JP6338052B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that plays a game with a pachinko ball (game ball), and more particularly, to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine equipped with a rotating game ball launching handle that varies the initial firing speed of the game ball.

  In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a predetermined game value is given when a game ball that has been driven into the game area wins a prize opening or the like. The initial launch speed of the game ball is controlled by a launch operation device (game ball launch handle) using a variable resistor. The firing operation device has a rotating handle (handle ring) that is rotated by a player's hand, and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes according to the rotation angle of the rotating handle to adjust the initial firing speed of the game ball. It is configured as follows. The player adjusts the rotation angle of the rotary handle and drives the game ball into the game area at a desired initial firing speed.

  Further, the rotating handle is attached with a biasing means that automatically returns to the initial position before the operation when the player releases the hand, and detects the contact of the player's hand so that the game ball can be launched. Detection means (touch switch) is attached. In order to maintain the initial firing speed of the game ball at a predetermined speed, the player needs to hold the rotating handle so that the amount of rotation is constant. Met. In view of this, a gaming machine has been proposed that includes a mechanism that can temporarily fix the rotary operation body at a desired rotational operation position even if the player loosens his / her hand.

  For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-138939 “Game Machine” of Patent Document 1 includes a support, a handle ring that is rotatably supported with respect to the support, and the handle ring attached in a predetermined rotation direction. A game machine in which a game medium is launched into a game area by rotating the handle ring against a biasing force by the biasing means. On the other hand, the handle ring is attached to a first member that is supported so as to be rotatable coaxially with the rotation axis of the handle ring, and has a first end projecting from the support body so that the player can operate. What is the rotation axis of the handle ring relative to the support so that the second end can abut against the inner peripheral surface of the handle ring by rotating in the same rotation direction as the biased rotation direction? Supported pivotably on different axes And a long hole is formed in one of the first member and the second member in a direction away from the center of rotation of the first member and the second member. On the other side, a protrusion that engages with the elongated hole is formed, and the second end of the second member is moved to the inner periphery of the handle ring in response to a turning operation of the first member by the player. A gaming machine characterized by contacting the surface has been proposed.

JP 2013-138739 A

  According to the “gaming machine” of Patent Document 1, the player holds the handle ring in a rotated state by rotating the first member and bringing the second member into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the handle ring. can do.

  The “gaming machine” of Patent Document 1 is provided with a fulcrum at a position different from the rotation axis of the handle ring, and a point of the substantially arc-shaped tip of the second member formed with the long hole is defined as the inner peripheral surface of the handle ring. Therefore, there is a problem that each member has a small and complicated structure and is difficult to adjust.

  The present invention has been developed to solve such problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine having a fixing mechanism capable of temporarily fixing a rotary handle at a desired rotational operation position with a simple configuration.

  The gaming machine of the present invention is a gaming machine provided with a launching operation device operated to launch a game ball toward a gaming area, the launching operation device comprising a handle base attached to a gaming machine main body, A rotating handle that is assembled to the handle base and adjusts the initial firing speed of the game ball based on the angle of the rotation operation, and a fixing mechanism that is assembled to the handle base and the rotating handle, and temporarily prevents return of the rotating handle And the fixing mechanism includes a substantially disk-shaped pressing member that rotates separately from the rotary handle, and a flexible piece that contacts at least a part of the peripheral wall surface of the pressing member. A holding member whose base end is fixed to the handle base so as to surround and a substantially cylindrical wall portion surrounding the flexible piece, and whose base end is fixed to the rotary handle When And at least one of a portion in contact with the flexible piece on the peripheral wall surface of the pressing member and a portion in contact with the pressing portion on the inner wall surface of the flexible piece is directed toward the rotation operation direction of the rotary handle. The fixing mechanism is formed such that the distance from the rotation axis gradually decreases, and the fixing mechanism is configured to move the pressing member rotated in the same direction as the rotating operation direction of the rotating handle when the pressing member contacts the flexible member. The flexible member is pressed and bent outward, and the flexible member is pressed against the wall of the holding member, thereby temporarily suppressing the movement of the rotary handle. To do.

  It is possible to temporarily fix the rotary handle with a simple configuration by pressing the flexible flexible member by rotating the rotary pressing member and pressing it against the holding member fixed to the rotary handle. it can. Since the movement of the rotating handle is suppressed by gradually tightening the fixing mechanism, it is possible to fix without rotating the position of the rotating handle that has been finely adjusted and rotated to a desired angle. Since it can be moved to the release position by only slightly turning from the fixed position, the fixed state can be released in an instant.

It is a perspective view which shows the pachinko machine in one embodiment. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the main structures of a pachinko machine. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the main structures of a pachinko machine. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a pachinko machine. It is a front view which shows the structure of a gaming machine base unit. It is a front view which shows the structure of a game board. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a gaming machine base unit. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a game machine front unit. It is a front view which shows the structure of a back pack unit. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a back pack unit. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a pachinko machine. The game ball | bowl launching handle is shown, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the rough structure of a game ball | bowl launching handle, (a) is the figure visually recognized from front side diagonally upward, (b) is the figure visually recognized from back diagonally upward. It is a disassembled perspective view of a rotary operation body, (a) is the state visually recognized from diagonally forward, (b) shows the state visually recognized from diagonally backward. It is a front view which shows the state which assembled | attached the rotary operation body to the handle | steering-wheel base. A handle | base handle | steering-wheel part is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a rear view. The fixing mechanism assembled | attached to the connection support member is shown, (a) is a perspective view which shows the state visually recognized from diagonally forward, (b) is a right view, (c) is a perspective view which shows the state visually recognized from diagonally back. is there. It is an enlarged rear view of a connection support member. The fixing mechanism is shown, (a) is an exploded perspective view showing a state viewed from obliquely upward on the front side, and (b) is an exploded perspective view showing a state visually confirmed from obliquely upward on the rear side. It is an enlarged front view of a rotation press member. A flexible member is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a rear view, (c) is an expanded sectional view in the PP line of (a). It is a cross-sectional view of a flexible part, (a) is a support part (sectional view in the SS line in FIG.21 (c)), (b) is an insertion part (in the QQ line in FIG.21 (c)). Sectional view). It is a front view of a holding member. It is a fragmentary sectional view explaining the fixing method of the rotation operation body by a fixing mechanism, (a) is the state where the rotation pressing member is in the release position, the holding member is in the initial position, and the rotation operation is performed to the desired rotation operation position. The latter state, (b) shows a state in which the rotation pressing member is being rotated from the release position to the fixed position, and (c) shows a state in which the rotation pressing member has been rotated to the fixed position. It is a fragmentary sectional view explaining the fixing method of the rotation operation object by the fixing mechanism which is a modification, (a) shows modification 1 and (b) shows modification 2.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine 10. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the main configuration of the pachinko machine 10 in an exploded manner. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10. In FIG. 2, the configuration in the game area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted for convenience. Hereinafter, in the description of the pachinko machine 10, the side on which the front door is disposed is the front side or the front, the opposite side is the back side or the rear, and the vertical and horizontal directions are basically disposed in the island facility. A state in which the pachinko machine 10 is viewed with facing the front door is expressed as a reference.

  The pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 that forms an outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and a gaming machine main portion 21 that is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be rotatable forward.

  The outer frame 11 is configured by connecting plate members 12 to 15 to four sides and has a rectangular frame shape. In the plate members 12 to 15 constituting the outer frame 11, the left and right plate members 12, 13 are made of metal such as aluminum, and the upper and lower plate members 14, 15 are made of wood. The pachinko machine 10 is installed in the game hall by attaching and fixing the upper and lower plate members 14 and 15 of the outer frame 11 to the island facility. As described above, the left and right plate members 12, 13 are made of metal, and the upper and lower plate members 14, 15 are made of wood, so that the outer frame 11 can be reinforced while being fixed to the island facility. The configuration of the outer frame 11 is not limited to the above, and all the plate members 12 to 15 may be made of wood, and all the plate members 12 to 15 may be made of metal. Further, all or part of the plate materials 12 to 15 may be made of synthetic resin. Moreover, although the pachinko machine 10 is configured to include the outer frame 11, the pachinko machine 10 may be configured to include only the gaming machine main portion 21 without including the outer frame 11.

  Support metal fittings 17 and 18 are attached to the upper and lower ends of the left plate 12 of the outer frame 11. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the gaming machine main part 21 is rotatably attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be supported by these support fittings 17 and 18.

  The gaming machine main unit 21 includes a gaming machine base unit (main body frame or inner frame) 22, a gaming machine front unit (front door or front frame) 23 disposed in front of the gaming machine base unit 22, and a gaming machine base. And a back pack unit 24 disposed behind the unit 22. A gaming machine base unit 22 of the gaming machine main portion 21 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the outer frame 11. More specifically, the gaming machine base unit 22 is turnable (openable / closable) forward, with the left side as the rotation base end (opening / closing base end) side and the right side as the rotation tip (opening / closing tip) side in front view. .

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the gaming machine base unit 22 has a size that covers the entire opening of the outer frame 11, and a locking device 31 is attached to the rear end side of the gaming machine base unit 22 at the rotating tip side. It has been. The locking device 31 is provided with a long interlocking rod 32, and the interlocking rod 32 is provided with a pair of upper and lower metal fittings 33. When the gaming machine base unit 22 is closed with respect to the outer frame 11, the bar bracket 33 is locked to the receiving bracket 34 provided on the plate 13 on the right side of the outer frame 11 and is locked by the locking device 31. It has become so. Further, the gaming machine base unit 22 is provided with a cylinder lock 35, and when the interlocking rod 32 is moved in a predetermined direction among the upward direction and the downward direction by the operation of the cylinder lock 35, a game with respect to the outer frame 11 is performed. The locked state of the machine base unit 22 is released.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine front unit 23 is rotatably supported by the gaming machine base unit 22. In the front view, the left side is the rotation base end (opening / closing base end) side, and the right side is rotated. It can be turned forward (openable and closable) as the tip (opening / closing tip) side. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a backpack unit 24 is rotatably supported by the gaming machine base unit 22, and in the front view, the left side is the rotation base end (opening / closing base end) side and the right side is rotated. The moving tip (opening / closing tip) side can be rotated backward (openable / closable).

  Next, each of the gaming machine base unit 22, the gaming machine front unit 23, and the back pack unit 24 will be described in detail.

<Game machine base unit 22>
First, the configuration of the gaming machine base unit 22 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a front view of the gaming machine base unit 22. FIG. 6 is a front view of the game board 61 mounted on the gaming machine base unit 22. FIG. 7 is a rear view of the gaming machine base unit 22. In FIG. 5, the configuration in the game area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted for convenience.

  The gaming machine base unit 22 is mainly composed of a resin base 41 whose outer shape is substantially the same as that of the outer frame 11. A substantially elliptical window hole 51 is formed at the center of the resin base 41. A game board 61 is detachably attached to the resin base 41 from behind. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of (four places in the present embodiment) fixing brackets 52 to 55 are provided on the back surface of the resin base 41. 61 is fixed so as not to fall backward. The fixing brackets 52 to 55 can be manually rotated, and can be switched between a fixing position (lock position) and a fixing release position (unlock position).

  The game board 61 is made of plywood, and the game area formed on the front surface of the game board 61 is exposed to the front surface side of the gaming machine base unit 22 through the window hole 51 of the resin base 41.

  Here, the structure of the game board 61 is demonstrated based on FIG. The game board 61 has a plurality of large and small openings penetrating in the front-rear direction by being subjected to router processing. Each opening is provided with a general winning port 62, a variable winning device 63, an upper operating port 64, a lower operating port 65, a through gate 66, a variable display unit 67, and the like. Among these, the variable winning device 63, the upper operation port 64, the lower operation port 65, and the variable display unit 67 are provided side by side in the vertical direction at the center of the game board 61 in the left-right direction. The operation port 64, the lower operation port 65, and the variable winning device 63 are arranged in this order. Further, in the lower part of the game board 61, four general winning ports 62 are provided, two on the left side and two on the right side. Incidentally, the left side of the gaming board 61 corresponds to the rotating base end side of the gaming machine front unit 23, and the right side of the gaming board 61 corresponds to the rotating distal end side of the gaming machine front unit 23.

  When a game ball enters the general winning port 62, the variable winning device 63, the upper operating port 64, and the lower operating port 65, it is detected by a detection switch, and a predetermined number of winning balls are paid out based on the detection result. Is done. Specifically, when one game ball enters the general prize opening 62, 10 game balls are paid out as the number of unit game balls, and when one game ball enters the variable winning device 63, the number of unit game balls 15 game balls are paid out, and when one game ball enters the upper operation port 64, 3 game balls are paid out as the number of unit game balls, and one game ball enters the lower operation port 65. When a ball is played, four game balls are paid out as the number of unit game balls.

  In addition, an out port 68 is provided at the lowermost part of the game board 61, and game balls that have not entered various winning ports etc. are discharged from the game area through the out port 68. The game board 61 is provided with a large number of nails 69 for dispersing and adjusting the falling direction of the game ball as appropriate, and various members (functions) such as a windmill.

  The variable display unit 67 is provided with a symbol display device 71 for variably displaying symbols with a winning at one of the operation ports 64 and 65 as a trigger. The variable display unit 67 is provided with a center frame 72 so as to surround the symbol display device 71. A first specific lamp portion 73 and a second specific lamp portion 74 are provided on the center frame 72. Reservation lamp portions 75 and 76 are provided at the upper and lower portions of the center frame 72, respectively. The lower holding lamp unit 75 corresponds to the symbol display device 71 and the first specific lamp unit 73, and the number of times that the game ball has passed through the operation ports 64 and 65 is held up to four times, and the holding lamp unit 75 The number of hold is displayed by lighting. The upper holding lamp unit 76 corresponds to the second specific lamp unit 74, and the number of times that the game ball has passed through the through gate 66 is held up to four times, and the number of the holding balls is displayed by turning on the holding lamp unit 76. It has become so.

  The symbol display device 71 is configured as a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal display, and display contents are controlled by a display control device described later. In the symbol display device 71, for example, symbols are displayed side by side on the left, middle, and right, and these symbols are variably displayed as they are scrolled up and down. When a predetermined combination of symbols is stopped and displayed on a preset active line, a special gaming state (hereinafter referred to as a jackpot) occurs. The symbol display device 71 may have a display screen made up of other types such as CRT, dot matrix, and 7 segments.

  In the first specific lamp unit 73, the emission color is switched in a predetermined order using a winning at the operation port 64 as a trigger, and if the display is stopped in a predetermined color, a big hit occurs. Further, in the second specific lamp portion 74, the emission color is switched in a predetermined order triggered by the passage of the game ball through the through gate 66, and when the stop color is displayed in a predetermined color, the lower operation port 65 is displayed. The electric accessory 65a attached to is opened for a predetermined time.

  Incidentally, the lower operating port 65 can enter when the electric accessory 65a serving as the opening / closing means is in an open state, and cannot enter when it is in a closed state. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which it is easy to enter when the electric utility item 65a is in an open state and it is difficult to enter when the electric accessory 65a is in a closed state.

  In the variable winning device 63, the open / close door 63a as an opening / closing means is normally in a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter or is difficult to enter, and a predetermined open state in which a game ball can easily enter in the case of a big hit Can be switched to. As an opening mode of the variable winning device 63, the variable winning device 63 is repeated with a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winnings as one round and a plurality of rounds (for example, 15 rounds) as an upper limit. What is opened is common.

  An inner rail portion 77 and an outer rail portion 78 are attached to the game board 61, and a guide rail is constituted by the inner rail portion 77 and the outer rail portion 78, and a game launched from the game ball launching mechanism 80. A ball is guided to the upper part of the game area. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 5, a return rubber 79 is provided at the upper right portion of the window hole 51 of the resin base 41, and a game ball launched at a predetermined momentum or more hits the return rubber 79, and is in the center of the game area. It is designed to be bounced back. In this case, the return rubber 79 is formed so that the surface on which the game ball hits is inclined toward the center of the game area, so that the game ball is rebounded toward the center of the game area. ing.

  The game ball launching mechanism 80 is attached below the window hole 51 in the resin base 41 as shown in FIG. The game ball launching mechanism 80 includes an electromagnetic solenoid 81, a launching rail 82, and a ball feed mechanism 83, and the output shaft of the solenoid 81 moves in the expansion / contraction direction by the input of an electrical signal to the solenoid 81. Then, the game ball placed on the launch rail 82 is launched by the ball feed mechanism 83 toward the game area. The input of an electrical signal to the solenoid 81 is generated based on the operation of a game ball launch handle 84 (see FIG. 1 and the like) provided at the lower portion of the gaming machine front unit 23. The details of the game ball launching handle 84 having the fixing mechanism, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described later.

  Support metal fittings 42 and 43 are attached to the upper and lower ends of the rotation base end side of the front surface of the resin base 41, and the gaming machine front unit 23 is supported by the support metal fittings 42 and 43. Thus, the gaming machine front unit 23 can be rotated forward with respect to the gaming machine base unit 22. Further, a plurality of insertion holes 45 are formed on the front side of the front surface of the resin base 41 so as to be inserted in the vertical direction in order to insert the metal fittings 44 (see FIG. 2) provided on the back surface of the gaming machine front unit 23. Is provided. In a state where the gaming machine front unit 23 is closed with respect to the gaming machine base unit 22, the metal fitting 44 of the gaming machine front unit 23 enters the insertion hole 45, and the metal fitting 44 is locked to the locking device 31 described above. The As a result, the gaming machine front unit 23 is locked to the gaming machine base unit 22. This locked state is released by moving the interlocking rod 32 of the locking device 31 to the opposite side to the case where the gaming machine base unit 22 is unlocked with respect to the outer frame 11 by operating the cylinder lock 35.

<Game machine front unit 23>
Here, the configuration of the gaming machine front unit 23 will be described. FIG. 8 is a rear view of the gaming machine front unit 23.

  The gaming machine front unit 23 is provided so as to cover the entire front side of the gaming machine base unit 22. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine front unit 23 is provided with a substantially elliptical window panel portion 91 that allows almost the entire gaming area to be viewed from the front. Around the window panel portion 91, light emitting means such as various lamps are provided. For example, an annular illumination part 92 containing a light emitting means such as an LED is provided along the periphery of the window panel part 91. In the annular illumination part 92, lighting or blinking is performed according to a change in the gaming state at the time of a big hit or a predetermined reach. In addition, an error display lamp portion 93 that is turned on at the time of a predetermined error is provided at the center of the annular illumination portion 92 and at the top of the pachinko machine 10. In addition, on the upper left and upper right of the window panel unit 91, a speaker unit 94 that outputs sound effects according to the gaming state is provided.

  Below the window panel portion 91 in the gaming machine front unit 23, an upper bulging portion 95 and a lower bulging portion 96 that bulge to the near side are arranged in parallel. An upper plate 95a that opens upward is provided inside the upper bulge portion 95, and a lower plate 96a that is also opened upward is provided inside the lower bulge portion 96. The upper plate 95a has a function of temporarily storing game balls paid out from a payout device described later and guiding them to the game ball launching mechanism described later while aligning them in a line. In addition, the lower tray 96a has a function of storing game balls that are surplus in the upper tray 95a. Note that the game ball launching handle 84 described above is provided to the right of the lower bulging portion 96.

  Protrusion shafts 97 and 98 are provided on the upper and lower ends of the rotation base end side (the right side in FIG. 8) on the back of the gaming machine front unit 23. These projecting shafts 97 and 98 constitute an assembly mechanism for the gaming machine base unit 22. In addition, a plurality of the above-mentioned metal fittings 44 are arranged in the vertical direction on the rotating front end side (the left side in FIG. 8) on the back surface of the gaming machine front unit 23.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a front side passage unit 271 is attached to the back of the gaming machine front unit 23. The front side passage unit 271 is formed of a synthetic resin, and includes a front door side upper plate passage that communicates with the upper plate 95a and a front door side lower plate passage that communicates with the lower plate 96a. Details of the front-side passage unit 271 will be described later.

<Back side configuration of the gaming machine base unit 22>
Next, the back configuration of the gaming machine base unit 22 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The locking device 31 already described is provided on the rotation tip side of the back surface of the resin base 41. Further, the game board 61 is attached to the center of the resin base 41 as described above.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the variable display unit 67 disposed at the center of the game board 61 is provided with a frame cover 100 made of synthetic resin that covers the center frame 72 from the rear side so as to protrude rearward. The symbol display device 71 described above is attached to the frame cover 100 from the rear side, and a display control device 101 for driving the symbol display device 71 is attached. The symbol display device 71 and the display control device 101 are overlapped in the front-rear direction (the symbol display device 71 is the front and the display control device 101 is the rear), and the sound lamp control device unit 102 is mounted on the rear side. The sound lamp control device unit 102 includes a sound lamp control device 103 and a mounting base 104, and the sound lamp control device 103 is mounted on the mounting base 104.

  The sound lamp control device 103 includes a sound lamp control board that controls sound and lamp display and control of the display control device in accordance with instructions from a main control device described later, and the sound lamp control substrate is made of a transparent resin material or the like. It is housed and configured in a substrate box.

  A main controller unit 105 is mounted on the back of the game board 61 and below the variable display unit 67. The main control unit 105 has a synthetic resin mounting base 106, and a main control apparatus 107 is mounted on the mounting base 106. The main control device 107 includes a main control board having a function (main control circuit) that governs the main control of the game and a function (power failure monitoring circuit) that monitors the power supply, and the main control board is a transparent resin material. It is configured to be accommodated in a substrate box 108 made of, for example. The board box 108 is provided with a caulking structure or a sealing seal (not shown) as an opening trace means of the board box, and a caulking structure as a leaving trace means of the main controller 107 with respect to the mounting base 106. Yes.

  A collective plate unit (not shown) is provided in an area covered by the main controller unit 105 on the back surface of the game board 61. The collective board unit is provided with a game ball collecting mechanism for collecting game balls won in various winning ports, a winning detection sensor for detecting winning of game balls in various winning ports, and the like. The game balls collected by the game ball collection mechanism are discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through a discharge passage described later. The winning detection sensor is electrically connected to the main controller 107, and a detection signal when a winning of a game ball is detected is input by the main controller 107.

  Bearing fittings 111, 112, and 113 are attached to the rotation base end side (the right side in FIG. 7) on the back surface of the resin base 41. Three bearing fittings 111 to 113 are provided apart from each other in the vertical direction. The number of bearing fittings 111 to 113 is arbitrary, and may be two or may be four or more. A backpack unit 24 is attached to the gaming machine base unit 22 while being pivotally supported with respect to the bearing fittings 111 to 113. As shown in FIG. 5, the back pack unit 24 covers all of the variable display unit 67 and a part of the main controller unit 105 from the rear. Unless the back pack unit 24 is opened, the variable display unit 67 and the main controller unit 105 are covered. The control device unit 105 cannot be removed from the resin base 41.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, a fixing metal 115 for fixing the back pack unit 24 to the gaming machine base unit 22 is provided on the back surface of the resin base 41. The fixing bracket 115 can be manually rotated, and can be switched between a fixing position (lock position) and a fixing release position (unlock position). Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a fastening hole 116 is formed on the back surface of the resin base 41, and a fastener 117 (see FIG. 9) provided in the back pack unit 24 with respect to the fastening hole 116. Also, the back pack unit 24 is fixed to the gaming machine base unit 22 by fastening.

<Back pack unit 24>
Next, the configuration of the back pack unit 24 will be described in detail. 9 is a front view of the back pack unit 24, and FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the back pack unit 24.

  The back pack unit 24 includes a first back pack unit 121 that constitutes an upper portion and a central portion of the back pack unit 24, and a first portion that is provided continuously with the first back pack unit 121 and constitutes a lower portion of the back pack unit 24. 2 back pack unit 141. An opening 122 is formed in the lower portion of the first back pack unit 121, and the upper portion of the second back pack unit 141 constitutes the lower edge portion of the opening 122.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the first back pack unit 121 and the second back pack unit 141 are respectively provided with shaft fittings 123 and 139. The shaft fittings 123 and 139 are individually provided with bearing fittings 111 to 113, respectively. It is supported by. Accordingly, the first back pack unit 121 and the second back pack unit 141 can be individually rotated with respect to the gaming machine base unit 22.

  Here, as described above, the upper portion of the second back pack unit 141 constitutes the lower edge portion of the opening 122 of the first back pack unit 121, and the first back pack unit 121 is formed at the lower edge portion. The first back pack unit 121 and the second back pack unit 141 overlap each other so as to be in front of the pachinko machine 10. Therefore, the second back pack unit 141 can be opened with the first back pack unit 121 closed with respect to the gaming machine base unit 22, but the first back pack unit 141 can be opened with the second back pack unit 141 closed. The unit 121 cannot be opened. The opening / closing relationship may be reversed between the first back pack unit 121 and the second back pack unit 141, and the first back pack unit 121 and the second back pack unit 141 may be reversed. And can be opened and closed without interfering with each other. Further, the first back pack unit 121 and the second back pack unit 141 may be integrated and cannot be individually opened and closed.

  Next, the configuration of the first back pack unit 121 will be described in detail.

  The first back pack unit 121 includes a back pack 124, and a payout mechanism 125 is attached to the back pack 124. The back pack 124 is formed of a synthetic resin having transparency, and includes a base portion 126 to which the payout mechanism portion 125 and the like are attached, and a protective cover portion 127 that protrudes rearward from the pachinko machine 10 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protective cover 127 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 variable display unit 67.

  The base part 126 is provided with an external terminal board 131 at the upper right part thereof. The external terminal board 131 is provided with various output terminals, and various signals are output to the management control device on the game hall side through these output terminals. Further, the base 126 is provided with the shaft fitting 123 of the first back pack unit 121 described above.

  The base portion 126 is provided with a payout mechanism portion 125 so as to bypass the protective cover portion 127. The payout mechanism 125 includes a tank 132, a tank rail 133, and a vertical passage unit 134. The tank 132 is opened upward and is provided at the top of the back pack 124. The game balls are sequentially supplied to the tank 132 from the island facilities of the game hall. The tank rail 133 is connected to the tank 132 below the tank 132, and is gently inclined toward the downstream side. An upper and lower passage unit 134 is connected to the downstream portion of the tank rail 133. The vertical passage unit 134 extends in the vertical direction, and a dispensing device 135 is provided at a midway position thereof. Further, a ball receiving portion, a back pack side passage portion, a main body side passage portion and a front side passage portion are provided on the downstream side of the vertical passage unit 134, and the front side passage portions are provided on the upper plate 95a and the lower plate 96a. It is communicated.

  That is, between the tank 132 and the ball trays of the upper plate 95a and the lower plate 96a, the tank rail 133, the vertical passage unit 134, the ball receiving portion, the back pack side passage portion, the main body side passage portion, and the front side passage portion. A guide passage portion is provided, and the game balls stored in the tank 132 are paid out to the upper plate 95a or the lower plate 96a through the guide passage portion. The configuration of the vertical passage unit 134 and the configuration on the downstream side thereof will be described in detail later.

  A backpack substrate 136 is installed in the dispensing mechanism unit 125. The back pack substrate 136 is supplied with, for example, a main power of 24 volts AC, and is turned on or off by a switching operation of the power switch 137.

  Next, the configuration of the second back pack unit 141 will be described in detail.

  The second back pack unit 141 includes a discharge passage board 142 and a control device assembly unit 143. The discharge passage board 142 constitutes the front side of the second back pack unit 141, and the control device assembly unit 143 constitutes the rear side of the second back pack unit 141. The discharge passage board 142 and the controller assembly unit 143 are assembled in the front-rear direction to form a second back pack unit 141.

The discharge passage board 142 is formed with a discharge passage 144 opened rearward on a surface facing the control device assembly unit 143, and an open portion of the discharge passage 144 is closed by the control device assembly unit 143. The discharge passage 144 is formed so as to discharge the game balls to the island facilities of the game hall, and the game balls led out to the discharge passage 144 from the above-described various winning holes etc. pass through the discharge passage 144 to make a pachinko parlor. It is discharged outside the machine 10.

  The control device assembly unit 143 has a horizontally long mounting base 145, and a payout control device 146 and a power source and launch control device 147 are mounted on the mounting base 145. The payout control device 146 and the power supply / launch control device 147 are arranged so as to overlap each other so that the payout control device 146 is located behind the pachinko machine 10.

  The payout control device 146 contains a payout control board for controlling the payout device 135 in the board box 148. The payout command signal from the payout control device 146 to the payout device 135 is relayed by the backpack substrate 136 described above. The payout control device 146 is provided with a state return switch 148a. For example, when the state return switch 148a is pressed when a payout error occurs, such as a ball jam in the payout device 135, the ball jam is eliminated.

  The power source and launch control device 147 includes a power source and launch control board housed in a board box 149, and a predetermined power source required for various control devices and the like is generated and output by the board. Control of the launch of the game ball accompanying the operation of the firing handle 84 is performed. The power supply and launch control device 147 is provided with a RAM erase switch 149a. This pachinko machine 10 has a function to store and store various data so that even if a power failure occurs, it maintains the state at the time of the power failure, and can be restored to the state at the time of the power failure at the time of recovery from the power failure. It has become. Therefore, for example, when the power supply is turned off in the normal procedure, as in the case of the game hall being closed, the state before the turn-off is stored and held. However, when the power is turned on while pressing the RAM erase switch 149a, the RAM data is initialized. It is like that.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG. In FIG. 11, a power supply line is indicated by a double arrow, and a signal line is indicated by a solid arrow.

  A main control board 311 provided in the main controller 107 incorporates a main control circuit 312 and a power failure monitoring circuit 313. The main control circuit 312 is equipped with a CPU 321. The CPU 321 temporarily stores various control programs executed by the CPU 321 and ROM (non-volatile storage means) 322 storing fixed value data, and various data when executing the control program stored in the ROM 322. A RAM (volatile storage means) 323, which is a memory for storing data, and various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data input / output circuit are incorporated.

  The RAM 323 has a configuration in which backup power (data storage holding power) is supplied from the power source and launch control board 331 provided in the power source and launch control device 147 even after the power of the pachinko machine 10 is shut off, and data is retained. It has become.

  An input / output port is connected to the CPU 321 via a bus line including an address bus and a data bus. Connected to the input side of the main control circuit 312 are a power failure monitoring circuit 313 provided on the main control board 311, a payout control board 332 provided on the payout control device 146, and other switches not shown. In this case, a power supply and launch control board 331 is connected to the power failure monitoring circuit 313, and power is supplied to the main control circuit 312 via the power failure monitoring circuit 313.

  Incidentally, as a group of switches connected to the input side of the main control circuit 312, there are winning detection sensors 325 to 328. The winning detection sensors 325 to 328 include a general winning port sensor 325 that detects a game ball that has entered the general winning port 62, a count sensor 326 that detects a game ball that has entered the variable winning device 63, and an upper operating port. There are an upper operation port sensor 327 that detects a game ball that has entered the ball 64 and a lower operation port sensor 328 that detects a game ball that has entered the lower operation port 65. The general prize opening sensor 325 is provided in one-to-one correspondence with the general prize opening 62. Based on the detection results from these winning detection sensors 325 to 328, the CPU 321 of the main control circuit 312 specifies whether or not a game ball has entered the various winning ports 62 to 65.

  On the other hand, a power failure monitoring circuit 313, a payout control board 332 and a relay terminal board 333 are connected to the output side of the main control circuit 312. Various commands such as a prize ball command are output to the payout control board 332. Various commands and the like are output from the main control circuit 312 to the sound lamp control board 334 provided in the sound lamp control device 103 via the relay terminal plate 333.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 313 relays the main control circuit 312 and the power source and launch control board 331, and monitors the DC stable 24 volt power source that is the maximum power source output from the power source and launch control board 331.

  The payout control board 332 performs payout control of prize balls and rental balls by the payout device 135. The CPU 341 which is an arithmetic unit includes a ROM (non-volatile storage means) 342 storing a control program executed by the CPU 341, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM (volatile storage means) 343 used as a work memory or the like. I have.

  Similarly to the RAM 323 of the main control circuit 312, the RAM 343 of the payout control board 332 is supplied with backup power (data storage holding power) from the power supply and the launch control board 331 even after the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off. It has a configuration to be held.

An input / output port is connected to the CPU 341 of the payout control board 332 through a bus line including an address bus and a data bus. A main control circuit 312, a power and launch control board 331, and a backpack board 136 are connected to the input side of the payout control board 332. Incidentally, the detection result of the ball non-detection sensor 186 and the presence / absence of the operation of the ball removal button 206 are input to the payout control board 332 through the back pack board 136. Also, the payout control board 3
A main control circuit 312 and a back pack board 136 are connected to the output side of 32.

  The power supply and launch control board 331 includes a power supply unit and a launch control unit. The power supply unit supplies necessary operating power to each of the main control circuit 312 and the payout control board 332 through a path indicated by a double line arrow. The launch control unit is responsible for launch control of the game ball launch mechanism 80 in accordance with the operation of the game ball launch handle 84 by the player, and the game ball launch mechanism 80 is driven when predetermined launch conditions are met. .

  Further, the power source and launch control board 331 is provided with a backup power source unit 331a. The backup power supply unit 331a includes a capacitor, and is charged when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is in an ON state (when power is supplied from an external power supply). Further, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is in an OFF state or in a power cut-off state such as when a power failure occurs in a commercial power supply (when power supply from an external power supply is cut off), the main control circuit 312 is discharged from the backup power supply unit 331a. Backup power is supplied to the RAM 323 and the RAM 343 of the payout control board 332. Therefore, even in such a situation, while the backup power is being supplied from the backup power supply unit 331a, the information stored in the RAMs 323 and 343 is stored and held without being erased.

  Incidentally, the backup power supply unit 331a has a relatively large capacity, and the information stored in each of the RAMs 323 and 343 before the power supply is cut off is retained within a predetermined period (for example, 1 day or 2 days). Further, the backup power supply unit 331a is not limited to a capacitor, and may be a battery or a non-rechargeable battery. In the case of a non-rechargeable battery, it is not necessary to store power in the power supply means for power interruption when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is ON, but it is necessary to replace it periodically.

  The sound lamp control board 334 controls the illumination unit 92, the speaker unit 94, the error display unit 93, and the display control device 101. The CPU 351, which is an arithmetic device, includes a ROM 352 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 351, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 353 that is used as a work memory or the like.

  An input / output port is connected to the CPU 351 of the sound lamp control board 334 via a bus line including an address bus and a data bus. A main control circuit 312 is connected to the input side of the sound lamp control board 334 by being relayed to the relay terminal plate 333, and based on various commands output from the main control circuit 312, the lighting unit 92 and the speaker unit 94. The error display unit 93 and the display control device 101 are controlled. The display control device 101 controls the symbol display device 71 based on a display command input from the sound lamp control board 334.

  Next, a game ball launching handle 84 having a fixing mechanism 8450 that is a feature of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Schematic structure of game ball launch handle>
FIG. 12 shows a game ball launching handle 84, where (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a longitudinal sectional view. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a rough configuration of the game ball launch handle 84, where (a) is a diagram viewed from obliquely upward on the front side, and (b) is a diagram visually identified from obliquely upward on the rear side. Note that FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram in which an apparatus disposed inside is omitted for convenience. Further, in the game ball launch handle 84, the rotation cover 8430 side is the front side (front), and the handle base 8420 side is the rear side (rear).
The game ball launching handle 84 is a device that adjusts the initial speed when the game ball is launched in the pachinko machine 10, and is screwed and fixed from the rear to the lower right portion of the front side of the game ball front unit 23. (See FIG. 1 etc.). The game ball launching handle 84 includes a rotary operation body 8410, a handle base 8420, a rotary cover 8430, a connection support member 8440, and a fixing mechanism 8450 that is a feature of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the handle base 8420 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and various devices are accommodated therein. The rotary operation body 8410 is loosely fitted to the front peripheral edge 8421a of the handle base 8420 so as to cover the front side of the handle base 8420.
A hollow substantially hemispherical rotating cover 8430 and a substantially disk-shaped fixing mechanism 8450 are assembled to the substantially disk-shaped connection support member 8440 from the front. A rotation cover 8430 and a fixing mechanism 8450 are attached to the handle base 8420 in front of the rotation operation body 8410 through the connection support member 8440 so that the rotation operation body 8410 can be rotated. At that time, the rotation cover 8430 is loosely fitted to the front rising portion 8411a of the rotation operation body 8410 so as to be rotatable.

<Structure of rotating operation body>
14A and 14B are exploded perspective views of the rotary operation body 8410, where FIG. 14A shows a state viewed from diagonally forward, and FIG. 14B shows a state viewed from diagonally backward. FIG. 15 is a front view showing a state where the rotary operation body 8410 is assembled to the handle base 8420.
As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, the rotary operation body 8410 is disposed in front of the handle ring 8411, a substantially disc-shaped handle ring 8411, a main driving gear 8415 fixed to the handle ring from the rear. And an urging spring 8419.

  The main drive gear 8415 includes a substantially disk-shaped disk portion 8416, a substantially cylindrical rotation main shaft 8417 formed so as to penetrate the center thereof, and a periphery of the rotation center shaft 8417 on the rear surface side of the disk portion. And a gear portion 8418 formed in a substantially fan shape. The rotation main shaft 8417 has a front shaft portion 8417a protruding forward of the disc portion 8416 and a rear shaft portion 8417b protruding rearward, and these are formed on the same axis. A rear shaft portion 8417b of the rotation main shaft 8417 is rotatably assembled to a bearing portion 8423 (see FIG. 16) of the handle base portion 8420 described later. Note that the rotation is a circular motion in both the forward direction (clockwise) and the reverse direction (counterclockwise) about the axis, and the circular motion can be stopped during the rotation operation. There may be, and the rotation angle at the time of circular motion is not limited.

  A positioning projection 8417c (see FIG. 14 (b), etc.) is formed on the rear end of the rear shaft portion 8417b of the rotation main shaft 8417 so as to protrude outward. The groove 8423a (see FIG. 16) formed in the longitudinal direction of the portion 8423 is inserted. Then, the positioning protrusion 8417c is protruded from the rear end of the bearing portion 8423, and is thereby rotatably locked to the peripheral edge of the rear end. In this manner, the main driving gear 8415 is assembled in a state of being rotatable with respect to the handle base 8420. A front shaft portion 8417a (see FIG. 14A, etc.) of the rotation main shaft 8417 has a columnar shape with a U-shaped cross section, and a protrusion portion 8473 of a holding member 8470 of a fixing mechanism 8450 described later (FIG. 17C). Etc.) are inserted and fixed with screws.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the substantially disc-shaped handle ring 8411 has a circular hole 8412c which is a circular hole at the center, and an arc-shaped hole centered on the through hole 8412c at the outer edge. Certain circular arc holes 8412a and 8412b are formed. With these holes, the central portion of the handle ring 8411 is a substantially donut-shaped annular portion 8412d. As shown in FIG. 14 and the like, the disk portion 8416 of the main driving gear 8415 is substantially the same size as the annular portion 8412d, and is screwed and fixed from behind the handle ring 8411 so as to overlap the annular portion 8412d. The At that time, the front shaft portion 8417a of the rotation main shaft 8417 of the main driving gear 8415 is inserted into the through hole 8412c of the handle ring 8411 so as to protrude from the front thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the arc hole portions 8412 a and 8412 b of the handle ring 8411 are holes through which three screw bosses 8422 a and 8422 b of the handle base portion 8420 described later are passed. By making the circular arc holes 8412a and 8412b into an arc shape, the handle ring 8411 (rotating operation body 8410) can be rotated with respect to the handle base 8420 even if the screw bosses 8422a and 8422b penetrate. It has become. In addition, the rotation range of the handle ring 8411 is limited to a predetermined range by the edges of the arc hole portions 8412a and 8412b contacting the screw bosses 8422a and 8422b.

  The handle ring 8411 is provided with three finger hooks 8411b, 8411c, and 8411d so as to protrude outward. Alternatively, the middle finger is hung and the right finger hanger 8411d is operated with the middle finger or the ring finger hung. The player manually rotates the handle ring 8411 pivotally supported on the handle base 8420 by the main driving gear 8415 (rotating main shaft 8417) in the forward normal rotation direction (clockwise) and, if necessary, the rotation angle. Adjust and fire the game ball at the desired initial velocity. In addition, a front side upright portion 8411a that rises in the forward direction of the axis is formed at the inner edge of the handle ring 8411.

  The biasing spring 8419 is a coil spring that is loosely fitted to the front shaft portion 8417a of the rotation main shaft 8417. As shown in FIG. 15, one end portion of the biasing spring 8419 is hooked on the screw boss 8422a of the handle base portion 8420, and the other end portion thereof. It is fixed inside the handle ring 8411 (annular portion 8412d). By this urging spring 8419, the handle ring 8411 is always urged in the direction of rotating in the reverse direction of the front view (counterclockwise).

  As described above, the rotary operation body 8410 is pivotally supported on the handle base 8420 by the rotation main shaft 8417 of the main driving gear 8415, and is always urged in a direction rotating in the reverse direction of the front view (counterclockwise). At the same time, the rotation range is limited to a predetermined range.

<Structure of the handle base>
FIG. 16 shows the handle base 8420, where (a) is a front view and (b) is a rear view.
As shown in FIG. 12B and the like, the handle base portion 8420 is formed of a bottom plate portion 8421 having a substantially U-shaped longitudinal section and a substantially cylindrical support portion 8429. As shown in FIG. 16, a variable resistor 8425, a firing stop switch 8427, a touch sensor 8428 (see FIG. 16B), and the like are fixed to the substantially circular bottom plate 8424 of the bottom plate portion 8421. Further, the bottom plate 8424 is provided with a substantially cylindrical bearing portion 8423 at the center position so as to protrude forward, and three substantially cylindrical screw bosses 8422a and 8422b are provided upright around the bearing portion 8423, respectively.

  The rotation shaft of the variable resistor 8425 fixed inside the handle base portion 8420 is engaged with the gear portion 8418 (see FIG. 14B) of the rotary operation body 8410 (main drive gear 8415) at a predetermined position. A driven gear 8426 is attached. A biasing spring 8426 a is attached to the driven gear 8426, and one end side of the biasing spring 8426 a is latched by a spring support portion 8424 a that protrudes from the bottom plate 8424. Further, the driven gear 8426 is formed with a stopper 8426b that protrudes from the tooth portion to the periphery, and the stopper 8426b comes into contact with an abutting portion 8424b projecting from the bottom plate 8424 and stops at a predetermined position. The returned range is regulated.

  The variable resistor 8425 changes the resistance value of the resistor installed inside according to the rotation angle of the rotation shaft of the driven gear 8426 rotated by the main driving gear 8415 (rotating operation body 8410). By changing the resistance value of the variable resistor 8425, the initial velocity of the game ball when the game ball is launched (the initial launch velocity of the game ball) is adjusted. Thus, the game ball is launched at an initial speed corresponding to the amount of rotation operation (rotation angle) of the handle ring 8411 (rotation operation body 8410) operated by the player.

  The launch stop switch 8427 includes a stop lever 8427a having an operation unit operated by the player, and a launch stop device 8427b that stops the launch of the game ball by operating the stop lever 8427a. The stop lever 8427a is provided such that an operation portion which is a part thereof protrudes from a notch formed in a part of the front edge portion of the handle base portion 8420. The firing stop device 8427b is provided with a substantially plate-like terminal 8427c that is rotatably attached, and a tip end side thereof is inserted into a hole provided in the stop lever 8427a and can be rotated in the direction of the arrow. It has become. When the player pushes the operation portion of the stop lever 8427a, the terminal 8427c is rotated and the firing stop device 8427b is turned on. When the player stops the pushing operation, the terminal 8427c returns to the original position, and the firing stop device 8427b is turned off. The player presses the stop lever 8427a to temporarily stop the launch of the game ball in a state in which the rotary operation body 8410 is rotated, and stops the pressing operation at the initial speed before the stop. A game ball can be fired again.

  The touch sensor 8428 (see FIG. 16B) constitutes a touch switch together with the handle ring 8411. The handle ring 8411 is made of conductive resin plating or metal material, and the touch sensor 8428 detects that the player's hand is in contact with the handle ring 8411 by a weak current. Only when the touch of the player's hand is detected by the touch sensor 8428, the game ball can be launched by the game ball launching mechanism 80. When the contact is not detected, the rotary operation body 8410 is rotated. The game ball is also configured to stop firing.

<Outline of connecting support member, fixing mechanism and rotating cover>
FIG. 17 shows the fixing mechanism 8450 assembled to the connection support member 8440, where (a) is a perspective view showing a state viewed obliquely from the front, (b) is a right side view, and (c) is a state viewed from diagonally rear. FIG.
As illustrated in FIG. 12B, a fixing mechanism 8450 and a rotation cover 8430 are attached to the front of the rotation operation body 8410 via a connection support member 8440. Although details will be described later, the fixing mechanism 8450 includes a rotary pressing member (pressing member) 8460, a holding member 8470, and a flexible member 8480 (see FIG. 19). The flexible member 8480 of the fixing mechanism 8450 is fixed to the handle base 8420 together with the connection support member 8440. Between these two members, a holding member 8470 and a rotation pressing member 8460 are incorporated so as to be able to individually rotate. Specifically, the holding member 8470 is fitted into the rotation operation body 8410, and rotates together with the rotation operation body 8410 (handle ring 8411) when the player operates the rotation operation body 8410. In addition, the rotation pressing member 8460 is fixed to the rotation cover 8430 and rotates together with the rotation operation of the rotation cover 8430 by the player.

  Thus, in the game ball launch handle 84, the rotation operation body 8410 and the rotation cover 8430 can be rotated separately, and the player causes the fixing mechanism 8450 to function by rotating the rotation cover 8430. Even if the player releases the hand by causing the fixing mechanism 8450 to function, the player can temporarily maintain the rotation operation body 8410 at the desired rotation operation position against the urging force of the urging spring 8419. it can. Hereinafter, the connection support member 8440, the rotation cover 8430, and the fixing mechanism 8450 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Structure of connecting support member>
FIG. 18 is an enlarged rear view of the connection support member 8440. The connection support member 8440 is a member that connects the rotation cover 8430 and the fixing mechanism 8450 to the handle base 8420, and the rotation operation body 8410 can be rotated so as to cover the front of the rotation operation body 8410 as shown in FIG. It is arranged as a state. Further, it is a member that also plays a role of protecting the device and the like in the handle base 8420.

  As shown in FIGS. 13, 17 and 18, the connection support member 8440 is a substantially disk-shaped member, and as shown in FIG. 12 (b), the outer diameter thereof is the handle ring 8411 of the rotary operation body 8410. It is smaller than the inner diameter of the front erection part 8411a and is inserted into the front erection part 8411a and attached to the handle base part 8420. Specifically, the connection support member 8440 is formed with three boss portions 8441a and 8441b protruding rearward, and threaded bosses 8422a and 8422b of the handle base portion 8420 penetrating the arc hole portions 8412a and 8412b of the handle ring 8411. Inserted from the front. And it fixes to the handle base 8420 with the screw 8424x (refer FIG.16 (b)) attached from the back of the handle base 8420, respectively.

  A circular shaft hole 8443 is formed at the center of the connection support member 8440, and a protrusion 8473 of a holding member 8470 described later is inserted in a rotatable state. Further, three attachment holes 8445 for attaching the flexible member 8480 are formed in the periphery thereof, and fixed so that a boss portion 8389 of the flexible member 8480 described later stands on the front side of the connectable support member 8440. Is done. That is, the connection support portion 8440 and the flexible member 8480 of the fixing mechanism 8450 are fixed to the handle base portion 8420 and do not rotate.

<Structure of rotating cover>
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the rotary cover 8430 has a cylindrical operation tube portion 8431 for a player to operate with a finger, and a longitudinal section formed so as to swell forward from the front end periphery of the operation tube portion 8431. A longitudinal section formed by a bulging portion 8433 having a circular arc surface is a substantially U-shaped lid-shaped member. The rotation cover 8430 has a rear end periphery of the operation cylinder portion 8431 such that the center line thereof is collinear with the axis of the rotation main shaft 8417 of the rotation operation body 8410, and the front standing portion 8411a of the handle ring 8411 of the rotation operation body 8410. Is loosely fitted to be rotatable. In addition, at the center of the bulging portion 8433, three connecting boss portions 8433a are erected on the circumference centering on the center line so as to protrude rearward. The rotation pressing member 8460 of the fixing mechanism 8450 is fixed to the front ends (rear ends) of these boss portions 8433 by screws from the rear of the screw holes 8469 (see FIG. 19). Therefore, when the player rotates the rotation cover 8430, the rotation pressing member 8460 also rotates together. Note that the bulging portion 8433 is formed with a display portion 8433b by an arrow or the like for indicating the rotation direction of the rotary cover 8430 to the player.

<Structure of fixing mechanism>
19A and 19B show the fixing mechanism 8450. FIG. 19A is an exploded perspective view showing a state viewed obliquely from the upper front side, and FIG. 19B is an exploded perspective view showing the state viewed obliquely from the upper rear side.
As shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, the fixing mechanism 8450 includes a substantially disc-shaped rotation pressing member 8460 and a flexible member 8480 having a substantially cylindrical flexible portion 8421 into which the rotation pressing member 8460 is inserted. And a holding member 8470 having a bottomed cylindrical holding portion 8471 that is loosely fitted around the flexible portion 8481. Since the rotation pressing member 8460 is fixed to the rotation cover 8430 that is rotated when the player fixes the rotation operation body 8410, the rotation pressing member 8460 rotates together with the rotation cover 8430. The flexible member 8480 is fixed to the handle base portion 8420 via the connection support portion 8440 and thus does not rotate. Since the holding member 8470 is fitted to the rotary operation body 8410 that rotates when the player launches the game ball, the holding member 8470 rotates together with the rotary operation body 8410 (rotation handle 8411).

  The player rotates or rotates the rotation operation body 8410 (rotation handle 8411) to a desired rotation operation position, and then rotates the rotation cover 8430 to rotate the rotation pressing member 8460. By the rotation, the peripheral wall surface 8461 of the rotation pressing member 8460 presses the inner wall surface x of the flexible member 8480 (the insertion portion 8482a of the flexible portion 8481) and bends it outward. Therefore, the outer wall surface y of the flexible member 8480 (flexible portion 8421) is brought into pressure contact with the inner wall surface 8472 of the holding member 8470 (holding portion 8471), and the holding member 8470 is fixed with its movement suppressed by this pressure contact force. The Therefore, the rotary operation body 8410 fitted to this can also be fixed. The rotation axis of the rotation cover 8430 and the rotation pressing member 8460, the rotation axis of the holding member 8470 (holding portion 8471), and the center line of the flexible member 8480 (flexible portion 8481) are the rotation axis of the rotary operation body 8410. Are on the same straight line. Hereinafter, each member 8460, 8470, 8480 will be described in detail.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged front view of the rotary pressing member 8460. In FIG. 20, in order to make the feature of the outer shape V of the rotary pressing member 8460 easier to understand, a circle W having a radius of the line segment OA is indicated by an imaginary line.
As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the rotary pressing member 8460 is a substantially disk-shaped resin member. A peripheral edge 8463 of the rotation pressing member 8460 includes a substantially circular curved portion (arc-shaped portion) 8464 and a linear portion 8465 that is a line segment connecting both ends of the curved portion 8464. The straight line portion 8465 includes a point A having a distance r ₁ from the rotation center point O, which is the center of rotation of the rotary pressing member 8460, and a straight line extending in a direction opposite to the rotation center point O from the point A of the line segment OA. And a line segment connecting the point B whose distance from the rotation center point O is r ₂ . Hereinafter, in the rotary pressing member 8460, a portion where the linear portion 8465 is formed as appropriate is referred to as a step portion m.

The curved portion 8464 is a curve connecting the point A and the point B, and the point from the point A (r ₁ ) having the shortest distance to the point B (r ₂ ) having the longest distance with the rotation center point O as the center. Thus, it is formed by rotating 360 degrees counterclockwise so that the distance from the rotation center point O gradually increases. In this embodiment, the point B is a point on the straight line OA and the stepped part m is a straight line. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the point B is a position in the vicinity of the point A where the counterclockwise rotation angle from the point A is smaller or larger than the point B, and the step portion m is longer than the line segment AB, However, it is desirable that the shape be difficult to break. The shape of the outer peripheral edge of the rotary pressing member 8460 is hereinafter referred to as a shape V as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the rotation pressing member 8460 has three screw holes 8469. The front surface of the screw hole 8469 is fixed with screws so that the front end surface (rear end surface) of the connecting boss portion 8433a of the rotation cover 8430 is in contact (see FIG. 12B). At this time, the rotation pressing member 8460 is attached so that the rotation center point O is on the rotation axis of the rotation cover 8430. When the player operates the rotation cover 8430 to rotate, the rotation pressing member 8460 rotates about the rotation center point O.

21A and 21B show the flexible member 8480, where FIG. 21A is a front view, FIG. 21B is a rear view, and FIG. 21C is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line P-P in FIG. In FIG. 21C, a state in which the rotary pressing member 8460 is inserted into the insertion portion 8482a of the flexible portion 8481 is indicated by a virtual line.
The flexible member 8480 is made of a flexible resin member. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the flexible member 8480 includes a collet-like flexible portion 8481 composed of a plurality of divided pieces 8482 and flexible portions 8481 (each divided portion 8482). It has a ring plate-like flange portion 8487 for supporting the base portion (the left end portion in FIG. 21C) of the piece 8482 and fixing the flexible portion 8481 to the connection support member 8440. The flexible portion 8481 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is formed by cutting a plurality of notches parallel to the center line direction radially from the center line, and a plurality of divided pieces having a columnar shape with a substantially arc-shaped cross section. 8482. In this embodiment, since eight cuts are formed at equal intervals, the flexible portion 8481 is composed of eight divided pieces. In the present embodiment, eight cuts are provided, but the number and width are not limited to this, and can be provided as appropriate.

  The flange portion 8487 is a ring plate extending perpendicularly to the center line of the flexible portion 8481 so as to expand the diameter outward from the base portion of the flexible portion 8481, and the distal end side of the flexible portion 8481 It supports so that (right end side in FIG.21 (c)) can be opened and closed. The flange portion 8487 is formed with three boss portions 8489 that protrude rearward. As described above, screws (not shown) that are inserted from the rear into the mounting holes 8445 (see FIG. 18) of the connection support member 8440 are inserted into these boss portions 8489. The flexible member 8480 is fixed to the connection support member 8440 by the boss portion 8489 in a state where a predetermined space is provided between the flexible support 8480 and the front surface side of the connection support member 8440 (see FIG. 17). In this space, a rotation pressing member 8460 and a holding member 8470 are incorporated.

  The flexible portion 8481 is a substantially cylindrical member having a predetermined outer diameter, and as shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the rotary pressing member 8460 is inserted from the distal end side (the right end side in FIG. 21C). Insertion portion 8482a and a support portion 8482b for supporting the insertion portion 8482a on the flange portion 8487. The support portion 8482b is formed around the inner peripheral edge of the distal end side (the right side in FIGS. 19 and 21C). A protruding portion 8482c is formed so as to protrude inward along the direction. As shown in FIG. 21 (c), in the center line direction of the flexible portion 8481 (divided piece 8482), the support portion 8482b is a base end side (flange portion 8487 side) of approximately two-fifths, and the insertion portion 8482a is It is formed so as to be a portion of about three-fifths of the tip side. The cross section of the hollow portion of the insertion portion 8482a is larger than the cross section of the hollow portion of the support portion 8482b (details will be described later), and the protrusion 8482c is provided, so that the space between the insertion portion 8482a and the support portion 8482b is provided. Is formed with a step α. The rotary pressing member 8460 inserted into the insertion portion 8482a is positioned by being prevented from entering the support portion 8482b by the step α.

22A and 22B are cross-sectional views of the flexible portion 8481. FIG. 22A is a support portion 8482b (a cross-sectional view taken along line SS in FIG. 21C), and FIG. 22B is an insertion portion 8482a (FIG. 21C). The cross-sectional view taken along the line Q-Q in FIG. Note that the boss portion 8489 is omitted for convenience.
The support portion 8482b of each of the eight divided pieces 8482 has the same shape as shown in FIG. 22A and the like, and has a columnar shape with a circular cross section. The outer peripheral portion y _b and the inner circumferential portion x _b of the support portion 8482b, respectively circle centered on the center line of the flexible portion 8481 Rx, which is formed so as to be located respectively on the circumference of a circle Ry.
Moreover, the protrusion part 8482c formed in the front end side inner periphery of the support part 8482b of each division | segmentation piece 8482 is the same shape as shown to Fig.22 (a), and is the ring shape divided | segmented as a whole. The outer peripheral portion y _c and the inner peripheral portion x _c of the ridge portion 8482c are formed so as to be respectively located on the circumferences of the circle Ry and the circle Rz centering on the center line of the flexible portion 8481.

The insertion portion 8482a of each divided piece 8482 has a columnar shape with a substantially arc-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. 22B and the like, and from the thickest one (divided piece 8482i) in a counterclockwise direction. It arrange | positions so that thickness may become thin gradually so that an inner wall part may be scraped off. Specifically, the outer peripheral portion y _a in cross section, located on the circumference of a circle Rx about the center line of the flexible portion 8481, an inner peripheral portion x _a, the peripheral shape V rotary pressing member 8460 It is formed so as to have a shape that is substantially the same. When inserting the rotary pressing member 8460 along the the inner peripheral portion x _a is the rotation center point O as described above is located at the center line of the flexible portion 8481 (center of the circle R _x). Further, the step portion m of the rotary pressing member 8460 is loosely engaged with the side surface of the thickest divided piece 8482i (the side adjacent to the thinnest divided piece 8482j). Hereinafter, the side surface portion to be engaged is referred to as an engagement step portion n as appropriate.

FIG. 23 is a front view of the holding member 8470. In FIG. 23, the outer periphery (circle Rx) of the flexible portion 8481 of the flexible member 8480 is indicated by a virtual line.
As shown in FIG. 19, the holding member 8470 is a substantially cylindrical resin member, and includes a cylindrical holding portion 8471 and a protruding portion 8473 for interlocking the holding portion 8471 and the rotating operation body 8410. Become. The holding portion 8471 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and as shown in FIG. 23, the inner wall surface 8472 of the cylindrical portion (wall portion) has serrations in the cross section so as to cut in parallel to the center line. Is formed. As shown in FIG. 23, the minimum inner diameter of the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion is substantially the same as the outer diameter (diameter of the circle Rx) of the flexible portion 8421 of the flexible member 8480, and the outer peripheral wall of the flexible portion 8481 It is loosely fitted so as to surround (y _a , y _b ). The protruding portion 8473 is a columnar member formed so as to protrude outward (rearward) from the center of the bottom surface of the holding portion 8471. The side wall surface of the protruding portion 8473 has a U-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. A U-shaped portion 8473a having a circular shape and a circular arc portion 8473b having a circular cross section. The circular arc portion 8473b is formed with unevenness (not shown) having a sawtooth shape in a cross section so as to be cut in parallel to the center line.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the protruding portion 8473 is formed on the rotating main shaft 8417 (front shaft portion 8417 a) of the rotary operation body 8410 (main driving gear 8415) that is loosely inserted so as to protrude forward into the shaft hole 8443 of the connection support member 8440. Plugged in. At this time, the U-shaped portion 8473a is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the front shaft portion 8417a, and the arc portion 8473b is attached so as to be in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole 8443 of the connection support member 8440 (FIGS. 15 and 17). reference). In this manner, the holding member 8470 is attached between the flexible member 8480 and the connection support member 8440 so as to be pivotable with respect to both members, and thus does not fall off. When the rotation of 8410 is performed, the holding member 8470 connected by the protrusion 8473 is also rotated together. Further, as shown in FIG. 12B, the rotation pressing member 8460 is held by a holding member 8470 that is attached so as to cover the opening on the distal end side (right side in the drawing) of the flexible portion 8481 of the flexible member 8480. The movement in the rotation axis direction (front-rear direction) is restricted, and the state is accommodated in the hollow portion of the insertion portion 8482a of the flexible member 8480 (flexible portion 8481).

<Fixing method of rotating operation body by fixing mechanism>
FIG. 24 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the relationship among the rotation pressing member 8460, the flexible member 8480, and the holding member 8470 for explaining a method of fixing the rotary operation body 8410 by the fixing mechanism 8450 (T-T in FIG. 17B). (A) is a state in which the rotation pressing member 8460 is in the release position, the holding member 8470 (rotation operation body 8410) is in the initial position, and after being rotated to the desired rotation operation position. A state, (b) shows a state in which the rotary pressing member 8460 is being rotated from the release position to the fixed position, and (c) shows a state in which the rotary pressing member 8460 has been rotated to the fixed position. As described above, the rotation pressing member 8460 of the fixing mechanism 8450 is fixed to the rotation cover 8430, the flexible member 8480 is fixed to the handle base 8420, and the holding member 8470 is fixed to the rotation operation body 8410. In FIG. 24, the cross-sectional lines are omitted for convenience.

  First, the player confirms that the rotary operation body 8410 (rotary handle 8411) is in a rotatable state, that is, the rotary pressing body 8460 is in the release position. When the rotation cover 8430 is not freely rotatable, the rotation cover 8430 is rotated in the direction shown in the above-described display 8433b (in the normal rotation direction in this embodiment) so that the rotation pressing body 8460 comes to the release position. Here, as shown in FIG. 24A, the release position means a position where the stepped portion m is substantially in contact with the engaging stepped portion n, and has substantially the same shape along the inner periphery of the insertion portion 8482a. The rotation pressing member 8460 is located. At this time, the fixing mechanism 8450 is not functioning, and only the urging force of the urging spring 8419 is applied to the rotation operation body 8410 (the rotation handle 8411), so that the rotation operation is possible. The function of the fixing mechanism 8450 will be described later.

Thereafter, the player, as shown in FIG. 24 (a), the rotary body 8410 in an initial position by grasping the rotation handle 8411 (not shown) (the position of an H ₁ in FIG.), Game balls taste The rotation operation is performed to a desired rotation operation position (position H _{2 in} the figure) that is fired at the initial firing speed. When the rotary operation body 8410 is rotated, only the holding member 8470 rotates together as indicated by the curved arrow line in the fixing mechanism 8450.

When the rotary operation body 8410 reaches the desired rotation operation position, the player holds the rotation operation body 8410 so as not to move from the rotation operation position, and moves the rotation cover 8430 in the forward rotation direction (display 8433b (see FIG. 13)). And the fixing mechanism 8450 is caused to function. Specifically, by rotating the rotation cover 8430, as shown in FIG. 24B, the rotation pressing body 8460 rotates in the normal rotation direction (curved arrow direction). When the rotating pressing body 8460 is rotated, the inner peripheral portion (inner wall) _{x a} a turn outward of the split pieces 8482 (insertion portion 8482A) of the peripheral wall surface 8461 is the flexible member 8480 (flexible portion 8481) (straight arrow示線and pressed in the direction) gradually expanding its diameter, will by pressing the outer peripheral portion (outer wall) y _a on the inner wall surface 8472 of the holding member 8470.

  Then, when the rotation pressing member 8460 rotates to the fixed position shown in FIG. 24C, the movement of the holding member 8470 is suppressed by the pressing force of the insertion portion 8482a. Therefore, the rotation operation body 8410 (rotation handle 8411) fixed to the holding member 8470 does not return to the initial position even if the player releases his hand, and is fixed and maintained at a desired rotation operation position. Here, the fixed position refers to a position where the rotary pressing member 8460 has rotated in the forward rotation direction from the release position and the stepped portion m has been rotated immediately before or substantially immediately before reaching the release position again. This refers to a position that is fixed and maintained against the biasing force of the spring 8419. In the present embodiment, the fixed position is a position that is rotated approximately 7/8 from the release position, and the step portion m, which is the portion of the rotary operation body 8410 that is the longest distance from the rotation center point O, is engaged. Although it is the position where it has been rotated and moved to the thickest divided piece 8482i with the stepped portion n, this is not restrictive, and the rotary operation body 8410 is fixed and maintained against the biasing force of the biasing spring 8419. Any position is acceptable.

  When the player wants to change the position of the rotation operation body 8410 (rotation handle 8411) that is fixed and maintained, or when the player wants to end the game, that is, when the player wants to release the function of the fixing mechanism 8450, the player further opens the rotation cover 8430. A little (in the present embodiment, about one-eighth rotation) may be rotated in the forward direction. By rotating the rotary pressing body 8460 again to the release position, the function of the fixing mechanism 8450 can be released. At that time, the divided piece 8482i vigorously returns in the direction of the rotation axis by passing through the stepped portion m and flips the side surface of the rotation pressing member 8460, so that the player recognizes that the fixation is released by the vibration and sound. it can. In addition, as long as the rotary pressing member 8460 is finally rotated to the fixed position and the rotary operation body 8410 (the rotary handle 8411) is fixed and maintained, the fixing method is not limited to the above. For example, the rotation operation member 8410 (the rotation handle 8411) is rotated to a desired rotation operation position in a state where the rotation pressing member 8460 is slightly rotated from the release position toward the fixed position and the function of the fixing mechanism is slightly applied. The rotary pressing member 8460 may be rotated to the fixed position.

  Note that the shape, size, configuration, material, and the like of each member of the fixing mechanism 8450 are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be variously changed without departing from the spirit of the embodiments. When the player performs a rotation operation, the peripheral edge of the rotation pressing member 8460 presses the flexible member 8470 and presses against the holding member 8480, restricts the movement, and moves the rotation operation body 8410 to a desired rotation operation position. It only needs to be able to be fixed and maintained. In Example 1, as shown in FIG. 25, the shape V of the peripheral edge of the rotary pressing member 8460 and the cross-sectional shape of the hollow portion of the flexible member 8480 (insertion portion 8482a) are substantially the same shape. For example, the following shapes (configurations) can also be used.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a method of fixing the rotating operation body 8410 by the fixing mechanisms 8450 ₁ and 8450 ₂ , which is a modification of the fixing mechanism 8450, and the rotary pressing members 8460 ₁ and 8460 ₂ and the flexible members 8480 ₁ and 8480 _2. 4A and 4B are partial cross-sectional views showing the relationship between the holding member 8470 and FIG. Note that only the shapes of the rotary pressing members 8460 ₁ and 8460 ₂ and the insertion portions 8482a ₁ and 8482a ₂ different from those in the first embodiment will be described, and the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and names. A duplicate description is omitted.

In the first modification, the flexible member 8480 ₁ (insertion portion 8482a ₁ ) is a columnar member having a substantially arc-shaped cross section, the rotation pressing member 8460 ₁ is a substantially fan-shaped plate-shaped member, and the outer peripheral edge of the rotation pressing member 8460 ₁ . Only a part of is configured to press the flexible member 8480 ₁ (insertion portion 8482a ₁ ). Specifically, the rotation pressing member 8460 ₁ has a pressing portion 8468 _1, which is an arc-shaped outer periphery that presses the flexible member 8480 ₁ , formed in an arc shape with a radius r ₁ centering on the rotation center point O. Yes. The flexible member 8480 ₁ (insertion portion 8482a ₁ ) is formed so that its inner diameter gradually decreases clockwise from r ₁ (thickness increases inward).

In the second modification, the flexible member 8470 ₂ (insertion portion 8482a ₂ ) is a columnar member having a circular cross section (inner diameter is r ₁ ), and the thickness is constant, and the rotation is a substantially fan-shaped plate member. the pressing member 8460 _{and second} pressing portions 8468 _2, and is formed so as to gradually increase from a radius r ₁ around the rotation center point O counterclockwise. The outer peripheries of the flexible members 8480 ₁ and 8470 ₂ are formed so as to be positioned on a circle Rx (not shown) centered on the rotation center point O of the rotary pressing member 8460 ₁ .

As in the _first and _second modifications, at least _one of the pressing portions 8468 ₁ and 8468 ₂ of the rotary pressing members 8460 ₁ and 8460 ₂ and the inner periphery of the flexible members 8480 ₁ and 8480 ₂ is the rotation cover 8430. You may form so that it may approach a rotating shaft direction continuously toward a rotation direction. When the pressing portions 8468 ₁ , 8468 _{2 of the} rotary pressing members 8460 ₁ , 8460 ₂ are in sliding contact, the flexible members 8480 ₁ , 8480 ₂ can be gradually pressed and pressed against the holding member 8470. In the first and second modifications, the holding member 8470 is within the range in which the holding member 8470 rotates and the range in which the rotation pressing members 8460 ₁ , 8460 _{2 and the} like press the flexible members 8480 ₁ , 8480 _2. The inner wall surface 8472 may be disposed so as to be inscribed in the flexible members 8480 ₁ and 8480 ₂ . Therefore, it is not always necessary to have a cylindrical shape. For example, it may be a columnar member having a circular cross section obtained by dividing the cylinder in parallel with the rotation axis direction. However, in order to maintain the strength when a pressing force is applied, it is desirable to have a cylindrical shape.

In the present embodiment (hereinafter, including modifications 1 and 2), a display 8433b indicating the rotation direction of the rotation cover 8430 is provided on the bulging portion 8433. Further, the fixing position and the release position of the fixing mechanism 8450 are indicated. An indication may be attached. Since the flexible members 8480, 8480 ₁ , 8480 ₂ are fixed to the handle base 8420, their positions do not change. It should be noted that it is desirable to provide it at a position where a player who operates the rotary handle 8410 can easily recognize. Further, an anti-slip or a concave portion may be formed on the surface of the rotary cover 8430 so that the rotary cover 8430 can be operated with only the thumb while the two fingers are held on the rotary handle 8410. Further, in this embodiment, the rotation direction of the rotation cover 8430 is the same as the rotation direction of the rotation operation body 8410, but the rotation direction may be reversed.

Further, the flexible members 8480, 8480 ₁ and 8480 ₂ are fixed to the handle base 8420, and the rotation pressing members 8460, 8460 ₁ and 8460 ₂ are fixed to the rotation cover 8430 to be rotatable. For example, the rotation pressing members 8460, 8460 ₁ , 8460 ₂ may be fixed to the handle base 8420, and the flexible members 8480, 8480 ₁ , 8480 ₂ may be fixed to the rotation cover 8430 to be rotatable. Any _{one of} the rotation pressing members 8460, 8460 ₁ , 8460 ₂ and the flexible members 8480, 8480 ₁ , 8480 ₂ may be fixed and the other may be rotated.

According to the pachinko machine 10 of the present invention, the rotation handle 8411 can be temporarily fixed at a desired rotation operation position by incorporating the fixing mechanisms 8450, 8450 ₁ and 8450 ₂ having a simple structure. The magnitude of the pressure contact force applied to the holding portion 8471 when fixing the rotary handle 8411 is the size of the rotary pressing bodies 8460, 8460 ₁ , 8460 ₂ and the insertion portions 8482 a, 8484 a ₁ , 8484 a ₂ of the flexible member 8480. It can be easily adjusted by simply changing the thickness of the wall.

In the fixing mechanism 8450 _{and second} fixing mechanism 8450 and the second modification of the first embodiment, the rim of the rotary pressing member 8460,8460 _2, as the distance from the axis of rotation toward the front viewing reverse direction is gradually increased, continuously A curved portion 8464 and a pressing portion 8468 ₂ whose curvature is changed are formed. Further, in the fixing mechanism 8450 _{1 of the} first modification, an inner wall surface with a continuously changing curvature is formed in the insertion portion 8482a ₁ so that the distance gradually decreases from the rotation axis in the forward rotation direction in the front view. Has been. Therefore, the flexible members 8480, 8480 ₁ , 8480 ₂ can be gradually tightened with respect to the holding member 8470, so that the position of the finely adjusted rotary handle 8410 can be fixed without shifting.

Further, since the rotation pressing members 8460, 8460 ₁ , 8460 ₂ (rotation cover 8430) can be moved to the release position by only slightly rotating in the forward rotation direction from the fixed position, the rotation pressing members 8460, 8460 ₁ , 8460 can be moved. _{2 It} is not necessary to return the rotation cover 8430 in the reverse direction, and the fixed state can be released in an instant. Furthermore, the rotation operation direction of the rotation cover 8430 is set to the same direction as the rotation operation direction of the rotation handle 8411, and the distance from the fulcrum (rotation axis) to the force point (rotation cover 8430) operated by the player is The player can easily operate the rotary pressing members 8460, 8460 ₁ , 8460 ₂ (rotary cover 8430) by being longer than the distance to the point of action where the pressure acts (flexible members 8480, 8480 ₁ , 8480 ₂ ). Can do.

  In the fixing mechanism 8450 and the like of the present embodiment, the rotation pressing member 8460 and the like inserted into the flexible portion 8481 are held on the distal end side in the axial direction of the flexible portion 8481 by the connecting boss portion 8433a of the rotation cover 8430. Yes. In the divided piece 8482, stress is concentrated on the base of the divided piece 8482 by providing a support portion 8482b between the insertion portion 8482a and the like that are pressed by the rotary pressing member 8460 and the flange portion 8487 and providing a gap. Can be prevented. Also, in the divided piece 8482 in which the insertion portion 8482a and the like are formed thin, the support portion 8482b is formed thicker than the insertion portion 8482a and the like in the same manner as the other divided pieces 8482, and thus is less likely to be damaged.

  Further, the support portion 8482b of the split piece 8482 is provided with a step α having a larger width by providing not only a step due to a difference in thickness from the insertion portion 8482a but also a protruding portion 8482c. Since the front surface side of the rotary pressing member 8460 is supported by the step α, wobbling of the rotary pressing member 8460 can be suppressed and the rotary pressing member 8460 can be smoothly rotated.

  The inner wall surface 8472 of the holding portion 8471 of the holding member 8470 is formed with irregularities as described above. When the flexible member 8480 or the like is in pressure contact, the unevenness is deformed to serve as a cushioning material, and the holding member 8470 can be securely fixed by increasing the friction coefficient.

According to the fixing mechanism 8450 of the first embodiment, since the peripheral edge of the rotary pressing member 8460 is formed so that the center angle of the curved portion 8464 is increased, the flexible member 8480 can be gradually bent gradually. There is little risk of damage.
The flexible portion 8481 is formed in a collet shape, and the rotational pressing member 8460 is formed in the same shape V as the hollow portion of the flexible portion 8481 (insertion portion 8482a). The divided piece 8482 is positioned by the level difference α, and is slidably contacted with the divided piece 8482 so as to rotate and move more stably. Moreover, since the rotation pressing member 8460 is formed so that the curvature continuously changes in the entire circumference (excluding the step portion m), the rotation pressing member 8460 is not caught by the cut portion (the side portion of the divided piece 8482). . Furthermore, since the contact area of the insertion part 8482a and the rotation pressing member 8460 becomes large, it can press more effectively.

  Hereinafter, the features of the invention group extracted from the above-described embodiment will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary.

Game machine A
The gaming machine A relates to a gaming machine that plays a game with a pachinko ball (game ball), and more particularly, to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine equipped with a rotating game ball launching handle that varies the initial firing speed of the game ball.

  In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a predetermined game value is given when a game ball that has been driven into the game area wins a prize opening or the like. The initial launch speed of the game ball is controlled by a launch operation device (game ball launch handle) using a variable resistor. The firing operation device has a rotating handle (handle ring) that is rotated by a player's hand, and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes according to the rotation angle of the rotating handle to adjust the initial firing speed of the game ball. It is configured as follows. The player can drive the game ball into the game area at a desired initial firing speed by adjusting the rotation angle of the rotary handle.

  Further, the rotating handle is attached with a biasing means that automatically returns to the initial position before the operation when the player releases the hand, and detects the contact of the player's hand so that the game ball can be launched. Detection means (touch switch) is attached. In order to maintain the initial firing speed of the game ball at a predetermined speed, the player needs to hold the rotating handle so that the amount of rotation is constant. Met. In view of this, a gaming machine has been proposed that includes a mechanism that can temporarily fix the rotary operation body at a desired rotational operation position even if the player loosens his / her hand.

  For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-138939 “Game Machine” in Patent Document 2 discloses a support, a handle ring that is rotatably supported with respect to the support, and the handle ring attached in a predetermined rotation direction. A game machine in which a game medium is launched into a game area by rotating the handle ring against a biasing force by the biasing means. On the other hand, the handle ring is attached to a first member that is supported so as to be rotatable coaxially with the rotation axis of the handle ring, and has a first end projecting from the support body so that the player can operate. What is the rotation axis of the handle ring relative to the support so that the second end can abut against the inner peripheral surface of the handle ring by rotating in the same rotation direction as the biased rotation direction? Supported pivotably on different axes And a long hole is formed in one of the first member and the second member in a direction away from the center of rotation of the first member and the second member. On the other side, a protrusion that engages with the elongated hole is formed, and the second end of the second member is moved to the inner periphery of the handle ring in response to a turning operation of the first member by the player. A gaming machine characterized by contacting the surface has been proposed.

JP 2013-138739 A

  According to the “gaming machine” of Patent Document 2, the player holds the handle ring in a rotated state by rotating the first member and bringing the second member into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the handle ring. can do.

    The “gaming machine” of Patent Document 1 is provided with a fulcrum at a position different from the rotation axis of the handle ring, and a point of the substantially arc-shaped tip of the second member formed with the long hole is defined as the inner peripheral surface of the handle ring. Therefore, there is a problem that each member has a small and complicated structure and is difficult to adjust.

  The present invention has been developed to solve such problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine having a fixing mechanism capable of temporarily fixing a rotary handle at a desired rotational operation position with a simple configuration.

The gaming machine A1 is a gaming machine provided with a launching operation device that is operated to launch a game ball toward the gaming area,
The firing operation device includes:
A handle base attached to the main body of the gaming machine,
A rotating handle that is assembled to the handle base and adjusts the initial firing speed of the game ball based on the angle of the rotating operation;
A fixing mechanism that is assembled to the handle base and the rotary handle, and temporarily prevents return of the rotary handle;
The fixing mechanism is
A substantially disc-shaped pressing member that rotates separately from the rotary handle;
A flexible member that has a flexible piece with which at least a part of a peripheral wall surface of the pressing member contacts, and a base end of which is fixed to the handle base so as to surround the pressing member;
A substantially cylindrical wall portion surrounding the flexible piece, and a holding member whose base end is fixed to the rotary handle,
At least one of a portion of the peripheral wall surface of the pressing member that contacts the flexible piece and a portion of the inner surface of the flexible piece that contacts the pressing portion is rotated from the rotation axis toward the rotation operation direction of the rotary handle. Is formed so that the distance of
The fixing mechanism presses the flexible member to bend outwardly when the pressing member rotated in the same direction as the rotational operation direction of the rotary handle contacts the flexible member. A gaming machine, wherein a member is pressed against a wall portion of the holding member to temporarily restrain movement of the rotary handle.
According to the gaming machine A1, by rotating the rotary pressing member, the flexible flexible member is pressed and brought into pressure contact with the holding member fixed to the rotary handle, so that the rotary handle can be configured with a simple configuration. Can be temporarily fixed. Since the movement of the rotating handle is suppressed by gradually tightening the fixing mechanism, it is possible to fix without rotating the position of the rotating handle that has been finely adjusted and rotated to a desired angle. Since it can be moved to the release position by only slightly turning from the fixed position, the fixed state can be released in an instant.

In the gaming machine A2, the peripheral wall surface of the pressing member has a substantially arcuate arc-shaped portion formed over substantially the entire circumference so that the distance from the rotation axis gradually decreases toward the rotational operation direction of the rotary handle. A gaming machine of the gaming machine A1, wherein the longest part and the shortest part are composed of adjacent stepped parts.
According to the gaming machine A2, the flexible member can be gradually and gradually bent by the arc-shaped portion formed over substantially the entire circumference of the pressing member, and there is little risk of damage. Since the curvature of the arcuate portion is small, the contact area between the flexible member and the rotary pressing member is increased, so that it can be more effectively pressed.

In the gaming machine A3, the total length of the flexible piece in the rotation axis direction is longer than the thickness of the portion in contact with the pressing member,
The gaming machine of the gaming machine A1 or the gaming machine A2, wherein the pressing member is disposed so as to be in contact with the distal end side of the flexible piece.
According to the gaming machine A3, it is possible to prevent stress from being concentrated on the base portion of the flexible piece.

In the gaming machine A4, in the flexible piece, a support portion formed so as to have a predetermined thickness is provided on the base end side of the portion in contact with the pressing member regardless of the thickness of the portion in contact with the pressing member. A gaming machine of the gaming machine A3, which is provided.
According to the gaming machine A4, even if the thickness of the portion in contact with the pressing member is small in the flexible piece, the thickness of the supporting portion on the base end side is increased and reinforced, so that the flexible piece can be hardly damaged.

The gaming machine A5 is characterized in that, on the inner peripheral wall of the flexible piece, a protrusion projecting inward is formed in the circumferential direction in order to position the pressing member in the rotation axis direction. Any of the gaming machines A1, A2, A3, A4.
According to the gaming machine A5, it is possible to prevent the pressing member from wobbling and rotate it smoothly.

In the gaming machine A6, the fixing mechanism functions from the rotation axis toward the rotation operation direction of the rotary handle so that the fixing mechanism functions by rotating the pressing member in a direction opposite to the rotation operation direction of the rotary handle. Instead of forming the distance gradually decreasing, the gaming machines A1, A2, characterized in that the distance from the rotation axis gradually increases toward the rotational operation direction of the rotary handle. A gaming machine of any of A3, A4, A5.
According to the gaming machine A6, the rotation member can be temporarily suppressed by operating the pressing member in the direction opposite to the rotation operation direction of the rotation handle.

A gaming machine A7 is characterized in that the pressing member is fixed to the handle base instead of the flexible member, and the flexible member can be rotated instead of the pressing member. , A3, A4, A5, A6 gaming machine.
According to the gaming machine A7, the flexible member can be rotated instead of the pressing member.

  The gaming machine fixing mechanism of the present invention can be mainly used for pachinko machine gaming machines, but various gaming machines other than pachinko machines, etc., as long as they have a structure for fixing rotating members at a time Can be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine as a game machine, 22 ... Game machine base unit, 23 ... Game machine front unit, 61 ... Game board, 62 ... General prize opening, 63 ... Variable prize-winning device, 80 ... Game ball launching mechanism, 84 ... Game Sphere launch handle, 8410 ... Rotating operation body, 8411 ... Handle ring, 8412c ... Through hole, 8415 ... Main drive gear, 8417 ... Rotating main shaft, 8419 ... Biasing spring, 8420 ... Handle base, 8423 ... Bearing portion, 8430 ... Rotating cover , 8433 ... connection boss part a, 8433b ... display part, 8440 ... connection support member, 8441a, 8441b ... boss part, 8443 ... shaft hole, 8445 ... attachment hole, 8450, 8450 ₁ , 8450 ₂ ... fixing mechanism, 8460, 8460 _1, 8460 2 _... rotary pressing member, 8469 ... screw hole, 8461 ... peripheral wall, 8463 ... periphery 8 64 ... curved portion, 8465 ... straight portion, m ... stepped _portion, 8468 1, 8468 2 _... pressing portion, 8470 ... holding member, 8471 ... holding unit, 8472 ... inner wall, 8473 ... protrusion, 8480,8480 _1, 8480 ₂ ... flexible member, 8489 ... boss portion, 8421 ... flexible portion, 8482 ... divided piece, x ... inner wall surface, y ... outer wall surface, 8487 ... flange portion, 8482a, 8482a ₁ , 8482a ₂ ... insertion portion, 8482b ... Support portion, 8482c ... ridge, n ... engagement step, α ... step

Claims (7)

A gaming machine equipped with a launch operation device operated to launch a game ball toward a game area,
The firing operation device includes:
A handle base attached to the main body of the gaming machine,
A rotating handle that is assembled to the handle base and adjusts the initial firing speed of the game ball based on the angle of the rotating operation;
A fixing mechanism that is assembled to the handle base and the rotary handle, and temporarily prevents return of the rotary handle;
The fixing mechanism is
A substantially disc-shaped pressing member that rotates separately from the rotary handle;
A flexible member that has a flexible piece with which at least a part of a peripheral wall surface of the pressing member contacts, and a base end of which is fixed to the handle base so as to surround the pressing member;
A substantially cylindrical wall portion surrounding the flexible piece, and a holding member whose base end is fixed to the rotary handle,
At least one of a portion of the peripheral wall surface of the pressing member that contacts the flexible piece and a portion of the inner surface of the flexible piece that contacts the pressing portion is rotated from the rotation axis toward the rotation operation direction of the rotary handle. Is formed so that the distance of
The fixing mechanism presses the flexible member to bend outwardly when the pressing member rotated in the same direction as the rotational operation direction of the rotary handle contacts the flexible member. A gaming machine, wherein a member is pressed against a wall portion of the holding member to temporarily restrain movement of the rotary handle.   The circumferential wall surface of the pressing member has a substantially arcuate arc-shaped portion formed over substantially the entire circumference so that the distance from the rotation axis gradually decreases toward the rotational operation direction of the rotary handle, and the longest portion thereof. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the shortest portion is composed of adjacent stepped portions. The total length of the flexible piece in the rotational axis direction is longer than the thickness of the portion in contact with the pressing member,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member is disposed so as to contact a distal end side of the flexible piece.   In the flexible piece, a support portion formed to have a predetermined thickness is provided on the base end side with respect to the portion in contact with the pressing member, regardless of the thickness of the portion in contact with the pressing member. The gaming machine according to claim 3.   The protrusion which protrudes inward in the circumferential direction is formed in the inner peripheral wall of the said flexible piece in order to position the said pressing member in the said rotating shaft direction. 4. The gaming machine according to any one of 4.   The distance from the rotation axis gradually decreases toward the rotation operation direction of the rotary handle so that the fixing mechanism functions by rotating the pressing member in a direction opposite to the rotation operation direction of the rotary handle. 6. Instead of forming so as to be, the distance from the rotation axis is gradually increased toward the rotation operation direction of the rotary handle. The gaming machine described.   The press member is fixed to the handle base instead of the flexible member, and the flexible member can be rotated instead of the press member. The gaming machine described in 1.