JP2007089932A - Ball return-preventing device of pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate ball hitting control when hitting a game ball with relatively weak ball hitting force. <P>SOLUTION: The ball return-preventing device comprises: a swing member support body 40 which is fixed on a game board 6 and for which a swing shaft 41 extended in a vertical direction to the surface of the game board 6 is formed; and a swing member 70 supported by the swing shaft 41 formed on the swing member support body 40 and freely swingable between the position of closing an exit opening 16 and the position of opening the exit opening 16. The swing member 70 is energized in the direction of closing the exit opening 16 at all times by moment around the swing shaft 41 generated by gravity, and is swung in the direction of opening the exit opening 16 by the pressurizing force when it is pressurized by the game ball which has passed through a hitting rail 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball return prevention device for a ball game machine that prevents a game ball launched from a launch rail into a game area from returning to the launch rail again.

  In ball game machines represented by pachinko machines, arrange balls, sparrow balls, etc., game balls launched by the hitting ball launching mechanism are guided by a launch rail that extends in an arc on the game board. It has the structure discharged | emitted in an area | region. In such a ball game machine, a ball return prevention device is provided in the vicinity of the exit opening of the game ball in the game area on the launch rail, and the game released into the game area through the launch rail. After the ball rebounds on a rubber cushion or the like provided on the game board, it does not return again into the firing rail (see, for example, the following patent document).

Conventionally, such a ball return preventing device is composed of a base member fixed to the game board and a tongue piece member that is cantilevered by the base member and extends upward. The tongue member is made of a metal (elastic) member such as stainless steel, and is positioned so as to close the exit opening of the game ball on the launch rail. The game ball that has passed through the firing rail is released into the game area by bending the tongue piece member to the right side of the game board when viewed from the front, but the tongue piece member is released by the elastic force after the game ball has passed. Since it returns to its original position and closes the exit opening of the launch rail, the return ball that returns from the game area to the launch rail before the next game ball deflects and passes the tongue piece member It is prevented from being ejected by one member and returning to the firing rail.
JP 2004-129936 A

  In the ball game machine provided with the ball return preventing device as described above, the game ball needs to be launched with a hitting force that can be released into the game area by pushing (deflecting) the tongue member. When a game ball is launched with a ball striking force that is not sufficient to bend the tongue piece member, the game ball is pushed back by the resistance force of the tongue piece member. In order to make the game ball reach the right area of the game area when viewed from the front, it is only necessary to hit the game ball with a strong force. Conversely, when the game ball is to be dropped to the left area of the game area when viewed from the front, the game ball is weakly hit. However, if it is desired to drop the game ball to the left area of the game area when viewed from the front, the game ball with a relatively weak hitting force while considering the force required to push the tongue of the ball return prevention device. Since it is difficult to control the ball to hit the ball, it is difficult for beginners who are unfamiliar with ball control to hit the target area as expected. Here, it is conceivable to reduce the thickness of the tongue piece member so that the influence of the resistance force of the tongue piece member at the time of launching the game ball hardly occurs. However, if the thickness of the tongue piece member is reduced, The rigidity of one member will be reduced, and it will not be possible to quickly return to the original posture (the posture that closes the exit opening of the game ball on the launch rail) or the return ball from the game area cannot be ejected outside the launch rail. The original function as a ball return prevention device may not be exhibited.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and is relatively weak while maintaining the original function of preventing the game ball launched into the game area from returning to the launch rail again. It is an object of the present invention to provide a ball return prevention device for a ball game machine having a structure that facilitates ball hitting control when hitting a game ball with hitting force.

  A ball return prevention device for a ball game machine according to the present invention is configured to guide a game ball fired by a ball launch mechanism to a game area on the game board by guiding it with a launch rail provided on the game board. In the ball ball game machine (for example, the pachinko machine 1 in the embodiment), the game ball provided in the vicinity of the exit opening to the game area of the game ball in the launch rail is placed in the launch rail. This is a ball return prevention device for a ball game machine that prevents it from returning again to the ball, and is a swing that is fixed on the game board and that has a swing axis that extends in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the game board. A member support and a swing member supported by a swing shaft formed on the swing member support and swingable between a position for closing the outlet opening and a position for opening the outlet opening; The swinging member is a moment around the swinging shaft caused by its own weight. It is biased in the closing direction of the constantly outlet opening by, so as to swing in the opening direction of the outlet opening by the pressing force when pressed by the game ball that has passed through the inside of the firing rail. Here, it is preferable that the swing member has a weight that can be detachably attached.

  A ball return prevention device for a ball game machine according to the present invention includes a swing member support fixed on a game board, a position where the swing opening is supported by the swing member support, and an exit opening is opened. The swinging member is always urged in the closing direction of the outlet opening by the moment around the swinging shaft generated by its own weight, and passes through the launch rail. When it is pressed by a game ball that has come, it will swing in the opening direction of the outlet opening by the pressing force. Thus, in the present invention, the urging force for constantly urging the swinging member in the closing direction of the outlet opening is obtained by the moment around the swinging shaft generated by the weight of the swinging member. By adjusting the weight of the swing member and the positional relationship between the center of swing of the swing member and the swing center (swing shaft), the biasing force that biases the swing member in the closing direction of the outlet opening, and hence the game ball It is possible to set the displacement force of the swinging member, which becomes a resistance force at the time of launch, to an extremely small value, and even when it is necessary to launch a game ball with a relatively weak striking force, the displacement force of the swinging member can be reduced. There is no need to consider it, and hitting control can be made easier than before. Further, unlike the conventional configuration using a metal tongue piece member, the original function as a ball return preventing device is not impaired because the resistance force when the game ball is launched is reduced. Here, if the swing member has a detachable weight, the moment around the swing shaft of the swing member can be changed by changing the weight of the weight or its mounting position. As a result, the biasing force for biasing the swinging member in the closing direction of the outlet opening can be easily adjusted.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are views showing a pachinko machine 1 as a ball game machine to which the ball return prevention device according to the present invention is applied, and FIG. 3 shows the ball return prevention devices 30 and 130 according to the present invention as pachinko machines. It is a figure which shows the state attached on 1 game board 6. FIG. 4 to 11 are diagrams showing the configuration of the ball return prevention device 30 according to the first embodiment attached to the pachinko machine 1, and FIGS. 12 to 18 are related to the second embodiment attached to the pachinko machine 1. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ball return prevention apparatus. Specifically, FIG. 4 is a front perspective view showing the entire ball return prevention device 30, FIG. 5 is a front perspective view showing a state where the cover member 60 is removed from the ball return prevention device 30, and FIG. 7 is a partially exploded front perspective view, FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the cover member 60 alone, FIG. 8 is a rear view of the swing member 70 alone, and FIG. 9 is a view of the ball return prevention device 30 as viewed from arrows IX-IX in FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the swinging member 70 as viewed from the arrow XX in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11A is a view corresponding to FIG. 10 when the swinging member 70 is in a closed state. FIG. 11B is a view corresponding to FIG. 10 showing a state where the swing member 70 is pressed by the game ball and swings in the clockwise direction. 12 is a front perspective view showing the entire ball return prevention device 130 according to the second embodiment, FIG. 13 is a front perspective view showing a state where the cover member 60 is removed from the ball return prevention device 130, and FIG. 14 is a ball return. 15 is a partially exploded front view perspective view of the prevention device 130, FIG. 15 is a rear view of the swing member 170 alone, FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the ball return prevention device 130 as seen from the arrow IX-IX equivalent in FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the ball return prevention device 130 as viewed from the arrow XVII-XVII in FIG. 16, and FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the ball return prevention device 130 as viewed from the arrow XVIII-XVIII in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pachinko machine 1 has a vertically long rectangular shape when viewed from the front, the depth dimension is smaller than the dimension when viewed from the front, and stands on an indoor installation frame called a game island (not shown). The game is held in a posture. The pachinko machine 1 has a front frame 3 attached to a front opening area of a rectangular frame-shaped outer frame 2 that forms an outer shell, and can be opened and closed by upper and lower hinges 4a and 4b provided on the left side when viewed from the front. A rectangular frame-shaped storage frame 5 that accommodates a game board 6 is mounted in the front frame 3, and the game board 6 is detachable from the storage frame 5 so that it can be exchanged according to the contents of the game. ing.

  A glass door 8 having a glass 7 fitted so as to cover the central rectangular opening 8a is attached to the front surface of the front frame 3 and can be opened and closed by a hinge (not shown) provided on the left side of the front view. Yes. An upper ball tray 9 is attached below the front frame 3, and a lower ball tray 10 is attached below the upper ball tray 3, and each can be opened and closed by a hinge (not shown) provided on the left side of the front view. The fixing of the front frame 3 to the outer frame 2 and the fixing of the glass door 8 to the front frame 3 can be performed by the locking operation of the locking device 11 having a key insertion port on the front right side of the glass door 8. When the glass door 8 is fixed to the front frame 3, the lower ball tray 10 is sandwiched and fixed between the glass door 8 and the front frame 3. A back set board 12 is installed on the back side of the storage frame 5, and other components such as a prize ball storage tank 13, a game ball payout mechanism (not shown), and a control device are attached thereto.

  An operation handle 14 is provided on the right side of the lower ball tray 10 so as to extend forward (player side). When the player touches the operation handle 14, the game balls are successively launched by a hitting mechanism (not shown) built in the pachinko machine 1. A game ball shot by a hitting ball launching mechanism extends from the lower side of the game board 6 to the left in front view and extends upward in an arc shape, and the outer rail 15a passes through the inner peripheral side region of the outer rail 15a. And is guided by a launch rail 15 consisting of an inner rail 15b provided so as to extend from the lower side of the game board 6 to the upper left side of the front view, and the exit opening 16 of the game ball in the launch rail 15 (near the upper end of the inner rail 15b) Is equivalent to this) and is released into a game area 18 (see FIG. 1) formed on the game board 6.

  When the game balls launched into the game area 18 drop into the winning opening and win a prize, a predetermined number of game balls corresponding to the winning situation are paid out into the upper ball tray 9 by a game ball payout mechanism (not shown). However, the position in the game area 18 where the game ball released from the exit opening 16 through the launch rail 15 is dropped is adjusted by the amount of twist operation (twist angle) of the operation handle 14. That is, in order to reach the right region of the game area 18 when viewed from the front, it is only necessary to increase the amount of twisting of the operation handle 14 and launch a game ball with a large hitting force. In order to make it fall into the area, it is only necessary to reduce the amount of twisting operation of the operation handle 14 and launch a game ball with a small hitting force. However, if the amount of twisting operation of the operation handle 14 is too small (the hitting force is too small), the game ball may not be able to jump out of the exit opening 16 and may return backward in the firing rail 15. If the amount of twisting operation 14 is too large (the tapping force is too large), it may collide with the rubber cushion 19 provided on the upper right side of the game board 6 and bounce back to the firing rail 15 side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a ball return prevention device 30 (130) is provided in the vicinity of the game ball outlet opening 16 on the launch rail 15. In this ball return prevention device 30 (130), the game ball released from the exit opening 16 into the game area 18 through the launch rail 15 rebounds at the rubber cushion 19 or the like installed on the game board 6. It is provided in order to prevent the return ball from colliding with the newly launched game ball from returning to the launch rail 15 from the exit opening 16. Hereinafter, the configuration of the ball return prevention device 30 (130) will be described.

  First, the ball return preventing device 30 according to the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ball return prevention device 30 according to the first embodiment includes a swinging member support 40 fixed below the upper end portion of the inner rail 15 b on the game board 6, and the swinging device support 40. A swing member 70 supported by the member support 40 and swingable in a plane parallel to the game board 6 is provided. The swing member support body 40 includes a base member 50 fixed on the game board 6 and a cover member 60 attached to the base member 50.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the base member 50 is elongated as a whole and has a curved shape so as to protrude upward to the left of the game board 6, and the base member 50 is attached to both ends of the game board. 6 is provided with a fixing screw insertion hole 51 into which a fixing screw B1 (see FIG. 3) to be fixed is inserted, and a base member-side protrusion 52 that protrudes and extends toward the cover member 60 is provided at the center. It has been. Further, when the cover member 60 is attached to the base member 50, the cover member attachment screw insertion hole 53 into which the cover member attachment screw B2 for attaching the cover member 60 is inserted, and the cover member 60 are attached to the respective positions sandwiching the base member side protrusion 52. A positioning projection insertion hole 54 into which a positioning projection 64 described later provided in the cover member 60 is inserted is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7, the cover member 60 has an elongated shape along the intermediate portion of the base member 50, and a part of the outer peripheral edge faces the base member 50 side. The side wall 61 extends, and a cover member-side protrusion 62 that protrudes toward the base member 50 side and extends is provided at the center. In addition, at each position sandwiching the cover member-side protrusion 62, a cylinder having a groove on the inner peripheral surface that engages with a protrusion of the cover member mounting screw B2 inserted into the cover member mounting screw hole 53 of the base member 50. When the screw receiving portion 63 and the cover member 60 are attached to the base member 50, the cylindrical positioning projection 64 whose tip is inserted into the positioning projection insertion hole 54 provided in the base member 50 is the base member 50. It protrudes and extends to the side.

  As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 8, and 9, the swing member 70 surrounds an inner cylinder portion 71 a in which a swing shaft insertion hole 72 is formed and an outer periphery of the inner cylinder portion 71 a. A base 71 having a formed outer cylinder 71b (a cylindrical space 71c is formed between the inner cylinder 71a and the outer cylinder 71b. See FIG. 8), and the outer cylinder from the base 71. An elongated opening / closing portion 75 provided linearly extending outward (upward) in the radial direction of 71b and in a direction (downward) substantially opposite to the opening / closing portion 75 from the base 71 (however, slightly to the left in front view) And an extension portion 76 that extends and bends, and a metal weight 78 that is detachably attached to the extension portion 76. A cylindrical portion 77 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) having a weight attachment hole 77a that opens to the cover member 60 side is formed at the center of the extension portion 76, and is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the weight attachment hole 77a. The protrusion 78 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the weight 78 is screwed into the provided recess, whereby the weight 78 is attached to the weight attachment hole 77a (that is, to the extending portion 76).

  In order to assemble the ball return preventing device 30, first, the base member side protrusion 52 provided on the base member 50 is inserted into the swing shaft insertion hole 72 of the swing member 70. As a result, the tip of the base member side projection 52 reaches about half the depth of the swing shaft insertion hole 72 (see FIG. 9). Subsequently, the cover member 60 is attached to the base member 50. At this time, the cover member side protrusion 62 provided on the cover member 60 is opposite to the base member side protrusion 52 in the swing shaft insertion hole 72 of the swing member 70. The distal end portions of the two positioning protrusions 64 are inserted into the positioning protrusion insertion holes 54 provided in the base member 50. Further, the extending portion 76 of the swinging member 70 is accommodated in the space 65 surrounded by the side wall 61 of the cover member 60 (see FIG. 10), and the opening / closing portion 75 is projected and extended to the outside of the cover member 60. (See FIG. 4).

  Through the above steps, the base member side protrusion 52 and the cover member side protrusion 62 inserted into the swing shaft insertion hole 72 of the swing member 70 are spaced apart from each other within the swing shaft insertion hole 72. Are in a state of facing each other. The two protrusions 52 and 62 form a swing shaft 41 extending in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the game board 6, and the swing member 70 is swingably supported by the swing shaft 41 ( (See FIG. 9). A metal bush 73 is inserted in advance in the swing shaft insertion hole 72 (see FIGS. 6 and 9), and the swing generated by swinging the swing member 70 around the swing shaft 41 is made. Wear on the surface of the moving shaft 41 (of the base member side protrusion 52 and the cover member side protrusion 62) is reduced.

  When the steps so far are completed, the cover member mounting screw B2 is inserted from the back surface side of the base member 50 into the cover member mounting screw insertion hole 53 and screwed into the screw receiving portion 63 on the cover member 60 side. As a result, the base member 50 and the cover member 60 are coupled, and the swinging member 70 swings around the swinging shaft 41 within a range in which the extending portion 76 can move within the space 65 surrounded by the side wall 61 of the cover member 60. It becomes a movable state (refer FIG.4 and FIG.9). Here, a circular pedestal 52 a (see FIG. 6) having a slightly larger outer diameter than the protrusion 52 is provided at the base of the base member-side protrusion 52, and the base of the cover member-side protrusion 62 is slightly outside the protrusion 62. A circular pedestal 62a (see FIG. 7) having a large diameter is provided, and the swinging member 70 is in contact with only the pedestals 52a and 62a when supported by the projections 52 and 62, and the base member 50 and the cover member. Since it floats slightly from 60 (see FIG. 9), it can swing smoothly with little friction.

  The swinging member 70 can swing around the swinging shaft 41 formed on the swinging member support 40 as described above, and the extending portion 76 moves in the space 65 surrounded by the side wall 61 of the cover member 60. The right side flat portion 76a provided on the right side surface of the extending portion 76 is moved to the right side (right side wall 61a) of the side wall 61 of the cover member 60. The left flat portion 76b provided on the left side surface of the extending portion 76 is limited to the left portion of the side wall 61 of the cover member 60 (the left side wall 61b). It is restricted where it touches from the right side. That is, the swinging member 70 has a position where the right flat portion 76a of the extending portion 76 is brought into contact with the right side wall 61a of the cover member 60 from the left (this is a non-swinging position), and a left side of the extending portion 76. The flat portion 76b can be swung between a position where the flat portion 76b is brought into contact with the left side wall 61b of the cover member 60 from the right side (this is a maximum rocking position).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ball return prevention device 30 assembled in this way has the swinging member 70 in the non-swinging position, and the opening / closing part 75 is substantially vertical to the right of the upper end of the inner rail 15b. It is attached on the game board 6 so as to extend in the direction and the upper end of the opening / closing portion 75 is located at a substantially middle height between the outer rail 15a and the inner rail 15b. When the ball return prevention device 30 is attached to the predetermined position of the game board 6, the opening / closing part 75 of the swing member 70 is in a state of closing the game ball outlet opening 16 in the firing rail 15. Note that the ball return prevention device 30 is mounted on the game board 6 by screwing the fixing screw B1 into the game board 6 from the two fixing screw insertion holes 51 provided in the base member 50.

  In a state where the ball return prevention device 30 is mounted at a predetermined position on the game board 6, the right flat portion 76a provided on the right side surface of the extending portion 76 is brought into contact with the right wall 61a of the cover member 60 from the left side. Since it is located at the non-oscillating position (see FIG. 11A), it cannot oscillate counterclockwise from this position, and only oscillating in the clockwise direction is allowed. The clockwise swing limit is set until the left flat portion 76b provided on the left side surface of the extending portion 76 is brought into contact with the left wall 61b of the cover member 60 from the right side (at the maximum swing position). (See FIG. 11B).

  As shown in FIG. 10, a moment M around the swing shaft 41 caused by its own weight acts on the swing member 70, and the moment M around the swing shaft 41 acting on the swing member 70 is swung. The weight of the entire member 70 is m, the angle between the straight line L1 connecting the center of gravity G of the swing member 70 and the center of the swing shaft 41 and the vertical axis VL passing through the center of the swing shaft 41 is φ, and the swing member 70 When the distance between the center of gravity G and the center of the swing shaft 41 is s, it can be expressed by the equation M = mssinφ. Here, as described above, the ball return preventing device 30 is positioned at the non-oscillating position in which the swinging member 70 makes the right flat portion 76a of the extending portion 76 contact the right side wall 61 of the cover member 60 from the left. The center of gravity G of the swinging member 70 is always below the swinging shaft 41 and passes through the center of the swinging shaft 41 regardless of the posture of the swinging member 70. It is located to the left of the axis VL. Therefore, a counterclockwise moment M generated by its own weight always acts on the swinging member 70, and the swinging member 70 is always directed to the non-swinging position by this moment M (that is, a game on the firing rail 15). A biasing force (in the direction in which the outlet opening 16 of the sphere is closed) will be received. When the swinging member 70 swings clockwise from the non-swinging position, the center of gravity G of the swinging member 70 rises, so that the counterclockwise moment M acting on the swinging member 70 increases, and accordingly. The urging force that urges the oscillating member 70 toward the non-oscillating position also increases.

  When the ball return prevention device 30 is mounted at a predetermined position on the game board 6, the swing member 70 is positioned at the non-swing position as described above, and swings counterclockwise from this posture (vertical posture). Since it cannot move, the game ball in the game area 18 rebounds at the rubber cushion 19 or the like, collides with the opening / closing part 75 of the swing member 70 from the right side, and presses it in the left direction (counterclockwise direction). However, since the swinging member 70 cannot swing in that direction and the posture of the non-swinging position is maintained, the return ball (game ball) from the game area 18 is played by the opening / closing part 75 of the swinging member 70. Played in the area 18. On the other hand, the swinging member 70 swings to the right by the pressing force when the opening / closing part 75 is pressed rightward (clockwise) by the game ball B passing through the launch rail 15. Therefore, the outlet opening 16 is opened, and the game ball B is released into the game area 18 (see FIG. 11B). In FIG. 11B, the swinging member 70 is in a maximum swinging position where the left flat portion 76b of the extending portion 76 is brought into contact with the left wall 61b of the cover member 60. This is an example when the hitting force of the game ball is relatively large, and the swinging member 70 pressed by the game ball does not always have such a maximum swinging posture.

  Here, as described above, the moment M around the swinging shaft 41 acting on the swinging member 70 is the weight m of the entire swinging member 70, the center of gravity G of the swinging member 70 and the center of the swinging shaft 41. The angle between the connecting straight line L1 and the vertical axis VL passing through the center of the swing shaft 41 is φ, and the distance between the center of gravity G of the swing member 70 and the center of the swing shaft 41 is expressed as M = mssin φ. Therefore, the swing member 70 is closed by closing the outlet opening 70 by changing the weight m of the swing member 70 including the weight 78 or the position of the center of gravity G of the swing member 70 including the weight 78 with respect to the swing shaft 41. The biasing force biasing in the direction can be adjusted. The change of the weight m of the entire swing member 70 or the change of the position of the center of gravity G of the swing member 70 relative to the swing shaft 41 is specifically performed by changing the weight of the weight 78 (the weight 78 is not used). Including cases). In this ball return prevention device 30, the weight 78 is detachable from the extending portion 76 of the swing member 70, so that the weight of the weight 78 can be easily changed. It is possible to very easily adjust the urging force that urges the opening 16 in the closing direction, that is, the pushing force of the swing member 70. In the anti-return device 30 shown here, only one weight 78 can be detachably attached to the swinging member 70 (the extending portion 76 thereof). If it is possible to selectively attach to the swing member 70, the change of the weight m of the entire swing member 70 and the position of the center of gravity G of the swing member 70, that is, the adjustment of the urging force of the swing member 70 becomes easier. . Even if the urging force of the swing member 70 is the same, it is possible to change the pushing force of the swing member 70 at the time of hitting the ball by changing the axial length of the opening / closing portion 75 ( Specifically, if the axial length of the opening / closing part 75 is increased, the displacement force of the guide member 70 is reduced).

  Thus, the ball return prevention device 30 according to the first embodiment (one embodiment of the present invention) is supported by the swing member support body 40 fixed on the game board 6 and the swing member support body 40. The swinging member 70 is swingable between a position at which the outlet opening 16 of the game ball is closed and a position at which the outlet opening 16 is opened. The swinging member 70 is around the swinging shaft 41 generated by its own weight. The moment M is constantly urged in the closing direction of the outlet opening 16, and when it is pressed by the game ball passing through the firing rail 15, it swings in the opening direction of the outlet opening 16 by the pressing force. Yes. That is, in this embodiment, the urging force that constantly urges the swinging member in the closing direction of the outlet opening is obtained by the moment about the swinging shaft generated by the weight of the swinging member. A biasing force for biasing the swinging member 70 in the closing direction of the outlet opening 16 by adjusting the weight of the moving member 70 and the positional relationship between the center of gravity of the swinging member 70 and the swing center (swinging shaft 41); As a result, it is possible to set the pushing force of the swinging member 70 that becomes a resistance force when the game ball is launched to an extremely small value, and swing even when it is necessary to launch the game ball with a relatively weak hitting force. There is no need to consider the pushing force of the member 70, and the hitting control can be made easier than in the prior art. Further, unlike the conventional configuration using a metal tongue piece member, the original function as a ball return preventing device is not impaired because the resistance force when the game ball is launched is reduced. Further, the swing member 70 has a weight 78 that can be detachably attached, and the moment M around the swing shaft 41 of the swing member 70 is changed by changing the weight of the weight 78 or its mounting position. Therefore, it is possible to easily adjust the urging force for urging the swinging member 70 in the closing direction of the outlet opening 16.

  Next, the ball return prevention device 130 according to the second embodiment will be described. Similar to the ball return prevention device 30 according to the first embodiment, the ball return prevention device 130 according to the second embodiment includes a swinging member support 140 fixed below the upper end of the inner rail 15b on the game board 6. The swinging member support 140 has a swinging member 170 supported by the swinging member support 140 and swingable in a plane parallel to the game board 6, and the swinging member support 140 is fixed on the game board 6. The base member 150 and the cover member 60 attached to the base member 150 are configured (see FIG. 12). The configuration of a part of the base member 150 and the configuration of a part of the swing member 170 are the first. It is different from the case of the ball return prevention device 30 of the form (see FIGS. 13 and 14). In the following description, the same components (or components) as those of the ball return prevention device 30 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and descriptions of functions and the like are omitted.

  The base member 150 of the ball return prevention device 130 according to the second embodiment is almost the same as the base member 50 of the ball return prevention device 30 according to the first embodiment, but as shown in FIG. The base member 50 is different from the base member 50 of the ball return prevention device 30 according to the first embodiment in that the base member side locking protrusion 157 is provided at a position extending substantially parallel to the base member side protrusion 52.

  The swing member 170 of the ball return prevention device 130 according to the second embodiment has many parts in common with the swing member 70 of the ball return prevention device 30 according to the first embodiment, but as shown in FIGS. The weight 78 included in the swing member 70 according to the first embodiment is not provided. Therefore, the extending portion 76 includes the cylindrical portion 77 (and the weight mounting hole 77a included in the swing member 70 according to the first embodiment). ) Is not provided.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the cylindrical space 71c of the swinging member 170, there are four swinging member side locking projections 174 (174a in the clockwise direction in front view) that extend from the base 71 to the base member 150 side. 174b, 174c, and 174d), and a coil spring 180 (see FIG. 14) is attached in the cylindrical space 71c so as to surround the outer periphery of the inner cylinder portion 71a (see FIG. 16). ). The interval between adjacent ones of the rocking member side locking projections 174 is slightly larger than the diameter of the steel rod constituting the coil spring 180, and one end of the coil spring 180 inserted into the inner cylindrical portion 71a. The portion (the end portion on the swinging member 170 side) 181 includes three inter-projection spaces (175a, 175b, 175c in the clockwise direction in front view) formed by the adjacent ones of the four swinging member side locking projections 174. 18 (see FIG. 18) can be selectively inserted (locked). Further, the other end portion (end portion on the base member 150 side) 182 of the coil spring 180 is in contact (locked) from the right side with the above-described base member side locking protrusion 157 formed on the base member 150 ( (Refer FIG.16 and FIG.18).

  In order to assemble the ball return prevention device 130, first, the coil spring 180 is inserted into the cylindrical space 71 c of the swing member 170, and one end portion 181 of the coil spring 180 is formed by the four swing member-side locking projections 174. The base member side protrusion 52 provided on the base member 150 is inserted into the swing shaft insertion hole 72 of the swing member 170 after being inserted into any of the three inter-projection spaces 175a, 175b, and 175c. Then, the rocking member 170 is rotated in the clockwise direction so that the other end portion 182 of the coil spring 180 abuts on the base member side locking protrusion 157 provided on the base member 150. In addition, by inserting the base member side protrusion 52 into the swing shaft insertion hole 72 of the swing member 170 as described above, the tip of the base member side protrusion 52 is about half the depth of the swing shaft insertion hole 72. (See FIG. 16).

  Subsequently, the cover member 60 is attached to the base member 150. At this time, the cover member side protrusion 62 provided on the cover member 60 is opposite to the base member side protrusion 52 in the swing shaft insertion hole 72 of the swing member 170. The distal end portions of the two positioning protrusions 64 are inserted into the positioning protrusion insertion holes 54 provided in the base member 150. Further, the extending portion 76 of the swinging member 170 is accommodated in the space 65 surrounded by the side wall 61 of the cover member 60 (see FIG. 17), and the opening / closing portion 75 extends so as to protrude outside the cover member 60. . As described above, the swing member 170 is rotated in the clockwise direction so that the other end portion 182 of the coil spring 180 is brought into contact with the base member side locking projection 157 (at this time, the coil spring 180 is still twisted and deformed). In this state, the extending portion 76 of the swinging member 170 is positioned outside the space 65, so that the extending portion 76 of the swinging member 170 is accommodated in the space 65. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to keep the swinging member 170 rotated in the clockwise direction against the spring force of the coil spring 180. As a result, the coil spring 180 is given an initial torsional deformation that biases the swing member 170 in the counterclockwise direction.

  The base member-side protrusion 52 and the cover member-side protrusion 62 inserted into the swinging shaft insertion hole 72 of the swinging member 170 by the above process are in a state in which the tips are opposed to each other inside the swinging shaft insertion hole 72. Become. The protrusions 52 and 62 form a swing shaft 41 extending in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the game board 6, and the swing member 170 is swingably supported by the swing shaft 41 ( (See FIG. 16). As in the case of the first embodiment, in order to reduce wear on the outer surface of the swing shaft 41, a metal bush 73 is inserted in the swing shaft insertion hole 72 in advance.

  When the steps so far are completed, the cover member mounting screw B2 is inserted into the cover member mounting screw insertion hole 53 from the back surface side of the base member 150, and is screwed into the screw receiving portion 63 of the cover member 60. As a result, the base member 150 and the cover member 60 are coupled, and the swinging member 170 swings around the swinging shaft 14 within a range in which the extending portion 76 can move within the space 65 surrounded by the side wall 61 of the cover member 60. It becomes a movable state (refer FIG.12 and FIG.16). Here, when the swinging member 170 is supported by both the protrusions 52 and 62, only the both bases 52a and 62a come into contact with each other and are slightly lifted from the base member 150 and the cover member 60 (see FIG. 16). As in the case of the first embodiment, it is possible to swing smoothly with a small amount of friction.

  The swing member 170 can swing around the swing shaft 41 formed on the swing member support 140 as described above, and the extending portion 76 moves in the space 65 surrounded by the side wall 61 of the cover member 60. Although it can swing within the range to be obtained, the swing in the counterclockwise direction is such that the right flat portion 76a provided on the right side surface of the extending portion 76 abuts on the right side wall 61a of the cover member 60 from the left side. By the way, the swinging in the clockwise direction is limited when the left flat portion 76b provided on the left side surface of the extending portion 76 comes into contact with the left wall 61b of the cover member 60 from the right side. That is, the swinging member 170 includes a position where the right flat portion 76a of the extending portion 76 is brought into contact with the right side wall 61a of the cover member 60 from the left side (non-oscillating position) and a left flat portion 76b of the extending portion 76. The cover member 60 can swing between the left side wall 61b of the cover member 60 and a position where it abuts from the right side (maximum swing position).

  As in the case of the ball return prevention device 30 in the first embodiment, the ball return prevention device 130 assembled in this way has an opening / closing portion with the swinging member 170 positioned at the non-swinging position, as shown in FIG. 75 is extended on the game board 6 so that the right end region of the upper end portion of the inner rail 15b extends in a substantially vertical direction, and the upper end portion of the opening / closing portion 75 is positioned at a substantially middle height between the outer rail 15a and the inner rail 15b. Mounted. When the ball return prevention device 130 is attached to the predetermined position of the game board 6, the opening / closing part 75 of the swing member 170 is in a state of closing the game ball outlet opening 16 in the firing rail 15.

  In a state where the ball return prevention device 130 is attached at a predetermined position on the game board 6, the right flat portion 76 a provided on the right side surface of the extending portion 76 is brought into contact with the right wall 61 a of the cover member 60 from the left side. Since it is located at the non-oscillating position (see FIG. 11A), it cannot oscillate counterclockwise from this position, and only oscillating in the clockwise direction is allowed. The clockwise swing limit is set until the left flat portion 76b provided on the left side surface of the extending portion 76 is brought into contact with the left wall 61b of the cover member 60 from the right side (at the maximum swing position). (See FIG. 11B).

  As described above, since the coil spring 180 is subjected to the initial torsional deformation that urges the swinging member 170 in the counterclockwise direction in the assembly process of the ball return prevention device 130, the swinging member 170 is always the coil spring 180. The swinging member 170 is always non-swinged by the biasing force received from the coil spring 180 in the counterclockwise direction (that is, the direction in which the exit opening 16 of the game ball on the launch rail 15 is closed). Try to hold the moving position. When an external force in the clockwise direction is applied to the opening / closing portion 75, the swing member 170 swings in the clockwise direction against the biasing force of the coil spring 180. When the swing member 170 swings in the clockwise direction, the amount of twist deformation of the coil spring 180 increases, so that the counterclockwise moment M received by the swing member 170 from the coil spring 180 increases. .

  In a state where the ball return prevention device 130 is mounted at a predetermined position on the game board 6, the swinging member 170 is positioned at the non-swinging position, and swinging counterclockwise from this posture (vertical posture) Therefore, even if the game ball in the game area 18 rebounds at the rubber cushion 19 or the like and collides with the opening / closing part 75 of the swing member 170 from the right side and presses it in the left direction (counterclockwise direction), it swings. Since the member 170 cannot swing in that direction, and the posture of the non-swinging position is maintained, the return ball (game ball) from the game area 18 is brought into the game area 18 by the opening / closing part 75 of the swing member 170. Be played out. On the other hand, when the opening / closing portion 75 is pressed in the right direction (clockwise direction) by the game ball that has passed through the firing rail 15, the swinging member 170 is applied to the biasing force of the coil spring 180. As a result, the outlet opening 16 is opened, and the game ball is released into the game area 18 (see FIG. 11B). Note that the swinging member 170 that swings in the clockwise direction is not always in the maximum swinging posture, as in the case of the ball return prevention device 30 according to the first embodiment.

  Here, as described above, one end portion (end portion on the swinging member 170 side) 181 of the coil spring 180 can be selectively attached to any of the three inter-projection spaces 175a, 175b, and 175c. The space between the protrusions to which the one end 181 of the 180 is attached can be changed. However, since the amount of initial twist deformation of the coil spring 180 can be changed, the swinging member 170 is rotated counterclockwise (the closing direction of the outlet opening 16). Ii) The biasing force to be biased can be changed. Specifically, the amount of initial torsional deformation is greater when one end of the coil spring 180 is attached to the inter-projection space 175b than to be attached to the inter-projection space 175a, and more preferably attached to the inter-projection space 175c than is attached to the inter-projection space 175b. Therefore, the urging force for urging the swinging member 170 in the closing direction of the outlet opening 16 can be increased. In addition, the urging force for urging the swinging member 70 in the closing direction of the outlet opening 16 can be changed by replacing the coil spring with another coil spring having a different spring constant. Note that it is possible to change the pushing force of the swinging member 170 at the time of hitting the ball by changing the axial length of the opening / closing part 75 even if the urging force is the same, according to the first embodiment. This is the same as the case of the ball return prevention device 30.

  As described above, the ball return prevention device 130 according to the second embodiment includes the swinging member support 140 fixed on the game board 6, and the position supported by the swinging member support 140 to close the outlet opening 16. The swing member 170 is swingable between a position where the outlet opening 16 is opened, and a spring member (coil spring 180) that biases the swing member 170 in the closing direction of the outlet opening 16. The moving member 170 is constantly urged in the closing direction of the outlet opening 16 by the spring member, and when pressed by the game ball that has passed through the firing rail 15, the moving member 170 swings in the opening direction of the outlet opening 16 by the pressing force. It has become. That is, in this embodiment, the urging force that constantly urges the swing member 170 in the closing direction of the outlet opening 16 is obtained by the elastic force (restoring force) of the spring member. By adjusting the characteristics (spring constant, etc.) and the mounting position of the spring member, the urging force that urges the oscillating member 170 in the closing direction of the outlet opening 16, that is, the oscillating member 170 that becomes a resistance force when the game ball is launched. Can be set to an extremely small value, and even when it is necessary to strike a game ball with a relatively weak hitting force, it is not necessary to consider the pushing force of the swing member 170, and the hitting control Can be made easier than in the prior art. Further, unlike the conventional configuration using a metal tongue piece member, the original function as a ball return preventing device is not impaired because the resistance force when the game ball is launched is reduced.

  The coil spring 180 included in the ball return prevention device 130 according to the second embodiment has a function of constantly urging the swinging member 170 in a direction in which the outlet opening 16 is closed. The spring member is not necessarily a coil spring as long as it has a function, and may be, for example, a leaf spring or a tension spring. However, as shown in the above embodiment, the spring member is provided so as to be concentric with the swing shaft 41, and one end (the end 181 on the swing member side) is locked to the swing member 170, If the other end portion (the end portion 182 on the base member side) is a coil spring that is locked to the swinging member support 140 (to the base member side locking protrusion 157), the spring member can be mounted very easily. In addition, the biasing force of the swing member 170 can be easily adjusted.

  Further, in both the ball return prevention device 30 according to the first embodiment and the ball return prevention device 130 according to the second embodiment, the rocking member supports 40 and 140 are base members 50 and 150 fixed on the game board 6. And a cover member 60 attached to the base members 50 and 150. A swing shaft 41 that swingably supports the swing members 70 and 170 protrudes from the base members 50 and 150 toward the cover member 60. Since the provided base member side protrusion 52 and the cover member side protrusion 62 provided so as to protrude from the cover member 60 toward the base members 50 and 150 are formed with their tip portions facing each other, the swing member 70, The intermediate portion of the swing shaft 41 can be omitted while maintaining the function of supporting the swing of 170, and the material can be saved correspondingly. In the above-described two embodiments, the base member-side protrusion 52 and the cover member-side protrusion 62 are configured to face each other with their distal ends separated from each other. You may become the structure which opposes in the state which couple | bonded the front-end | tip parts (fitting). Further, the base member side protrusion 52 and the cover member side protrusion 62 are both formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and a bolt provided so as to penetrate both the protrusions 52 and 62 is connected to the base member 50 (150) and the cover member 60. It is good also as a structure which serves as components. Further, pedestals 52a and 62a are provided at the bases of both protrusions 52 and 62, and the swing members 70 and 170 are in contact with both pedestals 52a and 62a only when they are supported by both protrusions 52 and 62, and the base member 50 is provided. , 150 and the cover member 60 are slightly lifted, and can be smoothly swung with little friction.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to those shown in the above-described embodiments. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the swinging range is limited by the extension portion 76 of the swinging member 70 (or 170) contacting the swinging member support 40 (or 140) side. However, this is a configuration in which the swing range is limited by a portion other than the extending portion 76 (for example, the base of the opening / closing portion 75) coming into contact with a protrusion or the like separately provided on the swing member support 40 (140). It may be. If such a configuration is adopted, it is not always necessary to provide the extending portion 76 in the ball return prevention device 130 according to the second embodiment.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the target to which the ball return prevention device according to the present invention is applied is the pachinko machine 1, but the target to which the present invention is applied is a game ball that has been hit by a hitting mechanism. Any ball ball game machine may be used as long as it is configured to be guided by a launch rail provided on the board and discharged into a game area on the game board, and may be an arrangement ball, a sparrow ball, or the like.

1 is a front view of a pachinko machine to which a ball return prevention device according to the present invention is applied. It is a side view of the pachinko machine. It is a figure which shows the state which attached the ball return prevention apparatus which concerns on this invention on the game board of a pachinko machine. It is a front perspective view showing the whole ball return prevention device concerning the 1st form. It is a front perspective view which shows the state which removed the cover member from the ball | bowl return prevention apparatus which concerns on a 1st form. It is a partial exploded front perspective view of the ball return prevention device concerning the 1st form. It is a back perspective view of the cover member single-piece | unit which comprises the ball | bowl return prevention apparatus which concerns on a 1st form. It is a rear view of the rocking | swiveling member single-piece | unit which comprises the ball | bowl return prevention apparatus which concerns on a 1st form. It is sectional drawing of the ball | bowl return prevention apparatus which concerns on the 1st form seen from arrow IX-IX in FIG. It is a figure which shows the generation principle of the moment which acts on the rocking | swiveling member of the ball | bowl return prevention apparatus which concerns on a 1st form, and is sectional drawing seen from the arrow XX in FIG. (A) is a figure equivalent to FIG. 10 when the rocking | swiveling member in the ball | bowl return prevention apparatus which concerns on 1st form is in a closed state, (B) is the right direction when the rocking | swiveling member is pressed by the game ball. FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG. It is a front perspective view which shows the whole ball | bowl return prevention apparatus which concerns on a 2nd form. It is a front perspective view which shows the state which removed the cover member from the ball | bowl return prevention apparatus which concerns on a 2nd form. It is a partial exploded front view perspective view of the ball return prevention device concerning the 2nd form. It is a rear view of the rocking | swiveling member single-piece | unit which comprises the ball | bowl return prevention apparatus which concerns on a 2nd form. It is sectional drawing which looked at the ball return prevention apparatus which concerns on a 2nd form from the arrow IX-IX equivalent in FIG. It is sectional drawing which looked at the ball | bowl return prevention apparatus which concerns on a 2nd form from the arrow XVII-XVII in FIG. It is sectional drawing which looked at the ball | bowl return prevention apparatus which concerns on a 2nd form from the arrow XVIII-XVIII in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachinko machine (ball game machine)
2 outer frame 3 front frame 4a, 4b hinge 5 storage frame 6 game board 7 glass plate 8 glass door 9 upper ball dish 10 lower ball dish 11 locking device 12 back set board 13 prize ball storage tank 14 operation handle 15 firing rail 15a outside Rail 15b Inner rail 16 Exit opening 18 Game area 19 Rubber cushion 30 Ball return prevention device 40 Oscillating member support 41 Oscillating shaft 50 Base member 51 Fixing screw insertion hole 52 Base member side protrusion 53 Cover member attaching screw insertion hole 54 Positioning Projection insertion hole 55 Left side edge 56 Right side edge 60 Cover member 61 Side wall 61a Right side wall 61b Left side wall 62 Cover member side protrusion 63 Screw receiving part 64 Positioning protrusion 65 Space 70 Swing member 71 Base 71a Inner cylinder part 71b Outer cylinder part 71c Cylinder -Shaped space 72 Oscillating shaft insertion hole 73 Bush 75 Opening / closing part 76 Extension part 7 Cylindrical portion 77a Weight mounting hole 78 Weight 130 Ball return prevention device 140 Oscillating member support 150 Base member 157 Base member side engaging projection 170 170 Oscillating member 174 Oscillating member side engaging projection 175a, 175b, 175c Space between projections 180 Coil spring 181 End portion on the swing member side of the coil spring 182 End portion on the base member side of the coil spring

Claims (2)

In a ball game machine configured to guide a game ball fired by a hit ball launching mechanism by a launch rail provided on a game board and release the game ball into a game area on the game board, the game ball on the launch rail A ball return prevention device for a ball game machine that is provided in a region near an exit opening into a game area and prevents a game ball launched into the game area from returning to the launch rail again. ,
An oscillating member support that is fixed on the gaming board and formed with an oscillating shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the gaming board;
A swing member supported by the swing shaft formed on the swing member support and swingable between a position for closing the outlet opening and a position for opening the outlet opening;
The swinging member is constantly urged in the closing direction of the outlet opening by a moment around the swinging shaft generated by its own weight, and when pressed by a game ball that has passed through the launch rail, A ball return prevention device for a ball game machine characterized by swinging in the opening direction of the outlet opening. 2. The ball return prevention device for a ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the swinging member has a weight that can be detachably attached.

Images