JP2009131344A - Ball guide path body for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a further compact ball guide path body for a game machine, capable of smoothly guiding game balls to a ball put-out device by devising a path structure for guiding game balls from a ball tank to the ball put-out device. <P>SOLUTION: Opposite inner faces 320a and 330a on the left and right both side walls in an upper path part R2 of the guide path Ra are composed of a plurality of inner face parts 321 and 331 along the direction of the longitudinal section of a one-side casing member 300. The inner face part 321 is formed of a flat face part a, both circular face parts b and d, an opposite face part c and both tangent face parts b1 and d1 at regular intervals P. The opposite inner face part 331 is composed of a flat face part e, both circular face parts f and h, an opposite face part g and both tangent face parts f1 and h1 at regular intervals P. The opposite inner face part 321 is positionally displaced from the corresponding opposite inner face part 321 by a half of the regular interval P. In this way, the opposite both flat face parts a and g, and the opposite both flat face parts e and c are positionally displaced from each other in the direction of the cross section of the ball guide path body or in the reverse direction, so that the ball guide path body is formed in a meandering shape in the direction of the longitudinal section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, an arrangement ball gaming machine, a sparrow ball gaming machine, a parrot machine (rotating type gaming machine), and in particular, between a ball tank and a ball dispensing device of the gaming machine. The present invention relates to a ball guide passage body to be interposed.

  Conventionally, for example, as a pachinko gaming machine, a pachinko machine described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. In this pachinko machine, the mechanism plate on the back side is configured to form an opening with an upper member, a lower member, a left member, and a right member. Also, a game ball payout device is mounted in the installation groove of the right member together with the passage member so as to be connected to the game ball passage of the game ball tank fixed to the upper member via the passage member.

  Thus, the passage member is provided with the first and second passages so as to meander from the upper side to the lower side along the left-right direction of the pachinko machine, and the first and second passages are At the respective upper ends thereof, the game ball tank communicates with the inner passage and the outer passage of the game ball passage. The lower ends of the first and second passages communicate with the first and second standby paths of the game ball payout device.

  Here, in the game ball payout device, the first and second standby paths are provided along the vertical direction while meandering in the left-right direction of the pachinko machine, and among these first and second standby paths, The part along the left-right direction of the pachinko machine has a long path length that allows three game balls to be arranged side by side.

In the pachinko gaming machine configured as described above, the game balls sequentially paid out from the game ball tank through the inner passage and the outer passage of the game ball passage are respectively placed in the first and second passages of the passage body. Entering the first and second waiting paths of the game ball payout device, entering the first and second waiting paths of the game ball payout device, and paying out the balls such as sprockets by the game ball payout device It is paid out from the first and second standby paths by the control element.
JP-A-9-266980

  By the way, in recent pachinko gaming machines, along with a request for an increase in the size of the symbol variation display device, the gaming board tends to expand in the left-right direction of the pachinko gaming machine. In connection with this, also in the pachinko machine of patent document 1 mentioned above, the board surface of the game board is expanding in the left-right direction of the pachinko machine. For this reason, the right side member of the mechanism plate becomes narrow in the left-right direction of the pachinko machine.

  Therefore, in the pachinko machine of Patent Document 1 described above, the first and second passages of the passage body are at each part along the left-right direction of the pachinko machine (hereinafter referred to as each left-right part), and the game ball payout device Similarly to the first and second standby paths, when the path length and the game ball payout device are formed so as to have a length that is long enough to position three game balls side by side, Thus, it becomes difficult to arrange on the right side member which becomes narrow. For this reason, it is requested | required that a channel | path body should be miniaturized as much as possible in the left-right direction of a pachinko machine with a game ball payout apparatus.

  On the other hand, unlike the above, when the first and second passages of the passage body are provided along the vertical direction so as to meander in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine, the first and second passages are connected to the pachinko machine. When each of the parts along the front-rear direction of the machine (hereinafter, referred to as each front-rear direction part) is formed to have such a long path length that three game balls can be positioned side by side as described above, May protrude greatly to the rear of the pachinko machine, for example, and may collide with a pachinko machine located on the back side of the pachinko machine. For this reason, it is required to make the passage body as small as possible in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine together with the game ball payout device.

  In addition, as described above, each of the left and right direction portions or the front and rear direction portions of the first and second passages of the passage body is formed to have a long path length so that three game balls can be positioned side by side. In the case where each of the left and right direction portions or each of the front and rear direction portions is greatly bent with respect to the vertical direction of the pachinko machine, the game balls that sequentially enter the first and second passages are Each time it moves into each front-and-back direction part, the moving speed of the game ball fluctuates greatly, and a gap is generated between the game ball and the game ball.

  For this reason, biting between the game balls (so-called ball biting) is likely to occur in the first and second passages in the left-right direction part or in the front-rear direction part or in the subsequent process. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult for each game ball to move smoothly from the first and second passages to the game ball payout device.

  As a result, the timing at which each game ball enters the first and second standby paths of the game ball payout device varies, so that the game ball does not synchronize with the rotation of the ball payout control element in the game ball payout device. Will occur, and the game balls will not be paid out well.

  Therefore, in order to deal with the above, the present invention has been devised in a path configuration for guiding the game ball from the ball tank to the ball payout device, and can smoothly guide the game ball to the ball payout device. An object of the present invention is to provide a more compact ball guide path body for gaming machines.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present inventor has examined the passage configuration of the ball guide passage body. In order to make the sphere guide passage body more compact, it is conceivable that the passage formed in the sphere guide passage body is a linear passage. However, when a straight passage is used in this way, each game ball that falls from the ball tank into the straight passage is caused by a shift in the falling position of each other in the straight passage, frictional contact, or the like. A gap is generated between the passages. As a result, ball engagement occurs in the linear passage.

  On the other hand, when the passage formed in the ball guide passage is formed in a meandering shape, the left-right direction portion or the front-rear direction portion of the meander-shaped passage is arranged so that three or more game balls are arranged as described above. In the long shape, as described above, ball biting occurs. Therefore, the left-right direction part or the front-back direction part of the meandering path needs to be long enough to line up less than three game balls.

  Therefore, from this point of view, a more detailed examination of the passage configuration of a more compact ball guide passage body that can smoothly guide each game ball with respect to the ball dispensing device by simulation reveals that at least the left-right direction of the meander-shaped passage. Assuming that the number of game balls lined up in the part or the front-rear direction part is two, a ball pressure is generated for each game ball that sequentially enters the meandering path, or a gap is generated between the game balls We found a configuration that allows each game ball to move smoothly in a meandering path without causing it to move.

Therefore, according to the description of claim 1, the ball guide passage body for a gaming machine according to the present invention,
A guide passage (Ra) is formed inside so as to guide each game ball (Q, Q1 to Q5) supplied from the ball tank (230) of the gaming machine toward the ball dispensing device (S). is there.

In the spherical guide passage body, the inner peripheral surface of the guide passage has opposite inner surfaces (320a, 330a) parallel to each other in the longitudinal section direction of the guide passage and facing each other in the transverse section direction of the guide passage. And
The one-side-facing inner surface (320a) of the both-side-facing inner surfaces includes a plurality of one-side non-concave surface portions (a) provided at equal intervals (P) along the longitudinal sectional direction of the guide passage, and the plurality of one-side surfaces. A plurality of one sides formed so as to form a concave shape in the direction away from the opposite-side inner surface (330a) between the two adjacent one-side non-concave surface portions for each adjacent one-side non-concave surface portion of the non-concave surface portions. A concave surface portion (321, b, b1, c, d, d1),
The other side opposing inner surface (330a) is provided with a plurality of other side non-concave surface portions (positions shifted from each of the plurality of one side non-concave surface portions along the longitudinal cross-sectional direction of the guide passage by half of the above-mentioned equal intervals) e) and each other non-concave surface portion of the plurality of other non-concave surface portions of the plurality of other-side non-concave surface portions is formed in a concave shape in a direction away from the one-side facing inner surface between the two adjacent other-side non-concave surface portions. A plurality of other concave portions (331, f, f1, g, h, h1).
The width in the direction orthogonal to the guide direction of the game ball of the guide passage is larger than the outer diameter of the game ball and not more than the sum of the outer diameter and 2 (mm),
The plurality of one-side non-concave portions are positioned at the center of the transverse width (W) of the guide passage along with the plurality of other non-concave portions, or the center in the cross-sectional direction of the guide passage. It is characterized by being positioned relative to and contrasting with the plurality of other non-concave surface portions on the side beyond the central portion.

  According to this, in the guide passage of the ball guide passage body, one side-facing inner surface of both side-facing inner surfaces is configured by providing a plurality of one-side non-concave surface portions and one-side concave surface portions at equal intervals. The other-side opposing inner surface is configured such that the other-side non-concave surface portion and the other-side concave surface portion are integrated so as to be displaced by a half of the equal interval.

  Therefore, the plurality of one-side non-concave portions are opposed to the central surface portion along the longitudinal sectional direction of each guide passage of the plurality of other-side concave portions for each one-side non-concave portion, A non-concave surface part opposes the central surface part along the longitudinal cross-sectional direction of each guide passage of a plurality of one-side concave surface parts for every other non-concave surface part.

  Here, the plurality of one-side non-concave portions are positioned at the center of the width in the cross-sectional direction of the guide passage together with the plurality of other-side non-concave portions, or based on the center portion along the cross-sectional direction of the guide passage. The other side non-concave surface portion is positioned so as to be shifted relatively and in contrast to the side beyond the central portion.

  Accordingly, the one-side non-concave surface portion and the other-side concave surface portion corresponding to each other and the one-side concave surface portion and the other-side non-concave surface portion corresponding to each other alternately in one direction and the opposite direction along the cross-sectional direction of the guide passage. It is located out of position. Accordingly, the guide passage is configured to meander in the guide direction of the game ball.

  Moreover, as described above, the width of the guide passage in the direction perpendicular to the guide direction of the game ball is larger than the outer diameter of the game ball and equal to or less than the sum of the outer diameter and 2 (mm). For this reason, each space in which only two game balls can be arranged is formed in the longitudinal cross-sectional direction of the guide passage on the inner side of the one-side concave surface portion and the inner side of the other-side concave surface portion.

  In addition, by forming each space as described above, a region formed between the one-side concave surface portion and the other-side concave surface portion between the adjacent one-side non-concave surface portion and the other-side non-concave surface portion. A space is formed in which only two game balls can be arranged.

  For this reason, since only two game balls are arranged in the longitudinal cross-sectional direction and the transverse cross-sectional direction of the guide passage, the width in the cross-sectional direction of the ball guide passage bodies is three or more than in the conventional case. It can be greatly shortened. Therefore, even if such a ball guide passage body is attached to one of the left and right end portions of the gaming machine main body from the rear side, the ball guide passage body is left or right or front and rear in the region on the rear side of the gaming machine main body. Does not occupy widely in the direction.

  In addition, the ball guide passage body configured as described above is attached to one of the left and right ends of the gaming machine main body from the rear side, and each game ball supplied from the ball tank is sequentially guided to the ball guide passage body. When entering, the game balls move in a meandering manner along the guide direction of the guide passage, being arranged two by two in the longitudinal section direction and the transverse section direction of the guide passage.

  Here, in addition to the fact that the number of game balls arranged in the longitudinal sectional direction or the transverse sectional direction of the guide passage is only two, a plurality of one-side concave surface portions and a plurality of other-side concave surface portions, as described above, It forms so that it may become concave shape in the direction which mutually separates for every one side concave surface part and other side concave surface part.

  Therefore, when each game ball moves from the one side concave surface portion facing each other to the other side concave surface portion side or the opposite side, each game ball has a ball pressure caused by the one side concave surface portion or the other side concave surface portion. It can be smoothly guided to the other concave surface portion side or the one concave surface portion side while suppressing generation to a minimum. As a result, the respective game balls can be sequentially and smoothly guided toward the ball payout device without causing a gap or a bite of the balls due to the gap in the guide passage.

  The inner peripheral surface of the guide passage may be, for example, a rectangular cross section or a circular cross section in the transverse cross section direction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the gaming machine ball guide passage body according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the ball guide passage body is provided so as to be opposed to an intermediate portion in the guide direction of the guide passage. A ball break sensor (500) for detecting the ball break of the game ball;
The guide passage includes the one-side opposed inner surface (320a) on the one-side non-concave surface portion (a) and the plurality of one-side concave surface portions (321, 321) only on the side of the ball dispensing device with respect to the ball break sensor. b, b1, c, d, d1), and the other-side opposing inner surface (330a) is composed of the plurality of other non-concave surface portions (e) and the plurality of other-side concave surface portions (331, f, f1). , G, h, h1).

  According to this, it is the same as that of the invention according to claim 1 in a portion of the guide passage that is closer to the ball payout device than the ball break sensor while detecting the break of the game ball entering the guide passage. An effect can be achieved. Further, in the portion of the guide passage closer to the ball dispensing device than the ball break sensor, a plurality of one-side non-concave portions, a plurality of one-side concave portions, a plurality of other non-concave portions, and a plurality of other-side concave portions Therefore, the formation range of the serpentine portion in the guide passage can be minimized.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ball guide passage for gaming machines according to the first or second aspect,
The plurality of one-side non-concave portions are a plurality of one-side plane portions (a) along the longitudinal cross-sectional direction of the guide passage,
The plurality of other non-concave portions are a plurality of other side plane portions each having the same width as each of the plurality of one side plane portions along the longitudinal sectional direction of the guide passage, The one side plane portion is a plurality of other side plane portions (e) that are shifted by a predetermined displacement distance (t),
The plurality of one-side concave portions are formed in a planar shape with the same width as each of the plurality of one-side flat portions along the longitudinal cross-sectional direction of the guide passage for each one-side concave surface portion. (E) One side facing surface part (c) facing the other side plane part via a predetermined facing distance (E), and both ends in the width direction (u,) of the one other side plane part (e) Both one-side arcuate surface portions (b) extending in opposite directions from both ends (k, m) in the width direction of the one one-side facing surface portion (c) with the predetermined radius (r) around each of v) , D) and the width direction oppositions of both one side plane portions (a) adjacent to both sides of the one other side plane portion (e) along the tangential direction from each extending end of the one side arc surface portions. Both one-side tangential surface portions (b1, d1) extending to the ends (j, n),
The plurality of other-side concave portions are formed in a planar shape with the same width as each of the plurality of other-side flat portions along the longitudinal cross-sectional direction of the guide passage for each other-side concave surface portion. One side flat surface portion (a) of the other side facing surface portion (g) facing the predetermined facing distance, and width direction both ends (i, j) of the one side flat surface portion (a). The other-side arcuate surface portions (f, h) extending in opposite directions from both ends (x, y) in the width direction of the other-side facing surface portion with the above-described predetermined radius, and the other-side arcuate surface portions Both side tangent surface portions extending from each extending end to each width direction opposite end (u, v) of both side flat portions (e) adjacent to both sides of the one side flat portion along the tangential direction thereof (F1, h1)
The predetermined radius (r) and the predetermined facing distance (E) are both set to the same value that is larger than the outer diameter of the game ball and less than or equal to the sum of the outer diameter and 2 (mm). It is characterized by that.

  According to this, on the one-side facing inner surface, the one-side flat portion serves as the one-side non-concave surface portion according to claim 1 and extends from both ends of the one-side facing surface portion and the one-side facing surface portion in the width direction. The one-side arcuate surface portions and the one-side tangential surface portions extending in the tangential direction from the extending ends of the both-side arcuate surface portions serve as one-side concave surface portions according to claim 1. Here, the one side facing surface portion corresponds to a central surface portion along the longitudinal sectional direction of the guide passage of the one side concave surface portion according to claim 1.

  On the other hand, on the other-side facing inner surface, the other-side plane portion serves as the other-side non-concave surface portion according to claim 1, and both the other-side facing surface portion and both of the other-side facing surface portions extend in the width direction. The other-side arcuate surface portion and the other-side tangential surface portions extending in the tangential direction from the extending ends of the other-side arcuate surface portions serve as the other-side concave surface portion according to claim 1. Here, the other-side facing surface portion corresponds to a central surface portion along the longitudinal sectional direction of the guide passage of the other-side concave surface portion according to claim 1.

  Here, the one-side plane portion and the other-side plane portion respectively oppose the other-side facing surface portion and the one-side facing surface portion through the predetermined facing distance, and each other in the cross-sectional direction of the guide passage. The position is shifted by the position shift distance. For this reason, the one side plane portion and the other side plane portion facing each other, and the one side counter surface portion and the other side plane portion facing each other are alternately shifted in one direction and the opposite direction in the cross-sectional direction of the guide passage. It will be located, and a guide passage is constituted by meandering in the longitudinal section direction.

  In addition, the facing distance between the one-side facing surface portion and the other-side facing surface portion and the facing distance between the one-side facing surface portion and the other-side facing surface portion together with the radii of both the one-side arc surface portion and the other-side arc surface portion are It is set to the same value which is larger than the outer diameter and equal to or less than the sum of the outer diameter and 2 (mm).

  Therefore, in the same manner as in the first aspect of the present invention, the game ball is arranged in the longitudinal cross-sectional direction of the guide passage in the one-side facing surface portion and both one-side arc surface portions on both sides or on the other-side facing surface portion and both sides. Two are arranged for each other-side arcuate surface portion, and two are arranged for each corresponding portion of both one-side arcuate surface portions and both other-side arcuate surface portions in the cross-sectional direction of the guide passage.

  Therefore, the width in the cross-sectional direction of the ball guide passage body can be greatly shortened in the same manner as in the first aspect of the invention, and as a result, such a ball guide passage body is provided on the right side of the pachinko gaming machine. Even if it is attached to the end portion from the rear side, the ball guide passage body does not occupy the rear side region of the pachinko gaming machine in the left-right direction or the front-rear direction.

  Further, as described above, in addition to the fact that the number of game balls arranged in the cross-sectional direction and the vertical cross-sectional direction of the guide passage is only two, respectively, one side plane part and the other side plane part as described above The one side tangent surface part extends in a tangential direction from the one side arc surface part, and the other side tangent surface part extends in the tangential direction from the other side arc surface part. ing.

  Therefore, when each game ball moves from the one side arc surface portion side to the other side arc surface portion side between the one side arc surface portion and the other side arc surface portion facing each other, each game ball extends from the one side arc surface portion. The one side tangent surface part can be smoothly guided to the other side arc surface part side while suppressing the generation of the ball pressure to the minimum, and the other side tangential surface part extending from the other side arc surface part is used to provide the other side arc surface part. Can be guided smoothly while suppressing the generation of the ball pressure to the minimum.

  Conversely, when each game ball moves from the other side arc surface part side to the one side arc surface part side, each game ball minimizes the generation of ball pressure by the other side tangential surface part extending from the other side arc surface part. It can be smoothly guided to the one-side arc surface while suppressing to the limit, and the generation of the ball pressure toward the one-side arc surface is minimized by the one-side tangential surface extending from the one-side arc-surface. It can be guided smoothly.

  Therefore, each game ball entering the guide passage can be smoothly guided to the ball payout device without causing a gap between the game balls and a gap between the game balls. Therefore, a predetermined amount of game balls can be always paid out correctly by the ball payout device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ball guide path body for a gaming machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, the predetermined displacement distance is 2 (mm) to It is within the range of 2.5 (mm), and the predetermined angle (α) with respect to the transverse cross-sectional direction of the guide passages of both one side tangent surface portions and both other side tangential surface portions is within the range of 4 ° to 10 °. It is characterized by.

  As a result, the inside of the one side facing surface portion and both one side arc surface portions at both ends in the width direction, or the inside of the other side facing surface portion and both sides arc surface portions at both ends in the width direction, The sum of the double of the outer diameter (11 (mm)) of the ball and the width of the one-side facing surface portion or the other-side facing surface portion is limited to a degree somewhat larger than twice the outer diameter of the game ball.

  For this reason, the inside of the one side facing surface part and both one side arcuate surface parts at both ends in the width direction, or the inside of the other side facing surface part and both other side arc surface parts at both ends in the width direction There can only be two spheres. Therefore, each game ball entering the guide passage has only two game balls arranged in the cross-sectional direction and the vertical cross-sectional direction of the guide passage. In addition, it is desirable that the width of the one side plane portion is 2 (mm) or less.

  Moreover, since the predetermined inclination angle with respect to the cross-sectional direction of the guide passages of both one-side tangential surface portions and both other-side tangential surface portions is within a range of 4 ° to 10 °, each game ball faces each other. When moving from the one-side arc surface portion side to the other-side arc surface portion side or the opposite side between the arc-surface portion and the other-side arc-surface portion, each game ball can move smoothly without generating further ball pressure. . As a result, the operational effects of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 can be further improved.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the ball guide passage body for a gaming machine according to the fourth aspect, the predetermined radius and the predetermined facing distance are such that the outer diameter of the game ball is 11 ( mm), both are 12 (mm), the predetermined positional displacement distance is 2 (mm), and the predetermined inclination angle is 5 °.

  Thereby, the operation effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5 can be further improved while further suppressing unnecessary movement of each game ball in the guide passage. The predetermined width is desirably 1.5 (mm).

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the ball guide passage for gaming machines according to the first aspect,
The plurality of one-side non-concave surface portions are formed by a plurality of one-side convex surface portions that are formed in an arcuate surface shape convex toward the inner surface facing the other side so that the top surface portion is positioned at the center portion of the width in the cross-sectional direction of the guide passage. a)
A plurality of other non-concave surface portions are formed on a plurality of other convex surface portions formed in an arcuate surface shape convex toward the inner surface facing one side so that the top surface portion is positioned at the center of the transverse direction width of the guide passage. e)
The plurality of one-side concave surfaces are arcuate surfaces having a predetermined radius (r) centered on the top surface portion of one other-side convex surface portion of the plurality of other-side convex surface portions (e) for each one-side concave surface portion. Formed in a shape,
A plurality of other concave surface portions are arcuate surfaces with the predetermined radius (r) centered on the top surface portion of one of the one convex surface portions (a) for each other concave surface portion. Formed in a shape,
The predetermined radius (r) is set to a value larger than the outer diameter of the game ball and not more than the sum of the outer diameter and 2 (mm).

  According to this, in the one side facing inner surface portion, the one side convex surface portion serves as the one side non-concave surface portion according to claim 1, and the one side concave surface portion is centered on the top surface portion of the other side convex surface portion. It forms in circular arc surface shape with the said predetermined radius, and plays the role as the one side concave surface part of Claim 1.

  On the other hand, on the other side facing inner surface, the other side convex surface portion serves as the other side non-concave surface portion according to claim 1, and the other side concave surface portion is centered on the top surface portion of the one side convex surface portion and has the predetermined radius. Therefore, it is formed in an arcuate shape and serves as the other-side concave surface portion according to claim 1.

  In addition, the one-side convex surface portion and the other-side convex surface portion oppose each central surface portion in the longitudinal section direction of the guide passage of the other-side concave surface portion and the one-side concave surface portion via the predetermined radius at the respective top surface portions. And both are located in the center part of the cross-sectional direction of a guide channel.

  For this reason, the guide passages are alternately displaced in one direction and in the opposite direction with respect to the central portion in the cross-sectional direction. Thereby, the guide passage is formed in a meandering shape in the longitudinal section direction.

  The predetermined radius is set to a value larger than the outer diameter of the game ball and not more than the sum of the outer diameter and 2 (mm). For this reason, similarly to the first aspect of the present invention, two game balls are arranged in the longitudinal section direction or the transverse section direction of the guide passage.

  Accordingly, the width in the cross-sectional direction of the ball guide passage body can be greatly shortened in the same manner as in the first aspect of the invention. As a result, such a ball guide passage body can be connected to the right end of the gaming machine. Even if it is attached to the part from the rear side, the ball guide passage body does not occupy the rear area of the gaming machine widely in the left-right direction or in the front-rear direction.

  Further, as described above, in addition to the fact that the number of game balls arranged in the cross-sectional direction and vertical cross-sectional direction of the guide passage is only two respectively, the one-side concave surface portion and the other-side concave surface portion are as described above. It is formed in the shape of a circular arc.

  Therefore, when each game ball moves mutually between the one-side concave surface portion and the other-side concave surface portion facing each other, each game ball has a ball pressure due to the arc surface shape of the one-side concave surface portion or the other-side concave surface portion. Can be smoothly guided to the other arcuate surface portion side or the one-side arcuate surface portion while minimizing the generation of the ball pressure.

  The plurality of one-side convex portions (a) are formed with a radius of 2 (mm) or less for each one-side convex portion, and the plurality of other convex portions (e) are the other side convex portions. It is desirable that each be formed with a radius of 2 (mm) or less. Further, if the mechanical strength of the one-side convex surface portion and the other-side convex surface portion can be appropriately secured, the radii of the one-side convex surface portion and the other-side convex surface portion may be substantially equal to 0 (mm).

  Further, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the ball guide passage body for a gaming machine according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, at least two guide passages are arranged in parallel inside the ball guide passage body. It is characterized by becoming.

  Thereby, it is possible to smoothly guide the game balls supplied in parallel from the ball tank two by two in the guide passage as they are, and as a result, more quickly guide the game balls by the ball guide passage body, The effect similar to the invention as described in any one of Claims 1-6 can be achieved.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each said means shows a corresponding relationship with the specific means as described in each embodiment mentioned later.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine to which the present invention is applied. The pachinko gaming machine is erected on an island in the pachinko hall, and the pachinko gaming machine includes a square annular machine frame 100 and a gaming machine main body 200 supported by the machine frame 100. . In FIG. 1, the left, right, upper, and lower sides of the machine frame 100 correspond to the left, right, upper, and lower sides of the pachinko gaming machine. Further, the rear side and the front side of the machine frame 100 correspond to the front side and the rear side of the pachinko gaming machine, respectively.

  The gaming machine main body 200 includes a frame-shaped main body 210 and a game board (not illustrated) that is fitted in a hollow portion (not illustrated) of the frame-shaped main body 210. At the end, it is supported at the left end of the machine casing 100 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction from the front side.

  The gaming machine main body 200 includes a control device 220. The control device 220 includes various control circuits provided in a symbol display device or the like, and is directly below a ball tank 230 (described later). The game board and the frame-shaped main body 210 are attached over the rear surface.

  In the first embodiment, since the number of control circuits included in the control device 220 has further increased in recent years, the outer shape of the control device 220 has expanded in the left-right and front-back directions of the frame-shaped main body 210. For this reason, the said control apparatus 220 occupies the back side area | region of the frame-shaped main body 210 widely in the left-right front-back direction. The liquid crystal panel, which is the display means of the symbol display device, is fitted in the central opening of the game board.

  The gaming machine main body 200 includes a ball tank 230, and the ball tank 230 includes a tank main body 230a and a guide rod 230b. The tank main body 230a is attached to the upper left part of the rear surface of the frame-shaped main body 210 along the left-right direction, and the tank main body 230a is supplied with a large number of game balls from its upper opening and stores it.

  In addition, the guide rod 230b is attached along the rear surface of the frame-shaped main body 210 so as to be inclined downward from the bottom of the tank main body 230a toward the right side. The guide rod 230b has a guide end opening 231 at an inclined end portion on the lower right side, and the guide rod 230b is a bottom opening (not shown) formed in the right bottom of the tank body 230a. ) Are sequentially guided and dropped downward from the guide end opening 231.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine main body 200 includes a ball guide path body R and a ball payout device S. The ball guide path body R and the ball payout device S are provided on the right side wall of the machine casing 100. 110 and the right side wall 221 of the control device 220 are arranged in the vertical direction along the rear surface of the frame-shaped main body 210.

  The ball guide passage body R guides the game ball from the ball tank 230 to the ball payout device S, and the ball guide passage body R is located immediately below the guide end opening 231 of the guide rod 230b. It is arranged in the vertical direction along the rear surface of the frame-shaped main body 210.

  As shown in any of FIGS. 2 to 4, the spherical guide passage body R is composed of a longitudinal casing, and the spherical guide passage body R is configured by forming a guide passage Ra therein. Yes. The spherical guide passage body R includes a first casing member 300 and a second casing member 400.

  The one-side casing member 300 is formed of a synthetic resin material so as to have a U-shaped cross section with a bottom wall 310 and left and right side walls 320 and 330 (see FIG. 4). The other casing member 400 is formed of the same synthetic resin material as that of the one casing member 300, and the other casing member 400 has both left and right side walls 320 of the one casing member 300 at both ends in the width direction. , 330 are joined to the respective front end portions.

  Thus, the spherical guide passage body R extends along the rear surface of the frame-shaped main body 210 between the right side wall 110 of the machine casing 100 and the right side wall 221 of the control device 220 at the bottom wall 310 of the one side casing member 300. It is installed. This mounting is performed by fastening a plurality of screws 410 to the left and right side walls 320 and 330 of the one-side casing member 300 via the other-side casing member 400.

  As can be seen from FIG. 4, the guide passage Ra includes the bottom wall 310 of the one-side casing member 300, the left and right side walls 320 and 330, and the inner surfaces 310 a, 320 a, 330 a and 400 a (hereinafter referred to as the respective opposing inner surfaces). 310a, 320a, 330a, and 400a) and meandering in the longitudinal direction (longitudinal) of the one-side casing member 300 while meandering in the left-right direction of the one-side casing member 300 as described below so as to have a rectangular cross section. It is formed in a longitudinal shape along the surface direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the guide passage Ra has an opening R1, an upper passage R2, an intermediate passage R3, and a lower passage R4. The opening R1, the upper passage R2, The side passage portion R3 and the lower passage portion R4 are formed in order from the upper side to the lower side of the guide passage Ra.

  The opening R1 is formed so as to open toward the guide end opening 231 by curving the upper portion of the right side wall 330 of the one-side casing 300 in a circular arc shape toward the guide end opening 231 side of the spherical tank 230. ing. Thereby, the game ball falling from the guide end opening 231 of the ball tank 230 enters the opening R1.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper passage portion R <b> 2 is formed by meandering the opposing inner surfaces 320 a, 330 a of the left and right side walls 320, 330 of the one-side casing member 300 so as to meander in the left-right direction. It is configured.

  Next, the meandering shape of the upper passage portion R2 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The opposed inner surface 320 a of the left side wall 320 is configured with a plurality of inner surface portions 321 along the longitudinal cross-sectional direction of the one side casing member 300, while the opposed inner surface 330 a of the right side wall 330 is formed of the one side casing member 300. It is configured with a plurality of inner surface portions 331 along the longitudinal section direction. In the present embodiment, each of the plurality of inner surface portions 321 and 331 has the same shape in contrast to the center line between the left and right walls 320 and 330.

  Therefore, description will be given by taking one inner surface portion 321 of the plurality of inner surface portions 321 and one inner surface portion 331 of the plurality of inner surface portions 331 as an example. As shown in FIG. 6, the one inner surface portion 321 includes both flat surface portions a and c parallel to the longitudinal cross-sectional direction of the one-side casing member 300, and an arc surface portion b connected between the two flat surface portions a and c. A circular arc surface portion d connected to the circular arc surface portion b via the flat surface portion c, a tangential surface portion b1 connected between the lower ends of the circular arc surface portion b and the flat surface portion a, and a tangent line connected between the circular arc surface portion d and the upper end of the flat surface portion a. It is comprised with the surface part b1.

  On the other hand, the one inner surface portion 331 includes both plane portions e and g parallel to the longitudinal section direction of the one-side casing member 300, an arc surface portion f connected between the both plane portions e and g, and the arc surface portion f. With a circular arc surface portion h connected through the flat surface portion g, a tangential surface portion h1 connected between the lower ends of the circular arc surface portion f and the flat surface portion e, and a tangential surface portion h1 connected between the circular arc surface portion h and the upper end of the flat surface portion e. It is configured.

  Here, in the one inner surface portion 321, if the length along the longitudinal direction of the one-side casing member 300 between the upper and lower ends i and n is expressed by an equal interval P, the upper and lower ends u, The interval between z is the same as the equal interval P of the one inner surface portion 321. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the one inner surface portion 331 is formed so as to be displaced from the one inner surface portion 321 along the longitudinal sectional direction of the one-side casing member 300 by half of the equal interval P.

  Further, in the one inner surface portion 321, the flat surface portion a has a predetermined width D = 1.5 (mm), and the upper end in the width direction of the flat surface portion a coincides with the upper end i of the one inner surface portion 321. . On the other hand, in the one inner surface portion 331, the flat surface portion e has a predetermined width D = 1.5 (mm) like the flat surface portion a, and the upper end in the width direction of the flat surface portion e is one inner surface portion 331. Coincides with the upper end u of. The predetermined width D may be changed as appropriate as long as the mechanical strength of the flat portions a and e can be appropriately secured. However, it is desirable that D ≦ 2 (mm) when the number of game balls arranged in the longitudinal section direction of the guide passage Ra is two.

  Further, in the inner surface portion 321, the flat surface portion a is along the direction (transverse cross-sectional direction) orthogonal to the longitudinal cross-sectional direction of the one-side casing member 300, and is relatively relative to the flat surface portion e of the inner surface portion 331. , A predetermined misalignment distance t = 2 (mm) enters the right side of the figure.

  Further, in the one inner surface portion 321, the flat surface portion c is opposed to the flat surface portion e of the one inner surface portion 331 in the transverse cross-sectional direction of the one-side casing member 300 as a flat facing surface portion. The same predetermined width D as e is 1.5 (mm). On the other hand, in the one inner surface portion 331, the flat surface portion g is opposed to the flat surface portion a of the one inner surface portion 321 in the cross-sectional direction of the one-side casing member 300 as a planar opposed surface portion. It has a predetermined width D = 1.5 (mm) which is the same as a.

  Further, in the one inner surface portion 321, the arc surface portion b has an arc extending upward from the upper end k of the plane portion c with a predetermined radius r = 12 (mm) centered on the upper end u of the plane portion e of the one inner surface portion 331. It extends in a planar shape. Further, the arcuate surface portion d extends downward in a circular arc shape from the lower end m of the plane portion c with a predetermined radius r = 12 (mm) centered on the lower end v of the plane portion e of the inner surface portion 331. Yes. The predetermined radius r = 12 (mm) is selected somewhat larger than this considering that the outer diameter of the game ball is 11 (mm).

  On the other hand, in one inner surface portion 331, the arc surface portion f is above the upper end x of the planar portion g with a predetermined radius r = 12 (mm) centered on n at the upper end i of the planar portion a of the one inner surface portion 321. On the other hand, in one inner surface portion 331, the arc surface portion h has a predetermined radius r = 12 (mm) centered on the lower end j of the flat surface portion a of the one inner surface portion 321. It extends in a circular arc shape downward from the lower end y of the plane part g.

  Further, in one inner surface portion 321, the tangential surface portion b1 extends in the tangential direction with respect to the arc surface portion b between the extending end of the arc surface portion b and the lower end j of the flat surface portion a. Further, the tangential surface portion d1 extends in a tangential direction with respect to the arc surface portion d between the extending end of the arc surface portion d and the upper end i of the flat surface portion a. However, the predetermined inclination angle that each tangential surface part b1 and d1 makes with the cross-sectional direction of the casing body 300 is α = 5 °.

  On the other hand, in one inner surface part 331, the tangential surface part f1 is extended in the tangential direction with respect to the circular arc surface part f between the extension end of the circular arc surface part f, and the lower end v of the plane part e. The tangential surface portion h1 extends in a tangential direction with respect to the circular arc surface portion h between the extending end of the circular arc surface portion h and the upper end u of the flat surface portion e. However, the predetermined inclination angle that each tangential surface portion f1 and h1 makes with the cross-sectional direction of the casing body 300 is also α = 5 °.

  In addition, the plane part c of the one inner surface part 321 has a predetermined cross-sectional direction width W = 26 (mm) with the plane part g of the one inner surface part 331 in the transverse section direction of the one-side casing member 300.

  According to the above, as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, the game balls Q that sequentially enter the upper passage portion R2 form a gap with each other in the process of moving downward in the upper passage portion R2. The upper passage portion R2 is configured so as to be positioned within the upper passage portion R2.

  And in such a structure, as shown in FIG. 6, when a series of game balls among the game balls that sequentially enter the upper passage portion R2 are represented by the respective symbols Q1 to Q5, both game balls A center line connecting the centers O1 and O2 of Q1 and Q2 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction L of the one-side casing member 300 by a predetermined angle θ1 = 5 ° toward the inner surface 321 with respect to the center O1 of the game ball Q1. .

  The center line connecting the centers O2 and O3 of the game balls Q2 and Q3 is a predetermined angle θ2 = 119 with respect to the center line connecting the centers O1 and O2 of the game balls Q1 and Q2, as viewed from the plane portion a side. Make 28 °. The center line connecting the centers O3 and O4 of the game balls Q3 and Q4 is a predetermined angle θ3 = 91 with respect to the center line connecting the centers O2 and O3 of the game balls Q2 and Q3 when viewed from the plane portion e side. Make 72 °. The center line connecting the centers O4 and O5 of the game balls Q4 and Q5 is a predetermined angle θ4 = 91 with respect to the center line connecting the centers O2 and O3 of the game balls Q3 and Q4 when viewed from the plane portion e side. Make 72 °.

  The middle passage portion R3 is formed in a straight line so as to be located on the right side wall 330 side in the one-side casing member 300 as shown in FIG. The middle passage portion R3 is integrally formed at its upper end portion so as to communicate with the lower end portion of the upper passage portion R2. Accordingly, the middle passage portion R3 sequentially moves the game balls falling from the upper passage portion R2 to the lower passage portion R4 side in a straight line.

  The lower passage portion R4 has a meandering shape similar to that of the upper passage portion R2 (see FIG. 6), and the lower passage portion R4 communicates with the middle passage portion R3 at its upper end. Thus, it is integrally formed in the lower end part of middle side channel | path part R3. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, each game ball Q that sequentially enters the lower passage portion R4 moves downward in the lower passage portion R4 without forming a gap therebetween. The lower passage portion R4 is configured so as to be positioned in the lower passage portion R4.

  In the first embodiment, the ball break sensor 500 is fitted to the ball guide passage body R on the left side of the middle passage portion R3, and the ball break sensor 500 falls from the upper passage portion R2. When there is no sphere, it is detected as a broken ball. However, the position where the ball break sensor 500 is attached to the ball guide passage R is higher than the spout 620 of the payout device S described later by the sum of the outer diameters of a predetermined payout number (for example, 25) of game balls. Corresponds to position.

  As shown in any of FIGS. 2 to 5, the payout device S is provided in the casing 600 directly below the lower passage portion R <b> 4, and the payout device S is provided in the casing 600. It has a passage 610, a sprocket 620 and an actuator 640, and a ball sensor 630 attached to the casing 600.

  The payout passage 610 communicates with the lower end portion of the lower passage portion R4 at the upper end portion thereof. Therefore, the game balls Q that sequentially fall from the lower end of the lower passage portion R4 sequentially enter the payout passage 610 from the upper end thereof.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sprocket 620 is rotatably supported in the casing 600 within the boundary between the upstream portion 611 and the downstream portion 612 of the payout passage 610. As a result, the sprocket 620 pays the game balls downward from the downstream portion 612 while rotating by being pushed downward by the game balls sequentially entering the upstream portion 611 at the blade portions 621. put out.

  Further, the actuator 640 prohibits the rotation of the sprocket 620 by the rod 641 biased by the coil spring in the demagnetized state of the solenoid (not shown). Further, the actuator 640 releases the prohibition of rotation of the sprocket 620 with the rod 641 against the biasing force of the coil spring by the excitation of the solenoid.

  The ball sensor 630 detects a game ball that descends from the upstream portion 611 of the payout passage 610 to the downstream portion 612 via the sprocket 620. A payout control circuit (not shown) excites the solenoid of the actuator 640 based on the player's payout request. The payout control circuit demagnetizes the solenoid of the actuator 640 based on the detection of the ball sensor 630. Even when there is no payout request from the player, the payout control circuit places the solenoid of the actuator 640 in a demagnetized state.

  In the first embodiment configured as described above, in the ball guide path body R, as described above, the guide path Ra includes the opening R1, the upper path R2, the middle path R3, and the lower path R4. It is composed. The meandering shapes of the upper passage portion R2 and the side passage portion R4 are configured as follows on the premise that the outer diameter of the game ball Q is 11 (mm).

  That is, the opposed inner surface 320a of the left side wall (the left side wall 320 of the one-side casing member 300) of the upper-side passage portion R2 is configured with a plurality of inner surface portions 321 along the longitudinal sectional direction of the one-side casing member 300. The opposing inner surface 330 a of the right side wall of R 2 (the right side wall 330 of the one-side casing member 300) is configured with a plurality of inner surface portions 331 along the longitudinal sectional direction of the one-side casing member 300.

  The inner surface portion 321 is formed so as to form an equal interval P with the flat surface portion a, both arc surface portions b and d, the opposing surface portion c, and both tangential surface portions b1 and d1. Further, the opposed inner surface portion 331 forms an equal interval P with the plane portion e, both arc surface portions f and h, the opposite surface portion g, and both tangential surface portions f1 and h1, and the corresponding opposite inner surface portion 321 has an equal interval P. The position is shifted by half. In addition, both circular arc surface parts b and d, opposing surface part c, and both tangent surface parts b1 and d1 respond | correspond to the one side concave surface part said to this invention, both circular arc surface parts f and h, opposing surface part g, and both tangential surface parts f1 and h1. Corresponds to the concave portion on the other side referred to in the present invention.

  As a result, the two flat portions a and g facing each other and the two flat portions e and c facing each other are displaced in the transverse cross-sectional direction of the spherical guide passage body R and in the opposite direction, so that the guide passage Ra is It is formed in a meandering shape in the longitudinal section direction.

  Accordingly, when the game balls supplied from the ball tank 230 sequentially enter the guide passage Ra from the opening R1, the game balls move in a meandering manner toward the payout device S in the guide passage Ra. obtain.

Each plane part a is displaced by a predetermined positional deviation distance t = 2 (mm) so that each plane part a is relatively interposed between each plane part e. In addition, both arcuate surface portions b and d are provided with reference to the widthwise ends u and v of the plane portion e between them, and both arc surface portions f and h are between the plane portions a between them. The width direction both ends i and j are provided as references. Further, both tangential surface portions b1 and d1 extend from each extending end of both arc surface portions b and d toward one lower end j and the other upper end i of both planar portions a along the tangential direction.
Here, the respective radii of the arc surface portions b and d and the arc surface portions f and h are a predetermined radius r = 12 (mm) which is larger by 1 (mm) than the outer diameter 11 (mm) of the game ball. . Further, the facing distance between the flat portions a and e and the facing distance between the flat portions c and g are both the same as the predetermined radius r. Moreover, the width of each plane part a, c, e, g is a predetermined width D = 2 (mm).

  For this reason, the inner side of both the arc surface portions b and d on both sides in the width direction of the plane portion a or the inner sides of the arc surface portions f and h on both sides in the width direction of the plane portion e are predetermined. It is somewhat larger than 26 (mm) which is twice the radius r and the sum of the predetermined width D. Accordingly, only two game balls can exist in the guide passage Ra in the longitudinal cross-sectional direction of the ball guide passage body R.

  Also, between the two arcuate surface portions b, f or d, h facing each other, a distance slightly larger than twice the predetermined radius r is given, so two game balls are arranged. Only. For this reason, the number of game balls arranged in the cross-sectional direction of the ball guide path body R in the guide path Ra is only two.

  Therefore, for example, when each game ball Q sequentially enters the upper passage portion R2, as shown in FIG. 6, these game balls Q are, for example, both game balls Q2 in the longitudinal section direction of the one-side casing member 300. , Q3 or two game balls Q4 and Q5, two in a row, and in the longitudinal section direction of the one-side casing member 300, for example, two game balls Q1 and Q2 or two game balls Q3 and Q4 Line up one by one.

  Further, as described above, the middle passage portion R3 is formed in a straight line on the right side of the one-side casing member 300. For this reason, the lateral width of the middle passage R3 is smaller than the lateral width of the upper passage R2 and is closer to the right side of the upper passage R2. The lower passage portion R4 is configured similarly to the upper passage portion R2, and the lower passage portion R4 is positioned coaxially with the upper passage portion R2.

  According to the above, only two game balls are arranged in the upper passage portion R2 and the lower passage portion R4 in the transverse cross-sectional direction of the one-side casing member 300. For this reason, the lateral width of the guide passage Ra is a predetermined width W = 26 (mm). Further, the middle passage portion R3 is closer to the right and left sides of the upper passage portion R2 and the lower passage portion R4 than the upper and lower passage portions R2 and R4.

  Therefore, compared to the conventional case where three game balls are arranged in the left-right direction, that is, the width in the left-right direction must be larger than 33 (mm), The lateral width of both casing members 300 and 400 can be greatly reduced.

  As a result, even when such a ball guide passage R is attached to the right end of the frame-like main body 210 of the pachinko gaming machine from the rear side as described above, the ball guide passage body R is not attached to the rear of the frame-like main body 210. It does not occupy the side area widely in the left-right direction.

  Therefore, even if the outer shape of the control device 220 is enlarged in the left-right direction on the rear side of the frame-shaped main body 210 as described above, the ball guide path R does not collide with the control device 220, and the frame properly It can be attached along the right end of the main body 210.

  In other words, the upper passage portion R2 and the lower passage portion R4 of the guide passage Ra are configured in a meandering shape as described above, so that the upper passage is in proportion to the length of the guide passage Ra in the longitudinal sectional direction. The length in the passage direction of the portion R2 and the lower passage portion R4 increases, and as a result, a larger number of game balls can be guided. In other words, when guiding a required number of game balls, the overall length of the ball guide passage body R can be shortened as compared with the prior art, and the overall mechanism design flexibility as a pachinko gaming machine can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to cope with the expansion of the surface of the game board of the pachinko gaming machine and the enlargement of the variable display device.

  Further, as described above, in addition to the fact that the number of game balls arranged in the cross-sectional direction of the ball guide passage body R in the guide passage Ra is only two, the plane portions a and e are alternately arranged as described above. It is inserted by a predetermined displacement distance t = 2 (mm) so as to be interposed, and both tangential surface portions b1 and d1 extend tangentially from both arc surface portions b and d, and both tangential surface portions f1 and h1 are It extends in a tangential direction from both arc surface portions f and h.

  Accordingly, when each game ball moves from the arcuate surface part d side to the arcuate surface part f side between the arcuate surface parts d and f facing each other, the tangential surface part d1 smoothly arcs while suppressing generation of ball pressure to the minimum. While being able to guide to the surface part f side, it can guide smoothly, suppressing generation | occurrence | production of a spherical pressure to the said circular arc surface part f by the tangential surface part f1.

  Conversely, when each game ball moves from the arcuate surface portion h side to the arcuate surface portion b side, the tangential surface portion h1 can be smoothly guided to the arcuate surface portion b side while minimizing the generation of ball pressure. The surface portion b1 can be smoothly guided toward the arcuate surface portion b while minimizing the generation of ball pressure.

According to the above, each game ball entering the guide passage Ra meanders so as to maintain θ1 = 5 °, θ2 = 119.28 °, θ3 = 91.72 °, and θ4 = 91.72 °. However, it can be smoothly guided to the ball dispensing device S without causing a gap or a ball biting. Therefore, the ball payout device S can always pay out a predetermined number of game balls correctly.
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the spherical guide passage body R described in the first embodiment uses the left side wall 320 of the one-side casing 300 as the bottom wall, and the right side wall 110 of the machine frame 100 and the right side wall of the control device 220. 221 is mounted along the rear surface of the frame-shaped main body 210. Accordingly, the upper passage portion R2 and the lower passage portion R4 of the guide passage Ra have a meandering shape along the front-rear direction of the frame-shaped main body 210. Note that the left side wall 320 extends upward as shown in FIG. 7 instead of the bottom wall 310 of the one-side casing 300.

  In the second embodiment, an opening R5 is provided in place of the opening R1 in the spherical guide passage body R described in the first embodiment. The opening R5 is formed by curving the upper part of the bottom wall 310 of the one-side casing 300 described in the first embodiment in a circular arc shape toward the guide end opening 231 of the sphere tank 230, so that the guide end opening It is formed to open toward 231. Thereby, the game ball falling from the guide end opening 231 of the ball tank 230 enters the opening R5.

  The ball break sensor 500 is fitted in a portion corresponding to the middle passage portion R3 of the other casing member 400. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, the spherical guide passage body R has the left side wall 320 of the one-side casing 300 as the bottom wall, and the right side wall 110 of the machine frame 100 and the right side of the control device 220 as described above. Attached to the wall 221 along the rear surface of the frame-shaped main body 210.

  For this reason, the meandering shape of the guide passage Ra is configured in the front-rear direction of the frame-shaped main body 210. Therefore, when the three game balls are arranged in the front-rear direction as in the prior art, that is, compared with the case where the front-rear direction width must be larger than 33 (mm), the front-rear direction width of the ball guide passage body R is greatly increased. Can be shortened.

  As a result, even when such a ball guide passage R is attached to the right end of the frame-like main body 210 of the pachinko gaming machine from the rear side as described above, the ball guide passage body R is not attached to the rear of the frame-like main body 210. It does not occupy the side area widely in the front-rear direction.

Therefore, the ball guide passage R does not unnecessarily protrude beyond the control device 220 to the rear side of the pachinko gaming machine, and as a result, other pachinko gaming machines standing on the rear side of the pachinko gaming machine. There is no collision. Other functions and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment except for the functions and effects in which the ball guide passage R is provided as in the first embodiment.
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the spherical guide passage body R is configured such that the right side wall 221 of the control device 220 and the right side wall of the machine casing 100 are located at the bottom wall 310 of the one-side casing member 300, as in the first embodiment. 110 is attached to the rear surface of the frame-like main body 210 along the side. And the said ball | bowl guide channel | path body R is formed and formed so that the guide channel | path Ra described in the said 1st Embodiment may overlap with the bottom wall 310 in the inside. FIG. 8 corresponds to FIG. 3 and is a side view of the spherical guide passage body R as seen from the right side wall 330 side.

  Further, in the third embodiment, in forming the two guide passages Ra as described above, the left and right side walls 320 and 330 of the one-side casing member 300 extend over the two guide passages Ra in FIG. It extends to the left in the figure.

  The other casing member 400 is mounted over the extended end portions of the left and right side walls 320 and 330 extended as described above. Each guide passage Ra is formed in parallel along both sides with the partition wall 340 as a common wall, and the opening R1 of each guide passage Ra is each guide opening formed in the guide rod 230b of the ball tank 230. Open toward each. Further, the upper passage portion R2 and the lower passage portion R4 of each guide passage Ra have a meandering shape in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface shown in FIG. 8 (width direction of the partition wall 340).

  Further, in the third embodiment, the ball guide passage body is configured such that both the ball breakage sensors 500 correspond to both the middle passage portions R3 from both sides of the bottom wall 310 of the one side casing member 300 and the other side casing member 400. It is fitted to R. Thereby, each ball break sensor 500 detects the ball break of the game ball in each corresponding upper passage portion R2. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the third embodiment configured as described above, even if the ball guide passage body R has two guide passages Ra, both guide passages Ra have a meandering shape along the width direction of the partition wall 340. Since it is formed, each upper passage portion R2 and lower passage portion R4 of both guide passages Ra have a meandering shape in the left-right direction along the rear surface of the frame-shaped main body 210, as in the first embodiment.

  Therefore, compared to the case where three game balls are lined up in the left-right direction as in the prior art, that is, compared to the case where the width in the left-right direction must be larger than 33 (mm), the width in the left-right direction of the ball guide passage R is greatly Can be shortened.

  Further, two game balls that are sequentially supplied from each guide opening of the guide rod 230b of the ball tank 230 enter the respective guide passages Ra through the respective openings R1 and pay out the balls through the respective guide passages Ra. It can be smoothly guided toward the device S as in the first embodiment.

As described above, the operation and effect similar to those described in the first embodiment can be achieved while the game ball is guided more rapidly by the ball guide path body R.
(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the ball guide passage body R has the right side wall 110 of the machine frame 100 and the right side wall of the control device 220 with the left side wall 320 of the one-side casing 300 as the bottom wall, as in the second embodiment. 221 is mounted along the rear surface of the frame-shaped main body 210. And the said ball | bowl guide channel | path body R is comprised in the inside along the left side wall 320 which is a bottom wall, and forming the guide channel | path Ra described in the said 2nd Embodiment in parallel with two strips on either side. ing. FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 7, and is a view of the ball guide passage R viewed from the upper wall side with the right side wall 330 of the first casing member 300 as the upper wall.

  In the fourth embodiment, when the two guide passages Ra are formed as described above, the left and right side walls 320 and 330 as the upper and lower side walls of the one-side casing member 300 extend over the two guide passages Ra. 9 is extended to the right in FIG.

  Further, each guide passage Ra is formed in parallel along both sides with the partition wall 350 as a common wall, and the openings R5 and R6 of each guide passage Ra are each guide formed in the guide rod 230b of the ball tank 230. Each opens toward the opening. Further, the upper passage portion R2 and the lower passage portion R4 of each guide passage Ra have a meandering shape in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface shown in FIG. 8 (width direction of the partition wall 350).

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, both the ball break sensors 500 correspond to both the middle passage portions R3 from both sides of the bottom wall 310 of the one-side casing member 300 and the other-side casing member 400 which are the right side walls. The ball guide passage body R is fitted. Thereby, each ball break sensor 500 detects the ball break of the game ball in each corresponding upper passage portion R2. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

  In the fourth embodiment configured as described above, even if the ball guide passage body R has two guide passages Ra, the upper passage portions R2 and the lower passage portions R4 of the two guide passages Ra are not separated from each other. It is formed to have a meandering shape along the width direction of 350, in other words, the front-rear direction of the frame-shaped main body 210. For this reason, the front-rear direction width of the ball guide passage body R is larger than the case where three game balls are lined up in the front-rear direction as in the prior art, that is, compared to the case where the front-rear direction width must be larger than 33 (mm). It can be greatly shortened.

  In addition, two game balls sequentially supplied from the respective guide openings of the guide rod 230b of the ball tank 230 enter the respective guide passages Ra through the respective openings R5 and R6, and the above-described guide passages Ra make the above-described operation. As with the second embodiment, guidance may be directed toward the ball payout control device S.

As described above, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be achieved while guiding the game ball by the ball guide path body R even more quickly.
(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 10 shows a main part of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, instead of the plurality of one-side plane portions a and the plurality of other-side plane portions e described in the first embodiment, a plurality of one-side convex portions (hereinafter referred to as a plurality of one-side convex portions). a) and a plurality of other convex surfaces (hereinafter referred to as a plurality of other convex surfaces e).

  As shown in FIG. 10, the plurality of one-side convex surface portions a have a predetermined radius ro which is half the width D of the one-side flat surface portion a described in the first embodiment, and the top surface portion is guided through the guide passage Ra. It is formed in the shape of a circular arc surface convex toward the right side wall 330 side so as to be positioned at the center Lo passing through the central portion of the width in the cross-sectional direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, the plurality of other convex surface portions e are formed in a circular arc surface shape convex toward the left side wall 320 so that the top surface portion coincides with the center Lo with the predetermined radius ro. Has been.

  Here, for each one-side convex surface portion a, the center of the top surface portion of the one-side convex surface portion a and the arc surface of the one-side convex surface portion a having a predetermined radius ro is the same cross-sectional direction of the guide passage Ra Located on the top. In addition, for each other side convex surface portion e, the center of the top surface portion of the one side convex surface portion e and the arc surface of the one side convex surface portion e with a predetermined radius ro is on the same cross-sectional direction of the guide passage Ra Located in.

  Further, in the fifth embodiment, the plurality of inner surface portions 321 described in the first embodiment are provided for each inner surface portion 321 of one other convex surface portion e of the plurality of other convex surface portions e. It is formed in a circular arc shape with the predetermined radius r centered on the top surface portion. Thus, in the fifth embodiment, the plurality of inner surface portions 321 are each formed in a semi-cylindrical surface shape with the two arc surface portions b and d described in the first embodiment.

  The plurality of inner surface portions 331 described in the first embodiment are centered on the top surface portion of one one-side convex surface portion a among the plurality of one-side convex surface portions a for each inner surface portion 331. It is formed in a circular arc shape with a radius r. Thereby, in this 5th Embodiment, the some inner surface part 331 is comprised by the semicircular cylindrical surface shape with both the circular arc surface parts f and h described in the said 1st Embodiment, respectively. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the fifth embodiment configured as described above, the plurality of inner surface portions 321 are formed so as to form an equal interval P by a semi-cylindrical surface portion including the convex surface portion a and both arc surface portions b and d. . The plurality of inner surface portions 331 are formed so as to form equal intervals P by semi-cylindrical surface portions each including a convex surface portion e and both circular arc surface portions f and h.

  Here, each convex surface portion a is formed in an arc surface shape with a predetermined radius ro together with each convex surface portion e, and the top surface portion of each convex surface portion a together with the top surface portion of each convex surface portion e is the center. It matches Lo.

  As a result, the guide passage Ra has a semi-cylindrical surface portion composed of both circular arc surface portions b and d and a semi-cylindrical surface portion composed of both circular arc surface portions f and h. With reference to the top surface portion of e, the position of the guide passage Ra is shifted in the transverse direction and in the opposite direction. Thereby, the guide passage Ra is formed in a meandering shape in the longitudinal section direction.

  The predetermined radius r is 12 (mm) as described above. For this reason, substantially in the same manner as in the first embodiment, two game balls are arranged in the longitudinal section direction or the transverse section direction of the guide passage Ra.

  Accordingly, the width in the cross-sectional direction of the ball guide passage body R can be greatly shortened as in the first embodiment. As a result, such a ball guide passage body R is provided on the right side of the pachinko gaming machine. Even if it is attached to the end portion from the rear side, the ball guide passage body R does not occupy the rear side area of the pachinko gaming machine in the left-right direction or the front-rear direction.

  In addition, as described above, the number of game balls arranged in the cross-sectional direction and the vertical cross-sectional direction of the guide passage Ra is only two, respectively, and in addition, the one-side inner surface portion 321 and the other-side inner surface portion 331 are described above. As shown in FIG.

  Therefore, when each game ball moves between the one-side inner surface portion 321 and the other-side inner surface portion 331 that face each other, each of the game balls has a circular arc shape of the one-side inner surface portion 321 or the other-side inner surface portion 331. As a result, it is possible to smoothly guide the other side inner surface portion 331 or the one side inner surface portion 321 while suppressing generation of the ball pressure to a minimum while suppressing generation of the ball pressure to the minimum.

  In the present embodiment, if the mechanical strength of the one-side convex surface portion a and the other-side convex surface portion e can be ensured appropriately, the predetermined radius ro may be appropriately changed as long as it is a radius of 2 (mm) or less. Moreover, if the mechanical strength of the one side convex surface part a and the other side convex surface part e can be ensured appropriately, each radius of the one side convex surface part a and the other side convex surface part e may be substantially equal to 0 (mm). .

In carrying out the present invention, the following various modifications are possible without being limited to the above embodiments.
(1) The upper passage portion R2 of the guide passage Ra is not limited to the meandering shape as the lower passage portion R4, and may have any meandering shape, and may be, for example, a linear shape.
(2) The predetermined radius r and the predetermined facing distance E are not limited to 12 (mm), but are larger than the outer diameter of the game ball and not more than the sum of the outer diameter and 2 (mm). Also good. Further, the predetermined displacement distance t is not limited to 2 (mm), and may be a value within a range of 2 (mm) to 2.5 (mm). Further, the predetermined inclination angle α is not limited to 5 °, and may be an angle within a range of 4 ° to 10 °.

Accordingly, the predetermined angles θ1 to θ5 can be appropriately changed without being limited to the values described in the first embodiment.
(3) The present invention is not limited to pachinko machines, but may be applied to arrange ball machines, sparrow ball machines, and parrot machines (rotating game machines that use game balls as game media).

1 is a schematic rear view showing a first embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine to which the present invention is applied. It is a rear view of the ball guide passage body of FIG. It is a right side view of the ball guide passage body of FIG. FIG. 2 is a partially broken rear view of the ball guide passage body of FIG. 1. It is a partially broken rear view which shows the ball | bowl guide path body of FIG. 1 with the movement state of a game ball. It is a partial expanded rear view which shows the ball | bowl guide channel | path body of FIG. 1 in the omission state of the other casing member. It is a rear view which shows the ball | bowl guide passage body in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view which shows the ball | bowl guide passage body in 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view which shows the ball | bowl guide passage body in 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a partial expanded rear view which shows the principal part of 5th Embodiment of this invention in the omission state of the other side casing member.

Explanation of symbols

230 ... Sphere tank, 310a, 320a, 330a, 400a ... Inner inner surface,
321, 331 ... inner surface part, 500 ... ball break sensor, a, e ... flat surface part (convex surface part),
b, d, f, h... arc surface portion, b1, d1, f1, h1 ... tangential surface portion,
c, g: plane portion (opposing surface portion), E: predetermined facing distance,
i, k, n, u, x, z ... upper end in the width direction, j, v, m, y ... lower end in the width direction, P ... equidistant,
Q, Q1 to Q5 ... game balls, r ... predetermined radius, R ... guide passage body, Ra ... guide passage,
R1 ... opening, R2 ... upper passage, R3 ... middle passage, R4 ... lower passage,
S: ball payout device, t: predetermined displacement distance.

Claims (7)

In a ball guide passage body in which a guide passage is formed inside so as to guide each game ball supplied from a ball tank of a gaming machine toward a ball payout device,
The inner peripheral surface of the guide passage has mutually opposite inner surfaces that are parallel to each other in the longitudinal section direction of the guide passage and are opposed to each other in the transverse section direction of the guide passage,
One side opposing inner surface of the both side opposing inner surfaces is adjacent to both of the plurality of one-side non-concave surface portions provided at equal intervals along the longitudinal cross-sectional direction of the guide passage and the plurality of one-side non-concave surface portions. A plurality of one-side concave surfaces formed so as to be concave in a direction away from the inner surface facing the other side between both adjacent one-side non-concave surfaces for each one-side non-concave surface portion,
A plurality of other non-concave surface portions, each of which is provided so as to be displaced from each of the plurality of one-side non-concave surface portions along the longitudinal cross-sectional direction of the guide passage by half of the equal interval. The two adjacent non-concave surface portions of the plurality of other non-concave surface portions are formed to be concave in a direction away from the one-side facing inner surface between the adjacent other-side non-concave surface portions. A plurality of other concave portions,
The width in the direction perpendicular to the guide direction of the game ball of the guide passage is larger than the outer diameter of the game ball and not more than the sum of the outer diameter and 2 (mm),
The plurality of one-side non-concave portions are positioned at a central portion of a width in the cross-sectional direction of the guide passage together with the plurality of other-side non-concave portions, or based on the central portion in the cross-sectional direction of the guide passage. A ball guide passage body for a gaming machine, wherein the ball guide passage body is positioned so as to be shifted relative to and in contrast to the plurality of other non-concave surface portions on the side beyond the central portion. A ball break sensor that is provided to face an intermediate portion in the guide direction of the guide passage and detects a break of the game ball in the guide passage;
The guide passage includes the plurality of one-side non-concave surface portions and the plurality of one-side concave surface portions on the one-side opposed inner surface only on the side of the ball dispensing device with respect to the ball break sensor, and the other side. The ball guide passage body for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the opposing inner surface is constituted by the plurality of other non-concave surface portions and the plurality of other concave surface portions. The plurality of one-side non-concave portions are a plurality of one-side flat portions along the longitudinal sectional direction of the guide passage,
The plurality of other non-concave surface portions are a plurality of other planar portions each having the same width as each of the plurality of one-side planar portions along the longitudinal sectional direction of the guide passage, and the transverse cross section of the guide passage In the direction, the plurality of one side plane portions are a plurality of other side plane portions that are shifted by a predetermined displacement distance,
The plurality of one-side concave portions are formed in a planar shape with the same width as each of the plurality of one-side flat portions along the longitudinal cross-sectional direction of the guide passage for each one-side concave portion. One side facing surface portion that faces one other side plane portion of the other side plane portion through a predetermined facing distance, and each of the widthwise ends of the one other side plane portion with the predetermined radius. Both one-side arc surface portions that extend in opposite directions from both ends in the width direction of the one one-side facing surface portion, and the one other side plane portion that extends along the tangential direction from each extending end of the one-side arc surface portion. Both side tangent surface portions extending to the opposite ends in the width direction of both side flat portions adjacent to both sides of
The plurality of other concave portions are formed in a planar shape with the same width as each of the plurality of other flat portions along the longitudinal cross-sectional direction of the guide passage for each of the other concave portions. With the predetermined radius centered on the opposite side surface portion facing the one side plane portion of the side plane portions through the predetermined facing distance and both ends in the width direction of the one side plane portion. Both arcuate surfaces extending in opposite directions from both ends in the width direction of the other-side facing surface, and both sides of the one one-sided plane along the tangential direction from each extending end of the other-side arcuate surface And both tangential surface portions extending to opposite ends in the width direction of both side flat portions adjacent to each other,
The predetermined radius and the predetermined facing distance are both set to the same value that is larger than the outer diameter of the game ball and less than or equal to the sum of the outer diameter and 2 (mm). A ball guide passage body for a gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2.   The predetermined displacement distance is within a range of 2 (mm) to 2.5 (mm), and the predetermined inclination of the one side tangent surface part and the other side tangent surface part with respect to the cross-sectional direction of the guide passage The ball guide passage body for a gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the angle is within a range of 4 ° to 10 °.   The predetermined radius and the predetermined opposing distance are both 12 (mm) when the outer diameter of the game ball is 11 (mm), and the predetermined displacement distance is 2 (mm). The ball guide passage body for gaming machines according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined inclination angle is 5 °. The plurality of one-side non-concave portions are formed in a circular arc shape that is convex toward the inner surface facing the other side so that a top surface portion is positioned at a central portion of the width in the cross-sectional direction of the guide passage. A convex portion,
The plurality of other non-concave surface portions are formed on a plurality of other sides formed in an arcuate surface shape convex toward the inner surface facing the one side so that a top surface portion is positioned at a central portion of the width in the cross-sectional direction of the guide passage. A convex portion,
The plurality of one-side concave portions are formed in an arcuate surface shape with a predetermined radius around the top surface portion of one other-side convex surface portion of the plurality of other-side convex surface portions for each one-side concave surface portion. And
The plurality of other concave surfaces are formed in a circular arc shape with the predetermined radius around the top surface of one of the plurality of one convex surfaces for each other concave surface. And
2. The gaming machine ball according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined radius is set to a value larger than an outer diameter of the gaming ball and not more than a sum of the outer diameter and 2 (mm). Guide passage body.   The ball guide passage body for a gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the guide passage is provided in parallel at least in two rows.

Images