JP4234809B2 - Game ball launcher and ball game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to the technical field of ball game machines, and particularly relates to a mechanism for supplying game balls onto a firing rail.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A ball ball game machine represented by a pachinko machine requires a game ball launching device for launching a game ball.
Game ball launchers can be classified by drive source, and one type uses a plunger solenoid. This type of game ball launching device has a plunger that is linearly reciprocated and a striking member provided on the distal end side of the plunger. When the plunger advances, the game ball placed on the firing rail is moved by the striking member. Strike and fire.
[0003]
In addition, there is a game ball launcher that uses a part of the driving force to drive a launch ball supply device that feeds game balls introduced from the game ball supply tray one by one onto the launch rail. Some types of solenoid type drive the firing ball supply device via a member that interlocks with the reciprocating movement of the plunger. An example is Japanese Patent No. 2660729.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the structure described in Japanese Patent No. 2660729 has a complicated structure, and the structure of the launching ball supply device, the path for feeding the game ball from the game ball supply tray, and the like are significantly different from the conventional ones. Therefore, it is not possible to use a conventional game ball supply device or an improved version thereof, and a structure of a ball game machine, particularly a structure for guiding a game ball from a game ball supply tray onto a firing rail Had to be changed significantly.
Therefore, it is necessary to change the design of the ball game machine, change the parts, change the manufacturing process, etc., and the burden on the manufacturer of the ball game machine is large.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to avoid an increase in the burden on a manufacturer of a ball game machine in adopting a game ball launcher using a plunger type solenoid.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
  The game ball launcher according to claim 1 is:
It has a plunger that is linearly reciprocated and a striking member provided on the tip side of the plunger, and when the plunger moves forward, the game ball placed on the firing rail is hit by the striking member and fired. In the game ball launching apparatus for driving the launching ball supply device for feeding the game balls introduced from the game ball supply tray one by one onto the launch rail via a member interlocking with the reciprocating motion of the plunger,
  A buffer ring attached to the plunger on the rear side of the striking member;
  A swing shaft fixed in position by being arranged in a 90-degree twist relationship with the reciprocating shaft of the plunger;
  Supported by the pivot shaftThe reciprocating rocking is possible around the rocking shaft, and the plunger moves forward.Buffer ringPressed bySwings forward, but the pressure is released when the plunger moves backwardAn oscillator,
  A coil spring in which the swing shaft is inserted, one end of which is fixed to the swing shaft and the other end is connected to the swing body to urge the swing body toward the retreat side, and when the plunger is retracted, A return spring for moving the swinging member backward and swinging;
  A coil spring having the swing shaft inserted therein, one end of which is connected to the swing body, and the other end is an elastic arm having a loop provided at the tip thereof extending along a tangential direction of winding. The elastic arm that reciprocally swings following the reciprocating swing of the swinging body.Drive the firing ball supply deviceWith drive spring
Is provided.
[0007]
  Plunger of this game ball launcherA shock-absorbing ring is attached to the rear side of the striking member. The buffer ringTo the plungerFor example, external fittingFlangedIn the material,It may be fixed directly to the plunger, or may be connected to the plunger via some member.
[0008]
  The swing shaft is arranged in a 90-degree twist relationship with the reciprocating shaft of the plunger, and the position is fixed.
  The rocking body isSupported by the swing shaftIt can swing back and forth around the swing axis, and when the plunger moves forwardBuffer ringPressed byRocks forward,When the plunger is retractedPressing by the buffer ring is released.
  The game ball launcher is also provided with two coil springs each having a swing shaft inserted therein.
  One of the coil springs is a return spring that has one end fixed to the swinging shaft and the other end connected to the swinging body to urge the swinging body to the backward side, and when the plunger is retracted, the swinging body is swung back and forth.
  The other coil spring is a drive spring. One end of the drive spring is connected to the rocking body, and the other end extends along the tangential direction of the winding of the drive spring. The extended end portion is an elastic arm, and a loop is provided at the tip. The elastic arm reciprocates following the reciprocation of the oscillator.Drives the launch ball supply device.
  An elastic arm that reciprocally swings following the swinging body by pressing the swinging body with the buffer ring when the plunger moves forward, and swinging forward with the return spring when the plunger moves backward.Therefore, a complicated mechanism such as that described in Japanese Patent No. 2660729 is not required. In addition, the launch ball supply device may be the same as the conventional one, and it is not necessary to change the structure for guiding the game ball from the game ball supply tray onto the launch rail. There is no need to change the manufacturing process, and there is no additional burden on the ball game machine manufacturer.
[0009]
  WhereElastic arm (drive spring)If this is a rigid member, an excessive force acts between the game ball launching device and the game ball supply device, for example, an oscillator,Buffer ring to driveMay be damaged or excessive load may be applied to the plunger.Because.
[0010]
  OscillatorTo return to the reverse side, for exampleBuffer ringAnd oscillating body,Buffer ringHowever, in this case, the movement of the plunger becomes unstable and there is a possibility that good firing cannot be performed.
[0011]
  But,The game ball supply device according to claim 1 is configured so that the plunger moves backward.Since the oscillating body is retracted and returned by the return spring, the movement of the plunger does not become unstable. In addition, it is possible to prevent the oscillating body from retreating excessively by a return spring, or a retreat position defining member for defining the retreat position of the oscillating body may be provided. In any case, by making the retracted position of the rocking body almost constant,Buffer ringThe position at which the oscillating member contacts the rocking body can be always constant, and the movement of the plunger can also be stabilized at this point.
[0012]
  thisClaim 1As a ball game machine suitable for using the game ball launcher ofClaim 2 or 3There is what is described in.Claim 2The listed ball game machineClaim 1A ball equipped with a game ball launching device, a game ball feeding tray, and a launching ball feeding device that is driven by the game ball launching device and introduces the game balls one by one from the game ball feeding tray and feeds them onto the firing rail. The game ball supply tray includes a game ball reservoir that stores game balls, and a supply port that is provided on the back side of the game ball supply tray by guiding the game balls from the game ball reservoir. A discharge passage for discharging the game ball, and a discharge port for discharging the game ball; and a receiving portion that can receive only one game ball, and is introduced from the discharge position when driven by an external force. When the external force is released, the position returns to the discharge position, and the introduction position allows game balls to flow from the supply port to the receiving portion, but from the receiving portion to the discharge port. Movement is not allowed, and play from the supply port at the blocking position. The game ball supply tray is provided with a cut-off member that prevents the ball from flowing out while allowing the game ball in the receiving portion to move to the discharge port, and the discharge port is located above the firing rail. The game ball launcher is attached to the back side of the plunger when the plunger moves forward.Elastic armIn this case, the disconnecting member is driven to be displaced to the introduction position, and the driving force exerted on the disconnecting member when the plunger is retracted is released.
[0013]
The game ball supply tray of the ball game machine includes a game ball reservoir for storing game balls, and a supply passage for guiding the game balls from the game ball reservoir and flowing out from a supply port provided on the back side of the game ball supply tray. However, this structure itself is similar to a conventional game ball supply tray (usually called an upper tray or upper tray).
[0014]
The launch ball supply device includes a discharge port for discharging the game ball and a cut-off member, and the cut-off member has a receiving portion that can receive only one game ball when driven by an external force. Is displaced from the discharge position to the introduction position, and when the external force is released, it returns from the introduction position to the discharge position. At the introduction position, the game ball is allowed to flow from the supply port to the receiving portion, but is moved from the receiving portion to the discharging port. In the blocking position, the game ball is prevented from flowing out from the supply port, while the game ball in the receiving portion is allowed to move to the discharge port. This launch ball supply device is attached to the back side of the game ball supply tray at a position where the discharge port is located above the launch rail, so that each game ball is introduced from the supply port one by one for each reciprocal displacement of the disconnecting member. Then, it can be supplied onto the launch rail from the outlet. Such a structure and operation of the launch ball supply device are known and widely used.
[0015]
  Thus, the game ball launcher is used when the plunger moves forward.Elastic armSince the disconnecting member is driven and displaced to the introduction position and the driving force exerted on the disconnecting member is released when the plunger is retracted, the disconnecting member returns to the blocking position. Therefore, in response to the forward / backward movement of the plunger of the game ball launching device, that is, the operation of hitting the game ball on the launch rail, the launch ball supply device can be operated to supply the game balls one by one on the launch rail. .
[0016]
  Thus, since the game ball supply tray and the launch ball supply device may be the same as the conventional one,Claim 1It is not necessary to change the structure of the conventional ball game machine, and there is no need to change the design, change parts, change the manufacturing process, etc. There is no increase.
[0017]
  Claim 3The listed ball game machineClaim 2In the bullet ball game machine described above, the game ball supply tray has dropped to the drop port for dropping the game ball located at the most downstream end of the supply passage, an opening / closing member for opening and closing the drop port, and the drop port A ball drop passage for guiding the game ball to the lower tray is provided.
[0018]
In this ball game machine, if the drop port is closed by the opening and closing member, the game ball located at the most downstream end of the supply passage has no way to go to other than the supply port. Each ball flows into the launch ball supply device.
On the other hand, when the launch ball supply device is not operating (when the game ball launch device is not operating), the game balls in the supply passage cannot flow out from the supply port. The game ball at the most downstream end is directly above the drop opening. When the opening / closing member is operated in this state to open the drop opening, the game ball in the supply passage falls from the drop opening and is guided to the lower tray by the ball drop passage. That is, the game ball can be moved from the game ball supply tray (upper tray) to the lower tray.
[0019]
  At this time, there is no game ball inside the launch ball supply device, and no game ball remains at the downstream end of the supply passage. The position of the conventional drop opening does not correspond to the most downstream end of the supply passage, and is one or two game balls upstream from that. In addition, some of the conventional launch ball supply devices hold one game ball inside when the game ball launch device is not in operation. For this reason, even if the drop opening was opened, all of the game balls in the game ball supply tray could not be discharged into the lower tray (the player had lost one or two game balls)Claim 3Such a malfunction does not occur in the described ball game machine.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings to explain the embodiment of the present invention.
[0021]
【Example】
As shown in FIG. 1, a pachinko machine 20 as a ball game machine holds an inner frame 24 with upper and lower hinge portions 23 a and 23 b provided on an outer frame 22 so as to be opened and closed. The game board 26 and the like are supported. A metal frame 30 is fitted into the front window 28 of the middle frame 24, and a glass frame 32 that is pivotally supported by the metal frame 30 so as to be opened and closed is disposed inside the metal frame 30. The glass frame 32 holds a glass plate 34, and the front surface of the game board 26 is covered with the glass plate 34. A dish door 36 is disposed below the glass frame 32 so as to be freely opened and closed by the middle frame 24. An upper plate 38 corresponding to a game ball supply plate is attached to the plate door 36. Inside the upper plate 38, an upper plate bowl 40 for connecting the inside of the pachinko machine 20 and the upper plate 38 opens, and a ball drop lever 42 is attached to the lower right portion. Further, a lower tray 44 and a firing handle 46 are attached to the lower part of the middle frame 24.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 2, the upper tray 38 has a game ball reservoir 38 a for storing game balls, a supply passage 38 b for guiding the game balls from the game ball reservoir 38 a while aligning them in a line, and the back surface of the tray door 36. A supply port 38c that opens to the side and a drop port 38d that opens to the bottom of the downstream end of the supply passage 38b are provided. The drop opening 38d is normally closed by the opening / closing member 48, but the opening / closing member 48 can be retracted by operating the above-described ball drop lever 42 to open the drop opening 38d. When the drop opening 38d is opened, the game balls in the supply passage 38b flow into the ball drop passage 50 shown in FIG. 3 from the drop opening 38d and are discharged below the upper plate 38. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a launch ball supply device 52 is mounted on the back side of the dish door 36 so as to cover the supply port 38 c. As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge ball supply device 52 is provided with a discharge port 54a, and game balls are introduced one by one from the supply port 38c and discharged from the discharge port 54a.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the launch ball supply device 52 includes a cover plate 54 provided with a discharge port 54 a, a peripheral wall 56 that surrounds the periphery of the cover plate 54, and an extended surface of the end surface 56 a of the peripheral wall 56. The extended mounting plates 58 and 60 are provided, and the screws (not shown in the figure) that pass through the screw holes 58a and 60a of the mounting plates 58 and 60 in a posture in which the end surface 56a of the peripheral wall 56 is in contact with the back surface of the dish door 36. ) To the dish door 36.
[0024]
The distance between the back surface of the tray door 36 and the cover plate 54 exceeds the diameter of the game ball, and the game ball is placed between the back surface of the tray door 36 and the cover plate 54, that is, inside the launch ball supply device 52. Can be moved along. However, since the cut-off member 62 is arranged inside the launch ball supply device 52, the game ball cannot be freely moved.
[0025]
The cut-off member 62 extends upward from a cut-off arm 62a projecting upward, a rolling path 62b connected to the base of the cut-off arm 62a, and the distal end side of the rolling path 62b, and toward the discharge port 54a. It has a guide arm 62c having a tapered surface 62f, a bearing 62d provided below the cut-off arm 62a, and an L-shaped arm 62e protruding in the horizontal direction below, and is erected on the cover plate 54 to be a bearing. Oscillating displacement is possible about an oscillating shaft 64 penetrating 62d. However, the clockwise swing shown in the figure is restricted by the tip of the guide arm 62c coming into contact with the peripheral wall 56 as shown in FIG. 5, and the stopper 66 provided in the cover plate 54 counterclockwise. Swing is restricted.
[0026]
When the external force is not applied, the cut-off member 62 becomes a discharge position (position shown in FIG. 4) oscillated and displaced counterclockwise by its own weight. At this time, the cut-off arm 62a is supplied to the upper plate 38. Since the port 38c is blocked, the game ball does not flow into the game ball supply device 52 from the supply port 38c. On the other hand, when the L-shaped arm 62e is pushed in, the cut-off member 62 swings and displaces in the clockwise direction to the introduction position shown in FIG. At this introduction position, the cut-off arm 62a retreats from the front of the supply port 38c, so that the game ball can flow from the supply port 38c onto the rolling path 62b. However, at this time, the rolling path 62b is inclined so that the guide arm 62c side is high and the cut arm 62a side is low, so that the game ball flowing in from the supply port 38c is stopped on the cut arm 62a side. That is, the corner portion formed by the cut-off arm 62a and the rolling path 62b functions as a receiving portion. Then, when the cut-off member 62 is displaced to the discharge position next time, the inclination direction of the rolling path 62b is reversed as shown in FIG. 4, so that the game ball rolls on the rolling path 62b. The direction is changed by the tapered surface 62f of the guide arm 62c, and the gas flows out from the discharge port 54a.
[0027]
In addition, although the interruption member 62 is driven with the launch of the game ball, this will be described later.
Next, the internal structure of the front side of the middle frame 24 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inside of the front window 28 of the middle frame 24 is shaped to match the outer peripheral shape of the game board 26 (not shown in FIGS. 6 and 7), and the game board 26 is fitted here. A holding window 68 is provided. Although the holding window 68 is substantially rectangular, corner protrusions 68a and 68b that align with notches (not shown) formed in the lower corners of the game board 26 are provided at the lower left and right corners. Further, a step-like back surface receiving portion 70 is provided along the upper side 68c and the left and right vertical sides 68d and 68e of the holding window 68, and a partition along the extended surface of the back surface receiving portion 70 is provided behind the lower side 68f. A plate 72 is attached. The front side surfaces of the back receiving part 70 and the partition plate 72 are substantially a series of flat surfaces. By contacting the back side of the game board 26 fitted in the holding window 68, the back side of the game board 26 is arranged. It becomes a positioning member.
[0028]
Further, a through passage 73 that penetrates the middle frame 24 is provided between the lower side 68f and the corner protrusion 68a.
As shown in FIG. 6, a front panel 74 is attached to the lower part of the front window 28. The front panel 74 includes a launch rail 76, a reinforcing plate 78 that also serves as a ball stopper for preventing the game ball placed on the launch rail 76 from falling off the launch rail 76, and a game ball placed on the launch rail. As shown in FIG. 8, a game ball launching device 80 for hitting, a transmission mechanism 82 for transmitting a part of the driving force of the game ball launching device 80 as the driving force of the cut-off member 62 of the launching ball supply device 52 described above. A U-shaped spilled ball guiding member 84 and a bowl-shaped overflow ball dropping rod 86 as shown in FIG. 8 are attached, and an upper notch 88 corresponding to the through-passage 73 and a middle notch 90 at the lower center. Is provided.
[0029]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the portion of the middle frame 24 covered by the front panel 74 includes a support rib 92 that supports the front panel 74, an out bulb 94 that is inclined to the left from the center, and a left end. A ball passage 96 extending obliquely from the center and descending in the vertical direction is provided with a transverse passage 98 (see FIG. 12) penetrating the middle frame 24 at a position corresponding to the overflow ball dropping rod 86. As shown in FIG. 12, the overflow ball dropping cage 86 is arranged so as to cover the opening of the transverse passage 98, and the overflow ball dropping cage 86 guides the game ball passing through the transverse passage 98 downward, Drop from the opening at the bottom.
[0030]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, an out passage 100 that penetrates the middle frame 24 is opened at a position corresponding to the lower end of the out bulb cage 94 at the lower portion of the middle frame 24. Is provided with a left inclined surface 102 whose center side is lowered. Further, a right inclined surface 104 having a shape that is a mirror image of the left inclined surface 102 is provided on the right side, and a lower dish guide path 106 is formed therebetween. As shown in FIG. 8, an inclined surface 106 a is provided at the inlet portion of the lower dish guide path 106, and the downstream end of the lower dish guide path 106 opens into the lower tray 44 as a lower dish discharge port 108. Yes.
[0031]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, the left inclined surface 102 reaches the partition plate 72 below the front panel 74. Similarly, the right inclined surface 104 also reaches the partition plate 72 below the front panel 74. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, an out ball dropping port 110 is opened on the lower side 68 f of the holding window 68 corresponding to the out ball cage 94. The out ball drop port 110 is connected to an out hole (not shown) of the game board 26, and the out ball passes through the out ball drop port 110 from the out hole and flows into the out ball bowl 94, and further, the out path 100. It passes through and reaches the back side of the middle frame 24. In addition, the game ball that has fallen on the left inclined surface 102 from the ball punch 96 rolls on the left inclined surface 102 and flows into the out passage 100, and reaches the back side of the middle frame 24 in the same manner as the out ball.
[0032]
On the other hand, the game ball that has fallen to the left inclined surface 102 from the overflow ball dropping rod 86 and the through passage 73 is prevented from moving toward the out passage 100 by the front panel 74 and flows into the lower dish guide passage 106.
However, when the tray door 36 is closed, the upper tray bowl 40 is connected to the through passage 73, so that the game ball that has passed through the through passage 73 flows into the upper tray 38 from the upper tray bowl 40, and the left inclined surface. It does not fall on 102. In addition, the spilling ball guiding member 84 allows the game ball falling from the through passage 73 when the tray door 36 is opened to pass through the inside thereof, and the game ball spills to the near side (that is, outside the pachinko machine 20). This is to prevent this.
[0033]
Next, the structures of the game ball launching device 80 and the transmission mechanism 82 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The game ball launching device 80 uses a known plunger-type solenoid, and a striking member 80b is attached to the tip of the plunger 80a. A rearward position of the plunger 80a is defined on the rear side of the striking member 80b and the plunger A buffer ring 80c is provided for alleviating the impact at the time of stop after the backward movement of 80a.
[0034]
The transmission mechanism 82 includes a swing shaft 82a erected on the front panel 74, a swing body 82b pivotally supported by the swing shaft 82a, one end fixed to the swing shaft 82a and the other end swinging body. A return spring 82c, which is a coil spring connected to 82b, and a coil spring, one end of which is connected to the swinging body 82b, the other end extending along the tangential direction and having an elastic arm 82e provided with a loop 82d at the tip. The drive spring 82f is configured with a seated screw 82g that prevents the drive spring 82f from falling off the swinging shaft 82a. The elastic arm 82e corresponds to an elastic body.
[0035]
When the game ball launcher 80 is energized to the electromagnetic coil 80e disposed inside the yoke 80d, the game ball launcher 80 causes the plunger 80a to protrude forward in the same manner as a known plunger solenoid. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the buffer ring 80c presses the tip of the oscillating body 82b, and the oscillating body 82b is oscillated forward against the urging force of the return spring 82c. The elastic arm 82e is also oscillated forward as the oscillating body 82b is oscillated forward.
[0036]
In addition, the game ball launcher 80 retracts the plunger 80a when the power is turned off. Then, since the pressing force exerted on the rocking body 82b by the buffer ring 80c is released, the rocking body 82b is swung back by the urging force of the return spring 82c, and the elastic arm 82e is also swung back and forth accordingly. Both return to the state shown in FIG.
[0037]
That is, the rocking body 82b and the elastic arm 82e are reciprocally rocked back and forth according to the forward and backward movement of the striking member 80b.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the loop 82 d at the tip of the elastic arm 82 e is in contact with the L-shaped arm 62 e of the firing ball supply device 52. Is displaced from the discharge position to the introduction position, and the force exerted on the L-shaped arm 62e at the time of backward swinging is released to allow the disconnection member 62 to be displaced from the introduction position to the discharge position.
[0038]
As described above, the disconnecting member 62 is reciprocally displaced in synchronization with the launching operation of the game ball launcher 80, and at the introduction position, the disconnecting arm 62a is moved away from the front of the supply port 38c to play the game from the supply port 38c. When the ball is received and displaced to the discharge position, the game ball received at the introduction position flows out from the discharge port 54a. The game ball that has flowed out of the discharge port 54a falls on the launch rail 76, moves to the game ball launcher 80 side due to the inclination of the launch rail 76, and drops from the launch rail 76 by the reinforcing plate 78 at its end. Prevented and set aside.
[0039]
When the plunger 80a moves forward, the game ball launching device 80 strikes and launches the game ball placed on the end of the launch rail 76 with the striking member 80b, and the above-described advancement of the plunger 80a causes the above-described advancement. Thus, the firing ball supply device 52 is driven via the transmission mechanism 82.
[0040]
Next, the structure of the back side of the middle frame 24 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 11, a ball extraction groove 112 is provided along the one vertical side 68 d of the holding window 68 on the back side of the middle frame 24. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the upper end portion of the ball extraction groove 112 is continuous with the back surface of the middle frame 24 via the inclined surface 112a, and the lower end portion is formed as a ball extraction as shown in FIGS. It is connected to the upper end of the collar 96. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a through passage 73, a transverse passage 98, and an out passage 100 are opened on the back side of the middle frame 24.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 13, behind the middle frame 24, a prize ball tank 114 for storing a prize ball and a rental game ball is attached. An alignment rod 116 that guides the game balls while aligning them is connected to the bottom of the prize ball tank 114, and a payout device 118 is connected to the downstream end of the alignment ball 116. In the dispensing device 118, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-42248, a screw (not shown) is rotated by a stepping motor 118a, and the inlet 118b on the alignment rod 116 side is rotated by the screw. The game ball is drawn from the outlet 118c and discharged from the outlet 118c. A route switching mechanism 120 is connected to the outlet 118 c of the payout device 118.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 14, the course switching mechanism 120 has a normal position (see FIG. 14) that blocks the switching port 120 b provided on one wall surface of the switching rod 120 a and the switching rod 120 a connected to the outlet 118 c of the dispensing device 118. In order to drive the switching damper 120d and the switching damper 120d which are switched to a ball pulling position (a position indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 14) which opens the switching port 120b and blocks the outlet 120c side of the switching rod 120a. The solenoid (not shown) is provided.
[0043]
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a vertical rod 122 is connected to the outlet 120c of the switching rod 120a. The vertical rod 122 has a substantially square cross-sectional shape, and covers the open side of the spherical groove 112 on one side. Therefore, the game ball does not spill out of the ball extraction groove 112.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 13, a rear panel 123 is attached to the lower part of the back side of the middle frame 24.
A rib is attached to the rear panel 123, and a relay passage 124 connected to the downstream end of the vertical rod 122 is formed by the rib.
[0045]
The upstream end of the inclined portion 124 a of the relay passage 124 is connected to the downstream end of the vertical rod 122. The inclined portion 124a is inclined in a direction that is lower left in FIG. 13, and an overflow passage 125 that is inclined in a direction opposite to the inclined portion 124a is branched from the lower end thereof. The overflow passage 125 descends vertically following the inclination, and its lower end communicates with the transverse passage 98.
[0046]
In addition, a horizontal guiding portion 124c that extends in the direction opposite to the overflow passage 125 is provided at the extension of the inclined portion 124a. The horizontal guiding portion 124c is inclined at a very gentle slope, which is higher on the inclined portion 124a side and lower as it is further away from the horizontal guiding portion 124c.
[0047]
Due to such a structure, the game ball that has flowed into the inclined portion 124a from the vertical basket 122 falls to the horizontal guiding portion 124c due to the inclination of the inclined portion 124a, and flows into the through passage 73 from the horizontal guiding portion 124c. At this time, the moving direction of the game ball changes from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction when it falls from the inclined portion 124a to the horizontal guiding portion 124c, and when it flows into the through passage 73 from the horizontal guiding portion 124c. It changes from the width direction to the front-rear direction. This change in the moving direction is caused by a collision with the floor 124d of the horizontal guiding portion 124c and a collision with the wall 124e of the horizontal guiding portion 124c. Therefore, the impact at the time of the collision is reduced and the floor 124d and the wall 124e are moved. In order to prevent being damaged and to prevent noise, rubber cushioning materials 126a and 126b are attached to an area where game balls of the floor 124d and the wall 124e are expected to collide. The wall 124e is arranged at a slight angle (about 10 degrees in this embodiment) with respect to the axis of the through passage 73.
[0048]
The rear panel 123 is provided with a U-turn portion 128a formed by a rib continuously provided on the wall 124e of the horizontal guide portion 124c and an outer edge portion 128b formed by a rib extending from one vertical side to the bottom side. A safe ball assembly rod 128 is constituted by the portion extending over the turn portion 128a and the outer edge portion 128b. Although illustration is omitted, on the back of the game board 26, a safe bowl that guides the game ball won in the prize opening toward the lower side of the game board 26 is installed, and the safe ball guided by the safe bowl is a safe ball. It flows into the set 樋 128.
[0049]
A safe ball sensor 130 having a hole through which a game ball passes is installed at the tip of the downstream end of the safe ball assembly basket 128. Further, adjacent to the safe ball sensor 130, a safe ball discharge mechanism 132 configured by a swing member 132b swingable about the shaft pin 132a and a solenoid 132c for driving the swing member 132b is installed. . The safe ball discharge mechanism 132 drives the swinging member 132b to reciprocate by a solenoid 132c, and causes one game ball to flow out of the safe ball assembly cage 128 and drop downward.
[0050]
Further, a rib 134a continuously connected to the overflow passage 125 and a rib 134b suspended from the outer edge portion 128b are arranged so as to surround the safe ball discharge mechanism 132, and a game is provided between the rib 134a and the rib 134b. An out-of-machine discharge port 136 for discharging the sphere out of the machine is formed. An out passage 100 is opened above the outside discharge port 136. For this reason, the game ball that has flowed out from the out passage 100 to the back side of the middle frame 24 is discharged out of the machine through the outside discharge port 136. In addition, the game balls that have flowed out of the safe ball assembly cage 128 by the safe ball discharge mechanism 132 described above are also discharged out of the machine from the outside discharge port 136.
[0051]
In addition, on the back side of the pachinko machine 20, electrical system components such as a control device that controls the variable winning device and the symbol display device on the game board 26 and the control of the game ball launch device 80 and the payout device 118, wiring These covers and the like are equipped, but since they are not different from known ones, illustration and description are omitted.
[0052]
The pachinko machine 20 has a structure as described above, and the switching damper 120d is in a normal position in a normal use state.
When the player operates the launch handle 46, the game ball launch device 80 is activated. With the operation of the game ball launching device 80, the launch ball supply device 52 is driven to introduce the game balls one by one from the upper plate 38 and drop them onto the launch rail 76. The game ball is hit by the game ball launching device 80 and driven onto the game board 26, and a pachinko game is performed by the behavior of the game ball there.
[0053]
With this pachinko game, safe balls and out balls are generated, but the safe balls are collected by the safe ball assembly cage 128 and dropped by the safe ball discharge mechanism 132 one by one, and are discharged from the external discharge port 136 to the outside of the machine. To be discharged. On the other hand, the out ball passes through the out ball drop port 110 from the out hole of the game board 26 and flows into the out ball bowl 94, further passes through the out passage 100, reaches the back side of the middle frame 24, and falls from there. Then, it is discharged out of the machine through the outside discharge port 136.
[0054]
Further, when a safe ball (winning) is generated, the payout device 118 is operated in accordance with it to discharge the game ball as a winning ball. The payout device 118 may discharge a game ball as a rental ball.
When the payout device 118 is activated and game balls as prize balls or rental balls are discharged, the game balls are guided to the vertical basket 122 by the switching damper 120d and flow into the inclined portion 124a of the relay passage 124.
[0055]
The game ball that has flowed into the inclined portion 124a falls to the horizontal guiding portion 124c due to the inclination of the inclined portion 124a. Since these falling game balls collide with the cushioning material 126a, the floor 124d is damaged or the generation of noise due to the collision is prevented. The game ball that has fallen on the horizontal guide portion 124 c is normally guided by the horizontal guide portion 124 c and flows into the through passage 73. At this time, since the game ball collides with the cushioning material 126b, the wall 124e is damaged or the generation of noise accompanying the collision is prevented. The game ball that has flowed into the through passage 73 flows from the upper plate bowl 40 into the upper plate 38.
[0056]
By the way, in the pachinko machine 20, a large amount of prize balls may be paid out in a short time, for example, in a big hit state. Then, the inside of the upper plate 38 is filled with the game ball, and eventually the game ball may overflow from the upper plate bowl 40 to the horizontal guide part 124c through the through passage 73.
[0057]
In such a case, the game ball that has fallen from the inclined portion 124a cannot move to the through passage 73 side, and therefore flows into the overflow passage 125. The game ball that has flowed into the overflow passage 125 flows out to the front side of the middle frame 24 through the transverse passage 98, falls from the overflow ball dropping rod 86 to the left inclined surface 102, passes through the lower tray guide path 106, and receives the lower tray 44. Flow into.
[0058]
On the other hand, when the payout device 118 is operated with the switching damper 120d in the ball removal position, the game balls discharged from the payout device 118 flow into the ball removal box 96 through the ball removal groove 112. Subsequently, the ball falls from the ball punch 96 onto the left inclined surface 102, is guided by the left inclined surface 102, flows into the out passage 100, and is guided to the back side of the middle frame 24. And it falls from the out channel | path 100, and is discharged | emitted from the outside discharge port 136 outside the apparatus. That is, if the payout device 118 is operated with the switching damper 120d in the ball extraction position, all the game balls stored in the prize ball tank 114 can be discharged out of the machine.
[0059]
In this pachinko machine 20, since the ball punching groove 112 and the vertical rod 122 overlap in the thickness direction of the pachinko machine 20, the path occupied by the path for winning balls and the path for extracting game balls is occupied by this part. The area is only the area occupied by the spherical groove 112. Therefore, compared with the conventional ball game machine in which the path for prize balls and the path for ball removal are arranged in parallel, the installation area occupied by them is halved, and the degree of freedom of component arrangement is increased.
[0060]
Further, in this pachinko machine 20, the game ball is preferentially guided to the upper plate 38 only by setting the shape of the branching portion of the relay passage 124 and the overflow passage 125 as described above, and the upper plate 38 becomes full. Then, it can be guided to the lower tray 44, and for example, a wall member or the like for separating the upper tray 38 side and the lower tray 44 side is not required. The mechanism for distributing to the lower tray 44 is further simplified.
[0061]
In addition, since the cushioning materials 126a and 126b are attached to the area where the collision between the floor 124d of the horizontal guide portion 124c and the game ball on the wall 124e is assumed, the game balls flowing into the horizontal guide portion 124c from the inclined portion 124a enter the floor 124d. The impact at the time of collision and the impact at the time of collision with the wall 124e because it flows into the through passage 73 from the horizontal guiding portion 124c can be reduced, and the floor 124d and the wall 124e are damaged or deteriorated by the collision with the game ball. Can be prevented, and the noise accompanying the collision can also be prevented.
[0062]
Further, a buffer ring 80c corresponding to a pressing body is attached to the plunger 80a of the game ball launching device 80 of the pachinko machine 20, and when the plunger 80a moves forward, the buffer ring 80c presses the tip of the swinging body 82b. Then, the swinging body 82b is swung forward against the urging force of the return spring 82c, and the elastic arm 82e is also swung forward as the swinging body 82b is swung forward. The elastic arm 82e pushes the L-shaped arm 62e of the projecting ball supply device 52 with the loop 82d at the tip thereof, thereby displacing the disconnecting member 62 from the discharge position to the introduction position.
[0063]
Further, when the plunger 80a is retracted, the pressing force applied to the swinging body 82b by the buffer ring 80c is released, so that the swinging body 82b is swung back by the urging force of the return spring 82c, and the elastic arm 82e is also Back and swing back. Then, since the force exerted on the L-shaped arm 62e by the elastic arm 82e is released, the cut-off member 62 returns from the introduction position to the discharge position and is displaced.
[0064]
That is, the breaker member 62 is reciprocated in synchronization with the launching operation of the game ball launcher 80, and at the introduction position, the breaker arm 62a is retracted from the front of the supply port 38c, and the game ball from the supply port 38c is removed. When it is received and displaced to the discharge position, the game ball received at the introduction position is caused to flow out of the discharge port 54a. The game ball that has flowed out of the discharge port 54a falls on the launch rail 76, moves to the game ball launcher 80 side due to the inclination of the launch rail 76, and is dropped from the launch rail 76 by the reinforcing plate 78 at its end. Prevented and set aside. The game ball is hit by the hitting member 80b when the plunger 80a next moves forward.
[0065]
Thus, the launching device 80 strikes and launches the game ball placed at the end of the firing rail 76 by the striking member 80b by the advancement of the plunger 80a, and the plunger 80a at that time moves forward and backward. As described above, the firing ball supply device 52 is driven via the transmission mechanism 82.
[0066]
In the pachinko machine 20 of the present embodiment, the transmission mechanism 82 is used as a configuration for driving the firing ball supply device 52, so that a complicated mechanism as described in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 2660729 is not required. Moreover, the launch ball supply device 52 may be the same as the conventional one, and it is not necessary to change the structure for guiding the game ball from the upper plate 38 onto the launch rail 76. There is no need to change or change the manufacturing process, and there is no burden on the manufacturer of the ball game machine.
[0067]
In particular, since the elastic arm 82e is a part of the coil spring, an excessive force is applied between the launching device 80 and the launching ball supply device 52, and for example, the rocking body 82b and the buffer ring 80c that drives this are damaged. There is no possibility that an excessive load is applied to the plunger 80a. A leaf spring may be used instead of the wire-like elastic arm 82e.
[0068]
Further, since the drop port 38d is provided at the most downstream end of the supply passage 38b of the upper plate 38, all the game balls of the upper plate 38 can be discharged to the lower plate 44 by opening the drop port 38d. At this time, there is no game ball taken into the launch ball supply device 52, so no game ball remains in the upper plate 38 and the launch ball supply device 52.
[0069]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described according to the Example, this invention is not limited to this example.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a moving path of a game ball in an upper plate.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the dish door.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the game ball supply device, FIG. 4 (a) is a projection view of the game ball supply device on the side of the dish door when the cut-off member is in the discharge position, and FIG. 4 (b) is an L-shape. It is a top view of an arm part.
FIG. 5 is a projection view on the dish door side of the game ball supply device when the breaker member is in the introduction position.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the middle frame with the metal frame and the tray door removed.
7 is a front view of the middle frame with the front panel removed from the state of FIG. 6. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view along the lower side of the holding window of the middle frame.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a game ball launching device and a transmission mechanism, FIG. 9 (a) is a front view when the striking member is retracted, FIG. 9 (b) is a plan view of the same state, FIG. c) is an explanatory view of the shape of the elastic arm.
FIG. 10 is a front view of the game ball launcher and the transmission mechanism when the hitting member is advanced.
FIG. 11 is a rear view of the middle frame with the rear panel removed.
FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the middle frame along the center line of the spherical groove.
FIG. 13 is a rear view of the middle frame with a rear panel attached.
FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the upper end of a ball extraction groove in the middle frame.
[Explanation of symbols]
20 ... Pachinko machine (ball game machine), 22 ... Outer frame, 24 ... Middle frame, 26 ... Game board, 28 ... Front window, 36 ... Dish door, 38 ... Upper plate (game ball supply plate), 38a ... Game Ball reservoir, 38b ... supply passage, 38c ... supply port, 38d ... drop port, 40 ... upper plate bowl, 42 ... ball drop lever, 44 ... lower tray, 46 ... firing handle, 48 ... opening and closing member, 50 ... ball drop passage 52 ... Launch ball supply device, 54 ... Cover plate, 54a ... Discharge port, 58 ... Mounting plate, 62 ... Interrupting member, 62a ... Interrupting arm (receiving portion), 62b ... Rolling path (receiving portion), 62c ... guide arm, 62d ... bearing, 62e ... L-shaped arm, 62f ... tapered surface, 64 ... oscillating shaft, 66 ... stopper, 68 ... holding window, 72 ... partition plate, 73 ... through passage, 74 ... front panel, 76 ... Launch rail, 80 ... Game ball launch device, 80a ... Plunger, 80b ... Blow member, 80c ... Shock ring (pressing body), 82 ... transmission mechanism, 82a ... swinging shaft, 82b ... swinging body, 82c ... return spring, 82d ... loop, 82e ... elastic arm (elastic member), 82f ... drive spring, 82g ... seated screw 84 ... Spilled ball guide member, 86 ... Ball drop bowl, 94 ... Out bulb bowl, 96 ... Ball removal bowl, 98 ... Transverse passage, 100 ... Out passage, 102 ... Left slope, 104 ... Right slope, 106 ... Lower plate Guide path, 108 ... lower tray discharge port, 110 ... out ball drop port, 112 ... ball drain groove, 114 ... prize ball tank, 116 ... alignment ball, 118 ... dispensing device, 120 ... course switching mechanism, 120d ... switching damper, 122 ... Vertical fence, 123 ... Rear panel, 124 ... Relay passage, 124a ... Inclined portion, 124c ... Horizontal guide portion, 124d ... Floor, 124e ... Wall, 125 ... Overflow passage, 126a ... Buffer material, 126b ... Buffer material, 28 ... safe ball collection gutter, 130 ... safe ball sensor, 132 ... safe ball ejection mechanism, 136 ... outside outlet.

Claims (3)

It has a plunger that is linearly reciprocated and a striking member provided on the tip side of the plunger, and when the plunger moves forward, the game ball placed on the firing rail is hit by the striking member and fired. In the game ball launching apparatus for driving the launching ball supply device for feeding the game balls introduced from the game ball supply tray one by one onto the launch rail via a member interlocking with the reciprocating motion of the plunger,
A buffer ring attached to the plunger on the rear side of the striking member;
A swing shaft fixed in position by being arranged in a 90-degree twist relationship with the reciprocating shaft of the plunger;
It is supported by the swing shaft and can swing back and forth around the swing shaft, and is pushed forward by the buffer ring when the plunger moves forward, but the pressure is released when the plunger moves backward. rocking and body that,
A coil spring in which the swing shaft is inserted, one end of which is fixed to the swing shaft and the other end is connected to the swing body to urge the swing body toward the retreat side, and when the plunger is retracted, A return spring for moving the swinging member backward and swinging;
A coil spring having the swing shaft inserted therein, one end of which is connected to the swing body, and the other end is an elastic arm having a loop provided at the tip thereof extending along a tangential direction of winding. A game ball launching apparatus comprising: a drive spring that drives the firing ball supply device by the elastic arm that reciprocally swings following the reciprocating swing of the swinging body . 2. A game ball launching device according to claim 1 , driven by the game ball launching device, and a ball launching device for feeding game balls one by one from the game ball feeding plate and feeding them onto the firing rail. A ball game machine comprising
The game ball supply tray includes a game ball reservoir that stores the game ball, and a supply passage that guides the game ball from the game ball reservoir and causes the game ball to flow out from a supply port provided on the back side of the game ball supply tray. ,
The launch ball supply device has a discharge port for discharging a game ball and a receiving portion that can receive only one game ball. When driven by an external force, the discharge ball supply device is displaced from a discharge position to an introduction position. When released, it returns from the introduction position to the discharge position, and the introduction position allows the inflow of game balls from the supply port to the receiving portion, but does not allow movement from the receiving portion to the discharge port, and the blocking position. Then, a breaker member that prevents the game ball from flowing out from the supply port while allowing the game ball in the receiving portion to move to the discharge port is provided, and the discharge port is set above the firing rail. Is attached to the back side of the game ball supply tray at a position,
The game ball launching device drives the disconnecting member with the elastic arm when the plunger moves forward to displace it to the introduction position, and releases the driving force exerted on the disconnecting member when the plunger moves backward Do
A ball game machine characterized by that. In the ball game machine according to claim 3,
The game ball supply tray includes a drop port for dropping a game ball located at the most downstream end of the supply passage, an opening / closing member for opening and closing the drop port, and a ball for guiding the game ball dropped to the drop port to a lower tray A ball game machine comprising a falling passage .

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