JP4318135B2 - Game ball detection device for a ball game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a ball game machine comprising a game board, a payout device for paying out game balls based on predetermined winning conditions in the game board, and a ball passage for aligning the game balls and supplying them to the payout device, More specifically, the present invention relates to a game ball detection device used when forcibly discharging game balls remaining in the ball passage.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There is a pachinko machine as a representative example of the above-mentioned ball game machine. A pachinko machine has a gaming board in which a large number of game nails, windmills, various winning devices, etc. are arranged with a predetermined gauge setting, and a payout device that pays out gaming balls based on predetermined winning conditions on the gaming board. And a ball passage that aligns the game balls stored in the tank member in two rows in the front-and-rear direction and guides them to the dispensing device.
[0003]
In the course of the ball path, whether or not a predetermined number of game balls required for payout are waiting in the ball path downstream of the path position by detecting whether or not there is a game ball at the predetermined path position A ball presence / absence detection switch for detecting whether or not there is provided, and the detection signal is input to the main control board for controlling the operation of the pachinko machine. When the output signal of the ball presence / absence detection switch is in a no ball state (for example, the switch circuit is in an open state), the main control board may run out of game balls to be paid out during the next and subsequent payouts. It is configured to regulate and perform a predetermined alarm operation. The ball presence / absence detection switch is provided in the upper part of a ball path (referred to as “prize ball waiting path”) provided immediately above the payout device and formed to have a path length corresponding to the predetermined quantity.
[0004]
In such a pachinko machine, when performing inspection work, replacement work, ball passage cleaning work, etc. of the ball presence / absence detection switch and the payout device, or when performing game ball cleaning work or pachinko machine replacement work, It is necessary to remove the game balls remaining in the ball. For this reason, the pachinko machine is provided with a ball removal device for forcibly discharging the game ball. There are various types of ball removing devices. One of them is a ball removing device that operates a payout device to discharge a game ball. However, in a pachinko machine that has a ball presence / absence detection switch as described above and is configured to regulate the operation of the dispensing device when the output signal of this detection switch is in a no-ball state, Since the operation of the payout device is restricted after entering the state, there is a problem that the game ball remains in the ball passage on the downstream side of the ball presence / absence detection switch.
[0005]
Therefore, in recent years, when there is no more game ball in the passage position of the ball presence / absence detection switch, the detection lever of the ball presence / absence detection switch is mechanically pressed by the pseudo detection member to generate a pseudo ball presence state. There has been proposed a gaming ball detection device having a pseudo detection mechanism for outputting a detection signal of a ball presence state from a ball presence / absence detection switch.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional pseudo detection mechanism, the pseudo detection member is pivotally supported above the sphere presence / absence detection switch so that the pseudo detection member can be pivoted from the spherical passage, and in the spherical passage. It is configured to rotate between a pseudo detection position that protrudes and pushes the detection lever of the sphere presence / absence detection switch at its front end face to output a detection signal indicating the presence of a sphere. For this reason, if it is going to comprise a pseudo | simulation detection mechanism compactly, the arrangement | positioning position of the rotating shaft of a pseudo | simulation detection member will be restrict | limited to the direct upper part (or just lower part) of the detection lever of a ball | bowl presence detection switch naturally, Problems such as freedom of mechanism arrangement and operability remain as unsolved issues, such as a large rotation angle required to rotate the pseudo detection member between the retracted position and the pseudo detection position. It was. In addition, the fact that the pseudo detection member as described above is positioned directly above or directly below the sphere presence / absence detection switch has not only the rotation radius of the pseudo detection member but also the size of the support member that supports the pseudo detection member. This means that the added length of the ball passage is formed at the upper or lower portion of the ball presence / absence detection switch, which is one factor that takes time to remove the ball.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the problems as described above, and provides a gaming ball detection device that has a high degree of freedom in disposing a pseudo detection member and can be configured to have a small pseudo detection mechanism and a ball passage. For the purpose.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a game board.And a tank member that is disposed above the back set board provided to cover the back of the game board and stores game balls, and is provided below the tank member in an inclined posture to the left and right and supplied from the tank member. An alignment rod member for aligning and flowing down the game balls, an impeller having a receiving portion for receiving the game balls, and a motor for rotationally driving the impeller, and disposed at a lower portion of the back set board,Based on the predetermined winning conditions on the game boardRotate impeller by motorA payout device for paying out game balls;The game balls guided from the alignment rod member are aligned in a passage formed by a wall surface surrounding the periphery, provided on the back set board, located below the outlet of the alignment rod member.Supply to dispensing deviceA prize ball standby passage, a detection passage formed by wall surfaces surrounding the game ball and flowing down the game balls in an aligned state, and a detection portion provided inside the detection passage for detecting a game ball in the passage, Arranged in communication with the upper part of the prize ball waiting passageA sphere detector;A control device that permits the operation of the motor when a game ball is detected by the ball detector, and restricts the operation of the motor when the game ball is not detected;Arranged close to the sphere detector,Detection pathIncluding a pseudo detection mechanism that causes the ball detector to detect in a pseudo manner that there is a game ball at the passage position even when there is no game ball,A ball path that is formed by a wall surface that surrounds the periphery of the alignment rod member by connecting the outlet of the alignment rod member and the entrance of the detection passage, allows the game balls guided in an aligned state from the alignment rod member to flow down to the detection passage, A pseudo-detecting member having an arm-shaped action part protruding in the direction perpendicular to the axis, and a proximity position where the pseudo-detection member is brought close to the ball path in a retracted posture with the action part extending upward, and the ball path. While supporting in a slidable manner only in the left-right direction between the retracted position and the retracted position, the supporting part is supported between the working angle posture and the retracted posture that act on the detecting portion at a downward angle in which the acting portion extends downward at the close position. And a detection member support portion that is supported so as to be able to turn around, and the pseudo detection member is positioned at a close position as an operating angle posture.A pseudo-detection position that causes the sphere detector to detect the presence of a sphere in a pseudo manner;Position the false detection member in the retracted position with the retracted angle posture.The normal detection position that detects the presence / absence state of the game ball at the passage position as it isIn a state where it is configured to be settable and the pseudo detection member is set at the pseudo detection position, the action part enters the detection path from the ball path in a series of flow-down paths formed by the ball path, the detection path and the prize ball path. In the detection path, instead of a game ball, it acts directly on the detection unit.A game ball detection device for a ball game machine is configured.
[0009]
  In the pseudo detection mechanism having such a configuration, the pseudo detection member slides between a pseudo detection position where the ball detector detects a ball presence state in a pseudo manner and a normal detection position where the presence / absence state of the game ball at the passage position is detected as it is. MoveAnd combination of rotationBecause it is arranged so that the position of the pseudo detection member isDirectly aboveThere is no limit. For example, when a sphere presence / absence detection switch having the above-described detection lever is used, the pseudo detection member is placed obliquely with respect to the detection lever.Including left-right directionArranged to be slidableMove this slideAnd a combination of rotation and the pseudo detection member of the ball presence detection switchAroundIt can be arranged freely. Further, for example, it is possible to set the slide shaft of the pseudo detection member to the side of the ball presence / absence detection switch, and it is possible to obtain a gaming ball detection device in which the pseudo detection mechanism is made compact to shorten the ball passage. .
  In the state where the pseudo detection member is set to the pseudo detection position, the action portion is arranged to protrude from the wall surface forming the ball passage to the ball passage, and simulates the flow of the game ball located upstream from the ball passage. It is preferable to configure so that it can be regulated by the detection member.
  The detection unit includes a detection lever that is swingably supported inside the detection passage and is biased inward of the passage. When there is a game ball in the detection passage, the detection lever is detected by the pressing force of the game ball. Is configured to detect the game ball by swinging outward from the passage, and when the action portion is engaged with the detection lever and rotated to the action angle posture against the biasing force, the biasing force of the detection lever It is also preferable that the pseudo detection member is held at the pseudo detection position and the pseudo ball presence state is self-held.
  Furthermore, it is desirable to provide a biasing means for constantly biasing the pseudo detection member in the direction of the retracted position.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, a pachinko machine is taken as a representative example of a ball game machine equipped with a ball detection device according to the present invention, and a case where the present invention is applied to a payout prize ball detection device of a pachinko machine will be mainly described. First, the overall configuration of a pachinko machine PM to which the present invention is applied will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine PM viewed from the front side, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine PM viewed from the back side.
[0011]
In the pachinko machine PM, a front frame 2 configured to have a rectangular frame size and an open / close mounting frame is formed on the front surface of the outer frame 1 that is configured to have an outer rectangular frame size and forms a vertically fixed holding frame. The upper and lower hinge members 3a and 3b disposed on the left edge of the frame are attached so as to be opened and closed laterally and detachable, and are always locked and locked to the outer frame 1 using the locking device 4 provided on the right edge. Held in.
[0012]
On the front side of the front frame 2, a rectangular glass door 5 adapted to the front side area of the front frame 2 and an upper ball tray 6 for storing and aligning game balls are both incorporated in the left edge. Thus, it is assembled in such a manner that it can be opened / closed and attached / detached sideways, and is always held in a closed state covering the front surface of the front frame 2 using the locking device 4 and a lock mechanism (not shown). A lower ball tray 7 for storing game balls is provided at the lower part of the front frame 2, and an operation handle 8 is mounted along with the lower ball tray 7 for performing a game ball launch operation.
[0013]
A rectangular frame-shaped storage frame (not shown) is formed integrally with the front frame 2 on the upper surface of the rear surface of the front frame 2, and a game board 20 configured with a predetermined gauge setting can be attached to and detached from the storage frame. The set is held, and the front area thereof faces the glass door 5. The game board 20 has a belt-like outer rail 22a and an inner rail 22b fixed in an arc shape on the front side of the decorative board 21 with cells attached to the surface, and a game area PA is surrounded by these rails. Is partitioned. In the game area PA, a plurality of windmills 23, a plurality of windmills 23, a general prize-winning tool 24, a start prize-winning tool 25, a prize-winning device such as an attacker 26 having a big prize-winning port, and a predetermined progress game according to the progress of the game A symbol display device 28 or the like for displaying symbols is attached, and an out-port 27 is provided at the lower end of the game area PA for discharging a game ball that has fallen without winning the winning device to the back side of the game board 20.
[0014]
A hitting ball launching device 9 is attached to the lower part of the rear surface of the front frame 2, and a game ball launched by the hitting ball launching device 9 is guided between the hitting ball launching device 9 and the game board 20 toward the outer rail 22a. A launching rail, a speaker for generating sound effects, and the like are attached. The firing rail, the speaker, and the like are attached to the front side intermediate region of the front frame 2 located on the back side of the upper ball tray 6, and the surface side is covered with the upper ball tray 6 that is always kept closed.
[0015]
Located on the back side of the front frame 2, the back set board BSP is equipped with upper and lower hinges 18 and 18 so that it can be opened and closed sideways and attached and detached, and always covers the back side of the game board 20 using the closing levers 19, 19. So that it is kept closed. The back set board BSP is configured on the basis of a base frame body 30 that has a window 31 penetrating the front and back at the center and is integrally formed in a rectangular shape that is somewhat smaller than the inner size of the outer frame 1.
[0016]
The back set board BSP is supplied from the ball storage and supply mechanism 40 that is equipped on the upper side of the window 31 and stores and supplies game balls, and is mounted on the right side of the window 31 in the rear view and is supplied from the ball storage and supply mechanism 40. A prize ball device such as a prize ball payout mechanism 50 that performs a payout process of game balls is provided, and the game balls that are located below the prize ball payout mechanism 50 and are paid out from the mechanism 50 are arranged in upper and lower ball trays 6, 6. The game balls discharged from the game board 20 located below the window 31 and the game board 20 that are positioned below the window 31 and the game balls discharged to the ball removal path 77 to be described later are assembled into a collection bucket on the game facility side. A game ball discharge path to be discharged is formed.
[0017]
In addition, on each back part of the back set board BSP, there are a main control board 91 for comprehensively controlling the operation of the pachinko machine, and a prize ball control board 92 for performing payout control of prize balls based on a command signal from the main control board. Various circuit boards such as a lamp / sound control board 93 that controls the operation of effect lighting and sound effects, and an image control board 94 that controls the operation of the symbol display device 28 are detachably attached, and each device is not shown. The pachinko machine PM is configured by connecting with a wire harness.
[0018]
The pachinko machine PM is provided to the game in a state in which the front frame 2, the glass door 5, the upper ball tray 6, the back set board BSP, and the like are closed. The game is started by storing the game ball in the upper ball tray 6 and rotating the operation handle 8, and the game ball stored in the upper ball tray 6 is rotated by the rotation operation angle of the operation handle 8 by the ball hitting device 9. Each ball is launched into the game area PA with the strength according to the game, and then the pachinko game is developed.
[0019]
Next, in the pachinko machine schematically configured as described above, the configuration of each part and the flow of the game balls until the game balls stored in the ball storage and supply mechanism 40 are paid out from the prize ball payout mechanism 50 are shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 3 is a rear view showing the prize ball payout mechanism 50 and its peripheral structure, and FIG. 4 is a configuration of a ball path in the prize ball payout mechanism 50 and its peripheral part by removing the lid member and the like from the rear view shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing the internal configuration of the prize ball cassette 54, and FIG. 6 is a plan sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. Hereinafter, in order to mainly describe the configuration of the back set panel BSP viewed from the back side, for convenience of explanation, the left-right direction in the rear view shown in FIG. The front side of the pachinko machine will be referred to as the front, and the front side (the back side) will be referred to as the back.
[0020]
The ball storage and supply mechanism 40 is attached to the upper portion of the base frame body 30 and stores a game ball. The ball member 41 is positioned below the tank member 41 and attached to the base frame body 30 and supplied from the tank member 41. The main component is an alignment rod member 42 that guides game balls (referred to as “preliminary prize balls”) to the payout prize ball mechanism 50. The tank member 41 is formed in a box-like body having an open top surface, and is connected to a preliminary prize ball passage of the alignment rod member 42 positioned below at an outlet opening formed in a left front portion of a bottom surface that is gently inclined to the left and forward. Yes.
[0021]
The alignment rod member 42 is formed as a rod-shaped body surrounded by the front and rear wall surfaces and the passage surface in the mounting posture, and the passage surface is inclined gently by connecting the tank member 41 and the prize ball payout mechanism 50 in the rod. A preliminary prize ball passage is formed. A rib that protrudes upward from the passage surface and gradually increases in height toward the downstream side is erected at the front and rear center of the alignment rod member 42, and the downstream area of the preliminary prize ball passage is partitioned into two front and rear rows by this rib. Yes. A ball leveling pendulum 43 suspended from the base frame 30 and suspended on the preliminary prize ball passage is attached to the upper left and right middle portions of the alignment rod member 42, and is attached to the downstream portion of the alignment rod member 42. Is provided with an eaves outlet cover 44 so as to cover the upper part of the preliminary prize ball passage and the distance from the passage surface gradually decreases toward the downstream side. The downstream end portion of the alignment rod member 42 is smoothly bent to form a deflection outlet 45 that opens downward, and is connected to the prize ball payout mechanism 50 positioned below. In the preliminary prize ball passage configured as described above, the preliminary prize balls supplied from the tank member 41 are gradually flattened and aligned in the process of flowing down the preliminary prize ball passage, and are aligned in two rows from the deflection outlet 45. In this state, it is supplied to the prize ball payout mechanism 50.
[0022]
The prize ball payout mechanism 50 is attached between the base frame body 30 and the lid member 57 and guides the preliminary prize balls supplied from the deflection outlet 45 to the lower prize ball cassette in a two-row alignment state. A standby path member 53 that holds a predetermined number of preliminary prize balls on standby, and a preliminary prize ball that is detachably attached to the base frame body 30 at a lower portion of the standby path member 53 and is supplied through the standby path member 53 The prize ball cassette 54 which is paid out to the prize ball payout path 60 based on predetermined payout conditions is mainly configured.
[0023]
Further, by detecting whether or not there is a preliminary prize ball at the position of the passage immediately above the standby path member 53, a predetermined number of preliminary prize balls are waiting in the prize ball standby paths 53a and 53b described below. A ball presence / absence detection switch 52 for detecting whether or not the ball has been played is detachably attached in the front-rear direction, and is paid out from the prize ball cassette 54 between the prize ball cassette 54 and the prize ball payout path 60. Prize ball detection sensors 55 and 55 for detecting game balls are detachably attached to a sensor holder 56 that can be opened and closed laterally with respect to the base frame 30.
[0024]
The standby passage member 53 includes a partition wall 53w that partitions the front and rear ball passages, and a passage wall that forms a bent ball passage that is erected in front and rear of the partition wall 53w. The standby passage member 53 is configured separately from the base frame body 30 for facilitating the cleaning operation of the ball passage and the like, and can be inserted into and removed from two cylindrical bosses 36a and 36a that are formed to protrude from the base frame body 30. Supported by Then, the lid member 57 is fixed by screws from the back side thus supported, so that the lid member 57 is sandwiched between the base frame body 30 and the lid member 57, and the passage wall is provided before and after the partition wall 53w. A row of prize ball waiting passages 53a and 53b is formed.
[0025]
The lengths of the award ball waiting passages 53a and 53b are set based on the maximum number of balls (for example, 25 balls) to be paid out from the prize ball cassette 54 at the time of payout operation. In order to realize the punching process, it is formed in a bent passage shape as shown in the figure. In the prize ball waiting paths 53a and 53b configured as described above, the preliminary prize balls supplied from the preliminary prize ball path are closely connected in the vertical direction in each of the paths in an aligned state in the front and rear rows, and a prize is given from the lower end thereof. Supplied to the ball cassette 54. Of the passage walls of the standby passage member 53, the passage wall on the right side located immediately below the ball presence / absence switch 52 is cut out, and the passage wall portion 531a of the ball removal mechanism 530 described later is always cut. Form a passage wall in the notch area.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 5, the prize ball cassette 54 is a rectangular box module that is housed in two front and rear cassette cases 541 and 542 and is slightly rounded, and is a base frame that is positioned directly below the standby passage member 53. It is detachably attached to the prize ball cassette attaching portion 37 of the body 30. At the center of the upper surface of the prize ball cassette 54, a receiving port for receiving a preliminary prize ball supplied from the prize ball waiting passage is provided. Discharge outlets 54c and 54d for paying out game balls are provided on the left and right sides of the lower surface of the prize ball cassette 54. Is provided. Inside the cassette case, front and rear receiving passages 54a and 54b are formed across the partition wall 54w corresponding to the prize ball standby passages 53a and 53b, and correspond to the front and rear receiving passages. A front and rear two-stage impeller 544 (544a, 544b), a stepping motor 543 that rotates the impeller 544, and a game ball that is moved to the left or right as the impeller 544 rotates is moved to the front and rear center and the left and right payout ports 54c. , 54d, and a guide passage having a tapered shape in side view is provided.
[0027]
The front and rear impellers 544a and 544b are respectively formed with three U-shaped receiving grooves for receiving preliminary prize balls at intervals of 120 degrees, and the positions of the front and rear receiving grooves are 60 degrees apart from each other. It is provided with an offset. For this reason, the preliminary prize balls supplied to the front and rear receiving passages 54a and 54b are received in the receiving grooves of the front and rear impellers alternately one by one with the payout operation of the prize ball cassette 54, that is, the rotation of the impeller 544. According to the rotational movement of the receiving groove, it is moved to the left or right guide passage, and is discharged from either the left or right discharge outlets 54c, 54d through this guide passage.
[0028]
The payout operation is performed based on a payout command signal output from the prize ball control board 92 under a predetermined condition. The award ball cassette 54 operates the stepping motor 543 based on the payout command signal, and rotates in a rotation direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) according to the payout command signal (for example, payout). The impeller 544 is rotated at a rotation angle corresponding to 5, 10, 25, etc. as the number of prize balls, and the game ball is paid out from the left payout outlet 54c or the right payout outlet 54d.
[0029]
For example, when a game ball wins the winning devices 24, 25, 26, etc., the impeller 544 is rotated counterclockwise based on the payout command signal output from the winning ball control board 92, and the quantity ( For example, 5, 10, 13 balls, etc.) are paid out to the prize ball payout route 60 from the left payout port 54c as prize balls. Further, when a ball lending operation is performed in a so-called CR machine, the impeller 544 is rotated clockwise based on a payout command signal output from the prize ball control board 92, and a quantity corresponding to the command signal (for example, 25 A game ball such as a ball or the like) as a rental ball, and is paid out to the winning ball payout path 60 from the right payout exit 54d.
[0030]
Each of the prize ball detection sensors 55 and 55 detachably attached between the prize ball cassette 54 and the prize ball payout path 60 has a polygonal hole-shaped detection hole through which a game ball can pass. Is detected electromagnetically when it passes through the detection hole. The left and right prize ball detection sensors 55, 55 are configured such that each detection hole is left and right when the respective prize hole detection sensors are locked and held by the sensor holder 56 and the sensor holder 56 is closed and held by the base frame 30. , 54d are positioned and aligned directly below, and the game balls (award balls or rental balls, hereinafter referred to as award balls, representative of these) paid out from the prize ball cassette 54 are either left or right. It falls into the prize ball payout path 60 through the detection hole. The detection signals of the prize ball detection sensors 55 and 55 are input to the prize ball control board 92, and the prize ball control board 92 receives the prize balls paid out based on the detection signals input from these prize ball detection sensors. The real number is counted, and the operation of the prize ball cassette 54 is feedback-controlled so that the quantity of prize balls according to the payout command signal is paid out.
[0031]
After the predetermined number of game balls have been paid out, the angular position at which the impeller 544 stops rotating is such that the receiving groove of either the front or rear impeller (544a or 544b) faces the upper receiving passage to receive the preliminary prize ball. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the preliminary prize ball located in the rear-row-side receiving passage 54b is received and held in the receiving groove of the rear-row-side impeller 544b. The preliminary prize ball located in the passage 54a is stopped at an angular position supported by the outer peripheral end face of the front row side impeller 544a.
[0032]
For this reason, in the ball path in which the preliminary prize balls are closely aligned and waiting on the upstream side of the impeller 544 (specifically, the ball path from the portion directly above the impeller of the receiving path to the vicinity of the deflection outlet 45 of the preliminary prize ball path). The positions of the preliminary prize balls are aligned in the front and back rows and shifted by about the hemisphere (half pitch) of the game balls.
[0033]
The positional relationship between the front and rear rows is determined by the stop angle position of the impeller 544, and the stop angle position of the impeller changes according to the number of game balls paid out from the prize ball cassette 54. That is, when the number of game balls paid out from the prize ball cassette 54 is an odd number, the front and rear rows of the impellers that receive and hold the preliminary prize balls before and after the payout operation are different (for example, the rear row side impeller 544b → the front row side impeller 544a). Each time the operation is performed, the relative positional relationship between the front and rear game balls is reversed. On the other hand, when the number of prize balls to be paid out is an even number, the impellers that receive and hold the preliminary prize balls before and after the payout operation are in the same row (for example, the rear row side impeller 544b → the rear row side impeller 544b). The relative positional relationship is the same.
[0034]
In this way, the preliminary award balls in the front and rear rows are shifted from each other by about a half pitch and are waiting for alignment, and the relative alignment positional relationship changes according to the number of award balls dispensed from the award ball cassette 54, and the deflection outlet 45 and a ball presence / absence detection switch 52 are provided with a ball stop mechanism 510 for stopping the flow of the preliminary prize ball flowing down from the preliminary prize ball passage, and a ball presence / absence detection is provided between the ball stop mechanism 510 and the ball presence / absence detection switch 52. A pseudo detection mechanism 520 is provided for causing the ball presence / absence detection switch 52 to output a pseudo ball presence detection signal even when there is no preliminary prize ball in the passage position of the switch 52. A ball removal mechanism 530 is provided that opens part of the passage walls of the standby passages 53 a and 53 b to discharge the preliminary prize balls to the ball removal passage 77.
[0035]
Hereinafter, the respective mechanisms 510, 520, and 530 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the configurations of the ball stopper mechanism 510 and the pseudo detection mechanism 520, and FIG. 8 is a rear view (partial sectional view) showing the assembled state of these mechanisms 510 and 520 and the relationship with the peripheral mechanism. 9 is a plan sectional view taken along arrow IX-IX in FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view taken along arrow XX in FIG. 8, and FIG. 11 is viewed in the direction of arrow XI-XI in FIG. 12 is a side view of the ball stop mechanism 510 and the pseudo detection mechanism 520, FIG. 12 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation of the ball stop mechanism, and FIG. 13 is a ball stop state by the ball stop mechanism 510 and a pseudo detection state by the pseudo detection mechanism 520. 14 is a rear sectional view (partial sectional view), and FIG. 14 is a plan sectional view showing the operating state of both mechanisms as in FIG.
[0036]
The ball stopper mechanism 510 is provided below the deflection outlet 45, and is used when performing maintenance work or the like that does not require removing all the preliminary prize balls stored in the tank member 41. Specifically, each component of the prize ball payout mechanism 50, such as the ball presence / absence detection switch 52 and the prize ball cassette 54, is stopped in the prize ball payout mechanism when performing maintenance, inspection work, or replacement work. It is only necessary to discharge the preliminary prize ball. The mechanism 510 restricts the flow of the preliminary prize ball flowing down from the preliminary prize ball passage, and only the preliminary prize ball located downstream of the mechanism is described later. By discharging with the mechanism 530, the time required for the ball removal process is shortened, and the above operations can be performed quickly.
[0037]
The ball stop mechanism 510 is located between the deflection outlet 45 and the ball presence / absence detection switch 52 and is attached to the base frame 30, and is supported by the slide base 511 so as to be slidable in the left and right directions. The first ball stopper member 512, the second ball stopper member 513, and a holding plate 522 that serves as both the fixed holding of the slide base 511 and the supporting shaft of the pseudo detection member 521 in the pseudo detection mechanism 520, and the like.
[0038]
The configuration of the slide base 511 can be broadly divided into a base part that is substantially H-shaped in a plan view and includes a partition wall that connects the left and right side walls and an intermediate part thereof, and projects outward from the base part to the left and right. It consists of rail parts 511c and 511c which support the 1 ball stop member 512 and the 2nd ball stop member 513 so that sliding movement is possible. Foot portions 511f and 511f that are detachably engaged with engaging grooves 35f and 35f formed in the ball stop mechanism mounting portion 35 of the base frame 30 are formed on the front end sides of the left and right side walls, On the end side, fitting pins 511p and 511p for positioning the holding plate 522 by engaging with the fitting holes of the holding plate are formed.
[0039]
The slide base 511 is positioned by engaging the left and right foot portions 511f and 511f with the engagement grooves 35f and 35f of the ball stop mechanism attachment portion 35, and the fitting holes of the holding plate 522 from the rear are the fitting pins 511p and 511p. The plate is positioned by being fitted to the base plate, and screws 528 and 528 are inserted from the rear surface side of the holding plate 522 and fixed to the mounting bosses 35a and 35a on the base frame body side. The passages 42a and 42b (see FIG. 13) are connected to the lower detection passages 52a and 52b, and the ball stopping passages 511a and 511b are formed in a row in the front and rear sides with the partition wall 511w interposed therebetween.
[0040]
The front-rear direction position of the partition wall 511w when the slide base 511 is attached to the base frame 30 is the rib formation position on the alignment rod member 42 described above, the partition wall 53w formation position on the standby passage member 53, and the prize ball It is set to be the same as the formation position of the partition wall 54w in the cassette 54, and the front and rear rows of ball passages formed with these partition walls in between are set on the same plane. The partition wall 511w and the holding plate 522 are formed with long hole-like passage visible portions 511g and 522g along the ball stop passage so that the front and rear ball stop passages 511a and 511b can be seen from the rear of the holding plate 522. It has become.
[0041]
On the other hand, the left and right rail portions 511c and 511c protrude from the left and right side walls from the left and right side walls with the partition wall 511w in the plan view as the center in the front and rear sides, and a flat slide support surface is formed on the upper part. Screw receiving holes 511h and 511h are formed substantially at the center of the support surface. The left and right rail portions are alternately cut out at the base end portions that face each other across the ball stop passages 511a and 511b, the base end portion of the right rail portion is connected to the side wall of the front ball stop passage 511a, The base end portion of the left rail portion is connected to the side wall of the rear ball stop passage 511b.
[0042]
The first ball stop member 512 and the second ball stop member 513 are configured based on slide portions 512c and 513c whose front and rear surfaces are bent downward according to the width in the front and rear direction of the rail portion 511c. Two front and rear ball stopper pieces 512a, 512b, 513a, 513b projecting in the left-right direction from 513c, operation pieces 512m, 513m projecting upward from the slide portions 512c, 513c, and through the front and back in the center of the upper surface of the slide portion. Long holes 512h, 513h and the like that are long in the left-right direction are formed.
[0043]
The two front and rear ball stopper pieces are respectively composed of front row ball stopper pieces 512a and 513a protruding into the front ball stop passage 511a and rear row ball stop pieces 512b and 513b protruding into the rear ball stop passage 511b. As for the formation position of each ball stop piece, first, when looking at the first ball stop member 512, the rear row ball stop piece 512b is formed on the same surface as the slide portion 512c, and the front row ball stop piece 512a is more than the rear row ball stop piece 512b. The game ball is formed so as to be offset downward in the hemisphere (half pitch) of the game ball. As for the second ball stopper member 513, the front row ball stop piece 513a is formed on the same surface as the slide portion 513c, and the rear row ball stop piece 513b is a hemisphere portion of the game ball (half pitch portion) than the front row ball stop piece 513a. ) It is offset and formed downward.
[0044]
As a result, the rear row ball stop piece 512b of the first ball stop member and the front row ball stop piece 513a of the second ball stop member are positioned at the same height with reference to the slide portions 512c and 513c supported at the same height position. On the other hand, the front ball stop piece 512a of the first ball stop member and the row ball stop piece 513b of the second ball stop member are both disposed below the half pitch. The two ball stopper pieces of the two ball stopper members 512 and 513 are in an alternately projecting positional relationship across the ball stopper passage.
[0045]
The first ball stop member 512 and the second ball stop member 513 have the slide portions 512c and 513c engaged with the rail portions 511c and 511c to be supported on the slide support surface, and the seated screws 518 and 518 are elongated holes. By loosely fastening the screw receiving holes 511h and 511h through 512h and 513h, the left and right rail parts are slidably attached. The slide base 511 is formed with an introduction hole that penetrates the side wall at a position aligned with the ball stopper pieces 512a, 512b, 513a, and 513b having the above-mentioned alternate positional relationship, and the first and second ball stopper members 512 are formed. , 513 are slidably moved, the ball stopper pieces 512a, 512b, 513a, 513b can be projected and retracted in the ball stopper passages 511a, 511b through the introduction hole.
[0046]
Then, the height positions of the ball stopper pieces 512a, 512b, 513a, and 513b that appear and disappear in this way with respect to the ball stopper passages 511a and 511b, more specifically, the preliminary prize balls that stop in the ball stopper passages. The positional relationship is set corresponding to the alignment positional relationship of the preliminary prize balls that changes in two types according to the stop angle position of the impeller 544 of the prize ball cassette, and the first ball stopper member 512 or the second ball stopper member Any one of 513 matches the inter-ball position of the preliminary prize ball in the ball stop passage. Further, in the passage visible portion 522g of the holding plate, two indexes L indicating the arrangement height position of the ball stopper pieces are provided.₁, L₂Is provided.
[0047]
12 (a) and 12 (b) show the alignment position relationship of the preliminary prize balls that changes in two types depending on the stop angle position of the impeller 544, the relationship with each ball stopper piece, and the index L.₁, L₂It is shown in relation to 12A is a side view seen in the direction of arrow XII (a) in FIG. 13, and FIG. 12B is a side view seen in the direction of arrow XII (b) in FIG.
[0048]
Here, in the alignment state shown in FIG. 5A, for example, the preliminary prize balls on the front row 511a side are received and held in the receiving grooves of the front row side impellers 544a and advanced by a half pitch from the preliminary prize balls on the rear row 511b side. At this time, the index L₁Is positioned between the back row side preliminary prize balls and the indicator L₂Is located at the center of the back row side preliminary prize ball. On the other hand, in the aligned state shown in FIG. 5 (b), the preliminary prize balls on the rear row 511b side are received and held in the receiving grooves of the rear row side impeller 544b, and the preliminary prize balls on the front row 511a side are reversed. It is in the alignment standby state that is a half pitch ahead of the time, and at this time the index L₁Is positioned at the center of the back row side preliminary prize ball and the index L₂Is located between the back row side preliminary prize balls.
[0049]
Then, in the aligned state shown in FIG. 5A, the front row ball stop pieces 512a and the rear row ball stop pieces 512b of the first ball stop members 512 are aligned in the front and rear ball stop passages 511a and 511b. It is possible to project the ball stopper pieces 512a and 512b into the ball stopper passages 511a and 511b without receiving a large resistance from the preliminary prize balls that match the intermediate positions and are stopped in the passage. On the other hand, in the aligned state shown in FIG. 5B, the front row ball retaining pieces 513a and the rear row ball retaining pieces 513b of the second ball retaining member 513 are aligned in the front and rear ball retaining paths 511a and 511b. The ball stop pieces 512a and 512b can be easily protruded into the front and rear ball stop passages 511a and 511b in accordance with the interposition.
[0050]
Therefore, the operator who performs the ball stopping operation can use the above two indices L in the passage visible portion 522g.₁, L₂By visually confirming the alignment state of the preliminary prize balls on the rear row side with respect to, it is possible to immediately determine which of the first ball stopper member 512 and the second ball stopper member 513 matches the alignment state. Based on this determination, for example, by pressing the operation piece 512m to the right to slide the first ball stop member 512 to the right, the front and rear ball stop pieces 512a and 512b are moved to the ball stop passage 511a, 511b can be easily projected.
[0051]
When the ball stopper pieces 512a and 512b are thus protruded into the front and rear ball stopper passages 511a and 511b, the movement of the preliminary prize ball in the vertical direction is restricted with the ball stopper pieces interposed therebetween, thereby the preliminary prize ball passage 42a. , 42b to the prize ball standby passages 53a, 53b is stopped at a ball stop position on the upstream side by only a few balls from the ball presence / absence detection switch 52.
[0052]
In order to release the ball stop state, the operation piece 512m is pressed to the left to slide the first ball stop member 512 to the left, and the ball stop pieces 512a, which protrude into the ball stop passages 511a and 511b, 512b may be retracted from the ball stop passage into the introduction hole. As a result, the preliminary prize balls located in the preliminary prize ball paths 42a and 42b can freely flow down to the prize ball waiting paths 53a and 53b.
[0053]
Note that the first ball stop member 512 and the second ball stop member 513 are specifically configured in the same shape, and the arrangement positions of the two are in an axially symmetric positional relationship. The protruding positions are arranged alternately. For this reason, although it is a ball stop mechanism that securely stops the preliminary prize balls having different alignment positions in the front and rear rows, the mechanism configuration is reduced in the number of constituent members to increase productivity. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the relative positions of the front and rear rows of preliminary prize balls are shifted by a half pitch is exemplified, but the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where the shift amount is not a half pitch. For example, the height position of the preliminary prize ball in the row supported by the outer peripheral end surface of the impeller 544 is set to L₁And the height position of the row received and supported in the receiving groove of the impeller is L₂As these L₁And L₂If the ball stopper member is formed with the amount corresponding to the deviation from the offset amount of the ball stopper pieces in the front and rear rows, it can be applied in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.
[0054]
A ball removal mechanism 530 is provided on the downstream side of the ball stop mechanism 510 and is located immediately below the ball presence / absence detection switch 52. The ball removal mechanism 530 is a mechanism for discharging the preliminary prize ball located upstream from this mechanism to the outside of the pachinko machine PM. When performing the ball removal process only for the preliminary prize ball that is stopped in the vicinity of the ball presence / absence detection switch 52 by using the ball stop mechanism 510 at the same time, maintenance work for the standby passage member 53, the prize ball cassette 54, etc. It is also used when performing a preliminary ball removing process when performing the same or when discharging all the game balls stored in the tank member 41. Here, a case will be described in which a ball stopping process is performed by the ball stopping mechanism 510 and a preliminary award ball that remains in the vicinity of the ball presence / absence detection switch 52 is subjected to a ball removal process.
[0055]
The ball removal mechanism 530 is adjacent to the standby passage member 53 and attached to the flow path switching member 531 pivotably supported on the back side of the base frame body 30 and swingably attached to the surface side of the base frame body 30. And a lever member 532 for operating the flow path switching member 531. A cylindrical pivot shaft 36b that protrudes rearward from the base frame body 30 and pivotally supports the flow path switching member 531 so as to be swingable is projected and formed on the ball removal mechanism attachment portion 36 of the base frame body 30. An engagement protrusion insertion hole 36c that penetrates the front and back of the base frame 30 and a ball removal passage 77 that discharges the preliminary prize balls discharged from the prize ball standby passages 53a and 53b to the outside of the pachinko machine by this ball removal mechanism. Is formed.
[0056]
The flow path switching member 531 includes a passage wall portion 531a formed in a wall shape corresponding to a passage wall partially cut away by the standby passage member 53, and a pivot hole pivotally supported by the pivot shaft 36b. A closing holding engagement hole 531c that engages with the engaging protrusion 532c of the lever member at the closing angle position in which the portion 531b and the passage wall portion 531a are swung downward to close the prize ball standby passages 53a and 53b, and the passage wall An opening holding engagement side 531d that engages with the engagement protrusion 532c of the lever member at an opening angle position where the portion 531a is swung upward to open the passage wall portion 531a, and the shaft hole portion 531b is formed. The cover member 57 is fixed to the base frame 30 so as to be swingable by being screwed in a state where the cover member 57 is inserted into and supported by the pivot shaft 36b.
[0057]
The lever member 532 has an operation portion 532b formed on the upper end side and an engagement projection portion 532c formed on the lower end side, and a base member is interposed via a fixing member (not shown) that pivotally supports these intermediate portions. It is attached to the frame 30 so as to be swingable. An urging means for urging the lever member is provided between the lever member and the fixing member, and the engaging protrusion 532c on the lower end side always protrudes forward of the base frame body through the engaging protrusion insertion hole 36c. The flow path switching member 531 is biased so as to be engaged with the closing holding engagement hole 531c or the opening holding engagement side 531d. When the operation portion 532b on the upper end side is pressed and displaced rearward, the engagement protrusion 532c retracts rearward from the engagement protrusion insertion hole 36c, and the engagement with the engagement hole 531c and the engagement side 531d can be released. It is configured.
[0058]
In a state where the pachinko machine is used for a game, as shown by solid lines in each figure, the closing holding engagement hole 531c of the flow path switching member engages with the engagement protrusion 532c of the lever member, and the passage wall 531a is It is closed and held at the closing angle position where the side walls of the winning ball waiting passages 53a and 53b are formed. For this reason, the preliminary prize balls passing through this passage flow down the prize ball waiting passages 53a and 53b along the closed passage walls and are guided to the receiving port of the prize ball cassette 54.
[0059]
On the other hand, when the operation portion 532b is pressed from the front (or retracted from the back side of the back set panel BSP), the engagement protrusion 532c is swung back and engaged with the closing holding engagement hole 531c. Is released, and the swing restriction of the flow path switching member 531 is released. In a state where the preliminary prize balls are stopped at the upper portions of the prize ball standby passages 53a and 53b, a pressing force acts on the passage wall portion 531a from these preliminary prize balls, and when the swing restriction is released, this pressing force is applied. As a result, the flow path switching member 531 is swung around the pivot shaft 36b and displaced to the open angle position where the upper portions of the prize ball standby passages 53a and 53b are opened as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
[0060]
In a state where the flow path switching member 531 is displaced to the opening angle position, the closing holding engagement hole 531c is retracted to the left of the engaging protrusion insertion hole 36c, and instead, the opening holding engagement side 531d is engaged with the engagement protrusion insertion hole 36c. It is comprised so that it may be located in the front left side. For this reason, when the pressing force of the operation portion 532b is released in a state where the flow path switching member 531 is displaced to the open angle position, the engagement protrusion portion 532c passes through the engagement protrusion insertion hole 36c and the right side of the open holding engagement side 531d. It protrudes in the direction and engages with the open holding engagement side 531d to lock and hold the flow path switching member 531 at the open angle position. For this reason, even if the operation part 532b is not always pressed, the flow path switching member 531 can be held in a state of being switched to the open angle position.
[0061]
Thus, when the flow path switching member 531 is displaced to the open angle position and the passage wall portion 531a is opened, the preliminary prize balls stopped between the open position and the ball stopper pieces 512a and 512b (513a and 513b) are obtained. As it is pushed out, it overflows into the ball passage 77. The ball passage 77 includes a spare passage 77a formed on the right side of the standby passage member 53, a communication opening 77b formed through the front and back of the base frame 30 at the lower portion of the spare passage 77a, and the communication opening 77b. It is connected to the lower end opening of the descending passage 77c and receives the game ball falling from the descending passage 77c, and is formed on the front side of the base frame 30 so as to face downward. It is connected to a game-completed ball discharge path (not shown) via a game-completed ball collection passage 77d that collects and flows out balls and safe balls discharged on the back surface.
[0062]
Therefore, the preliminary prize balls overflowing from the prize ball standby paths 53a, 53b to the ball removal path 77 with the flow path switching member 531 locked and held at the open angle position are communicated from the preliminary path 77a to the communication opening 77b and the lowering path 77c. It passes through the collecting passage 77d and the gaming ball discharge path and is discharged out of the pachinko machine PM (recovery bucket on the gaming facility side).
[0063]
Therefore, the ball stopping process is performed immediately above the ball presence / absence detection switch 52 using the ball stopping mechanism 510 described above, and the preliminary prize ball is discharged from directly below the ball presence / absence detection switch 52 using the ball removal mechanism 530. Thus, it is possible to perform the ball removal process only for the preliminary award balls that are retained in the vicinity of the ball presence / absence detection switch 52, thereby shortening the time required for the ball removal process, and maintaining the ball presence / absence detection switch 52 in a short time. A pachinko machine that can perform replacement work and the like can be configured. Further, whether or not the preliminary award balls have been ball-removed from the front and rear ball stop passages by simply glancing the ball stop passages 511a and 511b from the passage visible portions 522g and 511g formed on the holding plate 522 and the slide base 511, and It can be determined at a glance whether or not the ball is stopped.
[0064]
When the ball removal process is completed and there are no preliminary prize balls above the prize ball waiting passages 53a and 53b, the operation portion 532b is pushed once from the front, and the engagement protrusion 532c is inserted into the engagement protrusion insertion hole 36c. The rear side is retracted and the swinging restriction by the engaging projection 532c is released. Then, the flow path switching member 531 whose pressing force from the preliminary prize ball has already been released swings around the pivot shaft 36b by its own weight and is displaced to the closed angle position where the passage wall portion 531a is closed. When the pressing force to the operation portion 532b is released and the engaging protrusion 532c protrudes from the engaging protrusion insertion hole 36c, the closing and holding engaging hole 531c and the engaging protrusion 532c are engaged again, The path switching member 531 is locked and held at the closed angle position.
[0065]
Next, the pseudo detection mechanism 520 will be described. This mechanism is a mechanism for discharging the preliminary prize balls remaining in the prize ball standby passages 53a and 53b. Specifically, when the maintenance inspection work of the standby path member 53, the prize ball cassette 54, etc. is performed, the above-mentioned balls are used. In addition to being used together with the stop mechanism 510 and the ball removal mechanism 530, when all the game balls in the pachinko machine are discharged like a game ball cleaning operation, all the game balls in the pachinko machine are discharged after checking the operation in the manufacturing process of the pachinko machine. It is used when making it.
[0066]
As described above, the ball presence / absence detection switch 52 is required for the payout operation to the winning ball standby passages 53a and 53b by detecting whether or not there is a game ball at the passage position where the detection switch 52 is provided. This is a switch for detecting whether or not a predetermined number of preliminary prize balls are waiting. The detection signal of the ball presence / absence detection switch 52 is input to the main control board 91, and when the ball presence / absence detection switch 52 detects the absence of the ball, the main control board 91 is to be paid out during the next payout. Since the payout operation may be interrupted due to a shortage of balls, the operation of the prize ball cassette 54 is regulated via the prize ball control board 92. Therefore, the preliminary prize ball is discharged to the downstream side of the ball presence / absence detection switch 52 by the above-described ball removal mechanism 530, or the prize ball cassette 54 is operated to discharge the preliminary prize ball from the detection passage of the ball presence / absence detection switch 52. Then, the operation of the prize ball cassette 54 is restricted, and preliminary prize balls remain in the prize ball waiting paths 53a and 53b.
[0067]
The pseudo detection mechanism 520 is a mechanism that is used when all the preliminary prize balls remaining in the passage in such a state are discharged, and a pseudo detection position that causes the ball presence / absence detection switch 52 to detect the presence of a ball in a pseudo manner. , A pseudo detection member 521 that can be slidably moved to a normal detection position where the presence / absence state of a game ball is detected as it is, and detecting the presence / absence of a ball from the ball presence / absence detection switch 52 by moving the pseudo detection member to the pseudo detection position This is a mechanism for outputting a signal and releasing the operation restriction of the prize ball cassette 54. Thus, the worker who performs the ball removal process can operate the prize ball cassette 54 by inserting the game balls into the prize winning device (24, 25, 26, etc.), for example, and the preliminary prize balls remaining in the prize ball standby passage. Can be discharged completely.
[0068]
The sphere presence / absence detection switch 52 is formed in a substantially rectangular box-shaped switch body in the form of two rows of cylindrical detection passages 52a and 52b. Detection levers 52La and 52Lb biased in the direction are provided. The front and rear detection passages 52a and 52b are configured such that game balls can pass up and down. When a preliminary prize ball is supplied to the detection passages 52a and 52b, the detection levers 52La and 52Lb swing and displace inside the switch body. Thus, the preliminary award ball is received in the detection passage, and the switch contact is closed. The front and rear switch contacts are connected in series. When a preliminary prize ball is present in both the front and rear detection paths, the switch circuit is closed (closed), and when there is no preliminary prize ball in either the front or rear detection path. The switch circuit is configured to be open (open). Note that a short-time opening / closing operation that may occur when the preliminary prize ball flows down in the normal gaming state is prevented from being erroneously detected by filtering and smoothing the detection signal.
[0069]
The sphere presence / absence detection switch 52 is supported by a frame-shaped switch guide 36d erected on the base frame body 30 so as to be freely inserted in and removed from the front and rear, and is latched and held by a switch lock claw 36e. The front and rear detection passages 52a and 52b are connected between the upper ball stop passages 511a and 511b and the lower prize ball waiting passages 53a and 53b to form a ball passage communicating vertically. In FIG. 4, the sphere presence / absence detection switch 52 is attached to the inside of the window 31 with a two-dot chain line for convenience, in order to show the attached / detached state of the sphere presence / absence detection switch 52.
[0070]
The pseudo detection mechanism 520 supports a pseudo detection member 521 having pressers 521a and 521b corresponding to the detection levers 52La and 52Lb of the ball presence / absence detection switch 52, and supports the pseudo detection member 521 so as to be slidable left and right within a predetermined range. The holding plate 522 that is supported so as to be swingable at a predetermined position is configured as a basic member, and is disposed at an upper right side of the ball presence / absence detection switch 52.
[0071]
The pseudo detection member 521 includes a support shaft 521c extending in the front-rear direction, a pair of front and rear lever pressing elements 521a, 521b extending in a direction orthogonal to the support shaft 521c and extending leftward and extending in an arm shape, and front and rear of the support shaft 521c. Columnar rotating shaft portions 521d and 521e formed on the rear, and a rear end portion of the rear rotating shaft portion 521e are chamfered in parallel vertically to form a supporting shaft portion 521f having a support surface. As shown in FIG. 8, the angular positional relationship between the protruding direction of the lever pressing elements 521a and 521b and the support surface of the holding shaft portion 521f is formed so that the lever pressing element extends upward with the support surface facing up and down. Has been.
[0072]
The ball stopper mechanism mounting portion 35 of the base frame 30 is formed with a long hole-shaped shaft support portion 35d that supports the rotation shaft portion 521d in front of the support shaft so as to be rotatable and slidable to the left and right. Further, the support portion on the holding plate 522 side has a two-stage support structure, a long hole-like shaft support portion 522e that supports the rotation shaft portion 521e behind the support shaft so as to be rotatable and slidable to the left and right, and this shaft. A restriction support portion 522f that is formed at the rear portion of the support portion 522e and supports the support surface of the holding shaft portion 521f so as to sandwich the upper and lower sides, and supports the slidable movement in the left and right directions while restricting the rotation of the support shaft 521c. Has been. Note that the left end side of the regulation support portion 522f is cut out, and only the shaft support portion 522e is formed at the left end position.
[0073]
Further, the slide base 511 has slit-like presser passage holes 511s and 511s penetrating left and right through the side wall portions at positions aligned with the front and rear lever pressers 521a and 521b when the pseudo detection member 521 is attached. The lever pressers 521a and 521b are formed so that they can move in and out of the front and rear ball stop passages 511a and 511b through the presser passage holes 511s and 511s, respectively.
[0074]
The pseudo detection member 521 engages the front rotation shaft portion 521d with the shaft support portion 35d of the base frame body, and the rear rotation shaft portion 521e and the holding shaft portion 521f to the shaft support portion 522e and the restriction support portion 522f of the holding plate, respectively. After engaging, the holding plate 522 is positioned by using the above-described fitting pins 511p and 511p, and screws 528 and 528 are inserted from the rear to be screwed to the mounting bosses 35a and 35a, whereby the base frame body 30 and the holding plate 522 so as to be sandwiched.
[0075]
When the pseudo detection member 521 is attached in this manner, the front rotation shaft portion 521d is supported by the shaft support portion 35d of the base frame body, and the rear rotation shaft portion 521e is supported by the shaft support portion 522e of the holding plate. The detection member 521 is supported between these shaft support parts. Further, in the right support region, the holding shaft portion 521f of the pseudo detection member and the restriction support portion 522f of the holding plate are engaged to restrict the rotation of the pseudo detection member 521 around the support shaft 521c. In the right support region in which the rotation is restricted in this way, the front and rear lever pressers 521a and 521b are held in an upwardly extending posture, and are always disposed at the support position on the right end and the lever pressers 521a and 521b. Is held in the retracted position retracted from the ball stop passages 511a and 511b (see FIGS. 8 to 11).
[0076]
On the other hand, when the detection signal of the presence / absence of a sphere is to be output to the sphere presence / absence detection switch 52 in a pseudo manner, the holding shaft portion 521f protruding rearward from the restriction support portion 522f is pressed to the left to move the pseudo detection member 521 to the left. Slide to. At this time, in the right region where the holding shaft portion 521f of the pseudo detection member and the regulation support portion 522f of the holding plate are engaged, the lever pressers 521a and 521b are slid and moved in the upwardly extending posture, and the presser passage hole It moves to the ball stop passages 511a and 511b through 511s and 511s.
[0077]
When the false detection member 521 is moved to the leftmost support position, the engagement between the holding shaft portion 521f and the restriction support portion 522f is released, and the rotation restriction of the support shaft 521c is released. Then, the support shaft 521c rotates counterclockwise due to the weight of the lever pressing elements 521a and 521b, the lever pressing elements 521a and 521b swing downward, and the tip of the lever pressing elements 521a and 521b is the ball presence / absence detection switch. It contacts the detection levers 52La and 52Lb. Therefore, when the operator further rotates the holding shaft portion 521f counterclockwise, the detection levers 52La and 52Lb are moved to the left so that the front ends of the lever pressers 521a and 521b ride on the end surfaces of the detection levers 52La and 52Lb. The switch circuit of the ball presence / absence detection switch 52 is reversed to the closed state.
[0078]
Then, as shown in FIG. 13, when the support shaft 521c is rotated until the lower surfaces of the base end portions of the lever pressing elements 521a and 521b abut on the upper end surface of the switch guide 36d of the ball presence / absence detection switch 52, the lever pressing element 521a is rotated. , 521b engages with the end face on the passage side of the detection lever in a state where it moves below the swinging fulcrum of the detection levers 52La, 52Lb (see FIG. 13). In this engaged state, a force for pressing the lever pressing elements 521a and 521b to the right acts from the detection levers 52La and 52Lb. However, since the pseudo detecting member 521 has already been disengaged between the holding shaft portion 521f and the restriction support portion 522f and the holding shaft portion 521f is rotating, the holding shaft portion 521f is in contact with the restriction support portion 522f to the right. Since the lower support surface of the holding shaft portion 521f is in contact with the left end portion of the restricting support portion 522f because the holding shaft portion 521f rotates, the holding shaft portion 521f rotates. Acts as a rotational force for rotating the lever pressing elements 521a and 521b counterclockwise.
[0079]
For this reason, the pseudo detection member 521 is held in an engagement posture (pseudo detection position) in which the tip portions of the lever pressers 521a and 521b are engaged with the detection levers 52La and 52Lb, and the ball presence / absence detection switch 52 has a switch circuit closed. The state, that is, the pseudo ball presence state in which the detection signal of the ball presence state is output so that there is a game ball in the detection passages 52a and 52b is held.
[0080]
When the detection signal indicating the presence of a ball is input from the presence / absence detection switch 52 to the main control board 91 in this way, the payout operation of the prize ball cassette 54 whose dispensing operation has been restricted based on the detection signal indicating the absence of a ball. The operation restriction is released, and the prize ball cassette 54 can be operated. Therefore, for example, the worker operates the prize ball cassette 54 by inserting game balls into the prize winning devices 24, 25, 26, and discharges all the preliminary prize balls remaining in the prize ball waiting paths 53a, 53b. Can do.
[0081]
Further, according to such a configuration, the payout operation of the winning ball cassette 54 is performed based on the winning state of the game ball with respect to the winning device, so that a dedicated ball removal switch is provided on the back set board BSP. There is no fear that prize balls will be paid out by an unauthorized operation on the ball removal switch, and it is possible to provide a pachinko machine that prevents illegal acts and provides them for a fair game. Further, in the configuration disclosed in the embodiment, the lever pressing elements 521a and 521b of the pseudo detection member 521 are positioned in the detection passages 52a and 52b in the presence of the pseudo sphere so as to block these passages. For this reason, it is possible to completely prevent the preliminary prize ball from flowing into the prize ball waiting passage during the discharge of the preliminary prize ball.
[0082]
After the ball removal process is completed, the holding shaft portion 521f is rotated clockwise to release the engagement between the lever pressing elements 521a and 521b and the detection levers 52La and 52Lb. Next, the holding shaft portion 521f is engaged with the restriction support portion 222f by rotating the holding shaft portion to an angular position where the lever pressing elements 521a and 521b extend upward and the support surface of the holding shaft portion 521f is parallel to the restriction support portion 222f. The holding shaft portion 521f is pressed rightward and moved to the support position at the right end. As a result, the pseudo detection member 521 is held in a retracted posture in which the lever pressers 521a and 521b are retracted from the ball stop passages 511a and 511b through the presser passage holes, and the presence / absence state of the game balls in the detection passages 52a and 52b is determined. It returns to the normal operating state detected as it is.
[0083]
The pseudo detection member 521 can be configured to always be biased rightward by a biasing means such as a tension spring. According to such a configuration, since the pseudo detection member 521 is always held in the retracted posture in a normal gaming state where this mechanism is not used, the pseudo detection member 521 slides to the left due to vibration or the like, and the lever presser is moved. It does not protrude into the ball stop passage. Further, in the engagement posture in which the tip portions of the lever pressing elements 521a and 521b are engaged with the detection levers 52La and 52Lb, the rightward biasing force is a rotational force that rotates the lever pressing elements 521a and 521b counterclockwise. It is converted, and the holding force of the engagement posture can be increased. Alternatively, instead of the urging means, or together with the urging means, a locking means may be provided on the shaft support portion, the holding plate or the like so that the pseudo detection member is locked in the retracted posture.
[0084]
In the present embodiment, an example in which the switch circuit of the ball presence / absence detection switch 52 is opened and closed by sliding and rotating the pseudo detection member 521 to the left and right is disclosed. What is necessary is just to make it detect in a pseudo manner so that there is a game ball in the passage position of the presence / absence detection switch. Therefore, for example, when the lever-type detection switch 52 as described above is used, the detection levers 52La and 52Lb may be configured to be pressed. For example, the pseudo detection member is detected from above or right of the detection lever. It is also possible to adopt a form in which the detection lever is slid and moved obliquely from the upper right to the lower left detection lever and the detection lever is pressed. Further, in the case of other detection forms that do not have a detection lever, for example, when a detection switch that optically or magnetically detects a game ball is used, a pseudo detection member (for example, an optical detection member) having a mechanism form corresponding to these detection forms. Such as a simple shielding member or a metal member). Furthermore, although the embodiment has been described for the case where the ball passages are arranged in two rows in the front and rear, the same effect can be obtained even when the ball passages are provided in three or more rows.
[0085]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, the present inventionAn impeller having a receiving portion for receiving a game ball, and a motor for rotationally driving the impellerBased on the predetermined winning conditions on the game boardRotate impeller by motorA payout device for paying out game balls;A prize ball waiting passage for supplying game balls guided from the alignment rod member to the payout device in an aligned state in a passage formed by a wall surface surrounding the periphery, a detection passage formed by the wall surface surrounding the periphery, and an inner side of the detection passage The detection passage is provided in communication with the upper part of the prize ball standby passage.A sphere detector;A control device that allows the motor to operate when a game ball is detected by the ball detector and restricts the motor operation when no game ball is detected, and a detection pathA pseudo-detection mechanism that causes the ball detector to detect in a pseudo manner that there is a game ball at the passage position even when there is no game ballThePseudo detection mechanismIs a ball passage that connects the outlet of the alignment rod member and the entrance of the detection passage, a support shaft that extends back and forth, and a pseudo detection member that has an arm-shaped working portion that protrudes from the support shaft in the direction perpendicular to the axis, A detection member support that supports the pseudo detection member so as to be slidable only in the left-right direction between the proximity position and the retracted position, while supporting the pseudo detection member so as to be rotatable between the operating angle posture and the retracted posture. As a working angle posture by positioning the pseudo detection member in the proximity positionA pseudo-detection position that causes the sphere detector to detect the presence of a sphere in a pseudo manner;Position the false detection member in the retracted position with the retracted angle posture.The normal detection position that detects the presence / absence state of the game ball at the passage position as it isConfigured to be configurable. Then, in a state where the pseudo detection member is set at the pseudo detection position, the action portion enters the detection passage from the ball passage in the series of flow-down passages formed by the ball passage, the detection passage, and the prize ball passage. To act directly on the detector instead of the game ballA game ball detection device of a ball game machine is configured.
[0086]
  In the gaming ball detection device having such a configuration, the pseudo detection member causes the ball detector to detect the presence of a ball in a pseudo manner, and the normal detection position that directly detects the presence / absence state of the gaming ball at the passage position. Slide movementAnd combination of rotationBecause it is arranged so that the position of the pseudo detection member isDirectly aboveWithout being limited, the pseudo detection memberAroundIt can be arranged freely. Further, the slide shaft of the pseudo detection member can be set to the side of the ball detector, and a game ball detection device in which the pseudo detection mechanism is configured to be small and the ball passage is shortened can be obtained. Therefore, according to the gaming ball detection apparatus as described above, a small pseudo detection mechanism with a high degree of freedom of arrangement of the pseudo detection member can be configured, and the work efficiency is improved by reducing the number of game balls that are not restricted to flow down. A game ball detection device can be provided.
  In the state where the pseudo detection member is set to the pseudo detection position, the action portion is arranged to protrude from the wall surface forming the ball passage to the ball passage, and simulates the flow of the game ball located upstream from the ball passage. According to the configuration that can be regulated by the detection member, it is possible to completely prevent a new game ball from flowing into the prize ball standby passage during the discharge of the game ball. In addition, the detection unit has a detection lever that is swingably supported inside the detection passage and is urged inward of the passage, and the action portion is engaged with the detection lever so as to resist the urging force to the working angle posture. According to the configuration in which the pseudo detection member is held at the pseudo detection position by the urging force of the detection lever and the pseudo ball presence state is self-held when it rotates, the operator can easily play all the game balls. It can be discharged. Further, according to the configuration in which the urging means for constantly urging the pseudo detection member in the retracted position direction is provided, the pseudo detection member does not protrude into the ball passage due to vibration or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine shown as an example of a ball game machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the back side of the pachinko machine.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of a prize ball payout mechanism and its peripheral part in the pachinko machine.
4 is a rear view showing a configuration of a prize ball payout mechanism and a ball passage in the periphery thereof by removing a lid member and the like from the rear view shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing an internal configuration of the prize ball cassette.
6 is a plan sectional view taken along arrows VI-VI in FIG.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a ball stopper mechanism and a pseudo detection mechanism in the prize ball device according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a rear view (partial sectional view) showing an assembled state of the ball stop mechanism and the pseudo detection mechanism, and a relationship between these mechanisms and peripheral mechanisms.
9 is a cross-sectional plan view of a ball stop mechanism and a pseudo detection mechanism along arrows IX-IX in FIG. 8;
10 is a cross-sectional plan view of the pseudo detection mechanism along arrow XX in FIG. 8. FIG.
11 is a side view of the ball stop mechanism and the pseudo detection mechanism as seen in the direction of arrows XI-XI in FIG. 8;
FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a ball stopping state by a ball stopping mechanism, and FIGS. 12A and 12B are respectively spheres viewed in the directions of arrows XII (a) and XII (b) in FIG. 13; It is explanatory drawing of a stop state.
FIG. 13 is a rear view (partial cross-sectional view) showing a state when the first ball stop member in the ball stop mechanism is moved to the ball stop position and the pseudo detection member in the pseudo detection mechanism is moved to the pseudo detection position. .
FIG. 14 is a plan sectional view showing the operating state of both mechanisms, similar to FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
BSP back set board
L₁   index
L₂   index
PA game area
PM Pachinko machine
1 outer frame
2 Front frame
3a, 3b Hinge member
4 Locking device
5 Glass door
6 Upper ball dish
7 Lower ball dish
8 Operation handle
9 Hitting ball launcher
18 Hinge
19 Closing lever
20 Game board
21 Decorative plate
22 guide rails (22a outer rail, 22b inner rail)
23 Windmill
24 general prizes
25 Starting prizes
26 Attacker
27 Out mouth
28 Symbol display device
30 Base frame
31 counter
35 Ball stop mechanism attachment
(35a mounting boss, 35d shaft support, 35f engagement groove)
36 Ball removal mechanism attachment
(36a boss, 36b pivot shaft, 36c engagement protrusion insertion hole,
36d switch guide, 36e switch lock claw)
37 Prize ball cassette mounting
40-ball storage and supply mechanism
41 Tank members
42 Alignment rod members
43 Ball leveling pendulum
44 Outlet cover
45 Deflection outlet
50 prize ball payout mechanism
52 Ball presence / absence detection switch
(52a, 52b detection path, 52La, 52Lb detection lever)
53 Standby passage member
(53a, 53b prize ball waiting passage, 53w partition wall)
54 prize ball cassette
(54a, 54b receiving passage, 54c, 54d outlet, 54w partition wall)
55 prize ball detection sensor
56 Sensor holder
57 Lid member
60 prize ball payout route
91 Main control board
92 Prize ball control board
93 Lamp / Voice Control Board
94 Image control board
510 Ball stop mechanism
511 slide base
(511a, 511b ball stop passage, 511c rail portion, 511f foot portion, 511g passage visible portion, 511h screw receiving hole, 511p fitting pin, 511s pusher passage hole, 511w partition wall)
512 First ball stopper
(512a, 512b ball stopper piece, 512c slide part, 512h long hole part, 512m operation piece)
513 Second ball stop member
(513a, 513b ball stopper piece, 513c slide part, 513h long hole part, 513m operation piece)
518 Screw with seat
520 Pseudo detection mechanism
521 Pseudo detection member
(521a, 521b lever presser, 521c support shaft, 521d rotation shaft portion, 521e rotation shaft portion, 521f holding shaft portion)
522 holding plate
(522e shaft support part, 522f restriction support part, 522g passage visible part)
528 screw
530 Ball removal mechanism
531 Channel Switching Member
(531a passage wall portion, 531b support shaft hole portion, 531c closing holding engagement hole, 531d opening holding engagement side)
532 Lever member (532b operation part, 532c engagement protrusion)
541 cassette case
542 cassette case
543 Stepping motor
544 impeller (544a front row side impeller, 544b rear row side impeller)

Claims (4)

A tank member that is disposed on top of the game board and a back set board provided to cover the back of the game board and stores game balls ;
An alignment rod member that is positioned on the lower side of the tank member and is provided in an inclined posture on the left and right sides to align and flow down game balls supplied from the tank member;
The impeller and the impeller receiving portion is formed to receive a game ball having a motor for rotating is arranged in the lower part of the back set plate, said by the motor based on a predetermined winning condition in the game board A payout device for paying out game balls by rotating the impeller ; and
The game balls guided from the alignment rod member are supplied to the payout device in an aligned state in a passage formed by a wall surface surrounding the periphery, which is provided on the back set board and is positioned below the outlet of the alignment rod member. A prize ball waiting passage,
A detection passage that is formed by a wall surface that surrounds the game ball and flows down the game balls in an aligned state; and a detection unit that is provided inside the detection passage and detects a game ball in the passage, the detection passage waiting for the prize ball A sphere detector disposed in communication with the upper portion of the passage ;
A control device that permits operation of the motor when a game ball is detected by the ball detector and restricts operation of the motor when a game ball is not detected;
A pseudo-detecting mechanism that is disposed in proximity to the ball detector and causes the ball detector to detect in a pseudo manner that there is a game ball at the passage position even when there is no game ball in the detection passage ;
The pseudo detection mechanism is a ball that is formed by a wall surface that surrounds the periphery of the alignment rod member by connecting the outlet of the alignment rod member and the entrance of the detection passage, and that causes the game ball guided in an aligned state from the alignment rod member to flow down to the detection passage. A pseudo detection member having a passage, a support shaft extending in the front-rear direction, and an arm-shaped action portion protruding in the direction perpendicular to the support shaft, and the pseudo detection member in an upward angle retracted posture in which the action portion extends upward Is supported so as to be slidable only in the left-right direction between a close position close to the ball path and a retracted position away from the ball path, while the action portion extends downward at the close position. A detection member support unit that supports the detection unit so as to be rotatable around the support shaft between the working angle posture acting on the detection unit and the retracting posture, and the pseudo detection member is positioned at the proximity position, And a pseudo detection position for detecting the pseudo-sphere there state to the sphere detector as use angle orientation, the presence state of the game ball in the passage position the pseudo-detection member is positioned in said retracted position and said retracted angle posture It is configured so that it can be set to the normal detection position to be detected as it is,
In a state in which the pseudo detection member is set at the pseudo detection position, the action portion moves from the ball path to the detection path within a series of flow-down paths formed by the ball path, the detection path, and the prize ball path. A game ball detection device for a bullet ball game machine, wherein the game ball detection apparatus is configured to enter into the detection passage and directly act on the detection unit in place of the game ball in the detection passage . In a state where the pseudo detection member is set at the pseudo detection position, the action portion is disposed so as to protrude from the wall surface forming the ball passage to the ball passage and is located upstream of the ball passage. 2. The game ball detection device for a ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the flow of the ball is controlled by the pseudo detection member. The detection unit includes a detection lever that is swingably supported inside the detection passage and is urged inward of the passage. When a game ball is in the detection passage, the detection portion is pressed by the pressing force of the game ball. The detection lever is configured to swing out of the passage and detect a game ball,
When the action portion is engaged with the detection lever and rotated to the action angle posture against the biasing force, the pseudo detection member is held at the pseudo detection position by the biasing force of the detection lever, and the pseudo The game ball detection device for a ball game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a state in which a typical ball is present is held by itself. The game ball detection device for a ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an urging unit that constantly urges the pseudo detection member toward the retracted position.

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