JP2005287683A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which can suppress the ball plugging in a tank. <P>SOLUTION: A pachinko game machine 10 is equipped with an external frame 11, an internal frame 12 which is openably/closably provided on one side section of the front section of the external frame 11, and a front frame set 14. On the rear side of the front frame set 14, a game panel equipped with a game region on which game balls stream down is detachably fitted. Also, on the back surface side of the pachinko game machine 10, the tank which can accumulate game balls, a putting out device which can put out game balls, and a guiding member which guides game balls being derived from the tank to the putting out device are provided. The tank is equipped with a plurality of derivation ports which derive game balls accumulated in the tank to the guiding member. At the same time, the tank is equipped with a plurality of tilted sections which tilt downward to the derivation ports in a manner to individually correspond to a plurality of the derivation ports. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

Conventionally, for example, a pachinko machine is known as a kind of gaming machine. The pachinko machine includes a game board having a game area in which game balls can flow down. In addition, the pachinko machine includes a tank that stores game balls supplied from the outside of the pachinko machine inside the game machine and leads them to a payout device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-305249 A

  However, since a large number of game balls are stored in the tank, there is a possibility that the game balls overlap each other and the balls are clogged.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of suppressing ball clogging in a tank.

  In the following, each means suitable for solving the above-mentioned purpose will be described in terms of items. In addition, the effect etc. peculiar to the means to respond | correspond as needed are added.

Means 1. A gaming machine installed on a gaming machine installation island having a supply mechanism for supplying gaming balls,
A tank capable of storing game balls supplied from the supply mechanism;
A payout device capable of paying out game balls;
A guide member for guiding the game ball led out from the tank to the payout device,
The tank includes a plurality of outlets that lead out the game balls stored in the tank to the guide member,
A gaming machine comprising a plurality of inclined portions inclined downward toward the outlet, so as to individually correspond to the plurality of outlets.

  According to the means 1, since a plurality of outlets are provided, ball clogging occurs in the tank, and even when the game ball is not derived from any of the outlets, the game ball is derived from the other outlets. be able to. Therefore, it can be configured so that the game can proceed without delaying the payout by the payout device. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid the possibility that the game ball is not paid out due to the clogged ball and the player suffers a disadvantage.

  Further, for example, when a game ball is guided toward a plurality of outlets by one inclined portion, if a ball clog occurs in the inclined portion, the game ball is not guided to any outlet. However, since this method includes a plurality of inclined portions, even if a ball clogging occurs in any of the inclined portions, the other inclined portions may cause The stored game balls can be guided to the corresponding outlets, and the above problems can be avoided.

  In general, the bottom of the tank is inclined downward toward the outlet for leading out the game ball, and the game ball supplied to the tank is guided to the outlet. Therefore, the game ball stored in the tank receives pressure from the game ball located on the upstream side of the game ball. A large number of game balls are stored in the tank. In particular, in the game balls near the outlet, a larger pressure is received from the game balls (group) located on the upstream side. Thus, when the game balls are subjected to a large pressure, the state in which the game balls are overlapped with each other is maintained (for example, the game balls are pressed near the outlet), and there is a possibility that the balls are clogged. In that respect, according to the means 1, a plurality of outlets and a plurality of inclined portions corresponding to the plurality of outlets are provided. Therefore, the game balls stored in the tank can be dispersed in a plurality of directions (a plurality of outlets) without concentrating the destination to which the game balls go to one place (one outlet). That is, the number of game balls guided to one outlet is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the pressure received by the game ball located near the outlet, and as a result, it is possible to suppress clogging of the ball in the tank.

  Further, in order to suppress the clogging of the ball in the guide member, it is possible to reduce the number of game balls drawn out from the outlet port at a time (preferably one ball at a time) and to prevent the game balls from overlapping on the guide member. desirable. However, in a tank having one outlet, if the size of the outlet is made small, the pace at which the game ball is led out from the outlet is lowered, and there is a possibility that the problem of not being able to keep up with the payout pace of the game ball may occur. . In this respect, since the present means includes a plurality of outlets, even if the size of each outlet is made small, it is possible to maintain the pace at which game balls are derived, and to avoid the occurrence of such problems.

  The plurality of inclined portions may be inclined in different directions (the guide directions for guiding the game balls are different). When such a configuration is adopted, the above effect can be further ensured in that the pressure is reliably dispersed. The outlet may be configured to lead out the game balls one by one. In that case, the chance that game balls overlap in the vicinity of the guide member and the outlet can be reduced, and the occurrence of clogging of the balls in the guide member can be further reduced.

  The inclined portion (inclined surface) serves as both a storage portion that stores game balls and a guide portion that guides the stored game balls to the outlet. In addition, if the inclination angle of the inclined portion is too steep, a large pressure is applied to the game ball located on the downstream side of the inclined portion, and the possibility that a ball clogging occurs increases. Therefore, it is desirable that the inclination angle of the inclined portion is as gentle as possible. Specifically, the inclination angle of the inclined portion is preferably 2 degrees or more and 15 degrees or less, and more preferably 3 degrees or more and 10 degrees or less. Furthermore, if the difference in height between the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the inclined portion is large, the game balls are stacked vertically at the lower end portion of the inclined portion until the game balls are stored up to the upper end portion of the inclined portion. There is a risk of clogging of the balls. Therefore, it is desirable that the difference between the height position of the upper end portion and the height position of the lower end portion of the inclined portion (inclined surface) is smaller than twice the diameter of the game ball.

  Further, when the outlet port is provided at the bottom of the tank along a part of the wall portion of the tank, the game ball is positioned in contact with the wall portion, so that it easily enters the outlet port. Further, for example, if the outlet port is at the substantially central portion of the tank, the bottom portion of the outlet port is divided into small portions with the outlet port as a boundary. However, by providing the outlet port at the end, the tank bottom (storage area) is widened. Can be used. Further, when the outlet port is provided at the substantially central portion of the tank, the game ball is stored around the outlet port. In order to guide such a game ball to the outlet, a plurality of inclinations (inclined portions) are required around the outlet. In that respect, when the outlet port is provided at the bottom of the tank along a part of the wall portion of the tank, a part of the periphery of the outlet port faces the wall portion, so that the game ball can flow in. The circumference of the outlet is shortened. Therefore, the inclined portion can be formed relatively easily.

Mean 2. A gaming machine installed on a gaming machine installation island having a supply mechanism for supplying gaming balls,
A tank capable of storing game balls supplied from the supply mechanism;
A payout device capable of paying out game balls;
A guide member for guiding the game ball led out from the tank to the payout device,
Dividing the tank into a plurality of storage areas;
A gaming machine, characterized in that, for each of the storage areas, a lead-out port through which a game ball is led out to the guide member is provided, and an inclined portion that slopes downward toward the lead-out port is provided.

  According to the means 2, the same effect as the means 1 can be obtained. In addition, since the tank is provided inside the gaming machine, it is preferable that the tank is as compact as possible because of the installation space. In this respect, this unit is configured to divide the tank and provide the outlet and the inclined part in the divided area. For example, the size (storage capacity) of the tank is designed to be approximately the same as the conventional product. Even if it is a case, the said effect can be show | played. That is, it is possible to suppress the clogging of the balls in the tank while avoiding problems such as a decrease in the storage capacity, an increase in the installation space of the tank accompanying an increase in the tank size, and a complicated tank configuration.

Means 3. The tank includes detection means for individually detecting the presence or absence of a game ball in each inclined portion,
Each of the detection means is configured to be output to a supply control device that controls whether or not to supply a game ball,
The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the detecting means detects that there is no game ball, the game ball is supplied to the tank.

  According to the means 3, the detection means corresponding to each inclined part is provided. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the amount of game balls stored in each inclined portion. Furthermore, according to the shortage of the storage amount for each inclined portion, it is possible to receive a supply of game balls for each inclined portion. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the possibility that the game balls stored in each inclined portion are depleted and the game balls are not derived from the corresponding outlets. Therefore, even if a ball is clogged in the tank and a game ball is not led out from any outlet, the game ball can be led out from the other outlet without being discharged. It is possible to configure the game so that the payout by the device is not delayed.

  The detecting means may be configured to detect the presence or absence of a game ball by being configured to detect the contact of the game ball. Specifically, when the detection means detects the contact of the game ball, the game ball is sufficiently stored in the corresponding inclined portion, while the detection means detects the contact of the game ball. If not, the amount of stored game balls is small in the corresponding inclined portion.

  The detecting means may be provided at a position where the presence or absence of a game ball in the corresponding inclined portion can be detected. For example, the detecting means may be provided on the inclined surface of the inclined portion, and stands from the edge of the inclined portion. It may be provided on the wall (inner wall) of the tank. That is, “the tank is provided with detection means for individually detecting the presence / absence of a game ball in each inclined portion” means that “each inclination portion is provided with a detection means for detecting presence / absence of a game ball” The meaning is also included. “Supply” also includes the meaning of “fall supply”.

Means 4. The plurality of inclined portions are adjacent so that the inclined directions of the inclined portions are parallel to each other,
The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined inclined portion is inclined in a direction opposite to an inclined portion adjacent to the inclined portion.

  According to the means 4, the inclined portion is configured to guide the game ball in a direction opposite to the inclined portion adjacent to the inclined portion. That is, a plurality of outlets are provided separately from each other. Therefore, the game balls stored in the tank can be more reliably dispersed corresponding to each outlet, and the effect of reducing the pressure applied to the game balls near the outlet is further ensured. Can do.

  Moreover, since the inclination directions of the inclined portions are adjacent to each other and the adjacent inclined portions are inclined in reverse, a step is formed between the adjacent inclined portions. Such a step restricts the movement of the game ball from the downstream side of each inclined portion to the adjacent inclined portion. Therefore, the game ball flowing through the inclined portion can be reliably guided to the corresponding outlet. Moreover, the flow of the game ball in the downstream portion of the inclined portion becomes relatively smooth, and as a result, the occurrence of the ball clogging can be suppressed.

  Means 5. The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 4, wherein the tank includes a partition part that restricts at least a part of the movement of the game ball between adjacent inclined parts.

  According to the means 5, it is possible to prevent the game ball from being guided directly from the inclined portion adjacent to the predetermined inclined portion to the outlet corresponding to the predetermined inclined portion. That is, it is possible to prevent the game ball from flowing into the outlet from a plurality of directions. Therefore, the game ball can be configured to flow smoothly in the vicinity of the outlet. Therefore, it can suppress that a pressure is applied to the game ball located in the vicinity of the outlet from a plurality of directions, or can prevent the game balls from overlapping each other. As a result, ball clogging in the tank can be suppressed.

  Means 6. The game machine according to any one of means 1 to 5, wherein the tank is configured such that a game ball can pass at least partially between adjacent inclined portions.

  According to the means 6, since the game ball is configured to pass between the adjacent inclined portions, the game ball flowing down (moving) the inclined portion may move to the adjacent inclined portion side. For example, when a ball is clogged in the inclined portion that has been moved, the moved game ball collides with the game ball (group) that is stuck on the inclined portion. Due to the impact of such a collision, the game balls (group) in a stuck state can be destroyed and the stuck state can be resolved. As a result, long-term ball clogging in the tank can be suppressed.

  In addition, when the game ball on the inclined part side where the ball is clogged moves (flows out) to the adjacent inclined part, the game ball of the inclined part where the ball clog is generated decreases. Therefore, the pressure applied to the vicinity of the outlet is reduced or the balance of the game balls is changed, and the stuck state can be easily eliminated.

  Mean 7 The tank is configured such that a position where a game ball can pass between the adjacent inclined portions can correspond to a position where the game ball is supplied from the supply mechanism when installing on the gaming machine installation island. A gaming machine according to claim 6.

  According to the means 7, since the game ball is supplied to a position where the game ball can pass between the adjacent inclined portions, the game ball is supplied to both adjacent inclined portions. That is, it is possible to supply the two inclined portions by supplying the game balls to one place without supplying the game balls for each inclined portion so as to correspond to each inclined portion individually. . Therefore, it is possible to suppress complication of the configuration (supply mechanism) related to the supply of game balls. In particular, in the case of a configuration in which two outlets are provided, a conventionally used supply mechanism can be used as it is.

  Further, even when game balls are supplied due to a lack of game balls in a predetermined inclined portion, game balls are also supplied to adjacent inclined portions. Therefore, even when a ball is clogged in a predetermined inclined portion, a game ball is also supplied to the predetermined inclined portion due to a decrease in the gaming balls in the adjacent inclined portions. When the game balls are supplied, the game balls (group) in a stalemate state collide with the supplied game balls, and the game balls are broken to eliminate the clogging.

  The supply mechanism may include a supply hose that guides the game ball to the tank, and the tank may include a fixing portion that can fix the supply hose at a predetermined position. When such a configuration is adopted, the supply position of the game ball can be more reliably defined, and the supply of the game ball to an appropriate position can be performed. Further, the gist of this means includes the meaning that the game ball supplied to the tank is supplied to a position that spans at least two of the plurality of inclined portions.

  Means 8. The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 7, wherein the guide member includes a ball passage for guiding the game balls derived from the respective outlets individually to the payout device in a line.

  According to the means 8, the game balls derived from the outlets are individually led to the payout device without being confused with the game balls derived from the other outlets. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the chance that game balls overlap in the ball passage, and the flow of game balls in the ball passage can be made smooth. As a result, it is possible to prevent a possibility that a ball clogging occurs in the guide member.

  In addition, since the game balls flow through the ball passage in one row, cases where the game balls overlap each other can be further reduced, and the above effect can be further ensured.

  The road width of the ball passage may be slightly wider than the diameter of the game ball (less than twice the diameter of the game ball).

Means 9. The guide member includes a plurality of ball paths that guide the game balls derived from the outlet to the payout device in a row so as to correspond to the outlets, respectively.
A payout sensor for individually detecting the presence or absence of a game ball in each of the ball passages;
A communication portion that is provided upstream of the payout sensor and allows game balls to pass between the adjacent ball passages;
Any one of means 1 to 7, further comprising a movable wing provided corresponding to the communication portion and capable of guiding a game ball flowing through a predetermined ball passage to the ball passage adjacent to the ball passage. The gaming machine described in 1.

  Generally, the game balls guided to the payout means by each ball passage are configured to be in a standby state for each ball passage. There are a plurality of game ball payout conditions, and one of the game balls waiting for each ball passage is paid out in accordance with the payout conditions. For example, when a ball clog occurs at the ball passage or the outlet and the inclined portion corresponding to the ball passage, the game ball does not flow in the ball passage, and the game ball cannot be guided to the payout device. Depending on the payout conditions, the payout may be delayed. In this respect, according to the present means 9, the game ball can pass between the adjacent ball passages in the communicating portion. Furthermore, by providing movable wings, it is possible to guide a game ball flowing through a predetermined ball path to a ball path adjacent to the ball path. Therefore, a game ball can be sent from an adjacent ball passage to a ball passage without a game ball flow. As a result, it is possible to avoid the possibility that the game balls will not flow through the ball passages, or that the number of game balls flowing through the ball passages may be biased, which may cause an obstacle to payout of the game balls.

  In addition, by providing a ball passage that guides the game balls in one row, it is possible to suppress clogging of the ball in the guide member and smoothly guide the game balls to the payout means.

  In addition, since payout sensors that detect the presence or absence of game balls in the ball passages are provided corresponding to the respective ball passages, the game balls can be accurately distributed according to the situation.

  As an example of this means, movable wings are respectively provided in adjacent ball passages, and are normally accommodated in the wall portion of the guide member, and at the time of ball clogging, the movable wings provided in the ball passage where no ball clogging has occurred. It is configured to rotate (or slide) so as to protrude into the ball passage and guide the game ball flowing through the ball passage to the ball passage where the ball is clogged. In addition to this configuration, the communication portion may be provided with a ridge that allows a game ball to get over by guidance of the movable wing. In that case, since the movement of the game ball flowing through the ball passage to the adjacent ball passage is restricted by the ridge in the communication portion at the normal time (when no ball clogging occurs), it is led out from each outlet. The game balls can be individually guided to the payout means. Therefore, the flow of the game ball in the ball passage can be made smooth.

  As an example of this means, a movable wing is provided between the adjacent ball passages at the communicating portion, and the game ball is moved between the adjacent ball passages so as to be parallel to the guide direction of the ball passage at normal times. When the ball is clogged, it is configured to rotate so as to protrude into the ball passage where the ball is not clogged and to guide the game ball flowing through the ball passage to the ball passage where the ball is clogged. Can be mentioned.

  The payout device may include a plurality of payout units so as to individually correspond to the respective ball passages, and may be configured to pay out game balls flowing through the respective ball passages individually. . The disposition position of the payout sensor is not particularly limited as long as the presence or absence of a game ball in each ball passage can be detected individually. For example, the payout sensor may be provided in the ball passage, or may be provided on the payout device or on the downstream side (payout destination) of the payout device.

  Means 10. Distributing means comprising: a receiving portion capable of receiving a game ball supplied to the tank above the tank; and a passage portion for guiding the game ball supplied to the receiving portion to a substantially upper end portion of each inclined portion. A gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 9, comprising:

  According to the means 10, it is possible to reliably distribute the game balls supplied to the tank to the inclined portions. In addition, since the game ball is supplied to the substantially upper end portion of each inclined portion, the moving direction of the game ball in each inclined portion can be limited to a natural flow such as from the high portion of the inclined portion to the low portion. That is, the flow of game balls in each inclined portion can be made smooth, and as a result, the occurrence of ball clogging can be suppressed.

Means 11. A gaming machine installed on a gaming machine installation island having a supply mechanism for supplying gaming balls,
A tank capable of storing game balls supplied from the supply mechanism;
A payout device capable of paying out game balls;
A guide member for guiding the game ball led out from the tank to the payout device,
The tank includes a first outlet and a second outlet for leading the game ball stored in the tank to the guide member,
A gaming machine comprising: a first inclined portion inclined downward toward the first outlet and a second inclined portion inclined downward toward the second outlet.

  According to the means 11, the game ball stored in the tank by the first inclined portion can be guided to the first outlet and can be guided from the first outlet to the guiding member. In addition, the game balls stored in the tank by the second inclined portion can be guided to the second outlet, and can be guided from the second outlet to the guiding member. As a result, the same effect as the means 1 can be obtained.

Means 12. A gaming machine installed on a gaming machine installation island having a supply mechanism for supplying gaming balls,
A tank for storing game balls supplied from the supply mechanism;
A payout device capable of paying out game balls;
A guide member for guiding the game ball led out from the tank to the payout device,
Dividing the tank into a first storage area and a second storage area;
A first outlet and a first inclined portion inclined toward the first outlet in the first storage region;
A gaming machine, wherein a second outlet and a second inclined portion that inclines toward the second outlet are provided in the second storage area.

  According to the means 12, the game ball stored in the first storage area is guided to the first outlet by the first inclined portion, and is guided from the first outlet to the guide member. Further, the game balls stored in the second storage area are guided to the second outlet by the second inclined portion, and are guided from the second outlet to the guide member. As a result, the same effect as the means 2 can be obtained.

Means 13. The tank is provided on the back side of the gaming machine main body provided with a game board on the front side and is configured to be longer in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction,
The gaming machine according to claim 12, wherein the first storage area and the second storage area are areas obtained by dividing the tank in the front-rear direction.

  According to the means 13, since the tank that is long in the left-right direction is divided into the front and rear areas, the first storage area and the second storage area, which are the divided areas, are separated from the case where the tank is divided into the left and right areas. It becomes elongated. That is, the left and right widths of the first storage area and the second storage area are widened, and the front-rear width is narrowed.

  In order to make the flow of the game ball in the inclined part smooth, it is desirable to make the flow of the game ball in the inclined part as constant as possible. In order to configure such requirements, it is necessary to make the road width of the inclined portion and the width of the outlet opening the same. However, if a large number of game balls are led out from the lead-out port at once, there is a risk that the game balls will overlap in the guide member that is the lead-out destination, resulting in ball clogging. In this respect, in this means, the road width of the inclined portion can be made narrower than when the tank is divided into left and right regions. Therefore, the number of game balls led out from the lead-out port at a time is smaller than that in the case where the tank is divided into left and right regions, and the ball jamming of the game balls in the guide member can be suppressed.

  In order to suppress the clogging of the balls in the vicinity of the outlet and the guide member, it is desirable to configure the outlet to be narrower than the road width of the inclined portion so that the game balls are led out little by little. Furthermore, it is more desirable that the outlet is configured to have a size that leads out the game balls one by one. However, if the outlet port is configured to be narrower than the road width of the inclined portion, the game balls gather toward the outlet port from a range wider than the width of the outlet port. There is a risk of clogging. Such a problem becomes more prominent as the difference between the width of the game ball passage and the width of the outlet is larger. In this means, the road width of the inclined portion can be made narrower than when the tank is divided into left and right regions. That is, the difference between the road width of the inclined portion and the width of the outlet can be made smaller than when the tank is divided into left and right regions. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the game balls overlap in the vicinity of the outlet and the ball is clogged.

  Further, since the tank is configured to be long in the left-right direction, the front-rear width of the gaming machine can be made as small as possible, and space saving can be achieved with respect to installation of the gaming machine.

Means 14. The tank includes first detection means for detecting presence / absence of a game ball in the first inclined portion, and second detection means for detecting presence / absence of a game ball in the second inclination portion,
The first detection means and the second detection means are configured to be able to output to a supply control device that controls whether or not to supply a game ball,
When the first detection means detects that there is no game ball, at least the first inclined portion is supplied with a game ball,
The means according to any one of means 11 to 13, wherein when the second detecting means detects that there is no game ball, at least the second inclined portion is configured to supply a game ball. Game machines.

  According to the means 14, when the storage amount of the game balls is insufficient in the first inclined portion, the first detection means can detect the shortage of the game balls and supply the game balls to at least the first inclined portion. In addition, when the storage amount of game balls is insufficient in the second inclined portion, the second detection means can detect the shortage of the game balls and supply the game balls to at least the second inclined portion. As a result, the same effect as the means 3 can be obtained.

Means 15. The first inclined portion and the second inclined portion are adjacent to each other such that the inclination directions are parallel to each other,
The gaming machine according to any one of means 11 to 14, wherein the first inclined portion is inclined in a direction opposite to the second inclined portion.

  According to the means 15, the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion are adjacent to each other so that the inclination directions thereof are parallel to each other, and are inclined in directions opposite to each other. That is, the first outlet and the second outlet are provided apart from each other. As a result, the same effect as the means 4 can be obtained.

  The first outlet is provided at the bottom of the tank along a part of the side wall of the tank, and the second outlet is along a part of the side wall facing the first outlet of the tank. It may be provided at the bottom of the tank. When such a configuration is adopted, the first outlet and the second outlet can be reliably separated from each other, and the opportunity for game balls to overlap can be further reduced.

Means 16. The tank is at the boundary between the first storage area and the second storage area.
On the upstream side of the first inclined part, a first partition part for restricting the movement of the game ball from the first inclined part to the second inclined part;
On the upstream side of the second inclined portion, a second partition portion that restricts the movement of the game ball from the second inclined portion to the first inclined portion, and
A game ball can pass between the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion at a position where the inclined surface of the first inclined portion and the inclined surface of the second inclined portion intersect with each other when viewed from the horizontal direction. The gaming machine according to the means 15, characterized in that it has a traffic section.

  According to the means 16, the presence of the first and second partition portions prevents the game ball from being guided directly from the upstream side of one inclined portion toward the outlet corresponding to the other inclined portion. The game ball can pass between the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion due to the presence of the passing portion. Therefore, the synergistic effect of the means 5 and the means 6 can be obtained.

  Means 17. The gaming machine according to claim 16, wherein the tank is configured so that the passage section can correspond to a position where a game ball is supplied from a supply mechanism when the game machine is installed on the gaming machine installation island.

  According to the means 17, since the game ball is supplied to the passage part, the game ball is supplied to both the first inclined part and the second inclined part. That is, by supplying the game balls to one place without supplying the game balls for each of the inclined portions so as to individually correspond to the inclined portions, the supply to the inclined portions can be performed. Therefore, the conventionally used supply mechanism can be used as it is. As a result, the same effect as the means 7 can be obtained.

  Means 18. The guide member includes a first ball path for guiding the game balls derived from the first outlet to the payout device individually in a row, and a game ball derived from the second outlet in a row. 18. A gaming machine according to any one of means 11 to 17, further comprising a second ball passage that leads to a payout device.

  According to the means 18, game balls derived from the first outlet are individually guided to the payout device by the first ball passage, and game balls derived from the second outlet are individually paid out by the second ball passage. Led to the device. As a result, the same effect as the means 8 can be obtained.

Means 19. The guide member includes a first ball path that guides the game balls derived from the first outlet to the payout device in a row, and a game ball derived from the second outlet to the payout device in a row. A second ball passage that leads,
A first payout sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball in the first ball passage;
A second payout sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball in the second ball passage;
A communication portion provided upstream of the first payout sensor and the second payout sensor and capable of allowing a game ball to pass between the first ball passage and the second ball passage;
A first movable wing provided corresponding to the communication portion and moving so as to protrude into the first spherical passage;
A second movable wing provided corresponding to the communication portion and moving so as to protrude into the second ball passage;
When the first payout sensor detects that there is no game ball, the second movable wing moves so as to protrude into the second ball path, and the game ball flowing through the second ball path moves to the communication portion. To the first ball passage from
When the second payout sensor detects that there is no game ball, the first movable wing moves so as to protrude into the first ball path, and the game ball flowing through the first ball path moves to the communication portion. The gaming machine according to any one of means 11 to 17, wherein the gaming machine is guided to the second ball passage.

  According to the means 19, when the ball clogging occurs and the game ball stops flowing into the first ball passage, the second movable wing moves based on the detection of the first payout sensor, and the game flows through the second ball passage. The ball is guided to the first ball passage, and the game ball is supplied to the first ball passage side. In addition, when the game ball stops flowing in the second ball passage, the first movable wing moves based on detection of the second payout sensor, and the game ball flowing through the first ball passage is guided to the second ball passage, A game ball is supplied to the second ball passage side. As a result, the same effect as the means 9 can be obtained.

  It should be noted that the first and second movable wings are arranged on the wall of the guide member that constitutes each ball passage during normal times (when the first payout sensor and the second payout sensor detect that there is a game ball). You may comprise so that it may be accommodated. In that case, it is possible to avoid the problem that the flow of the game ball is obstructed by the movable wing.

  “Move as if protruding” also includes the meanings of “turn as if protruding” and “slide as if protruding”. Further, the communication portion may be provided with a ridge portion on which a game ball can get over by guiding the movable wing. In that case, during normal times (when no ball clogging occurs), the movement of the game balls flowing through the first ball passage (second ball passage) to the second ball passage (first ball passage) is restricted by the ridges. Therefore, the game balls derived from the respective outlets can be individually guided to the payout means. Therefore, the flow of the game ball in the ball passage can be made smooth.

  Further, instead of the first movable wing and the second movable wing of this means, a movable movable wing is provided in the communication portion between the first sphere passage and the second sphere passage. And the communication portion is closed so as to be parallel to the guide direction of the second ball passage, and when the first payout sensor detects that there is no game ball, it projects into the second ball passage. When the game ball that rotates and guides the game ball flowing through the second ball passage from the communication portion to the first ball passage and the second payout sensor detects that there is no game ball, You may comprise so that it may rotate so that it may protrude in a ball path, and the game ball which flows through the said 1st ball path may be guided from the said connection part to the said 2nd ball path. In this case, the movement of the game ball between the ball passages can be surely restricted during normal times.

Means 20. It has a game board with a prize opening where game balls can be won,
It is configured to be able to lend a predetermined number of game balls on the condition that valuable value is input to the input device attached to the gaming machine,
The payout device includes a payout / payout unit for paying out a game ball based on a winning of a game ball to the winning port, and a lending / payout unit for lending the game ball based on an input of a valuable value to the input device. With
The gaming machine according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the first ball passage communicates with the winning / dispensing portion, and the second ball passage communicates with the rental paying portion.

  According to the means 20, the game ball led out from the first lead-out port to the first ball passage can be led to the payout / payout part. In addition, the game ball led out from the second lead-out port to the second ball passage can be led to the rental payout unit.

  By providing a winning ball window and a lending ball window on the payout device, it is possible to control the award ball and the lending ball separately. For example, the award ball and the lending ball can be controlled simultaneously. Even if it must be made, an accurate payout can be made.

  The means includes a meaning that the winning / dispensing portion and the rental ball paying portion are independently connected to one ball passage, and the first ball passage communicates with the rental ball paying portion. The second ball passage may communicate with the winning / dispensing portion.

  Means 21. A receiving portion capable of receiving a game ball supplied to the tank above the tank; a first passage portion for guiding the game ball supplied to the receiving portion to a substantially upper end portion of the first inclined portion; The game according to any one of means 11 to 20, further comprising a distribution means comprising a second passage portion for guiding the game ball supplied to the receiving portion to a substantially upper end portion of the second inclined portion. Machine.

  According to the means 21, the game ball can be supplied to the upper end portion of the first inclined portion and the upper end portion of the second inclined portion by the distributing means even if the conventional supply mechanism is adopted as it is. As a result, the same effect as the means 10 can be obtained.

  The basic configuration of various gaming machines to which the above means are applied is shown below.

  A. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a ball game machine. As more detailed mode examples, “an operation means (game ball launching handle) operated by a player, a ball launching means (such as a launch motor) for playing a game ball based on the operation of the operation means, and the launch A ball path (ball guide path of the rail unit) that guides the played game balls to a predetermined game area, and each game component (general winning port, variable winning device, operating port, variable display unit, etc.) arranged in the gaming area ).

  B. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a bullet ball gaming machine having a gaming area extending in a substantially vertical direction. As more detailed mode examples, “an operation means (game ball launching handle) operated by a player, a ball launching means (such as a launch motor) for playing a game ball based on the operation of the operation means, and the launch A ball path (rail guide path of the rail unit) for guiding the played game ball to a predetermined game area extending in a substantially vertical direction (for example, the game area is constituted by a game board surface, etc.), and each of the game areas arranged in the game area A ball ball game machine comprising game parts (general winning opening, variable winning device, operation opening, variable display unit, etc.) and configured so that the behavior of a gaming ball flowing down the gaming area can be visually recognized. .

  C. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a ball game machine in which a game area is expanded. As a more detailed mode example, “a ball game machine including at least one of the technical configurations for expanding the game area as compared with the prior art described in the embodiments of the invention to be described later”. It is done.

  D. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a ball game machine equipped with a variable display device. As more detailed mode examples, “an operation means (game ball launching handle) operated by a player, a ball launching means (such as a launch motor) for playing a game ball based on the operation of the operation means, and the launch A ball path (ball guide path of the rail unit) for guiding the played game ball to a predetermined game area (for example, the game area is constituted by a game board surface), an operation port arranged in the game area, and a variable display device And a variable winning device, and the identification information (symbol) displayed on the variable display device is variably displayed based on the detection of the winning of the game ball at the operating port, and is stopped and displayed after a predetermined time. , A bullet ball game machine configured to open the variable display device in a predetermined manner when the identification information (design) displayed in a stopped state is in a specific manner.

  E. The gaming machine in each of the above means or each of the above ball game machines is a pachinko machine or a gaming machine equivalent to a pachinko machine.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a “pachinko machine”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a front frame set 14 is opened with respect to an outer frame 11 and an inner frame 12 described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 that forms an outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and an inner frame 12 is supported on one side of the outer frame 11 so as to be openable and closable. ing. The outer frame 11 is formed in a rectangular shape as a whole by a wooden plate material, and each plate material is assembled by a detachable fastener such as a small screw. Therefore, the structure can be easily reused as compared with the conventional structure in which the plate members are assembled using nails and rivets. In the present embodiment, the outer dimension of the outer frame 11 is 809 mm (inner dimension 771 mm) and the outer dimension in the left and right direction is 518 mm (inner dimension 480 mm).

  The inner frame 12 and the front frame set 14 are made of a synthetic resin, specifically, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin. By using a synthetic resin for molding both, it is possible to cope with a more complicated shape as compared with the case of using a metal material, and it is also possible to suppress an increase in production cost. Advantages of using ABS include a low production cost, strong viscosity, and high impact resistance compared to resin materials such as polycarbonate. In addition, for example, when a coating process such as plating is performed on a design surface such as the front side of the front frame set 14, the process is relatively easy to perform, and there is an advantage that a product with higher appearance quality can be manufactured.

  The opening / closing axis of the inner frame 12 is set so as to extend vertically on the left side (opposite to the place where the handle 18 described later) is installed as viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and the inner frame 12 is centered on the opening / closing axis. Can be opened forward. The outer frame 11 may be made of a light metal such as resin or aluminum.

  A lower tray unit 13 is attached to the inner frame 12 at the lowermost portion, and a front frame set 14 is attached to correspond to a range excluding the lower tray unit 13. The lower plate unit 13 is fixed to the inner frame 12 with a fastener such as a screw. The front frame set 14 is attached to the inner frame 12 so as to be openable and closable. Like the inner frame 12, the front frame set 14 is located on the front side with an open / close axis extending vertically to the left when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10. It can be opened. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state in which the front frame set 14 is removed from the pachinko machine 10 (however, in FIG. 3, the structure in the game area on the surface of the game board 30 is shown blank for convenience). Note that a rib R1 projects from the front side of the inner frame 12 at a periphery thereof (a portion corresponding to the front frame set 14). When the front frame set 14 is closed, the front frame set 14 is fitted into the rib R1. With this configuration, it becomes difficult to allow a wire or the like to enter from the gap between the front frame set 14 and the inner frame 12 and plays a role in preventing fraud.

  The lower tray unit 13 is provided with a lower tray 15 as a ball receiving tray at a substantially central portion, and the game balls discharged from the discharge port 16 can be stored in the lower tray 15. Most of the lower dish unit 13 is formed of ABS resin like the inner frame 12, but the surface layer forming the lower dish 15 and the front panel 23 at the back of the lower dish are particularly flame retardant. Molded with ABS resin. For this reason, this part is difficult to burn. Reference numeral 24 denotes a sound output port from the speaker, and reference numeral 25 denotes a ball release lever for discharging the game ball from the lower plate 15 downward.

  A game ball launching handle (hereinafter simply referred to as “handle”) 18 is disposed on the right side of the lower plate 15 so as to protrude to the front side. That is, the handle 18 is positioned on the right side when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10 on the side opposite to the opening / closing axis of the inner frame 12, and a predetermined opening amount when the inner frame 12 is opened regardless of the protrusion of the handle 18. It can be secured. An ashtray 26 is provided on the left side of the lower plate 15. The ashtray 26 has a so-called cantilever structure that is rotatably supported by a shaft rod (not shown) protruding leftward from the left side of the lower tray 15.

  On the other hand, an upper plate 19 serving as a ball receiving plate is provided above the lower plate 15. Here, the upper tray 19 is a ball receiving tray for temporarily storing the game balls and guiding them to the game ball launching device while aligning them in a line. The upper plate 19 is integrally formed with the glass frame portion that supports the glass in the front frame set 14. In the conventional pachinko machine, a front decorative frame that can be opened and closed with respect to the inner frame below the glass frame is provided, and an upper plate is provided on the front decorative frame. On the other hand, since the upper plate 19 is provided directly and integrally, even if the width of the frame portion of the front frame set 14 is relatively narrow as compared with the prior art, as will be described later, the front frame set 14 (glass frame Part) can be secured. Similar to the lower plate 15, the upper plate 19 has a structure in which the surface layer is formed of flame-retardant ABS resin.

  In FIG. 3, the inner frame 12 is mainly composed of a resin base 20 having a rectangular outer shape, and a substantially circular window hole 21 is formed at the center of the resin base 20. A game board 30 is detachably mounted on the rear side of the resin base 20. The game board 30 is made of a rectangular plywood and is attached in a state in which the peripheral edge thereof is in contact with the back side of the resin base 20 (inner frame 12). Accordingly, the substantially central portion of the front surface portion of the game board 30 is exposed to the front surface side of the inner frame 12 through the window hole 21 of the resin base 20. The game board 30 has a vertical length of 476 mm and a horizontal length of 452 mm (same size as before). The resin base 20 is provided with an opening detection sensor 22 that detects opening of the front frame set 14. Although not shown, an open detection switch for detecting the opening of the inner frame 12 is also provided.

  Next, the configuration of the game board 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The game board 30 includes a general winning port 31, a variable winning device 32, a first opportunity corresponding port (starting port) 33, a second opportunity corresponding port (through gate) 34, a variable display unit 35, etc. Is disposed in a through hole formed by router processing, and is attached from the front side of the game board 30 with a wood screw or the like. As is well known, a game ball enters the general winning opening 31, the variable winning device 32, and the first opportunity corresponding opening 33, and a predetermined number of prizes are supplied to the upper plate 19 (or the lower plate 15) by the output of a detection switch described later. The ball is paid out. In addition, the game board 30 is provided with an out port 36, and game balls that have not entered the various winning devices etc. are guided through the out port 36 to a ball discharge path (not shown). It has become. The game board 30 is provided with a large number of nails for appropriately dispersing and adjusting the falling direction of the game balls, and various members (acts) such as a windmill.

  The variable display unit 35 includes a second symbol display device 41 that displays the second symbol variably with the passage of the second trigger corresponding port 34 as a trigger, and a winning at the first trigger corresponding port 33 as a trigger as identification information. A first symbol display device 42 is provided as a variable display device that variably displays the first symbol (special symbol). The second symbol display device 41 has a second symbol display unit 43 and a holding lamp 44 (special symbol display device), and each time the game ball passes through the second opportunity corresponding port 34, for example, by the display unit 43. When the display symbol (second symbol) fluctuates and the variation display stops at a predetermined symbol, the first opportunity corresponding port 33 is configured to be activated (opened) for a predetermined time. When a game ball newly passes through the second opportunity corresponding port 34 during the second symbol variation display on the display unit 43 of the second symbol display device 41, the variation variation display of the second symbol is as follows: It is configured to be performed after the end of the variable display performed at that time. That is, the variable display is on standby (held). The maximum number of the variable display to be held is determined for each model of the pachinko machine, but in this embodiment, it is held up to 4 times, and the hold number is lit and displayed by the hold lamp 44. ing. However, the maximum number of holding times is not limited to this. For example, the maximum hold count may be set to 8 in order to wait for the second symbol variation display for 8 times. The display unit 43 may be configured to be variably displayed by a part of the first symbol display device 42 (liquid crystal display device) in addition to the configuration to be variably displayed by switching lighting of a plurality of lamps. . Similarly, the hold lamp 44 may be configured to be variably displayed on a part of the first symbol display device 42. The first symbol display device 42 is configured as a liquid crystal display device, and the display content is controlled by a display control device 45 described later. The first symbol display device 42 displays, for example, three symbol rows of left, middle and right. Each symbol row is composed of a plurality of symbols, and these symbols are variably displayed on the first symbol display device 42 so as to be scrolled for each symbol row. In the present embodiment, the first symbol display device 42 (liquid crystal display device) includes a large liquid crystal display of 8 inches. The variable display device unit 35 is provided with a center frame 47 so as to surround the first symbol display device 42.

  The variable winning device 32 is normally in a closed state in which a game ball cannot be won or difficult to win, and is repeatedly operated between an open state in which a game ball is easy to win and a normal closed state in the event of a big win. ing. More specifically, when a game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding port 33, the symbols are variably displayed on the first symbol display device 42, and the confirmed symbol after the stop is a combination of specific symbols set in advance. A special gaming state occurs as a necessary condition. The large winning opening of the variable winning device 32 is in a predetermined open state, and the game ball is configured to be in a state where it is easy to win a prize (a big hit state as a special game state). Specifically, the passage of a predetermined time or a predetermined number of winnings is defined as one round, and the big winning opening of the variable winning device 32 is repeatedly opened a predetermined number of times.

  When a new game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding port 33 during the symbol variation display of the first symbol display device 42, the symbol variation display corresponding to the symbol variation display at that time is displayed. The configuration is performed after completion. That is, the symbol variation display is waited (held, stored). Although the maximum number of symbol variation displays to be held is determined for each pachinko machine model, in this embodiment, up to 4 times are held, and the number of times the hold is held is displayed by the hold lamp 46. It has become. However, the maximum number of holding times is not limited to this. For example, the maximum number of suspensions may be set to 8 in order to wait for 8 symbol fluctuation displays. Note that the hold lamp 46 may be configured so as to be variably displayed on a part of the first symbol display device 42.

  Further, the game board 30 is provided with a rail unit 50 for guiding the game balls launched from the game ball launching device to the upper part of the game board 30, and the game balls launched by the turning operation of the handle 18. Are guided to a predetermined game area through the rail unit 50. The rail unit 50 is formed of a ring-shaped resin molded product, and includes an inner rail constituent part (inner rail part) 51 and an outer rail constituent part (outer rail mounting part) 52 that are integrally formed in an inner and outer double. Have. The inner rail constituting portion 51 is formed in a substantially annular shape except for about 1/4 of the upper portion. Further, the outer rail constituting portion 52 is formed so that a part (mainly the left side portion) faces the inner rail constituting portion 51. In such a case, the inner rail constituting portion 51 and the outer rail constituting portion 52 mainly constitute a guide rail, and each of the rail constituting portions 51 and 52 is guided by a ball by a portion (left portion toward the left) that is parallel with a predetermined interval. A passage is formed. The ball guide passage is formed in a groove shape having a contact surface with the game board 30, that is, a groove shape in which the front side is opened.

  A return ball preventing member 53 is attached to the tip portion of the inner rail constituting portion 51 (the upper left portion in FIG. 4). This prevents a situation in which the game ball once guided from the ball guide passage between the inner rail constituting portion 51 and the outer rail constituting portion 52 to the upper portion of the game board 30 returns to the ball guide passage again. It is like that. Further, a return rubber 54 is attached to the outer rail constituting portion 52 at a position corresponding to the maximum flight portion of the game ball (upper right portion in FIG. 4: a portion corresponding to the tip portion of the outer rail constituting portion 52). . Therefore, the game ball launched at a predetermined momentum or more hits the return rubber 54 and is returned to, for example, the substantially central portion side of the game board 30. A long stainless steel sliding plate 55 is attached to the inner side surface of the outer rail constituting portion 52 in order to make the flight of the game ball smoother. In the present embodiment, the outer rail constituting portion 52 and the sliding plate 55 constitute a so-called conventional outer rail. Then, by making the inner and outer rail components 51 and 52 and the sliding plate 55 into a unit as the rail unit 50, the mounting operation becomes easier and the workability is improved as compared with the conventional configuration in which the inner and outer rails are separately provided.

  An arc-shaped flange 56 projecting outward is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the rail unit 50. The flange 56 constitutes a mounting surface for the game board 30. When the rail unit 50 is attached to the game board 30, the flange 56 is brought into contact with the game board 30, and in this state, fixing means such as screws are inserted into the plurality of through holes formed in the flange 56. Thus, the rail unit 50 can be fastened to the game board 30. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the top, bottom, left, and right ends of the rail unit 50 are formed substantially linearly (flatly) as viewed from the front. That is, the flange 56 is cut off at each of the upper, lower, left, and right ends of the rail unit 50, so that the rail diameter can be expanded in a limited area in the pachinko machine 10, that is, the game area on the game board 30 can be expanded. ing. The lower left flange 56 uses more fixing means than the other parts (upper left, upper right and lower right flanges 56). This is for fixing the positions of the guide rail and the ball guide passage to more appropriate positions, whereby the game ball launched from the game ball launching device is more stably guided to the upper part of the game board 30. In addition, the rail unit 50 can be more firmly fixed by increasing the number of fixing means, and even if distortion occurs when the rail unit 50 is molded, there is an effect of absorbing the distortion.

  A convex portion 57 is formed at the entrance of the spherical guide passage between the inner rail constituting portion 51 and the outer rail constituting portion 52 so as to close a part of the spherical guide passage. This convex portion 57 is provided in a substantially vertical direction from the inner rail constituting portion 51 to the lower end portion of the rail unit 50, and a foul ball that does not reach the game area and flows backward in the ball guide passage is used as a foul ball passage 63 (see FIG. 3). ). Note that the lower right corner and the lower left corner of the game board 30 are spaces for attaching seals or plates (S1, S2 in FIG. 4) such as certificate stamps, etc., in order to secure this attachment space. The notches 58 and 59 are formed in the flange 56.

  Next, the game area will be described. The game area is partitioned and formed in a substantially circular shape by the inner peripheral part (inner and outer rail constituent parts 51 and 52) of the rail unit 50. In particular, in this embodiment, the game area is partitioned on the board surface of the game board 30. Is much larger than before. In the present embodiment, the distance from the uppermost point of the outer rail component 52 to the lower part of the game board 30 is 445 mm (58 mm longer than the conventional product), and the inner rail component 51 from the extreme left position of the outer rail component 52. The distance to the extreme right position is 435 mm (50 mm longer than the conventional product). The distance from the extreme left position of the inner rail component 51 to the extreme right position of the inner rail component 51 is 418 mm.

  In the present embodiment, when the game area is viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10, guidance that is a parallel part of the inner and outer rail constituting parts 51 and 52 among the area surrounded by the inner rail constituting part 51 and the outer rail constituting part 52. The area excluding the rail area. Therefore, since the game area does not include the guide rail portion, the left limit position toward the game area is specified not by the outer rail component 52 but by the inner rail component 51. Similarly, the right limit position toward the game area is specified by the inner rail constituting unit 51. The lower limit position of the game area is specified by the lower end position of the game board 30. Further, the upper limit position of the game area is specified by the outer rail component 52.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the width of the gaming area (maximum width in the left-right direction) is 418 mm, and the height of the gaming area (maximum width in the vertical direction) is 445 mm.

  Here, the width of the gaming area is preferably at least 380 mm. More preferably, it is 390 mm or more, 400 mm or more, 410 mm or more, 420 mm or more, 430 mm or more, 440 mm or more, 450 mm or more, and further 460 mm or more. Of course, it may be 470 mm or more. That is, the width of the game area is preferably as large as possible from the viewpoint of expanding the game area. The height of the game area is preferably at least 400 mm. More preferably, it is 410 mm or more, 420 mm or more, 430 mm or more, 440 mm or more, 450 mm or more, and more preferably 460 mm or more. Of course, it is good also as 470 mm or more, 480 mm or more, and 490 mm or more. That is, the width of the game area is preferably as large as possible from the viewpoint of expanding the game area. In addition, about the combination of the said width | variety and height, it is good also as what combined the said numerical value arbitrarily.

  In the present embodiment, the ratio of the area of the game area to the surface of the game board 30 is about 70%, which is a much larger area ratio than before. Note that the area ratio of the game area to the surface of the game board 30 is only about 50% in the past, so it can be said that the game area is considerably expanded on the premise that the game board 30 is shared. It should be noted that the external shape of the pachinko machine 10 is almost uniform among manufacturers for the convenience of installation in the game hall, and in the situation where the size of the game board 30 must be the same, the surface of the game board 30 as described above. Increasing the ratio of the area of the gaming area to about 20% is very significant from the viewpoint of expanding the gaming area. Here, the ratio is preferably at least 60% or more. More preferably, it is 65% or more, More preferably, it is 70% or more. Further, if it is 75% or more exceeding the case of this embodiment, it is more desirable. Furthermore, it may be 80% or more.

  Moreover, the ratio of the area of the game area to the area of the front side of the entire pachinko machine 10 is about 40%, which is a much larger area ratio than before. The area ratio of the game area to the area on the front side of the entire pachinko machine 10 is desirably 35% or more. Of course, it may be 40% or more, 45% or more, or 50% or more.

  In addition, the 2nd opportunity corresponding | compatible opening 34 located in the both sides of the variable display apparatus unit 35 has a guide mechanism in which the game ball which passed this 2nd opportunity corresponding | compatible opening 34 is approached toward the center. As a result, even when the game area is expanded in the left-right direction, the game ball can be guided toward the first first opportunity corresponding port 33 and the variable winning device 32. By expanding, it is possible to suppress a decrease in interest due to difficulty in winning a game ball. Furthermore, by extending the game area in the left-right direction, the second opportunity corresponding port 34, the windmill, a plurality of nails (guide nails for guiding the game ball to the center), and various other objects are arranged. Thus, the behavior of the game ball in the game areas on the left and right sides of the variable display device unit 35 can be made more interesting. In addition, since the gaming area is also expanded in the vertical direction, the second opportunity corresponding port 34, the windmill, a plurality of nails, and other accessories can be arranged in various ways. The behavior of the game ball can be made even more interesting.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 3, in the resin base 20, below the window hole 21 (game board 30), a launch rail 61 for guiding the game ball immediately after being launched from the game ball launcher is attached. Yes. The firing rail 61 is fixedly attached to the resin base 20 integrally with the metal plate 62 behind the firing rail 61, and is configured to extend linearly at a predetermined firing angle (launch angle). Accordingly, the game ball that is launched in accordance with the turning operation of the handle 18 is first launched obliquely upward along the launch rail 61 and then guided to a predetermined game area through the ball guide passage of the rail unit 50 as described above. It is like that.

  In the case of this pachinko machine 10, it has already been described that the game area is greatly expanded compared to the conventional case, but under such a configuration, the curvature of the guide rail must be reduced, so that the launch ball is stabilized. Need some ingenuity. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the launch position of the game ball is lowered and the inclination angle (launch angle) of the launch rail 61 is made somewhat larger than that of the existing one (that is, the launch rail 61 is raised) to further launch. The length of the rail 61 is made longer than the existing one so as to ensure a sufficiently long ball guiding distance. Thereby, the game ball launched from the game ball launching device can be guided to the guide rail in a more stable state. Particularly in this case, the launch rail 61 is formed so as to extend from the launch position of the game ball launcher to a position beyond the center position (out port 36) of the game area. In addition, since the launch rail 61 has the above-described configuration, in the present embodiment, the metal plate 62 is also relatively larger than the conventional one, and the number of fixing means for fixing the metal plate 62 is larger than the conventional one.

  In addition, there is a predetermined gap between the firing rail 61 and the rail unit 50 (guide rail), and a foul ball passage 63 is formed below the gap. Therefore, if the game ball fired from the game ball launching device does not reach the return ball prevention member 53 and returns to the inside of the guide rail as a foul ball, the foul ball passes through the foul ball path 63 to the lower plate 15. To be discharged. Incidentally, in the case of the present embodiment, the length of the firing rail 61 is about 240 mm, and the length of the gap at the tip of the firing rail (the length on the extension line of the firing rail 61) is about 40 mm.

  When the foul sphere flows backward in the guide rail, most of the foul sphere flows along the outer rail constituting portion 52 and drops downward when reaching the lower end portion of the outer rail constituting portion 52. May be ramped in the guide rail and jump to the inner rail component 51 side. At this time, the splashed foul ball hits the convex portion 57 at the entrance of the ball guide passage and is guided to the foul ball passage 63. Thereby, all of the foul balls are surely guided to the foul ball passage 63. This suppresses interference between the foul ball and the next game ball to be launched.

  Although detailed disclosure of the drawings is omitted, one game ball is supplied to the game ball launching device one by one from the ball outlet on the front frame set 14 side (ball outlet leading from the most downstream portion of the upper plate 19). At this time, since the launch position of the game ball is lowered in the present embodiment, the drop from the exit of the ball on the front frame set 14 side to the launch position becomes large, but in the vicinity of the base end portion of the launch rail 61, its right side and Guide members 65 and 66 are installed on the front side. Thereby, the game ball supplied from the ball exit on the front frame set 14 side is always set at a predetermined launch position, and a stable launch operation can be realized. Further, the game ball launching device is provided with a hitting ball, and the game ball is shot with the rotation of the hitting ball around the shaft portion. However, the weight reduction of the hitting ball is desired. Therefore, while aiming to reduce the weight of the hitting ball by changing the material to light metal such as aluminum and reducing the size of the shaft, the head of the hitting ball (on the opposite side of the shaft) is secured to ensure sufficient firing force. A weight is provided at the end. Thereby, sufficient and stable launch of the game ball can be realized. By providing the weight portion of the hitting ball projecting upward, the hitting ball can be easily picked up or caught, and it is easy to adjust the hitting ball strength of the tip.

  In addition, the code | symbol 67 in FIG. 3 is the discharge port connected to the upper plate 19, and a game ball is discharged to the upper plate 19 through this discharge port 67. FIG. An open / close shutter 68 is attached to the discharge port 67. Although detailed disclosure of the drawings is omitted, the shutter 68 is rotatable about the shaft portion provided along the lower side portion thereof, and is in a state where the front frame set 14 is opened (state of FIG. 3). The shutter 68 substantially closes the discharge port 67 by a biasing force such as a spring. When the front frame set 14 is closed, the shutter 68 is pushed open by a ball passage rod 69 (see FIG. 2) provided on the back surface of the front frame set 14. Note that the game ball is discharged to the lower plate 15 in the opened state of the front frame set 14. Therefore, as described above, in the pachinko machine 10 configured such that the upper plate 19 is directly provided with respect to the front frame set 14, the game balls in the payout passage and the like are spilled off when the front frame set 14 is opened. Can be prevented.

  The resin base 20 is provided with a substantially rectangular small window 71 at the lower right portion of the window hole 21. Accordingly, a seal or the like (S1 in FIG. 4) stretched at the lower right corner of the game board 30 can be viewed through the small window 71. It is also possible to affix the above-mentioned sticker or the like from this small window 71.

  Further, the resin base 20 is provided with a substantially rectangular small window 72 at the upper left of the window hole 21, and a substantially rectangular hole 73 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the small window 72 is also formed in the upper left part of the game board 30. Reference) is provided. Various electrical wirings (not shown) connected to the electric decorations 102 and 103 of the front frame set 14 to be described later are led from the back side of the pachinko machine 10 through the small window 72 and the hole 73.

  Further, support metal fittings 81 and 82 are attached to the left end portion of the inner frame 12 in FIG. 3 as a support mechanism for the front frame set 14. The upper support fitting 81 is provided with a support hole 83 having a notch on the front side of the figure, and the lower support fitting 82 is provided with a protruding shaft 84 protruding in the vertical direction.

  The inner frame 12 is provided with grounding metal fittings E1 and E2 (see FIG. 3). The grounding metal fittings E1 and E2 are connected to predetermined metal parts on the back side of the inner frame 12. Then, in a state where the front frame set 14 is closed, the grounding metal fittings E1 and E2 are short-circuited by coming into contact with reinforcing plates 131 and 132 described later.

  Next, the front frame set 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the front frame set 14. The front frame set 14 is formed with a substantially elliptical window 101 so that most of the game area can be viewed from the outside. Specifically, the window portion 101 has a shape in which a substantially central portion on the left and right sides is curved relatively gently as compared with the upper and lower sides. The substantially central portion may be linear. In the present embodiment, the distance between the upper end of the window portion 101 (the uppermost portion of the outer rail constituting portion 52 and the upper end of the game area) and the upper end of the front frame set 14 (the so-called upper and lower width of the upper frame portion) is 61 mm. It is significantly shorter than the prior art with an upper frame width of about 85 mm to 95 mm. As a result, the upper area of the game area can be easily secured, and the large-sized variable display device unit 35 can be arranged relatively upward. The distance between the upper end of the front frame set 14 is desirably 80 mm or less, more desirably 70 mm or less, and further desirably 60 mm or less. Of course, as long as a predetermined strength can be ensured, it may be 50 mm or less.

  Further, the shortest distance between the left end of the window portion 101 and the left end of the front frame set 14 when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10 (the left-right width of the so-called left side frame portion: shown on the right side in FIG. 5), The frame width on the opening / closing axis side is set to be relatively large in order to increase the strength and support strength of the front frame set 14 itself. In this case, as apparent from comparison between FIGS. 1 and 3, in the state where the front frame set 14 is closed, not only the left end portion of the outer rail constituting portion 52 but also the left end portion of the inner rail constituting portion 51 is Covered by the left frame. That is, at least a part of the guide rail overlaps and is covered with the left frame portion of the front frame set 14 when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10. Even if it becomes difficult to visually recognize the game ball in this way, it is only a passing point where the game ball is guided to the game area, and it is difficult to see the game ball in the game area where the player mainly enjoys the game. It doesn't mean. Therefore, there is no trouble in actual game. Moreover, while such a trouble does not arise, sufficient intensity | strength and support strength of the front frame set 14 are securable. Incidentally, the distance in the left-right direction between the left end position of the outer rail component 52 and the left end position of the outer frame 11 when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10 is 21 mm, and the right end position of the game area (the right end position of the inner rail component 51). The distance in the left-right direction from the right end position of the outer frame 11 is 44 mm.

  In addition, the front frame set 14 is provided with light emitting means such as various lamps in the periphery (for example, corner portion). These light emitting means play a role of enhancing the effect of the game during the game by changing and controlling the light emission mode such as lighting and blinking according to the change of the game state at the time of big hit or reach. For example, at the periphery of the window portion 101, an annular illumination portion 102 containing light emitting means such as an LED is provided symmetrically, and at the center of the annular illumination portion 102 and at the top of the pachinko machine 10, Similarly, a central illumination unit 103 having a built-in light emitting means such as an LED is provided. In the pachinko machine 10, the central illumination unit 103 functions as a jackpot lamp, and lights and blinks when the jackpot is informed that the jackpot is being hit. Further, an upper plate illumination part 104 that also includes a light emitting means such as an LED is provided around the upper plate 19. In addition, on the left and right sides of the central illumination unit 103, there are provided a prize ball lamp 105 that is lit during the payout of a prize ball and an error display lamp 106 that is lit when a predetermined error occurs. Further, a small window 107 to which a transparent resin is attached is provided so as to be able to visually recognize a part of the inner frame 12 surface, the game board 30 surface, and the like so as to be adjacent to the lower end portion of the annular illumination portion 102. In the reach state in the present embodiment, the symbol variation of the right symbol sequence among the three symbol sequences of left, middle, and right displayed on the first symbol display device 42 is the stop symbol of the left symbol sequence. A state of stopping with the same type of symbol is included.

  In the reach state, various reach state patterns (reach patterns) are set in addition to “normal reach” in which the symbols in the middle symbol row are simply scrolled as in the case of normal fluctuation. Among these reach patterns, reach patterns other than “normal reach” are so-called “super reach”. When the operation of “super reach” is started, the expected value (expected value for jackpot) at which a big hit state occurs is higher than in the case of “normal reach”. Also, in “super reach”, the jackpot expectation value may differ depending on each reach pattern. In addition, it is possible to prepare a reach pattern called “special reach” having a higher expected value than “super reach” or “premium reach” in which the occurrence of a big hit state is confirmed and displayed.

  Further, each reach pattern is weighted, and the probability that each reach pattern is selected is individually different. Specifically, the probability of selecting “super reach” is set lower than the probability of selecting “normal reach”. In addition, the probability of selecting “special reach” is set lower than “super reach”. In addition, “Premium Reach” is set so that it is hardly selected. In the present embodiment, the probability that each reach pattern is selected differs depending on whether it is a big hit or not.

  In addition, in the effect display mode of the first symbol display device 42 that is changed in design, an effect other than the reach effect may be performed from the start of change of all symbol sequences to the final stop display. Productions other than the reach production include production such as slip fluctuation, re-variation, reach suggestion, super reach suggestion, and jackpot suggestion. Here, the “suggestion” only needs to indicate that a predetermined gaming state is likely to occur due to the effect (a predetermined display mode on the first symbol display device 42 is easily displayed). Alternatively, there is no problem even if there is a case where the predetermined gaming state does not occur because the effect has an influence on the occurrence of the predetermined gaming state.

  In addition, a ball lending operation unit 120 is disposed below the window unit 101, and the ball lending operation unit 120 is provided with a ball lending button 121, a return button 122, and a frequency display unit 123. If the ball lending operation unit 120 is operated in a state where a bill or a card is inserted into a card unit (ball lending unit) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10, a game ball is lent according to the operation. . The ball lending button 121 is operated to obtain a lending ball based on information recorded on a card or the like (recording medium), and the lending ball is supplied to the upper plate 19 as long as there is a remaining amount on the card or the like. Is done. The return button 122 is operated when requesting the return of a card or the like inserted into the card unit. The frequency display unit 123 displays remaining amount information such as a card. It should be noted that the ball rental operation unit 120 is not necessary for a pachinko machine in which game balls are lent directly to the upper plate from a ball lending device or the like without using a card unit, that is, a so-called cash machine. Therefore, a decorative seal or the like is attached to the installation portion of the ball rental operation unit 120. Thereby, the common use of the lending operation unit of the pachinko machine using the card unit and the cash machine is achieved.

  Various reinforcing members made of metal are provided on the back side of the front frame set 14 so as to surround the window portion 101. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, reinforcing plates 131, 132, 133, and 134 are respectively attached to the back side of the front frame set 14 and on the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the window portion 101. These reinforcing plates 131 to 134 are connected in contact with each other, but resin parts 135 for avoiding direct contact are interposed at the connecting portions of the left and upper reinforcing plates 132 and 133 in the drawing. That is, in the reinforcing plates 131 to 134, electricity is prevented from passing in an annular shape due to the insulating effect of the resin part 135. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the magnetic field by the loop of a noise in the reinforcement boards 131-134 and cyclic | annular electricity supply can be suppressed.

  The right reinforcing plate 131 in FIG. 5 is provided with an engaging claw 131a having a hook shape at an intermediate position thereof. The engaging claw 131a is a hole portion of the inner frame 12 with the front frame set 14 closed. 12a (refer FIG. 3) is comprised so that it may be engaged. With this configuration, the front frame set 14 is configured to include the upper plate 19, and even if the upper and lower pivot support positions are extended, the front frame set 14 can be prevented from being lifted at the intermediate position. Therefore, an illegal act or the like floating the front frame set 14 is suppressed.

  The lower reinforcing plate 134 is provided with a resin rail side wall member 136 at a position facing the firing rail 61 (see FIG. 3). The rail side wall member 136 becomes the side wall of the firing rail 61 when the front frame set 14 is closed. Therefore, the game ball is prevented from spilling from the launch rail 61.

  The reinforcing plates 131 to 134 described above also have a function as a metal frame for supporting the glass, and a part of the reinforcing plates 131 to 134 is folded back to form a glass holding groove. The glass holding grooves are formed in two rows on the front and rear sides, and a pair of front and rear glasses 137 having a rectangular shape are held in each glass holding groove. Thereby, the two glass 137 is attached to the front and back at a predetermined interval.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, the game area is expanded. Therefore, when the front frame set 14 is closed, the guide rail configured by the inner and outer rail components 51 and 52 is used. Is partially covered by the front frame set 14. Therefore, in the guide rail, a portion where the open side on the front side cannot be covered with the glass 137 is formed. In such a case, for example, when the game ball launched from the game ball launching device returns without reaching the return ball prevention member 53, the game ball spills out (jumps out) from the guide rail, and the outer rail component 52 There is a risk of being caught between the glass 137 and the like. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a rail cover 140 for covering the front side open portion of the guide rail is attached to the front frame set 14.

  The rail cover 140 is a substantially flat plate having a substantially arc shape, and is formed of a transparent resin. The rail cover 140 has an arc shape corresponding to the shape of the guide rail, and covers the section from the base end portion of the guide rail to the vicinity of the tip end portion along the peripheral edge of the window portion 101. It is attached to the back side of the set 14. In particular, the dimensions and shape of the rail cover 140 on the inner diameter side substantially match those of the inner rail constituting portion 51. When the rail cover 140 is attached, the surface side of the rail cover 140 is in contact with the glass 137. When the front frame set 14 is closed, the back surface of the rail cover 140 covers almost the entire area of the guide rail. Thereby, the collision of the game ball with the glass 137 can be prevented in most sections of the guide rail. Therefore, adverse effects such as breakage due to contact with the glass 137 can be suppressed.

  Further, a portion where the guide rail protrudes from the side edge portion of the glass 137 is provided at the right end portion of the rail cover 140 (that is, the portion which becomes the right end in the state of FIG. 5 where the rail cover 140 is attached to the front frame set 14). A covering portion 141 for covering is provided. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such that the game ball spills out of the guide rail (jumps out) or gets caught between the outer rail component 52 and the glass 137.

  Further, on the back side of the rail cover 140, a ridge 142 is formed that extends in an arc along the inner edge of the rail cover 140 and protrudes toward the front side of FIG. The ridge 142 is configured to substantially overlap the inner rail constituting portion 51 in a state of entering the guide rail in a state where the front frame set 14 is closed. Therefore, for example, even if a wire or the like is invaded from the gap between the front frame set 14 and the inner frame 12 to perform a fraud, it is very difficult to infiltrate the wire or the like into the game area inside the guide rail. Become. As a result, fraudulent acts performed using a wire or the like can be prevented. In addition, it is good also as a structure which forms the protrusion 142 in a wider range, for example along the whole region of the inner edge of the rail cover 140. According to this structure, it becomes difficult to infiltrate a wire etc. in a wider range, a wire etc. It is possible to more reliably prevent fraud performed using

  Further, support metal fittings 151 and 152 are attached to the right end portion of the front frame set 14 in FIG. 5 (left end portion when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10) as a support mechanism for the inner frame 12. Therefore, the front frame set 14 can be opened and closed with respect to the inner frame 12 by assembling the support brackets 151 and 152 on the front frame set 14 side to the support brackets 81 and 82 (see FIG. 3) on the inner frame 12 side. It comes to be installed. Here, the support mechanism will be described in more detail based on the relationship between the support fittings 81 and 82 and the support fittings 151 and 152. The support fitting 151 has a substantially rod shape, and the upper diameter is larger than the lower diameter. The width of the cutout of the support hole 83 is narrower than the thickness of the upper portion of the support fitting 151 and wider than the thickness of the lower portion. As a mounting procedure for the front frame set 14, first, the lower portion of the support fitting 151 is inserted into the support hole 83 through the notch, and then the support fitting 152 is inserted into the protruding shaft 84 of the support fitting 82. Then, by positioning the upper portion of the support fitting 151 corresponding to the notch position, the support fitting 151 is not detached from the support hole 83, and the mounting of the front frame set 14 is completed.

  Here, the configuration of the locking mechanism G1 will be described with reference to FIG. The locking mechanism G1 is provided so as to extend in the vertical direction and to be movable in the vertical direction on one side of the inner frame 12 constituting the main body of the gaming machine (right side, left side in FIGS. 6 and 8). The long interlocking member G2 and the one side part of the inner frame 12 are provided at a position different from the position that is the maximum width in the left-right direction of the game area, and the interlocking member G2 is selectively moved upward or downward. A key member G3 (see FIGS. 6, 9 and the like) to be moved, and the locking of the inner frame 12 is released by the movement of the interlocking member G2 up and down by the operation of the key member G3, and The front frame set 14 is unlocked by the movement to.

  Next, the configuration of the back surface of the pachinko machine 10 will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10.

  First, an overall outline of the rear configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described. In the pachinko machine 10, various control boards are arranged on the back side (actually the back side of the inner frame 12 and the game board 30) so as to be arranged vertically or horizontally, or to be stacked in front and back, A game ball supply device (payout mechanism) for supplying game balls, a protective cover made of resin, and the like are attached. In this embodiment, various control boards are divided into two mounting bases to form two control board units, and these control board units are individually attached to the inner frame 12 or the back of the game board 30. ing. In this case, the main board and the sound lamp control board are mounted on one mounting base to form a unit, and the dispensing control board, launch control board, and power supply board are mounted on the other mounting base to form a unit. Here, for convenience, the former unit is referred to as “first control board unit 201”, and the latter unit is referred to as “second control board unit 202”.

  Further, since the dispensing mechanism and the protective cover are integrated as one unit, and the resin portion is generally referred to as a back pack, the unit is referred to as a “back pack unit 203” here. The detailed configuration of each unit 201 to 203 will be described later.

  The first control board unit 201, the second control board unit 202, and the back pack unit 203 are configured to be detachable without using any tools or the like in units of units. It is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the inner frame 12 or the back surface of the game board 30. This is also a device for making it possible to easily check a hidden configuration or the like even if the units 201 to 203 and other configurations are arranged one behind the other.

  Actually, the units 201 to 203 are arranged and attached as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. In FIG. 7, the first control board unit 201 having a substantially L-shape is arranged at substantially the center of the pachinko machine 10, and the second control board unit 202 is arranged therebelow. Further, the back pack unit 203 is arranged in a region partially overlapping the first control board unit 201.

  Specifically, the first control board unit 201 is provided with a support shaft part M1 at the left end portion when viewed from the back of the pachinko machine 10, and the first control board unit 201 is centered on the axis A by the support shaft part M1. It can be opened and closed. Further, the first control board unit 201 is provided with a fastening portion M2 made of a ny latch or the like at the right end portion thereof (that is, the side opposite to the support shaft portion, more specifically, the open end side), and the locking claw portion M3 at the upper end portion. The first control board unit 201 is fixed and held to the main body of the pachinko machine by the fastening part M2 and the locking claw part M3.

  Further, the second control board unit 202 is provided with a support shaft part M4 at the right end when viewed from the back of the pachinko machine 10, and the second control board unit 202 opens and closes around the axis B by the support shaft part M4. It is possible. Further, the second control board unit 202 is provided with a fastening portion M5 made of a ny latch or the like at the left end portion thereof (that is, the side opposite to the support shaft portion, more specifically, the open end side). 2 The control board unit 202 is fixedly held to the pachinko machine body.

  Further, the back pack unit 203 is provided with a support shaft portion M6 at the right end when viewed from the back of the pachinko machine 10, and the back pack unit 203 can be opened and closed around the axis C by the support shaft portion M6. Yes. Further, the back pack unit 203 is provided with a fastening portion M7 made of a ny latch or the like on the left end portion thereof (that is, on the side opposite to the support shaft portion, more specifically, on the open end side), and at the upper end portion and the lower end portion, respectively. , And the back pack unit 203 is fixedly held to the main body of the pachinko machine by the fastening part M7 and the locking parts M8, M9.

  In this case, the development directions of the units 201 to 203 are not the same, and the first control board unit 201 opens to the left when viewed from the back of the pachinko machine 10, whereas the second control board unit 202 and the back pack unit. 203 is configured to open to the right.

  On the other hand, FIG. 8 is a rear view showing the configuration of the game board 30 assembled to the inner frame 12. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the inner frame 12 as viewed from the rear. Here, the back side structure of the inner frame 12 and the game board 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

  The game board 30 is installed in a square frame-shaped installation area surrounded by the resin base 20 and is not dropped by a plurality of (four in this embodiment) locking fixtures 211 and 212 provided on the inner frame 12. So that it is fixed. The locking fixtures 211 and 212 can be manually rotated to switch between a fixed position (lock position) and a fixed release position (unlock position). FIG. 8 shows a locked state. The locking fixtures 211 at the three left and right sides of the game board 30 are L-shaped metal fittings formed by bending metal pieces, and are configured not to protrude outwardly from the inner frame 12 when the game board 30 is fixed. Note that the locking fixture 212 at one lower portion of the game board 30 is an I-shaped fastener made of resin.

  A variable display device unit 35 is disposed in the center of the game board 30. In the variable display device unit 35, a frame cover 213 made of resin (for example, made of ABS) that covers the center frame 47 (see FIG. 3) from behind is provided to protrude rearward, and at the rear end of the frame cover 213, The 1st symbol display apparatus 42 and the display control apparatus 45 which are liquid crystal display devices are attached so that attachment or detachment is possible in the state piled up back and forth. In the frame cover 213, an LED control board for driving LEDs and the like built in the center frame 47 are disposed.

  A back frame set 215 is attached to the back surface of the game board 30 so as to surround the variable display device unit 35. The back frame set 215 is a thin resin-molded product (for example, made of ABS) provided so as to stick to the back surface of the game board 30, and a game ball collecting mechanism for collecting game balls won in various winning openings. Is formed. Specifically, below the back frame set 215, corresponding to the game board opening of the above-described general winning opening 31, variable winning apparatus 32, first opportunity corresponding opening 33 (see FIG. 3 respectively) and 1 on the downstream side. A collection passage 216 that collects at a place is formed. In addition, a discharge passage board 217 made of resin (for example, made of polycarbonate resin) is also attached to the inner frame 12 below the game board 30, and discharge balls are sent to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 in the discharge passage board 217. A discharge passage 218 for guiding is formed. Therefore, as illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 8, all the game balls won in the general winning opening 31 etc. gather through the collection passage 216 of the back frame set 215, and further the discharge passage 218 of the discharge passage board 217. Through the pachinko machine 10. In addition, the out port 36 (see FIG. 3) similarly communicates with the discharge passage 218, and the game balls that have not won any prize opening are discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through the discharge passage 218.

  In the above configuration, with the lower end surface of the game board 30 as a boundary, a back frame set 215 (collection passage 216) is provided above, and a discharge passage board 217 (discharge passage 218) is provided below. The game board 30 is provided without overlapping (overlapping) in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when removing the game board 30 from the inner frame 12, there is no inconvenience that the discharge passage board 17 prevents the game board from being removed.

  The discharge passage board 217 is provided just behind the upper plate 19 on the front surface of the pachinko machine. A wire or the like is inserted from a ball discharge port (ball passage rod 69 in FIG. 2) leading to the upper plate 19, An illegal act of causing a wire or the like to enter the game area side through a gap between the inner frame 12 and the discharge passage board 217 can be considered. Accordingly, in the pachinko machine 10, a plate 219 extending in front of the pachinko machine so as to overlap the inner frame 12 almost integrally is provided just behind the upper plate 19 of the discharge passage board 217. Therefore, even if a wire or the like tries to enter from the gap between the inner frame 12 and the discharge passage board 217, the wire or the like is obstructed by the plate 219, and it becomes very difficult to make the wire or the like enter the game area. As a result, it is possible to prevent an illegal act such as forcibly opening the variable winning device 32 (large winning opening) using a wire or the like.

  In addition, on the back surface of the game board 30, a winning detection mechanism for detecting the passage of game balls such as various winning holes is provided. Specifically, a prize opening switch 221 is provided at a position corresponding to the general prize opening 31 on the front side of the game board 30, and a specific area switch 222 and a count switch 223 are provided in the variable prize winning device 32. The specific area switch 222 is a switch for determining that a game ball won in the variable winning device 32 in the big hit state has entered a specific area (an area for determining whether or not to continue the big hit state), and the count switch 223 displays the winning ball. It is a switch to count. In addition, a start port switch 224 is provided at a position corresponding to the first opportunity corresponding port 33, and a gate switch 225 is provided at a position corresponding to the second opportunity corresponding port 34.

  The prize opening switch 221 and the gate switch 225 are connected to a board relay board 226 through an electric wiring (not shown), and the board relay board 226 is further connected to a main board (main controller 261) described later. Further, the specific area switch 222 and the count switch 223 are connected to the special winning opening relay board 227, and the special winning opening relay board 227 is also connected to the main board. On the other hand, the start port switch 224 is directly connected to the main board without passing through the relay board.

  Although not shown in the drawings, the variable winning device 32 is provided with a large winning opening solenoid for opening the large winning opening and a winning ball distribution plate solenoid for guiding the winning ball to a specific area. The corresponding port 33 is provided with a start port solenoid for opening the electric accessory. In FIGS. 8 and 9, reference numeral 228 denotes a set handle including a hitting ball and the like, and reference numeral 229 denotes a firing motor.

  The detection results detected by the winning detection mechanism are taken into the main board, which will be described later, and a payout command (the number of game balls to be paid out) corresponding to the winning situation is sent from the main board to the payout control board. The Then, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out by the output of the payout control board. In such a case, a conventional method (so-called evidence ball method) in which game balls won at various winning openings are once collected in a winning ball processing device, and the winning ball processing device confirms the presence of the winning balls one by one and then pays out one by one. Unlike the above, the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment electrically senses the winning of a game ball at each winning opening and immediately pays out (that is, the pachinko machine 10 abolishes the winning ball processing device). doing). Therefore, even if there are a lot of game balls to be paid out, the payout can be carried out quickly.

  The back frame set 215 is provided with an attachment mechanism for attaching the first control board unit 201. Specifically, as this mounting mechanism, a support bracket 231 extending in the vertical direction is provided at the lower left corner portion when viewed from the back surface of the game board 30, and the support bracket 231 has a pair of upper and lower support holes 231 a on the same axis. Is formed. In addition, in the lower right part of the game board 30, reference numeral 232 is a pair of upper and lower fastening holes (ny latch holes), and in the upper left part, reference numeral 233 is a locking claw piece.

  An attachment mechanism for attaching the second control board unit 202 and the back pack unit 203 is provided on the back surface of the inner frame 12. Specifically, a long support fitting 235 is attached to the inner frame 12 at its right end, and its configuration is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the support metal fitting 235 has a long plate-like metal fitting main body 236, and the support hole 237 for the second control board unit is formed at two lower positions so as to stand up from the metal fitting main body 236. At the same time, support hole portions 238 for the back pack unit are formed at two upper positions. Coaxial support holes are formed in the support hole portions 237 and 238, respectively. In addition, as an attachment mechanism for the second control board unit, the inner frame 12 is provided with a pair of upper and lower fastening holes (ny latch holes) 239 at the left end below the game board installation area. As a mounting mechanism for the back pack unit, the inner frame 12 is provided with a pair of upper and lower fastening holes (nylatching holes) 240 at the left end of the game board installation area. However, the support bracket for the second control board unit and the support bracket for the back pack unit can be provided as separate members. Reference numerals 241, 242, and 243 denote rotational fixtures for sandwiching and supporting the back pack unit 203 with the game board 30.

  In addition, in the rear configuration of the inner frame 12, a game ball for distributing a game ball paid out from a payout mechanism described later to any of the upper plate 19, the lower plate 15, or the discharge passage 218 is provided at the lower right portion of the game board 30. A distribution unit 245 is provided. That is, the opening 245a of the game ball distributing unit 245 communicates with the upper plate 19, the opening 245b communicates with the lower plate 15, and the opening 245c communicates with the discharge passage 218 (see FIG. 9). Conventionally, since a portion corresponding to the game ball distributing unit 245 is provided on the back pack unit 203 side, the back pack unit 203 is pushed through the ball discharge port (ball passage wall 69 in FIG. 2) reaching the upper plate 19. As a result, a gap is formed between the inner frame 12 and a portion corresponding to the game ball distributing unit 245, and an illegal act of inserting a wire or the like through the gap and operating the internal device has been considered. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 10, such illegal acts are prevented by providing the game ball distribution unit 245 on the inner frame 12 side and fixing the game ball distribution unit 245 by a fixing means. Further, the upper end surface of the game ball distributing unit 245 is formed in accordance with the height position where the lower end surface of the game board 30 is installed, and is devised so as not to prevent the game board 30 from being removed.

  In addition, a resin speaker box 246 is attached to the lower end portion of the inner frame 12 to surround the speaker behind the speaker 15, and the speaker box 246 improves the sound quality in the low frequency range. It has been.

  Next, the first control board unit 201 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 is a front view of the first control board unit 201, FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the unit 201, FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the unit 201, and FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the unit 201 viewed from the back. .

  The first control board unit 201 includes a mounting base 251 having a substantially L shape, and the main control device 261 and the sound lamp control device 262 are mounted on the mounting base 251. Here, the main control device 261 includes a CPU that controls the main control, a ROM that stores a game program, a RAM that stores necessary data according to the progress of the game, a port that communicates with various devices, and various lotteries. A main board including a random number generator used, a clock pulse generation circuit used for time counting and synchronization, etc., and the main board is made of a transparent resin material or the like; ). The substrate box 263 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are connected to each other by a sealing unit 264 (sealing means) so that the box box 263 is sealed.

  As the sealing unit 264 as the sealing means, any configuration can be applied as long as the box base and the box cover are connected so as not to be opened, but here, as shown in FIG. 12 and the like, five sealing members are connected. The box base and the box cover are connected so that they cannot be opened by inserting a locking claw into the long hole of the sealing member. The sealing process by the sealing unit 264 prevents unauthorized opening after the sealing, and makes it possible to detect such a situation early and easily even if the unauthorized opening is performed. It is possible to perform the opening / sealing process again even after the operation. That is, the sealing process is performed by inserting the locking claw into the long hole of at least one sealing member among the five sealing members constituting the sealing unit 264. And when opening the board | substrate box 263 by the malfunction of the accommodated main board | substrate etc., the connection of the sealing member in which the latching claw was inserted, and another sealing member is cut | disconnected. Thereafter, when the sealing process is performed again, the locking claws are inserted into the long holes of the other sealing members. If the history of opening the board box 263 is left in the board box 263, it can be easily found that the illegal opening has been performed by looking at the board box 263.

  The voice lamp control device 262 is a voice lamp including, for example, a CPU that controls voice and lamp display in accordance with instructions from the main control device 261 (main board) or the display control device 45, and other ROM, RAM, various ports, and the like. The audio lamp control board is housed in a board box 265 made of a transparent resin material or the like. A power relay board 266 is mounted on the sound lamp control device 262, and power supplied from a power board described later is output to the display control device 45 and the sound lamp control device 262 via the power relay board 266. It is like that.

  The mounting base 251 is formed of a colored (for example, green, blue, etc.) resin material (for example, made of polycarbonate resin), and has two substrate mounting surfaces 252 and 253 that are flat on the surface. These substrate mounting surfaces 252 and 253 extend in a direction orthogonal to each other, and are formed with a step in the front-rear direction. However, the mounting base 251 may be a colorless transparent or translucent resin molded product.

  The main control device 261 (main substrate) is arranged in a landscape orientation on one board mounting surface 252 and the audio lamp control device 262 (audio lamp control board) is arranged in a portrait orientation on the other substrate mounting surface 253. It is arranged in the direction. In particular, the main control device 261 is disposed on the near side as viewed from the back of the pachinko machine 10, and the sound lamp control device 262 is disposed on the back side. In this case, since the substrate mounting surfaces 252 and 253 are formed with steps in the front-rear direction, the control devices 261 and 262 are mounted with the main controller 261 and the sound lamp controller 262 mounted on the substrate mounting surfaces 252 and 253. Are arranged with a part of them stacked one after another. That is, as can be seen in FIG. 12 and the like, the main controller 261 is arranged in a state where a part thereof (about 1/3 in the present embodiment) is floated. Therefore, the sound lamp control device 262 can be expanded to an area overlapping with the main control device 261, and the enlargement of the control board can be dealt with satisfactorily. Also, each control device can be installed efficiently. Further, when the first control board unit 201 is mounted on the game board 30, a space is secured behind the board mounting surface 252 so that the variable winning device 32 and its electric wiring can be installed without difficulty.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a horizontally long through hole 254 is formed in two places on the left and right of the board mounting surface 252 for the main board. Correspondingly, the substrate box 263 of the main control device 261 is provided with rotational fixing tools 267 at two places on the left and right sides of the back surface thereof. When the main controller 261 is mounted on the board mounting surface 252, the fixing tool 267 is passed through the through hole 254 of the board mounting surface 252, and the fixing tool 267 is rotated in this state to lock the main control apparatus 261. The Therefore, even if the main control device 261 is arranged in a state where it floats as described above, inconveniences such as dropping off of the main control device 261 can be avoided. In addition, since the main control device 261 cannot be removed unless the fixture 267 is unlocked from the back side of the first control board unit 201 (board mounting surface 252), it is expected to have a deterrent effect against illegal acts such as board removal. it can. A grid-like rib 255 is provided on the back surface of the substrate mounting surface 252 for the main substrate.

  The mounting base 251 is provided with a pair of upper and lower support shafts 256 on the left end surface of FIG. 12 and the like. By attaching the support shafts 256 to the support fitting 231 shown in FIG. The game board 30 is supported to be openable and closable. Further, the mounting base 251 is provided with a pair of upper and lower nai latches 257 as fasteners at the right end portion and a long hole 258 at the upper end portion, and the nai latch 257 is fitted into the fastening hole 232 shown in FIG. The first control board unit 201 is fixed to the game board 30 by locking the locking claw pieces 233 shown in FIG. The support fitting 231 and the support shaft 256 are in the support shaft portion M1 of FIG. 7, the fastening hole 232 and the ny latch 257 are in the fastening portion M2, the locking claw piece 233 and the long hole 258 are in the locking claw portion M3, Each corresponds.

  Next, the second control board unit 202 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 is a front view of the second control board unit 202, FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the unit 202, and FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the unit 202.

  The second control board unit 202 has a horizontally long mounting base 301 on which a payout control device 311, a firing control device 312, a power supply device 313 and a card unit connection board 314 are mounted. The payout control device 311, the launch control device 312, and the power supply device 313 are equipped with a control board including a central control CPU, ROM, RAM, various ports and the like as is well known. The payout of prize balls and rental balls is controlled by the substrate. The launch control board of the launch control apparatus 312 controls the launch motor 229 in accordance with the player's operation of the handle 18, and the power supply board of the power supply apparatus 313 generates a predetermined power supply voltage required by various control apparatuses. Is output. The card unit connection board 314 is electrically connected to the ball lending operation unit 120 on the front surface of the pachinko machine and a card unit (not shown), and receives a ball lending operation command by the player and outputs it to the payout control device 311. is there. Note that the card unit connection board 314 can be omitted in a cash machine in which game balls are lent directly to the upper plate from a ball lending device or the like without using a card unit.

  The payout control device 311, the firing control device 312, the power supply device 313, and the card unit connection substrate 314 are respectively configured to be accommodated in substrate boxes 315, 316, 317, and 318 made of a transparent resin material or the like. In particular, in the dispensing control device 311, similarly to the main control device 261 described above, the box base and the box cover constituting the substrate box 315 (encapsulating means) are connected by the sealing unit 319 (sealing means) so that they cannot be opened. Thus, the substrate box 315 is sealed.

  The payout control device 311 is provided with a state return switch 321. For example, when the state return switch 321 is pressed when a payout error occurs, such as a ball jam in the payout motor unit, the payout motor is rotated forward and reverse so that the ball jam is eliminated (return to the normal state). It has become.

  Further, the power supply device 313 is provided with a RAM erase switch 323. This pachinko machine 10 has a backup function, so that even if a power failure occurs, it maintains the state at the time of a power failure, and can be restored to the state at the time of a power failure when returning from a power failure (power recovery) It has become. Therefore, if the power is turned off in the normal procedure (for example, when the hall is closed), the state before the power is turned off is stored. If you want to return to the initial state when the power is turned on, turn on the power while holding down the RAM erase switch 323. We are going to throw it in.

  The mounting base 301 is made of, for example, a colorless and transparent resin molded product, and a flat substrate mounting surface 302 is provided on the surface thereof. In this case, the launch control device 312, the power supply device 313 and the card unit connection board 314 are directly mounted side by side on the board mounting surface 302 of the mounting base 301, and the payout control apparatus 311 is mounted on the board box 317 of the power supply apparatus 313. Has been.

  Further, the mounting base 301 is provided with a pair of upper and lower support shafts 305 at the right end in FIG. 15 and the like. By inserting these support shafts 305 into the support hole 237 shown in FIG. 2 The control board unit 202 is supported to be openable and closable with respect to the inner frame 12. Further, the mounting base 301 is provided with a pair of upper and lower nai latches 306 as fasteners at the left end portion. By fitting the nai latch 306 into the fastening hole 239 shown in FIG. It is fixed to the frame 12 so that it cannot be opened and closed. The support hole portion 237 and the support shaft 305 correspond to the support shaft portion M4 in FIG. 7, and the fastened hole 239 and the ny latch 306 correspond to the fastening portion M5, respectively.

  Next, the configuration of the back pack unit 203 will be described. The back pack unit 203 is formed by integrating a back pack 351 made of resin and a payout mechanism portion 352 for a game ball. FIG. 18 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10 viewed from the back, and FIG. It shows in FIG.

  The back pack 351 is integrally formed of, for example, ABS resin, and includes a substantially flat base portion 353 and a protective cover portion 354 that protrudes rearward from the pachinko machine and has a horizontally long substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protective cover portion 354 has a shape in which the left and right side surfaces and the upper surface are closed and only the lower surface is opened, and has a size sufficient to surround at least the variable display device unit 35 (however, in the present embodiment, the above-mentioned audio The lamp control device 262 is also enclosed. A large number of ventilation holes 354 a are provided on the back surface of the protective cover portion 354. Each of the air holes 354a has a long hole shape, and the air holes 354a are adjacent to each other at a relatively close position. Therefore, the back surface of the back pack 351 can be easily opened by cutting the resin portion between the adjacent vent holes 354a. That is, a predetermined test or the like can be easily performed by cutting the resin portion between the vent holes 354a to expose the display control device 45 and the like inside.

  In addition, a payout mechanism 352 is disposed on the base 353 so as to bypass the protective cover 354. That is, a tank 355 opened upward is provided at the uppermost portion of the back pack 351, and game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are sequentially supplied to the tank 355. Below the tank 355, a tank rail 356 having two rows (two rows) of ball passages in the horizontal direction and inclined gently toward the downstream side is connected. Further, a case is formed vertically on the downstream side of the tank rail 356. Rails 357 are connected. The payout device 358 is provided at the most downstream portion of the case rail 357, and a required number of game balls are paid out appropriately according to a predetermined electrical configuration such as a payout motor. The game balls paid out from the payout device 358 are supplied to the upper plate 19 through the payout passage 359 and the like shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the tank rail 356 and the case rail 357 correspond to guide members.

  Hereinafter, the tank 355 and the tank rail 356 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 20 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the tank 355 and the tank rail 356, and FIG. 21 is a plan view showing the configuration of the tank 355 and the tank rail 356. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of the tank 355 and the tank rail 356, and FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line JJ of FIG. 22 and 23 employ simplified drawings (for example, a rectifying plate 367 to be described later is omitted) for convenience of explanation.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 to 23 and the like, the tank 355 is configured in a substantially box shape that is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction and opened upward, and stores game balls therein. In the present embodiment, the tank 355 is divided into two front and rear regions (storage regions) with the center of the tank 355 as a boundary. Hereinafter, the region on the front side of the tank 355 (the rear side in FIGS. 18 to 20 and 23 and the upper side in FIGS. 21 and 22) is the site SA, and the rear side of the tank 355 (the front side in FIGS. 21 and 22 is called a site SB.

  The tank 355 includes a lead-out port for leading the game ball to the tank rail 356 and an inclined portion that slopes downward toward the lead-out port at the sites SA and SB, respectively. Hereinafter, the outlet and the inclined portion provided in the site SA are referred to as the outlet 421 and the inclined portion 423, and the outlet and the inclined portion provided in the site SB are referred to as the outlet 422 and the inclined portion 424.

  In the present embodiment, both the sites SA and SB have shapes that are reversed from each other. Specifically, the outlet SA 421 of the site SA is formed so as to be adjacent to the left wall portion (the right wall portion in FIG. 21) of the tank 355, and the right wall portion (the left wall in FIG. The outlet 422 of the site SB is formed so as to be adjacent to the wall). In the present embodiment, each of the outlets 421 and 422 is formed in a size that allows game balls to pass one by one.

  The inclined directions of both inclined portions 423 and 424 are opposite to each other, and the game ball flows toward the left side (from left to right in FIGS. 18 to 23) at the site SA, and the game ball at the right side at the site SB. (In FIGS. 18 to 23, it flows from right to left).

  The inclined angles of the inclined portions 423 and 424 are configured to be the same angle (for example, 5 degrees). When the inclined portions 423 and 424 are viewed horizontally from the front, the inclined surfaces of the inclined portions 423 and 424 are substantially at the center of the tank 355. Intersect each other (see FIG. 23). That is, in the left-right direction, the inclined portion 424 is higher than the inclined portion 423 from the left end of the tank 355 (the right end in FIG. 23) to the center of the tank 355, and both inclined portions 423 and inclined portions 424 are at the center of the tank 355. Are the same height, and the inclined portion 423 is higher than the inclined portion 424 from the center of the tank 355 to the right end of the tank 355 (left end in FIG. 23).

  As described above, a difference in height between the inclined portion 423 and the inclined portion 424 forms a step between the inclined portion 423 and the inclined portion 424. Such a step restricts the movement of the game ball to the site SB (inclined portion 424, outlet 422) on the downstream side of the inclined portion 423, and the site SA (inclined) of the game ball on the downstream side of the inclined portion 424. Movement to the portion 423 and the outlet 421) is restricted.

  In addition, the tank 355 has a partition plate 427 as a partition portion that prevents the game balls from flowing out from the inclined portions 423 and 424 to the other site (SA, SB) side upstream of the inclined portions 423 and 424. 428 are provided. On the upstream side of the inclined portion 423, the movement of the game ball to the site SB is restricted by the partition plate 427, and on the upstream side of the inclined portion 424, the movement of the game ball to the site SA is restricted by the partition plate 428. . However, a partition like the partition plates 427 and 428 is not formed in the center part (the middle part of the inclined parts 423 and 424) of the tank 355, and a game ball passes between the sites SA and SB in the center part. A possible passage 429 is provided.

  The front and rear widths (road widths) of the inclined portions 423 and 424 are such that a plurality of game balls can pass simultaneously. Further, at the lower end side of each inclined portion 423, 424, the path of the game ball flowing through each inclined portion 423, 424 is gradually narrowed toward the outlets 421, 422, and one game ball is placed in each of the outlets 421, 422. Guide portions 425 and 426 for feeding out are formed.

  The tank 355 includes storage detection switches 431 and 432 as detection means for detecting the amount of game balls stored for each site SA and SB. The storage detection switches 431 and 432 are provided on a wall portion standing on the upstream end edge of each of the inclined portions 423 and 414, and are configured to detect contact of a game ball. That is, each of the storage detection switches 431 and 432 determines whether or not the game balls are stored up to the upstream end in each of the inclined portions 423 and 424 (the storage amount of the game balls in each of the inclined portions 423 and 424 is almost full). Whether or not) is detected.

  While the game balls are in contact with both the storage detection switches 431 and 432, the supply of the game balls is not performed. On the other hand, when the storage detection switches 431 and 432 do not detect the game ball, the game ball is supplied from the supply mechanism that supplies the game ball provided on the gaming machine installation island to the substantially central portion (passage portion 429) of the tank 355. (Falling supply). The supply mechanism includes a supply hose that guides the game ball to the tank, and the tip of the supply hose is positioned directly above the passage portion 429.

  In addition, the storage detection switches 431 and 432 are configured to be able to output detection signals independently. In this embodiment, if at least one of the inclined portions 423 and 424 detects a shortage of game balls (when at least one of the storage detection switches 431 and 432 does not detect contact of the game balls), the tank 355 has a game. A ball is supplied.

  The flow of game balls in the tank 355 will now be described. When the storage detection switches 431 and 432 detect a shortage of game balls, the game balls are supplied to the passage portion 429 of the tank 355. The supplied game balls move (flow down) toward the outlets 421 and 422 while being guided by the inclined portions 423 and 424 and are led out from the outlets 421 and 422 one by one. Further, the supply pace of the game balls to the tank 355 exceeds the discharge pace of the game balls to the tank rail 356, and the game balls are also stored upstream of the inclined portions 423 and 424. . The supply of the game ball is continued until the game ball comes into contact with the storage detection switches 431 and 432.

  In addition, when a force toward the other site (SA, SB) is applied to the game ball passing near the passage part 429, the game ball passes through the passage part 429, and the other site (SA, SB) side It may flow down the inclined portions (423, 424).

  The configuration of the tank rail 356 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 20 to 23, the tank rail 356 includes a rail body 361 having a long bowl shape opened upward. Further, the rail body 361 is provided with a partition wall 363 extending in the longitudinal direction, and the game balls are divided into two hands by the partition wall 363. Of the two rows of ball passages configured by the rail main body 361 and the partition wall 363, the front side (upper side in FIG. 22) is the ball passage 441 and the rear side (lower side in FIG. 22) is the ball passage 442. Called.

  The starting end of the ball passage 441 is located below the outlet 421 of the site SA, and the starting end of the ball passage 442 is located below the outlet 422 of the site SB. In addition, the two ball passages 441 and 442 partitioned by the partition wall 363 are slightly wider than the diameter of the game ball. Note that ball receiving portions 443 and 444 that are steeper than the ball passages 441 and 442 are provided at the start ends of the rail body 361 (ball passages 441 and 442). The ball receiving portions 443 and 444 can smoothly take in the game balls into the rail body 361 while alleviating the impact of the game balls dropped from the outlets 421 and 422.

  The rail body 361 includes a communication portion 445 through which a game ball can pass between the ball passages 441 and 442 on the upstream side of the ball passage 441 (downstream portion of the ball receiving portion 443). In this communication portion 445, the partition wall 363 does not exist, and instead, a ridge portion 446 on which a game ball can get over is formed. However, since the game ball can normally move smoothly through the ball passages 441 and 442, the game ball hardly gets over the ridge portion 446 by itself. In addition, the end side of the partition wall 363 located on the downstream side of the communication portion 445 is formed in a tapered shape that tapers toward the upstream side.

  The rail body 361 includes a pair of current transformation blades 447 and 448 at the communication portion 445. The current-transforming blades 447 and 448 are configured to be rotatable so as to protrude into the respective spherical passages 441 and 442 with the side wall of the rail body 361 as an axis. When the current wings 447 and 448 protrude into the respective ball passages 441 and 442, the movement of the game ball to the downstream side of the ball passages 441 and 442 is restricted, and the game ball is moved to the ridge portion 446. And guided to the other ball passages 442 and 441. Note that the current-transforming blades 447 and 448 in the normal state are accommodated on the inner wall of the rail body 361 so that the rotation axis is on the upstream side, and the game balls moving through the ball passages 441 and 442 are not obstructed. ing. In the present embodiment, current-transforming blades 447 and 448 correspond to movable wings.

  In addition, a rectifying plate 367 is disposed on the rail body 361 so as to cover the ceiling portion of the downstream half. The rectifying plate 367 has a bowed shape so as to limit the height of the ball passage in the tank rail 356 toward the downstream side. Thereby, each game ball flowing in the tank rail 356 finally flows out downstream without being stacked up and down. Therefore, even if a large group of game balls flow into the tank rail 356, the game balls are prevented from being bitten and the ball clogging in the tank rail 356 is eliminated. The rail body 361 is formed of black conductive polycarbonate resin, whereas the rectifying plate 367 is formed of transparent polycarbonate resin. The rectifying plate 367 is detachably provided. By removing the rectifying plate 367, maintenance in the tank rail 356 can be easily performed.

  The case rail 357 includes two rows of passages communicating with the payout device 358 so as to correspond to the two rows of ball passages 441 and 442, and the game balls flowing through the ball passages 441 and 442 are individually supplied to the payout device. It comes to lead.

  The payout device 358 includes two payout units, and is configured to be able to individually pay out the game balls individually waiting on the case rail 357 so as to correspond to the two rows of ball paths 441 and 442. In the present embodiment, the one corresponding to the ball passage 441 in the payout portion corresponds to the payout of the prize ball (prize ball payout portion), and the one corresponding to the ball passage 442 pays out the rental ball (rental ball). Corresponding to the payout department). Also, the payout device 358 includes payout count switches 451 and 452 that individually detect game balls to be paid out from the payout units (see FIG. 19). In the present embodiment, the payout count switches 451 and 452 constitute a payout sensor.

  The flow of game balls from the tank rail 356 to the payout device 358 will now be described.

  Normally (when no clogging occurs), the game balls derived from the outlets 421 and 422 are individually provided by the ball passages 441 and 442 provided so as to correspond to the outlets 421 and 422, respectively. It is guided to the case rail 357 and is made to stand by individually. Then, by driving the payout device 358, the waiting game ball is paid out to the player.

  On the other hand, when a ball clogging occurs, here, a game ball corresponding to the site SA among the two game ball paths such as the inclined portions 423 and 424, the outlets 421 and 422, and the ball passages 441 and 442 of the payout mechanism portion 352. A case where ball clogging has occurred in the route (ball passage 441) will be described as an example.

  If a ball clogging occurs in the ball passage 441, the game ball is paid out even if the payout device 358 is driven to win a game to the player (to pay out the game ball based on the ball entered into various winning ports). Not. That is, although the payout device 358 is driven, the corresponding payout count switch 451 does not detect a game ball, so that it is detected that a ball is clogged in the game ball path corresponding to the site SA. By this detection, the current-transforming blade 448 provided in the ball passage 442 is rotated so as to protrude into the ball passage 442. The game sphere led out from the outlet 422 and flowing through the ball passage 442 gets over the ridge 446 so as to be guided by the current changing wing 448 and flows through the ball passage 441. When the payout count switch 451 detects a game ball flowing through the ball passage 441, the current changing wing 448 is rotated so as to be accommodated in the wall of the rail body 361. Incidentally, the amount of game balls stored on the site SB side is reduced, so that the game balls are supplied to the tank 355.

  Of course, when a ball blockage occurs in the game ball path corresponding to the site SB, the same operation as the series of operations is performed. Specifically, the current changing wing 447 is rotated so as to protrude into the ball passage 441, and the game ball flowing through the ball passage 441 is guided to the ball passage 442 so as to be guided by the current changing blade 447. In addition, the control for distributing the game balls flowing through the ball passages 441 and 442 by rotating the current-transforming blades 447 and 448 as described above corresponds to the distribution control described later.

  Returning to the description of FIGS. 18 and 19, the payout mechanism unit 352 is provided with a payout relay board 381 that relays a payout command signal from the payout control device 311 to the payout device 358, and takes in the main power from outside. The power switch board 382 is installed. The power switch board 382 is supplied with, for example, AC 24V main power via a voltage converter, and is turned on or off by switching the power switch 382a.

  The discharge mechanism 352 from the tank 355 to the discharge passage 359 is formed of a conductive resin material (for example, conductive polycarbonate resin) and grounded at a part thereof. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the noise by charging of a game ball is suppressed.

  Further, the back pack 351 is provided with a pair of upper and lower support shafts 385 at the right end in FIG. 18 and the like, and the support shaft 385 is inserted into the support hole 238 shown in FIG. The pack unit 203 is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the inner frame 12. Further, the back pack 351 is provided with a pair of upper and lower nai latches 386 as fasteners at the left end portion, and a locking hole 387 is provided at the upper end portion. The nai latch 386 is inserted into the tightened hole 240 shown in FIG. The back pack unit 203 is fixed to the inner frame 12 so that it cannot be opened and closed by engaging the fixing hole 387 shown in FIG. Further, in the present embodiment, a rotating I-type fastener is employed as the locking portion M8 in the vicinity of the tank 355 that stores a lot of game balls and is relatively loaded. For this reason, the back pack unit 203 (tank 355) can be more reliably locked as compared with the case where a fixture such as a ny latch is used. At this time, the back pack unit 203 is also fixed to the inner frame 12 by the fixtures 241 and 243 shown in FIG. The support hole 238 and the support shaft 385 are in the support shaft portion M6 in FIG. 8, the fastened hole 240 and the ny latch 386 are in the fastening portion M7, and the fixture 242 and the lock hole 387 are in the lock portion M8, respectively. Equivalent to. Further, the fixture 243 corresponds to the locking portion M9 (see FIG. 7).

  Further, the base 353 of the back pack unit 203 is provided with an opening 391 for the external relay terminal plate 230, so that the external relay terminal plate 230 can be removed and operated even when the back pack unit 203 is fixed. It is possible.

  With the configuration described above, the main controller 261 (substrate box 263) can be removed by first opening (or removing) the back pack unit 203, then opening (or removing) the first control substrate unit 201, and It can be finally performed by including a complicated process of releasing the fixing tool 267. For this reason, a deterrent effect can be expected against illegal acts such as removal of the main controller 261 (board box 263).

  FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the pachinko machine 10. The main control device 261 of the pachinko machine 10 is equipped with a CPU 501 as a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic device. The CPU 501 includes a ROM 502 that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 501 and fixed value data, and a memory that temporarily stores various data when the control program stored in the ROM 502 is executed. A RAM 503 and various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit are incorporated.

  The RAM 503 has a configuration in which data can be retained (backed up) by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply device 313 even after the pachinko machine 10 is turned off. The RAM 503 temporarily stores various data and the like. In addition to the memory and area for this purpose, a backup area 503a is provided.

  In the backup area 503a, when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the power of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power is turned off when the power is turned on again. (Similar) is an area for storing stack pointers, values of registers, I / O, and the like. Writing to the backup area 503a is executed when the power is turned off by NMI interrupt processing (see FIG. 33). Conversely, returning of each value written to the backup area 503a includes turning on the power (including turning on the power due to power failure cancellation). The same applies to a power recovery process (see FIG. 26). Note that a power failure signal SK1 output from a power failure monitoring circuit 542, which will be described later, is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 501 when a power failure occurs due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. Due to the occurrence, the power failure process (NMI interrupt process) of FIG. 33 is immediately executed.

  An input / output port 505 is connected to the CPU 501 incorporating the ROM 502 and RAM 503 via a bus line 504 including an address path and a data path. The input / output port 505 is connected to a RAM erasing switch circuit 543, a payout control device 311, a display control device 45, and other switches not shown.

  The payout control device 311 controls payout of prize balls and rental balls by a payout motor. The CPU 511 that is an arithmetic unit includes a ROM 512 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 511, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 513 that is used as a work memory or the like.

  The RAM 513 of the payout control device 311 is configured to hold (backup) data by supplying a backup voltage from the power supply device 313 even after the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, like the RAM 503 of the main control device 261 described above. The RAM 513 is provided with a backup area 513a in addition to a memory and an area for temporarily storing various data.

  The backup area 513a has a stack pointer, each register at the time of power off, each register, so that the power of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power is turned off when the power is turned off. This is an area for storing values such as I / O. The writing to the backup area 513a is executed when the power is turned off by the NMI interrupt process (see FIG. 33). Conversely, the restoration of each value written in the backup area 513a is the power recovery process at the time of turning on the power (see FIG. 34). ) Is executed.

  An input / output port 515 is connected to the CPU 511 including the ROM 512 and the RAM 513 through a bus line 514 configured by an address path and a data path. A RAM erase switch circuit 543, a main control device 261, a firing control device 312, a payout motor 358a, and the like are connected to the input / output port 515, respectively.

  The launch control device 312 permits or prohibits the launch of the gaming machine by the launch motor 229, and the launch motor 229 is permitted to drive when a predetermined condition is met. Specifically, it is detected by a sensor signal that a firing permission signal is output from the payout control device 311, the player is touching the handle 18, and a firing stop switch for stopping the firing. On the condition that is not operated, the launch motor 229 is driven, and a game ball is launched with an intensity corresponding to the operation amount of the handle 18 (see FIG. 9).

  The display control device 45 controls the first symbol variation display on the first symbol display device 42 and the second symbol variation display on the second symbol display device 41. The display control device 45 includes a CPU 521, a ROM (program ROM) 522, a work RAM 523, a video RAM 524, a character ROM 525, an image controller 526, an input port 527, two output ports 528 and 529, and a bus. Lines 530 and 531 are provided. The output of the main controller 261 is connected to the input of the input port 527, and the CPU 521, ROM 522, work RAM 523, and image controller 526 are connected to the output of the input port 527 and one output port is connected via the bus line 530. 528 is connected. The output of the output port 528 is connected to the second symbol display device 41 (display unit 43) and the sound lamp control device 262. Further, an output port 529 is connected to the image controller 526 via a bus line 531, and a first symbol display device 42 which is a liquid crystal display device is connected to an output of the output port 529.

  The CPU 521 of the display control device 45 controls the display of the first symbol display device 42 and the second symbol display device 41 based on the display command transmitted from the main control device 261. The ROM 522 is a memory for storing various control programs executed by the CPU 521 and fixed value data, and the work RAM 523 temporarily stores work data and flags used when the CPU 521 executes various programs. It is a memory for.

  The video RAM 524 is a memory for storing display data displayed on the first symbol display device 42, and the display contents of the first symbol display device 42 are changed by rewriting the contents of the video RAM 524. The character ROM 525 is a memory for storing character data such as symbols displayed on the first symbol display device 42. The image controller 526 adjusts the timings of the CPU 521, the video RAM 524, and the output port 529 to intervene in reading and writing data, and also reads display data stored in the video RAM 524 from the character ROM 525 at a predetermined timing. It is displayed on the symbol display device 42.

  The power supply unit 313 includes a power supply unit 541 for supplying power to each part of the pachinko machine 10, a power failure monitoring circuit 542 for monitoring power interruption due to a power failure, and a RAM erase switch connected to the RAM erase switch 323. A circuit 543. The power supply unit 541 supplies necessary operation power to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311 and the like through a power supply path (not shown). As its outline, the power supply unit 541 takes in an AC 24 volt power supply supplied from the outside, and generates a + 12V power supply for driving various switches and motors, a + 5V power supply for logic, a backup power supply for RAM backup, and the like. Then, these + 12V power supply, + 5V power supply and backup power supply are supplied to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311 and the like. Note that operation power (+12 V power, +5 V power, etc.) is supplied to the launch control device 312 via the payout control device 311.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 542 is a circuit for outputting a power failure signal SK1 to each NMI terminal of the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 and the CPU 511 of the payout control device 311 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 542 monitors the DC stable voltage of 24 volts, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 541, and determines that a power failure (power failure) has occurred when this voltage is less than 22 volts. The power failure signal SK1 is output to the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. Based on the output of the power failure signal SK1, the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 recognize the occurrence of the power failure and execute the power failure processing (NMI interrupt processing in FIG. 33).

  The power supply unit 541 normally outputs an output of 5 volts, which is a drive voltage of the control system, for a time sufficient to execute the process at the time of a power failure even after the DC stable voltage of 24 volts becomes less than 22 volts. Configured to maintain the value. Therefore, the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 can normally execute and complete the power failure process.

  The RAM erase switch circuit 543 is a circuit for taking in the switch signal of the RAM erase switch 323 and clearing backup data in the RAM 503 of the main controller 261 and the RAM 513 of the payout controller 311 in accordance with the state of the switch 323. When the RAM erase switch 323 is pressed, the RAM erase switch circuit 543 outputs a RAM erase signal SK2 to the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. When the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on with the RAM erase switch 323 pressed (including power-on due to power failure cancellation), the data in the respective RAMs 503 and 513 are cleared in the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. The

  By the way, the first symbol display device 42 is set with three symbol rows of left, middle, and right, and the symbols (first symbols) are variably displayed for each symbol row (not shown). Further, the first symbol is configured so as to be given numbers “0” to “9”, respectively, and the first symbol is displayed in ascending or descending order of numbers to form a series of symbol strings. And the 1st symbol is variably displayed from top to bottom with periodicity.

  In such a case, in the left symbol row, the first symbol is displayed in descending order (in the order in which the attached numbers decrease), and in the middle symbol row and the right symbol row, the first symbol is also in ascending order (indicated numbers increase). Are displayed in order). Then, the variable display stops in the order of left symbol sequence → right symbol sequence → middle symbol sequence, and at the time of the stop, the first symbol is a combination of jackpot symbols on the first symbol display device 42 (in this embodiment, the same first symbol sequence). A special game moving image is displayed as a big hit if it is arranged in one symbol combination (a big hit state is started).

  Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 configured as described above will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 501 in the main control device 261 performs lottery (big hit lottery) of the first symbol display device 42, setting of symbol display, and the like using various counter information in the game. Specifically, 25, the jackpot random number counter C1 used for the jackpot lottery of the first symbol display device 42, the jackpot symbol counter C2 used for the selection of the jackpot symbol of the first symbol display device 42, and the first Reach random number counter C3 used for reach lottery when the symbol display device 42 fluctuates and changes, random number initial value counter CINI used for initial value setting of the jackpot random number counter C1, and variation pattern selection of the first symbol display device 42 Fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 to be used, and left, middle and right outliers used for setting left out, middle and right outliers Counter CL, CM, has been with the use of the CR.

  Among these, the counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS1, and CS2 are loop counters that each add 1 to the previous value and return to 0 after reaching the maximum value. Further, the out symbol counters CL, CM, CR are configured such that register values are added using an R register (refresh register) in the CPU 501, and as a result, numerical values change randomly. Each counter is periodically updated, and the updated value is appropriately stored in a counter buffer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 503. In addition, the RAM 503 is provided with a holding ball storage area including one execution area and four holding areas (holding first to fourth holding areas). According to the winning histories of the game balls to 33, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot symbol counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 are stored in time series.

  In detail, each of the counters is configured such that the jackpot random number counter C1 is incremented one by one within a range of, for example, 0 to 676, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 676). In particular, when the jackpot random number counter C1 makes one round, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. Note that the random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the big hit random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 676), and is updated once for each timer interruption and is repeatedly updated within the remaining time of normal processing. The jackpot random number counter C1 is updated periodically (once every timer interruption in this embodiment), and stored in the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 503 at the timing when the game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding port 33. The number of random number values that are jackpots is set at two times, low probability and high probability. In this embodiment, the number of random numbers that are jackpots at low probability is 2, and the value is “337, 673”, the number of random number values that are jackpots at a high probability is 10, and the values are “67, 131, 199, 269, 337, 401, 463, 523, 601, 661”. The high probability means a state where the jackpot is won by a predetermined probability variation pattern and the subsequent jackpot probability is increased as added value, that is, the time of so-called probability change, and the normal time (low probability) is such It is said that it is not in a certain state.

  The jackpot symbol counter C2 determines a symbol when the fluctuation of the first symbol display device 42 is stopped in the case of a jackpot. In the present embodiment, the first symbol display device 42 has ten patterns of the first symbol set. Therefore, 10 (0 to 9) counter values are prepared. In other words, the jackpot symbol counter C2 is configured so that 1 is added in order within the range of 0 to 9, and after reaching the maximum value (that is, 9), it returns to 0. The jackpot symbol counter C2 is updated periodically (once every timer interruption in the present embodiment), and stored in the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 503 at the timing when the game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding port 33.

  Further, the reach random number counter C3 is configured to increment one by one within a range of 0 to 238, for example, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 238). In the present embodiment, the reach random number counter C3 causes the last stop symbol to stop after the reach has occurred by shifting the last stop symbol by one before and after the reach symbol, and the last stop symbol after the reach has also occurred. “Reach other than front / rear out” and stop “completely out” where no reach occurs, for example, C3 = 0, 1 corresponds to front / rear reach, and C3 = 2-21 It corresponds to the reach other than the front and rear deviation, and C3 = 22 to 238 corresponds to the complete deviation. Reach lottery may be set individually according to the state of the lottery probability of the first symbol display device 42, the number of starting and holding balls at the start of change, and the like. The reach random number counter C3 is updated periodically (once every timer interruption in this embodiment) and stored in the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 503 at the timing when the game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding port 33.

  Further, one of the two variation type counters CS1 and CS2 is incremented by one within a range of 0 to 198, for example, and reaches a maximum value (that is, 198) and then returns to 0. For example, the other variation type counter CS2 is incremented one by one within a range of 0 to 240, for example, and reaches the maximum value (that is, 240) and then returns to 0. In the following description, CS1 is also referred to as “first variation type counter”, and CS2 is also referred to as “second variation type counter”. The first variation type counter CS1 determines the reach type of the first symbol such as so-called normal reach, super reach, premium reach, and other rough symbol variation modes, and the second variation type counter CS2 determines the final stop symbol ( In the present embodiment, a more detailed symbol variation mode such as an elapsed time (in other words, the number of variation symbols) until the middle symbol) stops is determined. Therefore, a variety of variation patterns can be easily realized by combining these variation type counters CS1 and CS2. It is also possible to determine the symbol variation mode only by the first variation type counter CS1, or to determine the symbol variation mode similarly by combining the first variation type counter CS1 and the stop symbol.

  The variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated once every time a normal process to be described later is executed once, and are repeatedly updated even within the remaining time in the normal process. Then, the buffer values of CS1 and CS2 are acquired when the first symbol display device 42 determines the variation pattern at the start of variation of the first symbol.

  The left, middle, and right out symbol counters CL, CM, and CR indicate that the first symbol in the left column, the first symbol in the middle column, and the first symbol in the right column when the jackpot lottery of the first symbol display device 42 is lost. This is for determining the stop symbol (disconnected symbol), and since each of the ten first symbols is displayed in each column, ten counter values (0 to 9) are prepared for each symbol. . The stop symbol of the left symbol row is determined by the off symbol counter CL, the stop symbol of the middle symbol row is determined by the off symbol counter CM, and the stop symbol of the right symbol row is determined by the off symbol counter CR.

  In the present embodiment, the values of the counters CL, CM, and CR are randomly updated by using the value of the R register built in the CPU 501. That is, when each outlier symbol counter CL, CM, CR is updated, the lower 3 bits of the R register are added to the previous value, and when the addition result exceeds the maximum value, 10 is subtracted to determine the current value. The Each outlier symbol counter CL, CM, CR is updated within the normal process so that the update times do not overlap, and the combination of these outlier symbol counters CL, CM, CR is the reach of the RAM 503 front / rear reach symbol buffer, reach other than front / rear out It is stored in either the symbol buffer or the completely off symbol buffer. Then, when determining the variation pattern at the time of starting the variation of the first symbol, the buffer value of any one of the front and rear outreach symbol buffer, the reach symbol buffer other than front and rear outlier, and the completely out symbol symbol buffer is acquired according to the value of the reach random number counter C3. The

  In addition, the magnitude | size and range of each counter are only examples, and can be changed arbitrarily. However, it is desirable that the big hit random number counter C1, the reach random number counter C3, and the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are all different prime numbers and are not synchronized in any case.

  Although not shown, a second symbol random number counter is used for the lottery of the second symbol display device 41. The second symbol random number counter is configured, for example, as a loop counter that increments one by one within a range of 0 to 250 and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 250). The second symbol random number counter is updated periodically (once every timer interruption in the present embodiment), and is acquired when the game ball passes through the second opportunity corresponding port 34 on either the left or right side. The number of random number values to be won is 149, and the range is “5 to 153”.

  Next, each control process executed by the CPU 501 in the main controller 261 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The processing of the CPU 501 is roughly divided into a main processing that is started when the power is turned on, a timer interrupt processing that is started periodically (in this embodiment, at a cycle of 2 msec), and a stop to the NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). There is an NMI interrupt process activated by signal input. For convenience of explanation, the timer interrupt process and the NMI interrupt process will be described first, and then the main process will be described.

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt process. This process is executed by the CPU 501 of the main controller 261 every 2 msec, for example.

  In FIG. 31, first, in step S601, reading processing of various winning switches is executed. That is, the state of various switches (except for the RAM erase switch 323) connected to the main controller 261 is read, and the state of the switch is determined and the detection information (winning detection information) is stored.

  Thereafter, in step S602, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value (676 in the present embodiment). Then, the update value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503. In subsequent step S603, the big hit random number counter C1, the big hit symbol counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 are updated. Specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot symbol counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 are each incremented by 1 and their counter values reach the maximum values (in the present embodiment, 676, 9, and 238, respectively). Each time it is cleared to 0. Then, the updated values of the counters C1 to C3 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503.

  Thereafter, in step S604, a start winning process associated with winning in the first opportunity corresponding port 33 is executed. This start winning process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 32. In step S701, whether or not the game ball has won the first opportunity corresponding port 33 is determined based on the detection information of the start port switch 224. If it is determined that the game ball has won the first opportunity corresponding port 33, in the subsequent step S702, is the number N of starting reserved balls of the first symbol display device 42 less than the upper limit value (4 in the present embodiment)? Determine whether or not. The process proceeds to step S703 on the condition that there is a winning at the first opportunity corresponding port 33 and the number N of starting reserved balls is smaller than 4, and the number N of starting reserved balls is incremented by one.

  In subsequent step S704, a random number related to the winning of the first symbol is acquired. Specifically, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot symbol counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 updated in step S603 are stored in the first area of the free storage area of the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 503.

  Then, after the start winning process, the CPU 501 once ends the timer interruption process.

  FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the NMI interrupt process, and this process is executed by the CPU 501 of the main controller 261 when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. By this NMI interruption, the state of the main controller 261 at the time of power-off is stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503.

  That is, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure signal SK1 is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 501 in the main controller 261. Then, the CPU 501 interrupts the control being executed and starts the NMI interrupt process of FIG. 33 is stored in the ROM 502 of the main controller 261. For a predetermined time after the power failure signal SK1 is output, current is supplied from the power supply unit 541 so that the processing of the main control device 261 can be executed, and the NMI interrupt processing is executed within the predetermined time.

  In the NMI interrupt processing of FIG. 33, first, in step S801, the used registers are saved in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503, and in the subsequent step S802, the value of the stack pointer is stored in the backup area 503a. Further, in step S803, the information on occurrence of power interruption is set in the backup area 503a, and in step S804, a power interruption notification command indicating that the power has been interrupted is transmitted to another control device.

  In step S805, a RAM determination value is calculated and stored in the backup area 503a. The RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value at the work area address of the RAM 503. In step S806, RAM access is prohibited. Thereafter, an infinite loop is entered in preparation for the power supply being completely shut down and the processing being impossible.

  The NMI interrupt process is also executed in the payout control device 311 in the same manner, and the state of the payout control device 311 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like is stored in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513. Similarly, the power is supplied from the power supply unit 541 so that the processing of the payout control device 311 can be executed for a predetermined time after the power failure signal SK1 is output. That is, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure signal SK1 is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 511 in the payout control device 311 and the CPU 511 interrupts the control being executed. The NMI interrupt process of FIG. 33 is started. The contents are as described with reference to FIG. 33 (however, the transmission of the power-off notification command in step S804 is excluded).

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of a main process executed by the CPU 501 in the main control device 261. This main process is started upon reset when power is turned on.

  First, in step S101, an initial setting process associated with power-on is executed. Specifically, in order to set a predetermined value in the stack pointer and wait for the sub-side control device (sound lamp control device 262, payout control device 311 etc.) to become operable, for example, Wait processing is performed for about 1 second. In step S102, a payout permission command is transmitted to the payout control device 311. In subsequent step S103, RAM access is permitted.

  Thereafter, data backup processing is executed for the RAM 503 in the CPU 501. That is, in step S104, it is determined whether or not the RAM erase switch 323 provided in the power supply device 313 is pressed (ON). In subsequent step S105, the information on occurrence of power interruption is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. It is determined whether or not. In step S106, a RAM determination value is calculated. In subsequent step S107, it is determined whether or not the RAM determination value matches the RAM determination value stored when the power is turned off, that is, the validity of the backup. The RAM determination value is a checksum value at a work area address of the RAM 503, for example. Note that it is possible to determine the effectiveness of backup based on whether or not the keywords written in a predetermined area of the RAM 503 are correctly stored.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 10, when it is desired to return to the initial state when the power is turned on, for example, when the hall starts business, the power is turned on while the RAM erase switch 323 is pressed. Therefore, if the RAM erase switch 323 is ON, the process proceeds to a RAM initialization process (step S114, etc.). Similarly, when the information on occurrence of power interruption is not set, or when a backup abnormality is confirmed by a RAM determination value (checksum value or the like), the process proceeds to initialization processing of the RAM 503 (step S114 or the like). That is, in step S114, the use area of the RAM 503 is cleared to 0, and in the subsequent step S115, initialization processing of the RAM 503 is executed. In step S116, interrupt permission is set, and the process proceeds to normal processing described later.

  On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 has not been pressed, the power-off occurrence information is set, and the RAM judgment value (checksum value, etc.) is normal. Execute the process (process when power is restored). That is, in step S108, the stack pointer before the power interruption is restored, and in step s109, the information on the occurrence of the power interruption is cleared. In step S110, a command for returning the sub-side control device to the gaming state at the time of power-off is transmitted, and in step S111, the used register is returned from the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. Further, in steps S112 and S113, the interrupt permission / non-permission is returned to the state before power-off, and then the address before power-off is returned.

  Next, the flow of normal processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this normal process, the main process of the game is executed. As an outline, the processing of steps S201 to S207 is executed as a periodic processing with a period of 4 msec, and the counter update processing of steps S209 and S210 is executed with the remaining time.

  In FIG. 27, first, in step S201, output data such as a command updated in the previous process is transmitted to each control device on the sub side. Specifically, the presence / absence of winning detection information is determined, and if there is winning detection information, a winning ball payout command corresponding to the number of acquired game balls is transmitted to the payout control device 311. Further, when the first symbol display device 42 displays the variation of the first symbol, a stop symbol command, a variation pattern command, a confirmation command, and the like are transmitted to the display control device 45. In addition, after the first symbol variation starts, the variation pattern command → the left symbol sequence stop symbol command → the right symbol sequence stop symbol command → the middle symbol sequence stop symbol command one by one for each normal process (ie, The command is sent once every 4 msec), and the confirmation command is sent when the fluctuation time elapses. Further, the display control device 45 that has input the stop symbol command, the variation pattern command, the confirmation command, etc. determines the display mode of the first symbol display device 42 and the second symbol display device 41 based on such various commands, The display mode is displayed on the first symbol display device 42 and the second symbol display device 41.

  Next, in step S202, the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated. Specifically, the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are incremented by 1, and are cleared to 0 when the counter values reach the maximum values (198 and 240 in this embodiment). Then, the update values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503. In subsequent step S203, updating of each outlier symbol counter CL, CM, CR of the left symbol row, the middle symbol row, and the right symbol row is executed.

  The update process of each out symbol counter CL, CM, CR will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 28, in step S301, it is determined whether or not it is time to update the out symbol counter CL in the left symbol row. In step S302, It is determined whether or not it is time to update the middle symbol row out of symbol counter CM. If the update timing of the left symbol row (YES in step S301), the process proceeds to step S303, and the outlier symbol counter CL of the left symbol row is updated. On the other hand, if it is time to update the middle symbol sequence (YES in step S302), the process proceeds to step S304 to update the out-of-middle symbol counter CM. Further, if the update timing of the right symbol sequence (both steps S301 and S302 are NO), the process proceeds to step S305, and the out symbol counter CR of the right symbol sequence is updated. In updating the out-of-step symbol counters CL, CM, and CR in steps S303 to S305, the value of the lower 3 bits of the R register is added to the previous counter value, and 10 is subtracted when the addition result exceeds the maximum value, The result of the calculation is out of sync and is used as the current value of the symbol counters CL, CM, CR.

  According to the CL, CM, and CR update processing, the left symbol row, middle symbol row, and right symbol row outlier symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are sequentially updated one by one in one normal process. The update times of the values do not overlap. As a result, every time the normal process is executed three times, one set of the off symbol counters CL, CM, CR is updated.

  After that, in step S306, it is determined whether or not the combination of the updated outlier symbol counters CL, CM, and CR is a jackpot symbol combination. That is, it is determined whether or not the off symbol counters CL, CM, CR have values corresponding to the same symbol. If it is not a jackpot symbol combination, the process proceeds to step S307.

  In step S307, it is determined whether or not the combination of the updated off symbol counters CL, CM, and CR is a reach symbol combination. That is, it is determined whether or not the off symbol counter CL and the off symbol counter CR have values corresponding to the same symbol. If it is a reach combination, it is further determined in step S308 whether or not it is a front-rear reach. If the off symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are combinations of front and rear outreach, the process proceeds to step S309, and the combination of out symbol symbols CL, CM, and CR at that time is stored in the front and rear outreach symbol buffer of the RAM 503. When the out symbol counters CL, CM, CR are not a combination of front and rear outreach, that is, when the out symbol counters CL, CM, CR are a combination of reach other than out of front and rear, the process proceeds to step S310, and the out symbol at that time The combination of the counters CL, CM, and CR is stored in the reach symbol buffer except for the back and forth deviation of the RAM 503.

  If the combination is other than the reach symbol, the process proceeds to step S311 and the combination of the symbol symbol counters CL, CM, CR at that time is stored in the symbol symbol buffer of the RAM 503. In step S306, if the symbols are aligned on the left, middle, and right, that is, a combination of jackpot symbols, this processing is terminated without storing the off symbol counters CL, CM, CR in the buffer. To do.

  After the removal symbol counter update process, in step S204 in FIG. 27, the winning ball counting signal and the payout abnormality signal received from the payout control device 311 are read. Thereafter, in step S205, a first symbol variation process for performing variation display of the first symbol by the first symbol display device 42 is executed. By this first symbol variation process, jackpot determination, setting of a variation pattern of the first symbol, and the like are performed. The details of the first symbol variation process will be described later.

  Thereafter, in step S206, a big prize opening / closing process for opening or closing the big prize opening of the variable prize winning device 32 is executed in the case of a big win state. That is, it is determined whether the big winning opening is opened for each round in the big win state, and whether the maximum opening time of the big winning opening has passed or whether a predetermined number of game balls have been won in the big winning opening. When either of these conditions is satisfied, the special winning opening is closed. At this time, the continuous winning opening is allowed on condition that the game ball has passed the specific area, and this is repeatedly executed for a predetermined number of rounds.

  In step S207, display control of the second symbol by the second symbol display device 41 is executed. Briefly, on the condition that the game ball has passed through the second opportunity corresponding port 34, a second symbol random number counter is acquired each time and the second symbol is displayed on the display unit 43 of the second symbol display device 41. When the second lottery is performed and the second symbol is hit, the first opportunity corresponding port 33 is opened for a predetermined time. Although the description is omitted, the second symbol random number counter is also updated by the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 31, like the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot symbol counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3. .

  Thereafter, in step S208, it is determined whether or not the next normal process execution timing has been reached, that is, whether or not a predetermined time (4 msec in the present embodiment) has elapsed since the start of the previous normal process. Then, the random number initial value counter CINI and the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are repeatedly updated within the remaining time until the next normal processing execution timing (steps S209 and S210). That is, in step S209, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value (676 in the present embodiment). Then, the update value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503.

  In step S210, update of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 is executed (same as step S202). Specifically, the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are incremented by 1, and are cleared to 0 when the counter values reach the maximum values (198 and 240 in this embodiment). Then, the change values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503.

  Here, since the execution time of each process of steps S201 to S207 changes according to the state of the game, the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process is not constant and varies. Therefore, the random number initial value counter CINI (that is, the initial value of the big hit random number counter C1) can be updated at random by repeatedly executing the update of the random number initial value counter CINI using the remaining time. .

  Next, the first symbol variation process of step S205 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 29, in step S401, it is determined whether or not it is currently a big hit. The jackpot includes a special game displayed on the first symbol display device 42 and a predetermined time after the special game is ended. In a succeeding step S402, it is determined whether or not the first symbol display device 42 is displaying the variation of the first symbol. Then, if it is not a big hit and is not displaying the variation of the first symbol, the process proceeds to step S403, and it is determined whether or not the number N of starting reserved balls of the first symbol display device 42 is larger than zero. At this time, if it is a big hit or if the number N of starting reserved balls is 0, this processing is terminated as it is.

  Further, if it is neither a big hit nor a change display of the first symbol and if the number of starting reserved balls N> 0, the process proceeds to step S404. In step S404, 1 is subtracted from the number N of starting reserved balls. In step S405, a process for shifting the data stored in the reserved ball storage area is executed. This data shift process is a process for sequentially shifting the data stored in the reserved first to fourth areas of the reserved ball storage area to the execution area side. The reserved first area → the execution area, the reserved second area → The data in each area is shifted such as the first hold area, the third hold area → the second hold area, the fourth hold area → the third hold area.

  Thereafter, in step S406, a change start process is executed. Here, the details of the variation start processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 30. In step S501, it is determined whether or not the jackpot is based on the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area. To do. Specifically, whether or not the jackpot is determined based on the relationship between the jackpot random number counter value and the mode at that time, as described above, among the numerical values 0 to 676 of the jackpot random number counter C1 at the normal low probability, "337, “673” is the winning value, and “67, 131, 199, 269, 337, 401, 463, 523, 601, 661” is the winning value when the probability is high.

  If it is determined that the game is a jackpot, in step S502, a table corresponding to the value of the jackpot symbol counter C2 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area, that is, a table not showing the jackpot symbol (value of the jackpot symbol counter C2). And a symbol representing the corresponding relationship between the symbol and the symbol, and the symbol is set as a stop symbol command. At this time, any of the 10 jackpot symbols corresponding to the numerical values 0 to 9 of the jackpot symbol counter C2 is set in the stop symbol command. When these jackpot symbols are gathered with a predetermined specific symbol, the state changes to the probability variation state. However, when the symbols are not specific symbols (non-specific symbols), the probability variation state is not reached.

  Next, in step S503, the variation pattern at the time of the big hit is determined, and the variation pattern is set in the variation pattern command. At this time, the values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 503 are confirmed, and the reach of the first symbol such as normal reach, super reach, premium reach, etc. based on the value of the first variation type counter CS1. The type and other rough symbol variation modes are determined, and the elapsed time until the final stop symbol (in this embodiment, the middle symbol) stops after the occurrence of reach based on the value of the second variation type counter CS2 (in other words, A more detailed symbol variation mode such as the number of variation symbols) is determined. The relationship between the numerical value of the first variation type counter CS1 and the reach pattern and the relationship between the numerical value of the second variation type counter CS2 and the stop symbol time are respectively defined in advance by a table or the like.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S501 that it is not a big hit, it is determined in step S504 whether or not a reach has occurred based on the value of the reach random number counter C3 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area. If the reach has occurred, it is further determined in step S505 whether the reach is out of front or back based on the value of the reach random number counter C3. In the present embodiment, the value of the reach random number counter C3 is any one of 0 to 238, of which “0, 1” corresponds to the out-of-front reach and “2-21” corresponds to the reach other than the back-and-forth out- “22 to 238” corresponds to no reach (complete detachment).

  If front / rear out of reach has occurred, the process proceeds to step S506, and the left, middle, and right out of symbol counters CL, CM, and CR stored in the front / rear out of reach design buffer of the RAM 503 are set as stop symbol commands.

  Thereafter, in step S507, a variation pattern at the time of front / rear out of reach is determined, and the variation pattern is set as a variation pattern command. At this time, as in step S503, the values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 503 are checked, and the normal reach, super reach, and premium reach are determined based on the value of the first variation type counter CS1. Etc., until the reach stop type (in the present embodiment, the middle symbol) is stopped after the reach occurrence based on the value of the second variation type counter CS2 More detailed symbol variation modes such as the elapsed time (in other words, the number of variation symbols) are determined. The relationship between the numerical value of the first variation type counter CS1 and the reach pattern and the relationship between the numerical value of the second variation type counter CS2 and the stop symbol time are respectively defined in advance by a table or the like.

  If it is determined in step S505 that the reach is not front / rear out of reach (reach other than front / rear out), the process proceeds to step S508, and each of the left, middle, and right stored in the reach symbol buffer other than front / rear out of RAM 503 is stored. Each value of the off symbol counters CL, CM, CR is set in the stop symbol command. Also, in step S509, a fluctuation pattern at the time of reach other than front / rear deviation is determined, and the fluctuation pattern is set as a fluctuation pattern command. At this time, the variation pattern is determined based on the values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 503, as in step S503 and the like.

  If it is neither big hit nor reach, the process proceeds to step S510, and the left, middle, and right off symbol counters CL, CM, and CR stored in the complete off symbol buffer of the RAM 503 are set as stop symbol commands. In step S511, the fluctuation pattern at the time of complete deviation is determined, and the fluctuation pattern is set in the fluctuation pattern command. At this time, since the reach does not occur, the player's interest is reduced, and various symbol variation modes are not required. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in step S511, the symbol variation mode is determined using only the first variation type counter CS1 (that is, without using the second variation type counter CS2). As described above, when the setting of the symbol stop command and the variation pattern command is completed at the time of jackpot, when the reach occurs, and when the reach does not occur, this processing ends.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 29, if step S402 is YES, that is, if the variation of the first symbol is being displayed, the process proceeds to step S407 to determine whether or not the variation time has elapsed. At this time, the variation time of the first symbol is determined according to the variation pattern of the first symbol, and when this variation time has elapsed, an affirmative determination is made in step S407. In step S408, a confirmation command is set in order to confirm the stop of fluctuation, and then this process is terminated.

  Next, payout control executed by the CPU 511 in the payout control device 311 will be described. FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the main process of the payout control device 311. This main process is started upon reset when the power is turned on.

  First, in step S901, an initial setting process associated with power-on is executed. Specifically, a predetermined value determined in advance is set in the stack pointer, and an interrupt mode is set. In step S902, the process waits until a payout permission command transmitted from main controller 261 is received. When the payout permission command is received, the process advances to step S903 to permit RAM access, and in step S904, an external interrupt vector is set.

  Thereafter, data backup processing is executed for the RAM 513 in the CPU 511. That is, in step S905, it is determined whether or not the RAM erase switch 323 provided in the power supply device 313 is pressed (ON). In subsequent step S906, the information on occurrence of power interruption is set in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513. It is determined whether or not. In step S907, a RAM determination value is calculated. In subsequent step S908, it is determined whether or not the RAM determination value matches the RAM determination value stored when the power is turned off, that is, the validity of the backup. The RAM determination value is a checksum value at a work area address in the RAM 513, for example. Note that it is possible to determine the validity of the backup based on whether or not the keywords written in a predetermined area of the RAM 513 are correctly stored.

  If the RAM erase switch 323 is ON, the process proceeds to a RAM initialization process (step S915, etc.). Similarly, when the occurrence information of power interruption is not set, or when a backup abnormality is confirmed by the RAM determination value (checksum value or the like), the process proceeds to initialization processing of the RAM 513 (step S915 or the like). That is, in step S915, the entire area of the RAM 513 is cleared to 0, and in the subsequent step S916, initialization processing of the RAM 513 is executed. In step S917, CPU peripheral devices are initialized, and in step S918, interrupt permission is set, and the process proceeds to a payout control process described later.

  On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 has not been pressed, the power-off occurrence information is set, and the RAM judgment value (checksum value, etc.) is normal. Execute the process (process when power is restored). That is, in step S909, the stack pointer before the power interruption is restored, and in step S910, the information on the occurrence of the power interruption is cleared. In step S911, CPU peripheral devices are initialized, and in step S912, the used registers are restored from the backup area 513a of the RAM 513. Further, in steps S913 and S914, the interruption permission / non-permission is returned to the state before the power interruption, and then the address before the power interruption is returned.

  Next, the flow of the payout control process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 35, in step S1001, a command from the main control device 261 is acquired, and the total number of prize balls is stored. In step S1002, the launch control apparatus 312 is set for launch permission. In step S1003, the state return switch 321 is checked, and if it is determined that the state return operation has started, the state return operation is executed.

  Thereafter, in step S1004, setting of the lower pan full tank state or the lower pan full tank release state is executed in accordance with the change in the state of the lower pan 15. That is, when the lower pan 15 is detected based on the detection signal of the lower pan full switch, when the lower pan is full, the lower pan full state is set, and when the lower pan full is not reached , Set the lower pan full release state. In step S1005, setting of a tank ball absence state or a tank ball absence release state is executed according to a change in the state of the tank ball. In other words, the tank ball no switch state is determined based on the detection signal of the tank ball no switch, and when there is no tank ball, the setting of the tank ball no state is executed. Perform configuration.

  Thereafter, in step S1006, the presence / absence of the state to be notified is determined. If there is a state to be notified, the 7-segment LED provided in the payout control device 311 is notified.

  In steps S1007 to S1009, prize ball payout processing is executed. In this case, if the prize ball is not paid out and the total number of prize balls stored in step S1001 is not 0 (both NO in steps S1007 and S1008), the process proceeds to step S1009 and a prize ball control process (described later). FIG. 36) is started. Further, if the prize ball cannot be paid out or the total number of prize balls is 0 (YES in any one of steps S1007 and S1008), the process proceeds to a lending payout process.

  Thereafter, in steps S1010 to S1012, a rental ball payout process is executed. In this case, if it is not possible to pay out the rent and if a rent-out request from the card unit has been received (NO in step S1010, YES in S1011), the process proceeds to step S1012 and a renting control process (described later). FIG. 37) is started. Further, if a rental ball cannot be paid out or a rental ball payout request has not been received (YES in step S1010 or NO in S1011), the subsequent ball removal process is executed.

  In step S1013, the payout motor 368a is driven to execute the ball removal process on the condition that the state return switch 321 is checked to check that the ball removal is not disabled and the ball removal operation is not started. In the subsequent step S1014, distribution control for distributing the game balls flowing through the ball passages 441 and 442 is executed on the condition that the ball is in a blocked state. In this distribution control, the current wing 447 or the current wing 448 is rotated to flow through the other ball passage (442, 441) to the ball passage (441, 442) where no game ball flows. The control is such that a game ball is guided and a game ball is supplied. Thereafter, the process returns to the top of the payout control process.

  Here, in the winning ball control process shown in FIG. 36, in step S1101, the payout motor 358a is driven to execute payout of the winning ball. In subsequent step S1102, whether the rotation of the payout motor 358a is normal is determined based on the detection result of the payout rotation sensor. If the rotation of the payout motor 358a is not normal, the process proceeds to step S1103, where the payout motor 358a is driven to execute a retry process, and a stop process of the payout motor 358a is executed. Thereafter, the process returns to the payout control process of FIG.

  If the rotation of the payout motor 358a is normal, the process proceeds to step S1104, and whether or not the game ball is normally counted is determined based on the detection result of the payout count switches 451 and 452. If the game ball count is not normal, the process proceeds to step S1105, where the payout motor 358a is driven to execute a retry process and the payout motor 358a is stopped, and then the process returns to the payout control process of FIG.

  Further, if the game ball count is normal, the process proceeds to step S1106, and it is determined whether or not the game ball count by the payout count switches 451 and 452 has reached the total number of winning balls and the payout is completed. If the payout has been completed, a stop process for the payout motor 358a is executed in step S1107, and then the process returns to the payout control process in FIG.

  In the ball lending control process shown in FIG. 37, in step S1201, the payout motor 358a is driven to pay out a lending ball. In the subsequent step S1202, it is determined from the detection result of the dispensing rotation sensor whether the rotation of the dispensing motor 358a is normal. If the rotation of the payout motor 358a is not normal, the process proceeds to step S1203, the payout motor 358a is driven to execute a retry process, and a stop process of the payout motor 358a is executed. Thereafter, the process returns to the payout control process of FIG.

  If the rotation of the payout motor 358a is normal, the process advances to step S1204 to determine whether or not the game ball is normally counted based on the detection result of the payout count switches 451 and 452. If the game ball count is not normal, the process advances to step S1205 to drive the payout motor 358a to execute a retry process and execute a stop process of the payout motor 358a, and then return to the payout control process of FIG.

  Further, if the game ball count is normal, the process proceeds to step S1206, and whether or not the game ball count by the payout count switches 451 and 452 reaches a predetermined number of rented balls (25) and payout is completed. Determine. If the payout has been completed, a stop process of the payout motor 358a is executed in step S1207, and then the process returns to the payout control process of FIG.

  As described in detail above, in this embodiment, since the tank 355 includes the two outlets 421 and 422, ball clogging occurs in the tank 355, and a game ball is drawn from one outlet (421, 422). Even if it is no longer derived, the game ball can be derived from the other outlet (422, 421). Therefore, it can be configured such that the game can proceed without paying out by the payout device 358. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid the possibility that the game ball is not paid out due to the clogged ball and the player suffers a disadvantage.

  Further, for example, when a game ball is guided toward a plurality of outlets by one inclined portion, if a ball clog occurs in the inclined portion, the game ball is not guided to any outlet. However, if a plurality of inclined portions (423, 424) are provided corresponding to the outlets 421, 422 as in the present embodiment, one inclined portion ( 423, 424), even if a ball clogging occurs, the other inclined portion (424, 423) can guide the game ball stored in the tank 355 to the corresponding outlet (422, 421). Can be avoided.

  In general, the bottom of the tank is inclined downward toward the outlet for leading out the game ball, and the game ball supplied to the tank is guided to the outlet. Therefore, the game ball stored in the tank receives pressure from the game ball located on the upstream side of the game ball. A large number of game balls are stored in the tank. In particular, in the game balls near the outlet, a larger pressure is received from the game balls (group) located on the upstream side. Thus, when the game balls are subjected to a large pressure, the state in which the game balls are overlapped with each other is maintained (for example, the game balls are pressed near the outlet), and there is a possibility that the balls are clogged. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, the two outlets 421 and 422 and the two inclined portions 423 and 424 are provided so as to correspond to the outlets 421 and 422, respectively. Therefore, the game balls stored in the tank 355 can be distributed in a plurality of directions (a plurality of outlets) without being concentrated at one place (one outlet). That is, the number of game balls guided to one outlet (421, 422) is reduced. Therefore, the pressure received by the game balls located near the outlets 421 and 422 can be reduced, and as a result, clogging of the balls in the tank 355 can be suppressed.

  The outlets 421 and 422 are configured to lead out game balls one by one. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the chance that the game balls overlap in the tank rail 356 (the ball passages 441 and 442), and to suppress the occurrence of the ball clogging. Further, in the present embodiment, since the two outlets 421 and 442 are provided, even if the sizes of the outlets 421 and 422 are configured to be small, the derivation pace of the game ball can be maintained. However, it is possible to avoid the risk that the payout will not be able to keep up with the payout pace and the payout will be delayed.

  In the present embodiment, the tank 355 is divided into the site SA and the site SB, and the outlets 421 and 422 and the inclined portions 423 and 424 are provided in the site SA and the site SB, respectively. There is no invitation. Therefore, it is possible to suppress clogging of the balls in the tank 355 while avoiding problems such as a decrease in storage capacity, an increase in installation space due to an increase in the size of the tank 355, and a complicated configuration of the tank 355.

  Since the tank 355 that is long on the left and right is partitioned into the front and rear sites SA and SB, the road widths of the inclined portions 423 and 424 are narrower than when the tank 355 is partitioned on the left and right. If the game balls gather at the outlet from a wide range, the game balls may overlap in the vicinity of the outlet and become clogged, but in this embodiment, the tank 355 is inclined more than the case where the tank 355 is divided into left and right. Since the difference between the road width of the portion (423, 424) and the width of the outlet (421, 422) is reduced, the chance of game balls overlapping in the vicinity of the outlet (421, 422) is reduced, and the occurrence of ball clogging is reduced. Can be suppressed.

  Retention detection switches 431 and 432 corresponding to the inclined portions 423 and 424 are provided. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the storage amount of the game ball at each of the inclined portions 423 and 424. Furthermore, the supply of game balls can be received according to the shortage of the storage amount for each of the inclined portions 423 and 424. Therefore, the possibility that the game balls stored in the inclined portions 423 and 424 are depleted and the game balls are not led out from the corresponding outlets 421 and 422 can be avoided. Therefore, even when a ball is clogged in the tank 355 and a game ball is not derived from any one of the outlets (421, 422), the game ball is extinguished from the other outlets (422, 421). By being configured so as to be able to be derived, it is possible to configure the game so that the payout by the payout device 358 is not delayed.

  The inclined portions 423 and 424 have shapes that are reversed from each other, the outlet port 421 is provided adjacent to the left wall portion of the tank 355, and the outlet port 422 is provided adjacent to the right wall portion. . That is, the outlet port 421 and the outlet port 422 are provided apart from each other. Therefore, the game balls stored in the tank 355 can be more reliably dispersed corresponding to the outlets 421 and 422, and the effect of reducing the pressure applied to the game balls near the outlets 421 and 422 can be achieved. It can be made more reliable.

  Due to the presence of the partition plate 427, the movement of the game ball from the slope portion 423 to the slope portion 424 can be restricted on the upstream side of the slope portion 423, and on the upstream side of the slope portion 424 due to the presence of the partition plate 428, The movement of the game ball from the inclined portion 424 to the inclined portion 423 can be restricted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game ball from being guided directly from the other inclined portion (424, 423) to the outlet corresponding to one inclined portion (423, 424), and the outlet (424, 423) can be prevented from flowing in from a plurality of directions. That is, it is possible to suppress the pressure applied to the game balls located near the outlets 421 and 422 from a plurality of directions, or to prevent the game balls from overlapping each other. As a result, the flow of game balls in the vicinity of the outlets 423 and 424 can be made smooth, and ball clogging in the tank 355 can be suppressed.

  Due to the presence of the passage portion 429, the game ball can pass between the inclined portions 423 and 424. Therefore, a game ball that flows down (moves) through one inclined portion (423, 424) may move toward the other inclined portion (424, 423). For example, when a clogged ball has occurred in the inclined portion (424, 423) that has been moved, the ball has moved relative to the game ball (group) that is stuck on the inclined portion (424, 423). Game balls will collide. Due to the impact of such a collision, the game balls (group) in a stuck state can be destroyed and the stuck state can be resolved. As a result, long-term ball clogging in the tank 355 can be suppressed.

  In addition, when the game ball on the inclined portion (423, 424) side where the ball clogging occurs moves to the other inclined portion (424, 423), the inclined portion (423, 424) where the ball clogging occurs. Game balls will be reduced. Therefore, the pressure applied to the vicinity of the outlets (421, 422) is reduced or the balance of the game balls is changed, and the stuck state can be easily eliminated.

  Since the game balls supplied from the supply mechanism of the gaming machine installation island are caught in the passage portion 429, the game balls are placed on the inclined portions 423 and 424 even if the supply location of the game balls is one. Will be supplied. That is, by supplying the game ball to one place without supplying the game ball for each of the inclined portions 423 and 424 so as to correspond to the inclined portions 423 and 424 individually, The supply can be made. Therefore, the conventionally used supply mechanism can be used as it is.

  Further, even when a game ball is supplied due to a shortage of game balls in one inclined portion (423, 424), a game ball is also supplied to the other inclined portion (424, 423). For example, when a ball is clogged in the inclined portion 424, the game ball is supplied also to the inclined portion 424 due to the decrease in the game balls of the inclined portion 423. When the game balls are supplied, the game balls (group) in a stalemate state collide with the supplied game balls, and the game balls are broken to eliminate the clogging.

  The tank rail 356 includes ball passages 441 and 442 that guide the game balls led out from the lead-out ports 421 and 422 to the payout device 358 in a row so as to correspond to the lead-out ports 421 and 422, respectively. Therefore, the chance that game balls overlap in the ball passages 441 and 442 can be reduced. As a result, the ball clogging in the ball passages 441 and 442 can be suppressed, and the game ball can be smoothly guided to the payout means 358. Furthermore, since the protruding line part 446 is provided corresponding to the communication part 445, this effect can be further ensured.

  Due to the presence of the communication portion 445, a game ball can pass between the ball passage 441 and the ball passage 442. Furthermore, by providing the current-transforming wings 447 and 448, it is possible to guide a game ball flowing through one of the ball paths (441 and 442) to the other ball path (442 and 441). Therefore, for example, the game ball can be sent from the other ball passage (442, 441) to the ball passage (441, 442) where the game ball is not flowing due to the ball clogging. As a result, it is possible to avoid the possibility that the payout of the game ball will be hindered because the game ball is not supplied to the payout device 358 from one of the ball passages (441, 442).

  In addition, since payout count switches 451 and 452 for detecting the presence or absence of game balls are provided corresponding to the respective ball passages 441 and 442, it is possible to grasp which ball passage 441 and 442 has a ball clogged. The game balls can be accurately distributed according to the situation.

  In addition, it is not limited to the description content of the said embodiment, For example, you may implement as follows.

  (A) In the above-described embodiment, the tank 355 is divided into front and rear areas, but the division position of such areas is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 38, the boundary between the site SA and the site SB is set along the diagonal line at the bottom of the tank 355, and the outlets (421, 422) and the inclined portions are provided for each site SA and site SB. (423, 424) may be provided. In this case, the outlets 421 and 422 may be provided at the bottom of the corner of the tank 355 that is not located on the boundary line. When such a configuration is adopted and a game ball is supplied on the boundary line, a game ball is supplied to the substantially upper end of each inclined portion 423, 424. The moving direction can be limited to a natural flow such as from the high part of the inclined parts 423 and 424 to the low part.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 39, the same effect can be obtained when the tank 355 is configured to be divided into left and right regions.

  (B) In addition to the above embodiment, a distribution device (distribution means) that can distribute the supply position of the game balls supplied to the tank 355 to a desired position may be provided. For example, as shown in FIGS. 40 and 41, the sorting device 461 includes a receiving unit 462 that can receive a game ball supplied to the tank 355 above the tank 355, and a game ball supplied to the receiving unit 462. You may comprise from the 1st channel | path part 463 and the 2nd channel | path part 464 which lead to the substantially upper end part of the inclination part 423,424. When such a configuration is adopted, the game balls supplied to the tank 355 can be reliably distributed to the inclined portions 423 and 424. Further, since the game balls are supplied to the substantially upper end portions of the inclined portions 423 and 424, the natural flow of the moving direction of the game balls in the inclined portions 423 and 424 from the high portion to the low portion of the inclined portions 423 and 424 is natural. It can be limited to. That is, the flow of game balls in the inclined portions 423 and 424 can be made smooth, and as a result, the occurrence of clogging of balls can be suppressed.

  (C) In the above embodiment, a fixing portion that can fix the supply hose extending from the supply mechanism at a predetermined position may be provided. When such a configuration is adopted, the supply position of the game ball can be more reliably defined, and the supply of the game ball to an appropriate position can be performed. Further, the fixing portion may be provided in the tank 355 or may be provided around the tank 355 (such as the outer frame 11).

  (D) In the above-described embodiment, the current-transforming blades 447 and 448 are individually provided corresponding to the respective ball passages 441 and 442. However, each ball passage 441 and 442 is formed by one current-transformation blade. You may comprise so that the flowing game ball can be guided to the adjacent ball path side. An example of such a configuration is shown in FIG. 40, and a sectional view taken along line KK in FIG. 40 is described with reference to FIG. 41. When the partition wall 363 in the communication portion 445 is provided with a turnable vane 465, It is configured so that the game ball cannot pass between the ball passages 441 and 442 so as to be parallel to the guide direction of the ball passages 441 and 442, and when the ball is clogged, the ball passage (441, 442) where no ball clogging occurs. And the game ball flowing through the ball passage (441, 442) is guided to the ball passage (442, 441) where the ball is clogged.

  (E) In the above-described embodiment, the storage detection switches 431 and 432 are provided on the wall portion erected from the upstream end of the corresponding inclined portions 423 and 424, but the storage detection switches 431 and 432 are arranged. The installation position is not particularly limited, as long as it is provided at a position where the presence or absence of a game ball can be detected for each of the inclined portions 423 and 424. For example, it may be provided on the inclined surfaces of the inclined portions 423 and 424 as shown in FIGS.

  (F) In the above embodiment, the communication portion 445 is provided in the tank rail 356 so that the game ball can pass between the ball passages 441 and 442. However, each ball passage is provided without providing the communication portion 445. The game balls 441 and 442 led out from the outlets 421 and 422 may be individually guided to the payout device 358 in a single row. In that case, the game balls derived from one outlet (421, 422) are not confused with the game balls derived from the other outlet (422, 421), and are individually guided to the payout device 358. It is burned. Therefore, the chance that game balls overlap in the ball passages 441 and 442 can be reduced, and the flow of game balls in the ball passages 441 and 442 can be made smooth. As a result, it is possible to prevent the possibility of ball clogging occurring in the tank rail 356.

  (G) Although not particularly mentioned in the above embodiment, if the inclination angle of the inclined portions 423 and 424 is too steep, a large pressure is applied to the game ball located on the downstream side of the inclined portions 423 and 424. The possibility of clogging increases. Therefore, it is desirable that the inclination angles of the inclined portions 423 and 424 be as gentle as possible. Specifically, the inclination angles of the inclined portions 423 and 424 are preferably 2 degrees or more and 15 degrees or less, and more preferably 3 degrees or more and 10 degrees or less. Furthermore, if the difference in height between the upper end and the lower end of the inclined portions 423 and 424 is large, until the game ball is stored up to the upper end of the inclined portions 423 and 424 (in the storage detection switches 431 and 432, Until the game ball is detected), the game balls may be stacked up and down at the lower ends of the inclined portions 423 and 424, causing a ball clogging. Therefore, it is desirable that the difference between the height position of the upper end portion and the height position of the lower end portion of the inclined portions 423 and 424 is smaller than twice the diameter of the game ball.

  (H) In addition to the above embodiment, a vibrator for adding vibration to the tank rail 356 may be provided. In that case, it can be configured that the ball clogging is eliminated by driving the vibrator when the ball clogging occurs near the tank rail 356. The vibrator is configured as a vibrator unit in which a vibrating body such as a motor is housed in a case that is a main body part so that the position change due to a design change of a pachinko machine, etc., or replacement at the time of failure is facilitated. You may attach to the tank rail 356 so that a unit may be attached or detached. Further, the vibrator unit is attached to the side surface of the tank rail 356 via a foot portion (vibration transmitter) protruding from the main body portion without the main body portion (case surface) being in close contact with the tank rail 356, and the vibration of the vibrator unit. May be transmitted to the tank rail 356 more effectively.

  (I) You may implement as a pachinko machine etc. of a different type from the said embodiment. For example, once a big hit, a pachinko machine that raises the expected value of the big hit until a big hit state occurs (for example, two times or three times) including that (for example, a two-time right item, a three-time right item) May also be implemented. Further, it may be implemented as a pachinko machine that enters a special gaming state on the condition that a game ball is awarded in a predetermined area after the big hit symbol is displayed. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to a pachinko machine called a blade. In addition to pachinko machines, the present invention can also be implemented as various game machines such as an arrangement ball machine and a similar sparrow ball.

  (J) Further, it may be implemented as a gaming machine in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are fused. As a specific example, an identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information (specifically, a reel and identification information is a symbol attached to the reel) is variably displayed (specifically, a rotation of the reel). After that, variable display means for confirming and stopping the identification information is provided, and the fluctuation of the identification information is started due to the operation of the start operation means (for example, the operation lever), and the stop operation means (for example, the stop button) is operated. The special gaming state that causes the special gaming state advantageous to the player on the condition that the variation of the identification information is stopped due to or after a predetermined time elapses, and the confirmed identification information at the time of stopping is the specific identification information Generating means, using a game ball as a game medium, requiring a predetermined number of game balls at the start of variation of the identification information, and generating a large number of games at the occurrence of a special game state. One in which the ball is paid out.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine in one embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the pachinko machine of the state which open | released the inner frame and the front frame set. It is a front view which shows the inner frame etc. in the state which open | released the front frame set. It is a front view which shows the structure of a game board. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a front frame set. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a pachinko machine. It is a schematic diagram which shows arrangement | positioning of the 1st control board unit in the back surface of a pachinko machine, a 2nd control board unit, and a back pack unit. It is a rear view which shows the structure of an inner frame and a game board. It is a perspective view which shows the back surface structure of an inner frame. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a support metal fitting. It is a front view which shows the structure of a 1st control board unit. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a 1st control board unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of a 1st control board unit. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the back surface structure of a 1st control board unit. It is a front view which shows the structure of a 2nd control board unit. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a 2nd control board unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of a 2nd control board unit. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a back pack unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of a back pack unit. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a tank and a tank rail. It is a fragmentary top view which shows the structure of a tank and a tank rail. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of a tank and a tank rail. It is explanatory drawing (sectional drawing) for demonstrating the structure of a tank and a tank rail. It is a block diagram which shows the main electrical structures of a pachinko machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the various counters used for game control. It is a flowchart which shows the main process by the main controller. It is a flowchart which shows a normal process. It is a flowchart which shows the update process of an off symbol counter. It is a flowchart which shows a 1st symbol fluctuation | variation process. It is a flowchart which shows a general fluctuation start process. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a start winning process. It is a flowchart which shows a NMI interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the main process of the payout control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows payout control processing. It is a flowchart which shows prize ball control. It is a flowchart which shows ball rental control. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the tank in another embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the tank in another embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the tank in another embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the tank in another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine as a gaming machine, 30 ... Game board, 31 ... General prize opening as a game member (winning means), 33 ... First opportunity corresponding port as a starting opening, 42 ... First design as a variable display device Display device, 355 ... tank, 356 ... tank rail constituting guide member, 357 ... case rail constituting guide member, 358 ... dispensing device, 361 ... rail body, 363 ... partition wall, 421 ... lead-out port (first guide) Exit), 422 ... outlet (second outlet), 423 ... inclined portion (first inclined portion), 424 ... inclined portion (second inclined portion), 425, 426 ... guide portion, 427 ... partition portion (first) Partition plate as partition unit), 428 ... Partition plate as partition unit (second partition unit), 429 ... Passing unit, 431 ... Storage detection switch as detection unit (first detection unit), 432 ... Detection unit (first unit) 2 detection means) 441 ... spherical passage (first spherical passage), 442 ... spherical passage (second spherical passage), 445 ... communication portion, 446 ... convex ridge portion, 447 ... movable feather (first movable feather) Current-transforming blades, 448... Current-transforming blades as movable feathers (second movable feathers), 451... Discharge count switch as a dispensing sensor (first dispensing sensor), 452. Switch, SA ... site (first storage area), SB ... site (second storage area).

Claims (1)

A gaming machine installed on a gaming machine installation island having a supply mechanism for supplying gaming balls,
A tank capable of storing game balls supplied from the supply mechanism;
A payout device capable of paying out game balls;
A guide member for guiding the game ball led out from the tank to the payout device,
The tank includes a plurality of outlets that lead out the game balls stored in the tank to the guide member,
A gaming machine comprising a plurality of inclined portions inclined downward toward the outlet, so as to individually correspond to the plurality of outlets.

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