JP2009279128A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which keeps movement of its movable member free from periodicity so as to make it possible to improve excitement and enjoyment of a game. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine includes: a center case 21 arranged in a playfield 11 of a game board 1; a start pocket 24 arranged below the center case 21; a warped passageway 54 arranged in the center case 21 for leading game balls falling down along the playfield 11 of the game board 1 into the center case 21; a stage 50 arranged in an inside bottom part of the center case 21, wherein the game balls led from the warped passageway 54 can roll and fall into the playfield 11; and a stage moving mechanism 70 for moving the stage 50 in parallel along up-and-down directions. The stage 50 includes a leading flow passage 61 for discharging the game balls toward the start pocket 24 arranged below. The stage moving mechanism 70 moves the stage 50 downward in parallel according to the total load of the game balls rolling on the stage 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine using game balls.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151561 discloses a gaming machine in which a movable member is provided on a stage and the behavior of a game ball on the stage is changed by the movable member.
JP 2000-350815 A

  However, in the case of the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, since the movable member on the stage is driven by an electric drive source, the movement is periodic. Therefore, the movement of the game ball on the stage was uniform.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that has no periodicity in the movement of the movable member and can further enhance the interest of the game.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a variable display device that displays a plurality of pieces of identification information in a variable manner, a center case that is provided in a game area of a game board and has an opening window that faces the display portion of the variable display device, In a gaming machine comprising a winning area disposed below, a warp passage for guiding a game ball disposed in the center case and flowing down the gaming area of the game board into the center case, and the center A stage disposed on the inner bottom of the case and capable of rolling a game ball guided from the warp passage, and causing the game ball to flow down to a game area where a winning area is disposed, and the stage in the vertical direction A stage moving mechanism that translates, and the stage includes a guide channel that discharges a game ball toward the winning area disposed below, and the stage moving mechanism includes: The total load of the game ball rolling on the stage, characterized in that to translate the stage downward.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the stage further includes a rotating flow path for rolling the game ball in a spiral shape, and a discharge port for discharging the game ball to the game area at the center of the rotating flow path Is formed, and the route discharged to the game area through the rotation channel is a disadvantageous route for the player.

  In a third aspect of the invention, the stage moving mechanism operates when two or more game balls exist on the stage and translates the stage downward.

  The fourth invention further includes a supply passage for supplying the game ball discharged from the warp passage to the stage, and the supply passage is provided with a first supply passage for supplying the game ball toward the rotation flow passage. And a second supply passage for supplying a game ball toward the guide flow path.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the second supply passage is provided with a ball guide portion that is formed so as to be inclined downward toward the stage, and communicates with the guide channel in a state where the stage is positioned at the uppermost position. It is characterized by that.

  In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the stage moving mechanism includes a pair of link mechanisms that are linked to the center case and the stage and are provided on both the left and right sides of the stage, and the pair of link mechanisms are connected via a rod. The stages operate synchronously, and the stage stops at a position balanced with the weight of the weight coupled to the free ends of the pair of link mechanisms.

  According to the first invention, since the stage itself translates downward due to the total load of the game balls rolling on the stage, when the game ball exists on the stage, the stage guide flow path is directed downward. It approaches the arranged winning area. Therefore, the winning probability of the game ball discharged from the guide channel to the game area increases. Further, the downward translation of the stage is due to the total load of the game balls rolling on the stage. Therefore, the greater the number of game balls on the stage, the more the stage translates downward and the easier it is to win. Thus, since the stage moves with the total load of the game balls rolling on the stage, the movement has no periodicity, and the entertainment of the game can be further improved.

  According to the second invention, when the game ball is supplied to the rotation flow path of the stage, the game ball rolls in a spiral shape in the rotation flow path, so that the time for rolling the stage becomes long. . Accordingly, since the game ball is supplied to the rotation channel of the stage, the time for the stage to move becomes longer, so that the guide channel of the stage becomes closer to the winning area. Thus, even when a game ball is supplied to the turning flow path, which is a disadvantageous route for the player, the winning probability is increased by moving the stage. Therefore, the player can have an expectation even when the game ball is supplied to an unfavorable route, and the interest of the game is improved.

  According to the third invention, when a plurality of game balls roll on the stage, the stage translates downward and the winning probability increases. Even if there is only one game ball on the stage, if the stage moves downward, the stage will always translate downward if the game ball is supplied to the stage. I can't say that.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the game balls discharged from the warp passage are supplied to the turning flow path, which is a disadvantageous route for the player, and the route advantageous for the player. Is supplied to the stage through any one of the second supply passages for supplying the game balls toward the guide flow path. In this way, game balls are supplied to the stage from two routes, so that the interest of the game is improved.

  According to the fifth aspect, even when the total load of the game balls on the stage is small and the stage is positioned at the highest position with a long distance from the winning area, the ball guide portion of the second supply passage communicates with the guide channel. Therefore, the game value that the game ball in the second supply passage is reliably guided to the guide passage is given.

  According to the sixth invention, the stage is operated by the pair of link mechanisms provided on both the left and right sides, and the pair of link mechanisms are operated synchronously via the rod. In this way, since the pair of link mechanisms operate in synchronization, the stage can be translated downward regardless of the position of the rolling game ball.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiments, the front, rear, left, and right refer to directions viewed from the player, that is, viewed from the game board.

  FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a gaming board 1 of a gaming machine (pachinko machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the game board 1 partitions a substantially circular game area 11 by providing a guide rail 10 or the like as a partition member on the surface of a rectangular game board body 2 made of plywood or plastic. Forming.

  The gaming machine plays a game by firing a game ball from a launching device (not shown) based on the operation of the player and flowing it down into the game area 11. The player can visually recognize the game area 11 through a cover glass (not shown) that covers the game board 1.

  In the game area 11, a center case 21 having an opening window 21a is disposed. Behind the center case 21, a variable display device 22 that displays a plurality of identification information in a variable manner is disposed in a state where the display portion 22 a faces the opening window portion 21 a of the center case 21.

  An opening having a shape along the outer periphery of the center case 21 is formed in the game board 1, and the center case 21 is fitted into the opening from the front of the game board 1. Further, the opening window portion 21 a of the center case 21 is formed so that the display portion 22 a of the variable display device 22 that faces the opening window portion 21 a is disposed substantially at the center of the game area 11.

  The variable display device 22 sets a plurality of variable display areas (for example, three variable display areas on the left side, the center, and the right side) on the display unit 22a, and displays the images independently in each display area. Device. In the present embodiment, for example, a display screen portion is configured by a liquid crystal display or the like capable of displaying an arbitrary image, and a plurality of identification information (special symbols) and a variable display game are displayed in each variable display area on the display screen. An image based on the progress of the game, such as a character that produces the game, is displayed.

  Below the center case 21 in the game area 11 and substantially in the center of the game area 11 corresponds to a tulip type variable display start port 24 (“winning area”) having a normal variable winning device (normal electric accessory) 23. ) Is disposed. Below the start port 24, a special variable winning device (large winning port) 25 that can be converted into a state where the game ball is not received and a state where it is easy to receive depending on the operation result of the variable display device 22 is disposed. In addition, a normal symbol start gate 26 for the normal variation display game is arranged on the left side of the center case 21 in the game area 11.

  On the top of the center case 21, the special symbol variation display of the special symbol variation display game, the special symbol winning memory number (starting memory number), the normal symbol variation display of the normal symbol variation display game, and the normal symbol winning memory number are displayed. A display 32 for displaying is provided.

  On both the left and right sides of the start port 24 in the game area 11, general winning ports 27 are provided that satisfy only the conditions for paying out a winning ball when a winning game ball is won.

  In addition to this, the game area 11 includes a direction changing member such as a windmill 29 or a nail (not shown) that changes the falling direction of the game ball, an out port 30 for collecting the game ball that has flowed down without winning, and various types of light emission. Lamps / LEDs (not shown) for displaying the decoration are provided.

  The game balls launched by the launching device are fired into the game area 11 from the launch ball guide passage 31 that is partitioned on the left side of the guide rail 10 and guides the game balls, and are changed in direction arranged in various places in the game area 11. The game area 11 flows down while changing the falling direction depending on the member and wins the start opening 24, the general winning opening 27, or the special variable winning apparatus 25, or is discharged from the out opening 30 provided at the bottom of the gaming area 11. The

  When a game ball wins the start opening 24, the general winning opening 27, and the special variable winning apparatus 25, the number of winning balls corresponding to the type of the winning opening is discharged from the payout apparatus (not shown).

  Specifically, when a game ball wins at the start opening 24, the variable display device 22 starts a variable display game in which the identification information composed of the numbers and the like described above is sequentially displayed, and displays an image related to the variable display game. Is done.

  When a winning of a game ball to the start port 24 is made at a predetermined timing, a big hit state is reached, and the game stops when three display symbols are aligned (a big hit symbol). At this time, the special variable winning device 25 is turned from a closed state (a disadvantageous state for the player) where the special winning opening does not accept the gaming ball for a predetermined time by energizing a large winning solenoid (not shown). Is converted into an open state (a state advantageous to the player). In other words, since the special winning opening is greatly opened for a predetermined time, the player is given a game value that allows a large number of game balls to be acquired.

  Further, when the game ball passes through the normal symbol start gate 26, the display unit 32 starts a general symbol change display game. When the passing of the game ball to the normal symbol start gate 26 is made at a predetermined timing, the normal symbol related hit state is entered, and the normal symbol displayed on the display 32 stops in the hit state. At this time, the normal variation winning device 23 provided at the start port 24 is converted so that the entrance to the start port 24 is expanded for a predetermined time by energizing a normal electric accessory solenoid (not shown), The possibility of winning a game ball at the start port 24 is increased.

  Next, the center case 21 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the center case 21.

  As described above, the center case 21 is disposed substantially at the center of the game area 11. Specifically, an opening having a shape along the outer periphery of the center case 21 is formed in the game board 1, and the center case 21 is fitted into the opening from the front of the game board 1. Further, the opening window portion 21 a of the center case 21 is formed so that the display portion 22 a of the variable display device 22 that faces the opening window portion 21 a is disposed substantially at the center of the game area 11.

  The center case 21 includes a front body 35 that constitutes the front side of the center case 21 and is disposed in the game area 11, and a base body 36 that constitutes the back side of the center case 21 and is fitted into the opening of the game board 1. . The front body 35 and the base body 36 are made of synthetic resin.

  The base body 36 is a member in which a front portion is open and a substantially rectangular opening window portion 21a is formed on the rear portion so that the display portion 22a of the variable display device 22 faces. A plurality of fastening portions 37 for attaching the front body 35 are provided on the front surface of the base body 36. The front body 35 is coupled to the front surface of the base body 36 via the fastening portion 37 and is integrated with the base body 36.

  The front body 35 is a deformed ring-shaped member, and is formed with a flange 39 that protrudes outwardly in a state of being coupled to the base body 36. The center case 21 has the base 36 fitted into the opening of the game board 1 and is fixed to the game board 1 via the heel part 39, and the front side of the heel part 39 is arranged in the game area 11. . Thus, the game board 1 is formed with the recessed chamber 40 having the opening of the front body 35 as an entrance.

  A guide 41 is provided on the front surface of the front body 35 so as to project forward from the upper part to both side parts and guide the game ball. The guide 41 includes an upper guide 41a that is gently inclined to the lower right, a left arc guide 41b, a right arc guide 41c, a left arc guide 41b, and a right arc that are inclined downward from the left and right ends of the upper guide 41a. The guide 41c includes a left side guide 41d and a right side guide 41e that are inclined along the guide rail 10.

  The game balls launched into the game area 11 from the shot ball guide passage 31 flow down the area between the guide rail 10 and the guide 41. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the distance between the left side guide 41 d and the guide rail 10 is large, whereas the right side guide 41 e and the guide rail 10 have a distance enough to allow one game ball to pass. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a game is played mainly by flowing a game ball down to the game area 11 on the left side of the center case 21. Among the game balls launched from the launching device, the game ball having a momentum passes between the upper guide 41a and the guide rail 10 and flows down between the right side guide 41e and the guide rail 10 to the out port 30. Inflow.

  A stage 50 for allowing a game ball to roll on the inner bottom portion of the center case 21, that is, the bottom portion of the concave chamber 40, and for causing the rolling game ball to flow down to the game area 11 in which the start port 24 is disposed. Is disposed. The stage 50 will be described later.

  On the left side of the front body 35, a warp passage 54 for guiding the game ball flowing down the game area 11 into the concave chamber 40 of the center case 21 is disposed.

  The warp passage 54 opens toward the game area 11 and receives the game ball 55 that flows down the game area 11, the flow path 56 through which the game ball flowing in from the flow inlet 55 passes, and the concave chamber 40. This is a tunnel-like passage provided with a discharge port 57 through which the game ball opened and passed through the flow path 56 is discharged to the concave chamber 40. The warp passage 54 is configured separately from the front body 35 and is attached to the front body 35 by a fastening member. The warp passage 54 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin.

  The inflow port 55 opens obliquely upward to the left in order to receive a game ball flowing down the left side of the center case 21 in the game area 11.

  The discharge port 57 includes a first discharge port 57 a that opens to the near side of the center case 21 and a second discharge port 57 b that opens to the back side of the center case 21. Thus, the warp passage 54 has two discharge ports 57a and 57b, and the flow path 56 is branched and formed into a route toward the first discharge port 57a and a route toward the second discharge port 57b. Is done.

  The game ball discharged from the first discharge port 57 a rolls through the first supply passage 58 a that is a part of the inner periphery of the front body 35 and is supplied to the stage 50.

  The first supply passage 58 a is formed only on the left side of the stage 50, and the game ball rolling on the first supply passage 58 a is supplied from the left side of the stage 50 to the stage 50. A guide wall 59 is formed on the front surface of the front body 35 to prevent the game ball rolling in the first supply passage 58a from dropping into the game area 11.

  The game ball discharged from the second discharge port 57 b rolls through the second supply passage 58 b that is a part of the inner periphery of the base body 36 and is supplied to the stage 50.

  The second supply passage 58 b is disposed on the back side of the stage 50 and extending along the longitudinal direction of the stage 50. The second supply passage 58b is formed to be gently inclined downward toward the center so that the center in the left-right direction is a valley.

  In the second supply passage 58b, a pair of guide walls 53 for preventing the rolling game ball from falling is formed. The central portion of the front guide wall 53 is partially cut away. In addition, a ball guide portion 52 that is inclined downward toward the front stage 50 and guides the game ball to the stage 50 is formed at a position where the guide wall 53 is cut out, that is, in the center of the second supply passage 58b. . Therefore, the game ball discharged from the second discharge port 57b and rolling in the second supply passage 58b reciprocates within a predetermined range around the ball guide portion 52, and the amplitude of the reciprocation gradually decreases and eventually The ball guide 52 is guided to the stage 50 by the inclination.

  As described above, the game ball guided into the center case 21 through the warp passage 54 rolls in the first supply passage 58a or the second supply passage 58b and is supplied to the stage 50.

  Next, the stage 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 are perspective views around the stage 50.

  The stage 50 is a long plate-like member, and includes a flat plate portion 50a and inclined portions 50b that are formed on both left and right ends of the flat plate portion 50a and are inclined downward so as to guide the game balls to the flat plate portion 50a. The game ball rolls on the inclined portion 50b. The stage 50 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin.

  In the center of the flat plate portion 50a, a guide channel 61 that is recessed in an arc shape and is inclined downward toward the front is disposed.

  The guide channel 61 is formed by opening an opening 61 a at the downstream end toward the game area 11, and discharges the game ball to the game area 11.

  The guide channel 61 is arranged so that the position in the left-right direction is the same as the start port 24. That is, the start port 24 is disposed directly below the opening 61 a at the downstream end of the guide channel 61.

  Further, the guide channel 61 is disposed such that the position in the left-right direction is the same position as the ball guide portion 52 of the second supply passage 58b. That is, the ball guide portion 52 is disposed immediately above the upstream end of the guide channel 61.

  In this manner, the ball guide portion 52, the guide channel 61, and the start port 24 of the second supply passage 58b are disposed at the same position in the left-right direction. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the game ball rolling in the second supply passage 58b is supplied from the ball guide portion 52 to the guide channel 61 of the stage 50, and the game ball supplied to the guide channel 61 is Since it is discharged toward 24, there is a high possibility of winning the start opening 24. That is, the game ball guided from the warp passage 54 to the second supply passage 58b is more likely to win the start opening 24. As described above, the route discharged to the game area 11 through the guide channel 61 is an advantageous route for the player.

  Further, the guide channel 61 is formed so that the channel width decreases toward the downstream side. Since the upstream channel width of the guide channel 61 is large, a game ball falling from the second supply channel 58b to the stage 50 is likely to fall into the guide channel 61, and the downstream channel width is Since it is small, the game ball discharged from the guide channel 61 toward the start port 24 is likely to win the start port 24.

  On both the left and right sides of the guide channel 61 in the flat plate portion 50a, croons 62A and 62B (corresponding to “rotating channels”) that are formed in a circular dish shape and roll the game ball in a spiral shape are arranged. Established. At the center of the croons 62A and 62B, a discharge port 62a for discharging the game ball and guiding it to the game area 11 is formed. The discharge port 62a is formed through the stage 50 vertically.

  The croons 62A and 62B are formed so as to have a diameter slightly smaller than the dimension in the short direction of the stage 50, and are inclined toward the central discharge port 62a. As described above, since the crunes 62A and 62B are disposed throughout the depth direction of the stage 50, most of the game balls supplied from the first supply passage 58a to the stage 50 are crushed from the inclined portion 50b. It is guided to 62A, rolls in a spiral, and is discharged from the discharge port 62a to the lower side of the stage 50. In addition, of the game balls supplied from the first supply passage 58a to the stage 50, a vigorous game ball crosses the croon 62A, is guided to the guide channel 61 in the center of the stage 50, and passes from the guide channel 61 to the start port 24. It is discharged towards. Further, among the game balls supplied from the first supply passage 58a to the stage 50, the game balls that are more vigorous cross the crune 62A and the guide passage 61, are guided to the crune 62B, and roll in a spiral shape to be discharged. It is discharged from 62a to below the stage 50.

  A game ball discharge member 65 that receives the game balls discharged from the discharge ports 62a of the croons 62A and 62B and discharges them to the game area 11 is attached to the lower portion of the front body 35.

  The game ball discharge member 65 is disposed below the stage 50 and receives a game ball discharged from the discharge ports 62a of the croons 62A and 62B. The game ball discharge member 65 supports the box member 66 and is decorated on the front surface. And a decorative member 67.

  The box member 66 is formed so that the bottom surface 66a is inclined downward toward the front in order to guide the received game ball to the game area 11.

  An opening 67 a that opens toward the game area 11 is formed on the front surface of the decorative member 67, and the opening 67 a communicates with the bottom surface 66 a of the box member 66. Accordingly, the game balls discharged from the discharge ports 62a of the croons 62A and 62B roll forward on the bottom surface 66a of the box member 66 and are discharged from the opening 67a of the decoration member 67 to the game area 11. Since the outlets 62a of the croons 62A and 62B are shifted from the start port 24 in the left-right direction, the winning probability of the game balls discharged from the opening 67a to the game area 11 is low. Thus, the route discharged to the game area 11 through the croons 62A and 62B is a disadvantageous route for the player.

  As described above, the game ball supplied to the stage 50 is discharged to the game area 11 through either the guide channel 61 or the croons 62A and 62B. A game ball discharged from the guide channel 61 to the game area 11 has a high winning probability to the start port 24, and a game ball discharged from the crew 62A, 62B to the game region 11 has a win probability to the start port 24. Low. That is, the game ball supplied from the second supply passage 58b to the stage 50 is highly likely to win the start port 24, and the game ball supplied from the first supply passage 58a to the stage 50 is the start port 24. Is unlikely to win.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the stage 50 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction. 3 shows a state in which the stage 50 is positioned at the highest position, FIG. 4 shows a state in which the stage 50 is in an intermediate position, and FIG. 5 shows a state in which the stage 50 is positioned at the lowest position.

  Specifically, the stage 50 moves in parallel in the vertical direction so as to follow both the back surface 67b of the decorative member 67 and the front surface 68a of the passage constituting member 68 constituting the second supply passage 58b.

  As the stage 50 moves in parallel up and down, the rolling surface of the surface of the stage 50 on which the game ball rolls up and down moves up and down. In the state where the stage 50 is positioned at the uppermost position, as shown in FIG. 3, the rolling surface of the stage 50 and the rolling surface of the second supply passage 58 b are substantially the same height, The arranged guide channel 61 and the ball guide portion 52 of the second supply passage 58b are in a smoothly communicated state. In this state, the distance between the guide channel 61 and the start port 24 is the longest.

  Further, in a state where the stage 50 is positioned at the lowest position, as shown in FIG. 5, a state in which the guide channel 61 and the hollow portion 67 c formed in a circular arc shape on the top surface of the decorative member 67 communicate smoothly. It becomes. In this state, the distance between the guide channel 61 and the start port 24 is the shortest. In this state, the guide wall 67d prevents the falling of the game ball rolling on the inclined portion 50b of the stage 50 onto the game area 11 by the protruding portions 67d formed protruding upward on the left and right ends of the decorative member 67. Function as.

  In this way, the distance between the guide channel 61 and the start port 24 changes as the stage 50 translates in the vertical direction. Next, a stage moving mechanism 70 that translates the stage 50 in the vertical direction will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 is a perspective view of the periphery of the stage 50 as viewed from below, FIG. 7 is a side view of the stage moving mechanism 70 with the stage 50 positioned at the top, and FIG. 8 is a state with the stage 50 in the intermediate position. FIG. 9 is a side view of the stage moving mechanism 70, and FIG. 9 is a side view of the stage moving mechanism 70 with the stage 50 positioned at the lowest position.

  The stage moving mechanism 70 includes a pair of link mechanisms 70A and 70B provided on both the left and right sides of the stage 50. The link mechanisms 70 </ b> A and 70 </ b> B are provided in conjunction with the stage 50 and a game ball discharge member 65 that constitutes a part of the center case 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, a support plate 71 a that supports the front side of the stage 50 and a support plate 71 b that supports the back side of the stage 50 are directed downward at the right edge of the lower surface of the stage 50. It is extended. Similarly, support plates 71 a and 71 b are also provided on the left edge of the lower surface of the stage 50.

  Further, a plate member 72 extending in parallel with the lower surface of the stage 50 is provided on the right edge portion of the back surface 67 b of the decorative member 67. Similarly, a plate member 72 is provided on the left edge portion of the back surface 67 b of the decorative member 67.

  The link mechanisms 70A and 70B are provided in linkage with the support plates 71a and 71b and the plate member 72.

  Below, with reference mainly to FIGS. 7-9, the 2nd link mechanism 70B typically provided in the right side of the stage 50 is demonstrated.

  The second link mechanism 70B is rotatably connected to the plate member 72 and the first link 75B having one end 75a rotatably connected to the support plate 71a and the other end 75b rotatably connected to the plate member 72. The second fulcrum oscillates around the fulcrum 76a, the second link 76B having one end 76b rotatably connected to the support plate 71b and the weight 78B coupled to the other end 76c, and the plate member 72. The third oscillating about the connected fulcrum 77a, one end 77b is rotatably connected to the first link 75B, and the other end 77c is rotatably connected to the other end 76c of the second link 76B. A link 77B.

  In the figure, the second link 76B has a curved portion connecting the fulcrum 76a and the one end 76b. This is because if the portion connecting the fulcrum 76a and the one end 76b is formed in a straight line, the second link 76B interferes with the fulcrum 77a of the third link 77B during the operation of the second link mechanism 70B. The interference is prevented by forming a curved shape.

  The dimensions of the links 75B, 76B, 77B will be described. The distance between the one end 75a and the other end 75b of the first link 75B is equal to the distance between the one end 76b of the second link 76B and the fulcrum 76a. Further, the distance between the one end 77b and the other end 75b of the third link 77B in the first link 75B is equal to the distance between the fulcrum 76a and the other end 76c of the second link 76B. The fulcrum 77a of the third link 77B is located at the center between the one end 77b and the other end 77c.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the first link mechanism 70A provided on the left side of the stage 50 is also provided with a first link 75A, a second link 76A, a third link 77A, and a weight 78A, like the second link mechanism 70B. .

  As shown in FIG. 6, the second link 76A of the first link mechanism 70A and the second link 76B of the second link mechanism 70B are non-rotatably coupled to the rod 79. As a result, the second link 76A and the second link 76B rotate synchronously via the rod 79. That is, the movements of the second link 76A and the second link 76B are transmitted to each other. By connecting the second link 76A and the second link 76B via the rod 79, the first link mechanism 70A and the second link mechanism 70B operate in synchronization. The rod 79 is rotatably supported by the two bearings 68 b provided in the passage constituting member 68 and the free end of the plate member 72.

  The stage moving mechanism 70 is configured as described above. When the weights 78A and 78B are lowered, the stage 50 is raised, and when the weights 78A and 78B are raised, the stage 50 is lowered. The first link mechanism 70A and the second link mechanism 70B support the front and rear of the stage 50 with the first links 75A and 75B and the second links 76A and 76B, and the first link mechanism 70A and the second link mechanism 70B. Are operated synchronously via the rod 79, and the stage 50 is raised and lowered while the rolling surface is kept horizontal. That is, the stage 50 moves in parallel in the vertical direction.

  The stage 50 stops at a position balanced with the weights of the weights 78A and 78B coupled to the free ends of the first link mechanism 70A and the second link mechanism 70B. Specifically, when there is no game ball on the stage 50 or there is only one game ball, the positions of the weights 78A and 78B are from the fulcrum 77a of the third links 77A and 77B as shown in FIG. And the stage 50 is positioned at the top (the state shown in FIG. 3). This state is the normal position.

  When the game ball is supplied onto the stage 50 from the state where the stage 50 is at the highest level and there are two game balls on the stage 50, the stage 50 translates downward. As shown in FIG. 8, the third links 77A and 77B are horizontal, and the stage 50 is in balance with the weights 78A and 78B and is in an intermediate position (the state shown in FIG. 4). As described above, the stage 50 starts parallel movement downward when there are two or more game balls on the stage 50.

  When the game balls are further supplied onto the stage 50 from the state where the stage 50 is in the intermediate position and the number of the game balls on the stage 50 becomes three or more, the positions of the weights 78A and 78B are changed as shown in FIG. The stage 50 is positioned above the fulcrum 77a of the third links 77A and 77B, and the stage 50 is in the lowest position (the state shown in FIG. 5).

  As described above, the stage moving mechanism 70 translates the stage 50 downward by the total load of the game balls rolling on the stage 50.

  Next, the operation of the gaming machine of the present embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.

  The game ball launched from the launch device jumps into the upper part of the game area 11 through the launch ball guide passage 31. Of the game balls that have entered, the game ball that hits the left side of the upper guide 41 a, that is, the left arcuate guide 41 b or the left side guide 41 d flows down the left side of the center case 21 in the game area 11. Also, among the game balls that have entered, the game balls that have a momentum pass between the upper guide 41 a and the guide rail 10, flow down between the right side guide 41 e and the guide rail 10, and go to the outlet 30. Flow down.

  A part of the game balls flowing down the left side of the center case 21 in the game area 11 flows into the inflow port 55 of the warp passage 54. The game ball that has flowed into the inflow port 55 is divided into two routes in the warp passage 54 and is discharged to the first supply passage 58a or the second supply passage 58b. And it supplies to the stage 50 from the 1st supply path 58a or the 2nd supply path 58b.

  Most of the game balls supplied from the first supply passage 58a to the stage 50 are supplied to the croon 62A, and the clown 62A is swirled to be discharged from the discharge port 62a to the box member 66 below the stage 50. 11 is discharged.

  Further, most of the game balls supplied from the second supply passage 58 b to the stage 50 are supplied from the ball guide 52 to the guide channel 61 and discharged from the guide channel 61 toward the start port 24. Thus, although the winning probability of the game ball supplied from the second supply passage 58b to the stage 50 is high, the probability varies depending on the position of the stage 50 in the vertical direction. This will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, when there is no game ball on the stage 50 or only one game ball is present, the stage 50 is positioned at the top. In this state, the difference in height between the second supply passage 58b and the stage 50 is small, and the ball guide portion 52 of the second supply passage 58b and the guide passage 61 of the stage 50 are in a smoothly communicating state. Thereby, the game ball in the second supply passage 58 b is reliably guided to the guide channel 61 through the ball guide portion 52. However, since the position of the stage 50 is the highest position, the distance between the guide channel 61 and the start port 24 is the longest. Therefore, the winning probability of the game ball discharged from the guide channel 61 toward the start port 24 is not so high.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, when the number of game balls on the stage 50 becomes two, the stage 50 moves downward and assumes an intermediate position. Here, the stage 50 translates downward by the action of the stage moving mechanism 70 regardless of the positions of the two game balls that roll. In other words, the stage 50 translates downward even when two game balls are rolling only one of the clowns 62A and 62B. In the state where the stage 50 is in the intermediate position, the difference in height between the second supply passage 58b and the stage 50 becomes large, but the game balls in the second supply passage 58b pass through the ball guide portion 52 to the guide passage 61 with a high probability. It is guided. Further, since the stage 50 is at the intermediate position, the distance between the guide channel 61 and the start port 24 is shortened. Therefore, the winning probability of the game ball discharged from the guide channel 61 toward the start port 24 is increased.

  The stage 50 translates downward regardless of the position of the two game balls that roll, but when the game ball rolls on the crunes 62A and 62B, the stage 50 rolls in a spiral shape, so that the guide channel 61 As compared with the case of rolling, the time for rolling the stage 50 becomes longer. Therefore, the moving time of the stage 50 also becomes long, so that the stage 50 can surely move to the intermediate position. Thus, even when a game ball is supplied to the clowns 62A and 62B, which is a disadvantageous route for the player, the winning probability is increased by moving the stage 50. Therefore, the player can have an expectation even when the game ball is supplied to the clowns 62A and 62B which are disadvantageous routes.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the number of game balls on the stage 50 becomes three or more, the stage 50 translates downward and is in the lowest position. In this state, the difference in height between the second supply passage 58b and the stage 50 is further increased, but the game balls in the second supply passage 58b are guided to the guide passage 61 through the ball guide portion 52 with a high probability. Further, since the position of the stage 50 is the lowest position, the distance between the guide channel 61 and the start port 24 is the shortest. Therefore, the game ball discharged from the guide channel 61 toward the start port 24 wins the start port 24 with a high probability.

  Further, since the stage 50 is positioned at the lowest position, as shown in FIG. 5, the decoration applied to the front surface 68a of the passage constituting member 68 is completely exposed, and the entertainment of the game is enhanced. A liquid crystal display may be provided on the front surface 68a of the passage constituting member 68.

  As described above, the stage 50 moves downward in parallel with the total load of the rolling game balls, so the stage 50 comes closer to the start port 24 if the number of game balls supplied to the stage 50 is large. At that time, if there is a game ball discharged from the guide channel 61 to the game area 11, the winning probability of the game ball becomes very high.

  The reason why the number of game balls on the stage 50 in which the stage 50 translates downward is two or more is that if the number of game balls on the stage 50 is one or more, the stage 50 always moves downward if the game balls are supplied to the stage 50. Since it moves in parallel, it cannot be said that the interest of the game is improved. Further, when the game ball is discharged from the guide channel 61 to the game area 11, the stage 50 translates downward every time regardless of the number of game balls rolling on the stage 50. Is to avoid. Thus, it is desirable to set the number of game balls on the stage 50 on which the stage 50 translates downward to 2 or more.

  According to the above embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

  Since the stage itself translates downward due to the total load of the game balls rolling on the stage 50, when the game balls exist on the stage 50, the guide channel 61 of the stage 50 is disposed below. Approaches the start port 24. Therefore, the winning probability of the game ball discharged from the guide channel 61 to the game area 11 is increased. Further, the downward parallel movement of the stage 50 depends on the total load of the game balls rolling on the stage 50. Therefore, as the number of game balls on the stage 50 increases, the stage 50 translates downward and wins more. It becomes easy to do. Thus, since the stage 50 moves by the total load of the game balls rolling on the stage, the movement has no periodicity, and the entertainment of the game can be further improved.

  In addition, when the game balls are supplied to the crons 62A and 62B of the stage 50, the game balls roll around the cruels 62A and 62B in a spiral shape, so that the time for rolling the stage 50 becomes long. Accordingly, the game ball is supplied to the croons 62A and 62B of the stage 50, so that the time required for the stage 50 to move becomes longer, so that the guide channel 61 of the stage 50 comes closer to the start port 24. Thus, even when a game ball is supplied to the clowns 62A and 62B, which is a disadvantageous route for the player, the winning probability is increased by moving the stage 50. Therefore, the player can have an expectation even when the game ball is supplied to the clowns 62A and 62B which are disadvantageous routes, and the interest of the game is improved.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is obvious that various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea.

  The gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to the pachinko gaming machine as shown in the above embodiment, and uses, for example, gaming balls such as other pachinko gaming machines, arrange ball gaming machines, and sparrow ball gaming machines. Applicable to all gaming machines.

It is a perspective view of the game board of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of a center case. It is a perspective view of a stage periphery, and is a state where the stage is located at the top. It is a perspective view of a stage periphery, and a stage is in the state of an intermediate position. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the periphery of the stage, with the stage positioned at the lowest position. It is the perspective view which looked at the stage periphery from the downward direction. It is a side view of the stage moving mechanism in a state where the stage is positioned at the top. It is a side view of a stage moving mechanism in a state where the stage is in an intermediate position. It is a side view of the stage moving mechanism in a state where the stage is positioned at the lowest position.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game board 11 Game area 21 Center case 50 Stage 52 Ball guide part 54 Warp channel | path 58a 1st supply channel | path 58b 2nd supply channel | path 61 Guidance channel | path 61a Opening part 62A, 62B Clune 70 Stage moving mechanism 70A 1st link mechanism 70B 1st 2 link mechanism 75A, 75B 1st link 76A, 75B 2nd link 77A, 75B 3rd link 78A, 78B Weight 79 Rod

Claims (6)

A variation display device that variably displays a plurality of identification information, a center case that is disposed in a game area of a game board and that has an opening window that faces the display portion of the variation display device, and is disposed below the center case In a gaming machine comprising a winning area,
A warp passage disposed in the center case for guiding a game ball flowing down the game area of the game board into the center case;
A stage disposed at an inner bottom portion of the center case and capable of rolling a game ball guided from the warp passage, and causing the game ball to flow down to a game area where a winning area is disposed;
A stage moving mechanism that translates the stage in the vertical direction,
The stage includes a guide channel for discharging the game ball toward the winning area disposed below,
The game machine characterized in that the stage moving mechanism translates the stage downward by a total load of game balls rolling on the stage. The stage further includes a rotation flow path for rolling the game ball in a spiral shape,
A discharge port for discharging the game ball and guiding it to the game area is formed at the center of the rotation flow path,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the route discharged to the gaming area through the rotation flow path is a disadvantageous route for the player.   The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stage moving mechanism operates when two or more game balls exist on the stage and translates the stage downward. A supply passage for supplying game balls discharged from the warp passage to the stage;
The supply passage is
A first supply passage for supplying a game ball toward the rotation flow path;
A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a second supply passage that supplies a game ball toward the guide channel.   The second supply passage is provided with a ball guide portion that is formed to be inclined downward toward the stage and communicates with the guide channel in a state where the stage is positioned at the uppermost position. The gaming machine according to claim 4. The stage moving mechanism is linked to the center case and the stage, and includes a pair of link mechanisms provided on both the left and right sides of the stage,
The pair of link mechanisms operate synchronously by being connected via a rod,
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the stage stops at a position balanced with a weight of a weight coupled to free ends of the pair of link mechanisms.

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