JP2007325685A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which can easily remove dirt such as finger marks and oil which adhere to game balls and are hard to remove. <P>SOLUTION: This pachinko game machine includes a ball feeding flow passage 84 which makes the game balls flow down to a ball launching position 90. The ball feeding flow passage 84 includes a ball supporting protruding line section 93 on both sides of the ball feeding flow passage 84 as it remains tilted in the tilting direction of the ball feeding flow passage 84. The pachinko game machine is constituted in such a manner that the game balls are mounted in a space between both ball supporting protruding line sections 93 and are supported as it remains rollable, and the game balls are made to flow down while rotating. At the lower section of the ball feeding flow passage 84, a brush 116 which can come into contact with the game balls flowing down in the tilted flow passage is arranged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine provided with an inclined channel for flowing down a game ball.

In a conventional gaming machine, for example, a pachinko gaming machine, a plurality of inclined channels are provided for guiding (inducing) a game ball to flow down to a predetermined location. Then, an opening groove is formed in a partition component (for example, a side wall, a bottom portion, or a corner between the bottom and the side wall of the inclined flow channel) that partitions the inclined flow channel, and foreign matter (for example, dust or dust) is formed from the open groove. Has been proposed that can be separated from gaming balls and removed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-5-309169

  By the way, in the inclined flow path of the above-mentioned patent document, dust or dust can be easily detached from the game ball by the flow (rolling) of the game ball and dropped from the opening groove to be removed. The dirt of can not be removed easily. And dirt such as hand dirt and oil tends to hinder the flow of the game ball and easily causes clogging of the ball. Furthermore, if a game ball flows into the game area with dirt attached, the game ball dirt may move and adhere to the game area, which may adversely affect the game results or make the game area unsightly. There is.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can easily remove dirt such as dirt and oil that adheres to a game ball and is difficult to remove. Is.

The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above object, and the present invention according to claim 1 is a gaming machine provided with an inclined channel for allowing a game ball to flow down,
The inclined channel is provided with ball supporting ridges on both sides of the inclined channel in a state inclined along the inclination direction of the inclined channel, and a game ball can be placed between both ball supporting ridges to roll. Is configured to flow in a rotating manner while the game ball is rotating,
The gaming machine is characterized in that a ball polishing member capable of contacting a game ball flowing down the inclined channel is disposed above or below the inclined channel.

As for the thing of Claim 2, the said ball polishing member is comprised with the brush in which a front-end | tip part can contact a game ball,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the brush is directed in a rotation direction of a game ball in the inclined flow path.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the second aspect, wherein the brush is a discharge brush having conductivity.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the second or third aspect, the length of the brush along the inclined flow path is set to be longer than the outer periphery of the gaming ball. is there.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a drive that can be converted into a contact state in which the ball polishing member is moved to contact the game ball in the inclined channel and a non-contact state separated from the game ball in the inclined channel is provided. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a mechanism.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game board in which a game area is partitioned, a ball storage dish for storing game balls, and a game ball stored in the ball storage dish from the ball launch position to the game area. A launching device for firing,
The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inclined channel is a channel for supplying a game ball from a ball storage tray to a ball launch position.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a ball feeding member that supplies game balls flowing down the inclined channel one by one to a ball launch position and a ball polishing member are moved to contact the game balls in the inclined channel And a drive mechanism that can be converted into a non-contact state separated from the game ball in the inclined flow path,
The ball feeding member includes a ball holding portion capable of holding a game ball, shuts off the inclined flow path in a state where one game ball is held in the ball holding portion, and supplies the game ball to a ball launch position. The ball supply stop state to stop and the supply of the ball that prevents only the game ball held in the ball holding part from flowing down and supplied to the ball launching position, but preventing the game ball arranged downstream from the ball feeding member. Can be converted into a state,
In the state where the ball feeding member is set in the ball supply state and the game ball in the inclined channel is retained, the ball polishing member is set in a non-contact state,
When the ball feeding member is changed from the ball supply state to the ball supply stop state, and the game ball in the inclined channel starts to flow down to the ball feeding member side, the driving mechanism is driven to bring the ball polishing member into contact from the non-contact state. The gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein the gaming machine is converted into a state.

The drive mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the driving mechanism moves the ball polishing member in a direction opposite to a moving direction of a portion of the game ball in a rotating state with which the ball polishing member contacts to brake the game ball. Is executable,
8. The ball feeding member is configured to maintain a contact state of the ball polishing member and execute a braking operation immediately before the ball feeding member changes from a ball supply stop state to a ball supply state. This is a gaming machine.

According to the present invention, the following excellent effects can be obtained.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the inclined channel includes the ball supporting ridges on both sides of the inclined channel in a state of being inclined along the inclination direction of the inclined channel, and the both ball supporting ridges. A game ball is placed between and supported in a rollable state, and the game ball is configured to flow down while rotating. The upper or lower part of the inclined channel is in contact with the game ball flowing down the inclined channel. Since the possible ball polishing member is arranged, the game ball can be polished by using the rotation of the game ball flowing down the inclined flow path, and it is easy to remove the dirt and oil that are difficult to remove from the surface. You can clean the ball.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the ball polishing member is configured by a brush whose tip can contact the game ball, and the tip of the brush is directed in the direction of rotation of the game ball in the inclined flow path. The inconvenience that the game ball is caught on the tip of the brush and slows down can be suppressed, and the dirt on the game ball can be efficiently removed.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, since the brush is a conductive discharge brush, static electricity charged on the game ball can be removed, and dust, dust, etc. attached to the game ball due to static electricity can be removed. Can be removed efficiently.

  According to the invention of claim 4, since the length of the brush along the inclined flow path is set to be longer than the outer periphery of the game ball, the entire periphery of the game ball flowing down while rotating is sufficiently polished. Can do.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to convert between a contact state in which the ball polishing member is moved to contact the game ball in the inclined flow path and a non-contact state in which the ball polishing member is separated from the game ball in the inclined flow path. Since the driving mechanism is provided, even if the rotational force of the game ball is attenuated due to contact with the ball polishing member, if the ball polishing member is converted to a non-contact state, the inconvenience of stopping the rotation of the game ball can be suppressed. Further, when the game ball flows down the inclined flow path and the rotational force of the game ball increases, the game ball can be polished again by converting the ball polishing member into the contact state. Therefore, the game ball can be cleaned without stopping the flow or rotation of the game ball.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, a game board in which a game area is defined, a ball storage tray for storing game balls, and a game ball stored in the ball storage tray from the ball launch position. The launching device that launches into the area, and the inclined flow path as a flow path for supplying the game ball from the ball storage dish to the ball launch position, it is possible to polish the game ball cleanly just before launching into the game area . Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the balance of the flying game ball due to dust, dust, or the like, and it is possible to suppress uneven jumping of the launched game ball. Further, it is possible to prevent the game balls from being contaminated in the game area and adversely affecting the game.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the ball feeding member that supplies the game balls flowing down the inclined channel one by one to the ball launching position and the ball polishing member are moved to the game balls in the inclined channel. A contact mechanism that can be converted into a contact state that contacts and a non-contact state that is separated from the game ball in the inclined flow path, and the ball feeding member includes a ball holding portion that can hold the game ball; In the state where one game ball is held in the part, the inclined flow path is shut off, the ball supply stop state in which the supply of the game ball to the ball launch position is stopped, and only the game ball held in the ball holding part flows down. It is supplied to the ball launch position, but can be converted to a ball supply state that prevents the flow of the game ball arranged upstream from the ball feed member, and the ball feed member is set to the ball supply state and the inclined flow path is set. Since the ball polishing member is set in a non-contact state in the state where the game ball stays in the ball feeding member When converted from spherical supply state to the spherical supply stop state, easily it flows down toward the game balls to the ball holding portion, it is possible to facilitate the rotation of the game ball.
Further, when the ball feeding member is changed from the ball supply state to the ball supply stopped state and the game ball in the inclined flow path starts to flow down to the ball feeding member side, the driving mechanism is driven to bring the ball polishing member from the non-contact state. Since it converts into a contact state, a ball polishing member can be made to contact the game ball of the fully rotated state, and a game ball can be cleaned efficiently.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, the drive mechanism is a brake that brakes the game ball by moving the ball polishing member in a direction opposite to a moving direction of a portion of the game ball in a rotating state in contact with the ball polishing member. Since the operation can be executed and the ball feeding member is maintained in the contact state and the braking operation is executed immediately before the ball feeding member is changed from the ball supply stop state to the ball supply state, cleaning of the game ball is performed. It is possible to suppress the downward force of the game ball while performing the game efficiently, and to reduce the impact of the game ball on the ball feeding member. Therefore, damage to the ball feeding member can be suppressed, and the game ball can be stably supplied to the ball launch position.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a pachinko gaming machine as a typical gaming machine as an example. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the internal structure of the lower part of the pachinko gaming machine.
A pachinko gaming machine 1 has a front frame (inner frame) 3 pivotally attached to an outer frame (machine frame or main body frame) 2 so that the front frame 3 can be opened and closed. A game board 5 having a shape can be stored, and a partition member (side case) 7 is disposed on the surface of the game board 5 to form a substantially circular game area 8, and a display device, An accessory (not shown) such as a prize opening is provided. Further, on the front side of the front frame 3, a transparent member holding frame 9 having one side (left side in FIG. 1) attached thereto is provided so as to be openable and closable (turnable), and can be seen through the transparent member holding frame 9. The transparent member 10 is accommodated, and on the back surface side of the transparent member holding frame 9, a vertical launch guide path (not shown) for guiding the game ball into the game area 8 is formed. When closed, the game board 5 is covered with the transparent member holding frame 9 and the transparent member 10 is arranged in front of the game area 8 so that the game area 8 can be viewed from the front through the transparent member 10. Further, below the transparent member holding frame 9, a horizontally long storage tray unit 14 having one side (left side in FIG. 1) is pivotally mounted so that it can be opened and closed (rotated). A firing operation unit (launching operation handle) 18 for operating a launching device 17 described later is provided on the right side in FIG.

  The front frame body 4 is a synthetic resin frame body having a rectangular opening portion opened upward. As shown in FIG. 2, the front frame body 4 includes a frame-like game board storage portion 23 on the periphery of the opening portion. It is comprised so that the game board 5 may be accommodated in the storage part 23 in the state which can be attached or detached. Also, a board portion 24 is provided below the game board storage portion 23, a game board placement portion (not shown) is provided at the upper end of the board portion 24, and the lower end of the game board 5 is placed on the game board placement portion. By being placed, the position of the game board 5 in the vertical direction can be regulated. Furthermore, a game ball as a winning ball or a rental ball supplied from a ball discharge device (not shown) on the back side of the front frame body 4 is placed on the upper side of the board portion 24 (to the left in FIG. 2). A ball discharge port 29 for discharging to the storage tray unit 14 is opened. And, at the position near the other side of the board portion 24 (rightward in FIG. 2), that is, near the firing operation unit 18, a lock engagement receiving portion 30 capable of engaging the free end portion of the storage tray unit 14 is provided, The free end portion of the storage tray unit 14 is locked to the lock engagement receiving portion 30 so that the storage tray unit 14 can be kept closed with respect to the front frame body 4.

  The storage tray unit 14 is a unit for storing game balls, ejecting the stored game balls, and firing them to the game area 8 of the game board 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the storage tray unit 14 includes a horizontally long base panel (opening / closing member) 31, and the base panel 31 is attached to one end portion (left end portion in FIG. 3) of the base panel 31. 4 is provided with a shaft attachment portion (hinge portion) 31a that is attached to be openable and closable with respect to 4, and a lock that can be engaged with the lock engagement receiving portion 30 on the other side portion (right side portion in FIG. 3). The locking part 31b is arranged. Further, on the front side of the base panel 31, there is a plate member 33 (corresponding to a ball storage plate in the present invention) that can store game balls, and a cover that covers the front side of the plate member 33 and the entire front side of the base panel 31. A member 34 and a block-shaped decorative member 36 that decorates the side of the cover member 34 are arranged. Further, on the rear surface side of the base panel 31, a game ball (prize ball or rental ball) discharged from the ball discharge device and the ball discharge port 29, or shot from the launch device 17, but does not reach the game area 8. A horizontally long ball lowering rod 40 that flows down (guides) a game ball (foul ball) that has flowed backward through the launch guide path, and a launcher 17 that launches the game ball stored in the dish member 33 toward the game area 8. It is arranged. Then, on the lock engaging portion 31b side (right side in FIG. 3) of the base panel 31, a ball removing mechanism 41 is disposed across the front and rear surfaces of the base panel 31, and the ball removing mechanism 41 is disposed on the ball lowering rod 40. Is connected to the downstream end (right end in FIG. 3) so that the game ball flowing down the ball flow lowering rod 40 can be extracted to the lower side of the storage tray unit 14. The launching device 17 will be described in detail later.

  Further, a large base opening 43 having a substantially rectangular shape is opened near the shaft mounting portion 31a of the base panel 31 (leftward in FIG. 3), and a portion of the back side of the cover member 34 facing the base opening 43 is A box-shaped launch support portion 44 having a rear opening is formed, and the launch device 17 is supported on the launch support portion 44 so that the front side portion of the launch device 17 is loosely fitted to the base opening 43 and is movable in the front-rear direction. Further, a support urging member 45 that urges the firing device 17 toward the rear board portion 24 is provided between the tip of the launch support portion 44 and the launch device 17. 17 is configured to press the positioning engagement protrusion 46 provided at the rear end of the 17 to the positioning engagement receiving portion 47 provided on the board portion 24 so as to position the firing device 17 with respect to the front frame body 4. (See FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ball lowering rod 40 is connected to a horizontally long ball lowering member 51 serving as a main body of the ball lowering rod 40 and a downstream end of the ball lowering member 51, and the inclination of the ball lowering rod 40 is inclined. It is comprised from the connection flow path member 52 used as the lower part. Then, the upstream portion (the left side portion in FIG. 3) of the ball flow-down member 51 is disposed above the launching device 17, and the front-rear width of the upstream portion is set wider than the front-rear width of the downstream portion. A receiving part 54 is formed, and a ball receiving opening 54a is formed at the rear part of the ball receiving part 54 so that the ball receiving opening 54a and the ball discharge port 29 communicate with each other, that is, the ball lowering rod 40 and the ball discharge port 29 communicate with each other. Is configured to do. Further, the upper part of the ball receiving part 54 is opened to communicate with the lower end of the firing guide path, and the foul ball that has flowed back through the firing guide path is received by the ball receiving part 54. Furthermore, the bottom of the ball receiving portion 54 is arranged in a state of vertically penetrating a launch connection path 55 that communicates (connects) the launch device 17 and the launch guide path.

  A flow opening 57 penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed in a portion of the upper side of the base panel 31 that is closer to the lock engaging portion 31b (rightward in FIG. 3). 14) in a state of being inclined downward toward the free end side, in other words, in a state of being inclined downward from the front of the ball discharge port 29 toward the flow opening 57 side. Further, the connection flow path member 52 is disposed behind the flow-down opening 57, and the front surface portion of the connection flow path member 52 facing the flow-down opening 57 is opened to communicate with the flow-down opening 57. Therefore, the inside of the dish member 33 (specifically, the upper part inside the dish member 33) and the connecting flow path member 52, that is, the inclined lower part of the ball descending rod 40 are communicated with each other through the flow opening 57. Further, the bottom surface of the dish member 33 is set to be inclined downward from the flow opening 57 toward the base opening 43, and the portion of the launching device 17 facing forward from the base opening 43 and the inside of the dish member 33 (in detail) Is in communication with the lower part inside the dish member 33. Therefore, the storage tray unit 14 is configured to supply the game ball (prize ball or rental ball) discharged from the ball discharge port 29 to the launching device 17 through the ball flow lowering rod 40, the flow opening 57, and the plate member 33. ing. In addition, the connection flow path member 52 is set in a state where the bottom surface thereof is inclined downward toward the front flow opening 57, and the game ball that has flowed down the ball flow down member 51 in the lateral direction changes the flow direction forward. It is configured to quickly pass through the flow-down opening 57 and flow into the dish member 33.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the ball removal mechanism 41 includes a ball removal opening 60 provided in the side wall of the connection flow path member 52 of the ball flow lower bar 40, an opening / closing unit 63 provided with an opening / closing member 61, A ball extraction channel 65 (first ball extraction channel 66 and second ball extraction channel 67) for allowing the game ball passing through the extraction opening 60 to flow down, a ball extraction operation mechanism 68 for operating the opening and closing member 61, An operation link mechanism 69 capable of transmitting power generated by the operation of the ball removal operation mechanism 68 is provided. When the operation portion (ball removal button) 68a of the ball removal operation mechanism 68 provided in the central portion of the cover member 34 is pushed in, the opening / closing member 61 is opened and the ball removal opening 60 and the ball passage 65 are communicated. Then, the game ball in the ball lowering basket 40 is converted into an extraction state that allows the game ball to be extracted from the storage tray unit 14. Further, when the operation portion is pushed again in the extracted state, the opening / closing member 61 is closed, the ball extraction opening 60 and the ball extraction flow path 65 are shut off, and the game ball enters the extraction restricted state in which the extraction of the game ball from the storage tray unit 14 is restricted. Convert. In the extracted state, the game ball flows downward from a ball discharge outlet (not shown) provided in the lower portion of the cover member 34 and is extracted from the storage tray unit 14.

Next, the launcher 17 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 5, the launching device 17 attached to the storage tray unit 14 includes a launching base 72 serving as a base of the launching device 17 and a game ball supplied to the launching device 17. A striking ball launcher (launching member) 73 that bounces by a pivoting motion (swinging motion), a rotational drive source (swinging drive source) such as a rotary solenoid 74 that drives the hitting ball launcher 73, and a hitting ball launcher 73 And a link mechanism 76 connected to the hitting ball launcher 73, and is arranged in a state facing the board portion 24 of the rear front frame body 4. Yes.

  The firing base 72 is a member for attaching the launching device 17 to the storage tray unit 14 and is formed in a substantially box shape with the rear and upper sides opened, and inside thereof a hitting ball launcher 73, a rotation restricting portion 75 and a link. The mechanism 76 is accommodated. Further, the positioning engagement protrusions 46 are projected from the four corners of the launch base 72 toward the rear front frame body 4. Further, a rectangular base base 79 is provided on the front side of the firing base 72, a rotary solenoid 74 is disposed on the front side of the base base 79, and an output shaft (firing rotation shaft) 80 of the rotary solenoid 74 is fired. A penetrating ball launcher 73 is pivotally attached to the front end (rear end) of the firing rotation shaft 80 through a position higher than the central portion of the base 72 and protruding rearward.

  In addition, on the rear surface side of the base base 79, above the projecting portion of the firing rotation shaft 80, a ball feeding flow path (alignment path) as an inclined flow path that can flow down in a state where game balls are aligned one by one. 84 is arranged in a posture inclined downward to one side (right side in FIG. 4A). A through flow passage 85 penetrating the base base 79 in the front-rear direction is provided at the upstream end of the ball feed flow passage 84 (the left end portion in FIG. 4A) in a state communicating with the ball feed flow passage 84. The front end portion of the flow path 85 protrudes forward from the base opening 43 and is connected to the inclined lower end of the dish member 33 so that a game ball can be introduced from the dish member 33 into the ball feed flow path 84 through the through flow path 85. Has been. Furthermore, the downstream part (the right side part in FIG. 4A) of the ball feed flow path 84 is bent downward, and the ball feed member 88 is rotatably arranged in this bent part. Further, on the side of the downstream end of the ball feed channel 84 (on the right side in FIG. 4A), a bullet ball holding portion 89 capable of holding one game ball supplied from the ball feed channel 84. The space for game balls held by the ball-and-ball holding unit 89 is a ball launch position 90, and the game balls flowing down from the ball feed channel 84 can be supplied to the ball launch position 90. ing. Then, the lower part of the bullet ball holding part 89 is opened so that a part of a hitting ball launching rod 73 described later can enter the ball launch position 90 from below, and above the bullet ball holding part 89 and the ball launch position 90. Is provided with a launch communication path 91 that allows the lower end of the launch connection path 55 and the ball launch position 90 to communicate with each other in a vertical direction, and a game ball is held from the ball launch position 90 via the launch communication path 91 and the launch connection path 55. It is configured to be able to fly to the launch guide path of the frame 9.

  The ball feed flow channel 84 is provided in the base base 79 and has a bowl-shaped flow channel base 84a that is opened rearward, and a flow channel lid 84b that closes the open portion of the flow channel base 84a from the rear. It is configured by overlapping the front and rear. Further, on both the front and rear sides of the ball feed channel 84, ball support protrusions 93 are provided in a state of being inclined along the tilt direction of the ball feed channel 84. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the first ball support protrusion is formed from a portion located on the upstream side of the ball feed member 88 on the base base 79 side (that is, the front side) of the flow path base 84a. The portion 93a protrudes toward the inner side (that is, the rear side) of the ball feed channel 84, and the second ball support projection is formed from the portion located on the upstream side of the ball feed member 88 on the front side of the channel lid 84b. The portion 93b is provided so as to protrude toward the inside (that is, the front side) of the ball feed channel 84. Then, the first sphere support protrusion 93a and the second sphere support protrusion 93b are inclined downward toward one side of the base base 79 (the right side in FIG. 4A) at the same inclination angle as the ball feed flow path 84. In addition to setting the posture, the distance between the first ball support protrusion 93a and the second ball support protrusion 93b is set slightly narrower than the diameter of the game ball (specifically, a normal game ball that is not an unauthorized member). ing. Accordingly, the ball feed channel 84 supports one side of the game ball with the first ball support protrusion 93a and the other side with the second ball support protrusion 93b, so that both ball support protrusions are supported. The game ball is allowed to roll by placing the game ball between the strips 93, and the game ball is caused to flow down to the ball feed member 88 side in this support state, in other words, with the lower part sinking between the both ball support protrusions 93 ( (Refer FIG.4 (b)). Note that the flow-down state (behavior) of the game ball in the ball feed channel 84 will be described in detail later.

  Further, the ball feeding member 88 is a member for supplying the game balls flowing down the ball feeding flow path 84 one by one to the ball launching position 90, and as shown in FIG. A ball holding portion (notch portion) 99 is formed which is pivotally attached to the base base portion 79 and the rear flow passage lid portion 84b in a rotatable state, and can hold one game ball above the ball feed shaft 98. Yes. Then, when the sphere holding part 99 is opened from the bent part toward the upstream side by rotating counterclockwise as viewed from the rear centering on the sphere feed shaft 98 (see FIG. 5B), the sphere holding part In a state where one game ball is held at 99, the ball feed flow path 84 is blocked, and the supply to the ball launch position 90 is stopped (ball supply stop state). On the other hand, when the ball holding part 99 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the rear and opened to the downstream side of the bent part (see FIG. 5A), only the game balls held by the ball holding part 99 are played. It flows down to the downstream end of the feed flow path 84 and supplies it to the ball launch position 90, but the ball feed member moves the flow of the game ball arranged upstream of the bent portion (in other words, upstream of the ball feed member 88). It converts into the state (ball supply state) which blocks at the tip portion of 88.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the hitting ball launching rod 73 has a vertically long collar portion 102 from the axially attached portion fixed to the firing rotation shaft 80 of the rotary solenoid 74 on the ball launching position 90 side (in FIG. It is extended in a slightly bent state to the right side), and a projecting portion 103 for projecting a game ball is projected from the tip of the collar portion 102 toward the ball launching position 90 side (right side). Then, a first operation for moving (turning) the bullet portion 103 toward the ball launch position 90 and a second operation for moving away from the ball launch position 90 with the launch turning shaft 80 as a swing center is performed. It is configured to swing. More specifically, when the rotary solenoid 74 is driven (excited) and the firing rotation shaft 80 is rotated in the rotation direction A shown in FIG. The emitting unit 103 is made to enter the inside of the bullet ball holding unit 89 from below, and the game ball held on the bullet ball holding unit 89 is converted into a bullet state in which the game ball is bulleted upward. On the other hand, if the driving of the rotary solenoid 74 is stopped (ie, demagnetized) and the firing rotation shaft 80 is rotated in the rotational direction B shown in FIG. 103 is moved below the ball launching position 90 and the bullet ball holding unit 89 to change the hook 102 into a vertical orientation, and is converted into a bullet ready state for bulleting the next game ball (FIG. 5 ( a)). Further, a launch stopper 104 capable of colliding with a rotation restricting portion 75 described later is extended on the opposite side of the hook portion 102 with respect to the pivoting portion (launching rotation shaft 80) of the hitting ball launching rod 73. Projecting in a direction different from the installation direction (the direction bent from the extending direction of the flange portion 102 in a “h” shape) and engaging the firing stopper 104 and the flange portion 102 with the rotation restricting portion 75 The rotation range of the hitting ball launcher 73 is regulated.

  The rotation restricting portion (buffer member) 75 is a thick cylindrical member that collides with the hitting ball launching rod 73 and regulates the turning operation of the hitting ball launching rod 73. 102, the front / rear width (thickness) of the launch stopper 104) is set to be sufficiently wider than the front / rear width (thickness), and is formed of a material that easily absorbs an impact, for example, an elastic body such as a rubber material. Further, a portion of the rear surface side of the base base portion 79 located between the rotation range of the collar portion 102 and the rotation range of the firing stopper 104, specifically, a pivoting portion (launching rotation) of the hitting ball launching rod 73 It is arranged in a state of being held by the holder portion 106 below the shaft 80) and on the opposite side (left side in FIG. 4A) from the ball launch position 90 with the collar portion 102 interposed therebetween. Then, the distance between the central axis of the rotation restricting portion 75 and the firing rotation shaft 80 is set to be shorter than the extending length of the collar portion 102 and the extending length of the firing stopper 104, so that the collar portion 102 and the firing stopper 104 are The rotation restricting portion 75 is configured to be engaged (contacted) with the outer peripheral portion. The rotation restricting portion 75 is set so that the hitting ball launcher 73 can be brought into contact with the left and right side portions thereof. Specifically, a surface portion of one side portion (left side portion in FIG. 4A) of the rotation restricting portion 75 is used as the first restricting portion 107 so that the firing stopper 104 can collide with the first restricting portion 107. It is configured. Further, the other side portion of the rotation restricting portion 75 (the right side portion in FIG. 4A), in other words, the surface portion opposite to the first restricting portion 107 across the rotation restricting portion 75 is the second restricting portion. 108, and the collar portion 102 can collide with the second restricting portion 108.

  The link mechanism 76 is a mechanism for interlocking the hitting ball launching rod 73 and the ball feeding member 88, and includes a saddle side link member 110 provided on the hitting ball launching rod 73, a saddle side link member 110 and a ball feeding member 88. And a ball feed link portion 111 for connecting the two. In addition, the ball feed link portion 111 includes a vertically long substantially arc-shaped cam groove portion 112 provided on the ball feed member 88 side of the heel side link member 110 (on the right side in FIG. 4A), and the ball feed member 88. The cam follower 113 is provided on the opposite side of the ball holding portion 99 with the ball feed shaft 98 interposed therebetween. Further, the cam follower 113 is formed of a cylindrical rotating roller extending rearward, and rolls in a state where the cam follower 113 is fitted in the cam groove portion 112, whereby the hitting ball launching rod 73 and the ball feeding member 88 are formed. It is configured to work together.

  Then, the launching device 17 applies a brush 116 as a ball polishing member to the lower part of the ball feed channel 84, specifically, the lower part located below the ball support protrusion 93, in the inclination direction of the ball feed channel 84 (or It arrange | positions with the attitude | position inclined along the inclination direction of the ball | bowl support protrusion part 93). The brush 116 has a plurality of bristles 118 having conductivity (for example, bristles 118 formed of a synthetic resin mixed with a conductive material such as carbon powder or copper powder) in a rectangular brush base 117. The discharge brush is configured so that the tip (hair tip) of the hair 118 can come into contact with the game ball flowing down the ball feed channel 84. In addition, the length of the brush 116 (specifically, the bundle of hairs 118 implanted in the brush 116) in the direction along the inclination direction (the length in the right and left in FIG. 4A) is set to be longer than the outer circumference of the game ball. It is set to be long and substantially the same length as the ball support protrusion 93, and the front-rear width is set to be approximately the same as the distance between the first ball support protrusion 93a and the second ball support protrusion 93b. ing. Then, the tip (hair tip) of the bristles 118 of the brush 116 is bent toward the upstream side of the ball feed channel 84, and the direction of rotation of the game ball flowing down in the ball feed channel 84, specifically, the moving direction of the lower part of the game ball. Is heading to.

Next, the operation of the launcher 17 will be described. It is assumed that game balls are arranged in advance in the ball launch position 90 and the ball feed channel 84.
First, in a normal state in which the driving of the rotary solenoid 74 is stopped, the launching device 17 sets the hitting ball launching rod 73 in a bullet ready state as shown in FIG. The second restricting portion 108 is contacted. Further, the ball feed member 88 is maintained in a ball supply state (a state in which the ball holding portion 99 faces the ball launch position 90 side), and the rotation of the ball feed member 88 is prevented.

  When the rotary solenoid 74 is driven from this state and the hitting ball launching pad 73 performs the first operation (that is, the operation of moving the projecting portion 103 toward the ball launching position 90) (see FIG. 5B), the link mechanism 76 transmits the rotational force generated by the first action of the hitting ball launcher 73 to the ball feed member 88, and the ball feed member 88 is rotated by this transmission force to change from the ball supply state to the ball supply stop state (ball holding portion 99). To the upstream side of the ball feed flow path 84). Then, the ball feed member 88 holds one game ball that has flowed down from the ball feed channel 84 in the ball holding unit 99, and the game balls in the ball feed channel 84 and the ball holding unit 99 are launched in this holding state. Blocking down to position 90 is prevented. In this holding state, the ball feed member 88 does not move thereafter even if the hitting ball launcher 73 further rotates.

  When the ball feeding member 88 holds the game ball in the ball holding portion 99, the game ball in the ball feeding flow path 84 flows down by one game ball toward the downstream ball feeding member 88 side. At this time, the game ball flowing down the ball feed channel 84 is supported by the first ball support protrusion 93a and the second ball support protrusion 93b at the side, and flows down while rotating in this support state. Specifically, the upper part of the game ball moves to the ball feed member 88 side (downstream side of the ball feed flow path 84), and the lower part moves to the through flow path 85 side (upstream side of the ball feed flow path 84). Rotate in state. Then, the lower part of the rotating game sphere has a portion of the hair 118 extending upward toward the space between the ball support protrusions 93, specifically, a curved side portion (hair) of the tip of the hair 118. It is rubbed against the abdomen around the tip. Therefore, it is possible to polish the game ball by utilizing the rotation of the game ball flowing down the ball feed flow path 84, and to easily remove dirt and oil that are difficult to remove such as dirt and oil attached to the surface and clean the game ball. it can.

  In addition, in the upstream part of the ball feed flow path 84, as shown in FIG. 4C, the game ball that is rolling while being supported at the lower part supports the side part of the game ball by the ball support protrusion 93. Will roll. Therefore, when the game ball flows down from the upstream side of the ball support protrusion 93 to the ball support protrusion 93, the distance between the place where the game ball is supported and the rotation center of the game ball, that is, the game ball The rolling radius R becomes small, and therefore the rolling speed (flowing speed) of the game ball becomes slow. As a result, the number of rotations of the game ball, specifically, the number of rotations of the game ball that rotates while flowing down the unit distance increases. From this, the brush 116 can be repeatedly rubbed against the surface of the game ball that is flowing down and polished sufficiently.

  Furthermore, since the hair tip is directed in the direction of rotation of the game ball in the ball feed channel 84, the inconvenience that the game ball is caught by the hair tip (tip of the brush 116) and the rotation is slowed down can be suppressed. The dirt of the sphere can be removed efficiently. Since the brush 116 is a discharge brush, static electricity charged on the game ball can be removed, and dust, dust, and the like attached to the game ball due to static electricity can be efficiently removed. In addition, since the length of the brush 116 in the direction along the ball feed channel 84 is set to be longer than the outer periphery of the game ball, the entire periphery of the game ball flowing down while rotating can be sufficiently polished. Furthermore, since the brush 116 is provided in the ball feed flow path 84 of the launching device 17, the game ball can be polished finely just before being launched into the game area 8. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the balance of the flying game ball due to dust, dust, or the like, and it is possible to suppress uneven jumping of the launched game ball. In addition, it is possible to prevent the game area 8 from being contaminated with game balls and adversely affecting the game, or the game area 8 becoming unsightly.

  When the hitting ball launcher 73 continues to perform the first action to cause the bulleting unit 103 to enter the ball launching position 90, the bulleting unit 103 collides with the game ball placed at the ball launching position 90. The game ball collided (bounced) by the bullet emitting unit 103 moves up the launch communication path 91 and the launch connection path 55 and flies vigorously toward the launch guide path of the transparent member holding frame 9. In this way, the launching device 17 launches a game ball. Further, when the hitting ball launcher 73 continues the first operation, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the launch stopper 104 collides (engages) with the first restricting portion 107 of the rotation restricting portion 75, and the hitting ball launching rod 73. The first operation and the rotation range are regulated.

  If the first operation of the hitting ball launcher 73 is restricted, the rotary solenoid 74 is demagnetized to cause the hitting ball launcher 73 to perform a second operation away from the ball launching position 90 by its own weight. When the hitting ball launching rod 73 performs the second operation, the link mechanism 76 transmits the rotational force generated by the second operation of the hitting ball launching rod 73 to the ball feeding member 88, and the ball feeding member 88 rotates by this transmission force. Return from the ball supply stop state to the ball supply state. Then, the ball feed member 88 flows down to the downstream side of the ball feed flow path 84 and supplies it to the ball launch position 90 with one game ball held when the ball supply is stopped. Thereby, the game ball to be fired next time is arranged at the ball launch position 90 to prepare for launch. Further, the bent portion of the ball feed channel 84 is blocked by a part of the ball feed member 88 (side portion of the ball holding unit 99), and the game ball on the upstream side of the ball feed channel 84 flows down to the ball launch position 90. Stop that. Further, when the hitting ball launcher 73 continues the second operation, as shown in FIG. 5A, the saddle portion 102 collides (engages) with the second restricting portion 108 of the buffer member 71, so 2 Operation is restricted.

  By the way, in the said embodiment, although the position of the brush 116 was maintained without moving irrespective of the state of the launcher 17, this invention is not limited to this, The brush 116 is moved with the state conversion of the launcher 17. Thus, the game ball in the ball feed channel 84 may be configured to advance and retreat. For example, the launching device 17 in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 has the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment, but includes a drive mechanism 120 for moving the brush 116. It is different in point. More specifically, the ball feed passage 84 includes a motor 121 serving as a movement drive source and a movement transmission unit 122 that transmits the output of the motor 121 and moves the brush 116 in the vertical direction to the drive mechanism 120. A portion of the flow path lid 84b located behind the brush 116 is recessed backward to form the transmission accommodating portion 123, and the movement transmitting portion 122 is disposed inside the transmission accommodating portion 123 (on the brush 116 side). In addition, the motor 121 is disposed on the rear surface side of the flow channel lid portion 84b (on the opposite side to the brush 116 side with the flow channel lid portion 84b interposed) with the output shaft facing downward.

  In addition, a plurality of transmission gears (first transmission gear 125, second transmission gear 126, and third transmission gear 127) are meshed with the movement transmission unit 122 side by side along the inclination direction of the ball feed flow path 84, In this meshing state, the transmission accommodating portion 123 is pivotally attached so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. Further, the first transmission gear 125 is disposed behind one side of the brush 116 (left side in FIG. 6B), and the third transmission gear 127 is disposed on the other side of the brush 116 (left side in FIG. 6B). The second transmission gear 126 is disposed between the first transmission gear 125 and the third transmission gear 127. The first transmission gear 125 meshes with a worm gear 128 that is pivotally attached to the output shaft of the motor 121, and the first transmission gear 125 moves from the position off the rotation shaft toward the front brush 116. The support shaft 130 is extended, and the first support shaft 130 is inserted into one side of the brush base 117 so as to be rotatable. Further, the third support shaft 131 is extended from the position of the third transmission gear 127 away from the rotation shaft toward the front brush 116, and the third support shaft 131 is rotated to the other side of the brush base 117. Inserted as possible. Then, at least the first transmission gear 125 and the third transmission gear 127 are formed of gears having the same shape (the same number of teeth), and the first support shaft 130 and the third support shaft 131 have the same angular velocity and the same phase. It is configured to rotate. Therefore, the drive mechanism 120 supports the brush 116 with the first support shaft 130 and the third support shaft 131 in a posture inclined along the inclination direction of the ball feed passage 84, and when the motor 121 is energized in this support state, The transmission gears 125, 126, and 127 are rotated to rotate the first support shaft 130 and the third support shaft 131 in the same rotational direction, the same angular velocity, and the same phase, and the brush 116 is moved up and down while maintaining the inclined posture. It can be rotated.

  When the brush 116 is moved by the drive mechanism 120 to reach the top dead center, the bristles 118 of the brush 116 come into contact with the game ball in the ball feed channel 84 (contact state), and the brush 116 is moved. When the bottom dead center is reached, the bristles 118 of the brush 116 are separated from the game balls in the ball feed channel 84 (non-contact state). Therefore, even if the rotational force of the game ball is attenuated due to contact with the brush 116, the problem that the rotation of the game ball stops can be suppressed by converting the brush 116 to the non-contact state. Further, when the game ball flows down the ball feed channel 84 and the rotational force of the game ball increases, the game ball can be polished again by converting the brush 116 to the contact state. From this, the game ball can be cleaned without stopping the flow or rotation of the game ball.

  In the launching device 17 provided with the drive mechanism 120 having such a configuration, the hitting ball launching rod 73 is set in a bullet ready state and the ball feed member 88 is set in a ball supply state, so that a game in the ball feed channel 84 is set. In a state where the sphere is staying, the brush 116 is moved downward by the drive mechanism 120 and set in a non-contact state (see FIG. 7A). From this set state, the rotary solenoid 74 is driven, and the hitting ball launcher 73 performs the first operation (the operation of moving the projecting portion 103 toward the ball launch position 90), and the ball feed member 88 is supplied from the ball supply state to the ball supply. When converted to the stop state, the ball feeding member 88 holds one game ball that has flowed down from the ball feeding flow path 84 in the ball holding portion 99. As a result, the game balls in the ball feed channel 84 flow down toward the ball feed member 88 on the downstream side. At this time, since the brush 116 is separated from the game ball in the ball feed channel 84, the game ball can easily flow down toward the ball holding unit 99, and the rotation of the game ball can be promoted. When the ball feed member 88 is converted from the ball supply state to the ball supply stop state and the game ball in the ball feed flow path 84 starts to flow down to the ball feed member 88 side, the drive mechanism 120 is driven to brush 116 is converted from a non-contact state to a contact state (see FIG. 7B). Therefore, the brush 116 can be brought into contact with the game ball in a sufficiently rotated state, and the game ball can be efficiently cleaned. At this time, if the rotation direction of the motor 121 is adjusted and the first support shaft 130 and the third support shaft 131 are set to rotate clockwise as viewed from the rear, the brush near the top dead center 116 can be moved in the same direction as the flow direction of the game ball in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the lower portion of the rotating game ball. Therefore, the relative speed of the game ball with respect to the brush 116 can be increased, and the effect of the brush 116 scrubbing and cleaning the surface of the game ball can be improved.

  When the hitting ball launcher 73 continues to perform the first action to launch the game ball and the hitting ball launcher 73 continues the first action, the launch stopper 104 collides with the first restricting portion 107 of the rotation restricting portion 75 (engagement). And the first operation and rotation range of the hitting ball launcher 73 are restricted. If the first movement of the hitting ball launcher 73 is restricted, the rotary solenoid 74 is demagnetized to cause the hitting ball launcher 73 to perform the second action of moving away from the ball launching position 90 by its own weight, and the ball feed member 88 is rotated. Then, the sphere supply stop state is converted to the sphere supply state. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7C, immediately before the ball feeding member 88 changes from the ball supply stop state to the ball supply state, the motor 121 is driven to move the first support shaft 130 and the third support shaft 131 together. The brush 116 that rotates clockwise when viewed from the rear and is in contact with the game ball in the vicinity of the top dead center is in the same direction as the flow direction of the game ball and is opposite to the moving direction of the lower portion of the rotating game ball Move in the direction. That is, the contact state between the brush 116 and the game ball is maintained, and the drive mechanism 120 is driven in this maintenance state, so that the movement direction of the portion of the game ball that is rotating the brush 116 is in contact with the brush 116. A braking operation for moving to and braking the game ball is executed. Then, it is possible to suppress the downward force of the game ball while efficiently cleaning the game ball, and the portion of the ball feed member 88 converted to the ball supply state that blocks the ball feed flow path 84, specifically the ball holding The impact of the game ball on the side portion of the portion 99 can be reduced, and the impact of the game ball on the ball feeding member 88 can be reduced. Therefore, damage to the ball feed member 88 and the load applied to the ball feed shaft 98 and the ball feed link 111 by transmitting the ball feed member 88 can be suppressed, and the game ball can be stably supplied to the ball launch position 90. can do.

  In the above embodiment, the brush 116 is disposed at the lower part of the ball feed channel 84 and is set so as to polish the lower part of the game ball that flows down while rotating, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the brush 116 may be arranged on the upper part of the ball feed channel 84 so as to polish the upper part of the game ball that flows down while rotating. Further, the drive mechanism 120 that drives the brush 116 is not limited to a mechanism using a gear, and the brush 116 is moved back and forth with respect to the game ball flowing down the ball feed flow path 84 to convert between a contact state and a non-contact state. What is possible is a mechanism that can perform a braking operation to move the brake 116 in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the portion in contact with the brush 116 of the rotating game ball, and to brake the game ball. It may be anything.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the ball polishing member that polishes the game ball is the brush 116, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any type that can polish the game ball may be used. For example, a ball polishing member that can be polished by rubbing a sponge or cloth against the surface of a game ball may be used. Further, the ball polishing member and the drive mechanism for driving the ball polishing member are not limited to being arranged in the ball feed flow path 84, and any sloping flow path can be arranged as long as the game ball can flow down. Also good.

  In the embodiment described above, the pachinko gaming machine 1 which is a typical gaming machine has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any gaming machine provided with an inclined channel for flowing down a gaming ball. Any game machine may be used. For example, it may be a gaming machine such as a sealed ball type pachinko machine, an arrangement ball type game machine, or a sparrow ball type game machine that circulates a game ball sealed inside.

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

It is a perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine. It is an expansion perspective view of the lower part of the pachinko game machine of the state where the storage tray unit was opened. It is a disassembled perspective view of a storage tray unit. (A) is a rear view of a launching device, (b) is a cross-sectional view of a ball feed channel, and (c) is an explanatory view of a game ball flowing down in the ball feed channel. (A) is a rear view of a launching device in which a hitting ball launcher is converted into a bullet ready state, and (b) is a rear view of the launching device in which a hitting ball launcher is converted into a bulleting state. It is explanatory drawing of the flow-path cover part and brush in 2nd Embodiment, (a) is a rear view, (b) is a front view, (c) is sectional drawing. It is explanatory drawing of the discharge device in 2nd Embodiment, (a) is explanatory drawing which made the brush non-contact state, (b) is explanatory drawing which made the brush a contact state, (c) is a brush which performs braking operation | movement. It is explanatory drawing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 3 Front frame 14 Reservoir unit 17 Launching device 33 Dish member 34 Cover member 40 Sphere dropping mechanism 41 Ball extraction mechanism 60 Ball extraction opening 61 Opening / closing member 63 Opening / closing unit 65 Ball extraction flow path 72 Launch base 73 Hitting ball 73 75 Rotation restricting portion 84 Sphere feed channel 84a Channel base portion 84b Channel lid portion 88 Ball feed member 90 Sphere launch position 91 Launch communication passage 93 Sphere support ridge 93a First sphere support ridge 93b Second sphere support Projection section 98 Ball feed shaft 99 Ball holding section 116 Brush 117 Brush base 118 Bristle 120 Drive mechanism 121 Motor 122 Movement transmission section 123 Transmission accommodating section 125 First transmission gear 126 Second transmission gear 127 Third transmission gear 128 Worm gear 130 First 1 support shaft 131 3rd support shaft

Claims (8)

In a gaming machine with an inclined channel that allows a game ball to flow down,
The inclined channel is provided with ball supporting ridges on both sides of the inclined channel in a state inclined along the inclination direction of the inclined channel, and a game ball can be placed between both ball supporting ridges to roll. Is configured to flow in a rotating manner while the game ball is rotating,
A gaming machine, wherein a ball polishing member capable of contacting a game ball flowing down the inclined channel is disposed above or below the inclined channel. The ball polishing member is composed of a brush whose tip can contact the game ball,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the brush is directed in a rotation direction of a game ball in the inclined flow path.   The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the brush is a discharge brush having conductivity.   The gaming machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the brush has a length in a direction along the inclined channel longer than an outer periphery of the game ball.   A drive mechanism capable of converting between a contact state in which the ball polishing member is moved to contact a game ball in the inclined channel and a non-contact state separated from the game ball in the inclined channel is provided. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A game board in which a game area is partitioned, a ball storage dish for storing a game ball, and a launching device that launches the game ball stored in the ball storage dish from the ball launch position to the game area,
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inclined channel is a channel for supplying a game ball from a ball storage dish to a ball launch position. A ball feeding member for supplying game balls flowing down the inclined channel one by one to the ball launch position, a contact state in which the ball polishing member is moved to contact the game ball in the inclined channel, A drive mechanism that can be converted into a non-contact state separated from the game ball of
The ball feeding member includes a ball holding portion capable of holding a game ball, shuts off the inclined flow path in a state where one game ball is held in the ball holding portion, and supplies the game ball to a ball launch position. The ball supply stop state that stops and the supply of the ball that prevents only the game ball held in the ball holding part from flowing down and supplied to the ball launch position, but prevents the game ball arranged upstream from the ball feeding member. Can be converted into a state,
In the state where the ball feeding member is set in the ball supply state and the game ball in the inclined flow channel is retained, the ball polishing member is set in a non-contact state,
When the ball feeding member is changed from the ball supply state to the ball supply stop state and the game ball in the inclined flow channel starts to flow down to the ball feeding member side, the driving mechanism is driven to bring the ball polishing member into contact from the non-contact state. The gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein the gaming machine is converted into a state. The drive mechanism is capable of executing a braking operation for moving the ball polishing member in a direction opposite to a moving direction of a portion of the game ball in contact with the ball polishing member in a rotating state to brake the game ball,
8. The ball feeding member is configured to maintain a contact state of the ball polishing member and execute a braking operation immediately before the ball feeding member changes from a ball supply stop state to a ball supply state. Game machines.

Images