JP4342483B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine provided with a ball storage tank for storing game balls and a ball discharge device for discharging game balls stored in the ball storage tank.

There is a pachinko game machine as a typical game machine that uses a game ball to play a game. At the upper part on the back side of this pachinko gaming machine, there is a ball storage tank that stores game balls. As a ball, it is configured to be discharged to the upper plate of the front surface of the pachinko machine. In addition, when a ball lending operation is performed, the ball discharge device is similarly operated to discharge the balls in the ball storage tank to the upper plate. And regarding control of a ball discharge device, it is proposed to operate the restart switch to return the ball discharge device from an abnormal state. Specifically, when a discharge error occurs due to a ball clogging or the like, the discharge operation of the ball discharge device is stopped. It has been proposed that when a restart switch provided is operated, control is performed so that the stop state of the ball discharge device is released, the ball discharge device returns to a normal state, and the discharge operation of the ball discharge device can be performed again (Patent Document). 1).
JP 7-313699 A

  However, in the pachinko gaming machine described in the above-mentioned patent document, the stop state of the ball discharge device cannot be released unless the restart switch is operated. Therefore, if the store clerk forgets to operate the restart switch, the pachinko gaming machine (specifically, the ball discharging means of the pachinko gaming machine) may recognize that the ball discharging device has returned from the abnormal state to the normal state. It is not possible to allow the discharge operation of the ball discharge device. For this reason, there is a possibility that the returning operation of the ball discharge device cannot be performed quickly and finished.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can quickly perform the operation of returning the ball discharge device from the abnormal state.

The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above-described object, and the one described in claim 1 includes a ball storage tank capable of storing game balls,
A ball discharge device that communicates with one side of the ball storage tank and is capable of discharging game balls stored in the ball storage tank;
A first state in which the sphere storage tank is swung so that the bottom of the sphere storage tank is inclined downward toward the sphere discharge device, and a second state in which the bottom is inclined downward to the opposite side of the sphere discharge device A swing mechanism that can be converted into
Detecting means for detecting a state change of the ball storage tank;
A discharge control means capable of detecting a discharge operation abnormality of the ball discharge device and controlling a discharge operation of the game ball of the ball discharge device;
With
When the discharge control means detects a discharge operation abnormality of the ball discharge device, the discharge control means stops the discharge operation of the ball discharge device,
When the detecting means detects the conversion of the ball storage tank from the second state to the first state in the discharging operation stop state, the discharging control means allows the discharging operation of the ball discharging device. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the detection means is
A displacement piece that is disposed in the ball storage tank and converts to a first displacement state when a game ball in the ball storage tank is placed in the first state, and converts to a second displacement state when the game ball comes off;
A displacement engagement portion provided on the displacement piece and engageable with a ball storage tank;
A displacement sensor capable of detecting a state change of the displacement piece;
With
When the ball storage tank is converted to the second state with the game ball placed on the displacement piece, the displacement engagement portion engages with the ball storage tank to convert the displacement piece to the second displacement state, and the displacement piece By restricting the conversion to the first displacement state and detecting that the displacement piece has been converted to the second displacement state by the displacement sensor, it is possible to detect the conversion of the ball storage tank to the second state,
When the ball storage tank is converted to the first state and the game ball is placed on the displacement piece, the displacement piece is converted to the first displacement state, and the displacement sensor detects that the displacement piece has been converted to the first displacement state. Thus, the gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the conversion of the ball storage tank to the first state can be detected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the swing mechanism includes a swing shaft that pivotally attaches in a state where the ball storage tank can swing.
3. The game according to claim 2, wherein the detection means includes a rotation shaft for pivotally mounting the displacement piece in a rotatable state, and the rotation shaft is disposed on an extension line of the swing shaft. Machine.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the discharge operation of the ball discharge device is allowed by the discharge control means, the displacement sensor detects that the displacement piece has been converted from the first displacement state to the second displacement state. The game according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a replenishment request signal is transmitted to the replenishment device of the game machine installation island facility, and the game ball is replenished from the replenishment device to the ball storage tank. Machine.

According to the present invention, the following excellent effects can be obtained.
According to the invention described in claim 1, a ball storage tank capable of storing game balls, a ball discharge device communicating with one side of the ball storage tank and capable of discharging game balls stored in the ball storage tank; A first state in which the sphere storage tank is swung so that the bottom of the sphere storage tank is inclined downward toward the sphere discharge device, and a second state in which the bottom is inclined downward on the opposite side of the sphere discharge device; The swing mechanism that can be converted into a ball, the detection means that detects the change in the state of the ball storage tank, the discharge operation abnormality of the ball discharge device can be detected, and the discharge that can control the discharge operation of the game ball of the ball discharge device Control means, and when the discharge control means detects a discharge operation abnormality of the ball discharge device, the discharge means stops the discharge operation of the ball discharge device, and in the discharge operation stop state, the detection means is in the second state of the ball storage tank. When the conversion from the first state to the first state is detected, the discharge control means Since allowing the discharge operation of the output device, the operation and to the bottom of the sphere storage tank inclined downward toward the ball discharging apparatus, there is no need to separately perform an operation to allow the discharge operation of the ball discharging unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent forgetting to allow the discharging operation of the ball discharging device and to quickly return the ball discharging device from the abnormal state.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the detection means is disposed in the ball storage tank, and when the game ball in the ball storage tank is placed in the first state, the detection means is converted into the first displacement state, and the game ball is released. A displacement piece that converts to the second displacement state; a displacement engagement portion that is provided on the displacement piece and that can engage with the ball storage tank; and a displacement sensor that can detect the state change of the displacement piece. When the ball storage tank is converted to the second state with the game ball placed thereon, the displacement engagement portion engages with the ball storage tank to convert the displacement piece to the second displacement state, and the first displacement state of the displacement piece The conversion to the second state is regulated by the displacement sensor, so that the conversion of the ball storage tank to the second state can be detected, and the ball storage tank is brought into the first state. When the game ball is placed on the displacement piece after conversion, the displacement piece changes to the first displacement state. Since the displacement sensor detects that the displacement piece has been converted to the first displacement state, the conversion of the ball storage tank to the first state can be detected. A function to detect and a function to detect the presence or absence of a game ball in the ball storage tank can be provided. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the configuration of the sphere storage tank from becoming complicated, and to reduce the manufacturing cost of the sphere storage tank.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the swing mechanism includes a swing shaft that pivotally mounts the ball storage tank in a swingable state, and the detection means pivotally mounts the displacement piece in a rotatable state. Since the pivot shaft is disposed on the extension line of the swing shaft, the swing center of the ball storage tank and the pivot center of the displacement piece can be disposed on the same straight line. The displacement piece can be smoothly rotated as the ball storage tank swings. Therefore, it is possible to reliably detect the state change of the ball storage tank.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the discharge operation of the ball discharge device is permitted by the discharge control means, the displacement sensor detects that the displacement piece has been converted from the first displacement state to the second displacement state. Then, a replenishment request signal is transmitted to the replenishment device of the game machine installation island facility, and the game ball is replenished from the replenishment device to the ball storage tank. It is possible to quickly supply the game balls to the storage tank.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a pachinko gaming machine as a typical gaming machine as an example. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine, and FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the pachinko gaming machine.
The pachinko gaming machine 1 has an outer frame (machine frame or main body frame) 2 that is pivotably attached to a front frame 3 having a large frame-like opening so that it can be opened and closed. A front game board (not shown) having a shape can be accommodated, and a front cover member 4 having one side (left side in FIG. 1) pivotally attached to the front side of the front frame 3 is provided to be openable and closable. A glass plate 5 that can be seen through is housed, and a game area (not shown) formed on the front surface of the game board through the glass plate 5 can be seen through from the front. Further, an upper plate unit 6 and a lower plate unit 7 are provided below the front cover member 4 in a state of being slightly shifted left and right, and a game state is provided between the upper plate unit 6 and the lower plate unit 7. A speaker 8 that generates a sound according to the position is provided, and an ashtray 9 is provided on the left side of the lower plate unit 7. A firing operation handle) 10 is provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a back mechanism unit 12 is attached to the back side of the front frame 3. The back mechanism unit 12 is fitted with a display device 13 such as a liquid crystal display device from the front, and the front side of the display device 13 faces the front (player side) from the opening formed in the game board. Under the back mechanism unit 12, a game control device 14, a discharge control device 15 (corresponding to discharge control means in the present invention), a power supply device 16, a relay board 17, and the like are provided. is doing. Further, a ball storage unit 20 is disposed above the back mechanism unit 12, and a ball flow that causes the game balls discharged from the ball storage unit 20 to flow down on the side of the back mechanism unit 12 (right side in FIG. 2). Road (specifically, a ball flow down path 21 that guides game balls to the upper plate unit 6 in front of the pachinko machine 1, and a game ball in the ball storage unit 20 that is a lower ball collection basket in the game machine island facility. A ball extraction channel 22) for guiding to (not shown) is provided. Above the ball storage unit 20, a supply device 23 is provided in the game machine installation island facility, and is used to supply game balls from the game machine installation island facility to the ball storage unit 20 of the pachinko gaming machine 1. ing. The discharge control device 15 will be described in detail later.

Next, the sphere storage unit 20 will be described.
The ball storage unit 20 is a device capable of storing the game balls replenished from the replenishing device 23 and discharging the stored game balls. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ball storage unit 20 includes a horizontally long plate-shaped mounting base 25, a ball storage tank 26 that can store game balls, and the ball storage tank 26 supported by the mounting base 25. In addition, the swing mechanism 27 that can swing (convert) in a state tilted in the left-right direction, the conversion regulation mechanism 28 that regulates the state conversion of the ball storage tank 26, and the game balls stored in the ball storage tank 26 A ball discharge device 29 that can discharge to the flow-down path 21 or the ball discharge path 22 is provided.

  The sphere storage tank 26 is formed in the shape of a horizontally long bottomed box having an open top surface, and is disposed on one side of the back side of the mounting base 25 (right side in FIG. 4). In addition, at the bottom of the ball storage tank 26, there is formed a game ball flow path 30 capable of rolling down and rolling the game ball, and on one side in the longitudinal direction of the ball storage tank 26 (left side in FIG. 4). A discharge port 31 for discharging the game ball flowing down from the game ball channel 30 is opened.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the game ball flow path 30 is disposed on the mounting base 25 side (front side) in the ball storage tank 26, and the first flow is inclined downward toward the opposite side to the discharge port 31. The second flow path 35 is disposed at a position opposite to the path 34 and the mounting base 25 in the ball storage tank 26 (rear side) and at a position lower than the first flow path 34, and is inclined downward toward the discharge port 31. And a lower end portion of the first flow path 34 and an upper end portion of the second flow path 35, and a connection flow path inclined downward from the lower end portion of the first flow path 34 toward the upper end portion of the second flow path 35. 36. Further, in the middle of the first flow path 34, a first stepped portion 37 is formed in which the downstream side is set one step lower than the upstream side, and the game is provided upstream and downstream of the first stepped portion 37. A dust-dropping groove 38 set narrower than the sphere is opened along the downward inclination direction. Further, in the middle of the second flow path 35, a second stepped portion 39 is formed in which the downstream side is set one step lower than the upstream side, and dust removal is provided upstream of the second stepped portion 39. The groove part 40 is opened along the downward inclination direction. In the second step portion 39, a step opening portion 41 facing the downstream side is opened, and a part of a detection mechanism 43 described later can be projected from the step opening portion 41. An opening having an opening width narrower than that of the game ball is provided between the first flow path 34, the second flow path 35, the connection flow path 36, and the standing wall 26a that defines the internal space of the ball storage tank 26. A plurality of 44 are provided so that foreign matter such as dust that tends to remain in the corners of the sphere storage tank 26 can be easily removed out of the sphere storage tank 26.

  The swing mechanism 27 is disposed around the center of the lower part of the ball storage tank 26 and the swing bearing 47 disposed around the center of the mounting base 25 in the left-right direction, and extends in the front-rear direction toward the mounting base 25. And a rocking shaft 48. Then, the swinging shaft 48 is fitted to the swinging bearing 47 so as to be rotatable, and the ball storage tank 26 is pivotally mounted so that the ball storage tank 26 can be swung. Supporting in a state that can be converted into a first state (see FIG. 11 (a)) inclined downward and a second state (see FIG. 12) in which the bottom portion is inclined downward to the opposite side of the ball discharge device 29. Yes. Further, the oscillating shaft 47 can be moved forward and backward with respect to the mounting base 25 by fitting the oscillating shaft 48 to the oscillating bearing 47 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction (the extending direction of the oscillating shaft 48). Support in the state. Further, the tip end of the swing shaft 48 (the end on the mounting base 25 side) protrudes to the front side (front frame 3 side) of the mounting base 25, and the tip of the swing shaft 48 is larger than the hole diameter of the swing bearing 47. A large ring-shaped slide restricting member (stopper) 50 is provided (see FIG. 4), and a separation distance between the slide restricting member 50 and the front end of the swing bearing 47 (that is, the end located on the front frame 3 side) is set. It is set shorter than the diameter of the game ball.

  The conversion restricting mechanism 28 is a mechanism for restricting the swinging of the sphere storage tank 26 by locking the end of the sphere storage tank 26 and being disposed on both the left and right sides of the sphere storage tank 26. The conversion restricting mechanism 28 includes a columnar restricting / locking portion 52 that protrudes rearward from the back side of the mounting base 25, and a locked portion that protrudes outward from the side of the ball storage tank 26. 53. Two restriction locking portions 52 are arranged one above the other on the one end side (right end side in FIG. 4) of the mounting base 25, and around the upper edge portion near the other side of the mounting base 25 (left side in FIG. 4). One is arranged in each. For convenience of explanation, the restriction locking portion 52 disposed on the upper side of one end of the mounting base 25 is the first restriction locking portion 52a, and the restriction locking portion 52 disposed on the lower side is the second restriction locking portion. 52b, the restriction locking portion 52 disposed on the other side of the mounting base 25 is referred to as a third restriction locking portion 52c.

  Further, the locked portion 53 has a cap shape that opens toward the mounting base 25, and the leading end portion of the restriction locking portion 52 is fitted in the locked portion 53 in a detachable state. The end of the ball storage tank 26 can be locked to the mounting base 25. Further, an attachment hole 54 is formed in the rear surface portion of the locked portion 53, and a fixing member 55 capable of fixing the locked portion 53 and the distal end portion of the restriction locking portion 52 is attached to the mounting hole 54. Fastened in a freely detachable state to the distal end portion of the restriction locking portion 52 fitted in the locked portion 53, and the fitting state between the locked portion 53 and the restriction locking portion 52 is maintained. It is configured as follows.

  And when the ball storage tank 26 converts into the 1st state, the to-be-latched part 53 (1st to-be-latched part 53a) provided in the edge part on the opposite side to the discharge port 31 among the ball storage tanks 26 will be described. When the ball storage tank 26 is disposed in the rear of the first restriction locking portion 52a and can be locked to the tip of the first restriction locking portion 52a and the ball storage tank 26 is converted to the second state, the second restriction locking portion 52b It arrange | positions back and can be latched at the front-end | tip part of the 2nd control latching | locking part 52b (refer FIG. 11 and FIG. 12). The locked portion 53 (second locked portion 53b) provided at the end on the discharge port 31 side is provided in a state of protruding toward the ball discharge device 29, and the ball storage tank 26 is When converted to the first state, it is disposed behind the third restriction locking portion 52c and can be locked to the tip of the first restriction locking portion 52a, and when the ball storage tank 26 is converted to the second state, It arrange | positions rather than the control latching | locking part 52c (refer FIG. 11 and FIG. 12).

Next, the ball discharge device 29 will be described.
The ball discharge device 29 is a device that is disposed on the other side (the left side in FIG. 4) of the ball storage tank 26 and that can communicate with a discharge port 31 that opens at the bottom of the inclined bottom of the ball storage tank 26. As shown in FIG. 7, the ball discharge device 29 communicates with the discharge port 31 of the ball storage tank 26 and can receive a game ball in the ball storage tank 26, and the ball receiver 60. A substantially cylindrical sprocket accommodating portion 61 formed with the bottom portion recessed downward, a discharge stage member 62 disposed at the lower portion of the sprocket accommodating portion 61, and a state in which the sprocket accommodating portion 61 is rotatable. Is disposed above the ball receiving portion 60 so as to cover the sprocket 63 and to be connected to the upper portion of the sprocket 63 to rotate the sprocket 63. The motor base 65 is provided with a discharge drive motor 64 attached to the upper surface.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the discharge stage member 62 supports a rotation shaft (not shown) protruding from the lower part of the sprocket 63 at the approximate center of its upper surface (that is, the surface facing the lower part of the sprocket 63). A bearing hole 67 is opened. Further, on the outer peripheral side of the bearing hole 67, a discharge flow lower port 68 that communicates with the ball flow lower passage 21 and a ball discharge port 69 that communicates with the ball discharge passage 22 are opened. A discharge sensor (passage sensor) 70 capable of detecting a game ball passing through the discharge flow lower port 68 is disposed.

  The sprocket 63 is provided with a plurality of cutouts 72 having a circular arc shape in plan view on the outer peripheral edge thereof, and has a vertical hole shape capable of receiving and holding a game ball between the cutouts 72 and the inner wall portion of the sprocket accommodating portion 61. A plurality of ball holding portions 73 are formed (ten at equal intervals), and a maximum of three game balls are vertically stacked in each ball holding portion 73.

  Furthermore, an arc-shaped rib 74 projects toward the center of the sprocket housing 61 at a portion of the inner wall surface of the sprocket housing 61 that is spaced upward from the discharge stage member 62 by one game ball. The outer edges of the discharge flow lower port 68 and the ball outlet 69 are disposed so as to cover from above.

  In the ball discharge device 29 having such a configuration, when the sprocket 63 rotates in the normal rotation direction L with the game ball held by the ball holding unit 73, the game ball held by the ball holding unit 73 is discharged from the discharge flow lower port. Prior to reaching 68, the first and second tiers of the three game balls stacked vertically are separated by a rib 74. In this state, when the game ball in the ball holding portion 73 moves above the discharge flow lower port 68, the rib 74 serves as a shielding plate to prevent the second and higher game balls from flowing into the discharge flow lower port 68. On the other hand, when the sprocket 63 rotates in the reverse rotation direction R with the game ball held by the ball holding portion 73, three game balls held by the ball holding portion 73 are stacked vertically before reaching the ball outlet 69. Among the game balls, the first stage and the second stage or more are separated by a rib 74. In this state, when the game ball in the ball holding unit 73 moves above the ball outlet 69, the rib 74 serves as a shielding plate to prevent the second and higher game balls from flowing into the ball outlet 69. In this way, the ball discharge device 29 can discharge the game balls held on the ball holding portions 73 of the sprocket 63 on the discharge stage member 62 one by one from the discharge flow lower port 68 or the ball outlet 69. .

  The sphere discharging device 29 is provided with a protrusion 75 on the sphere storage tank 26 side (left side in FIG. 7) of the motor base 65, and on the opposite side to the sphere storage tank 26 (right side in FIG. 7) of the sprocket housing 61. Is provided with a cap-shaped fitting receiving portion 76 opened toward the mounting base 25. Further, a through-hole 77 penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed in the protrusion 75, and the third restriction locking portion 52 c of the mounting base 25 is inserted into the through-hole 77 in a detachable state, and in the fitting receiving portion 76. The cylindrical support portion 78 provided at the lower end on the opposite side (left side in FIG. 4) to the sphere storage tank 26 across the third regulation locking portion 52c on the back side of the mounting base 25 is removable. It fits in the state and is arrange | positioned in the state which can be attached or detached to the attachment base 25. FIG. Further, a mounting hole 79 is formed in the rear surface portion of the fitting receiving portion 76 (see FIG. 7), and a fixing hole 79 for fixing the fitting receiving portion 76 and the tip end portion of the support portion 78 to the fixing hole 79 is provided. A wearing member 80 is attached. The fastening member 80 is fastened to the front end of the support portion 78 in a state where it can be freely fitted and removed.

  The ball storage unit 20 includes a detection mechanism 43 (corresponding to detection means in the present invention) that can detect the presence or absence of a game ball in the ball storage tank 26 (whether or not there is a shortage of balls). The detection mechanism 43 is for detecting a shortage state of game balls in the ball storage tank 26. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the detection mechanism 43 is attached to a displacement piece 84 disposed in the ball storage tank 26. A displacement sensor 85 provided on the base 25 and capable of detecting the state change of the displacement piece 84 is arranged at the lower part of the sphere storage unit 20, specifically, at the substantially central part of the lower part of the sphere storage tank 26. Has been.

  The displacement piece 84 is pivotally mounted in a rotatable state via a bearing 86 provided at the lower part of the ball storage tank 26 and a rotation shaft 87 disposed on an extension line of the swing shaft 48. The tip of the piece 84 protrudes from the step opening 41 toward the downstream portion of the second flow path 35 and is arranged in a state of being rotatable in the vertical direction. A displacement engaging portion 88 that can engage with the second flow path 35 is provided below the displacement piece 84 so as to face the downstream side of the second flow path 35. Further, a plate-like counterweight part 89 is provided on the side opposite to the displacement engagement part 88 (or the tip of the displacement piece 84) from the base part (axially attached part) of the displacement piece 84, and the counterweight part 89 is a ball. It is arranged below the storage tank 26. A detection protrusion 90 that can be detected by the displacement sensor 85 protrudes toward the attachment base 25 on the attachment base 25 side of the counterweight portion 89.

  The displacement sensor 85 has a sensor substrate 92 disposed in a recess 91 in which a substantially central portion of the mounting base 25 is recessed toward the sphere storage tank 26, and protrudes toward the sphere storage tank 26 on the sensor substrate 92. Has been implemented.

  In the detection mechanism 43 having such a configuration, the displacement piece 84 rotates downward due to the weight of the game ball in a state where the game ball is placed, and is in a first displacement state (in FIG. 11A). State shown by a solid line and a broken line). In the first displacement state, the displacement engaging portion 88 engages with the second flow path 35, and the detection protrusion 90 moves upward together with the counterweight portion 89 and is detected by the displacement sensor 85. Based on the detection of the detection protrusion 90 by the displacement sensor 85, the detection mechanism 43 can detect a state in which a game ball is stored in the ball storage tank 26. Further, in a state where the game ball is not placed, the displacement piece 84 is rotated upward by the counterweight portion 89 and converted into a second displacement state (a state indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 11A). In the second displacement state, the displacement engagement portion 88 is separated from the second flow path 35, and the detection protrusion 90 moves downward together with the counterweight portion 89 to be detached from the displacement sensor 85. Based on the fact that the displacement sensor 85 does not detect the detection protrusion 90, the detection mechanism 43 can detect a state in which the game balls are insufficient in the ball storage tank 26.

Next, the discharge control device 15 will be described.
The discharge control device 15 provided below the ball storage unit 20 includes a CPU that controls discharge, a ROM that stores a program for discharge control, and a RAM that is used as a work area during the discharge control of game balls. , An input interface, an output interface, etc. (all not shown). Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a game control device 14 connected to a prize sensor 94 of a prize opening on the game board, a displacement sensor 85 of the detection mechanism 43, and a discharge sensor 70 of the ball discharge device 29 are connected via an input interface. Then, the discharge drive motor 64 of the ball discharge device 29, the replenishment device 23 of the game machine installation island facility, the LED lamp 95 as the abnormality notification device, and the management device 96 installed in the game store are connected via an output interface. Yes. Then, the discharge control device 15 determines the number of discharged balls setting means, the tank inner ball monitoring means, the tank swinging state detection means, the non-discharged ball count according to the processing stage of the signal transmitted to and received from the discharge control device 15. It functions as means, motor control means, replenishment request means, abnormality determination means, and abnormality notification means.

  Next, the action of the sphere storage unit 20 will be described, particularly the action when the sphere discharge device 29 is attached / detached. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 11A, it is assumed that the state conversion of the ball storage tank 26 is previously regulated in the first state. In addition, it is assumed that the game ball is stored in the ball storage tank 26 and the displacement piece 84 of the detection mechanism 43 is converted to the first displacement state.

  In order to remove the ball discharge device 29 from the ball storage unit 20, first, the fastened state between the fastening member 55 of the conversion restricting mechanism 28, the first restricting and engaging portion 52 a, and the third restricting and engaging portion 52 c is released. When the fastening state of each fastening member 55 is released, the ball storage tank 26 is slid away from the mounting base 25. Then, the engagement between the first restriction locking portion 52a and the first locked portion 53a and the locking between the third restriction locking portion 52c and the second locked portion 53b are released, and the conversion restriction mechanism 28 is released. Is converted into a permissible state in which the state change (swing) of the ball storage tank 26 is allowed. At this time, the ball storage tank 26 engages the slide restricting member 50 with the mounting base 25 to restrict the slide distance to a length less than the diameter of the game ball. Therefore, the gap between the side edge portion of the discharge port 31 and the side edge portion of the ball receiving portion 60 can be suppressed to a gap that does not allow the game ball to pass (see FIG. 11B). Thereby, the possibility that the game ball spills out from the gap between the ball storage tank 26 and the ball discharge device 29 can be eliminated.

  If the conversion restricting mechanism 28 is converted into the allowable state, the ball storage tank 26 is swung in the direction in which the discharge port 31 moves upward (the direction indicated by the solid line arrow A in FIG. 12) to be converted into the second state. . Then, the first flow path 34 and the second flow path 35 are inclined downward toward the opposite side (left side in FIG. 12) from the ball discharge device 29, and the discharge port 31 is higher than the connection height with the ball receiving portion 60. Move upward. Therefore, the game balls in the ball storage tank 26 can be moved to the opposite side of the ball discharge device 29, and the game balls in the ball storage tank 26 roll to the ball discharge device 29 or press the ball discharge device 29. Can be prevented. Therefore, the preparatory work at the time of maintenance of the ball discharge device 29 can be easily performed, and the efficiency of the recovery work of the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be improved.

  When the ball storage tank 26 is converted to the second state with the game ball placed on the displacement piece 84, the displacement engagement portion 88 of the detection mechanism 43 is pressed upward by the second flow path 35 of the ball storage tank 26. The displacement piece 84 is converted to the second displacement state, and the conversion to the first displacement state is restricted. Further, the first locked portion 53a moves to the rear of the second restriction locking portion 52b, and the second locked portion 53b moves to the upper side of the third restriction locking portion 52c. When the ball storage tank 26 is slid in this state and brought close to the mounting base 25, the first locked portion 53 a and the second restriction locking portion 52 b are locked, and the conversion restriction mechanism 28 moves the ball storage tank 26. The ball storage tank 26 can be maintained in the second state by converting to a restricted state that restricts state change (oscillation). And if the 1st to-be-latched part 53a and the 2nd regulation latching | locking part 52b are fastened by the fastening member 55, it will prevent that the ball | bowl storage tank 26 slides, and the control state of the conversion control mechanism 28 will be cancelled | released. Can be prevented.

  In addition, the displacement engagement portion 88 of the detection mechanism 43 is engaged with the second flow path 35 of the ball storage tank 26 and pressed upward, so that the displacement piece 84 is converted to the second displacement state, and to the first displacement state. The conversion is regulated. Therefore, when the ball storage tank 26 is converted to the second state, the detection protrusion 90 of the detection mechanism 43 is detached from the displacement sensor 85. By detecting that the displacement sensor 85 does not detect the detection protrusion 90, in other words, that the displacement piece 84 has been converted to the second displacement state by the displacement sensor 85, the detection mechanism 43 causes the ball storage tank 26 to be in the second state. It is possible to detect that the state has been converted. Therefore, the detection mechanism 43 can have a function of detecting the state change of the ball storage tank 26 and a function of detecting the presence or absence of a game ball in the ball storage tank 26. Therefore, the configuration of the sphere storage tank 26 can be prevented from becoming complicated, and the manufacturing cost of the sphere storage tank 26 can be reduced.

  Further, since the rotation shaft 87 of the displacement piece 84 is disposed on the extension line of the swing shaft 48 of the swing mechanism 27, the swing center of the ball storage tank 26 and the rotation center of the displacement piece 84 are identical. The displacement piece 84 can be smoothly rotated (displacement state conversion) as the ball storage tank 26 swings. Therefore, the state change of the ball storage tank 26 can be reliably detected.

The discharge control device 15 can prohibit the discharge operation of the ball discharge device 29 based on the detection result of the second state of the ball storage tank 26. Therefore, the inconvenience that the ball discharging device 29 performs the discharging operation during the maintenance preparation can be suppressed.
The control for prohibiting the discharge operation of the ball discharge device 29 will be described in detail later.

  Further, in a state where the ball storage tank 26 is converted to the second state, the second locked portion (engagement portion) 53b is inserted from the rear of the protrusion 75 of the ball discharge device 29 through which the third restriction locking portion 52c is inserted. Retraction of the ball discharge device 29 is allowed. In this state, as shown in FIG. 13, if the fastening member 80 of the ball discharge device 29 is removed from the support portion 78 and the ball discharge device 29 is pulled out backward (in the direction opposite to the mounting base 25), the ball discharge device 29. Can be removed. Since the removed ball discharge device 29 is separated from the ball storage tank 26, the ball discharge device 29 is of a size that can be held with one hand and is easy to carry and handle. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform the work of investigating the cause of the failure or turning over to drop the game ball stuck inside. For this reason, it is possible to improve the maintenance work efficiency.

  In order to attach the ball discharge device 29 to the ball storage unit 20, the third restriction locking portion 52 c is inserted into the through hole 77 of the protrusion 75 and the support portion 78 is fitted into the fitting receiving portion 76. The fitting receiving portion 76 and the support portion 78 are fastened by the fastening member 80, and the ball discharge device 29 is fixed to the mounting base 25. If the ball discharging device 29 is fixed, the fastening state of the fastening member 55 of the first locked portion 53a and the second regulating locking portion 52b of the conversion regulating mechanism 28 is released, and the ball storage tank 26 is moved. Slide away from the mounting base 25. Then, the lock between the second restriction locking portion 52b and the first locked portion 53a is released, and the conversion restriction mechanism 28 changes to an allowable state that allows the state change (swing) of the ball storage tank 26.

  If the conversion restricting mechanism 28 is converted to the allowable state, the ball storage tank 26 is swung in the direction in which the discharge port 31 moves downward (the direction indicated by the broken line arrow B in FIG. 12) and converted to the first state. . Then, the second flow path 35 is inclined downward toward the ball discharge device 29, and the discharge port 31 of the ball storage tank 26 is disposed at substantially the same height as the ball receiving portion 60 of the ball discharge device 29 ( (See FIG. 11 (a)).

  When the ball storage tank 26 is converted to the first state, the first locked portion 53a moves to the rear of the first restriction locking portion 52a, and the second locked portion 53b is moved to the third restriction locking portion 52c. Move backwards. In this state, when the ball storage tank 26 is slid to approach the mounting base 25, the rear edge of the discharge port 31 of the ball storage tank 26 and the edge of the ball receiver 60 of the ball discharge device 29 are substantially the same. The outlet 31 is arranged on the surface and is connected to the ball receiver 60. Further, the first locked portion 53a and the first restriction locking portion 52a are locked, and the second locked portion 53b and the third restriction locking portion 52c are locked, so that the conversion restriction mechanism 28 is locked. Is converted to a restricted state that restricts the state change (swing) of the ball storage tank 26, and the ball storage tank 26 can be maintained in the first state.

Further, the displacement engagement portion 88 of the detection mechanism 43 is not pressed from the second flow path 35 of the sphere storage tank 26 and can be separated from the sphere storage tank 26. In this state, the game ball that has been biased to the opposite side of the discharge port 31 of the ball storage tank 26 rolls toward the discharge port 31 and is placed on the displacement piece 84, and thus the displacement piece 84 has been rolled. It is pushed down by the game ball and converted to the first displacement state. Therefore, when the ball storage tank 26 is converted from the second state to the first state and the game ball is placed on the displacement piece 84, the detection protrusion 90 of the detection mechanism 43 is detected by the displacement sensor 85. By detecting that the displacement sensor 85 detects the detection protrusion 90, in other words, the displacement sensor 85 has converted the displacement piece 84 into the first displacement state, the detection mechanism 43 causes the ball storage tank 26 to be in the first position. It is possible to detect that the state has been converted. Then, based on the detection result of the first state of the ball storage tank 26, the discharge control device 15 allows the discharge operation of the ball discharge device 29.
The control that allows the discharge operation of the ball discharge device 29 will be described in detail later.

  Further, in a state where the ball storage tank 26 is converted to the first state, the second locked portion (engagement portion) 53b is behind the protrusion 75 of the ball discharge device 29 through which the third restriction locking portion 52c is inserted. The attachment or detachment of the ball discharge device 29 is restricted by engagement or proximity. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ball discharging device 29 from being accidentally removed when the ball storage tank 26 is in the first state, and to prevent the inconvenience that the game balls in the ball storage tank 26 are spilled from the ball tank and scattered. be able to.

Next, operation control of the pachinko gaming machine 1 having the above-described configuration, in particular, game ball discharge control by the discharge control device 15 will be described with reference to FIG.
When a game ball launched by a launching device (not shown) wins a winning opening, a winning sensor 94 detects the winning of the game ball and transmits this winning detection signal to the game control device 14, as shown in FIG. (S1). Then, the game control device 14 transmits a prize ball discharge signal to the discharge control device 15 based on the winning detection signal (S2). The discharge control device 15 that has received the prize ball discharge signal functions as a discharge ball number setting means, and sets the number of prize balls discharged from the ball storage unit 20 based on the prize ball discharge signal (stores the number of prize ball discharges in the RAM). And a discharge flag is set until the discharge completion limit time corresponding to the number of prize balls discharged has elapsed (S3).

  If the number of prize balls discharged is set, the discharge control device 15 functions as a tank ball monitoring means and receives a signal from the displacement sensor 85 of the detection mechanism 43 (S4), and the displacement piece 84 is in the first displacement state. It is determined whether or not the game ball is stored in the ball storage tank 26. If a game ball is stored in the ball storage tank 26, a storage detection flag is set (S5), functions as a motor control means based on the discharge flag and the storage detection flag, and a drive signal (specifically) is output to the discharge drive motor 64. Specifically, a drive signal for rotating the sprocket 63 in the forward rotation direction L is transmitted (S6), and the control of discharging the game ball from the discharge flow lower port 68 of the ball discharge device 29 is performed.

  In the middle of discharging the game ball from the ball discharge device 29, when the game ball in the ball storage tank 26 is in a shortage state (a state where the game ball is not placed on the displacement piece 84), the displacement piece 84 is Converting to the second displacement state, the displacement sensor 85 detects a ball shortage state, and this shortage detection signal is transmitted to the discharge control device 15 (S7). Then, the discharge control device 15 functions as a tank ball monitoring means based on the ball shortage detection signal, clears the storage detection flag (S8), and sets the replenishment request flag (S9). And if the storage detection flag is cleared, it will function as a motor control means, transmission of the drive signal to the discharge drive motor 64 will be stopped (S10), and the discharge operation of the ball discharge device 29 will be interrupted.

  Further, it functions as a supply request means based on the supply request flag, and transmits a supply request signal to the supply device 23 (S11). When the replenishing device 23 refills the ball storage tank 26 based on the replenishment request signal, the game ball is stored in the ball storage tank 26 and placed on the displacement piece 84, and the displacement piece 84 is converted to the first displacement state. To do. Then, the displacement sensor 85 detects the conversion of the displacement piece 84 to the first displacement state, that is, the state in which the game ball is stored in the ball storage tank 26, and the discharge control that functions as the tank internal ball monitoring means. It transmits to the apparatus 15 (S12). Upon receiving the ball storage detection signal, the discharge control device 15 clears the replenishment request flag after a predetermined time (for example, the time until the game ball is sufficiently replenished in the ball storage tank 26) has elapsed (S13). Then, the transmission of the supply request signal to the supply device 23 is stopped (S14). Furthermore, a storage detection flag is set (S15), and functions as motor control means to cancel the interruption of the discharge operation of the ball discharge device 29 (S16).

  Further, the discharge control device 15 functioning as a motor control unit sets a motor stop flag and stops transmission of a drive signal to the discharge drive motor 64 when the discharge completion limit time has elapsed and the discharge flag is cleared. (S17). Based on this motor stop flag, it functions as a non-discharged ball counting means (S18), and is detected by the winning ball discharging number (S19) stored in the winning ball discharging number storage area of the RAM and the discharging sensor 70 of the ball discharging device 29. The number of undischarged balls is calculated from the difference from the number of already discharged balls obtained by receiving the passed signal of the game balls (S20). Then, it functions as a discharge ball number setting means and updates the prize ball discharge number storage area of the RAM to the number of undischarged balls (S21). When the prize ball discharge number storage area of the RAM is updated to the number of undischarged balls, it functions as an abnormality determining means (S22), and it is determined whether or not the number of undischarged balls is 0. An abnormal discharge flag is set assuming that an abnormality has occurred. If 0, the motor stop flag is cleared. (S23)

  Then, the discharge control device 15 functions as an abnormality notification means based on the discharge abnormality flag (S24), transmits a signal for lighting to indicate abnormality notification to the LED / lamp 95 (S25), and sends a ball to the clerk of the game store. A notification for prompting the recovery work of the discharge device 29 is performed. Further, abnormality information is transmitted to the management device 96 (S26).

  Further, based on the abnormal discharge flag (S27), it functions as a replenishment request means, and transmits a replenishment prohibition signal to the replenishment device 23 (S28). Based on the abnormal discharge flag (S29), it functions as a tank internal ball monitoring means to clear the storage detection flag (S30), and the signal input from the displacement sensor 85 is used as a signal for detecting the state of the ball storage tank 26. The setting is switched to the recognition tank swing state detection means.

  In this state, the store clerk releases the conversion regulation mechanism 28 of the ball storage unit 20 and converts the ball storage tank 26 to the second state. Then, the displacement piece 84 is converted into the second displacement state, the displacement sensor 85 detects that the ball storage tank 26 is in the second state, and transmits this detection signal to the discharge control device 15 (S31).

Then, the ball storage tank 26 maintains the second state, and the ball discharge device 29 is taken out in this state to eliminate the failure of the ball discharge device 29. If the failure of the ball discharge device 29 is resolved, the ball discharge device 29 is attached to the mounting base 25, and the ball storage tank 26 is converted from the second state to the first state. Then, the displacement piece 84 is converted to the first displacement state, the displacement sensor 85 detects that the ball storage tank 26 is in the first state, and transmits this detection signal to the discharge control device 15 (S32). Upon receiving the detection signal, the discharge control device 15 functions as a tank swing state detection unit, detects that the ball storage tank 26 has changed from the second state to the first state, and functions as a tank swing state detection unit. As a result, it is recognized that the work for solving the failure of the ball discharging device 29 has been completed, and the setting is switched to the setting of the tank ball monitoring means. Further, if the ball storage tank 26 is changed from the second state to the first state, it functions as an abnormality determination means (S33), and the discharge operation of the ball discharge device 29 is permitted by clearing the motor stop flag (S34). ) And clear the discharge abnormality flag. Further, it functions as an abnormality notification means based on clearing of the discharge abnormality flag (S35), transmits a signal for turning off the LED / lamp 95 (S36), and transmits abnormality cancellation information to the management device 96. (S37). Further, based on the clearing of the abnormal discharge flag (S38), it functions as a replenishment request means, and cancels the replenishment prohibition signal to the replenishment device 23 (S39). Accordingly, when the detection mechanism 43 detects the conversion of the ball storage tank 26 from the second state to the first state in the discharge operation stop state, the discharge control device 15 allows the discharge operation of the ball discharge device 29. Therefore, there is no need to separately perform an operation of inclining the bottom of the sphere storage tank 26 toward the sphere discharge device 29 side and an operation allowing the discharge operation of the sphere discharge device 29 separately. Thereby, it is possible to prevent forgetting to allow the discharge operation of the ball discharge device 29 and to quickly return the ball discharge device 29 from the abnormal state.
Further, a supply signal to the replenishing device 23 is transmitted based on the conversion of the ball storage tank 26 from the second state to the first state, in other words, based on the clearing of the abnormal discharge flag, and the replenishing device 23 is based on the replenishment request signal. If the ball storage tank 26 is set (configured) to replenish the game ball, the game ball can be quickly supplied to the ball storage tank after the ball discharge device is returned from the abnormal state. Is preferred.

  Then, the displacement sensor 85 detects the conversion of the displacement piece 84 to the first displacement state, that is, the state where the game ball is stored in the ball storage tank 26, and this storage detection signal functions as a tank internal ball monitoring means. It transmits to the discharge control device 15 (S40). The discharge control device 15 that has received the ball storage detection signal resets the storage detection flag (S41). Furthermore, it functions as a discharge ball number setting means, and resets the discharge flag until a discharge completion limit time corresponding to the number of undischarged balls has passed based on the number of undischarged balls stored in the prize ball discharge number storage area ( S42). Based on this discharge flag and the storage detection flag set in step S41, a drive signal is transmitted to the discharge drive motor 64 (S43), and an undischarged game ball is discharged as a prize ball from the discharge flow outlet 68 of the ball discharge device 29. Control to resume.

  In the above embodiment, the supply request signal is directly transmitted from the discharge control device 15 to the supply device 23 or the transmission of the supply request signal is stopped. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a replenishment request signal from the discharge control device 15 may be once transmitted to the management device 96, and the replenishment device 23 may be operated based on the replenishment request signal under the management of the management device 96.

  Further, the swing shaft 48 is fitted to the swing bearing 47 in a state in which the swing shaft 48 can slide in the front-rear direction, and the swing mechanism 27 has a function as a slide mechanism. However, the present invention is not limited to this, A slide mechanism may be provided separately from the swing mechanism 27. For example, the mounting base 25 may be provided with a slide base that can slide in the front-rear direction, and the ball storage tank 26 may be supported on the slide base via the swing mechanism 27.

  Moreover, although it comprised so that the state conversion of the ball storage tank 26 could be detected with the detection mechanism 43, this invention is not limited to this, You may provide a tank state detection mechanism separately from the detection mechanism 43. FIG. For example, a tank state detection mechanism including a detection piece extending from the bottom or side of the sphere storage tank 26 and a tank state detection sensor disposed on the mounting base 25 and capable of detecting the detection piece of the sphere storage tank 26. May be configured. Then, when the ball storage tank 26 is converted to the first state, the detection piece is detected by the tank state detection sensor so that the conversion of the ball storage tank 26 to the first state can be detected, and the ball storage tank 26 is set to the second state. When converted, the detection piece may be moved away from the tank state detection sensor, the detection state of the detection piece is released, and the conversion of the ball storage tank 26 to the second state may be detected. Further, when the ball storage tank 26 is in the first state, the displacement piece 84 is configured to maintain the second displacement state by the weight of the counterweight portion 89 when the game ball is not placed on the displacement piece 84. However, the second displacement state may be maintained by the biasing force of a biasing member such as a spring.

  The ball discharge device 29 attached to the ball storage unit 20 is configured to rotate the sprocket 63 with the game ball held in the notch 72 and lead the game ball to the discharge outlet 68 or the ball outlet 69. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any type of ball discharge device may be used as long as it can discharge the game balls in the ball storage tank 26 to the ball flow path.

  In the above-described embodiment, the pachinko gaming machine 1 which is a typical gaming machine has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a ball storage tank that stores game balls, and a storage in the ball storage tank. Any gaming machine provided with a ball discharge device for discharging the played game balls may be used. For example, it may be a gaming machine such as a sealed ball type pachinko machine, an arrangement ball type game machine, or a sparrow ball type game machine that circulates a game ball sealed inside.

  It should be understood that the above-described embodiment is illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the above description, but is defined by the scope of the claims, and includes all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

It is a front perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a back perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a back perspective view of a ball storage unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of a ball storage unit. It is a back perspective view of a ball storage tank. It is a front perspective view of a ball storage tank. It is a disassembled perspective view of a ball discharge device. It is a perspective view which shows the state which took out the sprocket from the sprocket accommodating part. It is the perspective view which looked at the ball storage tank from the lower part. It is a functional block diagram of a discharge control device. (A) is the rear view of the ball storage unit which converted the ball storage tank into the 1st state, (b) is the schematic which shows the positional relationship of the discharge port and ball receiving part at the time of converting a conversion control mechanism into a permission state. It is. It is a rear view of the ball storage unit which changed the ball storage tank into the 2nd state. It is a back perspective view of a ball storage unit of a state where a ball storage tank was changed into the 2nd state, and a ball discharge device was removed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 3 Front frame 20 Ball storage unit 25 Mounting base 26 Ball storage tank 27 Oscillation mechanism 28 Conversion restriction mechanism 29 Ball discharge device 30 Game ball flow path 31 Discharge port 34 First flow path 35 Second flow path 36 Connection Flow path 37 First step portion 39 Second step portion 41 Step opening portion 43 Detection mechanism 47 Swing bearing 48 Swing shaft 50 Slide restricting member 52 Restriction locking portion 52a First restriction locking portion 52b Second restriction locking portion 52c Third restriction locking portion 53 Locked portion 53a First locked portion 53b Second locked portion 60 Ball receiving portion 61 Sprocket accommodating portion 62 Discharge stage member 63 Sprocket 64 Discharge drive motor 65 Motor base 75 Projection portion 76 Fitting receiving portion 77 Through hole 78 Support portion 84 Displacement piece 85 Displacement sensor 88 Displacement engagement portion 89 Counterweight portion 90 Detection protrusion 94 Winning sensor 96 Management Location

Claims (4)

A ball storage tank capable of storing game balls;
A ball discharge device that communicates with one side of the ball storage tank and is capable of discharging game balls stored in the ball storage tank;
A first state in which the sphere storage tank is swung so that the bottom of the sphere storage tank is inclined downward toward the sphere discharge device, and a second state in which the bottom is inclined downward to the opposite side of the sphere discharge device A swing mechanism that can be converted into
Detecting means for detecting a state change of the ball storage tank;
A discharge control means capable of detecting a discharge operation abnormality of the ball discharge device and controlling a discharge operation of the game ball of the ball discharge device;
With
When the discharge control means detects a discharge operation abnormality of the ball discharge device, the discharge control means stops the discharge operation of the ball discharge device,
A gaming machine, wherein the discharge control means allows the discharge operation of the ball discharge device when the detection means detects the conversion of the ball storage tank from the second state to the first state in the discharge operation stop state. The detection means includes
A displacement piece that is disposed in the ball storage tank and converts to a first displacement state when a game ball in the ball storage tank is placed in the first state, and converts to a second displacement state when the game ball comes off;
A displacement engagement portion provided on the displacement piece and engageable with a ball storage tank;
A displacement sensor capable of detecting a state change of the displacement piece;
With
When the ball storage tank is converted to the second state with the game ball placed on the displacement piece, the displacement engagement portion engages with the ball storage tank to convert the displacement piece to the second displacement state, and the displacement piece By restricting the conversion to the first displacement state and detecting that the displacement piece has been converted to the second displacement state by the displacement sensor, it is possible to detect the conversion of the ball storage tank to the second state,
When the ball storage tank is converted to the first state and the game ball is placed on the displacement piece, the displacement piece is converted to the first displacement state, and the displacement sensor detects that the displacement piece has been converted to the first displacement state. Thus, the gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the conversion of the ball storage tank to the first state can be detected. The swing mechanism includes a swing shaft that pivotally attaches the ball storage tank in a swingable state,
3. The game according to claim 2, wherein the detection means includes a rotation shaft for pivotally mounting the displacement piece in a rotatable state, and the rotation shaft is disposed on an extension line of the swing shaft. Machine. In a state where the discharge operation of the ball discharge device is permitted by the discharge control means, if the displacement sensor detects that the displacement piece has been converted from the first displacement state to the second displacement state, replenishment of the gaming machine installation island facility The gaming machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a game ball is supplied from a supply device to a ball storage tank by transmitting a supply request signal to the device.

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