JP4344329B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine using game balls as game media.

  Pachinko machines are the most well-known game machines that use game balls as game media. In addition to pachinko machines, a slot machine using a game ball for a pachinko machine as a game medium (hereinafter referred to as a parrot machine) is known. These gaming machines are provided with a plurality of ball passages through which game balls pass.

  For example, a general pachinko machine has a storage tray on the front side of the machine body, and game balls are sequentially flowed from the storage part of the storage tank for input into the standby standby ball path to be aligned and aligned with the ball path. The game balls are supplied to the launching device one by one. Further, like a pachinko machine, a general parrot machine is provided with an input storage tray on the front surface of the machine body, and the game balls in the storage portion of the input storage tray are caused to flow into the input standby ball passage to be aligned. Here, the parrot machine can start a game in which a reel is rotated in exchange for taking a required number of game balls into the machine body. A take-in device for sending out is arranged. This take-in device sends out a required number of game balls from the waiting-in-waiting ball passage to the post-take-down ball passage that leads to the inside of the machine body based on the operation of the take-in request operation means (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such a gaming machine, the downstream portion of the insertion standby ball passage is normally in communication with a return ball passage that causes the game ball to flow down to the return storage tray below. Then, when the game is finished by changing from a state in which the game ball in the input standby ball passage cannot flow into the return ball passage to a state in which the game ball can flow into the return ball passage by the operation of the return device, Can be discharged to the return storage tray (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-65953 A JP 2002-177457 A

  By the way, the above-mentioned waiting-and-waiting ball passage for the gaming machine often has an open top or a gentle slope, and the game ball is caught by dust or dirt adhering to the bottom surface of the ball passage. Is likely to occur. Since most of these ball clogging can be eliminated by pushing or shaking the game ball, the ball clogging can be quickly eliminated if the player notices the occurrence of the ball clogging. However, even if a ball clogging occurs in the waiting ball path while the launcher or take-in device is operating, the player is often delayed in noticing the game, and even if something unusual is noticed, the cause May not be able to recognize that the ball is clogged, and it may take time to resume the game. In addition, if a ball is clogged when the game ball is discharged from the input standby ball passage to the return storage tray, it is difficult to distinguish it from the case where all the game balls are discharged. There is a case where the game is ended without collecting the game balls remaining in the input standby ball passage by misunderstanding that all the game balls are returned from the storage tray.

  The present invention is an attempt to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of reliably detecting a clogged ball in a ball passage and notifying a player.

The present invention relates to a gaming machine using a game ball as a game medium, a ball passage through which the game ball passes, and a clogged ball detection switch that scans along the inspection region with a predetermined length region of the ball passage as an inspection region. , A switch guide moving device for transferring the clogged ball detection switch along the inspection region, and a moving device control means for operating the switch guide moving device at a predetermined timing to transfer the clogged ball detection switch along the inspection region And a clogging detecting means for receiving a detection signal from the clogging ball detection switch and detecting the occurrence of clogging in the inspection area, and a clogging notification means for informing the occurrence of clogging in the inspection area. It is premised on a gaming machine characterized by this.

  In such a configuration, the clogged ball detection switch is moved by the switch guide moving device so that the clogged ball detection switch scans the inspection area, and the presence or absence of a detection target (game ball) is detected at each position of the inspection area. The signals are transmitted sequentially. The clogging detection means detects occurrence of clogging in the inspection area based on the detection signal. When the clogging detection means detects occurrence of clogging, the clogging notification means causes the ball passage The player is informed that a ball clog has occurred. Here, the clogging notification means notifies the clogging by light, an image, a sound, or a combination thereof, and can be constituted by a lamp, a speaker, or the like. In this way, in the present invention, by scanning the ball passage with the clogged ball detection switch, it is possible to reliably detect any position of the game ball in the inspection area, and the game with the ball clogging notification means The person can be notified. In particular, in the present invention, the ball clogging detection means can grasp the presence or absence and the number of game balls in the inspection area by the detection signal of the clogging ball detection switch, and the detection signal and the position of the ball detection switch. Since it is possible to grasp the position of the game ball in the inspection area, it is possible to accurately determine the occurrence of the ball clogging and notify the player.

  The moving device control means and the ball clogging detection means can be realized by a board in which an electric circuit used for game control is incorporated, a program executed on the board, and the like. Various modes can be considered for the timing at which the moving device control means operates the switch guide moving device. For example, it may be controlled to operate periodically or periodically, or may be controlled to operate the switch guide moving device only when it becomes necessary to detect a clogged ball in the waiting ball path. Various methods can be considered in which the ball clogging detecting means detects the occurrence of ball clogging based on the detection signal of the clogged ball detection switch. This detection method is not limited to detecting the ball clogging only by the detection signal of the clogging ball detection switch, but also detects the ball clogging by a combination of another parameter such as a gaming state and the detection signal of the clogging ball detection switch. It doesn't matter. For example, it is determined that a ball clogging has occurred when all the game balls are to be excluded from the inspection area and the clogged ball detection switch detects a game ball at any position in the inspection area. The detection method to do is mentioned. Also, when the game ball is in a gaming state that should flow down without stopping the inspection area, and the detection signal that the clogged ball detection switch scans the inspection area is the same as the pattern that was scanned last time In addition, there is a method of determining that the clogging has occurred.

Note that the present invention is disposed with respect to the input standby ball passage where ball clogging is likely to occur . Specifically, an input storage tray on the front side of the machine body for storing the input game balls, an input standby ball passage for aligning game balls flowing from the storage portion of the input storage tray, and a lower side of the input storage tray The return storage tray disposed on the return passage, the return ball passage for allowing the game ball to flow down from the downstream portion of the input standby ball passage to the return storage tray, and the game ball in the input standby ball passage can flow into the return ball passage. A game machine comprising a state and a return device that converts the state into a state incapable of inflow, wherein the clogged ball detection switch has a predetermined length region in the waiting ball passage as an inspection region, along the inspection region The moving device control means operates the switch guide moving device in a state where the game ball in the throw-in waiting ball passage can flow into the return ball passage, and moves the clogged ball detection switch along the inspection area. It is configured to be transported . In such a configuration, a clogged ball detection switch that scans a predetermined length area of the input standby ball passage is provided, and when the game ball in the input standby ball passage is returned to the return ball passage, the input standby ball passage is blocked. By scanning with the ball detection switch, it is possible to detect a ball clogging in the throw-in waiting ball passage and to notify the player. Note that the inspection region may extend over the entire length of the ball passage, or may be only a portion where ball clogging is likely to occur.

As described above, the timing at which the moving device control means operates the switch guide device is not limited, but it is not necessary to detect clogging in the inspection area in view of the time and effort to move the clogging ball detection switch. In the meantime, it is desirable to stop the switch guide device. For this reason, in the said structure, the return ball detection switch which detects the game ball which passes a return ball channel | path is provided, and a moving device control means can flow the game ball | bowl of an insertion waiting ball channel | path into a return ball channel | path. In the state, when the return ball detection switch does not detect the passage of the game ball for a predetermined time, the switch guide moving device is operated to move the clogged ball detection switch along the inspection area. Is proposed. That is, in such a configuration, while the game balls continuously flow into the return ball passage and the return ball detection switch periodically detects the game balls, occurrence of clogging in the waiting standby ball passage does not occur. During this period, the moving device control means stops the switch guide moving device, and the return ball detection switch does not continuously detect the game ball for a predetermined time, and there is a high possibility that a ball clogging has occurred. Then, the switch guide moving device is actuated to cause the clogging ball detection switch to scan the inspection area. Note that the “predetermined time” during which the return ball detection switch does not detect a game ball is unlikely in a state where the game ball normally flows down the insertion waiting ball passage and continuously flows into the return ball passage. It is desirable to have a non-detection time of the order. Specifically, it is desirable to set it within a range of 1 to 10 seconds, more preferably 2 to 7 seconds. In such a configuration, if there is no ball clogging during scanning by the clogged ball detection switch, all the game balls should be discharged from the throw-in waiting ball passage. Accordingly, the ball clogging detection means can determine that a ball clogging has occurred unless the clogging ball detection switch detects even one gaming ball in the inspection area, and can easily detect the ball clogging.

On the other hand, an input storage tray on the front side of the machine body for storing the game balls for input, an input standby ball path for aligning game balls flowing in from the storage part of the input storage dish, and an airframe from the downstream part of the input standby ball path Post-loading down-ball passage that causes the game ball to flow down into the interior, a take-in device that sends out the game ball from the downstream portion of the waiting ball passage into the post-take-down ball passage, and uptake that operates the take-in device A game comprising device control means and take-in request operation means for requesting the take-in device control means to send a required number of game balls from the downstream portion of the take-in waiting ball passage to the post-take-down ball passage A take-in ball detection switch that detects a game ball passing through the falling ball passage after taking in, and the clogging ball detection switch uses a predetermined length region in the waiting ball passage as an inspection region. , Scanning along the inspection area, and moving device control means When the required number of game balls requested for delivery is not detected by the take-in ball detection switch within a predetermined time after the start of the take-in device operation, the switch guide moving device is activated to check the clogged ball detection switch. A configuration is also proposed which is transported along the region . In such a configuration, a clogged ball detection switch that scans a predetermined length area of the throw-in standby ball passage is arranged to detect a ball clog in the throw-in standby ball passage. And, even if the take-in device control means operates the take-in apparatus, the required number of game balls requested by the take-in request operation means are not detected within the predetermined time by the take-in ball detection switch. , It is determined that a predetermined number of game balls have not been normally taken from the input standby ball passage, and it is determined whether or not a ball is blocked in the input standby ball passage by causing the blockage ball detection switch to scan the inspection area. . Therefore, according to such a configuration, when a clogged ball occurs when the game ball is taken in, the ball clogged detection means can reliably detect this and notify the player of this.

  The clogged ball detection switch according to the present invention scans the inspection area of the ball path for the purpose of detecting clogged balls, but detection of clogged balls is not always necessary. For this reason, it is possible to make the clogged ball detection switch function as another ball detection switch while it is not necessary to detect clogged balls. For example, in the above configuration, while the ball clogging detection is not required, if the clogged ball detection switch is held at a position where the game ball passing through the return ball passage can be detected, the return ball detection switch and It can also be used as a clogged ball detection switch. In addition, before the game ball is sent from the throwing standby ball passage to the launching device or the take-in device, the throwing standby ball passage is scanned by the clogged ball detection switch, and based on the detection signal, there is sufficient in the throwing standby ball passage. It is also possible to check whether or not there are a number of game balls.

  As the clogged ball detection switch, existing gaming ball detection switches such as a micro switch and a photoelectric switch can be widely used. In other words, since the clogged ball detection switch according to the present invention scans along the inspection region, it is possible to detect a game ball in a non-contact state, use a photoelectric switch that has a quick response and high reliability. desirable.

The switch guide moving device is most efficient when the clogging ball detection switch is moved in a straight line. The inspection area of the ball passage is linear, and the clogging ball detection switch is moved linearly to scan the inspection area. It is desirable to make it possible. In such a case, the switch guide moving device is a device in which the screw shaft provided along the ball passage and the clogged ball detection switch are fixed, and is screwed on the screw shaft to rotate the screw shaft. Along with this, it is proposed to comprise a transfer stage member that reciprocates along the screw shaft and a reversible motor that rotationally drives the screw shaft . In such a configuration, the switch guide moving device becomes simple and highly stable, and by electrically controlling the reversible motor, the clogged ball detection switch is transferred when necessary to scan the inspection area. Can be made.

As described above, the present invention provides a clogged ball detection switch that scans along a test area of a predetermined length area of a ball passage, and a switch guide moving device that transfers the clogged ball detection switch along the test area. The moving device control means operates the switch guide moving device at a predetermined timing to move the clogging ball detection switch along the inspection area, and the clogging detection means is connected to the clogging ball detection switch from the clogging ball detection switch. receives the detection signal, when detecting the occurrence of clogging sphere in the examination region, since Ru gaming machine der which is adapted to notify the occurrence of jamming balls by ball jam notification means, player to jam sphere Even when the user does not notice the ball directly, the ball clogging detecting means can reliably detect the ball clogging and notify the player.

In the above-described configuration, the clogged ball detection switch uses a predetermined length area in the charging standby ball path as an inspection area and scans along the inspection area. in the state in which the game ball is can flow to the return ball passage, actuates the switch guide moving device, if one intends to transfer along the clogging ball detection switch in the examination region, game ball of the input standby ball passage When a ball is clogged in the waiting ball passage, the ball clogging notification means notifies the player of the occurrence of the ball clogging, so that the player can enter the waiting ball passage. The game can be finished after the packed game balls are reliably collected.

Further, the moving device control means operates the switch guide moving device when the return ball detection switch does not detect the passage of the game ball for a predetermined time in a state where the game ball in the waiting ball passage can flow into the return ball passage. If the clogged ball detection switch is to be moved along the inspection area, the state of the waiting ball path can be limited to some extent by the detection signal of the return ball detection switch. Can be efficiently performed, and the detection of the clogging of the ball based on the detection signal of the clogging ball detection switch is facilitated.

On the other hand, the clogged ball detection switch uses a predetermined length area in the insertion waiting ball passage as an inspection area and scans along the inspection area. When the required number of game balls requested for delivery are not detected by the take-in ball detection switch within the time, the switch guide moving device is operated to move the clogged ball detection switch along the inspection area. In such a case, even when a ball clogging occurs in the insertion standby ball passage when the game ball in the insertion standby ball passage is taken into the machine body, the ball clogging notification means notifies the player of the occurrence of the ball clogging, so that the player Can resolve such clogging without delay and resume the game.

Further, when configured with a switching guide moving device, a screw shaft provided along the ball passage, a transfer stage member that reciprocates along the screw shaft, and a reversible motor for rotating the screw shaft in both directions, By the electric control, the sphere detection switch can be moved stably and accurately.

  Embodiments of the present invention are described according to the following examples. In the following examples, the present invention is applied to a parrot machine.

  A parrot machine 1 according to the present invention plays a game using a game ball for a pachinko machine as a game medium. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the parrot machine 1 is fixed to a game island (not shown) for a pachinko machine. The outer frame 2 is provided. The outer frame 2 is formed by assembling a plate material in a rectangular frame shape, and is formed in the same shape as a wooden outer frame of a general pachinko machine. A front frame 4 having one side edge pivoted by upper and lower hinge members 3, 3 is attached to the front surface of the outer frame 2 so as to be opened and closed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a reel unit 10 is attached to the upper back of the front frame 4. Here, the reel unit 10 is a unit obtained by assembling three rotating reels 11a to 11c and a plurality of reel driving motors (not shown) for driving the rotating reels 11a to 11c, respectively. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, display windows 8a to 8c are formed at the center upper portion of the front frame 4 to which the reel unit 10 is attached, and the symbols attached to the surfaces of the respective rotating reels 11a to 11c are moved forward. Visible from. Below the display windows 8a to 8c, there are provided various indicators 7 for notifying the player of the gaming state, and further below the card for requesting rental or returning the prepaid card, A card operation unit 9 is provided for performing a unit (not shown). Further, on both sides of the upper portion of the front frame 4, ball clogging notification lamps 18 and 18 according to the present invention are disposed. As will be described later, the ball clogging notification lamp 18 blinks when the occurrence of ball clogging is detected in the insertion waiting ball passage 31 and notifies the player of the occurrence of ball clogging. It constitutes a clogging notification means.

  In addition, a return storage tray 13 is disposed at the lower front portion of the front frame 4. A ball opening hole 17 that can be opened and closed is provided on the bottom surface of the return storage tray 13. By opening the ball extraction hole 17, the game balls of the return storage tray 13 can be discharged out of the machine. Further, a ball discharge port 14 is formed at a position of the front frame 4 facing the inside of the return storage tray 13, and the game balls discharged from the input storage tray 15 disposed above are released from the ball. It flows into the return storage tray 13 from the outlet 14. In addition, game balls that have been paid out by winning when the input storage tray 15 is full are paid out to the return storage tray 13.

  The input storage tray 15 is fixed to the front surface of the open / close panel 12 detachably attached to the front frame 4. The charging storage tray 15 includes a storage portion 30 capable of storing a game ball at an upper portion thereof, and the game ball flows into the storage portion 30 from the ball supply port 16 that opens to the left portion of the front frame 4. Yes. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a throwing standby ball passage 31 is formed at the upper rear edge of the throwing storage tray 15 to allow the game balls to be stopped in an aligned manner. The storage unit 30 and the input standby ball passage 31 are partitioned forward and backward by a partition wall 51 extending from the right side of the input storage tray 15 and communicates via a ball inlet 39 at the left end of the input standby ball passage 31. A downward slope toward the ball inlet 39 is provided on the bottom surface of the storage unit 30, and the game balls stored in the storage unit 30 sequentially flow into the input standby ball passage 31 to be aligned, and will be described later. It can be taken into the machine body by the cum return device 35.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a start switch 56, stop switches 58a to 58c, and a return switch 59 are provided on the front wall surface of the loading storage tray 15, and a MAXBET switch 57a is provided on the right side of the upper wall surface. A 1BET switch 57b is provided. The game of the parrot machine 1 is performed by operating these lever type and button type switches. Here, the MAXBET switch 57a and the 1BET switch 57b are for making a game ball take-in request, and by these pressing operations, the game balls in the throw-in waiting ball passage 31 are automatically taken into the body, The number of bets is set according to the number of game balls taken. That is, the BET switches 57a and 57b constitute the take-in request operating means of the parrot machine 1. When the start switch 56 is pushed down in the state where the bet number is set, each of the rotating reels 11a to 11c rotates to start the game. The stop switches 58a to 58c are used for the stop operation of the rotary reels 11a to 11c. When these switches are pressed while the rotary reels 11a to 11c are rotating, the stop switches 58a to 58c are turned on based on the operation timing. The corresponding rotating reels 11a to 11c are stopped. The return switch 59 is for discharging the game ball from the input standby ball passage 31 to the return storage tray 13, and when the return switch 59 is pressed, the take-in / return device 35 (see FIG. 3) is activated. Thus, the game balls in the insertion standby ball passage 31 can flow down to the return storage tray 13. The BET switches 57a and 57b and the stop switches 58a to 58c are each provided with a lamp, and the player is notified that the switch operation is effective by lighting each lamp.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the back mechanism board 5 by which the one side edge was pivoted is attached to the back side of the front frame 4 so that opening and closing is possible. A substrate unit 6 is mounted on the back surface of the back mechanism plate 5, and a plurality of substrates 100 to 106 (see FIG. 10) in which electronic circuits are incorporated are incorporated in the substrate unit 6. These substrates 100 to 106 are electrically connected to each other and are connected to various sensors, switches, motors, lamps and the like included in the parrot machine 1. Various control means of the parrot machine 1 are constituted by these substrates 100 to 106. A ball tank 20 that receives supply of game balls from a game island ball supply device (not shown) is provided on the upper side of the back mechanism plate 5. Further, on the side of the back mechanism plate 5, a payout waiting ball passage 21 that communicates with the ball tank 20 and aligns game balls flowing in from the ball tank 20, a downstream portion of the payout waiting ball passage 21, and the ball supply port 16 and a post-dispensing falling ball passage 23 for allowing the game ball to flow down from the payout waiting ball passage 21 to the charging reservoir 15 is provided. A payout device 22 is provided between the payout waiting ball passage 21 and the post-pay-down ball passage 23. The payout device 22 includes a payout motor 24 that sends out a game ball from the payout waiting ball passage 21 to the post-payout ball passage 23, and a payout ball detection switch 25 (see FIG. 10) that detects the sent game ball. Thus, the payout motor 24 is driven in accordance with a control signal from the payout control board 101 (see FIG. 10), and the game balls aligned with the payout waiting ball passage 21 are sent to the falling ball passage 23 after paying out, and stored for input. Let flow down to dish 15. In addition, the post-pay-down ball passage 23 communicates with the ball discharge port 14, and when the input storage tray 15 is full, game balls that do not fit in the input storage tray 15 flow down to the ball discharge port 14. And discharged to the return storage tray 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the charging standby ball passage 31 is linearly formed between the front surface of the open / close panel 12 and the partition wall 51 of the charging storage tray 15. The waiting ball passage 31 has a width that allows one game ball to pass therethrough, and its bottom surface gently slopes downward to the right, allowing the game ball x flowing from the leftmost ball inlet 39 to flow to the right. It is possible to stop in a row from the downstream end at the right end. Further, the input standby ball passage 31 has a length capable of aligning 15 or more game balls x, and a length region in which 15 game balls are aligned from the downstream portion of the input standby ball passage 31 is the present invention. Is set in the inspection area y. Here, the parrot machine 1 according to the present embodiment uses five game balls as one unit of bet and can select any one of one to three units per game. In 31, the maximum number of game balls that can be used in one game can be arranged. In the parrot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a clogging ball detection switch 60 that scans along the inspection area y is provided, and the switch 60 is moved along the inspection area y below. A switch guide moving device 61 is provided. The configurations of the clogged ball detection switch 60 and the switch guide moving device 61 are separately described in detail because they relate to the main part of the present invention.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, a rectangular intake port 34 penetrating the open / close panel 12 is formed on the back side of the downstream portion of the charging standby ball passage 31. An intake / return device 35 is provided on the back side of the open / close panel 12 so as to block the intake port 34, and a return ball passage 32 and a post-flow downstream ball passage are taken behind by a passage member 38. 33 are arranged vertically. Here, the intake 34 has a width that allows five game balls to pass therethrough, and the bottom surface of the input standby ball passage 31 is inclined downward toward the open / close panel 12 so that the intake / return device 35 is operated once. Thus, five game balls can be sent from the downstream portion of the input standby ball passage 31 to the downstream flow passage 33 after being taken in.

  The return ball passage 32 is for allowing the game ball x of the input standby ball passage 31 to flow down to the return storage tray 13 and returning it to the player, as shown in FIG. It continues to the back mechanism plate 5, and the game ball x that flows in is caused to flow down to the return storage tray 13. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the return port 36 that is the entrance of the return ball passage 32 is formed in the upper part of the front surface of the passage member 38 and is arranged behind the intake port 34. As shown in FIG. 2, a return ball detection switch 55 for detecting a game ball flowing down the return ball passage 32 is disposed in the middle of the return ball passage 32.

  On the other hand, the downstream ball passage 33 after taking in is for taking the game ball x delivered from the waiting ball passage 31 into the machine body and discharging it outside the machine, as shown in FIG. And continues to the back mechanism plate 5. In addition, the outlet of the descending ball passage 33 after taking in is open to the rear side of the machine body so that the game ball x can be discharged out of the machine. (Not shown) is installed. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the intake ball discharge port 50, which is the inlet of the descending downstream ball passage 33, is formed in the lower part of the front surface of the passage member 38 and is disposed below the return port 36.

  The take-in / return device 35 includes a take-in device for taking game balls in the input standby ball passage 31 into the machine body, and a return device for discharging game balls from the input standby ball passage 31 to the return storage tray 13. As a result of this operation, the game balls in the throw-in waiting ball passage 31 are selectively delivered to the falling ball passage 33 or the return ball passage 32 after being taken in. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the take-in / return device 35 includes a take-in member 45 that can accommodate a game ball, a take-in solenoid 46 that converts and holds the take-in member 45 up and down, and a passage member. An open / close plate 53 that opens and closes the return port 36 of the 38 and a return solenoid 52 that converts and holds the open / close plate 53 up and down.

  The take-in member 45 is formed by extending a thin plate-like connecting plate portion 49 at the lower end of a rectangular thick plate material, and a plunger of the take-in solenoid 46 is connected to the upper surface of the connecting plate portion 49. Is done. A rectangular accommodating portion 47 that penetrates the plate material in the front-rear direction is formed at the center of the thick plate material. The accommodating portion 47 has a shape that can coincide with the intake port 34, the return port 36, and the intake ball discharge port 50 in the front-rear direction, and can accommodate five game balls side by side at the same time. In addition, the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 47 is provided with a downward slope so that the game ball can be accommodated from the front and released backward. The upper portion of the thick plate member accommodating portion 47 constitutes a shielding portion 48 for closing the inlet 34 from the back side of the open / close panel 12.

  The take-in solenoid 46 moves the plunger up and down in accordance with a control signal from a main control board 100 (see FIG. 10), which will be described later, and the take-in member 45 has the plunger as shown in FIG. Is converted and held into an upper take-in position α and a lower discharge position β. At the take-in position α of the take-in member 45, the front side of the accommodating portion 47 coincides with the intake port 34, and the rear side coincides with the return port 36. On the other hand, at the discharge position β of the intake member 45, the intake port 34 is closed by the shielding portion 48, and the rear side of the storage portion 47 coincides with the intake ball discharge port 50.

  The open / close plate 53 is formed of a horizontally long plate piece that can close the return port 36, and a plunger of the return solenoid 52 is connected to the right end portion thereof. The return solenoid 52 fluctuates the plunger up and down in response to a control signal from the main control board 100 (see FIG. 10), and the open / close plate 53 corresponds to the position of the plunger as shown in FIG. Thus, the lower closed position γ for closing the return port 36 and the upper open position δ for opening the return port 36 are converted and held.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing various boards constituting the game control means of the parrot machine 1 according to the present invention and a connection mode of the boards.
A main control board 100 constituted by a microcomputer is provided with a board circuit provided with a central control device (CPU) for main control for comprehensively controlling the game operation of the parrot machine 1. The board circuit of the main control board 100 is provided with an input port and an output port (not shown) for performing data communication with peripheral devices, and a control signal from the main control board 100 is issued through the output port. The signals are output toward the input ports of the control board 101, the display control board 102, the lamp control board 103, and the information terminal board 105. Further, the above-described intake solenoid 46 and return solenoid 52 are also connected to the output port of the main control board 100, and each solenoid varies in accordance with a control signal from the main control board 100. On the other hand, the start switch 56, the BET switches 57a and 57b, the stop switches 58a to 58c, the return switch 59 and the like described above are connected to the input port of the main control board 100. These operating states are checked every 2 ms, for example, and the gaming state is controlled according to the ON operation. That is, the main control board 100 constitutes the take-in device control means of the parrot machine 1 of this embodiment. In addition, the main control board 100 includes a storage device ROM that stores an operation program used for arithmetic processing and a storage device RAM that can read and write necessary data at any time via a bus (not shown). Connected to CPU. Further, the clogged ball detection switch 60, the return ball detection switch 55, the reversible motor 64 of the switch guide moving device 61, and the like according to the present invention are connected to the input port and the output port of the main control board 100, and the waiting ball is inserted. When the game ball x is discharged from the passage 31 to the return storage tray 13, if the return ball detection switch 55 does not detect the passage of the game ball for a predetermined time, the switch guide moving device 61 is operated to block the blocked ball detection switch 60. It is determined whether or not a ball clogging has occurred in the input standby ball passage 31 based on a detection signal from the clogging ball detection switch 60. That is, the moving device control means and the ball clogging detection means of the present invention are constituted by the main control board 100.

  The payout control board 101 is provided with a board circuit for controlling the payout operation of the game ball. This circuit board is connected to a payout motor 24 and a payout ball detection switch 25 built in the payout device 22 of the back mechanism plate 5, and operates the payout device 22 in accordance with a command sent from the main control board 100. Execute paying out rental balls and prize balls. Also, the payout control board 101 is connected to a card unit, which is an accessory device that reads and writes a prepaid card storing the number of rented balls, via a CR connection board 104 that relays the data processing of this prepaid card. Exchanges the remaining sphere data of the sphere.

  The display control board 102 is provided with a board circuit for performing stop control of the rotary reels 11a to 11c. The substrate circuit is connected to a reel drive motor that rotationally drives the rotary reels 11 a to 11 c and a reference position sensor that detects the rotation angle of the rotary reels 11 a to 11 c, and according to a command sent from the main control substrate 100. The reel drive motor is operated to rotate each of the rotating reels 11a to 11c and stop at a predetermined rotation angle. In addition, the display control board 102 is connected to various displays 7 in the front frame 4 and is also connected to a speaker via a voice control board 106 that controls output of sound effects and voices.

  The lamp control board 103 is connected to lamps incorporated in various switches 57 a, 57 b, 58 a to 58 c provided in the input storage tray 15, and lights up the various lamps according to commands sent from the main control board 100. Control to inform the player that the switch operation has become effective. In addition, decorative lamps arranged at various locations on the front surface of the front frame 4 are also connected to the lamp control board 103, and the lamp control board 103 lights the decorative lamps in a predetermined manner in accordance with commands sent from the main control board 100.・ Blink. Further, the lamp control board 103 is provided with a ball clogging notification lamp 18 according to the present invention, and when the main control board 100 detects a ball clogging in the charging standby ball passage 31, a command is transmitted to the lamp control board 103. As a result, the clogging notification lamp 18 blinks.

  The information terminal board 105 is for connection to a centralized management device installed on the amusement island, and information such as the number of winning balls and the number of hits sent from the main control board 100 and the payout control board 101 is received. The information is transmitted to the centralized management apparatus via the information terminal board 105.

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, a mode in which a game ball is sent from the input standby ball passage 31 to the post-falling ball passage 33 by the operation of the take-in / return device 35 will be described.
First, FIG. 11 (a) and FIG. 12 (a) show the capture / return device 35 in a normal state. In the normal state, the take-in / return device 35 is not operating, and the take-in solenoid 46 and the return solenoid 52 are in a non-energized state. As a result, the intake member 45 is held at the discharge position β to close the intake port 34, and the opening / closing plate 53 is held at the closed position γ to close the return port 36.

  In such a normal state, when the BET switches 57a and 57b are operated, the main control board 100 operates the take-in / return device 35, and the required number of games from the input standby ball passage 31 to the post-falling ball passage 33 is obtained. Send out the sphere. That is, first, the take-in solenoid 46 is energized to convert the take-in member 45 into the take-in position α (FIGS. 12 (B) and 13 (B)). As a result, the front side of the storage portion 47 coincides with the intake port 34, and five game balls x flow into the storage portion 47 from the input standby ball passage 31. In addition, the rear side of the accommodating portion 47 coincides with the return port 36, but the return port 36 is closed by the opening / closing plate 53, so that the inflowing game ball x is stopped in the accommodating portion 47. When a sufficient time has passed to allow the game ball to flow into the housing portion 47, the main control board 100 deenergizes the take-in solenoid 46 and returns the take-in member 45 to the discharge position β (FIG. 12). (C), FIG. 13 (C)). As a result, the rear side of the accommodating portion 47 coincides with the take-in ball discharge port 50, and the game ball x in the accommodating portion 47 flows into the descending ball passage 33 after being taken in and is taken into the machine body. It will be discharged outside (FIGS. 12 (D) and 13 (D)). In such a state, the intake port 34 is closed by the shielding portion 48, so that the game ball x in the input standby ball passage 31 is prevented from flowing out of the intake port 34.

  In this way, every time the take-in member 45 reciprocates between the discharge position β and the take-in position α, five game balls x are sent from the input standby ball passage 31 to the post-take-down ball passage 33. As described above, the parrot machine 1 according to the present embodiment is capable of setting up to 3 bets per game, with 5 game balls as 1 bet, and the main control board 100 According to the operation of the switches 57a and 57b, the take-in member 45 is reciprocated 1 to 3 times to send out 5, 10, 15 game balls x, and after the take-out, the take-in member 45 is stopped at the discharge position β. .

Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, a mode in which a game ball is sent from the input standby ball passage 31 to the return ball passage 32 by the operation of the take-in and return device 35 will be described.
As described above, in the normal state, the take-in / return device 35 is stopped, the take-in member 45 is held at the discharge position β, and the opening / closing plate 53 is held at the closed position γ (FIG. 13 (A), FIG. 14 (I)). In this normal state, when the return switch 59 is operated, the main control board 100 operates the take-in / return device 35 to send out the game ball from the insertion standby ball passage 31 to the return ball passage 32. That is, first, the take-in solenoid 46 is energized to convert the take-in member 45 into the take-in position α (FIGS. 13 (B) and 14 (B)). As a result, the front side of the storage portion 47 coincides with the intake port 34, and five game balls x flow into the storage portion 47 from the input standby ball passage 31. Subsequently, the return solenoid 52 is energized to convert the open / close plate 53 to the open position δ (FIGS. 13C and 14C). As a result, the return port 36 is opened and communicates with the housing portion 47, the game ball x in the housing portion 47 flows into the return ball passage 32, and the game ball x in the input standby ball passage 31 and the storage portion 30 is also housed in the housing portion. It will sequentially flow into the return ball passage 32 via 47 and will be returned to the return reservoir 13. Further, all the game balls x flowing into the return ball passage 32 are detected by the return ball detection switch 55 on the rear side of the machine body. Note that the return switch 59 of the present embodiment is such that when the pressing operation is stopped, the take-in / return device 35 immediately stops its operation and returns to the normal state. When the operation is performed, the capture / return device 35 may continue to operate for a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the blocked ball detection switch 60 having the length region in which a predetermined number of game balls are aligned with respect to the input standby ball passage 31 as the inspection region y, and the blocked ball detection A switch guide moving device 61 for transferring the switch 60 is provided. Hereinafter, such a configuration will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The inspection area y portion of the input waiting ball passage 31 is formed by a bent metal alignment plate 40. In this alignment plate 40, a narrow detection opening groove 41 is formed over substantially the entire length at a position where the bottom surface of the inspection region y is formed. A clogging ball detection switch 60 is disposed on the front side of the alignment plate 40 so as to be movable along the alignment plate 40. The clogging ball detection switch 60 is arranged so that the detection light beam p passes through the detection opening groove 41 and passes up and down the inspection region y, and is detected as the clogging ball detection switch 60 moves. The light beam p moves along the detection opening groove 41.

  The clogged ball detection switch 60 is composed of a photoelectric switch in which a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit are provided facing each other, and is held by a switch guide moving device 61 so as to be movable along the inspection region y. The clogged ball detection switch 60 is connected to the main control board 100 as described above, and the detection signal is turned OFF while the detection light beam p emitted from the light projecting unit reaches the light receiving unit. When the light beam p is blocked by the detection target (game ball) and does not reach the light receiving unit, the detection signal is turned ON and transmitted to the main control board 100. The clogging ball detection switch 60 can be configured by a microswitch or the like, but it is desirable to use a photoelectric switch that can detect a game ball in a non-contact state as in this embodiment.

  The switch guide moving device 61 includes a screw shaft 62 provided along the charging standby ball passage 31, and a transfer stage that is screwed on the screw shaft 62 and reciprocates along the screw shaft 62 as the screw shaft 62 rotates. It consists of a member 63 and a reversible motor 64 that rotationally drives the screw shaft 62.

  The screw shaft 62 has a reversible motor 64 attached to one end thereof and a bearing 68 attached to the other end. The reversible motor 64 is fixed to the motor mounting member 66 and the bearing 68 is fixed to the bearing mounting member 67, so It is hold | maintained rotatably along the downward direction of the channel | path 31 (refer FIGS. 4-6). The reversible motor 64 is connected to the main control board 100 and selectively rotates the screw shaft 62 in both directions according to a control signal from the main control board 100. A stage support member 65 is provided below the screw shaft 62. The stage support member 65 includes a recess 71 that supports the transfer stage member 63 from below so that the transfer stage member 63 does not rotate, and a guide groove 70 that engages with the transfer stage member 63 and guides the transfer stage member 63 in the horizontal direction. .

  The transfer stage member 63 includes main body cases 72a and 72b on which the clogging ball detection switch 60 is fixed, and five upper and lower rollers 73 held rotatably inside the main body cases 72a and 72b. . The transfer stage member 63 is screwed to the screw shaft 62 by engaging all the rollers 73 with the screw shaft 62, so that the frictional resistance with the screw shaft 62 is reduced when moving along the screw shaft 62. I have to. Of the five rollers 73, the two lower rollers 73 are exposed on the lower bottom surfaces of the main body cases 72 a and 72 b, and the rollers 73 and 73 are brought into contact with the recesses 71 of the stage support member 65. Thus, the frictional resistance with the support member 65 is also reduced.

  According to the switch guide moving device 61, when the main control board 100 rotates the reversible motor 64 in an arbitrary direction, the transfer stage member 63 moves along the screw shaft 62, and the clogged ball detection switch 60 is put on standby. It can be reciprocated along the ball path 31. Further, by making the rotational speed of the reversible motor 64 constant at that time, the clogged ball detection switch 60 can be moved at a constant speed.

Next, a mode in which the clogging ball detection switch 60 scans the inspection area y will be described.
In the normal state, the clogging ball detection switch 60 is held to the right of the inspection area y by the switch guide moving device 61 as shown in FIG. It is said. In this normal state, when the return switch 59 is operated, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the main control board 100 energizes the return solenoid 52 to return the return ball path from the intake 34. Thus, the game ball x can flow into 32, and the game ball x in the storage unit 30 and the input standby ball passage 31 is discharged to the return storage tray 13 through the return ball passage 32. Even when the game ball can flow into the return ball passage 32 as described above, the main control board 100 detects the blocked ball while the return ball detection switch 55 frequently detects the passage of the game ball. The switch 60 is held in the steady position (FIG. 22 (B)). When the return ball detection switch 55 stops detecting the game ball for 5 seconds even though the game ball x can flow into the return ball passage 32 from the intake 34, the main control board 100 turns the reversible motor 64 on. The clogged ball detection switch 60 is moved from the steady position to the left at a constant speed and is scanned along the inspection area y (FIG. 22C). At the same time, the main control board 100 receives a detection signal from the clogging ball detection switch 60 to be scanned, determines whether or not there is a game ball in the inspection area y, and if a game ball is detected, inserts it. It is determined that ball clogging has occurred in the standby ball passage 31, and the ball clogging notification lamp blinks to notify the player of the occurrence of ball clogging. On the other hand, if no game balls are detected, the game balls x in the storage section 30 and the input standby ball passage 31 are all discharged to the return storage tray 13, and the clogged ball detection switch 60 is returned to the steady position. Let Thus, in the parrot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the return ball detection switch 55 does not detect a game ball for 5 seconds in a state where the game ball in the insertion waiting ball passage 31 can flow into the return ball passage 32. In this case, by causing the clogged ball detection switch 60 to scan the inspection area y, the occurrence of clogged balls can be detected. Here, “when the return ball detection switch 55 does not detect a game ball for 5 seconds in a state where the game ball in the input standby ball passage 31 can flow into the return ball passage 32” means that the ball in the input standby ball passage 31 This is when clogging is suspected. That is, if the game ball x normally flows from the throw-in waiting ball passage 31 into the return ball passage 32, the return ball detection switch 55 detects the game ball at least once every five seconds. As described above, in this embodiment, the switch guide moving device 61 is efficiently operated by transferring the clogged ball detection switch 60 along the inspection region y only when there is a possibility that a ball clogging may occur. I am letting.

Next, a mode in which the main control board 100 detects the clogging based on the detection signal from the clogging ball detection switch 60 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, in the clogging ball detection switch 60, the detection light beam p passes through the detection opening groove 41 along the length direction of the alignment plate 40 and passes vertically through the inspection region y. It is installed as follows. Here, the detection opening groove 41 is formed at a position closer to the front than the center of the input waiting ball passage 31, and the detection light beam p is perpendicular to the front portion of the game ball row in the inspection area y. Has passed. In other words, the clogging ball detection switch 60 scans the front part of the contact area between the game balls with the detection light beam p. The clogging ball detection switch 60 during the scanning is shown in FIGS. ), Each time one gaming ball is detected, a pulsed ON signal is transmitted, and the ON signals are transmitted to the main control board 100 by the number of gaming balls present in the examination area y. Here, since the clogged ball detection switch 60 is moved at a substantially constant speed along the inspection area y, the clogged ball detection switch 60 turns the detection signal ON when detecting a game ball, as shown in FIG. The time to perform (hereinafter referred to as sensing time) is substantially constant Ti. The main control board 100 detects the detection signal whose sensing time is Ti as one game ball. Here, when the return ball detection switch 55 does not detect a game ball for 5 seconds, the throw-in waiting ball passage 31 is in a state where the ball is clogged and the game ball cannot flow into the return ball passage 32, or the game ball is completely It is either in the state where it is discharged. Therefore, the main control board 100 determines that the clogging is occurring in the throwing standby ball passage 31 if the detection signal of the sensing time Ti is transmitted at least once from the clogging ball detection switch 60 that scans the inspection area y. To do.

  Thus, in the parrot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the main control board 100 can be used even when a ball clogging occurs in the input standby ball passage 31 when the game balls in the input standby ball passage 31 are returned to the return storage tray 13. This can be reliably detected and notified to the player by blinking the ball clogging notification lamp 18. Therefore, the player can reliably collect all the game balls in the insertion waiting ball passage 31 when the game is finished. Further, the switch guide moving device 61 is operated only when the game ball in the throw-in waiting ball passage 31 can flow into the return ball passage 32 and the return ball detection switch 55 does not detect the game ball for 5 seconds or longer. ing. For this reason, the clogged ball detection switch 60 can be efficiently scanned, and the clogged ball can be easily detected based on the detection signal of the clogged ball detection switch 60. Further, the clogged ball detection switch 60 scans the area ahead of the contact area between the game balls, and transmits a detection signal of the sensing time Ti every time the detection light beam p crosses one game ball. The main control board 100 detects the detection signal of the sensing time Ti as a game ball. For this reason, even if the clogged ball detection switch 60 detects dust or the like in the inspection area y and the detection signal is turned ON for a short time, it is not erroneously detected as a game ball.

  In the above embodiment, when the return ball detection switch 55 does not detect a game ball for 5 seconds, the clogged ball detection switch 60 scans the inspection area y. However, the game ball is returned from the intake 34. The clogged ball detection switch 60 may periodically scan the inspection area y while being able to flow into the passage 32. The main control board 100 detects the game ball based on the detection signal of the sensing time Ti, but detects the game ball simply based on the detection signal of the clogged ball detection switch 60 switching from OFF to ON. May be.

  Further, the clogged ball detection switch 60 according to the embodiment can be used for a function other than the purpose of detecting a clogged ball in the charging standby ball passage 31. For example, when a game ball is taken in and then taken into the falling ball passage 33, if the throwing ball detection passage 60 is scanned in advance by the clogging ball detection switch 60, as shown in FIG. Since the detection signals are transmitted to the main control board 100 by the number of game balls x aligned with the input standby ball passage 31, the games aligned with the input standby ball passage 31 before operating the take-in and return device 35. The number of balls can be confirmed.

  Further, in the same manner as the return ball detection switch 55 of the return ball passage 32, a take-in ball detection switch for detecting a game ball passing through the falling ball passage 33 after the take-in is provided. If the clogged ball detection switch 60 is operated based on this detection signal, the clogged ball detection switch 60 can be operated to detect a clogged ball generated when the game ball is taken in and notify the player. That is, when the take-in / return device 35 is activated based on the operation of the BET switches 57a and 57b, the number of game balls sent to the descending ball passage 33 after take-in is confirmed by the detection signal of the take-in ball detection switch. When the number of game balls to be delivered is not delivered by the operation, the jammed ball detection switch 60 is caused to scan the throw-in waiting ball passage 31. Normally, in this state, either the game ball is exhausted or the ball is clogged in the throw-in waiting ball passage 31, so even one game ball is detected by scanning the clogged ball detection switch 60. If it is determined that the ball is clogged, the player may be notified that the ball has clogged.

  FIG. 24 shows a modification in which the configuration of the above embodiment is partially changed so that the clogged ball detection switch also functions as a return ball detection switch. Since most of the configuration of the present modification is the same as that of the above embodiment, common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG. In such a configuration, the return ball passage 32 a that causes the game ball to flow down from the input standby ball passage 31 to the return storage tray 13 is formed with a return port 36 a that is an entrance at the right end portion of the input standby ball passage 31. The As a result, the upstream portion of the return ball passage 32a and the inspection area y of the input standby ball passage 31 are arranged in a straight line, and the clogged ball detection switch 60a is moved along the inspection area y by the switch guide moving device 61. In addition, it is possible to move to the upstream portion of the return ball passage 32. The return port 36a can be opened and closed by an opening / closing plate 53a. When the game ball is returned to the return storage tray 13, the return port 36a is opened, and the game ball x in the input standby ball passage 31 is returned to the return ball passage 32. To flow into. Note that the game balls are taken in through the intake 34 on the back surface of the insertion waiting ball passage 31 as in the above embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 24A, the clogged ball detection switch 60a is held in the upstream portion of the return ball passage 32 in a normal state. Then, as shown in FIG. 24 (b), when the return port 36a is opened, the game ball x flows into the return ball passage 32a from the throw-in waiting ball passage 31, and the game ball x that has flowed in becomes a clogged ball detection switch 60a. Will be detected. That is, the clogged ball detection switch 60a functions as a return ball detection switch in such a state. In this state, if no game ball is detected for 5 seconds by the clogging ball detection switch 60a, the switch guide moving device 61 moves the clogging ball detection switch 60 to the left as shown in FIG. When the clogging ball detection switch 60a scans the inspection area y, it is determined whether or not a clogging has occurred in the inspection area y as in the above embodiment. Thus, by arranging the inspection area y and the upstream portion of the return ball passage 32 on a straight line, the blocked ball detection switch 60a can be suitably functioned as a return ball detection switch. Usability can be improved.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in this embodiment, the clogging ball detection switch 60 is provided on the front side of the alignment plate 40 so that the game ball is detected by the detection light beam p emitted in the vertical direction. However, the clogging ball detection switch 60 may be disposed below or above the alignment plate. In addition, the input waiting ball passage 31 of the present embodiment aligns the game balls in one row, but the present invention can be applied even if the input standby ball passage 31 aligns the game balls in two rows. . As for the ball clogging notification means, the occurrence of ball clogging may be notified by emitting a predetermined sound from a speaker instead of the flashing of the ball clogging notification lamp 18 of the embodiment.

  Moreover, although the parrot machine 1 of the embodiment scans the inspection area y of the input standby ball passage 31 with the clogging ball detection switch, the inspection area y according to the present invention can be provided in another ball passage. It is. The take-in / return device 35 of the embodiment is merely an example, and a known take-in device or return device can be used as appropriate instead. Furthermore, although the embodiment is an application of the present invention to a parrot machine, the present invention can also be applied to a similar gaming machine such as a pachinko machine in the same manner as the embodiment.

1 is a perspective view of a parrot machine 1. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the parrot machine 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a charging storage tray 15 and an open / close panel 12. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which cut | disconnects and shows the input storage tray 15 by the AA part in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which cut | disconnects and shows the input storage tray 15 in the BB part in FIG. It is a perspective view which isolate | separates and shows the storage tray 15 for insertion, and the opening-and-closing panel 12. FIG. It is a perspective view which isolate | separates the taking in and returning apparatus 35 grade | etc., From the opening-and-closing panel 12. It is a perspective view which isolate | separates and shows the taking in and returning apparatus 35 and the channel | path member 38. FIG. It is a perspective view which isolate | separates and shows the passage member 38 and the taking-in member 45. It is a block diagram which shows the control circuit which controls a game. It is explanatory drawing (a)-(d) which shows the taking-in aspect of the game ball x by the taking-in and return apparatus 35. FIG. It is explanatory drawing (a)-(d) which shows the taking-in aspect of the game ball x by the taking-in and return apparatus 35. FIG. It is explanatory drawing (a)-(c) which shows the return aspect of the game ball x by the taking in and return apparatus 35. FIG. It is explanatory drawing (a)-(c) which shows the return aspect of the game ball x by the taking in and return apparatus 35. FIG. It is a perspective view of the clogged ball detection switch 60 and the switch guide moving device 61. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a switch guide moving device 61 and a stage support member 65 separately. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a clogged ball detection switch 60 and a switch guide moving device 61. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a switch guide moving device 61. FIG. It is explanatory drawing (a), (b) which shows the movement aspect of the clogging ball detection switch 60. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a clogged ball detection switch 60. FIG. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the inlet_port | entrance 34 periphery site | part. It is explanatory drawing (a)-(c) which shows the transfer aspect of the clogging ball detection switch 60. FIG. It is explanatory drawing (a)-(c) which shows the detection signal of the clogging ball detection switch 60 accompanying a scan. It is explanatory drawing (a)-(c) which shows the transfer aspect of the clogging ball detection switch 60a of a modification.

Explanation of symbols

1 Parrot machine (game machine)
13 Returning tray 15 Loading tray 18 Ball clogging notification lamp (ball clogging notification means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Storage part 31 Input standby ball path 32, 32a Return ball path 35 Take-in and return device 36, 36a Return port 40 Alignment plate 41 Detection opening groove 52 Return solenoid 53, 53a Opening / closing plate 55 Return ball detection switch 59 Return switch 60, 60a Clogged ball detection switch 61 Switch guide moving device 62 Screw shaft 63 Transfer stage member 64 Reversible motor 65 Stage support member p Light beam for detection x Game ball y Inspection area

Claims (2)

An input storage tray on the front of the machine body for storing input game balls;
An input standby ball passage for aligning game balls flowing from the storage portion of the input storage tray;
A return storage tray disposed below the input storage tray; and
A return ball passage that causes the game ball to flow down from the downstream portion of the waiting ball passage to the return storage tray;
A return device for converting the game ball in the waiting ball passage into a state where the game ball can flow into the return ball passage and a state where the game ball cannot flow into the return ball passage;
A gaming machine comprising
A clogged ball detection switch that scans along the inspection area with a predetermined length area in the input standby ball passage ;
A switch guide moving device for transferring the clogged ball detection switch along the inspection area;
Moving device control means for operating the switch guide moving device at a predetermined timing to move the clogged ball detection switch along the inspection area;
A clogging detection means for receiving a detection signal from the clogging ball detection switch and detecting occurrence of clogging in the inspection area;
A clogging informing means for informing the occurrence of clogging in the inspection area ,
The mobile device control means
When the return ball detection switch does not detect the passage of the game ball for a predetermined time in a state in which the game ball in the waiting standby ball passage can flow into the return ball passage, the switch guide moving device is operated to A gaming machine that is transported along an inspection area . An input storage tray on the front of the machine body for storing input game balls;
An input standby ball passage for aligning game balls flowing from the storage portion of the input storage tray;
A post-loading sphere passage that allows the game ball to flow down from the downstream part of the waiting ball passage to the inside of the aircraft,
A take-in device for sending a game ball from the downstream portion of the charging standby ball passage to the descending ball passage after taking-in,
Capture device control means for operating the capture device;
A game machine comprising a take-in request operation means for requesting the take-in device control means to send out a required number of game balls from a downstream portion of the take-in waiting ball path to a post-take-down ball path,
A clogged ball detection switch that scans along the inspection area with a predetermined length area in the input standby ball passage;
A switch guide moving device for transferring the clogged ball detection switch along the inspection area;
Moving device control means for operating the switch guide moving device at a predetermined timing to move the clogged ball detection switch along the inspection area;
A clogging detection means for receiving a detection signal from the clogging ball detection switch and detecting occurrence of clogging in the inspection area;
A clogging informing means for informing the occurrence of clogging in the inspection area,
A take-in ball detection switch for detecting a game ball passing through the falling ball passage after taking in,
The mobile device control means
If the required number of game balls requested to be delivered is not detected by the take-in ball detection switch within a predetermined time after the start of the take-in device operation, the switch guide moving device is activated and the clogged ball detection switch is set in the inspection area. A game machine characterized by being transported along the line .

Images