JP2024011496A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of improving a degree of freedom in handle operation.

SOLUTION: A handle unit 16 is configured so as to be suitable for operation in which it is gripped by a player's right hand in a first operation mode A, and is configured so as to be suitable for operation in which it is gripped by the player's left hand in a second operation mode B. It is also configured so as to be capable of shooting game balls by rotating a rotation operation member 36 such that an upper side of the rotation operation member 36 is displaced to a back side in each of the first operation mode A and the second operation mode B, and is configured such that a change in shooting strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the rotation operation member 36 in the first operation mode A is equal to a change in shooting strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the rotation operation member 36 in the second operation mode B. Further, it is configured such that the rotation operation member 36 turns such that its upper side is displaced to this side and returns to an initial position by canceling rotary operation of the rotation operation member 36 in each of the first operation mode A and the second operation mode B.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine equipped with a handle.

For example, a pachinko machine, which is one of the typical examples of gaming machines, has an outer frame as a fixed frame that is formed into a rectangular frame shape that opens at the front and back and is fixed to an installation frame in a game parlor, and a an inner frame serving as a main body frame that is supported in an openable and closable manner to detachably hold a game board, and a glass plate that is openable and closable in front of the middle frame to decorate the front surface of the pachinko machine and to transparently protect the game board. It basically has a front frame as a decorative frame. In addition, an upper ball tray and a lower ball tray for storing game balls are arranged on the front of the pachinko machine, and a handle is provided at the lower right of the front of the pachinko machine for the player to operate the game ball firing operation. is installed.

The handle includes a main body disposed on the front frame or the middle frame, and an operating section rotatably provided on the front side of the main body, and when the player rotates the operating section, the middle frame is rotated. A ball launcher provided at the ball is operated to launch the game ball toward the game area. In addition, the firing strength of the game ball by the batting ball firing device changes according to the amount of rotational operation (amount of rotation) of the operating portion of the handle, so that the position of hitting the game ball into the gaming area can be changed arbitrarily. The handle is provided with a return spring that is hooked to the operating section and the main body, and as the operating section is rotated, the return spring is elastically deformed and a return elasticity is developed. When a person releases the operating section, the operating section is returned to the stop position (initial position) by return elasticity (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-165780

By the way, the handle is arranged at the lower right front side of the pachinko machine as described above, and it is assumed that the player mainly operates the handle with his right hand to play the game. According to research on handedness based on scientific papers, the percentage of right-handed players is estimated to be around 90%, and the percentage of left-handed players is estimated to be around 10%, so the majority of right-handed players do not feel any discomfort. Although the handle can be operated well, even left-handed players are required to operate the handle with their right hand, and there are cases where they are forced to play the game with a feeling of discomfort. In addition, in addition to the handle, some recent pachinko machines are equipped with operation means for executing game effects, such as operation levers and operation buttons, which is inconvenient for players who are restricted to operating the handle with their right hand. This is likely to occur and may lead to a loss of interest in the game.

That is, the present invention has been proposed in order to suitably solve the problems inherent in the conventional gaming machines, and to provide a gaming machine that can improve the degree of freedom of handle operation. With the goal.

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the intended purpose, the first invention is as follows:
A handle including a main body and an operating part rotatably supported by the main body, and the intensity of firing the game ball toward the playing area changes according to the amount of rotation of the operating part in the handle. In the gaming machine configured,
The handle is configured to be suitable for operation held by the player's right hand in the first operation mode, and is configured to be suitable for operation held by the player's left hand in the second operation mode,
In each of the first operation mode and the second operation mode, the game ball is configured to be able to be fired by rotating the operation section so as to displace the upper side of the operation section to the rear side. The device is configured such that a change in firing intensity according to the amount of rotation of the operating portion in the first operation mode is equal to a change in firing intensity depending on the amount of rotation of the operating portion in the second operation mode, and
In each of the first operation mode and the second operation mode, when the rotation operation of the operation section is released, the upper side of the operation section is rotated so as to be displaced toward the front side and returned to the initial position. The gist is what has been done.
In this way, by making it possible to operate the handle in a state suitable for operation held with the player's right hand and in a state suitable for operation held with the player's left hand, it is possible to operate the handle in a state suitable for operation held with the player's left hand. Accordingly, the player can play the game by operating the handle with any hand. In addition, since the handle can be operated with a common natural operation feeling in each of the first operation mode and the second operation mode, the player can freely operate the handle without interfering with the game. can be changed.

The second invention is
It is equipped with a plurality of firing stop buttons that can stop the firing of game balls while rotating the operation part,
The gist is that the firing stop button includes a first firing stop button that can be operated in the first operation mode and a second firing stop button that can be operated in the second operation mode. .
In this way, by providing the first firing stop button and the second firing stop button as firing stop buttons, even if the player arbitrarily selects the hand to operate the handle, the game situation etc. The firing of game balls can be stopped depending on the situation.

The third invention is
Shooting the game ball by operating the first shooting stop button and the second shooting stop button while rotating the operating part in each of the first operation mode and the second operation mode. The main point is that the system is configured to be stoppable.
In this way, by making it possible to stop the firing of game balls by operating either the first firing stop button or the second firing stop button while the operation unit is being rotated, the game ball can be stopped depending on the game situation. The player can select the hand with which to operate the handle and stop firing the game balls while operating the handle, thereby greatly increasing the degree of freedom in operating the handle.

The fourth invention is
The gist is that the handle is arranged at an intermediate position in the width direction of the gaming machine, and that the first operating mode and the second operating mode are symmetrical.
In this way, by arranging the handle at an intermediate position in the width direction of the gaming machine and making the first operation mode and the second operation mode symmetrical, it is possible to adjust the player's dominant hand and play the game. A player can arbitrarily select a hand to operate a handle and play a game without feeling any discomfort depending on the situation.

According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, the degree of freedom in operating the handle can be improved.

1 is a front view showing a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the mounting position of the handle unit. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the mounting position of the handle unit, with the location of the angle adjustment mechanism being cut away. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the handle unit. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram related to the handle unit.

Next, a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. In the embodiment, a pachinko machine in which a game is played using pachinko balls as game balls will be described as an example. In addition, in the following description, "front", "rear", "left", and "right" refer to the outer frame 11, middle frame 12, and front frame 13, as shown in FIG. 1, unless otherwise specified. The designation is based on the state in which the pachinko machine 10 is viewed from the front side (player side) in a mutually closed state.

(About pachinko machine 10)
As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 according to the embodiment includes an outer frame 11 as a fixed frame fixed to an installation frame (not shown), also called an "island" provided in a game parlor; An inner frame 12 as a main body frame is pivotally supported to the outer frame 11 so as to be detachable and openable, and a game board 20 is detachably attached to the inner frame 12 and defines a required game area 20a. A transparent protection member 13a made of a glass plate, an acrylic plate, etc. is disposed on the front side of the middle frame 12 so as to be detachable, openable and closable, and transparently protects the game board 20 arranged on the middle frame 12. A front frame 13 is provided. An upper ball tray 14 capable of storing pachinko balls (gaming balls) is attached to the front frame 13 on the lower front side of the area where the transparent protection member 13a is disposed, and is located at a position spaced below the upper ball tray 14. , a lower ball tray 15 capable of storing pachinko balls is assembled, and pachinko balls overflowing into the upper ball tray 14 are guided to the lower ball tray 15 through a ball path (not shown) formed in the middle frame 12. It's starting to get worse. Further, on the front side of the pachinko machine 10, a handle unit (handle) 16 is assembled to the front frame 13 for operating a ball launcher 18 (see FIG. 3) disposed on the middle frame 12. When the player operates the ball launcher 18, the pachinko balls stored in the upper ball tray 14 are launched toward the game area 20a of the game board 20.

(About the game board 20)
As shown in FIG. 1, the game board 20 has an outer rail 21 and an inner rail 22 which are curved into a substantially circular shape and are arranged on the board surface (front surface), and are defined inside the inner and outer rails 21 and 22. In the game area 20a, various game parts such as a frame-shaped decoration 27, a starting winning device 23, a special winning device 24, a game nail 25, a rotation guide 26, etc. are arranged, and the frame-shaped decoration 27 has The display section 17a of the symbol display device 17 is configured to be visible from the front side through the display opening 27a. Further, the outer rail 21 and the inner rail 22 are configured to be separated by a distance that allows pachinko balls to pass through, and define a firing path 28 through which pachinko balls fired from the ball launcher 18 pass. Here, the firing passage 28 opens downward at a position near the left of the lower end of the game board 20, and also opens a firing port 29 in the game area 20a at the upper left position of the game board 20. Pachinko balls moving through the firing path 28 are launched from the firing port 29 to the upper position of the game area 20a. A predetermined number of prize balls are paid out when the pachinko balls launched into the gaming area 20a enter the starting winning device 23, the special winning device 24, and other winning holes. In the game board 20, an outlet 19 is provided at the lowest position of the game area 20a for discharging pachinko balls that have flown down to the lowest position of the game area 20a to the outside of the game board 20.

(About the batted ball launcher 18)
The batting ball firing device 18 includes a batting rod that reciprocates to launch pachinko balls by a drive means such as a rotary solenoid, and a firing rail that slopes upward from right to left, and includes a rotation operating member of the handle unit 16. When 36 (operation unit) is rotated, the ball-striking rod is operated to launch pachinko balls along the launch rail. Note that a launch control device 80 (see FIG. 5) that drives and controls the batted ball launch device 18 based on the operation of the handle unit 16 is disposed on the rear side of the middle frame, and an output from the launch control device 80 is provided. The operation of the drive means of the batted ball firing device 18 is controlled based on the control signal. As shown in FIG. 5, the firing control device 80 includes a rotation amount detection section 55, which will be described later, provided in the handle unit 16, a stop switch 61 that stops the operation of the drive means of the batted ball firing device 18, and a rotation A touch sensor 70 that detects when the player's hand comes into contact with the operating member 36 is electrically connected, and the ball is hit based on signals input from the rotation amount detection section 55, the stop switch 61, and the touch sensor 70. A control signal is output to the firing device 18 to control its operation.

In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the pachinko ball launched from the ball launcher 18 and flowing down the game area 20a enters the ball entry section (starting prize device 23, special prize device 24, etc.), thereby causing the ball to enter the ball. A predetermined game such as paying out prize balls according to the entered ball part and executing a symbol variation effect is performed, and the pachinko balls that have flowed down to the bottom of the gaming area 20a are ejected out of the machine through the out port 19. Ru. Specifically, when a winning detection sensor included in the starting winning device 23 detects a pachinko ball, a winning determination is executed, and when the determining result is a winning, the symbol variation performance performed by the symbol display device 17 is executed. As a result, the decorative pattern is fixed and displayed at a predetermined winning display (for example, three of the same pattern), and an advantageous winning game is awarded to the player who opens the special winning opening of the special winning device 24. configured. In addition, in the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, various game states (for example, a variable probability state or a variable short state) are provided after the winning game depending on the type of winning in the winning determination, and the The game is configured so that the player can play the game advantageously by hitting the pachinko balls into "right-handed" and "left-handed" types.

(About the handle unit 16)
As shown in FIG. 1, the handle unit 16 is disposed at an intermediate position in the left-right width direction on the front surface of the pachinko machine 10, and is arranged in a first operation mode A (see FIG. 2) and a second operation mode B (see FIG. 2) suitable for operation held by the player's left hand. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a support portion 30 (a support portion 30) provided on the front surface of the front frame 13 between the upper spherical tray 14 and the lower spherical tray 15 and at an intermediate position in the left and right width direction. 2 and 3), the rear side of the handle unit 16 is rotatably supported within a predetermined angular range around a vertically extending shaft portion 32a. That is, by orienting the handle unit 16 to the right with the shaft portion 32a as the center, the first operation mode A suitable for the player to hold with the right hand is achieved, and the handle unit 16 is turned to the right with the shaft portion 32a as the center. 16 to the left side, the second operation form B is suitable for the player to hold with his/her left hand.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the handle unit 16 includes a cylindrical attachment portion 32 supported by the support portion 30, and a spherical attachment portion 32 provided on the front side of the attachment portion 32 and held by the player. A grip part 33 is provided. The gripping portion 33 includes a rear component 34 that is formed to be continuous with the mounting portion 32 and forms a rear portion of the gripping portion 33, and a rear component 34 that is attached to the front side of the rear component 34 and forms the rear portion of the gripping portion 33. A unit member in which a front component 35 forming a front part and a rotary operation member 36 serving as an operation section rotatably supported within a certain angular range between the rear component 34 and the front component 35 are assembled. It has become. That is, in this embodiment, the main body of the handle unit 16 is composed of the mounting part 32 and the gripping part 33, and the rotation operation member 36 can be rotated with respect to the main body (the mounting part 32 and the gripping part 33). is supported by The shaft portion 32a is provided on the rear end side of the mounting portion 32 so as to protrude vertically, and the shaft portion 32a is connected to a shaft hole (not shown) provided in the support portion 30 of the front frame 13. ), so that it can be rotated left and right with respect to the front frame 13 about the shaft portion 32a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the handle unit 16 includes an angle adjustment mechanism 40 that holds the handle unit 16 at an appropriate rotational position about the shaft portion 32a. The angle adjustment mechanism 40 of this embodiment includes a cylindrical part 41 provided at the rear end side of the inside of the mounting part 32 and opening downward, and a spherical stopper member 42 housed inside the cylindrical part 41. and a biasing member 43, such as a spring, which is disposed in the cylindrical portion 41 and biases the stopper member 42 downward, and the biasing member 43 biases the lower part of the stopper member 42. The side protrudes from the lower opening 41 a of the cylindrical portion 41 to the lower side of the mounting portion 32 .

In addition, a plurality of concave portions 44 as the angle adjustment mechanism 40 are formed in the support portion 30 on the rotation locus of the stopper member 42 about the shaft portion 32 a, and a plurality of concave portions 44 are formed as the angle adjustment mechanism 40 . A stopper member 42 protruding downward is fitted into the recessed portion 44. Note that FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of the concave portions 44 around the shaft portion 32a. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the spherical lower part of the stopper member 42 facing the lower opening 41a of the cylindrical part 41 is fitted into the recessed part 44, thereby causing rotational movement of the handle unit 16 about the shaft part 32a. is regulated, and the handle unit 16 is held at the angular position where the stopper member 42 fits into the recessed portion 44. Then, by forcibly rotating the handle unit 16 around the shaft portion 32a so that the stopper member 42 urged by the urging member 43 is pushed up by the edge of the recessed portion 44, the stopper member 42 and the recessed portion 44 are The engagement member is released, the handle unit 16 is allowed to rotate about the shaft portion 32a, and the angle of the handle unit 16 is adjusted in stages at a position where the stopper member 42 is fitted into the recess 44. I'm starting to get it.

Here, in this embodiment, the recessed portion 44 is provided at a position in which the stopper member 42 is fitted when the handle unit 16 faces forward (reference position S, see FIG. 2), and the handle unit 16 is located on the right side. The stopper member is rotated by 30°, 60°, and 90° from the reference attitude S so that the handle unit 16 faces to the left, and at positions rotated by 30°, 60°, and 90° from the reference attitude S so that the handle unit 16 faces to the left. A recessed portion 44 is provided in which the portion 42 can be fitted. That is, in this embodiment, the angle can be adjusted in three stages as a first operation mode A in which the handle unit 16 is tilted to the right, and as a second operation mode B in which the handle unit 16 is tilted to the left. Three-stage angle adjustment is possible. In this way, in the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, the handle unit 16 disposed at an intermediate position in the width direction of the pachinko machine 10 is symmetrical in the first operation mode A and the second operation mode B. It is configured so that Note that the number of recessed portions 44 to be formed is not limited to the number described above, and any number of recessed portions 44 can be formed. The angle can be adjusted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the rear component 34 is provided with a cylindrical protrusion 50 extending back and forth at a position corresponding to the rotation center of the rotational operation member 36. A first torsion spring and a second torsion spring (not shown) are disposed on the outer peripheral side of the spring 50 . Here, the end of the first torsion spring is locked to the support portion 30 and the rotational operation member 36 so as to bias the rotational operation member 36 in the counterclockwise direction, and the second torsion spring is rotated. The end portion is locked to the support portion 30 and the rotary operation member 36 so as to bias the operation member 36 in the clockwise rotation direction. The biasing forces of the first torsion spring and the second torsion spring are maintained in balance at an intermediate position (initial position, see FIGS. 1 and 4) of the angular range in which the rotation operation member 36 can rotate. It is designed to be held in

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the rotation operation member 36 is configured to be rotatable in each of the clockwise rotation direction and the counterclockwise rotation direction around the initial position, and when rotated clockwise, the first torsion spring is rotated. It returns to the initial position by the urging force of the second torsion spring, and when it is rotated to the left, it returns to the initial position by the urging force of the second torsion spring. In the handle unit 16 of the embodiment, the maximum rotational position is a position where the rotary operation member 36 is rotated approximately 120 degrees to the right from the initial position and a position where it is rotated approximately 120 degrees to the left from the initial position. . Further, the rotation operation member 36 is formed with finger hooks 37 on which the player hangs his or her fingers at symmetrical positions in the initial position, and the rotation operation member 36 rotates in the right rotation direction and the left rotation direction, respectively, with the initial position as the center. 36 can be rotated with a common operating feel.

That is, in the first operation mode A in which the handle unit 16 is tilted to the right, the rotation operation member 36 is rotated so that the upper side of the rotation operation member 36 is displaced to the back side, as shown by the arrow X in FIG. By operating it, a pachinko ball can be fired, and when the rotation operation of the rotation operation member 36 is released, the upper side of the rotation operation member 36 is displaced toward the front side by the biasing force of the first torsion spring. It is configured to rotate and return to its initial position. Similarly, in the second operation mode B in which the handle unit 16 is tilted to the left, the rotation operation member 36 is moved so that the upper side of the rotation operation member 36 is displaced to the back side, as shown by arrow Y in FIG. A pachinko ball can be fired by rotating the rotation operation member 36, and when the rotation operation of the rotation operation member 36 is released, the upper side of the rotation operation member 36 is displaced toward the front side due to the biasing force of the second torsion spring. It is configured to rotate so as to return to its initial position.

Further, the rotation amount detection section 55 provided in the handle unit 16 is configured such that an output signal changes depending on the rotation amount of the rotation operation member 36. Specifically, as the rotation amount detection section 55, a variable resistor (volume switch) whose resistance value changes depending on the rotation amount, a rotary encoder such as a photoelectric type or a magnetic type, or other conventionally known means may be adopted. is possible. Note that this embodiment employs a variable resistor having a support shaft extending outward from a resistor main body (not shown), and is configured to connect the support shaft to the rotation center of the rotational operation member 36. has been done. That is, the rotation amount detection unit 55 changes the resistance value by rotating the support shaft relative to the resistor body as the rotation operation member 36 rotates, and sends a signal corresponding to the change in the resistance value to the firing control device. Output to 80. As a result, the launch control device 80 changes the current supplied to the drive means of the batting ball firing device 18, and the strength of the launching force (launching strength) of the pachinko ball by the batting rod is adjusted. That is, depending on the amount of rotation of the rotary operation member 36 in the handle unit 16 from a later-described stop position to a maximum rotation position, the intensity of firing the pachinko balls toward the game area changes.

Here, the resistance value is configured to change equally depending on the rotation angle of the rotational operation member 36, depending on whether the rotational operation member 36 is rotated in the clockwise rotation direction or the case where the rotational operation member 36 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. That is, the change in firing strength according to the amount of rotation of the rotary operation member 36 in the first operation mode A is equal to the change in the firing intensity according to the amount of rotation of the rotary operation member 36 in the second operation mode B. It is configured like this. As a result, in the first operation mode A, the rotary operation member 36 is rotated by a predetermined angle in the clockwise rotation direction, and in the second operation mode B, the rotary operation member 36 is rotated in the counterclockwise rotation direction by the same predetermined angle. The ball firing device 18 is driven and controlled by the firing control device 80 so that the pachinko balls are fired with the same firing intensity.

Further, the handle unit 16 is provided with firing stop means 60 for stopping the operation of the batted ball firing device 18, as shown in FIG. The firing stop means 60 includes the stop switch 61 provided inside the handle unit 16 and a stop operation button 63 that can be operated by the player. The stop switch 61 is actuated in response to this, thereby stopping the operation of the batted ball firing device 18. Here, the handle unit 16 includes a first firing stop means 60A that can be easily operated in the first operation mode A, and a second firing stop that can be easily operated in the second operation mode B. A means 60B is provided as the firing stopping means 60, and the operation of the batted ball firing device 18 is activated by operating the stop switch 61 of either the first firing stopping means 60A or the first firing stopping means 60A. It is supposed to stop. Here, the first firing stopping means 60A and the first firing stopping means 60A are provided with a common component so as to be symmetrical with respect to the handle unit 16, and in the following description, the first firing stopping means 60A will be described as follows. In some cases, the constituent members of the first firing stopping means 60A are given the symbol A, and the constituent members of the second firing stopping means 60B are given the symbol B for differentiation.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the first firing stop means 60A includes a first stop switch 61A having a switch part 62 that can be pressed, and a first stop switch 61A that is arranged to be swingable in the left and right direction. It is provided with a first firing stop button 63A that can press down the switch part 62 of the stop switch 61A. The first stop switch 61A of the first firing stop means 60A is attached with the switch portion 62 oriented to the left. The first firing stop button 63A is disposed in a hanging position on the left side of the first stop switch 61A, and has an upper end pivotally supported by a support pin 67 extending back and forth above the first stop switch 61A. The lower end side is configured to be swingable in the left and right direction.

The first firing stop button 63A has an abutment part 64 that is located opposite to the left side of the switch part 62 and can press the switch part 62 from the left side, and a contact part 64 that protrudes outward to the left of the grip part 33 to allow the user to play the game. The contact portion 64 is biased in a direction away from the switch portion 62 by a biasing member such as a spring (not shown). That is, the first firing stop means 60A switches the first stop switch to an ON state in which the driving means of the batted ball firing device 18 is operable when the operating portion 65 of the first firing stop button 63A is not operated. 61A is maintained, and the first firing stop button 63A swings to the right around the support pin 67 by operating the operation part 65, so that the switch part 62 of the first stop switch 61A is moved to the contact part 64. When the button is pressed down, the driving means of the batted ball firing device 18 is stopped, resulting in an OFF state. Here, the operation part 65 of the first firing stop button 63A is provided so as to protrude outward to the left of the grip part 33, and when the player grips the handle unit 16 with his right hand in the first operation mode A, In addition, it is configured so that it can be easily pressed down with the player's right thumb.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4, the second firing stop means 60B includes a second stop switch 61B having a switch part 62 that can be pressed, and a second stop switch 61B that is arranged to be swingable in the left and right direction. A second firing stop button 63B that can press the switch portion 62 of the stop switch 61B is provided. The second stop switch 61B is attached with the switch portion 62 oriented to the right. The second firing stop button 63B is disposed in a hanging position on the left side of the second stop switch 61B, and has an upper end pivotally supported by a support pin 67 extending back and forth above the second stop switch 61B. The lower end side is configured to be swingable in the left and right direction.

The second firing stop button 63B has a contact portion 64 that is located opposite to the right side of the switch portion 62 of the second stop switch 61B and can press the switch portion 62 from the right side, and a grip portion 33. It is provided with an operation part 65 that protrudes outward to the right and can be pressed down with a player's finger, and the contact part 64 is biased in a direction away from the switch part 62 by a biasing member such as a spring (not shown). There is. That is, the second firing stop means 60B switches the second stop switch to the ON state in which the drive means of the batted ball firing device 18 is operable when the operation part 65 of the second firing stop button 63B is not operated. 61B is maintained, and the second firing stop button 63B swings to the right around the support pin 67 by operating the operation part 65, so that the switch part 62 of the second stop switch 61B is moved to the contact part 64. When the button is pressed down, the driving means of the batted ball firing device 18 is stopped, resulting in an OFF state. Here, the operation part 65 of the second firing stop button 63B is provided so as to protrude outward to the right of the grip part 33, and when the player grips the handle unit 16 with his left hand in the second operation mode B, In addition, it is configured so that it can be easily pressed down with the thumb of the player's left hand.

Further, the touch sensor 70 senses when the player's hand comes into contact with the rotary operation member 36 whose surface is plated, and when the player's hand (fingertip) contacts the rotary operation member 36. Then, the minute electricity flowing through the rotary operation member 36 is sensed, and a sensing signal resulting from this is output to the launch control device 80.

(action)
Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 configured as described above will be explained. In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, the handle unit 16 is configured to be rotatable left and right about a shaft portion 32a that extends up and down with respect to a support portion 30 provided on the front surface of the front frame 13. By tilting the unit 16 to the right, the first operating mode A is suitable for the player to hold with his or her right hand, and by tilting the handle unit 16 to the left, the player can The second operation form B is suitable for holding with the left hand. In this way, the handle unit 16 is in a state suitable for operation held by the player's right hand (first operation form A) and in a state suitable for operation held by the player's left hand (second operation form B). By making it possible to operate the handle unit 16, the player can play the game by operating the handle unit 16 with any hand depending on the player's dominant hand or the game situation, so the degree of freedom in operating the handle is greatly increased. can be improved.

In addition, since the handle unit 16 can be held at a plurality of angular positions (three stages for each operation mode) by the angle adjustment mechanism 40 in each of the first operation mode A and the second operation mode B, the The angle of the handle unit 16 can be changed depending on the player's physique, gaming situation, etc. Therefore, the player can play the game by adjusting the handle unit 16 to an angle that is easy for the player to operate, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in operating the handle and making it easier for the player to concentrate on the game. Further, when the handle unit 16 rotates left and right around the shaft portion 32a, the stopper member 42 urged by the urging member 43 is pushed up by the edge of the recessed portion 44, and the stopper member 42 and the recessed portion 44 are pushed up. Since the engaging body can be released, the angle of the handle unit 16 can be easily adjusted.

Furthermore, since the handle unit 16 is arranged at an intermediate position in the width direction of the pachinko machine 10, and the handle unit 16 is symmetrical in the first operation mode A and the second operation mode B, To allow a player to play a game by arbitrarily selecting the hand to operate the handle without feeling any discomfort, depending on the player's dominant hand, game situation, etc. Furthermore, by allowing the player to play by operating the handle unit 16 located at an intermediate position in the width direction of the pachinko machine 10, the player can operate the handle unit 16 with either the right hand or the left hand. It is possible to play games facing the pachinko machine 10 in a natural posture.

Further, in each of the first operation mode A and the second operation mode B, the handle unit 16 rotates the rotation operation member 36 so as to displace the upper side of the rotation operation member 36 to the back side. This makes it possible to shoot pachinko balls, and when the rotation operation of the rotation operation member 36 is released, the upper side of the rotation operation member 36 rotates so as to be displaced toward the front side and returns to the initial position. It is configured. Furthermore, a change in firing intensity according to the amount of rotation of the rotary operation member 36 in the first operation mode A, and a change in firing intensity according to the amount of rotation of the rotary operation member 36 in the second operation mode B. are made equal. Therefore, in each of the first operation mode A and the second operation mode B, it is possible to operate the handle unit 16 and launch a pachinko ball with a common and natural operation feeling, so that it does not interfere with the game. The player can arbitrarily change the hand that operates the handle without any trouble.

Further, as a firing stop button 63 capable of stopping the firing of pachinko balls while rotating the rotational operation member 36, a first firing stop button 63A that can be operated by the player in the first operation mode A; Since the configuration includes the second firing stop button 63B that can be operated by the player in the second operation mode B, even if the player arbitrarily selects the hand to operate the handle unit 16, the game situation etc. The firing of pachinko balls can be stopped depending on the situation. Furthermore, while the rotary operation member 36 is being rotated, the firing of pachinko balls can be stopped by operating either the first firing stop button 63A or the second firing stop button 63B, depending on the game situation etc. The player selects the hand that operates the handle, operates the handle unit 16, and arbitrarily operates either the first firing stop button 63A or the second firing stop button 63B to fire the pachinko ball. It can be stopped, greatly increasing the degree of freedom in steering wheel operation.

(Example of change)
Note that the configuration of the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to that shown in the embodiment described above, and various changes are possible. An example is shown below.
(1) Although the handle unit is fixed to the front frame, the main body of the game machine to which the handle unit is fixed may be, for example, fixed to the middle frame, or to the upper or lower ball tray. Good too.
(2) As an example of a pachinko machine, a so-called two-plate type pachinko machine having an upper ball plate and a lower ball plate is shown as an example, but it can also be applied to a handle unit of a so-called single-plate pachinko machine having one ball plate. be. Furthermore, it may be a so-called circulation-type Pachinko machine that does not include both an upper ball tray and a lower ball tray configured so that game balls circulate inside the Pachinko machine.
(3) With the rotary operation member rotated in each of the first operation mode and the second operation mode, launch the game ball by operating the first launch stop button and the second launch stop button. However, when operating in the first operating mode, the game ball is configured to stop firing only when the first shooting stop button is operated, and when operating in the second operating mode. The game ball may be configured to stop firing only when the second firing stop button is operated.
In such a configuration, for example, the rotation direction of the rotary operation member can be detected by an encoder or the like, and when the rotary operation member is rotated to the right, which is a natural operation suitable for the first operation mode, Enables the signal input from the first stop switch corresponding to the first firing stop button, disables the signal input from the second stop switch corresponding to the second firing stop button, and sets the second operation mode. When the rotary operation member is rotated to the left, which is a natural operation suitable for This can be achieved by enabling the signal input from the stop switch No. 2. Further, a detecting means for detecting the rotational direction of the handle unit around the shaft portion may be provided to detect whether the handle unit is in the first operating mode or the second operating mode. good.
(4) The handle unit is provided with two gripping parts and an operating part (rotary operating member) that can be held by the player, and one gripping part and the operating part are equipped with a first grip part that is suitable for operation while being held with the player's right hand. In addition, the other grip section and the operation section may be arranged so as to provide a second operation mode suitable for operation held with the player's left hand.
(5) The firing stop button (fire stopping means) is not limited to being provided on the handle unit, but may be provided at a position that can be touched by the player, such as the front frame or the upper and lower ball plates.

16 Handle unit (handle)
20a Game area 32 Mounting part (main body part)
33 Gripping part (body part)
36 Rotating operation member (operation part)
63A First firing stop button 63B Second firing stop button A First operation form B Second operation form

Claims (4)

A handle including a main body and an operating part rotatably supported by the main body, and the intensity of firing the game ball toward the playing area changes according to the amount of rotation of the operating part in the handle. In the gaming machine configured,
The handle is configured to be suitable for operation held by the player's right hand in the first operation mode, and is configured to be suitable for operation held by the player's left hand in the second operation mode,
In each of the first operation mode and the second operation mode, the game ball is configured to be able to be fired by rotating the operation section so as to displace the upper side of the operation section to the rear side. The device is configured such that a change in firing intensity according to the amount of rotation of the operating portion in the first operation mode is equal to a change in firing intensity depending on the amount of rotation of the operating portion in the second operation mode, and
In each of the first operation mode and the second operation mode, when the rotation operation of the operation section is released, the upper side of the operation section is rotated so as to be displaced toward the front side and returned to the initial position. A gaming machine characterized by: It is equipped with a plurality of firing stop buttons that can stop the firing of game balls while rotating the operation part,
2. The firing stop button according to claim 1, further comprising a first firing stop button operable in the first operation mode and a second firing stop button operable in the second operation mode. Game machine. Shooting the game ball by operating the first firing stop button and the second firing stop button while rotating the operating part in each of the first operation mode and the second operation mode. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the gaming machine is configured to be stoppable. Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the handle is arranged at an intermediate position in the width direction of the gaming machine, and is configured so that the first operation mode and the second operation mode are symmetrical. The gaming machine according to item (1).

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