JP4895709B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is a pachinko game comprising a ball feed member capable of supplying game balls one by one to a ball launch position, and a ball feed flow channel capable of flowing down in a state where game balls are aligned toward the ball feed member side. It relates to gaming machines such as machines.

  In a conventional gaming machine, for example, a pachinko gaming machine, a prize ball discharged from a ball discharge device or a game ball as a rental ball is stored in a storage tray, and the game ball in the storage tray is stored in a ball launch position of the launching device. Are supplied one by one, and based on the operation of the launch operation handle, the game ball at the ball launch position is shot with a hitting ball launcher and fired toward the game area. In addition, between the storage tray and the ball launching position, a ball feed flow path (alignment rod) for flowing down the game balls in a line and a game ball flowing down the ball feed flow path one by one And a ball feeding member (ball feeding device) that can be supplied to the firing position.

And in the pachinko gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, the output value of the firing drive source is adjusted by operating the resistance value of the variable resistor by the turning lever of the firing operation handle, and the player's desired output is adjusted based on this output. It is configured so that a game ball can be ejected (launched) with a resilient force. The ball feed member is connected to a ball feed drive source that is separate from the launch drive source, and the ball feed drive source is driven at a predetermined timing to supply the game ball to the ball launch position to launch the game ball. Configured to make preparations. In addition, if the firing operation handle and the firing device are electrically connected via the variable resistor and the firing drive source, the degree of freedom in the layout of the firing operation handle and the firing device can be increased. For example, in the pachinko gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 2, the firing operation handle is disposed on one side of the pachinko gaming machine, and the launching device is disposed on the other side of the pachinko gaming machine.
JP-A-5-123434 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-194881

  By the way, since the pachinko gaming machine of the above-mentioned patent document has a launch drive source and a ball feed drive source separately, the number of parts and control system of the pachinko gaming machine are reduced, and thus the manufacturing cost of the pachinko gaming machine is reduced. Leave room for improvement. Therefore, a ball feed drive source is not provided, and instead, a launch drive source or a hit ball launcher and a ball feed member are connected by a link mechanism, and the ball is driven by the drive force of the launch drive source (or the moving force of the hit ball launcher). It can be considered that the feed member is driven. However, in the state of being indirectly connected to the driving source, the driving force of the ball feeding member tends to be weak, and further, the ball feeding member is driven against the load received from the game ball flowing down the ball feeding flow path. There is a possibility that the ball feeding operation cannot be performed smoothly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the load applied to the ball feeding member by the game ball flowing down the ball feeding flow path, and the driving force of the ball feeding member can be reduced. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can easily perform a ball feeding operation by a ball feeding member even if it is weak.

The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above object. According to the first aspect of the present invention, a ball feeding member capable of supplying game balls one by one to a ball launch position, and a game ball can be stored. A storage reservoir, a meandering flow path rolling down on the flow path floor while meandering the game balls in the storage tray in an aligned state, and a meandering flow communicating with the downstream side of the meandering flow path A ball feed flow path capable of flowing down toward the ball feed member in a state where the game balls flowing down the road are aligned,
The ball feed channel is
A bowl-shaped channel base provided in a rectangular base base extending along the ball feed channel and having a U-shaped cross section; and a channel lid for closing an open portion of the channel base; It is configured to be fixed in a stacked state,
The ball support ridges are inclined downward on both sides of the ball feed channel , and the upper end of the ball support ridge is inclined from the flow path floor of the meandering channel from the radius of the game ball. Is also provided in a state of being positioned at an upper position with a short height difference, and a space between the two ball support ridges is used as a ball fitting space, and the side portions of the game ball are supported in a rollable state on both ball support ridges. The lower part of the game ball is submerged in the ball fitting space, and the side of the game ball rolls in this submerged state so that the game ball flows down while rotating to the ball feeding member side. ,
The downstream end of the ball fitting space is opened toward the ball feed member,
The ball feeding member is located below the downstream end of the ball fitting space, and has a ball holding portion that can hold one game ball and a tip portion that prevents the game ball from flowing down. A state in which the tip portion is retracted from between the downstream end of the ball fitting space and the ball holding portion to receive the game ball from the ball feed channel into the ball holding portion; A state in which the tip portion enters between the downstream end portion of the fitting space portion and the ball holding portion and blocks the game ball from the ball feed flow path, and is configured to be convertible .
The spherical support protrusions project symmetrically from the flow path base and the flow path lid with the spherical fitting space interposed therebetween, and the spherical fitting space is directed to the spherical feed member side. The game machine is characterized in that it is set to a shape that gradually narrows toward the ball support ridge, so that the degree of sinking between the ball support ridges gradually becomes shallower as it approaches the ball feed member .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the ball-supporting ridge portion is formed with an inclined surface on which the side portion of the game ball is placed. .

According to the present invention, the following excellent effects can be obtained.
According to invention of Claim 1, the ball feeding member which can supply a game ball to a ball | bowl launch position one by one, the storage tray which can store a game ball, and the state which arranged the game ball in this storage tray A meandering channel that flows down while meandering, and a ball feeding channel that communicates with the downstream side of the meandering channel and that can flow down toward the ball feeding member in a state where the game balls flowing down the meandering channel are aligned Therefore, the meandering flow path can prevent the ball pressure of the game ball in the storage tray from being applied to the game ball in the ball feed flow path, and consequently the ball feed member. Therefore, the possibility that the ball feeding member is pressed and damaged by the game ball can be suppressed, and the ball feeding operation (supplying operation to the ball launch position) of the game ball can be performed stably.

The ball feed channel includes a bowl-shaped channel base provided in a rectangular base base extending along the ball feed channel and having a U-shaped cross section, and an open portion of the channel base fixedly configured in a laminated state and the flow path cover portion for closing the a state in which the spherical support ridges and inclined downward toward the downstream side on both sides of the ball feed passage, and the spherical support ridges The upper end of the slope is positioned above the meandering flow path floor surface with a height difference shorter than the radius of the game ball, and the space between both ball support ridges is a ball fitting space portion. The side of the game ball is supported by the support protrusion in a state where it can roll, and the lower part of the game ball is submerged in the ball fitting space, and the side of the game ball rolls in this submerged state. since game ball is configured to flow down while rotating to the ball feeding member side, as compared with the case in which flows down rolling on the bottom surface of the sphere feed passage game by It is possible to suppress the falling urging small. Therefore, the load applied to the ball feeding member by the game ball flowing down the ball feeding flow path can be reduced, and even when the driving force of the ball feeding member is weak, the ball feeding operation by the ball feeding member is smoothly performed. easy. Furthermore, since the downstream end of the ball fitting space is opened toward the ball feeding member, the game ball flowing down the ball feeding flow path is caught in the ball fitting space and the ball is stopped. The game ball can be smoothly supplied to the ball feeding member.

The sphere support ridges project symmetrically from the flow path base and the flow path lid with the sphere fitting space interposed therebetween, and gradually turn the sphere fitting space toward the ball feeding member. Since the shape of the game ball is set to be narrowed so that the degree of sinking between the ball support ridges gradually becomes shallower as it approaches the ball feed member, the side of the game ball that contacts the ball support ridges It can be set so that the distance between the portion and the rotation center of the game ball, that is, the rolling radius of the game ball gradually increases as it approaches the ball feed member. Therefore, it is easy to adjust the flow rate of the game ball at the upstream side and the downstream side of the ball feed flow path so that the game balls flow down in the ball feed flow path with a space in the front and rear direction. Therefore, the game ball can be smoothly flowed down to the ball feeding member, and it is easy to supply the game ball to the ball launch position without delay.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the mounting portion for mounting the side portion of the game ball is formed with an inclined surface among the ball supporting ridge portions, the mounting portion is formed with a corner portion. In comparison, damage such as wear of the mounting portion can be suppressed. Therefore, it is easy to roll the game ball in the ball feed flow path more smoothly, and it is difficult to adversely affect the supply of the game ball to the ball launch position.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a pachinko gaming machine as a typical gaming machine as an example. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pachinko gaming machine with a transparent member holding frame and a storage tray unit opened.
A pachinko gaming machine 1 has a front frame (inner frame) 3 pivotally attached to an outer frame (machine frame or main body frame) 2 so that the front frame 3 can be opened and closed. A game board 5 having a shape can be stored, and a partition member (side case) 7 is disposed on the surface of the game board 5 to form a substantially circular game area 8, and a display device, An accessory (not shown) such as a prize opening is provided. Further, on the front side of the front frame 3, a transparent member holding frame 9 having one side (left side in FIG. 1) attached thereto is provided so as to be openable and closable (turnable), and can be seen through the transparent member holding frame 9. When the transparent member 10 is accommodated and a vertical launch guide path 12 for guiding the game ball into the game area 8 is formed on the back side of the transparent member holding frame 9, and the transparent member holding frame 9 is closed, The board 5 is covered with the transparent member holding frame 9, and the transparent member 10 is arranged in front of the game area 8 so that the game area 8 can be seen from the front through the transparent member 10. Further, below the transparent member holding frame 9, a horizontally long storage tray unit 14 having one side (left side in FIG. 1) is pivotally mounted so that it can be opened and closed (rotated). On the right side in FIG. 1, a firing operation unit (launching operation handle) 18 for operating a launching device 17 described later is provided.

  The front frame body 4 is a synthetic resin frame body having a rectangular opening portion opened upward, and includes a frame-like game board storage portion 23 at the periphery of the opening portion, and the game board in the game board storage portion 23. 5 is configured to be stored in a detachable state. Also, a board portion 24 is provided below the game board storage portion 23, a game board placement portion (not shown) is provided at the upper end of the board portion 24, and the lower end of the game board 5 is placed on the game board placement portion. By being placed, the position of the game board 5 in the vertical direction can be regulated. Further, on the upper part of the board part 24 on the front side (to the left in FIG. 2), a prize ball or a rental ball supplied from a ball discharge device (not shown) on the back side of the front frame body 4 is provided. A ball outlet 29 for discharging the game ball to the storage tray unit 14 is provided. And, at the position near the other side of the board portion 24 (rightward in FIG. 2), that is, near the firing operation unit 18, a lock engagement receiving portion 30 capable of engaging the free end portion of the storage tray unit 14 is provided, The free end portion of the storage tray unit 14 is locked to the lock engagement receiving portion 30 so that the storage tray unit 14 can be kept closed with respect to the front frame body 4.

  The storage tray unit 14 is a unit for storing game balls, ejecting the stored game balls, and firing them to the game area 8 of the game board 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the storage tray unit 14 includes a horizontally long base panel (opening / closing member) 31, and the base panel 31 is attached to one end of the base panel 31 (the right end in FIG. 3B). A shaft attachment portion (hinge portion) 31a that is attached to the front frame body 4 so as to be openable and closable is disposed, and a lock engagement receiving portion 30 is provided on the other side portion (left side portion in FIG. 3B). The lock latching part 31b which can be latched on is arranged. Further, on the front side of the base panel 31, a dish member 33 (corresponding to a storage dish in the present invention) capable of storing game balls, and a cover member that covers the front side of the dish member 33 and the entire front side of the base panel 31. 34. Further, on the rear surface side of the base panel 31, a game ball (prize ball or rental ball) discharged from the ball discharge port 29, or a launch guide 17 that is launched from the launch device 17 but does not reach the game area 8. Is connected to a downstream ball flow ball 35 that flows down the game ball (foul ball) that has flowed backward, and a downstream end (left end in FIG. 3B) of the ball flow ball 35, and flows down the ball flow ball 35 A ball removing mechanism 36 for extracting the game ball to the lower side of the storage tray unit 14 and a launching device 17 for firing the game ball stored in the tray member 33 toward the game area 8 are arranged. Then, a large base opening 31d having a substantially rectangular shape is opened near the shaft mounting portion 31a of the base panel 31 (to the right in FIG. 3B), and a portion of the back side of the cover member 34 facing the base opening 31d is formed. A box-shaped launch support portion 34a with the rear opened is formed (see FIG. 4), and the launch device 17 is supported on the launch support portion 34a in a state where its front side portion is loosely fitted to the base opening 31d.

  In addition, the upstream part (the right side part in FIG. 3 (b)) of the ball flow lower rod 35 is disposed above the launching device 17, and the front-rear width of the upstream part is set wider than the front-rear width of the downstream part. A substantially box-shaped ball receiving portion 37 is formed, and a ball receiving opening 37a is opened at the rear portion of the ball receiving portion 37. The ball receiving opening 37a and the ball discharge port 29 communicate with each other. The outlet 29 is configured to communicate with the outlet 29. Further, the upper part of the ball receiving part 37 is opened to communicate with the lower end of the firing guide path 12, and the foul ball that has flowed back through the firing guide path 12 is received by the ball receiving part 37. Furthermore, a launch connection path 38 that communicates (connects) the launch device 17 and the launch guide path 12 is disposed at the bottom of the ball receiving portion 37 so as to penetrate vertically.

  The ball removal mechanism 36 pushes out a ball removal operation unit (ball removal button) 39 provided in the central portion of the cover member 34 to extract the game balls in the ball lowering basket 35 from the storage tray unit 14. It is configured so that it can be converted into an extraction state that permits this and an extraction restriction state that restricts extraction from the storage tray unit 14.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), a flow-down opening 31c penetrating in the front-rear direction is opened in a portion of the upper side of the base panel 31 that is closer to the lock locking portion 31b (rightward in FIG. 3 (a)). The ball drip bar 35 is set in a state of being inclined downward toward the free end of the base panel 31, in other words, in a state of being inclined downward from the front of the ball discharge port 29 toward the flow opening 31c, and the dish member is set via the flow opening 31c. The inner side of 33 (specifically, the upper part of the inner side of the dish member 33) and the downstream end of the ball flow lower bar 35 are communicated. Further, the bottom surface of the dish member 33 is set to be inclined downward from the flow opening 31c toward the base opening 31d, the portion of the launching device 17 facing forward from the base opening 31d, and the inside of the dish member 33 (in detail). Is in communication with the lower part inside the dish member 33. Accordingly, the storage tray unit 14 is configured to supply the game ball (prize ball or rental ball) discharged from the ball discharge port 29 to the launching device 17 through the ball flow lowering basket 35, the flow opening 31c, and the plate member 33. ing. As shown in FIG. 4, the dish member 33 forms a spherical alignment portion 33 a by forming a downstream portion communicating with the launching device 17 into a gradually narrowed shape, and the dish alignment member 33 a is formed by the spherical alignment portion 33 a. The game balls are arranged in a line at the downstream side (right side in FIG. 4), that is, in the vicinity of the communication portion with the launching device 17, and can be supplied to the launching device 17 in this aligned state.

Next, the launcher 17 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, the launching device 17 ejects a game ball supplied to the launching device 17 to the launching base 40 that is the base of the launching device 17 by a turning operation (swinging operation). A striking ball launcher (launching member) 41, a rotation drive source (swinging drive source) such as a rotary solenoid 42 for driving the hit ball launcher 41, and a rotation restricting unit that regulates the rotation range of the hit ball launcher 41. 43, a knock member 44 that can collide with the rotation restricting portion 43 and generate a striking force, and a link mechanism 45 that interlocks the hitting ball launcher 41, the knock member 44, etc. The main body 4 is disposed so as to face the board portion 24.

  The launch base 40 is a member for attaching the launch device 17 to the base panel 31 and is formed in a substantially box shape with the rear and upper sides open, and inside thereof a hitting ball launcher 41, a rotation restricting portion 43, a knock member. 44 and the link mechanism 45 are accommodated. Further, engaging projections 46 are projected from the four corners of the firing base 40 toward the rear front frame body 4, and the engaging projections 46 are engaged with engagement receiving portions 47 provided on the board portion 24. The launcher 17 can be positioned in front of the front frame body 4. Furthermore, a rectangular base base 48 is provided on the front side of the firing base 40, and a rotary solenoid 42 is disposed on the front side of the base base 48 (see FIG. 6A). (Dynamic axis) 49 passes through a position higher than the central portion of the base base 48 and protrudes rearward. A hitting ball launching rod 41 (described later) is attached to the tip (rear end) of the firing rotation shaft 49. Yes. A ball feed flow path (alignment path) 50 that can flow down in a state where the game balls are aligned in one row is disposed on one side of the rear surface side of the base base 48 above the projecting portion of the firing rotation shaft 49 (on one side). It arrange | positions with the attitude | position inclined down to the right side in Fig.5 (a). Furthermore, the upstream end (the left end portion in FIG. 5A) of the ball feed flow path 50 is provided with a through flow path 51 penetrating the base base portion 48 in the front-rear direction so as to communicate with the ball feed flow path 50. Yes. Then, the front end portion of the through channel 51 protrudes forward from the base opening 31d and is connected to the inclined lower end of the dish member 33, that is, the lower end portion of the ball aligning portion 33a, and the ball aligning portion 33a, the through flow channel 51 and the ball A crank-shaped meandering channel 52 is formed in the upstream portion of the feed channel 50, and the game balls in the dish member 33 are caused to flow down while meandering in an aligned state via the meandering channel 52. 50 (see FIG. 4).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the downstream portion (the right side portion in FIG. 7A) of the ball feed flow path 50 is bent downward, and the ball feed member 53 is rotatably arranged at this bent portion. Thus, the game ball in the ball feed channel 50 is configured to flow down toward the ball feed member 53 side. Further, on the side of the downstream end of the ball feed channel 50 (on the right side in FIG. 7A), a bullet ball holding portion 54 capable of holding one game ball supplied from the ball feed channel 50. , And an arrangement space portion of a game ball held by the bullet ball holding unit 54 (that is, a game ball shot by the hitting ball launcher 41) is set as a ball launch position 55. Then, the lower part of the bullet ball holding portion 54 is opened so that a part of the hit ball launching rod 41 described later can enter the ball launch position 55 from below, and above the bullet ball holding portion 54 and the ball launch position 55. Is provided with a launch communication path 56 that allows the lower end of the launch connection path 38 and the ball launch position 55 to communicate with each other in a vertical direction, and a game ball is held from the launch position 55 through the launch communication path 56 and the launch connection path 38 to hold a transparent member. It is configured to be able to fly to the launch guide path 12 of the frame 9.

As shown in FIG. 6 (b), the ball feed channel 50 is provided in a rectangular base base 48 extending along the ball feed channel 50, and is opened in a cross-sectional direction opened rearward. A bowl-shaped channel base 50a having a letter-like shape and a channel lid 50b that closes an open portion of the channel base 50a from the rear are fixed in a stacked manner in the front-rear direction. In addition, on both the front and rear sides of the ball feed channel 50, the linear ball support ridges 57 are inclined along the tilt direction of the ball feed channel 50, that is, descending downward toward the downstream side of the ball feed channel 50. And a state in which the upper end of the slope of the ball supporting protrusion 57 is located above the flow path floor surface 52a of the meandering flow path 52 with a height difference shorter than the radius of the game ball (see FIG. 9). ing. Specifically, the first sphere support protrusion 57a is arranged on the inner side of the ball feed channel 50 from the portion located on the upstream side of the ball feed member 53 on the base base 48 side (that is, the front side) of the channel base 50a. (That is, rearward) (see FIG. 5 (a)), and the second ball support protrusion 57b from the portion located on the upstream side of the ball feed member 53 on the front surface side of the flow path lid 50b. Projecting toward the inside (that is, the front side) of the ball feed channel 50 (see FIG. 5B). Then, the first sphere support protrusion 57a and the second sphere support protrusion 57b are inclined downward toward one side of the base base 48 (right side in FIG. 5A) at the same inclination angle as the ball feed flow path 50. The posture is set. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, a space between the first sphere support protrusion 57a and the second sphere support protrusion 57b is a sphere fitting space 58, and the width of the sphere fitting space 58, that is, the first The interval between the ball support protrusion 57a and the second ball support protrusion 57b is set to be slightly narrower than the diameter of a game ball (specifically, a normal-size game ball that is not an illegal small-diameter ball). Therefore, the ball feed flow path 50 supports the front side portion of the game ball on the first ball support ridge portion 57a and supports the rear side portion on the second ball support ridge portion 57b. By rolling the side of the game ball onto the ball support ridge 57 while the lower part of the game ball is submerged in the ball fitting space 58, the game ball is rotated toward the ball feed member 53 while rotating. (See FIG. 6B). In addition, the ball support protrusion 57 forms a mounting portion (contact portion) 57c with which a side portion of the game ball contacts with an inclined surface extending in the tangential direction of the game ball, and the game ball supports the ball. It is comprised so that it may not catch on the corner | angular part of the protrusion 57. FIG. Furthermore, the downstream end (right end in FIG. 4) of the ball fitting space 58 is opened toward the ball feed member 53, specifically, directly above the ball feed member 53. The flow-down state (behavior) of the game ball in the ball feed channel 50 will be described later in detail.

Further, the ball feeding member 53 is a member for supplying the game balls flowing down the ball feeding flow path 50 one by one to the ball launching position 55, and as shown in FIG. A ball holding portion (notch portion) 60 that can be pivotally attached to the base base portion 48 and the rear flow passage lid portion 50b and can hold one game ball above the ball feed shaft 59 is formed. Yes. Then, when the sphere holding portion 60 is opened toward the upstream side of the bent portion by rotating counterclockwise around the sphere feed shaft 59 as viewed from the rear (see FIG. 7B), the sphere holding portion. In a state where one game ball is held at 60, the ball feed flow path 50 is shut off, and the supply to the ball launch position 55 is stopped (ball supply stop state). On the other hand, when the ball holder 60 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the rear and opened to the downstream side of the bent portion (see FIG. 7A), only the game balls held by the ball holder 60 are played. The ball flows down to the downstream end of the feed flow path 50 and is supplied to the ball launch position 55. The flow of the game ball arranged on the upstream side of the bent portion is the tip of the ball feed member 53 (more specifically, the ball feed member 53 Is converted into a state (a sphere supply state) that is blocked by the downstream end portion of the sphere fitting space 58 and the tip portion that has entered between the sphere holding portion 60 .

  As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 7, the hitting ball launching rod 41 has a longitudinal projection 62 that is fixed to the launch rotation shaft 49 of the rotary solenoid 42 from the ball launching position 55 side (see FIG. 5). 7 (a), right side) and is extended in a slightly bent state, and a projecting portion 63 for projecting a game ball is projected to the ball launching position 55 side (right side) at the tip of the collar portion 62. is doing. Then, a first operation for moving (turning) the bullet portion 63 toward the ball launch position 55 and a second operation for moving away from the ball launch position 55 are performed with the launch pivot shaft 49 as the swing center. It is configured to swing. More specifically, when the rotary solenoid 42 is driven (excited) and the firing rotation shaft 49 is rotated in the rotation direction A shown in FIG. The emitting unit 63 is made to enter the inside of the bullet ball holding unit 54 from below, and the game ball held on the bullet ball holding unit 54 is converted into a bullet state in which the ball is bulleted upward (see FIG. 7B). . On the other hand, if the driving of the rotary solenoid 42 is stopped (ie, demagnetized) and the firing rotation shaft 49 is rotated in the rotational direction B shown in FIG. 63 is moved below the ball launch position 55 and the bullet ball holding part 54 to change the hook 62 to a vertical posture, and is converted into a bullet ready state for bulleting the next game ball (FIG. 7 ( a)). Further, a launch stopper 64 capable of colliding with a rotation restricting portion 43 described later is extended on the opposite side of the hook 62 from the hitting ball launcher 41 with the pivoting portion (launch turning shaft 49) interposed therebetween. Projecting in a direction different from the installation direction (direction bent from the extending direction of the flange portion 62 in a “h” shape), and engaging the firing stopper 64 and the flange portion 62 with the rotation restricting portion 43 The rotation range of the hit ball launcher 41 is regulated. The restricted state of the rotation range of the hit ball launcher 41 will be described in detail later.

  The rotation restricting portion 43 is a thick cylindrical member for restricting the rotation range (in other words, the rotation operation) of the hitting ball launching rod 41 by colliding with the hitting ball launching rod 41 and absorbing the impact. It is formed of an easy material, for example, an elastic body such as a rubber material. Further, it is disposed in a state of being held by the holder portion 67 at a portion located between the rotation range of the collar portion 62 and the rotation range of the firing stopper 64 on the rear surface side of the base base portion 48. Then, the distance between the central axis of the rotation restricting portion 43 and the firing rotation shaft 49 is set to be shorter than the extending length of the flange portion 62 and the extending length of the firing stopper 64, so that the flange portion 62 and the firing stopper 64 are It is comprised so that it can engage with the outer peripheral part of the rotation control part 43. FIG. Further, a restriction cover 70 (see FIG. 5) is fastened to the rear end of the holder part 67 holding the rotation restriction part 43 so as to prevent the rotation restriction part 43 from dropping backward from the holder part 67. It is configured.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the outer periphery of the rotation restricting portion 43 includes a launch collision area 72 where the hitting ball launcher 41 can collide and a knock collision area 73 where the knock member 44 can collide. . The launch collision area 72 is set from the outer peripheral portion of the rotation restricting portion 43 to the portion facing the hitting ball launcher 41, specifically, from the upper portion of the outer peripheral portion to the ball launch position 55 side (right side in FIG. 8). The launch stopper 64 can collide with the upper part of the launch collision area 72, and the collar 62 can collide with the part on the ball launch position 55 side (right side) of the launch collision area 72. On the other hand, the knock collision area 73 is a portion facing the knock member 44 in the outer peripheral portion of the rotation restricting portion 43, specifically, the side opposite to the ball launch position 55 from the lower portion of the outer peripheral portion (left side in FIG. 8). The first knock part 78 which is a part of the knock member 44 can collide with the lower part of the knock collision area 73 and is opposite to the ball firing position 55 of the knock collision area 73 (left side). The second knock portion 80 which is a part of the knock member 44 can collide with the portion).

  The knock member 44 is a member that can collide with the rotation restricting portion 43 and generate a striking force, and is disposed on the opposite side of the hitting ball launcher 41 with the rotation restricting portion 43 interposed therebetween. More specifically, the knock rotation shaft 84 serving as the rotation center of the knock member 44 is rearward from the opposite side of the firing rotation shaft 49 with the rotation restricting portion 43 in the rear surface side of the base base 48. And is pivotally attached to the knock rotation shaft 84 in a rotatable state. Further, a first knock portion 78 is extended from the axially attached portion that is axially attached to the knock rotating shaft 84 toward the ball launch position 55 side (right side in FIG. 7A). A second knocking portion 80 that is shorter than the flange portion 62 extends upward on the opposite side of the first knocking portion 78 across the moving shaft 84). The extension length of the first knock portion 78 and the extension length of the second knock portion 80 are set to be shorter than the distance between the knock rotation shaft 84 and the central axis of the rotation restricting portion 43, and the first knock The portion 78 and the second knock portion 80 are configured in a substantially L shape so that the outer peripheral portion of the rotation restricting portion 43 can be engaged. The lower end of the restriction cover 70 is fixed to the rear end of the knock rotation shaft 84 on which the knock member 44 is attached, and the restriction cover 70 prevents the knock member 44 from dropping off from the knock rotation shaft 84. Yes.

  The link mechanism 45 is a mechanism for interlocking the hitting ball launcher 41, the knock member 44, and the ball feed member 53. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 7, the hitting ball launcher 41 and the knock member 44 are connected to each other. It comprises a knock link portion 88 to be interlocked, and a ball feed link portion 89 for interlocking the hitting ball launcher 41 and the ball feed member 53. The knock link portion 88 connects the first link member 90 provided on the hitting ball launcher 41, the second link member 91 provided on the knock member 44, and the first link member 90 and the second link member 91. And a link arm 92. More specifically, one end (upper end) of the link arm 92 is located at a position of the first link member 90 deviated from the firing rotation shaft 49 to the side opposite to the rotation restricting portion 43 (right side in FIG. 7A). ) In a freely pivotable manner, and the other end of the link arm 92 is located at a position disengaged from the knock pivot shaft 84 to the rotation restricting portion 43 side (right side in FIG. 7A) of the second link member 91. The first link member 90 and the second link member 91 are connected to each other via a link arm 92 with the lower end pivotally attached thereto. Accordingly, the knock member 44 is configured to rotate (swing) about the knock rotation shaft 84 in conjunction with the rotation (swing) of the hitting ball launcher 41.

  The ball feed link portion 89 includes a vertically long cam groove portion 98 provided on the ball feed member 53 side (right side in FIG. 7A) of the first link member 90 and a ball feed shaft 59 of the ball feed member 53. And a cam follower 99 provided on the opposite side of the ball holding portion 60. The cam follower 99 is formed by a cylindrical rotating roller extending rearward, and rolls in a state where the cam follower 99 is fitted in the cam groove portion 98, whereby the hitting ball launcher 41 and the ball feed member 53 are rolled. It is configured to work with.

Next, the operation of the launching device 17 will be described. It is assumed that game balls are arranged in advance in the ball launch position 55 and the ball feed flow path 50.
First, in the normal state in which the driving of the rotary solenoid 42 is stopped, the launching device 17 sets the hitting ball launching rod 41 to the bullet ready state by its own weight as shown in FIG. It contacts the launch collision area 72 of the restricting portion 43. Further, the knock member 44 connected to the hitting ball launcher 41 via the knock link portion 88 is in a state where the second knock portion 80 is set in the vertical orientation and is in contact with the knock collision region 73 of the rotation restricting portion 43. Set to (second knock state). Further, the cam follower 99 is fitted to the upper portion of the cam groove portion 98 to maintain the ball feeding member 53 in a ball supply state (a state in which the ball holding portion 60 faces the ball firing position 55 side). Stop movement.

  When the rotary solenoid 42 is driven from this state and the hitting ball launcher 41 performs the first action (that is, the action of moving the bulleting part 63 toward the ball launching position 55), the link arm 92 of the knock link part 88 hits the ball. The turning force generated by the first operation of the launcher 41 is transmitted to the knock member 44. Then, in the knock member 44, the first knock portion 78 approaches the knock collision region 73 of the rotation restricting portion 43 and the second knock portion 80 moves away from the knock collision region 73 by this transmission force, that is, FIG. Is rotated in the direction of arrow C (first knock rotation operation). Further, the cam groove portion 98 of the ball feed link portion 89 rises to guide the cam follower 99, and the ball feed member 53 is rotated by this guidance to change from the ball supply state to the ball supply stopped state (the ball feed portion 60 flows through the ball feed portion 60). In a state toward the upstream side of the road 50). Then, the ball feeding member 53 holds one game ball that has flowed down from the ball feeding channel 50 in the ball holding unit 60, and the game balls in the ball feeding channel 50 and the ball holding unit 60 are released in this holding state. Blocking to position 55 is prevented. Then, in this holding state, the ball feeding member 53 does not move even if the hitting ball launcher 41 is further rotated thereafter. Therefore, the load of the ball feeding member 53 on the hitting ball launcher 41 is reduced, and the angular velocity of the hitting ball launcher 41 thereafter increases due to the reduction of this load.

When the ball feeding member 53 holds the game ball in the ball holding portion 60, the game ball in the ball feeding flow path 50 flows down by one game ball toward the downstream ball feeding member 53 side. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6B and FIG. 9, the side of the game ball flowing down the ball feed channel 50 is the first ball support protrusion 57a and the second ball support protrusion 57b. It is supported and flows down while rotating in this supported state. Specifically, the upper part of the game ball moves to the ball feed member 53 side (downstream side of the ball feed flow path 50), and the lower part moves to the through flow path 51 side (upstream side of the ball feed flow path 50). Rotate in state. Then, in the upstream portion of the ball feed channel 50, the ball has been rolled on the channel floor (specifically, on the channel floor 52a of the meandering channel 52) and supported at one point at the lower end. The game ball rolls in a state where the side portions of the game ball are supported by the left and right ball support protrusions 57, respectively. Therefore, when the game ball flows down from the upstream side of the ball support protrusion 57 to the ball support protrusion 57, the distance between the place where the game ball is supported and the rotation center of the game ball, that is, the The rolling radius R is reduced. Further, since the game ball is supported at two points by the both ball support protrusions 57, the frictional force received by the game ball is larger than when it is supported at the lower one point. For this reason, the rolling speed (flowing speed) of the game ball is slowed down, and the rotation speed of the game ball, specifically, the rotation speed of the game ball that rotates while flowing down the unit distance increases. From this, it is possible to suppress the downflow force of the game ball as compared with the case of rolling down and flowing down on the bottom surface of the ball feed channel 50. Therefore, the load applied to the ball feeding member 53 by the game ball flowing down the ball feeding channel 50 can be reduced, and even when the driving force of the ball feeding member 53 is weak, the ball feeding operation by the ball feeding member 53 is performed. It is easy to perform smoothly.

  Further, since the downstream end of the ball fitting space 58 is opened toward the ball feeding member 53, a member that prevents the game ball from flowing down to the downstream of the ball fitting space 58, for example, a game A member that can contact the bottom of the sphere is not arranged. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that the game ball flowing down the ball feed flow path 50 is caught on the downstream side of the ball fitting space 58 and the ball is stopped. Thereby, the game ball that has flowed down the ball feed channel 50 can be smoothly supplied to the ball feed member 53.

  Furthermore, since the mounting portions 57c of the both-ball supporting protrusions 57 are formed with inclined surfaces, damage such as wear of the mounting portions 57c is suppressed as compared with the case where the mounting portions 57c are formed with corners. can do. Therefore, it is easy to roll the game ball in the ball feed passage 50 more smoothly, and it is difficult to adversely affect the supply of the game ball to the ball launch position 55.

  When the hitting ball launcher 41 continues to perform the first operation to cause the bulleting unit 63 to enter the ball launching position 55, the bulleting unit 63 collides with the game ball placed at the ball launching position 55. The game ball collided (bounced) by the bullet emitting unit 63 rises in the launch communication path 56 and flies vigorously toward the launch guide path 12 of the transparent member holding frame 9. In this way, the launching device 17 launches a game ball. Further, when the hitting ball launcher 41 continues the first operation, as shown in FIG. 7B, the launch stopper 64 collides with the launch collision area 72 of the rotation restricting portion 43, and the first action of the hitting ball launching rod 41 is changed. Be regulated. At the same time or substantially simultaneously with the collision, the knock member 44 that has been performing the first knock rotation operation collides the first knock portion 78 with the knock collision region 73 of the rotation restricting portion 43 to generate a striking force. As a result, the launching device 17 collides the first knocking portion 78 of the knocking member 44 with the rotation restricting portion 43 from the side opposite to the firing stopper 64 of the hitting ball launching pin 41 and launches the hitting ball by the knocking force of the knocking member 44. The vibration generated by the collision between the flange 41 and the rotation restricting portion 43 is attenuated. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a problem that the storage tray unit 14 regularly vibrates based on the launching operation of the hitting ball launcher 41. Therefore, even if the player places the hand on the storage tray unit 14 and plays the game in an easy posture, it is possible to suppress the player from feeling the vibration generated from the hitting ball launcher 41. It is possible to suppress the disadvantage that the interest of the game is reduced due to unpleasant feeling.

  If the first operation of the hitting ball launcher 41 is restricted, the rotary solenoid 42 is demagnetized to cause the hitting ball launcher 41 to perform a second operation away from the ball launching position 55 by its own weight (see FIG. 7A). When the hitting ball launcher 41 performs the second operation, the link arm 92 transmits the rotational force generated by the second operation of the hitting ball launcher 41 to the knock member 44. Then, the knock member 44 performs a rotation operation (second knock rotation operation) in which the first knock portion 78 moves away from the rotation restricting portion 43 and the second knock portion 80 approaches the rotation restricting portion 43 by this transmission force. Do. Further, the cam groove portion 98 of the ball feed link portion 89 descends to guide the cam follower 99, and the ball feed member 53 returns from the ball supply stop state to the ball supply state by this guidance. Then, the ball feeding member 53 flows down to the downstream side of the ball feeding flow path 50 and supplies it to the ball launching position 55 with one game ball held when the ball supply is stopped. Thereby, the game ball to be fired next time is arranged at the ball launch position 55 to prepare for launch. Further, the bent portion of the ball feed channel 50 is blocked by a part of the ball feed member 53 (side portion of the ball holding unit 60), and the game ball on the upstream side of the ball feed channel 50 flows down to the ball launch position 55. Stop that.

  Further, when the hitting ball launcher 41 continues the second operation, the hook 62 collides with the launch collision area 72 of the rotation restricting unit 43, and the second operation of the hitting ball launcher 41 is restricted. At the same time or substantially simultaneously with this collision, the knock member 44 that has been performing the second knock rotation operation collides the second knock portion 80 with the knock collision region 73 of the rotation restricting portion 43 to generate a striking force. As a result, the launching device 17 collides the second knock portion 80 of the knock member 44 with the rotation restricting portion 43 from the side opposite to the flange portion 62 of the hit ball launching rod 41 and launches the hit ball with the knocking force of the knock member 44. The vibration generated by the collision between the flange 41 and the rotation restricting portion 43 is attenuated. Therefore, in the operation of returning the hitting ball launcher 41 to the bullet ready state, that is, in the preparation stage for launching the game ball, the operation and rotation range of the hitting ball launcher 41 can be restricted, and the operation restriction occurs. Vibration can be damped. As a result, even in the launch preparation operation of the hit ball launcher 41, it is possible to suppress a problem that the storage tray unit 14 vibrates regularly. From this, it can suppress that the player feels the vibration generated from the hitting ball launcher 41 through the storage tray unit 14, and the inconvenience caused by the vibration can be reduced.

  Then, when the plurality of game balls are continuously fired by repeatedly performing the firing operation and the firing preparation operation of the hitting ball launcher 41, the game balls in the dish member 33 are moved to the crank-shaped meandering channel 52 (ball alignment portion 33a, It flows down while meandering through the upstream flow path 51 and the ball feed flow path 50, and flows down on a linear flow path, for example, on the bottom surface of the plate member 33 upstream of the meandering flow path 52. It flows into the ball feed channel 50 at a slower speed. In the state where the game ball is stopped in the meandering flow path 52, the side wall of the meandering flow path 52, specifically, the side wall defining the side of the ball feed member 53 (the right side in FIG. 4) of the through flow path 51 is aligned. The ball pressure of the game ball in the portion 33 a and the ball pressure of the game ball stored in the dish member 33 are received. Therefore, the meandering flow path 52 can suppress the ball pressure of the game ball in the dish member 33 from being applied to the game ball in the ball feed flow path 50, and hence the ball feed member 53. Therefore, the possibility that the ball feeding member 53 is pressed and damaged by the game ball can be suppressed, and the ball feeding operation (supply operation to the ball launch position 55) of the game ball can be stably performed.

By the way, in the said embodiment, although the space | interval of the ball | bowl support protrusion part 57 of the front and back both sides was set irrespective of the place, this invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the front and rear width of the first sphere support ridge 57a gradually widens toward the lower end of the slope, and the front and rear width of the second sphere support ridge 57b gradually increases toward the lower end of the slope. Spreading forward, the first sphere support ridge 57a and the second sphere support ridge 57b are set symmetrically across the fitting space 58, and the interval between the sphere support ridges 57, that is, the first sphere. The interval between the support protrusion 57a and the second ball support protrusion 57b may be set to be gradually narrowed toward the ball feed member 53 that is the downstream side of the ball feed flow path 50. If the ball fitting space 58 into which the lower part of the game ball sinks in this way is narrowed, as shown in FIG. 11, the sinking state of the game ball between the ball support protrusions 57 is changed to the ball feed member 53 side ( In FIG. 11, the distance between the side of the game ball that contacts the ball support protrusion 57 and the center of rotation of the game ball can gradually become shallower (as it approaches the ball feed member 53). In other words, it can be set so that the rolling radius R of the game ball gradually increases as it approaches the ball feed member 53. Therefore, the flow speed of the game ball is made different between the upstream side and the downstream side of the ball feed flow path 50, specifically, the flow speed of the game ball is increased toward the downstream side of the ball feed flow path 50. The game balls can flow down in the ball feed flow path 50 with a space in the front-rear direction. Thus, the game ball can be smoothly flowed down to the ball feeding member 53, and the game ball can be easily supplied to the ball launch position 55 without any delay. Furthermore, since the mounting portions 57c of the both-ball supporting protrusions 57 are formed with inclined surfaces, damage such as wear of the mounting portions 57c is suppressed as compared with the case where the mounting portions 57c are formed with corners. can do. Therefore, it is easy to roll the game ball in the ball feed passage 50 more smoothly, and it is difficult to adversely affect the supply of the game ball to the ball launch position 55.

  In addition, the ball support protrusion 57 in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 adjusts the gradient so that the sinking degree of the game ball between the ball support protrusions 57 moves toward the ball feed member 53. The locus L of the center of rotation (or center of gravity) of the game ball is set so as to incline downward toward the ball feed member 53 even when it gradually becomes shallower. Therefore, there is no possibility that the game ball supported by the ball support protrusion 57 stays in the ball feed channel 50, and it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the ball clogging occurs in the launching device 17.

  By the way, in the said embodiment, although the ball feed flow path 50 and the ball feed member 53 were provided in the discharge device 17, this invention is not limited to this. For example, a ball feeding device is provided separately from the launching device 17, a ball feeding flow path in which a ball support protrusion is arranged in the ball feeding device, and a ball feeding member arranged on the downstream side of the ball feeding flow path And the downstream end of the ball feeding flow path and the ball launching position 55 of the launching device 17 are connected to each other so that game balls can be supplied to the ball launching position 55 one by one from the ball feeding device.

  Moreover, the ball | bowl support protrusion part 57 is not limited to being comprised with a linear protrusion, For example, you may comprise with the protrusion curved to the up-down direction. When supported by the ball support protrusion that is curved in the vertical direction in this way, the downward force of the game ball in the ball feed channel 50 can be changed depending on the location (part or position difference) of the ball feed channel 50. it can. Accordingly, it is easy to set the downward force of the game ball so as to eliminate the occurrence of the ball clogging in the ball feed flow path 50, which is preferable.

  In the above embodiment, a pachinko gaming machine, which is a typical gaming machine, has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a ball feeding member that can supply gaming balls one by one to a ball launching position; Any gaming machine may be used as long as it has a ball feeding flow path that can flow down in a state where the gaming balls are aligned toward the ball feeding member side. For example, it may be a gaming machine such as a sealed ball type pachinko machine, an arrangement ball type game machine, or a sparrow ball type game machine that circulates a game ball sealed inside.

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

It is a perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a perspective view of the pachinko game machine which opened the front side of the front frame. It is explanatory drawing of a storage tray unit, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a rear view. It is XX sectional drawing of the storage tray unit in FIG. (A) is the perspective view seen from the back of the launcher in the state where the channel lid part was removed, and (b) is the perspective view seen from the front of the channel lid part. (A) is YY sectional drawing of the launcher in FIG. 3, (b) is an expanded sectional view of a ball feed flow path. (A) is a rear view of a launching device in which a hitting ball launcher is converted into a bullet ready state, and (b) is a rear view of the launching device in which a hitting ball launcher is converted into a bulleting state. It is an enlarged view of a rotation control part. It is the schematic which shows the behavior of the game ball which flows down the ball | bowl feed flow path. It is sectional drawing seen from the upper direction of the ball | bowl feed flow path in 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the behavior of the game ball which flows down the ball | bowl feed flow path in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 3 Front frame 14 Reservoir unit 17 Launching device 31 Base panel 33 Dish member 33a Ball alignment part 35 Ball lowering basket 40 Launching base 41 Hitting ball launching basket 43 Rotation restriction part 44 Knock member 45 Link mechanism 48 Base base 50 Ball feed channel 50a Channel base 50b Channel lid 51 Through channel 52 Meander channel 53 Ball feed member 55 Ball launch position 57 Ball support ridge 57a First sphere support ridge 57b Second sphere support ridge Part 57c Placement part 58 Ball fitting space part 60 Ball holding part 63 Bounce part 64 Firing stopper 78 First knock part 80 Second knock part

Claims (2)

A ball feeding member that can supply game balls one by one to the ball launching position, a storage tray that can store the game balls, and a game ball in the storage tray that rolls on the channel floor while meandering in an aligned state. a serpentine flow path to flow down by moving, communication with the downstream side of the meandering flow path, a serpentine passage can flow down towards the ball feeding member side in a state of aligning the game ball which has been flowing down the sphere feed channel With
The ball feed channel is
A bowl-shaped channel base provided in a rectangular base base extending along the ball feed channel and having a U-shaped cross section; and a channel lid for closing an open portion of the channel base; It is configured to be fixed in a stacked state,
The ball support ridges are inclined downward on both sides of the ball feed channel , and the upper end of the ball support ridge is inclined from the flow path floor of the meandering channel from the radius of the game ball. Is also provided in a state of being positioned at an upper position with a short height difference, and a space between the two ball support ridges is used as a ball fitting space, and the side portions of the game ball are supported in a rollable state on both ball support ridges. The lower part of the game ball is submerged in the ball fitting space, and the side of the game ball rolls in this submerged state so that the game ball flows down while rotating to the ball feeding member side. ,
The downstream end of the ball fitting space is opened toward the ball feed member,
The ball feeding member is located below the downstream end of the ball fitting space, and has a ball holding portion that can hold one game ball and a tip portion that prevents the game ball from flowing down. A state in which the tip portion is retracted from between the downstream end of the ball fitting space and the ball holding portion to receive the game ball from the ball feed channel into the ball holding portion; A state in which the tip portion enters between the downstream end portion of the fitting space portion and the ball holding portion and blocks the game ball from the ball feed flow path, and is configured to be convertible .
The spherical support protrusions project symmetrically from the flow path base and the flow path lid with the spherical fitting space interposed therebetween, and the spherical fitting space is directed to the spherical feed member side. A game machine characterized in that it is set to a shape that gradually narrows toward the ball, and the sinking degree of the game ball between the ball support protrusions gradually becomes shallower as it approaches the ball feed member . The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball support protrusion is formed with an inclined surface on which a side portion of the game ball is placed.

Images