JP2008110142A - Game ball distribution mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game ball distribution mechanism in a game device for retaining and enhancing the amusement of the play while a player is playing by making it difficult to estimate the result of distribution till game balls are distributed. <P>SOLUTION: The game ball distribution mechanism in the game machine comprises a rotary disk 24 parallel or inclined to the game board surface of the game machine to rotate around the axis of rotation extending in the vertical direction, and an introduction path for guiding game balls onto a main surface above the rotary disk. The rotary disk has a plurality of through holes 26a, at least one of which is a winning hole, arranged in the circumferential direction of the disk. The main surface of the rotary disk is characterized by having at least one projection 27. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a distribution mechanism for game balls launched on a game board of a game apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a ball game apparatus represented by a pachinko machine has been known in which a game point is a good or bad distribution destination of game balls supplied to a so-called winning device. More specifically, such a gaming device distributes the game balls that have passed through a predetermined winning opening to any one of a plurality of passages by a distribution mechanism, and when the gaming balls have passed through a specific passage, A predetermined number of prize balls are paid out, a specific game is started, or a change in the game image on the display unit provided on the game board surface is started.

  As such a distribution mechanism, there are a mechanism that uses the shape of a mechanism body that performs distribution, a mechanism that uses a magnet, a mechanism that uses electrical drive means such as a motor, or a combination of these. In recent years, in order to electrically control the distribution destination of game balls, a distribution mechanism using a lot of electric drive means has been mainly developed.

  For example, a sorting mechanism using a rotating body is known as a combination of an electric drive means such as a motor and a structure (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). The sorting mechanism described in Patent Document 1 includes a rotating body constituted by a rotating plate and a thin cone that forms a step, a rotating mechanism that rotates the rotating body, and the like. Since the rotation center axis of the rotating plate and the center of the thin cone are at different positions, the unevenness on the surface of the rotating body can be displaced with the rotation period of the rotating body as the rotating body rotates. . Therefore, the rotating body distributes the introduced game balls in various directions according to the displacement of the unevenness thereof, and guides it to the specific winning opening or the general winning opening.

The distribution mechanism described in Patent Document 2 includes a rotating body provided with a general winning opening and a specific winning opening, and a driving body that rotates the rotating body. The general prize opening and the specific prize opening are separated by a protruding isolation member provided on the rotating body, and a prize can be awarded only from a certain direction. The game balls are introduced into the rotator from the outer periphery or the upper part of the rotator by a game sphere introduction path provided in the vicinity of the rotator, and are guided to the general winning opening or the specific winning opening.
JP-A-8-336639 JP 2004-129715 A

  The distribution mechanisms described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are configured to be distributed according to the shape and structure of the rotating body. As a result, a player who operates a pachinko machine equipped with such a distribution mechanism predicts the final distribution destination according to the position of the game ball on the rotating body when the game ball is introduced into the rotating body. There is a problem of being able to do.

  That is, before the game ball is finally distributed, the player is expected to distribute the result, and the player predicts that the position of the game ball on the rotating body provides a disadvantageous result for the player. Then, the player's interest in the distribution of the game balls is lost at an early stage before the final result by the distribution is obtained. As a result, the attractiveness to pachinko machines has been reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and makes it difficult to predict such a result until the game ball is distributed, thereby maintaining and enhancing the player's interest in the game. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game ball sorting mechanism of a gaming device.

  A game ball distribution mechanism in a gaming machine, the rotating disk rotating about a rotation axis extending in a vertical direction parallel to or inclined with respect to a gaming board surface of the gaming machine, and a main surface on an upper part of the rotating disk An introduction path that guides the game ball to the rotary disk, the rotating disk has a plurality of through holes arranged along a circumferential direction thereof, at least one of the through holes being a winning opening, and the main surface is And having at least one protrusion.

Hereinafter, a pachinko machine as an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(Example 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 includes a main body frame 11 serving as a main body base, a game board 12 disposed inside the main body frame 11, and a front of the game board 12 that is And a front frame 13 that can be freely opened and closed. The game board 12 includes a game area 12a surrounded by guide rails 14 on the board surface, and a game ball is launched toward the game area 12a.

  A lower door frame 15 is provided below the front frame 13. The lower door frame 15 is provided with a receiving tray 15a for storing a game ball held by the player, and a handle 16 for controlling the launch of the game ball and controlling the firing strength. The handle 16 is disposed on the right side of the pachinko machine 10 and protrudes from the surface height of the lower door frame 15 so that the player can easily grasp it. The handle 16 is provided with a contact detection sensor (not shown) that generates a contact signal in response to a human body touching the handle 16. The contact signal output from the contact detection sensor is input to a control device (not shown) provided on the back side of the pachinko machine 10.

  In addition, the handle 16 is provided with a launch adjustment unit 17 that is rotatable within a predetermined angle range. The launch adjusting unit 17 is an operation switch by driving a game ball launching device (not shown) provided on the back side of the pachinko machine 10, and the launch adjusting unit 17 is moved clockwise from the reference position. The launching device is operated by rotating it. The launch adjusting unit 17 is applied with an urging force in the counterclockwise direction by an elastic body such as a spring, and is located at the reference position in the standby state. The reference position means a position where the amount of rotation of the launch adjusting unit 17 is zero. When the launch adjusting unit 17 is located at such a position, the game ball is not launched into the game area 12a of the game board 12. It has become.

  The game board 12 is provided with game nails that change the flow direction of the game ball. Further, a windmill or other object (not shown) is provided in a flying manner, and no prize is awarded at the bottom. An out port (not shown) for collecting the game balls is provided.

  In addition, a center role is provided substantially at the center of the game board 12, for example, the center role is a winning device 18 having a winning area such as a so-called special electric accessory. The winning device 18 has a pair of blades 19a and 19b that distributes whether or not the game ball is allowed to pass into the mechanism, and a rotation axis that is parallel or inclined (for example, within about 45 degrees) to the board surface of the game board 12. There is a game ball sorting mechanism 22 composed of a movable part 20 that rotates as a central axis and an introduction path 21 that introduces a game ball onto the main surface of the movable part 20. Note that the rotation axis of the movable unit 20 may exist at the center of the movable unit 20.

  The blades 19a and 19b may be opened and closed when triggered by passing through a starting port provided in the game board 12, that is, the chuckers 23a, 23b and 23c. For example, each chucker is provided with a passage detection sensor (not shown), and can transmit a ball detection signal of a game ball to a control device to be described later. The control device can send a ball detection signal of the main chucker 23a. When receiving, the blades 19a and 19b may be opened twice, and when the ball detection signal of the sub-chuckers 23b and 23c is received, the blades 19a and 19b may be opened once. When the blades 19a and 19b are in the open state, the game ball can be more easily guided into the winning device 18.

  The game ball guided to the winning device 18 from the blades 19a and 19b is guided to the movable portion 20 via the introduction path 21. For example, the introduction path 21 extends from the blades 19a, 19b to above the center of the main surface of the movable part 20, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the movable part 20, and in two directions from the middle toward the blades 19a, 19b. A separate structure may be used. Further, the introduction path 21 may be a plurality of paths extending from each blade to above the main surface of the movable unit 20.

  A drive rod (not shown) is fixed to the bottom surface of the movable portion 20 to rotate the movable portion 20. The drive rod is rotationally driven by a drive mechanism including a motor and a gear train (both not shown). Therefore, the movable part 20 rotates at the rotation period (for example, 1/10 second) of the drive mechanism.

  Further, on the bottom surface of the movable portion 20, a passage (not shown) for discharging a game ball that has passed through a through-hole described later to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 may be provided.

  Next, an example of the movable part 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the movable portion 20 includes a rotating disk 24 and side walls 25 provided along the outer periphery of the rotating disk 24 to prevent the game ball from jumping out of the rotating disk 24. Yes. The main surface of the rotating disk 24 has a bulging shape with its central portion bulging. The rotating disk 24 has through holes 26a to 26h arranged in the circumferential direction in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the main surface. The through holes 26a to 26h are large enough to allow a game ball to pass through. The through holes 26 a to 26 h may be sized so that the game ball does not stay on the main surface of the rotating disk 24. On the main surface of the rotating disk 24, a protrusion 27 extending from the side wall 25 toward the center of the rotating disk 24 is provided between the through holes 26a to 26h. Accordingly, the through holes 26a to 26h are partitioned by the protrusion 27. Further, the protrusion 27 has a height that allows the game ball introduced to the main surface of the rotating disk 24 to exceed.

  Accordingly, the game ball passes through any of the through holes 26 a to 26 h while not exceeding or exceeding the protrusion 27 due to the rotation of the swollen-shaped main surface of the rotating disk 24 and the rotating disk 24. Since the through-hole through which the game ball passes or does not exceed the protrusion 27 is different, it is possible to attract the player until the game ball passes through the through-hole.

  The through hole 26a is a specific winning opening (ie, V zone), and the through holes 26b to 26h are general winning openings. A specific winning ball detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the through hole 26a which is a specific winning opening, and a general winning ball detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the through holes 26b to 26h which are general winning openings. It has been.

  When the game ball passes through the through hole 26a, which is the specific winning opening, the specific winning ball detection sensor supplies a ball detection signal to a control device described later, and the control device has a specific gaming state advantageous for the player (both the jackpot gaming state). The pachinko machine 10 is driven so as to be provided. Here, the specific game state refers to a state in which the pachinko machine 10 gives the player a chance to pay out a large amount of prize balls in a short time. For example, the game balls are opened and closed multiple times to open and close the game balls. Is in a state where it is easily guided into the winning device 18. When opening and closing the blades 19a and 19b, the control device supplies an opening and closing drive signal to a blade opening and closing mechanism (not shown).

  Further, when the game ball passes through the through holes 26b to 26h which are general winning holes, the general winning ball detection sensor supplies a ball detection signal to a control device which will be described later, and this control device is a prize ball payout device (not shown). ) To supply a payout signal. The prize ball payout device pays out a predetermined number of prize balls to the player in response to the payout signal.

  Next, the control device of the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the pachinko machine 10 is provided with a control device 30 composed of a microcomputer or the like. The control device 30 is connected to a power supply line from a power source 31. Further, the control device 30 includes pass detection sensors 32a to 32c provided in each chucker, a specific winning ball detection sensor 33a provided in the through hole 26a, and general winning ball sensors 33b to 33h provided in the through holes 26b to 26h. The ball detection signal from is received. Further, the control device 30 receives a signal on the operation status of the handle 16 from the contact detection sensor 34 and the launch adjusting unit 17 provided on the handle 16.

  The control device 30 controls the blade opening / closing mechanism 35 that drives the blades 19a and 19b according to the ball detection signal from the passage detection sensors 32a to 32c or the specific winning detection sensor 33a. Further, the control device 30 drives the launching device 36 based on signals from the contact detection sensor 34 and the launch adjusting unit 17. Further, the control device 30 includes an illumination device 37 such as a lamp in accordance with a change in the gaming state, a prize ball paying device 38 that pays out a prize ball in a big hit state, and an abnormality notification that notifies an abnormality when an abnormality occurs in the gaming state The device 39 and the like are controlled.

As described above, since the gaming device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a sorting mechanism that uses the motility of the gaming ball itself, it causes a change in the sorting result of the gaming ball and maintains the interest of the player. And it is possible to elevate.
(Example 2)
The rotating disk may have a horizontal main surface, and such a modification will be described with reference to FIG.

  As can be seen from FIG. 4, the movable portion 40 is composed of a rotating disk 41 and side walls 42 provided along the outer periphery of the rotating disk 41 to prevent the game ball from jumping out of the rotating disk 41. Yes. The main surface of the rotating disk 41 is flat with no irregularities. The rotating disk 41 has through holes 43a to 43h arranged in order in the circumferential direction in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the main surface. The through holes 43a to 43h are large enough to allow a game ball to pass through. On the main surface of the rotating disk 41, a protrusion 44 extending from the side wall 42 toward the center of the rotating disk 41 is provided between the through holes 43a to 43h. Accordingly, the through holes 43a to 43h are partitioned by the protrusion 44. Further, the protrusion 44 has a height that allows the game ball introduced to the main surface of the rotating disk 41 to exceed. Accordingly, the rotation of the rotary disk 41 causes the game ball to pass through any of the through holes 43a to 43h while exceeding the protrusion 44.

  Further, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the through hole 43a is a specific winning opening (that is, a V zone), and the through holes 43b to 43h are general winning openings. Furthermore, a specific winning ball detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the through hole 43a, and a general winning ball detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the other through holes 43b to 43h.

Since the main surface of the rotating disk 41 is a horizontal surface, the game ball may stay on the main surface of the rotating disk 41 without passing through any of the through holes 43a to 43h. In order to prevent such stagnation, the rotation axis may be inclined within 45 degrees as described above, and the game ball may flow down toward the outer periphery of the rotary disk 41.
(Example 3)
The main surface of the rotating disk may have unevenness and a step extending in the circumferential direction, and one example will be described with reference to FIG.

  As can be seen from FIG. 5, the movable part 50 has a rotating disk 51 whose main surface is flat, and a side wall provided along the outer periphery of the rotating disk 51 to prevent the game ball from jumping out of the rotating disk 51. It consists of 52 mag. For example, the main surface of the rotating disk 51 has a disk body 53 having a predetermined radius from the center of the rotating disk 51, so that the circumferential surface is between the main surface of the rotating disk 51 and the main surface of the disk body 53. An extending step 54 may be allowed to live. The main surface of the disc body 53 may have a bulging shape with a bulging central portion and may have a plurality of irregularities 55. Further, the rotating disk 51 has through holes 56a to 56h arranged in order in the circumferential direction in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the main surface. The through holes 56a to 56h are large enough to allow a game ball to pass through. On the main surface of the rotating disk 51, protrusions 57a to 57h extending from the side wall 52 toward the disk body 53 are provided between the through holes 56a to 56h. Accordingly, the through holes 56a to 56h are partitioned by the protrusions 57a to 57h.

  Accordingly, the game balls are introduced into the substantially central portion of the disk body 53, distributed in various directions by the rotation of the rotating disk 51 and the unevenness 55 of the disk body 53, and through the through holes 56a to 56h provided in the rotating disk 51. It will pass either.

  Similarly to the above-described embodiment, the through hole 56a is a specific winning opening (that is, the V zone), and the through holes 56b to 56h are general winning openings. Furthermore, a specific winning ball detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the through hole 56a which is a specific winning opening, and a general winning ball detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the through holes 56b to 56h which are general winning openings. Is provided.

(Example 4)
The through holes may be provided side by side in the circumferential direction in the vicinity of the center of the rotating disk, and one example will be described with reference to FIG.

  As can be seen from FIG. 6, the movable part 60 has a rotating disk 61 whose main surface is flat, and a side wall provided along the outer periphery of the rotating disk 61 to prevent the game ball from jumping out of the rotating disk 61. It consists of 62 mag. The main surface of the rotating disk 61 is a surface having a gradient toward the cancellation. Further, as can be seen from FIG. 6b, the central portion of the rotating disk 61 prevents the game ball from staying in the central portion, and the bulging shape in which the central portion bulges so as to pass through any of the through holes described later. It is. The rotating disk 61 has through holes 63a to 63h arranged in order in the circumferential direction in the vicinity of the center of the main surface. The through holes 63a to 63h are large enough to allow a game ball to pass through. On the main surface of the rotating disk 61, protrusions 64a to 64h extending from the side wall 62 toward the center of the rotating disk 61 are provided between the through holes 63a to 63h. Accordingly, the through holes 63a to 63h are partitioned by the protrusions 64a to 64h. Further, the protrusions 64a to 64h have a height that allows the game ball introduced to the main surface of the rotary disk 61 to be exceeded. Further, a plurality of protrusions 65 may be provided on the main surface of the rotating disk 61.

  Therefore, the game balls introduced into the rotating disk 61 are distributed in various directions by the rotation of the rotating disk 61, the protrusions 64a to 64h and the protrusions 65, and pass through any of the through holes 63a to 63h.

  Similarly to the above-described embodiment, the through hole 63a is a specific winning opening (that is, a V zone), and the through holes 63b to 63h are general winning openings. Furthermore, a specific winning ball detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the through hole 63a which is a specific winning opening, and a general winning ball detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the through holes 63b to 63h which are general winning openings. Is provided.

  Further, the introduction path 21 may be provided so as to extend from the upper part of the outer periphery of the rotary disk 61 toward the blades 19a and 19b so that the game ball is introduced in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the rotary disk 61.

It is an external appearance front view of the game device as an example of the present invention. (A) is a top view of the movable part by this invention, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the cross section along 2b-2b dashed-dotted line of FIG. 2 (a), (c) is a perspective view of the movable part by this invention is there. It is a block diagram of a control system of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a plan view of a movable part as a modification of the present invention, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along the dashed line 4b-4b of FIG. 4 (a), and (c) is a modification of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the movable part as. (A) is a plan view of a movable portion as a modification of the present invention, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along the dashed line 5b-5b in FIG. 5 (a), and (c) is a modification of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the movable part as. (A) is a top view of the movable part as a modification of this invention, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the cross section along the 6b-6b dashed-dotted line of Fig.6 (a).

Explanation of symbols

10 Pachinko machines (game machines)
12 Game board
20 Moving parts
21 Introduction route
22 Sorting mechanism
24 rotating disc
26a Through hole, special winning opening
26b-26h Through hole, general prize opening
27 Projections

Claims (7)

A game ball distribution mechanism in a gaming machine,
A rotating disk that rotates about a rotation axis that extends parallel to or inclined with respect to the gaming board surface of the gaming machine and extends in the vertical direction; and an introduction path that guides the gaming ball onto an upper main surface of the rotating disk. ,
The rotating disk has a plurality of through holes arranged along the circumferential direction, and at least one of the through holes is a winning opening,
The distribution mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the main surface has at least one protrusion.   2. The distribution mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the main surface has a protrusion between the through holes.   2. The distribution mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the main surface further has unevenness.   2. The distribution mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the main surface has a bulging shape with a central portion bulging.   2. The distribution mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the main surface is flat.   2. The distribution mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the rotation axis of the rotating disk is inclined within 45 degrees with respect to the game board surface.   4. The distribution mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the main surface has a step extending in a circumferential direction.

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