JP2013106662A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect a full state of a ball tray and a state of an opening/closing member opened to a body frame, by use of a common detection means.SOLUTION: A front frame 14 to be opened/closed to a middle frame 13 is provided at a front side of the middle frame 13 with a game board arranged therein. A Pachinko ball dispensed in response to entry to a winning pocket is guided to the ball tray 17a via a dispensed ball passage 75. A Pachinko ball that has been launched toward a game area 20a of the game board 20 and does not reach the game area 20a is guided to the ball tray via a foul ball passage 80. A game machine includes: a first moving part 92 displaced to a moving position in response to accumulation of the Pachinko balls in the dispensed ball passage 75; a second moving part 93 displaced to the moving position in response to accumulation of the Pachinko balls in the foul ball passage 80; a third moving part 110 displaced to the moving position in response to opening of the front frame 14 with respect to the middle frame 13; and a single detection means 98 for detecting the first to third moving parts 92, 93, 110 displaced to the moving position.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a ball tray that can open and close an opening / closing member and store a game ball on the front side of a main body frame on which a game board is disposed.

  For example, as described in Patent Document 1, a pachinko machine, which is one of the representative examples of gaming machines, is formed as a rectangular frame that opens in the front-rear direction and is used as a fixed frame that is fixed to an installation frame base of a gaming store. An outer frame, a middle frame as a main body frame that is supported so as to be opened and closed with respect to the outer frame and detachably holds the game board, and is supported on the front side of the middle frame so as to be opened and closed to decorate the front surface of the pachinko machine A front frame as a decorative frame that protects the game board from perspective is basically provided. In this game board, various winning devices, symbol display devices, etc. are arranged according to the model, and pachinko balls stored in a ball tray provided on the front side of the pachinko machine (middle frame) are used as game boards. Necessary games are performed by launching into the game area. Then, when the pachinko balls are awarded to various winning devices arranged on the game board, a predetermined number of pachinko balls are paid out as prize balls to the ball tray by the ball dispensing device arranged on the back side of the pachinko machine. To the player side.

  Here, the pachinko machine is provided with an upper and lower ball saucer type having an upper ball saucer for storing pachinko balls launched into the game area of the game board and having a lower ball saucer below the upper ball saucer, An upper and lower ball tray integrated type having only a ball tray corresponding to the upper ball tray is widely known. For example, as described in Patent Document 2, in the upper and lower ball saucer separation type pachinko machine, when a pachinko ball such as a prize ball is supplied to the upper ball saucer and exceeds the storage allowable amount of the upper ball saucer, A pachinko ball is guided to the lower ball tray through a ball passage formed in the inner frame or the like. Then, when a player operates a ball removing device attached to the lower ball tray, the pachinko balls stored in the lower ball tray are transferred to a ball box or the like provided in the game store. Note that even a pachinko machine with an upper and lower ball tray integrated type has basically the same configuration, and the player operates the ball removal device attached to the ball tray corresponding to the upper ball tray so that the ball can be operated. The pachinko ball can be transferred directly from the saucer to a ball box or the like.

JP 2002-35349 A JP-A-5-64675

  By the way, when a large number of prize balls are paid out in a short time as in the case of a big hit, the ball tray becomes full, and pachinko balls that cannot enter may gradually stay in the ball passage. Here, when the payout of the winning ball or the like is performed in a state where the pachinko ball stays in the ball passage, there is a possibility that problems such as ball clogging may occur. For this reason, a detection unit for detecting the fullness of the pachinko ball is provided, and the operation of the ball dispensing device is stopped when the pachinko ball stays in excess of a certain amount. In the pachinko machine, as described above, the front frame protects a game board equipped with various winning devices, and the front frame may be illegally opened to perform fraud. A detection sensor for detecting the opening of the front frame is provided, and the operation of the ball dispensing device is stopped when the detection sensor for detecting the opening is detected. Thus, in order to perform the common operation of stopping the operation of the ball dispensing device, the detecting means for detecting the fullness of the ball tray and the detecting means for detecting the opening of the front frame are individually provided. Therefore, there is a problem that the cost is increased and the installation space for the detection means is increased.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been proposed to solve these problems in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and includes a detecting means for detecting the fullness of the ball tray and opening / closing of the opening / closing member with respect to the main body frame. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can share a detection means for detection.

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the intended purpose, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is
A main body frame (13) provided with a game board (20), an opening / closing member (14) provided on a front side of the main body frame (13) and capable of opening and closing the main body frame (13); and the game Games that are paid out in response to winning in a ball receiving tray (17a) for storing game balls to be launched toward the game area (20a) of the board (20) and a winning opening provided in the game board (20) A prize ball payout path (75) for guiding a ball to the ball tray (17a) and a game ball that is launched toward the game area (20a) of the game board (20) and does not reach the game area (20a) In a gaming machine provided with a foul ball collection passage (80) for guiding to the ball tray (17a),
An operating position corresponding to the staying state of the game ball in the prize ball payout passage (75) and a first action portion that is displaced to a standby position corresponding to a state in which the game ball can pass through the prize ball payout path (75) ( 92)
A second operating portion (93) that is displaced to an operating position corresponding to a staying state of the game ball with respect to the foul ball collection passage (80) and a standby position corresponding to a state in which the game ball can pass through the foul ball collection passage (80). )When,
A third actuating portion that is displaced to an operating position corresponding to an open state of the opening / closing member (14) with respect to the main body frame (13) and a standby position corresponding to a closed state of the opening / closing member (14) relative to the main body frame (13). 110)
The displacement of the first operating part (92) from the standby position to the operating position, the displacement of the second operating part (93) from the standby position to the operating position, and the third operating part (110) from the standby position to the operating position. The gist is that a single detection means (98) for detecting the displacement is provided.
In this way, the displacement of the first operating portion to the operating position associated with the game ball (prize ball) that is paid out upon winning the winning opening at the winning opening stays in the winning ball payout passage, and the opening / closing member with respect to the main body frame. By detecting the displacement of the third operating part to the operating position in response to opening and closing by a single detecting means, the fullness of the ball tray and the opening and closing of the opening and closing member with respect to the main body frame can be achieved with one detecting means. Can be detected. Further, the detecting means is configured to detect a displacement of the second operating portion to the operating position when a game ball (foul ball) that does not reach the game area stays in the foul ball collecting passage, It is possible to prevent excessive game balls from staying in the room.

The invention according to claim 2
The third operating part (110) is configured to be able to be independently displaced to the operating position and the standby position with respect to the first operating part (92) and the second operating part (93). .
In this way, by configuring the third operating part for detecting the opening / closing of the opening / closing member independently with respect to the first and second operating parts, it is possible to accurately detect the opening / closing of the opening / closing member with respect to the main body frame. Can do.

The invention according to claim 3
The gist is that when any one of the first to third operating parts (92, 93, 110) is in the operating position, the displacement of the other operating parts to the operating position is restricted.
In this way, in a state where any one of the first to third operating parts is in the operating position, the displacement of the other operating parts to the operating position is restricted, so that the first to third operating parts are Duplicate detection can be prevented. In addition, since the operating unit that was in the operating position is displaced to the standby position, the other operating units can be displaced to the operating position, so that the state of the first to third operating units can be reliably detected by the detection means. it can.

The invention according to claim 4
Each of the first to third actuating parts (92, 93, 110) is always held at a standby position, and the first actuating part (92) as the game ball stays in the foul ball collecting passage (80). ) Is moved to the operating position and detected by the detecting means (98), and the second operating portion (93) is displaced to the operating position as the game ball stays in the foul ball collecting passage (80). The detection means (98) is configured to detect and the third operating portion (110) is displaced to the operating position as the opening / closing member is opened, and is detected by the detection means (98). Is the gist.
Thus, each of the first to third operating portions is always held at the standby position, and the first operating portion is displaced to the operating position as the game ball stays in the prize ball payout passage, and the foul ball collection passage The second operating portion is displaced to the operating position as the game ball stays on the sphere, and the third operating portion is displaced to the operating position as the opening / closing member is opened. It is possible to reliably detect a phenomenon such as a game ball staying in the tray.

  According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, it can be detected as a full state of the ball tray, regardless of whether the game ball stays in the prize ball payout passage or the game ball stays in the foul ball collection passage. It is possible to share the detection means for detecting the fullness of the ball tray and the detection means for detecting the opening of the opening / closing member with respect to the main body frame.

1 is a perspective view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the pachinko machine which concerns on an Example in the state which open | released the front frame. It is an enlarged view of the X section in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which looked at the inner frame which concerns on an Example from the back, Comprising: The state which attached the abnormality detection means is shown. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the formation position of a foul ball receiving part while disassembling a confluence | merging channel | path unit from the middle frame base | substrate part which concerns on an Example. It is a sectional side view which shows the pachinko machine in an Example longitudinally in the formation position of a communication path. It is a disassembled perspective view of the merge path unit which concerns on an Example. It is a perspective view which shows the base part of the merge path unit which concerns on an Example, Comprising: The state which attached the abnormality detection means is shown. It is a disassembled perspective view of the abnormality detection means which concerns on an Example, Comprising: The relationship between a mechanism installation part and a detection sensor is shown. It is a top view which shows the joining path unit which concerns on an Example in the state which removed the cover part. It is a disassembled perspective view of the opening-and-closing member which concerns on an Example. It is a top view which shows the base part of the merge path unit which concerns on an Example. 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 16 and shows a state in which the first and second operating parts are in the standby position and the third operating part is in the operating position, and FIG. It is DD sectional drawing, Comprising: The 1st and 2nd action | operation part exists in an operation position, and the state which has a 3rd action | operation part in a standby position is shown. It is AA sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 10, Comprising: The state which has a 1st action | operation part in a standby position is shown. It is AA sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 10, Comprising: The state which has a 1st action | operation part in an action position is shown. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 10, showing a state where the second operating portion is in the standby position and the on-off valve is in the closed position. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 10, showing a state where the second operating portion is in the operating position and the on-off valve is in the closed position. FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 10, showing a state where the second operating part is in the operating position and the on-off valve is in the open position. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the 3rd action | operation part of the junction path unit which concerns on an Example, and the opening-and-closing state of the front frame with respect to a middle frame, (a) shows the state which removed the front frame from the middle frame, (b) shows a state in which the front frame is closed with respect to the middle frame. It is the schematic which shows the relationship of the abnormality detection means which concerns on another Example.

  Next, the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings by giving a preferred embodiment. As a gaming machine, a general pachinko machine 10 will be described as an example. In the following description, “front / rear”, “left / right” are designated in a state where the pachinko machine 10 is viewed from the front side as shown in FIG. 1 unless otherwise specified.

(About the schematic configuration of the pachinko machine 10)
As shown in FIG. 1 or 2, the schematic configuration of the pachinko machine 10 according to the embodiment includes an outer frame 11 as a fixed frame installed in a vertically placed posture on an installation frame base (not shown) provided in the amusement store, The inner frame 13 is pivotally supported so as to be attachable / detachable and openable to / from the outer frame 11, and the game machine components such as various control devices are installed. Basically, a game board 20 in which a required game area 20a is defined, and a front frame 14 as a decorative frame that is pivotally supported on the front side of the middle frame 13 so as to be attachable / detachable and openable and protects the game board 20 from seeing through. Is prepared. Further, in the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, a ball tray member 17 as a ball tray 17 a capable of storing pachinko balls is integrally provided on the front frame 14, and the ball is synchronized with the opening / closing operation of the front frame 14. The dish member 17 is configured to open and close. That is, in the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the front frame 14 functions as an opening / closing body that can be opened and closed on the front side of the middle frame 13, and the front frame 14 also functions as a ball dish member 17. And in the lower right position on the front side of the pachinko machine 10 (front frame 14 in the embodiment), it is connected to a launching / dispensing control device 140 (see FIG. 4) as a control means for controlling the launching of the pachinko ball. An operation handle 18 is provided, and a ball feeding device 19 and a hitting ball launching device 45 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, are activated by a turning operation of the operation handle 18 by a player, and the pachinko stored in the ball tray 17a. The balls are fired one by one toward the game area 20 a of the game board 20.

(About game board 20)
Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the game board 20 includes an outer rail 21 and an inner rail 22 that are curved in an arc shape on the board surface (front surface), and is defined inside the inner and outer rails 21 and 22. In the game area 20a, game parts such as a symbol display device and a winning device (none of which are shown) are arranged. In addition, the outer rail 21 and the inner rail 22 located on the left side of the game board 20 are configured to overlap in the radial direction of the game area 20a while being separated by a distance that allows the pachinko ball to pass therethrough. A launch passage 23 for guiding a pachinko ball launched from 45 to the game area 20a is defined. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the launch passage 23 opens downward at the lower left position of the game board 20 and opens into the game area 20 a at the upper left position of the game board 20. A pachinko ball launched from the launching device 45 and flying from the lower opening of the launch passage 23 is launched at the upper position of the game area 20a. Then, a control for controlling the payout of the winning balls and the lending balls disposed on the inner frame 13 by detecting a pachinko ball won in the winning device in the process of flowing down the gaming area 20a by a winning detection sensor (not shown). A winning detection signal is input to the launch / payout control device 140 as a means, and the launch / payout control device 140 controls the operation of a ball payout device 37 (see FIG. 4 or FIG. 6) described later in response to the input of the winning detection signal. Then, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out. In the embodiment, the control means for controlling the launch of the pachinko balls and the control means for controlling the payout of the prize balls and the rental balls are configured by a single control device, but this is not restrictive. In the following description, the lower opening of the launch passage 23 is referred to as a start end opening 23a. In addition, the gaming board 20 is formed with an out-port 24 communicating with the back side of the gaming board 20 at the lowest position in the gaming area 20a, so that the gaming area 20a can be won without winning the winning device. The pachinko balls that have flowed down to the bottom are configured to be discharged to the outside of the game board 20 through the out port 24.

(Outer frame 11)
As shown in FIG. 2, the outer frame 11 is formed in a rectangular frame shape that opens forward and backward, and the outer frame 11 and the middle frame 13 are placed at the upper left position and the lower left position of the outer frame 11. The outer frame side hinge part 11a connected so that opening and closing is possible is attached. In the embodiment, the outer frame 11 includes an upper outer frame portion 12a constituting an upper edge, a lower outer frame portion 12b constituting a lower edge, and a left outer frame portion (not shown) constituting a left edge. The right outer frame portion 12c constituting the right edge is basically composed of upper and lower outer frame portions 12a and 12b formed of a wooden plate member, and the left and right outer frame portions 12c are made of metal such as aluminum. It is formed with a member. Further, a front plate of the lower outer frame portion 12b is provided with a flange plate 12d extending upward over the entire length in the left-right direction, and the upper outer frame portion 12a and the left and right outer frame portions 12c, An opening portion opened before and after the middle frame 13 faces is defined by the flange 12d of the outer frame portion 12b. It should be noted that the height of the saddle plate 12d is set to be larger than the height of the ball box separately prepared in the game store, and is positioned below the ball tray member 17 provided on the front frame 14. The ball box is configured to be installed on the front side of the saddle plate 12d.

(About front frame 14)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front frame 14 is a frame in which a window 15 a penetrating front and rear is opened in a front frame base portion 15 formed in a rectangular shape that substantially matches the opening shape of the outer frame 11. The game area 20a (see FIG. 2) formed on the game board 20 is exposed to the front through the window 15a in a state where the front frame 14 is closed with respect to the middle frame 13. It is configured. A transparent see-through protective plate such as a glass plate is detachably disposed on the back side of the front frame base portion 15 in correspondence with the opening position of the window 15a. The board 20 is transparently protected while being visible. In FIG. 2, the see-through protection plate attached to the front frame 14 is omitted. Further, a front frame side hinge portion 14a for connecting the front frame 14 to the middle frame 13 so as to be openable and closable is provided at the upper left position and the lower left position of the front frame 14 (front frame base portion 15). When the front frame 14 is closed with respect to the middle frame 13, the entire front surface of the middle frame 13 is covered with the front frame 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, on the front side of the front frame 14 (front frame base portion 15), the ball tray member 17 having a ball tray 17a that opens upward is positioned below the window 15a. A predetermined number of pachinko balls can be temporarily stored in the ball tray 17a. And, on the rear surface side of the front frame 14 (front frame base portion 15), a ball feeding device 19 connected to the launching / dispensing control device 140 is installed so as to communicate with the downstream end portion of the ball receiving pan 17a, The ball feeding device 19 is operated based on the turning operation of the operation handle 18 and the pachinko balls stored in the ball receiving tray 17a are sent to the ball hitting device 45 one by one. In the embodiment, the operation handle 18 is provided on the right side of the ball tray member 17 in the front frame 14 (front frame base portion 15). Further, the front frame 14 (front frame base portion 15) is provided with a feed outlet 16 that opens on the left end side of the ball receiving tray 17a so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction. The feed port 16 is configured to be connected to a communication passage 55 (described later) formed in the middle frame 13 in a state where the front frame 14 is closed with respect to the middle frame 13. Balls (prize balls, rental balls, foul balls) are fed to the ball tray 17a.

  Further, the ball tray member 17 according to the embodiment is formed with a ball extraction path (not shown) that opens in the ball tray 17a (for example, the bottom surface) and opens in the lower surface of the ball tray member 17. Yes. The opening on the side of the ball receiving tray 17a of the ball passing path is closed by a shutter member (not shown) that opens and closes in response to an operation of a ball removing operation button 17b (see FIG. 1) disposed on the ball tray member 17. The pachinko ball stored in the ball tray 17a can be directly extracted into a ball box installed below the ball tray member 17 by operating the ball removal operation button 17b to open and close the shutter member. ing. Thus, the pachinko machine 10 according to the embodiment is configured as a so-called “single-plate type” pachinko machine 10 having only one ball receiving tray 17a for storing pachinko balls on the front side. Further, a ball rental operation button 17c is provided on the upper surface of the ball tray member 17, and when the player presses the ball rental operation button 17c, a ball rental operation is performed on the launching / dispensing control device 140. A payout signal is input, and a ball payout device 37 provided on the inner frame 13 is operated to pay out a predetermined number of balls to the ball receiving tray 17a. Various decorative members 15b, lamp devices, and the like are disposed on the front surface of the front frame base portion 15 so as to surround the periphery of the window 15a to decorate the front surface of the pachinko machine 10.

(About the middle frame 13)
As shown in FIG. 2, the middle frame 13 is formed in a rectangular frame shape that substantially matches the opening shape of the outer frame 11 and opens forward and backward at a position biased upward. At the upper left position and the lower right position, there is provided an intermediate frame side hinge portion 13a that connects the intermediate frame 13 and the outer frame 11 so that they can be opened and closed and connects the intermediate frame 13 and the front frame 14 so that they can be opened and closed. . That is, the middle frame 13 is pivotally supported so that the left side of the middle frame 13 can be opened and closed with respect to the outer frame 11 by connecting the outer frame side hinge part 11a and the middle frame side hinge part 13a. By connecting the frame side hinge portion 13a and the front frame side hinge portion 14a, the left side portions of the middle frame 13 and the front frame 14 are pivotally supported so as to be relatively openable and closable. Further, the outer frame 11, the middle frame 13 and the front frame 14 in the embodiment are connected to each other by a support shaft and a shaft support structure of a shaft hole provided relatively to the hinge portions 11a, 13a and 14a, respectively. It has become so.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the middle frame 13 is provided on the middle frame base portion 30 that functions as an installation portion on which the gaming machine components are installed, and the left and right side portions of the middle frame base portion 30. From left and right middle frame portions 32, 33 forming the left and right side edges of the middle frame 13, and an upper middle frame portion 31 provided at the upper ends of the left and right middle frame portions 32, 33 and forming the upper edge of the middle frame 13 When the members 30 to 33 are assembled, the whole is formed in a frame shape having a size matching the opening shape of the outer frame 11. The game board 20 can be attached to and detached from the inner side of the opening part (hereinafter referred to as the game board installation part 40) defined when the middle frame base part 30 and the middle frame parts 31 to 33 are assembled. Is installed. The middle frame base portion 30 and the middle frame portions 31 to 33 constituting the middle frame 13 do not need to be independent members, and a plurality of the middle frame base portion 30 and each of the middle frame portions 31 to 33 or It is also possible to integrally mold all with resin or the like.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4, a ball tank 41 for storing pachinko balls supplied from a ball supply facility (not shown) provided in the amusement store is disposed at the upper position on the back side of the middle frame 13, and the A tank rail 42 is provided for allowing pachinko balls stored in the ball tank 41 to flow in a predetermined number of rows. A confluence passage unit 60 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) communicating with the ball tray 17a is provided below the game board installation portion 40 on the back side of the middle frame 13, and the ball tank 41 and the tank A junction passage unit 60 is disposed below the rail 42 so as to be spaced apart. The tank rail 42 and the junction path unit 60 are configured to communicate with each other via the ball discharge unit 35 spanned between the tank rail 42 and the junction path unit 60 and stored in the ball tank 41. Pachinko balls are supplied to the ball tray 17a via the tank rail 42, the ball dispensing unit 35, and the joining passage unit 60.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the ball dispensing unit 35 includes an upstream passage 36 that communicates with the tank rail 42, a downstream passage 38 that communicates with the merging passage unit 60, A ball dispensing device 37 that communicates the downstream end of the upstream passage 36 and the upstream end of the downstream passage 38 and operates based on a control signal from the firing / dispensing control device 140 is provided. That is, in the state where the ball dispensing device 37 is stopped, the pachinko balls supplied to the ball tank 41 from the ball supply equipment provided on the installation frame base are stored in a state where the upstream passage 36 is filled, and The pachinko balls stored in the upstream-side passage 36 are guided to the downstream-side passage 38 by the ball-dispensing device 37 operated based on the payout signal of the winning ball or the rental ball from the launch / dispensing control device 140. Finally, it is configured to be fed to the ball tray 17a as a prize ball or a rental ball. At the downstream end of the upstream passage 36, a ball removal passage 39 for collecting pachinko balls is provided to branch to a ball collection facility provided outside the pachinko machine 10 (see FIG. 6). By opening the ball removal valve 39 a provided at the branch position, the pachinko balls in the upstream side passage 36 are collected via the ball removal passage 39.

(About the middle frame base 30)
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, on the front surface of the middle frame base portion 30, a launching device is installed that is located substantially on the same plane as the board surface (front face) of the game board 20 installed in the game board installation section 40. A hitting ball launching device 45 that is actuated by operating the operation handle 18 and launches a pachinko ball toward the launching passage 23 is installed in the launching device installation unit 43. The hitting ball launching device 45 is installed in the launching device installation unit 43 in an inclined posture directed to the starting end opening 23a of the launching passage 23 and holds the pachinko ball sent from the ball feeding device 19 at the launch standby position. The firing rail 45a is provided in accordance with the operation of the operation handle 18, and includes a striking ball 45b for hitting a pachinko ball held at the firing standby position on the firing rail 45a. A pachinko ball is fired toward the launch passage 23 along the launch rail 45a. In addition, the upper end portion of the middle frame base portion 30 is provided with a launch port 44 that opens to the start end opening portion 23a of the launch passage 23 on an extension line of the launch rail 45a, along the launch rail 45a. The pachinko ball launched in this manner is configured to be able to move to the launch passage 23 via the launch port 44. Then, the pachinko balls launched into the launch passage 23 are guided along the outer rail 21 toward the game area 20a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the middle frame base portion 30 has a front and rear of the middle frame base portion 30 at a position corresponding to the supply port 16 with the front frame 14 closed with respect to the middle frame 13. A communication passage 55 penetrating the communication passage 55 is provided. The front frame 14 is closed with respect to the middle frame 13, so that the supply outlet 16 is connected to the front opening (ball outlet) of the communication passage 55. The ball flow lowering path portions 65, 75, and 80 of the merging passage unit 60 are connected to the rear opening (ball inlet) of the communication passage 55, and the ball flow lowering path portion 65 of the merging passage unit 60 is connected. , 75, 80, the pachinko balls (prize balls, rental balls, foul balls) are guided to the ball tray 17a through the communication passage 55 and the supply / outlet port 16 (see FIG. 6). The communication passage 55 is formed so as to be positioned in the vicinity of the left end portion of the middle frame base portion 30.

  Further, the middle frame base portion 30 has a ball outlet at the communication passage 55, a passage restriction position where the pachinko balls cannot pass through the communication passage 55, and a passage allowable position where the pachinko balls can pass through the communication passage 55. A ball stop member 56 capable of rotational displacement is disposed. The ball stopper 56 is constantly urged toward the passage restricting position by an urging means 57 such as a spring, and the front frame 14 is opened with respect to the middle frame 13 to communicate with the supply outlet 16. The pachinko ball is configured to prevent the pachinko ball from spilling forward from the communication passage 55 in a state where it is separated from the communication passage 55. Further, in a state where the front frame 14 is closed with respect to the middle frame 13, the pressing portion 16 a formed at the opening edge of the supply / outlet port 16 of the front frame 14 presses the operating piece 58 of the ball stopper member 56. The ball stop member 56 is forcibly displaced from the passage restriction position to the passage permission position, so that the pachinko ball can move from the communication passage 55 to the ball tray 17a. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the ball stopper member 56 is displaced to the passage allowable position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the pachinko ball that has flowed back through the launch passage 23 without any momentum to reach the game area 20 a among the pachinko balls that have jumped into the launch passage 23 (see FIG. 3). A foul ball receiving portion 50 for collecting a so-called foul ball is provided. The foul ball receiving portion 50 includes a receiving port 51 that opens upward on the upper surface (the game board 20 holding portion side) of the middle frame base portion 30 and a discharge port 52 that opens rearward on the rear surface of the middle frame base portion 30. Provided, and is formed in a dish shape inclined downward from the receiving port 51 toward the discharging port 52. That is, pachinko balls that have flowed into the receiving port 51 of the foul ball receiving unit 50 are guided to the discharge port 52 and discharged to the back side of the middle frame base unit 30. Further, the discharge port 52 of the foul ball receiving portion 50 is connected in communication with the ball flow down path portions 65, 75, 80 of the confluence passage unit 60 as will be described later, and the foul ball received in the foul ball receiving portion 50 is connected. Is collected in the ball tray 17a through the junction path unit 60.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the receiving port 51 of the foul ball receiving portion 50 is configured to open in the start end opening portion 23 a of the firing passage 23, and the foul ball that has flowed back through the firing passage 23. Is configured to flow into the foul ball receiver 50. More specifically, the receiving opening 51 of the foul ball receiving portion 50 is provided in the inner frame base portion 30 so as to open at the lower end portion of the outer rail 21 that defines the firing passage 23. That is, the middle frame base portion 30 has the start end opening 23a of the launch passage 23 on the outer side (outer rail 21 side) outside the launch port 44 through which the pachinko balls launched by the hitting ball launching device 45 pass. A foul ball receiving portion 50 is provided adjacent to the launch port 44, and the foul ball flowing down along the outer rail 21 flows into the accept port 51 of the foul ball receiving portion 50 without returning to the launch port 44 side. It is like that.

(About the merge passage unit 60)
Next, the configuration of the merging passage unit 60 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the merge passage unit 60 includes a main body 61 as a unit main body, ball flow path sections 65, 75, and 80 formed in the main body 61 and into which pachinko balls flow down, and the ball flow down And an abnormality detecting means 90 for detecting the retention of pachinko balls in the path portions 65, 75, and 80, and the main body portion 61 is fixed to the back side of the middle frame 13 (the middle frame base portion 30) with screws or the like. It is like that. Here, the main body portion 61 of the embodiment is formed in a box shape that opens upward and has a base portion 62 in which the spherical flow lowering path portions 65, 75, and 80 are defined, and the base portion 62 is attached to the base portion 62 and It comprises a cover part 63 that closes the upper opening of the base part 62 (ball flow down path part 65, 75, 80) and a mechanism installation part 64 in which the abnormality detection means 90 is installed, and covers the base part 62. As a whole, the portion 63 and the mechanism setting portion 64 are attached to form a box shape having a size to block the ball inlet of the communication passage 55 and the discharge port 52 of the foul ball receiving portion 50. The upper surface and the outer surface of the merge passage unit 60 (main body portion 61) are covered with a reinforcing plate 60a to increase the rigidity of the merge passage unit 60.

  Further, the main body portion 61 of the merging passage unit 60 opens to the ball flow-down path portions 65, 75, 80 at positions corresponding to the sphere inlet of the communication passage 55 and the outlet 52 of the foul ball receiving portion 50. The communication ports 61a and 61b are opened so as to open forward, respectively, and allow the pachinko balls to move from the ball flow down path portions 65, 75, and 80 to the communication passage 55, and the ball flow down path from the foul ball receiving portion 50. The pachinko ball (foul ball) can be moved to the parts 65, 75, 80. In the following description, the communication port communicating with the ball inlet of the communication passage 55 is referred to as a first communication port 61a, and the communication port communicating with the discharge port 52 of the foul ball receiving portion 50 is referred to as a second communication port 61b. To do. In other words, in the embodiment, the communication ports 61a and 61b are formed in the main body 61 so that the second communication port 61b is positioned on the right side of the first communication port 61a.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 8 and 12, the spherical flow downward path portions 65, 75, and 80 formed in the merging passage unit 60 are sphere storage portions (merging portions) that communicate with the communication passage 55. ) 65, a discharge ball passage 75 communicating with the downstream passage 38 of the ball dispensing unit 35 and communicating with the ball storage portion 65, and a foul ball communicating with the foul ball receiving portion 50 and communicating with the ball storage portion 65. A passage 80 is provided, and each of the downstream passage 38 and the foul ball receiving portion 50 communicates with the communication passage 55 (the ball receiving tray 17a) via the junction passage unit 60. That is, the prize balls and rental balls paid out by the operation of the ball paying device 37 are temporarily moved to the ball storage portion 65 via the downstream side passage 38 and the payout ball passage 75 and then supplied to the ball receiving tray 17a. At the same time, the foul balls generated by the launch of the hitting ball launching device 45 are once moved to the ball storage unit 65 via the foul ball receiving unit 50 and the foul ball passage 80, and then collected into the ball receiving tray 17a. It has become. As described above, in the pachinko machine 10 according to the embodiment, the payout ball passage 75 of the joining passage unit 60 constitutes a part of the prize ball payout passage for guiding the prize ball to the ball receiving tray 17a. A foul ball passage 80 forms a part of a foul ball collection passage for guiding the foul ball to the ball tray 17a, and a path through which a pachinko ball to be paid out to a player as a prize ball or a rental ball passes, A path through which a pachinko ball collected as a foul ball passes due to a defective firing is merged in the ball reservoir 65.

(About the ball storage unit 65)
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the ball reservoir 65 is configured to open to the front of the main body 61 through the first communication port 61 a, and the merging passage unit 60 is formed in the middle frame 13. When attached to the (inner frame base portion 30), the first communication port 61 a of the sphere storage portion 65 communicates with the sphere inlet of the communication passage 55. The bottom surface 68 of the sphere storage portion 65 is formed so as to uniformly incline downward toward the front (first communication port 61a), and the pachinko sphere in the sphere storage portion 65 faces the communication passage 55. It is configured to roll. Here, the ball storage unit 65 defines a space having a volume capable of storing a certain amount of pachinko spheres (for example, about 200 to 300 balls), and the ball tray 17a is full and cannot be received. The sphere can be temporarily stored in the sphere storage unit 65.

  As shown in FIGS. 8, 10, and 12, the right inner wall 66 defining the right side surface of the sphere reservoir 65 has a first connection port 69 and a second connection port that open to the sphere reservoir 65. 70 is formed at a position separated in the front-rear direction, and the payout ball passage 75 and the foul ball passage 80 communicate with each other in correspondence with the first connection port 69 and the second connection port 70, respectively. Yes. Here, in the embodiment, the payout ball passage 75 is connected to the first connection port 69 located on the inner rear side (back side) of the ball reservoir 65, and the inner front side of the ball reservoir 65 ( The foul ball passage 80 is configured to communicate with a second connection port 70 (a ball outlet of the foul ball passage 80) located on the front side. That is, in the embodiment, the foul ball passage 80 is provided closer to the first communication port 61a where the ball storage portion 65 communicates with the ball receiving tray 17a than the payout ball passage 75. The first connection port 69 functions as a ball outlet of the payout ball passage 75, and the second connection port 70 functions as a ball outlet of the foul ball passage 80.

  Further, the left inner wall 67 that defines the left side surface of the ball storage portion 65 extends from the front end portion connected to the first communication port 61a to the first connection port 69, as shown in FIGS. Is formed in a curved surface shape close to the right inner wall 66 side toward the rear end portion of the sphere storage portion 65 that faces the right side wall 66. As a result, the pachinko balls (prize balls, rental balls, foul balls) that have flowed into the ball reservoir 65 through the first connection port 69 or the second connection port 70 and moved to the left inner wall 67 side can be quickly It is possible to guide to the one communication port 61a. The bottom surface 68 of the sphere storage portion 65 is formed with a bulging portion 68a protruding into the sphere storage portion 65 on the left inner wall 67 side facing the first connection port 69. The rolling direction of the pachinko balls (prize balls and rental balls) that have flowed into the ball storage section 65 via the one connection port 69 (payout ball passage 75) is promptly directed toward the first communication port 61a. In other words, it is possible to prevent the pachinko balls in the ball receiving tray 17a from running out due to the delayed payout of prize balls and rental balls. Here, the protruding height of the bulging portion 68a from the bottom surface 68 of the sphere storage portion 65 is such that a pachinko ball can ride on the bulging portion 68a from the bottom surface 68 (for example, 1/10 of the diameter of the pachinko ball). It is set so that the rolling direction of the pachinko balls can be guided to the first communication port 61a without reducing the number of pachinko balls that can be stored in the ball storage section 65. The peripheral portion of the bulging portion 68a is chamfered in an arc shape so that a pachinko ball can easily ride on the bulging portion 68a.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 14, etc., the bottom surface 68 of the ball reservoir 65 is configured to be positioned below the bottom surface 75a of the payout ball passage 75 (a front passage 77 described later). . The bottom surface 68 of the ball reservoir 65 is provided with a first insertion hole 71 penetrating vertically at the joining position of the dispensing ball passage 75 (a position immediately downstream of the first connection port 69). A first actuating portion 92 (to be described later) in the abnormality detecting means 90 is configured to protrude into the ball storage portion 65 through the first insertion hole 71. That is, as pachinko balls (principal balls and rental balls) flow into the ball storage portion 65 through the payout ball passage 75 (front passage 77) in a state where the pachinko balls stay in the ball storage portion 65, The pachinko ball is configured to stay and operate on the first operating part 92.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 14, a restriction wall 72 protruding into the inside of the sphere storage portion 65 is formed at the opening edge portion of the first insertion hole 71, and is stored in the sphere storage portion 65. While securing the number of possible pachinko balls, the pressure of the pachinko balls staying in the ball reservoir 65 is applied to the side surface of the first actuating portion 92 protruding into the ball reservoir 65 via the first insertion hole 71. This prevents the first operating portion 92 from malfunctioning. In the embodiment, the protruding height of the regulation wall 72 from the bottom surface 68 of the sphere storage portion 65 is set to be approximately the same as the diameter of the pachinko sphere, and the pachinko on the bottom surface 68 of the sphere storage portion 65 is set. By restricting the balls from riding on the restriction wall 72, the pachinko balls at the lowest level of the pachinko balls stored so as to be stacked on the ball storage portion 65 are configured not to contact the first operating portion 92 directly.

(About payout ball passage 75)
As shown in FIGS. 8, 10, and 12, the dispensing ball passage 75 is formed at the rear end portion of the main body 61 and communicates with the downstream passage 38 of the ball dispensing unit 35, The rear passage 76 includes a front passage 77 that connects the first connection port 69 to the first passage 69. Here, the rear passage 76 is inclined downward in the extending direction of the downstream passage 38 of the ball dispensing unit 35 (in the embodiment, from left to right in FIG. 10), and the rear passage 76 has a passage width of 1. The pachinko balls (award balls and rental balls) are set to dimensions that allow a single pachinko ball to pass in a row, and flow into the merging passage unit 60 (dispensing ball passage 75) from the ball dispensing unit 35 (downstream passage 38). Can flow smoothly without any clogging.

  Further, the front passage 77 of the payout ball passage 75 communicates with the downstream end portion (right end portion) of the rear passage 76 and is positioned so as to overlap the front side of the rear passage 76, and is folded back and inclined downward to the left. It is formed into a shape. Here, the passage width of the front passage 77 is set to a dimension that allows a plurality of (two in the embodiment) pachinko balls to pass side by side, and the passage width of the payout ball passage 75 after being turned back is enlarged. As a result, a large number of pachinko balls (award balls and rental balls) that are paid out at a time can be promptly guided to the ball storage unit 65. The first operating portion 92 is configured to face the entire width of the front passage 77, and all the pachinko balls (prize balls and rental balls) that have passed through the payout ball passage 75 are the first operating portion 92. It is supposed to move up. In addition, the connecting portion between the rear passage 76 and the front passage 77 in the payout ball passage 75 (that is, the turn-up portion of the payout ball passage 75) is dimensioned so that a plurality (two in the embodiment) of pachinko balls can pass side by side. The pachinko balls (principal balls and rental balls) that are set and flow into the front passage 77 from the rear passage 76 are prevented from clogging. Further, the turn-up portion of the payout ball passage 75 is formed in a step shape in which a front passage 77 is positioned below the rear passage 76 (see FIG. 8), and the pachinko ball (award) is not stopped at the turn-up portion. Spheres or rental balls) can flow smoothly from the rear passage 76 to the front passage 77.

(About foul ball passage 80)
As shown in FIGS. 8, 10, and 12, the foul ball passage 80 is configured to bend gently from the second communication port 61 b toward the second connection port 70. Is attached to the middle frame 13 (the middle frame base portion 30), the second communication port 61b of the foul ball passage 80 communicates with the discharge port 52 of the foul ball receiving unit 50. That is, the rear wall 82 that defines the rear surface of the foul ball passage 80 is formed in a curved surface that is gently curved from the right opening edge of the second communication port 61b toward the rear opening edge of the second connection port 70. In addition, the front wall 83 that defines the front surface of the foul ball passage 80 is formed in a curved surface that is gently curved from the left opening edge of the second communication port 61b toward the front opening edge of the second connection port 70. Thus, the pachinko ball (foul ball) flowing into the foul ball passage 80 from the discharge port 52 of the foul ball receiving unit 50 via the second communication port 61b is smoothly guided to the ball storage unit 65. Here, the passage width of the foul ball passage 80 is set to a size that allows a plurality (two in the embodiment) of pachinko balls to flow side by side, and flows into the foul ball passage 80 from the foul ball receiving portion 50. The ball can be promptly guided to the ball storage unit 65 while preventing the clogging of the pachinko ball (foul ball).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the bottom surface 81 connected to the lower edge portion of the second communication port 61b in the foul ball passage 80 is positioned immediately upstream of the second connection port 70 (confluence with the ball storage unit 65). The second insertion hole 84 penetrating vertically and rearward is opened at the position), and a second operating part 93 (to be described later) of the abnormality detecting means 90 faces the ball storage part 65 through the second insertion hole 84. It is out. That is, the second operating portion 93 can be operated as pachinko balls (foul balls) flowing in through the foul ball receiving portion 50 stay in the foul ball passage 80. Here, the second insertion hole 84 is provided at a position biased to the rear side (the back side of the ball storage portion 65) at the downstream end portion of the foul ball passage 80, and the rear wall of the foul ball passage 80. Pachinko balls (foul spheres) flowing down along 82 are guided to the second actuating portion 93. Here, the bottom surface 81 of the foul ball passage 80 is continuous with the rear wall 82 and is continuously inclined downward from the second communication port 61b toward the second insertion hole 84 (second operating portion 93). A rear inclined surface 81a, and a front inclined surface 81b that is located on the front side of the rear inclined surface 81a and that is continuous with the front wall 83 and is inclined downward toward the rear side (rear inclined surface 81a side). The pachinko balls (foul spheres) flowing into the foul ball passage 80 from the foul ball receiving part 50 are rolled along the rear inclined surface 81a and guided to the second operating part 93.

  Further, on the downstream side of the second actuating portion 93 in the foul ball passage 80, a step portion 86 is formed which is lowered by a predetermined height from the bottom surface 81 of the foul ball passage 80. The second connection port 70 is in communication. That is, the bottom surface 81 of the foul ball passage 80 is located above the bottom surface 68 of the ball storage portion 65. In the embodiment, the height of the stepped portion 86 from the bottom surface 68 of the sphere storage portion 65 is set to be approximately the same as the diameter of the pachinko sphere. Further, the front wall 83 and the rear wall 82 of the foul ball passage 80 have an opening restriction that restricts swinging of the opening / closing member 100 described later at a position corresponding to the second insertion hole 84 (second operating portion 93). A portion 85 is provided.

(About the abnormality detection means 90)
Next, the abnormality detection means 90 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the abnormality detecting means 90 is operated at an operation position corresponding to the staying state of the pachinko balls in the payout ball passage 75 (see FIGS. 13B, 15, 17, and 18. ) And a first actuating portion 92 that is displaced to a standby position corresponding to a state in which the pachinko ball can pass through the payout ball passage 75, an operating position corresponding to the pachinko ball staying state in the foul ball passage 80, and the foul A second operating portion 93 that is displaced to a standby position corresponding to a state in which a pachinko ball can pass through the ball passage 80, an operating position corresponding to an open state of the front frame 14 as the opening / closing member with respect to the intermediate frame 13, and the intermediate frame The third operating part 110 that is displaced to the standby position corresponding to the closed state of the front frame 14 with respect to 13 and the displacement to any of the operating positions of the first to third operating parts 92, 93, 110 are detected and detected. Means to switch to And a detection sensor 98 as the above. Here, the first operating portion 92 and the second operating portion 93 of the embodiment are integrally provided on a swinging member 91 pivotally supported by the mechanism installation portion 64 so as to be swingable. As one of the operating portions 92, 93 of the second operating portion 92 and the second operating portion 93 is displaced to the operating position, the other operating portion 92, 93 is also displaced to the operating position.

  As shown in FIGS. 9, 13, and 14, the swinging member 91 has an extension piece 94 extending forward from a side edge (right edge in FIG. 9) of the first operating portion 92. The second actuating portion 93 is formed at the front end portion of the extending piece 94, and the second storage portion 65 is formed in the ball storage portion 65 when the base portion 62 and the mechanism installation portion 64 are assembled. The first operating part 92 is inserted into the first insertion hole 71 from below, and the second operating part 93 is inserted into the second insertion hole 84 formed in the foul ball passage 80 from the rear. . Further, a shaft hole 91 a extending in the left-right direction is formed at the rear end portion of the swing member 91, and the swing shaft 95 inserted through the shaft hole 91 a is pivotally supported by the mechanism installation portion 64. By doing so, the swing member 91 is attached to the mechanism installation portion 64 so as to be able to swing and displace in the vertical direction. A torsion spring as an urging means 96 is interposed on the swing shaft 95, and the swing member 91 is moved upward (the first operating portion 92 and the second operating portion 93 correspond to the first insertion hole 71 corresponding thereto. And a direction of projecting upward from the second insertion hole 84).

  Here, the swinging member 91 is formed with an engagement hook 91 b at the front end portion of the first operating portion 92, and the engagement hook 91 b is engaged with the lower end edge of the opening of the first insertion hole 71. Thus, the upward swing displacement of the swing member 91 is restricted (see FIG. 14). Further, the downward swing displacement of the swing member 91 is configured such that the lower part of the front end of the swing member 91 (second operating portion 93) comes into contact with the mechanism installation portion 64. That is, the swing member 91 (the first operating portion 92 and the second operating portion 93) is in a state where the engagement hook 91b is engaged with the lower end edge of the first insertion hole 71 and the swing member 91 (first 2) The lower part of the front end of the actuating part 93) can swing within a range in which the lower part of the front end is in contact with the mechanism installation part 64. In the following description, the positions of the first operating portion 92 and the second operating portion 93 in a state where the swinging member 91 swings upward in accordance with the bias of the torsion spring is referred to as a standby position (FIG. 13 ( a), FIG. 14 and FIG. 16), the positions of the first operating portion 92 and the second operating portion 93 in a state where the swinging member 91 swings downward against the bias of the torsion spring is defined as the operating position. It shall be designated (see FIG. 13 (b), FIG. 15, FIG. 17, FIG. 18). In addition, the code | symbol P in FIG. 15 etc. has shown the pachinko ball.

(About the first operating part 92)
As shown in FIGS. 8, 10, and 14, the first operating portion 92 is formed in a shape that substantially matches the opening shape of the first insertion hole 71, and the pachinko that has passed through the dispensing ball passage 75. The sphere is prevented from dropping from the first insertion hole 71 to the mechanism installation portion 64 side. Here, in a state where the first operating portion 92 is in the standby position, the bottom surface 75a of the payout ball passage 75 (front passage 77) and the top surface 92a of the first operating portion 92 are located on the same plane, or The upper surface 92a of the first actuating portion 92 is positioned below the bottom surface 75a of the payout ball passage 75 (front passage 77), and the pachinko ball that has passed through the payout ball passage 75 (front passage 77) is the first. It is possible to move on one operating part 92. In the embodiment, when the first operating part 92 is in the standby position, the upper surface 92a of the first operating part 92 is positioned below the bottom surface 75a of the payout ball passage 75 (front passage 77). In the state where the first operating portion 92 is in the operating position, the upper surface 92a of the first operating portion 92 is configured to be positioned above the upper end portion of the restriction wall 72 formed in the ball storage portion 65. The movement of the pachinko ball on the upper surface 92 a of the first operating portion 92 is not restricted by the restriction wall 72.

  When a pachinko ball (prize ball or rental ball) gets on the first operating portion 92, the swinging member 91 swings due to the weight of the pachinko ball, and the first operating portion 92 is moved from the standby position to the operating position. While moving (see FIGS. 14 and 15), the pachinko ball on the first actuating portion 92 moves to the bottom surface 68 side of the ball storage portion 65, so that the swinging member 91 waits due to the bias of the torsion spring. It is configured to return to the position. Further, the upper surface 92a of the first operating part 92 is inclined downward toward the front (first communication port 61a) regardless of whether the first operating part 92 is in the standby position or the operating position. Has been. That is, the pachinko ball that has passed through the payout ball passage 75 and arrived on the first operating portion 92 is not limited to the first communication position regardless of whether the first operating portion 92 is in the standby position or the operating position. It is guided toward the bottom surface 68 side of the ball storage portion 65 toward the mouth 61a.

(About the 2nd operation part 93)
As shown in FIGS. 9, 11, 13 (a), and 16, the second operating portion 93 is formed in a shape that substantially matches the opening shape of the second insertion hole 84, and has a foul ball passage. The pachinko balls that have passed 80 are prevented from falling from the second insertion hole 84 to the mechanism installation portion 64 side. Here, in a state where the second operating portion 93 is in the standby position, the bottom surface 81 (rear inclined surface 81a) of the foul ball passage 80 and the upper surface 93a of the second operating portion 93 are located on the same plane, Alternatively, the upper surface 93a of the second operating portion 93 is positioned below the bottom surface 81 (rearly inclined surface 81a) of the foul ball passage 80, and the pachinko ball that has passed through the foul ball passage 80 is the second operating portion. 93 can be moved. In the embodiment, the bottom surface 81 (rear inclined surface 81a) of the foul ball passage 80 and the upper surface 93a of the second operation unit 93 are substantially flush with each other when the second operation unit 93 is in the standby position. positioned. When a pachinko ball (foul ball) gets on the second operating part 93, the swinging member 91 swings due to the weight of the pachinko ball, and the second operating part 93 moves from the standby position to the operating position. The swinging member 91 is configured to return to the standby position by the biasing of the torsion spring when the pachinko ball on the second operating portion 93 moves to the bottom surface 68 side of the ball storage portion 65.

  As shown in FIG. 17, when the second operating part 93 is in the operating position, the bottom surface 86a of the stepped part 86 (the bottom surface 68 of the ball storage part 65) and the top surface 93a of the second operating part 93 are flush with each other. The pachinko ball located on the second actuating part 93 in the actuating position is configured such that the upper face 93a of the second actuating part 93 is located above the bottom face 68 of the ball storing part 65. Is configured to be able to roll to the sphere storage unit 65 side. In the embodiment, the upper surface 93a of the second operating portion 93 is positioned slightly above the bottom surface 68 of the ball storage portion 65 when the second operating portion 93 is in the operating position. Furthermore, regardless of whether the second operating portion 93 is in the standby position or the operating position, the upper surface 93a of the second operating portion 93 is inclined downward toward the second connection port 70 (the ball storage portion 65). It is comprised so that the pachinko ball on the said 2nd operation part 93 may be guided to the 1st communicating port 61a.

  The swing member 91 includes a first detection piece (detection unit) extending downward on the lower surface side of the extension piece 94 connecting the first operation unit 92 and the second operation unit 93. 97 is formed (see FIG. 13). In the mechanism installation portion 64, a detection sensor 98 that detects the first detection piece 97 is installed at a position corresponding to the first detection piece 97 of the swing member 91. In the embodiment, a photo interrupter in which a light receiving portion 98a and a light emitting portion 98b are arranged to face each other with a predetermined distance is adopted as the detection sensor 98, and the gap between the light receiving portion 98a and the light emitting portion 98b is vertically and vertically. A detection sensor 98 is attached to the lower surface side of the mechanism installation portion 64 in a posture opening rearward. That is, the detection sensor 98 has openings that are open in three different directions, upper, lower and rear. Here, in a state where the first operating part 92 and the second operating part 93 are held at the standby position, the first detection piece 97 is retracted above the detection sensor 98 and the detection sensor 98 is not detected. On the other hand, when the first operating part 92 or the second operating part 93 is displaced from the standby position to the operating position, the first detection piece 97 is inserted into the gap (upper insertion port) above the detection sensor 98. Configured to be detected.

  In an embodiment, when the detection sensor 98 switches to a detection state for detecting the first detection piece 97 and the detection state continues for a specified time, the payout by the ball payout device 37 is stopped. The firing / dispensing control device 140 is set. Here, as a specified time as a reference for stopping the payout by the ball payout device 37, when a pachinko ball (award ball or rental ball) passing through the payout ball passage 75 passes over the first operating portion 92. The time that the detection sensor 98 detects is set for the time that the first detection piece 97 is displaced from the standby position to the operating position by the weight of the pachinko ball. Similarly, when the pachinko ball (foul ball) passing through the foul ball passage 80 passes over the second operating part 93, the first time is set from the standby position to the operating position by the weight of the pachinko ball. The time is set longer than the time detected by the detection sensor 98 by the time when the detection piece 97 is displaced. In the embodiment, a time of several seconds (for example, 3 seconds) is set as the specified time. This prevents the operation of the ball dispensing device 37 from being stopped each time a prize ball or a rental ball is paid out or a foul ball is generated.

(About the third working part)
As shown in FIGS. 5, 9, etc., the third operating part 110 is formed in a long bar shape extending in the front-rear direction, and is adjacent to the detection sensor 98 on the lower surface side of the mechanism installation part 64. In addition, a rear end portion is inserted into a cylindrical holder 112 formed so as to open forward in a state where the third operating portion 110 can move back and forth. The third operating part 110 is configured to protrude forward from the front surface of the joining passage unit 60 in a state of being attached to the cylindrical holder 112, and the joining passage unit 60 is formed on the middle frame base part 30. When attached, the third actuating portion 110 is provided on the front side of the middle frame base portion 30 through a through hole 30a (see FIGS. 3, 5, and 19) formed so as to penetrate the middle frame base portion 30 in the front-rear direction. It is comprised so that the front-end part of may protrude. Further, a spring member (biasing means) 113 is interposed between the rear end portion of the third operating portion 110 and the inner bottom surface of the cylindrical holder 112, and the third operating portion is operated by the spring member 113. The part 110 is always urged to protrude forward. The third operating part 110 and the cylindrical holder 112 are provided with retaining means (not shown) for preventing the third operating part 110 from falling off from the cylindrical holder 112, and the spring member The rear end portion of the third actuating portion 110 urged at 113 is configured not to escape from the front opening of the cylindrical holder 112. As the retaining means, any structure can be adopted as long as it can prevent the third working part 110 from falling off from the cylindrical holder 112 while allowing the third working part 110 to move back and forth. For example, a groove extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the peripheral surface of the third operating portion 110, and a protrusion that slides in the groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical holder 112, so that the rear end of the groove It is realizable by comprising so that a projection part may latch on an edge.

  Here, the front end portion of the third operating portion 110 urged forward by the spring member 113 is, as shown in FIG. 19, a front frame 14 (front frame base portion 15 which is closed with respect to the middle frame 13). ) Is configured to protrude forward from the rear surface. Thereby, in a state where the front frame 14 is closed with respect to the middle frame 13, the front end portion of the third operating portion 110 is pressed on the rear surface of the front frame 14 (front frame base portion 15), and the spring member 113. The third operating part 110 is displaced rearward against the urging of the third frame, and the front frame 14 is opened with respect to the middle frame 13, so that the third operating part 110 is moved forward by the urging of the spring member 113. It is designed to be displaced. As a result, the third operating part 110 moves to the operating position corresponding to the open state of the front frame 14 with respect to the middle frame 13 (see FIGS. 3, 13 (a), 19 (a)) and the middle frame 13. The front frame 14 can be displaced to a standby position corresponding to the closed state (see FIGS. 13B and 19B).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 9, 13, and 19, the third operating part 110 includes a second detection piece extending in the front-rear direction at a position aligned with the rear opening of the detection sensor 98 in the front-rear direction. (Another detection unit) 111 is provided, and the second detection piece 111 can be inserted and removed through a gap (rear insertion port) behind the detection sensor 98 as the third operating unit 110 moves back and forth. It is like that. Here, in a state in which the third operation unit 110 is held at the standby position, the second detection piece 111 is retracted behind the detection sensor 98 and the detection sensor 98 is not detected, while the third operation is not performed. When the part 110 is displaced forward from the standby position to the operating position, the second detection piece 111 is inserted into the rear insertion port of the detection sensor 98 and detected. That is, the third operating unit 110 is always held in the standby position in a normal state where the pachinko machine 10 is used for gaming (that is, a state where the front frame 14 is closed with respect to the middle frame 13), When the front frame 14 is opened and in an abnormal state, the third operating part 110 is displaced to the operating position, and the second detection piece 111 is detected by the detection sensor 98. The cylindrical holder 112 is formed with slits 114 that open to the front and the inside of the cylindrical holder 112 at positions corresponding to the second detection pieces 111, and the third operating unit 110 is arranged in the front-rear direction. When moved, the second detection piece 111 can appear and disappear through the slit 114.

  Here, the detection sensor 98 is wired to a main control device (not shown) as a control means for controlling the entire pachinko machine 10, and the detection sensor 98 is connected to the first detection piece 97 and the second detection piece 97. A common detection signal is output to the main control device when any detection unit of the detection piece 111 is detected. The firing / dispensing control device 140 is set to output a dispensing stop signal to the ball dispensing device 37 as a common detection signal from the detection sensor 98 is input to the main control device. In response to the input of the payout stop signal, the ball payout device 37 stops paying out the pachinko balls. Then, when the detection sensor 98 detects neither the first detection piece 97 or the second detection piece 111 as a non-detection part, a common detection cancellation signal is input to the main controller. The payout control device 140 is set to stop outputting the payout stop signal to the ball payout device 37. In other words, the ball payout device 37 performs a payout operation of a ball or a winning ball based on a ball paying out signal by operating the ball lending operation button 17c or a winning detection signal by winning a pachinko ball to the winning device. On the way, when a common detection signal is input from the detection sensor 98, the payout of the lent or prize ball is temporarily interrupted. When the detection cancel signal is input, the suspension of the payout of the rented or winning balls is canceled, and the firing / dispensing control device 140 pays out the remaining number of the unpaid rented or winning balls. It is set to control the operation of the device 37. Further, when a common detection signal is input from the detection sensor 98 of the abnormality detection means 90, an abnormality detection signal is output from the main control device to the notification means to notify the occurrence of the abnormality.

  Here, as the notification means, a symbol display device provided in the pachinko machine 10, a speaker 26 (see FIG. 2), a light emitting means, and the like are appropriately employed. As specific notification control accompanying the detection of the abnormality detection means 90 in the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the main control device outputs a warning sound from the speaker 26 continuously with the input of the common detection signal. I have control. The speaker 26 is set to output a sound such as “please remove the ball” as an alarm sound. That is, at the time of detection by the abnormality detection means 90, notification is set based on the state in which pachinko balls cannot be supplied to the ball receiving tray 17a, which is frequently generated when playing a game. In addition to the warning sound output from the speaker 26, a warning display such as “please remove the ball” may be displayed on the symbol display device to visually alert the player.

  Further, the abnormality notification (alarm sound output from the speaker 26) accompanying the detection of the abnormality detecting means 90 is continuously performed until the input of the common detection signal to the main control device is stopped. Yes. For this reason, when the common detection signal is input to the main control device due to the opening of the front frame 14 and an abnormality is notified, the pachinko ball can be supplied to the ball tray 17a. However, the input of the common detection signal does not stop, and the abnormality notification is continued. That is, even if the alarm sound is output from the speaker 26 based on the fact that the pachinko ball cannot be supplied to the ball receiving tray 17a, an abnormality due to the opening of the front frame 14 occurs. I can recognize that.

  Further, in the abnormality detection means 90 according to the embodiment, when the first detection piece 97 is in the standby position, the second detection piece 111 is in the operating position and the standby position without interfering with the first detection piece 97. In the state where the second detection piece 111 is in the standby position, the first detection piece 97 is not moved between the operating position and the standby position without interfering with the second detection piece 111. It is configured to be able to be displaced. That is, each of the first detection piece 97 and the second detection piece 111 can be displaced independently between the operating position and the standby position, and the pachinko ball is supplied to the opening of the front frame 14 and the ball receiving tray 17a. A full state that cannot be detected can be detected by a single device. Here, the first detection piece 97 and the second detection piece 111 are configured to move in axial directions having different orthogonal coordinates (for example, the vertical direction is the X axis and the front-rear direction is the Y axis), and The detection sensor 98 is arranged at the intersection of the first detection piece 97 and the second detection piece 111.

  In a state where the first detection piece 97 is inserted through the upper insertion port of the detection sensor 98, the second detection piece 111 is interfered with the first detection piece 97 and the second difference between the second detection piece 111 and the back of the detection sensor 98. When the second detection piece 111 is inserted through the rear insertion port of the detection sensor 98, the first detection piece 97 is detected by interference with the second detection piece 111. It is configured so that it cannot be inserted into the upper insertion port of the sensor 98. Thus, in the abnormality detecting means of the embodiment, in the state where the first detection piece 97 is in the operating position, the displacement of the second detection piece 111 to the operating position is restricted by the first detection piece 97, In a state where the two detection pieces 111 are in the operating position, the displacement of the first detection piece 97 to the operating position is restricted by the second detection piece 111, and the first detection piece 97 and the second detection piece 111 are detected by the detection sensor 98. Any one of these can be detected independently.

(About on-off valve 102)
Next, the opening / closing member 100 provided in the foul ball passage 80 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 10, and 11, the opening / closing member 100 is located in the middle of the path between the support portion 101 attached to the main body 61 of the merging passage unit 60 and the foul ball passage 80. And an opening / closing valve 102 that is swingably supported by the support portion 101 and is displaceable to a closed position (see FIG. 16) for closing the foul ball passage 80 and an open position (see FIG. 18) for opening the passage 80. Basically composed. In the embodiment, the opening / closing member 100 is attached to the body portion 61 of the merging passage unit 60 so that the opening / closing valve 102 is positioned at the downstream end portion (second connection port 70) of the foul ball passage 80. The two connection ports 70 are configured to be opened and closed by the opening / closing valve 102.

  As shown in FIGS. 8, 10, etc., the support portion 101 includes a locking claw 101 b at both ends of a base portion 101 a formed to have a length traversing the foul ball passage 80, and the main body portion 61. By locking the locking claw 101 b in the locking hole 107 formed in the mounting portion 107, it is attached to the main body 61 so as to straddle the foul ball passage 80. The base portion 101a of the support portion 101 is formed with an inclined portion 101c that is inclined upward from the downstream side to the upstream side of the foul ball passage 80. The base portion 101a is inserted from the second connection port 70 side and is inserted into the base portion 101a. A fraudulent tool such as a wire that is in contact with the inclined portion 101c is guided upward to prevent it from being inserted into the second communication port 61b. The support portion 101 is provided with a bearing portion 101d that supports a shaft portion 105 that pivotally supports the on-off valve 102 on the front side of the base portion 101a.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the on-off valve 102 has a valve main body 103 formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape capable of closing the second connection port 70, and a shaft hole 104 a along the upper end of the valve main body 103. And the shaft valve 105 is inserted into the shaft hole 104a of the shaft tube portion 104. The shaft portion 105 is supported by the bearing portion 101d of the support portion 101, so that the on-off valve 102 supports the support portion. It is supported so as to be swingable with respect to 101. Thus, by pivotally supporting the upper end of the on-off valve 102, the valve body 103 is urged by its own weight toward the closed position where the second connection port 70 is closed. The upper end portion of the on-off valve 102 in the closed position is formed to be separated from the base portion 62 that defines the upper surface of the foul ball passage 80, and the upper end portion of the on-off valve 102 and the base portion 62 are The opening / closing operation of the opening / closing valve 102 is allowed by the gap.

  In the state where the valve is in the closed position, the left and right side edges of the on-off valve 102 (valve main body 103) correspond to the opening restricting portions 85 formed on the front wall 83 and the rear wall 82 of the foul ball passage 80, respectively. (See FIGS. 11 and 13 to 17). Accordingly, the on-off valve 102 is swung (opening operation) from the second connection port 70 side to the inside of the foul ball passage 80 (downstream to upstream side of the foul ball passage 80) with the on-off valve 102 (valve body 103) interposed therebetween. ) And the swinging (opening operation) of the on-off valve 102 from the inside of the foul ball passage 80 to the second connection port 70 side is permitted with the on-off valve 102 interposed therebetween. That is, when the on-off valve 102 pressed by the pachinko ball (foul ball) passing through the foul ball passage 80 opens, the pachinko ball (foul ball) moves from the foul ball passage 80 to the ball storage portion 65. To get. Further, in the state of being in the closed position, the on-off valve 102 that is in contact with the opening restriction portion 85 is inclined toward the ball storage portion 65 side (the second connection port 70 side) from the upper end portion toward the lower end portion. The on-off valve 102 pressed by the pachinko ball (foul ball) passing through the foul ball passage 80 can easily perform the opening operation.

  Here, the opening restricting portion 85 is formed so that the full lengths of the left and right side edge portions of the on-off valve 102 (valve body 103) located above the bottom surface 81 of the foul ball passage 80 are in contact (see FIG. 11, see FIG. 13 to FIG. 17), and an unauthorized tool such as a wire entered from the ball reservoir 65 is prevented from being inserted into the inside of the foul ball passage 80 from the left and right edges of the on-off valve 102. ing. The lower end of the on-off valve 102 (valve main body 103) in the closed position extends downward from the bottom surface 81 of the foul ball passage 80 and faces the stepped portion 86, so that the ball storage An improper tool such as a wire entered from the portion 65 is prevented from being inserted into the foul ball passage 80 from the lower edge portion of the on-off valve 102. Further, the lower end portion of the on-off valve 102 (valve body 103) is formed in a curved shape that is separated from the second connection port 70 from the upper side to the lower side, and a wire or the like is formed on the lower end portion of the on-off valve 102. The on-off valve 102 is prevented from being forcibly opened due to an unauthorized tool being caught. Furthermore, the upper end portion of the valve body 103 in the on-off valve 102 in the closed position is located above the lower end portion of the base portion 101a of the support portion 101, and a gap formed on the upper side of the valve body 103 is supported. The unit 101 is configured to face the base 101a. As a result, even if an unauthorized tool such as a wire is inserted into the gap above the valve main body 103 from the ball storage section 65, the unauthorized tool enters the inside of the foul ball passage 80 by the base 101a. Can be prevented.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 16 to 18, the on-off valve 102 is provided with a swing restricting portion 106 that protrudes upward from the shaft tube portion 104. The swing restricting portion 106 is configured to be separated from the base 101a (specifically, the inclined portion 101c) of the support portion 101 in the opening direction of the on-off valve 102 in the closed position. While the opening operation of the opening / closing valve 102 is permitted, the swing restricting portion 106 comes into contact with the base portion 101a of the support portion 101 to restrict the opening operation of the opening / closing valve 102. Here, as shown in FIG. 18, in a state where the on-off valve 102 pressed by the pachinko ball (foul ball) passing through the foul ball passage 80 is displaced to the open position, the swing restricting unit 106 is supported by the support unit 101. The base portion 101a is slightly spaced in the opening direction of the on-off valve 102. In this state, the on-off valve 102 is allowed to open slightly. That is, when the on-off valve 102 is allowed to open while the on-off valve 102 pressed by the pachinko ball (foul ball) passing through the foul ball passage 80 is displaced to the open position, the on-off valve 102 allows the pachinko It prevents the ball (foul ball) from getting stuck and getting stuck. Here, when the swing restricting portion 106 is in contact with the base portion 101a of the support portion 101 and the opening operation of the on-off valve 102 is restricted (that is, the on-off valve 102 is opened from the open position), the on-off valve The lower end portion of 102 and the bottom surface 68 of the ball storage portion 65 are set to be spaced apart at a slightly larger distance than the diameter of the pachinko ball. That is, the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing valve 102 is restricted to the extent that one pachinko ball (fouling ball) can pass through the foul ball passage 80 in one stage, and the opening / closing valve 102 is unnecessarily opened. Is regulated.

(Effects of Example)
Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 according to the embodiment will be described.

  When the player rotates the operation handle 18 provided on the front side of the pachinko machine 10, the ball feeding device 19 is activated and the pachinko balls stored in the ball receiving tray 17a are moved one by one in the ball hitting device 45. The pachinko ball that is sent to the launch standby position of the launch rail 45a and is held at the launch standby position is hit by the hitting ball 45b and fired toward the launch passage 23 of the game board 20 along the launch rail 45a. Is done. The pachinko balls launched into the launch passage 23 are guided along the outer rail 21 into the game area 20a defined in the game board 20, and contact the game nails to change the flow direction. The game area 20a flows down. When the pachinko ball flowing down the game area 20a wins the winning device, the symbol change effect on the symbol display device is started, and a winning ball payout signal is input to the launch / payout control device 140 Then, the ball dispensing device 37 is operated to dispense a predetermined number of prize balls. In addition, when a player presses a lending operation button 17c provided on the front side of the pachinko machine 10 at the start of a game or the like, a lending payout signal is input to the launch / payout control device 140, The ball paying device 37 is activated to pay a predetermined number of balls.

  When the ball dispensing device 37 is operated, a winning ball or a pachinko ball as a rental ball is sent from the upstream passage 36 of the ball dispensing unit 35 to the downstream passage 38 and flows into the joining passage unit 60. Then, pachinko balls (principal balls and rental balls) that have flowed into the merging passage unit 60 roll to the sphere storage portion 65 via the payout sphere passage 75, and are moved along the bottom surface 68 of the sphere storage portion 65. It is guided to the communication passage 55 of the middle frame 13 from the one communication port 61a, and finally is paid out to the ball receiving tray 17a through the supply / outlet 16 so as to be used in the game. When the momentum of the pachinko ball launched by the hitting ball launching device 45 is weak, the pachinko ball does not reach the game area 20 a defined on the game board 20, and the pachinko ball is moved along the outer rail 21. It becomes a foul sphere in which the sphere flows backward. The foul sphere flows into the merging passage unit 60 through the foul sphere receiving portion 50. Then, the pachinko sphere (foul sphere) that has flowed into the merging passage unit 60 rolls to the sphere storage portion 65 via the foul sphere passage 80, and the first communication port along the bottom surface 68 of the sphere storage portion 65. It is guided from 61a to the communication passage 55 of the middle frame 13, and finally paid out to the ball receiving tray 17a through the supply / outlet port 16 for use in the game.

  Here, if the amount of pachinko balls that can be stored in the ball tray 17a is exceeded, the pachinko balls paid out as prize balls or rental balls, or the pachinko balls collected as foul balls are stored in the merging passage unit 60. It stays in the part 65. Then, when the pachinko ball (awarded ball or rental ball) coming from the payout ball passage 75 stays on the first operating part 92 when the pachinko ball stays in the ball storing part 65, the first operating part The detection sensor 98 detects the displacement from the standby position 92 to the operating position, and the operation of the ball dispensing device 37 is stopped. Further, when the pachinko ball stays in the ball storage unit 65 and the pachinko ball (foul ball) coming from the foul ball passage 80 stays on the second operation unit 93, the second operation unit 93 waits. The detection sensor 98 detects the displacement from the position to the operating position, and the operation of the ball dispensing device 37 is stopped. In this way, pachinko balls (prize balls) that are paid out when winning at the winning opening and pachinko balls (rental balls) that are paid out when the lending operation button 17c is operated stay in the payout ball passage 75. And the displacement of the first operating portion 92 to the operating position of the first operating portion 92 and the displacement of the second operating portion 93 to the operating position of the pachinko ball (foul ball) that does not reach the game area 20a. Is detected by a single detection sensor 98, so that the pachinko balls are not paid out to the ball tray 17a, and excessive pachinko balls are retained in the ball tray 17a (the ball storage section 65). Can be prevented. In addition, since a single detection sensor 98 detects the retention of prize balls or rental balls and the retention of foul balls, it is not necessary to increase the number of installation of the detection sensors 98, thereby reducing costs and saving. Space can be achieved.

  In the merging passage unit 60, the second connection port 70 to which the foul sphere passage 80 is connected to the sphere storage portion 65 is connected to the sphere storage portion 65 rather than the first connection port 69 to which the payout sphere passage 75 is connected to the sphere storage portion 65. The ball storage unit 65 is provided so as to be positioned close to the first communication port 61a communicating with the ball tray 17a. As a result, the number of pachinko balls (the number of prize balls and the number of balls lent) that can be received in the ball storage unit 65 can be increased, and the payout of prize balls and balls can be prevented from being delayed. Further, since foul ball retention can be detected quickly, excessive pachinko ball retention in the ball tray 17a can be effectively prevented.

  Further, by providing the first operating portion 92 and the second operating portion 93 in the single swing member 91, the configuration of the joining passage unit 60 can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. The unit 60 can be made compact to save space. Further, by providing a first actuating portion 92 for detecting the stay of the prize balls or the rental balls on the swinging shaft 95 side of the swinging member 91, a pachinko ball (awarding balls or rental balls) coming from the payout ball passage 75 is provided. When the ball passes through the first actuating part 92, the first actuating part 92 can hardly be displaced from the standby position to the actuated position. It is possible to prevent the detection sensor 98 from erroneously detecting the pachinko ball (prize ball or rental ball) to be passed over the first operating portion 92. Further, by providing the second operating portion 93 for detecting the stay of the foul ball at the end portion of the swing member 91 that is separated from the swing shaft 95, the response of the second operation portion 93 at the time of the stay of the foul ball is obtained. Therefore, the retention of the pachinko sphere (foul sphere) in the foul sphere passage 80 can be detected quickly.

  In addition, the foul ball passage 80 of the embodiment is provided with an opening / closing valve 102 for opening and closing the foul ball passage 80 at the second connection port 70 (in the course of the foul ball passage 80) connected to the ball storage portion 65. The on-off valve 102 can be opened only when pressed by the pachinko ball flowing down the foul ball passage 80. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the pachinko balls staying in the ball storage section 65 from entering (reversely flowing) into the foul ball passage 80. Further, since the on-off valve 102 is disposed on the downstream side of the foul ball passage 80 with respect to the second operating part 93, the second operating part 93 is erroneously caused by the pachinko ball retained in the ball storing part 65. The second operating part 93 can accurately detect that the pachinko ball (foul ball) has accumulated in the foul ball passage 80 with the generation of the foul ball. In addition, since the on-off valve 102 is positioned downstream of the second operating unit 93, the pachinko ball retained in the ball storage unit 65 is prevented from contacting the second operating unit 93 and damaging the second operating unit 93. it can. Further, since the opening / closing valve 102 is configured to be biased toward the closed position where the foul ball passage 80 is closed by its own weight, it is not necessary to provide a separate mechanism for operating the opening / closing valve 102, thereby reducing costs. In addition, the opening / closing structure of the opening / closing valve 102 can be made compact to save space.

  Furthermore, the valve main body 103 of the on-off valve 102 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape that can close the second connection port 70, and restricts the opening operation from the ball reservoir 65 side to the foul ball passage 80 side. It is configured as follows. For this reason, when an improper tool such as a wire is inserted into the ball reservoir 65 from the supply / outlet 16 of the ball receiving tray 17a and the on-off valve 102 is pressed, the on-off valve 102 is not displaced to the open position. . Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the unauthorized tool inserted from the ball storage section 65 side from being inserted up to the game board 20 through the foul ball passage 80. Even if an attempt is made to allow an unauthorized tool to enter the foul ball passage 80 from the outer peripheral portion of the on-off valve 102, the foul ball is blocked by the step portion 86, the opening restricting portion 85, and the base portion 101 a of the opening / closing member 100. It is possible to prevent an illegal act by inserting an unauthorized tool through the ball passage 80. Further, as described above, since the on-off valve 102 is located on the downstream side of the second operating part 93, the second operating part 93 is prevented from being damaged when an illegal act using an unauthorized tool is attempted. In addition, the on / off valve 102 can prevent an illegal act or mischief with respect to the second operating part 93 itself.

  By the way, in a state where the front frame 14 is opened with respect to the middle frame 13, a prize ball or a rental ball accompanying the operation of the ball dispensing device 37 is paid out or a foul ball is generated. There is a possibility that the pachinko balls that have passed through the communication passage 55 of the section 30 may fall down without being supplied to the ball receiving tray 17a. Here, the front side of the middle frame 13 (the middle frame base portion 30) is configured to expose the third operating part 110 of the abnormality detecting means 90, and the front frame 14 used for the game is closed. In a normal state, the third operating portion 110 is pressed by the front frame 14 (front frame base portion 15), and is a standby position extracted from the rear insertion port of the detection sensor 98 provided in the abnormality detecting means 90. In contrast, when the second detection piece 111 of the third operating unit 110 is held, but when the front frame 14 that is not normal for playing the game is opened, the third spring member 113 biases the third detection piece 111. The operating unit 110 moves forward, and the second detection piece 111 is inserted into the rear insertion port of the detection sensor 98 to be detected. As described above, the spring member 113 urges the third operating part 110 to the operating position that protrudes to the front surface of the middle frame 13 (the middle frame base part 30). The opening / closing operation can be detected by the abnormality detecting means 90. Then, as the detection sensor 98 provided in the abnormality detection means 90 detects the second detection piece 111 of the third operating part 110, the dispensing of the ball dispensing device 37 is stopped, so that the front frame 14 is opened. It can prevent slack-off of the pachinko ball due to. In addition, in an abnormal state where the front frame 14 is opened, the operation of the ball dispensing device 37 is stopped. Therefore, even if an illegal act is performed with the front frame 14 opened, an illegal pachinko ball is dispensed. Can be reliably prevented.

  As described above, the abnormality detecting means 90 is configured such that the third operating portion 110 is displaced to the operating position and the standby position in accordance with the opening and closing of the front frame 14 with respect to the middle frame 13, and the pachinko to the ball tray 17a. The first detection piece 97 is configured to be displaced to the operating position and the standby position in response to a change to a state where the sphere can be supplied and a state where the sphere can not be supplied (full state). The single detection sensor 98 detects the displacement of the operation unit 92 or the second operation unit 93) to the operation position and the displacement of the second detection piece 111 (that is, the third operation unit 110) to the operation position. Therefore, the cost can be reduced and the space can be saved as compared with the configuration in which the detection sensors are individually provided. Further, since each of the first detection piece 97 and the second detection piece 111 can be independently displaced between the operating position and the standby position, the opening of the front frame 14 with respect to the middle frame 13 and the ball The full state of the saucer 17a can be detected individually. Further, based on a common detection signal output when the detection sensor 98 detects the first detection piece 97 or the second detection piece 111, the main control device operates to stop the discharge of the ball discharge device 37. Since it controls, it can prevent the fraudulent act which opens the front frame 14 and illegally pays out the pachinko ball, and it is trouble such as a ball clogging caused by the pachinko ball excessively supplied to the ball tray 17a. Can be reliably prevented.

  The first detection piece 97 and the second detection piece 111 are always held at the standby position in a state where a normal game is performed, and the second detection piece 111 is moved to the operating position as the front frame 14 is opened. And the first detection piece 97 is displaced to the operating position as the pachinko ball stays in the ball tray 17a, so that a phenomenon such as the opening of the front frame 14 and the pachinko ball stays in the ball tray 17a is surely achieved. Can be detected. In addition, in the state in which one of the first detection piece 97 and the second detection piece 111 is displaced to the operating position, the displacement of the other detection piece to the operating position is restricted, so that the first detection piece 97 and It is possible to prevent the second detection piece 111 from being detected by the detection sensor 98 in an overlapping manner. In addition, when the first detection piece 97 or the second detection piece 111 that was previously in the operating position is displaced to the standby position, the other detection piece can be quickly displaced to the operating position. The state of the second detection piece 111 can be reliably detected by the detection sensor 98.

  Then, the abnormality detection means 90 moves the detection pieces 97 and 111 closer to and away from one detection sensor 98 disposed in the main body 61 serving as a case of the merging passage unit 60 from different directions. With this configuration, it is possible to detect the displacement of the plurality of detection pieces 97 and 111 to the operating position and the standby position with one detection sensor 98, which can reduce costs and save space. . In addition, the first detection piece 97 and the second detection piece 111 are configured to move from the orthogonal direction with respect to the detection sensor 98 in which the light receiving unit 98a and the light emitting unit 98b are opposed to each other. The two detection pieces 111 can be prevented from interfering with each other in the process of displacing the operating position and the standby position, and erroneous detection of the detection sensor 98 can be prevented.

(Another embodiment)
Next, another embodiment of the abnormality detection means will be described. In the abnormality detection means according to another embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components and members having the same functions as those of the abnormality detection means 90 described in the previous embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Only will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the abnormality detecting means 90 according to another embodiment is a first operating portion 92 that is displaced from a standby position to an operating position as pachinko balls (prize balls or rental balls) stay in the payout ball passage 75. A second member 125 having a second actuating portion 93 that is displaced from a standby position to an actuating position as the pachinko ball (foul ball) stays in the foul ball path 80, and the inner frame 13. And a third member 130 that is displaced to the operating position when the front frame 14 is open. The detection sensor 98 is installed in the main body 61 (mechanism installation unit 64) in a posture in which a gap between the light receiving unit 98a and the light emitting unit 98b is opened upward, downward and sideward.

  The first member 120 is disposed in the merging passage unit 60 (mechanism installation portion 64) so as to move up and down with the first operating portion 92 facing the first insertion hole 71, and A first detection unit 122 extending downward is provided with respect to the extension 121 provided to extend to the side of the first operation unit 92, and the first member 120 (first operation unit 92). When the first detector 122 is displaced from the standby position to the operating position, the first detector 122 is configured to be inserted between the light receiver 98a and the light emitter 98b through the upper opening of the detection sensor 98. That is, when the pachinko ball stays on the first operating portion 92 and is displaced to the operating position, the first detection unit 122 is detected by the detection sensor 98, and the winning ball or the rental ball by the ball dispensing device 37 is detected. The payout is stopped. The first member 120 is biased toward a standby position by a biasing means 123 such as a spring, and the first detection unit 122 is always retracted and positioned from the detection sensor 98. ing.

  In addition, the second member 125 is disposed in the merging passage unit 60 (mechanism installation portion 64) so as to be able to move up and down with the second operating portion 93 facing the second insertion hole 84, and A first operating rod 126 is provided so as to extend below the second operating portion 93, and is slid so as to be inserted between the light receiving portion 98a and the light emitting portion 98b through a side opening in the detection sensor 98. A possible second detector 127 is provided. In addition, the second member 125 includes a first arm unit 128 that connects the first operating rod 126 and the second detection unit 127 in a connected manner, and the second member 125 (second operating unit 93) is on standby. The second detection unit 127 is configured to be inserted between the light receiving unit 98a and the light emitting unit 98b through a side opening (side insertion port) in the detection sensor 98 when displaced from the position to the operating position. Yes. The second member 125 is biased toward the standby position by a biasing means 129 such as a spring, and the second detection unit 127 is always retracted from the detection sensor 98 and is positioned. ing.

  In addition, the third member 130 can move back and forth in a state in which the third operating portion 110 is inserted through the through hole 30a of the middle frame 13 (the middle frame base portion 30). ) And a third detector 132 that is slidable so as to be inserted between the light receiving portion 98a and the light emitting portion 98b through the lower opening of the detection sensor 98. . In addition, the third member 130 includes a second arm portion 133 that connects the third operating unit 110 and the third detecting unit 132 in series, and the third member 130 (the third operating unit 110) is on standby. The third detection unit 132 is configured to be inserted between the light receiving unit 98a and the light emitting unit 98b via the lower opening (lower insertion port) of the detection sensor 98 when displaced from the position to the operating position. . The third member 130 is biased toward the operating position by a biasing means 113 such as a spring, and the third detector 132 is in a normal state in which the front frame 14 is closed with respect to the middle frame 13. Is configured to be retracted from the detection sensor 98.

  As described above, the first operating portion 92, the second operating portion 93, and the third operating portion 110 may be provided on independent members as in the abnormality detecting unit 90 according to another embodiment. The same effect as the example can be obtained. Further, each of the first operating portion 92, the second operating portion 93, and the third operating portion 110 is independently displaced between the operating position and the standby position, so that a pachinko ball (a prize ball or It is possible to individually detect the state in which the rental balls are retained, the state in which pachinko balls (foul balls) are retained in the foul ball passage 80, and the state in which the front frame 14 is opened. Further, the movement direction of the first detection unit 122 when the first operation unit 92 is displaced from the standby position to the operation position, and the second detection unit 127 when the second operation unit 93 is displaced from the standby position to the operation position. Even if the first detection unit 122 or the second detection unit 127 is detected by the detection sensor 98 and is pressed by another detection unit by crossing (orthogonally) the movement direction, the detection sensor 98 detects Thus, the detection unit that has been pressed is not pushed out, and erroneous detection by the detection sensor 98 can be prevented. Further, the movement direction of the second detection unit 127 when the second operation unit 93 is displaced from the standby position to the operation position, and the third detection unit 132 when the third operation unit 110 is displaced from the standby position to the operation position. Even if the second detection unit 127 or the third detection unit 132 is detected by the detection sensor 98 and is pressed by another detection unit by crossing (orthogonally) the movement direction, the detection sensor 98 detects Thus, the detection unit that has been pressed is not pushed out, and erroneous detection by the detection sensor 98 can be prevented. Further, in the state where any one of the first to third operating parts 92, 93, 110 is in the operating position detected by the detection sensor 98, the displacement of the other operating parts to the operating position is restricted. It can prevent that the 1st-3rd action | operation parts 92,93,110 are detected redundantly. In addition, since any one of the operating parts in the operating position is displaced to the standby position, the other operating parts can be displaced to the operating position, so that the state of the first to third operating parts 92, 93, and 110 is ensured. It can be detected by the detection sensor 98.

(Change example)
Note that the configuration of the gaming machine is not limited to that of the embodiment, and various modifications are possible, and an example thereof is shown below.

(1) In the embodiment, a prize ball payout passage (payout ball passage) through which prize balls are paid out and a foul ball collection passage (foul ball passage) for collecting foul balls are joined at a junction (ball storage portion). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the prize ball payout passage (payout ball passage) and the foul ball collection passage (foul ball passage) may be individually communicated with the ball tray.
(2) In the embodiment, the prize ball payout passage (payout ball passage) and the foul ball collection passage (foul ball passage) are configured to communicate with the same ball tray, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to provide a plurality of balls so that the prize ball payout passage (payout ball passage) and the foul ball collection passage (foul ball passage) communicate with different ball trays. Specifically, upper and lower ball trays are provided on the front side of the gaming machine, a prize ball payout passage (payout ball passage) is connected to the upper ball tray, and a foul ball collection passage (foul ball passage) is connected to the lower ball tray. ) Can be communicated.
(3) In the embodiment, the displacement of the first working part and the second working part to the working position is detected by a single detection means, but the displacement of each working part to the working position is individually detected. It can also comprise. Further, the detection means is not limited to the photo interrupter shown in the embodiment, and any proximity sensor, microswitch, or other conventionally known detection means can be used as long as the detection means can detect the displacement of the operation portion to the operation position. Various means can be employed.
(4) In the embodiment, the first operating portion and the second operating portion are formed on the swing member, but may be formed on a member that slides in the vertical direction. That is, any form that can be displaced to the standby position and the operating position is acceptable.
(5) In the embodiment, the ball outlet of the foul ball collecting passage (foul ball passage) is connected to the ball receiving tray from the ball outlet of the prize ball payout passage (dispensing ball passage). However, it is also possible to form the two ball outlets in a vertical positional relationship.
(6) In the embodiment, the opening / closing valve is arranged at the ball outlet of the foul ball collection passage (foul ball passage), but the present invention is not limited to this, and it opens and closes at the ball inlet side of the foul ball collection passage (foul ball passage). A valve may be arranged, and an on-off valve can be provided at an arbitrary position in the course of the foul ball collection passage.
(7) The opening restricting portion for restricting the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing valve is not limited to the contact with the left and right edges of the opening / closing valve as in the embodiment, and is formed to contact with the lower end of the opening / closing valve. Alternatively, the opening restricting portion can be formed in a position and form that can restrict the opening operation from the downstream side to the upstream side of the foul ball collection passage sandwiching the opening / closing valve.
(8) In the embodiment, the on-off valve is configured to be biased toward the closed position by its own weight, but is not limited thereto, and is biased toward the closed position by a biasing means such as a spring. You may comprise.
(9) In the embodiment, the on-off valve is installed so as to be located downstream of the operating part (second operating part) that operates due to the stay of the foul ball in the foul ball collecting path (fal ball path). Even if an on-off valve is installed on the upstream side of the (second operating part), it is possible to prevent backflow of pachinko balls and insertion of unauthorized tools.
(10) In the embodiment, the on-off valve is formed in a plate shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, that is, an opening through which the game ball cannot pass is opened if the configuration prevents the game ball from flowing backward. It may be a form, and if it is a configuration that similarly prevents the insertion of a fraudulent tool, an opening in which the fraudulent tool cannot be inserted may be opened.
(11) In the embodiment, a mode in which one on-off valve is provided is shown, but a plurality of on-off valves may be provided. Further, the on-off valve may be divided into a plurality of parts, and the foul ball collection passage (foul ball passage) may be closed by the plurality of on-off valves.
(12) In the embodiment, the upper end portion of the on-off valve is pivotally supported. However, the side portion may be pivotally supported.
(13) In the embodiment, the front frame provided with the ball tray is used as the opening / closing member, and the opening / closing of the front frame is detected by the abnormality detection means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to provide a possible independent ball tray member as an opening / closing member and detect the opening / closing of the ball tray member by the abnormality detection means.
(14) In the embodiment, the third operating unit is configured to be displaced to the operating position and the standby position by sliding in the front-rear direction along with the opening and closing of the opening / closing member. You may comprise so that it may move, and it should just be comprised so that it may be displaced to the operation | movement position corresponding to the open state of the said opening / closing member with respect to a main body frame, and the standby position corresponding to the closed state of the opening / closing member with respect to this main body frame.
(15) In the embodiment, in the state where any of the first to third operating parts is in the operating position, the displacement of the other operating parts to the operating position is restricted. It can also be configured such that each of the detectors can be simultaneously displaced to the operating position. Specifically, it can be realized by widening the interval between the light receiving unit and the light emitting unit in the detection sensor of the embodiment so that a plurality of detection units can be inserted simultaneously.
(16) In the embodiment, the first detection piece provided on the swinging member (the first action part and the second action part) and the second detection piece provided on the third action part are configured to move in the orthogonal direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the detection pieces moving from the operation position to the standby position interfere with each other by changing the movement direction of each detection piece (detection unit) from the operation position to the standby position. It can be effectively prevented. For example, the first detection piece is configured to linearly move from the operating position to the standby position, and the second detection piece is moved from the operation position to the standby position in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the first detection piece. It is possible to configure. The same applies to the configuration in which the detection unit is provided independently corresponding to each of the first to third operation units as in another embodiment, and the movement direction of the detection unit of each operation unit need not be orthogonal. Absent.
(17) In the embodiment, the configuration in which the gaming machine includes at least the main control device and the launch / payout control device as the control means is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration includes only a single control device. May be. Further, in the case of a configuration including a plurality of control devices, the function of each control device is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, for example, a launch control device and a payout control device are provided separately. Also good.
(18) In the embodiment, a pachinko machine has been described as an example of the gaming machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is used in various gaming machines that use a gaming ball as a gaming medium such as an arrangement ball machine or a pinball machine. obtain.

  Further, for example, the following technical idea can be understood from the embodiments.

Regarding the gaming machine according to claims 1 to 4,
The detection means (98) has openings that are opened in three different directions, and detection units (97, 111, 122, 127, 132) corresponding to the first to third operation units (92, 93, 110) displaced from the standby position to the operation position are provided. The gist is that the detection means (98) is configured to be detected from a different opening.
As described above, the detection unit corresponding to the first to third operation units displaced from the standby position to the operation position is detected from the different openings provided in the detection means, so that the first to first operations are performed. Mutual interference of the three operating parts can be prevented.

Regarding the gaming machine according to claims 1 to 4,
The ball outlet (69) of the prize ball payout passage (75) and the ball outlet (70) of the foul ball collection passage (80) are opened and provided with a merging portion (65) communicating with the ball tray (17a), The game ball that has passed through the prize ball payout passage (75) and the game ball that has passed through the foul ball collection passage (80) are guided to the ball tray via the junction (65),
The ball outlet (70) of the foul ball collection passage (80) has a communication port through which the junction (65) communicates with the ball tray (17a) rather than the ball outlet (69) of the prize ball payout passage (75) ( The main point is that it is located close to 61a).
Thus, the number of winning balls that can be received is increased by providing the ball outlet of the foul ball collection passage so that the junction is closer to the communication port communicating with the ball tray than the ball outlet of the prize ball payout passage. It is possible to prevent the award ball payout from being delayed. Further, since the occurrence of a foul ball can be detected quickly, it is possible to effectively prevent excessive game balls from staying in the ball tray.

Regarding the gaming machine according to claims 1 to 4,
The first operating part (92) and the second operating part (93) are provided in a single movable member (91), and the first operating part (92) or the second operating part (93) is in the operating position. The gist is that the detection unit (97) detected by the detection means (98) when the movable member (91) is displaced is formed on the movable member (91).
Thus, by providing the first operating part and the second operating part on a single movable member, it is possible to simplify the device configuration and reduce costs and save space.

13 Middle frame (main frame)
14 Front frame (opening / closing member)
17a ball tray 20 game board 20a game area 75 payout ball passage (prize ball payout passage)
80 Foul ball passage (Fall ball collection passage)
92 1st operation part 93 2nd operation part 98 Detection sensor (detection means)
110 Third working part

Claims (4)

A main body frame on which a game board is disposed, an opening / closing member that is provided on the front side of the main body frame and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body frame, and a game ball that is launched toward a game area of the game board is stored. A ball receiving tray, a prize ball payout passage for guiding a game ball paid out upon winning a winning opening provided in the game board to the ball receiving tray, and a game area of the game board, In a gaming machine comprising a foul ball collection passage for guiding a game ball that does not reach the game area to the ball tray,
An operating position corresponding to a staying state of the game ball in the prize ball payout passage and a first action portion that is displaced to a standby position corresponding to a state in which the game ball can pass through the prize ball payout path;
An operating position corresponding to a staying state of the game ball with respect to the foul ball collecting passage and a second operating portion that is displaced to a standby position corresponding to a state in which the game ball can pass through the foul ball collecting passage;
An operating position corresponding to an open state of the opening / closing member with respect to the main body frame and a third operating portion displaced to a standby position corresponding to a closed state of the opening / closing member with respect to the main body frame;
A single detecting means for detecting the displacement of the first operating part from the standby position to the operating position, the displacement of the second operating part from the standby position to the operating position, and the displacement of the third operating part from the standby position to the operating position. A gaming machine characterized by comprising:   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the third operating part is configured to be able to be independently displaced to an operating position and a standby position with respect to the first operating part and the second operating part.   The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in a state where any one of the first to third operating parts is in an operating position, displacement of the other operating parts to the operating position is restricted.   Each of the first to third actuating parts is always held at a standby position, and the first actuating part is displaced to the actuating position as the game ball stays in the prize ball payout passage. And the second operating part is displaced to the operating position as the game ball stays in the foul ball collecting passage and is detected by the detecting means, and the third operating unit is opened when the opening / closing member is opened. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operating portion is displaced to an operating position and is detected by the detecting means.

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