As shown in FIG. 1, a pachinko machine 10 corresponding to the ball game machine of the present invention includes a game board 12. A game area 14 is formed on the front surface of the game board 12, and the hit pachinko ball 15 (see FIG. 2) flows down the game area 14. The game area 14 is provided with a start winning opening 16 (winning opening) and a normal winning opening 18. When a game ball wins each winning opening 16, 18, a predetermined number of pachinko balls 15 are paid out as winning balls. Although illustration is omitted, the game area 14 is provided with game nails that change the movement of the pachinko ball 15 flowing down.
When the pachinko ball 15 wins the start winning opening 16, a winning lottery for determining a winning or losing is performed. If the winning is won, the mode is changed to the winning mode and the attacker 20 is released. When the attacker 20 is opened, most of the pachinko balls 15 are guided to a special winning opening (not shown) on the inner surface thereof, and a large number of prize balls can be obtained.
A center accessory 22 is provided at the center of the game area 14. In the center accessory 22, a symbol display device 24 for displaying the result of the electronic lottery is provided. On the display screen of the symbol display device 24, for example, three columns of symbols each having 0 to 9 are displayed. When the pachinko ball 15 wins the start winning opening 16, the symbol change display is started, and the symbol scrolls from top to bottom. The symbols stop sequentially one column at a time (for example, in order of left → right → middle). When all symbols are stopped, the same symbol is found, and otherwise it is lost.
Further, below the symbol display device 24 and above the start winning opening 16, a pachinko ball 15 taken in from a take-in port (not shown) provided around the center accessory 22 is temporarily rolled. A stage 28 is provided for the purpose of staying.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the stage 28 is a two-stage stage composed of a first stage 30 and a second stage 32 arranged in a staircase pattern. The first stage 30 is attached below the holding frame 29 that holds the symbol display device 24, and the second stage 32 is disposed below the front edge of the first stage 30.
The upper surface of the first stage 30 is a first staying surface 34 (see FIG. 3) that temporarily stays while rolling the pachinko ball 15 taken from the above-described take-in port (not shown). Further, the upper surface of the second stage 32 is a second staying surface 36 (see FIG. 3) that receives the pachinko balls dropped from the first stage 30 and temporarily stays there. The first and second staying surfaces 34 and 36 are symmetrical curved surfaces whose both end sides are higher than the central portion.
Between the center part and both ends of the 1st retention surface 34, the 1st guide path 38a, 38b inclined downward toward the near side from the back | inner side is formed. Further, a second guiding path 38c that is similarly inclined is formed at the center of the first staying surface 34. And the pachinko sphere 15 which flowed down to each guide path 38a-38c falls from each front edge.
Similarly, first guide paths 40a and 40b are formed between the center portion and both ends of the second stay surface 36, and the second guide path 40c is formed in the center portion of the second stay surface 36. Is formed. And the pachinko ball 15 which flowed down to each guide path 40a-40c falls from each front edge.
On the front edge side of the first staying surface 34, a first front wall 40 (front wall) formed transparently with various light-transmitting materials is provided. The first front wall 40 is formed to extend vertically upward from the rear edge of the second staying surface 36 and to be continuous with the front edge of the first staying surface 34. The upper end portion of the first front wall 40 is a first barrier 42 that extends upward from the first staying surface 34. Further, a second front wall 44 is formed on the front edge side of the second staying surface 36 and extends vertically downward from the front edge of the second staying surface 36. The upper end portion of the second staying surface 36 is also a second barrier 46 (projecting piece) extending upward.
The first barrier 42 is interrupted at the front edges of the respective guide paths 38a to 38c, and the second barrier 46 is interrupted at the front edges of the respective guide paths 40a to 40c. For this reason, the pachinko balls 15 on the first and second staying surfaces 34 and 36 may fall from the barriers 42, 38 c, 40 c, 40 a, 40 c, other than the front edges (other than the gap between the barriers). Blocked by 46. Thereby, the pachinko balls 15 on the staying surfaces 34 and 36 can easily flow down to the respective guide paths 38a to 38c and 40a to 40c.
Ball passages 48 a and 48 b for dropping the pachinko ball 15 to a predetermined position on the second staying surface 36 are formed at the front edges of the first guide paths 38 a and 38 b. Further, a ball entrance 50 (see FIG. 3) is formed in the first front wall 40 at a position below the front edge of the second guide path 38c, and a pachinko ball that has fallen from the front edge of the second guide path 38c. A ball passage 52 for guiding 15 to the ball inlet 50 is formed.
A ball outlet 54 is formed in the second front wall 44 so as to be positioned above the start winning opening 16. The ball outlet 54 and the ball inlet 50 communicate with each other by a ball passage 56 (see FIG. 3) that passes through the back side of the first front wall 40 and the lower side of the second stage 32. For this reason, the pachinko ball 15 that has entered the ball entrance 50 passes through the ball passage 56 and is discharged from the ball exit 54, so that the probability of winning the start winning opening 16 increases.
A pair of first and second light-emitting effect devices 58 and 60 are arranged behind the first front wall 40 so as to sandwich the ball passage 56 therebetween. The two light emitting effect devices 58 and 60 are for improving the interest of the player, and for example, effect images 62 such as vehicles, characters, characters, etc. are displayed three-dimensionally. Hereinafter, the light emitting effect devices 58 and 60 will be specifically described. Since both the light emitting effect devices 58 and 60 have the same configuration, only the first light effect device 58 will be described here.
As shown in FIG. 4, the first light emission effect device 58 is provided in an arrangement space 64 (space) formed behind the second staying surface 36 (first front wall 40) and below the first stage 30. . The first light emitting effect device 58 includes an LED board 66, a light diffusion portion 68, and an effect accessory 70 which are provided in order from the rear to the front of the arrangement space 64.
The LED board 66 is obtained by mounting a plurality of LEDs (light emitting elements) 72 as light sources of the present invention on a printed board substantially parallel to the first front wall 40. The LED substrate 66 is disposed behind the base back cover 74. The base back cover 74 extends vertically downward from the rear edge of the first stage 30 and covers the back of the stage 28.
The back surface of the LED substrate 66 is covered with a substrate back cover 76. The board back cover 76 is screwed to the base back cover 74 with a screw 78 passing through the board back cover 76 and the LED board 66 with the LED board 66 interposed therebetween. Thereby, the LED substrate 66 is also fixed to the base back cover 74.
Four LEDs 72 (see FIG. 2) are mounted on the LED substrate 66 so as to face the lower end of the back surface of the light diffusion portion 68 with the base back cover 74 interposed therebetween. Each LED 72 emits illumination light toward the lower end of the back surface of the light diffusion portion 68. At this time, through holes 74 a are formed at positions facing the respective LEDs 72 of the base back cover 74. For this reason, the illumination light emitted from each LED 72 is incident on the rear lower end portion of the light diffusion portion 68 through the through hole 74a.
The light diffusing unit 68 is supported by the support base 80 between the first front wall 40 and the base back cover 74 together with the effect material 70 described later. The support base 80 is provided below the through hole 74 a of the base back cover 74.
The light diffusing unit 68 includes first and second light diffusing plates 82 and 83 that are arranged in a line in the front-rear direction of the stage 28 (game board 12) behind the performance accessory 70. The first and second light diffusion plates 82 and 83 are substantially parallel to the first front wall 40 and are arranged so as to overlap in the present embodiment. The first light diffusing plate 82 is provided on the base back cover 74 side, and the second light diffusing plate 83 is provided on the effect accessory 70 side. Both light diffusion plates 82 and 83 are formed to extend from the upper surface of the support base 80 to the bottom surface of the first stage 30.
Each LED 72 described above is opposed to the lower end of the back surface of the first light diffusing plate 82 through the through hole 74a. Therefore, the back surface of the first light diffusing plate 82 becomes a light incident surface 82a on which illumination light from each LED 72 is incident. In addition, the front surface of the second light diffusing plate 83 faces the first front wall 40 side, and faces the effect accessory 70. For this reason, the front surface of the second light diffusing plate 83 becomes the light emitting surface 83a.
The illumination light emitted from each LED 72 and incident on the light incident surface 82a (lower rear end portion) of the first light diffusing plate 82 is diffused in the first light diffusing plate 82, and then further the second light diffusing plate. 83 is diffused. As a result, diffused light (planar light) obtained by diffusing the illumination light (dotted light) of each LED 72 is emitted from the light emitting surface 83a. As in the present embodiment, the first and second light diffusing plates 82 and 83 are arranged in a line, so that more uniform diffused light is emitted toward the effector 70.
The effect accessory 70 is provided in front of the second light diffusing plate 83. The stage effect 70 is a block-shaped translucent body that is transparently formed of various translucent materials. In the present embodiment, the upper part of the effect accessory 70 extends to a position where it abuts on the bottom surface of the first stage 30. A concave 84 corresponding to the above-described effect image 62 (see FIG. 2) is engraved on the surface facing the light emitting surface 83a of the effector 70, that is, the diffused light incident surface 70a on which the diffused light is incident. .
The effect object 70 is in a light emitting state in which the three-dimensional effect image 62 is formed by illuminating the concave mold 84 with the diffused light. In addition, a translucent colored layer 86 is formed on the surface of the concave mold 84. For this reason, when the effect accessory 70 is in a light emitting state, an effect image 62 of a color corresponding to the colored layer 86 is formed.
In this way, the first light-emitting effect device 58 diffuses the illumination light emitted from each LED 72 by the light diffusing unit 68 and illuminates the concave mold 84 of the effect accessory 70 with the diffused light diffused substantially uniformly. Thus, a stereoscopic effect image 62 is formed. Similarly, the second light emitting effect device 60 forms a three-dimensional effect image 62. Therefore, the player can visually recognize the effect image 62 formed by the light emitting effect devices 58 and 60 through the first front wall 40.
When the player visually recognizes the effect image 62 through the first front wall 40, a second barrier (projecting piece) 46 is provided on the front edge side of the second stage 32 on the front side of the first front wall 40. Yes. The second barrier 46 is interrupted only at the front edges of the respective guide paths 40a to 40c (see FIG. 2). Therefore, by adjusting the mounting position of each LED 70 and the height of the second barrier 46, at least one LED 72 can be hidden behind the second barrier 46.
Specifically, each LED 72 is mounted on the LED board 66 so that each LED 72 is positioned substantially vertically behind the second barrier 46 or below the position (see FIG. 2). And the 2nd barrier 46 is extended upwards as needed so that the upper end part of the 2nd barrier 46 may be located above LED72 in the back. At this time, the height of the second barrier 46 can be suppressed by mounting each LED 72 as downward as possible, that is, mounting each LED 72 at a position facing the lower end of the back surface of the first light diffusion plate 82.
Thus, by adjusting the mounting position of each LED 70 and the height of the second barrier 46, when the player views the game area 14 from the front, each LED 72 passes through the effect accessory 70 and the light diffusion portion 68. Can be blindfolded by using the second barrier 46 so that it is difficult for the player to see. At this time, if the height of the player is high, the stage 28 may be viewed from obliquely above. Therefore, in this case as well, it is preferable to adjust the height of the second barrier 46 so that each LED 72 is hidden by the second barrier 46.
As shown in FIG. 5, the overall operation of the pachinko machine 10 is basically controlled by a main control circuit 87 and a sub control circuit 88. The main control circuit 87 is roughly divided into a CPU 90, a ROM 92, a RAM 94, an electronic lottery unit 96, and a symbol lottery unit 98.
The CPU 90 controls the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10 based on the game control program stored in the ROM 92. The CPU 90 is connected to a start winning sensor 100, a normal winning sensor 102, a special winning sensor 104, a winning ball payout device 106, a game ball launching device 108, an attacker driving device 110, and the like. The RAM 94 is a working area, and is used for temporary storage or rewriting of data used in the game.
The start winning sensor 100 detects the pachinko ball 15 that has entered the start winning opening 16 (see FIG. 1). The normal winning sensor 102 detects the pachinko ball 15 that has entered the normal winning opening 18. The special winning sensor 104 detects a pachinko ball 15 that has entered a large winning opening (not shown) that appears when the attacker 20 opens.
The prize ball payout device 106 pays out a specified number of pachinko balls 15 as prize balls in response to a payout command input when the pachinko balls 15 win each winning opening. The game ball launching device 108 launches the pachinko balls 15 one by one in the game area 14 in response to the turning operation of the launch handle (not shown) of the player. The firing strength of the pachinko ball 15 is adjusted according to the amount of rotation of the firing handle. The attacker drive device 110 opens and closes the attacker 20 in the hit mode.
The electronic lottery unit 96 receives a command from the CPU 90 when the pachinko ball 15 wins the start winning opening 16, performs an electronic lottery (winning lottery) using random numbers, and determines a win or a loss. The symbol lottery unit 98 performs symbol lottery according to the result of the electronic lottery, and determines a symbol stop pattern to be stopped after the symbol variation display.
Although illustration is omitted, an effect image lottery unit is also connected to the CPU 90. Then, the effect image lottery unit draws the effect image displayed by the symbol display device 24 during the symbol variation display based on whether the lottery result by the electronic lottery unit 96 is a win or a loss. A production image is determined.
The sub control circuit 88 includes a display control unit 112 and an LED control unit 114. The display control unit 112 receives a control signal from the CPU 90 and performs display control of the symbol display device 24 such as symbol variation display, effect image display, and win / lose display.
The LED control unit 114 receives the control signal from the CPU 90 and controls illumination light irradiation by each LED 72. When the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on, the LED control unit 114 starts emitting illumination light from each LED 72. Thereby, the three-dimensional effect image 62 is displayed on the first and second light emission effect devices 58 and 60. In the present embodiment, the illumination light irradiation by each LED 72 continues until the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned off.
Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment will be described. When the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on, the LED control unit 114 starts emitting illumination light from each LED 72 in response to a control signal from the CPU 90.
As shown in FIG. 4 described above, the illumination light emitted from each LED 72 is incident on the light incident surface 82a at the lower end of the back surface of the first light diffusing plate 82, and the first and second light diffusing plates 82, 83. Diffused within. Then, the diffused light diffused almost uniformly in both the light diffusing plates 82 and 83 is emitted from the light emitting surface 83 a of the second light diffusing plate 83 toward the effector 70.
The effect accessory 70 receives the diffused light emitted from the light emitting surface 83 a and enters a light emitting state, and forms a three-dimensional effect image 62 with a color corresponding to the colored layer 86 by the concave mold 84. Thereby, the player can visually recognize the effect image 62 formed by the light emitting effect devices 58 and 60 through the first front wall 40.
At this time, in the present embodiment, by adjusting the height of the second barrier 46 provided on the front edge side of the second staying surface 36 of the second stage 32 and the mounting position of each LED 72, an effect accessory Each LED 72 can be blinded using the second barrier 46 so that the LED 72 is not easily seen by the player through the light diffuser 68 and the light diffusing unit 68. Since the second barrier 46 is normally provided for pachinko ball drop regulation, it does not give the player a sense of incongruity. As a result, the decorativeness of the pachinko machine 10 is prevented from being impaired. Further, it is possible to prevent the player from losing interest in the game due to the dazzling illumination light emitted from the LED 72.
In addition, since the effect item 70 is arranged behind the first front wall 40, the effect item 70 is prevented from being damaged by the pachinko ball 15 retained on the second retention surface 36. Is done.
Further, since the first and second light diffusing plates 82 and 83 arranged in a line at the rear side of the effector 70 are used as the light diffusing portion 68, only one light diffusing plate is provided. Compared to the above, diffused light diffused more uniformly can be emitted toward the effector 70.
Further, each LED 72 is mounted on the LED substrate 66 at a position facing the lower end of the back surface of the first light diffusion plate 82, that is, as low as possible, so that each of the LEDs 72 can be obtained without increasing the height of the second barrier 46. The LED 70 can be blinded by the second barrier 46. That is, the height of the second barrier 46 can be suppressed.
Further, since the three-dimensional effect image 62 is formed by carving the concave mold 84 corresponding to the effect image 62 on the diffused light incident surface 70a of the effect object 70, it is possible to improve the interest of the player. it can. Furthermore, since the colored layer 86 is formed on the surface of the concave mold 70, the effect image 62 can be formed in a color corresponding to the colored layer 86. Thereby, the interest of a player can be improved more.
In the above-described embodiment, the entire area of the first front wall 40 is formed transparently, but the present invention is not limited to this, and only the area facing the effect accessory 70 is formed transparently. You may do it.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the 1st front wall 40 and the production | presentation accessory 70 are provided separately, since both are formed with a translucent material, both are formed integrally. Also good. In this case, for example, the thickness of the first front wall may be increased, and the above-described concave mold may be carved on the inner surface of the first front wall.
In the above embodiment, the two-stage stage including the first and second stages 30 and 32 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is an effect accessory for production. If the space for arranging the light diffusion plate, LED, etc. can be secured, the present invention can be similarly applied to one stage or three or more stages. In particular, in the case of a multistage stage, it is possible to perform blindfolding using a barrier provided on an arbitrary stage.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the 1st and 2nd light diffusing plates 82 and 83 arranged in a line at the back of the production | use thing 70 are used as the light-diffusion part 68, this invention is limited to this. Instead of the light diffusing portion 68, a single light diffusing plate or a structure in which three or more light diffusing plates are arranged in a line may be used. Further, instead of using a light diffusing plate as the light diffusing portion 68, the illumination light (dotted light) emitted from each LED 72 is diffused, and the diffused light (planar shape) is emitted from the light emitting surface facing the effect accessory 70 Light diffusing members having various shapes that can emit light) may be used.
In the above embodiment, each LED 72 is provided at a position facing the lower end of the back surface of the first light diffusion plate 82, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if a space where each LED 72 can be installed is secured below the lower end portion of the first light diffusion plate 82, the LED is provided in this space and the illumination light is emitted toward the lower end portion of the first light diffusion plate 82. You may do it.
In the above embodiment, the three-dimensional effect image 62 is formed by carving the concave 84 on the diffused light incident surface 70a of the effect object 70, but the present invention is not limited to this. is not. When there is no need to form a stereoscopic effect image, for example, it is possible to form an effect image simply by pasting a film on which various images are printed onto a diffused light incident surface or the like.
In the above embodiment, the case where the effect accessory 70 that receives the diffused light and forms the effect image 62 is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where a decorative member made of a translucent material is used as an effect for presentation. Here, when the effect accessory is a decorative member, it may be formed integrally with the first front wall 40 as described above.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the LED board 66 is provided in the back of the base back cover 74, this invention is not limited to this, You may be provided in the front of the base back cover 74. Further, the support / fixing method of the effect object 70, the light diffusing unit 68, and the LED substrate 66 is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be supported / fixed by various methods.
In the above embodiment, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on, the effect image 62 is always displayed by the first and second light emitting effect devices 58 and 60. However, the present invention is limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, the effect image 62 may be blinked and displayed in a predetermined pattern based on whether the lottery result by the electronic lottery unit 96 (see FIG. 5) is a win or a loss. As a result, it is possible to provide an effect with a sense of reality that cannot be expressed only by effect image display.
In the above-described embodiment, an explanation has been given by taking an LED (light emitting element) as an example of the light source. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various light sources such as an incandescent light bulb may be used.
In the above embodiment, the first front wall 40 is formed to be transparent, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first front wall may be formed to be translucent. Thus, since the inside of arrangement space 64 shines by forming the 1st front wall semi-transparently, it can be used for production.