JP2022081202A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of causing a retaining part to reliably retain a game ball.SOLUTION: A pachinko machine comprises a lower center decoration, which includes a lower center stage 28 having a rolling surface 281 on which a game ball is capable of rolling. Around the outer periphery of the rolling surface 281, a peripheral wall 50 stands upright. In the front center of the peripheral wall 50, an opening 55 through which the game ball can pass through opens. In the front of the peripheral wall 50, a retaining part 60 is provided. The retaining part 60 communicates with the opening 55 and houses and retains the game ball having entered the inside from the rolling surface 281 through the opening 55. The bottom surface 61 of the retaining part 60 is provided to be lower than the lower part of the opening 55 (the front end of the rolling surface 281).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

Conventionally, a gaming machine having improved playability by receiving and stopping a gaming ball is known. For example, the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a stop portion composed of a rotating body and a ring member. The rotating body is formed with a substantially U-shaped front ball receiving portion having a size capable of accommodating one game ball. The rotating body is rotated by driving an electric motor. The ring member is placed above the rotating body. The ring member has a hole having a diameter slightly larger than that of the game ball. The electric motor stops the rotating body at the "reference position". At the reference position, the open end of the ball receiving portion faces downward. When the open end of the ball receiving portion does not face the ring member, the rotating body receives and stops the game ball in the ring member.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-267281 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-000469

On the other hand, the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 2 is a lower distribution machine provided with a mortar-shaped crune recessed toward the center and a rotary bumper having a plurality of blade-shaped protrusions in the center of the crune. Equipped with a mechanism. Here, it is conceivable to add to the gaming machine described in Patent Document 2 the gaming property that the gaming ball discharged from the crune is stopped at the stopping portion and then returned to the crune again. In such a case, since the space for stopping the game ball in the lower distribution mechanism is limited, it is difficult to stop the game ball discharged from the crune.

An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of reliably stopping a gaming ball at a stopping portion.

The gaming machine according to one aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine including a gaming board in which a gaming area in which a gaming ball can flow down is formed, and an accessory device provided in the gaming area. A rolling surface on which the game ball can roll, a peripheral wall erected from the outer periphery of the rolling surface, an opening provided on the peripheral wall through which the game ball can pass, and communication with the opening. It is provided with a stop portion for accommodating and stopping the game ball that has passed through the opening portion, and the bottom portion of the stop portion is lower than the lower portion of the opening portion.

According to the above aspect, the game ball that has passed through the opening rolls on the bottom of the stop portion provided at a position lower than the opening. Therefore, the gaming machine can reliably stop the gaming ball.

In the gaming machine according to one aspect of the present invention, the bottom portion of the stop portion may be inclined downward with respect to a predetermined direction from the center of the rolling surface toward the stop portion. In the above-mentioned gaming machine, the bottom portion of the stop portion is inclined downward with respect to a predetermined direction which is a direction away from the rolling surface. As a result, the game ball that has passed through the opening rolls in a predetermined direction at the bottom of the stop portion, and is likely to stop at the stop portion. Therefore, the gaming machine can reliably stop the gaming ball at the stopping portion.

In the gaming machine according to one aspect of the present invention, the stop portion is such that the game ball is stopped at the stop portion on a wall portion erected from the end portion of the bottom portion of the stop portion on the predetermined direction side. A proximity sensor for detection may be provided. In the above-mentioned gaming machine, since the gaming ball rolls in a predetermined direction at the bottom of the stopping portion, the proximity sensor provided on the wall portion of the stopping portion can reliably detect the gaming ball. As a result, the gaming machine can reliably perform control when the gaming ball is stopped at the stopping portion.

In the gaming machine according to one aspect of the present invention, the size of the opening may be smaller than that of the stop in a direction orthogonal to a predetermined direction from the center of the rolling surface toward the stop. In the above-mentioned gaming machine, the size of the opening is smaller than the size of the stationary portion of the gaming ball in the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. Therefore, the gaming machine can reliably stop the gaming ball that has entered the stopping portion at the stopping portion.

In the gaming machine according to one aspect of the present invention, the bottom of the stop portion extends in parallel with a predetermined direction from the center of the rolling surface toward the stop portion, and has a length in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. A slit smaller than the diameter of the game ball may be provided. In the above-mentioned gaming machine, the slit extends in a predetermined direction, and the size in the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction is smaller than the diameter of the gaming ball. As a result, the game ball that rolls at the bottom of the stop portion is guided by the slit and rolls, and is easily stopped on the slit. Therefore, the gaming machine can stop the gaming ball that has entered the stopping portion at a predetermined position.

The gaming machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes a push-up member which is provided below the bottom of the stop and which is inclined downward from the stop toward the center of the rolling surface, and a push-up member. A drive unit may be provided so as to move upward from the bottom of the stop portion through the slit. In the above-mentioned gaming machine, the pushing member pushes up the gaming ball stopped on the slit of the stopping portion. Since the push-up member is provided with an inclination in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction, the game ball rolls in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction and returns to the rolling surface. Therefore, the gaming machine can return the gaming ball stopped at the stopping portion to the rolling surface with a simple configuration.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine 1. It is a front view of the game board 2. It is a front view of the lower center decoration 22 (the passages 291 to 293, etc. are shown). It is a front view of the lower center decoration 22 (the stop release mechanism 27 and the like are shown). It is a top view of the lower center decoration 22. It is a perspective view of the lower center stage 28. It is a top view of the lower center stage 28. It is a partially enlarged view of the discharge port 52. It is a perspective view of the stop release mechanism 27. It is a figure which shows the cross section of line AA in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a case where the open solenoid 86 is driven from FIG. It is a figure which shows the movement (1) and (2) of the game ball K on the lower center stage 28. It is a figure which shows the movement (3) and (4) of the game ball K on the lower center stage 28. It is a partially enlarged view of the discharge port 72.

Hereinafter, the pachinko machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the front side, the back side, the upper side, the lower side, the left side, and the right side of FIG. 1 are referred to as the front side, the rear side, the upper side, the lower side, the left side, and the right side of the pachinko machine 1, respectively. The pachinko machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called two-type (blade type) gaming machine. The two types of gaming machines are gaming machines that execute a jackpot game when a gaming ball that has won a prize in the big winning opening passes through a specific area provided inside the big winning opening.

The mechanical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, a game board 2 is provided in the upper half portion of the pachinko machine 1. The game board 2 has a substantially square plate shape in front view (see FIG. 2), and the front surface is protected by a front frame 10 holding a transparent glass plate. The front frame 10 is provided with various illuminated lamps so as to surround the glass plate. Inside the illuminated lamp, an illuminated board (not shown) on which an LED or the like is mounted is provided. The illuminated lamp lights up or blinks according to the progress of the game. An upper plate 5 is provided at the lower part of the game board 2. The upper plate 5 supplies a metal game ball to a game ball launcher (not shown) and receives a prize ball. An operation button 9 operated by the player is provided on the upper surface of the upper plate 5. Immediately below the upper plate 5, a lower plate 6 for receiving a prize ball is provided. On the right side of the lower plate 6, a firing handle 7 for adjusting the firing of the game ball is provided. The launch handle 7 is provided so that the player can rotate the launch handle 7, and when the player rotates the launch handle 7 to perform the launch operation, the game is played by the game ball launcher with the strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the launch handle 7. The ball is fired. Speakers 48 are provided at both left and right corners of the upper part of the front frame 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular gaming area 4 surrounded by a guide rail 3 is formed on the front surface of the gaming board 2. The guide rail 3 is formed on an arc from the left side to the upper side of the game area 4. An upper center decoration 21 is provided at substantially the center of the upper part of the game area 4. The game ball launched by the game ball launcher is guided to the game area 4 by the guide rail 3 and flows down in the game area 4. A game ball launched with a firing intensity less than a predetermined intensity flows down the left side of the upper center decoration 21, and a game ball launched with a firing intensity higher than a predetermined intensity flows down the right side of the upper center decoration 21. In the following explanation, launching a game ball so that the game ball flows down the left side of the upper center decoration 21 is called "left-handed", and launching the game ball so that the game ball flows down the right side of the upper center decoration 21. Doing is called "right-handed".

As shown in FIG. 2, the upper center decoration 21 mainly includes an effect symbol display unit 38, a warp passage 211, a rolling unit 213, and a first starting port 12. The effect symbol display unit 38 is arranged substantially in the center of the upper part of the upper center decoration 21. The effect symbol display unit 38 is configured by using three large 7-segment LEDs, and can display various numbers, characters, symbols, and the like. The effect symbol display unit 38 can execute the notification effect. The notification effect is the result of the jackpot determination by using three large 7-segment LEDs to change the effect symbol, which is the symbol for the effect, and then confirming and displaying the combination of the effect symbols indicating the result of the jackpot determination. Is notified to the player.

The warp passage 211 is provided on the left side of the effect symbol display unit 38. The warp passage 211 includes an entrance portion 211A in the upper left portion. The entrance portion 211A is configured so that the ball cannot easily enter the entrance portion 211A by arranging a game nail or the like around the entrance portion 211A, which is generally called a “dive”.

The rolling portion 213 is provided on the lower right side of the warp passage 211. The rolling portion 213 has a dish shape in which the upper side of a substantially rectangular shape opens in a plan view, and is provided with a concave portion on the inside on which the game ball can roll. A hole 213A is provided at substantially the center of the bottom of the rolling portion 213. The hole 213A discharges the game ball downward from the rolling portion 213.

The first starting port 12 is a winning opening arranged at substantially the center of the lower part of the upper center decoration 21. The first starting port 12 functions as a starting port for the first special symbol described later. A part of the game ball entered from the entrance portion 211A of the warp passage 211 and discharged from the hole 213A of the rolling portion 213 wins a prize in the first starting port 12. The game ball discharged from the hole 213A but not winning the first starting port 12 is discharged below the upper center decoration 21 and returns to the game area 4.

The lower center decoration 22 is provided below the upper center decoration 21, that is, substantially in the center of the lower part of the game area 4. A detailed description of the lower center decoration 22 will be described later, but a first large winning opening 16 is provided at the upper part of the lower center decoration 22. The first big winning opening 16 is a winning opening related to a special electric accessory (an accessory that changes the size of the entrance of the winning opening based on the result of the big hit determination).

The first large winning opening 16 includes a shutter 161. The shutter 161 is a substantially V-shaped plate member that opens downward in front view. The shutter 161 extends in the front-rear direction by a predetermined length, and forms a closed state and an open state, respectively. The closed state is a state in which the game ball cannot win a prize in the first large winning opening 16 by protruding forward from the game board 2, and the open state is a state in which the game ball is retracted to the rear of the game board 2. A state in which a game ball can be awarded to the large prize opening 16.

At the upper right of the lower center decoration 22, a second large winning opening 17, which is a special electric accessory, is provided. The second large winning opening 17 includes a shutter 171. The shutter 171 has a longitudinal direction in the left-right direction and has a substantially flat plate shape extending in the front-rear direction with a predetermined length. The shutter 171 forms a closed state and an open state, respectively. The closed state means that the game ball cannot win the second major winning opening 17 by protruding forward from the game board 2, and the open state means the second state by retracting to the rear of the game board 2. A state in which a game ball can be awarded to the large prize opening 17.

Below the second prize opening 17, a gate 11 through which a game ball can pass is provided. The gate 11 is an operating gate having a normal design, which will be described later. A second starting port 13 is provided below the gate 11. The second starting port 13 is a winning opening related to an ordinary electric accessory (an accessory that changes the size of the entrance of the winning opening based on the result of a normal hit determination). The second starting port 13 functions as a starting port for the second special symbol described later. The second starting port 13 includes a shutter 131. The shutter 131 has a substantially flat plate shape shorter than the shutter 171 in the left-right direction. The shutter 131 forms a closed state and an open state, respectively. The closed state means a state in which the game ball cannot win a prize in the second starting port 13 by protruding forward from the game board 2, and the open state means a state in which the game ball cannot win a prize by retracting to the rear of the game board 2. A state in which a game ball can be awarded to the mouth 13.

The shutters 131, 161, 171 are electrically opened or closed by being driven by the second starting port solenoid (not shown), the first winning opening solenoid 18, and the second winning opening solenoid (not shown). Be made. The game ball can win a prize in each of the second starting opening 13, the first big winning opening 16 and the second big winning opening 17 only when the shutters 131, 161 and 171 are in the open state.

In addition to the above, the game area 4 is provided with an out port 29, various illumination members, other winning openings, a game nail, and the like. The out port 29 is provided at the lower part of the game board 2. Of the game balls that flow down the game area 4, the game balls that do not win any of the first start port 12, the second start port 13, the large winning opening, and other winning openings, and flow down to the lower part of the game area 4. After passing through the out port 29, it is discharged to the outside of the game area 4.

Since each game member is arranged as described above in the game area 4, the left-handed game ball is more likely to win a prize in the first starting port 12 than the right-handed game ball. It is difficult for a right-handed game ball to win a prize in the first starting port 12. Further, the right-handed game ball is more likely to pass through or win the gate 11, the second starting port 13, and the second big winning opening 17 than the left-handed game ball. It is difficult for a left-handed game ball to pass through or win a prize at the gate 11, the second starting opening 13, and the second major winning opening 17. It should be noted that both the left-handed game ball and the right-handed game ball can be won in the first large winning opening 16.

A symbol display unit 24 is provided at the lower left of the game board 2. The symbol display unit 24 includes a first special symbol display unit, a second special symbol display unit, a normal symbol display unit, and the like. The first special symbol display unit and the second special symbol display unit are each composed of a plurality of LEDs, and the first special symbol indicating the result of the first jackpot determination and the second special symbol indicating the result of the second jackpot determination are displayed. indicate. Hereinafter, when the first jackpot judgment and the second jackpot judgment are collectively referred to, or when any of them is not specified, it is also referred to as a jackpot judgment. The normal symbol display unit displays the result of the normal hit determination by turning on and off the LED.

The outline of the game of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a big hit game, a small hit game, and a normal hit game. The jackpot game is executed by operating the accessory continuous operation device by the operation of the condition device. The condition device is a device that is a condition for operating the accessory continuous operation device. The accessory continuous operation device is a device for causing a big hit game state in which the big winning opening is continuously operated. In the present embodiment, when the condition device is activated, the accessory continuous actuating device is activated. In the pachinko machine 1, the condition device operates when the game ball passes through a specific area inside the big winning opening. The specific area of the present embodiment is the specific area 291A (see FIG. 3) inside the first large winning opening 16. In the following description, the state in which the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device are operating (the state in which the big hit game is performed) is referred to as the big hit game state.

The pachinko machine 1 makes a first big hit determination when a game ball wins a prize in the first starting port 12. In the first jackpot determination, the determination result of the small hit or the miss is derived based on the first jackpot random number. When it is determined to be a small hit in the first big hit determination, the first special symbol indicating that the determination result is a small hit is confirmed and displayed on the first special symbol display unit of the symbol display unit 24. After that, a small hit game is executed in the lower center decoration 22. In the small hit game, the shutter 161 of the first big winning opening 16 is opened and closed based on a predetermined opening and closing operation pattern, so that the first big winning opening 16 is opened. At the stage where it is determined that the hit is a small hit by the big hit determination, the condition device does not operate and the accessory continuous operation device does not operate either. In the small hit game, the first big winning opening 16 performs one opening / closing operation according to the opening / closing operation pattern. In the small hit game, the big winning opening does not open and close multiple times. It should be noted that it is not prevented that one opening / closing operation of the large winning opening in the small hit game is configured by using the open state of one large winning opening a plurality of times.

In the small hit game of the present embodiment, the V challenge effect described later is executed in the lower center decoration 22. In the V-challenge effect, when the game ball wins a prize in the first large winning opening 16 that has been opened and passes through the specific area 291A, the condition device is activated. When the accessory continuous operation device is activated along with the operation of the condition device, a big hit game state is generated, and a big hit game in which the big winning opening opens and closes a plurality of times is executed following the small hit game. In the pachinko machine 1, the jackpot game is executed by the second big winning opening 17 performing an opening / closing operation based on a predetermined opening / closing operation pattern. If the game ball that has won the first big winning opening 16 does not pass through the specific area 291A, the big hit game state is not generated and the game returns to the state before the small hit game is performed.

Further, the pachinko machine 1 makes a normal hit determination when the game ball passes through the gate 11. In the ordinary hit determination, the determination result of the ordinary hit or the loss is derived based on the ordinary hit random number. When it is determined to be a normal hit in the normal hit determination, a normal symbol indicating that the determination result is a normal hit is confirmed and displayed on the normal symbol display unit of the symbol display unit 24. After that, the shutter 131 of the second starting port 13 performs an opening / closing operation based on a predetermined opening / closing operation pattern, so that a normal hit game in which the second starting port 13 is opened is executed.

The pachinko machine 1 makes a second big hit determination when the right-handed gaming ball wins a prize in the second starting port 13. In the second jackpot determination, the determination result of the small hit or the miss is derived based on the second jackpot random number. When it is determined to be a small hit in the second big hit determination, the second special symbol indicating that the determination result is a small hit is confirmed and displayed on the second special symbol display unit of the symbol display unit 24. After that, a small hit game is executed. When a game ball wins a prize in the first big winning opening 16 that has been opened in the small hit game and the winning game ball passes through the specific area 291A, the above-mentioned big hit game state occurs, and the big hit is followed by the small hit game. The game is executed.

The specific structure of the lower center decoration 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the lower center decoration 22 includes a main body 23 (see FIG. 5) and a frame-shaped plate 31. The main body 23 is a housing made of a transparent resin having an open front surface. The frame-shaped plate 31 is formed in a frame shape penetrating in the front-rear direction in the front view, and is fixed to the front side of the main body 23. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame-shaped plate 31 includes a front decorative portion 32, a first large winning opening 16, a shutter 161, a first large winning opening solenoid 18, a staging display portion 39, and the like.

The front decorative portion 32 is fixed to the front surface side of the frame-shaped plate 31. The front decorative portion 32 includes an illuminated member (not shown) capable of emitting light inside. The front decoration portion 32 is formed of a translucent member, and the player can visually recognize the light emission of the illumination member via the front decoration portion 32. The first large winning opening 16 is provided on the upper part of the frame-shaped plate 31 and opens upward. The shutter 161 is provided above the frame-shaped plate 31 and directly above the first large winning opening 16, and is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward. The first large winning opening solenoid 18 is provided above the frame-shaped plate 31 and behind the shutter 161 to move the shutter 161 in and out. The staging display unit 39 is provided in the center of the upper part of the front surface of the front decorative unit 32. The effect display unit 39 is configured by using two medium-sized 7-segment LEDs, and displays various numbers, characters, symbols, etc. in the V challenge effect described later.

The main body 23 includes a passage 162, 163, a storage device 25, a lower center stage 28, a stop release mechanism 27, passages 291 to 293, a specific area 291A, a non-specific area 292A, 293A, a rotating accessory 26, a motor 85, and the like.

The passage 162 extends diagonally downward to the left from the first prize-winning opening 16. The passage 163 is connected to the downstream end of the passage 162, extends downward on the left side in the main body 23, and is connected to the passage 292 described later. The storage device 25 is provided in the upper left portion of the main body 23, stops one game ball flowing through the passage 163, and discharges it onto the lower center stage 28 described later at a predetermined timing.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the lower center stage 28 is provided in a substantially middle stage in the main body 23. The lower center stage 28 includes a rolling surface 281 and a discharge path 282. The rolling surface 281 is formed in a substantially elliptical shape that is long in the left-right direction in a plan view. The rolling surface 281 is provided at the center of the game area 4 in the left-right direction. The discharge path 282 is formed in a substantially ring shape that is horizontally long in a plan view, and is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the rolling surface 281. The discharge path 282 is provided lower than the rolling surface 281. A hole 283 is provided in the left front portion of the discharge path 282, and a hole 284 is provided in the right front portion. The rolling surface 281 is gently inclined from the outer peripheral portion toward the center. At the center of the rolling surface 281 is provided with a circular opening 287 into which a game ball can enter. A passage 291 described later is connected to the opening 287.

A peripheral wall 50 is erected on the outer periphery of the rolling surface 281. The peripheral wall 50 includes wall portions 50A to 50E. The wall portion 50A is erected from the left end portion of the outer circumference of the rolling surface 281. The wall portion 50B is erected from the rear end portion of the outer circumference of the rolling surface 281. The wall portion 50C is erected from the left front end portion of the outer circumference of the rolling surface 281. The wall portion 50D is erected from the right front end portion of the outer circumference of the rolling surface 281. The wall portion 50E is erected from the right end portion of the outer circumference of the rolling surface 281.

The wall portion 50A and the wall portion 50B face each other with the discharge port 51 interposed therebetween. The wall portion 50A and the wall portion 50C face each other with the discharge port 52 interposed therebetween. The wall portion 50D and the wall portion 50E face each other with the discharge port 53 interposed therebetween. The wall portion 50B and the wall portion 50E face each other with the discharge port 54 interposed therebetween. The wall portion 50C and the wall portion 50D face each other with the opening 55 interposed therebetween. That is, the discharge port 51 is the left rear part of the peripheral wall 50, the discharge port 52 is the left front part of the peripheral wall 50, the discharge port 53 is the right front part of the peripheral wall 50, the discharge port 54 is the right rear part of the peripheral wall 50, and the opening 55 is the front part of the peripheral wall 50. Open the center. The discharge ports 51 to 54 and the openings 55 each have a width through which a game ball can pass.

As shown in FIG. 7, the discharge port 51 and the discharge port 53 are provided at positions symmetrical with each other with the center O of the rolling surface 281 interposed therebetween. The center O of the rolling surface 281 in the present embodiment is a position that becomes the geometric center of the rolling surface 281. Similarly, the discharge port 52 and the discharge port 54 are provided at positions symmetrical with each other with the center O of the rolling surface 281 interposed therebetween. The end faces of the wall portion 50A and the wall portion 50B on the discharge port 51 side are parallel to the virtual line L1 that passes through the center O and connects the discharge port 51 and the discharge port 53. The end faces 52A and 52B (see FIG. 8) on the discharge port 52 side of the wall portion 50A and the wall portion 50C are parallel to the virtual line L2 that passes through the center O and connects the discharge port 52 and the discharge port 54. be. The end faces of the wall portion 50D and the wall portion 50E on the discharge port 53 side are parallel to the virtual line L1. The end faces of the wall portion 50B and the wall portion 50E on the discharge port 54 side are parallel to the virtual line L2.

As shown in FIG. 8, the width connecting the front ends of the wall portions 50A and the wall portions 50C facing each other with the discharge port 52 in between is W1, and the game ball passes through the discharge port 52 having the width W1. Here, when the discharge port 52 is viewed from the player in front of the gaming machine, the end face 52A on the discharge port 52 side of the wall portion 50A is visible to the player, but the end face on the discharge port 52 side of the wall portion 50C. 52B is not visible to the player. Therefore, the player has the illusion that the width of the discharge port 52 is W2, which is narrower by the length of the visually recognized end face 52A in the left-right direction. Similarly, for the discharge ports 51, 53, 54, the player has the illusion that the width of the discharge ports 51, 53, 54 is narrower than the width at which the game ball actually passes through the discharge ports 51, 53, 54. ..

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the retaining portion 60 is provided at the front portion of the peripheral wall 50 and communicates with the opening 55. The retaining portion 60 is formed in a substantially U shape that opens toward the rear in a plan view. In the left-right direction, the width of the opening 55 is smaller than the width of the stop 60. The stopping portion 60 accommodates and stops the game ball that has entered inward from the rolling surface 281 through the opening 55.

The bottom surface 61 of the stop portion 60 is inclined downward toward the front side (front). The bottom surface 61 is provided lower than the lower part of the opening 55 (the front end portion of the rolling surface 281). That is, the stopping portion 60 has a step 63 at the boundary with the rolling surface 281. A slit 62 extending in the front-rear direction in a plan view is provided at the center of the bottom surface 61 in the left-right direction. The width of the slit 62 in the left-right direction is smaller than the diameter of the game ball. Immediately below the slit 62, a stop release mechanism 27 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, is provided.

A wall portion 56 is erected on the outer periphery of the bottom surface 61 except for the front end portion. The wall portion 56 is composed of wall portions 56A to 56C. The wall portion 56A is erected from the front end portion of the outer circumference of the bottom surface 61. The wall portion 56B is erected from the left end portion of the outer circumference of the bottom surface 61. The wall portion 56C is erected from the right end portion of the outer circumference of the bottom surface 61. A stop confirmation switch 35 is provided on the wall portion 56A. The stop confirmation switch 35 is a proximity sensor that detects that the game ball has stopped at the stop unit 60. The stop confirmation switch 35 detects a game ball within 4 mm from the stop confirmation switch 35. The rear end of the wall 56B is connected to the front end of the wall 50C, and the rear end of the wall 56C is connected to the front end of the wall 50D.

As shown in FIG. 9, the detention release mechanism 27 includes an release solenoid 86 and a release lever 271. The release solenoid 86 includes a spring 86A and a plunger 86B. The spring 86A is a compression coil spring and is provided below the release solenoid 86. The plunger 86B is a rod-shaped member protruding downward, and is constantly urged downward from the spring 86A.

The release lever 271 includes an extension portion 271A and a push upper portion 271B. The extending portion 271A extends to the right and then upwards. The right end of the extension 271A is connected to the plunger 86B. The extending portion 271A is provided with holes 271C and 271D penetrating in the left-right direction. The hole 271C is provided in the upper part of the extension portion 271A, and the hole 271D is provided in a substantially central portion in the vertical direction of the extension portion 271A. Shafts 231 and 232 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) extending in the left-right direction in the main body 23 are inserted into the holes 271C and 271D, respectively. The push-up portion 271B is a rod-shaped member extending upward from the upper end of the extension portion 271A. The push-up portion 271B is located directly below the slit 62. The upper surface of the push-up portion 271B is inclined downward toward the back side (rear).

As shown in FIG. 10, the release lever 271 is located directly below the slit 62 in a state where the release solenoid 86 is not energized. When the game ball enters the stop portion 60 in this state, the game ball is guided by the slit 62 and stops directly above the slit 62 (that is, directly above the release lever 271).

When the release solenoid 86 is energized, the plunger 86B is attracted upward against the urging force of the spring 86A. When the plunger 86B is pulled upward, the release lever 271 is lifted (see FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 11, the push-up portion 271B projects upward from the slit 62 and pushes up the game ball stopped at the stop portion 60. When the movement of the plunger 86B is completed, the upper surface of the push upper portion 271B is at a position higher than the upper end of the step 63 (the front end of the rolling surface 281). Since the upper surface of the push-up portion 271B is inclined downward toward the back side, the game ball is discharged onto the rolling surface 281 through the opening 55. In this way, the stop release mechanism 27 releases the stop of the game ball in the stop portion 60.

As shown in FIG. 3, the passage 291 extends downward from the opening 287 and communicates with the lower discharge port 291B provided on the bottom wall portion of the main body 23. The passage 292 extends downward from the hole 283 (see FIG. 7) of the discharge path 282 and communicates with the left discharge port 292B provided at the lower part of the left wall of the main body 23. The passage 293 extends downward from the hole 284 (see FIG. 7) of the discharge path 282 and communicates with the right discharge port 293B provided at the lower part of the right wall of the main body 23. The passage 291 is provided with a specific area 291A. The passage 292 is provided with a non-specific area 292A. The passage 293 is provided with a non-specific area 293A.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the rotating accessory 26 is provided at the center of the opening 287 of the rolling surface 281 and is rotatably supported around a rotating shaft 263 extending in the vertical direction. A V-shaped portion 269 decorated in a V-shape is provided at the upper end portion of the rotating shaft 263. A blade member 265 having a plurality of blades is provided in the middle portion of the rotating shaft 263. The V-shaped portion 269 and the blade member 265 rotate integrally with the rotating shaft 263. The motor 85 is provided below the lower center stage 28. The motor 85 is connected to the rotary accessory 26 via a gear (not shown), and drives the rotary accessory 26 to rotate.

The V-challenge effect in the lower center decoration 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 12, and 13. As shown in FIG. 3, in the lower center decoration 22, when the V challenge effect is executed in the small hit game, the game ball wins in the first large winning opening 16 which is in the open state, and one of the game balls. Is stored in the storage device 25. After that, the rotating accessory 26 rotates clockwise in a plan view for a predetermined time.

As shown in FIG. 12 (1), after the rotation of the rotating accessory 26 starts, the storage device 25 discharges the game ball K onto the rolling surface 281 of the lower center stage 28 at a predetermined timing. The game ball K rolls toward the opening 287, but is flipped to the outside of the opening 287 by the rotating blade member 265. The rotating blade member 265 changes the ball path of the game ball K on the rolling surface 281 depending on the position and angle of contact with the game ball K. When the game ball K that has been flipped outward collides with the peripheral wall 50, it rolls on the rolling surface 281 again by changing the direction of movement, and when it approaches the opening 287, it is removed again by the blade member 265. It is kicked out toward you.

When the game ball K falls from the rolling surface 281 onto the discharge path 282 through any of the discharge ports 51 to 54, the game ball K falls into any of the holes 283 and 284 provided in the discharge path 282. .. As shown in FIG. 3, when the game ball K falls through the hole 283, the game ball K passes through the passage 292 and the non-specific area 292A, and is discharged from the left discharge port 292B to the outside of the main body 23. When the hole 284 is dropped, the game ball K passes through the passage 293 and the non-specific area 293A, and is discharged from the right discharge port 293B to the outside of the main body 23.

As shown in FIG. 12 (2), when the game ball K enters the stop portion 60 through the opening 55, the bottom surface 61 of the stop portion 60 is provided lower than the lower portion of the opening 55, so that the game ball K stops. Stop at section 60. Since the bottom surface 61 of the game ball that has entered the stop portion 60 is inclined downward toward the front side, the game ball K is stopped close to the wall portion 56A. The stop confirmation switch 35 detects the game ball K that stops close to the wall portion 56A. Further, the game ball rolling on the bottom surface 61 is guided by the slit 62 and stays directly above the slit 62.

While the game ball K is stopped at the stop portion 60, it is not ejected by the blade member 265 on the rolling surface 281 so that it is not ejected from the discharge ports 51 to 54 into the discharge path 282, which is advantageous for the player. It becomes a state. The control unit (not shown) that controls the pachinko machine 1 executes the effect of emitting light from the illuminated member of the front decorative unit 32 and emitting sound from the speaker 48 when the stop confirmation switch 35 detects the game ball. .. By confirming the game ball K stopped at the stop unit 60 and the effect performed by the control unit, the player enhances the interest in the game.

After that, at a predetermined timing, the stop release mechanism 27 (see FIG. 9) is driven, and the release lever 271 is lifted. The push-up portion 271B of the release lever 271 pushes up the game ball K stopped at the stop portion 60 through the slit 62.

As shown in FIG. 13 (3), the game ball K pushed up by the push-up portion 271B is discharged onto the rolling surface 281 of the lower center stage 28 because the push-up portion 271B is inclined downward to the back side. .. The stop of the game ball at the stop portion 60 is released, the game ball K rolls again on the rolling surface 281 and is ejected to the outside of the opening 287 by the blade member 265 of the rotating accessory 26.

As shown in FIG. 13 (4), after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of rotation of the rotating accessory 26, the rotation of the rotating accessory 26 stops. The game ball K rolls toward the opening 287 and falls into the opening 287 via between two adjacent blades of the blade member 265. The game ball K flows through the passage 291 and passes through the specific area 291A to become a big hit. The game ball K is discharged to the outside of the main body 23 from the lower discharge port 291B (see FIG. 3).

The main effects of the present embodiment described above will be described. Needless to say, the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment exerts various effects other than the effects described below.

The pachinko machine 1 includes a lower center decoration 22. The lower center decoration 22 includes a lower center stage 28 having a rolling surface 281 on which the game ball can roll. A peripheral wall 50 is erected on the outer periphery of the rolling surface 281. An opening 55 through which a game ball can pass is opened in the center of the front portion of the peripheral wall 50. A stop 60 is provided at the front of the peripheral wall 50. The stopping portion 60 communicates with the opening 55, and accommodates and stops the game ball that has entered inward from the rolling surface 281 through the opening 55. The bottom surface 61 of the retaining portion 60 is provided lower than the lower portion of the opening 55 (the front end portion of the rolling surface 281). That is, the stopping portion 60 has a step 63 at the boundary with the rolling surface 281. As a result, the game ball that has passed through the opening 55 rolls on the bottom surface 61 of the stop portion 60 provided at a position lower than the opening 55. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can reliably stop the game ball at the stop portion 60.

Further, the bottom surface 61 is inclined downward toward the front side (front). As a result, the game ball that has passed through the opening 55 rolls forward in a direction that separates the bottom surface 61 from the rolling surface 281 and easily stops at the stopping portion 60. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can reliably stop the game ball at the stop portion 60.

Further, the wall portion 56A is erected from the front end portion of the bottom surface 61. The wall portion 56A is provided with a stop confirmation switch 35 which is a proximity sensor. The stop confirmation switch 35 detects that the game ball has stopped at the stop unit 60. Since the game ball is guided by the inclination of the bottom surface 61 and rolls forward, the stop confirmation switch 35 provided on the wall portion 56A can reliably detect the game ball. The control unit (not shown) that controls the pachinko machine 1 executes the effect of emitting light from the illuminated member of the front decorative unit 32 and emitting sound from the speaker 48 when the stop confirmation switch 35 detects the game ball. .. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can reliably perform control when the game ball is stopped at the stop portion 60 based on the detection result of the stop confirmation switch 35.

Further, in the left-right direction, the width of the opening 55 is smaller than the width of the stop portion 60. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can reliably stop the game ball that has entered the stop portion 60 at the stop portion 60.

Further, in the central portion of the bottom surface 61 in the left-right direction, a slit 62 extending in the front-rear direction in a plan view is provided toward the opening 55. The width of the slit 62 in the left-right direction is smaller than the diameter of the game ball. As a result, the game ball that rolls on the bottom surface 61 is guided by the slit 62 and rolls, and easily stops directly above the slit 62. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can stop the game ball that has entered the stop portion 60 at a predetermined position.

Further, a stop release mechanism 27 is provided directly below the slit 62. The stop release mechanism 27 includes a release lever 271 and an release solenoid 86. The release lever 271 includes a push-up portion 271B whose upper surface is inclined downward toward the back side (rear). The release solenoid 86 lifts the release lever 271 (push upper 271B) upward. The lifted push-up portion 271B projects upward from the slit 62 and pushes up the game ball stopped at the stop portion 60. Since the push-up portion 271B is inclined downward toward the rear, the game ball rolls backward and is discharged onto the rolling surface 281. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can return the game ball stopped at the stopping portion 60 to the rolling surface 281 with a simple configuration.

In the present embodiment, the pachinko machine 1 corresponds to the "game machine" of the present invention. The lower center decoration 22 corresponds to the "accessory device" of the present invention. The opening 55 corresponds to the "opening" of the present invention. The front corresponds to the "predetermined direction" of the present invention. The occupancy confirmation switch 35 corresponds to the "proximity sensor" of the present invention. The push-up portion 271B corresponds to the "push-up member" of the present invention. The open solenoid 86 corresponds to the "driving unit" of the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. The game specifications are not limited to the above embodiments. That is, the present invention is not limited to the so-called two-type gaming machine as in the above embodiment, but all gaming specifications such as one-type (so-called seven-machine), one-type two-type mixed type, and general electric service type. It can be applied to the game machines of.

The arrangement of various configurations in the pachinko machine 1 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the lower center decoration 22 may be arranged on either the right side or the left side of the game area 4. The rolling surface 281 may be arranged on either the right side or the left side of the game area 4. The stopping portion 60 may be provided in a portion other than the front portion of the peripheral wall 50, for example, the right portion of the peripheral wall 50.

Further, in the above embodiment, the step 63 at the boundary between the stop portion 60 and the rolling surface 281 is one step, but the number of steps of the step 63 is not limited to this. Further, the bottom surface 61 of the retaining portion 60 may be provided lower than the lower portion of the opening 55, and for example, a groove may be provided between the bottom surface 61 and the opening 55. The bottom surface 61 may be inclined in a direction other than the direction away from the rolling surface 281. In this case, it is desirable that the stop confirmation switch 35 is provided on the wall portion 56 in the direction in which the bottom surface 61 is inclined.

Further, the lower center stage 28 does not have to be provided with a stop confirmation switch 35 on the wall portion 56. The occupancy confirmation switch 35 may be a sensor other than the proximity sensor (for example, an optical sensor or the like). The control unit of the pachinko machine 1 does not have to perform the effect triggered by the detection of the game ball stopped at the stop unit 60 by the stop confirmation switch 35.

Further, the lower center decoration 22 does not have to be provided with the stop release mechanism 27. Further, the stop release mechanism 27 may release the game ball whose stop has been released to a place other than on the rolling surface 281 (for example, a discharge path 282 or the like). The configuration of the stop release mechanism 27 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the release lever 271 may release the game ball stopped at the stop portion 60 by the drive of the motor or the air cylinder instead of the release solenoid 86 from the stop portion 60. Further, the moving direction of the release lever 271 may be other than the vertical direction. In this case, the retaining portion 60 does not have to be provided with the slit 62 on the bottom surface 61.

Further, the discharge ports 51 to 54 may be in an embodiment other than the above-described embodiment. For example, the lower center stage 28 as a modification shown in FIG. 14 includes a discharge port 72 corresponding to the discharge port 52. In the following description, in the lower center stage 28 of the modified example, the same components as those of the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and the points different from those of the first embodiment will be mainly described.

The wall portion 50A and the wall portion 50C face each other with the discharge port 72 interposed therebetween. The end faces 72A and 72B on the discharge port 52 side of the wall portion 50A and the wall portion 50C are not parallel to the virtual line L2, but are inclined to the left or right with respect to the virtual line L3 parallel to the front-rear direction. ing.

The narrowest width of the discharge port 72 is W3, which is the width connecting the rear ends of the end faces 72A and 72B. Here, when the discharge port 72 is viewed from the player in front of the gaming machine, the end face 72A is visible to the player, but the end face 72B is not visible to the player. Therefore, the player has the illusion that the width of the discharge port 72 is W4, which is narrower by the length of the visually recognized end face 72A in the left-right direction.

In this way, the end faces of the wall portions 50A to 50E facing each other with the discharge ports 51 to 54 in between are front and rear in a plan view even if they are not parallel to the virtual lines L1 and L2. It suffices to incline to either the left or right with respect to the direction. In this case as well, the player can use the discharge port by the amount of the left-right length of the visually recognized end face as compared with the case where the two end faces facing each other with the discharge ports 51 to 54 in between are parallel to each other in the front-rear direction. It is an illusion that the size of 51 to 54 in the left-right direction is small. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can make the outlet for discharging the game ball inconspicuous.

Furthermore, all elements described in the claims, specification, and drawings may be physically single or plural, unless there is a clear statement that consciously limits the number. It does not matter, and the arrangement may be changed as appropriate. In addition, the element names (names given to the elements) used in the claims and specifications are merely given for convenience in the description of this case, which may give rise to a special meaning. I am not particularly conscious of. That is, the element name alone does not limit the interpretation of what the element is. Furthermore, whether a plurality of elements among all the elements are appropriately integrally configured or one element is divided into a plurality of elements is not specified in the scope of claims, etc. However, since it is a matter that can be considered extremely easily by those skilled in the art, all patterns are within the assumed range even if all the patterns are not described in the specification, etc., and therefore are included in the scope of rights according to the present invention. Of course. Therefore, simply adopting a gaming machine having a structural difference within such a range because it is not described in the present embodiment does not mean that the right according to the present invention has been circumvented. .. In addition, the same applies to differences in the configuration and shape of each element within a self-evident range that can be easily considered by those skilled in the art from the present embodiment.

1 Pachinko machine 22 Lower center decoration 27 Stop release mechanism 28 Lower center stage 35 Stop confirmation switch 50 Peripheral wall 50A-50D, 56A Wall 52A, 52B End face 51-54 Outlet 55 Opening 60 Stop 61 Bottom 62 Slit 63 Step 86 Open Solenoid 271 Release lever 271B Push upper part 281 Rolling surface

Claims (6)

In a gaming machine provided with a gaming board in which a gaming area on which a gaming ball can flow down is formed, and an accessory device provided in the gaming area.
The accessory device is
A rolling surface on which the game ball can roll, and
A peripheral wall erected from the outer circumference of the rolling surface and
An opening provided in the peripheral wall through which the game ball can pass, and
It is provided with a stop portion that communicates with the opening and internally accommodates and stops the game ball that has passed through the opening.
A gaming machine characterized in that the bottom portion of the stop portion is lower than the lower portion of the opening portion. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the stop portion is inclined downward from the center of the rolling surface toward the stop portion in a predetermined direction. The stop portion is characterized by comprising a proximity sensor for detecting that the game ball is stopped at the stop portion on a wall portion erected from the end portion of the bottom portion of the stop portion on the predetermined direction side. The gaming machine according to claim 2. The game according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the size of the opening is smaller than that of the stop in a direction orthogonal to a predetermined direction from the center of the rolling surface toward the stop. Machine. The bottom of the stop portion is provided with a slit extending parallel to the predetermined direction from the center of the rolling surface toward the stop portion and having a length in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction smaller than the diameter of the game ball. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gaming machine is characterized in that. A push-up member provided below the bottom of the stop and inclined downward toward the center of the rolling surface from the stop.
The gaming machine according to claim 5, further comprising a drive unit for moving the push-up member upward from the bottom portion of the stop portion via the slit.

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