JP2005342245A - Ball withdrawing device for pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ball withdrawing device installed in a pinball game machines which accomplishes the prevention of the fraudulent attempt to withdraw the game balls held within the ball paths or others. <P>SOLUTION: The ball withdrawing device 100 has a passage switching member 102 for opening or closing the wall surface of the spare prize ball path 32 and a solenoid 122 for regulating the action of the passage switching member by pressing it. When the operation for withdrawing the balls is done, a game parlor computer is requested to permit the operation of withdrawing the game balls and the regulation by the solenoid is released in response to the reception of the permission of the withdrawal of the balls to execute the operation of withdrawing the balls. The permission of the withdrawal of the balls will not be issued on the occasion of keeping the front frame 3 open in the pachinko game machine 1 or others, thereby preventing the fraudulence of withdrawing the balls under such circumstances. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball removing device provided in a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine. More specifically, the present invention is provided on the back side of a game board and stands by in a preliminary prize ball passage to be paid out by a prize ball payout device. The present invention relates to a ball removing device for discharging a game ball to the outside as needed.

  A pachinko machine, which is a bullet ball game machine, plays a game while launching the game ball onto the game board according to the turning operation of the launch handle, and the game ball falls into a winning opening such as a chucker provided on the game board. By doing so, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the ball tray as prize balls. In general, pachinko machines have a rectangular outer frame that is fixedly supported on the game island of the game facility, and main equipment such as a game board and a launching handle that are attached to the outer frame so as to be openable and closable. And a front frame is provided.

  On the back side of the front frame, a base frame body called a back set board is provided, and here a prize ball payout device which is a device for paying out game balls to the ball tray when winning or lending operation is performed. A ball tank for storing game balls (also referred to as “preliminary prize balls”) supplied by the game facility side, a preliminary prize ball passage for guiding the game balls stored in the ball tanks to the prize ball payout device, and the like are formed. Yes.

  When performing maintenance and inspection work on the prize ball payout device or the like, or when replacing the main body of the pachinko machine, it is necessary to discharge game balls remaining inside the pachinko machine to the outside of the machine. For this reason, the preliminary prize ball passage for supplying the game balls to the prize ball payout device is provided with a ball removal device operated by an operator (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 19 is a rear view showing an external structure of a conventional ball removing device 900 provided on the back side of the pachinko machine. According to the figure, a ball removal device 900 is provided in a preliminary prize ball passage 904 for guiding a game ball supplied to a pachinko machine as a preliminary prize ball to a lower prize ball payout device, and a lever for performing a ball removal operation. It is mainly composed of a member 901 and a swingable flow path switching member 902 that forms part of the wall surface of the S-shaped rail portion 905 that communicates with the preliminary prize ball passage 904 and bends in multiple stages.

  The lever member 901 is attached to the base frame 903 so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction, and an operation portion 901a extending rightward and an engaging protrusion 901b protruding toward the flow path switching member 902 are integrally formed. Yes. The flow path switching member 902 includes a passage wall part 902a having a curved surface following the wall surface shape of the S-shaped rail part 905, and a lever member in a state where the flow path switching member 902 closes the wall surface of the S-shaped rail part 905. An engagement hole 902b that engages with the engagement protrusion 901b of 901 is formed.

  During a normal game, the engaging protrusion 901b of the lever member 901 is engaged with the engaging hole 902b of the flow path switching member 902, and the flow path switching member 902 is in a position to close the wall surface of the S-shaped rail section 905. Therefore, the supplied game balls flow down to the downstream prize ball payout device via the S-shaped rail portion 905. When the operation portion 901a of the lever member 901 is tilted backward (toward the drawing in the drawing), the engagement state between the engagement protrusion 901b of the lever member 901 and the engagement hole 902b of the flow path switching member 902 is released. The flow path switching member 902 is opened by the heavy pressure of the game ball in the preliminary prize ball passage 904. Thereby, the game balls waiting in the preliminary prize ball passage 904 are configured to be discharged out of the machine from the ball discharge port at the lower part of the front frame through the ball removal passage 906 adjacent to the flow path switching member 902.

JP 2003-164629 A

  According to the conventional ball removal device 900, as described above, once the operation portion 901a of the lever member 901 is tilted, the flow path switching member 902 is opened by the heavy pressure of the game ball, and the ball removal operation is performed. It is configured to be However, if the front frame is deliberately unlocked by the fraudster and the ball removal device 900 is operated, the ball removal operation continues until there is no game ball in the preliminary prize ball passage 904. There was a problem that game balls could be easily stolen from the outlet. In addition, if a ball removal operation is performed in a state where game balls can be replenished from the game island facility, the ball removal operation continues while the shortage of game balls discharged by the ball removal is replenished. Many game balls were stolen by the operation, and there was a risk that the game hall side would suffer serious damage.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a ball removal device that prevents an illegal ball removal action in advance.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention described in claim 1 is a ball removal device for a ball game machine that discharges a game ball held in a ball passage formed in the ball game machine to the outside of the machine. A ball removal operation detecting means that detects a ball removal operation, for example, a ball removal operation switch, a flow path switching member that closes or opens one wall surface of the ball passage, and restricts the operation of the flow path switching member. For example, a ball removal operation restricting means formed including a solenoid and a protruding portion of a flow path switching member locked to the plunger, and a ball removal operation control means for controlling the ball removal operation restriction means, When the ball removal operation detecting means detects a ball removal operation, the ball removal operation control means transmits a ball removal permission request to a management computer, for example, a hall computer, and the management computer responds to the ball removal permission. By releasing the restriction of the flow path switching member by the spherical unshift operation regulating means in response to the reception, and executes a spherical punching operation.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the ball removal device according to claim 1, wherein the management computer collects game machine information of a ball game machine that transmits the ball removal permission request, and In the gaming machine, when at least the front frame member is open, a ball removal permission for the ball removal permission request is not transmitted.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the ball removal device according to claim 1, wherein the management computer collects game machine information of a ball game machine that transmits the ball removal permission request, and When at least the glass frame member is open in the gaming machine, the ball removal permission for the ball removal permission request is not transmitted.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ball removal device according to the first aspect, the management computer collects game machine information of a ball game machine that transmits the ball removal permission request, and The ball removal permission for the ball removal permission request is not transmitted when at least the symbol display is performed in the gaming machine.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the ball removal device according to claim 1, wherein the management computer collects game machine information of a ball game machine that transmits the ball removal permission request, and When the gaming machine is at least in a special gaming state, a ball removal permission for the ball removal permission request is not transmitted.

  The invention described in claim 6 is the ball removal device according to claim 1, wherein the management computer collects game machine information of a ball game machine that transmits the ball removal permission request, and the ball game When the machine is in a state of paying out at least a game ball, a ball removal permission for the ball removal permission request is not transmitted.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the ball removal device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the ball removal operation regulating means includes a solenoid, and the solenoid is associated with the flow path switching member. By stopping, the movement of the flow path switching member to open one wall surface of the spherical passage is restricted.

  According to the ball removal apparatus of claim 1, for example, when the ball removal operation detecting means, which is a ball removal operation switch, detects the ball removal operation, the ball removal operation control means permits the ball removal operation to the management computer, for example, a hall computer. When the request is transmitted and the ball removal permission responded by the management computer is received, for example, the restriction of the flow path switching member by the ball plunger operation restricting means that is the protruding portion of the solenoid plunger and the flow path switching member is released. Perform the unplug operation. Thereby, unauthorized ball removal is prevented in advance, and the safety in the ball game machine is improved.

  According to the ball removal device of the second aspect, the management computer collects the gaming machine information of the ball game machine that transmits the ball removal permission request, and at least the front frame member is opened in the ball game machine. Do not send ball removal permission when you are. For this reason, in a state where the front frame member is opened, the restriction of the flow path switching member by the ball removal operation restriction means is not released, and the ball removal operation is not executed. Therefore, unauthorized ball removal in this state is prevented, and the safety of the ball game machine is improved.

  According to the ball removal device of the third aspect, the management computer does not transmit the ball removal permission when at least the glass frame member is open in the ball game machine that transmits the ball removal permission request. For this reason, in a state where the glass frame member is opened, the restriction of the flow path switching member by the ball removal operation restriction means is not released, and the ball removal operation is not executed. Therefore, unauthorized ball removal in this state is prevented, and the safety of the ball game machine is improved.

  According to the ball removal device of the fourth aspect, the management computer does not transmit the ball removal permission when at least the symbol display is performed in the ball game machine that transmits the ball removal permission request. For this reason, in the gaming state in which the symbol display is performed, the restriction of the flow path switching member by the ball removal operation restriction means is not released, and the ball removal operation is not executed. Therefore, unauthorized ball removal in this state is prevented, and the safety of the ball game machine is improved.

  According to the ball removal device of the fifth aspect, the management computer does not transmit the ball removal permission at least in the special game state in the ball game machine that transmits the ball removal permission request. For this reason, when in the special game state, the restriction of the flow path switching member by the ball removal operation restriction means is not released, and the ball removal operation is not executed. Therefore, unauthorized ball removal in this state is prevented, and the safety of the ball game machine is improved.

  According to the ball removal device of the sixth aspect, the management computer does not transmit the ball removal permission when at least the game ball is paid out in the ball game machine that transmits the ball removal permission request. For this reason, when the game ball is being paid out, the restriction of the flow path switching member by the ball removal operation restricting means is not released, and the ball removal operation is not executed. Therefore, unauthorized ball removal in this state is prevented, and the safety of the ball game machine is improved.

  According to the ball removing device of the seventh aspect, the operation of the flow path switching member that opens one wall surface of the spherical passage is restricted by the solenoid engaging with the flow path switching member. When the ball removal operation control unit receives the ball removal permission from the management computer, the ball removal operation control unit executes the ball removal operation by controlling the solenoid and releasing the locking state between the plunger and the projecting portion of the flow path switching member, for example. Let

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a ball removal operation is detected, the management computer is requested to permit the ball removal operation, and the ball removal operation is executed only when the ball removal permission is given. In such a state where the ball removal machine operated for ball removal is in a state where the front frame member is opened, etc., the ball removal permission is not transmitted from the management computer, and there is a possibility that an illegal ball removal action may be performed. In this case, the restriction of the flow path switching member by the ball removal operation restricting means is not released and the ball removal operation is not executed. For this reason, unauthorized ball removal in a state where the front frame member is opened or the like can be prevented in advance, and safety is improved.

  Hereinafter, a pachinko machine will be described as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and an example in which the ball removing device according to the present invention is applied to a preliminary prize ball passage provided on the back set board of the pachinko machine will be described.

  First, a schematic configuration of a pachinko machine that is a typical example of a ball game machine will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a front view showing the external structure of the pachinko machine, FIG. 2 is a front view mainly showing the structure of the front side of the game board and the front frame of the pachinko machine with the glass frame opened, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the appearance structure of the machine, FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the structure of the back set board of the pachinko machine with various electronic circuit boards and cover members removed.

  The pachinko machine 1 is an outer frame for fixing and holding the main body to the game island, a wooden outer frame 2 formed in a rectangular shape, and attached to the outer frame 2 by a hinge member 3a so as to be opened and closed. In some cases, a front frame 3 that closes the front surface of the outer frame 2 is provided. On the front surface of the front frame 3, a glass frame 4 to which a double transparent plate formed of a transparent resin plate such as acrylic or a transparent glass plate is attached, and an upper ball dish integrally formed of hard plastic 5 is attached so that opening and closing is possible.

  The front frame 3 is automatically locked by closing the front frame 3 to the outer frame 2 side, and automatically locked by closing the glass frame 4 together with the upper ball tray 5 to the front frame 3 side. A locking device (not shown) is provided, which can be opened by inserting a predetermined key into the key hole 6 formed in the right front portion of the front frame 3 and performing an unlocking operation. Yes.

  Further, a glass frame opening switch 42 (see FIG. 1) is provided at one position on the front surface of the front frame 3 and facing the back surface portion of the glass frame 4, and the front surface portion of the outer frame 2 on the back surface side of the front frame 3. A front frame opening switch 41 (see FIG. 4) is provided at one opposed position. Each of the glass frame opening switch 42 and the front frame opening switch 41 is formed of a push-type switch. The glass frame opening switch 42 is turned off when the glass frame 4 is closed with respect to the front frame 3, and is turned on when the glass frame 4 is opened, thereby closing and closing the glass frame 4. Detect open state. The front frame opening switch 41 is turned off when the front frame 3 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2 and is turned on when the front frame 3 is opened. Detects closed and open states.

  Next, the structure of the front side of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  On the front upper part of the glass frame 4, there is provided a lighting unit for effect 4 a incorporating a light source such as a high-intensity light emitting diode.

  The upper ball tray 5 is formed with a ball tray portion 5a for storing and arranging the paid-out game balls. On the front surface of the upper ball tray 5, a ball release lever 8 for performing an operation of discharging the game balls stored in the ball tray portion 5 a to the ball tray portion 7 a of the lower ball tray 7 is provided.

  On the left side of the front surface of the upper ball tray 5, there is provided a sound emission unit 5c for production including a speaker 11 for guiding the sound effect relating to the game of the pachinko machine 1 or the progress of the game by voice.

  A ball tray portion 7a is formed in the lower ball tray 7, and a game ball that has been removed from the upper ball tray 5 by operating the ball removal lever 8 or a game ball that has overflowed from the upper ball tray 5 is a ball outlet 7b. Is discharged to the ball tray part 7a.

  On the lower right front portion of the lower ball tray 7, a launch handle 9 for performing an operation of launching game balls stored in the upper ball tray 5 toward the game board 20 is disposed. The firing handle 9 has a turning operation portion 9a that is constantly urged counterclockwise by a built-in spring, and the turning operation portion 9a resists the urging force while the player touches the turning operation portion 9a. When the ball is rotated clockwise, a ball launching device 50 described later is operated, and a game ball is launched with a striking force corresponding to the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 9a.

  In the center of the front frame 3 facing the glass frame 4, a game board housing portion that is an opening for housing the game board 20 is formed. The game board 20 is housed and held in the game board housing section by a plurality of engagement levers 10 so as to be attachable / detachable (see FIGS. 4 and 5). When the glass frame 4 is closed to the front frame 3 side, the front of the game board 20 and the transparent plate of the glass frame 4 face each other at a predetermined interval, so that the game ball falls and moves to the game board 20. A game area is formed.

  A gauge, which is an array pattern in which a plurality of nails are driven, is formed in the game area, which is the front surface of the game board 20. The game ball launched into the game area collides with a plurality of nails constituting the gauge and falls downward while accidentally changing its direction.

  In addition, in the game area of the game board 20, a chucker 21 that receives a prize when a game ball enters the prize opening, and a start that activates a lottery to a special game state such as a jackpot by entering the same prize slot. Chucker 22 is placed in an appropriate position such as an attacker 23 which is opened until a certain number of game balls enter in a special game state or until a certain number of game balls enter to pay out more prize balls than usual. Has been. Further, at the lower part of the game area, an out port 24 is provided for collecting and discharging out balls that have fallen without entering the winning port. Further, a decoration member 28 that can see through the display portion of the liquid crystal display unit 53 is provided at the approximate center of the game area.

  A game assisting board 20a is formed in the lower part of the front frame 3 to which the game board 20 is attached, and a ball launching device 50 is provided on the right part thereof. The ball launching device 50 is a device that launches game balls stored in the ball tray portion 5a of the upper ball tray 5 to the game area one by one in response to the turning operation of the launch handle 9. In addition, the game assisting board 20a includes a launch rail that launches a game ball toward the outer rail 71 in the game area in alignment with the batting hammer 502 of the ball launcher 50, a speaker 11 that produces a production effect sound, and the like. It is attached. The game assisting board 20a is located on the back side of the upper ball tray 5, and the upper ball tray 5 is always covered with the upper ball tray 5 that is always kept closed.

  Next, the structure of the back side of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  On the back side of the front frame 3, a back set board 30 in which various devices such as a prize ball payout device 52 are attached to a base frame body 31 integrally formed of hard plastic so as to cover the back side of the game board 20. It is attached so that it can be opened and closed. Although details will be described later, the base frame body 31 of the back set board 30 includes a preliminary prize ball passage 32 for guiding preliminary prize balls from a ball tank 51 in which preliminary prize balls are stored to a prize ball payout device 52; The winning ball or the rental ball paid out from the winning ball payout device 52 enters the winning ball passage 33 for guiding the winning ball ball portion 5a of the upper ball tray 5 or the ball tray portion 7a of the lower ball tray 5 and the winning opening. The ball discharge passage 34 that collects the game balls and the out balls collected through the out port 24 and discharges them to a storage tank (not shown) on the lower game facility side, and the spare ball removed by the ball removal device 100 A ball removal passage 35 and the like for guiding the prize ball to the ball discharge passage 34 and discharging it to the storage tank are formed.

  A rectangular opening is formed in the approximate center of the base frame 31 constituting the back set board 30 and protrudes from the back of the game board 20 when the back set board 30 is closed by the front frame 3. The image control board 66 attached to the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 53 is received in the opening.

  In addition, the base frame 31 is driven by the above-described ball tank 51 and prize ball payout device 52, the main control board 60 that comprehensively controls the operation of the pachinko machine 1, the speaker 11, the light emitting diode, and the like. A sub-control board 61 for effect control by light, a pay-out control board 62 for pay-out control of prize balls and balls, a launch control board 67 that functions as a relay board for the ball launcher 50 and the launch handle 9, and a power source A device board 63, a game board relay board 64 to which a plurality of connectors are attached to relay control signals and electric power, and an operation state (game machine information) of the pachinko machine 1 are managed by a management computer (for example, hall computer) in the game hall The external terminal board 65 and the like for output to the terminal are attached, and these various devices and the electronic circuit board are electrically connected by a wire harness or the like. Here, the payout control board 62 is a control board that controls the payout of the predetermined number of prize balls or balls by operating the prize ball payout device 52 when winning or when a lending operation is performed. The power supply device 63 is formed with a power distribution circuit, and supplies power necessary for the operation of the pachinko machine 1 to the various devices, the control board, and other devices.

  The pachinko machine 1 is installed at a game island of a game facility while being held at a required backward tilt angle (for example, 1 degree).

  The pachinko machine 1 is used in a game in which the front frame 3, the glass frame 4 and the upper ball tray 5 are closed and locked, and the game ball is stored in the ball tray portion 5a to rotate the launch handle 9. A game is started. When the player touches the turning operation portion 9a of the launching handle 9, the game balls stored in the ball tray portion 5a are sent one by one onto the firing rail by a ball feeding device (not shown), and the ball launching device 50 is hit. When the hammer 502 strikes the game ball into the game area of the game board 20 with a striking force according to the operation amount of the rotation operation unit 9a, the subsequent pachinko game is developed.

  Next, the configuration of each part of the pachinko machine 1 configured as described above will be described in more detail.

  The game board 20 has a belt-like outer rail 71 and inner rail 72 made of stainless steel plate or the like fixed to the front side of a decorative board in which cells are attached to the surface of a laminated plywood having a predetermined thickness. And the game area | region mentioned above is formed in the inner side enclosed by these guide rails. In the gaming area, as described above, a prize pattern such as a chucker 21, a starter chucker 22, an openable attacker 23, and a liquid crystal display unit 53, together with a gauge pattern in which a large number of nails are laid. A member 28 and the like are provided.

  The chucker 21 has a winning opening into which a game ball can be dropped, and a winning ball sensor for detecting the gaming ball that has entered the winning hole is attached. This winning ball sensor is formed from a sensor that detects the passage of a game ball in a non-contact manner by, for example, magnetic, optical, or electrical means.

  The starter chucker 22 is a so-called electric tulip winning component, and is configured such that the probability of winning can be varied by opening and closing the left and right wing members. A winning ball sensor similar to the above-described chucker 21 (starting port winning ball sensor) is also provided in the winning opening of the starting chucker 22, and when a ball entering the starting chucker 22 is detected, the main pachinko machine 1 For example, the control board 60 performs a lottery to shift to a gaming state in which a game can be played under conditions that are more advantageous than usual, such as a big hit (probable change).

  The attacker 23 has a large winning opening consisting of a horizontal rectangular opening at the center, and an open / close door is attached to enable opening / closing of the large winning opening by a solenoid (large winning opening solenoid). In the normal gaming state, the door is closed, and when the special game state such as a big win is established as a result of the lottery performed when entering the starting chucker 22 described above, the door of the grand prize opening is moved forward. Defeated about 90 degrees.

  As game balls enter the big winning opening of the attacker 23, more game balls are paid out than other winning combinations. For this reason, in the special game state, the player can play a game with a higher winning probability than usual. There are two winning entrances on the left and right in the grand prize winning opening, and one of the winning openings forms a special area.For example, when winning a big hit, as long as a game ball enters the winning area in this special area The special gaming state can be continued up to the maximum number of times that is scheduled. In each of the winning holes of the attacker 23, a winning ball sensor and a specific area winning ball sensor similar to those of the chucker 21 are provided.

  At the bottom of the game area, there is provided an out port 24 that collects and discharges out balls that have fallen without entering any of the winning ports such as the chucker 21, starter chuck 22, and attacker 23.

  A back cover is fixed to the back side of the game board 20 at a predetermined interval, and a game ball dropped into each winning opening is a ball set formed between the back side of the game board 20 and the back cover. Fall through the fence. Then, the game ball dropped from the back side of the game board 20 and the out ball discharged from the out port 24 merge, and these game-completed balls are stored through the ball discharge passage 34 formed in the back set board 30. It is configured to be collected into a ball tank.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the back set board 30 attached to the front frame 3 by the upper and lower hinge members 36 so as to be opened and closed is always held closed so as to cover the back side of the game board 30 via the closing lever 37. At the upper part of the base frame body 31 constituting the back set board 30, a ball tank 51 for storing a preliminary prize ball replenished from a ball replenishment bowl disposed on the game island of the game facility is attached. . A preliminary prize ball passage 32 communicating from the ball tank 51 to the prize ball payout device 52 is formed inside the base frame 31.

  The preliminary prize ball passage 32 is connected to the ball tank 51 and has an inclined flange part 321 that gently slopes downward toward the prize ball payout device 52 side, and an S-shape that penetrates the inside of a ball removal device 100 described later and bends in a substantially S shape. It is roughly divided into a rail portion 322.

  A rib-shaped partition wall is provided in the center of the bottom surface of the inclined flange 321 along the direction in which the game ball flows down, thereby forming two rows of ball passages. Further, the ball leveling member protrudes into the inclined flange portion 321 and is suspended so as to be rotatable along the flow-down direction of the game ball. With this configuration, the game balls (preliminary prize balls) that flow down from the bottom surface of the inclined saddle member 321 at a certain height or more are leveled almost uniformly by moving while colliding with the ball leveling member, and the rib-shaped partition walls Aligned in two rows and efficiently transferred to the S-shaped rail portion 322. Since the S-shaped rail portion 322 is formed from a ball passage that is bent in two stages while facing downward, the S-rail portion 322 acts on the prize ball payout device 52 by the game balls stacked in the preliminary prize ball passage 32 and waiting. The heavy pressure is reduced.

  In the vicinity of the end of the inclined flange 321, a ball stop mechanism 38 that manually closes the ball passage as necessary to stop the flow of the preliminary prize ball, and a preliminary prize ball to be paid out by the prize ball payout device 52. Is mounted on a ball break switch 39 for detecting whether or not is sufficiently held in the S-shaped rail portion 322. In addition, on the upper part of the ball break switch 39, a pseudo ball presence state creation mechanism 40 that artificially creates a ball presence state in the S-shaped rail portion 322 is provided.

  Further, in the vicinity of the terminal end of the inclined flange portion 321, a ball removal device that forcibly discharges the preliminary prize ball waiting on the upstream side of the S-shaped rail portion 322 to the outside of the pachinko machine 1 through the ball removal passage 35. 100 is formed. The details of the configuration and operation of the ball removal device 100 will be described later together with the description of the ball stop mechanism 38, the ball break switch 39, and the pseudo ball presence state creation mechanism 40.

  A prize ball payout device 52 is attached to the base frame 31 so as to be connected to the S-shaped rail portion 322 of the preliminary prize ball passage 32. The prize ball payout device 52 is connected to the end of the S-shaped rail portion 322 at the upper center and receives a preliminary prize ball, and the payout outlet for paying out the prize balls and the rental balls to the left and right of the lower part respectively. And a two-stage impeller in the front and rear, a ball payout motor for rotating these impellers, and the like. Then, the ball payout motor is operated in accordance with a payout command signal output from the payout control board 62 under a predetermined condition, and the impeller is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, so that a number of game balls (awards) based on the payout command signal are obtained. A ball or a rental ball) from the right or left payout exit to the prize ball passage 33. The detailed description of the prize ball payout device 52 will be described later.

  The prize ball passage 33 has an upper ball tray passage portion 331 that communicates with the ball tray portion 5 a of the upper ball tray 5 and a lower ball tray passage portion 332 that communicates with the ball tray portion 7 a of the lower ball tray 7. Yes. Both passage portions are substantially divided by a partition wall 333 provided so as to close the substantially lower half of the prize ball passage 33, and are connected to the payout opening of the prize ball payout device 52 while communicating with each other in the upper part.

  That is, the upper ball tray passage portion 331 is provided with an upper ball tray outlet 334 on the upstream side adjacent to the partition wall 333, and the game balls paid out from the prize ball payout device 52 are The part 331 is dropped and discharged from the upper ball dish outlet 334 to the ball dish part 5 a of the upper ball dish 5.

  On the other hand, a straight bypass groove 335 slightly inclined to the lower left above the partition wall 333 forms a wall surface of the base frame 31 and the other wall surface of the prize ball passage 33 in the lower ball tray passage portion 332. A cover member (not shown) is formed on each. That is, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 5 are full, and the game balls cannot be discharged from the upper ball tray outlet 334, and the game balls are filled up to the upper end of the partition wall 333. When the game ball is paid out as a prize ball from above, the paid-out prize ball passes over the game ball blocked by the partition wall 333 and overflows to the lower ball tray passage portion 332 and the partition wall 333 Flows down to the lower ball bucket 336 through the detour groove 335 above

  In addition, the ball bucket 336 is provided in the lower part of the game auxiliary | assistant board 20a of the front frame 3, and has comprised the rectangular-shaped box as a whole. The rear surface of the upper surface of the ball bucket 336 is an opening connected to the end of the lower ball tray passage portion 332 described above, and is formed in the ball tray portion 7a of the lower ball tray 7 at the lower front portion of the ball bucket 336. It communicates with the ball outlet 7b. As a result, the winning ball flowing down the lower ball tray passage 332 and reaching the ball bucket 336 is discharged to the ball tray portion 7a of the lower ball tray 7 through the ball outlet 7b. In addition, the opening at the front upper portion of the ball bucket 336 is connected to a ball collecting passage (not shown) formed between the game auxiliary board 20a and the lower ball tray 7. The ball collecting passage is connected to the ball outlet of the ball tray portion 5a of the upper ball tray 5, and when the ball release lever 8 is operated, the ball outlet is opened and the ball tray portion 5a of the upper ball tray 5 is opened. Are discharged from the ball outlet to the ball tray portion 7a of the lower ball tray 7 through the ball collecting passage and the ball bucket 336. In addition, the ball collecting passage communicates with a foul ball collecting passage for collecting foul balls and other ball collecting passages for collecting spilled balls, and game balls collected by these ball collecting passages are collected through a ball bucket 336. The ball tray 7 is discharged to the ball tray portion 7a.

  The ball discharge passage 34 has a bent portion formed in multiple stages, and the upper end of the ball discharge passage 34 is formed on a back cover provided on the back side of the game board 20 in a state where the back set board 30 is closed to the front frame 3. It is connected to the end of the ball assembly cage and the out port 24. As a result, the game balls that have entered the winning holes and collected in the ball assembly cage and the out balls that have entered the out hole 24 are received by the ball discharge passage 34, and the speed is reduced by colliding with each bent portion. However, it falls to the ball discharge port 341 that opens at the end. In the state where the pachinko machine 1 is installed on the game island, the ball discharge port 341 of the ball discharge passage 34 is connected to a storage tank on the game island side through a duct (bellows), and these game balls that have been played are discharged. It is collected into the storage tank through the passage 34.

  In addition, an integral cover member (not shown) is attached to the base frame body of the back set board 30 so as to block the preliminary prize ball passage 32, the prize ball passage 33, the ball discharge passage 34, the ball removal passage 35 and the like described above. A side wall on the back side of each spherical passage is formed.

  Next, in the pachinko machine 1 having such a configuration, a payout mechanism for paying out a prize ball or a rental ball to the upper ball tray 5 (or the lower ball tray 7) and a game waiting in a ball path upstream of the prize ball payout device 52 The details of the ball removal mechanism for forcibly discharging the ball (preliminary prize ball) to the outside of the pachinko machine 1 through the ball removal passage 35 and the ball discharge passage 34 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a rear view of the back set board 30 with the cover member and the cover member of the prize ball payout device 52 removed, and particularly shows the structure of the prize ball payout device 52 and the ball removing mechanism. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the external structure of the prize ball payout device 52. FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views for explaining the operation of the prize ball payout device 52. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the vicinity of the end of the preliminary prize ball passage 32, there are a ball stop mechanism 38 for manually closing the preliminary prize ball passage 32 when necessary, and a ball presence state in the S-shaped rail portion 322. A pseudo ball presence state creation mechanism 40 to be created in a pseudo manner, a ball break switch 39 for detecting a game ball held in the S-shaped rail portion 322, and a preliminary prize ball waiting on the upstream side of the S-shaped rail portion 322 A ball removal mechanism is formed which includes a ball removal device 100 that forcibly ejects the pachinko machine 1 out of the machine. In addition, a prize ball payout device 52 is attached to the base frame 31 of the back set board 30 in connection with the ball removing mechanism.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the prize ball payout device 52 receives a game ball (preliminary prize ball) supplied via the S-shaped rail portion 322, and pays out a prize ball or a rental ball. It has a rectangular case member 521 formed with an outlet, and a cover member 522 attached with a ball payout motor inside.

  As shown in FIG. 8, front and rear two-stage impellers 527 a and 527 b in which a groove portion for holding a game ball is formed in the outer peripheral position that is equally divided into three along the circumferential direction inside the case member 521 are rotatable. In the state where the cover member 522 is attached relative to the case member 521, the tip of the drive shaft of the ball payout motor 528 engages with the rotation shafts of the impellers 527a and 527b inside the case member 521. Thereby, the impellers 527a and 527b formed integrally are rotationally driven by the ball payout motor 528.

  In addition, in the case member 521, there are two front and rear rows of introduction passages 524 that guide the game balls supplied from the receiving port 523 to the impellers 527a and 527b, and grooves of the impellers 527a and 527b that are driven to rotate clockwise. The game balls sent out while being held in the grooves of the payout passage 525a for guiding the game balls sent out while being held to the lower payout port 526a and the impellers 527a and 527b which are also driven to rotate counterclockwise are A payout passage 525b for guiding to the outlet 526b side is formed.

  Here, FIG. 8A shows a state where one groove portion of the impeller 527a is at the uppermost position and holds one game ball supplied from the receiving port 523, and FIG. 8B shows the impeller. This represents a state in which 527a is rotated about 90 degrees clockwise to deliver the game ball to the payout passage 525a side.

  In this way, the prize ball payout device 52 controls the ball payout motor 528 by the above-described payout control board 62 when the winning is confirmed in the game of the pachinko machine 1, for example, and the impellers 527a and 527b are clocked by a predetermined rotation amount. By rotating around, the number of prize balls according to the type of the prize is paid out through the payout passage 525a.

  When a game ball lending operation is performed on the pachinko machine 1, the payout control board 62 controls the impellers 527a and 527b to rotate counterclockwise by a predetermined amount of rotation, whereby a predetermined number of balls are paid out. It is paid out through the passage 525b.

  As shown in FIG. 6, ball payout sensors 529a and 529b, which are optical sensors, are provided at the payout openings 526a and 526b of the prize ball payout device 52, respectively. The ball payout sensors 529a and 529b detect a winning ball or a rental ball paid out by the winning ball payout device 52 and send the detection signal to the payout control board 62. Since the payout control board 62 grasps the number of game balls actually paid out and controls the ball payout to the prize ball payout device 52, an accurate number of game balls can be paid out.

  Next, a ball removal mechanism provided near the end of the preliminary prize ball passage 32 will be described. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the external structure of the ball removing mechanism in a state where the cover member of the back set board 30 is removed. FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the structure of the ball removal mechanism in a normal state where the wall of the preliminary prize ball passage 32 is closed (the state where the ball removal operation is not performed), and FIG. 11 is a ball removal mechanism shown in FIG. It is the fragmentary sectional view which looked at from the right. 12 is a rear view showing the structure of the ball removal mechanism in a state where the ball removal operation is performed and the wall surface of the preliminary prize ball passage 32 is opened, and FIG. 13 is a right view of the ball removal mechanism shown in FIG. FIG.

  The ball stop mechanism 38 is a mechanism for temporarily stopping the flow of the game ball in the preliminary prize ball passage 32. Normally, the ball stopper mechanism 38 is set to a position where the preliminary prize ball passage 32 is opened. For example, when performing maintenance or inspection work of the prize ball payout device 52, the ball stopper mechanism 38 is moved to the ball passage closing position. To stop the flow of the game ball downstream from this, and activate the ball removing device 100 described later to discharge the game ball in the S-shaped rail portion 322 so that the above operation can be performed quickly or easily. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the ball stopper mechanism 38 includes a regulating member 381 pivotally supported at the upper portion of the preliminary prize ball passage 32 and an upper cover covering the upper portion of the preliminary prize ball passage 32. It is mainly composed of a member 382 and a locking piece 383 that is formed on the base frame 31 of the back set board 30 and holds the restricting member 381 at the ball passage open position or the ball passage close position.

  The restricting member 381 is bent in the rotation direction from the pivot portion 381a pivotally supported by the shaft hole formed in the upper portion of the preliminary prize ball passage 32, the arm portion 381b extending from the pivot portion 381a, and the tip of the arm portion 381b. And two control claw portions 381c protruding in the same manner, and an operation lever portion 381d extending from the tip of the arm portion 381b in a direction parallel to the rotation axis (rear of the pachinko machine 1), and these are integrally formed of hard plastic Is formed.

  An upper cover member 382 is attached to the upper portion of the preliminary prize ball passage 32, and the upper cover member 382 is aligned with the restriction claw portion 381c when the restriction member 381 is rotated to the ball passage closed position. Two openings 382a for penetrating the regulation claw portion 381c and projecting into the preliminary prize ball passage 32 are formed.

  The locking piece 383 is formed by separating the upper and lower sides and the right side from the base frame body 31, and a protruding protrusion 383 a is formed near the right end of the locking piece 383 toward the regulating member 381. That is, the locking piece 383 is elastically deformed while the left side portion is integrally supported with the base frame body 31, so that the protrusion 383 a formed at the right end portion can be displaced in the front-rear direction.

  The ball stopper mechanism 38 is set to a ball passage opening position where the restricting member 381 is rotated downstream of the preliminary prize ball passage 32 in a normal gaming state. At this time, the restricting member 381 is held by the protruding portion 383 a of the locking piece 383 whose arm portion 381 b protrudes rearward from the base frame body 31, and is held at the ball passage opening position. When stopping the supply of game balls, such as maintenance and inspection work of the prize ball payout device 52, the operation lever portion 381d of the restricting member 381 is rotated to the upstream side of the preliminary prize ball passage 32, so that the preliminary prize is obtained. A ball passage closing position for closing the ball passage 32 is set. At this time, the protruding portion 383a of the locking piece 383 is elastically displaced forward while the protruding portion 383a is in sliding contact with the arm portion 381b of the restricting member 381, and when the restricting member 381 reaches the ball passage closed position, the protruding portion 383a becomes the base frame body. It returns to the position which protrudes back from 31. As a result, the arm 381b of the restricting member 381 is locked to the protrusion 383a, and is held at the ball passage closed position. When the restricting member 381 is in the ball passage closed position, the restricting claw portion 381c protrudes into the preliminary prize ball passage 32, so that the flow of game balls in the preliminary prize ball passage 32 is blocked by the restricting claw portion 381c.

  Next, the ball break switch 39 and the pseudo ball presence state creation mechanism 40 will be described. Generally, there is no standby prize ball waiting in the S-shaped rail portion 322, and the operation of the prize ball payout device 52 is restricted when this ball-out state is detected by the ball-out switch 39. That is, even if all the preliminary prize balls waiting on the upstream side of the ball removal device 100 are discharged using a ball removal device 100 to be described later, when the ball-out switch 39 detects a ball-out state, the prize ball payout device 52 Therefore, the preliminary prize ball remains in the S-shaped rail portion 322 on the downstream side of the ball removing device 100. In such a case, the pseudo ball presence state creation mechanism 40 creates a ball presence state in the S-shaped rail portion 322 in a pseudo manner, and eliminates the ball break detection state by the ball break switch 39, thereby winning the prize ball payout device 52. And the preliminary prize balls remaining in the S-shaped rail portion 322 are completely discharged using the prize ball payout device 52.

  FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing the structures of the ball break switch 39 and the pseudo ball presence state creation mechanism 40. The ball break switch 39 has two cylindrical detection passages 391a and 391b formed in a rectangular box body 391, and has a swing fulcrum above the box body 391 and is biased in the detection passages 391a and 391b. And detection levers 392a and 392b that protrude, and two switches (not shown) that are built in the box 391 and are turned on when the detection levers 392a and 392b are pressed outward of the detection passages 391a and 391b. It is configured. In a state in which the ball break switch 39 is attached to the back set board 30, the detection passages 391 a and 391 b are connected to the start end of the S-shaped rail portion 322 and constitute a part of the preliminary prize ball passage 32. That is, when the preliminary prize ball scheduled to be paid out by the prize ball payout device 52 is held in the S-shaped rail portion 322 and is waiting to the upstream of the ball break switch 39, the preliminary prize in the detection passages 391a and 391b. The detection levers 392a and 392b are pressed by the sphere, and the sphere break switch 39 detects the presence of the sphere. When the preliminary prize ball disappears from at least one of the detection passages 391a and 391b, the detection lever of the detection passage returns to a position where the detection lever protrudes into the passage, and the switch is turned off to detect a broken ball state.

  The pseudo ball presence state creation mechanism 40 includes pressing members 401 a and 401 b for pressing the detection levers 392 a and 392 b of the ball break switch 39, and a pressing member 401 that is rotatably mounted as a basic member. Is formed by a cover member 402 that supports the rear surface side and a holder member 403 that holds the pressing member 401 on the attachment portion on the base frame body 31 side.

  The pressing member 401 is integrally formed with fan-shaped pressing elements 401a and 401b that are orthogonal to the rotating shaft 401c and an operating lever portion 401d that extends rearward from the rear pressing element 401b. The fan-shaped pressing elements 401a and 401b are formed at intervals that align with the two detection levers of the above-described ball break switch 39. The cover member 402 is formed with a bearing portion 402a that rotatably supports the rotating shaft 401c of the pressing member 401, and an arc-shaped lever window 402b through which the operation lever portion 401d is inserted. The holder member 403 has a wall-like structure in which the right half is opened up and down and has a general box shape. The holder member 403 is a substantially semi-circular cutout that holds the rotating shaft 401c of the pressing member 401 at the lower part of the rear wall surface. A bearing portion 403a and a claw portion 403b projecting forward in the wall surface portions on both the left and right sides are integrally formed.

  In assembling this mechanism, first, the pressing member 401a on the front side of the pressing member 401 is accommodated in the holder member 403, and the front end of the rotating shaft 401c is brought into contact with the bearing portion 401a of the holder member 403. The part is inserted into the bearing part on the base frame 31 side. In this state, the holder member 403 is locked and attached to the base frame 31 by aligning and pressing the left and right claw portions 403b of the holder member 403 with the locking holes on the base frame 31 side. Next, the rear end portion of the rotating shaft 401 of the pressing member 401 is fitted into the bearing portion 402a while the operation lever portion 401d of the pressing member 401 is inserted into the lever window 402b of the cover member 402. The cover member 402 is attached to a predetermined position of the base frame body 31 by screwing and fixing the upper corners of the cover member 402 to a boss portion (not shown) implanted from the base frame body 31 side.

  According to the pseudo ball presence state creation mechanism 40 having such a configuration, in the normal gaming state, the operation lever portion 401d of the pressing member 401 is rotated to the left edge of the lever window 402b to move the pressing members 401a and 401b to the detection path. It is set in a state of being retracted from 391a and 391b. In this state, the preliminary prize ball is allowed to flow down to the S-shaped rail portion 322 and the prize ball payout device 52 without restriction, and if the preliminary prize ball is not held up to the height of the ball dead switch 39, the ball dead switch 39 is activated. The ball break condition is detected.

  As described above, when the preliminary prize balls remaining in the S-shaped rail portion 322 are completely discharged using the prize ball payout device 52, the ball removal device 100 described later is operated to enter the preliminary prize ball passage 32. After the preliminary prize ball is discharged, the operation lever portion 401d is rotated to the right edge of the lever window 402b, and the detecting levers 392a and 392b of the ball break switch 39 are pressed by the pressing elements 401a and 401b interlocked therewith. Set to the position to be used. In this state, a state is created in which the preliminary award balls are artificially filled in the detection paths 391a and 391b of the ball break switch 39, and the ball break switch 39 is turned on to cancel the ball break detection state. The In this way, it is possible to remove the preliminary prize ball using the prize ball payout device 52.

  Next, the structure of the ball removing device 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The ball removing device 100 is configured as a part of the wall surface of the S-shaped rail portion 322 formed near the end of the preliminary prize ball passage 32 and is pivotally supported by the base frame 31 so as to be swingable. 102, a member that normally locks the flow path switching member 102, closes the wall surface of the S-shaped rail portion 322, and releases the locking of the flow path switching member 102 by tilting the deballing operation portion 101a. The lever member 101 and the ball path for discharging the preliminarily-balled ball out of the pachinko machine 1 and from the vicinity of the flow path switching member 102 constituting the wall surface of the S-shaped rail portion 322 to the bottom. The ball switching passage 102 connected to the ball discharge passage 34 through the ball discharge port 351 which is an opening formed in the frame 31 and the upper portion of the flow passage switching member 102 is attached and pressed to thereby shake the flow passage switching member 102. Sophisticated movement control It is mainly constituted by the proteinoid 122.

  The flow path switching member 102 is pivotally supported by a passage wall portion 102a having a curved surface following the wall surface shape of the S-shaped rail portion 322, and a support shaft 31a implanted in the base frame body 31, and is swingably supported. The shaft hole 102d and the flow path switching member 102 are formed at positions that engage with the engaging protrusion 101b of the lever member 101 in a swinging state (closed state) in which the wall surface of the S-shaped rail portion 322 is closed. Engagement lever 102b, which is a hole, and engagement of lever member 101 in a swinging state in which the flow path switching member 102 opens the wall surface of the S-shaped rail portion 322, extending from the vicinity of the engagement hole 102b to the right. A locking portion 102c that can be locked with the mating protrusion portion 101b, a pressing surface portion 102e that is positioned on the upper surface of the locking portion 102c and pressed by the plunger 122a of the solenoid 122, and a right end portion of the pressing surface portion 102e It has a protrusion 102f which projects Luo upward, which are formed integrally. Note that, when the flow path switching member 102 is swingably attached to the base frame body 31, its center of gravity is outward (rightward in FIG. 10) from the support shaft 31 a, and therefore, an S-shaped rail. If there is no preliminary prize ball in the part 322 and it is not locked by the lever member 101, the part 322 stops at a swing position that closes the wall surface of the S-shaped rail part 322.

  The lever member 101 includes a pivot 101d pivotally supported by a bracket member 103 installed on the front side of the base frame 31, an arm 101c extending vertically from the pivot 101d, and an upper end of the arm 101c. A ball punching operation portion 101a that bends and extends outward (to the right in FIG. 10) and an engagement projection portion 101b that protrudes rearward at the lower end portion of the arm portion 101c are integrally formed. Yes. Further, in a state where the lever member 101 is attached to the bracket member 103, a direction in which the ball removal operation portion 101 a side protrudes forward and the engagement projection portion 101 b side protrudes backward by a leaf spring member (not shown) provided in the arm portion 101 c. Is being energized.

  The base frame 31 is provided with a ball removal operation switch 121 that comes into contact with one end when the ball removal operation portion 101a is tilted backward. Although detailed explanation of the operation will be described later, when the ball removal operation unit 101a is tilted backward and the ball removal operation switch 121 is turned on, a ball removal operation for discharging the preliminary prize ball waiting upstream from the S-shaped rail unit 322 is performed in a predetermined manner. Done under conditions. Further, as a procedure of the ball removal operation by the ball removal device 100, an operator on the back side of the pachinko machine 1 may directly tilt the ball removal operation unit 101a, but the glass frame 4 and the front frame 3 The ball removal operation unit 101a may be indirectly tilted from the front side of the pachinko machine 1 by inserting an operation pin into the ball removal operation hole 150 penetrating through the ball.

  The solenoid 122 has a plunger 122a that can move up and down, and the plunger 122a is always biased downward. The solenoid 122 retracts the plunger 122a upward when a driving current is supplied from a ball removal control board 120 described later.

  Normally, in a state where a game is being performed, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the flow path switching member 102 is in a swing position where the wall surface of the S-shaped rail portion 322 is closed. At this time, the engaging protrusion 101b of the lever member 101 engages with the engaging hole 102b of the flow path switching member 102, and the pressing surface portion 102e of the flow path switching member 102 is pressed by the plunger 122a of the solenoid 122, The side surface of the protruding portion 102f is locked to the plunger 122a, and the swing operation of the flow path switching member 102 is restricted.

  When the ball removal device 100 performs the ball removal operation, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the ball removal operation portion 101a of the lever member 101 is tilted, the end of the operation portion 101a is removed. The operation switch 121 is pressed to detect the ball removal operation. Although details will be described later, the ball removal control board 120 of the pachinko machine 1 asks the hall computer HC for permission to remove the ball, and the gaming machine state of the pachinko machine 1 is, for example, that the front frame 3 is not open. Get ball removal permission only if the conditions are met. When the hall computer HC permits the ball removal, the ball removal control board 120 retracts the plunger 122a of the solenoid 122 upward, and the engagement relationship with the protrusion 102f of the flow path switching member 102 is released. At the same time, the engagement state between the engagement hole 102b and the engagement protrusion 101b of the flow path switching member 102 is also released. As a result, the pressing force of the preliminary prize ball waiting in the preliminary prize ball passage 32 acts on the passage wall portion 102 a of the flow path switching member 102 to open the flow path switching member 102, and the preliminary prize ball passes through the ball removal passage 35. Is discharged out of the machine. In addition, when the ball removal of the preliminary prize ball is being performed, the engagement protrusion portion 101b of the lever member 101 is moved to the engagement portion 102c of the flow path switching member 102 by stopping the tilting operation of the ball removal operation portion 101a. The flow path switching member 102 can be held at a swing position where the wall surface of the S-shaped rail portion 322 is released by being locked. Then, after all the preliminary prize balls upstream from the S-shaped rail portion 322 are discharged, when the ball removal operation portion 101a is tilted again, the engagement state by the engagement protrusion portion 101b is released, and the flow path switching member Reference numeral 102 is configured to automatically return to a swing position where the wall surface of the S-shaped rail portion 322 is closed.

  Next, a control system provided in the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  The main control board 60 is equipped with a CPU as an arithmetic unit and electronic components such as a ROM and a RAM, which are semiconductor memories, and the CPU performs a winning combination and effects lottery according to a system program stored in the ROM in advance. A pachinko game is developed by executing arithmetic processing. The main control board 60 is connected with control boards such as a payout control board 62, a sub-control board 61, an image control board 66, and a game board relay board 64 by wire harnesses. Is transmitted to cause each control board to perform distributed control so that the entire pachinko machine 1 is comprehensively controlled.

  Here, the sub-control board 61 is provided with a sound control unit 611 for controlling the sounding of the speaker 11 and a lamp control unit 612 for driving and controlling a light emitting diode or a lamp of the effect lighting unit 4a. The sound control unit 611 includes a ROM that stores compressed sound source data of various effect sound effects, a sound signal processing circuit that demodulates sound source data selected based on a command signal from the main control board 60, and reproduces the sound signal. An amplifier circuit for amplifying the reproduced audio signal is mounted. In addition, the lamp control unit 612 includes a drive circuit that turns on or blinks the lamp and the like of the effect illumination unit 4a according to the sequence selected by the main control board 60.

  The main control board 60 is connected with a start opening winning ball sensor 22a, and when the starting opening winning ball sensor 22a detects a ball entering the starting chucker 22, a command signal indicating that a predetermined number of winning balls should be paid out. Is sent to the payout control board 62, and the hardware lottery circuit is activated to draw the winning combination. At this time, the main control board 60 controls the image control board 66 to variably display a plurality of symbols on the liquid crystal display unit 53 provided on the decorative member 28, or controls the sub control board 61 to effect sound effects related to winning. Is generated, and the effect lighting part 4a is turned on or blinked to produce an effect that raises the expectation for winning.

  In addition, a winning ball sensor 21a provided in the chucker 21 or the like is connected to the main control board 60 through a game board relay board 64, and when the winning ball sensor 21a detects a ball entering the winning opening, a predetermined number A command signal indicating that the prize ball should be paid out is sent to the payout control board 62.

  When a winning combination such as a jackpot is won, the main control board 60 shifts the processing of the game to a special game state, controls the game board relay board 64 and operates the big prize opening solenoid 23c to perform an attacker under certain requirements. Open the 23 doors. Thus, in the special game state, it is possible to enter the attacker 23, and the main control board 60 allows the winning ball sensor 23a or the specific area winning ball sensor 23b provided in the attacker 23 to enter the winning opening. Each time it is detected, a command signal indicating that a predetermined number of prize balls should be paid out is sent to the payout control board 62.

  A touch sensor 91, a potentiometer 92, and a stop switch 93 that are built in the launch handle 9 are connected to the launch control board 67. The touch sensor 91 provided in the firing handle 9 is formed of, for example, a capacitance type sensor, and controls the firing of a detection signal (ON signal) while a player or the like touches the rotation operation unit 9a of the firing handle 9. Delivered to the substrate 67. The potentiometer 92 changes its electrical resistance in accordance with the rotation angle at which the turning operation unit 9a is turned. For this reason, for example, by supplying a constant current to the potentiometer 92, the firing control board 67 can obtain a voltage signal corresponding to the rotation operation amount of the firing handle 9. The stop switch 93 is a push-type switch provided on the firing handle 9 in order to stop the launch of the game ball.

  The launch control board 67 is a ball launcher with a torque according to the turning angle of the turning operation portion 9a detected by the potentiometer 92 while the player or the like touches the launch handle 9 and the touch sensor 91 detects this. 50 ball launch motors 501 are activated. As a result, the game ball is launched to the game board 20 with a striking force corresponding to the rotation operation amount of the launch handle 9. Note that when the firing control board 67 detects that the stop switch 93 is pressed, the operation of the ball launch motor 501 is stopped during this time even if the player or the like touches the launch handle 9.

  Connected to the payout control board 62 are a ball payout motor 528 of the prize ball payout device 52 and ball payout sensors 529a and 529b. When a command signal indicating that a game ball has entered the winning opening and a predetermined number of prize balls should be paid out is sent from the main control board 60, the payout control board 62 activates the ball payout motor 528 of the prize ball payout device 52. Then, by controlling the ball payout motor 528 while detecting the actually paid out prize balls by the ball payout sensors 529a and 529b, the number of prize balls is paid out according to the command signal from the main control board 60. ing. The payout control board 62 receives the detection signal from the above-described ball cut switch 39 via the external terminal board 65, and when the preliminary prize ball passage 32 is in a ball cut state, the prize ball payout device 52 operates. Control to stop.

  The payout control board 62 is connected to the lower pan full tank switch 7c, and when the lower pan full tank switch 7c detects that the game ball held in the ball receiving portion 7a of the lower base plate 7 is full. Even if the launch handle 9 is operated, the launch control board 67 regulates the operation of the ball launcher 50. Thus, when the lower ball tray 7 is full, the game is interrupted to prevent the newly-paid prize balls and the like from overflowing from the ball receiving portion 7a of the lower ball tray 7.

  The external terminal board 65 is connected to a hall computer, which is a management computer of the amusement hall, by a wiring cable, and an electronic circuit board that mainly functions as an output terminal board for notifying the hall computer of the operating state of the pachinko machine 1 It is.

  The main control board 60 and the payout control board 62 described above are connected to the external terminal board 65, and the current gaming state in the pachinko machine 1 is, for example, a big hit (special gaming state) from these control boards. Receiving gaming machine information such as whether the payout device 52 is activated and paying out a winning ball or a rental ball, or whether the design symbol by the liquid crystal display unit 53 of the decorative member 28 is changing, always notifies the hall computer described above. Yes. The external terminal board 65 is connected to a front frame opening switch 41 and a glass frame opening switch 42 for detecting the opening state of the front frame 3 and the glass frame 4, respectively. The information shown is also notified to the hall computer.

  Further, on the external terminal board 65, a ball removal operation switch 121 for detecting a ball removal operation for discharging the preliminary prize ball in the preliminary prize ball passage 32, and a ball removal control board for controlling the ball removal operation by the ball removal device 100. 120 is connected.

  As will be described later, the ball removal control board 120 transmits, via the external terminal board 65, a ball removal permission request signal for requesting whether or not the ball removal operation by the ball removal apparatus 100 can be executed in the pachinko machine 1. In response to the request signal, the solenoid 122 of the ball removing device 100 is controlled to be turned on / off according to the content of the ball removing permission response signal returned by the hall computer.

  Next, a system configuration provided in the game hall facility for executing the ball removing operation according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the system. Referring to the figure, the hall computer HC provided in the game hall is composed of a plurality of pachinko machines 1 and wiring cables installed in the game hall via a terminal board TB which is an input / output board for transmitting and receiving a plurality of signals. It is connected and collects and manages each gaming machine information transmitted by each pachinko machine 1. In the present invention, the hall computer HC and each pachinko machine 1 are connected to each other via a communication network line, and various information such as gaming machine information, ball removal permission request, and ball removal permission response of each pachinko machine 1 is exchanged. It may be applied to the system.

  The hall computer HC is provided with an information storage device DB, which stores a ball removal permission table PTB associated with real-time information indicating that the ball removal operation for each of the pachinko machines 1 is permitted or prohibited. . The ball removal permission table PTB can be updated at any time based on game machine information obtained from each pachinko machine 1 by, for example, a ball removal permission table editing task (described later) executed by the hall computer HC. In addition, the ball removal permission table PTB is rewritten and edited using an input device KB or the like of the hall computer HC by a game manager or the like, in particular, a person who has the qualification (authority) to perform the ball removal operation. It may be.

  With reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the ball removing operation for discharging the game ball (preliminary prize ball) from the preliminary prize ball passage 32 using the ball removal apparatus 100 in the pachinko machine 1 having such a configuration will be described. To do. FIG. 17 shows a control process executed by the ball computer HC in cooperation with the ball removal control board 120 provided in the pachinko machine 1, and FIG. 18 shows the ball removal permission table PTB executed by the hall computer HC. Represents a task process to be edited.

  First, with reference to FIG. 17, a ball removing operation executed in cooperation with the pachinko machine 1 and the hall computer HC will be described. The ball removal device 100 is in an operation standby state until the ball removal operation lever portion 100a is tilted. At this time, the plunger 122a of the solenoid 122 extends to lock the protruding portion 102f of the flow path switching member 102. When the operation lever portion 100a is tilted by an operator or the like and the ball removal operation switch 121 is turned on, thereby detecting the ball removal operation (step S101: YES), the ball removal control board 120 receives the ball removal permission request RQP. Is transmitted to the hall computer HC (step S102). In a system in which each pachinko machine 1 and the hall computer HC are connected to each other via a communication network, the machine number of the pachinko machine 1 that has been subjected to the ball removal operation (that is, in order to easily identify the source of the request) A ball removal permission request RQP may be issued with an identification number assigned to each pachinko machine).

  In the hall computer HC, a ball removal permission task is activated, and when a signal of a ball removal permission request RQP is received from any pachinko machine 1 installed in the game hall (step S201), the ball removal permission table PTB It is checked whether the pachinko machine 1 that has been requested is in a state in which the ball can be removed (step S202). That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the ball removal permission table PTB has information indicating whether or not the ball removal device 100 can perform a ball removal operation at this time for the serial number of each pachinko machine 1 and whether to permit or prohibit it. It is associated. The hall computer HC sends a signal of a ball removal permission response RSP indicating that the ball removal operation is permitted or prohibited to the pachinko machine 1 that has issued the ball removal permission request RQP based on the stored contents of the ball removal permission table PTB. A reply is made to the pachinko machine 1 (step S203). In the system using the communication network, the ball removal permission response RSP is sent with the machine number of the destination pachinko machine 1 attached, similarly to the data structure of the ball removal permission request RQP described above. Also good.

  The pachinko machine 1 receives the signal of the ball removal permission response RSP from the hall computer HC (step S103), and determines whether or not the ball removal operation is possible based on the content indicated by the signal. If the received ball removal permission response RSP does not indicate ball removal permission (prohibit ball removal operation) (step S104: NO), the ball removal operation is not performed and the process ends. Further, the pachinko machine 1 performs the process without performing the ball removal operation even when the ball removal permission response RSP is not obtained from the hall computer HC within a predetermined time after issuing the ball removal permission request RQP described above. Terminate.

  When the ball removal permission response RSP received by the pachinko machine 1 indicates ball removal permission (step S104: YES), the ball removal control board 120 drives the solenoid 122 of the ball removal device 100 to retract the plunger 122a ( Step S105). Thereby, the restriction of the flow path switching member 102 is released, and the flow path switching member 102 is opened by the pressing force of the game ball waiting in the preliminary prize ball passage 32, and the game ball is discharged outside the machine.

  When the ball removal operation is started, the lamps of the effect lighting unit 4a are turned on (step S106) to notify the worker or the like that the ball removal operation is in operation. The ball removal control board 120 monitors the output of the ball break switch 39, and when it is determined that the game ball is not detected for a predetermined time or longer (step S107: YES), the lamps are blinked (step S108). ). As a result, the discharge of the game ball in the preliminary prize ball path 32 is completed, and a worker or the like is informed that a ball removal completion operation that is a re-operation of the operation lever portion 100a is possible.

  When the ball removal control board 120 determines that the operation lever portion 100a has been re-operated by detecting the on-operation of the ball removal operation switch 121 after the game ball has been discharged (step S109: YES), it drives the solenoid 122. Stop and extend the plunger 122a (step S110). When the ball removal operation is completed, the flow path switching member 102 automatically returns to the position where the wall surface of the S-shaped rail portion 322 is closed and is locked by the plunger 122a.

  Note that the ball removal control board 120 ends the ball removal operation after the ball break switch 39 in the preliminary prize ball passage 32 detects a ball break state, so that the ball removal device 100 temporarily discharges the game ball. Even if the ball removal operation is performed again in the middle, since the ball cut switch 39 detects the game ball, the ball removal operation is not completed and the re-operation becomes invalid.

  In addition, the above-described ball removal permission task may be a task that is constantly activated in the hall computer HC, or triggered by issuing a ball removal permission request RQP from any pachinko machine 1 installed in the game hall. In addition, it may be a task activated at any time.

  Next, a ball removal permission table editing task that the hall computer HC executes in parallel with the ball removal permission task will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. This task is sequentially and repeatedly activated according to a predetermined time schedule in the hall computer HC. Specifically, the current game machine information of each pachinko machine 1 is acquired and the pachinko machine is obtained under a certain condition. It is determined whether the ball removal operation of the machine 1 is permitted or prohibited, and the result is stored in the ball removal permission table PTB. Then, when the update of the ball removal permission table PTB is completed for all the pachinko machines 1 in the game hall, the ball removal permission table PTB is continuously updated again based on the current gaming machine information of each pachinko machine 1.

  FIG. 18 shows task processing performed for one pachinko machine 1 among the ball removal permission table editing tasks sequentially started for each pachinko machine 1. First, the hall computer HC acquires the current gaming machine information of the pachinko machine 1 targeted by this task (step S301). The specific gaming machine information is, for example, information indicating the open / closed state of the front frame 3 and the glass frame 4, the symbol display state, the jackpot (special game) state, the game ball payout state, and the like.

  Next, it is determined from the acquired gaming machine information whether or not the front frame 3 of the pachinko machine 1 is open (step S302). If it is determined that the front frame 3 of the pachinko machine 1 is open (step S302: YES), information indicating that the ball removal operation is prohibited for the pachinko machine 1 is set in the ball removal permission table PTB (step S303). This task processing is finished.

  If the front frame 3 is not open (step S302: NO), it is next determined whether or not the glass frame 4 of the pachinko machine 1 is open (step S304). If it is determined that the glass frame 4 is open (step S304: YES), information indicating that the ball removal operation is prohibited for the pachinko machine 1 is set in the ball removal permission table PTB (step S303), and this task processing is performed. Finish.

  If the glass frame 4 is not in the open state (step S304: NO), it is next determined whether the pachinko machine 1 is variably displaying the symbol (step S305). If it is determined that the pachinko machine 1 is displaying the symbols in a variable manner (step S305: YES), information indicating that the ball removal operation is prohibited for the pachinko machine 1 is set in the ball removal permission table PTB (step S303). Finish this task process.

  If the pachinko machine 1 is not displaying the symbol variation (step S305: NO), it is next determined whether the pachinko machine 1 is in a big hit (step S306). If it is determined that the pachinko machine 1 is in a big hit (step S306: YES), information indicating that the ball removal operation is prohibited for the pachinko machine 1 is set in the ball removal permission table PTB (step S303). Finish.

  If the pachinko machine 1 is not in a big hit (step S306: NO), it is then determined whether the pachinko machine 1 is paying out a winning ball or a rental ball (step S307). If it is determined that the pachinko machine 1 is being paid out (step S307: YES), information indicating that the ball removal operation for the pachinko machine 1 is prohibited is set in the ball removal permission table PTB (step S303), and this task processing is performed. Finish.

  When the hall computer HC determines that the pachinko machine 1 is not currently in any of the above states (step S307: NO), the hall computer HC displays information indicating that the pachinko machine 1 is permitted to perform the ball removal operation. (Step S308), and this task processing is completed.

  When the opening of the front frame 3 is detected by the front frame opening switch 41 or the opening of the glass frame 4 is detected by the glass frame opening switch 42 during the ball removing operation by the ball removing device 100, or the design When at least one of the above states is detected in the pachinko machine 1, such as when a change display is performed, when a probable change state such as jackpot, or when a game ball payout operation is started, The lighting unit 4a, the sound emitting unit 5c for production, etc. are driven to report the error of the pachinko machine 1 to the surroundings or the manager of the game hall.

  According to the pachinko machine 1 configured as described above, a ball removal permission request for permitting a ball removal operation is transmitted to the hall computer HC before removing the game balls waiting in the preliminary prize ball passage 32 to the outside of the machine. Only when a response signal indicating that the ball removal operation is permitted is received from the hall computer HC, the ball removal operation is executed. The hall computer HC collects the current gaming machine information of the pachinko machine 1 for which the ball removal permission request has been issued. For example, when the front frame 3 or the glass frame 4 of the pachinko machine 1 is opened, the ball removal operation is performed. Is transmitted to the pachinko machine 1. In addition, when the pachinko machine 1 is in the game state of any one of the symbol display, the big hit, and the payout, a response signal for prohibiting the ball removing operation is transmitted to the pachinko machine 1.

  That is, even if a ball removal operation is performed on the pachinko machine 1, any one of the above conditions may be satisfied in which an illegal ball removal action may be performed such as the front frame 3 of the pachinko machine 1 being in an open state. At this time, since the ball removal operation is prohibited, unauthorized ball removal performed in such a state can be prevented.

  Further, only a person having authority to perform a ball removal operation, such as a game hall administrator, can edit the ball removal permission table PTB managed by the hall computer HC and set the ball removal permission of each pachinko machine 1. This makes it impossible for a person other than the administrator to remove the ball. For this reason, illegal ball removal in the pachinko machine 1 can be prevented.

  In addition, an error is notified when the pachinko machine 1 is in any of the above states, such as when the front frame 3 is opened during the ball removing operation for discharging the game ball to the outside of the machine. Actions can be reliably prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the restricting means formed from the solenoid 122 and the protruding portion 102f of the flow path switching member 102 has been described as the ball removal operation restricting means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a ball removal operation restricting means that restricts the operation of the flow path switching member 102 using another electrically controllable actuator such as a rotary operation type stepping motor may be applied.

  The ball removal operation control unit for controlling the ball removal operation is not limited to the ball removal control board 120, and the control board such as the main control board 60 or the sub-control board 61 performs arithmetic processing to perform the ball removal operation. You may control.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external structure of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view mainly showing the structure of the game board and front frame of the pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the external structure of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the external structure of the pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the pachinko machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows the structure of the back set board in a state in which various electronic circuit boards and cover members are removed. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the pachinko machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing the structure of the prize ball payout device and the ball removing mechanism in a state where the cover member of the back set board is removed. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the external structure of a prize ball payout device provided in a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views for explaining the operation of the prize ball payout device. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an external structure of a ball removing mechanism provided in the pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the structure of the ball removing mechanism provided in the pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state in which the flow path switching member is in a swinging position for closing the wall surface of the S-shaped rail portion. FIG. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ball removal mechanism shown in FIG. 10 as viewed from the right. FIG. 12 is a rear view showing the structure of the ball removing mechanism provided in the pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the flow path switching member is in the swinging position for opening the wall surface of the S-shaped rail portion (ball FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ball removal mechanism shown in FIG. 12 as viewed from the right. FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a ball break switch and a pseudo ball presence state creation mechanism provided in the pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a control system for a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system provided in a game hall facility for executing a ball removing operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the control process of the ball removal operation executed in cooperation between the pachinko machine and the hall computer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the process of the ball removal permission table editing task executed by the hall computer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a rear view showing the external structure of a ball removing device in a conventional pachinko machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachinko machine, 2 ... Outer frame, 3 ... Front frame, 3a ... Hinge member,
4 ... Glass frame, 4a ... Director for lighting,
5 ... Upper ball dish, 5a ... Ball dish part, 5b ... Ball outlet,
5c ... Sound emission part for production, 6 ... Keyhole,
7 ... Lower ball dish, 7a ... Ball dish part, 7b ... Ball outlet,
8 ... Ball release lever, 9 ... Launch handle, 9a ... Rotation operation part,
10 ... engagement lever, 11 ... speaker,
20 ... Game board, 20a ... Game auxiliary board,
21 ... Chucker, 21a ... Prize ball sensor,
22 ... Starting chucker, 22a ... Starting opening winning ball sensor,
23 ... Attacker, 23a ... Winning ball sensor,
23b: a specific area winning ball sensor, 23c: a large winning opening solenoid,
24 ... out mouth, 28 ... decorative member,
30 ... Back set board, 31 ... Base frame, 31a ... Spindle,
32 ... Preliminary prize ball passage, 33 ... Prize ball passage, 34 ... Ball discharge passage,
35 ... Ball passage, 36 ... Hinge member, 37 ... Closing lever,
38 ... Ball stop mechanism, 39 ... Ball cut switch,
40 ... Mechanism for creating a state with a pseudo sphere,
41 ... Front frame opening switch, 42 ... Glass frame opening switch,
50 ... Ball launcher, 51 ... Ball tank, 52 ... Prize ball dispenser,
53 ... Liquid crystal display unit, 60 ... Main control board,
61 ... Sub-control board 62 ... Discharge control board 63 ... Power supply board
64 ... Game board relay board, 65 ... External terminal board, 66 ... Image control board,
67 ... Launch control board, 71 ... Outer rail, 72 ... Inner rail,
91 ... Touch sensor, 92 ... Potentiometer, 93 ... Stop switch,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Ball removal apparatus, 101 ... Lever member, 101a ... Ball removal operation part,
101b ... engaging projection, 101c ... arm, 101d ... pivot,
102 ... Channel switching member, 102a ... Passage wall, 102b ... Engagement hole,
102c ... locking part, 102d ... shaft hole, 102e ... pressing surface part,
102f ... projecting portion, 103 ... bracket member,
120 ... Ball removal control board, 121 ... Ball removal operation switch,
122 ... Solenoid, 122a ... Plunger,
150: Ball punching operation hole, 321: Inclined collar, 322 ... S-shaped rail,
331 ... Upper ball dish passage part, 332 ... Lower ball dish passage part, 333 ... Partition wall,
334 ... upper ball tray outlet, 335 ... detour groove, 336 ... ball bucket,
341 ... ball outlet, 351 ... ball outlet,
381 ... Restricting member, 381a ... Axis, 381b ... Arm,
381c ... Regulating claw part, 381d ... Operating lever part,
382 ... upper cover member, 382a ... opening,
383 ... locking piece, 383a ... projection,
391 ... Box body, 391a, 391b ... Detection path,
392a, 392b ... detection lever,
401 ... Pressing member, 401a, 401b ... Pressing member,
401c: Rotating shaft 401d: Operation lever part
402 ... Cover member, 402a ... Bearing part, 402b ... Lever window,
403 ... Holder member, 403a ... Bearing part, 403b ... Claw part,
501 ... Ball launch motor 502 ... Blow hammer
521 ... Case member, 522 ... Cover member,
523 ... Receiving port, 524 ... Introduction passage, 525a, 525b ... Dispensing passage,
526a, 526b ... payout port, 527a, 527b ... impeller,
528 ... Ball dispensing motor, 529a, 529b ... Ball dispensing sensor,
611: Voice control unit, 612: Lamp control unit,
HC ... Hall computer, PTB ... Ball removal permission table,
RQP ... ball removal permission request, RSP ... ball removal permission response

Claims (7)

A ball removing device for discharging a game ball held in a ball passage formed in a ball game machine to the outside of the machine,
A ball removal operation detecting means for detecting the ball removal operation;
A flow path switching member for closing or opening one wall surface of the spherical path;
Ball removal operation restricting means for restricting the operation of the flow path switching member;
A ball removal operation control means for controlling the ball removal operation regulating means,
The ball removal operation control means transmits a ball removal permission request to the management computer when the ball removal operation is detected by the ball removal operation detection means, and the ball removal operation control means responds to reception of the ball removal permission responded by the management computer. A ball removing device for a ball game machine, wherein the ball removing operation is executed by releasing the restriction of the flow path switching member by the operation restricting means.   The management computer collects game machine information of a ball game machine that transmits the ball removal permission request, and when at least the front frame member is open in the ball game machine, the ball removal for the ball removal permission request is performed. 2. The ball removing device according to claim 1, wherein no permission is transmitted.   The management computer collects game machine information of a ball game machine that transmits the ball removal permission request, and when at least the glass frame member is open in the ball game machine, the ball removal for the ball removal permission request is performed. 2. The ball removing device according to claim 1, wherein no permission is transmitted.   The management computer collects gaming machine information of the ball game machine that transmits the ball removal permission request, and when at least the symbol display is performed on the ball ball gaming machine, the ball removal permission for the ball removal permission request The ball removing device according to claim 1, wherein no ball is transmitted.   The management computer collects gaming machine information of a ball game machine that transmits the ball removal permission request, and transmits the ball removal permission for the ball removal permission request when the ball game machine is at least in a special gaming state. The ball removing device according to claim 1, wherein the ball removing device is not.   The management computer collects game machine information of a ball game machine that transmits the ball removal permission request, and when the ball game machine is in a state of paying out at least a game ball, a ball corresponding to the ball removal permission request is collected. 2. The ball punching device according to claim 1, wherein a punching permission is not transmitted.   The ball removal operation restricting means includes a solenoid, and the solenoid locks with the flow path switching member to restrict the operation of the flow path switching member to open one wall surface of the spherical passage. Item 7. The ball removing device according to any one of Items 1 to 6.

Images