JP2007068785A - Game ball putting out unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a game ball putting out unit which can accurately put out a necessary number of game balls in a short time, and is lightweight, space-saving and inexpensive. <P>SOLUTION: The game ball putting out unit 10 has a hollow case 10a made up of side plates 12a and 12b and end plates 12<SB>U</SB>, 12<SB>D</SB>, 12<SB>L</SB>, and 12<SB>R</SB>, a plurality of stages of moving blocks 14 moving along the side plates 12a and 12b inside of the case. Pachinko ball insertion holes 13a, 13b and 14a are provided in the upper and lower end plates 12<SB>U</SB>and 12<SB>D</SB>and the moving block 14. The insertion holes 13a and 13b are provided in a displacement by the same half or less of a prescribed pitch. The moving blocks 14 are structured so as to store pachinko balls in the moving blocks 14 when the insertion hole 14a coincides with the insertion hole 13a of the upper end plate 12<SB>U</SB>, and instantly drops and discharges pachinko balls in a position where the insertion hole is made to coincide with the insertion hole 13b of the lower end plate 12<SB>D</SB>by moving the moving blocks 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game ball payout unit provided in the course of a ball supply passage in a slot machine using game balls (pachinko balls).

  In general, a slot machine (cylinder gaming machine) can play a game by setting a wager number for one game using medals (coins) as a game medium. A slot machine capable of playing games using balls (pachinko balls) has been proposed, and market entry was realized in July 2004 due to revisions to related laws. Since this slot machine uses a pachinko ball instead of a medal, there is an advantage that equipment can be shared by arranging the spinning machine on the game island (row) where the pachinko machine is installed.

  On the other hand, for the player, 75 pachinko balls corresponding to 15 medals payout for one winning are paid out in a short time, so at the time of big hit, for example, at the above big bonus (BB), the pachinko machine Since it is possible to enjoy a greater amount of a powerful ball feeling than at the time of fever, the gaming machine industry is attracting attention as a gaming machine that can attract many players. As an example of a slot machine using such a game ball, a “slot machine using a game ball” in Patent Document 1 is known.

  The slot machine according to this publication uses payout means for paying out a game ball based on the occurrence of the winning, using a game ball that can be given a predetermined winning according to the display result of the variable display device after one game is finished, Credit display means for displaying the number of game balls that can be used for setting the number of bets, and unpaid display means for displaying the number of unpaid game balls for which a payout condition has been established among the number of game balls and has not yet been paid out The number of game balls that can be used for setting the number of bets is displayed on the credit display means during the payout operation that is continued during the next game, and the number of game balls that have not been paid out can be specified by the unpaid display means. And the number of unpaid game balls can be recognized so that the game can be shifted to the next game even during the game ball payout operation by the payout means.

  In addition, in the detailed description, the above-mentioned payout means supplies a pachinko ball to the payout means from a ball storage tank provided on the back surface of the machine via a guide rod and a ball supply passage, and pays out at the time of paying out a prize ball and paying out a rental ball. A payout means similar to that generally used in a pachinko machine is shown in which a pachinko ball paid out from a sprocket in the means is switched by a flow path switching valve. The slot machine according to this gazette provided with such a payout means pays out a predetermined number of pachinko balls when a predetermined winning condition is satisfied, and the transition to the next game is completed after the payout is completed. On the other hand, it is possible to shift to the next game even during the payout operation.

  However, as pointed out in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the spinning-type game machine has the following operation (game) until the entire payout operation is completed from the start of the game and a predetermined time elapses from the start to the completion. There are rules (internal regulations) that cannot be transferred to On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, as described above, the credit display means and the unpaid display means are used, so that it is possible to shift to the next game even during the game ball payout operation. Is an exceptional process. Accordingly, in general, the payout operation is completed from the start of the game to the start of the next game, and a predetermined time has elapsed.

Moreover, in the conventional slot machine using pachinko balls, as described in Patent Document 1, it is a method of paying out while counting one pachinko ball one by one using a rotating body such as a sprocket as payout means. There is a problem that it takes time to pay out compared to the medal-type slot machine. If the payout takes time, there is a possibility that the progress of the game becomes an obstacle, which not only makes the player feel uncomfortable, but also causes a disadvantage for the store (hall). In addition to Patent Document 1, many other proposals such as Patent Documents 2 and 3 have been proposed for the pachinko ball dispensing device. However, all of them use a rotating body such as a sprocket, and the time for dispensing is long. There is a problem that it takes.
JP 2003-102917 A JP 2000-107399 A JP-A-5-300976

  An object of the present invention is to provide a game ball payout unit that can pay out a required number of game balls accurately in a short time in a short time, and is lightweight, space-saving, and inexpensive. To do.

  As a means for solving the above-described problems, the present invention provides a hollow case in which a pair of side plates facing each other is set to a distance larger than a game ball diameter by a predetermined dimension, and the periphery of both side plates is closed by end plates, And a moving block provided so as to be movable along both side plates, and the game balls are received at the same predetermined pitch on each end plate and the moving block on the side where the game balls are received and discharged with the hollow case standing upright. A plurality of insertion holes are provided, and the game ball insertion holes of the receiving side and discharge side end plates are shifted from each other by a half pitch or less of the predetermined pitch, the moving block is moved by the driving force, and the moving block is moved. The game balls are stored and discharged by selectively placing the game balls in the game ball insertion holes of the block and the positions where the game balls are paid out from the game ball insertion holes of the moving block. Game balls It was a payout unit.

  The game ball payout unit configured as described above is mainly used as a game ball payout means of a slot machine that uses game balls. According to this payout unit, the game ball can be paid out accurately from the payout unit in a short time by moving the moving block by a small distance. On the hollow case, the lower end plate and the moving block are provided with a plurality of game ball insertion holes at the same predetermined pitch, and the upper end plate and the lower end plate insertion holes are offset from each other by a half pitch or less of the predetermined pitch. Therefore, at the position where the insertion hole of the moving block coincides with the insertion hole of the upper end plate, the position shifts from the insertion hole of the lower end plate, and the game ball is held in the moving block. For this reason, the game ball cannot be discharged from the insertion hole of the lower end plate.

  Therefore, in this state, the game ball is sent from the introducing means to the upper end plate, and the game ball is stored in the insertion hole of the upper end plate and the moving block. Then, in a state where the winning conditions are aligned in the slot machine, it is necessary to pay out a plurality of game balls according to the winning conditions, and the moving block moves when the drive unit is actuated by a signal representing the conditions. This movement is a movement of a predetermined pitch or less and a half pitch or less where the insertion hole of the moving block coincides with the insertion hole of the lower end plate. Therefore, when the moving block slides instantaneously and the insertion hole matches, the game ball is instantaneously dropped and discharged.

  In order to be able to pay out the maximum number (75) of game balls required by the slot machine, the moving block is provided with a plurality of blocks in a stacked form or in a parallel form. Then, if these blocks are linearly moved by the driving force and the respective insertion holes are in positions where they coincide with the insertion holes of the upper end plate, the game balls are stored in the insertion holes in the plurality of blocks, and the lower end plate is inserted. When it moves to a position that matches the hole, the game ball is discharged. At this time, since the insertion hole of the upper end plate is displaced from the insertion hole of the block, the game balls in and above the insertion hole of the upper end plate are prevented from falling with respect to the moving block.

  In addition, it is also possible to move only the moving blocks below the predetermined stage among the plural stages of moving blocks. In this case, the game ball in the moved block can be dropped / discharged when the insertion hole of the moved block matches the insertion hole of the lower end plate. In addition, the game balls in the insertion hole between the moving block that has not moved and the upper end plate are prevented from dropping and discharging by the moved block. Therefore, by selecting the number of moving blocks to be moved according to the type of prize and the number of payouts per prize, the number of required game balls can be dropped and discharged according to the type and contents of various prizes. Can do.

  As described above, the game ball payout unit according to the present invention is provided with a hollow case closed by a side plate and an end plate, and a moving block that moves along the side plate inside thereof, and the upper and lower end plates and the moving block are provided with a game. The ball insertion holes are provided at the same predetermined pitch, and the insertion holes of the upper and lower end plates are shifted from each other by half or less of the predetermined pitch, so that the moving block is placed at the position where the upper end plate and the insertion hole coincide with each other. By storing and moving the moving block for a short distance of half a pitch or less, the selected number of game balls can be dropped and discharged accurately and instantaneously, and the unit can be provided in a lightweight, space-saving and inexpensive manner There is an effect.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the entire game ball payout unit according to the embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of the back surface of a slot machine using game balls. As shown in FIG. 7, the game ball payout unit 10 is provided in the middle of the pachinko ball passage 4 of the slot machine S using game balls (hereinafter referred to as pachinko balls). As shown in the figure, the slot machine S has a revolving part 2 in a main body 1 of a revolving game machine, and pachinko balls stored in a pachinko ball replenishment basket 3 provided on the upper part of the main body 1 are pachinko balls. It is supplied to the game ball payout unit 10 through the ball passage 4 and is paid out according to a command when paying out a prize ball or paying out a ball, and is paid out to the pachinko ball passage 5 to be discharged to the upper plate 6 or It is discharged to the discharge port 7 to the lower plate.

  In the actual slot machine S, the pachinko ball passages 4 and 5 are often a plurality of passages, but for simplification, they are displayed as one passage as a schematic diagram. Also, the upper plate, the lower plate, and various members on the surface of the main body 1 are not shown for simplification.

As shown in FIG. 1, the game ball payout unit 10 has a pachinko ball storage portion 11 for storing a pachinko ball in the upper portion of the hollow case 10a. A ball is supplied. However, the pachinko ball storage unit 11 is not necessarily provided, and may be replaced with other introduction means. The hollow case 10a is formed by setting a pair of side plates 12a and 12b facing each other at a distance larger than the diameter of the pachinko sphere by a predetermined dimension and closing the periphery with an end plate. In the example shown in the drawing, a pair of vertically long side plates 12a and 12b are erected so that the vertically long direction is up and down, and an upper end plate 12 _U and a lower end plate 12 _D whose upper side is a receiving side and whose lower side is a discharging side. And a pair of end plates 12 _L and 12 _R on the left and right sides.

In the illustrated example, the end plates 12 _U , 12 _D , 12 _L , and 12 _R are all made of the same material and integrated as a rectangular frame, but each end plate is connected or fixed in some way. They may be connected or fixed to each other by means and formed integrally. The thickness D of the end plates 12 _U , 12 _D , 12 _L , 12 _R is set to be larger than the diameter of the pachinko sphere by a predetermined dimension, and a pair of side plates is formed at a distance of the thickness D on the frame formed by the end plates. A hollow case 10a in which the periphery of both side plates is closed with end plates is formed by attaching 12a and 12b with a plurality of attachment members such as screws 12x.

On said frame, the lower end plate 12 _U, 12 _D pachinko ball insertion hole 13a at the same predetermined pitch in, 13b is (five in the illustrated example) a plurality are provided. The pitch is a dimension sufficient to allow the adjacent pachinko spheres to pass smoothly, and is at least larger than the diameter of the pachinko sphere. Further, the pachinko ball insertion holes 13a and 13b are holes each having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the pachinko ball, and the upper plate _12U has a pachinko ball insertion through the upper and lower portions corresponding to a half pitch of the same predetermined pitch. hole 13a group right end plate 12 _R closer, pachinko ball insertion holes 13b groups the lower end plate 12 _D is provided by shifting so that the left side of the end plate 12 _L closer. The reason will be explained later. In the illustrated example, the pachinko ball insertion holes 13 a and 13 b of the upper end plate 12 _U and the lower end plate 12 _D are set with the inner end surface of the right end plate 12 _R as a reference position. Further, the shift of the half pitch may be a half pitch or less as long as the pachinko ball can be prevented from falling.

  In the hollow case 10a, there is provided a moving block 14 that is movable along the inner surfaces of both side plates 12a and 12b and that has a connecting shaft 15 at one end. In the illustrated example, the moving block 14 is used in a slot machine, and a plurality of stages (15 stages in the illustrated example) of blocks having the same shape are provided in a stacked manner. The moving block 14 is provided with a plurality (five in the illustrated example) of pachinko ball insertion holes 14a along its longitudinal direction and is movable (slidable) within the hollow case 10a. Protruding pieces 14b are formed on both side surfaces. The projecting piece 14b is movably (slidably) fitted in a groove 17 provided on the inner surface of the side plates 12a and 12b.

The connecting shaft 15 at one end of the moving block 14 protrudes to the outside from the insertion hole 16 provided in one end plate (right end plate 12 _{R in the} illustrated example) while being accommodated in the hollow block 10a. . Although not shown, the connecting shaft 15 is connected to a drive unit that moves the moving block 14 in the linear direction. The drive unit may be any type as long as it can provide an external driving force for linear motion, such as an electromagnetic solenoid, a stepping motor, or a cylinder type, and is preferably as fast as possible.

The distance of the moving block 14 moves respectively in the horizontal direction in the hollow casing 10a, one of the one block edge of the (right) end plate 12 _R inner surface (reference position) in all stages of the moving block 14 is abutting moving the upper end plate 12 _U of pachinko ball insertion hole 13a at a position from the state that matches the pachinko ball insertion hole 14a of all stages of the moving block 14 (FIG. 3 (a) see Figure), all the stages or a part of the lower the other end of block 14 matches the pachinko ball insertion hole 13b of the pachinko ball insertion holes 14a is lower plates 12 _D of the moving block 14 in a state of being moved to a position where it comes into contact with the other (left) end plates 12 _L inner surface ( (See FIG. 3B). Therefore, there is a moving space between the opposite end of the moving block 14 and the end plate on the same side with the moving block 14 in contact with one (reference position) or the other end plate 12 _R or 12 _L. The distance between the end plates 12 _{R to} 12 _L of the hollow case 10 a is set so as to occur.

According to the game ball payout unit 10 of the embodiment having the above-described configuration, the pachinko ball P is stored and discharged in the unit 10 by moving the moving block 14 by the required number of stages, and the exact number of the selected number. And it can be executed quickly in a short time. The operation will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4, all of the moving block 14 in a plurality of stages is moved to a position where it comes into contact with the right side of the end plate 12 _R, and shows a state of supplying a plurality of pachinko ball P to unit 10. In this case, the positions of the pachinko ball insertion holes 13 a of the upper end plate 12 _{U and} the pachinko ball insertion holes 14 a of all the stages (15 stages) of the moving block 14 are the same for the plurality of pachinko balls P supplied from the pachinko ball storage unit 11. Therefore, the supplied pachinko balls P are stored in a plurality of pachinko ball insertion holes 14a at all stages of the moving block 14.

Further, the pachinko ball insertion holes 14a of the movable block 14 at this time because it has misaligned with pachinko ball insertion holes 13b of the lower end plate 12 _D, the discharge is blocked by the bottom plate 12 _D. Although not shown in the figure, as described above, the drive unit is actually connected to the connecting shaft 15 so that an external driving force is applied. It is shown as being moved to the end plate _12R .

Figure 5 shows a state of being moved in I pushed until it contacts all stages of the moving block 14 by the action of an external driving force to the left side of the end plate 12 _L. In this state, the pachinko ball insertion hole 13a of the upper plate 12 _U is blocked (blocking) that pachinko ball P in this hole enters the pachinko ball insertion hole 14a of the moving block 14, whereas the moving block pachinko balls P in 14, since the position of the pachinko ball insertion hole 13b of the pachinko ball insertion holes 14a and the lower end plate 12 _D of the moving block 14 at the moment of moving the moving block 14 to the position shown matches, pachinko ball P In this state, all the pachinko balls P are dropped and discharged from the insertion hole 13b in a short period of time due to their own weight.

6, of the moving block 14 shown in FIG. 4 shows a state of being moved in I pushed until it abuts for example several stages lower blocks (five stages in the illustrated example) on the left side of the end plate 12 _L. In this state, the pachinko ball insertion hole 14a of the moving block 14 several stages below moved matches the pachinko ball insertion hole 13b of the lower end plate 12 _D, pachinko ball P in pachinko ball insertion hole 14a of the movable block 14 moves Is dropped and discharged from the insertion hole 13b in a short time. On the other hand, the inside of the plurality of moving blocks 14 above the moved moving block 14, the upper end plate 12 _U and the pachinko ball P above the moving block 14 are prevented from falling by the moved moving block 14 and are stored.

  Accordingly, the pachinko sphere P in the moving block 14 selected to move is dropped and discharged, but the pachinko sphere P above it is not discharged. In this way, the pachinko sphere P is discharged from a plurality of stages below the selected and moved arbitrary stage, and the pachinko sphere P in the upper stage that has not been selectively moved is not discharged, so it is selected and moved. The number of stages of the moving block 14 is given, for example, a prize such as a 777 prize, a BAR prize, a watermelon prize, a Chieri prize, a bell prize, a plum prize, etc., in particular, a jackpot 7 symbol (BB), a BAR symbol (RB) award. If any one of the prizes is selected, the number of stages of the moving block 14 corresponding to the corresponding prize is set according to which prize becomes. Thereby, the number of pachinko balls selected corresponding to each award can be discharged accurately and instantaneously.

  In the example shown in the figure, the game ball payout unit 10 is used in the slot machine S using pachinko balls, so that the medal payout from five pachinko balls (corresponding to one coefficient-one medal) in one win. Up to 75 (15 coefficients-equivalent to 15 medals) is set by moving a plurality of selected moving blocks 14 from the storage position to the discharging position all at once by an external driving force. The required number of pachinko balls P can be dropped and discharged. However, in addition to the illustrated example, the number of pachinko spheres P of one coefficient is, for example, 3 or 7, or the number of stages of the moving block 14 is reduced to 5 to 7, for example, the number in the coefficient and the set number of stages The combination of is arbitrary.

In the above-described embodiment, the hollow case 10a has a vertically standing shape. However, the shape is not limited to this. For example, the hollow case 10a has the same shape and has an inclined shape within a range that does not hinder the fall of the pachinko ball. Or a horizontally long shape in which a plurality of moving blocks 14 are provided adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction and arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction. Further, the plurality of moving blocks 14 may be arranged in a three-row parallel x five-stage stack, or a five-row parallel x three-stage stack. Further, the pachinko ball storage section 11 can be provided with inclined plates in several stages in the middle so that the pressure of the pachinko balls is not directly applied to the insertion hole of the upper end plate, and so that a large number of pachinko balls do not form bridges with each other. Alternatively, a plurality of rows of guide rods may be provided so as to match the insertion holes of the upper end plate 12 _U , and the pachinko balls may be individually guided to the insertion holes.

In order to count the induced pachinko balls, a sensor is installed in each insertion hole of the upper end plate 12 _U and the lower end plate 12 _D , and the passage of the ball is counted, or the upper end plate 12 _U or the lower end plate 12 _D is counted. It can be installed on either side and counted. Further, in order to avoid clogging of pachinko balls due to a bridge phenomenon or other reasons in the pachinko ball storage unit 11 or the moving block 14, a vibration function is attached to the hollow case 10a, or the moving block 14 is reciprocated by a short distance. A function for moving the upper end plate 12 _U may be provided, or a function for finely vibrating the upper end plate 12 _U may be provided. Furthermore, the driving force, in addition to means for connecting the external drive unit to the connecting shaft 15 of the moving block 14 is also embedded drive unit, for example, the end plates 12 _L, 12 in any of the _R, the moving block and the output shaft It is good also as a format provided by connecting with 14.

Overall appearance perspective view of game ball payout unit of embodiment Exploded perspective view 1A is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow IIIa-IIIa, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow IIIb-IIIb (after movement of the moving block). Illustration of action (reserved state) Illustration of action (discharge state) Illustration of action (partial storage, partial discharge state) Schematic diagram of the back side of a slot machine using game balls

Explanation of symbols

10 gaming balls payout unit 10a hollow casing 11 pachinko ball storage section 12a, 12b the side plates 12 _L, 12 _R end plate 12 _U upper plate 12 _D lower plate 13a, 13b pachinko ball insertion holes 14 moving block 14a pachinko ball insertion holes 14b projecting piece 15 Connecting shaft 16 Insertion hole 17 Groove

Claims (4)

A pair of side plates 12a that face each other, and set and 12b into a predetermined size greater distance than the game ball diameter, the side plates 12a, end plates 12 _U around the 12b, 12 _D, 12 _L, 12 hollow casing 10a closed at _R The hollow case 10a is provided with a moving block 14 provided so as to be movable along both side plates 12a and 12b. Each end plate 12 on the side for receiving and discharging game balls in a state where the hollow case 10a is erected. _U, 12 _D and the movable block 14 and the game ball insertion hole 13a at the same predetermined pitch, 13b, 14a and provided plurality, respectively, end plate 12 _U of the receiving side and the discharge side, 12 _D of the game ball insertion hole 13a , 13b are shifted from each other by half or less of the predetermined pitch, the moving block 14 is moved by a driving force, and the moving block 14 is inserted into the game ball insertion hole 14a of the moving block 14 as a game ball. A position for storing, by selectively located either between the paying out position from the game ball insertion hole 14a of the moving block 14, the gaming ball payout unit to perform a discharged reservoir of game ball. A connecting shaft 15 is provided at one end of the moving block, and the connecting shaft 15 is protruded out of the case through an insertion hole 16 provided in one of the case end plates 12 _L and 12 _{R in} the moving direction. The game ball payout unit according to claim 1, wherein the moving block 14 is moved by an external driving force.   The game ball payout unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the moving block (14) is provided in a plurality of layers and stacked. Game ball payout unit according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connecting means for introducing the game ball into the receiving end plate 12 _U of game balls of the hollow casing 10a.

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