JP2014117623A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a game ball to smoothly enter a winning area in a game machine including an opening/closing member for opening and closing the winning area.SOLUTION: An upstream-side portion at a tip of an opening/closing member 14 is in a linear shape. One portion 143 at a downstream side connected with the linear-shaped portion of the tip of the opening/closing member 14 is in a curved shape having a curvature for preventing a straight line for connecting respective contact points of a game ball in a position sandwiched between one portion of the tip of the opening/closing member 14 and the other edge side of a game ball passage 50 on the periphery of a through hole 511 from passing the center of the game ball when one portion of the game ball enters the through hole 511, or is in a linear shape not parallel to the periphery of the other edge side of the game ball passage 50 on the periphery of the through hole.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including an opening / closing member that opens and closes a winning area.

  As described in Patent Document 1 below, a gaming machine having a configuration in which a winning area is opened and closed by an advance / retreat operation (slide) of an opening / closing member (shutter) is known.

JP 2012-101081 A

  As described in Patent Document 1, in a gaming machine equipped with such an opening / closing member, for example, when a game ball is about to enter a winning area, the opening / closing member and the winning area are intended to close the winning area. A game ball may be sandwiched between the peripheral edge of the opening. Further, when the game ball passes over the opening / closing member that moves forward and backward, the game ball may pass without entering the winning area, or the timing of entering the winning area may be delayed. In this way, if the opening and closing member prevents the game ball from entering the smooth winning area, the difference between the specifications (game machine characteristics such as the performance of the game machine) set during the design and the actual specifications will increase. It causes problems such as.

  An object of the present invention is to facilitate entry of a game ball into a winning area in a gaming machine including an opening / closing member that opens and closes a winning area.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the gaming machine according to the invention of claim 1 is characterized in that a through-hole formed in a bottom wall of a game ball passage and the through-hole whose tip is located on one side in the width direction of the game ball passage. An open / close member that moves between an open state in which the hole is opened and a closed state in which the tip closes the through hole located on the other side in the width direction of the game ball passage, and the opening at the tip of the open / close member The upstream portion of the game ball passage has a linear shape, and at least a portion of the game ball passage connected to the linear portion at the tip of the opening / closing member is part of the game ball in the through hole. A straight line connecting the contact points of the game balls at a position sandwiched between a part of the tip of the opening and closing member and the peripheral edge of the other side in the width direction of the game ball passage at the periphery of the through hole Does not pass through the center of the game ball Characterized in that is a straight line shape not parallel with the curvature become curved or other widthwise side edge of the game ball passages in the peripheral of the through hole, to.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the peripheral edge of the other side in the width direction of the game ball passage at the peripheral edge of the through hole is gradually widened toward the upper end. It is characterized by having a shape that is slanted.
A third aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, wherein a part of the distal end portion of the opening / closing member on the downstream side of the game ball passage is from the distal end portion side to the proximal end portion side. The curved shape of the curvature is smaller than the curvature of the game ball having a concave shape toward the surface.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, a part of the downstream side connected to the upstream side of the linear shape at the tip of the opening / closing member is a part of the tip of the opening / closing member and the width direction of the game ball passage at the periphery of the through hole. Since the straight line connecting the contact points of the game balls at the position sandwiched between the peripheral edge on the other side has a curved shape that prevents the game ball from passing through the center of the game ball, It is possible to suppress the pinching between the tip and the peripheral edge on the other side in the width direction of the game ball passage.

  As in the invention described in claim 2 or claim 3, the peripheral edge on the other side in the width direction of the game ball passage at the peripheral edge of the through hole is inclined so that the through hole gradually becomes wider toward the upper end. If the shape of the opening or closing member or a part of the downstream side of the distal end of the opening / closing member has a curved shape that is concave from the distal end side toward the proximal end side, the bite of the game ball that is about to enter the winning area Is suppressed, and it is possible to further smoothly enter the game ball into the winning area.

1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of a game board. It is the figure which expanded and showed the right side (location where the normal winning area and the 1st winning area) were provided of the game area. It is a figure for demonstrating the misconduct using a ball with a thread | yarn. It is a figure for demonstrating the fraud using the ball with a thread different from FIG. It is the figure which expanded and showed the 1st prize-winning area | region (1st opening / closing member) located in the several branch path and the lower side. It is an external view of a downstream channel. It is the figure which showed the inside of the 2nd prize-winning area | region provided in the lower side with the downstream channel | path. It is a top view (figure seen from the upper part) of a downstream channel | path, (a) is the state by which the through-hole (2nd winning area) was closed by the 2nd opening / closing member, (b) is a through-hole by the 2nd opening / closing member. The (second winning area) is open. It is a figure for demonstrating the function of the course change protrusion provided in the side wall of the downstream channel | path. It is the figure which expanded and showed the front-end | tip of the 2nd opening / closing member. It is the figure which showed the state by which the game ball was pinched | interposed between the front-end | tip (inclined part) of a 2nd opening-and-closing member and the other edge of a through-hole. It is sectional drawing (AA sectional view taken on the line in FIG. 12) which showed the state by which the game ball was pinched | interposed between the front-end | tip of a 2nd opening-and-closing member and the other edge of a through-hole, and the effect | action of an inclined surface It is a figure for demonstrating.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. A well-known configuration can be applied to the skeleton of the gaming machine 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a front frame 91 is rotatably supported on a frame-shaped machine frame 90. The front frame 91 is provided with a transparent plate 911 that allows the game board 9 to be viewed from the front side.

  The game board 9 is formed of a substantially square plywood and is detachably attached to the front frame 91. A game area 13 in which the game balls launched on the front side of the game board 9 flow down is provided. The game board 9 is provided with a strip-shaped guide rail 92 made of a thin metal plate for guiding a game ball launched by the operation of the launch device 97 to the game area 13 so as to have a substantially arc shape.

  The game area 13 is provided with a display device 93, a start winning port 94, a big winning port 95, an out port 96, and the like. The start winning opening 94 is a winning opening aimed at so-called left-handed gaming (in a normal gaming state). On the other hand, the game area 13 is provided with various winning areas and the like aimed at so-called right-handed games (in a special game state different from the normal game state). This winning area will be described later. In the normal game state, the launching device 97 is operated so that the game ball enters the left side of the game area 13 aiming at the start winning opening 94. In a special game state, the launching device 97 is operated so that the game ball enters the right side of the game area 13 (so that the launch force of the game ball is stronger than in the normal game state). That is, in a special game state, the game ball enters the right side of the game area 13 through the special route 20 shown in FIGS. As the display device 93, for example, a liquid crystal display device is used, and special symbols, normal symbols, and the like are displayed on the display screen (display unit) of the display device 93. The display screen of the display device 93 is visible through an opening formed in the game board 9.

  The game area 13 is provided with a plurality of game nails (not shown) as obstacles that change the flow-down mode of the game balls when the game balls flowing down collide. The game ball flowing down the game area 13 changes into various modes according to the conditions when it collides with the game nail.

  A center base unit (not shown) is provided on the back side of the gaming machine 1. The center base unit is provided with various control boards such as a main control board and a sub control board, a ball tank, a rail, and the like.

  In such a gaming machine 1, a game ball is launched toward the game area 13 by operating the launching device 97 (handle). When a game ball flowing down the game area 13 wins a winning opening such as a start winning opening 94 or a big winning opening 95, a predetermined number of winning balls are paid out by the payout device.

  A first opening / closing member that opens / closes the normal winning area (second area) 10 and the first winning area 11 on the right side of the game area shown in FIG. 12. A second opening / closing member 14 (corresponding to the opening / closing member in the present invention) for opening / closing the second winning area 13 (corresponding to the winning area in the present invention) is provided.

  When a player plays a game aiming at the start winning opening 94 in a normal gaming state and wins a big hit with the winning of a game ball at the starting winning opening 94, the normal gaming state is thereafter performed at a certain rate. It becomes a special gaming state that is easier to win a jackpot than. Details of the game in the special game state are as follows. When a special gaming state is entered and the player starts to make a right turn, the game ball enters the right side of the game area. When the game ball passes through the normal winning area 10, the lottery of the first winning area 11 is performed by the first opening / closing member 12 immediately below the normal winning area 10. In the special gaming state, the lottery is set to win with a very high probability, and the first opening / closing member 12 opens the first winning area 11 when winning. When the game ball enters the first winning area 11, the second winning area 13 is randomly selected by the second opening / closing member 14 as an opportunity. The game ball that has entered the second winning area 13 wins the jackpot 1311 or the outlier 1312 provided in the second winning area 13. In the second winning area 13, a sorting member 131 is provided that moves between a position where the jackpot 1311 is opened and a position where the jackpot 1311 is closed, and the sorting member 131 is located at a position where the jackpot 1311 is opened. When it is located, there is a possibility that a game ball will win the jackpot 1311. When a game ball wins the jackpot 1311, a known jackpot game in which the jackpot 95 is opened for a long time or frequently is started, and the player can acquire many game balls (out). .

  When the player hits the right in the normal gaming state, the winning probability of the open lottery in the first winning area 11 when the game ball passes through the normal winning area 10 is extremely low, and the lottery Even if the player wins, the opening time of the first opening / closing member 12 is extremely short, so that it is almost impossible for the game ball to enter the first winning area 11. Therefore, there is almost no possibility that a game ball enters the second winning area 13 and wins the jackpot 1311.

  Hereinafter, the configuration on the right side of such a game area will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The game ball that has entered the special route 20 by so-called right-handed game flows down through the game ball route 21 passing through the right side of the game area. The game ball path 21 is gradually inclined to the right side of the game area as it goes downward. After passing through the rightmost side of the game area, it is bent so as to go to the center of the game area, and a normal winning area 10 which is a gate through which a game ball can pass is located at the end. As described above, a lottery is executed as to whether or not the first opening / closing member 12 immediately below the normal winning area 10 performs an opening operation when the game ball passes through the normal winning area 10. In other words, the player has the possibility of acquiring the profit of jackpot only after the game ball passes through the normal winning area 10.

  A game entrance through which a game ball can pass between a position where the normal winning area 10 is located and a position passing through the rightmost side of the gaming area, which is upstream of the normal winning area 10 in the game ball path 21. 211 is provided. Specifically, the ball opening 211 is formed below a portion that is inclined toward the center of the game area in the game ball path 21. In the present embodiment, another opening 23 through which a game ball flowing down the game ball path 21 can pass is provided. This other opening 23 is set so that the game ball is less likely to pass at least than the above-mentioned pitching hole 211. That is, most of the game balls flowing down the game ball path 21 do not pass the normal winning area 10 through the ball hole 211 and enter the area (first area 22) located below the ball hole 211. Or, it passes through the normal winning area 10 without passing through the ball opening 211 (without entering the first area 22).

  Since each area is set to have such a positional relationship, the flow of game balls when entering the first area 22 is as follows. The game balls flowing down the game ball path 21 change the course so as to go to the center of the game area after passing through the rightmost side of the game area. After the course is changed, the vehicle enters the first area 22 through the ball hole 211 located in the middle of the course so as to go to the outside of the game area again. In this way, the game ball flows from the right toward the left diagonally downward, and flows from the ball hole 211 toward the right diagonally downward. In other words, the flow is substantially “<”. In other words, in the direction of gravity, there is a game between the first area 22 where the game ball enters through the ball hole 211 and a portion upstream of the ball hole 211 in the game ball path 21. This means that a portion where the ball cannot pass is provided.

  According to such a configuration, the following operational effects can be achieved. The passing of the game ball through the normal winning area 10 means that the jackpot is approached, that is, there is a possibility that the player may benefit. In this way, when the normal winning area 10 that may cause the player and the pitching hole 211 for preventing the player from winning the prize are provided, a fraudulent act of blocking the pitching hole 211 (so-called goto action) ). This is because most of the game balls pass through the normal winning area 10 if the game balls are prevented from passing through the ball entrance 211. As one mode of such a fraudulent act, it can be considered that a threaded ball B as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 enters the game area. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, this is also the case in the normal gaming state, but in particular in the special gaming state, the threaded ball B enters the gaming area, and the threaded ball B Most of the game balls that enter the first area 22 and flow down the game ball path 21 so as to block the part through the ball opening 211 pass through the normal winning area 10 and the first winning area 11, As shown in FIG. 5, an illegal act of adjusting the amount of game balls passing through the normal winning area 10 and the first winning area 11 by moving the threaded ball B that has entered the first area 22 up and down can be considered.

  However, once such a fraudulent act is performed and the part of the sphere B with thread is once entered into the first region 22, the thread is bent as shown in FIGS. Specifically, the thread comes into contact with the wall of the game ball path 21 and the game nail that forms the through hole, and is bent. For this reason, once the threaded ball B has entered the first region 22, the threaded ball B is caught and pulled out of the first region 22 even if the threaded ball B is to be lifted after fear of fraud. It becomes difficult, or the thread is broken by pulling it forcibly. Further, if the thread is bent in this way, it is difficult to adjust the flow of the game ball by adjusting the position of the ball part of the threaded ball B. In this way, in the direction of gravity, the game ball cannot pass between the first region 22 where the game ball enters through the ball hole 211 and the portion upstream of the ball hole 211 in the game ball path 21. If such a portion is provided, it is possible to prevent an illegal act using the threaded ball B.

  When the game ball passes through the normal winning area 10, a lottery is performed as to whether or not the first opening / closing member 12 performs an opening operation, and the first winning area 11 is opened with a very high probability. The opening / closing structure of the first winning area 11 is specific as long as the operation of the first opening / closing member 12 can be switched between a state in which a game ball can enter the first winning area 11 and an incapable state. It is not limited to the structure. In the present embodiment, the entrance (opening) of the first winning area 11 is shaped along the game board 9, and when the first opening / closing member 12 is located behind the front surface of the game board 9, A game ball cannot enter the first winning area 11, but when the first opening / closing member 12 protrudes forward from the front surface of the game board 9, the game ball dropped on the protruding first opening / closing member 12 is first opened / closed. The structure is guided along the member 12 to the back side and enters the first winning area 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, a plurality of passages (hereinafter referred to as “branch passages”) through which the flowing game balls selectively pass above the first winning area 11 (first opening / closing member 12). Is provided. Each branch path is a path partitioned by game nails. In the present embodiment, the first branch path 31 located in the center, the second branch path 32 positioned to the left of the first branch path 31, and the first branch path 31. Three branch paths called a third branch path 33 located on the right side of FIG. A game ball that has passed through any one of the normal winning area 10, the ball pass 211, and the other opening 23 passes through one of these three branch paths. That is, the course of the game ball flowing down is changed by these branch paths.

  Since the first branch path 31 is a space between the game nails arranged in the horizontal direction, the game balls that have passed through the first branch path 31 flow down in a substantially straight direction of gravity. The first winning area 11 (first opening / closing member 12) is located below the first branch path 31. When the first winning area 11 is in the open state, the first winning path 11 passes through the first branch path 31. There is a possibility that game balls will win.

  On the other hand, when the first winning area 11 is in the closed state, the game ball that has flowed down as it reaches (in contact with) the guide portion 40 provided in front of the entrance of the downstream passage 50. The downstream passage 50 (corresponding to the game ball passage in the present invention) is a passage for guiding the entered game ball to the second winning area 13 where it can be won. The guide portion 40 is a portion having an inclined surface 41 inclined toward the inlet of the downstream side passage 50.

  The second branch path 32 is a space between a game nail that divides the first branch path 31 and a game nail that is located on the upper left side of the game nail. Therefore, the game ball that has passed through the second branch path 32 flows down toward the left (the center of the game area). That is, the game ball that has passed through the second branch path 32 is directed closer to the second winning area 13 than the game ball that has passed through the first branch path 31.

  The third branch path 33 is a space between a game nail that divides the first branch path 31 and a game nail that is positioned on the upper right side of the game nail. Therefore, the game ball that has passed through the third branch path 33 flows down toward the right (outside the game area). That is, the game ball that has passed through the third branch path 33 is directed in a direction away from the second winning area 13 than the game ball that has passed through the first branch path 31.

  A joining space 60 that is a space of a predetermined size is provided below the first branch path 31, the second branch path 32, and the third branch path 33 and above the guide portion 40. . The merge space 60 includes a left standing wall 61 provided on the side opposite to the first branch path 31 side in the second branch path 32 and a side opposite to the first branch path 31 side in the third branch path 33. It is a space formed between the right standing wall 62 provided on the side of the. That is, the game balls that have passed through the respective branch paths merge in this merge space 60. The merge space 60 gradually decreases in width from the plurality of branch paths to the lower side (guide section 40 side), and the lowest width is the first branch path 31, the second branch path 32, and the third branch path. 33 is narrower than the width in the parallel direction.

  As described above, the guide portion 40 is a portion having the inclined surface 41 that is inclined so as to gradually go downward toward the inlet of the downstream passage 50. The width of the inclined surface 41 of the guide portion 40 is set shorter than the widths of the first branch path 31, the second branch path 32, and the third branch path 33 that are arranged in parallel. In this embodiment, it is set larger than one game ball and smaller than two. That is, the size is such that two game balls do not contact the inclined surface 41 of the guiding portion 40 at the same time. When the game ball flowing down from the merging space 60 contacts (landing) the inclined surface 41, the game ball goes directly to the entrance of the downstream side passage 50 along the inclined surface unless it bounces greatly. That is, the guiding part 40 is a part that guides the game ball toward the downstream passage 50.

  In the present embodiment, the guide portion 40 is located immediately below the first branch path 31 and the first winning area 11. That is, the distance between the first branch path 31 and the guide section 40 is shorter than the distance between the other branch paths (second branch path 32 and third branch path 33) and the guide section 40. In other words, the shortest of the distances between the respective branch paths and the guide section 40 is the distance between the first branch path 31 and the guide section 40.

  The downstream passage 50 in which the game ball that has passed through the branch path may enter is a passage through which a game ball inclined downward from the right side of the game area to the center of the game area passes. The downstream passage 50 is formed larger than the size of one game ball and smaller than the size of two game balls. That is, it is formed in such a size that game balls pass one by one (a size in which two game balls do not pass side by side). The downstream passage 50 in the present embodiment is a concave passage, but may be a tubular passage.

  When the game ball enters the second winning area 13 at an intermediate position on the bottom wall 51 (the wall on which the game ball rolls) of the downstream passage 50, the game ball will pass. A rectangular through-hole 511 is formed. The width of the through hole 511 is substantially the same as the width of the bottom wall 51. That is, the downstream passage 50 guides the entered game ball to the second winning area 13 where it can be won. The through hole 511 (second winning area 13) is positioned with a gap between at least a part of the game medium entering the downstream passage 50 from the entrance side of the downstream passage 50. That is, the second winning area 13 is not formed immediately after the entrance of the downstream passage 50, and the game ball does not enter the second winning area 13 immediately after entering the downstream passage 50. The size of the through hole 511 is larger than one diameter of the game ball and smaller than two. That is, the through hole 511 has a size that prevents two or more game balls from passing through at the same time.

  The through hole 511 is opened or closed by the second opening / closing member 14 (displacement portion). When the second opening / closing member 14 is located on the back side (the state of the second opening / closing member 14 at this time is the first state), the through hole 511 is opened, and the game ball can pass therethrough. When the second opening / closing member 14 is positioned on the near side (the state of the second opening / closing member 14 at this time is set to the second state), the through hole 511 is closed and it is impossible (difficult) for the game ball to pass through. ) When the second opening / closing member 14 is in the first state and the through hole 511 is opened, the game ball that has passed through the through hole 511 enters the second winning area 13.

  In the present embodiment, a big hit hole 1311 and a disconnect hole 1312 are provided in the second winning area 13. A game ball that has entered the second winning area 13 enters either the jackpot 1311 or the offshoot 1312. A distribution member 131 that is operated by a drive source (not shown) is provided in the second winning area 13. The distribution member 131 is displaced between a state where the jackpot 1311 is closed and a state where the jackpot 1311 is opened. If a game ball enters the jackpot 1311 when the jackpot 1311 is open, then the jackpot game is started. If the game ball wins the offending slot 1312, the game ball is lost and the jackpot game is not started.

  A protruding wall 611 that protrudes toward the guiding portion 40 side (the merge space 60 side), which is a part of the left standing wall 61, is formed at the upper left of the guiding portion 40. The upper surface of the protruding wall 611 is a first course changing portion 6111 that is a surface with which most of the game balls that have passed through the second branch path 32 come into contact. The first course changing unit 6111 is a slope inclined downward from the center side to the outside of the game area, and the guide unit 40 is located on the extended line. As described above, the game ball that has passed through the second branch path 32 is directed in a direction closer to the second winning area 13 than the game ball that has passed through the first branch path 31. However, the path of the game ball changes in a direction toward the guiding unit 40 by colliding (contacting) with the first course changing unit 6111. Due to the presence of the protruding wall 611 (the first course changing portion 6111), the merging space 60 gradually decreases in width from the plurality of branch path sides to the lower side (the guide section 40 side) (the lowest width is the first width). (The width becomes narrower than the width in the parallel direction of the one branch path 31, the second branch path 32, and the third branch path 33).

  In the present embodiment, the lower surface 6112 of the projecting wall 611 constitutes a part of the upper surface of the downstream side passage 50. Specifically, the lower surface 6112 of the projecting wall 611 constitutes a part of the upper surface in a portion having a predetermined length from the inlet of the downstream side passage 50. The upper surface of the downstream passage 50 constituted by the projecting wall 611 is parallel to the lower surface (the bottom wall 51 at a predetermined length from the entrance) with which a game ball passing through the downstream passage 50 comes into contact.

  On the upper right side of the guide portion 40, a second course changing portion 622 that is a protrusion protruding toward the guide portion 40 side (the merge space 60 side) that is a part of the right standing wall 62 is formed. Further, another passage 621 through which a game ball can pass is provided between the second course changing unit 622 and the guide unit 40. The game ball that has passed through the other passage 621 is discharged from the out port 96. As described above, the game ball that has passed through the third branch path 33 travels away from the second winning area 13 more than the game ball that has passed through the first branch path 31. However, most of the game balls that have passed through the third branch path 33 collide (contact) with the second course changing unit 622. Thereby, the course of the game ball changes in a direction toward the guiding portion 40 or another passage 621.

  In this way, most of the game balls that have passed through the first branch path 31 reach (contact) the inclined surface 41 of the guide portion 40 directly. In addition, most of the game balls that have passed through the second branch path 32 change their course due to a collision with the first course changing unit 6111 and reach the inclined surface 41 of the guide unit 40. Most of the game balls that have passed through the third branch path 33 change their course due to a collision with the second course changing unit 622 and reach the inclined surface 41 of the guide unit 40. The game ball that has reached the guiding portion 40 through such a route is set so as to be easily guided to the guiding portion 40 and enter the downstream passage 50. On the other hand, a game ball that has not reached the inclined surface 41 of the guide portion 40 due to collision with another game ball or the like passes through the other passage 621 as compared with a game ball that has reached the inclined surface 41 of the guide portion 40. Easy to set.

  In a normal game, game balls are continuously fired. Therefore, game balls that have passed through any of the first branch path 31, the second branch path 32, and the third branch path 33 may collide and be bounced near the guiding portion 40. However, in the present embodiment, a merge space 60 that is a space in which the game balls bounced as described above can move is provided on the upper side of the guide portion 40, and therefore, a clogged ball or the like occurs in the vicinity of the guide portion 40. There is no end.

  In addition, when a certain game ball passes through the first branch path 31 and enters the first winning area 11, the second opening / closing member 14 moves to the back side with a high probability and enters the first state, and the through hole 511. Is released and the game ball can pass. In the present embodiment, a game ball (following game ball) that enters the game area following the certain game ball passes through any of the first branch path 31, the second branch path 32, and the third branch path 33. Even in this case, it is set so that the second winning area (through hole 511) can be reached while the first state is maintained. Therefore, when a special gaming state is entered, the jackpot is smoothly given to the player. In other words, there is almost no situation where the jackpot is not awarded for a long time despite the special gaming state.

  The game ball guided to the guide portion 40 enters the downstream passage 50 shown in FIGS. A case of entering the downstream passage 50 directly (without being guided to the guide portion 40) is also conceivable. The downstream-side passage 50 has a bottom wall 51 (lower plate) that is inclined from the right side to the center of the game area so that game balls can flow down, and both edge sides of the bottom wall 51 in a direction that intersects the flow-down direction of game balls. And a side wall 52 erected on the side of at least one edge (in this embodiment, the rear edge). Strictly speaking, the transparent plate 911 described above constitutes a side wall opposite to the side wall 52 erected on the back side. The downstream side passage 50 has a width of the bottom wall 51 (the length in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the game ball flows down (longitudinal direction of the passage)), and the height of the passage from the diameter of the game ball. It is formed in a concave shape or a cylindrical shape which is set to be large and less than two. That is, as described above, the downstream passage 50 is formed in a shape that allows game balls to pass one by one (a shape in which two game balls do not pass side by side).

  On the upstream side of the position where the through hole 511 (second winning area 13) is formed in the bottom wall 51 of the downstream passage 50, a course changing protrusion 521 that is a protrusion protruding toward the near side is formed. . A game ball that has entered the downstream passage 50 and passes through the side wall 52 comes into contact with the course changing projection 521. The game ball that has come into contact with the course changing protrusion 521 goes to the other edge side (front edge side) in the downstream passage 50 (see FIG. 10). That is, the course changing projection 521 changes the course so that the game ball is brought closer to the other edge side of the through hole 511 (so that the game ball moves downstream along the other edge side of the through hole 511). As long as the game ball can be moved in this way, the shape and the position of the course changing projection 521 are not limited.

  The through hole 511 formed in the downstream side passage 50 serves as an entrance to the second winning area 13 provided on the lower side of the bottom wall 51. As described above, the through hole 511 is opened or closed by the second opening / closing member 14 that moves forward and backward along a plane passing through the periphery of the through hole 511. The state where the tip of the second opening / closing member 14 is farthest from the other edge is the open state (see FIG. 9B), and the state where the tip is closest to or in contact with the other edge is the closed state ( FIG. 9 (a)).

  FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the shape of the tip of the second opening / closing member 14. The distal end of the second opening / closing member 14 has an upstream linear portion (hereinafter referred to as a first linear portion 141), a downstream linear portion (hereinafter referred to as a second linear portion 142), and a first linear portion 141. And a portion (hereinafter referred to as an inclined portion 143) connecting the second straight portion 142. The first straight portion 141 is the longest portion of the second opening / closing member 14 in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the downstream passage 50. The length in the longitudinal direction of the downstream passage 50 of the first straight portion 141 is set to be shorter or substantially the same as the size of one game ball (the diameter of the game ball). The second straight portion 142 is the shortest portion of the second opening / closing member 14 in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the downstream passage 50. The inclined portion 143 between the first straight portion 141 and the second straight portion 142 is curved with a curvature smaller than the curvature of the game ball (1 / R (R: radius of the game ball)) (that is, curved more than the game ball). It is a portion formed in a small curve) or a straight line (curvature = 0). When the inclined portion 143 has a curved shape, it is preferable to have a concave shape that is recessed from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the second opening / closing member 14. In addition, since the inclined portion 143 is a portion connecting the first straight portion 141 and the second straight portion 142, when the inclined portion 143 is linear, the straight line is a straight line parallel to the other edge of the through hole 511. is not.

  The other edge side of the periphery of the through hole has a shape inclined toward the inside of the winning area (an inclined surface 5111 facing the through hole is formed). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the other edge has a triangular cross section that gradually becomes thinner toward the upper end.

  With such a configuration, a ball game ball is sandwiched between the tip of the second opening / closing member 14 that closes and the other edge of the through hole 511 for the following reasons (ball chewing, ball clogging). Prevent occurrence. When the game ball that has entered the downstream passage 50 passes through the side wall 52, the game ball comes into contact with the course changing projection 521 and moves downstream along the other edge side that is the side edge opposite to the side wall 52 (FIG. 10). reference). When passing the opposite side of the side wall 52, it does not contact the course changing projection 521 and moves downstream along the other edge. That is, the game ball approaches the through hole 511 along the other side edge.

  As described above, the size of the through hole 511 (the size of the peripheral edge of the through hole 511) is set to be larger than one game ball diameter and less than two game balls. When the ball reaches the through hole 511, if the second opening / closing member 14 opens the through hole 511, the game ball may enter the second winning area 13 through the through hole 511. If the second opening / closing member 14 closes the through hole 511, there is no possibility that the game ball will enter the second winning area 13.

  On the other hand, when the second opening / closing member 14 performs an operation to close the through-hole 511 when the game ball reaches the through-hole 511, the gaming ball There is a possibility that a ball game ball may be sandwiched between the other edge of the through hole 511. The game ball moving in the downstream passage 50 from the upstream side to the downstream side has momentum, and the length of the first straight portion 141 in the longitudinal direction of the downstream passage 50 is the size of one game ball (the diameter of the game ball). ) Is set to be shorter than or substantially the same as the second opening / closing member 14, and most of the gaming balls sandwiched between the tip of the second opening / closing member 14 and the other edge of the through hole 511 are made up of the second opening / closing member. 14 between the inclined portion 143 and the other edge of the through hole 511.

  It is assumed that the game ball is sandwiched between the second opening / closing member 14 and the other edge of the through hole 511 as shown in FIG. Since the inclined portion 143 is a curved or linear portion having a smaller curvature than the curvature of the game ball, the sandwiched game ball makes point contact with the inclined portion 143 and the other of the through holes 511. Also makes point contact with the edge. The straight line connecting the two contact points P1 and P2 does not pass through the center C of the game ball. Therefore, the direction of the force acting on the game ball from the second opening / closing member 14 moving in the direction to close the through hole 511 (the force acting on the game ball from the second opening / closing member 14 and the game ball from the other edge of the through hole 511 The force obtained by synthesizing the force acting on is in the direction toward the downstream side. That is, the game ball is pushed downstream by the inclined portion 143 of the second opening / closing member 14.

  When the game ball is pushed downstream in this way, the second opening / closing member 14 also moves in a direction to close the through hole 511, and accordingly, the contact point between the inclined portion 143 and the game ball and the other of the through hole 511 The contact point between the edge of the game ball and the game ball gradually changes to the downstream side. When the contact point changes in this way, the game ball in which the inclined portion 143 is sandwiched moves to the second winning area 13 by the gravity (moving downstream) and moves to the second winning area 13. To enter. In other words, the game ball is pushed by the second opening / closing member 14 that moves in the direction of closing the through hole 511 (unless an accidental force is applied due to contact with another game ball or the like) It moves obliquely downward on the downstream side and enters the second winning area 13.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, since the above-described inclined surface 5111 is formed at the other edge of the through hole 511, the game ball pushed by the second opening / closing member 14 is subjected to the reaction force received from the inclined surface 5111 by the second reaction force. Refer to the winning area 13 (see FIG. 13). That is, by forming the inclined surface 5111 on the other edge of the through hole 511, the game ball that is about to be sandwiched between the second opening / closing member 14 and the other edge can enter the second winning area 13. It will be smoother.

  In addition, although it has been described that the inclined portion 143 has a curved or linear shape with a curvature smaller than the curvature of the game ball, the inclined portion 143 is recessed to be recessed from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the second opening / closing member 14. If it is shaped, the game ball that is about to be sandwiched is pushed by the concave inclined portion 143 that is recessed toward the base end side, so that the inclined portion 143 is linear or convex toward the distal end side. Compared to the case of a convex shape, the game ball moves more smoothly to the downstream side. That is, the game ball that is about to be sandwiched between the second opening / closing member 14 and the other edge can enter the second winning area 13 more smoothly. Moreover, the possibility that the inclined portion 143 (second opening / closing member 14) is damaged by the reaction force from the game ball is also reduced.

  The game ball that has entered the second winning area 13 is detected by the winning detection sensor 132 provided in the second winning area 13 and then, as described above, either Enter the crab. In this embodiment, the space 133 immediately below the through hole 511 in the second winning area 13 (the space on the near side of the winning detection sensor 132) has a size that allows only one game ball to enter (two). The above game balls are not located in the space 133 at the same time). Specifically, the size of the space is narrowed by the slope 1331 that sends the game ball to the jackpot 1311 and the offset 1312 side, so that only one game ball can enter. As a result, the game balls that have entered the second winning area 13 are smoothly sent to the side where the big hit hole 1311 and the slipping hole 1312 are located without staying immediately below the through hole 511.

  On the other hand, the game ball that has flowed down the downstream passage 50 without entering the second winning area 13 is discharged from the outlet of the downstream passage 50 at the center of the gaming area, and enters the big winning opening 95 or the out opening 96. Will do.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications as described below are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. is there.

  For example, if the shape of the inclined portion 143 at the distal end of the second opening / closing member 14 is a concave shape that is recessed toward the proximal end side, it is preferable that the game ball can smoothly enter the second winning area 13. Although described, a convex shape that is convex toward the other side wall may be formed. Even if it is a case where it is such a structure, it becomes possible to suppress that a game ball is pinched. Further, as long as the above-described conditions (the straight line connecting the contact points P1 and P2 does not pass through the center C of the game ball), the shape of the inclined portion 143 may be a combination of a curved line and a straight line. The shape of the other edge of the through hole 511 facing the tip of the second opening / closing member 14 may be any shape as long as it is difficult for foreign matter to enter from the gap.

Examples of specific means obtained from the above embodiment will be described below.
A game ball passage formed by a bottom wall inclined so that the game ball can flow down, and a side wall standing from at least one edge side of both sides of the bottom wall in a direction intersecting the flow down direction of the game ball When,
A winning area located below the bottom wall of the game ball passage, and where a player may benefit from the entry of the game ball;
A through hole that is formed in the bottom wall of the game ball passage and through which the game ball flowing down the game ball passage can enter the winning area;
A member that moves forward and backward between the side wall and the other edge side of the bottom wall of the game ball passage, the tip of the member being located on the one side wall side of the game ball passage An open / close member that moves between an open state that opens the through hole and a closed state that closes the through hole whose tip is located on the other edge side of the game ball passage;
In a gaming machine equipped with
The gaming ball passage is formed in a concave shape or a cylindrical shape so that the width of the bottom wall and the height of the passage are larger than one and less than two diameters of the gaming ball,
The size of the peripheral edge of the through hole is formed to be greater than one and less than two of the diameter of the game ball,
The game ball passing through one side wall of the game ball passage is in contact with the upstream side of the position where the through hole is formed in one side wall of the game ball passage, and the game ball is placed on the other edge side. A course changing projection for changing the course so as to move toward the other edge side of the through-hole,
The upstream portion at the tip of the opening / closing member has a linear shape, and at least part of the downstream side connected to the linear portion at the tip of the opening / closing member is when a part of the game ball enters the through hole. A straight line connecting the contact points of the game balls at a position sandwiched between a part of the tip of the opening / closing member and the peripheral edge of the other edge side of the game ball passage at the peripheral edge of the through hole is the center of the game ball A gaming machine, wherein the gaming machine has a curved shape that does not pass or a linear shape that is not parallel to a peripheral edge on the other edge side of the gaming ball passage at a peripheral edge of the through hole.
With such a configuration, since the course changing projection is provided to change the course so as to be directed toward the other edge side and toward the other edge side of the through hole, the game ball passes over the opening / closing member that moves forward and backward. Thus, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an event such that the game ball passes without entering the winning area or the timing of entering the winning area is delayed. In addition, a part of the downstream side connected to the upstream side of the linear shape at the tip of the opening / closing member is sandwiched between a part of the tip of the opening / closing member and the periphery of the other edge side of the game ball passage at the periphery of the through hole. Since the straight line connecting the contact points of the game balls at the selected position has a curvature that prevents the game ball from passing through the center of the game ball, the game ball is connected to the tip of the opening / closing member and the other of the game ball passages. It becomes possible to suppress being pinched between the peripheral edge. In other words, the invention according to claim 1 is a game ball in which the path change projection is provided to suppress the riding of the game ball on the opening / closing member that moves forward and backward, and the path change projection is used to change the course to the front end side of the opening / closing member. Is configured such that the game ball smoothly enters the winning area by preventing the pin from being sandwiched between the opening / closing member and the peripheral edge on the other edge side of the game ball passage.

The other edge side of the periphery of the through hole has a shape inclined toward the inside of the winning area, and a part of the downstream side of the distal end portion of the opening / closing member is directed from the distal end side toward the proximal end side. The curved shape may be smaller than the curvature of the game ball having a concave shape.
In this way, the other edge side of the periphery of the through hole is inclined toward the inside of the winning area, and a part of the downstream side of the distal end portion of the opening / closing member is recessed from the distal end side toward the proximal end side. If the curved shape is formed, the biting of the game ball trying to enter the winning area is suppressed, and the game ball can enter the winning area more smoothly.

1 gaming machine 10 normal winning area 11 first winning area 12 first opening / closing member 13 second winning area (winning area)
14 Second opening / closing member (opening / closing member)
141 First straight line portion 143 Inclined portion 21 Game ball path 211 Through hole 22 Area 31 located below the through hole 31 First branch path 32 Second branch path 33 Third branch path 40 Guide section 41 Inclined surface 50 Downstream path (Game ball passage)
51 Bottom wall 511 Through-hole 5111 Inclined surface 52 Side wall 521 Course changing projection 60 Merge space 61 Left standing wall 611 Projecting wall 6111 First course changing section 6112 Lower surface
62 Right Standing Wall 621 Another Path 622 Second Course Change Section

Claims (3)

A through hole formed in the bottom wall of the game ball passage;
Between the open state in which the tip opens the through hole located on one side in the width direction of the game ball passage and the closed state in which the tip closes the through hole located on the other side in the width direction of the game ball passage. A movable opening and closing member;
With
The upstream portion of the gaming ball passage at the distal end of the opening / closing member has a linear shape, and at least a portion of the downstream side of the gaming ball passage connected to the linear portion at the distal end of the opening / closing member is the penetrating hole. Each of the game balls at a position sandwiched between a part of the tip of the opening / closing member and a periphery on the other side in the width direction of the game ball passage at the periphery of the through hole when a part of the game ball enters the hole A curved line that has a curvature that prevents the straight line connecting the contact points from passing through the center of the gaming ball, or a linear shape that is not parallel to the circumferential edge on the other side in the width direction of the gaming ball passage at the circumferential edge of the through hole. A gaming machine characterized by being.   2. The game according to claim 1, wherein a peripheral edge on the other side in the width direction of the game ball passage at a peripheral edge of the through hole has a shape inclined so that the through hole gradually becomes wider toward an upper end. Machine. A portion of the distal end portion of the opening / closing member on the downstream side of the game ball passage has a curved shape with a curvature smaller than the curvature of the game ball having a concave shape from the distal end portion side toward the proximal end portion side. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gaming machine is characterized.

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