JP4925482B2 - Ball storage device for gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball storage device for a gaming machine provided with an upper ball tray and a lower ball tray for storing pachinko balls on the upper side and the lower side of the game area.

  In general gaming machines (for example, pachinko machines), a ball launcher is arranged at the lower part of the gaming machine so that the pachinko ball is launched toward the gaming area (game board). A top-launched game that allows the game area to be expanded downward by placing a ball launcher on the top, or that the launch distance of the pachinko ball can be shortened to reduce the size and power consumption of the ball launcher A machine has been proposed.

  As a technique related to this upper launch type gaming machine, as shown in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-23149), an upper ball tray for storing pachinko balls is arranged at the upper front of the gaming machine. A configuration for supplying a pachinko ball from a dish to a ball launcher has been proposed. Further, in this publication, a pachinko ball in a lower ball tray placed at the lower front of the gaming machine (for example, a pachinko ball paid out to the lower ball tray as a prize ball or a rental ball, an overflow from the upper ball plate, A configuration has been proposed in which a lift mechanism is provided that lifts and transfers pachinko balls that have flowed into the upper bowl. As a result, it is possible to save the player from lifting the pachinko ball in the lower ball tray by hand and transferring it to the upper ball tray.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-23149

  By the way, if the upper ball tray is arranged on the upper side of the gaming machine, the position of the upper ball tray becomes higher. Therefore, when the player checks the pachinko ball storage state in the upper ball tray, the player takes a chair. It is necessary to get up and look into the upper ball tray. Also, some players may not be able to look into the upper ball tray even if they stand up from the chair, and may not be able to confirm the storage state of pachinko balls in the upper ball tray.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a ball storage device for a gaming machine that allows a player to easily check the storage state of pachinko balls in an upper ball tray arranged above the game area without standing up from a chair. It is to provide.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to an upper ball dish and a lower ball for storing pachinko balls on the upper side and the lower side of a game area where a pachinko ball launched from a ball launcher rolls. In a ball storage device of a gaming machine provided with a dish, a ball payout device for paying out a prize ball to the lower ball dish by rotation of a sprocket, and a pachinko ball on the lower ball dish based on a player's operation. Ball discharge means for discharging to the ball, discharge ball counting means for counting the number of pachinko balls discharged by the ball discharge means, and supply of the pachinko balls according to the number of pachinko balls discharged by the ball discharge means And a ball replenishing means for replenishing the upper ball tray and replenishing the upper ball tray. The ball dispensing device also serves as the ball replenishing means. Time when ball is paid out The direction is arranged to pay out pachinko balls by rotating in the opposite direction to the supply ball dispensing passage, and awards ball detection sensor for detecting the pachinko ball to be paid out to the lower ball dish as a prize balls, replenishing sphere And a replenishing ball detection sensor for detecting a pachinko ball to be dispensed to the upper ball dish, and the upper ball dish is formed of a transparent member at least at the bottom surface, and stores the pachinko balls in the upper ball dish. It is comprised so that a state can be confirmed seeing from a position below the upper ball tray.

  In this configuration, even if the upper ball tray is arranged above the game area in this way, when the player looks at the storage state of the pachinko balls in the upper ball tray, The storage state of the pachinko balls can be easily confirmed from a position below the upper ball tray, and the player does not have to stand up from the chair.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment (1) of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a back view of the pachinko machine according to the embodiment (1). FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the upper ball tray and its peripheral portion of the embodiment (1). FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper ball tray and its peripheral part of the embodiment (1). FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lower ball tray and its peripheral part of the embodiment (1). FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the upper ball tray and its peripheral portion of the embodiment (2). FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of an upper ball tray and its peripheral portion of a reference example related to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a front view of a pachinko machine of another reference example.

<< Embodiment (1) >>
Hereinafter, an embodiment (1) in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 11, FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 11, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the upper bowl 17 and its peripheral part, and FIG. 4 is an illustration of the upper bowl 17 and its peripheral part. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lower ball tray 19 and its peripheral part.

  First, a schematic configuration of the front side of the pachinko machine 11 (game machine) will be described based on FIG. A game board 13 is attached to the front side of the main body frame 12 of the pachinko machine 11. A game area 15 in which a pachinko ball rolls is defined on the front surface of the game board 13 by rails 14 and the like attached to the front face of the game board 13, and the center area, a prize opening, and a prize are formed in this game area 15. A device or the like (not shown) is provided. In addition, a ball launcher 16 that launches a pachinko ball to the game area 15 is attached to the main body frame 12 at a position corresponding to the upper left part or the left middle part of the game area 15. The ball launcher 16 may be attached to the front surface of the game board 13.

  On the other hand, an upper ball tray 17 for storing pachinko balls is provided above the game area 15, and a ball delivery device 18 is connected to the downstream portion of the upper ball tray 17. This ball delivery device 18 supplies the pachinko balls from the upper ball tray 17 to the ball launching device 16 one by one each time the ball launching device 16 launches the pachinko balls.

  A lower ball tray 19 for storing pachinko balls and a launch operation handle 20 for the ball launcher 16 are provided below the game area 15. Pachinko balls (rental balls) that flow out from the rental ball discharge nozzles 44 of the inter-sphere ball lending machine (not shown) flow into the lower ball tray 19. The pachinko balls in the lower ball tray 19 are discharged out of the apparatus (pachinko ball collecting passage on the pachinko island side) by the ball discharge device 21 (ball discharge means).

  Next, a schematic configuration of the back side of the pachinko machine 11 will be described based on FIG. On the back side of the main body frame 12 of the pachinko machine 11, a mechanism plate 22 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) for assembling the back part is attached. A ball tank 23 to which pachinko balls are supplied from a ball supply passage (not shown) on the pachinko island is provided at the upper back of the mechanism plate 22, and is supplied from the ball tank 23 to a downstream portion of the ball tank 23. A ball dispensing device 24 for dispensing the pachinko balls is connected. A ball payout passage 25 is connected between the ball payout device 24 and the upper ball tray 17, and pachinko balls (award balls or supply balls to be described later) discharged from the ball payout device 24 pass through the ball payout passage 25. It flows down and flows into the upper ball tray 17.

  In addition, an overflow passage 26 is connected between the ball payout passage 25 and the lower ball tray 19, and the ball payout device 24 pays out when the amount of pachinko balls stored in the upper ball tray 17 is full. The pachinko balls thus made flow down the overflow passage 26 and flow into the lower ball tray 19. Further, a ball removal passage 27 is connected between the downstream portion of the upper bowl 17 and the lower bowl 19, and when the ball removal member (not shown) is operated to the ball removal position, the upper bowl is The pachinko balls in 17 flow down the ball passage 27 and flow into the lower ball tray 19.

  Next, the structure of the upper bowl 17 and its peripheral part is demonstrated using FIG.3 and FIG.4. As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom surface 23a of the sphere tank 23 is narrowed as the flow path width of the downstream part goes downstream, and the rectifying flow path 28 that causes the pachinko spheres to flow down while being aligned in a row at the most downstream part. Is provided. A ball supply port 29 of the ball dispensing device 24 is connected to the outlet of the rectifying channel 28. The ball dispensing device 24 is arranged on the side of the ball supply port 29 so that the sprocket 30 rotates in the horizontal direction. A plurality of (for example, three) concave portions 31 for receiving pachinko balls are formed at equal intervals on the outer periphery of the sprocket 30, and convex portions 32 that support the pachinko balls of the ball supply port 29 are formed between the concave portions 31. Yes. A stepping motor (not shown) for driving the sprocket 30 is disposed below (or above) the sprocket 30, and the sprocket 30 is coupled to a rotation shaft 33 of the stepping motor.

  On the right side of the sprocket 30, a prize ball payout passage 34 extending from the ball supply port 29 to the front of the pachinko machine 11 is provided. Further, a curved passage 35 extending along the rotation direction of the sprocket 30 from the ball supply port 29 is provided at the rear of the sprocket 30, and a supply ball discharge passage extending forward from the curved passage 35 is provided on the left side of the sprocket 30. 36 is provided.

  When the ball dispensing device 24 is stopped, the sprocket 30 is stopped at a predetermined stop position. At this time, the sprocket 30 supports the pachinko ball with the convex portion 32 facing the ball supply port 29. Alternatively, the recess 31 faces the ball supply port 29 and receives and supports the pachinko ball received in the recess 31.

  And when paying out the pachinko ball supplied from the ball tank 23 as a prize ball, the stepping motor is rotated forward to rotate the sprocket 30 in the forward rotation direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 3). Thus, every time the concave portion 31 faces the ball supply port 29, the pachinko ball is received in the concave portion 31, and the pachinko ball (prize ball) is caused to flow down to the prize ball payout passage 34 on the right side of the sprocket 30.

  Further, when the pachinko balls in the lower ball tray 19 are discharged out of the apparatus by the ball discharge device 21, a ball dispensing device as a supply means for supplying the same number of pachinko balls as the discharged pachinko balls to the upper ball tray 17. 24, that is, when paying out the pachinko balls supplied from the ball tank 23 as supply balls, the stepping motor is rotated in the reverse direction to rotate the sprocket 30 in the reverse rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 3). Rotate. Thus, every time the recess 31 faces the ball supply port 29, the pachinko ball is received in the recess 31, and the pachinko ball (supply ball) is caused to flow down to the supply ball discharge channel 36 on the left side of the sprocket 30.

  The prize ball payout flow path 34 is provided with a prize ball detection sensor 37 for detecting a prize ball paid out from the sprocket 30, and the supply ball payout flow path 36 is a supply ball detection for detecting a supply ball discharged from the sprocket 30. A sensor 38 is provided. A common ball payout passage 25 is provided in front of the prize ball payout flow path 34 and the supply ball payout flow path 36 of the ball payout device 24. The ball payout passage 25 is formed so as to widen from the front of the prize ball payout flow path 34 to the front of the supply ball payout flow path 36.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ball dispensing passage 25 is formed so as to incline downward toward the upper ball tray 17, and an inlet hole 26 a of the overflow passage 26 is formed above the most upstream portion. As a result, when the amount of the pachinko balls stored in the upper ball tray 17 is small, the pachinko balls (supplemented balls and prize balls) paid out from the ball payout device 24 are passed through the overflow passage 26 as indicated by the solid arrow A. When the pachinko ball jumps over the inlet hole 26a and flows down to the upper ball tray 17, the pachinko ball in the upper ball tray 17 is full and the pachinko ball is stored up to the most upstream portion of the ball discharge passage 25. As shown by B, the pachinko ball paid out from the ball paying device 24 falls from the inlet hole 26 a of the overflow passage 26.

  Further, the upper ball tray 17 is formed of a translucent member having at least a bottom surface 17a, and the upper ball plate 17 is stored in a state where a player sits on a chair while the pachinko balls are stored in the upper ball tray 17. It can be seen from below. Further, a decorative illumination device 39 (illumination means) is provided on the front surface of the upper ball tray 17. The illumination device 39 is provided with a translucent or transparent decorative cover 40 on the surface side, and on the back side of the decorative cover 40, a light-emitting body 41 such as a lamp or LED is assembled to a wiring board 42 or the like. ing.

  Next, the structure of the lower ball tray 19 and its peripheral part will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a ball storage portion 43 for storing pachinko balls is formed on the right side of the lower ball tray 19, and a ball rental discharge nozzle of the intermediary ball rental machine is formed on the left side of the lower ball tray 19. A ball receiving portion 45 for receiving a pachinko ball (rental ball) flowing out from 44 is formed. The ball receiving portion 45 is connected to the ball storage portion 43 via a lending ball flow path 46 that gently descends and inclines toward the right. The spherical reservoir 43 is formed so that the bottom surface gently slopes downward to the left, and is narrowed as the flow path width of the left portion goes downstream. A guide channel 47 that allows the pachinko balls to flow down while being aligned in a row is connected to the most downstream portion of the ball reservoir 43.

  Connected to the most downstream part of the guide channel 47 is a ball discharge passage 48 for discharging the pachinko balls in the lower ball tray 19 to the outside of the machine (pachinko island side). A ball discharge device 21 is provided. The ball discharge device 21 is provided with a ball delivery cam 49 for sending the pachinko ball in the guide channel 47 to the ball discharge passage 48.

  When the ball discharge device 21 is stopped, the ball discharge cam 49 protrudes into the ball discharge passage 48 and is held in a closed position where the inlet portion of the ball discharge passage 48 is closed. On the other hand, when the pachinko balls in the lower bowl 19 are discharged to the outside (pachinko island side), the ball delivery cam 49 is operated to send the pachinko balls in the guide channel 47 to the ball discharge passage 48. It is designed to be discharged outside the machine.

  On the other hand, a sphere detection sensor 50 for detecting a pachinko ball blocked by the sphere delivery cam 49 is disposed downstream of the guide channel 47 (upstream of the sphere delivery cam 49). A discharge ball detection sensor 51 that detects a pachinko ball that flows down the ball discharge passage 48 and is discharged to the outside of the machine is disposed in the portion (downstream of the ball delivery cam 49).

  Further, a ball removal passage 52 for extracting the pachinko balls in the lower ball tray 19 downward is connected to the lower surface of the downstream portion of the guide flow passage 47 (upstream side of the ball delivery cam 49). A ball removing member 53 for opening and closing the inlet portion is provided at the inlet portion so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction.

  The ball removal member 53 is normally held in a closed position where it moves in the closing direction by an urging means such as a spring to close the inlet portion of the ball removal passage 53. On the other hand, when the pachinko ball in the lower ball tray 19 is extracted downward, a ball removal operation lever (not shown) provided on the front surface of the lower ball tray 19 is operated in the opening direction to remove the ball removal member 53. By moving in the opening direction and opening the entrance of the ball passage 52, the pachinko balls in the guide channel 47 are dropped into the ball passage 52 and extracted downward.

  The operations of the ball launching device 16, the ball ejection device 21, and the ball dispensing device 24 of the pachinko machine 11 configured as described above are controlled by the control circuit (not shown) of the pachinko machine 11 as follows. The control circuit of the pachinko machine 11 is configured such that when the rental balls discharged from the rental ball discharge nozzle 44 of the interpolated ball rental machine flow down in the lower ball tray 19 and are detected by the ball detection sensor 50 in the guide channel 47. In addition, the ball delivery cam 49 of the ball discharge device 21 is sent out to send the pachinko balls in the lower ball tray 19 to the ball discharge passage 48 to be discharged out of the machine (pachinko island side), and the discharged pachinko balls The number is counted by the number of output pulses of the discharge ball detection sensor 51 in the ball discharge passage 48. This function corresponds to the discharged ball counting means in the claims. In this case, the speed of the pachinko ball discharge operation by the ball delivery cam 49 of the ball discharge device 21 is equal to or higher than the speed of the discharge operation of the ball discharge device 16 (for example, a speed of 100 balls / minute or more). Is set to

  Then, the control circuit of the pachinko machine 11 reversely rotates the sprocket 30 of the ball dispensing device 24 according to the number of pachinko balls discharged from the lower ball tray 19 to pay out the pachinko balls as supply balls. The same number of supply balls as the discharged pachinko balls are supplied to the upper ball tray 17. As a result, the pachinko balls in the lower ball tray 19 can be apparently transferred to the upper ball tray 17. In this case, the speed of the payout operation of the ball discharge device 24 is set to be equal to or higher than the speed of the discharge operation of the ball discharge device 16 (for example, a speed of 100 balls / minute or more). The pachinko balls in the upper ball tray 17 are supplied to the ball launcher 16 one by one by the ball delivery device 18 in synchronization with the launch operation of the ball launcher 16.

  The control circuit of the pachinko machine 11 launches the pachinko ball into the game area 15 by launching the ball launcher 16 with a launch force corresponding to the operation amount when the launch operation handle 20 is being launched. .

  Further, the control circuit of the pachinko machine 11 causes the ball payout device 24 to rotate the sprocket 30 forward when a pachinko ball that rolls in the game area 15 wins and a prize ball payout command is issued. The pachinko ball is paid out to the upper ball tray 17 as a prize ball.

  When the amount of pachinko balls stored in the upper ball tray 17 is full due to a big hit and the pachinko balls are stored up to the most upstream part of the ball discharge passage 25, the pachinko balls discharged from the ball discharge device 24 overflow. It flows down the passage 26 and flows into the lower ball tray 19.

  In this case, when the pachinko sphere overflowing from the upper bowl 17 to the lower bowl 19 flows down the lower bowl 19 and is detected by the ball detection sensor 50 in the guide channel 47, the lower bowl plate 21 causes the ball discharge device 21 to detect it. The pachinko balls in 19 are discharged to the outside of the machine, and the same number of pachinko balls as the discharged pachinko balls are supplied to the upper ball tray 17 by the ball dispensing device 24.

  At this time, when the player operates the ball removal operation lever in the opening direction to drop the pachinko ball in the lower ball tray 19 into the ball removal passage 52 and remove it downward, the ball detection sensor 50 in the guide flow path 47. Since the pachinko ball is no longer detected, the discharge operation of the ball discharge device 21 and the supply ball discharge operation of the ball discharge device 24 are stopped.

  At the end of the game, the pachinko balls in the upper ball tray 17 are caused to flow down the ball passage 27 and flow into the lower ball tray 19, and further the pachinko balls in the lower ball tray 19 are dropped to the ball passage 52. By pulling downward, the pachinko balls in the upper ball dish 17 and the pachinko balls in the lower ball dish 19 can be extracted.

  In the present embodiment (1) described above, the pachinko balls in the upper ball tray 17 are supplied to the ball launcher 16, and the pachinko balls in the lower ball tray 19 are discharged to the outside by the ball discharge device 21, Since the same number of supply balls (pachinko balls) as the discharged pachinko balls are supplied to the upper ball dish 17 by the ball dispensing device 24, apparently the pachinko balls in the lower ball dish 19 are transferred to the upper ball dish 17. Therefore, it is possible to save the player from lifting the pachinko ball in the lower ball tray 19 by hand and transferring it to the upper ball tray 17.

  In this case, since it is not necessary to provide a large lift mechanism extending from the lower part to the upper part of the pachinko machine 11, the configuration of the present embodiment is relatively low even in the pachinko machine that tends to be multifunctional and increase the number of parts in recent years. This can be easily implemented at a low cost, and it is not necessary to reduce the number of components (mounting function). In addition, the ball dispensing device 24 can be replenished at a high speed in the same manner as a general sprocket-type ball dispensing device. It can be equal to or faster than the speed of the ball launching operation of the device 16, and when the pachinko ball remains in the lower ball dish 19, the pachinko ball in the upper ball dish 17 can be moved in a relatively short time. It is possible to prevent the pachinko ball from being interrupted by preventing it from being lost.

  Further, in the present embodiment (1), at least the bottom surface 17 a of the upper ball tray 17 is formed of a transparent member, and the pachinko ball storage state in the upper ball tray 17 is viewed from the lower side of the upper ball tray 17. Since it can be confirmed, even if the upper ball tray 17 is arranged above the game area 15, the pachinko in the upper ball tray 17 can be seen only by looking at the lower surface of the upper ball tray 17 while the player is sitting. The storage state of the ball can be easily confirmed.

Furthermore, in this embodiment (1), since the illumination device 39 is provided on the front surface of the upper ball tray 17, the illumination device 39 and the upper ball tray 17 are arranged in two upper and lower stages on the upper front surface of the pachinko machine 11. Compared to the arrangement, the space for arranging the illumination device 39 and the upper ball tray 17 can be reduced in the vertical direction, and the gaming area 15 can be enlarged upward accordingly.
<< Embodiment (2) >>
In the embodiment (1), prize balls are paid out from the ball payout device 24 to the upper ball tray 17, but in the embodiment (2) of the present invention shown in FIG. The prize ball is paid out to 19. Hereinafter, the present embodiment (2) will be specifically described. However, substantially the same parts as those of the embodiment (1) are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a winning ball flowing down channel 54 for flowing down the winning ball discharged from the winning ball paying channel 34 is provided in front of the winning ball paying channel 34 of the ball paying device 24 so as to extend downward. Yes. The winning ball flow down path 54 may be directly connected to the upstream portion of the lower bowl 19, but may be joined to the overflow passage 26. Other configurations are the same as those in the embodiment (1).

  In the present embodiment (2), when a pachinko ball that rolls in the game area 15 wins and a prize ball payout command is issued, the sprocket 30 of the ball payout device 24 is rotated forward to obtain a predetermined number of prize balls. To the lower ball tray 19. Then, when the winning ball paid out to the lower ball tray 19 flows down the lower ball tray 19 and is detected by the ball detection sensor 50 of the guide channel 47, the ball discharging device 21 causes the pachinko inside the lower ball tray 19 to be pachinko. The balls are discharged out of the machine, and in response to the discharging operation, the sprocket 30 of the ball dispensing device 24 is reversely rotated to supply the same number of supply balls as the pachinko balls discharged from the lower ball tray 19 to the upper ball tray 17. Replenish.

Even if it is configured as in the present embodiment (2) described above, the same effects as in the embodiment (1) can be obtained.
In each of the above embodiments (1) and (2), the rental balls are paid out from the pedestal ball lending machine. However, the ball dispensing device 24 has a rental ball dispensing function so that the ball dispensing device 24 A rented ball may be paid out to the upper ball tray 17 or the lower ball tray 19.

  In addition, a ball dispensing device that dispenses prize balls or rental balls to the upper ball tray 17 or the lower ball tray 19, and a ball that replenishes the upper ball tray 17 with the same number of supply balls as the pachinko balls discharged from the lower ball tray 19. A replenishing device may be provided separately.

  In each of the above embodiments (1) and (2), when the pachinko sphere is detected by the sphere detection sensor 50 in the guide channel 47, the pachinko sphere in the lower ball tray 19 is automatically removed by the ball discharge device 21. The discharge operation for discharging and the supply operation for supplying the same number of supply balls as the discharged pachinko balls to the upper ball tray 17 by the ball dispensing device 24 are executed. For example, the switching provided on the front surface of the pachinko machine 11 You may make it switch permission / prohibition of discharge operation and replenishment operation with a switch. In this case, when the remaining amount of pachinko balls in the upper ball tray 17 is low, the player operates the changeover switch to supply the same number of supply balls as the pachinko balls discharged from the lower ball tray 19. The dish 17 may be replenished.

  In addition, the ball detection sensor 50 in the guide channel 47 is omitted, and for example, the operation switch provided on the front surface of the pachinko machine 11 is forcibly turned on or forcibly until a predetermined period elapses after the operation switch is turned on. A discharging operation and a replenishing operation may be executed. Also in this case, the player may operate the operation switch when the remaining pachinko balls in the upper ball tray 17 are reduced.

  Alternatively, the ball detection sensor 50 of the guide channel 47 is omitted, and a storage amount detection sensor is provided in the upper ball tray 17 to store that the amount of pachinko balls stored in the upper ball tray 17 is less than a predetermined amount. The discharge operation and the replenishment operation may be automatically executed when detected by the amount detection sensor.

Further, the configuration of the ball dispensing device 24 may be changed as appropriate, for example, a configuration in which the sprocket 30 is arranged to rotate in the vertical direction. Or you may make it the structure which rotates a screw and pays out the pachinko ball.
In addition to the illumination device 39, an acoustic device such as a speaker may be provided on the front surface of the upper ball tray 17.

《Reference example》
In each of the above-described embodiments (1) and (2), at least the bottom surface 17a of the upper ball tray 17 is formed of a transparent member, and the storage state of pachinko balls in the upper ball tray 17 is set to the lower side of the upper ball tray 17. In the reference example related to the present invention shown in FIG. 7, the upper ball tray 56 is disposed at a position shifted backward with respect to the front surface of the pachinko machine 55 (game machine). By arranging the mirror member 57 downward above the upper ball tray 56, the storage state of the pachinko balls in the upper ball tray 56 can be copied to the mirror member 57 and confirmed from below the upper ball tray 56. ing. Further, the illumination device 39 is disposed above the mirror member 57 so that the line of sight of the player looking at the mirror member 57 is not blocked by the illumination device 39.

If configured as in this reference example, it is possible to easily confirm the storage state of the pachinko balls in the upper ball tray 56 on the mirror member 57 simply by looking at the mirror member 57 while the player is sitting.
In addition, a ball remaining amount display device for digitally displaying or analog displaying the amount of pachinko balls stored in the upper ball tray may be provided on the front surface of the pachinko machine. The storage state of the pachinko balls in the upper ball dish can be easily confirmed simply by looking at the quantity display device.

  Further, in another reference example shown in FIG. 8, in a pachinko machine 61 (game machine) provided with an upper ball tray 59 and a lower ball tray 60 below the game area 58, Ejecting means (not shown) discharges to the outside of the machine, and the same number of discharged pachinko balls are replenished to the upper ball dish 59 from above the upper ball dish 59 by the ball replenishing means (not shown). Like to do. Also in this case, the pachinko balls in the lower ball dish 60 can be apparently transferred to the upper ball dish 59, so that the player lifts the pachinko balls in the lower ball dish 60 by hand and moves them to the upper ball dish 59. The trouble of changing can be saved.

  The position of the ball launcher is not limited to the upper side of the pachinko machine, but may be an intermediate part. In addition, the present invention is not limited to a pachinko machine, and the present invention may be applied to various gaming machines such as an arrangement-type pachinko machine that launches a predetermined number of pachinko balls and performs a combined game.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Pachinko machine (game machine), 15 ... Game area | region, 16 ... Ball launcher, 17 ... Upper ball tray, 19 ... Lower ball tray, 21 ... Ball discharge device (ball discharge means), 23 ... Ball tank, 24 ... Sphere payout device (ball supply means) 25 ... ball payout passage, 26 ... overflow passage, 27 ... ball removal passage, 39 ... illumination device, 48 ... ball discharge passage, 50 ... ball detection sensor, 51 ... discharge ball detection sensor, 52 ... Ball removal passage, 53 ... Ball removal member, 54 ... Prize ball flow down, 55 ... Pachinko machine (game machine), 56 ... Upper ball dish, 57 ... Mirror surface member, 58 ... Game area, 59 ... Upper ball dish, 60 ... Lower ball dish, 61 ... Pachinko machine (game machine)

Claims (1)

In the ball storage device of a gaming machine provided with an upper ball tray and a lower ball plate for storing pachinko balls on the upper side and lower side of the game area where the pachinko balls launched from the ball launcher roll,
A ball dispensing device for dispensing a prize ball to the lower bowl by rotation of a sprocket ;
Ball discharge means for discharging the pachinko ball of the lower ball tray out of the machine based on the player's operation;
Discharge ball counting means for counting the number of pachinko balls discharged by the ball discharge means;
A ball replenishing means for dispensing the pachinko balls to the replenishing ball dispensing flow path according to the number of pachinko balls discharged by the ball discharging means and replenishing the upper ball dish,
The ball dispensing device also serves as the ball replenishing means, and when the pachinko ball is replenished to the upper ball tray, the sprocket is rotated in a direction opposite to the rotation direction when the prize ball is dispensed to A prize ball detecting sensor configured to be paid out to a supply ball discharge flow path and detecting a pachinko ball discharged to the lower ball tray as a prize ball, and a supply for detecting a pachinko ball discharged to the upper ball tray as a supply ball A ball detection sensor is provided separately,
The upper ball tray is configured so that at least a bottom surface portion is formed of a transparent member, and the storage state of the pachinko balls in the upper ball tray can be confirmed from a position below the upper ball tray. A ball storage device for a gaming machine.

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