JP2021000248A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a pinball game machine that has an unprecedented, novel distribution device and can enhance interest in a game by distribution of game balls.SOLUTION: A game machine includes a belt rotation device for rotating an endless belt 41 stretched over plural pulleys 32, 33, and a stage member 25 that is opposingly disposed on an outer surface of the endless belt 41 and supports a game ball 30 on a stage 26 in cooperation with the outer surface of the endless belt 41, and the endless belt 41 includes plural projections 44a, and a start guide hole 48 for forming a start guide gap 46 for allowing game balls to pass between the stage 26 and itself in a state opposing the stage member 25. By such a configuration, movement of game balls on the stage 26 determines whether the game balls flow down the start guide gap 46, thus generating unprecedented interest.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

The present invention relates to a ball game machine provided with a distribution device for distributing a game ball into an advantageous region in which a predetermined gain is generated by passing the game ball and a non-advantageous region in which the game ball is not generated.

A ball game machine represented by a pachinko machine has a configuration provided with a distribution device for distributing game balls into an advantageous region in which a predetermined gain is generated by passing the game ball and a non-advantageous region in which the game ball is not generated (for example). Patent Documents 1 to 3). In such a configuration, since it is determined whether or not the gain is generated based on the outcome of the game ball launched in the game area, the player can be attracted to the movement of the game ball, and the generation of the gain can be generated. It can effectively stimulate the emotions of the desired player.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-73264 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-129715 JP-A-2007-325638

By the way, in the conventional configuration provided with the above-mentioned distribution device, the player watches the movement of the game ball each time the game ball is distributed by the distribution device, so that the player gradually becomes familiar with the movement of the game ball. This may reduce the effect of raising the emotions of the player. Therefore, there has been a demand for a sorting device having an unprecedented novel configuration that can be expected to improve such effects.

The present invention proposes a ball game machine provided with a novel sorting device which has never existed in the past, and which can improve the interest of a game by sorting game balls in the sorting device.

The first invention of the present invention is a ball game machine provided with a distribution device for distributing game balls into an advantageous region in which a predetermined gain is generated by passing the game ball and a non-advantageous region in which the game ball is not generated. , A belt rotating device including a plurality of pulleys, an endless belt hung on the pulley, and a driving means for rotating at least one pulley to rotate the endless belt, and a game ball can be idled. A stage member that is provided with a stage and is arranged to face the outer surface of the endless belt with a gap that does not allow the game ball to pass through, and supports the game ball on the stage in cooperation with the outer surface of the endless belt. The endless belt of the belt rotating device is provided with a plurality of convex portions that are projected from the outer surface and can come into contact with the game ball on the stage, and the stage member in a state of facing the stage member. It is provided with an advantageous passing portion which is recessed or bored so as to form a ball passing gap through which the game ball can pass, and allows the game ball on the stage to flow down to the advantageous region through the ball passing gap. It is a ball game machine characterized by being a belt.

Here, as the "gain", for example, the occurrence of a prize ball, the occurrence of a winning / failing lottery (generation of starting memory), the occurrence of a jackpot (execution of a jackpot game), and the probability of winning a jackpot in the winning / losing lottery are high probabilities. The transition to a time-saving state that shortens the fluctuation time of a special symbol or a normal symbol, or the occurrence of a rare effect is preferably used.
As the "driving means", for example, a motor, a rotary solenoid, or the like can be preferably used.
The "advantageous region" is preferably configured to be disposed below the stage member, and more specifically, to be disposed below the ball passage gap formed by the advantageous passing portion of the endless belt and the stage member. Is preferable.
The "sorting device" is preferably configured to include a non-advantageous guiding means for guiding the game ball on the stage to a non-advantageous region.

In such a configuration, during the rotation of the endless belt, the game ball on the stage moves by contacting the convex portion of the endless belt and floats on the stage, so that the advantageous passing portion faces the stage member. Depending on the position of the game ball on the stage in the above state, the game ball may flow down to the advantageous region through the ball passing gap, or may not flow down to the advantageous region because it cannot pass through the ball passing gap. According to the distribution device of the present invention, the movement of the game ball on the stage determines whether or not the ball flows down to the advantageous region where a predetermined gain is generated. Therefore, the emotion of the player seeking the generation of the gain can be determined. The movement of the game ball can make you feel happy. As described above, the present invention is provided with an unprecedented novel sorting device that enables the game ball to be sorted into an advantageous region by rotating the endless belt, and the sorting device causes unprecedented fun. Therefore, the interest of the game can be dramatically improved.

In the ball game machine of the first invention, it is proposed that the stage of the stage member is inclined downward toward the outer surface of the endless belt. This configuration is the second invention of the present invention.

In such a configuration, since the game ball on the stage is stably supported in a state of being in contact with the outer surface of the endless belt, the game ball may move in contact with the convex portion of the endless belt. It returns to the contact state. Therefore, if the game ball is at a position facing the advantageous passing portion on the stage, the game ball can stably pass through the ball passing gap formed by the advantageous passing portion. Therefore, according to this configuration, the function of distributing the game balls by the distribution device can be exhibited normally and stably.

In the ball game machine of the first invention or the second invention, the endless belt of the belt rotating device has a ball passing gap through which the game ball can pass between the stage member and the stage member. The non-advantageous passing portion, which is recessed or bored so as to be formed and allows the game ball on the stage to flow down to the non-advantageous region through the ball passing gap, is provided at a position different from the advantageous passing portion. A configuration is proposed. This configuration is the third invention of the present invention.
Here, the "advantageous region" and the "non-advantageous region" are preferably configured to be arranged below the stage member. Furthermore, the "advantageous region" is arranged below the ball passage gap formed by the advantageous passing portion of the endless belt and the stage member, and the "non-advantageous region" is the non-advantageous passing portion of the endless belt. A configuration arranged below the ball passage gap formed by the stage member is preferable. The non-advantageous passing portion corresponds to the above-mentioned non-advantageous guiding means.

In such a configuration, when the game ball flows down the ball passing gap formed by the advantageous passing portion, it passes through the advantageous region, while it flows down the ball passing gap formed by the non-advantageous passing portion. , Pass through non-advantageous areas. That is, it is determined whether or not a predetermined gain is generated depending on whether the game ball on the stage flows down the ball passing gap formed by the advantageous passing portion or the non-advantageous passing portion. Therefore, the movement of the game ball on the stage can further raise the emotions of the player who is delighted to seek the generation of a predetermined gain. Therefore, according to this configuration, the interest of the game can be further improved.

In the ball game machine according to any one of the first to third inventions, the stage member is arranged at a position facing one pulley via an endless belt in which at least an advantageous passing portion is bored. The pulley facing the stage member is connected to a pair of belt hanging portions on which both side ends of the endless belt are hung, and both belt hanging portions are connected to each other to rotate both belt hanging portions integrally. A shaft portion to be moved is provided, and the shaft portion is provided so that the distance from the stage portion is equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball and the distance from the inner surface of the endless belt is smaller than the diameter of the game ball. The configuration is proposed. This configuration is the fourth invention of the present invention.

In such a configuration, since it is possible to prevent the game ball passing through the ball passing gap from entering the inside of the endless belt, the game ball entering the inside of the endless belt cannot flow down to the advantageous region or the non-advantageous region. Can be prevented from occurring.

In the ball game machine according to any one of the first to fourth inventions described above,
"At least one of the belt rotating device and the stage member supports the game ball on the stage jointly with the outer surface of the endless belt, and the game ball between the stage member and the outer surface of the endless belt. A wide gap is formed so that the game ball can flow down to the non-advantageous region through the wide gap, and the position can be changed to an unsupported position.
A configuration is proposed that includes a position conversion control means that changes the position to the non-support position when a predetermined non-support condition is satisfied.
Here, the "non-supporting position" is a position in which at least one of the belt rotating device and the stage member is rotated (tilted) from the supporting position, or a position in which the belt rotating device is moved in a direction away from the supporting position. It is preferable to do so. That is, it can be realized by a configuration in which at least one of the belt rotating device and the stage member is provided so as to be rotatable, or a configuration in which the belt rotating device and the stage member are provided so as to be movable back and forth in a direction close to each other and a direction away from each other. Further, as the "non-support condition", for example, it can be defined that the staying time of the game ball on the stage reaches a predetermined time, the number of game balls on the stage increases, a big hit occurs, and the like. .. In this configuration, the belt rotating device and / or the stage member whose position is changed to the unsupported position and the position changing control means correspond to the above-mentioned non-advantageous guiding means.
In such a configuration, the game ball on the stage flows down to the non-advantageous region due to the position change to the unsupported position. Therefore, in order to generate a predetermined gain, the game ball on the stage is passed by the advantageous passing portion. It is essential to let it flow down through the voids. As a result, the player's attention can be more strongly attracted to the movement of the game ball on the stage, so that the player's emotions for generating a predetermined gain can be stimulated more effectively, and the interest of the game is further improved. it can.

On the other hand, the fifth invention of the present invention is the above-mentioned distribution in a ball game machine provided with a distribution device for distributing game balls into an advantageous region in which a predetermined gain is generated by passing the game ball and a non-advantageous region in which the game ball is not generated. The device includes a cylindrical roller body rotatably provided in the circumferential direction, a roller rotating device including a driving means for rotating the roller body in the circumferential direction, and a stage on which the game ball can move. A stage member that is arranged to face the outer surface of the roller body with a gap that does not allow the game ball to pass through and supports the game ball on the stage in cooperation with the outer surface of the roller body is provided. The roller body is a ball that is projected from an outer surface and can pass a game ball between a plurality of convex portions that can come into contact with the game ball on the stage and the stage member in a state of facing the stage member. A ball that is recessed or bored so as to form a passing gap, and includes an advantageous passing portion that allows a game ball on the stage to flow down to the advantageous region through the ball passing gap. It is a game machine.

Here, the "predetermined gain" and the "driving means" can be defined in the same manner as in the first invention.
Similar to the first invention, the "sorting device" is preferably configured to include a non-advantageous guiding means for guiding the game ball on the stage to the non-advantageous region.
The "advantageous region" is preferably configured to be disposed below the stage member, and more specifically, to be disposed below the ball passage gap formed by the advantageous passing portion of the roller body and the stage member. Is preferable.

In such a configuration, during the rotation of the roller body, the game ball on the stage moves by contacting the convex portion of the roller body and moves on the stage, so that the advantageous passing portion is the stage member. Depending on the position of the game ball on the stage in the facing state, the game ball may flow down to the advantageous region through the ball passing gap, or may not flow down to the advantageous region because it cannot pass through the ball passing gap. According to the distribution device of the present invention, as in the first invention described above, the movement of the game ball on the stage determines whether or not the ball flows down to the advantageous region where a predetermined gain is generated. The emotions of the player who seeks the above can be delighted by the movement of the game ball. Therefore, even in the configuration of the fifth invention, the same effects as those of the first invention described above can be obtained.

In the configuration of the fifth invention, a configuration is proposed in which "the stage of the stage member is inclined downward toward the outer surface of the roller body". Such a configuration can exhibit the same effects as those of the second invention described above.
Further, in the configuration of the fifth invention, "the roller body of the roller rotating device is formed with a ball passing gap through which a game ball can pass between the roller body and the stage member in a state of facing the stage member. The non-advantageous passing portion, which is recessed or pierced in the sill and allows the game ball on the stage to flow down to the non-advantageous region through the ball passing gap, is provided at a position different from the advantageous passing portion. " Will be done. Such a configuration can exhibit the same effects as those of the third invention described above. Here, the "advantageous region" and the "non-advantageous region" are preferably configured to be arranged below the stage member. Further, the "advantageous region" is arranged below the ball passing gap formed by the advantageous passing portion of the roller body and the stage member, and the "non-advantageous region" is the non-advantageous passing portion of the roller body. A configuration arranged below the ball passage gap formed by the stage member is preferable.
Further, in the configuration of the fifth invention, "a support position in which at least one of the roller rotating device and the stage member supports the game ball on the stage jointly with the outer surface of the roller body, and the stage member. A wide gap through which the game ball can pass is formed between the roller body and the outer surface of the roller body, and the position can be changed to an unsupported position where the game ball flows down to a non-advantageous region through the wide gap. Therefore, a configuration is proposed in which a position conversion control means for changing the position to the non-support position is provided when a predetermined non-support condition is satisfied. Such a configuration can have the same effect as the above-mentioned configuration of "converting at least one of the belt rotating device and the stage member into a supported position and a non-supported position". Here, the "non-supporting position" and the "non-supporting condition" can also be defined in the same manner as described above.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine 1 which concerns on this invention. It is a front view of the game board 2 of the pachinko machine 1. It is a block diagram which shows the electric structure of the pachinko machine 1. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the main routine. It is a flowchart which shows the start winning process. FIG. 1 is a flowchart 1 showing a pass / fail determination process. FIG. 2 is a flowchart 2 showing a pass / fail determination process. FIG. 3 is a flowchart 3 showing a pass / fail determination process. FIG. 4 is a flowchart 4 showing a pass / fail determination process. It is the flowchart 1 which shows the jackpot game processing. FIG. 2 is a flowchart 2 showing a jackpot game process. FIG. 3 is a flowchart 3 showing a jackpot game process. It is (A) front view and (B) side view of the distribution device 21 which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a top view of the distribution device 21 of Example 1. It is a perspective view of the distribution device 21 of Example 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows by cutting out a part of the endless belt 41 of the belt rotating device 31. It is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the movement of the game ball on a stage 26 in a floating state. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode in which a game ball flows down into a start | induction gap 46 in a guideable state. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a mode in which a game ball flows down into a starting guide gap 46 due to rotation of the endless belt 41. It is a perspective view of the distribution device 101 which concerns on Example 2. FIG. (A) plan view and (B) side view of the distribution device 101 of the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode in which a game ball flows down into a start | induction gap 106 in a guideable state. (A) plan view and (B) side view of the distribution device 111 of the third embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode that the game ball flows down to the start | induction gap 113 in a guideable state. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a mode in which a game ball flows down into a starting guide gap 113 due to rotation of the endless belt 41. It is (A) plan view and (B) front view of the distribution device 121 which concerns on Example 4. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode in which a game ball flows down into a start | induction gap 146 in a guideable state. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a mode in which a game ball flows down into a starting guide gap 146 due to rotation of the roller body 132. It is a vertical cross-sectional view which shows (A) support position and (B) non-support position of the stage member 25 in the structure of another Example 1. FIG. It is a vertical cross-sectional view which shows (A) the support position and (B) the non-support position of the stage member 25 in the structure of another example 2. FIG.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments according to the present invention are not limited to the following embodiments, and various embodiments may be adopted as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention. It is also possible to appropriately combine the following examples and other examples.

[Description of configuration]
(1) Overall Configuration As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment has a structure in which each part of the configuration is held by an outer frame 51 forming a vertically long fixed outer shell holding frame. Hinge 53 is provided on the upper and lower left sides of the outer frame 51, and the hinge 53 allows the front frame (glass frame) 52 into which the plate glass 61 is fitted and the inner frame described later to be opened and closed with respect to the outer frame 51. It is composed. Further, a game board 2 (FIG. 2) attached to the inner frame is arranged behind the plate glass 61 of the front frame 52.

Speakers 66 are arranged on the left and right sides of the upper part of the front frame 52, and game sounds are output by these speakers to improve the taste of the game. Further, the front frame 52 is provided with a frame-side decorative lamp 65 that emits light according to the game state, and an LED that notifies an abnormality of the game.

An upper plate 55 and a lower plate 63 are integrally provided at the lower part of the front frame 52. Further, a launch handle 64 is arranged on the right side of the lower plate 63, and when the launch handle 64 is rotated clockwise by the player, a launcher (not shown) is activated and the upper plate 55 is operated. The game ball supplied from the player is fired toward the game area 3 of the game board 2.

The lower plate 63 is configured to receive the prize balls overflowing from the upper plate 55, and when the ball pulling lever (not shown) is operated by the player, the game balls stored in the lower plate 63 are stored in a dollar box. Can be moved to. Further, an effect button 67, a jog dial 68, and a determination switch 69 are provided at the center of the upper plate 55.

The pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment is a so-called CR machine, and a prepaid card unit (CR unit) 56 for reading and writing a prepaid card is adjacent to the pachinko machine 1, and a ball lending button 57 is on the right side of the upper plate 55. , A checkout button 58, and a balance display device 59 are provided.

Note that 39 in FIG. 1 is a cylinder lock that locks the front frame 52 and the inner frame to the outer frame 51. When a predetermined key is inserted into the cylinder lock 39 and the key is operated clockwise, the inner frame is opened. When opened and operated counterclockwise, the front frame 52 is opened.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the game board 2 is formed with a substantially circular game area 3 surrounded by outer rails 2a and 2b. In the game area 3, a center case 5 is mounted in the center thereof, and a normal symbol operating gate 17 is installed on the left side of the center case 5. When the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gate 17, a plurality of types of random numbers for the normal symbol winning / failing lottery are extracted, and a winning / failing determination (normal symbol lottery) is performed based on the extracted random numbers. Further, a large number of game nails are planted in the game area 3 of the game board 2, and an out port 16 is provided at the lowermost part of the board surface.

Immediately below the center case 5, the first start port 11 and the second start port 12 where a big hit lottery with a variable display of a special symbol (also referred to as a special figure) is performed due to the entry of a game ball are up and down. They are arranged side by side. The upper first starting port 11 is configured to allow a game ball to enter at all times, while the lower second starting port 12 is configured as an ordinary electric accessory that is opened by winning a normal symbol lottery. It is possible to enter the ball only when the ball is won in the regular symbol lottery.

When a game ball enters the first and second starting ports 11 and 12, a plurality of types of random numbers are extracted and stored as a hold memory.

The second starting port 12, which is configured as an ordinary electric accessory, is opened for a predetermined time a predetermined number of times at the time of winning in the ordinary symbol lottery. Specifically, in a state other than the time saving mode described later (in the non-time saving mode), the opening of about 2.6 seconds is performed twice by one winning.

Immediately below the second starting port 12, a large winning opening 14 made of a special electric accessory that is opened during a big hit game or a small hit game, which will be described later, is arranged. Further, a plurality of general winning openings 20 are arranged on the left side of the first and second starting openings 11 and 12.

In the lower right area of the game board 2, the first special figure display device 9 and the second special figure display device 10 composed of a plurality of LEDs, and the first special figure reservation number display device 18 and the 7-segment (Ii) A special figure hold number display device 19, a normal symbol display device 7 composed of a plurality of LEDs, and a 7-segment normal figure hold number display device 8 are installed.

The center case 5 of the game board 2 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with an effect symbol display device 6 (not shown as a whole) in the center, and the effect symbol is displayed on the display screen (LCD panel) of the effect symbol display device 6. A jackpot effect is performed to notify the result of the jackpot lottery by displaying the fluctuation of the jackpot.

Further, the center case 5 is provided with a distribution device 21 for distributing the game balls in front of the lower part of the display screen of the effect symbol display device 6 described above, and further, a warp passage 22 for guiding the game balls to the distribution device 21. Is provided. A warp inlet 22a capable of flowing the game ball into the warp passage 22 is provided in the upper left portion of the center case 5, and a warp outlet through which the game ball flows out from the warp passage 22 is provided in the vicinity of the distribution device 21. 22b is provided. The distribution device 21 distributes the game ball flowing down the warp passage 22 to either the first start port 11 or not, and is a main part of the present invention. Details will be described later.

(2) Electrical configuration Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the pachinko machine 1 is configured around the main control device 80. Note that this block diagram does not include a so-called relay board or power supply board that simply relays signals. Although detailed illustration is omitted, all of the main control device 80, the payout control device 81, the effect symbol control device 82, and the sub-integrated control device 83 are provided with a CPU, ROM, RAM, input port, output port, and the like. .. Further, the launch control device 84 and the power supply board are not provided with the CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., but the present invention is not limited to this, and the launch control device 84 or the like may be provided with the CPU, ROM, RAM, or the like.

The main control device 80 includes a first start port SW11a for detecting a game ball entering the first start port 11, a second start port SW12a for detecting a game ball entering the second start port 12, and a normal symbol operation. Normal symbol operation SW17a for detecting the game ball that has entered the gate 17, count SW14a for counting the game ball that has entered the large winning opening 14, general winning opening SW20a for detecting the game ball that has entered the general winning opening 20 The detection signal from the above is input.

The main control device 80 operates according to the installed program, generates various commands related to the progress of the game based on the above-mentioned detection signal and the like, and outputs them to the payout control device 81 and the sub-integrated control device 83. As a result, the main control device 80 is configured to control the entire pachinko machine 1.

Further, the main control device 80 includes a first special figure display device 9, a second special figure display device 10, a first special figure hold number display device 18, and a second, which are connected via a symbol display device relay terminal board 89. It controls the display of the special figure hold number display device 19, the normal symbol display device 7, and the normal figure hold number display device 8.

Further, the main control device 80 controls the opening / closing of the special winning opening 14 by controlling the special winning opening solenoid 14b, and controls the opening / closing of the second starting opening 12 by controlling the general electric accessory solenoid 12b.

The output signal from the main control device 80 is also output to the test signal terminal, and a management signal such as a symbol variation or a big hit is output to the external connection terminal plate 78 and sent to the hall computer 87. Bidirectional communication is possible between the main control device 80 and the payout control device 81.

The payout control device 81 operates the payout motor 90 in response to a command sent from the main control device 80 to pay out the prize balls. In this embodiment, the detection signal of the payout SW91 for counting the game balls to be paid out as the prize balls is input to the payout control device 81, and the payout control device 81 counts the prize balls. In addition to this, it is also conceivable to use a configuration in which the detection signal of the payout SW91 is input to the main control device 80 and the payout control device 81, and both the main control device 80 and the payout control device 81 count the prize balls.

In the payout control device 81, signals from the glass frame open SW76, the inner frame open SW77, the ball out SW93, the payout SW91, and the full SW92 are input, and the full SW92 indicates that the lower plate 63 is full. Is input, or when a signal indicating that there are few or no game balls is input to the ball tank 71 due to the ball out SW93, the payout motor 90 is stopped and the prize ball payout operation is stopped. Further, the full SW92 and the out-of-ball SW93 are also configured to continue to output a signal until the state is resolved, and the payout control device 81 drives the payout motor 90 because the signal is no longer output. To resume.

Further, the payout control device 81 operates the payout motor 90 by communicating with the CR unit 56 via the CR unit terminal plate 94, and discharges the rental ball. The loaned ball is detected by the payout SW91, and the detection signal is input to the payout control device 81. Further, the CR unit terminal board 94 is also connected to the settlement display device 95 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, and the settlement display device 95 has a ball lending button 57 for requesting the lending of game balls and a ball lending button 57 for requesting settlement. A checkout button 58 is provided.

Further, the payout control device 81 transmits information about the prize ball, information indicating the open / closed state of the frame (inner frame 70, front frame 52), and the like to the hall computer 87 via the external connection terminal plate 78, and also launch control device 81. A launch stop signal is transmitted to 84.

In this embodiment, the game balls are paid out, but an enclosed type structure may be used in which the prize balls generated in response to a prize or the like are stored without being paid out. The launch control device 84 controls the launch motor 99 to launch the game ball into the game area 3.

In addition to the payout control device 81, the launch control device 84 receives a rotation amount signal from the launch handle 64, a touch signal from the touch SW98, and a launch stop signal from the launch stop SW97.

The rotation amount signal is output when the player operates the launch handle 64, the touch signal is output when the player touches the launch handle 64, and the launch stop switch signal is when the player presses the launch stop SW97. Is output. If the touch signal is not input to the launch control device 84, the game ball cannot be launched, and when the launch stop switch signal is input, the game ball can be launched even if the player touches the launch handle 64. There is no such thing.

The sub-integrated control device 83 receives data and commands transmitted from the main control device 80, distributes them to data for effect display control, sound control, and lamp control, and commands for effect display control and the like. Is transmitted to the effect symbol control device 82, and the sound control and the lamp control are distributed to the control parts (voice control device and functional unit as the lamp control device) included in the effect symbol control device 82.

Then, the functional unit as the voice control device controls the sound output from the speaker 66 by operating the sound LSI based on the data for voice control, and the functional unit as the lamp control device is the data for lamp control. Various LEDs and lamps 65 are controlled by operating the lamp driver based on the above.

Further, the effect button 67 and the jog dial 68 are connected to the sub-integrated control device 83, and when the player operates the effect button 67 and the jog dial 68, the signal is input to the sub-integrated control device 83. To.

Bidirectional communication is possible between the sub-integrated control device 83 and the effect symbol control device 82. The effect symbol control device 82 displays the effect symbol based on the data and commands received from the sub-integrated control device 83 (both are transmitted from the main control device 80 and some are generated by the sub-integrated control device 83). The device 6 is controlled to display the effect symbol. In this way, the sub-integrated control device 83, the effect symbol control device 82, and the effect symbol display device 6 are configured to execute various effects based on the data and commands (signals or notifications) from the main control device 80. Has been done.

[Description of operation]
The operation of the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment will be described.

The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a first starting port 11 capable of constantly winning a prize, and a second starting port 12 which is opened for a certain period of time by winning in the above-mentioned ordinary symbol lottery and is capable of winning a prize. , The winning or losing lottery for the big hit and the small hit is performed by the random numbers extracted due to the winning of the second starting ports 11 and 12. Then, when the random numbers extracted by entering the ball into the first starting port 11 are drawn for success or failure, the first special symbol display device 9 performs variable display of the first special symbol and stops the first special symbol. The lottery result is notified by displaying it. Similarly, when the random numbers extracted by entering the ball into the second starting port 12 are drawn for success or failure, the second special symbol display device 10 performs variable display of the second special symbol, and the second special symbol is displayed. The lottery result is notified by displaying the stop. Further, in parallel with the variable display on the first special symbol display device 9 and the second special symbol display device 10, the effect symbols corresponding to each special symbol are variablely displayed on the display screen of the effect symbol display device 6. After that, these are stopped and displayed, and the result of the lottery is notified.

Further, in the pachinko machine 1, up to four random numbers (numerical data) extracted by winning the first and second starting ports 11 and 12 are stored as hold storage, and the first special figure hold number display device. The number of each hold storage is displayed on the 18 and the second special figure hold number display device 19. Then, when this reserved memory is digested, the above-mentioned big hit and small hit lottery is performed. When the result of this winning / failing lottery is a big hit, the first and second special symbol display devices 9 and 10 confirm and display the symbol indicating the jackpot, and the effect symbol display device 6 confirms and display the effect symbol indicating the jackpot. Further, along with this big hit, a big hit game is executed in which a predetermined number of opening / closing rounds for opening and closing the big winning opening 14 are repeated. Further, when the lottery result is a small hit, the first and second special symbol display devices 9 and 10 confirm and display the symbol indicating the small hit, and the effect symbol display device 6 displays the effect symbol indicating the small hit. To do. Further, along with the small hit, a small hit game in which the large winning opening 14 is opened and closed once is executed.

After the end of the big hit game, the probability of winning the big hit in the winning or losing lottery increases for a certain period (the period until the above winning or losing lottery is performed a predetermined number of times), and at the same time, the lottery of the normal symbol is performed. In addition to increasing the winning probability of the normal symbol, the opening time of the second starting port 12 at the time of winning the normal symbol is extended, and the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is further shortened. Functions such as increasing the winning probability in the lottery of ordinary symbols, extending the opening time of the second starting port 12, and shortening the fluctuation time of ordinary symbols are also referred to as electric chew support (so-called electric support) functions.

In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the gaming state is roughly divided into a normal game in which the large winning opening 14 is closed, a big hit game in which the large winning opening 14 is opened and closed, and a small hit game, and in the normal gaming state. , The probabilistic mode and the time saving mode can be executed. Further, in the normal gaming state, when the certain period of the probability variation mode ends, the game shifts to the non-probability variation mode in which the winning probability of the big hit in the winning / losing lottery is lower than that of the probability variation mode. Similarly, when the time saving mode ends, the mode shifts to the non-time saving mode without the electric support function. In this embodiment, when such a normal game state is categorized according to the high / low probability of winning a big hit and the presence / absence of the above electric support function, the non-probability mode / non-time saving mode state and the non-probability mode / time saving mode are classified. It is classified into four types of states: the state of probabilistic change mode / non-time saving mode, and the state of probabilistic change mode / time saving mode.

In this embodiment, the jackpot winning probability is set to 1/300 in the non-probability mode and 1/50 in the probability variation mode. In this embodiment, the jackpot lottery probability is the same regardless of whether the ball enters either the first starting port 11 or the second starting port 12. In addition, the winning probability of a small hit is 1/285 in the case of a change in the first special symbol due to a prize in the first starting port 11, and a change in the second special symbol due to a winning in the second starting port 12. In the case of, it is 1/14.
In this embodiment, the winning probability of the small hit is the same in both the non-probability mode and the probability variation mode. The winning probability of such a big hit and the winning probability of a small hit are not limited to this embodiment and can be set as appropriate. The jackpot winning probability may be set to be different from each other depending on the winning of the first starting port 11 and the second starting port 12, and the small hit winning probability may be set to be mutually different in the non-probability mode and the probability variation mode. It may be set differently.

Further, in the big hit game, as described above, the opening / closing round for opening / closing the big winning opening 14 is repeated a predetermined number of times. In this embodiment, 16 opening and closing rounds are performed in one big hit game. Then, in one opening / closing round, the large winning opening 14 is opened, and the large winning opening 14 is closed when a predetermined closing condition is satisfied. That is, the open state of the opening / closing round ends when the closing condition is satisfied. This closing condition is that a predetermined opening time limit (for example, 28 seconds) elapses from the opening start of the large winning opening 14, or a predetermined specified number of winnings (for example, 28 seconds) is applied to the large winning opening 14 within the opening time limit. It is set to satisfy one of the winning prizes (10).

Further, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, on the screen of the effect symbol display device 6 in correspondence with the fluctuation of the special symbols in the first special symbol display device 9 and the second special symbol display device 10. Execute the effect display with. Specifically, the effect symbol display device 6 displays the pseudo-special symbol corresponding to the special symbol in a variable manner with the start of the fluctuation of the special symbol, and then, with the stop of the fluctuation of the special symbol, the special symbol is displayed. The pseudo-special symbol is stopped and displayed in a symbol mode corresponding to the stop mode of the symbol. In this way, a series of effects are executed by the effect symbol display device 6 in response to the fluctuation of the special symbol. Further, in the effect executed in accordance with the change of the special symbol, the reach effect (normal reach effect, long reach effect, or special reach effect) that arouses the player's expectation for the occurrence of the big hit determined by the stop mode of the special symbol Etc.) are selectively displayed and executed.

Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail.
(1) Main Routine First, the main routine in the main control device 80 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The main routine is periodically executed as a timer interrupt process having a period of about 2 ms. In the present embodiment, the process executed only once from S10 to S70 is referred to as "main process", and the process of S75 which is repeatedly executed as long as the time allows within the time remaining after executing this process is "main process". It is called "residual processing". The "main process" will be executed periodically by the above interrupt.

When the hard interrupt by the microcomputer is executed, it is determined whether or not it is a normal timer interrupt (S10). In this determination, if an affirmative determination is obtained (S10: Yes), the process proceeds to the initial value random number update process (S20), while if a negative determination is obtained (S10: No), the initial setting The process proceeds to (S15). In the process of S15, the main control device 80 performs initial settings such as CPU and I / O. After that, the process proceeds to the initial value random number update process (S75).

When an affirmative determination is obtained in S10, the main control device 80 performs initial value random number update processing (S20), jackpot determination random number update processing (S25), jackpot symbol determination random number update processing (S30), and hit determination. Various random numbers (numerical data) are updated by performing the random number update process (S35), the reach determination random number update process (S40), and the variation pattern determination random number update process (S45). Further, a winning confirmation process (S50) for detecting the winning of a game ball to a winning opening such as a starting port, a winning / failing determination process (S55) for performing a big hit lottery triggered by winning a prize at the starting port, and a big hit game or a small hit. A special game process (S60) for executing a game, a fraud monitoring process (S65) for detecting a player's fraudulent activity, and each output process (S70) for transmitting various information to a hall computer or the like are executed. In the winning confirmation process (S50), every time a game ball wins a prize in the starting openings 11 and 12, the large winning opening 14, and the general winning opening 20, a signal indicating winning is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83. ..

Further, in S75, the initial value random number is repeatedly updated until the next timer interrupt is generated and the main routine is started.

Further, the initial value random number of the above initial value random number update process (S20) takes 4000 integers from "0" to "3999", is incremented by +1 each time this process is executed, and is created in ascending order of the integers. Will be done. If this process is executed when the initial value random number is "3999", it is returned to "0".

Further, the big hit determination random number in the big hit determination random number update process (S25) takes 4000 integers from "0" to "3999" in the same as the initial value random number, and is in ascending order for each execution of this process. Created.
Here, an integer value that is a big hit among "0" to "3999" is set in each of the non-probability mode and the probabilistic mode. Specifically, 13 integer values that are big hits in the non-probability mode are set (big hit winning probability = 1/300), and 80 integer values that are big hits in the probabilistic mode are set. (Big hit winning probability = 1/50).
Further, 14 integer values that are small hits in the first special symbol are set (small hit winning probability = 1/285), and 285 integer values that are small hits in the second special symbol are set. (Winning probability of small hit = 1/14). It should be noted that the integer value that becomes such a small hit is set to a value different from the above-mentioned integer value that becomes a big hit.

Further, the random number of the random number update process (S30) for determining the jackpot symbol takes 60 integers from "0" to "59" and is created in ascending order for each execution of this process. The random number in the hit determination random number update process (S35) takes 997 integers from "0" to "996" and is created in ascending order for each execution of this process. The random number in the reach determination random number update process (S40) takes 229 integers from "0" to "228" and is created in ascending order for each execution of this process. Further, the random number of the random number update process (S45) for determining the fluctuation pattern takes 1021 integers from "0" to "1020" and is created in ascending order for each execution of this process.

(2) Start winning process Next, the flowchart of FIG. 5 shows the start winning process of detecting the winning of the first and second starting ports 11 and 12 and generating the hold memory according to the winning. It will be described using. The start winning process is a process executed by the main control device 80, and is configured as a subroutine called from the winning confirmation process (S50) executed by the main routine described above.

In the start winning process, as shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not a game ball has won a prize in the first starting port 11 based on the detection signal of the first starting port switch 11a (S100). Then, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S100: Yes) and S105, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S100: No) and S120. In S105, it is determined whether or not the number of first reserved memories has reached the upper limit value (for example, 4), and in the case of an affirmative determination (S105: Yes), the process proceeds to S120, and in the case of a negative determination. (S105: No) shifts to S110. In S110, a random number for determining a jackpot, a random number for determining a jackpot symbol, a random number for reaching, a random number for determining a fluctuation pattern, and the like are extracted and stored as the first hold storage, and the number of lights of the first special figure hold number display device 18 is displayed. Is increased by 1. After the processing of S110, the process proceeds to S120.

In S120, the main control device 80 determines whether or not the game ball has won a prize in the second starting port 12 based on the detection signal of the second starting port switch 12a. Then, in the case of an affirmative determination (S120: Yes), the process proceeds to S125, and in the case of a negative determination (S120: No), the start winning process is terminated. In S125, it is determined whether or not the number of second reserved memories has reached the upper limit value (for example, 4), and in the case of an affirmative determination (S125: Yes), the start winning process is terminated and a negative determination is made. In the case (S125: No), the process proceeds to S130. In S130, a random number for determining a jackpot, a random number for determining a jackpot symbol, a random number for reaching, a random number for determining a fluctuation pattern, and the like are extracted and stored as a second hold storage, and the number of lights of the second special figure hold number display device 19 is displayed. Is increased by 1. After this S130, the start winning process ends.

The start winning process is not limited to the above-mentioned processing content, and may be other processing content. For example, it is determined whether or not a game ball has been won in the first and second starting ports 11 and 12, and if a prize has been won, each of the above-mentioned random numbers is extracted, and then the number of reserved memories is determined. It may be determined whether or not the upper limit value has been reached, and if the upper limit value has not been reached, each extracted random number may be stored.

(3) Win / Fail Judgment Process Next, regarding the win / fail judgment process in which a lottery is performed between a big hit and a small hit using the random numbers for determining the big hit in the first and second hold memories stored in the above start winning confirmation process, FIG. A description will be given using the flowchart of FIG. The hit / fail determination process is a process executed from the main routine.

In the hit / fail determination process, as shown in FIG. 6, the main control device 80 first determines whether or not the special electric accessory is operating (that is, the big hit game or the small hit game is being executed) (S150). ). Then, in the case of an affirmative determination (S150: Yes), the pass / fail determination process is terminated, and in the case of a negative determination (S150: No), the process proceeds to S155. In S155, it is determined whether or not the first and second special symbols are being displayed in a variable manner. Then, in the case of an affirmative determination (S155: Yes), the process proceeds to S300 in FIG. 8, and in the case of a negative determination (S155: No), the process proceeds to S160. In S160, it is determined whether or not the first and second special symbols are being confirmed and displayed. Then, in the case of an affirmative determination (S160: Yes), the process proceeds to S350 in FIG. 9, and in the case of a negative determination (S160: No), the process proceeds to S165.

In S165, it is determined whether or not there is a second reserved memory, and in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S165: Yes) and S170, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S165: No) and S175. In S170, the number of second reserved memories is decremented, the oldest second reserved memory is selected, and the reference is made in S190, S195, S205, S210, S215, S225, S230, S235, S240, S245 and the like described later. In order to do so, the information (numerical data such as a random number value) stored in the second hold storage is moved to a predetermined buffer for jackpot determination, and the process proceeds to S185.

In S175, it is determined whether or not there is the first reserved memory, and in the case of an affirmative determination (S175: Yes), the process proceeds to S180, and in the case of a negative determination (S175: No), the pass / fail determination process is completed. To do. In S180, the number of first reserved memories is decremented, the oldest first reserved memory is selected, and the information stored in the first reserved memory is moved to a predetermined buffer for jackpot determination in the same manner as in S170. Process and move to S185. In the pass / fail determination process of this embodiment, the second hold memory is prioritized over the first hold memory and is the target of the pass / fail determination. Therefore, the first hold memory is subject to the pass / fail judgment only when there is no second hold memory.

In S185, it is determined whether or not the probability change flag indicating the probability change mode is 1, and in the case of an affirmative judgment (S185: Yes), the process proceeds to S190, and in the case of a negative judgment (S185: No). Move to S195.

In S190, a hit / fail determination table (probability variation table) corresponding to the probability variation mode is selected, and based on the probability variation table, the jackpot determination random number moved to the jackpot determination buffer is determined to be a jackpot or not. Digest the hold memory related to the random number for jackpot judgment. Here, in this embodiment, it is also determined whether or not the random number for determining the big hit is a small hit based on the probability variation table. After the processing of S190, the process proceeds to S200 of FIG.

On the other hand, in S195, a hit / fail judgment table (normal table) corresponding to the non-probability change mode is selected, and based on the normal table, the big hit judgment random number moved to the big hit judgment buffer is determined whether or not it is a big hit. Then, the hold memory related to the random number for determining the jackpot is digested. Here, in this embodiment, it is also determined whether or not the random number for determining the big hit is a small hit based on the normal table. After the processing of S195, the process proceeds to S200 of FIG.

In S200 of FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not it is a big hit based on the determination result of S190 or S195, and if it is an affirmative determination (S200: Yes), it shifts to S205, and if it is a negative determination (S200: Yes). No), shift to S220.

In S205, the jackpot symbol is determined based on the random number for determining the jackpot symbol related to the digested hold memory. Then, it shifts to S210. In S210, the fluctuation time of the special symbol or the like is determined based on the random number for determining the fluctuation pattern related to the digested hold memory, and the process proceeds to S215. In S215, the number of rounds of the big hit game, the opening pattern of the big winning opening, the production time related to the big hit game, the interval time, and the like are set, and the process proceeds to S250.

In S220, whether or not it is a small hit is determined based on the determination result of S190 or S195. Here, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S220: Yes) and S225, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S220: No) and S240.

In S225, the small hit symbol is determined based on the random number for determining the jackpot symbol related to the digested hold memory, and the process proceeds to S230. In S230, the fluctuation time of the special symbol or the like is determined based on the random number for determining the fluctuation pattern related to the digested hold memory, and the process proceeds to S235. In S235, the opening pattern of the large winning opening in the small hit game, the production time related to the small hit game, and the like are set, and the process proceeds to S250. In S235, similarly to S245 described later, the counter indicating the remaining number of jackpot lottery that can be executed in the probability variation mode and the counter indicating the remaining number of jackpot lottery that can be executed in the time saving mode are also updated.

Further, in S240 executed by the negative determination in S220 described above, the fluctuation time of the special symbol is determined based on the random number for determining the fluctuation pattern related to the digested hold memory, and the lost symbol is determined prior to this. Perform the process of After this S240, it shifts to S245. In S245, the counter indicating the remaining number of jackpot lottery that can be executed in the probability variation mode, the counter indicating the remaining number of jackpot lottery that can be executed in the time saving mode, and the like are updated. Then, it shifts to S250. In this embodiment, the process of determining the lost symbol is performed in S240, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be provided in which a process of determining the lost symbol is provided before S240.

In S250, a sub-integrated control device includes a hold number command indicating the number of hold memories decremented in S170 and S180, a change time of a special symbol, a result of a big hit lottery, a change start command including a stop mode of the special symbol, and the like. At the same time as transmitting to 83, the variation of the special symbol is started, and the pass / fail determination process is completed. In this fluctuation start command, it is determined whether the hold memory digested by the jackpot lottery is generated by winning the first starting port 11 or by winning the second starting port 12. May be shown.
When the sub-integrated control device 83 receives such a fluctuation start command, the sub-integrated control device 83 buffers the information indicated in the command (number of pending storages, fluctuation time of special symbol, jackpot lottery result, stop mode of special symbol, etc.). Remember in. Then, the sub-integrated control device 83 receives the change start command, and based on the jackpot lottery result and the change time of the special symbol, the change stop effect and reach effect of the pseudo special symbol corresponding to the change of the special symbol. Etc. are determined, and the determined effect is displayed and controlled by the effect symbol display device 6.

If it is determined in S155 of FIG. 6 that the special symbol is changing (S155: Yes), the process proceeds to S300 of FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the change time of the special symbol has elapsed, and an affirmative determination is made. In the case of (S300: Yes), the process proceeds to S305, and in the case of a negative determination (S300: No), the pass / fail determination process is terminated. In S305, the variable display of the special symbol is terminated, and the finalized symbol of the special symbol (that is, the big hit symbol determined in S205, the small hit symbol determined in S225, or the lost symbol determined in S240) is displayed, and at the same time. A symbol confirmation command for executing the confirmation display of the pseudo special symbol is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83, and this process is terminated.

Further, when it is determined in S160 of FIG. 6 that the confirmed symbol is being displayed (S160: Yes), the process proceeds to S350 of FIG. In S350, it is determined whether or not the duration of the confirmation display of the special symbol has expired, and in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S350: Yes), to S355, and in the case of a negative determination, to (S350: No). Ends the pass / fail determination process. In S355, the confirmation display of the special symbol is finished, and the process proceeds to S360. In S360, it is determined whether or not the special symbol that has been confirmed and displayed is a symbol that becomes a big hit, and if it is affirmative, it shifts to S365 (S360: Yes), and if it is negative, it shifts to (S360: No). , S410. In S365, the probability change flag indicating that the mode is in the probability change mode is referred to, and when the probability change flag = 1, the probability change flag is cleared (S370), and the process proceeds to S375. In S375, the time saving flag indicating that the time saving mode is set is referred to, and when the time saving flag = 1, the time saving flag is cleared (S380), and the process proceeds to S390. After that, the state designation command transmission process (S390), the condition device operation start process (S395), the accessory continuous operation device operation start process (S400), and the big hit start effect process (S405) are sequentially executed, whereby the mode of the big hit game. The jackpot game is started by transmitting a command indicating the above, a command instructing the start of the jackpot game, and the like to the sub-integrated control device 83, and the winning / failing determination process is completed.

On the other hand, in S410 executed by the negative determination in S360 described above, the probability variation flag is referred to, and when the flag = 1 (S410: Yes), the remaining number of jackpot lottery that can be executed during the probability variation mode ( (Probability variation number)) (S415). Then, when the number of probability changes = 0 (S415: Yes), the probability change flag is cleared (S420), and the process proceeds to S425. In S425, the time saving flag is referred to, and when the flag = 1 (S425: Yes), the remaining number of jackpot lottery that can be executed in the time saving mode (time saving number) is referred to (S430). Then, when the number of time reductions = 0 (S430: Yes), the time reduction flag is cleared (S435), and the process proceeds to S440. In S440, the state designation command transmission process is executed, and the process proceeds to S445.

In S445, it is determined whether or not the special symbol that has been confirmed and displayed is a symbol that becomes a small hit, and in the case of an affirmative determination (S445: Yes), the process proceeds to S450, and the special electric accessory operation start process (S450), By sequentially executing the small hit start effect processing (S455), a command indicating the mode of the small hit game, a command instructing the start of the small hit game, and the like are transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83, and the small hit game is performed. Is started, and the pass / fail judgment process is completed. Further, in the case of a negative determination in S445 (S445: No), the hit / fail determination process is terminated.

(4) Big hit game processing Next, the big hit game processing for controlling the progress of the big hit game will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 to 12. This process is configured as a subroutine called from the special game process (S60) executed in the above main routine.

In the jackpot game process, as shown in FIG. 10, the main control device 80 first determines whether or not the accessory continuous operation device is operating (that is, the jackpot game is being executed) (S500). Here, in the case of an affirmative determination (S500: Yes), the process proceeds to S505, and in the case of a negative determination (S500: No), the jackpot game process is terminated.

In S505, it is determined whether or not the large winning opening 14 is open, and in the case of an affirmative determination (S505: Yes), the process proceeds to S550 in FIG. 11, and in the case of a negative determination (S505: No). , S510. In S510, it is determined whether or not it is in the interval of each opening / closing round in the jackpot game. Here, in the case of an affirmative determination (S510: Yes), the process proceeds to S570 in FIG. 11, and in the case of a negative determination (S510: No), the process proceeds to S515. In S515, it is determined whether or not the end effect of the big hit game is in progress. Here, in the case of an affirmative determination (S515: Yes), the process proceeds to S600 in FIG. 12, and in the case of a negative determination (S515: No), the process proceeds to S520.

In S520, it is determined whether or not the start effect time in the jackpot game has elapsed. Here, in the case of an affirmative determination (S520: Yes), the process proceeds to S525, and in the case of a negative determination (S520: No), the jackpot game process is terminated.

In S525, the large winning opening opening process for opening the large winning opening 14 is executed. In this opening opening process, the above-mentioned opening time limit (for example, 28 seconds) set in advance as the maximum opening time of the large winning opening 14 in one opening / closing round is synchronized with the opening start of the large winning opening 14. Start digestion for a period of time. After this big winning opening opening process, the big hit game process is finished. Here, the time consumption of the opening limit time is performed by the subtraction process of the opening limit timer. Specifically, the release limit timer is preset with a counter value corresponding to the release limit time (28 seconds), and the counter value is subtracted each time the jackpot game process is executed (for each timer interrupt process). Is executed, and it is assumed that the opening time limit has elapsed when the counter value = 0. As a matter of course, the means for measuring the release limit time is not limited to the subtraction process of the release limit timer, and other means can also be used.

In S550 of FIG. 11, which is executed by the affirmative determination of S505, it is determined whether or not the number of game balls winning in the large winning opening 14 is 10 (specified winning number). Here, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S550: Yes) and S560, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S550: No) and S555. In S555, it is determined whether or not the opening time limit has elapsed (that is, whether or not the opening time of the large winning opening 14 has ended) by the time digestion of the opening time limit. Here, in the case of an affirmative determination (S555: Yes), the process proceeds to S560, and in the case of a negative determination (S555: No), the jackpot game process is terminated. In S560, the large winning opening closing process for closing the large winning opening 14 is executed, and the process proceeds to S565. In this large winning opening closing process, the above-mentioned opening time limit (counter value of opening time limit) is reset. In S565, the jackpot interval process for setting the interval for each round of the jackpot game is executed, and the jackpot game process is terminated.

On the other hand, in S570 executed by the affirmative determination of S510 described above, it is determined whether or not the interval time of the jackpot game has elapsed. Here, in the case of an affirmative determination (S570: Yes), the process proceeds to S575, and in the case of a negative determination (S570: No), the jackpot game process is terminated. In S575, it is determined whether or not the final round (16 rounds) has ended, and if it is affirmative, it shifts to (S575: Yes) and S580, and if it is negative, it shifts to (S575: No) and S585. To do. In S580, the jackpot end effect processing for producing the effect when ending the jackpot game is executed, and the jackpot game process is terminated.

In the large winning opening opening process of S585, the process of opening the large winning opening 14 is executed, and whether or not the opening / closing round started by the opening of the large winning opening 14 this time is the final round (16th round). The determination process is executed, and when the final round starts, a command indicating the start of the final round is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83. After this S585, the jackpot game process ends.

Further, in S600 of FIG. 12, which is executed by the affirmative determination of S515 described above, it is determined whether or not the end effect time has ended. Here, in the case of an affirmative determination (S600: Yes), the process proceeds to S605, and the S605 and S610 are sequentially executed, while in the case of a negative determination (S600: No), the jackpot game process is terminated. .. In S605 and S610, the accessory continuous operation device and the condition device are stopped, and the process proceeds to S615. In S615, it is determined whether or not to shift to the probabilistic mode after the big hit game. Here, in the case of an affirmative judgment (S615: Yes), the number of jackpot lottery that can be executed in the probability change mode (probability change number) is set (S620), the probability change flag is set (S625), and the process proceeds to S630. .. In S630, it is determined whether or not to shift to the time saving mode after the big hit game, and in the case of an affirmative judgment (S630: Yes), the number of big hit lottery that can be executed during the time saving mode (time saving number) is set (the number of time saving). S635), the time saving flag is set (S640), and the process proceeds to S645. In S645 and S650, a process of transmitting a jackpot end command for ending the effect related to the jackpot game and a state designation command transmission process are executed to the sub-integrated control device 83 to end the jackpot game process.

[Explanation of the main part]
A main part of the present invention will be described.

(1) Description of Structure As described above, a distribution device 21 including a stage member 25 and a belt rotating device 31 is disposed in the lower part of the center case 5 (see FIG. 2). The game ball flowing down the warp passage 22 is provided by the distribution device 21 with a guide port 28 provided directly above the first start port 11 and an out-of-case case provided on each of the left and right sides of the guide port 28. It is divided into mouths 29 and 29 (see FIG. 13 (A)). Then, the game ball guided to the guidance port 28 by the distribution device 21 passes through the guidance port 28 and enters the first starting port 11, while being guided to the out port 29 in the case by the distribution device 21. The game ball that has been thrown is taken into the machine base. Here, the guide port 28 and the in-case out ports 29 and 29 are respectively arranged below the stage member 25. More specifically, the guide port 28 is arranged directly below the start guide gap 46 formed by the stage member 25 and the start guide hole 48 of the endless belt 41 in a guideable state described later. Further, the out ports 29, 29 in the case are respectively arranged directly below the out guide gaps 47, 47 formed by the stage member 25 and the out guide holes 49, 49 of the endless belt 41 in a guideable state, which will be described later. To.
The guide port 28 is provided with a guide port SW28a (see FIG. 3) for detecting the passage of the game ball, and the out port 29 in the case has an out port SW29a (see FIG. 3) for detecting the game ball. It is arranged. Then, the guide port SW28a and the out port SW29a are connected to the main control device 80 as shown in FIG. 3, and when each detects a game ball, the detection signal is output to the main control device 80.

As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the belt rotating device 31 includes two pulleys 32, 33 arranged side by side at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction, and an endless belt 41 hung on the pulleys 32, 33. And an electric motor 36 (see FIG. 3) that rotationally drives the front pulley 32 to rotate the endless belt 41. Here, in the front and rear pulleys 32 and 33, the rear pulley 33 is arranged above the front pulley 32, and the endless belt 41 hung on both pulleys 32 and 33 has an upward slope to the rear. It is provided so as to incline with. The stage member 25 is arranged immediately in front of the front pulley 32. The power supply motor 36 is connected to the sub-integrated control device 83 as shown in FIG. 3, and is driven and controlled by the sub-integrated control device 83.

The stage member 25 is composed of a stage 26 capable of playing a game ball and a wall portion 27 rising from the front edge and the left and right side edges of the stage 26, and the trailing edge of the stage 26 and the endless belt 41. It is arranged to face the front pulley 32 described above with a gap in which the game ball cannot pass through. The stage member 25 is arranged so that the stage 26 is inclined downward (toward the rear) toward the pulley 32, and the game ball on the stage 26 is placed on the outer surface of the endless belt 41 (described later). It is supported jointly with the outer surface of the design film 43). Here, the width (length in the left-right lateral direction) of the stage 26 is set to be shorter than that of the design film 43 described later. As a result, on the stage 26, the game ball can be supported in cooperation with the endless belt 41 at any position in the width direction, and the game ball can be made to float in all of the width directions. .. In this embodiment, since the length of the stage 26 in the front-rear direction is set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball, the game ball can also move in the front-rear direction on the stage 26 (FIG. 19). reference).

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, the pulleys 32 and 33 have a pair of belt hanging portions 34 and 34 which are opposed to each other at predetermined intervals and a shaft portion connected to the pair of belt hanging portions 34 and 34. 35 and. A shaft portion 35 is connected to each of the central portions of the belt hanging portions 34 and 34, and the shaft portions 35 are pivotally supported by the shaft portion 35. The belt hanging portion 34 is composed of a cylindrical cord ring portion 34a on which the side portion of the endless belt 41 is hung, and a disk-shaped flange portion 34b connected to one end of the cord ring portion 34a. The outer diameter of the flange portion 34b is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the cord ring portion 34a. The flange portion 34b can prevent the endless belt 41 from coming off the pulley 32.

The outer diameter of the shaft portion 35 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the cord ring portion 34a described above, and both ends of the shaft portion 35 are provided so as to project outward from both belt hanging portions 34 and 34. Has been done. Then, in the front pulley 32, one side end portion of the shaft portion 35 is concentrically connected to the drive shaft of the electric motor 36, and the other side end portion is rotatably supported. As a result, in the front pulley 32, the shaft portion 35 and both belt hooking portions 34, 34 are integrally rotated by the drive of the electric motor 36. On the other hand, in the rear pulley 33, both ends of the shaft portion 35 are rotatably supported, and when the front pulley 32 is rotated, it is driven to rotate via the endless belt 41. The endless belt 41 is rotated by the rotation of the pulleys 32 and 33 in the front-rear direction.

The distance between the shaft portion 35 of the front pulley 32 and the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 41 (the inner peripheral surface of the drive belt 42 described later) hung on the belt hanging portions 34, 34 is larger than the diameter of the game ball. The outer diameter and arrangement position of the shaft portion 35 are set so as to be short and the distance between the shaft portion 35 and the trailing edge of the stage 26 of the stage member 25 is equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball. As a result, it is possible to prevent the game ball on the stage 26 from entering the inside of the endless belt 41 in a state where the start guide hole 48 and the out guide hole 49 of the endless belt 41, which will be described later, face the stage member 25. , It can flow down through the start guide gap 46 and the out guide gap 47, which will be described later.
In this embodiment, the shaft portion 35 of the rear pulley 33 has the same outer diameter as the shaft portion 35 of the front pulley 32.

As shown in FIGS. 13 to 18, the endless belts 41 hung on the front and rear pulleys 32 and 33 include an endless drive belt 42 and a design film 43 wound around the outer peripheral surface of the drive belt 42. It is composed of. Here, the drive belt 42 is made of a flexible material (for example, a polymer material such as synthetic rubber), and the design film 43 is a thin and flexible material.

As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, a plurality of convex portion mounting members 44 having a plurality of convex portions 44a are arranged on the drive belt 42 at predetermined intervals in the rotation direction of the endless belt 41. The convex portion mounting member 44 includes a substantially rectangular thin plate-shaped outer plate piece 44b and an inner plate piece 44c, and a mountain-shaped convex portion 44a is projected from the outer plate piece 44b. The convex mounting member 44 sandwiches the drive belt 42 between the outer plate piece 44b arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the drive belt 42 and the inner plate piece 44c arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the drive belt 42, and is not shown. The outer plate piece 44b and the inner plate piece 44c are fastened to the drive belt 42 by a plurality of mounting screws. Here, the outer plate piece 44b and the inner plate piece 44c are arranged so that their longitudinal directions are along the width direction of the drive belt 42. The longitudinal dimension of the outer plate piece 44b and the inner plate piece 44c is set shorter than the distance between the cord ring portions 34a and 34a constituting the pulleys 32 and 33, and the convex portion mounting members 44 are both. It is located between the cord ring portions 34a and 34a. As a result, the drive belt 42 can rotate smoothly without the inner plate pieces 44c of each convex portion mounting member 44 coming into contact with the pulleys 32 and 33. Further, a plurality of convex portions 44a are arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the outer plate piece 44b, and the number of arrangements and the arrangement positions are different for all or part of the convex portion attachment members 44. Here, the convex portion 44a can pass through the gap between the trailing edge of the stage 26 and the endless belt 41, and at a position facing the stage member 25 described above, the outer surface (design) of the endless belt 41 on the stage 26. The height dimension is set so as to be able to come into contact with the game ball supported by the outer surface of the film 43 (see FIGS. 19 and 21).

The outer plate piece 44b and the inner plate piece 44c are made of a flexible material (for example, synthetic rubber), and the dimensions in the lateral direction (rotation direction of the endless belt 41) are set short. Has been done. As a result, when the front and rear pulleys 32 and 33 are rotated, it is possible to suppress insufficient bending deformation due to an increase in rigidity at the mounting location of each convex portion mounting member 44, and the drive belt 42 can be smoothly rotated.

The design film 43 is formed by winding a rectangular film constituting the design film 43 on the outside of the drive belt 42 and bonding both ends in the winding direction to form an endless shape. The inner peripheral surface of the film 43 is attached to the surface of the outer plate piece 44b of each convex attachment member 44, so that the film 43 is integrally attached to the drive belt 42. Here, the design film 43 is formed with a through hole (not shown) penetrating the convex portion 44a at a position facing each convex portion 44a of the convex portion mounting member 44 arranged on the drive belt 42. The convex portion 44a is projected to the outside of the design film 43 through each through-hole.
A design design (not shown) that matches the motif of the model is drawn on the outer surface of the design film 43, and by moving between the front and rear pulleys 32 and 33, the effect of the design design is produced. Occurs.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 17 and 19, the drive belt 42 has a long hole-shaped first inner hole 48a penetrating in the belt thickness direction in a region where the convex attachment member 44 is not arranged. And the second inner holes 49a and 49a are formed as openings, respectively. The first inner hole 48a is provided in the central portion in the belt width direction, and the second inner holes 49a and 49a are provided on both the left and right sides of the first inner hole 48a. The first inner hole 48a and the second inner holes 49a and 49a have the same shape, and are arranged side by side on the drive belt 42 so that their respective longitudinal directions follow the rotation direction of the drive belt 42. There is. Here, in the present embodiment, the dimensions of the first inner hole 48a and the second inner hole 49a in the width direction are set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball, and the dimensions in the longitudinal direction are set. , The circumference of the cord ring portion 34a constituting the pulleys 32 and 33 is set to approximately 3/4 (within the range of 1/4 to 1/2).
Further, in the design film 43, a first outer hole 48b having the same shape as the first inner hole 48a is formed so as to overlap the first inner hole 48a in the inner and outer directions, and each of the second inner holes 48a is formed. Second outer holes 49b and 49b having the same shape as the second inner hole 49a are formed as openings so as to overlap the holes 49a and 49a in the inner and outer directions, respectively.
The first inner hole 48a of the drive belt 42 and the first outer hole 48b of the design film 43 form a start guide hole 48 that penetrates the endless belt 41 composed of the drive belt 42 and the design film 43 in the inward and outward directions. There is. Similarly, the second inner hole 49a and the second outer hole 49b form an out guide hole 49 that penetrates the endless belt 41 in the inner and outer directions. That is, in the endless belt 41 of this embodiment, one start guide hole 48 and two out guide holes 49, 49 are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the endless belt 41.

The distribution device 21 of the present embodiment rotates the endless belt 41 by driving the electric motor 36, and holds the game ball 30 movably on the stage 26 in a floating state (FIGS. 19 and 21 (A)). (See) and a guideable state (see FIGS. 20, 21 (B), 21 (C)) in which the game ball 30 can flow down from the stage 26.
Here, the electric motor 36 is driven and controlled by the sub-integrated control device 83 so that the front pulley 32 rotates counterclockwise when the belt rotating device 31 is viewed from the right side (FIG. 13B). As a result, the endless belt 41 rotates from above to below at a position facing the stage member 25 (in other words, the endless belt 41 rotates so as to wrap around the front pulley 32 from above to below). Then, the portion of the endless belt 41 located diagonally above the front and rear pulleys 32 and 33 (the portion visible from the front) moves from the rear to the front. The player can visually recognize that the convex portion 44a, the start guide hole 48, and the out guide holes 49, 49 move from the rear to the front by the rotation of the endless belt 41.

As shown in FIGS. 14 to 17 and 19, the idle state is a state in which the start guide hole 48 and the out guide holes 49, 49 of the endless belt 41 do not face the stage member 25, and are on the stage 26. The game ball 30 is supported by abutting against the outer surface of the endless belt 41 (the outer surface of the design film 43) due to the downward inclination of the stage 26. Then, as described above, since the gap between the stage 26 and the outer surface of the endless belt 41 cannot pass through the game ball 30, the game ball 30 on the stage 26 comes into contact with the outer surface of the endless belt 41. It is stable in a state (hereinafter referred to as a joint support state) (see FIG. 17). Further, in the floating state, as shown in FIG. 19, the convex portion 44a of the endless belt 41 comes into contact with the game ball 30 on the stage 26, and the game ball 30 in contact with the convex portion 44a floats on the stage 26. To do. In this embodiment, since the convex portion 44a has a mountain shape, the game ball 30 in contact with the convex portion 44a easily moves in the left-right direction (the width direction of the endless belt 41) on the stage 26. Then, due to this movement, the game ball 30 is in the joint support state at a position in the left-right direction different from that before the contact of the convex portion 44a, so that the position in the left-right direction changes with each contact with the convex portion 44a. In this way, in the idle state, the game ball 30 on the stage 26 repeats the idle state due to contact with the convex portion 44a of the rotating endless belt 41 and the joint support state in contact with the outer surface of the endless belt 41. Then, it is held on the stage 26 while changing its position in the left-right direction.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 (B) and 21 (C), the inducible state is a state in which the start guide hole 48 and the out guide holes 49, 49 of the endless belt 41 face the stage member 25. A start guide gap 46 that allows the game ball 30 to pass through is formed between the trailing edge of the stage 26 and the start guide hole 48, and a game is played between the trailing edge of the stage 26 and the out guide hole 49. An out-induction gap 47 that can pass through the sphere 30 is formed. In the guideable state, the game ball 30 located on the stage 26 facing the start guide hole 48 is released from contact with the outer surface of the endless belt 41 (the joint support state), and the start guide gap 46 is opened. Flow down. Then, the game ball 30 that has passed through the start guide gap 46 passes through the guide port 28 (see FIG. 13 (A)) provided directly below the start guide gap 46, and is located directly below the guide port 28. Enter the first starting port 11. On the other hand, the game ball 30 located on the stage 26 facing the out guide hole 49 is released from contact with the outer surface of the endless belt 41 (the joint support state) and flows down the out guide gap 47. Then, the game balls 30 that have flowed down the left and right out-guide gaps 47 and 47 flow into the case-in-out ports 29 and 29 (see FIG. 13 (A)) located directly below the out-guide gaps 47 and 47, respectively. .. Further, the game ball 30 located on the stage 26 at a position not facing either the start guide hole 48 and the out guide holes 49, 49 is maintained in a joint support state in contact with the outer surface of the endless belt 41. Is held on the stage 26. In this guideable state, depending on the position of the game ball 30 in the left-right direction on the stage 26, the game ball 30 enters the first start port 11 via the start guide gap 46 and passes through the out guide gap 47. Either the ball enters the out port 29 in the case or the ball is held at the stage 26.

In this way, since the distribution device 21 repeats the floating state and the inducible state by the rotation of the endless belt 41, the guiding device 21 is said to be in the inducible state by the position change due to the floating of the game ball 30 in the floating state. Whether or not the game ball 30 enters the first starting port 11 is determined. That is, the distribution device 21 distributes the game ball 30 to either the first start port 11 or the in-case out port 29 according to the movement of the game ball 30 on the stage 26.

(2) Distribution of the game ball 30 by the distribution device 21 When the game ball 30 launched in the game area 3 enters the warp entrance 22a of the center case 5, the game ball 30 flows down the warp passage 22 and warps. It is discharged from the outlet 22b and guided onto the stage 26 of the stage member 25 of the distribution device 21.

Here, in the present embodiment, the sub-integrated control device 83 controls the electric motor 36 of the distribution device 21 so as to always drive the electric motor 36 of the distribution device 21 from the power ON to the power OFF of the machine base. As described above, the electric motor 36 is rotated at a constant speed so that the portion located diagonally above the endless belt 41 moves from the rear to the front. Then, since the design design drawn on the design film 43 is variablely displayed due to the rotation of the endless belt 41, the game ball 30 is not sorted by the sorting device 21 (the game ball 30 is on the stage 26). Even if it is not in the state), it is possible to attract the player and to improve the interest of the game.

The game ball 30 guided onto the stage 26 via the warp passage 22 moves in the left-right direction on the stage 26 due to the momentum flowing out from the warp outlet 22b or contact with the convex portion 44a of the endless belt 41. It is supported by abutting against the outer surface of the endless belt 41 (in the joint support state). On the other hand, since the endless belt 41 rotates at a constant speed as described above, the floating state and the inducible state are repeatedly generated by the rotation. In the floating state, as shown in FIG. 17, since the game ball 30 on the stage 26 abuts and is supported on the outer surface of the endless belt 41, the game ball is held on the stage 26. Further, in this floating state, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 21 (A), the convex portion 44a displaced to the position facing the stage member 25 due to the rotation of the endless belt 41 is a game ball on the stage 26. Upon contact with 30, the game ball 30 moves on the stage 26. As a result, the position of the game ball 30 in the left-right direction changes on the stage 26. Then, each time the game ball 30 comes into contact with the convex portion 44a, it moves on the stage 26, and the position in the left-right direction in which the joint support state is obtained changes.

When the start guide hole 48 and the out guide holes 49, 49 are displaced to positions facing the stage member 25 due to the rotation of the endless belt 41, the guideable state is obtained. When the inducible state is reached, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 (B) and 21 (C), when the game ball 30 in the joint support state is at a position facing the start guide hole 48, the game The sphere 30 is released from the support by the outer surface of the endless belt 41 and flows down the starting guide gap 46 formed by the starting guide hole 48 and the trailing edge of the stage 26. Then, the ball passes through the guide port 28 provided directly below the start guide gap 46 and enters the first start port 11.
When the ball enters the first starting port 11, the signal detected by the first starting port SW11a is output to the main control device 80 as described above. Then, in the main control device 80, various random numbers are extracted by the start winning process (FIG. 5) to generate the first hold memory.

If the game ball in the jointly supported state is in a position facing the out guide holes 49, 49 when the guideable state is reached, the support of the game ball by the outer surface of the endless belt 41 is released and the game ball is out. The out-guide gap 47 (see FIGS. 20 and 21) formed by the guide hole 49 and the trailing edge of the stage 26 flows down. Then, the ball enters the out port 29 in the case provided directly below the out guide gap 47, and is removed from the game in the same manner as the ball entering the out port 16. In this embodiment, when the ball enters the out port 29 in the case, it is detected by the out port SW29a, and this detection signal is output to the main control device 80.

Further, when the game ball is in a position where neither the start guide hole 48 nor the out guide holes 49, 49 face each other when the guideable state is reached, the game ball is supported by the outer surface of the endless belt 41. Since it is held, the game ball is held on the stage 26. The game ball held on the stage 26 changes its horizontal position as described above in the next idle state in the guideable state, and in the next guideable state in the idle state, the game ball enters the start guidance gap 46. It will either flow down, flow down into the out-induction void 47, or hold on stage 26.

The game ball that has flowed down the warp passage 22 of the center case 5 in this way is guided onto the stage 26 and is distributed to either the first starting port 11 or the in-case out port 29 by the distribution device 21. The distribution device 21 repeatedly causes the floating state and the inducible state by rotating the endless belt 41, thereby starting the game ball whose position in the left-right direction is variously changed in the floating state by the starting guide hole 48. It is allowed to flow down to either the induction gap 46 or the out-induction gap 47 by the out-induction hole 49. That is, the movement of the game ball on the stage 26 in the idle state determines whether the game ball flows down to the start guide gap 46 or the out guide gap 47 in the guideable state. When the start guide gap 46 flows down, a gain is obtained that the ball enters the first start port 11 and the first hold memory is generated.

When the game ball descends from the warp outlet 22b to the stage 26, when the start guide hole 48 and the out guide holes 49, 49 face the stage 26 at the right time, the game ball is on the outer surface of the endless belt 41. In some cases, the starting guide gap 46 and the out guide gaps 47 and 47 may flow down without being supported by the belt.

[Features of Example 1]
The features of the first embodiment will be summarized below.
The distribution device 21 of the first embodiment is provided so that the endless belt 41 spanned by the two pulleys 32 and 33 is inclined forward with a downward slope, and the distribution device 21 is provided in front of the front pulley 32. The stage member 25 provided with the stage 26 that inclines downward toward the pulley 32 is arranged to face each other through a gap that cannot pass through the game ball, and the endless belt 41 is rotated by the rotation of the endless belt 41. A floating state in which the lateral position of the game ball is changed on the stage 26 by contact with the convex portion 44a projecting from the outer surface of the stage 26, and the game ball on the stage 26 is placed in the start guide gap 46 or the out guide gap 47. The inducible state that can flow down is repeated. Then, in the floating state, the game ball on the stage 26 can move to a position where it can flow down into the start guide gap 46 or a position where it can flow down into the out guide gap 47, and reaches the guideable state at either of these positions. As a result, the game ball is allowed to flow down into the start guide gap 46 or the out guide gap 47, and the ball enters the first start port 11 through the start guide gap 46 and the out port in the case through the out guide gap 47. It is distributed to the ball entering 29.
In such a configuration, the movement of the game ball in the floating state determines whether or not the ball enters the first starting port 11 in a guideable state. Therefore, the player is allowed to move the game ball on the stage 26. It can be watched, and the emotion of the player who wants to enter the first starting port 11 can be delighted by the movement of the game ball. In particular, in the floating state, the game ball on the stage 26 is variously displaced by contact with the convex portion 44a projecting from the endless belt 41, so that the movement of the game ball is difficult for the player to predict. It can strongly attract the interest of the player. Therefore, according to the distribution device 21 of the first embodiment, the player is provided with an unprecedented novel and exciting fun by the movement of the game ball that distributes the ball to the first starting port 11 or not. It is possible to dramatically improve the interest of the distribution.

Further, in the configuration of the first embodiment, the distance between the shaft portion 35 of the front pulley 32 and the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 41 (inner peripheral surface of the drive belt 42) is shorter than the diameter of the game ball. Moreover, the diameter and the arrangement position of the shaft portion 35 are determined so that the distance between the shaft portion 35 and the trailing edge of the stage 26 is equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball. As a result, it is possible to prevent the game ball flowing down the start guide gap 46 and the out guide gap 47 in the guideable state from entering the inside of the endless belt 41 and becoming unable to be discharged. Therefore, in a guideable state, the game ball on the stage 26 can be smoothly and stably entered into the first starting port 11 or the out port 29 in the case via the starting guiding gap 46 and the out guiding gap 47. Therefore, the function of distributing the game balls is normally and stably exhibited.

Further, the front and rear pulleys 32 and 33 have a pair of belt hanging portions 34 and 34 and a shaft so as not to interfere with a plurality of inner plate pieces 44c arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the drive belt 42 constituting the endless belt 41. Since it is composed of the portion 35, the endless belt 41 can be smoothly rotated. Further, the outer plate piece 44b and the inner plate piece 44c for arranging the plurality of convex portions 44a on the drive belt 42 are made of a material having a relatively short rotation direction width of the drive belt 42 and having flexibility. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in rigidity at the arrangement portion between the outer plate piece 44b and the inner plate piece 44c as much as possible, and it is possible to bend and deform the pulleys 32 and 33 relatively smoothly. As a result, the endless belt 41 can be rotated more smoothly.

Further, the endless belt 41 of the first embodiment is formed by winding a design film 43 on the outside of the drive belt 42, and a design design is drawn on the outer surface of the design film 43. In this configuration, the rotation of the endless belt 41 causes the design design of the design film 43 to move from the rear to the front on the upper side of the pulleys 32 and 33, and the movement of the design design produces an effect. The effect of the design design can attract the interest of the player regardless of the presence or absence of the game ball on the stage 26 (whether or not the game ball is distributed). Therefore, in a state where there are no game balls on the stage 26 (a state in which the game balls are not distributed), the effect of improving the interest of the game can be expected. You can improve the interest of the game. Further, since the player's attention can be attracted to the distribution device 21 by the production of the design design, it is excellent in preventing the player from overlooking the distribution of the game balls by the distribution device 21. Benefits can also arise.

The distribution device 101 of the second embodiment has a configuration including a belt rotating device 102 in which one flexible endless belt 103 is hung on the front and rear pulleys 32 and 33. That is, the endless belt 103 of the second embodiment has a single structure unlike the double structure of the drive belt 42 and the design film 43 of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the points different from those of the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals will be given to the same components as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

(1) Description of Structure The endless belt 103 of Example 2 is made of a material having the same flexibility as the drive belt 42 of Example 1 (for example, a polymer material such as synthetic rubber). Then, both end portions of the endless belt 103 are hung on the left and right belt hanging portions 34, 34 (cord ring portions 34a, 34a) that form the front and rear pulleys 32, 33, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the endless belt 103 has a plurality of mountain-shaped convex portions 104 protruding from the outer surface thereof, and an elongated starting guide hole 108 penetrating in the belt thickness direction and an out. The guide holes 109 and 109 are formed as openings. Here, the starting guide hole 108 is provided in the central portion in the width direction of the endless belt 103, as in the first inner hole 48a of the first embodiment, and the out guiding holes 109, are provided on both the left and right sides of the starting guide hole 108. 109 are provided respectively. The dimensions of the start guide hole 108 and the out guide hole 109 in the longitudinal direction are in the range of about 3/4 (1/4 to 1/2) of the circumferential length of the cord ring portion 34a of the belt hook portion 34. ) Is set.
Further, in the endless belt 103, a plurality of the convex portions 104 are arranged in the front-rear regions of the start guide holes 108 and the out guide holes 109, 109. In the second embodiment, a plurality of convex portions 104 are arranged in a row at predetermined intervals in the belt width direction, and a plurality of the rows are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals in the belt rotation direction. As described above, each convex portion 104 is arranged. The positions of the convex portions 104 in the belt width direction are different from each other in all or a part of each row. Similar to the first embodiment, such a convex portion 104 can pass through the gap between the trailing edge of the stage 26 and the endless belt 103, and can come into contact with the game ball on the stage 26 while facing the stage 26. It is pierced by the endless belt 103 so as to do so. Each convex portion 104 is directly attached to the endless belt 103 by a mounting screw (not shown).

In the front pulley 32, as in the first embodiment, the distance between the shaft portion 35 and the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 103 is shorter than the diameter of the game ball, and the shaft portion 35 and the stage 26 The arrangement position of the pulley 32 and the outer diameter of the shaft portion 35 are set so that the distance from the trailing edge is equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball. Further, the electric motor 36 is driven and controlled so that the front pulley 32 is rotated in the same direction as in the first embodiment (counterclockwise rotation when viewed from the right side). As a result, similarly to the first embodiment, the portion of the endless belt 103 located diagonally upward between the front and rear pulleys 32 and 33 (the portion visible from the front) moves from the rear to the front.

(2) Sorting into game balls by the sorting device 101 The sorting device 101 of the second embodiment rotates the endless belt 103 by driving the electric motor 36 to obtain a floating state and a guidance guidance state, as in the first embodiment. Is repeatedly generated. Here, the floating state is a state in which the game ball on the stage 26 can be supported by the outer surface of the endless belt 103, and the game ball is held playably on the stage 26. On the other hand, in the inducible state, as shown in FIG. 24, the start guide hole 108 and the out guide holes 109, 109 face the stage member 25. In this inducible state, a starting guide gap 106 capable of flowing down the game ball 30 is formed between the trailing edge of the stage 26 and the starting guide hole 108, and between the trailing edge of the stage 26 and the out guiding hole 109. An out-induction gap 107 that allows the game ball 30 to flow down is formed in the space. Therefore, the game ball 30 on the stage 26 can flow down from the start guide gap 106 or the out guide gaps 107 and 107, and the game ball 30 that has flowed down the start guide gap 106 is the first through the guide port 28. The game ball that has flowed down the out-induction gap 107 while entering the starting port 11 enters the out-port 29 in the case.

When the game ball launched into the game area 3 Ryukyus at the warp entrance 22a of the center case 5, it is guided to the stage 26 of the distribution device 101 through the warp passage 22. In the floating state, the game ball on the stage 26 abuts on the outer surface of the endless belt 103 and is supported (joint support state), as in the first embodiment. Then, each time the game ball on the stage 26 comes into contact with the convex portion 104 due to the rotation of the endless belt 103, the game ball floats on the stage 26, and the position of the game ball in the left-right direction changes.

After that, when the guideable state is reached, as shown in FIG. 24, the game ball 30 located at a position facing the start guide hole 108 is released from the support by the outer surface of the endless belt 103 and is formed by the start guide hole 108. It flows down the starting guide gap 106. Then, the ball passes through the guide port 28 provided directly below the start guide gap 46 and enters the first start port 11. On the other hand, when the guideable state is reached, the game ball 30 at a position facing the out guide hole 109 flows down the out guide gap 107 formed by the out guide hole 109, and the out guide gap 107 The ball enters the out port 29 in the case provided directly below.
It should be noted that the game ball 30 at a position that does not face either the start guide hole 108 or the out guide hole 109 when the guide is in a guideable state is supported by the outer surface of the endless belt 103. It is held on the stage 26.

As described above, in the configuration of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the game ball 30 guided onto the stage 26 via the warp passage 22 of the center case 5 is transferred by the distribution device 101. One of the starting port 11 and the out port 29 in the case.

[Features of Example 2]
The distribution device 101 of the second embodiment is the same as the above-described first embodiment except that the endless belt 103 having a single structure is hung on the front and rear pulleys 32 and 33, and the endless belt 103 is different. In the configuration of the second embodiment, the floating state and the inducible state are repeated by the rotation of the endless belt 103, and the game ball on the stage 26 in the floating state is repeated as in the first embodiment. Depending on the movement, the game ball is distributed to either the first starting port 11 or the in-case out port 29 in a guideable state. Therefore, the movement of the game ball on the stage 26 can make the player feel happy and depressed when he / she wants to enter the first starting port 11, and provides the player with a novel and exciting fun that has never existed before. It is possible to obtain the same action and effect as in Example 1 described above.

Further, in the configuration of the second embodiment, since the endless belt 103 has a single structure, the structure is simpler than that of the endless belt 41 of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, reduction of trouble occurrence can be expected. Further, since the maintenance work can be simplified, there is an excellent advantage that the time and cost required for the maintenance can be reduced.

Further, since the endless belt 103 of the second embodiment does not include the outer plate piece 44b and the inner plate piece 44c of the first embodiment, the rigidity at the location where the outer plate piece 44b and the inner plate piece 44c are arranged is provided. Does not increase. Therefore, when the pulleys 32 and 33 are rotated, the endless belt 103 can be smoothly curved and deformed as compared with the first embodiment, and can be rotated more smoothly.

Further, since the outer diameter and the arrangement position of the shaft portion 35 constituting the front pulley 32 are set in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above, the start guide gap 106 and the out guide gap 107 can be guided. It is possible to prevent the game ball from entering the inside of the endless belt 103 and being unable to be discharged.

As shown in FIG. 25, in the distribution device 111 of the third embodiment, the belt rotating device 31 is arranged so as to incline downward toward the front, and the rear pulley 33 constituting the belt rotating device 31 is arranged. The stage member 115 is arranged immediately after the stage member 115. Here, the structure of the belt rotating device 31 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the endless belt 41 is rotated in the reverse direction of the first embodiment by the electric motor 36. As described above, the configuration of the third embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that the arrangement position of the stage member 115 is different and the rotation direction of the endless belt 41 is opposite. Hereinafter, the points different from those of the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals will be given to the same components as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

(1) Explanation of Structure As shown in FIG. 25, the stage member 115 of the distribution device 111 includes a stage 116 capable of moving a game ball, and a wall portion 117 standing up from the trailing edge and the left and right side edges of the stage 26. It is composed of the above, and is arranged immediately behind the rear pulley 33 with a gap between the front edge of the stage 116 and the endless belt 41 so as not to pass the game ball. Here, the stage member 115 is arranged so that the stage 116 is inclined downward (toward the front) toward the pulley 33, and the game ball on the stage 116 is placed on the outer surface (design) of the endless belt 41. It is supported together with the outer surface of the film 43). Since the horizontal direction (longitudinal direction) and the front-rear direction (short direction) of the stage 116 are set to be the same as the stage 26 of the first embodiment, the stage member 115 is on the stage 116. Then, the game ball can be supported in cooperation with the endless belt 41 at any position in the width direction, and the game ball can be made to float in all of the width directions.

In the distribution device 111 of the third embodiment, FIG. 26 shows that the start guide holes 48 and the out guide holes 49, 49 of the endless belt 41 face the stage 116 installed immediately after the rear pulley 33. As shown, a start guide gap 113 capable of flowing down the game ball 30 is formed between the start guide hole 48 and the front edge of the stage 116, and each out guide hole 49 and the front edge of the stage 116 are formed. Out-induction gaps 114 capable of flowing down the game ball 30 are formed between the two. This state is the inducible state in the distribution device 111 of the third embodiment. Further, in a state where the start guide hole 48 and the out guide holes 49, 49 do not face the stage 116, as shown in FIG. 27 (A), the game ball 30 on the stage 116 is affected by the gradient of the stage 116. It abuts and is supported on the outer surface of the endless belt 41 (the outer surface of the design film 43). Then, the game ball 30 on the stage 116 is stable in a state of being in contact with the outer surface of the endless belt 41 (joint support state). The state in which the start guide holes 48 and the out guide holes 49, 49 do not face the stage 116 is the idle state in the distribution device 111 of the third embodiment. In this floating state, as in the first embodiment, each time the convex portion 44a of the endless belt 41 comes into contact with the game ball on the stage 116, the game ball 30 floats in the left-right direction, and the joint The position of the support state changes.

Below the stage member 115, a guide passage 118 and the in-case out ports 29 and 29 are arranged, respectively. Here, as shown in FIG. 27, the guide passage 118 is provided with a game ball 30 that has flowed down the start guide gap 113 formed by the start guide hole 48 and is provided directly above the first start port 11. It leads to 28. As a result, the game ball 30 that has flowed down the start guide gap 113 in the guideable state enters the first start port 11 via the guide passage 118 and the guide port 28. Further, the in-case out ports 29 and 29 are provided directly below the out guide gaps 114 and 114 formed by the out guide holes 49 and 49, respectively. As a result, the game ball 30 that has flowed down the out-induction gaps 114 and 114 in the inducible state flows into the out-out ports 29 and 29 in the case.

The distribution device 111 repeatedly causes the floating state and the inducible state by rotating the endless belt 41.
Here, in the third embodiment, the electric motor 36 is driven and controlled so that the front pulley 32 rotates in the opposite direction to the first embodiment (right rotation when the belt rotating device 31 is viewed from the right side). As a result, the endless belt 41 rotates from the upper side to the lower side at a position facing the stage member 115 (in other words, the endless belt 41 rotates so as to wrap around the rear pulley 32 from the upper side to the lower side). Then, the portion of the endless belt 41 that is located diagonally upward between the front and rear pulleys 32 and 33 (the portion that can be seen from the front) moves from the front to the rear (moves in the opposite direction to that of the first embodiment). Therefore, the player can visually recognize that the convex portion 44a, the start guide hole 48, and the out guide holes 49, 49 move from the front to the rear due to the rotation of the endless belt 41.

Further, the front and rear pulleys 32 and 33 include a pair of belt hanging portions 34 and 34 and a shaft portion 35 connected to the belt hanging portions 34 and 34, as in the first embodiment. The distance between the shaft portion 35 and the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 41 (inner peripheral surface of the drive belt 42) of the rear pulley 33 is shorter than the diameter of the game ball, and the shaft portion 35 and the stage member The outer diameter and the arrangement position of the shaft portion 35 are set so that the distance between the 115 and the front edge of the stage 116 is equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball. As a result, it is possible to prevent the game ball flowing down the start guide gap 113 and the out guide gap 114 from entering the inside of the endless belt 41 in the guideable state.

Further, the endless belt 41 of the third embodiment is composed of the drive belt 42 and the design film 43 as in the first embodiment described above, and has a design design (not shown) on the outer surface of the design film 43. Is drawn. In the third embodiment, as described above, the rotation direction of the endless belt 41 is opposite to that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the design design is drawn so that the effect is produced by the rotation direction.

(2) Distribution of Game Balls by Distribution Device 111 The distribution device 111 of the third embodiment repeatedly causes the floating state and the guidance guidance state by rotating the endless belt 41 by driving the electric motor 36. .. Then, in the floating state, as in the first embodiment, every time the convex portion 44a displaced to the position facing the stage member 115 with the rotation of the endless belt 41 comes into contact with the game ball on the stage 116, The horizontal position of the game ball changes.

When the game ball 30 on the stage 116 is in a position facing the start guide hole 48 when the guideable state is reached, the game ball 30 is as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 (B) and 27 (C). Flows down the starting guide gap 113 formed by the starting guide hole 48, and enters the first starting port 11 via the guiding passage 118 and the guiding port 28. On the other hand, when the game ball 30 on the stage 116 is in a position facing the out guide hole 49 when the guideable state is reached, the game ball 30 fills the out guide gap 114 formed by the out guide hole 49. It flows down and flows into the out port 29 in the case.
The game ball 30 at a position that does not face either the start guide hole 48 or the out guide hole 49 when the guide is in a guideable state is the outer surface of the endless belt 41, as in the first embodiment described above. It is held on stage 116 because it is supported by.

As described above, in the configuration of the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment described above, the game ball guided onto the stage 116 via the warp passage 22 of the center case 5 is first driven by the distribution device 111. It is distributed to either the starting port 11 or the out port 29 in the case.

[Features of Example 3]
In the distribution device 111 of the third embodiment, the stage member 115 is arranged to face each other immediately after the rear pulley 33, and the endless belt 41 is rotated in the direction opposite to that of the first embodiment. In the configuration of the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment described above, the floating state and the inducible state are repeated, and the game ball is moved by the movement of the game ball on the stage 116 in the floating state. It is distributed to the first starting port 11 or the out port 29 in the case in a guideable state. According to this configuration, the movement of the game ball on the stage 116 can make the player's emotions wishing to enter the first starting port 11 happy and unpleasant, and it is a novel and exciting fun that has never existed before. Can be provided to players.
Further, in the configuration of the third embodiment, the outer diameter and the arrangement position of the shaft portion 35 constituting the rear pulley 33 are set, and the distance between the shaft portion 35 and the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 41 is larger than the diameter of the game ball. Is short, and the distance between the shaft portion 35 and the front edge of the stage 116 is set to be equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball. As a result, it is possible to prevent the endless belt 41 from entering the inside of the endless belt 41 through the start guide gap 113 and the out guide gap 114 in the guideable state.
Further, as in the first embodiment, since the front and rear pulleys 32 and 33 do not interfere with the inner plate piece 44c of the drive belt 42, the endless belt 41 can be smoothly rotated. Further, since the outer plate piece 44b and the inner plate piece 44c are provided in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the endless belt 41 can be smoothly rotated.
Therefore, even in Example 3, the same action and effect as in Example 1 described above can be obtained.

As shown in FIGS. 28 to 30, the distribution device 121 of the fourth embodiment has a roller rotating device 131 for rotating the cylindrical roller body 132 and a stage member arranged opposite to the roller body 132 in front of the roller body 132. 25 is provided, and is arranged in the lower part of the center case 5 as in the first embodiment. Then, by rotating the roller body 132, the game ball on the stage 26 is distributed to the first starting port 11 or the out port 29 in the case. Hereinafter, the roller rotating device 131, which is different from the first embodiment, will be mainly described. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

(1) Description of Structure The roller rotating device 131 includes a roller body 132 and an electric motor (not shown) for rotating the roller body 132 in the circumferential direction, and the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the roller body 132 is It is arranged along the left-right direction of the machine stand. The roller body 132 has a cylindrical shell portion 136, disk-shaped flange portions 137, 137 arranged at both ends of the shell portion 136, and a shaft portion connected to the central portion of the flange portions 137, 137. The shell portion 136 is provided with 135, and the shell portion 136 is pivotally supported by the shaft portion 135. Both ends of the shaft portion 135 project laterally from the flange portions 137 and 137, one end thereof is connected to the drive shaft of the electric motor, and the other end is idlely supported. In the roller rotating device 131, the shaft portion 135 and the shell portion 136 are integrally rotated by the drive of the electric motor.

In the roller body 132, a starting guide recess 148 and an out guide recess 149,149 recessed in the circumferential direction by a predetermined length are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the roller body 132 on the outer surface of the shell portion 136. .. Here, the starting guide recess 148 is provided in the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the shell portion 136, and the out guiding recesses 149 and 149 are provided on the left and right sides of the starting guide recess 148 at predetermined intervals, respectively. The dimensions of the start guide recess 148 and the out guide recess 149 in the longitudinal direction are set to about 3/4 (range of 1/4 to 1/2) of the outer peripheral length of the shell portion 136.
Such a start guidance recess 148 is a start guide that allows a game ball to flow down between the stage member 25 and the trailing edge of the stage 26 while facing the stage member 25 arranged immediately in front of the roller body 132. It forms a void 146. Similarly, the out-induction recesses 149 and 149 form out-induction gaps 147 and 147 in which the game ball can flow down, respectively, with the trailing edge of the stage 26 in a state of facing the stage member 25. As described above, the start guide recess 148 and the out guide recess 149 are recesses provided on the outer surface of the shell portion 136, and do not penetrate the shell portion 136. That is, the starting guide recess 148 and the out guide recess 149 are recessed in the shell portion 136.

Further, on the outer surface of the roller body 132, a plurality of substantially mountain-shaped convex portions 144 protruding outward in the radial direction are provided in the front and rear regions of the starting guide recess 148 and the out guide recess 149. In the fourth embodiment, a plurality of convex portions 144 are arranged in a row at predetermined intervals in the roller width direction, and a plurality of the rows are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. , Each convex portion 144 is arranged. Then, in all or a part of each row, the positions of the convex portions 144 in the roller width direction are different from each other. Such a convex portion 144 allows the roller body to pass through the gap between the trailing edge of the stage 26 and the roller body 132, and also allows contact with the game ball on the stage 26 while facing the stage 26. It is projected on the outer surface of 132. Each convex portion 144 is directly attached to the shell portion 136 by a mounting screw (not shown).

The stage member 25 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and is located immediately before the roller body 132 through a gap between the trailing edge of the stage 26 and the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 132 so that the game ball cannot pass through. Are arranged facing each other. Here, the stage member 25 is provided so that the stage 26 is inclined downward (toward the rear) toward the roller body 132, as in the first embodiment, and the game ball on the stage 26 is formed by the roller body. Support with the outer surface of 132. The game ball on the stage 26 of the stage member 25 is stable in a state of being in contact with the outer surface of the roller body 132 (hereinafter, referred to as a joint support state).

Further, below the stage member 25, as shown in FIG. 28, an induction port 28 and an in-case out port 29, 29 are arranged. More specifically, the guide port 28 is arranged directly below the start guide gap 146 formed in the inducible state, and the out-in-case out ports 29, 29 are formed in the guideable state. Each is arranged directly under 147. As a result, the game ball that has flowed down the start guide gap 146 enters the first start port 11 via the guide port 28, while the game ball that has flowed down the out guide gap 147 enters the out port 29 in the case. Inflow.

The distribution device 121 of the present embodiment has a floating state in which the game ball is held on the stage 26 by rotating the roller body 132 by driving the electric motor of the roller rotation device 131, and the game ball. An inducible state that can flow down from the stage 26 is repeatedly generated. Here, the electric motor is driven and controlled by the sub-integrated control device 83 so that the front surface side of the roller body 132 rotates from the upper side to the lower side. That is, the rotation direction of the roller body 132 is counterclockwise when viewed from the right side.

The idle state is a state in which the starting guide recesses 148 and the out guide recesses 149 and 149 of the roller body 132 do not face the stage member 25, and the game ball on the stage 26 is stable in the joint support state, while the floating state is described. Each time the convex portion 144 of the roller body 132 comes into contact with the game ball, the position where the game ball moves in the left-right direction and becomes the joint support state changes. Further, the inducible state is a state in which the start guide recess 148 and the out guide recesses 149 and 149 face the stage member 25, and the game ball on the stage 26 is a start guide formed by the start guide recess 148. It can flow down into the out-induction void 147 formed by the void 146 and the out-induction recess 149.

(2) Distribution of Game Balls by Distribution Device 121 The distribution device 121 of the fourth embodiment repeats the floating state and the inducible state by rotating the roller body 132 by driving the electric motor as described above. Give rise.

When the game ball launched into the game area 3 enters the warp entrance 22a of the center case 5, it flows down the warp passage 22 and is guided onto the stage 26. In the floating state, as described above, the game ball supported on the stage 26 floats every time it comes into contact with the convex portion 144 of the roller body 132 to change the position in the left-right direction. Then, when the game ball 30 that has been idled in the idle state is in a position facing the start guidance recess 148 when the guideable state is reached, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 (B) and 30 (C), the said game ball 30 is located. The game ball 30 flows down the start guide gap 146 formed by the start guide recess 148 and enters the first start port 11 via the guide port 28. On the other hand, when the game ball 30 guided in the floating state is in a position facing the out guide recess 149 when the guide ball is in the guideable state, the game ball 30 is formed by the out guide recess 149. Flows down and flows into the out port 29 in the case.
It should be noted that the game ball 30 located at a position not facing either the start guide recess 148 and the out guide recess 149 when the guide is in a guideable state is maintained by the outer surface of the roller body 132. It is held on stage 26.

[Features of Example 4]
The distribution device 121 of the fourth embodiment has a roller body 132 provided with a plurality of convex portions 144, a starting guide recess 148, and an out guide recess 149 on the outer surface, and the game ball cannot pass in front of the roller body 132. A game ball supported on the stage 26 by the floating state and the inducible state repeatedly generated by the rotation of the roller body 132, which is provided with the stage members 25 arranged to face each other through the gaps. (1) It is distributed to the starting port 11 or the out port 29 in the case. Here, due to the movement of the game ball on the stage 26 in the floating state, the game ball flows into the start guidance gap 146 that enters the first start port 11 or the out port 29 in the case in a guideable state. It flows down the induction gap 147. Therefore, according to the configuration of the fourth embodiment, the movement of the game ball on the stage 26 can make the player's emotions wishing to enter the first starting port 11 happy and unpleasant, which is novel and exciting. It is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment, that is, it is possible to provide the player with a lot of fun.

Further, in the configuration of the fourth embodiment, the floating state and the inducible state are repeatedly generated by the rotation of the roller body 132, and the belt rotating devices (front and rear pulleys and endless belts) of the above-described first to third embodiments. The structure is simpler than that of. Therefore, it can be expected that the occurrence of troubles will be reduced as compared with the configurations of Examples 1 to 3. Further, since the maintenance work can be simplified, there is an excellent advantage that the time and cost required for the maintenance can be reduced.

Further, since the roller body 132 of the fourth embodiment has the start guide recess 148 and the out guide recess 149 recessed in the shell portion 136, the start guide gap 146 and the out guide gap 147 are interposed in the guide guide state. The game ball does not enter the inside of the shell portion 136. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to determine the outer diameter and the arrangement position of the shaft portion 135 constituting the roller body 132 based on the diameter of the game ball as in the first to third embodiments.

[Correspondence with claims]
The correspondence between the terms used in the description of the above-described embodiment and the terms described in the claims is shown below.
The pachinko machine 1 corresponds to an example of a ball game machine.
The first starting port 11 corresponds to an example of the advantageous area, and the prize ball and the first hold memory (big hit lottery) generated by entering the first starting port 11 pass the game ball to the advantageous area. Corresponds to an example of the predetermined gain generated by.
The in-case out port 29 corresponds to an example of a non-advantageous region.
The electric motors 36 of Examples 1 to 3 correspond to an example of the driving means of the first invention.
The start guide holes 48 of Examples 1 and 3 correspond to an example of the advantageous passing portion of the first invention formed in the endless belt 41, and the start guide gap 46 of Example 1 and the start guide gap 113 of Example 3 are provided. Corresponds to an example of the ball passing gap (ball passing gap formed by the advantageous passing portion) of the first invention.
The out guide holes 49 of Examples 1 and 3 correspond to an example of the non-advantageous passing portion of the third invention formed in the endless belt 41, and the out guide gap 47 of Example 1 and the out guide gap 47 of Example 3 are provided. 114 corresponds to an example of the ball passing gap (ball passing gap formed by the non-advantageous passing portion) of the third invention.
The starting guide hole 108 of the second embodiment corresponds to an example of an advantageous passing portion formed in the endless belt 41, and the starting guiding gap 106 of the second embodiment is formed by the ball passing gap (formed by the advantageous passing portion) of the first invention. It corresponds to an example of a ball passing gap).
The out guide hole 109 of the second embodiment corresponds to an example of a non-advantageous passing portion formed in the endless belt 41, and the out guiding gap 107 of the second embodiment is a ball passing gap (non-advantageous passing portion) of the third invention. Corresponds to an example of a sphere passage void formed by.
The electric motor of the roller rotating device 131 of the fourth embodiment corresponds to an example of the driving means of the fifth invention.
The starting guide recess 148 of the fourth embodiment corresponds to an example of the advantageous passing portion of the fifth invention recessed in the roller body 132, and the starting guiding gap 146 of the fourth invention is the ball passing gap (advantageous) of the fifth invention. It corresponds to an example of a ball passing gap formed by a passing portion).

[About another example of the embodiment]
Another example of this embodiment will be described below.
The configuration of Examples 1 to 3 is a configuration in which one start guide hole and two out guide holes are provided on the endless belt, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of arrangements of the start guide hole and the out guide hole is not limited to this. Can be changed as appropriate. For example, a start guide hole and an out guide hole may be provided one by one. Similarly, even in the configuration of the fourth embodiment, it is possible to appropriately change the number of arrangements of the start guide recess and the out guide recess provided in the roller body.

Further, the configurations of Examples 1 to 3 are such that the out guide holes are arranged on the left and right sides of the start guide holes, but the arrangement positions can be changed as appropriate. For example, the starting guide hole may be provided on the left side of the endless belt, and the out guide hole may be provided on the right side thereof. Further, the arrangement positions of the start guide hole and the out guide hole may be shifted in the rotation direction of the endless belt. Similarly, even in the configuration of the fourth embodiment, the arrangement positions of the starting guide recess and the out guide recess can be appropriately changed.

Further, in the configurations of Examples 1 to 3, the dimensions and shapes of the start guide hole and the out guide hole can be appropriately changed and set. Further, in Examples 1 to 3, the start guide hole and the out guide hole have the same size and shape, but the size and shape are not limited to this, and different sizes and shapes can be used. For example, the long-hole-shaped start guide hole may have a shorter length in the rotation direction of the endless belt than the long-hole-shaped out guide hole. Alternatively, a configuration may be configured in which a long hole-shaped starting guide hole and a circular out guide hole are provided, and a plurality of the out guide holes are arranged side by side along the rotation direction of the endless belt. Further, also in the configuration of the fourth embodiment, similarly, the dimensions and shapes of the start guide recess and the out guide recess can be appropriately changed and set, and the start guide recess and the out guide recess have different dimensions. It may be in shape.

Further, the endless belts of Examples 1 to 3 have a configuration in which a start guide hole and an out guide hole penetrating in the belt thickness direction are bored, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the belt thickness direction is as in the fourth embodiment. It is possible to provide a starting guide recess and an out guide recess that do not penetrate the belt. Specifically, in the second embodiment, a starting guide recess and an out guiding recess recessed in the outer surface of the endless belt are recessed, and a starting guide gap is provided between the starting guide recess and the trailing edge of the stage. The structure is such that an out-induction gap is formed between the out-induction recess and the trailing edge of the stage. On the other hand, in Examples 1 and 3, a starting guide recess is formed by the first recess recessed in the drive belt and the first outer hole formed as an opening in the design film, and the second recess recessed in the drive belt. And the second outer hole formed in the design film as an opening can form an out-induction recess. In the configuration in which the start guide recess and the out guide recess are provided on the endless belt, the game ball does not get inside the endless belt. Therefore, it is not necessary to determine the arrangement position and the outer diameter of the shaft portion of the endless belt based on the diameter of the game ball.

Further, the roller body of the fourth embodiment has a configuration in which a starting guide recess and an out guide recess recessed in the shell portion are recessed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the roller body is not limited to this, and is not limited to this. It is possible to have a structure in which a starting guide hole and an out guiding hole are bored. In this configuration, a start guide gap is formed between the start guide hole and the trailing edge of the stage, and an out guide gap is formed between the out guide hole and the trailing edge of the stage. In this configuration, the roller body is inside the shaft portion and the shell portion in order to prevent the game ball from entering the inside of the shell portion through the start guide gap and the out guide gap in the guideable state. The outer diameter and arrangement position of the shaft portion are determined so that the distance from the peripheral surface is shorter than the diameter of the game ball and the distance between the shaft portion and the trailing edge of the stage is equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball.

Further, in the configurations of Examples 1 to 3, the endless belt is hung on two front and rear pulleys, but the number of pulleys on which the endless belt is hung can be changed as appropriate. For example, it is possible to have a configuration in which an endless belt is hung on three or four pulleys. Here, as the number of pulleys arranged increases, the length of the endless belt in the rotation direction increases. As a result, in the configuration provided with the design film as in Examples 1 and 3, the number of design symbols drawn on the design film can be relatively increased, so that the effect of the design design can be improved.

Further, in the second embodiment, the endless belt 103 is not provided with the design film, but it is also possible that the design design is directly drawn on the outer surface of the endless belt 103. According to this configuration, as in the first and third embodiments, the effect of rotating the design design can be obtained. Further, by increasing the number of pulleys arranged, it is possible to improve the effect of the effect as described above.
Further, in the fourth embodiment, it is also possible to have a configuration in which a roller body around which a design film is wound is provided on the outside of the shell portion. Alternatively, a roller body having a design design directly drawn on the outer surface of the shell portion may be provided. According to these configurations, the effect of the design design can be obtained as in the first and third embodiments.

Further, in the configurations of Examples 1 to 4, the arrangement position and the number of arrangements of the convex portions protruding from the outer surface of the endless belt or the roller body can be appropriately changed. For example, in Examples 1 to 4, a plurality of convex portions provided in a row in the width direction of the endless belt or the roller body are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals in the rotation direction, but the plurality of convex portions are arranged side by side. The portions may be randomly arranged on the outer surface of the endless belt or the roller body. Further, in the configurations of Examples 1 to 3, it is also possible to provide a convex portion between the start guide hole and the out guide hole. Similarly, in the configuration of the fourth embodiment, a convex portion may be provided between the starting guide recess and the out guide recess.
Further, in the configurations of the first to fourth embodiments, the mountain-shaped convex portions are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various forms of convex portions can be provided. For example, it may be configured to have a cylindrical or hemispherical convex portion, or it may have a configuration provided with a convex portion having a different shape.

Further, the configurations of Examples 1 to 4 are limited to the configuration in which the first starting port (advantageous region) and the out port in the case (non-advantageous region) are distributed by the sorting device. is not. For example, instead of the first starting opening, it is possible to allocate the ball to a specific opening (advantageous region) that determines the transition to the probabilistic gaming state or the time-saving gaming state by entering the ball. Alternatively, instead of the first starting port, the opening may be distributed to the round continuation opening (advantageous area) for continuing the open round during the big hit game. Further, instead of the out port in the case, it can be distributed to the discharge port (non-advantageous area) for returning to the game area. Here, it is preferable that the discharge port (non-advantageous region) is provided at a position where the game ball discharged from the discharge port cannot enter at least the first starting port (advantageous region).

Further, the configurations of Examples 1 and 2 are such that the game ball flowing down the warp passage of the center case is directly guided on the stage of the stage member, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, it is rotating. A game ball that has flowed down the warp passage may be guided on the endless belt. In this configuration, the game ball that descends from the warp outlet onto the endless belt rolls down on the endless belt while hitting the convex portion, and reaches the stage. Therefore, even the movement of the game ball when rolling down on the endless belt can make the player's emotions happy and depressed, and the interest can be further improved. Then, the significance of rotating the endless belt can be enhanced. In this configuration, the game ball that has landed on the endless belt may enter the start guide hole or the out guide hole before reaching the stage. Therefore, the front and rear pulleys are provided with a flow path for guiding the game ball entering the starting guide hole to the guide port and a flow path for guiding the game ball entering the out guide hole to the out port inside the case. Is preferable. Alternatively, the endless belt may be stopped or rotation-controlled so that the game ball rolling down on the endless belt does not enter the start guide hole or the out guide hole.

Further, the configuration of the third embodiment is a configuration in which the game ball on the stage is caused to flow down from the start guide gap or the out guide gap and distributed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the game ball on the stage is moved down from the start guide hole or out. The structure is such that the flow flows from the guide hole to the inside of the endless belt, and the guide passage (passage for guiding to the guide port) or the out passage (passage for guiding to the out port in the case) provided inside the endless belt flows in. You can also. Here, the game ball that has flowed into the start guide hole enters the guide passage and enters the first start port from the guide passage through the guide port, while the game ball that has flowed into the out guide hole enters the out passage. And flows into the out port in the case through the out passage. In the case of this configuration, the distance between the shaft portion of the rear pulley and the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt is equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball, and the distance between the shaft portion and the front edge of the stage member. It is necessary to determine the arrangement position and the outer diameter so that is equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball.

Further, in the configurations of Examples 1 to 3, the stage member can pass the game ball between the support position forming a gap between the stage member and the endless belt so that the game ball cannot pass through, and the endless belt. The position can be changed to a non-supporting position forming a widening gap, and when a predetermined non-supporting condition is satisfied, the stage member can be repositioned to a non-supporting position. Then, when the position of the stage member is changed to the non-support position, the game ball on the stage flows into the out port in the case (that is, when the non-support condition is satisfied, the game ball on the stage becomes the first. (No ball enters the starting port). Further, as the non-support condition, for example, it can be set that the game ball is held on the stage for a predetermined time or longer. In this case, if the game ball does not flow down the start guide gap or the out guide gap on the stage within a predetermined time, the game ball is surely flowed into the out port in the case. According to such a configuration, since the time allocated on the stage is limited, the tension of the player can be effectively increased, and the action effect of making the player's emotions happy and depressed can be improved. The disapproval condition can be set in various ways, such as increasing the number of game balls held on the stage and generating a big hit.
As a specific configuration (another example 1) for converting the position of the stage member into the supported position and the non-supported position in this way, as shown in FIG. 31, the stage member 25 is played in front of the pulley 32 in front. The rotation is controlled to a support position (FIG. 31 (A)) facing the ball through a gap that cannot pass through the ball and a non-support position (FIG. 31 (B)) that forms a widening gap through which the game ball can pass. Here, at the non-supported position, the inclination angle (gradient with respect to the horizontal direction) of the stage 26 is larger than that at the supported position. Note that this alternative example 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the stage member 25 is rotated between the supported position and the non-supported position.
The configuration of the alternative example 1 is a configuration in which the stage member is rotated between a support position and a non-support position, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the stage member is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and the support position and the support position are provided. It may be configured to control the advance / retreat operation to the unsupported position in front of the position. Further, the belt rotating device is placed at a support position that forms a gap that does not allow the game ball to pass between the stage member and a non-support position that forms a gap that allows the game ball to pass between the stage member. The configuration may be repositionable. This configuration can be realized by providing the belt rotating device so as to be rotatable or movable in the front-rear direction and changing the position between the supported position and the non-supported position. Furthermore, by rotating or moving both the stage member and the belt rotating device in the front-rear direction, the position can be changed between the supported position and the non-supported position.

Similarly, even in the configuration of the fourth embodiment, one or both of the stage member and the roller rotating device is provided with a support position that forms a gap between the stage member and the roller body so that the game ball cannot pass through. It is also possible to change the position to an unsupported position that forms a widening gap through which the game ball can pass. Then, the non-support condition for changing the position to the non-support position can be set in the same manner as described above. Further, the position conversion between the supported position and the non-supported position can be realized by a configuration in which one or both of the stage member and the roller rotating device are moved in the front-rear direction, or a configuration in which the stage member is rotated.

Further, in the configurations of Examples 1 to 3, the endless belt is provided with a start guide hole and an out guide hole, and the game ball is inserted into the first start port (advantageous region) and the out port in the case (non-advantageous) via either one. The configuration is such that the belt is divided into regions), but the present invention is not limited to this, and the endless belt may be provided with only the starting guide hole without providing the out guide hole. In this configuration, at least one of the stage member and the belt rotating device is repositioned to the above-mentioned support position and non-support position, and the non-support position is set so that the game ball on the stage is moved to the out port inside the case. Let it flow in.
As a distribution device 151 having a specific configuration (another example 2), as shown in FIG. 32, by rotating the endless belt 41 provided with the starting guide hole 48, the idle state and the inducible state are repeated. On the other hand, the stage member 25 provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction is repositioned from the support position (FIG. 32 (A)) to the non-support position (FIG. 32 (B)) when the non-support condition is satisfied. That is, as shown in FIG. 32 (A), with the stage member 25 as the support position, the game ball moves on the stage 26 by repeating the floating state and the inducible state by the rotation of the endless belt 41. The ball can enter the first starting port 11 through the starting guide gap in the inducible state. On the other hand, when the non-support condition is satisfied and the stage member 25 is repositioned to the non-support position as shown in FIG. 32 (B), the game ball falls from the stage 26 and enters the out port inside the case. .. Even in the configuration of the second embodiment, the movement of the game ball in the floating state determines whether or not the game ball can flow down the starting guide gap. Therefore, the same effect as in the first to third embodiments described above. Can play. In the configuration of the second embodiment, the position of the stage member is changed between the supported position and the non-supported position by moving the stage member in the front-rear direction, but the position is changed by rotating the stage member (FIG. 31). See).
Similarly, even in the configuration of the fourth embodiment, the roller body may be provided with only the starting guide recess without providing the out guide recess, and the stage member may be repositioned to a supported position and a non-supported position. ..

Further, the configurations of the first to third embodiments are such that the endless belt is provided so as to be inclined in the front-rear direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the endless belt may be arranged so as to be inclined in various directions. good. For example, the endless belt may be provided so as to be inclined in the left-right lateral direction, or the endless belt may be provided so as to be inclined in the diagonally front-rear direction.
Similarly, in the configuration of the fourth embodiment, it is also possible to have a configuration in which the shaft portion of the roller body is provided in the front-rear direction, or a configuration in which the shaft portion is provided in the oblique front-rear direction. ..

Further, in the configurations of Examples 1 to 3, the inclination angle of the endless belt can be changed as appropriate. Further, the endless belt can be arranged in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction.

Further, the configurations of Examples 1 to 3 are not limited to the configuration including a pair of belt rotating devices and a stage member, but the configuration is not limited to this, and a configuration including a plurality of pairs of belt rotating devices and a stage member is provided. It is also possible to do. For example, two pairs of belt rotating devices and a stage member may be arranged in the vertical direction. In this case, the upper belt rotating device and the stage member distribute the game ball to either the lower stage member (stage) or the out port in the case, and the lower belt rotating device. And the stage member can be configured to be distributed to either the first starting port or the out port inside the case. Similarly, three pairs of belt rotating devices and stage members may be provided in the vertical direction and distributed in three stages.
Further, the two pairs of belt rotating devices and the stage members may be arranged side by side in the left-right and horizontal directions. As this configuration, for example, the two pairs of left and right belt rotating devices and the stage member can be configured to distribute the game ball to either the first starting port or the out-of-case port, respectively. Then, the left and right belt rotating devices are arranged on the left and right with belt rotating devices having different probabilities of distributing the game ball to the first starting port, and the game ball is guided to either the left or right stage member. Is preferable. As yet another configuration, the left and right belt rotating devices are arranged so as to face each other so that the left and right endless belts incline toward the center with a downward gradient, and are arranged on the left and right stages arranged between the two endless belts. It is also possible to configure the game ball so that it can come and go. In this configuration, since the game ball in contact with the convex portion of the endless belt on one stage can be moved to the other stage, the movement of the game ball changes more variously on the left and right stages. According to such a configuration, it is possible to further improve the interest of the distribution of the game balls.

Similarly, in the configuration of the fourth embodiment, it is also possible to have a configuration including a plurality of pairs of roller rotating devices and a stage member.

Further, the configurations of Examples 1 to 4 are such that the distribution device is provided in the center case, but the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, a distribution device may be provided inside the large winning opening. It is possible. In this case, it is preferable that the distribution device distributes the game ball to the specific mouth that shifts to the probabilistic game state or the time-saving game state after the big hit game and the normal mouth that shifts to the normal game state. Alternatively, the distribution device may be configured to distribute the game ball to the round continuation opening for executing the next open round of the big winning opening and the end opening for ending the big hit game.
Alternatively, a ball entry port capable of entering a game ball may be provided, and the distribution device of the first to fourth embodiments may be arranged inside the entry port.

Further, in the configurations of the first and second embodiments, the rotation direction of the endless belt can be opposite (the same direction as that of the third embodiment). Similarly, in the configuration of the third embodiment, the rotation direction of the endless belt can be opposite (the same direction as that of the first embodiment). In this way, even if the rotation direction of the endless belt is reversed, the game balls on the stage can be similarly distributed depending on the repeatedly occurring floating state and the inducible state. Further, in the configurations of Examples 1 to 3, the rotation direction of the endless belt may be changed according to the satisfaction of the predetermined conditions, or the rotation direction of the endless belt may be selected each time the predetermined conditions are satisfied. It can also be configured. Here, the predetermined conditions can be set such as the passage of a predetermined time, the occurrence of a predetermined number of prize balls, the occurrence of a big hit, the occurrence of a predetermined number of big hits, and the like.
Similarly, in the configuration of the fourth embodiment, the rotation direction of the roller rotating body can be reversed. Further, the rotation direction can be changed when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

1 Pachinko machine (ball game machine)
11 First starting port (advantageous area)
21,101,111,121 Sorting device 25,115 Stage member 26,116 Stage 29 Out port in case (non-advantageous area)
30 Game ball 31,102 Belt rotating device 32,33 Pulley 34 Belt hanging part 35 Shaft part 41,103 Endless belt 44a, 104,144 Convex part 46,106,113,146 Starting guide gap (ball passage gap)
47,107,114,147 Out-induction voids (ball passage voids)
48,108 Starting guide hole (advantageous passage)
49,109 Out guide hole (non-advantageous passage part)
131 Roller rotating device 132 Roller body 148 Starting guide recess (advantageous passing part)
149 Out guide recess (non-advantageous passage)

Claims (5)

In a ball game machine provided with a distribution device that distributes a game ball into an advantageous area in which a predetermined gain is generated by passing the game ball and a non-advantageous area in which the game ball is not generated.
The sorting device
A belt rotating device including a plurality of pulleys, an endless belt hung on the pulley, and a driving means for rotating at least one pulley to rotate the endless belt.
A stage on which the game ball can move is provided, and the game ball is arranged to face the outer surface of the endless belt with a gap that cannot pass through the game ball, and supports the game ball on the stage in cooperation with the outer surface of the endless belt. It is equipped with a stage member to be used.
The endless belt of the belt rotating device is
A plurality of convex portions that are projected from the outer surface and can come into contact with the game ball on the stage.
It is recessed or bored so as to form a ball passing gap through which the game ball can pass between the stage member and the stage member, and the game ball on the stage is passed through the ball passing gap. A ball game machine including an advantageous passing portion for flowing down to the advantageous region. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the stage of the stage member is inclined downward toward the outer surface of the endless belt. The endless belt of the belt rotating device is
It is recessed or bored so as to form a ball passing gap through which the game ball can pass between the stage member and the stage member, and the game ball on the stage is not formed through the ball passing gap. The ball game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-advantageous passing portion to flow down to the advantageous region is provided at a position different from that of the advantageous passing portion. The stage member is arranged at a position facing one pulley via an endless belt in which at least an advantageous passing portion is bored.
The pulley facing the stage member
A pair of belt hanging portions on which both side ends of the endless belt are hung, and a shaft portion connected to both belt hanging portions and rotating both belt hanging portions integrally are provided.
The claim is characterized in that the shaft portion is provided so that the distance from the stage portion is equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball and the distance from the inner surface of the endless belt is smaller than the diameter of the game ball. The ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In a ball game machine provided with a distribution device that distributes a game ball into an advantageous area in which a predetermined gain is generated by passing the game ball and a non-advantageous area in which the game ball is not generated.
The sorting device
A roller rotating device including a cylindrical roller body rotatably provided in the circumferential direction and a driving means for rotating the roller body in the circumferential direction.
A stage on which the game ball can move is provided, and the game ball is arranged to face the outer surface of the roller body with a gap that cannot pass through the game ball, and supports the game ball on the stage in cooperation with the outer surface of the roller body. Equipped with stage members to
The roller body
A plurality of convex portions that are projected from the outer surface and can come into contact with the game ball on the stage.
It is recessed or bored so as to form a ball passing gap through which the game ball can pass between the stage member and the stage member, and the game ball on the stage is passed through the ball passing gap. A ball game machine including an advantageous passing portion for flowing down to the advantageous region.

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