JP2011234967A - Rotating lamp device for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rotating lamp device for a game machine configured to achieve variegated light emission rendering without enlarging the whole device.SOLUTION: A flashing alarm lamp device 50 includes LEDs 55 emitting light; a reflecting plate 57 and a decorative plate 67 provided around the LEDs 55; a first gear 58 connected to the reflecting plate 57; a second gear 68 connected to the decorative plate 67; a driving motor 84 generating rotational driving force; a driving gear 85 connected to the driving motor 84 so that the rotational driving force from the driving motor 84 is transmitted thereto; a movable gear 94 transmitting the rotational driving force of the driving gear 85 to the first gear 58 and the second gear 68; and a driving control means for controlling rotational driving of the driving motor 84. The movable gear 94 transmits the rotational driving force from the driving gear 85 selectively to the first gear 58 and the second gear 68 according to the rotational driving direction of the driving motor 84 to selectively rotate the reflecting plate 57 and the decorative plate 67 around the LEDs 55.

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotating lamp device of a gaming machine represented by a patrol lamp or the like.

  Conventionally, a pachinko machine, which is a type of gaming machine, is generally known in which a center ornament is arranged at the center of a game board constituting a gaming area, and the center ornament is provided with a symbol display device such as a liquid crystal display device. In addition, when a game ball wins in the start winning opening provided in the game area, a combination of symbols when a plurality of symbols are changed and then stopped and displayed on the symbol display device is a preset winning symbol. In this case, a special gaming state (big hit) is established. In this special gaming state, the variable winning opening (large winning opening) provided at the lower part of the gaming area is opened to facilitate the winning of game balls, and the player can acquire a large number of game balls. Yes.

  In addition, a center decoration is known that includes a symbol display device and a rotating lamp device generally called a patrol lamp. This rotating lamp device is configured to include a light source such as an LED and a reflecting plate. For example, in a big hit state or a reach state, an effective light can be obtained by rotating the reflecting plate around the light source while emitting light. It is possible to produce. And in recent years, in order to enable a variety of lighting effects in the rotating lamp device, another rotating body with a different orbit around the light source is rotated around the light source to increase the player's interest and improve interest. Have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-253679 A

  However, in the conventional rotating lamp device, in order to independently rotate two rotating bodies having different orbits around the light source, a plurality of driving sources such as an electric motor are provided, and further, a driving force from the driving source is provided. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a plurality of transmission mechanisms for transmitting each of the lamps to the movable body, resulting in an increase in manufacturing cost and the number of parts, and an increase in the size of the rotating lamp device. In addition, with the recent trend toward large-sized symbol display screens (liquid crystal display screens), it may be difficult to secure the accommodation space for the rotating lamp device in the center decoration.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a rotating lamp device for a gaming machine having a configuration capable of realizing various light emission effects without increasing the size of the entire device. And

  In order to achieve such an object, a revolving light device for a gaming machine according to the present invention includes a light source that emits light (for example, the LED 55 in the present embodiment) and light emitted from the light source provided around the light source. The first rotating body (for example, the reflection plate 57 in the present embodiment) and the second rotating body (for example, the decorative plate 67 in the present embodiment) capable of reflecting, transmitting, or shielding light are coupled to the first rotating body. A first gear, a second gear coupled to the second rotating body, a drive source for generating a rotational driving force (for example, the drive motor 84 in the present embodiment), and rotation from the drive source coupled to the drive source. A driving gear to which the driving force is transmitted, a transmission means for transmitting the rotational driving force of the driving gear to the first gear and the second gear (for example, the movable gear 94 in the present embodiment), and the rotational driving of the driving source are controlled. Drive control means (for example, First and second drive control means 142, 143) in the embodiment, and the transmission means selects the rotational drive force from the drive gear to the first gear and the second gear according to the rotational drive direction of the drive source. The first rotating body and the second rotating body are selectively rotated around the light source.

  In the above-described invention, the first and second gears are arranged concentrically along the rotation axis direction, and the transmission means is arranged between the first and second gears and the drive gear. A first reference position meshing with the drive gear and the first gear and a second reference position meshing with the drive gear and the second gear along an arc locus concentric with the rotation shafts of the first and second gears. A movable gear provided so as to be reciprocally movable, a drive source and a drive gear are integrally supported, and a support means provided so as to be movable in the axial direction between the first and second gears and the drive gear (for example, In the embodiment, the motor base 82 and the connecting plate 83) and the supporting means are urged toward the first and second gears in the inter-axis direction, so that the movable gear and the drive gear are separated from each other regardless of the moving position of the movable gear. Keep the distance constant and make the drive gear a movable gear When the driving source is driven in the first rotational driving direction (for example, the reverse rotation direction R2 in the embodiment), the movable gear is a driving gear. The first rotating body is rotated around the light source via the first gear, and is rotated in the rotational tangential direction at the meshing position with the driving gear and moved to the first reference position. When the drive source is driven in the second rotational drive direction (for example, the forward rotation direction R1 in the embodiment), the movable gear rotates by the rotational drive force from the drive gear and rotates at the meshing position with the drive gear. It is preferable to move in the tangential direction to move to the second reference position and rotate the second rotating body around the light source via the second gear.

  According to the rotating lamp device of the gaming machine according to the present invention, the rotational driving force from the transmission gear is changed to the first by simply changing the rotational driving direction of the single driving source without requiring a plurality of driving sources and driving mechanisms. Since the first rotating body and the second rotating body can be rotated independently around the light source by selectively transmitting to the gear and the second gear, the manufacturing cost is reduced, the number of parts is reduced, and thus It is possible to save space by reducing the size of the entire apparatus, and to make a game effect that further arouses the player's game motivation through various light emission effects.

  Further, in the above-described invention, a configuration is provided in which a movable gear that selectively moves to a first reference position that meshes with the first gear and a second reference position that meshes with the second gear according to the rotational driving direction of the drive source is provided. By doing so, the structure of the whole rotary lamp device can be further simplified.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine shown as a typical example of the gaming machine provided with the patrol device according to the present embodiment. It is a rear view of the pachinko machine. It is a front view of the game board provided in the pachinko machine. It is a perspective view of the said patrol device. It is a top view of the said patrol device. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow VI-VI in FIG. 5. It is sectional drawing along arrow VII-VII of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the game control means which performs the game control of the said pachinko machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the symbol element acquisition means, the effect determination means, and effect pattern group memory of the said game control means. It is a table | surface explaining the luminescent color of the patrol device determined by the lighting control means of the game control means. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the patrol device, where (a) is when the movable gear is at the first reference position, (b) is when the movable gear is at an intermediate position between the first reference position and the second reference position (c ) Shows a case where the movable gear is in the second reference position.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a front view and a rear view of a pachinko machine PM as a representative example of a gaming machine provided with a rotating lamp device (patrolling device) according to the present invention, and a gaming board 10 mounted on the pachinko machine PM. A front view of the pachinko machine PM is first outlined with reference to this figure.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine PM has a rectangular frame size adapted to the front of the opening of the outer frame 1 that forms a vertically fixed holding frame that is configured to have an outer rectangular frame size. The front frame 2 is formed by an upper and lower hinge mechanism 3a, 3b disposed on the front left edge of each other so that it can be opened and closed laterally and attached and detached, and is referred to as a double lock provided on the front right edge. The locking device 4 is always used to keep the closed state engaged with the outer frame 1.

  On the front side of the front frame 2, a rectangular glass door 5 and a ball tray unit 6 that match the upper front area of the front frame 2 are installed horizontally by using hinge mechanisms 7 a, 7 b, 7 c provided on the left side of the front side. It is assembled so that it can be opened and closed and detachable, and is always kept closed using the locking device 4 so as to cover the front surface of the front frame 2. An operation handle 8 for performing a game ball launching operation is provided at the lower right side of the front surface of the ball tray unit 6. A rectangular frame-shaped storage frame (not shown) for detachably storing the game board 10 is provided on the upper portion of the front frame 2 located behind the glass door 5, and a predetermined gauge setting is provided in the storage frame. The configured game board 10 is detachably set and held, and the game area PA in front of the game board 10 is exposed through the glass door 5 that is always held closed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the game board 10 includes a decorative board 11 formed by attaching a cell printed with a predetermined pattern on a rectangular laminated plywood subjected to router processing or the like. On the front surface of the decorative plate 11, a substantially circular game area PA is defined by being surrounded by upper and lower rail decorations 12a and 12b. The game area PA of the game board 10 is provided with a number of game nails (not shown) and a windmill 13 or the like, and various effect pattern images and symbols are displayed near the center of the game area PA. A center decoration 20 to which a symbol display device 21 and a patrol device for performing effects according to the development of the game are attached is provided.

  A start winning device 15 is provided below the game area PA (below the center ornament 20), and when the game ball passes through the start winning port, a start opening winning detecting device 15a provided in the start winning device 15 (FIG. 8) and discharged to the back side of the game board 10. Further, general winning devices 14 are respectively provided on the left and right of the start winning device 15, and when a game ball passes through the general winning port, a general winning port winning detection device 14a (see FIG. 8) and discharged to the back side of the game board 10.

  Furthermore, a large winning device (attacker) 16 capable of opening and closing a large winning opening is provided below the start winning device 15. The special winning device 16 opens the special winning opening using the special winning opening driving device 16b (see FIG. 8) during the special game so that the game ball can easily pass through the special winning opening. When the game ball passes through the big winning opening, it is detected by the big winning opening detecting device 16a (see FIG. 8) provided in the big winning device 16 and discharged to the back side of the game board 10. . Further, at the lower end of the game area PA, there is provided an out port 17 through which game balls that have fallen without winning in each winning device are discharged to the back side of the game board 10.

  In addition, four holding ball lamps 22 for displaying the number of winning balls dropped into the start winning device 15 during the variation of the symbols by the symbol display device 21 are provided below the symbol display device 21. In the present embodiment, each time the start winning device 15 is awarded with a maximum of four (during symbol variation), the holding ball lamp 22 is turned on one by one, and each time the variation symbol variation display is started, The holding ball lamps 22 that are lit are turned off one by one.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a back set board 30 formed in a rectangular frame shape somewhat smaller than the inner size of the outer frame 1 is detachably attached to the back side of the front frame 2. The back set board 30 is formed in a frame shape having a large window opening 30a that opens in communication with the front and rear in an upper region located behind the game board 10, and a game ball is placed above the window opening 30a. A sphere storage tank 31 to be stored and a tank rail 32 which is connected to the sphere storage tank 31 and is slanted gently are provided, and guided to the right side of the window opening 30a in a rear view by the tank rail 32 in an aligned state in front and back. A ball payout device 33 for paying out game balls based on a winning state on the game board 10, and a prize ball mechanism such as a payout passage for guiding the game balls paid out from the ball payout device 33 to the ball tray of the ball tray unit 6 are provided. ing.

  Further, on the back of the back set panel 30, a control unit, a power supply unit 41 for supplying power to electronic components, a main control board 42 for comprehensively controlling the operation of the pachinko machine PM, image display, effect lighting, sound effects, etc. Various substrates and electronic components such as a sub-control board 43 that mainly controls game effects and a ball payout control board 44 that controls the payout operation of game balls are attached, and these are connected by a connector cable (not shown). The pachinko machine PM is configured to be operable.

  The pachinko machine PM is used for a game in which the outer frame 1 is fixedly installed on the game island (installation frame base) of the game facility, and the front frame 2, the glass door 5, the ball tray unit 6 and the like are closed and locked. The game is started by storing the game ball in the ball tray of the tray unit 6 and rotating the launch handle 8. When the firing handle 8 is turned, one game ball stored in the ball tray of the ball tray unit 6 is played by a game ball launching device (not shown) disposed on the back side of the ball tray unit 6. Each time it is launched into the game area PA, a pachinko game is developed.

  Next, a patrol lamp device (rotary lamp device) 50 provided in the center ornament 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 is a perspective view of the patrol device 50, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the patrol device 50, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows VI-VI in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is taken along arrows VII-VII in FIG. FIG. In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the illustration of the LED substrate (LED) is omitted for convenience of explanation.

  The patrol lamp device 50 is mainly configured by a light source side unit 50a provided on the front side of the center ornament 20 and a drive source side unit 50b provided on the back side of the light source side unit 50a. ing. In the following description, the front and rear directions, the left and right directions, and the up and down directions indicated in the drawings will be referred to as front and rear directions, left and right directions, and up and down directions, respectively.

  The light source side unit 50a includes a base member 51 provided on the front surface side of the center ornament 20, an LED substrate 54 provided upright on the base member 51, a rotation support member 61 provided horizontally on the base member 51, a base A first rotation member 56 provided rotatably between the member 51 and the rotation support member 61, a pressing member 73 provided on the upper surface side of the rotation support member 61, and the rotation support member 61 and the pressing member 73. And a second rotating member 66 provided so as to be freely rotatable between them. For example, a portion exposed to the upper side from the base member 51 is covered with a transparent bell-shaped cover body (not shown). ing.

  The base member 51 has a substantially rectangular box-shaped base frame portion 52 whose upper surface side and rear surface side are open, and a substantially semi-cylindrical support portion 53 that protrudes upward from the bottom plate of the base frame portion 52. Yes. An LED substrate 54 is provided in an upright posture so as to be surrounded by the inner surface side of the support portion 53 from the bottom plate of the base frame portion 52.

  The LED substrate 54 is formed in a rectangular plate shape extending in the vertical direction, and LEDs (light emitting diodes) 55 and 55 as light sources capable of full-color light emission are attached to the planar front side and back side.

  The first rotating member 56 includes a reflecting plate 57 for rotating (turning) around the LED 55 to reflect / block light emitted from the LED 55, and a base end portion (lower portion) of the reflecting plate 57. The first gear 58 is integrally formed coaxially (with the same rotation center axis extending in the vertical direction). The reflecting plate 57 is formed in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, and the entire inner peripheral surface of the concave shape forms a reflecting surface 57a that is, for example, metal-plated and mirror-finished. The first gear 58 is an involute tooth type spur gear, and a circular insertion hole 59 through which the LED board 54 is inserted in the vertical direction is provided at the center thereof. In addition, circular grooves 58a and 58b each having a larger diameter than the support portion 53 of the base member 51 are provided on the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the first gear 58, respectively. The support portion 53 of the base member 51 formed in an R shape is loosely inserted, and the first gear 58 is placed on the support portion 53 in a horizontal posture. Therefore, the first rotation member 56 is rotatably supported while being slidably contacted with the tip of the support portion 53 while being positioned in the axial direction and the radial direction by the support portion 53 of the base member 51.

  Note that a photosensor 60 (see FIG. 8) composed of a light projecting element and a light receiving element is disposed at the origin position of the first rotating member 56 (position where the moving operation is started). Thus, it is detected that the first rotating member 56 has returned to the origin position. The origin position of the first rotating member 56 is set to a position where the reflecting plate 57 stops on the back side of the LED board 54 (see the state of FIG. 11B).

  The rotation support member 61 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, and its peripheral portion is fixed after being inserted and positioned in a stepped portion 52 a formed along the inner peripheral surface of the side wall of the base member 51. An insertion hole 62 having a larger diameter than the rotation trajectory of the reflecting plate 56 is provided at the center of the rotation support member 61. C-shaped guide ribs 61a and 61b are integrally formed in a plan view which is located radially outward from the insertion hole 62 and protrudes upward and downward, and the lower guide rib 61b is formed as a first gear. 58 is loosely inserted into the upper groove 58a to prevent the first gear 58 from floating up.

  The second rotating member 66 includes a decorative plate 67 formed in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape having a diameter larger than that of the reflecting plate 57, and is coaxially (upper and lower) at the base end portion (lower portion) of the decorative plate 67. The second gear 68 is formed integrally with the same rotation center axis extending in the direction. The 1st rotation member 56 and the 2nd rotation member 66 are arrange | positioned so that it can rotate respectively coaxially (namely, the circumference | surroundings of LED55).

  The decorative plate 67 is formed using a light-transmitting synthetic resin (for example, polycarbonate), and transmits light emitted from the LED 55 from the inside to the outside to be emitted to the outside of the pachinko machine PM. Yes. The entire decorative board 67 does not have to be translucent. For example, only a part of a predetermined shape imitating the outer shape of a character or the like has translucency, and other parts have light-shielding properties. Good.

  The second gear 68 is an involute tooth type spur gear having substantially the same shape as the first gear 58, and an insertion hole 69 having a larger diameter than the rotation locus of the reflecting plate is formed at the center thereof. Further, circular grooves 68a and 68b formed larger in diameter than the guide ribs 61a and 61b of the rotation support member 61 are provided on the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the second gear 68, respectively. The second guide gear 68 is placed on the rotation support member 61 in a horizontal posture by loosely inserting the upper guide rib 61a formed in the R shape at the tip 68b. Therefore, the second rotating member 66 is rotatably supported while being slidably contacted with the tip end of the guide rib 61a while being positioned in the axial direction and the radial direction by the guide rib 61a of the rotation support member 61.

  Note that a photosensor 70 (see FIG. 8) composed of a light projecting element and a light receiving element is disposed at the origin position of the second rotating member 66 (position where the moving operation is started). Thus, it is detected that the second rotating member 66 has returned to the origin position. Furthermore, a photosensor 71 (FIG. 8) including a light projecting element and a light receiving element is disposed at a position where the second rotating member 66 performs a light emission effect by the decorative plate 67 (hereinafter referred to as “effect position”). The photo sensor 71 detects that the second rotating member 66 is in the effect position. The origin position of the second rotating member 66 is set to a position where the decorative plate 67 stops on the back side of the LED substrate 54 (see the state of FIG. 11A), and the effect position is the decorative plate 67 of the LED substrate 54. It is set to a position where it stops on the front side (see the state of FIG. 11C).

  The holding member 72 includes an arc belt-like base plate 73 fixed to the upper surface side of the rotation support member 61, and an upper frame body 74 that extends upward from the inner side of the base plate 73 and then bends inward. Yes. An upper surface inner portion of the upper frame 74 is formed to have a larger diameter than the rotation locus of the decorative plate 67, and a pressing rib 74a having a tip R shape is integrally formed protruding downward from the inner surface portion of the upper surface. The holding rib 74 a is loosely inserted into the upper circular groove 68 a of the second rotating member 66, and prevents the second gear 68 from being lifted.

  On the other hand, the drive source side unit 50b includes a base 80 disposed facing the base member 51 of the light source side unit 50a in the front-rear direction, and a pair of motors provided on the base 80 so as to be reciprocally movable in the front-rear direction. A base 82, a drive motor 84 fixed to the upper surface of the motor base 82, a drive gear 85 coupled to the output shaft of the drive motor 84, and a base 80 and the motor bases 82, 82; A pair of coil springs 86, 86 mounted, and a movable gear 94 that externally meshes with the drive gear 85 are configured. The drive source side unit 50b is hidden behind the light source side unit 50a and covered with a cover body (not shown), so that the player on the front side of the pachinko machine PM is not visually recognized.

  The base 80 has a substantially rectangular box shape with an upper surface side and a front surface side opened, and an accommodation space 80a capable of accommodating the motor bases 82, 82 and the like is formed therein. In this housing space 80a, a pair of left and right rail portions 81, 81 are provided so as to project linearly from the bottom plate of the base 80 and guide the movement of the motor bases 82, 82 in the front-rear direction. ing.

  The motor base 82 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a concave engagement portion (not shown) that can be engaged with the rail portion 81 of the base 80 is formed on the bottom surface side thereof. The pair of motor bases 82 and 82 are respectively engaged and attached to the rail portions 81 and 81 of the base 80 with a predetermined interval in the left-right direction, and are guided by the rail portions 81 and 81 in the front-rear direction. Only movement to is allowed. Further, a rectangular plate-like connecting plate 83 extending in the left-right direction is straddled on the upper surface side of the pair of motor bases 82, 82, so that the motor bases 82, 82 are connected and can move integrally. It has become.

  The drive motor 84 is configured to be rotationally driven in both forward and reverse directions, and is fixed to the upper portion of the connecting plate 83 with the output shaft 84a on which the drive gear 85 is pivotally attached facing downward. For example, a stepping motor or the like is applied as the drive motor 84.

  The drive gear 85 has a central portion fitted and fixed to the output shaft 84a of the drive motor 84 so that the rotational drive force of the drive motor 84 is transmitted to rotate between the pair of left and right motor bases 82,82. It has become. The drive gear 85 is an involute tooth type spur gear and has a tooth width larger than that of the movable gear 94 (for example, about three times larger).

  One end of the coil spring 86 is supported on the back side of the motor base 82, and the other end is supported on the inner surface side of the base 80. The pair of left and right motor bases 82 that support the drive motor 84 and the drive gear 85 are integrated. Therefore, it is always biased forward (in the direction of the axis between the first and second rotating members 56 and 66 and the drive gear 85).

  The slide rail 87 has a pair of side walls 88, 88 curved in an arc shape and a plate-like inclined wall 89 connecting these intermediate portions. The slide rail 87 is substantially H-shaped in a side sectional view and forms the front end of the base 80. It is formed integrally with the part. A sliding surface 89a formed on the upper surface side of the inclined wall 89 of the slide rail 87 is formed in a circular arc shape coaxially with the rotation centers of the first rotating member 56 and the second rotating member 66 in a plan view, and leftward. A guide hole 90 extending in an arc shape along the sliding surface 89a is provided through the inclined wall 89 so as to be inclined upward from the side toward the right side curved in an arc shape. .

  The slide member 91 includes a slider 92 that can be inserted between a pair of side walls 88 in accordance with the shape and dimension of the slide rail 87, and a vertically extending rod-shaped support shaft 93 that is fitted and fixed to the slider 92. The sliding surface 89a is slidable along the slide rail 87. The slide member 91 has upper and lower portions of the support shaft 93 protruding upward and downward from the slider 92, and the lower portion of the support shaft 93 is inserted into the guide hole 90 and enters the partition wall 89 of the slide rail 87 (for example, E-shaped). A movable gear 94 is rotatably attached to the upper portion of the support shaft 93 via a bearing (not shown). Thus, the support shaft 93 is guided in the guide hole 90 of the slide rail 87, so that the slide member 91 is brought into contact with the lower end wall of the guide hole 90 and the slider 92 moves to the left (lowering). ) Is regulated (first reference position), and the support shaft 93 hits the upper end wall in the guide hole 90 and the position (second reference position) where the movement (rise) of the slider 92 to the right is regulated. Can be reciprocated along the slide rail 87 so as to draw an arc.

  The movable gear 94 is an involute tooth type spur gear, and is formed so as to be able to be externally meshed with the drive gear 85. When a rotational driving force is applied from the driving gear 85 as the driving motor 84 rotates, the movable gear 94 rotates about the support shaft 93 and the meshing position of the movable gear 94 and the driving gear 85. And is moved along the slide rail 87 together with the slide member 91. That is, the rotational driving force from the drive gear 85 attempts to move the movable gear 94 in the rotational tangential direction at the meshing position with the drive gear 85 and the rotational force that rotates the movable gear 94. It will work as a driving force. At this time, the rotation direction and the movement direction of the movable gear 94 are determined by the rotation drive direction (forward rotation direction, reverse rotation direction) of the drive motor 84. For example, the drive motor 84 and the drive gear 85 move forward (arrow R1 direction). , The movable gear 94 moves (rises) along the slide rail 87 to the second reference position while rotating counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow A), and the drive motor 84 and the drive gear 85 rotate in the reverse direction. When driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R2, the movable gear 94 rotates in the direction of arrow B and moves (lowers) along the slide rail 87 to the first reference position.

  The movable gear 94 is also formed so as to be able to be externally meshed with the first gear 58 and the second gear 68. When the movable gear 94 is in the first reference position on the slide rail 87, the movable gear 94 meshes with the drive gear 85 and the first gear. 58, and when in the second reference position, meshes with the drive gear 85 and also meshes with the second gear 68, and the rotational driving force applied from the drive motor 84 via the drive gear 85 is applied to the first gear. By transmitting to 58 or the second gear 68, the reflecting plate 57 of the first rotating member 56 or the decorative plate 67 of the second rotating member 66 is rotated around the LED 55.

  At this time, since the movable gear 94 moves along the slide rail 87 formed in an arc shape coaxially with the first gear 58 and the second gear 68, the movable gear 94, the first gear 58, and the second gear are moved. The distance between the shafts 68 and 68 is always kept constant, and the movable gear 94 can be accurately externally meshed with the first gear 58 or the second gear 68 according to its movement position. In contrast, when the movable gear 94 moves along the slide rail 87, the relative position between the movable gear 94 and the drive gear 85 is displaced, but the drive gear 85 is integrated with the motor base 82 and the like. Since the coil spring 86 is always urged forward (movable gear 94 side) by the coil spring 86, the movable gear 94 is movable in the front-rear direction, so that the movable gear 94 moves along the slide rail 87. The meshing position of 94 and the drive gear 85 is also displaced in the circumferential direction (sliding movement direction) and the distance between the shafts of both gears 85 and 94 is kept constant, so that the movable gear 94 is driven regardless of its own moving position. The meshed state with the gear 85 can be maintained. Since the upper and lower corners of the first gear 58 and the second gear 68 are R chamfered, the movable gear 94 is moved with respect to the first gear 58 and the second gear 68 when the movable gear 94 moves. Can mesh smoothly.

  Thus, although the patrol device 50 is a single drive source (drive motor 84), the rotational drive direction of the drive motor 84 is switched to change the position of the movable gear 94 between the first reference position and the second reference position. The rotational driving force of the driving motor 84 is selectively transmitted to the first rotating member 56 and the second rotating member 66, and the reflecting plate 57 and the decorative plate 67 are independently provided around the LED 55. Can be rotated.

  Next, a control device provided in the pachinko machine PM configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Here, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are block diagrams showing an outline of control by the control device. This control device controls the game by the game control means 100 constituted by the main control board 42 (see FIG. 2), the sub control board 43 (see FIG. 2), etc. described above.

  The game control means 100 includes a general winning opening detecting device 14 a provided in the general winning device 14, a starting opening winning detecting device 15 a provided in the starting winning device 15, and a big winning opening detecting device provided in the big winning device 16. 16a etc. are electrically connected, and various detection signals are input to the game control means 100 from these.

  The game control means 100 performs various operation controls in accordance with the detection signals input as described above, and the control target is a ball payout device 33 for paying out a winning ball, and a winning opening of the grand prize winning device 16. Are connected electrically to a winning a prize opening driving device 16b for opening and closing, a symbol display device 21 for displaying images and symbols, a patrol device 50 as a rotating lamp, and the like. These are all controlled based on a control signal from the game control means 100.

  Then, the control content of the game control means 100 is demonstrated. The game control means 100 includes a normal game execution means 110, a special game execution means 150, a high probability game setting means 190, and a payout control means 200 for controlling this game.

  The normal game execution means 110 is for executing and controlling the normal game of the pachinko machine PM, and a winning mouth winning process for performing processing related to winning in each of the winning devices 14, 15, 16 provided in the game area PA. Means 120, special game transition determining means 130 for determining whether or not to shift from the normal game to the special game, and a patrol control means 140 for controlling the lighting of the patrol device 50 are provided. Since the winning opening winning prize processing means 120 is not different from the conventional one, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The special game transition determination means 130 includes a symbol element acquisition means 131, a reserved ball information storage means 132, a winning random number determination means 133, an effect determination means 134, and a symbol control means 135.

  The symbol element acquisition means 131 is for acquiring an element for determining a symbol or image to be displayed on the symbol display device 21 (for example, a hit random number, a stop symbol random number, a production random number). , Stop symbol random number acquisition means 131b and effect random number acquisition means 131c.

  The winning random number acquisition means 131a is for acquiring a random number for determining whether or not to generate a big hit (hereinafter referred to as “winning random number”). For example, a random number of 0 to 65535 (65536 ways) generated by a hardware increment counter is acquired based on the detection signal from the start opening winning detection device 15a described above. Note that the random number in the specification is a concept including a thing that functions as a random number because there is no regularity in the acquisition timing even if it is regular like an increment counter.

  The stop symbol random number acquisition means 131b is for acquiring a random number for determining a stop symbol to be displayed on the symbol display device 21 (hereinafter referred to as “stop symbol random number”). For example, the left symbol determination random number for acquiring 0-9 (10 patterns) random numbers for the left symbol, the middle symbol determination random number for acquiring 0-9 (10 patterns) random numbers for the middle symbol, and the right symbol It consists of the right symbol determination random number for acquiring 0 to 9 (10 types) random numbers.

  The effect random number acquisition means 131c is for acquiring a random number (hereinafter referred to as “effect random number”) for acquiring the effect pattern (any of the effect pattern group memory 134b). For example, 0 to 255 (256 kinds) of random numbers generated by the software increment counter are acquired by the random number determination means 133 before determining the hit.

  The reserved ball information storage unit 132 receives the winning information of the game ball that has won the start winning device 15 (that is, detected by the start port winning detecting device 15a) during the symbol variation display by the symbol control unit 135. A predetermined upper limit number (four in this embodiment) is stored in correspondence with the sphere. In the present embodiment, a winning random number, a stop symbol random number, an effect random number, the number of reserved balls, and the like are stored as winning information. In addition, when a predetermined upper limit number of pieces of reserve ball winning information is stored in the holding ball information storage unit 132, even if more game balls win the start winning device 15, the winning information for the game ball Is not remembered and is invalid. That is, the information acquired for the four game balls that enter the start prize device 15 during symbol variation can be stored, but the fifth and subsequent game balls enter the start prize device 15. However, it is ignored and only a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out. In this embodiment, the number of reserved balls that can be stored is four. However, the number is not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate.

  The winning random number determination means 133 is for determining whether or not to play a special game according to the winning random number, that is, whether or not it is a big hit. For example, the hit value “0 to 200” stored in the ROM is compared with the random number value (one of 0 to 65535) acquired as the previous hit random number, and the random value is determined to be the hit value “0 to 200”. ”Is determined as“ winning ”. Note that, during the probability fluctuation described later, the high probability game setting means 190 causes the jackpot probability to be a high probability (that is, the winning value is “ 0 to 1280 ").

  The effect determining means 134 is for determining various effects in the symbol display device 21 when the symbol display device 21 starts the change of the symbol and then stops the display, and the stop symbol determining means 134a, An effect pattern group memory 134b and effect pattern selection means 134c are provided.

  The stop symbol determination means 134a is for determining a stop symbol according to a stop symbol random number. In this embodiment, the stop symbol is composed of a left symbol, a right symbol, and a middle symbol, and each symbol can display a number from 0 to 9.

  The stop symbol includes a winning symbol and a miss symbol. The winning symbol is a combination of symbols that are stopped and displayed after the variation of the symbol is displayed when the winning random number determining means 133 determines that the game is a winning symbol, such as “7, 7, 7”. The combination of symbols in which all three numbers displayed on the left symbol, the right symbol, and the middle symbol all match. On the other hand, the lost symbol is a combination of symbols that are stopped and displayed after the symbol change display when the game is not determined to be a hit by the random number determining means 133 (that is, when the game is lost). This is a combination of symbols in which the three numbers do not match, such as “2, 3” or “6, 8, 6”.

  The effect pattern group memory 134b is a memory that stores a plurality of effect patterns in which a symbol change process for stopping and displaying a stop symbol after the symbol display device 21 is changed and displayed is changed. As shown, a special hit effect pattern group memory M1, a normal hit effect pattern group memory M2, and a lost effect pattern group memory M3 are provided.

  The special winning effect pattern group memory M1 is selected when the winning random number determining means 133 is determined to be a winning symbol and the stop symbol is determined to be a probable variation symbol (in this embodiment, an odd number) in the winning symbol. This is a memory for storing a plurality of types of symbol effect patterns (special hit effect patterns) from the start of fluctuation to the stop of symbols.

  In this special hit effect pattern group memory M1, a special effect that is performed when the winning symbol occurrence probability fluctuates is set, and reach change and premium notice are set. Note that the premium notice is a notice effect with a very low frequency of occurrence, and when this effect is made, the probability that the lottery result in the change is a win is extremely high. By using such a specific effect, the player can grasp the probability that the stop symbol displayed after the change is a winning symbol, that is, the jackpot probability is high during the symbol variation display. The expectation to the jackpot of the player can be increased.

  The normal hit effect pattern group memory M2 is determined to be hit by the hit random number determination means 133, and when the stop symbol is determined to be a normal hit symbol other than the probability variation symbol (in this embodiment, an even number) in the winning symbol. Selected. This is a memory for storing a plurality of types of symbol effect patterns (normal hit effect patterns) from the start of symbol change to the symbol stop displayed on the symbol display device 21. It is possible to set the above-mentioned premium notice in the normal hit effect pattern group memory M2.

  The off-stage effect pattern group memory M3 stores a plurality of types of symbol effect patterns (out-of-line effect patterns) from the start of symbol change to the stop of the symbol, which are selected when the hit random number determination means 133 determines that it is off. Memory.

  The effect pattern selection unit 134c first selects any one of the effect pattern group memories M1 to M3 from the effect pattern group memory 134b based on the stop symbol determined by the stop symbol determination unit 134a. Next, one effect pattern is selected from the selected effect pattern group memory based on the effect random number acquired by the effect random number acquisition means 131c.

  The symbol control means 135 is for controlling a symbol variation process in which a plurality of symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display device 21 and then stopped and displayed in a predetermined order based on the determination result by the hit random number determination means 133. . For example, in the present embodiment, when a game ball wins the start winning device 15 (that is, detected by the start opening winning detection device 15a), the effect pattern determined by the effect pattern selecting means 134c in the symbol display device 21. After the symbol variation mode is displayed for a predetermined time based on the above, the stop symbol determined by the stop symbol determining means 134a is displayed in the order of the left symbol, the right symbol, and the middle symbol.

  The patrol control unit 140 is for controlling the operation of the patrol device 50 according to the determination result by the hit random number determination unit 133, and the lighting control unit 141, the first drive control unit 142, and the second drive control. Means 143.

  The lighting control unit 141 is expected to win a combination of symbols that are stopped and displayed after the symbol change display when the symbol display device 21 is changing the symbol display (that is, the stop symbol becomes a winning symbol). The light emission color of the LED 55 of the patrol device 50 is determined according to the degree, and the lighting control of the LED 55 is controlled with the determined light emission color. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10, an example is illustrated in which each color of blue, green, red, white, and rainbow is set in order from the lowest expectation to the highest, but the present invention is not limited thereto. is not.

  Such an expectation degree is set in advance in an expectation degree table (not shown), and the lighting control unit 141 uses the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selection unit 134c and the hit determination result by the hit random number determination unit 133. In accordance with a predetermined selection probability (based on the above), the corresponding expectation is read from the expectation table, and the LED 55 is controlled to be lit with the emission color corresponding to the read expectation.

  The first drive control means 142 controls the rotational operation of the reflecting plate 57 (first rotation member 56) by rotating the drive motor 84 in the reverse rotation direction R2 in the patrol device 50 when the symbol variation is being displayed. Is to do.

  The second drive control unit 143 moves the drive motor 84 in the forward rotation direction R1 in the patrol device 50 when the winning random number determining unit 133 determines that the winning is successful (that is, the combination of symbols to be stopped is winning). The rotary drive is used to control the rotational operation of the decorative plate 67 (second rotary member 66).

  The special game executing means 150 is for executing a special game when the winning random number determining means 133 determines that it is a winning game. The unit game executing means 160, the continuation determining means 170, and the stochastic game transition determining means. 180.

  The unit game execution means 160 is for performing a unit game during a special game, and includes a special winning opening driving means 161, and a unit game end determination means 162.

  The special winning opening driving means 161 is for operating the special winning opening driving device 16b so as to make it easy to win a game ball by opening the large winning opening of the special winning device 17.

  The unit game end determination means 162 is for determining whether or not to end a unit game based on preset unit game end conditions.

  The continuation determining means 170 is for determining whether or not to end the special game based on a preset continuation condition.

  The probability game transition judging means 180 is for judging whether or not the probability variation is executed after the special game is finished. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the winning symbol displayed on the symbol display device 21 is a predetermined probability variation symbol (that is, a portion of the winning symbol).

  The high-probability game setting means 190, when the probability game transition determination means 180 determines that the determination result is affirmative, that is, a probability variation symbol, the probability of winning the winning symbol after the end of the special game from low probability to high probability This is for setting the probability lottery table so as to vary. For example, “201 to 1280” is added to the winning value referred to by the winning random number judging means 133 in addition to “0 to 200” so that the winning symbol occurrence probability is higher than usual.

  The payout control means 200 is for performing control for paying out a prize ball from the prize ball payout device 33.

  In the pachinko machine PM configured as described above, when a game ball rolling down the game area PA enters the start winning device 15, the winning is detected when the game ball passes the start opening winning detection device 15a. The detection signal is input to the game control means 100.

  The payout control means 200 in the game control means 100 outputs a payout command signal to the ball payout device 33 and pays a predetermined number of award balls set in advance as an insignia when winning the start prize device 15 to the ball tray unit 6. Let it come out. Further, when the game ball wins the start winning device 15, it is determined whether or not the winning random number determining means 133 is winning, and the symbol display device 21 determines 3 based on the effect pattern determined by the effect determining means 134. The symbols in the column are displayed in a variable manner for a predetermined time.

  Here, an example of the operation of the patrol device 50 related to the symbol variation display by the symbol display device 21 will be described with additional reference to FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the patrol device 50. FIG. 11A shows a case where the movable gear 94 is at the first reference position, and FIG. 11B shows a case where the movable gear 94 has the first reference position and the second reference position. (C) is a case where the movable gear 94 is in the second reference position.

  When the three rows of symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display device 21, the lighting control means 141 of the patrol control means 140 is based on the effect pattern selected by the effect determining means 134 and the hit determination result by the winning random number determining means 133. According to a predetermined selection probability, the corresponding expected degree is read from the reliability table, and the emission color of the LED 55 corresponding to the expected degree is determined. Then, the lighting control unit 141 turns on the LED 55 of the patrol device 50 based on the determined emission color.

  Corresponding to the lighting of the LED 55, the first drive control means 142 rotates the drive motor 84 in the reverse rotation direction R2 and moves this rotational drive force via the drive gear 85 as shown in FIG. This is transmitted to the gear 94, and the movable gear 94 is rotated in the A direction (clockwise). At this time, since the movable gear 94 is in the first reference position, the support shaft 93 is in contact with the lower end wall of the guide hole 90 even if it is pressed in the rotational tangential direction at the meshing position with the drive gear 85. The movable gear 94 only rotates in the A direction at this position without leaving the first reference position.

  When the movable gear 94 rotates at the first reference position, this rotational driving force is transmitted to the first gear 58 (first rotating member 56) meshed with the movable gear 94, and the reflecting plate 57 connected integrally therewith is the LED 55. Rotate around at a predetermined speed. For this reason, the light emitted from the LED 55 is reflected by the reflecting surface 57a of the rotating reflector 57, so that the player can have a light emitting effect with an impact, and the expected level of jackpot can be changed to this light emitting color. Based on this, it is possible to notify the player and increase the sense of expectation for the jackpot, and the player's willingness to play can be aroused.

  When all of the three columns of symbols are stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 21 as the predetermined time elapses, the first drive control unit 142 stops the rotation of the drive motor 84 and rotates the reflector 57. Stop. At that time, the first drive control means 142 drives the drive motor so that the reflecting plate 57 stops on the back side of the LED substrate 54 based on the detection signal from the photosensor 60 that detects the origin position of the first rotating member 56. 84 is controlled to rotate.

  At this time, when the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 21 is a symbol indicating a big hit (that is, when a big hit is generated), the special game executing means 150 shifts to a special game.

  In the special game, the special game execution means 150 controls the operation of the special winning opening driving device 16b, and the special winning opening of the special winning device 16 is opened. Then, after the grand prize opening is opened for about 30 seconds, or after 9 or more game balls have won the grand prize winning device 16, the big prize opening is temporarily closed, and such an opening / closing operation is continued a predetermined number of times. Repeated.

  Correspondingly, the second drive control means 143 rotates the drive motor in the normal rotation direction R1 as shown in FIG. 11B, and this rotational drive force is transmitted through the drive gear 85 to the movable gear 94. And the movable gear 94 is rotated in the B direction (counterclockwise). At this time, the movable gear 94 is pressed in the rotational tangential direction at the meshing position with the drive gear 85, continues to rotate in the B direction (autorotation), and moves toward the second reference position along the slide race 87.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11C, when the movable gear 94 further moves along the slide rail 87 and reaches the second reference position, the support shaft 93 comes into contact with the upper end wall of the guide hole 90 and moves. Be regulated. Therefore, the movable gear 94 continues to rotate only in the B direction while remaining at the second reference position. At this second reference position, the movable gear 94 meshes with the second gear 68 together with the drive gear 85, and the rotational driving force from the drive gear 85 is transmitted to the second gear 68 via the movable gear 94, and is integrated therewith. A decorative plate 67 connected to the LED 55 rotates around the LED 55 at a predetermined speed. At that time, the second drive control means 143 uses the detection signal from the photo sensor 71 that detects the effect position of the second rotating member 66 to place the decorative board 67 on the front side of the LED board 54 (the front side of the gaming machine PM). ) To stop the rotation of the drive motor 84.

  As a result, the light emitted from the LED 55 passes through the decorative plate 67 inward or outward and is emitted to the outside, making it possible to perform a variety of light-emitting effects different from those of the reflective plate 57. It is possible to perform a game production that will evoke more motivation. At this time, since the reflection plate 57 of the first rotating member 56 is hidden behind the LED 55 (returns to the origin position), the light from the LED 55 is not blocked.

  According to the patrol device 50 configured as described above, the movable gear 94 can be moved to the first position only by changing the rotational drive direction of the drive motor 84 as a single drive source without requiring a plurality of drive sources and drive mechanisms. The gear 58 and the second gear 68 are selectively meshed with each other to transmit a rotational driving force, and the reflecting plate 57 and the decorative plate 67 can be independently rotated around the LED 55. It is possible to save space by reducing the number of points, and by downsizing the entire device, and it is possible to produce a game effect that further arouses the player's willingness to play with various light-emitting effects.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the first rotating member 56 is provided with the reflecting plate 57 and the second rotating member 66 is provided with the decorative plate 67 is not limited to this. A reflection plate or a decorative plate is provided on both the first rotating member and the second rotating member, the decorative plate is formed of a lens body that refracts incident light from a light source (LED), or a decorative member having a light shielding property. Characters, motifs, and the like may be printed on the outer peripheral surface, and various rotating bodies that can produce a light emission effect by rotating around the light source can be applied.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, one of the first rotating member 56 and the second rotating member 66 is rotated according to the moving position of the movable gear. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, When the movable gear 94 is in an intermediate position between the first reference position and the second reference position, the movable gear 94 meshes with both the first gear 58 and the second gear 68, and the reflecting plate 57 and the decorative plate 67 around the LED 55. Both may be configured to rotate. In this case, a restricting means for restricting the movement of the movable gear 94 is provided at an intermediate position of the movable gear 57, and the first gear and the second gear are rotated by the movable gear 94 at the position for a predetermined time. Alternatively, the restriction means may be released when the rotational torque of the movable gear exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and the movable gear 94 may resume movement along the slide rail 87. According to such a configuration, since the reflecting plate 57 and the decorative plate 67 can be simultaneously rotated for a predetermined time, the light emission effect can be made more effective.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is such that the emission color of the LED 55 is determined according to the expected degree of jackpot, but is not limited to this, for example, the blinking speed of the LED 55 according to the expected degree of jackpot Or the rotation speed of the reflecting plate 55 may be changed according to the degree of expectation for jackpot.

  In the embodiment described above, a pachinko machine has been illustrated and described as an example of the gaming machine according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a slot machine, an arrangement ball, and a sparrow ball gaming machine. The same can be applied to the above and the same effect can be obtained.

PM Pachinko machine (game machine)
50 Patlamp device (rotating lamp device)
54 LED board 55 LED (light source)
56 First Rotating Member 57 Reflector (First Rotating Body)
58 First gear 66 Second rotating member 67 Decoration plate (second rotating body)
68 Second gear 82 Motor base (supporting means)
83 Connecting plate (supporting means)
84 Drive motor (drive source)
85 Drive gear 86 Coil spring (biasing means)
94 Movable gear (transmission means)
100 game control means 140 patrol control means (drive control means)
142 First drive control means (drive control means)
143 Second drive control means (drive control means)

Claims (2)

A light source that emits light;
A first rotator and a second rotator that are provided around the light source and are capable of reflecting, transmitting, or shielding light emitted from the light source;
A first gear coupled to the first rotating body;
A second gear coupled to the second rotating body;
A drive source that generates rotational driving force;
A driving gear coupled to the driving source and to which a rotational driving force is transmitted from the driving source;
Transmission means for transmitting the rotational driving force of the drive gear to the first gear and the second gear;
Drive control means for controlling the rotational drive of the drive source,
The transmission means selectively transmits a rotational driving force from the driving gear to the first gear and the second gear according to a rotational driving direction of the driving source, and the first rotating body and the second gear. A rotating lamp device for a gaming machine, wherein a rotating body is selectively rotated around the light source. The first and second gears are arranged concentrically along the rotation axis direction;
The transmission means
Disposed between the first and second gears and the drive gear, and meshes with the drive gear and the first gear along a circular arc locus concentric with the rotation shafts of the first and second gears. A movable gear provided to be reciprocally movable between a first reference position and a second reference position meshing with the drive gear and the second gear;
A support means that integrally supports the drive source and the drive gear, and is provided so as to be movable in an axial direction between the first and second gears and the drive gear;
The supporting means is urged toward the first and second gears in the inter-axis direction so that the inter-axis distance between the movable gear and the drive gear is kept constant regardless of the moving position of the movable gear. Biasing means for always meshing the drive gear with the movable gear,
When the drive source is driven in the first rotational drive direction, the movable gear rotates by the rotational drive force from the drive gear and is pressed in the rotational tangential direction at the meshing position with the drive gear. Move to the first reference position, rotate the first rotating body around the light source via the first gear,
When the drive source is driven in the second rotational drive direction, the movable gear rotates by the rotational drive force from the drive gear and is pressed in the rotational tangential direction at the meshing position with the drive gear. 2. The rotating lamp device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotating light device is moved to a second reference position and rotates the second rotating body around the light source via the second gear.

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