JP6674123B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game machine represented by a ball game machine.

  Conventionally, when a special prize mode in which a specific condition is satisfied is performed, a game ball is guided to a guide path of a large prize winning device which is closed in the normal mode by performing an opening / closing operation different from the normal mode. Machines are widely used (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-319361 A

  In the gaming machine having such a configuration, in the game mode in which the game ball can be guided to the guiding path of the special winning device (the special winning mode), the gaming ball can be guided to the guiding path of the special winning device as smoothly as possible. desirable. It is also desirable that a game ball be smoothly guided to a guide path of a winning device other than the winning device.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of guiding a game ball smoothly to a guide path.

In order to solve this problem, the invention described in claim 1 is:
A guide path in which the game medium proceeds in the traveling direction with an inclination,
A first opening provided on a downstream side of the guide passage and displaced from an extension of the guide passage;
A second opening provided downstream of the first opening;
A movable opening / closing lid that can open and close the first opening;
A direction changing unit that is provided between the guide passage and the first opening and changes a direction of the game medium;
The direction changing unit is provided at a position where only a game medium that travels through the guide path, which is set as one as a path of the game medium that can enter the first opening, passes therethrough,
The direction change unit is characterized in that a curved surface that is inclined upward in the advancing direction of the game medium in the guide path is provided so that the game medium can advance upward.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can realize a gaming machine and a winning device that can smoothly guide a game ball to a guide path.

It is a perspective view showing an example of a gaming machine. It is a perspective view showing an example of a gaming machine in an open state. It is a perspective view showing an example of a gaming machine in another open state. It is a perspective view showing an example of a gaming machine in another open state. It is a front view showing an example of a gaming machine. It is a perspective view showing an example of a game board. It is a front view showing an example of a game board. It is a rear view showing an example of a gaming machine. It is a block diagram showing an example of an electric configuration of a gaming machine. It is a perspective view showing an example of a special winning device. It is a partial exploded perspective view showing an example of the special winning device. It is the partial exploded perspective view seen from the right side which shows an example of a big winning device. It is an approximate line figure used for explanation of a game ball course in a normal mode. It is an approximate line figure used for explanation of a game ball course in the 1st big winning mode. It is an approximate line figure used for explanation of a game ball course in the 2nd big winning mode. It is an approximate line figure offered for explanation of a game ball course in submode A of the 2nd big winning mode. It is an approximate line figure offered for explanation of a game ball course in submode B of the 2nd big winning mode. It is an approximate line figure showing the perspective view of the guidance passage front member. It is an approximate line figure showing the composition of the guidance passage back face plate. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an opening. It is an approximate line figure showing composition (1) of the 2nd guidance passage. It is an approximate line figure showing composition (2) of the 2nd guidance passage. It is an approximate line figure used for explanation of guidance to a branch guidance passage. It is an approximate line figure showing the composition of a branch guidance passage. It is an approximate line figure used for explanation of the composition of a direction change part.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, a specific example of the ball-and-ball game machine will be described as the game machine, but the design may be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  The gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. 1 to 4 are perspective views illustrating an example of the gaming machine 100. FIG. 1 illustrates a closed state of the gaming machine 100. FIG. 2 illustrates a front block 102 and an intermediate block 103 with respect to an outer frame 101. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the front block 102 is opened with respect to the intermediate block 103, and FIG. 4 shows a state in which the rear block 104 is opened with respect to the intermediate block 103. Is shown. In addition, various wirings are omitted in FIGS. 2 to 4, and a detailed configuration of the game board 400 is omitted in FIG. 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the gaming machine 100 can open and close the outer frame 101, the front block 102, the intermediate block 103, the rear block 104, and the intermediate block 103 with respect to the outer frame 101. An intermediate block supporting mechanism for detachably supporting, a front block supporting mechanism for supporting the front block 102 so as to be able to open and close and detachably with respect to the intermediate block 103, and a rear block 104 capable of opening and closing and detachable for the intermediate block 103. And a rear block support mechanism for supporting the rear block.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the outer frame 101 is a substantially quadrangular frame body in which a top plate 111, a bottom plate 112, a left side plate 113, and a right side plate 114 are assembled, and is provided in a game hall where the gaming machine 100 is installed. It is fitted into the provided gaming machine installation equipment (commonly called “island equipment”: not shown) and is firmly fixed by a fixture (not shown). The outer frame 101 further includes a pedestal plate 115 on which the intermediate block 103 is placed when the intermediate block 103 is closed with respect to the outer frame 101. The top plate 111 and the bottom plate 112 are made of wood, the left side plate 113 and the right side plate 114 are made of a metal material having higher rigidity than wood, and the pedestal plate 115 is made of a resin material.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate block support mechanism includes an upper bearing structure 121 and a lower shaft structure 122 provided on the outer frame 101, and an upper shaft structure 126 and a lower shaft structure 126 provided on the intermediate block 103. A side bearing structure 127 is provided, and the intermediate block 103 is mounted by mounting the upper shaft structure 126 and the lower shaft structure 122 to the upper bearing structure 121 and the lower bearing structure 127, respectively. It is supported on the outer frame 101.

  The front block support mechanism includes, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3, an upper shaft structure 131 (FIG. 3 only) and a lower shaft structure 132 (FIG. 1 only) provided in the intermediate block 103. An upper bearing structure 133 (FIG. 3 only) and a lower bearing structure 134 (FIG. 1 only) provided in the block 102 are provided, and the upper bearing structure 133 and the lower bearing structure 134 respectively include: The front block 102 is supported by the intermediate block 103 by being mounted on the upper shaft structure 131 and the lower shaft structure 132. Similarly, the rear block support mechanism is provided in the upper block 136 and the lower bearing structure 137 (see FIG. 7) provided in the intermediate block 103 and in the front block 102, as shown in FIG. And an upper shaft structure 138 and a lower shaft structure 139 (see FIG. 7). The upper shaft structure 138 and the lower shaft structure 139 are respectively an upper bearing structure 136 and a lower bearing structure. By being attached to the body 137, the rear block 104 is supported with respect to the intermediate block 103.

  Also, the gaming machine 100 has an intermediate block locking mechanism for restricting opening and closing of the intermediate block 103 with respect to the outer frame 101, a front block locking mechanism for restricting opening and closing of the front block 102 with respect to the intermediate block 103, an intermediate block locking mechanism and a front block. And a lock opening / closing operation mechanism operated to open and close the locking mechanism. As shown in FIG. 3, the lock cylinder opening / closing operation mechanism provided in the intermediate block 103 and exposed to the front side of the gaming machine 100 through the opening 102A of the front block 102 has a predetermined position with respect to the key cylinder 141 (see also FIG. 1). In response to a clockwise rotation operation by an operation key (not shown), the movable claw 143 of the intermediate block locking mechanism provided on the intermediate block 103 operates, and the fixed claw 142 of the intermediate block locking mechanism provided on the outer frame 101. The engagement between the movable block 143 of the intermediate block locking mechanism provided on the intermediate block 103 and the movable block 143 is released, and the intermediate block 103 is opened and closed with respect to the outer frame 101. On the other hand, in response to the left rotation operation of the key cylinder 141 by a predetermined operation key, the movable claw 144 of the front block locking mechanism provided on the intermediate block 103 and the fixed claw 145 of the front block locking mechanism provided on the front block 102 Is released, and the front block 102 is opened and closed with respect to the intermediate block 103.

  In addition, the gaming machine 100 includes a rear block opening / closing restriction mechanism that restricts opening / closing of the rear block 104 with respect to the intermediate block 103. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the rear block opening / closing restricting mechanism includes three opening / closing restricting portions 150 </ b> A to 150 </ b> C, each of which is provided on the intermediate block 103 and formed on the rear block 104. In response to a rotation operation on a rotating piece 151 protruding to the back side of the gaming machine 100 through the opening 104A, an opening / closing allowance that allows the rotating piece 151 to pass through the opening 104A from an opening / closing prohibited position where the rotating piece 151 cannot pass through the opening 104A. When the intermediate block 103 is moved to the position, the sandwiched pieces 152A to 152C formed on the rear block 104 by the intermediate block 103 and the rotating piece 151 are released, and the rear block 104 is opened and closed with respect to the intermediate block 103. .

  In addition, the gaming machine 100 includes a game ball movement restriction mechanism for restricting the movement of the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102. As shown in FIG. 3, the game ball movement regulation mechanism is provided on the intermediate block 103 and urged toward the front block 102 side, a flow-down regulation piece 161, and a regulation change protrusion 162 provided on the front block 102. The movement of the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102 is caused by the movement in which the flow-down regulating piece 161 is pressed toward the intermediate block 103 by the regulation change protrusion 162 in the closed state of the front block 102 with respect to the intermediate block 103. On the other hand, when the front block 102 is opened with respect to the intermediate block 103, the flow-down regulating piece 161 is released from the pressing by the regulation changing protrusion 162 and is positioned at the movement prohibiting position where the pressure regulating protrusion 162 projects toward the front block 102. Prohibited by doing so.

  Further, the gaming machine 100 is provided with an interval regulating mechanism for strictly maintaining a constant interval between a later-described central panel 220 in the front block 102 and a later-described gaming board 400 in the intermediate block 103. As shown in FIG. 3, the interval regulating mechanism is provided on the center panel 220, and a projecting piece 171 projecting toward the opening / closing axis side of the intermediate block 103 and the front block 102 on the back side of the front block 102; A protruding piece 172 that is provided on the front side of the intermediate block 103 and protrudes on the side opposite to the opening / closing axis side of the intermediate block 103. Enters the rear side of the projecting piece 172, and finally, the front face of the projecting piece 171 and the rear face of the projecting piece 172 abut against each other in the closed state of the front block 102 with respect to the intermediate block 103.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine 100 includes an open / close detection switch 108 for detecting whether the intermediate block 103 is opened or closed with respect to the outer frame 101, and an open / close detection switch 108 shown in FIG. As described above, the open / close detection switch 109 for detecting whether or not the front block 102 is closed with respect to the intermediate block 103 is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the front block 102 has a base frame 201 having an opening 201A (only in FIG. 3) and an opening provided on the front side of the base frame 201 and communicating with a part of the opening 201A. A front panel 210 having 210A (FIG. 1 only), a central panel 220 provided on the back side of the base frame 201 so as to close the opening 201A, and a main storage mechanism 230 (FIG. 1 only) for storing game balls. An auxiliary storage mechanism 240 (FIG. 1 only) for storing game balls, and a launch operated by a player to sequentially launch game balls stored in the main storage mechanism 230 to the game board 400 (FIG. 3 only). And an operating device 250 (FIG. 1 only).

  As shown in FIG. 1, front panel 210 has an opening peripheral portion 211 around the opening 210 </ b> A, an upper projecting portion 217 that projects forward below opening peripheral portion 211, and in which main storage mechanism 230 is arranged. A lower protruding portion 218 protruding forward below the upper protruding portion 217 and having the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 disposed thereon, and a flat portion being substantially flat to the right of the lower protruding portion 218 and having the firing operation device 250 disposed thereon. 219.

  As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3, the central panel 220 includes a panel frame 221 (only FIG. 3) attached from the rear side of the base frame 201 and a light-transmitting front fitted into the panel frame 221. A plate 222 (FIG. 1 only) and a light-transmissive rear plate 223 (FIG. 3 only) fitted into the panel frame 221 substantially parallel to the front plate 222 with a predetermined gap therebetween. In addition, the projecting piece 171 of the above-mentioned interval regulating mechanism is formed integrally with the panel frame 221.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main storage mechanism 230 has a storage tub having an inflow port 231A for a game ball, an outflow port (not shown), and a discharge port (not shown) formed upstream of the outflow port. 231, a ball-pulling mechanism for switching the discharge destination of the game ball released from the storage tub 231 by opening and closing the discharge port between the outflow port and the discharge port, and a ball-pulling operation member 232 that operates the ball-pulling mechanism. Have. The game balls obtained in accordance with the progress of the game and the game balls lent out in accordance with a lending operation to the lending operation device 292 described later flow into the storage tub 231 mainly through the inflow port 231A, and the game spheres flowing into the storage tub 231 While being aligned in a line, they are sequentially guided in the direction in which the outlet and the outlet are formed (to the right in FIG. 5). When the ball removing operation (pressing operation) is not performed on the ball removing operation member 232, the game ball is guided to a later-described firing device 330 (see FIG. 3) in the intermediate block 103 through the outlet. On the other hand, when the ball removing operation is being performed on the ball removing operation member 232, the game ball is guided to the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 (see FIG. 1) through the discharge port.

  As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 5, the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 includes a storage tub 241 having an inflow port 241A (only in FIG. 5) and a discharge port 241B for a game ball, and a ball removal mechanism 243 for opening and closing the discharge port 241B. And a ball removing operation member 242 for operating the ball removing mechanism 243. The game balls and the like obtained in accordance with the progress of the game mainly flow into the main storage mechanism 230, but if the storage tub 231 is full, flow into the storage tub 241 through the inflow port 241A, and also perform the ball removal operation for the ball removal operation member 232. Game balls guided from the storage tub 231 according to the operation flow into the storage tub 241 through the inflow port 241C. The bottom of the storage tub 241 is inclined on the mortar toward the discharge port 241B, and is stored in the storage tub 241 by opening the discharge port 241B in response to the ball-pulling operation (right sliding operation) on the ball-pulling operation member 242. All the gaming balls that have been set can be sequentially discharged to the outside of the gaming machine 100. When the release port 241B is completely opened by the ball-pulling-out operation member 242, the state is maintained until the ball-pulling-out operation member 242 is returned (pressing operation or slight left sliding operation). Is maintained. A ball overflow switch 249 (see FIG. 9) for detecting whether or not game balls are excessively stored in the storage tub 241 is provided behind the inflow port 241A.

  The firing operation device 250 includes a pedestal 251 protruding forward from the flat portion 219 of the front panel 210 and a rotatable firing handle 252 provided around the pedestal 251 as shown in FIGS. A variable resistor 253 (see FIG. 9) for detecting the amount of rotation of the firing handle 252, a contact sensor 254 (see FIG. 9) for detecting that the player is in contact with the firing handle 252, A fire stop switch 255 (only in FIG. 5) that is operated and invalidates the ejection of the game ball due to the rotation operation of the firing handle 252. In response to a rotation operation of the firing handle 252 by the player, a game ball is fired from the firing device 330 (see FIG. 3) with an intensity corresponding to the rotation operation amount. Note that when the contact sensor 254 has not detected contact between the firing handle 252 and the player, or when the firing operation has been disabled by operating the firing stop switch 255, the firing handle 252 has been rotated. However, the game ball is not ejected from the firing device 330.

  The front block 102 includes a light emitting device group provided on the base frame 201 and disposed behind the opening peripheral portion 211 of the front panel 210. As shown in FIG. The upper central portion 211A of the portion 211, the upper left corner 211B to the left of the upper central portion 211A, the upper right corner 211C to the right of the upper central portion 211A, the left middle portion 211D below the upper left corner 211B, and the upper right corner. The upper center frame light emitting device 271, the upper left frame light emitting device 272, the upper right frame light emitting device 273, the left middle frame light emitting device 274, and the right middle frame light emitting device 275 arranged corresponding to each of the right middle portions 211E below the portion 211C. (See FIG. 9).

  In addition, the front block 102 includes an acoustic device 280 provided on the base frame 201 and disposed behind the opening peripheral portion 211 of the front panel 210. The acoustic device 280 is located on the upper left corner formed on the opening peripheral portion 211. An upper left sound output unit 281 and an upper right sound output unit 282 are provided at the back of the sound output port 211F and the upper right sound output port 211G, respectively.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the front block 102 includes a game ball lending device 290 provided on the upper protrusion 217, and the game ball lending device 290 is arranged on the side of the gaming machine 100. A frequency display device (not shown) for displaying a numerical value according to the balance of a bill or a card inserted into a card unit (not shown) which is not a component of the gaming machine 100; Lending operation device 292 operated by the player, and return operation device 293 operated by the player when returning the bills, cards, and the like inserted into the card unit. When a lending operation is performed on the lending operation device 292 in a valid state in which numerical values corresponding to the amounts are inserted into the card unit by inserting bills, cards, or the like into the card unit, a predetermined value is determined according to the lending operation. The number of game balls is lent from the payout device 540 of the rear block 104, and the display of the frequency display device is updated with the rent of the game balls. On the other hand, when a return operation is performed on the return operation device 293 in the valid state, a card in which a banknote equivalent or a balance corresponding to the balance is recorded is returned from the card unit in accordance with the return operation.

  The intermediate block 103 is, as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, a base frame 301 having an opening (not shown), and a game board 400 (FIG. 3) attached to the front side of the base frame 301 to cover the opening. Only), a game board support mechanism for rotatably and detachably supporting the game board 400 with respect to the base frame 301, a game board fixing mechanism for fixing the position of the game board 400 with respect to the base frame 301, and a game. A launching device 330 (FIG. 3 only) for injecting a game ball into the board 400, a mount 360 provided on the rear side of the game board 400 (FIG. 4 only), and a game progress mounted on the mount 360 are comprehensively managed. And a sub-controller 390 (only FIG. 4) for controlling game effects and state notification based on commands from the main controller 370.

  The base frame 301 includes a guide path 301A for guiding the game balls released from the payout device 540 (see FIG. 7) to the front block 102, frame light emitting devices 271 to 275 provided on the base frame 201 of the front block 102, and sound. A hole (not shown) for electrically connecting the device 280 to the main control device 370 or the sub control device 390 or an opening based on a cutout of the game board 400 into which a signal relay device (not shown) is inserted. 301B are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the game board 400 has a flat base body 401 having various through holes such as an outlet 401A, and a smoothly curved body extending from the lower left to the upper right of the base 401. An outer rail 402 for guiding the game ball fired from the inner rail 403, an inner rail 403 smoothly curved from the lower right to the upper left of the base 401, and an outer rail 402 and an inner rail 403 attached to the upper left end of the inner rail 403. A return ball preventing mechanism 404 that prevents a game ball released from a launch path 401B formed at a portion where the rail 403 faces in parallel and returns to the launch path 401B, and is attached to the upper right end of the outer rail 402. A recoil prevention member 405 for preventing a large rebound of a game ball moving to the left beyond the center of the game board 400, and a portion outside the outer rail 402 constituting a launch path 401B. And a protection member 406 for protecting the. As shown in FIG. 3, there is a gap between the outer rail 402 and the guide member 335 that guides the game ball from the launching device 330 to the launching path 401 </ b> B. A game ball that returns to the firing path 401B without exceeding 404 is formed in the base frame 201, and is returned from the inflow port 241C (see FIG. 5) via the return ball path 201B disposed below the gap. 240 (see FIG. 5). The structure provided in the substantially circular game area which is generally divided by the outer rail 402 and the inner rail 403 and in which the game ball beyond the return ball prevention mechanism 404 is movable will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the game board support mechanism is formed on a support shaft 311 provided on the protection member 406 and the base frame 301, and is provided with a part of the base 401 of the game board 400 placed thereon. It is configured by a bearing portion 313 that engages with the placing portion 312 and the support shaft portion 311, and supports the game board 400 rotatably and detachably. In the case where the game board 400 is rotatably supported, after the game board 400 is rotated by a predetermined angle or more, if the game board 400 is tilted from the rotation axis with a portion of the base 401 that comes into contact with the mounting portion 312 as a fulcrum, The engagement between the shaft portion 311 and the bearing portion 313 is released. Thereby, the game board 400 can be detached from the base frame 301. Conversely, when the game board 400 is mounted on the base frame 301, after a predetermined portion of the game board 400 is mounted on the mounting section 312, the support shaft 311 is engaged with the bearing 313.

  The game board fixing mechanism includes three fixing members 320 (only two fixing members are shown in FIG. 3) provided on the base frame 301, and each of them protrudes forward from the base frame 301. A rotatable rotating shaft (not shown), and an insertion / removal prohibition position which is fixed to the tip of the rotating shaft and cannot pass through a cutout portion 401C (see FIG. 6) formed in a base 401 of the game board 400. A rotating piece 322 that takes an insertion / removal allowance position that can pass through the notch 401C, a pressing plate (not shown) disposed rearward of the rotating piece 322, and a pressing force when the rotating piece 322 is in the insertion / removal prohibition position. An urging member (not shown) for urging the plate toward the rotating piece 322; In the attachment / detachment prohibited state in which the game board 400 is fixed to the base frame 301, the rotating piece 322 projects forward of the base 401 through the cutout portion 401C and is in the insertion / extraction prohibited position. It is held in a pressed state by the piece 322 and the pressing plate. Thus, since the positioning of the game board 400 in the front-rear direction with respect to the base frame 301 can be accurately performed, it is possible to prevent the movement of the game ball from the guide member 335 to the firing passage 401B from being hindered. When the turning piece 322 is rotated from the insertion / removal prohibition position to the insertion / removal allowance position where the turning piece 322 can pass through the notch 401C in response to the rotation operation on the turning piece 322, the urging of the pressing plate from the urging member is performed. Then, the holding of the base 401 by the rotating piece 322 and the pressing plate is released. When all the rotating pieces 322 of the fixtures 320 are in the insertion / removal allowable posture, the game board 400 can be freely rotated with respect to the base frame 301. Conversely, when the game board 400 is fixed to the base frame 301, the game board 400 is rotated in a state where all of the turning pieces 322 of the fixtures 320 are in the insertion / removal allowable posture, and each turning piece is cut out. After passing through 401C, the rotating pieces 322 of all the fixing devices 320 are rotated to the insertion / extraction prohibition posture.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the launching device 330 includes a ball feed mechanism 331 that sequentially sends game balls stored in the main storage mechanism 230 to a firing position, and a ball feed solenoid 332 (which drives the ball feed mechanism 331 ( FIG. 9), a firing mechanism 333 that ejects a game ball placed at the firing position, a firing solenoid 334 (see FIG. 9) that drives the firing mechanism 333, and a game ball fired from the firing mechanism 333. And a guide member 335 for guiding the launch path 401 </ b> B. The firing device 330 operates according to the firing operation on the firing operation device 250 as described above.

  The mounting base 360 is rotatably supported on the base frame 301 via a support mechanism.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the main control device 370 includes a main control board 920 (see FIG. 9) and a two-part board case 371 that houses the main control board 920. The main control board 920 is sealed in the board case 371 so that it cannot be opened without leaving a trace of opening.

  The sub-control device 390 includes a sub-control board 940 (see FIG. 9) and a two-part board case 391 that accommodates the sub-control board 940. The sub-control board 940 is sealed in the board case 391. Have been.

  Here, in the game board 400, various structures provided on the base 401 and arranged in the game area will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating an example of the game board. As shown in FIG. 6, the game board 400 has a flow-down changing member such as a nail 411 or a windmill 412 that changes the flow direction or the flow speed of the game ball, and is disposed substantially at the center of the base 401, and has an entrance ( (Not shown), a center frame 420 for guiding a game ball flowing in from the vicinity of the first starting winning device 431, a first starting winning device 431 disposed immediately below the center of the center frame 420, and a first starting winning device. A first start winning switch 441 (see FIG. 9) for detecting a game ball entering 431, a second start winning device 432 disposed immediately below the first start winning device 431, and a second start winning device 432 are entered. The second start winning switch 442 (see FIG. 9) for detecting the played game ball, the big winning device 433 arranged to the right of the first starting winning device 431 and the second starting winning device 432, and the big winning device 43 Big win switches 443, 61 (see FIGS. 9 and 15 to 17) for detecting a game ball that has entered the game device, a start device 436, and a start switch 446 for detecting a game ball that has entered the start device 436 (see FIG. 9). ), A plurality of general prize devices 438, general prize switches 448 and 449 (see FIG. 9) for detecting a game ball that has entered one of the general prize devices 438, a magnetic sensor 491, and a vibration sensor 492. ing. The game ball that has entered the center frame 420 and the starting device 436 is released to the game area, but the game ball that has entered the first starting winning device 431, the second starting winning device 432, the large winning device 433, and the general winning device 438. It is guided through a through hole formed in the base 401 to a collection / discharge passage (not shown) formed on the back side of the base 401. In addition, game balls that have not entered the first start winning device 431, the second start winning device 432, the large winning device 433, and the general winning device 438 are guided to a collection / discharge path (not shown) through the discharge port 401A. The game balls guided to the collection / discharge passage are discharged from the game machine 100 to a game ball circulation device provided in a game machine installation facility (not shown). When a game ball enters any of the first start winning device 431, the second start winning device 432, the large winning device 433, and the general winning device 438, a predetermined number of game balls according to the type of the device are paid out. It will be paid out from the device 540.

  Each of the first start winning device 431 and the general winning device 438 has a structure for guiding the entered game ball to the back side of the base 401 without changing the probability of the game ball entering the device. On the other hand, the second start winning device 432 includes a movable blade 452 that changes the entry probability by transitioning between the entry allowable position and the entry prevention position, and a blade opening / closing solenoid 462 (see FIG. 9) that drives the movable blade 452. Have. When the movable blade 452 is in the approach allowable position, the game ball can enter the second start winning device 432, but when the movable blade 452 is in the approach preventing position, the game ball cannot enter the second start winning device 432. . The movable blade 452 responds to the operation of the blade opening / closing solenoid 462 when the game ball enters the starting device 436, more precisely, when a winning lottery by the main control board 920 accompanying the detection of the game ball by the start switch 446 is won. The state is shifted to the approach allowable posture for a predetermined number of times and for a predetermined time. The details of the special winning device 433 will be described later.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the gaming board 400 displays the first special symbol in a fluctuating manner with the jackpot lottery related to the first special symbol, or stops the first special symbol according to the lottery result. The first special symbol display device 471 that confirms and displays the second special symbol with the big hit lottery related to the second special symbol, and the second special symbol is stopped and displayed according to the lottery result. A second special symbol display device 472 for confirming and displaying, a first special symbol reservation display device 476 provided on the center frame 420 for displaying the reservation status of the jackpot lottery right related to the first special symbol, and a center frame 420 And a second special symbol holding display device 477 for displaying a state of holding the right of the jackpot lottery related to the second special symbol. A maximum of four jackpot lottery rights pertaining to the first special symbol and the second special symbol are reserved. In addition, when the right of the jackpot lottery related to the first special symbol is reserved to the maximum, even if the game ball enters the first starting winning device 431, the right is not added to the game ball. Similarly, when the right of the jackpot lottery related to the second special symbol is reserved to the maximum, even if the game ball enters the second starting winning device 432, the right is not added to the game ball.

  The first special symbol display device 471 includes two light emitting units 471A and 471B capable of emitting light in a plurality of colors, and the display is controlled by the main control board 920 (see FIG. 9). The first special symbol is represented by a light emitting pattern (a combination of light emitting colors) of the light emitting units 471A and 471B. Like the first special symbol display device 471, the second special symbol display device 472 includes two light-emitting portions 471A and 471B capable of emitting light in a plurality of colors, and is displayed by the main control board 920 (see FIG. 9). Is controlled. The second special symbol is represented by a light emitting pattern (a combination of light emitting colors) of the light emitting units 472A and 472B. The first special symbol hold display device 476 and the second special symbol hold display device 477 are various types of lottery depending on the combination of the light emitting states (off, on, blinking) of the two single-color LEDs 476A and 476B and the two single-color LEDs 477A and 477B, respectively. Displays the number of pending rights for.

  Also, the game board 400 is provided on the center frame 420, and displays a normal symbol in a variable manner or a fixed symbol according to a result of the lottery. The display device 473 includes a display device 473 and a normal symbol hold display device 478 provided on the center frame 420 and displaying a hold status of a winning lottery right related to the normal symbol. Up to four lottery rights per normal symbol are reserved. In addition, when the right of the lottery pertaining to the normal symbol is reserved to the maximum, even if the game ball enters the starting device 436, the right is not added to the entry of the game ball.

  The ordinary symbol display device 473 includes two light emitting units 473A and 473B capable of emitting light in a plurality of colors, and the display is controlled by the main control board 920 (see FIG. 9). The normal symbol is represented by a light emitting pattern (a combination of light emitting colors) of the light emitting units 473A and 473B. In addition, the ordinary symbol hold display device 478 displays the number of lottery rights held by a combination of the light emitting states (off, on, blinking) of the two single-color LEDs 478A and 478B.

  In addition, the game board 400 is provided on the center frame 420, and displays a decorative symbol in a fluctuating manner or a fixed display of the decorative symbol in accordance with a jackpot lottery relating to one of the first special symbol and the second special symbol. A decorative pattern display device 479 is provided. The variable display and the fixed display of the decorative symbol based on the control by the sub control board 940 are substantially synchronized with the variable display and the fixed display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol by the main control board 920. In the variation display of the decorative symbol, a more complicated effect is executed than in the variation display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol.

  Here, operations of various devices of the game board 400 will be described. Prior to the description, various game states and transitions between the game states will be described. In the normal gaming state (normal gaming state), the jackpot winning probability of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is low, and the fluctuation display time of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is long ( Hereinafter, it is also referred to as a “low probability non-time saving state”). The gaming state changes based on the jackpot winning. There are five types of jackpots pertaining to the first special symbol: standard probability jackpot, sudden probability jackpot, latent probability jackpot, standard time jackpot, and sudden time jackpot. The type of jackpot related to the second special symbol is the standard probability jackpot. , And two types of standard time college hits. When the player wins the standard probability jackpot or the sudden probability jackpot, the gaming state is such that the special winning device 433 is once intermittently allowed (the opening / closing door 52 or the opening / closing shutter 54 is intermittently allowed). ) It shifts to the special game state, and after the special game state ends, the jackpot probability of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is higher than the normal game state, and the first special symbol and the second special symbol are displayed. A transition is made to a game state in which the variable display time is shorter than the normal game state (hereinafter, referred to as a “high probability time reduction state”). The high probability time reduction state is maintained until the next jackpot win. Also, in the case of winning the latent probability change big hit, after once shifting to the special gaming state, the big hit winning probability of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is higher than the normal gaming state, the first special symbol A transition is made to a gaming state in which the variable display time of the symbol or the second special symbol is the same as the normal gaming state (hereinafter, referred to as a “high-probability non-saving time state”). The high probability non-time saving state is maintained until the next jackpot winning. In the case of winning the standard time savings jackpot, after the transition to the special gaming state, the jackpot winning probability for the first special symbol and the second special symbol is the same low probability as the normal gaming state, the first special symbol And a game state (hereinafter, referred to as a “low-probability time-saving state”) in which the variable display time of the second special symbol is the same as the normal game state. The low probability reduction time state is maintained until a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times) of unit display control related to one of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is completed, and thereafter, the gaming state is changed to the normal gaming state. Return. In the case of a large hit in the high-probability time-short state and the high-probability non-time-short state, one of the probable big hits (standard probable big hit, sudden probable big hit) , The probability of distributing to the big odds of latent probability) is large. Hereinafter, the operation of various devices of the game board 400 will be described in chronological order.

  On the main control board 920, a winning random number relating to a special symbol (common to the first special symbol and the second special symbol), a symbol random number relating to the special symbol (common to the first special symbol and the second special symbol), a stop pattern random number, Various variation pattern random numbers are generated, and in various game states, when a game ball enters the first starting winning device 431, a winning random number related to a special symbol, a symbol random number related to a special symbol, and a stop pattern random number are acquired. Thus, it is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control board 920. At this time, when the special winning device 433 is not in operation, unless both the first special symbol and the second special symbol are being displayed in a variable display or in a fixed display, immediately after the storing, or in addition to the first special symbol and the second special symbol. If any of the special symbols is displayed in a floating display or in a fixed display, all of the jackpot lottery rights relating to the first special symbol acquired in advance and the previously acquired and subsequent acquired right (2) After all the jackpot lottery rights related to the special symbol have been exhausted, it is determined whether or not a jackpot has been won based on the obtained random numbers related to the special symbol. In addition, the winning probability of the big hit according to the first special symbol is, as described above, specifically, a high probability state (high probability time reduction state, high probability non-time reduction state) or a low probability state depending on the current gaming state. (Low-probability time-saving state, low-probability non-time-saving state). Specifically, the winning probability of a big hit in the high-probability state is higher than the winning probability of the big hit in the low-probability state. When the big hit is won, the stop symbol of the first special symbol is further determined based on the symbol random number related to the acquired special symbol. Depending on the type of the stop symbol, it is determined which of the standard probability big hit, the sudden probability variable hit, the latent probability variable big hit, the standard time saving big hit and the sudden time saving big hit. Note that the distribution probability of various big hits varies depending on the current game state, specifically, depending on whether the game is in a high probability state or a low probability state. The distribution probability to the big hit, the sudden change big hit, the latent probability big hit) is higher in the high probability state than in the low probability state. On the other hand, when a big hit is lost and a small hit is won, a small hit symbol is set as a stop symbol, and when no small hit is won, a lost symbol is set as a stop symbol. You.

  After the jackpot lottery related to the first special symbol, the current gaming state, the lottery result of the jackpot lottery, the random number of the stop pattern, various fluctuation pattern random numbers, the total reservation of the right to the jackpot lottery related to the first special symbol and the second special symbol The change display time of the first special symbol is determined based on the number, and the change pattern of the decorative symbol is selected. After that, the variable display of the first special symbol on the first special symbol display device 471 and the variable display of the decorative symbol on the decorative symbol display device 479 (fluctuation effect) are started, and the first special symbol is displayed over the variable display time. In this case, the variable display according to the fixed pattern is continued, and in the case of the decorative design, the variable display is executed according to the variable pattern over the variable display time. As the variable display time elapses, the stop symbol is fixedly displayed as the first special symbol, and the symbol corresponding to the stop symbol of the first special symbol is definitely displayed as the decorative symbol. The fixed display of the first special symbol and the decorative symbol is continued for a certain period of time.

  When the stop symbol of the first special symbol is the big hit symbol, the game state shifts from the normal mode to the special game state (large winning mode) after the display of the first special symbol is confirmed. In the special game state, the opening / closing mechanism of the special winning device 433 intermittently moves to the entry allowable arrangement a predetermined number of times. After shifting to the entry allowable arrangement, the large prize winning device 433 is set depending on whether a predetermined number (for example, 10 balls) of game balls enter the large prize winning device 433 or when a predetermined maximum opening time has elapsed. Move to Intrusion Prevention configuration. Thereafter, after the elapse of the predetermined closing time, the special winning device 433 again shifts to the entry allowable arrangement. This opening and closing operation is repeated a predetermined number of times. The number of repetitions of the opening / closing operation in accordance with the shift of the special winning device 433 to the entry allowable arrangement, the maximum opening time to stay in the entry allowable arrangement, and the like vary depending on the type of the big hit (the type of stop symbol). Specifically, in the special game state based on the standard probability variable jackpot and the standard time saving jackpot, the opening / closing operation in which the maximum opening time is 29.5 seconds and the closing time is 2.0 seconds is repeated 16 times. Note that, after a standby time (opening time) of 10.0 seconds from the start of the special game state, the transition to the first entry allowable arrangement is started, and 15.0 seconds from the transition to the 16th entry inhibition arrangement. After the waiting time (ending time), the special game state ends. On the other hand, in the special game state based on the sudden change big hit, the latent change big hit and the sudden time saving big hit, the opening and closing operation in which the maximum opening time is 0.8 seconds and the closing time is 2.0 seconds is repeated only twice. In addition, after a standby time (opening time) of 3.2 seconds from the start of the special game state, the first movement to the approach allowable arrangement is started, and 3.2 seconds from the second movement to the approach prevention position. After the waiting time (ending time), the special game state ends. After the end of the special game state, as described above, the game state is shifted to the game state according to the type of the big hit.

  When the stop symbol of the first special symbol is a small hit symbol or a lost symbol, the game state is not changed even after the final display of the first special symbol. However, when a small hit is won, the big prize winning device 433 operates in the same manner as in the special game state based on the sudden change big hit, the latent change big hit and the sudden time saving big hit.

  In the above description, the case where the right of the jackpot lottery according to the first special symbol is exhausted has been described, but also in the case where the right of the jackpot lottery according to the second special symbol has been exhausted, the type of the jackpot is as described above. Except that the first special symbol is different from the second special symbol and that the right of the jackpot lottery related to the second special symbol is digested in preference to the right of the jackpot lottery related to the first special symbol. Since it is almost the same as the case of the one special symbol, the first special symbol and the second special symbol are replaced with the second special symbol and the first special symbol, respectively, and the repeated description is omitted.

  In various game states, when a game ball enters the starting device 436, a winning random number related to a normal symbol is obtained and stored in a predetermined area of a RAM (not shown) of the main control board 920. At this time, in the case where the second start winning device 432 is not in operation, immediately after the normal symbol is not in the variable display or the fixed display, immediately before the normal symbol is in the variable display or the fixed display, the preceding is performed. After all the winning lottery rights that have been acquired have been consumed, it is determined whether or not a winning has been won based on the winning random number associated with the acquired ordinary symbol. Depending on the gaming state at the time of determination, the winning probability per hit is, specifically, a time reduction state (high probability reduction state, low probability reduction state) or a non-reduction state (low probability non reduction state, high probability non reduction state, (Special game state), and the winning probability in the time reduction state is higher than in the non-time reduction state. When a winning is won, a predetermined winning symbol is set as a stop symbol, and when no winning is won, a predetermined losing symbol is set as a stop symbol. After the winning lottery, the fluctuation display of the ordinary symbols is started, and in the non-time reduction state, the fluctuation display in a fixed pattern is continued for a predetermined fluctuation display time (for example, 3.0 seconds), and the time reduction state is set. In the meantime, the fluctuation display in the same pattern as in the normal game state is continued for a predetermined fluctuation display time (for example, 0.5 seconds) shorter than the non-time saving state. With a lapse of a predetermined time according to the game state, a stop symbol is fixedly displayed as a normal symbol for a certain period of time.

  When the stop symbol of the normal symbol is a hit symbol, the movable blade 452 of the second starting winning device 432 shifts to the approach allowable posture at least once after the normal symbol is confirmed and displayed. Specifically, in the case of the winning in the non-time saving state, the movable blade 452 typically enters a predetermined number of times (for example, once) for a predetermined maximum opening time (for example, 0.2 seconds). In the case of winning in the time-saving state after shifting to the allowable posture, the movable blade 452 typically has a predetermined maximum opening time (for example, three times) longer than the non-time-saving state, which is longer than the non-time-saving state. (For example, 1.9 seconds). However, when a predetermined number (for example, 10 balls) of game balls have entered the second starting winning device 432, the movable blade 452 forcibly shifts to the entry blocking state, and the movable blade 452 is movable based on the current winning. The operation of the blade 452 ends.

  The game board 400 includes a board light-emitting device 490 (see FIG. 9) provided on the back side of various structures, and the board light-emitting device 490 controls various types of game progress according to the control by the sub-control board 940. A light emission effect and state notification by light emission are executed.

  The rear block 104 will be described. 7 and 8 are a perspective view and a rear view, respectively, illustrating an example of a gaming machine. 7 and 8, the rear block 104 is attached to the base 501, a support mechanism for supporting the base 501 so that the base 501 can be opened and closed with respect to the intermediate block 103, and a game machine fixing facility. A game ball tank 510 that stores game balls supplied from a game ball (not shown), and a game ball that is attached to the base 501 at the downstream side of the game ball tank 510 and rectifies the stacked and stored game balls into two lines. A tank rail 520 arranged in a row, a case rail 530 attached to the base 501 on the downstream side of the tank rail 520 to guide game balls flowing from the tank rail 520, and a case rail 530 on the downstream side of the case rail 530. A payout device 540 for paying out and renting out game balls, and attached to the base 501 on the downstream side of the payout device 540. A guide member 550 for guiding the game balls flowing out of the payout device 540 to a guide path (not shown) formed in the base 501, and a payout control device 560 for controlling the payout of the game balls and the lending of the game balls by the payout device 540. In addition to converting the external power into power of a predetermined voltage required by various devices and the like and outputting the same, the injection of game balls based on the firing operation on the firing operation device 250 is controlled in cooperation with the main control board 920. A relay for relaying signals between the power supply / launch control device 900, the payout control device 560, the game ball lending device 290 (see FIG. 1), and a card unit (not shown) arranged beside the gaming machine 100. Device 950.

  The base 501 is integrally formed of a resin (for example, an ABS resin), and includes a substantially flat base 502 and a protective cover 503 protruding rearward from the base 502. The left and right sides and the upper part of the protective cover part 503 are closed, and only a part of the lower part is open. On the back surface of the protective cover 503, a large number of ventilation holes 502A for improving the heat radiation of the heat generated by the main control device 370 and the sub control device 390 are formed.

  The game ball tank 510 is a horizontally long box-shaped container opened upward, and game balls supplied from a ball circulation device (not shown) of the game machine fixing equipment are sequentially supplied from one end in the longitudinal direction. An opening (not shown) is formed on the bottom surface of one end of the game ball tank 510 in the longitudinal direction different from the side on which the game balls are supplied. The bottom surface of the game ball tank 510 is gently inclined in the longitudinal direction, and the game ball supplied to the game ball tank 510 moves to the opening side by its own weight. In addition, the game ball is inclined more gently with respect to a direction (front-back direction) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and guides the game ball to the front side (the side of the mounting surface to the base 501) dominantly. Further, an antistatic plate 511 (only FIG. 7) covering at least a part of the bottom from one end to which the game ball is supplied from the ball circulation device to the vicinity of the center is attached to the game ball tank 510. 511 is connected to the ground potential.

  The tank rail 520 is attached below the game ball tank 510, and game balls flow into the tank rail 520 through the opening of the game ball tank 510. The tank rail 520 forms a trough-like passage (not shown) in two rows (two rows) partitioned by partitioning pieces (not shown), and a trough-like member 521, and is rotatable with respect to the trough-like member 521. And a pair of rectifying members 522 for rectifying the game balls into two rows while preventing ball clogging of the game balls flowing down the tub-shaped member 521. Each gutter-like passage is gently inclined toward the downstream side, and guides the game ball to the side opposite to the side in which the flow from the game ball tank 510 flows in the longitudinal direction. The rectifying member 522 operates like a pendulum by contact with a game ball.

  The case rail 530 is vertically arranged along one side surface of the protective cover portion 503, and a game ball from the tank rail 520 flows into the case rail 530. The case rail 530 is formed with two ball passages (not shown) that are curved back and forth and right and left with wavy undulations so that game balls do not flow vigorously. A ball out detection switch 539 is mounted on the upstream side of the ball passage. The ball out detection switch 539 is used when the game balls are not sufficiently provided inside the case rail 530, that is, when the ball is clogged on the upstream side of the case rail 530 and the game balls are not supplied to the case rail 530. To detect.

  The payout device 540 includes a delivery mechanism 541 for sending out game balls, and a payout motor 542 for driving the delivery mechanism 541. In response to the operation of the payout motor 542 based on the control by the payout control device 560, the game balls stored in the two ball paths are alternately discharged.

  The payout control device 560 includes a payout control board 930 and a board case that houses the payout control board 930. Like the main control board 920, the payout control board 930 cannot be opened without leaving a trace of opening. Is substantially sealed by the substrate case.

  Next, an electrical configuration of the gaming machine 100 will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electric configuration of the gaming machine. As shown in FIG. 9, the gaming machine 100 includes control devices such as a power supply / emission control device 900, a power supply monitoring board 910, a main control board 920, a payout control board 930, and a sub control board 940. In FIG. 9, a circuit device that only relays various signals is omitted. Hereinafter, these main devices will be described in detail individually.

  The power supply / launch control device 900 includes a power supply unit 901 that supplies power of a predetermined voltage to each unit of the gaming machine 100 via a power supply path (broken line in the drawing), and a launch device in response to operation of the launch operation device 250. A firing control unit 902 for controlling the driving of the 330 and a signal relay unit 903 for relaying an initialization signal from the initialization switch 907 and a ball overflow signal from the ball overflow switch 249 are provided.

  The power supply unit 901 takes in external electric power (for example, AC 24 volts) supplied from the outside and converts it into internal electric power (for example, DC 24 volts), and also uses the internal electric power as a device such as various solenoids and various motors. Power of a driving voltage (for example, 12 VDC) for driving the power supply, power of a control voltage (for example, 5 VDC) for driving various switches and executing control processing, a main control board The power of the backup voltage for retaining the contents of the RAM 920 and the RAM of the payout control board 930 is generated and supplied to the power supply monitoring board 910, the main control board 920, the payout control board 930, the sub control board 940, and the like. I do. Specifically, the power of the internal power, the driving voltage, the control voltage, and the backup voltage are supplied to the power supply monitoring board 910, and the power of the driving voltage, the control voltage, and the backup voltage are supplied to the main control board 920. Is supplied via the power supply monitoring unit 911 of the power supply monitoring board 910, the drive voltage, the control voltage, and the backup voltage are directly supplied to the payout control board 930, and the power is supplied to the sub-control board 940. The power of the driving voltage and the power of the control voltage are directly supplied, and the power of the driving voltage and the power of the control voltage are supplied to the firing control unit 902. A power switch 909 is connected to the power supply unit 901, and when the power switch 909 is in an off state, taking in of external power is stopped. The game can be performed by turning off the power switch 909 or disconnecting a power plug (not shown) connected to the power supply unit 901 via the power switch 909 from an external power supply outlet (not shown). A state in which the supply of power to the inside of the device 100 is stopped or a state in which the supply of external power itself is stopped is collectively referred to as a “power failure state”. The power supply unit 901 is configured to normally output the power of the control voltage for a predetermined period even after shifting to the power failure state. Accordingly, the main control board 920 and the payout control board 930 can save the state so as to return to the current control state and end the control.

  The firing control unit 902 controls the driving of the ball feed solenoid 332 and the firing solenoid 334 of the firing device 330 (see FIG. 3) in cooperation with the main control board 920. The operation of the ball feeding solenoid 332 and the firing solenoid 334 is permitted when predetermined conditions are satisfied. Specifically, the fact that the player is touching the firing handle 252 (see FIG. 1) is detected based on the contact sensor signal from the contact sensor 254, and the firing stop switch 255 for stopping firing is provided. The firing control unit 902 outputs an on-state firing permission signal to the main control board 920 on condition that the operation is not performed. The main control board 920 outputs a firing solenoid control signal and a ball feed solenoid control signal to the firing control unit 902 based on the firing permission signal and the firing abnormality signal. The firing control unit 902 operates the ball feeding solenoid 332 based on the ball feeding control signal in the ON state, and operates the firing solenoid 334 based on the reception of the firing solenoid control signal in the ON state and the resistance value of the variable resistor 253. Let it. As a result, game balls are sequentially fired from the firing device 330 with a strength corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor 253 (the amount of rotation of the firing handle 252).

  The signal relay unit 903 outputs an on-state initialization signal to the main control board 920 when the initialization switch 907 is pressed. In the main control board 920, the storage information stored in the RAM of the main control board 920 is initialized in response to receiving the initialization signal in the ON state. In addition, the signal relay unit 903 outputs an ON ball overflow signal to the main control board 920 when the ball overflow switch 249 detects a game ball. Note that the main control board 920 outputs a low-speed payout signal to the payout control board 930 based on the detection of the ball overflow signal in the ON state, and the payout control board 930 that has received the low-speed payout signal outputs the payout motor 542. The rotation speed (payout speed of the game balls from the payout device 540) is reduced. Conversely, a high-speed payout signal is output to the payout control board 930 based on the detection of the ball overflow signal in the off state, and the payout control board 930 receiving the low-speed payout signal increases the rotation speed of the payout motor 542. It will be.

  The power supply monitoring board 910 monitors a power supply state from the power supply / launch control device 900, and outputs a power failure signal to the main control board 920 and the payout control board 930 in response to the transition to the power failure state. And a signal relay unit 912 for relaying power supply and transmission of various signals between the power supply / emission control device 900 and the main control board 920. The power supply monitoring unit 911 monitors a DC stable voltage of 24 volts, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 901, and when the voltage becomes less than 22 volts, determines that a transition to a power failure state is made, and turns on the power. Is output to the main control board 920 and the payout control board 930. The main control board 920 and the payout control board 930 recognize the transition to the power outage state by receiving the power outage signal in the on state.

  The main control board 920 generally controls the operation of the gaming machine 100. An MPU (not shown) as a one-chip microcomputer is mounted on the main control board 920. The MPU includes a CPU (not shown) as an arithmetic processing unit, a ROM (not shown) storing various control programs and fixed data executed by the CPU, and various data temporarily executed when executing the control programs. And the like (not shown) for storing the same. On the main control board 920, various circuits such as a timer circuit (not shown), a counter circuit (not shown), a clock generation circuit (not shown), and a signal transmitting / receiving circuit (not shown) are mounted. I have. The RAM of the main control board 920 is configured such that internal data can be maintained (backed up) by power supply of the backup voltage from the power supply / emission control device 900 even after shifting to the power failure state.

  The payout control board 930 controls the payout operation of the game balls by the payout device 540 according to the instruction from the main control board 920 and the lending operation of the game balls by the payout device 540 according to the operation of the game ball lending device 290. Like the main control board 920, the payout control board 930 includes an MPU (not shown) as a one-chip microcomputer including a CPU (not shown), a ROM (not shown), and a RAM (not shown), and a timer circuit. (Not shown), various circuits such as a counter circuit (not shown), a clock generation circuit (not shown), and a signal transmitting / receiving circuit (not shown) are mounted. Like the RAM of the main control board 920, the RAM of the payout control board 930 can maintain internal data even in a power failure state.

  The sub control board 940 controls the operation of various effect devices, various light emitting devices, various audio devices, and the like, based on instructions from the main control substrate 920.

[Main Configuration Related to the Present Invention]
The configuration of the special winning device 433, which is a main feature of the gaming machine 100 according to the present invention, will be described. 10 is a perspective view of the special winning device 433, FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the special winning device 433, and FIG. 12 is an exploded side view of the special winning device 433.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the special winning device 433 includes the front cover plate 10, the guide passage front member 30, and the rear block member 50, each of which is fixed by a screw or the like.

  The front cover plate 10 and the guide passage front member 30 are one member formed of a transparent resin material, and the rear block member 50 is formed by fixing a plurality of members with screws or the like.

  The special winning device 433 is fixed by being screwed to the game board 400 via a screw hole. In the large winning device 433, a portion in front of the guideway rear face plate 51 protrudes from the front surface of a game board (a plate-shaped member to which the nail 411, the windmill 412, and the like are attached) constituting the game board 400.

  The opening / closing door 52 (FIG. 11) has an opening / closing mechanism for positioning the opening / closing door 52 substantially horizontally or vertically in parallel with a lower portion as an axis to open and close an opening 58 formed in the rearward direction. doing. The opening / closing shutter 54 is a plate-like member parallel to the horizontal direction, and has an opening / closing mechanism that moves in the front-back direction to open and close the opening 31 formed below. Note that both the opening and closing door 52 and the opening and closing shutter 54 are connected to a power unit (not shown), and perform opening and closing operations under the control of the main control board 920.

  The special winning device 433 (FIG. 10) has a wide opening 11 at the upper portion, and allows many of the game balls falling from above the special winning device 433 to enter the opening 11. The big win device 433 transitions to the normal mode, the first big win mode, and the second big win mode by opening and closing the door 52 and the shutter 54. That is, when the jackpot is won, the type of the jackpot is determined, and the opening / closing door 52 or the opening / closing shutter 54 opens and closes according to the special winning mode corresponding to the type of the jackpot.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the normal mode, the opening / closing door 52 and the opening / closing shutter 54 are in a closed state, and the game ball that has entered the opening 11 is discharged from the discharge passage 55 in front of the opening / closing door 52 and above the opening / closing shutter 54. And is discharged out of the special winning device 433.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the first big winning mode, the opening and closing door 52 is in an open state, and the game ball that has entered the opening 11 collides with the opening and closing door 52 and enters the opening 58, and as it is. It is guided to the first guiding passage 59 in the rear direction and is discharged from the discharge port 56. A large winning switch 443 (FIG. 9) for detecting a passed game ball is attached inside the outlet 56, and the number of balls is counted from the main control board 920.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the second big winning mode, the opening and closing door 52 is in a closed state, and the opening and closing shutter 54 is in an open state. The game ball that has entered the opening 11 passes in front of the door 52 and is guided from the opening 31 to the second guiding passage 32. The second guiding passage 32 is inclined so as to slightly descend toward the left side corresponding to the downstream side, and the game ball advances leftward.

  Here, the second big winning mode has two sub-modes, sub-modes A and B. 16 and 17 show a state without the guide passage front member 30. The second guide passage 32 has two branch guide passages 32A and 32B. The large winning device 433 guides the game ball to the branch guide passage 32A in the case of the sub-mode A, and guides the game ball to the branch guide passage 32B in the case of the sub-mode B.

  The sub-modes A and B are provided to diversify the game, for example, by changing the game state after a big hit or changing the number of big hit rounds. When a game ball is guided to the branch guide passage 32A during the big hit, a privilege is provided so as to be more advantageous to the player than when the game ball is guided to the branch guide passage 32B. The switching operation between the sub-modes A and B is set differently depending on the type of the jackpot determined when the jackpot is won, and the type in which the state of the sub-mode A occurs for the player and continues for a long time The game can be performed in expectation of a jackpot.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the special winning device 433 has two openings 62 and 63 arranged adjacent to each other in the traveling direction of the ring-shaped special winning switch 61 in the second guide passage 32. In the sub mode A, the game ball falls into the opening 62 and is guided to the branch guidance passage 32A. The game ball that has passed through the branch guide passage 32A is detected by the detection switch 65, and is discharged from a discharge port (not shown) on the rear surface of the rear block member 50.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the special winning device 433 has an induction shutter 64 that opens and closes the opening 62 by moving in the front-rear direction. The guide shutter 64 does not need to cover the entire opening 62, and it is only necessary to prevent the game ball from dropping below the opening 62. However, in order to guide the game ball smoothly, the width of the second guide passage 32 is reduced. It is desirable to cover more than half. In the sub mode B, the game ball passes over the guide shutter 64 because the opening 62 is closed, falls into the opening 63 formed at the tip thereof, and is guided to the branch guide passage 32B. . The induction shutter 64 is connected to a shutter opening / closing solenoid 463, and performs opening / closing operations under the control of the main control board 920. The game balls that have passed through the branch guide passage 32B are counted by a detection switch (not shown) installed on the branch guide passage 32B, and are discharged from a rear outlet (not shown) of the rear block member 50.

  Here, in each mode, it is desirable that the gaming machine 100 guides the game ball to the designed guiding path. Therefore, the special winning device 433 in the present embodiment reliably guides the game ball to the second guide passage 32 in the second special winning mode, and guides the game ball to the branch guide passage 32A in the sub mode A, The sub mode B has three guiding mechanisms for reliably guiding the game ball to the branch guiding passage 32B.

  As a first invention, the special winning device 433 has a bouncing prevention mechanism that prevents a game ball that has fallen into the opening 31 from bouncing and jumping out, and guides the game ball to the second guiding passage 32. If the game ball dropped into the opening 31 vigorously falls on a flat surface, it may jump up at an angle of almost 180 ° as it is, and may jump out of the opening 31 to the outside with the force. Therefore, the bouncing prevention mechanism according to the present embodiment is provided with a mechanism that causes the game ball to collide with a predetermined position and traps the bouncing game ball so that the ball does not fly out due to the bouncing due to the collision.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the second guide passage 32 includes a front cover plate 10, a guide passage front member 30, and a guide passage rear plate 51. The guide passage front member 30 (FIG. 18) has guide receiving surfaces 33 and 34 that form the bottom surface of the second guide passage 32. As shown in FIG. 21B, the guide receiving surfaces 33 and 34 are inclined downward to the left, and the inclination of the guide receiving surface 34 located on the right side is larger than that of the guide receiving surface 33. .

  The guide passage front member 30 (FIGS. 18 and 20) has a guide inclined plate 35 that is inclined downward from the front end of the opening 31 toward the rear. The guide inclined plate 35 is preferably formed to have an inclination of about 30 to 60 °. The guide inclined plate 35 has a right guide inclined plate 35a and a left guide inclined plate 35b. The right guiding inclined plate 35a and the left guiding inclined plate 35b have the same inclination angle in the front-rear direction, but the left guiding inclined plate 35b is formed to have a large inclination in the left-right direction.

  Since all the game balls flowing down from the opening 31 advance toward the left side corresponding to the downstream side, the probability that the game balls already exist in the second guide passage 32 increases as the ball advances leftward, The probability of collision between game balls increases. The left guiding inclined plate 35b guides the game ball flowing down to the vicinity of the left end in the right direction corresponding to the upstream side of the second guiding passage 32 as much as possible, and smoothly guides the gaming ball in the second guiding passage 32 to the special winning switch 61. Induce.

  The guide passage rear face plate 51 has a recess 70 connected to the guide receiving surfaces 33 and 34. The recess 70 has an equal-width recess 71 having a uniform recess width in the front-rear direction, and an arc-shaped recess 72 that is deeply recessed so as to draw an arc. The equal-width dent 71 and the arc-shaped dent 72 are respectively formed with lower inclined portions 71 a, 72 a forming a bottom surface inclined so as to be recessed backward from the guide receiving surface 33, and parallel portions 71 b, 72 b parallel to the guide passage rear face plate 51. And upper inclined portions 71c and 72c which form the upper surface of the passage inclined forward. Each surface is smoothly connected to a curved surface.

  FIG. 20 shows a state in which the guide passage front member 30 is attached to the guide passage rear plate 51. In the second guide passage 32, the recess 70 cannot be seen from above the opening 31, and only the guide passage front member 30 can be seen.

  FIG. 21A shows only a portion related to the second guide passage 32 by a solid line. FIG. 21B is a sectional view taken along line XX ′, and FIG. 21C is a sectional view taken along line Y-Y ′. As shown in FIG. 21C, the second guide passage 32 is formed by the front cover plate 10, the guide inclined plate 35, the return prevention wall portion 36, the guide receiving surface 33, and the equal width recess 71. ing. The guide inclined plate 35 extends so as to incline forward in a forward direction from a return preventing wall portion 36 extending upward from the guide receiving surface 33. The distance from the rear surface of the return prevention wall portion 36, which is the rear end of the guide inclined plate 35, to the front surface of the guide passage rear plate 51 is formed smaller than the diameter of the game ball FB.

  Therefore, the game ball FB that has fallen into the opening 31 collides with the guide inclined plate 35 and is pushed backward. The equal-width dent 71 and the arc-shaped dent 72 have a lower portion that is not angular, and has a cross section that is inclined to draw a gentle curved surface, so that the game ball is prevented from jumping upward as much as possible. Similarly, the upper portion of the equal-width dent 71 and the arc-shaped dent 72 also has a slanted cross section and is inclined so that the game ball FB rebounds obliquely downward and forward and is trapped in the second guiding passage 32. . That is, the second guiding passage 32 guides the flowing game ball backward by the guiding inclined plate 35, and is provided in a space surrounded by the return preventing wall portion 36, the guiding receiving surface 33, the equal width recess 71 and the arc-shaped recess 72. Let the game ball stay.

  By the way, since the game balls FB travel in the left direction, there is a possibility that the game balls FB collide with each other as going to the left. As shown in FIG. 22, since the arc-shaped recess 72 is recessed more than the equal-width recess 71, the width as the second guide passage 32 can be increased, and when another game ball enters and collides. Even in this case, the force can be released in the front-rear direction, and the rebound of the game ball can be reduced. Further, since the width of the left end of the arc-shaped recess 72 is narrowed in accordance with the size of the circular hole of the special winning switch 61, a game ball can be smoothly guided to the special winning switch 61.

  As described above, in the second guiding passage 32, when the game ball flowing down from the opening 31 whose longitudinal direction is the left-right direction is guided along the left-right direction corresponding to one longitudinal end of the opening 31, By guiding to a position shifted in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and trapping, rebound is prevented.

  Thereby, in the second guiding passage 32, even if the dropping force of the game ball increases, the bouncing can be prevented, so that two guiding passages are formed in the vertical direction without providing any buffer mechanism between them. Made it possible.

  In addition, the guide inclined plate 35 is configured by a surface that is inclined downward at a constant angle in the front-rear direction, and that is inclined downward to the left corresponding to the downstream side of the game ball along the inclination direction of the second guidance passage 32. ing. For this reason, the game ball which has fallen from the upper side and has come into contact with the guide inclined plate 35 is trapped rearward while being guided to the downstream side where the big winning switch 61 is located. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly advance the game ball to the downstream side in the second guide passage 32.

  Next, guidance of the game ball to the branch guidance passages 32A and 32B will be described. As a second invention, the special winning device 433 facilitates dropping a game ball into the opening 62 on the near side by providing a difference in the angle between the second guide passage 32 and the branch guide passage 32A in the sub mode A. On the other hand, in the sub mode B, the change in the angle between the second guide passage 32 and the branch guide passage 32B is reduced to smoothly guide the game ball to the opening 63 on the far side.

  As shown in FIG. 23A, in the sub mode A, the special winning device 433 guides the game ball to the branch guide passage 32A. At this time, the induction shutter 64 is in the open state, and the opening 62 is open. In practice, the guide shutter 64 is merely lowered backward, but for convenience, the guide shutter 64 is omitted in the figure.

  Here, the second guide passage 32 is inclined toward the lower left. On the other hand, the upper end of the opening 62 is formed substantially horizontally. That is, the opening 62 has its entrance slightly inclined with respect to the second guiding passage 32, and waits for a game ball to advance.

  In addition, on the upper parts of the partition walls 68 and 69 on both sides of the opening 62, a streak-like projection 66 is formed in the front-rear direction so as to be adjacent to the opening 62. For this reason, the game ball that has passed through the second winning passage 32 and passed through the special winning switch 61 and the relay board 82 collides with the projection 66 higher by one step, and is guided to the branch guiding passage 32A.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 23B, the special winning device 433 guides the game ball to the branch guide passage 32B in the sub mode B. At this time, the induction shutter 64 is in a closed state, and the opening 62 is in a closed state. Here, the guide shutter 64 has an upper surface inclined downward toward the left. This inclination is almost the same as the inclination of the guide receiving surface 33. Therefore, the game ball is guided to the branch guide passage 32B at the substantially same inclination angle as having proceeded along the second guide passage 32.

  The opening 63 has an opening surface (indicated by a broken line) slightly below the opening 62, and the separation wall 68 separating the opening 62 on the right side of the opening 63 has a left side. A tapered portion 67 that is inclined downward in the direction is provided. For this reason, the game ball is smoothly guided to the opening 63 along the slope gradually lowering toward the guiding shutter 64, the protrusion 66, and the tapered portion 67.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 23A, in the sub mode A, there is a step between the relay plate 82 and the opening 62, and when the game ball vigorously jumps out of the relay plate 82, There is a possibility that the vehicle may be erroneously guided to the branch guide passage 32B without dropping into the opening 62.

  As a third invention, in the sub mode A, the special winning device 433 is provided with a guide mechanism for guiding the game ball to the branch guide path 32A more reliably.

  Here, in the gaming machine 100, the size of the gaming board 400 is determined, and the area thereof is limited. In recent trends, it is preferable to use a monitor as large as possible, so that the space in the vertical and horizontal directions in which the special winning device 433 can be used is limited. On the other hand, there is relatively room in the space in the front-rear direction.

  Therefore, the special winning device 433 in the present embodiment is provided with the direction conversion unit 81 that converts the traveling direction of the game ball traveling leftward to the diagonally rearward left direction.

  As shown in FIG. 24A, the second guidance passage 32 is shifted backward after passing the big winning switch 61. A direction conversion unit 81 that changes the direction of the game ball is provided between the frontward left side of the special winning switch 61 and the opening 62.

  As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the direction changing unit 81 includes a parallel surface 81 a parallel to the second guide passage 32, an inclined surface 81 b inclined backward by about 45 ° with respect to the parallel surface 81 a, It has a bottom surface 81c parallel to the guide receiving surface 33, and these three surfaces are connected in a curved shape by a curved surface 81d.

  As shown in FIG. 24 (C), the parallel surface 81a is located at substantially the same position in the front-rear direction as the circular hole of the special winning switch 61, and is connected to the special winning switch 61 smoothly. The game ball that has passed the special winning switch 61 changes its direction along the inclined surface 81b and is guided to the opening 62.

  At this time, since the game ball changes its direction along the inclined surface 81b, the speed of the game ball can be reduced to reduce the momentum. Further, since the three surfaces of the direction changing unit 81 have gentle curved surfaces, the contact area with the game ball can be increased, the speed of the game ball can be reduced by the frictional force, and the force at which the game ball advances can be reduced. By converting to centrifugal force, the speed of the game ball can be reduced. Even if the momentum of the game ball is very large and passes through the opening 62, the ball advances at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the left and right direction, so it collides with the rear wall 85 and bounces back. By the way, it falls into the opening 62.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 25 (B), a curved surface 81da connecting a parallel surface 81a and a bottom surface 81c formed parallel to an extension (indicated by a broken line) of the guide receiving surface 33, which is the traveling direction of the game ball, is formed. While being substantially parallel to the extension line, a curved surface 81db (shown by oblique lines) connecting the inclined surface 81b and the bottom surface 81c is inclined slightly downward toward the upstream side and upwards in the traveling direction of the game ball. It forms an inclined bottom surface.

  The radius of curvature of the curved surface 81db is formed to be larger than the radius of the game ball, and the game ball that has progressed toward the direction change portion 81 with a certain force or more moves downstream while moving upward by the curved surface 81db. It will be. In addition, the curved surface 81db continuously extends diagonally downward with a substantially constant radius of curvature along the guide receiving surface 33 in the left-right direction, and continuously diagonally rearward along the inclined surface 81b in the front-rear direction. I have.

  The inclined surface 81 b is substantially parallel to the vertical direction, that is, faces a steep angle of less than 90 ° with respect to the extension of the guide receiving surface 33. Therefore, when a game ball having a low speed advances, the game ball does not advance upward on the curved surface 81db but is guided slightly downward by the effect of the downward inclination of the curved surface 81db, and falls directly into the opening 62. Will be.

  On the other hand, when a game ball having a large speed advances, the advancing force of the game ball is converted into an upward force by the effect of the curved surface 81db, and the larger the advancing force of the game ball is, the larger the advancing speed is. The game ball can move upward and further collide with the inclined surface 81b to decelerate the game ball. Therefore, even if the game ball has a high speed, the game ball can be guided to the opening 62 without jumping over the opening 62.

  As shown in FIG. 23, a plate-like relay plate 82 is provided on the rear side of the direction changing unit 81, and is connected to the bottom surface 81c. The relay plate 82 is provided with a slight downward inclination in the forward direction, and allows the game balls that have passed the big winning switch 61 to be directed to the direction changing unit 81 and reduces the momentum of the game balls toward the opening 62. Can be done.

  In this way, in the special winning device 433, by forming the opening 62 horizontally and giving the guide shutter 64 an inclination, the game ball can be smoothly guided to both the branch guide paths 32A and 32B. In addition, the special winning device 433 reduces the speed of the game ball by meandering the game ball by the direction conversion unit 81, and more reliably transfers the game ball to the opening 62 on the near side arranged in parallel in the traveling direction. You can drop it. As a result, in the special winning device 433, two guide paths can be arranged in the horizontal direction.

  Further, since the direction changing unit 81 of the special winning device 433 is formed to be obliquely inclined in the front-rear direction, the opening 31 opened and closed by the opening / closing shutter 54 and the direction changing unit 81 are viewed from the player side. Can be set short in the left-right direction with the branch guide passages 32A and 32B located downstream of the vehicle. For this reason, the installation area required for the special winning device 433 is reduced when viewed from the player side. The situation can be visually recognized as needed by a slight movement of the line of sight.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which the guide inclined plate 35 connected to the front cover plate 10 is provided as the guide portion. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, a guide portion that projects in a curved shape from the guide receiving surface 33 may be provided, and the position and shape are not limited. There is no limitation on the position of the guide portion, and the guide portion may be provided diagonally downward from the lower left of the opening 31 to the lower right.

  That is, in the above-described embodiment, each of the guiding inclined plates 35a and 35b, the lower inclined portion 71a, the parallel portion 71b, and the upper inclined portion 71c that constitute the guiding inclined plate 35 have a substantially planar shape. Although described, it is not necessarily required to be flat, and at least a part thereof may be formed in a curved shape. In this case, it is necessary that the radius of curvature of the curved surface continuous in the direction in which the game ball is guided is larger than the radius of the game ball, and to the extent that the game ball is smoothly guided to the rear side, for example, It is preferable to form the curved surface with a radius of curvature approximately twice or more as large as the radius of the sphere.

  In addition, the lower inclined portion 72a, the parallel portion 72b, and the upper inclined portion 72c are formed in a curved shape having a substantially arc shape when viewed in a plan view, but need not necessarily be formed in a curved shape. A plurality of planes along the shape may be combined.

  Further, the guide inclined plate 35 is formed so as to be continuous obliquely downward along the downward slope of the second guide passage 32, but to be continuous in the horizontal direction without following the downward slope of the second guide passage 32. It may be formed, and even in this case, it is possible to prevent the bouncing of the game ball from the second guiding passage 32.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the width of the second guide passage 32 is changed depending on the position has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and its width and shape are not limited, and may be uniform, for example. Further, it is not always necessary that the equal width recess 71 has a curved surface shape.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the guide shutter 64 is provided with the same inclination as that of the second guide passage 32. The present invention is not limited to this, and the shape of the induction shutter 64 is not limited, and the inclination is not essential.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the opening 63 is located below the opening 62 has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the positions and shapes of the openings 62 and 63 are not particularly limited. For example, the openings 62 and 63 may be provided on an extension of the second guide passage 32, and the openings 62 and 63 may be arranged offset. Further, the shapes of the walls and the like constituting the openings 62 and 63 can be freely designed without limitation, and the projection 66 and the tapered portion 67 are not essential.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the direction conversion unit 81 is configured by the parallel surface 81a, the inclined surface 81b, the bottom surface 81c, and the curved surfaces 81da and 81db. The present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a spherical shape in which a part of a sphere is cut as a whole, or a free-form surface. In addition, the curved surface 81db has been described in the case of the curved surface shape which is inclined upward with respect to the advancing direction of the game ball. However, the curved surface 81db is not necessarily required to have the curved shape, and may be formed by a flat inclined surface which is inclined upward.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the relay plate 82 has a slope descending toward the bottom surface 81c. The present invention is not limited to this, and the inclination is not necessarily required.

  In the above-described embodiment, the special winning switch 61 that detects a game ball that has entered the opening 31 is arranged on the upstream side of the direction changing unit 81. It may be arranged on the downstream side, or may be arranged on the downstream side from the branch part to the branch guide passages 32A and 32B. However, in the direction changing unit 81, the game balls may be decelerated, and in order to limit the number of game balls that have entered the opening 31 to a certain amount, the special winning switch 61 is located upstream of the direction changing unit 81. Is preferably arranged.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the game ball can be smoothly guided to a desired portion in the guide path 32 of the large winning device 433 which is opened when the jackpot lottery is won. Not limited to the winning device 433, each of the above-described configurations for forming the guiding passage 32 such as the guiding inclined plate 35 and the direction changing unit 81 may be applied to the guiding passage of another winning device. Only a part of the configuration may be applied, for example, only one side of the direction conversion unit 81 is applied.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a pachinko machine of a different type from the above embodiment. For example, a pachinko machine that can increase the expected value of a large hit until a large hit state occurs a plurality of times (for example, two or three times) once the big hit occurs. Further, the pachinko machine may be implemented as a pachinko machine which enters a special game state on condition that a ball wins in a predetermined area after a big hit symbol is displayed. Further, the present invention may be applied to an enclosed pachinko machine in which balls circulate. Furthermore, other than a pachinko machine, the present invention may be implemented as various game machines such as an arrangement ball type pachinko and a sparrow ball.

[Inventive groups extracted from the above embodiments]
The features of the invention group extracted from the above embodiment will be described while showing effects and the like as needed. In the following, for ease of understanding, correspondence with the configuration in the above-described embodiment is appropriately shown in parentheses, but is not limited to the configuration in parentheses.

  As described above, in a typical game machine of the related art, a variable prize device (corresponding to the grand prize device 433) that takes an entry allowable state in which a game ball is allowed to enter and an entry inhibition state in which a game ball is prevented from entering is provided. The change in the permissible state is realized by a change in the arrangement of an entry restricting member provided inside the variable winning device.

  As such a gaming machine, a plate-shaped entry control member is arranged in parallel with the game board, and a winning opening is closed by the entry control member. A configuration in which the upper end thereof is projected forward to take an entry permitting arrangement, a game ball flowing down from above is received by an entry restricting member and guided to a winning opening, and a tongue piece extending in the front-rear direction and the tongue piece An entry restricting member having a front plate vertically suspended at the front end of the game board is disposed at the back of the game board, and the winning opening is closed by the front plate. (See, for example, Patent Document 1) in which a game ball flowing down from above is received by an entry restricting member and guided or drawn into a winning opening.

  In the case of a conventional typical gaming machine, a situation has occurred in which, even though a game ball flowing down from above entered a winning opening, it jumped and was ejected from a variable winning device.

  Further, in order to keep the user from getting bored, it is preferable to prepare a plurality of special winning modes, provide a plurality of corresponding guide paths, and make the user visually recognize that the different special winning modes are different. On the other hand, there is a demand that the user wants the user to visually recognize that the game ball has been guided to the guide path for the big win. However, when two guide paths are arranged vertically, a buffer mechanism cannot be installed between them, so that the rebound of the game ball to the lower guide path becomes large, and the game ball once entering the guide path is unexpectedly discharged. In some cases. Further, when two guide paths are arranged in a horizontal direction, the momentum may jump over the opening, and it is difficult to reliably distribute the game balls to the guide paths according to the mode.

  In the variable prize device (large prize device 433), from the viewpoint of preventing unintentional discharge due to rebound of the game ball in the entry allowable arrangement, the following invention A group can be extracted, and one guiding passage (second guiding passage 32) can be extracted. The following inventions B and C can be extracted from the viewpoint of separately guiding the game balls guided to the second to the two branch guide paths (branch guide paths 32A and 32B) arranged in the horizontal direction according to the submode. .

<Invention A group>
Feature A1:
An opening (opening 31) through which the game medium falling from above passes, a bottom part (induction receiving surface 33) having an inclination falling toward the advancing direction of the game medium, and along the advancing direction of the game medium First and second wall portions (the front cover plate 10 and the equal width recess 71) provided in the first direction, a direction from the second wall portion to the first wall portion is a first direction (forward direction), When the opposite of the first direction is defined as a second direction (rearward direction), a guide portion (guide inclined plate 35) for guiding the game medium falling from the opening in the second direction is provided. The second wall is located on the second direction side of the opening.

  Here, the following two causes cause the game medium once entering the opening to be discharged by a large rebound. The first is that it collides almost perpendicular to the bottom surface and bounces greatly. The second is to collide with the game media already traveling in the guide passage and jump greatly.

  In the case of the gaming machine having the feature A1, the direction in which the flowing game media rebounds can be scattered by the guide portion, and the second wall portion is located closer to the second direction than the opening portion. If it bounces in the vertical direction, it collides with the ceiling of the second wall, so that it can be prevented from being discharged from the opening. In addition, since the game media in the guide passage is guided in the second direction, even if the game media collide with each other, the game media does not greatly jump upward and is prevented from being discharged from the opening. can do.

  Feature A2: The feature in the feature A1, wherein at least a part (the right guide tilt plate 35a) of the guide portion (the guide tilt plate 35a) is provided at a position equal to or smaller than the diameter of the game medium from the bottom portion. .

  In the case of the gaming machine having the feature A2, since the distance from the guiding portion to the opening is long, even if the game medium collides with the guiding portion and rebounds, it becomes difficult for the game medium to reach the opening, and the game medium is opened. It can be prevented from being discharged from the section.

  Feature A3: In Feature A1 or A2, the guide portion (guide tilt plate 35) is a tilt plate that tilts downward from the first wall portion (front cover plate 10) in a second direction (rearward direction). There is a feature.

  If the gaming machine has the feature A3, the gaming medium flowing down from the opening can be guided well toward the rear.

  Feature A4: In any of features A1 to A3, the guiding portion (the guiding inclined plate 35) is formed with a width larger than a difference value obtained by subtracting a width of the game medium from a width of the opening (the opening 31). Has been characterized.

  If the gaming machine has the feature A4, the game medium flowing down from the opening can reliably collide with the guiding section.

  Feature A5: In any one of features A1 to A4, the inclined plate (induction inclined plate 35) includes a first inclined portion (right induction inclined plate 35a) installed substantially parallel to the bottom surface, and an opening in the opening. A second inclined portion (left guide inclined plate 35b) is provided near the end of the traveling direction (left direction) and is inclined in a reverse direction opposite to the traveling direction.

  In the above description, “near” means a distance range that is approximately the same as the diameter of the game medium.

  In the case of the gaming machine having the feature A5, it is possible to guide the game media flowing down to the vicinity of the end in the traveling direction where the collision of the game media easily occurs at the opening in the reverse direction, so that the game media Collisions can be reduced.

  Feature A6: In any one of features A1 to A5, the bottom surface portion is closer to the forward direction (left direction) from near the end of the opening in the reverse direction (right direction) than in a part on the downstream side. It has a steeply falling inclination (the guide receiving surface 34).

  In the case of the gaming machine having the feature A6, since the distance to the end of the opening in the reverse direction is long, there is little risk of discharge due to bouncing due to inclination, and the game medium having a long traveling distance of the guide path (second guide path 32). Can be quickly guided in the traveling direction.

  Feature A7: The feature according to any one of features A1 to A6, wherein the bottom surface has a wider width near the end in the traveling direction in the opening than in the vicinity of the end in the reverse direction.

  In the case of the gaming machine having the feature A7, in the vicinity of the end in the traveling direction where the collision of the game media is likely to occur at the opening, an escape place for the game media traveling in the guidance passage can be formed, and the collision of the game media can be formed. , And collision between the centers of the game media can be avoided to reduce the rebound at the time of the collision.

  Note that, instead of the configuration of the bottom surface portion in the feature A7, the guide path of the game ball having the bottom surface portion at least as a part, or the distance between the first wall portion and the second wall portion is below the opening. Therefore, the gaming machine may have a wider width at the downstream portion in the traveling direction of the gaming ball than at the upstream portion. In this case, the gaming machine has the same effect as the characteristic A7.

  Feature A8: In any one of features A1 to A7, the bottom surface and the first and second walls are longer than the end of the opening in the traveling direction, and at the extended portion, a game medium is provided. Detecting means (large winning switch) for detecting that the vehicle has passed through is provided, and the width of the bottom portion, which has become wider in the vicinity of the end in the traveling direction, is reduced toward the detecting means.

  If the gaming machine has the feature A8, the gaming media can be smoothly guided to the detection unit while reducing the probability of collision between the gaming media.

  Feature A9: In any one of features A1 to A8, at least one of the lower portion and the upper portion of the second wall has an inclination.

  In the case of the gaming machine having the feature A9, the angle of rebound of the gaming medium can be adjusted by the inclination, so that the gaming medium can be prevented from being discharged from the opening.

<Invention B group>
Feature B1: a guide path (a second guide path 32) that has a slope and in which the game medium proceeds in the traveling direction, and a subsequent stage (or a downstream side or a tip side in the traveling direction of the game medium) of the guide path, A first opening (opening 62) provided at a position deviated from the extension of the guide passage, and a second stage (or a downstream side or a front end side in the traveling direction of the game medium) of the first opening. A second opening (opening 63), a movable opening / closing lid (induction shutter 64) that can open and close the first opening, and a space between the guidance passage and the first opening. And a direction changing unit (direction changing unit 81) for changing the direction of the game medium.

  In the case of the gaming machine having the feature B1, the speed of the game medium can be reduced by changing the direction by the direction conversion unit, so that the game medium is inserted into the first opening when the opening / closing lid is in the open state. On the other hand, the game medium can be guided to the second opening when the opening / closing lid is closed.

  In addition, the movable opening / closing lid that can open and close the first opening in the feature B1 is in an open state in which a game ball can enter the first opening, and a game ball enters the first opening. Any operation member that forms a closed state in which the first opening is not possible may be used, and the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the first opening is completely closed in the closed state.

  Feature B2: The feature B1 is characterized in that the first opening and the second opening are arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the traveling direction.

  In the gaming machine having the feature B2, since the second opening is not on the straight line of the game medium whose direction has been changed, even if the gaming medium once jumps over the first opening with excessive force In order to reach the second opening, the player can collide with a wall or the like to change the course and guide the game medium to the first opening again when passing through the first opening again.

  Feature B3: The feature B1 or B2 is characterized in that the direction changing portion has an inclined surface inclined at approximately 30 to 60 ° with respect to the traveling direction.

  With the gaming machine having the feature B3, the degree of change in the traveling direction and the required space are well-balanced, and the effect of reliably guiding the player to the first opening in a small space can be obtained.

Feature B4: In any of features B1 to B3, the direction conversion unit has a parallel surface parallel to the traveling direction and a bottom surface, and includes the inclined surface (inclined surface 81b), the parallel surface (parallel surface 81a), The bottom surface (bottom surface 81c) is characterized by being connected in a gentle curved shape.
With the gaming machine having the feature B4, the direction of the gaming medium can be smoothly changed, and the contact area can be increased to increase the speed reduction effect by friction.

  Feature B5: The relay board is characterized in that it has a relay plate connected to the bottom surface in Feature B4 and provided with a slope that is slightly lowered toward the bottom surface.

  In the gaming machine having the feature B5, the speed of the gaming medium can be reduced by a slight inclination with respect to the changed traveling direction of the gaming medium.

  Feature B6: The feature B4 or B5, wherein the bottom surface (bottom surface 81c) has the same inclination as that of the guide passage.

  If the gaming machine has the feature B6, the connection from the guidance passage can be made smooth.

<Invention C group>
Feature C1: a guide passage (second guide passage 32) having a slope and in which the game medium proceeds in the traveling direction, a first opening (opening 62) provided at a stage subsequent to the guide passage, A second opening (opening 63) provided at a subsequent stage of the first opening, and a movable opening / closing lid (induction shutter 64) capable of opening and closing the first opening; The first opening is provided to be inclined with respect to the guide passage, and the opening / closing lid is provided with a slope that is lowered toward the traveling direction.

  If the gaming machine has the feature C1, when the player wants to guide the game medium to the first opening, the opening / closing lid is opened, and the game medium is received between the guide passage and the first opening. Since the slope is formed, the game medium can be easily guided to the first opening. On the other hand, when it is desired to guide the game medium to the second opening, the inclination of the opening / closing lid allows the game medium to smoothly pass over the opening / closing lid and to be guided to the second opening.

  Feature C2: The feature of the feature C1, wherein the opening / closing lid portion is provided with an inclination having substantially the same angle as the inclination of the guide passage.

  In the case of the gaming machine having the feature C2, the inclination of the guiding passage and the opening / closing lid are substantially the same, so that the gaming medium can be smoothly guided to the second opening.

  Feature C3: The feature C1 or C2, wherein the second opening is located lower than the first opening.

  If the gaming machine has the feature C3, even if the momentum of the gaming medium is small, the gaming medium can be guided to the second opening without staying.

  Feature C4: In any of features C1 to C3, the first opening has a protrusion (protrusion 66) at an edge on the traveling direction side.

  In the case of the gaming machine having the feature C4, the game medium that proceeds in the lower left direction, which is the traveling direction, can be hooked on the projection and guided to the first opening.

  Feature C5: In any one of the features C1 to C4, on the separation wall part (separation wall part 68) separating the first and second openings, a protrusion provided at an edge of the first opening ( An inclination (taper portion 67) is provided so as to descend from the protrusion 66) toward the second opening.

  In the gaming machine having the feature C5, when the first opening is in the open state, the game medium traveling in the lower left direction, which is the traveling direction, can be hooked on the protrusion and guided to the first opening, while the first opening can be guided to the first opening. When the opening is closed, the game medium can be smoothly guided to the second opening by forming a gentle inclination toward the advancing direction of the game medium.

  In addition, at least one feature described in the features A1 to A9, the features B1 to B6, and the features C1 to C5 may be applied in combination with any other or a plurality of features. Hereinafter, a basic configuration of a gaming machine to which the above-described features can be applied will be described.

  Pachinko gaming machine: launch operation means operated by a player, game ball launch means for launching a game ball based on the operation of the launch operation means, and a passage for guiding the launched game ball to a predetermined game area. , A gaming machine comprising: a plurality of game components arranged in a game area, wherein a bonus is given to a player when a game ball passes through a predetermined passage portion of the game components.

  The present invention is suitable for a game machine such as an elastic game machine.

100: gaming machine 400: gaming board 433: big winning device 443: big winning switch 10: front cover plate 30: guideway front member 31: opening 32: second guideway 32A: branch guideway 32B: branch guideway 33 : Guide receiving surface 35: Guide inclined plate 50: Back block member 51: Guide passage rear surface plate 52: Opening / closing door 54: Opening / closing shutter 59: First guide passage 61: Big win switch 62: Opening 63: Opening 64: Guide Shutter 70: recess

Claims (2)

A guide path in which the game medium proceeds in the traveling direction with an inclination,
A first opening provided on a downstream side of the guide passage and displaced from an extension of the guide passage;
A second opening provided downstream of the first opening;
A movable opening / closing lid that can open and close the first opening;
A direction changing unit that is provided between the guide passage and the first opening and changes a direction of the game medium;
The direction changing unit is provided at a position where only a game medium that travels through the guide path, which is set as one as a path of the game medium that can enter the first opening, passes therethrough,
A gaming machine, characterized in that the direction changing section is provided with a curved surface which is inclined upward in a traveling direction of the game medium in the guide path so that the game medium can advance upward.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko gaming machine.