JP2006109927A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which enables the players to stop the operation of shooting the game balls while being set to be relaxed. <P>SOLUTION: A shooting stop switch 40 is turned on when the shooting handle 12 is operated to be pushed while the game balls are shot and the drive of the ball hummer is stopped responding to the ON operation of the shooting stop switch 40. This enables the players to stop the shooting action of the game balls by pushing the shooting handle 12 with their fingers left on it and thus relieves the players from the trouble of holding and releasing the shooting handle 12 as required, thereby enabling the stopping of the shooting action of the game balls while being set to be relaxed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine configured to launch a game ball into a game area with a firing force corresponding to an operation amount of a launch handle.

As shown in FIG. 8, the gaming machine has a configuration in which a handle base 102 is slidably inserted into a bearing 101 and a firing handle 103 is rotatably attached to the handle base 102. In this configuration, the launch stop switch 104 is mounted in the bearing 101, and when the player pushes the handle base 102 into the bearing 101, the launch ball switch is turned on based on the launch stop switch 104 being turned on. Operation stops.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-210098

  In the case of the above-mentioned gaming machine, when the player is relaxed, there is a tendency that the firing handle 103 is not gripped so much that the fingertip is hooked on the firing handle 103. For this reason, since there is annoyance to grasp the firing handle 103 when stopping the launching operation of the game ball, the relaxed state is eliminated. Moreover, when the player pushes the handle base 102, the handle base 102 may be unexpectedly locked in the pushed state due to frictional resistance or the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to enable the player to stop the game ball launching operation while relaxing and to be locked in the game ball launch stop state. The object is to provide a gaming machine that can be prevented.

The invention according to claim 1 forcibly stops the launching operation of the game ball by pushing or pulling the launching handle itself, and the description of claim 1 is as follows.
1) Handle base: a base for supporting the launch handle. This handle base is provided in a stationary state on the front frame, and the front frame refers to the holding frame of the game board that is located on the most front side when viewed from the player.
2) Launching handle: A player operates by hand from the front. This firing handle is supported by a handle base and can be operated both in the circumferential direction centering on the axial center line and in the axial direction along the axial center line. That is, the firing handle is provided on the handle base so as to be rotatable and slidable.
3) Stopper: Controls the movement of the firing handle to one side in the axial direction.
4) Spring member: Refers to an elastic member that presses the firing handle against the stopper, and the firing handle is held at the firing allowable position based on being pressed against the stopper.
5) Touch sensor: Refers to a detector that electrically detects that the player is holding the firing handle.
6) Handle sensor: A detector that electrically detects the movement state of the firing handle in the axial direction. This handle sensor may be any sensor that can detect at least whether or not the firing handle has been operated from the firing allowable position to the other side in the axial direction.
7) Hitting ball: A game ball is hit by moving from the standby position to the hitting position, and is launched into the game area. The striking force of the hitting ball is mechanically or electrically adjusted according to the rotation amount of the launching handle, and the launching force of the game ball changes according to the hitting force of the hitting ball.
8) Control circuit: Drives and controls the hitting ball based on the output signal from the touch sensor and the output signal from the handle sensor. When the touch sensor detects that the firing handle is gripped and the handle sensor detects that the firing handle is not operated from the firing permitted position to the other side in the axial direction, the control circuit When the touch sensor detects that the firing handle is not gripped, or the handle sensor detects that the firing handle is operated from the firing allowable position to the other side in the axial direction. In that case, stop the hitting ball.

  The invention according to claim 2 forcibly stops the launching operation of the game ball based on the pushing operation of the launching handle from the launching allowable position on the front side to the rear.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the launching handle is pushed or pulled in the state of launching the game ball, the driving of the hitting ball is stopped, so that the player holds the launching handle while holding the fingertip on the launching handle. The launching operation of the game ball can be forcibly stopped by pushing or pulling. For this reason, since the troublesomeness for the player to grasp the launching handle is eliminated, the launching operation of the game ball can be stopped in a relaxed state. In addition, the firing handle is rotatably and slidably mounted on the handle base. For this reason, a slip for rotation occurs between the firing handle and the handle base, so that when the player pushes or pulls the firing handle, the firing handle is unexpectedly locked in the pushed or pulled state. The risk of being lost is reduced.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 2, the operation direction of the launching handle which stops launching a game ball is set ahead. For this reason, since the hitting ball does not stop based on the player stepping and warping while holding the launch handle, the launch operation of the game ball is prevented from stopping against the player's will.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an outer frame 1 is installed on the island of Pachinko hall. The outer frame 1 has a rectangular tube shape whose front and rear surfaces are open. A front frame 2 is mounted on the front end surface of the outer frame 1 so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis on the left side. A horizontally long rectangular lower plate 3 positioned at the lower end is fixed to the front surface of the front frame 2, and a lower plate 4 whose upper surface is open is fixed to the front surface of the lower plate 3. An upper plate 5 is disposed above the lower plate 3. The upper plate 5 is attached to the front frame 2, and an upper plate 6 having an open upper surface is fixed to the front surface of the upper plate 5.

  A handle base 7 is fixed to the front surface of the lower plate 3 as shown in FIG. The handle base 7 integrally includes a cylindrical base portion 8 having a small diameter and a cup portion 9 having a large circular dish shape, and a base plate portion 10 is provided between the base portion 8 and the cup portion 9. A cylindrical bearing portion 11 is formed at the center of the base plate portion 10.

  A firing handle 12 is attached to the handle base 7. The firing handle 12 has a cylindrical shape, and is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the cup portion 9 of the handle base 7 so as to be rotatable and slidable. A plurality of arms 13 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the firing handle 12, and a frame 14 is formed on the inner peripheral portions of the plurality of arms 13. A sensor case 15 having a front opening is fixed in the underframe 14, and a touch sensor 16 is accommodated in the sensor case 15. A cylindrical rear shaft portion 17 is formed in the sensor case 15, and the rear shaft portion 17 is fitted in the bearing portion 11 of the handle base 7 so as to be rotatable and slidable.

  As shown in FIG. 3, finger hooks 18 to 20 are formed on the firing handle 12. These finger hooks 18 to 20 protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the firing handle 12, and when the player operates the grab handle 12 from the front, the index finger is placed between the finger hook 18 and the finger hook 19. The middle finger and the ring finger are both hung between the finger hook portion 19 and the finger hook portion 20, and the remaining thumb and little finger are hung on the left side of the finger hook portion 18 and the right side of the finger hook portion 20.

  On the surface of the firing handle 12, a conductive film is formed over the entire area including the finger hooks 18-20. This film is connected to the touch sensor 16, and a touch signal is output from the touch sensor 16 when the player's finger touches the firing handle 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a sensor cover 21 is fixed to the underframe 14 of the firing handle 12, and a cylindrical front shaft portion 22 is formed on the sensor cover 21. The sensor cover 21 has a plate shape that covers the front surface of the sensor case 15, and the touch sensor 16 in the sensor case 15 is prevented from falling out of the sensor case 15 by the sensor cover 21.

  A handle cap 23 is attached to the handle base 7. The handle cap 23 forms a handle base 50 together with the handle base 7, and a cylindrical bearing portion 24 is formed on the inner surface of the handle cap 23. The handle cap 23 is joined to the cup portion 9 of the handle base 7 via a gap, and the firing handle 12 is interposed between the cup portion 9 and the handle cap 23. A front shaft portion 22 of the sensor cover 21 is rotatably and slidably fitted in the bearing portion 24 of the handle cap 23, and the firing handle 12 is a common axis of the rear shaft portion 17 and the front shaft portion 22. The line CL is rotatable with respect to the handle base 50 and is slidable linearly in the front-rear direction along the axial center line CL.

  A rotary variable resistor 25 is accommodated in the base portion 8 of the handle base 7. The variable resistor 25 is fixed to the base plate portion 10 of the handle base 7, and the rotating shaft 26 of the variable resistor 25 protrudes into the cup portion 9 of the handle base 7. A long cylindrical gear 27 is fixed to the rotating shaft 26, and a short arc-shaped gear 28 is engaged with the long gear 27. This short gear 28 is formed in the rear shaft portion 17, and when the firing handle 12 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3, the rotary shaft 26 is connected via the short gear 28 and the long gear 27. Is rotated, and the resistance value of the variable resistor 25 changes. That is, the variable resistor 25 corresponds to a rotation amount sensor whose resistance value changes according to the operation angle of the firing handle 12 in the circumferential direction, and the resistance value of the variable resistor 25 is the clockwise direction of the firing handle 12. Decreases as the operating angle increases.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plate-shaped rib 29 is formed on the rear shaft portion 17 of the firing handle 12. When the operation angle in the clockwise direction of the firing handle 12 reaches “90 °”, the rib 29 is formed. Contacts the stopper. This stopper is formed on the gear 27 of the variable resistor 25, and the rotation operation of the firing handle 12 in the clockwise direction is restrained based on the rib 29 coming into contact with the stopper. That is, the maximum operation angle of the firing handle 12 is set to “90 °”.

  A coil portion of a handle spring 30 is inserted into the front shaft portion 22 of the firing handle 12. The handle spring 30 is a torsion spring, and one arm portion of the handle spring 30 is hooked on a spring hook 31. The spring hook 31 is formed on the sensor cover 21 of the firing handle 12, and the other arm portion of the handle spring 30 is hooked on another spring hook. This other spring hook is formed on the handle cap 23, and the handle spring 30 is elastic based on the firing handle 12 being turned clockwise from the non-operating state of the operation angle “0 °”. Deforms and urges the firing handle 12 counterclockwise. That is, when the operating force is removed from the firing handle 12 while the firing handle 12 is rotated, the firing handle 12 returns to the non-operated state by the spring force of the handle spring 30.

  A firing stop spring 32 corresponding to a spring member is inserted into the rear shaft portion 17 of the sensor case 15, and the firing stop spring 32 is interposed between the base plate portion 10 of the handle base 7 and the sensor case 15. Yes. The firing stop spring 32 is composed of a compression coil spring, and the firing handle 12 is moved to a firing allowable position in contact with the rear end surface of the handle cap 23 based on being biased forward by the spring force of the firing stop spring 32. Is retained. That is, the rear end surface of the handle cap 23 functions as a stopper 33 that restricts the firing handle 12 to the firing allowable position.

  A stopper 34 having a large diameter is formed on the cup portion 9 of the handle base 7. When the player presses the firing handle 12 backward from the firing allowable position, the firing is stopped as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Based on the contraction of the spring 32, the firing handle 12 slides to the firing stop position in contact with the stopper 34. When the player releases his hand from the firing handle 12 while the firing handle 12 is slid, the firing handle 12 contacts the stopper 33 of the handle cap 23 by the spring force of the firing stop spring 32 as shown by the solid line in FIG. Self-reset to the launch allowable position. That is, the firing handle 12 is movable between a forward firing allowable position and a rear firing stop position.

  A firing solenoid 35 (see FIG. 4) is fixed to the rear surface of the front frame 2 at the lower end, and the plunger of the firing solenoid 35 moves forward by electromagnetic force based on the application of the drive power, and the drive power Is retracted by a spring force based on being interrupted. As shown in FIG. 1, a ball striking rod 36 is connected to the plunger of the firing solenoid 35. This hitting ball 36 moves to the hitting position and the standby position in conjunction with the forward and backward movement of the plunger of the firing solenoid 35, and the pachinko ball in the upper plate 6 is moved from the hitting position to the waiting position. It is sent onto the firing rail 37 in conjunction with the backward movement. The firing rail 37 is fixed to the rear surface of the upper plate 5 and has an inclined shape that rises from the right to the left.

  A stopper 38 is bent at the right end of the firing rail 37, and a pachinko ball sent from the upper plate 6 onto the firing rail 37 is locked by the stopper 38. A through hole is formed in the stopper 38, and the hitting ball 36 enters the firing rail 37 through the through hole based on the forward movement from the standby position to the hitting position, and the pachinko ball locked by the stopper 38. Fire from the left end of the firing rail 37 based on hitting.

  The firing solenoid 35 is connected to a power supply circuit 39 as shown in FIG. The power supply circuit 39 generates a pulsed drive signal at a set cycle (specifically 99 / min), and the firing solenoid 35 is turned on at a set cycle based on the drive signal from the power supply circuit 39. . A variable resistor 25 is interposed in the feeding path of the firing solenoid 35. When the firing handle 12 is rotated, the driving force of the firing solenoid 35 changes according to the resistance value of the variable resistor 25. That is, the firing handle 12 adjusts the driving force of the firing solenoid 35, and the striking force with which the striking ball 36 strikes the pachinko ball increases in proportion to the increase in the operation angle of the firing handle 12 in the clockwise direction. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, a firing stop switch 40 comprising a self-returning push switch is fixed in the cup portion 9 of the handle base 7. The firing stop switch 40 has a plunger 41 movable between a normal position protruding forward and a push position retracted backward. The plunger 41 is moved from the normal position to the push position based on the operating force. The self-return from the push position to the normal position based on the removal of the operating force. The firing stop switch 40 corresponds to a handle sensor that detects the sliding state of the firing handle 12, and is electrically turned on and off based on the plunger 41 moving to the push position and the normal position.

  A projecting switch operating portion 42 is formed on the firing handle 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the switch operating portion 42 has an arc shape. When the firing handle 12 is pushed from the firing allowable position to the firing stop position, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The switch operation unit 42 pushes the plunger 41 of the firing stop switch 40 from the normal position to the push position regardless of the operation angle of the firing handle 12. The switch operation unit 42 switches the firing stop switch 40 from the off state to the on state based on the pushing operation of the firing handle 12 from the firing allowable position to the firing stop position. When returning to the firing allowable position, the switch operation unit 42 is separated from the plunger 41 of the firing stop switch 40, and the firing stop switch 40 is changed from the on state to the off state based on the plunger 41 self-returning from the push position to the normal position. Switch. That is, the firing stop switch 40 is turned on only when the firing handle 12 is pushed into the firing stop position, and is turned off when the firing handle 12 is held at the firing allowable position.

  A launch control board is fixed to the rear surface of the front frame 2 at the lower end. As shown in FIG. 4, an AND circuit 42 is mounted on the firing control board, and the touch sensor 16 and the firing stop switch 40 are connected to both input terminals of the AND circuit 42. The AND circuit 42 is activated and deactivated by setting the firing signal D to a high level and a low level. The firing signal D is activated when the touch sensor 16 is turned on and the firing stop switch 40 is turned off. It becomes a high level and becomes a low level when the touch sensor 16 is turned off or when the firing stop switch 40 is turned on. That is, the firing signal D becomes high level when the player rotates the launching handle 12 at the firing allowable position, and when the player releases his hand from the launching handle 12 and when the launching handle 12 is When pushing into the firing stop position, it goes low.

  A smoothing circuit 43 and a drive circuit 44 are mounted on the launch control board, and the AND circuit 42 is connected to the drive circuit 44 via the smoothing circuit 43. The AND circuit 42 to the drive circuit 44 constitute a control circuit 48, and the smoothing circuit 43 smoothes the high level fire signal D output from the AND circuit 42 and outputs it to the drive circuit 44. Excites the coil 46 of the power supply relay 45 based on the firing signal D supplied from the smoothing circuit 44. The normally open contact 47 of the power supply relay 45 is interposed in the power supply path of the firing solenoid 35, and the drive circuit 44 closes the contact 47 based on exciting the coil 46, and the power supply circuit 39 connects to the firing solenoid 35. Supply drive power. When the firing solenoid 35 is in the ON state, the ball striking rod 36 reciprocates with a driving force corresponding to the operating angle of the firing handle 12, and the pachinko ball continuously from the firing rail 37 with a firing force corresponding to the operating angle of the firing handle 12. Fired. The driving force of the firing solenoid 35 increases in proportion to an increase in the operation angle of the firing handle 12, and the firing force of the pachinko ball also increases in proportion to an increase in the operation angle of the firing handle 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a window frame 51 is attached to the front surface of the front frame 2. The window frame 51 has a circular hole-shaped window portion 52, and a transparent glass window 53 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the window portion 52. As shown in FIG. 5, a game board 54 is disposed behind the window frame 51, and the game board 54 is covered with a glass window 53 from the front. The game board 54 is mounted on the rear surface of the front frame 2, and an outer rail 55 and an inner rail 56 are fixed to the game board 54. A launching passage 57 is formed between the outer rail 55 and the inner rail 56, and the pachinko ball that the hitting ball 36 has played is discharged into the game area 58 through the launching passage 57. A plurality of obstacle nails 59 are driven into the game area 58, and pachinko balls released into the game area 58 fall within the game area 58 while hitting the obstacle nails 59. This game area 58 refers to a circular area surrounded by the outer rail 55 and the inner rail 56 (the remaining area of the launch passage 57), and corresponds to a rolling area that is the maximum range in which the pachinko ball can roll.

  A symbol display 60 is fixed in the game area 58. The symbol display 60 is composed of a liquid crystal display, and the identification symbol is displayed on the symbol display 60 in a variable stop state. This identification symbol is made up of three rows of numeric symbols. When the pachinko ball is effectively won in the start port 61, the identification symbol of the symbol display 60 is variably stopped through the variable state, and the variable state of the identification symbol is stopped. The player is informed of the big hit and miss according to the combination of. The start port 61 is fixed in the game area 58 and has a pocket shape with an upper surface opened.

According to the said Example 1, there exists the following effect.
When the launching handle 12 is pushed in while the game ball is being fired, the driving of the hitting basket 36 is stopped, so that the player pushes the launching handle 12 while holding the fingertip on the launching handle 12 to The firing operation can be forcibly stopped. For this reason, the troublesomeness for the player to bother to grasp the firing handle 12 is eliminated, so that the firing operation of the game ball can be stopped in a relaxed state.

  The firing handle 12 was attached to the handle base 50 so as to be rotatable and slidable. Therefore, a slip for rotation is generated between the rear shaft portion 17 of the firing handle 12 and the bearing portion 11 of the handle base 50 and between the front shaft portion 22 of the firing handle 12 and the bearing portion 24 of the handle base 50. Therefore, there is less possibility that the shooting handle 12 is unexpectedly locked in the pushed state based on the pushing operation of the shooting handle 12 for the purpose of stopping the shooting operation of the game ball by the player.

  The operation direction of the launch handle 12 for stopping the launch of the game ball was set to the front. For this reason, the ball striking rod 36 is not stopped based on the player stepping and warping while holding the launching handle 12, so that the launching operation of the game ball is prevented from stopping against the player's will. .

  As shown in FIG. 6, a firing stop spring 61 corresponding to a spring member is inserted into the rear shaft portion 17 of the sensor case 15. The firing stop spring 61 is a tension coil spring, and the front end portion and the rear end portion of the firing stop spring 61 are hooked on the front hook 62 and the rear hook 63. The front hook 62 and the rear hook 63 are formed on the sensor case 15 and the handle base 7, and the firing handle 12 is urged rearward by the spring force of the firing stop spring 61 as shown by the solid line in FIG. Based on this, it is held at the firing allowable position in contact with the stopper 34 of the handle base 7. In this state, the plunger 41 of the firing stop switch 40 is pushed into the push position by the switch operating portion 42 of the firing handle 12, and the firing stop switch 40 is turned on.

  When the firing handle 12 is pulled forward from the firing allowable position, the firing handle 12 comes into contact with the stopper 33 of the handle cap 23 based on the extension of the firing stop spring 61 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Slide to the firing stop position. When the player releases his hand from the firing handle 12 while the firing handle 12 is slid, the firing handle 12 contacts the stopper 34 of the handle base 7 by the spring force of the firing stop spring 61 as shown by the solid line in FIG. Self-reset to the launch allowable position. That is, the firing handle 12 is slidable between the rearward firing allowable position and the forward firing stop position. When the firing handle 12 is slid to the firing stop position, the switch operation unit 42 moves the launch stop switch 40. The firing stop switch 40 is turned off based on the separation from the plunger 41 and the plunger 41 protruding to the normal position.

  As shown in FIG. 7, an AND circuit 64 is mounted on the firing control board, and the touch sensor 16 and the firing stop switch 40 are connected to both input terminals of the AND circuit 64. The AND circuit 64 is activated and deactivated by setting the firing signal D to a high level and a low level. When the player rotates the firing handle 12 in the firing allowable position, the AND circuit 64 and Based on both of the firing stop switches 40 being turned on, the firing signal D goes high, and the firing solenoid 35 is driven. In this state, when the player releases his hand from the firing handle 12 or pulls the firing handle 12 to the firing stop position, the firing signal D is generated based on the touch sensor 16 or the firing stop switch 40 being turned off. At low level, the firing solenoid 35 stops driving.

  In the first to second embodiments, the sliding state of the firing handle 12 is detected by the mechanical launch stop switch 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the launch handle 12 is detected by a non-contact proximity sensor. Also good.

The figure which shows Example 1 (a is a front view which shows the whole structure, b is a side view) Sectional view showing the internal structure of the handle base Front view showing the appearance of the handle base Diagram showing electrical configuration Front view showing game board FIG. 2 equivalent diagram showing the second embodiment 4 equivalent diagram Figure showing a conventional example

Explanation of symbols

CL is an axial center line, 2 is a front frame, 12 is a firing handle, 16 is a touch sensor, 32 is a firing stop spring (spring member), 33 is a stopper, 34 is a stopper, 36 is a ball hitting rod, and 40 is a firing stop switch ( Handle sensor), 48 is a control circuit, 50 is a handle base, and 61 is a firing stop spring (spring member).

Claims (2)

A launch handle provided on the handle base so as to be operable both in a circumferential direction centered on the axial center line and in an axial direction along the axial center line;
A stopper for restricting movement of the firing handle to one side in the axial direction;
A spring member that holds the firing handle in a firing allowable position based on pressing the firing handle against the stopper;
A touch sensor for detecting that the firing handle is gripped;
A handle sensor for detecting that the firing handle has been operated from the firing allowable position to the other side in the axial direction;
A hitting ball that launches a game ball with a firing force according to the amount of rotation of the launch handle;
A control circuit for driving and controlling the hitting ball based on an output signal from the touch sensor and an output signal from the handle sensor;
The control circuit includes:
The hit ball when the touch sensor detects that the firing handle is gripped and the handle sensor detects that the firing handle is not operated from the firing allowable position to the other side in the axial direction. Actuate the coffin,
When the touch sensor detects that the firing handle is not gripped or when the handle sensor detects that the firing handle is operated from the firing allowable position to the other side in the axial direction The game machine is characterized by stopping the hitting ball. The firing handle is provided so as to be operable both in a circumferential direction around an axial line extending in the front-rear direction and in a front-rear direction along the axial line,
The stopper restricts the forward movement of the firing handle,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the spring member holds the firing handle at a forward firing allowable position based on pressing the firing handle against the stopper.

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