JP2009240356A - Shooting unit and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shooting unit and a game machine, which are capable of achieving stable ball shooting strength even if there is unevenness in the diameters of balls, and allowing a player to exhibit the skill. <P>SOLUTION: The shooting unit 15 is the shooting unit 15 for a Pachinko machine 2 to shoot a Pachinko ball 23 toward a play zone 6b for providing the play with the downflow of the ball 23. The shooting unit 15 has a holding member 16 for holding the ball 23 at a shooting position 19, a shooting hammer 17 for shooting the ball 23 located at the shooting position 19, and a shooting rail 18 for guiding the shot ball 23 onto the play zone 6b. The holding member 16 has a function of alignment function for retaining the fixed distance H of the center O of the ball 23 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the shooting rail 18 regardless of the diameter of the ball 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a launch unit and a gaming machine, and in particular, a launch unit capable of stabilizing the firing strength in a bullet ball game machine that launches a ball as a game medium and realizes a game by its flow down. About.

  In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a ball that has been fired is a game area (an area configured on the surface (front or rear) of the game board, and an area for realizing games and effects by the flow of the ball) )), The ball rolls while colliding with obstacle nails (also referred to as gauges) and impellers in the game area, and the flow direction changes. As a result, if a ball wins various winning holes arranged on the game area, a predetermined prize ball is paid out. On the other hand, if a ball flows into the out port without winning any prize hole, no prize ball is paid out. . The player enjoys the game by demonstrating his / her skill in the ball or using the chance of the ball flowing down and expecting to win a prize and give away a prize ball.

  In such a pachinko machine, the player can adjust the launch intensity of the ball by operating an operation member such as a launch lever or a rotary handle (launch handle). Then, the player adjusts the firing strength in accordance with the aim of where the ball should flow down in the game area, and demonstrates the skill. Therefore, in the pachinko machine, it is important to ensure the stability of the launch strength of the ball so as to faithfully reflect the player's adjustment intention.

  Even if the player adjusts the ball launch intensity to be constant, if the ball launch intensity in the launch unit varies, resulting in a different intensity for each ball launch, launch the ball as intended. Since the player cannot perform the game, the player cannot demonstrate his / her skill enough, and feels dissatisfied with the game. Therefore, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose proposals for stabilizing the ball launch strength in a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine.

JP 2001-129165 A JP-A-11-104298

  The one disclosed in Patent Document 1 reduces the misalignment of the core between the firing rail and the striking member, and the one disclosed in Patent Document 2 aims at stable launching by adjusting the striking direction with the striking rod. Is. However, if the diameter of the sphere used in the pachinko machine (pachinko sphere) is not always constant and some variation occurs, the relative position between the center position of the sphere held at the launch position and the launch rail Deviation occurs.

  In such a case, even if the misalignment between the firing rail and the striking rod is reduced or the striking direction is adjusted, the positional relationship between the striking position (ball point) and the center of the sphere varies for each ball. This makes it difficult to achieve stable ball launch.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even when the diameters of the spheres vary, a stable sphere launch strength can be realized, which can contribute to the player's skill display. It is an exemplary problem to provide a launch unit and a gaming machine.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a launch unit as an exemplary aspect of the present invention is a launch unit for a gaming machine that launches a ball into a game area for realizing a game by flowing a ball. A holding member for holding the ball in the firing position, a launcher for bulleting the ball in the firing position, and a launch rail for guiding the bulleted ball toward the game area, the holding member being The centering function of maintaining a constant vertical distance between the center of the sphere and the extending direction of the firing rail is provided regardless of the diameter of the sphere.

  Since the holding member having a centering function maintains a constant vertical distance between the center of the sphere and the extension direction of the firing rail regardless of the diameter of the sphere, the diameter of the sphere held at the launch position varies from sphere to sphere. Even if there is, stable ball launch can be performed. That is, even when the diameters of the spheres are different, the vertical distance from the launch rail to the center of the sphere (the distance to the sphere center along the direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the launch rail. Can be automatically adjusted so as to be constant, so that the position (also called the striking position or the ball point) at which the launcher touches the ball at the time of the ball can be stabilized. .

  When the direction of the ball of the launching ball at the bullet point is made to coincide with the extension direction of the launch rail, the center of the ball can be positioned on the extension line of the bullet direction, and the launch strength is efficient and stable. It is possible to launch a ball with the launch intensity.

  This launch unit is typically provided in a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, and a sphere used in the pachinko machine typically has a dimensional variation of about 11 mm ± 0.05 mm in diameter, for example. It is a pachinko ball. In addition, the launch unit is an electric type in which the launcher electrically performs a launch operation with a launch intensity corresponding to the detected angle when the player operates a rotary handle configured to detect the rotational angle. In addition, a manual type or the like that adjusts the launch intensity by operating a launch lever that rotates in conjunction with the launcher can be considered.

  When the bullet direction at the bullet point passes through a predetermined range near or at the center of the ball, it is possible to realize an efficient bullet with little loss of bullet energy. Such a ball that captures a so-called sweet spot is referred to as “appropriate hit” in the present application, and conversely, a ball that fails to capture the sweet spot and has a large energy loss is referred to as “failed hit” in this application. I will do it.

  The holding member has at least two inclined sides that are inclined with respect to each other in its cross section, and supports the sphere between the inclined sides by supporting at least two points that are in contact with each inclined side, and the angular center of each inclined side. The line may be parallel to the extension direction of the firing rail.

  Even if the spheres held between the inclined sides have different diameters, the center of the sphere is positioned on the angle center line of each inclined side (that is, the angle bisector of each inclined side). . Since the angle center line is parallel to the extending direction of the firing rail, the sphere held by the holding member is located at an equal distance from the extending line of the firing rail regardless of the diameter. Therefore, when the bullet direction of the launching ball at the bullet point coincides with the extension direction of the launch rail, the ball held by the holding member is efficiently launched with a high launch strength and a stable launch strength. It can be performed. Each inclined side has a frustum shape opening at both end portions. Further, each inclined side may be constituted by two separate flat plate members arranged so as to be inclined with respect to each other, and a part of the truncated cone-shaped holding member or the truncated pyramid-shaped holding member is inclined to each other. An edge may be configured.

  Here, the cross section means a cross section in a plane including the launch direction of the sphere, that is, the extension direction of the launch rail, and is generally a cross section in a plane parallel to the board surface of the game board in the gaming machine to which the launch unit is attached. is there.

  The holding member may hold the sphere at at least three or more point positions on the same plane, and the normal line of the plane may be parallel to the extending direction of the firing rail.

  Even if the spheres held at at least three or more point positions on the same plane by the holding member have different diameters, the center thereof is located on the normal line of the plane. For example, a sphere held at three point positions at the vertex position of an equilateral triangle is always located on the normal line passing through the center (centroid) of the equilateral triangle regardless of its diameter.

  Since the normal line and the extension direction of the firing rail are parallel, the center of the sphere held by the holding member is located at the same distance from the extension line of the firing rail regardless of the diameter. Therefore, when the bullet direction of the launching ball at the bullet point coincides with the extension direction of the launch rail, the ball held by the holding member is efficiently launched with a high launch strength and a stable launch strength. It can be performed.

  A launch unit according to another exemplary aspect of the present invention is a launch unit for a gaming machine that launches a ball toward a game area for realizing a game by flowing down a ball, and the ball is placed at a launch position. A holding member for holding, a launcher for projecting a ball at a launch position, and a firing rail for guiding the bulleted ball toward a game area, the retaining member being independent of the diameter of the ball The centering function is such that the direction of the straight line connecting the center of the sphere at the launch position and the bullet point matches the movement direction of the launch rod at the bullet point.

  The holding member having the centering function matches the direction of the straight line connecting the center of the sphere at the launch position and the bullet point with the movement direction of the launch rod at the bullet point (ie, the bullet direction). Even when the diameter of the sphere held at the launch position differs for each sphere, stable sphere launch can be performed. In other words, even when the diameters of the spheres are different, the direction of the ball at the bullet point can pass through the vicinity of the center of the sphere, so that an accurate hit can be realized regardless of the diameter of the sphere. It is possible to launch a ball efficiently and with a strong launch intensity and a stable launch intensity.

  A gaming machine according to still another exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a gaming board that has a gaming area on its surface, a frame that holds the gaming board so as to be visible to the player, and a gaming board. It has the front transparent board arrange | positioned at the predetermined distance or more ahead in that, and said launching unit, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Since this gaming machine has the above-described launch unit, the launch strength of the sphere can be stabilized. Since it is possible to reduce the variation in the launch intensity and to make the launch intensity sufficiently reflect the player's intention, the game machine can perform the ball launch as intended for the player. Since the player can enjoy the game with full use of his / her skill, the interest of the game can be increased.

  Note that this gaming machine is typically a pachinko machine as described above, but of course, any gaming machine that realizes a game by flowing a ball is considered. In addition, pachinko machines are conceptually including so-called “seven machines”, “hanekimono”, “monogatari”, and combinations such as sparrow balls and arrangement balls.

  Further objects and other features of the present invention will become apparent from the preferred embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  According to the present invention, regardless of the diameter of the sphere, the center of the sphere can be positioned on the extended line in the direction of the ball, and stable and highly efficient (that is, less energy loss) sphere launch can be realized. be able to. The hitting loss can be reduced, and as a result, the player can easily demonstrate the skill as intended, and the interest can be increased.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 2 as a gaming machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The pachinko machine 2 includes a frame 3, a game board 6, a front glass (front transparent plate) 10, a storage tray 14, and a launch unit 15.

  In addition to the pachinko machine 2, the gaming machine can be an arcade machine such as a pinball machine or a smart ball machine, and various game machines. In short, a ball is launched and a game is realized by its flow. Including any gaming machine that can. As for the pachinko machines, various pachinko machines such as a combination pachinko machine such as an arrangement ball machine and a sparrow ball machine, a so-called digipachi type (one type) and a honey mono type (two types) pachinko machine are conceptualized. However, in the first embodiment, a so-called one-type pachinko machine (also referred to as a “seven machine”) that realizes a digipachi game will be described as an example.

  The frame 3 of the pachinko machine 2 is for holding a game board 6 to be described later, and is configured to surround the periphery and the front of the pachinko machine 2 or in addition to the rear. In the frame 3, various mechanical parts such as various electronic boards and paths for game media are arranged in addition to the game board 6, and the pachinko machine 2 inside the peripheral side surface and the front surface or in addition to the rear by the frame body 3. Unauthorized access to is prevented.

  For example, a housing frame 4 that is arranged at the outermost wall and surrounds the periphery of the pachinko machine 2, and a machine frame that holds the game board 6 by being swingably supported by a hinge portion (swinging support portion) 22 inside thereof so as to be opened and closed forward. 9. The frame body 3 is configured to have a decorative frame 12 that is supported in a swingable manner by a hinge portion 22 in front of the machine frame 9 so as to be openable and closable, and that holds the front glass 10 and a decorative member 32 that decorates the periphery of the front glass 10. The The front glass 10 is a transparent member for allowing the player to visually recognize the game board 6 held inside the frame 3 from the front, and details thereof will be described later.

  The game board 6 is a board-like member for constituting a game area 6b for realizing a game by flowing down the ball 23 on the game board surface (front surface) 6a side, and the game board surface 6a can be visually recognized from the front by the player. Is held by the frame 3 (in the first embodiment, the machine frame 9 as a part of the frame 3). A rail ornament (not shown) is attached to the game board surface 6a so as to surround the substantially circular shape, and the inner peripheral surface (inner side surface) of the rail ornament is arranged to stand upright with respect to the game board surface 6a. Has been. A substantially circular area defined by the inner surface and facing the inner surface is a game area 6b.

  A large number of gauges (obstacles, not shown) are arranged in the game area 6b to collide with the ball 23 flowing down in the game area 6b and change the flow direction. Also, in the game area 6b, various winning ports such as a normal winning port 28 and a starting port 29, a passing gate 33, a windmill (not shown), and the like are arranged, and a flowing down ball 23 flows into each winning port. Thus, it is possible to enjoy the flow-down game by the ball 23 by triggering the prize ball payout, passing the passage gate 33, or rotating the windmill.

  In the game area 6b, a center accessory 7 and a big prize opening unit 13 are also arranged. The center accessory 7 has a symbol display device 7a and a center ornament 8 arranged around the display screen of the symbol display device 7a. The center accessory 7 is arranged substantially at the center of the game area 6b and realizes a game effect in a normal game, a special game (so-called jackpot game), or the like. Among them, the symbol display device 7a realizes a game effect by displaying symbols and images on the display screen. As the symbol display device 7a, for example, a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display, an LED, or the like can be applied.

  The symbol display device 7a is arranged so that the player can see from the game board surface 6a side, and performs video display on the display screen (video display surface). On this display screen, for example, a display pattern 7c composed of three-digit numbers or characters is displayed as an image so as to rotate or stop. In addition, for example, a production video as a story tailoring video by a character or the like is also displayed on the display screen.

  The center ornament 8 is a resin-made shaped body arranged on the game board surface 6a around the display screen of the symbol display device 7a. For example, the center decoration 8 is arranged so as to surround the display screen. The center ornament 8 is provided with a pattern and color, and is formed with a character or the like so as to exhibit a decorative effect.

  When the ball 23 is fired by the launch unit 15 described later, the ball 23 travels along the inner surface of the rail decoration and reaches the upper part in the game area 6b. Thereafter, the ball 23 flows down in the game area 6b while colliding with the gauge, and a certain thing flows into the regular winning opening 28 and triggers a certain number of prize balls to be paid out. Without flowing in, it flows into the outlet 30 located at the lowermost part in the game area 6 b and is discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 2.

  When the ball 23 flows into the starting port 29, the display symbol 7c of the symbol display device 7a starts rotating display (special game lottery) due to the inflow, and the display symbol 7c is displayed in a predetermined mode (for example, “ 7/7 ”)), a big hit (special game) in the symbol variation game occurs. The open / close door of the special prize opening unit 13 is opened to receive a large amount of winning balls, and a large amount of prize balls are paid out to the storage tray 14.

  The front glass 10 is a transparent plate that is spaced apart from the game board 6 by a certain distance or more. The front glass 10 is formed of transparent flat glass and is held on the back side of the decorative frame 12, and has a function of forming a flow-down space in which the ball 23 flows down between the game board 6 and the player through the front glass 10 to play the game board 6. A function of ensuring visibility so that the player can visually recognize the player, and a function of preventing unauthorized access so that the player cannot illegally access (contact) the game board 6.

  The storage tray 14 is a tray member disposed on the front surface of the pachinko machine 2 to store the player's ball, and in the first embodiment, has an upper tray 14a and a lower tray 14b. . The upper plate 14a is disposed below the decorative frame 12, and the lower plate 14b is disposed further below the upper plate 14a. When the game is finished, the upper plate 14a is placed inside the upper plate 14a based on the operation of the ball discharge button 14c. The ball 23 is discharged into the lower plate 14b.

  The launch unit 15 is for stopping and holding the ball 23 sent out from the upper plate 14a by a ball supply device (not shown) at the launch position and launching a bullet toward the upper part of the game area 6b. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of the launch unit 15 of the pachinko machine 2. In FIG. 2, for ease of explanation, a partial cross-sectional view is shown. The launch unit 15 has a holding member 16, a launcher 17, and a launch rail 18 and is generally configured. In the pachinko machine 2, the launch unit 15 is located below the game board 6 and on the right side of the front view (that is, close to the rotary handle 15a). Position) and substantially attached to the machine casing 9.

  The holding member 16 is for stopping and holding the sphere 23 sent out by the sphere supply device at the firing position 19. The holding member 16 includes an upper plate 16a and a lower plate 16b. The upper plate 16a and the lower plate 16b are substantially flat members and are arranged to face each other so as to incline each other, and the centering function of the sphere 23 is exhibited by the inclination of the both plates 16a and 16b. It has become.

  The distance between the upper plate 16a and the lower plate 16b is slightly larger than the diameter (for example, 11 mm) of the sphere 23 on the upper end opening 16c side (that is, the side from which the sphere 23 is emitted when the sphere 23 is fired). It is set to be large, and is set slightly smaller than the diameter of the sphere 23 on the lower end opening 16d side (that is, the side on which the launching rod 17 enters in the ball operation). Therefore, the sphere 23 sent out onto the firing rail 18 by the sphere supply device smoothly enters between the plates 16a and 16b from the upper end opening 16c. Since the distance between the plates 16a and 16b is slightly smaller than the diameter of the sphere 23 in the lower end opening 16d, the sphere 23 does not fall from the lower end opening 16d, and the firing position 19 between the plates 16a and 16b is reached. Will be held.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining how the ball 23 is held by the holding member 16. Since the upper plate 16a and the lower plate 16b are inclined with respect to each other so that the upper end opening 16c side is separated and the lower end opening 16d side is close to each other, the diameter of the sphere 23 held between them is a standard size. (Sphere 23 ″) is held near the middle between the upper end opening 16c and the lower end opening 16d, and a large diameter (sphere 23 ′) is held near the upper end opening 16c and has a small diameter (sphere 23). Is held on the side close to the lower end opening 16d.

  The angle center line X of the angle formed by the upper plate 16a and the lower plate 16b is set to be parallel to the extension direction (extension line L) in the vicinity of the launch position 19 of the launch rail 18. Since all of the center O ′ of the sphere 23 ′, the center O ″ of the sphere 23 ″, and the center O of the sphere 23 held at the launch position 19 are located on the angle center line X, the centers O ′, O ″, O The vertical distances H ′, H ″, H from to the extension line L of the launch rail 18 are configured to be constant distances.

  The launcher 17 is a member for projecting the ball 23 at the launch position 19. In the first embodiment, the launcher 17 is provided with a bullet ball portion 17b to which elasticity is added by a resin or a spring member or the like on a part of a metal main body 17a, and swings around a rotation shaft 17c. By moving and rotating, the ball 23 is bulleted by the ball portion 17b.

  When the player rotates the rotary handle 15a (see FIG. 1), the rotation angle is detected by a sensor (not shown), and the launcher 17 rotates at a rotation speed according to the detected value. Yes. When the rotation angle of the rotary handle 15a is large, the rotation speed of the launcher 17 is increased, and as a result, the ball 23 is fired with a high firing strength. On the other hand, when the rotation angle of the rotary handle 15a is small, the rotation speed of the launcher 17 is slowed, and as a result, the ball 23 is launched with a weak launch intensity.

  The position where the bullet ball portion 17b abuts on the ball 23 held at the firing position 19 (that is, the bullet point 23a) is adjusted to a position where the vertical distance from the extension line L of the firing rail 18 is H. . The movement direction (bullet ball direction) P of the launching rod 17 at the bullet point 23a is adjusted to be parallel to the extension line L.

  In other words, the intersection (bullet point) 23a between the swing rotation trajectory W of the bullet portion 17b in the launch rod 17 and the sphere 23 at the launch position 19 is at a height (vertical distance) H from the extension line L. It is set to be. The tangential direction (bullet ball direction) P of the swinging rotation locus W at the intersection (bulb ball point) 23a is set to be parallel to the extension line L.

  Therefore, the center O of the sphere 23 is positioned on the extended line in the bullet direction P at the bullet point 23a, and appropriate hitting can be performed. The loss of rotational energy of the launcher 17 can be reduced, and the ball can be launched by efficiently transmitting energy to the ball 23.

  Here, even if the diameter of the sphere 23 varies, the center O (O ′, O ″) is always located at the vertical distance H (H ′, H ″) from the extension line L. Accordingly, even in such a case, the center O of the sphere 23 is positioned in the vicinity of the extended line in the bullet direction P at the bullet point 23a, and stable ball launch is always realized without causing hitting. be able to. Note that the holding position of the sphere 23 may be closer to the upper end opening 16c or closer to the lower end opening 16d due to variations in the diameter of the sphere 23. For this reason, the ball point 23a at which the ball portion 17b performing the rotational movement abuts on the ball 23 may slightly deviate from the position of the vertical distance H from the extension line L, but the center O of the ball 23 is always the extension line L. Is maintained at the position of the vertical distance H (centered).

  The launch rail 18 is a rail member for guiding the ball 23 bulleted by the launcher 17 toward the rail decoration so as to guide it to the vicinity of the upper portion of the game area 6b. The launch rail 18 is disposed so as to be inclined downward from the left side to the right side in the front view of the pachinko machine 2. The right end 18 a is connected to the upper end opening 16 c of the holding member 16, and the bullet ball 23 is smoothly guided from the upper end opening 16 c of the holding member 16 to the right end 18 a of the firing rail 18. It has become so. And it guides to the rail decoration from the left end 18b of the launch rail 18, and the ball | bowl 23 is guide | induced to the upper part of the game area | region 6b.

  The firing rail 18 is typically a linear rail member as viewed from the front, but may be a smooth curved rail as shown in FIG. At that time, a tangential direction in the vicinity of the right end 18 a of the firing rail 18 is conceptualized as an extension direction of the extension line L.

  In the first embodiment, the holding member 16 has an upper plate 16a and a lower plate 16b as shown in FIG. 4 (a). The example which hold | maintains so that it may be pinched | interposed by both board 16a, 16b was demonstrated. However, as shown in the external perspective view of the modified example in FIG. 4B, the holding member 16 may have a hollow truncated cone shape, and the sphere 23 may be held inside the hollow. . In this case, the upper and lower inner walls 16e and 16f of the holding member in the cross section of the holding member 16 which is a plane parallel to the game board 6 respectively correspond to inclined sides.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of the launch unit 15 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the holding member 16 matches the direction of the straight line connecting the bullet point 23a of the sphere 23 at the launch position 19 and the center O with the moving direction of the launcher 17 at the bullet point 23a. The centering function is demonstrated by being comprised.

  The movement of the launcher 17 is a rotational movement, and the trajectory W of the ball portion 17b has an arc shape. Accordingly, when the diameter of the sphere 23 is different and the holding position thereof is closer to the upper end opening 16c or closer to the lower end opening 16d, the bullet ball direction P is slightly upward or downward. Therefore, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the holding member 16 has a curved shape that protrudes upward along the swinging rotation locus W of the bullet ball portion 17 b, and is caused by a deviation in the bullet ball direction P. Energy loss is reduced.

  As a result, even if the diameter of the sphere 23 changes and the holding position is close to the upper end opening 16c or the lower end opening 16d, the center O of the sphere 23 is always on the bullet direction P at the bullet point 23a. It is supposed to be located. Therefore, the rotational energy of the launching rod 17 at the time of the bullet is always given to the ball 23 efficiently regardless of the diameter of the ball 23, and the ball can be efficiently launched with stable and small energy loss. Yes.

  In the first and second embodiments, the case where the launching rod 17 swings and rotates has been described as an example. However, the launching rod 17 is linear along a direction parallel to the extension direction of the extension line L of the launch rail 18. The ball 23 at the firing position 19 may be bullet-laminated by moving back and forth. In that case, the centering function “maintains a constant vertical distance between the center O of the sphere 23 and the extension direction of the extension line L of the launch rail 18” in the first embodiment, and the “center of the sphere 23 in the second embodiment”. The “centering function of matching the direction of a straight line connecting O and the bullet point 23a with the direction of the bullet direction P at the bullet point 23a” is the same function. Even if the holding member 16 does not have an upward convex curved shape as in the second embodiment, the center O and the bullet ball can be formed regardless of the diameter of the sphere 23 by making it straight as in the first embodiment. The direction of the straight line connecting the points 23a and the direction of the bullet direction P at the bullet point 23a can be matched.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of the launch unit 45 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the launch unit 45 has a so-called vertical launch structure and is disposed in the vicinity of the lower left portion of the pachinko machine as viewed from the front.

  In this launch unit 45, the launch rail 48 is disposed so as to extend substantially vertically (substantially, as shown in FIG. 6, it is tilted slightly to the left and has a steep downward slope). The holding member 46 is positioned so as to continue below the lower end 48b. The holding member 46 includes a right side plate 46a and a left side plate 46b that are inclined with respect to each other, and is set so that the angle center line X2 of the side plates 46a and 46b is parallel to the extension line L2 of the firing rail 48. Has been.

  The sphere 23 supplied onto the firing rail 48 by the sphere supply device reaches the inside of the holding member 46 from the upper end opening 46 c of the holding member 46 and is held at the firing position 19. Inside the holding member 46, depending on the diameter of the sphere 23, it is held near the upper end opening 46c or held near the lower end opening 46d, but the center O of the sphere 23 is always on the angle center line X2. Adjusted to Accordingly, the vertical distance H2 from the extension line L to the center O of the sphere 23 is kept constant regardless of the diameter of the sphere 23. Therefore, regardless of the diameter of the sphere 23, the launcher 47 can always achieve stable and accurate hitting.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of the launch unit 55 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the launch unit 55 is a so-called vertical launch, and is disposed in the vicinity of the lower left portion of the pachinko machine as viewed from the front.

  The holding member 56 of the firing unit 55 is disposed below the firing rail 58 and holds the ball 23 so as to be received below. As shown in FIG. 8, the holding member 56 has three projections 56a arranged at the vertex positions of an equilateral triangle, and the projection 56a holds the sphere 23 at the three point positions. It is supposed to be.

  Since the sphere 23 is held by the three projections 56a, the center O can always be positioned above the center of the regular triangle regardless of the diameter of the sphere 23. That is, the center O of the sphere 23 is located on the normal line of the plane N including the regular triangle and passing through the center of the regular triangle (normal line X3). Therefore, the centering function can be exhibited by making the normal line X3 and the extension line L3 of the firing rail 58 parallel to each other.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment and the modification of this invention were demonstrated, this invention is not limited to these, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows schematic structure of the launch unit of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining a mode that a ball | bowl is hold | maintained at the holding member shown in FIG. It is an external appearance perspective view of the holding member shown in FIG. 3, Comprising: (a) shows what concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, (b) shows what concerns on the modification. It is a schematic block diagram which shows schematic structure of the discharge unit which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows schematic structure of the discharge unit which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows schematic structure of the discharge unit which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. FIG. 8 is a two-side view of the holding member shown in FIG. 7.

Explanation of symbols

H, H ′, H ″, H2: Vertical distances L, L2, L3: Extension line N: Plane O, O ′, O ″: Center P: Bullet direction X, X2: Angle center line X3: Normal W: Oscillating rotation trajectory 2: Pachinko machine (game machine)
3: Frame 4: Housing frame (part of the frame)
6: Game board 6a: Game board surface (surface)
6b: Game area 7: Center character 7a: Symbol display device 7c: Display symbol 8: Center decoration 9: Machine frame (part of the frame)
10: Front glass (front transparent plate)
12: Decoration frame (part of the frame)
13: Grand prize opening unit 14: Reservoir 14a: Upper plate 14b: Lower plate 14c: Ball discharge button 15, 45, 55: Launch unit 15a: Rotating handle 16, 46, 56: Holding member 16a: Upper plate 16b: Lower Plate 16c, 46c: Upper end opening 16d: Lower end opening 16e: Upper inner wall 16f: Lower inner wall 17, 47: Launching rod 17a: Main body 17b: Bullet portion 17c: Rotating shaft 18, 48, 58: Launch rail 18a: Right end 18b : Left end 19: Firing position 22: Hinge (swing support)
23, 23 ', 23 ": Ball 23a: Bullet point 28: Ordinary winning port 29: Start port 30: Out port 32: Decoration member 33: Passage gate 46a: Right side plate 46b: Left side plate 48b: Lower end 56a: Projection

Claims (5)

A launch unit for a gaming machine that launches a ball into a game area for realizing a game by flowing down a ball,
A holding member for holding the sphere in a firing position;
A launcher for projecting the ball at the launch position;
A launch rail for guiding the ball that has been bulleted toward the gaming area;
The holding member is
A firing unit having a centering function that maintains a constant vertical distance between the center of the sphere and the extending direction of the firing rail regardless of the diameter of the sphere.   The holding member has at least two inclined sides inclined with respect to each other in its cross section, and supports the sphere between the inclined sides by supporting at least two points in contact with the inclined sides. The firing unit according to claim 1, wherein an angle center line of the inclined side is parallel to an extending direction of the firing rail.   The firing unit according to claim 1, wherein the holding member holds the sphere at at least three or more point positions on the same plane, and a normal line of the plane is parallel to an extension direction of the firing rail. A launch unit for a gaming machine that launches a ball toward a game area for realizing a game by flowing down a ball,
A holding member for holding the sphere in a firing position;
A launcher for projecting the ball at the launch position;
A launch rail for guiding the ball that has been bulleted toward the gaming area;
The holding member is
Regardless of the diameter of the sphere, it has a centering function to match the direction of the straight line connecting the center of the sphere at the launch position and the bullet point with the movement direction of the launch rod at the bullet point. Firing unit. A game board configured on the surface of the game area;
A frame for holding the game board so as to be visible to the player;
A front transparent plate disposed at a predetermined distance or more in front of the game board;
A gaming machine comprising: the launching unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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