 177a and the inner peripheral side path 177b of the transport path 177, but between the outer peripheral side path 177a and the inner peripheral side path 177b. In addition, the configuration may be changed to one or a plurality of intermediate paths.
In the present embodiment, the distribution transport member 179 rotates horizontally as an aspect in which the game balls 102 are distributed and transported by the relative circumferential movement of the distribution transport member 179 and the transport path 177. The configuration may be changed to a configuration in which the transport path 177 is moved in the circumferential direction, or a configuration in which both the sorting transport member 179 and the transport path 177 are moved.

  Moreover, the distribution conveyance member 179 is not limited to a shape imitating a horse, but may be a shape imitating another character, and the number can be increased as appropriate. Further, the number of the ball drop ports 171 from the ceiling portion 163 to the transport path 177 is not limited to one and may be plural. Moreover, you may apply the sorter 161 which concerns on embodiment in the aspect combined with the other sorter. For example, the game ball 102 distributed by the distribution device 161 is applied in a mode in which the movement route is further distributed by another distribution device on the downstream side. In addition, a so-called “two types” pachinko machine has been described as an example, but may be applied to a so-called “three types” pachinko machine.

  Furthermore, in view of the gist of the invention, the following aspects can be configured. That is,

(Aspect 1)
“A gaming machine according to claim 1,
There are two types of sorting and conveying members arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, one that distributes the game balls that are parked in the stopping section to the inner circumferential path and the other that distributes the gaming balls to the outer circumferential path. A gaming machine characterized by being configured as described above. "

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the sorting and conveying member distributes the game balls stopped at the stopping portion to the inner peripheral path of the transfer path, and the outer peripheral side. Two types, one that distributes to the route, are arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. By adopting such a configuration, for example, the distribution device of the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine, and the game balls distributed to either the inner peripheral side path or the outer peripheral side path are specified winning holes that can obtain a so-called jackpot state. Can be used in a mode in which the other is guided to a normal winning opening, and can be suitably used for pachinko machines of the “2 types” or “3 types” type.

(Aspect 2)
"A gaming machine according to claim 1 or aspect 1,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the relative movement in the circumferential direction between the sorting conveyance member and the conveyance path is a rotation operation in a horizontal plane. "

  In the invention according to aspect 2, in the gaming machine according to claim 1 or aspect 1, the relative movement in the circumferential direction between the sorting conveyance member and the conveyance path is a rotation operation in a horizontal plane. The In other words, the game ball is configured to be conveyed in the circumferential direction by the horizontal rotation operation of the sorting conveyance member. According to such a configuration, when the game balls are distributed and transferred to the outer peripheral side or the inner peripheral side, the distribution and transport of the game balls by the distribution transfer member can be smoothly and easily realized.

(Aspect 3)
“A gaming machine according to aspect 1 or 2,
The two types of sorting and conveying members are provided with a first sorting unit including a ball sorting unit that guides a parked game ball from the parked position to the outer periphery side of the transport route and then transports the game ball along the outer periphery of the transport route. And a second sorting and transporting member having a ball sorting unit that transports along the inner periphery of the transport path after guiding the parked game ball from the stop position to the inner periphery. The gaming machine characterized in that the first and second sorting and conveying members are formed in the same shape as each other at least in a portion excluding the ball sorting section. "

  In the invention described in aspect 3, the two types of sorting and conveying members in the gaming machine described in aspect 1 or 2 are configured to include a first sorting and conveying member and a second sorting and conveying member. The The first sorting / conveying member includes a ball sorting unit that guides the parked game ball from the stop position to the outer periphery of the transport path, and then transports the game ball along the outer periphery of the transport path. The member includes a ball allocating unit that guides a stopped game ball from the stop position to the inner periphery, and then transfers the game ball along the inner periphery of the transfer path. For this reason, it is possible to distribute the game balls to the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side with a simple structure. In addition, the first and second sorting and conveying members are configured such that at least the outer shapes excluding the ball sorting portion are formed in the same shape. For this reason, it is difficult for the player to determine the type of the distribution transport member from the appearance of the distribution transport member, and the game balls that are stopped are distributed by either the first or second distribution transport member. It is difficult to understand, and a sustained effect of expectation for the distribution of game balls can be obtained.

(Aspect 4)
“A gaming machine according to aspect 3,
The allocating unit contacts the point deviated from the center with respect to the game ball parked in the transport direction, and pushes the game ball diagonally forward so that the game ball is either on the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side of the transport path. A gaming machine characterized by being configured to distribute the crab. "

  In the invention according to aspect 4, in the gaming machine according to aspect 3, the allocating unit comes into contact with a point deviated from the center with respect to the game ball stopped in the transport direction and pushes it obliquely forward. The game balls are configured to be distributed to either the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side of the transport path. With such a configuration, the game ball can be reliably distributed while having a simple structure.

(Aspect 5)
“A gaming machine according to claim 1 or any one of aspects 1 to 4,
The game machine characterized in that the blinding of the sorting and conveying member is configured by a wall portion that forms a conveying path for the gaming ball. "

  In the invention according to the fifth aspect, the blindfold of the sorting and conveying member in the gaming machine according to the first aspect or the first to fourth aspects is configured by a wall portion that forms a conveyance path for the game ball. According to this configuration, the sorting and conveying member can be hidden from the player by the wall portion. For this reason, it is difficult for the player to predict the game ball distribution direction in advance.

(Aspect 6)
"A gaming machine according to any one of aspects 1 to 5,
The floor surface of the said conveyance path | route is formed in the shape which divides | segments the said conveyance path | route of a game ball into an inner peripheral side path | route and an outer peripheral side path | route. "

  According to the invention described in aspect 6, the floor surface of the transport path in the gaming machine according to any one of aspects 1 to 5 has a shape that divides the transport path of the game ball into an inner peripheral side path and an outer peripheral side path. It is set as the structure currently formed. As an aspect of “a shape in which the conveyance path is divided into an inner peripheral path and an outer peripheral path”, typically, an aspect of partitioning using a partition corresponds to this, but it extends in the circumferential direction on the floor surface. The aspect of setting two grooves is also widely included. According to such a configuration, the game balls distributed to the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side by the distribution transport member can be reliably transported to the ball outlet.

(Aspect 7)
"A gaming machine according to aspect 6,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the conveyance path is partitioned into an inner circumference path and an outer circumference path by a partition whose cross-sectional shape extending in the conveyance direction is generally mountain-shaped. "

  In the invention described in aspect 7, in the gaming machine described in aspect 6, the transport path is configured to be divided into an inner peripheral path and an outer peripheral path by a partition in which a cross-sectional shape extending in the transport direction has a substantially mountain shape. It is said. According to this configuration, the game balls can be distributed to the inner peripheral path or the outer peripheral path by the interaction between the distribution transport member and the partition, and the distributed game balls can be transported smoothly. Become.

(Aspect 8)
"A gaming machine according to any one of aspects 1 to 7,
The ball outlet of the game ball transported on the inner peripheral side of the transport path and the ball outlet of the game ball transported on the outer peripheral side of the transport path are set at different positions in the circumferential direction. To play. "

  In the invention according to aspect 8, in the gaming machine according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, the ball outlet of the game ball transported on the inner peripheral side of the transport path and the game ball transported on the outer peripheral side of the transport path The ball outlet is set at a different position in the circumferential direction. For this reason, the subsequent guide route of the game ball discharged from the ball exit can be set easily.

(Aspect 9)
A gaming machine with a game ball sorting device in the gaming area,
The sorting device is configured to move the game ball stopped at the stopping portion where the game ball entering from the ball entrance temporarily stops and the circumferential movement of the game ball relative to the transport path of the game ball. And a sorting and conveying member for conveying to
The sorting and conveying member includes a ball sorting unit including a plurality of ball pushing portions that are movable so as to distribute the gaming balls to at least one of an inner circumferential side and an outer circumferential side of the feeding path. Of the movement area relative to the path, for a predetermined area including an area for executing the distribution of the game balls that are parked in the parking section, a ball sorting operation by at least the ball sorting section of the sorting transport member is performed. A gaming machine characterized by being configured to be blindfolded by a player. "

  According to the invention described in aspect 9, a gaming machine having a sorting device in the gaming area is configured. As a gaming machine, a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball machine, etc. correspond to this typically. In the gaming machine according to the present invention, the allocating device is configured such that the game ball that has entered from the ball entrance is temporarily stopped, and the game ball that is stopped at the stop portion is relative to the transport path of the game ball. It is set as the structure provided with the distribution conveyance member conveyed in the circumferential direction by general movement. The aspect of “transporting in the circumferential direction by relative movement” in the present invention is not limited to the aspect of moving the sorting transport member in the circumferential direction, but also the mode of moving the transport path in the circumferential direction, or the sorting transport member The aspect which moves both with a conveyance path is also included suitably.

  According to the allocating device according to aspect 9, the allocating and conveying member includes the ball allocating unit including a plurality of sphere pushing units that are movable so as to distribute the game balls to at least the inner and outer circumferential sides of the conveying path. It is supposed to be configured. The “distribution between at least the inner circumference side and the outer circumference side” of the conveyance path is not limited to the mode of distribution between the inner circumference side conveyance path and the outer circumference side conveyance path, but also between the inner circumference side conveyance path and the outer circumference side conveyance path. An embodiment having an intermediate conveyance path in between is also included, and the case where the number of intermediate conveyance paths is one or more is also included. The game balls that have entered from the ball entrance are temporarily stopped at the stop portion, and are distributed and transported at least to the outer peripheral side or the inner peripheral side by the sorting transport member.

In the invention of aspect 9, the sorting and conveying member is arranged for a predetermined area including an area for executing the distribution of the game balls that are parked in the parking portion, out of the moving area relative to the carrying path. The ball distribution operation by at least the ball distribution unit is hidden from the player. It should be noted that the “area for executing the distribution” widely includes not only the area where the distribution action is actually started, but also the area immediately before or after the start of the distribution action. In addition, as a mode of “blindfolding from the player”, a mode of hiding using a wall or a curtain corresponds to this, but it is not limited to a mode of hiding so that the player can not see completely from any direction, A state in which a wall or curtain is placed in front of the field of view so that the player can hardly see it when viewed from the front of the gaming machine in a normal gaming posture, or the wall or curtain is made of a translucent material, etc. Thus, it broadly encompasses aspects that are difficult to see.
By adopting such a configuration, there is a time “between” after the game ball is stopped at the stop portion and actually distributed by the distribution transport member, and the distribution operation of the game ball by the distribution transport member Until the start of the game, it is difficult to distinguish the type of the sorting conveyance member, and it is difficult to predict whether the game ball is distributed to the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side. As a result, the player has a sense of expectation for the distribution, and the fun of the game is improved.
Further, according to the invention of aspect 9, the ball pushing portion is movable, so that it is possible to change whether the game ball is distributed to the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side according to the game state and the like. It is possible to appropriately adjust the degree of profit given.

It is a front view which shows the structure of the principal part of the game board in the pachinko machine which is embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the structure of the distribution apparatus of the game ball in this Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of a distribution apparatus. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the stop part vicinity of the game ball in a distribution apparatus, and shows the approach state to the stop part of a game ball. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the conveyance path | route of a distribution apparatus, and shows the state by which the game ball was distributed to the inner peripheral side path | route. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the conveyance path | route of a distribution apparatus, and shows the state by which the game ball was distributed to the outer peripheral side path | route. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the game ball was stopped by the stop part. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the game ball was distributed to the inner peripheral side path | route. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the game ball was discharged | emitted from the ball | bowl exit of an inner peripheral side path | route. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the game ball was distributed to the outer peripheral side path | route. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the game ball was discharged | emitted from the ball | bowl exit of the outer peripheral side path | route. It is a schematic diagram which shows the distribution aspect of a game ball, (A) shows distribution to the inner peripheral side of a conveyance path | route, (B) shows distribution to the inner peripheral side of a conveyance path | route. It is a mimetic diagram explaining distribution operation when two game balls are arranged side by side. It is a schematic diagram explaining the example of a change regarding the ball distribution part of the distribution conveyance member. 1 is a system block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 Pachinko machine (game machine)
102 game ball 103 game board 104 game area 105 electric accessory device (winning device)
107 Winning start port for opening once 108 Winning start port for opening twice 121 Power supply device 123 Relay board 125 Main control unit 127 Prize ball control unit 129 Sound control unit 131 Display control unit 133 Prize ball device 135 Prize start port sensor 137 Special prize opening sensor 139 Solenoid 141 Hall computer 151 Opening and closing blade 153 Special prize opening 155 Normal prize opening 161 Sorting device 163 Ceiling part 165 Swelling part 167 Plate wall 169 Ball rolling floor surface 171 Slope 171a Slope 173 Ball distribution Transport mechanism 175 Support column 177 Transport path 177a Outer peripheral path 177b Inner peripheral path 179 Sorting transport member 179a Right front foot 179b Left front foot 181 Plate wall 183 Floor surface 185 Guide surface 187 Opening 189 Stopping section 191 Hanging rod 193 Partition 195 Outer peripheral path Sphere exit 197 Sphere exit of inner path 199 induction

Claims (1)

A gaming machine equipped with a game ball distribution device in a game area,
The sorting device is configured to move the game ball stopped at the stopping portion where the game ball entering from the ball entrance temporarily stops and the circumferential movement of the game ball relative to the transport path of the game ball. A plurality of sorting and conveying members to be conveyed to
The sorting and conveying member includes a plurality of types, one that distributes the game balls to at least the inner circumference side of the conveyance path and the one that distributes the game balls to the outer circumference side, at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. Among the relative movement areas, and at least a ball distribution operation of the distribution transport member is hidden from the player for a predetermined area including an area for performing the distribution of the game balls parked in the parking section. A gaming machine characterized by being played.

Images