JP2011030724A - Shooting handle device of pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shooting handle of a pinball game machine, helping minutely adjust a handle rotating angle corresponding to a power for shooting a game ball without changing a finger resting manner onto a finger resting part. <P>SOLUTION: The shooting handle device of the pinball game machine includes: a plurality of the finger resting parts such as the finger resting part 8b on the handle 8; a rotary encoder 40 for converting a rotary angle of an input axis 40a into an electric signal to output it; and a transmitting means 21 (first gear 22 and a second gear 23) for transmitting a rotation of a rod 12 fixed to the handle 8 to the input axis 40a. The handle 8 is supported on the base 11 forward slidably (left direction in Fig.2) of the pinball game machine P. When the handle 8 is slid forward, the gear 22 is apart from the gear 23. A cutout 33 provided on a regulating board 31 unrotatable around base 11 and a movable projection 12a provided on an outer peripheral face of the rod 12 make a portion of a rotation range of the handle 8 regulate a separation-allowing range R for allowing the gear 22 to separate from the gear 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a launching handle device for a ball game machine that controls the launching intensity of a game ball in accordance with the rotation angle of the handle.

  A conventional launching handle device for a ball game machine usually includes a base body that projects forward from the front of the ball game machine, a handle that is rotatably supported at the front end of the base body, The handle includes a face cover fixed to the base body in a non-rotatable manner in front of the handle, and a torsion spring as a biasing means for biasing the handle in a direction to return to the initial position of the rotation range of the handle. The launch intensity of the game ball is controlled according to the rotation angle from the initial position. A plurality of finger hooks protruding in a direction intersecting the rotation center line of the handle are provided in a partial region in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the handle.

  In the game, the player holds the handle by placing his finger on the finger rest, and turns the handle clockwise against the urging force of the torsion spring, so that the game ball is released with a desired firing strength. The steering wheel is held against the urging force of the torsion spring at the rotation angle to be fired.

  As this type of firing handle device, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1.

JP 2002-210096 A

  As described above, when playing a game, the player rotates the handle clockwise against the urging force of the torsion spring, and the torsion of the handle to a rotation angle at which the game ball is launched at a desired firing strength. Hold it against the spring. At this time, the player is in a state of holding the handle by placing his / her finger on the finger-hanging portion, and depending on how to put the finger on the finger-hanging portion, the forearm or wrist is held in a twisted state and the game is played for a long time. Become. A long game with the forearm or wrist twisted causes the player to accumulate physical fatigue.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and its object is to adjust the turning angle of the handle corresponding to the launching strength of the game ball to a small value without changing the way of placing the finger on the finger-hanging portion. An object of the present invention is to provide a launching handle device for a ball game machine.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a launching handle device for a ball game machine according to the present invention is configured as follows.

[1] A launch handle device for a ball game machine according to the present invention includes a base body projecting forward from the front of the ball game machine, and a front end portion of the base body that is rotatably supported on an outer peripheral surface. A handle having a finger hook, an urging means for urging the handle in a direction to return to the initial position of the rotation range, an angle detection means for converting the rotation angle of the input shaft into an electrical signal, and the handle And a transmission means for transmitting the rotation of the first ball to the input shaft, wherein the transmission means is fixed to the input shaft and the first gear fixed to the handle. A second gear that meshes with the first gear, and the handle is supported slidably forward with respect to the base body, and the position of the first gear is determined when the handle is slid forward. To get away from 2 gears A launch handle device for a ball game machine, characterized in that a means for defining a separation allowance range that permits separation of the first gear with respect to the second gear is provided within a rotation range of the handle. is there.

  In the launching handle device of the ball game machine described in “[1]”, the player performs the following procedures (“1”) to “(5)” to thereby determine the rotation angle of the handle. The relationship with the detected value of the rotation angle of the handle by the angle detection means is adjusted.

  (1) First, the player puts his / her finger on the finger hook portion of the handle located at the initial position, and resists the urging by the urging means within the separation permission range with the first gear and the second gear engaged. Rotate the handle.

  (2) Next, the player slides the handle in the rotated state in the forward direction of the ball game machine (the forward direction for the player) to separate the first gear from the second gear. As a result, the angle detection means is left in a state where the turning angle of the handle when the first gear is separated from the second gear is converted into an electrical signal.

  (3) Next, the player rotates the handle in the direction opposite to the operation direction according to the urging force of the urging means to return to the initial position.

  (4) Next, the player slides the handle in the rearward direction of the ball game machine (backward direction for the player) to engage the first gear with the second gear. As a result, with the handle positioned at the initial position, the angle detection means outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the handle at the time “(2)”.

  (5) Finally, the player rotates the handle to the angle at which the game ball is fired at a desired launch strength against the bias by the biasing means.

  By performing the operations of the procedures “(1)” to “(5)” in this way, the rotation angle of the handle corresponding to the launching strength of the game ball can be changed without changing the way the finger is placed on the finger rest. Can be adjusted small.

  Further, since a means for defining a separation permission range that allows a separation of the first gear with respect to the second gear, which is a part of the rotation range of the handle, is provided, it corresponds to the launch strength of the game ball. After adjusting the rotation angle of the handle to a small value, the handle can be prevented from sliding in the direction of the player during the game.

[2] A launch handle device for a ball game machine according to the present invention is the launch handle device for a ball game machine according to “[1]”, wherein the handle is in a touched state touched by a player's hand. And a detection value of the rotation angle of the input shaft based on an electrical signal from the angle detection means when the state where the touch state is not detected by the touch detection means continues for a predetermined time. And a resetting means for setting to a bullet ball game machine launching device.

  In the firing handle device of the ball game machine described in “[2]”, when the state in which the touch state is not detected by the touch detection unit continues for a predetermined time, the reset unit detects the rotation angle of the input shaft, that is, the handle. The detected value of the rotation angle is set to zero. Thereby, after the player finishes the game and leaves the seat, it can be prevented that the turning angle of the handle corresponding to the launch intensity of the game ball is left small.

  According to the present invention, the player operates the handle as described in “(1)” to “(5)”, so that the player can deal with the launch intensity of the game ball without changing how to put the finger on the finger-hanging portion. The rotation angle of the handle to be adjusted can be reduced. Thereby, it is possible to make the player compatible with reducing the degree of twisting of the forearm and wrist while maintaining the rotation angle of the handle and firing the game ball with a desired firing strength, and therefore , Can contribute to reducing the accumulation of physical fatigue of the player.

1 is an external perspective view of a pachinko machine that is a ball game machine according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a mechanism part of a launching handle device provided in the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1 and a state in which a first gear meshes with a second gear in a transmission means provided in the mechanism part. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the 1st gear shown in FIG. 2 left | separated from the 2nd gear. It is the figure which looked at the notch part and movable protrusion which prescribe | separate the separation permission range which permits separation with respect to the 2nd gear of the 1st gear from the IV arrow direction of FIG. It is a figure which shows the notch part and movable protrusion which were seen from the V arrow direction of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which the movable protrusion shown in FIG. 5 moved ahead rather than the control board part with the slide to the front of a handle | steering-wheel. It is a figure which shows the state which the movable protrusion and the fixed protrusion have prevented that a handle | steering-wheel is rotated in the direction which resists the urging | biasing force of a torsion spring beyond a notch part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure with which the launching handle apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention was equipped for control of the launching apparatus.

  A pachinko machine representing a ball game machine equipped with a firing handle device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a pachinko machine P includes a vertical rectangular machine frame 1 installed in an island facility of a game hall, a front frame 2 attached to the machine frame 1 so as to be openable and closable, and a front frame. 2, a game board (not shown) having a game area on the front surface, and a glass door that is attached to the front surface of the front frame 2 so as to be openable and closable, and has a large opening 4a at the center. 4, a transparent glass plate 5 attached to the opening 4 a of the glass door 4, a front board 6 having a tray 7 attached to the lower side of the front frame 2 so as to be openable and closable and containing a game ball, A handle 8 attached to the board 6 and a speaker 9 provided at the upper part of the glass door 4 and controlled to emit various sound effects relating to the game are provided.

  The handle 8 is turned to instruct the launching device 60 (described later) the launching intensity of the game ball launched into the game area. Finger hanging portions 8 a, 8 b, and 8 c that protrude in a direction intersecting the rotation center line of the handle 8 are provided in a partial region in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the handle 8, for example, a region corresponding to the upper half circumference. Yes.

  The mechanism part of the launching handle device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the mechanism unit 10 of the firing handle device has a cylindrical base body 11. The base body 11 is provided to project forward from the front surface of the pachinko machine P in the area on the right side of the front board 6 described above. An annular shaft portion 11 a is formed at the front end portion of the base body 11. Since the annular shaft portion 11a is inserted into the handle 8 from the rear side, the handle 8 is rotatable with respect to the base body 11 and forward (arrow A in FIG. 3). Direction).

  A rod-like portion 12 extending in the front-rear direction is fixed to the handle 8. The rod-like portion 12 is positioned through the handle 8. The center line of the rod-shaped part 12 is located on the rotation center line of the handle 8. A torsion spring 13 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the rod-like portion 12. One end of the torsion spring 13 is locked to the handle 8, and the other end is locked to the base body 11. The torsion spring 13 urges the handle 8 via the rod-like portion 12 in the direction opposite to the direction of the rotation of the handle 8 that commands the increase in firing strength. That is, the torsion spring 13 is a biasing means that biases the handle 8 in a direction to return to the initial position of the rotation range of the handle 8.

  The rod-shaped portion 12 protruding forward of the handle 8 is covered with a bowl-shaped face cover 14 that swells away from the base body 11. The face cover 14 is attached to the base body 11 so that it cannot rotate and cannot slide. A cylindrical portion 14 a protruding in the direction of the base body 11 is provided on the inner surface of the face cover 14. A front end portion of the rod-like portion 12 is rotatably inserted into the cylindrical portion 14a. A coil spring 15 is provided in the cylindrical portion 14a. Between the coil spring 15 and the rod-shaped portion 12, a slide member 16 is provided that is slidable in the front-rear direction within the cylindrical portion 14a. The coil spring 15 always urges the rod-shaped portion 12 backward via the slide member 16. The handle 8 is urged by a coil spring 15 via a rod-like portion 12. That is, the coil spring 15 is an urging means for urging the handle 8 backward.

  A plate-like base portion 11 b is provided inside the shaft portion 11 a of the base body 11. The base portion 11b is provided with an optical rotary encoder 40 as angle detection means for converting the rotation angle of the input shaft 40a into an angle signal which is an electrical signal and outputting the angle signal. The input shaft 40a is positioned so as to protrude from the base portion 11b toward the handle 8 side.

  The mechanism unit 10 includes a transmission unit 21 that transmits the rotation of the handle 8 to the input shaft 40 a of the rotary encoder 40. The transmission means 21 is fixed to the rod-shaped portion 12 that slides together with the handle 8, the first gear 22 (bevel gear) fixed to the rear end portion of the rod-shaped portion 12, and the input shaft 40a of the rotary encoder 40. The second gear 23 (bevel gear) meshes with the first gear 22. The position of the first gear 22 is set so as to be separated from the second gear 23 when the handle 8 is slid forward.

  A separation detection switch 42 that is a push switch is provided at a position of the base portion 11 b facing the first gear 22. In a state where the first gear 22 and the second gear 23 are engaged with each other, the separation detection switch 42 is held in a state of being pressed by the first gear 22 and outputs an ON signal (electric signal). As shown in FIG. 3, when the first gear 22 is separated from the second gear 23 as the handle 8 slides in the forward direction (arrow A direction), the separation detection switch 42 is not pressed by the first gear 22. Turn off.

  A slide restricting member 30 is fixed to the cylindrical portion 14a. The slide restricting member 30 has a restricting plate portion 31 located between the torsion spring 13 and the cylindrical portion 14a. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the restricting plate portion 31 has an insertion hole 32 through which the rod-like portion 12 is slidably inserted, and extends a predetermined length in the circumferential direction of the rod-like portion 12, and is continuous with the insertion hole 32. Arc-shaped cutout 33 is provided. A movable protrusion 12 a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rod-like portion 12 so as to protrude. The restricting plate portion 31 is located in front of the movable protrusion 12a. As shown in FIG. 6, the movable projection 12 a is notched in the restriction plate portion 31 when the rod-like portion 12 slides in the forward direction (arrow A direction) with respect to the restriction plate portion 31 as the handle 8 slides forward. The shape and dimensions are set such that the portion 33 can pass through. The position of the first gear 22 is set so that the first gear 22 is separated from the second gear 23 when the handle 8 slides forward and the movable protrusion 12 a passes through the notch 33. The notch 33 and the movable protrusion 12 a constitute a means for defining a separation permission range R that permits the separation of the first gear 22 with respect to the second gear 23 within the rotation range of the handle 8. The separation permission range R is an intermediate position (from the initial position side of the limit position of the rotation operation) corresponding to the firing strength assumed to be most used in the game from the initial position (rotation angle 0 °) of the handle 8. (Position) is set to the initial position range.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a fixing projection 34 is provided on the front surface of the regulation plate portion 31 so as to protrude forward. The fixed protrusion 34 is configured to move the movable protrusion 12a in a direction against the urging force of the torsion spring 13 (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 7) in a state where the movable protrusion 12a is positioned in front of the restricting plate portion 31. The limit position is specified. As shown in FIG. 7, the cutout portion 33 extends to a position that permits the backward movement of the movable protrusion 12 a in a state where the movement of the movable protrusion 12 a is restricted by the fixed protrusion 34.

  The structure which concerns on control of the launching handle apparatus concerning this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG.

  Conductive plating is applied to the entire surface of the handle 8, and a touch sensor 41 (shown in FIG. 8) is connected to the conductive plating. The touch sensor 41 converts the conductive plating and the change in the electrostatic capacity due to the contact / separation of the object with respect to the conductive plating into an electrostatic signal which is an electrical signal and outputs the signal.

  The angle signal, the capacitance signal, and the ON signal output from the rotary encoder 40, the touch sensor 41, and the separation detection switch 42 are all input to the control device 50.

  The control device 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores control programs and data, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores processing information generated by the CPU and deletes the stored information. Etc., and controls the launching device 60 by executing processing based on the control program and data stored in the ROM. The launching device 60 has a hitting ball cage (not shown) provided so as to be able to hit a game ball, and a solenoid (not shown) for driving the hitting ball cage, and is supplied to the solenoid. The greater the current, the greater the striking force on the game ball, that is, the firing strength. The control device 50 is provided on the lower back surface of the pachinko machine P. The launching device 60 is provided inside the front frame 2 and is covered with the front board 6.

  The control device 50 includes firing intensity control means 51 that converts an angle signal from the rotary encoder 40 into a current supplied to the solenoid of the launching device 60. In the conversion from the angle signal to the current by the firing intensity control means, the current value is set to be larger as the rotation angle of the input shaft 40a indicated by the angle signal, that is, the rotation angle of the handle 8 is larger.

  The control device 50 further includes a launch prohibiting unit 52 that prohibits the launch of the game ball regardless of the angle signal from the rotary encoder 40 when a preset condition is satisfied. This firing prohibiting means 52 is based on the electrostatic capacity signal from the touch sensor 41, the touch determination means 52 a for determining whether or not the handle 8 is touched by the player's hand, and the ON signal from the separation detection switch 42. There is a separation determination means 52b for determining whether the first gear 22 is separated from the second gear 23 based on the presence or absence. The conditions for prohibiting the firing by the firing prohibiting means 52 are a judgment result that the judgment result by the touch judgment means 52a is not in the touched state (non-touch state), and the judgment result by the separation judging means 52b is the first gear. That is, it is a determination result that 22 is in a state of being separated from the second gear 23, and at least one determination result is obtained.

  The conductive plating, the touch sensor 41, and the touch determination unit 52a described above constitute a touch detection unit that detects whether or not the handle 8 is touched by the player's hand.

  The control device 50 further includes a reset unit 53 that zeroes the detected value of the angle of the input shaft 40 a by the rotary encoder 40, that is, the angle of the handle 8. The reset means 53 has time measuring means 53a for measuring the duration of the non-touch state from the time point determined by the touch determination means 52a as the non-touch state, and the time measured by the time measurement means 53a is a predetermined time. When the time is reached, the detection value of the rotation angle of the input shaft 40a based on the angle signal from the rotary encoder 40, that is, the detection value of the rotation angle of the handle 8 is set to zero. The reset time is set to a time when there is no support when it is determined that the player has finished the game or has left the seat by interrupting the game.

  Next, the operation of the firing handle apparatus according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  The player adjusts the relationship between the rotation angle of the handle 8 and the rotation angle of the handle 8 by the rotary encoder 40 by performing the operations of the following procedures “(1)” to “(5)”.

  (1) First, the player places his / her finger on at least one of the finger hooks 8a, 8b, 8c, and is biased by the torsion spring 13 within the separation permission range R with the first gear 22 and the second gear 23 engaged. The handle 8 is rotated against the above.

  (2) Next, the player slides the handle 8 in the rotated state in the forward direction of the pachinko machine P (the forward direction for the player) to separate the first gear 22 from the second gear 23. As a result, the rotary encoder 40 is left in a state in which the rotation angle of the handle 8 when the first gear 22 is separated from the second gear 23 is converted into an angle signal. At this time, since the separation detection switch 42 does not output an ON signal, the firing prohibiting means 52 of the control device 50 determines that the first gear 22 is separated from the second gear 23 by the separation determining means 52b, and the firing device 60 The current to the solenoid is cut off and the launch of the game ball is prohibited.

  (3) Next, the player rotates the handle 8 in the direction opposite to the operation direction according to the urging force of the rotary encoder 40 to return to the initial position.

  (4) Next, the player slides the handle 8 in the backward direction of the pachinko machine P (backward direction for the player), and engages the first gear 22 with the second gear 23. Accordingly, with the handle 8 positioned at the initial position, the rotary encoder 40 outputs an angle signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the handle 8 at the time “(2)”. Further, since the separation detection switch 42 is outputting an ON signal, the firing prohibiting means 52 of the control device 50 determines that the first gear 22 is engaged with the second gear 23 by the separation determining means 52b, and fires. The supply of current to the solenoid of the device 60 is resumed.

  (5) Finally, the player turns the handle 8 against the urging force of the torsion spring 13 until the game ball is launched at a desired launch intensity.

  By performing the operations of the procedures “(1)” to “(5)” in this way, the handle corresponding to the firing strength of the game ball without changing the way the fingers are hooked on the finger hooks 8a, 8b, 8c. The rotation angle of 8 can be adjusted small.

  According to the launching handle device according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  As described above, the launch handle device according to the present embodiment rotates the handle 8 corresponding to the launch strength of the game ball by the player performing the operation according to the procedures “(1)” to “(5)”. The angle can be adjusted small. Thereby, it is possible to make the player compatible with reducing the degree of twisting of the forearm and wrist while maintaining the rotation angle of the handle 8 and firing the game ball with a desired firing strength, Therefore, it is possible to contribute to reducing the accumulation of physical fatigue of the player.

  In the firing handle device according to this embodiment, when the determination of the non-touch state by the touch determination unit 52a continues for a predetermined time, the reset unit 53 detects the rotation angle detection value of the input shaft 40a based on the angle signal from the rotary encoder 40, That is, the detected value of the rotation angle of the handle 8 is set to zero. Thereby, after the player finishes the game and leaves the seat, it can be prevented that the turning angle of the handle 8 corresponding to the launch intensity of the game ball is left small.

  In the launching handle device according to the present embodiment, the separation allowance range R is an intermediate position (turning) corresponding to the launching intensity assumed to be most used in the game from the initial position (turning angle 0 °) of the handle 8. The position is set in a range closer to the initial position than the limit position of the operation). That is, it is set in a range that does not reach the normal range of launch intensity. As a result, during the game after the rotation angle of the handle 8 corresponding to the launch strength of the game ball is adjusted to be small, the handle 8 moves unexpectedly, the launch of the game ball is stopped, and the player It can be prevented from suffering disadvantages. For example, if the handle 8 moves forward in a state where the player easily obtains a prize ball, such as a big hit state, and the launch of the game ball is stopped, the player is deprived of part or all of the time for playing the big hit game, If the game ball is not stopped, there will be a disadvantage of missing a prize ball that should have been obtained. This situation can be prevented.

  In the firing handle device according to this embodiment, the limit position of the movement of the movable protrusion 12a in the direction against the urging force of the torsion spring 13 is defined by the fixed protrusion 34, so that the setting is made by the notch 33 and the movable protrusion 12a. Even if the handle 8 is rotated in a direction against the urging force of the torsion spring 13 beyond the separation allowance range R, and the handle 8 is pressed backward in the pachinko machine P, the first gear 22 is Occurrence of a situation where the two gears 23 cannot be engaged can be prevented.

  In the firing handle device according to the present embodiment, the firing prohibiting means 52 determines whether or not the first gear 22 is separated from the second gear 23 based on the presence or absence of an ON signal from the separation detecting switch 42 by the separation determining means 52b. When the result of this determination shows that the first gear 22 is in a state of being separated from the second gear 23, the launching of the game ball is prohibited. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the game ball from being fired while the rotation angle of the handle 8 corresponding to the launch strength of the game ball is being changed to be small.

8 Handle 8 a, 8 b, 8 c Finger hanging part 11 Base body 12 Rod-like part 12 a Movable protrusion 13 Torsion spring 15 Coil spring 21 Transmission means 22 First gear 23 Second gear 30 Slide restriction member 31 Restriction plate part 32 Insertion hole 33 Notch part 34 Fixed protrusion 40 Rotary encoder 40a Input shaft 41 Touch sensor 50 Control device

Claims (2)

A base body that protrudes forward from the front of the ball game machine, a handle that is rotatably supported by the front end of the base body, and that has a finger-hanging portion on the outer peripheral surface; Urging means for urging in the returning direction, angle detection means for converting the rotation angle of the input shaft into an electrical signal, and output, and transmission means for transmitting the rotation of the handle to the input shaft. In the launch handle device of a ball game machine,
The transmission means includes a first gear fixed to the handle, and a second gear fixed to the input shaft and meshed with the first gear.
The handle is supported slidably forward with respect to the base body,
The position of the first gear is set so as to be separated from the second gear when the handle is slid forward.
A launching handle device for a ball game machine, characterized in that means for defining a separation allowance range for permitting the separation of the first gear with respect to the second gear is provided within a rotation range of the handle. A launch handle device for a ball game machine. In the firing handle device of the ball game machine according to claim 1,
Touch detection means for detecting whether the handle is touched by a player's hand; and
A reset means for setting the detected value of the rotation angle of the input shaft based on the electrical signal from the angle detection means to zero when the state where the touch state is not detected by the touch detection means continues for a predetermined time; A launching handle device for a ball game machine characterized by being provided.

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