JP2013135886A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive game machine capable of enhancing efficiency of mount work of a grounding member by utilizing a configuration within the game machine as it is without any change, and reliably destaticizing static electricity charged within the game machine.SOLUTION: A rail unit 34 for allowing game balls to flow down, and a put-out device 30 for receiving the game balls that flow down to put out predetermined game balls are mounted to a base member 42. The game machine includes: a destaticizing means Em of destaticizing static electricity; and a positioning/holding means 42m of positioning and holding the destaticizing means in an area where the rail unit 34 and the put-out device 30 are not mounted and in an area adjacent to the rail unit 34 and the put-out device 30. In the destaticizing means Em, connection parts Em1, Em2, Em3 connected to the rail unit 34 and the put-out device 30 are protrusively formed, and the connection parts Em1, Em2, Em3 are connected to the rail unit 34 and the put-out device 30 with the positioning/holding means 42m.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to a technique for eliminating static electricity (for example, grounding) generated and charged in a gaming machine due to collision or contact between gaming balls.

  Conventionally, various game machines to which this type of static elimination technology is applied are known. As an example, the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied with a ground member having a single ground wire having a charging side mounting bracket and a discharge side mounting bracket connected to both ends. Here, the ground member is attached to the gaming machine by fixing a metal plate to a static elimination target site (for example, a ball tank) for static electricity elimination, and attaching a charging side mounting bracket at one end of the ground wire to the metal plate. At the same time, the discharge-side mounting bracket at the other end of the ground wire is connected to the ground ground point. Note that, as the ground contact point, for example, various metal hinges of game machines and conductive parts (for example, game machine mounting frames) of island facilities where a plurality of game machines are installed are generally used.

  According to such a ground member, when static electricity is generated (charged) due to collision or contact between game balls in the ball tank, the static electricity is collected by the metal plate and passes through the ground wire from the charging side mounting bracket. After being guided to the discharge-side mounting bracket, it is discharged through the grounding point. Thereby, static electricity generated (charged) in the ball tank is neutralized (grounded), and as a result, for example, malfunction or early deterioration of various electric circuits and electronic components incorporated in the gaming machine is prevented.

  Further, the above-described ground member is provided with a resistor in the middle of the ground wire. In this case, the energy of static electricity generated in the ball tank is consumed up to a level at which the resistor can be discharged. This simplifies the wiring of the ground member.

JP 2001-347007 A

  By the way, in the ground member described above, when the charging side mounting bracket of the ground wire is connected to a part to be neutralized (for example, a ball tank), the metal plate and the ball tank are fixed to the fixing hole formed in the base member of the gaming machine. In a state where the screw holes are aligned, the mounting screws from the charging side mounting bracket must be fastened to the fixing holes via the screw holes. Such connection work is very time-consuming and cumbersome and troublesome, for example, while holding down the charging side mounting bracket or mounting screw with one hand. Becomes worse. In that case, since the cost required for the work is separately required, the manufacturing cost of the gaming machine is increased accordingly.

  In addition, in the ground member described above, after connecting the charging side mounting bracket to the ball tank, the ground wire is routed in the gaming machine to connect the discharge side mounting bracket to the ground ground point. At that time, for example, in order to prevent entanglement with other wiring, it is necessary to fix the ground wire at a plurality of locations. In this case, if the grounding distance of the ground wire becomes long, the fixing work increases correspondingly and becomes complicated, so the efficiency of the work of attaching the grounding member to the gaming machine deteriorates.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and its purpose is to use the same as it is without changing the configuration in the gaming machine, and at the same time to improve the efficiency of attaching the ground member. An object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost gaming machine that can surely eliminate static electricity charged in a gaming machine.

In order to achieve such an object, the first invention is preliminarily determined by receiving a rail unit for flowing a game ball and a game ball flowing down the rail unit on a base member arranged in the gaming machine. A game machine to which a payout device for paying out a game ball is attached, the charge removing means for discharging static electricity charged in the game machine, and the charge removal means, the rail unit and the payout device of the base member. Positioning holding means for positioning and holding in an area adjacent to the rail unit and the payout device, and the charge removal means extends from the rail unit to the payout device. A connecting portion connected to the rail unit and the payout device, and the connecting portion includes the positioning and holding means. Therefore, it connected to said rail unit and the dispensing device.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the static eliminating means (connecting portion) is connected to the rail unit and the payout device (with one touch) simply by positioning and holding the static eliminating means on the base member of the gaming machine by the positioning holding means. Can do. Thereby, the efficiency of the connection operation | work of a static elimination means can be improved.
According to the first invention, in the gaming machine in which the rail unit and the payout device are provided on the base member, the static elimination means is positioned and held by the positioning holding means, thereby changing the configuration in the gaming machine. It can be used as it is, and static electricity charged in the game machine (rail unit, payout device) can be discharged efficiently and smoothly. Thereby, a low-cost gaming machine can be realized.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the payout device is provided with a ball path for paying out a game ball and a conductive payout intermediate base extending along the ball path. A conductive discharging ground plate connected to the discharging intermediate base and having the other end extending toward the discharging means is provided. The discharging means is configured to have conductivity and is provided in the discharging means. The connection portion contacts the other end side of the payout ground plate.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary to run the ground wire or secure a space for running the ground wire as in the prior art. Static electricity that is charged in the gaming machine (rail unit, payout device) can be smoothly eliminated by attaching static elimination means. Thereby, a low-cost gaming machine can be realized.

  According to the present invention, the configuration inside the gaming machine can be used as it is to improve the efficiency of attaching the ground member, and at the same time, the static electricity charged in the gaming machine can be surely eliminated. A low-cost gaming machine can be realized.

The perspective view which shows the structure of the front side of the game machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the structure of the back side of the game machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the arrangement configuration of the ball tank, the rail unit, and the dispensing device in a state where the neutralizing means is positioned and held by the positioning holding means. The disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the drop-off prevention mechanism provided in the positioning holding means. The perspective view which shows the arrangement | positioning structure of the earthing | grounding plate for the discharge apparatus added to the static elimination means, and a connecting rod. The perspective view which shows the arrangement configuration of the connecting rod extended in the dispensing device. The fragmentary sectional view of the state where the static elimination means was held by the positioning holding means. (a) is sectional drawing which expands and partially shows the structure of the drop-off prevention mechanism concerning the 1st modification of this invention, (b) is the structure of the drop-off prevention mechanism concerning the 2nd modification of this invention. Sectional drawing which expands and shows a part. The top view which shows the structure of the back side of the game machine which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the internal structure of the dispensing apparatus in the state from which the surface cover was removed. The top view which shows the internal structure of the payout apparatus in the state from which the payout intermediate base was removed. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which expands and shows partially the structure around the dispensing apparatus shown by FIG. The perspective view which expanded the main structure around the dispensing apparatus partially, and was seen from diagonally side. The perspective view which expanded the main structure around the dispensing apparatus partially, and was seen from diagonally upward. The perspective view which partially enlarges and shows the structure around the outflow port of the rail unit in the state which removed the dispensing apparatus. The perspective view which expands and partially shows the internal structure of the stopper provided in the outflow port of the rail unit shown by FIG. The top view which partially expands and shows the state by which the stopper was lifted by the paying-out apparatus. The upper side figure which expands and shows a part of structure of the stopper provided in the outflow port of the rail unit. The top view which expands and shows a part of structure of the ball removal rotor provided in the payout apparatus. The perspective view which expands and shows the structure of the ball | bowl extraction rotor provided in the payout apparatus, a ball | bowl extraction guide, and the discharge mechanism (sprocket).

Hereinafter, a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko machine is assumed as a gaming machine.
As shown in FIG. 1, a pachinko machine 2 according to the present embodiment includes an outer frame 4 for mounting on a gaming machine island (not shown), and an inner frame pivotally supported on the front surface of the outer frame 4. 6 and various effect display devices (variable display devices such as LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)) (not shown) fitted behind the inner frame 6. A game board (not shown) provided with a game member (not shown) such as is detachably mounted. Various effect displays by the effect display device are controlled by the sub-control board 8 (FIG. 2) mounted on the back surface of the inner frame 6.

  A front door 12 fitted with a glass plate 10 is pivotally supported on the front surface of the inner frame 6, and a lamp 14 for effecting light is attached to the upper side of the front door 12. . Further, on the lower front side of the inner frame 6, an upper plate 16 that receives a rented ball and a prize ball, a lower plate 18 that receives a game ball that overflows when the upper plate 16 is full, and a firing force for firing the game ball An adjustment handle 20 and a speaker 22 for producing sound are provided. The upper plate 16 is provided with a ball lending operation panel 24 for a player to lend out a game ball. Various effects by the lamp 14 and the speaker 22 are controlled by the sub-control board 8 (FIG. 2) mounted on the back surface of the inner frame 6.

  Here, when the ball lending button 26 on the ball lending operation panel 24 is operated, as shown in FIG. 2, a payout / launch control board 28 built in the pachinko machine 2 and a card unit (shown) No), signals regarding ball lending processing are exchanged. At this time, the payout / launch control board 28 controls the payout device 30 based on the communicated signal to flow down the rail unit 34 from the ball tank 32 attached to the upper part of the inner frame 6 (FIG. 1). Among the plurality of game balls, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out one by one by the payout device 30, and flow down the ball payout passage 36 and supplied to the upper plate 16 (FIG. 1).

  If the lever 38 (FIG. 1) of the handle 20 is rotated in the clockwise direction in a state in which the game ball is supplied to the upper plate 16, the payout / launch control board 28 is set to the launch solenoid of the launcher according to the amount of rotation. By driving and controlling (not shown), a game ball is launched into a game area along a guide rail (not shown). At this time, when a game ball launched into the game area wins, the payout / launch control board 28 controls the payout device 30 based on a command transmitted from the main control board 40 (FIG. 2) to the payout / launch control board 28. By controlling the drive, a predetermined number of game balls out of the plurality of game balls that have flowed down the rail unit 34 from the ball tank 32 attached to the upper part of the inner frame 6 are paid out one by one by the payout device 30. It flows down the passage 36 and is supplied to the upper plate 16.

  In such a pachinko machine 2, as shown in FIG. 3, the payout device 30, the ball tank 32, and the rail unit 34 are attached to a base member 42 (hereinafter referred to as a back upper base 42) fixed to the inner frame 6. ing. Here, as an example of the mounting method, the ball tank 32 is integrally provided with mounting pieces 32a and 32b having mounting holes (not shown), while the back upper base 42 has a fastening hole H. The fastening portion Ph (FIG. 4) is provided. In this case, by fastening the screws N from the mounting holes to the fastening holes H and fixing the mounting pieces 32a and 32b to the fastening portions Ph in a state where the mounting pieces 32a and 32b and the fastening portions Ph are aligned to face each other. The ball tank 32 can be attached to the back upper base 42.

  The rail unit 34 is also provided with a pair of side walls 34 a and 34 b so as to surround a flow path through which the game ball flows from the ball tank 32 toward the payout device 30. The mounting piece T1 and the support frame T2 (FIG. 4) are provided. In this case, the rail unit 34 can be attached to the back upper base 42 by setting the rail unit 34 to the support frame T2 and engaging one side wall 34a with the attachment piece T1.

  Further, the payout device 30 is configured by accommodating an internal structure (not shown) (for example, a ball passage, a payout mechanism, etc.) between the front cover 30a and the back cover 30b. A plurality of holding pieces 42s are provided. In this case, the dispensing device 30 can be attached to the back upper base 42 by fitting the back cover 30b along the plurality of holding pieces 42s.

  By the way, in the pachinko machine 2 as described above, for example, when a game ball stored in the ball tank 32 is caused to flow down through the rail unit 34, the game ball that has flowed down the rail unit 34 is paid out from the payout device 30. In order to remove static electricity from the ball tank 32, the rail unit 34, and the payout device 30 at the time of taking out, the static elimination means for eliminating static electricity charged in the pachinko machine 2, and the static elimination means as the pachinko machine. Positioning and holding means for positioning and holding the second base member, that is, the back upper base 42 is provided (FIG. 3).

  The static elimination means includes a series of ground members Em extending from the ball tank 32 through the rail unit 34 to the payout device 30. In this case, the ground member Em can be applied with a conductive metal material (for example, iron, aluminum, copper, etc.), but other materials may be used. In short, the static electricity charged in the pachinko machine 2 is guided to a predetermined grounding point (for example, various metal hinges of the pachinko machine 2 or conductive parts of the island facility (for example, a game machine mounting frame)). Any material can be selected as long as it can be discharged.

  Further, the shape and size (width, length, thickness, etc.) of the grounding member Em as the static elimination means depend on the shape and space of the region extending from the ball tank 32 through the rail unit 34 to the dispensing device 30. Since it is arbitrarily set, there is no particular limitation here. In the drawing, as an example, after being folded back from the ball tank 32 toward the rail unit 34 in a rectangular shape, it extends along a step portion 42 d protruding from the back upper base 42, and extends from the rail unit 34 to the dispensing device 30. An earth member Em having a substantially constant width and extending in parallel is applied. In this case, the thickness β (FIG. 7) of the ground member Em is arbitrarily determined in consideration of, for example, handling and durability when the ground member Em is positioned and held on the back upper base 42 by the positioning holding means. Since it is set, there is no particular limitation here.

  In short, the ground member Em (static elimination means) of the present embodiment has no configuration in the pachinko machine 2 (for example, the configuration of the ball tank 32, the rail unit 34, the dispensing device 30 itself, the configuration of its peripheral area, etc.). The shape and size (width and length) of the ground member Em can be used without change, and can be positioned and held on the back upper base 42 efficiently and reliably by the positioning and holding means. , Thickness, etc.) can be arbitrarily increased or decreased.

  On the other hand, the positioning and holding means is formed on the back upper base 42 and includes a holding portion 42m that accommodates and holds the ground member Em. The holding portion 42m has a wall shape raised from the back upper base 42 by a predetermined amount, and extends along the contour shape of the side peripheral edge Ms (FIG. 4) of the ground member Em. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, it is preferable to set the height α, which is the rising amount of the wall-shaped holding portion 42m, to be equal to or greater than the thickness β of the ground member Em (α ≧ β). . Thereby, by arranging (or fitting) the ground member Em between the wall-shaped holding portion 42m and the stepped portion 42d of the back upper base 42, the ground member Em is moved to the side by the holding portion 42m. The periphery Ms is held so as not to be exposed to the outside.

  At the same time, the ground member Em is held in a state of being positioned along the dispensing device 30 from the ball tank 32 via the rail unit 34, as shown in FIG. In this state, a part of each ground member Em (each connection site Em1, Em2, Em3 described later) is simultaneously connected to the ball tank 32, the dispensing device 30, and the rail unit 34. More specifically, the earth member Em is integrally formed with a ball tank connection portion Em1 near the ball tank 32, and a rail unit connection portion Em2 is formed integrally with the rail unit 34. The payout device connection portion Em3 is integrally formed near the payout device 30.

  Here, by arranging (fitting) the ground member Em between the wall-shaped holding portion 42m and the stepped portion 42d of the back upper base 42, the ball tank connecting portion Em1 is interposed via one mounting piece 32a. The rail unit connection portion Em2 is connected to the rail unit 34 via one side wall 34a, and the payout device connection portion Em3 is connected to the payout device 30 via the back cover 30b. Will be. In addition, the shape and size (width, length, thickness, etc.) of each connection site Em1, Em2, Em3 are, for example, the configuration of the dispensing device 30, the ball tank 32, the rail unit 34 itself, the configuration of the peripheral region, and the like. Therefore, it is not particularly limited here.

  In this case, when attaching the dispensing device 30, the ball tank 32, and the rail unit 34 to the back upper base 42, the connection method of the ground member Em described above is used without any change with respect to the mounting method described above. Em1, Em2, and Em3 can be simultaneously connected to the ball tank 32, the dispensing device 30, and the rail unit 34. In addition, as a method for connecting the connection portions Em1, Em2, Em3 of the ground member Em, for example, the ground member Em is disposed between the wall-shaped holding portion 42m and the step portion 42d of the back upper base 42 (fitting After that, the dispensing device 30, the ball tank 32, and the rail unit 34 are attached to the back upper base 42, and conversely, the dispensing device 30, the ball tank 32, and the rail unit 34 are attached to the back upper base 42. Then, a method of arranging (fitting) the ground member Em between the wall-shaped holding portion 42m and the stepped portion 42d of the back upper base 42 can be applied.

  Regardless of which connection method is employed, in the state where the ground member Em is disposed (fitted) between the wall-shaped holding portion 42m and the stepped portion 42d of the back upper base 42, the ground member Em is held by the holding portion. There is a risk of falling off 42m. Therefore, the positioning and holding means is provided with a drop prevention mechanism that prevents the ground member Em from dropping from the holding portion 42m in a state where the ground member Em is accommodated and held by the holding portion 42m.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the drop-off prevention mechanism. The drop-off prevention mechanism includes a base fastening hole 42h formed in the back upper base 42 and a ground fastening hole Emh formed through the ground member Em. And a fastening body En that can be fastened from the ground fastening hole Emh to the base fastening hole. Here, a plurality of base fastening holes 42h are formed at predetermined intervals (for example, equal intervals) along a region between the wall-shaped holding portion 42m and the stepped portion 42d of the back upper base 42. In addition, although three base fastening holes 42h are formed as an example in the drawing, they may be formed below or above.

  The ground fastening hole Emh is in a state in which the ground member Em is accommodated and held by the holding portion 42m (that is, the ground member Em is disposed between the wall-like holding portion 42m and the step portion 42d of the back upper base 42 (fitting ))), Respectively, at positions facing the base fastening holes 42h. In addition, as the fastening body En, various fixing members such as screws, bolts, pins, and the like can be applied. However, here, the screws En are applied as an example, and correspondingly to the inner periphery of the base fastening hole 42h. Is formed with a screw groove (not shown) into which the screw En can be screwed. In this case, a screw groove may be formed also in the earth fastening hole Emh.

  According to such a drop-off prevention mechanism, as shown in FIG. 4, in a state where the ground member Em is accommodated and held by the holding portion 42m, the screws En are screwed into the base fastening holes 42h and tightened. The grounding member Em can be fixed between the wall-shaped holding portion 42m and the stepped portion 42d of the back upper base 42. As a result, the ground member Em, which is a static elimination means, is positioned and held between the wall-shaped holding portion 42m and the stepped portion 42d of the back upper base 42 by the positioning holding means (drop-off prevention mechanism) described above.

  At this time, the connection portions Em1, Em2, Em3 of the ground member Em are positioned and held so that they can be connected to the ball tank 32, the payout device 30, and the rail unit 34 at the same time. Then, the connection portions Em1, Em2, Em3 of the ground member Em can be simultaneously connected to the ball tank 32, the dispensing device 30, and the rail unit 34 by the connection method as described above. In this case, the ball unit 32 including the mounting pieces 32a and 32b and the rail unit 34 including the front cover 30a and the rear cover 30b and the side walls 34a and 34b of the dispensing device 30 are entirely made of a conductive material (for example, iron , Metal materials such as aluminum and copper).

  By doing so, the static electricity charged in the ball tank 32, the rail unit 34, and the dispensing device 30 can be collected in the ground member Em via each connection site Em1, Em2, Em3. Here, for example, one end of an earth wire (not shown) is connected to the earth member Em, and the other end of the earth wire is connected to a predetermined earth ground point (for example, various metal hinges of the pachinko machine 2 or island equipment To a conductive part (for example, a gaming machine mounting frame). Thereby, the static electricity collected by the earth member Em can be discharged through the earth ground point.

  By the way, in embodiment mentioned above, although it did not mention in particular about the internal structure of the rail unit 34, the flow path where a game ball flows down is formed in the double row toward the paying-out apparatus 30 from the ball tank 32 side, for example. In the rail unit 34, the game balls flow down simultaneously in double rows along the double rows of flow paths. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the rail unit 34 of the present embodiment is provided with two flow paths R1, R2, and the game balls flowing down along the flow paths R1, R2 The fluid flows out from the outlets F1, F2 of the flow paths R1, R2 toward the dispensing device 30. In this case, the payout device 30 is configured so that two rows of ball paths for receiving game balls flowing down in multiple rows at the same time and paying out a predetermined number of game balls are in parallel.

  Then, in the above-described embodiment, since the discharging device connecting portion Em3 of the ground member Em is connected only to the back cover 30b, all the static electricity charged by the game balls flowing down the two rows of ball passages is discharged (ground). In order to do this, it is necessary to simultaneously connect the discharging device connecting portion Em3 of the ground member Em to the front cover 30a.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the grounding member Em is provided with a payout device connecting ground plate Emp. In the drawing, the payout device connection ground plate Emp is added to the payout device connection portion Em3 of the ground member Em as an example, but depending on the configuration position, shape, etc. of the payout device 30, the payout device connection portion. You may make it expand to earth members Em other than Em3. Further, the payout device connecting earth plate Emp may be formed integrally when the earth member Em is manufactured, or may be formed separately and attached to the earth member Em later.

  The payout device connecting earth plate Emp extends along the back cover 30b and includes a connecting rod Emr extending from a part thereof toward the front cover 30a. The connecting rod Emr may be formed integrally with the payout device connecting earth plate Emp, or may be formed separately and retrofitted to the payout device connecting earth plate Emp. Further, the connecting rod Emr and the discharging device connecting ground plate Emp may be formed of a conductive material (for example, a metal material such as iron, aluminum, or copper).

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the connecting rod Emr extends into the dispensing device 30 through the opening 30h formed in the back cover 30b, and its extending end (not shown) is connected to the surface cover 30a. ing. Thereby, the static electricity charged by the game ball flowing down the ball passage configured near the surface cover 30a is collected from the surface cover 30a to the ground member Em via the connection rod Emr and the dispensing device connection ground plate Emp. It can be discharged through the grounding point described above. At the same time, the static electricity charged by the game ball flowing down the ball passage formed near the back cover 30b is collected from the back cover 30b to the ground member Em via the payout device connection portion Em3, and the ground contact point described above is collected. It can be discharged through.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the grounding member Em is fixed to the ball by simply positioning and holding the static eliminating unit (grounding member Em) on the back upper base 42 of the pachinko machine 2 by the positioning holding unit (holding unit 42m). The tank 32, the dispensing device 30 and the rail unit 34 can be connected simultaneously (with one touch). Thereby, the efficiency of the connection work of the earth member Em can be improved. Then, for example, one end of a ground wire (not shown) is connected to the ground member Em, and the other end is connected to the ground grounding point in the pachinko machine 2 (dispensing device 30, ball tank 32, rail unit 34). Charged static electricity can be easily and reliably removed (grounded).

  Further, according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to run the ground wire or to secure a space for running the ground wire as in the prior art, so that the configuration in the pachinko machine 2 is not changed at all. By using the ground member Em efficiently, static electricity charged in the pachinko machine 2 (dispensing device 30, ball tank 32, rail unit 34) can be smoothly discharged. Thereby, the low-cost pachinko machine 2 is realizable.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, in the state where the ground member Em is accommodated and held in the holding portion 42m formed on the back upper base 42, the side peripheral edge Ms of the ground member Em is not exposed to the outside. During various operations on the pachinko machine 2, the operator's hand does not directly touch the side edge Ms of the ground member Em. Thereby, the injury etc. by an operator's hand touching the side periphery Ms of the earth member Em can be prevented beforehand.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the ground member Em can be reliably positioned and held with respect to the holding portion 42m by the drop-off preventing mechanism, the inside of the pachinko machine 2 (the dispensing device 30, the ball tank 32, the rail unit 34). ) Can be reliably discharged.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, as a drop-off prevention mechanism, the ground member Em is reliably positioned with respect to the holding portion 42m simply by fastening the fastening body (screw) En from the ground fastening hole Emh to the base fastening hole 42h. Since it can hold | maintain, the attachment efficiency of the said grounding member Em can be improved.

In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, The following modifications are also contained in the scope of the present invention.
As a first modification, FIG. 8A shows the configuration of a drop-off prevention mechanism including a support piece 42g that supports at least a part of the ground member Em held by the holding portion 42m. In this case, the support piece 42g is integrally formed at the tip of the holding portion 42m, and is folded along the surface side of the ground member Em in a state of being held by the holding portion 42m. Further, the surface side of the support piece 42g is preferably chamfered to give a smooth finish.

  Here, when the ground member Em is fitted between the holding portion 42m and the stepped portion 42d of the back upper base 42, the support piece 42g is pressed by the side peripheral edge Ms of the ground member Em, whereby the holding portion 42m is pushed. Since it is spread, the ground member Em can be smoothly fitted into the holding portion 42m. At this time, the holding portion 42m returns to its original position by its own elastic force, so that the support piece 42g enters the surface side of the ground member Em, so that the ground member Em is connected to the support piece 42g and the back upper base 42. Sandwiched between. Accordingly, the ground member Em can be positioned and held in a state in which the ground member Em is prevented from falling off the holding portion 42m.

  According to such a modification, the grounding member Em is supported by the support piece 42g only by holding the grounding member Em on the holding part 42m, so that the mounting efficiency of the grounding member Em can be improved. Further, in the dropout prevention mechanism of this modification, it is only necessary to integrally form the support piece 42g at the tip of the holding portion 42m, and the above-described base fastening hole 42h, ground fastening hole Emh, and fastening body En become unnecessary. For this reason, since the number of parts of the drop-off prevention mechanism can be significantly reduced, the manufacturing cost of the drop-off prevention mechanism can be greatly reduced. As a result, the cost reduction of the pachinko machine 2 can be further improved.

  As a second modified example, in FIG. 8B, the grounding member Em is supported by the support piece 42g that extends through the grounding hole Emh by using the grounding hole Emh of the grounding member Em as it is. A drop-off prevention mechanism configured as described above is shown. In this case, the support piece 42g is formed upright at a position facing the ground fastening hole Emh along the region between the holding portion 42m and the stepped portion 42d of the back upper base 42. In the drawing, as an example, a pair of support pieces 42g are formed upright at a position where one earth fastening hole Emh can be inserted, and their tips are folded back in directions opposite to each other. The surface side of these support pieces 42g is preferably chamfered and smoothed.

  Here, when the ground member Em is fitted between the holding portion 42m and the stepped portion 42d of the back upper base 42, the pair of support pieces 42g elastically deform while being reduced in diameter toward the ground fastening hole Emh. The ground member Em can be smoothly fitted into the holding portion 42m. At this time, the pair of support pieces 42g are restored to their original positions by their own elastic force, so that the front end of the support piece 42g enters the surface side of the ground member Em, so that the ground member Em and the back piece 42g It is clamped between the base 42. Accordingly, the ground member Em can be positioned and held in a state in which the ground member Em is prevented from falling off the holding portion 42m.

  According to such a modification, the grounding member Em is supported by the support piece 42g only by holding the grounding member Em on the holding part 42m, so that the mounting efficiency of the grounding member Em can be improved. Further, in the dropout prevention mechanism of this modification, it is only necessary to form the support piece 42g upright in the region between the holding portion 42m and the stepped portion 42d of the back upper base 42. En becomes unnecessary. For this reason, since the number of parts of the drop-off prevention mechanism can be significantly reduced, the manufacturing cost of the drop-off prevention mechanism can be greatly reduced. As a result, the cost reduction of the pachinko machine 2 can be further improved.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, a pachinko machine 2 configured such that the rail unit 34 is omitted and the game ball is allowed to flow directly from the ball tank 32 to the payout device 30 is also assumed. In this case, it is only necessary to provide a series of grounding members Em extending from the ball tank 32 to the payout device 30 as the static elimination means. The grounding member Em is placed in the ball tank 32 and the payout device by the positioning and holding means. 30 can be connected simultaneously.

Next, a gaming machine according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In addition, since the said other embodiment is an improvement of the static elimination means of one Embodiment mentioned above, only the improvement part is demonstrated below. In this case, with respect to the same configuration as the gaming machine described above, the same reference numerals as those used for the configuration are attached to the drawings used in the other embodiments, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the rail unit 34 described above, the outlets F1, F2 for causing the game balls flowing down in a double row along the two flow paths R1, R2 (FIG. 5) to flow out to the payout device 30 in a double row. (FIG. 5) is provided. Further, the above-described payout device 30 simultaneously receives the game balls that have flowed out in double rows from the outlets F1, F2 of the rail unit 34 (flow paths R1, R2) between the front cover 30a and the rear cover 30b. The ball path and the payout mechanism for paying out a predetermined number of game balls are accommodated.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 14, the payout device 30 is a game ball that has flowed out in double rows from the outlets F1, F2 (FIGS. 11, 15, 16) of the rail unit 34 (flow paths R1, R2). A game ball receiving unit 30in (FIG. 11) for receiving the game ball and a game ball paying unit 30out (FIG. 11) for paying out the game ball received from the game ball receiving unit 30in. The ball passages 30t are formed in double rows from the game ball receiving portion 30in to the game ball paying portion 30out, and the payout mechanisms are respectively formed in the double row ball passages 30t.

  More specifically, the ball passage 30t is configured inside the front cover 30a and inside the back cover 30b, respectively. As an example, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show a spherical passage 30t configured inside the back cover 30b. A spherical passage (not shown) having the same configuration as this is formed inside the front cover 30a. Is also configured. As a result, double-row spherical passages 30t are formed on the inner side of the front cover 30a and the inner side of the back cover 30b in parallel with each other. Further, as a configuration for separating the double-row spherical passages 30t formed inside the front cover 30a and the rear cover 30b, a payout intermediate base 30s (see FIG. 10, FIG. 10) is provided between the front cover 30a and the rear cover 30b. 12-14) are provided.

  On the other hand, the payout mechanisms are respectively provided in the middle of the double row ball passages 30t. As an example, FIG. 10 shows a payout mechanism 44a provided in a ball passage (not shown) inside the front cover 30a, and FIGS. 11 and 12 show a ball passage 30t inside the back cover 30b. A payout mechanism 44b is shown. Here, sprockets 44a and 44b having a plurality of payout gears G are assumed as the payout mechanisms 44a and 44b, and the sprockets 44a and 44b are provided inside a ball path (not shown) inside the surface cover 30a and inside the back cover 30b. One ball passage 30t is provided for each.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, each sprocket 44a, 44b is fixed in parallel to one rotating shaft 46 extending across the double-row spherical passage 30t. The drive device (for example, a motor) 48 is connected to the drive device 48 via a gear mechanism provided inside the back cover 30b. The gear mechanism includes a drive gear 46g fixed to the rotary shaft 46 and an output gear 48g fixed to an output shaft (not shown) of a drive device (motor) 48. The drive gear 46g and the output gear 48g is positioned in mesh with each other.

  In this case, when the output shaft is rotated by driving the drive device (motor) 48, the rotational motion at that time is transmitted to the drive gear 46g via the output gear 48g, and the drive gear 46g is rotated. At this time, the rotating shaft 46 fixed to the drive gear 46g rotates together, whereby the sprockets 44a and 44b fixed to the rotating shaft 46 can be rotated. At this time, after the game balls flowing down the double-row ball passages 30t from the game ball receiving portion 30in (FIG. 11) are taken one by one between the payout gears G as the sprockets 44a and 44b rotate, The game balls are paid out sequentially toward the game ball payout unit 30out (FIG. 11).

  The three payout gears G of the sprockets 44a and 44b illustrated in the drawings are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, so that three game balls are produced every time one of the sprockets 44a and 44b makes one rotation. Will be paid out. Here, for example, by arranging the three payout gears G of both sprockets 44a and 44b to be shifted from each other by 120 degrees, a total of five game balls from both sprockets 44a and 44b each time the rotating shaft 46 is rotated once. Will be paid out. Therefore, by counting the number of rotations of the rotation shaft 46, a desired number of game balls can be paid out accurately. For example, when paying out 15 shots with a prize ball, the rotation shaft 46 may be rotated three times.

  Further, in the middle of the double-row ball passages 30t, ball removal mechanisms are respectively provided upstream of the sprockets 44a and 44b. The ball removal mechanism includes ball removal guides 50a and 50b provided one by one in the double row ball passages 30t, and a ball removal rotor 56 for rotating these two ball removal guides 50a and 50b. Yes. As an example, FIGS. 10 and 12 show a ball removal guide 50a provided in a ball passage (not shown) inside the front cover 30a. FIGS. 11 and 12 show a ball passage inside the back cover 30b. A ball removal guide 50b provided at 30t is shown.

  These two ball extraction guides 50a and 50b are rotatably supported by a single ball extraction shaft 52 (FIGS. 10 to 12, 20) extending across the double-row spherical passage 30t. One end side is mutually connected via the connecting shaft 54 (FIG. 20). In addition, a disk-shaped ball extraction rotor 56 (FIGS. 10 to 13 and 20) is rotatably supported between the front cover 30a and the back cover 30b. A recess 56p (FIGS. 19 and 20) is formed in which a part of the recess is recessed in a substantially arc shape. The ball extraction guides 50a and 50b supported by the ball extraction shaft 52, the ball extraction rotor 56, and the connection shaft 54 for connecting the ball extraction guides 50a and 50b to the recess 56p of the ball extraction rotor 56, respectively. Is positioned.

  Here, in a state where the dispensing device 30 is configured by assembling the front cover 30a and the back cover 30b to each other via the dispensing intermediate base 30s, the ball removal rotor 56 is partially exposed, so that the ball The extraction rotor 56 can be rotated. In the rotation operation of the ball removal rotor 56, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, when the ball removal rotor 56 is rotated in the direction of the arrow Y1, the spherical convex portion 56t protruding from the outer periphery of the ball removal rotor 56 becomes the payout intermediate base. The ball locking rotor 56 can be positioned at the first operation position by entering and holding the first locking pieces K1 formed in 30s. Conversely, when the ball removal rotor 56 is rotated in the direction of the arrow Y2, the spherical projections 56t protruding from the outer periphery of the ball removal rotor 56 are mutually connected to the second locking pieces K2 formed on the dispensing intermediate base 30s. By entering and being held, the ball removal rotor 56 can be positioned at the second operation position.

  In this case, when the ball removal rotor 56 is positioned at the first operation position (that is, the position where the spherical protrusion 56t is held by the first locking piece K1), the two ball removal guides 50a and 50b are: For example, it rotates in the positive direction around the ball removal shaft 52 and is set in the state shown in FIGS. In this state, the game balls flowing down the double-row ball passages 30t from the game ball receiving portion 30in (FIG. 11) are guided toward the sprockets 44a and 44b by the ball removal guides 50a and 50b. At this time, by rotating the sprockets 44a and 44b as described above, a desired number of game balls are paid out from the sprockets 44a and 44b.

  On the other hand, when the ball removal rotor 56 is positioned at the second operation position (that is, the position where the spherical convex portion 56t is held by the second locking piece K2), the two ball removal guides 50a and 50b. Is rotated in the reverse direction, for example, about the ball removal shaft 52 and set in a state where ball removal is possible. The ball can be removed means that the ball removal passage 58 (FIG. 11) is opened by the ball removal guides 50a and 50b with respect to the double row ball passage 30t from the game ball receiving portion 30in (FIG. 11). Refers to a continuous state. As a result, all the game balls stored in the ball tank 32 are discharged to the outside from the ball passages 58 and collected by, for example, a collection device (not shown) installed on the game island.

  By the way, when the game balls are paid out or removed as described above, there is a case where static electricity is generated due to a collision or contact between the game balls and charged. In such a case, for example, malfunctions or early deterioration of various electric circuits and electronic components incorporated in the gaming machine may occur. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of such a problem, the following static elimination means is configured.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 16, in the gaming machine (pachinko machine 2) of the embodiment, the above-described payout intermediate base 30s is made of a conductive material, and one end side thereof is connected to the payout intermediate base 30s. And the other end side of the discharge ground plate 60 (FIGS. 10 to 14), the other end side of which extends toward the conductive ground member Em, and the other end side of the discharge ground plate 60 and the ground member Em. And a conductive contact member 62 (FIGS. 12 to 16). Note that a metal material (eg, iron, aluminum, copper, or the like) can be used as the conductive material, but other materials may be used. In short, the static electricity charged in the pachinko machine 2 is guided to a predetermined grounding point (for example, various metal hinges of the pachinko machine 2 or conductive parts of the island facility (for example, a game machine mounting frame)). Any material can be selected as long as it can be discharged.

  Here, one end side of the payout ground plate 60 is folded back toward the inside of the payout device 30 along the payout intermediate base 30s, and the folded back portion 60a is connected to the payout intermediate base 30s ( (Fig. 10, 12). Further, the payout ground plate 60 extends from one end side thereof toward the other end side via the outer upper portions of the front cover 30a and the back cover 30b, and the extended end 60b is folded back along the back cover 30b. (Figs. 12 and 18).

  Further, the contact member 62 is installed in the above-described ground member Em (in the drawing, as an example, the dispensing device connection part Em3). Here, the contact member 62 may be installed at the same time (integrally) when the earth member Em is formed, for example, or the contact member 62 may be formed separately from the earth member Em, for example. You may retrofit to apparatus connection site | part Em3. In addition, various methods, such as adhesion | attachment, screwing, and soldering, are applicable as a post-attachment method, for example. In this case, the entire contact member 62 has a shape that bulges toward the other end side of the payout ground plate 60, and it is preferable that the contact member 62 has elasticity by itself. Thereby, the contact member 62 can be in close contact with the other end side (extension end 60b) of the payout ground plate 60 without a gap by the elastic force.

  According to such a charge removal means, when the dispensing device 30 is assembled, one end side (folded portion 60a) of the conductive dispensing ground plate 60 is connected to the conductive dispensing intermediate base 30s and the other end side (extension) By simply positioning the end 60b) along the back cover 30b, the payout ground plate 60 can be unitized (integrated) with the payout device 30. The other end side (extension) of the payout ground plate 60 is performed only by performing a normal attachment operation of the payout device 30 such as fitting the back cover 30b along the plurality of holding pieces 42s provided on the back upper base 42. The end 60b) can be brought into contact with the contact member 62.

  In this case, the payout ground plate 60 extended from the payout intermediate base 30s and the ground member Em can be brought into contact with each other in a short time and reliably via the contact member 62. As a result, it is possible to improve the efficiency of attaching the ground member Em without changing the configuration in the gaming machine (pachinko machine 2) and using it as it is, so that the low-cost gaming machine (pachinko machine 2) Can be realized. For example, by simply connecting one end of a ground wire (not shown) to the ground member Em and connecting the other end to a ground ground point, the static electricity charged in the gaming machine (for example, the payout device 30) can be easily and reliably obtained. Static elimination (for example, grounding) can be performed.

  Further, by providing the payout intermediate base 30s as a structure for separating the double row ball passages 30t in the payout device 30, the payout intermediate base 30s also serves as a partition between the double row ball passages 30t. be able to. In this case, it is troublesome and troublesome and troublesome, such as winding the ground wire as in the past and arranging a ground member separately in the dispensing device, and the number of parts can be greatly reduced. it can. As a result, the static electricity charged in the gaming machine (for example, the payout device 30) can be smoothly discharged without changing the configuration in the gaming machine (pachinko machine 2) and used as it is. 30 manufacturing costs can be significantly reduced. For this reason, a low-cost gaming machine can be realized.

  Furthermore, in the normal mounting operation of the payout device 30, the payout device 30 (game ball receiving portion game ball receiving portion 30in) is simply positioned to face the rail unit 34 (outflow ports F1, F2), and the payout intermediate base 30s. The other end side (extended end 60 b) of the payout ground plate 60 can be brought into contact with the ground member Em via the contact member 62 with one touch. Thereby, static electricity charged in the gaming machine (for example, a payout device) can be smoothly discharged.

  By the way, such a payout device 30 may be removed from the back upper base 42 at the time of maintenance or replacement, for example. At this time, if game balls remain in the flow paths R1 and R2 of the rail unit 34, the game balls may spill from the outlets F1 and F2 (game ball leakage). Therefore, in order to prevent the ball of the game ball from leaking, the rail unit 34 has a game played from the outlets F1, F2 of the double-row flow paths R1, R2 when the payout device 30 is detached from the back upper base 42. A stopper unit 64 (FIGS. 14 to 18) is provided for blocking spilling of the ball. The stopper unit 64 can be detachably mounted at a position near the outlets F1, F2 of the rail unit 34.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 to 18, the stopper unit 64 includes a stopper 64 s provided near the outlets F <b> 1 and F <b> 2 of the rail unit 34, and a sphere leveling plate 64 p provided on the upstream side of the stopper 64 s. It has. Note that the sphere leveling plate 64p is disposed along the double-row flow paths R1 and R2 of the rail unit 34, respectively, and extends toward the outlets F1 and F2 with a predetermined downward gradient. . Thereby, the game balls flowing down the double-row flow paths R1 and R2 are uniformly leveled by the ball leveling plate 64p, and smoothly enter the outlets F1 and F2 (stoppers 64s) without causing clogging. It flows down.

  The stopper 64s has a wall 64a extending between the pair of side walls 34a, 34b of the rail unit 34, and intersects the wall 64a (orthogonal in the drawing) to the outlets F1, F2. And a guide wall 64b extending toward the front. In this case, the wall 64a extends so as to cross (cover) the region surrounded by the double-row flow paths R1, R2 and the pair of side walls 34a, 34b. On the other hand, the guide wall 64b extends toward the dispensing device 30 beyond the front plate 64f (the plate for covering the upper sides of the outlets F1, F2) of the stopper unit 64, and its lower surface (described later). An inclined surface 64m having a predetermined upward slope is formed at a position facing the guide surface of the dispensing device 30.

  Such a stopper 64s is held in a posture in which it is dropped into the stopper unit 64 (specifically, in the vicinity of the upstream side of the front plate 64f) by the total weight of the wall portion 64a and the guide wall 64b. In this state, the stopper 64s is in contact with the partition wall 34h raised to divide the flow paths R1 and R2 of the rail unit 34 into double rows (FIGS. 15 and 16). In this state, since the outlets F1 and F2 of the rail unit 34 (flow paths R1 and R2) are partially blocked by the wall 64a of the stopper 64s, the rail unit 34 (flow paths R1 and R2) is blocked. The game ball that has flowed down is blocked by the wall 64a. Thereby, when the payout device 30 is detached from the back upper base 42, it is possible to prevent the game balls from spilling out from the outlets F1, F2 of the double-row flow paths R1, R2.

  The stopper 64s is lifted upward along the front plate 64f of the stopper unit 64 when the dispensing device 30 is attached to the back upper base 42, so that the outlets F1, F2 of the rail unit 34 (flow paths R1, R2). Can be opened. In this case, the payout intermediate base 30s (FIGS. 14 and 17) of the payout device 30 is along the inclined surface 64m of the stopper 64s (guide wall 64b) on the side facing the rail unit 34 (outlet F1, F2). A guide surface 30g having a shape and a protrusion 30p protruding from the lower end of the guide surface 30g are provided.

  According to this configuration, when the back cover 30b is fitted along the plurality of holding pieces 42s and the payout device 30 is attached to the back upper base 42, the inclined surface 64m of the stopper 64s (guide wall 64b) is The stopper 64s can be lifted upward along the front plate 64f of the stopper unit 64 by being guided along the guide surface 30g of the (dispensing intermediate base 30s). Then, in a state where the back cover 30b of the payout device 30 is completely fitted into the plurality of holding pieces 42s, the inclined surface 64m of the stopper 64s (guide wall 64b) is a protrusion 30p protruding from the lower end of the guide surface 30g. Supported by.

  At this time, the stopper 64s is maintained in a state of being lifted upward along the front plate 64f. As a result, the outlets F1 and F2 of the rail unit 34 (channels R1 and R2) are opened, so that the game balls flowing down the double-row channels R1 and R2 are transferred from the outlets F1 and F2 into the payout device 30. Can be introduced. The game ball received by the payout device 30 is paid out through the above-described ball passage 30t and the payout mechanism (sprockets 44a and 44b).

  Further, when the dispensing device 30 is removed from the back upper base 42, the support state with respect to the stopper 64s by the protrusion 30p of the dispensing device 30 (dispensing intermediate base 30s) is released, and at that time, the stopper 64s is caused by its own weight. It is held in a posture dropped into the stopper unit 64 (near the upstream side of the front plate 64f). As a result, the outlets F1 and F2 of the rail unit 34 (channels R1 and R2) are partially blocked by the wall portion 64a, so that the outlets F1 and F2 of the double-row channels R1 and R2 There is no spilling of game balls.

2 Pachinko machines (game machines)
30 Dispensing device 30s Dispensing intermediate base 34 Rail unit 42 Back upper base (base member)
42m holding part (positioning holding means)
Em grounding member (static elimination means)
Em1, Em2, Em3 Connection part (connection part)

Claims (2)

A game machine in which a rail unit for flowing a game ball and a payout device for receiving a game ball flowing down the rail unit and delivering a predetermined game ball are attached to a base member arranged in the game machine There,
Static elimination means for eliminating static electricity charged in the gaming machine,
Positioning and holding means for positioning and holding the static eliminating means in a region of the base member where the rail unit and the payout device are not attached and adjacent to the rail unit and the payout device. Has
The static elimination means extends from the rail unit to the payout device, and is configured to project a connection portion connected to the rail unit and the payout device, and the connection portion includes the positioning and holding means. The gaming machine is connected to the rail unit and the payout device. The payout device is provided with a ball passage for paying out game balls, and a conductive payout intermediate base extending along the ball passage,
The gaming machine includes a conductive payout ground plate whose one end is connected to the payout intermediate base and whose other end is extended toward the charge eliminating means.
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the static elimination unit is configured to have conductivity, and the connection portion provided in the static elimination unit is in contact with the other end side of the payout ground plate.

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