JP2006167257A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of suppressing ball clogging and smoothly guiding and putting out game balls. <P>SOLUTION: A pachinko game machine 10 is provided with a putout mechanism part on a back surface side. The putout mechanism part is provided with a tank for storing the game balls, a tank rail and a case rail for guiding the game balls led out from the tank, and a putout device for performing the putout processing of the game balls. By turning the anteroposterior widths of the tank and the tank rail to the roughly same width and forming the lead-out port of the tank in the roughly same width as the anteroposterior width of the tank itself, the anteroposterior width of the lead-out port and the anteroposterior width of the tank rail are turned to the roughly same width. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine.

  One type of gaming machine is a pachinko machine. In the pachinko machine, for example, various winning holes are provided in the game area, and the winning balls (game balls) are paid out based on the game balls entering the winning holes.

As is well known, the payout mechanism portion of the pachinko machine is configured to sequentially guide the game balls from the storage tank provided on the back side of the pachinko machine to the payout device via guide means such as a tank rail and a storage case rail. Has been. Then, the game ball paid out from the payout device is led out to a ball receiving tray through a predetermined ball passage (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-209142 A

  However, the payout mechanism section often has a relatively complicated arrangement and connection configuration in relation to the installation space and the like, and there is a possibility that smooth payout of the game ball may be hindered. For example, conventionally, the front-rear width of the storage tank outlet is set to be narrower than the front-rear width of the storage tank itself in accordance with the front-rear width of the tank rail, and in the vicinity of the storage tank outlet, A guiding portion is provided that gradually narrows the front-rear width of the (game ball channel) toward the outlet. For this reason, there is a possibility that ball clogging may occur in the vicinity of the outlet on the storage tank or in the upstream portion of the tank rail that receives the game ball dropped from the outlet.

  Such a problem is not limited to a pachinko machine, but is a serious problem inherent in other game machines using game balls as game media.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent ball clogging and smoothly guide and pay out gaming balls.

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

Means 1. A storage tank capable of storing game balls;
A guide member that receives a game ball falling from a lead-out port that is open at the bottom of the storage tank, and flows down along the left-right direction while aligning the game ball,
A gaming machine comprising a payout mechanism having a payout device for paying out game balls downstream from the guide member,
While arranging the storage tank and the guide member of the substantially same width in the front-rear width,
A gaming machine characterized in that a lead-out port of the storage tank is formed with substantially the same width as the front-rear width of the storage tank itself, and is substantially the same as the front-rear width of the guide member.

  According to the above means 1, the front-rear width of the storage tank outlet is substantially the same as the front-rear width of the storage tank itself and the front-rear width of the guide member. Therefore, there is no need to provide a guiding portion for narrowing the path of the game ball in the vicinity of the outlet of the storage tank as in the prior art, and there is no guide member in the vicinity of the outlet in the storage tank or for a game ball that has dropped from the outlet. It is possible to reduce the possibility of ball clogging in the upstream portion or the like. As a result, it is possible to smoothly guide and pay out the game ball to the payout device. Although the relative positional relationship between the storage tank and the guide member in the payout mechanism portion does not change, the direction in which the guide member aligns the game balls and the like change depending on the mounting direction of the payout mechanism portion to the gaming machine body. Therefore, in the above means 1, for example, “front and back” and “left and right” may be reversed. That is, when the flow direction of the game ball is changed to the “first direction” instead of the “left-right direction”, the width direction of the storage tank (outlet port) and the guide member is changed to “the first direction” instead of the “front-rear direction”. A second direction orthogonal to one direction (in the horizontal direction). In addition, the range included in the “substantially the same width” is that at least one game ball in the front-rear direction has an error in the front-rear width of the storage tank (inside the storage tank), the outlet and the guide member (inside the guide member). The range is smaller than the diameter of the game ball.

  Mean 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the guide member includes a plurality of rows of ball passages extending in parallel in the left-right direction.

  According to the means 2, the guide member includes a plurality of rows of ball passages. That is, the storage tank and its outlet have a front-rear width corresponding to a plurality of rows of ball passages. As a result, more game balls can be stored in the storage tank at the same time, led out from the outlet and guided to the payout device. As a result, since the payout device includes a ball passage corresponding to each ball passage of the guide member and a payout means for paying out the game balls from the ball passage, more game balls can be paid out at the same time. Payment can be made faster. Further, even when one ball passage is clogged in the guide member, the game ball can be guided through another ball passage, so that the payout of the game ball can be made more stable.

  Means 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the guide member has four or more rows of ball passages.

  According to the above means 3, it is possible to guide more game balls and improve the speeding-up and stabilization of the game balls as compared with the conventional guide members having only two or three rows of ball paths. Can do.

Means 4. The guide member is
A central partition that extends along the left-right direction in the front-rear direction substantially central portion of the guide member, and partitions the guide member back and forth,
By including at least one general partition extending along the left-right direction in each of the front and rear regions of the guide member partitioned by the central partition,
The gaming machine according to means 1, comprising a plurality of rows of ball passages extending in parallel in the left-right direction.

  According to the means 4, two sets of ball passages in a plurality of rows are provided at the front and rear, and the same effects as the means 2 and 3 are exhibited. For example, “The guide member includes a general partition portion extending in the left-right direction at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of each of the front and rear regions of the guide member partitioned by the central partition portion. And four rows of ball passages extending in a "configuration". In this case, two sets of two pairs of ball passages are provided on the front and rear sides.

Means 5. A storage tank capable of storing game balls;
A guide member that receives a game ball falling from a lead-out port that is open at the bottom of the storage tank, and flows down along the left-right direction while aligning the game ball,
A gaming machine comprising a payout mechanism having a payout device for paying out game balls downstream from the guide member,
The guide member is
A central partition that extends along the left-right direction in the front-rear direction substantially central portion of the guide member, and partitions the guide member back and forth,
By including at least one general partition extending along the left-right direction in each of the front and rear regions of the guide member partitioned by the central partition,
A gaming machine comprising a plurality of rows of ball passages extending in parallel in the left-right direction.

  According to the means 5, at least four rows or more of ball passages are provided. Therefore, since the payout device includes a ball passage corresponding to each ball passage of the guide member and a payout means for paying out the game ball from the ball passage, it is possible to pay out more game balls at the same time. Can be made faster. Further, even when one ball passage is clogged in the guide member, the game ball can be guided through another ball passage, so that the payout of the game ball can be made more stable. As an example of the aspect, as in the configuration described in the effect of the means 4, for example, “the guide member is left and right at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of each of the front and rear regions of the guide member partitioned by the central partition portion. By including a general partition extending along the direction, a configuration including four rows of spherical passages extending in parallel in the left-right direction is given. In this case, two sets of two pairs of ball passages are provided on the front and rear sides.

  Means 6. The gaming machine according to claim 4 or 5, wherein an upstream end portion of the general partition portion is configured to be located downstream of an upstream end portion of the central partition portion.

  According to the above means 6, the game balls led out from the outlet of the storage tank are first sorted back and forth by the central partition, and then sorted by the general partition to be arranged in each ball path. It becomes possible to distribute to each ball passage in stages. That is, it is possible to disperse the destination of the game balls led out from the storage tank back and forth, and to reduce the pressure received by each game ball in the vicinity of the lead-out port. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of ball clogging due to overlapping of game balls. Further, when the front-rear width of the outlet is relatively wide as in the above means 1, the number of game balls derived from the outlet in the same period increases, so the effect of this means becomes enormous. Furthermore, as described in the above means 4 and the effect thereof, for example, when two sets of ball passages in two rows (or two or more even rows) are provided in the front and rear, they are derived from the outlet of the storage tank. The game balls can be divided into approximately two equal parts in stages, such as the game balls are first divided into two parts in the front and rear by the central partition and then divided into two by the general partition. Therefore, the flow of the game balls can be made smoother and the ball clogging is less likely to occur than in the case where the game balls are distributed to the three or more odd-numbered ball passages in the front and rear regions of the guide member substantially simultaneously. Become.

  Further, “the upstream end portion of the central partition portion is configured to be located in a left-right width region from a position corresponding to the left end portion of the outlet of the storage tank to a position corresponding to the right end portion, and the general If the upstream end portion of the partition portion is configured to be located outside the right and left width region of the outlet port, the game balls led out from the outlet port of the storage tank are more surely distributed back and forth by the central partition portion first. Therefore, the above-described effects can be achieved more reliably. Of course, both the upstream side end portions of the central partition portion and the general partition portion may be located in the left-right width region of the outlet port or on the downstream side of the left-right width region of the outlet port.

  Mean 7 The gaming machine according to any one of means 4 to 6, characterized in that the partition start portion of the general partition portion is positioned downstream of the partition start portion of the central partition portion.

  According to the means 7, the same operational effects as the means 6 can be obtained. Although the same applies to the following means, the above “partition start portion” refers to “the most upstream side portion reaching a predetermined protruding length” in the partition portion. A certain amount of protruding length is required for each partition to function effectively. Depending on the shape near the upstream end of the partition, the protruding length of the upstream end is low, and the vicinity of the upstream end is substantially In particular, since the function as a partition may not be achieved, the position of the “partition start portion” becomes more important than the upstream end in order to obtain the above-described effects. For example, “the most upstream part where the protruding length reaches half of the game ball” corresponds to the “partition start part”. Further, depending on the shape in the vicinity of the upstream end of the partition, the “upstream end” corresponds to the “partition start”.

  Further, “the partition start portion of the central partition portion is configured to be located in a left-right width region from a position corresponding to the left end portion of the outlet of the storage tank to a position corresponding to the right end portion, and the general partition If the partition start part of the part is configured to be located outside the right and left width region of the outlet, the game balls led out from the outlet of the storage tank are more reliably distributed first and back by the central partition first. Thus, the above-described effects can be achieved more reliably. Of course, both the partition start portions of the central partition portion and the general partition portion may be located in the left-right width region of the outlet port or on the downstream side of the left-right width region of the outlet port.

Means 8. The central partition portion and the general partition portion project from the bottom of the guide member,
The central partition portion has a top portion which is the most upstream side portion of the portion having the longest protruding length within a lateral width region from a position corresponding to the left end portion of the outlet of the storage tank to a position corresponding to the right end portion. Configured to be located,
The general partition portion is configured such that a top portion which is a most upstream portion of a portion having the longest protrusion length is configured to be located downstream of the left and right width region of the outlet. 8. The gaming machine according to any one of 7.

  According to the means 8, the same effect as that of the means 6 is obtained. It should be noted that if “at least one of the central partition portion and the general partition portion is configured so that the protruding length gradually changes from the upstream end portion to the top portion”, the game balls can be further distributed. It can be done smoothly.

Means 9. The dispensing device is composed of two ball dispensing units arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction,
Each of the ball payout units includes a plurality of ball passages individually corresponding to a plurality of ball passages formed in respective front and rear regions of the guide member, and a plurality of payout means for paying out game balls from the ball passages. A gaming machine according to any one of means 4 to 8, characterized in that.

  According to the means 9, more game balls can be paid out at the same time, and the payout of game balls can be speeded up. Further, even when one ball passage is clogged in the guide member, the game ball can be guided through another ball passage, so that the payout of the game ball can be made more stable. In addition, if a failure occurs in one of the ball payout units, only the failed ball payout unit needs to be replaced, and an increase in replacement cost can be suppressed.

Means 10. A storage tank capable of storing game balls;
A guide member that receives a game ball falling from a lead-out port that is open at the bottom of the storage tank, and flows down along the left-right direction while aligning the game ball,
A gaming machine comprising a payout mechanism having a payout device for paying out game balls downstream from the guide member,
The guide member is
A central partition that extends along the left-right direction in the front-rear direction substantially central portion of the guide member, and partitions the guide member back and forth,
By including a general partition portion extending along the left-right direction in the front-rear direction substantially center portion of each front-rear region of the guide member partitioned by the center partition portion,
Two pairs of ball passages extending in parallel in the left-right direction are provided in the front and rear two sets (four rows of ball passages)
The dispensing device is composed of two ball dispensing units arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction,
Each of the ball payout units includes two rows of ball passages individually corresponding to the two rows of ball passages formed in the front and rear regions of the guide member, and two payout means for paying out game balls from the ball passages. ,
The front-rear arrangement position of the two rows of ball passages of the ball dispensing unit on the front side is shifted forward from the front-rear arrangement position of the front two rows of ball passages of the guide member, and
The arrangement position in the front-rear direction of the two rows of the ball passages of the rear-side ball dispensing unit is shifted rearward from the arrangement position in the front-rear direction of the rear two rows of ball passages of the guide member,
Relay means for communicating each ball path of the guide member and each ball path of the payout device;
The relay means is
Four rows of upstream ball passages communicating with the respective ball passages at the same position in the front-rear direction as each ball passage of the guide member;
Four rows of stationary ball passages communicating with the respective ball passages at the same position in the front-rear direction as the respective ball passages of the payout device (two ball payout units);
Two rows of front grading ball passages whose arrangement positions in the front-rear direction gradually change from the upstream side to the downstream side so as to communicate the two upstream rows of upstream sphere passages with the front two rows of stationary ball passages. When,
Two rows of rear-side gradual transitions in which the arrangement position in the front-rear direction gradually changes from the upstream side to the downstream side so that the two upstream-row upstream ball passages communicate with the rear two-row stationary ball passages. A ball path and
Each of the stopping ball passages is configured to be able to stop a game ball of a predetermined number of payouts or more.

  According to the means 10, the same effect as the means 5 can be obtained. As is well known, the payout device (ball payout unit) has a front and rear width wider than that of a guide member having only a ball path, for the sake of convenience of providing a payout means having a driving means such as a motor and solenoid. I must. Furthermore, when two ball paying units are arranged side by side in front and back, the ball paths of both ball paying units are brought close to the ball path on the guide member side by connecting the outer wall portions of the two or connecting means for connecting the two. Is very difficult. Such a problem appears more prominently when four rows of ball passages are provided as in the above-described means 10. On the other hand, this means copes with shifting the arrangement position of the ball passage on the guide member side and the ball passage on the payout device side back and forth. In particular, by shifting in the front-rear direction by two rows in the front-rear direction, it is possible to secure a gap for providing a connection means or the like between both ball paying units.

  However, when the position of the ball path on the guiding member side and the position of the ball path on the payout device side is shifted back and forth and the gradually changing ball path is provided, when the game ball passes through the gradually changing ball path, the game Since the flow direction of the ball is also displaced in the front-rear direction, the flow of the game ball may not be smooth as compared to the case of flowing down the other ball passages. As a result, when paying out a predetermined number of game balls in a predetermined payout process, a predetermined number of game balls or more must be stopped in the above-mentioned stop ball passage where the arrangement position in the front-rear direction does not change from the upstream side to the downstream side. There is a risk that game balls cannot be paid out smoothly. On the other hand, in this means, such a problem can be reduced by providing the relay means having the above configuration. Further, if each of the gradually changing ball passages is formed in a predetermined section in which the game ball flows down from the upstream side to the downstream side in the substantially vertical direction, for example, each gradually changing ball in the section in which the game ball flows down along the inclined surface. Compared with the case where the passage is formed, the game ball can pass through the gradually changing ball passage more smoothly.

  The “predetermined number of payouts” is, for example, the maximum payout number of game balls (prize balls) to be paid out corresponding to a single winning of game balls to a predetermined winning means provided in the game area. (For example, 15) or a game that is paid out on the condition that the identification information (symbols) fluctuates in a predetermined variable display means, and the identification information arranged on the active line at the time of the stop is specific identification information A number obtained by adding the number of extra balls (for example, 19) to the number of passages (for example, 75) divided by the number of passages (for example, 75) or a predetermined card unit (for lending unit) When a lending operation unit is operated with a bill or a card inserted in the gaming machine, a gaming ball (in which gaming balls are rented in response to the operation) is paid out by one operation of the lending operation unit ( Number of payouts (for example, 25 equivalent to one hundred yen) Payout number (e.g. 125) of predetermined coins (e.g. 500 yen coin) game balls are paid out in response to the insertion of the (rental spheres), and the like.

Means 11. While arranging the storage tank and the guide member of the substantially same width in the front-rear width,
11. The gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein the outlet of the storage tank is formed to have substantially the same width as the front and rear width of the storage tank itself, and is substantially the same as the front and rear width of the guide member.

  According to the means 11, the same effect as that of the means 1 is achieved.

  Means 12. The gaming machine according to claim 10 or 11, wherein an upstream end portion of the general partition portion is configured to be located downstream of an upstream end portion of the central partition portion.

  According to the means 12, the same effect as the means 6 can be obtained.

  Means 13. The gaming machine according to any one of means 10 to 12, wherein a partition start portion of the general partition portion is configured to be located downstream of a partition start portion of the central partition portion.

  According to the means 13, the same effect as that of the means 7 is achieved.

Means 14. The central partition portion and the general partition portion project from the bottom of the guide member,
The central partition portion has a top portion which is the most upstream side portion of the portion having the longest protruding length within a lateral width region from a position corresponding to the left end portion of the outlet of the storage tank to a position corresponding to the right end portion. Configured to be located,
The means 10 to 10 is characterized in that the general partition portion is configured such that a top portion which is a most upstream portion of a portion having the longest projecting length is located on the downstream side of the right and left width region of the outlet. 14. The gaming machine according to any one of 13.

  According to the means 14, the same effects as those of the means 8 are obtained.

Means 15. A storage tank capable of storing game balls;
A guide member that receives a game ball falling from a lead-out port that is open at the bottom of the storage tank, and flows down along the left-right direction while aligning the game ball,
A gaming machine comprising a payout mechanism having a payout device for paying out game balls downstream from the guide member,
The guide member includes a plurality of rows of spherical passages extending in parallel in the left-right direction,
The payout device includes a plurality of ball passages corresponding to the plurality of ball passages formed in the guide member, and a plurality of payout means for paying out game balls from the ball passages.
Furthermore, while arranging the storage tank and the guide member of the substantially same width in the front-rear width,
A gaming machine characterized in that a lead-out port of the storage tank is formed with substantially the same width as the front-rear width of the storage tank itself, and is substantially the same as the front-rear width of the guide member.

  According to the means 15, the same effects as the means 1 and 2 can be obtained. Furthermore, in addition to the fact that there is no portion that reduces the front-rear width between the storage tank and the guide member, and there is no increase or decrease in the number of ball passages from the guide member to the payout device, ball clogging is likely to occur in a series of flow paths of game balls. The number of locations can be reduced, and the game ball can be guided more smoothly.

  Means 16. 16. The gaming machine according to claim 15, wherein the guide member has four or more rows of ball passages.

  According to the means 16, the same effect as the means 3 can be obtained.

Means 17. The guide member is
A central partition that extends along the left-right direction in the front-rear direction substantially central portion of the guide member, and partitions the guide member back and forth,
By including at least one general partition extending along the left-right direction in each of the front and rear regions of the guide member partitioned by the central partition,
The gaming machine according to claim 15, comprising a plurality of rows of ball passages extending in parallel in the left-right direction.

  According to the means 17, the same operational effects as the means 4 can be obtained.

  Means 18. The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 17, wherein the storage tank is configured in a substantially box shape that is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction and opens upward.

  An example of the storage tank is one that can store a game ball supplied from a game ball supply mechanism provided on the gaming machine installation island. That is, the gaming machine is “a gaming machine installed on a gaming machine installation island having a supply mechanism for supplying gaming balls”.

  Means 19. The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 18, wherein the outlet is formed in a substantially rectangular shape having a front side, a rear side, a left side, and a right side at the bottom of the storage tank.

  Means 20. The front side of the outlet port is located at substantially the same position as the front side of the bottom portion of the storage tank, and the rear side of the outlet port is located at substantially the same position as the rear side of the bottom portion of the storage tank. A gaming machine according to claim 19.

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

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

  B. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a bullet ball gaming machine having a gaming area extending in a substantially vertical direction. As more detailed mode examples, “an operation means (game ball launching handle) operated by a player, a ball launching means (such as a launch motor) for playing a game ball based on the operation of the operation means, and the launch A ball path (rail guide path of the rail unit) for guiding the played game ball to a predetermined game area extending in a substantially vertical direction (for example, the game area is constituted by a game board surface, etc.), and a prize placed in the game area Means (general winning opening, variable winning device, operation opening, etc.), and paying out a winning ball (game ball) based on detection of winning of the gaming ball flowing down the gaming area to the winning means. "Ballball game machines to be performed".

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

  D. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a gaming machine of a type in which a slot machine and a pachinko machine are fused (especially a gaming machine of a slot machine specification that uses a gaming ball as a gaming medium). As a more detailed mode example, “a discriminating information string (a symbol string; specifically a rotating body such as a reel or a belt with a symbol) made up of a plurality of identification information (symbols) is variably displayed (specifically, a reel Variable display means (specifically, a rotating body unit such as a reel unit) that displays the identification information string after the rotation is performed, and is caused by the operation of the starting operation means (specifically, the start lever). The variation of the identification information (symbol) is started, and the variation of the identification information (symbol) is stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stopping (specifically, the stop button) or after a predetermined time has passed. It is configured so that game value is given on condition that the identification information aligned on the effective line is specific identification information, and a ball tray (top plate etc.) is provided and game balls are taken in from the ball tray Input to process A gaming machine comprising a stage and a payout means for paying out the game ball to the ball receiving tray, and the operation of the starting operation means is made effective when the game ball is thrown by the throwing means '' Can be mentioned.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as “pachinko machine”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a front frame set 14 is opened and a lower plate unit 13 is removed with respect to an outer frame 11 and an inner frame 12 to be described later. It is. However, in FIG. 2, for the sake of convenience, a configuration in a game area on the surface of the game board 30 to be described later is shown blank.

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

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

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

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

  The lower tray unit 13 is provided with a lower tray 15 as a ball receiving tray at a substantially central portion, and the game balls discharged from the discharge port 16 can be stored in the lower tray 15. Most of the lower dish unit 13 is molded of ABS resin like the inner frame 12, but the surface layer forming the lower dish 15 and the front panel 23 at the back of the lower dish are particularly flame retardant. Molded with ABS resin. For this reason, this part is difficult to burn. Reference numeral 24 denotes a sound output port from the speaker 249 (see FIG. 2), and reference numeral 25 denotes a ball release lever for discharging the game ball from the lower plate 15 downward.

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

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

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

  Next, the configuration of the game board 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The game board 30 includes a general winning opening 31 as a winning means (winning means), a variable winning device 32 as a winning means (winning means), and a first opportunity corresponding opening (starting) as a winning means (winning means). ) 33, second opportunity corresponding port (through gate) 34, variable display device unit 35, and the like are disposed in through holes formed by router processing, and are attached from the front side of the game board 30 with wood screws or the like. As is well known, a game ball enters the general winning opening 31, the variable winning apparatus 32, and the first opportunity corresponding opening 33, and a predetermined number of prizes are given to the upper plate 19 (or the lower plate 15) by the output of a detection switch described later. The ball is paid out. In addition, the game board 30 is provided with an out port 36, and game balls that have not entered the various winning units (winning device, winning port, first opportunity corresponding port 33, etc.) pass through the out port 36. Then, it is guided toward a ball discharge path (not shown). A number of nails are planted on the game board 30 in order to appropriately disperse and adjust the falling direction of the game balls, and various members (functions) such as the windmill 27 are arranged.

  The variable display device unit 35 has identification information as a second symbol display device 41 that displays the second symbol variably with the passage of the second trigger corresponding port 34 and a winning at the first trigger corresponding port 33 as a trigger. A first symbol display device 42 (special symbol display device) is provided as a symbol display device that variably displays the first symbol (special symbol). The second symbol display device 41 (ordinary symbol display device) includes a display portion 43 for a second symbol (ordinary symbol) and a holding lamp 44, and each time a game ball passes through the second opportunity corresponding port 34, for example, When the display symbol (second symbol) by the display unit 43 fluctuates and the variation display stops at a predetermined symbol, the first opportunity corresponding port 33 is configured to be in an activated state (opened) for a predetermined time. . When a game ball newly passes through the second opportunity corresponding port 34 during the second symbol variation display on the display unit 43 of the second symbol display device 41, the variation variation display of the second symbol is The configuration is performed after the end of the variable display performed at the time. That is, the variable display is on standby (held). The maximum number of the variable display to be held is determined for each model of the pachinko machine, but in this embodiment, it is held up to 4 times, and the hold number is lit and displayed by the hold lamp 44. Yes. However, the maximum number of holding times is not limited to this. For example, the maximum number of suspensions may be set to 8 in order to wait for the 8th variation display of the second symbol. The display unit 43 may be configured to be variably displayed by a part of the first symbol display device 42 (liquid crystal display device) in addition to the configuration to be variably displayed by switching lighting of a plurality of lamps. . Similarly, the hold lamp 44 may be configured to be variably displayed on a part of the first symbol display device 42.

  The first symbol display device 42 is configured as a liquid crystal display device, and the display content is controlled by a display control device 45 described later. The first symbol display device 42 displays, for example, three symbol rows of left, middle and right. Each symbol row is composed of a plurality of symbols, and these symbols are variably displayed on the first symbol display device 42 so as to be scrolled for each symbol row. In the present embodiment, the first symbol display device 42 (liquid crystal display device) includes a large liquid crystal display of 8 inches. The variable display device unit 35 is provided with a center frame 47 so as to surround the first symbol display device 42.

  The variable winning device 32 is normally in a closed state in which a game ball cannot be won or difficult to win, and is in an open state in which a game ball is likely to win in a big hit (occurrence of a special game state) and a normal closed state. It is designed to be operated repeatedly. More specifically, when a game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding port 33, the symbols are variably displayed on the first symbol display device 42, and the confirmed symbol after the stop is a combination of specific symbols set in advance. A special gaming state occurs as a necessary condition. The large winning opening of the variable winning device 32 is in a predetermined open state, and the game ball is configured to be in a state where it is easy to win a prize (a big hit state). Specifically, the passage of a predetermined time or a predetermined number of winnings is defined as one round, and the big winning opening of the variable winning device 32 is repeatedly opened a predetermined number of times. When a new game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding port 33 during the symbol variation display of the first symbol display device 42, the symbol variation display for that time is the end of the symbol variation display being performed at that time. The configuration is performed later. That is, the symbol variation display is waited (held, stored) (storage means). Although the maximum number of symbol variation displays to be held is determined for each model of the pachinko machine, in this embodiment, it is held up to 4 times, and the number of times of holding is lit and displayed by the hold lamp 46. ing. However, the maximum number of holding times is not limited to this. For example, the maximum number of suspensions may be set to 8 in order to wait for 8 symbol fluctuation displays. Note that the hold lamp 46 may be configured so as to be variably displayed on a part of the first symbol display device 42.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  In addition, the 2nd opportunity corresponding | compatible opening 34 located in the both sides of the variable display apparatus unit 35 has a guide mechanism in which the game ball which passed this 2nd opportunity corresponding | compatible opening 34 is approached toward the center. As a result, even when the game area is expanded in the left-right direction, the game ball can be guided toward the first first opportunity corresponding port 33 and the variable winning device 32. By expanding, it is possible to suppress a decrease in interest due to difficulty in winning game balls. Furthermore, the game area is expanded in the left-right direction, so that the second opportunity corresponding port 34, the windmill 27, a plurality of nails (guide nails for guiding the game ball to the center), and various other objects are arranged. Thus, the behavior of the game ball in the game areas on the left and right sides of the variable display device unit 35 can be made more interesting. In addition, since the gaming area is also expanded in the vertical direction, the second opportunity corresponding port 34, the windmill 27, a plurality of nails, and other accessories can be arranged in various ways. The behavior of the game ball can be made even more interesting.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The locking mechanism of the front frame set 14 is integrated with the locking mechanism of the inner frame 12, and the main body of the integrated locking mechanism G1 (see FIG. 6) is provided on the back side of the inner frame 12. It has been. Therefore, in FIG. 3, only the locking claws T1 and T2 protruding from the locking mechanism G1 to the front side of the inner frame 12 are shown. Then, the locking claws T1 and T2 are locked to the back side of the front frame set 14, whereby the front frame set 14 is locked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The prize opening switch 221 and the second opportunity corresponding gate (gate) switch 225 are connected to the board relay board 226 via electric wiring (cable connector) described later, and the board relay board 226 is further connected to a main board (main control) described later. Connected to the device 261) via electrical wiring. In addition, the specific area switch 222 and the count switch 223 are connected to the big prize opening relay board 227 via electric wiring, and this big winning opening relay board 227 is also connected to the main board via electric wiring. On the other hand, the first opportunity corresponding port (starting port) switch 224 is directly connected to the main board via the electric wiring without passing through the relay board. Details of these will be described later.

  Although not shown in the drawings, the variable winning device 32 includes a large winning opening solenoid (driving means and electric parts) for opening the large winning opening, and a winning ball swing for guiding the winning ball to a specific area. A partition solenoid is provided, and the first opportunity corresponding port 33 is provided with a first opportunity corresponding port (starting port) solenoid for opening the electric accessory. In FIGS. 8 and 9, reference numeral 228 denotes a set handle including a hitting ball and the like, and reference numeral 229 denotes a firing motor.

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

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

  An attachment mechanism for attaching the second control board unit 202 and the back pack unit 203 is provided on the back surface of the inner frame 12. Specifically, a long support fitting 235 is attached to the inner frame 12 at its right end, and its configuration is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the support metal fitting 235 has a long plate-like metal fitting main body 236, and the support hole 237 for the second control board unit is formed at two lower positions so as to stand up from the metal fitting main body 236. At the same time, support hole portions 238 for the back pack unit are formed at two upper positions. Coaxial support holes are formed in the support hole portions 237 and 238, respectively. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, as an attachment mechanism for the second control board unit, the inner frame 12 has a pair of upper and lower fastening holes (nai latch holes) 239 at the lower left end portion from the game board installation area. Is provided. As a mounting mechanism for the back pack unit, the inner frame 12 is provided with a pair of upper and lower fastening holes (nylatching holes) 240 at the left end of the game board installation area. However, the support bracket for the second control board unit and the support bracket for the back pack unit can be provided as separate members. Reference numerals 241, 242, and 243 denote rotational fixtures for sandwiching and supporting the back pack unit 203 with the game board 30.

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

  In addition, a resin speaker box 246 is attached to the lower end portion of the inner frame 12 so as to surround the back of the speaker 249 installed toward the lower plate 15. Improvements are being made.

  Next, the basic configuration of the first control board unit 201 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 is a front view of the first control board unit 201, FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the unit 201, FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the unit 201, and FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the unit 201 viewed from the back. . However, in these drawings, for convenience of explanation, illustration of a connector portion and the like which will be described later is omitted.

  The first control board unit 201 has a mounting base 251 having a substantially L shape, and a main control device 261 and an audio lamp control device 262 as control devices are mounted on the mounting base 251. Here, the main control device 261 includes a CPU that controls the main control, a ROM that stores a game program, a RAM that stores necessary data according to the progress of the game, a port that communicates with various devices, and various lotteries. A main board (corresponding to a control board in the present embodiment) including a random number generator used, a clock pulse generation circuit used for time counting and synchronization, and the like. It is configured to be contained (encapsulated) in a substrate box 263 made of a material or the like. The substrate box 263 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are connected to each other by a sealing unit 264 so that they cannot be opened, and thereby the substrate box 263 is sealed.

  As long as the sealing unit 264 is configured to connect the box base and the box cover so that they cannot be unsealed, any configuration can be applied. Here, as shown in FIG. 11 and the like, five sealing members are connected. The box base and the box cover are connected so as not to be opened by inserting a locking claw into the long hole of the sealing member. The sealing process by the sealing unit 264 prevents unauthorized opening after the sealing, and makes it possible to detect such a situation early and easily even if the unauthorized opening is performed. It is possible to perform the opening / sealing process again even after the operation. That is, the sealing process is performed by inserting the locking claw into the long hole of at least one sealing member among the five sealing members constituting the sealing unit 264. And when opening the board | substrate box 263 by the malfunction of the accommodated main board | substrate etc., the connection of the sealing member in which the latching claw was inserted, and another sealing member is cut | disconnected. Thereafter, when the sealing process is performed again, the locking claws are inserted into the long holes of the other sealing members. If the history of opening the board box 263 is left in the board box 263, it can be easily found that the illegal opening has been performed by looking at the board box 263.

  However, the main board having a substantially rectangular shape is provided with a terminal portion for connecting the connector of each cable connector in the vicinity of the predetermined edge portion, and the terminal portion is exposed from the board box 263. Yes. The exposure of the terminal portion is the same for other substrates and substrate boxes.

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

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

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

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

  The mounting base 251 is provided with a pair of upper and lower support shafts 256 on the left end surface of FIG. 11 and the like. By attaching the support shafts 256 to the support fitting 231 shown in FIG. The game board 30 is supported so that it can be opened and closed. Further, the mounting base 251 is provided with a pair of upper and lower nai latches 257 as fasteners at the right end portion and a long hole 258 at the upper end portion. The first control board unit 201 is fixed to the game board 30 by locking the locking claw pieces 233 shown in FIG. The support fitting 231 and the support shaft 256 are in the support shaft portion M1 of FIG. 7, the tightened hole 232 and the ny latch 257 are in the fastening portion M2, and the locking / claw piece 233 and the long hole 258 are in the locking claw portion M3. , Respectively.

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

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

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

  Further, the payout control device 311 is provided with a state return switch 321. When the state return switch 321 is pressed when a payout error occurs, the state returns to the normal state.

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

  The mounting base 301 is made of, for example, a colorless and transparent resin molded product, and a flat board mounting surface 302 is provided on the surface thereof. In this case, the launch control device 312, the power supply device 313 and the card unit connection board 314 are directly mounted side by side on the board mounting surface 302 of the mounting base 301, and the payout control apparatus 311 is mounted on the board box 317 of the power supply apparatus 313. It is mounted via a table 303.

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

  Next, the configuration of the back pack unit 203 will be described. The back pack unit 203 is formed by integrating a resin-molded back pack 351 and a game ball payout mechanism 352, and a rear view of the pachinko machine 10 viewed from the back is shown in FIG. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the payout mechanism 352. However, in the payout mechanism portion 352, various constituent members to be described later constituting the payout mechanism portion 352 are individually assembled to the base portion 353.

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

  In addition, a payout mechanism portion 352 is disposed on the base portion 353 so as to bypass the protective cover portion 354. That is, a tank 355 as a storage tank opened upward is provided at the uppermost part of the back pack 351. The tank 355 has a game ball supply mechanism provided in an island facility (game machine installation island) of the game hall. The game balls supplied from are sequentially replenished.

  Below the tank 355, a tank rail 356 is connected as a guide member having a plurality of spherical passages and gently inclined toward the downstream side. Further, a downstream side of the tank rail 356 serves as a relay means. A case rail 357 is connected.

  A payout device 358 is continuously provided at the most downstream portion of the case rail 357, and the payout device 358 appropriately pays out a required number of game balls. Note that the payout device 358 in the present embodiment has a configuration in which two detachable ball payout units 400 having substantially the same configuration are connected as will be described later. The game balls paid out from the payout device 358 are guided to the game ball distribution unit 245 through the payout bar 359.

  The dispensing basket 359 includes a first derivation passage 359a and a second derivation passage 359b. Here, the first lead-out passage 359a is configured to communicate between the openings 245a and 245b of the game ball distribution unit 245 and the payout passage portions 419 and 420 of the payout device 358 (ball payout unit 400) described later. Yes. The second lead-out passage 359b is configured to communicate the opening 245c of the game ball distribution portion 245 with the ball removal passage portions 421 and 422 of the payout device 358 (ball payout unit 400). Thereby, the game balls led out from the payout passage portions 419 and 420 are led to the upper plate 19 and the lower plate 15 as ball receiving trays through the first lead-out passage 359a, and are led out from the ball discharge passage portions 421 and 422. The game balls to be played are guided to the discharge passage 218 via the second lead-out passage 359b and eventually to a predetermined discharge portion of the island facility of the game hall. Therefore, the first lead-out passage 359a and the passage portion in the game ball distribution unit 245 communicating with the first lead-out passage 359a constitute the lead-out passage in the present embodiment, and the second lead-out passage 359b and the second lead-out passage 359b The passage portion in the game ball distribution portion 245 that communicates constitutes a discharge passage in the present embodiment.

  The payout mechanism 352 is provided with a payout relay board W1 (see FIG. 25 and the like) for relaying a payout command signal from the payout control device 311 to the payout device 358, and detailed illustration is omitted. A power switch board for taking in the main power from outside is installed. The power switch board is supplied with, for example, AC 24V main power via a voltage converter, and the power switch is turned on or off by switching the power switch.

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

  Next, the tank 355, the tank rail 356, and the case rail 357 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 20 is a partial plan view of the dispensing mechanism 352, FIG. 21 is a plan view of the tank rail 356, FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line ZZ of FIG. 20, and FIG. It is a Y line partial sectional view.

  The tank 355 is configured in a substantially box shape that is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction and opens upward, and is configured to store game balls therein. The bottom portion 355b of the tank 355 has a substantially rectangular outlet 355a for leading out the game ball to the tank rail 356 on one of the left and right sides (left side as viewed from the back side of the pachinko machine 10 in this embodiment). The bottom portion 355b of the tank 355 is inclined downward toward the outlet port 355a (to the left in FIG. 18). In other words, in the present embodiment, the inclined portion of the bottom portion 355b constitutes an inclined portion that is inclined downward in the direction opposite to the flow direction of the game ball in the tank rail 356.

  In the present embodiment, the front and rear widths (depths) of the tank 355 and the tank rail 356 are configured to be substantially the same width. Further, the front-rear width of the outlet 355a is substantially the same as the front-rear width of the tank 355 itself, and is substantially the same as the front-rear width of the tank rail 356. That is, the front side of the outlet port 355a is located at substantially the same position as the front side of the bottom portion 355b of the tank 355, and the rear side of the outlet port 355a is located at substantially the same position as the rear side of the bottom portion 355b of the tank 355.

  Conventionally, the front and rear width of the tank rail is generally narrower than the front and rear width of the tank itself, and the front and rear width of the outlet is set to match the front and rear width of the tank rail. Is provided with a guiding portion that gradually narrows the front-rear width of the tank bottom portion (the flow path of the game ball) toward the outlet. Therefore, conventionally, it has been easy to cause clogging in the vicinity of the outlet. In this respect, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a guiding portion that narrows the front and rear width of the bottom portion 355b (the flow path of the game ball) of the tank 355 in the vicinity of the outlet 355a. It is the structure which is hard to raise.

  Although not shown, a storage detection switch for detecting the storage amount of the game ball is attached to the upstream side of the tank 355. The storage detection switch is configured to detect whether or not the tank is stored up to the upstream side of the tank 355 (whether or not the tank 355 is almost full) by contact with the game ball. When no game ball is detected by the storage detection switch, the game ball is supplied to the tank 355 from the supply mechanism on the installation island side. When the game ball is detected by the storage detection switch, the supply of the game ball is stopped. It is supposed to be.

  Next, the configuration of the tank rail 356 will be described. The tank rail 356 has a rail body 361 having a long bowl shape opened upward, receives a game ball falling from the outlet 355a of the tank 355, and aligns the game ball along the left-right direction. It is comprised so that it may flow down to 18 right direction.

  A substantially arc-shaped ball receiving portion 361a is provided at the starting end portion (left side in FIG. 18) of the rail main body 361, and a game ball dropped from the tank 355 is smoothly taken into the rail main body 361 by the ball receiving portion 361a. It has a configuration like this.

  Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22 in more detail, the rail body 361 extends in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the rail body 361, and the rail body 361 is moved back and forth. A central partition 362 for partitioning, and a general partition 363 extending along the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) in the front-rear direction substantially central portion of the front and rear regions of the rail body 361 partitioned by the central partition 362 are rails. It protrudes from the bottom of the main body 361. Thereby, two rows and one set of ball passages extending in parallel in the longitudinal direction (left and right direction) are formed in front and rear, that is, four rows of ball passages 364a, 364b, 365a, and 365b. Each ball passage 364a or the like is slightly wider than the diameter of the game ball. In this embodiment, since the diameter of a general game ball is about 11 mm, the width of each ball passage 364a and the like is set to about 12 mm so that a required gap is formed. Furthermore, an opening 361b for eliminating ball clogging is formed on the bottom surface of each ball passage 364a and the like. In addition, a protrusion may be formed on the bottom surface of each ball passage 364a or the like to increase the inductivity of the game ball or to suppress ball clogging.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the central partitioning portion 362 corresponds to the right end portion from the position where the top portion 362a which is the most upstream portion of the portion having the longest protruding length corresponds to the left end portion of the outlet 355a of the tank 355 at least. It is comprised so that it may be located in the left-right width area L1 to the position to do. Further, the central partitioning portion 362 is configured to be inclined so that the protruding length gradually changes from the upstream end portion 362b to the top portion 362a. Further, in the present embodiment, the upstream end 362b of the central partition 362, and thus the partition start portion 362j, which is the most upstream side portion where the projecting length U1 reaches half of the game ball B, is the left and right width region L1 of the outlet 355a. Located within.

  On the other hand, the general partition portion 363 is configured such that the top portion 363a, which is the most upstream portion of the portion having the longest protruding length, is located on the downstream side of the tank rail 356 from the top portion 362a of the central partition portion 362. Further, the general partition portion 363 is configured to be inclined so that the protruding length gradually changes from the upstream end portion 363b to the top portion 363a. Furthermore, the top portion 363a of the general partition portion 363 is located downstream of the tank rail 356 from a position corresponding to a boundary portion 355d (the right end portion of the outlet port 355a) between the bottom portion 355b (inclined portion) of the tank 355 and the outlet port 355a. Is located. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the upstream end 363b of the general partition 363, and thus the partition start portion 363j, which is the most upstream side portion where the projecting length U2 reaches half of the game ball B, is from the top 362a of the central partition 362. On the downstream side, it is located outside the left and right width region L1 of the outlet 355a.

  With the above configuration, the game balls led out from the lead-out port 355a of the tank 355 are first sorted back and forth by the central partition 362, and then sorted by the general partition 363 into the sorting ball paths 364a and the like. The spheres can be distributed stepwise to the respective ball passages 364a and the like. That is, it is possible to disperse the destination of the game balls derived from the tank 355 back and forth, and to reduce the pressure received by each game ball in the vicinity of the discharge port 355a. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of ball clogging due to overlapping of game balls. As described above, when the front-rear width of the outlet 355a is the same as the front-rear width of the tank 355 itself, the number of game balls derived from the outlet 355a at the same time increases.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 23, two rows of ball passages of the front ball dispensing unit 400 described later are arranged from the front and rear arrangement positions of the two rows of ball passages 364a and 364b on the front side (left side of FIG. 23) of the tank rail 356. The position of the first ball passage 407 and the second ball passage 409 in the front-rear direction is shifted in the front direction, and the rear side of the tank rail 356 (right side in FIG. 23) in the front-rear direction of the two rows of ball passages 365a and 365b. From the arrangement position, the arrangement positions in the front-rear direction of the two rows of ball passages (the first ball passage 407 and the second ball passage 409) of the rear ball paying unit 400 are shifted backward. Here, “front side” and “rear side” mean “front side” and “rear side” when viewed from the back side of the pachinko machine 10.

  In addition, a rectifying plate 367 is disposed on the rail body 361 so as to cover the ceiling portion at the downstream end thereof. A convex portion (not shown) extending in the longitudinal direction is formed on the lower surface of the rectifying plate 367. Thereby, the game balls flowing in the tank rail 356 finally flow out downstream without being stacked up and down. Accordingly, even if a large amount of game balls flow into the tank rail 356, the game balls are prevented from being jammed, and the ball clogging in the tank rail 356 is eliminated. The rail body 361 is formed of black conductive polycarbonate resin, whereas the rectifying plate 367 is formed of transparent polycarbonate resin. The rectifying plate 367 is detachably provided. By removing the rectifying plate 367, maintenance in the tank rail 356 can be easily performed. Further, since the rectifying plate 367 is formed of a transparent resin, the state in the tank rail 356 can be confirmed without bothering to remove the rectifying plate 367, and the trouble of removing the rectifying plate 367 during maintenance or the like can be saved. Can do.

  Next, the case rail 357 will be described. The case rail 357 includes four rows of ball passages that connect the four rows of ball passages 364a of the tank rail 356 and the like, and four rows of ball passages 407 of the dispensing device 358 described later. These ball passages have a configuration in which two pairs of ball passage sets in two rows are arranged in the front and rear so as to correspond to two ball paying units 400 described later. With these ball passages, the game balls flowing down from the tank rail 356 can stand by (stop) and be individually guided to the payout device 358.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 23, the case rail 357 has the ball passages 364a to 364d at the same position in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 23) as the ball passages 364a, 364b, 365a, 365b of the tank rail 356. 4 rows of upstream sphere passages 371a, 371b, 372a, 372b communicating with each other.

  Further, the case rail 357 has the ball passages 407 and 409 at the same position in the front-rear direction as the first ball passage 407 and the second ball passage 409 of the ball dispensing unit 400 disposed on the front side (left side in FIG. 23). There are two rows of stationary ball passages 373a and 373b communicating with each other.

  In addition, the case rail 357 has the ball passages 407, 407, Two rows of stationary ball passages 374 a and 374 b communicating with 409 are provided.

  Furthermore, the case rail 357 has a front-rear arrangement position in the forward direction from the upstream side to the downstream side so that the front two rows of upstream ball passages 371a and 371b communicate with the front two rows of stationary ball passages 373a and 373b. Arrangement in the front-rear direction so that two rows of gradually changing front grading ball passages 375a and 375b, two rear rows of upstream ball passages 372a and 372b, and two rear rows of stationary ball passages 374a and 374b communicate with each other. Two rows of rear side gradually changing ball passages 376a and 376b whose positions gradually change from the upstream side to the downstream side are provided.

  In addition, each of the stopping ball passages 373a, 373b, 374a, 374b is configured to be able to stop a number of game balls that are set in advance or more. In the present embodiment, it is configured such that game balls (prize balls) having a payout amount (for example, 15) or more paid out corresponding to one winning of game balls to the variable winning device 32 can be stopped.

  Next, the payout device 358 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 24 is a front perspective view of the dispensing device 358, FIG. 25 is a rear perspective view of the ball dispensing unit 400, and FIGS. 26 to 28 are cross-sectional views for explaining the configuration inside the ball dispensing unit 400. 29 is an exploded perspective view of the ball dispensing unit 400.

  The payout device 358 in the present embodiment is composed of two ball payout units 400 connected in a line along the front-rear direction. Each ball dispensing unit 400 is covered with a case body 401 made of, for example, a transparent or translucent resin and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

  The case body 401 is configured by connecting a plurality of case constituent members that are overlapped in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the case body 401 includes a first base portion 403, a second base portion 404 that covers the front side (front side in FIG. 24) of the first base portion 403, and the second base portion 404. It has a three-layer structure including a cover portion 405 covering the front side. These case constituent members 403, 404, and 405 are integrally assembled by fastening means such as screws. In the present embodiment, the front-rear direction corresponds to the connection direction.

  By assembling the case constituent members 403, 404, and 405, a ball passage through which game balls flow and a space portion in which a stopping mechanism is disposed are formed between the case constituent members 403, 404, and 405. . That is, a payout part is provided between the case constituent members 403, 404, and 405. Further, these spherical passages and spaces are formed by connecting ribs or the like protruding from the case constituent members 403, 404, and 405.

  More specifically, a first ball passage 407 is formed between the first base portion 403 and the second base portion 404 so as to communicate with both the upper and lower sides in the case body 401, and the payout means is located on the side of the first ball passage 407. As a first stopping mechanism 408 is provided. Similarly, a second ball passage 409 is formed between the second base portion 404 and the cover portion 405, and a second stopping mechanism 410 serving as a payout means is disposed on the side of the second ball passage 409. . The first ball passage 407 and the second ball passage 409 have substantially the same shape, and the first stop mechanism 408 and the second stop mechanism 410 have substantially the same configuration. That is, the ball passages 407 and 409 and the stopping mechanisms 408 and 410 are arranged so as to overlap in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, each ball payout unit 400 has substantially the same structure, such as a payout portion including the first ball passage 407 and the first stopping mechanism 408, and a payout portion including the second ball passage 409 and the second stop mechanism 410. There will be one payout section. In the present embodiment, the first ball passage 407 and the second ball passage 409 are formed in a cylindrical shape having a substantially square cross section, and the diameter of a general game ball is about 11 mm. The length of one side of the ball passages 407 and 409 is set to about 12 mm.

  In addition, each component member (ball) of the two payout portions accommodated in the first layer between the first base portion 403 and the second base portion 404 and the second layer between the second base portion 404 and the cover portion 405, respectively. The arrangements of the passages 407 and 409 and the stopping mechanisms 408 and 410 are substantially the same (see FIG. 26, etc.). That is, the cross-sectional shape of the first layer (arrangement configuration in the cross-sectional cross-section) that is a cross-section orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the cross-sectional shape of the second layer are substantially the same. Further, each of the payout portions has a spherical passage 407, 409 formed along a cross section orthogonal to the front-rear direction, and a stop mechanism 408, 410 arranged in a non-formation region of the spherical passage 407, 409 in the cross section. It has a configuration. In this way, for example, a configuration in which the ball passages and the stopping mechanisms are arranged more compactly than a configuration in which the ball passages and the stopping mechanisms are alternately arranged in the front-rear direction can be achieved. Can be achieved.

  The first sphere passage 407 and the second sphere passage 409 are relatively gently lowered from the openings 415 and 416 opened on the upper surface of the case body 401 toward one of the left and right directions (the left direction in FIG. 26 in this embodiment). Inclined stop passage portions 417 and 418, payout passage portions 419 and 420 that communicate with the downstream side of the stop passage portions 417 and 418 and extend in a substantially vertical direction, and branch from the middle of the payout passage portions 419 and 420 and below. It is composed of inclined ball passage portions 421 and 422. And on the lower surface of the case body 401, openings 419a and 420a of the payout passage portions 419 and 420 are formed, and openings 421a and 422a of the ball removal passage portions 421 and 422 are formed. The stop passage portions 417 and 418 and the payout passage portions 419 and 420 constitute a ball payout passage in the present embodiment, and the ball discharge passage portions 421 and 422 constitute a branch passage in the present embodiment.

  The first ball passage 407 and the second ball passage 409 of both the ball paying units 400 are disposed so as to communicate with the stationary ball passages 373a, 373b, 374a, 374b of the corresponding case rail 357, respectively. More specifically, the first ball passage 407 of the front-side ball dispensing unit 400 communicates with the ball passage 373a, and the second ball passage 409 communicates with the ball passage 373b. Further, the first ball passage 407 of the back side ball dispensing unit 400 communicates with the ball passage 374a, and the second ball passage 409 communicates with the ball passage 374b.

  On the other hand, at the lower part of the both-ball payout unit 400, the pay-out passage portions 419 and 420 of the both-ball payout units 400 communicate with the first lead-out passage 359a of the pay-out basket 359 and 422 communicates with the second outlet passage 359b of the dispensing basket 359.

  Next, the first stop mechanism 408 and the second stop mechanism 410 as the payout means will be described in detail. The stopping mechanisms 408 and 410 are space portions 431 and 431 formed below the stopping passage portions 417 and 418, on the side of the payout passage portions 419 and 420 (right side in FIG. 26), and above the ball discharge passage portions 421 and 422, respectively. 432 is disposed. And the 1st stop mechanism 408 and the 2nd stop mechanism 410 are comprised so that it can drive independently, respectively.

  The stopping mechanisms 408 and 410 are flickers 433 and 434 as stop means (claw members), solenoids 435 and 436 as drive means (electric drive means), and drive as drive transmission means for interlocking the both. It is comprised from the transmission members 437 and 438.

  The solenoids 435 and 436 are provided with plungers 441 and 442 as sliding means that protrude downward. Slide members 443 and 444 that slide up and down integrally with the plungers 441 and 442 are attached to the distal ends of the plungers 441 and 442. In addition, a coil spring as an elastic member (not shown) is attached to the plungers 441 and 442, and the plungers 441 and 442 are pushed downward in a normal state, that is, in a non-excited state of the solenoids 435 and 436. When the solenoids 435 and 436 are excited, the plungers 441 and 442 are pulled upward (see FIG. 26). Accordingly, the sliding position of the plungers 441 and 442 where the plungers 441 and 442 are pressed downward corresponds to the first sliding position in the present embodiment. On the other hand, the sliding position of the plungers 441 and 442 where the plungers 441 and 442 are pulled upward corresponds to the second sliding position in the present embodiment.

  The flickers 433 and 434 are pivotally supported in the vicinity of the payout passage portions 419 and 420 in the space portions 431 and 432 by the support shaft 447 inserted through the flickers 433 and 434, respectively. The support shaft 447 passes through the second base portion 404, is inserted into both the flickers 433 and 434, and is attached between the first base portion 403 and the cover portion 405.

  Flickers 433 and 434 have a substantially arc shape, and a tip portion located above the support shaft 447 is tapered. On the other hand, openings 451 and 452 are provided on the wall portions 431 and 432 in the vicinity of the upper ends of the payout passage portions 419 and 420. Then, as the flickers 433 and 434 are rotated, the tip ends of the flickers 433 and 434 are moved in and out of the payout passage portions 419 and 420 through the openings 451 and 452. In a state where the tip ends of the flickers 433 and 434 protrude into the payout passage portions 419 and 420, the game ball cannot pass, and the game ball is stopped upstream. The position where the flow of the game ball is stopped by the flickers 433 and 434 corresponds to the flow stop position in the present embodiment. That is, the displacement positions of the flickers 433 and 434 in which the tip ends of the flickers 433 and 434 protrude into the payout passage portions 419 and 420 through the openings 451 and 452 correspond to the restriction positions in the present embodiment. Further, the displacement position of the flickers 433 and 434 where the tip ends of the flickers 433 and 434 are submerged outside the payout passage portions 419 and 420 corresponds to the restriction release position in the present embodiment.

  In addition, drive transmission members 437 and 438 each having a substantially rectangular shape are disposed below the flickers 433 and 434. The drive transmission members 437 and 438 are pivotally supported by a support shaft 448 inserted through the drive transmission members 437 and 438. Similarly to the support shaft 447, the support shaft 448 passes through the second base portion 404, is inserted into both the drive transmission members 437 and 438, and is attached between the first base portion 403 and the cover portion 405. Yes.

  Engagement recesses 453 and 454 are formed at the lower ends of the flickers 433 and 434, and the distal end portions of the drive transmission members 437 and 438 are engaged (freely fitted) with the engagement recesses 453 and 454. Further, long holes (not shown) are formed in the wall portions 455 and 456 provided on the back side of the engaging recesses 453 and 454 (back side in FIG. 26), and the drive transmission member 437, An engagement pin (not shown) that protrudes from the front end of 438 to the back is inserted. With these configurations, the flickers 433 and 434 are rotated in conjunction with the movement of the drive transmission members 437 and 438.

  On the other hand, an engagement recess 461 is formed at the lower rear end of the drive transmission members 437 and 438. End portions of slide members 443 and 444 attached to the plungers 441 and 442 are inserted into the engagement recess 461. With such a configuration, the drive transmission members 437 and 438 and thus the flickers 433 and 434 are rotated in conjunction with the vertical movement of the plungers 441 and 442.

  A ball detection sensor 464 is attached to the side of the case body 401 in the vicinity of the tip of the flickers 433 and 434. More specifically, the ball detection sensor 464 is arranged so that the game ball can be detected at a position slightly downstream from the position of the most downstream game ball stopped by the tip of the flickers 433 and 434 (flow stop position). ing.

  As shown in FIG. 30, the sphere detection sensor 464 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main body 466 that includes a substrate 465 and the like, and a light emitting unit that protrudes from a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the main body 466 and includes a light emitting element 467a. 467, and a first light receiving portion 469 and a second light receiving portion 470 that project from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 466 so as to face the light emitting portion 467 and include the light receiving elements 469a and 470a. Transmission type photosensor. In addition, through holes 471a and 471b that transmit light emitted from the light emitting element 467a are formed on both sides of the light emitting portion 467 facing the light receiving portions 469 and 470, respectively. Correspondingly, the first light receiving portion 469 and the second light receiving portion 470 are provided with through holes 472 and 473 for receiving light from the light emitting element 467a on the side facing the light emitting portion 467, respectively. . The light emitting portion 467 and the first light receiving portion 469 corresponding to the payout passage portion 419, and the light emitting portion 467 and the second light receiving portion 470 corresponding to the payout passage portion 420 respectively constitute detection means in this embodiment.

  With the above configuration, only one light emitting unit 467 corresponds to the two light receiving units 469 and 470, and furthermore, only one light emitting element 467a corresponds to the two light receiving units 469 and 470. Mu Therefore, for example, the sphere detection sensor 464 is more compactly integrated than a configuration including two light emitting units corresponding to the two light receiving units 469 and 470 or a configuration including two light emitting elements in one light emitting unit. The sphere detection sensor 464 can be further downsized.

  On the other hand, a side portion of the case body 401 is provided with an attachment recess 475 in which the ball detection sensor 464 is fitted, and a pair of upper and lower locking claws 475a and 475b for locking the ball detection sensor 464. . Further, the second base portion 404 is provided with an engaging recess 476 into which the light emitting portion 467 is fitted at a boundary portion between the payout passage portions 419 and 420. Further, an engagement recess 477 into which the first light receiving part 469 is fitted is provided on the back side of the first base part 403, and an engagement recess 478 into which the second light receiving part 470 is fitted on the front side of the cover part 405. Is provided. The engaging recesses 476, 477, 478 are provided with through holes 476a, 476b, 477a, 478a corresponding to the through holes 471a, 471b, 472, 473 of the ball detection sensor 464, respectively. However, as the sphere detection sensor 464, a photo sensor having a configuration in which the through holes 471a, 471b, 472, and 473 are omitted can be employed. Of course, the through holes 476a, 476b, 477a, 478a of the case body 401 can be omitted correspondingly.

  With the above configuration, the ball dispensing unit 400 has a structure in which the protruding portion is suppressed as much as possible so that the substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is maintained even when the ball detection sensor 464 is attached. When the ball detection sensor 464 is attached, the case body 401 (from the first base portion 403 to the cover portion 405) is sandwiched in the front-rear direction by the ball detection sensor 464. The case body 401 can maintain the assembled state of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape without using a fastening member such as.

  In addition, on the side of the case body 401, a dispensing relay board W1 is provided below the ball detection sensor 464. The payout relay board W1 is electrically connected to the ball detection sensor 464 via the connector W1a, electrically connected to the two solenoids 435 and 436 via the connector W1b, and via the payout control device 311 and the connector W1c. Electrically connected. However, for convenience, the electrical wiring is omitted in each drawing. As a result, the ball dispensing unit 400 (solenoids 435 and 436) is driven and controlled based on the output signal from the dispensing control device 311. Further, the payout control device 311 is configured to count the payout number based on an input signal from the ball detection sensor 464.

  Now, switching members 479 and 480 as path switching means are provided at the branching points (boundaries) between the payout passage portions 419 and 420 and the ball removal passage portions 421 and 422 in the first ball passage 407 and the second ball passage 409. It has been. The switching members 479 and 480 are formed integrally with the switching valve portions 479a and 480a that function as the flow path side walls of the payout passage portions 419 and 420 or the ball passage portions 421 and 422, and the lower ends of the switching valve portions 479a and 480a. The support shaft portions 479b and 480b serving as the rotation shaft portions and the operation portions 479c and 480c provided in parallel to the support shaft portions 479b and 480b on the distal end side of the switching valve portions 479a and 480a. .

  The support shaft portions 479b and 480b are rotatably supported between the first base portion 403 and the second base portion 404 and between the second base portion 404 and the cover portion 405, respectively. The switching members 479 and 480 are configured to be rotationally displaced about the support shaft portions 479b and 480b. Then, the payout passage portions 419 and 420 or the ball removal passage portions 421 and 422 are brought into a communication state depending on the stop positions of the switching members 479 and 480.

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 26 to 28, the switching members 479 and 480 are provided so that the game balls flow down along the payout passage portions 419 and 420, and the game balls are paid out so that the game balls cannot pass therethrough. While the passage portions 419 and 420 are closed, the game balls are guided to the ball removal passage portions 421 and 422 and are rotationally displaced to the ball removal passage opening positions where the game balls are caused to flow down along the ball removal passage portions 421 and 422. Here, the ball passage passage opening position corresponds to the branch passage opening position in the present embodiment. The state in which the switching members 479 and 480 are in the payout passage open position corresponds to the payout passage open state in the present embodiment, and the state in which the switching members 479 and 480 are in the ball discharge passage open position is the ball discharge passage open state ( This corresponds to a branch passage open state).

  Further, the support shaft portions 479b and 480b are configured to be connected through a shaft hole 481 provided in the second base portion 404 in order to support the support shaft portions 479b and 480b. More specifically, the opposing end portions of the support shaft portions 479b and 480b are cut out so as to have a symmetrical semi-circular cross section. The cutouts are in contact with each other. With such a configuration, by rotating one switching member 479 (480), the other switching member 480 (479) rotates in conjunction with it. In this embodiment, such a connection configuration is adopted, but of course, a different connection configuration may be adopted. For example, an engaging convex portion is provided on one support shaft portion 479b (480b), an engaging concave portion corresponding to the engaging convex portion is provided on the other support shaft portion 480b (479b), and both are engaged to be connected. You may employ | adopt the structure to do.

  On the other hand, each of the operation portions 479c and 480c is formed with a protrusion 482a at the back end and a recess 482b with which the protrusion 482a can be engaged at the front end. Then, the projections 482a on the operation unit 480c side are engaged with the recesses 482b on the operation unit 479c side through the long holes 483 provided in the second base unit 404, so that the operation units 479c and 480c are connected. Has been. With such a configuration, the switching members 479 and 480 are integrally rotated and displaced. Similar to the connection configuration of the support shaft portions 479b and 480b, the connection configuration of the operation units 479c and 480c is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment, and a different connection configuration may be employed. Note that the switching members 479 and 480 can be interlocked as long as at least one of the support shaft portions 479b and 480b and the operation portions 479c and 480c is connected without being limited to the present embodiment.

  Further, the protrusion 482 a of the operation portion 479 c protrudes to the outside through a long hole 484 provided in the first base portion 403. On the other hand, the front end portion of the operation portion 480 c protrudes outside through a long hole 485 provided in the cover portion 405. With such a configuration, when the two ball paying units 400 are connected, the protrusion 482a of the operation portion 479c of one ball paying unit 400 is engaged with the recess 482b of the operation portion 480c of the other ball paying unit 400. The switching members 479 and 480 of the two ball paying units 400 are configured so as to be able to rotate and displace integrally.

  Now, on the front side of the cover portion 405, an operation lever 488 is provided so as to be manually operable as a ball removing operation means for performing the switching operation of the switching members 479, 480 and the stopping release operation of the stopping mechanisms 408, 410. ing. The operation lever 488 is fixed to a shaft rod 489 that is attached so as to penetrate the case body 401 in the front-rear direction, so that it can freely rotate between a first operation position and a second operation position, which will be described later. ing. The operation lever 488 has a substantially fan shape in which the tip side is substantially arc-shaped. In addition, a long hole 488a into which the front end portion of the operation portion 480c of the switching member 480 is inserted is formed at one end portion in the rotation direction on the distal end side. As a result, when the operation lever 488 is rotated, the switching members 479 and 480 are rotated in conjunction with the operation lever 488. When the operation lever 488 is in the first operation position, the switching members 479 and 480 are positioned at the payout passage opening position, and when the operation lever 488 is in the second operation position, the switching members 479 and 480 are positioned. Is located at the above-described ball-opening passage opening position. In the present embodiment, the front side of the ball dispensing unit 400 corresponds to one side in the connection direction, and the back side corresponds to the other side in the connection direction.

  Further, a substantially flat operation portion 488 b extending along the radial direction from the axis of the operation lever 488 protrudes from a substantially central portion in the rotation direction on the distal end side of the operation lever 488. In addition, as shown in FIG. 31A, a substantially hemispherical locking convex portion 488c is formed on the cover portion 405 side of the operation lever 488. Correspondingly, a first locking recess 490a and a second locking recess 490b in which the locking protrusion 488c can be engaged (inserted) are provided on the surface of the cover portion 405. When the operation lever 488 is in the first operation position (solid line portion), the locking projection 488c is engaged with the first locking recess 490a, and the operation lever 488 is in the second operation position (two-dot chain line portion). In this case, the locking projection 488c is engaged with the second locking recess 490b. Accordingly, the operation lever 488 can be locked at the first operation position and the second operation position, respectively. As a result, the loose movement of the switching members 479, 480, the stopping mechanisms 408, 410, and the like can be restricted, and the positions can be more reliably stopped and positioned. The latching means in this embodiment is comprised by the latching convex part 488c and the 1st latching recessed part 490a, or the latching convex part 488c and the 2nd latching recessed part 490b.

  Now, at the back end portion of the shaft rod 489, on the back side of the first base portion 403, specific connection means extending along the radial direction from the axis of the shaft rod 489 so as to be substantially parallel to the operation portion 488b. A connection bar 491 is attached. A connecting hole 491a into which the operation portion 488b of another ball paying unit 400 is fitted when the ball paying unit 400 is connected is formed at the tip of the connection bar 491. The operation part 488b corresponds to the engaging part (convex part) in the present embodiment, and the connection hole 491a corresponds to the engaged part (hole part).

  Further, in the vicinity of the axis of the operation lever 488, restriction ribs 488d and 488e are provided as a pair of restriction protrusions. Thereby, when connecting the ball paying units 400, when the operation levers 488 of the two ball paying units 400 are at the same rotation position (first operation position, second operation position, etc.), FIG. As shown, the connection bar 491 of one ball paying unit 400 is fitted between the pair of regulating ribs 488d and 488e of the other ball paying unit 400. On the other hand, when the operation levers 488 of the two ball paying units 400 are not at the same rotation position (first operation position, second operation position, etc.), that is, both the operation parts 488b are not inserted into the connection holes 491a. The trouble that the payout unit 400 is connected is prevented. That is, the rotational position of the connection bar 491 of one ball paying unit 400 and the rotational position of the operation lever 488 of the other ball paying unit 400 correspond to a corresponding positional relationship in which the operation portion 488b can be inserted into the connection hole 491a. In this case, the two ball paying units 400 are configured to be connectable, the rotation position of the connection bar 491 of one ball paying unit 400, and the rotation of the operation lever 488 of the other ball paying unit 400. When the moving position is in a non-corresponding positional relationship in which the operation portion 488b cannot be inserted into the connection hole 491a, the connection bar 491 contacts the restriction ribs 488d and 488e when the two ball dispensing units 400 are connected. In contact with each other, the two ball payout units 400 are configured to be unable to be connected. More specifically, as can be seen with reference to FIGS. 31A and 31B, the arrangement of the operation portion 488b and the pair of regulating ribs 488d and 488e is such that the connection bar 491 is disposed between the pair of regulating ribs 488d and 488e. If the operation portion 488b is inserted into the connection hole 491a, the connection bar 491 cannot be inserted between the pair of regulating ribs 488d and 488e. In other words, when the connection bar 491 is inserted between the pair of regulating ribs 488d and 488e and is inserted between the operating portion 488b and the regulating rib 488d or between the operating portion 488b and the regulating rib 488e. In this arrangement, the restriction rib 488d or the restriction rib 488e becomes an obstacle, and the connection bar 491 cannot be inserted between the pair of restriction ribs 488d and 488e.

  In the case body 401, an action transmitting member 492 as action transmitting means is disposed below the solenoids 435, 436 (plungers 441, 442) so as to straddle the space portions 431, 432. The action transmission member 492 is a member for moving the plungers 441 and 442 in conjunction with the operation of the operation lever 488. The action transmitting member 492 includes a main body portion 492a that is pivotally supported between the first base portion 403 and the cover portion 405, and an operation projecting from the main body portion 492a corresponding to the plungers 441 and 442. It is comprised from the element | child 492b, 492c and the protrusion part 492d protruded so that it might be substantially orthogonal to the operation element 492b, 492c in the vicinity of the cover part 405 side edge part of the main-body part 492a.

  Further, an operation portion 492e protruding to the front side is provided in the vicinity of the distal end portion of the protrusion 492d. Correspondingly, the cover portion 405 is provided with a long hole 493 corresponding to the movement range of the operation portion 492e, and the operation portion 492e is moved to the front side of the cover portion 405 through the long hole 493. It protrudes. Correspondingly, a long hole 488f into which the operation portion 492e is inserted is formed in the operation lever 488 in the vicinity of the end opposite to the long hole 488a. Then, the action transmission member 492 is rotated by rotating the operation lever 488. More specifically, the operation lever 488 is rotated from the first operation position to the second operation position and the action transmitting member 492 is rotated, whereby the operation elements 492b and 492c push up the plungers 441 and 442. . As a result, similarly to the case where the solenoids 435 and 436 are excited, the tip portions of the flickers 433 and 434 are immersed outside the payout passage portions 419 and 420, and the game ball can flow down.

  Further, the operation lever 488 is disposed at a position that does not overlap with the stopping mechanisms 408 and 410 (flicker 433 and 434 and solenoids 435 and 436) and the ball detection sensor 464 as seen in a cross section of the payout portion orthogonal to the front-rear direction. Yes. When the ball detection sensor 464 is provided, the light emitting unit 467, the first light receiving unit 469, and the second light receiving unit 470 are disposed so as to sandwich the payout passage units 419 and 420 in the front-rear direction. There is a risk that this part will be relatively thick in the front-rear direction. However, as described above, if the operation lever 488 is disposed so as to avoid this part, the problem of this part becoming excessively thick is suppressed. can do. Of course, the expansion of the ball dispensing unit 400 in the front-rear direction can be similarly suppressed in the portions where the stopping mechanisms 408 and 410 are provided.

  Now, at the four corners of the cover portion 405, boss portions 494 serving as first connecting means are provided that protrude forward. Further, a protrusion 494 a is provided at the tip of the boss 494. On the other hand, on the back side of the first base part 403, holes 499 as second connection means into which the protrusions 494a of the boss part 494 can be fitted are provided at the four corners of the first base part 403. With the above configuration, each ball dispensing unit 400 can be connected as shown in FIG. Further, when the two ball paying units 400 are connected, as described above, the connection bar 491 of the front ball paying unit 400 is connected to the pair of regulating ribs 488d and 488e of the operation lever 488 of the rear ball paying unit 400. The operation portion 488b is inserted into the connection hole 491a while being inserted between them. That is, in the connected state of the two ball paying units 400, the two operation levers 488 are connected to each other, and the two operation levers 488 can be operated in an integrated manner. Further, the projection 482a of the operation portion 479c of the switching member 479 provided in the front ball paying unit 400 is engaged with the concave portion 482b of the operation portion 480c of the switching member 480 provided in the rear ball paying unit 400. It becomes a state. The connection order of the two ball payout units 400 can be changed in any order. In other words, the two ball paying units 400 can be connected regardless of whether they are arranged in the front or rear direction.

  Further, as can be seen from FIG. 25, the boss portion 494, the operation lever 488 and the like are hindered from being attached to the back surface side of the first base portion 403, which is the attachment surface side attached to the attachment portion 496 (see FIG. 29). Therefore, the ball dispensing unit 400 can be firmly attached to the attachment portion 496.

  Next, a mounting structure of the payout device 358 to which the two ball payout units 400 are connected to the base portion 353 will be described. The case body 401 of each ball dispensing unit 400 is provided with a plurality of insertion holes 495 penetrating in the front-rear direction (mounting direction). Correspondingly, a metal bar 497 protrudes from an attachment portion 496 (see FIG. 29) as an attachment portion on the base portion 353 side. At the time of attachment, first, each metal rod 497 is inserted into each insertion hole 495 of the two ball dispensing units 400 that are integrated. Then, by screwing a screw 498 to the tip of the metal bar 497, the dispensing device 358 to which the two ball dispensing units 400 are connected is fixed to the base portion 353.

  Next, the payout operation and ball removal operation of the payout device 358 (ball payout unit 400) will be described.

  Normally, in each ball dispensing unit 400, the operation lever 488 is locked at the first operation position. In addition, each of the stopping mechanisms 408 and 410 is in a restricted state that restricts the flow of the game ball. That is, the solenoids 435 and 436 are in a state in which the plungers 441 and 442 are pushed downward, and the tip portions of the flickers 433 and 434 are in a state of protruding into the payout passage portions 419 and 420. On the other hand, the switching members 479 and 480 are in the payout passage opening position, and the game balls can flow down along the payout passage portions 419 and 420.

  When the solenoids 435 and 436 are excited based on a payout command from the payout control device 311, the plungers 441 and 442 are pulled up. In conjunction with this, the drive transmission members 437 and 438 rotate counterclockwise as viewed from the back side of the pachinko machine 10, and the flickers 433 and 434 rotate clockwise. Then, the tip ends of the flickers 433 and 434 are immersed outside the payout passage portions 419 and 420, and the game balls stopped by the flicker 433 and 434 flow down along the payout passage portions 419 and 420, and the upper plate 19 To the lower plate 15. Such a state corresponds to the restriction release state of each stopping mechanism 408, 410 in the present embodiment. Further, when the ball detection sensor 464 detects a predetermined number of game balls, a stop command is issued from the payout control device 311, the solenoids 435 and 436 are again de-energized, and the stopping mechanisms 408 and 410 are in the normal state. Return to (regulated state).

  Next, a description will be given of the ball removing operation of the game ball stopped in the ball paying unit 400 (upstream from the flickers 433 and 434). The ball removal operation is performed after completion of inspection at the time of shipment, or when an error occurs (at the time of failure). In the present embodiment, it can be executed even when the ball dispensing unit 400 is in a non-energized state.

  In order to remove the game ball, first, the operation lever 488 is rotated counterclockwise. When operated in this way, the locking projection 488c is disengaged from the first locking recess 490a, and the operation lever 488 rotates counterclockwise from the first operation position.

  In conjunction with the movement of the operation lever 488, as shown in FIG. 27, the switching members 479, 480 are rotated and displaced counterclockwise to the ball removal passage opening position, and the action transmission member 492 is rotated clockwise. Dynamic displacement. As a result, the plungers 441 and 442 are pushed up by the operating elements 492b and 492c of the action transmitting member 492. Then, as shown in FIG. 28, the game ball can flow down when the tip ends of the flickers 433 and 434 are immersed outside the payout passage portions 419 and 420 as in the case where the solenoids 435 and 436 are excited. It becomes a state. Accordingly, the game ball stopped by the flickers 433 and 434, as in the game ball B shown by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 26 and 27, is the payout passage portion 419 as in the game ball B shown in FIG. , 420 and is guided to the ball extraction passage portions 421 and 422 by the switching members 479 and 480, to the discharge passage 218 through the ball extraction passage portions 421 and 422 and the second lead-out passage 359b, and thus to the game hall. To the designated discharge section of the island facility. When the operation lever 488 reaches the second operation position, the locking projection 488c is engaged with the second locking recess 490b, and the operation lever 488 is locked at the second operation position.

  As shown in FIG. 27, when the operation lever 488 is slightly rotated, the tip ends of the switching members 479 and 480 are slightly projected into the payout passage portions 419 and 420, and the flickers 433 and 434 are flickered. The tip of the stub is slightly sunk out of the payout passage portions 419 and 420. Thereafter, the game ball can flow down when the distance H1 between the tip of the flicker 433, 434 and the wall surface of the payout passage 419, 420 facing the tip exceeds the distance corresponding to the diameter of the game ball. It becomes a state. Further, in the present embodiment, before the distance H1 reaches a distance corresponding to the diameter of the game ball (before the game ball can flow down), the tip portions of the switching members 479, 480, and the tip portion The flickers 433 and 434 and the switching members 479 and 480 are interlocked so that the distance H2 between the opposing payout passage portions 419 and 420 reaches a distance shorter than the radius of the game ball. In the present embodiment, the distance between the upper corner portion of the tip portion on the upper side when the switching members 479 and 480 are in the ball removal passage opening position and the wall surfaces of the payout passage portions 419 and 420 is the distance H2. With the above configuration, at the timing when the restraint of the game ball is released, the game ball can no longer pass through the branch portion of the passage along the payout passage portions 419 and 420. As a result, it is possible to prevent the game balls from being bitten by the switching members 479 and 480.

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

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

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

  FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the pachinko machine 10. The main control device 261 of the pachinko machine 10 is equipped with a CPU 501 as a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic device. The CPU 501 includes a ROM 502 that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 501 and fixed value data, and a memory that temporarily stores various data when the control program stored in the ROM 502 is executed. A RAM 503 and various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmitting / receiving circuit are incorporated.

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

  In the backup area 503a, when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the power of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power is turned off when the power is turned on again. (Similar) is an area for storing stack pointers, values of registers, I / O, and the like. Writing to the backup area 503a is executed when the power is turned off by NMI interrupt processing (see FIG. 41). Conversely, returning of each value written to the backup area 503a includes turning on the power (including turning on the power due to power failure cancellation). The same applies to a power recovery process (see FIG. 34). Note that a power failure signal SK1 output from a power failure monitoring circuit 542, which will be described later, is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 501 when a power failure occurs due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. Due to the occurrence, the power failure process (NMI interrupt process) of FIG. 41 is immediately executed.

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

  Also, the payout control device 311 performs payout control of prize balls and rental balls by the ball payout unit 400 (solenoids 435 and 436). The CPU 511 that is an arithmetic unit includes a ROM 512 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 511, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 513 that is used as a work memory or the like.

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

  The backup area 513a has a stack pointer, each register at the time of power-off, each register This is an area for storing values such as I / O. The writing to the backup area 513a is executed when the power is turned off by the NMI interrupt process (see FIG. 41). Conversely, the restoration of each value written in the backup area 513a is the power recovery process at the time of turning on the power (see FIG. 42). ) Is executed.

  An input / output port 515 is connected to the CPU 511 incorporating the ROM 512 and RAM 513 via a bus line 514 including an address bus and a data bus. To the input / output port 515, a RAM erasing switch circuit 543, a main controller 261, a launch controller 312, a ball payout unit 400, and the like are connected.

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

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

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

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

  The power supply unit 313 includes a power supply unit 541 for supplying power to each part of the pachinko machine 10, a power failure monitoring circuit 542 for monitoring power interruption due to a power failure, and a RAM erase switch connected to the RAM erase switch 323. A circuit 543. The power supply unit 541 supplies necessary operation power to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311 and the like through a power supply path (not shown). As its outline, the power supply unit 541 takes in an AC 24 volt power supply supplied from the outside, and generates a + 12V power supply for driving various switches and motors, a + 5V power supply for logic, a backup power supply for RAM backup, and the like. Then, these + 12V power supply, + 5V power supply and backup power supply are supplied to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311 and the like. Note that operation power (+12 V power, +5 V power, etc.) is supplied to the payout device 358 (ball payout unit 400) and the launch control device 312 via the payout control device 311.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 542 is a circuit for outputting a power failure signal SK1 to each NMI terminal of the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 and the CPU 511 of the payout control device 311 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 542 monitors the DC stable voltage of 24 volts, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 541, and determines that a power failure (power failure) has occurred when this voltage is less than 22 volts. The power failure signal SK1 is output to the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. Based on the output of the power failure signal SK1, the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 recognize the occurrence of the power failure and execute the power failure processing (NMI interrupt processing in FIG. 41).

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

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

  Although not shown in the figure, the first symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 42 has three symbol rows of left, middle and right, and the symbol (first symbol) varies for each symbol row. Is displayed. In the present embodiment, for example, the first symbol is configured so as to be given numbers “0” to “9”, respectively, and the first symbol is displayed in ascending or descending order of numbers to form a series of symbol strings. Yes. And the 1st symbol is variably displayed from top to bottom with periodicity.

  In this case, in the left symbol row, the first symbol is displayed in descending order (in the order in which the attached numbers decrease), and in the middle symbol row and the right symbol row, the first symbol is also in ascending order (the appended numbers are the same). (In increasing order). Then, the variable display stops in the order of left symbol sequence → right symbol sequence → middle symbol sequence, and at the time of the stop, the first symbol is a combination of jackpot symbols on the first symbol display device 42 (in this embodiment, the same first A special game video is displayed as a jackpot if the symbols are combined (a combination of symbols) (a jackpot state is started).

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

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 501 in the main control device 261 performs lottery (big hit lottery) of the first symbol display device 42, setting of symbol display, and the like using various counter information in the game. Specifically, 33, a jackpot random number counter C1 used for the jackpot lottery of the first symbol display device 42, a jackpot symbol counter C2 used for the selection of the jackpot symbol of the first symbol display device 42, and the first symbol Reach random number counter C3 used for reach lottery when the display device 42 fluctuates and changes, random number initial value counter CINI used for initial value setting of the big hit random number counter C1, and used for variation pattern selection of the first symbol display device 42 Variation type counters CS1 and CS2 to be used, and left, middle and right outlier symbols used to set left out, middle and right outlier symbols. Printer CL, CM, has decided to use a CR.

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

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

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

  Further, the reach random number counter C3 is configured to increment one by one within a range of 0 to 238, for example, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 238). In the present embodiment, the reach random number counter C3 causes the final stop symbol after the occurrence of reach to stop by shifting by one by one before and after the reach symbol. “Reach other than front / rear off” that stops other than front and back and “complete out” that does not occur reach are selected by lottery. For example, C3 = 0, 1 corresponds to front / rear reach, and C3 = 2-21 is front / back It corresponds to reach other than detachment, and C3 = 22 to 238 corresponds to complete detachment. Reach lottery may be set individually according to the state of the lottery probability of the first symbol display device 42, the number of starting and holding balls at the start of change, and the like. The reach random number counter C3 is updated periodically (once every timer interruption in this embodiment), and stored in the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 503 at the timing when the game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding port 33.

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

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

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

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

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

  Although not shown, the second symbol random number counter C4 is used for the lottery of the second symbol display device 41. The second symbol random number counter C4 is configured as a loop counter that is incremented one by one within a range of 0 to 250, for example, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 250). The second symbol random number counter C4 is updated periodically (once every timer interruption in the present embodiment), and is acquired when the game ball passes through the left or right second opportunity corresponding port 34. The number of random number values to be won is 149, and the range is “5 to 153”.

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

  FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt process. This process is executed by the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 every 2 msec, for example.

  In FIG. 39, first, in step S601, read processing of the various switches 221 to 225 and the like is executed. That is, the state of various switches 221 to 225 connected to the main controller 261 (except for the RAM erase switch 323) is read, and the state of the switches 221 to 225 is determined to detect the detection information (winning detection). To save the information.

  Thereafter, in step S602, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value (676 in this embodiment). Then, the update value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503. In subsequent step S603, the big hit random number counter C1, the big hit symbol counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 are updated. Specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot symbol counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 are each incremented by 1 and when the counter values reach the maximum values (in this embodiment, 676, 49 and 238, respectively). Clear to 0 each. Then, the updated values of the counters C1 to C3 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503.

  Thereafter, in step S604, a start winning process associated with winning in the first opportunity corresponding port 33 is executed. This start winning process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 40. In step S701, the first trigger corresponding port (start port) switch 224 detects whether or not the game ball has won the first trigger corresponding port 33 (start port). Determine by information. If it is determined that the game ball has won the first opportunity corresponding port 33, in the subsequent step S702, whether or not the number N of starting reserved balls of the first symbol display device 42 is less than the upper limit value (4 in the present embodiment). Is determined. The process proceeds to step S703 on the condition that there is a winning at the first opportunity corresponding port 33 and the number N of starting reserved balls is smaller than 4, and the number N of starting reserved balls is incremented by one.

  In subsequent step S704, a random number related to the winning of the first symbol is acquired. Specifically, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot symbol counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 updated in step S603 are stored in the first area of the free storage area of the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 503. Then, after the start winning process, the CPU 501 once ends the timer interruption process.

  FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing the NMI interrupt process, and this process is executed by the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. By this NMI interruption, the state of the main controller 261 at the time of power-off is stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503.

  That is, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure signal SK1 is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 501 in the main controller 261. Then, the CPU 501 interrupts the control being executed and starts the NMI interrupt process of FIG. 41 is stored in the ROM 502 of the main controller 261. During a predetermined time after the power failure signal SK1 is output, a current is supplied from the power supply unit 541 so that the processing of the main controller 261 can be executed, and the NMI interrupt processing is executed within the predetermined time.

  In the NMI interrupt processing of FIG. 41, first, in step S801, the used registers are saved in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503, and in the subsequent step S802, the value of the stack pointer is stored in the backup area 503a. Further, in step S803, the information on the occurrence of power interruption is set in the backup area 503a, and in step S804, a power interruption notification command indicating that the power has been interrupted is transmitted to another control device.

  In step S805, a RAM determination value is calculated and stored in the backup area 503a. The RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value at the work area address of the RAM 503. In step S806, RAM access is prohibited. After that, an infinite loop is entered in preparation for the case where the power supply is completely shut down and processing cannot be executed.

  The NMI interrupt process is also executed in the payout control device 311 in the same manner, and the state of the payout control device 311 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like is stored in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513. Similarly, power is supplied from the power supply unit 541 so that the processing of the payout control device 311 can be executed for a predetermined time after the power failure signal SK1 is output. That is, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure signal SK1 is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 511 in the payout control device 311 and the CPU 511 interrupts the control being executed. 41 to start the NMI interrupt process shown in FIG. The contents are as described with reference to FIG. 41 (however, the transmission of the power-off notification command in step S804 is excluded).

  FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing an example of a main process executed by the CPU 501 in the main control device 261. This main process is started upon reset when power is turned on.

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

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

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

  On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 has not been pressed, the power-off occurrence information is set, and the RAM judgment value (checksum value etc.) is normal. Execute the process (process when power is restored). That is, in step S108, the stack pointer before the power interruption is restored, and in step S109, the information on the occurrence of the power interruption is cleared. In step S110, a command for returning the control device on the sub side to the gaming state at the time of power-off is transmitted, and in step S111, the used register is returned from the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. Further, in steps S112 and S113, the interrupt permission / non-permission is returned to the state before the power interruption, and then the address before the power interruption is returned.

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

  In FIG. 35, first, in step S201, output data such as a command updated in the previous process is transmitted to each control device on the sub side. Specifically, the presence / absence of winning detection information is determined, and if there is winning detection information, a winning ball payout command corresponding to the number of acquired game balls is transmitted to the payout control device 311. Further, when the first symbol display device 42 displays the variation of the first symbol, a stop symbol command, a variation pattern command, a confirmation command, and the like are transmitted to the display control device 45. In addition, after the first symbol variation starts, the variation pattern command → the left symbol sequence stop symbol command → the right symbol sequence stop symbol command → the middle symbol sequence stop symbol command one by one for each normal process (ie, The command is sent once every 4 msec), and the confirmation command is sent when the fluctuation time elapses. Further, the display control device 45 that has input the stop symbol command, the variation pattern command, the confirmation command, etc. determines the display mode of the first symbol display device 42 and the second symbol display device 41 based on such various commands, The display mode is displayed on the first symbol display device 42 and the second symbol display device 41.

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

  The update process of each outlier symbol counter CL, CM, CR will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 36, in step S301, it is determined whether or not it is time to update the outlier symbol counter CL in the left symbol row. In step S302, It is determined whether or not it is time to update the middle symbol row out of symbol counter CM. If the update timing of the left symbol row (YES in step S301), the process proceeds to step S303, and the outlier symbol counter CL of the left symbol row is updated. Further, if the update timing of the middle symbol row (YES in step S302), the process proceeds to step S304, and the out-of-middle symbol counter CM is updated. Further, if the update timing of the right symbol sequence (both steps S301 and S302 are NO), the process proceeds to step S305, and the out symbol counter CR of the right symbol sequence is updated. In updating the out-of-step symbol counters CL, CM, and CR in steps S303 to S305, the value of the lower 3 bits of the R register is added to the previous counter value, and 10 is subtracted when the addition result exceeds the maximum value, The result of the calculation is out of sync and is used as the current value of the symbol counters CL, CM, CR.

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

  Thereafter, in step S306, it is determined whether or not the combination of the updated out symbol counters CL, CM, and CR is a reach symbol combination. If it is a reach symbol combination, then in step S307, it is changed back and forth. It is determined whether or not it is a missed reach. If the off symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are combinations of front and rear out of reach, the process proceeds to step S308, and the combination of out symbol symbols CL, CM, and CR at that time is stored in the front and rear out of reach symbol buffer of the RAM 503. If the out symbol counters CL, CM, CR are a combination of reach other than front / back off, the process proceeds to step S309, and the combination of the out symbol counters CL, CM, CR at that time is stored in the reach symbol buffer other than front / back out of RAM 503. To do.

  In the case of a combination other than the reach symbol, in step S310, it is determined whether or not the combination of the symbol symbols CL, CM, CR is a symbol combination, and if it is a symbol combination, Proceeding to step S311, the combination of the off symbol counters CL, CM, CR at that time is stored in the off symbol buffer of the RAM 503. If NO in both steps S306 and S310, the symbols are aligned on the left, middle, and right, that is, it corresponds to a jackpot state. In such a case, the off symbol counters CL, CM, CR are stored in the buffer. The process is terminated without any processing.

  After the removal symbol counter update process, in step S204 in FIG. 35, the winning ball counting signal and the payout abnormality signal received from the payout control device 311 are read. Thereafter, in step S205, a first symbol variation process for performing variation display of the first symbol by the first symbol display device 42 is executed. By this first symbol variation process, jackpot determination, setting of a variation pattern of the first symbol, and the like are performed. The details of the first symbol variation process will be described later.

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

  In step S207, display control of the second symbol by the second symbol display device 41 is executed. Briefly, the second symbol random number counter C4 is acquired each time on the condition that the game ball has passed through the second opportunity corresponding port 34, and the second symbol display device 41 of the second symbol display device 41 receives the second symbol. When a symbol lottery is performed and the second symbol hits, the first opportunity corresponding port 33 is opened for a predetermined time. Although the description is omitted, the second symbol random number counter C4 is also updated by the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 39, like the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot symbol counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3. Yes.

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

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

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

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

  In FIG. 37, in step S401, it is determined whether or not it is currently a big hit. The jackpot includes a special game displayed on the first symbol display device 42 and a predetermined time after the special game is ended. In a succeeding step S402, it is determined whether or not the first symbol display device 42 is displaying the variation of the first symbol. Then, if it is not a big hit and is not displaying the variation of the first symbol, the process proceeds to step S403, and it is determined whether or not the number N of starting reserved balls of the first symbol display device 42 is larger than zero. At this time, if it is a big hit or if the number N of starting reserved balls is 0, this processing is terminated as it is.

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

  Thereafter, in step S406, a change start process is executed. Here, the details of the variation start process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 38. In step S501, it is determined whether or not the jackpot is based on the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area. To do. Specifically, whether or not the jackpot is determined based on the relationship between the jackpot random number counter value and the mode at that time, as described above, among the numerical values 0 to 676 of the jackpot random number counter C1 at the normal low probability, "337, “673” is the winning value, and “67, 131, 199, 269, 337, 401, 463, 523, 601, 661” is the winning value when the probability is high.

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

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

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

  If front / rear out of reach has occurred, the process proceeds to step S506, and the left, middle, and right out of symbol counters CL, CM, and CR stored in the front / rear out of reach design buffer of the RAM 503 are set as stop symbol commands. In step S507, a variation pattern at the time of front / rear out of reach is determined, and the variation pattern is set as a variation pattern command. At this time, as in step S503, the values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 503 are checked, and the normal reach, super reach, and premium reach are determined based on the value of the first variation type counter CS1. The reach type of the first symbol and other rough symbol variation modes are determined, and the final stop symbol (in the present embodiment, the middle symbol) is stopped after the reach occurs based on the value of the second variation type counter CS2. A more detailed symbol variation mode such as the elapsed time (in other words, the number of variation symbols) is determined.

  If a reach other than front / rear out occurs, the process proceeds to step S508, and the left, middle, and right out-of-line counters CL, CM, CR stored in the reach symbol buffer other than front / rear out of RAM 503 are stopped. Set to. Also, in step S509, a fluctuation pattern at the time of reach other than front / rear deviation is determined, and the fluctuation pattern is set as a fluctuation pattern command. At this time, the variation pattern is determined based on the values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 503, as in step S503 and the like.

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

  Returning to the description of FIG. 37, if step S402 is YES, that is, if the variation of the first symbol is being displayed, the process proceeds to step S407 to determine whether or not the variation time has elapsed. At this time, the variation time of the first symbol is determined according to the variation pattern of the first symbol, and when this variation time has elapsed, an affirmative determination is made in step S407. In step S408, a stop symbol set for stopping and checking the fluctuation is set as a confirmation command, and then this process is terminated.

  Next, payout control executed by the CPU 511 in the payout control device 311 will be described. FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the main process of the payout control apparatus 311. This main process is started upon reset when the power is turned on.

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

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

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

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

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

  In FIG. 43, in step S1001, a command from the main controller 261 is acquired, and the total number of prize balls is stored. In step S1002, the launch control apparatus 312 is set for launch permission. In step S1003, the state return switch 321 is checked, and if it is determined that the state return operation has started, the state return operation is executed.

  Thereafter, in step S1004, setting of the lower pan full tank state or the lower pan full tank release state is executed in accordance with the change in the state of the lower pan 15. That is, when the lower pan 15 is detected based on the detection signal of the lower pan full switch, when the lower pan is full, the lower pan full state is set, and when the lower pan full is not reached , Set the lower pan full release state. In step S1005, the setting of the tank ball absence state or the tank ball absence release state is executed according to the change in the tank ball state of the tank 355. That is, the absence of the tank ball is determined based on the detection signal of the storage detection switch, and when the tank ball is absent, the setting of the tank ball no state is executed. Perform configuration.

  Thereafter, in step S1006, the presence / absence of a state to be notified is determined.

  In steps S1007 to S1009, prize ball payout processing is executed. In this case, if the prize ball is not paid out and the total number of prize balls stored in step S1001 is not 0 (both NO in steps S1007 and S1008), the process proceeds to step S1009 and a prize ball control process (described later). 44) is started. Further, if the prize ball cannot be paid out or the total number of prize balls is 0 (YES in any of steps S1007 and S1008), the process proceeds to a lending / paying process.

  Thereafter, in steps S1010 to S1012, a rental ball payout process is executed. In this case, if it is not possible to pay out the rent and if a rent-out request from the card unit has been received (NO in step S1010, YES in S1011), the process proceeds to step S1012 and a renting control process (described later). 45) is started. Further, if a rental ball cannot be paid out or a rental ball payout request has not been received (YES in step S1010 or NO in S1011), the subsequent ball removal process is executed. Thereafter, the process returns to the top of the payout control process.

  Here, in the prize ball control process shown in FIG. 44, in step S1101, the solenoids 435 and 436 are driven to perform prize ball payout. In a succeeding step S1102, it is determined whether the solenoids 435 and 436 are normal. If the solenoids 435 and 436 are not normal, the process advances to step S1103 to drive the solenoids 435 and 436 to execute retry processing and stop processing of the solenoids 435 and 436, and then return to the payout control processing of FIG. . In the retry process here, first, a process of driving the solenoids 435 and 436 only once is performed. If the normal state still does not recover, the ball is paid out using another payout mechanism. That is, when one payout mechanism (for example, solenoid 435) is malfunctioning, the other payout mechanism (for example, solenoid 436) is driven to perform payout. At this time, the payout is performed in the other payout mechanism, so that it becomes possible to eliminate the clogging of one payout mechanism that could not be paid out due to the clogging of the ball due to the vibration.

  If the solenoids 435 and 436 are normal, the process proceeds to step S1104, and whether or not the game ball is counted normally is determined based on the detection result of the ball detection sensor 464 (payout count switch). If the game ball count is not normal, the process advances to step S1105 to drive the solenoids 435 and 436 to execute a retry process and to stop the solenoids 435 and 436, and then returns to the payout control process of FIG. .

  If the game ball count is normal, the process proceeds to step S1106, where it is determined whether or not the game ball count by the ball detection sensor 464 (payout count switch) has reached the total number of winning balls and the payout is completed. . If the payout has been completed, a stop process for the solenoids 435 and 436 is executed in step S1107, and then the process returns to the payout control process in FIG.

  In the ball lending control process shown in FIG. 45, in step S1201, the solenoids 435 and 436 are driven to pay out a ball. In a succeeding step S1202, it is determined whether or not the solenoids 435 and 436 are normal. If the solenoids 435 and 436 are not normal, the process advances to step S1203 to drive the solenoids 435 and 436 to execute retry processing and stop processing of the solenoids 435 and 436, and then return to the payout control processing of FIG. .

  If the solenoids 435 and 436 are normal, the process advances to step S1204 to determine whether or not the game ball is normally counted based on the detection result of the ball detection sensor 464 (payout count switch). If the game ball count is not normal, the process advances to step S1205 to drive the solenoids 435 and 436 to execute a retry process and to stop the solenoids 435 and 436, and then returns to the payout control process of FIG. .

  Further, if the game ball count is normal, the process proceeds to step S1206, and whether the game ball count by the ball detection sensor 464 (payout count switch) has reached a predetermined number of rented balls (25), and is the payout completed? Determine whether or not. If the payout has been completed, the stop process of the solenoids 435 and 436 is executed in step S1207, and then the process returns to the payout control process of FIG.

  As described in detail above, the payout device 358 is provided which is connected to a plurality of ball payout units 400 capable of individually paying out game balls. Therefore, if a failure occurs in some of the ball dispensing units 400, only the defective ball dispensing unit 400 needs to be replaced. As a result, an increase in replacement cost can be suppressed. Furthermore, the possibility that the installation space and the number of man-hours for assembly work increase can be suppressed as compared with a configuration in which a plurality of dispensing devices are individually attached to the attachment site. As described above, since various troubles related to attachment and replacement work of the payout device are suppressed, and the plurality of ball payout units 400 are connected, the payout device 358 is more compactly integrated. The increase in size of 358 can be suppressed.

  Further, the front-rear width of the outlet 355a of the tank 355 is formed substantially the same as the front-rear width of the tank 355 itself and the front-rear width of the tank rail 356. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a guiding portion for narrowing the course of the game ball in the vicinity of the outlet 355a of the tank 355 as in the prior art, and the game ball dropped from the vicinity of the outlet 355a in the tank 355 or the outlet 355a is received. The possibility of ball clogging occurring at the upstream portion of the tank rail 356 or the like can be reduced. As a result, the game ball can be smoothly guided and paid out to the payout device 358.

  In addition, the payout mechanism 352 (tank rail 356, case rail 357 and payout device 358) includes four rows of ball passages, so that more game balls can be paid out at the same time, and game balls can be paid out at higher speed. Can be Furthermore, even if one ball passage is clogged, the game ball can be guided through the other ball passage, so that the payout of the game ball can be made more stable.

  However, the payout device 358 (ball payout unit 400) has a front-rear width compared to a tank rail 356 having only a ball passage because of the inside of the stopping mechanisms 408, 410 having solenoids 435, 436 and the like. I have to spread it. Further, when two ball paying units 400 are arranged side by side in front and rear, the ball path of both ball paying units 400 on the tank rail 356 side is connected by connecting means such as a boss portion 494 for connecting both outer wall portions and both. It is very difficult to get close like a ball passage. Such a problem appears more prominently when four rows of ball passages are provided as in this embodiment. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, this is dealt with by shifting the arrangement positions of the ball passage on the tank rail 356 side and the ball passage on the dispensing device 358 side back and forth. In particular, by shifting in the front-rear direction by two rows in the front-rear direction, it is possible to secure a gap for providing connection means such as the boss portion 494 between the payout units.

  However, when the position of the ball path on the tank rail 356 side and the position of the ball path on the payout device 358 side are shifted back and forth to provide the gradually changing ball path 375a and the like, the gradually changing ball path 375a and the like are connected to the game ball. As the game ball passes, the flow direction of the game ball is also displaced in the front-rear direction, so that the flow of the game ball may not be smooth as compared to the case of flowing down the other ball passages. As a result, when paying out a predetermined number of game balls in a predetermined payout process, a predetermined number or more of game balls must be stopped in the stop ball passage 373a or the like in which the arrangement position in the front-rear direction does not change from the upstream side to the downstream side. In this case, there is a possibility that the game ball cannot be paid out smoothly. On the other hand, in this embodiment, such a malfunction is also reduced by providing the case rail 357 of the said structure.

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

  (A) In the above embodiment, the payout mechanism 352 (tank rail 356, case rail 357, and payout device 358) includes four rows of ball passages, but the number of ball passages is not limited to this. For example, it is good also as a structure provided with the ball path of less than 4 rows or 5 rows or more.

  (B) Unlike the tank 355, unlike the conventional type tank in which the front-rear width of the outlet is not substantially the same as the front-rear width of the tank itself, or the case rail 357, the gradually changing ball passage 375a, etc. In a gaming machine including a conventional type case rail that does not have a tank rail, the tank rail 356 or a tank rail having a similar configuration may be employed.

  (C) Unlike the tank 355, unlike the conventional tank or the tank rail 356 where the front and rear width of the outlet is not substantially the same as the front and rear width of the tank itself, the central partition 362 and the general In a gaming machine provided with a conventional tank rail or the like that does not include the partition portion 363 or the like, the case rail 357 or a case rail having a similar configuration may be employed.

  (D) The tank rail 356 includes a central partition 362 that partitions the tank rail 356 forward and backward, and a longitudinal direction at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of each region of the tank rail 356 partitioned by the central partition 362. The general partitioning portion 363 extending along the (left-right direction) is projected from the bottom of the rail body 361, whereby two rows and one set of ball passages are arranged in front and rear, that is, four rows of ball passages 364a, 364b, 365a, 365b are formed. However, the configuration of the tank rail is not limited to this. For example, each of the front and rear regions of the tank rail 356 partitioned by the central partition 362 includes a plurality of general partitions extending along the longitudinal direction (left-right direction), thereby providing a set of a plurality of rows (three or more rows). It is good also as a structure by which two sets of spherical passages were formed in the front and back, ie, the spherical passage of 6 or more rows.

  Further, the arrangement configuration and shape of the central partition 362 and the general partition 363 are not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, the protruding lengths of the central partition 362 and the general partition 363 may be configured to be substantially the same length throughout the longitudinal direction.

  The upstream end or the partition start portion of the central partition 362 and the general partition 363 are both located in the left-right width region L1 of the outlet port 355a or on the downstream side of the left-right width region L1 of the outlet port 355a. Also good.

  In particular, in the vicinity of the upstream side end of the central partition 362 and the general partition 363, various modes can be considered in order to guide the game ball more smoothly.

  For example, although the upstream end 363b of the general partition 363 is located upstream of the upstream end 362b of the central partition 362, the partition start portion 363j and the top 363a of the general partition 363 are the central partition. It is good also as a structure located in the downstream of the partition start part 362j of 362 and the top part 362a.

  (E) The configuration of the tank 355, the tank rail 356, or the case rail 357 can also be applied to a game machine in which the payout device 358 includes one or three ball payout units.

  (F) Since the mounting position and orientation of the payout mechanism portion 352 vary depending on the configuration and model of the gaming machine, for example, the flowing down direction of the gaming ball on the tank rail 356 may be along the front-rear direction. is there.

  (G) You may implement as a different type of pachinko machine etc. from the said embodiment. In addition to pachinko machines, the present invention can also be implemented as various game machines such as an arrangement ball machine and a similar sparrow ball.

  Further, the present invention may be implemented as a gaming machine of a type in which a slot machine and a pachinko machine are fused (particularly, a gaming machine with a slot machine specification using a game ball as a game medium). As a more detailed mode example, “a discriminating information string (a symbol string; specifically a rotating body such as a reel or a belt with a symbol) made up of a plurality of identification information (symbols) is variably displayed (specifically, a reel Variable display means (specifically, a rotating body unit such as a reel unit) that displays the identification information string after the rotation is performed, and is caused by the operation of the starting operation means (specifically, the start lever). The variation of the identification information (symbol) is started, and the variation of the identification information (symbol) is stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stopping (specifically, the stop button) or after a predetermined time has passed. It is configured so that game value is given on condition that the identification information aligned on the effective line is specific identification information, and a ball tray (top plate etc.) is provided and game balls are taken in from the ball tray Input to process A gaming machine comprising a stage and a payout means for paying out the game ball to the ball receiving tray, and the operation of the starting operation means is made effective when the game ball is thrown by the throwing means '' Can be mentioned.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine in one Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the pachinko machine of the state which open | released the inner frame and the front frame set. It is a front view which shows the inner frame etc. in the state which open | released the front frame set. It is a front view which shows the structure of a game board. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a front frame set. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a pachinko machine. It is a schematic diagram which shows arrangement | positioning of the 1st control board unit in the back surface of a pachinko machine, a 2nd control board unit, and a back pack unit. It is a rear view which shows the structure of an inner frame and a game board. It is a perspective view which shows the back surface structure of an inner frame. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a support metal fitting. It is a front view which shows the structure of a 1st control board unit. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a 1st control board unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of a 1st control board unit. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the back surface structure of a 1st control board unit. It is a front view which shows the structure of a 2nd control board unit. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a 2nd control board unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of a 2nd control board unit. It is a front view which shows the structure of a back pack unit. It is a perspective view of a payout mechanism part. It is a partial top view of a payout mechanism part. It is a top view of a tank rail. FIG. 21 is a partial sectional view taken along the line ZZ in FIG. 20. FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. 18. It is a front perspective view of a dispensing device. It is a rear perspective view of a ball dispensing unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a ball paying unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a ball paying unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a ball paying unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of a ball dispensing unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a ball | bowl detection sensor. (A) is a figure which shows the structure of an operation lever, (b) is a figure which shows the connection structure of an operation lever and a connection bar. It is a block diagram which shows the main electrical structures of a pachinko machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the various counters used for game control. It is a flowchart which shows the main process by the main controller. It is a flowchart which shows a normal process. It is a flowchart which shows the update process of an off symbol counter. It is a flowchart which shows a 1st symbol fluctuation | variation process. It is a flowchart which shows a fluctuation | variation start process. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a start winning process. It is a flowchart which shows a NMI interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the main process of the payout control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows payout control processing. It is a flowchart which shows prize ball control. It is a flowchart which shows ball rental control.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine as a gaming machine, 311 ... Dispensing control device, 352 ... Dispensing mechanism part, 355 ... Tank as a storage tank, 355a ... Deriving port, 355b ... Bottom part constituting inclined part, 355d ... Boundary part, 356 ... Tank rail constituting guide member, 357 ... case rail constituting relay means, 358 ... dispensing device, 362 ... central partition, 362a ... top, 363 ... general partition, 363a ... top, 364a, 364b, 365a, 365b ... Ball passage, 371a, 371b, 372a, 372b ... Upstream ball passage, 373a, 373b ... Stop ball passage, 374a, 374b ... Stop ball passage, 375a, 375b ... Front side gradually changing ball passage, 376a, 376b ... Rear side gradual change Sphere passage 400, sphere dispensing unit 407, first sphere passage 408, first stop mechanism as dispensing means 4 9 ... second ball passage, the second retention mechanism as 410 ... dispensing means, L1 ... lateral width range.

Claims (1)

A storage tank capable of storing game balls;
A guide member that receives a game ball falling from a lead-out port that is open at the bottom of the storage tank, and flows down along the left-right direction while aligning the game ball,
A gaming machine comprising a payout mechanism having a payout device for paying out game balls downstream from the guide member,
While arranging the storage tank and the guide member of the substantially same width in the front-rear width,
A gaming machine characterized in that a lead-out port of the storage tank is formed with substantially the same width as the front-rear width of the storage tank itself, and is substantially the same as the front-rear width of the guide member.

Images