JP2018149018A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress that game balls are caught by a movable plate which can move in a game area.SOLUTION: A movable plate 63a moves in a game area in a back and forth direction, so that a forward state composing a lower side of the route where game balls enter a prescribed specific area in the game area and a backward state in which the lower side of the route is opened are switched. The movable plate 63a is formed into a shape which is thinner forward. Thus, it is possible to suppress that game balls are caught between the movable plate 63a and the front plate 64 by thinning the movable plate 63a on the front end side and reducing an area of a part where the game balls can be caught (or be in contact with game balls) between the movable plate and the front plate 64 while thickening the movable plate 63a on the rear end side and securing strength to endure shock when game balls collide.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine (pachinko machine) that plays a game by firing a game ball toward a game area formed on the front side of the game board.

  In gaming machines that play a game by launching a game ball toward the game area formed on the front side of the game board, it is common to provide a game area with a entrance that allows game balls to enter. When a game ball enters the entrance, a prize ball is paid out or a lottery regarding games is performed.

  In addition, there are entrances where the possibility of entering a game ball changes (hereinafter, variable entrance). Such a variable entrance is known to have a movable plate that can move in the game area in the front-rear direction (for example, Patent Document 1). It is possible to switch between a closed state (difficult to enter) and an open state in which game balls can enter (easy to enter).

JP, 2006-106754, A

  However, in the gaming machine provided with the movable plate as described above, there is a problem that a game ball that has accidentally passed on the trajectory along which the movable plate in operation moves may be caught, and a ball bite may occur. there were.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent a game ball from being sandwiched between movable plates that can move in a game area.

In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the gaming machine of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is,
In a gaming machine that plays a game by firing a game ball toward a game area formed on the front side of the game board,
By moving the game area in the front-rear direction, a forward state that constitutes a lower side of a path through which a game ball enters a predetermined specific area in the game area, and a backward state that opens the lower side of the path Equipped with a movable plate that can be switched,
The movable plate is formed in a shape that decreases in thickness toward the front side.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can suppress that a game ball is pinched | interposed into the movable plate which can move a game area | region.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the board surface structure of the game board of a present Example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control circuit in the pachinko machine of a present Example. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the starting port unit of a present Example. It is the perspective view which abbreviate | omitted and showed the front board from the starting port unit. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the starting port unit in which a ball biting occurs. It is explanatory drawing which showed the process in which a slide member moves ahead with the starting port unit of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed the aspect in which a game ball is located in the missing part of a front board in the state which the slide member of the starting port unit of a present Example advanced. It is explanatory drawing which showed the aspect which a game ball contact | connects the upper surface of a guide plate in the state which the slide member of the starting port unit of a present Example advanced.

  In order to clarify the contents of the present invention described above, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine (game machine) of a type called “seven machine” or “digipachi” will be described. In the embodiment, “front” and “front” indicate “front with respect to the gaming machine”, that is, “direction approaching the player (front side as viewed from the player)”, and “rear” and “front”. “Back” indicates “backward with respect to the gaming machine”, that is, “a direction away from the player (back side when viewed from the player)”. “Up” means “up” as viewed from the player, “down” means “down” as seen from the player, and “left” means from the player “Left” indicates “right”, and “right” indicates “right” as viewed from the player.

A. Pachinko machine configuration:
A-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a front frame 4 is provided on the front portion of the pachinko machine 1. One end (the left side in FIG. 1) of the front frame 4 is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the middle frame 3. A game board 20 (see FIG. 2) is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3, and when the front frame 4 is rotated (released) to the front side of the pachinko machine 1 with respect to the middle frame 3. The game board 20 is exposed. One end (the left side in FIG. 1) of the middle frame 3 is pivotally supported with respect to the main body frame 2. The main body frame 2 is a substantially rectangular frame formed by assembling wooden plate-like members, and forms an outer frame of the pachinko machine 1.

  A window portion 4a is formed at a substantially central portion of the front frame 4, and a transparent plate 4b such as a glass plate is fitted into the window portion 4a. The player can visually recognize the game area of the game board 20 arranged on the back side through the window portion 4a (transparent plate 4b). Further, a small window portion 4c is formed at the lower right of the window portion 4a in the front frame 4, and a transparent plate 4d such as a synthetic resin plate is fitted into the small window portion 4c. The player can visually recognize the segment display part of the game board 20 arranged on the back side through the small window part 4c (transparent plate 4d).

  An upper lamp 5a is provided above the window 4a in the front frame 4, a right side lamp 5b is provided on the right peripheral edge of the window 4a, and a left side lamp 5c is provided on the left peripheral edge of the window 4a. Is provided. A pair of upper speakers 6 a are provided on the left and right above the window 4 a, and a lower speaker 6 b is provided on the front side of the lower part of the main body frame 2. The upper lamp 5a, the right side lamp 5b, the left side lamp 5c, the upper speaker 6a, and the lower speaker 6b are driven in order to enhance a game effect.

  An upper plate part 7 is provided below the window part 4 a in the front frame 4. In the upper plate part 7, game balls lent out through the card unit 242 (see FIG. 3) and game balls paid out from the pachinko machine 1 are stored. In addition, a lower tray portion 8 is provided below the upper tray portion 7, and a game ball lent out beyond the capacity of the upper tray portion 7 or a game paid out exceeding the capacity of the upper tray portion 7. The ball is stored.

  A launching handle 9 that can be rotated by the player is provided on the right side of the lower plate portion 8 in the front frame 4. The rotation shaft of the firing handle 9 is connected to a launching device unit 261 (see FIG. 3) mounted on the back side of the firing handle 9. The launcher unit 261 is supplied with a game ball stored in the upper plate part 7. When the player rotates the firing handle 9, the rotation is transmitted to the launching device unit 261, and the launching motor built in the launching device unit 261 is activated to play the game with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the firing handle 9. A ball is fired.

  In addition, an effect button 10a that can be pressed by the player is provided at the edge on the front side of the upper plate portion 7, and a push operation and a rotation operation by the player are provided on the left side of the lower plate portion 8. A jog shuttle 10b is provided. These effect buttons 10a and jog shuttle 10b are both effect operation units operated by the player, and when operated by the player when a predetermined condition is established, a predetermined game effect is performed.

A-2. Game board configuration:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a board surface configuration of the game board 20. As described above, the game board 20 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3. As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular game area 21 is formed at the center of the game board 20. A game ball launched from the launcher unit 261 (see FIG. 3) passes between the outer rail 22 and the inner rail 23 and is released to the game area 21, and flows down from above the game area 21. Since the game area 21 is visually recognized by the player through the window 4a (transparent plate 4b) of the front frame 4, the state of the game ball flowing down the game area 21 can also be visually recognized through the window 4a. is there.

  A central device 40 is provided in the approximate center of the game area 21, and an effect display device 41 configured by a liquid crystal display is provided in the central device 40. Various images for effects can be displayed on the display screen of the effect display device 41. For example, three identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c can be displayed as effect symbols, and these identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c successively display a plurality of numbers (for example, nine numbers “1” to “9”). To switch the display.

  A normal symbol operation gate 27 is provided at the lower right of the central device 40 (effect display device 41) in the game area 21. When the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gate 27, it is detected by the built-in gate sensor 27s (see FIG. 3) and flows downward.

  Below the normal symbol operating gate 27 in the game area 21, there is provided a large winning opening 28 that is largely opened in a substantially rectangular shape. The grand prize winning opening 28 includes an opening / closing door 29 that can be rotated by tilting the upper end side forward with the lower end side as an axis, and the opening / closing door 29 is substantially upright so that a game ball cannot enter and is opened and closed. The door 29 can be changed to an open state in which the game ball can enter by rotating forward. FIG. 2 shows a state where the special winning opening 28 is in an open state. The game ball that has entered the special winning opening 28 is guided to the back side of the game board 20 through the internal passage and is detected by the special winning opening sensor 28s (see FIG. 3).

  Below the central device 40 (effect display device 41) in the game area 21, a starter unit 60 is provided. The starter unit 60 is configured by combining two entrances (starters) up and down, and the first starter 61 provided on the upper side does not change the entrance possibility of a game ball (constant). D) It is a entrance where game balls can always enter. The game ball that has entered the first start port 61 is guided to the back side of the game board 20 through the passage, and is detected by the first start port sensor 61s (see FIG. 3). On the other hand, the 2nd starting opening 62 provided in the lower side serves as a entrance which changes the entrance possibility of a game ball. Although the detailed configuration of the second starting port 62 will be described later with reference to another drawing, the second starting port 62 of the present embodiment includes a slide member that can move in the game area 21 in the front-rear direction. By moving the member back and forth, it is possible to switch between a closed state where game balls cannot enter and an open state where game balls can enter. The game ball that has entered the second start port 62 is detected by a built-in second start port sensor 62s (see FIG. 3) and guided to the back side of the game board 20 through the passage.

  In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, a game ball flowing down the left area of the central device 40 (effect display device 41) can enter the first start port 61 described above. On the other hand, a game ball flowing down the area on the right side of the central device 40 (effect display device 41) can enter or pass through the second starting port 62, the normal symbol operating gate 27, and the big winning port 28. is there. In the following, launching a game ball so as to flow down the left area of the central device 40 is also expressed as “left-handed”, and launching a game ball so as to flow down the right area of the central device 40 Is also expressed as “right-handed”. In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when a game ball enters one of the first start port 61 and the second start port 62, three game balls are paid out as a winning ball, and a big prize is won. When a game ball enters the mouth 28, 13 game balls are paid out.

  A windmill wheel 31 and a number of game nails 32 that affect the path through which the game balls flow down are provided around the above-described game devices in the game area 21. Furthermore, an out port 33 is provided at the lowermost part of the game area 21 and on the left, right, and lower sides of the second start port 62, and the first start port 61 and the second start port 62 described above. The game balls that have not entered any of the big winning ports 28 are discharged from the out port 33 to the back side of the game board 20.

  In addition, a segment display unit 50 that displays information related to a game by a combination of a plurality of LEDs is provided at the lower right of the game area 21 on the game board 20. The segment display unit 50 is visible to the player through a small window 4c (see FIG. 1) provided in the front frame 4.

A-3. Control circuit configuration:
Next, the configuration of the control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the control circuit of the pachinko machine 1 is composed of many control boards and various boards. When the functions are roughly classified, the main control board 200 that controls the basic progress of the game, the sub-control board 220 that controls the control of the game, and the control of the sub-control board 220 The image / sound control board 230 that controls the display and the output of sound, the lamp control board 226 that controls the light emission of the lamp under the control of the sub-control board 220, and the control related to lending and paying out the game balls The payout control board 240 and the launch control board 260 for controlling the game ball are composed. These control boards include a CPU (CPUs 201, 221, 231 and the like in FIG. 3) for executing various logical operations and calculation operations, and a ROM (ROMs 202 and 222 in FIG. 3) in which various programs and data executed by the CPU are stored. 232), a RAM (203, 223, 233, etc. in FIG. 3) in which the CPU stores temporary data during program execution, and various peripheral LSIs such as input / output circuits are connected to each other via a bus. Has been.

  The main control board 200 includes a first start port sensor 61s that detects a game ball that has entered the first start port 61, a second start port sensor 62s that detects a game ball that has entered the second start port 62, A big prize opening sensor 28 s for detecting a game ball that has entered the big prize opening 28, a gate sensor 27 s for detecting a game ball passing through the normal symbol operating gate 27, and the like are connected. When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 receives a game ball detection signal from the first start port sensor 61s, the second start port sensor 62s, the big prize port sensor 28s, the gate sensor 27s, etc., the detection signal is input. A command corresponding to the detected sensor is transmitted to the sub-control board 220, the payout control board 240, and the like.

  In addition, the main control board 200 drives a start-port solenoid 62m that drives a slide member that changes the possibility of entering a game ball at the second start-up port 62, and an open / close door 29 provided in the grand prize-winning port 28. A prize winning solenoid 29m, a segment display unit 50, and the like are connected (switching between the open and closed states of the prize winning opening 28). The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 controls these operations by transmitting drive signals to the start opening solenoid 62m, the special winning opening solenoid 29m, and the segment display section 50.

  The sub-control board 220 is connected to an image / audio control board 230, a lamp control board 226, and an effect operation board 228. When the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 receives various commands from the main control board 200, it analyzes the contents of the command and performs a game effect according to the contents. That is, a command for designating an output image or output sound is transmitted to the image / sound control board 230, or the upper lamp 5a, right side lamp 5b, left side lamp 5c (hereinafter referred to as “various types”) are transmitted to the lamp control board 226. A game effect is performed by transmitting a command designating a light emission pattern of the lamps 5a to 5c ". When the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 detects a player's operation on the effect button 10a or the jog shuttle 10b (hereinafter referred to as “effect operation units 10a, 10b”) via the effect operation board 228, the CPU 221 responds to the operation. Playing games.

  The image / audio control board 230 includes a VDP 234, an image ROM 235, and an audio ROM 236 in addition to the CPU 231, ROM 232, and RAM 233. When receiving the command from the sub-control board 220, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 instructs the VDP 234 to display an image corresponding to the command. The VDP 234 reads image data (for example, sprite data, moving image data, etc.) used for displaying the instructed image from the image ROM 235, generates an image, and outputs the image to the display screen of the effect display device 41. When the CPU 231 of the image / audio control board 230 receives a command from the sub-control board 220, it reads out the audio data corresponding to the command from the audio ROM 236, and transmits a signal of the audio data to the amplifier board 224. Sound is output from the upper speaker 6a and the lower speaker 6b (hereinafter also referred to as “various speakers 6a and 6b”).

  Connected to the payout control board 240 are a ball lending button 241 (not shown in FIG. 1) provided on the upper plate part 7, a card unit 242 arranged in parallel with the pachinko machine 1, a payout motor 243, and the like. When the ball lending button 241 is operated, the signal is transmitted to the card unit 242 via the payout control board 240. The card unit 242 drives the payout motor 243 to rent out game balls while communicating data with the payout control board 240. Further, when the payout control board 240 receives a payout command instructing payout of the game ball from the main control board 200, the payout motor 243 is driven to pay out the game ball.

  Further, a launch control board 260 is connected to the payout control board 240, and a launcher unit 261 is connected to the launch control board 260. The launcher unit 261 includes a launch motor 262 for firing a game ball, a touch switch 263 for detecting that the player is touching the launch handle 9, and the like. When the touch switch 263 detects that the player is touching the firing handle 9, the firing motor 262 can be operated, and the firing control board 260 is driven by the firing motor 262 according to the rotation angle of the firing handle 9. Launch a game ball with strength.

B. Overview of the game:
In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the game proceeds as follows. When the player rotates the launch handle 9 while the game balls are stored in the upper plate portion 7, the game balls stored in the upper plate portion 7 are supplied to the launcher unit 261 one by one, and FIG. It is fired toward the game area 21 described above. Since the strength at which the game ball is launched corresponds to the rotation angle of the launch handle 9, the player can cause the game ball to flow down to a desired area by changing the rotation angle of the launch handle 9. For example, a game ball is fired so as to flow down the left area of the central device 40 (effect display device 41) (left-handed), or a game ball flows down the right area of the central device 40 Can be fired (right-handed).

  As described above with reference to FIG. 2, a left-handed game ball can enter the first start port 61. When a game ball enters the first start port 61 and is detected by the first start port sensor 61s, a predetermined determination random number (such as a big hit determination random number) is acquired, and whether the big hit is based on the value of the determination random number The big hit judgment which judges whether it is off is performed. Then, based on the result of the jackpot determination, the segment display unit 50 blinks a plurality of first special figure LEDs representing the first special symbol (hereinafter also referred to as “first special figure”) to display the first special figure. After the variable display, the LEDs are turned on in a predetermined combination to stop display the first special figure. At this time, if the result of the big hit determination is a big hit, the LED of the combination corresponding to the big hit symbol is turned on, and if it is off, the LED of the combination corresponding to the lost symbol is turned on.

  Further, as described above, a right-handed game ball can enter the second start port 62. When a game ball enters the second start port 62 and is detected by the second start port sensor 62s, a determination random number is acquired and a big hit determination is performed. Then, based on the big hit determination result, the second special figure is changed by blinking a plurality of second special figure LEDs representing the second special symbol (hereinafter also referred to as “second special figure”) on the segment display unit 50. After the display, similarly to the first special figure, the second special figure is stopped and displayed by turning on the LEDs in a combination according to the result of the big hit determination.

  In addition, even if a game ball enters the first start port 61 or the second start port 62, if the big hit determination is not performed immediately, such as during the fluctuation display of the first special figure or the second special figure, The value of the determination random number acquired by entering the first start port 61 is stored as the first special figure hold, and the value of the determination random number acquired by entering the second start port 62 is stored as the second special figure hold. . Thereafter, when the big hit determination becomes possible, the big hit determination is performed based on the first special figure hold or the second special figure hold, and the corresponding special symbol (first special figure or second special figure) is displayed in a variable manner. In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, up to four such first special figure hold and second special figure hold can be stored.

  Further, in conjunction with the change display of the special symbol, in the effect display device 41, the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c change and display a plurality of numbers (for example, nine numbers “1” to “9”) one after another. An effect (hereinafter also referred to as “design variation effect”) is performed. The three identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are displayed in a combination that does not align with the same numbers (separated) when the special symbol is out of place and is stopped and displayed, whereas the special symbol is a jackpot symbol. In the case of a stop display, the stop display is performed with a combination that has the same numbers (horizontal eyes). For this reason, if two of the three identification symbols are stopped and displayed with the same number, the player may indicate that the identification symbol that is stopped and displayed last will be aligned with the same number. The design variation effect will be watched closely. In this way, the effect performed while the two identification symbols are stopped and displayed with the same symbol and the last identification symbol is variably displayed is called a “reach effect”. By generating this reach effect, It is possible to enhance interest.

  When the first special figure or the second special figure is stopped and displayed with the big hit symbol, the big hit game in which the big winning opening 28 is opened is executed. In the big hit game, a round game in which a predetermined number (for example, nine) of game balls enter the opened big winning opening 28 or is closed when a predetermined opening time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses is repeated a plurality of times. . In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of jackpot symbols are provided, and the number of round games played in the jackpot game varies depending on the type of the jackpot symbol that is stopped and displayed (for example, four times, six times, 15 times) Times). As described above, a right-handed game ball can enter the special winning opening 28. When a game ball enters the big winning opening 28, 13 game balls are paid out as a prize ball. Therefore, the player can acquire a lot of prize balls as the number of rounds is a big hit game. Is possible.

  Further, as described above, the normal symbol operation gate 27 is provided at the lower right of the central device 40 (effect display device 41), and a right-handed game ball can pass through the normal symbol operation gate 27. . When a game ball passing through the normal symbol operating gate 27 is detected by the gate sensor 27s, a predetermined determination random number (such as a determination random number per ordinary figure) is acquired, and whether or not the normal figure is hit or lost based on the value of the determination random number A judgment per common figure is performed. Subsequently, based on the result of the normal symbol hit determination, the two normal symbol LEDs representing the normal symbol are blinked on the segment display unit 50, and the normal symbol is variably displayed. Normal symbols are stopped and displayed. At this time, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, if the result of the per-common symbol determination is per standard, the left LED corresponding to the per-standard symbol is lit, and if it is out, the corresponding symbol is out. Turn on the right LED. When the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a symbol per regular symbol, a game per symbol that is closed after the second start port 62 is opened is played, so a game ball is placed in the second start port 62. Is likely to enter the ball (that is, the possibility that the variation display of the second special figure is performed).

  In addition, even if the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 27, when the normal symbol hit determination is not performed immediately, for example, during the normal symbol fluctuation display, the obtained determination random number value is set to the maximum of 4 as the normal symbol hold. It is possible to memorize up to three. After that, when it becomes possible to determine the hitting of the normal figure, the determination of the hitting of the normal figure and the change display of the normal symbol are performed based on the hold of the normal figure.

  The opening time of the second start port 62 in the game per game differs depending on whether it is “electric support state” or “non-electric support state”. In the electric support state, the opening time of the second start port 62 is set longer than that in the non-electric support state. Further, in the electric support state, the probability that the result of the determination per base drawing is per base diagram (probability per base diagram) is higher than that in the non-electric support state, and the variation time of the normal symbol is set short. Therefore, in the electric support state, the possibility that the game ball enters the second start port 62 (that is, the possibility that the variation display of the second special figure is performed) is higher than in the non-electric support state.

  In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of jackpot symbols provided are roughly classified into “normal symbols” and “probable variation symbols”, and any special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol) is used. Even when the symbol is stopped and displayed, the electric support state is set after the end of the big hit game. If the normal symbol is stopped and displayed, the probability that the result of the big hit determination will be a big hit (hit probability) after the big hit game ends is set to a predetermined normal probability (low probability), and the number of changes of the special symbol is predetermined. When the number of times (for example, 100 times) is reached, the non-electric support state is set. On the other hand, when the probability variation symbol is stopped and displayed, the jackpot probability is set to a high probability higher than the normal probability after the jackpot game is ended, and is continued until the next jackpot game together with the electric support state.

C. Start-up unit configuration:
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the start port unit 60 of the present embodiment. As described above, the start port unit 60 is configured by combining the first start port 61 and the second start port 62 vertically. The starting port unit 60 is attached with a rear mounting plate 60 a in contact with the board surface of the game board 20. The first start port 61 provided on the upper side includes a receiving portion 61a having a U-shaped cross section that protrudes forward from the mounting plate 60a and has an upper surface opened, and is a pocket-type entrance port in which a game ball can always enter. It is. The game ball that has entered from the opening on the upper surface of the receiving portion 61a is guided to the back side of the game board 20 and detected by the first start port sensor 61s (see FIG. 3).

  On the other hand, the second starting port 62 provided on the lower side is a slide member 63 movable in the front-rear direction, or a front plate 64 disposed in front of the mounting plate 60a and substantially parallel to the mounting plate 60a (game board 20). It has. The space between the front plate 64 and the mounting plate 60a is set wider than the diameter of the game ball so that the game ball can pass through, and the front of the front plate 64 is covered with a transparent plate 4b such as a glass plate. Yes. In addition, the front plate 64 of the present embodiment is provided with a missing part 64 a lacking a part and a penetrating through hole 64 b at a position facing the slide member 63.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the start port unit 60 with the front plate 64 omitted. First, FIG. 5A shows an open state of the second start port 62 in which the slide member 63 has advanced. As shown in the figure, the starting port unit 60 of the present embodiment includes a left column 65 and a right column 66 that project forward from the mounting plate 60a and support the front plate 64 on both the left and right sides. A slide member 63 is arranged between the right column 66.

  The slide member 63 protrudes forward from a through hole 60b formed through the attachment plate 60a and is inclined downward toward the left side, and protrudes forward from the front left end portion of the guide plate 63a. The connecting portion 63b and a standing portion 63c that is provided upward from the front end portion on the upper surface of the connecting portion 63b are provided. In the starting port unit 60 of the present embodiment, when the slide member 63 of FIG. 5A is advanced, the standing portion 63c is accommodated in the through hole 64b (see FIG. 4) of the front plate 64. Is set to

  In addition, a left guide surface 65a that is inclined downward toward the right side and flows down the left side of the first starting port 61 to guide the game ball toward the slide member 63 is formed on the upper portion of the left support 65. A right guide surface 66a that guides a game ball that is inclined downward toward the left side and flows down the right side of the first starting port 61 toward the slide member 63 is formed on the upper portion of the support column 66. As shown in the drawing, the left guide surface 65a is formed at a position higher than the right guide surface 66a.

  The game ball that has reached the slide member 63 rolls between the front plate 64 and the mounting plate 60a toward the left column 65 along the inclination of the upper surface of the guide plate 63a. The left support 65 incorporates a second start port sensor 62s having a passage hole 62t through which a game ball can pass, and the game ball that rolls along the upper surface of the guide plate 63a passes through the passage hole 62t. Thus, after being detected by the second start port sensor 62s, it is guided to the back side of the game board 20. As described above, since the standing portion 63c is accommodated in the through hole 64b of the front plate 64 in the state in which the slide member 63 has advanced, a game ball that rolls along the upper surface of the guide plate 63a is provided. There is no collision with 63c.

  Note that the inside of the left column 65 of the present embodiment in which the second start port sensor 62s is incorporated corresponds to the “specific region” of the present invention. The path from the left column 65 and the right column 66 to the second start sensor 62s corresponds to the “path” of the present invention.

  On the other hand, FIG. 5B shows a closed state of the second start port 62 in which the slide member 63 is retracted. As described above, the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment is equipped with the start port solenoid 62m (see FIG. 3) that drives the slide member 63 of the second start port 62, and controls the start port solenoid 62m to slide. By moving the member 63 back and forth, the second start port 62 can be switched between the open state shown in FIG. 5A and the closed state shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, when the slide member 63 is retracted, the guide plate 63a is drawn into the through hole 60b and is located behind the front surface of the mounting plate 60a. Therefore, even if the game ball reaches the position of the slide member 63 (between the left support column 65 and the right support column 66) by being guided by the left guide surface 65a or the right guide surface 66a, the game ball is moved by the upper surface of the guide plate 63a. Without being supported, the game ball flows down as it is and is discharged from the out port 33 (see FIG. 2) to the back side of the game board 20.

  The guide plate 63a of this embodiment corresponds to the “movable plate” of the present invention. The open state of the second start port 62 in this embodiment (the state in which the guide plate 63a protrudes from the through hole 60b) corresponds to the “advance state” of the present invention, and the closed state of the second start port 62. (The state in which the guide plate 63a is pulled into the through hole 60b) corresponds to the “retracted state” of the present invention.

  Further, in the state in which the slide member 63 is retracted, the standing portion 63c comes out of the through hole 64b (see FIG. 4) of the front plate 64 and is positioned between the front plate 64 and the mounting plate 60a. Therefore, even if the game ball is guided by the right guide surface 66a and rushes toward the second start port sensor 62s of the left support 65, the game ball collides with the standing portion 63c, so that the game ball is second started. It is not detected by the mouth sensor 62s (enters the second starting port 62), and the game ball flows down and is discharged from the out port 33.

  As described above, in the second starting port 62 provided with the slide member 63 that is movable in the front-rear direction, a game ball that has passed accidentally during the movement of the slide member 63 is pinched, and a ball bite may occur. is there. In the following, the configuration adopted in the start port unit 60 of the present embodiment in order to suppress such a bite will be described, but as a comparison, the start port unit 60 in which the ball bit is generated will be described first.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory view exemplifying the start port unit 60 in which the ball biting occurs. FIG. 6 illustrates a state in which a cross section of the start port unit 60 cut along a plane perpendicular from the near side to the far side is viewed from the right side. In FIG. 6, the slide member 63 moves forward (left side in the figure) when the second start port 62 changes from the closed state (see FIG. 5B) to the open state (see FIG. 5A). It represents the process of moving.

  As the slide member 63 moves forward, the guide plate 63a protrudes forward from the through hole 60b and moves toward the front plate 64. At this time, if the gaming machine flowing down between the left column 65 and the right column 66 accidentally passes on the movement path of the guide plate 63a, the guide plate 63a presses the game ball against the front plate 64, thereby guiding the game ball. A game ball is sandwiched between the plate 63a and the front plate 64, and ball engagement occurs.

  In the open state of the second start port 62 (see FIG. 5 (a)), the guide plate 63a receives a collision of a game ball flowing down from above, so that the guide plate 63a has a sufficient strength to withstand the impact at the time of the collision. Thickness is required. However, if the guide plate 63a is thickened, the ball on the front end surface of the guide plate 63a capable of sandwiching the game ball with the front plate 64 (in contact with the game ball) when the ball is engaged as shown in FIG. Since the area increases, the game ball is stably held by being sandwiched between two parallel surfaces (the front end surface of the guide plate 63a and the rear surface of the front plate 64).

  On the other hand, FIGS. 7-9 is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the starting port unit 60 of a present Example. 7 to 9, as in FIG. 6, a state in which a cross section of the starting port unit 60 cut along a plane perpendicular to the front side to the back side is viewed from the right side is shown. FIG. 7 shows a process in which the slide member 63 moves forward.

  As shown in the drawing, the guide plate 63a in the starting port unit 60 of the present embodiment is not uniform in thickness, and is formed in a shape in which the thickness decreases toward the front side. For this reason, the rear end side of the guide plate 63a is thickened to secure the strength to withstand the impact at the time of the collision of the game ball, while the front end side of the guide plate 63a is thinned between the front plate 64 and the guide plate 63a. By reducing the area of the portion (front end surface) where the game ball can be sandwiched (contacted with the game ball), it is possible to suppress the game ball from being sandwiched between the guide plate 63a and the front plate 64. .

  In particular, in the starting port unit 60 of the present embodiment, an inclined surface 63s that is lowered toward the front side is formed at the front end portion of the upper surface of the guide plate 63a, and the guide plate is brought into contact with the game ball by the inclined surface 63s. Since 63a scoops up the game ball from the lower side, it is possible to further suppress the game ball from being sandwiched between the guide plate 63a and the front plate 64.

  Further, as described above, the front plate 64 of the present embodiment is provided with a missing portion 64a lacking a part at a position facing the guide plate 63a of the slide member 63 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, even if the guide plate 63a tries to press the game ball against the front plate 64 at the front end, the game ball escapes to the missing portion 64a, so that the gap between the guide plate 63a and the front plate 64 is reduced. It is possible to prevent the game ball from being sandwiched between the two.

  Here, as described above, the front of the front plate 64 is covered with the transparent plate 4b such as a glass plate. In the starting port unit 60 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, in the state where the slide member 63 has advanced (the advance state of the guide plate 63a), the distance between the transparent plate 4b and the front end of the guide plate 63a is the game. Since it is set wider than the diameter of the sphere, the game ball that has escaped to the missing portion 64a of the front plate 64 is not pressed against the transparent plate 4b by the guide plate 63a, and between the guide plate 63a and the transparent plate 4b. It is possible to avoid the game ball being caught between the two. The game ball that has escaped to the missing portion 64a flows downward and is discharged from the out port 33.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when the game ball flowing down from above reaches between the left column 65 and the right column 66 in the forward state of the guide plate 63a (the second start port 62 is opened), It contacts the upper surface of the plate 63a. At this time, when the game ball comes into contact with the inclined surface 63s of the guide plate 63a and turns forward, the game ball is set to contact the upper edge portion of the missing portion 64a of the front plate 64. Therefore, in the forward state of the guide plate 63a, the game ball flowing down from above does not escape to the missing portion 64a of the front plate 64, and the upper edge of the inclined surface 63s of the guide plate 63a and the missing portion 64a of the front plate 64. By rolling toward the second start port sensor 62s of the left column 65 (see FIG. 5 (a)) while being supported at two places with the portion, the ball enters the second start port 62 (second Can be detected by the start port sensor 62s).

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, Unless it deviates from the range described in each claim, it is not limited to the description word of each claim, and those skilled in the art Improvements based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has can be added as appropriate to the extent that they can be easily replaced.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the guide plate 63a and the standing portion 63c are integrally formed on the slide member 63, and move forward and backward together. However, the guide plate 63a and the standing portion 63c may be provided separately and the back-and-forth movement may be controlled separately. For example, when the second start port 62 is closed, the guide plate 63a is retracted and pulled into the through hole 60b of the mounting plate 60a, and the standing portion 63c is advanced to protrude from the through hole 60b of the mounting plate 60a. On the other hand, in the open state of the second start port 62, the guide plate 63a is advanced to protrude from the through hole 60b of the mounting plate 60a, and the standing portion 63c is retracted to be pulled into the through hole 60b of the mounting plate 60a. It may be. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the through hole 64b for accommodating the standing portion 63c in the front plate 64.

  In the above-described embodiment, the application of the present invention will be described by taking the second start port 62 as an example, and the slide member 63 is moved back and forth to switch between the closed state and the open state of the second start port 62 (guidance). The plate 63a is switched between the backward state and the forward state). However, the application of the present invention is not limited to the second start port 62, and the slide member 63 is provided in a path through which the game ball enters a predetermined specific area in the game area 21. The present invention can also be suitably applied to switching between a state in which the lower side of the route is opened and a state in which the lower side of the route is configured.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the pachinko machine 1 that gives the player a profit (game value) as a result of the game by paying out the game balls supplied from the island equipment of the game hall. An example was explained. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine of a type that provides gaming profits in a form different from “payout of gaming balls”. For example, game profits (games) are stored by storing data indicating the amount of profit (the magnitude of the game value) corresponding to the entrance of a game ball at various entrances. The present invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine of a type in which a value is given to a player. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained. As a pachinko machine of the type in which game profit (game value) is converted into data and given to the player, a game machine that circulates and uses a plurality of game balls built in the pachinko machine, specifically, An example is a pachinko machine (so-called encapsulated game machine) configured to return the game ball discharged to the back of the game board through various entrances or outs to the launch position and launch it again.

<Game machines A1 to A4 that can be extracted from the above-described embodiments>
The pachinko machine 1 of the embodiment described above can be regarded as the following gaming machines A1 to A4.

<Game machine A1>
In a gaming machine that plays a game by firing a game ball toward a game area formed on the front side of the game board,
A front plate located on the front side of a path through which a game ball enters a predetermined specific area in the game area, with an interval through which a game ball can pass between the game board and the game board;
A movable plate capable of switching between a forward state in which the lower side of the path is configured and a retracted state in which the lower side of the path is opened by moving the game area in the front-rear direction;
The gaming machine is characterized in that the movable plate is formed in a shape whose thickness is reduced toward the front side.

  In such a gaming machine A1, while increasing the thickness at the rear end side of the movable plate to ensure the strength of the movable plate that can withstand the impact at the time of game ball collision, the thickness is reduced at the front end side of the movable plate. By reducing the area of the portion where the game ball can be sandwiched between the front plate (in contact with the game ball), the game ball can be prevented from being sandwiched between the movable plate and the front plate. .

<Game machine A2>
In the gaming machine A1,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the upper surface of the movable plate is inclined downward toward the front side.

  In such a gaming machine A2, the movable plate scoops up the game ball from below by moving the movable plate toward the front plate while the movable plate is in contact with the upper surface, so that the gap between the movable plate and the front plate is increased. It is possible to further suppress the game ball from being sandwiched between the two.

<Game machine A3>
In gaming machine A1 or gaming machine A2,
The front plate is provided with a missing portion lacking a part at a position facing the movable plate,
The gaming machine, wherein the front plate is provided so that a game ball that contacts the upper surface of the movable plate in the advanced state can contact the upper edge portion of the missing portion.

  In such a gaming machine A3, even if the movable plate moving toward the front plate tries to press the game ball against the front plate, the game ball escapes to the missing portion, so that the game ball is placed between the movable plate and the front plate. Can be prevented from being pinched. In the forward state, the game ball that rolls in contact with the upper surface of the movable plate contacts the upper edge portion of the missing portion of the front plate, so that the game ball does not escape to the missing portion. In this way, the game ball rolls while being supported by the guide plate and the front plate, and can enter the specific area.

<Game machine A4>
In gaming machine A3,
In front of the front plate, a transparent plate that covers the game area so as to be visible substantially parallel to the game board is installed,
The gaming machine characterized in that the distance between the front end of the movable plate and the transparent plate in the advanced state is set wider than the diameter of the game ball.

  In such a gaming machine A4, since the gaming machine that has escaped to the missing part of the front plate is not pressed against the transparent plate by the movable plate, it is avoided that the game ball is sandwiched between the movable plate and the transparent plate can do.

<Game machines B1 to B4 that can be extracted from the above-described embodiments>
The pachinko machine 1 of the embodiment described above can be regarded as the following gaming machines B1 to B4.

<Game machine B1>
In a gaming machine that plays a game by firing a game ball toward a game area formed on the front side of the game board,
A detection unit for detecting a game ball that has entered a predetermined specific area in the game area;
A front plate located on the front side of a path through which the game ball enters the specific area, with a space through which the game ball can pass between the game board and the game board;
A movable plate capable of switching between a forward state in which the lower side of the path is configured and a retracted state in which the lower side of the path is opened by moving the game area in the front-rear direction;
The gaming machine is characterized in that the movable plate is formed in a shape whose thickness is reduced toward the front side.

  In such a gaming machine B1, in order for the game ball to be detected by the detection unit, it is necessary for the game ball to roll on the upper surface (path) of the movable plate in the advanced state and enter a specific area. This movable plate has a thickness on the rear end side to ensure the strength to withstand the impact at the time of collision of the game ball, while reducing the thickness on the front end side to sandwich the game ball with the front plate (game) By reducing the area of the portion that can be in contact with the ball, it is possible to prevent the game ball from being sandwiched between the movable plate that moves from the retracted state to the advanced state and the front plate.

<Game machine B2>
In gaming machine B1,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the upper surface of the movable plate is inclined downward toward the front side.

  In such a gaming machine B2, the movable plate scoops up the game ball from below by moving the movable plate toward the front plate while the movable plate is in contact with the upper surface, so that the gap between the movable plate and the front plate is increased. It is possible to further suppress the game ball from being sandwiched between the two.

<Game machine B3>
In gaming machine B1 or gaming machine B2,
The front plate is provided with a missing portion lacking a part at a position facing the movable plate,
The gaming machine, wherein the front plate is provided so that a game ball that contacts the upper surface of the movable plate in the advanced state can contact the upper edge portion of the missing portion.

  In such a gaming machine B3, even if the movable plate moving toward the front plate tries to press the game ball against the front plate, the game ball escapes to the missing portion, so that the game ball is placed between the movable plate and the front plate. Can be prevented from being pinched. In the forward state, the game ball that rolls in contact with the upper surface of the movable plate contacts the upper edge portion of the missing portion of the front plate, so that the game ball does not escape to the missing portion. Thus, the game ball rolls while being supported by the guide plate and the front plate, so that it can enter the specific area and be detected by the detection unit.

<Game machine B4>
In gaming machine B3,
In front of the front plate, a transparent plate that covers the game area so as to be visible substantially parallel to the game board is installed,
The gaming machine characterized in that the distance between the front end of the movable plate and the transparent plate in the advanced state is set wider than the diameter of the game ball.

  In such a gaming machine B4, since the gaming machine that has escaped to the missing part of the front plate is not pressed against the transparent plate by the movable plate, it is avoided that the game ball is sandwiched between the movable plate and the transparent plate can do.

<A gaming machine C1 that can be extracted from the embodiment described above>
The pachinko machine 1 of the embodiment described above can be regarded as the following gaming machine C1.

<Game machine C1>
In a gaming machine that plays a game by firing a game ball toward a game area formed on the front side of the game board,
A front plate located on the front side of a path through which a game ball enters a predetermined specific area in the game area, with an interval through which a game ball can pass between the game board and the game board;
A movable plate capable of switching between a forward state in which the lower side of the path is configured approaching the front plate and a backward state in which the lower side of the path is opened apart from the front plate;
The gaming machine is characterized in that the movable plate is formed in a shape whose thickness is reduced toward the front side.

<A gaming machine D1 that can be extracted from the embodiment described above>
The pachinko machine 1 of the embodiment described above can be regarded as the following gaming machine D1.

<Game machine D1>
In a gaming machine that plays a game by firing a game ball toward a game area formed on the front side of the game board,
By moving the game area in the front-rear direction, a forward state that constitutes a lower side of a path through which a game ball enters a predetermined specific area in the game area, and a backward state that opens the lower side of the path Equipped with a movable plate that can be switched,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the movable plate is formed in a shape whose thickness is reduced toward the front side.

  The present invention can be used for a gaming machine used in a game hall.

1 ... Pachinko machine (game machine) 4 ... Front frame 4a ... Window part
4b ... Transparent plate, 20 ... Game board, 21 ... Game area,
60 ... Start-up unit, 60a ... Mounting plate, 60b ... Through hole,
61 ... first start port, 61s ... first start port sensor, 62 ... second start port,
62m ... Start-up solenoid, 62s ... Second start-up sensor,
62t ... passing hole, 63 ... sliding member, 63a ... guide plate (movable plate),
63b ... connecting part, 63c ... standing part, 63s ... inclined surface,
64 ... front plate, 64a ... missing part, 64b ... through hole,
65 ... Left strut, 65a ... Left guide surface, 66 ... Right strut,
66a ... Right guiding surface.

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine that plays a game by firing a game ball toward a game area formed on the front side of the game board,
By moving the game area in the front-rear direction, a forward state that constitutes a lower side of a path through which a game ball enters a predetermined specific area in the game area, and a backward state that opens the lower side of the path Equipped with a movable plate that can be switched,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the movable plate is formed in a shape whose thickness is reduced toward the front side.

Images