JP2825196B2 - Ball storage structure in pachinko gaming machines - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball storage structure in a pachinko game machine, and more particularly, to a game machine using a pachinko ball common to a game medium and a prize medium. The present invention relates to a ball storage structure for storing a considerable amount of pachinko balls.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a game machine of this type represented by a pachinko machine and an arrangement ball machine, "Kansai frame" and "Kanto frame" which are generally referred to by those skilled in the art based on the outer size of the body (outer frame and front frame). There are various types of common game components such as ball plates, launchers, mechanism set boards, etc. in each part of the front frame attached to the outer frame, regardless of the type.
The size of the fuselage is similarly set without any limitation, and the mechanism set board is provided with a ball tank, a straightening gutter and a delivery gutter as a storage and supply unit for award balls. And each type of gaming machine is installed in the `` Kansai-frame, Kanto-frame '' frame (commonly known as `` island '') in each of the game centers nationwide.
In the implementation state installed in the storage unit, a considerable amount of pachinko balls (prize balls) supplied in a timely manner from the ball distribution unit (also referred to as the distribution unit) of the replenishment facility on the installation frame base side for each row, Directly received in the ball tank and stored (contained) in all parts
doing. Under these circumstances, in each of the games, the above-mentioned prize balls can be paid out from the prize ball discharge unit in a predetermined number unit in response to the occurrence of a safe ball or a winning combination due to a combination of symbols.

In any of the above-mentioned types of gaming machines, it is an ideal condition that the storage and supply section on the back side can store as many pachinko balls as possible and stably supply and discharge them without delay. Therefore, it is desired to increase the storage capacity of the sphere by setting the sphere tank, which is the storage part having the maximum capacity, as large (deep) as possible and installing it at an upper position. However, as an actual technical condition, for this ball tank, it is an absolute requirement to avoid collision or interference with the upper frame rod of the outer frame when opening and closing the front frame of the gaming machine in the running state, The size and position are naturally restricted. For this reason, in each gaming machine of each manufacturer, the size and installation position of the ball tank itself are examined in consideration of avoiding interference between the outer frame and the ball tank and increasing the storage capacity of the entire storage supply / delivery unit. It is installed at a position lower than the upper frame rod.

[0004] On the other hand, the above-mentioned replenishment facilities are arranged from each distribution position of one common supply gutter erected along the upper side of each installation frame base for "Kansai frame, Kanto frame" in each game store. Ball distribution units (including distribution gutters, discharge chutes, and dischargers) for each gaming machine are separated, and the discharger at the most downstream end faces downward at each required interval position on the back side of the upper plate of the installation frame. It is fixed at. And, in a state where each type of gaming machine is installed on the installation frame of the row, at a position where the ejector of each ball distribution unit is lower than the upper frame rod of the outer frame,
The ball outlet faces the upper surface of the opening of the ball tank. For this reason, in the case of the Kanto frame type gaming machine, which is slightly smaller in size than the Kansai frame type, the distance (height difference) between the upper frame rod of the outer frame and the upper end of the ball tank is small. The vertical spacing between the ejector of the ball unit and the ball tank has become considerably small.

[0005]

By the way, in the technology relating to the implementation and replenishment of the gaming machine described above, in reality, the replenishing equipment on the installation frame side may interfere with the gaming machine to be installed. For this reason, even if the installation frame in the store and the gaming machine of each manufacturer are designed and manufactured with the same accommodation space and outer size in each type division of `` Kansai frame, Kanto frame '' The size and position of the ejector of the ball distribution unit in the replenishment facility and the ball tank of the prize ball supply / delivery unit are often different from each other. For this reason, for example, even if a gaming machine of a certain manufacturer can be installed without any problem on an installation frame in the same store, a gaming machine of another manufacturer may interfere with a ball distribution unit, and in another store, an ejector may be installed. The interference position with the ball tank may be different.

In order to cope with such a situation, the discharge chute of each ball distribution unit is shortened and the discharger is re-installed at a high position, or the ball tank is replaced with a small-sized one (the upper edge is low and shallow). Even if it is proposed to do so, in reality, it is too complicated and time-consuming to execute any of them. For this reason, as a quick emergency measure, the part where the ball tank interferes with the ejector of the existing ball placement unit is examined, and the upper edge of the standing wall of the tank is roughly cut with a cutting instrument. In some cases, an opening for non-interference is opened. However, even in the case of emergency treatment under unavoidable circumstances, the ball tank cannot be cut off easily, and it is extremely troublesome and troublesome, including the fact that the operation is performed in a game arcade. In addition, the relief openings in time for the respective ball tanks have various opening shapes and sizes, and there is a problem that even if interference with the discharger can be avoided, the storage balls fall out.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has been proposed to provide a ball distribution unit of a replenishment facility already installed on an installation frame and a pachinko gaming machine installed on the installation frame. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sphere storing structure that can easily avoid interference with a prize ball storing and supplying unit.

[0008]

[Means for solving the problems] To overcome the above-mentioned problems,
In order to appropriately achieve the intended purpose, the ball storage structure in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention is provided with a ball storage supply / delivery unit on the back side of the game machine which is provided with the game vertically in relation to the installation frame. A ball tank made of a synthetic resin in the shape of a horizontally long box that can store a considerable amount of pachinko balls supplied from the ball distribution unit of the replenishment equipment on the installation frame base side, and the low position of the bottom plate of this ball tank While opening a supply port at the same time , partially cut out the required area along the upper edge of the horizontal standing wall of the ball tank.
Forming a cutout opening possible portion including a releasable piece, a slit opening and a connection allowance, and a required portion of the cutout opening possible portion
Partial cutable pieces are cut off when the connection allowance is cut
In addition , a relief port for non-interference with the ejector of the ball distribution unit can be opened.

[0009]

When the upper edge of the ball tank interferes with the ball distribution unit of the replenishing equipment on the installation frame base side of the pachinko gaming machine, a cutout opening portion formed along the side of the horizontally long vertical wall of the tank is provided. By cutting off the connection margin at the interfering portion and cutting off a partially cuttable piece , a non-interference relief opening for the ejector of the ball distribution unit can be easily opened.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a ball storage structure in a pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, with reference to preferred embodiments. In the present embodiment, a case of a pachinko machine that develops a winning game of pachinko balls (game balls) will be exemplified.

First, the pachinko machine P schematically shown in FIG. 1 will be briefly described. A mechanism set board 3 is detachably set behind a front frame 2 mounted on an outer frame 1. In the set board 3, a ball tank 5, which is a storage container at the uppermost end, a straightening gutter 6 for aligned outflow, and a delivery gutter 7 for reduced pressure delivery are sequentially provided as a storage supply delivery unit 4 for prize balls. Have been. And the prize ball discharge device 8 installed below the sending gutter 7
, First and second discharge paths 9 and 10 connected to upper and lower ball dishes (not shown) are defined. As another configuration, a ball feed alignment mechanism 11 for arranging winning balls in a single row is provided at a communication portion between the straightening gutter 6 and the delivery gutter 7, and a ball emptying device is provided at an upstream portion of the first discharge path 9. Prize ball discharging device 8 based on operation
A switching ball removing device 13 that guides the prize ball discharged from the ball to the ball removing path 12 is installed, and on the way of the second discharge path 10, the hit ball launching device 19 can be temporarily stopped when the prize ball is full. A detection mechanism 14 is incorporated. On the other hand, a discharge path 15 for the out ball and a collective discharge path 16 for the safe sphere are defined below the set board 3, and a detection stop processing device 17 for the safe sphere is installed downstream of the collective discharge path 16. ing.

Such a pachinko machine P has an airframe (outer frame 1).
In any type of “Kansai frame, Kanto frame” classified according to the outer size of the front frame 2), various common game components including the mechanism set board 3 and the ball plate are used in the machine body. Are similarly equipped without limitation, and are configured for each unit, and "Kansai frame,
It is installed vertically between the lower plate 41 and the upper plate 42 of the installation frame base H for "Kanto frame" and is provided for a game. In this implementation state, a considerable amount of pachinko balls, which are supplied in a timely manner from the ball placement unit 44 in the replenishment equipment on the installation frame base H side for each row, are supplied to the above-mentioned storage and supply unit 4.
The ball is received in the ball tank 5 and stored in each part 6,7,
A predetermined number of prize balls are discharged from the prize ball discharge device 8 to the safe ball generated during the game.

In the replenishment facility, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, from one distribution position of one common supply gutter 43 erected along the upper side of the installation frame H at a suitable downward gradient. The ball distribution unit 44 including the distribution gutter 45, the discharge chute 46, and the discharger 47 is separately provided, and the discharger 47 at the most downstream end is directed downward to a required position on the back side of the upper plate 42 of the installation frame H. Fixed. When the pachinko machine P is installed, the ejector 47 of the ball arrangement unit 44 causes the ball discharge port 48 to face the upper surface of the opening of the ball tank 5 at a position lower than the upper frame rod 1a of the outer frame 1. It has become. Incidentally, in the case of the "Kanto frame" type pachinko machine, which is slightly smaller in size (both in height and width is 10 mm smaller) than in the "Kansai frame" type, the vertical distance between the ejector 47 of the ball distribution unit 44 and the ball tank 5 Is considerably small, and in each game store, the ejector 47 may be fixed below the ball tank 5 as shown by the imaginary line in FIG.

(Ball Storage Structure of First Embodiment) Therefore, in the ball storage structure of the first embodiment implemented in the above-mentioned pachinko machine, the above-mentioned ball distribution unit 44 is used as a storage container of the storage supply / delivery section 4. The ball tank 5 is formed with a cutout opening enabling portion 27 capable of opening an escape port for non-interference as needed. In other words, the ball tank 5 is
As shown in FIG. 5, the main body 2 is formed by molding a resin into a horizontal rectangular shape having an open upper surface and an inner surface and having a storage chamber 22.
1, a supply port 25 is opened in a lower part of the slanted bottom plate portion 24 of the main body 21, and along an upper edge of the horizontally long vertical wall side portion 26 of the main body 21. The cutout opening possible portion 27 is formed. The ball tank 5 is positioned and set in a state where the storage chamber 22 is aligned with the concave portion 18 formed in the mechanism set board 3,
The supply port 25 faces the most upstream end of the straightening gutter 6 at an appropriate discharge interval.

In such a ball tank 5, the supply port 25 is formed to have an opening width suitable for the winning ball alignment width (two rows in the drawing) of the straightening gutter 6, and one side edge thereof is provided. An expandable portion 28 is formed at the portion (right edge in FIG. 4) (see FIGS. 4 and 6). The expandable portion 28 allows the supply port 25 to be expanded as necessary in view of the state of supply of the ball and the like. And are partially connected by a connection margin 31. Then, by cutting the connection margin 31 with an appropriate cutting tool and removing the cut piece 29,
The entire supply port 25 including the slit port 30 can be widely opened in a horizontal rectangular shape. Incidentally, the slit opening 30 is set to a small opening width which does not hinder the outflow of the ball.

On the other hand, in the cut-out opening enabling portion 27, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG.
A plurality (seven in the figure) divided in a predetermined length unit assuming the position and size of the ejector 47 of the ball placement unit 44 along the upper edge longitudinal direction. The cuttable piece 32 is separated by horizontal and vertical slit openings 33, 34, and connection allowances 35, 36 are provided.
Are partially connected. When the upper edge of the ball tank 5 interferes with the ejector 47, the cutting margins 35 and 36 at the interfering portion are cut off by an appropriate cutting tool and the cuttable pieces 32 are removed, as shown in FIG. The concave relief port 37 for non-interference as illustrated can be opened quickly and easily. In addition, the cut-out opening possible portion 2
7 at the upper edge and the lower edge, that is, at the upper edge of the horizontal vertical wall side portion 26 and the opening edge position of each horizontal slit opening 33.
8, 39 are formed in parallel so that sufficient strength can be maintained even when the escape port 37 is formed.

By the way, the ejector 47 of each ball distribution unit 44
Is the ball tank 5 of the pachinko machine P installed on the installation frame H
When viewed from the side, it generally faces one of the leftward, central, and rightward positions. In such a situation, in the above-described cutout-openable portion 27 of the ball tank 5, when, for example, three cuttable pieces 32 are cut off, concave reliefs are provided in any of the leftward, central, and rightward portions. Mouth 37
Can be freely opened.

[0018]

Next, the operation of the ball storage structure in the pachinko gaming machine according to the above-described embodiment will be described.

When the pachinko machines P are accommodated and installed in the installation frames H in the respective game arcades, the ball outlets 48 of the ejectors 47 fixed to the installation frames H in the ball distribution unit 44.
Is configured to face the upper surface of the opening of the ball tank 5 which is set in a state where the storage chamber 22 is aligned with the concave portion 18 of the mechanism setting board 3. In this case, especially in a pachinko machine of the "Kanto frame" type, the vertical distance between the ejector 47 of the ball distribution unit 44 and the ball tank 5 is considerably small, and in each game store, the ejector 47 is provided in FIG. As illustrated by imaginary lines,
It may be fixed below the ball tank 5. Therefore, when the front frame 2 is opened or closed again with respect to the outer frame 1, the upper edge of the ball tank 5 may interfere with the ejector 47.

As described above, when the upper end of the ball tank 5 interferes with the ejector 47, the cutting margins 35 and 36 at the interfering portion are cut by a cutting tool as appropriate, and the cuttable piece 3 is cut off.
Remove 2. Thereby, the concave relief port 37 for non-interference as illustrated in FIG. 8 is formed quickly and easily. Therefore, when the front frame 2 is opened or closed again with respect to the outer frame 1, it is possible to prevent the lower end of the ejector 47 from passing through the escape port 37 of the ball tank 5 and interfering. In addition, since the escape port 37 can be formed at an appropriate depth and width in an appropriate position in accordance with the relative position of the discharger 47 with respect to the ball tank 5, it is possible to prevent the storage sphere from falling off. .

[0021]

9 to 14 show another embodiment of the ball storage structure in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention. The basic configuration is the first embodiment shown in FIGS. Since it is the same as the example, only different parts will be described. The same members and parts already described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Sphere Retaining Structure of Second Embodiment) FIGS. 9 to 11
Shows a sphere storage structure according to a second embodiment,
The cutable opening portion 27 of the ball tank 5 is formed in an openwork shape along the longitudinal direction of the upper edge of the horizontally long vertical wall side portion 26 of the main body 21, as in the first embodiment described above. A plurality (seven in FIG. 7) of cuttable pieces 32 divided in required length units are separated by a horizontal U-shaped slit opening 51 and partially connected by connection margins 52 and 53. I have.
When the upper edge of the ball tank 5 interferes with the ejector 47, the connection margins 52, 5 at the interference part are appropriately cut by a cutting tool.
By cutting the piece 3 and removing the cuttable piece 32, a non-interfering concave relief port 37 as illustrated in FIG. 10 can be opened quickly and easily. In the configuration in which each of the cuttable pieces 32 is separated by such a horizontal U-shaped slit port 51,
As illustrated in FIG. 11, the escape port 37 shown in FIG.
By additionally cutting off the connection margins 52, 53 adjacent to one end or both ends of the opening 37, the opening width of the relief port 37 can be increased. That is, by changing the cutting positions of the connection margins 52 and 53, the opening width of the escape port 37 can be finely adjusted.

(Sphere Retaining Structure of Third Embodiment) FIGS. 12 to 14
Shows a sphere storage structure according to a third embodiment,
The cuttable opening portion 27 of the ball tank 5 is located
6, a horizontally elongated slit port 55 extending horizontally in the upper part of
A plurality of upper cuttable pieces 62 (seven in the figure) divided by a required length unit above the horizontal slit port 55 by a vertical slit port 56 orthogonal to the horizontal slit port 55 at a predetermined interval from the horizontal slit port 55. Is formed. Each of the upper cuttable pieces 62 is partially connected at a connection margin 58, and the connection margin 58 is cut to remove the upper cuttable piece 62, thereby forming a concave relief opening as illustrated in FIG. 37 can be opened.

Further, the cutout opening enabling portion 27 of the third embodiment is provided.
A plurality of lower cuttable pieces 63 divided into required length units by the short horizontal slit openings 57 formed in parallel below the horizontal slit openings 55 and the slit openings 55 and 56 (7 in FIG. ), And each lower cuttable piece 63 is partially connected by a connection margin 59. That is, even if the opening width of the escape port 37 from which the upper cuttable piece 62 has been removed does not interfere with the width of the ejector 47 more, the height direction may still interfere, so that
At this time, as shown in FIG. 14, by further cutting the connection margin 59 and removing the lower cuttable piece 63, the opening depth of the concave relief port 37 can be increased.
That is, in the cutout opening enabling portion 27 of the third embodiment, the opening depth of the escape opening 37 can be changed in two stages.

It should be noted that the cut-out opening-possible portion may have a structure in which the structures of the second and third embodiments are combined.

[0026]

As described above, according to the ball storage structure of the pachinko game machine according to the present invention, the installation frame is formed by forming the cut-out opening portion in the required range of the upper edge of the horizontally long vertical wall of the ball tank. In the case where the ball arrangement unit of the replenishing equipment on the table side interferes with the ball tank, a cut-out opening portion is cut off at the interference portion, so that a non-interference escape port for the ball arrangement unit can be quickly and easily opened. That is, even if the interference portion between the ball tank and the ball distribution unit is at the left side, the center, or the right side, the non-interference relief opening can be easily opened at the corresponding portion.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear view schematically showing a pachinko machine and its working state.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view mainly showing a prize ball storing section of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a prize ball storing section of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a ball tank partially broken away.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a ball tank.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a supply port portion of the ball tank.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cut-out opening portion of the ball tank.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a cut-out opening enabled portion of the ball tank.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a ball tank according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front view exemplifying a relief opening of a cutout opening enabling portion of the ball tank according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a front view exemplifying a relief opening of a cutout opening enabling portion of the ball tank according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a ball tank according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a front view exemplifying a relief opening of a cutout opening enabling portion of the ball tank according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a front view exemplifying a relief opening of a cutout opening enabling portion of the ball tank according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Ball storage / supply / delivery section 5 Ball tank 24 Bottom plate 25 Supply port 26 Horizontally long vertical wall side 27 Cutout opening possible part 32,62,63 Cuttable piece 33,34,51,55,56,57 Slit opening 35,36, 52, 53, 58, 59 Connection allowance 37 Evacuation port 44 Ball distribution unit 47 Discharger H Installation frame

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An uppermost end of a ball storage / supply / delivery unit (4) on a back side of a gaming machine which is provided for a game in a vertical orientation with respect to an installation frame (H), and replenishes the installation frame (H). Equipment ball placement unit (4
A horizontal box-shaped synthetic resin ball tank (5) that can store a considerable amount of pachinko balls supplied from 4) is installed, and the supply port is placed at a low position on the bottom plate (24) of this ball tank (5) (25), and along the upper edge of the horizontally standing wall (26) of the ball tank (5)
And the required range, partial cut possible pieces (32 / 62,63) Sri
Socket (33,34 / 51 / 55,56,57) and connection fee (35,36 / 52,53 /
58, 59), including a cut-out opening possible portion (27), and a connection allowance (35, 36/52,
53 / 58,59) can be partially cut off (32/6
2, 63), and the ejector (47) of the pitching unit (44 )
A ball storage structure in a pachinko game machine, wherein an escape port (37) for non-interference with the game machine is made openable.