JP4183545B2

JP4183545B2 - Game machine

Info

Publication number: JP4183545B2
Application number: JP2003104851A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 定男井置; 英雄田口
Original assignee: 株式会社ソフィア
Priority date: 2003-04-09
Filing date: 2003-04-09
Publication date: 2008-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-09
Also published as: JP2004305530A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、遊技球の発射を操作するための発射操作ユニットが着脱可能なパチンコ遊技機等の遊技機に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の遊技機、例えばパチンコ遊技機においては、遊技者が発射操作ユニットの発射操作ハンドルを回動すると、発射スイッチがオンになり、この発射スイッチからの信号に基づいて発射装置が動作して遊技球を発射することができる。
この発射操作ハンドルは、常態において発射スイッチがオフになるように付勢されており、連続して遊技球を発射するためには、発射操作ハンドルを戻しばねの付勢力に抗して回動し続ける必要がある。
【０００３】
しかし、遊技者の中には、この発射操作ハンドルを固定して遊技球を連続発射させようとして、発射操作ハンドルの回動部分と固定部分との隙間に硬貨や楊枝等の異物を強引に押し込んでしまう者がいる。このように異物を押し込まれると、発射操作ユニットは、回動軸が歪んだり、発射操作ハンドルのケーシングが破損したりする虞がある。そのため、従来のパチンコ遊技機には、発射操作ユニットを前面枠とは別体にして組み付けて、後で発射操作ユニットを交換できるように構成したものがある（例えば、特許文献１および２参照。）。
【０００４】
【特許文献１】
特開平１１−８９９９９号公報（第４頁，第３図）
【特許文献２】
特開２００１−１７８８９２号公報（第４頁，第９図）
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところが、上記した従来のものでは、発射操作ユニットを取り外すには、前面枠から無傷の取付基部も併せて外さなければならなかったり、あるいは、ガラス板保持部を前面枠に対して開いてから、上皿ユニット、下皿ユニットの順に開き、さらには下皿ユニットの裏面の金属板を取り外さなければならなかったりしていた。このように、従来のパチンコ遊技機においては、単に発射操作ユニットを交換するだけでも非常に手間が掛かり、メンテナンス作業の効率向上に改善の余地を残していた。
【０００６】
そこで、本発明は、上記の事情に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的は、発射操作ユニットの取り付けおよび取り外しが容易に行える遊技機を提供しようとするものである。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、上記目的を達成するために提案されたものであり、請求項１に記載のものは、遊技球を発射する発射装置と、前記発射装置を操作するための発射操作ユニットと、前記発射操作ユニットを前面側下部に取付可能な発射操作ユニット取付部材と、が取り付けられる前面枠を備える遊技機において、
前記発射操作ユニットは、
前記発射操作ユニット取付部材に取り付けられる後方握持部材と、前記後方握持部材の前側に取り付けられる前方握持部材と、前記前方握持部材と前記後方握持部材との間に回動可能に保持され、遊技領域へ発射される遊技球の発射勢を調整可能な発射操作部と、により構成され、
前記後方握持部材の背面に螺合部材が螺合可能な螺合穴を開設するとともに、前記発射操作部の調整操作量を前記発射装置側に伝達するための発射伝達軸部を前記後方握持部材の背面から後方へ突出した状態で設け、
前記発射操作部の調整操作量を前記発射伝達軸部の回動量として発射装置の付勢部材に伝達するための連結部材の一端を前記発射伝達軸部に連結し、
前記発射装置は、
前記前面枠に取り付け可能な取付部材と、
該取付部材の前面側に備えられるとともに前記連結部材の他端が接続され、前記連結部材からの調整操作量を伝達可能な伝達部材と、
前記取付部材の裏面側に備えられ、前記伝達部材から伝達された調整操作量に対応して回動する伝達ギアと、
前記伝達ギアの回動動作に応じて付勢力が変化する付勢部材と、
前記付勢部材の付勢力により遊技球を弾発する発射杵と、
を少なくとも備え、
前記発射操作ユニット取付部材は、
前記発射操作ユニットを挿入可能な挿入凹室を形成することで発射操作ユニット取付部を設け、前記挿入凹室に挿入した状態で前記発射操作ユニットを発射操作ユニット取付部材に取り付けるために、前記挿入凹室底面に前記発射操作ユニットの螺合穴と連通する連通穴を形成し、
前記発射操作ユニット取付部と、前記伝達部材と、前記取付部材と、前記伝達ギアとは、前記螺合穴及び連通穴に対して前後方向に重合した状態に配設し、
前記伝達部材に伝達部材逃げ部、前記取付部材に取付部材開口部、及び前記伝達ギアに伝達ギア開口部をそれぞれ形成し、前記発射操作ユニットの発射操作部が操作されていない常態において、前記伝達部材逃げ部、前記取付部材開口部、及び前記伝達ギア開口部を、前記螺合部材の着脱方向に沿って配置されるようにしたことを特徴とする遊技機である。
【０００８】
請求項２に記載のものは、前記発射操作ユニット取付部の背面から前記発射装置の取付部材前面までに螺合部材取付操作空間を形成し、
前記前面枠のベースとなる前面枠ベース部材は、前記発射装置を前面から取付可能な発射装置取付部を形成し、
前記発射装置取付部は、前記発射装置を取り付ける際に、ガイドすると共に前記発射装置が取り付けられた状態では前記発射装置を載置する発射装置ガイド載置棚を形成し、
前記発射装置ガイド載置棚は、前記螺合部材取付操作空間の下方に対応する領域に取り外しの際に落下した前記螺合部材を回収可能な螺合部材回収口を形成することを特徴とする請求項１に記載の遊技機である。
【００１０】
請求項３に記載のものは、前記伝達ギアは、前記伝達ギア開口部の開口周縁から前記螺合部材の着脱方向に沿って後方へ開口周縁壁を延設することで前記螺合部材の案内部を形成することを特徴とする請求項１または請求項２に記載の遊技機である。
【００１１】
請求項４に記載のものは、前記伝達部材は、前記伝達部材逃げ部を複数設けるとともに、前記連結部材と接続する連結部材係合孔を複数開設し、前記連結部材係合孔と前記伝達部材逃げ部とを、前記伝達部材の円周方向に沿って交互に配設したことを特徴とする請求項１から請求項３のいずれかに記載の遊技機である。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、代表的な遊技機であるパチンコ遊技機１を例に挙げて本発明の実施の形態を図面に基づき説明する。図１はパチンコ遊技機１の正面図、図２は背面図である。
【００１３】
パチンコ遊技機１は、図１に示すように、機枠（本体枠）２に大きな開口部を有する額縁状の前面枠３を開閉可能に備え、この前面枠３のベースとなり、樹脂により成形される前面枠ベース部材（前面枠本体）４の裏側に設けられた遊技盤収納フレーム内に遊技盤５を収納し、遊技盤５の表面には、表示装置６、大入賞口７、一般入賞口８、アウト口９…などを配設した遊技領域１０を形成して、この遊技領域１０の前方をガラス枠（透明部材保持枠）１１に保持されたガラス板（透明部材）で覆い、ガラス枠１１の下方に上皿ユニット１２と下皿ユニット１３とを上下に並べて備え、上皿ユニット１２の表側に上皿（球供給皿）１４を配設し、下皿ユニット１３の表側中央に下皿１５を、左側に灰皿１６を、右側に取付基部１８（本発明の発射操作ユニット取付部材に相当）をそれぞれ配設し、該取付基部１８の前面側下部には、前方を開放した挿入凹室３４（後述する）を形成することで発射操作ユニット取付部を設け、この挿入凹室３４に一部（支持部３６）を挿入した状態で発射操作ユニット（発射操作ハンドル）２１を取り付けている（図６参照）。さらに、このパチンコ遊技機１は、発射操作ユニット２１および取付基部１８の後方であって前面枠ベース部材４の下部に、遊技球を遊技領域１０に向かって発射するための発射装置２３を備え、該発射装置２３と発射操作ユニット２１とを連結部材２４により連結している（図３参照）。なお、発射操作ユニット２１および発射装置２３に関しては、後で詳細に説明する。
【００１４】
また、パチンコ遊技機１の裏側には、図２に示すように、裏機構盤２５の上部に球タンク２６を、その下方に球タンク２６内の遊技球を誘導する球誘導樋２７を設け、球誘導樋２７の下端に連通させて排出ユニット２８を設け、排出ユニット２８が作動することにより所定数の遊技球を流下し、これらの遊技球を上皿１４または下皿１５に払い出すように構成してある。さらに、裏機構盤２５には、演出制御装置３０、発射排出制御装置３１等の各制御装置を取り付けるとともに、各制御装置に電源を供給する電源回路３２を取り付けている。
【００１５】
次に発射操作ユニット２１について説明する。
発射操作ユニット２１は、図４に示すように、遊技者が発射装置２３を操作するためのものであり、下皿ユニット１３の取付基部１８に形成された挿入凹室３４に取り付ける柱状の支持部３６（本発明の後方握持部材に相当）と、該支持部３６の前端に設けられて、遊技者が操作時に把持する把持部３７（本発明の前方握持部材に相当）とから概略構成されている。さらに、発射操作ユニット２１は、把持部３７と支持部３６との間に回動可能に保持されて遊技球の発射勢を調整するための発射勢調整ハンドル３８（本発明の発射操作部に相当）と、静電容量の変化を感知することで遊技者が把持部３７に触れていることを検出するタッチセンサー部（タッチ検出手段）３９とを備え、支持部３６には、連結部材２４の一端に形成された接続孔４１（図５参照）に接続（連結）されて、発射勢調整ハンドル３８の回動量に基づいて回動自在な発射勢伝達軸部４２を、先端が支持部３６の取付側端面（背面）から後方、即ち、取付時において発射装置２３側へ突出した状態で備えている。なお、本実施形態においては、発射勢伝達軸部４２は、図６に示すように、発射勢調整ハンドル３８の回動中心に固定され、発射勢調整ハンドル３８の調整操作量（回動角）をそのまま発射勢伝達軸部４２の回動量（回動角）として連結部材２４を介して発射装置２３側に伝達するように構成されており、遊技者による発射勢操作量と発射装置２３に伝達される回動量との間にズレが生じるのを防止している。
【００１６】
また、この発射操作ユニット２１の支持部３６は、図４（ｂ）に示すように、取付側端面（背面）の中心、すなわち発射勢伝達軸部４２からずれた位置に位置決めボス４７を突設するとともに、発射勢伝達軸部４２を中心とした円周上に複数（本実施形態では、１２０度ずつ位相をずらして３つ）の螺合穴（雌ねじ孔）４８を開設し、さらに、タッチセンサー部３９から発射排出制御装置３１への電気配線４９を通すための配線開口部５０を開設している。
【００１７】
このように構成された発射操作ユニット２１は、支持部３６を取付基部１８の挿入凹室３４に挿着（挿入）した状態で、位置決めボス４７を挿入凹室３４の奥側底部３４ａ（本発明の挿入凹室底面に相当）に開口した嵌合孔（図示せず）に嵌合して、発射勢調整の際に支持部３６が挿入凹室３４内で回動しないように位置を決め、挿着状態における支持部３６の螺合穴４８と連通するように底部３４ａに形成された連通穴３４ｂにビス等の着脱可能な螺合部材（止着部材）５２を挿入凹室３４の裏側から挿通して螺合穴（止着穴）４８に螺合（止着）することにより、支持部３６が前方に抜けないように取り付けられている。なお、この発射操作ユニット２１の着脱に関しては、後で詳細に説明する。
【００１８】
次に、発射装置２３について説明する。
発射装置２３は、図７〜９に示すように、前面枠ベース部材４を介して前面枠３に取り付け可能なプレート材からなる取付部材５５と、該取付部材５５の右寄りの前面側に回動自在に備えられて、発射勢伝達軸部４２からの発射勢調整操作量を伝達する伝達部材５６と、取付部材５５の裏面側に備えられて伝達部材５６から伝達された調整操作量に対応して回動する伝達ギア５７と、該伝達ギア５７に連結ギア５８を介してケーシング６０を回動可能に連結し、該ケーシング６０に収納された状態で弾性力、即ち、付勢力が伝達ギア５７からの回動動作に応じて変化するばね６１（本発明の付勢部材に相当）と、該ばね６１の弾性力により回動動作して遊技球を弾発する発射杵６２とから概略構成されている。また、この発射装置２３は、取付部材５５の前面の左端に発射レール６４を、発射杵６２の先端が発射レール６４の傾斜下端の上方に位置するように配設し、さらに、発射レール６４の傾斜途中の上方に球送り装置６５を備えて、上皿１４から導いた遊技球を発射レール６４の傾斜下端に形成してある球発射部６６へ送り出せるように構成されている。なお、この発射レール６４は、図８（ｄ）に示すように、傾斜上面に断面略Ｖ字状の溝部を長手方向に沿って形成している。
【００１９】
伝達部材５６は、取付部材５５のうち、発射操作ユニット２１の取付位置の丁度後方に位置するように配設されており、前面に連結部材２４の他端（後端）に設けられた係合爪６８（図５参照）を係合するための連結部材係合孔６９を複数開設し、裏面には中心から伝達部材回動軸７０を後方に延設して取付部材５５に回動自在な状態で貫通させている。また、この伝達部材５６は、裏面の中心周辺から円弧状のスペーサ７１を僅かに突設して、伝達部材５６の裏面と取付部材５５の前面とが面接触するのを阻止し、スムーズに回動することで遊技者がストレスなく発射勢調整を行えるようにしている（図６参照）。
【００２０】
伝達ギア５７は、取付部材５５の裏面側であって伝達部材５６の後方、すなわち発射操作ユニット２１の取付位置の後方に配設されており、中心を伝達部材回動軸７０の先端に固定されて、伝達部材５６と共回りできるように構成されている。また、この伝達ギア５７も、中心周辺から取付部材５５に向かってボス７３を僅かに隆起させており、間隙を形成することで取付部材５５の裏面との間に摩擦を生じないようにしている。そして、取付基部１８の凹室３４（底部３４ａ）と、伝達部材５６と、取付部材５５と、伝達ギア５７とは、支持部３６の螺合穴４８及び底部３４ａの連通穴３４ｂに対して前後方向に重合した状態に配設されている。
【００２１】
遊技球への弾発力を生じさせるばね６１は、取付部材５５の裏側に設けた横向き円筒状のケーシング６０を前後に分割し、該ケーシング６０内に収納された右巻きのねじりコイルばねであり、一端を取付部材５５側に位置する第１ケーシング部材７５に、他端を第１ケーシング部材７５と対向する第２ケーシング部材７６にそれぞれ係止している。
【００２２】
第１ケーシング部材７５は、取付部材５５に支承されて前端に発射杵６２を取り付けた杵回動軸７８に対して別個に回動自在な状態、すなわちフリーな状態で取り付けられており、外周面にケーシング回動ギア７９を円弧状に形成し、該ケーシング回動ギア７９に伝達ギア５７を、連結ギア５８を介して連結させている。このような構成により第１ケーシング部材７５は、伝達ギア５７、すなわち伝達部材５６や発射勢調整ハンドル３８の回動に伴って回動することができる。したがって、この第１ケーシング部材７５は、ばね６１との係止位置、すなわちばね６１の端部を円周上に沿って移動させることができる。
【００２３】
本実施形態では、発射勢調整ハンドル３８が操作されていない常態において、ばね６１は、負荷を受けていない状態であり、発射勢調整ハンドル３８を回動させると、回動操作量に合わせて伝達部材５６、伝達ギア５７、連結ギア５８およびケーシング回動ギア７９がそれぞれ回動動作し、第１ケーシング部材７５がばね６１の巻きを絞め込む方向（図８（ｂ）では、反時計方向）に回動する。したがって、ばね６１は、第１ケーシング部材７５によって絞め込まれた程度に応じて復元するための弾性力を変化させることができる。なお、ケーシング回動ギア７９は、端部に回動規制ストッパー８０を備えて、第１ケーシング部材７５の回動量を制限し、過度なばね６１の弾性力によって遊技球の発射勢が強くなり過ぎるのを阻止している。
【００２４】
一方、第２ケーシング部材７６は、内側に杵回動軸７８の後側端部を固定して、取付部材５５に対して発射杵６２とともに回動できるように構成されている。さらに、第２ケーシング部材７６は、外周面からカムフォロワ８２を延設し、該カムフォロワ８２の先端を、発射モータ（電気的回転駆動源）８３によって回転するカム８４に当接している。なお、このカム８４は、回動方向を向いた段差面をカム面の途中に形成した略曲球状であり、カムフォロワ８２の先端が引っ掛かる程度の引掛部８５を備えており、該引掛部８５にカムフォロワ８２を引っ掛けたまま後方から見て反時計回り（図８（ｂ）参照）に回転すると、カムフォロワ８２とともに第２ケーシング部材７６を時計回りに回動させることができる。このような構成により、第２ケーシング部材７６は、発射杵６２を回動させながらばね６１の付勢力(弾性力)を増加させることができる。また、発射モータ８３をオン・オフする発射スイッチ（図示せず）は、発射勢調整ハンドル３８の内側に組み込まれており、発射勢調整ハンドル３８が遊技者によって回動操作されたことを検出して発射モータ８３をオンにし、回動操作されていない常態では発射モータ８３をオフにしている。
【００２５】
発射杵６２は、取付部材５５の前面側において、杵回動軸７８の前端から下方に向けて延設されており、先端にコイルばね等からなる弾発部８７を取り付けてある。そして、カムフォロワ８２が引掛部８５から外れると、ばね６１の付勢力により第２ケーシング部材７６および杵回動軸７８が戻り回動するとともに、弾発部８７が発射レール６４の球発射部６６に勢いよく突入することによって遊技球を弾発するように構成されている。なお、この発射杵６２は、杵回動軸７８側の端部を、杵回動軸７８を挟んで球発射部６６とは反対側に配設された緩衝ゴム８８に当接させて、弾発部８７が球発射部６６よりも先方の発射レール６４上に移動しないように回動範囲を規制されている。また、発射杵６２は、途中に線材からなるアーム９０を球送り装置６５に向かって延設し、発射杵６２が後退する途中でアーム９０により球送り装置６５の送りレバー９１を押し下げるように構成されている。これにより、上皿１４から球送り装置６５内に導いた遊技球を１個ずつ発射レール６４上に供給する。
【００２６】
そして、上記した発射装置２３は、伝達部材５６に伝達部材開口部９４（本発明の伝達部材逃げ部に相当）を、取付部材５５に取付部材開口部９５を、伝達ギア５７に伝達ギア開口部９６をそれぞれ複数（本実施形態では、１２０度ずつ位相をずらして３つ）開設し、発射勢調整ハンドル３８が調整操作されていない常態、すなわち各ギア５６，５７が回動していない状態において、各種開口部９４，９５，９６を１箇所ずつ、螺合部材５２の後方に並べて、螺合部材５２の着脱方向に沿って配置している。なお、伝達部材開口部９４は、伝達部材５６の外周に切り欠きを設けることで形成され、取付部材開口部９５および伝達ギア開口部９６は、取付部材５５および伝達ギア５７に貫通孔を開設して形成されている。また、各開口部９４，９５，９６は、伝達部材回動軸７０の軸中心から等距離の位置に開設されているので、発射勢調整ハンドル３８が調整操作された状態であっても、各開口部９４，９５，９６は、配置位相分だけ回動する毎に螺合部材５２の着脱方向に沿って並ぶことができる。
【００２７】
また、各開口部９４，９５，９６は、螺合部材５２や工具（例えば、ドライバー）Ｔ、詳しくは、工具Ｔのうち螺合部材５２に係合する係合部（例えば、ドライバーの先端部）が十分に通過できる程度に開口されている。さらに、前面枠ベース部材４の発射装置２３を取り付ける発射装置取付部９９には、各開口部９４，９５，９６と同程度の開口を有するベース部材開口部１００が、それぞれの螺合部材５２の螺合位置の後方に合わせて開設されている（図６（ｂ）参照）。したがって、この発射装置２３を取り付けたパチンコ遊技機１は、発射操作ユニット取付部である挿入凹室３４の背面から取付部材５５の前面までに螺合部材取付操作空間１０１を形成すると共に、この螺合部材取付操作空間１０１に連通する各開口部９４，９５，９６及びベース部材開口部１００を設けることで、発射操作ユニット２１の螺合部材５２の着脱方向に螺合部材５２が通過可能な空間を形成して、発射装置２３の裏側からであっても螺合部材５２を取り外し、あるいは取り付けることができる。このことから、発射装置２３や取付基部１８を前面枠３から取り外すことなく発射操作ユニット２１の交換作業を効率よく行うことができる。
【００２８】
そして、前記したように、前記発射装置２３は、前記発射操作ユニット２１の発射勢調整ハンドル３８が操作されていない常態において、伝達部材開口部９４、取付部材開口部９５および伝達ギア開口部９６を前記螺合部材５２の着脱方向に沿って配置されるようにしたので、発射操作ユニット２１の交換の際に、特別に調整することなく各開口部９４，９５，９６を螺合部材５２の着脱方向に沿った位置に合わせることができる。したがって、迅速に発射操作ユニット２１の交換作業を進めることができ、作業効率を向上させることができる。
【００２９】
また、前面枠ベース部材４は、図６に示すように、発射操作ユニット２１と発射装置２３との間の下方に、後方に開口した中空の棚部１０２（本発明の発射装置ガイド載置棚に相当）を備え、該棚部１０２の上板に螺合部材５２が通過可能な螺合部材回収口１０３を開設し、棚部１０２の下板に後方に傾斜させた傾斜面１０４を形成している。このような棚部１０２を前面枠ベース部材４に形成しておくと、取り付け時における発射装置２３を取り付け位置（発射装置取付部９９）に案内するガイドとして機能すると共に、取り付けた状態においては発射装置２３を載置することができる。また、発射操作ユニット２１の交換作業中における螺合部材５２の取り外しの際に、取付基部１８の背面と取付部材５５の前面との間の螺合部材取付操作空間１０１の下方に対応する領域に螺合部材５２が落下した場合に、この螺合部材５２が螺合部材回収口１０３を通過し、傾斜面１０４を転がり落ちるので、前面枠ベース部材４の下部後方から容易に回収することができる。
【００３０】
このように、前記前面枠ベース部材４は、前記発射操作ユニット２１と発射装置２３との間の下方に前記螺合部材５２が通過可能な螺合部材回収口１０３を開設するので、発射操作ユニット２１の交換の際に、特別に調整することなく各開口部９４，９５，９６を螺合部材５２の着脱方向に沿った位置に合わせることができる。したがって、迅速に発射操作ユニット２１の交換作業を進めることができ、作業効率を向上させることができる。
【００３１】
次に、上記のような構成からなる発射操作ユニット２１および発射装置２３の動作について説明する。
まず、遊技者が発射操作ユニット２１の把持部３７を把持してタッチセンサー部３９に触れると、タッチセンサー部３９は、静電容量が変化して遊技者が触れていることを検出し、発射排出制御装置３１に検出信号を送信する。この検出信号を受信した発射排出制御装置３１は、発射モータ８３の駆動を許可する条件が成立したことを確認して、発射スイッチがオンになるまで待機する。そして、遊技者が把持部３７を把持した状態で発射勢調整ハンドル３８を回動し始めると、発射スイッチがオンになり、発射排出制御装置３１は、発射モータ８３を駆動させる。
【００３２】
発射モータ８３が駆動すると、カム８４がカムフォロワ８２を当接させながら回動し始め、第２ケーシング部材７６および杵回動軸７８が回動すると同時に、発射杵６２が後退する。このとき、球送り装置６５は、発射杵６２のアーム９０の操作により、上皿１４から発射レール６４上に遊技球１個を供給する。そして、カムフォロワ８２がカム８４の引掛部８５から外れると、ばね６１の弾性力により第２ケーシング部材７６、杵回動軸７８、および発射杵６２が急激に戻り回動（前進）して、弾発部８７が発射レール６４上の遊技球を遊技領域１０へ発射する。また、カム８４は、発射スイッチがオン状態であればそのまま回動し続け、再び引掛部８５にカムフォロワ８２を引っ掛けて次の遊技球発射を準備する。
【００３３】
さらに、発射勢調整ハンドル３８の回動量（調整操作量）を調整すると、発射勢伝達軸部４２、伝達部材５６、伝達ギア５７および連結ギア５８を介して第１ケーシング部材７５が回動して、ばね６１の絞め込み具合、すなわちばね６１の弾性力を調整し、これにより発射杵６２の打ち出し回動速度を変化させて、遊技球の飛距離調整を行うことができる。したがって、発射勢調整ハンドル３８の回動量を増加させれば、ばね６１の弾発力が増強されて打球の飛距離を伸ばすことができ、一方、発射勢調整ハンドル３８の回動量を減少させれば、ばね６１の弾発力を常態に近づけて打球の飛距離を短くすることができる。
【００３４】
ところで、伝達部材５６は、図１０のように、伝達部材開口部９４を隣り合う連結部材係合孔６９の中間に位置するように配設すれば、連結部材係合孔６９と伝達部材開口部９４との間の肉厚が極端に薄くなることを避け易い。したがって、連結部材係合孔６９が歪み難くなり、繰り返して発射勢調整ハンドル３８の操作を行っても正確に調整操作量を伝達ギア５７に伝達し易くすることができて好適である。
【００３５】
また、図１０に示す伝達部材５６は、伝達部材開口部９４と連結部材係合孔６９とを、伝達部材５６の円周方向に沿って交互に配設するので、連結部材２４からの回動力を伝達部材５６の一箇所に集中させることなく分散させながら、発射勢調整ハンドル３８からの調整操作量を伝達部材５６に伝達することができる。また、連結部材係合孔６９を回動軸中心に近づけて開設しても、回動トルクを小さくして伝達部材５６の変形を抑え、伝達による調整操作量のズレを小さくすることができる。このことから、部品の小型化を実現することができ、製造コストの低減を図ることができる。
【００３６】
なお、本実施形態における伝達部材開口部９４は、伝達部材５６の外周に設けた切り欠きにより形成したが、発射装置２３の前面側から裏面側へ連通して、螺合部材５２が通過できる空間が形成されればどのようなものでもよい。例えば、伝達部材５６の外径を大きくして、伝達部材開口部９４を貫通孔により形成してもよいし、あるいは、伝達部材５６の外周部と着脱する螺合部材５２とが干渉しない程度に伝達部材５６の外径を小さくして、螺合部材５２が通過可能な空間を確保してもよい。
【００３７】
また、伝達ギア５７は、図１１に示すように、伝達ギア開口部９６の開口周縁から螺合部材５２の着脱方向に沿って開口周縁壁１０７を延設してもよい。この開口周縁壁１０７は、伝達ギア開口部９６の開口周縁から前面枠ベース部材４の発射装置取付部９９の手前まで後方に向かって延設されている。このような開口周縁壁１０７を設けると、伝達ギア５７の伝達ギア開口部９６の周辺を補強して、伝達ギア５７の損傷を防ぐことができる。したがって、伝達ギア５７の寿命が短くなり難くして、メンテナンスの手間や費用を軽減することができる。また、螺合部材５２の着脱作業にドライバー等の工具を用いる場合には、開口周縁壁１０７は、発射操作ユニット２１の取付位置まで工具を案内するガイド（案内部）となり、螺合部材５２を迅速に着脱して、発射操作ユニット２１の交換作業を効率よく進めることができる。なお、開口周縁壁１０７は、螺合部材５２の着脱方向に沿って延設していればよく、例えば前方に延設してもよい。
【００３８】
ところで、上記した実施形態の取付基部１８は、発射操作ユニット２１を取り付けると把持部３７の前面枠３からの突出位置を固定するものであったが、本発明はこれに限らず、把持部３７の前後位置を調整可能な取付基部であってもよい。例えば、図１２に示す第２実施形態の取付基部１８´は、基本的には、前記した実施形態の取付基部１８と同じであるが、発射操作ユニット２１を係止する挿入凹室３４の奥側底部３４ａに、支持部３６の係止位置の前後方向を調整可能な位置調整機構１１０を備える点で異なる。この位置調整機構１１０は、挿入凹室３４の奥側底部３４ａの裏側に設けられた突起１１１に雌ねじ孔１１２を開口し、該雌ねじ孔１１２に雄ねじ軸を有するストッパー１１３を螺着して構成されており、ストッパー１１３の先端に、支持部３６の端面に当接する当接部１１４を備えている。そして、この位置調整機構１１０の後方には、発射装置２３の伝達部材開口部９４、取付部材開口部９５、伝達ギア開口部９６、および前面枠ベース部材４のベース部材開口部１００がストッパー１１３の移動方向に沿って配置されている。
【００３９】
上記のような位置調整機構１１０を備えて、発射操作ユニット２１の前後位置を調整するには、まず、支持部３６を係止している螺合部材５２を緩める等して係止状態を解除し、発射操作ユニット２１を前後に移動できる状態にする。そして、ドライバー等の工具を発射装置２３の後方から各開口部９４，９５，９６に挿入し、ストッパー１１３を回すことで当接部１１４の先端を所望の位置に移動する。当接部１１４を移動したならば、支持部３６を前後方向に移動して端面を当接部１１４に突き当て、再び螺合部材５２により支持部３６を挿入凹室３４に係止する。
【００４０】
このように、位置調整機構１１０を取付基部１８´に備えると、遊技者の好みに合わせた把持部３７の位置に調整することができる。したがって、このようなパチンコ遊技機１を設置した遊技店は、把持部３７の位置調整をして他店と異ならせて、遊技者がより快適に遊技を行なえるようなパチンコ遊技機１の準備を行うことができる。さらに、発射操作ユニット２１の位置調整のために、発射装置２３等を取り外さなくても調整作業ができて、作業効率の向上を図ることができる。
【００４１】
なお、各開口部９４，９５，９６に棒材からなる回動防止ロッド（図示せず）を挿入すれば、各開口部９４，９５，９６は、発射操作ロック機構として機能し、例えば、メンテナンス時に誤って発射装置２３が作動して、作業員が発射杵６２で指などを打たれてしまう事故を未然に防止することができて好適である。
【００４２】
上記した実施形態は、代表的な遊技機であるパチンコ遊技機を例にして説明したが、本発明はこれに限らず、発射操作ユニットを操作して遊技球を発射装置から遊技領域に打込んで遊技を行う遊技機であればどのような遊技機でもよい。例えば、内部に封入した遊技球を循環させる封入球式パチンコ機、アレンジボール式遊技機、雀球式遊技機等の遊技機であってもよい。
【００４３】
なお、前記した実施の形態は全ての点で例示であって制限的なものではないと考えられるべきである。本発明は、上記した説明に限らず特許請求の範囲によって示され、特許請求の範囲と均等の意味及び範囲内での全ての変更が含まれるものである。
【００４４】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明によれば、次の効果を奏する。
すなわち、発射操作ユニット取付部材は、発射操作ユニットを挿入可能な挿入凹室を形成することで発射操作ユニット取付部を設け、挿入凹室に挿入した状態で発射操作ユニットを発射操作ユニット取付部材に取り付けるために、挿入凹室底面に発射操作ユニットの螺合穴と連通する連通穴を形成し、発射操作ユニット取付部と、伝達部材と、取付部材と、伝達ギアとは、螺合穴及び連通穴に対して前後方向に重合した状態に配設し、伝達部材に伝達部材逃げ部、取付部材に取付部材開口部、及び伝達ギアに伝達ギア開口部をそれぞれ形成し、発射操作ユニットの発射操作部が操作されていない常態において、伝達部材逃げ部、取付部材開口部、及び伝達ギア開口部を、螺合部材の着脱方向に沿って配置されるようにしたので、伝達部材逃げ部、取付部材開口部、および伝達ギア開口部を通して螺合部材を着脱することができる。したがって、前面枠から取付基部や発射装置を取り外すことなく発射装置ユニットを前面枠の取付基部に取り付けたり、取り外したりすることができ、発射操作ユニットの交換作業の負担軽減を図ることができる。また、発射操作ユニットの交換の際に、特別に調整することなく各開口部を螺合部材の着脱方向に沿った位置に合わせることができる。したがって、迅速に発射操作ユニットの交換作業を進めることができ、作業効率を向上させることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】パチンコ遊技機の正面図である。
【図２】パチンコ遊技機の背面図である。
【図３】前面枠の分解斜視図である。
【図４】（ａ）は発射操作ユニットの斜視図、（ｂ）は発射操作ユニットの背面図である。
【図５】（ａ）は連結部材の前方斜視図、（ｂ）は後方斜視図である。
【図６】（ａ）は発射操作ユニットおよび発射装置を取り付けた前面枠の下部断面図、（ｂ）はドライバーを後方から差し込んだ状態の前面枠の下部断面図である。
【図７】発射装置の斜視図である。
【図８】（ａ）は発射装置の正面図、（ｂ）は背面図、（ｃ）はばねを収納したケーシングの断面図、（ｄ）は（ａ）におけるＡ−Ａ断面図である。
【図９】発射装置の分解斜視図である。
【図１０】連結部材係合孔と伝達部材開口部とを交互に設けた伝達部材の正面図である。
【図１１】（ａ）は開口周縁壁を備えた伝達ギアの斜視図、（ｂ）は伝達ギア開口部および開口周縁壁の拡大断面図である。
【図１２】（ａ）は位置調整機構を備えた取付基部に発射操作ユニットを取り付けた状態の前面枠の下部断面図、（ｂ）は位置調整機構の拡大断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１パチンコ遊技機
２機枠
３前面枠
４前面枠ベース部材
５遊技盤
６表示装置
７大入賞口
８一般入賞口
９アウト口
１０遊技領域
１１ガラス枠
１２上皿ユニット
１３下皿ユニット
１４上皿
１５下皿
１６灰皿
１８取付基部
２１発射操作ユニット
２３発射装置
２４連結部材
２５裏機構盤
２６球タンク
２７球誘導樋
２８排出ユニット
３０演出制御装置
３１発射排出制御装置
３２電源回路
３４挿入凹室
３４ａ底部
３４ｂ連通穴
３６支持部
３７把持部
３８発射勢調整ハンドル
３９タッチセンサー部
４１接続孔
４２発射勢伝達軸部
４７位置決めボス
４８螺合穴
４９電気配線
５０配線開口部
５２螺合部材
５５取付部材
５６伝達部材
５７伝達ギア
５８連結ギア
６０ケーシング
６１ばね
６２発射杵
６４発射レール
６５球送り装置
６６球発射部
６８係止爪
６９連結部材係合孔
７０伝達部材回動軸
７１スペーサ
７３ボス
７５第１ケーシング部材
７６第２ケーシング部材
７８杵回動軸
７９ケーシング回動ギア
８０回動規制ストッパー
８２カムフォロワ
８３発射モータ
８４カム
８５引掛部
８７弾発部
８８緩衝ゴム
９０アーム
９１送りレバー
９４伝達部材開口部
９５取付部材開口部
９６伝達ギア開口部
９９発射装置取付部
１００ベース部材開口部
１０１螺合部材取付操作空間
１０２棚部
１０３螺合部材回収口
１０４傾斜面
１０７開口周縁壁
１１０位置調整機構
１１１突起
１１２雌ねじ孔
１１３ストッパー
１１４当接部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine to which a launching operation unit for operating launching of a game ball is detachable.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional gaming machine, for example, a pachinko gaming machine, when the player rotates the launching operation handle of the launching operation unit, the launching switch is turned on, and the launching device operates based on a signal from the launching switch to play the game A ball can be fired.
This firing operation handle is normally energized so that the firing switch is turned off, and in order to continuously fire the game ball, the firing operation handle is rotated against the biasing force of the return spring. Need to continue.
[0003]
However, some players forcefully push foreign objects such as coins and toothpicks into the gap between the rotating part and the fixed part of the firing operation handle in an attempt to continuously fire the game ball with this firing operation handle fixed. There are those who get out. When the foreign object is pushed in in this way, the launch operation unit may be distorted in the rotation shaft or the casing of the launch operation handle may be damaged. For this reason, some conventional pachinko machines are configured such that the launch operation unit is assembled separately from the front frame and can be replaced later (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). ).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-89999 (page 4, FIG. 3)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-177882 (page 4, FIG. 9)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional one, in order to remove the firing operation unit, it is necessary to also remove the intact mounting base from the front frame, or after opening the glass plate holding part with respect to the front frame, The upper plate unit and the lower plate unit were opened in this order, and the metal plate on the back surface of the lower plate unit had to be removed. As described above, in the conventional pachinko gaming machine, it is very troublesome to simply replace the launch operation unit, and there remains room for improvement in improving the efficiency of the maintenance work.
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine in which a launching operation unit can be easily attached and detached.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, and according to claim 1, a launching device for launching a game ball, a launching operation unit for operating the launching device, In a gaming machine comprising a front frame to which a firing operation unit attachment member capable of attaching a firing operation unit to the lower part on the front side is attached,
  The firing operation unit is
  A rear gripping member attached to the firing operation unit mounting member, a front gripping member attached to the front side of the rear gripping member, and rotatable between the front gripping member and the rear gripping member. And a firing operation unit that can adjust the firing force of the game ball that is held and launched into the game area,
  A screwing hole into which the screwing member can be screwed is formed on the back surface of the rear gripping member, and a firing transmission shaft portion for transmitting an adjustment operation amount of the firing operation unit to the launching device side is provided in the rear gripping. Provided in a state protruding rearward from the back surface of the holding member,
  One end of a connecting member for transmitting the adjustment operation amount of the firing operation unit to the biasing member of the launching device as a rotation amount of the firing transmission shaft portion is connected to the launch transmission shaft portion,
  The launcher is
  An attachment member attachable to the front frame;
  A transmission member provided on the front side of the mounting member and connected to the other end of the connecting member, and capable of transmitting an adjustment operation amount from the connecting member;
  A transmission gear that is provided on the back side of the mounting member and rotates in accordance with the adjustment operation amount transmitted from the transmission member;
  An urging member whose urging force changes according to the rotation operation of the transmission gear;
  A launcher for projecting a game ball by the biasing force of the biasing member;
  Comprising at least
  The firing operation unit mounting member is
  In order to attach the firing operation unit to the firing operation unit attachment member in a state where the firing operation unit is provided in the insertion recessed chamber by forming an insertion recessed chamber into which the firing operation unit can be inserted, Forming a communication hole communicating with the screwing hole of the firing operation unit on the bottom surface of the concave chamber;
  The firing operation unit attachment portion, the transmission member, the attachment member, and the transmission gear are arranged in a state of being overlapped in the front-rear direction with respect to the screwing hole and the communication hole,
  The transmission member has a transmission member clearance, the mounting member has an attachment member opening, and the transmission gear has a transmission gear opening.In the normal state where the firing operation unit of the firing operation unit is not operated, the transmission member escape portion, the attachment member opening portion, and the transmission gear opening portion are formed along the attaching / detaching direction of the screwing member. It was arrangedIt is a gaming machine characterized by this.
[0008]
The thing of Claim 2 forms a screwing member attachment operation space from the back of the above-mentioned launch operation unit attachment part to the attachment member front of the above-mentioned launching device,
The front frame base member that is the base of the front frame forms a launcher mounting portion that can mount the launcher from the front,
The launching device mounting portion guides the mounting of the launching device and forms a launching device guide mounting shelf on which the launching device is placed when the launching device is attached,
The launching device guide mounting shelf forms a screwing member collecting port capable of collecting the screwing member dropped at the time of removal in a region corresponding to a lower portion of the screwing member attaching operation space. A gaming machine according to claim 1.
[0010]
  Claim 3According to the present invention, the transmission gear forms a guide portion of the screwing member by extending an opening peripheral wall rearward from the peripheral edge of the transmission gear opening along the attaching / detaching direction of the screwing member. Claim 1Or claim 2The gaming machine described in 1.
[0011]
  Claim 4The transmission member is provided with a plurality of the transmission member escape portions and a plurality of connection member engagement holes connected to the connection member, and the connection member engagement holes, the transmission member escape portions, Are arranged alternately along the circumferential direction of the transmission member.Claim 3A gaming machine according to any one of the above.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a pachinko gaming machine 1 which is a typical gaming machine as an example. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and FIG. 2 is a rear view.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with a frame-shaped front frame 3 having a large opening in a machine frame (main body frame) 2 so that the frame can be opened and closed. The game board 5 is stored in a game board storage frame provided on the back side of the front frame base member (front frame main body) 4, and a display device 6, a grand prize opening 7, a general prize opening are provided on the surface of the game board 5. 8, a game area 10 having an out port 9, etc. is formed, and the front of the game area 10 is covered with a glass plate (transparent member) held by a glass frame (transparent member holding frame) 11. The upper plate unit 12 and the lower plate unit 13 are arranged vertically below the upper plate unit 11, an upper plate (ball supply plate) 14 is arranged on the front side of the upper plate unit 12, and the lower plate is placed in the center on the front side of the lower plate unit 13. 15, the ashtray 16 on the left side, and the mounting base 18 (on the right side of the present invention) Each corresponding to a shooting operation unit mounting member), and at the lower part on the front side of the mounting base 18, a shooting operation unit mounting portion is provided by forming an insertion concave chamber 34 (described later) having an open front, The firing operation unit (launching operation handle) 21 is attached in a state where a part (support portion 36) is inserted into the insertion concave chamber 34 (see FIG. 6). Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a launching device 23 for launching a game ball toward the game area 10 behind the launch operation unit 21 and the attachment base 18 and below the front frame base member 4. The launch device 23 and the launch operation unit 21 are connected by a connecting member 24 (see FIG. 3). The firing operation unit 21 and the launching device 23 will be described in detail later.
[0014]
In addition, on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a ball tank 26 is provided at the upper part of the back mechanism board 25, and a ball guide rod 27 for guiding the game ball in the ball tank 26 is provided below, A discharge unit 28 is provided in communication with the lower end of the ball guide rod 27, and when the discharge unit 28 is operated, a predetermined number of game balls flow down, and these game balls are discharged to the upper plate 14 or the lower plate 15. It is configured. Further, the back mechanism board 25 is provided with various control devices such as an effect control device 30 and a discharge / discharge control device 31 and a power supply circuit 32 for supplying power to each control device.
[0015]
Next, the firing operation unit 21 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the firing operation unit 21 is for a player to operate the launching device 23, and is a columnar support portion attached to the insertion concave chamber 34 formed in the attachment base portion 18 of the lower dish unit 13. 36 (corresponding to the rear gripping member of the present invention) and a gripping portion 37 (corresponding to the front gripping member of the present invention) provided at the front end of the support portion 36 and gripped by the player during operation. Has been. Further, the firing operation unit 21 is rotatably held between the gripping portion 37 and the support portion 36, and a firing force adjusting handle 38 (corresponding to the firing operation portion of the present invention) for adjusting the firing force of the game ball. ) And a touch sensor unit (touch detection means) 39 for detecting that the player is touching the holding unit 37 by sensing a change in capacitance, and the support unit 36 includes the connection member 24. The firing force transmitting shaft portion 42 is connected (coupled) to a connection hole 41 (see FIG. 5) formed at one end and is rotatable based on the turning amount of the firing force adjusting handle 38, and the tip of the support portion 36 is at the tip. It is provided rearward from the attachment-side end face (rear face), that is, in a state of projecting toward the launching device 23 during attachment. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the firing force transmission shaft portion 42 is fixed to the rotation center of the firing force adjustment handle 38, and the adjustment operation amount (rotation angle) of the firing force adjustment handle 38. Is transmitted as it is to the launching device 23 side through the connecting member 24 as the turning amount (turning angle) of the launching force transmission shaft portion 42, and is transmitted to the launching device 23 and the launching operation amount by the player. It is possible to prevent a deviation from occurring in the amount of rotation.
[0016]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the support portion 36 of the firing operation unit 21 has a positioning boss 47 protruding from the center of the attachment side end surface (back surface), that is, at a position shifted from the firing force transmission shaft portion 42. At the same time, a plurality of screw holes (internal screw holes) 48 (three in this embodiment are shifted in phase by 120 degrees) 48 are formed on the circumference around the launching force transmission shaft portion 42, and further touched. A wiring opening 50 for opening the electric wiring 49 from the sensor unit 39 to the launch / discharge control device 31 is opened.
[0017]
The firing operation unit 21 configured as described above has the positioning portion boss 47 inserted into (inserted into) the insertion concave chamber 34 of the mounting base 18 and the positioning boss 47 into the bottom bottom portion 34a of the insertion concave chamber 34 (the present invention). Is fitted in a fitting hole (not shown) that is open to the bottom of the insertion concave chamber, and the position is determined so that the support portion 36 does not rotate in the insertion concave chamber 34 when adjusting the firing force. A detachable screw member (fastening member) 52 such as a screw is inserted into the communication hole 34b formed in the bottom 34a so as to communicate with the screw hole 48 of the support portion 36 in the inserted state from the back side of the insertion concave chamber 34. The support portion 36 is attached so as not to be removed forward by being inserted and screwed (fastened) into a screwing hole (fastening hole) 48. The attachment / detachment of the launch operation unit 21 will be described in detail later.
[0018]
Next, the launching device 23 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the launching device 23 is pivoted to a front side on the right side of the mounting member 55 and a mounting member 55 made of a plate material that can be attached to the front frame 3 via the front frame base member 4. A transmission member 56 that is freely provided and transmits a firing force adjustment operation amount from the firing force transmission shaft portion 42, and an adjustment operation amount that is provided on the back side of the mounting member 55 and is transmitted from the transmission member 56. The transmission gear 57 that rotates and the casing 60 is rotatably connected to the transmission gear 57 via the connection gear 58, and the elastic force, that is, the urging force is stored in the casing 60. The spring 61 (corresponding to the urging member of the present invention) that changes in response to the pivoting motion from the head and a launching rod 62 that pivots by the elastic force of the spring 61 to eject the game ball. Yes. Further, the launching device 23 is provided with a launching rail 64 at the left end of the front surface of the mounting member 55 such that the tip of the launching rod 62 is positioned above the inclined lower end of the launching rail 64. A ball feeding device 65 is provided above the middle of the tilt so that the game ball guided from the upper plate 14 can be fed to the ball launching portion 66 formed at the lower end of the launch rail 64. As shown in FIG. 8D, the firing rail 64 has a groove portion having a substantially V-shaped cross section on the inclined upper surface along the longitudinal direction.
[0019]
The transmission member 56 is disposed so as to be located just behind the mounting position of the firing operation unit 21 in the mounting member 55, and is provided on the front surface at the other end (rear end) of the connecting member 24. A plurality of connecting member engaging holes 69 for engaging the claws 68 (see FIG. 5) are opened, and a transmission member rotating shaft 70 is extended rearward from the center on the back surface so that the mounting member 55 can rotate freely. It penetrates in the state. In addition, the transmission member 56 is provided with an arc-shaped spacer 71 slightly protruding from the center of the back surface to prevent the back surface of the transmission member 56 and the front surface of the mounting member 55 from coming into surface contact with each other. By moving, the player can adjust the firing force without stress (see FIG. 6).
[0020]
The transmission gear 57 is disposed on the back side of the mounting member 55 and behind the transmission member 56, that is, behind the mounting position of the firing operation unit 21, and the center is fixed to the tip of the transmission member rotating shaft 70. The transmission member 56 can be rotated together. The transmission gear 57 also has a boss 73 slightly raised from the center periphery toward the mounting member 55, so that friction is not generated between the transmission gear 57 and the back surface of the mounting member 55 by forming a gap. . The recessed chamber 34 (bottom 34a) of the mounting base 18, the transmission member 56, the mounting member 55, and the transmission gear 57 are front and rear with respect to the screw hole 48 of the support 36 and the communication hole 34b of the bottom 34a. It is arranged in a polymerized state in the direction.
[0021]
The spring 61 that generates a resilient force on the game ball is a right-handed torsion coil spring that is divided into front and rear parts of a horizontally-oriented cylindrical casing 60 provided on the back side of the mounting member 55 and accommodated in the casing 60. One end is locked to the first casing member 75 located on the mounting member 55 side, and the other end is locked to the second casing member 76 facing the first casing member 75.
[0022]
The first casing member 75 is mounted in a separately rotatable state, that is, in a free state with respect to the rod rotation shaft 78 supported by the attachment member 55 and having the launch rod 62 attached to the front end. A casing rotation gear 79 is formed in an arc shape, and a transmission gear 57 is connected to the casing rotation gear 79 via a connection gear 58. With such a configuration, the first casing member 75 can be rotated with the rotation of the transmission gear 57, that is, the transmission member 56 and the firing force adjustment handle 38. Therefore, this 1st casing member 75 can move the latching position with the spring 61, ie, the edge part of the spring 61, along the circumference.
[0023]
In the present embodiment, in a normal state where the firing force adjustment handle 38 is not operated, the spring 61 is in a state of not receiving a load, and when the firing force adjustment handle 38 is rotated, transmission is performed in accordance with the rotation operation amount. The member 56, the transmission gear 57, the connection gear 58, and the casing rotation gear 79 rotate, and the first casing member 75 narrows the winding of the spring 61 (counterclockwise in FIG. 8B). Rotate. Therefore, the spring 61 can change the elastic force for restoring according to the degree of being squeezed by the first casing member 75. Note that the casing rotation gear 79 includes a rotation restriction stopper 80 at the end thereof, restricts the amount of rotation of the first casing member 75, and the excessive force of the spring 61 makes the launching force of the game ball too strong. Is blocking.
[0024]
On the other hand, the second casing member 76 is configured such that the rear end portion of the rod rotation shaft 78 is fixed on the inner side and can rotate with the firing rod 62 with respect to the attachment member 55. Further, the second casing member 76 has a cam follower 82 extending from the outer peripheral surface, and the tip of the cam follower 82 is in contact with a cam 84 that is rotated by a firing motor (electric rotation drive source) 83. The cam 84 has a substantially curved spherical shape in which a step surface facing the rotation direction is formed in the middle of the cam surface, and includes a hooking portion 85 to which the tip of the cam follower 82 is hooked. When the cam follower 82 is hooked and rotated counterclockwise as seen from the rear (see FIG. 8B), the second casing member 76 can be rotated clockwise together with the cam follower 82. With such a configuration, the second casing member 76 can increase the biasing force (elastic force) of the spring 61 while rotating the firing rod 62. A firing switch (not shown) for turning on / off the firing motor 83 is incorporated inside the firing force adjustment handle 38, and detects that the firing force adjustment handle 38 has been turned by the player. The firing motor 83 is turned on, and the firing motor 83 is turned off in a normal state where the turning operation is not performed.
[0025]
The firing rod 62 extends downward from the front end of the rod rotation shaft 78 on the front side of the mounting member 55, and has a resilient portion 87 made of a coil spring or the like attached to the tip. When the cam follower 82 is detached from the hooking portion 85, the second casing member 76 and the rod rotation shaft 78 are returned and rotated by the urging force of the spring 61, and the resilient portion 87 is moved to the ball launching portion 66 of the firing rail 64. It is configured to play a game ball by rushing into it. The firing rod 62 has an end on the side of the rod rotation shaft 78 abutted against a buffer rubber 88 disposed on the opposite side of the ball emission portion 66 with the rod rotation shaft 78 interposed therebetween, and The rotation range is restricted so that the emitting portion 87 does not move on the firing rail 64 ahead of the ball launching portion 66. The launching rod 62 is configured such that an arm 90 made of a wire rod is extended toward the ball feeding device 65 in the middle, and the feeding lever 91 of the ball feeding device 65 is pushed down by the arm 90 while the launching rod 62 is retracted. Has been. Thereby, the game balls guided from the upper plate 14 into the ball feeder 65 are supplied one by one onto the launch rail 64.
[0026]
In the above-described launching device 23, the transmission member 56 has a transmission member opening 94 (corresponding to the transmission member clearance portion of the present invention), the mounting member 55 has a mounting member opening 95, and the transmission gear 57 has a transmission gear opening. A plurality of 96 (in this embodiment, three with a phase shift of 120 degrees in each embodiment) are opened, and the firing force adjustment handle 38 is not adjusted, that is, the gears 56 and 57 are not rotated. The various openings 94, 95, 96 are arranged one by one behind the screwing member 52, and arranged along the attaching / detaching direction of the screwing member 52. The transmission member opening 94 is formed by providing a notch on the outer periphery of the transmission member 56, and the attachment member opening 95 and the transmission gear opening 96 open through holes in the attachment member 55 and the transmission gear 57. Is formed. Further, since each of the openings 94, 95, 96 is opened at a position equidistant from the axis center of the transmission member rotating shaft 70, each opening force adjusting handle 38 is in an adjusted state. The openings 94, 95, and 96 can be arranged along the attaching / detaching direction of the screwing member 52 every time the openings 94, 95, and 96 are rotated by the arrangement phase.
[0027]
Further, each of the openings 94, 95, and 96 is a screwing member 52 or a tool (for example, a driver) T, and more specifically, an engaging part (for example, a tip of a driver) that engages the screwing member 52 of the tool T ) Is sufficiently open. Further, in the launching device attachment portion 99 to which the launching device 23 of the front frame base member 4 is attached, a base member opening portion 100 having openings similar to the respective opening portions 94, 95, 96 is provided on each screwing member 52. It is established in accordance with the rear of the screwing position (see FIG. 6B). Therefore, the pachinko gaming machine 1 to which the launching device 23 is attached forms the screwing member attachment operation space 101 from the back surface of the insertion concave chamber 34, which is a launch operation unit attachment portion, to the front surface of the attachment member 55, and this screw. A space through which the screwing member 52 can pass in the attaching / detaching direction of the screwing member 52 of the firing operation unit 21 by providing each of the openings 94, 95, 96 and the base member opening 100 communicating with the joint member mounting operation space 101. And the screwing member 52 can be removed or attached even from the back side of the launching device 23. Accordingly, the replacement operation of the firing operation unit 21 can be performed efficiently without removing the launching device 23 and the mounting base 18 from the front frame 3.
[0028]
Then, as described above, the launching device 23 has the transmission member opening portion 94, the attachment member opening portion 95, and the transmission gear opening portion 96 in a normal state where the firing force adjusting handle 38 of the firing operation unit 21 is not operated. Since the screwing member 52 is arranged along the attaching / detaching direction, the openings 94, 95, 96 are attached / detached without special adjustment when replacing the firing operation unit 21. It can be adjusted to a position along the direction. Accordingly, the replacement operation of the firing operation unit 21 can be quickly performed, and the work efficiency can be improved.
[0029]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the front frame base member 4 has a hollow shelf 102 (a launching device guide mounting shelf according to the present invention) opened rearwardly between the launching operation unit 21 and the launching device 23. A screwing member collecting port 103 through which the screwing member 52 can pass is formed in the upper plate of the shelf portion 102, and an inclined surface 104 inclined backward is formed in the lower plate of the shelf portion 102. ing. When such a shelf 102 is formed on the front frame base member 4, it functions as a guide for guiding the launching device 23 at the time of attachment to the attachment position (launching device attachment portion 99), and launches in the attached state. The device 23 can be placed. Further, when the screwing member 52 is removed during the replacement operation of the firing operation unit 21, a region corresponding to the lower part of the screwing member mounting operation space 101 between the back surface of the mounting base 18 and the front surface of the mounting member 55 is provided. When the screwing member 52 falls, the screwing member 52 passes through the screwing member recovery port 103 and rolls down the inclined surface 104, so that it can be easily recovered from the lower rear of the front frame base member 4. .
[0030]
In this way, the front frame base member 4 opens the screwing member collection port 103 through which the screwing member 52 can pass below between the firing operation unit 21 and the launching device 23, so that the firing operation unit When exchanging 21, the openings 94, 95, 96 can be adjusted to positions along the attaching / detaching direction of the screwing member 52 without special adjustment. Accordingly, the replacement operation of the firing operation unit 21 can be quickly performed, and the work efficiency can be improved.
[0031]
Next, operations of the firing operation unit 21 and the launching device 23 configured as described above will be described.
First, when the player grasps the grip portion 37 of the launch operation unit 21 and touches the touch sensor portion 39, the touch sensor portion 39 detects that the player is touching due to a change in capacitance, and launches. A detection signal is transmitted to the discharge control device 31. Upon receiving this detection signal, the launch / eject control apparatus 31 confirms that the condition for permitting the drive of the launch motor 83 is satisfied, and waits until the launch switch is turned on. When the player begins to rotate the firing force adjustment handle 38 while gripping the grip portion 37, the launch switch is turned on, and the launch / eject control device 31 drives the launch motor 83.
[0032]
When the firing motor 83 is driven, the cam 84 starts to rotate while abutting the cam follower 82, the second casing member 76 and the rod rotation shaft 78 rotate, and at the same time, the shooting rod 62 moves backward. At this time, the ball feeder 65 supplies one gaming ball from the upper plate 14 onto the firing rail 64 by operating the arm 90 of the launching rod 62. When the cam follower 82 is disengaged from the hooking portion 85 of the cam 84, the second casing member 76, the hook rotation shaft 78, and the firing rod 62 are suddenly returned and rotated (advanced) by the elastic force of the spring 61. The launching portion 87 launches the game ball on the launch rail 64 to the game area 10. Further, the cam 84 continues to rotate as long as the launch switch is turned on, and the cam follower 82 is hooked on the hook 85 again to prepare for the next game ball launch.
[0033]
Further, when the rotation amount (adjustment operation amount) of the firing force adjusting handle 38 is adjusted, the first casing member 75 is rotated via the firing force transmission shaft portion 42, the transmission member 56, the transmission gear 57 and the connection gear 58. It is possible to adjust the flight distance of the game ball by adjusting the degree of narrowing of the spring 61, that is, by adjusting the elastic force of the spring 61, thereby changing the launching rotation speed of the launching rod 62. Therefore, if the amount of rotation of the firing force adjustment handle 38 is increased, the resilience of the spring 61 can be increased and the flight distance of the hit ball can be increased, while the amount of rotation of the firing force adjustment handle 38 can be reduced. In this case, the spring force of the spring 61 can be brought close to the normal state to shorten the flight distance of the hit ball.
[0034]
By the way, if the transmission member 56 is disposed so that the transmission member opening 94 is positioned in the middle of the adjacent connection member engagement holes 69 as shown in FIG. 10, the connection member engagement hole 69 and the transmission member opening are provided. It is easy to avoid the wall thickness between 94 and 94 becoming extremely thin. Therefore, the connecting member engagement hole 69 is less likely to be distorted, and even if the firing force adjustment handle 38 is repeatedly operated, the adjustment operation amount can be easily transmitted to the transmission gear 57, which is preferable.
[0035]
Further, since the transmission member 56 shown in FIG. 10 has the transmission member openings 94 and the connection member engagement holes 69 arranged alternately along the circumferential direction of the transmission member 56, the rotational force from the connection member 24. Can be transmitted to the transmission member 56 while being dispersed without being concentrated on one position of the transmission member 56. Even if the connecting member engagement hole 69 is opened close to the center of the rotation axis, the rotation torque can be reduced to suppress the deformation of the transmission member 56 and the adjustment operation amount due to transmission can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the parts and to reduce the manufacturing cost.
[0036]
In addition, although the transmission member opening part 94 in this embodiment was formed by the notch provided in the outer periphery of the transmission member 56, it communicates from the front side of the discharge device 23 to the back side, and the space which the screwing member 52 can pass through. As long as is formed, it may be anything. For example, the outer diameter of the transmission member 56 may be increased and the transmission member opening 94 may be formed by a through hole, or the outer peripheral portion of the transmission member 56 and the screwing member 52 to be attached and detached may not interfere with each other. The outer diameter of the transmission member 56 may be reduced to secure a space through which the screwing member 52 can pass.
[0037]
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the transmission gear 57 may have an opening peripheral wall 107 extending from the opening peripheral edge of the transmission gear opening 96 along the attaching / detaching direction of the screwing member 52. The opening peripheral wall 107 extends backward from the opening peripheral edge of the transmission gear opening 96 to the front of the launching device mounting portion 99 of the front frame base member 4. Providing such an opening peripheral wall 107 can reinforce the periphery of the transmission gear opening 96 of the transmission gear 57 and prevent the transmission gear 57 from being damaged. Therefore, it is difficult for the life of the transmission gear 57 to be shortened, and maintenance labor and costs can be reduced. When a tool such as a screwdriver is used for attaching / detaching the screwing member 52, the opening peripheral wall 107 serves as a guide (guide portion) for guiding the tool to the mounting position of the firing operation unit 21. By quickly attaching and detaching, the replacement operation of the firing operation unit 21 can be performed efficiently. In addition, the opening peripheral wall 107 should just be extended along the attachment / detachment direction of the screwing member 52, for example, may be extended ahead.
[0038]
By the way, the mounting base portion 18 of the above-described embodiment fixes the protruding position of the grip portion 37 from the front frame 3 when the firing operation unit 21 is mounted, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the grip portion 37. The attachment base part which can adjust the back-and-forth position may be used. For example, the mounting base portion 18 ′ of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is basically the same as the mounting base portion 18 of the above-described embodiment, but the back of the insertion concave chamber 34 that locks the firing operation unit 21. The difference is that the side bottom 34a is provided with a position adjustment mechanism 110 that can adjust the front-rear direction of the locking position of the support 36. The position adjusting mechanism 110 is configured by opening a female screw hole 112 in a projection 111 provided on the back side of the bottom side 34 a of the insertion concave chamber 34 and screwing a stopper 113 having a male screw shaft into the female screw hole 112. A stopper 114 is provided at the tip of the stopper 113 to contact the end surface of the support 36. Further, behind the position adjusting mechanism 110, the transmission member opening 94, the attachment member opening 95, the transmission gear opening 96, and the base member opening 100 of the front frame base member 4 are disposed on the stopper 113. It is arranged along the moving direction.
[0039]
In order to adjust the front / rear position of the firing operation unit 21 with the position adjustment mechanism 110 as described above, first, the locking state is released by loosening the screwing member 52 that locks the support portion 36 or the like. Then, the firing operation unit 21 is brought into a state where it can be moved back and forth. Then, a tool such as a screwdriver is inserted into each of the openings 94, 95, and 96 from the rear of the firing device 23, and the stopper 113 is turned to move the tip of the contact portion 114 to a desired position. When the contact portion 114 is moved, the support portion 36 is moved in the front-rear direction, the end surface is abutted against the contact portion 114, and the support portion 36 is again locked to the insertion concave chamber 34 by the screwing member 52.
[0040]
As described above, when the position adjustment mechanism 110 is provided in the attachment base 18 ', the position of the grip 37 can be adjusted according to the player's preference. Therefore, a game shop in which such a pachinko gaming machine 1 is installed prepares the pachinko gaming machine 1 so that the player can perform a game more comfortably by adjusting the position of the grip portion 37 and making it different from other shops. It can be performed. Further, adjustment of the position of the launching operation unit 21 can be performed without removing the launching device 23 and the like, thereby improving work efficiency.
[0041]
If a rotation preventing rod (not shown) made of a rod is inserted into each opening 94, 95, 96, each opening 94, 95, 96 functions as a firing operation lock mechanism, for example, maintenance. This is preferable because it can prevent an accident that the launching device 23 is accidentally activated and the worker is hit with a finger by the launcher 62 in some cases.
[0042]
In the above-described embodiment, a pachinko gaming machine which is a typical gaming machine has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a game ball is driven from a launching device into a game area by operating a firing operation unit. Any gaming machine can be used as long as it is a gaming machine that plays games. For example, it may be a gaming machine such as a sealed ball type pachinko machine, an arrangement ball type game machine, or a sparrow ball type game machine that circulates a game ball sealed inside.
[0043]
It should be understood that the above-described embodiment is illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the above description, but is defined by the scope of the claims, and includes all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, the present invention has the following effects.
  That is, the launching operation unit mounting member is provided with a launching operation unit mounting part by forming an insertion concave chamber into which the launching operation unit can be inserted, and the launching operation unit is used as the launching operation unit mounting member in a state of being inserted into the insertion recess. For mounting, a communication hole communicating with the screwing hole of the firing operation unit is formed on the bottom surface of the insertion concave chamber, and the firing operation unit mounting portion, the transmission member, the mounting member, and the transmission gear are connected to the screwing hole and the communication gear. It is arranged in a state where it is overlapped in the front-rear direction with respect to the hole, the transmission member is a relief member, the attachment member is an attachment member opening, and the transmission gear is a transmission gear opening.The transmission member escape portion, the attachment member opening portion, and the transmission gear opening portion are arranged along the attaching / detaching direction of the screwing member in a normal state where the firing operation unit of the firing operation unit is not operated. MadeTherefore, the screwing member can be attached and detached through the transmission member escape portion, the attachment member opening portion, and the transmission gear opening portion. Therefore, the launching device unit can be attached to or detached from the mounting base of the front frame without removing the mounting base and the launching device from the front frame, and the burden of replacing the firing operation unit can be reduced.In addition, when replacing the firing operation unit, each opening can be adjusted to a position along the attaching / detaching direction of the screwing member without special adjustment. Therefore, the replacement operation of the launch operation unit can be rapidly performed, and the work efficiency can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a front frame.
4A is a perspective view of a firing operation unit, and FIG. 4B is a rear view of the firing operation unit.
5A is a front perspective view of a connecting member, and FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view.
6A is a lower cross-sectional view of a front frame to which a firing operation unit and a launching device are attached, and FIG. 6B is a lower cross-sectional view of the front frame with a driver inserted from the rear.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a launcher.
8A is a front view of the launching device, FIG. 8B is a rear view, FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view of a casing containing a spring, and FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the launcher.
FIG. 10 is a front view of a transmission member in which coupling member engagement holes and transmission member openings are provided alternately.
11A is a perspective view of a transmission gear having an opening peripheral wall, and FIG. 11B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the transmission gear opening and the opening peripheral wall.
12A is a lower cross-sectional view of the front frame in a state in which the launching operation unit is attached to an attachment base provided with a position adjustment mechanism, and FIG. 12B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the position adjustment mechanism.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Pachinko machine
2 Machine frame
3 Front frame
4 Front frame base member
5 Game board
6 Display device
7 Grand Prize Winners
8 General winning entrance
9 Out mouth
10 game areas
11 Glass frame
12 Plate unit
13 Lower plate unit
14 Top plate
15 Lower plate
16 Ashtray
18 Mounting base
21 Launch operation unit
23 Launcher
24 connecting member
25 Back mechanism board
26 ball tank
27 Ball guide rod
28 Discharge unit
30 Production control device
31 Launch emission control device
32 Power supply circuit
34 Insertion chamber
34a bottom
34b Communication hole
36 Supporting part
37 gripping part
38 Launch force adjustment handle
39 Touch sensor
41 Connection hole
42 Firing force transmission shaft
47 Positioning boss
48 Screw holes
49 Electrical wiring
50 Wiring opening
52 Threaded member
55 Mounting member
56 Transmission member
57 Transmission gear
58 Connecting gear
60 casing
61 Spring
62 Launching Trap
64 launch rail
65 Ball feeder
66 Ball launcher
68 Locking claw
69 Connecting member engaging hole
70 Transmission member rotating shaft
71 Spacer
73 Boss
75 First casing member
76 Second casing member
78 杵 Rotating shaft
79 Casing rotation gear
80 Rotation restriction stopper
82 Cam Follower
83 Launch motor
84 cams
85 hook part
87
88 cushion rubber
90 arms
91 Feed lever
94 Transmission member opening
95 Mounting member opening
96 Transmission gear opening
99 Launcher mounting
100 Base member opening
101 Threaded member mounting operation space
102 shelf
103 Screw member recovery port
104 Inclined surface
107 Opening edge wall
110 Position adjustment mechanism
111 protrusions
112 Female thread hole
113 Stopper
114 Contact part

Claims

A gaming machine comprising a front frame to which a launching device for launching a game ball, a launching operation unit for operating the launching device, and a launching operation unit attachment member capable of attaching the launching operation unit to a lower part on the front side are attached In
The firing operation unit is
A rear gripping member attached to the firing operation unit mounting member, a front gripping member attached to the front side of the rear gripping member, and rotatable between the front gripping member and the rear gripping member. And a launch operation unit that can adjust the firing force of a game ball that is held and launched into the game area,
The rear gripping member is provided with a screwing hole into which the screwing member can be screwed, and a firing transmission shaft portion for transmitting an adjustment operation amount of the firing operation unit to the launching device side. Provided in a state protruding rearward from the back surface of the holding member,
One end of a connecting member for transmitting the adjustment operation amount of the firing operation unit to the biasing member of the launching device as the amount of rotation of the firing transmission shaft portion is connected to the launch transmission shaft portion,
The launcher is
An attachment member attachable to the front frame;
A transmission member that is provided on the front surface side of the mounting member and to which the other end of the coupling member is connected, and that can transmit an adjustment operation amount from the coupling member;
A transmission gear that is provided on the back side of the mounting member and rotates in accordance with an adjustment operation amount transmitted from the transmission member;
An urging member whose urging force changes according to the rotation operation of the transmission gear;
A launcher for projecting a game ball by the biasing force of the biasing member;
Comprising at least
The firing operation unit mounting member is
In order to attach the firing operation unit to the firing operation unit attachment member in a state where the firing operation unit is installed in the insertion recessed chamber by forming an insertion recessed chamber into which the firing operation unit can be inserted, Forming a communication hole communicating with the screwing hole of the firing operation unit on the bottom surface of the concave chamber;
The firing operation unit mounting portion, the transmission member, the mounting member, and the transmission gear are arranged in a state of being overlapped in the front-rear direction with respect to the screwing hole and the communication hole,
Transmission member escape portion to the transmission member, the mounting member opening in the mounting member, and a transmission gear opening in the transmission gear formed respectively, in a normal state where the firing operation of the firing operation unit is not operated, the transmission A gaming machine , wherein a member relief portion, the attachment member opening portion, and the transmission gear opening portion are arranged along a direction in which the screwing member is attached and detached .

A screwing member mounting operation space is formed from the back surface of the launching operation unit mounting portion to the mounting member front surface of the launching device,
The front frame base member that is the base of the front frame forms a launcher mounting portion that can mount the launcher from the front,
The launching device mounting portion guides the mounting of the launching device and forms a launching device guide mounting shelf on which the launching device is placed when the launching device is attached,
The launching device guide mounting shelf forms a screwing member collecting port capable of collecting the screwing member dropped at the time of removal in a region corresponding to a lower portion of the screwing member attaching operation space. The gaming machine according to claim 1.

The transmission gear is characterized in that a guide portion of the screwing member is formed by extending an opening peripheral wall rearward along an attaching / detaching direction of the screwing member from an opening peripheral edge of the transmission gear opening. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

The transmission member is provided with a plurality of transmission member escape portions, and a plurality of connection member engagement holes connected to the connection member are provided, and the connection member engagement holes and the transmission member escape portion are connected to the transmission member. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gaming machine is alternately arranged along a circumferential direction.