JP6119083B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a game ball flowing down a hanging rod is dammed by a payout device, and when a payout condition is established, the payout device passes a predetermined plurality of game balls and pays out to a player. .

  Conventionally, in this type of gaming machine, a ball breakage detection switch is provided on the upstream side of the payout device in the drooping cage, and when the game ball in the drooping cage is empty, the payout device is not operated (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-11042 A (paragraph [0055], FIG. 9)

  However, in the conventional gaming machine described above, the game ball may not be smoothly flown into the payout device during the payout operation, causing a ball clogging and the game machine may stop. In addition, when the flow speed of the game ball passing through the payout device is increased, the frequency of ball clogging in the payout device increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of reducing ball clogging in a payout device.

The invention of claim 1 made to achieve the above object extends along the upper side of the back side of the gaming machine, receives a plurality of game balls supplied from above at one end, and flows down to the other end. And a hanging rod extending downward from the other end of the inclined rod, and damming a game ball provided in the middle or lower end of the hanging rod, according to a predetermined payout condition. due to the establishment, in the gaming machine that includes a dispensing device for paying out to the player by passing a predetermined plurality of game balls predetermined, upstream of the dispensing device of the drooping gutter, vertical way direction to extend and the detection straight portion having a gaming ball detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the game balls, an upper deceleration bent portion continuous with and bends the upper end portion of the detecting straight section, for the detection a lower deceleration bent portion continuous with and bent at the lower end portion of the straight portion Provided, when the gap in the middle of the game balls columns in the detection straight line portion occurs, game voids least game ball Spherical minute so as to reduce below 1/3 ball component at the lower decelerating bent portion The ball is decelerated in the lower deceleration bending portion, and the game ball detecting means extends in the vertical direction and protrudes into the hanging rod, and from the first position to the hanging rod. A detection unit that moves between the second position with a small protrusion amount and is biased to the first position and is pushed by the game ball in the hanging cage and moves to the second position; and The detection unit includes a detection switch that detects whether the first position or the second position is located, and the detection unit has a length of 1.5 balls of game balls in a vertical direction of a portion that can be contacted by the game balls Min. Or more and less than or equal to 2 balls, and the detection unit is located at the first position. With a possible pitch is detected, it determines whether or not the game ball certain gap in the middle than the game ball Spherical worth of columns in the detection straight line portion occurs, the payout when it is determined that the specific air gap has occurred A gaming machine including a payout control unit that interrupts payout by a device.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the first aspect, wherein the game ball detecting means is also used as a ball break detecting unit for detecting that the game ball in the hanging basket is empty.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, wherein the hanging rod has a single-row structure in which a plurality of game balls are arranged and flowed down in one row.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the detection unit has a moving shaft that is substantially horizontal outside the hanging shaft, and has a lever structure in which the detection unit extends from the moving shaft, and is positioned outside the hanging shaft. The detection switch includes a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit that are opposed to each other with a moving region of the shield piece interposed therebetween, and the detection unit is in the first position. When the light is positioned at one of the second positions, the light shielding between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit is blocked by the shielding piece, and the detection unit is positioned at the other of the first position and the second position. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the gaming machine is turned on and off by being able to project and receive light between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit when positioned.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a biasing lever that extends from the moving shaft to the opposite side of the detection linear portion and moves integrally with the detection portion, and biases the detection portion to the first position by its own weight. The detection linear part of the hanging rod is provided below the moving shaft, and has a detection window facing the detection unit, and the shielding piece is directed from the tip of the detection unit toward the detection window. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4 , wherein the moving region of the shielding piece is extended to a position below the urging lever, and the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion are disposed below the urging lever. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the lower deceleration bending portion includes a crank bending portion bent in a crank shape in an axial direction of the moving shaft from the lower end portion of the detection linear portion, and the lower end of the crank bending portion. An inclined linear portion that is bent in a plane orthogonal to the movement axis and extends obliquely downward, and the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion are disposed in a space that is lateral to the detection linear portion above the inclined linear portion. The gaming machine according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a detection board on which the portion is mounted is arranged.

In the gaming machine according to claim 1, a detection straight portion having a game ball detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball on the hanging rod, and a deceleration bending portion continuous with a lower end portion of the detection straight portion. When a gap is formed in the middle of the game ball row in the detection straight line portion, the game ball row is in a state where at least two game ball gaps are reduced to 1/3 or less in the deceleration bent portion. Is sent to the dispensing device. If a specific gap that is difficult to reduce to 1/3 or less of the bending portion for deceleration (a gap of 2 or more game balls) occurs in the middle of the game ball row in the detection linear portion, payout Suspend payout by the device. As a result, the supply of game ball rows including a gap larger than 1/3 of the ball to the payout device is reduced, and clogging of the ball in the payout device can be reduced. In addition, among the detection units whose positions change depending on the presence or absence of the game ball, the length of the game ball in the flow-down direction in the contact area where the game ball can come into contact is equal to or less than two balls. The specific gap can be detected based on the position of the detection unit. Furthermore, since the length of the game ball in the flow-down direction in the contact area where the game ball can contact is 1.5 balls or more, the payout device excessively pays out according to the occurrence of a gap that is not a specific gap. Can be reduced.

  In the gaming machine of claim 2, since the game ball detecting means is also used as a ball break detecting unit for detecting that the game ball in the drooping cage is empty, compared to the case where they are provided separately. Manufacturing cost is suppressed and the configuration is compact.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the ball clogging in the payout device is reduced, conventionally, the flow down speed of the game ball in the payout device cannot be increased due to an increase in the frequency of ball clogging, but the flow down speed is increased. It becomes possible. Further, in the past, since it was not possible to increase the flow velocity, the two-row structure dredging could not be made into a single-row structure, as in the third aspect of the invention. Is possible. Moreover, the arrangement space | interval of the components in the back surface side of a game machine can be enlarged by making drooping cage into 1 line structure.

In the gaming machine according to claim 4 , since the detection switch for detecting the position of the detection unit is a non-contact type, the resistance of the detection unit does not fluctuate unlike the case of the contact type, and stable detection of a specific gap is possible. Is possible.

In the gaming machine according to the fifth aspect , since the weight of the biasing lever is used to bias the detection unit to the first position, the biasing force fluctuates as compared with the case where the spring force or the like is used. Suppressed and stable detection of specific voids becomes possible. In addition, a light projecting part and a light receiving part that constitute a detection switch are arranged below the urging lever, and a shielding piece that moves forward and backward between the light projecting part and the light receiving part is provided at the distal end of the detection part. The detection unit and the detection switch are gathered in a compact manner.

In the gaming machine according to claim 6 , a detection board in which the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit are mounted in a space that is lateral to the detection linear part in the space above the inclined linear part included in the lower deceleration bending part, Effective use of the upper space is achieved, and a compact configuration can be achieved.

Front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention Rear view of pachinko machine Top view of pachinko machine Side view of the rear side of the inclined rod Top view of slanted fence Partial enlarged view of the inclined ridge with the cover body attached Partial enlarged view of the tilted rod with the cover removed Cross section of slanted trough Enlarged cross section Top view of the first case body with the back plate removed Top view of the dispensing device with the back plate removed Plan view of the second case body with the back plate removed Side sectional view of the third flow path The top view in which the 2nd detection part is located in the 1st position The top view in which the 2nd detection part is located in the 2nd position

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a pachinko gaming machine 10 (corresponding to a “gaming machine” of the present invention) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 10 is covered with a front frame 10Z, and the game area R1 of the game board 11 is visible through a glass window 10W formed on the front frame 10Z. .

  Below the glass window 10W, an upper plate 26 and a lower plate 27 are arranged in two upper and lower stages. On the right side of the upper plate 26 toward the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 10, there is provided a ball removal button 26 </ b> A for discharging the game balls stored in the upper plate 26 to the lower plate 27. On the right side of the lower plate 27, a ball discharge button 27A for discharging a game ball to a dollar box (not shown) is provided, and a ball lending status display monitor 27B and a ball lending operation button 27C are provided. An operation button 28A is provided on the left side of the lower plate 27. Further, an operation knob 28B is provided at the lower right corner of the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 10. When the operation knob 28B is operated, the game balls stored in the upper plate 26 are sequentially ejected to the game area R1.

  The game area R <b> 1 has a substantially circular shape and is surrounded by the guide rail 12. A game board display window 11W is formed through the center of the game area R1 in the game board 11, and a liquid crystal screen 24G of the liquid crystal display device 24 faces forward through the game board display window 11W.

  A display decoration frame 23 is attached to the opening edge of the game board display window 11W. The display decoration frame 23 is fitted into the game board display window 11W from the front side of the game board 11 and protrudes from the front surface of the game board 11, and the game ball flowing down the game area R1 enters the inside of the display decoration frame 23. It is regulated.

  In the game area R1, a start winning port 14A, 14B, a big winning port 15, and an out port 16 are arranged in order from the top at the center in the left-right direction below the display decoration frame 23. A plurality of general winning ports 20 are arranged along the guide rail 12. When a game ball that has flowed down the game area R1 enters one of the start winning ports 14A, 14B, a determination is made and the result of the determination is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 24G. When the result of the determination is successful, a game ball can be won in the big prize opening 15 for a predetermined period (for example, 10 seconds) over a plurality of rounds. To do. When a game ball enters the winning holes 14A, 14B, 15, and 20, a predetermined number (for example, 1 for the one ball entry and 1 for the general winning hole 20) from the payout device 50 provided on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10. 4 pieces at the start winning opening 14A, 14B and 10 pieces at the large winning opening 15) are paid out to the upper plate 26. Note that the game balls that have not entered any of the winning openings 14A, 14B, 15, and 20 are taken into the out opening 16 and the pachinko gaming machine 10 is inserted from a duct (not shown) provided below the game board 11. It is sent to the game ball circulation system of the installed game hall.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a mechanism plate 13 is provided on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and various components are assembled to the mechanism plate 13. The mechanism board 13 is made of a synthetic resin, has a rectangular shape that is longer in the vertical direction than the game board 11 as a whole, and is attached to the back side of the game board 11 in an overlapping manner. A display window (not shown) is formed in the mechanism plate 13 at a position facing the through hole 11 </ b> W of the game board 11, and a liquid crystal display device 24 is attached to the display window and exposed to the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

  By the way, on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10, there are provided an inclined rod 30 and a hanging rod 40 for guiding the game balls discharged from the game ball circulation system to the payout device 50. The inclined basket 30 is disposed on the upper side of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and extends with a gentle inclination. The hanging rod 40 is disposed on the right side of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and extends in the vertical direction, and a payout device 50 is disposed in the middle thereof. Hereinafter, each part will be described in detail. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the “right side” means “right side” when the pachinko gaming machine 10 is viewed from the back side, and the opposite is “left side”.

  The inclined rod 30 is composed of a rod structure 30K shown in FIG. The entire saddle structure 30K is made of a transparent resin, and is screwed to the mechanism plate 13 with a mounting piece (not shown).

  The inclined rod 30 includes a ball receiving portion 31, a first introduction portion 33, and a second introduction portion 35. As shown in FIG. 3, the ball receiving portion 31 is arranged from the position near the upper left end of the pachinko gaming machine 10 to the center position, and a discharge port (not shown) of the game ball circulation system is provided above the ball receiving portion 31. The ball receiving portion 31 has a tank structure with an open top surface having a substantially quadrangular plan shape, and is large enough to accommodate a plurality of rows or stages of game balls inside as shown in FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, the ball receiving portion 31 includes a ridge line 31A extending in the front-rear direction at the center of the bottom surface, and the left inclined surface 31L and the right inclined surface in which the bottom surface of the ball receiving portion 31 is inclined toward the ridge line 31A. It is 31R. From the vicinity of the end of the ridge line 31 </ b> A opposite to the mechanism plate 13, the first introduction portion 33 protrudes downward in a stepped manner, and the right inclined surface 31 </ b> R of the ball receiving portion 31 and the bottom surface 33 </ b> M of the first introduction portion 33. The gap between them is the step wall 33D. As shown in FIG. 8, the step wall 33 </ b> D stands vertically, and its height gradually increases toward the downstream side, and is 1 to 2 times the diameter of the game ball at the highest point. .

  In the present embodiment, the right inclined surface 31R is inclined in a stepped manner, but the entire right inclined surface 31R may have the same inclination as the left inclined surface 31L. Further, the left inclined surface 31L may be configured to be stepped like the right inclined surface 31R.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first introduction portion 33 has a width that allows the game ball to flow down by one, extends horizontally along the side wall 31 </ b> S of the ball receiving portion 31, and then moves backward. It bends gently and extends substantially parallel to the game board 11 in the horizontal direction. Further, the right corner portion on the rear side of the ball receiving portion 31 is a throttle portion 32 that gradually becomes narrower toward the straight portion on the downstream side of the first introduction portion 33. The inclined side wall 32A inclined toward the first introduction part 33 of the throttle part 32 merges with the step wall 33D on the downstream side of the first introduction part 33, and the flow path has a height that allows a plurality of game balls to be stacked. (See FIG. 8). As a result, a group of gaming balls that have become a plurality of rows or a plurality of rows or a plurality of random rows in the ball receiving portion 31 are gradually throttled by the throttle portion 32 and are aligned in a row and a plurality of rows when passing through the first introduction portion 33. The

  Between the first introduction part 33 and the second introduction part 35, there is provided a gateway part 34 that is curved in the horizontal direction. The gateway part 34 includes a first gateway part 34A and a second gateway part 34B. 34 A of 1st gateway parts incline back from the edge part of the 1st introducing | transducing part 33, and after extending linearly from there, they incline ahead. The second barrier portion 34B extends slightly from the end of the first barrier portion 34A in a straight line, and then gently tilts backward. The first point 34A bulges backward compared to the second point 34B and has a relatively tight curve, while the second point 34B has a gentle curve and is smoothly second. The introduction unit 35 is communicated. Further, each of the first gateway part 34A and the second gateway part 34B has a width capable of flowing down by one game ball.

  The second introduction part 35 communicates with a drooping rod 40 that extends substantially parallel to the game board 11 when viewed from the horizontal direction from the end of the second barrier part 34B and is bent substantially perpendicularly downward. Further, the second introduction part 35 has a width equivalent to one game ball, similarly to the gateway part 34.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the flow path is covered with a ceiling surface 39 </ b> J from the first introduction portion 33 to the second introduction portion 35. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, a cover body 39 is bridged over the upper end portion of the side wall from the first introduction portion 33 to the start end portion of the second introduction portion 35. And the opposing surface of the 2nd introducing | transducing parts 33 and 35 and the bottom face 33M, 34M, 35M of the gateway part 34 is the ceiling surface 39J. As shown in FIG. 8, the cover body 39 includes a curved portion 39 </ b> K that is curved toward the bottom surface 33 </ b> M on the downstream side of the first introduction portion 33. Accordingly, in the first introduction part 33, the ceiling surface 39J is opposed to the bottom surface 33M from the upper side, for example, about four times the diameter of the game ball, whereas the second introduction part 35 from the gateway part 34 is opposed. Then, for example, the ceiling surface 39J is opposed to the bottom surfaces 34M and 35M from the upper side, for example, two to three times the diameter of the game ball. With this configuration, the one-row, multiple-stage game ball group that enters from the first introduction portion 33 to the gateway portion 34 is aligned in two rows by one row by the ceiling surface 39J.

  On the other hand, from the middle part to the terminal part of the second introduction part 35, it is formed inside a case body 40K described later, and the surface facing the bottom surface 35M of the ceiling wall 35J spanned between the opposing side walls is It is a ceiling surface 39J. The ceiling wall 35J is opposed to the bottom surface 35M with a height of 1 to 2 times the diameter of the game ball, the end portion is curved in an arc shape toward the hanging rod 40, and the bottom surface 35M It is gradually approaching towards. The saddle structure 30K and the case body 40K are fixed to the mechanism plate 13 in a state where the right end portion of the saddle structure 30K and the communication hole 40A formed in the case body 40K communicate with each other. And the 2nd introducing | transducing part 35 which concerns on this invention is comprised by a part of these cage | basket components 30K and a part of case body 40K.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a boundary line P1 is provided between the first entrance part 33A and the second entrance part 34B of the entrance part 34 among the first introduction part 33 to the second introduction part 35, and this boundary is provided. The slope of the bottom surface is different between the upstream side and the downstream side with respect to the line P1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the bottom surfaces 33M and 34M1 from the first introduction part 33 to the first barrier part 34A have a relatively gentle gradient, for example, θ1 = 5 degrees. On the other hand, the bottom surfaces 34M2 and 35M (35M1) from the second gateway part 34B to the intermediate part of the second introduction part 35 are set to be steeper than the bottom surfaces 33M and 34M1, for example, θ2 = 10 degrees. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, when a group of game balls in one row and two tiers whose flow velocity is suppressed at the first check point 34A enters the second check point 34B, the flow down acceleration of the game balls increases. The game balls are separated one by one from the head of the group of game balls in the second row, and are extended to the first row in one row.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a boundary line P2 is provided in the intermediate portion of the second introduction portion 35, and the bottom surface 35M2 after the intermediate portion of the second introduction portion 35 extends from the second gateway portion 34B to the intermediate portion of the second introduction portion 35. For example, θ3 = 15 degrees is set to be steeper than the bottom surfaces 34M2 and 35M1. As a result, the game row stretched in one row and one row can be caused to flow down to the drooping rod 40 with vigor.

  In the cover body 39, a stacking restriction portion 39T protrudes from the ceiling surface 39J toward the bottom surface 35M. The stacking restricting portion 39T is located in the middle portion of the second introduction portion 35 and upstream of the boundary line P2, and has a height of 1 to 2 times the diameter of the game ball with respect to the bottom surface 35M. Facing each other. As a result, even if the game ball group enters the second introduction part 35 in one row and two stages, the game regulation group 39T reliably extends the game ball group to one row and one stage, and moves to the hanging rod 40. I can guide you.

  Now, the hanging rod 40 is formed inside the case body 40K shown in FIG. The case body 40K has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is flat in the front-rear direction and elongated vertically. Further, the whole is made of a transparent resin, and it is possible to see through a state in which a row of game balls flow down from the outside of the case body 40K.

  The case body 40 </ b> K includes a first case body 81, a second case body 82, and a dispensing device 50, and the dispensing device 50 is disposed between the first case body 81 and the second case body 82. The first case body 81 includes a support base 81S (see FIG. 10) and a back plate 81B, and the back plate 81B and a support plate 81P which is a front wall of the support base 81S are sandwiched by a flow path of the hanging rod 40. Opposite in the front-rear direction. The support plate 81P and the back plate 81B have substantially the same shape, and the support plate 81P overlaps the mechanism plate 13 with the outer peripheral wall 81W protruding from the rear surface of the support plate 81P being abutted against the back plate 81B. And fixed with screws. As with the structure of the first case body 81, the dispensing device 50 and the second case body 82 are also composed of support bases 50S and 82S and back plates 50B and 82B, and the front walls of the support bases 50S and 82S are formed. The support plates 50P and 82P overlap the mechanism plate 13 with the outer peripheral walls 50W and 82W protruding from the rear surfaces of the support plates 50P and 82P being abutted against the back plates 50B and 82B. Fixed with screws.

  The hanging rod 40 is composed of first to fifth flow paths 41 to 45 in order from the upstream side, and the first to fourth flow paths 41 to 44 are formed in the first case body 81, while the fifth flow A path 45 is formed in the second case body 82, and the fourth flow path 44 and the fifth flow path 45 communicate with each other via a payout flow path 50 </ b> R formed in the payout device 50. Hereinafter, each part will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the first case body 81 is provided with the above-described communication hole 40A formed by cutting out the outer peripheral wall 81W of the support base 81S at the upper left end portion. In the support base 81S, a channel side wall stands up toward the back plate 81P, and the second introduction portion 35 and the first to fourth channels 41 to 44 extend from the communication hole 40A.

  Specifically, a part of the flow path side wall extends while inclining to the right from the communication hole 40 </ b> A and constitutes a bottom surface 35 </ b> M of the second introduction part 35. The channel side walls extending vertically from the terminal portion of the bottom surface 35 </ b> M along the right side of the first case body 81 are straight walls 41 </ b> A and 41 </ b> B and constitute the first channel 41. Further, the flow path side walls bent to the left from the lower ends of the straight walls 41A and 41B and slanting downward to the left side wall 81W are inclined walls 42A and 42B, and constitute the second flow path 42. doing. The flow channel side walls that extend vertically from the lower end portions of the inclined walls 42A and 42B along the left side portions are straight walls 43A and 43B, which constitute the third flow channel 43. As shown in FIG. 13, the lower end of the third flow path 43 is a crank bent portion 46 bent forward by about ½ times the diameter of the game ball in the front-rear direction. The lower end portion of the first case body 81 where the crank bent portion 46 is located is bent forward over the entire left and right direction, and the fourth flow path 44 described below continuing to the crank bent portion 46 is the upstream side of the fourth flow passage 44. It is arrange | positioned ahead compared with the 1st-3rd flow paths 41-43. As shown in FIG. 10, the flow path side walls extending from the lower ends of the straight walls 43A and 43B are inclined to the right side and inclined walls 44A and 44B that are gently inclined in parallel with the game board 11 in the horizontal direction, and the inclined walls. The straight walls 44C and 44D extend vertically from the lower ends of 44A and 44B along the right side of the first case body 81, and a fourth flow is formed by the inclined walls 44A and 44B and the straight walls 44C and 44D. A path 44 is formed. The support plate 81P and the back plate 81B are opposed to each other with an interval corresponding to one game ball, and the opposing flow path side walls are opposed to each other with an interval corresponding to one game ball, thereby The fourth flow paths 41 to 44 have a one-row structure. A part of the channel side wall is also used as the outer peripheral wall 81W, and the bent portions of the first to fourth channels 41 to 44 are connected by a smooth curve.

Here, in the third flow path 43, the straight line portion upstream from the crank bent portion 46 corresponds to the “linear portion for detection” of the present invention, and the crank bent portion 46 and the inclined wall 44 </ b> A of the fourth flow channel 44. , 44B corresponds to the “ lower bending portion for deceleration” of the present invention. In the present embodiment, when the game ball row that has entered the third flow path 43 passes through the crank bent portion 46 and the inclined straight portion 44E in a state where a gap is generated in the middle of the game ball row, The flow velocity of the game ball train is reduced at the bent portions of the third flow path 43 and the fourth flow path 44, so that the gap of at least two balls can be reduced to 1/3 or less.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the first case body 81, a first detection unit 61 is provided on the left side on the upstream side of the first flow path 41 below the second introduction unit 35. The 1st detection part 61 is arrange | positioned between the positioning parts 83 and 83 formed in the support plate 81P, and is supporting the linear motion piece 61H on the one end part of the support part 61S so that a linear motion is possible. The linear motion piece 61H has a trapezoidal shape, and one end of a wedge shape protruding laterally from the linear motion piece 61H is a pressing portion 61A, and the other end is a detection portion 61B. The linear motion piece 61H is biased to one end side (hereinafter referred to as “first position”) so that the tip end portion of the pressing portion 61A protrudes from the insertion hole 41H formed through the linear wall 41A. When the game ball passes through the flow path 41, the pressing portion 61A is pressed and retreats into the insertion hole 41H (hereinafter referred to as “second position”). Thereby, the detection unit 61B is detected by a sensor (not shown), and the presence / absence of a game ball in the first flow path 41 is detected.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the first case body 81, the second detection unit 62 is provided in the surrounding region R <b> 2 surrounded by the third flow path 43, the second flow path 42, and the fourth flow path 44. It has been. The second detection unit 62 has a rotating shaft 62J, and has a lever structure in which a detection lever 62A and an urging lever 62F are projected from the rotating shaft 62J. The rotation shaft 62J is disposed at the opening edge on the opposite side to the third flow path 43 in the detection window 43H formed through the straight wall 43B of the third flow path 43, and is formed between the support plate 81P and the back plate 81B. It extends horizontally between them. The detection window 43H is sized to accommodate the detection lever 62A.

  The detection lever 62 </ b> A has a flat plate shape and extends in the downward direction of the third flow path 43. Further, a protruding piece 62T protrudes from the side surface of the detection lever 62A opposite to the third flow path 43, and a shielding piece 62B orthogonal to the protruding piece 62T protrudes. The projecting piece 62T extends from one end along the longitudinal direction of the detection lever 62A to the base end of the urging lever 62F on the rotation shaft 62J. The shielding piece 62B extends over the entire width direction of the detection lever 62A and has a larger protruding amount than the protruding piece 62T. Further, the tip of the shielding piece 62B has a wedge shape.

  The urging lever 62F has a substantially rhombus shape, and can rotate integrally with the detection lever 62A, and its own weight is heavier than that of the detection lever 62A, the projecting piece 62T, and the shielding piece 62B. Accordingly, the second detection unit 62 is biased to the first position where the detection lever 62A illustrated in FIG. 14 protrudes into the third flow path 43. The urging lever 62F can be in surface contact with a locking wall 81K protruding from the back plate 81B at one side portion thereof, thereby restricting the second detection portion 62 at one end of the rotation range. . When the game ball passes through the third flow path 43, as shown in FIG. 15, the game ball presses the detection lever 62A, so that the detection lever 62A is retracted from the third flow path 43. Then, the projecting piece 62T comes into surface contact with the regulating piece 81T protruding from the back plate 81B and is disposed at the second position, whereby the detecting lever 62A is regulated at the other end of the rotation range. When the detection lever 62A is located at the second position, the side surface extending in the vertical direction and facing the third flow path 43 is flush with the straight wall 43B of the third flow path 43.

  In the surrounding area R2, a detection board 73 is disposed below the second detection unit 62. A detection switch 72 is mounted on the detection board 73 at a position overlapping the rotation area of the shielding piece 62B. The detection switch 72 is a gate-shaped photosensor, and is arranged so that the light projecting unit 72A and the light receiving unit 72B face each other in the vertical direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, when the detection lever 62A is disposed at the first position, the detection switch 72 is turned on so that light can be projected and received between the light projecting unit 72A and the light receiving unit 72B. As shown in FIG. 15, when the detection lever 62A is disposed at the second position, the shielding piece 62B is disposed between the light projecting unit 72A and the light receiving unit 72B, and the light projecting / receiving operation is blocked. Thereby, the presence or absence of a game ball in the third flow path 43 is detected.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 15, the detection lever 62A has a length in the flow direction of the game ball in the contact area T1 where the game ball can be contacted in the range of 1.5 to 2 balls. It has become. Thus, when there is a game ball, a game ball, or a space smaller than two balls in the middle of the game ball row in the third flow path 43, the detection lever 62A is maintained at the second position, and the detection switch 72 is On the other hand, when the game ball is kept in the off state and there is a gap of two or more game balls (hereinafter referred to as “specific gap”), the detection lever 62A returns to the first position, and the detection switch 72 Switches to the on state. Thus, it is determined that there is a specific gap in the middle of the game ball row, and the payout by the payout device 50 is interrupted.

  The second detection unit 62 and the detection switch 72 are also used as a ball breakage detection unit that detects that the game ball in the drooping basket 40 is empty. Thereby, when the detection switch 72 is in the ON state for a predetermined period, it is determined that the supply of the game ball to the payout device 50 is interrupted, and the ball is operated as a ball break switch. The second detection unit 62 and the detection switch 72 correspond to the “game ball detecting means” of the present invention. Further, the rotation shaft 62A corresponds to the “moving shaft” of the present invention, and the detection lever 62A corresponds to the “detecting unit” of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 11, on the support plate 50 </ b> P of the payout device 50, the flow path side wall constituting the payout flow path 50 </ b> R stands up toward the back plate 50 </ b> B. Part of the channel side walls are straight walls 53A and 53B extending linearly along the right side of the dispensing device 50, and the straight wall 53 of the dispensing channel 50R is configured by these straight walls 53A and 53B. ing. Further, part of the channel side walls are curved walls 54A and 54B that are curved so as to bend and bulge leftward from the lower ends of the straight walls 53A and 53B, and extend obliquely therefrom. The curved portion 54 of the payout flow path 50R is configured by the walls 54A and 54B. The support base 50S and the back plate 50P face each other with an interval corresponding to one game ball, and the straight walls 53A and 53B and the curved walls 54A and 54B face each other with an interval equivalent to one game ball. Thus, the payout flow path 50R has a single-row structure. The straight wall 53B is also used as the side wall 50W of the support base 50S.

  In the support base 50S, a rotating member 52 is provided at the middle portion and the left side of the curved portion 54. The rotating member 52 has a cylindrical shape, and the central axis 52J is disposed obliquely along the inclination of the curved wall 54A. The rotating member 52 is provided with a spiral projecting wall 52R projecting laterally from the outer peripheral surface, and the spiral projecting wall 52R enters the curved portion 54 through an insertion hole 54H formed through the curved wall 54A. To restrict the passage of game balls.

  A stepping motor 51 is disposed above the rotating member 52. The stepping motor 51 is arranged so that the rotation shaft 51J is coaxial with the central shaft 52J. The output shaft 51S is engaged with the rotating member 52, and the rotating member 52 can be driven to rotate. Thus, when the payout condition is satisfied, the stepping motor 51 is driven to rotate the rotating member 52, and the lower end portion of the spiral projecting wall 52R passes through the curved portion 54 and the game ball is paid out from the payout flow path 50R. On the other hand, when there is a specific gap, the stepping motor 51 stops driving and interrupts the payout. The stepping motor 51 corresponds to a “payout control unit” according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 12, on the support plate 82 </ b> P of the second case body 82, a flow channel side wall 82 </ b> R that constitutes the fifth flow channel 45 stands up toward the back plate 82 </ b> B. The fifth flow path 45 extends vertically from the end portion of the payout flow path 50R and then bends and extends in a U shape in the left-right direction. Below the fifth flow path 45, a storage space 46 having a plurality of widths of game balls and a plurality of widths is arranged in the left-right direction, and an upper dish discharge path 46 </ b> A and a lower dish discharge path 46 </ b> B from the lower end of the storage space 46. Extends vertically. The fifth flow path 45 has a downstream portion inclined toward the upper dish discharge path 46A and guides the game balls discharged from the fifth flow path 45 to the upper dish discharge path 46A through the storage space 46. It has become. At the terminal ends of the upper dish discharge path 46A and the lower dish discharge path 46B, discharge ports 40B and 40C are formed through the mechanism plate 13 side, and game balls pass from the discharge ports 40B and 40C through unillustrated sinks. Is paid out to the upper plate 26 or the lower plate 27.

  A third detector 63 is provided in a portion of the support base 50S where the fifth flow path 45 is bent in a U shape. The third detection unit 63 has a lever structure in which a detection lever 63A and a shielding lever 63B are projected from the rotation shaft 63J. The detection lever 63A has a flat plate shape and is biased so as to protrude into the fifth flow path 45 by its own weight. When the game ball passes through the fifth flow path 45, the detection lever 63 </ b> A is pushed by the game ball and retracts from the fifth flow path 45. Thereby, the shielding lever 63B is detected by a sensor (not shown), and the presence / absence of a game ball in the fifth flow path 45 is detected.

  The description regarding the configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the function and effect of this pachinko gaming machine 10 will be described. A group of gaming balls stacked in a plurality of rows or stages in a plurality of rows or randomly placed in the ball receiving portion 31 of the inclined rod 30 passes through the throttling portion 32, the first introduction portion 33, and the gateway portion 34, and then the second introduction portion 35. When passing through, it is extended to one row and one stage. And it approachs from the terminal part of the 2nd introducing | transducing part 35 to the dredging rod 40 bent substantially perpendicularly.

  The game ball row is increased in flow speed by the first flow path 41 extending vertically, bends smoothly, and flows down to the second flow path 42. At this time, the pressing portion 61A of the first detection unit 61 is pressed by the game ball, and the linear motion piece 61H moves to the second position. Then, when the game ball row enters the third flow path 43 extending vertically from the second flow path 42, the flow speed increases again and flows down to the payout device 50. Then, the detection lever 62A of the second detection unit 62 is pushed by the game ball and moves from the first position to the second position as shown in FIG.

  Then, the game ball row flows into the payout flow path 50R of the payout device 50, and reaches the curved portion 54 via the straight portion 53. Until the payout condition is satisfied, the first game ball of the game ball row is restricted from passing by the spiral protruding wall 52R of the rotating member 52. When some of the game balls that have flowed down the game area R1 enter any of the winning openings 14A, 14B, 15, 20 or the ball lending operation button 27C is operated, the payout device is established due to the establishment of the payout condition. 50 stepping motors 51 are driven to rotate. Then, the rotating member 52 rotates, and a predetermined number of game balls are discharged from the payout flow path 50R from the lower end portion of the spiral protruding wall 52R and discharged from the fifth flow path 45 to the upper plate 26 or the lower plate 27. .

  By the way, if the game ball row flows into the payout device 50 during the payout operation in a state where a gap is generated in the middle of the game ball row, there is a possibility that the ball will be clogged. On the other hand, in the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, the crank bent portion 46 and the inclined straight portion 44E are provided upstream of the payout device 50, so that at least a game occurs when a gap occurs in the middle of the game ball row. The game ball train can be fed to the payout device 50 in a state of being reduced to 1/3 or less by passing through the crank bent portion 46 and the inclined straight portion 44E through the gaps of two balls. Further, since the game ball train is fed to the payout device 50 after being decelerated by the crank bent portion 46 and the inclined straight portion 44E, it becomes possible to reduce clogging of the balls. On the other hand, in the middle of the game ball row, a game ball that is difficult to be reduced to 1/3 or less by the crank bending portion 46 and the inclined straight portion 44E occurs in the middle of the game ball row. In this case, since the length of the game ball in the flow-down direction in the contact area T1 of the detection lever 62A is set to two or less, the specific gap is returned to the rotation position of the detection lever 62A, that is, the first position. Based on the detection result, the payout of the payout device 50 is interrupted. As a result, the supply of the game ball row including a gap larger than 1/3 of the ball to the payout device 50 is reduced, and clogging of the ball in the payout device 50 can be reduced.

  Then, when the game ball train is stopped due to the interruption of the payout, the subsequent game ball or the game ball train across the specific gap catches up with the previous game ball train and the specific gap is eliminated. Thereafter, when the game ball train passes through the third flow path 43 and the detection lever 62A moves to the second position and the payout by the payout device 50 is resumed, the game ball train flows into the payout device 50 smoothly. .

  In this embodiment, since the length of the game ball in the flow-down direction in the contact region T1 of the detection lever 62A is equal to or longer than 1.5 balls, the payout device is excessively generated according to the occurrence of a gap that is not a specific gap. The interruption of the payout by 50 can be reduced.

  As the game balls are paid out by the payout device 50, the game balls newly discharged from the game ball circulation system or the game balls stored in the ball receiving unit 31 are sequentially guided to the first introduction unit 33. . Then, as described above, after being arranged in one row and one stage, the game balls that flow into the hanging rod 40 and flow down to the payout device 50 are replenished.

  Here, when the supply of the game ball to the payout device 50 is interrupted, the detection lever 62A of the second detection unit 62 operates as a ball break switch, and the game ball is replenished. In the present embodiment, since the second detection unit 62 is also used as a ball breakage detection unit in addition to detection of the presence or absence of a game ball, the manufacturing cost is reduced and the configuration is made compact compared to the case where they are provided separately. can do.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the ball clogging in the payout device 50 is reduced. Therefore, conventionally, the flow down speed of the game ball in the payout device due to an increase in the frequency of the ball clogging cannot be increased. Can be raised. Further, conventionally, since it was not possible to increase the flow-down speed, it is possible to make a single-row structure where the double-row hanging rod cannot be made into a single-row structure. And the arrangement space | interval of the components in the back surface side of the pachinko game machine 10 can be enlarged by making a drooping cage into 1 line structure.

  In the present embodiment, since the second detection unit 62 uses the weight of the biasing lever 62F to bias the detection lever 62A to the first position, the second detection unit 62 uses a resilient force such as a spring. Compared to the above, fluctuations in the urging force are suppressed, and stable specific gaps can be detected. Moreover, since the detection switch 72 for detecting the position of the detection lever 62A is a non-contact type, the rotation resistance of the detection lever does not fluctuate as in the case of the contact type, and stable detection of a specific gap is possible. It becomes possible.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the detection board 73 on which the detection switch 72 is mounted is disposed in the surrounding area R2, the surrounding area R2 can be effectively used, and a compact configuration can be achieved. Further, a light projecting portion 72A and a light receiving portion 72B that constitute the detection switch 72 are arranged below the urging lever 62F, and the shielding piece 62B that moves forward and backward between the light projecting portion 72A and the light receiving portion 72B is disposed on the detection lever 62A. By providing at the tip, the detection lever 62A and the detection switch 72 are gathered compactly.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the embodiments described below are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and various other than the following can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It can be changed and implemented.

  (1) In the above-described embodiment, the payout device 50 is arranged in the middle of the hanging rod 40, but may be arranged at the terminal portion of the hanging rod 40.

  (2) In the above-described embodiment, the hanging rod 40 is configured by the first to fifth flow paths 41 to 45. For example, the first and second flow paths 41 and 42 are excluded. Also good.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the second detection unit 62 is used for both the detection of the presence or absence of a game ball and the detection of a broken ball. However, the second detection unit 62 includes a broken ball detection unit separately from the second detection unit 62. It may be.

  (4) In the embodiment, the detection switch 72 is a non-contact type, but may be a contact type.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the weight of the biasing lever 62F is used to bias the detection lever 62A of the second detection unit 62 to the first position. For example, the spring force of a spring is used. It may be a configuration.

  (6) In the above-described embodiment, the crank bent portion 46 has a shape bent forward, but may be bent backward or may be bent leftward and rightward.

  (7) In the above-described embodiment, the second detection unit 62 is configured to rotate between the first position and the second position about the rotation shaft 62 </ b> J, but similarly to the first detection unit 61. The configuration may be such that it moves between the first position and the second position.

10 Pachinko machines (game machines)
30 Inclined ridge 30K 樋 Constituent body 40 Drooping ridge 40K Case body 43 Third flow path (linear portion for detection)
43H Detection window 44E Inclined straight line portion 46 Crank bending portion 50 Dispensing device 51 Stepping motor (dispensing control portion)
52 Rotating member 52R Spiral protruding wall 62 Second detection unit (game ball detection means, broken ball detection unit)
62A Detection lever 62B Shielding piece 62F Energizing lever 72 Detection switch (game ball detection means, broken ball detection unit)
72A Light Emitting Unit 72B Light Receiving Unit 73 Detection Substrate T1 Contact Area R2 Surrounding Area

Claims (6)

A slanted bowl extending along the upper side of the back side of the gaming machine and having a bottom surface inclined so as to receive a plurality of game balls supplied from above at one end and flow down to the other end,
A hanging rod extending downward from the other end of the inclined rod;
A payout that is provided in the middle or at the lower end of the drooping board to dam the game ball, and passes through a plurality of predetermined game balls due to the establishment of a predetermined payout condition. In a gaming machine equipped with a device,
Wherein the upstream side of the dispensing device of the drooping gutter, and detecting the linear portion having a gaming ball detection means for detecting the presence or absence of extending and the game balls in a vertical way direction, the upper end portion of the detection straight portion An upper deceleration bending portion that is continuous and bent, and a lower deceleration bending portion that is continuous and bent at the lower end of the detection linear portion, in the middle of the game ball row in the detection linear portion. When a gap is generated, the game ball is decelerated in the lower deceleration bend so that at least the gap for two game balls is reduced to 1/3 or less in the lower deceleration bend,
The game ball detecting means extends in the vertical direction and moves between a first position that protrudes into the drooping cage and a second position that protrudes less into the drooping rod than the first position. And a detection unit that is urged to the first position and is moved by the game ball in the drooping cage to the second position, and the detection unit is positioned at either the first position or the second position. It consists of a detection switch that detects whether
The detection unit has a length in a vertical direction of a portion with which a game ball can come into contact is not less than 1.5 balls and not more than 2 balls,
Whether or not a specific gap of two or more game balls has occurred in the middle of the game ball row in the detection linear part due to the detection switch detecting that the detection unit is located at the first position. A gaming machine comprising a payout control unit that determines and interrupts payout by the payout device when it is determined that the specific gap has occurred.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game ball detection unit is also used as a ball break detection unit that detects that the game ball in the hanging basket is empty.   The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hanging rod has a one-row structure in which a plurality of game balls are arranged and flowed down in one row. The detection unit has a moving shaft that is substantially horizontal outside the drooping cage, has a lever structure in which the detection unit extends from the movement axis, and is located outside the dredging rod and integrated with the detection unit. With a shield that moves to
The detection switch includes a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit facing each other across a moving region of the shielding piece, and the shielding piece is located when the detection unit is located at one of the first position and the second position. The light projection and reception between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit is blocked by, and when the detection unit is located at the other of the first position and the second position, between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gaming machine is turned on and off when the light can be projected and received. An urging lever that extends from the moving shaft to the opposite side of the detection linear portion and moves integrally with the detection portion, and urges the detection portion to the first position by its own weight;
A detection window provided below the movement axis in the linear detection portion of the hanging rod, and facing the detection unit;
The shielding piece protrudes from the tip of the detection unit toward the detection window, extends the moving area of the shielding piece to below the urging lever, and the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit are The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the gaming machine is disposed below the urging lever. The lower deceleration bending portion includes a crank bending portion bent in a crank shape in the axial direction of the moving shaft from the lower end portion of the detection linear portion, and an in-plane perpendicular to the moving shaft from the lower end of the crank bending portion. And an inclined straight line portion that is bent at an angle and extends obliquely downward,
The gaming machine according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a detection board on which the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit are mounted is disposed in a space on the side of the detection linear unit above the inclined linear unit.

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