JP2012200548A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which prevents clogging of game balls in a vicinity of a ball discharging member and interference of a ball sending function of a ball flow straightener, caused by pressing force of the game balls accumulated in a ball tray.SOLUTION: The game machine includes: an aligning flow path which aligns the game balls accumulated in the ball tray for guiding them downstream; the ball flow straightener which is provided on a downstream side of the aligning flow path and guides the game balls on the aligning flow path; and the ball discharging member which is provided on the aligning flow path, has a movable piece for opening or closing a bottom part of the aligning flow path, and guides the accumulated game balls in a channel different from the ball flow straightener by opening the bottom part of the aligning flow path. A plane containing a first abutting point between a first game ball on the movable piece and a second game ball that abuts on the first game ball from the upstream side, a second abutting point between the first game ball and a third game ball that abuts on the first game ball on the downstream side, and a third abutting point where the first game ball abuts on a sidewall of the aligning flow path, is located above the center of the first game ball on a vertical line passing through the center of the first game ball.

Description

  It relates to gaming machines.

  In a pachinko machine, a ball that has been shot down flows down a game area (an area formed on or near the game board surface for realizing a game or production by the flow of the ball). In the process of flowing down, the ball rolls while colliding with game nails and windmills in the game area, and the flow direction changes. As a result, if a ball wins various winning holes arranged on the game area, a predetermined prize ball is paid out. On the other hand, if a ball flows into the out port without winning any prize hole, no prize ball is paid out. . The player enjoys the game by demonstrating his / her skill in the ball or using the chance of the ball flowing down and expecting to win a prize and give away a prize ball.

  As game parts to be arranged in the game area of this pachinko machine, flow path changing members such as game nails, various winning holes through which game balls can flow in, pass gates for detecting the passage of game balls, images for performing image effects There are display means and display devices for displaying characters and the like to the player. Various kinds of effects are provided by displaying various information or displaying images to the player using an image display means or a display device.

  In addition, in a pachinko machine, a game ball launcher that launches game balls to the game area of the game board around the ball tray that stores the game balls in front of the pachinko machine, and one game ball in each launch device. A rectifier to be supplied is arranged. And the ball removal mechanism for moving the game ball stored in the ball tray to another storage container called a lower plate or a dollar box is provided.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, in a hitting ball supply tray in a pachinko machine in which a ball release valve that slides in a direction perpendicular to the alignment passage to the ball extraction hole and opens and closes the ball extraction hole is provided, A lever member that is always urged to close the ball removal hole and that has a bifurcated engagement pair that engages with the ball removal valve at the lower end above the ball removal valve and the upper surface of the lever member are in contact with each other There is disclosed a gaming machine in which operation members located on each other are pivotally mounted.

JP 2011-020002 A

  However, in such a conventional gaming machine, when the amount of game balls stored in the ball tray increases, the pressing force by the game balls applied to the ball removal member and the rectifier increases, and the game ball is near the ball removal member. May become clogged or obstruct the ball feed function of the rectifier.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a gaming machine that can prevent clogging of a ball in the vicinity of a ball removal member and reduce the pressing force caused by a game ball added to a rectifier. This is an exemplary problem.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a gaming machine as an exemplary aspect of the present invention is provided with an alignment channel that guides game balls stored in a ball tray and guides them downstream, and a downstream side of the alignment channel. , A rectifier for guiding game balls on the alignment flow path, and a movable piece provided in the alignment flow path to open or close the bottom of the alignment flow path, and stored by opening the bottom of the alignment flow path A first ball of a first game ball on the movable piece of the ball removal member and a second game ball that contacts the first game ball from the upstream side. The second contact point between the first game ball and the third game ball that contacts the first game ball downstream, and the first game ball contacts the side wall of the alignment channel. And a surface including the third contact point is located above the center of the first game ball on a vertical line passing through the center of the first game ball. .

  Further, a downward taper surface with which the first game ball abuts may be formed on the side wall of the alignment channel.

  The alignment flow path may include a ceiling surface that bears a part of the pressing force that the first game ball receives from the second game ball in contact with the second game ball.

  It is possible to provide a gaming machine that can prevent clogging of a ball in the vicinity of a ball removing member and reduce the pressing force caused by a game ball added to a rectifier.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine as a gaming machine concerning an embodiment. It is a rear view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the alignment flow path of the ball tray of the game machine which concerns on embodiment, the movable piece of a ball removal member, and a part of rectifier. It is a figure which expands and shows the principal part of the game machine which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the principal part of the game machine which concerns on embodiment. It is a partial expanded sectional view of the principal part shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the principal part of the game machine which concerns on embodiment.

Form to carry out

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 2 as a gaming machine according to an embodiment. The pachinko machine 2 includes a gaming machine frame 3, a game board unit 5, a front glass (front transparent plate) 10, a launch unit (not shown), and a ball tray (ball tray) 14. The launch unit can launch the game balls 23 one by one toward the game area 16 configured in the game board unit 5. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the game balls 23 stored in the ball tray 14 are aligned in a line by an alignment flow path provided at the rear of the ball tray 14, and a rectifier (not shown) disposed behind the ball. ), The game balls 23 are supplied one by one from the rectifier to the launch unit. The alignment flow path and rectifier of the ball tray 14 will be described later.

  In the present application, as a general direction definition, the vertical and horizontal directions are defined as directions when the pachinko machine 2 is viewed from the front (player side). Further, the direction from the player toward the pachinko machine 2 is defined as the rear, and the direction from the pachinko machine 2 toward the player is defined as the front. About the detailed parts, such as a member and a unit, the name of another direction may be used separately.

  In the pachinko machine 2, when a player operates a launching handle 15 to be described later, a game ball 23 is launched by the launch unit toward the game area 16, and a game based on the flow of the ball is realized. In addition to the pachinko machine 2, the gaming machine can be an arcade machine such as a pachinko slot machine, a coin game machine, and various game machines. In short, a gaming area that realizes a game by the flow of game balls is provided. Any gaming machine you have is included. In addition, in the ball ball game machine, any pachinko machine such as a combination type game machine such as an arrangement ball machine or a sparrow ball machine, a so-called digipachi type (1 type) or a honey mono type (2 type) pachinko machine can be considered. However, in the present embodiment, a so-called one-type pachinko machine that realizes a digipachi game (also referred to as a one-type game or a symbol variable game) will be described as an example.

  The gaming machine frame 3 of the pachinko machine 2 is for holding a gaming board unit 5 to be described later, and is configured to surround the peripheral side surface of the pachinko machine 2 and the front side or the rear side in addition thereto. In addition to the game board unit 5, various mechanism components such as various control boards and paths for game balls, which are described later, are arranged on the inner side of the gaming machine frame 3. Unauthorized access to the inside of the pachinko machine 2 from behind is prevented.

  An outer frame 4 that surrounds the periphery of the pachinko machine 2, a machine frame 9 that is swingably supported by a hinge portion 22 inside the pachinko machine 2 to hold the game board unit 5, and is opened and closed forward by a hinge portion 22 in front of the machine frame 9. The gaming machine frame 3 is configured to have a decorative frame that holds the decorative member 32 that is swingably supported and decorates the front glass 10 and its surroundings. The front glass 10 is a transparent member that allows the player to visually recognize the game board 6 held inside the gaming machine frame 3 from the front.

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

  The ball tray 14 is a dish member disposed on the front surface of the pachinko machine 2 for storing the player's ball and has a ball discharge button 14a.

  The launch unit is for firing (bulleting) the game ball 23 sent from the ball tray 14 to the launch position by a rectifier (not shown) toward the upper part of the game area 16. The launch unit includes, for example, a launcher for projecting the game ball 23 at the launch position, a launch motor for driving the launcher, a launch spring for energizing the launcher to generate a ball force, and the like. It is attached to the machine casing 9. For launching the ball by the launch unit, a launch handle 15 is provided below the front surface of the pachinko machine 2 to realize on / off of the launch of the ball and adjustment of the launch intensity based on the operation of the player.

  The game board unit 5 has a game board 6 in which a center object 7 as a game object is arranged at substantially the center on the game board surface 6a side, and a number of game nails 27 are also arranged on the game board surface 6a. ing. An effect display device 7a as an image display means is arranged at the center of the center accessory 7, and a display opening for exposing the display screen of the effect display device 7a is formed. The center combination 7 and the effect display device 7a are configured so that predetermined identification information can be shown. On the upper part of the game board 6, an effect device 500 that executes a visual effect according to the game situation is movably attached to the game board 6.

  The game board 6 is a board-like member for constituting a game area 16 for realizing a game by the flow of the game ball 23 on the surface side thereof, so that the game board 6 can be visually recognized from the front by the player. It is held in the gaming machine frame 3 (in this embodiment, the machine frame 9 as a part of the gaming machine frame 3). A rail ornament 26 is attached to the surface of the game board 6 in a substantially circular shape so as to surround the periphery, and an outer rail 26a of the rail ornament 26 is arranged so as to stand on the game board. The game area 16 is a substantially circular area defined by the outer rail 26a of the rail decoration 26 and facing the outer rail 26a.

  The game nails 27 are flow-down changing members that collide with the game balls 23 flowing down the game area 16 and change the flow-down direction thereof, and many of them are arranged in the game area 16. Further, in the game area 16, a ball winning member such as a normal winning port 28, a starting winning port 29, a big winning port 31, and the out port 30 are arranged. Furthermore, a passing gate 33, a windmill 34, and the like are arranged in the game area 16, and the game balls 23 that flow down flow into each incoming member, pass through the passing gate 33, and rotate the windmill 34. By doing so, it is possible to enjoy the flow-down game by the game ball 23.

  The center accessory 7 is configured to cover the periphery of the effect display device 7a, and realizes a symbol variation game (one type game). A production device 500 is arranged on the upper part of the center accessory 7.

  The effect display device 7a is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display, an LED, and the like, and is arranged so that the player can see from the game board surface 6a side, and performs video display on the display screen. is there. On the display screen of the effect display device 7a, an effect display including the first decorative symbol 7b is performed. Further, for example, an effect image as a story tailoring image by a character or the like is also displayed on the display screen of the effect display device 7a.

  FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. On the back side of the game board 6, there is a main control board case 35 containing a main control board as a game control means for controlling the entire pachinko machine 2, an effect display control such as image display of the effect display device 7a, and a center role. Object 7, production control board case 36 containing production control board for performing light emission control of production apparatus 500, payout control board case 37 containing delivery control board for controlling the delivery of prize balls, and power supply containing power supply board A substrate case 38 is disposed. A game is realized by each control board accommodated in each control board case. Furthermore, an external output terminal plate 39 for outputting game information such as the gaming state of the pachinko machine 2 to the outside is provided on the back side of the game board 6.

  Next, the configuration of the main part of the pachinko machine 2 in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7, the same members and parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description in each drawing may be omitted.

  FIG. 3 shows the alignment channel 140 of the ball tray 14 of the pachinko machine 2 according to the present embodiment, the movable piece 51 of the ball punching member 50, and a part of the rectifier 60 as viewed from the rear surface (back surface) side of the pachinko machine 2. It is a perspective view. In addition, it has shown in the state which removed the rear surface side cover among the rectifiers 60 mentioned later.

  The ball tray 14 in the present embodiment includes a ball receiving portion 14b that receives a game ball 23 to be paid out as a prize ball or a lending ball, and a ball alignment portion 14c formed on the downstream side of the ball receiving portion 14b. Yes. The game balls 23 received by the ball receiving portion 14b are aligned with the row of the game balls 23 while flowing down to the downstream ball alignment portion 14c, and are connected to the ball alignment portion 14c. Down to the downstream. A sheet metal cover 141 is disposed in the path of the alignment flow path 140, and the static electricity staying in the game balls 23 is discharged when the aligned game balls 23 roll down on the sheet metal cover 141. Has been.

  A steep slope 142 is formed downstream of the alignment channel 140. The descending slope of the alignment channel 140 is set to about 4 degrees, while the descending slope of the slope 142 is set to about 45 degrees. The slope 142 has an effect of destabilizing the balance of the game balls 23 that intermittently flow down the aligned flow paths 140 in a gravitationally stable state.

  In the present embodiment, the horizontal length of the slope 142 can be appropriately selected within a range in which the second game ball 23b is set on the slope 142, but is substantially equal to the radius of the game ball 23. It may be set to be. Downstream of the slope 142, a movable piece 51 provided on a ball removal member 50 for selectively changing the flow path of the game balls 23 flowing down the alignment flow path 140 is arranged to be slidable in the front-rear direction. Yes. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the movable piece 51 is slid rearward so as to close the bottom of the alignment channel 140, and the state shown in the figure is always maintained.

  When the player presses the ball discharge button 14a arranged in front of the pachinko machine 2 shown in FIG. 1, the movable piece 51 slides forward to open the bottom of the alignment channel 140. When the bottom portion of the alignment channel 140 is opened by the forward sliding operation of the movable piece 51, the game ball 23 a (first game ball) located on the movable piece 51 is caused by its own weight and the subsequent game ball 23. It is dropped by the pressing force and discharged via the lower discharge path member 52. Thereafter, the second game ball 23b that has been in contact with the first game ball 23a from the upstream side of the alignment channel 140, and the game ball 23 that has been aligned upstream of the second game ball 23b are discharged path members. It is discharged via 52.

  The alignment flow path 140 changes the flow path to the rear at a substantially right angle on the downstream side of the movable piece 51, and guides the game balls 23 that have flowed down to the rectifier 60. The third game ball 23 c with which the first game ball 23 a abuts on the downstream side in a state where the movable piece 51 closes the bottom of the alignment flow path 140 is in a state in which about half of the third game ball 23 c has entered the rectifier 60.

  The rectifier 60 is configured in a box shape by a front case 61 having an opening for receiving the game balls 23 guided to the alignment flow path 140 and a rear side cover (not shown). Inside the rectifier 60 are a crank 64 for discharging the game balls 23 led into the rectifier 60 one by one from the discharge port 67 through the guide piece 66, and a solenoid for driving the crank 64 to swing. 63. A permanent magnet 65 unipolarly magnetized in the thickness direction (left and right direction in FIG. 3) is integrally formed at the lower portion of the crank 64. When the solenoid 63 is in an OFF state, the electromagnetic force of the solenoid 63 is caused by the weight of the permanent magnet 65. The permanent magnet 65 is positioned so as to come into contact with the pole face. In this state, the game ball 23 in the rectifier 60 is not discharged.

  When a drive pulse signal is input from the main control board (not shown) to the solenoid 63 of the rectifier 60, the solenoid 63 is turned on, and the crank 64 is swung by the magnetic repulsion action of the solenoid 63 and the permanent magnet 65, and one game is played. The sphere 23 is discharged from the rectifier 60 and supplied to a launch unit (not shown). The main control board determines whether or not it is necessary to output a drive pulse to the solenoid 63 according to whether or not the player has operated the firing handle 15 (see FIG. 1).

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a main part of the ball removing mechanism of the pachinko machine 2 according to the present embodiment. For convenience of explanation in FIG. 4, the game ball 23 on the alignment channel 140 includes a game ball 23 a (first game ball) on the movable piece 51 of the ball removal member 50, and an upstream side and a first game ball 23 a. Only the second game ball 23b and the third game ball 23c that abut on the downstream side are shown, and the illustration of the rectifier 60 is omitted.

  In FIG. 4, reference symbol C1 indicates a contact point (first contact point) between the first game ball 23a and the second game ball 23b, and reference symbol C2 indicates the first game ball 23a and the third game ball 23c. The reference point C3 indicates a contact point (third contact point) between the first game ball 23a and the side wall 143 of the alignment channel 140. Reference numeral Cg indicates the center (center of gravity) of the first game ball 23a.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the second game ball 23b is in a state of “resting on” the first game ball 23a. Here, between the spheres having the same specific gravity, the “determination amount (G)” is set to be equal to each other of “the leaning sphere (for example, 23b)” and “the leaning sphere (for example, 23a)”. If it is defined as “distance between vertical lines closest to a contact (for example, C1)”, the lean amount G of the second game ball 23b with respect to the first game ball 23a shown in FIG. 4 is 1.07 [mm]. Met. As the leaning amount G increases, the downward stress acting on the leaning sphere increases. Further, since the angle of leaning is different, it is not shown in FIG. 4, but the leaning amount of the first game ball 23a (the leaning ball) with respect to the third game ball 23c (the leaning ball) G was 0.24 [mm].

  In the present embodiment, the plane including the first, second and third contact points C1, C2 and C3 is on the vertical line passing through the center Cg of the first game ball 23a. It is configured to be positioned above the center Cg. With this configuration, when the movable piece 51 slides forward and the bottom of the alignment channel 140 is opened, the first game ball 23 a that is a ball to be dropped is easily dropped and discharged from the discharge path member 52. . That is, in addition to the weight of the first game ball 23a that is the ball to be dropped, the resultant force of the stress at the first to third contact points C1 to C3 acting on the first game ball 23a is the first game ball. It acts in the direction of dropping 23a.

  FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a main part of the alignment channel 140 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is formed on the first game ball 23a and the side wall 143 of the alignment channel 140 shown in FIG. It is a principal part expanded sectional view for demonstrating the positional relationship with the taper surface 145 made.

  The flow path of the game ball 23 that has been guided by the alignment flow path 140 and flowed down to the side wall 143 of the alignment flow path 140 in the most downstream portion of the alignment flow path 140, that is, in the vicinity of the connection portion between the alignment flow path 140 and the rectifier 60. A substantially arc-shaped rib 144 is formed so as to be displaced rearward at a substantially right angle when viewed from the upper surface side. Further, a downward tapered surface 145 is formed on the lower side of the rib 144. However, the rib 144 is not formed at the position of the first game ball 23a, and a downward tapered surface 145 is continuously formed on the side wall 143.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the first game ball 23 a is in contact with the downward tapered surface 145 formed on the side wall 143 of the alignment channel 140 at the third contact point C <b> 3. By forming the tapered surface 145 in this way, the position of the third contact point C3 can be set upward as compared with the case where the tapered surface 145 is not formed. Further, since the first game ball 23a receives a downward stress from the tapered surface 145, the first game ball 23a can be easily dropped when the movable piece 51 is opened.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state when a large pressing force is applied to the second game ball 23b by a large number of game balls 23 aligned upstream thereof. When the solenoid 63 (see FIG. 3) of the rectifier 60 is in the OFF state, the two game balls 23 that are completely received in the rectifier 60 remain in the rectifier 60. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the third game ball 23 c that is in contact with the game ball 23 in the rectifier 60 and the first game ball 23 c that is in contact with the third game ball 23 c on the movable piece 51. The game ball 23a is also unable to flow down (move) to the downstream side, and remains at the illustrated position.

  On the other hand, the second game ball 23b at a position that is unstable in gravity due to the action of the slope 142 is pushed upward in the alignment flow path 140 by a large pressing force by the subsequent game ball. Then, the second game ball 23b is pushed up to a position where it abuts against the ceiling surface 146 formed in the alignment flow path 140 and stops. At this time, the first contact point C1 is also pushed up to a position higher than the position shown in FIG. The lean amount G of the second game ball 23b with respect to the first game ball 23a at this time is 1.73 [mm], which is about 1.6 times the lean amount G shown in FIG.

  When an excessive pressing force by a large number of game balls 23 reaches the game ball 23 in the rectifier 60, there is a concern about the operation of the rectifier 60, but in this embodiment, a large push force acting on the second game ball 23b is concerned. Since a part of the pressure is distributed to the ceiling surface 146, a good function of the rectifier 60 can be maintained. That is, since the ceiling surface 146 bears a part of the large pressing force by the large number of game balls 23, the pressing force of the game balls 23 acting on the rectifier 60 can be effectively reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to effectively prevent the game ball 23 from being clogged in the vicinity of the movable piece 51 of the ball removing member 50 and to maintain the function of the rectifier 60 well. A gaming machine 2 that can be used can be provided.

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

2: Pachinko machine (game machine)
3: Gaming machine frame 4: Outer frame (part of gaming machine frame)
5: Game board unit 6: Game board (game device body)
6a: Game board surface 7: Center character 7a: Effect display device (image display means)
7b: First decorative pattern 9: Machine frame (part of the gaming machine frame)
10: Front glass (front transparent plate)
14: Ball dish (ball dish)
14a: Ball discharge button 14b: Ball receiving portion 14c: Ball alignment portion 15: Launch handle 16: Game area 22: Hinge portion (swing support portion)
23: Game sphere 23a: First game sphere 23b: Second game sphere 23c: Third game sphere 26: Rail decoration 26a: Outer rail 27: Game nail 28: Ordinary winning opening 29: Start winning opening 30: Out Port 31: Grand prize opening 32: Decoration member 33: Passage gate 34: Windmill 35: Main control board case 36: Production control board case 37: Dispensing control board case 38: Power supply board case 39: External output terminal board 50: Ball removal Member 51: Movable piece 52: Discharge path member 60: Rectifier 61: Front case 63: Solenoid 64: Crank 65: Permanent magnet 66: Guide piece 67: Discharge port 140: Alignment flow path 141: Sheet metal cover 142: Slope 143: Side wall 144: Rib 145: Tapered surface 146: Ceiling surface 500: Production display device C1: First contact point C2: Second contact point C3: Third contact point Cg: Center of the first game ball : Lean amount

Claims (3)

An alignment flow path for aligning the game balls stored in the ball tray and guiding them downstream;
A rectifier provided on the downstream side of the alignment flow path, to which a game ball on the alignment flow path is guided;
A sphere that is provided in the alignment flow path and includes a movable piece that opens or closes the bottom of the alignment flow path, and guides the game balls stored by opening the bottom of the alignment flow path to a different path from the rectifier. A punching member,
A first contact point between a first game ball on the movable piece of the ball removal member and a second game ball that contacts the first game ball from the upstream side; the first game ball and the first game ball; A surface including a second contact point with a third game ball that contacts one game ball on the downstream side, and a third contact point with which the first game ball contacts the side wall of the alignment channel Is located above the center of the first game ball on a vertical line passing through the center of the first game ball.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a downward taper surface on which the first game ball abuts is formed on the side wall of the alignment channel.   The alignment flow path includes a ceiling surface that bears and bears a part of a pressing force that the first game ball receives from the second game ball in contact with the second game ball. Or the gaming machine according to claim 2.

Images