JP5327847B2 - Game board unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game board unit capable of suppressing a fraudulent action using a small ball of a diameter smaller than that of a regular game ball in the game board unit regardless of a game machine frame. <P>SOLUTION: The game board unit includes a game board 5 where a game area is formed, an inflow port 31a where a game ball 23 flowing down the game area 16 can flow down, a ball path 31d where the game ball 23 which flows into the inflow port 31a is led, and an opening 31e provided in the ball path 31d. The opening 31e has an opening dimension of a width smaller than the diameter of the game ball 23 and is formed so as to make the small ball 41 of the opening dimension or smaller pass through without passing the game ball 23 therethrough. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game board unit, and more particularly to a game board unit having a function of preventing an illegal act using a small ball having a smaller diameter than a regular game ball.

  In a pachinko machine, a ball that has been bulleted flows down a game area (an area formed on or near the game board surface for realizing a game or production by the flow of the game ball). In the process of flowing down, the game ball turns while colliding with a game nail (also referred to as a gauge) or a windmill in the game area, and the flow direction changes. As a result, a predetermined prize ball is paid out when a game ball is won at various winning holes arranged on the game area, while a prize ball is paid out when a game ball flows into the out port without winning at any of the winning holes. Not done. The player enjoys the game by demonstrating his / her skill in the ball or using the chance of the game ball flowing down and expecting the game ball to be won and the prize ball paid out.

  A game ball used for a pachinko machine has dimensions determined based on a predetermined standard. In addition, in the pachinko machine, various winning holes etc. are designed based on the standard of the game ball, and the game using the randomness of the game ball is designed by the game machine by playing using the regular game ball. It is configured to be realized as intended. Therefore, for example, when a game is performed with a sphere having a diameter different from that of the game ball, it becomes easier or difficult to enter the winning opening, and the game as expected by the player and the designer is not realized. There is a risk that fair games will not be realized.

  In order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 describes a pachinko machine having a dividing device that excludes small balls having a smaller diameter than a game ball. The ball splitting device is provided in a ball passage for guiding the game ball to the ball launching device. An opening for dropping a small ball having a smaller diameter than a regular game ball is formed in the ball passage, and the small ball is dropped in the process of passing through the ball passage to separate the small ball from the regular game ball. .

JP-A-1-34476

  The dividing device of Patent Document 1 is provided in a ball passage for guiding a game ball to a launching device, and this ball passage is provided in a game machine frame of a pachinko machine. Therefore, when a game is realized in the gaming machine frame having the ball splitting device, small balls that lead to fraudulent behavior can be selected by the ball splitting device. In general, when changing the model of a pachinko machine, it is often the case that only the game board unit is exchanged, not the entire pachinko machine including the gaming machine frame. However, in a gaming machine that does not originally have a ball splitting device in the gaming machine frame, it is not possible to prevent cheating by small balls even when the gaming board unit is replaced. In such a case, in order to prevent an illegal act by a small ball, it is necessary to replace the entire gaming machine frame, resulting in an increase in replacement cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a gaming board unit capable of suppressing an illegal act using a small ball having a smaller diameter than a regular gaming ball in the gaming board unit regardless of the gaming machine frame. It is an exemplary problem to provide

  In order to solve the above problems, a game board unit as an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a game board in which a game area is formed, an inlet through which a game ball flowing down the game area can flow, and an inlet. A game board unit comprising a ball path through which an inflowing game ball is guided and an opening provided in the ball path, the opening having an opening size with a width smaller than the diameter of the game ball. It is formed so that a small sphere having an opening size or less can be passed without passing.

  The game board unit has an inflow port through which a game ball flowing down the game area can flow, and the game ball flowing into the inflow port is guided to the ball passage. In the ball passage, an opening having an opening size with a width smaller than the diameter of the game ball is formed. The opening is formed so that a small sphere having a diameter equal to or smaller than the opening size is allowed to pass without passing the game ball. The game ball stays in the ball passage without passing through the opening. However, the small sphere having a smaller diameter than the game ball and having a diameter equal to or smaller than the opening dimension passes through the opening and is guided out of the ball passage. Therefore, a small ball having a smaller diameter than the game ball can be selected and separated from the regular game ball.

  By playing a game using this game board unit, it is possible to select and separate the small balls, and it is possible to prevent an illegal act using the small balls. By applying this game board unit to a gaming machine, it is possible to transform a gaming machine having no anti-tamper function into a gaming machine having an anti-tamper function by simply exchanging the game board unit. Can do. Further, the replacement cost for providing the fraud prevention function can be reduced.

  The inflow port only needs to be configured so that a game ball flowing down the game area can enter, and the inflow port may be always open to allow the game ball to flow in, or the inflow of the game ball is easy. An opening / closing member that repeatedly realizes the state and the state where the inflow of the game ball is difficult may be provided, and may be configured to repeat the state where the game ball can flow and the state where the game ball cannot flow.

  The inflow port is a member that is arranged in or near the game area and into which a game ball flowing down the game area can flow. Specifically, for example, inflow of game media triggers a lottery for a special game and is constant. When a lottery result of a special game due to the inflow to the starting prize opening and the starting prize opening that triggers the number of game media to be paid out, a big prize opening that executes a jackpot game, a certain number of inflows of game media Examples include a general winning opening that triggers the payout of game media, and an out opening through which a ball that has flowed down the gaming area and did not flow into any winning opening.

  By implementing the separation function of the small balls by the winning opening such as the starting winning opening, only the fraud that directly contributes to the winning (that is, the profit of the player) is selected instead of selecting all the used small balls. Can be prevented. Further, by realizing the function of separating the small spheres by the out port, it is possible to select all the small spheres to be used.

  The ball passage only needs to have a space through which the game ball flowing into the inflow port is guided and through which the game ball can pass. In addition, the space through which the game ball can pass may be surrounded on all four sides in the direction in which the game ball passes, or may not necessarily be a space in which the four sides are defined. Can be regarded as

  The opening is provided in the ball passage, is an opening having an opening size smaller than the diameter of the game ball, and is configured to guide a small ball having a diameter equal to or smaller than the opening size through the opening to the outside of the ball passage. The opening may have an opening that allows a small ball having a smaller diameter than the game ball to pass without passing a regular game ball, and the shape thereof is not limited. For example, as the gap along the passing direction of the sphere in the ball passage, a configuration in which the gap width is an opening size smaller than the diameter of the game ball can be exemplified. According to this configuration, since the gap as the opening is along the direction in which the game balls pass in the ball passage, the small balls can be discharged out of the ball passage in the process of passing through the ball passage.

  In addition, it is desirable that the game board unit further includes a small ball path through which the small balls that have passed through the opening are guided, and a collection unit that stores the small balls guided through the small ball path. The small balls that have passed through the opening are guided to the small ball path, and the balls guided to the small ball path are accommodated in the collecting unit. It is possible to prevent further use of small balls that lead to fraudulent behavior by, for example, discharging the game machine outside the gaming machine. The small ball path only needs to have a space through which the small ball can pass, and the configuration is not limited.

  Further, it is desirable that the game board unit further includes a sensor that detects a small ball that has passed through the opening, and a notification unit that performs error notification based on detection of the small ball by the sensor. By providing a sensor for detecting the small sphere that has passed through the opening, it is possible to detect that the small sphere leading to the fraud is used. In addition, by providing a notification means for notifying an error by detecting a small ball, it is possible to notify a fraudulent act to the surroundings. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the spread of damage due to the fraudulent act by early detection of the fraudulent act. .

  The notification means may be any means that can notify the surroundings that a small sphere has been detected. For example, the notification means may be a voice notification using a speaker, a video notification using an image display device, or an external output terminal. The notification by the output of the error signal to the outside of the gaming machine can be exemplified.

  In addition to error notification by detecting a small ball, it may be configured to stop the game based on the detection of the small ball, stop paying out the premium ball, or stop the processing leading to the profit of the fraudster. Good. By stopping the processing that leads to the profits of fraudsters using small balls, it is possible to further suppress the expansion of damage caused by fraudulent acts.

  Furthermore, it is desirable that the game board unit further includes an opening size changing means for changing the opening size of the opening. By providing the opening size changing means, it is possible to change the size of the small sphere to be separated by changing the opening size.

  The small ball has a smaller diameter than the game ball, and if the small ball is used to play a game, it is easy to win a prize opening, and there is a risk that profits may be obtained illegally due to behavior different from that of a regular game ball. The effect of using the small balls differs depending on the configuration of the game board, such as the arrangement of the winning opening. For example, if there is a high probability that a small ball with a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the game ball is likely to be illegally gained, the opening size should be a width slightly smaller than the diameter of the game ball, and the slightly smaller diameter By eliminating balls, cheating by small balls is surely prevented. That is, it is possible to appropriately change the opening size by the opening size changing means and to appropriately eliminate the small spheres that lead to fraud according to the configuration of the game board.

  The opening size changing means may be any configuration that can change the opening size, and various configurations can be adopted. For example, the slide part is configured to be movable as a slide part slidable with respect to the opening. A scale is provided along the moving direction of the slide part, the slide part is moved to the scale as appropriate, and fixed at a predetermined location by a fixing member such as a screw. With this configuration, it is possible to change the opening size by closing or opening a part of the opening. Moreover, the structure which changes the opening dimension to open | release can be illustrated by forming the width | variety of an opening part large and partially closing or opening the opening part by several cover parts.

  Furthermore, changing the opening size by the opening size changing means includes not only increasing or decreasing the opening size but also closing the opening (making the opening size zero). If there is little risk of cheating due to small balls due to the configuration of the game board, etc., it may be configured such that all the game balls flowing in from the inflow port pass through the same passage without providing an opening. It is possible to prevent acts that lead to fraud if necessary.

  The game board unit preferably further includes a ball receiving portion that receives a game ball flowing in from the inflow port, and the game ball is preferably guided from the ball receiving portion to the ball passage. The game ball flowing in from the inflow port is received by the ball receiving portion, and the game ball received by the ball receiving portion is guided to the ball passage, thereby reducing the momentum of the game ball guided to the ball passage, The trajectory of the game ball inside can be stabilized.

  For example, if the behavior of the game ball in the ball passage is unstable, the trajectory of the game ball in the ball passage may not be constant, and the game ball may not pass stably through the opening formed in the ball passage. There is. If the game ball does not pass through the opening with a stable trajectory, even a small ball having a diameter smaller than the opening size may not pass through the opening and may not be separated from the game ball. However, by providing the ball receiving portion, the game ball that has flowed into the inflow port is not directly guided to the ball passage, but after being received by the ball receiving portion once, so that the trajectory of the game ball passing through the ball passage is stabilized, The separation accuracy of the small sphere can be improved.

  Further objects and other features of the present invention will become apparent from the preferred embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  By playing a game using the game board unit according to the present invention, when a small ball having a smaller diameter is mixed with the game ball flowing down the game area, the small ball is separated from the game ball. It is possible to suppress fraudulent acts using. In addition, even if a gaming machine does not have enough anti-fraud measures, just replacing it with this game board unit will ensure thorough anti-fraud measures, provide players with fair games, and suppress damage caused by fraudulent acts on the hall. Is possible. Since the countermeasure against fraud can be taken only by exchanging the game board unit, the exchange cost can be reduced as compared with the case of exchanging the entire gaming machine including the gaming machine frame.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 2 as a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pachinko machine 2 includes a gaming machine frame 3, a game board unit 5, a front glass (front transparent plate) 10, a launch unit (not shown), and a storage tray 14. The launch units can launch the game balls 23 one by one toward the game area 16 configured in the game board unit 5. The diameter of the game ball is 11 (the system error is ± 0.01) mm, and a smaller ball is a small ball. For convenience of explanation, a game ball and a small ball are collectively referred to as a sphere. In the present embodiment, when a game is played with a sphere in which a small ball and a game ball are mixed, the small ball is separated.

  As for the pachinko machine, any pachinko machine such as a combination pachinko machine such as an arrangement ball machine or a sparrow ball machine, a so-called digipachi type (one type) or a honey mono type (two types) pachinko machine can be considered. In terms of form, a so-called 1-type 2-type pachinko machine that realizes both a digipachi game (also referred to as a 1-type game, also referred to as a symbol variation game) and a honeymoon game (also referred to as a 2-type game, or an accessory game). An example will be described. The symbol variation game and the bonus game will be described later.

  The gaming machine frame 3 of the pachinko machine 2 is for holding a gaming board unit 5 to be described later, and is configured to surround the pachinko machine 2 around and forward or in addition to the rear. Inside the gaming machine frame 3, in addition to the gaming board unit 5, various mechanical parts such as various electronic boards and paths for gaming media are arranged. Unauthorized access to the pachinko machine 2 is prevented.

  For example, a housing frame 4 surrounding the periphery of the pachinko machine 2, and a machine frame 9 that holds the game board unit 5 by being swingably supported by a hinge portion (swinging support portion) 22 so as to be opened and closed forward. The gaming machine frame 3 is configured to have a decorative frame 12 that is supported by a hinge portion 22 so as to be able to be opened and closed forward and holds the front glass 10 and a decorative member 32 that decorates the periphery thereof. The front glass 10 is a transparent member that enables the player to visually recognize the game board 6 held inside the gaming machine frame 3 from the front.

  The front glass 10 is a transparent plate that is spaced apart from the game board 6 by a certain distance or more. The front glass 10 is formed of transparent flat glass and is held on the back side of the decorative frame 12, and has a function of forming a flowing-down space in which the game ball 23 flows down between the game board 6 and the player through the front glass 10. The function of ensuring visibility so that 6 can be visually recognized, and the function of preventing unauthorized access so that the player cannot illegally access (contact) the game board 6 are exhibited.

  The storage tray 14 is a tray member disposed on the front surface of the pachinko machine 2 to store the player's ball, and has an upper tray 14a and a lower tray 14b in the present embodiment. The upper plate 14a has a ball discharge button 14c and is disposed below the game board 6, that is, a lower portion of the decorative frame 12, and the lower plate 14b is disposed further below the upper plate 14a.

  The launch unit is for launching (bulleting) the game ball 23 sent from the upper plate 14a as a part of the storage tray 14 to the launch position by the ball supply device (not shown) toward the upper portion of the game area 16. Is. The launch unit includes, for example, a launcher for projecting the game ball 23 at the launch position, a launch motor for driving the launcher, a launch spring for energizing the launcher to generate a ball force, and the like. It is attached to the machine casing 9. For launching the ball by the launch unit, a launch handle 15 is provided below the front surface of the pachinko machine 2 to realize on / off of the launch of the ball and adjustment of the launch intensity based on the operation of the player.

  The game board unit 5 includes a game board 6 in which a center accessory 7 is arranged at a substantially central portion on the surface side, and a two-type big prize opening (a second big prize opening) arranged in a part of the center accessory 7. 8, and a number of gauges (game nails) 27 are also arranged on the game board 6.

  The game board 6 is a board-like member for constituting a game area 16 for realizing a game by the flow of the game ball 23 on the surface side thereof, so that the game board 6 can be visually recognized from the front by the player. It is held in the gaming machine frame 3 (in this embodiment, the machine frame 9 as a part of the gaming machine frame 3). A rail ornament 26 is attached to the surface of the game board 6 so as to surround the substantially circular shape, and the inner peripheral surface (inner side surface) 26a of the rail ornament 26 is arranged so as to stand upright with respect to the game board. Has been. A substantially circular area defined by the inner side surface 26 a of the rail decoration 26 and facing the inner side surface 26 a is a game area 16.

  The gauge 27 is a flow changing member that collides with the game ball 23 flowing down the game area 16 and changes the flow direction thereof, and many of the gauges 27 are arranged in the game area 16. In addition, the game area 16 includes a normal winning opening 28, a central starting opening (first starting opening and second starting opening) 29, a central winning opening (first first winning opening) 31, and two kinds of large winning openings. (Second big prize opening) 8 and other ball entry members and an out port 38 are arranged. Furthermore, a passing gate 33, a windmill 34, and the like are arranged in the game area 16, and the game balls 23 that flow down flow into each incoming member, pass through the passing gate 33, and rotate the windmill 34. By doing so, it is possible to enjoy the flow-down game by the game ball 23.

  The center accessory 7 realizes a symbol variation game (type 1 game) and an accessory game (type 2 game). A symbol display device 7a is disposed at the center of the center accessory 7, and a display opening 7d for exposing a display screen (video display surface) 7b of the symbol display device 7a is formed. Below the display opening 7 d of the center accessory 7, there are provided a stage 7 e on which the game ball 23 can roll and a two-type big prize opening 8. The stage 7e is arranged on the front side (side closer to the player) than the second-class big prize opening 8. A transparent plate member 21 for partitioning each region is provided between the stage 7e and the two-type big prize opening 8. The details of the two-type big prize opening 8 will be described later. Above the display opening 7d of the center accessory 7 are a movable accessory 7f with the character of the theme of the pachinko machine 2 as a motif, and a signboard accessory 7g indicating the model name of the pachinko machine 2. , Is provided, and is designed to exhibit decorative effects.

  The symbol display device 7a is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display, an LED, and the like, and is arranged so that the player can see from the surface side of the game board 6, and displays an image on the display screen 7b. Is what you do. On the display screen 7b, for example, a display symbol 7c composed of three-digit numbers or characters is displayed as an image so as to rotate or stop. In addition, for example, an effect image as a story tailoring image by a character or the like is also displayed on the display screen 7b.

  The center accessory 7 is located substantially at the center of the game area 16, and a part of the upper right side thereof constitutes the lower wall surface of the ball passage 37. When the momentum of the launched game ball 23 is relatively strong and passes through the ball passage 37, it can reach the game area (right area) 16 b in the right portion of the center accessory 7.

  When the momentum of the launched game ball 23 is relatively weak and does not pass through this ball passage 37, the game ball 23 flows down the game area (left area) 16 a on the left side portion of the center accessory 7. When the game ball 23 is launched by a ball launcher (not shown), the game ball 23 travels along the inner peripheral surface 26 a of the rail decoration 26 and reaches the upper part in the game area 16. Thereafter, the game ball 23 moves along a plurality of passing trajectories, some moves along the inner peripheral surface 26a of the rail decoration 26 to the right region 16b, and some moves to the game region 16 while colliding with the gauge 27. Some things flow down into the normal winning opening 28 and trigger a certain number of prize ball payouts, and some do not flow into any of the pitching devices and are positioned at the bottom of the game area 16 It flows into the out port 38 and is discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 2 as an out ball.

  When the game ball 23 flows down the left region 16a and flows into the upstream inlet 29a of the central starting port 29 during the symbol variation game, the display symbol 7c of the symbol display device 7a is rotated and displayed (first special display). If the display symbol 7c is stopped and displayed with a predetermined symbol (for example, “7, 7, 7”), the big hit (first special game; hereinafter symbol variation) in the symbol variation game is started. A big hit). The central grand prize opening 31 is opened to accept a large amount of winning balls, and a large amount of prize balls are paid out to the storage tray 14.

  On the other hand, the game ball 23 that has passed through the ball passage 37 flows down the right region 16 b, and some passes through the passage gate 33. When the lottery is performed by the state change lottery means (not shown) due to the passage of the passage gate 33 and the lottery result is a win, the downstream inlet 29b of the central starting port 29 is opened for a certain period of time. The downstream inlet 29b of the central starting port 29 is not allowed to flow in the game ball 23 in the closed state. The jackpot game is generated (that is, the first stage of the second special game). During the opening time, if the subsequent game ball 23 wins the V winning opening 35 of the second big winning opening 8, the central winning opening 31 is opened to continue the big hit game (that is, the second special game No. 1). 2 stage) can be enjoyed.

  Next, a description will be given in detail of the small ball separation function in the two kinds of large winning opening 8, the central starting opening 29, the central large winning opening 31, and the out opening 38. First, the two-type big prize opening 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the two types of big prize winning portions. In FIG. 2, a part of the plate member 21 and the like are omitted for the explanation of the two-type big prize opening 8. The two-type large winning opening 8 has an inflow port 8a that is open so that a sphere can enter, and a blade member (operation member) 8b that realizes a state in which the inflow port 8a can be introduced and a state in which the inflow is not possible. . The blade member 8b moves in the rotation direction about the center, thereby realizing a state where the inflow 8a of the two types of large prize winning openings 8 is open and a state where the inflow is not possible to close the inflow 8a. To do.

  The sphere that has entered from the inflow port 8a of the two-type large prize winning port 8 passes through a cruising member 8c disposed on the downstream side in the passing direction. The croon member 8c has a cylindrical hollow portion that penetrates up and down, and the game ball 23 is decelerated in the process of passing through the hollow portion. The croon member 8c functions as a ball receiving portion that receives the game ball 23 flowing in from the inflow port 8a. On the downstream side in the passing direction of the cruising member 8c, a horizontal passage 8d is disposed as a ball passage for guiding the game ball 23 to the lower left in front view. An opening 8e is formed in the horizontal passage 8d. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an AA cross section of the horizontal passage 8d portion in FIG.

  The bottom surface of the horizontal passage 8d is inclined so as to descend toward the front side, and an opening 8e is formed along the passing direction of the sphere. The width of the opening 8 e is 10 mm which is smaller than 11 mm which is the diameter of the game ball 23. The small sphere 41 having a diameter of 10 mm or less passes through the opening 8e and falls in the process of passing through the horizontal passage 8d. Below the horizontal passage 8d, a small ball path 8f is provided along the horizontal passage 8d. The bottom surface of the small ball path 8f is inclined so as to descend toward the back side, and an outlet of the small ball path 8f is provided at the lower left end in front view. The small sphere 41 that has flowed out from the exit of the small sphere path 8f is guided to a small sphere collection unit described later. That is, the small sphere 41 having a smaller diameter than the game ball 23 and having a width equal to or smaller than the width of the opening 8e flows into the small sphere path 8f from the opening 8e of the horizontal passage 8d, and is guided from the small sphere path 8f to the small sphere collecting section. It is burned.

  On the other hand, the game ball 23 does not pass through the opening 8e of the horizontal passage 8d, and moves to the lower left in the horizontal passage 8d. The passage exit of the horizontal passage 8d opens to the front side. The game ball 23 that has passed through the horizontal passage 8d is supplied to a swinging member 8g serving as a guide member disposed on the front side thereof. The swinging member 8g makes it difficult for the ball to move toward the rotating lottery body 8n, and makes it easy for the ball after movement to move toward the rotating lottery body 8n. Are repeatedly realized, and the game ball 23 supplied from the horizontal passage 8d is moved toward the rotating lottery body 8n. The rotating lottery body 8n has six lottery entrance ball openings 8p into which the game balls 23 can enter, and one of the lottery entry ball openings 8p is a V winning opening 35. The rotating lottery body 8n is continuously driven to rotate at a predetermined cycle, and the big hit continues when the game ball 23 moves in a timely manner and enters the V winning opening 35. In this way, even if the game ball 23 and the small ball 41 are mixed and flown into the two-type big prize opening 8, the game ball 23 and the small ball 41 are separated in the process of passing through the two-type big prize opening 8, Unauthorized acts caused by using the small balls 41 can be prevented.

  Next, the function of separating small balls at the central special winning opening 31 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the central portion of the central prize winning opening 31 in a front view. The central prize winning port 31 includes an inflow port 31a into which a sphere flowing down the game area 16 can flow, a door member 31b that realizes an inflow state and a non-flowable state of the inflow port 31a, and a front surface of the inflow port 31a. The front cover 31c disposed in the sphere, the sphere passage 31d through which the sphere flowing into the inflow port 31a is guided, the opening 31e formed on the wall surface on the back side in the sphere passage 31d, and the opening size of the opening 31e are changed. It has a slide part 31f as an opening size changing part, a small spherical path 31g through which the small sphere 41 that has passed through the opening 31e is guided, and a sensor 31h that detects the passage of the small sphere 41 in the small spherical path 31g.

  When the door member 31b is driven to open the inflow port 31a due to the occurrence of a big hit in the symbol variation game, the sphere flowing down the game area 16 can enter the central big prize opening 31. The sphere flowing down the game area 16 is guided to the inflow port 31a side by the front cover 31c, collides with the door member 31b that opens the inflow port 31a, and is guided into the inflow port 31a. The sphere flowing into the inflow port 31a is configured so that its momentum is weakened by colliding with the door member 31b, and the door member 31b functions as a ball receiving portion. The sphere flowing in from the inflow port 31a is guided to the spherical passage 31d. The spherical passage 31d is disposed along the left-right direction, and a spherical passage outlet 31k is provided at the left end portion in front view.

  An opening 31e is formed on the wall surface on the back side of the spherical passage 31d. The opening 31e is a gap between the bottom surface of the ball passage 31d and the slide portion 31f, and its height dimension is 10 mm smaller than the diameter of the game ball 23, and is formed in the entire ball passage 31d along the left-right direction. Yes. The sphere that has flowed into the ball passage 31d collides with the wall surface on the back side due to its momentum. At this time, when the diameter of the sphere is equal to or less than the height (10 mm) of the opening 31e, the sphere passes through the opening 31e and flows into the small ball path 31g. On the other hand, when the diameter of the sphere is larger than the height of the opening 31e, the sphere does not pass through the opening 31e but passes through the ball passage outlet 31k. The game ball that has passed through the ball passage exit 31k is detected by a sensor (not shown), and is processed as a regular game ball as a trigger for paying out a prize ball.

  The sphere that has flowed into the small ball path 31g is a small sphere 41 that is smaller than the regular game ball 23, and is processed as an illegal sphere. When the small ball 41 flows into the small ball path 31g, it is detected by the sensor 31h, and error processing is performed by a control means (not shown). The error process in the present embodiment is an error display by the symbol display device 7a, a warning sound by a speaker (not shown), an error signal transmission to the hall computer, and a game control stop process in the pachinko machine 2. According to such a configuration, it is possible to separate the small sphere 41 that leads to fraud from the inflowing sphere. Furthermore, by performing error processing by detecting the small sphere 41, it is possible to prevent the spread of damage due to fraud.

  Moreover, the slide part 31f of the center special winning opening 31 is configured to be slidable in the vertical direction, and the opening size of the opening part 31e can be changed. The slide portion 31f has a plurality of holes, and the game board 6 at a position facing the holes also has a recess. The slide part 31f can be fixed at various positions by sliding the slide part 31f and passing the pins through the recesses and the holes of the game board 6. By changing the height position of the slide portion 31f, the opening size of the opening can be changed as appropriate, and the size of the small sphere to be separated can be changed.

  Further, FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which the opening 31e is closed by moving the slide portion 31f downward. The opening 31e can be provided or the opening 31e can be closed by moving the slide part 31f. For example, in a pachinko machine that does not have a risk of illegally gaining profit even if the small ball 41 is used, there is little risk of fraud using the small ball, so the opening 31e is positioned with the slide portion 31f at the lowermost position. It is also possible not to provide a function for closing and separating the small balls.

  Next, based on FIGS. 6 to 8, the function of separating the small spheres in the central starting port 29 will be described in detail. 6 to 8 are views showing the central starting port 29 in a state where it is not attached to the game board 6. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the central starting port 29 as viewed from the upper right. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the central starting port 29, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG. The central starting port 29 includes an upstream inlet 29a and a downstream inlet 29b that are arranged one above the other, an upper sphere passage 29c through which a sphere flowing into the upstream inlet 29a is guided, and an opening 29d formed in the upper sphere passage 29c. The blade member 29e realizes an easy state and a difficult state of the flow of the sphere to the downstream inlet 29b, and a solenoid 29f as a drive source for driving the blade member 29e.

  The upstream entrance 29a is a entrance that triggers the first special game lottery, and is provided so that a sphere flowing down the game area 16 can always flow in. Below the upstream inlet 29a, there is provided a projection 29g as a ball receiving portion that collides with the sphere flowing into the upstream inlet 29a and decelerates the sphere and guides the sphere to the back side. The sphere that has flowed into the upstream inlet 29a is reduced in momentum by colliding with the protrusion 29g, and is directed to an upper sphere passage (sphere passage) 29c disposed on the back side. The upper sphere passage 29c is bent at a substantially right angle, and the sphere in the upper sphere passage 29c passes toward the back side and then passes toward the right side.

  An opening 29d having a width (10 mm) smaller than the diameter of the game ball 23 is formed on the bottom surface of the upper ball passage 29c. The opening 29d is provided along the passing direction of the sphere of the upper sphere passage 29c, and the side of the opening in the passing direction is inclined so as to spread upward. By this inclination, the passing sphere passes through the central portion of the upper sphere passage 29c, and the passing trajectory of the sphere is stabilized. By passing the sphere through the central portion, the small sphere 41 having a diameter equal to or smaller than the width of the opening 29d can be reliably guided to the opening 29d and separated from the game ball 23.

  For example, when the passage of the sphere is not constant and the sphere passes through the side of the upper sphere passage 29c, even a sphere having a diameter equal to or smaller than the opening width of the opening 29d disposed at the center is guided to the opening 29d. Therefore, there is a possibility that it will not pass through the opening 29d. However, by moving the sphere passing along the inclination along the opening 29d, the small spheres 41 having a diameter equal to or smaller than the opening width of the opening 29d can be reliably separated.

  Since the game ball 23 does not pass through the opening 29d, the game ball 23 passes through the upper ball passage 29c and flows out from the outlet of the upper ball passage 29c. The game ball 23 that has flowed out of the upper ball passage 29c passes through a sensor (not shown) and becomes a regular game ball, which triggers the first special game lottery. On the other hand, the small sphere 41 falls through the opening 29d in the process of moving through the upper sphere passage 29c. A small ball path 29r is disposed below the upper ball path 29c. The small sphere 41 that has fallen on the small sphere path 29r is guided to a small sphere collection unit described later. In this way, the sphere that has flowed into the upstream inlet 29a is configured such that the game ball and the small ball are separated, and only the regular game ball 23 is detected by the sensor.

  When the lottery by the state change lottery means due to the passage of the passage gate 33 is won, the downstream inlet 29b is opened for a certain period of time by the blade member 29e being driven by the solenoid 29f. The downstream inlet 29b is a ball entrance that serves as an opening opportunity for the two-type large prize opening 8. The game ball 23 flowing into the downstream inlet 29b moves to the center in the front view along the blade member 29e, and is then guided to the lower ball passage 29h provided on the back side. A first sensor 29k that detects passage of a sphere is arranged in the lower sphere passage 29h. The first sensor 29k detects that a sphere has flowed into the downstream inlet 29b.

  An opening 29n and a second sensor 29p are arranged downstream of the lower sphere passage 29h in the passing direction of the sphere. The opening 29n is formed to have a smaller diameter (10 mm) than the diameter of the game ball 23, and is configured to allow a small ball 41 having a diameter of 10 mm or less to pass through. Among the spheres, the small sphere 41 passes through the opening 29n and flows into the small sphere path 29m. On the other hand, the game ball 23 does not pass through the opening 29n, moves in the lower ball passage 29h, and is detected by the second sensor 29p. The regular game ball is continuously detected by the first sensor 29k and the second sensor 29p. However, the small sphere 41 is not detected by the second sensor 29p but only detected by the first sensor 29k.

  Based on the detection by the first sensor 29k and the second sensor 29p, the control means performs a ball entry process as a regular game ball 23. Then, based on the detection of only the first sensor 29k, error processing is performed as an illegal ball 41 entry. In this way, it is possible to detect the entrance of the regular game ball 23 and the entrance of the illegal small ball 41 only by detecting the sphere passing through the lower ball passage 29h. Particularly, it is suitable when there is no space for arranging a sensor for detecting the passage of the small ball 41 on the small ball path. According to the central starting port 29 configured as described above, the spheres that have entered the upstream inlet 29a and the downstream inlet 29b can be separated into the game ball 23 and the small ball 41 for processing.

  Next, the function of separating the small balls in the out port 38 located at the lowermost part of the game area 16 will be described in detail. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of an out-portion portion viewed from the back side of the pachinko machine 2, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a CC cross section shown in FIG. In FIGS. 9 and 10, a part of the payout control board case, the prize ball passage, and the like are omitted for the sake of explanation. The out port 38 is formed so as to penetrate the game board 6 in the front-rear direction. A game area 16 is formed on the front side of the game board 6, and a machine frame 9 is arranged on the back side of the game board 6 to provide a ball processing path and the like.

  The sphere flowing into the out port 38 is guided to the back side of the game board 6. A ball receiving portion 9a that receives a sphere flowing in from the out port 38, and a game ball 23 that has entered the ball and various incoming members are guided to the machine casing 9 below the out port 38. A collecting passage 9b, a rectifying passage 9c as a spherical passage that is provided on the back side of the collecting passage 9b, and a sphere flows down from the collecting passage 9b, and a small ball collecting portion (collecting portion) 9e disposed below the collecting passage 9b; , Is provided.

  The ball receiving portion 9a is inclined so as to descend toward the back side, and guides the sphere toward the collecting passage 9b while weakening the momentum of the sphere flowing into the out port 38. In the collective passage 9b, the ball outlets of the game balls 23 in the ball-entry member such as the central winning opening 29 are arranged above, and the game balls 23 that have entered the ball-entry members and processed as regular game balls are provided. While being guided by falling, the sphere that has flowed into the out port 38 is guided. The bottom surface of the collecting passage 9b is lowered toward the back side, and the spheres in the collecting passage 9b are further guided to the rectifying passage 9c disposed on the back side. The rectifying passage 9c has a plurality of bent portions, and is configured to align the spheres one by one in the process of passing the spheres.

  The rectifying passage 9c is formed with an opening 9d through which the game ball 23 cannot pass and the small ball 41 can pass. Of the spheres guided to the rectifying passage 9c, the small sphere 41 flows into the small sphere path 9f from the opening 9d, passes through the small sphere path 9f, and is guided to the small sphere collection part 9e. On the other hand, the game ball 23 does not pass through the opening 9d, passes through the rectifying passage 9c, is guided to a game island facility (not shown), and circulates in the hall. The game balls 23 that have entered each entry member are separated from the small balls 41 at the entry members and processed as regular game balls 23, and then guided to the rectifying passage 9 c to be used again as the small balls 41. To be separated. That is, the separation of the small balls 41 is performed twice for the game balls 23 that have flowed into each ball entry member. Therefore, even if the small ball 41 is mistakenly processed as the game ball 23 due to the momentum of the sphere, etc., the small ball 23 is separated again, so that the selection error is reduced and the selection accuracy of the small ball 41 is improved.

  In addition, it is considered that the small balls 41 separated in the rectifying passage 9c were erroneously processed as the game balls 23 in the respective ball entry members. Therefore, it is detected that the small ball 41 has been separated by a sensor (not shown), and based on this detection, the game is stopped, the payout of the prize ball is stopped, and the invalid lottery result is invalidated. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce damage caused by fraudulent acts by the small balls 41.

  In the present embodiment, the small ball collection unit 9e as a collection unit is provided in the gaming machine frame, but is not limited to this configuration, and the collection unit may be provided in the game board unit 5. For example, a collection unit may be disposed on the back surface of the game board 6 constituting the game board unit 5 to accommodate the small balls 41 separated from the game balls 23 by the respective ball entry members.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when a small ball 41 smaller in diameter than the game ball 23 is used by being mixed with the regular game ball 23, the game is executed in the process of executing the game by the flow of the sphere in the game area 16. The spheres 41 can be selected and separated, and illegal acts by the small spheres 41 can be prevented. Further, since the separated small balls 41 can be collected by the small ball collection unit 9e, the small balls 41 that lead to fraud are not mixed with the regular game balls 23, and the small balls 41 are reliably collected. It becomes possible.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary. For example, in the present embodiment, the opening size of the opening is set to 10 mm and small spheres having a diameter of 10 mm or less are separated. However, the opening size may be appropriately changed by the opening size changing means, or different opening sizes may be used. The opening may be appropriately changed depending on the embodiment.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the sphere that has flowed into the inflow port is received by the sphere receiving portion, and then guided to the sphere passage provided with the opening portion. However, a modified example can be conceptualized. Based on FIG.11 and FIG.12, the 2nd starting port 30 which is the modification 1 of the center starting port 29 in embodiment is demonstrated in detail. The description of the same configuration as that of the central start port 29 is omitted. Unlike the central starting port 29, the second starting port 30 does not have a projection as a ball receiving portion, and an opening is disposed immediately below the upstream inlet.

  11 is a perspective view of the second starting port 30 as viewed from the upper right, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along DD in FIG. The second starting port 30 includes an upstream inlet 30a and a downstream inlet 30b through which a sphere flowing down the game area 16 can flow, an opening 30c disposed immediately below the upstream inlet 30a, and the opening 30c. It has an upper sphere passage 30d through which a sphere that has flowed into the inlet 30a is guided, and a small ball path 30g into which the small sphere 41 that has passed through the opening 30c flows. In addition, the process of the spherical body which flowed into the downstream inlet 30b and the downstream inlet 30b is the structure similar to a center starting port.

  The sphere that has flowed into the upstream inlet 30a is guided to the upper sphere passage 30d and comes into contact with an opening 30c formed immediately below the upstream inlet 30a. The opening 30 c is a hole having a smaller diameter (10 mm) than the diameter of the game ball 23. The small spheres 41 having a diameter of 10 mm or less pass through the opening 30c and fall into the small sphere path 30g disposed below the upper sphere path 30d. On the other hand, the game ball 23 abuts on the opening 30c but does not pass through the opening 30c, and moves in the upper ball passage 30d to the back side along the inclination of the opening 30c.

  A first sensor 30e and a second sensor 30f for detecting a sphere passing through each of the upper ball passage 30d and the small ball passage 30g are arranged. A game ball 23 passing through the upper ball passage 30d is detected by the first sensor 30e, and a small ball 41 passing through the small ball path 30g is detected by the second sensor 30f. Based on the detection by the first sensor 30e and the second sensor 30f, the ball processing as the game ball 23 and the error processing as the small ball 41 are performed by the control means. Thus, since the 2nd starting port 30 arranges the upper ball path 30d of game ball 23, and the small ball path 30g of the small ball 41 in piles, arrangement space can be used effectively.

  However, the opening part 30c is arrange | positioned directly under the upstream inlet 30a, and the 2nd starting port 30 contact | abuts to the opening part 30c vigorously with the spherical body which flowed into the upstream inlet 30a. Compared to the entrance configuration having a ball receiving portion, the arrangement space can be used effectively, but the momentum of the sphere in contact with the opening 30c is often increased, and the trajectory of the sphere is not stabilized and the small sphere 41 is surely secured. There is a possibility that it cannot be led to the opening 30c. On the other hand, since the central starting port 29 can weaken the momentum of the sphere by the ball receiving portion, it is possible to stabilize the trajectory of the sphere and improve the separation accuracy of the small sphere. That is, it is desirable to appropriately select the position of the inlet and the arrangement of the ball receiving portions in accordance with the arrangement mode of other components.

  Next, a modified example of the opening size changing means will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of an opening size changing means portion in a ball entry member according to Modification 2. FIG. 14 is an enlarged plan view of an opening size changing means portion in a ball entry member according to Modification 3. First, the opening size changing means according to the modified example 2 will be described. The ball entry member 42 according to the modification 2 includes a ball passage 42a through which a sphere can pass, an opening 42b formed in the ball passage 42a, and a slide plate as an opening size changing means for changing the opening size of the opening 42b. 42c, a scale plate 42d on which a scale for adjusting the amount of movement of the slide plate 42c is formed, and a screw portion 42e for fixing the slide plate 42c at an appropriate position.

  The slide plate 42c is configured to be slidable in the X direction, and the width dimension D of the opening 42b changes as the slide plate 42c moves. On the side of the slide plate 42c, a scale plate 42d having a scale is disposed. By aligning the end of the slide plate 42c with this scale, the width dimension D of the opening 42b is set to a predetermined dimension. it can. After the slide plate 42c is moved to an appropriate position, the slide plate 42c is fixed at an appropriate position by fixing with the screw portion 42e, and a predetermined opening size can be obtained.

  Next, the opening size changing means according to the modified example 3 will be described. The ball entry member 43 according to the modified example 3 includes a ball passage 43a through which a sphere can pass, an opening 43b formed in the ball passage 43a, and a plurality of opening size changing means for changing the opening size of the opening 43b. And a lid member 43c.

  The width D of the opening 43b is formed to be larger than the diameter of the game ball 23, and is partially smaller than the diameter of the game ball 23 and larger than the diameter of the small ball 41 by closing a part with the lid member 43c. Set to In the present modification, three lid members 43c are used, and the arrangement of the lid members 43c is appropriately changed, so that the opening width D of the opening 43b can be increased or decreased. . Thus, it is possible to appropriately change the size of the opening and change the size of the small spheres to be selected by the ball entry member having the opening size changing means according to Modification 2 and Modification 3. Become.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is the front view which expanded the 2nd type first prize winning part. It is sectional drawing which showed typically the AA cross section of the horizontal channel | path part shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the center part in the front view of a center large prize opening (there is an opening part). It is sectional drawing of the center part in the front view of the center large winning opening 31 of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1 (no opening part). It is the perspective view which looked at the center starting opening from the upper right. It is a top view of a center starting port. It is BB sectional drawing of the center start opening shown in FIG. It is an expansion perspective view of the out mouth part seen from the back side of a game machine. It is sectional drawing which showed typically the CC cross section shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the opening-and-closing starting port which concerns on the modification 1 from upper right. It is DD sectional drawing of the opening-and-closing start port shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the opening dimension change means which concerns on the modification 2. It is a top view which shows the opening dimension change means which concerns on the modification 3. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

2: Pachinko machine (game machine)
3: Gaming machine frame 4: Housing frame (part of gaming machine frame)
5: Game board unit 6: Game board 7: Center object 7a: Symbol display device 7b: Display screen (video display surface)
7c: Display pattern 7d: Display opening 7e: Stage 7f: Movable accessory 7g: Signboard accessory 8: Two types of big prize opening (second big prize opening)
8a: Inlet 8b: Blade member 8c: Clune member (ball receiving portion)
8d: Horizontal passage (ball passage)
8e: opening 8f: small ball path 8g: swing member 8n: rotating lottery body 8p: lottery entrance 9: machine frame (part of the gaming machine frame)
9a: Ball receiving portion 9b: Collecting passage 9c: Rectifying passage 9d: Opening portion 9e: Small ball collecting portion (collecting portion)
9f: Small ball path 10: Front glass (front transparent plate)
12: Decoration frame (part of the gaming machine frame)
14: Storage tray 14a: Upper tray 14b: Lower tray 14c: Ball discharge button 15: Launch handle 16: Game area 16a: Left area 16b: Right area 21: Plate member 22: Hinge (swing support section)
23: Ball (game media)
26: Rail decoration 26a: Inner surface (inner peripheral surface)
27: Gauge (game nails)
28: Regular prize opening (inlet)
29: Central start port (first start port, second start port)
29a: upstream inlet 29b: downstream inlet 29c: upper sphere passage 29d: opening 29e: blade member 29f: solenoid 29g: projection 29h: lower sphere passage 29k: first sensor 29m: small ball passage 29n: opening 29p: second Sensor 29r: Small ball path 30: Second starting port 30a: Upstream inlet 30b: Downstream inlet 30c: Opening 30d: Upper ball path 30e: First sensor 30f: Second sensor 30g: Small ball path 31: Central prize winning port (First big prize opening)
31a: Inlet 31b: Door member (ball receiving portion)
31c: Front cover 31d: Ball passage 31e: Opening portion 31f: Slide portion 31g: Small ball passage 31h: Sensor 31k: Ball passage outlet 32: Decoration member 33: Passage gate 34: Windmill 35: V prize opening 37: Ball passage 38 : Out mouth 41: Small ball
42: Entry member 42a: Sphere passage 42b: Opening portion 42c: Slide plate 42d: Scale plate 42e: Screw portion 43: Entry member 43a: Sphere passage 43b: Opening portion 43c: Lid member

Claims (1)

A game board in which a game area is formed;
An inlet through which a game ball flowing down the game area can flow down;
A ball path through which the game ball flowing into the inflow port is guided;
A game board unit comprising an opening provided in the ball passage,
The opening has an opening size with a width smaller than the diameter of the game ball, and is formed so as to pass a small ball having the opening size or less without passing the game ball ,
A game board unit further comprising opening size changing means for changing the opening size of the opening .

Images