JP2021010425A - Ball entry device for game machine and game machine having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a ball entry device for a game machine allowing a player to easily recognize entry of game balls into a ball passage member, and to provide a game machine having the same.SOLUTION: A ball entry device 10 for a game machine includes: a ball passage member 30 having a ball inlet 31b for receiving game balls and a ball outlet 31e for discharging game balls received from the ball inlet 31b; a mount base 50 to which the ball passage member 30 is mounted displaceably; a first drive source 52 and a second drive source 42 for generating drive force for displacing the ball passage member 30; and a main control board 80 for controlling operation of the first drive source 52 and the second drive source 42. The main control board 80 operates at least one of the first drive source 52 and the second drive source 42 when game balls enter a winning hole 61a and displaces the ball passage member 30 relative to the mount base 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

The present invention relates to a ball entry device for a game machine and a game machine including the same.

In the conventional game machine, the display of the variable display unit becomes a specific pattern, and the game ball wins a prize in the specific winning opening, so that the game state is advantageous to the player (so-called "big hit" state), and a big prize is won. The mouth was opened and many prize balls were won. Then, the player is notified of the "big hit" state by blinking the decorative lamp, etc., but the big winning opening is provided in an inconspicuous place such as below in the right corner of the game board surface due to the enlargement of the variable display unit and the effect device. Therefore, it was difficult to realize the "big hit" by winning the big prize opening. Even with a ball entry device provided on the surface of the game board, as in such a game machine, it is difficult to understand how the game ball enters the ball entrance.

Therefore, for example, a display by a variable display unit, lighting of a decorative lamp, or the like has been performed to encourage a prize to be entered at a specific ball entrance (for example, a large winning opening). On the other hand, as a configuration that does not use a variable display unit or the like, the gaming machine of Patent Document 1 has a large winning opening, a winning opening opening / closing plate that opens / closes the large winning opening, and a cam that acts on the winning opening opening / closing plate. I have. The gaming machine is configured to rotate the cam to vibrate the winning opening opening / closing plate back and forth in order to improve the interest of the game.

Japanese Patent No. 5170210

However, the gaming machine of Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which the winning opening opening / closing plate is slightly tilted forward and is slightly opened / closed in a state of standing up and returning. Therefore, such a slight movement of the winning opening opening / closing plate may not be noticed unless the player pays close attention. Based on these problems, there is a demand for a configuration that allows the player to recognize that the game ball enters the member arranged on the game area.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is a ball-entry device for a game machine capable of making it easier for a player to recognize that a game ball enters a ball-passing member, and a game provided with the same. The purpose is to provide an opportunity.

The ball entry device for a game machine of the present invention
It is a ball entry device for a game machine provided in the game area where the game ball flows down.
A ball passing member having a ball entrance for receiving a game ball and a ball outlet for discharging the game ball received from the ball entrance.
A mounting base to which the ball passing member can be displaced freely,
A drive source that generates a driving force that displaces the ball passing member,
A control means for controlling the operation of the drive source and
With
The control means is characterized in that, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the drive source is operated to displace the ball passing member with respect to the mounting base.

The game machine of the present invention is characterized by including the above-mentioned ball entry device for the game machine.

In the ball entry device for a game machine and the game machine of the present invention, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the drive source can be operated by the control means to displace the ball passing member with respect to the mounting base. As a result, the ball passing member can be made to stand out on the game area by being displaced, and can attract the attention of the player. By allowing the game ball to enter the ball entrance of the ball passing member in a state where the player's attention is drawn in this way, it is easy for the player to recognize that the game ball enters the ball passing member. can do.

The ball entry device for a game machine of the present invention may have an opening / closing member in which the ball passing member is displaced at a closing position for closing the ball entrance and an opening position for opening the ball entrance.

According to this configuration, it is possible to easily switch between a state in which the opening / closing member is displaced to the closed position to prevent the game ball from entering and a state in which the opening / closing member is displaced to the open position to allow the game ball to enter. , The timing of the inflow of the game ball into the ball passing member can be changed, and the flow of the game ball can be changed in the closed state of the opening / closing member to enhance the interest of the player.

In the ball entry device for a game machine of the present invention, the ball passing member may form a storage portion for storing the game ball on the opening / closing member when the opening / closing member is located at the closed position.

According to this configuration, the game ball can be stored in the storage portion when the opening / closing member is located at the closed position. Then, according to the operation of the opening / closing member being displaced from the closed position to the open position, the game ball stored in the storage unit can be released at once toward the ball outlet, and the game ball stored in the storage unit can be released to the player. It is possible to visually recognize the amount of stored balls and to recognize the amount of game balls that have entered from the ball entrance.

In the ball entry device for a game machine of the present invention, the drive source has a first drive source that displaces the ball passing member in a predetermined first direction with respect to the mounting base, and a ball passing member in the first direction with respect to the mounting base. It may have a second drive source that is displaced in a second direction that intersects with.

According to this configuration, the ball passing member is in a state in which the first drive source is operated and displaced in the first direction, a state in which the second drive source is operated and displaced in the second direction, and the first drive source and the first drive source and the first. 2 The drive source can be operated to be displaced in both the first direction and the second direction. Therefore, the ball passing member can be made to move in various ways, and can be made more conspicuous.

In the ball entry device for a game machine of the present invention, the ball passing member may be formed of a material having a translucent front side.

According to this configuration, since the front side of the ball passing member is formed of a translucent material, the player can visually recognize the game ball passing through the ball passing member from the ball entrance toward the ball exit. , It is possible to make it easier to recognize that the game ball enters the ball passing member.

In the ball entry device for a game machine of the present invention, the mounting base may have a space area larger than the outer shell of the ball passing member. The space region may include a gap region in which the ball passing member can be displaced between the mounting base and the ball passing member in a state where the ball passing member is arranged.

According to this configuration, since the mounting base has a space area larger than the outer shell of the ball passing member, the ball passing member can be accommodated in the mounting base. On top of that, since the space region includes a gap region in which the ball passing member can be displaced between the mounting base and the ball passing member, the ball passing member can be displaceably housed in the mounting base.

In the ball entry device for a game machine of the present invention, the ball passing member may have a decorative member that shields the front side of the gap region.

According to this configuration, the gap area can be hidden from the front side by the decorative member, and the appearance of the ball entry device for a game machine can be improved.

The ball entry device for a game machine of the present invention may include a winning device having a winning opening for receiving a game ball above the ball passing member. The game ball that has won the prize opening may be accepted from the ball entrance.

According to this configuration, since the ball passing member is displaced and conspicuous, the player can also draw the attention of the winning device that causes the game ball to flow down from the upstream to the ball entrance of the ball passing member. Therefore, when the game ball enters the winning opening, it is possible to make it easier for the player to recognize that the game ball wins in the winning device.

In the ball-entry device for a game machine of the present invention, the winning device may have a detection means for detecting a game ball that has won a prize in the winning opening. When the detection means detects that the game ball has won a prize in the winning opening, the control means may drive the drive source to displace the ball passing member with respect to the mounting base.

According to this configuration, the ball passing member can be displaced by triggering the winning of the game ball in the winning opening. Therefore, it is possible to recognize that the game ball has won the prize in the winning opening by the movement of the ball passing member, and it is possible to enhance the effect of the effect when the ball is won.

The ball entry device for a game machine of the present invention has an opening / closing member in which the ball passing member is displaced at a closing position for closing the ball entrance and an opening position for opening the ball entrance, and is designated as a winning opening by a detecting means. When it is detected that a number of game balls have been won, the opening / closing member may be displaced from the closed position to the open position.

According to this configuration, the opening / closing member can be displaced from the closed position to the open position according to the number of game balls winning in the winning device, and when the opening / closing member forms a storage portion, the game is stored in the storage portion. The number of spheres can be set to the desired value.

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view in which the main part of the ball entry device for a game machine is removed to the front side of the mounting base. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ball entry device for a game machine with the decorative member and the cover removed. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the ball entry device for a game machine disassembled into a main body unit and a mounting base. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the main body unit disassembled into a ball passing member and a mounting member. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the ball passing member viewed from the front side and the obliquely upper side. FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view seen from the front side of the ball entry device for a game machine when the opening / closing member is in the open position. FIG. 8 is a plan sectional view of the main body unit. FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the electrical configuration of the gaming machine. FIG. 10 (A) is a vertical sectional view seen from the front side of the ball entry device for a game machine showing a state in which the ball passing member is in the left position, and FIG. 10 (B) shows the ball passing member in the right position. It is a vertical sectional view seen from the front side of the ball entry device for a game machine which shows a certain state. FIG. 11A is a rear view of a ball entry device for a game machine showing a state in which the ball passing member is in the left position, and FIG. 11B is a game machine showing a state in which the ball passing member is in the right position. It is a rear view of the ball entry device. FIG. 12A is a plan sectional view of a ball entry device for a game machine showing a state in which the ball passing member is in the left position, and FIG. 12B is a game showing a state in which the ball passing member is in the right position. It is a plan sectional view of the ball entry device for a machine. FIG. 13 (A) is a vertical sectional view seen from the left side of the ball entry device for a game machine showing a state in which the ball passing member is in the lower position, and FIG. 13 (B) is a vertical cross-sectional view in which the ball passing member is in the upper position. It is the left side sectional view of the ball entry device for a game machine which shows the state. FIG. 14 (A) is a vertical cross-sectional view seen from the back side of the ball entry device for a game machine showing a state in which the ball passing member is in the lower position, and FIG. 14 (B) shows the ball passing member in the upper position. It is a vertical sectional view seen from the back side of the ball entry device for a game machine which shows a certain state. FIG. 15 (A) is a front sectional view showing a ball entry state of the ball entry device for a game machine, and FIG. 15 (B) is a state for a game machine showing a state in which the opening / closing member is in the closed position to form a storage portion. It is a front sectional view of the ball entry device.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a ball entry device for a game machine and a first embodiment embodying the game machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 is configured as a so-called pachinko machine, and a transparent plate (glass plate or the like) is arranged on a window portion 3 formed in a front frame 2 arranged on the player side. Further, a game board 4 is arranged behind the transparent plate (back side), and a game area 4a (a region where a game ball can flow down) is formed on the game board 4 by a guide rail 6 or the like. It is configured so that the player can visually recognize the game area 4a through the transparent plate. A liquid crystal display unit 5 capable of performing various displays is provided near the center of the game area 4a, and a start winning opening 7 provided with a start port sensor 7a for variably displaying the liquid crystal display unit 5 is provided below the liquid crystal display unit 5. It is provided. To the right of the starting winning opening 7, a ball entry device 10 for a game machine provided with a winning device 60 as an attacker is provided. Further, a game ball tray 8 for storing the game ball is provided below the window portion 3, and a launch handle 9 for launching the game ball by a rotation operation is provided below the right side of the game ball tray 8. .. When the game ball enters the start winning opening 7 and is detected by the starting opening sensor 7a, the game machine 1 starts a lottery, and the lottery result is displayed and produced on the liquid crystal display unit 5. Then, when the symbol of the liquid crystal display unit 5 is displayed on the predetermined symbol, the winning device 60 of the ball entering device 10 for a game machine is opened, and a large number of winning balls can be obtained in a "big hit" state.

In this specification, the direction orthogonal to the front surface (board surface) of the game board 4 is the front-rear direction, and the side on which the player should be located with respect to the front surface (board surface) of the game board 4 is the front side, and the side opposite to it ( That is, the back side of the game machine 1) is the rear side. Further, the direction in which the game ball flows down the game area 4a (vertical direction) is the vertical direction. Further, the direction orthogonal to the front-back direction and the up-down direction is the left-right direction, and the left side is the left direction and the right side is the right direction when viewed from the front side of the game machine 1.

Hereinafter, the ball entry device 10 for a game machine will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ball entry device for a game machine (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a ball entry device) 10 includes a main body unit 20 including a ball passing member 30, a mounting base 50, a winning device 60, and a cover 70. (Omitted in FIG. 3). The ball entry device 10 has a function as an effect device as well as a function as an attacker. In the ball-entry device 10 of the first embodiment, the game ball that has won the prize-winning device 60 passes through the inside of the main body unit 20 (ball passing member 30) and is discharged.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mounting base 50 is formed in a box shape in which a part of the front end side and the rear end side is open, and the main body unit 20, the winning device 60, and the cover 70 are assembled to play a game. It is fixed to the board 4. The mounting base 50 has a rectangular parallelepiped space region AR1 that is longer in the left-right direction than the outer shell of the ball passing member 30 on the front end side, and the main body unit 20 (ball passing member 30) can be freely displaced in the space region AR1. Attached to. As shown in FIG. 3, the space area AR1 is a gap area in which the ball passing member 30 can be displaced between the mounting base 50 and the ball passing member 30 in a state where the main body unit 20 (ball passing member 30) is arranged. Includes AR2. The gap region AR2 is composed of a gap G1 in the left-right direction and a gap G2 in the vertical direction shown in FIG. 10A. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the ball passing member 30 is in the left position (the position on the leftmost side), between the right end of the ball passing member 30 and the right end of the mounting base 50. A gap G1 is formed in which the ball passing member 30 can be displaced. Further, a gap G2 is formed between the upper end of the ball passing member 30 and the upper end of the mounting base 50 (upper left wall 51b described later) so that the ball passing member 30 can be displaced. The gaps G1 and G2 allow the ball passing member 30 to be displaced vertically and horizontally.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting base 50 includes a front frame 51a fixed to the front surface of the game board 4 at the front end position of the case body 51 having the space area AR1 inside, and is connected to the left end of the front frame 51a and the front end thereof. At a part of the upper end, an upper left wall 51b protruding forward is formed. Further, the front frame 51a is formed with an opening 51d that penetrates in the front-rear direction and to which the winning device 60 described later is assembled.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting base 50 has a first drive source 52 assembled to the rear wall 51c of the case body 51. The first drive source 52 generates a driving force that displaces the main body unit 20, and specifically, the main body unit 20 (ball passing member 30) is displaced in the left-right direction (first direction) with respect to the mounting base 50. .. The first drive source 52 is composed of, for example, a known stepping motor, and the rotation shaft can rotate in the forward and reverse directions. A first pinion gear 53 is assembled on a rotation shaft along the front-rear direction of the first drive source 52. As shown in FIG. 11, the rear wall 51c is formed through the first guide holes 51e, 51f, 51g having a shape long in the left-right direction. The first guide holes 51e, 51f, and 51g are holes for guiding the operation of the main body unit 20 described later in the left-right direction (first direction). The first guide hole 51e is formed in the lower center of the rear wall 51c, and the first guide hole 51f and the first guide hole 51g are formed in the upper left and right ends of the rear wall 51c. Further, the rear wall 51c is formed with an opening 51h facing the second drive source 42, which will be described later, at a position on the left side (right side in FIG. 11) of the position of the first drive source 52. The opening 51h has an opening width that allows the second drive source 42 to be displaced in the left-right direction when the main body unit 20 is displaced in the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the winning device 60 is arranged above the main body unit 20 (ball passing member 30). As shown in FIG. 2, the winning device 60 includes a main body frame portion 61 which opens upward and forms a winning opening 61a for receiving a game ball, and on the upper side thereof, a long and substantially plate-shaped opening and closing of the winning opening 61a. It is provided with an opening / closing plate 64 configured in. The opening / closing plate 64 is moved to a position where the winning opening 61a is opened and a position where the winning opening 61a is closed by a solenoid 65 as a driving source shown in FIG. Further, a pair of ramps 61b and 61c are formed in the main body frame portion 61, and at the downstream end of the ramps 61b and 61c, a detection switch (detection means) 62 for detecting a game ball winning in the winning opening 61a , 63 are assembled. The detection switches 62 and 63 detect a game ball (winning ball) that flows down the ramps 61b and 61c and falls. The opening / closing plate 64 is provided so as to be inclined downward toward the upper left wall 51b (left side when viewed from the front) so that the game ball on the opening / closing plate 64 flows down to the upper left wall 51b side. The drive source 20 is configured by a known stepping motor or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 70 is arranged on the front side of the main body frame portion 61, and has a substantially rectangular shape long in the left-right direction as a front wall 70a covering the winning area of the main body frame portion 61. The cover 70 includes a right wall 70b projecting rearward at a right end of the front wall 70a and a part of the upper end connected thereto. As shown in FIG. 10, the upper surface of the right wall 70b tilts downward toward the winning opening 61a and acts as a guide gutter, and is formed between the right wall 70b and the upper left wall 51b of the mounting base 50. The gap is the winning opening 61a of the winning device 60.

The main body unit 20 is configured to be displaced with respect to the mounting base 50. As shown in FIG. 5, the main body unit 20 includes a ball passing member 30 and a mounting member 40. The ball passing member 30 is assembled to the mounting base 50 via the mounting member 40. The main body unit 20 (ball passing member 30) is displaced in the left-right direction by the driving force from the first driving source 52. Then, the ball passing member 30 is displaced in the vertical direction by the driving force from the second driving source 42.

As shown in FIG. 6, the ball passing member 30 includes a main body 31, a decorative member 32, a support member 33, a solenoid 34, a transmission member 35, a link member 36, an opening / closing member 37, and a covering member 38. A decorative member 32, a support member 33, a solenoid 34, a transmission member 35, a link member 36, an opening / closing member 37, and a covering member 38 are assembled to the main body 31. The front side of the main body 31 is formed in a frame shape having a ball inlet 31b that opens upward by a bottom (ball passage) 31a and a pair of side walls 31c and 31d that rise upward, and the bottom 31a is inclined downward toward the left side. It is a long ball taxiway in the left-right direction. The ball entrance 31b receives the game ball discharged from the winning device 60. Further, at the rear end of the left end of the bottom portion 31a (ball passage), a ball outlet 31e for discharging the game ball is formed through, and the game ball flowing in from the ball inlet 31b is discharged to the outside. The ball passing member 30 is provided with an illuminated substrate 31r on which an LED is mounted. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the ball passing member 30 is arranged below the bottom 31a (ball passage) and is a ball. It emits light when the passing member 30 is displaced. Therefore, since the light source is also displaced with the displacement of the ball passing member 30, the displacement of the ball passing member 30 can be made more conspicuous.

A drive mechanism for the opening / closing member 37 is provided on the rear side of the main body 31. As shown in FIG. 6, at a position on the right side behind the bottom portion 31a, a shaft portion 31f to which the link member 36 described later is assembled is formed so as to project upward. Further, on the left side of the shaft portion 31f, a groove portion 31g long in the front-rear direction into which the guide rib 37b of the opening / closing member 37 described later enters is provided. Further, sliding ribs 31h, 31i, 31j (see FIG. 10 for sliding ribs 31j) that stably displace the opening / closing member 37 are formed in ridges near both left and right ends and on the left side of the groove 31g. As shown in FIG. 5, a second rack gear 31k extending in the vertical direction is formed on the rear surface of the main body 31 in the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction, and second guided portions 31m and 31n are provided on both left and right ends, respectively. .. The second rack gear 31k meshes with the second pinion gear 43 described later in a state where the ball passing member 30 is assembled to the mounting member 40, and the second guided portions 31m and 31n are the second guides of the mounting member 40 described later. It is inserted into the holes 41a and 41b, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 6, the decorative member 32 is configured as a substantially rectangular plate long in the left-right direction, and is assembled to the front end of the main body 31 to form the front side of the ball passing member 30, and the upper portion will be described later. It constitutes the front wall of the storage unit 39. The decorative member 32 is made of a translucent material. As a result, the main body 31 and the opening / closing member 37 can be visually recognized via the decorative member 32, and the mode of the game ball passing through the main body 31 can be confirmed. Further, as shown by the chain line in FIG. 10, the decorative member 32 is formed in a size that substantially shields the front side of the space region AR1, and more specifically, the front side of the gap region AR2 in which the decorative member 32 can be displaced is formed. It is a size that roughly shields.

As shown in the support member 33 and FIG. 6, the solenoid 34 and the transmission member 35 are housed in a box shape having an open upper end, and are assembled to the rear end side and the lower end side of the main body 31. The solenoid 34 includes a coil portion 34a having a coil that can be energized, a plunger 34b that reciprocates in the left-right direction according to the energization state of the coil portion 34a, and a spring member 34c that is wound around the plunger 34b. When the coil portion 34a is not energized and is in a non-excited state, the tip portion of the plunger 34b is urged by the spring member 34c so as to be separated from the coil portion 34a, and the plunger 34b is maintained in the protruding position. When the coil portion 34a is energized and excited, the plunger 34b is pulled into the coil portion 34a against the urging of the spring member 34c, and the plunger 34b is maintained in the immersion position.

As shown in FIG. 6, the transmission member 35 is fixed to the tip of the plunger 34b of the solenoid 34 and is displaced together with the plunger 34b. The transmission member 35 is formed with an action protrusion 35a that projects upward in cooperation with the link member 36 described later. The transmission member 35 moves to the right when the plunger 34b is displaced from the immersion position to the protrusion position, and moves to the left when the plunger 34b is displaced from the protrusion position to the immersion position.

As shown in FIG. 6, the link member 36 has a plate shape that is long in the left-right direction, and is a member that links the transmission member 35 and the opening / closing member 37. The link member 36 has a shaft hole 36a formed in the central portion thereof so as to penetrate in the vertical direction. The shaft portion 31f of the main body portion 31 is inserted into the shaft hole 36a. The link member 36 is formed with a notch 36b extending rearward from the front end on the right end side, and the working projection 35a of the transmission member 35 enters the link member 36. The link member 36 is formed with an oval-shaped working hole 36c penetrating in the vertical direction at the left end. An action protrusion 37a of an opening / closing member 37, which will be described later, is inserted into the action hole 36c. The link member 36 rotates counterclockwise (counterclockwise when viewed from above) about the shaft portion 31f in response to the movement of the transmission member 35 in the left direction. The link member 36 rotates clockwise (clockwise when viewed from above) about the shaft portion 31f in response to the movement of the transmission member 35 in the right direction.

The opening / closing member 37 is displaced at a closing position for closing the ball inlet 31b and an opening position for opening the ball inlet 31b. As shown in FIG. 6, the opening / closing member 37 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction in a plan view. The opening / closing member 37 is formed with an action protrusion 37a and a guide rib 37b projecting downward at a position close to the rear end at the center in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the opening / closing member 37 constitutes a storage portion 39 that opens upward together with the side walls 31c and 31d of the main body portion 31. The storage unit 39 stores the game ball on the opening / closing member 37 when the opening / closing member 37 is located at the closed position.

The opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing member 37 is shown in FIG. When the solenoid 34 operates, the plunger 34b of the opening / closing member 37 is sucked and displaced from the protruding position to the immersion position, and the transmission member 35 connected to the plunger 34b slides to the left. Further, since the action protrusion 35a of the transmission member 35 is connected to the notch portion 36b of the link member 36, the link member 36 rotates around the shaft portion 31f in the clockwise direction in a plan view. As a result, the opening / closing member 37 is slid from the closed position where the ball inlet 31b is closed to the open position where the ball inlet 31b is opened through the action protrusion 37a fitted in the action hole 36c of the link member 36. At this time, since the opening / closing member 37 is guided by the groove portion 31g in a state where the guide rib 37b is inserted into the groove portion 31g and moves in the front-rear direction, the opening / closing member 37 moves along the groove portion 31g without being scooped even by the rotational action of the link member 36. Slide straight. Further, the opening / closing member 37 slides stably in a state of being supported from below by the sliding ribs 31h, 31i, 31j.

On the other hand, in the opening / closing member 37, the operation of the solenoid 34 is released, the plunger 34b is released and displaced from the immersion position to the protruding position, and the transmission member 35 connected to the plunger 34b slides to the right accordingly. To do. Further, since the action protrusion 35a of the transmission member 35 is connected to the notch 36b of the link member 36, the link member 36 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in a plan view around the shaft portion 31f. As a result, the opening / closing member 37 is slid from the open position where the ball inlet 31b is opened to the closed position where the ball inlet 31b is closed through the action protrusion 37a fitted in the action hole 36c of the link member 36.

As shown in FIG. 6, the covering member 38 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction in a plan view, and a stepped standing wall 38a is formed at the front end. The covering member 38 is assembled to the rear upper end of the bottom portion 31a of the main body portion 31 and covers the opening / closing member 37 and the link member 36 at the closed position from above. The standing wall 38a constitutes the rear wall of the storage unit 39.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting member 40 includes a mounting body 41 that is displaced in the left-right direction with respect to the mounting base 50. As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting main body 41 has second guide holes 41a and 41b formed at both ends in the left-right direction, respectively. The second guide holes 41a and 41b are through holes having a shape long in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the second guided portions 31m and 31n inserted into the second guide holes 41a and 41b are attached to the ball passing member 30 by assembling the retaining members 44 and 45, respectively. It is stopped against. As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting main body 41 has a second drive source 42 assembled on the rear surface. The second drive source 42 generates a driving force that displaces the ball passing member 30 in the vertical direction (second direction) intersecting the left-right direction (first direction) that is displaced by the first drive source 52 with respect to the mounting base 50. Let me. Specifically, the ball passing member 30 is displaced in the vertical direction (second direction) with respect to the mounting member 40. The second drive source 42 is composed of, for example, a known stepping motor, and the rotation shaft can rotate in the forward and reverse directions. A second pinion gear 43 that meshes with the second rack gear 31k is assembled on the rotating shaft along the front-rear direction of the second drive source 42.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting main body 41 is formed with a first rack gear 41c extending in the left-right direction at a lower position on the rear surface closer to the right side (to the left side in FIG. 4). The first rack gear 41c meshes with the first pinion gear 53 in a state where the main body unit 20 is assembled to the mounting base 50. The mounting main body 41 is provided with axial first guided portions 41d, 41e, 41f at positions corresponding to the first guide holes 51e, 51f, 51g of the mounting base 50 on the rear surface side, respectively. As shown in FIG. 11, the first guided portions 41d, 41e, 41f are inserted into the first guide holes 51e, 51f, 51g of the mounting base 50, respectively, and the ring-shaped retaining members 54, 55, 56 are respectively inserted. By being fitted, the mounting body 41 is prevented from coming off with respect to the mounting base 50.

The ball entry device 10 is controlled by the main control board (control means) 80 shown in FIG. The main control board 80, for example, controls the game operation of the game machine 1 in an integrated manner. The main control board 80 is configured as a known computer, controls the entire game machine 1, has a CPU, a memory, a system bus, an input / output interface, and the like, and functions as an information processing device. A detection signal from the start port sensor 7a, an input signal indicating that the detection switches 62 and 63 have won a prize, a detection signal from the position detection switches 47 and 57, and the like are input to the main control board 80. Further, the main control board 80 outputs an operation signal to the solenoid 34 that opens and closes the opening / closing member 37 via the relay board or the like, and outputs a drive signal to the first drive source 52 and the second drive source 42 to perform the operation. Control.

Next, the operation of the ball entry device 10 will be described.
First, the displacement of the ball passing member 30 in the left-right direction (first direction) will be described. As shown in FIGS. 10 (A), 11 (A), and 12 (A), the first drive source is in a state where the main body unit 20 is in the left position (the position closest to the left side with respect to the mounting base 50). When the rotation axis of 52 rotates counterclockwise (counterclockwise when viewed from the front), the first pinion gear 53 also rotates counterclockwise, and the first rack gear 41c meshing with the first pinion gear 53 is interlocked. And move to the right. As shown in FIG. 11, the main body unit 20 moves to the right with the first guided portions 41d, 41e, 41f guided by the first guide holes 51e, 51f, 51g of the mounting base 50, respectively. Then, in the main body unit 20 (ball passing member 30), as shown in FIGS. 10 (B), 11 (B), and 12 (B), the first guided portions 41d, 41e, and 41f have the first guide holes 51e, It moves to the right until it touches the right end of each of 51f and 51g.

For example, the first drive source 52 is configured to be reversed forward and reverse based on detecting the position of the main body unit 20 by the position detection switch 57 (see FIG. 11) provided on the mounting base 50. That is, the position detection switch 57 detects the detection piece 46 when the detection pieces 46 (see FIG. 11) provided on the mounting member 40 are close to each other, and outputs a detection signal to the main control board 80. The main control board 80 transmits a forward / reverse inversion command to the first drive source 52 based on the timing at which such a detection signal is acquired.

As shown in FIGS. 10 (B), 11 (B), and 12 (B), the first drive source is in a state where the main body unit 20 is in the right position (the position closest to the right side with respect to the mounting base 50). When the rotation axis of 52 rotates clockwise (clockwise when viewed from the front), the first pinion gear 53 also rotates clockwise, and the first rack gear 41c meshing with the first pinion gear 53 interlocks to the left. Move in the direction. In the main body unit 20, the first guided portions 41d, 41e, 41f are guided by the first guide holes 51e, 51f, 51g of the mounting base 50, respectively, and move to the left. Then, in the main body unit 20 (ball passing member 30), as shown in FIGS. 10 (A), 11 (A), and 12 (A), the first guided portions 41d, 41e, and 41f have the first guide holes 51e, It moves to the left until it touches the left end of each of 51f and 51g. As described above, the ball passing member 30 is reciprocally displaced in the left-right direction with respect to the mounting base 50 in response to the forward / reverse rotation operation of the first drive source 52.

Next, the displacement of the ball passing member 30 in the vertical direction (second direction) will be described. As shown in FIGS. 13 (A) and 14 (A), the second drive source 42 is rotated while the ball passing member 30 is in the lower position (the position closest to the mounting member 40). When the moving axis rotates counterclockwise (counterclockwise when viewed from the front), the second pinion gear 43 also rotates counterclockwise (clockwise in FIG. 14 (A)) and meshes with the second pinion gear 43. The second rack gear 31k moves upward in conjunction with each other. In the ball passing member 30, the second guided portions 31m and 31n are guided upward by the second guide holes 41a and 41b of the mounting member 40, respectively. Then, as shown in FIGS. 13 (B) and 14 (B), the ball passing member 30 moves upward until the second guided portions 31m and 31n come into contact with the upper ends of the second guide holes 41a and 41b, respectively.

For example, the second drive source 42 has a configuration in which the position of the ball passing member 30 is detected by a position detection switch 47 (see FIG. 14) provided on the mounting member 40, and the second drive source 42 is reversed forward and reverse. That is, the position detection switch 47 detects the detection piece 45a when the detection pieces 45a (see FIGS. 13 and 14 (B)) provided on the ball passing member 30 (specifically, the retaining member 45) are close to each other. Then, the detection signal is output to the main control board 80. The main control board 80 transmits a forward / reverse inversion command to the second drive source 42 based on the timing at which such a detection signal is acquired.

As shown in FIGS. 13 (B) and 14 (B), the rotation of the second drive source 42 in a state where the ball passing member 30 is in the upper position (the position closest to the uppermost side with respect to the mounting member 40). When the shaft rotates clockwise (clockwise when viewed from the front), the second pinion gear 43 also rotates clockwise (counterclockwise in FIG. 14B), and the second rack gear meshing with the second pinion gear 43. 31k moves downward in conjunction. In the ball passing member 30, the second guided portions 31m and 31n are guided downward by the second guide holes 41a and 41b of the mounting member 40, respectively. Then, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 14A, the ball passing member 30 moves downward until the second guided portions 31m and 31n come into contact with the lower ends of the second guide holes 41a and 41b, respectively. In this way, the ball passing member 30 is displaced in the vertical direction with respect to the mounting member 40. As described above, the ball passing member 30 is reciprocally displaced in the vertical direction with respect to the mounting base 50 in response to the forward / reverse rotation operation of the second drive source 42. Further, by simultaneously driving the first drive source 52 and the second drive source 42, the ball passing member 30 is displaced obliquely (in a direction inclined with respect to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction) with respect to the mounting base 50. Can be done. Further, by quickly rotating the first drive source 52 and the second drive source 42 in the forward and reverse directions, it is possible to produce an effect as if the entire ball passing member 30 is violently displaced and vibrates.

Next, the operation of the ball winning device 10 at the time of winning will be described.
When the winning device 60 is in a gaming state favorable to the player (so-called “big hit” state), as shown in FIG. 15, the opening / closing plate 64 retracts rearward by the drive of the solenoid 65, so that the winning opening 61a Is released. It is detected that the game ball that has entered the winning opening 61a flows down the ramp 61b or the ramp 61c and is won by the detection switch 62 or the detection switch 63. When the detection switch 62 or the detection switch 63 detects that the game ball has won a prize in the winning opening 61a (when a predetermined condition is satisfied), the main control board 80 (control means) determines the first drive source 52 or At least one of the second drive sources 42 is driven to displace the ball passing member 30 with respect to the mounting base 50. For example, when only the first drive source 52 is operated, the ball passing member 30 can be displaced in the left-right direction with respect to the mounting base 50. Further, when only the second drive source 42 is operated, the ball passing member 30 can be displaced in the vertical direction with respect to the mounting member 40. Further, when both the first drive source 52 and the second drive source 42 are operated, the ball passing member 30 is displaced in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction (arbitrary direction along the game area 4a) with respect to the mounting base 50. Can be made to. Further, by shifting the timing of operating the first drive source 52 and the second drive source 42, the ball passing member 30 can be displaced in a complicated manner. By the above operation, the ball passing member 30 can be made to stand out on the game area 4a by being displaced, and can attract the attention of the player. In particular, since the entire ball passing member 30 is displaced, it is easier to attract the player's attention as compared with the configuration in which a part of the ball passing member 30 is displaced. Further, since the ball passing member 30 is displaced at the timing when the winning device 60 is won, it becomes easy for the player to recognize that the winning device 60 has been won, and it is possible to realize a more "big hit".

As shown in FIG. 15A, when the opening / closing member 37 is in the open position and the ball entrance 31b is in the open state, the game ball discharged from the winning device 60 is directly from the ball entrance 31b to the ball passing member 30. It is received in the (main body 31), flows down the bottom 31a, and is discharged to the outside from the ball outlet 31e. At this time, the ball passing member 30 may be displaced each time the game ball won in the winning opening 61a is detected by the detection switches 62 and 63. Further, the LED of the illuminated substrate 31r may be made to emit light each time the game ball winning in the winning opening 61a is detected by the detection switches 62 and 63 in synchronization with the displacement of the ball passing member 30. If the usage mode is such that all the game balls that have won the winning device 60 shown in FIG. 15A are accepted, the main body 31 without the opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing member 37 such as the solenoid 34 without intentionally providing the opening / closing member 37. It may be a configuration of only.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15B, when the opening / closing member 37 is in the closed position and the ball entrance 31b is in the closed state, the game ball discharged from the winning device 60 is the main body portion from the ball entrance 31b. It is not accepted in 31, and is temporarily stored in a storage portion 39 (specifically, above the opening / closing member 37) having left and right side walls 31c and 31d and formed with the opening / closing member 37 as the bottom. Then, the main control board 80 (control means) drives the solenoid 34 to open and close when it is detected by the detection switches 62 and 63 that a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls have been won in the winning openings 61a. The member 37 is displaced from the closed position to the open position. As a result, the game balls stored in the storage unit 39 (the game balls that have won the prize in the winning device 60) are simultaneously received from the ball entrance 31b into the main body 31, flow down the bottom 31a, and flow out from the ball outlet 31e. Is discharged to. Since the decorative member 32 (see FIG. 10) is made of a translucent material, the player can see how the game balls are stored in the storage unit 39 and how the game balls are dropped from the storage unit 39 all at once. Can be visually recognized, and the effect of production can be enhanced. In particular, since the ball passing member 30 is displaced by the first drive source 52 and the second drive source 42, the player's attention can be further attracted. The opening / closing member 37 is always in the open position when, for example, a "big hit" signal is input to the main control board 80, regardless of the game ball detection of the detection switches 62 and 63 (see FIG. 15A). When a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when a predetermined number of game balls are won), the player may be displaced to the closed position.

(Main effects of the first embodiment)
In the ball-entry device 10 and the game machine 1 of the first embodiment, when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when the game ball wins in the prize-winning device 60), the first drive source 52 or the second drive source 52 or the second game machine 1 is subjected to the main control board 80. At least one of the drive sources 42 can be operated to displace the ball-passing member 30 with respect to the mounting base 50. As a result, the ball passing member 30 can be made to stand out on the game area 4a by being displaced, and can attract the attention of the player. By winning the game ball in the winning device 60 in this way, the ball passing member 30 can be brought into a state of drawing attention to the player, and the player can enter the game ball into the ball entrance 31b. As a result, the winning device 60 can make the player recognize the winning ball.

Further, the ball entry device 10 has an opening / closing member 37 in which the ball passing member 30 is displaced at a closing position for closing the ball entrance 31b and an opening position for opening the ball entrance 31b.
According to this, it is possible to easily switch between a state in which the opening / closing member 37 is displaced to the closed position to prevent the game ball from entering and a state in which the opening / closing member 37 is displaced to the open position to allow the game ball to enter. Therefore, the timing of the inflow of the game ball into the ball passing member 30 can be changed, and the flow of the game ball can be changed in the closed state of the opening / closing member 37 to enhance the interest of the player.

Further, in the ball entry device 10, the ball passing member 30 forms a storage portion 39 for storing the game ball on the opening / closing member 37 when the opening / closing member 37 is located at the closed position.
According to this, when the opening / closing member 37 is located at the closed position, the game ball can be stored in the storage unit 39. Then, in response to the operation of the opening / closing member 37 being displaced from the closed position to the open position, the game ball stored in the storage unit 39 can be released at once toward the ball outlet 31e, and the player can store the game ball in the storage unit 39. It is possible to make the player recognize the amount of the ball and then enter the ball into the ball entrance 31b.

Further, the ball entry device 10 has a first drive source 52 that displaces the ball passing member 30 in the left-right direction with respect to the mounting base 50, and a second drive that displaces the ball passing member 30 in the vertical direction with respect to the mounting base 50. It has a source 42 and.
According to this, the ball passing member 30 is in a state in which the first drive source 52 is operated to be displaced in the left-right direction, a state in which the second drive source 42 is operated to be displaced in the vertical direction, and the first drive source 52 and The second drive source 42 can be operated to be displaced in both the left-right direction and the up-down direction. Therefore, the ball passing member 30 can be made to move in various ways, and can be made more conspicuous.

Further, in the ball entry device 10, the ball passing member 30 is formed of a material having a translucent front side.
According to this, since the front side of the ball passing member 30 is formed of a translucent material, the player visually recognizes the game ball passing through the ball passing member 30 from the ball inlet 31b toward the ball outlet 31e. It is possible to make it easier to recognize that the game ball enters the ball passing member 30.

Further, the ball entry device 10 has a space region AR1 in which the mounting base 50 is larger than the outer shell of the ball passing member 30. The space region AR1 includes a gap region AR2 in which the ball passing member 30 can be displaced between the mounting base 50 and the ball passing member 30 in a state where the ball passing member 30 is arranged.
According to this, since the mounting base 50 has a space area AR1 larger than the outer shell of the ball passing member 30, the ball passing member 30 can be accommodated in the mounting base 50. On top of that, since the space region AR1 includes a gap region AR2 in which the ball passing member 30 can be displaced between the mounting base 50 and the ball passing member 30, the ball passing member 30 can be displaced in the mounting base 50. Can be accommodated in.

Further, in the ball entry device 10, the ball passing member 30 has a decorative member 32 that shields the front side of the gap region AR2.
According to this, the gap region AR2 can be hidden from the front side by the decorative member 32, and the appearance of the ball entry device 10 can be improved.

Further, the ball winning device 10 includes a winning device 60 having a winning opening 61a for receiving a game ball above the ball passing member 30. The game ball that has won the prize opening 61a is accepted from the ball entrance 31b.
According to this, since the ball passing member 30 is displaced and conspicuous, the winning device 60 that causes the game ball to flow down from the upstream to the ball entrance 31b of the ball passing member 30 is also attracted by the player. Can be done. Therefore, when the game ball enters the winning opening 61a, it is possible to make it easier for the player to recognize that the game ball wins in the winning device 60.

Further, the ball winning device 10 has detection switches 62 and 63 in which the winning device 60 detects a winning game ball in the winning opening 61a. When the detection switches 62 and 63 detect that a game ball has won a prize in the winning opening 61a, the main control board 80 drives at least one of the first drive source 52 and the second drive source 42 to pass through the ball. The member 30 is displaced with respect to the mounting base 50.
According to this, the ball passing member 30 can be displaced by using the fact that the game ball has won a prize in the winning opening 61a as a trigger. Therefore, it is possible to recognize that the game ball has won the prize in the winning opening 61a by the movement of the ball passing member 30, and it is possible to enhance the effect of the winning effect.

Further, the ball entry device 10 has an opening / closing member 37 in which the ball passing member 30 is displaced at a closing position for closing the ball entrance 31b and an opening position for opening the ball entrance 31b, and is displaced by the detection switches 62 and 63. When it is detected that a predetermined number of game balls have been won in the winning opening 61a, the opening / closing member 37 is displaced from the closed position to the open position.
According to this, the opening / closing member 37 can be displaced from the closed position to the open position according to the number of game balls winning in the winning device 60, and the number of game balls temporarily stored in the storage unit 39 can be set to a desired value. Can be set.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the above description and drawings, and for example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

In the first embodiment described above, it is determined that the game ball has won a prize in the winning device 60 as a predetermined condition for the main control board 80 (control means) to displace the ball passing member 30, but the situation is other than that. The predetermined condition may be satisfied with. For example, it may be a predetermined condition that the game machine 1 has a reach state or a big hit state, and that the winning probability in the lottery is high. Further, in the first embodiment, the ball passing member 30 is provided below the winning device 60 to be displaced as a pseudo attacker, but the ball passing member 30 itself may be used as the winning device, and at this time, the main control board 80 As a predetermined condition for the (control means) to displace the ball passing member 30 (winning device), for example, the opening / closing member 37 operates on the condition that the lottery result when winning the starting winning opening 7 is a "big hit". By causing the ball entrance 31b to be displaced before opening, the player is notified that the ball has become a "big hit" and the position of the ball passing member 30 (winning device) for winning the game ball is surely recognized. You may do so. That is, by displacing the ball passing member 30 (winning device), the player can be instructed to hit the ball. At this time, by causing the LED of the illuminated substrate 31r to emit light in accordance with the displacement operation of the ball passing member 30 (winning device), the light source is also displaced and the player is given a "big hit" and the ball passing member 30 (winning device). The position of the can be recognized more clearly.

In the first embodiment described above, the ball passing member 30 is configured to be displaced in at least one of the front-rear direction and the vertical direction by at least one of the first drive source 52 and the second drive source 42, but in other directions. It may be configured to be displaced to. For example, the ball passing member 30 may be configured to be displaced in the front-rear direction. Further, the ball passing member 30 may be displaced by combining the front-rear direction and at least one of the left-right direction and the up-down direction. Further, the drive source may be one, or may be configured to be displaced in either the vertical / horizontal direction or the front-rear direction as in the first embodiment. Further, the ball passing member 30 may be eccentrically moved by, for example, an eccentric cam or the like.

In the first embodiment described above, the ball passing member 30 is configured to be displaced in at least one of the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, but may be configured to rotate or swing around a predetermined axis. Further, in the first embodiment described above, the ball passing member 30 is configured to be provided with the opening / closing member 37 and the solenoid 34 as a driving source thereof, but the ball passing member 30 is configured only with the main body 31 that directly receives the game ball without providing these. May be. Further, in the first embodiment, the main body portion 31 of the ball passing member 30 has been described as a single body, but it may be composed of a plurality of members, for example, it may be slid and rotated in different directions. Therefore, the main body 31 may be cut or cracked. At this time, the opening / closing member 37 may be provided only on one main body constituent member or may be provided on both main body constituent members.

1 ... Game machine 4a ... Game area 10 ... Ball entry device for game machine (ball entry device)
20 ... Main body unit 30 ... Ball passing member 31b ... Ball inlet 31e ... Ball outlet 32 ... Decorative member 37 ... Opening and closing member 39 ... Storage unit 40 ... Mounting member 42 ... Second drive source (drive source)
50 ... Mounting base 52 ... First drive source (drive source)
60 ... Winning device 61a ... Winning opening 62, 63 ... Detection switch (detection means)
80 ... Main control board (control means)
AR1 ... Spatial area AR2 ... Gap area

Claims (11)

It is a ball entry device for a game machine provided in the game area where the game ball flows down.
A ball passing member having a ball entrance for receiving a game ball and a ball outlet for discharging the game ball received from the ball entrance.
A mounting base to which the ball passing member can be displaced freely,
A drive source that generates a driving force that displaces the ball passing member,
A control means for controlling the operation of the drive source and
With
The control means is a ball entry device for a game machine, characterized in that, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the drive source is operated to displace the ball passing member with respect to the mounting base. The ball entry device for a game machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball passing member has an opening / closing member that is displaced by a closing position that closes the ball entrance and an opening position that opens the ball entrance. .. The game machine entry according to claim 2, wherein the ball passing member forms a storage portion for storing a game ball on the opening / closing member when the opening / closing member is located at the closed position. Ball device. The drive source is
A first drive source that displaces the ball-passing member in a predetermined first direction with respect to the mounting base.
A second drive source that displaces the ball-passing member in a second direction that intersects the first direction with respect to the mounting base.
The ball entry device for a game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ball entry device is characterized by having the above. The ball-entry device for a game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ball-passing member is formed of a material having a translucent front surface. The mounting base has a larger space area than the outer shell of the ball passing member.
The space region is claimed from claim 1, wherein the space region includes a gap region in which the ball passing member can be displaced between the mounting base and the ball passing member in a state where the ball passing member is arranged. Item 5. The ball entry device for a game machine according to any one of items 5. The ball entry device for a game machine according to claim 6, wherein the ball passing member has a decorative member that shields the front side of the gap region. A winning device having a winning opening for receiving a game ball is provided above the ball passing member.
The ball-entry device for a game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the game ball that has won a prize in the winning opening is received from the ball entrance. The winning device has a detecting means for detecting a game ball that has won a prize in the winning opening.
The control means is characterized in that when it is detected by the detection means that a game ball has won a prize in the winning opening, the driving source is driven to displace the ball passing member with respect to the mounting base. The ball entry device for a game machine according to claim 8. The ball passing member has an opening / closing member that is displaced at a closing position that closes the ball entrance and an opening position that opens the ball entrance.
The control means is characterized in that when it is detected by the detection means that a predetermined number of game balls have been won in the winning opening, the opening / closing member is displaced from the closed position to the open position. The ball entry device for a game machine according to 9. A gaming machine comprising the ball-entry device for a gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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