JP2020073130A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of preferably guiding a game ball to a game area.SOLUTION: An inner frame 13 comprises a game board 34 on which a game area PT is formed and comprises a game ball shooting mechanism 38 for shooting game balls to the game area PT. The game balls shot from the game ball shooting mechanism 38 based on a shooting operation of a player, pass a guide passage 37 formed on the game board 34 and then are introduced to an upper part of the game area PT. The introduced game balls collide nails or the like provided on the game area PT and flow down the game area PT. At the time, a ball outlet 37b of the guide passage 37 comprises a first return ball prevention unit 61 for inhibiting flowing of game balls from the game area PT side to the guide passage 37. On a right side of the first return ball prevention unit 61, a second return ball prevention unit 71 for regulating movement of the game balls to the first return ball prevention unit 61 side, is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  A pachinko gaming machine, which is a type of gaming machine, has a gaming area in which gaming balls flow down. When the player performs a firing operation, a firing means such as a solenoid operates, and the game ball fired based on the operation flows down in the game area. Obstacle members such as nails are provided in the game area, and the game balls that have reached the game area collide with the obstacle members to flow downward while changing the flow direction irregularly. In addition, a game ball is provided in the game area so that a game ball can enter the game ball, and the game ball can enter the game ball to provide a profit to the player. As the profit, a profit that increases the number of game balls that can be used by the player, such as payout of a game ball, or a trigger that executes an internal lottery, such as a trigger that executes a winning lottery. There is a benefit to make it.

  Regarding the configuration for deriving the game ball to the game area, specifically, for example, on the game board on which the game area is formed, a guide path for the game ball is formed so as to cause a part of the outer edge of the game area. ing. Then, the game ball launched from the launch means is guided to the upper region of the game region by being guided by the guide passage (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2009-261415, A

  Here, in the gaming machine as illustrated above, it is necessary to suitably guide the game ball to the game area, and there is still room for improvement in this respect.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-exemplified circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of suitably guiding a game ball to a game area.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a launching means for launching a game ball,
A guide passage portion for guiding the game ball launched by the launching means to the game area,
First restricting means for restricting the movement of the game ball from the game area to the guide passage portion while allowing the movement of the game ball drawn from the guide passage portion to the game area in the guide direction,
A second restricting unit which is provided on the front side of the derivation direction with respect to the first restricting unit and allows movement of the game ball in the derivation direction, while restricting movement of the game ball in the opposite direction,
It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suitably guide the game ball to the game area.

It is a front view showing a pachinko machine in one embodiment. It is a front view of an inner frame. It is a front view of a game board. It is a front view of a 1st return ball prevention unit. It is a front view of the game board which expands and shows the area | region where the 1st return ball prevention unit and the 2nd return ball prevention unit were provided. It is a front view of the game board which expands and shows the area | region where the 1st return ball prevention unit was provided in the pachinko machine of the comparative example which is not provided with the 2nd return ball prevention unit. (A), (b) It is a front view of the game board which expands and shows the area | region where the 1st return ball prevention unit and the 2nd return ball prevention unit were provided. It is a front view of the game board which expands and shows the area | region where the 1st return ball prevention unit and the 2nd return ball prevention unit were provided. It is a front view of the game board which expands and shows a part for explaining another form of a return ball prevention structure. It is a front view of the 2nd return ball prevention unit of another form. (A) It is a front view of the 2nd return ball prevention unit of embodiment, (b) It is a front view of the 2nd return ball prevention unit of another form. It is a front view of the game board which expands and shows a part for explaining another form of a return ball prevention structure. It is a front view of the game board which expands and shows a part for explaining another form of a return ball prevention structure. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a pachinko machine. It is an explanatory view for explaining the contents of various counters used for win / win lottery. It is a flow chart which shows the main processing performed by MPU of a main control unit. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process performed by MPU of a main control apparatus. It is a front view of the inner frame in the pachinko machine used for the experiment. It is a front view of the game board which expands and shows the area | region where the 1st return ball prevention piece and the 2nd return ball prevention piece were provided in the pachinko machine used for experiment. It is an explanatory view for explaining each experimental condition. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an experimental result of Experiment 1. FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an experimental result of experiment 2. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an experimental result of experiment 3;

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as "pachinko machine"), which is a type of gaming machine, will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 10.

  The pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 forming an outer shell of the pachinko machine 10 and a gaming machine body 12 rotatably attached to the outer frame 11 forward. The gaming machine body 12 includes an inner frame 13 rotatably supported by the outer frame 11, a front door frame 14 disposed in front of the inner frame 13 and rotatably supported by the inner frame 13, A back pack unit (not shown) disposed behind the frame 13 and rotatably supported by the inner frame 13 is provided. In addition, the gaming machine main body 12 is provided with a locking device (not shown) at its rotating front end, and has a function of locking the gaming machine main body 12 with respect to the outer frame 11 so that the gaming machine main body 12 cannot be opened. , And has a function of locking the front door frame 14 with respect to the inner frame 13 such that it cannot be opened. Each of these locked states is released by performing an unlocking operation on the cylinder lock 17 exposed on the front surface of the pachinko machine 10 using an unlocking key.

  The front door frame 14 is provided so as to cover the entire front surface side of the inner frame 13. A window portion 21 is formed in the front door frame 14 so that almost the entire game area PT, which will be described later, can be viewed from the front. The window portion 21 has a substantially elliptical shape, and a window panel 22 formed in a colorless and transparent shape is fitted therein. A light emitting means is provided around the window 21. A display light emitting portion 23 is provided above the window portion 21 as a part of the light emitting means. In addition, speaker units 24 are provided on the left and right sides of the display light emitting unit 23 to output a sound effect or the like according to the game state.

  Below the window portion 21 in the front door frame 14, an upper bulging portion 25 and a lower bulging portion 26 which bulge toward the front side are arranged in parallel vertically. An upper plate 25a that opens upward is provided inside the upper bulging portion 25, and a lower plate 26a that also opens upward is provided inside the lower bulging portion 26. The upper plate 25a has a function of temporarily storing the game balls dispensed from the dispensing device provided in the back pack unit and guiding them to the game ball launch mechanism 38 side described later while aligning them in a line. In addition, the lower plate 26a has a function of storing game balls that have become redundant in the upper plate 25a.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the inner frame 13. The inner frame 13 is mainly composed of a resin base 31 whose outer shape is substantially the same as that of the outer frame 11. A substantially oval window 32 is formed in the center of the resin base 31. A game board 34 is detachably attached to the resin base 31 so as to be exposed to the front side of the inner frame 13 through the window hole 32. The game board 34 is attached in an upright state, and the front surface thereof faces the front of the pachinko machine 10.

  On the front surface of the game board 34, a game area PT is defined by the guide rail portions 35, 36 attached to the front surface of the game board 34 and the peripheral edge portion 32a of the window hole 32 in the resin base 31. The game ball is guided to the game area PT by the guide passage 37 by the guide rail portions 35 and 36, and the guided game ball flows downward in the game area PT.

  The game ball shot by the game ball launching mechanism 38 is supplied to the game area PT. The game ball firing mechanism 38 is provided below the window hole 32 in the resin base 31. The game ball launching mechanism 38 is provided on the launch rail 38a extending toward the guide passage 37, a ball feeder 38b for supplying the game balls stored in the upper plate 25a onto the launch rail 38a, and the launch rail 38a. The solenoid 38c, which is an electric actuator for firing the game ball toward the guide passage 37, is provided. When the firing operation device 39 (see FIG. 1) provided in the lower right corner of the front door frame 14 is rotated, the solenoid 38c is drive-controlled and the game ball is fired. The game ball launching mechanism 38 is arranged at a position offset to the right side below the resin base 31. Then, the game ball launching mechanism 38 launches a game ball toward the upper left.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 1, the firing operation device 39 includes an operation base portion 39a provided so as to project forward, and an operation handle 39b provided so as to be rotatably supported by the operation base portion 39a. The operation handle 39b is rotated to adjust the emission intensity of the game ball from the game ball emission mechanism 38. Further, in the firing operation device 39, a touch sensor 39c for detecting that the operation handle 39b is touched by the player, a variable resistor 39d for detecting the amount of rotation operation of the operation handle 39b, A stop switch 39e that is operated to stop the firing of the game ball even when the operation handle 39b is operated by the player is provided. When the operation handle 39b is located at the initial position, the stop switch 39e is automatically turned on by the operation handle 39b.

  When a game ball is launched based on a player's launching operation, both conditions that the touch sensor 39c detects that the operation handle 39b is touched and that the stop switch 39e is not turned on are both conditions. When the condition is established, the game ball is launched with the launch intensity according to the amount of turning operation detected through the variable resistor 39d.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the guide rail portions 35 and 36 described above are present on the front side of the game ball launching mechanism 38 in the launch direction of the game ball. The guide rail portions 35 and 36 include an inner rail portion 35 and an outer rail portion 36. The outer rail portion 36 extends from the lower center side of the game board 34 to the upper right corner side. The outer rail portion 36 is formed in an arc shape that is convex toward the outside, and is arranged near the outer edge of the game board 34. The inner rail portion 35 is present at a position inside the outer rail portion 36 from the lower right corner side of the game board 34 to the upper left corner side. The inner rail portion 35 is formed in an arc shape that is convex outward like the outer rail portion 36, and the curvature of the inner rail portion 35 is the same as or substantially the same as the curvature of the outer rail portion 36. ..

  The distance between the inner rail portion 35 and the outer rail portion 36 is larger than one game ball, specifically, two game balls. Here, the diameter of the game ball used in the pachinko machine 10 is 11 mm. Therefore, the distance between the inner rail portion 35 and the outer rail portion 36 is 22 mm. However, the distance between the inner rail portion 35 and the outer rail portion 36 is not limited to this, and may be any distance as long as it is equal to or larger than one game ball, for example, as a distance shorter than two game balls. Alternatively, the distance may be longer than two game balls.

  Since the distance between the inner rail portion 35 and the outer rail portion 36 is set as described above, the guide passage 37 is formed as described above. The ball entrance 37a of the guide passage 37 is located at the lower end of the outer rail portion 36, and the position is on the lower center side of the game board 34. The ball entrance 37a exists on the front side of the launch rail 38a of the game ball launching mechanism 38 which is extended in the launching direction of the game ball, whereby the game ball launched from the game ball launching mechanism 38 is guided in the guide passage 37. It can be introduced to.

  The game ball introduced into the guide passage 37 moves upward along the inner wall portion of the outer rail portion 36. If the emission intensity of the game ball emitted by the game ball emission mechanism 38 is equal to or higher than the predetermined intensity, the game ball passes through the ball outlet 37b of the guide passage 37. The ball outlet 37b of the guide passage 37 is present at the position of the upper end of the inner rail portion 35, and the position is on the upper left corner angle side of the game board 34. This position is on the upper left corner side in the game area PT. Therefore, in a situation where the game ball is being emitted by the game ball launching mechanism 38 at a launch strength of a predetermined strength or more, the game ball is introduced into the game area PT from the upper left corner of the game area PT. Becomes

  The launch rail 38a of the game ball launching mechanism 38 and the ball entrance 37a of the guide passage 37 are laterally separated from each other, and a foul ball collecting section 33 is provided between them. The foul ball collecting section 33 is formed so as to be opened upward, and is a game ball that has been launched from the game ball launching mechanism 38 and has not reached the guide passage 37 or a game ball that has flowed back through the guide passage 37. Are collected by the foul ball collecting unit 33. The foul ball collecting unit 33 is in communication with the lower plate 26a, and the game balls collected by the foul ball collecting unit 33 are discharged to the lower plate 26a.

  The structure in the game area PT will be described. FIG. 3 is a front view of the game board 34. The game board 34 is formed with a plurality of large and small openings penetrating in the front-rear direction. A general winning opening 41, a special electric winning device 42, a first operating opening 43, a second operating opening 44, a through gate 45, a variable display unit 46, a special drawing unit 47, a universal drawing unit 48, etc. are provided in each opening. ing.

  Even if the ball enters the through gate 45, the payout of the game ball is not executed. On the other hand, when a ball enters the general winning opening 41, the special electric winning device 42, the first operating opening 43 and the second operating opening 44, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out. Regarding the number of the prize balls, specifically, when a ball enters the first operating port 43 or a ball enters the second operating port 44, three prize balls are paid out. When a ball has entered the general winning opening 41, 10 prize balls are paid out, and when a ball has entered the special electric prize winning device 42, 15 prize balls have been paid out. Executed.

  The number of prize balls may be arbitrary, and for example, the number of prize balls may be smaller in the second operating port 44 than in the first operating port 43, and the second operating port 44 may be the first operating port. The number of prize balls may be larger than 43.

  In addition, an out port 49 is provided at the bottom of the game board 34, and game balls that have not entered various winning ports are discharged from the game area PT through the out port 49. Further, the game board 34 is provided with a large number of nails 51 for appropriately dispersing and adjusting the falling direction of the game balls, and various members such as a wind turbine are provided.

  Here, the entry ball means that the game ball passes through a predetermined opening, and not only the aspect of being discharged from the game area PT after passing through the opening, but also the game area PT after passing through the opening. A mode in which the flow of the game area PT is continued without being discharged is also included. However, in the following description, in order to be clearly distinguished from the game ball entering the out port 49, the general winning port 41, the special electricity winning device 42, the first operating port 43, the second operating port 44, and the through gate 45. Entering a game ball into is also referred to as a prize.

  The first operating port 43 and the second operating port 44 are unitized as an operating port device and installed on the game board 34. Both the first operating port 43 and the second operating port 44 are open upward. Further, both the operation ports 43 and 44 are arranged in the vertical direction so that the first operation port 43 is on the upper side. The second actuating port 44 is provided with a general electric accessory 44a as a guide piece composed of a pair of left and right movable pieces. In the closed state of the universal electric accessory 44a, the game ball cannot enter the second operating port 44, and when the universal electric object 44a is in the open state, it is possible to enter the second operating port 44.

  A through gate 45 is provided on the upstream side of the second operation port 44 in the flow-down direction of the game ball. The through gate 45 has a through hole (not shown) penetrating in the vertical direction, and the game ball winning the through gate 45 flows down the game area PT after winning. As a result, the game ball that has won the through gate 45 can enter the second operating port 44.

  Based on the winning of the through-gate 45, the universal utility object 44a of the second operating port 44 is switched from the closed state to the open state. Specifically, an internal lottery is performed with a winning of the through-gate 45 as a trigger, and a public figure display of a public figure unit 48 provided in a lower right corner of the game area PT where a game ball does not pass. The variable display of the pattern is performed in the section 48a. Then, when the result of the internal lottery is the electric power combination opening win, the stop result corresponding to the result is displayed, and the variable display of the universal graphic display portion 48a is ended, the operation shifts to the universal electric open state. In the general electric open state, the general electric accessory 44a is opened in a predetermined manner.

  Note that the general-purpose display section 48a is composed of a segment display in which a plurality of segment light emitting sections are arranged in a predetermined manner, but is not limited to this, and a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device. , A CRT, a dot matrix display, or other type of display device. Further, as the pattern variably displayed on the universal figure display unit 48a, a configuration in which a plurality of types of characters are variably displayed, a configuration in which a plurality of types of symbols are variably displayed, a configuration in which a plurality of types of characters are variably displayed, or A configuration in which a plurality of types of colors are switched and displayed can be considered.

  In the universal figure unit 48, a universal figure hold display section 48b is provided at a position adjacent to the universal figure display section 48a. The maximum number of game balls that have won in the through gate 45 is reserved, and the reserved number is displayed by lighting the universal figure reservation display section 48b.

  A winning lottery is carried out with the winning of the first operating opening 43 or the second operating opening 44 as a trigger. Then, the lottery result is clearly shown through the display effect on the symbol display device 52 of the special drawing unit 47 and the variable display unit 46.

  For details of the special drawing unit 47, the special drawing unit 47 is provided with a special drawing display portion 47a. The display area of the special figure display portion 47a is narrower than the display surface of the symbol display device 52. In the special figure display portion 47a, a winning or lottery is performed with the winning of the first operating opening 43 or the winning of the second operating opening 44 as a trigger, so that the variable display or the predetermined display of the design is performed. Then, the result corresponding to the lottery result is displayed. The special figure display unit 47a is composed of a segment display in which a plurality of segment light emitting units are arranged in a predetermined manner, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device is provided. , A CRT, a dot matrix display, or other type of display device. As the picture displayed on the special figure display unit 47a, a plurality of types of characters are displayed, a plurality of types of symbols are displayed, a plurality of types of characters are displayed, or a plurality of types of colors are displayed. A configuration in which is displayed is considered.

  In the special figure unit 47, a special figure reservation display section 47b is provided at a position adjacent to the special figure display section 47a. The maximum number of game balls that have won the first operating port 43 or the second operating port 44 is 4 and the reserved number is displayed by turning on the special figure reservation display portion 47b.

  In detail about the symbol display device 52, the symbol display device 52 is configured as a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by a display control device described later. The symbol display device 52 is not limited to the liquid crystal display device, and may be another display device having a display surface such as a plasma display device, an organic EL display device or a CRT, and is a dot matrix display device. May be.

  In the symbol display device 52, when the variable display or the predetermined display of the symbol is performed on the special symbol display portion 47a based on the winning of the first operating port 43 or the winning of the second operating port 44, the symbol is displayed accordingly. A variable display or a predetermined display is performed. For example, on the display surface of the symbol display device 52, three symbol rows of upper, middle, and lower rows are set as a plurality of display areas, and main symbols with numbers "1" to "9" attached to each symbol row. Are scroll-displayed in an ascending or descending order. In this scroll display, the scroll display in all the symbol rows is started first, and the scroll display is switched from the scroll display to the standby display in the order of the upper symbol row → the lower symbol row → the middle symbol row, and finally in each symbol row It ends with the pattern still displayed. Then, for example, in a game game in which the game result is a jackpot result, a predetermined combination of symbols is stopped and displayed on the preset effective line on the display surface of the symbol display device 52.

  In addition, in the symbol display device 52, not only the display effect triggered by the winning of the first operation opening 43 or the second operation opening 44, but also the display effect in the opening / closing execution mode that shifts after the winning is achieved. Be seen. In addition, based on the winning in one of the operation ports 43 and 44, the display is started on the special figure display portion 47a and the symbol display device 52, and a predetermined result is displayed and ended until 1 of the game times. Equivalent to times. In addition, the manner of variable display of the symbols in the symbol display device 52 is not limited to the above, but is arbitrary, and the number of symbol columns, the direction of variable display of symbols in the symbol column, the number of symbols in each symbol column, etc. Can be changed as appropriate. Further, the picture variably displayed on the picture display device 52 is not limited to the above-mentioned picture, and for example, only numbers may be variably displayed as the picture.

  When a big hit is won in the winning lottery based on the winning of the first working opening 43 or the winning of the second working opening 44, the opening / closing execution mode in which it is possible to win the special electric prize winning device 42 is entered. The special electric prize winning device 42 has a big winning opening (not shown) leading to the back side of the game board 34, and an opening / closing door 42a for opening and closing the big winning opening. The open / close door 42a is arranged in either a closed state or an open state. Specifically, the opening / closing door 42a is normally in a closed state in which the game balls cannot win, and when the game is transferred to the open / close execution mode in the internal lottery, the game balls can be switched to the open state in which the game balls can win. It has become. By the way, the opening / closing execution mode is a mode to be shifted when a winning result is obtained. It should be noted that in the closed state, the winning is not impossible, but the winning state may be less likely to occur than in the open state.

<Return ball prevention unit 61, 71>
Here, as described above, the game ball launched from the game ball launching mechanism 38 passes through the guide passage 37 and is led out to the game area PT. At the ball outlet 37b of the guide passage 37, the game area PT is once provided. A first return ball prevention unit 61 is provided to prevent the derived game balls from flowing into the guide passage 37. In addition, a second return ball prevention unit 71 is provided at a position ahead of the first return ball prevention unit 61 in the direction in which the game balls are guided from the guide passage 37. The first return ball prevention unit 61 and the second return ball prevention unit 71 have the same configuration, shape and size. The configurations of the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the second return ball prevention unit 71 will be described below. 4 is a front view of the first return ball prevention unit 61, the reference numerals of corresponding components in the second return ball prevention unit 71 are shown in parentheses. In the following description, the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the second return ball prevention unit 71 will be described as the return ball prevention units 61, 71.

  The return ball prevention units 61, 71 include base bodies 62, 72 serving as bases, and return ball prevention pieces 63, 73 rotatably supported by the base bodies 62, 72. The base bodies 62 and 72 are made of polycarbonate, but may be made of other synthetic resin such as ABS resin, or may be made of metal such as copper, stainless steel or steel. Further, although the return ball preventing pieces 63, 73 are made of polyethylene, they may be made of another synthetic resin such as polycarbonate or ABS resin, or may be made of metal such as copper, stainless steel or steel. However, the return ball prevention units 61 and 71 have a smaller rebound hardness (for example, Shore hardness) than the nail 51 so that the degree of rebound of the game ball when the game ball collides is smaller than that of the nail 51. Preferably.

  The base bodies 62 and 72 include thin plate-shaped base plate portions 65 and 75 in which a plurality of mounting holes 65a and 75a are formed. Since the base plate portions 65 and 75 are screwed to the front surface of the game board 34 from the front of the pachinko machine 10 using the mounting holes 65a and 75a, the return ball prevention units 61 and 71 are provided. It is fixed to the game board 34.

  Return ball preventing pieces 63, 73 are provided on the plate surface side of the base plate portions 65, 75 opposite to the surface contacting the game board 34. For details of the structure for supporting the return ball prevention pieces 63, 73 in the base plate portions 65, 75, a base side shaft hole (not shown) extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the base plate portions 65, 75. The shaft members 66 and 76 are press-fitted into the base-side shaft hole so that they cannot be pulled out. A part of the shaft members 66 and 76 projects forward from the base-side shaft hole toward the front of the pachinko machine 10, and the projecting part is formed in the return ball prevention pieces 63 and 73 so as to extend in the front-rear direction. , 77. Since the diameters of the shaft holes 67 and 77 are formed to be slightly larger than the diameters of the portions of the shaft members 66 and 76 that are inserted into the shaft holes 67 and 77, the shaft holes 67 and 77 and the shaft members 66 and 77 are There is a certain play with 76. The length dimension of the portion of the shaft members 66 and 76 projecting from the base side shaft hole to the front of the pachinko machine 10 is set to be larger than the length dimension of the shaft holes 67 and 77 of the return ball prevention pieces 63 and 73. The tip ends of the members 66, 76 on the protruding side are formed with retaining portions for preventing the return ball prevention pieces 63, 73 from coming off the shaft members 66, 76, having a larger diameter than the shaft holes 67, 77. Has been done.

  By being pivotally supported by the shaft members 66 and 76, the return ball prevention pieces 63 and 73 are rotatably supported by the base bodies 62 and 72. The return ball prevention pieces 63, 73 are formed such that the dimension in the front-rear direction is larger than the diameter of the game ball and smaller than twice the diameter of the game ball. However, the dimension in the front-rear direction is not limited to this, and the movement of the game ball in the opposite direction to the leading direction is prevented without blocking the movement of the game ball from the guide passage 37 in the leading direction. It is optional if it can.

  The return ball preventing pieces 63, 73 are integrally formed with the base portions 68, 78 in which the shaft holes 67, 77 are formed so as to extend in a predetermined direction from the base portions 68, 78, and are thicker than the base portions 68, 78. And ball receiving portions 69 and 79 formed in a thin plate shape having a small size. Shaft holes 67, 77 are formed at the ends of the base portions 68, 78 on the side where the roots of the ball receiving portions 69, 79 are present, and the base portions 68, 78 and the ball receiving portions 69, 79 have a shaft hole 67. , 77 as a reference, they are projected in almost the opposite direction.

  Metal pieces 68a, 78a are press-fitted into the end portions of the base portions 68, 78 on the opposite side to the end portions on the side where the shaft holes 67, 77 are formed, and the metal pieces 68a, 78a are used to form the base portions 68, 78. Has a heavier weight than the ball receiving portions 69 and 79. Therefore, in the situation where the external force by the game ball is not applied to the return ball prevention pieces 63, 73, the base portions 68, 78 are the ball receiving portions 69, 79 at the turning positions of the return ball prevention pieces 63, 73. The rotation position is below.

  The rotation range of the return ball prevention pieces 63, 73 is limited to a predetermined range by the pedestal portions 64, 74 integrally formed with the base plate portions 65, 75 of the base bodies 62, 72. The pedestals 64, 74 are formed to face the bases 68, 78 of the return ball prevention pieces 63, 73 from the destination side of the game balls led out from the guide passage 37. Positioning projections 64a and 74a are integrally formed on a surface of the surface of the base plate 74 facing the bases 68 and 78. If the pedestal portions 64 and 74 are not formed, the return ball prevention pieces 63 and 73 are in a natural state where the metal pieces 68a and 78a of the base portions 68 and 78 are vertically downward with respect to the shaft holes 67 and 77. However, when the surfaces of the base portions 68 and 78 facing the pedestal portions 64 and 74 come into contact with the positioning protrusions 64a and 74a at intermediate positions toward the natural state, Further rotation of the return ball prevention pieces 63, 73 is prevented at a position where the metal pieces 68a, 78a are at the lower left with respect to 67, 77. The position where further rotation is blocked by the positioning protrusions 64a and 74a is the initial position of the return ball prevention pieces 63 and 73. When the return ball prevention pieces 63, 73 are arranged at the initial positions, the ball receiving portions 69, 79 do not stand upright in the vertical direction as shown by the solid line in FIG. The posture is inclined so that it extends to the upper right.

  When the return ball prevention pieces 63, 73 arranged at the initial position rotate in the direction away from the positioning protrusions 64a, 74a, as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. Contacts the upper end portions 64b and 74b of the base portions 64 and 74. This prevents the return ball prevention pieces 63, 73 from further rotating. This position is the rotation-side limit position of the return ball prevention pieces 63, 73. When the return ball prevention pieces 63 and 73 are arranged at the rotation side limit position, the ball receiving portions 69 and 79 are more tilted to the right than in the initial position, but still the shaft holes 67 and 77. The posture that is inclined so as to extend to the upper right with respect to is maintained.

  Incidentally, the pedestals 64 and 74 are formed so as to extend below the positions of the positioning protrusions 64a and 74a, and the bases 68 and 78 are opposite to the ends on the side where the shaft holes 67 and 77 are formed. The pedestal portions 64 and 74 are opposed from the right side with respect to the entire surface or the substantially entire surface of the pedestal portions 64 and 74 side across the end portion on the side. This opposing state is maintained at all the turning positions of the return ball prevention pieces 63, 73, and the gap between the bases 68, 78 and the bases 64, 74 is less than the diameter of the game ball. .. This makes it possible to prevent the game balls from colliding with the base portions 68, 78 from the game area PT side.

  As described above, the ball receiving portions 69 and 79 are formed to have a smaller thickness than the base portions 68 and 78, and have a thin plate shape. In this case, the plate surface on the left side of the ball receiving portions 69, 79 is continuous with the surface on the opposite side of the base portions 68, 78 on the side opposite to the pedestal portions 64, 74 without any step therebetween and without a step. is doing. However, the inclinations of these surfaces in front view are different, and more specifically, the left plate surface of the ball receiving portions 69, 79 is inclined more leftward than the left surface of the base portions 68, 78. As a result, even if the game ball that collides from the left side of the ball receiving portion 69, 79 with the left side surface of the ball receiving portion 69, 79 is stopped at the position of the ball receiving portion 69, 79, the game ball is The ball does not continue to stay at the boundary between the ball receiving portions 69 and 79 and the base portions 68 and 78, but flows down smoothly in the lower left direction.

  In the ball receiving portions 69 and 79, as will be described later in detail, a game ball can collide with each of the left side plate surface and the right side plate surface, and with respect to each of the left side plate surface and the right side plate surface. The game balls can collide at the same time. On the other hand, the thickness dimension of the ball receiving portions 69, 79 has a relationship with the hardness of the forming material, and at least within the range of the expected general useful life (for example, 3 years), against the collision of the game balls. The return ball prevention pieces 63, 73 are set so as not to be damaged. Specifically, the thickness dimension of the ball receiving portions 69, 79 is preferably 0.3 mm or more and 4 mm or less, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 3 mm or less.

  The return ball prevention pieces 63, 73 allow movement of the game ball in the opposite direction to the lead-out direction while allowing movement of the game ball led out from the guide passage 37 to the front side in the lead-out direction, as will be described later in detail. We need to stop. In this respect, the length dimensions of the ball receiving portions 69 and 79 are the rotation side limits of the return ball prevention pieces 63 and 73 from the initial position by the external force from the game ball when the game ball collides from the guide passage 37 side. It is possible to move it to the position, and it is set so as not to move the game ball that has collided with the ball receiving portions 69, 79 from the opposite direction to the guide passage 37 side. Specifically, the length dimension of the ball receiving portions 69, 79 is preferably equal to or larger than the radius of the game ball of 5.5 mm and 40 mm or less, and is equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball of 11 mm and 25 mm. The following is preferable.

  The position where the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the second return ball prevention unit 71 are provided will be described. In addition, in the following description, “first” is added to the head of the names of the members forming the first return ball prevention unit 61, and “first” is added to the members of the second return ball prevention unit 71. 2 ”is added. FIG. 5 is a front view of the game board 34 showing an enlarged area in which the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the second return ball prevention unit 71 are provided.

  First, the first return ball prevention unit 61 will be described. The first return ball prevention unit 61 is provided at a position closer to the ball outlet 37b than the ball outlet 37b of the guide passage 37 in the leading direction of the game balls from the guide passage 37 and adjacent to the ball outlet 37b. .. Specifically, the shaft portion (the first shaft member 66 and the first shaft hole 67) of the first return ball prevention piece 63 is located on the upper right side of the upper end portion of the inner rail portion 35, and the first base portion 68. The lower end portion of the inner rail portion 35 is separated from the upper end portion of the inner rail portion 35. However, the gap between the lower end portion of the first base portion 68 and the upper end portion of the inner rail portion 35 is in a situation where the first return ball prevention piece 63 is arranged at any rotation position. Is also less than the radius of the game ball, it is impossible to enter the game ball into these gaps.

  Since the shaft portion of the first return ball prevention piece 63 is set to the above position, the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention piece 63 is led out from the ball outlet 37b of the guide passage 37. Has entered the passage route of. However, the tip (free end) of the first ball receiving portion 69 is not in contact with the outer rail portion 36, and the tip of the first ball receiving portion 69 and the outer rail portion 36 are separated from each other. This separated distance is smaller than the diameter of the game ball and equal to or larger than the radius of the game ball in the situation where the first return ball prevention piece 63 is arranged at the initial position, and the first return ball prevention piece 63 rotates. It is larger than the diameter of the game ball in the situation where it is arranged at the moving side limit position. In addition, when a game ball that has been launched with a first launch strength or more collides with the left side surface of the first ball receiving portion 69, the first ball is rotated so as to rotate from the initial position to the rotation side limit position by the external force of the game ball. The first return ball prevention piece 63 is formed. As a result, when the game ball is fired at the first launch strength or higher, the game ball is led to the game area PT without being stopped by the first return ball prevention unit 61. On the other hand, even if the game ball collides with the right side surface of the first ball receiving portion 69, the game ball is prevented from moving toward the guide passage 37 side by the first ball receiving portion 69, so that the game is stopped. It is possible to prevent the game ball from flowing into the guide passage 37 side from the region PT side.

  When making the first return ball prevention unit 61 perform the above function, the angle of the first ball receiving portion 69 at the initial position is 0 degree when the situation in which the first ball receiving portion 69 stands in the vertical direction is 0 degree. In the case where the first ball receiving portion 69 has a larger angle as it leans to the right, it is preferably −10 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less, and 0 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less. More preferably.

  The shortest distance between the first base portion 68 and the outer rail portion 36 in the situation where the first return ball prevention piece 63 is arranged at the initial position is shorter than twice the diameter of the game ball. Therefore, if the game ball is placed on the first base portion 68 and the next game ball is reached at the position of the ball outlet 37b of the guide passage 37, the game ball is still on the first base portion. Although it collides with the game ball placed on 68 from the upstream side, it does not directly collide with the first ball receiving portion 69 and the first base portion 68. In this case, both of the two game balls will flow back through the guide passage 37. As a result, it is possible to prevent an event in which the game ball, which has been weakened by the collision between the game balls in the guide passage 37, is led out to the game area PT as it is.

  Next, the second return ball prevention unit 71 will be described. The second return ball prevention unit 71 is provided at a position ahead of the first return ball prevention unit 61 in the direction in which the game balls are led out of the guide passage 37. In this case, the second ball receiving portion 79 of the second return ball prevention piece 73 is led out from the guide passage 37, passes through the first return ball prevention unit 61, and passes through the game ball that moves along the outer rail portion 36. It is on the route. However, the tip (free end) of the second ball receiving portion 79 is not in contact with the outer rail portion 36, and the tip of the second ball receiving portion 79 and the outer rail portion 36 are separated from each other. This separated distance is smaller than the diameter of the game ball and is equal to or larger than the radius of the game ball in the situation where the second return ball prevention piece 73 is arranged at the initial position, and the second return ball prevention piece 73 rotates. It is larger than the diameter of the game ball in the situation where it is arranged at the side limit position. In addition, when a game ball that has been launched with a second launch strength or more collides with the left side surface of the second ball receiving portion 79, the external force of the game ball causes it to rotate from the initial position to the rotation side limit position. 2 A return ball prevention piece 73 is formed. As a result, when the game ball is being fired at the second launch strength or higher, the game ball moves to the front side in the moving direction without being stopped by the second return ball prevention unit 71. On the other hand, even if the game ball collides with the surface on the right side of the second ball receiving portion 79, the second ball receiving portion 79 prevents the game ball from moving to the left, so that the second return. It is possible to prevent the game ball reaching the right side of the ball prevention unit 71 from flowing backward to the first return ball prevention unit 61 side.

  In order to make the second return ball prevention unit 71 perform the above-mentioned function, the angle of the second ball receiving portion 79 at the initial position is 0 degree when the second ball receiving portion 79 stands upright in the vertical direction. In the case where the second ball receiving portion 79 has a larger angle as it leans to the right, it is preferably −20 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less, and −10 degrees or more and 30 degrees or less. Is more preferable.

  The shortest distance between the second base portion 78 and the outer rail portion 36 in the situation where the second return ball prevention piece 73 is arranged at the initial position is longer than twice the diameter of the game ball. If a game ball is placed on the second base portion 78, and the next-played game ball reaches the position of the second return ball prevention piece 73, the game ball is placed on the second base portion 78. Instead of colliding with the mounted game ball, it will collide with the second ball receiving portion 79 from the left side. As a result, the game ball derived from the guide passage 37 may directly collide with another game ball without colliding with the second return ball prevention piece 73 on the left side of the second return ball prevention piece 73. Will be reduced.

  The positional relationship between the second return ball prevention unit 71 and the first return ball prevention unit 61 will be described. The lower end of the combination of the second return ball prevention piece 73 and the second pedestal portion 74 is located above the upper end of the combination of the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the first pedestal portion 64. However, the difference in height position between the lower end of the former and the lower end of the latter is less than the diameter of the game ball.

  In the second return ball prevention unit 71, the shortest distance L1 between the second return ball prevention piece 73 of the second return ball prevention unit 71 and the first return ball prevention piece 63 of the first return ball prevention unit 61 is the game. It is set to be 11 mm or more, which is the diameter of the sphere. As a result, it becomes possible to flow the game ball downward from the position between the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the second return ball prevention unit 71. In order to make the flow of the game ball between the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the second return ball prevention unit 71 smooth, it is preferable that the shortest distance L1 is larger than 11 mm which is the diameter of the game ball. It is more preferably 12 mm or more.

  The second return ball prevention unit 71 has a tip of the second ball receiving portion 79 of the second return ball prevention piece 73 arranged at the initial position and a first part of the first return ball prevention piece 63 arranged at the initial position. The distance L2 between the tip of the ball receiving portion 69 is set to be 11 mm or more, which is the diameter of the game ball. Further, in order to prevent the situation in which the game balls simultaneously collide from both left and right in the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention unit 61, it is difficult to cause a situation in which the game balls collide with each other at a distance L2 of 8 times the diameter of the game ball. It is preferably 88 mm or less, and more preferably 66 mm or less, which is 6 times the diameter of the game ball.

  In the configuration in which the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the second return ball prevention unit 71 are provided as described above, a plurality of nails 51 are provided around the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the second return ball prevention unit 71. Is provided. Specifically, a plurality of nails 51 are provided from below the first return ball prevention unit 61 to below the second return ball prevention unit 71, and at the same time from below the second return ball prevention unit 71, A plurality of nails 51 are provided on the right side of the 2 return ball prevention unit 71. Of the plurality of nails 51, when the game ball collides with the nail 51 provided on the right side of the first return ball prevention unit 61 and on the left side of the second return ball prevention unit 71, the game ball. Although it may happen that the vehicle collides with the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball preventing unit 61 from the right side, the first ball receiving portion 69 prevents the game ball from flowing into the guide passage 37. In addition, when the game ball collides with the nail 51 provided on the right side of the second return ball prevention unit 71, the game ball from the right side to the second ball receiving portion 79 of the second return ball prevention unit 71. Although a collision may occur, the second ball receiving portion 79 blocks the movement toward the first return ball prevention unit 61 side.

  On the other hand, the nail 51 is not provided on the moving path when the gaming ball led out from the guide passage 37 moves along the outer rail portion 36. Further, the nail 51 is not provided in a region above a virtual line connecting the shaft portion of the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the shaft portion of the second return ball prevention unit 71. Further speaking, the nail 51 is provided in a region above a virtual line connecting the lower end of the first pedestal portion 64 of the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the lower end of the second pedestal portion 74 of the second return ball prevention unit 71. Is not provided. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the same game ball between the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the second return ball prevention unit 71 from repeatedly colliding with the nail 51 and the return ball prevention units 61, 71. Becomes

  Hereinafter, the operation of providing not only the first return ball prevention unit 61 but also the second return ball prevention unit 71 will be described. Prior to the description of the operation, a comparative example when the second return ball prevention unit 71 is not provided will be described. FIG. 6 is a front view of the game board 501 showing an enlarged area in which the first return ball prevention unit 502 is provided in the pachinko machine of the comparative example in which the second return ball prevention unit 71 is not provided.

  When the second return ball prevention unit 71 is not provided, the game ball B1 that has passed through the first return ball prevention unit 502 collides with the nail 503 and the ball receiving portion 504 of the first return ball prevention unit 502 from the right side. In a collision situation, it is possible that the newly launched game ball B2 collides with the ball receiving portion 504 from the left. In this case, the game ball B1 that collides from the right side flows down the game area 505 as it is, while the game ball B2 that collides from the left side flows backward through the guide passage 506. The game ball B2 that has flowed backward in the guide passage 506 will collide with the game ball that has been fired thereafter, and will flow backward in the guide passage 506 including that game ball. Then, such a backflow of the game balls may occur repeatedly. The game ball that has flowed back through the guide passage 506 is collected by the foul ball collection unit 33 and discharged to the lower plate 26a, so that the player's ball loss does not occur, but while the game ball backflows, the game is lost. The game ball is not supplied to the area 505.

  Next, the case of the pachinko machine 10 provided with not only the first return ball prevention unit 61 but also the second return ball prevention unit 71 will be described. FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B and FIG. 8 are front views of the game board 34 showing an enlarged area where the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the second return ball prevention unit 71 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the game ball B1 that has passed through the second return ball prevention unit 71 collides with the nail 51 provided at a position close to the second return ball prevention unit 71, and the second Even if the second ball receiving portion 79 of the return ball prevention unit 71 collides from the right side, the game ball B2 shot next is located in the vicinity of the first return ball prevention unit 61. In this case, the game ball does not flow back through the guide passage 37 because the game ball does not collide with the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention unit 61 from both left and right.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the game ball B1 that has passed through the second return ball prevention unit 71 collides with the nail 51 provided at a position far from the second return ball prevention unit 71. In the situation where the game ball B1 collides with the second ball receiving portion 79 of the second return ball prevention unit 71 from the right side, the newly launched game ball B2 is left in the second ball receiving portion 79. Collisions from one side can occur. In this case, the game ball B1 that has collided from the right side with the second ball receiving portion 79 of the second return ball prevention unit 71 flows down from the right side of the second ball receiving portion 79 and the second ball receiving portion. The game ball B2 that has collided with 79 from the left side flows downward from between the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the second return ball prevention unit 71. Even in the event, since the game ball does not collide from both the left and right in the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention unit 61, the game ball does not flow backward in the guide passage 37.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the game ball B1 that has passed through the first return ball prevention unit 61 is on the right side of the first return ball prevention unit 61 and on the left side of the second return ball prevention unit 71. When the game ball B1 collides with the nail 51 provided at the right side, the game ball B1 may collide with the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention unit 61 from the right side. In this case, the game ball B1 that has bounced back at a position closer to the first return ball prevention unit 61 collides with the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention unit 61, and is therefore launched next. The game ball B2 has not yet reached the position of the first return ball prevention unit 61. Therefore, even in this case, the event that the game balls collide from both the left and right in the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention unit 61 does not occur, so that the game balls do not flow backward in the guide passage 37. ..

<Another form of return ball prevention structure>
Next, another form of the return ball prevention structure will be described.

  (1) In another embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the second return ball prevention piece 73 are not provided on separate base bodies 62, 72, but the same base body 82. The two return ball prevention pieces 63 and 73 are provided on the upper side and are provided as the same return ball prevention unit 81. The first base portion 64 corresponding to the first return ball prevention piece 63 is integrally formed with the same base body 82, and the second base portion 74 corresponding to the second return ball prevention piece 73 is formed. It is integrally formed. As a result, when the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the second return ball prevention piece 73 are arranged so that the relative position becomes the predetermined position, it is only necessary to install one return ball prevention unit 81. Therefore, the workability can be improved.

  (2) In another embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the second pedestal portion 91 of the second return ball prevention unit 71 is opposite to the guide passage 37 side with respect to the second base portion 78 of the second return ball prevention piece 73. Not only from the right side which is the side, but also from the left side which is the guide passage 37 side. More specifically, the second pedestal portion 91 is provided so as to surround the second base portion 78 around the axis of the second return ball prevention piece 73. However, a portion of the second pedestal portion 91 facing the left side surface of the second pedestal portion 78 contacts the second pedestal portion 78 at any rotation position of the second return ball prevention piece 73. It is formed so as to be separated from the second base portion 78 so as not to do so.

  In this configuration, the shortest distance between the second pedestal portion 91 and the outer rail portion 36 is longer than twice the diameter of the game ball. In this case, if the game ball is placed on the second pedestal portion 91 and the next-played game ball reaches the position of the second return ball prevention piece 73, the game ball is the second pedestal portion. Instead of colliding with the game ball placed on 91, it collides with the second ball receiving portion 79 from the left side. As a result, the game ball derived from the guide passage 37 may directly collide with another game ball without colliding with the second return ball prevention piece 73 on the left side of the second return ball prevention piece 73. Will be reduced.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 11A, in the case where the second pedestal portion 74 faces the second base portion 78 only from the right side, the game ball B1 is temporarily placed on the second base portion 78. In a situation, when the next-played game ball B2 reaches the position of the second return ball prevention piece 73, the game ball B2 does not collide with the game ball B1 mounted on the second base 78. , Will collide with the second ball receiving portion 79 from the left side. In this case, rotation of the second return ball prevention piece 73 toward the rotation side limit position is blocked by the game ball B1 that is temporarily on the left side surface of the second base portion 78. .. Then, the game ball is moved to the right at the position of the second return ball prevention piece 73, even though the game ball is being fired aiming at the right side of the second return ball prevention piece 73. A situation may occur in which is blocked.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11B, the second pedestal portion 91 is opposed to the left side surface of the second base portion 78, so that the second pedestal receiving portion 79 collides from the left side. Even if the game ball B1 is sufficiently absorbed by the collision, the game ball B1 is temporarily placed on the second pedestal portion 91 and is not placed on the second base portion 78. In this case, when a new game ball B2 collides with the second ball receiving portion 79 from the left side in this situation, the second return ball prevention piece 73 rotates toward the rotation side limit position as usual, and the second return ball. The movement of the game ball B2 to the right of the prevention piece 73 is not blocked.

  (3) In another embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the lower end of the combination of the second return ball prevention piece 73 and the second pedestal portion 74 is lower than the upper end of the combination of the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the first pedestal portion 64. Exists in the position. This reduces the possibility that the game ball led out from the guide passage 37 to the game region PT will bounce off the nail 51 and collide with the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention piece 63 from the right side. Even with this configuration, the distance between the tip of the second ball receiving portion 79 and the outer rail portion 36 is less than the diameter of the game ball in the situation where the second return ball prevention piece 73 is arranged at the initial position. The length dimension of the second ball receiving portion 79 is set so that In this case, the length dimension of the second ball receiving portion 79 is set larger than the length dimension of the first ball receiving portion 69. However, when the second return ball prevention piece 73 is arranged at a position closer to the first return ball prevention piece 63 than in the case of FIG. 12, the length dimension of the second ball receiving portion 79 is set to the first ball receiving portion. While the length dimension of the portion 69 is the same, the lower end of the combination of the second return ball prevention piece 73 and the second pedestal portion 74 is lower than the upper end of the combination of the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the first pedestal portion 64. The position between the tip of the second ball receiving portion 79 and the outer rail portion 36 is less than the diameter of the game ball in the situation in which the second return ball preventing piece 73 is located at the initial position. It becomes possible. Even in this different mode, the lower end of the combination of the second return ball prevention piece 73 and the second pedestal portion 74 is higher than the lower end of the combination of the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the first pedestal portion 64. Exists in a position.

  (4) In another embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the first return ball prevention unit 61 is provided, but the second return ball prevention unit 71 is not provided. Instead, in the inner rail portion 35, a ball escape opening 95 is formed at a position on the upstream side of the guide passage 37 with respect to the ball outlet 37b of the guide passage 37. The ball escape opening 95 is formed in the inner rail portion 35 at a position biased toward the ball outlet 37b side of the guide passage 37, and the distance from the ball outlet 37b is equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball and equal to the diameter of the game ball. It is less than twice that. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and by separating the position of the upper end of the inner rail portion 35 downward from the first return ball prevention unit 61, the ball outlet 37b of the guide passage 37 and the first return ball prevention unit 61 can be separated. The ball escape opening 95 may be formed by setting the distance between the ball prevention unit 61 and the diameter of the game ball or more.

  The opening area of the ball escape opening portion 95 is an area in which one game ball can pass and two game balls cannot pass at the same time. Further, the ball escape opening 95 collides with the first ball receiving portion 69 from the right side and is on the fall path of the game ball that flows backward in the guide passage 37 or in the case where the game ball flows backward along the inner rail portion 35. Exists in a position. As a result, in the situation where the game ball B1 collides with the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention unit 61 from the right side, the game ball B2 that is next shot collides with the first ball receiving portion 69 from the left side. Even in this case, the game ball B2 is discharged from the ball escape opening 95 to the game area PT, and it is possible to prevent the game ball B2 from flowing backward in the guide passage 37 below it. The opening area of the ball escape opening 95 may be set to an area through which two or more game balls can pass simultaneously.

  The ball escape opening 95 is provided with an inflow regulation plate 96 protruding toward the game area PT. The inflow regulation plate 96 projects downward from the upper end of the ball escape opening 95, and the opening direction of the ball escape opening 95 with respect to the game area PT is not vertically downward to the right but downward vertically or obliquely to the left. Regulated. As a result, the game ball flowing back through the guide passage 37 can be discharged to the game area PT, while the game ball flowing down the game area PT collides with the nail 51 and enters the guide passage 37 through the ball escape opening 95. It becomes possible to prevent it from getting in.

  (5) The angle of the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the angle of the second ball receiving portion 79 of the second return ball prevention unit 71 are not limited to the same configuration, The two angles may be different. For example, the first ball receiving portion 69 may be tilted further rightward so that the first ball receiving portion 69 has an angle that extends substantially horizontally, and if the second ball receiving portion 79 is tilted leftward or rightward. Instead, it may be configured to stand in the vertical direction.

  (6) The length dimension of the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the length dimension of the second ball receiving portion 79 of the second return ball prevention unit 71 are limited to the same configuration. However, the length dimensions of the first ball receiving portion 69 and the second ball receiving portion 79 may be different. For example, the length dimension of the second ball receiving portion 79 may be smaller than the length dimension of the first ball receiving portion 69, and conversely, the length dimension of the second ball receiving portion 79 is the first ball receiving portion. It may be larger than the length dimension of 69.

  (7) The thickness dimension of the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the thickness dimension of the second ball receiving portion 79 of the second return ball prevention unit 71 are not limited to the same configuration. Alternatively, the thickness dimensions of the first ball receiving portion 69 and the second ball receiving portion 79 may be different. For example, the thickness dimension of the second ball receiving portion 79 may be smaller than the thickness dimension of the first ball receiving portion 69, and conversely, the thickness dimension of the second ball receiving portion 79 is the thickness of the first ball receiving portion 69. It may be larger than the size.

  (8) The angle of the first base portion 68 of the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the angle of the second base portion 78 of the second return ball prevention unit 71 are not limited to the same configuration, and both angles May be different. Further, the left side surface of the second base portion 78 of the second return ball prevention unit 71 (that is, the surface on the side of the first return ball prevention unit 61) is inclined downward to the left at the initial position of the second return ball prevention piece 73. The present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and the left side surface may be vertically erected or inclined downward to the lower right. In this case, it is possible to prevent the event that the game ball gets on the second base portion 78 of the second return ball prevention piece 73 from occurring.

  (9) The first return ball prevention piece 63 may be moved from the initial position to the rotation-side limit position by being driven by an electric actuator. In this case, a sensor for detecting the game ball is provided on the upstream side of the guide passage 37 with respect to the first return ball prevention piece 63, and when the game ball is detected by the sensor, the sensor is driven by the electric actuator to make the first return. The ball prevention piece 63 may be configured to move to the rotation-side limit position. Even with this configuration, when the game ball collides with the first ball receiving portion 69 from the game area PT side, the movement of the first return ball prevention piece 63 toward the rotation side limit position is hindered, In this situation, when the next game ball collides with the first ball receiving portion 69 from the guide passage 37 side, the colliding game ball will flow back through the guide passage 37. Therefore, even with this configuration, it is preferable that the second return ball prevention piece 73 is provided.

  (10) The second return ball prevention piece 73 may be moved from the initial position to the rotation-side limit position by being driven by an electric actuator. In this case, a sensor for detecting the game ball is provided at a position closer to the first return ball prevention piece 63 than the second return ball prevention piece 73, and is driven by the electric actuator when the game ball is detected by the sensor. As a result, the second return ball prevention piece 73 may be moved to the rotation-side limit position.

<Electrical structure of the pachinko machine 10>
On the back side of the gaming machine main body 12, a main control device, a sound emission control device, a display control device, a payout mechanism unit including a payout device, a payout control device, and a power supply / launch control device are mounted. There is. The electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described below. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10.

  The main control device 101 includes a main control board 102 that controls the main game, and a power failure monitoring board 106 that monitors the power supply. An MPU 103 is mounted on the main control board 102. The MPU 103 includes a ROM 104 in which various control programs executed by the MPU 103 and fixed value data are stored, and a memory for temporarily storing various data in executing the control programs stored in the ROM 104. A RAM 105, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, various counter circuits as a random number generator, and the like are incorporated. It is not essential that the ROM 104 and the RAM 105 are integrated into one chip with respect to the MPU 103, and each may be configured into an individual chip. This also applies to MPUs of control devices other than the main control device 101.

  The MPU 103 is provided with an input port and an output port, respectively. To the input side of the MPU 103, the power failure monitoring board 106 and the payout controller 112 provided in the main controller 101 are connected. A power supply / launch control device 113 having a function of supplying operating power is connected to the power failure monitoring board 106, and power is supplied to the MPU 103 via the power failure monitoring board 106.

  Further, various sensors such as various winning detection sensors 107a to 107e are connected to the input side of the MPU 103. The various winning detection sensors 107a to 107e are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the winning-corresponding ball portions such as the general winning opening 41, the special electric winning device 42, the first operating opening 43, the second operating opening 44, and the through gate 45. The detection sensor is included, and the MPU 103 determines the winning of each ball. Further, in the MPU 103, various types of lottery are executed based on the winning of the first operating port 43, and various types of lottery are executed based on the winning of the second operating port 44.

  A power failure monitoring board 106, a payout control device 112, and a sound emission control device 114 are connected to the output side of the MPU 103. To the payout control device 112, for example, a prize ball command is output based on the result of the prize determination to the prize-corresponding prize winning portion. Various commands such as a variation command, a type command, and an opening command are output to the sound emission control device 114.

  Further, on the output side of the MPU 103, a special electric drive unit 42b for opening / closing the opening / closing door 42a of the special electric prize winning device 42, and a general electric drive unit 44b for opening / closing the second electric outlet 44a of the second operating port 44. The special drawing unit 47 and the general drawing unit 48 are connected. By the way, the special figure unit 47 is provided with a special figure display section 47a and a special figure reservation display section 47b, all of which are connected to the output side of the MPU 103. Similarly, the universal figure unit 48 is provided with a universal figure display section 48a and a universal figure hold display section 48b, all of which are connected to the output side of the MPU 103. Various driver circuits are provided on the main control board 102, and the MPU 103 executes drive control of various drive units and various display units through the driver circuits.

  That is, in the opening / closing execution mode, the MPU 103 performs drive control of the drive unit 42b for special electricity so that the special electricity winning device 42 is opened and closed. In addition, when the general electric outlet 44a is in the open state, the MPU 103 executes drive control of the general electric drive unit 44b so that the general electric outlet 44a is opened and closed. In addition, at each game time, the MPU 103 executes display control of the special figure display unit 47a. Further, when the lottery result indicating whether or not to open the general electric accessory 44a is clearly indicated, the MPU 103 executes the display control of the general figure display unit 48a. Further, when a winning is generated in the first operation port 43 or the second operation port 44, or when the variable display is started in the special figure display unit 47a, the display control of the special figure hold display unit 47b is executed in the MPU 103. Then, when a prize is awarded to the through gate 45, or when the variable display is started on the universal figure display section 48a, the display control of the universal figure hold display section 48b is executed in the MPU 103.

  The power outage monitoring board 106 relays the main control board 102 and the power supply / launch control device 113, and also monitors the voltage of DC stable 24 V which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply / launch control device 113. The payout control device 112 controls payout of prize balls and loan balls by the payout device 111 based on the prize ball command received from the main control device 101.

  The power supply / launch control device 113 is connected to, for example, a commercial power supply (external power supply) in a game hall or the like. Then, based on the external power supplied from the commercial power source, the main control board 102, the payout control device 112, and the like are generated with the necessary operating power, and the generated operating power is supplied. By the way, the power supply / launch control device 113 is provided with a power supply unit for power interruption such as a backup capacitor, and even when the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is in the OFF state, the power supply unit for power interruption is mainly used. Electric power for storage is supplied to the RAM 105 of the control device 101.

  Further, the power supply / launch control device 113 is responsible for the launch control of the game ball launching mechanism 38, and the game ball launching mechanism 38 continues to operate under the condition that the launching operation device 39 is operated and a predetermined launch condition is satisfied. If it is, it is driven in a cycle of once every 0.6 sec. In this case, in the game ball launching mechanism 38, when the game ball is continuously supplied onto the launch rail 38a by the ball feeding device 38b, the game ball is launched at a cycle of 0.6 sec. It will be.

  The firing cycle of the game ball (that is, the driving cycle of the solenoid 38c) in the case where the operation of the firing operation device 39 is continued and the situation where the predetermined firing condition is satisfied is continued is limited to 0.6 sec. Alternatively, it may be shorter than 0.6 sec such as 0.4 sec or 0.5 sec, and may be longer than 0.6 sec such as 0.7 sec or 0.8 sec. Further, although it is different from 0.6 sec such as slightly longer or slightly shorter than 0.6 sec, it may be substantially the same as 0.6 sec. However, in order to make the firing cycle of the game sphere appropriate, the firing cycle of the game sphere is preferably 0.6 sec or more, and in this case, the number of game spheres fired per minute is 100 or less.

  The sound emission control device 114 drives and controls the display light emission part 23 and the speaker part 24 provided in the front door frame 14 and controls the display control device 115 based on various commands received from the main control device 101. Is. The display control device 115 executes the display control of the symbol display device 52 based on the command received from the voice emission control device 114.

<Electrical configuration for performing various lottery in MPU 103 of main controller 101>
Next, an electrical configuration for performing various lottery in the MPU 103 of the main control device 101 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The MPU 103 uses various counter information at the time of playing a game, and performs jackpot occurrence lottery, setting of display of the special figure display portion 47a, setting of symbol display of the symbol display device 52, setting of display of the general figure display portion 48a, and the like. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, when the winning random number counter C1 used for the lottery for winning, the jackpot type counter C2 used when determining the jackpot type, and the symbol display device 52 are displaced and changed. When the reach random number counter C3 used for the reach generation lottery, the random number initial value counter CINI used for setting the initial value of the hit random number counter C1, and the display duration time in the special figure display portion 47a and the symbol display device 52 are determined. The fluctuation type counter CS to be used is used. Furthermore, the universal electric accessory opening counter C4 used for the lottery to determine whether or not the ordinary electric accessory 44a of the second operation port 44 is in the universal electric open state is used. The counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 are provided in various counter areas 105a of the RAM 105.

  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 after reaching the maximum value, it returns to 0. Each counter is updated at short time intervals. Information corresponding to the winning random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 is stored in the reserved storage area 105b provided in the RAM 105 when a prize is awarded to the first operating port 43 or the second operating port 44. Is stored.

  The hold storage area 105b includes a hold area RE and an execution area AE. The holding area RE includes a first holding area RE1, a second holding area RE2, a third holding area RE3, and a fourth holding area RE4, and the winning history of the first working opening 43 or the second working opening 44 is recorded in the holding history RE. In addition, a combination of numerical value information of the hit random number counter C1, the big hit type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 is stored in any of the holding areas RE1 to RE4 as holding information. In this case, in the first holding area RE1 to the fourth holding area RE4, when the winnings to the first working opening 43 or the second working opening 44 occur successively a plurality of times, the first holding area RE1 → the second holding area RE1 Numerical information is stored in chronological order in the order of the holding area RE2 → the third holding area RE3 → the fourth holding area RE4. By thus providing the four holding areas RE1 to RE4, the winning history of the game balls to the first working opening 43 or the second working opening 44 can be held and stored up to a maximum of four. .. Note that the number that can be reserved and stored is not limited to four, and may be any number, and may be another number such as two, three, or five or more, or may be a single number.

  The execution area AE is an area for moving each numerical value information stored in the first holding area RE1 of the holding area RE when starting the variable display of the special figure display portion 47a, and starts one game time. At that time, a win / fail judgment is made on the basis of various numerical information stored in the execution area AE.

  Each of the above counters will be described in detail.

  First, the general electric accessory release counter C4 will be described. For example, the general electric utility article release counter C4 is configured to be sequentially incremented by 1 in the range of 0 to 250, and then returned to 0 after reaching the maximum value. The ordinary electric accessory release counter C4 is periodically updated and stored in the ordinary electric storage area 105c of the RAM 105 at the timing when the game ball wins the through gate 45. Then, at a predetermined timing, a lottery is performed as to whether or not to control the general electric utility article 44a in the open state based on the stored value of the general electric utility article release counter C4.

  In the pachinko machine 10, a plurality of types of support modes are set so that the modes of support by the general electric accessory 44a are different from each other. Specifically, in the support mode, when compared with the situation in which the game balls are continuously emitted in the same manner with respect to the game area, the universal utility object 44a of the second working port 44 is per unit time. The high frequency support mode and the low frequency support mode are set so that the frequency of the open state is relatively high and low.

  In the high-frequency support mode and the low-frequency support mode, the probability of winning the ordinary electric open state in the ordinary electric lottery using the ordinary electric outlet release counter C4 is the same (for example, both are 4/5). In the high-frequency support mode, the number of times that the ordinary electric accessory 44a is in the open state when the ordinary electric open state is won is set to a larger number than in the low-frequency support mode, and the opening time is set longer once. Has been done. In this case, in the high-frequency support mode, when the general electric open state is elected and the general electric accessory 44a is opened a plurality of times, from the end of one open state to the start of the next open state. The closing time is set shorter than one opening time. Furthermore, in the high-frequency support mode, the minimum securing time (that is, in the general map The one-time display duration on the display section 48a is set to be short.

  As described above, in the high frequency support mode, the probability of winning a prize in the second working opening 44 is higher than in the low frequency support mode. In other words, in the low-frequency support mode, the probability of winning a prize in the first operating port 43 is higher than in the second operating port 44, but in the high-frequency support mode, the second operation is higher than the first operating port 43. The probability of winning a prize in the mouth 44 increases. Then, when a prize is generated in the second working opening 44, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out, so in the high frequency support mode, the player plays the game while not reducing the number of balls that he holds. It can be carried out.

  Note that the configuration for increasing the frequency of the high frequency support mode to be in the general electric open state per unit time more than the low frequency support mode is not limited to the above, and for example, in the general electric open lottery. It may be configured to increase the probability of winning the ordinary electric open state. In addition, a securing time that is secured in performing the next regular electric train open lottery after one regular electric train open lottery is performed (for example, it is executed in the universal map display portion 48a based on the winning of the through gate 45). In the configuration where multiple types of variable display time) are prepared, the high-frequency support mode is set so that a shorter securing time can be selected more easily or the average securing time is shorter than in the low-frequency support mode. Good. Furthermore, the number of times of opening is increased, the time of opening is lengthened, and the securing time that is secured when the next ordinary electric train opening lottery is performed after one ordinary electric train opening lottery is shortened. The advantage of the high frequency support mode over the low frequency support mode may be increased by applying any one condition or a condition of any combination of shortening the averaging time and increasing the winning probability.

  Next, the winning random number counter C1 will be described. The hit random number counter C1 is configured to be sequentially incremented by 1 within a range of 0 to 599, for example, and then returned to 0 after reaching the maximum value. In particular, when the hit 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 hit random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 599). The hit random number counter C1 is periodically updated and is stored in the reserved storage area 105b of the RAM 105 at the timing when the game ball wins the first operating opening 43 or the second operating opening 44.

  The value of the random number that wins the jackpot is stored in the ROM 104 as a win / loss table. As the win / loss table, a win / loss table for the low probability mode and a win / loss table for the high probability mode are set. That is, in the pachinko machine 10, the low-probability mode and the high-probability mode are set as the lottery modes in the win / loss lottery means.

  In the gaming state in which the win / loss table for the low-probability mode is referred to in the lottery, the number of random numbers that is a big hit is two. On the other hand, in the gaming state in which the high probability mode win / loss table is referred to in the above-mentioned lottery, the number of random numbers to be a big win is 20. If the winning probability in the high-probability mode is higher than that in the low-probability mode, the number of random numbers to be won is arbitrary.

  The jackpot type counter C2 is configured to be incremented by 1 in the range of 0 to 29, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. The jackpot type counter C2 is regularly updated and is stored in the reserved storage area 105b at the timing when the game ball wins the first operating opening 43 or the second operating opening 44.

  In this pachinko machine 10, a plurality of jackpot results are set. These plural jackpot results are (1) a mode of opening / closing control of the special electric prize winning device 42 in the opening / closing execution mode, (2) a lottery mode in the winning / losing lottery means after the opening / closing execution mode, and (3) A plurality of jackpot results are set by differentiating the three conditions of the support mode in the universal electric accessory 44a of the 2 working port 44.

  As an aspect of the opening / closing control of the special electric prize winning device 42 in the opening / closing execution mode, the high frequency is set so that the frequency of winning the special electric winning device 42 from the start to the end of the opening / closing execution mode is relatively high. A frequency winning mode and a low frequency winning mode are set. Specifically, in either the high frequency winning mode or the low frequency winning mode, the round game of a predetermined number of times is executed as an upper limit.

  Here, the round game is continued until either one of the conditions that a predetermined upper limit duration time elapses and that a predetermined upper limit number of game balls are won in the special electric prize winning device 42 are satisfied. It is a game to play. Further, the number of round games in the opening / closing execution mode triggered by the jackpot result is the same as the fixed round number regardless of the type of jackpot result triggered by the transition. Specifically, no matter which jackpot result is obtained, the upper limit number of round games is set to 15 rounds.

  Further, in the pachinko machine 10, a plurality of types are set for the one-time opening mode of the special electric prize winning device 42, with different open durations from the opening of the special electric winning device 42 to the closing. Specifically, a long time mode in which the open duration is set to 29 sec, which is a long time, and a short time mode in which the open duration is set to 0.06 sec, which is a short time shorter than the above long time, are set. Has been done.

  In the pachinko machine 10, in the situation where the launching operation device 39 is operated by the player, the game ball launching mechanism 38 is drive-controlled so that one game ball is launched toward the game area in 0.6 sec. It Further, the upper limit number of end conditions for the round game is set to nine. Then, in the long time mode of the above-mentioned opening modes, the opening duration time is set to be longer than the product of the game cycle of the game ball and one round game. On the other hand, in the short time mode, the opening duration is set to be shorter than the product of the firing cycle of the game ball and one round game, and more specifically, shorter than the firing cycle of the game ball. Therefore, if the opening is performed once in the long time mode, it is expected that the special electric prize winning device 42 will be won by the upper limit number in one round game. When the opening is performed twice, it is expected that no prize will be paid to the special electric prize winning device 42, or that even if a prize is won, the prize will be about one.

  In the high frequency winning mode, the special electric winning device 42 is opened once in each round game in a long time mode. On the other hand, in the low frequency winning mode, the special electric winning device 42 is opened once in a short time mode in each round game.

  In the high frequency winning mode, the number of times the special electric winning device 42 is opened / closed in the high frequency winning mode and the low frequency winning mode, the number of round games, the opening duration for one opening, and the upper limit number in one round game are the ones in the high frequency winning mode. Is not limited to the above value as long as the frequency of winning the special electric prize winning device 42 from the start to the end of the opening / closing execution mode is higher than that in the low frequency winning mode. Is.

  The distribution destination of the game result for the jackpot type counter C2 is stored in the ROM 104 as a distribution table. Then, as the distribution destination, a low-probability jackpot result, a low winning high-probability jackpot result, and a most advantageous jackpot result are set.

  The low-probability jackpot result is a jackpot result in which the opening / closing execution mode becomes the high-frequency winning mode, and after the opening / closing execution mode ends, the winning / winning lottery mode becomes the low-probability mode and the support mode becomes the high-frequency support mode. However, the high frequency support mode shifts to the low frequency support mode when the number of games reaches the end reference number (specifically, 100 times) after the shift.

  The low winning high-accuracy jackpot result is a big hit result in which the opening / closing execution mode becomes the low frequency winning mode, and after the opening / closing execution mode ends, the win / loss lottery mode becomes the high probability mode and the support mode becomes the high frequency support mode. is there. These high-probability mode and high-frequency support mode are continued until the lottery result in the winning / winning lottery is a big hit state winning and the big hit state is brought about.

  The most advantageous jackpot result is a jackpot result in which the opening / closing execution mode becomes the high-frequency winning mode, and after the opening / closing execution mode ends, the winning / winning lottery mode becomes the high-probability mode and the support mode becomes the high-frequency support mode. These high-probability mode and high-frequency support mode are continued until the lottery result in the winning / winning lottery is a big hit state winning and the big hit state is brought about.

  Note that the normal game state in relation to each of the above-mentioned game states means not the open / close execution mode but the winning / winning lottery mode is the low probability mode and the support mode is the low frequency support mode.

  In the distribution table, "0-9" of the values of the jackpot type counter C2 of "0-29" correspond to the low-probability jackpot result, and "10-14" correspond to the low winning high-probability jackpot result. "15-29" corresponds to the most advantageous jackpot result.

  Next, the reach random number counter C3 will be described. The reach random number counter C3 is configured such that the reach random number counter C3 is incremented by 1 in the range of 0 to 238, for example, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. Here, in the pachinko machine 10, an expected effect is set as a kind of display effect in the symbol display device 52. The expected effect is provided with a symbol display device 52 capable of performing variable display of symbols, and in a game machine in which a final stop result is a given response result in a game time with a predetermined jackpot result, the symbol display device 52 The display state for making the player think that the variation display state is likely to be the above-mentioned assignment correspondence result in the stage before the stop result is derived and displayed after the variable display of the symbol is started. In addition, as for the assignment correspondence result, specifically, a combination of symbols having the same number is stopped and displayed on any of the activated lines.

  Two types of expected display are set: a reach display and a notice display for expecting the occurrence of the reach display or the result of the assignment response in a stage before the reach display occurs.

  In the reach display, the symbols are stopped and displayed for a part of the symbol columns displayed on the display surface of the symbol display device 52, thereby displaying the combination of the reach symbols, and the remaining symbol columns in that state. In, the display state of performing variable display of symbols is included. Moreover, while displaying the combination of reach symbols as described above, while performing variable display of the symbols in the remaining symbol columns, and by performing a reach effect by displaying a predetermined character or the like as a moving image on the background screen, , Which includes reducing or displaying a combination of reach symbols and then displaying a predetermined character or the like as a moving image on substantially the entire display surface to perform a reach effect.

  In the notice display, after the variable display of the symbols is started on the display surface of the symbol display device 52, the symbols are variably displayed in all the symbol columns, or a part of the symbol columns and the plurality of symbol columns are displayed. In a situation where the symbols are variably displayed in the symbol column, a mode in which the character is displayed separately from the symbols on the symbol column is included. Further, it also includes a background screen having a predetermined mode different from the previous modes, and a pattern on the symbol row having a predetermined mode different from the previous modes. Such advance notice display can occur in both game times when the reach display is performed and when the reach display is not performed, but the reach display is higher than the case where the reach display is not performed. It is set to occur with a probability.

  Reach display is executed irrespective of the value of the reach random number counter C3 at the game time when the same symbol combination is finally stopped and displayed. Further, in the game times corresponding to the jackpot result in which the same symbol combination is not stopped and displayed, it is not executed regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3. Further, the game times corresponding to the result of deviation are executed when the reach random number counter C3 obtained at a predetermined timing by referring to the reach table stored in the ROM 104 corresponds to the occurrence of the reach display.

  On the other hand, the decision as to whether or not to display the advance notice is made in the sound emission control device 114, not in the main control device 101. In this case, the sound emission control device 114 is more likely to give a notice display in the game times corresponding to any of the jackpot results than in the game times corresponding to the miss result, and to give a notice display with a low appearance rate. The lottery process for displaying the advance notice is executed so as to satisfy at least one of the conditions that is likely to occur. By the way, the result of the lottery is reflected when the effect for game use is executed on the symbol display device 52.

  Next, the fluctuation type counter CS will be described. The fluctuation type counter CS is configured to be incremented by 1 in order within the range of 0 to 198, for example, and then returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. The variation type counter CS is used when the MPU 103 determines the display duration time in the special figure display unit 47a and the symbol display duration time in the symbol display device 52. The variation type counter CS is updated once every time a normal process described below is executed once, and is repeatedly updated within the remaining time in the normal process. Then, the buffer value of the variation type counter CS is acquired when the variation pattern is determined at the start of variation display on the special figure display unit 47a and when the symbol display device 52 starts variation of the symbol.

<Processing configuration of main controller 101>
Next, each process executed by the MPU 103 of the main control device 101 to advance a game will be described. The processing of the MPU 103 is roughly classified into a main processing that is started when the power is turned on and a timer interrupt processing that is started regularly (in this embodiment, at a cycle of 4 msec).

<Main processing>
First, the main process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S101, power-on wait processing is executed. In the power-on wait process, for example, the main process is started, and a predetermined wait time (specifically, 1 sec) elapses without waiting for the next process. During the execution period of the power-on wait process, the operation start and initial setting of the symbol display device 52 are completed. In the following step S102, access to the RAM 105 is permitted, and the internal function register of the MPU 103 is set in step S103.

  After that, in step S104, it is determined whether or not the RAM erasing switch provided in the power supply / launch control device 113 is manually operated, and in subsequent step S105, whether or not the power failure flag of the RAM 105 is set to "1". To determine. In step S106, a checksum calculation process for calculating a checksum is executed. In the following step S107, it is determined whether or not the checksum matches the checksum stored at the time of power-off, that is, the validity of the stored data. judge.

  In the pachinko machine 10, when the RAM data is initialized when the power is turned on, for example, when the game hall is opened, the power is turned on while pressing the RAM erase switch. Therefore, if the RAM erase switch is pressed, the process proceeds to step S108. Also, when the power-off occurrence information is not set, or when an abnormality in the stored and held data is confirmed by the checksum, the process similarly proceeds to step S108. In step S108, the RAM 105 is cleared. Then, it progresses to step S109.

  On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch is not pressed, the power failure flag is set to "1" and the checksum is normal, and the process of step S108 is not executed, and step S109 is performed. Proceed to. In step S109, power-on setting processing is executed. In the power-on setting process, a predetermined area of the RAM 105 such as initialization of a power failure flag is set to an initial value, and a command corresponding to the current game state is transmitted to the voice emission control device 114 in order to recognize the current game state. To do.

  After that, the process proceeds to the residual process of steps S110 to S113. That is, although the MPU 103 is configured to periodically execute the timer interrupt process, a residual time is generated between the timer interrupt process 1 and the next timer interrupt process. This remaining time will vary depending on the processing completion time of each timer interrupt processing, but the remaining processing of steps S110 to S113 is repeatedly executed using this irregular time. In this respect, it can be said that the residual process of steps S110 to S113 is an irregular process that is irregularly executed.

  In the residual processing, first, in step S110, interrupt prohibition is set in order to prohibit the occurrence of timer interrupt processing. In a succeeding step S111, a random number initial value updating process for updating the random number initial value counter CINI is executed, and at the same time, a fluctuation counter updating process for updating the fluctuation type counter CS is executed in step S112. In these update processes, the current numerical value information is read from the corresponding counter of the RAM 105, the process of adding 1 to the read numerical value information is executed, and then the process of overwriting the counter of the reading source is executed. In this case, when the counter value reaches the maximum value, it is cleared to "0". After that, in step S113, an interrupt permission setting for switching from the state in which the generation of the timer interrupt process is prohibited to the state in which the timer interrupt processing is permitted is set. After executing the process of step S113, the process returns to step S110, and the processes of steps S110 to S113 are repeated.

<Timer interrupt processing>
Next, the timer interrupt processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The timer interrupt process is executed periodically (for example, every 4 msec cycle).

  First, in step S201, a power failure information storage process is executed. In the power failure information storage processing, it is monitored whether or not a power failure signal corresponding to the occurrence of power interruption is received from the power failure monitoring board 106, and when the occurrence of power failure is specified, the power failure processing is executed.

  In a succeeding step S202, lottery random number updating processing is executed. In the lottery random number updating process, the big hit random number counter C1, the big hit type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the universal electric accessory opening counter C4 are updated. Specifically, the present numerical value information is sequentially read from the big hit random number counter C1, the big hit type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the general electric utility article opening counter C4, and the read numerical value information is incremented by 1 respectively. After that, a process of overwriting the counter of the reading source is executed. In this case, when the counter value reaches the maximum value, it is cleared to "0".

  After that, in step S203, the random number initial value updating process is executed as in step S111, and at the same time, the fluctuation counter updating process is executed in step S204 as in step S112.

  In a succeeding step S205, a fraud detection process of monitoring whether or not a predetermined event set as a fraudulent monitoring target has occurred is executed. In the fraud detection process, the occurrence of a plurality of types of events is monitored, and by confirming that a predetermined event has occurred, "1" is set to the game stop flag provided in the RAM 105.

  In a succeeding step S206, it is determined whether or not the game progress is stopped by determining whether or not "1" is set in the game stop flag. When a negative determination is made in step S206, the processing from step S207 is executed.

  In step S207, port output processing is executed. In the port output process, when the output information has been set in the previous timer interrupt process, a process for outputting to the various drive units 42b and 44b is executed according to the output information. For example, when the information to switch the special electric prize winning device 42 to the open state is set, the output of the drive signal to the special electric drive unit 42b is started, and the information to switch to the closed state is set. Stops the output of the drive signal. Further, when the information for switching the universal utility product 44a of the second operation port 44 to the open state is set, output of a drive signal to the drive unit 44b for universal communication is started, and it should be switched to the closed state. When the information is set, the output of the drive signal is stopped.

  In a succeeding step S208, a reading process is executed. In the reading process, signals other than the power failure signal and the winning signal are read, and the read information is stored for use in future processes.

  In a succeeding step S209, a winning detection process is executed. In the winning detection process, the signals received from the respective winning detection sensors 107a to 107e are read, and the general winning opening 41, the special electricity winning device 42, the first working opening 43, the second working opening 44, and the through gate 45 are read. A process for identifying the presence or absence of winning is executed.

  In a succeeding step S210, a timer updating process for collectively updating the numerical information of a plurality of types of timer counters provided in the RAM 105 is executed. In this case, the configuration is such that the timer counters that are updated by subtracting the stored numerical value information are aggregated and handled, but both the subtraction timer counter update and the addition timer counter update are aggregated and performed. It may be configured.

  In a succeeding step S211, a firing control process for controlling the firing of the game ball is executed. In the situation where the firing operation to the firing operation device 39 is continued, one gaming ball is fired at a predetermined firing cycle of 0.6 sec, as already described. In this case, the launch strength of the game ball is determined by the turning operation amount of the operating handle 39b in the launching operation device 39 as already described. For example, when the turning operation amount of the operation handle 39b is adjusted so that the emission intensity of the game ball in the game ball emission mechanism 38 becomes the first emission intensity, the game ball is normally supplied to the game area PT. On condition that the game ball is fired, the shot game ball flows downward in the game area PT from between the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the second return ball prevention unit 71. That is, the game ball passes through the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention unit 61, while it does not reach the second ball receiving portion 79 of the second return ball prevention unit 71, and the game area is directed downward. Run down PT. When the operation handle 39b is operated so that the firing strength is less than the first firing strength, the launched game ball is guided without passing through the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention unit 61. The passage 37 will flow backward.

  On the other hand, when the turning operation amount of the operation handle 39b is adjusted so that the emission intensity of the game ball in the game ball emission mechanism 38 becomes the second emission intensity, the game ball is normally supplied to the game area PT. On condition that the game ball is launched, the launched game ball passes through not only the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball preventing unit 61 but also the second ball receiving portion 79 of the second return ball preventing unit 71, and the second return. The game area PT flows down from a position on the right side of the ball prevention unit 71. Within the range of the first firing strength or more and less than the second firing strength, the larger the turning operation amount of the operation handle 39b, the more downwardly the game ball flows from the side closer to the second return ball prevention unit 71. .. Further, at the second firing strength or higher, the larger the turning operation amount of the operation handle 39b, the more downwardly the game ball flows downward from a position farther to the right than the second return ball prevention unit 71.

  In a situation where the player is not in the open / close execution mode, the player basically operates the firing operation device 39 aiming at the game ball entering the first operating port 43 or the second operating port 44. In the open / close execution mode, basically, the shooting operation device 39 is operated with the aim that the game ball enters the special electric prize winning device 42. In this case, depending on the situation of the nails 51 in the game area PT, the firing operation device 39 is operated so that the game balls flow down from between the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the second return ball prevention unit 71. In some cases, it may be possible to increase the probability of entering the ball part that is aiming to enter the ball. In some cases, the game ball may be shot downward from the right side of the second return ball prevention unit 71. In some cases, it may be possible for the person who operates the operating device 39 to increase the probability of entering a ball entering the intended part. Therefore, the game ball is played while appropriately adjusting the operation mode of the firing operation device 39.

  In a succeeding step S212, as input state monitoring processing, based on the information read in the reading processing in step S208, disconnection confirmation of each of the prize detection sensors 107a to 107e and opening confirmation of the gaming machine main body 12 and the front door frame 14 are performed. To do.

  In a succeeding step S213, special figure special electric power control processing for performing execution control of game times and execution control of opening / closing execution mode is executed. In the special figure special electric power control process, when a prize is generated in the first operation port 43 or the second operation port 44 in a situation where the number of pieces of reservation information stored in the reservation storage area 105b is less than the upper limit number, The process of storing the numerical information of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 as holding information in the holding storage area 105b in time series is executed. In addition, in the special figure special electric control process, whether or not the hold information corresponds to the jackpot win determination, provided that the hold information is not stored during the game turn and the opening / closing execution mode and the hold information is stored. If it corresponds to the processing and the jackpot winning, the jackpot determination processing for determining which jackpot result the holding information corresponds to is executed. In addition, in the special figure special electric power control process, not only the win / loss determination process and the distribution determination process, but also when the hold information does not correspond to the jackpot win, whether the hold information corresponds to the reach occurrence or not. The reach determination process for determination is executed, and the process for selecting the duration of the game time is executed by using the numerical information of the fluctuation type counter CS at that time. Then, the variation command including the information of the duration time corresponding to the result of each of the processing, and the type command including the information of the game result are transmitted to the sound emission control device 114, and the pattern on the special figure display unit 47a is displayed. Start variable display. As a result, one game time is started, and the effect for game time is started on the special figure display portion 47a and the symbol display device 52.

  Further, in the special figure special electric control process, it is determined whether or not it is the end timing of the game time during the execution of one game time, and if it is the end timing, the display corresponding to the game result is displayed. , Executes a process for ending the game time. In this case, a final stop command indicating that the game time should be ended is transmitted to the sound emission control device 114. In addition, in the special figure special electric power control process, when the result of the game time is a result corresponding to the shift to the open / close execution mode, a process for starting the open / close execution mode is executed. At the time of this start, an opening command indicating that the opening / closing execution mode is started is transmitted to the voice emission control device 114. Further, in the special figure special electric control process, a process for starting each round game and a process for ending each round game are executed. In each of these processes, an opening command indicating that the round game is started is transmitted to the voice emission control device 114, and a closing command indicating that the round game is terminated is transmitted to the voice emission control device 114. In addition, in the special figure special power control process, when ending the opening / closing execution mode, an ending command indicating that is transmitted to the sound emission control device 114, and the win / loss lottery mode and the support mode after the opening / closing execution mode are set. Execute the process.

  After the special figure special power control processing of step S213 is executed in the timer interruption processing, the general figure normal power control processing is executed in step S214. In the general / universal / universal control process, a process for acquiring the general / universal-side holding information is performed when a prize is paid to the through gate 45, and the general / universal-side holding information is stored. Then, the release information is determined to be released, and the processing for performing the effect for the general figure is executed when the release determination is triggered. In addition, based on the result of the open determination, a process for opening and closing the universal utility article 44a of the second operating port 44 is executed.

  In the following step S215, based on the processing results of the immediately preceding steps S213 and S214, the output information for reflecting the increased / decreased number of the hold information related to the special figure display section 47a in the special figure hold display section 47b is set and The output information is set to reflect the increased / decreased number of the hold information related to the universal figure display section 48a on the universal figure hold display section 48b. In step S215, the output information for updating the display content of the special figure display portion 47a is set based on the processing results of the immediately preceding steps S213 and S214, and the display content of the general figure display portion 48a is set. Set the output information for updating.

  In a succeeding step S216, the contents of the command and the signal received from the payout control device 112 are confirmed, and a payout state receiving process for performing a process corresponding to the confirmation result is executed. In step S217, payout output processing for setting the prize ball command as an output target is executed. In a succeeding step S218, an external information setting process for controlling the start and the end of the output of the external signal according to the processing result of the various processes executed in the current timer interrupt process is executed. After that, this timer interrupt processing ends.

  According to this embodiment described in detail above, not only the first return ball prevention piece 63 for blocking the inflow of the game balls from the game area PT to the guide passage 37 is provided on the game board 34, but also the game is provided from the guide passage 37. A second return ball prevention piece 73 for preventing the game ball led out to the region PT from colliding with the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention piece 63 is provided. As a result, in the situation where the game ball collides with the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention piece 63 from the game area PT side, it is difficult to cause an event that the game ball collides with the guide passage 37 side. It becomes possible. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the game ball will flow backward through the guide passage 37 in a situation where the game ball is being fired at a firing strength that passes through the first return ball prevention piece 63.

  The second return ball prevention piece 73 is provided so that the shortest distance between the second return ball prevention piece 73 and the first return ball prevention piece 63 is equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball. As a result, even if the game ball collides from the left side in a situation where the game ball collides from the right side with the second ball receiving portion 79 of the second return ball prevention piece 73, the game ball colliding from the left side has the first return. Instead of staying between the ball prevention piece 63 and the second return ball prevention piece 73, it will flow downward from between the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the second return ball prevention piece 73. ..

  In addition, the structure for preventing the return ball as described above is performed from the upper right of the game area PT, not the pachinko machine 10 of the type in which the game ball is led to the game area PT from the upper left of the game area PT. It may be applied to a pachinko machine of the type known. In this case, the second return ball prevention piece 73 is arranged to the left of the first return ball prevention piece 63.

  Further, the structure for preventing the returning ball as described above may be applied to another type of pachinko machine different from the pachinko machine 10. For example, a pachinko machine in which an electric auditory object opens a predetermined number of times when a game ball enters a specific area of a special device, or a pachinko machine in which a right occurs when a game ball enters a specific area of a special device and becomes a jackpot. It is possible to apply the above-described structure for preventing a return ball to a game machine such as a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball machine, or a sparrow ball equipped with an object.

<Example>
In the following, the guide passage in the situation where the game ball is being launched at the distance between the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the second return ball prevention piece 73 and the emission strength passing through the first return ball prevention piece 63 The relationship between the number 37 and the frequency at which the game ball flows backward will be described in detail as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

  FIG. 18 is a front view of the inner frame 13 of the pachinko machine 10 used in the experiment. The configuration of the inner frame 13 is the same as the configuration described with reference to FIG. The maximum horizontal distance X in the game area PT formed on the game board 34 is 433 mm, and the maximum vertical distance Y in the game area PT is 583 mm. The distance to the tip E of the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention piece 63 is 748 mm. When the game ball firing mechanism 38 operates, the game ball held at the launch point S passes through the guide passage 37 and presses the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention piece 63 to prevent the first ball receiving. It is supplied to the game area PT by rotating the piece 63 to the rotation side limit position. The game ball launching mechanism 38 launches a game ball at a predetermined cycle when the operation of the launching operation device 39 is continued and the situation where the predetermined launch condition is satisfied continues.

  FIG. 19 is a front view of the game board 34 showing, in an enlarged scale, a region in which the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the second return ball prevention piece 73 are provided in the pachinko machine 10 used in the experiment. The configuration of the game board 34 is the same as the configuration described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, including the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the second return ball prevention piece 73. In this case, the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the second return ball prevention piece 73 are individually provided as the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the second return ball prevention unit 71, respectively, and the first return ball prevention pieces As the unit 61 and the second return ball prevention unit 71, the return ball prevention unit having the same configuration, size and shape is used. In this case, the length dimension of the ball receiving portions 69 and 79 is 16 mm, the thickness dimension of the ball receiving portions 69 and 79 is 1 mm, the length dimension of the base portions 68 and 78 is 13 mm, and the base portion 68, The thickness dimension of 78 is 6 mm, and the width dimensions of the base portions 68, 78 and the ball receiving portions 69, 79 are 12 mm. The pedestals 64 and 74 are formed along the bases 68 and 78, and the thickness dimension thereof is 1 mm. The return ball prevention pieces 63 and 73 are made of polyethylene, and the base bodies 62 and 72 are made of polycarbonate. The return ball prevention pieces 63, 73 and the base bodies 62, 72 each have a smaller rebound hardness than the nails 51a to 51g.

  Further, a plurality of nails 51a to 51g as nails 51 are provided around the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the second return ball prevention piece 73. Of the plurality of nails 51a to 51g, the nails 51a to 51c are the first ball receiving portions of the first return ball prevention piece 63 from the game area PT side by bouncing back the game balls led out from the guide passage 37 to the game area PT. It is possible to cause an event that collides with 69. On the other hand, the nails 51d to 51g generate an event of colliding with the second ball receiving portion 79 of the second return ball prevention piece 73 from the game area PT side by bouncing off the game ball guided to the game area PT from the guide passage 37. That is, it is possible to prevent an event of colliding with the first ball receiving portion 69 of the first return ball prevention piece 63.

  In this experiment, the shortest distance L1 between the combination of the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the first pedestal portion 64 and the combination of the second return ball prevention piece 73 and the second pedestal portion 74, the first position arranged at the initial position Distance L2 between the tips between the tip of the first ball receiving portion 69 of the return ball prevention piece 63 and the tip of the second ball receiving portion 79 of the second return ball prevention piece 73 arranged at the initial position, the first ball Of the nails 51a to 51c that can cause the collision of the game ball from the game area PT side to the receiving portion 69, the nail 51a and the first ball receiving portion 69 that are present at the position closest to the first ball receiving portion 69. The shortest inter-nail distance L3 between the tip and the position farthest from the first ball receiving portion 69 among the nails 51a to 51c that can cause the game ball to collide with the first ball receiving portion 69 from the game area PT side. Between the nail 51b existing in the Each length nail distance L4 was prepared game board 34 which is a combination of experimental conditions A1~G4 as shown in FIG. 20. In this case, when the distance L2 between the front ends is changed with respect to the first return ball prevention unit 61, the distance between the front end of the second ball receiving portion 79 and the outer rail portion 36 is kept constant (specifically, 4 mm). 2 This was done by changing the relative position of the return ball prevention unit 71.

  It should be noted that, under any of the experimental conditions, a position above the imaginary line connecting the lower end of the first pedestal portion 64 of the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the lower end of the second pedestal portion 74 of the second return ball prevention unit 71. No nails 51 are provided in the area. Further, the total number of nails 51a to 51e is constant under any of the experimental conditions. In addition, under any of the experimental conditions, the nails 51d to 51g that can cause a collision of the game ball from the game area PT side to the second ball receiving portion 79 exist at the position closest to the second ball receiving portion 79. The distance L5 between the existing nail 51d and the tip of the second ball receiving portion 79 is constant at 33 mm, and the nail 51d that may cause the game ball to collide with the second ball receiving portion 79 from the game area PT side. The distance L6 between the nail 51e existing farthest from the second ball receiving portion 79 and the tip of the second ball receiving portion 79 among the ~ 51g is constant at 102 mm. In addition, the configuration, size, and shape of the first return ball prevention unit 61 and the second return ball prevention unit 71 are the same under any experimental conditions.

  Among the experimental conditions A1 to G4, in the experimental conditions A1 to A3, the shortest distance L1 and the tip distance L2 are changed while keeping the shortest nail distance L3 and the longest nail distance L4 constant. Moreover, the shortest distance L1 and the tip-to-tip distance between the experimental conditions B1 to B3, the experimental conditions C1 to C4, the experimental conditions D1 to D4, the experimental conditions E1 to E4, the experimental conditions F1 to F4, and the experimental conditions G1 to G4. The combination of L2 is different, and the combination of the shortest nail distance L3 and the longest nail distance L4 is different in each group. In each experimental condition A1 to G4, as the shortest distance L1 and the tip-to-tip distance L2 increase, the maximum value of the longest nail-to-nail distance L4 increases. The arrangement of the nails 51a to 51c that can cause a collision of the game balls has been adjusted.

<Experiment 1>
As Experiment 1, using each game board 34 of experimental conditions A1 to A3, a combination of the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the first pedestal portion 64 and a combination of the second return ball prevention piece 73 and the second pedestal portion 74. An experiment was conducted in which the game ball was continuously launched at a constant launch strength such that the game ball would flow down to a position between and, and a combination of the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the first pedestal portion 64 By capturing an image between the combination of the second return ball prevention piece 73 and the second pedestal portion 74 and visually observing the image capturing result, the combination of the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the first pedestal portion 64 and the second return It was confirmed whether or not the retention of game balls occurred between the combination of the ball prevention piece 73 and the second pedestal portion 74. In this case, one game ball is fired in 0.4 sec, one game ball is fired in 0.5 sec, and one game ball is fired in 0.6 sec. , Experiments were carried out for each of the cycle of launching one game ball in 0.7 sec and the cycle of launching one game ball in 0.8 sec.

  The experimental results are shown in the explanatory view of FIG. In this case, regarding the experimental condition A1 in which the shortest distance L1 is less than the diameter of the game ball, it is natural that the combination of the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the first pedestal portion 64 and the second cycle are used regardless of the firing cycle. The game ball cannot pass between the combination of the return ball prevention piece 73 and the second pedestal portion 74, and the combination of the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the first pedestal portion 64 and the second return ball prevention piece 73. And the retention of the game ball occurred between the combination of the second pedestal portion 74.

  On the other hand, for the experimental condition A2 and the experimental condition A3 in which the shortest distance L1 is larger than the diameter of the game sphere, the combination of the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the first pedestal portion 64 and the second return irrespective of the firing cycle. A game ball can pass between the combination of the ball prevention piece 73 and the second pedestal portion 74, and the combination of the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the first pedestal portion 64 and the second return in the experiment period of 12 hours. No retention of game balls occurred between the combination of the ball prevention piece 73 and the second pedestal portion 74.

<Experiment 2>
As Experiment 2, each game board 34 of the experimental conditions B1 to G4 and the game board 501 for the comparative example not including the second return ball prevention unit 71 as shown in FIG. 6 (Experimental condition H: L3 = 11 mm, L4 = 150mm), the experiment is carried out by continuously firing the game ball for 12 hours at a constant firing strength such that the game ball will flow around the nail 51g and the nail 51e in FIG. The number of game balls flowing into the guide passage 37 after being once guided to the PT was measured. In detail about the measurement method, two photosensors are arranged so that the detection range of the game sphere in the guide passage 37 is shifted in the passage direction of the guide passage 37 around the ball outlet 37b in the guide passage 37, Of the two photo sensors, the photo sensor on the side closer to the ball outlet 37b (that is, the photo sensor on the downstream side of the guide passage 37) detects the game ball, and then 0.1 seconds elapses from the ball outlet 37b. The number of times the game ball was detected by the photo sensor on the far side (that is, the photo sensor on the upstream side of the guide passage 37) was measured. In addition, in the experiment, one game ball is fired in 0.4 sec, one game ball is fired in 0.5 sec, and one game ball is fired in 0.6 sec. It was performed for each of the firing cycle, the firing cycle of one game ball in 0.7 sec, and the firing cycle of one game ball in 0.8 sec.

  The results are shown in the explanatory view of FIG. In this case, the distance L2 between the tips is 6 times or less the diameter of the game ball, the experimental conditions B1 to B3, the experimental conditions C1 to C4, the experimental conditions D1 to D4, and the experimental conditions E1 to E4 are any firing cycles. Even, the inflow of game balls from the game area PT side to the guide passage 37 did not occur.

  On the other hand, for the experimental conditions F1 to F4 and the experimental conditions G1 to G4 in which the distance L2 between the tips is 7 times or more the diameter of the gaming ball, the inflow of the gaming ball into the guide passage 37 from the gaming area PT side occurs. The flow of the game ball into the guide passage 37 is such that the game ball colliding with the left side of the second ball receiving portion 79 is the second ball receiving portion in the situation where the game ball collides with the right side of the second ball receiving portion 79. In a situation where it flows downwards on the left side of 79, the next-launched game ball collides with the game ball and collides with the right side of the first ball receiving portion 69. It is considered that this is caused by the game ball fired on the left side of the first ball receiving portion 69 colliding.

  The number of game balls flowing into the guide passage 37 from the game area PT side is such that the distance L2 between the tips is 7 times the diameter of the game ball than the experimental condition G1 to G4 in which the distance L2 between the tips is 8 times the diameter of the game ball. Under the experimental conditions F1 to F4, the tendency was smaller. Further, in any of the experimental conditions F1 to F4 and the experimental conditions G1 to G4, the shorter the firing cycle, the larger the number of game balls flowing into the guide passage 37. However, in any of the experimental conditions F1 to F4 and the experimental conditions G1 to G4, the number of game balls flowing into the guide passage 37 tends to be smaller than in the experimental condition H in which the second return ball prevention unit 71 is not provided. Became.

<Experiment 3>
As Experiment 3, using each game board 34 of experimental conditions B1 to G4, a combination of the first return ball prevention piece 63 and the first pedestal portion 64 and a combination of the second return ball prevention piece 73 and the second pedestal portion 74. An experiment in which the game ball is continuously launched for 12 hours at a constant launch strength such that the game ball will flow down to a position between and the guide passage 37 after the game ball is once led out to the game area PT The number of game balls flowing into was measured. The measurement method is the same as in the case of Experiment 2 above. In addition, in the experiment, one game ball is fired in 0.4 sec, one game ball is fired in 0.5 sec, and one game ball is fired in 0.6 sec. It was performed for each of the cycle of a game ball, a cycle of launching one game ball in 0.7 sec, and a cycle of launching one game ball in 0.8 sec.

  The result is shown in the explanatory view of FIG. In this case, for the experimental conditions B1 to B3 and the experimental conditions C1 to C4 in which the distance L2 between the tips is 4 times or less the diameter of the game ball, in any firing cycle, from the game area PT side to the guide passage 37. No inflow of game balls occurred. Further, regarding the experimental conditions D1 to D4 in which the distance L2 between the tips is 5 times the diameter of the game ball, if the firing cycle of the game ball is 0.5 sec or more, from the game area PT side regardless of the longest nail distance L4. No inflow of game balls into the guide passage 37 occurred. Also, regarding the experimental conditions E1 to E4 in which the distance L2 between the tips is 6 times the diameter of the game ball, if the firing cycle of the game ball is 0.6 sec or more, from the game area PT side regardless of the longest nail distance L4. No inflow of game balls into the guide passage 37 occurred.

  On the other hand, regarding the experimental conditions F1 to F4 in which the distance L2 between the tips is 7 times the diameter of the game ball, even if the firing cycle of the game ball is 0.6 sec or more, the gaming area PT side is determined according to the longest nail distance L4. An inflow of game balls to the guide passage 37 occurred. In addition, regarding the experimental conditions G1 to G4 in which the distance L2 between the tips is 8 times the diameter of the game ball, the flow of the game ball from the game area PT side to the guide passage 37 occurs regardless of the firing cycle.

  The inflow of the game ball into the guide passage 37 in Experiment 3 bounces back to any of the nails 51a to 51c that may cause the game ball to collide with the first ball receiving portion 69 from the game area PT side. It is considered that in a situation where the game ball collides with the right side of the receiving portion 69, the next-launched game ball collides with the left side of the first ball receiving portion 69. Then, the inflow of the game ball into the guide passage 37 due to the event is likely to occur because the maximum value of the longest nail distance L4 increases as the tip distance L2 increases. In addition, the inflow of the game balls into the guide passage 37 due to the event is more likely to occur as the firing cycle becomes shorter.

<Regarding invention groups extracted from the above embodiments>
The features of the invention group extracted from the above-described embodiments will be described below, 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 brackets or the like.

<Feature A group>
Features A1. Launching means for launching a game ball (game ball launching mechanism 38),
A guide passage portion (guide passage 37) for guiding the game ball shot by the launching means to the game area (game area PT),
A first restricting means (first restricting means) for restricting the movement of the game ball from the game area to the guide passage while permitting the movement of the game ball drawn from the guide passage to the game area in the direction of its derivation. A combination of the return ball prevention piece 63 and the first pedestal portion 64),
The second restricting means (first restricting means) which is provided on the front side of the derivation direction with respect to the first restricting means and permits the movement of the game ball in the derivation direction while restricting the movement of the game ball in the opposite direction. 2 combination of return ball prevention piece 73 and second pedestal portion 74),
A gaming machine characterized by being equipped with.

  According to the characteristic A1, the provision of the first restricting means makes it possible to prevent the game ball from flowing into the guide passage portion from the game area side. Further, since the second restricting means is provided, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the game ball that has once passed through the first restricting means returns in the opposite direction and collides with the first restricting means from the opposite direction. As a result, in a situation where the game ball that has once passed the first restricting means returns in the opposite direction and collides with the first restricting means, an event occurs in which the game ball collides with the first restricting means from the guide passage portion side. The probability of doing is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult to cause an event in which the game ball flows backward through the guide passage portion even though the game ball is being launched with a launch strength that can reach the game area.

  Feature A2. The game machine according to feature A1, wherein the second restricting means is provided at a position where a space in which the game balls can flow down is secured between the second restricting means and the first restricting means.

  According to the characteristic A2, in the configuration in which not only the first restricting means but also the second restricting means are provided, it becomes possible to cause the game ball to flow downward from between the first restricting means and the second restricting means. Further, in a situation where the game ball that has once passed through the second restricting means returns in the opposite direction and collides with the second restricting means from the opposite direction, the game ball collides with the second restricting means from the first restricting means side. Even if the event of happening occurs, it is possible to cause the game ball that has collided with the second restricting means from the first restricting means side to flow down to below the game area.

Features A3. The second restriction means includes a second ball receiving portion (second return ball prevention piece 73) having a free end,
Even if the game ball collides with the second ball receiving portion from the direction opposite to the lead-out direction, the distance between the free end of the second ball receiving portion and the predetermined wall portion (outer rail portion 36) passes through the game ball. The movement of the game ball in the opposite direction is prevented by not allowing a distance that allows the second ball receiving portion to collide with the second ball receiving portion in the lead-out direction. When the distance between the free end of the second ball receiving portion and the predetermined wall portion is changed to a distance that allows the game ball to pass through, the game ball can be moved in the leading direction. The gaming machine according to feature A1 or A2, which is configured.

  According to the feature A3, while allowing the game ball to move to a position on the leading side in the lead-out direction with respect to the second restricting means, it is possible to prevent the game ball from moving from the game area side toward the first restricting means. It is possible to physically block the two-ball receiving portion.

Features A4. The first restriction means includes a first return ball prevention means (first return ball prevention piece 63) rotatably supported by a first rotation shaft portion (shaft member 66),
The first return ball prevention means is
When the first return ball prevention means is arranged at the initial position, a first ball receiving portion (first ball receiving portion 69) that enters the movement path of the game ball led out from the guide passage portion to the game area. )When,
A first base portion that exists on the opposite side of the first ball receiving portion with respect to the first rotating shaft portion and that has a function of urging the first return ball preventing means toward an initial position (first base portion). 1 base portion 64),
Even if the game ball collides with the first ball receiving portion from the direction opposite to the lead-out direction, the distance between the end portion of the first ball receiving portion and the predetermined wall portion (outer rail portion 36) passes through the game ball. The movement of the game sphere in the opposite direction is blocked by the distance that does not allow, and when the game sphere collides with the first sphere receiving portion from the deriving direction, the first sphere receiving portion has the initial position. When the distance between the end of the first ball receiving portion and the predetermined wall portion is displaced to become a distance that allows the game ball to pass through, the game ball can be moved in the leading direction. Configuration,
The second restriction means includes second return ball prevention means (second return ball prevention piece 73) rotatably supported by a second rotation shaft portion (shaft member 76),
The second return ball prevention means is
When the second return ball prevention means is arranged at the initial position, the game ball is led out from the guide passage portion and can reach the front side in the lead-out direction with respect to the position of the second return ball prevention means. A second ball receiving portion (second ball receiving portion 79) which enters the moving path,
A second base portion that exists on the opposite side of the second ball receiving portion with respect to the second rotating shaft portion and that has a function of urging the second return ball preventing means toward the initial position (the second base portion). 2 base part 74),
Even if the game ball collides with the second ball receiving portion from the direction opposite to the lead-out direction, the distance between the end portion of the second ball receiving portion and the predetermined wall portion (outer rail portion 36) passes through the game ball. The movement of the game ball in the opposite direction is prevented by not allowing a distance that allows the second ball receiving portion to collide with the second ball receiving portion in the lead-out direction. When the distance between the end of the second ball receiving portion and the predetermined wall portion is changed to a distance that allows the game ball to pass through, the game ball can be moved in the leading direction. The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A3, which has a configuration.

  According to the characteristic A4, while eliminating the electric configuration in each of the first restricting means and the second restricting means, it is possible to move the game sphere in the deriving direction and the game sphere in the opposite direction to the deriving direction. Can be prevented from moving.

Features A5. The distance between the first base portion and the predetermined wall portion is different in the situation where the game ball is present in the space between the first base portion and the predetermined wall portion in the first restricting means. It is set so that there is no space in which the game ball can reach the first ball receiving portion from the movement source side in the pulling direction,
The distance between the second base portion and the predetermined wall portion is different in the situation where the game ball is present in the space between the second base portion and the predetermined wall portion in the second restricting means. The gaming machine according to feature A4, wherein a space where the gaming ball can reach the second ball receiving portion from the movement source side in the deriving direction is set.

  According to the characteristic A5, if the game ball is in contact with the first base portion or the portion of the first restricting means adjacent to the first base portion from the movement source side in the lead-out direction, the game ball is next launched. Even if the game ball reaches the position of the first restricting means, the game ball collides with the game ball in contact with the first base part from the upstream side, but the first ball receiving part and the first base part have Do not collide directly. In this case, both two game balls will flow backward in the guide passage portion. As a result, it is possible to prevent an event in which a plurality of game balls, the momentum of which has been weakened by the collision between the game balls in the guide passage portion, are led out to the game area as they are.

  On the other hand, if the game ball is in contact with the second base part or a part of the second restricting means adjacent to the second base part from the movement source side in the lead-out direction, the next game ball is launched. When reaches the position of the second restricting means, the game ball will not collide with the game ball that is in contact with the second base portion, but will collide with the second ball receiving portion. As a result, the possibility that the game ball led out from the guide passage will directly collide with another game ball without colliding with the second ball receiving portion on the side of the first regulating means with respect to the second regulating means. To be done.

Features A6. The second restricting means is rotatably supported by a second rotating shaft portion (shaft member 76) and rotates between an initial position and a limit position. 73),
The second return ball prevention means is
When the second return ball prevention means is arranged at the initial position, a game ball that is led out from the guide passage portion and can reach the front side in the lead-out direction with respect to the position of the second return ball prevention means. A second ball receiving portion (second ball receiving portion 79) that enters on the movement path of
A second base portion existing on the opposite side of the second ball receiving portion with respect to the second rotating shaft portion and having a function of urging the second return ball preventing means toward the initial position ( The second base 74),
Equipped with
Even if the game ball collides with the second ball receiving portion from the direction opposite to the lead-out direction, the distance between the end portion of the second ball receiving portion and the predetermined wall portion (outer rail portion 36) passes through the game ball. The movement of the game ball in the opposite direction is blocked by the distance that does not allow the game ball, and when the game ball collides with the second ball receiving portion from the derivation direction, the second ball receiving portion causes the limit. Displacement toward the position and the distance between the end portion of the second ball receiving portion and the predetermined wall portion becomes a distance that allows passage of the game ball, so that movement of the game ball in the derivation direction is achieved. It is a configuration that enables
Opposed to the second base part so as to prevent the game ball from coming into contact with the second base part from the direction in which the external force directed to the initial position is applied to the second return ball prevention means. The gaming machine according to any one of the features A1 to A5, which is provided with means (second pedestal portion 91).

  In a situation where the game ball is in contact with the second base portion from the direction in which the external force directed to the initial position is applied to the second return ball prevention means, the game ball moving in the pulling direction is the second ball. If the second return ball preventing means collides with the receiving portion, the second return ball preventing means cannot rotate normally. On the other hand, according to the characteristic A6, by providing the facing means, the game ball to the second base portion from the direction in which the external force toward the initial position is applied to the second return ball preventing means. Since no contact occurs, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of such an event.

Features A7. The first restriction means includes a first ball receiving portion (first ball receiving portion 69) having a free end,
Even if the game ball collides with the first ball receiving portion from the direction opposite to the lead-out direction, the distance between the free end of the first ball receiving portion and the predetermined wall portion (outer rail portion 36) is equal to the passage of the game ball. The movement of the game sphere in the opposite direction is blocked by the distance that does not allow, and when the game sphere collides with the first sphere receiving portion from the deriving direction, the first sphere receiving portion has the initial position. When the distance between the free end of the first ball receiving portion and the predetermined wall portion is changed to a distance that allows the game ball to pass, the game ball can be moved in the leading direction. Configuration,
In the second restricting means, when the game ball collides with the game ball colliding with the front side of the game board (game board 34) in which the game area is formed, the flow-down direction of the game ball is defined as the flow-down direction up to that point. The lower end of a portion that can be changed in a different direction is present at a position lower than the free end of the first ball receiving portion, according to any one of features A1 to A6. Amusement machine.

  According to the characteristic A7, even if the game ball led out to the game area moves in the direction opposite to the derivation direction, the game ball has a high probability of colliding with the second restricting means. This makes it possible to reduce the probability that the game ball derived in the game area will collide with the first ball receiving portion.

Feature 8. The first restriction means includes a first ball receiving portion (first ball receiving portion 69) having a free end,
Even if the game ball collides with the first ball receiving portion from the direction opposite to the lead-out direction, the distance between the free end of the first ball receiving portion and the predetermined wall portion (outer rail portion 36) is equal to the passage of the game ball. The movement of the game sphere in the opposite direction is blocked by the distance that does not allow, and when the game sphere collides with the first sphere receiving portion from the deriving direction, the first sphere receiving portion has the initial position. When the distance between the free end of the first ball receiving portion and the predetermined wall portion is changed to a distance that allows the game ball to pass, the game ball can be moved in the leading direction. Configuration,
The second restriction means includes a second ball receiving portion (second ball receiving portion 79) having a free end,
Even if the game ball collides with the second ball receiving portion from the direction opposite to the lead-out direction, the distance between the free end of the second ball receiving portion and the predetermined wall portion (outer rail portion 36) passes through the game ball. The movement of the game ball in the opposite direction is prevented by not allowing a distance that allows the second ball receiving portion to collide with the second ball receiving portion in the lead-out direction. When the distance between the free end of the second ball receiving portion and the predetermined wall portion is changed to a distance that allows the game ball to pass through, the game ball can be moved in the leading direction. Configuration,
The game balls are launched by the launching means such that the number of game balls launched from the launching means is 100 or less per minute,
The free end of the first ball receiving portion when the first ball receiving portion is arranged at the initial position and the second ball receiving portion when the second ball receiving portion is arranged at the initial position The game machine according to any one of features A1 to A7, characterized in that the distance from the free end of the game ball is 6 times or less the diameter of the game ball.

  According to the characteristic A8, in the configuration in which not only the first restricting means but also the second restricting means are provided, the guide passage portion is generated despite the fact that the game ball has been launched with a launch strength that can reach the game area. It is possible to prevent the phenomenon that the game ball flows backward.

  Note that any one or more of the features A1 to A8 and the features B1 to B4 may be applied to the configurations of the features A1 to A8. As a result, it is possible to exert a synergistic effect due to the combined configuration.

<Feature B group>
Feature B1. Launching means for launching a game ball (game ball launching mechanism 38),
A guide passage portion (guide passage 37) for guiding the game ball shot by the launching means to the game area (game area PT),
A restriction means (first return ball prevention piece 63 and a first return ball prevention piece 63 and A combination of the first pedestal portion 64, or a combination of the second return ball prevention piece 73 and the second pedestal portion 74),
A permissible structure (first return) that allows movement of the game ball from the position closer to the movement source side than the restricting means in the moving direction of the game ball moving from the guide passage portion to the game area below the game area. A space between the combination of the ball prevention piece 63 and the first pedestal portion 64 and the combination of the second return ball prevention piece 73 and the second pedestal portion 74, or a ball escape opening 95),
A gaming machine characterized by being equipped with.

  According to the feature B1, since the regulation means is provided, the probability that the game ball will flow backward through the guide passage in a situation where the game ball is being launched at a launch strength reaching the game area Can be reduced. Further, since the allowance structure is provided, even if the game ball once passed through the restricting means returns to the opposite direction and collides with the restricting means, even if the game ball collides with the restricting means from the guide passage portion side. The game ball that has collided with the restricting means from the guide passage portion side moves to the lower side of the game area through the allowance structure. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the game ball will flow backward to the ball entrance side of the guide passage even if such a simultaneous collision occurs.

Feature B2. The restricting means restricts movement of the game ball from the game area to the guide passage while allowing the game ball to be drawn from the guide passage to the game area in the direction of the guide ball. Yes,
The allowance structure is provided so as to allow movement of the game ball from a midway position of the passage area from the launching means to the restriction position by the restriction means to below the game area. Gaming machine described in.

  According to the feature B2, the provision of the restricting means makes it possible to prevent the game ball from flowing into the guide passage portion from the game area. Further, even if the game ball that has once passed through the restricting means returns to the opposite direction and collides with the restricting means, even if the game ball that is subsequently launched collides with the restricting means from the guide passage part side, the guide path The game ball existing on the part side moves to the lower side of the game area through the allowance structure. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the game ball will flow backward to the ball entrance side of the guide passage even if such a simultaneous collision occurs.

Feature B3. The guide passage portion includes a passage wall portion (inner rail portion 35) for preventing a game ball from flowing into the guide passage portion from the game area side at an intermediate position of the guide passage portion,
The allowance structure is provided because the passage wall portion does not exist over the range in which the game ball can pass, at a position upstream of the guide passage portion in the guide direction by the guide passage portion. The gaming machine described in the feature B2.

  According to the feature B3, since the allowance structure is provided by removing the passage wall portion, it is possible to achieve the excellent effect as described above while suppressing the complication of the configuration.

  Feature B4. Any one of features B1 to B3 characterized by including an inflow regulation means (inflow regulation plate 96) for regulating the inflow of the game ball into the guide passage portion from the game area side through the allowance structure. The game machine described.

  According to the feature B4, it is possible to achieve the above-described excellent effect by providing the allowance structure while preventing the game ball from flowing into the guide passage portion from the game area side.

  Note that any one or more of the features A1 to A8 and the features B1 to B4 may be applied to the configurations of the features B1 to B4. As a result, it is possible to exert a synergistic effect due to the combined configuration.

  The invention of the characteristic group A and the invention of the characteristic group B can solve the following problems.

  A pachinko gaming machine, which is a type of gaming machine, has a gaming area in which gaming balls flow down. When the player performs a firing operation, a firing means such as a solenoid operates, and the game ball fired based on the operation flows down in the game area. Obstacle members such as nails are provided in the game area, and the game balls that have reached the game area collide with the obstacle members to flow downward while changing the flow direction irregularly. In addition, a game ball is provided in the game area so that a game ball can enter the game ball, and the game ball can enter the game ball to provide a profit to the player. As the profit, a profit that increases the number of game balls that can be used by the player, such as payout of a game ball, or a trigger that executes an internal lottery, such as a trigger that executes a winning lottery. There is a benefit to make it.

  As a structure for deriving the game ball toward the game area, for example, a game board on which the game area is formed is formed with a guide path for the game ball so as to generate a part of the outer edge of the game area. .. Then, the game ball launched from the launching means is guided to the upper region of the game region by being guided by the guide passage.

  Here, in the gaming machine as illustrated above, it is necessary to suitably guide the game ball to the game area, and there is still room for improvement in this respect.

  The following is a basic configuration of a gaming machine to which each of the above features can be applied or applied to each feature.

  Pachinko gaming machine: operating means operated by a player, game ball launching means for launching a game ball based on the operation of the operating means, a ball passage for guiding the launched game ball to a predetermined game area, and a game A gaming machine that includes each game component arranged in the area, and gives a bonus to the player when a game ball passes through a predetermined passage portion of each of the game components.

  Rotating type gaming machine such as slot machine: equipped with a pattern display device for variably displaying a plurality of patterns, the variable display of the plurality of patterns is started by the operation of the start operation means, and caused by the operation of the stop operation means In addition, or after a lapse of a predetermined time, the variable display of the plurality of patterns is stopped, and a gaming machine that gives a privilege to the player according to the stopped pattern.

  10 ... Pachinko machine, 35 ... Inner rail part, 36 ... Outer rail part, 37 ... Guide passage, 38 ... Game ball launching mechanism, 63 ... First return ball prevention piece, 64 ... First pedestal part, 69 ... First ball Receiving part, 73 ... 2nd return ball prevention piece, 74 ... 2nd base part, 79 ... 2nd ball receiving part, 95 ... Ball escape opening part, PT ... Game area.

Claims (1)

A launching means for launching a game ball,
A guide passage portion for guiding the game ball launched by the launching means to the game area,
First restricting means for restricting the movement of the game ball from the game area to the guide passage portion while allowing the movement of the game ball drawn from the guide passage portion to the game area in the guide direction,
A second restricting unit which is provided on the front side of the derivation direction with respect to the first restricting unit and allows movement of the game ball in the derivation direction, while restricting movement of the game ball in the opposite direction,
A gaming machine characterized by being equipped with.

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