JP5522235B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine.

In a game machine such as a pachinko machine, when a game ball launched into a game area by a predetermined launching device wins a prize opening, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to a ball tray provided on the front side of the game machine as a prize ball It becomes the composition which is done .

In addition, a ball outlet is formed in the ball tray, and a shutter for opening and closing the ball outlet is provided, and a shutter is operated by operating a ball outlet operation unit (lever, button, etc.) provided in the ball tray. By sliding, the ball outlet is opened and the game ball can be discharged from the ball tray . Also, in recent years, the ball receiving tray that is also known that a stopper for holding the shutter in position the ball vent port is opened is provided (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-180890 A

However, in the configuration in which the stopper is provided as described above, for example, the previous player ends the game with the ball outlet opened, and the next player returns the ball outlet. A situation may occur in which a game is started without noticing that it is open. In this case, when the gaming ball is paid out to the ball pan, and is discharged from the sphere vent port want fish have it against the will.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems and the like, and its purpose is to prevent a game from a ball tray against a player's will while preventing a decrease in the operability of the ball tray. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of suppressing a situation in which a ball is discharged.

The gaming machine of the present invention is
A gaming machine including a ball tray having a storage portion capable of storing a game ball as a game medium to be paid out as a prize ball,
The ball tray has a ball outlet that can discharge the game balls stored in the storage unit to the outside of the storage unit, and includes a ball extraction unit that can open and close the ball outlet,
The ball removal unit is
A main body portion fixed to the ball receiving tray, and a first position provided so as to be relatively movable with respect to the main body portion, wherein the ball outlet is closed and a game ball cannot be discharged from the ball outlet; A movable member displaceable to a second position that allows the game ball to be discharged from the ball discharge port by opening the ball discharge port, and a position at which the player can operate, and displaces the movable member An operation unit that can be operated, an urging means that urges the movable member from the second position side to the first position side, and an engagement that can hold the movable member at the second position. And means,
Based on the fact that the player operates the operation portion and displaces the movable member at the first position to the second position, the engaging member holds the movable member at the second position. A first state capable of releasing the holding state of the movable member held at the second position by a predetermined operation of the player;
Even if the movable member is displaced to the second position side, the engagement member does not hold the movable member at the second position by the engagement means. Provided with a switching means capable of switching the state,
The switching means is provided on one side of the main body or the movable member, and the movable member is moved by the engaging means when the movable member is displaced from the first position to the second position. In the stage before being held, it comes into contact with the other side of the main body part or the movable member and restricts further displacement of the movable member to the second position side, and when the movable member is displaced. And a restricting means displaceable to an allowable position that allows displacement of the movable member up to a position held by the engaging means without hitting the other side of the main body or the movable member,
The ball removing unit is in the first state when the restricting means is displaced to the allowable position, and the ball removing unit is in the second state when the restricting means is displaced to the restricting position. when the ball vent unit is in the second state, the than when in the first state, the ball vent port maximum opening area Ri is small, which can be opened by operating the operating unit ,
The movable member includes a closing portion capable of closing the ball outlet, and the ball outlet opens when the closing portion is displaced in accordance with the displacement of the movable member toward the second position. Because
When the ball removal unit is in the second state, when the movable member is displaced to the second position as much as possible, it is more likely to be caused by the closing portion than in the first state. The closed area of the ball outlet to be closed is configured to be large,
The upper surface of the closing part is characterized in that it is inclined downward in the direction of displacement of the closing part toward the side closing the ball outlet .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the situation where a game ball | bowl is discharged | emitted from a ball | bowl tray contrary to a player's will can be suppressed, preventing the fall of the ball extraction operability of a ball | bowl tray.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine in one Embodiment. It is a perspective view of a pachinko machine. It is a perspective view which shows the state which open | released the inner frame and the front frame set. It is a front view which shows the structure of an inner frame and a game board. It is a rear view of a pachinko machine. It is a perspective view which shows the state which open | released the inner frame, the back pack unit, etc. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an electric structure. It is a top view which shows the ball removal unit in the state which the movable member obstruct | occluded the ball removal opening. It is a top view which shows the ball removal unit in the state in which the movable member was hold | maintained at the latch member. It is a top view which shows the ball removal unit when it exists in the state which cannot hold | maintain a movable member with a latch member. (A) is a top view which shows the main-body part of a ball removal unit, (b) is a top view which shows a movable member. (A) is sectional drawing of a ball removal unit, (b) is an exploded view of (a). (A) shows the latch member when the latch main body is in a protruding state, (b) shows the latch member when the latch main body is pushed by the engaging protrusion and is fully inserted into the housing, and (c) shows It is sectional drawing which shows a latch member when the latching claw part of a latching fixture and the latching recessed part of a latching ring ring are in a latching state. It is a perspective view which shows a latch main body and a latching metal fitting. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows the latch member in the state which can be engaged with an engagement protrusion, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows the latch member in a state which cannot engage with an engagement protrusion, c) A schematic cross-sectional view of the latch member in a state in which it cannot engage with the engaging protrusion. It is a figure for demonstrating the positional relationship of a 1st piece part, a 2nd piece part, and a pinion member. It is drawing for demonstrating the ball removal unit in another embodiment, (a) is a top view which shows the ball removal unit in the state in which the movable member was hold | maintained at the latch member, (b) is a movable member. It is a top view which shows the ball removal unit when it exists in the state in which a slide is restrained, (c) is sectional drawing of a ball removal unit. FIG. 18 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the latch member and release solenoid of FIG. 17. It is a schematic cross section which shows the structure of the lower part of the pachinko machine in another embodiment. It is a model top view which shows the positional relationship of the movable member in another embodiment, a latch member, and a lower plate solenoid.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as “pachinko machine”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10, FIG. 2 is a perspective view, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the inner frame 12 and the front frame set 14 are opened. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of the inner frame 12, the game board 30, and the like. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the inner frame 12, the back pack unit 203, and the like are opened. However, in FIG. 3, for the sake of convenience, nails and accessories placed on the surface of the game board 30, a glass unit 137 attached to the front frame set 14, and the like are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 as a fixed frame that forms an outline of the pachinko machine 10, and an inner frame 12 as an opening / closing member on one side of the outer frame 11. Is supported to be openable and closable. Note that the gaming machine main body in the present embodiment is configured by the various components such as the inner frame 12 and the game board 30 attached thereto.

  As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the outer frame 11 has an upper side frame constituting portion 11a and a lower side frame constituting portion 11b made of a wooden plate material, and the left side frame constituting portion 11c and the right side frame constituting portion 11d are made of aluminum alloy. Each of the frame components 11a to 11d is assembled in a rectangular frame shape as a whole by a detachable fastener such as a screw.

  An upper hinge 81 and a lower hinge 82 are attached to the upper and lower ends of the left side frame constituting portion 11c (see FIG. 1). The upper and lower hinges 81 and 82 support the upper and lower portions of the inner frame 12 so that the inner frame 12 can be rotated. As a result, the inner frame 12 can be opened and closed. And the inner frame 12 etc. are accommodated in the space part formed inside the outer frame 11.

  The right side frame constituting portion 11d is formed with an extending wall portion 83 as a shielding member that protrudes from the vicinity of the rear end portion in the width direction toward the inside of the outer frame 11. The extending wall 83 covers the entire upper and lower sections corresponding to the locking device 600 (see FIG. 6) provided on the back side of the right side of the inner frame 12 from the back side of the inner frame 12 (see FIG. 5). In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, a pair of upper and lower receiving portions 84 and 85 to which the locking member of the locking device 600 is locked are provided on the front surface side of the extending wall portion 83. Further, a pressing portion 86 that abuts on an inner frame opening detection switch 92 described later is provided on the lower receiving portion 85 so as to protrude toward the inner side of the outer frame 11.

  Furthermore, a resin curtain decoration 87 is attached to the lower frame constituting portion 11b. A rib 88 projecting upward is integrally formed at the back of the upper surface of the curtain decoration 87. This makes it difficult to form a gap with the inner frame 12.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the opening / closing axis of the inner frame 12 is set up and down on the left side when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10, so that the inner frame 12 can be opened forward with the opening / closing axis serving as an axis. It has become. The inner frame 12 is mainly composed of a resin base 38 whose outer shape is rectangular, and a substantially elliptical window hole 39 is formed at the center of the resin base 38.

  A front frame set 14 is attached to the front side of the inner frame 12 so that it can be opened and closed. As with the inner frame 12, the front frame set 14 can be opened forward with an opening / closing axis set along the top and bottom on the left side when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

  The front frame set 14 has a rectangular outer shape like the inner frame 12, and covers almost the entire front side of the inner frame 12 in the closed state. A substantially elliptical window 101 is formed at the center of the front frame set 14. Thereby, the game board 30 (game area) attached to the rear surface of the inner frame 12 can be visually recognized from the outside through the window portion 101 of the front frame set 14 and the window hole 39 of the inner frame 12. The detailed configuration of the game board 30 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, on the front side of the front frame set 14, a lower tray 15 as a ball tray is provided at the lower center, and game balls discharged from the discharge port 16 are stored in the lower tray 15. It is possible. In addition, on the front side of the lower plate 15, a ball removal lever 25 for discharging the game ball from the lower plate 15 is provided. The lower plate 15 will be described in detail later.

  On the right side of the lower plate 15, a game ball launching handle (hereinafter simply referred to as a handle) 18 protruding toward the front side is provided. The handle 18 is provided with a touch sensor (not shown) and an operation amount detection means (not shown) for detecting the operation amount of the operation unit of the handle 18.

  Above the lower plate 15, there is provided an upper plate 19 that temporarily stores the game balls and guides them toward a game ball launching device 60 (hereinafter simply referred to as launching device) 60 while aligning them in a row. When the upper plate 19 is full of game balls, the game balls to be paid out are guided to the lower plate 15 via the lower plate communication passage 71 and the discharge port 16 described later.

  The upper plate 19 is provided with a ball lending button 121 and a return button 122. Thereby, in the game hall or the like, when the ball lending button 121 is operated with a bill or a card inserted into a card unit (ball lending unit) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10, depending on the operation Rental balls are supplied to the upper plate 19. On the other hand, the return button 122 is operated when requesting the return of a card or the like inserted into the card unit. However, the ball lending button 121 and the return button 122 are not necessary for a pachinko machine in which game balls are directly lending to the upper plate 19 from a ball lending device or the like without using a card unit, so-called cash machine.

  Further, the upper plate 19 is provided with a ball removal button 123. When the ball removal button 123 is pressed, a communication hole (not shown) provided on the downstream side of the ball guide path of the upper plate 19 and communicating with the lower plate 15 is opened and stored in the upper plate 19. The game ball is guided (dropped) to the lower plate 15. That is, the player can move the game ball on the upper plate 19 to the lower plate 15 at any time by operating the ball removal button 123.

  In addition, light emitting means such as various lamps are provided around the front surface of the front frame set 14. These light emitting means play a role of enhancing the effect of the game during the game by changing and controlling the light emission mode such as lighting and blinking according to the change of the game state at the time of big hit or predetermined reach. For example, at the periphery of the window portion 101, an annular illumination portion 102 incorporating a light emitting means such as an LED is provided. In addition, error display lamps 104 that are turned on when a predetermined error occurs are provided on both sides of the annular illumination portion 102. In addition, a large number of small through holes are formed in the annular illumination portion 102 above the error display lamps 104 corresponding to the speakers SP (see FIG. 3) provided on the back surface of the front frame set 14. .

  A glass unit 137 is attached to the back side of the front frame set 14. The glass unit 137 is not attached to a pair of conventional front and rear rectangular glass plates separately in front and rear pairs, but is formed into a round shape as a whole and attached after being assembled.

  Next, the inner frame 12 (resin base 38) will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the game board 30 is mounted on the inner frame 12 (resin base 38) on the rear side of the window hole 39. The game board 30 is attached in a state in which the peripheral edge thereof is in contact with the back side of the inner frame 12 (resin base 38). Therefore, a substantially central portion of the front surface portion of the game board 30 is exposed to the front surface side of the inner frame 12 through the window hole 39 of the resin base 38.

  Further, at the lower part of the front surface of the inner frame 12 (resin base 38), that is, below the window hole 39 (game board 30), a launch rail for guiding the launch device 60 and the game ball immediately after being launched from the launch device 60. 61 is attached. In the present embodiment, a solenoid-type firing device is employed as the firing device 60. In addition, above the launching device 60, taking-in means for guiding the game balls guided from the upper plate 19 one by one to the firing position of the launching device 60 by driving a built-in driving means (for example, a solenoid). A ball feeder 63 is provided.

  Next, the configuration of the game board 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The game board 30 includes a general winning port 31, a variable winning device 32, a first opportunity corresponding unit (operating port) 33, a second opportunity corresponding port 34, a variable display device unit 35, etc. in through holes formed by router processing. The game board 30 is attached from the front side of the game board 30 with wood screws or the like. As is well known, when a game ball enters (wins) the general winning opening 31, the variable winning device 32, and the first opportunity corresponding unit 33, the upper plate 19 is based on the output signals from the corresponding detection switches. A predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to (or the lower plate 15). In addition, the game board 30 is provided with an out port 36, and a game ball that has not won a prize in various winning units (general winning port 31, variable winning device 32, first opportunity corresponding unit 33) It is discharged outside the gaming area through 36. In addition, the game board 30 is provided with a large number of nails for appropriately dispersing and adjusting the falling direction of the game balls, and various members such as windmills (servants).

  The variable display device unit 35 includes a normal symbol display device 41 that variably displays with the passage of the second opportunity corresponding port 34 as a trigger, a special display device 43 that variably displays with a winning to the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 as a trigger, There is provided a decorative symbol display device 42 that performs variable display according to the variable display by the special display device 43.

  The normal symbol display device 41 incorporates a plurality of light emitting means (LEDs), and when the game ball passes through the second opportunity corresponding port 34, the lighting display mode is switched and displayed (variable display), and the variable display is a specific lighting. When the mode is stopped for a few seconds, the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 is activated for a predetermined time (corresponding to the lower entrance of the first entrance corresponding to the upper entrance pair 33). The blade member to be provided is opened, and entry into the lower entrance is allowed). The display contents of the normal symbol display device 41 are directly controlled by a main control device 261 described later. In addition, when a game ball newly passes through the second opportunity corresponding port 34 during the fluctuation display of the normal symbol display device 41, the fluctuation display of the normal symbol for that time is the fluctuation display being performed at that time. It is the structure performed after the end of. That is, the variable display is on standby (held). The maximum number of the variable display to be held is determined for each model of the pachinko machine, but in this embodiment, it is held up to 4 times, and the hold number is lit and displayed by the hold lamp 44. Yes.

  The special display device 43 is composed of a plurality of light emitting units provided on the side of the normal symbol display device 41, and the combination of the light emitting units that are turned on each time the game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 is switched ( Display fluctuating). And whether it is a big hit or not is definitely displayed by the combination of the light emitting sections that are lit when the variable display is stopped. The display content of the special display device 43 is also directly controlled by the main control device 261. Further, when a new game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 during the variable display of the special display device 43, the corresponding variable display is performed after the end of the variable display at that time. It has a configuration. That is, the variable display is on standby (held). The maximum number of the variable display to be held is determined for each model of the pachinko machine, but in this embodiment, it is held up to 4 times, and the hold number is lit and displayed by the hold lamp 46. Yes. In addition, when a new game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 during the big hit state, the corresponding change display is also suspended.

  The decorative symbol display device 42 is configured as a liquid crystal display device, and display contents are controlled by a sub-control device 262 and a display control device 45 described later. That is, in the decorative symbol display device 42, auxiliary display contents are determined by the sub-control device 262 based on a command from the main control device 261 so as to correspond to the result displayed on the special display device 43, The display is performed by a display control device 45 described later. On the decorative symbol display device 42, for example, three symbol rows of upper, middle and lower are displayed. Each symbol sequence is composed of a plurality of symbols, and these symbols are scrolled and displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42 so as to be scrolled for each symbol sequence, and then the upper symbol sequence → the lower symbol sequence → the middle symbol sequence. Stops are displayed in order. The variable display device unit 35 is provided with a center frame 47 so as to surround the decorative symbol display device 42.

  The variable winning device 32 is normally in a closed state in which a game ball cannot be won or difficult to win, and is in an open state in which a game ball is likely to win in the case of a big hit (occurrence of a special game state). Specifically, the passage of a predetermined time or a predetermined number of winnings is defined as one round, and the large winning opening of the variable winning device 32 is repeatedly opened a predetermined number of times (a predetermined number of rounds).

  The game board 30 includes an inner rail component 51 and an outer rail component 52, and a rail 50 that guides a game ball launched from the launch device 60 to the upper part of the game board 30 is attached. As a result, the game balls fired in accordance with the turning operation of the handle 18 are guided through the launch rail 61 and the rail 50 into a game area formed between the game board 30 and the glass unit 137.

  A return ball preventing member 53 is attached to the tip portion of the inner rail constituting portion 51 (the upper left portion in FIG. 4). This prevents a situation in which the game ball once guided from the rail 50 to the game area returns to the rail 50 again.

  In the present embodiment, the outer rail component 52 is interrupted at the upper right portion of the game board 30, and the inner rail component 51 is interrupted at the lower right portion of the game board 30. For this reason, the game area is defined by the inner peripheral surface of the rail 50 and the window hole 39 of the resin base 38. However, the parallel part of the inner and outer rail components 51 and 52 is excluded.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a ball passage unit 70 is provided on the back side of the front frame set 14 below the window portion 101. The ball passage unit 70 includes a lower plate communication passage 71 connected from a payout mechanism portion 352 described later to the discharge port 16 of the lower plate 15, and an upper plate communication passage 73 connected from the payout mechanism portion 352 to the upper plate 19. In addition, there is a gap of a predetermined interval between the launch rail 61 provided on the inner frame 12 and the rail unit 50 (outer rail constituting portion 52), and the ball path unit 70 receives a game ball dropped from the gap. A foul ball passage 72 for guiding to the lower plate 15 is formed. Thereby, if the game ball launched from the launching device 60 does not reach the return ball prevention member 53 and returns to the rail 50 as a foul ball, the foul ball is returned to the lower plate 15 via the foul ball passage 72. Discharged.

  3 and 4 is a payout passage for guiding a game ball paid out by a payout mechanism portion 352, which will be described later, to the front of the inner frame 12, and an upper plate communication passage 73 (upper plate 19). And a passage leading to the lower plate communication passage 71 (lower plate 15). A shutter 68 is provided below the payout passage 67. When the front frame set 14 is opened, the shutter 68 protrudes forward by an urging force of a spring or the like so that the outlet of the payout passage 67 is almost closed. ing. When the front frame set 14 is closed, the shutter 68 is pushed open by the inlet side rear end of the lower plate communication path 71. In addition, the inlets (sphere inflow portions) of the lower plate communication passage 71 and the upper plate communication passage 73 are adjacent to each other, and in the closed state of the front frame set 14, each of the inlets and the discharge passage 67 are separated by a predetermined distance. A game ball can pass through the gap between the two. For this reason, when the upper plate 19 and the upper plate communication passage 73 are filled with game balls, the game balls to be dispensed flow to the lower plate communication passage 71 side (overflow to the inlet side of the lower plate communication passage 71), and the lower plate connection It will be paid out to the lower plate 15 through the passage 71.

  In addition, the ball path unit 70 is provided with a full detection switch (not shown) that detects a game ball located in the lower dish communication path 71. Due to the presence of the full detection switch, it is grasped that the lower plate 15 is full of game balls (the lower plate 15 is full of game balls and the game balls are retained in the lower plate communication path 71). be able to. In the present embodiment, based on the fact that the game ball is continuously detected for a predetermined time by the full detection switch, the control of prohibiting the launching device 60 from being launched is performed. When the game ball stays in the lower tray communication path 71 and the game ball is no longer detected by the full detection switch (when it is not detected continuously for a predetermined time), the launching device 60 is allowed to be launched again.

  Next, the back configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. Various control boards are arranged on the back of the pachinko machine 10 so as to be lined up, down, left and right, and partially overlapped in the front and back, and further, a game ball supply device (payout mechanism) for supplying game balls And a protective cover made of resin. The dispensing mechanism and the protective cover are integrated as one unit, and the resin portion is generally sometimes referred to as a back pack. Therefore, this unit is referred to as a “back pack unit 203”.

  First, the back configuration of the game board 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, on the back side of the variable display device unit 35 (see FIG. 4) arranged corresponding to the through hole in the center of the game board 30, a resin frame cover that covers the center frame 47 from the back side. 213 is provided to protrude rearward. Also, on the back side of the frame cover 213, a decorative symbol display device 42, a display control device 45, and a sub-control device 262, which are liquid crystal display devices facing forward from the opening of the frame cover 213, are attached and detached in a state where they are stacked in front and back. It is attached as possible.

  The decorative symbol display device 42 is housed in a housing box 42 a in which an opening for exposing the display unit (liquid crystal screen) of the decorative symbol display device 42 to the front side of the pachinko machine 10 is formed, and the rear surface of the frame cover 213. It is fixed on the side. The display control device 45 is accommodated in the substrate box 45a and fixed to the back side of the decorative symbol display device 42 (accommodation box 42a). The sub-control device 262 is accommodated in the substrate box 262a and fixed to the back side of the display control device 45 (substrate box 45a). In the frame cover 213, an LED control board for driving LEDs and the like built in the center frame 47 is disposed. The storage box 42a and the substrate boxes 45a and 262a are made of a transparent resin material or the like, and the control devices 42, 45, and 262 are visible through the storage box 42a and the substrate boxes 45a and 262a.

  Under the frame cover 213, a back frame set 215 is attached to the game board 30 so as to cover the general winning opening 31, the variable winning device 32, the first opportunity corresponding unit 33, and the like from behind. The back frame set 215 includes a ball collection mechanism for collecting game balls that have won prizes in various winning ports. The back frame set 215 functions as a mounting base (mounting member) for the main control device 261. The main control device 261 is supported to be openable and closable with respect to the right side (the left side in FIG. 6) of the back frame set 215. The opening / closing axis extending along the direction can be opened rearward about the axis.

  The main controller 261 is accommodated in a substrate box 263 made of a transparent resin material or the like. The substrate box 263 includes a box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base, and the box base and the box cover are connected by a sealing member. The board | substrate box 263 connected with the sealing member becomes a structure which cannot be opened unless a predetermined trace is left. As a result, it is possible to easily find out that the board box 263 has been illegally opened.

  In addition, on the ball path of the ball collection mechanism of the back frame set 215, a winning ball switch 221 that detects a gaming ball that has entered the general winning port 31, and a gaming ball that has entered the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 are detected. A first opportunity corresponding switch 224 is provided. The game balls collected by the ball collection mechanism are guided to a discharge passage portion 217 described later, and discharged from the discharge chute of the discharge passage portion 217 to the outside of the pachinko machine 10.

  Although not shown, the variable winning device 32 fixed to the game board 30 is provided with a count switch for detecting a game ball that has entered the variable winning device 32, and the game board 30 corresponds to the second opportunity. A position corresponding to the mouth 34 is provided with a second opportunity corresponding port (gate) switch for detecting a game ball passing through the second opportunity corresponding port 34. Further, the first opportunity corresponding unit 33 includes two upper and lower entrances, and the first opportunity correspondence switch 224 corresponding to the upper entrance is provided on the ball passage of the ball collection mechanism as described above. However, the first opportunity corresponding switch corresponding to the lower entrance is provided in the first opportunity corresponding unit 33. The result of detection by each of the detection switches is taken into the main control device 261, and a payout command (the number of game balls to be paid out) corresponding to the winning situation at each time is transmitted from the main control device 261 to the payout control device 311. Based on the output signal from the payout control device 311, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out. In the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the winning of the game ball is electrically sensed for each of the various winning openings, and the payout is immediately performed.

In addition, the back frame set 215 is provided with a relay board, an LED board, and the like that relay electrical connection between the various detection switches and the main controller 261. In addition, the 1st opportunity corresponding | compatible switch 224 which detects the entrance to the 1st opportunity corresponding | compatible unit 33 is directly connected to the main controller 261 via a connector cable, without passing through a relay board | substrate. The variable winning device 32 is provided with a large winning opening solenoid for opening the large winning opening, and the first trigger corresponding unit 33 is provided with an electric accessory (blade member) corresponding to the lower receiving opening. A first opportunity corresponding unit (starting port) solenoid for opening is provided.

Next, the configuration of the back pack unit 203 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the back pack unit 203 is a unit in which a back pack 351 formed of resin and a payout mechanism portion 352 for a game ball are integrated. Further, the back pack unit 203 is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the left side portion (right side in FIG. 5) of the inner frame 12, and can be opened rearward with an open / close axis extending along the vertical direction as an axis. ing. In addition, an external relay terminal board 240 is provided at the upper left part of the back pack unit 203 (upper right part in FIG. 5), and management control on the game hall side is performed through each output terminal provided on the external relay terminal board 240. A signal relating to a gaming state or the like is output to the device.

  The back pack 351 is integrally formed of, for example, ABS resin, and includes a protective cover portion 354 that protrudes rearward from the pachinko machine 10 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protective cover 354 has a shape in which the left and right side surfaces and the upper surface are closed and only the lower surface is opened, and has a size sufficient to surround at least the frame cover 213. However, in the present embodiment, the protective cover portion 354 is configured to surround the upper portion and the right portion of the substrate box 263 (the left portion in FIG. 5). Thereby, in the closed state of the back pack unit 203, the sealing member provided at the right part of the board box 263 and the terminal part (board side connector) provided along the upper edge part of the main controller 261 are covered. It will be.

  The payout mechanism 352 is arranged so as to bypass the protective cover 354. That is, a tank 355 opened upward is provided above the protective cover portion 354, and game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are sequentially supplied to the tank 355. Below the tank 355, for example, a tank rail 356 that has two rows of ball passages in the horizontal direction and that is gently inclined toward the downstream side is connected. Further, a case rail 357 is formed vertically on the downstream side of the tank rail 356. It is connected. The payout device 358 is provided at the most downstream portion of the case rail 357, and a required number of game balls are paid out appropriately according to a predetermined electrical configuration such as a payout motor. Then, the game balls paid out from the payout device 358 are supplied to the upper plate 19 and the like.

  The payout mechanism 352 is provided with a payout relay board 381 for relaying a payout command signal from the payout control device 311 to the payout device 358, and a power switch board 382 for taking in the main power from the outside. Yes. The power switch board 382 is supplied with, for example, an AC 24V main power supply via a voltage converter, and the power switch 382a is switched on or off by a switching operation of the power switch 382a.

  Below the back pack unit 203, a lower frame set that is supported to be openable and closable with respect to the left side portion (right side in FIG. 5) of the inner frame 12 and that can be opened rearward with an open / close axis extending in the vertical direction as an axis. 251 is provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the lower frame set 251 includes a discharge passage portion 217 into which a game ball led out from the ball collection mechanism 216 flows, and the game ball is placed in the most downstream portion of the discharge passage portion 217 in the pachinko machine 10. A discharge chute (not shown) for discharging to the outside is formed. Accordingly, the game balls that have won the respective winning openings such as the general winning opening 31 are gathered via the ball collecting mechanism 216 of the back frame set 215 and further discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through the discharge chute of the discharge passage portion 217. . In addition, the out port 36 leads to the discharge passage portion 217 in the same manner, and the game balls that have not won any winning port are discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through the discharge chute. In this embodiment, the back pack unit 203 and the back frame set 215 are configured separately and can be opened and closed independently, but the back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 are integrally formed. It is good as well.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the payout control device 311, the firing control device 312, the power supply device 313, and the card unit connection board 314 are detachably attached to the back side of the lower frame set 251 in a state where they are stacked in the front-rear direction. It is attached. The launch control device 312 and the power supply device 313 are accommodated in the substrate box 313a and fixed to the back side of the lower frame set 251. Although the launch control device 312 and the power supply device 313 are described as independent control devices for convenience, they are actually configured by a single board (printed board). Further, the payout control device 311 is accommodated in the substrate box 311a and fixed to the back side of the substrate box 313a. The substrate box 313a in which the dispensing control device 311 is accommodated is provided with a sealing member in the same manner as the substrate box 263 in which the main control device 261 is accommodated, so that a trace of opening the substrate box 313a remains. ing. In addition, the card unit connection board 314 is accommodated in the board box 314a and fixed to the back side of the board box 313a. Each of the board boxes 311a, 313a, and 314a is made of a transparent resin material or the like, and the control devices 311, 312, 313, and 314 can be visually recognized through the board boxes 311a, 313a, and 314a.

  Further, the dispensing control device 311 is provided with a state return switch 321 that protrudes outward from the substrate box 311a. For example, when the state return switch 321 is pressed when a payout error occurs, such as a ball clogged in the payout motor unit, the payout motor is rotated forward and reverse to eliminate the ball clogging (return to a normal state). Further, the power supply device 313 is provided with a RAM erase switch 323 that protrudes outward from the substrate box 313a. This pachinko machine 10 has a backup function, so that even if a power failure occurs, the pachinko machine 10 retains the state at the time of the power failure and can be restored to the state at the time of the power failure when returning from the power failure (power recovery). it can. Therefore, if the power is turned off in a normal procedure (for example, when the game hall is closed), the state before the power is turned off is stored. If you want to return to the initial state when the power is turned on, hold down the RAM erase switch 323 and hold the power .

  As shown in FIG. 6, a locking device 600 is provided on the back side of the right side of the inner frame 12. The locking device 600 includes a cylinder lock 700 (see FIG. 1 and the like) exposed on the front surface side of the front frame set 14, and a key is inserted into the key hole of the cylinder lock 700, and the inside is operated by rotating to one side. The frame 12 can be unlocked, and the front frame set 14 can be unlocked by rotating to the other side. In the present embodiment, the inner frame 12 is locked to the outer frame 11, and the front frame set 14 is locked to the inner frame 12.

  In addition, as described above, the extending wall portion 83 that covers the entire upper and lower sections corresponding to the locking device 600 from the back side of the inner frame 12 is formed in the right side frame constituting portion 11d of the outer frame 11 (FIG. 5). reference). Thereby, it becomes more difficult to let a wire etc. approach from the back side of the outer frame 11, and to operate the locking device 600 with the said wire etc. As a result, the defense performance can be further improved. Further, the extending wall portion 83 is configured to cover the right end portion (the left end portion in FIG. 5) of the back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 from the back side, and in the closed state of the inner frame 12, The back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 cannot be opened.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a front frame open detection switch 91 for detecting the opening of the front frame set 14 is provided on the lower right side of the front side of the inner frame 12 (on the right side of the launching device 60). As shown in FIG. 5, an inner frame opening detection switch 92 for detecting the opening of the inner frame 12 is provided on the lower right side on the back side of the inner frame 12 (lower left in FIG. 5). Each of the front frame opening detection switch 91 and the inner frame opening detection switch 92 includes a detection unit that can move in and out of the switch main body, and the front frame opening detection switch 91 is provided so that the detection unit faces forward. The inner frame opening detection switch 92 is provided so that the detection unit faces rearward. When the detection unit is in a state of protruding from the switch main body, an ON signal is output to the main controller 261, and when the detection unit is pressed toward the switch main body and is immersed in the switch main body, an OFF signal is output. It is configured to output to the main controller 261. That is, when the front frame set 14 is closed, the front frame opening detection switch 91 is turned off when the detection unit is pressed on the back surface of the front frame set 14, and when the front frame set 14 is opened, the detection unit returns to the protruding state. Turns on. Similarly, when the inner frame 12 is closed, the inner frame opening detection switch 92 is turned off by the pressing portion 86 integrally formed with the receiving portion 85 of the outer frame 11 and is detected when the inner frame 12 is opened. The part returns to the protruding state and is turned on.

  Now, the present embodiment is characterized in that the game balls stored in the lower plate 15 are discharged. Hereinafter, such a configuration will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a top view showing the ball removal unit 611 in a state where the movable member 613 closes the ball removal port 603. FIG. 9 is a top view showing the ball removal unit 611 in a state where the movable member 613 is held by the latch member 671. FIG. 11A is a top view of the main body 612, and FIG. 11B is a top view of the movable member 613. 12A is a cross-sectional view of the ball removal unit 611, and FIG. 12B is an exploded view of FIG. In FIG. 11, illustration of the lower plate solenoid 751 and the like is omitted. In FIG. 12, the illustration of the latch member 671 and the like is omitted.

  In addition, as a supplementary explanation of the front frame set 14, as shown in FIG. 3, the front frame set 14 has a resin-made front frame base 14a having a rectangular outer shape and a window portion 101 formed in the center. Consists of the subject. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with respect to the front side of the front frame base 14a, an LED board (not shown), a decorative cover 102a that covers the LED board, and an upper dish unit 19a that constitutes an upper dish 19, A lower frame unit 15a constituting the lower plate 15, a handle 18 and the like (see FIG. 2) are attached, and a ball passage unit 70 and the like (see FIG. 3) are attached to the rear side, whereby the front frame set 14 is configured. Has been. The lower plate unit 15 a includes a base member 17 attached to the lower front portion of the front frame base 14 a and a lower plate 15 provided to protrude forward of the base member 17. The base member 17 is formed with the discharge port 16 (see FIG. 1) corresponding to the lower plate 15. The base member 17 is formed with a hole for inserting the handle 18 on the right side of the lower plate 15.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower tray 15 is fixed to the base member 17 and forms a receiving portion 602 (see FIG. 2) that can store a game ball in the shape of a tray. And a ball removal unit 611 (see FIG. 1) attached to the lower surface side of the lower plate body 601.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lower dish main body 601 is formed with a substantially circular ball outlet 603 penetrating vertically at a substantially central portion of the bottom surface of the storage portion 602. Note that the bottom surface of the storage unit 602 of the lower plate 15 is inclined downward toward the ball outlet 603, and all the game balls stored in the storage unit 602 are sphered by opening the ball outlet 603. It is configured to be able to discharge from the outlet 603. An accommodation recess 604 (see FIG. 1) for accommodating the ball removal unit 611 is formed on the lower surface of the lower dish body 601, and the ball removal unit 611 is fitted into the accommodation recess 604 so that the lower dish body 601 is fitted. Mounted on. The housing recess 604 is also open forward, and the front side of the ball removal unit 611 is exposed to the front of the pachinko machine 10. The lower plate main body 601 is provided with an effect button 125 with a built-in LED on the left side of the storage unit 602. By pressing the effect button 125, the decorative symbol display device 42 corresponds. Production is performed or production content is changed.

  As shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 11A, FIG. 12, and the like, the ball punching unit 611 is fixed to the lower dish main body 601, and has a substantially box-shaped main body 612 that opens upward, and the main body 612. A movable member 613 that is slidable in the left-right direction and that can open and close the ball outlet 603, and an urging means that biases the movable member 613 to the side that closes the ball outlet 603 (right side in this example). As a coil spring 614.

  As shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 11 (a) and the like, the main body 612 has a ball outlet 603 in the assembled state of the lower plate 15 (an assembled state of the lower plate main body 601 and the ball removing unit 611). A communicating discharge hole 621 is formed. Further, the front wall 622 of the main body 612 is formed with a notch 622a at an intermediate position in the left-right direction. Further, a screw hole 624 is formed in the main body portion 612 so as to penetrate vertically. Then, the ball removal unit 611 is assembled to the lower dish body 601 so that the main body part 612 is fitted inside the accommodation recess 604, so that the screw hole 624 and the lower surface of the lower dish body 601 (accommodation recess 604) are provided. A boss (not shown) is aligned and screwed. Thereby, the ball removal unit 611 is attached to the lower dish body 601. The main body 612 is configured to have a shape corresponding to the housing recess 604 and includes a positioning rib 625 that protrudes rearward from the rear wall. When the lower plate 15 is assembled, the positioning rib 625 is a lower plate. Since it is supported by a step (not shown) provided in the main body 601, the ball removal unit 611 can be reliably positioned when the ball removal unit 611 is attached to the lower dish body 601.

  As shown in FIG. 11A and the like, the movable member 613 includes a spring housing portion 631 in which the coil spring 614 is housed, a ball release lever 25 projecting on the front side of the spring housing portion 631, and a spring housing portion. 631 and a closing portion 633 projecting on the back side of 631, which are integrally formed of a resin material.

  As shown in FIG. 12B and the like, the spring accommodating portion 631 is formed on the front wall portion 622 of the main body portion 612 in the assembled state of the ball removal unit 611 (the assembled state of the main body portion 612 and the movable member 613). A partition plate 641 that is substantially in contact with the back surface, an upper plate portion 642 that extends rearward from an intermediate position in the vertical direction of the partition plate 641, and a rear plate that extends downward from the rear edge of the upper plate portion 642 The coil spring 614 (not shown in FIG. 12B) can be accommodated in a space formed inside the partition plate 641, the upper plate portion 642, and the rear plate portion 643.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the spring accommodating portion 631 is projected upward from the front wall portion 622 of the main body portion 612 and the bottom surface of the main body portion 612 in the assembled state of the ball removal unit 611. It is disposed between the guide ribs 626 extending in parallel with the portion 622. Thereby, the slide of the movable member 613 is guided. Note that the coil spring 614 is substantially in contact with the inner surface of the spring accommodating portion 631 and the bottom surface of the main body portion 612 in the assembled state of the ball removal unit 611, thereby causing irregular deformation of the coil spring 614. Be regulated. In addition, a recess having a substantially arc-shaped cross section that is recessed downward is formed along the outer peripheral shape of the coil spring 614 on the bottom surface of the main body 612 between the front wall 622 and the guide rib 626. Thereby, the positioning effect of the coil spring 614 is more reliably exhibited.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the partition plate 641 always closes the notch 622 a formed in the front wall 622 regardless of the slide position of the movable member 613. As a result, the inside of the ball removal unit 611 is visually recognized from the cutout portion 622a, and the appearance quality is deteriorated, or a foreign object enters the inside of the ball removal unit 611 from the cutout portion 622a. Can be prevented.

  A spring fixing portion 644 that fixes the right end side of the coil spring 614 is provided inside the spring accommodating portion 631. As shown in FIGS. 11B and 12B, the spring fixing portion 644 includes a support wall portion 644a provided so as to connect the partition plate 641 and the rear plate portion 643, and a support wall portion 644a. And a substantially cylindrical locking projection 644b that protrudes leftward. And the right end part of the coil spring 614 is supported by the left surface of the support wall part 644a by inserting the latching protrusion 644b in the right end part of the coil spring 614.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11A, the main body portion 612 is provided with a main body side spring fixing portion 627 at a position facing the spring fixing portion 644 in the assembled state of the ball removal unit 611. The main body side spring fixing portion 627 includes a support wall portion 627a that protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the main body portion 612, and a substantially cylindrical locking protrusion portion 627b that protrudes rightward from the support wall portion 627a. Then, the left end of the coil spring 614 is inserted into the left end of the coil spring 614, whereby the left end of the coil spring 614 is supported on the right surface of the support wall 627a. By interposing the coil spring 614 between the movable member 613 and the main body 612 as described above, the movable member 613 is biased to the right.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11B, a sliding protrusion 646 is formed on the lower front surface of the partition plate 641, and the sliding protrusion 646 is in the assembled state of the ball removal unit 611. Is in contact with the lower part of the front wall part 622 (the part left below the notch part 622a). Further, a sliding rib 647 is formed on the back surface of the rear plate portion 643, and the sliding rib 647 comes into contact with the front surface of the guide rib 626 in the assembled state of the ball removal unit 611. Due to the presence of the sliding protrusion 646 and the sliding rib 647, when the movable member 613 slides, sliding resistance between the partition plate 641 and the front wall portion 622 and sliding resistance between the rear plate portion 643 and the guide rib 626 occur. The movable member 613 can be slid relatively smoothly.

  The ball release lever 25 includes a connecting portion 651 extending forward from the front surface of the partition plate 641 and an operation portion 652 provided at the front end of the connecting portion 651. In the assembled state of the ball removal unit 611, the connecting portion 651 is configured to protrude forward of the front wall portion 622 through a notch portion 622 a formed in the front wall portion 622 of the main body portion 612. Therefore, the operation part 652 is located in front of the main body part 612 (front wall part 622) and can be operated by the player. In this embodiment, the operation part 652 is pressed to the left and the movable member 613 is slid to the left against the urging force of the coil spring 614 to open the ball outlet 603 (discharge hole 621). It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lower plate body 601 is provided with a collar 606 as a covering means formed so that the housing recess 604 extends forward, and the ball removal unit 611 is moved downward. By attaching to the dish main body 601, the upper surface of the operation part 652 is covered by the collar part 606. Further, in the present embodiment, the left end portion of the operation portion 652 is formed in a substantially arc shape so as to incline downward toward the left, and the lower left edge portion of the collar portion 606 matches the curvature of the operation portion 652. Is curved. Further, in the present embodiment, the ball removal lever 25 (movable member 613) is configured to be slidable to the left until the left end portion of the operation portion 652 substantially contacts the left edge portion of the lower surface of the collar portion 606. In addition, as will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, the ball removal lever 25 slides to the left end of its own slide range and then returns to the right, that is, with the ball removal port 603 opened. The movable member 613 can be held, and the holding state can be released by moving the ball removal lever 25 to the left end again. Therefore, by forming the shape of the collar portion 606 in accordance with the shape of the left end portion of the operation portion 652 as described above, the left edge portion (left surface) of the operation portion 652 is the collar portion 606 in the holding state of the movable member 613. (The gap formed between the left edge of the ball removal lever 25 and the flange 606 can be made as small as possible). Furthermore, the front surface of the operation unit 652 is inclined rearward toward the left, and the left end portion of the operation unit 652 is located behind the collar unit 606. By adopting the configuration as described above, it is difficult to put a finger on the left end portion of the ball removal lever 25, and the act of pressing the left end portion of the ball removal lever 25 to displace it to the right is suppressed.

  On the other hand, the right surface of the operation unit 652 is R-processed according to the fingertip shape. Further, even when the ball removal lever 25 (movable member 613) is positioned on the rightmost side, the right surface of the operation unit 652 is placed between the right surface of the operation unit 652 and the collar unit 606 so that the right surface of the operation unit 652 can be reliably placed. A sufficient gap is formed in. For this reason, it is easy to recognize that the opening / closing operation of the ball outlet 603 is performed by operating the right surface of the operation unit 652.

  As shown in FIGS. 8, 11 (b), 12 (b), etc., the closing portion 633 is a plate-like body extending backward from the upper portion of the spring accommodating portion 631. The closing portion 633 closes the ball outlet 603 (discharge hole 621) in a state where the movable member 613 is positioned on the rightmost side (a state where the connecting portion 651 and the right edge of the notch 622a are in contact). In a state where the movable member 613 is positioned on the leftmost side, the ball outlet 603 (the discharge hole 621) can be almost fully opened. In the present embodiment, the upper surface of the blocking portion 633 is inclined downward toward the right. That is, in this embodiment, by sliding the ball removal lever 25 to the left, the ball removal port 603 (discharge hole 621) is opened from the right side. For example, the ball removal port 603 is slightly opened. Even in the opened state (a state where most of the ball outlet 603 is closed by the closing portion 633), the game ball placed on the upper surface of the closing portion 633 is smoothly guided to the opening area of the ball outlet 603. It is the composition which becomes.

  12A, in the assembled state of the ball removal unit 611, the lower surface of the closing portion 633 is a rib 628 erected upward from the bottom surface of the main body portion 612 (including the guide rib 626). Thus, the movable member 613 slides in a state where the closing portion 633 and the bottom surface of the main body portion 612 are separated from each other. The rib 628 is also provided at the peripheral portion of the discharge hole 621, so that when the movable member 613 closes the ball outlet 603 (discharge hole 621), the discharge hole 621 and the movable member 613 are separated from each other. No gap is formed between them.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12B and the like, the closing portion 633 extends downward from the left edge portion (the side portion on the front side of the paper in FIG. 12B) on the boundary side with the spring accommodating portion 631. There are provided a base plate portion 661 and an engaging projection 662 protruding leftward from the base plate portion 661. As shown in FIG. 11B and the like, a diameter-enlarged portion 663 is formed at the distal end portion of the engaging protrusion 662, while on the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. A latch member 671 is provided at a position facing the engagement protrusion 662 in the sliding direction of the movable member 613.

  Hereinafter, the latch member 671 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13A shows the latch member 671 when the latch body 673 protrudes, and FIG. 13B shows the state when the latch body 673 is pushed by the engagement protrusion 662 and is fully inserted into the housing 672. The latch member 673 is shown, and FIG. 13C is a cross-sectional view showing the latch member 673 when the engagement protrusion 662 and the engagement piece 692 are in the engaged state. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the latch body 673 and the locking fitting 713.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the latch member 671 includes a substantially box-shaped housing 672 that opens to the engagement protrusion 662 side (right side), a latch main body 673 that can be projected and retracted with respect to the housing 672, and a latch main body 673. And a coil spring 674 that urges the housing 672 in a protruding direction (rightward). In this embodiment, the engaging protrusion 662 corresponds to the engaging portion, the latch member 671 corresponds to the engaged portion, and the engaging protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 constitute the engaging means.

  The housing 672 is provided with locking protrusions 681 that protrude outward from both front and rear side surfaces. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11A, the main body 612 is provided with a locking wall 629 that protrudes from the bottom surface at a position facing the engaging protrusion 662. On the other hand, the locking protrusion 681 is locked to the left surface of the locking wall portion 629 by inserting the latch member 671 from the right side. Thereby, the latch member 671 is attached to the main body 612.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the latch body 673 includes a base portion 691 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a pair of front and rear engagement pieces 692 provided at the end portion (right end portion) on the engagement protrusion 662 side of the base portion 691. And a locking ring 693 provided on the upper surface and the lower surface of the base portion 691. As shown in FIG. 13B, when the movable member 613 is slid to the left, the engagement protrusion 662 comes into contact with a portion of the base portion 691 between the pair of engagement pieces 692, and the latch body. 673 is pressed by the engagement protrusion 662 and is immersed in the housing 672.

  The base portion 691 is provided with a pair of guide protrusions 701 that protrude from the front and rear side surfaces. Then, by inserting the latch main body 673 into the housing 672, the guide protrusions 701 are respectively inserted into the long holes 683 formed in the housing 672 (see FIG. 13). Thus, the latch member 671 is assembled (the housing 672 and the latch main body 673), and the slide of the latch main body 673 with respect to the housing 672 is guided.

  In addition, a spring recess 702 is formed in the base portion 691 on the surface (left surface) on the immersion direction side of the latch body 673, and one end portion of the coil spring 674 is inserted into the spring recess 702. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, a spring convex portion 684 is provided inside the housing 672 at a position facing the spring concave portion 702, and the spring convex portion 684 is provided at the other end of the coil spring 674. It is inserted. As described above, by interposing the coil spring 674 between the latch main body 673 and the housing 672, the latch main body 673 is biased in a direction (rightward) protruding from the housing 672.

  Further, a pair of front and rear side plate portions 703 projecting upward or downward along the front edge portion and the rear edge portion is provided on the upper surface and the lower surface of the base portion 691. The front end portion (upper end portion, lower end portion) of the side plate portion 703 and both front and rear side surfaces of the latch main body 673 are substantially in contact with the inner surface of the housing 672. Thus, rattling of the latch body 673 is suppressed when the latch body 673 moves in and out.

  The pair of engagement pieces 692 extend from the front and rear end portions of the right surface of the base portion 691 so as to be separated from each other in the protruding direction (rightward) of the latch body 673. Further, the pair of engaging pieces 692 are formed with engaging claws 692a that protrude in directions facing each other at the respective front end portions. Further, a deformed portion 692b thinner than other portions is formed at the base portion of the engaging piece 692, and the distance between the engaging claws 692a of the pair of engaging pieces 692 around the deformed portion 692b. Each engagement piece 692 is configured to be tilted and deformed so that the distance between the two is close.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, in general (in a state where the right edge of the long hole 683 and the guide protrusion 701 are in contact), the pair of engaging pieces 692 project substantially from the housing 672. It is in a state. In this state, the distance between the engagement claws 692a provided on the pair of front and rear engagement pieces 692 is larger than the front-rear width of the enlarged diameter portion 663, and the movable member 613 is slid leftward. The engagement protrusion 662 passes between the pair of engagement pieces 692 and comes into contact with the right surface of the base portion 691.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, in this embodiment, the latch main body 673 is pushed by the engaging protrusion 662 so that almost the entire pair of engaging pieces 692 can be accommodated inside the housing 672. It has become. When the pair of engaging pieces 692 are accommodated in the housing 672, the pair of engaging pieces 692 are respectively guided to the inner surface of the side wall portion of the housing 672 and tilted to the inside of the housing 672 so as to reduce the mutual distance. It will be. In this manner, the pair of engaging pieces 692 tilts to reduce the distance between the engaging claws 692a provided at the distal ends of the respective engaging pieces 692, and the pair of engaging claws 692a and the latch main body 673. Will be engaged with the enlarged-diameter portion 663 of the engaging protrusion 662 that has been pushed.

  Further, the pair of engaging pieces 692 have moderate elasticity, and when they are removed from the housing 672, they return to their original postures (opened state) by increasing their distances by their own elastic force.

  The locking ring 693 surrounds the inner peripheral side protruding portion 711 and the inner peripheral side protruding portion 711 having a substantially heart shape protruding from the base portion 691 (the upper surface or the lower surface of the base portion 691) between the pair of front and rear side plate portions 703. The peripheral wall portion 712 provided in such a manner and the front side plate portion 703a of the pair of front and rear side plate portions 703 are configured. Further, the protruding length of the inner peripheral side protruding portion 711 is shorter than the protruding length of the side plate portion 703. The locking ring 693 provided on the upper surface of the base portion 691 and the locking ring 693 provided on the lower surface of the base portion 691 have the same shape (vertically symmetrical shape).

  On the other hand, a substantially U-shaped locking fitting 713 is provided inside the housing 672 corresponding to the locking ring 693. As shown in FIG. 14, the locking fitting 713 extends in the vertical direction, and extends from the upper and lower ends of the base 714 to the protruding direction side (right side) of the latch body 673 from the rod-like base 714 that is pivotally supported by the housing 672. A pair of folded portions 715 and a locking claw portion 716 that protrudes from each tip portion of the pair of folded portions 715 to face each other are configured to be rotatable about a base portion 714 as an axis. In the assembled state of the latch member 671 (the assembled state of the housing 672 and the latch main body 673), the locking claw portion 716 is located in the locking ring 693. The distance between the pair of locking claws 716 is substantially the same as the thickness of the latch main body 671 (base portion 691) where the locking ring 693 is formed. Thus, the pair of locking claws 716 are configured to be able to go around the locking ring 693 while being guided by the inner peripheral protrusion 711, the peripheral wall 712, and the side plate 703a. Note that the folded portion 715 is located between the inner peripheral projection 711 and the upper and lower wall portions of the housing 672 in the vertical direction. This avoids a situation in which the turning operation of the locking claw 716 is hindered due to the folded portion 715 coming into contact with the inner peripheral protrusion 711.

  Next, the operation of the locking claw portion 716 accompanying the operation of the latch main body 673 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, when the latch member 671 and the engagement protrusion 662 are separated from each other and the engagement piece 692 protrudes greatly from the housing 672, the engagement claw portion 716 Located on the left side (the left side of the inner peripheral projection 711) of the ring 693, and in the displacement direction of the latch main body 673 (the sliding direction of the movable member 613), the left surface of the locking claw 716 and the inner peripheral projection 711. 721 is arranged to face the 721.

  When the latch main body 673 is displaced from the state shown in FIG. 13A in the direction of immersing in the housing 672, first, the locking claw portion 716 comes into contact with the left surface 721 of the inner peripheral projection 711. The left surface 721 of the inner peripheral protrusion 711 extends obliquely rearward (upward in FIG. 13A) toward the right, which is the protruding direction of the latch body 673, and the locking claw 716 includes: While being guided rearwardly by the left surface 721, it relatively moves toward the right side of the locking ring 693. Further, when the latch main body 673 is immersed in the housing 672, the locking claw portion 716 passes between the rear surface of the inner peripheral projection 711 and the rear wall portion of the peripheral wall portion 712, and It contacts the rear portion 731a of the right wall portion 731. The rear portion 731a of the right wall portion 731 extends obliquely forward (downward in FIG. 13A) toward the right, and the locking claw portion 716 is locked while being guided forward by the rear portion 731a. Relative movement to the right side of the ring 693. When the latch main body 673 is pushed into the housing 672, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 13B, the locking claw portion 716 relatively moves to the substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the locking ring 693. It abuts against a partition wall portion 731b extending leftward from the right front end portion of the rear portion 731a of the wall portion 731. Due to the presence of the partition wall portion 731b, further forward displacement of the locking claw portion 716 is restricted.

  After the latch body 673 is pushed into the housing 672 as described above, the latch body 673 is released (the pressing force for displacing the latch body 673 to the left is released), and the coil spring 674 is attached. The latch body 673 is displaced in a direction (rightward) protruding from the housing 672 by the force. At this time, in the displacement direction of the latch main body 673, the rear portion 724a of the right surface 724 of the inner peripheral protrusion 711 is opposed to the left of the locking claw 716, and the latch main body 673 is displaced in the protruding direction. Thus, the locking claw portion 716 comes into contact with the rear portion 724a of the right surface 724. The rear portion 724a of the right surface 724 extends obliquely forward toward the left, which is the direction in which the latch body 673 is immersed in the housing 672, and the locking claw portion 716 is guided forward by the rear portion 724a of the right surface 724. In this way, it moves relative to the left side of the locking ring 693.

  Further, the front portion 724b of the right surface 724 of the inner peripheral projection 711 extends to the right and inclines forward, thereby locking at the boundary between the rear portion 724a and the front portion 724b of the right surface 724. A recess 725 is formed. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 13C, the locking claw portion 716 guided by the rear portion 724a of the right surface 724 and displaced forward is restricted from further forward displacement in the locking recess 725, and the engagement It is locked to the stop recess 725. Accordingly, the latch main body 673 is held in a state where each engagement piece 692 is immersed in the housing 672.

  As described above, when the latch body 673 is pushed again in the direction to be immersed in the housing 672 in the state where the latch body 673 is held, the latching claw portion 716 is locked as the latch body 673 is displaced in the immersion direction. Relative movement to the right side of the ring 693. The locking recess 725 is located in front of the partition wall portion 731b, and in the displacement direction of the latch body 673, on the right side of the locking claw portion 716 locked to the locking recess 725 is the right of the peripheral wall portion 712. A front portion 731c of the wall portion 731 is disposed opposite to the wall portion 731. Therefore, when the latching claw portion 716 moves relative to the right side of the latching ring 693, the latching claw portion 716 comes into contact with the front portion 731 c of the right wall portion 731. The front portion 731c of the right wall portion 731 is inclined forward and extends rightward, and the locking claw portion 716 is guided forward by the front portion 731c of the right wall portion 731 while being locked. Move relative to the right side of 693. Further, the front portion 731c of the right wall portion 731 extends forward from the inner peripheral protrusion 711 and is connected to the front side plate portion 703a. When the latch body 673 is pushed into the housing 672, FIG. As indicated by a two-dot chain line in (b), the locking claw portion 716 relatively moves to the foremost portion of the locking ring 693 and is brought into contact with the front side plate portion 703a.

  When the latch body 673 is released after being pushed into the housing 672 as described above, the latch body 673 is displaced in a direction in which the latch body 673 protrudes from the housing 672 by the biasing force of the coil spring 674. With the displacement of the latch body 673 in the protruding direction, the locking claw portion 716 passes between the front surface of the inner peripheral side protruding portion 711 and the side plate portion 703a, and relatively moves to the left side of the locking ring passage 693. . When the locking claw portion 716 relatively moves to the left end of the inner peripheral side protruding portion 711, the locking claw portion 716 comes into contact with the guide protruding portion 735 protruding rearward from the left end portion of the front side plate portion 703a. The guide protrusion 735 extends obliquely rearward toward the left, and the locking claw 716 moves relative to the left side of the locking ring 693 while being guided rearward by the guide protrusion 735. As a result, the locking claw 716 returns to the original position facing the left surface 721 of the inner peripheral projection 711 in the displacement direction of the latch body 673.

  Next, the opening / closing operation of the ball outlet 603 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 8, in a state in which the ball outlet 603 (discharge hole 621) is closed by the closing portion 633, the connecting portion 651 of the ball release lever 25 is moved away from the notch portion 622a by the biasing force of the coil spring 614. The movable member 613 is held at a position in contact with the right edge.

  When the ball removal lever 25 is slid to the left from the state of FIG. 8, the closing portion 633 slides to the left to open the ball removal port 603, and the engagement protrusion 662 slides to the left, The combined piece 692 abuts on the latch main body 673 (the portion between the pair of engaging pieces 692 in the base portion 691) in the state shown in FIG. Further, when the movable member 613 is slid to the left end (until the connecting portion 651 of the ball removal lever 25 and the left edge of the notch 622a abut), the latch main body 673 is pressed by the engaging protrusion 662, and the housing 672 Immerse yourself in the back. At this time, the pair of engaging pieces 692 are accommodated inside the housing 672 and guided to the side wall portion of the housing 672 and tilted inward to engage the engaging claws 692a and the engaging protrusions of the pair of engaging pieces 692. The expanded diameter portion 663 of 662 is engaged.

  As described above, after the latch body 673 is pushed into the housing 672, the movable member 613 is released to the right (the ball outlet 603 is closed) by the biasing force of the coil spring 614 by releasing the hand from the ball release lever 25. Side). Further, the latch body 673 is displaced rightward by the biasing force of the coil spring 674. Thus, although the movable member 613 and the latch main body 673 are displaced to the right, as described above, the locking claw portion 716 of the locking fitting 713 is engaged with the locking recess 725 of the locking ring 693. The pair of engagement pieces 692 do not come out of the housing 672 because they are stopped (see FIG. 13C), and the engagement state between the engagement pieces 692 and the engagement protrusions 662 as shown in FIG. Is maintained. As described above, the movable member 613 is held by the latch member 671, so that the movable member 613 does not return to the position where the closing portion 633 closes the ball outlet 603, and the open state of the ball outlet 603 is maintained. .

  In addition, when the movable member 613 is held by the latch member 671, when the ball removal lever 25 is slid again to the left end, the latch main body 673 is pressed by the engagement protrusion 662 and is deeply inserted into the housing 672. As described above, the locking state between the locking claw portion 716 of the locking metal fitting 713 and the locking recess 725 of the locking ring 693 is released. When the hand is released from the ball release lever 25, the latch body 673 is displaced in the protruding direction by the biasing force of the coil spring 674, and the pair of engaging pieces 692 protrude from the housing 672. Along with this, the pair of engaging pieces 692 expands by their own elastic force. As a result, the engagement state between the engagement piece 692 and the engagement protrusion 662 is released, and the movable member 613 returns to the original position where the ball outlet 603 is closed by the biasing force of the coil spring 614.

  In the present embodiment, the engagement projection 662 and the latch member 671 can be engaged with each other and the engagement projection 662 and the latch member 671 cannot be engaged with each other. ing. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a top view showing the ball removal unit 611 in a state where the movable member 613 and the latch member 671 cannot be engaged. FIG. 10 shows the latch member 671 when the locking recess 725 of the locking ring 693 and the locking claw 716 of the locking fitting 713 are in the locked state.

  As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, a pedestal portion 761 that protrudes rearward is provided on the left portion of the main body portion 612, and a lower plate solenoid 751 is installed on the pedestal portion 761. The lower plate solenoid 751 includes a solenoid body 752, a plunger 753, a spring 754 that biases the plunger 753 in the protruding direction, and a restriction piece 755 provided at the tip of the plunger 753. The plunger 753 is placed so as to protrude forward with respect to 761. The lower plate solenoid 751 is electrically connected to the main controller 261 and is switched between an excited state and a non-excited state by switching control of the main controller 261.

  In the present embodiment, the lower plate solenoid 751 (solenoid body 752) is brought into a non-excited state, whereby the plunger 753 protrudes by the biasing force of the spring 754, and the lower plate solenoid 751 is brought into an excited state, The plunger 753 is displaced in the direction of retracting the solenoid body 752 against the urging force of 754. Further, the plunger 753 and the spring 754 of the lower plate solenoid 751 are positioned above the closing portion 633 of the movable member 613, and even if the movable member 613 is slid to the left, the movable member 613 is the plunger. 753 and the spring 754 are not in contact with each other. In this embodiment, the lower pan solenoid 751 constitutes a switching unit and a releasing unit. Further, the regulation piece 755 constitutes a regulation means.

  The restricting piece 755 extends downward from the tip end of the plunger 753, and the lower end thereof is substantially in contact with the bottom surface of the main body 612. In addition, the closing portion 633 of the movable member 613 is formed with an allowable recess 771 that opens to the left (the sliding direction side of the movable member 613 when the ball outlet 603 is opened).

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the lower plate solenoid 751 is in a non-excited state, the positions of the allowable recess 771 and the restriction piece 755 match in the sliding direction (left-right direction) of the movable member 613, and the movable member 613. Is slid to the left, the restriction piece 755 is inserted into the allowable recess 771. Therefore, by sliding the ball removal lever 25 to the left, as described above, the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 (engagement piece 692) are engaged and moved at the position where the ball removal port 603 is opened. The member 613 can be held.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when the lower plate solenoid 751 is in an excited state, the restriction piece 755 is displaced rearward as the plunger 753 is retracted, and the restriction piece 755 is more than the allowable recess 771. Located behind. As described above, when the positions of the restriction piece 755 and the allowable recess 771 do not match in the sliding direction of the movable member 613, even if the movable member 613 is slid to the left by operating the ball removal lever 25. The restriction piece 755 comes into contact with the left side portion of the closing portion 633, and the sliding of the movable member 613 to the left is restricted. As a result, the movable member 613 cannot be slid until the engagement protrusion 662 reaches the position where the latch member 671 is pressed (to the left end). Accordingly, it becomes impossible to engage the engagement protrusion 662 and the engagement piece 692, and the movable member 613 cannot be held in the opened state of the ball outlet 603. That is, when the player releases his hand from the ball removal lever 25, the movable member 613 returns to the original position (position where the ball removal port 603 is closed) by the biasing force of the coil spring 614.

  Further, when the lower plate solenoid 751 is in an excited state, the restricting piece 755 contacts the left side of the closing portion 633 before the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 come into contact with each other. Even if it is slid to the left as much as possible, about half of the ball outlet 603 is closed by the closing portion 633.

  In this embodiment, the lower plate solenoid 751 is in an excited state, and when the movable member 613 is slid leftward, the restriction piece when the restriction piece 755 and the left side of the closing portion 633 are in contact with each other. The position of the portion 755 corresponds to the restriction position, the lower plate solenoid 751 is in a non-excited state, and the restriction piece 755 is inserted into the inside of the allowable recess 771 by sliding the movable member 613 to the left, and is engaged. The position of the restricting piece 755 when the engagement between the protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 is allowed corresponds to the allowed position.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 can be engaged by moving the plunger 753 of the lower plate solenoid 751 in and out and adjusting the slide amount of the movable member 613. The state is switched to a state in which the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 cannot be engaged. Note that the lower part of the left side portion of the restriction piece 755 protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the main body 612 and is substantially in contact with a restriction rib 762 extending in the front-rear direction. As a result, it is possible to prevent the plunger 753 from being deformed due to the restriction piece 755 being pressed against the closing portion 633.

  In this embodiment, the engagement state between the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 673 is configured to be released. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described with reference to the drawings. 15A is a schematic diagram showing the latch member 671 that can be engaged with the engaging protrusion 662, and FIG. 15B is a state that cannot be engaged with the engaging protrusion 662. FIG. 15C is a schematic view showing a latch member 671, and FIG. 15C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the latch member 671 in a state in which it cannot be engaged with the engagement protrusion 662. FIG. 15A and 15B, the latching recess 725 of the latching ring 693 and the latching claw 716 of the latching fitting 713 are not in the latched state, and the latch body 673 (a pair of pairs) The latch member 671 is shown when the engagement piece 692) is in the most protruding state. On the other hand, FIG. 15C shows the latch member 671 when the locking recess 725 of the stop ring path 693 and the locking claw 716 of the locking fitting 713 are in the locked state.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the housing 672 of the latch member 671 is slid in the left-right direction with respect to the substantially box-shaped housing body 672a fixed to the body portion 612 of the ball removal unit 611 and the outer peripheral surface side of the housing body 672a. And a substantially cylindrical slide body 672b which can be provided. When the slide body 672b slides to the right, most of the slide body 672b protrudes to the right from the housing body 672a, and by sliding to the left, the entire body overlaps the housing body 672a.

  In the state in which the slide body 672b shown in FIG. 15 (a) protrudes, the latch main body 673 is pressed by the engaging protrusion 662 and displaced in the direction of immersing into the housing 672, whereby FIG. 9 and FIG. 13 (c) are obtained. As shown, a pair of engagement pieces 692 are accommodated inside the slide body 672b, and are guided by the side wall portion of the slide body 672b so as to be inclined and deformed inward, and the engagement pieces 692 and the engagement protrusions 662 Are engaged.

  On the other hand, in a state where the slide body 672b shown in FIG. 15B overlaps the housing main body 672a, the latch main body 673 is pressed by the engagement protrusion 662 as shown in FIGS. Even if it is displaced in the direction of immersing, the pair of engaging pieces 692 cannot be accommodated in the slide body 672b. For this reason, it becomes impossible to engage the engagement protrusion 662 and the engagement piece 692 (the engagement protrusion 662 and the engagement piece 692 are not meshed).

  Accordingly, when the slide body 672b slides to the left in the engagement state of the engagement protrusion 662 and the engagement piece 692 shown in FIGS. 9 and 13C, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 15C. The pair of engaging pieces 692 are pulled out of the slide body 672b and are deformed so as to increase the mutual distance by their own elastic force. For this reason, the engagement state between the engagement protrusion 662 and the engagement piece 692 is released.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the slide body 672b is configured to slide in conjunction with the moving operation of the lower plate solenoid 751. The configuration will be described below. FIG. 16A is a view for explaining the positional relationship between the first piece 791, the second piece 792, and the pinion member 793 when the lower plate solenoid 751 is in a non-excited state. FIG. 16B is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the first piece 791, the second piece 792, and the pinion member 793 when the lower plate solenoid 751 is in an excited state. In FIG. 16, the locking fitting 713 (the locking claw portion 716) and the locking recess 725 of the locking ring path 693 are not in the locked state, and the latch main body 673 (the pair of engaging pieces 692) protrudes. The latch member 671 when in a state is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 8, 16, etc., the lower plate solenoid 751 includes a first piece 791 extending forward from the upper portion of the restriction piece 755. A rack part 791a having a plurality of teeth protruding rightward is formed in the front part of the first piece part 791.

  In correspondence with the rack portion 791a, a pinion member 793 having a plurality of teeth that mesh with the rack portion 791a is provided to the right of the first piece 791. The pinion member 793 is configured by vertically superimposing two gears of different sizes fixed on the same shaft. The pinion member 793 is positioned below the two gears and protrudes from the bottom surface of the main body 612. A small wheel portion 793a that is substantially in contact with the mounting base 795 (see FIG. 11), and a large vehicle that is fixed to the upper surface side of the small wheel portion 793a and has a larger diameter and a larger number of teeth than the small wheel portion 793a. Part 793b. In the present embodiment, the pinion member 793 is configured to mesh with the first piece 791 (rack portion 791a) in the large wheel portion 793b.

  A second piece 792 extending in the left-right direction is fixed to the upper surface of the slide body 672b. The second piece 792 is located in front of the pinion member 793 and has a plurality of teeth that mesh with the small wheel portion 793a of the pinion member 793.

  With the above configuration, when the first piece 791 slides back and forth in accordance with the movement of the plunger 753 of the lower plate solenoid 751, the pinion member 793 rotates and the pinion member 793 rotates. With the movement, the second piece 792 and the slide body 672b slide left and right. In addition, the 1st piece part 791 and the 2nd piece part 792 are arrange | positioned up and down, and it does not prevent mutual sliding.

  As shown in FIG. 16A, when the lower plate solenoid 751 is in a non-excited state and the plunger 753 is in a protruding state, most of the slide body 672b protrudes rightward from the housing body 672a. Become. Therefore, by pushing the latch main body 673 into the back side of the housing 672 by the engagement protrusion 662, the pair of engagement pieces 692 can be in a closed state (can be tilted and deformed so as to approach each other). The mating protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 can be engaged.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), when the lower plate solenoid 751 is energized, the first piece 791 slides backward with the displacement of the plunger 753 in the retracting direction, and the pinion member 793 rotates in the clockwise direction of FIG. Further, in conjunction with the rotation of the pinion member 793, the second piece 792 and the slide body 672b slide to the left. Thereby, the slide body 672b of the latch member 671 is overlapped with the housing main body 672a. Therefore, even if the latch main body 673 is pushed into the back side of the housing 672 by the engagement protrusion 662, the pair of engagement pieces 692 cannot be closed (cannot be tilted and deformed in a direction approaching each other). ), The engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 cannot be engaged.

  When the lower plate solenoid 751 in the excited state is brought into a non-excited state, the first piece 791 slides forward as the plunger 753 is displaced in the protruding direction by the biasing force of the spring 754. The pinion member 793 rotates in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. Further, the second piece 792 and the slide body 672b slide to the right. As a result, most of the slide body 672b protrudes from the housing body 672a, and the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 can be engaged.

  Further, the front-rear width of the allowable recess 771 is configured to be wider than the front-rear width of the restriction piece 755, and the lower plate solenoid 751 is in an excited state in a state where the restriction piece 755 is inserted through the allowable recess 771. In this case, the rearward displacement of the restriction piece 755 is allowed inside the allowable recess 771. In the present embodiment, until the engagement state between the latch member 671 (the pair of engagement pieces 692) and the engagement protrusion 662 is released, the restriction piece portion 755 is displaced inside the allowable recess 771. It has become.

  Note that the rear edge portion of the allowable recess 771 extends while inclining backward toward the left. As a result, it is possible to suppress a situation in which sliding of the movable member 613 to the right is hindered due to the pressure contact between the restriction piece 755 and the rear edge of the allowable recess 771.

  In the present embodiment, a box detection sensor 781 is provided as a ball box detection means capable of detecting a ball box installed below the lower plate 15. The ball box is installed below the lower plate 15 when playing the pachinko machine 10 installed in the game hall or the like, and stores and carries the game ball discharged from the ball outlet 603 of the lower plate 15. It is a box that can be.

  The box detection sensor 781 includes a light emitting unit 782 (see FIG. 8 and the like) provided on the lower surface of the lower plate 15, that is, the ball removal unit 611, and a light receiving unit 783 (see FIG. 1 and the like) provided on the curtain decoration 87 of the outer frame 11. And a separate photosensor (the light emitting portion 782 and the light receiving portion 783 are independent of each other). The box detection sensor 781 is electrically connected to the main controller 261.

  More specifically, when a ball box is installed below the lower plate 15, the ball box is positioned on a straight line connecting the light emitting unit 782 and the light receiving unit 783, and light reaching the light receiving unit 783 from the light emitting unit 782. Is blocked (if the ball box is transparent or translucent, it is dimmed). Thus, when the light from the light emitting unit 782 to the light receiving unit 783 is blocked and there is no light entering the light receiving unit 783 (almost no light), the main controller 261 causes the lower plate solenoid 751 to be in a non-excited state. Is done. Thus, by sliding the ball removal lever 25 to the left, the movable member 613 can be slid to the left until the latch main body 673 is pushed into the housing 672 by the engagement protrusion 662. That is, the latch member 671 is in a state (first state) where the movable member 613 can be held at the position where the ball outlet 603 is opened (second position). In the present embodiment, as described above, the ball outlet 603 is substantially fully opened in the engagement between the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671.

  On the other hand, when the light from the light emitting unit 782 is detected by the light receiving unit 783 due to the absence of the ball box below the lower plate 15, a detection signal is output from the box detection sensor 781 to the main controller 261 and the main controller 261. The lower plate solenoid 751 is excited by the control device 261. Accordingly, the movable member 613 cannot be slid until it reaches a position where the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 can be engaged. That is, in the latch member 671, the movable member 613 cannot be held at the position where the ball outlet 603 is opened (second state). Therefore, when the hand is released from the ball removal lever 25, the movable member 613 is returned to the position (first position) where the ball removal port 603 is closed by the biasing force of the coil spring 614. Further, when the latch member 671 and the engaging protrusion 681 are in the engaged state, the engaged state is released, and the movable member 613 is returned to the position where the ball outlet 603 is closed by the biasing force of the coil spring 614. Will be.

  In addition, in the state where the sliding of the movable member 613 to the left is restricted in this way, even if the movable member 613 is slid to the left as much as possible, about half of the ball outlet 603 remains. It is in a state of being blocked by the blocking portion 633. That is, when the lower plate solenoid 751 is in the excited state, the maximum opening area of the ball outlet 603 that can be opened by operating the ball outlet lever 25 is smaller than when the lower plate solenoid 751 is in the non-excited state.

  When the engagement piece 692 and the engagement protrusion 662 are in the engaged state, the ball box is removed from below the lower plate 15 to release the engaged state, and then again the lower plate 15 When the ball box is installed below the slide body 672b, the slide body 672b returns to the state of protruding from the housing main body 672a. That is, the pair of front and rear engagement pieces 692 are accommodated inside the slide body 672b and tilted inward, and the distance between the engagement claws 692a of the pair of engagement pieces 692 is the enlarged diameter portion 663 of the engagement protrusion 662. It becomes smaller than the front-rear width. Therefore, although the engagement piece 692 and the engagement protrusion 662 cannot be engaged, the ball removal lever 25 is slid and the latch protrusion 663 is moved to the latch body 673 (in a state tilted inward). A pair of engagement pieces 692) are once pressed to the left to cause the pair of engagement pieces 692 to protrude from the slide body 672b and return the engagement pieces 692 and the engagement protrusions 662 to an engageable state. be able to. When the engagement piece 692 and the engagement protrusion 662 are in the engaged state, the ball box is removed from below the lower plate 15 to release the engaged state, and then again the lower plate 15 When the ball box is installed below the latch box, for example, using the driving means (solenoid or the like), the latch main body 673 is pressed once to the left, and the engagement piece 692 and the engagement protrusion 662 can be engaged. You may employ | adopt the structure of returning to a state. In this case, a situation where the player is forced twice as described above (the ball release lever 25 is pressed twice to the left in order to engage the engagement piece 692 and the engagement protrusion 662). This can be avoided and the operability is improved.

  As described above in detail, in this embodiment, when the ball box is installed below the lower plate 15, the lower plate solenoid 751 is in a non-excited state, and the ball removal lever 25 is slid to the left. The engaging protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 can be engaged with each other. Therefore, even if the player does not keep pressing the ball release lever 25 (operation unit 652), the open state of the ball release port 603 can be maintained, and a large number of game balls stored in the lower plate 15 can be quickly obtained. Can be discharged. For this reason, a player's burden can be reduced regarding the ball removal work.

  On the other hand, when the ball box is not installed below the lower plate 15, the lower plate solenoid 751 is energized, and the restriction piece 755 restricts the sliding of the movable member 613 to the left. That is, the ball release lever 25 (operation unit 652) is operated to slide the movable member 613 to the left, and the game ball can be discharged from the ball release port 603. However, the latch member 671 and the engagement protrusion 662 are It is in a state where it cannot be engaged. Therefore, if the ball release lever 25 is not continuously pressed to the left (if the hand is released from the ball release lever 25), the movable member 613 returns to the position where the ball extraction port 603 is closed by the biasing force of the coil spring 614. It is. Further, when the ball box is removed from below the lower plate 15 when the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 are engaged, the slide body 672b is interlocked with the operation of the lower plate solenoid 751. Is overlapped with the housing main body 672a. For this reason, the engaged state is released, and the movable member 613 is returned to the position where the ball outlet 603 is closed by the biasing force of the coil spring 614.

  Therefore, for example, when a player who has played a predetermined pachinko machine 10 ends (returns) the game with the ball outlet 603 opened, the next player can A game ball that is paid out to the lower plate 15 due to playing a game without noticing that 603 is open, or forgetting to open the ball outlet 603 However, it is possible to prevent such a situation that the ball is discharged from the ball outlet 603 against the player's will. In particular, in a situation where no ball box is installed below the lower plate 15, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the game balls are scattered in the game hall by being discharged from the lower plate 15. .

  In addition to the configuration of the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the present embodiment, for example, there is no operation unit in the ball removal unit, and the ball removal opening has a ball box, etc. A configuration that automatically opens and closes depending on the situation is conceivable. However, in this case, even when a small amount of game balls are paid out to the lower plate, and there is no need to discharge the game balls from the lower plate, the game balls are not stored in the lower plate and are released from the ball outlet. It will be discharged into the box. For this reason, when transferring the game ball paid out to the lower plate with respect to the upper plate, the burden on the player may increase. In particular, when the game ball launched from the launching device 60 does not reach the return ball prevention member 53 (up to the game area) and returns to the rail 50 as a foul ball, the foul ball is discharged to the lower plate 15. Such an inconvenience becomes noticeable when it is adopted. In addition, for example, when the ball box becomes full during the big hit state, there is a possibility that a game ball overflows from the ball box.

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, even in a state where the ball box is installed below the lower plate 15, the ball outlet is opened by the player's intention (by the player operating the ball release lever 25). 603 can be closed and game balls can be stored in the lower plate 15. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the game ball is discharged outside the pachinko machine 10 against the player's will, and the burden on the player can be reduced. Specifically, for example, when transferring a game ball from a ball box in which a small amount of game balls are stored to the upper plate 19, it is difficult to grasp the game ball in the ball box by hand. It is conceivable to carry out troublesome work such as pouring a game ball into the upper plate 19, but when moving the game ball in the lower plate 15 to the upper plate 19, the ball extraction lever 25 is operated to open the ball extraction port 603, The game ball discharged from the ball outlet 603 can be taken out by hand, and the workability when the game ball is transferred to the upper plate 19 can be prevented. Furthermore, even when the ball box is full during the big hit state, it is possible to allow time to replace the ball box by closing the ball outlet 603 and storing the game balls in the lower plate 15. The situation where game balls overflow from the ball box can be prevented.

  Further, since the engagement state between the engagement piece 692 and the engagement protrusion 662 can be released, the engagement protrusion 662 and A situation in which the movable member 613 cannot be returned to the position where the ball outlet 603 is closed due to the engagement with the latch member 671 can be avoided. Therefore, even when the previous player ends the game with the ball outlet 603 opened (leaves the seat), when the next player plays a game, the ball outlet 603 is opened. It can be returned to the closed state. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent a situation where the game ball is discharged from the ball outlet 603 against the player's will.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the slide body 672b employs a configuration in which the lower plate solenoid 751 is driven, and the slide of the movable member 613 is restricted only by bringing the lower plate solenoid 751 into an excited state. In addition, when the engagement piece 692 and the engagement protrusion 662 are engaged, the engagement state can be released. Therefore, in addition to the solenoid (lower plate solenoid 751) for displacing the restricting piece 755, a control device (not shown) that controls the drive of the slide body 672b (solenoid or the like) is provided compared to the case where a drive means (solenoid or the like) is provided. For example, the burden on the main controller 261) can be reduced.

  In addition, in the above embodiment, the lower plate 15 (lower plate main body 601) is provided with the flange portion 606, and the movable member 613 is held by the latch member 671. The left end of the cover is covered with the collar 606 and is difficult to touch. Therefore, when the movable member 613 is held by the latch member 671, the finger is applied to the left end portion of the operation unit 652 and forcibly pressed to the right side (the side where the ball outlet 603 is closed by the movable member 613). This can prevent the latch member 671 and the like from being damaged. In addition, since the front surface of the operation unit 652 extends obliquely rearward toward the left, and the left end portion of the operation unit 652 is located behind the collar unit 606, the above-described effects can be achieved more reliably.

  Further, for example, when a game ball slightly stored in the lower plate 15 is moved to the upper plate 19, the game ball discharged from the ball discharge port 603 is manually received and taken out by operating the ball release lever 25. In this case, when the ball outlet 603 is fully opened, the range in which the game balls can fall is wide, and the game balls stored in the lower plate 15 are discharged all at once, so that the game balls spill from the palm. There is a risk of ending up.

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, when the lower plate solenoid 751 is in an excited state (when the ball box is installed below the lower plate 15), the lower plate solenoid 751 is in a non-excited state. The maximum opening area of the ball outlet 603 that can be opened by operating the ball release lever 25 is smaller than when the ball box is not installed below the lower plate 15. For this reason, when the ball box is not installed below the lower plate 15, when the ball outlet 603 is opened, the range in which the game balls can fall is narrow and discharged at one time (at the same time Since the number of game balls (passing through the mouth 603) is also small, it is possible to suppress a situation where the game balls are spilled from the palm. Of course, when the ball box is installed below the lower plate 15, the ball outlet 603 can be almost fully opened, so that the game ball can be quickly discharged from the lower plate 15.

  In the present embodiment, the restricting piece portion 755 is configured to be able to contact the closing portion 633. For this reason, for example, when the lower plate solenoid 751 is in the excited state, the latch member 671 is caused by the collision of the regulating piece 755 and the latch member 671 by sliding the movable member 613 to the left. Problems such as damage can be prevented.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the upper surface of the closing portion 633 is inclined downward toward the right. Accordingly, when a part of the ball outlet 603 that is gradually opened from the right side by sliding the ball release lever 25 to the left is closed by the closing part 633, the game ball placed on the closing part 633 is It is possible to prevent a problem that the ball stays on the upper surface of the blocking portion 633 and the game ball cannot be discharged smoothly (the game ball remains in the lower plate 15).

  Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10. The main control device 261 (main substrate) of the pachinko machine 10 is equipped with a CPU 501 as a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic device (processing device). The CPU 501 includes a ROM 502 that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 501 and fixed value data, and a RAM 503 that is a memory that temporarily stores various data when the control program stored in the ROM 502 is executed. Various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit are incorporated. However, the CPU, the ROM, and the RAM may not be integrated into one chip but may be configured as a chip for each function.

  The RAM 503 has a configuration in which data can be retained (backed up) by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply device 313 even after the pachinko machine 10 is turned off. The RAM 503 temporarily stores various data and the like. In addition to the memory and area, a backup area 503a is provided.

  In the backup area 503a, when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the power of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power is turned off when the power is turned on again. (Similarly) is an area for storing stack pointers, values of registers, I / O, and the like. Writing to the backup area 503a is performed by an NMI interrupt process activated by inputting a stop signal to the NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal) (the NMI interrupt causes the state of the main controller 261 when the power is turned off to the backup area 503a of the RAM 503). Stored) is executed when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure, etc., and the recovery of each value written in the backup area 503a is a power recovery process when the power is turned on (including power on when the power failure is resolved, and so on). Executed in Note that a power failure signal SK1 output from a power failure monitoring circuit 542, which will be described later, is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 501 when a power failure occurs due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. Due to the occurrence, the power failure process (NMI interrupt process) is immediately executed.

  An input / output port 505 is connected to the CPU 501 incorporating the ROM 502 and RAM 503 via a bus line 504 including an address bus and a data bus. A RAM erase switch circuit 543, a payout control device 311, a sub control device 262, a special display device 43, a normal symbol display device 41, and other detection switches (not shown) are connected to the input / output port 505. With this configuration, the special display device 43 and the normal symbol display device 41 described above are directly controlled by the main control device 261. On the other hand, the decorative symbol display device 42 is controlled via the sub-control device 262.

  The sub-control device 262 (sub-control board) includes a CPU 551 that is an arithmetic unit, various control programs executed by the CPU 551, a ROM 552 that stores fixed value data, and various control programs that are stored in the ROM 552. In addition to a RAM 553 that is a memory for temporarily storing data, an input / output port 554, a bus line 555, various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit (not shown) are also provided. The RAM 553 is a memory that temporarily stores work data and flags used when the CPU 551 executes various programs.

  A CPU 551, ROM 552, and RAM 553 are connected to the input / output port 554 via a bus line 555 and a display control device 45 is connected. Further, the speaker SP, various illumination units, and lamps 102 to 104 are connected to the input / output port 554.

  The CPU 551 of the sub-control device 262 causes the display control device 45 to execute display control based on, for example, a command signal (for example, a variation pattern command) transmitted from the main control device 261 and causes the decorative symbol display device 42 to display the display control device. As described above, in the present embodiment, the special display device 43 controlled by the main control device 261 displays whether or not it is a big hit, and the decorative symbol display device 42 controlled by the sub control device 262. Then, display according to the display of the special display device 43 is performed.

  The payout control device 311 controls payout of prize balls and rental balls by a payout motor 358a. The CPU 511 that is an arithmetic unit includes a ROM 512 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 511, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 513 that is used as a work memory or the like.

  The RAM 513 of the payout control device 311 is configured to hold (backup) data by supplying a backup voltage from the power supply device 313 even after the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, like the RAM 503 of the main control device 261 described above. The RAM 513 is provided with a backup area 513a in addition to a memory and an area for temporarily storing various data.

  The backup area 513a has a stack pointer, each register at the time of power off, each register, so that the power of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power is turned off when the power is turned off. This is an area for storing values such as I / O. The writing to the backup area 513a is executed when the power is turned off by the NMI interrupt processing, and conversely, the restoration of each value written to the backup area 513a is executed in the power recovery processing when the power is turned on.

  An input / output port 515 is connected to the CPU 511 incorporating the ROM 512 and the RAM 513 through a bus line 514 including an address bus and a data bus. A RAM erase switch circuit 543, a main controller 261, a launch controller 312 and a payout device 358 are connected to the input / output port 515, respectively.

  The launch control device 312 permits or prohibits the launch of the game ball by the launch device 60, and the launch device 60 is permitted to drive when predetermined conditions are met. Specifically, a firing permission signal is output from the payout control device 311, a sensor signal is detected that the player is touching the handle 18, and a firing stop switch that stops firing is operated. On the condition that it is not done, the launching device 60 is driven, and the game ball is launched at an intensity corresponding to the operation amount of the handle 18.

  The display control device 45 executes the variable display of the decorative symbols on the decorative symbol display device 42 in accordance with an instruction from the sub-control device 262. The display control device 45 includes a CPU 521, a program ROM 522, a work RAM 523, a video RAM 524, a character ROM 525, a video display processor (VDP) 526, an input port 527, an output port 529, and bus lines 530 and 531. And. An input / output port 554 of the sub control device 262 is connected to the input port 527. Further, a CPU 521, a program ROM 522, a work RAM 523, and a VDP 526 are connected to the input port 527 through a bus line 530. An output port 529 is connected to the VDP 526 via a bus line 531, and a decorative symbol display device 42 as a liquid crystal display device is connected to the output port 529.

  The CPU 521 of the display control device 45 receives the display command (command signal) transmitted from the sub-control device 262 via the input port 527, analyzes the received command, or performs predetermined arithmetic processing based on the received command. Then, control of the VDP 526 (specifically, generation of an internal command for the VDP 526) is performed. Thereby, display control in the decorative symbol display device 42 is performed. The program ROM 522 is a memory that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 521 and fixed value data. The work RAM 523 is a memory that temporarily stores work data and flags used when the CPU 521 executes various programs. It is.

  The video RAM 524 is a memory for storing display data to be displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42, and the display content of the decorative symbol display device 42 is changed by rewriting the contents of the video RAM 524. The character ROM 525 is a memory that stores character data such as symbols displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42. The VDP 526 is a kind of drawing circuit that directly operates an LCD driver (liquid crystal driving circuit) incorporated in the decorative symbol display device 42. Since the VDP 526 is an IC chip, it is also referred to as a “drawing chip”, and the substance of the VDP 526 can be said to be a microcomputer chip with a dedicated firmware for drawing processing. The VDP 526 adjusts the respective timings of the CPU 521, the video RAM 524, etc. to intervene in reading and writing data, and reads the display data stored in the video RAM 524 at a predetermined timing and causes the decorative symbol display device 42 to display it.

  The power supply device 313 includes a power supply unit 541 that supplies power to each unit of the pachinko machine 10, a power failure monitoring circuit 542 that monitors power interruption due to a power failure, and a RAM erase switch circuit 543 connected to the RAM erase switch 323. And. The power supply unit 541 supplies necessary operation power (drive power) to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311 and the like through a power supply path (not shown). As its outline, the power supply unit 541 takes in AC 24 volt power supplied from the outside, generates + 12V power for driving various switches and motors, + 5V power for logic, backup power for RAM backup, etc. These + 12V power supply, + 5V power supply and backup power supply are supplied to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311 and the like. Note that operation power (+12 V power, +5 V power, etc.) is supplied to the launch control device 312 via the payout control device 311.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 542 is a circuit that outputs a power failure signal SK1 to each NMI terminal of the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 and the CPU 511 of the payout control device 311 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 542 monitors the DC stable voltage of 24 volts, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 541, and determines that a power failure (power failure) has occurred when this voltage is less than 22 volts. The power failure signal SK1 is output to the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. Based on the output of the power failure signal SK1, the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 recognize the occurrence of a power failure and execute a power failure process (NMI interrupt processing).

  The power supply unit 541 normally outputs an output of 5 volts, which is a drive voltage of the control system, for a time sufficient to execute the process at the time of a power failure even after the DC stable voltage of 24 volts becomes less than 22 volts. Configured to maintain the value. Therefore, the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 can normally execute and complete the power failure process.

  The RAM erase switch circuit 543 is a circuit that takes in the switch signal of the RAM erase switch 323 and clears backup data in the RAM 503 of the main controller 261 and the RAM 513 of the payout controller 311 in accordance with the state of the switch 323. When the RAM erase switch 323 is pressed, the RAM erase switch circuit 543 outputs a RAM erase signal SK2 to the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. When the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on with the RAM erase switch 323 pressed (including power-on due to power failure cancellation), the data in the respective RAMs 503 and 513 are cleared in the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. The

  In addition, it is not limited to the description content of embodiment mentioned above, For example, you may implement as follows.

  (A) In the above embodiment, the housing 672 includes the housing main body 672a and the slide body 672b, and the slide plate 672b is slid in the direction overlapping the housing main body 672a with the lower plate solenoid 751 in an excited state. Although the structure which cancels | releases the engagement state of 692 and the engagement protrusion 662 is employ | adopted, it is not limited to such a structure in particular.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the slide body 672b is configured to be interlocked with the plunger 753 of the lower plate solenoid 751, but for example, the configuration for restricting the sliding of the movable member 613, A configuration for releasing the engagement state with the mating protrusion 662 may be provided separately.

  Hereinafter, the example of an aspect shown in FIG. 17 is demonstrated. FIG. 17A is a top view showing the ball removing unit 611 in a state where the movable member 613 is held by the latch member 671. FIG. 17B is a top view showing the ball removal unit 611 when the restriction piece 755 and the closing portion 633 are in contact with each other and the sliding of the movable member 613 is restricted. FIG. 17C is a cross-sectional view of the ball removal unit 611. However, illustration of the latch member 671 and the release solenoid 811 is omitted in FIG. In addition, since the basic configuration is common to the above embodiment, for convenience, the same member numbers as those in the above embodiment will be used for explanation.

  First, the movable member 613 can be held at the position where the ball outlet 603 is opened by sliding the movable member 613 at the position where the ball outlet 603 (the discharge hole 621) is closed to the left (first position). 1) and a configuration for switching the movable member 613 to the state where the movable member 613 cannot be held at the position where the ball outlet 603 is opened (second state) even if the movable member 613 is slid to the left. To do.

  Also with respect to the ball removal unit 611 in FIG. 17, a lower plate solenoid 751 is provided as in the above embodiment. However, the first piece 791 and the pinion member 793 are omitted. That is, when the lower plate solenoid 751 is in the non-excited state, the positions of the restricting piece 755 and the allowable recess 771 in the sliding direction of the movable member 613 are matched, and when the lower plate solenoid 751 is in the excited state, the movable member 613 is. The positions of the restriction piece 755 and the allowable recess 771 do not match in the sliding direction.

  Next, a configuration for releasing the engagement state between the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 673 will be described with reference to FIG. 18A is a schematic sectional view showing the latch member 671 when the release solenoid 811 is in a non-excited state, and FIG. 18B is a latch member when the release solenoid 811 is in an excited state. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing 671. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the latch main body 673 is formed with a protrusion 831 that protrudes above the housing 672 via a notch 821 formed in the upper wall portion of the housing 672. Note that the housing 672 of the latch member 673 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 is formed integrally with the other portions without sliding the portion that accommodates the pair of engaging pieces 692. Above the latch member 671, a release solenoid 811 (release means) including a solenoid body 812, a plunger 813, and a connecting portion 814 provided at the tip of the plunger 813 is provided. . In this example, the release solenoid 811 is provided in a direction in which the plunger 813 protrudes to the right, and the connecting portion 814 is connected to the protruding portion 831.

  As shown in FIG. 18A, when the release solenoid 811 is in a non-excited state, the release solenoid 811 is pressed by the engagement protrusion 662 or pushed by the urging force of the coil spring 674 incorporated in the housing 672. As a result, the latch body 673 appears and disappears. In addition, the connecting portion 814 (plunger 813) is displaced in accordance with the movement of the latch body 673.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18B, when the release solenoid 811 is energized, the plunger 813 is displaced in the retracting direction, and the latch body 673 is moved into the housing along with the displacement of the plunger 813. It will be displaced in the direction of immersing in 672. At this time, the latching state of the latching claw 716 of the latching metal fitting 713 and the latching recess 725 of the latching ring 693 is released inside the latch member 673 (two points in FIG. 13B). (See chain line). When the release solenoid 811 is brought into a non-excited state again, the latch body 673 is displaced in a direction protruding from the housing 672 by the biasing force of the coil spring 674 incorporated in the latch member 673. As a result, the pair of engagement pieces 692 project from the housing 672 and expand, and the engagement state between the pair of engagement pieces 692 and the engagement protrusions 662 is released.

  Therefore, when the ball box is installed below the lower plate 15, the release solenoid 811 is set in a non-excited state, and the lower plate solenoid 751 is set in a non-excited state, and is installed below the lower plate 15. When the ball box is removed, the release solenoid 811 is once in the excited state and then in the non-excited state, and the lower plate solenoid 751 is in the excited state. The

  When this configuration is adopted, a configuration for interlocking the slide body 672b with the lower plate solenoid 751 (the first piece 791, the second piece 792, the pinion member 793, the mounting base 795, and the front and rear of the allowable recess 771) (Including the width design) can be omitted, and the configuration can be simplified. However, when it is desired to reduce the burden on the control device (the main control device 261 in the above embodiment) that drives and controls the lower plate solenoid 751 and the like, the slide body 672b is interlocked with the lower plate solenoid 751 as in the above embodiment. It is desirable to adopt a configuration.

  Note that the configuration for disabling the engagement between the engagement piece 692 and the engagement protrusion 662 is not particularly limited. For example, the entire latch member 671 is slidably provided with respect to the main body 612. When the ball box is not installed, a configuration in which the latch member 671 is displaced to a position where it does not come into contact with the engagement protrusion 662 by a predetermined driving means may be employed. Further, for example, the distal end portion of the plunger 803 of the solenoid 802 is inserted into the long hole 683 formed in the side wall portion of the housing 672 of the latch member 671, and the guide protrusion formed in the latch body 673 (base portion 691). The displacement of the latch body 673 on the immersion direction side is restricted by contacting the left surface (surface on the immersion direction side) 701, and the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 are not engaged. Also good.

  Note that the configuration for releasing the engagement state between the engagement piece 692 and the engagement protrusion 662 is not particularly limited. For example, the structure includes a switching unit that can displace the engagement fitting 713, and a lower plate. When the ball box is removed from below 15, the switching means presses the front end side of the locking fitting 713 forward (downward in FIG. 13), and engages with the locking recess 725 of the locking ring 692. You may employ | adopt the structure which cancels | releases the latching state with the latching claw part 716 of the fastener 713. FIG. In addition, for example, the inner peripheral projection 711 or the portion constituting the front 724b of the right surface 724 of the inner peripheral projection 711 can be displaced with respect to the base portion 691 of the latch body 673 (sliding in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction) And the latch body 673 is pivotably provided with respect to the housing 672, and the switching means capable of displacing the latch body 673 is driven. You may employ | adopt the structure which can cancel | release the latching state of the latching recessed part 725 of the stop ring path 692, and the latching claw part 716 of the latching metal fitting 713. FIG. When these configurations are employed, after the engagement piece 692 and the engagement protrusion 662 are in the engaged state, the ball box is removed from below the lower plate 15 to release the engaged state. When the ball box is installed again below the lower plate 15 and the engagement piece 692 and the engagement protrusion 662 are to be engaged, first, the state returns to the state of protruding from the housing body 672a. The latch main body 673 (the pair of engagement pieces 692 tilted inward) is moved by the engagement protrusion 662 so that the pair of engagement pieces 692 accommodated inside the slide body 672b is protruded from the slide body 672b. It is possible to avoid a situation where the user has to press leftward.

  In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the lower plate solenoid 751 is used as the switching unit. However, a stepping motor, a rotary solenoid, or the like can be used instead of the lower plate solenoid 751. Further, a latch member 671 may be provided on the movable member 613 side, and an engagement protrusion 662 may be provided on the main body portion 612 side. Moreover, in the said embodiment, the lower plate solenoid 751 is made into a non-excitation state, The movable member 613 can be slid to the left end, without receiving special restrictions, and the lower plate solenoid 751 is made into an excitation state. Thus, the slide of the movable member 613 is restricted, but the slide of the movable member 613 is restricted when the lower plate solenoid 751 is in the non-excited state and is not restricted when in the excited state. May be adopted.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the lower plate solenoid 751 is provided in the main body 612. However, the lower plate solenoid 751 may be provided in the movable member 613. For example, when the lower plate solenoid 751 is in a non-excited state, even if the movable member 613 is slid to the left, the plunger 751 is in a stage before the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 are engaged. When the restriction piece provided at the tip of the plunger 751 abuts against a predetermined portion of the main body 612, further sliding of the movable member 613 is restricted, and the lower plate solenoid 751 is in an excited state. The engaging protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 may be engaged with each other without the plunger 751 and the restricting piece contacting the main body 612.

  (B) In the above embodiment, based on the detection result of the box detection sensor 781, the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 can be engaged, and the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 cannot be engaged. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to such a configuration. Hereinafter, the example shown in FIG. 19 will be described. FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the lower part of the pachinko machine 10. However, in FIG. 19, illustration of the lower plate body 601 and the like is omitted for convenience.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the curtain 11 of the outer frame 11 has a rod-shaped lever 901 that penetrates through the curtain 87 and is slidable in the longitudinal direction relative to the curtain 87 (ball box interlocking). Means), a coil spring 902 (extrusion urging means) for urging the lever 901 forward, and a long-plate-shaped transmission portion 903 (link mechanism) provided to be rotatable with respect to the curtain panel decoration 87. ing. The rotation shaft of the transmission portion 903 extends in the left-right direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 17) at the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction. Moreover, the transmission part 903 is comprised so that contact | abutting with the rear-end part of the lever 901 in a site | part below a rotating shaft is possible. Further, a positioning spring 905 that biases the lower part of the transmission portion 903 forward than the rotation shaft is provided, and the lower portion of the transmission portion 903 always abuts against the rear end portion of the lever 901 by the positioning spring 905. While being in a state, the longitudinal direction extends in the vertical direction.

  On the other hand, the ball removal unit 611 extends through the rear wall portion of the main body 612 of the ball removal unit 611 and the front frame set 14 (the base member 17 and the front frame base 14a of the lower plate unit 15a), and extends in the front-rear direction. A sliding piece 910 that can slide in the left-right direction in FIG. 17 is provided. In addition, the ball punching unit 611 shown in FIG. 19 is fixed to the first piece 791 (which constitutes the switching means in this embodiment) and the slide body 672b of the housing 672 in the same manner as in the above embodiment. Slidable second piece 792 and a pinion member 793 provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body 612 and interposed between the tip of the first piece 791 and the second piece 792. (See FIG. 16). In this example, the first piece 791 is connected to the slide piece 910, and the slide body 672b slides in conjunction with the displacement of the slide piece 910 in the front-rear direction. In the example for the main body, a restricting piece 755 extending downward from the vicinity of the rear end of the first piece 791 is provided.

  Further, the sliding piece 910 is urged rearward by a spring 915. Further, the rear end portion of the sliding piece 910 comes into contact with the upper portion of the transmission portion 903 when the front frame set 14 and the inner frame 12 are closed. For this reason, when the transmission part 903 rotates in the clockwise direction of FIG. 19, the sliding piece 910 is pushed by the transmission part 903 and is displaced forward. The inner frame 12 is formed with a notch 918 that allows displacement of the sliding piece 910 and the transmission portion 903.

  As shown by the solid line in FIG. 19, when the ball box 921 is not installed below the lower plate 15 (the ball removal unit 611), that is, the lever 901 is moved forward by the biasing force of the coil spring 902. When the sliding piece 910 and the first piece 791 are located at the rear end in the sliding range of the movable member 613 when the sliding piece 910 and the first piece 791 are located by the urging force of the spring 915. The positions of the portion 755 and the permissible recess 771 do not match, and most of the slide body 672b of the latch member 671 overlaps the housing main body 672a, and the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 are engaged. (See FIG. 16A).

  On the other hand, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 19, when the ball box 921 is installed below the lower plate 15, the front end of the lever 901 is pressed by the ball box 921 and displaced rearward, and the transmission unit When the lower part of 903 is pushed by the lever 901, the transmission part 903 rotates clockwise in FIG. When the transmission part 903 rotates in this way, the sliding piece 910 and the first piece part 791 are pushed by the upper part of the transmission part 903 and displaced forward. Further, in conjunction with the first piece 791, the pinion member 793 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 16, and the second piece 792 slides to the right. As a result, the positions of the restricting piece 755 and the allowable recess 771 in the sliding direction of the movable member 613 coincide with each other, and the slide body 672b greatly protrudes from the housing body 672a, so that the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 are moved. It will be in the state which can be engaged.

  When the ball box 921 is removed from below the lower plate 15, the first piece 791 is displaced rearward by the urging force of the spring 915, and the pinion member 793 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. Then, the second piece 792 slides to the left. As a result, most of the slide body 672b overlaps the housing main body 672a, and the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 cannot be engaged. Note that the lever 901 protrudes forward by the biasing force of the positioning spring 905.

  Even in the case of adopting the configuration as described above, the same operational effects as the above-described embodiment are basically obtained.

  (C) In the above embodiment, the movable member 613 can be held by the latch member 671 at the position where the ball outlet 603 is opened and cannot be held by the presence or absence of the ball box installed below the lower plate 15. However, it is not particularly limited to such a configuration.

  For example, when the game is in a jackpot state where a large amount of game balls can be acquired in a short time, or when the jackpot state is over and in the jackpot state (in anticipation of the time when game balls are paid out based on winning in the jackpot state) In a period until a predetermined time elapses, the movable member 613 can be held by the latch member 671 (the lower plate solenoid 751 is in a non-excited state), and is in any other state (normal game state) Alternatively, the movable member 613 may not be held by the latch member 671 (the lower plate solenoid 751 is in an excited state).

  In the case of adopting this configuration, it is possible to reduce the burden on the player with respect to the ball removal work in a big hit state where the lower plate 15 becomes full soon. On the other hand, when a large amount of game balls are not paid out in a short time (normal game state), even if the movable member 613 cannot be held by the latch member 671, the burden on the player regarding the ball removal work Does not increase significantly. Therefore, in such a gaming state, the movable member 613 cannot be held by the latch member 671 so that the game ball is unexpectedly discharged from the lower plate 15 against the player's will. It is possible to suppress various inconveniences resulting from this.

  In addition, it is also possible to combine the said structure with the structure of the said embodiment. When combined, the movable member 613 is not held by the latch member 671 unless it is a big hit state even if the ball box is installed, and if there is no ball box even in the big hit state, the movable member 613 is a latch member. 671 is not held. When combined with the configuration (b) (configuration shown in FIG. 19), the lever 901 and the first piece portion 911 are interlocked, for example, when the entire transmission portion 903 is displaced rearward when it is not in the big hit state. There is a configuration that does not.

  Further, in the case of such configuration, even if there is no configuration for releasing the engagement state between the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 in particular (for example, in the aspect example using the solenoid 802 described in the above (a)) Even if the lower plate solenoid 751 is omitted), a situation in which the game ball is discharged from the ball outlet 603 against the player's will can be suppressed. That is, for example, after the big hit state is ended, the lower plate solenoid 751 described in the above (a) is set in an excited state and switched to a state in which the slide of the movable member 613 is restricted. When the player operates the ball removal lever 25 to close the ball removal port 603, the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 are engaged even if the ball removal lever 25 is operated until the next big hit state is started. Cannot be combined. Therefore, in a state where the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 cannot be engaged, when the player finishes the game, the ball outlet 603 is always closed. Accordingly, the next player plays a game without noticing that the ball outlet 603 is in an open state, and the game ball is discharged from the ball outlet 603 against the player's will. Such a situation can be suppressed. However, in the case where the structure for releasing the engagement state between the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 is provided, the player ends the game without closing the ball outlet 603 after the big hit state is ended. Even if it exists, the situation where a game ball will be discharged | emitted from the ball outlet 603 contrary to a player's will can be prevented.

  In addition, for example, after a big hit state occurs (after the announcement that the big hit state occurs in the decorative symbol display device 42 or the like, or the payout of the game ball based on the winning in the big hit state may be executed. After winning the state, that is, after the jackpot round in which the variable winning device 32 (big prize opening) is opened), or after the game ball payout based on the winning in the jackpot state starts, In the period until the payout of the game ball based on the winning of time is completed, the movable member 613 is held in the latch member 671 (the lower plate solenoid 751 is in the non-excited state), and in other periods (big hit When the game ball payout based on the winning prize is completed), the movable member 613 cannot be held by the latch member 671 (the lower plate solenoid 751 Excitation state) and it may be. In this case, for example, due to the occurrence of a ball clogging in the game ball payout path (the payout path inside the pachinko machine 10 and the game ball supply mechanism of the island facility where the pachinko machine 10 is installed) during the big hit state, Even in the situation where a large amount of game balls are continuously paid out after the big hit state is finished, the latch member 671 and the engagement protrusion 662 are engaged, and the ball outlet 603 is maintained in the open state. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the burden on the player regarding the ball removing operation.

  For example, if there are winnings in various winning openings (variable winning device 32 or the like), the jackpot flag for determining whether or not the jackpot state set in the storage area of the RAM 503 of the main controller 261 is confirmed. If it is a big hit, a big win hourly ball counter that counts the number of game balls to be paid out in accordance with the winning is counted up. When a value other than “0” is set in the jackpot winning ball counter, the game ball is paid out to count down the jackpot winning ball counter. Also, it is checked whether or not the value of the big hitting prize ball counter is “0”. When the value is not “0”, the movable member 613 can be held by the latch member 671 (the lower plate solenoid 751 is in the non-excited state). ) And “0”, the movable member 613 may not be held by the latch member 671 (the lower plate solenoid 751 is in an excited state).

  In the case of adopting a configuration in which the movable member 613 can be switched between a state where the movable member 613 can be held at the position where the ball outlet 603 is opened and a state where it cannot be held by the latch member 671 depending on the presence or absence of the ball box as in the above embodiment Since the movable member 613 can be held by the latch member 671 when the game balls stored in the upper plate 19 and the lower plate 15 are discharged to the ball box at the end of the game, The burden on the player regarding the work is further reduced.

  (D) In the above embodiment, switching operation means (buttons, switches, etc.) are provided at positions where the player cannot operate such as the back side of the inner frame 12, and the ball box is based on the operation of the switching operation means. A configuration may be employed in which the lower plate solenoid 751 is switched to an on state in which the lower plate solenoid 751 is driven and an off state in which the lower plate solenoid 751 is not driven while being driven in an unexcited state. That is, in the ON state, as in the above embodiment, if the ball box is installed, the latch member 671 and the engagement protrusion 662 can be engaged, and if there is no ball box, the latch member 671 is engaged. Although the protrusion 662 cannot be engaged, in the off state, the latch member 671 and the engagement protrusion 662 can be engaged regardless of the presence or absence of the ball box (latch). The member 671 is not switched to a state where the movable member 613 cannot be held).

  That is, depending on the game hall, the game balls once paid out to the player are collected by the ball collection mechanism provided in the island facility, and the game balls are counted at the time of collection, and the game balls held (acquired) by the player Some have adopted a game form in which numbers are digitally displayed. Of course, the player can take out the game balls from the island facility as many as the number of the game balls that he or she possesses (by paying it to the upper plate 19 or the like) by performing a predetermined operation. In such a game hall, it is not necessary to store the game balls paid out to the lower plate 15 in the lower plate 15, and depending on the business policy, the balls may be collected at once without storing the game balls in the lower plate 15. In some cases, it may be preferable to have the mechanism recover. In other words, a pachinko machine suitable for the business policy of each game hall can be obtained by adopting a configuration in which switching between an on state and an off state can be performed by operating the switching operation means (either state can be selected).

  In the OFF state, even if the ball box installed below the lower plate 15 is removed and a detection signal is output from the box detection sensor 781 to the main control device 261, the main control device 261 is operated by the lower plate solenoid. 751 may not be in the excited state. In addition, there is a stopper that is displaced to a position where it can come into contact with the connecting piece 755 in the off state and restricts the displacement of the plunger 753 in the retracting direction of the plunger 753 of the lower plate solenoid 751. It is good also as switching to a state.

  Hereinafter, the example of an aspect shown in FIG. 20 is demonstrated. 20 is a schematic top view showing a positional relationship among the movable member 613, the latch member 671, and the lower plate solenoid 751. In FIG. 20, the main body 612 and the like of the ball removal unit 611 are not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the lower pan solenoid 751 is mounted on a pedestal 951 that is slidable in the left-right direction with respect to the main body (612) of the ball removal unit (611). In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the base part 951 is provided in a main-body part (612), and slides along the guide rail extended in the left-right direction. Further, the main body (612) is provided with a solenoid 955 that is electrically connected to the main controller 261 and can displace the pedestal 951. The tip of the solenoid 955 is connected to the pedestal 951, and the pedestal 951 slides as the solenoid 955 moves in and out.

  As shown by the solid line in FIG. 20, when the solenoid 955 is energized, the plunger 956 moves in the retracting direction and the pedestal 951 slides to the right. In this state, when the lower plate solenoid 751 is in an excited state and the positions of the restricting piece 755 and the allowable recess 771 do not match, the slide of the movable member 613 is restricted by the restricting piece 755 and engaged. The protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 cannot be engaged with each other.

  On the other hand, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 20, when the solenoid 955 is in a non-excited state, the plunger 956 protrudes by the biasing force of the spring 957 provided corresponding to the plunger 956, and the pedestal portion 951 slides to the left. In this state, even if the lower plate solenoid 751 is in an excited state, the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 can be engaged without the slide of the movable member 613 being restricted by the restriction piece 755. . Therefore, based on the operation of the switching operation unit electrically connected to the main controller 261, the solenoid 955 is in the excited state in the on state, and the solenoid 955 is in the non-excited state in the off state. Is played.

  (E) In the above embodiment, the light receiving unit 783 is provided on the curtain panel decoration 87 of the outer frame 11, but the installation positions of the light emitting unit 782 and the light receiving unit 783 are not particularly limited. 783 may be provided so as to protrude downward from the lower plate 15. Thus, by providing both the light emitting unit 782 and the light receiving unit 783 in the front frame set 14, for example, the optical axis of the box detection sensor 781 is deviated from the case where the light receiving unit 783 is provided in the outer frame 11. Can be prevented, and a decrease in detection accuracy can be prevented.

  In the case of adopting this configuration, the inner frame 12 and the outer frame 11 (curtain plate decoration 87) are provided with notches for receiving the light receiving portion 783 when the front frame set 14 and the inner frame 12 are closed. Need to form. On the other hand, as in the above embodiment, the light receiving portion 783 is provided in the outer frame 11 to form a cut portion in the inner frame 12, or the light receiving portion 783 is formed in the inner frame 12 and the outer frame 11. Therefore, it is not necessary to carefully design the formation position and size of the cut portion (in view of manufacturing errors and the like) so as to be accommodated in the portion. Therefore, the manufacturing workability can be improved. Further, the light emitting unit 782 and the light receiving unit 783 may have an opposite relationship (the light receiving unit 783 is provided in the lower plate 15 and the light emitting unit 782 is provided in the outer frame 11). In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the separation type photosensor is adopted as the box detection sensor 781, but it is not particularly limited to such a configuration, and other sensors (such as a reflection type photosensor), You may employ | adopt the switch etc. which are provided in the position which can contact with the ball box installed in the downward direction of the tray 15. FIG.

  (F) In the above-described embodiment, the ball removal lever 25 is formed integrally with the closing portion 633. For example, when the ball removal lever 25 is operated, the closing portion formed separately from the ball removal lever 25 is used. It is good also as a structure which 633 displaces via a link and opens and closes the ball outlet 603. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the obstruction | occlusion part 633 interlock | cooperates by sliding operation of the ball removal lever 25 and the structure which opens and closes the ball removal port 603 is employ | adopted, it is especially limited to such a structure. Instead, for example, a configuration in which the ball outlet 603 is opened and closed in conjunction with a push-type button operation or a dial-type knob operation may be employed. In addition, an operation detection unit that detects the operation of these operation units is provided, and when the operation unit is operated, a predetermined control device opens the ball outlet 603 based on the detection result of the operation detection unit. You may employ | adopt the structure of performing.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the movable member 613 can be held at the position where the ball outlet 603 is opened by the latch member 671 and can not be held depending on the presence or absence of the ball box installed below the lower plate 15. However, for example, an operation detecting means capable of detecting the operation of the ball removal lever 25 is provided, and the movable member 613 cannot be always held regardless of the presence or absence of the ball box. When a ball box is installed below the lower plate 15 when the extraction lever 25 is operated, the movable member 613 can be held based on the detection result of the operation detection means and the box detection sensor 781. Even if the operation of the ball removal lever 25 is detected, if the ball box is not installed below the lower plate 15, the state in which the movable member 613 cannot be held is maintained. A configuration may be adopted such. Further, for example, regardless of the presence or absence of the ball box, the movable member 613 is always held, and when the ball removal lever 25 is operated, the ball box is installed below the lower plate 15. In such a case, the state in which the movable member 613 can be held is maintained, and when the operation of the ball removal lever 25 is detected, if the ball box is not installed below the lower plate 15, the movable member 613 is moved. You may employ | adopt the structure of switching to the state which cannot be hold | maintained. From the viewpoint of preventing the game ball from being discharged from the ball outlet 603 against the intention, it is desirable to adopt the former configuration or the configuration of the above embodiment. Further, when the latter configuration is adopted, a human detection means (human sensor) for detecting the player is provided, and when the player leaves the seat, the lower plate solenoid 751 is energized and engaged. When the piece 692 and the engagement protrusion 662 are engaged, a configuration in which the engagement state is released may be employed. In this case, even if the latter configuration is adopted, the effect of preventing the game ball from being discharged from the ball outlet 603 against the intention is surely achieved.

  (G) In the above embodiment, even if the ball removal lever 25 is slid to the left, if the hand is released from the ball removal lever 25, the ball removal opening 603 cannot be maintained in the open state, and the ball removal lever 25. An informing means for informing that the state is returned to the right may be provided.

  Note that the notification by the notification means does not necessarily have to be continuously performed when the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 cannot be engaged. For example, the restriction piece 755 and the movable member 613 The predetermined display means when the predetermined light emitting means emits light when contacted or the detection signal is output by the detection means for detecting the contact between the regulating means 755 and the movable member 613. A configuration may be adopted in which notification is made by means of (decorative symbol display device 42 or the like) or voice. Further, when the engagement protrusion 662 and the latch member 671 can be engaged with each other, a notification is given by the notification means, and when the engagement protrusion 662 cannot be engaged, the notification is not made. It is good also as a structure which can recognize the state which cannot engage with the latch member 671.

  As an example, the restriction piece 755 is made of a conductive metal, and a portion of the closing part 633 that can come into contact with the restriction piece 755 is made of a conductive metal. In addition, wiring for connecting the metal portions of the restriction piece 755 and the blocking portion 633 and the power source is provided, and predetermined light emitting means is interposed in the wiring. Further, the light emitting means is arranged in a transparent portion formed on the lower plate body 601 so that the light from the light emitting means can be viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10. In addition, if necessary, a sticker that is cut out so that a predetermined character (for example, a character such as “I can't open any more”) appears on the transparent portion. In a state where the sliding of the movable member 613 is restricted by the restriction piece 755, when the restriction piece 755 and the closing portion 613 come into contact with each other, the restriction piece 755 and the metal part of the closing portion 633 are electrically connected to emit light. The means emit light. As a result, it is possible to recognize that it is impossible to slide the ball removal lever 25 to the left end, that is, the ball removal port 603 cannot be maintained in the open state (by the latch member 673). it can. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the restriction piece 755 and the movable member 613 from being damaged by forcibly sliding the movable member 613 leftward in a state where the ball outlet 603 cannot be maintained in the open state. can do.

  (H) In the above embodiment, the lower plate 15 is provided, and the lower plate 15 constitutes a ball receiving tray. However, the lower plate 15 is omitted and the ball removal button provided corresponding to the upper plate 19 A configuration in which the game balls stored in the upper plate 19 are directly discharged to the outside (ball box) of the pachinko machine 10 by operating 123 may be adopted. In this case, the upper plate 19 constitutes a ball tray. Even when the configuration is adopted, the same operational effects as the above-described embodiment can be obtained. In addition, in the case where the configuration is adopted, for example, when a configuration is adopted in which the ball outlet provided in the upper plate 19 is automatically opened and closed depending on the presence or absence of the ball box, the ball box is installed. Since the opening state of the ball outlet is maintained, there is a risk that the amount of game balls stored in the upper plate 19 will decrease. Due to this, there is a concern that it is necessary to frequently perform an act of moving the game ball of the ball box to the upper plate. On the other hand, even in the state where the ball box is installed as in the above embodiment, the above-described problem can be prevented by adopting a configuration in which the ball outlet can be closed by the player's intention.

  (I) The collar portion 606 serving as the covering means in the above embodiment has the left surface of the operation portion 652 of the ball removal lever 25 and the front surface of the left end portion of the operation portion 651 in a state where the movable member 613 is held by the latch member 671. It may be covered. In this case, in a state where the movable member 613 is held by the latch member 671, it becomes more difficult or impossible to put a finger on the left surface of the operation unit 652, and the ball removal lever 25 of the movable member 613 held by the latch member 671. Forcibly pressed to the right can prevent the latch member 671 and the like from being damaged more reliably.

  (J) In the embodiment described above, the fullness detection means (installed on the lower surface of the ball removal unit 611 and capable of detecting that the game ball is full or almost full in the ball box, If the game ball in the ball box is full or almost full, the lower plate solenoid 751 is energized and the game ball in the ball box is full or almost full. A configuration in which the lower plate solenoid 751 is brought into a non-excited state when not full may be employed. That is, when the ball box is full, it is not necessary to discharge the game ball from the lower plate 15. In this state, the lower plate solenoid 751 is energized to reduce the burden on the player regarding the ball removal operation. In this way, the effect of suppressing the situation where the game ball is discharged from the lower plate 15 against the will of the player can be achieved more reliably. In particular, even when the movable member 613 is held by the latch member 671, when the ball box is full, the held state is released and the ball outlet 603 is closed by the movable member 613. Therefore, when the game ball overflows from the ball box, or when the ball box below the lower plate 15 is moved forgetting to close the ball outlet 603, the game ball is scattered in the game hall. It is possible to suppress situations such as

  (K) In the above embodiment, the left side frame constituting part 11c and the right side frame constituting part 11d are made of an extruded material made of an aluminum alloy. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be made of another metal material. However, aluminum alloy is more preferable in terms of improving recyclability because it is relatively lighter and more workable than other metal materials. Of course, the outer frame 11 may be configured by assembling a wooden plate with a detachable fastener such as a small screw. However, as in the above embodiment, the left side frame component 11c and the right side frame component 11d are made of metal, so that durability and recyclability can be improved, and the left side frame component 11c and the right side frame can be improved. By being thin while maintaining the strength of the component 11d, in a gaming machine in which the outer shape is configured to be substantially the same as a standard like the pachinko machine 10, the space surrounded by the outer frame 11 is reduced. The space is expanded in the left-right width direction, and the space can be used more effectively. In addition, in the conventional wooden outer frame, the left and right side frame components are subjected to router processing or the like for expansion of the internal space, but the left side frame component 11c and the right side frame component 11d are made of metal. This eliminates the need for troublesome work such as router processing, and simplifies the work process. Further, since the degree of freedom of molding is improved, the cross-sectional shape of the right side frame constituting portion 11d is reduced by reducing the gap between the inner frame 12 and the outer frame 11, or by using a wire or the like from the gap between the inner frame 12 and the outer frame 11. It can be made the shape which makes it difficult to make a wire penetrate the inside of the pachinko machine 10.

  Note that the left side frame constituting part 11c and the right side frame constituting part 11d do not have to be extrusion molded products, and may be, for example, molded products. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although only the left side frame structure part 11c and the right side frame structure part 11d are metal, it is not restricted to this, You may make the upper side frame structure part 11a and the lower side frame structure part 11b metal. In this case, for example, two or three of the upper, lower, left and right frame components 11a to 11d, or all the frame components may be integrally formed. In addition, the extended wall portion 83 may be omitted.

  (L) You may implement as a pachinko machine of a different type from the above-mentioned embodiment. In addition to the pachinko machine, the present invention may be implemented as an arrangement ball machine, various game machines such as a sparrow ball, a game machine of a type in which a slot machine and a pachinko machine are integrated.

[Appendix]
In a game machine such as a pachinko machine, when a game ball launched into a game area by a predetermined launching device wins a prize opening, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to a ball tray provided on the front side of the game machine as a prize ball It becomes the composition which is done. In addition, for example, when a game ball wins a specific winning opening (starting opening), whether or not to generate a big hit state, whether or not to win a lottery is performed, if winning or winning a lottery, a lot of winning balls can be obtained in a short time Some jackpots will occur.

In addition, a ball outlet is formed in the ball tray, and a shutter for opening and closing the ball outlet is provided, and a shutter is operated by operating a ball outlet operation unit (lever, button, etc.) provided in the ball tray. By sliding, the ball outlet is opened and the game ball can be discharged from the ball tray. Generally, the shutter is biased in a direction to close the ball outlet by a biasing means such as a spring, and the ball outlet opens to play the game ball when it is desired to store the game ball in a ball tray. Suppression of the situation that spills. In recent years, it is also known that a ball receiving tray is provided with a stopper for holding a shutter at a position where a ball outlet is opened. Due to the presence of the stopper, it is not necessary for the player to keep pressing the ball removal operation section when a large amount of game balls are discharged from the ball tray. Thereby, the burden of a player is reduced (for example, refer patent document 1).

However, in the configuration in which the stopper is provided as described above, for example, the previous player ends the game with the ball outlet opened, and the next player returns the ball outlet. A situation may occur in which a game is started without noticing that it is open. In this case, when a game ball is paid out to the ball tray, the game ball is not stored in the ball tray and is unexpectedly discharged from the ball outlet. In particular, when the ball box is not installed below the ball tray, the game balls may be scattered in the game hall.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems and the like, and its purpose is to prevent a game from a ball tray against a player's will while preventing a decrease in the operability of the ball tray. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of suppressing a situation in which a ball is discharged.

Means 1. A gaming machine including a ball tray having a storage portion capable of storing a game ball as a game medium to be paid out as a prize ball,
The ball tray has a ball outlet that can discharge the game balls stored in the storage unit to the outside of the storage unit, and includes a ball extraction unit that can open and close the ball outlet,
The ball removal unit is
A main body portion fixed to the ball receiving tray, and a first position provided so as to be relatively movable with respect to the main body portion, wherein the ball outlet is closed and a game ball cannot be discharged from the ball outlet; A movable member displaceable to a second position that allows the game ball to be discharged from the ball discharge port by opening the ball discharge port, and a position at which the player can operate, and displaces the movable member An operation unit that can be operated, an urging means that urges the movable member from the second position side to the first position side, and an engagement that can hold the movable member at the second position. And means,
Based on the fact that the player operates the operation portion and displaces the movable member at the first position to the second position, the engaging member holds the movable member at the second position. A first state capable of releasing the holding state of the movable member held at the second position by a predetermined operation of the player;
Even if the movable member is displaced to the second position side, the engagement member does not hold the movable member at the second position by the engagement means. Provided with a switching means capable of switching the state,
The switching means is provided on one side of the main body or the movable member, and the movable member is moved by the engaging means when the movable member is displaced from the first position to the second position. In the stage before being held, it comes into contact with the other side of the main body part or the movable member and restricts further displacement of the movable member to the second position side, and when the movable member is displaced. And a restricting means displaceable to an allowable position that allows displacement of the movable member up to a position held by the engaging means without hitting the other side of the main body or the movable member,
The ball removing unit is in the first state when the restricting means is displaced to the allowable position, and the ball removing unit is in the second state when the restricting means is displaced to the restricting position. When the ball removal unit is in the second state, the maximum opening area of the ball removal opening that can be opened by operating the operation unit is smaller than when the ball removal unit is in the first state. A gaming machine characterized by

  According to the means 1, when the movable member that opens and closes the ball outlet of the ball receiving tray is displaced to the second position where the ball outlet opens, the movable member can be held by the engaging means. Switching means for switching the state of the ball removal unit between the state 1 and the second state in which the movable member cannot be held by the engaging means even if the movable member is displaced to the second position. Is provided. That is, by switching to the first state, when the player wants to discharge a large amount and quickly of the game balls stored in the ball tray, the opening state of the ball outlet is maintained without the player holding down the operation unit. It can be maintained, and the player's burden can be reduced regarding the ball removal work.

  On the other hand, in the second state, the game ball can be discharged from the ball outlet by operating the operation unit, but the movable member cannot be held by the engaging means, so the operation of the operation unit is released. Then (when the hand is released from the operation unit), the movable member returns to the first position by the urging force of the urging means. Therefore, when the game balls stored in the ball tray need not be discharged in large quantities and quickly, the player can notice that the ball outlet is open by switching to the second state. The game ball that has been paid out to the ball tray due to playing the game without forgetting to open the ball opening or playing the game, etc. The situation of being discharged from the mouth can be suppressed. In particular, in a situation where a ball box capable of storing game balls discharged from the ball tray is not installed below the ball tray, when the game ball is discharged from the ball tray, the game in which the game machine is installed Although game balls may be scattered in a hole or the like, according to the present means, such a problem can be suppressed.

  In addition to the above configuration, in addition to the above configuration, for example, there is no operation unit in the ball removal unit, and the ball removal opening depends on the presence or absence of a ball box, etc. A configuration that opens and closes automatically is conceivable. However, in this case, even when a small amount of game balls are paid out to the ball receiving tray and there is no need to discharge the game balls from the ball receiving tray, the game balls are not stored in the ball receiving tray and the balls are discharged from the ball outlet. It will be discharged into the box. For this reason, the burden on the player increases when the game ball paid out to the ball tray is grasped by hand and moved to a place other than the ball box (other game machines, ball counters installed in the game hall, etc.). There is a risk that. In addition, for example, in the case of adopting such a configuration in a pachinko machine, if the ball box is full during a special game state (a big hit state) in which a large number of game balls can be acquired in a short time, There is a risk of game balls overflowing from the box.

  On the other hand, according to this means 1, even in the first state, the ball outlet is closed by the player's intention (by the player operating the operation unit), and the game ball is placed in the ball tray. Can be stored. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the game ball is discharged outside the gaming machine against the player's will, and the burden on the player can be reduced. Specifically, for example, a game ball as a game medium paid out as a prize ball is stored, and the stored game ball is guided to a taking-in means for taking in the game ball when starting the game. A gaming machine comprising a plate and a lower plate as a ball receiving plate for storing game balls paid out exceeding at least a storage allowable amount of the upper plate, wherein the upper plate is taken from a ball box in which a small amount of game balls are stored. When the game ball is transferred to the game box, it is difficult to grasp the game ball in the ball box by hand, and it is conceivable to perform a troublesome work such as lifting the ball box together and pouring the game ball into the upper plate. On the other hand, when the game ball in the lower plate is moved to the upper plate, the operation unit is operated to open the ball discharge port, and the game ball discharged from the ball discharge port can be taken out by hand. It is possible to reduce the burden on the player regarding the operation of transferring the game ball to the upper plate. Furthermore, even if the ball box is full during a special game state in a pachinko machine, it is time to replace the ball box by closing the ball outlet and storing the game ball in the ball tray. It is possible to prevent such a situation that the game ball overflows from the ball box.

  Furthermore, according to this means, the displacement amount (stroke amount) of the movable member is adjusted by the restriction means that moves between the restriction position and the permissible position, thereby switching between the first state and the second state. Yes. Therefore, the above-described effects can be realized while adopting a relatively simple configuration.

  In addition, when moving the game ball slightly stored in the ball tray to a place other than the ball box, when receiving the game ball discharged from the ball outlet by operating the operation unit, For example, if the ball outlet is fully opened, the range in which the game balls can fall is wide, and the game balls stored in the ball tray are discharged all at once, which may cause the game balls to spill from the palm. There is.

  On the other hand, according to this means, the maximum opening area of the ball outlet that can be opened by operating the operation unit is smaller when the second state is set than when the first state is set. Has been. For this reason, in the second state, when the ball outlet is opened, the range in which the game balls can fall is narrow, and the number of game balls discharged at the same time (at the same time passing through the ball outlet) is small. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a situation in which a game ball spills from the palm. Of course, when in the first state, the ball outlet can be opened larger, so that the game ball can be quickly discharged from the ball tray.

  Note that “the predetermined operation of the player” may be “the operation of the operation unit”. Further, “the configuration in which the opening area of the ball outlet changes according to the operation amount of the operation unit” may be adopted. Furthermore, it is good also as "the said holding state is cancelled | released by displacing the said movable member to the said 2nd position side in the holding state of the said movable member by the said engaging means." In addition, examples of the main body portion of the ball removal unit include a discharge hole that communicates with the ball removal opening and is fixed to the lower surface side of the ball receiving tray.

  It should be noted that “a starting operation means provided at a position where a player can operate, a launching means for playing and launching a game ball based on an operation of the start operation means, and a game ball launched by the launching means A game area to be played, a winning means that is arranged in the gaming area and allows a game ball flowing down the gaming area to enter, and a payout means that can pay out a predetermined number of game balls based on winning to the winning means An upper plate capable of storing the game balls paid out by the paying-out means, a take-in means for guiding the game balls stored in the upper plate to a firing position of the launching means, and storage of at least the upper plate It is good also as providing the lower tray as a ball receiving tray which stores the game ball paid out exceeding the allowance.

  In addition, “a variable display device that variably displays identification information, a take-in means for taking in a predetermined number of game balls when starting a game (a ball number recognition means capable of recognizing the number of game balls taken in), a game The winning lottery for the winning combination is triggered by the operation of the start operation means and stop operation means provided at a position where the player can operate, and the start operation means in a state where a predetermined number of game balls are taken in by the take-in means. Based on the lottery means to be performed and the operation of the start operation means in a state in which a predetermined number of game balls are taken in by the take-in means, the variable display device starts a variation display of the identification information, and the stop operation means The identification information control means for stopping and displaying the variation display of the identification information based on the operation of the lottery and the result of the winning lottery by the lottery means, and stopped and displayed by the identification information control means When the different information is a combination corresponding to the winning combination, the payout means capable of paying out a predetermined number of game balls, the game balls paid out by the payout means are stored, and the stored game balls are stored in the It is good also as providing the upper plate which guides to an insertion means, and the lower plate as a ball receiving tray which stores the game ball paid out exceeding the storage allowance of the said upper plate at least.

  Mean 2. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the restricting means is configured to be able to contact a portion other than the engaging means.

  According to the means 2, when the movable member is displaced to the second position side in the second state, the engaging means is damaged due to the collision between the restricting means and the engaging means. It is possible to prevent problems such as end.

  The engagement means is an engagement portion provided on the movable member and an engaged portion provided on the main body portion and engageable with the engagement portion of the movable member at the second position. And the restricting means at the restricting position is a stage before the engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged when the movable member is displaced to the second position side. “At the stage before reaching the position where engagement is possible, the main body part or the other side of the movable member is brought into contact, and further displacement of the movable member toward the second position side is regulated.” A configuration may be adopted.

Means 3. The movable member includes a closing portion capable of closing the ball outlet, and the ball outlet opens when the closing portion is displaced in accordance with the displacement of the movable member toward the second position. Because
When the ball removal unit is in the second state, when the movable member is displaced to the second position as much as possible, it is more likely to be caused by the closing portion than in the first state. The closed area of the ball outlet to be closed is configured to be large,
3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the closing portion is inclined downward in a displacement direction toward a side of closing the ball outlet of the closing portion.

  According to the means 3, the upper surface of the closing part is inclined downward in the direction of displacement toward the side closing the ball outlet of the closing part, and the ball outlet is opened in the second state. In some cases, the game ball placed on the closing portion is guided to the opening area of the ball outlet. Therefore, in a state where a part of the ball outlet is closed by the blocking part in the second state, the game ball stays on the upper surface of the blocking part, and the game ball cannot be discharged smoothly (in the ball tray). The game ball remains) can be prevented. In addition, the bottom surface of the ball tray (the bottom surface of the storage unit capable of storing game balls) may be inclined downward toward the ball outlet. In addition, the upper surface of the blocking portion includes the meaning of a surface constituting the storage portion of the blocking portion and a surface that receives the game ball stored in the storage portion and prevents discharge from the ball outlet.

  Means 4. When the ball removal unit is in the second state or when switching from the first state to the second state, the ball pulling unit is held in the second position by the engagement means. The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 3, further comprising release means capable of releasing the holding state of the movable member.

  According to the means 4, even if the movable member is held by the engaging means, the holding state can be released by the releasing means. For this reason, despite the opportunity to switch from the first state to the second state (the operation to switch to the second state has been performed), the movable member is held by the engaging means. Due to this, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the movable member cannot be returned to the first position. Therefore, for example, when the ball box installed under the ball tray is removed or the special game state is ended, the holding state of the movable member is released by the releasing means, and the ball removing unit is By switching to the state of 2, the next player can play the game even if the previous player finishes the game with the ball opening opened (leaves the seat). When done, the ball outlet can be returned to the closed state. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent a situation where the game ball is discharged from the ball outlet against the player's will.

  Means 5. 5. A gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 4, further comprising an informing means for informing that the ball removing unit is in the second state.

  According to the means 5, the act of forcibly displacing the movable member toward the second position in the second state can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the restricting means and the movable member are damaged due to forcibly displacing the movable member to the second position side. Note that the notification by the notification unit does not necessarily have to be continuously performed when the second unit is in the second state. For example, the notification unit emits light when the regulation unit and the movable member come into contact with each other. Alternatively, when a detection signal is output by a detection unit that detects contact between the regulating unit and the movable member, a configuration may be adopted in which notification is given by a predetermined display unit, voice, or the like. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which can recognize a 2nd state by alert | reporting by an alerting | reporting means when it exists in a 1st state.

Means 6. A ball box detection means capable of detecting a ball box installed below the ball tray;
The switching means is driven and controlled by a predetermined control device, and the ball box detection means is configured to output a detection signal to the control device,
When the operation unit is operated in a state where the ball box is installed below the ball tray, the control device drives and controls the switching unit based on the detection result of the ball box detection unit. Then, by holding the restricting means at the allowable position, the ball removal unit is set to the first state,
When the operation unit is operated in a state where the ball box is not installed below the ball tray, the control device drives and controls the switching unit based on the detection result of the ball box detection unit. Then, the gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 5, wherein the ball removal unit is brought into the second state by holding the restriction means in the restriction position.

  According to the means 6, when the operation unit is operated to displace the movable member to the second position when the ball box is installed, the ball extraction opening of the movable member is opened by the engagement means. Although it can be held in a state, even if the operation unit is operated and the movable member is displaced to the second position side when the ball box is not installed, the movable member can be held by the engaging means. Can not. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent a situation in which the game ball is discharged from the ball outlet when the ball box is not installed and the game ball is scattered in the game hall or the like. Examples of the ball box detection means include a photo sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, a switch provided at a position where the ball box can be brought into contact with the ball box installed below the ball tray.

  In this means 6, 1): the ball removal unit is switched to the first state when the ball box is installed below the ball tray, and the ball box is removed when the ball box is removed from below the ball tray. Configuration in which the punching unit is switched to the second state 2): Regardless of the presence or absence of the ball box, the ball punching unit is always in the second state, and when the operation unit is operated, If a ball box is installed at the bottom of the ball tray, the ball removal unit switches to the first state and the operation unit is operated, Configuration in which the punching unit is maintained in the second state 3): Regardless of the presence or absence of the ball box, the ball punching unit is always in the first state, and when the operation unit is operated, When a ball box is installed below, the ball removal unit is maintained in the first state, and the operation unit is operated. When there is, if the ball box is not installed below the sphere pan, spheres vent unit switched configuration and the like are included in the second state. From the viewpoint of preventing the game ball from being discharged from the ball outlet against the intention, it is desirable to adopt the configurations 1) and 2). In addition, when adopting the configurations of 2) and 3) above, it is possible to provide an operation detection means for detecting the operation of the operation unit.

  Further, “the ball box detection means is configured to output a detection signal to the control device” is not only a configuration that outputs an ON signal when the ball box is installed, but also a ball box A configuration is also included in which an ON signal is output when the ball is not installed, and the output of the ON signal is interrupted when the ball box is installed.

Means 7. Ball box interlocking means provided in a position below the ball tray so as to be displaceable in the front-rear direction, push-out biasing means for biasing the ball box interlocking means toward the reference position in front, and displacement of the ball box interlocking means And a link mechanism for interlocking the restricting means,
The ball box interlocking means is disposed below the ball tray so that the ball box that can store and carry the game balls discharged from the ball outlet is in contact with the back of the ball box, The structure is displaced backward by being pressed by the ball box,
When the ball box is not installed below the ball tray and the ball box interlocking means is at the reference position, the restricting means is held at the permissible position, and the ball removing unit is the first ball removal unit. It becomes the state of
When the ball box is installed below the ball tray, the restricting means is displaced to the allowable position in conjunction with the displacement of the ball box interlocking means, and the ball removing unit is in the second state. The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 5, characterized in that:

  According to the means 7, the same operational effects as those of the means 6 are basically obtained.

Means 8. The switching means is driven and controlled by a main control device that performs various game controls, or a control device that is electrically connected to the main control device,
Of the various gaming states that are changed and controlled by the main control device, when there is a specific gaming state, the restricting means is displaced to the allowable position, and the ball removal unit is set to the first state,
When it is not in the specific gaming state, or when a predetermined time has passed since the specific gaming state has ended, the restricting means is displaced to the restricting position, and the ball removing unit is in the second state. A gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 7, characterized in that:

  According to the means 8, when it is in a specific gaming state, it becomes a first state in which the movable member can be held with the ball opening opened by the engaging means, and when it is not in the specific gaming state, Alternatively, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the specific gaming state, the second state is reached in which the movable member cannot be held by the engaging means. Therefore, for example, it is possible to obtain a large amount of game balls in a short time, and by placing the ball in the first state in a special game state where the ball tray becomes full immediately, the burden on the player can be reduced with respect to the ball removal work. Can be planned. On the other hand, when a large amount of game balls are not paid out in a short time (normal game state), even if the movable member cannot be held by the engaging means, the burden on the player regarding the ball removal work is reduced. There is no significant increase. Therefore, when in such a game state, by setting the second state, it is possible to suppress various problems caused by the game ball being discharged from the ball tray contrary to the player's will.

  The “specific game state” may be a “special game state in which a large amount of game balls can be acquired in a short time (hit state)”. Further, when combined with the configuration of the above means 6 and 7, even if a ball box is installed, the movable member is not held in the second position unless it is in a specific gaming state (for example, a special gaming state). In addition, even in a specific gaming state, if the ball box is not installed, the movable member can be held at the second position.

Means 9. A gaming machine that includes a main control device that performs various game controls and a payout control device that performs payout control of game balls, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out when a predetermined winning condition is satisfied in the game,
The switching means is driven and controlled by the main control device, the payout control device, or a control device electrically connected to the main control device or the payout control device,
The game balls are paid out based on satisfying the predetermined winning condition in a special game state in which a large amount of game balls can be acquired in a short time among the various game states changed and controlled by the main controller. In this case, the restricting means is displaced to the allowable position, and the ball removing unit is set to the first state.
When the payout of the game ball related to the special game state is completed, the restricting means is displaced to the restricting position, and the ball removing unit is set to the second state. A gaming machine according to any one of 1 to 7.

  According to the means 9, since the ball outlet can be maintained in the open state when a large amount of game balls are paid out in a short time, the burden on the player can be reduced in relation to the ball removal operation. . In particular, even if a ball clogging occurs in the payout path of the game ball during the special game state, and a state where a large amount of game balls are paid out for a while after the special game state ends, the special game state Since the first state is set until the payout of the game balls involved in the game is completed, the burden on the player can be more reliably reduced.

  Means 10. An on state in which a switching operation unit is provided at a position where the player cannot operate, and based on an operation of the switching operation unit, a displacement between the permissible position and the regulation position of the regulation unit is permitted; The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 9, characterized in that the means is switched to an off state in which the means is held at the allowable position and the displacement to the restriction position side is prohibited.

  According to the means 10, the operation of the switching operation unit switches between an on state in which switching between the first state and the second state is allowed and an off state in which the second state is maintained. That is, depending on the game hall, the game balls once paid out to the player are collected by the ball collection mechanism provided in the island facility, and the game balls are counted at the time of collection, and the game balls held (acquired) by the player Some have adopted a game form in which numbers are digitally displayed. Of course, the player can take out the game balls from the island facility as many as the number of the game balls that he or she possesses (by paying it to an upper plate or the like) by performing a predetermined operation. In such a game hall, it is not necessary to store the game balls paid out to the ball tray in the ball tray, and depending on the business policy, the ball collection mechanism can collect them at once without storing the game balls in the ball tray. It may be preferable. In other words, a gaming machine suitable for the business policy of each gaming hall can be obtained by switching to an on state and an off state (either state can be selected) by operating the switching operation unit.

Means 11. By pressing the operation unit in a specific direction, the movable member is displaced to the second position side,
In a state where the movable member is held by the engaging means, the holding of the movable member by the engaging means is released by pressing the operation portion in the specific direction,
The ball tray is provided with covering means for covering at least the surface in the specific direction ahead of the operation portion in a state where the movable member is held by the engaging means. A gaming machine according to any one of the above.

  According to the means 11, in a state where the movable member is held at the second position, the covering means covers the surface of the operation portion on the side in the specific direction and is difficult to touch. As a result, the player accidentally puts his finger on the surface in the specific direction ahead of the operation unit and forcibly presses the movable member to the opposite side of the specific direction, resulting in damage to the engaging means and the like. It is possible to prevent such a situation.

Means 12. A fullness detection means capable of detecting that a game ball is full or almost full in a ball box installed below the ball tray;
When the game ball in the ball box is full or almost full, the restriction means is displaced to the restriction position, the ball removal unit is brought into the second state, and the game ball in the ball box is full or The means according to any one of means 1 to 11, wherein the restricting means is displaced to the permissible position and the ball removal unit is brought into the first state when it is not almost full. Gaming machine.

  According to the means 12, when the ball box is full, it is not necessary to discharge the game ball from the ball tray, so in this state, the player is responsible for the ball removal work by setting the second state. The effect of the said means 1 that the situation where a game ball | bowl is discharged | emitted from a ball | bowl tray contrary to a player's will can be suppressed is achieved more reliably, aiming at reduction. In particular, when the configuration of the means 4 is adopted, even when the movable member is held by the engaging means, when the ball box is full, the held state is released and the ball outlet Is closed by the movable member, so that the game ball overflows from the ball box, or when the ball ball below the ball tray is moved by forgetting to close the ball outlet. It is possible to suppress the situation of being scattered in the game hall.

  The basic configuration of various gaming machines to which the above means are applied is shown below.

  A. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a ball game machine. As a more detailed mode example, “an operation means (game ball launching handle) operated by a player, a launching means (shot motor, etc.) for playing and launching a game ball based on an operation of the operation means, A ball ball game machine including a game area where a game ball is guided and each ball entry means (general prize opening, variable prize winning device, operation opening, etc.) arranged in the game area.

  B. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a bullet ball gaming machine having a gaming area extending in a substantially vertical direction. As a more detailed mode example, “an operation means (game ball launching handle) operated by a player, a launching means (shot motor, etc.) for playing and launching a game ball based on an operation of the operation means, The game balls are guided and extended along a substantially vertical direction (for example, the game area is constituted by a game board surface), and each ball entry means (general winning mouth, And a ball game machine configured to be able to visually recognize the behavior of a game ball flowing down the game area.

  C. The gaming machine in each of the above means or each of the above ball game machines is a pachinko machine or a gaming machine equivalent to a pachinko machine.

  D. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a gaming machine of a type in which a slot machine and a pachinko machine are fused (especially a gaming machine of a slot machine specification that uses a gaming ball as a gaming medium). As a more detailed mode example, “a discriminating information string (a symbol string; specifically a rotating body such as a reel or a belt with a symbol) made up of a plurality of identification information (symbols) is variably displayed (specifically, Variable display means (specifically, a rotating unit such as a reel unit) that stops and displays the identification information sequence after the rotation of the starting information means. The identification information (symbol) starts to fluctuate and the identification information (symbol) fluctuates due to the operation of the stop operation means (specifically, the stop button). The game value is provided on condition that the information is specific identification information, and further, the upper and lower plates are provided so that the game balls paid out according to the prize balls can be stored, Taking game balls from the top plate Configured gaming machine "and the like as starting condition of the game is satisfied by.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine, 11 ... Outer frame, 12 ... Inner frame, 14 ... Front frame set, 15 ... Lower plate, 19 ... Upper plate, 25 ... Ball release lever, 30 ... Game board, 261 ... Main controller, 602 ... Reservoir, 603: Ball outlet, 606: Gutter as covering means, 611 ... Ball punching unit, 612 ... Main body, 613 ... Movable member, 614 ... Coil spring as urging means, 633 ... Closure, 652 ... operation part, 662 ... engagement means, engagement protrusion constituting the engagement part, 671 ... engagement means, latch member constituting the engaged part, 672 ... housing, 672a ... housing body, 672b ... slide body, 673 ... Latch body, 674 ... Coil spring as latch urging means, 692 ... Engagement piece, 693 ... Locking ring, 713 ... Locking fitting, 716 ... Locking claw, 725 ... Locking recess, 751 ... Switching means and release hand ,...,..., Restriction piece as restriction means, 771... Permissible recess, 781... Box detection sensor as ball box detection means, 791... First piece, 792. Pinion member.

Claims (1)

A gaming machine including a ball tray having a storage portion capable of storing a game ball as a game medium to be paid out as a prize ball,
The ball tray has a ball outlet that can discharge the game balls stored in the storage unit to the outside of the storage unit, and includes a ball extraction unit that can open and close the ball outlet,
The ball removal unit is
A main body portion fixed to the ball receiving tray, and a first position provided so as to be relatively movable with respect to the main body portion, wherein the ball outlet is closed and a game ball cannot be discharged from the ball outlet; A movable member displaceable to a second position that allows the game ball to be discharged from the ball discharge port by opening the ball discharge port, and a position at which the player can operate, and displaces the movable member An operation unit that can be operated, an urging means that urges the movable member from the second position side to the first position side, and an engagement that can hold the movable member at the second position. And means,
Based on the fact that the player operates the operation portion and displaces the movable member at the first position to the second position, the engaging member holds the movable member at the second position. A first state capable of releasing the holding state of the movable member held at the second position by a predetermined operation of the player;
Even if the movable member is displaced to the second position side, the engagement member does not hold the movable member at the second position by the engagement means. Provided with a switching means capable of switching the state,
The switching means is provided on one side of the main body or the movable member, and the movable member is moved by the engaging means when the movable member is displaced from the first position to the second position. In the stage before being held, it comes into contact with the other side of the main body part or the movable member and restricts further displacement of the movable member to the second position side, and when the movable member is displaced. And a restricting means displaceable to an allowable position that allows displacement of the movable member up to a position held by the engaging means without hitting the other side of the main body or the movable member,
The ball removing unit is in the first state when the restricting means is displaced to the allowable position, and the ball removing unit is in the second state when the restricting means is displaced to the restricting position. when the ball vent unit is in the second state, the than when in the first state, the ball vent port maximum opening area Ri is small, which can be opened by operating the operating unit ,
The movable member includes a closing portion capable of closing the ball outlet, and the ball outlet opens when the closing portion is displaced in accordance with the displacement of the movable member toward the second position. Because
When the ball removal unit is in the second state, when the movable member is displaced to the second position as much as possible, it is more likely to be caused by the closing portion than in the first state. The closed area of the ball outlet to be closed is configured to be large,
The gaming machine , wherein an upper surface of the closing portion is inclined downward in a displacement direction toward a side of closing the ball outlet of the closing portion .

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