JP2006068151A - Game ball hitting device of pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game ball hitting device in which the relative position of a hitting handle and a hitting mechanism can be freely set in simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: In the game ball hitting device provided with the hitting handle 110 provided on an openable and closable ball tray side, the hitting mechanism 120 provided on a front frame side for hitting game balls, a hitting strength setting structure 140 for setting the hitting strength of the game balls and a transmission mechanism 350 for transmitting the turning operation of a hitting lever to the hitting strength setting structure, the game ball hitting device is constituted such that the transmission mechanism 350 is provided with a fitting structure 360 provided on the front frame side and the ball tray side so as to be freely fitted and detached to/from each other for transmitting the turning operation of the hitting lever by being fitted at the time of closing the ball tray and a flexible and bendable transmission member 151 capable of transmitting the turning operation transmitted from the hitting lever to the fitting structure as turning around a shaft, the hitting lever and the hitting strength setting structure are mechanically connected by the transmission member, and the turning operation of the hitting lever is transmitted to the hitting strength setting structure. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a game ball launching device used in a ball game machine, and more specifically, has a launch handle that a player rotates and a launch mechanism that launches a game ball, and the launch lever of the launch handle The present invention relates to a game ball launcher configured to launch a game ball with a launch intensity corresponding to a rotation operation amount.

  As a ball ball game machine equipped with the above game ball launching device, for example, a pachinko machine, a sparrow ball game machine, an arrange ball machine, etc. are widely known. In a pachinko machine that is a typical example of this type of gaming machine, a launch handle protrudes forward on the lower right side of a frame member (generally referred to as a front frame) that accommodates and holds the game board, When a launching mechanism for launching a game ball onto the game board is provided on the frame member located behind the pan, and when the game ball is loaded and stored in the pan and the launch lever of the launch handle is turned (twisted) In addition, the game ball is launched with a launch intensity corresponding to the amount of rotation of the launch lever.

  The launching mechanism includes a motor-driven launching mechanism that uses a motor as a drive source for a cam that swings a hammer that launches a game ball via a torsion coil spring and swings the hammer in the direction of winding the spring (for example, Patent Document 1), and a rotary solenoid-driven launch mechanism that uses the rotational driving force of a rotary solenoid to wind up a spring while using the spring force of a tension spring or a torsion coil spring for launching a game ball (for example, Patent Document 2) And a rotary solenoid driven firing mechanism (see, for example, Patent Document 3) in which the hammer is fixed to the rotor shaft of the rotary solenoid and the hammer is directly driven to swing. A type of launch mechanism is used. In addition, as a configuration for launching a game ball with a launch intensity corresponding to the amount of rotation of the launch lever, a launch strength setting means for setting the launch strength of the game ball by the launch mechanism and a turning operation of the launch lever are used as the launch strength setting means. Transmission means for transmitting is provided.

  As the firing strength setting means, a configuration in which the angular position on the fixed end side of the torsion coil spring is displaced in the circumferential direction is generally used in a motor-driven firing mechanism. In other words, by changing the initial deflection of the torsion coil spring by displacing the angular position on the fixed end side, even if the swing angle of the hammer by the cam (the angular position on the free end side of the torsion coil spring) is the same, The relative twist angle between the free end and the free end changes, so that the launching strength of the game ball hit by the hammer can be changed from strong to weak. On the other hand, in the solenoid-driven firing mechanism, the firing strength setting means generally uses a configuration that controls the driving power of the rotary solenoid. For example, in a firing control device that controls the driving of the rotary solenoid, a pulse applied to the coil of the rotary solenoid. The generated torque is changed by changing the voltage of the driving power from high to low or changing the voltage waveform, thereby controlling the winding angle position of the hammer or directly controlling the swinging operation of the hammer, It is configured to be able to set by changing the firing strength of the game ball hit by the hammer from strong to weak.

Further, as a transmission means for transmitting the rotation operation of the firing lever to the firing intensity setting means, a configuration in which the rotation operation of the firing lever is mechanically transmitted is generally used in the motor-driven firing mechanism. For example, the launch handle is provided with a pivot shaft that pivots with the pivot of the launch lever, and a gear or timing pulley is fastened to the tip of the pivot shaft, via a gear train or a timing belt (toothed belt). A configuration is used in which the turning operation of the firing lever is transmitted to the firing intensity setting means. That is, the angular position of the support member that supports the fixed end of the torsion coil spring is displaced in the circumferential direction by the force in the rotational direction transmitted in this manner, thereby adjusting and setting the firing strength ( For example, see Patent Document 1). On the other hand, in the solenoid-driven firing mechanism, a configuration that electrically transmits the turning operation of the firing lever is generally used. Specifically, a potentiometer that detects the rotation angle position of the launch lever is provided on the launch handle, and the signal is input to the launch control device (launch intensity setting means), and the launch lever is actuated as a change in electrical resistance. It is comprised so that it may transmit to an intensity | strength setting means (for example, refer patent document 2, patent document 3).
JP 2001-231931 A JP 2002-253756 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-194881

  However, the conventional game ball launcher as described above has the following problems. That is, in a game ball launching device having a motor-driven launching mechanism (hereinafter referred to as a motor-driven launching device), the firing strength is adjusted by changing the amount of bending of the torsion coil spring, and the motor with the cam attached is rotated. Since the hammer is reciprocally oscillated, the operation of the motor only needs to be simply rotated at a predetermined speed, and there is an advantage that the control circuit can be configured simply and at low cost. However, in order to change the initial deflection of the torsion coil spring in accordance with the turning operation of the firing lever, it is necessary to mechanically connect the firing lever and the firing mechanism, and inevitably the positions where the firing handle and the firing mechanism are disposed. Is limited to a certain range. Such a limitation has a limit even if a method of connecting the rotating shaft of the launching handle and the support member of the torsion coil spring with a gear, a belt, or the like is employed, and there is a problem that the degree of freedom in arrangement cannot be secured.

  On the other hand, in a game ball launching device having a solenoid-driven launching mechanism (hereinafter also referred to as a solenoid-driven launching device), a signal line is used between the potentiometer that detects the rotational angle position of the launching lever and the launch control device. Since it is electrically connected, it is excellent in terms of the degree of freedom in arranging the firing handle and the firing mechanism. However, conventional solenoid-driven launchers have a configuration that adjusts the hammering force by controlling the waveform of the drive power supplied to the rotary solenoid, making the launch control device more complex and larger and more expensive. In addition, it is difficult to adjust the linearity of the firing intensity with respect to the amount of rotation of the launch lever (adjusting the matching of the solenoid's strength characteristics and the potentiometer's resistance characteristics). It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game ball launching device that can freely set the relative positions of the launching handle and the launching mechanism with a simple configuration.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a frame member for accommodating and holding a game board (for example, the front frame 2 in the embodiment), and a door-like member (for example, the embodiment) attached to the frame member so as to be opened and closed forward. A ball tray unit 6), a handle base provided protruding from the front side of the door-like member, a shooting handle having a shooting lever provided on the handle base so as to be rotatable, and a frame member. A launching mechanism for launching a ball; launching strength setting means for setting launching strength of a game ball by the launching mechanism; and transmission means for transmitting a turning operation of the launching lever to the launching intensity setting means. A ball game configured such that when operated, the firing mechanism launches a game ball at a firing strength set by the firing strength setting means that is transmitted to the firing strength setting means by the transmission means. Which is the game ball shooting device. In addition, the transmission means in the present invention (for example, the transmission mechanism 350 in the embodiment) is provided on the frame member side and the door-shaped member side so as to be detachable from each other, and is fitted when the open / close door is closed to the frame member. A fitting structure that transmits the turning action of the launch lever, and it can be bent with flexibility, and the turning action transmitted from the launch lever to the fitting structure can be transmitted as a turn around the axis. A transmission member, and the transmission means mechanically connects the launch lever and the launch intensity setting means (for example, the setting ring 131 in the embodiment) to transmit the rotation operation of the launch lever to the launch intensity setting means. To be configured.

  Here, as “a fitting structure that is provided on the frame member side and the door-like member side so as to be fitted and detached from each other and is fitted when the open / close door is closed to the frame member and transmits the turning operation of the firing lever”. For example, a rectangular or hexagonal rod-shaped end and a fitting hole for receiving it, two pins protruding in the axial direction, two fitting holes for receiving them, and two pins protruding in the direction perpendicular to the axis A well-known fitting structure such as an engaging groove for receiving them and a clutch meshing with each other can be applied.

  In addition, as a “transmission member that is flexible and can be bent, and that can transmit the rotation of the launch lever as a rotation around the axis”, for example, thin and multi-strand wires can be multilayered alternately forward and reverse. Torque rope (also called a rotary cable) consisting of an inner wire wound around and an outer casing that holds the inner wire slidably in the axial direction and around the axis, and multiple wires and spiral tubes alternately in forward and reverse directions Examples thereof include a flexible shaft including an inner coil wound up in multiple layers and an outer casing that holds the inner coil so as to be rotatable about an axis.

  In the gaming ball launching device having the above-described configuration, the transmission means for transmitting the turning operation of the launching lever to the firing strength setting means is flexible and can be bent, and the turning operation of the launching lever is rotated around the axis. A transmission member that can be transmitted as a rotation is formed, and the rotation operation of the firing lever is mechanically transmitted to the firing intensity setting means via the transmission member. Therefore, in the game ball launching device provided with such a transmission member, the launching handle and the launching strength setting means can be disposed at physically separated positions, for example, the launching strength like a motor driven launching device. Even in the game ball launching device in which the setting means is provided integrally with the launching mechanism, the launching handle and the launching mechanism can be arranged at arbitrary positions, respectively, and the rotation operation with respect to the launching handle can be performed around the axis. The rotation can be transmitted as it is to the strength setting means.

  For this reason, for example, in a motor-driven launcher, the launch mechanism and launch handle are arranged separately on the left and right of the front frame, or the launch mechanism is provided on the upper part of the front frame and on the back side of the front frame. While using the same launching mechanism and launching strength setting means as in the past, such as connecting with a transmission member, the degree of freedom of placement is greatly improved, and it is possible to realize placement that could not be achieved with gear connection or belt conduction. .

  Also, in the solenoid type launcher, by using the transmission member as described above, problems specific to waveform control can be improved while ensuring the degree of freedom of arrangement. For example, in a launching mechanism that uses the rotational driving force of a rotary solenoid for winding a hammer and the spring force of a tension spring or a torsion coil spring for launching a game ball, the rotation operation of the launch lever is transmitted by a transmission member. By changing the position of the fixed end side of the spring (that is, changing the initial deflection of the spring), and thereby setting the firing strength of the game ball hit by the hammer to be changed from strong to weak, It is possible to simplify the waveform control of the rotary solenoid, thereby simplifying the configuration of the launch control device and reducing the size and cost of the game ball launch device.

  In addition, by providing a fitting structure that engages with each other when the door-like member is closed to the frame member and transmits the rotation operation of the firing lever, the launching handle is connected to the door-like member while being a mechanical transmission structure. It is possible to provide not only the degree of freedom of the arrangement of the launching handle and the launching mechanism but also the degree of freedom of the configuration of the entire gaming machine.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game ball launching device that can freely set the relative position of the launching handle and the launching mechanism with a simple configuration.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a front view and a rear view of a pachinko machine as an example of a ball game machine equipped with a game ball launching apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows a front frame with a ball tray unit removed. The front view of the lower area (game auxiliary board) is shown, and first, the overall configuration of the pachinko machine PM will be briefly described with reference to these drawings.

  In the pachinko machine PM, the front frame 2 for opening and closing mounted on the front surface of the outer frame 1 that is configured to have a rectangular frame size and forms a vertically fixed holding frame is arranged on the front surface of the opening and closing mounted to each other. The hinge mechanisms 3 and 3 disposed on the upper left and right sides of the front face are attached to the front so that they can be opened, closed, and detached. The locking mechanism 4 is provided on the right side of the front face and is always engaged and connected to the outer frame 1. Held closed.

  A glass door 5 is attached to the front upper part of the front frame 2 so that it can be opened and closed laterally and detachably attached to the front frame 2, and is always in a closed state that covers the front surface of the front frame 2 using the locking device 4 provided on the right side of the front. Retained. An upper part of the front frame located behind the glass door 5 is provided with an accommodation frame for detachably accommodating the game board 20, and the game board 20 latched and held in this accommodation frame in a standing posture is provided on the glass door. 5 is visible.

  The game board 20 has a decorative board 21 which is a router processed by affixing cells on the surface of a laminated plywood having a predetermined thickness, and a guide rail 22 for guiding a game ball launched from the launching mechanism is provided on the front side. A substantially circular game area PA is defined. In the game area PA, there are a large number of game nails, a windmill, various winning devices 23, 24, 25, a symbol display device 27 for displaying symbols according to the game development status, and game components such as LEDs and display lamps. It is attached and an out port 28 is formed at the lower end of the game area PA. On the back side of the decorative plate 21, a symbol / sound control device 87 for controlling the operation of the symbol display device 27, the operation of various lamps, the sound effect and the like is attached at the center. The safe ball guided to the back side of the decorative board 21 and the out ball guided to the back side of the decorative board 21 through the out port 28 are passed along the back surface of the decorative board 21 of the back set board 30. A ball cover that leads to the game ball discharge passage is attached.

  An auxiliary mechanism portion 10 called a game auxiliary board is provided at the lower front portion of the front frame 2, and a ball tray unit 6 is disposed in front of the front frame 2 by a ball tray hinge mechanism 7, 7 arranged on the left and upper sides. It is attached so as to be openable / closable and detachable sideways, and is held in a closed state that covers the front surface of the game assisting board 10 using a ball tray locking device provided on the right side of the front. A speaker 17 for generating sound effects according to the game development status is provided at the center of the game assisting board 10, a launching handle 110 for launching a game ball on the right side across the speaker, and a ball tray unit on the left side. A launching mechanism 120 that launches a game ball sent from 6 toward the game board 20 is attached.

  On the other hand, a back set board 30 is detachably attached to the back side of the front frame 2 so as to cover the back of the game board 20. The back set board 30 has a window for receiving the design / voice control device 87 of the game board 20 in the center, and is formed in a rectangular frame shape slightly smaller than the inner size of the outer frame 1, and the game is placed on the front and back sides. A finished ball discharge passage, a ball passage of a ball payout control mechanism, a ball removal passage, and the like are three-dimensionally formed. In addition, on each part of the back surface of the back set board 30, a main control device 81 that comprehensively controls the operation of the pachinko machine PM, a ball payout control device 82 that controls the payout operation of the game ball, and an operation of the game ball launching device are controlled. Various control devices such as a launch control device 83, a power supply unit 84 that supplies power to each control device and electronic components, and a terminal board 85 that inputs and outputs signals and power to and from the game facility side, and electronic components such as circuit boards are attached. These are connected by a connector cable (not shown) so that the pachinko machine PM can be operated.

  The pachinko machine PM is provided to the game with the ball tray unit 6 and the glass door 5 closed and locked, and the game is started by storing the game ball in the ball tray of the ball tray unit 6 and operating the launch handle 110. Is done. When a launch operation is performed at the launch handle 110, the game balls stored in the ball tray are sent to the guide holder one by one by a ball feeder mounted on the back side of the ball tray unit 6, and the game is played by the hammer of the launch mechanism. A pachinko game is developed in the area PA.

  In the pachinko machine PM generally configured as described above, the game auxiliary board 10 is provided with a game ball launching device. Below, the game ball | bowl launching apparatus 100 of a 1st structure form is demonstrated, referring also each figure of FIGS. 4-11 first. Here, FIG. 4 is a plan view of a game assisting board schematically showing the overall configuration of the game ball launching apparatus 100, FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view of the launching handle 110, and FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are each in a standby state. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a coupling shown as an example of a coupling form of a flexible shaft and a rotating shaft of a firing handle, and FIGS. 10A and 10B are firing. FIG. 4 is an operation displacement diagram showing the operation of the mechanism 120, where (a) is a front view of the launch mechanism just before launch after winding the torsion coil spring, and (b) is a front view of the launch mechanism in the state just after launch after launching the game ball. 11 and 11 are explanatory views (back view of the launch mechanism) for explaining the operation of the launch intensity setting structure.

  The game ball launcher 100 includes a launch handle 110 that projects from the front side of the gaming machine, a launch mechanism 120 that launches a game ball, and a launch that is incorporated in the launch mechanism 120 and sets the launch strength of the game ball by the launch mechanism. The strength setting structure 140, the transmission mechanism 150 that transmits the rotation operation of the launch lever to the launch intensity setting structure, and the launch control device 83 that controls the operation of the launch mechanism 120. The rotation is transmitted to the firing strength setting structure 140 by the transmission mechanism 150, and the game ball is fired with the firing strength set in the firing strength setting structure.

  As shown in a plan sectional view of the firing handle 110 in FIG. 5, the firing handle 110 is composed of a hook-shaped portion that opens forward and a cylindrical portion that extends to the rear in connection with the hook-shaped portion, and is fixed to the front lower portion of the game auxiliary board 10 with screws. Handle base 111, firing lever 112 supported by handle base 111 so as to be rotatable (twisted), front end is press-fitted and fixed to firing lever 112, and is rotatable in a bearing hole formed in handle base 111. The rotating shaft 113 is supported, and the handle cap 114 is fixed to the handle base 111 so as to cover the front surface of the firing lever 112.

  Although not shown in detail in FIG. 5, when the firing lever 112 is always urged counterclockwise inside the firing handle formed by the hook-shaped portion of the handle base 111 and the handle cap 114 and is not rotated. The torsion coil spring that causes the firing lever 112 to be disposed at a reference angular position (hereinafter referred to as “firing stop position”), and the firing lever 112 rotate clockwise from the firing stop position by a predetermined angle (for example, a predetermined angle of about 5 degrees) or more. The launch operation is started when the player is operated, and the player presses the launch stop button in a state where the launch lever 112 is rotated beyond the predetermined angular position (hereinafter referred to as “launch act position”). A firing operation detection switch or the like is provided for stopping the firing operation when the firing operation is performed.

  The rear end portion of the rotating shaft 113 connected to the firing lever 112 and extending rearward is partly flattened on the outer peripheral surface and formed in a D shape in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axis. A salami hole is formed in the portion to receive the tip of the set screw at the tip of the tip (see FIG. 9). In this configuration mode, a configuration example is shown in which the rotating shaft 113 is housed in the handle base in order to reduce the protruding amount of the flexible shaft 151 to the rear of the machine body. A coupling 155 of a transmission mechanism 150 to be described later is disposed by tightening a setscrew with a hole through a hexagon wrench into an elliptical operation hole 111h formed on the lower surface of the cylindrical portion while being disposed inside the cylindrical portion. It is comprised so that it may be connected with.

  On the other hand, each drawing illustrates a motor-driven firing mechanism 120 as an example of the firing mechanism. The firing mechanism 120 is broadly divided into a base plate 121 serving as a substrate of the launch mechanism, a hammer shaft 122 that passes through the base plate 121 in the front-rear direction, and is disposed on the front side of the base plate 121. A hammer 123 fixed to the shaft 122, a torsion coil spring 132 provided on the rear surface side of the base plate 121 and energizing the hammer 123 in the launch direction, and a hammer 123 provided on the rear surface side of the base plate 121 is driven to swing in the winding direction of the torsion coil spring. And a firing strength setting structure 140 for setting the firing strength by setting the angular position of the fixed end of the torsion coil spring 132.

  A bearing that supports the hammer shaft 122 is press-fitted and fixed at a substantially central portion of the base plate 121, and the hammer shaft 122 is fitted into the bearing and is rotatably supported. On the front side of the base plate 121, a hammer 123 and a rocker arm 124 are fixed to the front end portion of the hammer shaft 122. The hammer 123 is formed in a hammer arm 123 a that is bent in a “<” shape and extends in an elongated shape, a buffer arm 123 b that protrudes in a tongue shape above the hammer arm 123, and a body that intersects both arms, and is fixed to the hammer shaft 122. A hammer head 123p made of resin for hitting a game ball is fitted to the tip of the hammer arm portion 123a. The rocker arm 124 has a tongue-like shape as a whole, a shaft stop hole fixed to the hammer shaft 122 is drilled on the proximal end side, and a cam roller 124a that contacts the drive cam 136 is pivotally connected to the distal end side. .

  A male screw for fastening a nut is formed at the front end portion of the hammer shaft 122, and the outer peripheral surface is flattened in parallel to form an oval shape in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axis, while the hammer 123 and the rocker arm 124 are The shaft stop hole is stamped and formed into an oval shape in accordance with the shape of the shaft end. For this reason, both the hammer 123 and the rocker arm 124 are set at predetermined radial angular positions with respect to the hammer shaft 122 by fitting the shaft stop hole to the hammer shaft, and the nut is tightened via the spring washer. Thus, the hammer shaft 122 is attached so as to be swingable (rotatable) integrally with the hammer shaft 122 without causing any looseness or angular deviation.

  A guide holder 126 that temporarily holds a game ball in accordance with the hitting position of the hammer head 123p of the hammer 123 is attached to the front surface of the base plate 121, and the buffer arm portion 123b at a swing angle position slightly exceeding the hitting position. A cushion rubber 127 is attached to elastically receive the.

  On the rear surface side of the base plate 121, a cylindrical core sleeve with a flange is provided on the outer periphery coaxial with the hammer shaft 122 so as to protrude rearward. A setting ring 131 for adjusting the firing strength is rotated in front of the core sleeve. In addition to being supported, a torsion coil spring 132 for launching is supported in the middle, and a rotating ring 133 is fixed to the rear end of the hammer shaft 122 at the rear thereof, and is rotatably disposed integrally with the hammer shaft 122. The That is, in the firing mechanism of this configuration, the core sleeve serves as a setting shaft that rotatably supports the setting ring, and the hammer shaft 122 and the setting shaft are formed on the same axis.

  One end (front end) of the torsion coil spring 132 is locked to the setting ring 131 and the other end (rear end) is locked to the rotating ring 133 to generate a circumferential elastic force therebetween. In the clockwise direction, the rotating ring 133 is urged clockwise in a front view. Therefore, when the hammer 123 is always urged clockwise through the hammer shaft 122 that rotates integrally with the rotating ring 133, and the cam roller 124a is not in contact with the drive cam 136, the buffer arm portion 123b of the hammer is cushioned. It is kept in a standby state in contact with the rubber 127.

  On the other hand, a sawtooth-shaped setting gear 141 is formed on the outer periphery of the setting ring 131 so as to protrude outward, and the back surface of the base plate 121 is engaged with the side end surface of the setting gear 141 to rotate the setting ring 131. A stopper pin 125 is provided to protrude rearward. For this reason, the setting ring 131 urged clockwise in the rear view by the spring reaction force of the torsion coil spring 132 is such that the side end surface of the setting gear 141 is a stopper pin when the transmission gear 142 described below is not rotated. The rotation is restricted by abutting 125, and the setting ring 131 is disposed at an initial reference angular position (hereinafter referred to as “initial position”).

  A transmission gear 142 is rotatably attached to the outside of the setting gear 141 so as to mesh with the setting gear 141, and a transmission shaft 143 that rotates integrally with the transmission gear protrudes rearward and is pivotally supported. The rear end portion of the transmission shaft 143 is formed in a D shape in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axis by flattening a part of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft end in the same manner as the rotation shaft 113 of the launching handle. A flat flaw hole is formed in the flat portion to receive the tip of the set screw at the tip of the tip (see FIG. 9).

  An end cap 134 having the same diameter as that of the rotating ring 133 is attached to the rear of the rotating ring 133 so as to cover the locking end (free end) of the torsion coil spring 132 and the fixing nut of the hammer shaft 122. The surrounding wiring is not caught on the moving locking end or is not damaged by contact during maintenance work.

  At the upper right portion of the base plate 121, a firing drive motor 135 is screwed to the back side of the base plate, and a drive cam 136 fixed to the spindle of the launch drive motor is disposed adjacent to the cam roller 124a on the front side of the base plate. The

  As the firing drive motor 135, a stepping motor (geared motor) having a built-in transmission and improved rotational torque at low speed rotation is used. The operation of the firing drive motor is controlled by the firing control device 83. When the firing lever 112 is rotated beyond the firing operation position and the firing operation is detected by the firing operation detection switch built in the firing handle, the motor spindle is turned on. It is controlled to rotate clockwise in front view at a constant rotational speed.

  The drive cam 136 includes a spare area having a small and constant cam radius and a winding area in which the cam radius increases smoothly as the angle changes in the radial direction from the spare area. The cam radius is increased at the end of the winding area. It has a form that suddenly changes from the maximum diameter to the minimum diameter and leads to the spare area. With respect to the relative relationship between the drive cam 136 and the hammer 123, when the cam roller 124a is in the reserve area of the drive cam, as shown in FIG. 10B, the buffer arm portion 123b of the hammer is received by the cushion rubber 127, and the cam roller 124a. Only the drive cam 136 rotates in a clockwise direction with a slight distance from the cam surface.

  When the drive cam 136 is rotated into the hoisting region, the cam roller 124a comes into contact with the cam surface whose position radius increases with the rotation of the drive cam 136 and rolls, and the rocker arm 124 that receives a pressing force via the cam roller is moved. The hammer 123 and the hammer shaft 122, which are swung counterclockwise in front view and connected to the rocker arm 124, are swung counterclockwise, and the torsion coil spring 132 is wound up. The cam surface supporting the cam roller 124a against the urging force of the torsion coil spring suddenly changed to the minimum diameter when the cam roller 124a got over the cam surface of the maximum diameter portion at the end of the winding region, and was wound up. The rocker arm 124, the hammer 123, and the hammer shaft 122 are swung clockwise by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 132, the hammer head 123p reaches the hitting position, and the buffer arm portion 123b is received by the cushion rubber 127 and supported. Is done.

  Therefore, by rotating the firing drive motor 135 clockwise, the hammer 123 is swung counterclockwise to wind up the torsion coil spring 132 (see FIG. 10A), and the angle at which the torsion coil spring 132 is wound up by a certain angle. By releasing the support of the cam roller 124a at the position, the hammer 123 is swung clockwise by the elastic force stored in the spring, and the game ball temporarily held in the guide holder 126 is struck by the hammer head 123p to thereby remove the game ball. Can be fired (see FIG. 10 (b)).

  Thus, the launch mechanism 120 and the launch handle 110 arranged separately on the left and right sides of the game assisting board 10 are connected by the transmission mechanism 150, and the rotation of the launch lever 112 is transmitted to the setting ring 131 of the launch mechanism.

  The transmission mechanism 150 is flexible and can be bent, and can transmit the rotation of the firing lever 112 as rotation about the axis, the rotation shaft 113 of the firing handle, the flexible shaft 151, and the like. A coupling 155 that couples the flexible shaft 151 and the transmission shaft 143 of the firing mechanism is mainly used.

  The flexible shaft 151 includes an inner coil in which multiple wires are wound in multiple layers alternately forward and reverse, and an outer casing that rotatably holds the inner coil around an axis. A terminal metal fitting 153 is provided which is fixed to the end of the inner coil and rotates integrally with the inner coil. The terminal fitting 153 is formed in a D-shape in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axis by partially flattening the outer peripheral surface of the shaft end in the same manner as the rotation shaft 113 of the launching handle and the transmission shaft 143 of the transmission gear described above. At the same time, a flat hole for receiving the tip of the set screw at the tip of the tip is formed in the flat portion (see FIG. 9).

  The coupling 155 has a short cylindrical shape, and has a connecting hole 155a having a D-shaped cross-sectional view that matches the shaft end shape of the rotating shaft 113, the transmission shaft 143, and the terminal fitting 153 in the axial center. Has been. In addition, screw holes 155b and 155b penetrating in the direction perpendicular to the axis from the outer peripheral surface toward the flat portion of the connecting hole 155a are formed in alignment with the positions where the salamomi holes formed at the respective shaft ends.

  For this reason, by inserting the pivot shaft 113 and the terminal fitting 153 of the launch handle before and after the connecting hole 155a, the pivot shaft 113 and the terminal fitting 153 are engaged with each other so as to transmit torque via the coupling 155. The rotary shaft 113 and the terminal fitting 153 are connected by screwing and tightening a set screw 156 with a hole at the tip of the front and rear screw holes 155b, and the rotation of the rotary shaft 113 is connected to the other end via the inner coil. Is transmitted to the terminal fitting 153 on the side.

  In addition, according to the configuration in which a flexible shaft is connected to a shaft member (rotating shaft or transmission shaft) extending in the front-rear direction and taken out in the axial direction as in this configuration example, the mechanism configuration is simplified and the transmission mechanism is reduced in cost. Can be built. On the other hand, the flexible shaft has a larger allowable bending radius than that of other control cables or the like due to its configuration, and the flexible shaft easily protrudes rearward due to this allowable radius. For this reason, in the present configuration example, the rotation shaft 113 of the launching handle and the terminal fitting 153 are connected within the cylindrical portion of the handle base 111 in order to reduce the amount and range of rearward projection.

  That is, the coupling 155 is fitted and fixed to the terminal fitting 153 of the flexible shaft and inserted into the cylindrical portion of the handle base 111 from the back side of the game assisting board 10, and the launching handle is rotated through the coupling hole 155a of the coupling. The shaft 113 is fitted to the end of the shaft 113, a hexagon wrench is inserted into the operation hole 111h formed on the lower surface of the handle base 111, the front set screw 156 is tightened, and the rotating shaft 113 and the coupling 155 are tightened. And Thereby, the protrusion amount of the flexible shaft to the rear of the launching handle is reduced, and the degree of freedom of arrangement of peripheral devices is improved.

  Further, on the other end side of the flexible shaft 151, a similar coupling 155 is fitted and screwed to the terminal fitting 153, and the transmission shaft 143 is fitted and screwed to the transmission shaft 143 of the transmission gear to be screwed. And the terminal fitting 153 on the other end side are connected via a coupling 155 so that torque can be transmitted.

  Thereby, the rotating shaft 113 and the transmission shaft 143 are connected by the flexible shaft 151, and when the firing lever 112 is rotated, the turning is performed from the firing lever 112 to the rotating shaft 113 to the coupling 155 to the terminal fitting. 153 and the inner shaft of the flexible shaft 151 are transmitted to the terminal fitting 153 on the other end side, and further mechanically transmitted to the transmission gear 142 via the coupling 155 to the transmission shaft 143. This transmission corresponds 1: 1 to the turning operation of the firing lever 112, and the transmission gear 142 is rotated at the same turning angle as the turning operation angle of the firing lever 112 according to the turning operation of the firing lever 112. It is rotated. Then, the rotation of the transmission gear 142 is transmitted to the setting gear 141 that meshes with the gear, and the setting ring 131 is rotated at a rotation angle corresponding to the gear ratio between the transmission gear 142 and the setting gear 141.

  Then, in the launch mechanism 120, a game ball is launched with a launch intensity corresponding to the angular position of the setting ring 131, that is, a launch intensity corresponding to the rotation operation angle of the launch lever 112. Hereinafter, the operation of the launch intensity setting structure 140 that sets the launch intensity by adjusting the angular position of the setting ring 131 will be described in accordance with a specific launch operation with reference to FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b). . 11A is a rear view of the firing mechanism 120 before the firing lever 112 is rotated, and FIG. 11B is a rotational operation of the firing lever 112 until the hammer 123 reaches the maximum swing angle position. It is a rear view of the launching mechanism 120 in a wound state. In the following, since description will be made mainly with reference to FIG. 11, unless otherwise specified, the direction in the rear view (for example, the direction of clockwise, counterclockwise, etc.) will be described.

  As described above, the setting ring 131 is urged clockwise by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 132 stretched between the setting ring 131 and the rotation ring 133. For this reason, when the firing lever 112 is in the firing stop position where the turning operation is not performed, as shown in FIG. 11A, the side end surface of the setting gear 141 abuts against the stopper pin 125 and the turning is restricted. Further, the buffer arm portion 123b is disposed at an initial position where the cushion arm portion 123b is in contact with and supported by the cushion rubber 127. The torsion coil spring 132 is preliminarily set to be bent so as to generate a constant spring force at this initial position, and the hammer 123 is pressed and held by the cushion rubber 127 with a predetermined pressure based on this pre-bending, that is, pre-pressure. Yes.

  When the player turns the firing lever 112 clockwise from the firing stop position in front view, the turning is transmitted to the transmission gear 142 via the transmission mechanism 150, and the gear ratio between the transmission gear 142 and the setting gear 141 is set. The setting ring 131 is rotated counterclockwise in the rear view at a corresponding rotation angle.

  When the setting ring 131 is rotated counterclockwise, the front locking end (fixed end) of the torsion coil spring 132 locked to the setting ring 131 swings counterclockwise as the setting ring 131 rotates. It is displaced dynamically. The displacement of the fixed end in this direction is a displacement in a direction in which the bending of the torsion coil spring 132 is increased. The initial bending of the torsion coil spring 132 before the hammer 123 is driven to swing, that is, the initial bending is the setting ring 131. It increases in proportion to the counterclockwise rotation angle. The bending angle of the torsion coil spring 132 that has been changed in accordance with the turning operation of the firing lever 112 in this way is referred to as “set bending” α for convenience.

  When the firing lever 112 is rotated and exceeds the firing operation position, a detection signal for detecting the firing operation is input from the firing operation detector built in the firing handle 110 to the launch control device 83, and the launch control device 83 A drive signal is output to the firing drive motor 135 to activate the firing drive motor 135, and the drive cam 136 coupled to the motor spindle is rotated counterclockwise (clockwise in front view) at a constant rotational speed.

  As the drive cam 136 rotates, the cam roller 124a comes into contact with the cam surface in the hoisting region and rolls on the cam surface, and the rocker arm 124 that receives the pressing force via the cam roller 124a is swung clockwise. The hammer 123 connected to the rocker arm 124, the hammer shaft 122, and the rotating ring 133 are swung clockwise, and the rear locking end of the torsion coil spring 132 locked to the rotating ring 133 is wound up by the spring 132. It is oscillated and displaced in the direction, that is, the direction in which the bending of the torsion coil spring 132 is increased.

  The cam surface supporting the cam roller 124a suddenly changes to the minimum diameter when the cam roller 124a gets over the cam surface of the maximum diameter portion at the end of the winding region, and the rotating ring is rotated by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 132 that has been wound up. 133, the hammer shaft 122, the hammer 123, and the rocker arm 124 swing counterclockwise. Then, the hammer head 123p at the tip of the hammer arm hits the game ball temporarily held by the guide holder 126 and fires it toward the game board, and the buffer arm 123b is received by the cushion rubber 127 so that the hammer or the like is at this angle. Supported in position.

  As described above, the swing angle range of the hammer 123 that is swung by the rotation of the drive cam 136 is such that the cam roller 124a is the maximum of the drive cam 136 from the angular position where the buffer arm portion 123b is received and supported by the cushion rubber 127. The angular range up to the angular position supported by the diameter portion is always constant, and the rotational range of the rotating ring 133 that is rotated integrally with the hammer 123 is also the same angular range. For this reason, the locking end (free end) of the torsion coil spring 132 that is locked to the rotating ring 133 reciprocally swings at a certain angular position, and the torsion coil spring 132 is bent due to the swinging displacement of the free end. The angle (denoted as “operation deflection” β for convenience) is constant regardless of the rotation operation angle of the firing lever 112.

  Therefore, the bending of the torsion coil spring 132 in the state immediately before firing in which the cam roller 124a is supported by the maximum diameter portion of the drive cam 136 is oscillated and displaced by rotating the firing lever 112 to a preset preliminary deflection. Therefore, the bending angle is obtained by adding the set deflection α on the fixed end side and the operation deflection β on the free end side that is oscillated and displaced by the rotation of the drive cam 136. Of these, the preliminary deflection and the operation deflection are constant. It changes in proportion to the magnitude of the set deflection α. This set deflection α is the rotational displacement angle of the setting ring 131 and is proportional to the rotational operation angle of the firing lever 112.

  For this reason, the spring force stored in the torsion coil spring 132 immediately before launching can be changed in strength by changing the pivoting operation angle of the launching lever 112, and the firing strength corresponding to the pivoting operation angle of the launching lever 112 can be changed. You can launch a game ball. Thus, the player can easily adjust and set the firing strength according to the desired target position while visually confirming the arrival position of the game ball launched from the launch mechanism 120 onto the game board.

  As described above, in the game ball launching device 100, the transmission mechanism 150 that transmits the rotation of the launch lever 112 to the setting ring 131 that is a launch strength setting structure has a flexible and flexible transmission member. (Flexible shaft 151). For this reason, the firing handle 110 and the firing mechanism 120 can be disposed at physically separated positions, and even when a motor-driven firing mechanism is employed as the firing mechanism as illustrated in each figure, The firing handle and the 110 firing mechanism 120 can be separately disposed on the left and right sides of the front frame. Therefore, according to the game ball launching apparatus 100, the game ball launching apparatus is arranged by arranging the launching handle and the launching mechanism at the optimum positions so as to exhibit the respective functions with a simple configuration without using a complicated control device. Can be configured. In addition, since a transmission member (flexible shaft 151) that can transmit the rotation operation of the launch lever as a rotation around the axis is used, the conversion loss and the like that occur when the operation direction is converted are reduced and the mechanism configuration is simplified. Can be

  Next, the game ball launching apparatus 200 according to the second configuration form will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 12 is a plan view of a game assisting board schematically showing the overall configuration of the game ball launching device in this configuration mode, and FIG. 13 is a turning shaft provided between the turning shaft of the launching handle and the flexible shaft. 14 is a plan view of the conversion structure, FIG. 14 is a rear view of the setting axis conversion structure provided between the setting shaft of the firing mechanism and the flexible shaft, and FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the setting axis conversion structure.

  This game ball launching device 200 is provided with a launch handle 110 that projects from the front side of the gaming machine, a launch mechanism 120 that launches a game ball, and is incorporated in the launch mechanism 120 to set the launch strength of the game ball by the launch mechanism. The firing strength setting structure 140, the transmission mechanism 250 that transmits the turning operation of the firing lever 112 to the firing strength setting structure 140, the firing control device 83 that controls the operation of the firing mechanism 120, and the like. Then, the rotation is transmitted to the firing strength setting structure 140 by the transmission mechanism 250, and the game ball is fired with the firing strength set in the firing strength setting structure.

  The transmission mechanism 250 includes a rotation axis conversion structure 260 that converts rotation around the rotation axis 213 of the launching handle extending in the front-rear direction into rotation about a left-right axis that intersects the rotation axis, and a firing strength. In the setting structure 140, the setting axis conversion structure 270 that converts the rotation about the setting axis extending in the front-rear direction into the rotation about the axis in the left-right direction intersecting the setting axis, and the flexible structure can be bent. In addition, a flexible shaft 151 that can transmit the turning operation of the launch lever 112 as a turn around the axis is provided, and the transmission mechanism 250 mechanically connects the launch lever and the launch intensity setting structure 140 to each other. Is configured to transmit the pivoting operation to the firing intensity setting structure.

  That is, the game ball launching apparatus 200 is mainly different in the configuration of the transmission mechanism 250 that transmits the turning operation of the launch lever 112 to the launch strength setting structure 140, and the shaft end of the pivot shaft in the launch handle 110, the flexible The axial length of the shaft 151 and the left and right terminal fittings are partially different from those of the game ball launching device 100 described above, and the firing handle 110, firing mechanism 120, firing strength setting structure 140, and firing mechanism 120 are operated. The basic configuration of the launch control device 83 to be controlled is the same as that of the game ball launch device 100 described above. Therefore, hereinafter, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description is omitted, and the description will focus on the rotating shaft conversion structure 260 and the setting axis conversion structure 270 of the transmission mechanism 250 that are different.

  FIG. 13 shows a configuration example of an axial direction conversion structure using a pair of bevel gears as an example of the rotation axis conversion structure. The rotation axis conversion structure 260 is arranged at the shaft end of the rotation shaft 213 of the launching handle. The first bevel gear 261 that is fixed and the second bevel gear 262 that meshes with the first bevel gear 261 are mainly configured to rotate around the rotation shaft 213 extending in the front-rear direction. It is configured to convert and transmit the rotation about the conversion rotation shaft 263 extending in the right and left direction orthogonal to each other. The rotation shaft 213 is longer than the rotation shaft 113 in the game ball launching device 100 described above, and has a length that projects from the back side of the game auxiliary board 10.

  The rear end portion of the rotation shaft 213 has a flat outer peripheral surface and is formed in a D shape in a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the axis, and a salami fir hole that receives the tip of the set screw at the tip of the tip is formed. The first bevel gear 261 attached to the shaft 213 is formed with a D-shaped connecting hole that matches the shaft end shape of the rotating shaft 213 and a screw hole into which a set screw is screwed. The first bevel gear 261 is inserted into the shaft end of the rotating shaft 213 protruding from the back side of the game assisting board 10 with the connecting hole of the gear, and the screw hole is screwed with a screw hole and a female screw and tightened. Thus, it is fixed to the rear end portion of the rotation shaft 213 and is arranged so as to be able to transmit torque.

  The conversion rotation shaft 263 is formed integrally with the second bevel gear 262, and a ring groove for locking the snap ring is formed on the outer peripheral portion in the middle of the shaft, and multiple splines are formed on the outer periphery of the shaft end portion. Yes. The housing 266 that accommodates the rotation shaft conversion structure is provided with a bearing bush 264 that pivotally supports the conversion rotation shaft 263, and the conversion rotation shaft 263 is inserted through the bearing bush 264. The second bevel gear 262 is rotatably attached by fitting the snap ring 265 into the ring groove of the conversion rotation shaft 263 protruding outside the housing. Then, by attaching the housing 266 so as to cover the rear of the first bevel gear 261, the first bevel gear 261 and the second bevel gear 262 are engaged with each other, and the rotation around the rotation shaft 213 is performed. The rotation is transmitted as the rotation about the axis of the conversion rotation shaft 263 orthogonal to the rotation shaft 213 via the gear 261 to the second bevel gear 262. The end of the flexible shaft 151 is fixed to the game auxiliary board by a fixing bracket that fixes the outer casing.

  By the way, in this configuration mode, as a rotation transmission from the first bevel gear 261 to the second bevel gear 262, the transmission structure of the speed increasing form in which the first bevel gear 261 has more teeth is illustrated. When the 112 is rotated in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front, the conversion rotation shaft 263 is set to be rotated at a larger angle than the rotation angle of the firing lever 112 in the clockwise direction when viewed from the right side. This is because a transmission structure having a relatively large reduction mode is exemplified as the setting axis conversion structure 270 described below, and therefore the overall reduction ratio (final deceleration) of the rotation axis conversion structure 260 and the setting axis conversion structure 270 is combined. This shows a configuration as a means for adjusting the ratio.

  In other words, the final reduction ratio is arbitrarily set according to the relationship between the rotation operation angle of the firing lever 112 and the rotation angle of the setting ring 131 to be rotated, and the rotation axis is converted accordingly. The gear ratio between the structure 260 and the setting shaft converting structure 270 can be set as appropriate. For example, when the final reduction ratio is set to 1 and the constant speed transmission structure is adopted as the setting conversion structure 270 of the next stage, the first bevel gear 261 and the second bevel gear 262 are connected to the same number of bevel gears. Can be configured.

  At the end of the flexible shaft 151 on the launch handle side, a spline hole is formed in the end fitting fixed to the inner core to fit with the spline of the conversion rotating shaft 263, and the shaft end is used as a game auxiliary board in the outer casing. A fixing bracket for fixing is attached. For this reason, the flexible shaft 151 is connected so that the rotation of the rotation shaft 313 can be transmitted by fitting the spline hole of the terminal fitting to the spline of the conversion rotation shaft 263 and fixing the fixing bracket to the game auxiliary board. The

  On the other hand, as an example of the setting axis conversion structure, an example of the configuration of an axial direction conversion structure using a worm and a worm wheel that mesh with each other is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. A setting ring that is mainly composed of a worm wheel portion 271 formed on the outer peripheral portion and a worm 272 fitted and supported by a terminal fitting on the firing mechanism side of the flexible shaft 151 and rotates around a setting axis extending in the front-rear direction. The rotation of 131 is configured to convert the rotation around the central axis (conversion setting axis) of the terminal fitting extending in the left-right direction that intersects the setting axis.

  The end fitting on the firing mechanism side in the flexible shaft 151 is the same as the end fitting 153 shown in FIG. 9, and the outer peripheral surface is partly flattened and formed in a D shape in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axis. The shaft center portion of the worm 272 is provided with a shaft stop hole having a D-shape in cross section in accordance with the shape of the shaft end. The base plate 121 of the launching mechanism is provided with bearing portions 128 and 128 that pivotally support the end fitting 153 of the flexible shaft so as to be rotatable around the axis at a predetermined pitch from the axis of the setting shaft, and are adjacent to the bearing portion. Thus, a fixing bracket for fixing the outer case of the flexible shaft 151 is attached.

  For this reason, the worm 272 is disposed between the left and right bearing portions 128, and the end fitting 153 of the flexible shaft is inserted from the left bearing portion side into the shaft stop hole of the worm 272 and the right bearing portion. By being supported by the left and right bearings 128, 128, the worm 272 is rotatably supported in a state of being engaged with the worm wheel portion 271, and a fixing bracket for fixing the outer case is screwed to the base plate 121 to be flexible. The end of the shaft 151 on the firing mechanism side is fixed. As a result, when the terminal fitting of the flexible shaft is rotated about the axis, the rotation is transmitted to the setting ring 131 via the worm 272 to the worm wheel portion 271 that mesh with each other, and the setting ring 131 is rotated about the setting axis. Is rotated.

  As described above, the rotation shaft 213 of the firing handle 110 and the setting ring 131 of the firing mechanism are connected by the flexible shaft 151, and when the firing lever 112 is rotated, the rotation is performed between the rotation shaft 213 and the rotation shaft. It is transmitted to the setting ring 131 via the conversion structure 260 to the flexible shaft 151 and the setting axis conversion structure 270. Then, the setting ring 131 is rotated at a rotation angle corresponding to the rotation operation angle of the firing lever 112 and the intermediate gear ratio, and the firing strength corresponding to the angular position of the setting ring 131 in the firing mechanism 120, that is, the firing lever 112 A game ball is launched with a launch intensity corresponding to the rotation operation angle.

  As described above, in the game ball launching apparatus 200, the transmission mechanism 250 that transmits the rotation of the launch lever 112 to the setting ring 131 that sets the launch strength is flexible and can be bent. Since the flexible shaft 151) is provided, the launching handle 110 and the launching mechanism 120 can be disposed at physically separated positions as in the game ball launching device 100 described above. Even when the firing mechanism is employed, the firing handle and the 110 firing mechanism 120 can be separated from each other on the left and right sides of the front frame, and can be disposed at positions separated from each other. Further, since the transmission member (flexible shaft 151) that can transmit the rotation operation of the launch lever as the rotation around the axis is used, conversion loss and the like can be reduced and the structure of the mechanism can be simplified.

  Further, in the game ball launching apparatus 200, the transmission mechanism 250 is provided with a turning shaft conversion structure 260 that converts turning around the turning shaft of the launching lever extending in the front-rear direction into turning around the left-right axis. A setting axis conversion structure 270 that converts rotation about the setting axis of the extending setting ring into rotation about a horizontal axis is provided, and the rotation axis conversion structure 260 and the setting axis conversion structure 270 are connected by a flexible shaft 151. Thus, the turning operation of the firing lever 112 is transmitted to the setting ring as turning about the axis. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the projecting dimension to the rear of the machine body due to the allowable bending radius of the flexible shaft 151, and even when using a high torque transmission type flexible shaft that requires a relatively large bending radius. The assembly can be facilitated and the ball game machine can be configured to be thin. Therefore, according to the game ball launching apparatus 200, the launching handle 110 and the launching mechanism 120 are arranged at optimal positions for performing the respective functions with a simple configuration that does not use a complicated control device, and the rear of the fuselage. Thus, a compact game ball launching device that suppresses the amount of protrusion can be configured.

  Next, the game ball launcher 300 according to the third configuration form will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 18. Here, FIG. 16 is a plan sectional view of the game auxiliary board mainly showing the fitting structure 360 of the first configuration example in the game ball launching apparatus 300, and FIG. 17 is a game auxiliary board side fitting in a state where the ball tray unit 6 is opened. FIG. 18 is a front view of the fitting structure in the fitting state in which the ball tray unit 6 is closed.

  The game ball launching device 300 of this configuration form includes a launch handle 310 provided on the front side of the ball tray unit 6 that can be opened and closed laterally in front of the front frame 2, a launch mechanism 120 that launches a game ball, and a launch mechanism 120. The launching strength setting structure 140 that sets the launching strength of the game ball by the launching mechanism, the transmission mechanism 350 that transmits the turning operation of the launching lever 112 to the launching intensity setting structure 140, and the launching that controls the operation of the launching mechanism 120. When the launch lever 112 is rotated by the control device 83 or the like, the rotation is transmitted to the launch intensity setting structure 140 by the transmission mechanism 350, and the game ball is launched with the launch intensity set in the launch intensity setting structure. Configured to be.

  The transmission mechanism 350 is provided so as to be detachable from each other on the ball tray unit side and the game auxiliary board side, and is fitted when the ball tray unit 6 is closed to the front frame 2 to rotate the firing lever 112. And a flexible shaft 151 that is flexible and can be bent, and that can transmit the rotation operation transmitted from the firing lever 112 to the fitting structure as rotation about the axis. It is prepared for.

  That is, the game ball launching apparatus 300 is mainly different in the configuration of the transmission mechanism 350 that transmits the turning operation of the launch lever 112 to the launch intensity setting structure 140, the attachment position of the launch handle 310, and the shaft end shape. The basic configuration of the launch intensity setting structure 140 and the launch control device 83 that controls the operation of the launch mechanism 120 is the same as that of the game ball launch device 100 described above. Further, as the mechanism for transmitting from the fitting structure on the game auxiliary board side to the firing strength setting structure 140 via the flexible shaft 151 in the transmission mechanism 350, the same configuration as the transmission mechanisms 150 and 250 described above can be used. . Therefore, the same number is attached | subjected to the same structure part, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted, and it demonstrates centering around a different fitting structure.

  16 to 18, as a first configuration example of a fitting structure that is fitted when the ball tray unit 6 is closed to the front frame 2 and transmits the rotation operation of the firing lever 112, the firing handle is shown. The rotating shaft 313 includes a fitting shaft portion 363 formed at the tip portion of the rotating shaft 313 and a receiving fitting portion 365 that is provided on the game auxiliary board side and engages with the fitting shaft portion 363 so as to be detachable. The fitting structure 360 which transmits rotation of the axis | shaft 313 to the flexible shaft 151 is illustrated.

  The basic structure of the firing handle 310 is the same as that of the firing handle 110 shown in FIG. 5 (see FIG. 5). The firing handle 310 is composed of a bowl-shaped portion and a cylindrical portion that open forward, and is provided on the left edge to provide a ball tray unit 6. The handle base 111 is screwed to the lower part of the front surface on the free end side of the ball tray unit 6 on the opposite side of the ball tray hinge mechanism 7, 7 (see FIG. 3). The firing lever 112 is supported, the front end is press-fitted and fixed to the firing lever 112, the pivot shaft 313 is rotatably supported in the bearing hole of the handle base 111, the front surface of the firing lever 112 is covered, and the handle base 111 is covered. The firing handle 310 includes a fixed handle cap 114 and the like, and a torsion coil spring that constantly urges the firing lever 112 counterclockwise is provided inside the firing handle 310. Such firing operation detection switch for starting the firing operation when the firing stop position is rotated operated at a predetermined angle or more clockwise is provided. A signal line or the like of the firing operation detection switch passes through the vicinity of the ball tray hinge mechanisms 7 and 7 and is connected to the firing control device 83 on the front frame 2 side.

  A rotation shaft 313 connected to the firing lever 112 and extending rearward is disposed to extend rearward from the back surface of the ball tray unit 6 to which the handle base 111 is fixed by screws. A fitting shaft portion 363 is provided at the shaft end. Is formed. The fitting shaft portion 363 protrudes from the shaft portion to the right and left orthogonal to the shaft and is provided with an engagement pin 363b, and the leading end corner portion is chamfered to form an introduction portion.

  On the other hand, in the game auxiliary board, the columnar coupling 355 is aligned with the rotation axis 313 when the ball tray unit 6 is closed to the front frame 2, and the columnar coupling 355 uses the snap ring 356 as a shaft. Attached so as to be rotatable around. On the rear end side of the coupling 355, similarly to the above-described coupling 155, there are a D-shaped connecting hole (155a) for receiving the terminal fitting 153 of the flexible shaft and a screw hole (155b) for fixing the terminal fitting. The coupling 355 to the flexible shaft 151 to the firing strength setting structure 140 are formed by inserting the terminal fitting 153 into the connection hole and screwing and tightening the set screw with the hole at the tip of the tip. Connected.

  In addition, a receiving fitting portion 365 that receives the fitting shaft portion 363 of the rotating shaft and is detachably engaged is formed on the front end side of the coupling 355. The receiving fitting portion 365 has a shaft receiving hole 365a having an inner diameter somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the rotating shaft 313 and receiving the rear end portion of the rotating shaft 313, and left and right engaging pins 363b. An engagement groove 365b that engages with the engagement pin and transmits the rotation when the rotation shaft 313 is rotated when the rotation shaft 313 is rotated is formed in a fan shape when viewed from the front.

  For this reason, when the ball tray unit 6 is closed so as to cover the front of the game assisting board, the distal end portion of the rotating shaft 313 is fitted into the shaft receiving hole 365a, and the engaging pin 363b protruding right and left from the shaft portion is engaged. Entering into the groove of the joint groove 365b, the fitting shaft portion 363 of the launching handle is engaged with the receiving fitting portion 365 on the game auxiliary board side. Then, the ball tray unit 6 is locked and held at the closed position by the ball tray locking device. In this engaged state, when the rotation shaft 313 is rotated, the engagement pins 363b and 363b that rotate together with the rotation shaft 313 rotate in the fan-shaped engagement grooves 365b and 365b to the groove side surface. Engage and transmit the rotational driving force of the rotation shaft 313 to the coupling 355 to rotate it around the axis.

  Thereby, the rotation shaft 313 and the coupling 355 of the firing handle 110 are connected by the fitting structure 360 including the fitting shaft portion 363 and the receiving fitting portion 365, and the firing lever 112 is turned. The rotation is transmitted to the coupling 355 through the rotation shaft 313 to the fitting structure 360, and the setting ring 131 of the firing strength setting means 140 is transmitted through the terminal fitting 153 to the flexible shaft 151 fixed to the coupling 355. Is transmitted to. Then, the setting ring 131 is rotated at a rotation angle corresponding to the rotation operation angle of the firing lever 112 (and the gear ratio when the setting axis conversion structure is provided). A game ball is launched with a firing strength corresponding to the angular position, that is, a firing strength corresponding to the rotation operation angle of the launch lever 112.

  On the other hand, when the ball tray unit 6 is opened laterally and opened, the fitting shaft portion 363 is detached from the receiving fitting portion 365, and the firing handle 310 is oscillated and displaced forward with the ball tray unit 6. Therefore, in a state where the ball tray unit 6 is opened, even if the firing lever 112 is rotated, the rotation is not transmitted to the setting ring 131 and the firing intensity cannot be adjusted. However, in this configuration, the receiving fitting portion 365 is formed with a fan-like engaging groove 365b as viewed from the front, and the receiving fitting portion 365 can be rotated by inserting a minus driver. For this reason, for example, when maintenance work is performed with the ball tray unit 6 opened, the firing intensity can be adjusted using a flat-blade screwdriver. Further, since the engaging groove 365b is formed in a fan shape, the angular position of the locking pin 363b of the rotating shaft at the firing stop position and the angular position of the engaging groove 365b that receives this exactly match each other. It is easy to make initial adjustments when assembling a gaming machine, and has excellent maintainability that does not need to be adjusted one by one even if there is some angle deviation due to changes over time. Can provide structure.

  Therefore, in the game ball launching apparatus 300 described above, the transmission mechanism 350 that transmits the rotation of the launch lever 112 to the setting ring 131 includes a flexible transmission member (flexible shaft 151) that can be bent. Therefore, similarly to the game ball launching devices 100 and 200 described above, the launch handle 310 and the launch mechanism 120 can be disposed at physically separated positions, and a motor-driven launch mechanism is used as the launch mechanism. Even when employed, the firing handle and the 310 firing mechanism 120 can be disposed separately. Further, since the transmission member (flexible shaft 151) that can transmit the rotation operation of the launch lever as the rotation around the axis is used, conversion loss and the like can be reduced and the structure of the mechanism can be simplified.

  Furthermore, in the game ball launching apparatus 300, the launch handle 310 is provided on the ball tray unit side, the launch mechanism is provided on the game assisting board side, and a fitting structure 360 that is fitted and removed as the ball tray unit 6 is opened and closed is provided. When the pan unit 6 is closed to the front frame 2, the plate unit 6 is fitted to transmit the rotation of the firing lever 112 to the setting ring 131. For this reason, although it is a mechanical transmission structure, it becomes possible to provide the launch handle 310 on the front side of the ball tray unit 6, and not only the degree of freedom of the placement of the launch handle and the launch mechanism but also the overall configuration of the gaming machine. The degree of freedom can be improved. Therefore, according to the game ball launching apparatus 300, the launching handle 310 and the launching mechanism 120 are arranged at optimal positions for exhibiting the respective functions with a simple configuration that does not use a complicated control device, and the game ball launching is performed. A device can be configured.

  Next, in each drawing of FIGS. 19 to 21, a fitting structure 370 of the second configuration example in the third configuration form is shown in the drawings corresponding to each drawing of FIGS. That is, FIG. 19 is a plan sectional view of a game auxiliary board mainly showing the fitting structure 370 of this configuration, FIG. 20 is a front view of the game auxiliary board side fitting structure in a state where the ball tray unit 6 is opened, and FIG. It is a front view of the fitting structure in the fitting state which closed the ball tray unit. The fitting structure 370 is different from the fitting structure 360 described above only in the configuration of the fitting shaft portion 373 and the receiving fitting portion 375, and the other components are configured similarly. Therefore, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and the following is briefly described.

  In the fitting structure 370, the rear portion of the rotating shaft 313 protruding rearward from the ball tray unit 6 is formed in a hexagonal bar shape that matches a hexagon wrench of a predetermined size (for example, a wrench size having a facing width of 4 to 8 mm). In addition, a conical introduction portion is provided at the rear end portion to form a fitting shaft portion 373. On the other hand, a coupling 355 similar to that described above is rotatably mounted on the side of the game auxiliary board 10 so as to be aligned with the axis of the rotating shaft in the closed state, and the fitting shaft portion 373 is fitted on the front end side of the coupling 355. A removable hexagonal hole receiving fitting portion 375 is formed.

  When the ball tray unit 6 is closed so as to cover the front of the game assisting board, the guiding portion at the tip of the fitting shaft portion 373 guides and enters the receiving fitting portion 375, and then the hexagon of the fitting shaft portion 373 The parts are fitted into the receiving fitting part 375 and engaged with each other, and the ball tray unit 6 is locked and held at the closed position by the ball dish locking device.

  As a result, the rotation shaft 313 of the firing handle 310 and the coupling 355 are coupled so as to transmit torque by the fitting structure 370 including the fitting shaft portion 373 and the receiving fitting portion 375, and the firing lever 112 is turned. Then, the rotation is transmitted to the coupling 355 through the rotation shaft 313 to the fitting structure 370, and the firing strength setting structure 140 through the terminal fitting 153 to the flexible shaft 151 fixed to the coupling 355. Is transmitted to the setting ring 131. Then, the setting ring 131 is rotated at a rotation angle corresponding to the rotation operation angle of the firing lever 112, and the firing strength corresponding to the angular position of the setting ring 131, that is, the rotation operation of the firing lever 112 is performed in the firing mechanism 120. A game ball is launched with a launch intensity corresponding to the angle.

  When the ball tray unit 6 is opened laterally and opened, the fitting shaft portion 373 is detached from the receiving fitting portion 375, and the firing handle 310 is oscillated and displaced forward with the ball tray unit 6 together with the ball tray unit 6. In the fitting structure 370 of this configuration, a receiving fitting portion 375 is formed in accordance with the wrench size of the hexagon wrench, and even when maintenance work is performed with the ball tray unit 6 opened, the hexagon wrench is used for launching. The strength can be adjusted. Therefore, even in the game ball launching device having the fitting structure 370 outlined above, the same effect as the game ball launching device 300 described above can be obtained.

  Now, in the above, regarding the transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation operation of the firing lever 112 to the firing strength setting structure 140, the flexible shaft 151 is used as a flexible and bendable transmission member, and the rotation of the firing lever 112 is performed. Various transmission mechanisms in the form of transmitting the operation motion to the setting ring 131 as rotation about the axis have been exemplified. 22 and 23 show a transmission mechanism 550 using a control cable 551 as another configuration example of a flexible transmission member that can be bent, and hereinafter, a transmission mechanism 550 is described with reference to these drawings. A game ball launcher 500 having a four-configuration configuration will be described. Here, FIG. 22 is a plan view (a) and a rear view (b) showing a connecting portion of the rotating shaft 213 of the launching handle and the control cable 551, and FIG. 23 is a connecting portion of the setting ring 131 of the launching mechanism and the control cable 551. It is the rear view (a) and bottom view (b) which show. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to common parts, such as the launching handle 110, the launching mechanism 120, and the launch intensity setting structure 140, the duplication description is abbreviate | omitted, and the transmission mechanism 550 is demonstrated briefly.

  The transmission mechanism 550 includes a rotational displacement conversion structure 560 that converts rotational displacement around the rotational shaft 213 of the launching handle extending in the front-rear direction into lateral displacement in the left-right direction intersecting the rotational shaft, and a firing intensity setting structure. In 140, a set displacement conversion structure 570 that converts rotation about a set axis extending in the front-rear direction into a left-right axial displacement intersecting the set axis, and the inner wire 551a and the inner wire are slidably held in the axial direction. A control cable 551 that is flexible and can be bent, and the transmission mechanism 550 mechanically connects the firing lever 112 and the firing strength setting structure 140 to each other. Is configured to transmit the pivoting operation to the firing intensity setting structure.

  The rotation displacement conversion structure 560 is mainly configured by a rotation pulley 561 fixed to the shaft end of the rotation shaft 213. The rotating pulley 561 is formed with a pulley groove 561a around which the inner wire 551a of the control cable is wound, and a latching groove 561c that latches a short columnar terminal fitting 551c that is caulked and fixed to the end of the inner wire. . The game assisting board is provided with a locking bracket that locks the end of the outer casing 551b. The end of the outer casing 551b is locked to the locking bracket, and the terminal fitting 551c is hooked in the hooking groove 561c. As a result, the control cable 551 is connected to the rotating pulley 561.

  The set displacement conversion structure 570 illustrates a configuration form in which the rotation ring 131 is directly wound around. The outer peripheral surface of the rotating ring 131 is formed with a hook portion 131c that hooks a short cylindrical end fitting 551c that is caulked and fixed to the end of the inner wire, and the base plate 121 holds the end of the outer casing 551b. A locking bracket is provided. For this reason, the control cable 551 is connected to the setting ring 131 by locking the end of the outer casing 551b to the locking bracket and hooking the terminal fitting 551c to the hooking hook 131c.

  As described above, when the rotation shaft 213 of the launching handle 110 and the setting ring 131 of the launching mechanism are connected by the control cable 551 and the launching lever 112 is rotated, the rotational displacement of the rotational shaft 213 is rotationally displaced. It is converted into a displacement in the left-right direction intersecting the rotation axis by the conversion structure 560 and transmitted through the control cable 551, and is converted again into a rotation displacement by the setting axis conversion structure 270 and transmitted to the setting ring 131. Then, the setting ring 131 is rotated at a rotation angle corresponding to the rotation operation angle of the firing lever 112, and the firing strength corresponding to the angular position of the setting ring 131 in the firing mechanism 120, that is, the rotation operation angle of the firing lever 112 is set. A game ball is launched with the corresponding launch intensity.

  In the transmission mechanism 250 described above, the final reduction ratio is arbitrarily set according to the relationship between the rotation operation angle of the firing lever 112 and the rotation angle of the setting ring 131 to be rotated. Although it has been disclosed that the gear ratio between the rotation axis conversion structure 260 and the setting axis conversion structure 270 can be set as appropriate, the rotation pulley in the rotation displacement conversion structure 560 is also provided in the transmission mechanism 550 of this configuration. The required angle ratio can be set by appropriately setting the ratio between the pulley diameter of 561 and the outer diameter of the setting ring 131 (ratio of the winding diameter of the inner wire 551a).

  Therefore, also in the game ball launching apparatus 500 using the transmission mechanism 550 described above, the launch handle 110 and the launch mechanism 120 are arranged at physically separated positions, similarly to the game ball launching apparatus of each configuration described above. Even when a motor-driven launching mechanism is adopted as the launching mechanism, the launching handle and the 110 launching mechanism 120 can be separated from each other on the left and right sides of the front frame. it can.

  Further, in the transmission mechanism 550, a rotation displacement conversion structure 560 that converts a rotation displacement around the rotation axis of the launch lever extending in the front-rear direction into a left-right axial displacement intersecting the rotation axis, a setting ring extending in the front-rear direction A setting displacement converting structure 570 for converting a rotational displacement around the setting axis into a horizontal axial displacement intersecting the setting axis. The rotating displacement converting structure 560 and the setting displacement converting structure 570 are made flexible. It is connected by a control cable 551 that can be bent and provided, and the rotation operation of the firing lever 112 is transmitted to the setting ring 131. For this reason, it is possible to make the game ball launching device thin by suppressing the extension of the transmission member to the rear of the machine body, and to make the launching handle 110 and launching mechanism 120 function in a simple configuration without using a complicated control device. It is possible to configure a compact game ball launching apparatus that is disposed at an optimal position for exhibiting the above and that suppresses the amount of protrusion toward the rear of the machine body.

  In the above description, a configuration example in which various transmission mechanisms are applied to a motor-type launcher has been shown. However, each transmission mechanism can be similarly applied to a solenoid-type launcher. The problem peculiar to waveform control can be improved while securing the degree of freedom of arrangement. That is, the rotary mechanism of the rotary lever is used to wind up the hammer, and the launch mechanism is configured to use the spring force of the tension spring or torsion coil spring to launch the game ball. Transmission is performed by transmission mechanism to displace the position of the fixed end of the spring, thereby setting the firing strength of the game ball hit by the hammer. As a result, it is possible to simplify the waveform control of the rotary solenoid, which is a problem with the solenoid-type launcher, and to simplify the configuration of the launch control device, thereby reducing the size and cost of the game ball launcher.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine shown as an example of a bullet ball game machine provided with the game ball launching device concerning the present invention. It is a rear view of the pachinko machine. It is a front view of a front frame lower part field (game auxiliary board) shown in the state where a ball tray unit was removed. It is a top view of the game auxiliary | assistant board which shows the whole structure of the game ball | bowl launching apparatus of a 1st structure form schematically. It is a plane sectional view of the launching handle in the above-mentioned game ball launching device. It is a front view of the launch mechanism in the game ball launcher. It is a rear view of the said launch mechanism. It is a top view of the said launching mechanism. It is a perspective view of the coupling shown as an example of the combined form of a flexible shaft and the rotating shaft of a launching handle. It is an operation | movement displacement diagram which shows the action | operation of a launching mechanism, Comprising: Among these, (a) is a front view of the launching mechanism in the state just before the launch which wound up the torsion coil spring, (b) It is a front view of a mechanism. It is explanatory drawing explaining the effect | action of a launch intensity setting structure, Comprising: Among these, (a) is a rear view of the launch mechanism before a launch lever is rotated, (b) is a launch lever rotated and a hammer is operated. It is a rear view of the launching mechanism in a state of being wound up to the maximum swing angle position. It is a top view of the game auxiliary | assistant board which shows schematically the whole structure of the game ball | bowl launching apparatus of a 2nd structure form. It is a plane sectional view of the rotation axis conversion structure provided between the rotation shaft of the launching handle and the flexible shaft. It is a rear view of the setting axis conversion structure provided between the setting axis of the launching mechanism and the flexible shaft. It is a bottom view of the set axis conversion structure. It is a plane sectional view of the game auxiliary board mainly showing the fitting structure of the 1st example of composition in the game ball launcher of the 3rd composition form. It is a front view of the said fitting structure by the side of a game assistance board in the state which open | released the ball tray unit. It is a front view of the said fitting structure in the fitting state which closed the ball tray unit. It is a plane sectional view of the game auxiliary board mainly showing the fitting structure of the 2nd example of composition in the game ball launcher of the 3rd composition form. It is a front view of the said fitting structure by the side of a game assistance board in the state which open | released the ball tray unit. It is a front view of the said fitting structure in the fitting state which closed the ball tray unit. The transmission mechanism in the game ball launching apparatus of the fourth configuration form is shown, and FIGS. (A) and (b) are a plan view and a rear view showing a connecting portion between the rotation shaft of the launching handle and the control cable. The transmission mechanism in the game ball launching device of the fourth configuration form is shown, and FIGS. (A) and (b) are a rear view and a bottom view showing a connection portion between the setting ring of the launching mechanism and the control cable.

Explanation of symbols

PM Pachinko machine 2 Front frame 6 Ball tray unit 100 Game ball launcher (first configuration)
110 Launch handle 111 Handle base 112 Launch lever 113 Rotating shaft 120 Launch mechanism 131 Setting ring 140 Launch strength setting structure 150 Transmission mechanism (first configuration)
151 Flexible Shaft 200 Game Ball Launcher (Second Configuration)
213 Rotating shaft 250 Transmission mechanism (second configuration form)
260 Rotation axis conversion structure 270 Setting axis conversion structure 300 Game ball launcher (third configuration)
310 Firing Handle 313 Rotating Shaft 350 Transmission Mechanism (Third Configuration)
360 fitting structure 370 fitting structure 500 game ball launching device (fourth configuration form)
550 Transmission mechanism (fourth configuration form)
551 Control cable

Claims (1)

A frame member that accommodates and holds the game board, a door-like member that is attached to the frame member so as to be openable and closable forward, a handle base that protrudes from the front side of the door-like member, and a rotation operation on the handle base A launch handle having a launch lever provided in a possible manner, a launch mechanism provided on the frame member for launching a game ball, a launch strength setting means for setting a launch strength of the game ball by the launch mechanism, and the launch lever And a transmission means for transmitting the pivoting operation to the firing intensity setting means, and when the firing lever is turned, the transmission means is transmitted to the firing intensity setting means and is set by the firing intensity setting means. In a game ball launcher of a ball game machine, wherein the launch mechanism is configured to launch the game ball with a launch strength of
The transmission means is provided on the frame member side and the door-like member side so as to be fitted and detached from each other, and is fitted when the opening / closing door is closed to the frame member to transmit the rotation operation of the firing lever. And a transmission member that is flexible and can be bent and that can transmit the rotation operation transmitted from the firing lever to the fitting structure as rotation about an axis,
The bullet ball game characterized in that the transmission means is configured to mechanically connect the firing lever and the firing strength setting means to transmit the turning operation of the firing lever to the firing strength setting means. Machine ball launcher.

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