JP5511057B2 - Game ball storage tank - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention aligns game balls supplied from a gaming machine island where a plurality of gaming machines are installed, and passes the game balls to a prize ball payout unit for paying out game balls to the player. The ball storage tank.

  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 rolls while colliding with a game nail (also referred to as gauge) or impeller in the game area, and the flow direction changes. As a result, if a game ball wins at various winning holes arranged on the game area, a predetermined winning ball is paid out. On the other hand, if a game ball flows into the out port without winning any of the winning holes, the winning ball Will not be paid out. 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 paid out.

  Such a pachinko machine is attached to a gaming machine island where a plurality of pachinko machines are installed, and is configured such that gaming balls are supplied from a gaming ball circulation device on the gaming machine island. The game balls supplied from the game machine island are supplied to a game ball storage tank arranged at the upper part on the rear side of the pachinko machine. The game ball storage tank is configured to align the game balls supplied from the gaming machine islands and guide them to a prize ball payout unit that pays out the game balls one by one (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-158537 A

  The game ball storage tank described in Patent Document 1 has a ball passage having an upper surface opened and juxtaposed with a partition wall in between. The game balls are aligned by the two rows of ball passages, and a prize ball is paid out. It is comprised so that it may supply to a unit. In order to increase the number of game balls to be stored in this game ball storage tank, it is conceivable to increase the length of the ball passage. However, if the length of the ball passage is lengthened, the game ball storage tank becomes large, and there is a possibility that the space efficiency of the pachinko machine which is a limited area is lowered.

  In addition, in order to increase the amount of game balls stored in the game ball storage tank, it is conceivable to increase the number of rows of ball passages. However, since the number of rows of game balls guided to the prize ball payout unit is limited, It is necessary to join the ball passages so as to reduce the number of rows of the ball passages while aligning the balls. When the two ball passages are simply connected when joining the ball passages, there is a possibility that the ball balls between the game balls may occur when joining the ball passages.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has a plurality of ball passages for aligning game balls supplied from a gaming machine island, and the number of ball passages is obtained by joining the game balls in the ball passages. An object of the present invention is to provide a game ball storage tank that leads to a prize ball payout unit while reducing game balls, and that can prevent the ball from being caught when the game balls merge.

  A game ball storage tank according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention is a prize ball payout in which game balls supplied from a gaming machine island where a plurality of game machines are installed are lined up and the game balls are paid out to the player. A game ball storage tank for passing game balls toward the unit, wherein the game balls supplied from the gaming machine islands are aligned in a line, and the first ball path for guiding the game balls toward the prize ball payout unit; A second ball passage for aligning the game balls supplied from the gaming machine islands in a row and for joining the game balls to the first ball passage, and the bottom surface of the first ball passage is a prize ball payout unit. In the merging portion where the second sphere passage merges with the first sphere passage, the merging game balls that merge from the second sphere passage are connected to a plurality of merging destination game balls in the first sphere passage. It is configured to abut, and the joining game ball and the joining game ball are in contact with each other There are provided a gap increasing means for increasing the gap between the merging destination gaming ball.

  The gaming ball storage tank aligns the gaming balls supplied from the gaming machine islands in a row, and guides the gaming balls supplied from the gaming machine islands to the first ball path that guides the gaming balls to the prize ball payout unit. And a second ball passage that joins the game balls to the second ball passage, and receives and receives the game balls supplied from the gaming machine island by the first ball passage and the second ball passage. The game balls thus joined are joined to the first ball passage and guided to the prize ball payout unit by the first ball passage.

  At the junction of the first ball path and the second ball path, the game balls that merge from the second ball path come into contact with the game balls in the first ball path. At this time, the game ball from the first ball path and the game ball from the second ball path merge and pass through one ball path (first ball path), so the joining original game that merges from the second ball path There is a possibility that the ball bite between the ball and the joining game ball in the first ball path that comes into contact with the game ball may occur.

  However, by providing a gap increasing means for increasing the gap between the joining game balls, it is possible to easily invade the joining game balls between the joining game balls arranged adjacently, It is possible to smoothly join the game balls passing through the two ball passages while preventing the ball joining between the joining game ball and the joining game ball.

  Therefore, the game balls supplied from the gaming machine island are received by a plurality of rows of ball passages, and the ball passages are merged while being aligned in the process of passing the game balls, thereby reducing the number of rows of the ball passages and the prize ball paying unit. Can lead to. Therefore, the number of game balls stored in the game ball storage tank can be increased regardless of the length of the ball passage, and the space efficiency of the game machine can be improved.

  The bottom surface of the first ball passage is formed so that the inclination angle becomes larger toward the prize ball payout unit, and the gap increasing means has an inclined structure having a change point at which the inclination angle changes on the bottom surface of the first ball passage. The change point is downstream in the passing direction from the center of gravity of the joining game ball located upstream from the joining game ball in the joining game ball in a state where the joining game ball and the joining game ball are in contact with each other. And it may be arrange | positioned upstream from the gravity center of the game ball located in the passage direction downstream from the confluence | merging original game ball among confluence | merging destination game balls.

  In a state where the joining game ball and the joining game ball are in contact with each other, the passing direction downstream of the center of gravity of the joining game ball located upstream from the joining game ball in the joining game ball, and the joining destination A change point where the inclination angle changes upstream of the center of gravity of the game ball located downstream in the passing direction of the game balls among the game balls is downstream of the game balls of the merge destination The destination game ball (hereinafter referred to as the downstream destination game ball) located at the position of the destination game ball located upstream of the source game ball of the destination game balls (hereinafter referred to as the upstream destination). It can be made relatively faster than the passing speed of a game ball.

  By relatively increasing the passing speed of the downstream joining game balls, the gap between adjacent joining game balls is increased, and the joining original game balls enter between the joining game balls. The game balls passing through the two ball passages can be merged while preventing the ball engagement between the merged destination game ball and the merged source game ball.

  The gap increasing means is a contact portion that comes into contact with the joining original game ball, and the joining original game ball comes into contact with the contact portion, so that the game ball located downstream in the passing direction from the joining original game ball among the joining destination game balls It may be configured to move with a delay.

  By providing a contact portion that comes into contact with the joining original game ball that merges from the second ball passage, the second ball passage among the joining destination game balls that contact the joining original game ball is delayed by delaying the passing speed of the joining original game ball It is possible to move the downstream joining game ball located downstream from the game balls joining from the front. By delaying the joining original game ball, the upstream joining destination game ball that contacts the joining original game ball and is located upstream can also be delayed.

  Therefore, it is possible to increase the gap between the upstream joining game ball and the downstream joining game ball so that the joining game ball can easily enter between the joining game balls, and the joining game ball and the joining game The game balls passing through the two ball passages can be merged while preventing the ball from engaging with the ball.

  The contact portion only needs to be configured to be in contact with the joining original game ball in contact with the joining game ball, and is provided, for example, on a lid member that covers a part of the first ball passage or the second ball passage. Alternatively, it may be provided on the inner wall surface of the first sphere passage or the inner wall surface of the second sphere passage. The joining original game ball is a concept including both a game ball that will join from the second ball passage to the first ball passage and a game ball that is joining, and the contact portion is a game in the second ball passage. What is necessary is just to be provided so that a ball | bowl may contact in any process which joins the game ball | bowl in a 1st ball | bowl channel | path.

  The contact portion may be formed with an uneven portion that collides with the joining game ball. By forming the concavo-convex portion in the contact portion, it is possible to generate vibration in the joining source game ball in the process of passing the joining source game ball. By generating vibration in the joining game ball, it is possible to break the balance of positions where the joining game ball and the joining game ball cause the ball engagement, effectively preventing the occurrence of the ball engagement. it can.

  The gap increasing means is applied to the bottom surface of the first ball passage and is applied to the surface treatment structure for reducing friction to the meeting destination game ball in contact with the bottom surface or the inner wall surface of the second ball passage, and the original game in contact with the inner wall surface A surface treatment structure that reduces friction on a sphere may be used. If the passing speeds of the merging source game ball and the merging destination game ball are the same, there is a possibility that the balls of the game balls are bitten. However, for example, by reducing the friction to the joining game ball passing through the first ball passage, the passing speed of the joining game ball is made relatively different from the passing speed of the joining game ball, so that Generation | occurrence | production of ball | bowl biting can be suppressed.

  In addition, by reducing the friction from the second ball path to the joining game ball that merges with the first ball path, the passing speed of the joining game ball is increased, and the relative speed with the joining game ball is varied, Occurrence of the game ball can be suppressed. The surface treatment structure may be any structure that reduces the surface frictional resistance. For example, a configuration in which a fluorine coating film is provided to reduce the surface frictional resistance can be exemplified.

  Further, in the junction where the second ball passage merges with the first ball passage, the second ball passage is disposed higher than the first ball passage, and the joining game ball is placed on the joining game ball. You may be comprised so that it may be mounted.

  By differentiating the heights of the first ball passage and the second ball passage, the original game ball can be placed on the joining game ball, and the game ball joining from the second ball passage is designated as the first ball. It can be easily brought into contact with adjacent joining game balls in the passage. By arranging the joining source game ball above the joining destination game ball, the weight of the joining source game ball can be applied in the direction of expanding the gap of the joining destination game ball. Therefore, it is possible to increase the gap between the joining game balls and allow the joining original game ball to enter the gap, and to join the joining game ball and the joining game ball while preventing the biting of the ball. .

  In addition, in the configuration in which the game ball of the second ball path is placed above the game ball of the first ball path, the game ball that merges from the second ball path by providing a contact portion above the first ball path. It can be configured easily so that the contact portion comes into contact.

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

  According to the present invention, there is provided a gap increasing means for increasing the gap between the joined game balls that come into contact with the joined game balls from the second ball passage, so that the joined game balls arranged adjacent to each other. It is possible to make it easier for the joining game balls to enter between each other, and smoothly join the game balls passing through the two ball paths while preventing the joining of the joining game balls and the joining game balls. Can do.

  Therefore, the game balls supplied from the gaming machine island are received by a plurality of rows of ball passages, and the ball passages are merged while being aligned in the process of passing the game balls, thereby reducing the number of rows of the ball passages and the prize ball paying unit. Can lead to. Therefore, the number of game balls stored in the game ball storage tank can be increased regardless of the length of the ball passage, and the space efficiency of the game machine can be improved.

1 is a front view of a pachinko machine having a game ball storage tank according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a rear view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. It is a top view of the game ball storage tank shown in FIG. It is the rear view and sectional drawing of a game ball storage tank. (A) is a rear view, (b) is AA sectional drawing shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the state which looked at the game ball storage tank from the upper back. It is a disassembled perspective view of the state which looked at the game ball storage tank from the lower front. It is an enlarged plan view of the junction part in the state which removed the 2nd cover member and the 3rd cover member. It is an expanded sectional view of the confluence | merging part of a 1st ball path and a 2nd ball path. It is the figure which showed the 3rd cover member of the game ball storage tank which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. (A) is a front view, (b) is the perspective view visually recognized from the front lower part. It is an expanded sectional view of the confluence | merging part of a 1st ball path and a 2nd ball path. It is the figure which showed the 3rd cover member which concerns on a modification. (A) is a front view, (b) is the perspective view visually recognized from the front lower part. It is the figure which showed the game ball storage tank which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. (A) is a top view, (b) is the perspective view visually recognized from the left rear.

<Embodiment 1>
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine (game machine) 2 having a game ball storage tank 40 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 2 shown in FIG. The pachinko machine 2 includes a gaming machine frame unit 3, a gaming board unit 5, a glass 10, a launch unit (not shown), a ball tray 14, and the like. The launch units are configured to be able to launch game balls 23 one by one toward the game area 16 configured in the game board unit 5.

  In the pachinko machine 2, when a player operates a launcher handle 15 to be described later, a ball is launched by the launch unit toward the game area 16, and a game by the flow of the ball is realized. In addition to the pachinko machine 2, the gaming machine can be an arcade machine such as a pachinko slot machine or a coin game machine, and various game machines. In short, a gaming area that realizes a game by the flow of gaming media. Any gaming machine you have is included.

  In addition, in 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 conceptualized. In this embodiment, a so-called one-type pachinko machine that realizes a digipachi game (also referred to as a one-type game or a symbol variation game) will be described as an example. The symbol variation game will be described later.

  The gaming machine frame unit 3 of the pachinko machine 2 is for holding a gaming board unit 5 described later, and is configured to surround the peripheral side surface and the front of the pachinko machine 2. In addition to the game board unit 5, various mechanism parts such as various control boards, a path for game balls, and a launching device for game balls are arranged on the inner side of the game machine frame unit 3. Therefore, unauthorized access to the inside of the pachinko machine 2 from the peripheral side surface and the front is prevented.

  The outer frame 4 that surrounds the pachinko machine 2, the front frame 9 that is supported by swinging via a hinge 22 so as to be able to be opened and closed forward inside, and the front frame 9 that holds the game board unit 5. The gaming machine frame unit 3 is configured to have a glass frame 12 that holds the decorative member 32 that is supported and decorates the glass 10 and its surroundings.

  The glass 10 is a transparent member for allowing the player to visually recognize the game board 6 held inside the gaming machine frame unit 3 from the front. The glass 10 is a transparent plate that is spaced apart from the game board 6 by a certain distance or more. The glass 10 is formed of two transparent flat glasses and is held on the back side of the glass frame 12, and has a function of forming a flowing-down space for the game ball 23 to flow between the game board 6 and the player through the glass 10. The function of ensuring visibility so that the game board 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 ball tray 14 is a dish member disposed on the front surface of the pachinko machine 2 to store the player's ball, and in the present embodiment, has an upper ball tray 14a and a lower ball tray 14b. Yes. The upper ball tray 14a has a ball punching member 14c and is disposed below the game board 6, that is, a lower portion of the glass frame 12, and the lower ball tray 14b is disposed further below the upper ball tray 14a. .

  The launch unit (not shown) launches the game ball 23 sent from the upper ball tray 14a as a part of the ball tray 14 to the launch position by the ball feeder (not shown) toward the upper part of the game area 16. It is for (bullet). The launch unit is attached to the lower part of the front frame 9, and generates a ball force by energizing the launch rod for driving the launch ball, the launch motor for driving the launch rod, and the launch rod. It has a firing spring.

  The game board unit 5 has a game board 6 in which a center accessory 7 as a game accessory is arranged in the approximate center of the game board surface (surface of the game board) 6a, and the game board surface 6a includes a number of game boards 6a. A game nail 27 is also arranged. An effect display device 7a as an image display means is disposed at the center of the center accessory 7, and a display opening 7d for exposing the display portion 7b of the effect display device 7a is formed.

  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 by a front frame 9 as a part of the gaming machine frame unit 3. That is, the front frame 9 functions as a holding unit that holds the game board 6.

  A rail decoration 26 is attached to the surface of the game board 6 so as to surround the periphery in a substantially circular shape, and an outer rail 26a of the rail decoration 26 is arranged so as to stand on the game board. The game area 16 is a substantially circular area defined by the outer rail 26a of the rail decoration 26 and facing the outer rail 26a.

  The game nails 27 are flow-down changing members that collide with the game balls 23 flowing down the game area 16 and change the flow-down direction thereof, and many of them are arranged in the game area 16. Further, in the game area 16, a ball entry member such as a start winning opening 29 and a grand winning opening 31 and an out opening 30 are arranged. Furthermore, a 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 ball entry member, pass through the gate 33, and rotate the windmill 34. Thus, it is possible to enjoy the down-flow game by the game ball 23.

  The effect 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 game board surface 6a side, and displays an image on the display unit 7b. It is. The display unit 7b of the effect display device 7a displays a first decorative symbol that is linked to the first symbol. The first decorative symbol is a symbol for visually producing the lottery result of the first lottery means, and corresponds to the first game. Further, for example, an effect image as a story tailoring image by a character or the like is also displayed on the display unit 7b. An effect control board as a game control means is electrically connected to the effect display device 7a via a relay board, and image display is controlled by the effect control board.

  On the back side of the game board 6, there is a main control board case 35 containing a main control board as a game control means for controlling the entire pachinko machine 2, and effect control for controlling image display of the effect display device 7a. An effect control board case 36 containing a board, a payout control board case 37 containing a payout control board (not shown) for controlling the payout of prize balls by the prize ball payout unit 60, and a power supply board (not shown). An accommodated power supply substrate case 38 is disposed. A game is realized by each control board accommodated in each control board case. Furthermore, an external output terminal plate 39 for outputting game information such as the gaming state of the pachinko machine 2 to the outside is provided on the back side of the game board 6.

  In addition, on the back surface of the pachinko machine 2, a game ball 23 supplied from a game ball circulation device (not shown) provided on a game machine island in which a plurality of pachinko machines 2 are arranged adjacent to each other is temporarily stored. There are provided a game ball storage tank 40 and a prize ball payout unit 60 through which the game balls 23 from the game ball storage tank 40 flow in and pass through the game balls 23 one by one. The game ball storage tank 40 will be described in detail later.

  The prize ball payout unit 60 is configured to be driven and controlled by the payout control means, and in response to a request for entering the game ball 23 into various winning holes and a request for lending the game ball 23 from a player. The game ball 23 is supplied to the player.

  When the game ball 23 is fired by the launch unit, the game ball 23 travels along the outer rail 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 to the right along the outer rail 26a of the rail decoration 26, and some moves downward in the game area 16 while colliding with the gauge. Some flow into the normal winning opening 28 and trigger a certain number of winning ball payouts, and some do not flow into any of the pitching devices, and the out opening 30 located at the bottom in the game area 16 Is discharged into the outside of the pachinko machine 2 as an out ball.

  When the game ball 23 flows into the start winning opening 29 during the symbol variation game, the display symbol 7c of the effect display device 7a starts rotating display (the first special game lottery) due to the inflow. If 7c is stopped and displayed with a predetermined symbol (for example, “7, 7, 7”), a big hit (first special game; hereinafter referred to as symbol fluctuation big hit) occurs in the symbol variable game. Then, the special winning opening 31 is opened to accept a large amount of winning balls, and a large amount of winning balls are paid out to the ball tray 14.

  Next, the game ball storage tank 40 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6 are views showing the game ball storage tank 40. 3A is a plan view, and FIG. 3B is a plan view of the tank body 41 with a first lid member 42 and the like to be described later removed. 4A is a rear view, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 5 and 6 are exploded perspective views of the game ball storage tank 40. FIG. FIG. 5 shows a state viewed from the upper rear side, and FIG. 6 shows a state viewed from the lower front side. In FIG. 4B, the game ball 23 is schematically indicated by a dotted line.

  The game ball storage tank 40 stores the game balls 23 supplied from the game ball circulation device provided on the game machine island where the plurality of pachinko machines 2 are installed, aligns the stored game balls 23, and receives a prize. It is configured to lead to the ball paying unit 60. The game ball circulation device is disposed above the pachinko machine 2 and drops the game ball 23 toward the game ball storage tank 40.

  The game ball storage tank 40 is formed with an opening on the upper side, a tank body 41 that guides the game balls 23 while aligning them to the left, a first lid member 42 that covers the upper side of the tank body 41, a second lid member 43, And a third lid member 44 and a ball feeding member 45 for sequentially guiding the game balls 23 aligned by the tank main body 41 to the winning ball payout unit 60.

  The tank main body 41 has a storage part 41a for storing the game balls 23 supplied from the game ball circulation device, and a ball passage 50 that aligns the game balls 23 of the storage part 41a and guides them to the left. The ball passages 50 are formed in four rows adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction. The four rows of ball passages 50 are configured such that the game balls 23 stored in the storage portion 41a flow in, and the game balls 23 are aligned in one row and guided to the left side.

  The ball passage 50 aligns the game balls 23 of the storage portion 41a in a row, aligns the first ball passage 46 that guides the game balls 23 to the prize ball payout unit 60, and the game balls 23 of the storage portion 41a in a row. And a second ball passage 47 that joins the game ball 23 to the first ball passage 46. The second ball passage 47 is located at the front end and the rear end of the four rows of ball passages 50, and the first ball passage 46 is sandwiched between the second ball passages 47 in the front-rear direction. The game balls 23 passing through the second ball passage 47 merge with the game balls 23 passing through the first ball passage 46, and are guided toward the prize ball payout unit 60 through the first ball passage 46 from the middle.

  The first ball passage 46 guides the game ball 23 from the storage portion 41a arranged on the right side to the left side, drops the game ball 23 from the discharge port 49 formed on the lower left side, and a prize ball arranged on the lower left side. The game ball 23 is guided to the payout unit 60. The bottom surface 46a of the first sphere passage 46 and the bottom surface 47a of the second sphere passage 47 are inclined so as to descend toward the left side. Further, the bottom surface 46a of the first spherical passage 46 has changing points P1 to P3 where the inclination angle changes, and the inclination angle changes with the changing points P1 to P3 as a boundary, and gradually inclines toward the left side. The angle increases. On the other hand, the bottom surface 47a of the second spherical passage 47 has only the change point P1, and the inclination angle changes with the change point P1 as a boundary.

  Guide holes 46b and 47b are formed on the bottom surface 46a of the first ball passage 46 and the bottom surface 47a of the second ball passage 47 to guide the game ball 23 from the storage portion 41a to the inside of the ball passage. The guide hole portions 46 b and 47 b are formed in four rows along the passing direction of the game ball 23. The guide hole portions 46b and 47b adjust the position of the game ball 23 passing through the ball passage 50 in the front-rear direction, and allow the game balls 23 to pass through the ball passage 50 in a state where they are aligned in a row.

  Further, an inclined wall portion 51 that is inclined upward toward the upstream in the passing direction is provided between the adjacent ball passages 50. By providing the inclined wall portion 51, it is possible to prevent the game balls 23 from getting between the adjacent ball passages 50 and the game balls 23 from being caught between the ball passages 50. Can be aligned one by one. The game balls 23 aligned in the four rows of the ball passages 50 in this way move to the left along the inner wall surfaces that define the ball passages 50.

  On the inner wall surface 46c of the first sphere passage 46 and the inner wall surface 47c of the second sphere passage 47, protruding portions 46d and 47d projecting inward are formed. The protrusions 46d and 47d are arranged so as to be shifted in the left-right direction on the opposing inner wall surfaces, and the passing game ball 23 moves to the left while moving slightly in the front-rear direction. By providing the protrusions 46d and 47d in this way, it is possible to disperse the own weight of the game ball 23 that acts on the game ball 23 located downstream in the passing direction, and to prevent the ball engagement between the game balls 23.

  The first lid member 42 is formed with an inclined surface 42a whose rear surface protrudes downward, and the inclined surface 42a is configured to become lower toward the left. The first lid member 42 regulates the game ball 23 flowing from the storage portion 41a into the first ball passage 46 and the second ball passage 47 in the height direction.

  The second lid member 43 is disposed apart from the first lid member 42 and adjacent to the third lid member 44. Also on the back surface of the second lid member 43, there is provided an inclined surface 43a that protrudes downward and regulates the game ball 23 in the first ball passage 46 and the game ball 23 in the second ball passage 47 in the height direction. It has been. The third lid member 44 covers the junction 48 where the game balls 23 in the second ball passage 47 merge with the game balls 23 in the first ball passage 46, and the game balls 23 from the second ball passage 47 are in the first position. It has a function of guiding the game ball 23 so as to smoothly join the game ball 23 in the ball passage 46. The third lid member 44 has a protruding portion 44a that protrudes downward on the back surface thereof. The protruding portion 44 a is provided in a portion that covers the second sphere passage 47 and is inclined toward the merging portion 48 with the first sphere passage 46.

  In the merging portion 48 of the first sphere passage 46 and the second sphere passage 47, the bottom surface 46 a of the first sphere passage 46 is formed lower than the bottom surface 47 a of the second sphere passage 47. The bottom surface 46a of the first ball passage gradually descends toward the prize ball payout unit 60 from the change points P1 through P3 (see FIG. 6). On the other hand, the bottom surface 47a of the second spherical passage 47 changes in inclination angle through the change point P1, but has a constant inclination angle downstream from the change point P1.

  The change point P1 is formed in the vicinity of the storage portion 41a, and forms an inclined surface that guides the game ball 23 flowing in from the storage portion 41a to the left. The change point P <b> 2 is formed only in the second spherical passage 47 and is disposed upstream of the junction 48. Therefore, in the junction 48, the bottom surface 46 a of the first sphere passage 46 is formed lower than the bottom surface 47 a of the second sphere passage 47. Further, the third change point P <b> 3 is provided downstream of the junction 48. Thus, by providing a plurality of change points, the inclination angle increases with the change points as boundaries, and the passing speed of the game ball 23 changes. The inclined structure of the bottom surface 46a of the first ball passage 46 functions as a gap increasing means described later.

  Next, how the game ball 23 passes through the thus configured ball storage tank 40 will be described. The game ball 23 that has flowed into the first ball passage 46 and the second ball passage 47 from the storage portion 41a moves from the right to the left. Then, at the junction 48 between the first ball passage 46 and the second ball passage 47, the game balls 23 in the second ball passage 47 join the first ball passage 46. FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams schematically showing a merged state of the game balls 23. FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of the merging portion 48 with the second lid member 43 and the third lid member 44 removed. For convenience of explanation, only the first sphere passage 46 and the second sphere passage 47 on the front side are shown. The first and second ball passages 46 and 47 on the rear side are omitted. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the merging portion 48 in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 and FIG. 8A show a state in which a game ball (merging original game ball) joining from the second ball passage 47 is in contact with a game ball (merging destination game ball) in the first ball passage 46. . 7 and 8, the passing direction of the game ball is shown as an arrow X. 7 and 8, the joining original game ball that merges from the second ball passage 47 in the passing direction is shown as 23C, and the joining destination game in the first ball passage 46 that abuts the joining original game ball 23C. Of the spheres, a downstream joining game ball located on the downstream side is shown as 23A, and an upstream joining game ball located on the upstream side among the joining destination game balls is shown as 23B. In the state shown to (a), it is arrange | positioned in order of the downstream merge destination game ball 23A, the merge former game ball 23C, and the upstream merge destination game ball 23B from the downstream side. In this state, the change point P3 is downstream of the center of gravity C3 of the joining source game ball 23C and the center of gravity C2 of the upstream joining destination game ball 23B and upstream of the center of gravity C1 of the downstream joining destination game ball 23A. positioned.

  The inclination angle of the bottom surface 46a with which the downstream joining destination game ball 23A contacts is larger than the inclination angle of the bottom surface 46a with which the upstream joining destination game ball 23B contacts. Therefore, the downstream joining destination game ball 23A moves rightward at a faster speed than the upstream joining destination game ball 23B, and enters the state shown in (b). In the state shown in (b), since the downstream joining game ball 23A moves faster than the upstream joining game ball 23B and the joining original game ball 23C, the upstream joining game ball 23B and the joining original game ball 23C There is a gap between the downstream joining game ball 23A.

  When a gap is generated between the downstream joining game ball 23A and the joining original game ball 23C, the joining original game ball 23C placed on the downstream joining game ball 23A and the upstream joining game ball 23B enters the gap. The state shown in (c) is obtained. The weight of the merger game ball 23C acts downward and acts in the direction of expanding the gap. When the downstream joining game ball 23A moves to the right, the joining original game ball 23C descends to the state shown in (d), and when the downstream joining game ball 23A and the joining original game ball 23C further move (e). It will be in the state shown in In the state shown in (e), the center of gravity C3 of the joining original game ball 23C joined from the second ball passage 47 is located downstream from the change point P3 and moves to the right next to the downstream joining destination game ball 23A. To do.

  As described above, according to the sphere storage tank 40 according to the first embodiment, due to the inclined structure of the bottom surface 46 a of the first sphere passage 46, the joining destination in the joining portion 48 of the first sphere passage 46 and the second sphere passage 47. The gap between the game balls can be increased, and the merger game ball 23C can be smoothly merged with the first ball passage 46 while preventing the ball from being merged with the merger game ball and the merger game ball. The game balls 23 supplied from the game ball circulation device on the game machine island can be aligned and guided to the prize ball payout unit 60 while reducing the number of rows. Therefore, the number of game balls that can be accommodated can be increased without increasing the length of the game ball storage tank 40, and space efficiency can be improved.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, the game ball storage tank 140 according to Embodiment 2 will be described based on FIGS. 9 to 10. The game ball storage tank 40 according to the first embodiment is provided with an inclined structure of the bottom surface 46a of the first ball passage 46 as a gap increasing means, but the game ball storage tank 140 according to the second embodiment is the third The lid member 144 is provided with a contact portion as a gap increasing means. The game ball storage tank 140 according to the second embodiment is different from the game ball storage tank 40 according to the first embodiment except for the configuration of the third lid and the inclination angle of the bottom surface of the first ball passage. Is the same as in the first embodiment. About the same structure, description is abbreviate | omitted using a same sign.

  FIG. 9 is a view showing the third lid member 144 according to the second embodiment. (A) is a front view, (b) is the perspective view visually recognized from the front lower part. The third lid member 144 is inclined so as to descend toward the left, which is the passing direction of the game ball 23. On the lower surface of the third lid member 144, a protruding portion 144a along the second spherical passage 47 is formed. The protruding portion 144 a of the third lid member 144 according to the second embodiment is formed thicker than the protruding portion 44 a of the third lid member 44 according to the first embodiment, and the second spherical passage 47 to the first spherical passage 46. It is comprised so that the upper surface of the game ball (merging former game ball) 23C which joins may contact | connect.

  In the first embodiment, the merging source game ball 23C that has merged from the second ball passage 47 and the downstream merging destination game ball 23A that is located on the downstream side of the merging destination game ball that comes into contact with the merging source game ball 23C. In the second embodiment, the change point P3 is provided downstream of the change point P3 in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a joining portion in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. (A) is a state in which the joining original game balls 23 </ b> C joining from the second ball passage 47 are in contact with the joining destination game balls 23 </ b> A and 23 </ b> B in the first ball passage 146. In the state shown in (a), when the downstream joining game ball 23A moves to the right, both the upstream joining game ball 23B and the joining original game ball 23C move to the state shown in (b).

  Further, when the downstream joining game ball 23A, the upstream joining game ball 23B, and the joining original game ball 23C move to the right, the state shown in (c) is obtained, and the joining original game ball 23C positioned above has a protruding portion. 144a is contacted. When coming into contact with the protruding portion 144a, the speed of the joining original game ball 23C is lower than that of the downstream joining destination game ball 23A, and the upstream joining destination game ball 23B positioned upstream of the joining source game ball 23C is also joined in the traveling direction. The speed is reduced. Accordingly, the gap between the upstream joining destination game ball 23B and the downstream joining destination game ball 23A is increased to a state shown in (d).

  When the gap increases between the upstream joining destination game ball 23B and the downstream joining destination game ball 23A, the weight of the joining original game ball 23C acts to further widen the gap, and while widening the gap between the joining destination game balls, The joining original game ball 23C moves downward. Then, as the downstream joining game ball 23A advances, the joining original game ball 23C enters between the joining game balls, and the game ball 23 from the second ball passage 47 is the first ball as shown in FIG. Join the game ball 23 in the passage 46.

  As described above, even with the game ball storage tank 140 according to the second embodiment, in the state where the merge source game ball 23C and the merge destination game balls 23A and 23B are in contact with each other, the upstream merge destination game ball 23B and the downstream merge destination The gap with the game ball 23A can be increased to make it easier for the joining game ball 23C to enter the gap. Therefore, it is possible to join the game balls 23 in the two rows of ball passages in one row while preventing the ball from being bitten.

  Further, the third lid member 144 of the game ball storage tank 140 according to the second embodiment is a smooth surface in contact with the merger original game ball 23C, but may be provided with an uneven portion 244b. Next, a modified example in which an uneven portion is provided on the back surface of the third lid member will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a view showing a third lid member 244 according to a modification. (A) is a rear view, (b) is a perspective view.

  By providing the uneven portion 244b on the back surface of the third lid member 244 in this way, vibration can be generated in the joining original game ball 23C in the process of passing the joining joining game ball 23C. By generating vibration in the joining game ball 23C, the balance of positions where the joining game ball 23C and the joining destination game balls 23A and 23B cause the ball engagement can be broken, and the generation of the ball engagement is effectively performed. Can be prevented.

<Embodiment 3>
The third embodiment is an embodiment in which the arrangement of the contact portions in the second embodiment is varied. In the game ball storage tank 140 of the second embodiment, the third lid member 144 is provided with a protruding portion 144a as a contact portion, but the game ball storage tank 240 according to the third embodiment has the first ball passage 146. A contact portion is provided on the inner wall surface 146c. The game ball storage tank 240 according to the third embodiment is different from the game ball storage tank 140 according to the second embodiment in the configuration of the contact portion, but the other configurations are the same as those in the second embodiment. About the same structure, description is abbreviate | omitted using a same sign.

  FIG. 12 shows a game ball storage tank 240 according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 12, for convenience of explanation, only the tank body 41 is shown, and the second lid member and the like are omitted. The game ball storage tank 240 includes two rows of first ball passages 146 arranged in parallel, and a contact portion 146 e is provided on an inner wall surface 146 c adjacent to the first ball passage 146. The contact portion 146e is formed only above the center in the vertical direction of the inner wall surface 146c. The joining source game ball 23C that joins from the second ball passage 47 to the first ball passage 146 is placed on the joining destination game ball, and thus is positioned above the joining destination game ball. Accordingly, the contact destination 146e is configured such that the join destination game balls 23A and 23B do not contact, and only the join source game ball 23C placed on the join destination game balls 23A and 23B comes into contact.

  As described above, the passing speed of the joining original game ball 23C placed on the joining destination game balls 23A and 23B can also be obtained by providing the contact portion 146e on the inner wall surface 146c located downstream from the joining portion of the first ball passage 146. And the gap between the joining game balls on which the joining original game balls 23C are placed can be increased so that the joining original game balls 23C can easily enter the gap. Therefore, it is possible to join the game balls in the two rows of the ball passages in one row while preventing the balls from being bitten.

  The preferred embodiment 1 of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist.

P1, P2, P3, P13: Change points C1, C2, C3: Center of gravity 2: Pachinko machine (game machine)
3: Gaming machine frame unit 4: Outer frame 5: Game board unit 6: Game board 6a: Game board surface (surface of the game board)
7: Center character 7a: Effect display device 7b: Display unit 7c: Display pattern 7d: Display opening 9: Front frame 10: Glass 12: Glass frame 14: Ball dish 14a: Upper ball dish 14b: Lower ball dish 14c: Ball removal member 15: Launcher handle 16: Game area 22: Hinge 23: Game ball 23A: Downstream join destination game ball 23B: Upstream join destination game ball 23C: Join source game ball 26: Rail decoration 26a: Outer rail 27: Game Nail 28: Ordinary winning opening 29: Start winning opening 30: Out opening 31: Large winning opening 32: Decoration member 33: Gate 34: Windmill 35: Main control board case 36: Production control board case 37: Delivery control board case 38: Power supply board case 39: External output terminal board 40: Game ball storage tank 41: Tank main body 41a: Storage part 42: First lid member 42a: Inclined surface 43: Second lid member 43a: Inclined surface 44: Third Member 44a: Protruding portion 45: Ball feed member 46: First ball passage 46a: Bottom surface 46b: Guide hole 46c: Inner wall surface 46d: Protruding portion 47: Second ball passage 47a: Bottom surface 47b: Guide hole portion 47c: Inner wall surface 47d: Projection 48: Junction 49: Discharge port 50: Ball passage 51: Inclined wall 60: Prize ball payout unit 140: Game ball storage tank 144: Third lid member 144a: Protrusion (contact part)
146: first ball passage 146c: inner wall surface 146e: contact portion 240: game ball storage tank 244: third lid member 244b: uneven portion (contact portion)

Claims (1)

A game ball storage tank that arranges game balls supplied from a gaming machine island where a plurality of game machines are installed, and passes the game balls toward a prize ball payout unit that pays out game balls to a player. There,
A first ball path for aligning the game balls supplied from the gaming machine island in a row and guiding the game balls toward the prize ball payout unit;
A second ball path for aligning the game balls supplied from the gaming machine island in a row and joining the game balls to the first ball path;
A lid member that covers the first sphere passage and the second sphere passage ;
The bottom surface of the first ball passage is inclined toward the prize ball payout unit,
In the merging portion where the second sphere passage merges with the first sphere passage, the joining original game balls joining from the second sphere passage come into contact with a plurality of joining destination game balls in the first sphere passage. Configured,
In the state where the joining game ball and the joining game ball are in contact with each other, a gap increasing means for increasing a gap between the joining game balls,
The gap increasing means is a contact portion that comes into contact with the merged original game ball,
The joining original game ball is configured to move with a delay from a gaming ball located downstream in the passing direction from the joining original game ball among the joining destination game balls by contacting the contact portion,
In the junction where the second ball passage merges with the first ball passage, the bottom ball of the second ball passage is arranged to be higher than the bottom of the first ball passage. It is configured so that the merger original game ball is placed on top,
The lid member is constituted by a plurality of members, the contact portion to a member that covers the confluent portion of the plurality of members is configured, game ball storage tank.

Images