JP4841443B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a discharge device that discharges a required number of game balls based on establishment of a predetermined discharge condition.

A game machine having a ball discharge device that discharges a game ball by moving a movable member connected to a plunger of a solenoid into a state of entering and leaving a ball discharge flow path has been proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP-A-5-293233

  In a ball discharge device for a gaming machine, it is necessary to discharge a large amount of game balls during a big hit, so it is necessary to increase the discharge speed of the game balls. Therefore, in the ball discharge device described in Patent Document 1, the discharge speed is secured by discharging the game balls from the two ball discharge passages. However, since the driving source and the movable member are arranged in the two ball discharge passages, respectively, there is a problem that the cost increases. Furthermore, since the movable member is detached from the ball discharge channel and the game ball is discharged by free fall, it is difficult to discharge a small amount of balls, and there is a problem that the control becomes complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine equipped with a discharge device that discharges a required number of game balls based on the establishment of a predetermined discharge condition, and at the same time, aims to reduce the cost while supporting high-speed discharge of game balls. It is to ensure that a small amount of balls can be discharged.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a gaming machine including a discharge device that discharges a required number of game balls based on establishment of a predetermined discharge condition.
The discharging device is
A first flow path and a second flow path formed in parallel, in which the game balls discharged from the discharge device respectively stand by in a line ;
A movable member for performing flow down control of the game ball to wait the first flow path and the extraordinary Nde said first flow path and second flow path to the second flow path,
A drive source for performing a conversion operation between a first state in which the movable member is moved toward the first channel and a second state in which the movable member is moved toward the second channel ;
The movable member is
It is arranged between the first flow path and the second flow path, and faces the first flow path in the first state to restrict the flow of the game ball, while in the second state, the second flow path Central control department that controls the flow of game balls facing the
It is disposed on the opposite side of the central restricting portion across the first flow path, and retreats from the first flow path in the first state to allow the game ball to flow down, while in the second state the first flow A first restricting portion for restricting the flow of the game ball facing one flow path;
It is arranged on the opposite side of the central restricting portion across the second flow path, and faces the second flow path in the first state to restrict the flow of gaming balls, while the second state in the second state A second restricting portion that retreats from the flow path and allows the game ball to flow down ,
By separating the central restricting portion and the first restricting portion along the flow path direction of the first flow passage, the first restricting portion and the first restricting portion between the central restricting portion and the first restricting portion in the first state. Forming a first ball holding portion for receiving and holding one game ball of one flow path;
By separating the central restricting portion and the second restricting portion along the flow path direction of the second flow path, the second restricting portion is separated between the central restricting portion and the second restricting portion in the second state. Forming a second ball holding portion for receiving and holding one game ball of two flow paths;
When the movable member is in the first state, the game balls in the first flow path are held by the first ball holding section, while the game balls in the second flow path are allowed to flow into the second ball holding section. The game ball that is regulated and held in the second ball holding portion is configured to be discharged,
When the movable member is in the second state, the game ball in the second flow path is held by the second ball holding section, while the game ball in the first flow path is allowed to flow into the first ball holding section. The game ball that is regulated and held in the first ball holding portion is configured to be discharged,
By converting operation alternately said movable member in said second state and said first state by the driving source, and a pre-Symbol first flow path and the second flow path to discharge game balls alternately It is characterized by that.

  Here, the “drive source” is a latching solenoid, a solenoid, a rotary solenoid, a motor, or the like.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the movable member is in an inflowable state in which the game ball can flow into the ball holding portion in any one of the first flow path and the second flow path, In the other flow path, the restricting portion is configured to restrict the inflow of the game ball to the ball holding portion and be in a dischargeable state in which the game ball held in the ball holding portion can be discharged, and is movable by the drive source. By driving the members, the game balls are alternately discharged from the first flow path and the second flow path, so the configuration is simplified and the cost can be reduced. That is, since the discharge control is performed by operating one movable member with one drive source, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the occurrence of defects can be prevented.
In addition, it is possible to control the flow down of the two flow paths with one movable member, and it is possible to deal with high-speed discharge of game balls.
Also, since the game balls once received by the ball holding unit are discharged, the number of game balls to be discharged can be strictly controlled, and even a small amount of game balls can be discharged reliably.

A second aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the first aspect, wherein the drive source reciprocates when the coil is energized, and after the operation of the drive axis due to the holding force of the permanent magnet. A latching solenoid capable of maintaining the state,
The latching solenoid is configured such that the drive shaft and the movable member are connected in a state where the operation direction of the drive shaft is arranged so as to be along the operation direction of the movable member.
The movable member is converted into the first state and the second state by reciprocating the drive shaft of the latching solenoid, and the state after the conversion is maintained .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the movable member is configured to be slidable to be converted into the first state and the second state. The held game ball can be discharged, and the control is very simple. Further, the latching solenoid can convert the movable member into the first state in which the movable member has moved toward the first flow path and the second state in which the movable member has moved toward the second flow path, and can maintain the state.

A third aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the second aspect , wherein the movable member includes the first flow path and the first flow path while the state is maintained in the first state and the second state. and wherein the pressure of the game ball and the first ball holding portion and a game ball that is held in the second ball holding section waits in the second passage is configured so as to act in a direction to move next time To do.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the movable member is configured so that the pressure of the game ball standing by in the first flow path or the second flow path is at least one of the inflowable state and the dischargeable state. Since it acts in the direction of the next movement, the burden on the drive source can be reduced, the operation becomes easy, and an excessive force is not applied to each member, so that the occurrence of defects can be prevented.

According to the present invention, when the movable member is in an inflowable state in which the game ball can flow into the ball holding portion in one of the first flow path and the second flow path, The restricting portion restricts the inflow of the game ball to the ball holding portion and is configured to be in a dischargeable state in which the game ball held by the ball holding portion can be discharged, and the movable member is driven by the driving source. Thus, the game balls are discharged alternately from the first flow path and the second flow path, so that the configuration is simplified and the cost can be reduced. That is, since the discharge control is performed by operating one movable member with one drive source, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the occurrence of defects can be prevented.
In addition, it is possible to control the flow down of the two flow paths with one movable member, and it is possible to deal with high-speed discharge of game balls.
Also, since the game balls once received by the ball holding unit are discharged, the number of game balls to be discharged can be strictly controlled, and even a small amount of game balls can be discharged reliably.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Here, a pachinko gaming machine as a suitable example of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gaming machine 100 of the present embodiment includes a machine frame 110 configured in a rectangular frame shape, and a front side of the machine frame 110 is directed forward with respect to the machine frame 110. A rectangular frame-shaped front frame 120 is pivotally attached so as to be rotatable in a door shape.

  The front frame 120 is a front frame main body 130 serving as a base for mounting various members and the like provided in the front frame 120, and a clear pivotally supported on the front frame side with respect to the front frame main body 130. It has a member holding frame 140 and a firing operation unit 150 attached to the lower side of the clear member holding frame 140 on the front surface of the front frame main body 130.

  The front frame body 130 is configured in a substantially rectangular plate shape that just covers the front side of the rectangular frame-shaped machine frame 110, and a game board 1 as shown in FIG. A square-shaped opening is formed for fitting and accommodating. The front surface of the game board 1 accommodated in the front frame body 130 faces the front side from the opening of the front frame body 130. That is, the game board 1 is attached to the front frame 120 by being fitted into the front frame main body 130.

  In addition, a clear member holding frame 140 that covers the front side of the front frame body 130 is formed in an opening portion in which the game board 1 of the front frame body 130 is fitted, that is, in a portion extending from slightly lower to the upper end than the center of the front frame body 130. Between the front surface of the game board 1 and the glass plate 141 as a clear member fitted in the clear member holding frame 140 and surrounded by the guide rail 2 provided on the front surface of the game board 1 Is a game area 1a in which game balls are launched and flow down.

  Also, one side of the clear member holding frame 140 (the left side as viewed from the front side of the gaming machine 100) is pivotally supported by one side of the front frame main body 130 so as to be door-shaped. The front side of the game area 1 a on the front side of the game board 1 can be opened by opening the clear member holding frame 140. The clear member holding frame 140 is spaced from the game board 1 fitted in the opening so as to substantially close the opening of the front frame main body 130 so that a game area 1a is allowed to flow down. The double glass plate 141 is fixed. In the clear member holding frame 140, at least a part of the game area 1 a on the front side of the game board 1 can be visually recognized from the front side of the gaming machine 100 through the glass plate 141. In addition, a decoration lamp / LED 144 as a frame decoration device and a speaker 145 for outputting sound are provided around the portion of the front surface of the clear member holding frame 140 where the glass plate 141 is fixed and the game area 1a can be visually recognized. , 145 and the like.

  In addition, a key hole 143 that forms a part of the locking device is formed on the front surface of the right end portion when viewed from the front surface side that is the open end side of the clear member holding frame 140 that is pivotally attached to the front frame body 130. . The keyhole 143 is a part of the locking device of the front frame body 130 and also a part of the locking device of the clear member holding frame 140. When the key is inserted into the keyhole 143 and turned to one side (for example, counterclockwise) The front frame main body 130 is unlocked, and when it is turned to the other side (for example, clockwise), the clear member holding frame 140 is unlocked.

  A firing operation unit 150 is attached to the lower side of the clear member holding frame 140 on the front side of the front frame body 130. The firing operation unit 150 has a left and right side part, which is one side part of the left and right side parts, pivotally attached to the front frame main body 130, and can be opened and closed by rotating in the left and right direction, and a lower panel 152 below the opening and closing panel 151. It consists of. The open / close panel 151 has an upper plate 153 that stores the discharged game balls and sends the game balls to a launching device (not shown) that launches the game balls. An effect button (not shown) that can be operated by the player is provided around the upper plate 153. The lower panel 152 on the lower side of the opening / closing panel 151 performs a lower ball 154 and an ashtray 155 for storing game balls that cannot be stored in the upper plate 153, and a game ball launch operation toward the game area 1a. In addition, an operation handle 156 for adjusting the firing force when the game ball is launched in the game area 1a, a speaker 157 for outputting sound, and the like are provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, on the back side of the front frame main body 130, as a mechanism for realizing various functions as the gaming machine 100, for example, a storage tank 101 that stores game balls supplied from island facilities. In addition, the discharging device 70 for discharging the ball according to the ball lending request and the discharging of the winning ball, the game balls collected by winning the various winning holes provided in the game board 1 and any winning holes are not won. A game ball collection mechanism for guiding the game balls collected from the outlet to a collection ball conveyance path outside the machine is provided. In addition, the game display device 13 includes a game control device 30 that controls the progress of the game in an integrated manner by controlling the operation of the game device provided on the game board 1, a liquid crystal display device, and the like, and displays a variable display game or the like. Further, there are provided a discharge / emission control device 50 for controlling the discharge of the ball and the shot of the hit ball, a power supply device 60 for supplying predetermined power to each part, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the game board 1 includes a flat game board main body 1b (made of wood or synthetic resin) serving as a mounting base for various members, and is surrounded by a guide rail 2 on the front surface of the game board main body 1b. A gaming area 1a. Further, front structural members 3, 3,... Are attached to the front surface of the game board main body 1b and outside the guide rail 2. Then, a game ball (hit ball; game medium) is launched from a launching device into a game area 1a surrounded by the guide rail 2 to play a game.

  In the game area 1a, a normal symbol starting gate 4, a normal symbol storage display 6 (shown in FIG. 4) for displaying the number of unprocessed normal symbol variation display games, and a normal symbol for displaying a normal symbol variation display game. A display 5 (shown in FIG. 4) is provided. Further, in the game area 1a, a normal variation winning device 7 that forms a start winning opening, a special symbol memory display 8 that lights up the number of unprocessed special symbol variation display games as an auxiliary game, and a special symbol variation display game. Is provided with a special symbol display 9 (shown in FIG. 4).

  Further, the game area 1a has an attacker-type opening / closing door 10a that can be opened by rotating in a direction in which the upper end side is tilted toward the front side, and a prize is awarded depending on the result of a special symbol variation display game as an auxiliary game. A special variable winning device 10 for converting from a closed state (a disadvantageous state for the player) to an open state (a state advantageous to the player), and an out hole 11 for collecting the gaming balls that have not won the winning opening. Is provided. In addition, the game area 1a is provided with general winning ports 12, 12,..., A windmill (not shown) as a batting direction changing member, a number of obstacle nails (not shown), and the like.

  In the normal symbol starting gate 4, a normal symbol starting sensor 4a for detecting a game ball that has passed through the normal symbol starting gate 4 is provided. When the game ball driven into the game area 1a passes through the normal symbol start gate 4, a normal symbol variation display game is played. In addition, the normal symbol variation display game cannot be started, for example, the normal symbol variation display game has already been performed and the normal symbol variation display game has not been completed, or the normal symbol variation display game has been hit, When the game ball passes through the normal symbol start gate 4 when 7 is converted to the open state, the normal symbol start memory number is incremented by one if the normal symbol start memory number is less than the upper limit number of the normal symbol start memory number. One memory is stored. In addition, the start memory of the normal symbol variation display game is displayed on the normal symbol memory display 6 provided with the LED, and one LED is turned on in response to one start memory being stored. Then, one LED is turned off in response to one start memory being subtracted.

  The normal symbol variation display game is executed by the normal symbol display 5 composed of 7 segments provided in the game area 1a. In addition, you may make it display a common figure change display game in a part of display area of the production | presentation display apparatus 13, In this case, for example, a number, a symbol, a character design etc. are used as an identification design, and this is used for predetermined time. After the variable display, the stop display is performed. If the stop display of the normal symbol variation display game becomes a special result mode, the normal symbol is a hit, and the opening / closing members 7a and 7a of the normal variation winning device 7 have been described above for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds). To be released. Thereby, it becomes easy to win a game ball in the normal variation winning device 7, and it becomes easy to start a variation display game of special symbols.

  The normal variation winning device 7 includes a pair of left and right opening and closing members 7a and 7a. The opening and closing members 7a and 7a are normally closed with a distance of about the diameter of the game ball (a disadvantageous state for the player). If it is held but the result of the normal symbol variation display game is in a predetermined stop display mode, a reverse “C” character is obtained by a solenoid (general power open / close SOL7b, shown in FIG. 4) as a driving device. The game ball can be changed to a state in which the game ball can easily flow into the normal variation winning device 7 (a state advantageous to the player). The normal variation winning device 7 also serves as a start winning opening for a special symbol variation display game. That is, the right to start a special symbol variation display game as an auxiliary game is generated based on the detection of the game ball by the special diagram start sensor 7d provided in the inside (winning area) of the normal variation winning device 7. It has become.

  The right to start the special symbol variation display game is stored as a start memory (special symbol start memory) within a predetermined upper limit (for example, 4). Therefore, when the special symbol variation display game can be started and the number of starting memories is 0 and the game ball is won in the normal variation winning device 7, the starting memory is stored with the generation of the starting right. When the start memory number is incremented by 1, the special symbol variation display game is immediately started based on the start memory, and at this time, the start memory number is decremented by one.

  On the other hand, when the special symbol variation display game cannot be started immediately, for example, when the special symbol variation display game has already been performed and the special symbol variation display game has not ended, or is in the special gaming state When a game ball wins the variable winning device 7, if the start memory number is less than the upper limit number, the start memory number is incremented by 1 and one start memory is stored. Then, when the number of starting memories becomes 1 or more, when the state where the special symbol variation display game can be started (the end of the previous special symbol variation display game or the end of the special gaming state), the starting memory number is decremented by 1. At the same time, the special symbol variation display game is started based on the stored start memory. In addition, the start memory of the special symbol variation display game is displayed on the special symbol memory display 8 provided with the LED, and one LED is turned on in response to one start memory being stored. Then, one LED is turned off in response to one start memory being subtracted.

  A special symbol (special symbol, identification information) variable display game as an auxiliary game is executed by a special symbol display 9 (shown in FIG. 4) consisting of 7 segments provided in the game area 1a. After a plurality of pieces of identification information are variably displayed, a predetermined result mode is stopped and displayed. In addition, a display game corresponding to a special symbol variation display game in which a plurality of types of identification information (for example, numbers, symbols, character symbols, etc.) are variably displayed on the effect display device 13 is executed. And, as a result of this special symbol variation display game, when the display mode of the special symbol display 9 becomes a special result mode (for example, “7”), it becomes a big hit and a special gaming state (so-called jackpot state) It becomes. Correspondingly, the display mode of the effect display device 13 is also a special result mode (for example, any one of the numbers in the flat order such as “7, 7, 7”). Note that the special symbol fluctuation display game may be executed only by the effect display device 13 without providing the game machine with the special symbol display 9.

  In addition, a center case 15 that forms a rectangular display window portion 14 serving as a display area for the special symbol variation display game is attached to the approximate center of the game area 1a. An effect display device 13 is arranged behind the display window portion 14 formed in the center case 15. The effect display device 13 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is arranged so that an image display surface 13 a whose display contents can be changed is visible from the front side of the game board 1 through the display window portion 14 of the center case 15. Has been. The effect display device 13 is not limited to the one provided with a liquid crystal display, and may be provided with a display such as an EL or CRT.

  A special variable winning device 10 as a variable winning device is provided with a large winning opening that is opened and closed by an attacker-type opening / closing door 10a that can be opened by rotating in a direction in which the upper end side is tilted forward. During the state, the inflow of game balls into the special winning opening is facilitated by converting the special winning opening from the closed state to the opened state. The open / close door 10a is driven by, for example, a solenoid (a special prize opening / closing SOL 10b, shown in FIG. 4) as a drive device. In addition, a count sensor 10c as a winning ball detecting means for detecting a game ball that has entered the big winning port is arranged inside the big winning port (winning area).

  Further, each of the general winning awards 12 provided in the game area 1 a is provided with a general winning award sensor 12 a for detecting a game ball that has entered the general winning award 12. Then, when a game ball that has been driven into the game area 1a by starting the game wins a prize in any of the prize winning openings such as the general prize winning openings 12, 12,. A predetermined number of winning balls corresponding to each winning opening are discharged (paid out) by the discharging device 70.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the gaming machine 100 is a game control device 30 that controls the progress of the game as its control system, and a sub-control device that controls various effects under the control of the game control device 30. A discharge control device 50 as a sub-control device for controlling the payout of prize balls or rental balls by the effect control device 40 and the discharge device 70, and the control of the game ball discharge by the launch device 52, and a power supply device for supplying power 60.

  The game control device 30 includes a game microcomputer 31 having a CPU 31a, a RAM 31b, a ROM 31c, and the like, and outputs pulse signals for an input / output interface (input / output I / F) 33, synchronization of various processes, a timer, and the like. It is composed of a clock (CLK) 32 (oscillator) or the like.

  The CPU 31a includes a control unit and a calculation unit, performs calculation control, and also generates various random number values such as a jackpot determination random number value of the special symbol variation display game. The RAM 31b includes a storage area for storing an ON signal of a special figure start sensor 7d provided in the normal variation winning device 7, a storage area for the various random numbers, a work area for the CPU 31a, and the like. In addition to the game control program and control data being written in the ROM 31c, the special symbol variation display game jackpot for determining the occurrence of the big symbol occurrence of the special symbol variation display game corresponding to the various random numbers described above. A determination value, a determination value of a variation pattern (reach action type), and the like are stored.

  Also, the special input start sensor 7d, the general start sensor 4a, the general prize opening sensors 12a, 12a,..., The count sensor 10c, and the like are connected to the input / output interface 33 through a low-pass filter and a buffer gate. . The input / output interface 33 relays various signals input from these and outputs them to the CPU 31a. Further, various control signals output from the CPU 30 b are input to the input / output interface 33. These control signals are relayed by the input / output interface 33, and via a not-shown output port and driver, the special symbol display 9, the special symbol storage display 8, the normal symbol display 5, and the normal symbol storage display 6 The winning prize opening / closing SOL10b, the ordinary power opening / closing SOL7b, the external output terminal 16 connected to a management device outside the gaming machine, the effect control device 40, and the discharge / emission control device 50 are output.

  The effect control device 40 as a sub control device includes an arithmetic processing CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and is based on the effect control data received from the game control device 30 (under the control of the game control device 30). Control is performed. Examples of what the effect control device 40 controls include lighting and blinking of the decoration lamp / LED 144 as a frame decoration device, sound effects output from the speakers 145 and 157, and display contents of the effect display device 13. is there.

  The discharge / emission control device 50 as a sub-control device includes an arithmetic processing CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and receives a prize ball control command (reception of prize ball number data) from the game control apparatus 30 and a ball lending machine (not shown). ) Is controlled to cause the discharging device 70 to discharge a predetermined number of game balls (prize balls, rental balls). In addition, the launching device 52 controls the launching of the game ball, and the discharge launch control device 50 receives a touch from the touch sensor 54 provided on the operation handle 156 when the player touches the operation handle 156. A signal is input. Further, when the player operates the firing stop switch 53 provided on the operation handle 156, an input signal from the firing stop switch 53 is input together with an input signal from the touch sensor 54. .

  In addition, power is supplied from the power supply device 60 to the game control device 30, and power is also supplied from the power supply device 60 to other devices. Further, the power supply device 60 is provided with a backup power source 61 for enabling power supply even when the external power supply is interrupted at the time of a power failure or the like. It is designed to prevent the loss of data stored in.

In these control circuits, for example, the following control is performed.
The CPU 31a of the game control device 30 extracts a normal symbol hit determination random number value based on the input of the detection signal of the game ball from the general symbol start sensor 4a provided in the normal symbol start gate 4 and stores it in the ROM 31c. Compared with the determination value, a process of determining whether or not the normal symbol variation display game is missed is performed. Then, the normal symbol display 5 displays the identification symbol fluctuating for a predetermined time, and then performs a process of displaying a normal symbol fluctuating display game to be stopped and displayed. When the result of the normal symbol variation display game is a win, a special result mode is displayed on the ordinary symbol display 5 and the normal power open / close SOL 7b is operated to open and close the opening / closing members 7a and 7a of the normal variation winning device 7. Time (for example, 0.5 seconds) is controlled to be released as described above. If the result of the normal symbol variation display game is out of order, the normal symbol display unit 5 is controlled to display the result of the shift.

  Further, based on the input of the game ball detection signal from the special figure start sensor 7d provided in the normal variation winning device 7, a special design jackpot determination random number value is extracted and compared with the determination value stored in the ROM 31c. Then, a process for determining whether or not the special symbol variation display game is successful is performed. In addition, a process for determining a variation pattern is performed, and a control signal (effect control data) including these results is output to the effect control device 40. Then, after the identification symbol is displayed in a varying manner for a predetermined time on the special symbol display 9, a process of displaying a special symbol variation display game to be stopped and displayed is performed. Further, in the production control device 40, based on the control signal from the game control device 30, the production display device 13 displays a display game corresponding to the special symbol variation display game, and outputs sounds from the speakers 145 and 157. Processing for controlling the decoration lamp, LED 144 as a frame decoration device is performed.

  Then, when the result of the special symbol variation display game is successful, the CPU 31a of the game control device 30 displays a special result form on the special symbol display 9 and performs a process of generating a special game state. In the processing for generating this special game state, for example, the opening / closing door 10a of the special variable prize-winning device 10 is opened by the special prize opening / closing SOL 10b, and control for allowing the game ball to flow into the special prize opening is performed. Then, the special prize opening is opened until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins the special prize opening or a predetermined time has elapsed since the opening of the special prize opening. Is set as one round, and a control (cycle game) is performed in which this is repeated (repeated) for a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 15 times). When the result of the special symbol fluctuation display game is out of order, the special symbol display unit 9 is controlled to display the result form of the deviation.

  Further, the CPU 31a of the game control device 30 controls the discharge and emission based on the detection signal of the game ball input from the sensors (special drawing start sensor 7d, count sensor 10c, general winning port sensor 12a) provided at various winning ports. A control signal (prize ball number data) is output to the device 50. The discharge launch control device 50 controls the discharge device 70 based on the input of the control signal so that a predetermined number of game balls are paid out.

  In addition, while the signal from the touch sensor 54 provided on the operation handle 156 is being input, the discharge and firing control device 50 performs control to activate the launching device 52 to launch a game ball. In addition, even when the signal is input from the touch sensor 54, if the input signal from the firing stop switch 53 provided on the operation handle 156 is input, the launching device 52 is stopped to play the game ball. Control to stop firing.

Next, details of the discharge device 70 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the discharge device 70 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a space in which various members can be accommodated from the substantially rectangular box-shaped first case 80 and second case 90. In an internal space formed by the first case 80 and the second case 90, a partition member 160 that forms one side surface of the flow path 71, a movable member 170 that controls the flow of the game ball, and the movable member 170 are provided. A drive source 76 for operating, a relay board 78 for relaying the wiring from the discharge and firing control device 50, and a discharge sensor 77 for detecting a game ball to be discharged are provided.

  The first case 80 is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape from a bottom wall 81 and a peripheral wall 82 perpendicular to the bottom wall 81 so as to surround the bottom wall 81, and a flow path is formed in the internal space. A wall 83 is formed. The flow path forming wall 83 forms a side wall of the flow path 71 and is formed so as to extend from the bottom wall 81 toward the opening portion at a position substantially the same as the tip of the peripheral wall 82. . Further, bosses 84, 84, 84 for fixing the first case 80 and the second case 90 between the peripheral wall 82 and the flow path forming wall 83 at the corners of the rectangular box-shaped first case 80. A screw hole 84 a is formed at the center of each boss 84, and a screw inserted from the outside of the bottom wall 81 is formed in the second case 90 arranged to face the first case 80. The first case 80 and the second case 90 can be fixed by being screwed to the screwed portion 97 formed.

  The partition member 160 is a plate-like member arranged in parallel with the bottom wall 81 so as to cover the opening of the first case 80, and the partition member 160, the bottom wall 81 of the first case 80, and the flow path forming wall. 83, a cylindrical flow channel 71 extending in the vertical direction of the discharge device 70 is formed. A first channel 72 and a second channel 73 having a width that allows the game balls to flow in a line along the vertical direction are provided on the upstream side from the substantially center of the channel 71 formed in this manner. Are formed in parallel. The upstream portion of the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 has a flow path forming wall 161 formed on the partition member 160 side, and is in a second case 90 disposed opposite to the first case 80. The flow path is inclined so as to descend from the second case 80 side toward the first case 90 side. Further, the upstream side end portion opens to the upper portion of the second case 90. In addition, the upper part of the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 on the first case 80 side facing this part is adjusted to the inclination of the flow path so as to guide the game ball flowing down this upstream side part. Guide ribs 86, 86 are formed.

  The game balls that have flowed down the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 are gathered from the approximate center of the flow path 71 that is the downstream side of the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 to flow. It is a collective flow path 75 that leads to a discharge port 74 that is the downstream end of the path 71. The collective flow path 75 gradually increases from the upstream part connected to the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 described above toward the downstream part connected to the discharge port 74 having a width from which the game balls flow out in a line. The width is formed to be narrow. Further, the discharge port 74 connected to the lower end portion of the collective flow path 75 has a width that allows game balls to flow out in a row, and is open to the lower portion of the first case 80. The discharge port 74 is provided with a discharge sensor 77 for detecting a game ball.

  In addition, in the bottom wall 81 of the first case 80 arranged in parallel, a guide channel (not shown) for supporting and guiding the movable member 170 described later is a first flow path in which the movable member 170 slides. 72, formed along the direction crossing the second flow path 73. A similar guide groove 162 is also formed in the partition member 160. Furthermore, a drive source disposition portion 163 for disposing the drive source 76 is formed on the surface of the partition member 160 on the second case 90 side. The drive source arrangement portion 163 is formed in a shelf shape by a plate-like portion that protrudes perpendicularly to the surface of the partition member 160 on the second case 90 side, and the drive source 76 is placed on the upper portion. Fixed.

  Further, the partition member 160 has a notch shape for connecting a drive source 76 disposed in the drive source disposition portion 163 and a movable member 170 (described later) disposed on the opposite side across the partition member 160. The connection opening 164 is formed. In addition, a notch-shaped discharge sensor arrangement portion 165 is formed at the lower end portion of the partition member 160 in accordance with the arrangement position of the discharge sensor 77. A screw hole 166 through which a screw can be inserted is formed at a corner portion of the partition member 160 and at a position corresponding to the boss 84 formed in the first case 80.

  The drive source 76 reciprocates between the extended state and the retracted state of the drive shaft 76b that is arranged so as to penetrate the drive source body 76a and protrudes from both side surfaces, and in this state. The driving solenoid 76 is disposed in the drive source disposition portion 163 so that the operation direction of the drive shaft 76b is along the operation direction of the movable member 170. The drive member 76 can be operated by the drive source 76 by fixing the drive shaft 76b to connecting portions 173 and 173 of the movable member 170 described later.

  The second case 90 is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape from a bottom wall 91 and a peripheral wall 92 perpendicular to the bottom wall 91 so as to surround the periphery of the bottom wall 91, and a partition member 160 is provided in the internal space. A relay board 78 for relaying the drive source 76 disposed on the rear surface of the, the wiring from the discharge and emission control device 50 and the wiring of the drive source 76 and the discharge sensor 77 is housed. In addition, an opening 93 is formed in the bottom wall 91 corresponding to the portion of the second case 90 in which the drive source 76 is accommodated, in accordance with the side shape of the drive source 76, from which the side surface of the drive source 76 is exposed to the outside. It is supposed to be. In addition, a connection opening 94 is formed in the bottom wall 91 corresponding to a portion in which the relay board 78 of the second case 90 is accommodated in accordance with the position of the connector portion 78a provided in the relay board 78. The part 78a is exposed to the outside and can be connected to the discharge and emission control device 50. Further, a flow path forming wall 83 formed in the partition member 160 is connected to the upper peripheral wall 92 of the second case 90, and a notch serving as an upstream end of the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73. A shaped inflow opening 95 is formed. In addition, a wiring opening 96 is formed in the bottom wall 91 corresponding to a portion in which the discharge sensor 77 of the second case 90 is accommodated in accordance with the position of the connector portion 77 a provided in the discharge sensor 77.

  Between the first case 80 and the partition member 160 and at the boundary between the first flow path 72, the second flow path 73, and the collecting flow path 75, the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 are predetermined. A movable member 170 for performing control for causing a number of game balls to flow down is slidably disposed on the first flow path 72 side and the second flow path 73 side. As shown in FIG. 7, the movable member 170 includes a bottom surface portion 171 having a substantially rectangular plate shape for controlling the flow of the game ball, restriction portions 172 and 172, and connection portions 173 and 173 connected to a drive source.

  The substantially rectangular plate-shaped bottom surface portion 171 is a portion disposed so as to cover and cross the lower ends of the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73, and has a width along the slide direction that is the first flow path 72. The distance between the flow path forming walls 83 and 83 in the portion where the second flow path 73 is formed is wider, and the other width is the distance between the bottom wall 81 of the first case 80 and the partition member 160 (first flow). The width of the channel 72 and the second channel 73 is substantially equal. The bottom surface portion 171 is formed with two downflow ports 174 and 174 arranged along the slide direction so as to correspond to the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73, respectively.

  The flow-down ports 174 and 174 are openings that penetrate vertically and have a diameter through which game balls can pass, and are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the bottom surface portion 171. Further, the width in the sliding direction of the central portion 174 a located between the two downstream openings 174 and 174 is made wider than the thickness of the partition wall 85 that separates the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73. Therefore, in a state where one downstream port 174 coincides with the flow path, the other downstream port 174 does not coincide with the flow path. In a state where the flow-down port 174 and the flow path do not coincide with each other, the game ball can be held above the bottom surface portion 171 as described later. That is, the space above the movable member 170 (the space between the bottom surface portion 171 and the restriction portion 172) forms a ball holding portion 175 that can hold a game ball. In addition, a guide portion 176 that protrudes laterally is formed at the side end of the bottom surface portion 171 facing the first case 80 and the partition member 160. The guide member 176 is slidably fitted into a guide groove (not shown) formed in the bottom wall 81 of the first case 80 and a guide groove 162 formed in the partition member 160, so that the movable member 170 supports and guides. It has come to be.

  The connecting portions 173 and 173 are formed at both ends located on the slide direction side among the side ends of the bottom surface portion 171. The connecting portions 173 and 173 are formed so as to protrude upward from the plate-shaped bottom surface portion 171 and to protrude from the side end disposed on the partition member 160 side of the plate-shaped bottom surface portion 171 to the side. . A connection hole 173a penetrating along the sliding direction is formed at an end portion of the connection portions 173 and 173 protruding toward the partition member 160 side. A driving shaft 76 b of a latching solenoid as a driving source 76 is inserted into the connection hole 173 a and is fixed, so that the movable member 170 can be driven by the driving source 76. The drive shaft 76b inserted into the connection hole 173a is fixed to only one of the connection portions 173 and 173 formed at both ends, and a fixing member (for example, a screw) is provided to the connection portion 173 on the fixing side. The fixing hole 173b for attaching the is formed.

  The restricting portions 172 and 172 are formed on the upper portions of the connecting portions 173 and 173 and are formed so as to overlap the upper surface of the bottom surface portion 171 in parallel with the bottom surface portion 171. It overlaps with the downflow ports 174, 174 of 171 in the vertical direction. The restricting portions 172 and 172 project into the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 to restrict the flow width of the game ball by narrowing the width of the flow path. It is formed in a taper shape. In addition, a guide portion 172 a that protrudes laterally is formed at a side end of the restricting portions 172 and 172 facing the first case 80 and the partition member 160. The guide member 172a is slidably fitted into a guide groove (not shown) formed in the bottom wall 81 of the first case 80 and a guide groove 162 formed in the partition member 160, so that the movable member 170 supports and guides. It has come to be.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the movable member 170 having such a configuration is horizontally disposed so that the bottom surface portion 171 covers the lower ends of the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 and is connected. The parts 173 and 173 are arranged in such a direction as to protrude toward the partition member 160, and the restricting parts 172 and 172 are positioned above the bottom surface part 171.

  Of these, the bottom surface portion 171 is a slit-shaped opening formed at the boundary between the first flow path 72, the second flow path 73 and the collective flow path 75 in the flow path forming wall 83 formed in the first case 80. It is inserted into a certain support portion 83a and is slidably supported on the first flow path 72 side and the second flow path 73 side. Further, the connecting portions 173 and 173 have side widths along the slide direction that are wider than the interval between the flow path forming walls 83 and 83 in the portion where the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 are formed. Therefore, it is disposed between the flow path forming wall 83 and the peripheral wall 82. Since the connecting portions 173 and 173 cannot pass through the slit-like support portion 83a having a vertical width substantially equal to the thickness of the bottom surface portion 171 formed on the flow path forming wall 83, the connecting portions 173 and 173 are not formed on the flow path forming wall. The sliding range of the movable member 170 is regulated by contacting the side surface of 83.

  In addition, the restricting portions 172 and 172 are arranged so as to be able to appear and disappear in the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 from a slit-shaped restricting opening 83b formed above the support portion 83a. Furthermore, a guide portion 176 formed on the side end of the bottom surface portion 171 and a guide portion 172a formed on the side end of the regulating portions 172 and 172 are guide grooves (not shown) formed on the bottom wall 81 of the first case 80. ) And the guide groove 162 formed in the partition member 160 and is slidably supported.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the discharging device 70 as described above is arranged on the back side of the front frame main body 130, and a game ball guiding member 102 that guides the game ball from the storage tank 101 that stores the game ball. , 103 are supplied with game balls. Inside the game ball guiding members 102 and 103, there are formed two downstream flow paths in which the game balls flow down in a line, one of which is connected to the upstream end of the first flow path 72. The other is connected to the upstream end of the second flow path 73. Then, under the control of the game control device 30, it is controlled by the discharge and launch control device 50, and a predetermined number of game balls are discharged. The discharged game ball is guided to the upper plate 153 through the discharge channel 104.

  The discharge device 70 is configured to discharge a predetermined number of game balls by driving the movable member 170 by a drive source 76. The latching solenoid as the drive source 76 is configured to reciprocate between a state in which the drive shaft 76b is extended and a state in which the drive shaft 76b is retracted by energizing a coil provided therein. Further, the extended or retracted state of the drive shaft 76b can be held by the holding force of the permanent magnet provided inside. By this drive source 76, the movable member 170 can be converted into a first state in which the movable member 170 has moved to the first flow path 72 side and a second state in which the movable member 170 has moved to the second flow path 73 side, and that state can be maintained. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the first state is a state in which the movable member 170 has moved to the first flow path 72 side, and the connection portion 173 on the second flow path 73 side contacts the flow path forming wall 83. It is in a state where the movement of the movable member 170 toward the first flow path 72 is restricted.

  In this first state, in the first flow path 72, the flow-down port 174 corresponding to the first flow path 72 does not coincide with the first flow path 72, and the central portion located between the two flow-down ports 174, 174 174a faces the first flow path 72 and restricts the flow of the game ball. As a result, one game ball can be held by the ball holding portion 175 that is the space above the movable member 170. In addition, the restricting portion 172 is retracted from the first flow path 72, and the game ball waiting in the first flow path 72 is allowed to flow into the ball holding portion 175. In other words, in the first flow path 72, the inflowable state is reached in which the game ball can flow into the ball holding portion 175.

  At this time, the flow of the game ball located on the most downstream side of the first flow path 72 is restricted in a state where the game ball is in contact with the peripheral edge on the central portion 174a side among the peripheral edges of the flow-down opening 174. Therefore, a part of the pressure applied to the movable member 170 due to the weight of the game ball and the game ball waiting on the game ball is applied in the direction toward the second flow path 73 side where the movable member 170 is operated next time. It becomes. As a result, the burden on the drive source 76 during the next operation can be reduced and the operation can be facilitated, and an unreasonable force is not applied to each member, thereby preventing the occurrence of defects.

  In the first state, in the second flow path 73, the flow-down opening 174 corresponding to the second flow path 73 coincides with the second flow path 73, and the game ball held by the ball holding portion 175 is flowed down. It will be in the state which can be discharged from 174. In addition, the restricting portion 172 protrudes into the second flow path 73 and enters a state where the inflow of the game ball into the ball holding portion 175 is restricted. That is, in the second flow path 73, a dischargeable state in which only the game ball held by the ball holding portion 175 can be discharged is brought about.

  From this first state, when the latching solenoid as the drive source 76 is operated once, the state is converted to the second state as shown in FIG. The second state is a state in which the movable member 170 has moved to the second flow path 73 side as opposed to the first state described above, and the connection part 173 on the first flow path 72 side contacts the flow path forming wall 83. In other words, the movement of the movable member 170 toward the second flow path 73 is restricted.

  In this second state, in the second flow path 73, the flow down port 174 corresponding to the second flow path 73 does not coincide with the second flow path 73, and the central portion located between the two flow down openings 174, 174 174a faces the second flow path 73 and restricts the flow of the game ball. As a result, one game ball can be held by the ball holding portion 175 that is the space above the movable member 170. Further, the restricting portion 172 is retracted from the second flow path 73, and the game ball waiting in the second flow path 73 can enter the ball holding portion 175. In other words, in the second flow path 73, the inflowable state is reached in which the game ball can flow into the ball holding portion 175.

  At this time, the flow of the game ball located on the most downstream side of the second flow path 73 is restricted in a state where the game ball is in contact with the peripheral edge on the central portion 174a side among the peripheral edges of the flow-down opening 174. Therefore, a part of the pressure applied to the movable member 170 due to the weight of the game ball and the game ball waiting on the game ball is applied in the direction toward the first flow path 72 side where the movable member 170 is operated next time. It becomes. As a result, the burden on the drive source 76 during the next operation can be reduced and the operation can be facilitated, and an unreasonable force is not applied to each member, thereby preventing the occurrence of defects.

  From the above, in the movable member 170, the pressure of the game ball waiting in the first flow path 72 or the second flow path 73 in the at least one of the inflowable state and the dischargeable state is the next time the movable member 170 moves. It will act in the direction to do.

  In the second state, in the first flow path 72, the flow-down opening 174 corresponding to the first flow path 72 coincides with the first flow path 72, and the game ball held by the ball holding portion 175 is flowed down. It will be in the state which can be discharged from 174. Further, the restricting portion 172 protrudes into the first flow path 72, and the inflow of the game ball into the ball holding portion 175 is restricted. In other words, in the first flow path 72, a dischargeable state in which only the game balls held by the ball holding unit 175 can be discharged is brought about.

  That is, when the game ball can flow into the sphere holding part 175 in any one of the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73, the restricting portion 172 is a ball in the other flow path. The inflow of the game ball to the holding unit 175 is restricted, and the game ball held by the ball holding unit 175 is in a dischargeable state in which the game ball can be discharged.

  In this way, by alternately repeating the operation of converting the movable member 170 from the first state to the second state and the operation of converting the second state to the first state, the first flow path 72 and the second flow path The game balls are discharged alternately from 73. The game balls discharged from the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 are guided to the discharge port 74 by the collective flow path 75 and discharged to the outside of the discharge device 70.

  Further, since the ball holding unit 175 is configured to hold one game ball, every time the movable member 170 is changed from the first state to the second state or from the second state to the first state, One ball is discharged, and a predetermined number of game balls can be discharged. Further, the game ball discharged by operating the movable member 170 in this manner is detected by a discharge sensor 77 provided at the discharge port 74, and based on a detection signal from the discharge sensor 77. The number of discharged game balls can be counted. As a result, a predetermined number of game balls can be reliably discharged.

  From the above, in the gaming machine 100 including the discharge device 70 that discharges a required number of game balls based on the establishment of a predetermined discharge condition, the discharge device 70 includes the first flow path 72 in which the game balls wait and the first flow path 72. The second flow path 73, a movable member 170 facing the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73, and a drive source 76 for driving the movable member 170. The movable member 170 is a ball capable of holding a game ball. A holding portion 175 and a restricting portion 172 that restricts the inflow of game balls to the ball holding portion 175, and the game ball in one of the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73. Is in an inflowable state in which it can flow into the ball holding portion 175, the restricting portion 172 restricts the flow of the game ball into the ball holding portion 175 and the game ball held in the ball holding portion 175 in the other flow path. Constructed and driven so that it can be discharged By driving the movable member 170 by 76, the first flow path 72 side becomes inflowable state, the second flow path 73 side becomes dischargeable state, and the second flow path 73 side becomes inflowable state, By alternately converting to the second state where the first flow path 72 is in a dischargeable state, the game balls are discharged from the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 alternately. .

  Moreover, the movable member 170 is arrange | positioned so that the 1st flow path 72 and the 2nd flow path 73 may be crossed, and it can slide to the 1st flow path 72 side and the 2nd flow path 73 side, By sliding, It will be comprised so that conversion to a 1st state and a 2nd state is possible.

  Further, the ball holding portion 175 has a flow-down port 174 that can discharge the held game ball. In the inflow-enabled state, the flow-down port 174 does not coincide with the flow path, and the game ball cannot be discharged. The restricting portion 172 is retracted from the flow path and can accept the game ball. In a dischargeable state, the restricting portion 172 protrudes into the flow path to restrict the inflow of the game ball, and the flow-down port 174 is flush with the flow path. Then, the game ball that was held is discharged.

In the above embodiment, a latching solenoid is used as the drive source 76, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a solenoid, a rotary solenoid, a motor, or the like may be used.
Further, although the ball holding unit 175 can hold one game ball, it may hold two or more.
The movable member 170 is slid in the direction crossing the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73, that is, in the direction parallel to the plate surface of the plate-like partition member 160. On the other hand, it may be slid in a direction perpendicular thereto.
Further, the positional relationship between the bottom surface portion 171 and the regulating portion 172 may be reversed upside down.

Next, a modification of the above-described discharge device will be described with reference to FIG.
In addition, it has the structure similar to the above-mentioned discharge device 70 fundamentally, about the part which has the same structure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted. The discharge device of this modification is configured to discharge a predetermined number of game balls by alternately rotating a rotatable movable member 190 in the forward direction and the reverse direction.

  The movable member 190 is a substantially columnar member and has a rotation shaft 191 at the center thereof. The rotation shaft 191 is parallel to the extending direction of the flow path forming wall 83 so that it is perpendicular to the flow direction of the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 at a position below the partition wall 85. In such a state, it is held rotatably. That is, the substantially columnar movable member 190 is arranged so that the curved peripheral surface faces the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 in a state where the movable member 190 can rotate about the rotation shaft 191. . On the peripheral surface of the movable member 190, a ball holding portion 192, which is a groove-like concave portion extending along the rotation shaft 191 and recessed toward the center at a position facing the rotation shaft 191. 192 is formed.

  Further, the substantially cylindrical movable member 190 has a diameter of a portion where the ball holding portion 192 is not formed wider than a width obtained by subtracting the diameter of the game ball from the distance from the rotation shaft 191 to the flow path forming wall 83. Has been. That is, the portion where the ball holding portion 192 is not formed protrudes toward the flow path, thereby narrowing the width of the flow path from the diameter of the game ball and restricting the flow of the game ball. On the other hand, the ball holding portion 192 has a groove-like recess so that the game ball can be guided from the first flow path 72 or the second flow path 73 to the downstream collective flow path 75 in a state where the game ball is received. The depth is set.

  In addition, the movable member 190 has a forward direction (for example, a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the first case 80 side) and a reverse direction (for example, a clockwise direction when viewed from the first case 80 side) within a predetermined angle range by a driving source. ). The drive source is the above-described latching solenoid, and the movable member 190 is rotated in the forward direction and the reverse direction by extension and retraction of the drive shaft. With this drive source, as shown in FIG. 9A, when viewed from the first case 80 side, the first state in which the movable member 190 rotates most clockwise, and as shown in FIG. 9B. The second state can be converted into the second state rotated most counterclockwise, and the state can be maintained.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, in the first state, the sphere holding portion 192, which is a groove-like recess corresponding to the first flow path 72, is in an obliquely upward state. In this state, the upper end portion of the ball holding portion 192 is retracted from the first flow path 72 and is located below the partition wall 85, and the game ball located on the most downstream side of the first flow path 72 is the ball holding portion. 192 can flow into. In this state, the lower end portion of the ball holding portion 192 protrudes into the first flow path 72, and the width of the first flow path 72 is narrowed to restrict the flow of game balls in the ball holding portion 192. As a result, one game ball can be held by the ball holding unit 192. In other words, in the first flow path 72, the inflowable state is reached in which the game ball can flow into the ball holding portion 192.

  At this time, the flow of the game ball in the ball holding portion 192 on the first flow path 72 side is restricted in a state where the game ball is in contact with the lower end portion of the ball holding portion 192. Therefore, a part of the pressure due to the weight of the game ball or the game ball standing on the upper side is the forward direction in which the movable member 190 is rotated next time (for example, counterclockwise when viewed from the first case 80 side). Direction). As a result, the burden on the drive source during the next operation can be reduced and the operation can be facilitated, and an excessive force is not applied to each member, thereby preventing the occurrence of defects.

  Further, in this first state, the ball holding portion 192 that is a groove-like recess corresponding to the second flow path 73 is in a state of facing obliquely downward. In this state, the distance between the lower end of the ball holding portion 192 and the flow path forming wall 83 is wider than the diameter of the game balls, and the game balls held by the ball holding portion 192 can be discharged to the collective flow path 75. It becomes a state. Further, in this state, the upper end portion of the ball holding portion 192 protrudes into the second flow path 73 and is in a state of restricting the inflow of game balls into the ball holding portion 192. Therefore, the upper end portion of the ball holding portion 192 forms a restricting portion 193 that restricts the inflow of game balls to the ball holding portion 192. That is, in the second flow path 73, the game ball held by the ball holding unit 192 is in a dischargeable state where the game ball can be discharged.

  From this first state, when the latching solenoid as the driving source is operated once, the state is converted to the second state as shown in FIG. 9B. Contrary to the first state described above, the second state is a state in which the sphere holding portion 192 that is a groove-like recess corresponding to the second flow path 73 faces obliquely upward. In this state, the upper end portion of the ball holding portion 192 is retracted from the second flow path 73 and is located below the partition wall 85, and the game ball located on the most downstream side of the second flow path 73 is the ball holding portion. 192 can flow into. In this state, the lower end portion of the ball holding portion 192 projects into the second flow path 73, and the width of the second flow path 73 is narrowed to restrict the flow of the game ball in the ball holding portion 192. As a result, the game ball can be held by the ball holding unit 192. That is, in the second flow path 73, the inflowable state is reached in which the game ball can flow into the ball holding portion 192.

  At this time, the flow of the game balls in the ball holding portion 192 on the second flow path 73 side is restricted in a state where the game balls are in contact with the lower end portion of the ball holding portion 192. Therefore, a part of the pressure due to the weight of the game ball and the game ball waiting above it is the reverse direction in which the movable member 190 rotates next time (for example, the clockwise direction when viewed from the first case 80 side). ). As a result, the burden on the drive source during the next operation can be reduced and the operation can be facilitated, and an excessive force is not applied to each member, thereby preventing the occurrence of defects.

  Further, in this second state, the sphere holding portion 192 that is a groove-like recess corresponding to the first flow path 72 is in a state of facing obliquely downward. In this state, the distance between the lower end of the ball holding portion 192 and the flow path forming wall 83 is wider than the diameter of the game balls, and the game balls held by the ball holding portion 192 can be discharged to the collective flow path 75. It becomes a state. In the process of being converted to the second state, the ball holding portion 192 on the first flow path 72 side forms the flow path with the ball holding section 192 as the movable member 190 rotates the game ball held in the first state. While being held by the wall 83, it is guided downstream. And when the space | interval of the lower end part of the ball | bowl holding | maintenance part 192 and the flow-path formation wall 83 becomes wider than the diameter of a game ball, the game ball currently hold | maintained is discharged | emitted.

  Further, in the second state, the upper end portion of the ball holding portion 192 protrudes into the first flow path 72 and becomes a state in which the inflow of game balls into the ball holding portion 192 is restricted. Therefore, the upper end portion of the ball holding portion 192 forms a restricting portion 193 that restricts the inflow of game balls to the ball holding portion 192. That is, in the first flow path 72, the game ball held by the ball holding unit 192 is in a dischargeable state in which the game ball can be discharged.

  That is, when the game ball can flow into the sphere holding part 192 in any one of the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73, the restricting part 193 is a ball in the other flow path. The inflow of the game ball to the holding unit 192 is restricted, and the game ball held by the ball holding unit 192 is configured to be in a dischargeable state where the game ball can be discharged.

  As described above, by alternately repeating the operation of converting the movable member 190 from the first state to the second state and the operation of converting the second state to the first state, the first flow path 72 and the second flow path The game balls are discharged alternately from 73. The game balls discharged from the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 are guided to the discharge port 74 by the collective flow channel 75 and discharged from the discharge port 74 to the outside of the discharge device. Further, since the ball holding portion 192 is configured to hold one game ball, every time the movable member 190 is changed from the first state to the second state or from the second state to the first state, One ball is discharged, and a predetermined number of game balls can be discharged.

  From the above, the movable member 190 is located between the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 and is a rotation axis perpendicular to the flow direction of the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73. By rotating around 191, it is possible to convert between the first state and the second state, and when the movable member 190 is rotated from the first state in the forward direction, it is converted into the second state. The movable member 190 is converted from the state into the first state by rotating in the reverse direction.

In the above modification, a latching solenoid is used as a drive source. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a solenoid, a rotary solenoid, a motor, or the like may be used.
Further, although the ball holding unit 192 can hold one game ball, it may hold two or more.
Further, although the rotation shaft 191 is arranged in parallel to the extending direction of the flow path forming wall 83, it is perpendicular to the extending direction of the flow path forming wall 83, that is, the first flow path 72 and the second flow path. You may distribute so that it may cross 73.

  The gaming machine 100 as described above is a gaming machine 100 that includes a discharging device 70 that discharges a required number of gaming balls based on the establishment of a predetermined discharging condition. A first flow path 72 and a second flow path 73; a movable member 170 facing the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73; and a drive source 76 for driving the movable member 170. A ball holding portion 175 capable of holding a ball, and a restriction portion 172 for restricting the inflow of game balls to the ball holding portion 175, and one of the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 If the flow path of the game ball is allowed to flow into the ball holding portion 175, the restricting portion 172 restricts the flow of the game ball into the ball holding portion 175 and is held by the ball holding portion 175 in the other flow path. The game balls that have been used can be discharged so that they can be discharged. Then, by driving the movable member 170 by the driving source 76, the first flow path 72 side becomes inflowable state, the second flow path 73 side becomes dischargeable state, and the second flow path 73 side flows in. The game ball is alternately discharged from the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 by alternately converting to the second state where the first flow path 72 side becomes a dischargeable state. ing.

Therefore, when the movable member 170 is in an inflowable state in which the game ball can flow into the ball holding portion 175 in any one of the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73, the other flow path The restricting portion 172 is configured to restrict the inflow of the game ball to the ball holding portion 175 and to be in a dischargeable state in which the game ball held by the ball holding portion 175 can be discharged. By driving 170, the game balls are alternately discharged from the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73, so the configuration is simplified and the cost can be reduced. That is, since the discharge control is performed by operating one movable member 170 by one drive source 76, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the occurrence of defects can be prevented.
In addition, the flow control of the two flow paths can be performed by one movable member 170, and it is possible to cope with high-speed discharge of game balls.
Further, since the game balls once received by the ball holding unit 175 are discharged, the number of game balls to be discharged can be strictly controlled, and even a small amount of game balls can be discharged reliably.

  Moreover, the movable member 170 is arrange | positioned so that the 1st flow path 72 and the 2nd flow path 73 may be crossed, and it can slide to the 1st flow path 72 side and the 2nd flow path 73 side, By sliding, It can be converted into a first state and a second state.

  Therefore, since the movable member 170 is configured to be converted into the first state and the second state by sliding, the game ball held by the ball holding portion 175 only by sliding the movable member 170 to one side. Can be discharged and the control is very simple.

  Further, the ball holding portion 175 has a flow-down port 174 that can discharge the held game ball. In the inflow-enabled state, the flow-down port 174 does not coincide with the flow path, and the game ball cannot be discharged. The restricting portion 172 is retracted from the flow path and can accept the game ball. In a dischargeable state, the restricting portion 172 protrudes into the flow path to restrict the inflow of the game ball, and the flow-down port 174 is flush with the flow path. The game balls that were held are discharged.

  Therefore, the ball holding portion 175 has a flow-down port 174 through which the held game ball can be discharged. In the inflow-enabled state, the flow-down port 174 does not coincide with the flow path, so that the game ball cannot be discharged and the regulation unit 172 retreats from the flow path and can accept the game ball. In a dischargeable state, the restricting portion 172 protrudes into the flow path to restrict the inflow of the game ball, and the flow-down port 174 is held in alignment with the flow path. Since the game ball that has been discharged is discharged, one game ball can be reliably discharged per operation of the movable member 170.

  The movable member 190 is located between the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73 and is centered on a rotation shaft 191 that is perpendicular to the flow direction of the first flow path 72 and the second flow path 73. The first state and the second state can be converted by rotating to the second state, and the second member is converted from the first state to the second state by rotating the movable member 190 in the forward direction. The member 190 is converted to the first state by rotating in the reverse direction.

  Therefore, the movable member 190 is configured to be convertible between the first state and the second state by rotating, and is converted from the first state to the second state by rotating the movable member 190 in the forward direction. Since the movable member 190 is converted from the two states to the first state by rotating in the reverse direction, the control is very simple. In other words, by reversing the movable member 190 forward and backward within a range of a predetermined angle, the game ball held by the ball holding portion 175 can be discharged, and the control becomes very simple.

  In addition, the movable member 170 is in a state where at least one of the inflowable state and the dischargeable state and the pressure of the game ball waiting in the first flow path 72 or the second flow path 73 causes the movable member 170 to move in the next direction. It is supposed to work.

  Therefore, in the movable member 170, the pressure of the game ball waiting in the first flow path 72 or the second flow path 73 is in the direction in which the movable member 170 moves next time in at least one of the inflowable state and the dischargeable state. Since it acts, the burden on the drive source 76 can be reduced and the operation is facilitated, and an excessive force is not applied to each member, so that the occurrence of defects can be prevented.

  Note that the gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to the pachinko gaming machine as shown in the above-described embodiment as a gaming machine, for example, other pachinko gaming machines, arrange ball gaming machines, sparrow ball gaming machines, etc. It can be applied to all gaming machines that use this game ball.

  In addition, it should be considered that the embodiment disclosed this time is illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is a front view of a gaming machine showing a configuration of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. It is a back view of a gaming machine. It is a front view of a game board. It is a block diagram which shows a part of control system of a gaming machine. It is the perspective view seen from the 2nd case side of the discharge device. It is the disassembled perspective view seen from the 2nd case side of the discharge device. It is a perspective view of a movable member. It is sectional drawing of a discharge device, Comprising: (a) The figure which has a movable member in a 1st state, (b) The figure which has a movable member in a 2nd state. It is sectional drawing of the flow path in the discharge device of a modification, Comprising: (a) The figure in which a movable member is in a 1st state, (b) The figure in which a movable member is in a 2nd state.

Explanation of symbols

70 Discharge device 72 1st flow path 73 2nd flow path 76 Drive source 100 Game machine 170 Movable member 172 Restriction part 174 Downflow 175 Sphere holding part 190 Movable member 191 Rotating shaft 192 Sphere holding part

Claims (3)

In a gaming machine equipped with a discharge device that discharges a required number of game balls based on the establishment of a predetermined discharge condition,
The discharging device is
A first flow path and a second flow path formed in parallel, in which the game balls discharged from the discharge device respectively stand by in a line ;
A movable member for performing flow down control of the game ball to wait the first flow path and the extraordinary Nde said first flow path and second flow path to the second flow path,
A drive source for performing a conversion operation between a first state in which the movable member is moved toward the first channel and a second state in which the movable member is moved toward the second channel ;
The movable member is
It is arranged between the first flow path and the second flow path, and faces the first flow path in the first state to restrict the flow of the game ball, while in the second state, the second flow path Central control department that controls the flow of game balls facing the
It is disposed on the opposite side of the central restricting portion across the first flow path, and retreats from the first flow path in the first state to allow the game ball to flow down, while in the second state the first flow A first restricting portion for restricting the flow of the game ball facing one flow path;
It is arranged on the opposite side of the central restricting portion across the second flow path, and faces the second flow path in the first state to restrict the flow of gaming balls, while the second state in the second state A second restricting portion that retreats from the flow path and allows the game ball to flow down ,
By separating the central restricting portion and the first restricting portion along the flow path direction of the first flow passage, the first restricting portion and the first restricting portion between the central restricting portion and the first restricting portion in the first state. Forming a first ball holding portion for receiving and holding one game ball of one flow path;
By separating the central restricting portion and the second restricting portion along the flow path direction of the second flow path, the second restricting portion is separated between the central restricting portion and the second restricting portion in the second state. Forming a second ball holding portion for receiving and holding one game ball of two flow paths;
When the movable member is in the first state, the game balls in the first flow path are held by the first ball holding section, while the game balls in the second flow path are allowed to flow into the second ball holding section. The game ball that is regulated and held in the second ball holding portion is configured to be discharged,
When the movable member is in the second state, the game ball in the second flow path is held by the second ball holding section, while the game ball in the first flow path is allowed to flow into the first ball holding section. The game ball that is regulated and held in the first ball holding portion is configured to be discharged,
By converting operation alternately said movable member in said second state and said first state by the driving source, and a pre-Symbol first flow path and the second flow path to discharge game balls alternately A gaming machine characterized by that. The drive source is a latching solenoid capable of reciprocating the drive shaft by energizing the coil and holding the state after the operation of the drive shaft by the holding force of the permanent magnet,
The latching solenoid is configured such that the drive shaft and the movable member are connected in a state where the operation direction of the drive shaft is arranged so as to be along the operation direction of the movable member.
The movable member is converted into the first state and the second state by a reciprocating movement of a driving shaft of the latching solenoid, and the state after the conversion is maintained. Game machines. In the first state and the second state, the movable member waits in the first flow path and the second flow path while the state is maintained, the first ball holding section, and the second the gaming machine according to claim 2 in which the pressure of the game ball held in the ball holding portion is characterized by being configured so as to act in a direction to move next time.

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