JP2007061498A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pachinko machine which facilitates the work of loading or unloading a ball put-out device by enabling the arrangement of a large game board on the middle frame. <P>SOLUTION: A ball passage unit 50 is provided with a passage formation part 52 which gets a tank rail 34 connected to the first and second passages of a mechanism setting board communicating with them, a ball put-out device 101 for putting out pachinko balls passing through the passage formation part 52, a set-up part 55 which is provided in the course of the passage formation part 52 for attaching/detaching the ball put-out device 101 and has an opening 55a bored in it to get the ball put-out device 101 detachably mounted and a cover member 90 which openably closes the opening 55a of the set-up part 55. The ball passage unit 50 is mounted across the upper and lower frame members of the middle frame. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine configured to hold a game board on a middle frame that is assembled so as to be openable and closable with respect to an outer frame that forms an outer shell.

  For example, a pachinko machine, which is one of the representative examples of gaming machines, has a gaming board in a holding part that is opened in the front and back on an outer frame installed in a vertical orientation on a game shop installation frame base (commonly called `` island ''). A detachable middle frame is assembled so as to be openable and detachable. And, on the front side of the middle frame, a front frame assembled with a glass plate for perspective protection of the game board, upper and lower ball dishes, a ball hitting device for launching pachinko balls, etc. Various ball processing units, control devices, and the like are provided on the mechanism set board disposed on the back side for use in games. Here, the mechanism set board is formed to have a size substantially aligned with the middle frame, and a ball tank to which pachinko balls from a ball supply facility provided on the installation frame base are supplied is assembled at the upper position. It has been. The mechanism set board includes a tank rail for aligning and sending pachinko balls stored in the ball tank, and a ball passage for sending pachinko balls from the tank rail to a downstream ball dispensing device. The pachinko balls in the ball tank are paid out to the upper and lower ball trays as rental balls or prize balls by the operation of the ball dispensing device.

In such a pachinko machine, many techniques for simplifying the assembly work have been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, a unit (hereinafter referred to as a payout processing unit) in which a ball passage connected to the tank rail, a ball payout device, a control device, and the like are provided between a base body and a lid is a mechanism set panel. A technique for attaching to the side of the machine is disclosed. That is, the ball passage connected to the tank rail, the ball dispensing device, and the like are unitized, thereby reducing the number of parts to be assembled and simplifying the assembly work of the pachinko machine.
JP 2001-137396 A

  By the way, in recent years, the game board has been enlarged, and a large game part (for example, a symbol display device or an accessory) is arranged on the game board, thereby diversifying game effects and improving impact and force. There is a growing tendency to seek pachinko machines that can increase the fun of games. Here, in order to increase the size of the game board, it is necessary to increase the area occupied by the holding portion in the middle frame (that is, the opening area of the middle frame). However, in order to dispose the ball tank and tank rail, it is necessary to set the mechanism set panel to a size that extends to the upper position of the middle frame and fix it to the middle frame, and the ball tank (tank rail) It is necessary to set the mechanism set board to a size that extends to at least one of the left and right sides of the middle frame so that the payout processing unit for guiding the pachinko balls can be provided. That is, since it is necessary to secure the installation area of the mechanism set panel formed in a size capable of arranging the ball tank, the tank rail, the payout processing unit, etc. on the back side of the middle frame, in order to expand the opening area There was a limit and it was difficult to increase the size of the game board.

  Further, since the payout processing unit described in Patent Document 1 is configured to fix the base body and the lid with screws, the ball payout device disposed between the base and the lid is provided. In the case of failure or maintenance, the ball dispenser cannot be attached / detached / replaced unless the screw is removed each time, and there is a disadvantage of poor workability.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a pachinko machine in which a large game board can be arranged on the middle frame and the ball payout device can be easily attached and detached.

In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems and achieve the intended purpose, a gaming machine according to claim 1 of the present application is
A gaming machine in which a game board (18) is held in an inner frame (12) that is assembled to be openable and closable on an outer frame (11) that forms an outer shell,
The middle frame (12) supports the upper part of the game board (18) and stores the game ball (S) connected to the ball tank (26) and the ball tank (26) for storing the game ball (S). An upper frame member (21) having a tank rail (34) for aligning, and a mechanism set board provided with a ball flow path (44, 45) for a game ball (S) that supports the lower part of the game board (18) A lower frame member (22) having (43),
A ball passage portion (52) for connecting the tank rail (34) to a ball flow passageway (44, 45) of the mechanism set board (43), and a game ball (S) passing through the ball passage portion (52). A ball payout device (101) for paying out, and an opening (55a) for attaching and detaching the ball payout device (101) provided in the course of the ball passage portion (52), the ball payout device (101) being disposed. ) And a cover member (90) for closing the opening (55a) of the installation portion (55) so as to be openable and closable, and the upper frame member. It is constructed between (21) and the lower frame member (22).

  As described above, the ball tank and the tank rail are provided on the upper frame member of the middle frame, and the mechanism set panel is arranged corresponding to the lower frame member, so that the installation area or the mechanism set for mounting the ball tank and the tank rail is provided. It is not necessary to secure an installation area for mounting the panel at a position above the middle frame. Accordingly, the opening area for holding the game board can be expanded to a position above the middle frame, and a large game board can be provided. Further, since the ball passage unit is installed on the upper frame member and the lower frame member, it is not necessary to secure an installation area for attaching the ball passage unit at a side position of the middle frame. Therefore, a large game board can be provided by expanding the opening area for holding the game board to the side position of the middle frame and arranging the game board and the ball path unit so as to overlap each other. Further, the ball path unit is provided with an installation portion for disposing the ball dispensing device, and the opening of the installation portion can be opened and closed by the cover member, so that the ball dispensing device can be easily attached and detached.

In the gaming machine according to claim 2, the ball dispensing device (101) is formed with a ball removal operation portion (103),
The cover member (90) has a window portion (95) at a position corresponding to the ball removal operation portion (103) of the ball dispensing device (101) when the opening portion (55a) of the installation portion (55) is closed. And a shielding member (98) for closing the window (95) so as to be openable and closable.

  In this way, by forming the window portion in the cover member, it is possible to operate the ball removal operation portion of the ball dispensing device disposed in the installation portion with the cover member closed, The workability can be improved. In addition, since the cover member is provided with a shielding member capable of closing the window portion, when the ball removal operation portion of the ball dispensing device is not operated, the window portion is closed by the shielding member, thereby removing the ball removal portion. It is possible to prevent erroneous operation and unauthorized operation of the operation unit.

  In the gaming machine according to claim 3, after the shielding member (98) is once displaced to the position for closing the window (95), the displacement to the position for opening the window (95) does not occur. The gist is that it is configured to be difficult.

  As described above, in the gaming machine manufacturing process or the like where the operation of the ball removal operation unit is highly necessary, the workability of the ball removal operation can be improved by operating the ball removal operation unit through the window portion. Once the shielding member is displaced to the position where the window is closed, it is difficult to displace the shielding member to the position where the window is opened. Can reliably prevent an erroneous operation or an unauthorized operation of the ball removal operation unit.

In the gaming machine according to claim 4, the ball passage portion (52) includes a ball supply passage (53) that connects the tank rail (34) and the installation portion (55), and
The ball passage unit (50) protrudes into the ball supply passage (53) to restrict the passage of the game ball (S), and retreats from the ball supply passage (53) to play the game ball ( (S) includes a stopper member (63) that is displaceable between sphere passage permissible positions that allow passage of S) and is urged to a sphere passage restricted position by urging means (64),
By opening the cover member (90), the stopper member (63) is displaced to the ball passage restriction position by the urging force of the urging means (64),
The gist of the invention is that the stopper member (63) is configured to be displaced to a ball passage allowable position by closing the cover member (90) against the biasing of the biasing means (64). .

  As described above, when the cover member is opened, the stopper member is displaced to the ball passage restriction position, so that the ball dispensing device of the installation unit does not drop the game ball in the ball supply passage of the ball passage unit. Can be removed. In addition, when the cover member is closed, the stopper member is displaced to the ball passage allowable position, so that the game ball in the ball supply passage of the ball passage portion can be supplied to the ball payout device. Furthermore, since the stopper member is displaced between the ball passage restriction position and the ball passage allowable position by opening and closing the cover member, it is not necessary for the operator to individually operate the stopper member. It is possible to improve workability when attaching and detaching the apparatus.

  According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, a large game board can be arranged in the middle frame, and the attaching / detaching work of the ball payout device can be easily performed.

  Next, the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of preferred embodiments. In the embodiment, a pachinko machine that plays a game using a pachinko ball as a game ball will be described as an example. In the following description, “front”, “rear”, “left”, and “right” refer to the pachinko machine viewed from the front side (player side) as shown in FIG. 1 unless otherwise specified. Named by state.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 according to the embodiment has a middle frame 12 that holds a game board 18 on the front side of the opening of an outer frame 11 that is formed in a rectangular frame shape and is fixed to a game store (not shown). It is assembled so as to be openable and detachable through hinge means and locking means. A front frame 13 provided with glass plates 13a and 13a (see FIG. 6) for seeing and protecting the game board 18 (see FIG. 6) held on the middle frame 12 can be opened and closed on the front side of the middle frame 12. At the same time, a lower ball tray 15 for storing a pachinko ball S (see FIG. 11 or FIG. 12) is assembled under the front frame 13 so as to be openable and closable. In the embodiment, an upper ball tray 14 for storing the pachinko balls S is integrally assembled at a lower position of the front frame 13, and the upper ball tray 14 is also integrated with the opening and closing of the front frame 13. It is configured to open and close. Further, a handle member 16 that can be rotated is disposed on the right side of the lower ball tray 15 in the middle frame 12, and the pachinko balls S stored in the upper ball tray 14 by the rotation operation of the handle member 16. The game board 18 is struck toward the board surface.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, a symbol display device (game component) 20 having a symbol display portion 20 a capable of variably displaying various symbols is attached to the holding means 19 disposed on the back side of the game board 18. In addition to being disposed through the part 20 b, an opening 18 a that opens back and forth is opened at a position corresponding to the symbol display part 20 a of the symbol display device 20. However, a decorative member (not shown) which is also referred to as a center accessory to which a required decoration is applied faces the opening 18a. In the embodiment, the entire device including the mounting portion 20b in the symbol display device 20 employs a large liquid crystal display device extending to the vicinity of the left and right end portions of the game board 18. In addition, at a required position of the game board 18, there is a start winning device that starts changing the symbol of the symbol display device 20 by winning a pachinko ball S, a special winning device that is opened when a big hit occurs (none of which are shown), etc. It is arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the middle frame 12 includes an upper frame member 21 that forms an upper edge, a lower frame member 22 that forms a lower edge and functions as an installation member for installing a speaker, a ball hitting device, and the like, and a left edge. Left frame member 23 and right frame member 24 forming a right edge, and when these upper, lower, left and right frame members 21, 22, 23, 24 are assembled, the whole is an opening of the outer frame 11. It is formed in a size that matches the region. Here, in the embodiment, the upper and lower frame members 21 and 22 are formed of synthetic resin, and the left and right frame members 23 and 24 are formed of a metal material such as aluminum to ensure the rigidity of the entire inner frame 12. However, weight reduction is achieved. The game board 18 is configured to be installed in an opening region 12a (see FIG. 2) that opens forward and backward when the upper, lower, left, and right frame members 21, 22, 23, and 24 are assembled. At this time, the upper, lower, left and right frame members 21, 22, 23, 24 are opposed to the corresponding upper, lower, left, and right end surfaces of the game board 18 via a required clearance. However, the lower end surface of the game board 18 comes into contact with part of the upper end surface on both the left and right sides of the lower frame member 22, and the lower position of the game board 18 is determined.

  Further, on the back side of the main body of the upper frame member 21, a ball tank 26 capable of storing pachinko balls S and a tank rail 34 for aligning the pachinko balls S stored in the ball tank 26 in a line are provided. On the back side of the main body of the lower frame member 22, a first ball flow passage 44 (see FIG. 15) communicating with the upper and lower ball dishes 14, 15, and a ball collection basket (not shown) provided on the installation frame base A mechanism set board 43 having a second ball flow passage 45 (see FIG. 15) for discharging the pachinko balls S is provided. The tank rail 34 and the first and second spherical flow passages 44 and 45 of the mechanism set board 43 are configured to communicate with each other by a spherical passage unit 50 (described later). That is, the pachinko ball S supplied to the ball tank 26 from the ball supply facility provided on the installation frame base arrives at the mechanism set board 43 via the tank rail 34 and the ball path unit 50 and moves up and down. Are supplied to the ball trays 14 and 15.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the ball tank 26 and the tank rail 34 are integrally formed with the main body of the upper frame member 21 so as to be positioned rearward of the opening region 12 a, and a part thereof is an opening region. It faces the rear of 12a. That is, the vertical thickness of the main body of the upper frame member 21 is set to a minimum dimension capable of maintaining the rigidity of the middle frame 12, and the game board 18, the ball tank 26 and the tank rail 34 installed in the opening region 12a. Are configured to overlap each other.

  Next, the relationship between the ball tank 26 and the tank rail 34 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the ball tank 26 includes a tank bottom surface 27 inclined downward from the right frame member 24 side toward the left frame member 23 side, and upward along the outer peripheral edge of the tank bottom surface 27. It is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape that opens upward from the front, left, right, left and right wall portions 28, 29, 30, 31 and is formed in a storage space 32 defined by the tank bottom surface 27 and the wall portions 28, 29, 30, 31. The pachinko sphere S is stored. The tank rail 34 is provided on the inclined lower end side of the ball tank 26 (tank bottom surface 27), and the communication port 26a formed in the wall 30 on the left frame member 23 side (tank rail 34 side) of the ball tank 26. The tank rail 34 is configured to communicate with the storage space 32 via the. Further, the wall 30 on the left frame member 23 side (tank rail 34 side) of the sphere tank 26 has a sphere as a sphere guiding means for guiding the pachinko sphere S to the communication port 26a on the surface facing the storage space 32. A guide surface 30a is formed. Here, the ball guiding surface 30a is formed in a concave shape, and promptly enters the communication port 26a while absorbing the ball pressure of the pachinko ball S flowing down to the ball guiding surface 30a along the tank bottom surface 27 of the ball tank 26. It can be guided.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, the tank rail 34 is connected to the communication port 26a of the sphere tank 26, and a first sphere path 35 extending in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the sphere tank 26. The second ball path 36 is basically composed of a second ball path 36 connected to the end of the first ball path 35 in the opposite direction. Here, each of the first and second ball paths 35 and 36 has a passage width substantially the same as the diameter of the pachinko ball S, and the pachinko balls S coming from the communication port 26a flow down in a line. It has come to be able to do. The rail bottom surface 35 a in the first sphere path 35 is set to be inclined substantially equal to the inclination angle of the tank bottom surface 27 in the sphere tank 26, and is formed to be inclined downward toward the left frame member 23. . Here, the rail bottom surface 35a of the first sphere path 35 is formed to be positioned below the tank bottom surface 27 of the sphere tank 26, and a step d is set between both the bottom surfaces 27, 35a. . In the embodiment, the height of the step d is set to be substantially equal to the diameter of the pachinko sphere S, and the surface facing the tank rail 34 (first ball path 35) at the step portion is a cross-section. When the pachinko sphere S flows down from the sphere tank 26 to the first sphere path 35, the upper and lower pachinko spheres S are collapsed so as to be easily aligned.

  The second sphere path 36 is formed on the front side of the first sphere path 35 and extends to the vicinity of the sphere tank 26. At the downstream end of the rail bottom surface 36a of the second sphere path 36, A ball discharge port 36b (see FIG. 4) that opens downward is opened. Note that the rail bottom surface 36a of the second ball path 36 has an inclination angle substantially equal to the inclination angle of the rail bottom surface 35a (the tank bottom surface 27 of the sphere tank 26) in the first ball path 35 and moves toward the right frame member 24. It is designed to tilt downward. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 5, a flange portion 21a that contacts the front end surface of the outer frame 11 when the middle frame 12 is closed extends upward at the front end portion of the main body of the upper frame member 21. In this way, fraud due to foreign matter insertion from between the middle frame 12 and the outer frame 11 is prevented, and the rigidity of the upper frame member 21 is improved.

  An upper support portion 38 that supports the upper end portion of the ball passage unit 50 is formed on the tank rail 34 side of the wall portion 29 that defines the rear surfaces of the ball tank 26 and the tank rail 34 in the upper frame member 21. Yes. The upper support portion 38 is formed so as to protrude rearward from the rear wall portion 29, and an upper engagement hole (second upper engagement means) 39 penetrating back and forth is opened at a substantially central position (see FIG. 16). Further, on the lower surface side of the tank rail 34, support wall portions 40, 40 extending downward (see FIG. 3, FIG. 5, or FIG. 16) are separated in the left-right direction across the ball discharge port 36b of the tank rail 34. A positioning projection (not shown) projecting downward is formed between the support wall portions 40, 40, and is formed by the support wall portions 40, 40 and the positioning projection portion. The upper and lower positions of the ball passage unit 50 are positioned in the left-right direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the mechanism set board 43 is formed in a size that is substantially hidden behind the lower frame member 22 so that the mechanism set board 43 does not protrude greatly above the lower frame member 22. It is set. A lower support portion 46 that supports the lower end portion of the ball path unit 50 is formed at a position below the upper support portion 38 in the mechanism set board 43. The lower support portion 46 is formed to extend upward from the upper end surface of the mechanism set board 43, and a part of the first and second spherical flow passages 44, 45 is formed in the lower support portion 46. Has been. In FIG. 15, the first spherical flow passage 44 is located on the right side, the second spherical flow passage 45 is located on the left side, and both the spherical flow passages 44, 45 are open upward.

  Further, the lower support portion 46 is formed with a lower engagement hole (second lower engagement means) 47 that opens upward and forward in the vicinity of the upper end portion, which will be described later formed in the spherical passage unit 50. The protruding portion (first lower engaging means) 70 can be inserted into and removed from the lower engaging hole 47. Further, on the left and right side portions of the upper end portion of the lower support portion 46, bearing portions 48, 48 for rotatably supporting a pivot 71 described later formed in the ball passage unit 50 are formed to open upward. is there.

  Next, the ball path unit 50 that connects the tank rail 34 and the ball flow path of the mechanism set board 43 in communication will be described. In the description of the ball passage unit 50, “left” and “right” are referred to based on the state of the pachinko machine 10 viewed from the back side (the state shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 7, the ball passage unit 50 includes a unit main body 51 formed in a rectangular shape extending in the vertical direction, and is detachably disposed with respect to the unit main body 51. It comprises an electrically controlled ball dispensing device 101 in the form of a cassette that performs a dispensing operation, and includes the upper frame member 21 (specifically, the upper support portion 38) and the lower frame member 22 (specifically, the mechanism setting board 43). The lower support portion 46) is formed between the two. That is, the ball passage unit 50 is provided at a position that is biased to the right with respect to the upper frame member 21 and the mechanism set board 43.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the unit main body 51 includes a passage forming portion (sphere passage portion) 52 that forms a spherical passage that connects the tank rail 34 and the mechanism set board 43 to each other, and the passage forming portion 52. The installation part 55 which can be provided in the middle of the path | route, and can arrange | position the said ball | bowl dispensing apparatus 101 detachably through the opening part 55a opened to back is closed so that opening part 55a of this installation part 55 can be opened and closed And a space 57 that is defined on the front side of the passage forming portion 52 and that can face the symbol display device 20 provided on the back side of the game board 18. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the ball dispensing device 101 is disposed in the installation portion 55, and the ball passage unit 50 is replaced with the upper frame member 21 (upper support portion 38) and the lower frame member 22 ( A description will be given based on the state of being laid on the lower support portion 46).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the ball payout device 101 has a ball payout passage 102 extending in the vertical direction at the rear end, and an upper opening of the ball payout passage 102 (hereinafter referred to as a ball take-in). This is a device for discharging pachinko balls S flowing into the mouth 102a one by one from the lower opening of the ball payout passage 102 (hereinafter referred to as the ball outlet 102b). Further, a ball removal operation unit 103 (see FIG. 7) that can be operated by inserting a rod-shaped member, a wire, or the like into the rear end surface of the ball dispensing device 101 (a position facing the outside from the opening 55a of the installation unit 55). The pachinko ball S that has flowed into the ball payout passage 102 can be unconditionally discharged from the ball discharge port 102b by operating the ball pulling operation portion 103 by inserting a rod-shaped member, a wire, or the like. ing. Note that a wiring (not shown) electrically connected to the payout control board faces a slit-like wiring insertion port 55b (see FIG. 7) formed to open rearward on the lower surface side of the installation portion 55. The ball payout device 101 can be attached to and detached from the installation portion 55 in a state where the wiring is connected to the ball payout device 101.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the passage forming portion 52 includes a first ball passage (sphere supply passage) 53 that connects the tank rail 34 to the installation portion 55 and a mechanism set. A second spherical passage 54 is formed which is connected in communication with the first spherical flow passage 44 of the board 43. That is, the ball inlet (hereinafter referred to as the first ball inlet 53a) of the first ball passage 53 communicates with the ball discharge port 36b of the second ball passage 36 in the tank rail 34, and the first ball passage 53 A ball outlet (hereinafter referred to as a first ball outlet 53b) communicates with a ball inlet 102a of the ball dispensing device 101, and a ball inlet (hereinafter referred to as a second ball inlet 54a) of the second ball passage 54. ) Communicates with the ball discharge port 102b of the ball dispensing device 101, and the ball outlet of the second ball passage 54 (hereinafter referred to as the second ball outlet 54b) communicates with the first ball flow passage 44 of the mechanism set board 43. It is supposed to be.

  Here, the first ball inlet 53 a opens upward at the upper front end of the unit body 51, and the first ball outlet 53 b opens at the rear position of the installation portion 55. That is, the first ball passage 53 extends rearward as it goes downward from the first ball inlet 53a when the ball passage unit 50 is viewed from the side (the state shown in FIG. 8). After extending in the vertical direction at the rear end portion of the unit 50, the unit 50 is formed so as to communicate with the installation portion 55 via the first ball outlet 53b. Thus, by forming the first ball passage 53 so as to communicate with the rear end side of the installation portion 55, the space portion 57 is formed on the front side of the first ball passage 53 (passage forming portion 52). It is supposed to be located. Further, a slit 65 (see FIG. 11 or FIG. 13) communicating with a storage portion 62 described later is formed in the first ball passage 53 in the vicinity of the first ball outlet 53b. Thus, the restricting piece 63a of the stopper member 63 is configured to face the first ball passage 53b. The first ball passage 53 is formed so as to meander in the left-right direction (see FIG. 9), and is configured to allow the pachinko ball S coming from the second ball path 36 of the tank rail 34 to flow down while flowing down. Has been.

  In addition, at the right end portion of the unit main body 51, an image wall 56 connected to the right end portions of the passage formation portion 52 and the installation portion 55 is provided. The space portion 57 is defined so as to open to the front side and the right frame member 24 side (the side opposite to the side where the ball passage unit 50 is biased) (see FIG. 6). Thereby, the large-sized symbol display device 20 disposed on the back side of the game board 18 can face the space 57.

  On the other hand, the second sphere inlet 54a is provided at a position vertically aligned with the first sphere outlet 53b, and the second sphere outlet 54b extends downward at the lower front end of the unit body 51. It is provided to open. That is, the second ball passage 54 extends forward as it goes downward from the second ball inlet 54a in a state where the ball passage unit 50 is viewed from the side surface (a state shown in FIG. 8).

  The unit main body 51 is formed with a ball removal passage 59 that branches off from the vicinity of the downstream end of the first ball passage 53 (near the first ball outlet 53b). The ball removal passage 59 is provided on the side of the painting wall 56 and the installation portion 55 (on the left frame member 23 side, on the right side in FIG. 9 or 10), and opens downward at the lower front end of the unit body 51. The second ball flow passage 45 formed in the mechanism set board 43 is connected to the second ball flow passage 45 through the third ball outlet 59a. Here, at a branch position between the first ball passage 53 and the ball removal passage 59, a ball removal restriction member 60 that changes the flow direction of the pachinko balls S coming from the tank rail 34 is disposed. (See FIG. 9 or FIG. 10). In the embodiment, the operation piece 60a of the ball pulling restricting member 60 is configured to protrude outward from the unit body 51 through a long hole 52a formed in the unit body 51, and the operation piece 60a is located below. In the state, the ball stop piece 60b of the ball removal restricting member 60 closes the ball removal passage 59, guides the pachinko ball S to the installation portion 55 (ball dispensing device 101), and pulls the operation piece 60a upward. The ball stop piece 60 b is retracted so that the pachinko ball S is guided to the ball removal passage 59. In FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, the ball stop piece 60b of the ball removal restricting member 60 closes the ball removal passage 59 and the pachinko ball S flowing down the first ball passage 53 is placed on the installation portion 55 (ball A state of guiding to the payout device 101) is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the unit main body 51 is formed with a storage portion 62 that opens rearward in the vicinity of the first ball outlet 53 b. A stopper member 63 capable of restricting the passage of the pachinko ball S from one ball outlet 53b is provided. The stopper member 63 is formed in a round bar shape that can move back and forth in the storage portion 62, and a restricting piece 63a that can face the slit 65 formed in the vicinity of the first ball outlet 53b is on the front end side. Is provided. Then, the restricting piece 63a protrudes into the first ball passage 53 through the slit 65 to restrict the passage of the pachinko ball S (see FIG. 11 or FIG. 12), and the restricting piece 63a is the first. The stopper member 63 is displaced between a ball passage allowing position (see FIG. 13 or FIG. 14) that is retracted from one ball passage 53 and allows the pachinko ball S to pass. Here, the stopper member 63 is always biased toward the ball passage restriction position by a spring member (biasing means) 64 provided in the storage portion 62 (see FIG. 11 or FIG. 12). In the state where the stopper member 63 is held at the ball passage restriction position, the rear end portion of the stopper member 63 protrudes rearward of the storage portion 62 (unit body 51) (see FIG. 7).

  As shown in FIG. 7, on the back side of the unit main body 51, a substantially circular trapezoidal fixing base 67 that fixes the upper part of the cover member 90 is formed immediately above the installation portion 55. Here, the fixing base 67 is formed with a screw hole 67a at a substantially central position, and projecting portions 67b projecting rearward are formed on both left and right sides of the screw hole 67a. Further, support pieces 68 and 68 projecting rearward are formed in a position directly below the installation portion 55 on the back side of the unit main body 51 so as to be spaced apart in the left-right direction, and between the support pieces 68 and 68. Further, a shaft portion 69 that pivotally supports the lower portion of the cover member 90 is formed.

  Here, the ball passage unit 50 includes a protrusion (first lower engagement means) 70 provided at the lower portion of the unit main body 51 and a rotary engagement member (first upper engagement) provided at the upper portion of the unit main body 51. Means) 79 is detachably installed between the upper frame member 21 (upper support portion 38) and the lower frame member 22 (lower support portion 46). As shown in FIG. 8, the protruding portion 70 is moved downward so that it can be inserted into and removed from the lower engagement hole 47 formed in the lower support portion 46 of the mechanism set board 43 at the lower front end portion of the unit body 51. The lower portion of the ball passage unit 50 is positioned by protruding and inserting the protruding portion 70 into the lower engagement hole 47. Note that pivots 71 and 71 (see FIGS. 7 to 10) projecting from the left and right side surfaces of the unit body 51 are formed at the lower front end of the unit body 51, and the pivots 71 and 71 are supported by the lower support. The bearings 48 and 48 formed on the portion 46 are pivotally supported (see FIG. 15). In other words, the ball passage unit 50 can tilt the upper side rearward by a required angle around the pivots 71 and 71.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, the rotary engaging member 79 includes a disk part 80, a grip part 81 that is formed on the rear surface side of the disk part 80 and can be operated by an operator, and a disk. A pair of engaging protrusions 82 and 82 that are formed on the front surface side of the portion 80 and can removably engage with the upper engaging holes 39 of the upper support portion 38 formed on the upper frame member 21. ing. A protruding plate portion 78 protruding upward is formed at the upper rear end portion of the unit main body 51, and an insertion hole 78a is formed through the protruding plate portion 78 so as to penetrate back and forth. By inserting the engaging protrusions 82 and 82 into the rear 78a, the rotary engaging member 79 is rotatably assembled to the protruding plate 78 (unit body 51). It should be noted that the insertion hole 78a of the protruding plate part 78 and the upper engagement hole 39 of the upper support part 38 are formed in a positional relationship aligned in the front-rear direction and are inserted into the insertion hole 78a. The engaging protrusions 82 and 82 of the joint member 79 are configured to be inserted into the upper engaging hole 39.

  That is, when the rotary engaging member 79 is rotated by approximately 90 ° in a state where the engaging protrusions 82 and 82 of the rotary engaging member 79 are inserted into the upper engaging hole 39, the engaging protrusion 82. 82 is engaged with the edge of the upper engagement hole 39, the upper portion of the ball passage unit 50 is positioned and fixed, and further, when the rotary engagement member 79 is rotated by approximately 90 °, the engagement protrusions 82, 82 and the upper engagement hole 39 are disengaged, and the upper part of the ball passage unit 50 can be detached from the upper frame member 21. A concave portion 84 (see FIG. 7 or FIG. 16) that opens upward and forward is formed in the upper portion of the unit main body 51 at a side position of the first ball inlet 53a. The positioning projection formed on the upper frame member 21 is configured to face. That is, the left and right side walls (positioning pieces) 85 and 85 that define the concave portion 84 are in contact with the positioning protrusions to position the ball passage unit 50 in the left-right direction.

  A substrate mounting portion 73 is formed at an upper position on the back side of the unit main body 51 (a position below the protruding plate portion 78), and the relay substrate 75 can be detachably disposed on the substrate mounting portion 73. It is like that. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a sensor mounting portion 76 to which a ball detection sensor (not shown) can be attached and detached is formed near the lower portion of the substrate mounting portion 73 in the unit main body 51. The presence or absence of the pachinko ball S in the first ball passage 53 is detected by a ball detection sensor attached to the portion 76. The unit main body 51 is formed with a wiring locking portion 87 at a required position so that wiring connected to the relay board 75 and other wiring can be held at a predetermined position.

  Next, the cover member 90 that opens and closes the opening 55a of the installation portion 55 will be described with reference to a state in which the opening 55a is closed by the cover member 90. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the cover member 90 is formed on the covering surface portion 91 formed to have a size substantially matching the opening 55 a of the installation portion 55 and the lower end portion of the covering surface portion 91. An engagement hook 92 that is rotatably engaged with the shaft portion 69 formed on the unit main body 51 and an abutment formed on the upper end portion of the covering surface portion 91 and abutted on and fixed to the fixing base 67 of the unit main body 51. Part 93. The covering surface portion 91 is formed with a peripheral wall 91a extending from the outer peripheral edge to the front side, and surrounds the ball dispensing device 101 installed in the installation portion 55 when the cover member 90 is closed. ing.

  The abutment portion 93 is provided with a through-hole 93a penetrating in the front-rear direction at a position aligned with the screw hole 67a formed in the fixing base 67, and the projections 67b, 67b. Positioning holes 93b and 93b into which the protrusions 67b and 67b can be inserted are formed at positions corresponding to. That is, when the cover member 90 is closed, the projections 67b and 67b of the fixing base 67 are inserted into the corresponding positioning holes 93b and 93b, so that the cover member 90 is positioned. In this state, the cover member 90 The cover member 90 is fixed in the closed state by screwing a screw into the screw hole 67a of the fixing base 67 through the through hole 93a of the (contact portion 93).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 11 or FIG. 13, the cover member 90 is formed with a pressing portion 94 at a position where it can abut against the stopper member 63 provided on the unit main body 51. Here, the pressing portion 94 is configured to contact the back side of the unit main body 51 when the cover member 90 is closed. Accordingly, when the cover member 90 is closed, the presser portion 94 abuts against the stopper member 63, and the stopper member 63 resists the urging force of the spring member 64 to allow the ball passage allowable position (see FIG. 13). It is supposed to hold on. On the other hand, when the cover member 90 is opened, the contact between the presser portion 94 and the stopper member 63 is released, so that the stopper member 63 is moved to the ball passage restriction position (see FIG. 11). That is, when the cover member 90 is opened and closed, the stopper member 63 is displaced between the ball passage allowable position and the ball passage restricted position.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the covering surface portion 91 has an insertion port (window portion) that can communicate with the inside of the installation portion 55 at a position aligned with the ball removal operation portion 103 provided in the ball dispensing device 101 in the front-rear direction. ) 95 is formed so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction, and a position restricting piece 96 protruding rearward is formed in the vicinity of the insertion port 95 (left side in FIG. 10). That is, by inserting a rod-shaped member, a wire, or the like into the insertion port 95, the ball removal operation portion 103 of the ball dispensing passage 102 can be operated with the cover member 90 closed. Further, guide holes 97, 97 extending in the left-right direction are formed in the covering surface portion 91 at positions that are vertically separated from each other, and a shielding member 98 is slid across the insertion port 95 in the guide holes 97, 97. It is arranged to be movable. Here, the shielding member 98 moves from a position where the insertion port 95 is opened (see FIG. 10 or FIG. 17A) to a position where the insertion port 95 is closed (see FIG. 17B). To get. In addition, on the surface of the covering surface portion 91 facing the installation portion 55, an inclined guide portion 91 b that is inclined toward the guide holes 97, 97 on the edge side of the guide holes 97, 97 that is close to the insertion port 95. 91b (one inclined guide portion 91b is shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B).

  As shown in FIGS. 17 (a) and 17 (b), the shielding member 98 has an L-shape that faces the inclined guide portions 91b and 91b when the insertion port 95 is held at the open position. Guide pieces 98a and 98a (only one guide piece 98a is shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B) are formed, and the guide pieces 98a and 98a face the corresponding guide holes 97 and 97, respectively. . Accordingly, when the shielding member 98 is moved from a position where the insertion port 95 is opened to a position where the insertion port 95 is closed, the guide pieces 98a are moved along the inclined guide portions 91b formed on the covering surface portion 91. The main body portion of the shielding member 98 is displaced in the direction approaching the covering surface portion 91.

  Further, a sheet-like member 99 (see FIGS. 17A and 17B) set to a required thickness dimension on the insertion port 95 side is provided on the surface of the shielding member 98 facing the covering surface portion 91. Affixed. That is, by moving the shielding member 98 from a position where the insertion port 95 is opened to a position where the insertion port 95 is closed, the sheet-like member 99 is displaced when the main body portion of the shielding member 98 is displaced in a direction close to the covering surface portion 91. Is interposed between the shielding member 98 and the covering surface portion 91 so that the movement of the shielding member 98 is difficult. That is, in the embodiment, once the shielding member 98 is moved to a position where the insertion port 95 is closed, it is difficult to move the shielding member 98 to a position where the insertion port 95 is opened.

(Effects of Example)
Next, the operation of the pachinko machine according to the embodiment will be described.

  In the pachinko machine 10 according to the embodiment, the middle frame 12 includes an upper frame member 21, a lower frame member 22, a left frame member 23, and a right frame member 24, and each frame member 21, 22, 23, 24 is a separate member. In addition, each of the ball tank 26 and the tank rail 34 is formed integrally with the upper frame member 21. That is, since it is not necessary to separately attach the ball tank 26 and the tank rail 34, the assembling work can be simplified. Further, unlike the prior art, in order to attach the ball tank 26 and the tank rail 34, it is not necessary to extend the mechanism set board 43 to a position above the middle frame 12. That is, since it is not necessary to secure an installation area for installing and fixing the mechanism set board 43 above the middle frame 12, the opening area 12a for installing the game board can be expanded above the middle frame 12. Accordingly, the game board 18 having a large vertical dimension can be assembled to the middle frame 12, and the game board 18 is provided with a large symbol display device 20, thereby diversifying the game effects, impact, Improvement can be achieved and the interest of the game can be increased.

  By the way, the pachinko ball S stored in the ball tank 26 needs to be fed to the upper and lower ball trays 14 and 15 disposed below the game board 18 on the front side of the pachinko machine, and in some cases, the first ball. It is necessary to collect the pachinko ball S that has flowed into the passage 53 in a collection basket of the installation frame base. In such a case, the mechanism set board 43 is extended to a position above the middle frame 12 and the first and second ball flow passages 44 and 45 of the mechanism set board 43 are communicated with the tank rail 34 as in the conventional case. When configured to be connected, it is necessary to secure an installation area for the mechanism set board 43 on the side of the middle frame 12, so that the size of the opening area 12a for installing the game board in the middle frame 12 is limited. The Rukoto.

  In contrast, in the embodiment, the tank rail 34 and the first and second spherical flow passages 44 and 45 provided in the mechanism set board 43 are connected to each other via a separately provided spherical passage unit 50. Therefore, the pachinko balls S of the tank rail 34 (ball tank 26) can be reliably fed to the upper and lower ball trays 14 and 15, and the pachinko balls S can be collected in the collecting frame of the installation frame base as necessary. it can. In this way, by providing the ball passage unit 50, the pachinko balls S of the tank rail 34 (ball tank 26) can be moved to the upper and lower ball dishes 14, 15 without extending the mechanism set board 43 to the vicinity of the tank rail 34. Therefore, the mechanism set board 43 can be formed in a size corresponding to the back side of the lower frame member 22. That is, since it is not necessary to secure an installation area for the mechanism set board 43 on the side of the middle frame 12, the opening area 12a for installing the game board can be expanded in the left-right direction, and the game board has a large left-right dimension. 18 can be assembled to the middle frame 12. Accordingly, since the large symbol display device 20 can be disposed on the game board 18 in the left-right direction, the diversification of the game effects, the improvement of the impact and the force can be achieved, and the interest of the game can be increased. .

  Here, in the ball passage unit 50, a passage forming portion 52 (first ball passage 53) is formed on the rear end side of the installation portion 55 where the ball dispensing device 101 is installed. The space 57 is defined by the wall 55 and the wall 56. That is, since the passage forming portion 52 (first ball passage 53) and the back surface of the game board 18 are separated from each other, the symbol display device 20 provided on the game board 18 can face the space portion 57. Become. In this way, by allowing the symbol display device 20 to face the space portion 57, the symbol display device 20 interferes with the ball passage unit 50 even when the large symbol display device 20 is disposed in the left-right direction on the game board 18. Inconvenience such as doing can be prevented. Further, since the space portion 57 opens to the front side and the center side of the game board 18 (the side opposite to the side where the ball passage unit 50 is arranged biased), the space portion 57 is accommodated in the space portion 57 like the symbol display device 20. A part of a large component that is not present can face the space 57. In the embodiment, since the symbol display device 20 can face from the opening direction of the space 57, the symbol display device 20 is attached to and detached from the game board 18 (holding means 19) with the ball passage unit 50 attached. It becomes possible. In addition, by providing the drawing wall 56 in the ball passage unit 50, the overall rigidity of the ball passage unit 50 can be achieved. Therefore, as in the embodiment, by installing the ball path unit 50 between the upper frame member 21 (upper support portion 38) and the lower frame member 22 (lower support portion 46), Even when a direct load is applied, damage to the ball path unit 50 can be prevented.

  Incidentally, the tank rail 34 has a second ball path 36 positioned in front of the first ball path 35, and a ball discharge port 36 b is opened in the second ball path 36. That is, since the ball discharge port 36b of the tank rail 34 is provided at a position close to the back surface of the game board 18, the first ball passage 53 of the ball passage unit 50 is moved vertically from the ball discharge port 36b. When configured to extend, it is difficult to secure the space 57 in the front-rear direction, and the symbol display device 20 and the ball path unit 50 may interfere with each other. Therefore, in the embodiment, the first ball inlet 53a connected to the ball discharge port 36b of the tank rail 34 is formed on the front side of the ball passage unit 50 (unit main body 51), and is downward from the first ball inlet 53a. Since the first ball passage 53 is formed to extend in the vertical direction after extending backward as it goes, the size of the space portion 57 in the front-rear direction can be increased, and the large symbol display device 20 can be attached to the unit main body. It is possible to face the space 57 without interfering with 51.

  Further, in the embodiment, the second ball passage 54 formed in the unit main body 51 is inclined to the front side as it goes downward, and the second ball outlet 54b is formed to be positioned on the front end side of the unit main body 51. It is. For this reason, it is not necessary to extend the first ball flow passage 44 of the mechanism set board 43 communicating with the second ball passage 54 to the rear more than necessary, and thus the rearward projection of the mechanism set board 43 is suppressed. It becomes possible to do. Therefore, when the pachinko machine 10 is installed on a predetermined installation frame base in an amusement store, interference between various facilities provided on the installation frame base and the mechanism set board 43 can be prevented.

  Further, the opening 55a of the installation portion 55 for attaching and detaching the ball dispensing device 101 is opened and closed by the cover member 90, and the opening 55a is closed by fixing the cover member 90 with one screw. Thus, the ball payout device 101 can be attached and detached simply by removing and tightening the screws, and the attaching and detaching work can be easily performed. Further, since the cover member 90 is pivotally supported by the unit main body 51 via an engagement hook 92 provided on the lower side, the operator holds the cover member 90 in an open state when the screw is removed. You can leave it open without doing. Therefore, the operator can work using both hands, and there is an advantage that workability is improved.

  The cover member 90 is formed with an insertion port 95 at a position corresponding to the ball removal operation unit 103 of the ball dispensing device 101 disposed in the installation unit 55. Accordingly, even when the opening 55 a of the installation portion 55 is closed by the cover member 90, the ball removal operation unit 103 can be operated through the insertion port 95 of the cover member 90. The workability can be improved. In particular, in the manufacturing process of the pachinko machine, it is necessary to completely discharge the pachinko balls S remaining in the ball passage unit 50 before the pachinko machine 10 is shipped. High nature. In such a case, there is an advantage that workability can be effectively improved because the ball removal operation unit 103 may be operated through the insertion port 95 without opening the cover member 90 each time.

  In addition, since the cover member 90 is provided with a shielding member 98 that closes the insertion port 95 so as to be openable and closable, when the ball removal operation portion 103 of the ball dispensing device 101 is not operated, the shielding member 98 The insertion port 95 can be closed, and erroneous operation and unauthorized operation of the ball removal operation unit 103 can be prevented. Further, in the embodiment, after the shielding member 98 is moved to a position where the insertion port 95 is closed, it is difficult to move the shielding member 98 to a position where the insertion port 95 is opened. Therefore, after installation in a game shop where the operation frequency of the ball removal operation unit 103 is extremely low, by closing the insertion port 95 with the shielding member 98, an erroneous operation or unauthorized operation of the ball removal operation unit 103 is prevented. It can be surely prevented. Even if it is difficult to move the shielding member 98 to a position where the insertion port 95 is opened as in the embodiment, as described above, by opening the cover member 90, the ball Since the punching operation unit 103 can be operated, it is possible to operate the ball punching operation unit 103 even in a game store.

  Next, a structure for attaching and detaching the ball passage unit 50 will be described. When mounting the ball passage unit 50, by inserting the protruding portion 70 formed on the lower end side of the unit main body 51 into the lower engagement hole 47 of the lower support portion 46 formed on the mechanism set board 43, The lower part is positioned. At this time, pivots 71, 71 formed on the unit main body 51 are pivotally supported on the bearing portions 48, 48 through the upper openings of the bearing portions 48, 48 formed on the lower support portion 46. In this state, when the upper side of the unit main body 51 is swung (adjacent) toward the upper frame member 21, the protruding plate portion 78 formed at the upper position of the unit main body 51 forms the upper support portion formed on the upper frame member 21. 38 abuts. At this time, since the insertion hole 78a of the protruding plate portion 78 and the upper engaging hole 39 of the upper support portion 38 are aligned in the front-rear direction, the engagement of the rotary engaging member 79 provided in the protruding plate portion 78 is achieved. The protrusion 82 enters the upper engagement hole 39. Then, by rotating the rotary engagement member 79 in this state, the engagement protrusion 82 engages with the edge of the upper engagement hole 39, and the upper portion of the unit body 51 is positioned and fixed.

  On the other hand, when the ball passage unit 50 is removed, an operation opposite to that for the attachment may be performed. That is, the rotary engagement member 79 is rotated to release the engagement between the engagement protrusion 82 and the upper engagement hole 39, and the unit main body 51 is swung back (separated). Thereafter, the unit body 51 is lifted upward, and the protruding portion 70 of the unit body 51 is extracted from the lower engagement hole 47 of the lower support portion 46, whereby the ball passage unit 50 can be removed. That is, the ball passage unit 50 engages and disengages the lower engagement hole 47 and the protrusion 70, and the upper engagement hole 39 and the rotary engagement member 79 (engagement protrusion 82), respectively. Since the ball path unit 50 can be attached and detached, the ball path unit 50 can be easily attached and detached.

  Furthermore, since the ball passage unit 50 is configured to be detachable, the symbol display device 20 is disposed on the back side of the game board 18 so as to face the space portion 57 with the ball passage unit 50 removed. A ball passage unit 50 can be attached. On the contrary, in order to remove the symbol display device 20 facing the space 57, the work can be performed after the ball passage unit 50 is once removed. That is, there is an advantage that the ball path unit 50 can be prevented from obstructing the work when performing the attaching / detaching work of the symbol display device 20 to the game board 18 (holding means 19), connecting work of various wirings, and the like. . In the embodiment, the pivot shafts 71 and 71 of the ball passage unit 50 are rotatably supported by the bearing portions 48 and 48 provided on the lower support portion 46 of the mechanism set board 43. It is also possible to attach and detach the symbol display device 20 simply by tilting 50 backward. Therefore, the symbol display device 20 can be attached and detached more efficiently. In particular, for work that can be performed without removing the ball path unit 50, such as connecting various wirings, there is an advantage that the workability can be greatly improved.

  Further, the concave portion 84 is formed in the upper portion of the unit main body 51, and the positioning protrusion formed on the upper support portion 38 of the upper frame member 21 is inserted into the concave portion 84. Since the side walls 85 and 85 that define 84 are in contact with the left and right sides of the positioning projection, the positioning of the ball passage unit 50 in the left-right direction can be suitably performed. At this time, the support wall portions 40, 40 formed on the upper support portion 38 of the upper frame member 21 come into contact with the outer surfaces of the side walls 85, 85 of the unit body 51, so The direction can be positioned, and the engaging / disengaging operation of the rotary engaging member 79 and the upper engaging hole 39 can be easily performed.

  When the cover member 90 is opened, the stopper member 63 provided above the installation portion 55 is displaced to the ball passage restriction position by the urging force of the spring member 64. That is, since the restricting piece 63a of the stopper member 63 protrudes into the first ball passage 53 and the pachinko ball S is restricted from reaching the installation portion 55 (the ball dispensing device 101), the first ball The ball dispensing device 101 can be removed from the installation unit 55 without dropping the pachinko ball S in the passage 53 into the installation unit 55.

  On the other hand, when the ball dispensing device 101 is installed in the installation part 55 and the cover member 90 is closed, the presser part 94 provided on the cover member 90 resists the elastic force of the spring member 64 and the stopper member 63. Is displaced from the ball passage restriction position to the ball passage permissible position. For this reason, since the pachinko ball S in the first ball passage 53 can be supplied to the ball dispensing device 101 via the first ball outlet 53b, the pachinko ball according to the operating conditions of the ball dispensing device 101 is obtained. It is possible to pay out the balls S to the upper and lower ball dishes 14 and 15. As described above, the stopper member 63 is configured to be displaced between the ball passage restriction position and the ball passage permission position by opening and closing the cover member 90. Since it is not necessary to individually operate the stopper member 63, the workability of the attaching / detaching work of the ball dispensing device 101 can be improved.

  Further, in the embodiment, the tank bottom surface 27 of the sphere tank 26 is formed so as to be inclined downward from the right frame member 24 toward the left frame member 23, and along the inclination toward the downstream end side of the sphere tank 26. By connecting the tank rail 34 so as to extend in the direction, the vertical size of the ball tank 26 and the tank rail 34 can be made compact while maintaining a state in which the pachinko ball S can flow smoothly. Therefore, it is difficult for game parts such as the symbol display device 20 provided on the game board 18 to come into contact with the ball tank 26 or the tank rail 34, so that a large symbol display device 20 or the like can be arranged by the game board 18. Become. This makes it possible to diversify the game effects, improve the impact and improve the power, and increase the interest of the game.

  Here, as in the embodiment, when the ball tank 26 and the tank rail 34 are integrally formed on the main body of the upper frame member 21, the ball tank 26 and the tank rail 34 face the back side of the main body of the upper frame member 21 ( In the (hidden) configuration, if the thickness of the main body of the upper frame member 21 is reduced in order to expand the opening region 12a of the middle frame 12 upward, it is difficult to ensure a sufficient depth dimension in the ball tank 26. . For this reason, sufficient pachinko spheres S cannot be stored in the sphere tank 26, and there is a high possibility that problems such as ball breakage occur when a large number of pachinko spheres S are discharged, such as big hits. However, in the pachinko machine 10 according to the embodiment, when the ball tank 26 and part of the tank rail 34 face the rear of the opening area 12a of the middle frame 12, and the game board 18 is installed in the opening area 12a of the middle frame 12. The ball tank 26 and the tank rail 34 are configured to overlap the game board 18 in the front-rear direction. For this reason, since the depth dimension of the sphere tank 26 can be increased and the volume of the storage space 32 can be increased, a large number of pachinko balls S can be stored in the sphere tank 26.

  In addition, by making each frame member 21, 22, 23, 24 of the middle frame 12 a separate member that can be separated, the formability when the ball tank 26 and the tank rail 34 are integrally formed is improved, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. Can be planned. Also, by making each frame member 21, 22, 23, 24 a separate member, only the damaged frame members 21, 22, 23, 24 can be replaced, which contributes to cost reduction and waste reduction. There are benefits to get.

[Example of change]
The configuration of the gaming machine is not limited to that of the embodiment, and various changes can be made. For example, in the embodiment, the ball payout device is installed at the lower position of the ball path unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the installation section may be provided at the upper position of the ball path unit. Good. That is, the installation portion may be configured to be formed in the middle of the path of the ball path formed in the ball path. In the present invention, “on the way of the ball passage” is connected to the ball inlet (first ball inlet 53a in the embodiment) connected to the tank rail in the ball passage unit and the ball flow passage of the mechanism set board. It shows between the ball outlets (second ball outlet 54b in the embodiment). Accordingly, a ball inlet (first ball inlet 53a in the embodiment) connected to the tank rail in the ball passage unit is opened in the installation portion, or a ball outlet (second in the embodiment) connected to the ball flow passage of the mechanism set board. It is also possible to open the ball outlet 54b) in the installation part.

  In the embodiment, the ball passage unit is installed at a position biased to the left with respect to the upper frame member and the lower frame member (mechanism set panel), but the present invention is not limited to this. Depending on the formation position of the spherical flow passage, it can be installed at an arbitrary position of the upper frame member and the lower frame member (mechanism set board). In the present invention, the “upper frame member for installing the ball passage unit” is not limited to the structure in which the ball passage unit is directly attached to the main body of the upper frame member, but the ball tank or tank rail provided on the upper frame member is It includes a configuration for installing the passage unit. Similarly, the “lower frame member for installing the ball passage unit” in the present invention is not limited to the structure in which the ball passage unit is directly attached to the main body of the lower frame member, and the ball passage on the mechanism set board provided on the lower frame member. Includes a configuration for mounting the unit.

  In the embodiment, the ball passage unit is disposed at a position biased to either the left or right side, and the space portion is defined so as to open to the front side and the side opposite to the side on which the ball path unit is biased. If configured so as to be opened, it is possible to allow the game parts provided on the back side of the game board to face the space. In addition, even if the ball path unit is installed near the center of the upper frame member and the lower frame member (mechanism set panel) by opening the left and right sides of the space part in the ball path unit, Large game parts can be exposed.

  In the embodiment, the first spherical passage formed in the spherical passage unit is formed in a bent shape that is inclined forward at the upper position thereof, but extends in a substantially vertical direction from the rear position of the installation portion. Also good. That is, the ball inlet (first ball inlet) of the first ball passage is formed to open upward at the rear end of the unit main body, and the ball discharge port of the tank rail is formed at a position corresponding to the ball inlet. By forming, a large area of the space portion can be secured. Similarly, the second spherical passage formed in the spherical passage unit is formed so as to incline forward at a position below the second spherical passage. However, the second spherical passage may extend in a substantially vertical direction from the rear position of the installation portion. That is, the ball outlet (second ball outlet) of the second ball passage is formed so as to open downward at the rear end of the unit body, and the ball formed on the mechanism set board so as to communicate with the ball outlet. It is possible to form a sphere inlet for the flow passage. However, the ball outlet (second ball outlet) of the second ball passage is formed on the front end side of the ball passage unit, as in the embodiment, in relation to the installation frame base equipment for installing the gaming machine. It is preferable to suppress the rearward projecting amount of the mechanism set board.

  In the embodiment, a rotary engagement member is disposed at the upper part of the ball passage unit and a protrusion is formed at the lower part, and the rotary engagement member is engaged with the upper engagement hole of the upper frame member. Is engaged with the lower engagement hole of the mechanism set board so that the ball path unit is installed on the upper frame member and the lower frame member (mechanism set board), but is not limited thereto. That is, a first upper engagement means is provided in the vicinity of the upper end portion of the ball passage unit, and a second upper engagement means that is detachably engaged with the first upper engagement means is provided on the upper frame member, A first lower engagement means is provided in the vicinity of the lower end portion of the ball passage unit, and a second lower engagement means is provided on the mechanism set panel so as to be detachably engaged with the first lower engagement means. For example, various conventionally known engaging means can be employed. Therefore, for example, a rotary engaging member is provided as an engaging means in the vicinity of the upper and lower ends of the ball passage unit, and the upper frame member and the mechanism set board are detachably engaged with the rotary engaging member. A hole may be provided.

  Further, in the embodiment, the cover member that opens and closes the opening of the installation portion of the ball passage unit is pivotally supported on the lower end side, but is not limited thereto, and can be rotated to the upper side or the side portion side of the installation portion. You may make it pivot. Further, the fixing means for holding the cover member in the closed state is not limited to the screw of the embodiment, and can be held in the closed state by an engaging means such as a hook.

  In the embodiment, the installation part is opened rearward. However, the installation part may be opened forward or left and right, and the ball dispensing device installed in the installation part can be attached and detached via the opening. What is necessary is just to comprise. Further, the cover member can be disposed corresponding to the opening position of the opening of the installation portion.

  Further, the position of the window portion formed in the cover member is not limited to the position shown in the embodiment, and may be formed at a position corresponding to the ball removal operation portion formed in the ball dispensing device. Furthermore, the size and shape of the window portion can be arbitrarily changed as long as the ball removal operation portion of the ball dispensing device can be operated with the cover member closed.

  In an embodiment, by sticking a sheet-like member to a shielding member that opens and closes the window portion, the shielding member is once moved to a position where the window portion is closed, and then moved to a position where the window portion is opened. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first engaging portion is formed on the shielding member, and the second engaging portion that can be engaged with the engaging portion in a non-separable manner is formed on the cover member, and the window portion is closed. When the shielding member is moved, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion can be configured to engage with each other. In addition, since it is possible to suppress an erroneous operation and an unauthorized operation of the ball removal operation unit of the ball dispensing device simply by closing the window unit, the window unit can be repeatedly opened and closed by the shielding member. May be. In this case, there is an advantage that the ball extraction operation unit can be operated without opening the cover member even in the game store.

  In the embodiment, the spring member is used as the biasing means for biasing the stopper member provided in the vicinity of the ball exit of the first ball passage to the ball passage restriction position, but an elastic member such as rubber can also be suitably used. Further, the position of the stopper member is not limited to that of the embodiment, and the stopper member can be opened / closed by opening / closing the cover member by disposing the opening portion of the installation portion at a position in contact with the closed cover member. Can be displaced from the ball passage restriction position to the ball passage permissible position.

  In the embodiment, the upper, lower, left, and right frame members constituting the middle frame are formed as individual members. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least the upper frame member can be separated if provided. Even if they are integrally formed, the same effect as the embodiment can be obtained.

  In the embodiment, each of the ball tank and the tank rail is formed integrally with the main body of the upper frame member, but either or both of the ball tank and the tank rail are formed separately from the upper frame member. It can also be configured to be assembled to the back side of the main body of the frame member. Further, the shape and configuration of the ball tank and the tank rail are not limited to those of the embodiment, and can be arbitrarily changed. Therefore, in the embodiment, the bottom surface of the sphere tank is inclined downward from the right frame member side to the left frame member side, and the tank rail is arranged in parallel on the downstream side of the sphere tank, but it is inclined in the opposite direction. It may be. In addition, the ball tank may be formed in a shape and size capable of storing game balls. With respect to the tank rail, if the game balls from the ball tank can be flowed down in a single row, a conventionally known tank rail can be used. Configuration can be adopted.

  In the embodiment, a pachinko machine has been described as an example of the gaming machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any gaming machine that holds a gaming board on an inner frame that can be opened and closed to an outer frame that forms an outer shell. Various conventionally known gaming machines such as an arrangement ball machine can be employed. Further, the game parts that face the space of the ball passage unit are not limited to the symbol display device shown in the embodiment, and may be any game parts arranged on the back side of the control device or other game boards. May be.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine which concerns on an Example. It is a perspective view which shows the inner frame which concerns on an Example. It is a perspective view which shows the state which looked at the upper frame member side of the middle frame which concerns on an Example from the back side. It is a top view which shows roughly the upper frame member of the middle frame which concerns on an Example. It is the BB sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is the sectional view on the AA line in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the ball path unit which concerns on an Example in the state which removed the ball paying-out apparatus from the installation part. It is a side view which shows the ball passage unit which concerns on an Example. It is a rear view which shows the ball path unit which concerns on an Example. It is a principal part enlarged view of the ball passage unit concerning an example. It is a principal part enlarged view shown in the state where a part of ball passage unit concerning an example was fractured, and shows the state where a cover member opened. It is sectional drawing which crossed the ball path unit which concerns on an Example in the installation part, Comprising: The stopper member has shown the state displaced to the ball passage control position. It is a principal part enlarged view shown in the state where a part of ball passage unit concerning an example was fractured, and shows the state where a cover member was closed. It is sectional drawing which crossed the ball path unit which concerns on an Example at the installation part, Comprising: The stopper member has shown the state displaced to the ball | bowl passage permission position. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the attachment site | part of the ball path unit and mechanism set board which concern on an Example. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the attachment site | part of the ball path unit and upper frame member which concern on an Example. It is a schematic diagram showing a state where the cover member according to the embodiment is crossed by the guide hole, (a) shows a state in which the shielding member has been moved to a position where the insertion port is opened, (b) closed the insertion port. The state which moved the shielding member to the position to perform is shown.

Explanation of symbols

11 outer frame, 12 middle frame, 18 game board, 21 upper frame member, 22 lower frame member 26 ball tank, 34 tank rail, 43 mechanism set board, 44 first ball flow passage 45 second ball flow passage, 50 ball passage Unit, 52 passage formation part (ball passage part)
53 First ball passage (ball supply passage), 55 installation portion, 55a opening 63 stopper member, 64 spring member (biasing means), 90 cover member 95 insertion port (window portion), 98 shielding member, 101 ball payout Device, 103 ball removal operation section

Claims (4)

A gaming machine in which a game board is held in an inner frame that is assembled to an outer frame that forms an outer shell so as to be openable and closable,
The middle frame supports an upper part of the game board, and stores a ball tank that stores game balls, an upper frame member that has a tank rail connected to the ball tank and aligns the stored game balls, and a lower part of the game board. And a lower frame member having a mechanism set board provided with a ball flow path for game balls,
A ball passage portion for connecting the tank rail to a ball flow passage of the mechanism set board, a ball payout device for paying out game balls passing through the ball passage portion, and the ball provided in the course of the ball passage portion. A ball passage unit having a payout device and having an installation portion in which an opening for attaching and detaching the ball payout device is opened, and a cover member that closes the opening of the installation portion so as to be openable and closable; And a game machine characterized in that it is installed between the lower frame member. In the ball dispensing device, a ball removal operation part is formed,
The cover member is formed with a window portion at a position corresponding to the ball removal operation portion of the ball dispensing device when the opening portion of the installation portion is closed, and a shielding member that closes the window portion so that the window portion can be opened and closed. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising:   The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the shielding member is configured to be difficult to be displaced to a position where the window portion is opened after being temporarily displaced to a position where the window portion is closed. The ball passage portion has a ball supply passage communicating the tank rail and the installation portion,
The ball passage unit is displaced between a ball passage restriction position that protrudes into the ball supply passage and restricts the passage of game balls, and a ball passage allowance position that retreats from the ball supply passage and allows passage of game balls. A stopper member that is biased to the ball passage restriction position by the biasing means,
By opening the cover member, the stopper member is displaced to the ball passage restriction position by the biasing of the biasing means,
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the stopper member is displaced to a ball passage allowable position against the biasing of the biasing means by closing the cover member. .

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