JP2020049317A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine equipped with a configuration related to a suitable suppression of return balls.SOLUTION: A Pachinko machine includes a game area formation body 80aY where a game area PE is formed. When a player performs a shooting operation, a game ball is shot from a game ball shooting mechanism on the basis of the shooting operation. The game ball thus shot is guided to the game area PE through a guide path formed by an inner rail 101 and an outer rail 102. In the game area PE, a ball return prevention mechanism 106Y is provided for regulating a reverse advancement of the game ball from the game area PE to the guide path. Dropping off of the ball return prevention mechanism 106Y from the game area formation body 80aY is avoided due to a hooking of pawl parts 865Y formed to a holder 861Y to rear face parts of the game area formation body 80aY. These pawl parts 865Y are arranged at positions overlapping in a depth direction with a passing area TE where game balls pass through along the outer rail 102.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 58

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a game board in which a game area is formed, a game ball firing means for firing a game ball when a firing operation is performed by a player, and a fired game ball to the game area. Some include a ball passage for guiding. If a game ball or the like that has reached the game area returns to the ball path, the game ball may be a factor that prevents a subsequent game ball from reaching the game area. Therefore, at the exit of the ball passage, a configuration is provided in which the inflow of game balls from the ball passage into the game area is allowed, while the occurrence of return balls such as the inflow of game balls from the game area into the ball path is suppressed. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-83331 A

  However, there is still room for improvement in the configuration relating to the suppression of the return sphere described above.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances and the like, and has as its object to provide a gaming machine having a configuration relating to suitable suppression of ball return.

The present invention
A game board on which a game area is formed,
Game ball launching means for launching a game ball based on a launch operation by a player;
A ball passage formed by an outer first rail portion and an inner second rail portion facing each other with a gap through which a game ball can pass, and guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area;
Regulating means for regulating the return of the game ball from the game area to the ball path,
Fixing means for fixing the regulating means to the game board,
The first rail portion and the second rail portion have an arc shape that protrudes outside the game area,
The fixing means is provided at a position overlapping a passing area through which a game ball passes along the first rail portion, as viewed from the front of the game board,
The fixing means has a defining portion for defining the front-rear position of the regulating means by contacting the game board from the front side of the game board.

  The configuration relating to the suppression of ball return can be made suitable.

It is a front view showing the pachinko machine in a 1st embodiment. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the main structure of a pachinko machine. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the main structure of a pachinko machine. It is a front view showing the composition of a game board. FIG. 5A is a partially enlarged view showing the ball return prevention mechanism and its peripheral configuration in FIG. 4 in an enlarged manner, and FIG. It is the schematic which shows a ball return prevention mechanism. It is a schematic diagram showing movement of a game ball when operation of a movable body is obstructed. (A) is a partially enlarged view of a game board showing a ball return prevention mechanism and its peripheral configuration in a second embodiment, and (b) is a schematic view showing the movement of a game ball when the operation of a movable body is hindered. . It is the elements on larger scale of the game board which show the ball return prevention mechanism in 3rd Embodiment, and its peripheral structure. It is a schematic diagram showing movement of a game ball when operation of a movable body is obstructed. It is the schematic which shows the modification of a ball return prevention mechanism. It is the schematic which shows the modification of a ball return prevention mechanism. (A) is a schematic diagram showing a ball return preventing mechanism in the fourth embodiment, and (b) is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 14 (a). FIG. 13 (b) is a partially enlarged view showing a relationship between a game ball and a movable body. It is a block diagram showing the electric composition of the pachinko machine in a 5th embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the content of various counters used for a success / failure lottery. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a timer interrupt process by the MPU of the main control device. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a normal process by an MPU of a main control device. It is a flowchart which shows the drive control processing for ball return prevention mechanisms. It is a flow chart which shows processing for game ball launch control. It is a flowchart which shows the emission control process performed by the emission control part of a power supply / emission control device. It is a timing chart which shows the relationship between the game ball fired based on the shooting operation and the state of the ball return prevention mechanism. It is a partial enlarged view of a game board showing a ball return prevention mechanism and its peripheral configuration in a sixth embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a ball return prevention mechanism and its peripheral structure. It is a perspective view which shows a ball return prevention mechanism. (A) is a side view of a ball return prevention mechanism, and (b) is a plan view of the ball return prevention mechanism. It is an exploded perspective view of a ball return prevention mechanism. It is the schematic which shows the operation | movement aspect of a ball return prevention mechanism. It is the schematic which shows the operation | movement aspect of a ball return prevention mechanism. It is a timing chart which shows the operation mode of a ball return prevention mechanism. It is a schematic diagram showing a situation of ball return prevention. It is the schematic which shows the modification of a ball return prevention mechanism. It is the schematic which shows the ball return prevention mechanism in 7th Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the operation | movement aspect of a ball return prevention mechanism. It is a timing chart which shows the operation mode of a ball return prevention mechanism. It is a schematic diagram showing a situation of ball return prevention. It is a partial enlarged view of a game board showing a ball return prevention mechanism and its peripheral configuration in an eighth embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a ball return prevention mechanism and its peripheral structure. It is a perspective view which shows a ball return prevention mechanism. FIG. 3A is a plan view of a ball return prevention mechanism, and FIG. 3B is a side view of the ball return prevention mechanism. It is an exploded perspective view of a ball return prevention mechanism. It is the schematic which shows the operating principle of a ball return prevention mechanism. It is the schematic which shows the operation | movement aspect of a ball return prevention mechanism. It is the schematic which shows the operation | movement aspect of a ball return prevention mechanism. It is the schematic which shows the modification of the ball return prevention mechanism shown in 8th Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the modification of the ball return prevention mechanism shown in 8th Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the ball return prevention mechanism shown in 9th Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the operation | movement aspect of a ball return prevention mechanism. It is the schematic which shows the operation | movement aspect of a ball return prevention mechanism. 5 is a timing chart showing a flow of a forced return. It is a schematic diagram showing a positional relationship between movable bodies when forced return is performed. It is the schematic which shows the ball return prevention mechanism shown in 10th Embodiment. 53A is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 52, and FIG. 53B is a view of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a ball return prevention mechanism. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a ball return preventing mechanism in a disassembled state for each main configuration. It is a schematic diagram showing a flow of attachment of a ball return prevention mechanism. It is the schematic which shows a ball return prevention mechanism. It is the schematic which shows the modification of a ball return prevention mechanism.

<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter, referred to as a “pachinko machine”) that is a type of gaming machine will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine 10 as viewed from the front side, and FIGS. In FIG. 2, the configuration in the game area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted for convenience.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 forming an outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and a game machine main unit 12 attached to the outer frame 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the outer frame 11 is formed by connecting a long frame material to four sides, and is formed so as to form a rectangular frame as a whole. By attaching and fixing the outer frame 11 to the island facility, the pachinko machine 10 is installed in the game hall. In the pachinko machine 10, the outer frame 11 is not an essential configuration, but may be a configuration in which the outer frame 11 is provided on an island facility of a game hall or the like.

  The gaming machine main part 12 is supported by the outer frame 11 in a state capable of opening and closing. More specifically, an upper support bracket 17 is fixed to a connection portion between the upper frame portion and the left frame portion in the outer frame 11, and a lower portion is further connected to a connection portion between the lower frame portion and the left frame portion in the outer frame 11. A side support bracket 18 is provided. The upper support bracket 17 and the lower support bracket 18 constitute a support mechanism. The main mechanism 12 rotates the left side of the pachinko machine 10 with respect to the outer frame 11 from the front of the pachinko machine 10 by the support mechanism. The right side of the pachinko machine 10 is rotatable with the right end as the rotation tip side (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the gaming machine main part 12 is provided with an inner frame 13 as a base body, a front door frame 14 arranged in front of the inner frame 13, and arranged behind the inner frame 13. And a back pack unit 15. The inner frame 13 of the gaming machine main unit 12 is rotatably supported with respect to the outer frame 11. More specifically, the inner frame 13 is rotatable forward with the left side being a rotation base end side and the right side being a rotation tip side in a game machine front view.

  A front door frame 14 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13, and is rotatable forward with the left side as a rotation base end side and the right side as a rotation front end side in a game machine front view. A back pack unit 15 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13, and is rotatable rearward with the left side as a rotation base end side and the right side as a rotation tip side in a game machine front view. I have.

(Front door frame 14)
Next, the front door frame 14 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the front door frame 14 is mainly composed of a synthetic resin frame 20 whose outer shape is substantially the same as the outer frame 11, and covers almost the entire front surface of the inner frame 13. I have. A substantially elliptical window 21 is formed at the center of the frame 20 so that substantially the entire area of a game area PE described later can be visually recognized from the front. The window 21 is formed by a glass unit 22. The front door frame 14 is closed from the rear side.

  The glass unit 22 includes a plurality of glass panels 23 having transparency, and a glass holder that holds the glass panels 23. The glass holder is formed with a partition for partitioning the holding area of the glass panel 23 back and forth, and the two glass panels 23 face each other across the partition. That is, by securing a predetermined gap between the two glass panels 23, the game area PE is doubly covered by the glass panels 23 from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 while avoiding interference between the glass panels 23. It is in a state.

  It is not always necessary to unitize both glass panels 23 using a glass holder, and each glass panel 23 may be individually attached to the frame 20. Furthermore, the number of glass panels is arbitrary, and may be one or three or more. However, from the viewpoint of improving safety and security, it is preferable to employ a plurality of glass panels and face each of the glass panels back and forth with a predetermined gap therebetween. Incidentally, it is also possible to adopt a transparent synthetic resin panel member instead of the glass panel.

  Light emitting means such as various lamps are provided around the glass unit 22 (specifically, the window 21). For example, along the periphery of the window 21, there is provided an annular illuminated portion 26 incorporating a light emitting means such as an LED. In the annular illumination part 26, lighting or blinking is performed according to a change in the game state at the time of a big hit, a predetermined reach, or the like. An error display lamp 27 is provided at the center of the ring-shaped illumination unit 26 and at the top of the pachinko machine 10 to turn on when an error or the like has occurred. A prize ball lamp section 28 that lights up is provided. At a position close to the left and right prize ball lamps 28, there is provided a speaker 29 for outputting sound effects, BGM, and the like according to the game state.

  Below the window 21 in the front door frame 14 (frame body 20), an upper bulging portion 31 and a lower bulging portion 32 bulging toward the near side are vertically arranged side by side. An upper plate 33 that opens upward is provided inside the upper bulging portion 31, and a lower plate 34 that also opens upward is provided inside the lower bulging portion 32. The upper plate 33 has a function of temporarily storing game balls paid out from a payout device described later, and guiding the game balls to a game ball launching mechanism described later while aligning the balls in a line. The lower plate 34 has a function of storing the surplus game balls in the upper plate 33 and a game that has not reached the game area PE (see FIG. 2) among the game balls fired by the game ball firing mechanism. When a ball (a so-called foul ball: return ball) is returned to a player, the ball has a function as a tray for storing the discharged game balls.

  A game ball firing handle 41 is provided on the right side of the lower bulging portion 32 so as to protrude toward the near side. By operating the game ball firing handle 41, a game ball is fired from a game ball firing mechanism described later. The firing speed of the game ball increases as the operation amount (rotation amount) of the rotation operation member provided on the game ball firing handle 41 increases, and the operation amount is adjusted by the player to be a predetermined amount. When this happens, the game ball reaches the game area PE.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a passage forming unit 45 is attached to the back of the front door frame 14. The passage forming unit 45 is formed of a synthetic resin, and has a front door-side upper plate passage leading to the upper plate 33 and a front door-side lower plate passage leading to the lower plate 34. In the passage forming unit 45, a receiving portion that projects rearward and is opened upward is formed at an upper corner portion thereof, and the receiving portion is divided into right and left by a partition wall, so that an entrance of the front plate side upper plate passage is formed. A portion and an inlet portion of the lower door passage on the front door side are defined. The upstream side of the front door side upper plate passage and the front door side lower plate passage are connected to a game ball distributing section described later, and the game balls entering the front door side upper plate passage are guided to the upper plate 33, and the front door side lower portion. The game ball that has entered the dish passage is guided to the lower dish 34.

  On the rotation base end side on the back surface of the front door frame 14, a projection shaft is provided at an upper end and a lower end thereof. These projection shafts constitute an assembly mechanism for the inner frame 13.

  Next, the inner frame 13 will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Inner frame 13)
As shown in FIG. 2, the inner frame 13 is mainly configured by an inner frame base body 50 whose outer shape is substantially rectangular like the outer frame 11. The height of the inner frame base body 50 is set slightly smaller than the height of the outer frame 11. Further, the inner frame base body 50 is arranged close to the upper frame portion of the outer frame 11, and a slight gap is formed between the lower frame portion of the outer frame 11 and the inner frame base body 50. A curtain plate is mounted on the outer frame 11 so as to close this gap. The curtain plate is disposed below the inner frame base body 50 (specifically, the lower end portion). When the inner frame 13 is closed with respect to the outer frame 11, the inner frame base body 50 is placed on the curtain plate. Will be listed. Note that a slight clearance may be provided between the curtain plate and the inner frame base body 50 for the purpose of preventing mutual interference and the like.

  Support brackets 71 and 72 are attached to the upper end and lower end of the inner frame base body 50 at the rotation base end side (left side in FIG. 2) on the front surface. Although not shown, the support fittings 71 and 72 have shaft portions, and the bearing portions provided on the front door frame 14 are inserted into the shaft portions, so that the front door frame is 14 is rotatably supported.

  A locking device 75 for locking the inner frame 13 and the front door frame 14 is provided on the rotation tip side (the right side in FIG. 2) of the inner frame base body 50. The locking device 75 extends vertically along the right end (a vertical frame member to be described later) of the inner frame base body 50, and the front door hook members 76 are scattered in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction). have. Each front door hook member 76 is hooked on a hook receiving member 49 provided on the front door frame 14, so that the front door frame 14 is locked to the inner frame 13 so that it cannot be opened. Further, the locking device 75 has an inner frame hook member 77 extending to the rear side of the inner frame 13. When the hook members 77 for the inner frame are hooked on the hook receiving members 19 fixed to the outer frame 11, the game machine main unit 12 is locked with the outer frame 11 closed.

  On the inner frame base body 50 (locking device 75), a cylinder lock 78 for performing an unlocking operation of the locking device 75 is installed. The cylinder lock 78 is provided separately from the locking units (the hook members 76 and 77 and the interlocking rods and the like) constituting the main part of the locking device 75, and is arranged adjacent to the locking unit. When the key inserted into the keyhole of the cylinder lock 78 is turned to the right (clockwise), the locking of the front door frame 14 to the inner frame 13 is released, and the key inserted to the keyhole of the cylinder lock 78 is turned to the left (counterclockwise). The lock of the inner frame 13 with the outer frame 11 is released.

  An accommodation recess for accommodating the game board unit 80 is formed in a central portion of the inner frame base body 50. The accommodation recess is recessed in accordance with the outer shape of the game board unit 80, and the game board unit 80 is fixed to the accommodation recess by a manual lock mechanism in a state of being fitted into the accommodation recess.

(Game board unit 80)
The game board unit 80 has a game area PE in which a game ball flows down on the front surface and a game area formation body 80a provided on the back side of the game area formation body 80a. , A movable effect mechanism, a decorative member capable of emitting light, etc.) are integrated with a back block 80 b in which the base body 135 is mounted. The game area forming body 80a is made of a transparent synthetic resin material, and the front portion of the back block 80b is visible through the game area forming body 80a.

  As already described, the game area PE is covered by the glass unit 22 (specifically, the rear glass panel 23). The glass unit 22 is arranged such that the gap between the rear glass panel 23 and the front surface of the game area forming body 80a is slightly larger than the diameter of the game area PE, that is, the game area flowing down the game area PE has the game area PE. Are arranged so that they do not line up at the same location. Thereby, ball clogging in the game area PE is suppressed.

  Hereinafter, the game board unit 80 (particularly, various components arranged in the game area PE of the game area forming body 80a) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of the game board unit 80. In FIG. 4, the display of game parts such as game nails and windmills is omitted.

  A plurality of large and small openings penetrating in the thickness direction (front-back direction) of the game area forming body 80a are formed in each of the game area forming bodies 80a. Each opening has a general winning opening 81, a variable winning device 82, operating openings 83a and 83b, Through gates 84 and the like are provided. When game balls enter the general winning opening 81, the variable winning device 82, and the operating ports 83a and 83b, the game balls are detected by detection sensors (not shown) provided corresponding to the respective ball portions, and the detection results are provided. A bonus such as a predetermined number of prize balls (payout of game balls) is given to the player based on the. In addition, an out port 89 is provided at the lowermost portion of the game area forming body 80a, and game balls that have not entered various ball entry sections or the like are discharged from the game area PE through the out port 89. In the following description, in order to clearly distinguish a game ball from entering the out port 89, a game ball entering the general winning port 81, the variable winning device 82, and the operating ports 83a and 83b is also referred to as "winning". Express.

  In the game area forming body 80a, a large number of game nails are planted for appropriately distributing and adjusting the flow path of the game ball, and various members (accessories) such as a windmill are provided. I have. The flow path of the game ball is differentiated by various configurations of the game nail, the windmill, and the like, and it is adjusted so that the above-described prize to the general prize port 81 or the like occurs with an appropriate probability.

  A central opening is formed at the center of the game area forming body 80a, and behind the central opening, the variable display unit 86 belonging to the back block 80b, the movable effect mechanism, and the like are located. The variable display unit 86 is visible from the front of the gaming machine through the central opening (opening cover).

  Operating ports 83a and 83b, a through gate 84, and the like are provided around the central opening. The operating ports 83a and 83b are constituted by an upper operating port 83a disposed below the variable display unit 86 and a lower operating port 83b disposed immediately below the upper operating port 83a. The (lottery opportunity ball entry portion) 83b is provided with an electric accessory 91 as an open / close type ball entry assisting device (ball entry assisting means) or an opening / closing member (opening / closing means). The electric accessory 91 has a movable piece and a solenoid-type drive section for driving the movable piece. When the position of the movable piece is changed by the drive section, the ball enters the lower working port 83b. It is possible to switch between an allowed open state (auxiliary state) and a closed state (non-auxiliary state) where entry is impossible. In the closed state of the electric accessory 91, it is sufficient if the ball is difficult to enter as compared to the open state, and it is not always necessary to make the entry impossible.

  The through gate 84 is disposed on the left and right sides of the center opening (side of the variable display unit 86), and when a lottery is triggered by the passing of the game ball through the through gate 84, the winning combination is activated. The object 91 is switched from the closed state to the open state for a predetermined time.

  The variable winning device (special ball-entering device or special ball-entering device) 82 is formed with a special winning opening communicating with the back side of the game area forming body 80a, and an opening / closing member (open / close) for opening and closing the special winning opening. Means). The opening / closing door can be switched between an open state (assisting state) in which game balls can enter and a closed state (non-assisting state) in which entering balls cannot be made. In addition, the opening and closing door is connected to a variable winning drive unit (more specifically, a solenoid) provided on the back side of the game area forming body 80a. In the case of winning in the opening / closing execution mode (opening / closing execution state), the switch to the open state can be made (small jackpot: in the case of winning in the transition to the special game state which is more advantageous to the player than the normal game state). Has become. In addition, it is sufficient if the ball is difficult to enter in the closed state of the opening / closing door as compared to the open state, and it is not always necessary to make it impossible to enter the ball.

  Here, the open / close execution mode is a mode to which a shift is made when a big hit is won. As an opening mode of the variable winning device 82 in the opening / closing execution mode, for example, a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapse or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winnings is set as one round, and a plurality of rounds (for example, 16 rounds) are set as an upper limit. The opening of the door is set to be repeated.

  Here, the variable display unit 86 will be supplementarily described. The variable display unit 86 has a symbol display device 87 for variably displaying (variable display) symbols in response to winning of the operating ports 83a and 83b. The symbol display device 87 is configured as a liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by a display control device described later. On the display screen 87a of the symbol display device 87, for example, symbols are displayed side by side in the upper, middle, and lower positions, and these symbols are scrolled in the left-right direction and displayed in a variably manner. Then, when the jackpot is won, a predetermined combination of symbols is stopped and displayed on the preset pay line, and the mode shifts to the open / close execution mode (special game state or jackpot). The symbol display device 87 is not necessarily a liquid crystal display device, but may be a dot matrix or 7-segment display device.

  A center frame 95 is provided in the game area forming body 80a so as to surround the center opening. The center frame 95 is fixed to the game area forming body 80a (specifically, a plate) from the front side thereof. In this state, the center frame 95 stands up from the front face of the game area forming body 80a. Thus, the gap between the center frame 95 and the glass unit 22 is configured to be smaller than the diameter of the game ball. Thereby, it is avoided that the game ball flowing down the game area PE collides with the symbol display device 87, and the flow path of the game ball flowing down the game area PE is set to the variable display unit 86 (specifically, the center frame 95) on the right side. A route that detours from here (hereinafter referred to as a right route) and a route that detours from the left side (hereinafter referred to as a left route) are roughly classified.

  A stage on which the game ball can roll left and right is formed on the upper surface of the frame constituting the lower part of the center frame 95. Game balls that have flowed through the inflow ports formed in the left and right left frame portions of the center frame 95 are discharged onto the stage section through the warp passages formed in the center frame 95 as well. The stage section is configured such that the game ball that has reached the stage section relatively easily flows into the upper working port 83a, and the player's attention to the movement of the game ball on the stage section is improved. Has contributed to.

  A first holding ramp 98a and a second holding ramp 98b are provided on the front surface of the frame constituting the lower portion of the center frame 95. The first holding lamp portion 98a on the left side corresponds to the upper working port 83a, and the number of times that the game ball passes through the upper working port 83a is held up to four times, and the number of holdings is turned on by the lighting of the first holding lamp portion 98a. It is displayed. The second holding lamp portion 98b on the right side corresponds to the lower operating port 83b, and the number of times that the game ball passes through the lower operating port 83b is held up to four times, and the number of holdings is determined by the lighting of the second holding lamp portion 98b. Is displayed.

  The operating ports 83a and 83b are arranged at positions near the central opening (variable display unit 86). Since a transition to the special game state can be made with the winning of the operating ports 83a and 83b as a trigger, the player pays attention to whether or not to win the operating ports 83a and 83b and grasps whether or not to shift to the special gaming state. Therefore, it is considered that attention is paid to the symbol display device 87. Providing the operation ports 83a and 83b near the variable display unit 86 is a device for concentrating a portion that the player wants to pay attention to around the variable display unit 86.

  A game area partition member 99 for partitioning a game area PE together with a guide rail 100 to be described later is provided at a right end of the game area forming body 80a (a rotating tip of the game board unit 80 to be described later). The game area partition member 99 is provided with a stopper member against which a game ball flying along the guide rail 100 collides. The stopper member is a buffer member arranged near the tip of the guide rail 100, and the game ball that collides with the stopper member flows down the game area PE (specifically, the right route) after its momentum is weakened. . That is, the stopper member is provided with a deceleration function for weakening the momentum of the hitting game ball.

  A rail cover 107 is provided at the left end of the game area forming body 80a so as to cover the outer rail 102 from the side. The game board unit 80 is often handled alone at the time of manufacture or maintenance work, and at this time, the outer rail 102 may collide with a game table or the like. The rail cover 107 is a member mounted in view of such circumstances, and is provided with a protection function for preventing the outer rail 102 from being deformed due to the above-described factors. The main display unit 88 is provided on the protection member.

  The main display unit 88 is arranged so that a part thereof faces the glass unit 22. A main display portion on which a predetermined pattern or the like is displayed is provided in the facing portion. The main display unit 88 is electrically connected to a main control device described later, and the display content of the main display unit is controlled by the main control device.

  The main display section includes a lower operating port display section that displays a lottery result based on winning in the upper operating port 83a, and a right operating port that displays a lottery result performed based on a winning in the lower operating port 83b. And a display unit. In the display for the lower working port 83, the display of the variation of the picture is performed with the winning of the upper working port 83a as a trigger, and as a result of stopping the display of the variation, the internal lottery performed based on the winning of the upper working port 83a The result is specified. When the result of the internal lottery based on the winning in the upper operating port 83a is a winning result corresponding to the shift to the opening / closing execution mode, the variable display is stopped on the lower operating port display section, and a predetermined stop result is obtained. After the pattern is displayed, the mode is shifted to the open / close execution mode.

  In the display for the lower operating port 83, the display of the variation of the picture is performed with the winning of the lower operating port 83b as a trigger, and as a result of stopping the display of the variation, the internal lottery performed based on the winning of the lower operating port 83b is performed. The result is specified. If the result of the internal lottery based on the winning in the lower operating port 83b is a winning result corresponding to a jackpot, the variable display is stopped on the display for the right operating port, and a predetermined pattern is displayed as a stop result. After that, the mode is shifted to the open / close execution mode according to the result.

  Here, based on the winning of one of the operating ports 83a and 83b, the variable display is started on the corresponding operating port display section, a predetermined stop result is displayed, and the game is stopped until the variable display is stopped. This corresponds to one time. However, one game time is not limited to the above-described contents. For example, a single display area is provided, and no matter which of the operating ports 83a and 83b wins, the single display area is provided. In the configuration in which the variable display is performed in the display area, the variable display is started in the single display area, and the variable display is stopped once in a state where a predetermined stop result is displayed. It is also possible to use

  The main display of the main display unit 88 is provided with a through-gate display for displaying a lottery result based on winning in the through-gate 84, in addition to the two displays. In the display unit for the through gate, the fluctuation display of the pattern is performed with the winning of the through gate 84 as a trigger, and as a result of stopping the fluctuation display, the result of the internal lottery performed based on the winning on the through gate 84 is clearly shown. Is done. When the result of the internal lottery based on the winning in the through gate 84 is a winning result corresponding to the shift to the electric open state, a predetermined stop result is displayed on the display unit for the through gate, and the fluctuation display is displayed. After being stopped, the state shifts to the electric utility open state. In the electric-combination open state, the electric combination 91 provided in the lower working port 83b is opened in a predetermined manner.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the number of times that the game balls have passed through the through gate 84 is retained up to a maximum of four times, but the retained number is displayed on the main display portion of the main display unit 88. A display unit for the number of reservations is provided.

  The main display unit described in detail above is visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 22 of the front door frame 14, and a game ball is prevented from moving in front of these various display units. Therefore, its visibility is secured.

  The configuration of the inner frame 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 again. A game ball is fired below the game board unit 80 in the inner frame base body 50 to the game area PE based on the operation of the game ball firing handle 41. Game ball launching mechanism 110 is provided.

(Game launching mechanism 110)
The game ball launching mechanism 110 includes a solenoid 111 that launches a game ball placed at a predetermined standby position, a launch rail 112 that defines a launch direction of the game ball launched by the solenoid 111, and a game at the launch standby position. A ball feeding device 113 for supplying a ball and a base plate 114 on which the various components 111 to 113 are mounted are provided as main components, and the base plate 114 is fixed to the inner frame base body 50, so that the It is integrated with the inner frame base body 50.

  The firing rail 112 is fixed to the base plate 114 in an obliquely inclined state so as to be inclined upward toward the game area forming body 80a. The firing rail 112 is formed with a groove having a substantially V-shaped cross section, and the front and rear positions of the game ball are defined by fitting the game ball into the groove.

  At a position near the downstream end (that is, the lower end) of the firing rail 112, a ball stopper for keeping the game ball supplied from the ball feeding device 113 at the above-described firing standby position is provided. The solenoid 111 is disposed at a position further downstream than the ball stopper.

  The solenoid 111 is electrically connected to a power supply / emission control device described later. When the output shaft of the solenoid 111 reciprocates in the direction of expansion and contraction based on the output of the electric signal from the power supply / firing control device, the game ball placed at the firing standby position, the game area forming body 80a side, in detail Is shot toward the guide rail 100 attached to the game area forming body 80a.

  The guide rail 100 is formed by partitioning the game area PE together with the game area partition member 99 fixed to the game area forming body 80a (specifically, the front surface of the plate) such that the outer shape of the game area PE is substantially circular. I have. In addition, the guide rail 100 includes an inner rail 101 and an outer rail 102 that are arranged to face each other with a gap larger than the diameter of the game ball, and a single guide path 103 is defined by the two rails 101 and 102. Have been. The guide passage 103 has an entrance portion 104 opened to the tip side (obliquely downward) of the firing rail 112 and an exit portion 105 located above the game area PE. The game ball fired based on the operation of the solenoid 111 is guided to the game area PE by moving in the order of the firing rail 112 → the guide rail 100 (the entrance portion 104 → the exit portion 105).

  A ball return prevention mechanism 106 for preventing a game ball that has reached the game region PE from returning to the guide path 103 is provided on the front side of the exit portion 105 in the game region forming body 80a, specifically, near the tip of the inner rail 101. It is attached, and it is suppressed that the launch of the subsequent game ball is prevented by the game ball that has reached the game area PE first.

  Each of the rails 101 and 102 constituting the guide rail 100 has an arc shape centered on a substantially central portion of the game area PE. Therefore, the game ball passing through the guide passage 103 is easily moved (slid or rolled) along the outer rail 102, that is, while being in contact with the outer rail 102, due to the centrifugal force generated therein. That is, when the game ball is fired so as to reach the game area PE, the area along the outer rail 102 in the guide path 103 substantially constitutes a pass area (pass path) through which the game ball passes. The area along the inner rail 101 is an area where the game ball does not substantially pass.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the guide rail 100 and the launch rail 112 are configured such that the entrance portion 104 of the guide rail 100 and the tip end of the launch rail 112 face diagonally across the lower edge of the game area forming body 80a. Are located in In other words, the two rails 100 and 112 are arranged such that the entrance portion 104 of the guide rail 100 and the leading end of the firing rail 112 are shifted left and right near the lower end edge of the game area forming body 80a. As a result, a predetermined gap is formed between the entrance portion 104 of the guide rail 100 and the firing rail 112 while bringing the two rails 100 and 112 closer to the lower end edge of the game area forming body 80a.

  A foul ball passage 46 is provided below the gap formed in this manner. The foul ball passage 46 is formed integrally with the passage forming unit 45 of the front door frame 14. If the game balls fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 do not reach the game area PE and return in the guide path 103 as foul balls, the foul balls enter the foul ball path 46 via the gap. Becomes The foul ball passage 46 communicates with the front door side lower plate passage, and the game balls that have entered the foul ball passage 46 are discharged to the lower plate 34 shown in FIG. As a result, interference between the foul ball and the game ball to be fired next is suppressed.

  In the inner frame base body 50, a through-hole is formed on the left side of the firing rail 112 (specifically, on the side supporting the front door frame 14) so as to penetrate the inner frame base body 50 in the front-rear direction. The passage forming member 121 is disposed at the center. The passage forming member 121 is screwed to the inner frame base body 50, and has a main body side upper plate passage and a main body side lower plate passage. The upstream sides of the main body-side upper dish passage and the main body-side lower dish passage communicate with a game ball distribution unit described later. Further, a receiving portion of a passage forming unit 45 attached to the front door frame 14 enters below the passage forming member 121, and a front door side upper plate passage is disposed below the main body side upper plate passage. A front door side upper plate passage is arranged below the main body side lower plate passage.

  Below the passage forming member 121 in the inner frame base body 50, an opening / closing member 124 for opening and closing the main body side upper plate passage and the main body side lower plate passage is attached. The opening / closing member 124 is biased to a front position to close the main body side upper plate passage and the main body side lower plate passage. When the front door frame 14 is opened, each of the opening / closing members 124 is closed by the urging force. As a result, falling of the game ball from each passage is avoided. On the other hand, when the front door frame 14 is closed, the opening / closing member 124 is pushed open by a receiving portion provided in the passage forming unit 45 of the front door frame 14 against the urging force. In this state, the main body side upper plate passage and the front door side upper plate passage communicate with each other, and further, the main body side lower plate passage and the front door side lower plate passage communicate with each other.

  Next, the rear configuration of the inner frame 13 (the inner frame base body 50 and the game board unit 80) will be described with reference to FIG.

  A bearing bracket 132 is attached to the rotation base end side (the right side in FIG. 3) on the back surface of the inner frame base body 50. Bearing parts are formed on the bearing fitting 132 so as to be vertically separated from each other, and the back pack unit 15 is rotatably held with respect to the inner frame 13 by these bearing parts. Further, on the back surface of the inner frame base body 50, a plurality of fixing levers for fixing the back pack unit 15 to the inner frame base body 50 in a closed state are provided.

  As described above, a window penetrating in the thickness direction of the inner frame base body 50 and opening to the rear side of the inner frame base body 50 is provided at the bottom of the housing recess (game board housing part) in the inner frame base body 50. A hole is formed, and various components such as a control device disposed on the back surface of the game board unit 80 (the back block 80b) are exposed through the window hole on the back side of the inner frame 13. Here, the configuration of the back surface of the game board unit 80 will be described.

  As described above, the back block 80b is attached to the back of the game area forming body 80a. The back block 80b has a substantially box-shaped base body 135 opened to the game area forming body 80a side, and the base body 135 is fixed to the back surface of the game area forming body 80a, thereby forming the game area forming. The body 80a and the back block 80b are integrated.

  The front side of the base body 135 is an arrangement area for a movable effect mechanism, a decorative member capable of emitting light, and the like, and the rear side thereof is provided with a control device for controlling these various components and the variable display unit 86 (a symbol display device). 87).

  More specifically, a part of the base body 135 protrudes from the rear side of the inner frame base body 50, and the above-described symbol display device 87 and the symbol display device 87 are driven for the protruding portion. And a display control device. The symbol display device 87 and the display control device are arranged so as to overlap in the front-rear direction (the thickness direction of the inner frame base body 50) such that the symbol display device is on the front side and the display control device is on the rear side. Further, a notification / effect control device 140 is mounted on the rear surface of the base body 135 so as to be located behind the display control device.

  The notification / production control device 140 includes a notification / production control substrate that controls sound output, lamp display, and control of the display control device in accordance with an instruction from a main control device described later, and the notification / production control substrate is transparent. It is housed in a substrate box 141 made of a resin material or the like.

  A main control unit 160 is provided below the notification / production control device 140 so as to cover the base body 135 from behind. The main control unit 160 includes a mounting base 161 made of synthetic resin fixed to the back of the game board unit 80 (specifically, the back block 80b), and a main control unit 162 mounted on the mounting base 161. I have. The main control device 162 includes a main control board having a function of controlling the main control of the game (main control circuit) and a function of monitoring the power supply (power failure monitoring circuit), and the main control board is made of a transparent resin material. It is housed in a substrate box 163 made of the same.

  The board box 163 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box base (front case body) and a box cover (back case body) that covers an opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are non-openably connected by a box sealing portion as sealing means, whereby the substrate box 163 is sealed. A plurality of box sealing portions are provided on the short side of the substrate box 163, and at least one of them is used to perform a sealing process.

  Any configuration can be applied to the box sealing portion as long as the box base and the box cover are connected so that the box base and the box cover cannot be unsealed. The box cover and the box cover are connected so as not to be opened. The box sealing process prevents unauthorized opening after the box is sealed, and even if an unauthorized opening is performed, such a situation can be detected quickly and easily. It is possible to perform the sealing process again even after the sealing. That is, the sealing process is performed by inserting a locking pin into at least one locking hole of the plurality of box sealing portions. When the board box 163 is opened, for example, when a problem occurs in the accommodated main control board or when the main control board is inspected, a connecting portion between the box sealing portion into which the locking pin is inserted and the main body of the board box 163 is used. Disconnect. Thereby, the box base and the box cover of the board box 163 are separated, and the main control board inside can be taken out. Thereafter, when the sealing process is performed again, a locking pin is inserted into another locking hole. If a history indicating that the board box 163 has been opened is left in the board box 163, it can be easily found by looking at the board box 163 that unauthorized opening has been performed.

  The board box 163 and the mounting table 161 are unsealed by a pedestal seal. More specifically, the pedestal sealing portion has a locking hole and a locking pin similarly to the box sealing portion, and the locking pin is inserted into the locking hole, so that the board box 163 and the mounting table are mounted. 161 are inseparably connected. This makes it easier to grasp the fact that the board box 163 has been illegally removed.

  A portion of the front surface of the base body 135 facing the lower rear portion of the game area forming body 80a corresponds to the game board opening of the general winning opening 81, the variable winning device 82, and the operating openings 83a and 83b, and is located downstream. A collecting passage (not shown) is formed to gather at one place on the side. As a result, all the game balls that have won the general winning opening 81 and the like are arranged below the game board unit 80 via the collection passage. That is, the base body 135 is provided with a function of collecting game balls that have won various winning ports.

  A discharge passage, which will be described later, is arranged below the game board unit 80, and the game balls gathered below the game board unit 80 by the collection passage are led out into the discharge passage. In addition, the out port 89 also communicates with the discharge passage, and game balls that have not won any of the winning ports are led out into the discharge passage via the out port 89.

  In addition, the base body 135 constituting the back block 80b includes a general winning opening detection sensor for detecting a game ball that has won the general winning opening 81 as a detection sensor for each of the above-mentioned winning portions, and a variable winning device. A variable prize device detection sensor for detecting a game ball that has won the prize 82 and an operation port detection sensor for detecting a game ball that has entered the operation ports 83a and 83b are mounted, and a prize detection mechanism is provided by the various detection sensors. Is configured. These various detection sensors are electrically connected to the main control device 162, and the detection information (detection signal) is output from each detection sensor to the main control device 162.

  Next, the back pack unit 15 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inner frame 13 is covered by the back pack unit 15 from behind. The back pack unit 15 includes a back pack 201 as a main body of the back pack unit 15, and a dispensing mechanism unit 202, a discharge passage board, and a control device assembly unit 204 are attached to the back pack 201. .

  The back pack 201 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin, and includes a base 211 to which the payout mechanism 202 and the like are attached, and a protective cover 212 projecting rearward of the pachinko machine 10 and having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Become. The protective cover 212 has a shape in which the left and right side surfaces and the upper surface are closed and only the lower surface is opened, and has a size sufficient to surround at least the variable display unit 86.

  An external output terminal plate 213 is provided on the base unit 211. Various output terminals are provided on the external output terminal plate 213, and various signals are output to the management control device (hall computer) on the game hall side through these output terminals. A pair of upper and lower locking pins are provided at the right end of the base portion 211 when viewed from the back of the pachinko machine 10. By inserting the locking pins into the bearings provided on the inner frame 13, the back pack is inserted. The unit 15 is rotatably supported with respect to the inner frame 13. The base portion 211 is formed with a plurality of insertion portions through which the fixing lever provided on the inner frame 13 is inserted, and the base portion 211 comes into contact with the base portion 211 from the rear with the fixing lever being inserted through the insertion portion. Thereby, the back pack unit 15 is fixed to the inner frame 13.

  The dispensing mechanism 202 is provided on the base 211 so as to bypass the protective cover 212. The payout mechanism 202 is provided with a tank 221 disposed at the top of the back pack 201 and opening upward, and game balls supplied from island facilities in the game hall are sequentially supplied to the tank 221. You. A tank rail 222 gently inclined toward the downstream side is connected to the side of the tank 221, and a case rail 223 extending in the vertical direction is connected to the downstream side of the tank rail 222. A payout device is provided at the most downstream portion of the case rail 223. The game balls paid out from the payout device are supplied to a game ball distribution unit provided in the base unit 211 of the backpack 201 through a payout passage (not shown) provided downstream of the payout device.

  The game ball distributing section has a function of distributing the game balls paid out from the payout device to the upper plate 33, the lower plate 34, or any of the discharge passages described below, and the inner opening is provided on the main body side described above. The upper plate 33 is formed so as to communicate with the upper plate 33 via the plate passage 122 and the upper plate passage on the front door side, and to the lower plate 34 via the lower plate passage 123 on the main body side and the lower plate passage on the front door side. I have.

  At the lower end of the base portion 211, a discharge passage board and a control device assembling unit 204 are attached so as to sandwich the lower end forward and backward. The discharge passage panel has a discharge passage that is opened rearward on the surface facing the control device aggregation unit 204, and the opening of the discharge passage is closed by the control device aggregation unit 204. The discharge passage is formed so as to discharge the game balls to the island facilities and the like of the game hall, and the game balls led out to the discharge passage from the above-described collection passage and the like pass through the discharge passage to the outside of the pachinko machine 10. Is discharged.

  The control device assembling unit 204 has a horizontally long mounting base on which a dispensing control device 242 and a power supply / emission control device 243 are mounted. The payout control device 242 and the power supply / firing control device 243 are arranged one on the other so that the payout control device 242 is located behind the pachinko machine 10.

  In the dispensing control device 242, a dispensing control board for controlling the dispensing device is accommodated in the substrate box 244, and a state return switch provided on the dispensing control substrate protrudes out of the substrate box 244. For example, if a state return switch is pressed when a payout error such as a ball clogging in the payout device occurs, the ball clogging is eliminated.

  The power supply / emission control device 243 has a power supply / emission control board housed in a board box 246. A predetermined power supply required by various control devices and the like is generated and output by the power supply / launch control board, and further, control of launching of a game ball accompanying operation of the game ball firing handle 41 by the player is performed. Specifically, drive control of the solenoid 111 constituting the game ball launching mechanism 110 and drive control of the ball feeding device 113 are executed.

  The power supply / emission control device 243 is provided with a power switch. By operating the power switch, the power of the pachinko machine 10 can be switched between an on state (on state) and a cutoff state (off state).

  Here, the pachinko machine 10 has a function of storing and holding various data, and retains the state at the time of power failure even if a power failure occurs, and returns to the state at the time of power failure when returning from the power failure. I can do it. For example, when the power is turned off in a normal procedure, such as when the game hall is closed, the state before the power shut down is stored and held. On the other hand, when the power is turned on while pressing the RAM erase switch provided on the main controller 162, the RAM data is initialized.

  These various switches can be operated from the front side of the gaming machine by opening the gaming machine main portion 12 (inner frame 13) and exposing the rear portion of the inner frame 13. On the other hand, in a state where the opening of the gaming machine main part 12 is restricted by the locking device 75, the various switches cannot be operated from the gaming machine front side. That is, the various switches are difficult to operate when the gaming machine main unit 12 is closed, and are operated from the front side of the gaming machine by a person who does not have a key for the locking device 75 (for example, a wrongdoer). Is difficult.

  In a gaming machine of the type described in detail above, by preventing a game ball that has reached the game area from returning to the guide path 103 by a ball return prevention mechanism provided in the game area, for example, a preceding game ball can This suppresses a factor that hinders the game ball from reaching the game area. This facilitates the progress of the game. However, as long as the ball return prevention mechanism is present in the game area, the possibility that the game ball that has reached the game area bounces off game components such as game nails and collides with the prevention mechanism from the side opposite to the guide path, for example, is completely reduced. It cannot be denied.

  If the operation of the ball return preventing mechanism is hindered by such an event (collision of the preceding game ball), the subsequent game ball that should have reached the game area cannot reach the game area, and May return to the guide path (a foul ball or the like may be generated). Such occurrence of a foul ball is not preferable because it hinders the launch of the game ball and hinders the smooth progress of the game.

  One of the features of the present embodiment is that, in view of such circumstances, a device for suppressing the occurrence of the foul sphere is made. Therefore, a configuration according to the device will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5A is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 4 showing the ball return prevention mechanism 106 and its peripheral configuration, and FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the ball return prevention mechanism 106.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the ball return preventing mechanism 106 is provided at the end of the exit portion 105 of the guide passage 103 defined by the guide rail 100 (the inner rail 101 and the outer rail 102). The ball return prevention mechanism 106 is constituted by a plurality (two in the present embodiment) of prevention devices arranged side by side on the extension of the inner rail 101, and these prevention devices are individually operable. . These prevention devices have a common configuration. Hereinafter, the configuration of each prevention device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 illustrates the prevention device disposed near the outlet portion 105.

  The prevention device has a movable body 301 that can be switched between an allowable state where game balls can pass between the outer rail 102 and a blocking state where game balls cannot pass therethrough, and a holder 311 that holds the movable body 301. Do it. The holder 311 has a flat mounting base 312, and the prevention device is integrated with the game area forming body 80a by fixing the mounting base 312 to the game area forming body 80a.

  A shaft pin 313 extending forward and backward is fixed to the mounting base 312, and the shaft pin 313 is inserted into a bearing 302 formed on the movable body 301. Thereby, the movable body 301 can rotate around the axis pin 313 (the center axis line CL extending forward and backward) along the front surface of the game area forming body 80a.

  The movable body 301 has a main body portion 305 on which a bearing portion 302 is formed, and a substantially flat protruding piece 303 protruding upward (a passing area described later in detail) from a rotation center portion of the main body portion 305. I have. A weight is embedded in a portion of the main body 305 opposite to the protruding piece 303 with respect to the rotation center portion, so that the center of gravity of the movable body 301 is located at a position deviated from the center axis CL. Have been.

  The holder 311 has an upright portion 314 that stands upright from the mounting base 312 toward the front of the gaming machine. The upright portion 314 has a wall shape, and faces the main body 305 of the movable body 301 from the side opposite to the outer rail 102. A first stopper that abuts against the upright portion 314 from the side opposite to the outer rail 102 with respect to the main body portion 305 to prevent the movable body 301 from rotating counterclockwise about the center axis CL. A part 315 is formed.

  The first stopper portion 315 is disposed below the center axis line CL, and the center of gravity of the movable body 301 is located on the left side of the center axis line CL when the main body portion 305 is in contact with the first stopper portion 315. Is configured. Accordingly, the movable body 301 is maintained in a state of being pressed against the first stopper 315 by its own weight.

  In this state, the tip of the protruding piece 303 is located in the extension area of the guide passage 103, specifically, in the passing area TE of the game ball along the outer rail 102, and the gap between the tip of the protruding piece 303 and the outer rail 102 (gap) The dimension X1) is smaller than the diameter D of the game ball. In this manner, the state in which the tip of the protruding piece 303 is located in the passage area TE (the state in which a part of the protruding piece 303 overlaps the passing area TE), that is, the state in which the tip of the protruding piece 303 and the outer rail 102 The state in which the gap has a size that does not allow the passage of the game ball is the “blocking state” in which the gap (specific position) is blocked.

  When the prevention device is in the blocking state, even if the game ball that has passed through the ball return prevention mechanism 106 and reached the game area PE rebounds to the game nail 93 or the like and reaches the gap (specific position), This prevents the game ball from passing through the gap.

  The protruding piece 303 is obliquely inclined such that one plate surface faces the outer rail 102 side. When the game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 reaches a specific position, the game ball hits the plate surface. When the plate surface is pressed by the game ball, the protruding piece 303 is pushed down to the side (lower right side) away from the outer rail 102. As a result, the movable body 301 rotates clockwise against the urging force due to its own weight, and the gap is expanded. That is, when the movable body 301 is pressed in response to the fired game ball, the protruding piece 303 is separated from the above-described passage area TE, and the game ball is allowed to pass through a specific position. As described above, the state in which the protruding piece 303 is separated from the passing area TE, that is, the state in which the gap (gap dimension X2) between the tip end of the protruding piece 303 and the outer rail 102 is large enough to allow the passage of the game ball, This is the "permissible state" in which the passage of the gap (specific position) is permitted.

  When the movable body 301 is rotated clockwise by being pushed by the game ball, the protruding piece 303 of the movable body 301 hits the end (the second stopper 316) of the upright portion 314, so that it can be rotated further. The movement is prevented (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6). In this state, the center of gravity of the movable body 301 remains on the left side of the center axis line CL. For this reason, once the movable body 301 enters the allowable state, it returns to the blocking state by its own weight.

  Here, the protruding piece 303 in the present embodiment will be supplementarily described. The plate surface facing the passage area TE side (upper side) of the protruding piece 303 forms a ball receiving surface portion 304 that receives a game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110. Here, since the ball receiving surface portion 304 obliquely intersects (is not parallel to) the moving direction of the game ball, the game ball that collides with the ball receiving surface portion 304 receives a reaction force ( (Drag). It is not preferable that the movement of the game ball is disturbed by the influence of the reaction force, because the movement of the game ball along the outer rail 102 (passing area TE) is impaired.

  The ball receiving surface portion 304 is configured such that the angle between the outer rail 102 and the tangential direction at a specific position is 90 degrees or less (a sharp angle). Therefore, even if a game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 receives a reaction force from the projecting piece 303, the reaction force acts to press the game ball against the outer rail 102, and the behavior of the game ball is disturbed. Is preferably avoided.

  As described in detail above, with respect to the prevention device (ball return prevention mechanism 106) shown in the present embodiment, at least in the above-described blocking state, when the shot game ball moves in the ejection direction, the game ball , But a so-called one-way structure that does not allow the passage of game balls when moving in a direction different from the emission direction (for example, the opposite direction).

  With reference to FIG. 5A again, the arrangement of the ball return prevention mechanism 106 will be supplementarily described. In the present embodiment, two prevention devices having the various configurations described above are arranged along the passage area TE (specifically, arranged along the extension of the inner rail 101). In the following description, the prevention device on the side (left side) close to the outlet portion 105 is referred to as “left side prevention device 106a”, and the prevention device on the side far from the outlet portion 105 (right side) is referred to as “right side prevention device 106b”.

  The game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 is guided by the guiding passage 103 → the left side prevention device 106a (specifically, the specific position related to the left side prevention device 106a) → the right side prevention device 106b (specifically, the specific position related to the right side prevention device 106b). At this time, the respective prevention devices 106a and 106b are sequentially switched from the blocking state to the allowable state.

  The left side prevention device 106a is arranged close to the exit portion 105, and the gap between the left side prevention device 106a and the exit portion 105 is smaller than the diameter of the game ball. That is, the gap formed between the left side prevention device 106a and the exit portion 105 is suppressed to such a degree that the passage of the game ball is not allowed.

  On the other hand, the gap formed between the left side prevention device 106a and the right side prevention device 106b is larger than the diameter of the game ball. That is, the area (specific area SE) between the two prevention devices 106a and 106b is configured to be an area through which a game ball can pass.

  The specific area SE is connected to the passing area TE, and the movement of the game ball from the passing area TE to the specific area SE is allowed. If the game ball that has passed through the left prevention device 106a does not pass through the right prevention device 106b for some reason, the game ball flows into the left route through the passage area TE → the specific area SE.

  Here, with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, one of the reasons for inspiring the configuration shown in the present invention will be described.

  In a conventional gaming machine, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the distance between the guide rail 100X and the variable display unit 86X (center frame 95X) is sufficiently ensured, and the width of the downflow area of the gaming ball is provided. Etc. had some room. For this reason, it is unlikely that a game ball that has reached the game area PEX after passing through the ball return prevention mechanism 106X will bounce toward the ball return prevention mechanism 106X, and the game ball that has bounced hits the ball return prevention mechanism 106X. However, it was less likely that it would act to hinder the movement of the movable body 301X.

  In the gaming machine shown in this embodiment, the size of the variable display unit 86 (the symbol display device 87 and the movable effect device) is increased for the purpose of enhancing the interest and the like, and the gaming area PE is pressed accordingly. That is, as the distance between the guide rail 100X and the variable display unit 86 (the center frame 95) decreases, the width and the like of the flow-down area of the game ball decreases, and the distance between the center frame 95 and the ball return prevention mechanism 106 decreases. ing. This increases the possibility that a game ball that has reached the game area PE after passing through the ball return prevention mechanism 106 will rebound toward the ball return prevention mechanism 106, and the game ball that has rebounded hits the ball return prevention mechanism 106. Has increased the possibility of acting to hinder the movement of the movable body 301. In other words, when the size of the variable display unit 86 is simply increased, the possibility that the smooth progress of the game is hindered is increased. Therefore, the size of the variable display unit 86 is promoted while ensuring the smooth progress of the game. There was room for improvement in the configuration of the gaming machine.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the above problem is solved by using the two prevention devices 106a and 106b together and providing a specific area SE through which a game ball can pass between the prevention devices 106a and 106b. Here, with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. 7, a description will be given of a flow-down state of the game ball when the operation of the ball return prevention mechanism 106 is hindered.

  The game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 by the player performing the shooting operation reaches the left route of the game area PE through the guiding passage 103 → the left side prevention device 106a → the right side prevention device 106b. Becomes

  As shown in FIG. 7 (a) → FIG. 7 (b), the game ball B1 that has reached the game area PE hits the game nail 93 arranged on the left route and rebounds toward the right prevention device 106b, and the right side. By colliding with the movable body 301b (specifically, the protruding piece 303b) of the prevention device 106b from the side opposite to the emission direction of the game ball, the game ball B1 is prevented from switching to the allowable state of the right prevention device 106b. Will be. More specifically, when the protruding piece 303b is pushed in the counterclockwise direction by the game ball, a drag is generated that hinders the rotation of the movable body 301b in the clockwise direction. Further, when the game ball B1 is located in the operation area where the protruding piece 303b passes when switching to the allowable state, the game ball B1 becomes an obstacle to hinder the movement of the movable body 301b.

  In a state where the switching of the right prevention device 106b to the allowable state is prevented, when the subsequent game ball B2 fired after the interval period (0.6 sec) reaches the right prevention device 106b, more specifically, the game ball B1 When the game ball B2 and the game ball B2 face each other with the projecting piece 303 interposed therebetween, the projecting piece 303b of the movable body 301b is pressed by the game ball B2. Thus, a clockwise rotating stress is generated in the movable body 301b, but such a movement is prevented by the preceding game ball B1. As a result, the game ball B2 cannot completely pass through the specific position related to the right side prevention device 106b, so that further movement in the same direction is prevented. That is, the inflow path to the game area PE (left route) via the right prevention device 106b remains closed.

  As shown in FIG. 7 (b) → FIG. 7 (c), the game ball B1, which has hindered the operation of the right side prevention device 106b, falls downward and reaches the left route. On the other hand, game balls that have failed to pass through the right prevention device 106b move in the following manner.

  As described above, the ball receiving surface portion 304 of the protruding piece 303b faces the outer rail 102 side, and a game ball that collides with the ball receiving surface portion 304 is pressed against the outer rail 102, so that its kinetic energy is increased. It is distributed to the rail 102 and the right prevention device 106b. In particular, when the game ball B2 is sandwiched between the protruding piece 303b and the outer rail 102, the movement speed is temporarily reduced so as to become zero or almost zero.

  In this manner, the gaming ball B2 with reduced momentum flows down (drops) along the flat surface portion 306 connected to the ball receiving surface portion 304 in the ball receiving surface portion 304 and the main body portion 305 that incline downward toward the specific area SE. ). That is, the game ball B2 is guided from the passing area TE to the specific area SE. As a result, the game ball B2 passes through the specific area SE and flows into the left route. In addition, focusing on the point that the game ball B2 is guided to the specific region SE by the ball receiving surface portion 304 and the flat surface portion 306, the game ball is guided to the specific region SE from the passage area TE to the ball receiving surface portion 304 and the flat surface portion 306. It can be said that the function as the guiding unit 308 is provided.

  The center frame 95 is located below the ball return prevention mechanism 106 as described above. The upper surface of the center frame 95 forms a guide passage that descends to the left, and this guide passage forms a left route. Since the portion of the guide passage immediately below the specific area SE is a non-arranged area in which the game nail 93 is not arranged, the game ball B2 passing through the specific area SE flows down toward the center frame 95 as it is. I do. In addition, since the specific area SE is also a non-arranged area such as the game nail 93, the movement of the game ball from the passing area TE to the specific area SE to the left route is smoothly performed.

  Here, the game ball guided to the specific area SE by the guiding unit 308 does not fall in the vertical direction, but falls diagonally downward and to the left. In other words, the game ball B2 guided by the guiding section 308 flows into the guide passage while going downstream of the guide passage (left route). In this way, by devising the movement of the game ball B2 so as not to go up the guide path (right route), even if the game ball B2 merges with the game ball B1, it becomes a factor of the ball clogging. Is suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, at the time when the collision occurs, it is immediately after the game ball B2 has passed, and the left side prevention device 106a is in an allowable state. That is, at this timing, the prevention function of the left side prevention device 106a is not sufficiently exhibited. For this reason, if the game ball that collides with the projecting piece 303 and rebounds toward the exit portion 105, it is impossible to avoid inflow of the game ball into the exit portion 105.

  In this regard, in the present embodiment, the game ball that has reached the right prevention device 106b is deenergized when it cannot pass through the right prevention device 106b. That is, by reducing the power of the game ball B2 to suppress (delay) the bouncing, it is possible to secure a period in which the left side prevention device 106a returns to the blocking state.

  The specific area SE in the present embodiment has a configuration in which the lateral width changes according to the state of each of the prevention devices 106a and 106b. The width of the specific area SE is minimum when the right prevention device 106b is in the permissible state and the left prevention device 106a is in the blocking state. However, even in such a situation, the passing of the game ball is permitted. It is suppressed to the extent.

  When the two prevention devices 106a and 106b are used in combination, the area occupied by the ball return prevention mechanism 106 increases, but by suppressing the unnecessary expansion of the specific area SE as described above, the occupation area with the other configuration in the game area PE is reduced. Coexistence can be suitably realized. Further, suppressing the spread of the interval between the two prevention devices 106a and 106b is also advantageous in avoiding the useless compression of the adjustment width of the arrival position of the launched game ball.

  As shown in FIG. 7 (c), for the game ball B3 fired at a timing when a predetermined interval period (0.6 sec) has elapsed from the firing timing of the game ball B2, the game ball B3 is moved to the right prevention device 106b. Before reaching, the above-mentioned hindrance is resolved. This ensures that the game ball B3 reaches the game area PE via both prevention devices 106a and 106b.

  Note that, as described above, the game ball B2 can be moved along the guiding portion 308 by deenergizing the game ball B2. As a result, a game ball passing through the specific area SE passes through a position closer to the right side prevention device 106b, and interference with the left side prevention device 106a can be suppressed.

  The period required for the game ball B2 to reach the passage area TE → the specific area SE → the left route is set to be shorter than the above-described interval period. Therefore, even if the game ball B2 hits the movable body 301a of the left side prevention device 106a and the switching of the left side prevention device 106a to the allowable state is prevented, the subsequent firing of the game ball B3 due to that is prevented. Can be preferably avoided.

  In the present embodiment, by using the two prevention devices 106a and 106b together, not only the occurrence of the inconvenience of the right prevention device 106b but also the suppression of the inconvenience of the left prevention device 106a can be improved. It has been done. Hereinafter, the contrivance will be supplementarily described with reference to FIG. 5A again.

  As described above, the left side prevention device 106a has exactly the same configuration as the right side prevention device 106b. Therefore, if a game ball collides with the movable body 301a (specifically, the projecting piece 303a) of the left side prevention device 106a from the side opposite to the exit portion 105 (the game area PE side), FIG. May also occur in the left side prevention device 106a. In this case, the game ball located on the exit portion 105 side returns through the guide passage 103 as it is, and it is impossible to avoid the occurrence of the foul ball.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the two prevention devices 106a and 106b are provided side by side in order to use the right prevention device 106b as a barrier for the left prevention device 106a. Specifically, the right prevention device 106b is disposed diagonally above and to the right of the left prevention device 106a, and the upright portion 314b of the holder 311b is located beside the protruding piece 303a. When the game ball that has bounced by colliding with the game nail 93 goes to the protruding piece 303a, it is necessary to bypass the standing portion 314b, and the collision of the game ball with the protruding piece 303a is restricted by the rising portion 314b. I have. Thereby, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience is avoided.

  According to the first embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

  The game ball that has been fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 and has reached the game area PE via the guide path 103 is prevented from returning to the guide path 103 by the ball return prevention mechanism 106. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this way, it is possible to promote smooth progress of the game. However, in the configuration in which the ball return prevention mechanism 106 is provided in the game area PE, the game ball that has reached the game area PE bounces off a game component such as the game nail 93 and, for example, the ball from the side opposite to the guide passage 103. The possibility of collision with the return prevention mechanism 106 cannot be denied. In particular, if the flow-down region of the game ball in the vicinity of the ball return prevention mechanism 106 becomes small, the possibility of such a collision is likely to increase.

  If the operation of the ball return prevention mechanism 106 is hindered by the collision of the preceding game ball, the subsequent game ball that should have reached the game area PE cannot reach the game area PE, and the subsequent game ball is It will return in the guide passage 103 (a so-called foul ball or the like is generated). The occurrence of such a foul ball is not preferable because it becomes a factor that hinders the smooth progress of the game.

  In particular, in a configuration in which the prevention device 106b has the movable body 301b, and switches to the blocking state / permissible state when the game ball hits the movable body 301b, the game ball that has already reached the game area PE is the movable body 301b. Hitting from the side opposite to the launch direction of the game ball, the switching of the movable body 301b from the blocking state to the allowable state is prevented. This can be a factor in generating the above-mentioned return ball.

  In this regard, according to the configuration shown in the present embodiment, if the ball return prevention mechanism 106 (specifically, the right side prevention device 106b) does not function properly due to the influence of the preceding game ball, the subsequent game ball will It flows into the game area PE (specifically, the right route) from the middle position of the route to the right prevention device 106b via the specific area SE. Thereby, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience can be suitably suppressed, and the smooth progress of the game can be secured.

  Also, game balls that could not pass through the right side prevention device 106b due to insufficient firing speed or the like are guided to the left route through the specific area SE. As described above, even when the operation is not performed well at the time of adjusting the firing speed or the like, it is possible to preferably suppress the preceding game ball from becoming a factor that hinders the movement of the subsequent game ball.

  A game ball that has flowed into the game area PE (specifically, a guide path on the right route) via the specific area SE is a downflow path (right route) in which the game ball that has flowed into the game area PE without passing through the specific area SE flows down. To the guide passage). Thus, it is possible to suppress the existence of the specific area SE from adversely affecting a player or the like. In particular, by setting the merging portion as an upstream portion of the right route and leaving room for a ball to enter the ball entry portion such as the operating port 83, the player's expectation of a game ball reaching the right route in the specific area SE is increased. Failing can be suitably avoided.

  When the switching of the movable body 301b to the allowable state is prevented by the collision of the preceding game ball, the movable body 301b is guided to the specific area SE by the (guiding unit 308) of the movable body 301b. As a result, the game ball subject to the passage regulation can be smoothly separated from the passage area TE, and it is possible to preferably suppress the game ball from interfering with the subsequent movement of the game ball. In particular, by providing a function as a guide portion to the protruding piece that functions as a ball receiving portion, it is possible to simplify the configuration related to ball return prevention.

  The movable body 301b (guide unit 308) has a greater inclination with respect to the horizontal direction in the blocking state than in the allowable state. That is, it is closer to vertical than in the case of the allowable state. According to such a configuration, a game ball that has not been able to pass through the right side prevention device 106b can be quickly moved to the specific area SE using the own weight of the game ball. In other words, it is possible to preferably suppress the presence of the guiding unit 308 from being a factor that decreases the moving speed of the game ball toward the specific area SE.

  In a situation where the switching of the prevention device 106b from the inhibition state to the allowable state is prevented, the game ball that has reached the prevention device 106b cannot move further in the same movement direction. Here, when the game ball hitting the protruding piece 303 (corresponding to the “ball receiving portion”) rebounds to the exit portion 105 of the guidance passage 103, the game ball tends to be a factor that hinders the subsequent movement of the game ball. . In this regard, in the present embodiment, in the blocking state, the ball receiving surface portion 304 of the protruding piece 303 faces a portion different from the exit portion of the guide passage 103 (specifically, the outer rail 102). For this reason, it is possible to preferably suppress the game ball that has rebounded from the ball receiving surface portion 304 from moving to the guide passage 103 side. Thereby, it can suppress that the function which suppresses generation | occurrence | production of a return ball falls.

  In particular, when a game ball hitting the ball receiving surface portion 304 bounces off, the momentum is weakened by hitting the outer rail 102. Thereby, it is possible to preferably suppress the time required to go to the specific area SE from being prolonged due to disturbance of the behavior of the game ball or the like. In addition, the following effects can be expected by suppressing the game balls from vigorously passing through the specific area SE. That is, even if the game ball passing through the specific area SE hits the ball receiving surface portion 304 again, the occurrence of an impact caused by the hit is suppressed, and the re-collision of the game ball becomes a factor that decreases the durability and the like of the prevention device 106b. Can be suppressed.

  Further, the two prevention devices 106a and 106b according to the present embodiment have the same configuration, and it is preferable to increase the complexity of the manufacturing process and increase the cost due to the complicated structure of the ball return prevention mechanism 106. It is possible to suppress.

<Second embodiment>
In the present embodiment, there is a case where the discharge of the game ball that has failed to pass through the right prevention device 106b is delayed, and the next game ball reaches the right prevention device 106b before the game ball passes the specific area SE. One of the features is that a device is devised to prevent the next game ball from passing through the right prevention device 106b. Therefore, a ball return prevention mechanism 106A according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 8A is a partially enlarged view of the game board unit 80A showing the ball return prevention mechanism 106A and its peripheral configuration in the second embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a case where the operation of the right side prevention device 106bA is hindered. It is a schematic diagram showing movement of a game ball. The main structure of the ball return prevention mechanism 106A in the present embodiment is the same as that of the ball return prevention mechanism 106 shown in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of these similar configurations will be cited, and the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the left side prevention device 106a is common to the first embodiment, and a part of the configuration of the right side prevention device 106bA, specifically, the configuration related to the holder 311bA is characteristic. Has become. Specifically, in the holder 311b shown in the first embodiment, the upright portion 314b is formed so as to face the main body 305b of the movable body 301b from the side opposite to the outer rail 102. On the other hand, the configuration of holder 311bA shown in the present embodiment is different in that upstanding portion 314bA is formed so as to surround main body 305b of movable body 301b.

  The upright portion 314bA has a substantially annular shape, and a slit for the protruding piece 303b is formed in a part thereof. The protruding piece 303b protrudes from the region surrounded by the upright portion 314bA through this slit. In other words, a portion (the main body 305b) of the movable body 301 other than the protruding piece 303b is accommodated in a region surrounded by the upright portion 314bA. With such a configuration, the game ball is placed on the opposite side of the main body 305b of the movable body 301b, more specifically, on the opposite side to the center of rotation, while ensuring the function of the protruding piece 303b as a ball receiving section. It avoids contacting the part where it is located.

  A predetermined gap is formed between the facing portion 317b of the upright portion 314bA that faces the flat portion 306b of the main body 305b and the flat portion 306b. Accordingly, an operation area when the movable body 301b (specifically, the main body 305b) rotates is secured in a region surrounded by the upright portion 314bA.

  In the first embodiment, the plane portion 306b of the main body 305b and the ball receiving surface portion 304b of the protruding piece 303b constitute the guiding portion 308b for guiding the game ball to the specific area. The guide part 308bA in the above is constituted by the ball receiving surface part 304b and the upright part 314bA (specifically, the facing part 317bA).

  The upper surface of the facing portion 317bA is inclined so as to descend toward the specific area SE, so that the game ball placed on the facing portion 317bA is prevented from staying there. The facing portion 317bA faces the outer rail 102, and is formed so that the distance from the outer rail 102 is larger than twice the diameter of the game ball. In other words, a gap larger than the diameter of the game ball is secured between the passage area TE.

  More specifically, the gap between the flat portion 306a of the left side prevention device 106a and the outer rail 102 is set to be larger than the diameter of the game ball and smaller than twice the diameter of the game ball. On the other hand, the clearance between the right side prevention device 106bA, the flat portion 306b (opposing portion 317bA), and the outer rail 102 is set to be larger than twice the diameter of the game ball.

  Here, the actual movement of the game ball will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8B shows the timing after the preceding game ball is prevented from passing through the right side prevention device 106bA of the subsequent game ball (for example, see FIG. 7B). .

  If the following game ball B1 is prevented from passing through the right side prevention device 106bA by the game ball that has arrived before the game area PE, the game ball B1 is specified as in the first embodiment. It will be guided toward the area SE. Here, when the ejection of the game ball B1 is delayed, there is a possibility that the subsequent game ball B2 passes through the left prevention device 106a and reaches the right prevention device 106bA. Such an event occurs, for example, when the game ball B1 is caught between the outer rail 102 and the tip of the protruding piece 303b, and stops moving temporarily while being placed on the protruding piece 303b. obtain.

  In this situation, if the game ball B1 is placed on the plane portion 306b of the movable body 301b, the movable body 301b is pushed downward by the weight of the game ball B1. In this case, the game ball B1 becomes a resistance that prevents the movable body 301b from switching to the allowable state. If the resistance occurs when the subsequent game ball B2 hits the protruding piece 303b, the possibility that the game ball B2 cannot pass without increasing the movable body 301b to the acceptable state increases.

  In this regard, in the present embodiment, the game ball B2 moves along the ball receiving surface portion 304b → the opposing portion 317bA, and therefore does not come into contact with the main body portion 305b (the flat portion 306b). That is, it is avoided that the game ball B1 becomes a factor that hinders the switching of the movable body 301b to the allowable state. Therefore, even if an excessive delay occurs in the ejection of the game ball B1, a secondary inconvenience such as the following game ball being prevented from passing through the right prevention device 106bA is also caused. Can be suppressed.

  Further, the game ball B1 moving along the facing portion 317bA is out of the passing area TE of the game ball along the outer rail 102. Therefore, at least when the subsequent game ball B2 is moving along the outer rail 102 (when passing through the passage area TE), collision between the game ball B2 and the game ball B1 is avoided. Therefore, it is avoided that the game ball guided by the opposing portion 317bA becomes a factor directly hindering the movement of the game ball B2.

  In addition, on the extension of the facing portion 317bA, the upright portion 314 of the left side prevention device 106a is located. For this reason, even if the game ball B2 guided by the facing portion 317b vigorously moves toward the left side prevention device 106a, the game ball B2 is prevented from hitting the movable body 301a of the left side prevention device 106a.

  According to the second embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

  A game ball that has been fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 and has reached the game area PE via the guide path 103 is prevented from returning to the guide path 103 path by the ball return prevention mechanism 106A. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this way, it is possible to promote smooth progress of the game.

  In particular, with respect to the rotatable movable body 301b shown in the present embodiment, if the game ball hits the ball receiving surface portion 304b, it rotates clockwise and switches from the restricted state to the allowable state, but temporarily shifts the center axis CL to the center. When a game ball hits a portion (main body portion 305b) opposite to the ball receiving surface portion 304b between the ball receiving surface portion 304b, the movable body 301b is prevented from rotating clockwise or the movable body 301b is rotated counterclockwise. Or the direction of rotation. In other words, if the game ball that has reached the ball return prevention mechanism 106A first cannot pass through the ball return prevention mechanism 106A (the right prevention device 106bA) successfully, the game ball may hinder the passage of the subsequent game ball. Can be. This is not preferable because it becomes a factor that hinders the smooth progress of the game.

  In this regard, according to the configuration shown in the present embodiment, even if the preceding game ball cannot pass through the ball return prevention mechanism 106A (specifically, the right prevention device 106bA) due to a lack of momentum or the like, it does not matter. Can be prevented from hindering the movement of the movable body 301b (switching from the allowable state to the restricted state) when the subsequent game ball reaches the movable body 301b. Therefore, a smooth progress of the game can be secured.

  The opposing portion 317bA as the "blocking means" is formed in a wall shape facing the main body portion 305b with a gap therebetween, thereby occupying the opposing portion 317bA (the upright portion 314bA) while ensuring the above-described blocking function. Useless expansion of the area can be suppressed.

  Even if a subsequent game ball arrives at the right side prevention device 106bA in a situation in which the opposing portion 317bA prevents the game ball from hitting the main body portion 305bA, the game ball blocked by the opposing portion 317bA (for example, It is possible to prevent the game ball on the facing portion 317bA) from interfering with the subsequent game ball. Thus, even if a subsequent game ball is fired at a short firing interval, it is possible to prevent the preceding game ball from obstructing the passage of the subsequent game ball.

  The opposing portion 317bA is provided with a function of guiding a game ball that has reached the opposing portion 317bA to a side away from the ball receiving surface portion 304b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game ball reaching the right side prevention device 106bA from moving to the ball receiving surface portion 304b again. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the movable body 301bA from rotating in the clockwise direction by being pushed by the game ball or the like, and it is possible to preferably suppress a decrease in the original regulation function of the ball return prevention mechanism 106A.

  In the present embodiment, by arranging the right side prevention device 106bA away from the outer rail 102, it is possible to reduce the restriction on the adjustment width of the arrival position of the launched game ball. However, when the game balls are simply placed away from each other, the time required for the game balls that could not pass through the right side prevention device 106bA to be discharged from between the right side prevention device 106bA and the outer rail 102 becomes longer, and the subsequent game There is a possibility that the ball and the preceding game ball collide before the right side prevention device 106bA. That is, by arranging the right side prevention device 106bA away from it, a problem arises that a collision between game balls is likely to occur.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the gap between the right side prevention device 106bA and the outer rail 102 is larger than twice the diameter of the game ball. As a result, even if the time required for discharging the game ball that has failed to pass through the right side prevention device 106bA becomes long, in a state where the preceding game ball has separated from the passage area TE and reaches the facing portion 317bA, the game ball does not Can be prevented from hindering the subsequent movement of the game ball.

  In particular, the facing portion 317bA is inclined so that the interval becomes larger toward the upstream side of the passing area TE than parallel to the passing area TE, and is separated from the passing area TE until the subsequent game ball reaches. It is designed to increase the amount. Thereby, it is possible to more suitably exert the above-described effects.

  In the present embodiment, the two prevention devices 106a and 106bA are used in combination, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the left side prevention device 106a may be omitted, or a configuration corresponding to the facing portion 317bA may be provided in the left side prevention device 106a and the right side prevention device 106bA may be omitted. In the latter case, the game ball that could not pass through the left side prevention device 106a will return to the guidance passage 103. Therefore, the distance between the outer rail 102 and the inner rail 101 is made larger than twice the diameter of the game ball at least in the downstream portion including the exit portion 105 of the guide passage 103, so that the reversing game ball and the subsequent game It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which interference with a sphere is suppressed.

<Third embodiment>
In each of the above embodiments, a plurality of prevention devices are used in combination. However, in the present embodiment, the configuration is different in that the occurrence of the foul sphere described above is suppressed using one prevention device. Hereinafter, the ball return prevention mechanism 106B according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view of the game board unit 80B showing the ball return prevention mechanism 106B and its peripheral configuration. Since the detailed configuration of the prevention device is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description is referred to.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the ball return prevention mechanism 106 </ b> B (prevention device) is disposed on an extension of the inner rail 101. Here, the ball return prevention mechanism 106 </ b> B is disposed so as to be separated from the tip of the inner rail 101 so as to form a gap. The gap (specifically, the gap in the extension direction of the inner rail 101) is set to be larger than the diameter of the game ball, and is configured so that the game ball can pass through the gap. That is, in each of the above embodiments, a passage area through which a game ball can pass is provided between both prevention devices. However, in this embodiment, a game ball is provided between the inner rail 101 and the ball return prevention mechanism 106B. A passable specific area SEB is provided. The gap between the inner rail 101 and the ball return preventing mechanism 106B in the horizontal direction is also set to be larger than the diameter of the game ball. This suppresses the game ball from interfering with the inner rail 101 when passing through the specific area SEB, and suppresses the disturbance of the behavior of the game ball when passing through the specific area SEB. This is a preferable configuration in order to prevent the game ball from moving across the specific area SEB and to prevent the game ball from falling (falling) in the specific area SEB.

  The specific area SEB is arranged at a position that does not vertically overlap with the guide passage formed by the upper surface of the center frame 95. More specifically, the exit portion 105 of the guide passage 103 and the ball return preventing mechanism 106B are arranged such that the specific area SEB is located above a change position where the left route changes from the horizontal passage to the vertical passage.

  Thus, by providing the specific area SEB, it is possible to prevent the game balls flowing down the guide passage from flowing backward through the specific area SEB and flowing into the outlet portion 105. In the present embodiment, the game nail 93 is provided so as to guide the game ball flowing down the guide passage (lateral passage) to the vertical passage, and it is more preferable that the game ball jumps into the exit portion 105. Is suppressed.

  Here, with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. 10, a description will be given of the flow-down state of the game ball when the movement of the movable body 301 of the ball return prevention mechanism 106 </ b> B (the prevention device) is prevented.

  The game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 by the player performing the shooting operation reaches the left route of the game area PE through the guiding path 103 → ball return prevention mechanism 106B.

  As shown in FIG. 10 (a) → FIG. 10 (b), the game ball B1 that has reached the game area PE hits the game nail 93 and rebounds toward the ball return prevention mechanism 106B, and the ball return prevention mechanism 106B moves. When the ball 301 collides with the body 301 (specifically, the protruding piece 303) from the side opposite to the firing direction of the game ball, the game ball B1 may be a factor that prevents the ball return prevention mechanism 106B from switching to the allowable state. Become. More specifically, when the protruding piece 303 is pushed in the counterclockwise direction by the game ball, a drag is generated that prevents the movable body 301 from rotating in the clockwise direction. Further, when the game ball B1 is located in the operation area where the projecting piece 303 passes when switching to the allowable state, the game ball B1 becomes an obstacle to hinder the movement of the movable body 301.

  In this manner, in a state where the switching of the ball return preventing mechanism 106B to the allowable state is prevented, the subsequent game ball B2 fired after the predetermined interval period (0.6 sec) reaches the ball return preventing mechanism 106B. Then, in more detail, when the game ball B1 and the game ball B2 face each other with the protruding piece 303 interposed therebetween, the game ball B2 cannot pass through the specific position related to the ball return prevention mechanism 106B, but in the same direction further. Movement is hindered. That is, the inflow path to the game area PE (left route) via the ball return prevention mechanism 106B is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 10 (b) → FIG. 10 (c), the game ball B1, which has hindered the operation of the ball return prevention mechanism 106B, falls downward and reaches the left route. On the other hand, game balls that have failed to pass through the ball return prevention mechanism 106B move in the following manner.

  As described above, the ball receiving surface portion 304 of the protruding piece 303 faces the outer rail 102 side, and a game ball that collides with the ball receiving surface portion 304 is pressed against the outer rail 102, so that its kinetic energy is increased. It is distributed to the rail 102 and the ball return prevention mechanism 106B. In particular, when the game ball B2 is sandwiched between the protruding piece 303 and the outer rail 102, the moving speed is temporarily reduced to zero or almost zero.

  In this manner, the gaming ball B2 with reduced momentum flows down (falls) along the ball receiving surface portion 304 and the main body portion 305 (specifically, the flat surface portion 306) which are inclined downward toward the specific area SEB. As a result, the game ball B2 passes through the specific area SEB and flows into the left route.

  Since the portion immediately below the specific area SEB is a non-arranged area where the game nail 93 is not arranged, the game ball B2 passing through the specific area SEB flows down toward the vertical passage as it is. Further, since the specific area SEB is also a non-arranged area of the game nail 93 and the like, the movement of the game ball from the passing area TE to the specific area SE to the left route is smoothly performed.

  In this way, by arranging the ball return preventing mechanism 106B away from the position close to the exit portion 105, it is possible to suppress the pressing of the game area PE around the exit portion 105. In the first place, as described in the first embodiment, if the size of the variable display unit 86 increases, the size of the center frame 95 increases accordingly. At this time, the space between the corner of the center frame and the guide rail 100 is easily affected by the above-mentioned enlargement.

  In this regard, as shown in the present embodiment, by disposing the ball return preventing mechanism 106B away from the outlet portion 105 near the corner of the center frame 95 upward, the arrangement area and the operation area of the ball return preventing mechanism 106B Can be prevented from being a factor that locally presses the game area PE, and the above-mentioned effect can be minimized.

<Another form>
As described in the above embodiments, the ball return prevention mechanism 106 may be configured as follows in order to suppress the occurrence of a foul ball by using the ball return prevention mechanism 106 (prevention device). Hereinafter, various embodiments (modifications) using the ball return prevention mechanism 106 will be described with reference to the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 11 and 12.

<Example 1>
As shown in FIG. 11A, the ball return prevention mechanism 106 </ b> C restricts a game ball from colliding with the movable body 301 (projection piece 303) from the game area PE side, or the operation of the movable body 301 (projection piece 3030). A restriction unit for restricting the game ball from flowing into the region may be provided.

  Specifically, a wall portion 318 is formed on the mounting base 312C of the holder 311C so as to face the projecting piece 303 from the game area PE side (the side opposite to the outer rail 102). The wall portion 318 is opposed to the protruding piece 303 with a gap therebetween, and an operation area of the movable body 301 is secured. However, this gap is suppressed to such an extent that a game ball cannot flow.

  Even if the game ball B1 that previously arrived in the game area PE hits the game nail 93 or the like and rebounds toward the ball return prevention mechanism 106C, before the game ball B1 reaches the projecting piece 303 of the movable body 301. The wall portion 318. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the protruding piece 303 from being pushed by the game ball B1 or the movement of the movable body 301 being hindered by the game ball B1 being positioned in the operation area of the protruding piece 303. As a result, the subsequent game ball B2 is prevented from becoming a foul ball due to the effect of the game ball B1.

  In this way, by restricting the game balls from hitting the movable body 301 (the protruding piece 303C) from the game area PE side in the first place, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of foul balls with a simple configuration. According to such a configuration, it is not always necessary to use a plurality of configurations corresponding to the prevention device, and the area occupied by the ball return prevention mechanism 106C can be suitably reduced.

In the first embodiment, the wall portion 318C (corresponding to the “restriction portion”) is formed on the mounting base 312C, but the wall portion 318C is not necessarily formed on the mounting base 312C. A configuration corresponding to the wall portion 318C may be provided separately from the mounting base 312C.
Further, in the present embodiment, the wall portion 318C has a length that is approximately half the length of the protruding piece 303 and covers a portion of the protruding piece 303. , And may be configured to cover the entire protruding piece 303.

<Example 2>
As shown in FIG. 11B, a configuration corresponding to the “inflow portion” may be provided at an intermediate position of the guide passage 103.

  Specifically, an opening 101aD that is opened downward is formed in a portion above the center frame 95 (guide passage) in the inner rail 101D. The open portion 101aD is located above a portion of the inner rail 101D that is convex to the side (left side), and is formed so that the width thereof is larger than the diameter of the game ball.

  As already described, the game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 reaches the exit portion 105D of the guide passage 103D by moving along the outer rail 102. On the other hand, when the game ball that has reached the ball return prevention mechanism 106D cannot pass through the ball return prevention mechanism 106D, it is guided to the inner rail 101D by the guide portion 308 of the movable body 301.

  For example, when the switching of the ball return prevention mechanism 106D to the allowable state is prevented by the game ball B1 that has reached the game area PE in advance, the subsequent game ball B2 passes through the guiding unit 308 and the inner rail 101D. , And goes back through the guide passage 103D.

  Here, the game ball B2 moves along the inner rail 101D, at least above a part of the inner rail 101D that is convex to the side. The game ball B2 that has moved on the inner rail 101D along the inner rail 101D flows into the game area PE through the opening 101aD. Thereby, interference between the game ball B2 and a game ball following the game ball B2 is avoided, and the occurrence of a foul ball is suppressed.

  Here, the game ball that has reached the game area PE through the opening 101aD joins the guide path, so that there is a possibility that the game ball enters the ball entry portion to the operating port 83 or the like, Even if the inflow of the game ball through the opening 101aD occurs against the intention of the player, it is suppressed that the inconvenience causes a disadvantage to the player.

  In addition, a portion below the opening 101aD in the guide passage formed by the center frame 95 is a non-arranged area of the game nail 93. Thereby, the movement of the game ball dropped through the opening 101aD can be prevented from being uselessly delayed, and the interference between the game ball and a subsequent game ball can be avoided.

  The opening 101aD is provided with a flange that projects downward from the inner rail 101D. Although there is a difference in height between the left and right ends of the open portion 101aD, the inflow of game balls from the game area PE to the open portion 101aD is restricted by the flange portions.

  Here, a supplementary explanation of the relationship between the guide passage 103D and the passage area TE will be described. The guide passage 103D is set to have a wider passage width than the passage area TE. By utilizing such a margin, even if a game ball moving from the ball return prevention mechanism 106D to the inner rail 101D to the opening 101aD is delayed, that is, the subsequent game ball is moved to the opening 101a. At the timing of reaching the game ball, even if the whole of the preceding game ball does not enter the opening 101aD (even if a part of the game ball protrudes into the guide passage 103D), It is possible to suppress interference with game balls. As a result, variation in the behavior of the game balls can be appropriately tolerated.

<Example 3>
In the ball return prevention mechanism 106E shown in FIG. 12A, the postures of the left and right prevention devices 106a and 106b are different. Specifically, the right prevention device 106b is arranged so as to be closer to vertical than the left prevention device 106a.

  With such an arrangement, the guiding direction of the guiding unit 308 can be made closer to the vertical direction, and the game ball that could not pass through the right side prevention device 106b can be quickly separated from the passing area TE. As a result, it is possible to more suitably suppress the interference between the game ball that has failed to pass through the right side prevention device 106b and the subsequent game ball.

  When the inclination of the specific area SEE approaches vertical, the time required for a game ball flowing down (falling) by its own weight to pass through the specific area SEE can be shortened, and the game ball is allowed by the right side prevention device 106b. Can be prevented from becoming a factor that hinders the switching to.

  Further, in the above configuration, the main body 305b (flat portion 306b) of the movable body 301b serves as a part of the right wall of the specific area SEE. In this case, even a game ball passing through the specific area SE may be a factor that hinders switching of the movable body 301b to the allowable state. However, since the moving direction of the game ball falling E by the specific area SE is close to the vertical direction, the following game ball may push the ball receiving surface portion 304 and the movable body 301 may rotate clockwise. However, even if it acts so as to change the trajectory of a falling game ball in the specific area SEE, the game ball may hinder the movement of the subsequent game ball (switching of the right prevention device 106b to the allowable state). It does not become resistance. Thereby, the occurrence of the inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

  In particular, the movable body 301b is configured such that the distance from the central axis CLb to the tip (lower end) of the flat portion 306b is smaller than the distance from the central axis CLb to the tip (upper end) of the ball receiving surface portion 304b. Have been. More specifically, the distance from the center axis CLb to the tip (lower end) of the plane portion 306b is larger than the distance from the center axis CLb to the contact position of the ball receiving surface portion 304b where the game ball moving along the passage area TE is hit. Is configured. Accordingly, even if the game ball passing through the specific area SEE easily acts to hinder the movement of the movable body 301b, it is possible to preferably prevent the resistance from increasing.

  Note that the inclination of the flat portion 306b in the allowable state is configured such that the upright portion 314a of the left prevention device 106a is located on an extension of the flat portion 306b. Therefore, even if the trajectory of the game ball passing through the specific area SE changes due to the switching of the right side prevention device 106b to the allowable state, the game ball switches to the allowable state of the left side prevention device 106a. It can be suppressed that it becomes a hindrance factor.

  Incidentally, by bringing the posture of the prevention device 106b closer to vertical, the responsiveness of switching from the allowed state to the blocked state due to its own weight is reduced. Therefore, in consideration of such circumstances, a spring may be used as the urging means for urging the movable body 301b to a position where the movable body 301b is in the blocking state. However, the spring may be set by repeated elastic deformation. Therefore, in order to realize a steady operation by suppressing the contribution rate to the spring, it is preferable to use both the own weight of the movable body 301b and the elastic force of the spring.

<Example 4>
In using a plurality of prevention devices together, it is not always necessary to share both prevention devices, and a part of the configuration may be different.

  As shown in FIG. 12 (b), the right prevention device 106bF is arranged at a position lower than the left prevention device 106a, and the amount of protrusion of the protruding piece 303bF is increased to allow such a change in arrangement. It is also possible. That is, although the shape of the movable body 301bF (specifically, the protruding piece 303bF) is changed in accordance with the change in the arrangement, the holders 311a and 311b are common. Hereinafter, a new effect caused by the change in the arrangement and the difference in the shape of the movable body 301bF will be described.

  As described above, the configuration in which a plurality of prevention devices are used in combination is excellent in suppressing the occurrence of foul balls. However, the presence of the right side prevention device 106bF may be a factor that restricts the substantial adjustment amount of the firing operation of the game ball by increasing the restriction on the impact position of the shot game ball. In this case, it is difficult to perform a launch operation adjustment in order to advance the game as much as possible (for example, to increase the probability of entering a variety of entry sections as little as possible). This is preferable in terms of limiting technical intervention and suppressing inequality between players. However, such a limitation on the adjustment amount and a decrease in the room for technical intervention may cause a monotonization of the game and the like, which may cause a decrease in the desire to play the game.

  In this regard, with respect to the right movable body 301bF shown in the present embodiment, the maximum rotation angle when switching from the blocking state to the allowable state is the same as that in the above embodiment, but the right movable body 301bF is aligned with the center axis CLb. The amount of displacement of the tip of the protruding piece 303bF (ball receiving surface 304bF) when rotated about the center is larger than in the above embodiment. That is, the length of the protruding piece 303bF is set to be long so that the displacement amount at the tip of the rotation is increased as much as possible. As a result, the restriction on the landing position of the game ball that has passed through the right prevention device 106bF is suppressed, and the occurrence of the inconvenience is suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, by disposing the right side prevention device 106bF so as to be side by side with the left side prevention device 106a, the entire movable body 301a (more specifically, the protruding piece 303a) of the left side prevention device 106a is laterally (right side). ) From the cover. This prevents the game ball from circumventing the right prevention device 106bF and reaching the protruding piece 303a of the left movable body 301a, and strengthens the function of the right prevention device 106bF as a barrier for the left prevention device 106a. It is possible to do.

  In this embodiment, the restriction on the firing adjustment is reduced by increasing the overall length of the right protruding piece 303bF, but in such a configuration, the right movable body 301bF returns from the allowable state to the blocking state. Becomes difficult. Therefore, as a countermeasure, the thickness of the right protruding piece 303bF may be made thinner (for example, thinner than the left protruding piece 303a) to ensure the above-mentioned weight balance. Further, the weight balance may be ensured by making the main body 305bF of the right movable body 301bF heavier (for example, heavier than the main body 305a of the left movable body 301a). Instead of realizing the function of ensuring the balance of the weight and the function of returning to the blocking state by adjusting the weight described above, the function of returning to the blocking state may be secured by using an urging member such as a spring separately. . In addition, about the right side prevention device 106bF, it is also possible to use both the urging function such as a spring and the return function by its own weight.

<Fourth embodiment>
In each of the above embodiments, the ball return preventing mechanism is configured to be switched to the blocking state / permissible state by rotating the movable body of the ball returning prevention mechanism along the front surface of the game area forming body. In this embodiment, the operation mode of the ball return preventing mechanism is different from those of the embodiments. The following describes the ball return prevention mechanism 106G in the present embodiment with reference to FIG. FIG. 13A is a partially enlarged view of a game board unit 80G showing a ball return prevention mechanism 106G and a configuration related thereto according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a line AA of FIG. 13A. It is a partial sectional view. In addition,
As shown in FIG. 13, the ball return prevention mechanism 106G includes a movable body 301G and a holder 311G that rotatably holds the movable body 301G. It is integrated with the formed body 80aG. The holder 311G has a pair of opposing wall portions 312G opposing the inner rail 101 and the outer rail 102 from the side opposite to the guide passage 103. The front end of the opposing wall 312G extends forward (glass panel 23) from the rails 101 and 102, and a flat plate 314G is formed so as to straddle the extended portion.

  The flat plate portion 314G faces the front surface of the game area forming body 80a with the guide passage 103 interposed therebetween. The flat plate portion 314G has an opening formed on the same side as the exit portion 105 of the guide passage 103, and the shaft pin 313G is fixed to the opening so as to be parallel to the front surface of the game area forming body 80a. I have.

  A bearing portion 302G through which the shaft pin 313G is inserted is formed in the movable body 301G, and when the shaft pin 313G and the bearing portion 302g are engaged, the movable body 301G moves in the thickness direction of the game area forming body 80a ( (The front-rear direction). That is, the movable body in each of the above embodiments is configured to be displaced while maintaining a constant distance from the game area forming body, whereas the movable body 301G described in the present embodiment is configured to be displaced. The difference is that the configuration is such that the displacement is made such that the distance from the base 80a changes.

  The movable body 301G has a substantially flat plate shape facing the front surface of the game area forming body 80aG, and extends in the extending direction of the guide passage 103 (the direction intersecting the center axis CL of the shaft pin 313G). The bearing portion 302G is formed at one end of the movable body 301G in the longitudinal direction, and this one end is a rotation base end.

  The pivotal tip of the movable body 301G protrudes into the passage area TE, and the gap between the movable body 301G and the front surface of the game area forming body 80aG is smaller than the diameter of the game ball. In this state, the movement of the game ball from the guide passage 103 (exit portion 105) to the game area PE is allowed, while the movement of the game ball from the game area PE to the guide path 103 is prevented. This state is the blocking state of the main ball return prevention mechanism 106G.

  The ball return preventing mechanism 106G is provided with an urging member (more specifically, a spring) for urging the movable body 301G so as to maintain the movable body in a blocking state, and a stopper for preventing further rotation of the movable body 301G. However, illustration of these various configurations is omitted.

  When the game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 reaches the ball return prevention mechanism 106G, the game ball is moved to the movable body 301G (specifically, the extension portion 303G extending to the rotation tip side with respect to the center axis CL). It hits the inner surface (ball receiving surface portion 304G). When the ball receiving surface portion 304G is pushed toward the glass panel 23 by the game ball, the movable body 301G rotates against the urging force of the urging member. As a result, the gap between the rotating tip and the front surface of the game area forming body 80aG is expanded so as to be larger than the diameter of the game ball. This state is the allowable state of the main ball return prevention mechanism 106G.

  By switching the ball return prevention mechanism 106G from the blocking state to the allowance state, the inflow of game balls from the guide passage 103 to the game area PE is permitted, and after the game balls pass through the ball return prevention mechanism 106G, The movable body 301G returns from the allowable state to the blocking state by the urging force.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 14, a supplementary description will be given of the relationship between the extending portion 303G and the glass panel 23 when the ball return prevention mechanism 106G (the movable body 301G) is in the blocking state. FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 13B showing the movable body 301G and its periphery.

  When the ball return prevention mechanism 106G is in the blocking state, the operation area ME of the extension 303G is secured between the outer surface (front) of the extension 303G and the glass panel 23. As described above, when the ball return prevention mechanism 106G switches from the blocking state to the allowable state, the extension 303G of the movable body 301G pushed by the game ball separates from the front surface of the game area forming body 80aG and moves in the operation area. It will be evacuated to ME.

  Here, the distance dimension X3 between the extension portion 303G and the rear surface of the glass panel 23 is set to be smaller than the radius dimension R of the game ball. Although the game ball is basically set to move along the front surface of the game area forming body 80aG, even if the game ball moves along the glass panel 23, it flows into the above-described operation area ME. Will be avoided. This makes it possible to prevent the game ball from entering the operation area ME and hindering the rotation of the movable body 301G.

  Even if the game ball hits both the extending portion 303G and the glass panel 23, the contact position of the extending portion 303G with the game ball is located forward of the center position of the game ball. For this reason, when the movable body 301G rotates with the switching from the blocking state to the allowable state, it is possible to preferably prevent the game ball from being supported.

  According to the fourth embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

  A game ball that has been fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 and has reached the game area PE via the guide path 103 is prevented from returning to the guide path 103 by the ball return prevention mechanism 106G. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this way, it is possible to promote smooth progress of the game. However, in the configuration in which the ball return prevention mechanism 106G is disposed in the game area PE, the game ball that has reached the game area PE bounces off a game component such as the game nail 93, for example, from the side opposite to the guide path 103. The possibility of collision with the ball return prevention mechanism 106G (the movable body 301G) cannot be denied. In particular, if the flow-down area of the game ball in the vicinity of the ball return prevention mechanism 106G becomes smaller, it is assumed that the possibility of such a collision increases.

  If the operation of the ball return prevention mechanism 106G is hindered by the collision of the preceding game ball, the subsequent game ball that originally should have reached the game area PE cannot reach the game area PE, and the subsequent game ball is This causes the guide passage 103 to return backward (a foul ball or the like is generated). Such occurrence of a foul ball is not preferable because it hinders the launch of the game ball and hinders the smooth progress of the game.

  Since the game ball that has reached the game area PE moves along the front of the game area forming body 80aG, if the movable body 301G also moves along the front of the game area forming body 80aG, the game ball Hitting the movable body 301G tends to be a factor affecting the operation of the movable body 301G. Therefore, in the ball return prevention mechanism 106G described in the present embodiment, the movable body 301G is switched back and forth (in the thickness direction of the game area forming body 80aG) to switch between the allowable state and the blocking state. According to such an operation mode, even if the game ball hits the movable body 301G from the game area PE side, it is possible to preferably suppress the influence of the effect of preventing the switching to the allowable state. Therefore, the occurrence of the above-described event can be suppressed, and the blocking function of the ball return prevention mechanism 106G can be suitably exerted.

  The gap formed between the game area forming body 80aG and the glass panel 23 is limited. For this reason, in the above-described operation mode, it is more difficult to secure an occupied area such as an operation gap of the movable body 301G as compared with a configuration in which the movable body is displaced along the front surface of the game area forming body 80a. Further, regarding the movable body, since the game ball collides each time the game ball is fired, it is necessary to devise a device relating to durability such as reducing the impact generated by the collision. Here, if the movable body 301G is of a rotating type, when a game ball collides with the movable body 301G, the movable body 301G rotates and escapes by rotating, so that the drag (resistance) generated at the time of the collision is minimized. be able to. In particular, when the movable body 301G is a rotary type, it is possible to preferably contribute to the reduction of the drag by increasing the distance from the center axis CL to the collision position of the game ball. Therefore, by making the operation mode of the movable body 301G a rotation type, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the occupied area related to the movable body 301G while properly releasing the impact when the game ball hits.

  As shown in the present embodiment, a game hitting the movable body 301G is provided by disposing the movable body 301G on the opposite side (the glass panel 23 side) of the game area forming body 80aG with the induction passage 103 therebetween. The trajectory of the sphere can be prevented from changing in the direction toward the glass panel 23. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately protect the glass panel 23 while suppressing the game ball that has bounced off the movable body 301G from hitting the glass panel 23.

<Fifth embodiment>
In the ball return prevention mechanism 106 shown in each of the above embodiments, switching from the blocking state to the allowable state is performed by the pressing force accompanying the collision of the game ball, and the state is changed from the allowable state to the blocking state by the own weight or the urging force of the urging member. However, in the present embodiment, the configuration relating to the switching between the blocking state and the permissible state is different from each of the ball return prevention mechanisms 106. Hereinafter, the configuration of the ball return prevention mechanism 106 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration and the like according to the fifth embodiment.

  The ball return prevention mechanism 106H includes a driving unit 321H that switches the movable body 301 between a blocking state and an allowable state. The drive unit 321H is configured by a solenoid, and its output shaft is connected to the movable body 301. When the output shaft of the solenoid is displaced, the posture of the movable body 301 changes accordingly.

  The drive unit 321H is electrically connected to the main controller 162, and switches between excitation and non-excitation based on a signal from the main controller 162. When the drive unit 321H is in the excited state, the output shaft is displaced, and the movable body 301 is switched from the blocking state to the allowable state. When the drive unit is in the non-excited state, the output shaft is driven by the urging force of the coil spring built in the solenoid. Is returned to the standby position, the movable body 301 switches from the allowable state to the blocked state. As described above, the state of the ball return prevention mechanism 106H according to the present embodiment depends on the operation of the drive unit 321H and, consequently, the drive control by the main control device 162, and does not depend on the fired game balls.

  Note that the power for operating the movable body 301 by the driving unit 321H, the holding force for holding in the allowable state, and the holding force for holding in the blocking state are individually set. Specifically, the power at the time of operating the movable body 301 (specifically, the power at the time of switching from the blocking state to the permissible state) is a reaction force that hinders the movement due to a collision of a game ball from the game area PE. Even if it works, it is set large enough to exceed this drag. Also, when the movable body 301 is in the allowable state, the holding force for holding the movable body 301 in the allowable state is also pushed to the side where the movable body 301 enters the blocking state due to a collision of a game ball from the game area PE. Even if it is performed, it is set large enough to exceed the pressing force. On the other hand, the holding force for holding the movable body 301 in the blocking state (the urging force of the coil spring) is such that when the game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 hits, the game ball is allowed to pass. It is suppressed.

(Electrical configuration of pachinko machine 10H)
Here, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10H will be described based on the block diagram of FIG.

  An MPU 402 is mounted on a main control board 401 provided in the main control device 162. The MPU 402 is a ROM 403 that stores various control programs executed by the MPU 402 and fixed value data, and a memory that temporarily stores various data and the like when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 403. This is an element in which a RAM 404, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, various counter circuits as a random number generator, and the like are built. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which some of the functions of the MPU 402, such as the function of the ROM 403 and the function of the RAM 404, are provided as separate elements.

  The MPU 402 has an input port and an output port. The input side of the MPU 402 is connected to a power failure monitoring board 405 provided in the main controller 162, a payout controller 242, various detection sensors 441a to 441e, and the like. A power supply / emission control device 243 is connected to the power failure monitoring board 405, and power is supplied to the MPU 402 via the power failure monitoring board 405. In addition, as the various detection sensors 441a to 441e, detection sensors provided in various prize-compatible entry parts (pay-out entry part) such as a general prize port 81, a variable prize apparatus 82, operating ports 83a and 83b, and a through gate 84. Are connected, and the MPU 402 of the main controller 162 makes a winning determination (ball entry determination) for each ball entry unit based on the detection information (detection signal) from these detection sensors. In addition, the MPU 402 executes a jackpot occurrence lottery based on winning in the operating ports 83a and 83b, and executes a support occurrence lottery based on winning in the through gate 84.

  On the output side of the MPU 402, a power failure monitoring board 405, a payout control device 242, and a notification / effect control device 140 are connected. For example, a prize ball command is output to the payout control device 242 based on a result of a prize determination on a prize-winning ball portion such as the above-described operating ports 83a and 83b. In this case, when the award ball command is output, the command information storage area of the ROM 403 is referred to. Then, when the winning in the general winning opening 81 is specified, a prize ball command corresponding to the payout of 10 game balls is output, and when the winning in the variable winning device 82 is specified, 15 game balls are specified. When the winning ball command corresponding to the payout is output and the winning in the upper operating port 83a is specified, the winning ball command corresponding to the payout of three game balls is output and the winning in the lower operating port 83b is specified. In this case, a prize ball command corresponding to the payout of four game balls is output.

  Various commands such as a variation command, a type command, a variation end command, an opening command, an ending command, a hold command, and a shift command are output from the main control device 162 to the notification / effect control device 140. In this case, when outputting these various commands, the command information storage area of the ROM 403 is referred to. Details of these various commands will be described later. Each of the commands is configured as information of a predetermined number of bytes, and includes various types of information as the information of the predetermined number of bytes.

  Also, on the output side of the MPU 402, a variable winning drive unit for opening and closing the opening and closing door of the variable winning device 82, an electric accessory drive unit for opening and closing the movable piece of the electric accessory 91, and a main display of the main display unit 88. Unit is connected. The main control board 401 is provided with various driver circuits, and the MPU 402 executes drive control of various drive units through the driver circuits.

  That is, in the open / close execution mode, the MPU 402 controls the driving of the variable winning drive unit so that the variable winning device 82 (large winning opening) is opened and closed. When the support lottery of the electric accessory 91 is won, the MPU 402 controls the driving of the electric accessory driving unit so that the electric accessory 91 is opened and closed. The MPU 402 controls the display of the main display unit.

  Further, an external output terminal plate 213 is connected to the output side of the MPU 402, and through this external output terminal plate 213, information on the entry of the ball into various ball entry units is transmitted to the management control device (hall computer HC) on the game hall side. Information about the lottery results, such as wins and jackpots, is output. Thus, the state and the like of the pachinko machine 10H can be grasped by the hall computer HC.

  The power failure monitoring board 405 relays between the main control board 401 and the power supply / launch control device 243, and the power failure monitoring board 405 has a DC stable 24 V voltage which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply / launch control device 243. Monitoring function. The payout control device 242 controls the payout of the prize ball and the loaned ball by the payout device 224 based on the prize ball command input from the main control device 162.

  The power supply / emission control device 243 is connected to, for example, a commercial power supply (external power supply) in a game arcade or the like. Then, based on the external power supplied from the commercial power supply, the operating power required for each of the main control board 401 and the payout control device 242 is generated, and the generated operating power is supplied through a predetermined power path. I do. The power supply / launch control device 243 is responsible for controlling the launch of the game ball launching mechanism 110, and the game ball launching mechanism 110 is driven when predetermined launch conditions are met.

  Based on various commands input from the main control device 162, the notification / effect control device 140 includes a holding lamp portion 98 provided on the variable display unit 86, lamp portions 26 to 28 provided on the front door frame 14, and a speaker portion. This controls the display control device 450 while controlling the driving of the display device 29 and the like.

  The display control device 450 executes display control of the symbol display device 87 based on a command input from the notification / effect control device 140. In this case, the notification / effect control device 140 changes the symbol display mode (for example, whether or not reach has occurred and the content of the reach effect, etc.) on the symbol display device 87 based on various commands input from the main control device 162. (The type of the combination of symbols to be finally stopped and displayed with the end of the variable display), and the outline of the fixed display mode based on the combination of the stopped and displayed symbols is specified.

(About various counters)
Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10H configured as described above will be described.

  The MPU 402 uses a variety of counter information during the game to perform a jackpot occurrence lottery, display setting of the main display unit, outline setting of the symbol display of the symbol display device 87, display setting of the main display unit (operating port display unit), and the like. Specifically, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 16, the jackpot random number counter C1 used for the lottery of jackpot occurrence and the jackpot type such as a normal jackpot result or a probable change jackpot result are used. A jackpot type counter C2, a reach random number counter C3 used for a reach lottery when the symbol display device 87 comes off and fluctuates, a random number initial value counter CINI used for setting an initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1, and a main display unit. The result display unit for the working port and the variation type counter CS for determining the variation display time in the symbol display device 87 are used. . Further, an electric accessory opening counter C4, which is used for a lottery to determine whether or not the electric accessory 91 of the lower working port 83b is to be in the electric opening state, is used.

  Each of the counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 is a loop counter in which 1 is added to the previous value each time it is updated, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. Each counter is updated at short time intervals, and the updated value is appropriately stored in a lottery counter buffer 431 set in a predetermined area of the RAM 404. In the lottery counter buffer 431, information corresponding to the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 is stored in a holding ball as an acquired information storage unit when a winning is generated in the operating ports 83a and 83b. Stored in area 432.

  The reserved ball storage area 432 includes a reserved area RE for an operation port and an execution area AE. The holding area RE includes a holding area Ra (first area Ra1 to fourth area Ra4) for the upper working port 83a and a holding area Rb (first area Rb1 to fourth area Rb4) for the lower working port 83b. In accordance with the winning history of the operating ports 83a and 83b, the numerical information of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 stored in the lottery counter buffer 431 is set as one of the hold information. These are stored in areas Ra1 to Ra4 and Rb1 to Rb4. Since the eight Ra1 to Ra4 and Rb1 to Rb4 are provided in this manner, four entry histories of game balls into the upper operation port 83a and the lower operation port 83b are provided, that is, the operation history to the operation ports 83a and 83b. Up to eight winning histories are stored on hold. In addition, the reserved ball storage area 432 is provided with a total reserved number storage area, and the total reserved number storage area is obtained and stored based on a ball entering the upper working port 83a or the lower working port 83b. Information for specifying the number of stored information is stored.

  The execution area AE is an area for moving each value stored in the first areas Ra1 and Rb1 of the holding area RE when starting the variable display of the main display unit. The execution area AE is executed at the start of one game round. Based on various types of numerical information stored in the area AE, a determination as to whether or not a hit is made is made.

  More specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1 has a configuration in which, for example, the jackpot random number counter C1 is sequentially incremented by 1 in the range of 0 to 299, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 299). In particular, when the jackpot random number counter C1 makes one round, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the jackpot random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 299). The jackpot random number counter C1 is periodically updated, and when the game ball wins the operation ports 83a and 83b, specifically, at the timing when the game balls flowing into the operation ports 83a and 83b are detected by the detection sensors 441d and 441e. It is stored in the reserved ball storage area 432 of the RAM 404.

  The value of the random number for winning the jackpot is stored as a success / failure table (a success / failure information group) in a success / failure table storage area in the ROM 403 as a success / failure information group storage unit. Here, the contents of the hit / fail table will be described.

  In the success / failure table, address information composed of binary information and jackpot numerical information similarly composed of binary information are set in one-to-one correspondence. More specifically, ten types of address information are represented by decimal numbers “1” to “10”, and the jackpot numerical information is represented by decimal numbers “7”, “36”, “67”. , "100", "131", "164", "195", "223", "241", and "272" are set, and these address information and jackpot numerical information are one-to-one. Are associated. The numerical value of each of the jackpot numerical information is included in the numerical range of the random number information that can be updated in the jackpot random number counter C1 from “0” to “299”.

  Here, in this pachinko machine 10, a low probability mode (low probability state) and a high probability mode (high probability state) are set as lottery modes in the winning / failing lottery means. The number of the jackpot numerical information referred in the low probability mode is different from the number of the jackpot numerical information referred in the high probability mode, and the former has a smaller number than the latter. Specifically, in the low probability mode, only the jackpot numerical information whose address information is "1" is referred to at the time of the lottery selection, and in the high probability mode, at the time of the lottery, the jackpot numerical information corresponding to all the address information is displayed. Referenced. That is, in the low-probability mode, there is one piece of numerical information to be a big hit, and in the high-probability mode, there are ten pieces of information, which are more than in the low-probability mode. As a result, the probability of winning a jackpot in the low-probability mode is 1/300, whereas the probability of winning a jackpot in the high-probability mode is 1/30. The probability of winning is increased. If the winning probability is higher in the high-probability mode than in the low-probability mode, the number and value of the random numbers to be won are arbitrary.

  The jackpot type counter C2 is configured to be incremented by one in the order of 0 to 29, and to return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 29). The jackpot type counter C2 is updated periodically, and when the game ball wins the operation ports 83a and 83b, specifically, at the timing when the game balls flowing into the operation ports 83a and 83b are detected by the detection sensors 441d and 441e. It is stored in the reserved ball storage area 432 of the RAM 404.

  The distribution destination of the game result to the jackpot type counter C2 is stored as a distribution table (distribution information group) in a distribution table storage area in the ROM 403 as distribution information group storage means. As the distribution destination, a normal jackpot result and a probable variable jackpot result are set.

  When the normal jackpot result or the probable change jackpot result is won, the mode shifts to the open / close execution mode. After the open / close execution mode related to the normal jackpot result ends, the winning / rejecting lottery mode becomes the low probability mode, and after the support mode shifts, the number of games becomes high until the number of games reaches the end reference number (specifically, 100). It becomes the frequency support mode. After the end reference number of times (specified number of times) has elapsed, the game mode shifts to the normal game state corresponding to the low probability mode and the low frequency support mode. After the open / close execution mode relating to the probability change jackpot result ends, the winning / rejecting lottery mode becomes the high probability mode, and the support mode becomes the high frequency support mode until the next jackpot result.

  The reach random number counter C3 is configured to be incremented by one in order within a range of, for example, 0 to 238, and to return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 238). The reach random number counter C3 is periodically updated, and when the game ball wins the operation ports 83a and 83b, specifically, at the timing when the game balls flowing into the operation ports 83a and 83b are detected by the detection sensors 441d and 441e. It is stored in the reserved ball storage area 432 of the RAM 404. Then, it is determined whether or not to generate reach based on the reach table stored in the reach table storage area of the ROM 403. However, in the game cycle in which the mode shifts to the open / close execution mode, the MPU 402 determines the occurrence of reach regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3. The number of the reach random number counter C3 corresponding to the occurrence of the reach display is the same in each game state, but may be individually set according to the game state. For example, a configuration in which the number of reach random number counters C3 corresponding to the occurrence of the reach display is set to be greater when the support mode is the high-frequency support mode than when the support mode is the low-frequency support mode.

  Here, the reach display (reach state) includes a symbol display device 87 capable of performing a variable display (or variable display) of a symbol (picture), and the open / close execution mode of the variable prize device 82 is set to a high frequency prize mode. In a gaming machine in which the stop display result after the fluctuation display is a special display result, the stop display result is derived display after the fluctuation display (or variable display) of the symbol (picture) on the symbol display device 87 is started. This is a display state for causing the player to think that the special display result is likely to be a variable display state before the special display result.

  In other words, by stopping and displaying the symbols for some of the symbol columns among the plurality of symbol columns displayed on the display screen 87a of the symbol display device 87, the combination of the big hit symbols corresponding to the occurrence of the high-frequency winning mode is improved. This is a display state in which combinations of reach symbols that are likely to be established are displayed, and in that state, symbols are displayed in a variable manner in the remaining symbol rows.

  More specifically, as a pre-stage for terminating the variable display of symbols, a combination of a big hit symbol corresponding to the occurrence of the high-frequency winning mode is displayed on a preset effective line in the display screen 87a of the symbol display device 87. A reach line is formed by stopping and displaying a combination of reach symbols that may be established, and a variation display of symbols is performed by a final stop symbol row in a state where the reach line is formed.

  The fluctuation type counter CS is configured to be incremented by one in order within a range of, for example, 0 to 198, and to return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 198). The variation type counter CS is used by the MPU 402 to determine the variation display time on the main display unit and the symbol variation display time on the symbol display device 87. The fluctuation type counter CS is updated once each time a normal process described later is executed once, and is repeatedly updated even within the remaining time in the normal process. The buffer value of the variation type counter CS is acquired when the symbol display device 87 determines the variation pattern at the time of starting the variation of the symbol.

  When determining the variable display time in the symbol display device 87 or the main display unit (more specifically, the result display unit for the operating port), the buffer value of the reach random number counter C3 and the variable type counter CS, and the display time table storage area of the ROM 403 are used. Referenced. In the MPU 402, the stop result in the result display unit for the working port is determined using the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 and the value of the jackpot type counter C2 stored in the execution area AE. Uses a stop result determination table stored in the ROM 403.

  The electric accessory opening counter C4 is configured to be incremented by one, for example, in the range of 0 to 249, and to return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 249). The electric accessory opening counter C4 is updated periodically, and is stored in the electric utility holding area 433 of the RAM 404 at the timing when the game ball wins the through gate 84. Then, at a predetermined timing, a lottery is performed to determine whether or not to control the electric accessory 91 to the open state based on the stored value of the electric accessory release counter C4. For example, if C4 = 0 to 199, the electric accessory 91 is controlled to be in an open state, and if C4 = 200 to 249, the electric accessory 91 is not controlled to be in an open state.

(Regarding various processes executed by main controller 162)
Next, a timer interrupt process and a normal process executed by the MPU 402 in the main control device 162 to advance a game in each game round will be described. Note that, in addition to the timer interrupt processing and the normal processing, the MPU 402 executes a main processing started upon power-on and an NMI interrupt processing started by input of a power failure signal to an NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). The description of these various processes will be omitted.

(Timer interrupt processing)
First, the timer interrupt processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. This process is started by the MPU 402 periodically (for example, at a cycle of 2 msec).

  In step S101, reading processing of various winning detection sensors is executed. That is, the state of the various prize detection sensors connected to the main controller 162 is read, the state of the prize detection sensor is determined, and the detection information (prize detection information) is stored.

  Then, in step S102, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by one, and is cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value. Then, the updated value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in a corresponding buffer area of the RAM 404.

  In the following step S103, the big hit random number counter C1, the big hit type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3 and the electric accessory opening counter C4 are updated. More specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric accessory opening counter C4 are each incremented by one, and are cleared to 0 when their counter values reach the maximum value. Then, the updated values of the counters C1 to C4 are stored in the corresponding buffer areas of the RAM 404.

  In a succeeding step S104, a prize-for-through process associated with a prize to the through gate 84 is executed. In the prize winning process for the through, it is determined whether or not a prize detection flag for the through gate is stored in the various flag storage area 435 of the RAM 404. If the flag is stored, the flag is stored in the power saving area. Under the condition that the number of stored bonus items is less than 4, the value of the electric accessory release counter C4 updated in the step S103 is stored in the electrical winning holding area. In addition, the control unit 140 performs a process for turning on the hold lamp unit 98 of the variable display unit 86 corresponding to the number of hold storages for the notification / effect control device 140. Then, when the winning detection flag for the through gate is stored in the various flag storage area 435, the winning detection flag is deleted and the winning processing for the through gate ends.

  After executing the prize processing for the through gate in step S104, the process proceeds to step S105, in which the prize processing for the operating port accompanying the prize to the operating ports 83a and 83b is executed, and the timer interrupt processing ends. I do.

  Here, the winning process for the operating port will be described. In the winning processing for the operating port, it is determined whether or not the game ball has entered (wins) the upper operating port 83a. When it is determined that a game ball has entered the upper operating port 83a, a prize ball command for paying out three game balls is set in the payout control device 242.

  Subsequently, an external signal setting process is performed to output information indicating that a game ball has entered the upper operating port 83a to the hall computer HC on the game hall side. Thus, the fact that a ball has entered the upper working port 83a is grasped by the hall computer HC. Thereafter, an information acquisition process for storing each value of the jackpot random number counter C1 and the jackpot type counter C2 is performed, and the winning process is completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the upper operating port 83a has not won, it is determined whether or not the gaming ball has entered (wins) the lower operating port 83b. If it is determined that a game ball has entered the lower operating port 83b, a prize ball command for paying out four game balls to the payout control device 242 is set. The prize ball command is transmitted to the payout control device 242 in an external output process S401 of a normal process described later.

  Subsequently, an external signal setting process is performed to output information indicating that a game ball has entered the lower operating port 83b to the hall computer HC on the game hall side. As a result, the fact that the ball has entered the lower working port 83b is recognized by the hall computer HC. After that, information acquisition processing is performed, and the main prize processing ends.

  In the information acquisition process, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the variation type counter CS updated in the above process are stored in the free storage area area of the working port holding area RE. Is stored in the storage area.

  When there is no ball in either the upper operating port 83a or the lower operating port 83b, the main winning processing is terminated.

(Normal processing)
Next, the flow of the normal processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The normal process is a process that is started after a main process started upon power-on is executed. In the normal process, main processes of a game are executed. As an outline, the processing in steps S201 to S207 is executed as a periodic processing with a period of 4 msec, and the counter updating processing in steps S210 and S211 is executed in the remaining time.

  In the normal processing, first, an external signal output processing is executed in step S201. In the external signal output process of step S201, the output data such as the command set in the timer interrupt process or the previous normal process is transmitted to each control device on the sub side. More specifically, the presence / absence of a prize ball command is determined, and if a prize ball command is set, the command is transmitted to the payout control device 242. In addition, when various commands such as a command for change, a type command, a command for change, a command for suspension, and a command at the time of shift, which will be described later, are set, the command is transmitted to the notification and effect control device 140. I do.

  Next, in step S202, the variation type counter CS is updated. Specifically, the variation type counter CS is incremented by one, and the counter value is cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value. Then, the updated value of the variation type counter CS is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 404.

  In the following step S203, a game time control process for controlling a game in each game time is executed. In this game-time control process, a jackpot determination, setting of a symbol change display by the symbol display device 87, display control of the main display unit, and the like are performed.

  After executing the game times control process in step S203, the process proceeds to step S204, in which a game state transition process is executed. By this game state transition processing, the game state is changed to the open / close execution mode (big hit game state: special game state), high probability mode and high frequency support mode (high accuracy game state), low probability mode and high frequency support mode (time reduction game state). ), And shifts to a low probability mode and a low frequency support mode (low-probability game state). Note that, with respect to the special game state corresponding to the open / close execution mode, the high-probability game state, the time-saving game state, and the low-probability game state are collectively referred to as the normal game state.

  In a succeeding step S205, a process for supporting the electric combination for driving and controlling the electric accessory 91 attached to the lower working port 83b is executed. In this electric role support processing, the electronic part release is performed by using the numerical information acquired from the electric part release counter C4 stored in the electric part holding area 433 of the RAM 404 to determine whether or not the electric part 91 is to be opened. In addition to performing the lottery, when the winning combination is in the open state, the opening and closing process of the electrical accessory 91 is executed. In addition, display control and the like of the display unit for the accessory are performed so as to teach the lottery result of the open lottery.

  As described above, the low-frequency support mode and the high-frequency support mode are set as modes of support by the electric accessory 91, and a transition to any one of the support modes is performed in the game state transition process. If the high frequency support flag is set in the various flag storage areas 435 of the RAM 404 after this process, the high frequency support mode is set. If the flag is not set, the low frequency support mode is set.

  In the power support process, it is determined whether the high frequency support mode is set by determining whether the high frequency support flag is set in the various flag storage area 435 of the RAM 404. Then, in the case of the high frequency support mode, the number of times the electric accessory 91 is in the open state when the electrification is in the open state is set more than in the case of the low frequency support mode, and one time Set a longer open time. Further, in the case of the high frequency support mode, when the electric utility release state is won and the open state of the electric accessory 91 occurs plural times, the next open state is started after one open state ends. Is set so that the closing time until is shorter than one opening time.

  Incidentally, when the mode is shifted to the open / close execution mode, the support mode is forcibly set to the low frequency support mode even if the high frequency support flag is set in the various flag storage area 435 of the RAM 404.

  Thereafter, in step S206, a ball return prevention mechanism drive control process is executed, and in subsequent step S207, a game ball firing control process is executed.

  After executing the processing of steps S201 to S207, it is determined in step S208 whether a power failure flag is stored in the various flag storage area 435 of the RAM 404. If it is determined in step S208 that the power failure flag is stored, it means that the power supply has been interrupted, and the power failure processing from step S212 is executed. Specifically, in step S212, the occurrence of the timer interrupt process is prohibited, then the RAM determination value is calculated and stored in step S213, and after the access to the RAM 404 is prohibited in step S214, the power is completely shut off. Until the processing cannot be executed.

  If a negative determination is made in step S208, the process proceeds to step S208. In step S209, it is determined whether or not the execution timing of the next normal process has been reached, that is, whether a predetermined time (4 msec in the present embodiment) has elapsed from the start of the previous normal process. Then, the update of the random number initial value counter CINI and the variation type counter CS are repeatedly executed within the remaining time until the next normal processing execution timing.

  That is, in step S210, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value. Then, the updated value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in a corresponding area of the RAM 404. In step S211, the variation type counter CS is updated. Specifically, the fluctuation type counter CS is incremented by one, and is cleared to zero when the counter value reaches the maximum value. Then, the updated value of the variation type counter CS is stored in a corresponding area of the RAM 404.

  Here, since the execution time of each processing of steps S201 to S207 changes according to the state of the game, the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal processing is not constant but fluctuates. Therefore, by repeatedly executing the update of the random number initial value counter CINI using the remaining time, the random number initial value counter CINI (that is, the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1) can be updated at random, and similarly, The fluctuation type counter CS can also be updated at random.

  In the pachinko machine 10H described in the present embodiment, the ball return prevention mechanism 106H switches from the blocking state to the allowable state in a predetermined well-known manner (specifically, the same cycle as the firing cycle of the game ball described later: 0.6 sec). That is, when a shooting operation of the game ball is performed, a function of adjusting the firing timing of the game ball is provided so that the game ball is fired in accordance with the movement of the ball return prevention mechanism 106H. This is one of the features. Therefore, a configuration for realizing the function will be described below.

  Referring to the block diagram of FIG. 15 again, the power supply / emission control device 243 includes a power supply / emission control board 501. The power supply / emission control board 501 is provided with an input / output port functioning as a connection unit with another game machine. A game ball launch handle 41 is connected to the input side of the input / output port. Specifically, a touch sensor 42 for detecting that the game ball launching handle 41 is being touched by a player, a variable resistor 43 for detecting a turning operation amount of the game ball launching handle 41, A stop switch 44 that is operated to stop firing of the game ball even when the game ball firing handle 41 is being operated by the player is connected. The output side of the input / output port is connected to the solenoid 111 and the ball feeding device 113 of the game ball firing mechanism 110, and the solenoid 111 and the ball feeding device 113 are driven and controlled by the power supply / fire control device 243. ing.

  The main controller 162 is connected to the input / output port. The detection signals from the touch sensor 42 and the stop switch 44 are input to the main control device 162 via the power / emission control device 243. Although details will be described later, the main controller 162 determines whether or not to fire based on these signals, and inputs a signal to that effect to the power supply / emission controller 243. The power / fire control device 243 controls the driving of the game ball firing mechanism 110 based on information from the main control device 162 and the game ball firing handle 41.

  Next, the ball return prevention mechanism drive control process (step S206 in FIG. 18) executed by the MPU 402 of the main control device 162 as a part of the normal process will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

(Ball return prevention mechanism drive control processing)
In the ball return prevention mechanism drive control processing, first, in step S301, it is determined whether a drive signal is output to the drive unit 321H of the ball return prevention mechanism 106H. That is, it is determined whether or not the drive unit 321H is in the excited state. If a negative determination is made in step S301, that is, if it is determined that the drive unit 321H is not in the excited state, the process proceeds to step S302. In step S302, it is determined whether the value of the first timer counter TC1 provided in the various counter areas 434 of the RAM 404 is "0". The first timer counter TC1 is a counter for determining the timing of starting the output of the drive signal and the timing of ending the output of the drive signal.

  If it is determined that the value of the first timer counter TC1 is not “0”, the present drive control processing is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the first timer counter TC1 is “0”, the process proceeds to step S303. In step S303, a drive signal output start process is executed. As a result, the drive unit 321H switches from the non-excitation state to the excitation state, and the ball return prevention mechanism 106H switches from the blocking state to the allowable state.

  After the start process of step S303 is executed, “100” (corresponding to 0.2 sec) is set in the first timer counter TC1 in step S304, and the main drive control process is ended. The value of the first timer counter TC1 is decremented by "1" each time the timer interrupt processing is executed. When the above-described power interruption processing is executed, the value of the first timer counter TC1 is cleared to “0”.

  Returning to the description of step S301, if a positive determination is made in step S301, that is, if it is determined that the drive signal is being output, the process proceeds to step S305. In step S305, it is determined whether the first timer counter TC1 is "0". When a negative determination is made in step S305, that is, when it is determined that it is not the timing to stop the output of the drive signal yet, the present drive control process ends.

  When an affirmative determination is made in step S305, the process proceeds to step S306. In step S306, output stop processing of the drive signal is executed. As a result, the drive unit 321H switches from the excited state to the non-excited state, and the ball return prevention mechanism 106H switches from the allowed state to the blocked state.

  After executing the stop processing of step S306, "200" (corresponding to 0.4 sec) is set in the first timer counter TC1 in step S306, and the main drive control processing ends. The value of the first timer counter TC1 is decremented by "1" each time the timer interrupt processing is executed. When the above-described power interruption process is executed, the value of the first timer counter TC1 is cleared to “0”.

  By the drive control processing described in detail above, switching of the blocking state / permissible state is periodically repeated with a total of 0.6 sec from the blocking state 0.4 sec to the permissible state 0.2 sec as one cycle. Here, it is arbitrary at what timing the firing operation of the game ball is performed. In a configuration in which the launch cycle of the game ball coincides with the switching cycle of the ball return prevention mechanism 106H, depending on the launch timing of the game ball, the fired game ball may be in a state where the ball return prevention mechanism 106H is in the blocking state. , The possibility of reaching the ball return prevention mechanism 106H arises. In this case, the arrival of the launched game ball in the game area PE is hindered by the ball return prevention mechanism 106H.

  In consideration of such circumstances, in the present embodiment, the occurrence of the above-described inconvenience is suppressed by adjusting (setting) the firing timing of the game ball in accordance with the state of the ball return prevention mechanism 106H. Is one of the features. Hereinafter, with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, the processing related to the launch of the game ball will be described. First, the game ball launching control process (step S207 in FIG. 18) executed by the MPU 402 of the main controller 162 will be described with reference to FIG. The game ball launch control process is a process that is started each time the normal process is executed.

(Game ball launch control process)
In the game ball launch control process, it is determined in step S401 whether the condition satisfaction signal is at the HI level. Specifically, the determination in step S401 is performed based on the condition satisfaction signal input from the power supply / emission control device 243.

  When the player is touching the game ball launching handle 41, a HI level signal is input from the touch sensor 42 to the power supply / launch control device 243, and when the firing stop operation is not performed, the power supply The configuration is such that a LOW level signal is input to the emission control device 243. On the condition that the HI level signal is input from the touch sensor 42 and the LOW level signal is input from the stop switch 44 in the power / emission control device 243, the HI level signal is output to the main control device 162 as a condition satisfaction signal. It is configured to be output. When the HI level signal is input from the touch sensor 42 and the LOW level signal is not input from the stop switch 44 in the power / emission control device 243, a LOW level signal is output to the main control device 162 as a condition satisfaction signal. It is configured to be. The MPU 402 of the main control device 162 makes the determination in step S401 based on the condition satisfaction signal.

  When an affirmative determination is made in step S401, the process proceeds to step S402. In step S402, it is determined whether or not the launch permission state has already been reached. If an affirmative determination is made in step S402, the game ball launch control process ends. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S402, the launch permission state is set in subsequent step S403. Specifically, the firing permission flag is stored in the various flag storage area 435 of the RAM 404.

  Thereafter, in step S404, the output state of the firing permission signal is set to the HI level based on the fact that the firing permission flag is stored, and the game ball firing control process ends. Main control device 162 shown in this embodiment is connected to power / emission control device 243, and has a configuration in which a firing permission signal is input to power / emission control device 243. The power supply / fire control device 243 fires the game ball based on the fact that the fire permission signal is at the HI level.

  Returning to the description of step S401, if a negative determination is made in step S401, that is, if the condition satisfaction signal is at the LOW level, the process proceeds to step S405. In step S405, the firing permission state is released. Specifically, if the firing permission flag is stored in the various flag storage area 435 of the RAM 404, this is deleted, and if the firing permission flag is not stored, the state is maintained as it is. After executing the processing of step S405, the process proceeds to step S406.

  In step S406, the output state of the firing permission signal is set to the LOW level based on the fact that the firing permission flag is not stored, and the game ball firing control process ends. The power supply / launch control device 243 avoids launching the game ball based on the fact that the launch permission signal is at the LOW level.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 21, execution is periodically (specifically, the same cycle as the normal processing in the MPU 402 of the main control device 162: 0.4 msec cycle) in the firing control unit 502 of the power supply and firing control device 243. Will be described.

(Launch control processing)
In the firing control processing, first, it is determined in step S501 whether or not the firing is permitted. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the firing permission signal from main controller 162 is at the HI level. If an affirmative determination is made in step S501, the process proceeds to step S502. In step S502, it is determined whether or not it is time to fire a game ball. Specifically, it is determined whether a firing flag is stored in firing control unit 502 or not.

  When an affirmative determination is made in step S502, the process proceeds to step S503. In step S503, the drive signal is output to the solenoid 111 of the game ball firing mechanism 110, whereby the solenoid 111 is excited and the game ball is fired. At this time, the details of the firing intensity of the game ball are also determined by the setting process described later.

  After executing the process of step S503, or when a negative determination is made in step S501, the process proceeds to step S504. After resetting the firing timing in step S504, the present firing control process ends. Specifically, the stored firing flag is deleted.

  Returning to the description of step S502, if a negative determination is made in step S502, that is, if it is determined that it is not the firing timing, the process proceeds to step S505. In step S505, it is determined whether the setting of the firing timing has already been performed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the value of the firing timing counter stored in the firing control unit 502 is other than “0”.

  If a negative determination is made in step S505, the process proceeds to step S506. In step S506, a process of grasping the firing strength of the game ball is performed based on the information from the variable resistor 43 of the game ball firing handle 41. Then, after performing the firing timing setting process in step S507, the present firing control process ends.

  Here, the setting process of the firing timing will be described. In the setting process of the firing timing, it is determined at which timing the game ball should be fired based on the operation state of the ball return prevention mechanism 106H and the firing intensity of the game ball. That is, when a game ball is fired with the specified firing intensity, the period required for the game ball to reach the game ball launching mechanism 110 → ball return prevention mechanism 106H is uniquely determined. The shot game ball passes through the ball return prevention mechanism 106H while the ball return prevention mechanism 106H is in the allowable state, with reference to the period until the return prevention mechanism 106H switches to the next allowable state. Thus, the firing timing (specifically, the value of the firing timing counter stored in the firing control unit 502) is set. For example, when a game ball is to be fired after 0.2 sec, “50” is set to the firing timing counter.

  The value of the firing timing counter is decremented by "1" each time the firing control process is started. When the power of the pachinko machine 10H is turned off, the value of the firing timing counter is forcibly cleared to "0".

  Returning to the description of step S505, if an affirmative determination is made in step S505, that is, if the firing timing has been set, the process proceeds to step S508. In step S508, it is determined whether or not the firing timing has come. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the value of the firing timing counter has become “0”. If a negative determination is made in step S508, the present firing control process ends. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S509, that is, if the value of the firing timing counter is “0”, the firing flag is stored and the firing control process ends.

  In the present embodiment, the MPU 402 of the main control device 162 determines whether or not to permit firing in consideration of a signal from the stop switch 44 of the game ball firing handle 41, but is not necessarily limited to this. Not something. For example, as a configuration for inputting information from the touch sensor 42 to the main control device 162, a configuration may be employed in which the function relating to the determination as to whether or not to fire based on the information from the stop switch 44 is left to the power / emission control device 243.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the firing timing of the game ball is determined according to the state of the ball return prevention mechanism 106H that is driven and controlled by the main controller 162. For example, the above-described firing timing can be determined by a configuration in which information indicating the drive control of the ball return prevention mechanism 106H is output from the main control device 162 to the power supply / fire control device 243 each time the ball return prevention mechanism 106H is controlled. It is. However, in such a configuration, the load related to the firing control of main controller 162 increases. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the following contrivances are made to solve such inconvenience.

  Specifically, the firing control unit 502 of the power / fire control device 243 includes a second timer counter TC2 corresponding to the first timer counter TC1 provided in the various counter areas 434 of the main control device 162. . When the power of the pachinko machine 10H is turned on and the start-up processing of the pachinko machine 10H is executed, the synchronization processing of the first timer counter TC1 and the second timer counter TC2 is executed. While the upper limit value of the first timer counter TC1 is configured to correspond to the period during which the blocking state is maintained, the upper limit value of the second timer counter TC2 is maintained during the period during which the blocking state is maintained and in the allowable state. The configuration corresponds to the combined period. The update cycle (subtraction cycle) of the second timer counter TC2 is the same as that of the first timer counter TC1.

  That is, the value of the second timer counter TC2 = “upper limit” to “predetermined value” corresponds to the state in which the ball return prevention mechanism 106H is in the allowable state, and the value of the second timer counter TC2 = “predetermined value”. "To" 0 "correspond to the ball return preventing mechanism 106H being in the blocking state. Therefore, by referring to the value of the second timer counter TC2, the emission control unit 502 can acquire substantially the same information as when the first timer counter TC1 is referred to.

  The ball return prevention mechanism 106H can be switched between a blocking state and a permissible state. However, when setting the above-mentioned firing timing, more detailed information (for example, how long has elapsed since the permissible state has been reached, etc.). ) Is preferable. Therefore, by using the second timer counter TC2 synchronized with the first timer counter TC1, fine adjustment of the firing timing is possible.

  In the configuration in which the ball return prevention mechanism 106H is electrically operated and periodically switched to the blocking state / permissible state, the function of preventing the ball return can be reduced by prolonging the period of the permissible state. In this regard, according to the configuration shown in the present embodiment, it is possible to cause the game ball to reach the ball return prevention mechanism 106H for the period of the allowable state. In this case, by considering the state of the ball return prevention mechanism 106H in a series of switching flows, it is possible to more accurately grasp a preferable arrival timing. Therefore, it is not necessary to uselessly set the allowable period in consideration of the variation in the firing timing and the like, and it is possible to preferably suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience.

  Here, with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 22, an example of a flow of a game ball firing operation → a game ball firing will be described.

  The ball return prevention mechanism 106H that has been in the blocking state at the timing of t1 switches from the blocking state to the allowable state at the timing of t2 after 0.6 seconds have elapsed. After switching to the permissible state, the permissible state is maintained until the timing of t3 when 0.2 sec elapses. After that, the switching to the blocking state / permissible state is repeated at regular intervals.

  If the game ball is fired at the timing of t4 after the timing of t3 when the ball return prevention mechanism 106H enters the blocking state, the game ball is not fired immediately at this timing but slightly fired. Timing will be delayed. Specifically, at the timing of t5 after the timing of t4, the firing solenoid 111 is excited and the game ball is fired.

  The launched game ball is guided to the guide rail 100 (the guide passage 103), and moves in the order of the entrance portion 104, the exit portion 105, and the ball return prevention mechanism 106H of the guide passage 103. Because of the configuration of passing through such a movement path, a certain time lag occurs before the launched game ball reaches the ball return prevention mechanism 106H. The time lag changes according to the operation amount (firing intensity, firing speed) of the rotating operation member as described above. That is, if the operation amount increases and the firing speed increases, the time lag decreases. If the operation amount decreases and the firing speed decreases, the time lag increases.

  In the example shown in FIG. 22, the period (time lag) required for the launched game ball to reach the ball return prevention mechanism 106H is approximately 0.2 seconds. Therefore, if the game ball is fired as it is at the timing of t4, when the game ball reaches the ball return prevention mechanism 106H, the ball return prevention mechanism 106H remains in the blocking state, and the game ball becomes the ball return prevention mechanism. It will collide with 106H.

  In this regard, in the present embodiment, the firing timing is delayed so that the arrival timing of the game ball is the timing when the ball return prevention mechanism 106H is in the allowable state (specifically, the middle of the period in which the ball return preventing mechanism 106H is in the allowable state). Is done. As a result, the game ball is fired at the timing of t5 after the timing of t4 when the firing operation is performed as described above.

  At time t6 after the game ball is fired, the ball return prevention mechanism 106H switches from the blocking state to the allowable state, and the shot game ball is fired at time t7 when the ball return prevention mechanism 106H is in the allowable state. It passes through the ball return prevention mechanism 106H. At time t8 after the game ball has passed, the ball return prevention mechanism 106H returns to the blocking state.

  According to the fifth embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

  A game ball that has been fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 and has reached the game area PE via the guide path 103 is prevented from returning to the guide path 103 by the ball return prevention mechanism 106H. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this way, it is possible to promote smooth progress of the game. However, in the configuration in which the ball return prevention mechanism 106H is disposed in the game area PE, the game ball that has reached the game area PE bounces off a game component such as the game nail 93, for example, from the side opposite to the guidance passage 103. The possibility of collision with the ball return prevention mechanism 106H cannot be denied. In particular, if the flow-down area of the game ball in the vicinity of the ball return prevention mechanism 106H becomes small, it is assumed that the possibility of such a collision increases.

  If the operation of the ball return prevention mechanism 106H is hindered by the collision of the preceding game ball, the subsequent game ball that should have reached the game area PE cannot reach the game area PE, and the subsequent game ball is This causes the guide passage 103 to return backward (a foul ball or the like is generated). Such occurrence of a foul ball is not preferable because it hinders the launch of the game ball and hinders the smooth progress of the game.

  In this regard, in the configuration shown in the present embodiment, the operation of movable body 301 constituting ball return prevention mechanism 106H does not depend on the momentum of the game ball being fired. Therefore, as described above, even if the preceding game ball attempts to impede the movement of the movable body 301 by hitting the movable body 301 from the game area PE or the like, the movable body 301 itself is driven by the driving force from the drive unit 321H. In order to operate, the disturbing game balls can be pushed away. Thereby, the occurrence of the inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

  The timing at which the shooting operation is performed by the player is arbitrary. Therefore, when a game ball is fired regardless of the movement of the movable body 301 in a configuration in which the movable body 301 operates at a predetermined cycle, the game ball hits the movable body 301 and reaches the game area PE. There is a possibility that it cannot be done. Therefore, as shown in this feature, if the configuration is such that the firing timing of the game ball is set in accordance with the switching state of the movable body 301, the occurrence of the inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

  For example, contrary to the configuration shown in the present embodiment, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the movable body 301 is switched from the blocking state to the allowable state in response to a shooting operation of a game ball. However, the time required from the launch of the game ball to the arrival at the movable body 301 is often very short, and such a configuration causes inconvenience such that switching of the movable body 301 cannot be made in time. Such inconvenience may cause a new problem such as improvement of the operation speed and responsiveness of the movable body 301. Therefore, it is preferable to set the firing timing of the game ball in accordance with the movement of the movable body 301 as shown in the present embodiment.

  As described above, the firing speed of the game ball changes according to the operation amount of the rotating operation member. In the case where the firing timing is uniquely determined in consideration of the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the firing speed, it is assumed that the period for maintaining the ball return preventing mechanism 106H in the allowable state is extended. This is not preferable because it may be a factor that easily causes a problem that the game ball ejected to the game area PE returns to the guide passage 103 by avoiding (bypassing) the ball return prevention mechanism 106H. In this regard, according to the configuration shown in the present embodiment, since the firing timing is corrected according to the operation amount, it is possible to avoid the wasteful maintenance as described above and return the ball to the ball. The period in which the prevention mechanism 106H is in the allowable state can be shortened as much as possible. Therefore, the occurrence of the above inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

<Sixth Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the ball return prevention mechanism 106 has two prevention devices 106a and 106b, and the movable bodies 301a and 301b constituting the prevention devices 106a and 106b operate independently and independently. did. On the other hand, the ball return prevention mechanism shown in the present embodiment is characterized in that the movable members constituting the two prevention devices are linked to each other to give a correspondence to the movement of the prevention devices. One. Hereinafter, the ball return prevention mechanism 106K according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 is a partially enlarged view of the game board unit 80K showing the ball return prevention mechanism 106K and its peripheral structure, FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing the ball return prevention mechanism 106K and its peripheral structure, and FIG. 25 is removed from the game board unit 80K. 26A is a side view of the ball return prevention mechanism 106K, FIG. 26B is a plan view of the ball return prevention mechanism 106K, and FIG. 27 is a ball return prevention mechanism 106K. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. In FIG. 26, the configuration related to the ball return prevention mechanism 106K is schematically indicated by a two-dot chain line for convenience of explanation.

  As shown in FIG. 23, in the game area forming body 80aK, in the vicinity of the exit portion 105 of the guidance passage 103, specifically, in a portion located on the extension of the guidance passage 103, along the guidance rail 100 (outer rail 102). An elongated hole 85K is formed. The long hole 85K penetrates in the thickness direction of the game area forming body 80aK, and the ball return preventing mechanism 106K is attached to the long hole 85K from the back side of the game area forming body 80aK. The ball return prevention mechanism 106K prevents a game ball that has moved from the guide path 103 to the game area PE from returning to the guide path 103.

  The ball return prevention mechanism 106K has two prevention devices 106aK and 106bK arranged along the outer rail 102, that is, arranged side by side on the movement path of the game ball along the outer rail 102. Become. Specifically, a left movable body 601a as a “first movable body” constituting the left prevention device 106aK, a right movable body 601b as a “second movable body” constituting the right prevention device 106bK, and these movable bodies And a holder 611 for holding 601a and 601b. The holder 611 is integrated with the game area forming body 80aK by engaging with the long hole 85K. Although the two movable bodies 601a and 601b have the same basic configuration, the configuration relating to a link mechanism described later is different. Therefore, when the two are described separately, the movable body 601 is described as movable bodies 601a and 601b as necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 25 and FIG. 27, the holder 611 is formed by combining two holder members, and the movable member 601 is held by the holder members. The holder 611 is provided with a flat mounting base 612 functioning as a mounting part for the game area forming body 80aK, and a housing part 613 provided upright from the mounting base 612 and capable of housing the movable body 601. As shown in FIG. 26A, the housing portion 613 is open to the opposite side (front of the gaming machine) from the mounting base 612 and has a tubular (annular) shape with the mounting base 612 as a bottom. With the base 612 fixed to the game area forming body 80aK, the distal end portion (opening part 616) of the storage section 613 is formed so as to be located on the same plane as the front surface of the game area forming body 80aK.

  As shown in FIGS. 24 and 26 (b), a part of the long hole 85K is formed so as to overlap the front and rear of the guide rail 100 (specifically, the outer rail 102), and is accommodated in this overlapping position. The tip edge (tip portion) of the portion 613 is located. That is, a part of the accommodation portion 613 faces the guide rail 100 from the rear side in the thickness direction of the game area forming body 80aK. As already described, the game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 moves along the latter of the inner rail 101 and the outer rail 102. As described above, the outer rail 102 and the elongated hole 85K are arranged so as to overlap each other in order to make the movable body 601 closer to the outer rail 102 in consideration of the thickness of the holder 611 and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 26, the movable body 601 has a ball receiving surface portion 604 formed so as to cover at least a part of the opening 616 formed in the accommodation portion 613 so as to face the front side of the game area forming body 80aK. And a base portion 602 provided upright from the ball receiving surface portion 604 to the back side of the housing portion 613. The base portion 602 extends in the direction in which the above-described prevention devices 106aK and 106bK are juxtaposed, and an end of the base portion 602 on the exit portion 105 side of the guide passage 103 is parallel to the front surface of the game area forming body 80aK. The shaft 603 thus formed is formed. The shaft portion 603 intersects with the juxtaposed direction, and the movable body 601 is rotatable about the shaft portion 603 by engaging the shaft portion 603 with a bearing portion 614 formed on the holder 611. Is held.

  A guide pin 605 projecting in the same direction as the shaft 603 is formed on the base 602 of the movable body 601, and the guide pin 605 is inserted into a guide groove 615 formed in the holder 611 (accommodating section 613). I have. The guide groove 615 has an arc shape about the center of rotation of the movable body 601, and the guide groove 615 defines the range of rotation of the movable body 601.

  When the guide pin 605 is in contact with the front end (opening portion 616 side) end of the guide groove 615, the amount of protrusion of the ball receiving surface portion 604 from the housing portion 613 is maximized, and the back side of the guide groove 615 (mounting). When the guide pin 605 is in contact with the end of the base 612), the amount of protrusion of the ball receiving surface 604 from the housing 613 is minimized (specifically, “0”). In the following description, the position where the amount of protrusion of the ball receiving surface portion 604 is the maximum, that is, the position where the gap between the ball receiving surface portion 604 and the glass panel 23 is the minimum, is the “maximum protruding position” of the movable body 601 and the amount of protrusion of the ball receiving surface portion 604 is the minimum. The position at which the gap with the glass panel 23 is maximized is referred to as the “retreat position” of the movable body 601.

  The movable body 601 is configured such that, in a state where the movable body 601 is arranged at the maximum projecting position, the amount of projection is larger than the diameter dimension of the game ball. However, it is not necessarily limited to this in order to exert the function of preventing the passing of game balls. It is sufficient if the gap with the glass panel 23 is configured to be smaller than the diameter dimension of the game ball. For example, the protrusion amount in the state where the game ball is arranged at the maximum projecting position is smaller than the diameter dimension of the game ball. Such a configuration is also possible.

  The inclination angle of the ball receiving surface portion 604 with respect to the front surface of the game area forming body 80aK changes at an intermediate position. Specifically, when the movable body 601 is located at the maximum projecting position, the movable body 601 is bent so that the inclination angle on the rotation base end side is smaller than the inclination angle on the rotation tip side. This is to reduce the initial resistance when the game ball hits the ball receiving surface portion 604, and to suppress the floating of the game ball receiving the reaction force from the ball receiving surface portion 604 from the front surface of the game area forming body 80aK. .

  In a state where the movable body 601 is arranged at the maximum protruding position, the distance between the opening 616 and the ball receiving surface 604 becomes large, and a gap is formed between the two so that a game ball can flow. If a game ball enters the gap, it may be a factor that prevents the movable ball 601 from rotating toward the retreat position. Therefore, the movable body 601 described in the present embodiment has been devised to prevent such a ball from entering. Specifically, the base portion 602 extends in a radiating manner along the ball receiving surface portion 604, and the end on the rotation tip side (the rotation tip portion 606) is configured to fill a part of the gap. ing.

  In order to improve the responsiveness of the movable body 601 related to the movement from the maximum protruding position to the retreat position, it is preferable to reduce the weight of the movable body 601 as much as possible. Therefore, if the rotation gap 606 of the base section 602 is used to partially fill the gap instead of filling the entire gap as described above, the responsiveness can be improved by reducing the weight and the above-described inconvenience can be avoided. Can be preferably compatible with each other.

  The rotation tip 606 of the base 602 has an arc shape with the rotation center of the movable body 601 as a base end. Although the details will be described later, by adopting such a shape, it is possible to prevent the stress generated when the game ball hits the turning tip 606 from acting to promote the turning of the movable body 601. ing.

  Here, in the ball return preventing mechanism 106K shown in the present embodiment, the two movable bodies 601a and 601b are connected by a link mechanism (corresponding to “connecting means”), and the left movable body 601a and the left movable The “left side prevention device 106aK” formed by the holding portion of the body 601a and the “right side prevention device 106bK” formed by the holding portion of the right movable body 601b in the right movable body 601b and the holder 611 are linked. I have. In the present embodiment, the two movable members 601a and 601b are held by one holder 611, but the present invention is not limited to this. The holder for the left movable member 601a and the one for the right movable member 601b are not limited thereto. May be separately provided.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the right movable body 601b is formed with an arm 607b extending on the opposite side to the base 602b with the shaft 603b interposed therebetween. A shaft pin 608b is provided at a tip portion of the arm 607b, and the shaft pin 608b is inserted into a link groove 609a formed in the base 602a of the left movable body 601a. The arm mechanism 607b (the shaft pin 608b) and the link groove 609a constitute a link mechanism.

  As shown in FIG. 26A, the link groove 609a extends in the direction in which the movable bodies 601a and 601b are juxtaposed, and allows displacement of the shaft pin 608b along the link groove 609a. When the left movable body 601a retreats from the maximum protruding position to the retreat position, the shaft pin 608b is pushed rearward of the gaming machine by the link groove 609a, and the arm 607b follows the left movable body 601aK and tilts rearward. Accordingly, the right movable body 601b rotates, and the base portion 602b (the ball receiving surface portion 604b) protrudes from the open portion of the housing portion 613. On the other hand, when the right movable body 601b retreats from the maximum projecting position to the retreat position, the link groove 609a is pushed forward by the shaft pin 608b, and the base portion 602a follows the right movable body 601bK. Lean forward. Accordingly, the left movable body 601aK rotates, and the base portion 602a (the ball receiving surface portion 604a) protrudes from the open portion of the housing portion 613.

  As described above, in the link mechanism shown in the present embodiment, the operation modes of the both prevention devices 106aK and 106bK are associated so that the operation of the left movable body 601a and the operation of the right movable body 601b have an opposite relationship. Is going.

  Here, the relationship between the ball receiving surface portion 604b of the right movable body 601b and the arm portion 607b (axial pin 608b) will be supplementarily described. In the ball receiving surface portion 604b, the distance from the rotation center of the right movable body 601b to the end on the rotation base end side is shorter than the distance from the rotation center to the shaft pin 608b, and from the rotation center. The distance from the rotation tip to the end is longer than the distance from the rotation center to the shaft pin 608b. According to such a configuration, the following effects are exhibited in combination with the fact that the inclination angle of the ball receiving surface portion 604 on the rotation base end side is gentle and the inclination angle on the rotation distal end side is tight. That is, when a portion having a relatively small inclination angle is pushed by the game ball, the force can quickly push up the left movable body 601a, which contributes to an improvement in responsiveness. On the other hand, when a portion having a relatively large inclination angle is pushed by the game ball, although the right movable body 601b has a movement toward the retreat position, the game ball having such a movement is generated. It is assumed that momentum has weakened slightly. Therefore, as described above, when the game ball approaches the rotating tip portion of the ball receiving surface portion 604b, the responsiveness is reduced, but the left movable body 601a is easily pushed up even with a small force. Thus, the left movable body 601a can be operated efficiently.

  The position of the connection between the two movable bodies 601a and 601b by the link mechanism changes so as to straddle a virtual plane including the center of rotation of the left movable body 601a and the center of rotation of the right movable body 601b. It is configured as follows. By setting the operation path in this manner, the displacement of the connection point in the juxtaposition direction of the two movable bodies 601a and 601b is smaller than the displacement of the connection point in the emergence direction. This contributes to the downsizing of the link mechanism and thus the ball return prevention mechanism 106K. Further, the configuration in which the connection portion is changed so as to straddle the virtual plane has a technical significance that transmission loss can be reduced when kinetic energy of the game ball is used for interlocking the movable body.

  According to the link mechanism described above, when the left movable body 601a is located at the maximum projecting position (blocking state), the right movable body is located at the retracted position (permissible state), and the right movable body 601b is located. In the state where is located at the maximum protruding position (blocking state), the left movable body 601a is in the state where it is located at the retracted position (permissible state). The state in which the left side prevention device 106a is in the blocking state and the right side prevention device 106b is in the allowed state is the standby state of the ball return prevention mechanism 106K.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 28 and 29, the movement of the ball return prevention mechanism 106K accompanying the passage of the game ball will be described.

  When the ball return prevention mechanism 106K is in the standby state as shown in FIG. 28A, the amount X5 of projection of the left movable body 601a (ball receiving surface portion 604a) from the front surface of the game area forming body 80aK is a game. The diameter X of the ball is larger than the diameter D of the ball, and the gap X6 between the left movable body 601a (the ball receiving surface portion 604a) and the glass panel 23 is smaller than the diameter D of the game ball. On the other hand, the right movable body 601b is disposed at the retreat position, and the protrusion from the front surface of the game area forming body 80a is avoided. That is, in the standby state, the left prevention device 106aK of the two prevention devices 106aK and 106bK restricts the return of the game ball flowing into the game area PE to the guidance passage 103. In this way, by arranging the right movable body 601b at the retreat position in the standby state, the chance that the game area PE is pressed by the right movable body 601b is reduced. Note that, in this state, it is impossible for game balls to pass through a gap formed between the left movable body 601a and the tip of the inner rail 101. As a result, the game ball is prevented from returning to the guide passage 103 from the game area PE by avoiding the ball return prevention mechanism 106K. Incidentally, the distal end of the inner rail 101 is located at a position vertically aligned with the left movable body 601a (for example, when the left movable body 601a is located at the maximum protruding position, the left movable body 601a (ball receiving surface 604a)). Even if it extends to a position vertically aligned with the distal end portion or a position vertically aligned with the distal end portion of the left movable body 601a (ball receiving surface portion 604a) when the left movable body 601a is located at the retracted position. Good.

  In addition, as shown in the first embodiment and the like, it is also possible to adopt a configuration that allows the outflow of the game ball from between the exit portion of the guide passage 103 and the ball return prevention mechanism.

  As shown in FIG. 28 (a) → FIG. 28 (b), when the game ball reaches the left movable body 601a (ball receiving surface portion 604a), the game ball pushes the ball receiving surface portion 604a backward (to the rear of the gaming machine). It is. When the ball receiving surface portion 604a is pressed, the left movable body 601a rotates, and the protrusion amount X5 decreases. Thereby, the gap dimension X6 with the glass panel 23 increases. The right movable body 601b rotates following the movement of the left movable body 601a, and the right movable body 601b projects from the front surface of the game area forming body 80aK.

  In a strictly standby state, although the ball receiving surface 604b of the right movable body 601b is slightly retreated from the front surface of the game area forming body 80aK, the ball receiving surface 604a of the left movable body 601a is provided. At a timing before moving from the portion where the inclination angle is set to be small to the portion where the inclination angle is set to be large, the ball receiving surface portion 604b of the right movable body 601b projects from the front surface of the game area forming body 80aK. .

  As shown in FIG. 28 (b) → FIG. 28 (c), when the rotation of both movable bodies 601a and 601b progresses, the right movable body 601b which has allowed the passage of the game ball up to that point also has a game area forming body. The protrusion amount X7 from the front surface of 80 aK increases. As a result, the right movable body 601b is also switched to the blocking state for blocking the passage of the game ball. That is, the reversion of the game ball is temporarily prevented by both of the two prevention devices 106aK and 106bK.

  As shown in FIG. 28 (c) → FIG. 29 (d), when the rotation of the left movable body 601a advances so as to be pushed away by the game ball and the left prevention device 106aK switches from the blocking state to the permissible state, the left side moves. A game ball can pass between the movable body 601a and the glass panel 23. When the game ball that has passed through the left movable member 601a reaches the right movable member 601b, the object to be pressed by the game ball moves from the ball receiving surface portion 604a of the left movable member 601a to the ball receiving surface portion 604b of the right movable member 601b. In this state, the passage restriction by the left movable body 601a is released, and the function of preventing the game ball from returning from the game area PE to the guide path 103 depends on the right movable body 601b.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 29 (d) → FIG. 29 (e), the ball receiving surface portion 604b of the right movable body 601b is pushed, so that the right movable body 601b moves backward from the maximum projecting position to the retreat position. start. At the same time, the left movable body 601a starts rotating from the retracted position to the maximum projecting position.

  Strictly speaking, when the left movable body 601a is located at the retracted position, the ball receiving surface portion 604a of the left movable body 601a is slightly retracted from the front surface of the game area forming body 80aK. However, before moving from the portion where the inclination angle is set to be small to the portion where the inclination angle is set to be large on the ball receiving surface portion 604b of the right movable member 601b, the ball receiving surface portion 604a of the left movable member 601a is set to the game area forming member 80aK. Will protrude from the front surface of the.

  When the protrusion X7 of the right movable body 601b decreases, the protrusion X5 of the left movable body 601a increases accordingly. As a result, the gap sizes X6 and H8 between the two movable bodies 601a and 601b and the glass panel 23 are both smaller than the diameter D of the game ball, and again the guide path from the game area PE by both the left and right movable bodies 601a and 601b. The return of the game ball to 103 is restricted.

  As shown in FIG. 29 (e) → FIG. 29 (f), the protrusion amount X7 of the right movable body 601b is reduced by being pushed away by the game ball, so that the gap size between the right movable body 601b and the glass panel 23 is reduced. X8 becomes larger than the diameter D of the game ball. In this way, the right prevention device 106bK is switched from the blocking state to the permissible state, thereby allowing the right prevention device 106bK to pass the game ball. As a result, the game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 flows into the game area PE via the left side prevention device 106aK → the right side prevention device 106bK.

  Here, with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 30, the operation timing of each prevention device 106aK, 106bK (movable body 601a, 601b) will be supplementarily described.

  At the timing of ta1 when the game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 reaches the ball return prevention mechanism 106K, the left movable body 601a pushed by the game ball starts rotating from the maximum projecting position toward the retreat position. I do. Accordingly, the right movable body 601b disposed at the retreat position starts rotating toward the maximum projecting position. Since the right movable body 601b protrudes from the front surface of the game area forming body 80aK, the movement of the game ball from the game area PE toward the left movable body 601a is prevented by the right movable body 601b (see FIG. 28 (b)). )reference). Even when the gap X8 between the right movable body 601b and the glass panel 23 is larger than the diameter D of the game ball, in view of the fact that the game ball moves along the front surface of the game area forming body 80a. The protrusion of the right movable body 601b helps to prevent the game ball from returning.

  If the right movable body 601b protrudes even if slightly, a game ball can hit the rotating tip 606b (see FIG. 26 and the like) of the right movable body 601b. Here, since the rotating distal end 606b is formed in an arc shape about the rotation center of the right movable body 601b, the rotation of the left movable body 601a is prevented by the collision of the game ball with the rotating distal end 606b. The generation of drag can be suppressed. Thereby, the interlocking property between the left and right movable bodies 601a and 601b is suitably ensured.

  When the rotation of the left movable body 601a pushed by the game ball moving toward the game area PE and the rotation of the right movable body 601b following the left movable body 601a advance, the right movable body 601b and the glass panel advance. 23 is smaller than the diameter D of the game ball. As a result, the right side prevention device 106bK switches from the allowable state to the prevention state. At this timing, the gap X6 between the left movable body 601a and the glass panel 23 is still smaller than the diameter D of the game ball. That is, the switching from the allowable state to the blocking state of the right side prevention device 106bK is executed in a state where the left side prevention device 106aK is in the blocking state.

  Thereafter, as the rotation of the left movable body 601a proceeds, the gap X6 between the left movable body 601a and the glass panel 23 becomes larger than the diameter D of the game ball at the timing of ta3. As a result, the left prevention device 106aK switches from the blocking state to the allowable state. That is, switching from the blocking state of the left prevention device 106aK to the allowable state is performed in a state where the right prevention device 106bK is in the blocking state.

  However, just because the left side prevention device 106aK is in the permissible state, the game ball does not immediately leave the left movable body 601a, but the game ball moves toward the right movable body 601b to rotate the left movable body 601a. Movement is continued. Then, at the timing ta4 when the game ball separates from the left movable body 601a, the left movable body 601a reaches the retreat position and the right movable body 601b reaches the maximum projecting position.

  A slight gap is provided between the left movable body 601a (specifically, the ball receiving surface 604a) and the right movable body 601b (specifically, the ball receiving surface 604b). For this reason, while passing through this gap (timing from ta4 to timing from ta5), the change in the posture of both movable bodies 601a and 601b is regulated, and the left movable body 601a is in the retracted position and the right movable body 601b is in the maximum projected position. Will be maintained. Although the details will be described later, by providing such a space (specific area), even if the movement of the game ball is hindered, the game ball falls down from the specific area SEK and becomes a ball. It will be smoothly discharged from the return prevention mechanism 106K.

  When the game ball moves from the left movable body 601a to the right movable body 601b at the timing of ta5, the right movable body 601b pushed by the game ball starts rotating from the maximum projecting position toward the retreat position. Along with this, the left movable body 601a arranged at the retreat position starts rotating toward the maximum projecting position. Since the left movable body 601a protrudes from the front surface of the game area forming body 80aK, the movement of the game ball toward the exit portion 105 of the guidance passage 103 is prevented by the left movable body 601a (FIG. 29 (e)). reference). Even when the gap X6 between the left movable body 601a and the glass panel 23 is larger than the diameter D of the game ball, in view of the fact that the game ball moves along the front surface of the game area forming body 80aK. The protrusion of the left movable body 601a helps prevent the game ball from returning.

  If the left movable body 601a protrudes even if slightly, a game ball may hit the rotating tip 606a (see FIG. 26 and the like) of the left movable body 601a. Here, as described above, since the rotating distal end 606a has an arc shape centered on the rotation center of the left movable body 601a, the right movable body 601b is formed by the collision of the game ball with the rotating distal end 606a. It is possible to suppress the generation of a drag that hinders the rotation of the motor. Thereby, the interlocking property between the left and right movable bodies 601a and 601b is suitably ensured.

  When the rotation of the right movable body 601b pressed by the game ball moving toward the game area PE and the rotation of the left movable body 601a following the right movable body 601b advance, the left movable body 601a and the glass panel are advanced. 23 is smaller than the diameter D of the game ball. Thereby, the left side prevention device 106aK switches from the allowable state to the prevention state. At the timing of ta6, the gap dimension X8 between the right movable body 601b and the glass panel 23 is still smaller than the diameter dimension D of the game ball. That is, switching from the allowable state to the blocking state of the left prevention device 106aK is performed in a state where the right prevention device 106bK is in the blocking state.

  Thereafter, as the rotation of the right movable body 601b proceeds, the gap dimension X8 between the right movable body 601b and the glass panel 23 becomes larger than the diameter dimension D of the game ball at the timing of ta7. As a result, the left prevention device 106aK switches from the blocking state to the allowable state. That is, switching from the blocking state of the right prevention device 106bK to the allowable state is performed in a state where the left prevention device 106aK is in the blocking state.

  However, just because the right side prevention device 106bK is in the permissible state does not mean that the game ball is immediately separated from the right movable body 601b, but the game ball moves toward the game area PE (in the extension direction of the guidance passage 103). Accordingly, the rotation of the right movable body 601b is continued. Then, at the timing of ta8 when the game ball separates from the right movable body 601b, the right movable body 601b reaches the retreat position and the left movable body 601a reaches the maximum protruding position. As a result, the ball return prevention mechanism 106K returns to the standby state.

  Next, with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. 31, a description will be given of a mode of the reverse return prevention by the ball return prevention mechanism 106N shown in the present embodiment. FIG. 31 is a schematic view showing a state of preventing the return movement. FIG. 31A shows a state before the succeeding game ball B2 passes through the left side prevention device 106aK, and FIG. This shows a state after the ball B2 has passed through the left side prevention device 106aK.

  As shown in FIG. 31 (a), when the preceding game ball B1 flows into the game area PE through the ball return prevention mechanism 106K and is reflected by the game nail 93 or the like and rebounds toward the ball return prevention mechanism 106K. When the game ball B1 hits the right movable body 601bK, the movement to the left movable body 601aK is prevented. In other words, the right movable body 601bK functions as a barrier for the left movable body 601aK, thereby preventing the preceding game ball B1 from being a factor that prevents the succeeding game ball B2 from passing through the left prevention device 106aK. Further, collision between the preceding game ball B1 and the subsequent game ball B2 is also avoided. At this time, after the momentum is killed, the subsequent game ball B2 immediately comes off from the extension of the guide path 103, so that the subsequent game ball B2 moves along the outer rail 102 in advance. What is disturbed by B1 is also suppressed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 31 (b), at the timing when the subsequent game ball B2 passes through the left side prevention device 106aK and reaches an area (specific area) between the two movable bodies 601aK, 601bK, the right-hand movable ball B2 is movable. When the game ball B1 preceding the body 601bK bounces, the preceding game ball B1 collides with the rotating tip 606b of the right movable body 601b, and leaves the extension of the guide passage 103 as it is. As a result, the collision between the preceding game ball B1 and the subsequent game ball B2 is avoided.

  As described above, the rotation tip 606bK of the right movable body 601bK has an arc shape centered on the rotation center of the right movable body 601bK. Therefore, assuming that the game ball B2 collides with the rotating tip 606bK, the stress generated by the collision is transmitted to the shaft 603bK and the bearing 614bK constituting the center of rotation, and the driving force for rotating the right movable body 601bK. Is avoided. However, there is a possibility that the game ball B2 may be caught on the tip of the ball receiving surface portion 604b, and in such a case, it is assumed that the above situation may occur.

  If the movement of the right movable body 601bK to the retreat position is hindered, it becomes difficult for the following game balls B2 to pass through the right prevention device 106bK. In this case, the subsequent game ball B2 falls through the specific area to the game area PE and is discharged from the ball return prevention mechanism 106K. Thereby, it is suppressed that the game ball B2 becomes a factor that hinders the movement of another game ball following the game ball B2.

  According to the sixth embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

  A game ball that has been fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 and has reached the game area PE via the guide path 103 is prevented from returning to the guide path 103 by the ball return prevention mechanism 106K. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this way, it is possible to promote smooth progress of the game.

  Here, in the configuration in which the game ball is prevented from returning by the ball return prevention mechanism, the existence of the movable body constituting the ball return prevention mechanism and other components accompanying it can be a factor that presses the game area PE. In the ball return preventing mechanism 106K shown in the present embodiment, the movable body 601 is displaced in the thickness direction of the game area forming body 80aK (for example, in the front-rear direction in the game machine), so that the ball returning preventing mechanism 106K has a prevention device 106aK, 106bK is configured to be switched between an allowable state and a regulated state. Thus, the expansion of the occupied area of the ball return prevention mechanism 106K can be suppressed, and the above-described compression of the game area PE can be suppressed. In addition, since the movable bodies 601aK and 601bK are not originally configured to have the appearance of the gaming machine, noticeable movement may be a factor that gives a player an impression that it is troublesome. In this regard, the configuration in which the movable members 601aK and 601bK are displaced in the thickness direction of the game area forming member 80aK is advantageous in making the movement of the movable members 601aK and 601bK less noticeable.

  The ball return prevention mechanism 106K shown in the present embodiment is disposed on the former side of the two configurations (the front surface of the game region forming body 80aK and the rear surface of the glass panel 23) that define the game region PE. It is located behind the movement path of the game ball along the rail 102. As a result, the movable body 601 and the holder 611 constituting the ball return prevention mechanism 106K are prevented from becoming a factor that hinders the visual recognition of the game ball, and while the benefits of the ball return regulation and the like are enjoyed while the game ball is being played, A decrease in visibility can be suitably suppressed.

  In particular, the holder 611 as a “holding unit” that holds the movable body 601 is buried in the long hole 85K formed in the game area forming body 80a, and the projection from the front surface of the game area forming body 80a is avoided. ing. This suppresses the configuration (holder 611) related to holding the movable body 601 from being a factor that presses the game area PE.

  As described above, the game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 moves along the outer rail 102. For this reason, it is preferable to arrange the ball return prevention mechanism 106K as close to the outer rail 102 as possible. In this regard, by preventing the holder 611 from projecting from the game area forming body 80a, it is possible to allow the holder 611 to overlap with the outer rail 102 before and after, and to dispose the ball return preventing mechanism 106K at a position close to the passing path. Is possible. In addition, since the interference between the inner rail 101 and the ball return preventing mechanism 106K (holder 611) can be avoided, the ball return preventing mechanism 106K can be appropriately brought close to the exit portion 105 of the guide passage 103. This makes it possible for the guide rail 100 forming the "ball passage" and the ball return prevention mechanism 106K to coexist suitably. It is to be noted that embedding the holder 611 in the game area forming body 80aK is advantageous in improving the appearance of the game board unit 80K.

  When the long hole 85K is formed as the “accommodating portion” in the game area forming body 80aK, a recessed portion (open portion) is formed on the front surface of the game area forming body 80aK. The presence of such a depressed portion can be a cause of disturbance in the behavior of the game ball. Therefore, by complementing such a depressed portion with the ball return prevention mechanism 106K, it is possible to suppress the disturbance of the behavior of the game ball due to the effect of suppressing the compression of the game area PE and the like as described above. . Incidentally, the open portion 616 of the holder 611 is also covered by the ball receiving surface portion 604 of the movable body 601, and the movable body 601 prevents the open portion 616 from causing the disturbance of the behavior of the game ball. Have been.

  Here, in the prevention devices 106aK and 106bK, when the state is switched from the allowable state to the restricted state, the movable bodies 601a and 601b are configured to retreat into the storage portion 613, and retreat with respect to the front surface of the game area forming body 80aK. It will be arranged in the position which did. By suppressing the protrusions of the movable bodies 601a and 601b in this manner, it is possible to suppress disturbance of the behavior of the game ball when passing through the ball return prevention mechanism 106K.

  By stabilizing the behavior of the game ball toward the game area PE by the various configurations described in detail above, for example, the contact between the game ball and the glass panel 23 is prevented to protect the glass panel 23 and reduce the hitting sound. Etc. can be contributed. Further, by stabilizing the behavior of the game ball, it is possible to preferably suppress the variation in the speed and the like in the firing of the game ball each time.

  In the configuration in which the movable body 601 shown in the present embodiment is displaced so as to intersect with the front surface of the game area forming body 80aK in accordance with the switching between the blocking state and the allowable state of the prevention devices 106aK and 106bK, The operating area of the movable bodies 601a and 601b is secured by utilizing the thickness of the body 80aK. By securing the operation area in this way, it is possible to suppress the operation area from increasing in the surface spreading direction of the game area forming body 80aK.

  The ball return prevention mechanism 106K includes a left side prevention device 106aK and a right side prevention device 106bK, and one is switched from a blocking state to a permitted state, and the other is switched from a permitted state to a blocked state. As for the "regulating means" of the type in which the switching between the blocking state and the allowable state is performed by the movement of the movable bodies 601a and 601b, the reversal can be allowed while in the allowable state. Therefore, when one of the prevention devices 106aK and 106bK is in the allowable state, the other is in the blocking state, so that the mutual weaknesses can be compensated for, and the ball return can be performed. A further improvement in the blocking function has been realized.

  Regarding the ball return prevention mechanism 106K, a state in which the left side prevention device 106aK is in a blocking state and the right side prevention device 106bK is in an allowable state is set as a standby state. That is, the right side prevention device 106bK is basically maintained in an allowable state except for the timing at which the game ball passes. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the right side prevention device 106bK from being wastefully maintained in the blocking state. For this reason, even if it adopts the prevention device of the type where the occupied area on the front side of the game region forming body 80aK is increased by being in the blocking state, the opportunity for the game area PE to be squeezed by the presence of the prevention device can be suitably set. Can be reduced.

  When the game ball that has reached the ball return prevention mechanism 106K passes through the left side prevention device 106aK, the movable body 601a of the left side prevention device 106aK is pushed to the rear of the game machine, so that the movable body 601a is retracted from the maximum projecting position. Move to. Along with this, the movable body 601b of the right prevention device 106bK moves from the retreat position to the maximum projecting position. On the other hand, when passing through the right side prevention device 106bK, the movable body 601b of the right side prevention device 106bK is pushed rearward of the gaming machine, so that the movable body 601b moves from the maximum projecting position to the retreat position. Accordingly, the movable body 601a of the left side prevention device 106aK moves from the retracted position to the maximum projecting position. As described above, according to the configuration in which the two prevention devices 106aK and 106bK are alternately set to the blocking state (permissible state) by using the pressing force of the game ball, the driving force for switching the state of each of the prevention devices 106aK and 106bK. Since no driving means or the like for generating the vibration is required, it is possible to contribute to simplification of the configuration relating to the ball return prevention mechanism 106K. Also, in view of the fact that the firing speed of the game ball can be adjusted according to the operation of the player, the state switching speed of the two prevention devices 106aK and 106bK is proportional to the firing speed of the game ball. Followability to the adjustment function can be ensured by a simple configuration.

  Also, by returning the left side prevention device 106aK to the blocking state before the right side prevention device 106bK becomes the permissible state, a game ball or the like that cannot pass through the right side prevention device 106bK without passing through the left side prevention device 106aK passes through. Return to the guide passage 103 can be suitably suppressed.

  Note that, when the game ball passes in the order of the left side prevention device 106aK → the right side prevention device 106bK, the ball return prevention mechanism 106K returns to the standby state. Thereby, it is possible to prepare for the arrival of the next game ball, and it becomes possible to cope with repeated firing of the game ball. As described above, if the same state is reproduced each time the game ball is fired, it is possible to preferably suppress the occurrence of variation in the decrease in the moving speed of the game ball due to the passage of the ball return prevention mechanism 106K.

  In the configuration in which the kinetic energy of the game ball is diverted to the state switching of the prevention devices 106aK and 106bK using the link mechanism, the kinetic energy of the game ball is reduced by passing through the ball return prevention mechanism 106K, and the movement of the game ball is performed. The speed will be reduced. Such a large decrease in speed may be a factor that makes it difficult to reach the target game ball. Here, according to the configuration shown in the present embodiment, the connection point moves so as to cross the virtual plane connecting the two rotation centers. According to such a configuration, the transmission efficiency can be improved as compared with the case where the movement range of the connection point is limited to one side of the virtual plane. In addition, by reducing the drag when the movable bodies 601a and 601b are displaced, the reaction force applied to the game ball from the movable body can be suppressed, and the disturbance of the behavior of the game ball can be suppressed.

  In the configuration in which the two movable bodies 601a and 601b are interlocked as described above, if one of the movements is obstructed, the effect is exerted on the other. Therefore, in order to ensure the operation of the entire ball return preventing mechanism 106K, it is necessary to take care that one movement is not hindered by the other. For example, in the configuration having the rotatable movable bodies 601a and 601b as described above, the rotation may be hindered by a game ball entering the operation area.

  In particular, when the ball receiving surface portions 604a and 604b constituting the movable bodies 601a and 601b are formed in a plate shape, the ball receiving surface portions 604a and 604b are displaced by the displacement of the ball receiving surface portions 604a and 604b. Gaps occur. If the preceding game ball enters the gap, there is a possibility that the displacement of the movable bodies 601a and 601b when the subsequent game ball arrives is hindered. In consideration of such circumstances, for example, it is possible to reduce the amount of displacement of the movable bodies 601a and 601b and increase the thickness of the ball receiving surface portions 604a and 604b. However, when such measures are taken, the weight of the movable bodies 601a and 601b increases, and a new problem relating to the responsiveness when switching between the blocking state / permissible state occurs. In this regard, as shown in the present embodiment, base portions 602a and 602b (specifically, rotating tip portions 606a and 606b) provided so as to rise from ball receiving surface portions 604a and 604b are used to play game balls in the gaps. If it is configured to function as a blocking means for blocking the entry of the above, the occurrence of the above-mentioned new problems and the like can be suppressed, and a practically preferable configuration can be realized.

  In the present embodiment, since the arm 607b of the right movable body 601b exists in the gap between the left movable body 601a and the opening 616, it is possible to prevent the game ball from entering the gap. Thus, it is possible to suppress the movement of the movable body 601aK and, subsequently, the movement of the subsequent game ball by the game ball passing through the left side prevention device 106aK.

  In particular, it is assumed that the right movable body 601b has a wider exposed portion on the game area PE side than the left movable body 601a, and the chance that the preceding game ball comes into contact increases. If the movement of the right movable body 601b is hindered by the preceding game ball, there is a concern that the presence of the movable body 601b may be a hindrance to switching the state of the entire ball return prevention mechanism 106K. In this regard, the rotation tip 606b (606a) of the base 602b (602a) provided with the function as the "blocking means" has an arc shape centered on the rotation center of the movable body 601b (601a). . For this reason, when a game ball hits the rotation tip portion 605b of the movable body 601b from the guide destination of the game ball, the pressing force is transmitted to the center of rotation of the movable body 601b, and the pressing force is reduced. Acting to rotate the movable body 601b can be avoided. Thereby, even if the preceding game ball collides with the movable body 601b, it is possible not only to suppress that the obstacle does not hinder the rotation of the movable body 601b, but also that it hinders the rotation of the left movable body 601a. Can also be suppressed.

  In the configuration in which the pressing force of the game ball is converted into the power of another movable body by the link mechanism, it is assumed that the behavior of the game ball is likely to be disturbed by increasing the drag. In particular, in a configuration in which the amount of protrusion from the game area forming body 80aK changes, the interference between the game ball and the glass panel 23 covering the game area forming body 80aK is caused by the floating of the game ball from the front surface of the game area forming body 80aK. More likely to occur. In this regard, in the movable bodies 601a and 601b according to the present embodiment, the inclination angle of the contact surface is small at the initial timing when the game ball hits the ball receiving surface portions 604a and 604b. it can. On the other hand, after the rotation has progressed to some extent, the movable bodies 601a and 601b can be operated with relatively small pressing force because inertial force acts on the movable bodies 601a and 601b. Therefore, even if the angle of inclination of the contact surfaces of the ball receiving surface portions 604a and 604b is increased to promote the rotation of the movable bodies 601a and 601b, it is possible to suppress an excessive increase in the drag force. Thereby, it is possible to increase the efficiency of the posture change at the time of rotation while suppressing the disturbance of the behavior of the game ball.

<Another form>
As described in the sixth embodiment, in suppressing the occurrence of foul balls using the ball return prevention mechanism 106K (prevention device), the configuration of the ball return prevention mechanism 106K is changed as follows. It is also possible.

<Example 1>
In the ball return prevention mechanism 106K, one of the two movable bodies 601a and 601b is operated following the operation of the other. Here, for example, the movable body is set so that the left side prevention device 106aK is in a blocking state and the right side prevention device 106bK is in an allowable state by using an urging means such as a spring member, that is, the ball return prevention mechanism 106K is in a standby state. It is good also as a structure which energizes 601aK and 601aK.

  Specifically, the left movable body 601a may be biased by a spring member (a push spring or a pull spring) to be in a blocking state, or the right movable body 601b may be biased by a spring member (a push spring or a pull spring). It is good also as composition which urges so that it may be in an allowable state. Since the two movable members 601a and 601b are connected by the arm portion 607 (the shaft pin 608) and the link groove 609, the effect is extended to the other by urging one of the movable members 601a and 601b. Become. Further, a spring member for the left movable body 601a and a spring member for the right movable body 601b can be used together.

  In addition, the left movable body 601a and the right movable body 601b may be connected by one spring member, and the left movable body 601a may be urged together so that the left movable body 601a is in the blocking state and the right movable body 601b is in the allowable state.

  As described above, the return operation of the movable body 601K is assisted (supported) by using the biasing force of the biasing means as a power source at the time of return, thereby suppressing fluttering of the movable body 601 and the movable body 601K in a standby state. Can be suppressed. Therefore, by using the urging means, the function given to the ball return preventing mechanism 106K can be stably exhibited.

<Example 2>
As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 32A, it is possible to use a weight to assist the return operation. Specifically, a weight 622 is attached to the movable body 601L (particularly, a portion deviated from the center of rotation) via the wire 621. In a situation where the left movable body 601aL is in the blocking state and the right movable body 601bL is in the allowed state, the weight 622 waits at the lower limit position, and the left movable body 601aL is in the allowed state and the right movable body 601bL is in the blocked state. As a result, the weight 622 follows the movement and rises to the upper limit position against the gravity. When the weight thus lifted falls to the lower limit position due to its own weight, the left movable body 601aL can be switched to the blocking state and the right movable body 601bL can be switched to the allowable state in accordance with the operation of the weight 622. It is. That is, it is also possible to use such a weight 622 as "biasing means".

  In the case where the urging means shown in <Example 1> and <Example 2> is mainly used, it is not always necessary to use the link mechanism together. For example, the link mechanism may be omitted, and the driving force of the movable body 601 returning to the blocking state (standby state) may be secured by the urging force of the urging means.

<Example 3>
In the sixth embodiment, the two movable bodies 601a and 601b are structurally connected using the link mechanism, so that the two movable bodies 601a and 601b are interlocked via the link mechanism. As a result, the specific configuration may be arbitrarily changed as long as the two movable bodies 601a and 601b can be linked.

  For example, as for the ball return prevention mechanism 106M shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 32B, a detection sensor 625a that detects the state (position) of the left movable body 601aM and the state (position) of the right movable body 601bM are provided on the holder 611M. And a detection sensor 625b for detecting the The detection sensors 625a and 625b are connected to the main control device 162, and the main control device 162 determines the state of each movable body 601aM and 601bM based on the detection information (detection signal) from these detection sensors 625a and 625b. It is possible to grasp whether it is.

  The holder 611M is provided with a solenoid 626a constituting "driving means" for the left movable body 601aM and a solenoid 626b constituting "driving means" for the right movable body 601bM. These solenoids 626a and 626b are connected to the main controller 162, and are driven based on a drive signal from the main controller 162 (switching between an excited state and a non-excited state).

  In the MPU 402 of the main control device 162, the posture control processing for the movable bodies 601aM and 601bM is executed based on the detection information from the detection sensors 625a and 625b. Specifically, when detection information indicating that the left movable body 601aM has been switched to the allowable state is input from the detection sensor 625a, a drive signal is output to the solenoid 626b. As a result, the right movable body 601bM switches from the allowable state to the blocking state. Next, when detection information indicating that the right movable body 601bM has been switched from the allowed state to the blocked state is input from the detection sensor 625b, a drive signal is output to the solenoid 626a. As a result, the left movable body 601aM switches from the allowable state to the blocking state. Thereby, the return to the standby state before the game ball passes is completed.

  The output period of the drive signal is set to be a period in which the attitude control by the solenoid 626b is completed.

  When relevance is given to the movement of the two movable bodies 601aM and 601bM, a part of the kinetic energy of the game ball is converted into the kinetic energy for the movable body 601aM and the kinetic energy for the movable body 601bM, It is assumed that the momentum of the game ball tends to weaken. That is, when the two movable bodies 601aM and 601bM are connected by the link mechanism, a considerable power loss of the game ball occurs.

  In this regard, in the configuration shown in this modification, the operation resistance of one movable body can be suppressed as small as possible while the operation of one movable body is used as a trigger for the operation of the other movable body. Thereby, the combined use of a plurality of movable bodies can be favorably promoted. Reducing the operating resistance of the movable body is also advantageous in realizing improved responsiveness by reducing the movement of the movable body when a game ball collides.

<Seventh embodiment>
In the ball return prevention mechanism 106K described in the sixth embodiment, the state in which the left side prevention device 106aK is in the blocking state and the right side prevention device 106bK is in the allowable state is set as the standby state of the ball return prevention mechanism 106K. However, in the ball return prevention mechanism 106N shown in the present embodiment, the state in which both the left side prevention device 106aN and the right side prevention device 106bN are in the blocking state is set to be the standby state of the ball return prevention mechanism 106N. In this point, the configuration is different from that of the ball return prevention mechanism 106. Hereinafter, the ball return prevention mechanism 106N in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. The description of the configuration common to the ball return prevention mechanism 106K shown in the sixth embodiment is referred to.

  A portion of the bottom (mounting base 612N) of the holder 611N constituting the ball return preventing mechanism 106N facing the base portion 602 of the left movable body 601aN stands on the same side as the housing portion 613N from the mounting base 612N. A supporting column 617aN is formed. The upright amount of the column 617aN is set such that the tip end thereof is aligned with the front end (the upper end in FIG. 33) of the link groove 609aN. A spring member 618aN (corresponding to "biasing means") is attached to the tip of the support 617aN so as to connect the support 617aN and the guide pin 605aN. The spring member 618aN is slightly extended from the natural state, and the guide pin 605a is pressed against the end (the end on the open portion side) of the guide groove 615aN by the urging force of the spring member 618aN. Thereby, the left movable body 601aN is maintained in the blocking state.

  In the ball return prevention mechanism 106N shown in the present embodiment, the arm portion (axial pin) and the link groove that constitute the link mechanism are omitted, and the link between the left and right movable bodies 601aN and 601bN is avoided. Thus, the left movable body 601aN and the right movable body 601bN operate independently and independently.

  In accordance with such a change, the right movable body 601bN is shared with the left movable body 601aN, and the support 617bN and the spring member 618bN provided in the same manner as the support 617aN and the spring member 618bN are provided. It has become. The left movable body 601aN is also kept in the blocking state by the urging force of the spring member 618bN. That is, both the left movable body 601aN and the right movable body 601bN are maintained in the blocking state, and this state is set to be the standby state of the ball return prevention mechanism 106N.

  Next, an operation mode of the ball return prevention mechanism 106N will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram showing the movement of each of the movable bodies 601aN and 601bN, and FIG. 35 is a timing chart showing the flow of the operation of the ball return prevention mechanism 106N.

  The game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 reaches the ball return prevention mechanism 106N through the guide passage 103. As shown in FIG. 34 (a) → FIG. 34 (b), when the game ball reaching the ball return prevention mechanism 106N hits the ball receiving surface portion 604aN of the left movable body 601aN, the ball receiving surface portion 604aN is located on the back side of the housing portion 613N. By being pushed rearward, the left movable body 601aN retreats into the holder 611N against the urging force of the spring member 618aN. With this retreat, a restoring force for returning the left movable body 601aN to the blocking state (maximum projecting position) is stored in the spring member 618aN.

  As shown in FIG. 34 (b) → FIG. 34 (c), when the left movable body 601aN is displaced to the maximum retreat position and switched from the blocking state to the allowable state, the game ball that collides with the left movable body 601aN is moved to the left. After passing through the movable body 601aN, it moves to the right movable body 601bN. Thereafter, the left movable body 601aN returns from the allowable state to the blocking state by the restoring force stored in the spring member 618aN.

  As shown in FIGS. 34A to 34C, the right movable body 601bN is in a blocking state before the game ball reaches the right movable body 601bN. Therefore, the game ball that has reached the right movable body 601bN hits the ball receiving surface portion 604bN of the right movable body 601bN. As shown in FIG. 34 (c) → FIG. 34 (d), when the ball receiving surface portion 604bN is pushed to the rear side (rearward) of the housing portion 613N, the right movable body is held against the urging force of the spring member 618bN. Retreat into 611N. With this retraction, a restoring force for returning the right movable body 601bN to the blocking state (maximum protruding position) is stored in the spring member 618bN.

  When the right movable body 601bN is displaced to the retreat position and the right prevention device 106bN switches from the blocking state to the allowable state, the game ball that has collided with the right movable body 601bN passes through the right movable body 601bN and reaches the game area PE. .

  As shown in FIG. 34 (d) → FIG. 34 (a), after the game ball has passed, the restoring force stored in the spring member 618bN causes the right prevention device 106bN to return from the allowed state to the blocked state. . Thus, before the subsequent game ball reaches the ball return prevention mechanism 106N, the ball return prevention mechanism 106N enters a standby state.

  Here, the operation timing of each of the movable bodies 601aN and 601bN will be supplementarily described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the overlap between the period in which the left prevention device 106aN is in the blocking state and the period in which the right prevention device 106bN is in the blocking state is avoided. Specifically, while the right prevention device 106bN is maintained in the blocking state, the left protection device 106aN switches from the blocking state to the allowable state. A period until the pushing of the right prevention device 106bN is started by the game ball that has passed through the left prevention device 106aN in the allowable state, that is, the game ball passes through the gap (specific area SEN) between the two prevention devices 106aN and 106bN. Using the period, at the timing tb4 immediately before the pushing of the right prevention device 106bN by the game ball is started, the left prevention device 106aN (the left movable body 601aN) is slightly in front of the game area forming body 80aN (open portion of the holder 611N). ). This prevents the game ball that has passed through the left side prevention device 106aN from returning to the guide passage 103 side. At this timing, although the gap between the left movable body 601aN and the glass panel 23 is still larger than the diameter of the game ball, the movement of the game ball toward the game area PE does not affect the movement of the game area forming body 80aN. This is done along the front of the camera. Under such circumstances, even if the amount of protrusion of the left movable body 601aN is relatively small, the reversion of the game ball is preferably suppressed.

  Thereafter, the left prevention device 106aN returns to the prevention state at a timing tb5 before the timing of tb7 at which the right prevention device 106bN is switched from the inhibition state to the allowable state by being pushed by the game ball. That is, the switching from the blocking state to the allowable state to the blocking state of the left prevention device 106aN is completed while the right prevention device 106bN is maintained in the blocking state.

  Thereafter, the right movable body 601bN retreats, and the right prevention device 106bN switches from the blocking state to the allowable state at the timing of tb7. Thereby, the game ball passes through the right side prevention device 106bN. At the timing tb8 when the game ball has passed, the return of the right movable body 601bN to the maximum protruding position is started, and while the left prevention device 106aN is maintained in the blocking state (until the subsequent game ball reaches). The return of the right prevention device 106bN to the blocking state is completed. That is, the switching of the right prevention device 106bN from the blocking state to the allowable state to the blocking state is completed while the left protection device 106aN is maintained in the blocking state.

  Next, with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. 36, a description will be given of a mode of the reverse return prevention by the ball return prevention mechanism 106N shown in the present embodiment. FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram showing a state of preventing the return movement.

  As shown in FIG. 36 (a), when the preceding game ball B1 flows into the game area PE through the ball return prevention mechanism 106N and is reflected by the game nail 93 or the like and rebounds toward the ball return prevention mechanism 106N. When the game ball B2 hits the right movable body 601bN, it is prevented from moving toward the left movable body 601aN. That is, the right movable body 601bN functions as a barrier for the left movable body 601aN, and the operation of the left movable body 601aN accompanying the subsequent passage of the game ball B2 is secured.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 36 (b), at the timing when the subsequent game ball B2 passes through the left movable body 601aN and reaches the specific area SEN between the two movable bodies 601aN, 601bN, the right movable body 601bN is reached. When the game ball B1 preceding the game ball B1 rebounds, the operation of the right movable body 601bN may be hindered by the game ball B1. The rotating tip 606bN of the right movable body 601bN has an arc shape centered on the rotating center of the right movable body 601bN, similarly to the rotating tip 606bK described in the sixth embodiment. Therefore, assuming that the game ball B2 collides with the rotating tip 606bN, the stress generated by the collision is transmitted to the shaft 603bN and the bearing 614bN constituting the center of rotation, and the driving force for rotating the right movable body 601bN. Is avoided. However, there is a possibility that the game ball B2 may be caught on the tip of the ball receiving surface portion 604N, and in such a case, it is assumed that the above situation may occur.

  If the movement of the right movable body 601bN to the retreat position is hindered, it becomes difficult for the following game balls B2 to pass through the right prevention device 106bN. In this case, the subsequent game ball B2 falls into the game area PE through the specific area SEN and is discharged from the ball return prevention mechanism 106N. Thereby, it is suppressed that the game ball B2 becomes a factor that hinders the movement of the subsequent game ball.

  According to the configuration shown in the present embodiment, the movable body 601bN of the right prevention device 106bN can be kept at the maximum protruding position at a timing before the game ball passes through the left prevention device 106aN. Therefore, when the game ball moves from the left side prevention device 106aN to the right side prevention device 106bN, it is possible to suppress an event such as a collision with the movable body 601bN moving toward the maximum projecting position. Thereby, when the game ball hits the movable body 601bN, it is possible to suppress the reaction force applied to the game ball from becoming excessively large.

  Further, the right side prevention device 106bN can be used as a barrier for the left side prevention device 106aN, and it is possible to preferably reduce the chance that the operation of the left side prevention device 106aN is obstructed by the game ball that has flowed into the game area PE earlier. .

<Another form>
As described in the seventh embodiment, the ball return prevention mechanism 106N (prevention device) including a plurality of prevention devices 106aN and 106bN suppresses the occurrence of foul balls. Such a configuration can be changed as follows.

<Example 1>
In configuring the ball return preventing mechanism 106N using the plurality of movable bodies 601aN and 601bN, the movable body 301 (operates along the front surface of the game area forming body 80a) of the type shown in the first embodiment and the like. It is also possible to use a movable body 601N (a movable body that operates so as to intersect with the front surface of the game area forming body 80a) of the type shown in the seventh embodiment and the like. It is.

  In this case, for example, the movable body on the left side (the side closer to the exit portion 105 of the guide passage 103) is the movable body of the type shown in the first embodiment and the like, and the movable body on the right side (the side farther from the exit portion 105) is used. By using a movable body of the type shown in the seventh embodiment and the like, it is possible to preferably prevent the game area PE from being squeezed due to an improvement in the function of preventing a reverse movement.

<Example 2>
In the ball return prevention mechanism 106N, both the movable bodies 601aN and 601bN are configured to retreat to the far side of the game area forming body 80aN with the passage of the game ball, but the movable body 401N of the type shown in the present embodiment is used. It is also possible to construct a ball return prevention mechanism by combining with the movable body 301G of the type shown in the fourth embodiment (a movable body that advances with the passage of a game ball).

  In this case, for example, the movable body on the left side (the side closer to the outlet portion 105) is the movable body of the type shown in the fourth embodiment, and the movable body on the right side (the side farther from the outlet portion 105) is the seventh embodiment. The movable body of the type shown in the embodiment may be used, or the movable body on the left side (the side closer to the outlet portion 105) may be the movable body of the type shown in the seventh embodiment, and the right side (the side farther from the outlet portion 105). May be a movable body of the type shown in the fourth embodiment.

  Here, in consideration of stabilization of the behavior of the game ball and protection of the glass panel 23, it is preferable to suppress the floating of the game ball from the front surface of the game area forming body 80a. When the movable body moves in the thickness direction of the game area forming body 80a, the trajectory of the game ball hitting the movable body may slightly change due to the reaction force from the movable body. Therefore, in the case of the latter of the two combinations described above, the trajectory of the game ball changed by hitting the upstream movable body in the moving direction of the game ball is corrected by the downstream movable body (to prevent the floating of the game ball. Can be corrected). Thus, the latter combination has technical significance.

<Example 3>
In the seventh embodiment, the game balls are discharged through the specific area SEN formed between the movable bodies 601aN and 601bN. Compression of the game area PE can be suitably suppressed. In such a configuration, for example, by adopting a configuration in which the return speed of the left movable body 601aN is delayed (delayed), the operation area of the left movable body 601aN is used as a passage area for discharging game balls. That is, by giving the same function as the specific area SEN to the operation area, both movable bodies 601aN and 601bN can be approached while ensuring the function of discharging the game balls from the ball return prevention mechanism. As a result, it is possible to suitably solve the above-described problem relating to the pressing of the game area PE.

<Eighth Embodiment>
The ball return prevention mechanism 106P shown in the present embodiment is different from the ball return prevention mechanism 106L shown in the sixth embodiment in the configuration relating to the arrangement and operation. The ball return preventing mechanism 106P according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 37 to 41, focusing on differences from the ball return preventing mechanism 106L of the sixth embodiment. 37 is a partially enlarged view of the game board unit 80P showing the ball return prevention mechanism 106P and its peripheral structure, FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing the ball return prevention mechanism 106P and its peripheral structure, and FIG. 39 is removed from the game board unit 80P. FIG. 40 (a) is a plan view of the ball return prevention mechanism 106P, FIG. 40 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the ball return prevention mechanism 106P, and FIG. 41 is a ball return prevention mechanism 106P. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. In FIG. 40, the configuration related to the ball return prevention mechanism 106P is schematically indicated by a two-dot chain line for convenience of explanation.

  As shown in FIG. 37, in the game area forming body 80aP, a long hole 92P is formed in the exit portion 105 of the guide path 103 so as to straddle the guide path 103 and the game area PE. The long hole 92P extends along the outer rail 102 and penetrates in the thickness direction of the game area forming body 80aP. A ball return prevention mechanism 106P is attached to the elongated hole 92P from the back side of the game area forming body 80aP. The ball return prevention mechanism 106P prevents a game ball that has moved from the guide path 103 to the game area PE from returning to the guide path 103.

  The ball return prevention mechanism 106P is composed of two prevention devices 106aP and 106bP arranged along the outer rail 102, that is, two prevention devices arranged side by side on the movement path of the game ball along the outer rail 102. 106aP and 106bP. Specifically, the left movable body 601aP as the “first movable body” constituting the left prevention device 106aP (“corresponding to the first restricting means”), and the right protective device 106bP (corresponding to the “second restricting means”). And a holder 611P for holding the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP. The game is performed in a state where the holder 611P is engaged with the elongated hole 92P. It is integrated with the region forming body 80aP.

  As shown in FIG. 38, each of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP shown in the present embodiment can be switched between an allowance state in which game balls are allowed to pass and a regulation state in which game balls are allowed to pass. Is similar to the sixth embodiment described above, but differs from the sixth embodiment in that both movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are maintained in a regulated state during standby for waiting for a game ball to pass. doing.

  As shown in FIG. 39, the holder 611P is formed by combining two holder members, and the movable members 601aP and 601bP are held between the holder members. The holder 611P has a flat mounting base 612P that functions as a mounting portion for the game area forming body 80aP, and a housing portion 613P that is provided so as to protrude (stand up) from the mounting base 612P and that can store the movable body 601P. Are provided. The accommodation portion 613P is open to the opposite side (front of the gaming machine) of the mounting base 612P and has a hollow box shape (annular shape) having the mounting base 612P as a bottom, and the mounting base 612P is provided with the game area forming body 80aP. In this state, the distal end portion (opening portion 616P) of the housing portion 613P is formed so as to be located on the same plane as the front surface of the game area forming body 80aP. In this way, by avoiding the occurrence of a step with the front surface of the game area forming body 80aP, disturbance of the behavior of the game ball when the game ball passes through the holder 611P is suppressed.

  In this embodiment, the distance between the two movable bodies 601aP and 601bP is slightly larger than that in the sixth embodiment. In consideration of such circumstances, an opening 616aP for the left movable body 601aP and an opening 616bP for the right movable body 601bP are separately provided to fill a gap between the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP, so that the game ball can be formed. The disturbance of the behavior of the game ball when moving from the left movable body 601aP to the right movable body 601bP is suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 40A, a part of the long hole 92P is formed so as to overlap with the guide rail 100 (specifically, the inner rail 101 and the outer rail 102). The tip edge (tip portion) of the housing portion 613P is located. That is, a part of the accommodation portion 613P faces the guide rail 100 from the rear side in the thickness direction of the game area forming body 80aP. With the configuration in which the ball return preventing mechanism 106P is located behind the guide rail 100, the ball return preventing mechanism 106P (more specifically, the movable body 601aP) is disposed between the inner rail 101 and the outer rail 102. In the configuration, restrictions on the size and arrangement are relaxed. Thereby, the coexistence of the guide rail 100 and the ball return prevention mechanism 106P is suitably realized.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 40A, a supplementary description will be given of the mounting structure of the ball return prevention mechanism 106P. Regarding the attachment base 612P formed on the holder 611P, the first attachment base 612aP extending to a position overlapping behind the portion where the game area PE is formed in the game area formation body 80aP, and the game area formation body 80aP. And a second mounting base 612bP extending to a position overlapping behind a portion outside the game area PE (specifically, a portion outside the outer rail 102). The first mounting base 612aP and the second mounting base 612bP are fixed to the game area forming body 80aP by screws 621P (corresponding to “fixing means” or “fixing tool”).

  With respect to the configuration in which the return of the game ball to the guidance passage 103 is restricted by using the ball return prevention mechanism 106P, the progress of the game is facilitated by avoiding the preceding game ball from obstructing the firing of the subsequent game ball. It is advantageous in aiming. However, since various game components such as game nails are disposed on the front side of the game region forming body 80aP, it is preferable that the region where the game components are disposed be pressed by the presence of the ball return prevention mechanism 106P. Absent. In this regard, according to the configuration shown in the present embodiment, the portion to be fixed by the screw 621P in the ball return prevention mechanism 106P is located on the back side of the game area forming body 80aP. The front side is not provided with a portion to be fixed by a fixing means (fixing tool) such as a screw or a screw. As described above, by eliminating the occupied area on the front side of the game area forming body 80aP for the configuration relating to the fixing of the ball return prevention mechanism 106P, the degree of freedom in arranging the game parts around the exit portion 105 of the guide passage 103 is reduced. Has been suppressed.

  In particular, the screw 621P as the “fixing means” is attached using the thickness of the game area forming body 80aP. Specifically, screw holes communicating with the through holes formed in the mounting bases 612aP and 612bP are formed in the game area forming body 80aP, and the screws 621P are screwed into these screw holes. . In the present embodiment, at least a part of the plurality of screws 621P is disposed at a position where the overlap with the game area PE is avoided before and after (the area where the guide passage 103 and the game area PE are not formed). It is configured to be. Accordingly, it is possible to preferably suppress the screw 621P from hindering the disposition (fixation) of the game component. Therefore, it is possible to more suitably exert the above effects.

(Movable body 601P)
The movable bodies 601aP and 601bP have ball receiving surface portions 604aP and 604bP formed so as to cover at least a part of the opening portions 616aP and 616bP formed in the housing portion 613P so as to face the front side of the game area forming body 80aP. And base portions 602aP and 602bP in the form of flat plates provided upright from the ball receiving surface portions 604aP and 604bP to the back side of the housing portion 613P. The base portions 602aP and 602bP extend in the direction in which the above-described prevention devices 106aP and 106bP are juxtaposed, and the lower ends of the base portions 602aP and 602bP, that is, the upstream ends in the guide path of the game ball by the guide passage 103. The portion is provided with shaft portions 608aP, 608bP formed to be parallel to the front surface of the game area forming body 80aP. The shaft portions 608aP and 608bP are orthogonal to the guide path of the game ball when the game area forming body 80aP is viewed from the front, and the shaft portions 608aP and 608bP engage with the bearing portions 614aP and 614bP formed on the holder 611P. The movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are held so as to be rotatable around the shaft portions 608aP and 608bP (see FIG. 41).

  As described above, the outer rail 102 is curved so as to protrude outward, and the guide path of the game ball is also curved along the outer rail 102. Under such circumstances, the inclination of the axis 608aP (rotation center axis CLaP) of the left movable body 601aP with respect to the horizontal line and the axis 608bP (rotation center axis CLbP) of the right movable body 601bP are greater than the latter. Is larger. Since the two movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are separated from each other as described above, the operation of each of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP is facilitated by individually setting the directions of the rotation center axes CLaP and CLbP. It is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the directions of both rotation center axes CLaP, CLbP are aligned.

  The left movable body 601aP is disposed so as to be biased toward the outer rail 102 side of the inner and outer rails 101 and 102, and the base 602aP and the ball receiving surface 604aP of the left movable body 601aP are arranged along the outer rail 102. It is curved. More specifically, when the game ball moves along the outer rail 102, the base portion 602aP and the ball receiving surface portion 604aP are formed in accordance with the trajectory through which the center of the game ball passes. As described above, a game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 moves mainly along the outer rail 102. Therefore, the base portion 602aP and the ball receiving surface portion 604aP have the above-described shapes, so that the movement of the left movable body 601aP following the movement of the game ball is facilitated.

  The configuration of the right movable body 601bP is different in that the configuration is not such an uneven arrangement. The game ball flowing out of the exit portion 105 of the guidance passage 103 does not always move along the outer rail 102 as it is, and may be separated from the outer rail 102 near the exit portion 105 if the firing speed is low. is there. In consideration of such circumstances, the bias of the right movable body 601bP located outside the exit portion 105 of the guide passage 103 is more suppressed than the left movable body 601aP.

  It is not preferable that the weight of the left movable body 601aP increases in view of the improvement of the responsiveness of the operation of the left movable body 601aP, and it is necessary to secure the strength of the left movable body 601aP in view of the point where the game balls repeatedly hit. is there. Here, according to the configuration shown in the present embodiment, the ball receiving surface portion 604aP is formed at the end of the plate-shaped base portion 602aP that intersects with the rotation center axis CLaP, so that the base portion 602aP becomes the ball receiving surface portion 604aP. Function as reinforcement means. Then, by bending the base portion 602a as described above, it is possible to realize an improvement in strength while suppressing an increase in weight of the left movable body 601aP. This makes it possible to suppress deformation and the like of the left movable body 601aP due to a collision of a game ball, and to improve responsiveness when switching between the allowable state / restricted state. For the above reasons, the above configuration has a technical significance in stably exerting the function of the left side prevention device 106aP.

  Note that the lateral width of the ball receiving surface 604aP in the left movable body 601aP is smaller than the lateral width of the ball receiving surface 604bP in the right movable body 601bP. In accordance with this, the opening 616aP of the holder 611P and the elongated hole 92P of the game area forming body 80aP are also formed such that the width corresponding to the left movable body 601aP is reduced. In this way, the guide passage 103 has a configuration in which a board portion is left as much as possible, thereby preventing the game ball from being caught and stabilizing the behavior of the game ball.

  The holder 611P is provided with a stopper that defines the range of rotation of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP. Here, with reference to FIG. 40, a supplementary description will be given of the configuration related to the definition of the rotation range.

  As shown in FIG. 40A, the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are formed with protrusions 609aP and 609bP protruding from the base portions 602aP and 602bP to the outer rail 102 side. An opening through which the projections 609aP and 609bP are inserted is formed in the peripheral wall of the holder 611P. As shown in FIG. 40B, the protrusions 609aP and 609bP abut on the edges (first stoppers 615aP and 615bP) of these openings, thereby defining the maximum protruding positions of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP.

  When the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are arranged at the maximum projecting positions, the projecting amount from the front surface of the game area forming body 80aP is configured to be larger than the diameter of the game ball. However, it is not necessarily limited to such a configuration in order to exert the function of preventing the passing of the game balls. It is sufficient if the gap with the glass panel 23 is configured to be smaller than the diameter of the game ball. For example, the protrusion amount in the state where the game ball is disposed at the maximum protrusion position is smaller than the diameter of the game ball. Such a configuration is also possible.

  When a game ball hits the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP, the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP move backward. Then, by hitting the second stoppers 619aP and 619bP formed on the inner part (bottom part) of the holder 611P, further retreat (rearward rotation) can be avoided. When the second stoppers 619aP and 619bP are in contact with each other, the amount of protrusion of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP from the storage section 613P is minimized (specifically, “0”). Thereby, the passing of the game ball is permitted.

  In the present embodiment, the rotation range is defined by the first stoppers 615aP and 615bP provided on the peripheral wall of the storage portion 613P and the second stoppers 619aP and 619bP provided on the back. It is not limited to this. For example, as shown in the sixth embodiment, a configuration in which the rotation range is defined by the guide groove 615L and the guide pin 605L can be adopted. However, in such a configuration, sliding resistance is easily generated between the guide groove 615L and the guide pin 605L. To realize smooth movement between the maximum protruding position and the standby position while suppressing the sliding resistance, the configuration shown in the present embodiment has technical significance.

  In a state where the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are arranged at the maximum protruding positions, the separation distance between the open portions 616aP and 616bP and the ball receiving surface portions 604aP and 604bP becomes large, and a gap into which a game ball can flow is provided between the two. Occurs. If a game ball enters the gap, it may be a factor that hinders the movement of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP toward the retreat position. Therefore, the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are devised to prevent such a game ball from entering. Specifically, flange portions 606aP, 606bP extending in a direction intersecting with the ball receiving surface portions 604aP, 604bP are formed at the pivotal tip portions of the movable bodies 601aP, 601bP, and the flange portions 606aP, 606bP form the above-mentioned gap. Some are buried.

  In order to improve the responsiveness of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP relating to the movement from the maximum projecting position to the retreat position, it is preferable to reduce the weight of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP as much as possible. Therefore, if a configuration is adopted in which the flanges 606aP and 606bP are used to partially fill the gap instead of filling the entire gap as described above, improvement in responsiveness due to weight reduction and avoidance of the above-described inconvenience can be preferably achieved. Can be compatible. Note that the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP shown in the present embodiment are lighter than the game balls by performing the above-described weight reduction.

  The flange portions 606aP and 606bP intersect (specifically, orthogonally) with the ball receiving surface portions 604aP and 604bP, and are inclined downward toward the center of the game area PE. Therefore, when a game ball hits the flanges 606aP and 606bP from the game area PE side, the game ball rebounds toward the center of the game area PE, and the game ball is placed on the flanges 606aP and 606bP. Stopping can be avoided. In particular, the exit portion 105 of the guide passage 103 is opened obliquely upward. Here, the flange portion 606aP slightly protrudes from the exit portion 105 toward the game area PE. By adopting such a configuration, a game ball caught on the inner rail 101 and the flange portion 606aP from the game area PE side is prevented from remaining in the exit portion 105, and the preceding game ball hinders the operation of the movable body 601aP. To avoid being a factor.

  Next, the operation principle of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP when returning from the allowable state to the restricted state will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. Note that the operation principle of the left movable body 601aP and the right movable body 601bP is common, and therefore the description will proceed without distinguishing the two movable bodies.

(Operation principle of movable body 601P)
As described above, the movable body 601P is rotatably held such that the lower end is the rotation base end (fixed end) and the upper end is the rotation tip (free end). I have. As shown in FIG. 42A, in a state where the movable body 601P is arranged at the maximum protruding position (restricted state), the entire ball receiving surface portion 604P is opened to the open portion 616P of the holder 611P (the front surface of the game area forming body 80aP). ) Projecting forward. In this state, the ball receiving surface portion 604P is located in the passage area of the game ball in the guide passage 103, and the movement path of the game ball along the guide passage 103 is cut off by the ball receiving surface portion 604P.

  The center of gravity GPP of the movable body 601P is located above and in front of the rotation center axis CLP of the movable body 601P. More specifically, the rotation center axis CLP of the movable body 601P is offset behind the front surface of the game area forming body 80aP, while the center of gravity GPP is offset from the front face of the game area forming body 80aP. Is also located forward. As a result, the movable body 601P is stable in a posture inclined forward about the rotation center axis CLP.

  When a game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 hits the ball receiving surface portion 604P, the ball receiving surface portion 604P is pushed to the far side (rear side) of the housing portion 613P by collision with the game ball. The downward biasing force (potential energy) of the movable body 601P depends on the weight and posture (forward tilt) of the movable body 601P. Here, the pressing speed (kinetic energy) of the game ball, which depends on the moving speed (firing speed) of the game ball and the weight thereof, exceeds the urging force (potential energy) utilizing the own weight of the movable body 601P. As shown in FIG. 42 (a) → FIG. 42 (b), the movable body 601P rotates backward about the rotation center axis CLP, and the movable body 601P moves from the maximum projecting position to the retracted position. As a result, the passage of the game ball by the movable body 601P at the restricted position is permitted. Note that the weight of the movable body 601P shown in the present embodiment is lighter than the weight of the game ball, thereby improving the responsiveness during the operation and reducing the resistance applied to the game ball. However, the weight of the movable body 601P is arbitrary, and for example, may be heavier than the weight of the game ball.

  When the movable body 601P is located at the retracted position as shown in FIG. 42 (b), the ball receiving surface portion 604P of the movable body 601P is located on the same plane as the front surface of the game area forming body 80aP. In this manner, by eliminating the step between the game area forming body 80aP and the ball receiving surface portion 604P, disturbance in the behavior of the game ball is suppressed.

  Here, in the retracted position, the center of gravity GPP of the movable body 601P is located behind the game area forming body 80aP and ahead of the rotation center axis CLP. In other words, the trajectory through which the center of gravity position GPP passes due to the displacement between the maximum projecting position / the retreat position is configured to be located on the front side of the rotation center axis CLP. Since the position of the center of gravity GPP remains before the rotation center axis CLP, the movable body 601P is maintained in a state where it can be tilted forward by its own weight.

  As shown in FIG. 42 (b) → FIG. 42 (c), after the game ball passes through the movable body 601P, the movable body 601P is rotated to the near side by its own weight. As shown in FIG. 42 (c), when the return of the movable body 601P to the maximum protruding position is completed, the center of gravity position GPP is located forward of the rotation center axis CLP, and is tilted forward by its own weight. Will be maintained. As a result, the preparation for the arrival of the next game ball is completed. As described above, the movable body 601P shown in the present embodiment is configured to self-return to the maximum protruding position by using its own weight, and the configuration related to the return is simplified.

  As described above, in a configuration in which the function of self-return of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP depends on the weight of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP, the following two points need to be considered.

  (1) The increase in the weight of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP increases the torque required at the time of rotation, and the increase in the required torque may be a factor in increasing the reaction force transmitted to the game ball. When the reaction force is large, when the game balls hit the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP, the game balls are likely to float up to the glass panel 23 side. In order to avoid the interference with the glass panel 23 and stabilize the behavior of the game ball, it is necessary to prevent the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP from being unnecessarily increased in weight.

  (2) When the gaming machine is placed in an island facility such as a gaming hall, the attitude (tilt: so-called nekase) of the gaming machine may slightly vary. When such circumstances are taken into consideration, a small deviation between the rotation center axis lines CLaP, CLbP and the center of gravity positions GPaP, GPbP may cause malfunction of the self-recovery function.

  One of the features of the present embodiment is that the device is devised in consideration of these various circumstances. Hereinafter, the configuration according to the contrivance will be described with reference to FIGS. As described above, flange portions 606aP and 606bP are formed at the rotating distal ends of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP (see FIG. 41). This makes it possible to move the centers of gravity GPaP, GPbP of the movable bodies 601aP, 601bP away from the rotation center axes CLaP, CLbP. This makes it easy to shift the center of gravity position GPaP, GPbP forward with respect to the rotation center axes CLaP, CLbP.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to increase the amount of deviation between the center of gravity positions GPaP, GPbP in the front-rear direction and the rotation center axes CLaP, CLbP while avoiding the weight of the movable bodies 601aP, 601bP from being unnecessarily increased. It is possible.

  The movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are substantially L-shaped or substantially T-shaped by the base portions 602aP and 602bP (ball receiving surface portions 604aP and 604bP) and the flange portions 606aP and 606bP, and the length of the flange portions 606aP and 606b is long. The length dimension is formed so as to be shorter than the length dimension of the base portions 602aP, 602bP (ball receiving surface portions 604aP, 604bP). As described above, the flanges 606aP and 606bP are deliberately shortened (short side portions) at the rotating distal ends of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP, thereby suppressing a wasteful increase in weight.

  Incidentally, the flange portions 606aP and 606bP are configured to be orthogonal to the front surface of the game area forming body 80aP in a state where the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are arranged at the retracted position. , 616bP are prevented from increasing. In order to enjoy such an effect, the flanges 606aP and 606bP are formed in an arc shape centered on the rotation center axes CLaP and CLbP, like the ends 606a and 606b described in the sixth embodiment. It is also possible to form it.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 43 and FIG. 44, an operation mode of the ball return prevention mechanism 106P accompanying the passage of the game ball will be described. 43 and 44 are schematic diagrams showing the movement of the ball return prevention mechanism 106P accompanying the passage of the game ball. FIG. 43 (a) → FIG. 43 shows the state of the ball return prevention mechanism 106P accompanying the passage of the game ball. (B) → FIG. 43 (c) → FIG. 44 (d) → FIG. 44 (e).

  The game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 based on the shooting operation of the player rises along the guide passage 103 and reaches the ball return prevention mechanism 106P provided at the exit portion 105 of the guide passage 103. . The left movable body 601aP and the right movable body 601bP that constitute the ball return prevention mechanism 106P are both located at the maximum protruding positions, and are in a restricted state of restricting the passage of game balls.

  The game ball that has reached the ball return prevention mechanism 106P first strikes the left movable body 601aP as shown in FIG. 43 (a) → FIG. 43 (b). When the game ball hits, the left movable body 601aP rotates from the maximum protruding position to the retracted position, and the passage of the game ball is allowed.

  As shown in FIG. 43 (b) → FIG. 43 (c), when the game ball passes through the left movable body 601aP and moves to the right movable body 601bP, the left movable body 601aP returns to the maximum protruding position by its own weight. This return operation is started at a timing before the passage of the game ball by the right movable body 601bP is permitted, and at least one of the two movable bodies 601aP and 601bP is maintained in a state of restricting the passage of the game ball. You. That is, the period in which the left movable body 601aP is in the permissible state and the period in which the right movable body 601bP is in the permissible state are prevented from overlapping with each other, and at least one of them is maintained in the restricted state, thereby preventing the ball from returning. The function is appropriately secured.

  In the ball return prevention mechanism 106P shown in the present embodiment, a gap through which game balls can pass is secured between the left movable body 601aP and the right movable body 601bP. For this reason, if the right movable body 601bP does not operate well, the game ball falls between the two movable bodies 601aP and 601bP, and the game ball is discharged from the ball return prevention mechanism 106P. In this manner, by ensuring the function of discharging the preceding game ball, it is possible to avoid occurrence of clogging of the ball in the ball return prevention mechanism 106P, and to appropriately cope with repeated firing of the game ball.

  As shown in FIG. 43 (c) → FIG. 44 (d), at the timing after the left movable body 601aP returns to the maximum protruding position, the rotation of the right movable body 601bP to the retracted position is completed. Thereby, the passage of the game ball in the right movable body 601bP is allowed. As shown in FIG. 44 (d) → FIG. 44 (e), when the game ball passes through the right movable body 601bP, the right movable body 601bP self-returns from the retracted position to the maximum protruding position by its own weight. As a result, the ball return prevention mechanism 106P returns to the standby state before the game ball arrives (the state in which the both prevention devices 106aP and 106bP are both maintained in the restricted state).

  According to the eighth embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

  A game ball that has been fired from the game ball launching mechanism 110 (corresponding to “game ball launching means”) and reached the game area PE via the guidance passage 103 (corresponding to “ball passage”) is a ball return prevention mechanism 106P (“regulating means”). ), Return to the guidance passage 103 is avoided. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this manner, it is possible to contribute to smooth progress of the game. However, in a configuration in which the game ball is prevented from returning by the ball return prevention mechanism 106P, the presence of the movable bodies 601aP, 601bP, the holder 611P, and the like constituting the ball return prevention mechanism 106P may be a factor that presses the game area PE. .

  In this regard, in the ball return preventing mechanism 106P shown in the present embodiment, the guide passage 103 has a function as an operation area of the movable body 601aP. Thereby, the expansion of the occupation area of the ball return prevention mechanism 106P in the game area PE can be suppressed, and the pressing of the game area PE by the ball return prevention mechanism 106P can be reduced. Therefore, for example, it is possible to contribute to an improvement in the degree of freedom related to the arrangement of the game components such as the game nails near the exit portion 105 of the guide passage 103 (reduction of restrictions on the arrangement).

  A configuration (fixing bases 612aP, 612bP) relating to fixing of the ball return prevention mechanism 106P is disposed on the back side of the game area forming body 80aP. Thereby, the configuration related to the fixation is suppressed from being a factor that presses the game area PE, and the game component such as the game nail 93 disposed in the game area PE and the ball return prevention mechanism 106P coexist preferably. be able to.

  The ball return prevention mechanism 106P is buried in a long hole 92P formed in the game area forming body 80aP, and utilizes the guide passage 103 and the thickness (thickness) of the game area forming body 80aP to operate the movable body 601aP. Is secured. Thereby, it is possible to preferably suppress the pressing of the game area PE and the like due to the securing of the operation area.

  In the configuration in which the ball return preventing mechanism 106P (holder 611P) is disposed behind the guide passage 103, the following inconvenience occurs because the configuration relating to the fixing of the ball return preventing mechanism 106P is exposed to the guide passage 103. That is, when the game ball comes into contact with the exposed portion, the behavior of the game ball is likely to be disturbed. This may hinder smooth playing. In this regard, by adopting a configuration that suppresses useless exposure as described above, occurrence of the various inconveniences described above can be suppressed, and a configuration that is practically preferable can be realized.

  As described above, if the arrangement area and the operation area of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are secured by using the thickness of the game area forming body 80aP, the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are used while using the compression of the game area PE. Occupied area (volume) can be earned. Thus, in a configuration in which the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are displaced in the thickness direction of the game area forming body 80aP, the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are returned to a regulated state (maximum protruding position) by using their own weights. The responsiveness of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP can be suitably improved.

  In particular, when the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are of a rotary type, the responsiveness related to the return to the maximum protruding position changes depending on the positional relationship between the rotation center axes CLaP and CLbP and the centers of gravity GPaP and GPbP. Becomes Specifically, the distance between the rotation center axes CLaP, CLbP and the center of gravity positions GPaP, GPbP in the front-rear direction (the thickness direction of the game area forming body 80aP) increases, so that the weights of the movable bodies 601aP, 601bP are improved. Utilization can contribute to improvement of responsiveness. However, on the premise that the rotation center axis lines CLaP, CLbP are separated from the center of gravity positions GPaP, GPbP, there is a concern that the occupied area of the movable bodies 601aP, 601bP becomes large. Therefore, if the occupied area is secured using the thickness of the game area forming body 80aP as described above, it is possible to preferably suppress the game area PE from being pressed by the improvement of the responsiveness.

  In the first place, with respect to the guide passage 103 described above, in order to suppress ball clogging or the like in the guide passage 103, a certain restriction is imposed on the passage width (for example, a diameter of a game ball <a passage width <1 of a diameter of a game ball. 5 times / 2 times). This may be a factor that strengthens restrictions on the size and arrangement of the ball return prevention mechanism 106P. Here, as shown in the present embodiment, according to the configuration in which holder 611P is arranged so as to be located behind guide rail 100, the above-described restriction can be relaxed, and arrangement of ball return prevention mechanism 106P can be achieved. It can contribute to the improvement of the degree of freedom such as size and size.

  When the guide rail 100 is formed by the inner rail 101 and the outer rail 102 having an arc shape, a game ball (a game ball passing through the guide passage 103) fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 mainly includes the outer rail 102. It will move along. In such a configuration, by arranging the movable members 601aP and 601bP so as to be close to the outer rail 102, it is possible to preferably improve the operation stability and the like of the movable members 601aP and 601bP accompanying the passage of the game ball. Here, if the holder 611P is arranged so as to overlap behind the outer rail 102 as shown in the present embodiment, the presence of the holder 611P may be a factor that hinders the arrangement of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP described above. This can contribute to improving the function of the ball return prevention mechanism 106P while achieving coexistence with the guide rail 100.

  In the configuration in which the ball return prevention mechanism 106P has two movable bodies 601aP and 601bP, even if the game ball that has reached the game area PE bounces off a game component such as the game nail 93, the right movable body 601bP is moved. It functions as a barrier for the left movable body 601aP. Thus, it is possible to prevent the movement of the left movable body 601aP from being hindered by the game ball that has reached the game area PE.

  In addition, by using the two prevention devices 106aP and 106bP (movable bodies 601aP and 601bP) together, it is possible to shift the timing of the allowable state. Thus, for example, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of reversion of the game ball in the gap where the left side prevention device 106aP is in the allowable state, thereby contributing to further strengthening the function of restricting reversion. Even in the case of such a configuration, at least the operation area of the left side prevention device 106aP is provided in the guide passage 103, so that the expansion of the occupied area due to the combined use of the plurality of prevention devices 106aP and 106bP can be reduced. .

  As described above, in a configuration in which a plurality of prevention devices 106aP and 106bP (movable bodies 601aP and 601bP) are used in combination, the resistance generated due to the passage of the prevention devices 106aP and 106bP increases, and the momentum of the game ball greatly increases. It is feared that it will weaken. For example, if an urging member such as a spring is to be used, it is necessary to consider variations in manufacturing of the urging member and deterioration with time in order to secure operational stability of the movable members 601aP and 601bP (a margin is required for setting the urging force). Need to be added). Under such circumstances, it is difficult to reduce the urging force extremely in quality control. In this regard, in a configuration in which the return function depends on its own weight as shown in the present embodiment, the shift of the center of gravity does not become so large due to molding variations and the like, and the above-mentioned consideration for manufacturing variations is minimized. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the margin relating to the force for promoting the return to the regulation state. As a result, the resistance to the game ball can be reduced, and the restriction on the arrival position of the shot game ball can be relaxed.

  It is preferable that the ball receiving surface portions 604aP and 604bP that the game balls hit have a certain level of strength from the viewpoint of ensuring durability. Under such circumstances, the weight of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP tends to increase. Here, according to the configuration shown in the present embodiment, the center of gravity positions GPaP, GPbP of the movable bodies 601aP, 601bP and the portions (ball receiving surface portions 604aP, 604bP) where the game ball hits with respect to the rotation center axes CLaP, CLbP. As a result, the weight is easily used as a driving force for returning to the regulated state. Thereby, it is possible to suitably realize the strength improvement and the return function to the regulation state. Further, the above configuration is also advantageous in suppressing the enlargement of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP and suppressing the spread of the occupied area.

  In the configuration in which the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are displaced in the thickness direction of the game area forming body 80aP, a step, a gap, and the like between the passage wall surface and the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP (ball receiving surface portions 604aP and 604bP) in an allowable state are large. This is not preferable because it becomes a factor that causes disturbance of the behavior of the game ball. Therefore, if the upstream (lower) end is the rotation base end as shown in the present embodiment, the above-mentioned step difference is compared with the case where the downstream end is the rotation base end. It can contribute to stabilizing the behavior of the game ball by suppressing the occurrence of gaps and the like.

  The moving range of the centers of gravity GPaP and GPbP of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP is configured to be on the front side with respect to the rotation center axes CLaP and CLbP of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP. According to such a configuration, the weight of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP acts so as to encourage the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP to tilt forward in the gaming machine in any of the allowable state and the restricted state. Thus, for example, the action direction of the own weight is prevented from being reversed according to the change in the center of gravity positions GPaP and GPbP, and it is possible to contribute to smooth switching of the allowable state / regulated state and improvement of the certainty.

  In a configuration in which the left prevention device 106aP (the left movable body 601aP) and the right prevention device 106bP (the right movable body 601bP) switch from the restricted state to the allowable state as the game ball passes, the movable body with respect to the front surface of the game area forming body 80aP. By reducing the inclination of 601aP and 601bP, it is possible to prevent the game ball from being displaced in the thickness direction of the game area forming body 80aP due to the reaction force to the game ball. Therefore, by making the overall length of the left movable body 601aP located on the upstream side longer than the overall length of the right movable body 601bP located on the downstream side, the inclination with respect to the moving direction of the game ball can be reduced while maintaining the projection amount. , Can contribute to the reduction of the resistance at the beginning of passage. In such a configuration, the area occupied by the left movable body 601aP may be large. However, since the left movable body 601aP uses the guidance passage 103 as an operation area, it may be a factor that presses the game area PE. Can be suppressed. That is, the difference in the total length of the left movable body 601aP provided in the guide passage 103 and the total length of the right movable body 601bP provided outside the guide passage 103 suppresses the increase in resistance to the game ball and the compression of the game area PE. In addition, the ball return preventing function can be suitably exerted.

  Note that the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP shown in the present embodiment are also configured such that when a game ball hits the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP from the game area PE side, the force pushes the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP to the protruding side. Working has been avoided. Even if the preceding game ball and the succeeding game ball hit the movable members 601aP and 601bP with the movable members 601aP and 601bP interposed therebetween, the preceding game ball obstructs the passage of the subsequent game balls. (Increase the resistance). For example, as shown in the other embodiments, if the flange portions 606aP, 606bP are formed so as to form an arc centered on the rotation center axes CLaP, CLbP, this effect can be more suitably exerted. it can.

<Another form>
As described in the eighth embodiment, in suppressing the occurrence of foul balls using the ball return prevention mechanism 106P (prevention device), the configuration of the ball return prevention mechanism 106P is changed as follows. It is also possible.

<Example 1>
In the eighth embodiment, the operation area of the left prevention device 106aP (left movable body 601aP) of the two prevention devices 106aP and 106bP is secured in the guide passage 103, and the right protection device 106bP (right movable body 601bP) is secured. ), The operation area is secured in the game area PE. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The operation area of the protection devices 106aP and 106bP may be secured in the game area PE. is there. That is, in the eighth embodiment, of the two preventive devices 106aP and 106bP, the left preventive device 106aP is disposed in a portion where the guide passage 103 is formed in the game board unit 80, and the right preventive device 106bP is used. Although the configuration is provided in the portion where the game area PE is formed in the game board unit 80, the game area PE is formed in the game board unit 80 in the same manner as the right prevention apparatus 106bP for the left side prevention device 106aP. (See the schematic diagram of FIG. 45A).

<Example 2>
In the eighth embodiment, the ball return prevention mechanism 106P is configured using the two prevention devices 106aP and 106bP. However, one of the two prevention devices 106aP and 106bP may be omitted. It is possible. For example, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 45 (b), the ball return prevention mechanism 106Q may be constructed by a prevention device corresponding to the left prevention device 106aP provided on the guide passage 103 side.

  In addition, it is also possible to construct the ball return prevention mechanism 106P by the right side prevention device 106bP provided on the game area PE side. In this case, a configuration corresponding to the right prevention device 106bP may be moved to the guide passage 103 side.

<Example 3>
In the eighth embodiment, the movable members 601aP and 601bP are displaced to the maximum projecting position / retreat position by the common operation principle of the two prevention devices 106aP and 106bP. That is, the movable members 601aP and 601bP are configured to return from the retracted position to the maximum protruding position by their own weight, but the specific shapes of the movable members 601aP and 601bP for enabling such an operation principle are arbitrarily changed. May be. For example, a configuration may be employed in which one of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP shown in the eighth embodiment is aligned with the other, or a configuration in which the shape of the left movable body 601aP and the shape of the right movable body 601bP are interchanged. Good.

  However, considering the reduction of the initial reaction force (initial resistance) applied to the game ball and the reduction of the area occupied by the ball return prevention mechanism 106P in the game area PE, the combination shown in the eighth embodiment is not included. It has technical significance.

<Example 4>
In the eighth embodiment, one end of each of the movable members 601aP and 601bP is pivotally supported so that the ball receiving portion and the center of gravity are located on the same side. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. As a configuration for pivotally supporting an intermediate position between the movable members 601aP and 601bP, a portion on the opposite side of the ball receiving portion with respect to the rotation center may be located at the center of gravity. However, in the case of such a configuration, although the function of returning to the maximum protruding position due to its own weight shown in the eighth embodiment can be ensured, the arrangement area and the operation area are easily increased. Or it may be difficult to use the two prevention devices 106aP and 106bP together. In view of such circumstances, as shown in the eighth embodiment, integrating the ball receiving portion and the position of the center of gravity on the same side can reduce the size of the ball return prevention mechanism 106P and enhance the ball return prevention function. This is a preferable configuration for realizing the above.

  In the eighth embodiment, the lower side (upstream end of the guide passage 103) of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP is rotated around the rotation base end and the upper side (downstream end of the guide passage 103). Although the moving tip is used, it is also possible to reverse this. That is, the upper ends of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP can be used as the turning base end and the lower ends can be used as the turning tip. In this case, for example, the trajectory of the center of gravity that moves in accordance with the switching between the allowable state and the restricted state may be configured to be behind the rotation center axis.

<Example 5>
In the above-described eighth embodiment, the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are rotatable. However, it is sufficient that the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP can be displaced to the maximum protruding position and the retracted position. It may be changed arbitrarily. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a configuration corresponding to the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP is slidably held back and forth. At this time, the function of returning the movable path from the retracted position due to its own weight to the maximum projecting position can be secured by inclining the operation paths of the movable bodies so as to fall forward.

<Example 6>
It suffices if the movable members 601aP and 601bP can be returned from the retracted position to the maximum projecting position by using the weight of the movable members 601aP and 601bP, and the movement is the same as that described in the eighth embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the movable body is arranged at a position closer to the latter of the game area forming body 80aP and the glass panel 23, and the movable body is displaced from the standby position to the maximum protruding position by rotating backward, and the movable body is moved forward. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which it is displaced from the maximum protruding position to the standby position by rotating. According to such a configuration, when the game ball hits the movable body, it is prevented from rising from the front surface of the game area forming body 80aP, and disturbance of the behavior of the game ball (interference between the game ball and the glass panel 23) is suitably suppressed. be able to.

  Here, in order to realize the configuration shown in the sixth embodiment, it is necessary to hold the ball return preventing mechanism in a state of being floated from the front surface of the game area forming body 80aP. In this case, for example, the mounting target may be the guide rail 100 as in the ball return prevention mechanism 106G described in the fourth embodiment. It is also possible to attach a front door frame 14 (for example, a glass panel 23) that can be opened and closed to the inner frame 13, but in this case, the positional relationship with the guide rail 100 (the guide passage 103) varies. Is likely to occur, and the effect may be a factor that lowers the reliability of the operation of the ball return prevention mechanism 106P. Therefore, desirably, as shown in the eighth embodiment, the configuration in which the ball return preventing mechanism 106P belongs to the game area forming body 80aP has technical significance.

<Example 7>
In the eighth embodiment, the game area forming body 80aP and the ball return preventing mechanism 106P are integrated by screwing the mounting base 612P of the holder 611P to the game area forming body 80aP. In such a configuration, the configuration related to the fixing presses the arrangement area of the game components such as the game nails in comparison with the configuration corresponding to the ball return prevention mechanism (holder) from the front side of the game area forming body 80aP. Can be suppressed. However, in the case where the screw 621P is used as the fixture, the screw 621P is attached to the game area forming body 80aP, so that there is still a concern that the arrangement of the game component is hindered at the position overlapping the screw 621P in the front-back direction. Therefore, it is preferable to move the fixing portion of the mounting base 612P to a position overlapping the guide passage 103 in the front-rear direction. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the screw 621P from being a factor that hinders the disposition of the game component, thereby contributing to a further improvement in the degree of freedom of arrangement of the game component in the game area PE.

<Example 8>
In the eighth embodiment, the movable body 601aP is configured to extend in the direction of the guide passage 103. However, this may be changed as follows. The guide passage 103 has a certain width. Therefore, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 46A, it is possible to change the direction (posture) of the movable body 601R so that the movable body 601R becomes closer to the vertical in the guide passage 103. That is, by disposing the movable body 601R so as to intersect with the longitudinal direction of the long hole 92R formed in the game area forming body 80aP, the horizontal component of the movable body 601R is reduced and the vertical component is increased. Is also possible. With such a configuration, a function of returning to the maximum protruding position using its own weight can be secured.

<Example 9>
In the eighth embodiment, the ball receiving surface portion 604aP of the movable body 601aP is disposed at a position along the outer rail 102, but this can be changed as follows. That is, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 46B, the ball receiving surface portion 604S of the movable body 601S is provided at a position along the outer rail receiving surface portion 604cS and the inner rail 101 provided along the outer rail 102. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the movable body 601S is formed by an inner U-shaped by the inner sphere receiving surface portion 604dS. Many of the game balls move along the outer rail 102, but when the firing speed decreases, the game ball may move along the inner rail 101. Therefore, as described above, the stabilization of the firing function is ensured for the game ball moving along any of the rails 101 and 102 by ensuring contact with at least one of the outer ball receiving surface portion 604cS and the inner ball receiving surface portion 604dS. Can contribute to

  Note that it is possible to form the two ball receiving surface portions 604cS and 604dS so as to form a single surface and fill the gap therebetween, but the above configuration requires a reduction in the weight of the movable body 601S. There is a technical meaning that it can contribute to the improvement of the responsiveness.

<Example 10>
In the eighth embodiment, the ball receiving surface portion 604aP is located at a position closer to the outer rail 102 among the inner rail 101 and the outer rail 102. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in the schematic diagram of c), a configuration in which the ball receiving surface portion 604T is located at a substantially intermediate position between the inner rail 101 and the outer rail 102 (a position at which the distance from the both rails 102, 102 is equal), for example, a ball receiver The movable body 601T may have a substantially T-shaped configuration by the surface portion 604T and the flange portion 606T. When the distance between the two rails 101 and 102 is smaller than twice the diameter of the game ball, the contact between the ball reception surface portion 604T and the game ball is ensured by the presence of the ball reception surface portion 604T at the above position. The Rukoto. If the configuration shown in the present modification is applied to a configuration in which the distance between the rails 101 and 102 is smaller than 1.5 times the diameter of the game ball, the rotation of the movable body 601T is caused by the pressure applied from the game ball. It is possible to suppress an increase in the resistance to be hindered and contribute to stabilization of the operation of the movable body 601T.

<Example 11>
In the eighth embodiment, the ball receiving surface portion 604aP and the flange portion 606aP are configured to be orthogonal to each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the angle between the ball receiving surface portion and the flange portion is arbitrary. . For example, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 46 (d), the flange portion 606U is folded back with respect to the ball receiving surface portion 604U, or is configured to extend substantially in the vertical direction, so that the flange portion 606U extends from the rotation base end portion in the left-right direction. Of the center of gravity can be suppressed. In this way, by reducing the displacement of the center of gravity, the moment caused by the displacement of the position of the center of gravity can be reduced, and the resistance (resistance that hinders rotation) generated at the pivotal support point can be minimized.

<Example 12>
In the eighth embodiment, the ball return preventing mechanism 106P is attached so as to pass through the elongated hole 92P formed in the game area forming body 80aP. However, the mounting mode of the ball return preventing mechanism 106P is arbitrary. It is. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a recess is formed in the front portion of the game area forming body 80aP, and the ball return preventing mechanism is embedded in the recess.

  In the above-described eighth embodiment, the ball return preventing mechanism 106P is configured to be screwed. However, the ball return preventing mechanism 106P may be configured to be fixed using an adhesive, or may be configured to be press-fitted and fixed.

<Example 13>
In the configuration in which the movable members 601aP and 601bP are returned from the retracted position to the maximum protruding position by their own weight as shown in the eighth embodiment, the above-described displacement between the center of rotation and the position of the center of gravity in the front-rear direction is reduced. Thereby, the resistance applied to the game ball can be reduced. However, if the resistance is reduced, the driving force for returning to the maximum protruding position also decreases. For this reason, it cannot be denied that there is a possibility that the return to the maximum protruding position will not be performed properly depending on the molding variation, the installation posture of the gaming machine, and the like. In consideration of such circumstances, a configuration may be provided in the ball return prevention mechanism 106P to encourage the movable members 601aP and 601bP to return to the maximum projecting position. For example, a vibration transmission unit may be provided that transmits vibration generated by one of the two movable members 601aP and 601bP to the other. More specifically, a configuration may be adopted in which the vibration generated due to the collision with the stopper when moving from the maximum projecting position to the retreat position is propagated to the other, or when the moving to the standby position causes the collision with the stopper. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the accompanying vibration is propagated to the other. Even when the return to the maximum protruding position is hindered due to the occurrence of a hook at the evacuation position or the like, if the posture slightly changes due to the above-mentioned vibration, this will be a trigger for returning to the maximum protruding position. Thus, even when the return from the retracted position to the maximum protruding position is not successfully performed, it is possible to prompt the movable body to return to the maximum protruding position.

<Ninth embodiment>
As described in the eighth embodiment, in a configuration in which the function of returning the movable body 601aP to the regulated state depends on the weight of the movable body 601aP, the return function is successfully performed due to factors such as catching. May be lost. That is, there is still room for improvement in improving the operation stability and the reliability of the ball return prevention mechanism 106P. In the modification (Example 13) according to the eighth embodiment, the holder 611 is shared by both movable members 601aP and 601bP, and the vibration generated with the operation of the right movable member 601bP is transmitted to the left movable member 601aP. In this way, it is possible to eliminate the clogging. Similarly, in the present embodiment, although a device for improving the reliability is devised, the specific configuration is characteristic. Therefore, the configuration according to the device will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 47 is a schematic diagram showing a ball return prevention mechanism 106V according to the ninth embodiment. Note that the main components of the ball return preventing mechanism 106V described in the present embodiment are the same as those of the ball return preventing mechanism 106P described in the eighth embodiment. .

  The ball return prevention mechanism 106V includes a left side prevention device 106aV and a right side prevention device 106bV. The right movable body 601bV constituting the right prevention device 106bV has an arm portion 607bV provided at a position opposite to the base portion 602bV (the ball receiving surface portion 604bV) across the rotation center axis CLbV.

  The arm portion 607bV extends on the opposite side to the base portion 602bV, and is configured to be displaced forward and backward by rotating the right movable body 601bV. The flange portion 606aV of the left movable body 601aV is located in the displacement region (on the operation path) of the arm portion 607bV. In a situation where both movable bodies 601aV and 601bV are arranged at the maximum protruding position, a gap is secured between the arm portion 607bV and the flange portion 606aV, so that contact between them is avoided.

  Here, the positional relationship between the arm portion 607bV and the flange portion 606aV when the ball return preventing mechanism 106V is operating normally will be described with reference to the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 48 and 49.

  At the timing when the game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 reaches the ball return prevention mechanism 106V, both movable bodies 601aV and 601bV are arranged at the maximum protruding positions. Therefore, the launched game ball first strikes the left movable body 601aV. As shown in FIG. 48 (a) → FIG. 48 (b), when the left movable body 601aV is pushed by the game ball and retreats from the maximum projecting position to the retreat position, the flange portion is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the left movable body 601aV. 606aV will be displaced backward.

  In the present embodiment, the second stopper 619aV for the left movable body 601aV is moved to a position facing the base 602aV in order to avoid interference with the arm 607aV. When the left movable member 601aV reaches the retreat position, the base portion 602aV comes into contact with the second stopper 619aV, so that further retreat is prevented.

  In this state, a gap is maintained between the flange portion 606aV and the arm portion 607bV, and contact between them is avoided. That is, the structure is such that the contact between the flange portion 606aV and the arm portion 607bV does not occur simply by rotating the left movable body 601aV from the maximum projecting position to the retracted position.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 48 (b) → FIG. 48 (c), in the process of moving the game ball from the left movable body 601aV to the right movable body 601bV, the game ball moves away from the left movable body 601aV, thereby causing the left movable body to move away from the left movable body 601aV. 601aV starts self-return to the maximum protruding position. That is, prior to the rotation of the right movable body 601bV to the retracted position, the rotation of the left movable body 601aV to the maximum projecting position is started. The right movable body 601bV starts to rotate with a delay, so that the contact between the arm portion 607bV and the flange portion 606aV is avoided.

  As shown in FIG. 48C, when the right movable body 601bV reaches the retreat position, the left movable body 601aV has already reached the maximum protruding position. In this state, although the arm portion 607bV reaches the frontmost position, the state where the arm portion 607bV is still separated from the flange portion 606aV of the left movable body 601aV is maintained. As shown in FIG. 48 (c) → FIG. 49 (a), the left movable body 601aV that has returned to the maximum projecting position is prevented from moving from the maximum projecting position by its own weight. Therefore, the distance between the flange portion 606aV and the arm portion 607bV does not decrease.

  As shown in FIG. 49 (d) → FIG. 49 (e), when the game ball separates from the right movable body 601bV, the right movable body 601bV self-returns from the retreat position to the maximum projecting position. The arm 607bV is displaced away from the flange 606aV in accordance with such movement of the right movable body 601bV. As a result, the distance between the arm 607bV and the flange 606aV is increased.

  As described above in detail, when the ball return prevention mechanism 106V is operating normally, the interference between the arm 607bV and the flange 606aV is avoided, and the individual operation of each of the movable bodies 601aV, 601bV is ensured. It will be.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 50 and FIG. 51, a description will be given of a flow of forced return when self-recovery is not normally performed due to occurrence of an abnormality such as catching on the left movable body 601aV. FIG. 50 is a timing chart showing a flow of the forced return, and FIG. 51 is a schematic diagram showing a positional relationship between the flange portion 606aV and the arm portion 607bV when the forced return is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 50, at the timing of tc1 when the game ball reaches the left movable body 601aV, the left movable body 601aV pushed by the game ball starts rotating from the maximum projecting position to the retreat position. Thereafter, at the timing of tc2, the protrusion amount of the left movable body 601aV decreases, and a gap through which game balls can pass through the left movable body 601aV is secured. At the timing of tc3, the left movable body 601aV reaches the retreat position.

  After the left movable body 601aV reaches the retreat position from the maximum projecting position, the left movable body 601aV normally returns to the maximum projecting position by its own weight (see a two-dot chain line). However, if the left movable body 601aV stays at the evacuation position without performing the self-return normally due to some circumstances, the state is maintained even after the game ball separates from the left movable body 601aV. It will be.

  At the timing of tc4, the game ball that has left the left movable member 601aV moves to the right movable member 601bV, and the right movable member 601bV pushed by the game ball starts rotating from the maximum projecting position to the retreat position (FIG. 51 (a) → see FIG. 51 (b)). As a result, the arm 607bV of the right movable body 601bV is displaced toward the flange 606aV of the left movable body 601aV, and the gap between them is reduced.

  At the timing tc5 when the rotation of the right movable body 601bV has advanced to some extent, the arm 607bV hits the flange 606aV, and the left movable body 601aV is pushed toward the maximum projecting position. As a result, the two movable bodies 601aV and 601bV are temporarily linked.

  The left movable body 601aV pressed by the arm portion 607bV is given a start of rotation, and tends to return to the maximum protruding position by its own weight. Thus, although the two movable bodies 601aV and 601bV are interlocked, the resistance applied to the right movable body 601bV is reduced.

  At the subsequent timing tc6, the protrusion amount X11 of the left movable body 601aV reaches the predetermined amount, and the left prevention device 106aV switches from the allowable state to the restricted state. At timing tc7 immediately after the left movable body 601aV is switched to the restricted state, the protrusion amount X12 of the right movable body 601bV is reduced, and the right prevention device 106bV is switched to the allowable state. It will be. As described above, even when the forced return is performed, the original function (the function of preventing the ball return) of the ball return prevention mechanism 106V is ensured by avoiding the overlap of the periods in the allowable state.

  At the timing of tC8, the right movable body 601bV reaches the retreat position, and further rotation is prevented (see FIG. 51 (c)). Thereafter, the rotation of the left movable body 601aV is continued, and the contact between the arm portion 607bV and the flange portion 606aV is released at the timing of tc8.

  At the timing of tc9 when the game ball passes the right movable body, the right movable body 601bV starts returning from the evacuation position to the maximum protruding position by its own weight, and at the timing of tc10, the right prevention device 106bV switches from the allowable state to the restricted state. It will be. Thereafter, the gap between the arm portion 607bV and the flange portion 606aV increases until the right movable body 601bV returns to the maximum projecting position at the timing of tc11.

  As described above, in the configuration in which the movable bodies 601aV and 601bV perform self-return by their own weight, if the return to the restricted state is not performed due to various circumstances such as an operation failure, the above-described reverse return restriction function is not sufficiently exhibited. . This can be a factor that lowers the reliability of the operation of the ball return prevention mechanism 106V. Therefore, as shown in the present embodiment, when the left movable body 601aV is not self-returned in a situation where the left movable body 601aV is to return to the restricted state, the left movable body 601aV is forcibly forced by the right movable body 601bV. The configuration described above allows the occurrence of the above-described inconvenience to be suppressed. This can contribute to ensuring the reliability of the operation of the ball return prevention mechanism 106V.

  In the configuration in which the function of the self-return is dependent on the weight of the movable body 601aV, compared with the configuration in which the return to the regulation state is promoted by using an urging means such as a spring, for example, manufacturing variations to be taken into consideration are considered. Become smaller. Therefore, the resistance applied to the game ball when switching from the restricted state to the restricted state can be reduced. However, in such a configuration in which the return force depends on its own weight, it cannot be denied that the return operation may not be performed properly due to the installation state (tilt) of the gaming machine or the like. This can be a factor that lowers the reliability of the ball return prevention mechanism 106V. Therefore, by providing the above-described forced return function to such a configuration to ensure the return operation, it is possible to stabilize the behavior of the game ball and appropriately suppress a decrease in reliability due to the stability. Can be.

  In particular, in a configuration in which the movable body 601aV is displaced in the thickness direction of the game area forming body 80aV, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the degree of freedom in arranging game components such as game nails due to securing the operation area of the movable body 601aV. . However, on the other hand, restrictions are more likely to occur in increasing the deviation between the center of rotation and the position of the center of gravity as compared with a movable body that is displaced along the front surface of the game area forming body 80aV, for example. As a result, it is difficult to ensure the stability of the operation, and there is a concern that the reliability of the ball return prevention mechanism 106V is reduced. Therefore, by providing the function of the forced return to such a configuration to ensure the return operation, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in arranging the game components and to reduce the reliability related to the operation due to the improvement. Can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration is used in which the self-return of the left movable body 601aV is supported using the force of the game ball pressing the right movable body 601bV. In this way, by using the momentum of the game ball as the driving force of the forced return, the above various effects can be enjoyed with a simple configuration.

  When the left movable body 601aV is forcibly returned, the resistance transmitted to the game ball via the left movable body 601aV (flange portion 606aV) → arm portion 607bV → ball receiving surface portion 604bV increases. That is, when the support function is given to the right movable body 601bV, the structure can be simplified, but the momentum of the game ball is liable to decrease. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the self-return is performed by the left movable body 601aV, the support (forced return) by the right movable body 601bV is avoided, that is, the arm portion 607bV swings. As described above, by suppressing the resistance generated in the right movable body 601bV to be as small as possible at least as long as the self-return is normally performed, the above-described configuration using the movement of the game ball as a power source of the forced return is described. It is possible to preferably reduce the decrease in the momentum of the game balls.

  When the arm portion 607bV of the right movable member 601bV is displaced toward the flange portion 606aV of the left movable member 601aV in the process of switching the left prevention device 106aV from the restricted state to the allowable state, the switching of the left prevention device 106aV is prevented by the arm portion 607bV. Such a resistance occurs. This may be a factor in that a game ball that could originally pass through the left side prevention device 106aV cannot pass through the left side prevention device 106aV. In this regard, according to the configuration shown in the present embodiment, the right side prevention device 106bV is arranged at a position where the game ball can reach after the left side prevention device 106aV is in the allowable state. The movement of the arm 607bV of the right prevention device 106bV can be delayed with respect to the switching of the allowable state. Thereby, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience can be suppressed.

  In the ball return prevention mechanism 106V shown in the present embodiment, the distance from the rotation center axis CLbV of the right movable body 601bV to the contact point of the arm 607bV with the flange 606aV is equal to the rotation of the left movable body 601aV. It is configured to be shorter than the distance from the dynamic center axis CLaV to the contact point with the arm portion 607bV.

  For example, if it is necessary to significantly displace the left movable body 601aV at the time of return, it is preferable that the pressed portion (abutting portion) be as close as possible to the rotation center axis CLaV of the left movable body 601aV. In this case, the left movable body 601aV is moved. The pressing force required for this increases. In the first place, the left movable body 601aV is provided with a self-recovery function. Even if some trouble occurs and the self-recovery is not performed well, if there is a slight boost (cut), the normal operation is performed thereafter. Can work. That is, in many cases, a large stroke is not required to solve the above-described problem. Therefore, if the rotation center axes CLaV and CLbV of the movable bodies 601aV and 601bV, the contact point of the arm section 607bV, and the contact point of the flange section 606aV have the above-described relationship, the stroke of the pressing by the arm section 607bV is secured to some extent. The pressing force can be reduced as much as possible. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in resistance applied to the game ball when performing the forced return.

  In addition, the right movable body 601bV is larger in distance than the distance from the rotation center axis CLbV of the right movable body 601bV to the contact point of the game ball on the ball receiving surface portion 604bV than the flange portion in the arm section 607bV from the rotation center axis CLbV. It is formed so that the distance to the contact point with 606aV is longer. According to such a configuration, when the right movable member 601bV is rotated by the game ball hitting the ball receiving surface portion 604bV, the arm portion 607bV can be largely displaced to the left movable member 601aV side. Thereby, even if the self-return function of the left movable body 601aV is not successfully performed, the left movable body 601aV can be quickly returned to the restricted state by the right movable body 601bV.

<Another form>
As described in the ninth embodiment, in order to suppress the occurrence of a ball return using the ball return prevention mechanism 106V (prevention device), the specific configuration may be changed as follows. is there.

<Example 1>
In the ninth embodiment, the left movable body 601aV located upstream of the right movable body 601bV is forcibly moved to the maximum projecting position by the right movable body 601bV located on the downstream side in the movement path of the launched game ball. Although the configuration has been described as returning to a normal state, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration corresponding to the right movable body 601bV serving as a return trigger may be provided at a position further upstream than the left movable body 601aV. In other words, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the left movable body 601aV is forced to return to the maximum protruding position by using a succeeding game ball with respect to the game ball triggered to stay at the retreat position. When such a change is made, it is preferable that the return of the left movable body 601aV to the maximum protruding position is completed before the subsequent game ball reaches the left movable body 601aV.

<Example 2>
In the ninth embodiment, the left movable body 601aV located on the upstream side is forcibly returned to the maximum protruding position by the right movable body 601bV located on the downstream side in the movement path of the launched game ball. However, instead of or in addition to this, the left movable body 601aV may be forcibly returned to the maximum projecting position by the right movable body 601bV. In other words, if the right movable body 601bV has not returned to the maximum protruding position despite the situation where the right movable body 601bV should originally return to the maximum protruding position, the next left When moving the movable body 601aV to the retreat position, the left movable body 601aV may be configured to encourage the right movable body 601bV to return to the maximum projecting position. To embody the technical concept shown in the second embodiment, an arm is formed on the left movable body 601aV, and when the left movable body 601aV moves to the retracted position, the arm is used by the right movable body 601bV (for example, The base 612bV) may be configured to be pushed forward of the gaming machine.

<Example 3>
The function related to the forced return shown in the ninth embodiment is not limited to the movable body of the type that returns to the maximum protruding position using its own weight. For example, even with a movable body that returns to the maximum protruding position using a biasing means such as a spring, if the urging force does not work well due to factors such as deterioration, the return to the maximum protruding position is performed well. May be gone. That is, there is room for improvement in the reliability of the operation of the ball return prevention mechanism. Therefore, if the above-described configuration related to forced return is applied to this type of ball return prevention mechanism, it is possible to contribute to ensuring the reliability of the ball return prevention mechanism.

<Tenth embodiment>
In the configuration in which the ball return preventing mechanism is provided in the game area forming body as shown in the first embodiment, the ball return preventing mechanism is prevented from expanding by occupying the ball return preventing mechanism in the game area. Coexistence with peripheral parts such as game nails can be suitably realized. One of the features of the ball return preventing mechanism 106W shown in the present embodiment is that the expansion of the occupied area is suppressed by devising a structure for mounting the game area forming body 80aW. Hereinafter, the ball return prevention mechanism 106W according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 52 is a front view of the game board unit 80W showing the ball return prevention mechanism 106W and its peripheral configuration, FIG. 53 (a) is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 52, and FIG. 53 (b) is viewed from an arrow A in FIG. 53 (a). FIG. 54 and FIG. 54 are perspective views of the ball return prevention mechanism 106W, and FIG. 55 is an exploded perspective view showing the ball return prevention mechanism 106W disassembled for each main configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 52, the ball return prevention mechanism 106W according to the present embodiment uses two prevention devices 106aW and 106bW arranged side by side on the extension of the inner rail 101 similarly to the first embodiment. Be done. The main configuration of these two prevention devices 106aW and 106bW is common. Hereinafter, the configuration of the ball return prevention mechanism 106W (each of the prevention devices 106aW and 106bW) will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 53, the left side prevention device disposed near the exit portion 105 is illustrated, and the symbols “a” and “b” for identifying the left and right prevention devices are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 53 (a), each prevention device constituting the ball return prevention mechanism 106W is rotatably supported by a first game nail 701W fixed (planted) to the game area forming body 80aW, A movable body 710W that rotates around the first game nail 701W (rotation center axis CLW) along the front surface of the game area forming body 80aW is provided. When the movable body 710W rotates with the passage of the game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110, the movable body 710W and the permissible state in which the game ball can pass between the outer rail 102 and the game ball The state is switched to a blocking state that blocks passage.

  The movable body 710W has a long plate-shaped base portion 711W extending in a direction intersecting the rotation center axis CLW, and is arranged such that a plate surface of the base portion 711W faces the outer rail 102. A ball receiving surface portion 715W is formed on one end side of the base portion 711W similarly to the movable body 301 in the first embodiment, and a weight is placed on a portion opposite to the ball receiving surface portion 715W with respect to the rotation center axis CLW. 716W are provided. The weight 716W is configured such that the center of gravity of the movable body 710W is a position deviated from the rotation center axis CLW and is shifted to the weight 716W side.

  An arm 712W is formed on the base 711W so as to protrude from an intermediate portion thereof. The arm portion 712W is bent to the other end side (the weight 716W side) of the base portion 711W, and the arm portion 712W and the base portion 711W constitute a substantially U-shaped bearing portion 713W through which the first game nail 701W is inserted. (See FIG. 55). The entrance portion (open portion 714W) of the first gaming nail 701W in the bearing portion 713W faces the weight 716W. In the state where the weight 716W is positioned below the rotation center axis CLW and the posture is stable, the open portion 714W faces downward so that the engagement between the bearing 713W and the first game nail 701W is maintained. That is, the movable body 710W and the first game nail 701W are configured to be kept caught.

  The gap size of the bearing 713W is formed in accordance with the outer diameter of the shaft of the first game nail 701W, and is smaller than the diameter of the head of the first game nail 701W. Thus, the movement of the movable body 710W in the thickness direction of the game area forming body 80aW is restricted by the head of the first game nail 701W.

  Below the first gaming nail 701W, a second gaming nail 702W is provided side by side with the first gaming nail 701W. The ball return prevention mechanism 106W (prevention device) is disposed so as to straddle the first game nail 701W and the second game nail 702W, and a regulating member 720W that regulates the falling of the movable body 710W from the first game nail 701W. Is provided. That is, the removal of the movable body 710W is regulated by attaching the regulating member 720W to the game nails 701W and 702W.

  The regulating member 720W has a wall 721W facing the movable body 710W from the side opposite to the outer rail 102. Like the upright portion 314 of the holder 311 shown in the first embodiment, the wall portion 721W is provided with a game ball that has rebounded from the game area PE side on the rotation center portion of the movable body 710W and the ball receiving surface portion 715W. On the other hand, it functions as a barrier to avoid colliding with a portion on the opposite side across the rotation center axis CLW. Thereby, occurrence of malfunction of the movable body 710W is suppressed.

  The regulating member 720W is formed with a first arm portion 722W protruding from the wall portion 721W toward the first game nail 701W and a second arm portion 723W protruding toward the second game nail 702W (FIG. 55). reference). A first engaging concave portion 724W that engages with the first game nail 701W is formed at a tip portion of the first arm portion 722W, and a second engaging portion that engages with the second game nail 702W is formed at the tip portion of the second arm portion 723W. An engagement recess 725W is formed.

  The first engaging concave portion 724W is engaged with the first gaming nail 701W and the second engaging concave portion 725W is engaged with the second gaming nail 702W, so that the restriction member 720W is prevented from falling off from the gaming nails 701W and 702W. Have been. The first game nail 701W and the second game nail 702W are the same members as the other game nails 93 (see FIG. 52) provided in the game area PE, and are nailed to the game area forming body 80aW. Is fixed (planted) to the game area forming body 80aW together with other game nails 93.

  As shown in FIG. 53 (b), two first arm portions 722W (first engagement concave portions 724W) are provided apart from each other in the thickness direction of the game area forming body 80aW, and these first arm portions 722W are provided. The movable body 710W is located between them. Since the movable body 710W is sandwiched between the two first arms 722W, the relative displacement between the movable body 710W and the regulating member 720W in the thickness direction of the game area forming body 80aW is avoided.

  Note that the front and rear width of the regulating member 720W is set to be smaller than the protrusion amount of the game nails 701W and 702W from the front surface of the game area forming body 80aW, but is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the front and rear width of the regulating member 720W and the protrusion amounts of the game nails 701W and 702W are made uniform. However, the protrusion amounts of the game nails 701W and 702W may vary slightly in manufacturing. Although details will be described later, when it is assumed that the ball return preventing mechanism 106W is mounted after the game nails 701W and 702W are implanted, the positional accuracy of the ball return preventing mechanism 106W in the thickness direction of the game area forming body 80aW. Can be a factor that makes mounting work difficult. In view of such circumstances, for example, the regulating member 720W is interposed between the game nails 701W and 702W and the main body of the regulating member 720W, and is pressed against the front surface of the game area forming body 80aW. It is preferable that a pressing portion be provided to suppress the lift of the ball return preventing mechanism 106W from the front portion of the game area forming body 80aW.

  The second arm 723W of the regulating member 720W abuts against the base 711W of the movable body 710W from the side opposite to the outer rail 102, so that the movable body 710W about the rotation center axis CLW is counterclockwise. A first stopper portion 729W for preventing rotation in the rotation direction is formed.

  The first stopper portion 729W is located below the rotation center axis CLW, and when the base portion 711W is in contact with the first stopper portion 729W, the position of the center of gravity of the movable body 710W is more than the rotation center axis CLW. Is also arranged on the left side. Accordingly, the movable body 710W is maintained in a state of being in contact with the first stopper portion 729W by its own weight.

  In this state, the tip of the rotation of the base portion 711W (ball receiving surface portion 715W) is located in the extension area of the guide passage 103, specifically, in the passing area of the game ball along the outer rail 102, and the tip and the outer rail 102 Is smaller than the diameter of the game ball. Such a state in which the gap between the movable body 710W and the outer rail 102 has a size that does not allow the game ball to pass is a "blocking state" in which the gap (specific position) is blocked. In the blocking state, even if the game ball that has reached the game area PE after passing through the ball return prevention mechanism 106 rebounds to the game nail 93 or the like and reaches the above-described gap (specific position), the game ball concerned does not matter. Is blocked.

  When the game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 reaches a specific position, the game ball hits the ball receiving surface portion 715W. When the ball receiving surface portion 715W is pressed by the game ball, the movable body 710W rotates clockwise, and the gap is expanded. That is, when the movable body 710W is pressed in response to the shot game ball, the ball receiving surface portion 715W separates from the above-described passage area, and the passage of the game ball at a specific position is allowed. As described above, a state in which the ball receiving surface portion 715W is separated from the passage area, that is, a gap (gap dimension X2) between the end on the side where the ball receiving surface portion 715W is formed in the base portion 711 and the outer rail 102 is formed. The state in which the size allows the passage is the “permissible state” in which the passage of the gap (specific position) is permitted.

  When the movable body 710W is rotated clockwise by being pushed by the game ball, the end of the base 711W of the movable body 710W on which the ball receiving surface portion 715W is formed is the first end of the regulating member 720W. By hitting the end (second stopper 728W) of the arm 722W, further rotation is prevented (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 53 (a)). In this state, the center of gravity of the movable body 710W remains on the left side of the rotation center axis line CLW. Therefore, once the movable body 710W once enters the allowable state, it returns to the blocking state by its own weight.

  As described above, the rotation range of the movable body 710W is defined by the first stopper 729W and the second stopper 728W of the regulating member 720W. That is, the regulating member 720W is provided with a function as a "defining means" for regulating the rotation range of the movable body 710W.

  As described in detail above, the ball return prevention mechanism 106W shown in the present embodiment differs from the ball return prevention mechanism shown in the first embodiment and the like in the mounting structure to the game area forming body 80aW. . Hereinafter, a flow of manufacturing the game board unit 80W will be described, and then, a mounting procedure of the ball return preventing mechanism 106W will be described.

<Overview of the manufacturing process of the game board unit 80W>
In the manufacturing process of the game board unit 80W, first, the game nails 93, 701W, and 702W are attached (planted) to the game area forming body 80aW. Specifically, the game area forming body 80aW in a state where no game parts are arranged is placed on the nail driving table with its front surface facing upward, and thereafter, a mounting hole for a game nail is formed. The game nails 93, 701W, and 702W are screwed from above into the places where the nails are driven.

  After the mounting of the game nails 93, 701W, and 702W is completed, the guide rail 100 (specifically, the inner rail 101 and the outer rail 102) and the windmill 94, which define the game area PE, are mounted. The guide rail 100 and the windmill 94 are also mounted by a work robot in a state where the game area forming body 80aW is installed on the mounting table (table), and the mounting process is automated. The above steps are incorporated into one production line, and the game area forming body 80aW that has gone through these steps is transported to a line for assembling and inspecting the game board unit 80W.

  In the first assembling step, game components such as the variable winning device 82, the center frame 95, the game region partitioning member 99, the ball return prevention mechanism 106W, and the like, which are arranged on the front side of the game region forming body 80aW, are attached by the worker. In the subsequent assembling process, the rear block 80b constituting the rear portion of the game board unit 80 is attached. Thus, the assembly of the game board unit 80 is completed. After the game board unit 80W is completed through each of these assembling steps, an inspection process checks whether or not the game board unit 80W is correctly assembled. Further, the variable prize device 82, the electric accessory 91, the symbol An inspection is performed to determine whether electric devices such as the display device 87 operate normally. If no abnormality is found in the game board unit 80W in the inspection process, the completed game board unit 80W is transported to the game machine manufacturing process (assembly process).

  Here, the flow of mounting the ball return prevention mechanism 106W will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 56 is a schematic view showing a procedure for mounting the ball return preventing mechanism 106W. The mounting of the ball return preventing mechanism 106W is performed as shown in FIG. 56 (a) → FIG. 56 (b) → FIG. 56 (c) → FIG. It is performed in order.

  When attaching the ball return prevention mechanism 106W, the arm portion of the movable body 710W with respect to the first game nail 701W and the second game nail 702W fixed to the game area forming body 80aW in the previous nailing step. 712W (bearing portion 713W) is hooked from the side opposite to the second game nail 702W (see FIG. 56 (a)). This operation is performed in a state where the front surface of the game area forming body 80aW faces upward. For this reason, the movable body 710W is maintained while being mounted on the game area forming body 80aW, and the movable body 710W is prevented from coming off the first gaming nail 701W or changing its posture.

  Next, the second arm 723W (second engaging recess 725W) of the regulating member 720W is hooked on the second gaming nail 702W, and the regulating member 720W is rotated counterclockwise around the second gaming nail 702W. Rotate (see FIG. 56 (b) → FIG. 56 (c)). At this time, the movable body 710W is lifted from the front surface of the game area forming body 80aW such that the arm section 712W of the movable body 710W enters between the first arm sections 722 of the regulating member 720W (see FIG. 54B). In addition, it is possible to prevent the movable body 710W from obstructing the movement of the regulating member 720W.

  By continuing the rotation of the regulating member 720W around the second gaming nail 702W, the tip of the first arm 722W of the regulating member 720W (specifically, the inclined portion formed at the tip of the first arm 722W). 731W) corresponds to the first game nail 701W. The first arm portion 722W bends toward the second game nail 702W when the inclined portion 731W is pressed against the first game nail 701W.

  Thereafter, when the rotation of the movable body 710W is continued and the first gaming nail 701W passes over the inclined portion 731W, the first arm portion 722W returns to the state before the deformation by the elastic force stored therein. Thereby, the first game nail 701W and the first engagement recess 724W of the first arm portion 722 engage (see FIG. 56 (c) → FIG. 56 (d)), and the regulating members from the game nails 701W and 702W. 720W dropout is avoided.

  In a state where the restriction member 720W is prevented from falling off, the second stopper portion 728W of the restriction member 720W is located at a position facing the arm portion 712W of the movable body 710W. The sliding movement of the movable body 710W along the bearing 713W is prevented by the second stopper 728W, and the movable body 710W is prevented from falling off from the first gaming nail 701W. By the above procedure, the mounting of the ball return prevention mechanism 106W to the game area forming body 80aW is completed. Since the use of a tool or the like is not necessary in the mounting operation of the ball return preventing mechanism 106W, the mounting operation is simplified.

  Regarding the ball return prevention mechanism 106W, which is repeatedly hit by the game balls fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110, there is a possibility that the ball return prevention mechanism 106W may be deformed due to long-term use or the like. If this kind of deformation occurs, the occurrence of inconvenience (for example, disturbance of the behavior of the game ball) due to the deformation can be suppressed by replacing the ball return prevention mechanism 106W.

  Regarding the ball return prevention mechanism 106W shown in the present embodiment, the first arm 722W is pushed down to the second game nail 702W side with a finger or the like, and the first game nail 701W, the regulating member 720W (first engagement recess 724W) and Can be removed from the game area forming body 80aW by releasing the engagement of. By allowing removal of the ball return prevention mechanism 106W by such a simple procedure, it is possible to contribute to improvement in workability when mounting / removing the ball return prevention mechanism 106W.

  Note that the movable body 710W prevents the distal end portion of the first arm portion 722W from protruding into the passage area, and prevents collision with a game ball passing through the guide passage 103. This suppresses the disengagement of the first arm 722W (first engaging recess 724W) from the first gaming nail 701W triggered by the collision of the game ball with the first arm 722W. . The first engaging portion 724 is engaged with the first game nail 701W from the upstream side of the guide passage 103. Therefore, even if a game ball moving along the guide passage 103 collides with the first arm 722W, the first arm 722W is pressed against the first game nail 701W, and the first game nail 701W is The deformation of the first arm portion 722W such that the allowance of the first arm portion 722W is reduced is avoided. Thereby, it is possible to preferably prevent the ball return prevention mechanism 106W from falling off during, for example, a game due to the simplification of the attaching / detaching operation. This is a preferable configuration for suppressing a decrease in the reliability of the gaming machine.

  When arranging the game components in the game area forming body 80aW, in order to avoid interference between the game components, secure an insertion gap for a machine tool or a tool, secure mounting strength, and the like, separate the game components to some extent. It is necessary to arrange them. In particular, a game area PE is formed on the front side of the game area forming body 80aW, and in order to diversify the movement of the game balls flowing down the game area PE, the arrangement of various game components tends to be dense, and the peripheral game Restrictions are likely to occur in the relationship with parts. A similar problem may occur in the relationship between the member attached to the game area forming body 80aW from the front side and the member attached from the back side.

  In this regard, the ball return prevention mechanism 106W shown in the present embodiment is mounted on the game area forming body 80aW via the game nails 701W and 702W, and as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. A configuration corresponding to a plate-like mounting base (see a two-dot chain line) functioning as a screw fixing base as shown in the first embodiment is omitted. By omitting the mounting base, the area occupied by the ball return preventing mechanism 106W is reduced.

  In particular, the first gaming nail 701W is provided with a function as a rotation axis of the movable body 710W and a function as fixing means. Thereby, the expansion of the occupied area can be suppressed as compared with the case where these various functions are exerted by individual configurations.

  Here, it is also possible to give the function of defining the rotation range of the movable body 710W to the first gaming nail 701W, but in this case, the load generated when the movable body 710W rotates is reduced by the first gaming nail 701W. 701W. In view of the fact that the first gaming nail 701W is at the center of rotation as described above, if the first gaming nail 701W is deformed due to the above-mentioned load or the like, the inhibition state / permissible state is smoothly performed. It is feared that the original function of the ball return prevention mechanism 106W will not be sufficiently exhibited due to, for example, preventing the switching operation. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the first game nail 701W and the second game nail 702W hold the regulating member 720W as “defining means” for defining the rotation range, and the load is set to the first game nail. The first game nail 701W is protected by dispersing the first game nail 701W and the second game nail 702W. In particular, such an enhanced protection function is realized by devising the mounting structure of the regulating member 720W. Therefore, the relationship between the mounting structure of the regulating member 720W and the protection function will be supplementarily described below with reference to the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 57 (a) and (b).

  As shown in FIG. 57 (b), the first game nail 701W and the second game nail 702W are connected (coupled) via the regulating member 720W, but are completely fixed (rigid connection) at the mounting position. That is not the case). Specifically, the first engaging concave portion 724W that engages with the first gaming nail 701W is opened to the side (upper side) opposite to the second gaming nail 702W side, and the first gaming nail is opened through the open portion 726W. When 701W enters the first engaging recess 724W, it is hooked on the first game nail 701W from the second game nail 702W side (lower side).

  On the other hand, the second engaging concave portion 725W that engages with the second gaming nail 702W is on the opposite side to the first engaging concave portion 724W, that is, on the opposite side (lower side) from the first gaming nail 701W side. The second game nail 702W enters the second engagement recess 725W through the open portion 727W, so that the second game nail 702W is hooked on the second game nail 702W from the first game nail 701W side (upper side). .

  When the movable body 710W rotates and switches from the blocking state to the allowable state, the movable body 710W pushes the second stopper 728W of the regulating member 720W obliquely downward. The external force transmitted to the regulating member 720W by this pressing has a downward component and a lateral component. The former of these components propagates to the second gaming nail 702W through the wall 721W of the regulating member 720W. Thereby, the force generated by the collision is transmitted to the game area forming body 80aW through the second game nail 702W. The first engagement recess 724W is open upward, and the first arm 722 is prevented from contacting the first game nail 701W from above. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an external force that pushes down the regulating member 720W from acting on the first gaming nail 701W. Thereby, the dependence on the first game nail 701W is suppressed, and the first game nail 701W is protected.

  As described above, the regulating member 720W functions as a barrier that prevents a game ball rebounding from the game area PE from colliding with the movable body 710W. For example, as shown in FIG. 57 (c), when the game ball collides with the regulating member 720W (specifically, the second stopper 728W) from obliquely above, the collision causes the second stopper 728W to be obliquely downward. Will be pushed down. The external force transmitted to the regulating member 720W by this pressing has a downward component and a lateral component. The former of these components propagates to the second gaming nail through the wall 721W of the regulating member 720W. Thereby, the force generated by the collision is transmitted to the game area forming body 80aW through the second game nail 702W. The first engagement recess 724W is open upward, and the first arm 722 is prevented from contacting the first game nail 701W from above. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an external force that pushes down the regulating member 720W from acting on the first gaming nail 701W. Thereby, the dependence on the first game nail 701W is suppressed, and the first game nail 701W is protected.

  By using the first game nail 701W and the second game nail 702W together as the mounting means of the regulating member 720W in this way, while stabilizing the holding function of the regulating member 720W having a certain size, As a result, it is possible to prevent the movable body 710W from rotating smoothly.

  Even if the second game nail 702W is deformed to bend downward, the first engagement nail 724W can suppress the first game nail 701W from being pulled downward. Thereby, the following deformation can be suppressed. Even in this case, as long as at least an allowance between the first game nail 701W and the first engaging recess 724W is ensured, the falling-off of the regulating member 720W and the movable body 710W is suppressed, and the ball return preventing function is secured. can do.

  In a gaming machine such as the above-mentioned pachinko machine, it is general that a large number of gaming nails for changing the flowing direction of a gaming ball are provided in a gaming area, thereby realizing diversification of a flowing path of the gaming ball. Therefore, by adopting a configuration in which the ball return prevention mechanism 106W is attached to the game area forming body 80aW via a game nail, the ball return prevention mechanism 106W is compared with a case where a fixture (screw or the like) is separately prepared. This can contribute to simplification of the configuration relating to the attachment of the return prevention mechanism 106W.

  Also, as compared with the case where the ball return prevention mechanism 106W is mounted using a fixing device such as a screw, a pedestal portion such as a mounting base parallel to the front surface of the game area forming body 80aW is not required. Thus, the occupied area of the configuration according to the above can be suitably reduced, which is advantageous in suppressing a decrease in the degree of freedom in arranging peripheral components.

  However, the projecting amount of the game nail from the front surface of the game area forming body is large to some extent, and it is difficult to completely avoid the occurrence of deformation and the like. For example, there is a concern that the above-described deformation is likely to occur as compared with a case where the fixing unit such as a screw or the like and the pedestal portion are used. Such deformation is not preferable because it causes variations in the position and posture of the ball return prevention mechanism 106W. In this regard, as shown in the present embodiment, if the ball return prevention mechanism 106W is configured to be mounted so as to straddle a plurality of game nails, the holding strength of the ball return prevention mechanism 106W can be appropriately ensured. Instead, the ball return preventing mechanism 106W can function as reinforcing means for suppressing the deformation of the game nails, and the occurrence of variations in the position and posture of the ball return preventing mechanism 106W can be suppressed.

  As described above, the configuration in which the ball return preventing mechanism 106W (particularly the regulating member 720W) is attached to the plurality of game nails 701W and 702W is compared with the case where the game nail is attached to one game nail. Thus, the area occupied by the mounting structure can be large. In other words, realizing an improvement in the positional accuracy and the like of the ball return prevention mechanism 106W (particularly, the regulating member 720W) can be a factor that presses the game area PE. In this regard, in the regulating member 720W, the orientation of the first engagement recess 724W (first open portion 726W) engaging with the first game nail 701W and the second engagement recess 725W engaging with the second game nail 702W. (The second open portion 727W) is configured to be opposite in direction. This makes it possible to suppress the expansion of the occupied area of the arm portions 722W and 723W while using the two arm portions 722W and 723W in combination, and to reduce the disadvantage of mounting a plurality of game nails. It has eased.

  In particular, the configuration is such that the first open portion 726W faces away from the second game nail 702W side and the second open portion 727W faces away from the first game nail 701W side. Thus, the meat portions of the two arms 722W and 723W can be disposed between the first game nail 701W and the second game nail 702W. By suppressing the overhang of the arms 722W and 723W in the direction in which the game nails 701W and 702W are arranged side by side, even when a plurality of arms 722W and 723W are used in combination, it contributes suitably to the space saving of the mounting structure described above. obtain.

  In addition, by disposing the arms 722W and 723W between the game nails 701W and 702W, the game nails 701W and 702W can function as barriers that prevent access to the arms 722W and 723W. By protecting the arms 722W and 723W in this manner, even when the ball return preventing mechanism 106W is provided in the game area PE in which the game ball flows, the mounting stability of the ball return preventing mechanism 106W is improved. Reduction can be suppressed.

  In a configuration in which a plurality of components (the movable body 710W and the regulating member 720W) are attached to the first game nail 701W, the load generated on the first game nail 701W increases. If the first game nail 701W is deformed by such a load, not only the accuracy of the position and posture of the ball return preventing mechanism 106W is reduced, but also the rotation of the movable body 710W is performed smoothly. It is feared that it will be gone. Therefore, by supporting the first game nail 701W using the second game nail 702W that is relatively less liable to load by using the regulating member 720W, it is possible to prevent the first game nail 701W from being inconvenient such as being deformed. It can be suppressed suitably.

<Another form>
As described in the tenth embodiment, in order to reduce the area occupied by the ball return preventing mechanism and coexist with peripheral components, the configuration related to the mounting of the ball return preventing mechanism is changed as follows. It is also possible.

<Example 1>
As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 58 (a), the ball return prevention mechanism 106X includes a movable body 851X that can be switched between a blocking state for blocking the passage of game balls and an allowable state for allowing the passage of game balls, and a movable body 851X. And a holder 861X for holding the body 851X. An insertion hole 871X through which the holder 861X is inserted is formed in the game area forming body 80aX, and the holder 861X is housed in the insertion hole 871X. The main body portion 862X of the holder 861X has a flange portion 866X protruding outward from the front end of the main body portion 862X. A portion 873X is formed. The front and rear positions of the ball return preventing mechanism 106X are defined by the contact of the flange portion 866X with the receiving portion 873X.

  The holder 861X is formed with a leg 864X extending rearward from the main body 862X. A tip portion of the leg portion 864X extends rearward from the insertion hole 871X, and a claw portion 865X that is hooked on a boss 872X formed on the game area forming body 80aX is formed on the extended portion. The hook 865X is hooked on the boss 872X from behind, thereby preventing the ball return preventing mechanism 106X from falling off.

  As described above, if the ball return preventing mechanism 106X is attached using the flange portion 866X and the claw portion 865X, a screw mounting base (pedestal) facing the front surface of the game area forming body is not required. Thereby, the expansion of the area occupied by the ball return prevention mechanism 106X is suppressed, and coexistence with peripheral components can be suitably realized.

  In particular, the flange portion 866X and the claw portion 865X are arranged so as to overlap in a front view of the game area forming body 80aX. In this manner, the configuration related to the mounting of the ball return prevention mechanism 106X is summarized, and the flange portion 866X and the claw portion 865X are displaced in the front view of the game area forming body 80aX, and the disposition of the peripheral components is performed. The constraint can be alleviated more suitably.

  In the first embodiment, the flange portion 866X is provided on the front side and the claw portion 865X is provided on the rear side. However, the arrangement may be reversed. That is, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the ball feed preventing mechanism is attached to the game area forming body by hooking the claw portion on the front portion of the game area forming body.

<Example 2>
A configuration relating to the mounting of the ball return prevention mechanism may be provided at a position overlapping the passing area through which the game ball passes along the outer rail 102 in a front view of the game area forming body. Hereinafter, a specific example thereof will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the main configuration (the movable body 851Y and the holder 861Y) of the ball return prevention mechanism 106Y in the second embodiment is the same as the ball return prevention mechanism 106K described in the sixth embodiment, and the game area forming body Since the configuration relating to the attachment to the device is different, the description of these common configurations will be cited.

  The front surface of the holder 861Y is configured to protrude upstream and downstream in a passage area TE (specifically, a moving direction in which a game ball fired from the game ball firing mechanism 110 moves when passing through the passage area TE). And a flange portion 866Y is formed. A recess 873Y that is recessed rearward is formed around the opening of the accommodation portion 872Y for the ball return prevention mechanism 106Y provided in the game area forming body 80aY, and the flange 866Y fits into the recess 873Y. The front and rear positions of the ball return preventing mechanism 106K are defined by the flange 866Y abutting against the bottom of the recess 873Y. In this state, the front surface of the game area forming body 80aY and the front surface of the holder 861Y are located on the same plane, and the occurrence of a step at the boundary between them is avoided. Thus, the behavior of the game ball moving in the passage area TE is prevented from being disturbed when straddling the boundary portion, and the smooth movement of the game ball is ensured.

  The holder 861Y is provided with a leg 864Y extending to the back side of the game area forming body 80aY. A claw portion 865Y is formed at the tip of the leg portion 864Y, and the claw portion 865Y is caught on the back surface of the game area forming body 80aY, thereby preventing the ball return preventing mechanism 106Y from falling off from the game area forming body 80aY. ing.

  When attaching the ball return prevention mechanism 106Y to the game area formation body 80aY, the ball return prevention mechanism 106Y is pushed into the accommodation portion 872Y of the game area formation body 80aY from the front. The leg portion 864Y bends and deforms as the ball return preventing mechanism 106Y is pushed in, and returns to the state before the deformation when the ball return preventing mechanism 106Y reaches the mounting position defined by the concave portion 873Y. Is hooked on the game area forming body 80aY. This prevents the ball return prevention mechanism 106Y from falling off.

  The leg 864Y (claw 865Y) is disposed behind the flange 866Y. In this way, by overlapping the arrangement areas of the components (attachment means) related to attachment in the front view of the game area formation body 80aY, it is possible to suppress the above-described expansion of the occupied area. In the first place, game components such as game nails are often arranged at positions outside the passage area. That is, when the passing area TE is compared with the other areas, the latter is more likely to be the area where the game components are arranged. In view of such circumstances, as shown in the second embodiment, by setting a portion that can substantially become a dead space as an arrangement region for the fixing means, pressure on the arrangement region of other game components is suppressed. it can.

  The operation direction of the leg portion 864Y is configured to be along the outer rail 102, and falls within a range where the overlap with the passing area TE is maintained. By adopting a configuration in which the operation direction and the direction in which the passage area TE extends are aligned in this way, it is possible to preferably suppress the area in which other game components are arranged from being pressed by securing the operation area.

  In addition, when the front and rear positions of the ball return preventing mechanism 106Y are defined by the flange portion 866Y, the greater the distance from the flange portion, the more likely a step is formed at the boundary with the game area forming body 80aY. In view of such circumstances, arranging the attachment means at the upstream and downstream ends in the moving direction of the game ball has a technical significance that disturbance of the behavior of the game ball can be suitably suppressed.

  Note that, from the configuration shown in the second embodiment, a technical idea that an area overlapping with a passing area along the outer rail 102 in the front view of the game area forming body 80aY is set as an arrangement area for the mounting means is extracted, In specializing in the technical idea, the use of the screw or the like shown in the first embodiment or the like as the attachment means is not denied. In other words, when mounting the ball return prevention mechanism with the screw and the mounting base, by disposing the screw and the mounting base at a position overlapping the passage area, the above-described restriction on the arrangement of the peripheral components can be relaxed. . However, in the case of such a configuration, the front surface of the mounting base is located on the same plane as the front surface of the game area forming body 80aY, and the protrusion of the screw (head) from the front surface of the game area forming body 80aY is avoided. Is preferred.

<Example 3>
In the tenth embodiment, the ball return preventing mechanism 106W is retrofitted to the game nails 701W and 702W implanted in the game area forming body 80aW in the nailing step. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a ball return prevention mechanism is attached to the game nails 701W and 702W in accordance with the setting. Specifically, in the ball return preventing mechanism 106W, the engaging recesses 724W and 725W are configured to be hooked on the game nails 701W and 702W. It is also possible to provide a configuration in which the game nails 701W and 702W are inserted through the through holes. Similarly, the bearing 713W of the movable body 710W can be formed to be annular.

<Example 4>
In the tenth embodiment, the ball return preventing mechanism 106W is attached to the two game nails (the first game nail 701W and the second game nail 702W) arranged in parallel. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Not something. For example, a configuration in which a plate-like member constituting a rolling surface of a game ball is attached to a group of game nails arranged so as to form a guide path of the game ball facing an operation port (corresponding to “ball entry portion”). It is also possible. This can contribute to smooth guidance of the game ball. In particular, by mounting the plate-shaped member so as to straddle (bridge over) a plurality of game nails, not only can the mounting strength of the plate-shaped member be secured, but also the game nail can be reinforced by the plate-shaped member. Becomes By constructing such a mutual support relationship, a practically preferable configuration can be realized.

  Incidentally, the "game component" attached to the game nail is not limited to a configuration that can affect the behavior of the game ball as shown by the plate-like member and the ball return prevention mechanism 106W. For example, the present invention does not deny the use of a light emitting unit on which a decorative member or a light emitting body or the like on which a character or the like is decorated is mounted.

<Other embodiments>
Note that the present invention is not limited to the content described in each of the above-described embodiments, and may be implemented as follows, for example. Incidentally, each of the following configurations may be individually applied to each of the above embodiments, or some or all of them may be combined and applied to each of the above embodiments. Further, all or some of the various configurations described in the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. In this case, it is preferable that the technical significance (effect to be exhibited) of each component to be combined is ensured. The following configurations may be individually applied to a new configuration formed by a combination of the embodiments, or some or all of them may be applied in combination.

  (1) In the first embodiment, the right-side prevention device 106b as the “first restriction unit” and the left-side prevention device 106a as the “second restriction unit” are provided in the specific region formed between them. The SE (corresponding to the “inflow portion”) is spaced apart so that the game ball can pass through. In the arrangement of the both prevention devices 106a and 106b, the interval is set in consideration of the case where the left prevention device 106a is in the allowable state. That is, even when the left prevention device 106a is in the allowable state, a margin is added to the interval between the two prevention devices 106a and 106b so that the game ball can pass through the specific area SE. It is also possible to dispose the prevention devices 106a and 106b closer to each other by eliminating such a margin. Accordingly, by using the plurality of prevention devices 106a and 106b together, it is possible to preferably suppress the landing range of the shot game ball from being reduced.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the right prevention device 106b is in an allowable state when the game ball can pass through the specific area SE formed between the prevention devices 106a and 106b. If you consider. That is, even when the right prevention device 106b is in the allowable state, a margin is added to the interval between the two prevention devices 106a and 106b so that the game ball can pass through the specific area SE. It is also possible to dispose the prevention devices 106a and 106b closer to each other by eliminating such a margin. Accordingly, by using the plurality of prevention devices 106a and 106b together, it is possible to preferably suppress the landing range of the shot game ball from being reduced.

  Actually, in a situation where the game ball that has arrived in the game area PE earlier hits the movable body 301b and the following game ball is prevented from passing through the right prevention device 106b, both the prevention devices 106a and 106b are in the blocking state. Therefore, it is assumed that the cases where the prevention devices 106a and 106b are both in the allowable state are extremely rare. In consideration of such circumstances, the function of the ball return preventing mechanism 106 will not be extremely reduced even if one of the above two allowances is eliminated. If the two allowances are eliminated, the distance between the two prevention devices 106a and 106b can be further reduced, and the effect related to the landing range can be more remarkably exhibited.

  (2) When a game ball that cannot flow through the right side prevention device 106b and flows into the specific area SE hits the left side prevention device 106a (particularly, the movable body 301a), the switching of the left side prevention device 106a to the allowable state is prevented. As a result, there is a possibility that passing of the subsequent game ball through the left side prevention device 106a becomes impossible or difficult. In view of such circumstances, a practically preferable configuration can be realized by arranging means for preventing the game ball that has reached the specific area SE from hitting the movable body 301a of the left side prevention device 106a. For example, it is preferable to provide a wall or the like facing the movable body 301a from the side opposite to the outlet portion 105 (on the right side prevention device 106b side). The occurrence of the secondary inconveniences described above can be suitably suppressed by preventing the game ball heading toward or passing through the specific area SE from hitting the movable body 301a by the wall.

  (3) In the second embodiment, the main body 305b is surrounded by the upright portion 314bA provided on the right side prevention device 106bA, so that a game ball that cannot pass through the right side prevention device 106bA can be used. Avoided hitting. However, in order to exert such an effect, it is sufficient that the main body 305b has a portion corresponding to the facing portion 317bA facing from the outer rail 102 side or the exit portion 105 side. Need not be enclosed.

  (4) In the third embodiment, the guide path 103 is located at a position on the left route formed in the game area PE above the portion where the flowing direction of the game ball changes from the oblique horizontal direction to the vertical direction. The outlet portion 105 is provided. Thereby, even if the exit portion 105 is separated from the ball return preventing mechanism 106B, the game balls in the game area PE are prevented from returning to the guidance passage 103 through the separated portion. The position of the exit portion of the guide passage 103 may be arbitrarily changed as long as it is possible to prevent the game ball from returning to the guide passage 103 through the separated portion.

  For example, if the game balls flowing down the left route can be prevented from flowing into the exit portion 105 through the gap by the arrangement of the game nails 93, etc., the exit portion 105 of the guide passage 103 is set to be smaller than the above-mentioned changing portion. It is also possible to arrange on the lower side.

  (5) In the fourth embodiment, the length of the protruding piece 303 is set so that a game ball cannot flow into a gap (operating gap of the movable body 301) formed between the movable body 301 and the glass panel 23. Stipulated. However, if such a technical idea can be realized, it is not always necessary to depend on the shape of the protruding piece 303. For example, if an elastically deformable member (pad or spring member) or the like is provided in the above-mentioned operation gap, the inflow of the game ball into the operation gap while ensuring the restoring force from the allowable state to the blocking state by the member. Can be avoided.

  (6) In the fourth embodiment, the movable body 301G is of a rotary type, but it is sufficient that the movable body 301G can be displaced at least in a direction intersecting with the game area forming body 80a, and the operation mode is limited to the rotary type. It is not something to be done. For example, a slide type is also possible. However, since the gap between the game area forming body 80a and the glass panel 23 is limited, securing an occupied area such as an operation gap or the like is required as compared with a configuration in which the movable body is displaced along the front surface of the game area forming body 80a. Becomes difficult. In view of such a situation, there is a technical significance in that the operation mode of the movable body is made to be a rotary type, for example, to effectively release an impact when a game ball hits and to suppress the expansion of an occupied area.

  (7) In the fourth embodiment, the ball return preventing mechanism 106G is disposed at a position closer to the glass panel 23 of the game area forming body 80a and the glass panel 23. It is also possible to arrange at a position closer to the formed body 80a. Specifically, it is also possible to dispose it in a recess or the like formed in the game area forming body 80a in a state where it is turned upside down.

  However, in such a configuration, a force is applied to the game ball hitting the movable body 301G so as to lift the game ball from the front surface of the game area forming body 80a, and a displacement toward the glass panel 23 occurs. When moving the game ball along the game area forming body 80a while suppressing the lifting of the game ball from the game area forming body 80a, as shown in the fourth embodiment, the movable body 301G is made of a glass panel. It is preferable to adopt a configuration to be disposed closer to 23.

  (8) In the above-described fourth embodiment, the ball return prevention mechanism 106G is attached to the guide rail 100. However, in the case of such an attachment mode, the ball return prevention mechanism 106G and the guide rail 100 are connected to each other. It is preferable to interpose a cushioning member such as a cushion therebetween. Thereby, it is possible to preferably suppress the vibration when the ball return prevention mechanism 106G operates to propagate to the guide rail 100. When consideration is given to the propagation of such vibration, the ball return prevention mechanism 106G may be attached to the game area forming body 80a as in the other embodiments.

  (9) The guiding section 308 such that the flowing direction of the game ball when passing through the specific area SE as the “inflow section” is, for example, a direction (substantially vertical direction) intersecting the direction in which the prevention devices 106a and 106b are arranged side by side. However, the guiding direction of the game ball by the guiding unit 308 is not limited to the above direction. For example, in order to shorten the period required for passing through the specific area SE, the downflow direction of the game ball passing through the specific area SE may be configured to be the vertical direction.

  (10) In each of the above embodiments, the guiding unit 308 that guides the game ball to the specific area SE by the ball receiving surface 304 and the flat surface 306 is configured, but the function as the guiding unit 308 is changed to the ball receiving surface 304 and the flat surface. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that can be exerted by any of 306.

  Making the angle between the ball receiving surface portion 304 and the flat surface portion 306 an obtuse angle as described in the above embodiment has a certain technical significance in smoothly guiding the game balls. Here, in order to shorten the required period of time when passing through the specific area SE and to make the moving direction of the game ball closer to the vertical direction, it is preferable to further increase the angle formed between the ball receiving surface portion 304 and the plane portion 306. Specifically, it is preferable that the angle be larger than 180 degrees. Thus, it is possible to prevent the game ball from moving from the ball receiving surface portion 304 to the plane portion 306, and to appropriately suppress the game ball from decelerating at a boundary position between the two. In addition, the configuration is advantageous in that the flowing direction of the game ball when passing through the specific area SE approaches the vertical direction as shown in the above-described modification (9).

  (11) In each of the above embodiments, the position of the center of gravity of the movable body 301 and the position of the shaft support (center of rotation) are shifted to promote the return of the movable body 301 to the blocking state due to its own weight. The means for generating the driving force for returning to the state is not limited to the own weight of the movable body 301. For example, an elastic force of a spring or the like or a magnetic force of a magnet or the like may be used as a driving force. In addition, the above-described various configurations related to the return to the blocking state can be applied in combination with each other.

  (12) In the above embodiments, the main configuration and operation mode of each prevention device 106a and 106b are shared, but it is not always necessary to share the configuration and operation mode of each prevention device. For example, one of the prevention devices is constituted by a leaf spring, and a game ball hits the leaf spring and the leaf spring is elastically deformed, thereby switching from the inhibition state to the allowable state, and the force related to the return to the inhibition state. Can be stored.

  (13) In the above embodiments, the left side prevention device 106a and the right side prevention device 106b are provided separately, but these prevention devices 106a and 106b can be integrated into one unit. For example, the holders 311a and 311b constituting the respective prevention devices 106a and 106b may be integrally formed. That is, for example, as shown in the sixth embodiment and the seventh embodiment, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a plurality of movable bodies are attached to one base member.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the movable body 301 is attached with the holder 311 interposed, and a configuration corresponding to the movable body 301 may be directly attached to the game area forming body 80a.

  (14) In the fifth embodiment, the signal of the touch sensor 42 and the like is input to the main control device 162 via the power supply / emission control device 243, but the signal of the touch sensor 42 and the like is directly input to the main control device 162. It is also possible to adopt a configuration for inputting to the control device 162. Further, the function of setting the launch timing of the game ball may be transferred from the power supply / launch control device 243 to the main control device 162.

  (15) In the fifth embodiment, the main control is performed by synchronizing the first timer counter TC1 provided in the main control device 162 and the second timer counter TC2 provided in the power supply / emission control device 243. The operation mode of the ball return prevention mechanism 106H driven and controlled by the device 162 and the operation mode of the game ball firing mechanism 110 driven and controlled by the power supply / launch control device 243 are configured to be related. The specific configuration may be arbitrarily changed as long as the game ball can be fired in accordance with the movement of the prevention mechanism 106H. For example, the main controller 162 transmits information on the movement of the ball return prevention mechanism 106 to the power supply / firing control device 243 as needed or as needed, and the power supply / firing control device 243 prevents the ball return based on the transmitted information. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the state of the mechanism 106 is determined and the firing timing is set.

  However, when consideration is given to the improvement of the control load and the responsiveness of the two control devices 162 and 243, the operation mode of the ball return prevention mechanism 106H depends on the main control device 162 as described in the above embodiment. It is preferable to adopt a configuration that can be grasped without performing. The same technical idea is realized by, for example, providing a detection sensor for detecting the movement of the ball return prevention mechanism 106 and inputting information (signal) from the detection sensor to the power supply / emission control device 243 to grasp the same. Although possible, it is preferable to adopt the configuration shown in the above embodiment in order to suppress the complexity of the structure and simplify the configuration attached to the game area forming body 80a.

  (16) In the fifth embodiment, the configuration is such that the launch timing of the game ball is set in accordance with the movement of the ball return prevention mechanism 106 provided in the game area PE. In embodying the technical idea of setting the firing timing of the game ball in accordance with the movement of the movable body, a configuration that is a reference when setting the firing timing may be a configuration other than the ball return prevention mechanism 106. It is possible.

  For example, when a ball feeding device that operates at a predetermined cycle or at a predetermined timing is provided, a configuration in which the launch timing of a game ball is set in accordance with the movement of the ball feeding device can be adopted. . More specifically, in the case where the ball feeding device includes a movable stage on the upstream side (upper side) of the operation port 83 that allows the movement of the game ball toward the operation port 83, this stage It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the firing timing of the game ball is set according to the movement of the game ball.

  (17) In the sixth and seventh embodiments, the two prevention devices 106a and 106b are used in combination. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, it is also possible to omit one of the prevention devices 106a and 106b. In particular, as shown in the modification of the sixth embodiment, if the return from the allowable state to the restricted state is performed using an urging means such as a spring, the return to the above-described link mechanism can be performed. Dependencies can be eliminated.

  (18) In the fourth, sixth, and seventh embodiments, the movable bodies 301G, 601 are configured to be rotatably held. However, a portion where the game ball from the guide passage 103 abuts is a game area. In order to realize a configuration in which the movable body 301a is displaced in the thickness direction of the formed body 80a, the movable bodies 301G and 601 may be of a slide type instead of a rotary type.

  (19) In the fourth, sixth, and seventh embodiments, the posture changes as the movable bodies 301G, 601 rotate, and as a result, the ball receiving surface portions 304, 604 of the game area forming body 80a Although it is configured to be displaced in the thickness direction, it is not limited to this. For example, the ball receiving surfaces 304 and 604 may be displaced by the deformation (elastic deformation) of the movable bodies 301G and 601 or the posture may be changed by the deformation (elastic deformation) of the ball receiving surfaces 304 and 604 themselves. It is good also as a structure which performs.

  (20) The ball receiving surface portion 604 shown in the sixth and seventh embodiments is configured to be bent at an intermediate position so as to change the inclination angle, but the movable member 601 accompanying the passage of the game ball. When the efficiency of the movement of the game ball is considered, the inclination of the ball receiving surface portion 604 is gradually increased from the near side to the far side in the moving direction of the game ball (to the far side of the game area forming body 80a). It is also possible to form it into a curved surface that is curved (to be convex). However, when such a change is made, it is necessary to take measures to suppress the addition of a moving component that moves away from the front surface of the game area forming body 80a when the game ball separates from the ball receiving surface portion 604.

  (21) In the sixth and seventh embodiments, the movable body 601 is attached to the game area forming body 80a via the holder 611 as a “holding part”. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the movable body 601 may be configured to be directly attached to the game area forming body 80a.

  (22) In the sixth and seventh embodiments, the ball receiving surface portion 604 is located rearward of the front surface of the game area forming body 80a when the movable body 601 is located at the retracted position. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The ball receiving surface portion 604 may be configured to be flush with the front surface of the game area forming body 80a in a state where the ball receiving surface portion 604 is arranged at the retreat position, or may slightly project from the front surface of the game area forming body 80a. It does not deny the configuration to do.

  (23) In each of the above embodiments, the ball return prevention mechanism 106 is configured to return to the state before passing when the game ball has passed the ball return prevention mechanism 106. The present invention is not limited to the passage through the return prevention mechanism 106 ". For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the ball return prevention mechanism 106 returns to the state before passing when the game ball that has passed the ball return prevention mechanism 106 reaches a predetermined location in the game area PE.

  For example, a ball receiving portion for hitting a game ball is provided at a predetermined location in the game area PE (specifically, on a passage path through which the game ball flowing into the game area PE from the guide passage 103 passes). When a game ball hits the ball receiving portion, the ball return prevention mechanism 106 may return to a state before the game ball passes upon the collision.

  (24) In the above embodiments, the ball return prevention mechanism 106 is configured to return to the state before passing when the game ball has passed the ball return prevention mechanism 106, but is not limited thereto. is not. The game ball that triggers the return is not limited to this, and may be a game ball preceding the relevant game ball or a subsequent game ball to the relevant game ball.

  For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the ball return prevention mechanism 106 returns to the state before the passage when the game ball preceding the game ball reaches a predetermined position in the game area PE after the passage of the game ball. is there. Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the ball return prevention mechanism 106 returns to the state before passing when the subsequent game ball reaches the predetermined location in the guide path 103.

  The configuration for realizing such a return operation may be the link mechanism described in the sixth embodiment or the like, or may use an actuator such as a sensor and a motor disposed at the predetermined location. It is good also as a structure which performs.

  It should be noted that the game ball preceding the corresponding game ball is not limited to only one game ball, but may be two or three or more game balls ahead. Further, the subsequent game ball with respect to the corresponding game ball is not limited to the next game ball, but may be two or three or more game balls after.

  (25) In each of the above embodiments, a configuration in which a part of the left prevention device 106aP (the left movable body 601aP) protrudes from the exit portion 105 of the guide passage 103, specifically, one of the left prevention devices 106aP (the left movable body 601aP). Although the portion straddles a vertical line extending from the end of the inner rail 101 to the outer rail 102 in the passage direction of the guide passage 103, the invention is not limited to this. The end of the left movable body 601aP may be located on the perpendicular, or the left prevention device 106aP (the left movable body 601aP) may be configured such that the protrusion from the exit portion 105 of the guide passage 103 is completely avoided. Is also good.

  It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the degree of protrusion changes depending on the state. For example, one of the restricting state and the allowable state may be configured to protrude from the outlet portion 105, may be configured to protrude in any state, and may be prevented from protruding in any state. May be adopted.

  (26) In each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration is such that the flow of the game ball (return of the ball) to the guide passage 103 through the outlet portion 105 is avoided by the planar flange portion 606aP formed at the end of the base portion 602aP. However, the specific shape is arbitrary as long as the movable body 601aP can prevent the ball from returning. For example, as shown in the sixth embodiment and the like, the configuration may be such that a ball return is avoided by the end of the base portion 602L.

  However, when the exit portion 105 of the guidance passage 103 is directed obliquely upward, there is a possibility that the game ball may stop while being caught on both the movable body 601 and the inner rail 101. Therefore, it is preferable that the end of the movable body 601 be provided with a slope or the like for guiding the game ball to leave the exit portion 105.

  (27) In the above embodiments, the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are attached to the game area forming body 80aP via the holder 611P, but the holder 611P is omitted and the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are replaced with the game area forming body. It is also possible to adopt a configuration to directly attach to 80aP.

  Further, the slot 92P for the holder 611P (corresponding to the "accommodating portion" or the "insertion portion") is formed in the game area forming body 80aP, but the mounting structure of the holder 611P is arbitrary. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a recessed portion that is recessed rearward is formed in the game area forming body 80aP, and the holder 611P is attached to the recessed portion.

  (28) In each of the above embodiments, the movable body 601aP, 601bP is urged toward the maximum protruding position by its own weight, regardless of the position between the maximum protruding position and the retreat position. It is configured to be maintained in a state of being held. This may be changed so that the urging is released when reaching the maximum projecting position. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the reaction force applied to the game ball when the game ball collides, and to suppress the disturbance of the behavior of the game ball.

  (29) In each of the above embodiments, when the game ball passes through the ball return prevention mechanism 106V, the left prevention device 106aV returns to the blocking state before the right prevention device 106bV switches from the restricted state to the permitted state. In addition, the two prevention devices 106aV and 106bV are provided apart from each other so that the period required for the passage between the left prevention device 106aV and the right prevention device 106bV is longer than the period required for the return of the left prevention device 106aV. It is not limited to this. That is, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the switching of the right prevention device 106bV from the restricted state to the allowable state starts while the left prevention device 106aV is returning to the restricted state.

  In other words, in using the plurality of prevention devices 106aV and 106bV together, it is preferable to take measures to prevent the forced return function from causing excessive decrease in the momentum of the game ball, but such a function is secured. In the above, if the return operation of the left prevention device 106aV to the restricted state precedes the switching operation of the right prevention device 106bV to the allowable state, it is not always necessary to make the operations of both in series and in parallel. It is also possible.

  When a plurality of prevention devices are used in combination, it is preferable that at least one of the prevention devices is maintained in a regulated state by shifting the operation timing of the two prevention devices.

  (30) In each of the above embodiments, the rotation center axes of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP are configured to extend in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the guide passage 103, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the rotation center axes of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP obliquely intersect the passage direction.

  (31) In each of the above embodiments, the ball return preventing mechanism 106P is disposed at an intermediate position between the upper apex of the outer rail 102 and the protruding portion that projects most to the left. If it is arranged near the exit portion 105 of the guiding passage 103, it is sufficient that the specific position thereof can be arbitrarily changed. However, in order to promote the self-return to the regulated state by using the weight of the movable bodies 601aP and 601bP, the inclination of the rotation center axis of the movable body 601 with respect to the horizontal direction should be as small as possible (specifically, in the horizontal direction). It is preferable that the location can be arranged so that the vertical component is larger than the component).

  (32) Other types of pachinko machines, such as pachinko machines, which are different from the above embodiments, such as a pachinko machine in which an electric accessory is opened a predetermined number of times when a game ball enters a specific region of a special device, or a game in a specific region of a special device The present invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine that becomes a jackpot when a ball enters and a jackpot, a pachinko machine equipped with another accessory, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball, and the like.

<About the inventions extracted from the above embodiments>
Hereinafter, features of the invention group extracted from each of the above-described embodiments will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configuration in the above embodiment is appropriately shown in parentheses or the like, but is not limited to the specific configuration shown in parentheses or the like.

  The following feature A group includes: "A gaming machine such as a pachinko machine has a game board in which a game area is formed, a game ball launching means for launching a game ball when a launch operation is performed by a player, If a game ball or the like that reaches the game area returns to the ball path, the game ball causes the subsequent game ball to reach the game area. Therefore, the exit portion of the ball passage allows the flow of the game ball from the ball passage to the game area, while the return ball such as the flow of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage is formed at the exit portion of the ball passage. Regarding the background art that "a configuration for restricting the return ball is provided (for example, see Patent Document 1)." However, in the configuration for restricting the generation of the return ball, the structure is still improved in order to secure its function. There is room for it. " It has a problem to be Kesshiyo has been made.

<Characteristic A group>
Feature A1. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area,
Regulating means (ball return preventing mechanisms 106, 106A to 106Y) provided in the game area, for regulating return of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage;
An inflow portion (specific area SE) where the inflow of the game ball into the game area is allowed is formed at a position halfway along the path where the game ball fired by the game ball firing means reaches the regulation means. A gaming machine characterized by that:

  The game ball that has been fired from the game ball launching means and reached the game area via the ball passage is prevented from returning to the ball passage by the regulating means. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this way, it is possible to promote smooth progress of the game. However, in a configuration in which the regulation means is provided in the game area, the game ball that has reached the game area rebounds on a game component such as a game nail (for example, the game nail 93) and, for example, the regulation means is provided from the side opposite to the ball passage. I cannot deny the possibility of collision. In particular, it is assumed that the possibility of such a collision increases if the flow-down area of the game ball in the vicinity of the regulating means becomes small.

  If the operation of the restricting means is hindered by the collision of the preceding game ball, the subsequent game ball, which should have reached the game area, cannot reach the game area, and the subsequent game ball reverses the ball path. (A so-called foul sphere or the like is generated). Such a reversion of the game ball is not preferable because it hinders the firing of the game ball and hinders the smooth progress of the game.

  In this regard, according to the configuration shown in this feature, if the regulation means does not function properly due to the influence of the preceding game ball, the subsequent game ball passes through the inflow portion from a midway position on the route to the regulation means. It will flow into the game area. Thereby, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience can be suitably suppressed, and the smooth progress of the game can be secured.

  The position of the inflow section may be devised so that the game balls flowing into the game area through the inflow section join the flow path in which the game balls flow into the game area via the ball passage → restriction means. Thus, it is possible to prevent the presence of the inflow portion from adversely affecting a player or the like. For example, the regulating means and the inflow portion may be provided side by side.

Feature A2. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area,
Regulating means (ball return preventing mechanisms 106, 106A to 106Y) provided in the game area, for regulating return of the game ball from the game area to the exit of the ball passage;
The regulating means is arranged to be separated from the exit portion so that a gap through which the game ball can pass is formed between the exit portion and the exit portion. A gaming machine characterized in that a game ball can be detached from a predetermined area through the gap.

  The game ball that has been fired from the game ball launching means and reached the game area via the ball passage is prevented from returning to the ball passage by the regulating means. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this way, it is possible to promote smooth progress of the game. However, in a configuration in which the regulation means is provided in the game area, the game ball that has reached the game area rebounds on a game component such as a game nail (for example, the game nail 93) and, for example, the regulation means is provided from the side opposite to the ball passage. I cannot deny the possibility of collision. In particular, it is assumed that the possibility of such a collision increases if the flow-down area of the game ball in the vicinity of the regulating means becomes small.

  If the operation of the restricting means is hindered by the collision of the preceding game ball, the subsequent game ball, which should have reached the game area, cannot reach the game area, and the subsequent game ball reverses the ball path. (A so-called foul sphere or the like is generated). Such a reversion of the game ball is not preferable because it hinders the firing of the game ball and hinders the smooth progress of the game.

  In this regard, according to the configuration shown in this feature, if the regulation means does not function properly due to the influence of the preceding game ball, the subsequent game ball is restricted by the exit portion (for example, exit portion 105) of the ball passage. Through the gap with the means, the ball escapes from the predetermined area on the extension of the ball passage. Thus, it is possible to suppress the subsequent game ball from becoming a factor that hinders the subsequent movement of the game ball, and to ensure a smooth progress of the game.

  In addition, regarding this feature, "a game board in which a game area is formed, game ball firing means for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player, and a game ball fired from the game ball fire means, A ball passage for guiding the ball to an area, and regulating means provided in the game area, for regulating return of the game ball from the game area to an exit portion of the ball path, wherein the regulating means comprises the ball in the game area. A gap is formed between the exit portion and the restricting means, and a gap through which the game ball can pass is formed, and the game ball flows out of the predetermined area through the gap. Is a permissible gaming machine. "

  Incidentally, the “gap” shown in the present feature corresponds to the “inflow portion” shown in the feature A1.

Feature A3. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A game ball formed by an outer first rail portion (outer rail 102) and an inner second rail portion (inner rail 101) facing each other with a gap through which the game ball can pass, and fired from the game ball firing means. Ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding the player to the game area,
Regulating means (ball return preventing mechanisms 106, 106A to 106Y) provided in the game area, for regulating return of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage;
The restricting means is located on an extension of the second rail portion in the game area, and a gap through which a game ball can pass is formed between an end of the second rail portion and the restricting means. A gaming machine characterized by the following.

  The game ball that has been fired from the game ball launching means and reached the game area via the ball passage is prevented from returning to the ball passage by the regulating means. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this way, it is possible to promote smooth progress of the game. However, in a configuration in which the regulation means is provided in the game area, the game ball that has reached the game area rebounds on a game component such as a game nail (for example, the game nail 93) and, for example, the regulation means is provided from the side opposite to the ball passage. I cannot deny the possibility of collision. In particular, it is assumed that the possibility of such a collision increases if the flow-down area of the game ball in the vicinity of the regulating means becomes small.

  If the operation of the restricting means is hindered by the collision of the preceding game ball, the subsequent game ball, which should have reached the game area, cannot reach the game area, and the subsequent game ball reverses the ball path. (A so-called foul sphere or the like is generated). Such a reversion of the game ball is not preferable because it hinders the firing of the game ball and hinders the smooth progress of the game.

  In this regard, according to the configuration shown in this feature, if the regulation means does not function properly due to the influence of the preceding game ball, the subsequent game ball is restricted by the exit portion (for example, exit portion 105) of the ball passage. Through the gap with the means, the ball escapes from the predetermined area on the extension of the ball passage. Thus, it is possible to suppress the subsequent game ball from becoming a factor that hinders the subsequent movement of the game ball, and to ensure a smooth progress of the game.

Feature A4. The regulation means has a movable body (movable bodies 301, 301A to 301G, 601, 601L to 601N, 710W) which rotates along the front surface of the game board,
The movable body is formed with a ball receiving portion (for example, a protruding piece 303) that extends in a specific direction from a center of rotation of the movable body and hits a game ball moved along the ball path. When the game ball hits the ball receiving portion from the ball passage side and the movable body rotates, the passage of the game ball at the regulated position is restricted from the regulation state of restricting the passage of the game ball at the regulated position by the regulating means. The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A3, wherein the gaming machine is configured to be switched to an allowable state in which the allowable state is allowed.

  As shown in this feature, in the configuration in which the state is switched to the restricted state / permissible state by hitting the game ball, the following inconvenience occurs because the regulating means is provided in the game area. When the game ball that has already reached the game area hits the restricting means from the side opposite to the ball path, switching of the restricting means from the restricted state to the permitted state is prevented. This is not preferable because it causes a return ball as described above. By applying the technical idea described in the feature A1 or the like to a gaming machine having this type of regulation means, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

  In addition, in combination with the feature A3, “a state in which a gap through which a game ball can pass between the ball receiving portion and the first rail portion is formed” is “permissible state”, A state in which a gap through which a game ball can pass between the first rail portion and the first rail portion may be set as a "regulated state".

  Feature A5. The movable body is provided with a guide portion (guide portion 308) that guides the game ball to the inflow portion when the game ball that has reached the regulation means via the ball passage does not pass through the regulation position. The gaming machine according to feature A4, wherein the gaming machine is provided.

  When the event shown in the feature A4 or the like occurs and the switching of the restricting unit to the allowable state is prevented, the game ball that cannot pass through the position (restricted position) where the passage is restricted by the restricting unit is It is guided to the inflow portion (gap) by the movable body (guide portion). As a result, the game ball that has been subjected to the passage regulation can be smoothly separated, and it is possible to preferably suppress the game ball from interfering with the subsequent movement of the game ball.

  Feature A6. The ball receiving portion is configured to function as a guide portion that guides the game ball to the inflow portion when the game ball that has reached the regulation means via the ball passage does not pass through the regulation position. The gaming machine according to feature A4, wherein

  When the event shown in the feature A4 or the like occurs and the switching of the restricting unit to the allowable state is prevented, the game ball that cannot pass through the position (restricted position) where the passage is restricted by the restricting unit is It is guided to the inflow portion (gap) by the movable body. As a result, the game ball that has been subjected to the passage regulation can be smoothly separated, and it is possible to preferably suppress the game ball from interfering with the subsequent movement of the game ball.

  In particular, by making the ball receiving portion function as a guide portion, it is possible to simplify the configuration relating to the regulating means while exhibiting the effects shown in the feature A1 and the like.

  According to the configuration shown in the feature A5 or the feature A6, a game ball that cannot pass through the regulation position by the regulation means because the firing speed is insufficient is guided to the game area through the inflow portion. As described above, even when the operation is not performed well, it is possible to preferably suppress the preceding game ball from becoming a factor that hinders the movement of the subsequent game ball.

  Incidentally, when applying the technical ideas described in the features A4 to A6 to the features A2 or A3, the “inflow portion” shown in the features A4 to A6 may be replaced with the “gap”.

  Feature A7. The guide portion has a planar shape extending in a predetermined direction, and when in the regulated state, compared with the allowed state, an exit portion of the ball passage (exit portion 105). The gaming machine according to feature A5 or feature A6, wherein the inclination with respect to the direction in which the movable body and the movable body are arranged is increased.

  According to the feature A7, the inclination of the guide portion with respect to the direction in which the exit portion of the ball passage and the movable body are arranged side by side is greater in the restricted state than in the allowed state. According to such a configuration, a game ball that has failed to pass through the regulation position can be quickly moved to the inflow portion (gap) by using its own weight. That is, it is possible to preferably suppress the presence of the guide portion from being a factor that decreases the moving speed of the game ball toward the entry portion (gap).

Feature A8. The guide portion has a planar shape extending in a predetermined direction,
The movable body according to any one of features A5 to A7, wherein the guide portion is configured to be vertically oriented when the regulation unit is in the regulation state. Gaming machine.

  According to the feature A8, when the game ball that has rebounded to the restricting means departs from the area (predetermined area) located on the extension of the ball path due to its own weight or the like, the movement is preferably prevented from being hindered by the movable body. be able to. As a result, it is possible to prompt the game balls to quickly leave the predetermined area.

  In addition, the configuration shown in this feature is described as “the movable body is configured such that the ball receiving portion is substantially vertical or vertical when in the restricted state. According to any one of the above. "

  Feature A9. The movable body is characterized in that the ball receiving portion is configured to face a region deviated from an exit portion of the ball passage in the game region in the regulation state, wherein the ball receiving portion is configured to be characterized by features A4 to A4. The gaming machine according to any one of A8.

  A game ball that has reached the regulation means in a situation where switching of the regulation means from the regulation state to the permitted state is prevented is prevented from further moving in the same movement direction. Here, if the game ball hitting the ball receiving portion rebounds to the exit portion of the ball passage, the game ball may return to the ball passage and hinder the launch of the game ball.

  In this regard, according to this feature, in the regulation state, the ball receiving portion faces in the direction facing the outlet portion of the ball passage (the direction in which the ball receiving portion is shifted). That is, the ball receiving portion is configured not to face the exit portion. For this reason, it is possible to preferably suppress the game ball that has bounced back to the ball receiving portion from returning to the ball passage. Thus, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the original function of the regulating means (the function of suppressing the generation of a return ball).

Feature A10. A rail portion (outer rail 102) provided upright from the front of the game board, and a region along the rail portion is the predetermined region;
The game according to any one of features A4 to A9, wherein the movable body is configured such that the ball receiving portion faces the rail portion when the movable state is in the restricted state. Machine.

  A game ball that has reached the regulation means in a situation where switching of the regulation means from the regulation state to the permitted state is prevented is prevented from further moving in the same movement direction. Here, if the game ball hitting the ball receiving portion rebounds to the exit portion of the ball passage, the game ball may hinder the subsequent firing of the game ball. In this regard, according to the present feature, the ball receiving portion is oriented in a direction deviating from the exit portion of the ball passage when in the restricted state. That is, the ball receiving portion is configured not to face the exit portion. For this reason, it is possible to preferably suppress the game ball that has rebounded to the ball receiving portion from heading toward the ball passage. Thus, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the original function of the regulating means (the function of suppressing the generation of a return ball).

  In particular, when a game ball hitting the ball receiving portion rebounds, its momentum is weakened by hitting the rail portion. Thereby, it is possible to preferably suppress the period required for going to the inflow portion to be prolonged due to disturbance of the behavior of the game ball or the like. In addition, by suppressing the game balls from vigorously passing through the inflow section, even if the game balls passing through the inflow section again hit the restricting means, the occurrence of an impact due thereto is suppressed, and the game balls re-collide. Can be prevented from deteriorating the durability and the like of the regulating means.

Feature A11. In the area below the inflow section in the game area, a downflow path of the game ball is formed so as to cross the inflow section,
The movable body is provided with a guide portion (guide portion 308) for guiding the game ball to the inflow portion when the game ball that has reached the regulation means via the ball passage does not pass through the regulation position. Has been
The game ball guided by the guide section is configured to join the flow-down path so as to go downstream of the flow-down path. The gaming machine described.

  According to the feature A11, the game ball that reaches the downflow path via the inflow section moves at least toward the downstream side of the downflow path. Even when the game balls from the upstream side (for example, the game ball that triggered the inflow to the inflow portion) merge on the flow-down route, even if the game balls interfere with each other, the flow of the flow-down route to the game ball via the inflow portion is prevented. Since no backward moving component is provided, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of ball clogging and the like.

  In addition, the configuration shown in this feature may be configured so that “a component directed toward the downstream side of the flow-down path is provided in the flow-down direction of the game ball passing through the inflow portion through the guide portion”.

Feature A12. In the area below the inflow section in the game area, a downflow path of the game ball is formed so as to cross the inflow section,
The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A11, wherein the predetermined area immediately below the inflow portion in the flow-down path is a non-arranged area where no game component is arranged. .

  According to the feature A12, the portion immediately below the inflow portion (gap) is a non-arranged area for game components such as game nails. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the movement of the game ball through the inflow portion from being hindered by the game component. In addition, when a game ball that has passed through the inflow portion merges with a flow-down route, even if it interferes with a game ball that flows down the flow-down route, it can be appropriately suppressed from causing interference with the ball.

Feature A13. The regulation means has a movable body (movable bodies 301, 301A to 301G, 601, 601L to 601N, 710W) which rotates along the front surface of the game board,
The movable body is formed with a ball receiving portion (for example, a protruding piece 303) that extends in a specific direction from a center of rotation of the movable body and hits a game ball moved along the ball path. When the game ball hits the ball receiving portion from the ball passage side and the movable body rotates, the movable state is switched from a regulation state in which the passage of the game ball is restricted to an allowable state in which the passage of the game ball is permitted. ,
In the restricting state, a portion (for example, the main body 305) of the movable body that extends on the opposite side to the ball receiving portion with respect to the rotation center of the movable body has a smaller inclination with respect to a vertical line than the ball receiving portion. The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A12, wherein the gaming machine is configured as described above.

  As shown in this feature, in the configuration in which the state is switched to the restricted state / permissible state by hitting the game ball, the following inconvenience occurs because the regulating means is provided in the game area. When the game ball that has already reached the game area hits the restricting means from the side opposite to the ball path, switching of the restricting means from the restricted state to the permitted state is prevented. This is not preferable because it causes a return ball as described above. By applying the technical idea described in the feature A1 or the like to a gaming machine having this type of regulation means, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

  In particular, in the movable body, an extension portion (for example, a portion provided with a weight function) extending on the opposite side to the ball receiving portion with respect to the rotation center of the movable body has a smaller inclination with respect to a vertical line than the ball receiving portion. It is configured to be smaller. For this reason, when the game ball hitting the ball receiving portion falls along the ball receiving portion, the movement of the game ball is prevented from being hindered by the extended portion, and the gap (inflow) of the game ball is suppressed. Section) can contribute to smooth movement. That is, it is possible to preferably suppress the presence of the extending portion from being a factor that hinders (decelerates) the movement of the game ball.

  Note that the movable body described in this feature is described as “a movable body has a ball receiving portion (e.g., a projecting portion) that extends from a center of rotation of the movable body in a specific direction and hits a game ball moved along the ball passage. Piece 303) and an extending portion (for example, a main body portion 305) extending on the opposite side to the ball receiving portion, and the center of gravity of the movable body is closer to the extending portion than the center of rotation of the movable body. When the game ball hits the ball receiving portion from the ball passage side and the movable body rotates against the weight of the extension portion, the game ball is allowed to pass. From a permissible state to a restricted state in which the passage of game balls is restricted. "

Feature A14. The regulation means has a movable body (movable bodies 301, 301A to 301G, 601, 601L to 601N, 710W) which rotates along the front surface of the game board,
The movable body is formed with a ball receiving portion (for example, a protruding piece 303) that extends in a specific direction from a center of rotation of the movable body and hits a game ball moved along the ball path. When the game ball hits the ball receiving portion from the ball passage side and the movable body rotates, the movable state is switched from a regulation state in which the passage of the game ball is restricted to an allowable state in which the passage of the game ball is permitted. ,
The movable body is provided with blocking means for preventing a game ball from hitting from the ball passage side at a portion opposite to the ball receiving portion with the rotation center portion of the movable body interposed therebetween. The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A13.

  If the switching from the restricted state to the permitted state is prevented by the preceding game ball hitting the movable body, the subsequent game ball may not be able to pass through the restricting means. As shown in the feature A1 and the like, the game ball that failed to pass in this way (the corresponding game ball) is on the opposite side to the ball receiving portion when moving toward the inflow portion or passing through the inflow portion, for example. If the part is pushed, when the subsequent game ball reaches the regulating means, the switching to the allowable state is again prevented, and secondary inconvenience may occur (the normal firing of the game ball is prevented in a chained manner). That would be). Such an inconvenience is likely to occur when the period required for discharging the game ball is prolonged due to, for example, the game ball resting on a predetermined area on the extension of the ball path.

  In this regard, according to this feature, since the game ball is prevented from coming into contact with the portion opposite to the ball receiving portion with the rotation center of the movable body therebetween from the ball passage side, the game ball is restricted Can be prevented from becoming a factor that hinders switching to the allowable state, and the occurrence of the above-described inconvenience can be suppressed. In particular, the behavior of the game ball is not determined uniformly, and may vary every time. In the present feature, it is possible to allow such a variation in the behavior, and to appropriately exert the effects described in the feature 1 and the like.

Feature A15. The regulating means is a first regulating means (right side prevention device 106b),
At the exit portion of the ball passage, there is provided a second regulating means (left prevention device 106a) for regulating the return of the game ball from the game area to the exit portion,
The inflow portion is formed by arranging the first restricting means and the second restricting means so as to allow a game ball to pass between the restricting means, thereby forming the inflow portion. A gaming machine according to any one of features A14.

  According to the feature A15, the game ball launched from the game ball launching means passes through the second regulating means → the first regulating means in the process of reaching the game area via the ball passage (exit portion). Here, as shown by the feature A1 or the like, the movement of the first restricting means is hindered by a game ball rebounding from a game component such as a game nail disposed in the game area hitting the first restricting means. Even in such a case, the game ball that has reached the first restricting means via the second restricting means falls between the two restricting means and falls. That is, it is possible to suppress the return of the game ball to the ball passage while allowing the subsequent game ball to flow from the ball passage into the game area.

  However, if there is a gap between the two restricting means that allows the passage of the game ball, there is a possibility that the game ball rebounding to a game component such as a game nail may bypass the first restricting means and head toward the exit portion. Remains. In this regard, even if such an event occurs, the second regulating means prevents the game ball from flowing into the exit portion. Thereby, the effect shown in the feature A1 and the like can be further enhanced.

  Feature A16. The gaming machine according to Feature A15, wherein a section between the first regulating unit and the second regulating unit is a non-arranged section for gaming nails.

  According to the feature A16, when a game ball that has not successfully passed the regulation position of the second regulation means falls (falls) along the second regulation means, the game ball is smoothly separated from the regulation means. Can be done. Thereby, it can be suitably suppressed that the game ball becomes a factor that hinders the movement of the subsequent game ball.

Feature A17. The second regulating means has a second movable body (left movable body 301a, 601a, 710aW) that rotates along the front surface of the game board,
The second movable body has a second ball receiving portion (for example, a left protruding piece 303a) that extends in a specific direction from a rotation center portion of the second movable body and hits a game ball moved along the ball path. An allowance state in which a game ball is allowed to pass from a regulation state in which a game ball hits the second ball receiving portion from the ball passage side and the second movable body rotates to regulate the passage of the game ball. It is configured to switch to
The first restricting means is disposed such that at least a part of the first restricting means faces the second ball receiving portion of the second restricting means from the side opposite to the outlet of the ball passage. The gaming machine according to feature A15 or feature A16, wherein

  When a game ball that has reached the game area hits a game nail or the like and rebounds, it bypasses (bypasses) the first restricting means and passes to the second restricting means (specifically, the second ball receiving portion of the second movable body). Once reached, the effect of providing the inflow portion in the first place will not be sufficiently exhibited. That is, if the game ball hits the second ball receiving portion from the side opposite to the exit portion, the subsequent game ball is prevented from passing through the second regulating means, and the foul ball described above is generated. . In this regard, according to this feature, the first regulating means can be used as a barrier for the second regulating means. Thereby, the occurrence of the above inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

Feature A18. The first restricting means includes a first movable body (right movable body 301b, 601b, 710bW) and a first holder (holder) for holding the first movable body so as to be rotatable along the front surface of the game board. 311b, the first game nail 701bW)
The first movable body includes a first ball receiving portion (for example, a right-side protruding piece 303b) extending in a specific direction from a rotation center portion of the first movable body and hitting a game ball moved along the ball path. A first extending portion (for example, a main body portion 305b) extending on a side opposite to the first ball receiving portion, wherein the center of gravity of the first movable body extends beyond the center of rotation of the movable body. A game ball hits the first ball receiving portion from the ball passage side, and the first movable body rotates against the weight of the extension portion. It is configured to switch from the regulation state that regulates the passage of game balls to the allowable state that allows the passage of game balls,
The first restricting means is configured such that, in the restricting state, the extending portion is lower than the first ball receiving portion, and at least a part of the first holder or the extending portion is the second ball receiving portion. The gaming machine according to Feature A17, wherein the gaming machine is provided so as to face a ball receiving portion from a side opposite to an exit portion of the ball passage.

  As shown in the feature A17, in the configuration in which the first restricting means is used as a barrier for the second restricting means, the occurrence of the inconvenience can be suitably suppressed, but the game ball can easily hit the first restricting means. . In the first place, in view of the fact that the inflow portion functions as a backup when the operation of the first regulating means is not performed well, it is not preferable that the inflow portion is frequently used.

  In this regard, according to this feature, the first restricting means is configured to protect the second restricting means by a portion (extending portion or first holder) other than the first ball receiving portion of the first restricting means. (2) It is possible to suitably suppress inconvenience caused by using the barrier as a barrier for the regulating means.

Feature A19. The first regulating means has a first movable body (right movable body 301b, 601b, 710bW) that rotates along the front surface of the game board,
The first movable body has a first ball receiving portion (for example, a right-side protruding piece 303b) that extends in a specific direction from a rotation center portion of the first movable body and hits a game ball moved along the ball path. An allowance state in which a game ball is allowed to pass from a regulation state in which a game ball hits the first ball receiving portion from the ball passage side and the first movable body rotates, thereby restricting the passage of the game ball. It is configured to switch to
The second regulating means has a second movable body (left movable body 301a, 601a, 710aW) that rotates along the front surface of the game board,
The second movable body has a second ball receiving portion (for example, a left protruding piece 303a) that extends in a specific direction from a rotation center portion of the second movable body and hits a game ball moved along the ball path. An allowance state in which a game ball is allowed to pass from a regulation state in which a game ball hits the second ball receiving portion from the ball passage side and the second movable body rotates to regulate the passage of the game ball. It is configured to switch to
The ball receiving portion is configured to function as a guide portion that guides the game ball to the inflow portion when the game ball that has reached the regulation means via the ball passage does not pass through the regulation position. And
The inclination of the first ball receiving portion when the first restricting means is in the restricting state is larger than the inclination of the second ball receiving portion when the second restricting means is in the restricting state. The gaming machine according to any one of features A15 to A18, wherein the gaming machine has a configuration close to vertical.

  If the succeeding game ball cannot pass through the first regulating means due to the influence of the preceding game ball or the like, the game ball (applicable game ball) is quickly removed from a predetermined area on the extension of the ball path. Is preferred. Here, the first ball receiving portion constituting the first regulating means is provided with a function of guiding the corresponding game ball to the inflow portion, and the first ball receiving portion is provided by the second ball receiving portion. Also has a configuration close to vertical. Accordingly, when the game ball moves along the second ball receiving portion, it is possible to accelerate the game ball appropriately by using its own weight. Therefore, it is possible to move the game ball to the inflow portion (gap) quickly, and it is possible to appropriately leave the game ball from the predetermined area before the next game ball reaches the first regulating means.

Feature A20. A center frame (center frame 95) provided below the first regulating means and provided so as to protrude from a front surface of the game board;
In the game area, a guide path for guiding a game ball by the upper surface of the center frame is formed,
The downstream end of the guide passage is located below the second regulating means,
The inclination of the first ball receiving portion with respect to the direction of the guide passage when the first restricting means is in the restricting state is the second inclination when the second restricting means is in the restricting state. The gaming machine according to feature A19, wherein the ball receiving portion is configured to have a large inclination with respect to the passage direction.

  According to the feature A20, the inclination of the second ball receiving portion approaches the passage direction of the guide passage near the downstream portion in the passage direction of the guide passage, that is, in the vicinity of the exit portion of the ball passage, so that the center frame and the second restriction can be formed. The distance from the means can be suitably secured. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the presence of the second restricting means at the downstream portion of the guide passage from causing excessive pressure on the guide passage.

  On the other hand, by increasing the inclination of the first ball receiving portion in a portion on the upstream side of the guide passage, that is, in a portion distant from the exit portion of the ball passage, the discharging function of the game ball can be strengthened. Further, as described above, when the first regulating means is used as a barrier for the second regulating means, the function of the barrier can be suitably increased by increasing the inclination of the first regulating means (first ball receiving portion). Can be demonstrated.

  For the above reasons, even when a plurality of restricting means are used in combination, it is possible to prevent the above-mentioned ball return from occurring while avoiding the pressure on the downflow area (guide path) of the game ball in the game area. The regulation function can be suitably exerted.

Feature A21. The first regulating means has a first movable body (right movable body 301b, 601b, 710bW) that rotates along the front surface of the game board,
The first movable body has a first ball receiving portion (for example, a right-side protruding piece 303b) that extends in a specific direction from a rotation center portion of the first movable body and hits a game ball moved along the ball path. An allowance state in which a game ball is allowed to pass from a regulation state in which a game ball hits the first ball receiving portion from the ball passage side and the first movable body rotates, thereby restricting the passage of the game ball. It is configured to switch to
The second regulating means has a second movable body (left movable body 301a, 601a, 710aW) that rotates along the front surface of the game board,
The second movable body has a second ball receiving portion (for example, a left protruding piece 303a) that extends in a specific direction from a rotation center portion of the second movable body and hits a game ball moved along the ball path. An allowance state in which a game ball is allowed to pass from a regulation state in which a game ball hits the second ball receiving portion from the ball passage side and the second movable body rotates to regulate the passage of the game ball. It is configured to switch to
A rail portion (outer rail 102) provided upright from the front of the game board, and a region along the rail portion is the predetermined region;
The pivot center of the first regulating means is configured to be farther from the rail than the pivot center of the second regulating means,
The gaming machine according to any one of features A15 to A20, wherein the first ball receiving portion is longer than the second ball receiving portion.

  The fired game balls pass in the order of the ball passage, the second regulating means, and the first regulating means. The use of a plurality of regulating means is advantageous in that the various effects described above can be enjoyed, but the position at which the game ball separates from the regulating means is shifted in the direction in which the ball passage extends, so that the landing of the game ball Position adjustment width is reduced. This is a factor that hinders the player from trying to advance the game even a little by firing the game ball toward a desired position.

  In this regard, as shown in this feature, if the length of the second ball receiving portion constituting the second regulating means is made longer, the distance from the center of rotation to the tip of the second ball receiving portion becomes larger, so that the same amount of rotation is obtained. Even in this case, the amount of displacement of the tip portion increases. As a result, it is possible to reduce the restriction on the adjustment width of the landing position of the gaming ball, and it is possible to appropriately suppress the decrease in the attractiveness of the gaming machine.

Feature A22. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area,
Regulating means (ball return preventing mechanisms 106, 106A to 106V) provided in the game area, for regulating return of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage;
A gaming machine, wherein a ball passing portion through which game balls can flow from the ball passage to the game area is formed at an intermediate position of the ball passage.

  The game ball that has been fired from the game ball launching means and reached the game area via the ball passage is prevented from returning to the ball passage by the regulating means. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this way, it is possible to promote smooth progress of the game. However, in a configuration in which the regulation means is provided in the game area, the game ball that has reached the game area rebounds on a game component such as a game nail (for example, the game nail 93) and, for example, the regulation means is provided from the side opposite to the ball passage. I cannot deny the possibility of collision. In particular, it is assumed that the possibility of such a collision increases if the flow-down area of the game ball in the vicinity of the regulating means becomes small.

  If the operation of the restricting means is hindered by the collision of the preceding game ball, the subsequent game ball, which should have reached the game area, cannot reach the game area, and the subsequent game ball reverses the ball path. (A so-called foul sphere or the like is generated). Such a reversion of the game ball is not preferable because it hinders the firing of the game ball and hinders the smooth progress of the game.

  In this regard, according to the configuration shown in this feature, if the regulating means does not function properly due to the influence of the preceding game ball, the subsequent game ball passes through the ball passing portion provided at an intermediate position of the ball passage. It will flow into the game area. Thereby, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience can be suitably suppressed, and the smooth progress of the game can be secured.

Feature A23. The ball passage is formed by an outer first rail portion (outer rail 102) and an inner second rail portion (inner rail 101) facing each other with a gap through which a game ball can pass,
The first rail portion and the second rail portion are curved so as to be convex to the side of the gaming machine,
The gaming machine according to Feature A22, wherein the ball passage portion is disposed above a portion of the second rail portion that is convex to the side of the gaming machine.

  In the configuration in which the ball passage is formed by the first rail portion and the second rail portion, the game ball fired by the game ball firing device reaches the regulating device by moving along the first rail portion. Here, in the case where the game ball reverses the ball path without switching to the allowable state, the game ball moves along the second rail at least above the convex portion. . Then, as shown in this feature, if the above-mentioned ball passage portion is formed in the second rail portion, the effect shown in feature A22 can be suitably exerted.

Feature A24. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area,
It has a movable body (for example, movable body 301, 601, 710W, 851X, 851Y) rotatably supported, and allows the game ball to pass through an exit portion of the ball passage by rotating the movable body. Regulating means (ball return preventing mechanisms 106, 106A to 106Y) for switching between an allowance state and a regulation state for regulating the passage of game balls at the exit portion;
The movable body is formed with a ball receiving portion (projecting piece 303) that extends from the center of rotation in a specific direction and hits a game ball moved along the ball path. It is configured to switch from the restricted state to the allowable state by hitting a game ball to the receiving portion from the ball passage side,
A gaming machine, comprising: a ball receiving section facing the ball receiving section with a gap from the game area side, and a restricting section for restricting a collision of a game ball from the game area side to the ball receiving section.

  The game ball that has been fired from the game ball launching means and reached the game area via the ball passage is prevented from returning to the ball passage by the regulating means. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this way, it is possible to promote smooth progress of the game. However, in a configuration in which the regulation means is provided in the game area, the game ball that has reached the game area rebounds on a game component such as a game nail (for example, the game nail 93) and, for example, the regulation means is provided from the side opposite to the ball passage. I cannot deny the possibility of collision. In particular, it is assumed that the possibility of such a collision increases if the flow-down area of the game ball in the vicinity of the regulating means becomes small.

  If the operation of the restricting means is hindered by the collision of the preceding game ball, the subsequent game ball, which should have reached the game area, cannot reach the game area, and the subsequent game ball reverses the ball path. (A so-called foul sphere or the like is generated). Such a reversion of the game ball is not preferable because it hinders the firing of the game ball and hinders the smooth progress of the game.

  In this regard, according to the present feature, the collision of the game ball from the game area side to the ball receiving section is regulated by the regulation section. In this way, by adopting a configuration in which the regulation unit protects the ball receiving unit from collision of game balls, the occurrence of the inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

Feature A25. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area,
It has a movable body (for example, movable body 301, 851X, 851Y), and when the movable body is displaced, an allowance state in which a game ball is allowed to pass at an exit portion of the ball passage and a passage of a game ball at the exit portion are allowed. Regulating means (ball return preventing mechanisms 106, 106A to 106Y) for switching to a regulating state to regulate,
A gaming machine, wherein the movable body is provided so as to be displaceable back and forth.

  The game ball that has been fired from the game ball launching means and reached the game area via the ball passage is prevented from returning to the ball passage by the regulating means. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this way, it is possible to promote smooth progress of the game. However, in a configuration in which the regulation means is provided in the game area, the game ball that has reached the game area rebounds on a game component such as a game nail (for example, the game nail 93) and, for example, the regulation means is provided from the side opposite to the ball passage. I cannot deny the possibility of collision. In particular, it is assumed that the possibility of such a collision increases if the flow-down area of the game ball in the vicinity of the regulating means becomes small.

  If the operation of the restricting means is hindered by the collision of the preceding game ball, the subsequent game ball, which should have reached the game area, cannot reach the game area, and the subsequent game ball reverses the ball path. (A so-called foul sphere or the like is generated). Such a reversion of the game ball is not preferable because it hinders the firing of the game ball and hinders the smooth progress of the game.

  Since the game ball that has reached the game area moves along the front of the game board, if the movable body also moves along the front of the game board, the game ball may hit the movable body. It is likely to be a factor affecting operation. In view of this, the restricting means according to this feature is configured to switch between the allowable state and the restricted state by moving the movable body back and forth (for example, in the thickness direction of the game board). According to such an operation mode, even if the game ball hits the movable body from the game area side, it is possible to preferably suppress the influence of the influence to prevent switching to the allowable state. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the above-described event and to appropriately exert the regulation function of the regulation unit.

Feature A26. A gaming machine comprising a panel portion (glass panel 23) opposed to the front surface of the gaming board with a gap therebetween, wherein the gaming area can be visually recognized through the panel portion,
The movable body is supported so as to be able to rotate back and forth,
The gaming machine according to Feature A25, wherein the regulation means is configured to switch between the allowable state and the restricted state when the movable body rotates.

  The gap formed between the game board and the panel is limited. For this reason, it is more difficult to secure an occupied area such as an operation gap of the movable body as compared with a configuration in which the movable body is displaced along the front surface of the game board. Further, regarding the movable body, since the game ball collides each time the game ball is fired, it is necessary to devise a device relating to durability such as reducing the impact generated by the collision. Here, if the movable body is of a rotating type, when the game ball collides with the movable body, the movable body rotates to escape by rotating, so that the drag (resistance) generated at the time of the collision can be minimized. . In particular, when the movable body is of a rotary type, it is possible to preferably contribute to the reduction of the drag by increasing the distance from the center of rotation to the collision position of the game ball. Therefore, by making the operating mode of the movable body a rotary type, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the occupied area of the movable body while properly releasing the impact when the game ball hits.

Feature A27. A gaming machine comprising a panel portion (glass panel 23) opposed to the front surface of the gaming board with a gap therebetween, wherein the gaming area can be visually recognized through the panel portion,
The movable body is opposed to one of the game board or the panel section with a game ball passing area interposed therebetween, and the gap between the movable object and the opposing object passes through the game ball when the regulating means is in the allowable state. It has a configuration that changes to be an acceptable size,
The feature A25 or feature A26, wherein the movable body is configured such that a gap with the other of the game board and the panel portion is smaller than a diameter dimension of a game ball in the restricted state. Gaming machine.

  According to the feature A27, there is no room for the game ball to enter the gap between the movable body and the facing object, and it is possible to suppress the movement of the movable body from being hindered by the game ball entering the gap.

Feature A28. A gaming machine comprising a panel portion (glass panel 23) opposed to the front surface of the gaming board with a gap therebetween, wherein the gaming area can be visually recognized through the panel portion,
The movable body is opposed to the game board with a game ball passing area interposed therebetween, and a gap between the movable board and the game board has a size that allows the game ball to pass when the restricting means is in the allowable state. The gaming machine according to any one of features A25 to A27, wherein the gaming machine has a configuration that changes as described above.

  According to the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to suppress the trajectory of the game ball hitting the restricting means (movable body) from changing in the direction toward the panel section. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the game ball that has rebounded from the movable body from hitting the panel portion, and to suitably protect the panel portion.

Feature A29. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area,
It has a movable body (for example, movable bodies 301, 601, 710W, 851X, 851Y) rotatably supported and a drive unit (drive unit 321) for rotating the movable body, and the movable body is rotated. Restricting means (ball return preventing mechanisms 106, 106A to 106Y) for switching between a permissible state for permitting the passage of game balls at the exit portion of the ball passage and a restricted state for restricting the passage of game balls at the exit portion.
A gaming machine comprising: a switching control unit (main control device 162) that switches the regulating unit to the allowable state by driving the driving unit.

  The game ball that has been fired from the game ball launching means and reached the game area via the ball passage is prevented from returning to the ball passage by the regulating means. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this way, it is possible to promote smooth progress of the game. However, in a configuration in which the regulation means is provided in the game area, the game ball that has reached the game area rebounds on a game component such as a game nail (for example, the game nail 93) and, for example, the regulation means is provided from the side opposite to the ball passage. I cannot deny the possibility of collision. In particular, it is assumed that the possibility of such a collision increases if the flow-down area of the game ball in the vicinity of the regulating means becomes small.

  If the operation of the restricting means is hindered by the collision of the preceding game ball, the subsequent game ball, which should have reached the game area, cannot reach the game area, and the subsequent game ball reverses the ball path. (A so-called foul sphere or the like is generated). Such a reversion of the game ball is not preferable because it hinders the firing of the game ball and hinders the smooth progress of the game.

  In this regard, in the configuration shown in this feature, the operation of the movable body does not depend on the momentum of the shot game ball. For this reason, even if the preceding game ball hits the movable body from the game area side and tries to hinder the movement of the movable body as described above, the movable body itself operates by the driving force from the driving unit, You can push out of the way game balls. Thereby, the occurrence of the inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

Feature A30. The switching control unit is configured to switch the regulating unit to the allowable state at a predetermined cycle,
A launch timing setting unit (power supply / launch control device 243) for setting a launch timing of a game ball by the gaming ball launch unit in accordance with a switching state by the switching control unit when the launch operation is being performed. The gaming machine according to feature A29, characterized in that:

  The timing at which the shooting operation is performed by the player is arbitrary. Therefore, when a game ball is fired regardless of the movement of the movable body in a configuration in which the movable body (regulating means) operates at a predetermined cycle, the game ball hits the movable body and reaches the game area. There is a possibility that it cannot be done. Therefore, as shown in this feature, if the launch timing of the game ball is set in accordance with the switching state of the movable body (restriction means), the occurrence of the inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

  Contrary to the configuration shown in this feature, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the restricting means is switched from the restricted state to the permitted state in accordance with a shooting operation of the game ball. However, the time required from when the game ball is fired to when it reaches the regulating means is often very short, and such a configuration causes inconvenience such that switching of the regulating means cannot be made in time. Such inconveniences cause new problems such as improvement of the operation speed and responsiveness of the switching means. Therefore, it is preferable to set the firing timing of the game ball in accordance with the movement of the restricting means as shown in this feature.

Feature A31. An operation member that is rotated at the time of the shooting operation of the game ball and that can adjust the firing speed of the game ball based on the rotation operation amount,
The gaming machine according to Feature A30, wherein the firing timing setting means is configured to set the firing timing in accordance with a rotation operation amount of the operation member.

  The firing speed of the game ball changes according to the amount of rotation of the operation member. In the case where the firing timing is uniquely determined in consideration of the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the firing speed, it is assumed that the period for maintaining the ball return restricting means in the allowable state is extended. This is not desirable because it may cause a problem that the game ball ejected to the game area returns to the ball passage avoiding the ball return restricting means. In this regard, according to the configuration shown in this feature, since the firing timing is corrected in accordance with the amount of rotation operation, it is possible to avoid the wasteful maintenance as described above and return the ball to the ball. The period during which the regulating means is in the allowable state can be made as short as possible. Therefore, the occurrence of the above inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

Feature A32. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball launching means (game ball launch mechanism 110) for launching a game ball to the game area based on a launch operation by a player;
A movable body provided in the game area and operating in a predetermined mode;
A gaming machine comprising: a launch timing setting unit configured to set a launch timing of a game ball by the game ball launch unit in accordance with an operation mode of the movable body when the launch operation is being performed. .

  According to the feature A32, it is possible to appropriately improve the association between the movement of the movable body provided in the game area (especially, one that may affect the movement of the game ball) and the timing at which the game ball is fired. .

Feature A33. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103 or the like) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to a predetermined area (upper of the game area PE) in the game area;
Regulating means (ball return preventing mechanisms 106 and 106W) for regulating the return of the game ball from the predetermined area to the ball passage,
The regulating means has a movable body (movable bodies 301 and 710W) that rotates along the front surface of the game board,
The movable body is formed with a ball receiving portion (for example, a protruding piece 303) that extends from a rotation center portion of the movable body and hits a game ball moved along the ball path. The movable ball is rotated by hitting the game ball from the ball passage side to the portion, so that it is configured to switch from the regulation state in which the passage of the game ball is regulated to the allowable state in which the passage of the game ball is permitted,
The movable body has an extending portion extending on the opposite side to the ball receiving portion with respect to a rotation center portion of the movable body,
A gaming machine comprising a blocking means for preventing a game ball from hitting the extending portion from the ball passage side.

  The game ball that has been fired from the game ball launching means and reached the game area via the ball passage is prevented from returning to the ball passage by the regulating means. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this way, it is possible to promote smooth progress of the game.

  In particular, with regard to the rotatable movable body shown in this feature, when the game ball hits the ball receiving portion, the ball rotates in a predetermined direction and switches from the restricted state to the allowable state, but it is assumed that the ball is temporarily held across the rotation center. When the game ball hits a portion (extending portion) opposite to the portion, the rotation of the movable body in a predetermined direction is prevented, or the movable body is rotated in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. It becomes a factor to do. In other words, when a game ball that has reached the regulation means first fails to pass through the regulation means, the game ball may be a factor that hinders the passage of subsequent game balls. This is not preferable because it becomes a factor that hinders the smooth progress of the game.

  In this regard, according to the configuration shown in this feature, even when the preceding game ball cannot pass through the restricting means due to a lack of momentum or the like, it does not prevent the subsequent game ball from reaching the movable body. It is possible to suppress a factor that hinders movement of the movable body (switch from the allowable state to the restricted state). Therefore, a smooth progress of the game can be secured.

  Feature A34. The gaming machine according to Feature A33, wherein the blocking means has a wall shape facing the extending portion from the ball passage side with a gap therebetween.

  The blocking means shown in the feature A33 is formed in a wall shape facing the extending portion with a gap therebetween, so that the above-described blocking function is ensured and the occupied area of the blocking means is prevented from being unnecessarily spread. Can be.

  Feature A35. The gaming machine according to feature A33 or feature A34, wherein a gap larger than the diameter of the game ball is formed between the ball passage and the blocking unit.

  According to the feature A35, even if a subsequent game ball reaches the regulating device in a situation where the contact of the game ball to the extension portion is prevented by the blocking device, the game ball blocked by the blocking device. That is, it is possible to prevent the game ball hitting the blocking means from interfering with the subsequent game ball. Thus, even if a subsequent game ball is fired at a short firing interval, it is possible to prevent the preceding game ball from hindering the subsequent game ball from reaching a predetermined area.

  In addition, the configuration shown in this feature is described as “a rail portion (outer rail 102) is provided standing up from the front of the game board and defines the ball passage, and a gap dimension between the rail portion and the blocking means is: A gaming machine according to feature A33, wherein the diameter is larger than twice the diameter of the gaming ball. "

  Feature A36. The game according to any one of features A33 to A35, wherein the blocking means has a function of guiding a game ball reaching the blocking means to a side away from the ball receiving portion. Machine.

  According to the feature A36, it is possible to prevent the game ball reaching the blocking means from moving to the ball receiving portion again. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the movable body from rotating in a predetermined direction by being pushed by the game ball or the like, and it is possible to preferably suppress a decrease in the original regulation function of the regulation unit.

Feature A37. The game area has an inflow portion into which a game ball can flow from the ball passage to an area different from the predetermined area,
The gaming machine according to any one of features A33 to A36, wherein the blocking unit is configured to guide a game ball that has reached the blocking unit to the inflow unit.

  A game ball that has not been able to successfully pass through the regulating means is moved away from the regulating means through the inflow portion. Thus, it is possible to preferably suppress the game ball from being a factor that hinders the subsequent game ball from passing through the restricting means.

  Feature A38. The blocking means rises along the front surface of the game board and is formed so as to surround the extension, and the blocking means prevents a game ball from hitting the extension from the predetermined area. The gaming machine according to any one of features A33 to A37, wherein the gaming machine is provided.

  When the regulating means (movable body) has an extension, the regulation means (movable body) can be switched from the regulation state to the permissible state by the game ball hitting the extension from the predetermined area side. There is. If the game ball is switched to an allowable state other than at the timing of passing through the regulating means, the original function of the regulating means may be reduced.However, as shown in this feature, by providing a blocking means surrounding the regulating means, The occurrence of such inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

  Further, by forming the blocking means in a substantially annular shape, the stress generated due to the collision of the game balls or the like can be appropriately dispersed, which contributes to ensuring the durability of the blocking means.

Feature A39. The extension is formed such that the center of gravity of the movable body is closer to the extension than the center of rotation of the movable body,
The movable body is configured to return to the restricted state by its own weight when the blocking unit is in the allowable state. The gaming machine described.

  According to the feature A39, after the movable body is switched from the restricted state to the allowed state by the collision of the game ball with the ball receiving portion, the movable body returns to the allowed state to the restricted state by its own weight. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the influence of deterioration or the like due to the repeated operation of the regulating means. However, although the presence of such an extended portion is a preferable configuration for exhibiting the above-described effect, it is not a configuration for forcibly switching to the allowable state / blocking state and the game ball hits the extended portion. This may cause the movable body to rotate in an unintended direction.

  Therefore, by applying the technical idea described in the feature A33 or the like to the restricting means shown in the present feature, it is possible to eliminate the disadvantages of having the extension portion and realize a practically preferable configuration.

  The configuration of “extend in a specific direction from the center of rotation” shown in each of the above-described features is, for example, a configuration extending in a direction along the front surface of the game board (extending in a radial direction from the center of rotation). Configuration) is also possible.

  The following features B to G group include: "A gaming machine such as a pachinko machine has a game board in which a game area is formed, and a game ball launching means for launching a game ball when a launch operation is performed by a player. When a game ball or the like that reaches the game area returns to the ball path, the game ball moves to the game area of a subsequent game ball. Therefore, the exit portion of the ball passage allows the flow of the game ball from the ball passage to the game area, while the return ball such as the flow of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage is provided at the exit portion of the ball passage. (See, for example, Patent Literature 1). "However, there is still room for improvement with respect to the background art" However, there is still room for improvement in the configuration relating to the suppression of the return ball described above. " Have problems to be solved It has been made.

<Characteristic B group>
Feature B1. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area,
Regulating means (ball return preventing mechanisms 106, 106A to 106Y) having regulating portions (for example, movable bodies 601, 851X, 851Y) for regulating the return of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage,
The restricting means is configured to allow the restricting portion to displace in the thickness direction of the game board, thereby permitting the passage of the game ball at the restricting position by the restricting portion, and restricting the passage of the game ball at the restricting position. A gaming machine characterized by being configured to switch to a state.

  The game ball that has been fired from the game ball launching means and reached the game area via the ball passage is prevented from returning to the ball passage by the regulating means. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this way, it is possible to promote smooth progress of the game.

  Here, in the configuration in which the return of the game ball is avoided by the restricting means, the presence of the restricting portion constituting the restricting means and other components attached to the restricting portion may be a factor that presses the game area. In the configuration shown in this feature, the restricting unit is switched to the allowable state / restricted state when the restricting unit is displaced in the thickness direction of the game board (for example, the front-rear direction in the game machine). Thereby, the expansion of the occupied area of the restricting means can be suppressed, and the above-mentioned compression of the game area can be suppressed. The configuration in which the restricting portion is displaced in the thickness direction of the game board is also advantageous in making the movement of the restricting portion less noticeable.

  In addition, the configuration shown in this feature is described as “a game board (game area forming body 80a) in which a game area (game area PE) is formed, and a game ball launching means (game game launching means) which launches a game ball based on a launch operation by a player. Ball launching mechanism 110), a ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball launching means to the game region, and regulation for restricting return of the game ball from the game region to the ball passage. Means (ball return preventing mechanisms 106, 106A to 106Y), and the regulating means is provided so as to face a wall portion (for example, the glass panel 23) constituting one of a front wall surface and a rear wall surface of the game area. Movable state (for example, movable bodies 601, 851 X, 851 Y), and a permitted state in which game balls can pass based on a change in the distance between the movable body and the wall, and a restricted state in which game balls are prevented from passing. Cut off Gaming machine, characterized in that it made possible. "And may be.

Feature B2. A door body (front door frame 14) provided so as to cover the gaming board from the front of the gaming machine;
A gaming machine in which the gaming area is visible through a panel (glass panel 23) provided on the door body,
The regulation unit is disposed on the game board,
The feature B1 is characterized in that the regulating unit is configured to enter the regulating state when the regulating unit approaches the panel unit, and to enter the allowable state when the regulating unit moves away from the panel unit. A gaming machine according to claim 1.

  According to the feature B2, the movable body is located behind the passing area of the game ball. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the movable body from becoming a factor that hinders the visual recognition of the game ball, and to enjoy the benefit of the regulation of the ball return and the effect shown in the feature B1, while reducing the decrease in the visibility of the game ball due to the effect. Can be suppressed.

  Feature B3. The gaming machine according to Feature B2, wherein the restricting portion is configured to be displaced so as to intersect with a front surface of the gaming board.

  In a configuration in which the restricting portion is displaced so as to intersect with the front surface of the game board, an operation area of the restricting portion is secured using the thickness of the game board. By securing the operation area in this way, it is possible to suppress the operation area from increasing in the surface spreading direction of the game board. As a result, the effects shown in the features B1 and the like can be more suitably exerted.

  It should be noted that securing the operation area on the game board side can prevent the influence of securing the operation area from affecting the relationship between the panel portion and the front face of the game board, thereby minimizing the complexity of the peripheral structure. It has technical significance.

  Feature B4. The feature (B2) or the feature (2), wherein the restricting means is configured such that, when the restricting means is in the restricting state, the protrusion of the restricting portion with respect to the front surface of the game board is avoided. The gaming machine according to B3.

  According to the feature B4, in the regulation state, the regulation portion is disposed at a position retracted from the front surface of the game board. By suppressing the protrusion of the restricting portion in this manner, disturbance of the behavior of the game ball when passing through the restricting means can be suppressed. This is advantageous in stabilizing the movement of the game ball toward the game area. Thus, for example, contact between the game ball and the panel portion can be avoided to contribute to protection of the panel portion and reduction of a hitting sound.

  It should be noted that this feature is referred to as "the restricting means is configured such that when the restricting means is in the restricting state, the protrusion of the restricting portion with respect to the front surface of the game board is avoided, and the front surface of the game board and the restricting portion are prevented. The gaming machine according to Feature B2 or Feature B3, wherein a back wall of the passing area of the game ball is formed in front of the gaming machine.

Feature B5. The regulating means has a holding portion (holder 611) for holding the regulating portion,
The gaming board is provided with an accommodating portion (for example, an opening portion 85) that is open to the front side of the gaming board and accommodates the holding portion, wherein any one of the features B2 to B4 is provided. A gaming machine according to claim 1.

  According to the feature B5, by embedding the configuration related to the holding of the regulation unit in the game board, it is possible to suppress the configuration (holding unit) related to the holding from becoming a factor that presses the game area. It is to be noted that embedding the holding portion in the game board is advantageous in improving the appearance of the game board.

  Feature B6. The gaming machine according to Feature B5, wherein when the regulating unit is in the regulated state, at least a part of an opening (a long hole 85K) of the storage unit is covered by the regulating unit.

  According to the configuration in which the regulation means is embedded in the game board as shown in the feature B5, a recessed portion (open portion) is generated on the front surface of the game board. The presence of such a depressed portion can be a cause of disturbance in the behavior of the game ball. Thus, for example, by supplementing such a depressed portion with the regulating portion, it is possible to enjoy the effect shown in the feature B5 and suppress the disturbance of the behavior of the game ball due to the effect.

  Feature B7. When the regulating means is switched from the restricted state to the permitted state in response to the passage of a game ball, a return means (for example, a link mechanism) for returning the regulating means to the restricted state is provided. The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B6.

  According to the feature B7, the return of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage can be suitably suppressed by returning the control means to the control state.

  Feature B8. The return means includes a ball receiving portion (a ball receiving surface portion 604b of the right movable body 601b) to which the game ball hits when the game ball that has passed the regulation position reaches a predetermined position, and a pressing force applied to the ball receiving portion. A transmitting portion (for example, an arm portion 607) for transmitting a pressure to the restricting portion, and the pressing unit is configured to return the restricting unit to the restricting state by the pressing force. Gaming machine.

  According to the feature B8, the game ball that has passed the regulation position hits the ball receiving portion at the point. At this time, by transmitting the pressing force applied to the ball receiving portion to the restricting portion, the restricting means is returned to the restricted state, so that the game ball to be fired next is prepared. In driving the regulating means using the movement of the game ball, a reaction force is generated, for example, moving the game ball away from the regulation portion in the thickness direction of the game board. This can be a cause of the disturbance of the behavior of the game ball. In this regard, according to the configuration shown in this feature, by providing the opportunity for return separately from the switching from the regulation state of the regulation means to the permitted state, the reaction force received from the regulation unit when the game ball passes the regulation position is provided. Can be smaller. This can contribute to stabilizing the movement of the game ball. In addition, if it is possible to suppress the disturbance of the behavior of the game ball near the regulation position, it is advantageous in realizing protection of the regulation means and security of the function.

  In addition, since the return to the regulated state can be realized without using a biasing means such as a spring as a power source, it is not necessary to take into account the influence of variations in the elastic force of the spring (individual differences, aging, etc.). As a result, the above-described reduction of the reaction force can be more suitably realized.

  Feature B9. The ball receiving portion of the return means is provided in parallel with the regulating means so as to be located opposite to the regulating means with respect to an exit portion (exit portion 105) of the ball passage. The gaming machine according to Feature B8.

  According to the feature B9, it is possible to suitably improve the responsiveness when the regulation means is switched from the regulation state to the permitted state to the regulated state as the game ball passes.

  In view of the fact that game balls are periodically fired, the separation distance between the regulation means (regulation portion) and the ball receiving portion is required until the game ball that has passed the regulation position passes through the ball reception portion. It is preferable that the period is set so as to be shorter than the period required for the shot game ball to reach the ball receiving portion.

Feature B10. The ball receiving surface portion is located on a movement path of the game ball that has passed the regulation position and is displaceable between a standby position (for example, a maximum protruding position) where the game ball hits and a retreat position separated from the movement path. Yes,
The transmitting unit is configured to displace the ball receiving unit from the retracted position to the standby position based on displacement of the restricting unit when the restricting unit switches from the restricted state to the allowable state. The gaming machine according to Feature B8 or Feature B9, characterized in that:

  According to the feature B10, since the ball receiving portion can be arranged at the standby position as needed, it is possible to suppress the game area from being pressed by the presence of the ball receiving portion. Further, since the regulating means (regulating section) and the ball receiving section have a complementary relationship, it is not necessary to separately provide a power source for arranging the ball receiving section at the standby position. Thereby, simplification of the configuration can be realized.

Feature B11. The regulating portion has a plate shape, and one of the plate surfaces functions as a receiving surface portion (ball receiving surface portion 604a) to which a game ball from the ball passage hits,
The restricting means is provided on a plate surface of the restricting portion opposite to the receiving surface portion, and has an upright portion (a rotating tip portion 606a of the base portion 602a) that rises from the plate surface. The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B10.

  As shown in the feature B11, when the restricting portion has a plate shape, a gap may be generated between the restricting portion and an object to be disposed due to the displacement of the restricting portion. If the preceding game ball enters the gap, there is a possibility that the displacement of the regulation portion (regulation means) when the subsequent game ball arrives may be hindered. In consideration of such circumstances, for example, it is possible to reduce the amount of displacement of the regulating portion or increase the thickness of the regulating portion. However, when such measures are taken, a new problem arises regarding responsiveness when switching between the restricted state and the permitted state. In this regard, as shown in this feature, if the upright portion is provided, the upright portion can function as blocking means for preventing game balls from entering the gap. This suppresses the occurrence of the above-described new problems and the like, and realizes a practically preferable configuration.

Feature B12. The restricting means is configured to switch between the allowable state and the restricted state by rotating the restricting portion,
The gaming machine according to Feature B11, wherein the upright portion has an arc shape centered on a rotation center of the regulating portion.

  According to the feature B12, even when the preceding game ball hits the upright portion, it is possible to suppress the stress generated due to the preceding game ball from acting to promote the rotation of the regulating portion. Accordingly, it is possible to preferably prevent the presence of the upright portion from causing a decrease in the responsiveness of the operation of the regulating portion.

  When the movable body is constituted by the restricting portion and the upright portion, the upright portion has a plate-like configuration extending in the radial direction from the center of rotation of the restricting portion, and the upright portion is rotatably held. With this configuration, it is possible to reinforce the restricting portion by the upright portion and to suppress an increase in the weight of the movable body due to the reinforcement. This can contribute to ensuring responsiveness when switching between the allowable state and the restricted state and reducing drag generated due to collision of the game balls.

Feature B13. A door body (front door frame 14) provided so as to cover the gaming board from the front of the gaming machine;
A gaming machine in which the gaming area is visible through a panel (glass panel 23) provided on the door body,
The restricting portion is disposed at a position closer to the panel portion of the game board and the panel portion, and the restricting means adjusts a distance between the restricting portion and the game board by displacement of the restricting portion. The gaming machine according to Feature B1, wherein the allowable state is established by increasing the distance, and the restricting state is established by relatively decreasing the distance between the regulating portion and the game board. Machine.

  According to the feature B13, when the game ball hits the regulation portion, the game ball is pressed against the game board by the reaction force acting on the game ball. As a result, it is possible to suppress the lifting of the game ball from the game board and suppress the disturbance of the behavior of the game ball.

Feature B14. The game board is provided with a guide rail (guide rail 100) constituting the ball path,
The gaming machine according to Feature B13, wherein the guide rail is provided with a holding section (holder 311G) for holding the regulation section.

  By providing the guide rail with the holding portion for the regulating portion, it is possible to preferably suppress the holding portion from pressing the game area when embodying the technical idea shown in the feature B13.

  Note that the technical concept described in the above-described feature B2 or the like may be applied to the feature B13 or the feature B14.

<Characteristic C group>
Feature C1. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area,
Regulating means (for example, ball return preventing mechanisms 106K to 106V) provided in the game area, for restricting return of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage;
The regulating means comprises:
It has a first movable body (left movable body 601a), and allows the first movable body to be displaced to allow the game ball to pass at the first regulation position and to allow the game ball to pass at the first regulation position. A first regulating unit (left side prevention device 106aK to 106aV) that switches to a regulating state to regulate,
A second movable body (right movable body 601b) provided side by side with the first movable body at a position on the extension of the ball path, and a game at the second regulation position by displacing the second movable body; A second restricting unit (right side prevention devices 106bK to 106bV) that switches to an allowable state for allowing the passage of the ball and a restricted state for restricting the passage of the game ball at the second restricted position;
Switching means (link mechanism) for switching the state of the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion by displacing one of the first movable member and the second movable member based on the other displacement; A gaming machine characterized by the following.

  As shown in the feature C1, as for the regulation means of the type in which the regulation state / permissible state is switched by the movement of the movable body, when the preceding game ball of the movable body interferes with the movable body, the succeeding game ball can be used. There is a possibility that the displacement of the movable body due to the passage of the obstacle is hindered. In this regard, as shown in this feature, if a configuration is used in which the first restriction portion and the second restriction portion located on the extension of the ball passage are used together, for example, the second restriction portion is used as a barrier for the first restriction portion. And the occurrence of the above-described obstruction can be suppressed.

  Further, in a configuration that can be switched between the permitted state and the restricted state, it is possible to preferably avoid the ball returning in the restricted state, but it is not possible to deny the possibility that reversion will occur in the permitted state. In this regard, according to the configuration in which the two movable bodies are interlocked by the switching unit, it is possible to cooperate, for example, when one is in an allowable state, the other is in a restricted state. If it is possible to mutually compensate for weaknesses in this way, it is possible to contribute to further improving the function of restricting the return of the ball.

Feature C2. The first restricting portion and the second restricting portion are arranged such that the first restricting portion is closer to the outlet of the ball passage than the second restricting portion,
The gaming machine according to Feature C1, wherein the switching unit includes a unit that sets the second restricting unit in a restricting state when the first restricting unit is in an allowable state.

  According to the feature C2, the second regulation portion farther from the exit portion of the two regulation portions is in the regulation state when the game ball passes through the first regulation position (first regulation portion). With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the second restricting portion from being needlessly maintained in the restricted state. For example, in a regulation section in which the occupied area on the front side of the game board increases due to the regulation state, it is possible to preferably reduce the chance that the game area is squeezed by the presence of the regulation section.

Feature C3. The first restricting portion and the second restricting portion are arranged such that the first restricting portion is closer to the outlet portion (the outlet portion 105) of the ball passage than the second restricting portion,
The gaming machine according to the feature C1 or C2, wherein the switching unit includes a unit that sets the first restricting unit in a restricting state when the second restricting unit is in an allowable state.

  According to the feature C3, when the second restricting portion is in the allowable state in response to the passage of the game ball at the second restricting position, the first restricting portion is in the restricting state. The movement of the game ball is hindered by the first regulating unit. Thereby, the ball return regulating function can be suitably secured.

  In addition, by returning the first restricting portion to the restricting state before the second restricting portion enters the allowable state, a game ball or the like that has failed to pass the second restricting position without passing through the first restricting position passes through. Return to the ball passage can be suitably suppressed.

  In particular, in combination with the feature C2, when the game ball passes in the order of the first restriction position → the second restriction position, the first restriction means returns to the restricted state. Thereby, it is possible to prepare for the arrival of the next game ball, and it becomes possible to cope with repeated firing of the game ball. In this way, the configuration in which the two restricting means return to the original state each time the game ball is fired can suppress the occurrence of variation in the decrease in the moving speed of the game ball due to the passage of the restricting means.

  Feature C4. The restricting unit is configured to control the second restricting unit to be in a restricting state when the first restricting unit is in an allowable state, and to control the first restricting unit when the second restricting unit is in an allowable state. The gaming machine according to any one of features C1 to C3, wherein the gaming machine is configured to be in a restricted state.

  As shown in the feature C4, if the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion are used in combination and one of them is in the allowable state, and the other restricts the ball return (the configuration performing mutual complementation), It is possible to appropriately regulate the occurrence of the returned ball.

  It should be noted that the configuration described in this feature may be referred to as “the switching means is configured so that the state of the first restricting section and the state of the second restricting section have an opposite relationship. The gaming machine according to any one of features C1 to C3, characterized in that the gaming machine is configured to be displaced.

  Also, the switching means switches one of the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion in the order of a blocking state, an allowable state, and a blocking state in accordance with the passage of the game ball, and the switching section switches the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion. The game according to any one of features C1 to C3, wherein the other of the two regulation units is configured to switch in the order of an allowed state, a blocked state, and an allowed state as the game ball passes. Machine. "

  Feature C5. Any one of the features C1 to C4, wherein the regulating unit is configured so that at least one of the regulating units is in a regulated state in a process of switching between the states of the first regulating unit and the second regulating unit. The gaming machine described in one.

  According to the feature C5, the period in which the first regulating unit is in the restricted state and the period in which the second regulating unit is in the regulated state can be overlapped. Thereby, the above-described mutual complementation function can be suitably enhanced. In addition, it is possible to appropriately allow manufacturing variations and operation variations in securing the ball return control function, which can contribute to promoting the use of the control means.

  It should be noted that the configuration described in this feature may be referred to as "the switching means is configured such that one of the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion is brought into the regulated state before the other is regulated from the regulated state to the allowed state. The gaming machine according to any one of features C1 to C4, characterized in that the switching between the unit and the second regulation unit is performed. "

Feature C6. The first movable body is displaced with the passage of the game ball at the first restriction position, and the second movable body is displaced with the passage of the game ball at the second restriction position,
The switching unit is configured to displace the second movable body based on the displacement of the first movable body when the first restricting unit switches from the restricted state to the allowable state based on the displacement of the first movable body. The second restricting unit is switched from the allowable state to the restricting state, and based on the displacement of the second movable body, when the second restricting unit switches from the restricting state to the allowable state based on the displacement of the second movable body. The gaming machine according to any one of features C1 to C5, wherein the gaming machine is configured to switch the first restricting portion from the allowable state to the restricted state by displacing the first movable body.

  According to the feature C6, the first restricting unit and the second restricting unit are alternately switched to the restricting state (permissible state). In this way, by providing a relationship between the movement of the first movable body and the second movable body, it is possible to contribute to stabilization of the operation of the regulating unit.

Feature C7. The first movable body has a first ball receiving portion (ball receiving surface portion 604a) to which a game ball moved along the ball passage hits,
The second movable body has a second ball receiving portion (ball receiving surface portion 604b) to which a game ball moved along the ball passage hits,
The switching means urges the displacement of the second movable body by transmitting the pressing force to the second movable body when the first ball receiving portion is pushed by the game ball and the first movable body is displaced. When the second ball receiving portion is pushed by a game ball and the second movable body is displaced, the pressing force is transmitted to the first movable body to thereby promote the displacement of the first movable body. The gaming machine according to feature C6, wherein

  According to the feature C7, the two restricting portions can be alternately set to the restricting state (permissible state) by using the pressing force of the game ball. As described above, since a driving unit or the like for generating a driving force for switching the state of the regulating unit is not required, it is possible to contribute to simplification of the configuration relating to the regulating unit.

  Also, in view of the fact that the launching speed of a game ball is generally adjustable, the state switching speed of the two regulating units is proportional to the launching speed of the game ball, and the ability to follow the speed adjustment function is improved. Security can be secured by a simple configuration.

Feature C8. The first movable body and the second movable body are rotatably held,
The switching unit has a connection mechanism that connects the first movable body and the second movable body in a state where relative displacement is allowed,
The connecting portion of the first movable body and the second movable body by the connecting mechanism is displaced so as to straddle between the center of rotation of the first movable body and the center of rotation of the second movable body. The gaming machine according to feature C7, wherein the gaming machine is configured.

  In the configuration in which the kinetic energy of the game ball is diverted to the switching of the state of the regulation unit as shown in the feature C7, the kinetic energy of the game ball decreases by passing through the regulation unit, and the moving speed of the game ball decreases. It will be. Such a large decrease in speed may be a factor that makes it difficult to reach the target game ball. Here, according to the configuration shown in the present feature, the transmission efficiency can be improved by adopting a configuration in which the connecting portion moves so as to cross a virtual plane connecting the two rotation centers. In addition, by reducing the drag when the movable body is displaced, the reaction force applied to the game ball from the movable body can be suppressed, and the behavior of the game ball can be suppressed from being disturbed. For the above reasons, it is possible to suitably suppress a decrease in the moving speed of the game ball and a disturbance in the behavior.

Feature C9. The first restricting portion and the second restricting portion are arranged such that the first restricting portion is closer to the outlet of the ball passage than the second restricting portion,
The first movable body and the second movable body are rotatably held,
The switching unit has a connection mechanism that connects the first movable body and the second movable body in a state where relative displacement is allowed,
The connection mechanism has a first connection portion (link groove 609a) provided on the first movable body, and a second connection portion (arm portion 607b, etc.) provided on the second movable body. ,
The second connecting portion extends from the second movable body to the first movable body, and a tip portion of the second connecting portion is opposite to a portion of the first ball receiving portion where a game ball from the ball passage hits. The gaming machine according to feature C7 or feature C8, wherein the gaming machine is formed so as to face the portion.

  In the configuration in which the first movable body and the second movable body are interlocked as shown in the feature C1, if one of the movements is obstructed, the influence is exerted on the other. Therefore, in order to ensure the operation of the entire regulation means, it is necessary to take care that one movement is not hindered by the other. For example, in a configuration having a rotatable movable body as described above, there is a possibility that rotation may be hindered by a game ball entering the operation area. In this regard, as shown in the present feature, if the configuration is such that the entering of the game ball into the first movable body is suppressed by using the second connecting portion, the movement of the first movable body and thus the subsequent game ball by the preceding game ball is achieved. The hindrance can be suppressed.

  Feature C10. The game according to Feature C8 or Feature C9, wherein the rotating tip portion (the rotating tip portion 606b) of the two movable bodies has an arc shape centered on the rotation center of the second movable body. Machine.

  In the configuration in which the first movable body and the second movable body are interlocked as shown in the feature C1, if one of the movements is obstructed, the influence is exerted on the other. Therefore, in order to ensure the operation of the entire regulation means, it is necessary to take care that one movement is not hindered by the other. In particular, since the exposed portion of the second movable body on the game area side can be widened, it is assumed that the chance that the preceding game ball comes into contact increases. If the movement of the second movable body is hindered by the preceding game ball, there is a concern that the presence of the second movable body may be a hindrance to switching the state of the regulating means. In this regard, in the configuration shown in this feature, when the game ball hits the second movable body (the tip of the rotation) from the guide destination of the game ball, the pressing force increases the rotation center of the second movable body. And the pressing force acts to rotate the second movable body. Thereby, even if the preceding game ball collides with the second movable body, it is possible not only to suppress that it becomes a factor that hinders the rotation of the second movable body, but also that it hinders the rotation of the first movable body. Can also be suppressed.

  In addition, it is also possible to apply the technical idea shown in this feature to the "first movable body". In this case, a configuration may be adopted in which the “rotational tip portion of the one movable body forms an arc around the rotation center of the first movable body”.

  Feature C11. The rotation direction of the first movable body and the second movable body is defined such that the amount of projection of the first movable body and the second movable body from the front surface of the game board changes according to a change in posture. The gaming machine according to any one of features C8 to C10, wherein

  According to the feature C11, the influence of gravity or the like can be suppressed. Thereby, the bias of the pressing force required when displacing the movable body can be reduced. If the maximum value of the required pressing force can be reduced, it is possible to appropriately suppress the disturbance of the behavior of the game ball when the game ball collides with each movable body.

Feature C12. The first ball receiving portion is, when the first restricting portion is in the restricting state, a tip of the first movable body that pivots more than a portion of the first movable body that is inclined with respect to the front surface of the game board. It is formed so that the side part is larger,
The second ball receiving portion is, when the second restricting portion is in a restricting state, a tip of a rotation of the first movable body that is inclined with respect to a front surface of the game board. The gaming machine according to Feature C11, wherein the side portion is formed to be larger.

  In the configuration in which the pressing force of the game ball is converted into the power of another movable body by the connection mechanism shown in the feature C8 or the like, it is assumed that the behavior of the game ball is likely to be disturbed by increasing the drag. In particular, in a configuration in which the amount of protrusion from the game board changes, the game balls float up from the front of the game board, so that interference between the game balls and a panel (glass panel 23) covering the game board is likely to occur. In this regard, in the configuration shown in this feature, the drag angle can be reduced because the inclination angle of the contact surface is small at the initial timing when the game ball hits the ball receiving portion. On the other hand, after the rotation has progressed to some extent, the inertia force acts on the movable body, so that the movable body can be operated with a relatively small pressing force. Therefore, even if the angle of inclination of the contact surface of the ball receiving portion is increased to promote the rotation of the movable body, it is possible to prevent the drag from becoming excessive. Thereby, it is possible to increase the efficiency of the posture change at the time of rotation while suppressing the disturbance of the behavior of the game ball.

  Feature C13. The gaming machine according to any one of features C1 to C12, wherein the first movable body and the second movable body are separated from each other.

  According to the feature C13, it is possible to avoid the existence of the game ball so as to straddle the first restriction position and the second restriction position. For this reason, even if the two movable bodies are linked by simple switching means (such as a link structure), the displacement of the other movable body in the opposite direction is started at the timing before the displacement of the other movable body is completed. For example, it is possible to suppress an excessive load on the switching unit. By protecting the switching means in this way, it is possible to contribute to improving the durability of the regulating means.

  Feature C14. The gap between the first movable body and the second movable body is formed such that game balls discharged from the restricting means can flow into the game area through the gap. C13 A gaming machine according to claim 1.

  Even in the case of using the two regulation units in combination, it cannot be denied that a preceding game ball or the like may hinder the movement of a subsequent game ball. For example, when a game ball that has passed one of the first restriction position and the second restriction position cannot pass the other, and the game ball remains in the restriction means, the game ball later reaches the restriction means. It can be an obstacle to hinder the movement of the game ball. In this regard, if the configuration is such that the game balls can be discharged through the gap between the two movable bodies, the occurrence of the above-described event can be suitably suppressed.

Feature C15. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area,
Regulating means (ball return preventing mechanisms 106K to 106V) provided in the game area, for regulating return of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage;
The regulating means comprises:
It has a first movable body (left movable body 601a), and allows the first movable body to be displaced to allow the game ball to pass at the first regulation position and to allow the game ball to pass at the first regulation position. A first regulating unit (left side prevention device 106aK to 106aV) that switches to a regulating state to regulate,
A second movable body (right movable body 601b) provided side by side with the first movable body at a position on the extension of the ball path, and a game at the second regulation position by displacing the second movable body; A second restricting unit (right side prevention devices 106bK to 106bV) that switches to an allowable state for allowing the passage of the ball and a restricted state for restricting the passage of the game ball at the second restricted position;
The state of the first and second restricting portions based on a game ball passing through a predetermined location apart from the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion or a game ball reaching the predetermined portion. And a switching means for switching the game machine.

  As shown in the feature C15, regarding the regulation means of the type in which the regulation state / permissible state is switched by the movement of the movable body, when the preceding game ball of the movable body interferes with the movable body or the like, the subsequent game ball can be used. There is a possibility that the displacement of the movable body due to the passage of the obstacle is hindered. In this regard, as shown in this feature, if a configuration is used in which the first restriction portion and the second restriction portion located on the extension of the ball passage are used together, for example, the second restriction portion is used as a barrier for the first restriction portion. And the occurrence of the above-described obstruction can be suppressed.

  The configuration in which the state of the two regulation sections is switched based on the passage of the game ball or the arrival of the game ball at the prescribed location separated from the first regulation section and the second regulation section, thereby enabling the next game Preparations before passing the ball are completed.

  For example, when the switching means is constituted by a link mechanism or the like, the kinetic energy of the game ball becomes a power source. In such a configuration, the behavior of the game ball may be disturbed to some extent. Therefore, by disposing the predetermined portion away from the regulation portion, it is possible to minimize the disturbance of the behavior of the game ball when passing through the regulation portion.

  In addition, when the switching unit is configured by a sensor or a driving unit, it may be necessary to ensure the operation accuracy when performing the detection-> switching operation. By disposing the sensor away from the regulating unit, it is not necessary to secure an area for disposing the sensor around the switching unit. In addition, the behavior of the game ball may be complicated around the regulation section. If a game ball is detected at a timing that should not be detected, the control means will return unintentionally. Even in consideration of such circumstances, it is technically significant to dare to provide a predetermined location away from the regulating means.

  In a configuration that can be switched between the allowable state and the restricted state, it is possible to preferably prevent the ball from returning in the restricted state, but it is not possible to deny the possibility that reversion will occur in the permitted state. In this regard, according to the configuration in which the two movable bodies are interlocked by the switching unit, it is possible to cooperate, for example, when one is in an allowable state, the other is in a restricted state. If it is possible to mutually compensate for weaknesses in this way, it is possible to contribute to further improving the function of restricting the return of the ball.

Feature C16. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area,
Regulating means (ball return preventing mechanisms 106K to 106V) provided in the game area, for regulating return of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage;
The regulating means comprises:
It has a first movable body (left movable body 601a), and allows the first movable body to be displaced to allow the game ball to pass at the first regulation position and to allow the game ball to pass at the first regulation position. A first regulating unit (left side prevention device 106aK to 106aV) that switches to a regulating state to regulate,
A second movable body (right movable body 601b) provided side by side with the first movable body at a position on the extension of the ball path, and a game at the second regulation position by displacing the second movable body; A second restricting unit (right side prevention devices 106bK to 106bV) that switches to an allowable state for allowing the passage of the ball and a restricted state for restricting the passage of the game ball at the second restricted position;
The first restricting unit and the second restricting unit are configured based on a game ball passing through the regulating means, a game ball preceding or succeeding the game ball passing through or reaching a predetermined location. A gaming machine comprising: switching means for switching a state of a regulation unit.

  As shown in the feature C16, as for the regulation means of the type in which the regulation state / permissible state is switched by the movement of the movable body, when the preceding game ball of the movable body interferes with the movable body or the like, the subsequent game ball is activated. There is a possibility that the displacement of the movable body due to the passage of the obstacle is hindered. In this regard, as shown in this feature, if a configuration is used in which the first restriction portion and the second restriction portion located on the extension of the ball passage are used together, for example, the second restriction portion is used as a barrier for the first restriction portion. And the occurrence of the above-described obstruction can be suppressed.

  A game ball (applicable game ball) passing through the first regulation section and the second regulation section, a game ball preceding or following the game ball passes a predetermined location or reaches a predetermined location. With the configuration in which the states of the two regulation sections are switched based on the above, preparations before the next game ball passes are completed.

  In a configuration that can be switched between the allowable state and the restricted state, it is possible to preferably avoid a ball return in the restricted state, but it is not possible to deny the possibility of a reversion when the state is changed to the allowable state. In this regard, according to the configuration in which the two movable bodies are interlocked by the switching unit, it is possible to cooperate, for example, when one is in an allowable state, the other is in a restricted state. If it is possible to mutually compensate for weaknesses in this way, it is possible to contribute to further improving the function of restricting the return of the ball.

  In particular, by using the preceding game ball or the succeeding game ball with respect to the corresponding game ball to switch between the states of the two regulation units, the switching timing is diversified and the burden on the corresponding game ball is reduced. be able to.

  In addition, it is preferable to set the preceding or succeeding game ball one before or one after in consideration of responsiveness. However, depending on the firing interval and the firing speed of the game balls, the distance between the game ball launching means and the regulating means, etc., the game ball two or previous two balls behind may be targeted, or three or more previous or three balls may be targeted. The game balls after the above may be targeted.

Feature C17. The predetermined location is provided in a portion of the moving path of the game ball fired by the game ball firing means, which is downstream from the regulation means,
The switching unit is configured to perform the switching when a game ball that has passed through the regulating unit immediately before a gaming ball that passes through the regulating unit has passed through the predetermined location or has reached the predetermined location. The gaming machine according to Feature C16, wherein

  According to the feature C17, the state of the switching unit is switched when the game ball that has reached the game area reaches or passes a predetermined location in the game area. As described above, when the game ball itself functions as a power source for switching the regulation means, the previous operation is performed before reaching the game area, and the subsequent operation is performed after reaching the game area. As a result, it is possible to appropriately suppress the occurrence of inconvenience, such as the momentum of the game ball rapidly weakening at one place.

  In addition, by adopting a configuration in which post-processing is performed by a preceding game ball after passing a later game ball, responsiveness is improved, and the regulation function is effectively exerted due to a delay in returning the regulation unit to the original state. It is possible to preferably suppress the occurrence of a period without any change.

Feature C18. The predetermined location is provided in a portion of the moving path of the game ball fired by the game ball firing means, which is located upstream of the regulation means,
The switching means is configured to perform the switching when a game ball passing through the regulation means passes through the predetermined location or reaches the predetermined location after one game ball passing through the regulation means. The gaming machine according to feature C16, wherein

  According to the feature C18, the state of the switching means is switched when a subsequent game ball before reaching the game area reaches or passes a predetermined location. As described above, when the game ball itself functions as a power source for switching the regulation means, the preceding operation is performed before reaching the regulation unit, and the subsequent operation is performed when the regulation unit is reached. By doing so, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of inconvenience, such as the momentum of the game ball rapidly weakening at one place.

  In addition, by adopting a configuration in which post-processing is performed by the subsequent game ball after passing the previous game ball, responsiveness is improved, and the regulation function is effectively exerted due to a delay in returning the regulation section to the original state. It is possible to preferably suppress the occurrence of a period without any change. In particular, the behavior of the game ball before reaching the game area is relatively stable. Therefore, performing the state return using such a game ball has a technical significance in realizing improvement of the operation stability of the regulating means. If the switching is completed at a timing before the subsequent game ball itself reaches the regulation unit, the preparation for passing the game ball in the regulation unit is executed by the game ball itself before passing, It is possible to suitably prevent delay in preparation of the regulating unit when the ball passes.

<Feature D group>
Feature D1. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area,
Regulating means (for example, prevention devices 106aG, 106aK to 106aV) for regulating the return of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage,
The restricting means includes a movable body (for example, movable bodies 301G, 601, 601) that is switchable between an allowance state in which a game ball is allowed to pass through the exit portion of the ball passage and a regulation state in which the game ball is allowed to pass through the exit portion. 601L to 601V),
A gaming machine, wherein the ball passage is provided with a function as an operation area when the movable body switches to the allowable state and the restricted state.

  The game ball that has been fired from the game ball launching means and reached the game area via the ball passage is prevented from returning to the ball passage by the regulating means. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this manner, it is possible to contribute to smooth progress of the game. However, in the configuration in which the return of the game ball is avoided by the restricting means, the existence of the movable body constituting the restricting means and other components attached to the movable body may be a factor that presses the game area.

  In this respect, in the configuration shown in this feature, a function as an operation area of the movable body is provided to the spherical passage. Thereby, the expansion of the area occupied by the regulation means in the game area can be suppressed, and the pressure on the game area by the regulation means can be reduced. Therefore, for example, it is possible to contribute to an increase in the degree of freedom related to the arrangement of the game components such as the game nails near the exit portion of the ball passage (reduction of the restriction on the arrangement).

Feature D2. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area,
Regulating means (for example, prevention devices 106aG, 106aK to 106aV) for regulating the return of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage,
The restricting means includes a movable body (for example, the movable bodies 301G, 601, 601L to 601V), wherein the movable body is disposed so as to be located in the ball passage.

  The game ball that has been fired from the game ball launching means and reached the game area via the ball passage is prevented from returning to the ball passage by the regulating means. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this manner, it is possible to contribute to smooth progress of the game. However, in the configuration in which the return of the game ball is avoided by the restricting means, the existence of the movable body constituting the restricting means and other components attached to the movable body may be a factor that presses the game area.

  In this regard, in the configuration shown in this feature, the movable body is located in the ball passage, and the protrusion from the exit portion toward the game area is suppressed. Thereby, the expansion of the area occupied by the regulation means in the game area can be suppressed, and the pressure on the game area by the regulation means can be reduced. Therefore, for example, it is possible to contribute to an increase in the degree of freedom related to the arrangement of the game components such as the game nails near the exit portion of the ball passage (reduction of the restriction on the arrangement).

  In addition, the configuration shown in this feature is described as “a game board (game area forming body 80a) in which a game area (game area PE) is formed, and game ball launching means (game Ball launching mechanism 110), a ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball launching means to the game region, and regulation for restricting return of the game ball from the game region to the ball passage. Means (for example, ball return preventing mechanisms 106, 106A to 106N), and the regulating means is disposed such that at least a part thereof is located in a portion of the game board where the ball passage is formed. Gaming machine characterized by the fact that

Feature D3. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area,
Regulating means (for example, prevention devices 106aG, 106aK to 106aV) for regulating the return of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage,
The restricting means includes a movable body (for example, movable bodies 301G and 601) that can be switched between an allowance state in which a game ball is allowed to pass through an exit portion of the ball passage and a regulation state in which the game ball is allowed to pass through the exit portion. , 601L to 601V), and the movable body is disposed so as to be located on the upstream side of the ball passage from the outlet of the ball passage.

  The game ball that has been fired from the game ball launching means and reached the game area via the ball passage is prevented from returning to the ball passage by the regulating means. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this way, it is possible to promote smooth progress of the game. However, in the configuration in which the return of the game ball is avoided by the restricting means, the existence of the movable body constituting the restricting means and other components attached to the movable body may be a factor that presses the game area.

  In this regard, in the configuration shown in this feature, the movable body is located on the upstream side (upstream side in the ball passage, on the side of the game ball launching means or on the non-game area side) from the exit section, so that the exit section moves toward the game area side. Is suppressed. Thereby, the expansion of the area occupied by the regulation means in the game area can be suppressed, and the pressure on the game area by the regulation means can be reduced. Therefore, for example, it is possible to contribute to an increase in the degree of freedom related to the arrangement of the game components such as the game nails near the exit portion of the ball passage (reduction of the restriction on the arrangement).

Feature D4. The outlet portion of the ball passage is open obliquely upward,
The movable body is configured such that a part of the movable body protrudes from the exit portion to the game area side in the state of being in the restricted state, wherein: D1 to D3. The gaming machine according to any one of the above.

  The configuration in which the exit portion faces obliquely upward as shown in the feature D4 is advantageous in suppressing return to the exit portion after flowing out of the exit portion when the momentum of the game ball is not so strong. However, in such a configuration, there is a possibility that a game ball bounced from the game area is placed on the exit portion, and as a result, there is a possibility that the possibility of obstructing the launch of a subsequent game ball cannot be denied. Therefore, if a configuration is adopted in which a part of the movable body is projected from the exit portion toward the game area under the restricted state, a game ball that rebounds from the game area side to the exit portion is moved to the exit portion (the movable body). And stopping on the rail portion).

  In addition, about the structure shown by this characteristic, "The said movable body is comprised so that it may straddle the said ball passage and the said game area | region. The characteristic as described in any one of the characteristic D1 thru | or the characteristic D3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Gaming machine. "

Feature D5. A door body (front door frame 14) provided so as to cover the gaming board from the front of the gaming machine;
A gaming machine in which the gaming area is visible through a panel (glass panel 23) provided on the door body,
Any one of the features D1 to D4, wherein the regulating means is disposed on the game board so as to face the door body with a game ball passing area in the ball passage interposed therebetween. A gaming machine according to claim 1.

  In view of the opening / closing function of the door, it is more likely that the regulating function will not be able to be performed properly due to the influence of the variation in the positional relationship between the regulating means and the ball passage by disposing the regulating means on the door side. In this regard, as shown in the present feature, by disposing the regulating means on the game board side, the occurrence of the inconvenience can be suitably suppressed. Further, the restricting means (movable body) is located behind the passing area of the game ball, and the game ball passes in front of the movable body. For this reason, in the case where the function as the operation area of the movable body is provided to the ball passage, it is possible to suppress the presence of the movable body from being a factor that hinders the visibility of the game ball moving in the ball passage. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to securing the visibility of the game ball.

Feature D6. The regulating means is accommodated in an accommodating portion (for example, an opening 85 or a long hole 92) formed in the gaming board,
The movable body protrudes forward from the front surface of the game board in the restricted state, and is configured to enter the allowable state by retreating from the protruding position. The gaming machine according to any one of features D5.

  According to the feature D6, the operating area of the movable body can be secured by using the thickness (thickness) of the ball passage and the game board. Thereby, it is possible to preferably suppress the pressure on the game area and the like caused by securing the operation area. For example, a recess or an opening may be formed as the accommodation section on the game board, and the regulating means may be embedded in the accommodation section.

Feature D7. The game board has an insertion portion (for example, an opening 85 or a long hole 92) through which the regulating means is inserted from the back side of the game board,
The regulating means is fixed to the game board from the back side of the game board,
The gaming machine according to any one of features D1 to D6, wherein an operation area of the movable body is provided so as to straddle the insertion portion and the ball passage.

  According to the feature D7, by securing the operation area of the movable body by using the thickness (thickness) of the ball passage and the game board, it is possible to appropriately suppress the compression of the game area and the like due to the securing of the operation area. .

  In the configuration in which the restricting means (holder) is disposed behind the ball passage, the following inconvenience occurs because the configuration relating to the fixing of the restricting means is exposed to the ball passage. That is, when the game ball comes into contact with the exposed portion, the behavior of the game ball is likely to be disturbed. This may hinder smooth playing. In this regard, by adopting a configuration that suppresses useless exposure as described above, occurrence of the various inconveniences described above can be suppressed, and a configuration that is practically preferable can be realized.

  Feature D8. The movable body is configured to switch between the allowable state and the restricted state by being displaced in a thickness direction of the game board (for example, a front-rear direction in a game machine), and the movable body is configured to be switched along with the passage of a game ball. The gaming machine according to Feature D6 or Feature D7, wherein the gaming machine is configured to return to the restricted state by the weight of the movable body when the movable state is set.

  As shown in the feature D8, if the arrangement area and the operation area of the movable body are secured by using the thickness of the game board, the occupied area (volume) of the movable body is obtained while using the compression of the game area. be able to. Thereby, the movable body is displaced in the thickness direction of the game board (the front-rear direction in the gaming machine), and the movable body is returned to the regulated state by using its own weight. Can be improved.

Feature D9. The movable body is rotatably supported so as to change the inclination before and after,
The path through which the center of gravity (gravity point GP) of the movable body passes in the process of switching the movable body between the allowable state and the regulation state is located on the front side with respect to the rotation center (center axis CL) of the movable body. The gaming machine according to feature D8, wherein the gaming machine is configured to be any one of a rear side and a rear side.

  According to the feature D9, the technical idea shown in the feature D8 can be suitably embodied. Here, when the movable body is of a rotating type, the responsiveness to return to the restricted state changes depending on the positional relationship between the center of rotation and the position of the center of gravity. More specifically, the distance between the center of rotation and the position of the center of gravity in the front-rear direction (the thickness direction of the game board) is increased, so that the weight of the movable body can be effectively used, thereby contributing to improved responsiveness. However, on the premise that the center of rotation is separated from the center of gravity, there is a concern that the occupied area of the movable body becomes large. Therefore, as shown in the features D6 and D7, if the configuration is such that the occupied area is secured by using the thickness of the game board, it is possible to preferably suppress the game area from being squeezed due to the improvement of the responsiveness. .

  When the center of rotation of the movable body is located at the upper end, the trajectory of the center of gravity is configured to be located behind the center of rotation, and the center of rotation of the movable body is When it is located at the lower end, the trajectory of the center of gravity may be configured to be located forward of the center of rotation.

Feature D10. The regulating means has a holder (holders 611, 611L to 611V) for holding the movable body,
The holder is formed with an opposing portion (attachment bases 612, 612L to 612V) opposing a back portion of the game board, and the opposing portion is fixed to the game board so that the game board and the restricting means are fixed. The gaming machine according to any one of features D6 to D9, wherein the gaming machine is integrated with the game machine.

  According to the feature D10, the configuration related to the fixing of the regulating means is provided on the back side of the game board. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the configuration related to the fixation from being a factor that presses the game area, and it is possible to allow the game parts and the like disposed in the game area and the regulation means to coexist suitably.

  Further, in the configuration in which the restricting means (holder) is disposed behind the ball passage, the following inconvenience arises because the configuration relating to the fixation is exposed to the ball passage. That is, when the game ball comes into contact with the exposed portion, the behavior of the game ball is likely to be disturbed. This may hinder smooth playing. In this regard, by adopting a configuration that suppresses useless exposure as described above, occurrence of the various inconveniences described above can be suppressed, and a configuration that is practically preferable can be realized.

Feature D11. A pair of rails (guide rails 100) that are provided upright from the front of the game board and that define the ball passage;
The regulating means has a holder (holders 611, 611L to 611V) for holding the movable body,
The gaming machine according to any one of features D6 to D10, wherein the holder overlaps the rail portion from behind the gaming machine.

  In the first place, for the above-described ball passage, in order to suppress clogging of the ball in the ball passage or the like, a certain restriction is imposed on the passage width (for example, the diameter of the game ball <the width of the passage <1.5 times the diameter of the game ball). / 2 times). This can be a factor that strengthens restrictions on the size and arrangement of the regulating means. Here, as shown in the present feature, according to the configuration in which the holder is disposed so as to be located behind the rail portion, it is possible to alleviate the above-described restriction, and to dispose the holder in order to make the regulating means function effectively. It can contribute to the improvement of the degree of freedom such as size and size.

Feature D12. The rail portion includes an inner rail (inner rail 101) and an outer rail (outer rail 102) that are curved so as to protrude outward from the game board.
The gaming machine according to Feature D11, wherein the holder overlaps the outer rail from behind the gaming machine.

  In the gaming machine having the inner rail and the outer rail of the type shown in the feature D12, the game ball (game ball passing through the ball passage) fired from the game ball launching means moves along the outer rail. . In such a configuration, by arranging the movable body near the outer rail, it is possible to preferably improve the stability of the operation of the movable body accompanying the passage of the game ball. Here, if the holder is arranged so as to overlap the outer rail as shown in this feature, it is possible to suppress the presence of the holder from hindering the above-described arrangement of the movable body, and to coexist with the rail portion. While contributing to the improvement of the function of the regulation means.

  Feature D13. The movable body has a ball receiving portion (ball receiving surface portion 604) on which a game ball hits, and when the movable body is in the allowable state, the ball receiving portion is flush with or substantially flush with the front surface of the game board. The gaming machine according to any one of features D1 to D12, wherein the gaming machine is configured to be located on the same plane.

  According to the feature D13, when the regulating means is in the allowable state, the ball receiving portion of the regulating means forms the passage wall surface of the ball passage together with the front surface of the game board. Thereby, the disturbance of the behavior of the game ball when passing through the regulating means can be suppressed. In particular, when the game ball rises from the front of the game board, interference with the panel portion (glass panel 23) is likely to occur. However, the above configuration prevents the game ball from rising when passing through the regulating means. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately suppress the occurrence of such inconvenience.

Feature D14. The regulating means is a first regulating means,
The movable body is a first movable body,
A second movable body that can be switched between an allowance state in which a game ball is allowed to pass at a predetermined regulation position that is an extension of the ball passage and a regulation state that regulates the passage of a game ball at the predetermined regulation position. The gaming machine according to any one of features D1 to D13, further comprising a second regulating unit.

  According to the feature D14, the second restricting means is provided ahead (downstream side) in the moving direction of the game ball relative to the first restricting means. Even when a game ball that has reached the game area bounces off a game component such as a game nail, the second regulating means functions as a barrier for the first regulating means. Thus, it is possible to prevent the movement of the first movable body from being hindered by the game ball that has reached the game area.

  Further, by using two regulating means together, it is possible to shift the timing at which the state becomes the allowable state. As a result, for example, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of reversion of the game ball in the gap where the first restricting means is in the allowable state, and to contribute to further strengthening the function of restricting reversion. Even in the case of such a configuration, since the operation area of at least one (first restricting means) is provided in the spherical passage, the expansion of the occupied area due to the combined use of a plurality of restricting means can be reduced.

Feature D15. The operation area of the second movable body is provided outside the spherical passage,
The gaming machine according to Feature D14, wherein a gap through which a game ball can pass is provided between the first movable body and the second movable body.

  According to the feature D15, even if the second restricting means is not successfully switched to the allowable state, the game ball passing through the first restricting means passes between both movable bodies and separates from the restricting means. In addition, it is possible to preferably suppress a malfunction of the second regulating means from hindering the subsequent movement of the game ball. Thereby, the effect shown in the means D14 can be suitably exhibited.

  Feature D16. The first movable body and the second movable body are held so as to be displaceable in a thickness direction of the game board (for example, a front-rear direction in the game machine), and when the allowable state is reached, the first movable body is moved to the first movable body. The gaming machine according to Feature D14 or Feature D15, wherein the gaming machine is configured to return to the restricted state by the weight of the body and the second movable body.

  As shown in the feature D14 and the like, in a configuration in which a plurality of regulating means (movable bodies) are used together, there is a concern that the resistance generated due to the passage of the regulating means increases, and the momentum of the game ball is greatly reduced. You. For example, if an urging member such as a spring is to be used, it is necessary to consider manufacturing variations and deterioration with time of the urging member in order to secure the operational stability of the movable body (need to add a margin to the setting of the urging force). ) Occurs. Under such circumstances, it is difficult to reduce the urging force extremely in quality control. In this regard, in a configuration in which the return function depends on its own weight as shown in this feature, the deviation of the center of gravity is not so large due to molding variations and the like. it can. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the margin relating to the force for promoting the return to the regulation state. As a result, the resistance to the game ball can be reduced, and the restriction on the arrival position of the shot game ball can be relaxed.

Feature D17. The first movable body and the second movable body are rotatably held,
The distance from the turning base end of the first movable body to the turning tip is longer than the distance from the turning base end of the second movable body to the turning tip. The gaming machine according to Feature D15 or Feature D16.

  In a configuration in which the first movable body and the second movable body are switched from the restricted state to the allowed state as the game ball passes, the reaction force on the game ball is reduced by decreasing the inclination of both movable bodies with respect to the front surface of the game board. Thus, the game ball can be suppressed from being displaced in the thickness direction of the game board. Therefore, the projecting amount is maintained by making the total length of the first movable body located on the upstream side (the upstream side or the game ball launching means side in the ball passage) longer than the total length of the second movable body located on the downstream side. In addition, the inclination of the game ball with respect to the moving direction is reduced, which can contribute to the reduction of the resistance at the beginning of the passage. In such a configuration, the occupied area of the first movable body may be large, but the first movable body uses the ball passage as an operation area, which may cause a pressure on the game area. Can be suppressed. In other words, the difference between the total length of the first movable body provided in the ball passage and the total length of the second movable body provided outside the ball passage increases the resistance to the game ball and suppresses the pressure on the game area while suppressing the ball. The return prevention function can be suitably exerted.

Feature D18. A gaming machine comprising a panel portion (glass panel 23) opposed to the front surface of the gaming board with a gap therebetween, wherein the gaming area can be visually recognized through the panel portion,
The movable body is supported so as to be able to rotate back and forth,
The gaming machine according to any one of features D1 to D17, wherein the regulation unit is configured to switch between the allowed state and the regulated state when the movable body rotates.

  The gap formed between the game board and the panel is limited. For this reason, it is more difficult to secure an occupied area such as an operation gap of the movable body as compared with a configuration in which the movable body is displaced along the front surface of the game board. Further, regarding the movable body, since the game ball collides each time the game ball is fired, it is necessary to devise a device relating to durability such as reducing the impact generated by the collision. Here, if the movable body is of a rotating type, when the game ball collides with the movable body, the movable body rotates to escape by rotating, so that the drag (resistance) generated at the time of the collision can be minimized. . In particular, when the movable body is of a rotary type, it is possible to preferably contribute to the reduction of the drag by increasing the distance from the center of rotation to the collision position of the game ball. Therefore, by making the operating mode of the movable body a rotary type, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the occupied area of the movable body while properly releasing the impact when the game ball hits.

Feature D19. A gaming machine comprising a panel portion (glass panel 23) opposed to the front surface of the gaming board with a gap therebetween, wherein the gaming area can be visually recognized through the panel portion,
The movable body is opposed to one of the game board or the panel unit with a game ball passing area interposed therebetween, and a gap between the movable body and the opposed object is formed when the regulating unit is in the allowable state. It has a configuration that allows the ball to pass,
Any of the features D1 to D18, wherein the movable body is configured such that a gap between the movable board and the other of the game panel and the panel portion is smaller than a diameter of a game ball in the restricted state. The gaming machine according to any one of the above.

  According to the feature D19, there is no room for the game ball to enter the gap between the movable body and the facing object, and it is possible to suppress the movement of the movable body from being hindered by the game ball entering the gap.

Feature D20. A gaming machine comprising a panel portion (glass panel 23) opposed to the front surface of the gaming board with a gap therebetween, wherein the gaming area can be visually recognized through the panel portion,
The movable body is opposed to the game board with a game ball passing area interposed therebetween, and the gap between the movable board and the game board becomes large enough to allow the game ball to pass when the regulating unit is in the allowable state. The gaming machine according to any one of features D1 to D6, wherein the gaming machine has a configuration that changes as described above.

  According to the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to suppress the trajectory of the game ball hitting the restricting means (movable body) from changing in the direction toward the panel section. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the game ball that has rebounded from the movable body from hitting the panel portion, and to suitably protect the panel portion.

Feature D21. The game board has a pair of rails (guide rails 100) that are provided upright from the front of the game board and that define the ball passage.
The gaming machine according to Feature D20, wherein the restricting means is attached to a front end portion of the rail portion.

  As shown in the feature D20, in a configuration in which the movable body is disposed away from the front of the game board, for example, the movable body can be disposed on a panel or the like. However, the panel portion (more specifically, the door body provided with the panel portion) is generally openable and closable for the purpose of maintenance of the game board and the like. And the positional relationship between the movable body and the movable body is less likely to vary. Therefore, by setting the movable body to be attached to the front end of the rail attached to the game board as shown in this feature, the occurrence of the inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

  Feature D22. The gaming machine according to Feature D21, wherein the holding portion (holder 311) for holding the movable body is attached so as to straddle the pair of rail portions.

  When the movable body is attached to the rail, a load generated when the game ball hits the movable body is transmitted to the rail. This promotes the deformation of the rail, and the possibility that the movement of the game ball along the rail is affected cannot be denied. Therefore, if the holding portion is attached so as to be bridged between the pair of rail portions, the rail portion is reinforced by the holding portion, and the above influence can be reduced. Thereby, the influence on the movement of the game ball can be suppressed, and the occurrence of the inconvenience can be suppressed.

<Feature E group>
Feature E1. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area,
Regulating means (ball return preventing mechanisms 106P to 106V) having regulating portions (for example, movable bodies 601P to 601V) for regulating the return of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage;
The restricting means is configured to displace the restricting portion in the thickness direction of the game board (for example, in the front-rear direction of the gaming machine), thereby permitting a game ball to pass at the restricting position by the restricting portion. It is possible to switch to a regulation state that regulates the passage of game balls, and is configured to return to the regulation state by the weight of the regulation unit when the permissible state is reached with the passage of game balls. A gaming machine characterized by the following.

  For the game balls that have been fired from the game ball firing means and reached the game area via the ball passage, return to the ball passage is avoided by the restriction means. By suppressing the generation of the return ball in this way, it is possible to promote smooth progress of the game.

  Here, in the configuration in which the return of the game ball is avoided by the restricting means, the presence of the restricting portion constituting the restricting means and other components attached to the restricting portion may be a factor that presses the game area. In the configuration shown in this feature, the restricting unit is switched to the allowable state / restricted state when the restricting unit is displaced in the thickness direction of the game board (for example, the front-rear direction in the game machine). Thereby, the expansion of the occupied area of the restricting means can be suppressed, and the above-mentioned compression of the game area can be suppressed. The configuration in which the restricting portion is displaced in the thickness direction of the game board is also advantageous in making the movement of the restricting portion less noticeable.

  In the configuration having the regulation portion, when the game ball hits, there is a possibility that the behavior of the game ball may be disturbed due to the resistance generated on the game ball. In particular, in a type of regulating portion that is displaced in the thickness direction of the game board, there is a possibility that the game ball may be lifted or the like, and the influence of disturbance in the behavior may increase. In consideration of such circumstances, it is preferable to suppress the resistance as low as possible. Here, as shown in this feature, in the configuration in which the restricting section returns from the allowable state to the restricted state due to its own weight, for example, compared to a configuration in which urging means such as a spring is used to prompt a return to the restricted state, When the state is switched from the restricted state to the restricted state, the resistance applied to the game ball can be prevented from becoming unnecessarily large, and fine adjustment can be performed while keeping the resistance small. That is, as compared with the case where the resistance is reduced by adjusting the biasing force of the biasing means, it is possible to preferably realize the operation stability and the individual difference while reducing the resistance. .

  In addition, the configuration shown in this feature is described as “a game board (game area forming body 80a) in which a game area (game area PE) is formed, and game ball launching means (game Ball launching mechanism 110), a ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball launching means to the game region, and regulation for restricting return of the game ball from the game region to the ball passage. Means (ball return preventing mechanisms 106P to 106V), and the regulating means is provided with a movable surface provided to face either a front wall surface or a rear wall surface (for example, the glass panel 23) of the game area. It has a body (for example, a movable body 601P to 601V), and can be switched between an allowable state in which a game ball can pass based on a change in a distance between the movable body and the wall and a regulation state in which the passage of the game ball is regulated. Become A gaming machine configured to return to the restricted state by the weight of the restricting portion when the permissible state is entered with the passage of a game ball. " is there.

Feature E2. The regulating portion is rotatably supported at one end of the regulating portion in the passage direction of the ball passage,
The gaming machine according to Feature E1, wherein the restricting unit is configured to switch between the allowable state and the restricted state by rotating the restricting unit.

  It is preferable to secure a certain level of strength for the portion hit by the game ball from the viewpoint of ensuring durability. Under these circumstances and the like, the weight of the regulating portion is likely to increase. Here, according to the configuration shown in this feature, the position of the center of gravity of the regulating portion and the portion where the game ball hits are located on the same side with respect to the rotation center (rotation base end), and the weight is reduced. It becomes easy to use as a driving force for returning to the regulated state. Thereby, it is possible to suitably realize the strength improvement and the return function to the regulation state. Further, it is also advantageous in suppressing the enlargement of the regulating section and suppressing the spread of the occupied area. For example, in a configuration in which the regulating portion extends in the passage direction of the spherical passage (a configuration in which the passage direction of the spherical passage is in the longitudinal direction of the regulating portion), one end of the regulating portion in the longitudinal direction is defined as a rotation base end portion. It is good to form it.

  Feature E3. A feature E1 or a feature that a support portion (bearing portions 614P to 614V) for rotatably supporting an upstream (lower) end of the regulating portion in the passage direction of the spherical passage is provided. The gaming machine according to Feature E2.

  In a configuration in which the regulating portion is displaced in the thickness direction of the game board, an increase in the gap (a step or the like) between the passage wall surface and the regulating portion in the allowable state becomes a factor that causes disturbance in the behavior of the game ball. Therefore, it is not preferable. Therefore, as shown in this feature, if the end on the upstream side (the game ball launching means side or the non-game area side) is set as the rotation base end, the case where the downstream end is set as the rotation base end is In comparison, the generation of the gap can be suppressed, and the behavior of the game ball can be stabilized.

  Feature E4. The feature E3 is characterized in that the restricting portion is configured such that the center of gravity of the restricting portion is located on the front side of the rotation center portion of the restricting portion under the condition of the allowable state. A gaming machine according to claim 1.

  According to the feature E4, in the allowable state, the position of the center of gravity is located on the front side with respect to the rotation center portion of the regulating portion. For this reason, after the game ball passes, the restricting portion is tilted forward by its own weight and returns from the allowable state to the restricted state. Thereby, it is possible to prompt the return of the restricting means to the restricted state.

  Feature E5. The gaming machine according to Feature E3 or Feature E4, wherein the range of movement of the center of gravity of the restriction portion is configured to be located forward of the center of rotation of the restriction portion.

  According to the feature E5, the weight acts on the restricting portion in both the allowable state and the restricting state so as to promote the tilting forward of the gaming machine. As a result, for example, the action direction of the own weight is prevented from being reversed according to the change in the position of the center of gravity, and it is possible to contribute to smooth switching to the allowable state / restricted state and improvement of the certainty.

  Feature E6. The restricting portion extends in a direction intersecting the rotation center axis of the restricting portion, and receives a ball (eg, ball receiving surface portions 604aP to 604aV) on which a game ball moved along the ball passage hits, and the ball receiving portion. And an extending portion (for example, arms 607aP to 607aV) extending in a direction intersecting with the ball receiving portion, and a game ball hits the ball receiving portion and the regulating portion is provided. Is characterized by the fact that, by the rotation of the control means, the state is switched from the restriction state in which the passage of the game ball at the restriction position by the restriction means is restricted to the permission state in which the passage of the game ball in the restriction position is permitted. A gaming machine according to any one of features E5.

According to the feature E6, by providing the extending portion on the rotation tip side, the position of the center of gravity of the regulating portion can be made as far as possible from the rotation center portion (the rotating base end portion) of the regulating portion. Responsiveness when returning from the allowable state to the restricted state can be improved.
Can be.

  Feature E7. The gaming machine according to Feature E6, wherein the extension portion is located on a boundary between the ball passage and the game area.

  According to the feature E7, when the game ball that has reached the game area reaches the regulating means (exit portion) by rebounding or the like, the entry of the game ball into the exit portion can be appropriately suppressed. In other words, the movement of the game ball toward the exit portion is regulated by the extension portion using the configuration that promotes the return of its own weight as shown in the feature E6, so that the ball receiving portion and the exit portion (rail portion) It is possible to preferably suppress a game ball from entering during that time (occurrence of a ball bite).

  Feature E8. The gaming machine according to Feature E6 or Feature E7, wherein the extension portion extends in a direction intersecting with the rotation direction of the regulation portion, and is inclined downward toward the center of the game board.

  In the configuration in which the extension portion extends in the direction intersecting with the rotation direction of the regulating portion as shown in the feature E8, the return of the game ball through the exit portion can be suppressed. Here, for example, compared to a configuration in which the extension portion extends in the rotation direction (rearward), there is a concern that the above-described displacement of the center of gravity may be reduced due to the presence of the weight at the rotation tip portion of the regulating portion. According to the configuration shown in this feature, the weight of the extension portion can suitably contribute to securing the amount of displacement of the position of the center of gravity.

  Here, when the extension portion is provided, although the return of the game ball can be suppressed, there is a possibility that the game ball is placed on the extension portion. If the game balls remain on the extension portion, there is a concern that the passage of subsequent game balls will be hindered. In this regard, as shown in this feature, if the extension portion is configured to be inclined downward toward the center of the game board, the game ball placed on the extension portion is extended by moving along the extension portion. Part will be separated. Thereby, the occurrence of the inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

  Feature E9. A feature E1 or a feature characterized by comprising a support portion (bearing portions 614P to 614V) rotatably supporting an end on the downstream side (upper side) of the regulating portion in the passage direction of the ball passage. The gaming machine according to E2.

  According to the configuration shown in the feature E9, a portion where the game ball fired by the game ball firing means hits first can be set closer to the rotation front end of the regulating portion. With the configuration in which the game ball hits the position as far as possible from the center of rotation, the resistance applied to the game ball when rotating the regulating portion can be reduced. This is preferable, for example, in realizing stabilization of the behavior of the game ball when passing through the regulating means.

  Feature E10. The restricting portion is configured such that the center of gravity of the restricting portion is located rearward of the center of rotation of the restricting portion under the condition of the allowable state. The gaming machine according to E9.

  According to the feature E10, in the allowable state, the position of the center of gravity is located on the front side with respect to the rotation center portion of the regulating portion. For this reason, after the game ball passes, the restricting portion is tilted forward by its own weight and returns from the allowable state to the restricted state. Thereby, it is possible to prompt the return of the restricting means to the restricted state.

  Feature E11. The gaming machine according to the feature E9 or E10, wherein the range of movement of the position of the center of gravity of the restricting portion is configured not to be located forward of the center of rotation of the restricting portion.

  According to the feature E11, the weight acts on the restricting portion so as to promote the tilting forward of the gaming machine in any of the allowable state to the restricting state. As a result, for example, the action direction of the own weight is prevented from being reversed according to the change in the position of the center of gravity, and it is possible to contribute to smooth switching to the allowable state / restricted state and improvement of the certainty.

  Feature E12. The feature E9 is characterized in that, under the condition that the restricting portion is in the restricting state, the front-rear position of the center of gravity of the restricting portion and the center of rotation of the restricting portion are aligned. A gaming machine according to any one of features E11.

  According to the feature E12, in the regulated state, the rotation due to its own weight is in a calm state, and the initial load when the game ball hits the regulating portion can be reduced. Thereby, the disturbance of the behavior of the game ball at the time of reaching the regulation portion can be suitably suppressed.

Feature E13. The rotation center axis of the regulating portion extends in a direction intersecting with the passage direction of the spherical passage,
A rail portion (guide rail 100) that is provided so as to stand up from the front surface of the game board and that defines the ball passage;
The rail portion has an arc shape that is convex outside the game area,
The gaming machine according to any one of features E2 to E12, wherein the restricting means is disposed between a top portion of the rail portion and a protruding portion protruding laterally.

  As described above, in the configuration in which the restricting section is returned from the allowable state to the restricting state using its own weight, the driving force for the return can be increased by increasing the weight of the restricting section. However, if an attempt is made to increase the driving force by increasing the weight, the degree of deenergization of the game ball when passing through the restricting portion may also increase. Under such circumstances, if an attempt is made to suppress an increase in weight in order to minimize the momentum of the game ball as much as possible, there is an increased risk that the return function of the regulating unit will not be sufficiently exhibited. Therefore, as shown in this feature, by defining the direction of the rotation center axis and the position of the restricting means, it is possible to suppress the resistance generated when switching between the allowable state and the restricting state, and to increase the weight in a dark state. The return function can be secured without the need.

Feature E14. An inner rail portion (inner rail 101) and an outer rail portion (outer rail 102) which are provided standing up from the front surface of the game board and which define the ball passage;
The outer rail portion is curved so as to be convex to the side of the gaming machine,
The restricting portion has a plate-shaped main portion (base portions 602P to 602V) intersecting with a rotation center axis of the restricting portion, and a game ball moved along the ball passage on an end surface of the main portion. Has been given a function as a ball receiving part that hits,
The gaming machine according to any one of features E2 to E13, wherein the restricting portion is disposed closer to the outer rail among the inner rail and the outer rail.

  In the configuration in which the outer rail portion is curved so as to be convex to the side, the game ball fired from the game ball firing means moves along the outer rail portion when passing through the ball passage. Becomes Therefore, if the restricting portion is configured such that the main body portion (ball receiving portion) is disposed closer to the outer rail portion, the function of switching between the allowable state and the restricting state can be ensured while suppressing an increase in the size of the restricting portion.

  In addition, since the main body is formed in a plate shape, it is possible to appropriately suppress the weight and the occupied area of the main body from being unnecessarily increased in securing a shift amount of the center of gravity position with respect to the rotation center portion. By imparting a function as a ball receiving portion to the end face of the main body portion, it is possible to prevent the restricting portion from bending and deforming when a game ball hits the restricting portion. By reducing the distortion generated in the restricting portion in this way, it is possible to suppress an increase in resistance (friction resistance) generated due to the turning of the restricting portion, and to ensure the turning function (the function of returning to the restricting state). .

  Feature E15. The gaming machine according to Feature E14, wherein the main body has an arc shape extending along the ball passage.

  By forming the main body into an arc shape extending along the ball passage as shown in this feature, it is possible to reduce the collision angle with respect to the ball receiving portion and to increase the contact time between the ball receiving portion and the game ball. As a result, the impact generated when the game ball hits the ball receiving portion can be reduced, thereby contributing to protection of the regulating means and stabilization of the behavior of the game ball. With such a configuration, the outer rail portion and the restricting portion can be easily brought close to each other, and the technical idea shown in the feature E14 can be suitably embodied.

Feature E16. The game board is formed with insertion portions (for example, long holes 85K to 85N, 92P to 92V) through which the regulating means is inserted,
The gaming machine according to Feature E14 or Feature E15, wherein a function is given to a portion where the insertion portion is formed as an operation area of the regulation portion.

  When the main body is plate-shaped as shown in the feature E14 and the like, the deviation between the center of rotation and the position of the center of gravity can be increased by increasing the width of the main body. However, in such a configuration, the outer shape of the restricting portion is considerably increased. In this regard, according to the combination with the configuration shown in the present feature (the configuration in which the operation area of the regulation section is secured by using the thickness of the game board), the expansion of the occupied area of the regulation section in the game area is suppressed, Can reduce the pressure on the game area. In other words, even if the size of the regulating portion is large, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the operation region caused by the increase. This improves the degree of freedom in arranging the game components arranged around the regulation section in the game area or the like (reducing restrictions on the arrangement), and suppressing the compression of the game area due to the securing of the operation area. Is a preferable configuration.

<Characteristic F group>
Feature F1. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area,
Regulating means (for example, a ball return preventing mechanism 106V) provided in the game area, for regulating return of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage;
The restricting means has a movable body (left movable body 601aV), and an allowable state in which the movable body is displaced to allow a game ball to pass at a restricted position and a regulation to restrict the passage of a game ball at the restricted position. State, and is configured to return to the regulated state from the permitted state by itself when the regulated state is changed to the permitted state,
Return means (for example, the right movable body 601bV) for returning the restricting means to the restricted state when the restricting means has not returned to the restricted state in a situation in which it should return to the restricted state from the allowed state. A gaming machine comprising:

  After the regulation means shown in the feature F1 is switched from the regulation state to the allowable state with the passage of the game ball, the regulation means returns to the regulation state by its own weight or the urging force of the urging means attached to the movable body. Thereby, the return of the game ball that has reached the game area to the ball passage is regulated. In such a configuration in which the self-recovery is performed, if the return to the restricted state is not performed due to various circumstances such as an operation failure, the above-described reversion control function is not sufficiently exhibited. This can be a factor that lowers the reliability of the operation of the regulating means. Therefore, in the configuration shown in this feature, if the self-return is not performed despite the situation in which the return to the restricted state is required, the return means forcibly returns the restricting means to the restricted state. In addition, the occurrence of the above-described inconvenience can be suppressed. Thereby, it is possible to contribute to ensuring the reliability of the operation of the regulating means.

  In addition, the configuration shown in this feature is described as “a game board (game area forming body 80a) in which a game area (game area PE) is formed, and game ball launching means (game A ball launching mechanism 110), a ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball launching means to the game region, and a game provided from the game region to the ball passage. Regulating means (for example, a ball return preventing mechanism 106V) for regulating the return of the ball, wherein the regulating means has a movable body (left movable body 601aV), and the movable ball is displaced so that the game ball at the regulated position is displaced. The state is switched to an allowable state in which the passage of the game ball is permitted and a restricted state in which the passage of the game ball at the restricted position is restricted. State is self-return to the regulation state, and when the predetermined period has passed since the regulation means became the permissible state and the self-return to the regulation state is not performed, the regulation means is reset. A gaming machine provided with a return means (for example, a right movable body 601bV) for returning to the allowable state. "

  Feature F2. The game according to Feature F1, wherein the restricting means is configured to return to the restricted state by the weight of the movable body when the permissible state is entered with the passage of a game ball. Machine.

  In a configuration in which the regulation means operates as the game ball passes, there is a possibility that the behavior of the game ball may be disturbed by resistance generated in the game ball when the game ball hits the movable body. In consideration of the influence of such disturbance of the behavior, it is preferable to suppress the resistance as small as possible. Here, as shown in this feature, in the configuration in which the movable body returns from the allowable state to the restricted state by its own weight, for example, compared to a configuration in which the return to the restricted state is urged by using an urging means such as a spring, Manufacturing variations to be taken into account are reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the resistance applied to the game ball when switching from the restricted state to the permitted state. However, in such a configuration in which the return force depends on its own weight, it cannot be denied that the return operation may not be performed properly due to the installation state (tilt) of the gaming machine or the like. This can be a factor in reducing the reliability of the control means. Therefore, by applying the technical idea shown in the feature F1 to such a configuration to secure the return operation, it is possible to stabilize the behavior of the game ball and preferably reduce the decrease in reliability due to it. Can be suppressed.

  Feature F3. The gaming machine according to Feature F1 or Feature F2, wherein the movable body is configured to be displaced in a thickness direction of the game board.

  According to the configuration shown in the feature F3, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the degree of freedom in arranging game components such as game nails caused by securing the operation area of the movable body. However, on the other hand, restrictions are more likely to occur in increasing the deviation between the center of rotation and the position of the center of gravity as compared with a configuration in which the center of gravity is displaced along the front surface of the game board, for example. As a result, it is difficult to ensure the stability of the operation, and there is a concern that the reliability of the regulating means is reduced. Therefore, by applying the technical idea shown in the feature F1 or the like to such a configuration to ensure the return operation, the degree of freedom in arranging the game components is improved, and the reliability of the operation caused by the operation is improved. Can be suitably suppressed.

Feature F4. The restricting means is configured to switch from the allowable state to the restricted state by displacing the movable body in a predetermined direction,
The return means includes a ball receiving portion (a ball receiving surface portion 604bV of the right movable body 601bV) on which the game ball hits, and an action portion which is displaced toward the movable body when the game ball hits the ball receiving portion ( Arm portion 607bV of the right movable body 601bV), and the action portion is displaced toward the movable body side by a game ball hitting the ball receiving portion in a state where the restricting means is in the allowable state. The operation portion may be configured to return the restricting means to the allowable state by pressing the movable body in the predetermined direction, wherein the restricting means is returned to the allowable state. Gaming machine.

  According to the feature F4, when the self-return is not well performed, the action portion pushes the movable body by the game ball hitting the ball receiving portion. As described above, by using the momentum of the game ball as the driving force of the forced return, the configuration (return means) shown in the feature F1 can be realized with a simple configuration.

  Feature F5. The gaming machine according to Feature F4, wherein said return means is configured to avoid contact between said action portion and said movable body when said regulating means is self-returning. .

  When the regulation means is forcibly returned to the regulation state, the resistance transmitted to the game ball via the movable body → the action section → the ball receiving section increases. In other words, in the configuration shown in the feature F2, the configuration can be simplified, but the momentum of the game balls tends to decrease. Therefore, in this feature, when the self-recovery is performed, the configuration is such that the forced return by the return unit is avoided, that is, the configuration is such that the action portion swings. As described above, by suppressing the resistance generated in the return means to be as small as possible at least as long as the self-return is normally performed, the above-described game using the configuration in which the movement of the game ball is used as a power source of the return means is provided. The decrease in the momentum of the ball can be suitably reduced.

Feature F6. The action section is configured to stand by at a predetermined standby position when a game ball does not hit the ball receiving section,
When the operating section is waiting at the predetermined standby position, the movable body and the operating section are provided regardless of whether the regulating means is in the restricted state or the allowable state. The gaming machine according to Feature F4 or Feature F5, wherein a gap is formed between the gaming machine and the game machine.

  According to the feature F6, when the movable body is switched from the restricted state to the allowable state with the passage of the game ball, it is possible to prevent the movable body from pushing the regulating means (working portion). Thus, it is possible to prevent the presence of the return means from increasing the resistance applied to the game ball when the game ball moves so as to push the movable body.

  Feature F7. The gaming machine according to any one of features F4 to F6, wherein the ball receiving portion is arranged at a position where a game ball can reach after the restricting unit enters the allowable state. .

  If the action section is displaced toward the movable body in the process of switching the regulation section from the regulation state to the permissible state, a resistance is generated by the action section (return means) to prevent switching of the regulation section. This may be a factor that a game ball that should be able to pass through the regulation means cannot pass through the regulation means. In this regard, according to the configuration shown in this feature, the ball receiving portion (return means) is arranged at a position where the game ball can reach after the restricting means is in the permissible state. The movement of the action section can be delayed with respect to the switching. Thereby, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience can be suppressed.

Feature F8. The movable body is a position that protrudes into a passage path through which the game ball passes and restricts the passage of the game ball, and a position where the protrusion is suppressed from the restriction position and allows the passage of the game ball. It can be displaced to the allowable position
The ball receiving portion is capable of being displaced to a protruding position that protrudes into the passage route, and a retracted position in which the protruding portion is suppressed from protruding from the protruding position.
The action section is configured to be displaced in the predetermined direction based on displacement of the ball receiving section from the protruding position to the retracted position,
Any one of the features F4 to F7, wherein a protrusion amount of the ball receiving portion disposed at the projecting position is smaller than a projecting amount of the movable body disposed at the regulating position. The gaming machine described in one.

  In a configuration in which the game ball hits the movable body and the return means, the regulating means and the return means can be operated using the momentum of the game ball. Since there is no need to provide a separate power source in this manner, it is possible to preferably suppress the configuration from becoming complicated in achieving the above-described improvement in reliability. However, in such a configuration, it is assumed that the restriction on the arrival position of the game ball becomes stronger due to the weakness of the game ball. Therefore, as shown in this feature, by reducing the amount of protrusion of the return means, the momentum lost from the game ball when the return means is operated can be minimized.

  Note that the configuration shown in this feature is also advantageous in realizing a reduction in the size of the return means and suppressing the expansion of the occupied area.

Feature F9. The regulating means and the return means are juxtaposed along a passage path through which the game ball fired by the game ball firing means passes,
The movable body is held rotatably, is a position that protrudes into a passage path through which the game ball passes, and is a restriction position that restricts the passage of the game ball, and a position where the protrusion is suppressed from the restriction position. A first movable body that is displaced to an allowable position allowing a game ball to pass therethrough,
The ball receiving portion is capable of being displaced to a protruding position that protrudes into the passage route, and a retracted position in which the protruding portion is suppressed from protruding from the protruding position.
The return means has a second movable body provided with the ball receiving portion and the action portion,
The second movable body is rotatably held, and the action portion is formed in a portion closer to the first movable body than the rotation center portion, and the action portion is sandwiched by the rotation center portion. The ball receiving portion is formed at a portion on the opposite side, and the working portion is configured to be displaced in the predetermined direction based on the displacement of the ball receiving portion from the projecting position to the retracted position. The gaming machine according to any one of features F4 to F8.

  According to the feature F9, the technical idea shown in the feature F4 and the like can be embodied with a simple configuration. In addition, the restricting means and the return means can be arranged close to each other, and the expansion of the arrangement area of the configuration related to the return restriction can be suitably suppressed.

  Feature F10. The distance from the center of rotation of the second movable body to the point of contact with the first movable body in the action section is from the center of rotation of the first movable body to the point of contact with the action section. The gaming machine according to Feature F9, wherein the gaming machine is configured to be shorter than the distance of the game machine.

  For example, if it is necessary to significantly displace the first movable body at the time of return, it is preferable that the pressed portion (contact portion) be as close as possible to the center of rotation of the first movable body. The required pressing force increases. In the first place, the first movable body is provided with a function of self-return, and even if some trouble occurs and self-recovery is not successfully performed, a small amount of pushing (cutting) can be performed normally thereafter. Can work. That is, in many cases, a large stroke is not required to solve the above-described problem. Therefore, if the rotation center portions of the two movable bodies, the abutting portions in the acting portion, and the abutting portions in the first movable body have the above-described relationship, the pushing force by the acting portion can be secured to some extent and the pushing force can be reduced as much as possible Can be smaller. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in resistance applied to the game ball when performing the forced return.

  Feature F11. The second movable body is closer to the first movable body in the action section from the rotation center than the distance from the rotation center of the second movable body to the contact point of the game ball in the ball receiver. The gaming machine according to Feature F9 or Feature F10, wherein the distance to the contact point is longer.

  According to the feature F11, when the game ball hits the ball receiving portion and the second movable body rotates, the action portion can be largely displaced in the predetermined direction (to the first movable body side). Thereby, even if the self-return function of the restricting means is not successfully performed, the restricting means can quickly return to the restricted state.

  Feature F12. The contact portion of the first movable body with which the action section abuts is provided at a rotation tip portion of the first movable body, wherein any one of the features F9 to F11 is provided. Gaming machine.

  In the first place, it is assumed that in a configuration that is provided with a self-recovery function, even if it does not completely support the return from the allowed state to the regulated state, the switch to the allowed state will be prompted as long as it is triggered. You. Therefore, as shown in this feature, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience can be suitably suppressed by adopting a configuration in which the pressed portion provided at the rotating tip portion of the movable body is pressed in a predetermined direction.

  In particular, in combination with the feature F8 or the like (a configuration in which the momentum of the game ball is used as a power source of the forced return), there is a concern that the momentum of the game ball is excessively weakened in realizing the forced return. In this regard, according to the configuration shown in this feature, occurrence of such inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

  Feature F13. The period required for the restricting means to return from the allowable state to the restricted state by itself is shorter than the period required for the game ball passing the restricting means to reach the second movable body. The gaming machine according to any one of features F9 to F12, wherein the first movable body and the second movable body are arranged.

  According to the feature F13, when the game ball moves from the first movable body to the second movable body, the first movable body normally returns to the regulated state before the game ball reaches the second movable body. Will be done. Therefore, at least in a situation in which the self-return function is functioning well, interference between the two movable bodies is avoided, and it is possible to preferably suppress unnecessary increase in resistance applied to the game ball.

<Characteristic G group>
Feature G1. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area,
Regulating means (ball return preventing mechanisms 106K to 106Y) fixed to the game board, for regulating the return of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage;
The restricting means has a plate shape facing the front surface of the game board, and is configured such that a fixed portion fixed to the game board by fixing means for fixing the restricting means to the game board is not provided. A gaming machine characterized by the following.

  According to the configuration that regulates the return of the game ball to the ball passage by using the regulation means, it is possible to contribute to realizing the smooth progress of the game. However, since various game components such as game nails are arranged on the front side of the game board, it is not preferable that such a restricting means presses the area where the game components are arranged. In this regard, according to the configuration shown in this feature, the front side of the game board is not provided with a plate-shaped fixed portion to be fixed by a fixing means (fixing tool) such as a screw or a screw. As described above, if the non-fixed portion functioning as the pedestal is not provided, the occupied area on the front side of the game board can be reduced or eliminated for the configuration related to the fixing of the regulating means. Thereby, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the other game components can be improved, and the regulation means and the other game components can coexist favorably.

Feature G2. A game board (game area forming body 80a) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area,
Regulating means (ball return preventing mechanisms 106K to 106Y) for regulating return of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage;
Fixing means (for example, screws 621P to 621V, game nails 701W and 702W, claw portions 865X and 865Y) for fixing the regulating means to the game board,
The restricting means includes a movable body (for example, movable bodies 601a, 601aL to 601aV) that can be displaced to an allowable position that allows the passage of the game ball at the restricted position by the restricting means and a restricted position that restricts the passage of the game ball at the restricted position. , 710W, 851X, 851Y) and a main body (holders 611, 611L to 611V, 861X, 861Y, regulating member 720W) for defining a rotation range of the movable body. A gaming machine, characterized in that the game machine is configured so as to have no protruding portion protruding from the outer peripheral portion of the main body portion so as to face the main body portion for fixing by the fixing means.

  According to the configuration that regulates the return of the game ball to the ball passage by using the regulation means, it is possible to contribute to realizing the smooth progress of the game. However, since various game components such as game nails are arranged on the front side of the game board, it is not preferable that such a restricting means presses the area where the game components are arranged. In this regard, according to the configuration shown in this feature, a plate-shaped protruding portion to be fixed by a fixing means (fixing tool) such as a screw or a screw is not provided on the front side of the game board. As described above, if the protrusion functioning as the pedestal is not provided, the occupied area on the front side of the game board can be reduced or eliminated for the configuration relating to the fixing of the regulating means. Thereby, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the other game components can be improved, and the regulation means and the other game components can coexist favorably.

  The “projecting portion” shown in this feature can be the same as the “fixed portion” shown in feature G1.

  Incidentally, the configuration shown in this feature is referred to as “a game board (game area forming body 80a) in which a game area (game area PE) is formed” and a game ball launching means (game game) that launches a game ball based on a launch operation by a player. Ball launching mechanism 110), a ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding a game ball fired from the game ball launching means to the game region, and regulation for restricting return of the game ball from the game region to the ball passage. Means (ball return prevention mechanisms 106K to 106W) and fixing tools (for example, screws 621P to 621V, game nails 701W and 702W) for fixing the regulating means to the game board. A gaming machine characterized in that a portion other than a plate-shaped base portion in contact with the front surface of the gaming board is configured to be a fixed portion by the fixing tool. "

Feature G3. The game board has an insertion portion (for example, an opening 85 or a long hole 92) which is opened in a thickness direction of the game board and through which the regulating means is inserted,
A contact portion (attachment bases 612P to 612V) is formed in the main body of the regulating means to contact the back surface of the game board.
The gaming machine according to Feature G1 or Feature G2, wherein the regulating means is attached to the game board by fixing the game board and the contact portion by the fixing means.

  According to the feature G3, the configuration relating to the fixing of the restricting means such as the fixing means and the contact portion is disposed on the back side of the game board. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the configuration related to the fixation from being a factor that presses the game area, and it is possible to allow the game parts and the like disposed in the game area and the regulation means to coexist suitably.

Feature G4. The fixing means is a fastener;
The abutting portion is opposed to a portion of the gaming board where the gaming area is not formed in the front-rear direction of the gaming machine, and the fixing means is disposed at a position where overlapping with the gaming area is avoided. The gaming machine according to Feature G3, wherein:

  Game components such as the above-mentioned game nails are attached using the thickness of the game board. Here, in the configuration shown in this feature, it is preferable that the fastener is disposed at a position where the fastener does not overlap with the game area before and after, so that the fastener interferes with the disposition of the game component. Can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the degree of freedom in arranging the game components, and it is possible to more suitably coexist the configuration relating to the regulating means and the game components.

Feature G5. The fixing means is a fastener;
An inner rail portion (inner rail 101) and an outer rail portion (outer rail 102) which are provided standing up from the front surface of the game board and which define the ball passage;
The abutment portion is opposed to a portion of the game board that is outside the outer rail, and the fixing means is provided at a position where the game device does not overlap with the game area. The gaming machine according to Feature G3 or G4.

  Game components such as the above-mentioned game nails are attached using the thickness of the game board. Here, in the configuration shown in this feature, the fastener is disposed in an area outside the outer rail portion (an area where the ball passage and the game area are not formed), so that the fastener is a game component. Disturbance of the arrangement can be suitably suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the degree of freedom in arranging the game components, and it is possible to more suitably coexist the configuration relating to the regulating means and the game components.

  Feature G6. In a state where the contact portion is in contact with the back surface of the game board, the front end of the main body is configured to be located on the same plane or substantially the same plane as the front face of the game board. The gaming machine according to any one of features G3 to G5.

  According to the feature G6, by suppressing the protrusion of the main body from the front surface of the game board, it is possible to preferably suppress the disturbance of the behavior of the game ball. In addition, coexistence with existing game parts such as rails on the game board can be promoted.

Feature G7. A pair of rails (guide rails 100) that are provided upright from the front of the game board and that define the ball passage;
The insertion portion is formed so that a part thereof overlaps with the rail portion back and forth, and the main body portion is configured to face the rail portion from the rear of the gaming machine. The gaming machine according to any one of features G6.

  In the configuration shown in the feature G3 and the like, by arranging the restricting means so as to be located behind the rail section as shown in the present feature, the restricting means and the rail section can coexist suitably. .

Feature G8. A movable body (for example, a movable body 710W) capable of being displaced to an allowable position for permitting the passage of the game ball at the restricted position by the restricting means and a restricted position for restricting the passage of the game ball at the restricted position; A regulating portion (for example, a regulating member 720W) for regulating a rotation range of the movable body,
The fixing means has a first shaft (first game nail 701W) attached to the game board so as to stand up from the game board,
The movable body is rotatably supported by the first shaft body, and is configured to be displaced to the allowable position and the regulation position by rotating about the first shaft body. ,
The gaming machine according to any one of features G1 to G7, wherein the defining portion is supported by the first shaft.

  According to the feature G8, the pivotable movable body is supported by the first shaft body (shaft body), so that the occupied area of the configuration related to the mounting of the movable body can be suppressed from expanding. With the configuration in which the first shaft body is used to support the defining portion, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the occupied area even in the portion related to the attachment of the configuration that defines the rotation range of the movable body.

  In combination with the feature G2 or the like, the "defining portion" shown in the present feature and the "main body portion" shown in the feature G2 or the like can be the same.

Feature G9. A movable body (for example, a movable body 710W) capable of being displaced to an allowable position for permitting the passage of the game ball at the restricted position by the restricting means and a restricted position for restricting the passage of the game ball at the restricted position; A regulating portion (for example, a regulating member 720W) for regulating a rotation range of the movable body,
The fixing means has a first shaft (first game nail 701W) and a second shaft (second game nail 702W) attached to the game board so as to rise from the game board,
The movable body is rotatably supported by the first shaft, and the movable body rotates about the first shaft to restrict passage of the game ball, and It is configured to be displaced to an allowable position that allows passage of the ball,
Any one of the features G1 to G7, wherein the defining portion is attached to the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion so as to straddle the first shaft member and the second shaft member. The gaming machine described in one.

  According to the feature G9, the pivotable movable body is pivotally supported by the shaft body, so that it is possible to suppress the expansion of the occupied area of the configuration related to the mounting of the movable body. With the configuration that supports the defining portion by using the shaft, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the occupied area even in the portion related to the mounting of the configuration that defines the rotation range of the movable body.

  Here, if the posture of the defining portion that defines the rotation range of the movable body changes due to the stress from the movable body, the function of defining the rotation range cannot be effectively performed. Therefore, if the configuration is such that the defining portion is attached to the two shafts, a change in the posture of the defining portion can be suppressed and the occurrence of the above-described inconvenience can be suppressed.

  However, if the number of attachment portions (fixed portions) of the defining portion is simply increased, the occupied area increases. In this regard, the use of the first shaft that constitutes the rotation axis of the movable body can suppress the expansion of the occupied area.

Feature G10. The movable body is formed with a ball receiving portion (ball receiving surface portion 715W) that extends in a specific direction from the center of rotation of the movable body and hits a game ball moved along the ball path. , The ball is received from the ball passage side from the ball passage side and the movable body is rotated to be displaced from the regulation position to the allowable position,
The defining portion is a wall (wall portion 721W) for preventing a game ball from hitting a portion of the movable body opposite to the ball receiving portion across the rotation center of the movable body from the game area side. The gaming machine according to feature G9, wherein the gaming machine further comprises:

  In a configuration in which the launched game ball hits the ball receiving portion and the movable body is displaced from the regulation position to the allowable position, the game ball that has already reached the game area is opposite to the movable body with respect to the ball passage ( Hitting from the game area side) may cause inconveniences such as normal operation of the movable body being hindered. Therefore, it is technically significant to protect the movable body by providing a barrier in the defining portion. When a function as a barrier is provided to the defining portion, the defining portion may be enlarged. By applying the technical idea described in the feature G9 or the like to such a configuration, a configuration that is practically preferable can be realized.

  Feature G11. The movable body has a configuration in which the detachment from the first shaft body is regulated by attaching the defining portion to the first shaft body, any one of the features G8 to G10. The gaming machine described in one.

When the regulating means is constructed by a plurality of parts, it is assumed that the work is difficult to perform when each component is individually fixed to the shaft. In this regard, according to the configuration shown in this feature,
For example, the movable body can be permanently fixed by attaching the defining portion in a state of being temporarily fixed to the first shaft body, and the structure for attaching the movable body to the first shaft body can be simplified. Thereby, a decrease in workability due to an increase in the number of parts can be mitigated.

  Feature G12. Any one of the features G8 to G11, wherein the regulating means is detachable from the first shaft body while the first shaft body remains attached to the game board. The gaming machine described in one.

  According to the feature G12, it is possible to perform attachment / detachment and replacement of the game parts according to the specifications of the game machine and the like, and it is possible to promote sharing of the main configuration of the game board among a plurality of models. Also, in a configuration in which game balls fired from the firing means repeatedly collide, it may be necessary to replace parts. In this regard, the configuration shown in this feature can contribute to improvement in work efficiency.

Feature G13. The defining portion includes a first locking portion (first arm portion 722W) locked to the first shaft member and a second locking portion (second arm portion) locked to the second shaft member. 723 W).
The first locking portion and the second locking portion include an opening (opening portion 726W of the first engaging recess 724W and opening of the second engaging recess 725W) opened in a direction along the front surface of the game board. Portions 727W) are each formed;
The opening portions are formed so as to be opposite to each other, and serve as insertion openings for the first shaft member and the second shaft member, wherein any of the features G9 to G12 is provided. Gaming machine.

  According to the feature G13, by moving the defining portion along the front surface of the game board, the defining portion can be attached to and detached from the shaft. Thereby, the configuration shown in the feature G12 can be suitably embodied. In this way, the configuration that allows the retrofitting of the regulating means (defining portion) is advantageous in relieving the restriction on the manufacturing procedure of the game board.

  Feature G14. The first locking portion and the second locking portion may be configured such that the open portion of the first locking portion faces away from the second shaft and the open portion of the second locking portion is the second locking portion. The gaming machine according to Feature G13, wherein the gaming machine is configured to face the side opposite to the uniaxial body.

  According to the feature G14, the meat portions of the first locking portion and the second locking portion can be disposed between the first shaft body and the second shaft body. By using the gap between the two shafts as the area where the locking portions are provided, it is possible to contribute to space saving of the mounting structure even when a plurality of locking portions are used in combination.

Feature G15. The first shaft body and the second shaft body are vertically arranged such that the first shaft body is on the upper side and the second shaft body is on the lower side,
The movable body is in contact with the first shaft body from above,
The defining portion is configured to be interposed between the first shaft member and the second shaft member so as to contact the second shaft member from above and to contact the first shaft member from below. The gaming machine according to any one of features G9 to G14, wherein the gaming machine is configured as described above.

  In a configuration in which the movable body is pivotally supported by the first shaft body, the first shaft body may be deformed by distortion or the like, so that the rotation of the first shaft body (switching between the allowable position and the restricted position) may not be performed properly. There is. Therefore, by supporting the first shaft using the second shaft and the defining portion, the deformation of the first shaft can be suppressed, and the function as a rotating shaft for the movable body can be suitably secured. .

  Feature G16. The fixing means is a game nail (game nail 701W, 702W) fixed to the game board so as to protrude from the front surface of the game board to the front of the game machine. The gaming machine according to any one of the above.

  In the gaming machines of the type shown in the feature G1 and the like, many game nails for changing the flowing direction of the game ball reaching the game area are often provided. Therefore, as shown in this feature, by using the existing configuration (gaming nail) to attach the regulating means to the game board, compared to a configuration in which the components relating to the attaching of the regulating means are individually provided, This can contribute to facilitation of production of a game board and the like.

  The following feature H group is described as follows: "Some game machines such as pachinko machines have a game board having a game area formed on a front surface mounted on a frame. The game machine is fired based on a shooting operation of a player. When a game ball wins in the ball entry section provided in the game area, a bonus such as a lottery or payout of the game ball is given to the player. (For example, see Patent Literature 1). "However, in the gaming machine of the type described above, There is still room for improvement in the configuration relating to the game board. "

<Characteristic H group>
Feature H1. A game board (game area forming body 80aW) having a game area (game area PE) formed on the front surface;
The gaming board,
Game nails (game nails 701W and 702W) fixed to the game board so as to protrude forward from the front of the game board from the game machine;
A game machine comprising: a game component (each prevention device of the ball return prevention mechanism 106W) attached to a plurality of the game nails so as to straddle the game nails.

  In the gaming machine mounted with a game board shown in the feature H1, it is general that a large number of game nails for changing the flow direction of the game ball are provided in the game area and diversification of the flow path of the game ball is realized. It is. Therefore, by adopting a configuration in which the game component is attached to the game board via the game nail, it is possible to contribute to the simplification of the configuration relating to the attachment of the game component as compared with a case where a member for attaching the game component is separately prepared. Also, as compared with the case where the game parts are mounted using a fixing device such as a screw, a pedestal portion such as a mounting base parallel to the front of the game board is not required, thereby occupying an area occupied by the configuration related to the mounting. Can be suitably reduced, which is advantageous in suppressing a decrease in the degree of freedom in arranging peripheral components.

  However, the projecting amount of the game nail from the front of the game board is large to some extent, and it is difficult to completely avoid the occurrence of deformation and the like. For example, there is a concern that the above-described deformation is likely to occur as compared with a case where the fixing unit such as a screw or the like and the pedestal portion are used. Such deformation is not preferable because it causes a variation in the position and orientation of the game component. In this regard, as shown in this feature, if the game component is mounted so as to straddle a plurality of game nails, not only can the holding strength of the game component be properly secured, but also the game component can be attached to the game nail. Can be functioned as reinforcing means for suppressing the deformation of the game component, and the occurrence of variations in the position and orientation of the game component can be suppressed.

Feature H2. A locking portion (for example, arm portions 722W and 723W) that is locked to the game nail is formed on the game component,
The locking portion is opened in a direction along the front surface of the game board, and the open portions (the open portion 726W of the first engaging concave portion 724W and the open portion 727W of the second engaging concave portion 725W) correspond to the game nail. The gaming machine according to feature H1, characterized in that the gaming machine has an insertion opening.

  When manufacturing a game board, it is often the case that game nails are collectively implanted in a so-called nailing process to improve manufacturing efficiency. With the configuration in which the game parts are mounted using the locking portions shown in this feature H2, the game parts can be mounted at an arbitrary timing after the game nails are fixed to the game board, and the game nails are mounted. There is no need to forcibly incorporate the attachment of game parts into the process. If the restrictions on the manufacturing process are relaxed in this way, it is not necessary to complicate the step of collectively implanting game nails that can be attached to game components together with other game nails, and to reduce the number of game components. Presence of the existing nailing process can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately suppress that coexistence with other game parts is a factor that lowers manufacturing efficiency.

  Feature H3. The gaming machine according to Feature H2, wherein the gaming component is detachable from the gaming nail while the gaming nail is fixed to the gaming board.

  If the configuration is such that the attachment and detachment of the game component is permitted as shown in the feature H3, it is possible to contribute to improvement in workability when performing repair, maintenance, and the like.

Feature H4. The game nail includes a first game nail (a first game nail 701W) and a second game nail (a second game nail 702W),
The locking portion includes a first locking portion (for example, a first arm portion 722W) locked to the first game nail, and a second locking portion (for example, a second arm) locked to the second game nail. Arm portion 723W).
The open portion (for example, the open portion 726W) of the first lock portion and the open portion (for example, the open portion 727W) of the second lock portion are configured to be opposite to each other. The gaming machine according to Feature H2 or Feature H3.

  By setting the locking direction of the first locking portion and the locking direction of the second locking portion to be opposite as shown in the feature H4, the mounting structure to each game nail can be realized with a simple configuration. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the presence of the locking portion from becoming a factor that presses the game area due to an increase in the area occupied by the mounting structure. In the first place, when the configuration is such that mounting is performed on a plurality of game nails as shown in the feature H1, the area occupied by the mounting structure may be larger than when mounting is performed on one game nail. In other words, realizing an improvement in the positional accuracy and the like of the game component can be a factor that presses the game area. Therefore, by suppressing the expansion of the occupied area using the configuration shown in the present feature, the disadvantages caused by mounting a plurality of game nails can be appropriately mitigated.

Feature H5. The game nail includes a first game nail (for example, a first game nail 701W) and a second game nail (for example, a second game nail 702W),
The locking portion includes a first locking portion (for example, a first arm portion 722W) locked to the first game nail, and a second locking portion (for example, a second arm) locked to the second game nail. Arm portion 723W).
The open portion of the first locking portion is configured to face opposite to the second game nail side, and the open portion of the second locking portion is configured to face opposite to the first game nail side. The gaming machine according to feature H2 or feature H3, wherein

  By setting the locking direction of the first locking portion and the locking direction of the second locking portion to be opposite as shown in the feature H5, a mounting structure to each game nail can be realized with a simple configuration. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the presence of the locking portion from becoming a factor that presses the game area due to an increase in the area occupied by the mounting structure. In the first place, when the configuration is such that mounting is performed on a plurality of game nails as shown in the feature H1, the area occupied by the mounting structure may be larger than when mounting is performed on one game nail. In other words, realizing an improvement in the positional accuracy and the like of the game component can be a factor that presses the game area. Therefore, by suppressing the expansion of the occupied area using the configuration shown in the present feature, the disadvantages caused by mounting a plurality of game nails can be appropriately mitigated.

  In particular, if the direction of the open portion is devised as described above, the meat portions of the first locking portion and the second locking portion can be arranged between the first game nail and the second game nail. By suppressing the protrusion of the locking portion in the juxtaposition direction of the game nails, it is possible to suitably contribute to space saving of the above-described mounting structure even when a plurality of locking portions are used in combination. By disposing the locking portion between the game nails, the game nail can function as a barrier preventing access to the locking portion. By protecting the locking portion in this manner, even when a game component is arranged in a game area where a game ball flows down, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the mounting stability of the game component.

  Feature H6. The game component has a feature (H1 to H5) characterized in that a regulation portion (for example, a wall portion 721W) for regulating a collision of a game ball with the game nail to which the game component is attached is formed. A gaming machine according to any one of the preceding claims.

  In the configuration in which the game component is attached to the game nail as shown in the feature H1 or the like, the posture of the game component may change or the locking state may become unstable due to the deformation of the game nail. Therefore, if a configuration is provided in which the collision with the game nail is regulated by the regulation portion formed on the game component, the occurrence of the inconvenience can be suppressed appropriately.

  In addition, in the combination with the feature H4 or the feature H5, the configuration shown in the present feature is described as “a regulation unit (for example, a regulation unit that regulates a collision of a game ball with the game nail to which the game component is attached). The gaming machine described in the feature H4 or the feature H5, wherein the wall portion 721W) is formed separately from the locking portion. "

  Feature H7. The game component is formed by combining a first component (for example, a movable member 710W constituting a ball return preventing mechanism 106W) and a second component (for example, a regulating member 720W constituting a ball return preventing mechanism 106W). The second component is attached to the game nail to which the first component is attached, so that the first component is prevented from falling off from the game nail. The gaming machine according to any one of features H1 to H6.

  According to the feature H7, detachment of the first component is restricted by attaching the second component. With such a mounting structure, even when a plurality of components are used in combination, the mounting operation can be prevented from being complicated. Further, if the second component is used to restrict the first component from falling off, the configuration related to the mounting of the first component can be simplified, and the individual components can be prevented from falling off. The mounting structure can be simplified in comparison.

Feature H8. The second component is formed with a claw portion (first engaging recess 724W) that hooks on the game nail, and the claw portion is hooked on the game nail to cause the second component to be released from the game nail. It is configured to be in a state where falling off is avoided,
In a state in which the first component and the second component are attached, the first component is configured to prevent a game ball from colliding with the claw portion. The feature H7 is provided. A gaming machine according to claim 1.

  As shown in the feature H8, the configuration in which the claw portion of the second component is hooked on the game nail can contribute to simplifying the mounting operation of the second component. However, if the simplification of the operation is to be realized in this way, there is a high possibility that the catch is easily released. In particular, when arranging the game parts in the game area, it is not possible to deny the possibility that the game ball falling down in the game area hits the claw portion and the hook is released. Therefore, in a state where the first and second components have been mounted, the collision of the game ball with the claw portion is avoided, so that the holding function is reduced due to the simplification of the mounting operation and the like. Can be eliminated, and the degree of freedom in arranging game parts can be improved.

Feature H9. The game nail includes a first game nail (a first game nail 701W) and a second game nail (a second game nail 702W) disposed below the first game nail.
The first structure is in contact with the first game nail from above,
The second component is interposed between the first game nail and the second game nail, and is configured to abut on the second game nail from above and on the first game nail from below. The gaming machine according to Feature H7 or Feature H8, wherein the gaming machine is configured.

  In the configuration in which the two components are attached to the first gaming nail, the load generated on the first gaming nail increases. If such a load causes deformation or the like of the first gaming nail, there is a concern that the accuracy of the position and orientation of the gaming component may be reduced. Therefore, by supporting the first game nail with the second game nail, which is relatively less liable to load by using the second component, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of inconvenience such as deformation of the first game nail.

  The following feature I group includes: "A gaming machine such as a pachinko machine has a game board on which a game area is formed, a game ball launching means for launching a game ball when a launch operation is performed by a player, If a game ball or the like that reaches the game area returns to the ball path, the game ball causes the subsequent game ball to reach the game area. Therefore, the exit portion of the ball passage allows the flow of the game ball from the ball passage to the game area, while the return ball such as the flow of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage is formed at the exit portion of the ball passage. (For example, see Patent Literature 1). The invention of "However, there is still room for improvement in the configuration relating to the above-described suppression of the return ball" is solved. With the task you are trying to do The is intended.

<Characteristic I group>
Feature I1. A game board (game area forming body 80aY) on which a game area (game area PE) is formed;
Game ball firing means (game ball firing mechanism 110) for firing a game ball based on a shooting operation by a player;
A game ball formed by an outer first rail portion (outer rail 102) and an inner second rail portion (inner rail 101) facing each other with a gap through which the game ball can pass, and fired from the game ball firing means. Ball passage (guiding passage 103) for guiding the player to the game area,
Regulating means (ball return preventing mechanism 106Y) for regulating the return of the game ball from the game area to the ball passage;
Fixing means (for example, a claw portion 865Y or a flange portion 866Y) for fixing the regulating means to the game board,
The first rail portion and the second rail portion have an arc shape that protrudes outside the game area,
The gaming machine, wherein the fixing means is provided at a position overlapping a pass area (pass area TE) through which the game ball passes along the first rail portion, as viewed from the front of the game board. .

  In a configuration in which the regulating means is fixed to the game board by the fixing means, the fixing means may be a factor that reduces the degree of freedom in arranging the game components around the regulating means. Here, in the passing area of the game ball along the first rail portion, the necessity to diversify the movement of the game ball becomes lower than in other areas. That is, it is not necessary to dispose various game components such as game nails for changing the flowing direction of the game ball in such a passing area. Therefore, if the fixing means is arranged so as to overlap the passage area where the movement of the game ball is stabilized, the presence of the fixing means is prevented from causing a substantial decrease in the degree of freedom of arrangement of the peripheral configuration. However, a preferable configuration for coexistence of the regulating means and the peripheral configuration is realized.

Feature I2. The regulating means extends along the passage area,
The gaming machine according to Feature I1, wherein the fixing means is disposed at an end on the upstream side and an end on the downstream side in the moving direction of the game ball in the passage area.

  In a configuration in which a certain size is given to the restricting means as shown in this feature, by reducing the number of fixing portions, it is possible to mitigate a decrease in accuracy related to the arrangement of the restricting means such as a variation in posture. However, if the number of fixed parts increases, the area where peripheral components such as other game parts are arranged tends to be pressed. Here, when the passing area is an area in which the game ball moves along the first rail portion, the regulating means is configured to extend along the passing area, and the upstream and downstream sides in the moving direction of the game ball. By providing the fixing portions at the respective ends, the effect of improving the accuracy by increasing the number of fixing portions can be enjoyed, and the occurrence of the above-mentioned disadvantage can be suitably suppressed.

  Feature I3. The feature I1 or the characteristic feature that the fixing means has a defining portion (flange portion 866Y) for defining the front-rear position of the regulating means by contacting the game board from the front side of the game board. The gaming machine according to feature I2.

  In the configuration in which the game ball moves along the first rail portion as shown in the feature 1, it is not preferable that the behavior of the game ball is disturbed when passing through the regulating means. If there is a step at the location where the regulating means is provided, such behavioral disturbance is likely to occur. In this regard, in the configuration according to the present feature, it is possible to suppress the variation in the front and rear positions of the restricting means in the passage area, thereby making it difficult for the behavior to be disturbed. For the above reasons, by arranging the fixing means (defining portion) in the passage area, it is possible to suitably realize the stabilization of the behavior of the game ball and the coexistence with various game parts arranged around.

  In addition, it is good to comprise so that the front surface of a regulation part may be located on the same plane as the front surface of a game board.

Feature I4. The fixing means has a claw (claw 865Y) that is hooked on the game board from the back side of the game board,
The gaming machine according to Feature I3, wherein the claw portion and the defining portion are disposed so as to overlap in a front view of the gaming board.

  The arrangement of various game components mounted on the game board is not necessarily limited only by the configuration on the front side of the game board. For example, components implanted on a game board, such as game nails, need to be arranged so as to avoid interference with a configuration located on the back side of the game board. In other words, even if a claw that catches on the back side of the game board is used as the fixing means, the possibility that the presence of the claw can be a hindrance cannot be denied. Therefore, by arranging it at a position overlapping with the claw portion (position overlapping with the passage area), the expansion of the occupied area of the fixing means can be suppressed, and the regulating means and the peripheral configuration can coexist more preferably.

Feature I5. The fixing means has a claw (claw 865Y) displaceable between a hooking position where the game board is hooked and a release position where the hooking is released,
The game according to any one of Features I1 to I4, wherein the movable range of the claw portion is configured to be within a range overlapping with the passing area in a front view of the game board. Machine.

  When a movable claw is used as the fixing means, it is necessary to secure an operating range of the claw. When arranging other game parts, it is necessary to consider this operation range. In other words, the securing of the operation range of the claw portion increases the restriction on the arrangement of the game components. In this regard, as shown in the present feature, by setting the operation range to a range overlapping with the passing area, it is possible to appropriately suppress a decrease in the degree of freedom of arrangement of the game components due to the securing of the operation range. it can.

  Feature I6. The gaming machine according to Feature I5, wherein the claw portion is configured to be displaced along the first rail portion.

  In the configuration in which the movable claw portion is displaced between the hooking position and the release position, the displacement direction of the claw portion is set to a direction along the first rail portion (a direction along the moving direction of the game ball moving in the passage area). Accordingly, it is possible to increase the stroke amount while securing the front-back overlap with the passage area. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconveniences such as difficulty in mounting and easy drop-out, and to suppress an increase in restrictions on the arrangement caused by the inconvenience.

  Any one of the technical ideas shown in the above-described features may be applied to other features, or the technical ideas shown in a plurality of features may be combined and applied to other features. It is also possible to extract a part of the configuration shown in each feature and apply it to other features.

  Hereinafter, a basic configuration of a gaming machine to which the above features can be applied will be described.

  Pachinko gaming machine: operation means (game ball launch handle 41) operated by the player, game ball launch means (game ball launch mechanism 110) for launching a game ball based on the operation of the operation means, and the fired ball A ball passage (induction passage 103) for guiding a game ball to a predetermined game area (game area PE) and game components arranged in the game area are provided, and a predetermined passage portion (general prize) among the game components is provided. A gaming machine that gives a privilege to a player when a game ball passes through the mouth 81 or the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine as a game machine, 23 ... Glass panel as a panel part, 41 ... Gaming ball firing handle as an operation part, 42 ... Touch sensor, 43 ... Variable resistor, 80 ... Game board unit, 80a ... Game board 85: through hole, 86: variable display unit, 87: symbol display device as picture display means, 93: game nail as game part, 95: center frame, 100: guide rail, 101 ... Inner rail as a second rail portion; 102, an outer rail as a first rail portion; 103, a guide passage as a ball passage; 104, an entrance portion; 105, an exit portion; , 106a: left side prevention device as second restriction means; 106b: right side prevention device as first restriction means, 110: game as game ball launching means Launching mechanism, 111: solenoid, 113: ball feeding device, 162: main control device, 243: power supply / launch control device, 301: movable body, 303: projecting piece as a ball receiving portion, 304: ball forming a guide portion Receiving surface portion, 305: weight portion functioning as urging means, 306: flat portion constituting a guide portion, 308: guide portion as a guide portion, 311 ... holder, 313 ... shaft pin, 314 ... standing portion, 601a ... 1 left movable body as a movable body, 601b right right movable body as a second movable body, 604 ball receiving surface portion, 606 rotating end portion, 607b arm portion forming a connecting portion, 608b forming a connecting portion 609a: a link groove forming a connecting portion; 611, a holder as a holding portion; 613, a housing portion; 616, an opening portion; 618, a spring as a biasing means; The first game nail formed, 702 a second game nail forming a fixing means, 710 a movable body forming a regulating means, 713 a bearing, 714 an open part, 715 a ball receiving surface, 720 a regulating means The regulating member, 721: wall portion, 722: first arm portion as a locking portion, 723: second arm portion as a locking portion, 724: first engaging concave portion, 725: second engaging concave portion, 726: a first open portion, 727: a second open portion, PE: a game region, SE: a specific region as a gap or an inflow portion, TE: a passage region.

Claims (1)

A game board on which a game area is formed,
Game ball launching means for launching a game ball based on a launch operation by a player;
A ball passage formed by an outer first rail portion and an inner second rail portion facing each other with a gap through which a game ball can pass, and guiding a game ball fired from the game ball firing means to the game area;
Regulating means for regulating the return of the game ball from the game area to the ball path,
Fixing means for fixing the regulating means to the game board,
The first rail portion and the second rail portion have an arc shape that protrudes outside the game area,
The fixing means is provided at a position overlapping a passing area through which a game ball passes along the first rail portion, as viewed from the front of the game board,
A gaming machine, characterized in that the fixing means has a defining portion for defining the front-rear position of the regulating means by coming into contact with the gaming board from the front side of the gaming board.

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