JP2686986B2 - Ball game machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention defines a bottom surface, a front wall vertically provided on the front edge of the bottom surface, a plurality of guide paths that are provided so as to project from the bottom surface. A ball game machine provided with a prize ball guide gutter consisting of an aligning wall and a prize ball tank facing a prize ball outlet on the upstream side of the plurality of guide paths, and particularly, without causing a ball jam. The present invention relates to a ball game machine provided with a prize ball guide gutter capable of smoothly flowing down a prize ball.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, a prize ball guiding trough that guides a prize ball stored in a prize ball tank to a prize ball payout device includes a bottom surface, and a front wall vertically provided on a front edge of the bottom surface. And an alignment wall projecting from the bottom surface and defining a plurality of guide paths. The prize ball outlet of the prize ball tank faces the upstream side of the guide path. The main body of the mechanism plate also has the function of the rear wall corresponding to the front wall of the prize ball guide gutter.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In general, a ball game machine is filled with a large amount of prize balls from a prize ball payout device to a prize ball tank, and moreover, a predetermined number of prize ball payout devices ( Since, for example, 13 coins) are paid out at a time, the prize ball guiding trough and the prize balls in the prize ball tank are moved downward by a number corresponding to the predetermined number each time the payout operation is performed. Stop. At this time, the prize balls located on the downstream side are subjected to a higher ball pressure, and the action thereof extends to the prize balls located on the upstream side.

By the way, even in the above-mentioned conventional prize ball guide trough,
Since the prize ball operates as described above each time there is a payout operation, a force acting toward the upstream side acts on the prize ball located on the upstream side due to the reaction from the prize ball located on the downstream side. Since the prize ball that receives the pressure from the prize ball located further upstream (immediately below the prize ball outlet of the prize ball tank), there is no place to escape to the upstream side or the downstream side. There was a case where a strong ball pressure was received from the machine causing a ball jam condition.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned disadvantages,
The aim is to have a ball game machine equipped with a prize ball guide gutter that can smoothly flow down the prize balls without causing ball clogging due to the ball pressure between the prize balls remaining in the prize ball guide gutter. To provide.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the ball game machine according to the present invention is provided with a prize ball guiding trough on a front wall on a downstream side of a prize ball outlet of a prize ball tank. The formed opening and the side of the outermost guide path of the plurality of guide paths are provided.
Further, there is provided a pressure relief path communicating with the opening, the bottom surface of which is higher than the bottom surface of the guide path and which does not face the prize ball outlet.

[Operation] The prize ball in the prize ball guide path moves and stops each time the prize ball is paid out. Then, when the ball stops, ball pressure is applied to each of the prize balls, and the reaction is sequentially transmitted to the upstream side. Then, the above-mentioned reaction acts on the prize balls located directly below the prize ball outlet of the prize ball tank, but the prize balls directly below the prize balls are stored in a large amount in the prize ball tank. Since the pressure from is also applied, the ball pressure between the prize balls is further increased. For this reason,
The prize ball on the downstream side of the prize ball outlet comes into the pressure relief path through the opening. For this reason, the ball pressure between the prize balls remaining in the prize ball guide trough is alleviated, and the ball clogging due to the ball pressure can be eliminated.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, with reference to FIG. 10, a pachinko game machine as an example of a ball game machine to which this embodiment is applied will be described. FIG. 10 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine. In the figure, a door holding frame 3 is provided around a frame-shaped front frame 2 of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and a glass door 4 having glass and a front door 5 are pivotally supported on one side of the door holding frame 3. It is attached to open and close freely. Behind the glass door 4, the game board holding frame 33 (see FIG. 11) on the back side of the front frame 2,
The game board 9 is detachably provided by game board fixing members 34a to 34c (34c is not shown). Further, on the surface of the front door 5, a hit ball supply tray 6 that stores the discharged prize balls and supplies one to the firing position of the hit ball is fixed. In an internal space on the upstream side of the hit ball supply tray 6, a speaker 7 for generating a sound effect related to the game is built. Further, the front door 5 is also provided with a stop switch 8 for stopping rotation of the rotating drums 13a to 13c of the variable display device 12 described later. Further, on the rear surface of the front door 5, a hit ball feeding device (not shown) for feeding a hit ball guided from the hit ball feeding tray 6 to a firing position is fixed.

On the surface of the game board 9, a guide rail 10 for guiding a hit ball guided from a firing rail (not shown) is planted in a substantially circular shape. The area surrounded by the guide rail 10 constitutes the game area 11. A variable display device 12 having a plurality of rotating drums 13a to 13c is provided substantially at the center of the game area 11, and a variable winning ball device 14 having an opening / closing door 15 is provided below the variable display device 12. The opening and closing door 15 of the variable winning ball device 14 has a combination of the rotating drums 13a to 13c of the variable display device 12 in a predetermined display state (for example, when the number “7” is aligned in the horizontal or diagonal direction). When it becomes, it becomes a specific game state, a predetermined period (for example, until 20 seconds elapse, or 10
It is set to open (until the number of winning balls is generated). Then, when a prize is won in the specific winning opening 16 provided in the opening / closing door 15, the above-mentioned open state is repeated again, and it is possible to repeat up to 10 times each time a winning ball is generated in the specific winning opening 16 .

In addition, on both upper and lower sides of the variable winning ball device 14, a starting winning opening 17a for allowing rotation of the rotating drums 13a to 13c is provided.
~ 17C. The left and right starting winning openings 17b, 17c of the moving winning openings 17a to 17c are easy to win when the opening / closing door 15 is in an open state, a hit ball colliding with the side surface of the opening / closing door 15 is guided. There is. Therefore, when the opening and closing door 15 is opened for a predetermined period in the specific game state described above, the ball is not only guided into the opening and closing door 15, but also hits the side surface of the opening and closing door 15 and the start winning opening 17b, 17c. As a result, a large number of prize balls will be generated in a short time.

Further, in the game area 11, normal prize holes 18a and 18b are provided on the left and right sides of the variable prize ball device 14, and normal prize holes 19a and 19b are also provided on the left and right sides of the variable display device 12. ing.

Further, the game area 11 is provided with game effect lamps 20a and 20b which are turned on or blink when the above-mentioned specific game state is entered to notify the player of the fact. Frame lamps 21a and 21b are also provided above the front frame 2 as having the same effect as the gaming effect lamps 20a and 20b. Further, at the lowermost part of the game area 11, there is provided an out port 22 through which a hit ball which does not win any of the above-mentioned winning areas is guided to the rear of the game board 9.

In addition, outside the game area 11, on the upper left side of the game board 9, the prize ball payout notification lamp 24 that is turned on by the operation of a detection switch 183 described later and the operation detection switch 101a described later are operated. An out-of-balls notification lamp 23 that is turned on is provided.

In the lower part of the front frame 2, there are provided an operation handle 25 constituting a part of the hitting ball firing mechanism, and an excess ball receiving tray 32 for storing premium balls that could not be stored in the hitting ball supply tray 6. I have. Of these, a hitting ball firing drive unit 26 is attached to the back surface of the front frame 2 so as to correspond to the operation handle 25, as shown in FIG. Hitting ball launch drive
26 is provided centrally on the mounting substrate 27, and a hitting motor 28 as a drive source, a tentacle detection circuit 29 constituting a driving circuit of the hitting motor 28, and a reciprocating rotation by the rotation of the hitting motor 28. It is composed of a ball striking rod 30 which elastically ejects a ball, and a ball feeding rod 31 which moves up and down in conjunction with the reciprocating rotation of the ball 30 and operates a ball feeding device (not shown).

Mechanism Plate Next, the configuration of the mechanism plate 40 arranged on the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

The mechanism plate 40 is provided with various mechanisms for processing the prize balls from the prize holes provided in the game board 9 and discharging a predetermined number of prize balls corresponding to the prize balls. The mechanism plate 40 is composed of a substantially rectangular mechanism plate body 41 molded of synthetic resin and various mechanisms assembled, and one side of the mechanism plate body 41 has an edge cutting game board holding frame 33.
It is provided so that it can be detachably opened and closed by being pivotally supported. Further, fixing members 42a to 42c that lock the mechanism plate 40 in a closed state are provided on the back surface of the mechanism plate body 41. In addition, the mechanism plate body
Almost at the center of 41, a window opening 43 is opened.
The prize winning ball collecting gutter 44 is formed at a position below. The prize balls are guided to the prize ball collecting gutter 44 and are guided to the prize ball processing mechanism 160 described later.

On the rear side of the mechanism plate main body 41, various mechanisms for paying out prize balls supplied from a supply mechanism (not shown) of the pachinko gaming machine installation stand to the player are provided. These mechanisms will be described separately for each component.

Premium Ball Tank The premium ball tank 50 is attached to a mounting recess 51 formed in the upper portion of the mechanism plate body 41. The prize ball tank 50 is the second
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the mounting recess is formed by a synthetic resin or the like into a box shape having an open upper surface.
The rear wall 52 is in contact with the surface of the front wall 51, the front wall 53 is opposed to the rear wall 52, the left wall 54 and the right wall 55 connect the rear wall 52 and the front wall 53, and the bottom surface 56. Also, the left wall 54 and the right wall
Mounting protrusions 73a, 73b are provided on the outer side of 55, and the prize ball tank 50 can be attached to the mechanism plate body 41 by the mounting protrusions 73a, 73b.

A rectangular prize ball outlet 57 is formed at one end of the bottom surface 56. The prize ball outlet 57 is provided at a position corresponding to the upstream upper side of the guide paths 84a and 84b of the prize ball guide trough 80, which will be described later, and the width D _{2 in the} front-rear direction thereof is as shown in FIG. It is set to be slightly larger than the total width D _{3 in} the front-rear direction of the paths 84a and 84b. This is to ensure that the prize balls fall from the prize ball tank 50 to the prize ball guide gutter 80. The width D ₂ of the above may be a D ₂ = D _3. In addition, below the prize ball outlet 57, a prize ball amount sensing plate 93, which will be described later and is provided so as to be guided by the prize ball guide gutter 80, is actually arranged.

Further, of the rear opening edge portion 58, the front opening edge portion 59, the left side opening edge portion 61, and the right side opening edge portion 63 which the prize ball outlet 57 constitutes, the right side opening edge portion 63 is as shown in FIG. From the end of the front opening edge 59 towards the end of the rear opening edge 58, it is formed diagonally with a width D ₁ , which, as shown in FIG. Becomes an inclined surface having a step with a width D ₄ , so that an action force that moves forward along the right side opening edge portion 63 acts on the prize ball in contact with the right side opening edge portion 63. Also, from each opening edge except the right opening edge 63,
Guide pieces 60 and 62 are extended downward, respectively, and guide so as not to fall from the prize ball outlet 57 and the prize balls from overflowing from the prize ball guide trough 80. The rear opening edge
A vertical piece 71, which will be described later, also serves as a guide piece corresponding to 58, and is the longest hanging piece in the illustrated embodiment.
The length of the guide pieces 60, 62, 71 is set by the vertical distance between the prize ball guide trough 80 and the prize ball tank 50, and is set to an appropriate length.

Further, the bottom surface 56 includes a first inclined bottom surface portion 64 that faces the right opening edge 63 of the prize ball outlet 57 from the even corner portion of the other end of the prize ball tank 50 and the other end of the prize ball tank 50. The second inclined bottom surface portion 65 that inclines toward the rear opening edge portion 58 of the prize ball outlet 57 from the even corner portion and that slopes to the first inclined bottom surface portion 64, and the other end of the prize ball tank 50 on the other side. The third inclined bottom surface portion 66 is inclined from the even-angled portion toward the front opening edge portion 59 of the prize ball outlet 57 and inclined toward the first inclined bottom surface portion 64. Therefore, the right side opening is formed at each of the position where the first inclined bottom face portion 64 and the second inclined bottom face portion 65 intersect and the position where the first inclined bottom face portion 64 and the third inclined bottom face portion 66 intersect. From both ends of the edge 63 toward the other end even corner of the prize ball tank 50
Thus, the intersecting portion 67 and the second intersecting portion 68 are formed.
In the illustrated embodiment, the second inclined bottom surface portion 65
Is actually inclined toward the ball collapsing portion 69 that is raised between the rear opening edge portion 58 and the rear surface wall 52.

The ball collapsing part 69 is 2 to 3 times the diameter of the pachinko ball from the bottom surface 56.
It rises so as to have a double height, and its upper surface constitutes an inclined surface portion 70 facing the prize ball outlet 57, and its side surface is
It is composed of a vertical surface portion 71 connecting the rear lower edge of the inclined surface portion 70 to the rear opening edge portion 58 and a curved surface portion 72 corresponding to the second inclined bottom surface portion 65.

The prize ball tank 50 configured as described above has a bottom surface
Since 56 is composed of the first sloping bottom surface portion 64, the second sloping bottom surface portion 65, and the third sloping bottom surface portion 66, the prize balls stored in the prize ball tank 50 are located on the left and right sides. Inclined bottom part
65 and the third slanted bottom surface portion 66 move smoothly so as to gather on the first slanted bottom surface portion 64 located at the center, and the first slanted bottom surface portion 64 has the right opening edge of the prize ball outlet 57. Since it is inclined toward the portion 63, the prize balls uniformly drop from the first inclined bottom surface portion 64 onto the guide paths 84a and 84b of the prize ball guide trough 80. Also, at the prize ball outlet 57 part, the ball collapse part
Since 69 is raised to one side, the ball pressure of the prize ball at the prize ball outlet 57 is always in an imbalanced state, and therefore, the ball clogging at the prize ball outlet 57 does not occur. . In the illustrated embodiment, the ball collapsing portion 69 is provided so as to descend between the rear opening edge portion 58 and the rear surface wall 52,
Not limited to this, for example, the front opening edge 59 and the front wall
It may be raised to and from 53, or to both positions. When the balls are raised to both positions, it is desirable to set the ball collapsing portion 69 to have different heights so that the ball pressure of the prize ball at the prize ball outlet 57 is in an imbalanced state.

A prize ball guide gutter 80 is provided below the prize ball tank 50 to arrange the prize balls. This prize ball induction gutter
Reference numeral 80 denotes a bottom surface 81, a front wall 82 that stands vertically along a front edge of the bottom surface 81, and an alignment that projects from the bottom surface 81 and defines guide paths 84a and 84b through which prize balls flow down. It is composed of walls 83a and 83b. Then, the bottom surface 81 is attached so as to incline so that the prize ball naturally flows down. The alignment walls 83a and 83b are provided so as to project in the vertical direction substantially at the center of the bottom surface 81, and are formed so as to become higher toward the downstream side. The alignment walls 83a and 83b are formed by being divided into upper and lower parts. This is the amount of prize balls forming a part of the bottom surface 81 of the prize ball guide gutter 80 on the top of the prize ball guide gutter 80. This is because the sensing plate 93 is provided, and the upper alignment wall 83a is projected on the prize ball amount sensing plate 93. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the front wall 82 faces the guide piece 60 of the front opening edge 59 of the prize ball outlet 57 so that the prize ball passes from the prize ball outlet 57 to a pressure release path 88 described later. It is blocked so as not to enter. That is, the prize ball can enter the depressurizing path 88 only through the opening 87, and the pressure of the prize ball stored in the prize ball tank 50 enters through the opening 87. This is to prevent them from joining.

In addition, on the bottom surface of the guide paths 84a, 84b excluding the prize ball amount sensing plate 93, the flow-down grooves 85a, 85 are provided to facilitate the flow of the prize balls.
b is formed. Then, in order to maintain the strength of the guide paths 84a, 84b with the flow-down grooves 85a, 85b still formed, a connecting plate 86 is fixed to the back surface thereof at appropriate intervals. The downflow grooves 85a and 85b can be used as dust drop holes when dust or the like is blocked in the guide paths 84a and 84b.

Further, an opening 87 is cut out in the front wall 82 on the downstream side of the prize ball outlet 57. This opening 87
Is cut to a position higher than the bottom surface 81 by one ball, and its length in the flow-down direction is an opening that allows several balls to enter. Then, the pressure relief path 8 is provided to the side of the outermost guide path 84b so as to communicate with the opening 87.
8 are formed. The pressure relief path 88 is composed of a bottom surface 91 that is flush with the lower side of the opening 87 and a bulging wall 89 that stands vertically from the front edge of the bottom surface 91. Bulging wall 89
The front side of the arc forms a curved surface 90 having an arc shape so as to be continuous with the downstream side of the opening 87. Further, the bottom surface 91 is naturally formed in a stepped shape so as to be higher than the bottom surface 81 of the guide path 84b by approximately one ball, and the bottom surface 91 is formed.
A part of 91 is an inclined portion 92 that inclines toward the guide path 84b. Therefore, the prize balls that have entered the depressurizing path 88 are always guided in such a direction that they are discharged to the guiding path 84b.

Since the prize ball guide gutter 80 according to the present embodiment has the above-described structure, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out by the prize ball payout device 120 described later, and the prize ball guide path 84a. , The prize balls remaining in 84b move at once and stop, and the large ball pressure of the prize balls applied at the time of stop is transmitted to the prize balls on the upstream side in sequence.
When reaching the prize ball located near the opening 87, the prize ball enters the pressure relief path 88 from the opening 87. Therefore, an escape place is provided for the ball pressure from the upstream side and the ball pressure from the downstream side applied to the prize ball on the downstream side of the prize ball outlet 57, and remains in the guide paths 84a, 84b. The free ball does not cause a ball biting condition, so it does not flow down smoothly and cause a ball jam.

In addition, a prize ball amount sensing plate 93 is pivotally supported around a support shaft 94 on the bottom surface on the upstream side of the prize ball guide gutter 80. However, when the prize balls are placed and filled on the prize ball amount sensing plate 93, the prize ball amount sensing plate 93 is centered around the support shaft 94 against the biasing force of the weight 97 described later. The upper end of the is pressed down, while the prize ball amount sensing plate 93
When the prize balls are deficient on the top and cannot be placed, the weight 97
The upper end of the prize ball amount sensing plate 93 is flipped up about the support shaft 94 by the urging force of.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a connecting member 95 is hung on the back surface on the upstream side of the prize amount detecting plate 93, and is swingably supported by the connecting member 94 about a support shaft. One end of the member 96 is connected. A weight 97 is fixed to the swing member 96, and the weight 97 applies upward turning force to the prize ball amount sensing plate 93. A transmission wire rod 98 extending downward is connected to the other end of the swinging agent 96. As shown in FIG. 11, a link mechanism 99 is connected to the lower end of the transmission wire 98, and a supply operation stopping member for stopping the operation of a hitting ball supply device (not shown) is operated via the link mechanism 99. ing.

Further, a pressing member 100 is vertically provided on the back surface of the prize ball amount sensing plate 93. The lower end of the pressing member 100 is bent into an "L" shape, and the bent lower end is a prize ball guide gutter 80.
2 below the mechanism plate body 41
The two operation detection switches 101a and 101b are arranged so as to correspond to the actuators. Then, when the prize balls are placed on the prize ball amount sensing plate 93, the lower end portion and the actuator do not come into contact with each other, so that the operation detection switches 101a and 101b are in the inactive state (OFF). Has become. Further, when the prize balls are not placed on the prize ball amount sensing plate 93, the lower end portion and the actuator come into contact with each other, so that the operation detection switches 101a and 101b are in the operation state (ON).
Becomes In the illustrated embodiment, the operation detection switch 101a is provided in association with the out-of-stock notification lamp 23, and the operation-detection switch 101a is operated to light up the out-of-service notification lamp 23 to run out of prize balls. The player is informed of the chest being played. Further, the operation detection switch 101b is provided in association with a centralized management computer (not shown), and when the operation detection switch 101b is operated, the centralized management computer displays that fact,
A replenishment command is derived from the central control computer to the replenishment mechanism, and a predetermined number of prize balls are replenished to the prize ball tank 50.

In the middle of the prize ball guide gutter 80, a ball leveling 102 and a ball leveling plate 103 are suspended or laid. This ball break 102
And the ball leveling plate 103 is for aligning the prize balls which sometimes flow down the prize ball guide gutter 80 in two steps, one above the other. The lower alignment wall 83b and the front wall 82
Since the downstream side comes into contact with the ball leveling plate 103, they have substantially the same height.

On the downstream side of the bent gutter prize ball guide gutter 80, the guide paths 84a and 84b are provided.
The bending troughs 110a and 110b are attached so as to be connected to. The bent gutters 110a and 110b are provided for changing the flow direction of the prize balls flowing from the prize ball guide trough 80 by 180 degrees and for weakening the ball pressure of continuously flowing prize balls. A ball pulling device 111 is provided at the bent portions of the bending troughs 110a and 110b, and the prize balls stored in the prize ball tank 50 and the prize ball guiding trough 80 are balled by operating the ball drop device 111 after the store is closed. It is designed to be discharged to the extraction passage 112 and guided to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

Further, ball starvation detection plates 113a, 113b are swingably provided in the inclined passage portions on the downstream side of the bent portions of the bending troughs 110a, 110b, which are substantially downward. This ball deficiency detection plate 113a, 113b
Has bounced up the hook portions 114a, 114b at the rear end when the prize ball is placed on the tip thereof, and conversely, the bent gutter 110a,
When there are no more gift balls in 110b, the hook portions 114a and 114b hang down in a substantially vertical direction. Then, in such a hanging state, a control projection piece described later
When the 136 is lifted, the engaging portion 137 of the control projection 136 is hooked by the hook portion 1.
It engages with 14a, 114b and acts to hold the control protrusion 136 in the raised position, and finally the prize balls are not paid out.

Further, the downstream portions of the bending troughs 110a, 110b are formed in a substantially vertical shape, and the cutout holes 115a, 115 are formed in the side wall including the vertical portion.
b, 116a, 116b, 117a, 117b are appropriately drilled. The cutout holes 115a, 115b, 116a, 116b, 117a, 117b are bent troughs 110a, 11b.
This is provided in order to be able to insert and remove the pin when dust or the like enters the inside of 0b. Further, a stepped portion is formed at the end of the vertical portion, and ball receiving portions 118a and 118b are formed in this stepped portion, and the upper ball stopper 124 of the prize ball payout device 120 described later operates smoothly. So that the ball pressure is weakened. Furthermore, the distance D between the bending troughs 110a and 110b
₅ is set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the ball as shown in FIG. This is the bent gutter 110a, 110b
The prize balls aligned with each other are staggered so as to disperse the ball pressures.
It guarantees a smooth operation of the 0 upper ball stopper 124. On the other hand, the distance D ₆ between the prize ball storage cylinders 123a and 123b, which will be described later, is set to be substantially the same as the diameter of the balls as shown in FIG. This is a prize ball storage tube 123a, 1
Within 23b, it may not be necessary to particularly weaken the ball pressure of the missing ball, but since it is necessary to accurately divide the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball storage tubes 123a, 123b, the position where the upper ball stopper 124 enters is particularly set. This is because it must be decided accurately. That is, the upper ball stopper 124 must always enter accurately between the last ball to be counted and the first ball remaining in the bending troughs 110a and 110b, and the ball inside the prize ball storage tubes 123a and 123b. If they are staggered, the intrusion position will be different each time, and there is a possibility that the correct prize ball payout operation will not be performed.
In order to prevent this, the prize balls are arranged in a straight line in the prize ball storage cylinders 123a and 123b.

Premium ball payout device A prize ball payout device 120 for paying out a predetermined number of premium balls is arranged on the downstream side of the bent gutters 110a and 110b. The prize ball payout device 120 includes a prize ball storage cylinder main body 121 in which the prize ball storage cylinders 123a, 123b and a mounting plate 122 are integrally formed, and upper balls arranged at upper and lower positions of the prize ball storage cylinders 123a, 123b. Stopper 124 and lower ball stopper 142, and the upper ball stopper
The vertical slide member 133 engages the lower ball stopper 142 and the lower ball stopper 142 so as to open and close, and the operating member 149 that moves the vertical slide receiving member 133 up and down. That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the prize ball payout device 120, the mounting plate 122 formed on the front surface side thereof is fixed to the accommodation recess 148 formed in the mechanism plate main body 41 (see FIG. 11). (Refer to) and is detachably attached.

As shown in FIG. 6, the upper ball stopper 124 has stopper portions 125a and 125b formed at the front end and contact pieces 126 at the rear end, respectively, and is rotatably supported about a support shaft 127. The stopper portions 125a, 125b are always opened and closed by their own weights to open and close the entrances of the prize ball storage tubes 123a, 123b.

The prize ball storage cylinder body 121 includes a vertical sliding member 133, which will be described later.
Guide grooves 128a, 128b are provided so as to contact the back surface of the sliding plate 134 and guide the vertical sliding member 133. This guide groove 1
As shown in FIG. 8, 28a and 128b are formed in an L-shaped cross section to form an upper and lower sliding member accommodating portion 130, and are in contact with both sides of the back surface of the sliding plate 134. Also, the guide groove 12
8a and 128b have rail-shaped guide protrusions 131a,
131b is projected. These guide protrusions 131a and 131b are
As shown in FIG. 8, the sliding plate 134 comes into contact with the front surface of the sliding plate 134 while making line contact therewith. Therefore, even if the vertical sliding member 133 is violently and continuously operated, the frictional force between the sliding plate 134 and the prize ball storage cylinder main body 121 can be extremely reduced, and the deviation can be maintained for a long period of time. It is possible to ensure smooth vertical movement without wear. Further, since the guide grooves 129a, 129b are provided with guide protrusions 129a, 129b at the portions in contact with the sliding plate 134, the wear force is further reduced. Therefore, even if dust, dust, or the like adheres to some extent, the contact area between the sliding plate 134 and the prize ball storage cylinder main body 121 is small, and thus the vertical movement thereof is not hindered. Further, the stoppers 132a, 132b are provided below the guide grooves 128a, 128b inside.
Is provided so as to project from the lower surface of the sliding plate 134, and constitutes the lower end of the sliding member accommodating portion 130. Therefore, the vertical sliding member accommodating portion 130,
The upper part is opened to receive the vertical sliding member 133, and the lower part is formed with a gap by the stoppers 132a and 132b. If they adhere and accumulate, the vertical sliding member 133 can be pulled out and then easily cleaned.

On the other hand, the lower ball stopper 142 is pivotally supported about the shaft pin 145 so as to be swingable. Also, the lower ball stopper 142
The contact roller 144 that also functions as a weight is provided on the upper part of the device, and stopper parts 143a and 143b protruding and retracting in the prize ball storage cylinders 123a and 123b are provided on the lower part of the contact roller 144 so as to project. The stopper portions 143a, 143b enter the notch grooves 146a, 146b formed in the lower portion of the prize ball storage cylinder main body 121 and enter the prize ball storage cylinder 123.
It is possible to appear in and out of a, 123b. Then, the lower ball stopper 142 always keeps the stopper portion 143a,
143b is designed to invade the prize ball storage cylinders 123a, 123b, and the stopper portions 143a, 143b are provided so as to project in a stepped manner, so that the vertical position of the prize ball storage cylinders 123a, 123b can be different. I am trying to make it. The specific positions where the stopper portions 143a and 143b are provided are such that the stopper portion 143a stores six prize balls in the prize ball storage cylinder 123a, and the stopper portion 143b is a prize ball. The position is such that seven prize balls are stored in the storage cylinder 123b. Since the lower ball stopper 142 has a structure that can be easily removed, the prize ball can be easily replaced by replacing the lower ball stopper 142 with one having a different protruding position of the stopper portions 143a, 143b. You can change the number of payouts.

Next, the upper ball stopper 124 and the lower ball stopper 142
The configuration of the vertical sliding member 133 that controls the opening and closing of the vertical sliding member 133 will be described below.
The sliding plate 134 housed in the housing 30, the control projection 136 extending upward from the sliding plate 134, and the contact recess 141 protruding laterally from the lower portion of the sliding plate 134 are integrally formed. It is a thing. In addition, on the back surface of the sliding plate 134, the guide protrusion 131a,
A protrusion 135 is formed to be accommodated within the space 131b. This is because the sliding plate 134 is formed in a thin plate shape,
It is formed to prevent deformation after molding.
The control protrusion 136 has a ball deficiency sensing plate 113a, 11
An engagement portion 137 that engages with 3b is formed, and a protruding recess 138 that engages with the contact piece 126 of the upper ball stopper 124 is formed in the middle thereof.
Are formed. A weight 139 is fixed to the base of the control projection 136, and the vertical sliding member 133 is always urged downward. The contact protrusion 141 is adapted to engage with the contact roller 144 of the lower ball stopper 142. That is, when the vertical sliding member 133 is in the lowered position, the contact roller 144 of the lower ball stopper 142 and the contact convex portion 141 are in contact with each other, so that the stopper portions 143a and 143b are the prize ball storage cylinders 123a, It keeps invaded state in 123b. At this time, in the upper ball stopper 124,
The contact piece 126 of the control projection piece 136 and the upper end of the contact recess 138 of the control projection piece 136 come into contact with each other, and the stopper portions 125a, 12a of the upper ball stopper 124 are contacted.
5b is held at a position retracted from the entrance of the prize ball storage tubes 123a, 123b. Therefore, the prize ball is the bent gutter 110.
It is in the first state where it flows into the prize ball storage tubes 123a, 123b from a, 110b and is prohibited by the stopper portions 143a, 143b. On the other hand, when the vertical sliding member 133 is in the raised position, the contact convex portion 141 and the contact roller 144 do not come into contact with each other, so that the lower ball stopper 142 is in a rotatable and free state. When the lower ball stopper 142 is in a free state, the stoppers 143a, 143b are pressed and rotated by the ball pressure of the prize balls stored in the prize ball storage tubes 123a, 123b, and the prize ball storage tubes 123a, 123b. The prize balls stored inside are paid out to a prize ball discharge passage 190 described later. At this time, since the control projection 136 is raised in the upper ball stopper 124, the upper ball stopper 124 closes the entrances of the prize ball storage cylinders 123a and 123b by its own weight, and the lower end portion of the contact recess 138. And the contact piece 126 of the upper ball stopper 124 are engaged with each other to hold the stopper portions 125a, 125b of the upper ball stopper 124 at a position where they have entered the entrances of the prize ball storage tubes 123a, 123b. Therefore, the prize ball is in the second state in which it is stopped just before the entrance of the prize ball storage tubes 123a and 123b.

In this manner, the prize ball payout device 120 alternately opens and closes the upper ball stopper 124 and the lower ball stopper 142 to supply the prize ball into the prize ball storage tubes 123a and 123b in the first state and the prize. The second state in which the balls are discharged from the prize ball storage cylinders 123a and 123b is repeated. In order to operate this, the vertical sliding member 133 is provided with a fitting recess 140 between the control projection 136 and the contact projection 141. The tip of the operation receiving member 149 is engaged with the fitting recess 140. The actuating member 149 has a rear end portion extending between the mechanism plate main body 41 and the support plate 151.
It is rotatably supported by 50. The support plate 151 is fixed to mounting bosses 152a, 152b provided on the mechanism plate body 41 so as to project therefrom. Further, the upper end of the interlocking rod 153 is connected to substantially the center of the operating member 149, and the interlocking rod 153 is actuated in accordance with being vertically slid by a rotating member 167 actuated by a prize ball described later. The member 149 is rotated. Also,
The vertical sliding member 133 slides in the vertical direction according to the rotation of the operating member 149.

The winning ball processing mechanism 160 is associated with the lower end of the interlocking rod 153. The winning ball processing mechanism 160 is provided so as to correspond to the winning ball collecting gutter 44, as shown in detail in FIG. First, a winning ball placement portion 162 is formed at the end of a winning ball guiding passage 161 connected to the winning ball collecting gutter 44. Openings are formed on the left and right sides of the winning ball placement portion 162, the stopper member 163 and the rotating member 167 face one opening, and the pushing member 172 faces the other opening. The stopper member 163 is rotatable around the support shaft 164. An engaging portion 165 that engages with the rotating member 167 is formed at one end thereof, and an abutting portion 166 facing the end of the winning ball guiding passage 161 is formed at the other end thereof. The rotating member 167 has a substantially “T” shape, and is rotatable about a support shaft 168. Further, an engaging recess 169 that engages with the engaging portion 165 is formed in the upper part of the support shaft 168, and a prize winning ball contact surface part 170 that contacts the prize winning ball is formed in the lower part of the support shaft 168. A connecting portion 171 connected to the interlocking rod 153 is formed at the rear portion of 168.

The pushing member 172 has an inverted “L” shape, and the lower end of which is pivotally supported by a support shaft 173 so as to be rotatable within a predetermined angle range. Further, at the front end of the upper portion of the pushing member 172, the pressing surface portion 1 for pushing out the winning prize ball 1
75 is formed, and a rotary roller 174 is provided at the rear end of the upper portion. A rotary cam 177 fixed to a motor shaft 179 of a drive motor 178 engages with the rotary roller 174. Therefore, the rotation of the drive motor 178 causes the pushing member 172 to rotate in the left-right direction. It is like this. A return spring 176 is locked at a slightly upper portion of the support shaft 173 of the extruding member 172 so that the extruding member 172 is always placed on the winning ball placing portion.
It is designed to be urged in the opposite direction of 162.

On one side of the winning ball placing portion 162, a winning ball discharging passage 180 for discharging the winning balls pushed out by the pushing member 172 is formed. A prize-ball detecting member 181 forming one side wall of the prize-ball discharging passage 180 is swingably provided around a support shaft 182. A detection switch 183 is arranged on one side of the winning ball detection member 181, and an actuator 184 of the detection switch 183 detects the operation of the winning ball detection member 181 and a prize ball formed on the front surface of the game board 9. The payout notification lamp 24 is turned on.

At the end of the winning ball discharge passage 180, the winning ball detector 1
85 is installed. The winning ball detector 185 sends a signal to a centralized management computer installed in a game hall, and is provided to create business data of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The winning balls that have passed through the winning ball detector 185 are guided from the winning ball payout outlet 186 to the betting-out passage 112 and discharged to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

The operation of the winning ball processing mechanism 160 configured as above will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the state of the prize ball payout device 120, the upper ball stopper 124 is opened and a predetermined number of prize balls are stored in the prize ball storage tubes 123a, 123b (a total of 13 pieces), and the stopper portions 143a, 143b of the lower ball stopper 142.
Is held in the prize ball storage tubes 123a and 123b. In such a state, the winning balls that have flown down the winning ball collecting trough 44 and are guided to the winning ball guiding passage 161 are mounted on the winning ball mounting portion 162 while rotating the stopper member 163 counterclockwise as shown in the drawing. Placed. Then, the rotating cam 177, which is constantly rotating, comes into contact with the rotating roller 174 of the pushing member 172 and rotates the pushing member 172 so as to push the pushing member 172 forward. As the pushing member 172 rotates, the winning balls on the winning ball placing portion 162 move in the pushing direction. At this time, the winning balls push the pushing member 175 and the rotating member 167. It moves by being sandwiched by the contact surface portion 170. Further, at this time, the engaging portion 165 of the stopper member 163 and the engaging convex portion 169 of the rotating member 167.
Since the engagement with is disengaged, the rotating member 167 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing. As the rotating member 167 rotates, the front end of the engaging convex portion 169 rotates the stopper member 163 in the clockwise direction, and the contact portion 166 enters so as to close the end of the winning ball guiding passage 161. Place the next prize ball 162
Not to be placed on At the same time, the interlocking rod 153 moves up to rotate the operating member 149 upward.
Then, since the vertical sliding support member 133 rises, the contact piece 126 of the upper ball stopper 124 contacts the lower part of the contact recess 138 of the control projection piece 136, and the stopper portion 125a of the upper ball stopper 124,
125b is locked so that the prize balls do not flow into the entrances of the product ball storage cylinders 123a, 123b and the prize balls do not flow into the prize ball storage cylinders 123a, 123b. Further, since the contact convex portion 141 of the vertical sliding member 133 and the contact roller 144 of the lower ball stopper 142 are disengaged, the lower ball stopper 142 is in a free state, so that the prize ball storage tubes 123a, 123b The stoppers 143a and 143b are pressed and rotated by the ball pressure of the prize balls, and a predetermined number of prize balls stored in the prize ball storage tubes 123a and 123b are transferred to the prize ball discharge passage 19
Emitted to 0.

When a predetermined number of prize balls are discharged as described above,
The winning balls sandwiched between the rotating member 167 and the pushing member 172 are separated from the winning ball placing portion 162 and fall into the winning ball discharging passage 180 as the pushing member 172 further rotates. Then, the rotating member 167 rotates clockwise and returns to the original state, and accordingly, the interlocking rod 153 and the vertical sliding member 133 descend, and the lower ball stopper 142 is fixed again, and the upper ball stopper 142 is fixed. Open the ball stopper 124 to get a prize ball.
Lead in 3b. At this time, the stopper member 16
Since 3 also returns to the original state by the rotation of the rotating member 167,
The above-described operation is repeated by moving to the prize-ball placing portion 162, which was allowed to flow down the next prize-ball waiting at the end of the prize-ball guiding passage 161.

In addition, the winning balls discharged into the winning ball discharging passage 180 operate the detection switch 183 and the winning ball detector 185, join the winning ball payout outlet 186 to the ball removing passage 112, and go out of the pachinko gaming machine 1. Is discharged.

Prize Ball Discharge Path The prize balls paid out from the gift ball payout device 120 are discharged to the prize ball discharge path 190. The prize ball discharge passage 190 is provided with a bell 191 that emits a sound when the discharged prize balls collide, and a guide opening 192 is provided at the lower end of the bell 191 below the bell 191.
Is opened, and the guide opening 192 communicates with the hitting ball supply tray 6. In addition, a communication gutter 193 for communicating with the surplus ball passage 194 is provided on one side of the guide opening 192 so as to guide the surplus prize balls into the surplus ball passage 194. The surplus ball passage 194 is connected at its lower end to a connection gutter 199 attached to the back surface of the front frame 2 to guide surplus prize balls to the surplus ball tray 32. Also, the surplus ball passage 19
On one side wall of 4, a prize ball fullness detection plate 196 is provided swingably around the upper end. Then, the prize ball filling detection plate 196 is pressed by the prize ball when the surplus ball passage 194 is filled with the prize ball and swings, and the slide wire rod 197 connected to the prize ball filling detection plate 196 is moved. Moves to fix the operation of the above-described hitting ball supply device so that the hitting ball is not supplied to the hitting ball firing position. In addition, at the position opposite to the prize ball filling detection plate 196, the filling detection switch 198
Is provided. When the prize ball filling detection plate 196 is swung, the filling detection switch 198 is turned off, and the rotation of the drive motor 178 of the winning ball processing mechanism 160 is stopped. Therefore, when the filling detection plate 196 operates, the hitting ball cannot be repelled and the prize balls cannot be paid out. Further, in the surplus ball passage 194, there is provided a bell 195 that collides with the prize ball and makes a sound.

In addition to the above-described configuration, the mechanism plate body 41 has
An out ball guide trough 200 connected to the rear end of 22 is provided.

As described above, in the prize ball guide gutter 80 in this embodiment, the opening 87 formed in the front wall 82 on the downstream side of the prize ball outlet 57 and the outermost of the plurality of guide paths 84a, 84b. Since the guide path 84b is provided on the side of the guide path 84b and communicates with the opening 87, and the bottom surface 91 of the guide path 84b and the depressurization path 88 are higher than the bottom surface 81. The mutual ball pressure of the prize balls generated when the payout operation of the predetermined number of prize balls is performed is alleviated by the prize balls entering the pressure relief path 88 from the opening 87, and the guide path 84.
The prize balls remaining in the a and 84b do not cause a ball biting state, and do not flow down smoothly to cause a ball jam.

In the above-described embodiment, the pressure relief path 88 extends to the upstream ends of the guide paths 84a and 84b, but the number of prize balls that enter the pressure relief path 88 is not so large, so the opening 87 The depressurizing path 88 may be formed only in a portion corresponding to the length of the.

[Effects of the Invention] As is apparent from the above description, the ball game machine according to the present invention has an opening formed in the front wall on the downstream side of the prize ball outlet, in the prize ball guiding trough. Since a depressurizing path which is provided on the side of the outermost guiding path of the plurality of guiding paths and communicates with the opening and whose bottom surface is higher than the bottom surface of the guiding path is provided, the prize ball guiding trough The ball pressure between the prize balls generated in step 3 is mitigated by the prize balls entering the pressure relief path from the opening, and the prize balls remaining in the guide path do not flow into a ball biting state and flow smoothly. Does not cause jamming.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prize ball guide trough, FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a prize ball tank, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the relationship between the prize ball guide trough and the prize ball tank. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the relationship between the prize ball guide gutter and the prize ball tank, FIG. 5 is a side view showing the relationship between the bent gutter and the prize ball payout device, and FIG. 6 is the prize ball payout device. FIG. 7 is a perspective view, FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view of a contact portion between the bent gutter and the prize ball payout device, FIG. 8 is a plan sectional view of the prize ball payout device, and FIG. 9 is a prize ball payout device and a prize ball. FIG. 10 is a side view showing the relationship with the processing mechanism, FIG. 10 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine as an example of a ball game machine, and FIG. 11 is a schematic rear view of the pachinko gaming machine. 1 …… Pachinko machine (ball game machine) 50 …… Gift ball tank 57 …… Gift ball outlet 80 …… Gift ball guide trough 81 …… Bottom 82 …… Front wall 83a, 83b …… Alignment wall 84a, 84b …… Induction path 87 …… Opening 88 …… Pressure release path 91 …… Bottom

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A prize ball guide trough comprising a bottom surface, a front wall vertically provided on a front edge of the bottom surface, and an alignment wall protruding from the bottom surface and defining a plurality of guide paths. In a ball game machine provided with a prize ball tank that faces the prize ball outlet on the upstream side of the guide path, the prize ball guide trough is formed on the front wall downstream from the prize ball outlet. And a bottom surface which is provided on the side of the outermost guide path of the plurality of guide paths and communicates with the opening, and the bottom surface of which is higher than the bottom surface and which does not face the prize ball outlet. A ball game machine characterized by having a path and a path.