JP2006043266A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine in which a space in the back side of the game machine can be efficiently used. <P>SOLUTION: It becomes possible not to form a pay out path in the back side of the pachinko game machine 1 by arranging a front path 30 in the front side of the pachinko game machine 1. Consequently, the space in the back side of the pachinko game machine 1 can be secure wide, more mechanical members can be arranged in the back side of the pachinko game machine 1. For example, a large sized liquid crystal display unit can be arranged in the center of the game zone. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a supply unit to which a game ball is supplied from an external device at the top.

Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, there is known a gaming ball payout passage formed on the back side of the gaming machine. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1 and FIG. 2).
According to such a configuration, since the payout device is provided in the payout passage, it is possible to pay out only a specified quantity of the game balls stored in the tank. The paid-out game balls are guided to the front side and used for games.
JP 2004-073719 A

In the conventional gaming machine described above, there is a problem that the installation space for each board or the like on the back side of the gaming machine is limited by providing the payout passage on the back side of the gaming machine. Further, since the game balls are distributed through the passage that is not visible to the player, there is a problem that the game is less interesting.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine that can effectively use the space on the back side of the gaming machine.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in a gaming machine comprising a supply unit to which a game ball is supplied from an external device at the upper part of the main body unit,
It is provided on the front side of the main body and has a front passage that constitutes at least a part of a passage through which the game ball is guided from the supply portion.

In the invention of claim 1 configured as described above, the supply unit is provided at the upper part of the main body of the gaming machine, and the game ball is supplied to the supply unit from an external device. A passage for guiding the game ball from the supply portion is provided, and a front passage that constitutes at least a part of the passage is disposed on the front side of the main body portion. That is, since not all the paths for guiding the game ball from the supply unit are provided on the back side of the gaming machine, a wide space on the back side can be secured.
The present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and includes the following means.

Mean 1
The invention according to means 1 is the invention described in claim 1, wherein the main body is provided with a game area through which game balls can be distributed,
The front passage is provided in front of the game area.
That is, a game area is formed in the main body, and the front passage is formed on the front side of the game area.

Mean 2
The invention according to means 2 is the invention according to claim 1 or 1, wherein the front passage is provided so as to be visible from the front side.
That is, by providing the front passage on the front side of the main body, the front passage can be viewed from the front side. For example, by making the front passage visible from the front side, the decoration effect of the gaming machine can be improved by the front passage.

Mean 3
The invention according to the means 3 is the invention described in either the means 1 or 2, wherein the invention is connected to the front side of the main body so as to be rotatable, and is substantially closed from the front side while allowing the game area to be seen through. With a transparent plate holding frame,
The front passage is configured to be provided in the transparent plate holding frame.
That is, by providing the transparent plate holding frame with the front passage, the front passage can be rotated together with the transparent plate holding frame.

Mean 4
The invention according to means 4 is the invention described in claim 1, means 1, or means 2, wherein the invention is pivotally connected to the front side of the main body, and the front side of the game area can be seen through. A transparent plate holding frame that is substantially closed from is provided,
The front passage is formed as a member independent of the transparent plate holding frame, and is configured to be attached to the main body.
That is, by forming the front passage as a member independent of the transparent plate holding frame and attaching it to the main body, the front passage can be prevented from rotating together with the transparent plate holding frame. Therefore, it is possible to design and arrange the gaming machine and the equipment adjacent to the gaming machine without considering the rotation of the front passage.

Mean 5
The invention according to means 5 is the invention according to claim 1 or any one of means 1 to means 4, wherein the front passage is provided so as to protrude forward from the transparent plate holding frame.
That is, by projecting the front passage in front of the transparent plate holding frame, the front passage can be made conspicuous on the front side. Of course, the front passage may be formed on the front side of the gaming machine, and for example, a part of the front passage may be embedded in the transparent plate holding frame.

Mean 6
The invention according to means 6 is the invention according to claim 1 or any one of means 1 to 5, wherein the front passage is formed downward from a position higher than the center of the gaming area in the gaming machine. As a configuration.
That is, by forming the front passage downward from a position higher than the center of the gaming area in the gaming machine, a space on the back side can be secured widely from a high position to a low position.

Mean 7
The invention according to means 7 is the invention described in means 6, wherein the front passage is formed in a bridge shape so as to straddle the game area from the front.
That is, by forming the front passage in a bridge shape so as to straddle the game area from the front, the front passage and the game area can be arranged to overlap each other in the front-rear direction. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the game area by avoiding the front passage, and therefore the game area can be formed widely.

Mean 8
The invention according to means 8 is the invention according to claim 1 or means 1 to 5, wherein the front passage is formed downward from a position lower than the center of the gaming area in the gaming machine. As a configuration.
That is, by forming the front passage downward from a position lower than the center of the gaming area in the gaming machine, the front passage can be arranged so as to avoid the gaming area. In the substantially circular gaming area, the width is the largest at the center height of the gaming area. Therefore, by arranging the front passage downward from a position lower than this height, the two do not overlap. Can be arranged.

Mean 9
The invention according to means 9 is the invention described in claim 1 or any one of means 1 to 8, wherein the supply section is provided on the back side,
A communication passage for guiding game balls from the supply section to the front passage is formed through the front and rear of the gaming machine.
That is, by forming a communication passage that penetrates the gaming machine forward and backward, it is possible to guide the game ball from the supply unit provided on the back side of the gaming machine to the front passage. A game ball tank or the like can be applied as the supply unit provided on the back side of the gaming machine. Since the game ball tank temporarily stores a large amount of game balls, the game ball may be stolen if it is disposed at a position where the player can reach. Therefore, it is desirable to arrange the game ball tank on the back side of the game machine.

Mean 10
The invention according to means 10 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 or 1 to 9, wherein the invention is provided between the supply section and the front passage, and a desired number of game balls are placed in the front passage. A payout device capable of payout is provided.
That is, by providing the payout device between the supply unit and the front passage, a desired number of game balls can be paid out to the front passage.

Mean 11
The invention according to means 11 is the invention described in means 10, wherein the payout device is provided on the back side.
That is, by disposing the payout device on the back side of the gaming machine, fraud can be prevented from being added to the payout device. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the amount of game balls to be paid out from being illegally controlled.

Mean 12
The invention relating to the means 12 is the invention described in any one of the means 3 to 11, wherein the transparent plate holding frame is rotatably connected to the main body of the gaming machine, and the turning in this turning is performed. The front passage is formed on the shaft side.
That is, by rotating the transparent plate holding frame, the front passage protruding from the transparent plate holding frame to the front side also moves. However, the front passage is provided on the rotating shaft side. Thus, the amount of movement of the front passage associated with the rotation can be reduced. Therefore, when rotating the said transparent plate holding frame, possibility that the said front channel | path will contact an obstruction can be reduced.

Mean 13
The invention relating to the means 13 is the invention described in any one of the means 3 to 11, wherein the transparent plate holding frame is pivotally connected to the main body of the gaming machine, and a free end in this rotation. The front passage is formed on the side.

  That is, you may project the said front channel | path in the free end side in rotation of the said transparent plate holding frame. By doing in this way, when an obstacle is installed near the rotation axis of the transparent plate holding frame, it is possible to prevent the obstacle and the front passage from interfering with each other. For example, when the vertical rotation shaft is formed at the width direction end of the gaming machine, and the ball rental machine is provided adjacent to the gaming machine in the width direction, the front passage is formed on the free end side. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the ball lending machine and the front passage from interfering with each other.

Mean 14
The invention according to the means 14 is configured such that a game ball discharge port of a ball lending machine is connected to the front passage in the invention described in claim 1 or means 1 or means 13.
That is, by connecting the game ball discharge port of the ball lending machine to the front passage, the game balls discharged by the ball lending machine can be used directly in the game.

Mean 15
The invention according to means 15 is the invention described in means 14, wherein the ball lending machine is installed adjacent to the gaming machine in the width direction,
The front passage is formed on the side where the ball lending machine is installed.
In other words, by forming the front passage on the side of the ball lending machine installed adjacent to the width direction, it is possible to shorten the route through which the game balls are distributed from the ball lending machine to the front passage.

Mean 16
The invention according to means 16 is the invention described in any of means 1 to 15, wherein the ball rental machine is installed adjacent to the gaming machine in the width direction,
The front passage is formed on the side opposite to the side where the ball lending machine is installed.
That is, by forming the front passage on the side opposite to the side of the ball lending machine installed adjacent to the width direction, the front passage and the ball lending machine are rotated when the transparent plate support frame is rotated. Can be prevented from interfering with each other.

Mean 17
The invention relating to the means 17 is the invention described in any one of the means 1 to 16, wherein the front passage is formed by a translucent material so that the inside is visible.
That is, since the front passage is formed of a light-transmitting material, it is possible to visually recognize the state of the game ball that circulates in the front passage.

Means 18
The invention according to the means 18 is the structure described in any one of the means 1 to the means 17, wherein a decoration is formed in the front passage.
That is, decoration can be performed using the front passage formed prominently on the front side of the gaming machine. Specifically, a pattern may be drawn on the front passage, or the front passage itself may be decorated. In order to achieve higher decorativeness, lighting or the like may be provided.

Mean 19
The invention according to means 19 is the invention described in claim 1 or any one of means 1 to 18, wherein the front passage is curved.
That is, the game ball can flow down in a desired direction by bending the front passage. Therefore, the paid-out game ball can be guided to a place where the game ball is desired to be guided.

Mean 20
The invention according to means 20 is the invention described in claim 1 or any one of means 1 to 19, wherein the front passage is inclined with respect to the vertical direction.
That is, by allowing the front passage to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction, it is possible to prevent the game ball from freely falling in the front passage. Further, by adjusting the tilt angle, the speed of the game ball flowing through the front passage can be adjusted.

Mean 21
The invention according to means 21 is the structure according to claim 1 or any one of means 1 to 20, wherein the front passage is provided with an obstacle that acts as a resistance to circulation of the game ball.
That is, the distribution speed of the game sphere can be reduced by forming an obstacle that acts as a resistance to the distribution of the game sphere in the front passage.

Mean 22
The invention according to means 22 is the invention described in claim 1 or any one of means 1 to means 21, wherein the front passage is connected to an upper plate protruding from the front side of the gaming machine and capable of storing game balls. It is as composition to do.
That is, an upper plate capable of storing a game ball is provided on the front side of the gaming machine, and the front passage is connected to the upper plate, so that the paid-out game ball can be guided to the upper plate. it can.

Mean 23
The invention according to means 23 is the invention described in means 22, wherein the front passage projects from the front side of the gaming machine and is connected to a lower plate capable of storing game balls, and stores the game balls in the upper plate. When the amount exceeds a predetermined amount, an overflow mechanism for guiding the game ball to the lower plate is provided.
In other words, the front passage projects from the front side of the gaming machine and connects to the upper and lower plates that can store game balls. Therefore, it is possible to guide the game balls paid out to both the upper plate and the lower plate. The overflow mechanism guides the game ball to the lower plate when the storage amount of the game ball in the upper plate exceeds a predetermined amount. That is, when the storage amount of the game ball in the upper plate is small, the game ball is preferentially guided to the upper plate, and when the storage amount of the upper plate is almost full, the game ball is Can be evacuated to a dish.

Mean 24
The invention according to the means 24 is the invention described in either the means 22 or the means 23, wherein the distribution direction of the game balls is substantially leveled at a portion connected to the upper plate or the lower plate in the front passage. It is as.
That is, the game ball can be released in a substantially horizontal direction in the upper plate or the lower plate. The upper plate and the lower plate are formed in a wide plate shape so as to store as many game balls as possible, and generally the bottom surface thereof is formed substantially horizontally. Therefore, by releasing the game ball in the substantially horizontal direction in the upper plate or the lower plate, the game ball can collide at a low angle with respect to the bottom surface on which the released game ball falls. Therefore, the impact of the released game ball, the upper plate, and the lower plate can be reduced, and the game ball can be smoothly guided to the upper plate and the lower plate.

Mean 25
The invention according to means 25 is the invention according to claim 1 or any one of means 1 to means 23, wherein the gaming machine uses a game ball as a game medium and the drum is rotated in the game area. As a configuration.
In other words, the present invention can also be applied to patch lots. Note that the pachinko is a gaming machine that performs picture matching using a certain number of pachinko balls instead of medals, and has the characteristics of both a pachinko machine and a slot machine. Such a pachi-lot is also applicable to the present invention because a game ball is paid out.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine that can effectively use the space on the back side of the gaming machine can be provided.
According to the invention relating to the means 1, the front passage can be formed on the front side of the game area.
According to the invention relating to the means 2, the gaming machine can be decorated by the front passage.
According to the invention relating to the means 3, the front passage can be rotated together with the transparent plate support frame to open the game area to the front side.
According to the invention relating to the means 4, the front passage can be prevented from rotating together with the transparent plate support frame.
According to the invention concerning the means 5, the front passage can be made conspicuous.
According to the invention relating to the means 6, it is possible to secure a wider space on the back side.

According to the invention according to the means 7, the game area can be formed widely.
According to the invention relating to the means 8, it is possible to prevent the game area and the front passage from overlapping each other.

According to the invention relating to the means 9, the game ball can be guided from the back side to the front passage on the front side.
According to the invention relating to the means 10, the front passage can be used as a payout passage.
According to the invention relating to the means 11, fraud can be prevented from being added to the payout device.
According to the invention relating to the means 12, it is possible to prevent the front passage from interfering with an obstacle.
According to the invention relating to the means 13, it is possible to prevent the front passage from interfering with the ball lending machine.
According to the invention according to the means 14, the game ball discharged from the ball lending machine can be used for the game.

According to the invention relating to the means 15, the passage connecting the ball lending machine and the front path can be formed short.
According to the invention concerning the means 16, it is possible to prevent the ball lending machine and the front passage from interfering with each other.
According to the invention relating to the means 17, it is possible to visually recognize how the game ball is paid out.
According to the invention concerning the means 18, the decoration effect can be improved.
According to the invention relating to the means 19, it is possible to guide the game ball to a desired position and to control the speed of the distributed game ball.

According to the invention relating to the means 20, the speed of the game balls that are distributed can be controlled.
According to the invention relating to the means 21, the speed of the game balls that are distributed can be controlled.
According to the invention relating to the means 22, the game ball can be guided to the upper plate.
According to the invention relating to the means 23, the game ball can be retreated to the lower plate according to the storage state of the upper plate.
According to the invention relating to the means 24, the game balls can be smoothly discharged to the upper and lower dishes.
According to the invention relating to the means 25, the space on the back side of the pachilot can be used effectively.

Here, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) First embodiment:
(2) Second embodiment:
(3) Third embodiment:
(4) Fourth embodiment:
(5) Fifth embodiment:
(6) Summary:

(1) First embodiment:
FIG. 1 shows the pachinko gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from an oblique direction. In the figure, a pachinko gaming machine 10 has an outer frame 11 formed of wood in a rectangular frame shape, and is installed in an upright state by fixing the outer frame 11 to a hole or the like. A rectangular frame-shaped main body frame 12 formed of synthetic resin or the like is fitted inside the outer frame 11. A main body frame 12 and a rotatable glass frame 13 are pivotally supported on the front side of the main body frame 12. The glass frame 13 has a circular opening at the center, and is held so that the glass 13a is exposed from the opening.

  The glass 13a can be seen through, and the inside of the glass 13a can be visually recognized. The main body frame 20 has a rectangular opening, and a rectangular board-like game board 24 is held in the rectangular opening. Then, by seeing through the glass 13a from the front side, it is possible to visually recognize the state of the game board 24 held inside. A substantially annular game rail is erected on the front surface of the game board 24, and a game ball is distributed in a game area surrounded by the game rail and the glass frame 13 to play a game. Below the glass frame 13, an upper plate 14 protrudes toward the front surface, and further below the lower plate 15 protrudes toward the front surface. Since the upper dish 14 and the lower dish 15 are formed in a dish shape having a predetermined depth, it is possible to store game balls.

  A hemispherical reflective handle 16 is provided on the side of the lower plate 15 so as to be rotatable, and a game ball can be launched according to the amount of rotation of the reflective handle 16. A launching mechanism 16a is provided inside the portion where the reflective handle 16 is provided. The launch mechanism 16 a has a rail that guides the game ball to the game area, and a launch rod that operates according to the amount of rotation of the reflection handle 16. Further, the upper plate 14 and the launch mechanism 16a communicate with each other through a passage (not shown) so that the game balls stored in the upper plate 14 can be supplied to the launcher. Then, the game ball is energized and fired into the game area by the launcher playing the supplied game ball.

  A long substantially cylindrical front passage 30 is provided on the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and game balls are supplied to the upper plate 14 and the lower plate 15 via the front passage 30. The front passage 30 is formed such that an upper portion and a lower portion are curved, and a central portion is formed in a substantially vertical straight line shape. Details of the front passage 30 will be described later.

  FIG. 2 shows the pachinko gaming machine 10 as seen from the back side. In the figure, a substantially plate-like mechanism plate 17 is pivotally supported on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and the game board 24 held by the main body frame 12 is covered from the back side by the mechanism plate 17. Yes. A protective cover 22 is attached to the mechanism plate 17, and a liquid crystal unit 21 and a control box 23 are disposed on the protective cover 22 so as to be covered from the back side. The liquid crystal unit 21 is a device for driving a liquid crystal panel that exposes the display surface at the center of the game area, and is attached so as to penetrate the game board 24. The control box 23 is a board box that accommodates a control board that controls main operations of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and firmly seals the internal control board.

  A tank 18 capable of storing game balls is provided in the upper part on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The tank 18 is formed in a dish shape that is long in the width direction and opens upward. The tank 18 corresponds to a supply unit referred to in the present invention, and the tank 18 is supplied with game balls from a game ball supply device installed in a hall or the like. By providing the tank 18 in the upper part of the gaming machine, it is possible to distribute the gaming ball using the momentum that the gaming ball is drawn by gravity and flows down. The bottom surface of the tank 18 is formed so that the right side of the paper is lower, and the game ball flowing down in the tank 18 flows in the right direction of the paper.

  A hole is formed at the right end of the bottom surface of the tank 18 on the paper surface, and the game ball flows down from the hole toward the payout device 19 provided below the end. The payout device 19 has a passage 19a having an inner diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the game ball. A substantially pentagonal rotary body 19b is provided on the side of the passage 19a, and a part of the rotary body 19b is part of the passage 19a. Projecting inside. And it is possible to send out a game ball to the lower part of the ball every time the rotator 19a rotates by 1/5. That is, the number of game balls to be paid out is controlled according to the amount of rotation of the rotating body 19b. Note that the amount of rotation of the rotating body 19b is controlled in accordance with a calculation result of a CPU or the like provided in a control board or the like housed in the control box 23.

  For example, when a big hit is made, the CPU or the like commands the rotating body 19b to rotate at high speed. Conversely, when there is no prize ball, the CPU or the like instructs to stop the rotating body 19b. The passage 19 a communicates with the inside of the guide member 20 provided below the payout device 19, and the game ball paid out by the payout device 19 falls into the guide member 20.

  FIG. 3 shows the path of the game ball as viewed from the side. In the figure, the guide member 20 has a substantially L-shaped passage 20a therein, and the bottom surface of the passage 20a is inclined so as to become lower toward the front. The front end portion of the passage 20a is open, and the game ball flowing down along the bottom surface can be discharged forward. The opening at the front end of the passage 20a is connected to the rear end of the mechanism plate passage 17a formed so as to penetrate the mechanism plate 17 in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, the game ball discharged from the guide member 20 is introduced into the mechanism plate passage 17a. Since the bottom surface of the mechanism plate passage 17a is inclined so as to become lower toward the front, the game ball introduced into the mechanism plate passage 17a flows further forward.

  Although the mechanism plate 17 is pivotally supported with respect to the main body frame 12, the mechanism plate 17 and the main body are rotated by rotating the mechanism plate 17 so that the mechanism plate 17 and the main body frame 12 are parallel to each other. The game board 24 held by the frame 12 is substantially in close contact. At this time, the front end of the mechanism plate passage 17a also contacts the game board 24 from the back side, and is connected to the rear end of the game board passage 24a formed so as to penetrate the game board 24 forward and backward. By doing in this way, the game ball which flowed down the mechanism board channel | path 17a can be guided to the game board channel | path 24a. Since the bottom surface of the game board passage 24a is inclined so as to become lower toward the front, the game balls introduced into the game board passage 24a further flow down through the game board passage 24a.

  On the other hand, the glass frame 13 provided on the front side of the main body frame 12 is provided with a glass frame passage 13b penetrating the glass frame 13 back and forth. The glass frame 13 is pivotally supported with respect to the main body frame 12, but is held by the glass frame 13 and the main body frame 12 when the glass frame 13 is rotated so as to close the game area from the front side. The game board 24 thus made can be brought into close contact in parallel. At this time, the front end of the game board passage 24a and the rear end of the glass frame passage 13b are connected. Accordingly, the game balls flowing down the game board passage 24a and discharged to the front side are guided to the glass frame passage 13b. Further, since the bottom surface of the glass frame passage 13b is inclined so as to become lower toward the front, the game ball guided to the glass frame passage 13b flows down forward.

  A front passage 30 is attached to the glass frame 13, and an opening of the front passage 30 covers a front end opening of the glass frame passage 13b. By doing in this way, the game ball which flowed down the glass frame channel | path 13b ahead can be introduce | transduced into the inside of the front channel | path 30. FIG. The passage direction in the vicinity of the opening of the front passage 30 is formed to be the same as the inclination of the bottom surface of the glass frame passage 13b. And the front channel | path 30 is formed so that a channel | path direction may become near perpendicular | vertical as it becomes the front. Accordingly, the game ball initially advances forward in the front passage 30 and gradually advances downward.

  In this way, the mechanism plate passage 17a, the game board passage 24a, and the glass frame passage 13b penetrating the front and rear of each member constituting the pachinko gaming machine 10 are formed, and these are connected to the front and rear, thereby moving the pachinko gaming machine 10 forward and backward. It is possible to form a communication passage A penetrating into the pier. According to this communication path A, the game balls can be distributed from the back side to the front side, so that the game balls paid out from the payout device 19 can be supplied to the front side.

  4 and 5 show a cross section of the front passage 30. 4 shows a substantially cylindrical front passage 30 cut in the axial direction, and FIG. 5 shows a cut in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the front passage 30. A substantially plate-like spiral passage 31 is formed inside the front passage 30 inward. The spiral passage 31 is formed in a spiral shape along the inner wall of the front passage 30 and is formed so that the inner end portion is higher than the outer portion. The width of the spiral passage 31 is about 2 to 3 times the diameter of the game ball. By doing in this way, in the front channel | path 30, a game ball can be flowed down spirally as shown in FIG.

  Since the front passage 30 is made of a synthetic resin such as ABS resin and is transparent, the player can visually recognize the state of the game ball flowing down in a spiral shape. Therefore, the user can realize how much of the game ball has been paid out. In particular, since the front passage 30 is attached as an independent substantially cylindrical member so as to protrude to the front side of the glass frame 13, almost the entire front passage 30 can be visually recognized. Moreover, since it flows down spirally and a channel | path is ensured long, distribution | circulation time can be lengthened. Therefore, the player does not miss the game ball that flows down. When the game ball flows down spirally, centrifugal force acts on the game ball. Therefore, it is possible to reliably advance the game ball along the spiral passage 31. Further, since the inner end portion of the spiral passage 31 is formed to be higher than the outer side, the game ball can be reliably distributed along the outer inner wall.

  A contact-type switch 35 mounted on the substrate is provided on the spiral path 31 for each rotation cycle of the spiral path 31, and a game ball passes over the contact-type switch 35 so that the contact-type switch 35 is provided. Is turned on. The board and the contact-type switch 35 are formed to have a thickness that does not hinder the circulation of the game ball, a movable contact that can be lowered by the weight of the game ball, and a fixed contact that can contact the lowered movable contact. have. And it will be in an ON state when both contacts contact. The contact-type switch 35 is connected to the LED 36 through the substrate, and the LED 36 is lit whenever the game ball passes. The LED 36 and the contact type switch 35 are supplied with power via a cable 37.

  By doing in this way, the decoration effect can be heightened to the front channel | path 30 by illumination of LED36. Since the LED 36 is lit in cooperation with the distribution of the game balls, it can be easily grasped visually that the game balls are flowing down the front passage 30. When the payout device 19 is continuously paying out game balls, the blinking cycle of the LED 36 is shortened, and it can be recognized that many game balls are being paid out.

  FIG. 7 shows the lower part of the front passage 30 as viewed from the front. In the figure, the front passage 30 squeezes the side of the upper plate 14 while the lower end reaches the lower plate 15. An upper dish outlet 32 is formed by forming an opening on the side surface of the front passage 30, and the front passage 30 and the upper dish 14 communicate with each other through the upper dish outlet 32. The front passage 30 is curved so that the passage direction approaches horizontal as it approaches the lower end, and a lower dish outlet 33 is formed at the tip thereof. The lower end of the front passage 30 penetrates into the lower plate 15, and the lower plate outlet 33 is open inside the lower plate 15.

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which the front passage 30 is cut by a horizontal section indicated by a broken line X1 in FIG. In the figure, a spiral passage 31 is extended to the upper plate outlet 32, and this extended portion and the bottom surface of the upper plate 14 are connected. The game ball that has flowed down the front passage 30 in a spiral manner is discharged through the upper dish outlet 32 in a substantially tangential direction of the front passage 30. The game balls released from the upper dish outlet 32 are stored in the upper dish 14. Thus, by letting the game ball flow down spirally, the game ball can be released in a direction close to the horizontal to some extent. Therefore, a sudden change in the traveling direction can be avoided, and the game ball can be smoothly discharged onto the bottom surface of the upper plate 14 formed substantially horizontally.

  FIG. 9 shows a state in which the game ball is released to the full upper plate 14 in a cross section similar to FIG. In the same figure, the inside of the upper plate 14 is filled with game balls, and the upper plate outlet 32 is blocked by the stored game balls. In such a state, the release of the game ball from the upper dish outlet 32 to the upper dish 14 is inhibited. That is, the game ball that has flowed down the front passage 30 vigorously collides with the game ball staying in the vicinity of the upper plate outlet 32 and is bounced back. The game ball bounced back by colliding with the stayed game ball falls off the spiral passage 31 and falls inside the spiral passage 31. Note that the spiral passage 31 is not formed below the upper dish outlet 32.

  The game ball that has fallen from the spiral passage 31 further flows down the front passage 30 and finally reaches the lower dish outlet 33 formed at the lower end. The game ball that has reached the lower dish outlet 33 is discharged from the lower dish outlet 33 into the lower dish 15. At this time, since the lower end portion of the front passage 30 is curved so as to be substantially horizontal, the game ball can be smoothly discharged to the bottom surface of the lower plate 15 formed substantially horizontally. Then, the game balls can be stored in the lower plate 15. Thus, according to the front passage 30, only when the upper plate 14 is full, the paid out game ball can be guided to the lower plate 15. That is, it can be said that the spiral passage 31 and the upper dish outlet 32 of the front passage 30 constitute an overflow mechanism according to the present invention. Note that the game balls stored in the upper plate 14 are launched into the game area by the launch mechanism 16a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a soft cloth 34 may be attached just before the lower dish outlet 33 on the inner wall of the front passage 30. By doing so, the impact of the game ball to which the cloth 34 falls is reduced, and the resistance of the traveling game ball is reduced, so that the speed of the game ball can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game balls released to the lower plate 15 from being excessively ejected from the lower plate 15. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, the unevenness 35 may be easily formed instead of the cloth 34. Obstacles such as irregularities 35 provide resistance to the progression of the game ball, so that the speed of the game ball can be reduced as with the cloth 34.

  FIG. 12 shows a state in which a ball lending machine is installed adjacent to a pachinko gaming machine as viewed from the front. In the figure, a ball lending machine 40 arranged on the side of the pachinko gaming machine 10 can discharge a game ball in accordance with the player's operation. The ball lending machine 40 is provided with a discharge passage 41, and the game balls discharged from the ball lending machine 40 flow down along the inclination of the discharge passage 41. A discharge port 42 is formed at the tip of the discharge passage 41, and the game ball can be discharged downward from the discharge port 42. The discharge passage 41 is rotatably attached to the ball lending machine 40, and the discharge port 42 can be displaced by rotating the discharge passage 41.

  On the other hand, an introduction port 36 that can face the discharge port 42 from below by projecting the discharge channel 41 to a predetermined position protrudes from the front channel 30. And in the state which the discharge port 42 and the introduction port 36 face up and down, a game ball discharged | emitted from the ball rental machine 40 can guide the discharged | emitted game ball to the front channel | path 30. FIG. The game ball guided to the front passage 30 is caused to flow down to the upper plate 14 and can be used for the game. The introduction port 36 is formed upstream of the upper plate outlet 32 in order to guide the game ball guided from the introduction port 36 to the upper plate 14.

  FIG. 13 shows the pachinko gaming machine 10 and the ball lending machine 40 as viewed from above. In the figure, a ball lending machine 40 is installed adjacent to the left side in the width direction of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and a front passage 30 projects from the side where the ball lending machine 40 is installed. By doing in this way, since the discharge passage 41 which connects the ball lending machine 40 and the front passage 30 can be formed short, it is possible to reduce the possibility of problems such as ball clogging occurring in the discharge passage 41. it can. Further, since the discharge passage 41 does not cross the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 10, the visibility of the game area 14 does not deteriorate.

  FIG. 14 shows a state in which the glass frame 13 is rotated to open the game area 14 to the front side as viewed from above. As shown in the figure, the game area 14 and the like can be maintained by rotating the glass frame 13. The rotation axis when the glass frame 13 rotates is formed vertically and is the left end in the width direction of the pachinko gaming machine 10. By doing in this way, since the glass frame 13 can be rotated by making the right end of the glass frame 13 into a free end, it can face the game area 14 from the right side. That is, it is possible to make work easier for a right-handed person.

  When the glass frame 13 rotates, the front passage 30 protruding forward from the glass frame 13 is also displaced. However, since the front passage 30 is formed on the rotation axis side of the glass frame 13, the amount of movement accompanying the rotation is small. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the front passage 30 from unexpectedly colliding with an obstacle or the like when the glass frame 13 rotates. Further, when the wiring from the main body of the pachinko gaming machine 10 needs to be connected to the front passage 30 like the cable 37, it is desirable that the amount of movement of the front passage 30 is small.

(2) Second embodiment:
FIG. 15 shows a pachinko gaming machine and a ball lending machine according to the second embodiment as viewed from above. In the figure, a ball lending machine 140 is installed adjacent to the left side in the width direction of the pachinko gaming machine 110, and a front passage 130 projects from the side opposite to the side where the ball lending machine 140 is installed. . In such a configuration, since the ball lending machine 140 is formed at a position away from the front passage 130, there is no need to pay attention to the interference between the ball rental machine 140 and the front passage 130.

  FIG. 16 shows a state in which the game area is opened to the front side by rotating the glass frame as viewed from above. In the same figure, the rotation axis when the glass frame 113 rotates is formed vertically, and is the left end in the width direction of the pachinko gaming machine 110. A front passage 130 projects from the free end when the glass frame 113 rotates, and the front passage 130 moves away from the main body of the pachinko gaming machine 110 as the glass frame 113 rotates. If the ball lending machine 40 and the front passage 30 are provided on the same side as shown in FIG. 14, the ball lending machine 40 and the front passage 30 come into contact with each other depending on the rotation amount of the glass frame 13.

  On the other hand, the ball lending machine 140 and the front passage 130 are formed on the opposite sides as in this embodiment, so that the ball lending machine 140 and the front passage 130 can be rotated no matter how much the glass frame 113 is rotated. Will not interfere. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the front passage 130 that avoids the interference between the ball lending machine 140 and the front passage 130 while considering the rotation of the glass frame 113. Therefore, the front passage 130 can be freely designed. When the ball lending machine 140 and the front passage 130 are formed on the opposite side as in the present embodiment, the distance between the ball lending machine 140 and the front passage 130 is increased, so that the ball lending machine 140 is moved to the upper plate 114. The game ball may be paid out directly.

(3) Third embodiment:
FIG. 17 shows the pachinko gaming machine 210 according to the third embodiment as seen from an oblique direction. In the figure, the front passage 230 has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but the front passage 230 terminates at the lower end of the glass frame 213. Further, the front passage 230 is attached to the glass frame 213 so as to protrude forward, and the center portion in the height direction is in a state of floating forward from the glass frame 213. That is, the front passage 230 is joined to the glass frame 213 at the upper end and the lower end, and is formed in a bridge shape so that the central portion floats forward. By doing so, a clearance can be formed between the central portion of the front passage 230 and the glass frame 213.

  Therefore, various members and structures can be arranged in a portion corresponding to the back side of the front passage 230 in the glass frame 213. In the present embodiment, a circular frame surrounding the game area is formed in a portion corresponding to the back side of the front passage 230 so that a large game area can be secured. On the other hand, since the front passage 230 is formed from a position higher than the center of the game area to the bottom, it is possible to secure a space on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 210 correspondingly. In the circular game area, the central portion in the height direction is the widest, and therefore the front passage 230 may be floated in a bridge shape only at that portion. Further, the front passage 230 can be made more conspicuous by projecting the front passage 230 in a bridge shape.

  FIG. 18 shows the main body frame 212 as viewed from an oblique direction. In the figure, a glass frame 213 is rotated so as to open a game area 225 to the front side. A front passage 230 indicated by a broken line is attached to the glass frame 213 and can rotate together with the glass frame 213. Thus, since the front passage 230 is rotated together with the glass frame 213, the front passage 230 does not get in the way during maintenance of the game area 225. An outlet 233 is formed by opening the lower end of the front passage 230.

  When the glass frame 213 is rotated so that the game area 225 is closed from the front side, an opening 241 that can communicate with the outlet 233 is formed in the main body frame 212. On the other hand, an upper dish outlet 242 through which a game ball can be discharged is provided inside the upper dish 214, and a guide passage 240 that connects the opening 241 and the upper dish outlet 242 is embedded in the main body frame 212. Therefore, the game balls discharged from the outlet of the front passage 230 can be guided into the upper plate 214. Since the game ball guided to the upper plate 214 is temporarily stored in the upper plate 214 and guided to the launching mechanism 216a, the game ball distributed through the front passage 230 can be used for the game. Thus, by embedding the guide passage 240 in the main body frame 212, the game ball can be guided to the upper plate 214 at the shortest distance, and the pachinko gaming machine 210 can be compactly formed.

  Further, an overflow passage 243 is embedded in the main body frame 212, and the overflow passage 243 is branched from the guide passage 240 immediately before the upper dish outlet 242. A lower tray outlet 244 is formed at the end of the overflow passage 243 so that game balls flowing through the overflow passage 243 can be discharged to the lower tray 215. The game balls flowing through the guide passage 240 are guided to the upper plate outlet 242 in principle, but when the game balls are filled near the upper plate outlet 242, the game balls flow down to the upper plate outlet 242. This is hindered by filled game balls. Then, the game ball that has lost its destination can flow into the overflow passage 243. In other words, the game ball can be discharged to the lower plate 215 only when the game ball stored in the upper plate 214 is full.

(4) Fourth embodiment:
FIG. 19 shows a pachinko gaming machine 310 according to the fourth embodiment as seen from an oblique direction. In the drawing, the front passage 330 is formed from a position lower than the central portion of the game area 325 to the lower end of the glass frame 313. By forming the front passage 330 from a position lower than the central portion of the game area 325 as described above, it is possible to prevent the center portion of the circular game area 325 having the largest width from interfering with the front passage 330. . Therefore, the game area 325 can be formed widely. A cutout 313f is formed in a portion of the glass frame 313 where the front passage 330 is formed.

  FIG. 20 shows the main body frame 312 as viewed from an oblique direction. In the figure, a glass frame 313 is rotated so as to open a game area 325 to the front side. The front passage 330 is attached to the main body frame 312. On the other hand, a cutout 313f is formed in the glass frame 313 from the lower end upward. When the glass frame 313 is rotated so that the game area 325 is closed from the front, the front passage 330 enters the inside of the notch 313f, and the front passage 330 can be exposed to the front side. Yes. Thus, by attaching the front passage 330 to the main body frame 312 and making it impossible to rotate, it is not necessary to design the pachinko gaming machine 310 or dispose adjacent devices so as to avoid the rotation trajectory of the front passage 330. That's it.

  For example, even when a ball lending machine is adjacent to the side of the pachinko gaming machine 310 on which the front passage 330 is disposed, the front passage 330 does not rotate and the ball rental machine and the front passage 330 do not interfere with each other. . Since the downstream path from the front passage 330 is the same as in the previous embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

(5) Fifth embodiment:
FIG. 21 shows a pachilot as a gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment as seen from an oblique direction. The pachilot 410 uses a game ball instead of a medal in the slot machine. For example, five pachinko balls can be equivalent to one medal and enjoy a game. The pacilot 410 is provided with a drum 414a that rotates in the same manner as in the slot machine, and has a game area 414 in which game balls can circulate in the same manner as in a pachinko gaming machine. In such a patty lot 410, a game ball is used as a game medium, so that a game ball corresponding to the game state is paid out. Therefore, the front passage 430 can be formed on the front side of the game area 414 of the pacilot 410, and thereby a large space on the back side of the pacilot 410 can be secured.

(6) Summary:
As described above, according to the present invention, by disposing the front passage 30 on the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 10, it is possible to prevent the payout passage from being formed on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10. Thereby, a wide space on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10 can be secured, and more mechanism members can be disposed on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10. For example, it is possible to enlarge the liquid crystal display unit arranged in the center of the game area.

1 is a perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine according to a first embodiment. It is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the communication channel | path concerning 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the front channel | path concerning 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the front channel | path concerning 1st embodiment. It is an external view of the front channel | path concerning 1st embodiment. It is the elements on larger scale of the front channel | path concerning 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the front channel | path concerning 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the front channel | path concerning 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the front channel | path concerning 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the front channel | path concerning 1st embodiment. It is a front view of the front passage and ball lending machine concerning a first embodiment. It is a top view of the front passage and ball lending machine concerning a first embodiment. It is a top view of the front passage and ball lending machine concerning a first embodiment. It is a top view of a front passage and a ball lending machine concerning a second embodiment. It is a top view of a front passage and a ball lending machine concerning a second embodiment. It is a perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine according to a third embodiment. It is a perspective view of the main body frame concerning 3rd embodiment. It is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment. It is a rear view of the main body frame concerning a 4th embodiment. It is a perspective view of the pachilot according to the fifth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10, 110, 210, 310 ... Pachinko machine 410 ... Pacilot 11 ... Outer frame 12 ... Body frame 13 ... Glass frame 13a ... Glass 13b ... Glass frame passage 14 ... Upper plate 15 ... Lower plate 16 ... Launch handle 16a ... Launch mechanism 17 ... Mechanical plate 17a ... Mechanical plate passage 18 ... Tank 19 ... Dispensing device 20 ... Guide member 21 ... Liquid crystal unit 22 ... Protective cover 23 ... Control box 24 ... Game board 24a ... Game board passages 30, 130, 230, 330, 430 ... Front passage 31 ... Spiral passage 32 ... Upper dish outlet 33 ... Lower dish outlet 34 ... Cloth 35 ... Obstacle 36 ... Introduction port 40 ... Ball lending machine 41 ... Discharge path 42 ... Discharge port

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine provided with a supply part to which a game ball is supplied from an external device at the top of the main body part
A gaming machine comprising a front passage that is provided on a front side of the main body and that constitutes at least a part of a passage through which a game ball is guided from the supply portion.

Images