JP3904748B2

JP3904748B2 - Constant ball dispenser for pachinko machines

Info

Publication number: JP3904748B2
Application number: JP32418498A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 勝美水貝; 参平木下; 伸明水貝
Original assignee: SUGAISOUGYO CO.,LTD.; Newgin Co Ltd
Current assignee: SUGAISOUGYO CO.,LTD.; Newgin Co Ltd
Priority date: 1998-11-13
Filing date: 1998-11-13
Publication date: 2007-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2018-11-13
Also published as: JP2000140324A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、パチンコ遊技機の定数球払出し装置に係り、縦向きの遊技盤内でパチンコゲームを展開し得るパチンコ遊技機の裏側に貯留されたパチンコ球（貯留球ともいう。）を一定個数単位で払出し得るようにした定数球払出し装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
パチンコ機やアレンジボール機に代表されるこの種の遊技機では、遊技操作に基づいて開始される１球毎の球送り発射制御作動により、上球皿から発射位置に送込まれた遊技球を遊技盤内に打出して所要のパチンコゲームを行ない得る。そして、このゲーム中の入賞条件（セーフ球の発生や入球による図柄組合わせの得点成立等）に対して、機裏側の貯留球供給部から供給される貯留球が球払出装置の払出し作動毎に所定数（例えば５個〜１５個の範囲）の賞球として、所定の球供給路を経て上球皿及び下球皿へ払出されるようになっている。このようなパチンコ遊技機にあって一般に前記球払出装置では、入賞条件毎に対する電動具（ソレノイドやモータ）の駆動制御により前記球供給路に臨む球送り体を回転制御させながら賞球を払出してカウント検出する電動タイプのものが使用されている。
【０００３】
一方、近時におけるパチンコ遊技機にあっては、機裏側の貯留球を前述したように賞球として払出すことの他に、遊技用の貸し球として払出し得ることが要求されている。即ち、球貸しシステムが併用されたパチンコ遊技機（カード式パチンコ機ともいう。）にあっては、機の側方に設置されたカードユニット内へ所定のカードを挿入して球貸し操作がなされた場合には、機裏側の貯留球を貸し球として所定数単位（例えば１００円分で２５個）払出すようになっている。そのため、この貸し球払出しの要求にも対応すべく、多くの場合、前述した電動タイプの球払出装置が貸し球の払出し用としても兼用され、賞球用・貸し球用の夫々の球払出し指令に応じて賞球と貸し球との区分払出しを行っていた。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで前述したような電動式タイプの球払出装置にあって、貯留球を貸し球として払出す場合には、球送り体（回転体）を介して１球ずつ排出される球を検出手段（多くの場合フォトセンサーが利用）によりカウントすることや、ソレノイドを複数回あるいは１球分毎に励磁消磁制御する等の条件で払出しを行ない、排出数が所定カウント数に達した時点で、ソレノイドを停止制御して球送り体（回転体）の回転停止を図っていた。このため、貸し球の払出し作動においては、それに係る制御が非常に複雑化するばかりでなく、万一検出手段が故障した場合には不正確な払出しを行なってしまうというおそれがあった。
【０００５】
また貸し球用の払出し技術形態として、１回転で所定数Ｎ個（例えば１００円分に対して２５個）の球を排出し得る球送り体（回転体）を使用することも提案される。しかしこのような形態では、球送り体（回転体）が非常に大型（大径）のものになってしまい、機裏側における他の装置構成とも関連して機構全体の大型化及び大幅な設計仕様の変更を余儀なくされ、パチンコ遊技機全体の製造コストを押上げる一因となっていた。
【０００６】
本発明は前述した課題を解決するためになされたものであって、１回毎の球払出し作動において、１回転当たり所定個数（ｎ個）の排出条件を有する球送り体の回転を適宜に停止又は許容することにより、予め設定された一定個数（Ｎ個）の貯留球を正確に払出し得るようにした小型で安価なパチンコ遊技機の定数球払出し装置を提供することを目的とするものである。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するため本願請求項１の発明に係るパチンコ遊技機の定数球払出し装置は、縦向きの遊技盤内でパチンコゲームを展開し得る遊技機の裏側で球供給路内を流下される貯留球を１回毎の球払出し作動により一定個数（Ｎ個）単位で払出すパチンコ遊技機の定数球払出し装置において、前記球供給路に対する隣接部位に回転可能に支持されて外周に形成した複数の球受け部で球供給路内の貯留球を受けながら１回転当たり所定個数（ｎ個、ｎ＜Ｎ）排出し得る球送り体と、この球送り体の回転に伴う排出球を前記所定個数よりも少ない特定個数（ｎ ^１個、ｎ ^１＜ｎ）検出したとき検出信号を出力する検出手段と、所定の球払出し信号に基づいて駆動制御される電磁式のソレノイドと、同ソレノイドの励磁消磁に伴って前記球送り体の回転停止を図る拘束位置とその回転を許容する解放位置との間で切換え変移可能とされ常には拘束位置側に付勢された規制部材と、前記球送り体と一体的に回転して前記規制部材に対する拘束位置での係合又は解放位置での解放に基づき前記球送り体のＮ／ｎ回転を規制する回転規制手段と、前記球送り体の回転時に前記規制部材に対する拘束位置での不干渉及び解放位置での干渉拘束を図る規制干渉手段とを備え、前記規制干渉手段は、その１回転過程において、前記規制部材と当接係合して同規制部材を前記解放位置に干渉拘束する拘束円弧縁及び前記規制部材に干渉せず同規制部材を拘束円弧縁による干渉拘束から解放して前記拘束位置への復帰を許容する直線切欠が外周カム面に形成されると共に、その外周カム面上において前記拘束円弧縁と前記直線切欠との境界部位はアール状になっており、前記ソレノイドの励磁作動により前記規制部材が拘束位置から解放位置へ変移して前記回転規制手段から離隔した時点で、前記球送り体が前記Ｎ／ｎ回転を開始して貯留球の排出を進行する一方、前記検出手段からの前記特定個数（ｎ ^１個）の検出に基づく検出信号に従った前記ソレノイドの消磁作動以後において前記規制干渉手段が規制部材を解放位置に干渉拘束したまま所定角度分を回転して同規制部材を解放した時点で、規制部材が拘束位置に復帰して前記回転規制手段に係止することにより、前記球送り体がＮ／ｎ回転を終了停止して一定個数（Ｎ個）の球払出しを終了するようにしたことを特徴としている。
【０００８】
従って、本願請求項１の発明においては、所定の球払出し信号に基づきソレノイドが励磁されると、規制部材が拘束位置から解放位置に変移して球送り体の回転を許容する。すると、球送り体は球供給路内の貯留球を受けながら回転して１回転当たり所定個数（ｎ個、ｎ＜Ｎ）の貯留球を排出する。一方、前記球送り体の回転に伴い前記規制干渉手段も回転し、また前記ソレノイドは前記検出手段からの特定個数検出信号に基づき消磁作動する。すると、このソレノイドの消磁作動に伴い規制部材は解放位置から拘束位置へ復帰しようとするが、この規制部材を前記規制干渉手段の拘束円弧縁が当接係合することにより解放位置に干渉拘束する。その後、この干渉拘束状態を維持したまま前記規制干渉手段が更に所定角度分回転すると、前記規制部材は規制干渉手段の直線切欠により干渉拘束状態から解放されて拘束位置に復帰し得る。その際、規制干渉手段における拘束円弧縁と直線切欠との境界部位はアール状になっているため、その境界部位に規制部材は滑らかに摺接する。そして、規制部材が回転規制手段に係止すると、球送り体が回転停止し、その停止時点において前記球送り体はＮ／ｎ回転し終わり、これにより一定個数（Ｎ個）の球払出しが終了する。
【０００９】
また、本願請求項２の発明は、前記請求項１の発明において、前記規制干渉手段は、前記回転規制手段に対して互いに回転差を有する歯車を介して回転連繋されており、規制干渉手段の１回転に対し前記球送り体が前記Ｎ／ｎ回転を終了し得るように設定されていることを特徴としている。従って、本願請求項２の発明においては、前記請求項１の発明の作用に加えて、球送り体の回転に伴い回転規制手段が回転すると、所定の回転差を有して規制干渉手段も回転し、規制干渉手段が１回転した時点で球送り体はＮ／ｎ回転することになる。
【００１０】
また、本願請求項３の発明は、前記請求項１又は請求項２の発明において、前記球送り体は、前記各球受け部が複数の区画爪部により区画されると共に、その球送り体の上方位置には、バランスウエイトを有すると共に前記区画爪部に係脱し得る係合凸部を先端部に形成した回転制動部材が回転可能に支持され、同回転制動部材は、前記バランスウエイトの重みにより常には前記係合凸部が前記球送り体の区画爪部及び球受け部に対して当接係合するように回動付勢されていることを特徴とする。
【００１１】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明に係るパチンコ遊技機の定数球払出し装置について、好適な実施形態を挙げて添付図面を参照しながら詳細に説明する。なお本実施形態では、遊技球を１個ずつ遊技盤内に打出して遊技球の入賞ゲーム（アウト球とセーフ球とに区分）を展開するタイプにあって、機裏側の貯留球を、入賞成立（セーフ球の発生）に対する賞球と、球貸しシステムを利用した遊技球用の貸し球とに区分排出して球皿側へ供給し得るパチンコ機の場合を主に例示する。
【００１２】
本実施形態のパチンコ機は、その基本的構成の概要として、図１及び図２に略示するように、機体の外郭をなす外枠１の開口前面側に、各種の遊技用構成部材をセットする縦長方形の前枠２が開閉及び着脱可能に組付けられており、この前枠２の前面側に遊技盤３を透視保護するための窓枠４と上球皿５とが共に横開き形態で開閉可能に組付け整合されると共に、前枠２の下部には下球皿６及び打球発射装置７等が装着されている。なお、外枠１の一側縁には球貸しシステムに利用されるカードユニット８が装備されている。
【００１３】
一方、前記前枠２の裏側には各種の球経路及び処理部等を備えた機構セット盤９が着脱可能にセットされ、この機構セット盤９では、遊技盤点検用窓口１０の周囲において、アウト球用の排出路１１とセーフ球用の処理路１２が区画形成されている。そして、貯留球供給部としての球タンク１３から整流樋１４を介して貯留球が流下供給される球供給路１５の下流端に後述する球払出し装置１６が着脱可能にビス等で取着セットされ、この球払出し装置１６から賞球又は貸し球として払出された貯留球が従来と同様に排出経路（図示しない）を介して前記上球皿５へ供給されるようになっている。なお、前記整流樋１４については、図示はしないが、１列の賞球路と１列の貸し球路とを区画並列したタイプ、２列の賞球路と１列又は２列の貸し球路とを区画並列したタイプとが提案され、後者の２列タイプでは、整流樋１４から前記球供給路１５に向けて賞球と貸し球とを夫々１列化する整列手段が付されることが望ましい。
【００１４】
前述した機構セット盤９におけるその余の構成としては、整流樋１４の貸し球路側の所定位置には貯留球検出用スイッチ（２５個確認スイッチともいう。）１９が設置されている。一方、前記処理路１２の下流端にはセーフ球検出処理装置２０が着脱可能にセットされ、セーフ球を１個ずつ停留検出して所定個数の賞球払出し後に当該セーフ球を解放通出するようになっている。なお、図２中、２１は電源部（ＡＣ２４Ｖ）に接続される外部接続端子板であり、２２はゲーム内容を制御する主基板、２３はセーフ球検出処理と貯留球排出処理（賞球払出しと貸し球払出し）を制御する電気的制御部としての球払出し制御基板、２４は球払出し装置１６と球払出し制御基板２３とを電気的に中継接続する中継基板、２５は前記カードユニット８と球払出し制御基板２３とを電気的に接続するインターフェースボードである。
【００１５】
このような本実施形態のパチンコ機は、図示はしないが、遊技ホール内の通称「島」と呼ばれる設置枠台の各区画枠内に前記カードユニット８と共に設置されて縦向きで遊技に供される。そして、図示しない補給設備における配球ユニットから必要時に供給される相当量のパチンコ球を前記球タンク１３内に受入れて整流樋１４に収容しており、パチンコゲーム中に発生したセーフ球が前記セーフ球検出処理装置２０により１球ずつ停留検出される毎に所定個数（本実施形態では例として少数個５〜９個、多数個１０〜１５個）の賞球を払出し得る。一方球貸しシステムでは、前記カードユニット８のカード挿入口２６にカードが挿入されて上球皿５の上部前面に設けられた球貸し操作部２７が操作されると、図示しないカードリーダの球貸し判読制御条件に従い、貯留球検出用スイッチ１９の球有り検出条件において前記カードの有効金額内における一定額単位に対して所定個数（本実施形態では１００円分に対して２５個）の貸し球を払出し得る。
【００１６】
一方、本実施形態における前記球払出し装置１６は、前記球払出し制御基板２３からの出力信号により制御作動されるもとで、同基板２３から賞球払出し指令信号又は貸し球払出し指令信号が出力されると、これらの各信号に応じて入賞成立に対する賞球と遊技用の貸し球とを区分排出し得る。そして、この球払出し装置１６では、その基本的な構成として図３〜図８に示すように、四角箱状にユニット化された合成樹脂製のケース体２８内に断面略Ｈ形をなす通路樋２９により前記球供給路１５の一部をなす第１球供給路１５ａと第２球供給路１５ｂとを前後方向（図３において紙面と直交する方向）において区画形成すると共に、各球供給路１５ａ，１５ｂに臨む部位に賞球払出し用の第１払出し部３２と貸し球払出し用の第２払出し部３３及び後述する球抜き操作部３４等を備えている。
【００１７】
このような球払出し装置１６において、前記ケース体２８は、図８に示すように、前後一対をなす蓋状の第１ケース２８ａと有底箱状の第２ケース２８ｂとをビス等で組合せると共に、これら両ケース２８ａ，２８ｂ間に前記通路樋２９が組付けられている。前記通路樋２９における第１・第２球供給路１５ａ，１５ｂと対応する右側中央部位には夫々第１・第２切欠３５，３６が形成され、第１球供給路１５ａ側の第１切欠３５の近傍には後述する賞球用センサ（発光側）３７を備えた第１センサ基板３８が設置される一方、第２球供給路１５ｂ側の第２切欠３６の近傍には検出手段としての後述する貸し球用センサ（発光側）３９を備えた第２センサ基板４０が設置されている。
【００１８】
また前記通路樋２９における各球供給路１５ａ，１５ｂと対応する左側部位には払出し駆動基板４１が装備され、同基板４１には前記発光側の各センサ３７，３９と対応する位置に受光側の各センサ３７，３９が装備されると共に、前記球払出し制御基板２３等と図示しない配線を介して接続されるコネクタ４２が装備されている。なお前記各センサ３７，３９は夫々発光側と受光側の各先端部が対応する球供給路１５ａ，１５ｂ内に臨むように通路樋２９の壁部に形成された検出孔４３に挿通されている。また図８中、４４は配線挿入用溝であり、４５はコネクタ４２への接続時に配線が挿通される開口、４６はケース体２８外の球供給路１５と第１球供給路１５ａとを連絡する第１連絡口、４７は前記球供給路１５と第２球供給路１５ｂとを連絡する第２連絡口、４８は前記球抜き操作部３４を通常状態に保持するためのストッパーである。
【００１９】
前記球払出し装置１６における第１払出し部３２は、ケース体２８における前側（図３において奥側、図４において上側）に組込まれ、賞球用貯留球の球供給路１５からの貯留球を１個ずつ通入出検出するもので、賞球用の球払出し部として機能する。この第１払出し部３２は、図３〜図７に例示するように、ケース体２８のほぼ中央部において第１・第２ケース２８ａ，２８ｂ間に架設された第１支軸４９に対し回転可能に支持された爪車状の第１球送り体５０と、第１球送り体５０の回転・停止規制をなす第１規制部材５１の切換作動源である電磁式の第１ソレノイド５２と、第１球供給路１５ａ内の貯留球の有無を検出する上センサ３７ａ及び下センサ３７ｂからなる賞球用センサ３７とを備えている。
【００２０】
前記第１球送り体５０は、例えばポリアセタール等に代表される比較的硬質の合成樹脂からなり、この第１球送り体５０では、外周に形成した複数（本実施形態では１０箇所）の区画爪部５３により区画された各球受け部５４を前記通路樋２９の第１切欠３５から第１球供給路１５ａ内に臨ませ、その球受け部５４により第１球供給路１５ａ内を流下する貯留球を１個ずつ球圧を受けながら回転して当該貯留球を賞球として排出し得るようになっている。また前記第１ソレノイド５２は球払出し制御基板２３からの賞球払出し指令信号に基づき作動制御されて、励磁信号に伴い磁力発生部５５で磁力を発生し得る一方、その磁力を消磁信号に伴い消失する電磁フラッパー形式のソレノイドであり、そのフレーム枠５６には前記第１規制部材５１が傾動可能に支持されている。
【００２１】
また前記第１規制部材５１は金属製レバーからなり、電源投入時の作動状態において、常には付勢部材としての引張バネ５７により前記第１球送り体５０の区画爪部５３と係止する方向へ付勢保持されて第１球送り体５０の回転停止（拘束）を図るようになっている。一方、前記第１ソレノイド５２の励磁作動に伴い磁力発生部５５が通電されると、その磁力により前記引張バネ５７の付勢力に抗して区画爪部５３から離隔して第１球送り体５０の回転を許容（解放）するようになっている。また前記賞球用センサ３７を構成する上センサ３７ａと下センサ３７ｂは上下方向において互いに１球分の検出間隔で配置されて第１球供給路１５ａ内に臨み、左右一対の上センサ３７ａにより賞球として払出し可能な貯留球の有無を検出する一方、左右一対の下センサ３７ｂにより賞球として払出された貯留球の有無を検出（カウント検出）するようになっている。そして、前記賞球用センサ３７は排出された貯留球を下センサ３７ｂにより１球ずつ検出する毎に当該検出信号を中継基板２４等を介して球払出し制御基板２３へ出力するようになっている。
【００２２】
一方、前記球払出し装置１６における第２払出し部３３は、ケース体２８における後側（図３において手前側、図４において下側）に組込まれ、貸し球用貯留球の球供給路１５からの貯留球を１個ずつ通入出検出するもので、貸し球用の球払出し部として機能する。この第２払出し部３３は、図３〜図７に例示するように、前記第１球送り体５０と同様に前記第１支軸４９を共通軸として回転可能に支持された爪車状の第２球送り体５８と、第２球送り体５８の回転・停止規制をなす第２規制部材５９の切換作動源である電磁式の第２ソレノイド６０と、前記第２球送り体５８の下流側において第２球供給路１５ｂ内の貯留球の有無を検出する貸し球用センサ３９とを備えている。
【００２３】
さらに前記第２払出し部３３では、図９及び図１０に例示するように、前記第１支軸４９に対して第２球送り体５８と一体回転するように第１歯車６１（歯数１０）と回転規制手段としての第１カム６２が支持されている。これら第２球送り体５８と第１歯車６１及び第１カム６２の三者は一体回転可能に一体結合された構成でも又は三者が一体成形された構成であってもよい。また前記第１支軸４９よりも上方位置において第１・第２ケース２８ａ，２８ｂ間には第２支軸６３が架設され、この第２支軸６３に対して前記第１歯車６１に噛合して連動回転する第２歯車６４（歯数２５）が回転可能に支持されている。即ち、本実施形態では、所定の歯数比（ｎ：Ｎ）に基づき互いに回転差を有する前記第１歯車６１と第２歯車６４とにより差動（歯車）機構が構成されている。また前記第２支軸６３に対しては前記第２規制部材５９の傾動範囲内に位置するようにして第２歯車６４と一体的に回転する規制干渉手段としての第２カム６５が回転可能に支持されると共に、前記第２歯車６４よりも後側（図３において手前側、図４において下側）には前記第２球送り体５８の上方に位置するようにバランス用のウエイト６６を有する回転制動部材６７が回転可能に支持されている。
【００２４】
このような第２払出し部３３において、前記第２球送り体５８は第１球送り体５０とほぼ同じ構成をなし、複数（本実施形態では１０箇所）の区画爪部６８により区画された各球受け部６９を前記通路樋２９の第２切欠３６から第２球供給路１５ｂ内に臨ませ、その球受け部６９により第２球供給路１５ｂ内を流下する貯留球を１個ずつ球圧を受けながら回転して当該貯留球を貸し球として排出し得るようになっている。また前記第２ソレノイド６０は球払出し制御基板２３からの貸し球払出し指令信号に基づき作動制御されて、励磁信号に伴い磁力発生部７０で磁力を発生し得る一方、その磁力を消磁信号に伴い消失する電磁フラッパー形式のソレノイドであり、そのフレーム枠７１には前記第２規制部材５９が傾動可能に支持されている。
【００２５】
また第２規制部材５９は、前記第１規制部材５１と同様に金属製レバーからなり、電源投入時の作動状態において、常には付勢部材としての引張バネ７２により前記第１・第２の両カム６２，６５と係合する方向へ付勢保持されている。前記第１カム６２の外周カム面には前記第２規制部材５９の先端を係止可能な２つの係止部７３が互いに１８０度の角度をおいて形成され、いずれか一方の係止部７３に係止する位置（拘束位置）へ第２規制部材５９を前記引張バネ７２の付勢力により復帰させることにより第２球送り体５８の回転停止を図り、前記第２規制部材５９の先端を各係止部７３から離隔させることにより第２球送り体５８の回転を許容するようになっている。一方、前記第２カム６５の外周カム面には前記第２規制部材５９と当接係合して同規制部材５９を前記第１カム６２から離隔した位置（解放位置）に干渉拘束するための一定半径をもつ拘束縁としての拘束円弧縁７４が、一例として約２７０度の角度範囲に亘り形成されると共に、前記第２ソレノイド６０の消磁後において前記拘束位置へ付勢復帰しようとする前記第２規制部材５９に干渉せず同規制部材５９と前記係止部７３との係止を許容するための解放縁としての直線切欠７５が、一例として約９０度の角度範囲に亘り形成されている。
【００２６】
また前記貸し球用センサ３９は第２球送り体５８の回転に伴って貸し球として払出された貯留球の有無を検出するものであり、本実施形態においては貯留球が一例として２球分排出されたことをカウント検出した時点でその検出信号（特定個数検出信号）を中継基板２４等を介して球払出し制御基板２３へ出力するようになっている。また前記回転制動部材６７は前記第２支軸６３に対して略Ｕ字形の支持凹部７６を介して着脱及び回動可能に支持され、その先端部には前記第２球送り体５８の区画爪部６８に係脱し得る係合凸部７７が形成されている。従って、前記回転制動部材６７は、ウエイト６６の重みにより常には図３において反時計方向へ適正に回動付勢された状態で、その係合凸部７７が第２球送り体５８の区画爪部６８及び球受け部６９に対して当接係合する構成になっている。
【００２７】
また前記球抜き操作部３４は、第１・第２球供給路１５ａ，１５ｂ内から貯留球を排出操作するためのものであり、この球抜き操作部３４では、適度の弾性変形可能な合成樹脂製の操作レバー７８が操作部材として前記第１支軸４９に対し第１球送り体５０と第１カム６２との間に位置するようにして回動可能に支持されている。この操作レバー７８は常には前記ストッパー４８に係止保持される構成とされ、操作時にはレバー７８自体が適当な弾性変形により前記ストッパー４８を乗り越え、図３において時計方向へ回動するようになっている。また前記操作レバー７８にはそのボス部から第１操作部７８ａと第２操作部７８ｂが分岐形成され、手動により操作レバー７８を回動操作したときには前記各操作部７８ａ，７８ｂが夫々対応する前記規制部材５１，５９に当接係合するようになっている。従って、前記各ソレノイド５２，６０の消磁状態において操作レバー７８が回動操作されると、第１操作部７８ａが第１規制部材５１を第１球送り体５０の区画爪部５３から離隔させると共に、第２操作部７８ｂが第２規制部材５９を第１カム６２の係止部７３から離隔させるので、各球送り体５０，５８は回転可能（フリー状態）とされたもとで貯留球の球圧を受けて連続回転し、多数の貯留球を連続排出することになる。
【００２８】
ここで、本実施形態のパチンコ機における電気的構成を説明すると、図２３に示すように、主基板２２には遊技盤側の各種スイッチ８０と各種ソレノイド８１及び各種球検出スイッチ８２が接続されて、ゲーム及び賞球排出に係る制御処理がなされる。また球払出し制御基板２３にはカードユニット８及び球貸し操作基板２７ａが接続されたインターフェースボード２５と貯留球検出用スイッチとしての２５個確認スイッチ１９が接続されて、球貸しシステムの作動処理がなされる。また球払出し制御基板２３の出力側には発射制御装置８３が接続され、発射停止信号の出力に基づき同装置８３内の各種電気部品８４と発射・球送りソレノイド８５及び発射停止ランプ８６の作動制御がなされる。さらに球払出し制御基板２３には中継基板２４及び払出し駆動基板４１が接続されて、賞球払出し及び貸し球払出しの各制御処理がなされる一方、各払出しに際して機表側で点滅又は点灯制御される賞球ランプ８７と球貸しランプ８８が接続されている。そして、賞球情報信号及び球貸し情報信号は外部接続端子板２１を介して図示しない外部コンピュータ等へ出力されるようになっている。
【００２９】
次に本実施形態のパチンコ遊技機の定数球払出し装置の作用につき説明する。さて本実施形態のパチンコ機では、カードユニット８のカード挿入口２６に対するカードの挿入及び機表側での球貸し操作部２７のボタン操作により、機裏側の球払出し装置１６の第２払出し部３３から払出された所定個数（１００円分に対して２５個）の貸し球が上球皿５へ供給される。このもとで打球発射装置７の作動に基づいて遊技球を１球ずつ遊技盤３内へ打出すことにより所要のゲームを展開し得る。そしてゲーム中に発生したアウト球は機構セット盤９の排出路１１から機外へ排出され、またセーフ球については処理路１２からセーフ球検出処理装置２０内に導入され、同装置２０内で１球ずつ停留検出されて賞球払出しにタイミングを合せた時期に機外へ排出される。そして前記球払出し装置１６においては、セーフ球に対して後述するように第１払出し部３２から所定個数（少数個、多数個を含む。）の賞球が前記上球皿５又は下球皿６へ排出される。一方、球払出し操作に基づいて後述するように第２払出し部３３から所定数の貸し球が払出される。そして球抜き操作部３４を利用して貯留球を第１，第２払出し部３２，３３から機外へ排出し得る。
【００３０】
このような本実施形態のパチンコ機に装備された球払出し装置１６では、前記セーフ球検出処理装置２０からのセーフ球信号に基づき主基板２２からの制御指令を介して球払出し制御基板２３から賞球払出し信号が出力されると、次のような賞球払出し処理をなし得る。即ち、賞球払出し用の第１払出し部３２では、図１２に示すように、まず上センサ３７ａが球有り検出しているもとで第１ソレノイド５２が励磁されることに伴い磁力発生部５５に磁力が発生するため、第１規制部材５１が吸引されて同図に二点鎖線で示されるように、引張りバネ５７の付勢力に抗して第１球送り体５０の区画爪部５３から離隔して解放位置へ変移する。すると、図１３に示すように、第１球送り体５０はその球受け部５４で前記上センサ３７ａにより球有り検出された貯留球を含む上流側の球の圧力（重み）を受けながら回転（１球分で３６度）し、当該貯留球を下流側へ排出する。すると、この排出された１個の貯留球が下センサ３７ｂにより球有り検出され、この下センサ３７ｂの球有り検出に基づく検出信号が前記球払出し制御基板２３へ出力されることに伴い、前記第１ソレノイド５２が消磁される。そのため、磁力発生部５５から解放された第１規制部材５１が第１球送り体５０と係合する方向へ付勢復帰して前記区画爪部５３に再び係止し、これにより第１球送り体５０の回転が停止される。以後同様にして、上センサ３７ａの球有り検出に伴う第１ソレノイド５２の励磁制御と、下センサ３７ｂの球有り検出（カウント検出）に伴う第１ソレノイド５２の消磁制御とが賞球払出し分に対する設定回数繰り返されることにより、所定数（少数個と多数個）の賞球が前記第１ソレノイド５２の１球毎の励磁・消磁制御に従い排出される。
【００３１】
一方、前記球貸し操作において、カードユニット８側からの貸し球払出し指令を介して球払出し制御基板２３から貸し球払出し信号が出力されると、球払出し装置１６では貸し球用の第２払出し部３３が次のような貸し球払出し処理（例として２５個払出し）をなし得る。即ち、第２払出し部３３では、まず第２ソレノイド６０が励磁されることに伴い磁力発生部７０に磁力が発生するため、第２規制部材５９が吸引されて引張りバネ７２の付勢力に抗して第１カム６２の係止部７３から離隔して解放位置へ変移する（図１４〜図１６参照）。すると、第２球送り体５８は球受け部６９により貯留球の球圧を受けながら回転（１球分で３６度）して各球受け部６９に受けた貯留球を連続して下流側へ排出する。すると、この連続排出された貯留球が貸し球用センサ３９により１球ずつカウント検出され、この貸し球用センサ３９による２個目の球有り検出（カウント検出）に基づき当該検出信号（特定個数検出信号）が前記球払出し制御基板２３へ出力される。すると、球払出し制御基板２３では前記貸し球用センサ３９からの２個目検出信号を受けて払出し駆動基板４１へ消磁信号を出力し、これにより第２ソレノイド６０が消磁されることに伴い第２規制部材５９が第１カム６２と係合する方向、つまり拘束位置へ付勢復帰しようとする。
【００３２】
ところが、第２払出し部３３では前記第２球送り体５８の連続回転に伴い第１歯車６１と第２歯車６４の噛合作動により、図１７に示すように、第２カム６５が時計方向へ所定角度だけ回転している。そのため、付勢復帰しようとする第２規制部材５９は第２カム６５の拘束円弧縁７４に当接係合し、この拘束円弧縁７４との当接係合状態が続く間は前記第２球送り体５８の回転を許容する解放位置において一時的に干渉拘束される。従って、第２払出し部３３では前記第２ソレノイド６０の消磁後においても第２球送り体５８の回転状態が許容され、貸し球としての貯留球の連続排出が続けられる。ここで前記両カム６２，６５の相対的な回転関係についてみると、前記第１・第２歯車６１，６４は互いの歯数比が１０対２５に設定されている例において、第２カム６５が第２歯車６４と共に１回転（３６０度）すると、その間に第１カム６２は第１歯車６１及び第２球送り体５８と共に２．５回転（９００度）することになる。因みに、図１６の状態を第１カム６２と第２カム６５の回転角度が共に０度であるとした場合、貸し球として２個の貯留球を排出した図１７の状態では、第１カム６２の回転角度は２球分の７２度であり、一方、第２カム６５の回転角度は７２度／２．５の２８．８度となる。
【００３３】
このような状態において、更に第２球送り体５８が回転して予め設定された２５個の貸し球払出し予定に対し払出し終了間際個数である２４個目の貯留球が排出された時点になると、図１８に示すように、第２規制部材５９は第２カム６５の拘束円弧縁７４から直線切欠７５へ当接係合箇所を移行する。因みに、図１８の状態では、第１カム６２の回転角度は８６４度であり、一方、第２カム６５の回転角度は３４５．６度である。この場合における第１カム６２と第２カム６５及び第２規制部材５９との相対位置関係を拡大して示したのが図１９であり、同図からも明らかなように、第２カム６５における拘束円弧縁７４と直線切欠７５との境界部位はアール状になっているため、第２規制部材５９は滑らかに前記境界部位と摺接する。そして図１８，図１９の状態から更に回転が進行すると、第２規制部材５９の付勢復帰力（引張りバネ７２の付勢力）が第２カム６５の時計方向への回転運動に対して同方向へのモーメントとして働くことになり、これにより最後の（２５個目）の貯留球が貸し球として排出され、貸し球払出しが終了する。この状態では、第１カム６２の係止部７３に第２規制部材５９が係止して第２球送り体５８の回転を停止させている。このような払出しによれば、貸し球用の貯留球が少なかった場合、例えば貯留球の数が２５個や２６個の場合であっても、球払出し終了間際における貯留球の球圧不足に拘わらず前記モーメント機能により安定した正確な払出しが遂行される。
【００３４】
そして前述の球払出しにおいて、前記第２規制部材５９が第１カム６２の係止部７３から離隔した時点（解放時点）から第２球送り体５８は回転が許容されるわけであるが、その回転スピードに対して適度な制動を付与すべく前記回転制動部材６７が好適に機能する。即ち、図２０に示すように、回転制動部材６７はウエイト６６の重みに基づき係合凸部７７が第２球送り体５８の球受け部６９に軽く圧接係合している。そして第２球送り体５８が反時計方向へ回転し始めると、前記係合凸部７７は球受け部６９に対して適度な摩擦抵抗を付与しつつ区画爪部６８を乗り越えて次の球受け部６９へ係合箇所を移動し、以下同様にして第２球送り体５８の回転中は常に同球送り体５８の回転スピードに制動を付与することができる。これにより第２球送り体５８は安定した払出し回転を維持して、回転のオーバーランや騒音を出すことなく好適な払出しを遂行し得る。
【００３５】
以上のように構成された本実施形態のパチンコ遊技機の定数球払出し装置によれば、第２規制部材５９が第２球送り体５８の回転停止を図る拘束位置に付勢復帰して回転規制手段としての第１カム６２の係止部７３と係止するタイミングにより貸し球払出し制御作動を終了するようにしたので、従来のように設定排出個数のカウント検出タイミングとソレノイドの消磁タイミングとを一致させる必要がなくなり、制御構成を簡単なものにすることができる。
【００３６】
即ち、本実施形態では第２ソレノイド６０の消磁に伴って拘束位置側へ付勢復帰しようとする第２規制部材５９を規制干渉手段としての第２カム６５によって第２ソレノイド６０の消磁以後においても一時的に解放位置に干渉拘束し得る。従って、第２ソレノイド６０の消磁タイミング設定に関しては、その制御プログラムにおける設計自由度が大きくなるという効果がある。例えば第２ソレノイド６０の励磁タイミングから消磁タイミングまでの間隔設定の自由度を大きくもつことができ、また第２ソレノイド６０の励磁時間を短縮することができる。
【００３７】
しかも、本実施形態では前記第２ソレノイド６０の消磁タイミングを検知手段としての貸し球用センサ３９が２個目（特定個数ｎ¹，ｎ¹＜ｎ）の貯留球排出を検出した時点に対応させ、その時点では前記拘束円弧縁７４が第２規制部材５９と当接係合するように設定されている。従って、第２ソレノイド６０の消磁作動に伴い前記拘束位置側へ付勢復帰しようする第２規制部材５９を確実に解放位置に干渉拘束することができる。そして前記第２カム６５が更に回転して前記拘束円弧縁７４に連続形成された解放縁としての直線切欠７５を第２規制部材５９に対応させることにより、前記第２規制部材５９に対する干渉拘束を解除して当該第２規制部材５９を第１カム６２の係止部７３に係合させることができ、第２球送り体５８を確実に２．５回転（Ｎ／ｎ回転）させることができる。
【００３８】
また第２ソレノイド６０の励磁作動により第２規制部材５９を第１カム６２の係止部７３から離隔させた後は、予め設定された回転（Ｎ／ｎ回転）数だけ第２球送り体５８等が回転して再び第２規制部材５９が前記係止部７３と係止することにより回転停止を図る構成であるので、従来のように設定排出個数分の貯留球をカウント検出するためのセンサを不要にでき、装置全体の構成を簡素化してコスト低減を図ることも可能である。即ち、１球排出する毎にソレノイドの励磁と消磁を繰り返し行う構成の場合に比して、設定払出し個数が多数個の場合でも煩雑なソレノイドのオンオフ制御をする必要がなく、簡単なソレノイド制御で済ませることができる。さらに頻繁な励磁消磁を伴わないため熱損傷などに起因する装置の老朽化を防止し得るという効果もある。
【００３９】
また貸し球払出し個数が第２球送り体５８の１回転当たり排出個数（１０個）よりも多数個（２５個）に設定された場合でも、回転規制手段としての第１カム６２と第２規制部材５９との離隔タイミングから係止タイミングまでの両者６２，５９間の相対関係を調整することにより、少ない球受け部６９しかない小型の球送り体５８を適宜に複数回（本実施形態では２．５回転）回転させれば多数個の貸し球払出し要求にも対応することができ、球受け部を多数備えた大型の球送り体を用いる必要がないので、装置全体の小型化に貢献することができる。また前記第１・第２歯車６１，６４の歯数比を適宜に変更して差動（歯車）機構がもたらす第１カム６２と第２カム６５との間の回転差を変更することにより、前記第２球送り体５８の貸し球排出に関する設定回転（Ｎ／ｎ回転）数を変更し得るので、将来的な払出し設定個数の変更要求、例えば１００円分に対して２４個とか２２個等という変更要求にも柔軟に対処することができる。
【００４０】
さらに、第２球送り体５８として小型のものを使用できることから、同球送り体５８を備えた貸し球払出し用の第２払出し部３３を賞球払出し用の第１払出し部３２と共に限られた小スペースしかない機構セット盤９に併設することが可能とされ、機構セット盤９における大幅な使用変更等も不要にでき、パチンコ機全体の製造コストが上昇するおそれもなくすことができる。そして必要時には球抜き操作部３４の操作レバー７８を係員が手動操作して各球供給路１５，１５ａ，１５ｂ内の貯留球を第１・第２払出し部３２，３３の解放条件のもとで機外へ排出できるので、簡単に球供給路１５，１５ａ，１５ｂ内の全ての貯留球を速やかに強制排出することができる。
【００４１】
なお前記実施形態におけるパチンコ遊技機の定数球払出し装置は次のように構成を変更してよい。例えば、前記実施形態では各規制部材５１，５９を夫々対応するソレノイド５２，６０のフレーム枠５６，７１に対し基端部側面を当接係合させることにより傾動可能に支持したが（図１０参照）、これを図１１に示すように（第２規制部材５９を例にして図示）、第２規制部材５９の基端部に軸８９を設け、この軸８９をフレーム枠７１に形成された軸孔９０に対して挿入支持するようにしてもよい。
【００４２】
また前記実施形態では第１支軸４９に第１カム６２を第２球送り体５８及び第１歯車６１と一体回転するように設けたが、これを図２４に示すように第２支軸６３に対してカタツムリ形状の第１カム６２を第２歯車６４と共に一体回転するように設けてもよい。この場合には、ソレノイド６０の励磁作動に伴い第２規制部材５９の先端が係止部７３から離隔（解放）した後、ソレノイド６０の消磁作動に伴い付勢復帰しようとする第２規制部材５９は、前記第１カム６２の円弧部６２ａ（前記実施形態における拘束円弧縁７４に相当）に係合して摺接し、当該第１カム６２が１回転し終わったところで再び係止部７３に係合して第２球送り体５８の回転を停止させる。従って、この変更例の場合には第２カム６５を不要にできるので構成をより一層簡素化することができる。
【００４３】
また前記実施形態では第１払出し部３２と第２払出し部３３とを前後方向に重ねて並設したが、これを図２４，図２５に示すように、左右組合せ状に配置してもよい。この場合には第１払出し部３２の第１球送り体５０は新たに設けた軸７９により支持される。機構セット盤９における他の球経路等との関係でこのように第１払出し部３２と第２払出し部３３の配置を変更を余儀なくされる場合に対処できる。また図２６に示すように、第１払出し部３２と第２払出し部３３を夫々別々のケース体２８に独立収容して前後に組み合せるようにしてもよい。この場合にも第１払出し部３２の第１球送り体５０は新たに設けた軸７９により支持される。
【００４４】
また前記実施形態では球払出し装置１６を、ケース単位にユニット化して機構セット盤９に対して着脱可能な構成としたが、機構セット盤９に一体形成してもよい。また前記実施形態では差動（歯車）機構として第１・第２歯車６１，６４の噛合連動により第１カム６２と第２カム６５との回転数に差を設けるようにしたが、径の異なるプーリや鎖車間にベルトやチェーンを巻掛けて差動機構を構成し、前記両カム６２，６５の回転数に差を設けるようにしてもよい。
【００４５】
また前記実施形態では貸し球用センサ３９が２個目（特定個数ｎ¹，ｎ¹＜ｎ）の貯留球排出を検出した時点で出力する特定個数検出信号に基づき第２ソレノイド６０を消磁作動させる構成としたが、第２カム６５の回転角度との関係において第２ソレノイド６０の消磁時点で第２規制部材５９が前記拘束円弧縁７４に当接係合可能であるならば、前記特定個数検出信号は２個目の貯留球排出の検出時点に限らず、例えば３個目又は４個目等の貯留球排出の検出時点でもよい。
【００４６】
また前記実施形態では貸し球用センサ３９により検知手段を構成したが、これをタイマにより検知手段を構成し、このタイマが予め設定した経過時間（第２カム６５の１回転過程において拘束円弧縁７４が第２規制部材５９に当接係合可能な角度範囲内における回転経過時間）の検知時点で第２ソレノイド６０を消磁作動させるように設計してもよい。
【００４７】
【発明の効果】
本願請求項１の発明によれば、球送り体のＮ／ｎ回転を規制する回転規制手段に対して解放位置にある規制部材が、検出手段からの特定個数検出信号に基づくソレノイドの消磁作動以後において規制干渉手段の拘束円弧縁により一旦干渉拘束された後、その直線切欠により干渉拘束状態から解放されて拘束位置へ付勢復帰して係止することにより、球送り体を回転停止させる構成としたので、ソレノイドの消磁タイミング設定に関する制御プログラムの設計自由度を大きくでき、従来とは異なり、設定排出個数のカウント検出タイミングとソレノイドの消磁タイミングを一致させたり等する必要がなくなり球払出し制御に係る検出手段やソレノイド等を含む制御構成の簡素化を図ることができる。そして球送り体の１回転当たり排出個数がｎ個の前提で球払出しの設定個数がＮ個の場合には当該球送り体をＮ／ｎ回転させることにより対応する構成としたので、球送り体として小型のものを使用しながら、多数個の排出要求にも柔軟に対応することでき、装置全体の小型化及びコストの低減に寄与することができる。
【００４８】
また本願請求項２の発明によれば、前記請求項１の発明の効果に加えて、回転連繋された規制干渉手段と回転規制手段との間の回転差を適宜に変更調整することにより、払出し設定個数の変更要求に対して柔軟に対処することができると共に、特に互いに回転差を有する歯車を介して回転連繋しているので確動性を得ることができる。
【００４９】
また本願請求項３の発明によれば、前記請求項１又は請求項２の発明の効果に加えて、回転制動部材により球送り体の回転中は常に同球送り体の回転スピードに制動を付与することができるので、球送り体は安定した払出し回転を維持して、回転のオーバーランや騒音を出すことなく好適な払出しを遂行し得る。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態に係るカードユニットを併設したパチンコ機を略示する正面図。
【図２】同じくカードユニットを併設したパチンコ機を略示する背面図。
【図３】本実施形態における球払出し装置の一部破断正面図。
【図４】図３のIV−IV線における平断面図。
【図５】図３のV −V 線における平断面図。
【図６】図３のVI−VI線における縦断面図。
【図７】図３のVII −VII 線における縦断面図。
【図８】球払出し装置のケース体等を分解状態で示す斜視図。
【図９】第１払出し部と第２払出し部の一部破断した分解斜視説明図。
【図１０】第１払出し部と第２払出し部の配置関係を示す斜視図。
【図１１】第１・第２払出し部における第１・第２規制部材の別例を示す斜視図。
【図１２】第１払出し部の球送り体の回転停止状態を示す説明図。
【図１３】第１払出し部の球送り体の回転許容（球送り）状態を示す説明図。
【図１４】第２払出し部の球送り体の回転停止状態を示す説明図。
【図１５】第２払出し部の球送り体の回転許容（球送り）状態を示す説明図。
【図１６】第２払出し部の払出し前（球送り体の停止）状態を示す説明図。
【図１７】第２払出し部の払出し（球送り体の回転）途中状態を示す説明図。
【図１８】第２払出し部の払出し（球送り体の回転）終了直前の状態を示す説明図。
【図１９】図１８における要部を拡大した説明図。
【図２０】第２払出し部における回転制動部材の作用説明図。
【図２１】球払出し装置における球抜き操作前状態の説明図。
【図２２】同じく、球払出し装置における球抜き操作後状態の説明図。
【図２３】パチンコ機の主として払出しに係る電気的構成を略示するブロック図。
【図２４】第２払出し部における回転規制手段の別例を示す説明図。
【図２５】球払出し装置の別例を示す縦断面図。
【図２６】図２５におけるXXVI−XXVI線における平断面図。
【図２７】球払出し装置の他の別例を示す縦断面図。
【符号の説明】
３…遊技盤、８…カードユニット、１３…球タンク、１５…球供給路、
１５ａ…第１球供給路、１５ｂ…第２球供給路、１６…球払出し装置、
２０…セーフ球検出処理装置、２３…球払出し制御基板（電気的制御部）、
２６…カード挿入口、２７…球貸し操作部、２８…ケース体、
２９…通路樋、３２…賞球用第１払出し部、３３…貸し球用第２払出し部
３４…球抜き操作部、３７…賞球用センサ、３９…貸し球用センサ、
５８…第２球送り体、５９…第２規制部材、６０…第２電磁ソレノイド、
６１…第１歯車、６２…第１カム（回転規制手段）、６４…第２歯車、
６５…第２カム（規制干渉手段）、６７…回転制動部材、６８…区画爪部、
６９…球受け部、７２…引張りバネ（付勢部材）、７３…係止部、
７４…拘束円弧縁（拘束縁）、７５…直線切欠（解放縁）、７８…操作レバー。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a constant ball payout device for a pachinko gaming machine, and a certain number of pachinko balls (also referred to as storage balls) stored on the back side of a pachinko gaming machine capable of developing a pachinko game in a vertically oriented gaming board. It is related with the constant ball | bowl paying-out apparatus which enabled it to pay out.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In this type of gaming machine represented by a pachinko machine and an arrangement ball machine, the game ball sent from the upper ball tray to the launch position is controlled by the ball feed launch control operation for each ball started based on the game operation. A required pachinko game can be played by placing it in the game board. And, for the winning conditions during this game (such as the generation of a safe ball and the establishment of a score for symbol combination by entering the ball), the stored balls supplied from the storage ball supply unit on the back side of the machine are In addition, a predetermined number (for example, a range of 5 to 15) prize balls is paid out to the upper ball tray and the lower ball tray through a predetermined ball supply path. In such a pachinko gaming machine, the ball paying device generally pays out a winning ball while controlling the rotation of the ball feeder facing the ball supply path by driving control of an electric tool (solenoid or motor) for each winning condition. The electric type that detects the count is used.
[0003]
On the other hand, recent pachinko machines are required to be able to pay out as a rental ball for games in addition to paying out the stored balls on the back side as prize balls as described above. That is, in a pachinko gaming machine (also called a card-type pachinko machine) combined with a ball lending system, a ball lending operation is performed by inserting a predetermined card into a card unit installed on the side of the machine. In such a case, a predetermined number of units (for example, 25 for 100 yen) are paid out using the stored balls on the back side of the machine as rental balls. Therefore, in order to respond to this demand for lending ball payout, in many cases the above-mentioned electric type ball payout device is also used for lending ball lending. Depending on the situation, the payout was divided into prize balls and rental balls.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the electric type ball dispensing device as described above, when a stored ball is dispensed as a lending ball, a ball that is discharged one by one through a ball feeder (rotating body) is detected (many In this case, the photo sensor is used), and the solenoid is paid out under conditions such as excitation demagnetization control multiple times or for each ball, and the solenoid is stopped when the number of discharges reaches the predetermined count. It was controlled to stop the rotation of the ball feeder (rotator). For this reason, in the lending ball payout operation, not only the control related to it becomes very complicated, but also there is a possibility that the payout will be inaccurate if the detection means breaks down.
[0005]
It is also proposed to use a ball feeding body (rotating body) capable of discharging a predetermined number N (for example, 25 for 100 yen) in one rotation as a payout technology form for rental balls. However, with such a configuration, the ball feeder (rotating body) becomes very large (large diameter), and the overall mechanism size and design specifications are greatly increased in relation to other device configurations on the back of the machine. Forced to change the production cost of the entire pachinko machine.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and appropriately stops the rotation of a ball feeder having a predetermined number (n) of discharge conditions per rotation in each ball discharge operation. Alternatively, it is an object of the present invention to provide a small and inexpensive constant ball payout device for a pachinko gaming machine that allows a predetermined number (N) of stored balls to be paid out accurately by allowing it. .
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, a constant ball payout device for a pachinko gaming machine according to claim 1 of the present application flows down in a ball supply path behind a gaming machine capable of developing a pachinko game in a vertically oriented game board. In a constant ball payout device for a pachinko gaming machine that pays out stored balls in units of a fixed number (N) by a ball payout operation for each time, a plurality of balls formed on the outer periphery are rotatably supported by adjacent portions with respect to the ball supply path A ball feeder capable of discharging a predetermined number (n, n <N) per rotation while receiving the stored balls in the ball supply path at the ball receiving portion ofA specific number (n ¹ N ¹ <N) detection means for outputting a detection signal when detected;Switching between an electromagnetic solenoid that is driven and controlled based on a predetermined ball payout signal, and a restrained position that stops rotation of the ball feeder in accordance with excitation demagnetization of the solenoid and a release position that allows the rotation. The ball feed based on a restricting member that can be changed and is always biased to the restraining position side, and rotates integrally with the ball feeder and is engaged with the restricting member at the restraining position or released at the releasing position. A rotation restriction means for restricting N / n rotation of the body, and a restriction interference means for preventing interference at the restriction position with respect to the restriction member and interference restriction at the release position when the ball feeder rotates.The restricting interference means, in one rotation process, abuts and engages with the restricting member to restrain and restrict the restricting member to the release position, and a restricting arc of the restricting member without interfering with the restricting member. A linear notch that is released from interference restraint by the edge and allows return to the restraining position is formed on the outer peripheral cam surface, and a boundary portion between the constraining arc edge and the linear notch is rounded on the outer peripheral cam surface. AndWhen the restricting member changes from the restraining position to the release position by the solenoid's excitation operation and is separated from the rotation restricting means, the ball feeder starts the N / n rotation and proceeds to discharge the stored ball. on the other hand,The specific number (n ¹ After the demagnetization operation of the solenoid according to the detection signal based on the detection ofThe restriction interference means interferes and restrains the restriction member at the release position.A predetermined angleTimesRollingThesameWhen the restriction member is released, RegulationThe ball member is returned to the restraining position and locked to the rotation restricting means, so that the ball feeder finishes and stops N / n rotation and finishes a fixed number (N) of ball payouts. It is characterized by.
[0008]
  Therefore, in the invention of claim 1 of the present application, when the solenoid is excited based on the predetermined ball payout signal, the restricting member shifts from the restraining position to the release position to allow rotation of the ball feeder. Then, the ball feeder rotates while receiving the stored balls in the ball supply path, and discharges a predetermined number (n, n <N) of stored balls per rotation. On the other hand, the regulation interference means also rotates with the rotation of the ball feeder,The solenoid is demagnetized based on a specific number detection signal from the detection means. Then thisWith solenoid degaussingRestriction memberTrying to return from the release position to the restraint positionBut thisRestriction memberWhen the restraining arc edge of the regulation interference means is in contact with and engagedInterference restraint at the release position. afterwards,When the restriction interference means further rotates by a predetermined angle while maintaining this interference restraint state,The regulating memberIsRegulatory interference meansBy straight notchInterference restraintStatusIs released from theobtain. At that time, since the boundary portion between the constraining arc edge and the straight notch in the restriction interference means is rounded, the restriction member smoothly contacts the boundary portion. And the regulating memberWhen locked to the rotation restricting means, the ball feeder stops rotating, and at the time of stopping, the ball feeder finishes rotating N / n, thereby completing a fixed number (N) of ball payouts.
[0009]
Further, the invention of claim 2 of the present application is the invention of claim 1, wherein the restriction interference means is rotationally linked to the rotation restriction means via gears having a rotational difference from each other. The ball feeder is set so as to be able to finish the N / n rotation with respect to one rotation. Therefore, in the invention of claim 2 of the present application, in addition to the action of the invention of claim 1, when the rotation restricting means rotates with the rotation of the ball feeder, the restricting interference means also rotates with a predetermined rotation difference. Then, the ball feeder rotates N / n at the time when the regulation interference means makes one rotation.
[0010]
  The invention of claim 3 of the present application is the invention of claim 1 or claim 2,In the ball feeder, each of the ball receiving portions is partitioned by a plurality of partitioning claw portions, and an engagement convex portion having a balance weight at an upper position of the ball feeding body and capable of engaging with and disengaging from the partitioning claw portion. A rotation braking member formed at the tip of the rotation braking member is rotatably supported, and the rotation projection member always has the engagement convex portion against the partitioning claw portion and the ball receiving portion of the ball feeder by the weight of the balance weight. And is urged to rotate so as to engageIt is characterized by.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a constant ball payout device for a pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of preferred embodiments. In the present embodiment, the game balls are shot one by one in the game board and the winning game of the game balls (divided into out balls and safe balls) is developed. A case of a pachinko machine that can be separately discharged into a winning ball for establishment (generation of a safe ball) and a rental ball for a game ball using a ball lending system and supplied to the ball tray side will be mainly exemplified.
[0012]
The outline of the basic configuration of the pachinko machine of the present embodiment is set with various game components on the front side of the opening of the outer frame 1 that forms the outline of the machine body, as schematically shown in FIGS. A vertical rectangular front frame 2 is assembled so as to be openable and detachable, and a window frame 4 and an upper ball tray 5 for seeing and protecting the game board 3 on the front side of the front frame 2 are opened horizontally. The lower ball tray 6 and the hitting ball launching device 7 are attached to the lower part of the front frame 2. A card unit 8 used for a ball lending system is provided on one side edge of the outer frame 1.
[0013]
On the other hand, on the back side of the front frame 2, a mechanism set board 9 having various ball paths and processing units is detachably set. In this mechanism set board 9, there is an outboard around the game board inspection window 10. A discharge path 11 for the sphere and a processing path 12 for the safe sphere are defined. A ball dispensing device 16 (described later) is detachably attached to the downstream end of a ball supply path 15 through which a stored ball flows down from a ball tank 13 serving as a storage ball supply unit via a rectifier rod 14 with screws or the like. The stored balls paid out as prize balls or rental balls from the ball payout device 16 are supplied to the upper ball tray 5 through a discharge path (not shown) as in the prior art. Although not shown in the drawing, the rectifying rod 14 is of a type in which one row of award ball paths and one row of rental ball paths are partitioned in parallel, two rows of award ball paths and one or two rows of rental ball paths. In the latter two-row type, an aligning means for arranging award balls and lending balls in one row from the rectifying rod 14 toward the ball supply path 15 is provided. desirable.
[0014]
As the remaining configuration of the mechanism set board 9 described above, a storage ball detection switch (also referred to as 25 confirmation switches) 19 is installed at a predetermined position on the rental ball path side of the rectifying rod 14. On the other hand, a safe ball detection processing device 20 is detachably set at the downstream end of the processing path 12 so that the safe balls are stopped and detected one by one, and the safe balls are released and released after a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out. It has become. In FIG. 2, 21 is an external connection terminal board connected to the power supply unit (AC24V), 22 is a main board for controlling game contents, 23 is a safe ball detection process and a stored ball discharge process (award ball payout) A ball payout control board as an electrical control unit for controlling the lending ball payout), 24 is a relay board for electrically connecting the ball payout device 16 and the ball payout control board 23, and 25 is a ball payout with the card unit 8 It is an interface board that electrically connects the control board 23.
[0015]
Although not shown, the pachinko machine according to this embodiment is installed together with the card unit 8 in each partition frame of an installation frame base commonly called “island” in the game hall, and is used for games in the vertical direction. The Then, a considerable amount of pachinko balls supplied as needed from a pitching unit in a replenishment facility (not shown) are received in the ball tank 13 and accommodated in the rectifier basket 14, and the safe balls generated during the pachinko game are the safe balldetectionA predetermined number of prize balls (5 to 9, few 10 to 15 as an example in the present embodiment) can be paid out each time one stop is detected by the processing device 20. On the other hand, in the ball lending system, when a card is inserted into the card insertion slot 26 of the card unit 8 and the ball lending operation unit 27 provided on the upper front surface of the upper ball tray 5 is operated, the ball lending of a card reader (not shown) is performed. In accordance with the interpretation control conditions, a predetermined number of lending balls (25 for 100 yen in this embodiment) are provided for a certain amount unit within the effective amount of the card in the presence detection condition of the storage ball detection switch 19. Can be paid out.
[0016]
On the other hand, the ball payout device 16 in the present embodiment is controlled by an output signal from the ball payout control board 23, and a prize ball payout command signal or a lending ball payout command signal is output from the board 23. Then, according to each of these signals, the winning ball for winning and the rental ball for gaming can be separately discharged. In the ball dispensing device 16, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the basic structure of the ball dispensing device 16 is a passage wall having a substantially H-shaped cross section in a case body 28 made of synthetic resin unitized in a square box shape. 29 divides and forms a first sphere supply path 15a and a second sphere supply path 15b forming a part of the sphere supply path 15 in the front-rear direction (direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 3), and each sphere supply path 15a. , 15b are provided with a first payout portion 32 for paying out a prize ball, a second payout portion 33 for paying out a rental ball, a ball removal operation portion 34 described later, and the like.
[0017]
In such a ball dispensing device 16, the case body 28 combines a pair of front and rear lid-like first case 28a and bottomed box-like second case 28b with screws or the like, as shown in FIG. In addition, the passage rod 29 is assembled between the two cases 28a, 28b. First and second cutouts 35 and 36 are formed at the right-side central portions of the passage rod 29 corresponding to the first and second ball supply paths 15a and 15b, respectively, and the first cutout 35 on the first ball supply path 15a side is formed. A first sensor substrate 38 having a prize ball sensor (light emission side) 37, which will be described later, is installed in the vicinity of the second ball supply path 15b. A second sensor substrate 40 having a rental ball sensor (light emitting side) 39 is installed.
[0018]
The left side portion of the passageway 29 corresponding to each of the ball supply passages 15a and 15b is provided with a payout driving substrate 41. The substrate 41 has a light receiving side position at a position corresponding to each of the light emitting side sensors 37 and 39. Each sensor 37 and 39 is provided, and a connector 42 connected to the ball payout control board 23 and the like via a wiring (not shown) is provided. Each of the sensors 37 and 39 is inserted into a detection hole 43 formed in the wall portion of the passage rod 29 so that the tip portions on the light emitting side and the light receiving side respectively face the corresponding ball supply passages 15a and 15b. . In FIG. 8, 44 is a wiring insertion groove, 45 is an opening through which wiring is inserted when connecting to the connector 42, and 46 is connected to the sphere supply path 15 outside the case body 28 and the first sphere supply path 15a. A first communication port 47 for connecting the ball supply channel 15 and the second ball supply channel 15b, and a stopper 48 for holding the ball removal operation unit 34 in a normal state.
[0019]
The first payout portion 32 in the ball payout device 16 is incorporated in the front side (the rear side in FIG. 3 and the upper side in FIG. 4) of the case body 28, and stores the stored balls from the ball supply path 15 of the stored balls for prize balls. It detects the entry and exit individually and functions as a ball payout section for prize balls. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 7, the first payout portion 32 is rotatable with respect to a first support shaft 49 provided between the first and second cases 28 a and 28 b in the substantially central portion of the case body 28. A first ball feeder 50 in the shape of a ratchet wheel supported by the motor, an electromagnetic first solenoid 52 that is a switching operation source of a first regulating member 51 that regulates rotation / stop of the first ball feeder 50, A prize ball sensor 37 including an upper sensor 37a and a lower sensor 37b for detecting the presence or absence of a stored ball in the one-sphere supply path 15a is provided.
[0020]
The first ball feeder 50 is made of, for example, a relatively hard synthetic resin typified by polyacetal, and the first ball feeder 50 has a plurality of (10 in this embodiment) partition claws formed on the outer periphery. Each sphere receiving portion 54 partitioned by the portion 53 faces the first sphere supply passage 15a from the first notch 35 of the passage rod 29, and the sphere receiving portion 54 flows down in the first sphere supply passage 15a. The balls can be rotated one by one while receiving the ball pressure, and the stored balls can be discharged as prize balls. The first solenoid 52 is controlled in operation based on a prize ball payout command signal from the ball payout control board 23, and can generate a magnetic force in the magnetic force generation unit 55 in accordance with the excitation signal, while the magnetic force disappears in accordance with the demagnetization signal. An electromagnetic flapper type solenoid that supports the first restricting member 51 in a tiltable manner on a frame frame 56 thereof.
[0021]
The first restricting member 51 is made of a metal lever, and is always locked with the partitioning claw portion 53 of the first ball feeder 50 by a tension spring 57 as an urging member in an operating state when the power is turned on. The first ball feeder 50 is held and biased to stop rotation (restraint). On the other hand, when the magnetic force generating part 55 is energized with the excitation operation of the first solenoid 52, the magnetic force generating part 55 is separated from the partitioning claw part 53 against the urging force of the tension spring 57 by the magnetic force. Is allowed (released). Further, the upper sensor 37a and the lower sensor 37b constituting the prize ball sensor 37 are arranged at a detection interval of one ball in the vertical direction, face the first ball supply path 15a, and receive a prize by the pair of left and right upper sensors 37a. While detecting the presence or absence of a storage ball that can be paid out as a sphere, the presence or absence of a storage ball paid out as an award ball is detected (count detection) by a pair of left and right lower sensors 37b. The prize ball sensor 37 outputs the detection signal to the ball payout control board 23 via the relay board 24 or the like each time the discharged storage balls are detected one by one by the lower sensor 37b. .
[0022]
On the other hand, the second paying portion 33 in the ball paying device 16 is incorporated in the rear side (the front side in FIG. 3, the lower side in FIG. 4) of the case body 28. The stored balls are detected one by one, and function as a ball payout unit for rental balls. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 7, the second payout portion 33 has a pinion-like second shape that is rotatably supported with the first support shaft 49 as a common shaft, like the first ball feeder 50. A two-ball feed body 58, an electromagnetic second solenoid 60 that is a switching operation source of a second regulating member 59 that regulates rotation / stop of the second ball feed body 58, and a downstream side of the second ball feed body 58 And a lending ball sensor 39 for detecting the presence or absence of a stored ball in the second ball supply path 15b.
[0023]
Further, in the second payout portion 33, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first gear 61 (the number of teeth is 10) so as to rotate integrally with the second ball feeder 58 with respect to the first support shaft 49. A first cam 62 as a rotation restricting means is supported. The three members of the second ball feeder 58, the first gear 61, and the first cam 62 may be integrally coupled so as to be integrally rotatable, or may be integrally molded. A second support shaft 63 is installed between the first and second cases 28 a and 28 b at a position above the first support shaft 49, and meshes with the first gear 61 with respect to the second support shaft 63. The second gear 64 (number of teeth 25) that rotates in conjunction with the rotation is supported rotatably. That is, in the present embodiment, a differential (gear) mechanism is configured by the first gear 61 and the second gear 64 having a rotational difference from each other based on a predetermined gear ratio (n: N). Further, a second cam 65 as a restriction interference means that rotates integrally with the second gear 64 so as to be positioned within the tilting range of the second restriction member 59 with respect to the second support shaft 63 is rotatable. In addition to being supported, a balance weight 66 is provided behind the second gear 64 (on the front side in FIG. 3 and on the lower side in FIG. 4) so as to be positioned above the second ball feeder 58. A rotation braking member 67 is rotatably supported.
[0024]
In the second payout portion 33, the second ball feeder 58 has substantially the same configuration as the first ball feeder 50, and each of the second ball feeders 58 is partitioned by a plurality of (10 in this embodiment) partitioning claw portions 68. The ball receiving portion 69 faces the second ball supply path 15b from the second notch 36 of the passage rod 29, and the stored ball flowing down in the second ball supply path 15b by the ball receiving portion 69 one by one. The stored ball can be discharged as a rental ball by rotating while receiving. The second solenoid 60 is controlled to operate based on a lending ball payout command signal from the ball payout control board 23, and can generate a magnetic force in the magnetic force generator 70 in accordance with the excitation signal, while the magnetic force disappears in accordance with the demagnetization signal. An electromagnetic flapper type solenoid that supports the second restricting member 59 so as to be tiltable.
[0025]
Similarly to the first restriction member 51, the second restriction member 59 is made of a metal lever. When the power is turned on, the second restriction member 59 is always operated by the tension spring 72 as an urging member. It is biased and held in a direction to engage with the cams 62 and 65. Two locking portions 73 capable of locking the tip of the second restricting member 59 are formed on the outer peripheral cam surface of the first cam 62 at an angle of 180 degrees with respect to each other. The second restricting member 59 is returned to the position (restraining position) to be locked by the tension spring 72 to stop the rotation of the second ball feeder 58, and the tip of the second restricting member 59 is moved to each position. The second ball feeder 58 is allowed to rotate by being separated from the locking portion 73. On the other hand, the outer peripheral cam surface of the second cam 65 abuts and engages with the second restricting member 59 to interfere and restrain the restricting member 59 at a position (release position) separated from the first cam 62. As an example, a constraining arc edge 74 as a constraining edge having a constant radius is formed over an angle range of about 270 degrees, and the second solenoid 60 is urged to return to the restraining position after demagnetization. (2) A straight cutout 75 as a release edge for allowing the restriction member 59 and the engagement portion 73 to be locked without interfering with the restriction member 59 is formed over an angle range of about 90 degrees as an example. .
[0026]
Further, the lending ball sensor 39 detects the presence or absence of storage balls paid out as lending balls as the second ball feeder 58 rotates. In this embodiment, the storage balls are discharged as two balls as an example. At the time when it is detected that this has been detected, the detection signal (specific number detection signal) is output to the ball payout control board 23 via the relay board 24 or the like. The rotary braking member 67 is supported so as to be attachable / detachable and rotatable with respect to the second support shaft 63 via a substantially U-shaped support recess 76, and a partition claw of the second ball feeder 58 is provided at the tip thereof. An engaging projection 77 that can be engaged with and disengaged from the portion 68 is formed. Therefore, the rotation braking member 67 is always properly urged to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 3 by the weight of the weight 66, and the engaging convex portion 77 of the second ball feeder 58 has a partitioning claw. It is configured to abut and engage with the portion 68 and the ball receiving portion 69.
[0027]
The ball removal operation section 34 is for discharging the stored balls from the first and second ball supply paths 15a and 15b. The ball removal operation section 34 is a synthetic resin capable of moderate elastic deformation. An operation lever 78 made of a material is supported as an operation member so as to be rotatable with respect to the first support shaft 49 so as to be positioned between the first ball feeder 50 and the first cam 62. The operation lever 78 is always configured to be locked and held by the stopper 48. During operation, the lever 78 itself gets over the stopper 48 by appropriate elastic deformation and rotates clockwise in FIG. Yes. Further, the operating lever 78 has a first operating portion 78a and a second operating portion 78b branched from its boss portion. When the operating lever 78 is manually rotated, the operating portions 78a and 78b respectively correspond to the operating lever 78. The restriction members 51 and 59 are in contact with and engaged with each other. Accordingly, when the operation lever 78 is rotated in the demagnetized state of the solenoids 52 and 60, the first operation portion 78a separates the first regulating member 51 from the partitioning claw portion 53 of the first ball feeder 50. Since the second operating portion 78b separates the second restricting member 59 from the locking portion 73 of the first cam 62, each ball feeder 50, 58 can rotate (free state) and the ball pressure of the stored ball In response to this, it rotates continuously and discharges a large number of stored balls.
[0028]
Here, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 23, various switches 80 on the game board side, various solenoids 81, and various ball detection switches 82 are connected to the main board 22. Then, a control process related to the game and prize ball discharge is performed. The ball payout control board 23 is connected to an interface board 25 to which the card unit 8 and the ball lending operation board 27a are connected, and 25 check switches 19 as storage ball detection switches, and the operation of the ball lending system is performed. The Further, a launch control device 83 is connected to the output side of the ball payout control board 23, and the operation control of various electrical components 84, the launch / ball feed solenoid 85 and the launch stop lamp 86 in the device 83 based on the output of the launch stop signal. Is made. Further, a relay board 24 and a payout driving board 41 are connected to the ball payout control board 23, and each control process for paying out a prize ball and paying out a rental ball is performed. A ball lamp 87 and a ball rental lamp 88 are connected. The prize ball information signal and the ball lending information signal are output to an external computer or the like (not shown) via the external connection terminal board 21.
[0029]
Next, the operation of the constant ball payout device for the pachinko gaming machine of this embodiment will be described. Now, in the pachinko machine of the present embodiment, the card is inserted into the card insertion slot 26 of the card unit 8 and the button operation of the ball lending operation unit 27 on the machine front side is performed from the second payout unit 33 of the ball discharge device 16 on the back side of the machine. A predetermined number (25 for 100 yen) of paid out balls is supplied to the upper ball tray 5. Under this condition, it is possible to develop a required game by hitting game balls one by one into the game board 3 based on the operation of the hit ball launching device 7. The out ball generated during the game is discharged from the discharge path 11 of the mechanism set board 9 to the outside of the machine, and the safe ball is introduced into the safe ball detection processing device 20 from the processing path 12. Each ball is detected and the ball is discharged out of the machine at the time when the prize ball is paid out. In the ball payout device 16, a predetermined number (including a small number and a large number) of prize balls from the first payout unit 32 is received from the first ball discharge tray 5 or the lower ball tray 6 as described later for the safe ball. Is discharged. On the other hand, a predetermined number of lending balls are paid out from the second payout unit 33 based on the ball payout operation, as will be described later. The stored ball can be discharged from the first and second payout portions 32 and 33 using the ball removal operation portion 34 to the outside.
[0030]
In the ball payout device 16 provided in the pachinko machine of this embodiment, the award is given from the ball payout control board 23 via the control command from the main board 22 based on the safe ball signal from the safe ball detection processing device 20. When the ball payout signal is output, the following prize ball payout processing can be performed. That is, in the first payout unit 32 for paying out a prize ball, as shown in FIG. 12, first, the first solenoid 52 is excited while the upper sensor 37a detects the presence of a ball, thereby generating a magnetic force generating unit 55. Since the magnetic force is generated, the first restricting member 51 is attracted and is separated from the partition claw portion 53 of the first ball feeder 50 against the urging force of the tension spring 57 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Move away to release position. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the first ball feeder 50 rotates while receiving the pressure (weight) of the upstream sphere including the stored sphere detected by the upper sensor 37a at the sphere receiving portion 54. 36 degrees) for one sphere, and the stored sphere is discharged downstream. Then, the discharged one storage ball is detected by the lower sensor 37b and a detection signal based on the detection of the presence of the ball by the lower sensor 37b is output to the ball payout control board 23. 1 solenoid 52 is demagnetized. Therefore, the first restricting member 51 released from the magnetic force generating part 55 is urged and returned to the direction in which it engages with the first ball feeding body 50 and is again locked to the partitioning claw part 53, thereby the first ball feeding. The rotation of the body 50 is stopped. Thereafter, in the same manner, the excitation control of the first solenoid 52 associated with the detection of the presence of the ball by the upper sensor 37a and the demagnetization control of the first solenoid 52 associated with the detection of the presence of the ball (count detection) by the lower sensor 37b correspond to the amount of the prize ball paid out. By repeating the set number of times, a predetermined number (a small number and a large number) of winning balls are discharged in accordance with the excitation / demagnetization control of each ball of the first solenoid 52.
[0031]
On the other hand, in the ball lending operation, when a lending ball payout signal is output from the ball payout control board 23 via a lending ball payout command from the card unit 8 side, the ball payout device 16 has a second lending unit for lending balls. 33 can perform the following rental ball payout processing (25 payouts as an example). That is, in the second payout portion 33, since the magnetic force is generated in the magnetic force generating portion 70 when the second solenoid 60 is first excited, the second restricting member 59 is attracted and resists the biasing force of the tension spring 72. Thus, the first cam 62 is moved away from the locking portion 73 to the release position (see FIGS. 14 to 16). Then, the second ball feeder 58 rotates while receiving the ball pressure of the stored ball by the ball receiving portion 69 (36 degrees for one ball), and continuously receives the stored balls received in each ball receiving portion 69 to the downstream side. Discharge. Then, the continuously discharged storage balls are lent outforOne ball is counted and detected by the sensor 39.forBased on the second ball presence detection (count detection) by the sensor 39, the detection signal (specific number detection signal) is output to the ball payout control board 23. Then, in the ball payout control board 23, the lending ballforIn response to the second detection signal from the sensor 39, a demagnetization signal is output to the payout drive board 41, whereby the second regulating member 59 is engaged with the first cam 62 as the second solenoid 60 is demagnetized. Attempts to return to the direction, that is, the restraint position.
[0032]
However, the second2 paymentsAs shown in FIG. 17, as shown in FIG. 17, the second cam 65 rotates clockwise by a predetermined angle by the meshing operation of the first gear 61 and the second gear 64 with the continuous rotation of the second ball feeder 58. ing. Therefore, the second restricting member 59 to be returned to the urging state is brought into contact with and engaged with the constraining arc edge 74 of the second cam 65, and the second ball is kept in contact with the constraining arc edge 74. Interference is temporarily restrained at a release position that allows rotation of the feed body 58. Therefore, in the second payout portion 33, the rotation state of the second ball feeder 58 is allowed even after the demagnetization of the second solenoid 60, and the continuous discharge of the stored balls as the lending balls is continued. Here, regarding the relative rotational relationship between the cams 62 and 65, in the example in which the first and second gears 61 and 64 have a gear ratio of 10 to 25, the second cam 65 is used. When the first gear 62 rotates once (360 degrees) together with the second gear 64, the first cam 62 rotates 2.5 times (900 degrees) together with the first gear 61 and the second ball feeder 58. In the state of FIG. 16, when the rotation angles of the first cam 62 and the second cam 65 are both 0 degrees, the first cam 62 is discharged in the state of FIG. The rotation angle of the second cam 65 is 28.8 degrees, which is 72 degrees / 2.5.
[0033]
In such a state, when the second ball feeder 58 is further rotated and the twenty-fourth stored balls, which are just before the end of the payout, are discharged with respect to 25 preset lending ball payout schedules, As shown in FIG. 18, the second restricting member 59 shifts the abutting engagement location from the constraining arc edge 74 of the second cam 65 to the straight notch 75. Incidentally, in the state of FIG. 18, the rotation angle of the first cam 62 is 864 degrees, while the rotation angle of the second cam 65 is 345.6 degrees. FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of the relative positional relationship between the first cam 62, the second cam 65, and the second restricting member 59 in this case. As is apparent from FIG. Since the boundary portion between the constraining arc edge 74 and the straight notch 75 is rounded, the second restricting member 59 smoothly slides on the boundary portion. When the rotation further proceeds from the state of FIGS. 18 and 19, the urging return force of the second restricting member 59 (the urging force of the tension spring 72) is the same as the clockwise movement of the second cam 65. As a result, the last (25th) stored ball is discharged as a rental ball, and the rental ball payout ends. In this state, the second restricting member 59 is locked to the locking portion 73 of the first cam 62 to stop the rotation of the second ball feeder 58. According to such payout, when there are few reserved balls for lending balls, for example, even when the number of stored balls is 25 or 26, the ball pressure of the stored balls is short at the end of the ball payout. First, stable and accurate dispensing is performed by the moment function.
[0034]
In the above-described ball payout, the second ball feeder 58 is allowed to rotate from the time point (release point) when the second regulating member 59 is separated from the locking portion 73 of the first cam 62. The rotation braking member 67 preferably functions so as to apply appropriate braking to the rotation speed. That is, as shown in FIG. 20, in the rotation braking member 67, the engagement convex portion 77 is lightly press-engaged with the ball receiving portion 69 of the second ball feeder 58 based on the weight of the weight 66. When the second ball feeder 58 starts to rotate counterclockwise, the engaging convex portion 77 gets over the partitioning claw portion 68 while giving an appropriate frictional resistance to the ball receiving portion 69 and then receives the next ball receiving portion. It is possible to always apply braking to the rotational speed of the spherical feeder 58 while the second spherical feeder 58 is rotating in the same manner by moving the engagement portion to the portion 69. As a result, the second ball feeder 58 can maintain a stable dispensing rotation and perform a suitable dispensing without causing overrun of the rotation or noise.
[0035]
According to the constant ball payout device of the pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment configured as described above, the second restricting member 59 is urged and returned to the restraining position where the second ball feeder 58 is stopped from rotating. Since the lending ball payout control operation is ended at the timing of locking with the locking portion 73 of the first cam 62 as a means, the count detection timing of the set discharge number and the demagnetization timing of the solenoid coincide with each other as in the prior art. Therefore, the control configuration can be simplified.
[0036]
That is, in this embodiment, even after the demagnetization of the second solenoid 60 by the second cam 65 as the restriction interference means, the second restriction member 59 to be urged and returned to the restraint position side in accordance with the demagnetization of the second solenoid 60. Interference and restraint may be temporarily performed at the release position. Therefore, the setting of the demagnetization timing of the second solenoid 60 has the effect of increasing the degree of design freedom in the control program. For example, the degree of freedom in setting the interval from the excitation timing of the second solenoid 60 to the demagnetization timing can be increased, and the excitation time of the second solenoid 60 can be shortened.
[0037]
In addition, in the present embodiment, the rental ball as the detection means is the demagnetization timing of the second solenoid 60.forSecond sensor 39 (specific number n¹, N¹<N) is set so as to correspond to the time when the stored ball discharge is detected, and at that time, the constraining arc edge 74 is in contact with and engaged with the second restricting member 59. Accordingly, the second restricting member 59 which is to be urged and returned to the restraining position side in accordance with the demagnetizing operation of the second solenoid 60 can be reliably interference-restrained at the release position. Then, the second cam 65 is further rotated so that a linear notch 75 as a release edge continuously formed on the constraining arc edge 74 is made to correspond to the second restricting member 59, thereby restraining interference with the second restricting member 59. The second restricting member 59 can be released and engaged with the engaging portion 73 of the first cam 62, and the second ball feeder 58 can be reliably rotated 2.5 times (N / n rotation). .
[0038]
Further, after the second restricting member 59 is separated from the locking portion 73 of the first cam 62 by the excitation operation of the second solenoid 60, the second ball feeder 58 is set by a preset number of rotations (N / n rotations). Etc., and the second restricting member 59 is engaged with the engaging portion 73 again to stop the rotation, so that a sensor for counting and detecting the number of stored balls corresponding to the set number of discharges as in the prior art. It is possible to reduce the cost by simplifying the configuration of the entire apparatus. In other words, compared to a configuration in which excitation and demagnetization of the solenoid are repeated each time one ball is discharged, there is no need for complicated solenoid on / off control even when the set number of payouts is large, and simple solenoid control is possible. I can finish it. Furthermore, since there is no frequent demagnetization, there is an effect that the aging of the apparatus due to thermal damage can be prevented.
[0039]
Further, even when the lending ball payout number is set to a larger number (25) than the discharged number (10) per rotation of the second ball feeder 58, the first cam 62 and the second restriction as rotation restricting means are set. By adjusting the relative relationship between the two members 62 and 59 from the separation timing to the locking timing with respect to the member 59, a small sphere having only a small number of ball receiving portions 69 is provided.FeedIf the body 58 is appropriately rotated a plurality of times (2.5 rotations in this embodiment), it is possible to respond to a large number of lending ball payout requests, and a large sphere having a large number of ball receiving portions.FeedSince it is not necessary to use a body, it can contribute to size reduction of the whole apparatus. In addition, by changing the gear ratio of the first and second gears 61 and 64 as appropriate to change the rotational difference between the first cam 62 and the second cam 65 caused by the differential (gear) mechanism, Since the set number of rotations (N / n rotation) related to the rental ball discharge of the second ball feeder 58 can be changed, a change request for a future set number of payouts, for example, 24 or 22 for 100 yen, etc. It is possible to flexibly handle the change request.
[0040]
In addition, the second ballFeedSince a small body 58 can be used, the same ballFeedThe second payout portion 33 for lending ball payout with the body 58 can be provided together with the first payout portion 32 for prize ball payout on the mechanism set board 9 having a limited small space, and the mechanism set board 9 can be made unnecessary, and the production cost of the entire pachinko machine can be eliminated. When necessary, an operator manually operates the operation lever 78 of the ball removal operation unit 34 to store the stored balls in the ball supply paths 15, 15 a, 15 b under the release conditions of the first and second payout units 32, 33. Since it can be discharged out of the machine, all the stored balls in the ball supply paths 15, 15a, 15b can be quickly and forcibly discharged easily.
[0041]
In addition, you may change the structure of the constant ball payout apparatus of the pachinko machine in the said embodiment as follows. For example, in the above embodiment, the restricting members 51 and 59 are supported so as to be tiltable by abutting and engaging the base end side surfaces with the frame frames 56 and 71 of the corresponding solenoids 52 and 60, respectively (see FIG. 10). As shown in FIG. 11 (illustrated by taking the second restricting member 59 as an example), a shaft 89 is provided at the base end portion of the second restricting member 59, and the shaft 89 is formed on the frame frame 71. The hole 90 may be inserted and supported.
[0042]
In the above-described embodiment, the first cam 62 is provided on the first support shaft 49 so as to rotate integrally with the second ball feeder 58 and the first gear 61. However, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, a snail-shaped first cam 62 may be provided so as to rotate together with the second gear 64. In this case, after the distal end of the second restricting member 59 is separated (released) from the locking portion 73 with the excitation operation of the solenoid 60, the second restricting member 59 which attempts to return to energization with the demagnetizing operation of the solenoid 60. Is engaged with the arcuate portion 62a of the first cam 62 (corresponding to the constraining arcuate edge 74 in the above embodiment) and slidably contacts the engaging portion 73 again after the first cam 62 has completed one rotation. At the same time, the rotation of the second ball feeder 58 is stopped. Therefore, in the case of this modified example, the second cam 65 can be omitted, so that the configuration can be further simplified.
[0043]
In the above embodiment, the first payout portion 32 and the second payout portion 33 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, but they may be arranged in a left-right combination as shown in FIGS. In this case, the first ball feeder 50 of the first payout portion 32 is supported by a newly provided shaft 79. It is possible to cope with the case where the arrangement of the first payout unit 32 and the second payout unit 33 is inevitably changed due to the relationship with other ball paths and the like on the mechanism set board 9. In addition, as shown in FIG. 26, the first payout portion 32 and the second payout portion 33 may be separately housed in separate case bodies 28 and combined in the front-rear direction. Also in this case, the first ball feeder 50 of the first payout portion 32 is supported by the newly provided shaft 79.
[0044]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the ball dispensing device 16 is unitized in units of cases and configured to be detachable from the mechanism set board 9, but may be formed integrally with the mechanism set board 9. In the above embodiment, the differential (gear) mechanism has a difference in the rotational speed between the first cam 62 and the second cam 65 by the interlocking engagement of the first and second gears 61 and 64, but the diameters are different. A differential mechanism may be configured by winding a belt or chain between pulleys or chain wheels, and a difference may be provided in the rotational speeds of the cams 62 and 65.
[0045]
In the embodiment, the rental ballforSecond sensor 39 (specific number n¹, N¹<N) The second solenoid 60 is demagnetized based on the specific number detection signal output when the stored ball discharge is detected. However, the demagnetization of the second solenoid 60 is related to the rotation angle of the second cam 65. If the second restricting member 59 can be brought into contact with and engage with the constraining arc edge 74 at the time, the specific number detection signal is not limited to the time when the second stored ball discharge is detected, for example, the third or fourth. It may be the time of detecting the discharge of the stored ball such as the individual.
[0046]
In the embodiment, the rental ballforThe detection means is constituted by the sensor 39, which is constituted by a timer, and the timer sets a predetermined elapsed time (the constrained arc edge 74 is applied to the second restriction member 59 during one rotation of the second cam 65). The second solenoid 60 may be designed to be demagnetized at the time of detection of the elapsed rotation time within an angular range in which contact and engagement are possible.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the invention of claim 1 of the present application, the restricting member in the release position with respect to the rotation restricting means for restricting the N / n rotation of the ball feeder isBased on the specific number detection signal from the detection meansRegulation interference means after demagnetization of solenoidConstrained arc edgesAfter the interference restraint byIt is released from the interference restraint state by the straight notch.Since the ball feed body is configured to stop rotating by returning to the restraining position and locking, the design flexibility of the control program for setting the demagnetization timing of the solenoid can be increased. Therefore, it is not necessary to make the count detection timing coincide with the demagnetization timing of the solenoid, and the control configuration including the detection means, the solenoid and the like related to the ball payout control can be simplified. When the number of balls discharged is set to N on the assumption that the number of discharged balls per revolution is n, the ball feeder is configured to respond by rotating the ball feeder N / n. While using a small-sized one, it is possible to flexibly respond to a large number of discharge requests, contributing to downsizing of the entire apparatus and cost reduction.
[0048]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, the payout is achieved by appropriately changing and adjusting the rotational difference between the rotationally-coupled regulating interference means and the rotational regulating means. It is possible to flexibly cope with a request for changing the set number, and it is possible to obtain a certainty because it is connected in rotation through gears having a difference in rotation.
[0049]
  According to the invention of claim 3 of the present application, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1 or claim 2,Since the rotational brake member can always apply braking to the rotational speed of the ball feeder while the ball feeder is rotating, the ball feeder maintains a stable dispensing rotation and generates rotational overrun and noise. A suitable payout can be achieved without any problems.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a pachinko machine provided with a card unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear view schematically showing a pachinko machine also provided with a card unit.
FIG. 3 is a partially broken front view of the ball dispensing device according to the present embodiment.
4 is a plan sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3;
5 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along line V-V in FIG. 3;
6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG.
7 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a case body and the like of the ball dispensing device in an exploded state.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view partially broken of the first payout portion and the second payout portion.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an arrangement relationship between a first payout portion and a second payout portion.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of the first and second regulating members in the first and second payout portions.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a rotation stop state of the ball feeder of the first payout portion.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a rotation allowable (ball feed) state of the ball feeder of the first payout portion.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a rotation stop state of the ball feeder of the second payout unit.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing a rotation allowable (ball feed) state of the ball feeder of the second payout unit.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a state before the second payout unit pays out (stops the ball feeder).
FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a state in the middle of payout (rotation of the ball feeder) of the second payout unit.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a state immediately before the end of payout (rotation of the ball feeder) of the second payout unit.
19 is an explanatory diagram enlarging the main part in FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is an operation explanatory view of a rotation braking member in a second payout portion.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a state before the ball removing operation in the ball dispensing device.
FIG. 22 is an explanatory view of a state after a ball removing operation in the ball dispensing device.
FIG. 23 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration mainly related to payout of a pachinko machine.
FIG. 24 is an explanatory view showing another example of the rotation restricting means in the second payout portion.
FIG. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another example of the ball dispensing device.
26 is a plan sectional view taken along line XXVI-XXVI in FIG.
FIG. 27 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another example of the ball dispensing device.
[Explanation of symbols]
3 ... game board, 8 ... card unit, 13 ... ball tank, 15 ... ball supply path,
15a ... 1st sphere supply path, 15b ... 2nd sphere supply path, 16 ... sphere dispensing device,
20 ... Safe ball detection processing device, 23 ... Ball payout control board (electrical control unit),
26 ... Card insertion slot, 27 ... Ball lending operation unit, 28 ... Case body,
29 ... Passage bowl, 32 ... First payout unit for prize balls, 33 ... Second payout unit for rental balls
34 ... Ball removal operation unit, 37 ... Award ball sensor, 39 ... Rental ball sensor,
58 ... second ball feeder, 59 ... second regulating member, 60 ... second electromagnetic solenoid,
61 ... 1st gear wheel, 62 ... 1st cam (rotation control means), 64 ... 2nd gear wheel,
65 ... 2nd cam (regulation interference means), 67 ... Rotation braking member, 68 ... Partition claw part,
69 ... Ball receiving portion, 72 ... Tension spring (biasing member), 73 ... Locking portion,
74: Restraint arc edge (restraint edge), 75 ... Straight line notch (release edge), 78 ... Control lever.

Claims

A pachinko machine that pays out a fixed number (N) of stored balls that flow down in the ball supply path on the back side of a gaming machine that can develop a pachinko game in a vertically oriented game board by a single ball dispensing operation. In the constant ball dispensing device of
While receiving the stored balls in the sphere supply path (15, 15b) by a plurality of sphere receiving portions (69) formed on the outer periphery so as to be rotatably supported by adjacent portions to the sphere supply path (15, 15b), per rotation a predetermined number of (n, n <n) ball feed body may be discharged (58), a specific number ^(one n less than the predetermined number of discharge bulb caused by the rotation of the ball feed member (58), n ¹ <N) Detection means (39) that outputs a detection signal when detected, an electromagnetic solenoid (60) that is driven and controlled based on a predetermined ball payout signal, and excitation demagnetization of the solenoid (60) A restricting member (59) that can be switched and switched between a restraining position for stopping the rotation of the ball feeder (58) and a releasing position that allows the rotation, and is always biased toward the restraining position, and the ball The regulating portion rotates integrally with the feed body (58). Rotation restricting means (62) for restricting N / n rotation of the ball feeder (58) based on engagement at a restraining position with respect to (59) or release at a release position, and rotation of the ball feeder (58) A regulation interference means (65) for sometimes performing non-interference at the restraining position with respect to the regulation member (59) and interference restraint at the release position;
The restricting interference means (65) includes a restraining arc edge (74) that abuts and engages with the restricting member (59) and interferes and restrains the restricting member (59) at the release position during one rotation of the restricting interference means (65). A linear notch (75) is formed on the outer peripheral cam surface that does not interfere with the restricting member (59) and releases the restricting member (59) from interference restraint by the restraining arc edge (74) and allows return to the restraining position. And the boundary portion between the constraining arc edge (74) and the straight notch (75) is rounded on the outer peripheral cam surface,
When the restricting member (59) shifts from the restrained position to the released position by the excitation operation of the solenoid (60) and is separated from the rotation restricting means (62), the ball feeder (58) is moved to the N / n. While rotating and starting the discharge of the storage ball, after the demagnetization operation of the solenoid (60) according to the detection signal based on the detection of the specific number (n ¹ ) from the detection means (39) , when the regulating interferometer means (65) releases the same regulating member to rotate the predetermined angle component while interference restraining the release position regulating member (59) (59), regulation member (59) is in the restraining position By returning and engaging with the rotation restricting means (62), the ball feeder (58) stops and stops the N / n rotation and ends a fixed number (N) of ball payouts. Constant of pachinko machines characterized by Ball dispensing device.

The restriction interference means (65) is rotationally connected to the rotation restriction means (62) via gears (61, 64) having a rotation difference from each other. The constant ball payout device of the pachinko gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball feeder (58) is set so as to be able to finish the N / n rotation.

In the ball feeder (58), each of the ball receivers (69) is partitioned by a plurality of partitioning claws (68), and a balance weight (66) is positioned above the ball feeder (58). And a rotation braking member (67) having an engagement projection (77) formed at the tip thereof that can be engaged with and disengaged from the partition claw portion (68) is rotatably supported. The rotation braking member (67) Due to the weight of the balance weight (66), the engaging convex part (77) is always in contact with and engaged with the partitioning claw part (68) and the ball receiving part (69) of the ball feeder (58). The constant ball payout device for a pachinko gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ball is turned and biased.