JP4472591B2 - Game ball distribution mechanism - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game ball distribution mechanism, and more particularly to a game ball distribution mechanism using a magnet.

  In a winning device for a gaming machine, a distribution mechanism that selects a distribution destination of game balls is used. Such a distribution mechanism guides a game ball to a selected passage among a plurality of passages and performs the distribution. When a game ball passes through a specific passage through the distribution mechanism, the gaming machine pays out a predetermined number of prize balls, starts a specific game, or displays a game image on a display unit provided on the game board surface. Or start to fluctuate.

  As a distribution mechanism, there are a mechanism that uses the shape of a structure for performing a distribution, a mechanism that uses a magnet, a mechanism that uses an electric drive means such as a motor, or a combination of these. In recent years, in order to electrically control the distribution destination of game balls, a distribution mechanism using a lot of electric drive means has been mainly developed.

As a distribution mechanism that combines an electric drive means and a magnet, there is a mechanism using a cylindrical induction rotating body in which a permanent magnet and an electromagnet are provided in a predetermined pattern on a cylindrical surface (see Patent Document 1). The distribution mechanism performs distribution by attracting the game balls supplied to the front surface of the induction rotating body with a magnetic force. In other words, in the distribution by the induction rotating body of the distribution mechanism, the game balls supplied toward the cylindrical surface are attracted by the magnetic force of the magnet provided on the cylindrical surface, and the attracted game balls are attracted in the rotation direction. The game ball is lifted and conveyed, and the game ball is guided to a plurality of passages arranged in a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-38756

  In the distribution mechanism as described above, a distribution destination of game balls is set for each permanent magnet or electromagnet. That is, when the game ball is attracted to the magnet of the induction rotator or when the induction rotator and the game ball come into contact with each other, the distribution destination of the game ball is easily predicted by the operator (player) of the game machine. Was supposed to be.

  In particular, if a large amount of game balls are supplied to the distribution mechanism and the game balls stay on the front surface of the induction rotating body, the range of movement of the game balls on the front surface becomes narrow, and the contact position between the game balls and the induction rotating body is almost fixed. End up. As a result, the distribution result is determined according to the number of magnets corresponding to the distribution destination, and there is a possibility that the game proceeds monotonously. Further, the fact that the result can be almost completely predicted by the time the game ball reaches the final assignment destination means that interest in the game ball assignment result is lost at an early stage. As a result, there is a possibility that the attractiveness of the player with respect to such a distribution mechanism and thus a gaming machine incorporating such a mechanism may be reduced.

  In addition, since the above-described distribution mechanism can lift the game ball against the gravity by the magnet of the induction rotator, it can provide a movement of the game sphere different from the falling motion, but the movement of the magnet is the induction rotator. Therefore, the movement of the game ball in the distribution mechanism may become monotonous. That is, after the game ball is attracted to the induction rotating body, the game ball hardly moves on the induction rotating body by its own movement, and there is a possibility that the effect by the induction rotating body becomes monotonous. As a result, there is a possibility that the original function of the gaming machine for enjoying the movement of the game ball is deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problem as an example. Not only can the distribution result change depending on the movement of the game ball itself, but also the movement of the game ball is unexpected. An object of the present invention is to provide a game ball distribution mechanism capable of giving sex.

A game ball distribution mechanism according to the present invention is a game ball distribution mechanism launched on a game board of a gaming machine, wherein the game ball is introduced upward, and the game ball passing through the introduction unit is lifted upward. A lifting mechanism, a longitudinal magnet member that is inclined downward toward an end portion farther from the introduction portion above the lifting mechanism and can attract the game ball lifted by the lifting mechanism; and A receiving portion that opens below the end portion of the longitudinal magnet member and receives a game ball that falls through the longitudinal magnet member, and the lifting mechanism includes a pair of comb teeth portions that mesh with each other; A drive unit that brings the comb-teeth parts closer to or away from each other, and the pair of comb-teeth parts are defined by their meshing positions, extend along the longitudinal magnet member, and lower as they move away from the introduction part Become The guideway of the game ball which is inclined to form a, adjacent to the guide path, wherein provided between the lifting mechanism and the receiving portion, the spherical discharge portion for discharging the game balls from the distributing mechanism Is further included.

  Hereinafter, a game ball distribution mechanism according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, although the following Example demonstrates the game machine called what is called a 2nd type game machine, it is not limited to this.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame 2 that is configured by a vertically long rectangular frame and is firmly fixed to a place where the gaming machine is installed, and one side is held by the outer frame 2 and the outer frame 2. And a transparent glass frame 4 and a door frame 5 provided on the front frame 3 so as to be openable and closable.

  The front frame 3 is provided with a game board 6 whose board surface is a game area. Below the front frame 3, an upper plate 7 for temporarily storing bullets to be supplied to the gaming machine (hereinafter also referred to as gaming balls), and a part of the bullets discharged as prize balls from the gaming machine 1 are stored. A lower plate 8, a bullet launching mechanism (not shown) for launching the bullet into the upper part of the game board, and an operation handle 9 for operating the bullet launching mechanism are provided. Further, an electronic control device (not shown) for controlling various devices of the gaming machine is provided on the back surface of the gaming machine 1.

  The game board 6 is provided with start ports 10 at three positions, the lower left and right and the lower center, as well as nails, windmills and the like (not shown). Further, a variable winning device 11 (so-called special electric accessory) having a plurality of winning areas is provided in the approximate center of the game board 6. The variable winning device 11 has a blade portion 12 that distributes whether or not the game ball is allowed to pass into the mechanism. The blade portion 12 may be opened and closed when the game ball passes through the start port 10. When the blade 12 is in the open state, the game ball can enter the variable prize apparatus 11. Of the game balls that have been launched on the game board 6, the game balls that have passed through the wings 12 serve as winning balls and are guided to the game ball distribution mechanism 13 via a guide path (not shown). In order to simplify the following description, the front and rear of the variable prize apparatus 11 when viewed from the front, that is, when viewed from the front of the gaming board surface that is the gaming area of the gaming board 6 The left-right direction and the up-down direction are defined.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game ball distribution mechanism 13 includes an introduction portion 14 that communicates with the guide path of the variable winning device 11 and guides a game ball (not shown). The introduction part 14 is provided on the side wall of the introduction passage 14b, the introduction opening 14a extending in the left-right direction, the guide passage 14b extending downward from just below the longitudinal center of the introduction opening 14a, and the front. And a ball supply opening 14c that is open toward.

  In front of the introduction part 14, a lifting mechanism 15 that lifts the game ball via the introduction part 14 upward is arranged so as to face the ball supply opening 14c. The lifting mechanism 15 includes a pair of comb teeth portions 16 and 17 that mesh with each other. The 1st comb-tooth part 16 and the 2nd comb-tooth part 17 are arrange | positioned so that the extending | stretching direction of a comb tooth may turn into the left-right direction. The first and second comb teeth 16 and 17 mesh with each other so as to be movable in the left-right direction.

  The comb teeth of the first comb tooth portion 16 are inclined downward from the root of the comb teeth to the substantially center of the comb teeth and the first inclined surface 16a, and from the substantially center of the comb teeth to the tooth tip. The second inclined surface 16b, which is gentler than the first inclined surface 16a, and the vertical surface 16c extending in the vertical direction at the teeth of the comb teeth are included. The boundary between the first inclined surface 16a and the second inclined surface 16b is continuous at the first boundary portion, and the boundary between the second inclined surface 16b and the vertical surface 16c is continuous at the second boundary portion. ing.

  Similarly, the comb teeth of the second comb tooth portion 17 are provided with a first inclined surface 17a that is inclined downward from the root of the comb teeth to substantially the center of the comb teeth, and downward from substantially the center of the comb teeth to the tooth tip. And a second inclined surface 17b that is gentler than the first inclined surface 17a and a vertical surface 17c that extends in the vertical direction at the tips of the comb teeth. The boundary between the first inclined surface 17a and the second inclined surface 17b is continuous at the first boundary portion, and the boundary between the second inclined surface 17b and the vertical surface 17c is continuous at the second boundary portion. ing.

The first boundary part and the second boundary part are arranged in a line from the receiving part 14 toward the front, and the positions of the first boundary part and the second boundary part become lower as the distance from the receiving part 14 increases. ing. Therefore, the guide position formed by the first and second inclined surfaces of the first and second comb teeth 16 and 17, that is, the meshing position where the first and second comb teeth 16 and 17 are engaged. The position of the bottom of the path becomes lower as the distance from the introduction portion 14 increases. Further, the guide path is also inclined downward as it is away from the introduction portion 14. The meshing position extends linearly from the introduction portion 14 toward the front, and the ball supply opening 14c is arranged corresponding to the extending direction of the meshing position. The lifting mechanism 15 includes a pair of comb teeth portions. It further includes a drive unit (not shown) for moving the 16 and 17 closer to or away from each other. The drive section has means for linearly reciprocating the first and second comb teeth sections 16 and 17, and the first and second comb teeth sections 16 and 17 are moved in the left-right direction by the moving section. It can be moved. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the first and second comb teeth portions 16 and 17 are farthest apart.

  A ball discharge portion 18 is disposed in front of the first and second comb teeth portions 16 and 17. The ball discharge portion 18 has a ball discharge opening 18a extending in a direction parallel to the direction in which the comb teeth of the comb teeth portions 16 and 17 extend, and extending in the horizontal direction in the longitudinal direction, and a ball discharge opening 18a. And a ball discharge passage 18b for discharging the game ball from the distribution mechanism 13. The ball discharge opening 18a is disposed at a position lower than the meshing position in the state where the comb tooth portions 16 and 17 are most separated. A ball detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the ball discharge passage 18b. The ball discharge opening 18a is a general winning opening. When the game ball passes through the ball discharge opening 18a and the ball detection sensor in the ball discharge passage 18b detects the passage of the game ball, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out.

  A receiving portion 19 is disposed in front of the ball discharge portion 18, and the receiving portion 19 has a ball receiving opening 19 a and a ball receiving passage 19 b. Therefore, the ball discharge portion 18 is provided between the lifting mechanism 15 and the receiving portion 19. The ball receiving opening 19a of the receiving portion 19 is arranged corresponding to the extending direction of the meshing position. Further, the ball receiving opening 19a is disposed at a position higher than the ball discharging opening 18a. The ball receiving passage 19b is also provided with a ball detection sensor (not shown), and the ball receiving opening 19a is a specific winning opening. When the game ball passes through the ball receiving opening 19a and the ball detection sensor in the ball receiving passage 19b detects the passing of the game ball, the gaming machine has a specific gaming state (also referred to as a big hit gaming state) advantageous to the player. It has come to offer. Here, the specific gaming state refers to a state in which the gaming machine gives the player a chance to pay out a large amount of prize balls in a short time. For example, the game ball is changed by opening and closing the blade portion 12 multiple times. A state in which it is easy to guide into the winning device 11.

  Above the lifting mechanism 15, a longitudinal magnet member 20 that is inclined toward the end far from the introduction portion 14 is disposed. The longitudinal magnet member 20 is disposed immediately above the meshing position of the comb teeth portions 16 and 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the longitudinal magnet member 20 can attract the game ball B lifted by the lifting mechanism 15. The longitudinal surface 20a of the longitudinal magnet member 20 is a magnetic surface having the same magnetic pole so that the game ball B can be attracted at any position in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal magnet member 20. The longitudinal magnet member 20 extends beyond the ball discharge portion 18 to above the receiving portion 19, and below the end portion 20 b far from the introduction portion 14 of the longitudinal magnet member 20, A ball receiving opening 19a is disposed.

  The longitudinal magnet member 20 is bonded to a magnet holding portion 21, and the magnet holding portion 21 has a protruding portion 21 a extending in the vertical direction at an end portion far from the introduction portion 14. The protruding portion 21 a is disposed in the vicinity of the end 20 b of the longitudinal magnet member 20 so as to be in contact with the game ball B on the longitudinal magnet member 20. Accordingly, the game ball that has collided with the protruding portion 21b and dropped from the longitudinal magnet portion 20 can pass through the ball receiving opening 19a.

  In the distribution mechanism configured as described above, the first and second comb teeth 16 and 17 are formed by the first and second comb teeth 16 and 17 when they approach each other by a drive unit (not shown). The width of the guide path is reduced, and the meshing position moves upward as a whole. As shown in FIG. 4, when the first and second comb teeth 16 and 17 are closest, the meshing position is closest to the longitudinal magnet member 20. Further, when the first and second comb teeth portions 16 and 17 approach each other, the ball supply opening 14 c of the introduction portion 14 is closed by the comb teeth of the first and second comb teeth portions 16 and 17.

  Next, the operation of the distribution mechanism configured as described above and the movement of the game ball will be described. The game ball guided toward the introduction portion 14 passes through the introduction opening 14a of the introduction portion 14 and then travels toward the ball supply opening 14c via the guide passage 14b. As shown in FIG. 5, in the state where the first and second comb teeth portions 16 and 17 are separated from each other and the ball discharge opening 14c is not blocked, the game ball B in the introduction portion 14 has a ball discharge opening 14c. (Indicated by a thick arrow in the figure). The game ball B rolls on the guide path formed by the first and second comb teeth portions 16 and 17 and moves toward the ball discharge portion 18. When the game ball reaches the front end of the guide path, that is, the foremost portion of the first and second comb teeth portions 16 and 17, the game ball falls from the lifting mechanism 15 and passes through the ball discharge opening 18a.

  When the first and second comb teeth 16 and 17 approach each other after the game ball B is discharged from the ball discharge opening 14c, the width of the guide path by the first and second comb teeth 16 and 17 becomes narrower. The meshing position moves upward as a whole. In response to this, the game ball B on the first and second comb teeth portions 16 and 17 is lifted upward (FIG. 6).

  Here, when the approach speed of the first and second comb teeth portions 16 and 17 is high, the game ball B is lifted up away from the first and second comb teeth portions 16 and 17. The game ball B approaches or contacts the longitudinal surface 20a of the longitudinal magnet member 20 and is attracted to the longitudinal surface 20a (FIG. 7).

  Note that even if the game ball B comes into contact with the longitudinal surface 20a, if the momentum to be lifted is strong, the game ball B is bounced and cannot be attracted to the longitudinal surface 20a. In addition, even when the game ball B has a weak momentum of jumping and cannot be sufficiently close to the longitudinal surface 20a, that is, when the magnetic force of the longitudinal magnet member 20 is weaker than the gravity applied to the game ball B, the game ball B has the longitudinal surface 20a. Can not be adsorbed. The game ball B that could not be attracted to the longitudinal surface 20a is guided to the ball discharge section 18 according to the guide path by the first and second comb teeth sections 16 and 17, and is discharged from the distribution mechanism 13.

  The game ball B attracted to the longitudinal surface 20a is attracted to the longitudinal surface 20a by the action of gravity and magnetic force because the longitudinal magnet member 20 is inclined downward toward the end far from the introduction portion 14. It moves along the longitudinal direction as it is (FIG. 8). In other words, the game ball B moves forward from the introduction portion 14 along the longitudinal surface 20 a while hanging from the longitudinal magnet member 20.

  Here, when the game ball B is separated from the longitudinal surface 20 a above the ball discharge unit 18, the game ball falls to the ball discharge unit 18 and is discharged from the distribution mechanism 13. On the other hand, when the game ball travels on the longitudinal surface 20a and reaches the end 20b of the longitudinal magnet member 20, the game ball B collides with the protruding portion 21a and falls from the longitudinal surface 20a. The dropped game ball B passes through the ball receiving opening 19a of the receiving portion 19 arranged below the end 20b of the longitudinal magnet member 20. Even if the game ball is separated from the longitudinal surface 20a above the ball discharge unit 18, it is rarely guided to the receiving unit 19 depending on the direction of the fall. Even when the game ball B collides with the protrusion 21a and falls, the game ball B is bounced at the edge of the receiving portion 19 or rebounded by the collision with the protrusion 21b. Rarely passes through the ball discharge section 18. That is, the final allocation destination of the game balls is determined by the motion state of the game balls themselves.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the momentum of the game ball B discharged from the ball discharge opening 14c is strong, the game ball advances forward while jumping on the first and second comb teeth portions 16 and 17 ( (Indicated in the figure by bold arrows) Such a game ball B can rarely pass the ball discharge unit 18 and reach the receiving unit 19. That is, even if the game ball B is easily guided to the ball discharge unit 18, the distribution destination of the game ball B is not completely determined, and the distribution result of the game ball B is finally determined by the movement of the game ball itself. Is done.

  In the game ball distribution mechanism configured as described above, since the final distribution destination of the game balls is determined by the movement of the game balls themselves, it is difficult for the player to completely predict the distribution result. In addition, it is possible to provide the player with unexpectedness with respect to the distribution result by the movement of the game ball.

  In addition, since the game ball moves on the magnetic surface after being attracted to the magnetic surface, it is possible to provide an effect by the movement of the game ball itself up to the distribution destination. In particular, it is possible to enhance both the effect of the movement obtained by the balance between magnetic force and gravity, such as moving the game ball while hanging down, and the player's interest in the final distribution result corresponding to the movement. .

  In the state where the first and second comb tooth portions 16 and 17 approach each other and the ball supply opening 14c is closed (see FIG. 6 and the like), the game ball guided to the introduction portion 14 is It is stored in the introduction part 14 without being discharged from the sphere supply opening 14c. Here, when the first and second comb teeth portions 16 and 17 are separated from each other and the ball supply opening 14c is opened, as shown in FIG. 10, the stored game ball B is stored in the first and second comb teeth. It flows out onto the portions 16 and 17 at a time (indicated by a thick arrow in the figure).

  When the first and second comb tooth portions 16 and 17 approach again, the game ball group is lifted upward. Since the longitudinal magnet member 20 can attract the game balls at any position on the longitudinal surface 20a, the group of game balls can be attracted to the longitudinal surface 20a at a time. As a result, the distribution mechanism 13 gives a player a chance to make a large amount of game balls reach the receiving unit 19.

  On the other hand, even if a large amount of game balls are supplied to the lifting mechanism 15 as described above, when the first and second comb teeth portions 16 and 17 are kept apart, the gaming ball group is included in the lifting mechanism 15. Will roll to the ball discharge section 18.

  As described above, when the lifting mechanism 15 itself controls the supply of the game ball to reach the lifting mechanism 15, it is possible to prevent the flow of the game ball from changing and the distribution in the distribution mechanism from becoming monotonous. Further, the player pays attention to the storage state of the game balls and the operation of the lifting mechanism 15, and as a result, it is possible to increase interest in the distribution mechanism 13.

  In the above-described embodiment, both the first and second comb teeth portions 16 and 17 are movable. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one of the first and second comb teeth portions 16 and 17 is movable. It is good to be. For example, assuming that the first comb tooth portion 16 is fixed and the second comb tooth portion 17 is movable, the second comb tooth portion 17 approaches the first comb tooth portion 16 or first It will leave | separate from the comb-tooth part 16 of this. In such a configuration, the longitudinal magnet member 20 is arranged directly above the meshing position when the first and second comb teeth 16 and 17 are closest to each other. You may arrange | position above the inclined surface 16a.

  Further, the distribution mechanism 13 may include a magnet drive unit that causes the longitudinal magnet member 20 to reciprocate in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal magnet member 20. As shown in FIG. 11, the magnet holding portion 21 is coupled to a magnet driving portion (not shown), and the magnet driving portion reciprocates the magnet holding portion 21 and the longitudinal magnet member 20 left and right with the upper part of the meshing position as a center. Exercise (in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure).

  The reciprocating motion of the longitudinal magnet member 20 may be performed at a constant timing. For example, the longitudinal magnet member 20 stops for 1 second immediately above the meshing position, then moves to the right over 2 seconds, reverses the direction of movement, and returns to just above the meshing position over 2 seconds. The longitudinal magnet member 20 stops for 1 second immediately above the meshing position, then moves to the left over 2 seconds, and further reverses the direction of movement and returns to just above the meshing position over 2 seconds. The longitudinal magnet member 20 may be moved by repeating such left and right movements.

  As described above, by moving the longitudinal magnet member 20 to the left and right, it is possible to combine the vertical motion by the lifting mechanism 15 and the lateral motion of the longitudinal magnet member 20, and it is more difficult to predict the game ball distribution result. Can be.

1 is an external perspective view of a gaming machine equipped with a game ball distribution mechanism according to the present invention. FIG. It is a general | schematic external appearance perspective view of the distribution mechanism of the game ball by this invention. It is the sectional view on the AA line of the game ball distribution mechanism in FIG. It is a general | schematic external appearance perspective view of the distribution mechanism of the game ball by this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic external perspective view (a) and a right side view (b) of a game ball distribution mechanism according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic external perspective view (a) and a right side view (b) of a game ball distribution mechanism according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic external perspective view (a) and a right side view (b) of a game ball distribution mechanism according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic external perspective view (a) and a right side view (b) of a game ball distribution mechanism according to the present invention. It is a general | schematic external appearance perspective view of the distribution mechanism of the game ball by this invention. It is a general | schematic external appearance perspective view of the distribution mechanism of the game ball by this invention. It is a front view of the distribution mechanism of the game ball by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 13 Distribution mechanism 14 Introduction part 14a Introduction opening 14b Guide passage 14c Ball supply opening 15 Lifting mechanism 16 1st comb-tooth part 16a 1st inclined surface 16b 2nd inclined surface 16c Vertical surface 17 2nd comb Tooth portion 17a First inclined surface 17b Second inclined surface 17c Vertical surface 18 Sphere discharge portion 18a Sphere discharge opening 18b Sphere discharge passage 19 Reception portion 19a Sphere reception opening 19b Sphere reception passage 20 Longitudinal magnet member 20a Longitudinal surface 20b End 21 Magnet holding part 21a Protruding part

Claims (4)

A distribution mechanism for game balls launched on a game board of a gaming machine,
An introduction for guiding the game ball;
A lifting mechanism for lifting the game ball via the introduction portion upward;
A longitudinal magnet member that is inclined downward toward an end portion far from the introduction portion above the lifting mechanism and can attract the game ball lifted by the lifting mechanism;
A receiving portion that opens below the end of the longitudinal magnet member and receives a game ball that falls through the longitudinal magnet member; and
The lifting mechanism includes a pair of comb teeth that mesh with each other and a drive unit that brings the comb teeth close to or away from each other, and the pair of comb teeth is defined by the meshing position, Forming a guide path for a game ball that extends along the longitudinal magnet member and is inclined so as to become lower as the distance from the introduction portion increases ;
A game ball distribution mechanism , further comprising a ball discharge portion that is adjacent to the guide path and is provided between the lifting mechanism and the receiving portion and discharges the game ball from the distribution mechanism. 2. The game ball distribution mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the meshing position rises when the pair of comb teeth portions approach each other and descends when the pair of comb teeth portions separate from each other. 3. The game ball distribution mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal magnet member is disposed immediately above the meshing position of the comb teeth portion. 3. The game ball distribution mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a magnet drive unit that reciprocates the longitudinal magnet member in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the longitudinal magnet member.