JP2007061402A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which can efficiently carry out the work of returning the game machine to the original state by facilitating the preparatory work in the maintenance of a ball discharger. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine is provided with a ball storage tank 13 capable of storing game balls and a ball storage unit 15 which is made to communicate with one side of the ball storage tank 13 and has the ball discharger 14 capable of discharging the game balls stored in the ball storage tank 13. The ball storage tank 13 is provided with a bottomed box shaped inner storage member 30 having its side part opened on the side of the ball discharger 14, an outer frame member 31 so arranged as to surround the outside part of the inner storage member 30 and a rotation mechanism 32 capable of rotating the inner storage member 30. With the rotation mechanism 32, the inner storage member 30 can be shifted to the first position of getting its bottom part 30a declined to the side of the ball discharger 14 or to the second position of getting the bottom part 30a declined to the side opposite to the ball discharger 14 to block the game balls in the ball storage tank 13 from rolling to the side of the ball discharger 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine provided with a ball storage tank for storing game balls and a ball discharge device for discharging game balls stored in the ball storage tank.

There is a pachinko game machine as a typical game machine that uses a game ball to play a game. In the upper part on the back side of this pachinko gaming machine, a ball storage tank for storing game balls is provided, and when the game ball wins a winning opening, the ball discharge device is activated and the game stored in the ball storage tank The ball is discharged as a prize ball to the upper plate of the front surface of the pachinko machine. In addition, when a ball lending operation is performed, the ball discharge device is activated to discharge the game balls in the ball storage tank to the upper plate. The ball discharge device is generally provided on the downstream side of the ball alignment rod extending below the ball storage tank, but the number of parts is reduced to reduce the arrangement space and cost. Therefore, for example, what is directly attached to the sphere storage tank without using the sphere alignment rod has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-8-141175

  By the way, in the gaming machine described in the above-mentioned patent document, when a failure occurs in the ball discharge device (for example, failure of the drive source or ball clogging), the game ball in the ball storage tank is temporarily removed and the ball storage tank It is necessary to prepare so that the game ball does not press the ball discharge device, and then perform maintenance work of the ball discharge device (for example, replacement of the ball discharge device or elimination of the ball clogging). For this reason, it takes time to recover pachinko machines, leaving room for improvement in improving work efficiency.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to facilitate preparation work during maintenance of the ball discharge device, and to efficiently perform restoration work of the gaming machine. It is intended to provide a gaming machine that can.

The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above object. According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ball storage tank capable of storing a game ball, and a ball storage tank connected to one side of the ball storage tank. A ball storage unit including a ball discharge device capable of discharging game balls stored in the storage tank;
The ball storage tank includes a bottomed box-shaped inner storage member that opens a side on the side of the ball discharge device, an outer frame member that is disposed so as to surround an outer portion of the inner storage member, and the outer frame member. A rotating mechanism capable of rotating the inner storage member, and a first state in which the bottom of the inner storage member is inclined downward toward the ball discharge device by the rotation mechanism, and the bottom is a ball discharge device. The game machine is characterized in that it can be converted to a second state in which the game ball in the ball storage tank is inclined downward to the opposite side and prevents the game ball from rolling to the ball discharge device side.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the rotating mechanism includes a rotating shaft that is disposed sideways in a state substantially orthogonal to the downward inclination direction of the bottom of the inner storage member, and a state in which the rotating shaft is rotatable. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is configured by a bearing portion that is axially attached.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the sphere storage tank is converted to the second state, a portion of the inner storage member opposite to the sphere discharge device protrudes downward from the lower portion of the outer frame member. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gaming machine is configured to function as a holding area for a gaming ball in which the inner space of the protruding portion is prevented from rolling toward the ball discharging device.

The thing of Claim 4 connects the said ball discharge device to the one side of the ball storage tank in a detachable state,
The ball storage tank has an engaging portion that protrudes from the inner storage member toward the ball discharge device side, and is disposed closer to the ball discharge device than the rotation mechanism.
The ball discharge device includes a rotation assisting portion that can engage the engaging portion of the ball storage tank,
When the rotation assisting unit moves the ball discharging device upward in a state where the engaging part of the ball storage tank in the first state is engaged and moves away from the ball storing tank, the ball discharging of the inner storage member is performed together with the engaging part. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an end portion on the device side is moved upward to convert the ball storage tank to the second state.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the rotation assisting portion engages the engaging portion when the ball discharging device separated from the ball storage tank is moved downward to approach one side of the second state ball storage tank. The game machine according to claim 4, wherein the ball storage tank is converted to the first state by moving the end of the inner storage member on the side of the ball discharge device downward together with the engaging portion. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge control means capable of controlling a discharge operation of the game ball of the ball discharge device, and a discharge ball detection means capable of detecting the game ball discharged from the ball discharge device,
The ball storage tank has an engagement mechanism disposed closer to the ball discharge device than the rotation mechanism,
The ball discharge device is provided with a rotation assisting portion that can engage the engagement mechanism,
The engagement mechanism includes an engagement portion that can project from the inner storage member toward the ball discharge device, and an electric drive source that moves the engagement portion forward and backward with respect to the ball discharge device. A protruding state in which the engaging portion protrudes toward the ball discharging device side by the source and can be engaged with the rotation assisting portion, and a protruding release state in which the engaging portion is retracted from the ball discharging device side and cannot be engaged with the rotation assisting portion. The ball storage tank is maintained in the first state when converted to the protruding state, and the ball storage tank is allowed to convert to the second state when converted to the protruding release state,
When the discharge control means detects the discharge of the game ball by the discharge ball detection means in a state where the ball discharge device stops the discharge operation of the game ball, the discharge control means converts the engagement mechanism into the protruding release state, and the ball storage tank The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gaming machine is allowed to be converted to a second state.

The thing of Claim 7 is provided with the rotation control part which controls rotation of the inside storage member,
The rotation restricting portion is formed of a buffer member, and is disposed on the opposite side of the ball discharge device below the ball storage tank with the rotation mechanism interposed therebetween, and is stored inside the ball storage tank converted to the second state. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is configured to abut against the member and restrict rotation of the inner storage member.

According to the present invention, the following excellent effects can be obtained.
According to the invention described in claim 1, a ball storage tank capable of storing game balls, a ball discharge device communicating with one side of the ball storage tank and capable of discharging game balls stored in the ball storage tank; The ball storage tank is provided with a bottomed box-shaped inner storage member whose side on the side of the ball discharge device is opened, and an outer frame disposed in a state of surrounding the outer portion of the inner storage member A first state in which the inner storage member is rotatable with respect to the outer frame member, and the inner storage member is inclined downward toward the ball discharge device by the rotation mechanism. And the bottom portion can be converted into the second state in which the bottom portion is inclined downward to the opposite side of the ball discharge device and the game ball in the ball storage tank is prevented from rolling to the ball discharge device side. The tank is changed to the second state, and the game balls in the ball storage tank are moved to the opposite side of the ball discharge device. It can be, or rolling game balls in ball storage tank to the ball discharge unit, it is possible to prevent or to push the ball discharging unit. Therefore, the preparatory work at the time of maintenance of the ball discharge device can be easily performed, and the efficiency of the restoration work of the gaming machine can be improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the rotation mechanism includes a rotation shaft that is disposed sideways in a state substantially orthogonal to the downward inclination direction of the bottom of the inner storage member, and the rotation shaft is rotatable. Since it is configured by the bearing portion that is axially attached in a state, a rotation mechanism can be realized with a simple configuration, and the manufacturing cost of a sphere storage tank capable of state conversion can be suppressed.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, when the sphere storage tank is converted to the second state, the portion of the inner storage member opposite to the sphere discharge device protrudes downward from the lower portion of the outer frame member. The inner space of the protruding portion functions as a holding area for the game ball that is prevented from rolling toward the ball discharge device, so that the bottom of the inner storage member of the ball storage tank is in the opposite direction to the ball discharge device. Even if the game ball is prevented from rolling to the ball discharge device by tilting downward, it is possible to secure an area where the game ball can be sufficiently stored and prevent the game ball from spilling outside. be able to.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the ball discharge device is detachably connected to one side of the ball storage tank, and the ball storage tank is engaged from the inner storage member toward the ball discharge device side. Is disposed on the side of the ball discharge device with respect to the rotation mechanism, and the ball discharge device includes a rotation auxiliary portion capable of engaging with the engagement portion of the ball storage tank, and the rotation auxiliary portion is in the first state. When the ball discharge device is moved upward with the engaging portion of the ball storage tank engaged and separated from the ball storage tank, the end of the inner storage member on the ball discharge device side is moved upward together with the engagement portion. Since the sphere storage tank is converted to the second state, the sphere storage tank can be converted to the second state by applying rotational force to the inner storage member when the ball discharge device is removed. Therefore, the preparatory work at the time of maintenance of a ball storage unit can be performed efficiently.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the rotation assisting unit moves the sphere discharging device separated from the sphere storage tank downward and approaches the one side of the sphere storage tank in the second state, Engage and move the end of the inner storage member on the side of the ball discharge device together with the engaging portion to convert the ball storage tank to the first state. Power can be applied to convert the ball storage tank to the first state. Therefore, the maintenance work of the ball storage unit can be performed quickly.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the discharge control means capable of controlling the discharge operation of the game ball of the ball discharge device and the discharge ball detection means capable of detecting the game ball discharged from the ball discharge device are provided. The ball storage tank has an engagement mechanism disposed closer to the ball discharge device than the rotation mechanism, and the ball discharge device is provided with a rotation auxiliary portion that can engage the engagement mechanism. An engaging portion that can project from the member toward the ball discharging device side, and an electric drive source that moves the engaging portion forward and backward with respect to the ball discharging device are provided, and the engaging portion is discharged by the electric drive source. Projected toward the device side and can be converted into a projecting state that can be engaged with the rotation assisting portion, and can be converted into a projecting release state that is retracted from the ball discharge device side and cannot be engaged with the rotation assisting portion. When converted to, the ball storage tank is maintained in the first state, and when converted to the protruding release state, the ball storage tank is second. The discharge control means is configured to be engaged when the discharge of the game ball is detected by the discharge ball detection means in a state where the ball discharge device stops the discharge operation of the game ball. Since the ball storage tank is allowed to change to the second state by converting the state to the protruding release state, the game ball is When the ball storage tank is discharged from the ball storage unit, the game ball in the ball storage tank can be prevented from rolling to the ball discharge device by converting the ball storage tank to the second state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that game balls are continuously discharged illegally.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the rotation restricting portion for restricting the rotation of the inner storage member is provided, and the rotation restricting portion is formed of the buffer member, and is rotated within the lower portion of the ball storage tank. The ball storage tank is arranged on the opposite side of the ball discharge device across the mechanism and is configured to abut against the inner storage member of the ball storage tank converted to the second state so as to restrict the rotation of the inner storage member. Even if the game ball is stored in the second state and converted to the second state, the rotation of the inner storage member can be restricted without damaging the inner storage member.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a pachinko gaming machine as a typical gaming machine as an example. FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine.
The pachinko gaming machine 1 is attached to an outer frame (machine frame or main body frame) 2 so that one side of a frame-shaped front frame 3 (inner frame) having a large opening can be opened and closed, and the back side of the front frame 3 The back mechanism unit 4 is attached to the front. The back mechanism unit 4 is fitted with a display device 5 (see FIG. 2) such as a liquid crystal display device from the front, and the front side of the display device 5 is opened forward (player side) from an opening formed in a game board (not shown). We are facing. Also, below the back mechanism unit 4, a game control device 7, a discharge control device 8 (corresponding to the discharge control means in the present invention), a power supply device 9, a relay board 10 and the like are provided. is doing. Further, a sphere storage unit 15 including a sphere storage tank 13 and a sphere discharge device 14 is disposed above the back mechanism unit 4, and a sphere storage unit 15 includes a sphere storage unit 15 on the side (right side in FIG. 1). A ball flow path 17 for flowing down the game balls discharged from the storage unit 15 (specifically, a discharge flow down path 18 for guiding the game balls to the upper plate or lower plate (not shown) of the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1) In addition, a ball outlet channel 19) for guiding the game ball in the ball storage unit 15 to a lower ball collection basket (not shown) in the game machine installation island facility is provided. Above the ball storage unit 15, a replenishment device (not shown) is provided in the game machine installation island facility and replenishes the game ball from the game machine installation island facility to the ball storage unit 15 of the pachinko gaming machine 1. ) Is arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the back mechanism unit 4 includes a mounting frame 21 to which the display device 5 is attached, and a fixed wall portion 22 projecting forward from an edge on one side (right side in FIG. 2) of the mounting frame 21. The flow path storage portion 23 is formed on the side opposite to the fixed wall portion 22 (left side in FIG. 2). The fixed wall portion 22 is provided with a fastening hole 24 at the top and bottom of the front end surface, and is fastened to the back side of the front frame 3 through a fastening member (not shown) such as a screw. Yes. The flow path storage part 23 is a vertically long and substantially cylindrical member having an internal space as a storage empty part, and stores the discharge flow down path 18 and the ball outlet down path 19 in the storage empty part. Further, a lid member 25 is provided on the side of the flow path housing portion 23, and the lid member 25 is opened to open the flow path housing portion 23 so that maintenance work of the spherical flow path 17 can be performed. In addition, an arc plate-like discharge device receiving portion 26 that can support a ball discharge device 14 to be described later is erected at a position located above the spherical flow path 17 on the upper surface of the back mechanism unit 4.

Next, the sphere storage unit 15 will be described.
The ball storage unit 15 is a device capable of storing the game balls replenished from the replenishing device and discharging the stored game balls. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ball storage unit 15 communicates with a ball storage tank 13 that can store a game ball and one side of the ball storage tank 13, and the game stored in the ball storage tank 13. A sphere discharging device 14 capable of discharging the spheres to the discharging flow downstream 18 or the sphere discharging downstream 19 and a connection mechanism 28 for connecting the sphere storage tank 13 and the sphere discharging device 14 are provided.

  The ball storage tank 13 is a box-like member that is formed horizontally along the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and has a bottomed box shape in which an upper portion facing the replenishing device and a side portion on the ball discharge device 14 side are opened. An inner storage member 30, an outer frame member 31 disposed so as to surround an outer portion of the inner storage member 30, and a rotation mechanism 32 capable of rotating the inner storage member 30 with respect to the outer frame member 31. The position restricting mechanism 33 (see FIG. 2) for restricting the stop position of the rotating inner storage member 30 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the inner storage member 30 has the bottom 30a inclined downward toward the ball discharge device 14 side (the right side in FIG. 5A), and the open side portion positioned at the inclined lower end of the bottom 30a is the inner side. A tank discharge port 35 for discharging game balls in the storage member 30 is used. Further, a tongue-like engagement portion 36 is provided on the lower side edge of the tank discharge port 35, that is, a portion located on the side of the ball discharge device 14 with respect to the rotation mechanism 32 described later (see FIG. 5). (A) It protrudes toward the middle right side) and is configured to be able to engage with a rotation assisting portion 37 of a ball discharge device 14 described later.

  The outer frame member 31 is a cover member that surrounds the outer portion of the inner storage member 30, specifically, the outer portion excluding the tank discharge port 35 side. As shown in FIG. 6, the outer frame member 31 is stored inside the outer frame member 31. The space part 40 which can accommodate the member 30 is formed, the lower part of this space part 40 is open | released, and it is comprised so that the one side (inclination upper end side) of the inner storage member 30 can move below. Further, the upper portion of the space portion 40 is opened so that the other side (inclined lower end side) of the inner storage member 30 can move upward, and a game ball falling from above can be received by the inner storage member 30. Yes. Furthermore, the lower part of the outer frame member 31 is provided with a first fixing part 41 in a state of straddling the space part 40 across the front-rear width of the outer frame member 31, and upstream located on the side opposite to the ball discharge device 14 side. On the side wall portion 31a, a second fixing portion 42 is provided to project outward, and the first fixing portion 41 is fixed to the periphery of the center portion of the upper surface portion of the back mechanism unit 4, and the second fixing portion 42 is provided. The back mechanism unit 4 is fixed to the upper surface portion of the back mechanism unit 4 near the fixed wall portion 22. The ball storage tank 13 is fixed on the back mechanism unit 4 by fastening the back mechanism unit 4 to the first fixing portion 41 and the second fixing portion 42 (see FIG. 9).

  The rotation mechanism 32 is a mechanism that supports the inner storage member 30 in the space 40 of the outer frame member 31 and can rotate (swing) in a state where the inner storage member 30 is inclined in the left-right direction. As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the rotating mechanism 32 extends in a state substantially orthogonal to the downward inclination direction of the bottom portion 30 a of the inner storage member 30, in other words, in the front-rear direction of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The rotary shaft 44 is disposed in a horizontal state in a state, and a bearing portion 45 is provided below the inner storage member 30 and is pivotally attached to the rotary shaft 44 in a rotatable state. Both end portions are fitted into shaft holes 46 formed at both front and rear end portions of the first fixing portion 41 of the outer frame member 31. Therefore, the ball storage tank 13 can rotate the inner storage member 30 in the vertical direction around the rotation shaft 44 by the rotation mechanism 32, and the bottom 30a of the inner storage member 30 faces the ball discharge device 14 side. The first state (see FIG. 11 (a)) inclined downward and the second state (see FIG. 11 (b)) in which the bottom 30a is inclined downward to the opposite side of the ball discharge device 14 are configured. ing.

  The position restricting mechanism 33 is a mechanism for restricting the rotation of the inner storage member 30 of the ball storage tank 13 to maintain the first state and the second state, and with the ball discharge device 14 across the rotation mechanism 32. Is composed of a first state restricting mechanism 48 disposed on the opposite side and a second state restricting mechanism 49 disposed closer to the ball discharging device 14 than the rotating mechanism 32. The first state regulating mechanism 48 includes a pin-shaped first protrusion 50 projecting forward from the front side (side facing the front frame 3) of the inner storage member 30 and the front side of the outer frame member 31 (on the front frame 3. A first notch portion 51 that is formed by notching the lower edge portion of the opposing side) and that can lock the first protrusion 50, and the first protrusion 50 is located on the tank discharge port 35 side with the bearing portion 45 in between ( The first notch 51 is disposed on the opposite side of the ball discharging device 14 with the shaft hole 46 interposed therebetween. When the ball storage tank 13 is converted to the first state, the first protrusion 50 is lifted and locked to the first notch 51 from below. Due to the locked state in the first state restricting mechanism 48, the tank discharge port 35 of the inner storage member 30 can be restricted from moving below the communicating portion of the ball discharge device 14, and the ball storage tank 13 is moved to the first state. 1 state can be maintained.

  The second state regulating mechanism 49 includes a pin-shaped second protrusion 52 that projects forward from the front side (side facing the front frame 3) of the inner storage member 30 and the front side (front frame of the outer frame member 31). And a second cutout portion 53 that is formed by cutting out the lower edge portion (on the side facing 3) and that can lock the second protrusion 52. Further, the second protrusion 52 is disposed at a position closer to the tank discharge port 35 (closer to the ball discharge device 14) than the bearing portion 45, and the second notch 53 is disposed closer to the ball discharge device 14 than the shaft hole 46. In addition, the rotation shaft 44 of the rotation mechanism 32 is formed in a circular arc groove shape set at the center of curvature. Then, when the tank discharge port 35 of the inner storage member 30 rises and the ball storage tank 13 is converted to the second state, the second protrusion 52 moves upward in the second cutout portion 53 and the second cutout portion 53 It is comprised so that it may latch on an upper end part. Due to the locking state in the second state regulating mechanism 49, the side wall portion 30 b located on the side opposite to the tank discharge port 35 of the inner storage member 30 moves downward from the lower end of the upstream side wall portion 31 a of the outer frame member 31. This can be restricted and the ball storage tank 13 can be maintained in the second state.

  In addition, the ball storage tank 13 includes the side wall portion 30b of the inner storage member 30 and the upstream side wall portion 31a of the outer frame member 31 as curved surfaces with the rotation axis 44 of the rotation mechanism 32 as the center of curvature, and the inner storage member. When 30 rotates around the rotation shaft 44 in the space 40 of the outer frame member 31, the side wall 30b of the inner storage member 30 and the upstream side wall 31a of the outer frame member 31 are configured not to interfere with each other. Has been.

Next, the ball discharge device 14 will be described.
The ball discharge device 14 is a device that is detachably connected to one side of the ball storage tank 13. As shown in FIG. 4, the ball discharge device 14 communicates with a tank discharge port 35 of the ball storage tank 13 and can receive a game ball in the ball storage tank 13, and the ball receiver 56. A substantially cylindrical sprocket housing portion 57 formed with the bottom of the bottom portion recessed downward, a discharge stage member 58 disposed at the lower portion of the sprocket housing portion 57, and rotatable within the sprocket housing portion 57 A sprocket 60 (sphere holding rotating body) housed in a state and provided with a plurality of sphere holding portions 59 on the outer peripheral edge, a discharge drive motor 61 connected to the upper portion of the sprocket 60 to rotationally drive the sprocket 60, and a sprocket The motor base 62 is disposed above the ball receiving portion 56 so as to cover 60 and has a discharge drive motor 61 attached to the upper surface. And in the state arrange | positioned on the back mechanism unit 4, the front side part of the sprocket accommodating part 57 is covered by the discharge device receiving part 26, and the peripheral part of the front side part of the sprocket accommodating part 57 among the lower parts of the ball | bowl receiving part 56 is shown. It is supported at the tip of the discharge device receiving portion 26.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the ball receiving portion 56 has an annular ball guide path 64 disposed on the outer peripheral edge of the sprocket accommodating portion 57, and the bottom of the ball receiving portion 56 and the sprocket. The housing 57 is connected. Further, a side wall on one side (right side in FIG. 7A) of the ball receiving portion 56 is formed in a circular arc shape in plan view along the outer peripheral edge of the ball guide path 64, and the arcuate side wall is used as a ball for a game ball. A guide side wall portion 65 that guides along the guide path 64 is provided. Furthermore, the upper end part of the guide side wall part 65 is set to a height lower than the side wall on the other side (left side in FIG. 7A) of the ball receiving part 56.

  The discharge stage member 58 is a member in which a discharge port 66 and a ball outlet 67 that are connected to one of the ball holding portions 59 and can discharge a game ball are opened below the sprocket 60 and formed in a substantially petri dish shape. A stage main body 68, a lid member 69 for closing the upper opening of the stage main body 68, and a discharge ball detection sensor 70 capable of detecting one game ball passing through the discharge port 66 (corresponding to the discharge ball detection means in the present invention) It consists of and.

  The stage main body 68 is provided with a discharge opening 72 serving as a downstream opening of the discharge port 66 and a ball extraction opening 73 serving as a downstream opening of the ball extraction port 67 on the outer peripheral side of the bottom portion. Further, a sensor accommodating portion 74 is formed around the discharge opening 72, and the discharged ball detection sensor 70 is accommodated inside the sensor accommodating portion 74. The discharge ball detection sensor 70 is configured to output a detection signal when the game ball passes through the through hole 70a and detect the game ball passing through the discharge port 66.

The lid member 69 has a bearing hole 75 at the approximate center of the upper surface thereof, and a rotation shaft projection (not shown) protruding from below the sprocket 60 is inserted into the bearing hole 75 so that the sprocket 60 can be rotated. It is comprised so that it may support in a state. Further, a flat sliding stage 76 is formed around the bearing hole 75 so that the game ball held by the sprocket 60 can slide as the sprocket 60 rotates. Further, an exposure hole 77 serving as an upper opening of the discharge port 66 is formed in the peripheral portion of the sliding stage 76 in a state of communicating with the discharge opening 72, and the forward rotation direction R of the sprocket 60 in the exposure hole 77 (FIG. 4). On both sides and the back side (the side opposite to the sliding stage 76 side) of the middle clockwise direction, a regulation wall portion 78 that regulates the moving direction of the game ball is set up so as to surround the exposure hole 77, The game ball is configured to be guided to the discharge port 66 (the exposure hole 77, the through hole 70a, and the discharge opening 72).
The forward rotation direction R described above is used when the game ball is discharged from the discharge port 66 by connecting the ball holding portion 59 to the discharge port 66 in this embodiment, in other words, when the game ball is guided to the discharge port 66. The direction of rotation of the sprocket 60 (the direction of discharge rotation).

  Further, a ball extraction hole 79 serving as an upper opening of the ball extraction port 67 is communicated with the ball extraction opening 73 at a peripheral edge of the sliding stage 76 and at a position shifted in phase in the normal rotation direction R from the exposure hole 77. When the sprocket 60 is rotated in the reverse direction L (the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4, and the rotation direction of the sprocket 60 when the game ball is discharged from the ball outlet 67 in the present embodiment), The game ball held by the sprocket 60 is configured to flow into the ball extraction opening 73 through the ball extraction hole 79. Further, above the ball extraction hole 79, a ball extraction guide portion 80 having a tip portion directed in the normal rotation direction R is extended, and a game ball moving in the reverse rotation direction L on the sliding stage 76 is extracted into the ball extraction port 67. It is configured so that it can be guided to (ball hole 79, ball hole 73).

  The discharge stage member 58 configured in this manner is disposed at the lower part of the sprocket housing portion 57 with the sliding stage 76 facing upward, and a fastening piece provided on the outer peripheral portion of the stage main body 68 in this state. By fixing 81 to a stage fixing portion 82 provided on the outer periphery of the sprocket accommodating portion 57 with a fixing member (not shown) such as a screw, the lower opening of the sprocket accommodating portion 57 is closed and fixed. When the discharge stage member 58 is disposed below the sprocket accommodating portion 57, the sliding stage 76 faces the inside of the sprocket accommodating portion 57 and functions as the bottom portion of the sprocket accommodating portion 57. Further, the discharge port 66 is disposed on the opposite side of the bottom of the ball storage tank 13 with the center of the sliding stage 76 (that is, the rotation center of the sprocket 60) interposed therebetween.

  The sprocket 60 is accommodated in the sprocket accommodating portion 57 in a posture in which the rotation shaft is arranged vertically. In addition, the outer peripheral edge of the sprocket 60 is provided with a plurality of ball holding portions 59 (10 in this embodiment) that can receive and hold game balls. The ball holding portions 59 are formed by arc-shaped notches that follow the outer shape of the game ball in plan view, and are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the sprocket 60. Further, the sprocket 60 is formed in a vertically long shape along the rotation axis direction, and a plurality of game balls (up to three in this embodiment) are stacked between the ball holding portion 59 and the inner peripheral surface of the sprocket housing portion 57. It is configured so that it can be held in a state, in other words, in a state of being arranged along the direction of the rotation axis of the sprocket 60. A rotating shaft member 83 having a bowler hat shape is fixed to the upper part of the sprocket 60.

  Of the sprocket accommodating portion 57 in which the sprocket 60 is accommodated, the inner wall surface facing the ball holding portion 59 is provided with a ball flow-fall preventing portion 84 that can prevent the flow of game balls in the ball holding portion 59. Projecting toward the inside of 57 (see FIG. 7B). The ball flow lowering preventing portion 84 is disposed above the discharge port 66 and the ball discharge port 67 at a distance substantially equal to the diameter of the game ball from the discharge port 66 and the ball discharge port 67 (or the sliding stage 76), and is sprocketed. It is formed in an arc shape along the circumferential direction of the inner wall surface of the accommodating portion 57.

  The discharge drive motor 61 (for example, a step motor) connects an output shaft 61 a extending downward to a rotary shaft member 83 positioned on the rotary shaft of the sprocket 60. Then, the output shaft 61a is rotated based on the control by the discharge control device 8, and the sprocket 60 is rotated (forward or reverse) by a desired angle. In addition, the motor base 62 has a through-hole 86 formed at substantially the center thereof, and is connected to the sprocket 60 through the output shaft 61 a of the discharge drive motor 61 in the through-hole 86. 61 is attached. And the fastening piece 87 which protruded from the side part of the motor base 62 is fastened to the base fastening part 88 provided at the edge of the ball storage tank 13 by a fastening member (not shown) such as a screw. The sprocket housing 57 is fixed in a state of covering from above.

  Further, a laterally long rectangular shielding wall 89 is provided at one side edge of the motor base 62 (upstream side edge of the ball storage tank 13) along the front-rear width of the ball storage tank 13 (front-rear direction of the pachinko gaming machine 11). A comb-shaped ball guide member 90 on the side surface of the lower end portion of the shielding wall 89 facing the upstream side of the ball storage tank 13 along the shielding wall 89. It arrange | positions in the state arranged, and it curves and forms so that the front-end | tip of the ball | bowl guide member 90 may go up toward the upstream of the ball storage tank 13. Therefore, an introduction port 91 (see FIG. 3) for introducing a game ball into the ball guide path 64 and the ball discharge device 14 is formed between the ball guide member 90 and the bottom of the ball storage tank 13. The height of the mouth 91 is set so as to gradually decrease toward the ball discharge device 14 side. Thereby, it can suppress that many game balls flow into the sprocket 60 side at once, and accumulate on the sprocket 60 in the state which accumulated many times. Thus, the sprocket 60 can be smoothly rotated without being obstructed by the upper game ball, and as a result, the game ball can be discharged efficiently.

  In the ball discharge device 14 having such a configuration, when the sprocket 60 rotates in the forward rotation direction R with the game ball held by the ball holding unit 59, the ball holding unit 59 is in communication with the discharge port 66 before Of the game balls in the ball holding portion 59, the first and second tiers are separated from each other by the ball flow-inhibiting portion 84. In this state, when the ball holding portion 59 reaches above the discharge port 66, the first-stage (lowermost) game ball flows down to the discharge port 66, but the second-stage or higher game balls (held on the discharge port 66 side). The game ball above the played game ball) is prevented from flowing into the discharge port 66 by the ball flow lowering prevention unit 84. Thereby, the game balls held on the ball holding portion 59 of the sprocket 60 on the sliding stage 76 can be reliably discharged to the discharge port 66 one by one. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a problem that a plurality of game balls held by one ball holding part 59 flow down at a time and the game balls are clogged between the discharge port 66 and the sprocket 60.

  On the other hand, when the sprocket 60 rotates in the reverse rotation direction L with the game ball held by the ball holding portion 59, the ball flow down prevention portion 84 comes before the held game ball reaches (communicates) with the ball outlet 67. Therefore, among the three game balls stacked vertically, the first stage and the second stage or more are separated by the ball flow prevention unit 84. In this state, when the ball holding part 59 reaches above the ball outlet 67, the first stage game ball flows down to the ball outlet 67, but the second and higher stage game balls are removed by the ball flow down prevention part 84. It is blocked from flowing into the mouth 67. Thereby, the game balls held by the ball holding portions 59 of the sprocket 60 on the sliding stage 76 can be surely discharged from the ball outlet 67 one by one.

Next, the connection mechanism 28 will be described.
The connection mechanism 28 is a mechanism for connecting the ball discharge device 14 and the ball storage tank 13 in a detachable state. As shown in FIG. 3, the connection mechanism 28 includes a lock mechanism 93 that connects the upper portion of the sphere storage tank 13 and the upper portion of the sphere discharge device 14, and a lower portion of the sphere storage tank 13 and a lower portion of the sphere discharge device 14. The locking mechanism 94 and the locking mechanism 94 are arranged on both front and rear sides of the ball storage unit 15.

  The lock mechanism 93 includes a lock member 96 provided in the ball storage tank 13 and a protrusion 97 provided in the ball discharge device 14 and capable of engaging the lock member 96. As shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the lock members 96 are arranged on both front and rear sides of the outer frame member 31, and vertically above the end on the ball discharge device 14 side. An engaging claw 96 a that is pivotally attached and can be engaged with the protruding portion 97 is provided at the distal end portion (free end portion) of the lock member 96. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the protrusions 97 are arranged on both front and rear sides of the ball receiving portion 56 of the ball discharge device 14, and an engaging claw 96 a is located above the end of the ball storage tank 13. It protrudes outward in an engageable state. Further, the tip of the protrusion 97 is formed larger than the base of the protrusion 97 (the portion near the ball receiving portion 56), and the engaging claw 96 a in a state of being engaged near the base of the protrusion 97 is the tip of the protrusion 97. It is configured to prevent it from coming off.

  The locking mechanism 94 includes a locking portion 100 provided in the ball discharge device 14 and a locking receiving portion 101 provided in the ball storage tank 13 and capable of locking the locking portion 100. As shown in FIG. 7, the locking portion 100 is disposed on both the front and rear sides of the ball receiving portion 56 of the ball discharge device 14, and the ball storage tank 13 side (in FIG. 7) from a position below the protrusion 97. The arm portion 100a is extended toward the left side, and a claw portion 100b that can be locked to the locking receiving portion 101 protrudes outward from the tip of the arm portion 100a (FIG. 7 ( d)).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the latch receiving portion 101 is disposed below the lock member 96 in the front and rear side portions of the outer frame member 31, and the latch receiving portion 101 has the latch receiving portion 101 inside. The claw portion 100b forms a locking space portion 101a that can move in the vertical direction. In addition, a communication opening 101b that communicates with the engagement space portion 101a is opened on the side portion facing the engagement portion 100 (that is, the side portion located on the side of the ball discharge device 14), and the upper portion of the communication opening 101b is a nail. The insertion port 101c is set to a size that allows the portion 100b to be inserted. Furthermore, the lower part of the communication opening 101b is set as a vertically long opening having a width narrower than that of the insertion opening 101c, and the claw part 100b cannot be inserted, but is set to a size that allows the arm part 100a of the locking part 100 to be inserted. (See FIG. 6C).

  The ball storage unit 15 includes a rotation assisting portion 37 below the ball receiving portion 56 of the ball discharging device 14. The rotation assisting portion 37 is a member that can engage the engaging portion 36 of the ball storage tank 13, and as shown in FIG. 7C and FIG. An engaged portion 103 disposed on the front side, and a movement restricting portion 104 disposed on the other side (rear side) in the front-rear direction of the ball discharging device 14 in a state of facing the engaged portion 103. It is configured with.

  The engaged portion 103 has an engaged base portion 105 extending downward from a lower portion of the ball receiving portion 56, and the engaged piece 106 can be rotated in the vertical direction at the tip (lower end) of the engaged base portion 105. And the inner side of the engaged base part 105 (the part facing the movement restricting part 104) is recessed to form the engaged piece accommodating part 107, and the engaged piece accommodating part 107 The engaged piece 106 is folded to be accommodated vertically. In addition, a regulating piece 108 that projects against the engaged piece 106 and regulates the rotation of the engaged portion 103 is provided below the shaft-attached portion between the engaged piece 106 and the engaged base portion 105. The engaged portion 103 is rotated to be in a horizontal posture, in other words, the engaged piece 106 is brought into contact with the restricting piece 108 in an extended posture extending in the lateral direction toward the movement restricting portion 104 and is engaged. It is comprised so that the piece 106 can be maintained in a sideways state. Further, the engaged piece accommodating portion 107 includes a pressing member 109 that is always urged toward the movement restricting portion 104 by a biasing member (not shown) such as a spring. The engaged piece 106 accommodated in 107 is pressed by the pressing member 109, and the engaged piece 106 is not accommodated in the engaged piece accommodating portion 107 in a normal state and is in an extended posture. Yes.

  The engaged piece 106 may be urged by a configuration other than the pressing member 109 to be converted into an extended posture. For example, a torsion coil spring is wound around the rotating shaft of the engaged piece 106, and one end of the torsion coil spring is locked to the engaged base 105 and the other end is locked to the engaged piece 106. The engaged piece 106 may be constantly urged in a direction in which it is converted from the vertically oriented posture accommodated in the engaged piece containing portion 107 to the extended posture.

  Further, when the engaged piece 106 is converted into the extended posture, an engagement space portion 110 is formed between the lower surface of the ball receiving portion 56 and the engagement portion 36 of the ball storage tank 13 is sufficiently loosely fitted. The distance between the extended end (free end) of the engaged piece 106 and the movement restricting portion 104 is narrower than the lateral width of the engaging portion 36 (the width in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the engaging portion 36). It is set to be. Further, when it is accommodated in the engaged piece accommodating portion 107 and converted into a vertical orientation, the distance between the upper end (free end) of the engaged piece 106 and the lower surface of the ball receiving portion 56 is the thickness of the engaging portion 36. It is set to be sufficiently wider than (vertical width) (see FIG. 14B).

  The movement restricting portion 104 is a plate-like member extending downward from the lower portion of the ball receiving portion 56, and the distance from the engaged base portion 105 is set wider than the width of the engaging portion 36. 36 is configured such that it can enter between the engaged base portion 105 and the movement restricting portion 104 from below.

  And in the state which connected the ball | bowl storage tank 13 and the ball | bowl discharge | emission apparatus 14, the rotation assistance part 37 maintains the to-be-engaged piece 106 in the extended attitude | position, forms the engagement space part 110, and is 1st. The engaging part 36 of the ball storage tank 13 converted into the state is inserted into the engaging space part 110 and engaged (see FIG. 14C). Therefore, the rotation assisting part 37 and the engaging part 36 also function as members for maintaining the ball storage tank 13 to which the ball discharging device 14 is connected in the first state.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the back mechanism unit 4 of the present embodiment includes a rotation restricting portion 115 that restricts the rotation of the inner storage member 30 on the upper surface to which the ball storage tank 13 is fixed. The rotation restricting portion 115 is formed of a buffer member such as a rubber sheet material, and is disposed on the opposite side of the ball storage tank 13 from the ball discharging device 14 with the rotation mechanism 32 interposed therebetween. And among the inner storage members 30 of the ball storage tank 13 converted to the second state, the rotation of the inner storage member 30 is restricted by contacting the opposite side of the ball discharge device 14 side, that is, the lower part on the side wall portion 30b side. (See FIG. 11 (b)).

  Next, a game control device 7 that performs game control of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and its control contents will be described. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a control device provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 and mainly shows a control system portion centering on the game control device 7 as a block configuration diagram.

  The game control device 7 functions as a main control device that controls the game in an integrated manner, and is used as a work area at the time of game control, a CPU that controls game control, a ROM that stores a program for game control, and the like. It is composed of a RAM, an input interface, an output interface, an external communication terminal, and the like. In addition, various detection devices (such as special figure start sensor 120, first general figure start sensor 121, second general figure start sensor 122, count sensor 123, winning prize sensor 124) receive various detection signals. Perform the process. In addition to various control devices (discharge control device 8, display control device 126, etc.), a general electric solenoid 127 for driving a movable member (not shown) of a normal electric accessory arranged on the game board, a grand prize A command signal is transmitted to the big prize opening solenoid 128 or the like that opens and closes the mouth (not shown), and the game is comprehensively controlled.

  The discharge control device 8 controls the discharge operation of the game ball of the ball discharge device 14 based on a prize ball command signal from the game control device 7 or a ball rental request from a card ball rental unit (not shown). It is a control device that discharges a rental ball. The discharge control device 8 includes a CPU that controls discharge control, a ROM that stores a program for discharge control, a RAM that is used as a work area during discharge control, an input interface, and an output interface. Are connected electrically to the discharge ball detection sensor 70 of the ball discharge device 14, the game control device 7 and the like, and to the output interface, the discharge drive motor 61 of the ball discharge device 14 is electrically connected.

  The display control device 126 connects the display device 5, and performs display control of the variable display game on the display device 5 based on a display control command signal (control data) from the game control device 7.

Next, the operation of the sphere storage unit 15 will be described, in particular, the operation of the sphere discharge device 14 and the attachment / detachment of the sphere discharge device 14.
First, the operation of the ball discharge device 14 will be explained. During the game, a winning at the winning opening is detected and a winning detection signal is transmitted from the winning hole sensor 124 or the like, or a big hit occurs in a special game and the big hit detecting signal is generated. When the game control device 7 is transmitted, or a ball rental signal is transmitted by a player performing a ball rental operation, the game control device 7 receives the various signals described above, and sets a predetermined number of signals according to the various signals. A discharge command signal for discharging the game ball is transmitted to the discharge control device 8. Upon receiving the discharge command signal, the discharge control device 8 rotates the sprocket 60 in the forward rotation direction R by a predetermined number of times to rotate the discharge drive motor 61 in order to discharge a predetermined number of game balls. To do. Then, the ball discharge device 14 discharges a predetermined number of game balls in the ball storage tank 13 to the discharge flow path 18 through the discharge port 66. The game balls that have flowed down to the discharge flow down path 18 are supplied as prize balls or rental balls to an upper plate or a lower plate (both not shown) arranged on the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1. A game ball to be awarded or rented is detected by a discharge ball detection sensor 70 when passing through the discharge port 66, and the discharge control device 8 discharges a predetermined number of game balls by detecting this game ball. It can be confirmed whether or not.

  On the other hand, at the time of maintenance work, when an operator operates a ball removal operation of a game ball in the ball storage tank 13, more specifically, a ball removal operation button (not shown) is operated and a ball removal signal is transmitted, The game control device 7 receives the ball removal signal and transmits a ball removal command signal to the discharge control device 8 based on this reception. Upon receiving the ball removal command signal, the discharge control device 8 rotates the sprocket 60 continuously in the reverse rotation direction L by driving the discharge drive motor 61 to rotate. Then, the ball discharge device 14 continuously draws out the game balls in the ball storage tank 13 through the ball outlet 67 to the ball outlet downstream 19. The game balls that have flowed down to the ball outlet downstream 19 are collected outside the pachinko gaming machine 1, for example, in a ball collecting basket (not shown) of the game machine installation island facility.

  Next, an operation when the ball discharging device 14 is attached / detached will be described. As shown in FIG. 11A, the sphere storage unit 15 converts the sphere storage tank 13 into the first state in advance, and restricts the rotation of the inner storage member 30 by the first state restriction mechanism 48. Shall. In addition, the ball discharge device 14 is connected to the ball storage tank 13 with the engaging portion 36 engaged with the rotation assisting portion 37, and the lock member 96 of the lock mechanism 93 is engaged with the protrusion 97 and is engaged. Assume that the locking portion 100 of the locking mechanism 94 is locked to the locking receiving portion 101. It is assumed that game balls are stored in the ball storage tank 13.

  In order to remove the ball discharge device 14 from the ball storage unit 15, first, the lock member 96 of the lock mechanism 93 is rotated to release the engagement state between the engagement claw 96 a and the protrusion 97. When the engagement state of the lock mechanism 93 is released, the ball discharge device 14 is moved upward and separated from the upper surfaces of the ball storage tank 13 and the back mechanism unit 4 (see FIG. 12A). Then, the nail | claw part 100b of the latching | locking part 100 moves upwards the latching space part 101a in the latching receiving part 101, and is arrange | positioned at the same height as the insertion port 101c. Further, the engaged portion 103 moves upward in a state where the engaged portion 36 is engaged, specifically, the engaged piece 106 of the engaged portion 103 is in contact with the lower portion of the engaging portion 36. To do. Therefore, the tank discharge port 35 of the inner storage member 30 (that is, the end of the inner storage member 30 on the side of the ball discharge device 14) rotates together with the engaging portion 36 about the rotation shaft 44 of the rotation mechanism 32. Then, the ball storage tank 13 is converted to the second state. In the ball storage tank 13 converted to the second state, the bottom 30a of the inner storage member 30 is inclined downward from the tank discharge port 35 to the side opposite to the ball discharge device 14, and the game balls in the ball storage tank 13 are moved to the ball discharge device. Prevents rolling to the 14 side.

  From this, the ball storage tank 13 can be converted to the second state, and the game balls in the ball storage tank 13 can be brought to the opposite side of the ball discharge device 14, and the game balls in the ball storage tank 13 are discharged. Rolling to the device 14 or pressing the ball discharge device 14 can be prevented. Therefore, the preparatory work at the time of maintenance of the ball discharge device 14 can be easily performed, and the efficiency of the restoration work of the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be improved. Moreover, since the edge part (tank discharge port 35) by the side of the ball | bowl discharge device 14 of the inner storage member 30 with the engaging part 36 is moved upwards and the ball | bowl storage tank 13 is converted into a 2nd state, At the time of removal, turning power can be applied to the inner storage member 30 to convert the ball storage tank 13 to the second state. Therefore, the preparatory work at the time of maintenance of the ball storage unit 15 can be performed efficiently. Furthermore, since the rotation mechanism 32 is constituted by the rotation shaft 44 and the bearing portion 45, the rotation mechanism 32 can be realized with a simple configuration, and the manufacturing cost of the ball storage tank 13 capable of changing the state can be suppressed. Can do.

  If the ball discharging device 14 is moved upward and the claw portion 100b of the locking portion 100 is disposed at the same height as the insertion port 101c of the locking receiving portion 101, the ball discharging device 14 is moved in the lateral direction in this state. Move and retract from the ball storage tank 13 (see FIG. 11B). Then, the claw portion 100 b of the locking portion 100 is detached from the locking receiving portion 101, the engaging portion 36 is detached from the rotation assisting portion 37, and the ball discharge device 14 is separated from the ball storage tank 13. Since the removed ball discharge device 14 is separated from the ball storage tank 13, it is large enough to be held with one hand and is easy to carry and handle. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform the work of investigating the cause of the failure or turning over to drop the game ball stuck inside. For this reason, it is possible to improve the maintenance work efficiency.

  Further, the inner storage member 30 from which the engaging portion 36 is detached from the rotation assisting portion 37 is slightly rotated around the rotation shaft 44 by the weight of the game ball, and the tank discharge port 35 is slightly increased by this rotation. It rises (FIG. 12 (b)), and further, the engaging portion 36 slightly rises above the rotation assisting portion 37 that has moved in the lateral direction (FIG. 11 (b)). In this state, the second protrusion 52 of the second state restricting mechanism 49 is locked to the second notch 53, and the lower portion on the side wall 30b side that is the inclined lower end of the inner storage member 30 in the second state rotates. Abutting on the restricting portion 115, the rotation of the inner storage member 30, specifically, the turning so that the lower portion on the side wall portion 30 b side moves further downward is restricted. Here, in this embodiment, since the rotation restricting portion 115 is formed of a buffer member, even if the game ball is stored in the ball storage tank 13 and converted to the second state, the inner storage member 30 The rotation of the inner storage member 30 can be restricted without causing damage.

  Further, when the sphere storage tank 13 is converted to the second state, as shown in FIG. 11B, the portion of the inner storage member 30 opposite to the sphere discharge device 14 is lower than the lower portion of the outer frame member 31. It is configured to protrude downward, and the inner space of the protruding portion functions as a holding area 130 for a game ball that is prevented from rolling toward the ball discharge device 14. Therefore, even if the bottom 30a of the inner storage member 30 of the ball storage tank 13 is inclined downward in the direction opposite to the ball discharge device 14 to prevent the game ball from rolling to the ball discharge device 14, A sufficiently storable area can be secured, and the inconvenience of game balls spilling outside can be prevented.

  In order to attach the ball discharge device 14 to the ball storage tank 13 converted to the second state, the ball receiving portion 56 is attached to the tank discharge port 35 (that is, one side of the ball storage tank 13), and the claw portion 100b of the ball discharge device 14 is used. In such a state that the ball discharge device 14 is disposed with the rotation assisting portion 37 positioned directly above the engaging portion 36 (FIG. 13A). The ball discharging device 14 is moved downward. Then, the engaging part 36 approaches the rotation assisting part 37 from below (FIG. 14A) and comes into contact with the lower part of the engaged piece 106 in the extended posture laid sideways. When the ball discharging device 14 is further moved downward, the engaged piece 106 is pushed up and rotated by the engaging portion 36, and is folded and accommodated in the engaged piece accommodating portion 107 (FIG. 14B). ). The engaged piece 106 accommodated in the engaged piece accommodating portion 107 is sandwiched between the pressing member 109 and the engaging portion 36 in a state of being pressed toward the engaging portion 36 by the pressing member 109 and extends. Controlled to return to posture. In this way, the rotation assisting part 37 allows the engaging part 36 to move upward between the engaged base part 105 and the movement restricting part 104.

  When the ball discharging device 14 continues to move downward and the engaging portion 36 moves above the engaged piece 106 and disengages from the engaged piece 106, the engaged piece 106 is engaged by the pressing member 109. It is pressed outward from the piece receiving portion 107 and converted into an extended posture. Then, the engaged piece 106 is disposed below the engaging portion 36, forms the engaging space portion 110 with the ball receiving portion 56, and allows the engaging portion 36 to play in the engaging space portion 110. It will be in the state fitted (engaged) (refer to Drawing 13 (b) and Drawing 14 (c)). Therefore, the engaging portion 36 and the rotation assisting portion 37 can be easily engaged simply by moving the ball discharging device 14 downward. Thereby, the connection operation of the ball storage tank 13 and the ball discharge device 14 can be performed quickly. In addition, the engaged base portion 105 is disposed in front of the engaging portion 36 and the movement restricting portion 104 is disposed behind the engaging portion 36, so that the engaging portion 36 extends from the engaging space portion 110 in the front-rear direction. The engagement state between the engagement portion 36 and the rotation assisting portion 37 can be maintained.

  When the engaging portion 36 and the rotation assisting portion 37 are engaged and the ball discharging device 14 is moved downward in this state, the engaging portion 36 contacts the lower portion of the ball receiving portion 56. Further, the engaging portion 36 moves downward together with the ball discharging device 14. As a result, the inner storage member 30 rotates around the rotation shaft 44. And if the nail | claw part 100b of the latching | locking part 100 is arrange | positioned at the same height as the insertion port 101c of the latching receiving part 101, in this state, the ball discharge device 14 is moved in the lateral direction to the ball storage tank 13. Move closer. Then, the claw portion 100b of the locking portion 100 is inserted into the locking receiving portion 101 through the insertion port 101c. When the ball discharge device 14 is moved downward in this inserted state, the engaging portion 36 and the tank discharge port 35 (that is, the end of the inner storage member 30 on the side of the ball discharge device 14) further move downward to store the inner storage. The member 30 rotates around the rotation shaft 44. Then, the ball storage tank 13 is converted to the first state, and the tank discharge port 35 is disposed at substantially the same height as the ball receiving portion 56. In this way, when the ball discharge device 14 is attached, the ball storage tank 13 can be converted to the first state by applying rotational force to the inner storage member 30. Therefore, the maintenance work of the ball storage unit 15 can be performed quickly.

  Further, the locking portion 100 and the locking receiving portion 101 are locked, and the movement of the ball discharging device 14 in the left-right direction is restricted. The discharge stage member 58 of the ball discharge device 14 is connected to the upper surface of the back mechanism unit 4 so that the discharge port 66 and the discharge flow down channel 18 communicate with each other, and the ball discharge port 67 and the ball discharge flow down channel 19 communicate with each other. . In this state, when the lock member 96 of the lock mechanism 93 is rotated and engaged with the protrusion 97, the vertical movement of the ball discharge device 14 is restricted, and the ball discharge device 14 is fixed to the ball storage tank 13. (See FIG. 13 (c)).

  By the way, in the said embodiment, although the engaging part 36 was arrange | positioned in the state fixed to the inner storage member 30 of the ball storage tank 13, this invention is not limited to this. For example, in 2nd Embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the engaging part is arrange | positioned in the state which can advance / retreat with respect to the ball | bowl discharging apparatus 14. In FIG. More specifically, the ball storage tank 13 of the second embodiment includes an engagement mechanism 133 below the tank discharge port 35 of the inner storage member 30. The engagement mechanism 133 is a mechanism that is disposed closer to the ball discharge device 14 than the rotation mechanism 32 and is capable of engaging a part of the engagement mechanism 133 with the rotation auxiliary portion 37 of the ball discharge device 14. The engaging mechanism 133 includes a tongue-shaped engaging portion 134 that can protrude from the inner storage member 30 toward the ball discharging device 14, and the engaging portion 134 fixed to the tip of the rod to fix the ball discharging device 14. And an engagement solenoid 135 (equivalent to an electric drive source in the present invention) such as a latch solenoid that moves forward and backward. Further, when the rod of the engagement solenoid 135 protrudes toward the rotation assisting portion 37, the engagement portion 134 is protruded toward the ball discharge device 14, and is converted into a protruding state that can be engaged with the rotation assisting portion 37. When the rod of the engagement solenoid 135 is retracted from the rotation assisting part 37 side, the engagement part 134 is retracted from the ball discharging device 14 side to convert into a projecting release state in which the engagement with the rotation assisting part 37 is impossible. Then, in a normal state where the ball storage tank 13 and the ball discharge device 14 are connected and the ball storage tank 13 is converted to the first state, when the engagement mechanism 133 is converted to the protruding state, the engagement portion 134 rotates. The rotation of the inner storage member 30 is restricted by engaging with the movement assisting portion 37. Thereby, the ball storage tank 13 can be maintained in the first state. On the other hand, when the engagement mechanism 133 is converted to the protruding release state, the engagement portion 134 moves backward from the rotation auxiliary portion 37 and the rotation of the inner storage member 30 is allowed. Thereby, it can accept | permit that the bulb | ball storage tank 13 converts into a 2nd state. As shown in FIG. 16, the engagement solenoid 135 is electrically connected to an output interface of the discharge control device 8 and is configured to be driven based on an output signal from the discharge control device 8.

  The counterweight is positioned on the opposite side of the ball discharging device 14 across the rotation mechanism 32 in the lower part of the inner storage member 30 of the ball storage tank 13, in other words, on the opposite side of the engagement portion 36 and the rotation assisting portion 37. The weight of the counterweight portion 136 is set to a weight that can be converted into the second state by rotating the inner storage member 30 even when the game ball is stored. Yes.

  When the ball storage unit 15 having such an engagement mechanism 133 is provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 and a discharge command signal is transmitted from the game control device 7 to the discharge control device 8, the discharge control device 8 Based on this, the discharge drive motor 61 is rotationally driven to rotate the sprocket 60 in the forward rotation direction R a predetermined number of times. Then, the ball discharge device 14 discharges a predetermined number of game balls in the ball storage tank 13 to the discharge flow down path 18 through the discharge port 66, and the discharge ball detection sensor 70 detects the game ball passing through the discharge port 66. . At this time, as shown in FIG. 17, the discharge control device 8 is based on the reception of the discharge command signal from the game control device 7 and the reception of the game ball detection signal from the discharge ball detection sensor 70. 133 engagement solenoid 135 is maintained in the OFF state. In other words, when the discharge control device 8 detects the discharge of the game ball by the discharge ball detection sensor 70 in a state where the discharge control of the game ball is being performed, the engagement mechanism 133 is maintained in the protruding state to maintain the ball storage tank. 13 is maintained in the first state (see FIG. 15A). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the problem that the ball storage tank 13 is converted to the second state during the game ball discharging operation, and the game balls in the ball storage tank 13 can continue to roll to the ball discharge device 14.

  On the other hand, when the signal from the discharge ball detection sensor 70 is received even though the discharge command signal is not received from the game control device 7, in other words, the discharge control device 8 stops the discharge operation of the game ball. When the discharge ball detection sensor 70 detects the discharge of the game ball in the state, the discharge control device 8 turns on the engagement solenoid 135 and converts the engagement mechanism 133 into the projecting release state as shown in FIG. Then, the engagement state between the engagement mechanism 133 and the rotation assisting portion 37 is released, and the sphere storage tank 13 is allowed to be converted to the second state (see FIG. 15B). The ball storage tank 13 allowed to be converted to the second state moves the inner storage member 30 around the rotation shaft 44 by the counterweight portion 136 and moves the tank discharge port 35 upward. Convert to Therefore, even when the discharge control device 8 stops the game ball discharge operation, the ball storage tank 13 is brought into the second state when the game ball is discharged from the ball storage unit 15 due to an illegal act or the like. If converted, it is possible to prevent the game ball in the ball storage tank 13 from rolling to the ball discharge device 14 (ball supply stop state). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that game balls are continuously discharged illegally.

  In the above embodiment, the rotation mechanism 32 is configured by the rotation shaft 44 and the bearing portion 45, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an arcuate rotation guide groove is formed on the side of the outer frame member 31, and a rod extended from the inner storage member 30 is fitted into the swing guide groove in a slidable state. You may comprise so that the inner storage member 30 can be rotated and the ball storage tank 13 can be converted into a 1st state or a 2nd state by moving a rod along a rotation guide groove.

  In the above-described embodiment, the pachinko gaming machine 1 which is a typical gaming machine has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a ball storage tank that stores game balls, and the ball storage tank. Any gaming machine provided with a ball discharge device for discharging game balls stored in the game machine may be used. For example, it may be a gaming machine such as a sealed ball type pachinko machine, an arrangement ball type game machine, or a sparrow ball type game machine that circulates a game ball sealed inside.

  It should be understood that the above-described embodiment is illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the above description, but is defined by the scope of the claims, and includes all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

It is a back perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a front perspective view of a back mechanism unit and a ball storage unit. It is a back perspective view of a ball storage unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of a ball storage unit. It is explanatory drawing of an inner side storage member, (a) is a rear perspective view, (b) is a front perspective view. It is explanatory drawing of an outer frame member, (a) is a back perspective view, (b) is a front perspective view, (c) is an enlarged view of a latching receiving part. It is explanatory drawing of a ball | bowl receiving part and a sprocket accommodating part, (a) is a back perspective view, (b) is a top view, (c) is a bottom view, (d) is an enlarged view of a latching | locking part. It is a back perspective view of a rotation auxiliary part and an engaging part. It is a rear view of a ball storage unit. It is a block block diagram with which it uses for description of a control system. It is a rear view explaining removal of a ball discharge device, (a) is a state figure before releasing a lock mechanism, and (b) is a state figure which moved and removed a ball discharge device. It is a perspective view explaining removal of a ball storage unit, (a) is a state figure which raised a ball discharge device in the state where a lock mechanism was released, and (b) is a horizontal direction of a ball discharge device from the state of (a). It is the state figure which moved to. It is a rear view explaining attachment of a ball discharge device, (a) is a state figure before an engaging part and a rotation auxiliary part engage, and (b) is an engagement part and a rotation auxiliary part. The combined state diagram, (c) is a state diagram in which the ball discharge device is moved downward from the state of (b) to connect the ball storage tank and the ball discharge device. It is a perspective view explaining engagement with an engaging part and a rotation assistance part, (a) is a state figure before an engagement part and a rotation assistance part engage, (b) is a to-be-engaged piece Is a state diagram in which is pushed up by the engaging portion and accommodated in the engaged piece accommodating portion, and (c) is a state diagram in which the engaging portion is disposed in the engaging space portion in the rotation assisting portion. It is the bottom view of the ball storage unit of 2nd Embodiment provided with the engagement mechanism, (a) is the schematic which converted the engagement mechanism into the protrusion state, (b) converted the engagement mechanism into the protrusion cancellation | release state FIG. It is a block block diagram of the discharge | emission control apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a time chart which shows operation | movement of an engagement solenoid.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 4 Back mechanism unit 7 Game control apparatus 8 Discharge control apparatus 13 Ball storage tank 14 Ball discharge apparatus 15 Ball storage unit 28 Connection mechanism 30 Inner storage member 30a Bottom part 30b Side wall part 31 Outer frame member 31a Upstream side wall part 32 times Moving mechanism 33 Position restricting mechanism 36 Engaging portion 37 Rotating auxiliary portion 44 Rotating shaft 45 Bearing portion 46 Shaft hole 56 Ball receiving portion 57 Sprocket accommodating portion 93 Locking mechanism 94 Locking mechanism 96 Locking member 96a Engaging claw 97 Projection DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Locking part 100a Arm part 100b Claw part 101 Locking receiving part 101a Locking space part 101b Communication opening 101c Insertion opening 103 Engagement part 104 Movement restriction part 105 Engagement base part 106 Engagement piece 107 Engagement piece Accommodating portion 108 Restricting piece 109 Press member 110 Engaging space portion 115 Rotation restricting portion 130 Holding region 133 Engaging mechanism 134 Engagement part 135 Engagement solenoid 136 Counterweight part

Claims (7)

A ball storage unit comprising a ball storage tank capable of storing game balls, and a ball discharge device communicating with one side of the ball storage tank and capable of discharging game balls stored in the ball storage tank;
The ball storage tank includes a bottomed box-shaped inner storage member that opens a side on the side of the ball discharge device, an outer frame member that is disposed so as to surround an outer portion of the inner storage member, and the outer frame member. A rotating mechanism capable of rotating the inner storage member, and a first state in which the bottom of the inner storage member is inclined downward toward the ball discharge device by the rotation mechanism, and the bottom is a ball discharge device. A gaming machine characterized in that it can be converted to a second state in which the game ball in the ball storage tank is inclined downward to the opposite side and prevents the game ball from rolling to the ball discharge device side.   The rotating mechanism is configured by a rotating shaft that is disposed laterally in a state substantially orthogonal to the downward inclination direction of the bottom of the inner storage member, and a bearing portion that is pivotally attached to the rotating shaft. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein   When the ball storage tank is converted to the second state, the inner storage member is configured such that a portion of the inner storage member opposite to the ball discharge device protrudes below the lower portion of the outer frame member, and the inner space of the protrusion portion. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is configured to function as a holding area for a gaming ball that is prevented from rolling toward the ball discharging device. The ball discharge device is connected to one side of the ball storage tank in a detachable state,
The ball storage tank has an engaging portion that protrudes from the inner storage member toward the ball discharge device side, and is disposed closer to the ball discharge device than the rotation mechanism.
The ball discharge device includes a rotation assisting portion that can engage the engaging portion of the ball storage tank,
When the rotation assisting unit moves the ball discharging device upward in a state where the engaging part of the ball storage tank in the first state is engaged and moves away from the ball storing tank, the ball discharging of the inner storage member is performed together with the engaging part. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an end portion on the device side is moved upward to convert the ball storage tank to the second state.   The rotation assisting portion engages the engaging portion when the ball discharging device separated from the ball storing tank is moved downward to approach one side of the ball storing tank in the second state. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the end of the storage member on the side of the ball discharge device is moved downward to convert the ball storage tank to the first state. A discharge control means capable of controlling the discharge operation of the game ball of the ball discharge device, and a discharge ball detection means capable of detecting the game ball discharged from the ball discharge device,
The ball storage tank has an engagement mechanism disposed closer to the ball discharge device than the rotation mechanism,
The ball discharge device is provided with a rotation assisting portion that can engage the engagement mechanism,
The engagement mechanism includes an engagement portion that can project from the inner storage member toward the ball discharge device, and an electric drive source that moves the engagement portion forward and backward with respect to the ball discharge device. A protruding state in which the engaging portion protrudes toward the ball discharging device side by the source and can be engaged with the rotation assisting portion, and a protruding release state in which the engaging portion is retracted from the ball discharging device side and cannot be engaged with the rotation assisting portion. The ball storage tank is maintained in the first state when converted to the protruding state, and the ball storage tank is allowed to convert to the second state when converted to the protruding release state,
When the discharge control means detects the discharge of the game ball by the discharge ball detection means in a state where the ball discharge device stops the discharge operation of the game ball, the discharge control means converts the engagement mechanism into the protruding release state, and the ball storage tank The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gaming machine is allowed to be converted to a second state. A rotation restricting portion for restricting rotation of the inner storage member;
The rotation restricting portion is formed of a buffer member, and is disposed on the opposite side of the ball discharge device below the ball storage tank with the rotation mechanism interposed therebetween, and is stored inside the ball storage tank converted to the second state. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the gaming machine is configured to be in contact with the member and restrict rotation of the inner storage member.

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