JP5033982B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine (generally also referred to as a “pachinko machine”) or a spinning-type gaming machine (generally also referred to as a “pachislot machine”).

  Conventionally, in a gaming area of a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a number of obstacle nails arranged in a predetermined gauge arrangement and a windmill arranged at an appropriate position are provided. Also provided is an open / close winning device having blades (so-called “movable pieces”) that expand left and right so that the winning probability changes, and a sorting device that distributes the winning game balls to either a specific area or a normal area There are also known gaming machines.

  In addition, as a distribution apparatus, the planar view substantially circular shaped rotary body which has a specific area | region and normal area | region arrange | positioned by the predetermined space | interval, and is rotated by an electric motor, and the outer peripheral wall surrounding the circumference | surroundings of the rotary body And an inflow port which can be communicated with a specific region or a normal region. Here, the specific region and the normal region formed in the rotating body have a concave shape formed by opening in the radial direction, and the game ball guided to the inflow port is received when it matches the inflow port. It is possible. In other words, the game ball that has reached the inlet waits in that state until the inlet matches the specific area or the normal area, and when it matches any area as it rotates, that area It becomes possible to flow into.

JP 2004-129715 A

  However, in the conventional sorting apparatus, only one specific area is formed, and the other areas are all normal areas. Therefore, it is easy to grasp the timing of entering the specific area. And if you miss the timing to enter the specific area, you will know that the game ball will enter the normal area sooner than actually reaching the inflow, so you can decide whether to enter the specific area or the normal area It was foreseeable. For this reason, it is easy for the player to grasp the progress of the game state before the game ball actually reaches the inflow port, and there is a possibility of losing a sense of expectation for entering the specific area at an early stage and impairing the interest of the game. It was.

  In order to solve the above problem, for example, there may be a means for increasing the possibility of entering a specific area by installing a plurality of specific areas. However, it is easy to generate a big hit by installing a plurality of specific areas. Then, there is a strong possibility that the number of game balls paid out by the game hall will increase and the burden on the game hall will become excessive.

  Therefore, in view of the above situation, the present invention has an object to provide a gaming machine capable of maintaining a player's expectation for entering a specific area even when entering the area other than the specific area. It is what.

Means 1: “A prize opening arranged in the game area and capable of winning game media;
A rotating body that is supported rotatably about an axis inclined forward with respect to the vertical direction and has a concave shape that is open in the radial direction, a normal area, and a return area.
A rotation driving means for rotating the rotating body;
An outer peripheral wall surrounding the rotating body,
An inlet formed on the front side of the outer peripheral wall and temporarily communicated with the specific area, the normal area, or the return area as the rotating body rotates.
A guide passage for guiding the game medium won in the winning opening to the inflow port,
And it is formed at a position higher than the inflow port on the back side of the outer peripheral wall, and is temporarily communicated with the return region as the rotating body rotates, and enters the return region from the inflow port. A sorting apparatus comprising a return port for flowing out the game medium and returning it to the guide passage;
A first outflow path that communicates with the specific area of the rotating body in the sorting device and causes the game medium that has entered the specific area to flow out;
A second outflow path that communicates with the normal area of the rotating body and allows the game medium that has entered the normal area to flow out;
A gaming machine comprising: advantageous game state generating means for generating an advantageous game state that is advantageous to a player based on the fact that the game medium has flowed into the first outflow path.

  Here, the “sorting device” may be incorporated as a part of the movable accessory, that is, provided to switch the winning state in the movable accessory. Further, the number and ratio of the “specific area”, “normal area”, and “return area” provided in the “rotating body” are not particularly limited, and can be arbitrarily set.

  The “advantageous game state” means a state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game state, and various states can be exemplified as follows.

(1) In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a state in which one or a plurality of winning holes and movable pieces that are driven to open and close are opened to allow a game ball to be won.

(2) In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, the game ball is opened and closed by opening and closing a winning opening and a movable piece a predetermined number of times, or continuously opening a predetermined time or until a predetermined number of game balls are won. A state in which a large amount of winnings are easily made in the winning opening (so-called “big hit state”)

(3) In a game machine such as a pachinko machine, a state in which the probability of occurrence of a big hit state is higher than usual, a so-called “probability fluctuation state”.

(4) In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a lottery entrance device that performs a lottery to determine whether or not a big hit state will be generated by winning or passing a game ball is set in a state in which a game ball is easier to enter than usual. The state where the lottery lottery is performed more frequently than usual, the so-called “time reduction state”.

(5) In a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine, a state in which the drum is easily stopped by a pattern for paying out a medal as a game medium during a predetermined game, a so-called “bonus game state”.

(6) In a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine, a state in which the drum can be stopped with a bonus pattern which is a condition for making the next game state a bonus game state, a so-called “bonus establishment state”.

(7) In a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine, a state that assists in the formation of a combination by guiding a drum stop order and symbols for establishing a combination for a predetermined number of games, so-called “assist game state” .

(8) In a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine, a so-called “probability fluctuation state” in which the probability that a bonus state such as a bonus game state, a bonus establishment state, or an assist game state occurs is higher than usual.

  According to the configuration of the means 1, the game media that has won the prize opening is guided by the guide passage and reaches the inflow port. The game medium that has reached the inflow port is in a state where it can flow toward a specific area, normal area, or return area of the rotating body. That is, even if the game medium reaches the inflow port, it waits at that place until it communicates with a specific area, a normal area or a return area of the rotating body, and if it temporarily communicates with the rotation of the rotating body, the specific area The ball enters the normal region or the return region and rotates around the axis together with the rotating body. Then, the game medium that has entered the specific area flows out through the first outflow path. On the other hand, the game medium entering the normal area flows out through the second outflow path. Then, based on the fact that the game medium has flowed out of the specific area, an advantageous gaming state that is advantageous to the player occurs. In this case, a special winning detection means for detecting the game medium flowing out from the specific area is arranged in the first outflow path, and an advantageous gaming state is generated based on the detection of the gaming medium by the specific winning detection means. However, an advantageous gaming state may be generated by opening the opening / closing member by physically utilizing the weight of the game medium flowing out from the first outflow path. On the other hand, the game medium that has entered the return area is returned from the return port to the guide passage, and rolls again to the inflow port through the guide passage.

  Thus, according to the configuration of the means 1, the rotating body is provided with the return area in addition to the specific area and the normal area, and even when the game medium does not enter the specific area, the return area When the player enters the game, the game ball is returned to the guide passage, so that the possibility of entering the specific area again occurs. For this reason, even if it is predicted by the player that the game medium does not enter the specific area, if the player enters the return area, it is recognized that there is still a possibility of entering the specific area. That is, the possibility of entering the specific area is predicted by looking at the period of the rotating body, and even when it is predicted that the specific area will be deviated, the expectation of entering the return area remains. In addition, when the player enters the return area, the game medium is sent back to the guide passage, so that the staying time in the sorting device is prolonged, and the player's attention to the periphery of the rotating body can be maintained. It becomes possible.

  By the way, for example, if the rotating body is configured to rotate about the vertical axis on the horizontal plane, even if the return area and the return port are provided, the game medium flows out of the return area only by the centrifugal force due to gravity and rotation. Therefore, the game ball flows out to a position lower than the horizontal plane. That is, the game ball flows out to a position lower than the inflow port. Therefore, it is difficult to adopt a configuration in which the game ball is returned from the return port to the guide passage located upstream of the flow path and higher than the inflow port.

  On the other hand, according to the configuration of the present invention, since the rotating shaft of the rotating body is tilted forward, the entire rotating body is also tilted forward, and the front side is low and the back side is high. Therefore, by arranging the inflow port on the front side and the return port on the back side, the return port can be positioned higher than the inflow port. The game medium that has flowed down the guide passage and arrived at the inlet enters the return area and turns to the return opening as the rotating body rotates, and then flows out from the return opening at a higher position than the inlet to the outside. . For example, if the guide passage is formed in a shape that wraps around from the back side of the rotating body to the front side, and a return port is formed on the back side of the rotating body and communicated in the middle of the guide passage, the portion of the guide passage that is in contact with the return port It is possible to make the bottom of the return port higher than the top surface. As a result, it is possible to cause the game medium to flow out to the guide passage and to flow down again to the inlet according to the gradient of the guide passage. Further, since the rotating shaft of the rotating body is tilted forward, the state of entering the ball in each area of the rotating body can be easily recognized by the player, and the fun of the game can be visually enhanced.

Mean 2: “A game area into which a game ball is to be driven;
A prize opening that is arranged in the game area and allows a game ball to win;
A launcher that launches a game ball to the game area in response to an operation of an operation handle;
An obstacle member disposed in the game area and changing a rolling direction of the game ball;
A rotating body that is supported rotatably about an axis inclined forward with respect to the vertical direction and has a concave shape that is open in the radial direction, a normal area, and a return area.
A rotation driving means for rotating the rotating body;
An outer peripheral wall surrounding the rotating body,
An inlet formed on the front side of the outer peripheral wall and temporarily communicated with the specific area, the normal area, or the return area as the rotating body rotates.
A guide passage for guiding a game ball won in the winning opening to the inflow port,
And it is formed at a position higher than the inflow port on the back side of the outer peripheral wall, and is temporarily communicated with the return region as the rotating body rotates, and enters the return region from the inflow port. A sorting apparatus including a return port for causing the game ball to flow out and return to the guide passage;
A first outflow path that communicates with the specific area of the rotating body in the sorting device and causes a game ball that has entered the specific area to flow out;
A second outflow passage that communicates with the normal area of the rotating body and allows a game ball that has entered the normal area to flow out;
A gaming machine comprising: advantageous gaming state generating means for generating an advantageous gaming state that is advantageous to a player based on the gaming ball flowing out into the first outflow path.

  According to the configuration of the means 2, when a game ball is launched from the launch device in response to the operation of the operation handle, the game ball is placed in a game area in which a number of obstacle members, a starting port, a winning device and the like are incorporated. Led. Then, the game ball that has won the prize opening rolls along the guide passage and reaches the inflow port. The game ball that has reached the inflow port waits at the location until the inflow port communicates with the specific area, the normal area, or the return area as the rotating body rotates, and temporarily enters the specific area, the normal area, or the return area. When communicating, the ball enters the region and rotates around the axis together with the rotating body. The game ball that has entered the specific area flows out of the rotating body through the first outflow path, and this causes an advantageous game state that is advantageous to the player. On the other hand, the game ball that has entered the return area flows out of the rotating body through the return port and is returned to the guide passage when the return port and the return area temporarily communicate with each other. The game ball returned to the guide passage flows down to the inflow port again.

  Therefore, in addition to entering a specific area, when entering a return area, the player can be reminded of the possibility of entering the specific area and can expect an advantageous gaming state to occur.

  In addition, once the game ball that has entered the rotating body is sent back to the guide passage again, the sorting operation in the sorting device is performed again, so that the player's attention to the periphery of the rotating body can be maintained. Become.

Means 3: the structure of the unit 1 or unit 2, characterized in "and the specific area and the return area, the are formed at positions rotationally symmetric around the rotation axis" that.

  According to the configuration of the means 3, the specific area and the return area are formed at rotationally symmetric positions around the rotation axis, and the specific area and the return area are equally spaced during one rotation of the rotating body. It communicates temporarily with the inlet once. As a result, it is possible to prevent density from occurring in the time ratio at which the specific region or the return region and the inflow port communicate with each other in the rotation cycle of the rotating body. Assuming that the specific area and the return area are not rotationally symmetric, and there is a sparseness in the time ratio of communication with the inflow port, the timing at which the player is likely to enter the specific area and the return area It is conceivable that the game medium is intermittently launched aiming at reducing the operating rate of the gaming machine. However, according to the configuration of the means 3, the specific area and the return area are formed at rotationally symmetric positions and are alternately communicated with the inlet at equal intervals. Therefore, the game medium is intermittently aimed at only the specific area. It is possible to suppress the act of launching.

Means 4: In any one configuration of Means 1 to 3, “At least one passage bending portion having a bent shape in plan view is formed in the guide passage,
A step is formed on the upper surface in the vicinity of the upstream side of the bent portion of the passage so that the upstream side is higher than the downstream side.

  According to the configuration of the means 4, the step is formed on the upstream side in the vicinity of the bent portion, so that the backflow of the game media can be prevented and the game media can be flowed down properly according to the inclination of the guide passage. For example, if the guide passage has a bent planar shape, and the upper surface of the passage is a gently sloping slope without a step, the game medium contacts the side wall around the bent portion, and the rolling speed and rolling direction change, Furthermore, it is conceivable that the game medium stays or flows backward around the bent portion due to contact with other game media. In particular, when the guide path is bent from the back side to the front side so as to surround the rotating body, the height difference between the inlet and the return port is restricted by the size and mounting angle of the rotating body. And the inclination of the slope of the guide passage tends to be gentle because the total length of the flow path is increased by bending the guide passage. However, according to the configuration of the means 4, the stay in the bent portion is caused by the formation of the step. By preventing the reverse flow, the game medium can surely flow down to the downstream side.

  Means 5: In any one of the means 1 to means 4, “at the same or lower height as the bottom of the return port and higher than the upper surface of the guide passage at the portion communicating with the return port. , A flat trapezoidal junction is formed between the return port and the guide passage.

  According to the configuration of the means 5, since the flat trapezoidal joining portion is formed between the return port and the guide passage, the game medium that has flowed out of the return area does not directly flow into the guide passage via the joining portion. It can be returned to the guide passage. That is, if the game medium that has flowed out of the return area is directly returned to the guide passage, there is a risk that the game medium may stay or flow backward due to contact with other game media flowing down the guide passage. The stay in the vicinity of the return port may cause ball engagement between the rotating body and the return port. However, according to the configuration of the means 5, the return port, the junction, and the guide passage become lower in the order of steps. Therefore, even if the game medium that has flowed out of the return area enters the guide path through the junction, and then comes into contact with another game medium that flows down the guide path, the return to the return area can be suppressed.

Means 6: In the constitution of means 5, “a rotator having a substantially circular rotator receiving surface on the top surface that receives the rotator and closes the bottom surfaces of the specific area, the normal area, and the return area. With a case,
The joining portion is formed in a portion where a part of the back end portion of the rotating body receiving surface is cut out.

  According to the configuration of the means 6, in order to form a confluence portion in a portion where a part of the rotating body receiving surface formed on the upper surface of the rotating body case is cut out, the rotating body case is provided as a member that receives the rotating body. It is possible to reduce the size of the sorting device without causing the joining portion to protrude greatly outside the outer peripheral wall.

  Means 7: In the constitution of Means 5 or 6, “In the vicinity of the merging portion, a part of the guide passage upstream from the portion communicating with the merging portion has a high slope on the upstream side, and the guide passage It is characterized by having a slope having a steep slope compared to other sections or a steep slope portion having a high step on the upstream side. "

  According to the configuration of the means 7, since the steep slope portion is formed in the guide passage on the upstream side in the vicinity of the merge portion, the game medium flowing down the guide passage comes into contact with other game media flowing out from the return port. Even if it happens, it is possible to prevent stagnation and backflow of any game medium.

  Means 8: The constitution of means 6 is characterized in that “the guide passage, the outer peripheral wall, the return port, and the joining portion are formed integrally with the rotating body case”.

  According to the configuration of the means 8, since the guide passage, the outer peripheral wall, the return port, and the joining portion are integrally formed in the rotating body case, the number of components can be reduced, the component configuration can be simplified, and the size can be reduced. Can do. Productivity and maintenance management are improved because the number of parts is reduced. Further, as compared with the case where each part is a separate part, the configuration of the means 8 can omit the joint part between the parts, so that it can be visually simplified and the design can be improved.

Means 9: In any one of the constitutions of means 5 to 8, “an extra outflow path for allowing game media to flow out of the guide passage is provided near the distribution device,
A passage distribution device that changes a rolling direction and a rolling speed of the game medium won in the winning opening and distributes the game medium to one of the guide passage and the non-award outflow passage is configured to join the guide passage. It is arranged in a section between the portion in contact with the portion and the inlet ”.

  According to the configuration of the means 9, the passage distribution device is disposed in a section between the portion of the guide passage that is in contact with the joining portion and the inlet. If there are no movable parts such as obstacle pieces in the guide passage between the junction and the inlet, the time required for the game medium flowing out from the return port to flow down the guide passage and reach the inlet Since it is almost constant, it can be easily predicted whether or not the game medium sent back to the guide passage enters the specific area, whereas the configuration of the means 9 is that the passage distribution device is a game medium. In order to change the rolling direction and rolling speed, the time required to reach the inlet is changed. That is, it can be difficult to predict which area the game medium will enter. In addition, since the game medium may flow out of the guide passage, the game can be sharpened by the sorting operation.

Means 10: In the constitution of means 9, “the passage distribution device is
The upper surface of the swinging piece having a substantially horizontal plane is formed on the upper side, and is rotatable about a swinging piece rotating shaft extending in a substantially horizontal direction. Oscillating pieces that are supported by the oscillating piece and change the rolling direction and the rolling speed of the game medium by oscillating about the oscillating piece rotating shaft and periodically changing the inclination angle of the upper surface of the oscillating piece. When,
A barrier formed at a predetermined height on an outer peripheral portion of two sides substantially parallel to the swinging piece rotation axis and one side substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the swinging piece;
A guide passage side cutout portion cut into a V shape in the barrier on the downstream open end side;
An out-of-prize outflow path-side notch cut into a V-shape in the barrier facing the guide-path-side notch;
Oscillating piece moving means for driving the oscillating piece,
One side of the upper surface of the swing piece where the barrier is not formed faces the upstream open end of the guide passage,
Two sides positioned perpendicular to the upstream open end face the downstream open end of the guide passage and the extra prize outflow path,
The upper surface of the rocking piece is disposed at the same level as or slightly below the bottom of the upstream open end ”.

  According to the configuration of the means 10, the game medium flowing down the guide passage passes through the upstream open end and flows into the upper surface of the swing piece from the guide passage. Barriers are formed on three sides other than one side in contact with the upstream open end of the upper surface of the swing piece, and the inflowing game medium stays on the upper surface of the swing piece. The oscillating piece is driven by the oscillating piece driving means, oscillates about the oscillating piece rotating shaft, and periodically changes the inclination angle of the upper surface of the oscillating piece. The game medium staying on the upper surface of the swing piece is distributed to either the downstream open end of the guide passage or the non-prize outflow path by the swing of the swing piece. At this time, a notch portion is formed in both the barrier on the guide passage side and the barrier on the non-prize outflow passage side, and the game medium easily gets out of the notch portion by swinging the swing piece. According to the configuration of the means 10, the game medium that has flowed into the passage distribution device can be received by the upper surface of the swing piece and the barrier, and can be distributed to the guide passage or the award outflow path according to the swing of the swing piece. On the other hand, if the rocking piece is stopped at a position where the upper surface of the rocking piece is inclined to either the guide passage side or the non-prize outflow path side, the flow path can be maintained in a certain direction. Further, since the sorting operation is performed only by the change in the inclination of the upper surface of the swinging piece, the visibility of the sorting operation can be increased by installing the swinging piece at a place where it can be easily seen.

  Means 11: The constitution of means 10 is characterized in that “the non-prize outflow path-side notch portion has a wider shape in a substantially horizontal direction than the guide passage-side notch portion”.

  According to the configuration of the means 11, since the non-award outflow path-side notch is wider than the guide path-side notch, the game medium easily flows out of the guide path into the out-of-prize outflow path when the swing piece swings. . By changing the possibility of reaching the inlet depending on the operating condition of the swing piece, the game is sharpened and the possibility that the game medium reaches the inlet is greatly restricted when the swing piece is swinging. Therefore, the probability that the game ball reaches the inflow port can be easily controlled.

Means 12: a winning opening that is arranged in the gaming area and allows a game ball to win;
One specific area and one return area that are supported in a rotatable manner with the axis tilted forward with respect to the vertical direction as a rotation axis and exhibiting a concave shape opened in the radial direction are rotationally symmetric about the rotation axis. A rotating body formed at a position and having a plurality of ordinary areas formed in the remaining part,
A rotation driving means for rotating the rotating body;
A rotating body case that receives the rotating body and has a substantially circular rotating body receiving surface in plan view that covers the bottom surface of the specific area, the normal area, and the return area;
An outer peripheral wall formed integrally with the rotating body case and surrounding the rotating body;
An inlet formed on the front side of the outer peripheral wall and temporarily communicated with the specific area, the normal area, or the return area as the rotating body rotates.
Formed integrally with the rotating body case, having a passage bending portion that exhibits a bent shape in plan view, a step is formed on the upper surface in the vicinity of the upstream side of the passage bending portion so that the upstream side is higher, A guide passage for guiding a game ball won in the winning opening to the inflow port,
A game that is formed at a position higher than the inflow port on the back side of the outer peripheral wall, is temporarily communicated with the return region as the rotating body rotates, and enters the return region through the inflow port A return port that causes the ball to flow out and return to the guide passage,
A part of the back end portion of the rotating body receiving surface is cut out at a height equal to or lower than the bottom of the return port and higher than the upper surface of the guide passage in a portion communicating with the return port. In a portion, a merging portion formed integrally with the rotating body case,
And, in the guide passage, in the vicinity of the merging portion, a part of the guide passage upstream from the portion communicating with the merging portion has a high slope on the upstream side, and another section of the guide passage. And a sorting device having a steep slope portion or a steep slope portion having a high step on the upstream side with a steep slope compared to
An out-of-prize outflow path in the vicinity of the sorting device for allowing the game ball to flow out of the guide path;
The upper surface of an oscillating piece that has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view and has a substantially horizontal plane is formed on the upper surface, and rotates about an oscillating piece rotating shaft extending in a substantially horizontal direction. An oscillating piece that is movably supported and periodically oscillates the upper surface of the oscillating piece to change the rolling direction and the rolling speed of the game ball;
A barrier formed integrally at a predetermined height on an outer peripheral portion of two sides substantially parallel to the swinging piece rotation axis and one side substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the swinging piece;
A guide passage side cutout portion cut into a V shape in the barrier on the downstream open end side,
A non-award outflow passage side cutout portion cut into a V shape in the barrier facing the guide passage side cutout portion;
And oscillating piece movable means for driving the oscillating piece,
Disposed between a portion of the guide passage that is in contact with the merging portion and the inlet;
One side where the barrier is not formed on the upper surface of the swinging piece faces the upstream open end of the guide passage, and two sides positioned perpendicular to the upstream open end are downstream of the guide passage, respectively. Facing the open end and the outflow path outside the award, the upper surface of the swinging piece is arranged at the same level as or slightly below the bottom of the upstream open end, and guides the game ball won in the winning opening. A passage distribution device that distributes the passage or the award outflow passage;
A first outflow passage that communicates with the specific area of the rotating body in the sorting device and causes a game ball that has entered the specific area to flow out;
A second outflow passage that communicates with the normal area of the rotating body and allows a game ball that has entered the normal area to flow out;
A gaming machine comprising: advantageous game state generating means for generating an advantageous game state that is advantageous to the player based on the game ball flowing out into the first outflow path.

  According to the configuration of the means 12, the rotating body is formed with one specific region having a concave shape opened in the radial direction and one return region at mutually rotationally symmetric positions. A plurality of ordinary regions are formed at the location. The rotating body is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis that is inclined forward from the vertical direction as a rotation axis. When the rotating body is rotated at a constant speed by the rotating means, the specific area, the normal area, and the return area that are opened in the radial direction are It communicates with the inlet formed in the wall, and it is possible to enter the ball from the inlet into a specific area, a normal area, or a return area.

  The game ball that has entered the winning opening flows down the guide passage and flows into the passage distribution device. The game ball flows into the upper surface of the swing piece, and when the swing piece is in operation, the upper surface of the swing piece swings to distribute the game ball to either the guide passage or the outflow path outside the prize. Further, when the swing piece is stopped, it flows out to a predetermined flow path of either the guide path or the out-of-prize outflow path. The game ball that has flowed into the guide passage reaches the inflow port and waits there until the inflow port can communicate with any one of the specific area, the normal area, and the return area. When the rotor temporarily communicates with the rotation of the rotating body, the ball enters the specific area, the normal area, or the return area, and turns around the axis together with the rotating body. The game balls that have entered the specific area flow out through the first outflow path, while the game balls that have entered the normal area flow out through the second outflow path. Then, based on the fact that the game ball has flowed out from the specific area, an advantageous game state that is advantageous to the player occurs. On the other hand, the game ball that has entered the return area flows out from the return port, returns to the guide passage via the junction, and the game ball flows down again toward the passage distribution device.

  Thus, according to the configuration of the means 12, since the game ball that has entered the return area is returned to the guide passage, even if there is only one specific area, if the ball enters the return area, the specific area The expectation of entering the can be sustained. In addition, if the player enters a ball in one of the two areas, that is, the specific area and the return area, a different development from the case of entering the normal area occurs, so that the game development can be diversified.

  Further, according to the configuration of the means 12, since the passage distribution device is arranged on the path where the game ball returns from the return port to the inflow port again, the game ball sent back to the guide passage reaches the inflow port. The timing of the movement changes, making it difficult to predict whether a specific area or a normal area will be entered. Thereby, a sense of expectation when entering the return area can be aroused. In addition, there is a possibility that game balls are distributed to the outflow path outside the award and outflow from the guide passage, so that the proportion of game balls sent back to the guide passage reaches the inflow port and enters a specific area. While reducing the probability, it is possible to increase the interest when the game balls are distributed to the guide passage side. For example, by performing control so that the passage distribution device operates only when entering the return area, it is possible to link the distribution device and the passage distribution device in a coordinated manner. .

  Means 13: In any one of the constitutions of means 1 to 12, “the gaming machine is a pachinko machine”. A pachinko machine is a gaming machine in which an input medium, which is a medium that a player inputs into the gaming machine, and a game medium, which is a medium used for a substantial game performed by the player, are the same. For example, it is a type of gaming machine in which a game is played using a medium such as a game ball. Specifically, “a launching device that launches a game ball in response to the operation of the operation handle, and appropriate equipment such as a number of obstacle nails, center objects, display means, etc. A game area provided with an appropriate entrance for a game ball such as a mouth, a passage opening, an arrival opening, etc., a rail for guiding the game ball from the launching device to the game area, and a game ball guided to the game area It has a payout means for paying out a predetermined number of game balls as prize balls according to the entrance to the entrance and according to the entrance mode of the game balls to a plurality of entrances.

  In addition, there are various types of pachinko machines, and “typical state detection means for detecting the state of entrance to the entrance (typically, game state detection) represented by what is generally called“ digipachi ” Means), a lottery means for performing a predetermined lottery when the entrance state is detected by the entrance state detecting means, and a special symbol display means for changing the specific symbol according to the lottery result of the lottery means and stopping the fluctuation. "In addition, what further includes an effect display means for causing a decorative symbol sequence consisting of a plurality of decorative symbols to change and display characters etc. at a predetermined timing while the special symbols are changing", Generally represented by what is commonly referred to as “Honeymono” “Represented by those having lottery means for performing lottery by distributing game balls in the role”, generally represented by “Alepati” For example, one game is played with a predetermined number of game balls such as 16, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out in accordance with the manner of entering the game balls into a plurality of entrances in one game. can do.

  According to the means 13, in the pachinko machine, any one of the effects from the means 1 to the means 12 can be achieved.

  Means 14: In any one of the constitutions of Means 1 to 12, “The gaming machine is a pachislot machine”. A pachislot machine is used to insert a medal, which is a game medium, and after a medal is inserted, a symbol string composed of a plurality of symbols is displayed in a variable manner in accordance with the operation of a starting operation means (for example, an operation lever), and then a stop This is a slot machine with a stop operation function that performs a substantial game of stopping the fluctuation of the symbol sequence in accordance with the operation of an operation means (for example, a stop button). If the stop operating means is not operated even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the change in the symbol sequence may be stopped when the predetermined time has elapsed. And, when the combination of symbols at the time of stopping the variation of the symbol row satisfies a specific condition, a predetermined number of medals can be paid out according to the satisfied condition, or the player can acquire a large amount of medals. In addition, a special advantageous state advantageous to the player is generated.

  According to the means 14, in the pachi-slot machine, any one of the effects from means 1 to means 12 can be achieved.

  Means 15: In any one of the constitutions of Means 1 to 12, “The gaming machine is a gaming machine in which a pachinko machine and a pachislot machine are combined”. Here, “a game machine in which a pachinko machine and a pachislot machine are fused” means that a plurality of (for example, five) game balls are used as one unit of input medium, and after the input medium is input, the starting operation means A symbol string composed of a plurality of symbols is variably displayed in response to an operation of the operation lever (for example, an operation lever), and thereafter, the variation of the symbol string is stopped in response to an operation of a stop operation means (for example, a stop button). If the stop operating means is not operated even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the change in the symbol sequence may be stopped when the predetermined time has elapsed. And, when the combination of symbols at the time of stopping the variation of the symbol row satisfies a specific condition, a predetermined number of medals can be paid out according to the satisfied condition, or the player can acquire a large amount of medals. In addition, a special advantageous state advantageous to the player is generated.

  According to the means 15, in the gaming machine formed by fusing the pachinko machine and the pachislot machine, any one of the effects from the means 1 to the means 12 can be achieved.

  At first glance, there is a game medium in a game machine that does not play a substantial game depending on the medium to be inserted, such as a pachislot machine exemplified above or a game machine in which a pachinko machine and a pachislot machine are fused. However, even with such a gaming machine, it can be assumed that a game played using a game ball or other appropriate article is included in the entire game content. Therefore, even such a gaming machine can be a target of a gaming machine in which a game is played using a gaming medium.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the player enters the return area, the game medium is sent back to the guide passage and is sorted again, so that the player's expectation can be obtained without generating an advantageous game state. A feeling can be maintained. Further, the distribution process can be diversified by an unprecedented operation of performing a second distribution in the distribution apparatus.

Hereinafter, a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a “pachinko machine”) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[Overall Configuration of Pachinko Machine] A description will be given based on FIG.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a main body frame is opened on one side of an outer frame of a pachinko machine and a front frame is opened on one side of the main body frame. Note that FIG. 1 shows a view in which the decorative member in the game area is omitted.
The pachinko machine 1 includes an outer frame 2, a main body frame 3, a front frame 4, a game board 5, and the like. The outer frame 2 is formed into a vertically long rectangular frame shape by upper, lower, left, and right wooden frame members, and has a lower receiving plate 6 that receives the lower surface of the main body frame 3 at the front lower portion of the outer frame 2. On one side of the front surface of the outer frame 2, the main body frame 3 is attached by a hinge mechanism 7 so as to be opened and closed forward. The outer frame 2 may be formed of a light metal such as resin or aluminum.

[Configuration of Main Body Frame] A description will be given based on FIGS. 2 and 4.
2 is a front view showing the entire front side of the pachinko machine 1, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the main body frame 3 and the game board 5 of the pachinko machine 1 separated obliquely from the upper right front.
The main body frame 3 is configured by integrally molding the front frame body 11, the game board mounting frame 12, and the mechanism mounting body 13 with a synthetic resin material. The front frame body 11 of the main body frame 3 is formed in a rectangular frame shape having a size corresponding to the outer shape excluding the support plate 6 on the front side of the outer frame 2 (see FIG. 1). A main body frame side hinge device 15 is fixed to the upper and lower portions on one side of the front frame body 11, and a hinge pin and a hinge are connected to the outer frame side hinge device 14 fixed to the upper and lower portions on one side of the outer frame 2. It is mounted so that it can be opened and closed by a hole. That is, the hinge mechanism 7 is configured by the outer frame side hinge tool 14, the main body frame side hinge tool 15, the hinge pin, and the hinge hole.

  On the front side of the front frame body 11, a speaker box portion 16 is integrally formed in the front lower left area of the front frame body 11 positioned below the game board mounting frame 12, and is formed in the front opening portion of the speaker box portion 16. The speaker mounting plate 17 is mounted so as to close the opening. A speaker 18 is mounted on the speaker mounting plate 17. In addition, in the lower region of the front surface of the front frame 11, a firing rail 19 is attached to the upper half of the front frame 11 in an inclined manner. A lower front plate 30 is mounted on the lower half of the lower area of the front surface of the front frame 11. A lower tray 31 capable of storing game balls is provided at a substantially central portion of the front surface of the lower front plate 30, an operation handle 32 is provided on the right side, and an ashtray 33 is provided on the left side. . The lower plate 31 is provided with a ball discharge lever 34 for discharging the game ball downward.

[Configuration of Front Frame] A description will be given based on FIGS. 1 and 2.
The front frame 4 is mounted on one side of the front surface of the front frame body 11 so as to cover a portion extending from the upper end of the front frame body 11 to the upper edge of the lower front plate 30 so as to be opened and closed forward by a hinge mechanism 36. Yes. In addition, a substantially circular opening window 38 through which the game area 37 of the game board 5 can be seen through from the front is formed at a substantially central portion of the front frame 4. Further, a window frame 39 having a rectangular frame shape larger than the opening window 38 is provided on the rear side of the front frame 4, and a transparent plate 50 such as a glass plate or a transparent resin plate is mounted on the window frame 39. . Further, substantially the entire front surface of the front frame 4 is decorated by a front decoration member in which a lamp or the like is provided, and an upper plate 51 is formed at the lower part of the front surface of the front frame 4. Specifically, around the opening window 38, a side decoration device 52 is mounted on the left and right sides, an upper plate 51 is mounted on the lower portion, and an acoustic decoration device 53 is mounted on the upper portion. The side decoration device 52 is mainly configured by a side decoration body 54 in which a lamp substrate is disposed and formed of a synthetic resin material. A plurality of slit-like opening holes that are long in the horizontal direction are arranged in the side decoration body 54 in the vertical direction, and a lens 55 corresponding to a light source disposed on the lamp substrate is incorporated in the opening hole. The acoustic illumination device 53 includes a transparent cover body 56, a speaker 57, a speaker cover 58, a reflector body (not shown), and the like, and these constituent members are assembled together to form a unit. A button 60 that can be operated by the player is provided on the left side of the upper plate 51.

[Configuration of Locking Device] A description will be given based on FIGS. 1 and 4.
A function of locking the main body frame 3 with respect to the outer frame 2 and a function of locking the front frame 4 with respect to the main body frame 3 on the rear side of the free end side opposite to the hinge mechanism 36 of the front frame body 11 The locking device 70 having both of the above is mounted. That is, in this embodiment, the locking device 70 includes a plurality of upper and lower body frame locking hooks 72 that detachably engage with a closing tool 71 provided on the outer frame 2 to lock the body frame 3 in a closed state, From the front of the pachinko machine 1, a plurality of upper and lower door locking hooks 74 that detachably engage with a closing tool 73 provided on the rear side of the front end of the front frame 4 to lock the front frame 4 in a closed state. And a cylinder lock 75 that is exposed through the front frame 11 and the lower front plate 30 so that the key can be inserted and unlocked. Then, a key is inserted into the key hole of the cylinder lock 75 and rotated in one direction, so that the engagement between the main body frame locking hook 72 and the closing tool 71 of the outer frame 2 is released, and the main body frame 3 is unlocked. By rotating in the opposite direction, the engagement between the door locking hook 74 and the closing tool 73 of the front frame 4 is released and the front frame 4 is unlocked.

[Configuration of Game Board Mounting Frame and Game Board] A description will be given based on FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG.
3 is an enlarged front view showing the configuration of the game area 37, FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the entire rear side of the pachinko machine 1, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the game area 37.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the game board mounting frame 12 of the main body frame 3 is provided on the rear side of the front frame body 11, and the game board 5 is mounted so as to be attachable / detachable from the front. . The game board 5 is formed in a substantially square plate shape with a size that fits from the front of the game board mounting frame 12 (see FIG. 10). A guide rail 78 including an outer rail 76 and an inner rail 77 is provided on the board surface (front surface) of the game board 5, and a game area 37 is defined inside the guide rail 78. A predetermined gap is provided between the launch rail 19 and the guide rail 78, and when the launched game ball returns to the guide rail 78, the game ball is discharged from the gap. It is configured to be guided to the lower plate 31. Further, a front structural member 79 made of synthetic resin is attached to the front surface of the game board 5 in the outer region of the guide rail 78.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 12, in the game area 37, a number of obstacle nails (not shown) are provided in a predetermined gauge arrangement, and a windmill (not shown) is provided at an appropriate position in the middle thereof. Is provided. A distribution unit 91 is disposed approximately at the center of the game area 37, and a first combination 92 and a second combination 93 are disposed below the distribution unit 91. The distribution unit 91 and the first combination The model of the pachinko machine 1 and the game concept are characterized by the design of the 92 and the second actor 93.

  The distribution unit 91 includes a winning opening 95 arranged in the gaming area 37. When a gaming ball falling along the gaming board surface wins from the winning opening 95, the gaming ball is assigned to a specific area or a normal area. It distributes to either, and has two distribution devices. The detailed configuration will be described later.

  The first combination 92 and the second combination 93 are each composed of four winning openings 96 arranged in two rows on the left and right, and four opening / closing members 97 for opening and closing each winning opening 96 separately. It comprises. The opening / closing member 97 is supported so as to be rotatable around a rotation shaft (not shown) provided at the lower end portion of each winning opening 96, and based on the game unit being distributed to the specific area 541 by the distribution unit 91. All open at once. In addition, when the game balls that fall on the game board are awarded along with the opening, the respective opening / closing members 97 are individually closed by the weight of the game balls. In other words, although not shown, the first and second actors 92 and 93 are provided with an opening mechanism for changing all the opening / closing members 97 to an open position all at once by a solenoid or the like (not shown), and the weight of the game ball. And a closing mechanism for physically changing the opening / closing member 97 to the closed position. In addition, guide members 98 for guiding the game balls to the winning holes 96 arranged on the lower side are provided on the left and right sides of the four sets of winning holes 96.

  First to fourth winning ball devices 101 to 104 are provided on the left and right sides of the first and second winning combinations 92 and 93. The first winning ball apparatus 101 is arranged at the side end position of the game area 37 on the left side of the first winning combination 92, and the second winning ball apparatus 102 is arranged at a position near the left side of the second winning combination 93. ing. On the other hand, the third winning ball device 103 is disposed in the vicinity of the right side of the second accessory 93, and the fourth winning ball device 104 is positioned at the side end position of the game area 37 on the right side of the first accessory 92. Has been placed. That is, the first and fourth winning ball devices 101 and 104 located at the left and right ends of the first to fourth winning ball devices 101 to 104 are compared to the second and third winning ball devices 102 and 103. It is arranged at a slightly higher position.

  Each of the winning ball devices 101 to 104 has an attachment board 105 for attachment to the game area 37. An open winning port 107 containing a winning port switch 106 (see FIG. 11) is provided in the upper part of the mounting board 105, and a winning port switch 108 is built in the lower part of the mounting board 105 and left and right. A pair of opening / closing pieces 109 is provided. The opening / closing piece 109 is tilted by a release mechanism and a closing mechanism (a mechanism that physically uses the weight of the game ball) provided on the back surface of the game board, and a vertical position (open / close). The position where the winning opening 110 is closed) can be displaced.

  The opening mechanism of the open / close prize opening 110 is operated by the weight of the game ball that has entered each open prize opening 107 to shift the open / close piece 109 from the vertical position to the tilted position, thereby opening the open / close prize opening 110. . On the other hand, when the game ball wins in the open / close prize opening 110 in the open state, the game ball operates a closing mechanism on the back of the game board, so that the open / close piece 109 shifts from the tilting position to the vertical position, thereby opening / closing prize opening 110. Close. That is, when a game ball wins in the open winning opening 107, the open / close winning opening 110 is opened as a prize bonus, and when a game ball wins the open / close winning opening 110, the open / close winning opening 110 is closed. Note that the opening mechanism of the opening / closing winning opening 110 communicates with the winning opening 96 of the corresponding first role 92 so that the opening / closing piece 109 can be similarly opened by a game ball winning the winning opening 96. It is configured. In other words, the open / close winning opening 110 is opened in conjunction with the winning winning opening 107 or the winning opening 96 of the first accessory 92.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the game area 37 is provided with a general winning port 115, an out port 116, and the like. The general winning port 115 guides the received game ball to a winning port switch (not shown) provided on the back of the game board. The out port 116 is provided at the lowermost end of the game area 37, accepts game balls that have not won any of the winning ports and collects them as out balls.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, at the lower rear side of the game board 5, as a collective bag for receiving the game balls flowing into various winning devices and guiding the game balls to a predetermined position in a portion extending from the center portion to the lower portion. A box mounting base 118 having both the above function and the function as a box mounting portion is provided. The box mounting base 118 is mounted with a sub control board box 130 in which a sub control board 119 such as a sound control board and a lamp control board is housed, and is superposed on the rear side of the sub control board box 130. A main control board box 132 in which the main control board 131 is housed is mounted. Further, in a state where the box mounting base 118, the sub control board box 130 and the main control board box 132 are respectively mounted on the rear side of the game board 5, the game board 5 is moved from the front of the game board mounting frame 12 of the main body frame 3. The box mounting base 118, the sub control board box 130, and the main control board box 132 are arranged so as not to protrude outward from the outline of the game board 5 so that they can be fitted and installed.

[Configuration of Main Body Frame Mechanism Mounted Body, Ball Tank, and Tank Rail] A description will be given based on FIGS.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the state in which various members are assembled to the main body frame 3 of the pachinko machine 1 from obliquely upper right rear, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the main body frame 3 alone from obliquely upper right rear.
The mechanism mounting body 13 of the main body frame 3 is formed with a tank mounting portion 133, a rail mounting portion 134, a dispensing device mounting portion 135, and the like, and a ball tank 136 is mounted on the tank mounting portion 133. The ball tank 136 is made of a transparent synthetic resin material, and is formed in a box shape opening upward so that a large number of game balls supplied from the island facility can be stored. The storage state of the game balls in the ball tank 136 is visible through the rear side wall of the ball tank 136. In addition, a discharge port 138 for discharging a game ball is formed at the rear corner of the bottom plate portion 137 of the ball tank 136, and the bottom plate portion 137 is formed on an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the discharge port 138. .

  The mechanism mounting body 13 of the main body frame 3 is integrally formed with a rail mounting portion 134 so as to approach the tank mounting portion 133 downward, and the rail component 139 is mounted on the rail mounting portion 134 so that the tank rail 150 is configured. That is, in this embodiment, the rail mounting portion 134 is formed in a state in which the upper lateral portion of the main body frame 3 is recessed by a predetermined depth, and the back side wall of the recess is used as the front wall portion 151 of the tank rail 150. An inclined rail shelf 155 is formed along the lower edge of the concave portion so as to incline downward from one end (left end toward FIG. 9) to the other end (right end toward FIG. 9). An upward surface extending in the lateral direction of the rail shelf 155 is a rail receiving portion 158.

  The rail constituting member 139 that is mounted on the rail mounting portion 134 and constitutes the tank rail 150 includes a rear wall portion 152 that forms a rail passage between the rail mounting portion 134 and the front wall portion 151, and an inclined lower plate And a partition wall (both not shown) that project along the center in the front-rear direction of the upper surface of the lower plate part and divide the rail passage into front and rear rows (in this embodiment, front and rear rows). It is formed in preparation. The rail constituting member 139 is attached to the rail attaching portion 134 by an appropriate attachment means, thereby forming a tank rail 150 having a plurality of front and rear rows of rail passages. Then, after the game balls discharged from the discharge port 138 of the ball tank 136 (dropped by its own weight) are received at one end of the rail passages in the front and rear rows of the tank rail 150, the game balls are moved along the rail passage by their own weight. And rolling toward the other end of the rail passage. Further, in this embodiment, the rail component member 139 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin material, whereby the flow state of the game balls in the rail passage is visually recognized through the rear wall portion 152 of the rail component member 139. It is possible.

  The front wall portion 151 of the tank rail 150 (rail mounting portion 134) separates the first space portion in order to avoid interference with the upper end portion of the rear portion of the equipment (for example, the accessory 91) protruding to the rear side of the game board 5. It is provided in the state. In this embodiment, the rear end of the rail shelf 155 serving as the rear end portion of the main body frame 3 and the rear wall portion of the tank rail 150 are substantially flush with the rear side wall of the ball tank 136. In other words, the tank rail 150 is arranged behind the rear surface of the game board 5 so that the rear wall portion of the ball tank 136 is substantially flush with the rear wall portion of the ball tank 136. Accordingly, a first space portion for avoiding interference with the rear portion of the accessory 91 is provided between the rear side of the game board 5 and the front wall portion 151 of the tank rail 150.

  Above the tank rail 150, a rectifying body 156 for aligning the game balls flowing in the rail passage without overlapping each other is mounted on the upper portion thereof so as to be swingable about the shaft 157. The rectifier 156 is provided with a weight from the center to the bottom.

[Configurations of Dispensing Device Mounting Unit and Ball Dispensing Device] A description will be given based on FIGS. 8 and 9.
A vertically long paying device mounting portion 135 corresponding to a ball paying device (ball paying unit) 170 described below is formed in the vertical direction of one side of the mechanism mounting body 13 of the main body frame 3. The dispensing device mounting portion 135 is formed in a concave shape having an opening on the rear side. In addition, an opening 173 through which a payout motor 172 (see FIG. 4) of the ball payout device 170 can project is formed at a predetermined position on a back wall portion (not shown) having a stepped shape of the payout device mounting portion 135. Yes.

  In a state where the ball paying device 170 is mounted in the recess of the paying device mounting portion 135, a second space portion is provided between the game board 5 and the first space portion, which is at substantially the same level in the front-rear direction. . Thus, the rail passage and the ball passage are arranged at substantially the same level in the front-rear direction. Further, the rear end of the body frame 3, that is, the rear end of the peripheral wall portion of the dispensing device mounting portion 135, the rear end of the rail shelf 155, the rear surfaces of the ball tank 136, the tank rail 150, and the ball dispensing device 170 are substantially the same surface. ing.

  The ball payout device 170 has a vertically long box shape that is substantially the same size as the recess of the payout device mounting portion 135, and is unitized by mounting various parts related to payout. The ball payout device 170 is fitted from the rear opening of the concave portion of the payout device mounting portion 135 and is mounted by appropriate mounting means (for example, mounting means such as an elastic clip, a locking claw, and a screw). It has become.

  Although not shown, the ball dispensing device 170 is formed by dividing the ball passages having inflow ports respectively communicating with the outlets of the rail passages in the tank rail 150 into a plurality of front and rear rows (for example, front and rear rows). Also, the downstream portions of the front and rear rows of ball passages formed in the interior are bifurcated to form front and rear rows of prize balls, a ball rental ball passage and a ball removal ball passage. In addition, a payout member (not shown) made of a rotating body for distributing and paying out game balls to any of the passages is rotated in the forward and reverse directions at a branch portion between the winning ball and the ball passage for lending and the ball passage for ball removal. It is arranged to be possible.

[Equipment on the lower rear side of the main body frame] A description will be given based on Figs.
On the rear side of the front frame body 11 of the main body frame 3, one side (left side in FIG. 5) of the rear lower region of the front frame body 11 located below the game board mounting frame 12 is below the launch rail 19. A launching device unit 194 in which a launching hammer (not shown) for launching a game ball sent to the launching position of the tilted end, a launching motor 192 for operating the launching hammer, etc. are assembled to the mounting substrate 193 and unitized. Is installed. In addition, a power supply board box 196 that houses a power supply board 195 is mounted at a substantially central portion of the rear lower region of the front frame body 11, and the dispensing control board 197 is placed in a state of being superimposed on the rear side of the power supply board box 196. A payout control board box 198 is mounted. The payout control board 197 includes a RAM for storing the number of game balls to be paid out, and transmits a control signal for paying out game balls in accordance with a payout signal transmitted from the main control board 131 to a relay circuit board (not shown). Thus, the operation of the payout motor 172 is controlled.

[Configuration of Rear Cover Body] A description will be given based on FIGS. 5 and 6.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the entire rear side of the pachinko machine 1 from the upper right rear.
The rear end portions of the display device control board box 117 (see FIG. 10) and the main control board box 132 arranged on the rear surface of the game board 5 protrude toward the window opening portion opened in the center portion of the mechanism mounting body 13. . And between the side wall part which comprises one side wall of the window opening part of the mechanism mounting body 13, and the one side wall of the dispensing device mounting part 135 which comprises the other side wall, a substantially square box shape is formed by an opaque synthetic resin material. The formed rear cover body 210 is detachably mounted by a cover hinge mechanism 211.

  The rear cover body 210 is configured integrally with a substantially rectangular rear wall portion 212 and a peripheral wall portion 213 that protrudes forward from the outer peripheral edge of the rear wall portion 212. Of the peripheral wall portion 213 of the rear cover body 210, the wall portion 213 a on one side is attached and detached from above the hinge holes of the hinge body 214 formed at a total of three locations above and below the side wall portion of the mechanism mounting body 13. A hinge body 216 having a hinge pin 215 that can be fitted downward is integrally formed. Further, of the peripheral wall portion 213 of the rear cover body 210, the other wall portion 213b has a locking claw that can be elastically engaged with a locking hole formed in one side wall of the dispensing device mounting portion 135. An elastic closing body 217 is integrally formed.

  That is, in the rear cover body 210, the hinge pins 215 of the upper and lower and intermediate hinge bodies 216 are fitted from above the hinge holes of the hinge body 214 on the side wall portion of the mechanism mounting body 13. In this state, the rear cover body 210 is rotated toward the other side of the mechanism mounting body 13 around the hinge pin 215, and the elastic closing body 217 is inserted into the locking hole on one side wall of the dispensing device mounting portion 135. The rear cover body 210 is held in a closed state on the rear side of the mechanism mounting body 13 by being elastically engaged. Then, the rear cover body 210 covers the entire display device control board box 117 (see FIG. 10) on the rear surface of the game board 5 and a portion extending from a substantially middle portion to the upper end of the main control board box 132 by the rear cover body 210. ing. As a result, the board connector (mainly the board connector for connecting to the display apparatus control board 116) of the main control board 131 exposed at the upper part of the main control board box 132 is hidden from view from behind.

  Further, a portion from the substantially middle portion to the lower end of the main control board box 132 is exposed without being covered by the rear cover body 210. The inspection connector 218 disposed on the main control board 131 is exposed below the main control board box 132, and the inspection connector on the main control board 131 is closed with the rear cover body 210 closed. A board inspection device (not shown) can be connected to the connector 218 for inspection.

  A large number of heat radiation holes 230, 231, 232, and 233 are provided in the rear cover body 210, and internal heat is released from these many heat radiation holes 230, 231, 232, and 233. . In this embodiment, the rear cover body 210 is provided with a large number of slit-like heat radiation holes 230 extending from the peripheral wall portion 213 to the rear wall portion 212, and from the substantially middle height position of the rear wall portion 212 to the upper portion. A large number of elliptical, elliptical, etc. heat radiation holes 231 are provided therethrough, and a large number of elliptical, elliptical, etc. heat radiation holes 232 and a predetermined number of horizontally elongated rectangular heat radiation holes 233 pass through the lower portion of the rear wall 212. It is installed.

  Further, the horizontally long rectangular heat radiation holes 233 have a size corresponding to the size and arrangement position of a plurality of parallel seal portions 235 sealed by the seal screws (sealing members) of the main control board box 132. It penetrates the position. As a result, even when the opaque rear cover body 210 is closed, the plurality of parallel sealing portions 235 of the main control board box 132 are exposed so as to be visible at the portion of the heat radiation hole 233. For this reason, even when the rear cover body 210 is closed, the sealing state of the sealing portion 235 of the main control board box 132 can be easily visually confirmed. Further, since the opaque synthetic resin material can be easily used as a synthetic resin material that is recycled compared to the transparent synthetic resin material, the rear cover body 210 can be manufactured at low cost.

  Of the peripheral wall portion 213 of the rear cover body 210, a predetermined position (two places on the left and right in this embodiment) of the upper wall portion 213c is substantially C-shaped to hold a power cord (not shown) in an appropriately folded state. An elastically deformable cord holder 237 extends toward the rear wall surface of the upper tank rail 150 (the rear wall surface of the rail component 139). A knob for removing the power cord by elastically deforming the cord holder 237 is formed at the tip of the cord holder 237.

  One end of the power cord is detachably connected to the board connector 239 of the distribution board 238, and the power plug at the other end is inserted into a power outlet. As described above, the cord holder 237 is formed integrally with the rear cover body 210 to hold the power cord, so that the power cord hangs and gets caught by foreign objects when the pachinko machine is transported and stored. Problems can be prevented.

[Configuration of Sphere Derivative for Lower Dish, etc. at Rear Lower Part of Main Body Frame] A description will be given based on FIGS. 2 and 7.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the rear cover 210 and various control boards are removed from the perspective view of the pachinko machine 1 shown in FIG.
A lower dish ball derivative 253 is attached to the other side portion (hinge portion) of the rear lower region of the main body frame 3 in the recessed portion of the rear step portion of the speaker box portion 16. The lower tray ball derivative 253 is used when the game balls paid out to the upper plate 51 through the upper plate connection path (not shown) from the award and rental ball passages of the ball dispensing device 170 are full. The game ball on the upper plate communication path is for guiding the game ball to the lower plate 31.

  In this embodiment, a board box 254 that houses the interface board 252 is mounted on the outer surface of the rear wall of the lower dish ball derivative 253. The interface board 252 is interposed between the ball lending machine installed adjacent to the pachinko machine 1 and the payout control board 197, and transmits / receives a signal related to ball lending between the ball lending machine and the payout control board 197. Electrical connection is possible.

[Functional Configuration of Main Substrate and Peripheral Substrate] A description will be given based on FIG.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically showing the control configuration.
The control of the pachinko machine 1 is broadly divided into a group of the main board 310 and a group of the peripheral boards 311. Of these, the group of the main board 310 controls the game operation (winning detection, prize ball payout, etc.). In addition, the group of peripheral boards 311 controls the rendering operation (light emission decoration, sound output, etc.).

  The main board 310 includes a main control board 131 and a payout control board 197. The main control board 131 includes a CPU 314 as a central processing unit, a ROM 315 as a read-only memory, and a RAM 316 as a readable / writable memory. The CPU 314 controls various games performed in the pachinko machine 1 by executing a control program stored in the ROM 315, and creates a command signal to be output to the peripheral board 311 and the payout control board 197. The RAM 316 temporarily stores various data generated in various processes executed by the main control board 131 and information such as input signals. Although details will be described later, on the main control board 131, a special winning detection means 551 for detecting that a game ball has flowed out from the specific area 541 of the sorting device 501 and a game ball from the normal area 542 of the sorting device 501 are provided. A normal winning detection means 552 for detecting the outflow, a return occurrence detecting means 550 for detecting that a game ball has entered the return area 543 of the sorting apparatus 501, a first combination 92 and a second combination 93 The winning combination winning detection means 319 for detecting that a game ball has been won in the winning opening 96 and the four sets of winning opening switches 106 and 108 described above are connected, and these detection signals are input. Yes. Further, a swing piece movable solenoid 585 and a drive motor 546 are connected to the main control board 131, and a drive signal is output to these. In addition, although not shown, the main control board 131 has an opening / closing member for the first accessory 92 and the second accessory 93 based on the fact that the game ball has flowed out of the specific area 541 of the distribution device 501 as a functional configuration. Advantageous game state generating means for releasing 97 is provided.

  The payout control board 197 includes a CPU 333 as a central processing unit, a ROM 334 as a read-only memory, and a RAM 335 as a readable / writable memory. The payout control board 197 processes the command signal input from the main control board 131 and outputs a drive signal to the ball payout device 170. Thereby, the ball payout device 170 pays out the game ball according to the drive signal.

  Bidirectional communication is performed between the main control board 131 and the payout control board 197 via respective input / output interfaces. For example, when the main control board 131 transmits a prize ball command, payout control is performed in response thereto. An ACK signal is returned from the board 197 to the main control board 131.

  On the other hand, the peripheral board 311 includes, for example, a plurality of illumination control boards 337 and 338 and a waveform control board 339 in addition to the sub-integrated board 336. Between the main control board 131 and the sub-integrated board 336, communication in only one direction is performed between the input / output interface and the input interface, and the main control board 131 and the sub-integrated board 336 communicate with each other. The command is sent, but not the other way around.

  The sub-integrated board 336 also includes electronic components such as the CPU 350, the ROM 351, the RAM 352, and the like, and a predetermined effect control program can be executed by these electronic components. Bidirectional communication is performed between the sub-integrated board 336 and the other illumination control boards 337 and 338 and the waveform control board 339 with each input / output interface. A decoration lamp 353 mainly including the side decoration device 52 and the like is connected to the first illumination control board 337, and a lighting signal of the decoration lamp 353 is sent from the sub-integrated board 336 to the illumination control board 337. When transmitted, the illumination control board 337 performs processing for lighting the decoration lamp 353 in response to the transmission. An effect lamp 354 is connected to the second electrical decoration control board 338. For example, when a display command is transmitted from the sub-integrated board 336 to the lighting control board 338, the lighting control board 338 receives this and performs a process of actually operating the effect lamp 354.

  The waveform control board 339 performs processing for generating and transmitting / receiving waveform signals such as inaudible ultrasonic waves in addition to audible sound waves as acoustic outputs. For example, when an acoustic output command is transmitted from the sub-integrated board 336 to the waveform control board 339, the waveform control board 339 receives this and performs processing for driving the speakers 18 and 57 described above. In addition, an ultrasonic transmission / reception device 356 is connected to the waveform control board 339, and the ultrasonic transmission / reception device 356 enables ultrasonic communication between a plurality of platforms. Normally, a plurality of pachinko machines 1 are installed side by side in the island facility of the hall, but between the pachinko machines 1 equipped with the ultrasonic transmission / reception device 356, mutual ultrasonic communication is possible. By using this communication function, a plurality of pachinko machines 1 can synchronize the effect operation or exchange game information between specific stands.

  The illumination control boards 337 and 338 and the waveform control board 339 are also CPUs 357, 358 and 359 as central processing units, ROMs 370, 371 and 372 as read-only memories, and RAMs 373 and 374 as read / write memories, respectively. , 375.

[About the configuration of the distribution unit]
Next, a specific configuration of the distribution unit in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 13 to 20. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the entire sorting unit in the present embodiment, FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the sorting unit, FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the sorting device, and FIG. FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are explanatory diagrams showing the sorting operation of the sorting device, FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a cross-section of the sorting device, and FIG. 20 is a diagram of the passage sorting device. It is explanatory drawing which removed the back cover and showed the distribution operation | movement mechanism.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the distribution unit 91 includes a distribution device 501 and a passage distribution device 502.

  Hereinafter, the distribution device 501 will be described with reference to FIGS. The distribution device 501 includes a rotating body 503 that has a substantially circular shape in plan view and is rotatably supported at the center, a rotating body case 504 that receives the rotating body 503, and a rotation driving unit 505 that rotationally drives the rotating body 503. It is configured. On the upper surface of the rotating body case 504, the rotating body receiving surface 506 that receives the rotating body 503 and has a shape obtained by partially cutting the back side of the substantially circular shape in plan view, and an outer peripheral wall 507 that surrounds the rotating body 503. Are formed integrally with the rotating body case 504.

  A shaft hole 508 is bored substantially at the center of the rotating body receiving surface 506, and a rotating shaft rod 509 passes through the shaft hole 508 and pivotally supports the rotating body 503. A first outflow path 521 and a second outflow path 522 through which a game ball flows out are formed in the rotating body receiving surface 506, and an outer peripheral wall 507 is formed at a part where a part of the inner side of the rotating body receiving surface 506 is notched. A return port 523 that is open is formed. The first outflow path 521 and the second outflow path 522 are each formed by a substantially concentric arc-shaped hole centering on the axis of the rotating shaft rod 509, and the first outflow path 521 is compared with the second outflow path 522. , Formed closer to the shaft hole 508.

  The entire rotating body case 504 is inclined forward. On the upper surface of the rotator case 504, a guide passage 524 that extends around the rotator 503 and extends from the back side to the front side is integrally formed on the outer side of the rotator receiving surface 506 and the outer peripheral wall 507. The guide passage 524 has a gentle gradient as a whole from the upstream side to the downstream side, and the inflow port 525 located at the end on the downstream side is the lowest. The guide passage 524 traverses the back of the rotating body 503 from right to left so as to go around the rotating body 503, bends forward at a path bending portion 526, and extends the left side of the rotating body 503 forward. The location where the passage distribution device 502 is disposed is cut away to form an upstream open end 527 and a downstream open end 528. The guide passage 524 is bent so as to go around from the downstream open end 528 to the front of the rotating body 503 and is connected to the inflow port 525. In the vicinity of the upstream side of the passage bending portion 526, a bending portion step 529 is formed in which the upstream side is stepped and is higher than the downstream side.

  The rotating body 503 has concave portions that can receive a total of eight game balls including one specific region 541, six normal regions 542, and one return region 543 in the circumferential direction at equal intervals (45 degrees). Are arranged at intervals) and open in the radial direction. As the rotating body 503 rotates, the inflow port 525 temporarily communicates with the specific area 541, the normal area 542, and the return area 543.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, the rotating body receiving surface 506 and the rotating body 503 are inclined forward and the front end is lowered, so that the rotating body receiving surface 506 is located at the bottom of the inlet 525. Low, there is a step in the height direction between the inlet 525 and the rotor receiving surface 506. Therefore, the game ball waiting at the inflow port 525 does not flow back to the guide passage 524 when entering the specific area 541, the normal area 542, or the return area 543, but the specific area 541, the normal area 542, Alternatively, it stays in the return region 543 and turns as the rotating body 503 rotates. The side walls of the specific area 541, the normal area 542, and the return area 543 extend in a vertical direction larger than the radius of the game ball, and the game balls that have entered the specific area 541, the normal area 542, or the return area 543 flow out from above. Never do. Since the height of the upper end of the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 503 is lower than the upper end of the outer peripheral wall 507, it does not flow out to the outside beyond the outer peripheral wall 507 in the same manner.

  The normal area 542 is formed slightly closer to the outer periphery than the specific area 541. A first drop prevention piece 541a is formed at the outer peripheral side bottom of the specific region 541, and closes the outer peripheral side bottom of the specific region 541. Similarly, the normal region 542 is also provided with the second fall prevention piece 542a at the bottom on the outer peripheral side. However, since the normal region 542 is drilled closer to the outer periphery than the specific region 541, the second fall prevention piece 542a is It is thinner than one fall prevention piece 541a. On the other hand, the return region 543 is further drilled closer to the outer periphery than the normal region 542, does not include a fall prevention piece at the outer peripheral side bottom, and is open at the bottom. In addition, a part of the vicinity of the return port 523 is cut out on the rotating body receiving surface 506 to form a joining portion 544.

  As a result, when the rotating body 503 rotates, the opening that communicates even when the specific area 541 reaches the upper part of the second outflow path 522 and a part of the hole communicates with the game ball entering. Since the size of the part is too small for the game ball to pass, the game ball does not fall. In addition, when passing through the return port 523, the lower part of the outer periphery is blocked by the first drop prevention piece 541a, so that the game ball does not flow out and turns as it rotates. However, when it reaches the upper part of the first outflow path 521, it communicates as an opening of a size sufficient for the game ball to pass through, so that the game ball falls to the lower first outflow path 521 (FIGS. 17 and 19). b)).

  On the other hand, when entering the normal area 542, when the normal area 542 reaches the upper part of the first outflow path 521 and the first outflow path 521 communicates with a part of the hole at the lower part of the normal area 542, the size of the opening is increased. However, the game ball does not fall because it is insufficient for the game ball to pass. In addition, when passing through the return port 523, the lower part of the outer periphery is blocked by the second fall prevention piece 542a, so that the game ball does not flow out and turns as it is rotated by the rotating body 503. However, when reaching the upper part of the second outflow path 522, the game ball falls into the second outflow path 522 because the game ball communicates as an opening that is large enough to pass (FIG. 18 (d), (See (e) and FIG. 19 (b)).

  On the other hand, when the ball enters the return area 543, the return area 543 passes through the upper part of the first outflow path 521 or the second outflow path 522, and the first outflow path 521 or the second outflow path 522 and the holes below the return area 543 Even when a part communicates with each other, the size of the opening is insufficient, so that the game ball does not fall and continues to turn as the rotating body 503 rotates. At this time, the bottom of the return area 543 is closed by the rotating body receiving surface 506 and the side is closed by the outer peripheral wall 507, so that the game ball does not deviate from the return area 543. However, when the return port 523 and the return area 543 are temporarily in communication with each other, the bottom and sides of the return area 543 are opened, and the game ball flows out downward on the outer peripheral side of the rotating body 503 according to gravity and inertia. Then, it passes through the junction 544 and flows into the guide passage 524 (see FIG. 18F).

  In the vicinity of the upstream side of the guide passage 524 with which the merging portion 544 contacts, a steep slope portion 545 having a steeper slope than other sections of the guide passage is formed. Even when the game ball that has flowed into the guide passage 524 from the merge portion 544 flows back to the upstream side of the guide passage 524, the steep slope portion 545 prevents further backflow and stops, and flows down downstream according to the gradient. In addition, even if other game balls flow down the guide passage 524 and come into contact with each other and the rolling direction and the rolling speed of each game ball change, similarly, the backflow is prevented and the downstream flow is surely made downstream. Can do.

  According to the pachinko machine 1 of the present example, the guide passage 524, the bent portion step 529, the outer peripheral wall 507, the rotating body receiving surface 506, the inlet 525, the return port 523, the junction 544, and the steep slope 545 are rotated. The body case 503 is integrally formed.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the rotation drive means 505 includes a drive motor 546, a rotating body shaft rod 509, a sorting device base box 547, a first photosensor 548, a position detection piece 549, and a position detection piece receiver 561. Is done.

  The distribution device base box 547 has a deep dish shape with an upper surface of a substantially square shape in plan view, and a detection means accommodating portion 560, a first outflow passage 521, and a second outflow passage 522 are formed therein. A shaft hole through which the rotation shaft of the drive motor 546 penetrates is formed in the bottom. The sorting device base box 547 is positioned below the rotating body case 504, accommodates the first photosensor 548, the position detection piece 549, and the position detection piece receiver 561, and is fixed together with the rotating body case 504. The drive motor 546 is fixed to the sorting device base box 547 so that its rotation shaft passes through the shaft hole on the bottom surface of the sorting device base box 547 and protrudes inside. A position detection piece receiver 561 is fitted to the protruding portion of the rotation shaft of the drive motor 546, and the position detection piece receiver 561 is a substantially fan-shaped position in plan view fitted to the lower end of the rotation shaft rod 509. It is in contact with the detection piece 549. Then, the two protrusions formed on the contact surface of the position detection piece 549 are fitted in the two concave portions formed on the position detection piece receiver 561, and the position detection rotated by the drive motor 546 is performed. The position detecting piece 549 is also rotated with the rotation of the one piece holder 561. The position detection piece 549 and the position detection piece receiver 561 are accommodated in the detection means accommodating portion 560, and the first photosensor 548 sandwiches the position detection piece 549 in the vertical direction, and the displacement of the rotating position detection piece 549 is detected. To detect. The rotary shaft 509 passes through the shaft hole 508 of the rotary body case 504, and the upper end protrudes above the rotary body receiving surface 506. A rotating body 503 is attached to the upper portion of the rotating shaft rod 509.

  Hereinafter, the path distribution device 502 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, 16, and 20. The passage distribution device 502 includes a swing piece 562, a passage distribution device case 563, swing piece movable means 564 housed in the passage distribution device case 563, and a back cover 565. The passage distribution device 502 is located on the lower left side of the distribution device 501, a position where the left bottom portion of the rotating body case 504 is in contact with the upper surface of the passage distribution device case 563, and the swing piece 562 is guided. It arrange | positions so that the space | gap between the upstream open end 527 and the downstream open end 528 of the channel | path 524 may correspond.

  The swing piece 562 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and has a rectangular dish shape in which a barrier 566 is formed at three ends of the upper surface, and one end of the swing piece rotating shaft 567 is fitted to the lower part. It is worn. The two sides of the barrier 566 are oriented substantially parallel to the axis of the swing piece rotation shaft rod 567, and the remaining one side is formed at the end opposite to the side on which the swing piece rotation shaft rod 567 extends. . Two sides of the barrier 566 parallel to the swinging piece rotating shaft rod 567 are each cut into a V shape, and a guide passage side cutout portion 566a is provided on the side facing the downstream open end 528 of the guide passage 524. On the side of 581 (see FIG. 12), a non-prize outflow path side notch 566b is formed. In addition, the non-prize outflow path side notch 566b is wider than the guide path side notch 566a.

  As described above, the swing piece rotating shaft rod 567 is fitted to the swing piece 562 as described above, and is rotatably supported through the shaft hole 582 of the passage distributing device case 563, and the other end is supported. Inside the passage distribution device case 563, it is fitted into a D-shaped first shaft hole 583 a formed at one end of a substantially oval plate-shaped transmission arm 583. A circular second shaft hole 583b is formed at the other end of the transmission arm 583, and the connecting rod 584 is rotatably slidably engaged therewith.

  The swing piece movable solenoid 585 is fitted into a solenoid housing portion 586 formed in a substantially square concave shape inside the passage distribution device case 563. The reciprocating member 587 having a substantially rectangular plate shape is sandwiched between the passage distribution device case 563 and the back cover 565 and slides in the vertical direction. A plunger 588 of a swing piece drive solenoid 585 is fitted into a plunger receiving portion 587a formed so as to protrude below the reciprocating member 587, and the reciprocating member 587 is moved in the vertical direction in accordance with the vertical reciprocating motion of the plunger 588. It is displaced to. A rectangular hole 587b is formed in the upper part of the reciprocating member 587, and a connecting rod 584 is inserted there. The connecting rod 584 moves up and down with the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating member 587, slides in contact with the second shaft hole 583b, and rotates the transmission arm 583 about the axis of the swinging piece rotating shaft rod 567. .

  A swing piece guide hole 601 is formed in the front surface of the passage distribution device case 563, and a protrusion 602 formed integrally with the swing piece 562 is received therein. The swing piece guide hole 601 has a shape of a substantially oval hole. The swing piece guide hole 601 is large enough to accept the protrusion 602 in the width direction and leave a slight gap, and the protrusion 602 can reciprocate up and down in the vertical direction. It has a short groove shape with a size. When the protrusion 602 is inserted into the swing piece guide hole 601 and the movable range of the protrusion 602 is restricted, the swing width when the swing piece 562 swings is restricted to a predetermined range.

  When entering the winning opening 95, the game ball B descends through a descending passage (not shown) connecting the winning opening 95 and the guide passage 524 and flows into the guide passage 524. According to the gradient of the guide passage 524, the game ball flows down and flows onto the swing piece 562. At this time, the passage distribution device 502 stops in a state where the swing piece 562 is inclined in a direction in which the right side is lowered toward the right side, the game ball comes into contact with the barrier 566, and the gradient of the upper surface of the swing piece 562 is increased. Accordingly, the rolling direction is changed, and the rolling direction rolls toward the inflow port 525 through the guide passage side cutout portion 566a.

  The game ball passes through the guide passage 524 and is in a standby state at the position of the inflow port 525. Here, since the rotating body 503 is driven by the rotation driving unit 505 and rotates at a predetermined speed, the inflow port 525, the specific area 541, the normal area 542, and the return area 543 are rotated along with the rotation of the rotating body 503. The game balls waiting at the inflow port 525 enter the specific area 541, the normal area 542, or the return area 543 that communicated.

  The game ball that has entered the specific area 541 stays in the specific area 541 and moves as the rotating body 503 rotates. When the specific area 541 reaches the upper part of the first outflow path 521, the specific area 541 and the first outflow path 521 communicate with each other in the vertical direction, so that the game ball falls and moves to the lower part of the rotating body 503 and the rotating body case 504. It flows out through the first outflow passage 521 and passes through the specific winning detection means 551 (see FIG. 11). Along with this, the specific winning detection means detects the game ball, and the advantageous game state generation means that receives the detection signal generates an advantageous game state advantageous to the player. That is, all the opening / closing members 97 in the first accessory 92 and the second accessory 93 are simultaneously opened.

  On the other hand, the game ball that has entered the normal area 542 stays in the normal area 542 and moves as the rotating body 503 rotates. When the normal area 542 reaches the upper part of the second outflow path 522, the normal area 542 and the second outflow path 522 communicate with each other in the vertical direction, so that the game ball falls and flows out of the second outflow path 522. Passes the winning detection means 552 (see FIG. 11).

  On the other hand, the game ball that has entered the return area 543 stays in the return area 543 and moves as the rotating body 503 rotates. When the return region 543 reaches the return port 523, the outer periphery side of the return region 543 communicates with the return port 523, and the outer periphery side of the return region 543 is opened, so that the game ball rolls to the junction 544, Further, the rotating body 503 is pushed out from the merging portion 544 according to the rotation of the rotating body 503 and flows into the guide passage 524.

  Here, the return occurrence detection means 550 (see FIG. 11) detects that a game ball has entered the return area 543, and the swing piece movable means 564 is operated. The swinging piece 562 is inclined and stopped so that the right side is lowered and the swinging piece 562 starts swinging. The game ball returned to the guide passage 524 rolls again in the guide passage 524 and flows into the upper surface of the swing piece 562. Since the swing piece 562 is swinging, the game ball changes its rolling direction in accordance with the inclination of the upper surface of the swing piece 562 and is distributed to the guide passage 524 or the out-of-prize outflow passage 581. At this time, since the obstacle outflow path side notch 566b is wider than the guide passage side notch 566a, the possibility of outflow to the non-prize outflow path 581 is high.

  Thus, according to the pachinko machine 1 of the present example, the return area 543 is provided, and even when the game ball that has entered the winning opening 95 does not enter the specific area 541, the return area 543 If a ball is entered, it is sent back to the guide passage 524 again, reaches the inflow port 525, and may enter the specific area 541, so that the entrance to the winning opening 95 enters the specific area 541. Even if it is not the timing, the player can continue to have a sense of expectation.

  Now, the probability that a game ball will enter the specific area 541 will be described. According to the pachinko machine 1 of this example, the rotating body is formed with a region where a total of eight game balls enter, one specific region 541, six normal regions 542, and one return region 543. Yes. Therefore, the probability of entering the specific area 541 is 1/8, the probability of entering the normal area 542 is 6/8, and the probability of entering the return area 543 is 1/8. That is, the probability that a game ball that has entered the winning opening 95 enters the specific area 541 as it is is 1/8 (12.5%). The probability of entering the return area 543 is also 1/8.

  When a game ball enters the return area 543, it is sent back to the guide passage 524 through the return port 523, and when the game ball reaches the inlet 525 again, the specific area 541 communicates with the inlet 525 to identify the game ball. The probability of entering the region 541 is determined by the time required for the game ball to reach the inflow port 525 after passing through the return port 523 and the rotation cycle of the rotating body 503. Therefore, if the passage distribution device 502 is in a stopped state, there is no element that changes the rolling direction or speed of the game ball such as a moving obstacle between the return port 523 and the inflow port 525, The game ball only flows down through a short section, and the game ball arrives at the inflow port 525 at almost constant timing. For this reason, the ball enters a specific place in any one of the specific area 541, the normal area 542, and the return area 543 with a high probability.

  Here, it is not considered when entering the return area 543. This is because, if the rotating body 503 rotates with a cycle in which the returned game ball enters the return area 543 with a high probability, the return area 543 is repeatedly entered and the return area 543 is specified. The region 541 is formed at a rotationally symmetric position, and is in a positional relationship farthest from the specific region 541. At the timing of entering the return area 543, there is almost no possibility of entering the specific area 541. Therefore, repeatedly entering the return area 543 significantly impairs the fun of the game. Therefore, the rotating body 503 is rotated at a cycle that does not enter the return area 543 again.

  When the game ball enters the return area 543, the game ball enters the specific area of either the specific area 541 or the normal area 542 when the passage distribution device 502 is stopped. At this time, if the rotating body 503 is rotated at a period in which the possibility of entering the specific area 541 is about one-half, the probability that the game ball that initially entered the winning hole 95 will enter the specific area 541 Is the sum of the probability of entering the specific area 541 as it is and the probability of entering the specific area 541 through the return action, and is about 3/16 (about 19%). In addition, when the rotating body 503 is rotated at a period in which the possibility of entering the specific area 541 is about one third, the probability that the game ball that initially entered the winning hole 95 enters the specific area 541 is as follows. Similarly, it becomes about 4/24 (about 17%).

  Now, when the path allocating device 502 is activated when the return area 543 enters the ball and the swing piece 562 starts swinging, the rolling speed of the game ball changes on the upper surface of the swing piece 562. The timing to reach the inlet 525 changes. Temporarily, the time required for the game ball to reach the inflow port 525 due to the swinging of the swinging piece 562 fluctuates within a range of one half of the rotation cycle of the rotating body 503 and enters the specific area 541. Including the possibility of a ball, the game ball enters any one of four areas, one specific area 541 and three normal areas 542 out of eight areas. Therefore, when the probability of entering the specific area 541 as it is from the winning opening 95 and the probability of entering the specific area 541 through the return action are totaled, the probability of entering the specific area 541 is about 5/32 (About 16%). Further, when the passage sorting device 502 is operated to perform the sorting operation, the game balls are sorted to the non-award outflow path 581 with a high probability, so that the probability of entering the specific area 541 is further reduced. When about two-thirds is distributed to the outflow path 581 outside the prize by the passage distribution device 502 and flows out, the probability of entering the specific area 541 is about 13/96 (about 13.5%). In other words, the increase in the probability of entering the specific area 541 by providing the return area 543 is 12.5% when the probability of entering the specific area 541 is equally 1/8. Compared to the probability of entering, it is only about 1%.

  Thus, according to the pachinko machine 1 of this example, when a ball enters the return area 543, it is distributed to the non-award outflow path 581 by the passage distribution device 502 or specified until the ball enters the normal area 542. While the possibility of entering the area 541 continues and the effect of continuing to arouse the player's expectation is obtained, the improvement of the possibility of entering the specific area 541 is only around 1%. In other words, while the return area 543 is provided to raise the player's joy and increase the operating rate of the gaming machine, the increase in the cost associated with an increase in the probability of entering the specific area 541 is suppressed to a very small amount. Expected to contribute to the profits of the venue.

  In addition, since the sorting operation of the sorting unit 91 changes when the player enters the return area 543, it is possible to expect the effect of bringing diversity to the development of the game and making the player less tired. For example, assuming a gaming machine having a distribution unit in which the return area 543 is not formed and only one specific area 541 and several normal areas 542 are formed on a rotating body, a game ball is placed at the inflow port 525. , The success or failure of the advantageous gaming state is determined by whether the specific area 541 communicates with the inflow port 525 or the normal area 542 communicates before the specific area 541. Become. In other words, since a large number of subsequent game developments are determined by a single chance that a game ball enters the specific area 541 or the normal area 542, the game may be monotonous. On the other hand, according to the pachinko machine 1 of the present example, when the return area 543 is formed in the rotating body 503, a return operation in which the game ball is sent back to the guide passage 524 occurs, and when the ball enters the return area 543 Since the passage distribution device 502 operates, the player is provided with a plurality of patterns for entering the specific area 541, and it is easily recognized that there are many branches of the game development. When the player enters the return area 543, the possibility of entering the specific area 541 continues, while the passage distribution device 502 is activated to change the rolling state of the game ball, and thus a return operation occurs. In some cases, the timing at which the game ball reaches the inlet 525 can be widened. In this way, by causing various developments, it is possible to prevent the game from becoming monotonous and to bring a sense of excitement to the player.

  The game ball that has flowed out of the return region 543 through the return port 523 once enters the junction 544 and then flows into the guide passage 524. When the game ball that has entered the return area 543 turns with the rotation of the rotating body 503 and reaches the portion where the return port 523 and the return area 543 communicate with each other, the rotating body receiving surface that blocks the bottom of the return area 543 Since 506 is notched, the bottom is opened and falls to the merge portion 544. Due to the inertia of the turning motion, the game ball deviates from the opening on the outer peripheral side of the return region 543, passes through the return port 523, and flows into the guide passage 524 through the junction 544. The junction 544 has a flat platform shape with a height higher than that of the guide passage 524 where the return port 523 communicates. Therefore, after flowing into the guide passage 524, it collides with other game balls and the like, and the rolling direction changes. Even so, it is difficult to return to the merge portion 544, and reverse flow into the return region 543 is prevented.

  Further, according to the pachinko machine 1 of the present example, since the rotating body 503 is disposed forwardly, the state of the upper surface of the rotating body 503 can be seen well by the player. Since the upper surface of the rotating body 503 is easily visible, a design effect that attracts the player's attention can be expected by displaying characters, designs, and the like on the upper surface of the rotating body 503. For example, as in the pachinko machine 1 of this example, a mark with a V-shaped motif is formed in the vicinity of the specific area 541, and a star-shaped mark is formed in the vicinity of the return area 543. It is possible to clarify the difference between them, to easily recognize the rotation state of the rotating body 503 and the positional relationship between the respective regions, and to have design interestingness.

  Further, according to the pachinko machine 1 of the present example, the rotating body 503 is formed with a total of eight specific areas 541, normal areas 542, and return areas 543 at regular intervals. A groove-like concave surface is formed on the upper surface of the rotating body 503 in a cross shape. As a result, for example, even when a path for the game ball to fall on the upper side of the rotating body 503 is provided, the game ball that has dropped on the upper surface of the rotating body 503 enters the cross-shaped concave surface and the rolling direction is adjusted. Since the ball enters any of the four areas, the allocating operation of the rotating body 503 can be performed smoothly.

  Further, according to the pachinko machine 1 of the present example, the swing piece 562 is formed with the barrier 566, and the guide passage side notch portion 566a and the award outflow path side notch portion 566b are notched, The upper surface of the rocking piece 562 has a shallow valley shape with a lower central portion, and the valley line connects each of the substantially V-shaped valley portions of the guide passage side cutout portion 566a and the non-prize outflow passage side cutout portion 566b. The upper surface of the swing piece 562 is a folded surface. The game ball that has entered the swing piece 562 is prevented from escaping from the swing piece 562 by the barrier 566, and is brought close to the central portion corresponding to the bottom of the valley shape. As the swing piece 562 swings, when either the guide passage side notch 566a or the non-prize outflow path notch 566b is lowered, the swing piece 562 passes through the V-shaped notch and moves from the swing piece 562. leak.

  Most of the passage distributing device 502 other than the swing piece 562 is hidden under the rotating body case 504, and the swing piece 562 is disposed in a gap that is cut out in the middle of the guide passage 524. Therefore, the entire sorting unit 91 can be downsized and visually refreshed. By downsizing, the rotating body 503 of the sorting apparatus 501 and the swinging piece 562 of the passage sorting apparatus 502 can be disposed at closer positions, and the rotating operation of the rotating body 503 and the game ball The contrast between the movement of the ball entering each region and the swing of the swing piece 562 and the change of the rolling of the game ball on the swing piece 562 can produce visual interest.

  Furthermore, according to the pachinko machine 1 of the present example, the bent portion step 529 in which the upstream side is higher than the downstream side is formed in a step shape in the vicinity of the upstream side of the passage bending portion 526 of the guide passage 524. Backflow can be prevented even when the gradient of the passage 524 is gentle. That is, the inflow port 525 is positioned on the front side of the rotating body 503, the return port 523 is positioned on the rear side of the rotating body 503, and the guide passage 524 is formed so as to go around the rotating body 503. In addition to increasing the total length of the flow path 524, the slope of the guide passage 524 becomes gentler because the height difference between the inlet 525 and the return outlet 523 is restricted by the size and mounting angle of the rotating body 503. By forming the bent portion step 529, it is possible to reliably flow the game ball downstream.

  The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as described below. And design changes are possible.

  That is, in the above embodiment, the rotating body 503 is provided with one specific area 541, six normal areas 542 and one return area 543, but the specific area 541, normal area 542 and return area 543 are shown. The number and ratio of are not particularly limited.

  In the above embodiment, the swing piece 562 is moved by the swing piece movable solenoid 585. However, the drive means is not particularly limited, and for example, a motor can be used. Further, although the swinging piece 562 is swingingly moved at a constant cycle, the swinging piece 562 may be displaced irregularly, or the motion speed and the cycle may be changed based on the gaming state.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is shown as a gaming machine, but a gaming machine other than the pachinko machine, for example, a gaming machine formed by fusing a pachinko machine and a slot machine, etc. The present invention can be applied.

It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the main body frame was opened by the one side of the outer frame of a pachinko machine, and the front frame was opened by the one side of the main body frame. It is a front view which shows the whole front side of a pachinko machine. It is an enlarged front view which shows the structure of a game area | region. It is a perspective view which isolate | separates the main body frame and game board of a pachinko machine, and shows from diagonally upper right front. It is a rear view which shows the whole rear side of a pachinko machine. It is a perspective view which shows the whole rear side of a pachinko machine from upper right back. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the back cover, various control boards, etc. from the perspective view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which various members were assembled | attached to the main body frame of the pachinko machine from diagonally upper right back. It is a perspective view which shows a main-body frame simple substance from diagonally upper right back. It is a perspective view which shows the game board with which various control board boxes were mounted | worn from lower right back. It is a block diagram which shows a control structure roughly. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a game area | region. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a distribution unit. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a distribution unit. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a distribution apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a channel distribution apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the distribution operation | movement of the rotary body in a distribution apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the distribution operation | movement of the rotary body in a distribution apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the cross section of a distribution apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the distribution operation | movement in a channel | path distribution apparatus by removing a back cover.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachinko machine 37 Game area 95 Prize opening 131 Main control board (advantageous game state generating means)
501 Sorting device 502 Passage sorting device 503 Rotating body 504 Rotating body case 505 Rotation drive means 507 Outer peripheral wall 521 First outflow passage 522 Second outflow passage 523 Return port 524 Guide passage 525 Inflow port 526 Passage bending portion 529 Bending portion step 541 Specific area 542 Normal area 543 Return area 544 Junction section 545 Steep slope section 546 Drive motor 562 Oscillating piece 564 Oscillating piece movable means 566 Barrier 566a Guide passage side notch part 566b Non-award outflow path side notch part 581 Non-award outflow path

Claims (4)

A prize opening that is arranged in the game area and allows a game medium to be awarded;
A specific area, a normal area, and a return area that are supported in a rotatable manner with a shaft center tilted forward with respect to the vertical direction as a rotation axis and that have a concave shape that opens in the radial direction are formed. A rotating body formed at a rotationally symmetric position about the rotation axis;
A rotation driving means for rotating the rotating body;
An outer peripheral wall surrounding the rotating body,
An inlet formed on the front side of the outer peripheral wall and temporarily communicated with the specific area, the normal area, or the return area as the rotating body rotates.
A guide passage for guiding the game medium won in the winning opening to the inflow port,
And it is formed at a position higher than the inflow port on the back side of the outer peripheral wall, and is temporarily communicated with the return region as the rotating body rotates, and enters the return region from the inflow port. A sorting apparatus comprising a return port for allowing the game medium to flow out and return to the guide passage;
A first outflow path that communicates with the specific area of the rotating body in the sorting device and causes the game medium that has entered the specific area to flow out;
A second outflow path that communicates with the normal area of the rotating body and allows the game medium that has entered the normal area to flow out;
Advantageous game state generating means for generating an advantageous game state advantageous to the player based on the fact that the game medium has flown into the first outflow path,
While the rotating body makes one rotation, the specific area and the return area are temporarily communicated with the inlet at equal intervals,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body is rotated at a period in which the game ball does not enter the return area again. A prize opening that is arranged in the game area and allows a game medium to be awarded;
A rotating body that is supported rotatably about an axis inclined forward with respect to the vertical direction and has a concave shape that is open in the radial direction, a normal area, and a return area.
A rotation driving means for rotating the rotating body;
An outer peripheral wall surrounding the rotating body,
An inlet formed on the front side of the outer peripheral wall and temporarily communicated with the specific area, the normal area, or the return area as the rotating body rotates.
A guide passage for guiding the game medium won in the winning opening to the inflow port,
And it is formed at a position higher than the inflow port on the back side of the outer peripheral wall, and is temporarily communicated with the return region as the rotating body rotates, and enters the return region from the inflow port. A return port that allows game media to flow out and return to the guide passage
A sorting apparatus comprising:
A first outflow path that communicates with the specific area of the rotating body in the sorting device and causes the game medium that has entered the specific area to flow out;
A second outflow path that communicates with the normal area of the rotating body and allows the game medium that has entered the normal area to flow out;
Advantageous game state generating means for generating an advantageous game state advantageous to the player based on the fact that the game medium has flowed into the first outflow path;
Comprising
An out-of-prize outflow path for allowing the game medium to flow out of the guide passage is provided in the vicinity of the sorting device,
A gaming machine characterized in that a passage distribution device for distributing the game medium to either the guide passage or the non-award outflow passage is disposed in a section between the return port and the inflow port. . An out-of-prize outflow path for allowing the game medium to flow out of the guide passage is provided in the vicinity of the sorting device,
The passage distribution device that changes a rolling direction and a rolling speed of a game medium won in the winning opening and distributes the gaming medium to either the guide path or the non-award outflow path includes the return port and the The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is disposed in a section between the inlet and the inflow port . The gaming machine according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the passage distribution device changes a rolling direction and a rolling speed of a game medium won in the winning opening.

Images