JP2007236816A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine adaptable to the upsizing of a game board by devising the arrangement place of a mechanism for discharging balls inside the game machine in order to largely set the storage space of a storage part for storing the game board. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine 1 is provided with: a body frame 13 having a game board storage part 70 for storing a game board unit 5 with a game area 7 formed therein; an upper tray 16 (a ball supply tray) for storing the game balls; and a ball discharge device 201 for discharging the game balls stored in a replenishing tank 20 (a ball storage part) to the upper tray 16. In the game board unit 5, upper game board flow-down passage 78 and a lower game board flow-down passage 79 (a ball flow-down passage), which guide by flowing-down the game balls discharged by the ball discharge device 201 to the upper tray 16 are formed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to a pachinko machine having a gaming ball payout function.

Conventionally, in a pachinko machine configured such that a predetermined number of game balls are paid out from a ball storage unit to a tray as a prize ball when a game ball flowing down a game area formed on a game board enters a prize opening. There is a ball extraction structure to be applied, which includes a ball flow down path that guides the payout of the winning ball from the ball storage section toward the tray and a discharge path through which the game balls remaining in the ball storage section are extracted. . This pachinko machine is provided with a prize ball payout device for paying out a prize ball from a ball storage section of the prize ball to a tray, and a ball rental payout device for paying out a ball (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-236193 A

  A conventional gaming machine such as a pachinko machine is mainly used in which a game board is arranged on the front surface of a main body frame (see, for example, FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1). The main body frame is provided with a prize ball payout device, a rental ball payout device, and other flow paths for discharging the balls.

  In general, pachinko machine game boards are provided with large image display devices and lighting devices, but in recent years these image display devices and lighting devices tend to be large, and the game boards themselves are also large. It has become. For this reason, there is an increasing demand to widen the storage space of the game board storage portion provided in the main body frame for storing the game board. However, like the conventional game machine described in Patent Document 1 described above, the game board storage Since the mechanism for discharging the ball remains in the portion (annular structure 51 in Patent Document 1), it is difficult to further increase the storage space of the game board storage portion.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a gaming machine that can cope with an increase in the size of a game board by devising an arrangement position of a mechanism for discharging a ball in order to set a large storage space for a storage part that stores the game board. With the goal.

  A first aspect of the present invention relates to a main body frame having a storage portion for storing a game board unit in which a game area is formed, a ball supply tray in which game balls are stored, and a game ball stored in a ball storage portion. In the gaming machine including the ball discharge device for discharging to the ball, the game board unit is formed with a ball flow path for guiding the game ball discharged by the ball discharge device to flow down to the ball supply tray.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the game board unit includes a ball inflow portion for introducing the game ball discharged by the ball discharge device into the ball flow lower path, and a game ball flowing down from the ball flow lower path A sphere outflow portion that flows out toward the sphere supply tray, and the sphere discharge device is a predetermined portion on the main body frame side, and is provided at a position higher than the sphere inflow portion.

  According to a third invention, in the first to second inventions, a recess is formed on the back surface of the game board unit, and the ball flow path is formed by a part of the storage portion covering the recess. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects of the present invention, the game board unit includes a partition member that partitions the region where the launch ball can move and forms the game region at a corner on the surface side, The ball flow downway is formed on the back surface side of the partition member, and the storage portion is formed on the back surface side of the partition member at a position in contact with the side portion of the game board unit when the game board unit is stored. There is formed a communication flow channel that communicates with the ball flow channel.

  According to the first invention, a main body frame having a storage portion for storing a game board unit in which a game area is formed, a ball supply tray for storing game balls, and a game ball stored by a ball storage portion for the balls In a gaming machine comprising a ball discharge device for discharging to a supply tray, the game board unit is formed with a ball flow path for guiding the game balls discharged by the ball discharge device to flow down to the ball supply tray. In the conventional case, the ball flow down path formed on the main body frame side can be moved to the game board unit side, so that the space for securing the ball flow down path in the main body frame is unnecessary. . As a result, the storage portion for storing the game board unit can be enlarged, and the game board unit can be enlarged.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the game board unit supplies a ball inflow section for introducing the game ball discharged by the ball discharge device into the ball flow downstream, and a game ball flowing down from the ball flow downstream. A ball outflow portion that flows out toward the dish, and the ball discharge device is a predetermined portion on the main body frame side and is provided at a position higher than the ball inflow portion. By disposing the ball discharge device in a space above the position, the game board unit and the ball discharge device can be arranged so as not to interfere with each other, and the game board unit can be further enlarged.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the concave portion is formed on the back surface of the game board unit, and the ball flow down path is formed by part of the storage portion covering the concave portion. The structure of the ball flow downway can be simplified while taking advantage of the dead space.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the game board unit, a partition member that partitions the region where the launch ball can move to form the game region is provided at a corner on the front surface side, and the rear surface side of the partition member A ball flow downway is formed, and the storage portion communicates with a ball flow downway formed on the back side of the partition member at a position in contact with a side portion of the game board unit when the game board unit is stored. Since a continuous flow path is formed, it is possible to distribute the flow path of the ball between the game board unit and the main body frame, and make the ball flow from the main body frame as much as possible while taking advantage of the dead space on the back of the game board unit. By removing the path, the game board unit can be enlarged.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine (pachinko machine) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the description of the present embodiment, the front-rear direction is shown with the side where the player of the gaming machine 1 plays (the lower left side in the figure) as the front.

  One side of the front frame 3 is attached to the outer frame 2 of the gaming machine 1 via a hinge 4 so as to be capable of opening and closing.

  A glass frame 9 is attached to the front frame 3 through a hinge 10 so as to be capable of opening and closing. A substantially circular opening 11 is formed on the front surface of the glass frame 9. A cover glass 12 is incorporated into the glass frame 9 from the back side. Therefore, when the gaming machine 1 is viewed from the front with the glass frame 9 closed, the front surface of the gaming board unit 5 is covered with the cover glass 12 so as to be seen through.

  A decorative light-emitting device 15 made up of a lamp, an LED, or the like is provided at a key point of the front frame 3. The decorative light emitting device 15 emits light corresponding to the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 when an event such as a big hit gaming state or an abnormality occurs.

  An upper plate 16 for guiding the game ball to a ball hitting device (not shown) is disposed below the front frame 3. In addition, a lower plate 18 and a firing operation unit 19 of a ball striking device are disposed on the fixed panel 17 below the front frame 3.

  When a game ball wins a general winning opening (not shown), a starting winning opening (not shown), and a special variable winning device (not shown), the number of winning balls corresponding to the type of the winning winning opening is inside the gaming machine 1. Is discharged to the upper plate 16 or the lower plate 18 from a payout unit (not shown) provided in the upper plate. In addition, a number of gaming balls corresponding to a ball rental request of a card unit (not shown) connected to the gaming machine 1 are discharged from the supply tank 20 provided on the back surface of the gaming machine 1 to the upper plate 16. . The supply tank 20 includes a ball discharge device 201 (see FIG. 7) described later. The replenishing tank 20 includes a tank cover 202 that protects the ball discharge device 201.

  On the upper edge of the upper plate 16, a card balance display unit 21 for displaying the balance of the prepaid card inserted in the card unit, a ball lending switch 22 for instructing lending of game balls, and a card for instructing the return of the prepaid card A return switch 23 is provided.

  Further, an upper plate return lever 24 for discharging the game balls stored in the upper plate 16 to the lower plate 18 is provided on the side edge of the upper plate 16.

  Below the lower plate 18, a lower plate return lever 25 is provided for discharging the game balls stored in the lower plate 18 downward. Normally, a game ball storage box is placed on a lower plate (counter) (not shown) below the lower plate 18. And the game ball discharged | emitted below from the lower tray 18 is stored by the said game ball storage box.

  A sound output device (speaker) 26 and an ashtray 27 are provided on the left of the lower plate 18.

  Next, the internal configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the gaming machine 1 in which the glass frame 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened, showing a state in which the gaming board unit 5 in which the gaming area 7 is formed is separated from the front frame 3. Yes.

  The front frame 3 is a frame-shaped frame that houses the game board unit 5. As described above, the glass frame 9 is attached to the front frame 3 via the hinge 10 so as to be openable and closable. A substantially circular opening 11 that is transmitted through the cover glass 12 is formed on the front surface of the glass frame 9.

  A game board storage portion 70 is formed in the front frame 3 as a space for storing the game board unit 5. The game board storage section 70 includes a left side wall 70a formed on the left side inside the front frame 3, a right side wall 70d (see FIG. 3) formed on the right side inside the front frame 3, and the game board unit 5 Is formed in a space surrounded by the game board mounting table 70c on which is mounted. In addition, a rectangular opening 31 is formed on the back surface of the game board storage unit 70 so that members used in the game such as an image display device provided in the game board unit 5 do not come into contact with the game board storage part 70. A left rear wall 70b that covers the left end back surface of the game board unit 5 is formed between the left side wall 70a and the left side wall 70a, and the right end back surface of the game board unit 5 is covered between the opening 31 and the right side wall 70d. A right rear wall 70e (see FIG. 3) is formed.

  Further, the above-described replenishment tank 20 and tank cover 202 are attached to the front frame 3 above the game board storage unit 70.

  The game board storage unit 70 occupies more than the upper half of the front frame 3. The left side wall 70a, the right side wall 70d (see FIG. 3), and the game board mounting table 70c forming the game board storage unit 70 have a front-rear width substantially equal to the plate thickness of the game board base 50 (see FIG. 4) of the game board unit 5. Formed on the same surface. The game board mounting table 70c is not a series of left and right planes, but is formed with a step in the middle, and a notch 309 is formed substantially in the center in the left and right direction, and an out ball receiver for discharging the out ball in the notch. It is comprised so that a member (illustration omitted) can be arrange | positioned.

  The game board unit 5 is stored in the game board storage part 70 in a state of being mounted on the upper surface of the game board mounting table 70c. At this time, the game board unit 5 is in a state in which one side can be attached / detached by the fastening bracket 34 provided on the left side wall 70 a of the game board storage part 70, and the upper side and the right side wall of the game board storage part 70. It is stored in the game board storage portion 70 in a state where the upper side and the other side are fixed by a fixing member 33 provided at 70d (see FIG. 3).

  In the present embodiment, among the members constituting the gaming machine 1, the outer frame 2, the front frame 3, the glass frame 9 (that is, the game board unit 5, the game control device (not shown), and the display control device (shown). The members other than (omitted) are integrated with each other to constitute the main body frame 13. That is, the game board unit 5 is configured to be detachably housed in a game board housing section 70 formed on the front surface of the main body frame 13.

  The game board unit 5 has a different design for each model (specifications differ for each model), but the main body frame 13 is configured to be commonly used for all models. Therefore, when exchanging the model of the gaming machine 1, the game room leaves the main body frame 13 in the island facility without exchanging, and replaces only the game board unit 5, the game control device and the display control device with the new model. Replace it.

  Further, the fastening bracket 34 is a member that engages with the upper and lower mounting portions 64 on the left side of the game board unit 5 to latch the game board unit 5. The fastening bracket 34 is formed of an elastic member, and a restoring force is generated by bending the fastening bracket 34 forward, and the game board unit 5 is pushed backward by the restoring force. It is configured to be able to stop.

  The fixing member 33 is rotatably attached to the upper and right side walls 70d (see FIG. 3) of the game board storage unit 70. Then, by rotating the front end toward the inside of the front frame 3, the front surface of the game board unit 5 stored in the game board storage section 70 is brought into contact, and the game board unit 5 is pressed backward and fixed. .

  As will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 4, the game board unit 5 includes a game board base 50 made of a non-transparent plate-like member and resin-made partition members 45 attached to the four corners of the game board base 50. On the surface of the game board unit 5, a substantially circular game area 7 surrounded by a partition member 45 is formed. At the upper and lower portions on the left side of the game board unit 5, an attachment portion 64 that engages the fastening bracket 34 of the game board storage portion 70 is formed. A handle portion 54 is formed at each of the upper right and lower right of the game board unit 5. The game board unit 5 is engaged with the game board storage portion 70 and hooked while being pushed backward, and the fixing member 33 provided on the right side wall 70d (see FIG. 3) of the game board storage portion 70 is turned 90 degrees inward. The game board unit 5 is fixed to the game board storage part 70 by engaging with the handle part 54.

  In the game area 7, an image display device (not shown) is disposed substantially at the center. The image display device is constituted by an LCD (liquid crystal display).

  The display screen displayed by the LCD is provided with a plurality of variable display areas, and each variable display area includes a special map variable display game such as identification information (decorative symbol) and a character that produces a special map variable display game. An image about is displayed. That is, in the variable display areas provided on the left, middle, and right of the display screen, decorative symbols (for example, numbers from “0” to “9” and “A” and “B” assigned as identification information) are displayed. 12 kinds of English characters) are variably displayed and a special variability display game is played. In addition, an image based on the progress of the game (for example, jackpot display, fanfare display, ending display, etc.) is displayed on the display screen.

  Further, the game area 7 is provided with a start winning opening (winning portion), a direction changing member, a normal symbol starting gate, a plurality of general winning openings, two special variable winning devices and the like (not shown).

  The game area 7 is provided with a special figure display (not shown) including a special figure display unit and a special figure storage display unit for the special figure variation display game. Further, the game area 7 is provided with a general map display (not shown) including a general map display section and a general map storage display section of the general map variable display game.

  In the gaming machine 1, a game is played by launching a game ball (pachinko ball) toward the game area 7 from a ball hitting device (not shown). The launched game ball flows down the game area 7 while changing the rolling direction by a direction changing member such as a nail or a windmill arranged at various locations in the game area 7. Then, a prize is awarded to the general prize opening, the starting prize opening or the special variable prize winning device, or the prize is discharged from the out opening 57 provided at the lowermost part of the game area 7.

  The winning of the game ball to the general winning opening is detected by a winning opening sensor (not shown) provided in each general winning opening.

  The winning of the game ball at the start winning opening is detected by a special start sensor (not shown). The special symbol random number counter value extracted by the passing timing of the game ball is stored as a special symbol winning memory in a special symbol storage area in the game control device for a predetermined number of times (for example, a maximum of four times). The number stored in the special symbol winning memory is displayed on the special symbol memory display unit. Based on the special symbol winning memory, the game control device plays a special symbol variation display game in the special symbol display unit.

  When a game ball is won at the start winning opening, the image display device displays the decorative symbols (identification information) composed of the numbers and the like in order and displays an image related to the special figure variable display game. In other words, in the image display device, the decorative symbol variation display corresponding to the display of the special figure display unit is performed. The special figure display unit has a role of accurately informing the player of the variable display state and the variable display result, and the image display device has a role of producing various displays for the purpose of improving interest.

  When winning at the start winning opening is made at a predetermined timing (specifically, when the special symbol random number counter value at the time of winning detection is a winning value), it becomes a big hit gaming state, and the display symbol has a specific result mode Is derived. Specifically, the special symbol display unit stops at a single-digit special symbol that is a winning symbol, and the image display device stops when three decorative symbols are aligned (big hit symbol).

  At this time, one of the two special variable prize winning devices removes the game ball from a closed state where it does not accept the game ball for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) by energizing the big prize opening solenoid (not shown). Converted to an open state that is acceptable. In other words, since the special variable winning device opens greatly for a predetermined time, the player is given a game value that can acquire many game balls during this time. Note that the two special variable winning devices are not opened simultaneously. The winning of the game ball to the special variation winning device is detected by a count sensor (not shown).

  The passing of the game ball to the normal symbol start gate is detected by a normal diagram start gate sensor (not shown). The normal symbol random number counter value extracted according to the passing timing of the game ball is stored as a normal symbol winning memory in the normal symbol storage area in the game control device for a predetermined number of times (for example, a maximum of four times). Then, the stored number of the normal symbol winning memory is displayed on the general memory display.

  When the game ball passes through the normal symbol start gate, the game control device starts the general symbol variation display game on the normal symbol display unit based on the normal symbol winning memory. That is, when the passage to the normal symbol starting gate is detected at a predetermined timing (specifically, when the normal symbol random number counter value at the time of passage detection is a winning value), the winning state is established, and the normal symbol display section The normal symbol displayed on stops in the hit state. At this time, the normal variation winning device (not shown) is converted so as to expand only for a predetermined time by energizing a normal electric accessory solenoid (not shown).

  Next, the upper guide channel 94, the side guide channel 96, and the lower guide channel 98 provided in the game board storage part 70 of the main body frame 13 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main body frame 13 with the glass frame 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention removed and the front frame 3 opened.

  As described above, the front frame 3 is a frame-like frame body including the game board storage unit 70 for storing the game board unit 5. Further, the above-described replenishment tank 20 and tank cover 202 are attached to the front frame 3 above the game board storage unit 70. Further, an upper plate 16 for guiding a game ball to a ball hitting device (not shown) is disposed at the lower part of the front frame 3, and a lower plate 18 and a hit ball are disposed on the fixed panel 17 below the front frame 3. A launching operation unit 19 of the launching device is provided.

  In the upper part of the game board storage section 70, a ball discharge device 201 (not shown in FIG. 3, not shown in FIG. 6) for discharging the game balls of the replenishment tank 20, and the game balls discharged by the ball discharge device 201 downward. An upper guide channel 94 (not shown in FIG. 3 and described later in FIG. 6) is provided to guide the flow down. The right side wall 70d of the game board storage section 70 is provided with an inlet 96a for introducing game balls and an outlet 96b for flowing out of the game balls. The game balls flowing in from the inlet 96a A side guide channel 96 (described later in FIG. 6) provided inside the wall 70d flows down and flows out from the outlet 96b. In addition, an inflow port 98a is provided in the game board mounting table 70c that forms the lower part of the game board storage unit 70, and game balls that flow in from the inflow port 98a flow down the lower guide channel 98 (described later in FIG. 6). Then, it is guided to the upper plate 16.

  Further, a right rear wall 70e formed by cutting out a central portion in the vertical direction to the right wall 70d side is disposed behind the right side of the game board storage unit 70.

  Next, the game board unit 5 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the game board unit 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a first partition member 46, a second partition member 47, and a third partition member 48 are fixed to the game board unit 5 in a state along each side of the game board unit 5. When these partition members are fixed to the game board unit 5, the surface of the game board unit 5 is partitioned by the wall portion 62 erected from the game board unit 5 toward the front of the game machine. Thereby, a game area 7 in which the game ball rolls is formed.

  The gaming board unit 5 has a decorative cell sheet attached to the surface of a gaming board base 50 made of plywood, plastic, etc., and the gaming board unit 5 is partitioned into a substantially circular shape from the top of the cell sheet. The partition member 45 for forming the is fixed in a state along each side of the game board unit 5. The partition member 45 partitions a region where the game ball launched from the launching device can move, and the game ball flows down in the inner game region 7 where the partition member 45 is not disposed. The partition member 45 includes a first C-shaped partition member 46 that partitions the ball launch passage 68 and the ball launch passage side (left side in the drawing) of the game area 7, and one end of the first partition member 46 (see FIG. A second partition member 47 which is fixed to the game board unit 5 by means such as screwing in a state adjacent to the middle upper right end) and partitions the upper right side of the game area 7, and the other end of the first partition member 46 (see FIG. It is fixed to the game board unit 5 by means such as screwing in a state adjacent to the middle right lower end) and is fixed to the game board unit 5 by means such as screwing in a state adjacent to the second partition member 47. The third partition member 48 that partitions the lower right side of the region 7 is divided into three parts.

  The first partition member 46 is a member that partitions the ball launch passage side (the left side in the figure) of the game board unit 5, and is a synthetic resin launch ball guide that forms a ball launch passage 68 on the front side of the game board unit 5. A member 61, a metal guide rail 49 attached to the firing ball guide member 61, and a guide rail mounting member (not shown) for attaching the guide rail 49 to the firing ball guide member 61 from the front of the game board unit 5. It is comprised by.

  The guide rail 49 is formed of a band-shaped metal plate (for example, a stainless steel plate, a galvanized plate, etc.) having substantially the same width as the wall portion 62, and extends along the longitudinal direction on the inner peripheral surface of the wall portion 62. It is attached in a curved state in an arc shape.

  In the second partition member 47, an arc-shaped partition wall 51 is integrally formed on the outer peripheral portion on the upper left side of the game area 7. The partition wall 51 rises from the upper part of the game board unit 5 to the center of the right side toward the front of the game board unit 5, and the game ball guided from the ball launch path 68 to the game area 7 is stored in the game area 7. I try not to jump out.

  The third partition member 48 is integrally formed with an arc-shaped partition wall 52 on the outer peripheral portion on the lower right side of the game area 7. The partition wall 52 is provided so that one end (the upper end in the figure) is continuous with the lower end of the partition wall 51, and rises toward the front of the game board unit 5 from the left central part to the lower part of the game board unit 5. ing. And the 3rd division member 48 is provided with the posting part 53 which sticks and displays display seals, such as an authorization seal | sticker and a probability specification, in a part of front surface.

  As described above, the partition member 45 is formed by combining the first partition member 46 to the third partition member 48 and is attached to the game board unit 5. A handle portion 54 is formed at each of the upper right and lower right of the game board unit 5. The game board unit 5 is fixed to the game board storage section 70 by rotating the fixing member 33 provided on the other side wall of the game board storage section 70 inward by 90 degrees and engaging with the handle section 54.

  Although details will be described later with reference to FIG. 5, an upper game board downflow path 78 is formed on the back surface of the game board base 50 and on the back side of the portion to which the second partition member 47 is attached. Similarly, a lower game board flow path 79 is formed on the back surface of the game board base 50 and on the back side of the part to which the third partition member 48 of the game board unit 5 is attached.

  Next, the game board flow path provided on the back surface of the game board unit 5 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the game board unit 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  On the back surface of the game board unit 5, a “U” -shaped groove having a width and a depth through which the game ball (diameter 11 mm) can sufficiently pass is formed in the game board base 50, thereby the upper game described above. A board downflow 78 and a lower game board downflow 79 are provided. The upper game board downflow path 78 includes an upper inlet 78a and an upper outlet 78b, and the lower game board downflow 79 includes a lower inlet 79a and a lower outlet 79b.

  When the game board unit 5 is attached to the main body frame 13, the right rear wall 70 e (see FIG. 3) of the game board storage portion 70 provided in the main body frame 13 is connected to the upper game board flow path 78 and the lower game board flow path 79. By covering the groove portion, four walls of the upper game board downflow path 78 and the lower game board downflow path 79 are formed, and the game ball can be guided to flow down.

  Further, the upper game board flow path 78 and the lower game board flow path 79 include an obstacle portion 76 for reducing the flow speed of the game balls flowing down. The obstacles 76 are such that two of the left and right walls formed vertically in the upper game board flow path 78 and the lower game board flow path 79 fall on one side and one on the other, while the flowing game balls collide with each other. In addition, triangular protrusions 77 are provided to protrude with a predetermined interval.

  By providing the obstacle 76 in the upper game board flow path 78 and the lower game board flow path 79, the flow speed of the game balls flowing down is reduced, and the game board base 50 is damaged by the collision of the game balls at a high speed. Can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the protrusion 77 provided on the obstacle portion 76 is formed in a triangular shape, but is not limited thereto, and may be a plate shape, a conical shape, a polygonal pyramid shape, or other three-dimensional shapes, Further, it may be formed by protruding a nail or the like.

  Next, the upper game board flow path 78 and the lower game board flow path 79 provided in the game board unit 5, the upper guide flow path 94, the side guide flow path 96 and the lower guide flow path provided in the main body frame 13. The connection with 98 will be described.

  When the above-described game board unit 5 is stored in the game board storage section 70 of the main body frame 13, the outlet 94 b of the guide channel 94 through which the game ball from the ball discharge device 201 flows down is the upper inlet of the game board unit 5. 78a. Further, the upper outlet 78b of the game board unit 5 is connected to the inlet 96a of the side guide channel 96 of the main body frame 13, and the outlet 96b of the side guide channel 96 of the main body frame 13 is connected to the game board unit. 5, the lower outlet 79 b of the game board unit 5 is connected to the inlet 98 a of the lower guide channel 98 of the main body frame 13.

  At this time, the right rear wall 70e (see FIG. 3) of the game board storage part 70 provided in the main body frame 13 covers the grooves of the upper game board flow path 78 and the lower game board flow path 79, so that the upper game board flows down. The four walls of the path 78 and the lower game board flow path 79 are formed, and the game balls can flow down and guide in the upper game board flow path 78 and the lower game board flow path 79.

  The lower game board downflow path 79 includes a lower inflow port 79a and a lower outflow port 79b. By attaching the game board unit 5, the lower inlet 79 a is connected to the outlet 96 b of the side guide channel 96 from which the game ball flows from the upper game board flow path 78 provided at the upper right corner of the game board unit 5. The lower outlet 79b is connected to the inlet 98a of the lower guide channel 98 for storing the game ball and guiding it to the upper plate 16 for guiding it down to supply it to the launching device (not shown). It is comprised so that. At this time, the side guide channel 96 functions as a communication flow path communicating with the upper game board flow path 78 and the lower game board flow path 79.

  Therefore, when the game board unit 5 is attached to the main body frame 13, the upper game board flow path 78 and the lower game board flow path 79 are provided with the upper guide flow path 94 and the side guide flow path provided in the main body frame 13. 96 and the lower guide channel 98 are connected to form a flow path for guiding the game balls discharged by the ball discharge device 201 to the upper plate 16.

  Next, the configuration on the back side of the gaming machine 1 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a rear view of the gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 shows a state in which the game board unit 5 (indicated by a one-dot chain line) is stored in the game board storage section 70, it is necessary for the description of the present embodiment for convenience of description. A configuration that is not necessary for the description (for example, a winning device arranged in the game board unit 5) is omitted.

  A control device assembly 80 is attached to the front frame 3 below the game board storage section 70, and includes a control device 81 that performs ball payout control and launch control, and a power supply device 83 that controls the power supply side by side. .

  Further, as described above, when the game board unit 5 is attached to the main body frame 13, the upper game board flow path 78 and the lower game board flow path 79 are provided in the upper guide flow path 94 provided in the main body frame 13. Connected to the side guide channel 96 and the lower guide channel 98, a flow-down path is formed for guiding the game balls discharged by the ball discharge device 201 down to the upper plate 16.

  Further, the main body frame 13 is branched from the middle of the lower guide flow path 98, the upstream portion of the overflow flow path (not shown) for guiding the overflowed game balls to the lower plate 18 side, the game area 7 of the game board unit 5. Used ball discharge passages (not shown) and the like for flowing down and discharging the out balls and safe balls discharged from the game machine 1 to the outside. Note that the outlet of the overflow channel communicates with the lower plate 18 via a chute channel member (not shown) attached to the lower bottom of the game board mounting table 70c. Further, an outlet of a ball collection channel (not shown) for collecting the foul balls is also communicated with the lower plate 18 via a chute channel member. Therefore, the overflowing game balls, foul balls, and the like are discharged to the lower tray 18 through the chute channel member.

  Further, the out ball receiving member (not shown) is located in the notch of the game board mounting table 70c, and the used ball collection port (not shown) of the used ball discharge channel is the out port 57 of the game board unit 5 or the safe ball. It is arranged at a position where it can communicate with the outlet. Therefore, the safe ball and the out ball are discharged as a used game ball to the back side of the gaming machine 1 through a channel separately formed in the chute channel member. Note that the game ball that has flowed down in the ball passage (not shown) is also discharged to the back side of the gaming machine 1 through the passage separately formed in the chute passage member.

  Thus, by attaching the game board unit 5 to the main body frame 13, the flow path of the game ball from the ball discharge device 201 to the upper plate 16 is secured, and the game ball used for the game is accompanied by the execution of the game. Thus, it is possible to circulate in the gaming machine 1.

  Accordingly, the game board unit 5 functions as a game board unit in which an upper game board flow down path 78 and a lower game board flow down path 79 for guiding the game balls discharged by the ball discharge device 201 to flow down to the upper plate 16 are formed. Have. By forming the upper game board flow down path 78 and the lower game board flow down path 79 in the game board unit 5, the ball flow down path which has been conventionally formed on the main body frame 13 side is moved to the game board unit 5 side. Thus, a space for securing a flow path for game balls in the main body frame 13 can be reduced. As a result, the game board storage section 70 for storing the game board unit 5 can be enlarged, and the game board unit 5 can be enlarged.

  In addition, the game board unit 5 introduces the game balls discharged from the ball discharge device 201 into the upper game board flow path 78 and the game balls flowing down from the lower game board flow path 79 to the upper plate 16. And the ball discharge device 201 is provided at a position above the main body frame 13 and higher than the upper inlet 78a of the upper game board downflow passage 78. It functions as a ball discharge device. By arranging the ball discharge device 201 in the space above the game board unit 5, the game board unit 5 and the ball discharge device 201 can be arranged so as not to interfere with each other, and the game board unit 5 can be further enlarged. it can.

  In addition, the game board storage unit 70 communicates with the upper game board flow path 78 and the lower game board flow path 79 at a position (right side part 70d) that contacts the side part of the game board unit 5 when the game board unit 5 is stored. The upper guide channel 94, the side guide channel 96, and the lower guide channel 98 function as a storage unit in which the ball flow path is distributed to the game board unit 5 and the main body frame 13. The game board unit 5 can be enlarged by removing the ball flow down path from the main body frame 13 as much as possible while making use of the dead space on the back surface of the game board unit 5.

  In this case, since the game area 7 formed in the game board unit 5 is substantially circular, the game area 7 sandwiched between the second partition member 47 and the third partition member 48 (the area indicated by 7a in FIG. 4). Also, it is preferable that a relatively large gaming device (image display device, lighting device, winning device, etc.) can be arranged. For this reason, it is preferable to form a ball flow down path so that there is no problem even if the rear end of the gaming apparatus protrudes greatly on the back side of the region 7a.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a ball flow down path is not provided in a portion (back surface of the region 7a) where the rear end of the gaming device may protrude greatly, and there is no possibility that the rear end of the gaming device protrudes. By providing a ball flow downway only in the portion (the back surface of the second partition member 47 and the third partition member 48), it is devised to cope with an increase in the size of the game apparatus attached to the game board unit 5.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the game ball flow channel 78 is divided into two parts as the upper game board flow channel 78 and the lower game board flow channel 79. Although the configuration is such that the side guide flow path 96 formed in the frame 13 is bypassed, the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper game board flow path 78 and the lower game board flow path 79 are connected to the game board as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. The game board downflow path 178 may be formed by communicating directly on the back surface of the unit 5.

  With this configuration, the game ball that flows down passes only the game board unit 5 without bypassing the flow path formed in the main body frame 13, and the flow path through which the game ball flows down is removed from the main body frame 13. The structure of the main body frame 13 can be simplified as much as possible. Further, as a result of saving space for securing a ball flow downway in the main body frame 13, it is possible to expand the game board storage section 70 for storing the game board unit 5, and to increase the size of the game board unit 5. it can.

  Further, as a modification of the present embodiment, as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 5, an “L” -shaped width and depth that allows a game ball (diameter 11 mm) to sufficiently pass through one side of the game board base 50. A groove (game board flow path 179) may be formed. Thus, when the game board unit 5 is attached to the main body frame 13, one of the left and right wall parts of the game board downflow path 179 is formed using the right side wall 70 d provided on the main body frame 13. The other wall portion can form a flow-down path by using a hook portion on one side of the game board base 50. For this reason, it becomes easy to form a flow-down path in the game board unit 5, and the game board unit 5 can be increased in size economically and efficiently.

  In the present embodiment, the game board unit 5 is provided with grooves by forming grooves in the game board base 50, such as the upper game board flow path 78, the lower game board flow path 79, and the game board flow paths 178 and 179. Although the board flow path is formed, the present invention is not limited to this, and a game board flow path may be formed by making a hole penetrating the game board unit 5 up and down, and a pipe-like member is provided on the back of the game board unit 5. By providing, you may form a game board flow down path.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the “U” -shaped groove is formed in the game board base 50 as in the upper game board flow path 78 and the lower game board flow path 79. Other shapes of grooves such as "" can be provided. In addition, although the cross section of the game board downstream path is formed in a square shape, such as the upper game board downstream path 78, the lower game board downstream path 79, and the game board downstream path 178 and 179, the present invention is not limited to this. The cross-sectional shape may be formed in other shapes such as a polygon other than a quadrangle, a circle, an ellipse, and a “U” shape.

  Next, the replenishment tank 20 and the ball discharge device 201 provided in the main body frame 13 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the replenishment tank 20 and the ball discharge device 201 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the tank cover 202 is removed from the replenishing tank 20 in order to explain the ball discharge device 201 covered with the tank cover 202.

  The replenishment tank 20 is provided with a tank portion 212 for storing game balls replenished from the island facility. The tank portion 212 is formed in a horizontally long bottomed box shape having an open top surface.

  The bottom portion 230 of the tank portion 212 is inclined so as to descend from one side in the longitudinal direction (right side as viewed from the front of the gaming machine 1) toward the other side (left side as viewed from the front of the gaming machine 1). Therefore, the game balls replenished from the chute flow down from one side to the other side in the tank unit 212 and flow into the ball discharge device 201 attached to the replenishment tank 20. Further, the bottom portion 230 is inclined so as to descend from the rear of the tank portion 212 toward the front. Therefore, the game balls in the tank unit 212 flow down to the front side of the tank unit 212 as a whole. In addition, a guide member 266 described later is attached to the bottom portion 230.

  A ball discharge device mounting portion 231 is formed on the other side wall of the storage tank 20. The ball discharge device mounting portion 231 is formed in an arc shape when the replenishment tank 20 is viewed in plan, and is formed in a state where a position corresponding to the upper half portion of the side wall height of the tank portion 212 is cut out. .

  The ball discharge device 201 includes a switch holder 235, a ball discharge base member 237, a sprocket (ball holding rotating body) 238, a motor holder 239, and a motor 240.

  The switch holder 235 is formed in a substantially petri dish shape, and a discharge port (not shown) communicating with the guide channel 94 (see FIG. 6) formed in the front frame 3 is opened at the bottom. An enclosure wall 244 surrounding the discharge port is erected around the discharge port. A region surrounded by the surrounding wall 244 accommodates a passage sensor (not shown) for detecting a game ball passing through the discharge port. The passage sensor has a through hole communicating with the discharge port and a magnetosensitive element, detects a change in magnetic field strength when the game ball passes through the through hole, and outputs a detection signal.

  Then, when the sprocket 238 makes one revolution, 10 game balls held at the bottom of each ball holding portion 260 described later out of the game balls stacked and held around the circumference of the sprocket 238 are paid out. As described above, when a game ball wins any one of the winning holes in the gaming machine 1, the motor 240 is operated by the control of the discharge control device (not shown), and the sprocket 238 rotates forward in the rotation direction R, so that the supply tank Twenty game balls are paid out to the player. Note that the rotation direction of the sprocket 238 when the game ball is discharged from a discharge port (not shown) is R.

  The sprocket 238 is rotatably accommodated in the sprocket accommodating portion 257 by inserting a rotating shaft provided below the sprocket 238 in a vertical direction into a shaft hole (not shown) of the distribution hole member.

  The sprocket 238 includes ten longitudinal groove-shaped ball holding portions 260 that can hold a game ball at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral edge portion. The ball holding portion 260 is configured by an arc-shaped notch that follows the outer shape of the game ball when the sprocket 238 is viewed in plan. Adjacent sphere holding portions 260 are partitioned by partition walls (wings) 261. The partition wall 261 is formed at a lower side than the upper side of the sprocket 238 and has a shorter protruding length in the radial direction of the sprocket. Therefore, even if the sprocket 238 rotates, the game ball flows into the ball discharge path. It will not prevent you.

  The inner diameter of the sprocket housing portion 257 is formed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the sprocket 238. In each space formed by the inner peripheral surface of the sprocket housing portion 257 and the ball holding portion 260 of the sprocket 238, a maximum of three game balls are stacked and held in the vertical direction. In other words, in a state where the sprocket 238 is accommodated in the sprocket accommodating portion 257, a total of 30 game balls are held in the space between the inner peripheral surface of the sprocket accommodating portion 257 and the ball holding portion 260 of the sprocket 238 at the maximum. The

  A drive shaft attaching portion 262 for attaching a drive shaft (not shown) of the motor 240 is projected from the upper portion of the sprocket 238. The motor 240 is attached to the tip of the drive shaft attachment portion 262 with the motor holder 239 interposed therebetween.

  The motor holder 239 is formed in a substantially semicircular shape following the shape of the notch formed in the upper part of the ball discharge device mounting portion 231. The motor holder 239 is attached to the ball discharge device mounting portion 231 in a state where the motor holder 239 is attached to the upper end surface of the side portion of the ball discharge base member 237. That is, the lower surface of the motor holder 239 becomes the ceiling surface of the ball discharge base member 237.

  The motor holder 239 is provided with a through hole 263 at substantially the center. Then, the drive shaft attaching portion 262 of the sprocket 238 is positioned below the through hole 263 and the motor 240 is attached to the upper surface, so that the sprocket 238 and the motor 240 are attached to the ball discharge base member 237 in a connected state.

  On one edge of the motor holder 239 (an edge on the tank portion 212 side), a shielding wall 264 is erected upward. The shielding wall 264 is a horizontally long rectangular plate-like member, and is formed to have the same width as the tank portion 212. Further, the height of the shielding wall 264 is such that the upper end surface is the same as the upper end of the side wall of the tank unit 212 in a state where the motor holder 239 is mounted on the ball discharge base member 237 and mounted on the ball discharge device mounting portion 231. Is formed. The shielding wall 264 prevents the game ball of the tank part 212 from flowing into the motor 240 side.

  Further, a strip-shaped ball leveling member 265 is provided on one side edge of the motor holder 239. The ball leveling member 265 is located obliquely above the sprocket 238 when the motor holder 239 is attached to the ball discharge base member 237. The ball leveling members 265 are arranged in a comb-like shape in the width direction of the tank portion 212 such that each tip protrudes toward the tank portion 212 side. The ball leveling member 265 forms a guide path for the game ball from the tank unit 212 to the sprocket 238 by a space formed between the ball leveling member 265 and the bottom 230.

  The motor 240 is a drive source for rotating or stopping the sprocket 238, and is constituted by a stepping motor, for example. The operation of the motor 240 is controlled by a discharge control device. Specifically, when a predetermined number of pulse signals are transmitted from the discharge control device to the motor 240, the motor 240 rotates by a predetermined angle, and the sprocket 238 rotates by a predetermined angle in synchronization with the motor 240 (forward rotation). Or reversed).

  A guide member 266 formed in a substantially triangular shape including two long sides and a short side cut out in an arc shape is provided on the bottom 230 of the tank portion 212. The guide member 266 is attached to the bottom portion 230 with one long side being in contact with the side wall of the tank portion 212, and guides the game ball flowing down the bottom portion 230 to the downstream side of the sprocket 238 by the other long side. As a result, a game ball that is rotating while being held by the sprocket 238 and a game ball that flows down from one side of the tank unit 212 are prevented from colliding on the upstream side of the sprocket 238 and inhibiting rotation. be able to.

  It should be noted that the rotation direction R of the normal rotating sprocket 238 and the flow direction of the game ball flowing down from the tank portion 212 to the sprocket 238 are the same (sprocket 238 when the replenishment tank 20 faces from one side to the other side). (The left side) is the downstream side, and the rotation direction R of the forward rotating sprocket 238 is opposite to the flowing direction of the game ball flowing down from the tank portion 212 to the sprocket 238 (the replenishment tank 20 is moved from one side to the other side). The right side of the sprocket 238 when facing is the upstream side. That is, the front side of the replenishment tank 20 corresponds to the downstream side of the sprocket 238, and the rear side of the replenishment tank 20 corresponds to the upstream side of the sprocket 238.

  With the above mechanism, the game balls held by the sprocket 238 are discharged from the ball discharge device 201 as follows.

  The game ball replenished to the tank unit 212 is guided to the downstream side of the sprocket 238 by the inclination of the bottom 230, the guide member 266 and the ball leveling member 265. Then, it flows into the sprocket 238 and is held by the ball holding portion 260 of the sprocket 238. The game balls that cannot be held by the sprocket 238 are stored above the sprocket 238. However, the height of the space above the sprocket 238 is limited by the ball leveling member 265 and the motor holder 239. Therefore, game balls that cannot fit into the space above the sprocket 238 are accumulated and stored in the tank portion 212 from the other side to the one side.

  The sprocket 238 can hold up to three game balls in the vertical direction on one ball holding portion 260. The lowermost game ball is located on the sliding stage of the sorting hole member. Then, when a game ball wins at any one of the game machines 1, the motor 240 is operated by the control of the discharge control device so that the sprocket 238 rotates normally, and the lowermost game ball is rotated by the sprocket 238. Along the sliding stage. When the lowermost game ball moves to the exposure hole, the edge of the exposure hole is inclined toward the discharge port from the slide stage side, so that the game ball flows into the ball discharge path. The game ball that has flowed into the ball discharge path passes through the passage sensor by the guide claw. The passage sensor detects the passage of the game ball and outputs a detection signal to the discharge control device. And the game ball which passed the passage sensor is discharged | emitted from a discharge port.

  On the other hand, the game ball one level above the game ball that has flowed into the ball discharge path (second step from the bottom) moves to the upper part of the shielding plate that protrudes inward from the lower edge of the side wall of the sprocket housing portion 257. Thus, the inflow to the ball discharge path is prevented. Therefore, the second-stage game ball from the bottom is not discharged from the discharge port. Thereafter, the second-stage game ball from the bottom moves from the shielding plate to the upper end surface of the regulating wall portion 250 as the sprocket 238 rotates, and further drops downward from the upper end surface of the regulating wall portion 250 when the sprocket 238 rotates. To do. At this time, since the flange portion of the restriction wall portion 250 extends from above the ball outlet, the game ball falls on the sliding stage without flowing into the ball outlet.

  In this way, the game balls in the replenishment tank 20 are discharged one by one from the discharge port communicating with the guide channel 94 by the ball discharge device 201, and as award balls or rental balls through the guide channel 94, It is discharged to the upper plate 16.

  In this way, the ball discharge device 201 functions as a ball discharge device that discharges the game balls stored in the replenishment tank 20 to the upper plate 16.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the game board unit 5 has the ball flow down path (upper game board down path 78, lower game board) that guides the game balls discharged by the ball discharge device 201 down to the upper plate 16. Since the flow channel 79) is formed, the ball flow channel formed on the main body frame 13 side in the prior art can be moved to the game board unit 5 side. It is possible to reduce the space for securing the ball flow down. As a result, the game board storage section 70 for storing the game board unit 5 can be enlarged, and the game board unit 5 can be enlarged.

  Further, the game board unit 5 introduces the game balls discharged from the ball discharge device 201 into the upper game board flow path 78 and the game balls flowing down from the lower game board flow path 79 to the upper plate 16. And the ball discharge device 201 is provided at a position above the main body frame 13 and higher than the upper inflow port 78a. By arranging the ball discharge device 201 in the space, the game board unit 5 and the ball discharge device 201 can be arranged so as not to interfere with each other, and the game board unit 5 can be further enlarged.

  Furthermore, a recess is formed on the back surface of the game board unit 5, and a part of the game board storage part 70 (the right rear wall 70e) covers this recess, whereby a ball flow down path (upper game board down path 78, lower game) Since the board downflow 79) is formed, the structure of the ball downflow can be simplified while taking advantage of the dead space on the back surface of the game board unit 5.

  Further, the game board unit 5 includes a partition member 45 that forms the game area 7 at the corner on the front surface side, and a ball flow down path (upstream on the upper game board) on the back surface side where the partition member 45 is provided on the front surface side. A path 78 and a lower game board flow path 79) are formed, and the game board storage section 70 has an upper game board flow path 78 and a position where it comes into contact with the side of the game board unit 5 when the game board unit 5 is stored. Since the guide channel (side upper guide channel 96) communicating with the lower game board flow down path 79 is formed, it is possible to disperse the ball flow down paths in the game board unit 5 and the main body frame 13, The game board unit 5 can be enlarged by removing the ball flow down path from the main body frame 13 as much as possible while utilizing the dead space on the back surface of the game board unit 5.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is illustrative in all points and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the invention but by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of claims.

  As described above, the present invention can be applied to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine having a gaming ball payout function.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the game machine of embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the gaming machine in which the glass frame of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened. It is a perspective view of the main body frame by which the glass frame of embodiment of this invention was removed and the front frame was open | released. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the game board unit of embodiment of this invention. It is a back perspective view showing composition of a game board unit of an embodiment of the invention. It is a rear view which shows the structure of the game machine of embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the replenishment tank and ball discharge device of an embodiment of the invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 5 Game board unit 13 Main body frame 16 Top plate 20 Supply tank 70 Game board storage part 78 Upper game board flow down path 78a Upper inlet 78b Upper outlet 79 Lower gaming board downstream 79a Lower inlet 79b Lower outlet 94 Upper guide channel 96 Side guide channel 98 Lower guide channel 201 Ball discharge device

Claims (4)

A main body frame having a storage portion for storing a game board unit in which a game area is formed;
A ball supply tray in which game balls are stored;
In a gaming machine comprising: a ball discharge device that discharges a game ball stored in a ball storage unit to the ball supply tray;
The gaming machine unit is characterized in that a ball flow path for guiding the game balls discharged by the ball discharge device to flow down to the ball supply tray is formed. The game board unit includes a ball inflow portion that introduces the game balls discharged by the ball discharge device into the ball flow downstream, and a ball outflow that discharges the game balls flowing down from the ball flow downward toward the ball supply tray. And
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball discharging device is provided at a predetermined position on the main body frame side and higher than the ball inflow portion. A recess is formed on the back surface of the game board unit,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball flow down path is formed by a part of the storage portion covering the concave portion. In the game board unit, a partition member that divides an area where the launch ball can move and forms the game area is provided at a corner on the front surface side, and the ball flow down path is formed on the back surface side of the partition member,
In the storage portion, a communication flow downway communicating with a ball flow downway formed on the back side of the partition member is formed at a position in contact with a side portion of the game board unit when the game board unit is stored. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: