JP5156921B2 - Launch operation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a launching operation device in which an operation unit for adjusting the firing force of a ball launching device of a gaming machine is provided so as to be able to rotate.

  As described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-99137), for example, a conventional general gaming machine (for example, a pachinko machine) has a control handle on the lower right side of the front of the gaming machine. Adjusting the launch force of the ball launcher by holding this operation handle with your hand and rotating it so that when you release your hand from the operation handle, the return handle automatically returns the operation handle to its initial position. It has become.

  However, in the above-described conventional launching operation device, when the firing force of the ball launching device (the rotation operation position of the operation handle) is kept constant, the player holds the operation handle constant against the biasing force of the return spring. There is a drawback that it is necessary to fix at the rotation operation position, and the arms and hands are easily fatigued.

As a countermeasure against this, as described in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-17627), a spring that urges the operation handle in a direction to press-contact the handle cover is provided, and the launch force (operation handle) When the player moves the operation handle with the hand in the direction away from the handle cover against the biasing force of the spring, the player turns the operation handle to launch the ball. In order to keep the firing force of the device constant, the rotation handle position of the operation handle is fixed by releasing the hand from the operation handle and pressing the operation handle against the handle cover by the biasing force of the spring. is there.
JP-A-9-99137 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-17627 (page 4, FIG. 2, etc.)

  However, in the launching operation device of the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, when adjusting the firing force of the ball launching device (rotation operation position of the operation handle), the player rotates the operation handle against the biasing force of the spring. There is a drawback that it is difficult to adjust the rotation operation position of the operation handle because the operation handle needs to be rotated while being held in a state moved in a direction different from the direction (a direction away from the handle cover).

  In addition, when the hand is released from the operating handle, the rotating operation position of the operating handle is fixed by the biasing force of the spring, so that even if the operating handle is released, the operating handle remains in the initial position. Dont return. For this reason, when the player finishes the game, he forgets to return the operation handle to the initial position and is left in a state where the operation handle is rotated, and suddenly when the next player starts the game. A game ball may be fired with a strong launch force. In addition, there is a possibility that an illegal game such as a player operating a ball launcher of a plurality of gaming machines while holding it or operating a ball launcher in the absence of a player.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and therefore the object of the present invention is to reduce the player's fatigue when holding the rotating operation position of the operation unit constant, while operating the player. It is an object of the present invention to provide a launching operation device that can easily adjust the rotation operation position of the unit and that can automatically return the operation unit to the initial position when the hand is released from the operation unit.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a launching operation device in which an operation unit for adjusting the firing force of a ball launching device of a gaming machine is provided so as to be rotatable. A return means for returning to the position, a switching means capable of switching between a locked state in which the rotation of the operation unit is locked and an unlocked state in which the rotation of the operation unit is permitted, and the switching unit is attached to the unlocked state. The switching means is maintained in the unlocked state by the urging means during normal operation so that the operation portion can be rotated, and the switching means is locked against the urging force of the urging means. When the state is switched, the rotation operation position of the operation unit is fixed, and the operation unit rotates integrally with a rotation shaft provided so as to extend in a substantially vertical direction. At the tip of the arm, the switch The stage includes a rotation unit that rotates integrally with the operation unit, and a rotation prevention unit for preventing rotation of the rotation unit, and when the operation unit is pressed substantially vertically downward The rotation unit is configured to switch to the locked state by switching to a state in which the rotation of the rotation unit is blocked by the rotation blocking unit, and the rotation unit includes the arm. It is attached to the position away from the said operation part so that it may oppose the said rotation prevention part.

  In this configuration, the switching unit is normally maintained in the unlocked state by the biasing unit and the operation unit can be rotated. Therefore, when adjusting the rotation operation position of the operation unit, Unlike the technology, it is not necessary to hold the operation unit in a state different from the rotation direction, and the rotation operation position of the operation unit can be easily adjusted.

  Further, when the firing force of the ball launching device (rotation operation position of the operation unit) is kept constant, the operation unit can be rotated by switching the switching unit to the locked state against the biasing force of the biasing unit. Since the operation position can be fixed, the burden on the player's arms and hands can be reduced, the player's fatigue can be reduced, and the rotation operation position of the operation unit can be stabilized. And can be fixed.

  In addition, when the hand is released from the operation unit, the operation unit can be automatically returned to the initial position by the return means, so that when the player finishes the game, the operation unit is rotated. It can be prevented that the game ball is left unattended, and when the next player starts playing, the game ball can be prevented from being suddenly launched with a strong launch force. It is also possible to prevent illegal games such as a player operating a ball launcher of a plurality of gaming machines while holding it, or operating a ball launcher in the absence of a player.

In this case, in the first aspect of the invention, the operation unit is attached to the tip of the arm that rotates integrally with the rotation shaft provided so as to extend in a substantially vertical direction, and the switching means includes the operation unit and A rotation part that rotates integrally and a rotation prevention part for preventing the rotation of the rotation part are provided, and when the operation part is pressed substantially vertically downward , the rotation part moves and the rotation of the rotating portion is configured to switch to the locked state by switching the state is prevented by rotation preventing portion. In this way, the switching means is switched to the locked state by a simple method of pressing the operation portion substantially vertically downward , which is a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis (a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation direction). The rotation operation position of the part can be fixed. Moreover, since the operation unit is pressed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation direction, it is possible to prevent the rotation operation position of the operation unit from being shifted when the operation unit is pressed.

Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 1 , the operation unit is arranged so that the rotation axis of the operation unit is in a substantially vertical direction, and the switching unit is in a locked state when the operation unit is pressed substantially vertically downward. It is configured to switch. In this way, since the switching means can be switched to the locked state by pressing the operating portion substantially vertically downward using the weight of the hand or arm, the switching means can be easily switched to the locked state even with a light force. The rotation operation position of the operation unit can be fixed.

According to the present invention, as in claim 2, the rotating portion is provided so as to be slidable in the vertical direction along the rotating shaft, and the support serving as a fulcrum for the vertical movement of the arm is provided between the rotating shaft and the operating portion. A structure provided with a member is preferable.

  Several embodiments embodying the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
A front panel 12 is provided at the lower part on the front side of the main body frame 11 of the pachinko machine (game machine), and an upper ball tray 13 and a lower ball tray 14 for receiving pachinko balls are provided at the center of the front panel 12. Yes. Note that only one ball dish may be provided. In addition, a firing operation device provided with an operation stick 15 (operation unit) for adjusting the firing force of a ball launching device (not shown) on the right side of the front panel 12 (to the right of the ball dishes 13 and 14). 16 is provided.

Next, the configuration of the firing operation device 16 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, a rotation shaft 19 (rotation shaft) is rotatably supported on a support base 18 provided inside a main body case 17 of the firing operation device 16. The rotation shaft 19 is disposed so as to extend in a substantially vertical direction, and a substantially cylindrical slide rotation portion 20 is slidable in the vertical direction along the rotation shaft 19 on the outer peripheral side of the rotation shaft 19. And it is attached so that it may rotate integrally with the rotating shaft 19. An arm 22 is attached to a large diameter portion 21 provided on the upper portion of the slide rotation portion 20 so as to be swingable in the vertical direction. The arm 22 has a distal end protruding outside the main body case 17, and an operation stick 15 is attached to the distal end of the arm 22 substantially vertically upward. Accordingly, the operation stick 15 is provided so as to be rotatable in a substantially horizontal direction around the rotation shaft 19, and the slide rotation portion 20 is rotated integrally with the operation stick 15.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the firing operation device 16, the operation stick 15 is rotated from the initial position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3) in the normal rotation direction (for example, counterclockwise when viewed from above). It is configured. As shown in FIG. 2, a return spring 23 (return means) that urges the slide rotation portion 20 in the reverse rotation direction (for example, clockwise direction when viewed from above) is provided inside the main body case 17. The operating stick 15 is biased to the initial position by the return spring 23.

  A rotary variable resistor 24 is disposed below the support base 18, and a rotating shaft 24 a of the rotary variable resistor 24 is connected to the rotating shaft 19. Thereby, when the rotation shaft 19 rotates according to the rotation operation amount of the operation stick 15, the rotation shaft 24 a of the rotary variable resistor 24 is rotated accordingly and the resistance of the rotary variable resistor 24 is rotated. The value is adjusted, and an electric signal corresponding to the resistance value is output to a control circuit (not shown). This control circuit adjusts the launch force of the ball launcher according to the electrical signal from the rotary variable resistor 24.

  On the other hand, a substantially cylindrical rotation blocking unit 25 is disposed above the slide rotation unit 20 in a state of being fixed to the fixing member 26, and the lower end surface of the rotation blocking unit 25 and the slide rotation unit 20 are arranged. Triangular or corrugated fitting teeth 27 and 28 are formed on the upper end surface of the large diameter portion 21, respectively. The fitting teeth 27 and 28 may be formed in other shapes (such as a square shape). The slide rotation unit 20 and the rotation blocking unit 25 switch between a locked state (the state shown in FIG. 2) that locks the rotation of the operation stick 15 and an unlocked state that allows the operation stick 15 to rotate. It functions as an operable switching mechanism 29 (switching means).

  Here, in the locked state, the slide rotation unit 20 slides upward, and the fitting tooth 27 of the slide rotation unit 20 and the fitting tooth 28 of the rotation prevention unit 25 are fitted to each other. In this state, the rotation of the rotation unit 20 is blocked by the rotation blocking unit 25. On the other hand, in the unlocked state, the slide rotating unit 20 slides downward, and the fitting teeth 27 of the slide rotating unit 20 and the fitting teeth 28 of the rotation preventing unit 25 are released. Thus, the rotation of the slide rotation unit 20 is allowed. The return spring 23 also serves as an urging unit that urges the switching mechanism 29 to the unlocked state by urging the slide rotation unit 20 downward.

  At normal times, the slide rotating portion 20 is slid downward by the return spring 23, and the switching mechanism 29 is in the unlocked state (the fitting teeth 27 of the sliding rotating portion 20 and the fitting teeth 28 of the rotation preventing portion 25). The operation stick 15 is in a state in which the operation stick 15 can be rotated. In this case, since the slide rotation part 20 is slidingly moved downward, the distal end side of the arm 22 swings upward with the upper end of the support member 30 as a fulcrum, and the operation stick 15 is moved upward. It becomes.

  When the firing force of the ball launching device (the rotation operation position of the operation stick 15) is kept constant, the operation stick 15 is pressed substantially vertically downward (substantially parallel to the rotation shaft 19), and the arm The front end portion 22 is swung downward with the upper end portion of the support member 30 as a fulcrum. As a result, the slide rotation part 20 is slid upwardly against the urging force of the return spring 23, and the switching mechanism 29 is locked (the fitting teeth 27 of the slide rotation part 20 and the rotation prevention part 25 By switching to the state in which the fitting teeth 28 are fitted, the rotational operation position of the operation stick 15 can be fixed.

On the other hand, when the hand is released from the operation stick 15, the slide rotation unit 20 is slid downward by the return spring 23, and the switching mechanism 29 automatically returns to the unlocked state. The unit 20 is rotated in the reverse rotation direction so that the operation stick 15 automatically returns to the initial position.
This launching operation device 16 may be structured such that a foreign object such as a coin cannot be inserted into the gap so that damage due to the insertion of the foreign object can be prevented.

  In the first embodiment described above, since the switching mechanism 29 is maintained in the unlocked state by the return spring 23 and the operation stick 15 can be rotated, the rotation operation of the operation stick 15 is normally performed. When adjusting the position, it is not necessary to hold the operation unit in a state different from the rotation direction as in the prior art, and the rotation operation position of the operation stick 15 can be easily adjusted. .

  Further, when the firing force of the ball launching device (the rotation operation position of the operation stick 15) is kept constant, the operation stick 15 is pressed substantially vertically downward (substantially parallel to the rotation shaft 19) to switch. By switching the mechanism 29 to the locked state, the rotation operation position of the operation stick 15 can be fixed, so that the player can apply the urging force of the return spring 23 (the urging force of the operation stick 15 to the initial position). It is not necessary to fix the operation stick 15 at a certain rotational operation position against the power), the burden on the player's arm and hand can be reduced, and the player's fatigue can be reduced. The rotation operation position of the operation stick 15 can be stably fixed.

  Moreover, since the operation stick 15 can be automatically returned to the initial position by the return spring 23 when the hand is released from the operation stick 15, the operation stick 15 is operated to rotate when the player finishes the game. It is possible to prevent the game ball from being suddenly launched with a strong firing force when the next player starts playing. It is also possible to prevent illegal games such as a player operating a ball launcher of a plurality of gaming machines while holding it, or operating a ball launcher in the absence of a player.

  Further, in the first embodiment, when the operation stick 15 is pressed in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation shaft 19, the slide rotation unit 20 slides upward and the switching mechanism 29 is locked (the slide rotation unit 20 has Since the fitting tooth 27 and the fitting tooth 28 of the rotation preventing portion 25 are engaged with each other, the operation stick 15 is substantially parallel to the rotation shaft 19 (substantially orthogonal to the rotation direction). The switching mechanism 29 is switched to the locked state by a simple method of pressing in the direction), and the rotation operation position of the operation stick 15 can be fixed. In addition, since the operation stick 15 is pressed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation direction, the rotation operation position of the operation stick 15 can be prevented from being shifted when the operation stick 15 is pressed.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the switching mechanism 29 is switched to the locked state when the operation stick 15 is pressed substantially vertically downward. Therefore, the operation stick 15 is moved substantially vertically downward using the weight of the hand or arm. The switching mechanism 29 can be switched to the locked state by pressing the switch to the locked state, and the switching mechanism 29 can be easily switched to the locked state even with a light force, and the rotation operation position of the operation stick 15 can be fixed.

  In the first embodiment, since the engagement teeth 27 of the slide rotation unit 20 and the engagement teeth 28 of the rotation prevention unit 25 are engaged with each other, the operation stick 15 can be locked. The position where the rotation operation is fixed is determined by the pitch of the fitting teeth 27 and 28 and becomes stepwise.

  Therefore, as in the modification shown in FIG. 4, the rotation preventing portion 32 is formed of a material having a high coefficient of friction (rubber, soft resin, etc.), and the upper end surface of the slide rotating portion 31 is formed on the rotation preventing portion 32. You may comprise so that it may be in a locked state by sticking to a lower end surface. In this way, the position where the rotation operation of the operation stick 15 is fixed can be made stepless, and the position where the rotation operation of the operation stick 15 is fixed can be finely adjusted. In addition, it is not limited to the structure which forms the whole rotation prevention part 32 with a material with a high friction coefficient, At least one of the upper end surface of the slide rotation part 31 and the lower end surface of the rotation prevention part 32 has a high friction coefficient. What is necessary is just to form with a material.

  In the first embodiment, the operation stick 15 is urged to the initial position by one return spring 23 and the switching mechanism 29 is urged to the unlocked state. However, the operation stick 15 is urged to the initial position. The biasing means for biasing and the biasing means for biasing the switching mechanism 29 to the unlocked state may be provided separately.

  Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. However, substantially the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be simplified. The parts different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the firing operation device 33, a fixed base 35 is fastened and fixed to a boss portion 34 provided on the back side of the front panel 12 with a screw 36, and a fixed shaft is connected to the front side of the fixed base 35. 37 (rotating shaft) is fixed so as not to rotate. The fixed shaft 37 is disposed so as to extend in a substantially horizontal direction.

  An operation handle 38 (operation unit) is attached to a rear side of a handle cover 39 formed in a substantially hemispherical shape so that a substantially cylindrical handle base 40 can be integrally rotated. A cylindrical connecting ratchet 41 (rotating part) is fastened and fixed to the outer peripheral side of the outer peripheral side by screws 42 so as to be integrally rotatable.

  Bearing holes 43 and 44 are concentrically provided on the inner peripheral side of the intermediate portion of the handle base 40 and the inner peripheral side of the rear end portion of the coupling ratchet 41, and the fixed shaft 37 is provided in these bearing holes 43 and 44. Is inserted, and a connecting ratchet 41 is rotatably supported by a bearing portion 45 provided on the front panel 12. Thereby, the operation handle 38 and the connecting ratchet 41 are provided so as to be slidable horizontally along the fixed shaft 37 and rotatable about the fixed shaft 37.

  The firing operation device 33 is configured such that the operation handle 38 is rotated from the initial position in the normal rotation direction (for example, clockwise when viewed from the front). The fixed base 35 is provided with a return spring 46 (returning means) that urges the connecting ratchet 41 in the reverse rotation direction (for example, counterclockwise when viewed from the front). The return spring 46 allows the operation handle 38 to be moved to the initial position. It has come to be energized.

  Further, the sun gear 47 is fixed to the front end portion of the fixed shaft 37 so as not to rotate inside the operation handle 38. Further, the rotary variable resistor 24 is disposed inside the operation handle 38 so as to rotate around the fixed shaft 37 integrally with the operation handle 38, and the rotary shaft 24 a of the rotary variable resistor 24 is arranged. Is connected to the planetary gear 48, and the planetary gear 48 meshes with the sun gear 47. Thus, when the planetary gear 48 rotates according to the amount of rotation of the operation handle 38, the rotation shaft 24a of the rotary variable resistor 24 is rotated accordingly.

  On the other hand, behind the connecting ratchet 41, a substantially cylindrical rotation preventing portion 49 is disposed in a state of being fixed to the fixed base 35. On the front end surface of the rotation preventing portion 49 and the rear end surface of the connecting ratchet 41, Square-shaped fitting teeth 50 and 51 that are fitted to each other are formed. The fitting teeth 50 and 51 may be formed in other shapes (triangular shape, wave shape, etc.). The connecting ratchet 41 and the rotation prevention unit 49 can switch between a locked state in which the rotation of the operation handle 38 is locked and a unlocked state (a state shown in FIG. 5) in which the rotation of the operation handle 38 is allowed. It functions as a simple switching mechanism 52 (switching means).

  Here, in the locked state, the connecting ratchet 41 slides backward, and the fitting teeth 50 of the connecting ratchet 41 and the fitting teeth 51 of the rotation preventing portion 49 are fitted to each other. The movement is blocked by the rotation blocking unit 49. On the other hand, in the unlocked state, the connecting ratchet 41 slides forward, and the fitting between the fitting tooth 50 of the connecting ratchet 41 and the fitting tooth 51 of the rotation preventing portion 49 is released. In this state, 41 is allowed to rotate. Further, the return spring 46 also serves as a biasing means that biases the switching mechanism 52 to the unlocked state by biasing the connecting ratchet 41 forward.

  Normally, the connecting ratchet 41 is slid forward by the return spring 46, and the switching mechanism 52 is in the unlocked state (the fitting teeth 50 of the connecting ratchet 41 and the fitting teeth 51 of the rotation preventing portion 49 are fitted). The operation handle 38 is in a state where it can be rotated.

  Further, when the firing force of the ball launching device (the rotational operation position of the operation handle 38) is kept constant, the operation handle 38 is pushed substantially rearward (in a direction substantially parallel to the fixed shaft 37). Thus, the connecting ratchet 41 is slid rearward against the urging force of the return spring 46, and the switching mechanism 52 is locked (the fitting tooth 50 of the connecting ratchet 41 and the fitting tooth 51 of the rotation preventing portion 49). , The rotation operation position of the operation handle 38 can be fixed.

  Note that an inclined surface (an obliquely upward surface) may be formed on the handle cover 39 of the operation handle 38. In this way, it is possible to easily generate a force that pushes the handle cover 39 backward while placing a hand on the inclined surface of the handle cover 39.

  On the other hand, when the hand is released from the operation handle 38, the connection ratchet 41 is slid forward by the return spring 46, the switching mechanism 52 automatically returns to the unlocked state, and the return spring 46 reverses the connection ratchet 41. The operation handle 38 is automatically returned to the initial position by rotating in the rotation direction.

Further, the operation handle 38 is provided with a stop button 53, and when the stop button 53 is pressed, the micro switch 54 disposed inside the operation handle 38 is turned on so that the firing operation of the ball launching device is stopped. It has become.
The firing operation device 33 may be structured such that a foreign object such as a coin cannot be inserted into the gap so that damage due to the insertion of the foreign object can be prevented.

  Also in the second embodiment described above, the rotation operation position of the operation handle 38 can be easily adjusted while reducing the fatigue of the player when the rotation operation position of the operation handle 38 is held constant. In addition, the operation handle 38 can be automatically returned to the initial position when the hand is released from the operation handle 38, and the operation unit does not return to the initial position even when the hand is released from the operation unit. Can be solved.

  In the second embodiment, the engagement teeth 50 of the connecting ratchet 41 and the engagement teeth 51 of the rotation preventing portion 49 are engaged with each other. It may be formed of a material having a high coefficient (rubber, soft resin, etc.), and may be configured to be in a locked state by bringing the rear end face of the connection ratchet into close contact with the front end face of the rotation blocking portion. In this way, the position where the rotation operation of the operation handle 38 is fixed can be made stepless, and the position where the rotation operation of the operation handle 38 is fixed can be finely adjusted. It should be noted that the entire rotation preventing portion is not limited to a structure formed of a material having a high friction coefficient, and if at least one of the rear end surface of the connecting ratchet and the front end surface of the rotation preventing portion is formed of a material having a high friction coefficient. good.

  In the second embodiment, the operation handle 38 is biased to the initial position and the switching mechanism 52 is biased to the unlocked state by one return spring 46. However, the operation handle 38 is biased to the initial position. The biasing means for biasing and the biasing means for biasing the switching mechanism 52 to the unlocked state may be provided separately.

  Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, substantially the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be simplified. The parts different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the firing operation device 55, an operation handle 56 (operation unit) is rotatably provided on the front panel 12, and the operation handle 56 is rotated from the initial position in the positive rotation direction (for example, viewed from the front). It is configured to be rotated in a clockwise direction. Further, the operation handle 56 is biased to the initial position by a return spring (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the operation handle 56 includes a first touch sensor 57 and a second touch sensor 58 (which detect that a player's hand or finger is touching a predetermined position of the operation handle 56. Lock operation detecting means), the first touch sensor 57 is electrically connected to the contact detection unit 60 via the wiring 59, and the second touch sensor 58 is connected to the lock operation detection unit 62 via the wiring 61. Electrically connected.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the contact detection unit 60 is arranged at a plurality of locations on the outer periphery of the operation handle 56 (for example, positions where the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and ring finger contact when the player holds the operation handle 56). Has been. The lock operation detection unit 62 is disposed at one location on the outer periphery of the operation handle 56 (for example, a position where a little finger contacts when the player grasps the operation handle 56 or the vicinity thereof). The operation of touching the detection unit 62 is a lock operation. Note that the position and number of the contact detection unit 60 and the lock operation detection unit 62 may be changed as appropriate. The contact detection unit 60 may be disposed at one position of the operation handle 56, or the lock operation detection unit 62 may be disposed on the operation handle 56. You may arrange | position in multiple places.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, on the rear surface side of the front panel 12, there are a disc rotor 63 that rotates integrally with the operation handle 56, and a plurality (or one) for preventing the disc rotor 63 from rotating. ) Brake device 64 is provided. The brake device 64 includes a brake pad 65 for sandwiching the disc rotor 63 and an actuator 66 such as a solenoid that drives the brake pad 65, and locks the rotation of the operation handle 56 (shown in FIG. 7). State) and a switching means capable of switching between the unlocked state in which the operation handle 56 is allowed to rotate.

  Here, the locked state is a state in which the rotation of the disc rotor 63 is prevented by sandwiching the disc rotor 63 with the brake pad 65. On the other hand, the unlocked state is a state where the disc rotor 63 is allowed to rotate by releasing the pinching of the disc rotor 63 by the brake pad 65.

  Output signals from the first touch sensor 57 and the second touch sensor 58 described above are input to the control circuit 67 (lock control means). When the output signal of the first touch sensor 57 is off (when the player is not touching the contact detection unit 60 of the operation handle 56), the control circuit 67 prohibits the launch operation of the ball launcher.

  Thereafter, when the output signal of the first touch sensor 57 is turned on (when it is detected that the player is touching the contact detection unit 60 of the operation handle 56), the launching operation of the ball launching device is permitted. .

  In addition, when the output signal of the second touch sensor 58 is OFF (when the player does not detect the lock operation that touches the lock operation detection unit 62 of the operation handle 56), the brake device 64 is unlocked ( The operation handle 56 is controlled to be in a state in which the operation handle 56 can be rotated while maintaining the state in which the disc rotor 63 is nipped by the brake pad 65.

  Thereafter, when the output signal of the second touch sensor 58 is turned on (when the player detects a lock operation that touches the lock operation detection unit 62 of the operation handle 56), the brake device 64 is locked (brake pad). 65, the disc rotor 63 is sandwiched), and the rotation operation position of the operation handle 56 is controlled to be fixed. The brake device 64 may be switched to the locked state when the output signal of the first touch sensor 57 is on and the output signal of the second touch sensor 58 is on.

  On the other hand, when the hand is released from the operation handle 56 and the output signal of the second touch sensor 58 is turned off, the brake device 64 automatically returns to the unlocked state, and the operation handle 56 is automatically moved by the return spring. Thus, it returns to the initial position.

  In the third embodiment described above, during normal operation (when the lock operation is not detected by the second touch sensor 58), the operation handle 56 can be rotated by maintaining the brake device 64 in the unlocked state. Therefore, the rotation operation position of the operation handle 56 can be easily adjusted.

  Further, in the case where the firing force of the ball launching device (the rotation operation position of the operation handle 56) is kept constant, the lock operation is detected by the second touch sensor 58 if the player performs a lock operation. Since the brake device 64 can be switched to the locked state and the rotation operation position of the operation handle 56 can be controlled to be fixed, the burden on the player's arm and hand can be reduced. The player's fatigue can be reduced, and the rotation operation position of the operation handle 56 can be stably fixed.

  Moreover, since the operation handle 56 can be automatically returned to the initial position by the return spring when the hand is released from the operation handle 56, the operation unit does not return to the initial position even if the hand is released from the operation unit. The problem can also be solved.

  In each of the first to third embodiments, a return spring that biases the operation unit (operation stick or operation handle) to the initial position is provided, and when the hand is released from the operation unit, the operation unit is moved to the initial position by the return spring. However, the operation unit may be returned to the initial position by return means such as a motor when the operation unit is released from the operation unit without urging the operation unit to the initial position.

  Further, in each of the first to third embodiments, the present invention is applied to a launching operation device that adjusts the launching force of the ball launching device by outputting an electrical signal corresponding to the rotational operation amount of the operation unit with a rotary variable resistor. However, the present invention may be applied to a firing operation device that operates a power transmission member such as a wire in accordance with the amount of movement operation of the operation unit and adjusts the firing force of the ball launching device with the power.

  The scope of application of the present invention is not limited to a general pachinko machine launching operation device, and the present invention may be applied to launching operation devices of various gaming machines such as, for example, an arrangement ball gaming machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is an external appearance perspective view of the discharge operation apparatus in Example 1 of this invention, and its peripheral part. It is a vertical side view of the firing operation device of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the firing operation device according to the first embodiment. It is a vertical side view of the switching mechanism in the modification of Example 1. It is a vertical side view of the launch operation device of Example 2. It is an external appearance perspective view of the launching operation device of Example 3, and its peripheral part. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a launching operation device according to a third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Main body frame, 15 ... Operation stick (operation part), 16 ... Launching operation apparatus, 19 ... Rotation shaft (rotation axis), 20 ... Slide rotation part, 22 ... Arm, 23 ... Return spring (return means) , 25 ... rotation prevention part, 27, 28 ... fitting tooth, 29 ... switching mechanism (switching means), 31 ... slide rotation part, 32 ... rotation prevention part, 33 ... firing operation device, 37 ... fixed shaft ( (Rotating shaft), 38 ... operation handle (operating part), 41 ... coupling ratchet (rotating part), 46 ... return spring (returning means), 49 ... rotation preventing part, 50, 51 ... fitting teeth, 52 ... Switching mechanism (switching means), 55... Launch operation device, 56... Operation handle (operating section), 57... First touch sensor, 58... Second touch sensor (lock operation detecting means), 60. 62: Lock operation detection unit, 63 ... Sukurota, 64 ... braking device (switching means), 67 ... control circuit (lock control means)

Claims (2)

In the launching operation device provided with an operation unit for adjusting the firing force of the ball launching device of the gaming machine so as to be rotatable,
Return means for returning the operation unit to an initial position;
Switching means capable of switching operation between a locked state in which the rotation of the operation unit is locked and an unlocked state in which the rotation of the operation unit is allowed;
Urging means for urging the switching means to the unlocked state,
During normal times, the switching means is maintained in the unlocked state by the biasing means so that the operation portion can be rotated, and the switching means is brought into the locked state against the biasing force of the biasing means. It is configured so that the rotation operation position of the operation unit is fixed when switched ,
The operation portion is attached to a tip portion of an arm that rotates integrally with a rotation shaft provided so as to extend in a substantially vertical direction,
The switching means includes a rotation unit that rotates integrally with the operation unit, and a rotation prevention unit for preventing rotation of the rotation unit, and presses the operation unit substantially vertically downward. When the turning part is moved and the turning of the turning part is switched to a state in which the turning part is blocked by the rotation blocking part, it is configured to switch to the locked state,
The launching operation device according to claim 1 , wherein the turning unit is attached to a position away from the operation unit of the arm so as to face the turning prevention unit . The rotating portion is provided to be slidable in the vertical direction along the rotating shaft,
The firing operation device according to claim 1 , wherein a support member serving as a fulcrum for the vertical movement of the arm is provided between the rotation shaft and the operation unit.

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