JP6714836B2 - Amusement machine - Google Patents

Description

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

Conventionally, there is a pachinko machine as a typical example of a game machine. In a typical conventional pachinko machine, when entering a starting opening provided in the game area, a lottery is performed according to the entered ball, and when a big hit is won in the lottery, it becomes a special game state. It is known that a large number of game balls can enter the winning opening. In addition, such a pachinko machine is provided with a display device, and in the display device, variable display of symbols is started based on the fact that the lottery is performed, and in the lottery result as a final stop display of the variable display. The corresponding stop result is displayed.

Further, in the conventional pachinko machine, when the game ball enters the starting port while the display of the symbols is being changed on the display device, the hit information used for the big hit lottery is predetermined. Some are configured to be stored on hold with a number (for example, four) as an upper limit. At this time, the hit information stored on hold is provided to a lottery of whether or not it is a big hit after the variable display of the symbols is finished, and the variable display of the next symbol is started accordingly.

In recent years, a gaming machine is known in which a plurality of starting openings (for example, two starting openings) are provided, and hit information can be held and stored for each starting opening up to the maximum number allowed for each starting opening. .. In such a gaming machine, a winning device including a plurality of branch passages connected to each of a plurality of starting openings, and a distribution means for distributing a game ball entering from a predetermined entrance to one of these branch passages, It is known to be used (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

See JP-A-2016-22147

However, there is still room for improvement in a gaming machine that has an advantageous region such as the above-described conventional gaming machine, in which the gaming balls sorted by the sorting means pass to give a predetermined privilege.

Therefore, it is an object of the game machine according to the present invention to suitably improve a game machine having an advantageous area in which a predetermined privilege is given by the passage of the game balls sorted by the sorting means.

In order to solve the above problems, a gaming machine according to the present invention,
A gaming machine including a detection unit capable of detecting a game ball, and a privilege granting unit for granting a privilege according to the detection unit detecting the game ball based on the detection of the game ball by the detection unit. And
A start detection unit which is provided as the detection unit and which satisfies a start condition for performing variable display of symbols,
A first posture in which a game ball that has entered a predetermined distribution entrance can be output to a first distribution destination, and a game ball that has a posture different from the first posture and that has entered the distribution entrance A distribution member configured to take a second posture capable of outputting to a second distribution destination different from the first distribution destination;
A main ball passage that is provided on the downstream side of the distribution member and extends to at least one of the start detecting portions;
A branch passage that branches from the main ball passage on the upstream side of the start detection unit in the main ball passage, and can guide the game ball to a region different from the start detection unit,
When the game ball is distributed to the first distribution destination by the distribution member, a predetermined posture is taken, and the game ball enters the predetermined operation port before the predetermined posture is taken. An operating part that performs an operation to return to the original posture of
A link mechanism that moves the operating portion from the original posture to the predetermined posture by the weight of the game balls that enter the sorting entrance and are sorted to the first sorting destination ;
It is characterized in that the operating portion is configured to take the predetermined posture only when a game ball is distributed to the first distribution destination .

With the gaming machine according to the present invention, it is possible to suitably improve the gaming machine having an advantageous area in which the gaming balls sorted by the sorting means pass and a predetermined privilege is given.

Front perspective view of a pachinko machine as an example of a gaming machine Perspective view showing the pachinko machine in the open state Perspective view showing the pachinko machine in another open state Perspective view showing the pachinko machine in still another open state Pachinko machine front view Front view of the pachinko machine with the front block removed Front view of the game board Back side perspective view of the pachinko machine Rear view of a pachinko machine Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a pachinko machine Flowchart showing an example of main control main processing Flowchart showing an example of main control interrupt processing Exploded perspective view of the middle start winning device as seen from the front side A perspective sectional view for explaining a structure between a front cover and a base plate. (A) is sectional drawing which looked at the inside start winning a prize device shown in FIG. 14 from the front, (b) is a schematic front sectional view of the inside start winning a prize device cut|disconnected by the plane which passes through a follower ball passage. FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of the middle starting winning device taken along the line AA in FIG. 15A, and FIG. 15B is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a game ball flowing down along the guide portion. Is Sectional drawing of the inside start winning a prize device in the BB line of Figure 15 (a) Sectional drawing for demonstrating the middle start winning a prize device of 2nd Embodiment. Schematic front sectional view cut in a plane passing through each secondary ball passage in the medium starting prize device according to the third embodiment. 20A is a front view of the link mechanism, and FIG. 20B is a side view of the link mechanism as viewed in the direction of arrow C in FIG. The figure explaining operation|movement of the link mechanism of 3rd Embodiment. Schematic front view of the game area in the pachinko machine of the fourth embodiment It is a figure explaining composition and operation of a link mechanism of a 4th embodiment.

Regarding the embodiment of the game machine according to the present invention, a pachinko machine 100 as an example of a ball game machine, which is a kind of game machine, will be described, and then a modified example and other kinds of game machines will be described. First, regarding the embodiment of the pachinko machine 100, a structural configuration, an electrical configuration, and various control processes will be sequentially described.

<Structural composition>
First, the configuration of the structural portion of the pachinko machine 100 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. 1 to 4 are perspective views showing various states of the pachinko machine 100, FIG. 1 shows a closed state of the pachinko machine 100, and FIG. 2 shows a front block 102 and an intermediate block 103 integrated with an outer frame 101. 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. Shows. 5 is a front view of the pachinko machine 100, and FIG. 6 shows a state in which the front block 102 of the pachinko machine 100 is removed from the state of FIG. Various wirings are omitted in each drawing, and a part of the configuration of the game board 400 is omitted in FIGS. 3 and 6.

The pachinko machine 100 includes, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, an outer frame 101, a front block 102, an intermediate block 103, and a rear block 104, and these parts are relatively operated by a predetermined operation. It is configured to be displaceable.

The outer frame 101 has a function as a main body supporting unit that supports the main body of the pachinko machine 100. The outer frame 101 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a substantially quadrilateral frame in which a top plate portion 111, a bottom plate portion 112, a left side plate portion 113, and a right side plate portion 114 are assembled, and the pachinko machine 100 is installed. It is fitted into a game machine installation facility (island facility) provided in a game hall and is firmly fixed by a fixture (not shown). In addition, in the pachinko machine 100, the outer frame 101 is not an indispensable configuration, and the outer frame 101 or the outer frame 101 has the same inner shape, and a main body portion corresponding to the configuration of the pachinko machine 100 excluding the outer frame 101 is provided. The island equipment may be provided with a part of a supporting mechanism that supports the locking mechanism and a locking mechanism that locks the main body of the island mechanism.

Intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 are provided on one side of the outer frame 101 in the left-right direction (on the left side plate portion 113 side). The outer frame 101 and the intermediate block 103 are connected (connected) by the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122, and the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100 rotates one end side (left side) in the left-right direction in the front view of the pachinko machine 100. It is configured to be rotatable forward with the base end side and the other end side (right side) as the rotation front end side.

The intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 are provided, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, at the upper end and the lower end of the outer frame 101 so as to be separated from each other. In each of the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122, for example, the shaft support portion provided in the outer frame 101 supports the shaft portion provided in the intermediate block 103 from below, and the shaft portion is provided in the shaft hole provided in the shaft support portion. When the plug is inserted, it is configured to be rotatable. The configuration in which the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100 including the intermediate block 103 is rotatable is not limited to the above-described configuration, and a shaft hole is provided on the intermediate block 103 side and a shaft portion is formed on the outer frame 101 side. Other configurations may be used.

The intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 are provided with a function of releasing the connection state between the outer frame 101 and the intermediate block 103 by a predetermined detaching operation, and the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100 including the intermediate block 103 is attached to the outer frame 101. In contrast, it is detachably attached. For example, the connection state of the intermediate block 103 to the outer frame 101 is released by performing a predetermined detaching operation of opening the intermediate block 103 with respect to the outer frame 101 by a certain amount or more and moving the intermediate block 103 upward by a certain amount. It As a result, the main body of the pachinko machine 100 can be removed from the outer frame 101.

The front block 102 is arranged so as to overlap with the front side of the middle block 103, and the middle block 103 and the front block 102 are connected by front block support mechanisms 131 and 132 provided on the left side in front view. The front block support mechanisms 131 and 132 have the same configuration as the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122, support the front block 102 rotatably forward with respect to the intermediate block 103, and remove it by a predetermined removal operation. It is configured to be possible.

The rear block 104 is arranged so as to overlap the rear side of the middle block 103, and the middle block 103 and the rear block 104 are separated by the rear block support mechanisms 136 and 137 (see FIG. 8) provided on the left side in front view. It is connected. The rear block support mechanisms 136 and 137 have the same structure as the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 and the front block support mechanisms 131 and 132, and support the rear block 104 so as to be rotatable rearward with respect to the intermediate block 103. Moreover, it is configured to be detachably supported by a predetermined detaching operation.

In the pachinko machine 100, an intermediate block locking mechanism that restricts opening and closing of the intermediate block 103 with respect to the outer frame 101, a front block locking mechanism that restricts opening and closing of the front block 102 with respect to the intermediate block 103, an intermediate block locking mechanism and a front block locking mechanism. A lock operation mechanism that is operated to unlock and lock the block locking mechanism is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate block 103 is provided with a key cylinder 141 as a lock operation mechanism exposed to the front side of the pachinko machine 100 through the opening of the front block 102.

As a predetermined operation on the key cylinder 141, when a right rotation operation is performed by an operation key (not shown), the movable portion 143 of the intermediate block locking mechanism provided in the intermediate block 103 operates. As a result, the engaged portion 142 provided on the outer frame 101 as a part of the intermediate block locking mechanism is disengaged from the movable portion 143, and the intermediate block 103 is opened and closed with respect to the outer frame 101. Become.

On the other hand, the movable portion 144 of the front block locking mechanism provided in the intermediate block 103 is activated in response to a leftward rotation operation on the key cylinder 141 by a predetermined operation key. As a result, the engaged portion 145 provided on the front block 102 as a part of the front block locking mechanism is disengaged from the movable portion 144, and the front block 102 is placed in the open/close permitted state with respect to the intermediate block 103. Become.

Further, the pachinko machine 100 is provided with a rear block opening/closing restriction mechanism that restricts opening/closing of the rear block 104 with respect to the intermediate block 103. With this rear block opening/closing restriction mechanism, the rear block 104 with respect to the intermediate block 103 can be switched between a state in which opening/closing is prohibited (opening/closing prohibited state) and a state in which opening/closing is permitted (opening/closing permitted state) by a predetermined operation. It is said that.

The rear block opening/closing restricting mechanism is configured by, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, two opening/closing restricting portions 150A and 150B provided in the intermediate block 103 and one opening/closing restricting portion 150C provided in the rear block 104. .. The three opening/closing restricting portions 150A to 150C are provided with rotating pieces 151A to 151C that can be rotated. The rotating pieces 151A to 151C change a state of engagement with an opening portion arranged to overlap front and rear in the closed state of the rear block 104 by the rotation operation, whereby an open/close prohibited posture corresponding to the open/close prohibited state. And an opening/closing allowable posture corresponding to the opening/closing allowed state can be switched. When all the turning pieces 151A to 151C are set in the opening/closing allowable posture, the turning pieces 151A to 151C can pass through the openings, and the rear block 104 enters the opening/closing allowed state with respect to the intermediate block 103. The open/close prohibited posture and the open/close permitted posture may be switched between the open/close prohibited state and the open/close permitted state by changing at least one of the positions and the orientations of the rotating pieces 151A to 151C, and is configured to rotate only at a fixed position. It may be configured to move in a fixed direction, or may be configured to operate by a combination of movement and rotation. Hereinafter, the same applies to the change in posture when the constituent members of each device move between a plurality of postures.

Of the three rotating pieces 151A to 151C, two rotating pieces 151A and 151B corresponding to a part of them are formed in the rear block 104 in the open/close prohibited state of the rear block 104, as shown in FIG. One rotating piece 151C, which is exposed to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 through the opening and corresponds to the remaining portion, is exposed to the front side of the intermediate block 103, as shown in FIG. For this reason, it is not possible to switch all of the rotating pieces 151A to 151C to the open/close permissible postures only by an operation from one side such as the back side of the pachinko machine 100 or the front side of the intermediate block 103, and thus, the crime prevention performance is achieved. Has been raised.

In addition, the pachinko machine 100 is provided with a game ball movement restricting mechanism that restricts the movement of the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, for example, the game ball movement restriction mechanism is configured by a combination of a flow-down restriction piece 161 provided in the intermediate block 103 and a restriction change portion 162 provided in the front block 102. The downflow restricting piece 161 is configured to be biased by a coil spring (not shown) toward the front side where the front block 102 is located.

In a state in which the front block 102 is closed with respect to the intermediate block 103 (closed state of the front block 102), the flow-down restriction piece 161 is in a movement-allowed state that allows the flow of the game ball, and specifically, the restriction. The changing portion 162 pushes and pushes the intermediate block 103 rearward. The flow-down restriction piece 161 is arranged rearward with respect to a guide passage (not shown) for guiding the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102 in the movement permitting state. Thereby, in the closed state of the front block 102, the movement of the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102 is allowed.

On the other hand, in the state where the front block 102 is opened with respect to the intermediate block 103 (the front block 102 is in the open state), the pressing of the flow-down restricting piece 161 by the restriction changing portion 162 is released, and compared to the closed state of the front block 102. As a result, the flow restricting piece 161 is set in a movement prohibited state in which it projects toward the front block 102. The flow-down restriction piece 161 projects into the guide passage in the movement prohibited state, and blocks the flow of the game ball to the downstream side. As a result, the movement of the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102 is prohibited.

In the pachinko machine 100, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the intermediate block 103 is closed to the outer frame 101 at the lower end portion on the rear side of the intermediate block 103 and on the rotation front end side (left side in rear view). An open/closed detection switch 108 for detecting whether or not the intermediate block is provided is provided, and as shown in FIG. An open/close detection switch 109 for detecting whether or not the front block 102 is closed is provided for 103.

Next, the configurations of the front block 102, the intermediate block 103, and the rear block 104 will be sequentially described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the front block 102 is a substantially rectangular member that forms substantially the entire front surface of the pachinko machine 100 and has a thickness in the front-rear direction, and decorates the front surface portion of the pachinko machine 100. It has a function as a front decoration means. The front block 102 is composed mainly of a base frame 201 made of synthetic resin, and a plurality of functional parts are attached to the front and rear of the base frame 201. On the front surface side of the base frame 201, a front decoration 210 that forms the front surface of the pachinko machine 100 surrounds the opening 210A along the outer edge of the opening 210A that includes the front view central portion of the front block 102. It has been installed. In the state where the base frame 201 that constitutes the front block 102 and the front decorative body 210 are combined, the opening 210</b>A is formed to penetrate in the front-rear direction over a wide area excluding the outer peripheral portion where the front decorative body 210 is attached. Through this opening 210A, the intermediate block 103 including the game board 400 located on the rear side of the front block 102 is configured to be visible to the player.

Further, in the front block 102, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a central panel 220 provided on the back side of the base frame 201 so as to close the opening 210A, a main storage mechanism 230 for storing game balls, It is provided with an auxiliary storage mechanism 240 for storing the game balls, and a firing operation device 250 operated by the player for firing the game balls stored in the main storage mechanism 230.

Further, in the front block 102, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, as a part of the front decorative body 210, an opening peripheral portion 211 that surrounds the peripheral edge of the opening 210A and a portion that protrudes forward on the lower side of the opening 210A. Upper protruding portion 217, a lower protruding portion 218 located below the upper protruding portion 217 and protruding forward, an upper protruding portion 217 on the right side of the lower protruding portion 218, and a lower protruding portion. A flat portion 219, which is formed in a generally flat region located on the inner side of 218 and in which the firing operation device 250 is disposed, is formed. The main storage mechanism 230 is arranged on the upper protrusion 217, and the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 is arranged on the lower protrusion 218.

The central panel 220 has a function as a cover body that allows the rear side to be visible while closing the opening 210A penetratingly formed in the front-rear direction when the base frame 201 and the front decorative body 210 are combined. The center panel 220 includes, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a panel frame 221 (see FIG. 3) attached from the rear side of the base frame 201, and a light transmissive member fitted to the front side of the panel frame 221. Front plate 222 (see FIG. 1) and a rear plate 223 (see FIG. 3) that is light-transmissive and is fitted to the front side of the panel frame 221 substantially in parallel with the front plate 222 with a predetermined gap. There is.

The main storage mechanism 230 has a function of storing the game balls acquired according to the progress of the game and the game balls lent from the game hall. The main storage mechanism 230 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a storage portion 231, a ball removing mechanism (not shown), and a ball removing operation member 232 that operates the ball removing mechanism. In the storage section 231, an inlet 231A for allowing the game ball to flow from the inside of the pachinko machine 100 to the storage section 231, and an outlet (not shown) for allowing the game ball to flow from the storage section 231 to the inside of the pachinko machine 100, A discharge port (not shown) formed upstream of the outflow port is provided. By opening this discharge port, the game ball is discharged from the storage unit 231 to the player side without being taken into the pachinko machine 100. The ball removal mechanism has a function of switching the discharge destination of the game ball between the outflow port and the discharge port.

The game ball obtained according to the progress of the game and the game ball lent out in accordance with the lending operation to the lending operation device 292 described later mainly flow into the storage section 231 through the inflow port 231A. In addition, the storage portion 231 is formed with an opening on the upper side, and through this opening portion, a game ball owned by the player is manually inserted, or a game ball that is lent at the game hall is supplied.

The game balls that have flowed into the storage portion 231 are sequentially guided to the side where the outlet and the outlet are formed (the upper right side in FIG. 1) while being aligned in a line. When the ball removing operation (for example, the pressing operation) on the ball removing operation member 232 is not performed, the game ball is guided to the launching device 330 (see FIG. 3) described later through the outlet. On the other hand, when the ball removing operation member 232 is performing the ball removing operation, the game ball is guided to the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 (see FIG. 1) through the discharge port.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 opens and closes the storage part 241 having the inflow ports 241A and 241C (see FIG. 5) of the game ball and the discharge port 241B (see FIG. 1), and the discharge port 241B. A ball-removing mechanism 243 for causing the ball-removing mechanism 243 and a ball-removing operation member 242 for operating the ball-removing mechanism 243 are provided. The game balls and the like acquired in accordance with the progress of the game mainly flow into the main storage mechanism 230, but if the storage portion 231 is full, it flows into the storage portion 241 through the inflow port 241A. Further, even in response to the ball removing operation on the ball removing operation member 232, the game ball flows into the storage section 241 from the storage section 231 through the inflow port 241C.

The bottom surface of the storage section 241 is inclined downward toward the discharge port 241B. When the discharge port 241B is opened by a ball removing operation (for example, a pressing operation) on the ball removing operation member 242, all the game balls stored in the storage section 241 can be sequentially released to the outside of the pachinko machine 100. In addition, when the discharge port 241B is completely opened by the ball removing operation on the ball removing operation member 242, the discharge port 241B remains in the open state until a return operation (for example, a pressing operation again) is performed on the ball removing operation member 242. Maintained. A ball overflow switch 249 (see FIG. 10) for detecting whether or not game balls are excessively stored in the storage portion 241 is provided at the back of the inflow port 241A.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the firing operation device 250 includes a pedestal 251 projecting forward from the flat portion 219 of the front decorative body 210, and a rotatable firing handle 252 provided around the pedestal 251. A variable resistor 253 (see FIG. 10) that detects the amount of rotation of the firing handle 252, a contact sensor 254 (see FIG. 10) that detects that the player is in contact with the firing handle 252, and a firing handle 252 It includes a firing stop switch 255 (see FIG. 5) for invalidating the ejection of the game ball accompanying the rotation operation by the operation of the player. When the firing handle 252 is rotationally operated by the player, a game ball is ejected from the launching device 330 (see FIG. 3) toward the game board 400 (see FIG. 3) at a strength corresponding to the rotational operation amount. If the contact sensor 254 does not detect contact between the firing handle 252 and the player, or if the firing operation is invalidated by operating the firing stop switch 255, the firing handle 252 is being rotated. However, the game ball is not ejected from the launch device 330.

Further, behind the front decorative body 210 in the front block 102, frame light emitting devices 271 to 275 (see FIG. 10) are provided. The frame light emitting devices 271 to 275 are arranged so as to overlap with the opening peripheral portion 211 of the front decorative body 210 on the back side, and are attached to the base frame 201. As shown in FIG. 5, the opening peripheral portion 211 includes an upper center edge portion 211A, an upper left side edge portion 211B and an upper right side edge portion 211C located on both left and right sides of the upper side center edge portion 211A, and an upper left side edge portion. It has a left side edge portion 211D positioned below 211B and a right side edge portion 211E positioned below the upper right side edge portion 211C as light emitting portions, and frame light emission is performed corresponding to each light emitting portion. Devices 271-275 are installed.

The frame light emitting devices 271-275 include an upper central frame light emitting device 271 corresponding to the upper central edge part 211A, an upper left frame light emitting device 272 corresponding to the upper left side edge part 211B, and an upper right frame light emitting corresponding to the upper right side edge part 211C. The device 273, the left frame light emitting device 274 corresponding to the left edge portion 211D, and the right frame light emitting device 275 (see FIG. 10) corresponding to the right edge portion 211E are configured. Each of the frame light-emitting devices 271-275 is a light-emitting diode (LED) as one or a plurality of light-emitting means, an electronic component such as a resistor for controlling the LED, and these electronic components are integrated and electrically connected. And a printed circuit board.

Further, in the front block 102, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, an upper left acoustic output port 211F and an upper right acoustic output port 211G are provided above the opening peripheral edge portion 211, and these upper left acoustic output ports 211F are provided. A left upper acoustic device 281 and a right upper acoustic device 282 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 10) are provided corresponding to the respective upper right acoustic output ports 211G. The upper left acoustic device 281 and the upper right acoustic device 282 are attached to the base frame 201 so as to be located at the back (rear) of the opening peripheral edge portion 211 of the front decorative body 210.

Further, in the front block 102, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, a game ball lending device 290 is provided on the right side of the upper surface of the upper protrusion 217. The game ball lending device 290 is a frequency display device 291 for displaying numerical values according to the balance of bills, cards, etc. inserted in a card unit (not shown) arranged side by side in the pachinko machine 100, and a game ball lending It includes a lending operation device 292 that is operated by the player when receiving the money, and a return operation device 293 that is operated by the player when returning the bills, cards, and the like inserted in the card unit. When a lending operation is performed on the lending operation device 292 in a valid state in which bills, cards, etc. are inserted into the card unit and the numerical values corresponding to those amounts are displayed on the frequency display device 291, the lending operation is performed. Accordingly, a predetermined number of game balls are lent out from the payout device 540 (see FIG. 8) of the rear block 104, and the display of the frequency display device 291 is updated along with the renting of the game balls. On the other hand, when a return operation is performed on the return operation device 293 in the valid state, an equivalent of a banknote corresponding to the balance or a card in which the balance is recorded is returned from the card unit according to the return operation.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the front block 102 is provided with an input operation device 260 that allows a player to perform an input operation different from the shooting operation. The input operation device 260 includes, for example, a push operation device 261 that can perform a push operation, a rotation operation device 262 that can perform a rotation operation, and a selection operation device 263 that can perform an up/down/left/right direction operation. With these operation devices 261-263, an effect selection operation for selecting an effect executed in the pachinko machine 100, an apparatus setting operation for setting the volume and the light amount of each apparatus executing the effect of the pachinko machine 100, or a player. It is possible to execute information setting operations, etc. that enable the production of the pachinko machine 100 according to the previous game by inputting information, and these operations can be performed by the player or the manager of the game hall as necessary. It is said that. The input operation unit with which the player contacts the input operation device 260 (for example, an annular rotation operation unit of the rotation operation device 262) is rotated, moved up and down by an input operation unit drive unit such as a motor or a solenoid, or It is preferable that the operation such as the vibration is configured to be executable by the control of the pachinko machine 100 (for example, the control of the sub-control board 940 (see FIG. 10 )), either before or after the input operation, or during the input operation, or By operating the input part at a plurality of timings, it is possible to diversify the effect accompanied by the input operation, such as positively prompting the input operation.

Next, the intermediate block 103 will be described. The intermediate block 103 is a member having a substantially rectangular shape having substantially the same size as the front block 102, and by attaching the front block 102 and the rear block 104, a function of bringing the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100 into an integrated state. have. The intermediate block 103 is configured by attaching a plurality of functional components including the game board 400 to the base frame 301.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the intermediate block 103 includes a base frame 301 having an opening, a game board 400 (see FIG. 3) attached from the front side while covering the opening of the base frame 301, and the base frame. A game board support mechanism that rotatably and detachably supports the game board 400 with respect to 301, a game board fixing mechanism that fixes the position of the game board 400 with respect to the base frame 301, and a game ball on the game board 400. Based on a command from the main control device 370, a launching device 330 (see FIG. 3) that ejects, a main control device 370 (see FIG. 4) that is mounted on the back side of the game board 400 and integrally controls the progress of the game. And a sub-control device 390 (see FIG. 4) for controlling game effect and status notification.

In the base frame 301, as shown in FIG. 3, a guide passage portion 301A in which a guide passage for guiding a game ball discharged from a payout device 540 (see FIG. 8) described later to the front block 102 is formed, A plurality of wirings (not shown) and an opening 301B in which the signal relay device 311 is located are provided. The opening 301B has a shape penetrating in the front-rear direction below the game board 400, and the plurality of wirings inserted into the opening 301B are various devices provided in the front block 102 (for example, the frame light emitting device 271 to 271). 275, the upper left audio device 281 and the upper right audio device 282) and the devices (for example, the main control device 370 and the sub control device 390) provided on the back side of the intermediate block 103 or the rear block 104 for electrical connection. The signal relay device 311 including the wiring has a function as a relay board that relays a part of the wiring.

As shown in FIG. 3, the game board 400 is a flat plate-shaped base body 401 having through holes through which game balls such as a discharge port 401A can pass forward and backward, and an outer rail that smoothly curves from the lower left to the upper right of the base body 401. 402, an inner rail 403 that smoothly curves from the lower right to the upper left of the base body 401, a return ball prevention mechanism 404 attached to the upper left end of the inner rail 403, and an upper right end of the outer rail 402. The recoil prevention member 405 is attached. The outer rail 402 guides a game ball shot from a launcher 330, which will be described later, into the game area. The return ball prevention mechanism 404 prevents the game ball once released into the game area from the launch passage 401B formed in the portion where the outer rail 402 and the inner rail 403 face each other in parallel, and returns to the launch passage 401B. The recoil prevention member 405 has a shock absorbing property that prevents a large recoil of the game ball such that the game ball heading to the right beyond the upper center of the game board 400 returns to the left side via the upper center again. However, for example, it is formed of a material such as a damping rubber.

As shown in FIG. 3, a return ball passage portion 163 is formed in the lower portion on the back side of the front block 102. 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 401B, and the launching device 330 launches it but does not exceed the return ball prevention mechanism 404. The game ball returning in the passage 401B is returned to the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 (see FIG. 5) from the inflow port 241A (see FIG. 5) via the return ball passage portion 163 arranged below this gap.

The game ball that has advanced beyond the return ball prevention mechanism 404 reaches the game area and moves (flows down) while falling within the game area by its own weight. The game area has a substantially circular outer peripheral shape, and is partitioned into a shape having a region having a front-back width slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball as the majority. The outer peripheral portion of the game area is defined by the outer rail 402 and the inner rail 403, the front side is defined by the rear plate 223 of the central panel 220 into a substantially planar shape, and the rear side is defined by the base 401 of the game board 400 in a substantially planar shape. It is divided into Various structures provided in the game area will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 3, the launch device 330 includes a ball feed mechanism 331 that sequentially sends the game balls stored in the main storage mechanism 230 to a launch position, and a ball feed solenoid 332 that drives the ball feed mechanism 331 (FIG. 10). (See), a firing mechanism 333 for ejecting the game ball arranged at the firing position, a firing solenoid 334 (see FIG. 10) for driving the firing mechanism 333, and a game ball fired from the firing mechanism 333 on the game board 400. And a guide member 335 for guiding to the firing path 401B. The firing device 330 operates according to the firing operation on the firing operation device 250 as described above, and the drive control of the firing solenoid 334 is changed according to the firing operation on the firing operation device 250 to adjust the firing force.

As shown in FIG. 4, main controller 370 includes a main control board 920 (see FIG. 10) and a board case 371 having a two-part structure that houses main control board 920. The main control board 920 is housed inside a translucent board case 371 that is sealed so that it cannot be opened without leaving a trace.

The main controller 370 is rotatably attached to the back side of the game board 400. Specifically, the mounting portion 372 is rotatably connected and fixed to the back side of the base 401 of the game board 400, and the main control device 370 is mounted on the mounting portion 372. Thereby, not only the back side (front surface side) of the main control device 370, but also the front side (back surface side) of the main control device 370 by rotating the mounting portion 372, the main control device 370 on the game board 400. It can be easily confirmed with it attached. The main control device 370 may be connected to the mounting portion 372 so as not to be removed without leaving a trace, and the removal status of the main control device 370 may be easily managed.

The sub-control device 390 includes a sub-control board 940 (see FIG. 10) and a board case 391 having a two-part structure that houses the sub-control board 940. Like the main control board 920, the sub-control board 940 is housed inside a light-transmissive board case 391 that is sealed so that it cannot be opened without leaving a trace. It is attached to the back side.

Here, in the game board 400, various structures arranged in the game area will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a front view of the game board 400.

As shown in FIG. 7, the game board 400 includes a base body 401, a flow-down change member such as a nail 411 or a windmill 412 that changes the flow-down direction or flow-down speed of a game ball, and a center located approximately in the center of the base body 401. The structure 420, the middle starting prize device 431 arranged on the lower side with respect to the central structure 420, and the starting device according to the second special symbol arranged on the lower right side with respect to the central structure 420 (specifically The right start winning device 432), the big winning devices 433 and 434 (specifically, the lower big winning device 433 and the upper big winning device 434) arranged below the right starting winning device 432, and the right start. The starting device 436 related to the normal symbol arranged on the upper side (upstream side) of the winning device 432, and the upper right side of the game board 400, and is arranged on the upper side (upstream side) with respect to the upper and lower large winning devices 433 and 434. The winning combination operating device 435 and the general winning award devices 439A and 439B arranged on the left and right sides of the middle start award device 431 are provided.

The middle starting prize device 431 is a winning device in which two winning devices (specifically, the left middle starting prize device 431A and the right middle starting prize device 431B) are integrated. The left middle starting winning device 431A is a starting device relating to the first special symbol, and the right middle starting winning device 431B is a starting device relating to a second special symbol similar to the right starting winning device 432. That is, the medium starting winning device 431 is a winning device having two functions as a starting device relating to the first special symbol and a starting device relating to the second special symbol.

The middle-start prize device 431 includes a distribution unit 620 that distributes the game balls that have entered from the entrance 611 to either the left-hand middle start prize device 431A or the right-hand middle start prize device 431B. The distribution unit 620 is configured such that each time a game ball enters from the entrance 611, the winning devices 431A and 431B to which the game ball is distributed are alternately switched. As a result, the game balls that have entered the middle start winning device 431 basically enter alternately to the left middle starting winning device 431A or the right middle starting winning device 431B.

The middle-start prize device 431 has a function of discharging a part of the game balls entered from the entrance 611 from the middle-start prize device 431 with a very low probability without entering any of the middle-start prize devices 431A and 431B. And will be described in detail later. The probability that the game ball that has entered through the entrance 611 is discharged without entering the starting winning devices 431A and 431B is, for example, about 1/100, and preferably about 1/1000.

In addition, the game board 400 is provided with a plurality of switches as detection means for detecting passage of a game ball corresponding to the above-mentioned left middle starting winning device 431A and the like (see FIG. 10), corresponding to each switch. The entry of the game ball into the predetermined area can be detected. For example, a middle-start prize switch (left middle-start prize switch 441A) that detects a game ball that has entered the left middle-start prize device 431A, a middle-start prize switch that detects a game ball that has entered the right-center start prize device 431B (right-side middle) Start prize switch 441B), right start prize switch 442 that detects the game ball that has entered the right start prize device 432, lower large prize switch 443 that detects the game ball that entered the lower major prize device 433, and upper large prize device 434. Upper prize winning switch 444 that detects the game ball that has entered, winning combination operation switch 445 that detects the game ball that has entered the winning combination operation device 435, start switch 446 that detects the gaming ball that has entered the starting device 436, and lower prizes A non-specific passage switch 447 that detects a game ball that has entered a non-specific passage (not shown) formed inside the device 433, and a specific passage (not shown) formed inside the lower major winning device 433. A specific passage switch 448 for detecting a game ball, a general prize switch 449A, 449B for detecting a game ball entering each of the general prize devices 439A, 439B, and the like are installed on the game board 400.

The central structure 420 and the entrance part of the game ball of the starting device 436 constitute a ball entrance, and the game ball that has entered each ball entrance is discharged to the game area. Game balls of the respective winning devices, specifically, the left middle starting winning device 431A, the right middle starting winning device 431B, the right starting winning device 432, the lower big winning device 433, the upper big winning device 434, and the general winning devices 439A, 439B. The entrance portion of each constitutes a winning opening, and the game balls that have entered each winning opening are guided through a through hole formed in the base 401 to a collection and discharge passage (not shown) formed on the back side of the base 401. In addition, the game balls that have not entered the respective winning devices are guided to the collection and discharge passage through the discharge port 401A provided at the most downstream side portion of the game area. The game ball guided to the collecting and discharging passage is discharged from the pachinko machine 100 to a game ball circulating device (not shown) provided in the game hall. When a game ball enters any of the winning devices, a predetermined number of game balls corresponding to the type of the winning device are paid out from the payout device 540 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). Each winning device may be configured separately from other winning devices, and like the middle starting winning device 431, two or more winning devices (for example, the left middle starting winning device 431A and the right middle starting winning device 431A). The winning device may be configured by a device in which 431B) is integrated. In addition, the starting device such as the middle start winning device 431A does not necessarily have to be a winning opening for paying out a predetermined number of game balls when a game ball enters, and the game ball is discharged again to the game area without being paid out. It may be used as an entrance.

Each of the general winning device 439A and the general winning device 439B does not change the probability of the game ball entering them, and guides the entered game ball to the back side of the base 401. The middle-start prize device 431 does not change the entry probability to the entrance 611, but as described above, a part of the game balls that have entered the middle-start prize device 431 is placed on either of the left and right middle-start prize devices 431A and 431B. Without entering (that is, without being guided to the back side of the base 401), is discharged onto the game board 400 (that is, a game area).

In addition, the right start winning a prize device 432 which relates to the 2nd special design has the mechanism which changes the entry probability of the game sphere inside that. In addition, the mechanism for changing the entry probability of the game ball does not need to be provided only in the starting device according to the second special symbol, instead of or in addition to it, the starting device according to the first special symbol, the general winning device 439A, 439B, may be provided in any or a plurality of winning devices such as the middle starting winning device 431 including the starting device according to the first special symbol and the starting device according to the second special symbol. Further, the mechanism for changing the entering probability of the game ball may be constituted by a driving means such as an electrically driven solenoid, and is represented by a mechanism operated by the weight of the game ball entering a predetermined area. It may be configured by a mechanism that operates mechanically.

The right start prize winning device 432 related to the second special symbol is a right entry regulation mechanism 452 that changes the entry probability of the game ball into the inside by the transition between the entry permission posture and the entry prohibition posture, and the right entry regulation mechanism. And a right entry restriction solenoid 462 (see FIG. 10) that drives 452. The right entry regulation mechanism 452 includes two movable pieces driven by the right entry regulation solenoid 462. When the right entry regulation mechanism 452 is in the entry prohibition posture, the two movable pieces enter the entrance (the winning opening). ) Is narrowed (or closed), the game ball cannot enter the right start winning device 432, but when the right entry restriction mechanism 452 is in the entry allowable posture, the two movable pieces have their tips. The game ball can enter the right start winning device 432 by arranging such that the interval between the parts is enlarged. The right-entry restricting mechanism 452 is the right-entry when the game ball that has entered the starting device 436 relating to the normal symbol is selected by a lottery (hereinafter also referred to as "ordinary symbol lottery") based on the fact that the starting switch 446 detects the game ball. In response to the drive by the restricting solenoid 462, the approaching attitude is changed a predetermined number of times and a predetermined time.

As shown in FIG. 7, the lower-large prize winning apparatus 433 has a lower-entry restricting mechanism 453 that restricts the entry of a game ball into the inside of the lower-entry restricting mechanism 453 by a transition between the allowable-entry attitude and the prohibited-entry attitude, and the lower-entry restriction. The lower entry restriction solenoid 463 (see FIG. 10) that changes the attitude of the mechanism 453, and the transition between the non-guided attitude and the guided attitude allows the game ball that has entered the lower prize winning apparatus 433 to become a non-specific path or a specific path. A distribution mechanism (not shown) for distribution and a switching solenoid 465 (see FIG. 10) for changing the attitude of the distribution mechanism to switch the destination of the game ball are provided. When the lower entry regulation mechanism 453 of the lower big prize device 433 is in the entry prohibited posture, the lower entry regulation mechanism 453 closes the entrance (winning hole), so that the game ball cannot enter the lower big prize device 433. When the lower entry regulation mechanism 453 is in the entry allowable posture, the lower entry regulation mechanism 453 opens the entrance to allow the game ball to enter the lower prize winning apparatus 433. In addition, the game ball that has entered the lower-winning prize device 433 is guided to a non-specific path when the sorting mechanism is in the non-guided posture in which it projects forward, and when the sorting mechanism is in the guided posture in which it is retracted rearward. Is guided to a specific passage. The specific passage, the non-specific passage, and the distribution mechanism are provided to diversify the transition of the game state, and when the game ball enters the specific passage, the player is given a favorable game state as a privilege. ..

As shown in FIG. 7, the upper prize winning apparatus 434 has an upper entry regulation mechanism 454 that regulates the entry of the game ball into the inside by the transition between the entry permitted posture and the entry prohibited posture, and the top entry regulation. An upper entry restriction solenoid 464 (see FIG. 10) that changes the posture of the mechanism 454 is provided. When the upper entry regulation mechanism 454 is in the entry prohibited posture, the upper entry regulation mechanism 454 closes the entrance (winning hole) so that the game ball cannot enter the upper special winning apparatus 434, but the upper entry regulation mechanism 454. Is in the entry permission posture, the upper entry regulation mechanism 454 opens the entrance to allow the game ball to enter the upper prize winning apparatus 434.

In addition, as the entry allowable posture and the entry prohibited posture as a mechanism for changing the entry probability of the game ball into the inside of the right entry regulation mechanism 452, etc., each mechanism is configured to form a winning opening (or a ball entrance) of each device. Corresponding to the posture change of the operating member that switches between the special state in which the game ball can enter and the normal state in which the game ball cannot enter, at least one of the position and direction of the operating member differs depending on each posture. I wish I had it. Further, as a mechanism for changing the entry probability of the game ball such as the right entry regulation mechanism 452, it is not always necessary to set the state in which the game ball cannot enter to the normal state, and the entry of the game ball is permitted even in the normal state, In the state, the posture of the operating member may be changed to a state in which the game ball is more likely to enter than in the normal state.

A game ball can enter the lower prize winning device 433 and the upper prize winning device 434 when a lottery for a big hit is won. Specifically, a lottery based on that the game ball that has entered the left-side middle starting prize device 431A related to the first special symbol is detected by the left-side middle starting winning prize switch 441A (hereinafter also referred to as "first special symbol lottery"). Based on that the game ball that has entered the right middle start winning a prize device 431B or the right starting prize winning device 432 related to the second special symbol is detected by the right middle starting prize winning switch 441B or the right starting prize winning switch 442. When the lottery (hereinafter also referred to as “second special symbol lottery”) is won, at least one of the lower entry regulation solenoid 463 and the upper entry regulation solenoid 464 is activated. By this operation, at least one of the lower entry regulation mechanism 453 and the upper entry regulation mechanism 454 takes the entry permitted posture for a predetermined number of times for a predetermined number of times. In addition, the distribution mechanism shifts to the guiding posture in response to the operation of the switching solenoid 465 after a predetermined time has passed from the shift of the lower approach regulating mechanism 453 to the approaching allowable posture, and further switches after a predetermined time from the shift to the guiding posture. When the solenoid 465 is stopped, it returns to the non-guided posture.

The winning combination operation device 435 is a device for setting conditions necessary for the lower-winning prize device 433 and the upper-winning prize device 434 to start operating. After winning the big hit lottery, on condition that the game ball of the winning combination operating device 435 has passed, either the lower big winning device 433 or the upper big winning device 434 starts operating. Therefore, if the player wins the big hit, the player can start the special game state at the timing intended by the player. Incidentally, it is not always necessary that either the lower big prize device 433 or the upper big prize device 434 starts the operation on the condition that the game ball of the winning combination operation device 435 has passed, and instead of that, or In addition, it may be configured that either the lower-winning prize device 433 or the upper-winning prize device 434 starts its operation after a predetermined time has elapsed.

Further, on the game board 400, as shown in FIG. 7, display devices 471 to 473 for displaying variable display of symbols and lottery results, and display devices 476 to 478 for displaying the number of times games are held are integrated. A display having a plurality of light emitting units is provided in the lower left portion corresponding to a part of the game board 400. The plurality of light emitting units are preliminarily divided into light emitting areas corresponding to the respective devices, and the state of each device is displayed by the light emitting state.

Specifically, on the game board 400, along with the first special symbol lottery, the first special symbol is variably displayed, or the first special symbol is fixedly displayed as a stop symbol according to the lottery result. With the special symbol display device 471 relating to the special symbol and the second special symbol lottery, the second special symbol is variably displayed, or the second special symbol is confirmed and displayed as a stop symbol according to the lottery result. Special symbol display device 472 related to the special symbol, special symbol hold display device 476 that displays the number of times the unit game related to the first special symbol is held, and special symbol hold that displays the number of times the unit game related to the second special symbol is held A display device 477 is provided. The right of the unit game relating to the first special symbol and the right of the unit game relating to the second special symbol are respectively reserved up to four times. Here, the unit game is a one-time game executed based on one start winning, and a lottery determination based on the lottery determination based on the one start winning It refers to a series of games including from the start to the end of variable display until the result is displayed.

When the right of the unit game relating to the first special symbol is reserved up to the maximum number of times, it is assumed that the game ball that has entered the left middle starting prize winning device 431A is detected by the left middle starting winning prize switch 441A (see FIG. 10). Also, the right to the unit game related to the first special symbol is not added. Similarly, when the right of the unit game relating to the second special symbol is reserved up to the maximum number of times, the game ball that has entered the right middle starting prize winning device 431B or the right starting prize winning device 432 is the right middle starting prize winning switch 441B (Fig. 10) or the right start winning award switch 442 (see FIG. 10), the right to the unit game related to the second special symbol is not added.

Each of the special symbol display device 471 relating to the first special symbol and the special symbol display device 472 relating to the second special symbol is composed of a plurality of light emitting units, and is controlled by the main control board 920 (see FIG. 10). .. Each of the display of the first special symbol and the display of the second special symbol is expressed by a light emitting pattern of a plurality of light emitting units (a combination of light emitting states (light off, lighting, blinking) including a light emitting color). The special symbol hold display device 476 related to the first special symbol and the special symbol hold display device 477 related to the second special symbol are the number of holding times depending on the combination of the light emitting states (light off, lighting, blinking) of the two single-color light emitting units. indicate.

Further, in the game board 400, with the normal symbol lottery, the normal symbol is variably displayed, or the normal symbol is fixedly displayed as a stop symbol according to the lottery result, and the normal symbol is related. A normal symbol hold display device 478 that displays the number of times the right to hold a unit game is held is provided. The right of the unit game related to the normal symbol is reserved up to 4 times. When the right of the unit game related to the normal symbol is reserved up to the maximum number of times, the right of the unit game related to the normal symbol is not added even if the game ball that has entered the starting device 436 is detected by the start switch 446.

The normal symbol display device 473 is composed of a plurality of light emitting units and is controlled by the main control board 920 (see FIG. 10). Usually, the design is expressed by the light emitting patterns of the plurality of light emitting units. Further, the normal symbol hold display device 478 displays the number of hold times by a combination of the light emitting states (light off, light, blink) of the two single color light emitting units.

Further, on the game board 400, in the unit game relating to the first special symbol and the second special symbol, the decorative symbol is variably displayed or the decorative symbol is fixedly displayed so as to overlap the rear of the central structure 420. A decorative pattern display device 479 is provided. The variable display and final display of the decorative symbols are controlled by the sub-control board 940, and are synchronized with the variable display and final display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol by the main control board 920. In the variable display of the decorative symbol, more complicated and various effects are executed than in the variable display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol. The variable display and confirmed display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol and the variable display and confirmed display of the decorative symbol are not always changed at the same timing, or the stopped display is displayed as the confirmed display. It is not necessary to set, and it is also possible to set such that a fixed display is performed at substantially the same timing by starting the fluctuation at substantially the same timing while providing a slight time difference at each timing.

In addition, the game board 400 is provided with a board surface light emitting device 490 (see FIG. 10) provided on the back side of various structures, and the board surface light emitting device 490 accompanies the progress of the game under the control of the sub control board 940. Various light emission effects and status notification by light emission are executed.

Here, various game states and transitions between the game states will be described. The normal game state (hereinafter also abbreviated as "normal game state") is a state in which the variable display time of the first special symbol, the second special symbol and the normal symbol is long (hereinafter also referred to as "non-time saving state"). Correspond.

If you win the big hit in the first special symbol lottery or the second special symbol lottery, the game ball enters the specific passage (internal passage of the lower big winning device 433) during the special game state that shifts based on the winning. Depending on whether or not the game state to be transferred after the special game state is different. If the game ball does not enter the specific passage during the special game state, the first special symbol lottery, the second special symbol and the variation display time of the normal symbol is shorter than the non-time saving state (hereinafter, "time saving state" , And the winning state of the jackpot in the first special symbol lottery and the second special symbol lottery is the same as the normal gaming state (hereinafter also referred to as "low probability state") in the gaming state ( In the following, also referred to as "time saving game state"). On the other hand, when the game ball enters the specific passage during the special game state, it is a time saving state, and the winning probability of the big hit in the first special symbol lottery and the second special symbol lottery is higher than the normal game state. (Hereinafter, also referred to as “high-probability state”) a game state (hereinafter, also referred to as “probability variation game state”).

The time saving game state is maintained until the total number of unit games relating to the first special symbol and the second special symbol reaches a predetermined number of times (for example, 50 times), but thereafter, it returns to the normal game state. In addition, the probability variation game state is maintained until the total number of unit games related to the first special symbol and the second special symbol reaches a predetermined number (for example, 100 times), but then returns to the normal game state.

Note that the game state and the transition between the game states do not necessarily have to have the above-described configuration, and for example, the high-probability state may be configured to continue until the next big hit, or the above-mentioned game state may be changed depending on other contents. At least one may be configured, a game state different from each of the above-mentioned game states may be further included, and a configuration in which the game states are shifted by a condition different from the above-described condition may be adopted.

Next, the operation of the main devices of the game board 400 will be described generally in chronological order. On the main control board 920, a winning random number related to a special symbol (common to the first special symbol and the second special symbol), a big hit symbol random number, a stop pattern random number, various fluctuation pattern random numbers are generated, and various game states. In the case where the game ball that has entered the left-side middle starting winning device 431A) which is the starting device relating to the first special symbol is detected by the left-side middle starting winning award switch 441A (see FIG. 10), the starting winning of the first special symbol is achieved. .. At the time of starting winning of the first special symbol, if the right of the unit game relating to the first special symbol is not reserved up to the maximum number, the winning random number, the big hit symbol random number and the stop pattern random number relating to the special symbol are acquired, It is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control board 920.

The unit game by the random number acquired based on the start winning of the first special symbol is not in the special game state and is not in the unit game relating to the first special symbol or the second special symbol, and the first special symbol and the second special symbol. If the right of the unit game relating to the symbol is not reserved, it is started immediately after the storage of those random numbers. In addition, even when not in the special game state, when the right of the unit game related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol or the unit game related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol is reserved After the end of the unit game related to all special symbols (first special symbol and second special symbol) that were held before the current prize, the unit game based on the present starting prize is started. When each random number is obtained based on the starting winning of the first special symbol during the special gaming state, the unit game by the random number is all held before the starting winning of this time after the special gaming state. It is started after the unit game relating to the special symbol.

In addition, the unit game by the random number acquired based on the starting prize of the first special symbol is started after the end of the unit game relating to the first special symbol and the second special symbol in which the starting prize is generated before the starting prize. It That is, the unit game relating to the first special symbol and the second special symbol is executed in the order of the start winning.

In addition, it is not always necessary to have a configuration in which the unit games relating to the first special symbol and the second special symbol are executed in the order of the start winning, and one of the special symbols is executed in preference to the other special symbol. Alternatively, for example, the unit game based on the starting winning of the second special symbol may be configured to be executed in preference to the unit game relating to the first special symbol. That is, during the unit game related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol, the starting prize of the first special symbol is obtained, and if the starting prize of the second special symbol is subsequently obtained, the starting prize is obtained later. The unit game based on the start winning of the second special symbol may be preferentially executed. Further, the two special symbols may not be alternative but may be capable of changing at the same time.

When the big hit in the first special symbol lottery based on the start winning of the first special symbol, if the jackpot winning of the first special symbol lottery based on the obtained jackpot symbol random number, the stop symbol ( The type of jackpot pattern) is determined. The type of this stop symbol corresponds to the type of jackpot, for example, the number of rounds (for example, 6 rounds and 16 rounds) corresponding to the number of times the lower entry regulation mechanism 453 or the upper entry regulation mechanism 454 takes the entry allowable posture, or A plurality of types of big hits are set corresponding to the types of game states such as a game state (whether or not to shift to a probability variation game state) after the special game state, and a big hit symbol is set for each type. When the big hit is not won in the first special symbol lottery, a lost symbol different from the big hit symbol is set as the stop symbol.

After the first special symbol lottery, based on the current game state, lottery result, the value of the stop pattern random number, the value of various fluctuation pattern random numbers, the number of times the right to hold the unit game related to the first special symbol, the first special The variation display time of the symbol is determined, and the variation pattern of the decorative symbol is selected. After that, the variable display of the first special symbol in the special symbol display device 471 relating to the first special symbol and the variable display (variation effect) of the decorative symbol in the decorative symbol display device 479 are started, and the variation occurs in the first special symbol. The variable display is continued in a fixed pattern over the display time, and in the decorative pattern, the variable display according to the change pattern is continued over the variable display time. After that, with the passage of the variable display time, the stop symbol relating to the first special symbol is fixedly displayed, and the symbol corresponding to the stop symbol of the first special symbol is fixedly displayed as the decorative symbol. The fixed display of the first special symbol and the decorative symbol is continued for at least a predetermined fixed time.

If the stop symbol related to the first special symbol is a big hit symbol, after the fixed display of the first special symbol, the game state shifts to the special game state. In the special game state, the lower entrance control mechanism 453 of the lower prize winning device 433 and the upper entrance restriction mechanism 454 of the upper prize winning device 434 are allowed to enter a predetermined number of times in a predetermined order according to the type of jackpot. .. When a predetermined number (for example, 8) of game balls are detected by the special winning switches 443 and 444 in each of the allowable entry postures of the lower entry regulation mechanism 453 and the upper entry regulation mechanism 454, or a predetermined maximum. When the allowed entry time (for example, 29.5 seconds) has elapsed, the lower entry regulation mechanism 453 or the upper entry regulation mechanism 454 shifts to the entry prohibited posture. After that, after the elapse of the predetermined entry prohibition time, either the lower entry regulation mechanism 453 or the upper entry regulation mechanism 454 returns to the entry permitted posture again. This approach restriction operation is repeated a predetermined number of times in a predetermined order corresponding to the type of jackpot.

Only one of the lower approach regulation mechanism 453 and the upper approach regulation mechanism 454 is allowed to enter the special game state, and after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed from the start of the special game state (after the opening period) One shifts to) to the first approach allowable posture. In addition, the special game state ends after a predetermined entry prohibition time has elapsed from the final return to the entry prohibition posture and after a predetermined standby time has elapsed (after the ending period). After the end of the special game state, as described above, the state shifts to the time saving game state or the probability variation game state.

In various game states, a game ball that has entered the right-side middle start winning device 431B or the right-start winning device 432 which is the starting device related to the second special symbol is the right-side middle-start winning switch 441B (see FIG. 10) or the right-start winning switch. When it is detected by 442 (see FIG. 10), the starting prize of the second special symbol is obtained. The control of the unit game based on the start winning of the second special symbol is executed in the same manner as the control relating to the above-mentioned first special symbol. That is, if the right of the unit game related to the second special symbol is not reserved up to the maximum number at the time of starting winning of the second special symbol, each random number related to the special symbol is acquired, and the unit game based on this starting prize is executed. To be done. Further, the determination of the stop symbol according to the second special symbol lottery, the selection of the variation pattern of the decorative symbol, the execution of the variable display, and the game state transition control, etc. are executed in the same manner as the control relating to the first special symbol. To be done.

In various game states, when the game ball that has entered the starting device 436 is detected by the start switch 446, if the right of the unit game related to the normal symbol is not retained up to the maximum number of times, the winning random number related to the normal symbol is acquired. Then, the data is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control board 920. At this time, if it is not during the unit game related to the normal symbol, immediately after the storage, the unit game related to the acquired normal symbol is started. On the other hand, if the unit game related to the normal symbol is in progress, the unit game related to the acquired normal symbol is started after the unit game based on the right of the unit game related to the already-acquired normal symbol ends.

In the unit game relating to the normal symbol, it is determined whether or not the player has won based on the value of the winning random number, and when the player has won, a predetermined hit symbol is set as a stop symbol. On the other hand, when the normal symbol lottery is not won, a predetermined lost symbol is set as the stop symbol. After the normal symbol lottery, the variable display of the normal symbol is started in the normal symbol display device 473, and in the non-time saving state, the variable display is continued in a fixed pattern for a predetermined variation display time, and in the time saving state. The variable display with a constant pattern is continued for a predetermined variable display time shorter than the non-time saving state. With the lapse of a predetermined time according to the gaming state, the stop symbol related to the normal symbol is fixedly displayed for a certain period of time.

When the stop symbol related to the normal symbol is a winning symbol, after the normal symbol is confirmed and displayed, the right entry regulation mechanism 452 of the right starting winning device 432 shifts to the entry permission posture at least once. Specifically, when the player wins in the non-time saving state (normal gaming state and special gaming state), the right start winning device 432 allows entry for a predetermined maximum entry allowable time (for example, about 0.1 seconds). In the case of winning in the time saving state (time saving game state and probability variation game state), a predetermined maximum allowable entry time longer than that in the case where the right start winning device 432 is in the non-time saving state (for example, about 4.8 seconds). ) Intermittently (for example, divided into three times) to shift to the entry permission posture. However, when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls are detected by the right start prize switch 442, the right entry regulation mechanism 452 shifts to the entry prohibited posture without waiting for the maximum entry allowable time to elapse. Also, the operation of the right start winning device 432 in the unit game relating to the present normal symbol is completed even if the number of times of transition to the entry permissible posture has not reached the predetermined number.

Next, a configuration relating to the playability of the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment will be described.

In order to receive the second special symbol lottery (hereinafter, this lottery may be referred to as "right special symbol lottery") based on the start winning to the right start winning device 432, first, in the normal symbol lottery Of course, the game ball must enter the right starting prize winning device 432 in the entry permitted state of the right starting prize winning device 432 based on the winning. The winning probability for a normal symbol in the normal gaming state is the same as the winning probability in the time saving gaming state, but the right start winning device 432 is allowed to enter based on the winning probability in the normal gaming state. Since 0.1 seconds) is set to be extremely short compared to the staying time in the time saving state (for example, about 4.8 seconds), in the normal gaming state, the opportunity per unit time to receive the right special symbol lottery , Per unit time that can receive the first special symbol lottery and the second special symbol lottery (hereinafter, these lottery may be referred to as "center side special symbol lottery") based on the start winning to the medium start winning a prize device 431 It is much smaller than the opportunity. On the contrary, in the time saving state such as the time saving game state or the probability variation game state, the opportunity per unit time to receive the right special symbol lottery is significantly larger than the opportunity per unit time to receive the central side special symbol lottery. ing.

Therefore, the player wins the big hit in the center side special symbol lottery, and in the subsequent special game state, aims to shift to the probability variation game state by entering the game ball into the specific passage. On the other hand, in the time saving game state and the probability variation game state, the game is aimed at winning the big hit in the right special symbol lottery before each game state ends.

Specifically, in the game board 400, a central structure 420 is provided in the center of the game area where the game balls flow down, and a game method (left-handed game) in which the game balls flow down mainly from the left side of the central structure 420. Method) and a game method (right-handed game method) in which the game ball is mainly flown down from the right side of the central structure 420 can be selectively selected. In the normal game state, the player plays the game by the left-handed playing technique, and in the time saving game state and the probability variation gaming state, the player plays the game by the right-handed playing technique. Further, since the lower big prize device 433 and the upper big prize device 434 are arranged on the right side with respect to the central structure 420, a game is performed by a right-handed game technique even in the special game state.

Next, the rear block 104 will be described. 8 and 9 are a rear perspective view and a rear view showing the pachinko machine 100, respectively. In FIG. 8, the outer frame 101 is omitted for easy understanding.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rear block 104 is configured by attaching other members and devices to the base body 501. The base block 501 and the intermediate block 103 are connected by the rear block support mechanisms 136 and 137, so that the rear block 104 is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the intermediate block 103.

The rear block 104 continuously rectifies the game balls (for example, in one row) on the downstream side of the game ball tank 510 and the game balls tank 510 as a ball storage unit that stores the game balls and aligns them in one stage. A tank rail 520 as a ball alignment section, a case rail 530 as a ball guide section for guiding a game ball flowing from the tank rail 520 on the downstream side of the tank rail 520, and a payout of the game ball on the downstream side of the case rail 530. A payout device 540 that rents out game balls, and a guidance as a ball guide portion that guides the game balls flowing out from the payout device 540 on the downstream side of the payout device 540 to a guide passage (not shown) formed in the base 501. A member 550, a payout control device 560 for controlling the payout of game balls and a lending of game balls by the payout device 540, and a power supply for converting external electric power into electric power of a predetermined voltage required by various devices and outputting the electric power. A power supply/launch control device 570 having a function as a means and a function as a launch control means for controlling the launch of a game ball based on a launch operation to the launch operating device 250 in cooperation with the main control board 920, and a payout control device 560. The game ball lending device 290 (see FIG. 1) and a relay device 950 that relays a signal between a card unit (not shown) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 100 are provided.

The base body 501 is integrally molded of resin (for example, ABS resin), and includes a base portion 502 corresponding to the front portion and a protective cover portion 503 located rearward of the base portion 502. The base portion 502 has an upper portion formed in a substantially frame shape along the outer shape of the rear block 104, and a lower portion formed in a substantially flat shape having a thickness in the front-rear direction, to which other devices are attached. It has a function as an attached part.

The protective cover portion 503 is formed in a substantially plate shape having a thickness in the front-rear direction. Further, the protective cover portion 503 does not cover the entire back surface of the intermediate block 103, but covers a part of the back surface of the intermediate block 103, such as a part of the main control device 370, which needs frequent inspection and confirmation, to the back surface of the pachinko machine 100. The size is set so as to form a window portion for exposure to. On the back surface of the protective cover portion 503, a large number of vent holes 503A having a function of improving the heat radiation performance of the main controller 370 and the sub controller 390 are formed.

The game ball tank 510 is a horizontally long box-shaped container that opens upward, and one end side in the longitudinal direction of the game ball tank 510 is sequentially replenished with game balls supplied from a ball circulation device (not shown) of the island facility. An opening (not shown) is formed at one end side in the longitudinal direction different from the side where the game balls are supplied in the game ball tank 510. The bottom surface of the game ball tank 510 is gently inclined in the longitudinal direction, and the game balls supplied to the game ball tank 510 move to the opening side by their own weight. Further, the bottom surface of the game ball tank 510 is inclined in a direction (front-back direction) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction as compared with the longitudinal direction, and guides the game ball to the side where the opening is provided (for example, the front side). .. Further, on the bottom surface of the game ball tank 510, a metal antistatic plate (not shown) is attached so as to overlap therewith, and the antistatic plate is connected to the ground potential so that the inside of the game ball tank 510 and The static electricity of the game ball on the downstream side is removed.

The tank rail 520 is attached to the side where the opening of the game ball tank 510 is formed, and the game ball flows through the opening of the game ball tank 510. The tank rail 520 has a passage forming member 521 that forms a passage of a substantially gutter-shaped game ball having a width that allows the game balls to pass in a line, and the height gradually increases as the upper surface of the passage formed by the passage forming member 521. It has a rectifying member 522 that has a top surface portion that lowers and gradually rectifies the game balls that flow down the passage from a vertically overlapping height to a one-step height. The passage formed by the tank rail 520 is gently inclined toward the downstream side and guides the game ball to the opposite side of the game ball tank 510.

The case rail 530 is formed vertically so as to be continuous with the lower side of the tank rail 520, and a game ball from the tank rail 520 flows in. On the case rail 530, the game balls are curved left and right so as not to flow vigorously and continue downward. In addition, a ball break detection unit 539 for detecting a ball break is provided in the middle of the ball passage in the case rail 530. The storage ball switch 591 (see FIG. 10) is built in the out-of-ball detection unit 539, and the storage ball switch 591 causes a ball clogging or the like on the case rail 530 or on the upstream side of the storage rail switch 591 to cause a game ball in the case rail 530. Detects an out-of-ball condition that is not normally replenished.

The payout device 540 includes a delivery mechanism for delivering the game balls, a payout motor 542 (see FIG. 10) as a drive unit for driving the delivery mechanism, and a payout counting switch 592 (see FIG. 10). 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 ball passage are discharged to the downstream side. Passage of the released game balls through the ball passage is detected by the payout counting switch 592, whereby the payout control device 560 (payout control board 930) counts the number of payouts of the game balls.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the payout control device 560 and the power supply/launch control device 570 are mounted so as to overlap with the lower back surface of the base portion 502 of the base body 501 so as to be positioned at the lower back surface side of the rear block 104. Has been. The rear block 104 including the payout control device 560 and the power supply/launch control device 570 can be continuously used even when the game board 400 is replaced with another game board due to a model change or the like.

The payout control device 560 includes a payout control board 930 (see FIG. 10) and a board case that accommodates the payout control board 930, and the payout control board 930 does not leave a trace of unsealing, like the main control board 920. It is housed inside a substrate case that is sealed so that it cannot be opened.

The power supply/launch control device 570 includes a power supply/launch control board 900 (see FIG. 10) and a substrate case that houses the power/launch control board 900. The power/launch control board 900 is similar to the main control board 920. And is housed inside a sealed substrate case.

<Electrical configuration>
Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 100 will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 100. As shown in FIG. 10, the pachinko machine 100 includes control circuit devices such as a power/launch control board 900, a power monitoring board 910, a main control board 920, a payout control board 930, and a sub control board 940. Note that, in FIG. 10, a relay circuit device that only relays various signals is omitted. Below, these major control circuit devices will be described individually in detail.

The power supply/launch control board 900 includes a power supply unit 901 that supplies power of a predetermined voltage to each unit of the pachinko machine 100 via a power supply path (broken line in the figure), and a launching device according to the operation of the launching operation device 250. A firing control unit 902 that controls the drive of 330 and a signal relay unit 903 that relays the initialization signal from the initialization switch 907 and the 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 V) supplied from the outside, converts it into internal electric power (for example, DC 24 V), and generates various kinds of electric power from the internal electric power. The electric power generated by the power supply unit 901 is electric power of a drive voltage (for example, DC 12 V) for driving devices such as various solenoids and various motors, drives various switches, and executes control processing. It also includes power for a control voltage (for example, DC 5 V) for changing the voltage, power for a backup voltage for holding the contents of the RAM of the main control board 920, and the like.

The power supply unit 901 supplies various kinds of power generated from the internal power 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. Specifically, the power supply monitoring board 910 is supplied with the internal power, the driving voltage, the control voltage, and the backup voltage. Electric power of a drive voltage, a control voltage, and a backup voltage is supplied to the main control board 920, and these electric powers are supplied via the power supply monitoring unit 911 of the power supply monitoring board 910. Electric power of a drive voltage and a control voltage is supplied to the payout control board 930. The sub-control board 940 is supplied with electric power of a drive voltage and a control voltage. Electric power of a driving voltage and a control voltage is supplied to the firing control unit 902 and the signal relay unit 903.

A power switch 909 is connected to the power supply unit 901, and when the power switch 909 is in the off state, the acquisition of external power is stopped. Note that the power switch 909 is turned off, or the power plug (not shown) connected to the power supply unit 901 through the power switch 909 is pulled out from an external power supply outlet (not shown). A state in which the supply of electric power to the inside of the machine 100 is stopped or a state in which the supply of external electric 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 the transition to the power failure state. Accordingly, the main control board 920 can save the state and end the control so as to return to the current control state.

The firing control unit 902 cooperates with the main control board 920 to control the driving of the ball feeding solenoid 332 and the firing solenoid 334 of the firing device 330. The ball feeding solenoid 332 and the firing solenoid 334 are permitted to operate when a predetermined condition is 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 the firing is provided. The firing control unit 902 outputs a firing permission signal in the ON state to the main control board 920 on condition that the firing control unit 902 is not operated. Further, the main control board 920 outputs a firing solenoid control signal and a ball feeding 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 As a result, the 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 operation 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 the reception of the initialization signal in the ON state. The initialization switch 907 does not necessarily have to be configured to output a signal to the main control board 920 via the signal relay section 903. For example, the initialization switch 907 may be directly mounted on the main control board 920. The initialization switch 907 may be housed in the substrate case 371, which can prevent an illegal signal input aiming at a section where a signal is transmitted.

In addition, the signal relay unit 903 outputs an on-state ball overflow signal to the main control board 920 when the ball overflow switch 249 detects a game ball. In the main control board 920, the low speed payout signal is output 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 determines the rotation speed of the payout motor 542 (the payout speed). The payout speed of the game balls from the device 540 is reduced. Further, the main control board 920 outputs a high speed payout signal 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 which has received the high speed payout signal determines the rotation speed of the payout motor 542. Speed up.

The power supply monitoring board 910 performs power supply and transmission of various signals between the power supply/launch control board 900 and the main control board 920, and a power supply monitoring section 911 that monitors a power supply state from the power supply/launch control board 900. And a signal relay unit 912 for relaying. The power supply monitoring unit 911 also outputs a power failure signal to the main control board 920 in response to the transition to the power failure state, and monitors the voltage of DC stable 24 V which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 901. When the state where the voltage is less than 22 volts continues for a predetermined time, it is determined to be the power failure state, and the power failure signal in the ON state is output to the main control board 920. The main control board 920 recognizes the transition to the power failure state by receiving the power failure signal in the ON state.

The main control board 920 integrally controls the operation of the pachinko 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) that stores various control programs and fixed data executed by the CPU, and various data temporarily when the control program is executed. And a RAM (not shown) for storing the like. In addition, various circuits such as a timer circuit (not shown), a counter circuit (not shown), a clock generation circuit (not shown), a signal transmission/reception circuit (not shown), etc. are mounted on the main control board 920. There is. The RAM of the main control board 920 is configured to be able to maintain (backup) the internal data by the power supply of the backup voltage from the power supply/launch control board 900 even after the transition to the power failure state.

The payout control board 930 controls the payout operation of the game balls by the payout apparatus 540 according to the instruction from the main control board 920 and the payout operation of the game balls by the payout apparatus 540 according to the operation of the game ball lending apparatus 290. The payout control board 930, like the main control board 920, 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. Various circuits such as (not shown), a counter circuit (not shown), a clock generation circuit (not shown), and a signal transmission/reception circuit (not shown) are mounted. The payout control board 930 is equipped with an input/output port as a connecting means for connecting information communication with other devices, and for example, bidirectional information input/output communication with the main control board 920 and the relay device 950 is possible. The open/close detection switches 108 and 109, the storage ball switch 591, and the payout counting switch 592 are connected so that only one-way information input communication is possible, and the payout motor 542 is only one-way information. Only output communication is possible. Like the RAM of the main control board 920, the RAM of the payout control board 930 may have a backup function capable of maintaining internal data for a certain period in a power failure state, or the RAM of the main control board 920. Unlike the above, the internal data may not be maintained in the power failure state.

The sub control board 940 controls operations of various effect devices, various light emitting devices, various audio devices, and the like, based on an instruction from the main control board 920. The sub-control board 940 is equipped with an input/output port as a connecting means for connecting to another device so that information can be communicated. For example, the sub-control board 940 is connected to the main control board 920 so that only one-way information input communication is possible. The input operation device 260 is bidirectionally connected so as to be able to communicate information, and the decorative design display device 479 and the like are connected so that only one-way information output communication is possible.

<Various control processes>
Next, various control processes executed by the main control board 920 will be described. The control processing in the main control board 920 is roughly divided into a main processing that is activated upon recovery from a power failure state and a main processing that is interrupted periodically (in this embodiment, at a period of 2 ms (milliseconds)). Timer interrupt processing.

First, the main processing executed by the main control board 920 will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a main process of the main control board 920 (abbreviated as “main control main process” in FIG. 11).

In the main processing of the main control board 920, first, a series of control start processing (program start processing S1001 to random number initial setting processing S1019) for starting up the main control board 920 and initializing various information is executed only once. , After that, interrupt prohibition process S1020 for prohibiting interruption, and a winning random number initial value counter (partial area of RAM) and a jackpot symbol random number initial value counter (partial area of RAM) related to special symbols and ordinary symbols A random number initial value updating process S1021 for updating the value of the winning random number initial value counter (a part of the RAM), and a first variation type counter to a fourth variation type for determining a variation time, a variation pattern, and the like. The fluctuation counter updating process S1022 for updating the value of the counter (a part of the RAM) and the interrupt permission process S1023 for permitting the interrupt are repeatedly executed. If a timer interrupt request is issued before the interrupt permission process S1023, the timer interrupt process is executed immediately after the interrupt permission process S1023.

In a series of control start processing, a program start processing S1001 that sets an initial value to a stack pointer (a partial area of RAM) that controls the execution of the program, an interrupt mode setting processing S1002 that sets an interrupt mode, and a payout control board. A startup standby process S1003 that waits for a predetermined time until the 930, the sub-control board 940, and the like start up is executed.

After the startup standby process S1003, a determination process S1004 of the output state of the initialization signal from the initialization switch 907 of the power supply/launch control board 900, a determination process S1005 of the value of the power failure information (a part of the RAM), and a storage Information storage state determination processing S1007 is performed, and it is determined whether or not to delete the stored information in the RAM based on the determination results. Here, the saved information is information necessary for returning to the state of the game before the power outage, and corresponds to a partial area of the RAM that has been updated according to the progress of the game before the power outage, and is executed. The value of the counter regarding the unit game in the inside, the value of the counter stored by the start winning, and the like are exemplified.

The storage state of the stored information is determined as follows. First, a checksum value for a storage area in a predetermined range of the RAM is calculated (checksum calculation processing S1006), and the current checksum value and power failure monitoring processing S1202 (see FIG. 12) accompanying the transition to the previous power failure state. ), it is determined whether the exclusive OR with the RAM determination value, which is the two's complement of the checksum value, is “0” (determination processing S1007). It is determined whether or not the checksum value at the time of transition to the power failure state is the same.

When the initialization signal is in the ON state (S1004: Y), when the power failure information is not the predetermined power failure value indicating that the saving information has been saved and completed when shifting to the power failure state (S1005: N), or saving If the information is not normally retained (S1007:N), the RAM clear processing S1008 that erases the stored information in the RAM is executed. After it is determined that the stored information is normally held (S1007: Y) or after the RAM clear processing S1008 is executed, a hardware that initializes various devices connected to the main control board 920. Wear initialization processing S1009 is executed.

After the hardware initialization process S1009, a process S1010 of determining whether or not the power failure information is a power failure value is executed. When the power failure information is the power failure value (S1010:N), the RAM recovery setting processing S1011 for initializing various information including the recovery of the retained information and the recovery command indicating the completion of the setting are set (recovery command Output process S1012). By the restoration of the held information in the RAM restoration setting processing S1011, the control state of the main control board 920 is restored to the control state immediately before the transition to the previous power failure state.

On the other hand, if the power failure information is not the power failure value (S1010:Y), various information is initialized without restoring the retained information (RAM initialization processing S1013), and an initialization command indicating the completion of the setting is output. (Initialization command output process S1014).

In the RAM restoration setting process S1011 and the RAM initial setting process S1013, the power failure information is set to a predetermined energization value different from the power failure value, and various error statuses such as fraud detection error immediately before the transition to the previous power failure status. Even if occurs, all of those error states are canceled. Further, either the return command or the initialization command is output from the main control board 920 to both the payout control board 930 and the sub control board 940, and the payout control board 930 and the sub control board 940 which have received the return command or the initialization command. In each of the above, a predetermined initialization process is executed.

After the initial setting (determination process S1004 to initialization command output process S1014) of the RAM according to the situation at the time of startup, if the condition device was operating at the time of the transition to the previous power failure state, the special game state is set. Preparations for returning are made (special game state return preparation processing S1015). Specifically, in the special game state return preparation process S1015, the operation states of the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device are determined, and the process corresponding to the game situation during the power failure state is executed in the sub control board 940. It

After the special game state return preparation process S1015, it is determined whether the time saving state flag is set or not by determining whether the time saving state flag is set (determination process S1016), and the time saving state is established. In this case (S1016:Y), the time saving command is output (time saving command output processing S1017). On the other hand, in the non-time saving state (S1016:N), the non-time saving command is output (non-time saving command output processing S1018). After that, the value of the winning random number counter (partial area of the RAM) relating to the special symbol is initialized (random number initial setting process S1019).

Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the timer interrupt processing executed by the main control board 920 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process (abbreviated as “main control interrupt process” in the figure) executed by the main control board 920.

In the timer interrupt process of the main control board 920, first, an interrupt start process S1201 for starting a timer interrupt is executed. Specifically, a predetermined value is set in the interrupt control register. As a result, interrupts other than this timer interrupt are prohibited. After that, the power failure monitoring processing S1202 to external information output processing S1221 related to substantial control such as game progress control of the pachinko machine 100 and monitoring of various sensors is sequentially executed. However, when the game progress is stopped based on the detection of various injustices (S1207: Y), the control signal output process S1208 to the external information output process S1221 are not executed. Finally, the interrupt permission process S1222 for permitting the next timer interrupt is executed, and the current timer interrupt process ends. In the following, various types of main processing will be individually described.

In the power outage monitoring process S1202, the value of the power outage information (a part of the RAM) is updated based on the output state of the power outage signal output from the power supply monitoring unit 911 of the power supply monitoring board 910. Specifically, the output state of the power failure signal is confirmed three times, and when the ON state is detected for all three times, it is determined to be the power failure state. If it is not determined in this determination that the power is in the power failure state, the power failure information is maintained at the energization value.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the power outage monitoring process S1202 that there is a power outage, the following process is executed. First, the value of the power failure information is changed from the energization value set in the RAM restoration setting process S1011 or the RAM initial setting process S1013 (see FIG. 11) to a predetermined power failure value. In addition, a checksum value for a storage area in a predetermined range of the RAM is calculated, and the two's complement of the checksum value is set as the RAM determination value. As a result, the pachinko machine 100 enters an infinite loop that does not perform substantial control such as progress of a game or monitoring of various sensors, and the state of the RAM after the RAM determination value is set is held based on the backup power. It Since the output state of the power failure signal is confirmed three times, each processing of the timer interrupt is executed twice after the reception of the power failure signal is detected for the first time.

In the random number update process S1203, the winning random number counter related to the special symbol, the big hit symbol random number counter, the stop pattern selection counter, and the winning random number counter related to the ordinary symbol are updated. Specifically, if the value of the winning random number counter related to the special symbol is a value different from the specified maximum value (for example, "576"), it is changed to a value larger than the current value by "1", and the special symbol is changed. If the value of the winning random number counter related to is the specified maximum value, it is changed to the specified minimum value (“0”). However, if the changed value is the same as the circulation initial value for the winning random number counter for the special symbol, the value of the winning random number counter for the special symbol is the same as the winning random number initial value counter for the special symbol. And the cyclic initial value is also set to the same value as the winning random number initial value counter.

The big hit symbol random number counter, the stop pattern selection counter, and the winning random number counter related to the normal symbol are also updated in the same manner as the winning random number counter related to the special symbol. However, as the update range defined by the specified maximum value and the specified minimum value of each counter, a unique value is set for each counter, and multiple counters are updated asynchronously. Refers to an initial value counter unique to each counter. For example, the winning random number counter relating to the special symbol and the winning random number initial value counter relating to the special symbol have the same value range, and the jackpot symbol random number counter and the jackpot symbol random number initial value counter have the same value range, The winning random number counter related to the normal symbol and the winning random number initial value counter related to the ordinary symbol have the same value range.

In the random number initial value update process S1204, the winning random number initial value counter for special symbols, the big hit symbol random number initial value counter, and the winning random number initial value counter for ordinary symbols are updated. Specifically, when the value of the winning random number initial value counter related to the special symbol is a value different from the specified maximum value (for example, "576"), it is changed to a value larger by "1" than the current value, and the special value is changed. When the value of the winning random number initial value counter related to the symbol is the specified maximum value, it is changed to the specified minimum value (“0”). Also for the symbol random number initial value counter related to the special symbol and the winning random number initial value counter related to the ordinary symbol, except that the specified maximum value and the specified minimum value are peculiar values to those counters, the winning random number initial related to the special symbol It is updated as in the case of the value counter.

In the fluctuation counter updating process S1205, the values of the first fluctuation type counter to the fourth fluctuation type counter for determining the fluctuation time, the fluctuation pattern, and the like are updated. Specifically, when the value of the first fluctuation type counter is different from the specified maximum value (for example, "187"), it is changed to a value larger by "1" than the current value, and the first fluctuation When the value of the type counter is the specified maximum value, it is changed to the specified minimum value (“0”). The second variation type counter to the fourth variation type counter are also updated in the same manner as the first variation type counter except that the specified maximum value and the specified minimum value are values unique to these counters. To be done.

In addition, the winning random number counter, the big hit symbol random number counter, the stop pattern selecting counter, and the variation type counters related to the special symbol and the ordinary symbol do not necessarily have to have the above-described configuration, and at least a part of the counter may be configured as another configuration. For example, it may be configured to update from a fixed initial value without using the initial value counter, or may be configured to use a random number generation IC without using a program and refer to the value as needed. ..

In the game stop determination processing S1206, when the fraud detection information is the fraud detection value, the game stop value is updated and various kinds of information for stopping the progress of the game are set. On the other hand, when the fraud detection information is not the fraud detection value or is already the game stop value, each process for stopping the game progress is not executed and the game stop determination process S1206 ends. The fraud detection information is set to the fraud detection value when various fraud occurrences are detected in the fraud detection processing S1211. Further, in the determination processing S1207, it is determined whether or not the game is stopped depending on whether or not the fraud detection information is the game stop value.

In the control signal output process S1208, based on the control data stored in the output buffer, the special symbol display device 471 relating to the first special symbol, the special symbol display device 472 relating to the second special symbol, and the ordinary symbol Normally, signals for controlling various notification devices such as the symbol display device 473 are output. Further, based on the control data stored in the output buffer, various actuators such as a ball feed solenoid 332, a firing solenoid 334, a right approach regulation solenoid 462, a lower approach regulation solenoid 463, an upper approach regulation solenoid 464, and a switching solenoid 465 are operated. A control signal is output.

In the switch reading process S1209, the medium start prize winning switches 441A and 441B, the right start prize winning switch 442, the lower prize winning switch 443, the upper prize winning switch 444, the winning combination operation switch 445, the starting switch 446, the non-specific passage switch 447, and the specifying passage The signal state from each of the passage switch 448 and the general winning switches 449A and 449B is read, and a change in the detection state of the game ball by various switches is detected.

Specifically, in the switch reading process S1209, the signal states from the various switches are read into the input buffer (a part of the RAM) twice at predetermined time intervals, and the signals from the various switches are read. For each of the following, a signal state read for the first time (hereinafter abbreviated as “first signal state”) and a signal state read for the second time (hereinafter abbreviated as “second signal state”) A change in the detection state of various switches is detected based on the detection state detected by the previous timer interrupt (hereinafter abbreviated as “previous detection state”). Then, for each switch, when the previous detection state is the off state, the first signal state is the on state, and the second signal state is the on state, it is determined that the switch is the on state. Then, a detection flag (a partial area of the RAM) corresponding to the type of switch is set. As described in the power outage monitoring process S1202, even if the power supply is stopped, each process of the timer interrupt is executed twice, so that the ON state of various switches immediately after the power supply is stopped. Even when it is started, the detection flags of various switches can be set accurately.

In the timer update process S1210, various timers (predetermined area of RAM) used for variable display of special symbols and normal symbols, control of each gaming state, and fraud monitoring are updated.

In the fraud detection process S1211, a fraudulent act such as forcibly entering a game ball into various prize winning devices or forcibly operating various prize winning devices is detected. Specifically, the right start winning device 432, the lower big winning device 433, and the upper big winning device 434 are forcibly moved to the allowable entry postures, and the game balls are guided to a specific passage of the lower big winning device 433 by vibration. , Induction of forced malfunction of the right start winning device 432, the lower big winning device 433 and the upper big winning device 434 by radio waves, induction of game balls to various winning devices by magnetic attraction, left middle starting winning device 431A, Occurrence of a situation in which there is a high possibility that a fraudulent act such as guiding a game ball to the right middle starting prize winning device 431B, the right starting winning prize device 432, the lower big winning device 433 and the upper big winning device 434 at an abnormal timing is performed. To detect.

In the winning detection response processing S1212, control based on the detection of the game ball by various switches provided on the game board 400 is executed. Specifically, when the middle start prize switch detection flag is set based on the detection of the game ball by the left middle start prize switch 441A (see FIG. 10) and the right middle start prize switch 441B (see FIG. 10). The middle start prize counter (predetermined area of RAM) and the first payout counter (predetermined area of RAM) are updated. Further, when the right start prize winning switch detection flag is set based on the detection of the game ball by the right starting prize winning switch 442 (see FIG. 10), the first payout counter is updated. Further, when the lower big prize switch detection flag is set based on the detection of the game ball by the lower big prize switch 443 (see FIG. 10), or when the game ball is detected by the upper big prize switch 444 (see FIG. 10). When the upper prize switch detection flag is set based on this, the special prize counter (predetermined area of RAM) and the second payout counter (predetermined area of RAM) are updated.

In the firing control process S1213, the launch-related information for controlling the launch of the game ball by the launching device 330 is updated. Specifically, the operation flag of the ball feed solenoid 332 that drives the ball feed mechanism 331 and the operation flag of the firing solenoid 334 that drives the firing mechanism 333 are updated.

In the input signal monitoring process S1214, an intermediate block for the outer frame 101 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) based on the output state of the signal from the opening/closing detection switch 108 (see FIG. 10) via the payout control board 930. It is detected whether 103 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is closed. Further, based on the output state of the signal from the opening/closing detection switch 109 via the payout control board 930 (see FIG. 10), the front block 102 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is compared with the intermediate block 103 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). It is detected whether (see 3) is closed.

In the payout state monitoring process S1215, the information indicating the payout control state output from the payout control board 930 is monitored, and various payout state commands corresponding to the payout control state are set as necessary. The sub-control board 940 that has received the payout state command causes the decorative symbol display device 479, the upper left acoustic device 281, the upper right acoustic device 282, and the like to perform notification according to the type of the payout state command.

In the payout signal output process S1216, various prize ball commands are set based on the values of the first payout counter and the second payout counter as necessary, and output to the payout control board 930. The first payout counter and the second payout counter are updated according to the setting of the prize ball command. For example, the first payout counter is incremented by 1 each time a game ball corresponding to one winning is detected, and is decremented by 1 each time a prize ball command based on the winning is set. In the payout control board 930, a prize is awarded to the main control board 920 every time the control for paying out the number of game balls (for example, three) corresponding to the winning is executed (specifically, shortly before the payout is completed). When the ball command is requested and the payout of the prize balls is continued, the main control board 920 outputs a further prize ball command. The second payout counter is a counter that is updated in correspondence with a prize (for example, 13) having a different number of prize balls from the first payout counter, and a prize ball command based on the value of the second payout counter is paid out. When 930 is received, the payout control board 930 executes control for paying out a number of game balls corresponding to the prize ball command.

In the special symbol-related processing S1217, the suspension control of the right of the unit game relating to the first special symbol and the control of the unit game relating to the first special symbol are executed. Specifically, in the reservation control of the right of the unit game related to the first special symbol, the operation control of the special symbol reservation display device 476 related to the first special symbol is executed. Further, in the control of the unit game according to the first special symbol, the operation control of the special symbol display device 471 relating to the first special symbol is executed, and when the big hit is won in the first special symbol lottery, the lower big winning device The operation control of 433 and the special winning apparatus 434 is further executed.

Further, in the special symbol-related processing S1217, the suspension control of the right of the unit game relating to the second special symbol and the control of the unit game relating to the second special symbol are executed. Specifically, in the reservation control of the right of the unit game related to the second special symbol, the operation control of the special symbol reservation display device 477 related to the second special symbol is executed. Also, in the control of the unit game related to the second special symbol, the operation control of the special symbol display device 472 related to the second special symbol is executed, and when the big hit is won in the second special symbol lottery, the lower big winning device The operation control of 433 and the special winning apparatus 434 is further executed.

In the normal symbol related processing S1218, the control of holding the right of the unit game related to the normal symbol and the control of the unit game related to the normal symbol are executed. Specifically, in the hold control of the right of the unit game relating to the normal symbol, the operation control of the normal symbol hold display device 478 is executed. Further, in the control of the unit game related to the normal symbol, the operation control of the normal symbol display device 473 related to the normal symbol is executed, and when the normal symbol lottery is won, the operation control of the right start winning device 432 is further executed. ..

In the display control process S1219, the special symbol display device 471 relating to the first special symbol in the special symbol related process S1217, the special symbol display device 472 relating to the second special symbol, the special symbol holding display device 476 relating to the first special symbol, and Based on various information updated to control the operation of the special symbol hold display device 477 or the like related to the second special symbol, output data for specifically operating those devices is combined. The combined output data is output to each device in the next control signal output process S1208 based on the timer interrupt.

In the motor control process S1220, operation control of various motors is executed. In the external information output process S1221, output data to be output to an external device such as a data display device (not shown) or a management device (not shown) electrically connected to the pachinko machine 100 is set.

<Middle start prize winning device 431>
Next, with reference to FIG. 13 to FIG. 17, the middle starting prize device 431 will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, a structural configuration of the middle starting prize device 431 will be described.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the middle start winning device 431 viewed from the front side. It should be noted that, in FIG. 13, illustration of screws for assembling the middle start winning device 431 is omitted. Further, FIG. 14 is a perspective cross-sectional view for explaining the structure between the front cover 610 and the base plate 630. Specifically, FIG. 14 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the middle-start winning device 431 in which a front plate portion of the front cover 610 is cut off.

As shown in FIG. 13, the middle-start prize device 431 includes a front cover 610, a distribution unit 620, a base plate 630, a middle-start prize switch 441 (441A, 441B), and a back cover 640. ..

The base plate 630 is a resin member for attaching the middle start winning device 431 to the game board 400, and a mounting hole 631 through which a screw (not shown) can be inserted is formed on the periphery thereof. The middle start winning device 431 is inserted into the through hole formed in the game board 400 from the front, and is fixed to the game board 400 with the screw inserted from the front into the mounting hole 631. As a result, the middle-start prize device 431 is attached to the game board 400 with the front portion of the base plate 630 exposed (see FIGS. 16A and 17).

An accommodating portion 632 capable of accommodating the sorting portion 620 from the front is formed on the front surface of the base plate 630 at the center of the upper portion thereof. A shaft hole 633 for inserting the rear end side of the shaft 621 of the distribution unit 620 is provided inside the housing unit 632.

On the front surface of the base plate 630, a protruding portion 634 that protrudes forward from the front surface is formed below the housing portion 632. The protrusion 634 is formed at a position on the path of main ball passages 652A and 652B (see FIG. 15) described below, which are formed in the middle start winning device 431. That is, the protrusion 634 is formed at a position where a game ball flowing down the left main ball passage 652A or the right main ball passage 652B can collide.

Penetration for passing the game ball that enters from the inlet 611 and passes (flows down) the left main ball passage 652A or the right main ball passage 652B from the front side to the back side of the base plate 630. The hole 635 is formed below the protrusion 634.

The middle starting prize switch 441 arranged on the back side of the base plate 630 is a proximity sensor that detects the game ball, which is a metal ball, that has passed through the through hole 635 in a non-contact manner. In the present embodiment, as the middle start prize switch 441, the left middle start prize switch 441A for detecting a game ball that has passed through the through hole 635 that is continuously provided in the left main ball passage 652A (see FIG. 15), and the right main ball passage. 652B (see FIG. 15) is provided with a right middle start prize winning switch 441B for detecting a game ball that has passed through a through hole 635 that is continuously provided.

The medium start prize switch 441 (441A, 441B) includes a detection unit J1 including a detection coil (not shown) for detecting a game ball and a circuit board (not shown) connected to the detection coil. The circuit portion J2 included therein is configured in a substantially plate shape arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. The detection portion J1 is formed with an opening J1a through which a game ball can pass, and the detection coil is wound around the outer circumference of the opening J1a.

The circuit board included in the circuit portion J2 outputs a detection signal indicating that the game ball is detected based on the output from the detection coil to the main controller 370 when the game ball passes through the opening J1a. The middle-start prize switch 441 (441A, 441B) is installed with the detection unit J1 facing downward and the circuit unit J2 facing upward so that the opening J1a communicates with the through hole 635 of the base plate 630.

The back cover 640 is a resin cover that is attached to the back side of the base plate 630 via the middle start winning switch 441. The back cover 640 is formed with an opening 641 for allowing the game ball that has passed through the opening J1a of the left middle starting prize switch 441A or the right middle starting prize switch 441B to pass to the back side of the back cover.

The distribution unit 620 includes a metal shaft 621 and a resin main body 622 that can swing around the shaft 621. The distributing portion 620 has the rear end side of the shaft 621 inserted into the shaft hole 633 of the base plate 630 and the front end side thereof inserted into the shaft hole formed on the back side of the front cover 610, as shown in FIG. It is mounted between the front cover 610 and the base plate 630.

The main body 622 is a substantially semicylindrical base 622A having a flat front surface, and a shaft insertion portion 622B formed with a shaft hole through which the shaft 621 can be inserted by protruding forward from the vicinity of a straight line portion on the outer periphery of the base 622A. And a left arm 622C, a right arm 622D, and an upper arm 622E that are erected on the front surface of the base body 622A and are connected to the outer periphery of the shaft insertion portion 622B.

The left arm 622C and the right arm 622D extend to the left and right, respectively, along the straight portion of the base 622A. On the other hand, the upper arm 622E extends in a direction orthogonal to the left and right arms 622C and 622D. The space in front of the base body 622A formed between the left arm 622C and the upper arm 622E constitutes the left ball receiving portion 622F. On the other hand, the space in front of the base 622A formed between the right arm 622D and the upper arm 622E constitutes the right ball receiving portion 622G.

When the distribution unit 620 is mounted between the front cover 610 and the base plate 630, the base 622A is housed in the housing unit 632 of the base plate 630. As a result, the distribution unit 620 swings (rotates) around the shaft 621 in the left or right direction within a range limited by the shape of the inner wall of the accommodation unit 632. Although the details will be described later, the game ball that has entered the middle start winning device 431 from the entrance 611 enters either of the ball receiving parts 622F and 622G of the distribution part 620, and thus the left main ball passage 652A (see FIG. 15). Alternatively, the ball is distributed to either the right main ball passage 652B (see FIG. 15).

The front cover 610 is a resin cover attached to the front surface side of the base plate 630 via the distribution unit 620. The front cover 610 has a front surface that is transparent or semi-transparent, so that the player can pass through a passage portion formed in the middle-start prize winning device 431, such as the main ball passages 652A and 652B. The sphere can be seen through the front cover 610. As a result, the player can visually recognize the whereabouts of the game ball that has entered the middle-start prize device 431, so that the enjoyment of the game involving distribution by the distribution unit 620 is improved.

An opening forming an inlet 611 is formed on the upper side of the front cover 610. On the back side of the front cover 610, there are formed ribs and notches that form a passage portion through which a game ball that has entered the middle start winning device 431 from the entrance 611 passes. Such ribs and cutouts, together with the front surface of the base plate 630, serve as the passage portions as a guide passage 651 (see FIG. 15), main ball passages 652A and 652B (see FIG. 15), and slave ball passages 653A, 653B and 653C (see FIG. 15). 15), and the inlet portions 654A1, 654A2, 654B1, 654B2 of the secondary ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C branched from the main ball passages 652A, 652B. In addition, these passage portions are configured to have a passage width slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball, and two or more game balls cannot pass at the same time.

Further, on the back side of the front cover 610, a guide portion 612 is provided at a position on the path of the main ball passages 652A and 652B. Although the details will be described later, the guide portion 612 moves the game ball that flows down the left main ball passage 652A or the right main ball passage 652B from the upper side to the inner side where the through holes 635 for the respective main ball passages 652A and 652B are provided. It has the function of guiding backwards.

Here, with reference to FIG. 15 to FIG. 17, a passage route (flow-down route) of the game ball that has entered the middle start winning device 431 from the entrance 611 will be described. FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of the middle starting prize device 431 shown in FIG. 14 as seen from the front. Note that, in FIG. 15A, hatching of the cross section is omitted. FIG. 15B is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the middle start winning device 431 taken along a plane passing through the secondary ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C.

FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view of the middle starting prize device 431 taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 16B is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the game ball flowing down along the guide portion 612, and specifically, the middle start winning device at the position of the arrow C in FIG. 16A. 431 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the left main ball passage 652A viewed from above when 431 is cut in the front-rear direction. In addition, FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the middle starting prize device 431 taken along the line BB of FIG. 16(a) and 17 show all of the front cover 610, a part of which is cut off in FIG. 15(a).

The game ball that has entered the middle start winning device 431 from the entrance 611 enters the guide passage 651. The game ball that has entered the guide passage 651 enters one of the left and right ball receivers 622F and 622G of the distribution unit 620 that faces the entrance 611.

When the game ball enters the ball receiving portions 622F and 622G, the weight of the game ball is applied to the left arm 622C or the right arm 622D, so that the distribution unit 620 is arranged around the shaft 621 within a range limited by the housing unit 632. Rotate left or right. As a result, the game ball is distributed to either the left main ball passage 652A or the right main ball passage 652B.

That is, in the example shown in FIG. 15(a), the game ball that has entered the guide passage 651 from the entrance 611 enters the ball receiving portion 622F on the left side, and the distribution unit 620 rotates leftward due to the weight of the game ball. By moving, it is distributed to the left main ball passage 652A. In a situation where the left ball receiving portion 622F faces the entrance 611 side, the sorting portion 620 is restricted from further rotating to the right by the housing portion 632, so the game that has entered the left ball receiving portion 622F is played. The ball does not enter the right main ball passage 652B due to the obstacle of the upper arm 622E.

When the distribution unit 620 rotates leftward or rightward due to the game ball entering the left ball receiving unit 622F or the right ball receiving unit 622G, the ball receiving unit facing the entrance 611 is the current game ball. It switches to a ball receiving part different from the ball receiving part that entered. Therefore, the game ball that has entered from the entrance 611 next time enters a ball receiving part different from the ball receiving part that has entered this time, out of the left ball receiving part 622F or the right ball receiving part 622G. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 15A, the game ball that has entered from the entrance 611 next time enters the ball receiving portion 622G on the right side.

As a result, of the left main ball passage 652A or the right main ball passage 652B, the main ball passage to which the distribution unit 620 distributes the game balls becomes a main ball passage different from the main ball passage that has entered this time. That is, the game balls that have entered from the entrance 611 are alternately distributed to the left main ball passage 652A or the right main ball passage 652B by the distribution unit 620. Therefore, the game balls that have entered the middle start winning device 431 from the entrance 611 are distributed to either the left main ball passage 652A or the right main ball passage 652B with a probability of 50% by the distribution unit 620.

The left main ball passage 652A guides the game ball downward (from the arrow Q1 direction) from above, and then guides it toward the rear (the direction of arrow Q3) where the through hole 635 and the left middle start prize winning switch 441A are located. The left main ball passage 652A is a part where the guiding direction of the game ball changes from downward to backward (hereinafter, this part may be referred to as "downflow direction changing part"), and the game ball in the downflow direction changing part It branches in the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the gaming machine, which is the direction intersecting with the flow-down direction (up-down direction and front-back direction).

The left secondary ball passage 653A is a ball passage branched from the left main ball passage 652A to the left side in the gaming machine front view, and the central secondary ball passage 653C is a ball branched from the left main ball passage 652A to the right side in the gaming machine front view. It is a passage.

As shown by the arrow Q5, the game ball that has entered the left side secondary ball passage 653A from the left side main ball passage 652A through the entrance portion 654A1 is on the game board 400 on the game board 400 from the exit of the left side baseball passage 653A. Is discharged to the left game area. Similarly, as shown by an arrow Q7, the game ball that has entered the central slave ball passage 653C from the left main ball passage 652A through the inlet portion 654A2 is started from the center slave ball passage 653C on the game board 400 at a middle start. The game is discharged to the lower game area with respect to the winning device 431.

In this way, even if the game ball is distributed to the left main ball passage 652A by the distribution unit 620, if the game ball enters the left sub-ball passage 653A or the center sub-ball passage 653C, the game ball is on the left side. The coins are discharged from the medium start prize winning device 431 without being detected by the start prize winning switch 441A (that is, without winning).

The game balls flowing down the left main ball passage 652A without entering the secondary ball passages 653A and 653C are guided to the left middle starting prize winning device 431A and discharged from the left middle starting prize winning device 431A. In the present embodiment, the game ball flowing down the left main ball passage 652A does not enter the left sub ball passage 653A or the central sub ball passage 653C, and is always detected by the left middle starting prize switch 441A. 17, as shown in FIG. 17, is an entrance of the left middle starting winning a prize device 431A (hereinafter, referred to as "left middle starting winning a prize port 431Aa").

In the middle-start prize device 431 of the present embodiment, the entrance portions 654A1 and 654A2 from the left-side main ball passage 652A to the sub-ball passages 653A and 653C are configured such that a part of the peripheral edge thereof is formed by the front surface of the base plate 630. Therefore, the left middle starting winning opening 431Aa corresponds to the opening end on the front surface side of the through hole 635 formed in the base plate 630.

Therefore, after entering the left side main ball passage 652A, the game ball that has proceeded to the left side main ball passage 652A without advancing to the side of the subsidiary ball passages 653A and 653C is the entrance portion of the left middle starting prize device 431A (that is, When entering the left middle starting winning opening 431Aa), the game ball is detected by the left middle starting winning switch 441A, whereby the starting winning relating to the first special symbol occurs.

Therefore, in the middle starting prize winning device 431, the downstream side of the left middle starting winning a prize port 431Aa is a portion that functions as the left middle starting winning a prize device 431A, and includes the left middle starting winning prize switch 441A. As shown in FIG. 16(a), by arranging the left middle starting prize switch 441A with the circuit portion J2 facing upward, the circuit portion J2 is guided to the back after the game ball is guided downward from above. In the left main ball passage 652A that guides in the direction, it can be accommodated in the dead space formed on the back side (back side) of the passage portion in the vertical direction.

The right main ball passage 652B guides the game ball downward (from the direction of arrow Q2) from above, and then guides it toward the rear (direction of arrow Q4) where the through hole 635 and the right middle start prize winning switch 441B are provided. The right main ball passage 652B is a portion where the guiding direction of the game ball changes from downward to backward (that is, a flow-down direction changing portion), and the flow-down direction of the game ball in the flow-down direction changing portion (vertical direction and front-back direction). It branches in the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the gaming machine, which is the direction intersecting with.

The right secondary ball passage 653B is a ball passage branched from the right main ball passage 652B to the right side in the gaming machine front view, and the central subsidiary ball passage 653C is a ball branched from the right main ball passage 652B to the left side in the gaming machine front view. It is a passage.

As shown by an arrow Q6, the game ball that has entered the right side secondary ball passage 653B from the right side main ball passage 652B through the entrance portion 654B1 is an intermediate start winning device 431 on the game board 400 from the exit of the right side secondary ball passage 653B. Is discharged to the game area on the right side. Similarly, as indicated by an arrow Q8, the game ball that has entered the central slave ball passage 653C from the right main ball passage 652B through the inlet portion 654B2 is an intermediate start on the game board 400 from the outlet of the central slave ball passage 653C. The game is discharged to the lower game area with respect to the winning device 431.

In this way, even if the game ball is distributed to the right main ball passage 652B by the distribution unit 620, if the game ball enters the right sub-ball passage 653B or the central sub-ball passage 653C, the game ball is on the right side. The coins are discharged from the medium start prize winning device 431 without being detected by the start prize winning switch 441B (that is, without winning).

The game ball flowing down the right main ball passage 652B without entering the secondary ball passages 653B and 653C is guided to the right middle starting prize winning device 431B and discharged from the right middle starting prize winning device 431B. In the present embodiment, the game ball flowing down the right main ball passage 652B does not enter the right sub ball passage 653B or the central sub ball passage 653C, and is always detected by the right middle start prize switch 441B. 17, as shown in FIG. 17, is an entrance of the right middle starting winning a prize device 431B (hereinafter, referred to as “right middle starting winning a prize hole 431Ba”).

In addition, in the middle start winning device 431 of the present embodiment, the entrance portions 654B1 and 654B2 from the right main ball passage 652B to the sub ball passages 653B and 653C are configured such that a part of the peripheral edge thereof is formed by the front surface of the base plate 630. Since it exists (see FIG. 17 ), the right middle starting winning opening 431Ba corresponds to the front end of the through hole 635 formed in the base plate 630.

Therefore, after entering the right side main ball passage 652B, the game ball that has proceeded to the right side main ball passage 652B without advancing to the side of the subsidiary ball passages 653B and 653C is the entrance portion of the right middle starting prize winning device 431B (that is, When entering the right middle start winning a prize hole 431Ba), the game ball is detected by the right middle starting winning award switch 441B, and thereby a starting prize relating to the second special symbol is generated.

Therefore, in the middle starting prize device 431, the downstream side of the right middle starting winning a prize port 431Ba is a portion that functions as the right middle starting winning device 431B, and includes the right middle starting winning switch 441B. The right middle start winning award switch 441B arranged with the circuit portion J2 facing upward is also the same as the left middle starting winning award switch 441A, and the circuit portion J2 guides the game ball downward from above and then faces backward. In the right main ball passage 652B that guides to, it is housed in a dead space formed on the back side (back side) of the passage portion in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 16A, in the left main sphere passage 652A, the guide portion 612 is provided at the downflow direction changing portion. Similarly for the right main ball passage 652B, the guide portion 612 is provided at the downflow direction changing portion. As shown in FIGS. 15(a) and 16(a), the guide portion 612 has a width narrower than the passage width of the main spherical passages 652A and 652B, and is formed in the guide portion 612. The inclined surface 612A that is the outer edge is a convex portion that extends along the flow-down direction of the game ball.

In the flow-down direction changing portion, a part of the boundary forming a space through which the game ball can substantially pass is defined by the outer shape of the game ball supported by the guide portion 612. In the present embodiment, the “main ball passage 652A, 652B” is a space surrounded by a wall surface including the back surface of the front cover 610, the side surfaces of the ribs formed on the back side of the front cover 10 and the front surface of the base plate 630. No, it corresponds to a space through which a game ball can substantially pass.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 16A, the guiding portion 612 gradually increases from the inclination in the substantially gravitational direction to the inclination in the substantially horizontal direction as the inclined surface 612A moves from the upstream side to the downstream side in the downflow direction of the game ball. The inclination is gentle (that is, the inclination angle is gradually reduced). In other words, the guiding portion 612 gradually reduces the game ball flowing down the downflow direction changing portion from the upstream side to the downstream side in the downflow direction of the game ball due to the inclined surface 612A. Induce you to.

Since the guiding portion 612 configured as described above is provided in the downflow direction changing portion of the main ball passages 652A and 652B, the game ball entering and falling down into the main ball passages 652A and 652B is the downflow direction changing portion. In, the downward flow direction changes to the backward direction while gradually losing the downward component by the guide portion 612. In this way, the guide portion 612 has a function of rectifying the flow of the game balls so that the downwardly flowing game balls smoothly flow backward in the downflow direction changing portion.

Further, when the left main ball passage 652A and the entrance portion 654A1 (the entrance portion to the left sub ball passage 653A) are viewed from the right side (the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 16A), the inclined surface 612A of the guide portion 612 is It is located outside of the periphery of the inlet portion 654A1. Similarly, when the left main ball passage 652A and the inlet portion 654A2 (the inlet portion to the central slave ball passage 653C) are viewed from the left side (the back side of the paper surface in FIG. 16A), the inclined surface 612A of the guide portion 612 is , Located outward of the periphery of the inlet 654A2.

Further, regarding the inlet portions 654B1 and 654B2 of the right follower ball passage 635B, when the inlet portion 654B1 or the inlet portion 654B2 and the right main ball passage 652B are viewed from the left or the right, the inclined surface 612A of the guide portion 612 is Of the inlets 654A2, 654B1, 654B2 are located outward of the peripheral edges of the inlets 654A2, 654B1, 654B2.

Since the guide portion 612 is erected with a width narrower than the passage width of the main ball passages 652A and 652B, as shown in FIG. 16(b), it is between the inlet portion 654A1 or the inlet portion 654A2 and the guide portion 612. Has two recesses 662 whose bottom is the installation surface of the guide portion 612. Regarding the right main ball passage 652B as well, between the inlet part 654B1 or the inlet part 654B2 and the guide part 612, two recesses similar to the recess 662 and having the installation surface of the guide part 612 as the bottom (hereinafter, Also for the concave portion, a concave portion 662 is formed for convenience. Hereinafter, although the recess 662 formed in the left main ball passage 652A will be described, the same applies to the recess 662 formed in the right main ball passage 652B.

Since the width of the recessed portion 662 is narrower than the diameter of the game ball, when the game ball flowing down the downflow direction changing portion approaches the entrance portion 654A1 or the entrance portion 654A2, the game ball is the entrance portion 654A1 or the entrance portion 654A2. It is supported by the peripheral edge and the guide portion 612. For example, as shown in FIG. 16B, when the game ball P approaches the entrance portion 654A1 side, the game ball P is supported by the peripheral edge of the entrance portion 654A1 and the guide portion 612. When the game ball is supported only by the guide portion 612, the game ball does not fall into the recess 662, whereas when the game ball is supported by the peripheral edge of the entrance portion 654A1 and the guide portion 612, the game ball A part falls into the recess 662.

When a game ball that is supported only by the guide portion 612 and flows down without falling into the recess 662 approaches the inlet portion 654A1 or the inlet portion 654A2, the game ball is a peripheral portion of the inlet portion 654A1 or the inlet portion 654A2 and the guide portion. Until it is supported by 612 and 612, it moves into the recess 662, that is, moves toward the bottom of the recess 662.

Since the peripheral edge of the inlet portion 654A1 or the inlet portion 654A2 is located higher than the outer edge (slope 612A) of the guide portion 612, the game ball supported by the peripheral edge of the inlet portion 654A1 or the inlet portion 654A2 and the guide portion 612 is In order to enter the left side secondary ball passage 653A or the central secondary ball passage 653C via the portion 654A1 or the inlet portion 654A2, the game ball needs to move away from the bottom of the recess 662.

That is, in order for the game ball that is supported only by the guide portion 612 and flows down the downflow direction changing portion to enter the left side secondary ball passage 653A or the central secondary ball passage 653C via the inlet portion 654A1 or the inlet portion 654A2, the game is performed. As shown by the arrow in FIG. 16( b ), the sphere needs to move closer to the bottom of the recess 662 and then move away from the bottom.

As shown in FIG. 16A, the protrusion 634 is provided on the back wall (that is, the wall formed by the front surface of the base plate 630) in the left main ball passage 652A. The projection 634 is also provided on the right side main ball passage 652B on the inner wall of the right side main ball passage 652B. Hereinafter, the protrusion 634 formed in the left main ball passage 652A will be described, but the same applies to the protrusion 634 formed in the right main ball passage 652B.

When the game sphere flowing down the left main ball passage 652A collides with the protrusion 634, the game sphere is flipped forward by the protrusion 634 (that is, the protruding direction of the protrusion 634). For example, the game ball is hit forward by the trajectory shown by the arrow R by colliding with the protrusion 634. A guide portion 612 is provided on the downstream side of the protrusion portion 634, and the game ball hit by the protrusion portion 634 is guided to the guide portion 612.

In the present embodiment, the protrusion 634 guides the game ball to the inclination angle (angle with respect to the horizontal direction) of the inclined surface 612A of the guide unit 612, that is, the guide angle of the game ball by the guide unit 612 is a predetermined angle (for example, approximately 80 degrees). ) Configured to guide to a larger portion. In this way, the game ball is guided by the collision with the protrusion 634 to the part of the guide part 612 where the guide angle of the game ball is larger than the predetermined angle, so that the guide part 612 guides the game ball appropriately. Can be operated.

It should be noted that the projecting portion 634 may guide the game ball to a portion where the guide angle of the game ball in the guide portion 612 (that is, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 612A) is larger than approximately 45 degrees, and is approximately 70 degrees. It is preferable to guide to a large portion, and it is preferable to guide to a portion larger than about 85 degrees.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16A, in the left main ball passage 652A, the inlet portion 654A1 to the left sub ball passage 653A is formed on the downstream side of the protrusion 634. In addition, the entrance portion 654A1 has a peripheral edge of the left main ball passage 652A when the entrance portion 654A1 and the left main ball passage 652A are viewed from the right side of the left main ball passage 652A (the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 16A). (That is, the boundary of the virtual left main ball passage 652A in the space where the game ball can substantially pass, which is defined by the outer shape of the game ball supported by the guide portion 612) It is formed at a position offset to the inside (that is, the back side).

As described above, the inlet portion 654A1 is provided with the protrusion 634 with respect to the peripheral edge of the left main ball passage 652A when the inlet portion 654A1 and the left main ball passage 652A are viewed from the right side (that is, It is offset to the back side). Further, the inlet portion 654A2 is also formed on the downstream side of the protrusion 634, similarly to the inlet portion 654A1, and when the inlet portion 654A2 and the left main ball passage 652A are viewed from the left side, the left main ball passage 652A is formed. It is offset from the peripheral edge on the side where the protrusion 634 is provided.

That is, the game ball that has been hit forward by the collision with the protrusion 634 is on the side on which the inlet portion 654A1 of the left main ball passage 652A is not formed (that is, when viewed from the same direction as the left main ball passage 652A). In the left main ball passage 652A and the inlet portions 654A1 and 654A2).

Further, as shown in FIG. 15(b), the left side follower ball passage 653A extends from the inlet portion 654A1 toward the downstream side (left side in FIG. 15(b)) of the bottom surface of the passage (that is, supports the game ball). The support surface) is formed by an inclined surface that descends and is inclined toward the downstream side (direction of the arrow Q5). Therefore, it is prevented that the game ball progresses in the opposite direction (the direction opposite to the arrow Q5) from the game area side corresponding to the downstream side with respect to the left side ball passage 653A, and the game ball enters the left side main ball passage 652A. Has been done. As a result, the probability of a game ball flowing down the game area without passing through the entrance 611 of the middle-start prize device 431 to the left middle-start prize hole 431Aa is kept low, and the game ball enters the entrance 611 of the middle-start prize device 431. The winning amount to the left middle starting winning opening 431Aa can be easily proportional to the amount, and the winning probability of the game ball to the left middle starting winning opening 431Aa can be easily set. The length of the inclined surface that constitutes the bottom surface of the left-sided follower ball passage 653A is preferably set longer than the radius of the game ball, and is preferably set longer than the diameter. In addition, as for the inlet portion 654B1 of the right side follower ball passage 653B and the inlet portions 654A2 and B2 of the central follower ball passage 653C, the bottom surface of each passage is a sloping surface which is inclined downward toward the downstream side (direction of the arrows Q6 to Q8). With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the game ball that has traveled in the opposite direction on the right side secondary ball passage 653B and the central secondary ball passage 653C from entering the left side main ball passage 652A and the right side main ball passage 652B.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15(b), the left follower ball passage 653A has a length of an upper surface (top surface) and a bottom surface on the direction side from the inlet portion 654A1 toward the downstream side (left side in FIG. 15(b)). As a result, the upper surface side is continuous to the downstream side longer than the bottom surface side. The same configuration is also applied to the right side ball passage 653B, whereby the game balls that flow down the game area from the upper side to the lower side in the left side ball passage 653A and the right side ball passage 653B are left main ball passage 652A and right side. It is possible to prevent entry into the secondary ball passage 653B.

Further, a wall portion, which is arcuate in a front view and which is continuous toward the center side (the inlet 611 side), is provided on the upper side of the outlet portion of the left side follower ball passage 653A by the outer shape of the front cover 610. The game ball supported by the wall portion and guided to the lower side is guided so as to be spaced apart from the outlet portion of the left-hand side follower passage 653A to the outside (left side in FIG. 15B). The outer shape of the front cover 610 on the upper side with respect to the outlet portion of the right side ball passage 653B has the same configuration, so that the game ball guided while being supported on the lower side by the outer shape of the front cover 610 is on the left side. Prevent the game ball from entering the main ball passage 652A and the right subsidiary ball passage 653B, and enter the game ball into the left middle start winning opening 431Aa and the right middle starting winning opening 431Ba without passing through the entrance 611 of the middle starting winning device 431. Can be prevented.

Next, operations and effects of the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment described above will be described.

In the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, the main ball passages 652A and 652B of the medium start prize winning device 431 are configured as ball passages that guide the game balls from the top to the bottom and then to the back, and the middle start prize is obtained. The switches 441A and 441B are provided at positions where the game balls guided inward in the main ball passages 652A and 652B can be detected. Therefore, the size of the middle-start prize device 431 in the vertical direction can be reduced as compared with the case where the detection means such as the middle-start prize switches 441A and 441B are provided below the passage extending downward. As the vertical size of the middle start winning device 431 is reduced, it is possible to secure a large game area in which the game balls flow down.

In addition, by arranging the middle start winning switch 441A, 441B with the circuit part J2 facing upward, the main ball passage 652A for guiding the circuit part J2 backward after guiding the game ball downward. In 652B, it can be accommodated in the dead space formed on the back side (back side) of the vertical passage portion. As a result, the size of the middle-start prize device 431 can be suitably reduced not only in the vertical direction but also in the depth direction.

Further, in the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, the main ball passages 652A, 652B downflow direction change portion (the direction in which the guiding direction of the game ball changes from downward to backward), the downflow direction change portion. A guide portion 612 is provided for guiding the game ball to gradually decrease the guide angle of the game ball with respect to the horizontal direction from the upstream side to the downstream side in the flow-down direction of the game ball.

Since the guide portion 612 is provided in the downflow direction change portion, the game balls that enter the left main ball passage 652A or the right main ball passage 652B by the distribution by the distribution portion 620 and flow down downward are the downflow direction change portions. In, the flow-down direction gradually changes toward the back while gradually losing the downward component by the guide portion 612. In this way, the guide portion 612 has a function of rectifying the flow of the game balls so that the downwardly flowing game balls smoothly flow backward in the downflow direction changing portion.

Since the game ball flowing down the downflow direction changing portion smoothly flows to the back side by the guiding portion 612, it is distributed to the left main ball passage 652A or the right main ball passage 652B by the distribution unit 620. The time lag until the game ball is detected by the middle start winning switch 441A, 441B can be shortened suitably. As a result, after the game ball is guided downward from the upper side, in the middle start winning device 431 having the main ball passages 652A, 652B for guiding the game ball backward, the game ball is the left main ball passage 652A or the right main ball. It is possible to preferably prevent the time lag from being distributed to the passage 652B to being detected by the middle start prize winning switches 441A and 441B becoming large and the tempo of the game being deteriorated.

Further, in the flow-down direction changing portion of the main ball passages 652A, 652B, the sub-ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C branch from the main ball passages 652A, 652B in a direction intersecting with the flow-down direction of the game balls, but the flow-down direction. As described above, the game ball flowing down the changing portion smoothly flows to the back side by the guide portion 612, so that the game ball is difficult to be discharged from the inlet portions 654A1, 654A2, 654B1, 654B2. As a result, the game ball flowing down the flow direction changing portion is suppressed from entering the secondary ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C.

In particular, a projection portion 634 is provided at a position on the upstream side of the guide portion 612 on the inner wall of the main ball passages 652A, 652B, and a game ball flowing down the main ball passages 652A, 652B is on the projection portion 634. When the game ball collides, the game ball is guided to a portion where the guide angle of the game ball in the guide portion 612 is larger than the predetermined angle by the collision with the protrusion 634. As a result, it is possible to suitably suppress the downward movement of the gaming ball flowing downward in the downward direction changing portion. Therefore, the guidance of the game ball by the guide unit 612 can be appropriately functioned, and thereby, the entry of the game ball into the secondary ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C can be suppressed more suitably.

In addition, the inclined surface 612A of the guide portion 612 is outside the periphery of the inlet portions 654A2, 654B1, 654B2 when the inlet portions 654A1, 654A2, 654B1, 654B2 and the ball passages 652A, 652B are viewed from the left or right side. Located towards. That is, when the inlet portions 654A1, 654A2, 654B1, 654B2 are viewed from the left or right side of the inlet portions 654A1, 654A2, 654B1, 654B2 and the main ball passages 652A, 652B, the peripheral edges of the respective main ball passages 652A, 652B ( That is, the inside (that is, the back) of each main ball passage 652A, 652B with respect to the virtual boundary in the space through which the game ball can substantially pass, which is defined by the outer shape of the game ball supported by the guide portion 612. It is formed at a position offset to the side).

In this way, the positional relationship between the inclined surface 612A of the guide portion 612 and the peripheral edges of the inlet portions 654A2, 654B1, 654B2 is set, and thus the inlet portions 654A2, 654B1, 654B2, the main ball passages 652A, 652B, and When viewed from the left or right side, in order for the game ball flowing down the main ball passages 652A, 652B to enter the sub ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C, the sub ball passages 653A for the main ball passages 652A, 652B, In addition to the movement of 653B and 653C in the branching direction (that is, leftward or rightward), the direction in which the inlet portions 654A2, 654B1 and 654B2 are offset (that is, the inward movement of the main ball passages 652A and 652B is required). Therefore, also in this point, the medium start winning device 431 is configured such that the game ball flowing down the main ball passages 652A, 652B is unlikely to enter the subsidiary ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C.

In particular, the protrusion 634 formed upstream of the inlets 654A1, 654A2, 654B1, 654B2 is located at the back side of the main ball passage 652A, that is, the inlets 654A1, 654A2, 654B1, 654B2 and the main sphere passages 652A, 652B. This is the same as the offset direction of the inlet portions 654A1, 654A2, 654B1, 654B2 with respect to the main ball passages 652A, 652B when viewed from the left or right side. Therefore, the game ball that has been flipped forward (in the direction opposite to the offset direction) by the collision with the protrusion 634 is the side where the inlets 654A1, 654A2, 654B1, 654B2 are not formed in the main ball passages 652A, 652B. Be guided to. Therefore, also at this point, it is possible to preferably reduce the possibility that the game balls flowing down the main ball passages 652A, 652B will enter the secondary ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C from the entrances 654A1, 654A2, 654B1, 654B2.

In addition, when the game ball flows down on the inner side of the main ball passages 652A and 652B, and when the game ball falls to a portion where the inclination angle of the inclined surface 612A of the guiding portion 612 is close to horizontal, the game ball moves upward. The possibility of jumping up and going over the entrance portions 654A1, 654A2, 654B1, 654B2 into the secondary ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C increases. However, since the protrusion 634 is formed on the side where the inlet 654A1 is offset in the main ball passages 652A and 652B (that is, on the back side), the game ball has a tilted surface 612A in which the tilt angle is nearly horizontal. The possibility of falling into the ground is suppressed. Therefore, also at this point, the possibility that the game ball flowing down the main ball passages 652A, 652B will enter the secondary ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C from the entrances 654A1, 654A2, 654B1, 654B2 is reduced.

In addition, between the entrance portion 654A1 or the entrance portion 654A2 and the guide portion 612, and between the entrance portion 654B1 or the entrance portion 654B2 and the guidance portion 612, a game ball is a peripheral edge of the entrance portion 654A1, 654A2, 654B1, 654B2. When it is supported by the guide portion 612 and the guide portion 612, a concave portion 662 into which a part of the game ball falls is formed. As described above, in order for the game ball that is supported only by the guiding part 612 and flows down the downflow direction changing part to enter the secondary ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C via the inlet parts 654A1, 654A2, 654B1, 654B2, Since the game ball needs to move away from the bottom once it has approached the bottom of the recess 662, the middle start winning device 431 also flows down the main ball passages 652A and 652B. However, it is difficult to enter the secondary ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C.

The middle-start prize device 431 of the present embodiment is configured as described above, so that a part of the game ball that has entered from the entrance 611 does not enter any of the middle-start prize devices 431A and 431B and is extremely It has a function of discharging from the medium start winning device 431 with a low probability.

Further, in the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, by providing the secondary ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C branching from the main ball passages 652A, 652B, all the game balls flowing down the main ball passages 652A, 652B are won. Not surprisingly, it is possible to give a surprising effect to the game in which the game ball enters the middle start winning device 431, and thereby it is possible to prevent the game from becoming monotonous. Further, since the secondary ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C are provided, these secondary ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C serve as an escape route, and the occurrence of ball clogging in the main ball passages 652A, 652B can be suppressed.

However, when most of the game balls that have entered the main ball passages 652A, 652B enter the secondary ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C, the probability of entering the left and right middle-start prize winning devices 431A, 431B (that is, the probability of winning) ) Becomes low, the player who hopes to win the prize by entering the middle-start prize device 431 may be discouraged, which may reduce the interest of the game.

On the other hand, according to the middle-start prize winning apparatus 431 of the present embodiment, as described above, the entry probability to the secondary ball passages 653A, 653B, and 653C is configured to be extremely low, so that the entry from the entrance 611 is performed. Most of the game balls that have been made enter the left and right middle starting prize holes 431Aa and 431Ba (that is, the entrance portions of the left and right middle starting winning devices 431A and 431B), and the starting prize relating to the first special symbol or the second special symbol. Occurs. Therefore, it is possible to suitably secure the entry probability (that is, the probability of winning) to the left and right middle-start prize winning devices 431A and 431B while suppressing the monotony of the game in which the game balls enter the middle-start prize winning device 431. it can.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the pachinko machine 100 of the second embodiment, a medium starting prize winning device 731 is provided instead of the medium starting prize winning device 431 of the above-described embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as “first embodiment”). In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, the medium starting prize winning device 431 is configured such that the entrance portions 654A1 and 654B1 of the secondary ball passages 653A and 653B are arranged at positions where their peripheral edges are substantially in contact with the front surface of the game board 400 (FIG. 16). , See FIG. 17). That is, in the middle starting prize device 431 of the first embodiment, when the entrance portions 654A1, 654B1 of the secondary ball passages 653A, 653B are viewed from the left or right side of the entrance portions 654A1, 654B1 and the main ball passages 652A, 652B. In addition, the game board 400 is arranged without any offset with respect to the front surface thereof.

On the other hand, in the middle starting prize winning device 731 of the second embodiment, the entrance portions 754A and 754B of the secondary ball passages 753A and 753B are the front surface of the game board 400 when the entrance portions 754A and 754B are viewed from the left or right side. It is characterized in that it is arranged offset to the back side with respect to.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the middle-start prize device 731 according to the second embodiment, taken from a plane passing through the inlets 754A and 754B as seen from above. The middle start winning device 731 is provided with one main ball passage 752. That is, the medium starting winning device 731 is a single starting device related to one predetermined special symbol of the first special symbol or the second special symbol, unlike the medium starting winning device 431.

The main ball passage 752, like the left and right main ball passages 652A and 652B in the first embodiment, guides the game ball P downward from above, and then guides the game ball backward (in the direction of arrow Q13). It is a passage. When the game ball flowing down the main ball passage 752 in the inward direction is detected by the middle start prize switch 741 without entering the subsidiary ball passages 753A and 753B, of the first special symbol or the second special symbol, in advance. A starting prize for a special symbol that has been set occurs. The medium start prize winning switch 741 is a switch having the same configuration and function as the medium start prize winning switches 441A and 441B.

Therefore, in the middle-start prize device 731, the game ball flowing down the main ball passage 752 is always detected by the middle-start prize switch 741 without entering the left and right subsidiary ball passages 753A and 753B. The side functions as an "advantageous region that gives a predetermined identification by passing".

The flow-down direction changing portion of the main ball passage 752 (the portion in which the guiding direction of the game ball changes from downward to back) is provided with a guide portion 612, like the left and right main ball passages 652A and 652B. In the downflow direction change portion, the game ball flowing down downward is configured to smoothly flow inward.

The main ball passage 752, like the left and right main ball passages 652A and 652B, is a direction that intersects with the flow-down direction (vertical direction and front-back direction) of the game ball in the flow-down direction change portion at the flow-down direction change portion (that is, Branch in the left-right direction of the game machine front view). The left subsidiary ball passage 753A is a ball passage branched to the left from the main ball passage 752, and the right subsidiary ball passage 753B is a ball passage branched to the right from the main ball passage 752.

The entrance portions 754A and 754B of the secondary ball passages 753A and 753B are arranged offset toward the back side with respect to the front surface of the game board 400 when the entrance portions 754A and 754B are viewed from the left or the right side. Therefore, the game ball P that has entered the left-hand sub-ball passage 753A from the main-ball passage 752 via the left-side entrance portion 754A passes through a movement route including a route that moves from the back side to the front side as shown by an arrow Q15, From the exit of the left-hand side follower passage 753A, the game board 400 is discharged to the game area on the left side with respect to the middle start winning device 731.

In addition, the game ball P that has entered the right-side sub-ball passage 753B from the main-ball passage 752 through the right-side entrance portion 754B also passes through a movement route including a route that moves from the back side to the front side as indicated by arrow Q16. From the exit of the right side ball passage 753B, the game board 400 is discharged to the game area on the right side with respect to the middle start winning device 731.

Next, the operation and effect of the pachinko machine 100 including the above-described middle start winning device 731 will be described.

In the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, in the medium start winning device 731, the entrance portions 754A, 754B of the secondary ball passages 753A, 753B are viewed from the left or right side of the entrance portions 754A, 754B, and the game board 400 is displayed. It is arranged offset to the back side with respect to the front surface of. Therefore, the game ball that branches from the main ball passage 752 and passes through the sub ball passages 753A and 753B needs to move at least from the back side to the front side.

Here, when considering that the game ball flowing down the game board 400 enters the corresponding ball passages 753A, 753B from the outlets of the corresponding ball passages 753A, 753B, it flows backward through the corresponding ball passages 753A, 753B (that is, In order for the game ball to merge with the main ball passage 752, the game ball needs to move from the front side to the back side. Therefore, it is difficult for the game ball flowing down the game board 400 to enter the main ball passage 752 via the subsidiary ball passages 753A and 753B. As a result, it is possible to preferably prevent the game ball from winning without passing through the entrance of the middle start winning device 731 (that is, through an unintended route).

In addition, although the above-mentioned middle starting winning device 731 is configured to include one main ball passage 752, like the middle starting winning device 431 of the first embodiment, a plurality of main ball passages 752 are provided and entered from the entrance. The game ball may be distributed to any one of the plurality of main ball passages 752.

Further, the number of entrances (not shown) of the middle-start prize device 731 is not limited to one, and a plurality of entrances may be provided. When a plurality of entrances of the middle start winning device 731 are provided, the game balls that have entered from the plurality of entrances merge with the main ball passage 752 through the passages that are connected to the respective entrances.

At this time, the entrance position may be changed or the entrance/exit to one entrance or a plurality of entrances may be changed by opening/closing the lid. In such a case, depending on the timing, the player may or may not be able to enter the entrance. Therefore, because the entrance could not be entered, the number of game balls flowing around the middle start winning device 731 increases. Therefore, in such a case, the configuration of the middle-start prize device 731 of the second embodiment, that is, the inlet portions 754A, 754B of the secondary ball passages 753A, 753B are viewed from the left or right side of the inlet portions 754A, 754B. The configuration provided at a position offset to the back side with respect to the front surface of the game board 400 at times is particularly preferable.

In addition, like the middle start winning a prize device 731 of the second embodiment, the entrance portions 754A and 754B of the secondary ball passages 753A and 753B have a front surface of the game board 400 when the entrance portions 754A and 754B are viewed from the left or the right. In the configuration in which it is provided at a position offset to the back side with respect to, the position where the secondary ball passage branches from the main ball passage (that is, the position where the inlet of the secondary ball passage is formed) changes in the downflow direction. It is not limited to the part of the passage where the guiding direction of the game ball changes from downward to back, such as the part, which is the part of the passage that faces only the back side, downstream of the part where the downflow direction changes. May be.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21. In the middle-start prize device 431 according to the first embodiment, the distribution destination of the distribution unit 620 is alternately switched between the left main ball passage 652A and the right main ball passage 652B each time a game ball enters from the entrance 611. Met. That is, according to the middle start prize winning apparatus 431 according to the first embodiment, the start according to the first or second special symbol by the game balls distributed to the left or right main ball passages 652A, 652B by the distribution unit 620. The distribution destination of the distribution unit 620 is alternately switched between the left main ball passage 652A and the right main ball passage 652B regardless of whether or not a winning has occurred.

On the other hand, in the medium start winning device 431 according to the third embodiment, the game balls that have entered from the entrance 611 are distributed to the left main ball passage 652A by the distribution unit 620, but have entered the left subsidiary ball passage 653A. Therefore, when the opportunity for the occurrence of the start prize relating to the first special symbol is lost, the distribution destination of the next time by the distribution unit 620 is changed to the same left main ball passage 652A as the distribution destination of this time. .. In the following description, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments will be designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 19 is a schematic front cross-sectional view taken along a plane passing through the secondary ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C in the medium starting prize device 431 of the third embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 19A illustrates a case where the distribution tip changing lever 810 is in a non-operating state, and FIG. 19B illustrates a state in which the distribution tip changing lever 810 is operating. ..

Note that, in FIG. 19, the distribution destination changing lever 810 and a portion that changes based on the operation of the distribution destination changing lever 810 (that is, the link mechanism 820 and the distribution unit 620 described later) are illustrated in an emphasized manner. At the same time, the portion related to the ball passages (that is, the main ball passages 652A and 652B and the sub-ball passages 653A to 653C) in the medium starting prize winning device 431 are illustrated by thin lines. Further, in FIG. 19, hatching of the cross section is omitted.

The distribution destination changing lever 810 includes a plate-shaped lever portion 811 and a shaft portion 812 that projects rearward from the upper rear side of the lever portion 811. The sorting destination changing lever 810 is attached to the middle start winning device 431 by inserting the shaft portion 812 into an insertion opening (not shown) formed through the base plate 630. As shown in FIG. 19A, in the distribution tip change lever 810, in the non-actuated state, the lever portion 811 hangs down with the shaft portion 812 as the upper side, thereby covering the outlet side of the left-side follower ball passage 653A.

As shown in FIG. 19A, when the game ball P that has entered the middle start winning device 431 from the entrance 611 enters the ball receiving portion 622F on the left side of the distribution unit 620, the game ball P is distributed. The leftward main ball passage 652A is sorted by the rotation of the portion 620 in the counterclockwise direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 19). Since the game balls P are distributed to the left main ball passage 652A, the distribution unit 620 has the right side ball receiving unit 622G facing the entrance 611 side.

The game ball P distributed to the left main ball passage 652A is guided downward (in the direction of arrow Q1) from the left main ball passage 652A. At this time, if the game ball P guided downward from the left main ball passage 652A from above does not enter the follower ball passages 653A and 653C and is guided backward through the downward direction change portion, the left middle start It is detected by the winning switch 441A, and thereby, the starting winning relating to the first special symbol occurs.

On the other hand, when the game ball P guided downward from the left main ball passage 652A enters the left sub ball passage 653A (that is, in the direction of arrow Q5), the game ball P is the left sub ball. The lever portion 811 is brought into contact with the exit of the passage 653A. The lever portion 811 is pushed leftward as the game ball P advances, and as a result, as shown in FIG. 19B, the shaft portion 812 is used as a rotation axis and the shaft portion 812 is rotated clockwise (arrow). It rotates in the R1 direction). As a result, the sorting destination changing lever 810 operates.

Although details will be described later, a link mechanism 820 described later is provided between the shaft portion 812 of the distribution destination changing lever 810 and the shaft 621 of the distribution portion 620. In the present embodiment, the shaft 621 of the distribution unit 620 is fixed to the main body 622 and is configured to rotate with the rotation of the main body 622. The link mechanism 820 is operated by the operation of the distribution destination changing lever 810 (that is, the lever portion 811 is rotated together with the shaft portion 812), and as a result, as shown in FIG. The distribution unit 620 is rotated so that the ball receiving unit 622F faces the side of the entrance 611.

Therefore, the distribution unit 620 distributes the game balls P to the left main ball passage 652A, so that the right ball receiving unit 622G is directed to the entrance 611 side. In the case of entering, the link mechanism 820 is actuated based on the actuation of the sorting destination changing lever 810, whereby the left ball receiving portion 622F is directed toward the inlet 611 again.

In other words, when the game ball P distributed to the left main ball passage 652A in the distribution this time by the distribution unit 620 enters the left subsidiary ball passage 653A without proceeding backward through the downflow direction changing portion, The part 620 sorts the game spheres that have entered from the entrance 611 next time to the left side sub-ball passage 653A again instead of the right side main sphere passage 652B.

The distribution destination changing lever 810 also includes a weight 813 embedded in the lever portion 811 at a different end side from the shaft portion 812. As a result, when the game ball P is discharged from the left follower ball passage 653A and separated from the lever portion 811, the sorting tip changing lever 810 in the operating state returns to the non-operating position by the biasing force generated by the weight 813. To do.

20A is a front view of the link mechanism 820, and FIG. 20B is a side view of the link mechanism 820 seen in the arrow C direction in FIG. 20A, the lever portion 811 of the distribution destination changing lever 810 and the main body 622 of the distribution portion 620, which are located on the front side with respect to the link mechanism 820, are indicated by chain double-dashed lines.

As shown in FIG. 20A, the link mechanism 820 includes a first link portion 821 arranged on the distribution destination changing lever 810 side, a second link portion 822 arranged on the distribution portion 620 side, and a second link portion 822. The third link part 823 is arranged between the first link part 821 and the second link part 822.

The first link portion 821 is an elongated member whose one end side is fixed to the shaft portion 812 of the distribution destination changing lever 810. A hole into which the shaft portion 812 can be inserted is formed on one end side of the first link portion 821, and the first link portion 821 is fixed to the shaft portion 812 by inserting the shaft portion 812 into the hole.

The second link portion 822 is a fan-shaped member whose center side is fixed to the shaft 621 of the distribution unit 620. A hole into which the shaft 621 can be inserted is formed on the center side of the fan-shaped second link part 822, and the second link part 822 is fixed to the shaft 621 by inserting the shaft 621 into the hole.

The third link portion 823 is a rod-shaped member, and one end side of the third link portion 823 is an end side rear surface side of the first link portion 821 different from the shaft portion 812 (that is, a surface opposite to a surface to which the shaft portion 812 is fixed). Side) and the other end side is arranged on the arc-shaped back surface side of the fan-shaped second link portion 822 (that is, the surface opposite to the surface on which the shaft 621 is fixed).

The pin 823A can be inserted into the end side of the first link portion 821 different from the side to which the shaft portion 812 is fixed so that the first link portion 821 can rotate with respect to the shaft portion of the pin 823A. A hole is formed therethrough. By fixing the pin 823A, which is inserted from the front surface side of the first link portion 821, to the front surface side of the third link portion 823, the first link portion 821 and the third link portion 823 are relatively inserted into the hole. Is rotatably connected to.

On the other hand, an elongated hole 822A that allows the third link portion 823 to slide with respect to the second link portion 822 is formed on the arc side of the second link portion 822. The outer peripheral side of the elongated hole 822A (the side close to the circular arc in the second link portion 822) has an arc shape with a constant distance from the axis of the shaft 621. By fixing the pin 823B, which is inserted from the front surface side of the second link portion 822, to the front surface side of the third link portion 823, the third link portion 823 is attached to the second link portion 822. It is slidably connected.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the link mechanism 820. In addition, in FIG. 21, the shape near the lever portion 811 of the distribution tip changing lever 810 in the middle start winning a prize device 431 is illustrated, and the main body 622 of the lever portion 811 and the distribution portion 620 is illustrated by a chain double-dashed line. There is.

As shown in FIG. 21A, when the left ball receiving portion 622F of the distribution portion 620 faces upward (the entrance 611 side) and the distribution tip changing lever 810 is in the inoperative state, the link mechanism The pin 823B of the third link portion 823 is kept stationary with the pin 823B of the third link portion 823 arranged on the end side of the long hole 822A that is farther from the first link portion 821.

As shown in FIG. 21B, since the game ball P has entered the left ball receiving portion 622F of the distribution unit 620, the distribution unit 620 (main body) is distributed in order to distribute the game ball P to the left main ball passage 652A. 622) rotates in the counterclockwise direction (arrow L1 direction) with the shaft 621 as the rotation axis, the second link unit 822 interlocks with the rotation of the distribution unit 620 and uses the shaft 621 as the rotation axis. It rotates counterclockwise, so that the slot 822A slides to the right with respect to the pin 823B.

As a result, the link mechanism 820 is in a state in which the pin 823B is arranged on the end side of the elongated hole 822A closer to the first link portion 821. The shape of the long hole 822A on the outer peripheral side is an arc shape with a constant distance from the axis of the shaft 621. Therefore, even when the long hole 822A slides with respect to the pin 823B, the distance from the shaft center of the shaft 621 to the pin 823B does not change. Therefore, in such a case, the third link part 823 and the first link part 821 do not operate. Therefore, even if the distribution unit 620 is rotated to distribute the game balls P, the distribution destination changing lever 810 is not operated by the link mechanism 820.

As shown in FIG. 21C, when the game ball P distributed to the left main ball passage 652A enters the left subsidiary ball passage 653A, the game ball P moves the lever portion 811 of the distribution destination changing lever 810. The lever portion 811 is pushed in the leftward direction, whereby the lever portion 811 rotates in the clockwise direction (arrow R1 direction) with the shaft portion 812 as the rotation axis. The first link portion 821 rotates in the clockwise direction with the shaft portion 812 as the rotation axis in conjunction with the rotation of the lever portion 811.

The rotation of the first link portion 821 in the clockwise direction activates the link mechanism 820 to rotate the distribution portion 620 (main body 622) in the clockwise direction (arrow R2 direction) with the shaft 621 as the rotation axis. To move. The first link portion 821 is rotated in the clockwise direction (arrow R1 direction) with the shaft portion 812 as the rotation axis, so that the third link portion 823 is pulled toward the first link portion 821.

As a result, the pin 823B of the third link portion 823 pulls the end of the elongated hole 822A closer to the first link portion 821 toward the first link portion 821, so that the second link portion 822 rotates the shaft 621. It rotates in the clockwise direction (direction of arrow R2) as a moving shaft. Since the second link portion 822 rotates clockwise about the shaft 621 as a rotation axis, the distribution unit 620 (main body 622) rotates the shaft 621 in conjunction with the rotation of the second link portion 822. It rotates in the clockwise direction (direction of arrow R2) as a moving shaft. As described above, as a result of the link mechanism 820 operating based on the operation of the distribution destination changing lever 810, the distribution unit 620 has the ball receiving unit 622F on the left side upward (the entrance 611 as shown in FIG. 21C). Side) is said to be facing.

When the game ball P is discharged from the left-hand sub-ball passage 653A, the game ball P does not come into contact with the lever portion 811. Therefore, the lever portion 811 is left with the shaft portion 812 as the rotation axis by the biasing force generated by the weight 813. It rotates in the rotating direction (direction of arrow L2). As a result, the distribution destination changing lever 810 returns to the non-actuated position.

Since the lever portion 811 rotates counterclockwise with the shaft portion 812 as the rotation shaft, the first link portion 821 also rotates counterclockwise with the shaft portion 812 as the rotation shaft. As a result, the third link portion 823 is pushed toward the second link portion 822, but the pin 823B of the third link portion 823 slides to the right with respect to the elongated hole 822A of the second link portion 822. , The second link unit 822 does not operate. As a result of the pin 823B sliding rightward with respect to the elongated hole 822A of the second link portion 822, the link mechanism 820 returns to the state shown in FIG.

If the game ball P distributed to the left main ball passage 652A does not enter the left sub-ball passage 653A because the game ball P moves backwards through the downflow direction changing portion, the distribution destination changing lever 810 does not operate. Therefore, in the distribution unit 620, the ball receiving portion 622G on the right side faces upward (on the side of the inlet 611) as shown in FIG.

In this state, the next game ball enters from the entrance 611, whereby the distribution unit 620 (main body 622) rotates in the clockwise direction with the shaft 621 as the rotation axis (opposite to the arrow L1 direction in FIG. 21B). Direction), the second link portion 822 rotates in the clockwise direction with the shaft 621 as the rotation axis in conjunction with the rotation of the distribution portion 620. However, in such a case, since the long hole 822A slides to the left with respect to the pin 823B, the third link portion 823 and the first link portion 821 do not operate. As a result, the link mechanism 820 returns to the state shown in FIG.

That is, since the elongated hole 822A is formed in the second link portion 822, the link mechanism 820 can be operated by the operation of the distribution tip changing lever 810, while the link mechanism 820 is operated by the operation (rotation) of the distribution portion 620. It can be disabled.

Next, the operation and effect of the pachinko machine 100 including the link mechanism 820 described above will be described.

In the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, when the game ball distributed to the left main ball passage 652A by the distribution unit 620 enters the left sub ball passage 653A, the game ball is provided at the exit of the left sub ball passage 653A. The distribution destination changing lever 810 thus operated is operated, whereby the link mechanism 820 acting on the distribution unit 620 is operated, and the next distribution destination by the distribution unit 620 is the same as the distribution destination of this time on the left main ball passage. It is changed to 652A.

In the middle starting prize winning device 431 of the present embodiment, the distribution unit 620 is rotated alternately left and right every time the game balls are distributed, whereby the distribution destinations of the game balls are the left main ball passage 652A and the right side. It is switched alternately with the main ball passage 652B. Therefore, when all of the game balls distributed by the distribution unit 620 are detected by the left middle starting prize winning switch 441A or the right middle starting winning prize switch 441B, the starting winning of the first special symbol and the start of the second special symbol. The winnings and the winnings will occur alternately.

However, in the middle-start prize device 431 of the present embodiment, the main-ball passages 652A, 652B have sub-ball passages 653A-653C branching from the main-ball passages 652A, 652B from the middle-start prize switches 441A, 441B. Since it is provided on the upstream side, not all of the game balls distributed by the distribution unit 620 are detected by the left middle start prize switch 441A or the right middle start prize switch 441B. Therefore, the starting prize generated by the game balls distributed by the distributing unit 620 may be biased to the starting prize of one of the first special symbols or the second special symbols.

In particular, in the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, for each special symbol (the first special symbol, the second special symbol), the right of the unit game according to each special symbol, for each special symbol, a predetermined maximum number of times. The upper limit is configured to be holdable. Therefore, if the start winning related to the special symbol occurs in one of the first special symbol or the second special symbol, the right to the unit game relating to the one special symbol is the maximum. It is easy to reach the number of times. As a result, even if the start prize related to the one special symbol occurs, if the unit game related to the one special symbol cannot be held and wasted, the player may lose interest in the game.

The starting prize of the first special symbol and the starting prize of the second special symbol are designed so that the degree of advantage given to the player (for example, the jackpot probability in the special symbol lottery or the number of prize balls) is different. In this case, the player may be dissatisfied with the game if the unevenly-generated start prize has a relatively low advantage. Further, since the generated starting winnings are biased toward a specific special symbol, the player may feel monotonous in the game.

On the other hand, as described above, in the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, although the game balls that have entered from the entrance 611 are distributed to the left main ball passage 652A by the distribution unit 620, they enter the left subsidiary ball passage 653A. As a result, when the opportunity to generate the starting prize relating to the first special symbol is lost, the distribution destination of the next time by the distribution unit 620 is changed to the same left main ball passage 652A as the distribution destination of this time. Therefore, it is possible to obtain again the opportunity of occurrence of the starting prize relating to the first special symbol. As a result, the starting winning of the special symbol generated based on the game balls distributed by the distributing unit 620 can be prevented from being biased to one of the special symbols.

Also, the next change of the distribution destination by the distribution unit 620 based on the game ball entering the left side ball passage 653A is a distribution destination changing lever 810 which is operated by the contact of the game ball and a distribution destination changing lever. Since it is mechanically performed by the link mechanism 820 which operates based on the operation of 810, while suppressing the control load applied to the main control board 920 and the like, the start of the special symbol generated based on the game balls distributed by the distribution unit 620. It is possible to prevent the winning from being biased toward one of the special symbols.

<Fourth Embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23. In the pachinko machine 100 according to the third embodiment, the game balls that have entered the middle start winning device 431 from the entrance 611 are distributed to the left main ball passage 652A by the distribution unit 620, but enter the left secondary ball passage 653A. As a result, when the opportunity to generate the starting prize relating to the first special symbol is lost, the distribution destination of the next time by the distribution unit 620 is changed to the same left main ball passage 652A as the distribution destination of this time. It was a composition.

On the other hand, in the pachinko machine 100 according to the fourth embodiment, based on that the game ball has entered the right start prize device 432, when the start prize related to the second special symbol occurs, the distribution unit The next distribution destination by 620 is changed to the same left main ball passage 652A as the distribution destination this time. In the following description, the same components as those in the first to third embodiments will be designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 22 is a schematic front view of the game area. In FIG. 22, the outline of the main structures provided in the game area is shown. As described above, the outer peripheral portion of the game area is generally defined by the outer rail 402 and the inner rail 403. Since the central structure 420 is provided in the central portion of the game area, the player selectively performs the left-handed playing technique and the right-handed playing technique by changing the rotation operation amount of the firing handle 252. You can

That is, the player can perform the left-handed playing technique by operating the firing handle 252 with a rotation operation amount such that the game ball does not mainly flow down on the right side of the central structure 420. On the other hand, the player operates the firing handle 252 with a rotation operation amount such that the game ball mainly flows down on the right side of the central structure 420, that is, with a stronger rotation operation amount than in the case of playing a game with a left-handed game technique. You can do the right-handed game technique.

The game area is a left-side game area in which the game ball flows down only by the left-handed playing method, a right-side game area in which the game ball flows down only by the right-handed playing method, and a downflowable area by either the left-handed playing method or the right-handed playing method. It can be divided into a side game area.

The middle start winning device 431 and the general winning device 439A are provided in the left game area. That is, the player can enter the game ball into the middle start winning device 431 and the general winning device 439A by performing the left-handed playing technique.

On the other hand, the combination operating device 435, the starting device 436, the right starting winning device 432, the lower winning device 433, the upper winning device 434, and the general winning device 439B are provided in the right game area. That is, the player performs the right-hit game technique to play the winning combination operation device 435, the starting device 436, the right starting winning device 432, the lower big winning device 433, the upper big winning device 434, and the general winning device 439B. You can enter a ball.

In the present embodiment, in the ball passage 830 that guides the game balls that have entered the right starting winning device 432 to the collecting and discharging passage (not shown), the ball passage 830 flows down to the downstream side of the right starting winning switch 442. A distribution tip changing lever 850 is provided which is brought into contact with the game ball to be operated and which is operated downward by its own weight. The distribution destination changing lever 850 is connected to the distribution unit 620 via a link mechanism 840.

Although details will be described later, when the distribution destination changing lever 850 is operated by the game ball flowing down the ball passage 830, the link mechanism 840 is operated and the game ball entering the entrance 611 is distributed to the left main ball passage 652A. In other words, the distribution unit 620 is rotated so that the left ball receiving portion 622F faces the inlet 611 side.

FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the link mechanism 840. It should be noted that, in FIG. 23, the shape of the ball passage 830 through which the game ball that has entered the starting winning device 432 passes is illustrated, and the lever portion 851 and the main body 622 located in front of the link mechanism 840 are illustrated by a chain double-dashed line. ing.

The distribution destination changing lever 850 includes a plate-shaped lever portion 851 and a shaft portion 852 that projects rearward from the rear left end side of the lever portion 851. In the non-actuated state of the distribution destination changing lever 850, as shown in FIG. 23A, the surface of the lever portion 851 becomes a part of the lower surface of the passage portion of the ball passage 830 that flows from the upper left to the lower right. Are arranged in the ball passage 830.

When the game ball P enters the right start winning device 432, the game ball P flows down the ball passage 830 and passes over the lever portion 851 in the middle of the flow. When the game ball P passes over the lever part 851, the lever part 851 is pushed downward (gravitational direction) by the weight of the game ball P, and as a result, as shown in FIG. The portion 852 is rotated in the clockwise direction (arrow R3 direction) together with the shaft portion 852 with the rotation axis as the rotation axis. As a result, the sorting destination changing lever 850 operates.

The distribution destination changing lever 850 is provided with a spring mechanism (not shown) that generates a biasing force for returning the lever portion 851 that has been rotated clockwise by the game ball P to the inoperative position. There is. As a result, when the game ball P passes over the lever portion 851, the distribution tip changing lever 810 in the operating state is in the non-operating position due to the biasing force generated by the spring mechanism (that is, in the position in FIG. 23A). Return to the state shown.

As shown in FIG. 23A, the link mechanism 840 includes a first link portion 841 arranged on the distribution destination changing lever 850 side, a second link portion 842 arranged on the distribution portion 620 side, and a second link portion 842. The third link portion 843 is arranged between the first link portion 841 and the second link portion 842.

The first link portion 841 is an elongated member whose one end is fixed to the shaft portion 852 of the distribution tip changing lever 850. A hole into which the shaft portion 852 can be inserted is formed on one end side of the first link portion 841, and the first link portion 841 is fixed to the shaft portion 852 by inserting the shaft portion 852 into the hole.

The second link portion 842 is a fan-shaped member whose center side is fixed to the shaft 621 of the distribution unit 620. A hole into which the shaft 621 can be inserted is formed on the center side of the fan-shaped second link part 842, and the second link part 842 is fixed to the shaft 621 by inserting the shaft 621 into the hole.

The third link portion 843 is a rod-shaped member, and one end side of the third link portion 843 is an end side rear surface different from the shaft portion 852 of the first link portion 841 (that is, a surface opposite to a surface to which the shaft portion 852 is fixed). Side) and the other end side is arranged on the arc-side back surface side of the fan-shaped second link portion 842 (that is, the surface opposite to the surface on which the shaft 621 is fixed).

The pin 843A can be inserted on the end side of the first link portion 841 different from the side on which the shaft portion 852 is fixed so that the first link portion 841 can rotate with respect to the shaft portion of the pin 843A. A hole is formed therethrough. By fixing the pin 843A, which is inserted from the front surface side of the first link portion 841, to the front surface side of the third link portion 843, the first link portion 841 and the third link portion 843 are relatively inserted into the hole. Is rotatably connected to.

On the other hand, on the arc side of the second link portion 842, a long hole 842A that allows the third link portion 843 to slide with respect to the second link portion 842 is formed. The outer peripheral side of the long hole 842A (the side close to the circular arc in the second link portion 842) has an arc shape with a constant distance from the axis of the shaft 621. By fixing the pin 843B, which is inserted from the front surface side of the second link portion 842, to the front surface side of the third link portion 843, the third link portion 843 is attached to the second link portion 842. It is slidably connected.

As shown in FIG. 23A, when the ball receiving portion 622G on the right side of the distribution portion 620 faces upward (the entrance 611 side) and the distribution tip changing lever 850 is in the inoperative state, the link mechanism 840 keeps stationary with the pin 843B of the third link portion 843 arranged in the end side of the long hole 842A away from the first link portion 841.

As shown in FIG. 23( b ), when the game ball P entered in the right start winning device 432 passes over the lever part 851, the lever part 851 moves downward (gravity direction) depending on the weight of the game ball P. ), whereby the shaft portion 852 is rotated in the clockwise direction (arrow R3 direction) together with the shaft portion 852 as a rotation axis. The first link portion 841 rotates in the clockwise direction with the shaft portion 852 as a rotation axis in conjunction with the rotation of the lever portion 851.

The rotation of the first link portion 841 in the clockwise direction causes the link mechanism 840 to operate, rotating the distribution unit 620 (main body 622) in the clockwise direction (arrow R4 direction) with the shaft 621 as the rotation axis. To move. Specifically, the first link portion 841 is rotated in the clockwise direction (arrow R3 direction) about the shaft portion 852 as a rotation axis, so that the third link portion 823 is pushed toward the second link portion 822. ..

As a result, the pin 843B of the third link portion 843 pushes the end of the long hole 842A away from the first link portion 841 toward the second link portion 842 side, so that the second link portion 842 rotates the shaft 621. It rotates in the clockwise direction (arrow R4 direction) as a moving shaft. Since the second link portion 842 rotates in the clockwise direction with the shaft 621 as the rotation axis, the distribution unit 620 (main body 622) rotates the shaft 621 in conjunction with the rotation of the second link portion 842. It rotates in the clockwise direction (arrow R4 direction) as a moving shaft. As described above, as a result of the link mechanism 840 operating based on the operation of the distribution destination changing lever 850, the distribution unit 620 has the left ball receiving portion 622F upward (the entrance 611 as shown in FIG. 23C). Side) is said to be facing.

When the game ball P passes over the lever portion 851, the lever portion 851 rotates counterclockwise with the shaft portion 852 as a rotation axis by the biasing force generated by a spring mechanism (not shown). As a result, the distribution destination changing lever 850 returns to the inoperative position.

Since the lever portion 851 rotates counterclockwise with the shaft portion 852 as a rotation axis, the first link portion 841 also rotates counterclockwise with the shaft portion 852 as a rotation axis. As a result, the third link portion 843 is pulled toward the first link portion 841, but the pin 843B of the third link portion 843 slides rightward with respect to the long hole 842A of the second link portion 842. , The second link unit 842 does not operate. That is, even when the distribution destination changing lever 850 returns to the non-actuated position, the distribution unit 620 does not change with the left ball receiving portion 622F facing upward (the entrance 611 side).

With the left ball receiving portion 622F facing upward, the next game ball enters from the entrance 611, whereby the sorting unit 620 (main body 622) rotates counterclockwise with the shaft 621 as the rotation axis (FIG. 23). When rotated in a direction opposite to the arrow R4 direction in (b)), the second link portion 842 rotates in the counterclockwise direction with the shaft 621 as the rotation axis in conjunction with the rotation of the distribution unit 620. To do. However, in such a case, since the long hole 842A slides to the right with respect to the pin 843B, the third link portion 843 and the first link portion 841 do not operate.

That is, since the elongated hole 842A is formed in the second link portion 842, the link mechanism 840 can be operated by the operation of the distribution tip changing lever 850, while the link mechanism 840 is operated by the operation (rotation) of the distribution portion 620. It can be disabled.

Next, the operation and effect of the pachinko machine 100 including the link mechanism 840 described above will be described.

In the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, when the game ball enters the right start winning device 432 related to the second special symbol, the game ball is assigned to the sorting destination change lever 850 provided in the passage of the ball passage 830. , Thereby, the link mechanism 840 that acts on the distribution unit 620 is activated, and the next distribution destination by the distribution unit 620 is the main ball passage that can generate the start winning of the first special symbol, that is, It is changed to the left main ball passage 652A.

In the middle starting prize winning device 431 of the present embodiment, the distribution unit 620 is rotated alternately left and right every time the game balls are distributed, whereby the distribution destinations of the game balls are the left main ball passage 652A and the right side. It is switched alternately with the main ball passage 652B. Therefore, when all of the game balls distributed by the distribution unit 620 are detected by the left middle starting prize winning switch 441A or the right middle starting winning prize switch 441B, the starting winning of the first special symbol and the start of the second special symbol. The winnings and the winnings will occur alternately.

However, in the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, since the right starting prize winning device 432 related to the second special symbol is provided in addition to the medium starting prize winning device 431, the start is biased to the starting winning prize of the second special symbol. There is a risk of winning.

In particular, as described above, the right start winning device 432 is set to have a longer stay time in the entry permission state of the right entry regulation mechanism 452 in the time saving state such as the time saving game state or the probability variation game state than in the normal game state. Therefore, the probability of entering the right start winning device 432 is higher than that in the normal gaming state. Therefore, in the time saving game state and the probability variation game state, the player performs a game by the right hitting game method so as to enter the game ball into the right start winning device 432. Therefore, in such a case, the generated starting winning is likely to be biased to the starting winning of the second special symbol.

In addition, in the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, for each special symbol (first special symbol, second special symbol), the right of the unit game related to each special symbol, for each special symbol, a predetermined maximum number of times. The upper limit is configured to be holdable. Therefore, when the starting prize relating to the special symbol occurs in a biased manner to the starting prize of the second special symbol, the right of the unit game relating to the second special symbol is likely to reach the maximum number. As a result, even if the start winning relating to the second special symbol occurs, if the unit game relating to the second special symbol cannot be held and wasted, the player may lose interest in the game.

The starting prize of the first special symbol and the starting prize of the second special symbol are designed so that the degree of advantage given to the player (for example, the jackpot probability in the special symbol lottery or the number of prize balls) is different. In this case, the player may be dissatisfied with the game if the unevenly-generated start prize has a relatively low advantage. Further, since the generated starting winnings are biased toward a specific special symbol, the player may feel monotonous in the game.

On the other hand, as described above, in the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, when the game ball enters the right start winning device 432 related to the second special symbol, the next distribution destination by the distribution unit 620. However, it is changed to the left main ball passage 652A, that is, the main ball passage capable of generating the start winning of the first special symbol. As a result, the start winning of the special symbol generated based on the game balls distributed by the distribution unit 620 can be prevented from being biased toward one of the special symbols (that is, the second special symbol). Also, the next change of the distribution destination by the distribution unit 620 based on the game ball entering the right start winning device 432, the distribution destination change lever 850 operated by the contact of the game ball, and the distribution destination change. Since it is mechanically performed by the link mechanism 840 that operates based on the operation of the lever 850, while suppressing the control load on the main control board 920 and the like, a special symbol generated based on the game balls distributed by the distribution unit 620. It is possible to prevent the starting prize from being biased toward one of the special symbols.

Further, in the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, by launching a game ball aiming at the right game area, the game ball is a starting winning device capable of generating only a starting winning of the second special symbol (that is, right starting). It is possible to enter the winning device 432). Therefore, by providing the secondary ball passages 653A to 653C branched from the main ball passages 652A and 652B, the starting winning device of the first special symbol and the starting prize of the second special symbol do not necessarily occur alternately. That is, in the configuration of the middle start winning device 431), by performing the right-handed game technique, while the starting winning of the second special symbol is generated, by the operation of the distribution destination changing lever 850 and the link mechanism 840, the distribution unit Since the next allocation destination by 620 is changed to the left main ball passage 652A capable of generating the starting prize of the first special symbol instead of the starting prize of the second special symbol, the starting prize of the first special symbol and the second special symbol It is possible to generate a good balance with the starting prize of. In this respect as well, the starting prize of the special symbol generated based on the game balls distributed by the distribution unit 620 can be prevented from being biased to one of the special symbols.

In the above-described fourth embodiment, the game ball that has entered the right start winning device 432 is configured to operate the sorting destination changing lever 850, but it is shaken by the game ball that is scheduled to enter the right starting prize device 432. The minute change lever 850 may be operated.

The present invention is not limited to each of the above-described embodiments, and may be modified and implemented as described below, for example. In this case, each configuration described below may be applied to each embodiment described above, or a plurality of configurations described below may be combined and applied to each embodiment described above.

(1) Medium start prize winning device 431
In each of the above-described embodiments, the middle-start prize winning device 431 is configured to include the middle-start prize winning switches 441A and 441B. However, the middle-start prize winning switches 441A and 441B do not necessarily have to be a part of the middle-start winning device 431. There is no. The medium-start prize switches 441A and 441B are separate from the medium-start prize device 431, and when the pachinko machine 100 is assembled, the medium-start prize switches 441A and 441B are attached to the back side of the medium-start prize device 431 to form a unit. It may be.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the medium starting winning device 431 is configured such that the main ball passages 652A and 652B are ball passages that guide the game balls downward from the top and then to the back. The guide route of the passages 652A and 652B does not necessarily have to be the above route.

For example, the guide paths of the main ball passages 652A and 652B may be simply configured to guide the game balls downward from above. Even in such a case, similarly to each of the above-described embodiments, it is possible to suppress the entry of the game ball flowing down the main ball passages 652A and 652B into the slave ball passage. Therefore, in this modified example, the vertical size of the middle-start prize device 431 is larger than that of the middle-start prize device 431 illustrated in each of the above-described embodiments, but the middle-start prize illustrated in each of the above-described embodiments. Similar to the device 431, a suitable interest can be given.

In addition, for example, the guide paths of the main ball passages 652A and 652B may be configured to guide the game ball downward from above and then guide the game ball leftward or rightward. In such a modified example, since the direction changing portion of the main ball passages 652A, 652B is a portion where the guiding direction of the game ball changes from downward to left or right, the direction changing portion flows downward from above. By providing a guiding portion that guides the ball to the right or left and a sub-ball passage that branches from the main ball passages 652A and 652B in the front or rear direction, the middle-start prize device 431 illustrated in the first embodiment is provided. The same effect as that of the guiding section 612 can be obtained.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the middle-start prize device 431 is attached from the front side of the game board 400 so that the front portion of the base plate 630 is exposed to the game board 400. The middle start winning device 431 may be attached from the back side of the game board 400. Further, the middle-start prize device 431 may have a configuration in which at least the entrance 611 is exposed on the front surface of the game board 400.

In each of the above-described embodiments, in the middle-start prize winning apparatus 431, the distribution unit 620 is configured to distribute the game balls to either the left and right main ball passages 652A and 652. However, the game balls are distributed to the main ball passages. In the above, if there are a plurality of main ball passages as the distribution destinations, three or more may be used. Further, the middle-start prize device 431 is configured to distribute the game balls to the plurality of main ball passages 652A and 652 which are the start prizes by the distribution unit 620, but only one main ball passage is the start prize, and the other. The main ball passage may be configured as a discharge ball passage through which game balls are discharged to the game area, or one main ball passage to which the game balls are distributed may be provided. Further, a part of the game balls that are distributed by the distribution unit 620 and proceed in the main ball passage does not necessarily have to generate a start winning, and may be another passage that leads to an advantageous region in which a bonus is given to the player. For example, it may be a ball passage leading to a winning opening in which a fixed number of game balls are paid out as prize balls without satisfying a lottery condition, or may be a specific passage giving a game state advantageous to a player.

In each of the above embodiments, the distribution unit 620 that swings to the left and right is used to distribute the game balls to the left and right main ball passages 652A and 652. However, as the structure for distributing the game balls, the distribution unit 620 is used. However, it may be a stage or a clune.

(2) Guidance unit 612
In each of the above-described embodiments, the guide portion 612 has the curved inclined surface 612A having a gradually decreasing inclination angle, but the inclined surface 612A is not necessarily curved. For example, the guide portion 612 may have a configuration including an inclined surface 612A formed by a polygonal line formed by straight lines having different inclinations, which gradually decreases the guide angle toward the downstream side.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the guide portion 612 is configured to be a convex portion that extends with a width narrower than the passage width of the main ball passages 652A and 652B. However, the guide portion 612 has the entire passage width of the main ball passages 652A and 652B. It may be configured to be formed in. That is, the downflow direction changing portion may be configured by a wall surface that is inclined in a curved shape with a gradually decreasing inclination angle, and the wall surface may be the guide portion 612.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the guide portion 612 is configured as one convex portion extending with a width narrower than the passage width of the main ball passages 652A and 652B, but a plurality of convex portions arranged in parallel is guided. The configuration of the part 612 may be used.

(3) Distribution unit 620
In each of the above-described embodiments, the distribution unit 620 is configured to distribute the game balls by a mechanical structure that uses the weight of the game balls. However, the distribution of the game balls by the distribution unit 620 is performed by a motor or the like. Alternatively, the shaft 621 may be controllably rotated by using.

(4) Main ball passages 652A and 652B and sub-ball passages 653A to 653C
In each of the above embodiments, the main ball passages 652A, 652B and the sub ball passages 653A to 653C are made of resin, but it is not always necessary to make each passage by resin, and at least a part of the other passage structure such as a nail or the like. It may be configured to include members.

In each of the above-described embodiments, there may be provided an entry suppressing means for preventing the game ball from advancing from the secondary ball passages 653A to 653C side to the main ball passages 652A, 652B. For example, a large number of nails may be arranged side by side on the upper side of the outlet portion of the slave ball passages 653A to 653C so that the game balls cannot proceed from the downstream side to the upstream side of the slave ball passages 653A to 653C.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration in which the sub ball passages 653A to 653C are provided on both the left and right sides of the main ball passages 652A and 652B has been described, but the sub ball passages are provided to the left and right of the main ball passages 652A and 652B. It may be provided only on one side in the direction, and the game ball may not advance to the other side.

For example, the secondary ball passages 653A and 653B capable of outputting game balls toward the left and right sides of the middle start winning device 431 are omitted, and wall portions for closing the inlet portions 654A1 and 654B1 of the secondary ball passages 653A and 653B are provided. Alternatively, the game balls may be output only from the main ball passages 652A and 652B and the central sub ball passage 653C. The central slave ball passage 653C is provided with a distribution portion 620 above it to close the upper side of the passage, and a game area in a continuous passage portion above and below the side where the inlet portions 654A2 and 654B2 of the central slave ball passage 653C are opened. It is possible to make it easier to set the winning probability of the game ball into the left middle starting winning opening 431Aa or the right middle starting winning opening 431Ba. On the other hand, a configuration may be adopted in which only the secondary ball passages 653A and 653B capable of outputting the game balls toward the left and right sides of the middle start winning device 431 are provided, and the central secondary ball passage 653C is omitted.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the sub ball passages 653A to 653C are provided on the left and right sides of the main ball passages 652A and 652B has been described. , The game balls may be output with substantially the same probability, or the one side in the left-right direction may be output with a higher probability than the other side.

Here, the outlet 401A is provided directly below the central slave ball passage 653C, while the game balls output from the left and right slave ball passages 653A and 653B proceed downward after being output to one side, and vice versa. The player has a long route to visually recognize the game ball output by advancing in the direction and being guided to the discharge port 401A, and the player is easily discouraged or dissatisfied. Therefore, the side of the central secondary ball passage 653C may be configured so that the game balls are output with a higher probability than the left and right secondary ball passages 653A and 653B, whereby the game that has entered the middle start winning device 431. The ball is output to the game area again, and discouragement or the like due to the player visually recognizing the game ball can be reduced.

On the other hand, the left and right slave ball passages 653A and 653B may output the game balls with a higher probability than the central slave ball passage 653C, and instead of or in addition to this configuration, An advantageous region (for example, the entrance of the general winning award devices 439A and 439B) may be provided at a position where the game balls output from the ball passages 653A and 653B can enter. By applying these configurations, it is possible to make it easier for the player to have a sense of expectation for the award of the game ball output from the middle-start prize-winning device 431, and the player enters the middle-start prize-winning device 431. It is possible to reduce discouragement and the like due to the game ball being output to the game area again.

(5) Modification of changing distribution destination of distribution unit 620 using link mechanisms 820 and 840 In the third and fourth embodiments described above, the link mechanism is based on the operation of distribution destination changing levers 810 and 850. 820 and 840 are actuated, whereby the distribution unit 620 is rotated. That is, the distribution mechanism 620 is mechanically rotated by the link mechanisms 820 and 840 based on the operation of the distribution destination changing levers 810 and 850. Instead of this, a detection unit that electrically detects the operation of the distribution destination change levers 810 and 850 is provided, and when the operation of the distribution destination change levers 810 and 850 is detected by the detection unit, the distribution unit 620 may be configured to be electrically rotated by using a drive source such as a motor.

In the above-described third embodiment, the distribution tip changing lever 810 is provided at the outlet of the left side follower ball passage 653B, but the distribution tip changing lever may be provided in the passage of the left side follower ball passage 653B.

In the third embodiment described above, among the secondary ball passages branched from the left main ball passage 652A, the distribution tip changing lever 810 is provided only in the left secondary ball passage 653B. A distribution destination changing lever is provided at a position where a game ball entering the passage 653C can come into contact, and even when the distribution destination changing lever operates, the link mechanism operates and the distribution unit 620 divides the next time. The distribution unit 620 may be rotated so that the tip becomes the left main ball passage 652A.

When there are a plurality of secondary ball passages branching from the left main ball passage 652A, like the middle-start prize device 431 of the third embodiment, the probability of discharge from the plurality of secondary ball passages is designed to be different. In this case, the distribution destination changing lever may be provided in the secondary ball passage that is easily discharged.

Also, for the secondary ball passage branched from the right main ball passage 652B, a distribution destination changing lever and a link mechanism that operates by the operation of the distribution destination changing lever are provided, and the distribution unit is operated by the operation of the link mechanism. The distribution unit 620 may be rotated so that the next distribution destination by the 620 is the right main ball passage 652B. Note that the distribution destination changing lever may not be provided in the secondary ball passage branching from the left main ball passage 652A, and the distribution destination changing lever may be provided only in the sub ball passage branching from the right main ball passage 652B.

In the middle start prize device 431 of the third embodiment, the game balls that have passed through the left and right main ball passages 652A and 652B are detected by the middle start prize switch 441A or the middle start prize switch 441B. The main ball passage may be branched into a plurality of branches further downstream than the branch with the sub-ball passage, and a plurality of start prize winning switches may be provided for the plurality of branches.

In such a case, these plurality of starting winning prize switches may be configured only by the starting winning prize switch relating to the first special symbol lottery or the starting winning prize switch relating to the second special symbol lottery, or the starting relating to the first special symbol lottery. The winning switch and the starting winning switch related to the second special symbol lottery may be mixed. In this way, when a plurality of starting winning switches are provided for one main ball passage, the next distribution destination changed by the operation of the distribution destination change lever is the distribution destination of this time. It is preferable that the main ball passage is provided with a plurality of starting prize winning switches provided in the ball passage.

In the above-described fourth embodiment, the case where the start winning device (right starting winning device 432) according to the second special symbol, which is provided separately from the right middle starting winning device 431B, is provided in the right game area is illustrated. However, the starting winning device according to the second special symbol may be provided, for example, below the middle starting winning device 431, that is, in the left game area.

Alternatively, the starting winning device according to the second special symbol may be provided in the lower game area. When the starting winning device according to the second special symbol is provided in the lower game area, as a configuration in which a distribution destination change lever is provided in the passage path (eg, warp path) of the game ball from the right game area to the lower game area Good.

In the fourth embodiment, the game ball enters the right starting prize device 432 provided in the right game area, so that the distribution destination changing lever 850 operates, but like the right starting prize device 432. It is also possible to provide a distribution destination changing lever operated by a game ball flowing down the right side game area, regardless of the starting winning device relating to the second special symbol. For example, a configuration may be provided in which a distribution destination changing lever that is operated by the game ball that has entered the winning combination operating device 435 through which the game ball that has entered the right-side game area surely passes. According to such a modified example, it is possible to change the next distribution destination by the distribution unit 620 by shooting a game ball aiming at the game area where the distribution destination changing lever is provided.

In the fourth embodiment described above, the game ball enters the right starting prize device 432 provided in the right game area, whereby the distribution destination changing lever 850 is operated, but the right starting prize device 432 enters the game. The distribution destination changing lever may be provided on a path with a high possibility of hitting a ball.

In the third and fourth embodiments, the long holes 822A and 842A are formed in the second link portions 822 and 842 of the link mechanisms 820 and 840, so that the third link portions 823 and 843 and the second link portions 822 and 822 are formed. The link mechanisms 820 and 840 can be operated by the operation of the distribution destination changing levers 810 and 850, while the link mechanisms 820 and 840 are operated by the operation of the distribution unit 620. I configured it to not work.

Instead of this, the third link portions 823, 843 may be configured to rotate without sliding with respect to the second link portions 822, 842. That is, the connection between the third link portions 823 and 843 and the second link portions 822 and 842 is similar to the connection between the third link portions 823 and 843 and the first link portions 821 and 841. Fixing the pins 823B, 843B inserted from the front surface side of the second link portions 822, 842 to the front surface side of the third link portions 823, 843 with respect to the holes through which the pins 823B, 843B are formed. Thus, the third link portions 823, 843 and the second link portions 822, 842 are connected so as to be relatively rotatable, so that not only when the sorting tip changing levers 810, 850 are operated, The link mechanisms 820 and 840 may be operated even when the distribution unit 620 operates.

In the fourth embodiment, the distribution destination changed by the link mechanism 840 based on the fact that the game ball has entered the right starting winning device 432 is a special symbol that can hold the right of the unit game, the first special symbol. Although the left main ball passage 652A capable of generating the starting prize is set, the distribution destination changed by the link mechanism 840 based on the game ball entering the right starting prize device 432 is not always reserved. It does not need to be a ball passage (main ball passage) capable of generating a special symbol. For example, the distribution destination of the distribution unit 620 changed by the link mechanism 840 may be a ball passage that can guide the game ball to a switch related to the generation of a winning that is not a holding target, such as the general winning switch 449A. .. In this way, even when the distribution destination of the distribution unit 620 changed by the link mechanism 840 is a ball passage that can generate a winning that is not an object to be held, there is a possibility that the starting winning of the second special symbol is biased. Is suppressed, thereby, even though the start winning of the second special symbol is generated by the game ball distributed to the right main ball passage 652B by the distribution unit 620, the right of the unit game related to the second special symbol It is possible to suppress the situation where the is not held. That is, also in the pachinko machine 100 of this modified example, the same effect as that of the above-described fourth embodiment is obtained.

(6) The present invention may be applied to a pachinko machine or the like of a type different from the above embodiments. For example, it may be implemented as a pachinko machine in which once a big hit occurs, the expected big hit value is increased until a big hit state including the big hit occurs a plurality of times (for example, twice or three times). Further, it may be implemented as a pachinko machine which is in a special game state on condition that a ball is won in a predetermined area after the big hit symbol is displayed. It may also be implemented in an enclosed pachinko machine in which balls circulate. Further, in addition to the pachinko machine, various kinds of game machines such as an arrangement ball type pachinko machine and a sparrow ball may be implemented. Further, the present invention is not limited to a pachinko machine, and may be applied to a slot machine, or may be applied to a gaming machine such as a parrot of a type in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are integrated.

<Inventions extracted from the above embodiments>
The features of the invention group extracted from each of the above-described embodiments will be described below, showing problems and effects as necessary. Note that, in the following, for ease of understanding, the configurations corresponding to the above-described embodiments are appropriately shown in parentheses or the like, but are not limited to the specific configurations shown in the brackets or the like. The meanings and examples of the terms described in each feature may be applied as the meanings and examples of the terms described in other features described in the same wording.

<Characteristic 10>
A gaming machine (pachinko machine 100) including an advantageous area (left-side middle starting prize winning device 431A, right-side middle starting prize winning device 431B) that gives a predetermined privilege by passing a game ball,
Distributing means (distributor 620) provided on the upstream side of the advantageous area for distributing the game balls in one of a plurality of distributing directions,
The game balls formed between the distribution means and the advantageous area and distributed by the distribution means are guided downward from the upper side in the front view of the gaming machine, and then are guided backward in the front view of the gaming machine. A main ball passage (main ball passages 652A, 652B, 752) that can be guided to the advantageous area,
At the passage portion where the guiding direction of the game ball in the main ball passage changes from the downward direction to the rear direction, the game is branched from the main ball passage to the left or right side in the front view of the gaming machine and enters the main ball passage. Slave ball passages (slave ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C, 753A, 753B) for guiding the sphere to a region different from the advantageous region,
Detecting means provided at a position where the game ball guided in the backward direction can be detected in the main ball passage and detecting that the game ball guided by the main ball passage has entered the advantageous region (medium start prize) Switches 441A, 441B, 741),
Equipped with
The main ball passage is provided in a passage portion in which the guiding direction of the game ball in the main ball passage changes from the downward direction to the backward direction, and the guiding angle of the game ball with respect to the horizontal direction becomes smaller toward the downstream side. A gaming machine comprising a guide portion (guide portion 612) having a slope (slope 612A) that changes as described above.

A pachinko machine is a typical example of a game machine. In a typical conventional pachinko machine, when entering a starting opening provided in the game area, a lottery is performed according to the entered ball, and when a big hit is won in the lottery, it becomes a special game state. It is known that a large number of game balls can enter the winning opening. In addition, such a pachinko machine is provided with a display device, and in the display device, variable display of symbols is started based on the fact that the lottery is performed, and in the lottery result as a final stop display of the variable display. The corresponding stop result is displayed.

Further, in the conventional pachinko machine, when the game ball enters the starting port while the display of the symbols is being changed on the display device, the hit information used for the big hit lottery is predetermined. Some are configured to be stored on hold with a number (for example, four) as an upper limit. At this time, the hit information stored on hold is provided to a lottery of whether or not it is a big hit after the variable display of the symbols is finished, and the variable display of the next symbol is started accordingly.

In recent years, a gaming machine is known in which a plurality of starting openings (for example, two starting openings) are provided, and hit information can be held and stored for each starting opening up to the maximum number allowed for each starting opening. .. In such a gaming machine, a winning device including a plurality of branch passages connected to each of a plurality of starting openings, and a distribution means for distributing a game ball entering from a predetermined entrance to one of these branch passages, It is known to be used (see, for example, JP-A-2016-22147).

However, there is still room for improvement in a gaming machine having an advantageous region such as the starting opening in the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, in which the gaming balls sorted by the sorting means pass to give a predetermined privilege. For example, in recent years, display devices and the like have tended to become large in size for the sake of interest, so miniaturization of various structures arranged in the game area, such as winning devices, has been made possible in order to secure a sufficient game area. Is desired. Conventionally, a winning device including a sorting means for sorting a game ball into one of a plurality of sorting directions is, for example, a game winning unit (winning device) disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-22147. Since the detection sensor (detection means) is arranged on the downstream side of the vertically extending branch passage in the machine front view, the size reduction in the vertical direction is limited. Further, it is desired that the downsized winning device can provide a suitable interest.

On the other hand, in the case of the gaming machine described in Feature 10, the detection means for detecting that the game ball has entered the advantageous area is in the main ball passage formed between the distribution means and the advantageous area. Since it is provided at a position where the game ball guided to the back in the front view can be detected, as compared with the case where the detecting means is provided below the passage extending in the vertical direction in the front view of the gaming machine, the main ball passage and the sub ball It is possible to reduce the vertical size of the unit that functions as the winning device including the passage, the distribution unit, the advantageous region, and the detection unit. As the size of the unit becomes smaller, it becomes possible to secure a larger game area.

Further, in the case of the gaming machine described in Feature 10, since it is provided with a secondary ball passage that branches from the main ball passage and guides the game ball that has entered the main ball passage to an area different from the advantageous area, it is distributed. The game balls that have been distributed by the means and have entered the main ball passage do not necessarily pass through the advantageous region, so that it is possible to give the game unexpectedness and suppress monotonization of the game.

In particular, the main ball passage is a guide portion in which the guiding direction of the game ball changes from the downward direction to the rear direction in the front view of the gaming machine so that the guiding angle of the game ball with respect to the horizontal direction decreases toward the downstream side. It has a section. Therefore, the game ball that has entered the main ball passage, in the passage portion, the downward flow direction is gradually changed to the backward direction as it flows down the guide portion. Therefore, the game ball flowing down the main ball passage smoothly flows to the back side in the passage portion where the guiding direction changes from downward to backward.

On the other hand, the secondary ball passage is a passage portion where the guiding direction of the game ball in the main ball passage changes from downward to back, and the ball passage branching from the main ball passage to the left or right side in the front view of the gaming machine. Therefore, since the game ball smoothly flows to the back side by the guide portion, the entry of the game ball into the secondary ball passage is suppressed. Therefore, the probability that the game balls distributed to the main ball passage enter the advantageous area is suitably improved.

Thereby, while suppressing the monotony of the game by providing the secondary ball passage branched from the main ball passage, it is possible to suitably ensure the probability of entering the advantageous area despite the provision of the secondary ball passage, It is possible to provide a winning device including a main ball passage, a sub-ball passage, a distribution unit, an advantageous area, and a detection unit, which is miniaturized so as to provide a suitable interest.

In addition, since the game ball smoothly flows to the back side in the main ball passage, the time lag until the detecting means detects the game ball distributed to the main ball passage by the distribution means It can be shortened suitably. Thereby, after the game ball is guided downward from the upper side, in the winning device including the main ball passage for guiding the game ball backward, until the game ball is distributed to the main ball passage and is detected by the detecting means. It is possible to suitably prevent the time lag of the game from increasing and the game tempo from becoming worse.

Note that in Feature 10, the "inclination in which the guiding angle of the game ball with respect to the horizontal direction changes so as to decrease toward the downstream side" may be a curve in which the guiding angle decreases continuously toward the downstream side. Alternatively, it may be a polygonal line composed of straight lines having different inclinations, which are directed toward the downstream side and thus the guide angle is gradually reduced.

In addition, instead of the gaming machine described in the characteristic 10, the configuration having the characteristics described below may be adopted.

Advantageous in that a predetermined privilege is given by passing through a game board (game board 400) in which a game ball flows down on the front side and a game ball that has entered through an entrance (entrance 611) provided on the front side of the game board. A gaming machine (pachinko machine 100) having a winning device (middle starting winning device 431, 731) that can be guided to the area (left starting starting winning device 431A, right middle starting winning device 431B),
The winning device is
Sorting means (sorting section 620) for sorting the game balls that have entered from the entrance of the winning device into any of a plurality of sorting directions,
After guiding the game balls distributed by the distribution means from the upper side in the front view of the gaming machine downward, and then guiding the game balls to the rear side in the front view of the gaming machine, a main ball passage (main ball Passages 652A, 652B, 752),
At the passage portion where the guiding direction of the game ball in the main ball passage changes from the downward direction to the rear direction, the game is branched from the main ball passage to the left or right side in the front view of the gaming machine and enters the main ball passage. Slave ball passages (slave ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C, 753A, 753B) for guiding the sphere to a region different from the advantageous region,
Equipped with
The gaming machine is
Detecting means provided at a position where the game ball guided in the backward direction can be detected in the main ball passage and detecting that the game ball guided by the main ball passage has entered the advantageous region (medium start prize) Switches 441A, 441B, 741),
The main ball passage is provided in a passage portion in which the guiding direction of the game ball in the main ball passage changes from the downward direction to the backward direction, and the guiding angle of the game ball with respect to the horizontal direction becomes smaller toward the downstream side. A gaming machine comprising a guide portion (guide portion 612) having a slope (slope 612A) that changes as described above.

According to the above-mentioned gaming machine, the same effect as that of the gaming machine described in Feature 10 can be achieved.

<Characteristic 11>
A game machine according to feature 10,
The main ball passage is formed on the inner side of the passage part that guides the game ball downward from the upper side, and the game ball flowing down the passage part is projected so as to be able to collide. A game machine comprising a projection (projection 634) which can be guided to a portion where the guidance angle is larger than a predetermined angle in the guidance section.

In a winning device having a main ball passage that guides the game ball downward from the upper side, the game ball flowing down the main ball passage from the upper side to the back side of the main ball passage. When the game ball that flows down near, the game ball that flows down, falls to the downstream side of the guide part, that is, the part where the guide angle of the game ball is small, whereby the guide direction of the game ball is from downward to backward. There is a possibility that the guide angle of the game ball by the guide portion suddenly changes from the downward direction to the rear side in the passage portion that changes with, and the game ball does not smoothly flow to the rear side.

On the other hand, in the case of the gaming machine described in the feature 11, the game ball flowing down the passage portion projects collidably on the inner side of the passage portion that guides the game ball downward in the main ball passage from the upper side. A protruding portion is formed. Such a protrusion can guide the game ball that has collided with the protrusion to a portion where the guide angle in the guide is larger than a predetermined angle. Thus, the guide portion can be suitably functioned so that the game ball smoothly flows to the back side in the passage portion where the guiding direction of the game ball in the main ball passage changes from downward to backward. Therefore, in the passage portion where the guiding direction of the game ball changes from downward to backward, the occurrence of a situation where the guiding direction of the game ball suddenly changes from downward to backward is suppressed, and as a result, the gaming ball moves backward. It is possible to preferably suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the flow does not flow smoothly.

<Characteristic 12>
A gaming machine according to feature 10 or 11,
The inclination of the guide portion is located outward with respect to the peripheral edge of the entrance portion when the entrance portion of the secondary ball passage branched from the main ball passage is viewed from the left or right side of the main ball passage. A gaming machine characterized by that.

In the gaming machine described in the feature 12, when the entrance of the secondary ball passage branched from the main ball passage is seen from the left or right of the main ball passage, the inclination of the guide portion is the entrance portion. Located outward of the rim. Therefore, when the game ball supported by the guide part and guided to the back side is seen from the left or right side of the main ball passage when the entrance part of the secondary ball passage is seen, a part of it is from the periphery of the entrance part. It will pass outside. Thereby, the game ball supported by the guide portion and guided to the inner side of the main ball passage can be suitably suppressed from entering the sub ball passage through the inlet portion.

<Characteristic 13>
The gaming machine according to any one of features 10 to 12,
The main ball passage is provided with a recess (recess 662) formed between an inlet portion of the sub ball passage branched from the main ball passage and the guide portion,
Compared with the case where a part of the game ball is supported only by the guide part, the game ball supported by the guide part and the peripheral edge of the inlet part from the guide part toward the inlet part side. A game machine characterized by falling into the recess.

In the gaming machine described in the feature 13, the main ball passage includes a recess formed between the inlet and the guide portion of the sub ball passage branched from the main ball passage. Since the game ball supported by the periphery of the inlet part and the guide part from the guide part toward the entrance part side, a part of the game ball falls into the recess as compared with the case where the game ball is supported only by the guide part. , In order for the game ball supported only by the guide part to be discharged from the inlet part to the secondary ball passage, it is necessary to move the game ball in a direction away from the recess part in order to exceed the entrance part after it has dropped into the recess part. is there. Therefore, it is possible to suitably suppress the game ball guided by the guide unit from entering the secondary ball passageway through the entrance portion.

<Characteristic 14>
The gaming machine according to any one of features 10 to 13,
A plurality of the main ball passages are provided on the left and right in the front view of the gaming machine, and each of the main ball passages leads to the advantageous region in which the privilege of different value can be given,
The distribution means distributes a sphere to any of the plurality of main sphere passages,
The detection means includes a detection unit (detection unit J1) that detects a game ball and a circuit unit (circuit unit J2) that outputs a detection signal indicating that the game ball has been detected based on the output from the detection unit. Having, the detection unit and the circuit unit are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction,
The detection means is disposed in each of the plurality of main ball passages on the back side with respect to the main ball passage, and in any of the main ball passages, the detection unit is the back side by the main ball passage. Is arranged at a position where a game ball guided to is detected, the circuit portion is located above the detection unit, and a passage portion that guides the game ball downward from the upper side in the main ball passage. A gaming machine that is arranged so as to be located on the back side of the game machine.

In the gaming machine according to feature 14, the detecting means in which the detecting portion and the circuit portion are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction in each of the plurality of main sphere passages to which the distribution means distributes the main sphere. It is arranged on the back side of the passage. Specifically, in the detection means provided in each main ball passage, the detection unit is arranged at a position where the game ball guided to the back side by the main ball passage can be detected, and the circuit unit is provided with respect to the detection unit. It is arranged on the upper side and on the back side of the passage portion that guides the game ball downward from the upper side in the main ball passage. Therefore, in the configuration of the main ball passage that guides the game balls distributed by the distribution means downward from the upper side and then guides the game balls backward, the space formed on the back side of the passage portion that guides the game balls downward from the upper side. In addition, by arranging the circuit section in the detection means, the space can be effectively used. As a result, the size of the unit including the winning device and the detection means can be favorably reduced not only in the vertical direction but also in the depth direction.

<Characteristic 20>
A gaming machine (pachinko machine 100) including an advantageous area (left-side middle starting prize winning device 431A, right-side middle starting prize winning device 431B) that gives a predetermined privilege by passing a game ball,
Distributing means (distributor 620) provided on the upstream side of the advantageous area for distributing the game balls in one of a plurality of distributing directions,
A main ball passage (main ball passages 652A, 652B, 752) that is formed between the distribution means and the advantageous area and can guide the game balls distributed by the distribution means to the advantageous area,
A secondary ball passage (subordinate ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C, which branches off from the main ball passage to the left or right side in the front view of the gaming machine and guides the game ball entering the main ball passage to a region different from the advantageous region. 753A, 753B),
Detecting means for detecting that the game ball guided by the main ball passage has entered the advantageous area (medium start winning switch 441A, 441B, 741),
Equipped with
The entrance portion (entrance portion 654A1, 654A2, 654B1, 654B2, 754A, 754B) of the secondary ball passage branched from the main ball passage, when viewed from the left or right side of the inlet portion and the main ball passage, A gaming machine, characterized in that it is formed at a position offset in a predetermined direction corresponding to the inside of the main ball passage with respect to the periphery of the main ball passage for guiding a game ball passing through the main ball passage.

A pachinko machine is a typical example of a game machine. In a typical conventional pachinko machine, when entering a starting opening provided in the game area, a lottery is performed according to the entered ball, and when a big hit is won in the lottery, it becomes a special game state. It is known that a large number of game balls can enter the winning opening. In addition, such a pachinko machine is provided with a display device, and in the display device, variable display of symbols is started based on the fact that the lottery is performed, and in the lottery result as a final stop display of the variable display. The corresponding stop result is displayed.

Further, in the conventional pachinko machine, when the game ball enters the starting port while the display of the symbols is being changed on the display device, the hit information used for the big hit lottery is predetermined. Some are configured to be stored on hold with a number (for example, four) as an upper limit. At this time, the hit information stored on hold is provided to a lottery of whether or not it is a big hit after the variable display of the symbols is finished, and the variable display of the next symbol is started accordingly.

In recent years, a gaming machine is known in which a plurality of starting openings (for example, two starting openings) are provided, and hit information can be held and stored for each starting opening up to the maximum number allowed for each starting opening. .. In such a gaming machine, a winning device including a plurality of branch passages connected to each of a plurality of starting openings, and a distribution means for distributing a game ball entering from a predetermined entrance to one of these branch passages, It is known to be used (see, for example, JP-A-2016-22147).

However, there is still room for improvement in a gaming machine having an advantageous region such as the starting opening in the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, in which the gaming balls sorted by the sorting means pass to give a predetermined privilege. For example, it is desired that a more favorable interest can be provided in a winning device including the distribution unit and the advantageous region.

On the other hand, in the case of the gaming machine described in Feature 20, since it has a secondary ball passage that branches from the main ball passage and guides the game ball that has entered the main ball passage to an area different from the advantageous area, The game balls that have been distributed by the distribution means and have entered the main ball passage do not necessarily pass through the advantageous region, so that the game can be given unexpectedness and the monotony of the game can be suppressed.

In particular, the entrance portion of the secondary ball passage branched from the main ball passage is the main portion along the guiding direction of the game ball by the main ball passage when the entrance portion and the main ball passage are viewed from the left or the right side. Since it is formed at a position offset in a predetermined direction corresponding to the direction intersecting the guiding direction with respect to the periphery of the ball passage, when viewed from the same direction, the game ball guided by the main ball passage is the entrance In order to enter the secondary ball passage from the part, the game ball not only moves in the branch direction of the secondary ball passage with respect to the main ball passage (that is, to the left or right), but also the entrance part is offset in a predetermined direction (That is, the direction corresponding to the inner side of the main ball passage with respect to the peripheral edge of the main ball passage for guiding the game ball passing through the main ball passage when the entrance portion and the main ball passage are viewed from the left or the right side. ) Is required. Therefore, since the game ball flowing down the main ball passage becomes difficult to enter the secondary ball passage through the entrance, the game ball assigned to the main ball passage enters the advantageous area without entering the secondary ball passage. The probability of doing is improved suitably.

Thereby, while suppressing the monotony of the game by providing the secondary ball passage branched from the main ball passage, it is possible to suitably ensure the probability of entering the advantageous area despite the provision of the secondary ball passage, A winning device including a main ball passage, a sub-ball passage, a sorting means, an advantageous area, and a detecting means can be provided as a device capable of imparting a more preferable interest.

In addition, in the feature 20, the "perimeter of the main ball passage" is intended to be the boundary of the space through which the game ball can substantially pass. Therefore, the “rim of the main ball passage” is not limited to the wall surface that surrounds the space where the game ball passes. That is, when a space such as a rib formed on the wall surface surrounding the space where the game ball passes is defined as a space through which the game ball can substantially pass, the game ball supported by such a protrusion is A virtual boundary in the space defined by the outer shape in which the game balls can substantially pass is the "perimeter of the main ball passage".

In addition, instead of the gaming machine described in the feature 20, the configuration having the following features may be adopted.

Advantageous in that a predetermined privilege is given by passing through a game board (game board 400) in which a game ball flows down on the front side and a game ball that has entered through an entrance (entrance 611) provided on the front side of the game board. A gaming machine (pachinko machine 100) having a winning device (middle starting winning device 431, 731) that can be guided to the area (left starting starting winning device 431A, right middle starting winning device 431B),
The winning device is
Sorting means (sorting section 620) for sorting the game balls that have entered from the entrance of the winning device into any of a plurality of sorting directions,
A main ball passage (main ball passages 652A, 652B, 752) for guiding the game balls distributed by the distributing means to the advantageous area,
A secondary ball passage (subordinate ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C, which branches off from the main ball passage to the left or right side in the front view of the gaming machine and guides the game ball entering the main ball passage to a region different from the advantageous region. 753A, 753B),
Equipped with
The gaming machine is
The game ball guided by the main ball passage is provided with a detection unit (medium start prize switch 441A, 441B, 741) for detecting that the game ball has entered the advantageous area,
The entrance portion (entrance portion 654A1, 654A2, 654B1, 654B2, 754A, 754B) of the secondary ball passage branched from the main ball passage, when viewed from the left or right side of the inlet portion and the main ball passage, A gaming machine, characterized in that it is formed at a position offset in a predetermined direction corresponding to the inside of the main ball passage with respect to the periphery of the main ball passage for guiding a game ball passing through the main ball passage.

According to the gaming machine, the same effect as that of the gaming machine described in Feature 20 can be achieved.

<Characteristic 21>
A gaming machine according to feature 20,
The main ball passage can collide with a game ball flowing down the passage portion on the side of the predetermined direction which is the offset direction of the inlet portion when the main ball passage and the inlet portion are viewed from the left or right side. A projecting portion (projecting portion 634) formed on the upstream side of the entrance portion, which can be guided in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction and which is formed by projecting into the game ball,
The game machine, wherein the entrance portion is formed so as to largely overlap a part of the main ball passage when the entrance portion and the main ball passage are viewed from the left or the right side.

In the gaming machine according to feature 21, the main ball passage is upstream of the entrance where the secondary ball passage branches from the main ball passage, and the entrance and the main ball passage are viewed from the left or right side. On the side of the inlet portion in the offset direction (predetermined direction) in the case of being formed, a projection portion is formed which the game ball flowing down through the main ball passage projects so as to be able to collide. Such a protrusion can guide the game ball that has collided with the protrusion in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction (that is, the direction in which the entrance is offset). This makes it more difficult for the game ball to enter the secondary ball passage, so that it is possible to preferably improve the probability that the game ball flowing down the main ball passage will enter the advantageous region.

Particularly, since the entrance portion is formed so as to largely overlap a part of the main ball passage when the entrance portion and the main ball passage are viewed from the left or right side, the main ball passage and the sub-ball The winning device including the passage, the sorting means, the advantageous area, and the detecting means can be configured compactly. Therefore, while making such a winning device compact, it is possible to preferably improve the probability that the game ball flowing down the main ball passage enters the advantageous area.

In addition, in the feature 21, the inlet part means "a main ball passage overlapping the main ball passage when the inlet part and the main ball passage are viewed from the left or the right side". Alternatively, when viewed from the right side, it is not limited to the case where the entrance portion and the main ball passage overlap each other, but it is intended to include the case where the both substantially overlap. When viewing the main ball passage from the left or right side of the inlet and the main ball passage, the ratio of the inlet portion overlapping the main spherical passage is preferably about 70% or more, and preferably about 80% or more. It is preferable that it is about 90% or more.

<Characteristic 22>
A gaming machine according to feature 20 or 21,
The game ball is equipped with a game board (game board 400) flowing down the front side,
The entrance portion is arranged at a position offset to the back side with respect to the front surface of the game board when the entrance portion is viewed from the left or the right,
The following ball passage guides a game ball to the front surface of the game board.

With the gaming machine described in Feature 22, since the entrance portion is arranged at a position offset to the back side with respect to the front surface of the game board when the entrance portion is viewed from the left or right side, Even if the game ball flowing down the front surface of the game board accidentally enters the secondary ball passage, the game ball flows backward from the secondary ball passage toward the back side to enter the main ball passage from the secondary ball passage. You need to go through the entrance above. Therefore, it is difficult for the game ball flowing down the front surface of the game board to enter the main ball passage via the secondary ball passage, and the occurrence of an event in which the game ball passes through the advantageous area without passing through the entrance Can be suppressed.

<Characteristic 30>
Based on the detection unit (medium start winning switch 441A, 441B) capable of detecting the game ball, and the detection unit detecting the game ball based on the detection of the game ball by the detection unit (first special A game machine (pachinko machine 100) provided with a privilege granting means (main control board 920) for granting a symbol lottery, a second special symbol lottery,
A game ball that has entered a predetermined distribution entrance (entrance 611) is configured to be distributed to any of a plurality of distribution destinations, and the game ball is distributed to a first distribution destination among the plurality of distribution destinations. In the case where the next distribution destination is set to a second distribution destination different from the first distribution destination among the plurality of distribution destinations, a distribution unit (distribution unit 620),
A main sphere passage (main sphere passages 652A, 652B) provided on the first distribution destination downstream of the distribution means and extending to at least one of the detection units;
A sub-ball passage (sub-ball passages 653A, 653B, 653C) that branches from the main-ball passage on the upstream side of the detection unit in the main-ball passage and guides the game ball to a region different from the detection unit,
An operating portion (sorting destination changing lever 810) that is operated by a game ball that has entered the secondary ball passage from the main ball passage,
The distribution means acts on the distribution means based on the actuation of the operating portion in a state where the game balls are distributed to the second distribution destination, and is different from the second distribution destination. And a distribution changing means (link mechanism 820) that can be changed to a distribution destination that can give a privilege according to the at least one detection unit that can enter through the main ball passage,
A gaming machine characterized by being equipped with.

A pachinko machine is a typical example of a game machine. In a typical conventional pachinko machine, when entering a starting opening provided in the game area, a lottery is performed according to the entered ball, and when a big hit is won in the lottery, it becomes a special game state. It is known that a large number of game balls can enter the winning opening. In addition, such a pachinko machine is provided with a display device, and in the display device, variable display of symbols is started based on the fact that the lottery is performed, and in the lottery result as a final stop display of the variable display. The corresponding stop result is displayed.

Further, in the conventional pachinko machine, when the game ball enters the starting port while the display of the symbols is being changed on the display device, the hit information used for the big hit lottery is predetermined. Some are configured to be stored on hold with a number (for example, four) as an upper limit. At this time, the hit information stored on hold is provided to a lottery of whether or not it is a big hit after the variable display of the symbols is finished, and the variable display of the next symbol is started accordingly.

In recent years, a gaming machine is known in which a plurality of starting openings (for example, two starting openings) are provided, and hit information can be held and stored for each starting opening up to the maximum number allowed for each starting opening. .. In such a gaming machine, a winning device including a plurality of branch passages connected to each of a plurality of starting openings, and a distribution means for distributing a game ball entering from a predetermined entrance to one of these branch passages, It is known to be used (see, for example, JP-A-2016-22147).

However, there is still room for improvement in a gaming machine that has an advantageous region such as the above-described conventional gaming machine, in which the gaming balls sorted by the sorting means pass to give a predetermined privilege. For example, in a main ball passage through which game balls are distributed by the distribution means, a sub-ball passage for guiding a game ball to a region different from the game region is provided on the upstream side of the advantageous region in a branched manner. Since the game ball does not always reach the advantageous area, it is possible to add unexpectedness to the game, but since the allocated game ball does not necessarily reach the advantageous area, the benefits that the player can obtain are biased. Cheap. Therefore, the player may feel the game monotonous as the acquired benefits concentrate on the benefits according to the specific detection unit, or may be dissatisfied with the game by acquiring only the benefits with a relatively low advantage. There is.

On the other hand, in the gaming machine described in the feature 30, the game ball that has entered the predetermined sorting entrance can be distributed to any of a plurality of distribution destinations, and the game ball has a plurality of distribution balls. When the distribution destination is the first distribution destination, the next distribution destination is set to the second distribution destination different from the first distribution destination among the plurality of distribution destinations.

A main ball passage is provided at the first distribution destination on the downstream side of the distribution means. The main ball passage extends to at least one detection unit, and when the detection unit detects a game ball that has entered the main ball passage by distribution by the distribution unit, the detection that detects the game ball by the privilege granting unit Benefits are given according to the division.

On the upstream side of the detection unit in the main ball passage, there is provided a secondary ball passage that branches from the main ball passage and guides the game ball to an area different from the detection unit. Therefore, the game balls that have been distributed by the distribution means and have entered the main ball passage are not necessarily detected by the detection unit, so that the game can be given an unexpected effect and the monotony of the game can be suppressed.

Further, when the game ball enters the secondary ball passage from the main ball passage, the operating portion is operated by the game ball. When the operating unit operates in a state in which the distribution unit distributes the game balls to the second distribution destination, the distribution changing unit that acts on the distribution unit based on the operation of the operation unit causes the distribution unit to perform the next operation. The distribution destination can be changed to a distribution destination different from the second distribution destination and capable of providing a privilege corresponding to the at least one detection unit that can enter through the main ball passage.

As a result, regarding the privilege that was acquired by the main ball passage that was the distribution destination (first distribution destination) this time, but the acquisition opportunity was lost due to the game ball entering the secondary ball passage, The opportunity to acquire can be obtained again by the distribution changing means. Therefore, by providing the main ball passage with the follower passage, it is possible to impart a suitable interest and to suppress the deviation of the privilege that the player can obtain.

In addition, as the “privilege according to the detection unit” described in the feature 30, a part of the privileges in the case where a plurality of benefits are given when detected by the detection unit may be used. You can have it. Further, as a privilege according to the detection unit, the random number storage unit is different when the random number storage unit capable of holding and storing up to a predetermined upper limit number is separately provided corresponding to the plurality of detection units, Includes cases where other benefits are the same, such as lottery conditions. Further, as the privilege according to the detection unit, a lottery condition, a lottery probability, a special game state that occurs when a lottery is won, a payout number of game balls, and the like are illustrated.

Further, the "next allocation destination" described in the characteristic 30 may be the next allocation destination set by mechanically operating by passing the game ball, or based on the lapse of a certain time. The next allocation destination may be set by operating regardless of whether or not the game ball has entered.

Further, the "... distribution change means capable of changing to a distribution destination" described in the characteristic 30 is different when the distribution means operates based on the operation of the operation part, as compared with the case where the distribution means does not operate. It would be good if it could easily be changed to the distribution destination. That is, after changing to another distribution destination by the action, the state may be maintained until the next game ball enters the other distribution destination, or after a certain time elapses after changing to another distribution destination, etc. Even if the next game ball does not enter the other distribution destination due to the satisfaction of another condition, the distribution means may be set to another distribution destination different from the other distribution destination.

<Characteristic 31>
A gaming machine according to feature 30,
The distribution unit is configured to be operable so as to take each state in which a game ball can be distributed to each of the plurality of distribution destinations,
The operating portion is a movable portion (provided at the outlet of the secondary ball passage) provided so as to move in the traveling direction of the game ball when the game ball that has entered the secondary ball passage from the main ball passage comes into contact with the operating ball. Recovery lever),
The distribution changing means is configured by a mechanical link means (link mechanism) provided so that the distribution means can be operated by the operation of the movable portion,
The link means, when the movable portion moves based on the game ball that has entered the secondary ball passage from the main ball passage, so that the state of the distribution means becomes the first distribution destination. A gaming machine configured to operate.

In the gaming machine described in the feature 31, the operating portion is configured as a movable portion provided so as to move in the traveling direction of the game ball when the game ball that has entered the secondary ball passage from the main ball passage contacts. It When the movable part moves based on the game ball that has entered the secondary ball passage from the main ball passage, the state is the distribution destination of this time by the distribution changing means configured by the mechanical link means. The sorting means is operated so as to be the destination of sorting. Therefore, the next allocation destination by the allocation means becomes the first allocation destination (current allocation destination) again, so that it is possible to preferably prevent the privilege that the player can obtain from being biased. Further, since the allocation destination is changed by the mechanical linking means, it is possible to suppress the control load and suppress the deviation of the privilege that the player can obtain.

<Characteristic 40>
A launching means (launching device 330) capable of launching a game ball with a strength corresponding to the amount of operation of the operating portion (shooting handle 252), and a game area (game board 400) in which the game ball launched by the launching means flows down. , A detection unit capable of detecting a game ball (medium-start prize-winning switch 441A, 441B, 741), and a benefit corresponding to the detection unit that has detected the game ball based on the detection of the game ball by the detection unit (first 1 special symbol lottery, a bonus machine (main control board 920) for imparting a second special symbol lottery, and a gaming machine (pachinko machine 100),
A game that has entered a distribution entrance (entrance 611) provided in a first game area (left-side game area) into which a game ball can enter when the operation amount of the operation unit is the first operation amount in the game area. The ball is configured to be distributed to any of a plurality of distribution destinations, and when the game ball is distributed to the first distribution destination among the plurality of distribution destinations, the next distribution destination is divided into the plurality of distribution destinations. Distribution means (distribution section 620) for setting a second distribution destination different from the first distribution destination among the destinations;
A first detection unit, which is provided on the first distribution destination on the downstream side of the distribution unit, and is provided with a first privilege (first special symbol lottery) by the privilege granting unit of the detection unit. A first ball passage (main ball passage 652A) extending to
A second privilege (second special symbol lottery) that is provided on the second distribution destination on the downstream side of the distribution unit and is different from the first privilege by the privilege granting unit of the detection unit A second sphere passage (main sphere passage 652B) extending to the provided second detection portion,
It is a passage opening of a game ball provided at a position different from the distribution entrance, and is detected by the second detection unit or another detection unit (right start winning award switch 442) that gives the second privilege. A passage opening (the entrance of the right start winning device 432),
A distribution destination change entrance (right start winning device 432) provided in a second game area (right game area) into which a game ball can enter when the operation amount of the operation unit is the second operation amount in the game area. Of the entrance)
An operating portion (sorting destination changing lever 850) that is operated by the game ball that has passed through the sorting destination changing entrance,
The distribution means acts on the distribution means based on the actuation of the operating portion in a state where the game balls are distributed to the second distribution destination, and is different from the second distribution destination. And a distribution changing means (link mechanism 840) that can be changed to a distribution destination to which the first privilege can be given,
A gaming machine characterized by being equipped with.

A pachinko machine is a typical example of a game machine. In a typical conventional pachinko machine, when entering a starting opening provided in the game area, a lottery is performed according to the entered ball, and when a big hit is won in the lottery, it becomes a special game state. It is known that a large number of game balls can enter the winning opening. In addition, such a pachinko machine is provided with a display device, and in the display device, variable display of symbols is started based on the fact that the lottery is performed, and in the lottery result as a final stop display of the variable display. The corresponding stop result is displayed.

Further, in the conventional pachinko machine, when the game ball enters the starting port while the display of the symbols is being changed on the display device, the hit information used for the big hit lottery is predetermined. Some are configured to be stored on hold with a number (for example, four) as an upper limit. At this time, the hit information stored on hold is provided to a lottery of whether or not it is a big hit after the variable display of the symbols is finished, and the variable display of the next symbol is started accordingly.

In recent years, a gaming machine is known in which a plurality of starting openings (for example, two starting openings) are provided, and hit information can be held and stored for each starting opening up to the maximum number allowed for each starting opening. .. In such a gaming machine, a winning device including a plurality of branch passages connected to each of a plurality of starting openings, and a distribution means for distributing a game ball entering from a predetermined entrance to one of these branch passages, It is known to be used (see, for example, JP-A-2016-22147).

However, there is still room for improvement in a gaming machine that has an advantageous region such as the above-described conventional gaming machine, in which the gaming balls sorted by the sorting means pass to give a predetermined privilege. For example, when an advantageous area that gives a predetermined privilege by passing a game ball is provided separately from an advantageous area through which a game ball sorted by the sorting means can pass, by sorting the game balls by the sorting means. Not only the game to get the privilege, but also the game to shoot the game ball aiming at another advantageous area can be performed, so that the monotony of the game can be suppressed, but the privilege that the player can obtain tends to be biased .. Therefore, the player may feel the game monotonous as the acquired benefits concentrate on the benefits according to the specific detection unit, or may be dissatisfied with the game by acquiring only the benefits with a relatively low advantage. There is.

On the other hand, in the case of the gaming machine described in Feature 40, the distribution entrance provided in the first game area into which the game ball can enter when the operation amount of the operation unit is the first operation amount in the game area. Is configured to be able to distribute the game ball that has entered to any of a plurality of distribution destinations, and when the game ball is distributed to the first distribution destination among the plurality of distribution destinations, the next distribution destination is set. Of the plurality of distribution destinations, a second distribution destination different from the first distribution destination is set.

A first ball passage is provided on the downstream side of the distribution means and at the first distribution destination. The first ball passage extends to the first detection unit, and when the game ball that has entered the first ball passage is detected by the first detection unit by the distribution by the distribution unit, the first ball is provided by the privilege granting unit. Benefits are granted.

A second ball passage is provided at the second distribution destination on the downstream side of the distribution means. The second ball passage extends to the second detection unit, and when the game ball that has entered the second ball passage is detected by the second detection unit by the distribution by the distribution unit, the first ball is provided by the privilege granting unit. A second privilege different from the privilege is granted.

At a position different from the distribution entrance, a game ball passage opening is provided. When the game ball passes through the passage opening, the game ball is detected by the second detection unit or another detection unit that gives the second privilege, and thereby the second privilege is given. .. Therefore, not only a game in which the first or second privilege is obtained by the distribution of the game balls by the distribution means, but also a game in which the game balls are shot aiming at the passage opening can be performed, so that monotonization of the game is suppressed. it can.

A distribution destination change entrance is provided in the second game area into which the game ball can enter when the operation amount of the operation unit is set to the second operation amount in the game area. When the game ball passes through the distribution destination changing entrance, the operating unit is operated by the game ball.

When the operating unit operates in a state in which the distribution unit distributes the game balls to the second distribution destination, the distribution changing unit that acts on the distribution unit based on the operation of the operation unit causes the distribution unit to perform the next operation. Can be changed to a distribution destination different from the second distribution destination and capable of providing the first privilege.

By providing the passage opening to which the second benefit can be given, there is a possibility that the benefits that the player can obtain may be biased. On the other hand, according to the gaming machine described in Feature 40, the distribution destination changing entrance can be separated from the first game area in which the distribution means is provided by changing the operation amount of the operation unit. Since the player is provided in the second game area, the player can change the operation amount of the operation unit as necessary to assign the first privilege to the next distribution destination by the distribution means. It can be changed to a ball passage. As a result, the player can take a plurality of benefits in a well-balanced manner, and it is possible to prevent the benefits that the player can obtain from being biased.

In addition, as the “privilege according to the detecting unit” described in the characteristic 40, a part of the privilege in the case where a plurality of privileges are given when detected by the detecting unit may be used, or all the privileges may be included. You can have it. Further, as a privilege according to the detection unit, the random number storage unit is different when the random number storage unit capable of holding and storing up to a predetermined upper limit number is separately provided corresponding to the plurality of detection units, Includes cases where other benefits are the same, such as lottery conditions. Further, as the privilege according to the detection unit, a lottery condition, a lottery probability, a special game state that occurs when a lottery is won, a payout number of game balls, and the like are illustrated.

Further, the "next allocation destination" described in the characteristic 40 may be the next allocation destination set by mechanically operating by passing the game ball, or based on the lapse of a certain time. The next allocation destination may be set by operating regardless of whether or not the game ball has entered.

Further, the “second operation amount” described in the characteristic 40 may be an amount that is completely different from the “first operation amount”, or a partial range of the “second operation amount” may be the “first operation amount”. It may be an amount that overlaps with a partial range of.

<Characteristic 41>
A gaming machine according to feature 40,
The game machine characterized in that the distribution destination changing entrance is the passage opening.

In the case of the gaming machine described in feature 41, since the distribution destination changing entrance is a passage opening to which the second privilege is given by passing, when the player acquires the second privilege, The next distribution destination by the distribution unit can be changed to a distribution destination to which the first privilege can be given. As a result, it is possible to preferably prevent the privilege obtained by the player from being biased toward the second privilege.

<Characteristic 42>
A gaming machine described in feature 41,
In an advantageous period generated based on the satisfaction of a predetermined condition, an entry probability changing unit (a movable piece of the right starting winning device 432, a main control, which raises the probability of the game ball entering the passage opening as compared with that outside the advantageous period. A game machine characterized by having a board.

In the gaming machine described in the feature 42, the probability of the game ball entering the passage opening is increased by the approach probability changing means during the advantageous period that occurs based on the satisfaction of the predetermined condition, compared to outside the advantageous period. With such a configuration, when the advantageous period occurs, the player is highly likely to shoot a game ball aiming at the second game area in which the passage opening also serving as the distribution destination changing entrance is provided. In this way, in a gaming machine in which a situation in which a game ball is shot aiming at the second game area may occur, it is possible to preferably prevent the privilege acquired by the player from being biased toward the second privilege.

<Characteristic 43>
A gaming machine described in feature 41 or 42,
The distribution unit is configured to be operable so as to alternately allocate the first ball passage and the second ball passage as destinations,
In the passage in which the game sphere that has passed through the passage opening, which is the distribution destination change inlet, flows down in the passage extending in the direction intersecting the direction of gravity, the operating portion is the weight of the game sphere passing through the passage. It is composed of a movable part (sorting destination changing lever 850) provided so as to move downward,
The distribution changing unit is configured by a mechanical link unit (link mechanism 840) provided so that the distribution unit can be operated by the operation of the movable unit,
The link unit is configured to operate the distribution unit so that the distribution destination of the distribution unit is the first ball passage when the movable unit is moved by the game ball that has passed through the passage opening. A gaming machine characterized by being present.

In the case of the gaming machine according to feature 43, a game that passes through the passage in a passage extending in a direction intersecting with the gravity direction in the passage through which the game ball that has passed through the passage opening that is the distribution destination changing entrance flows down. It is configured as a movable part provided so as to move downward due to the weight of the sphere. When the movable portion moves downward due to the weight of the game ball that has passed through the passage opening, the distribution changing means configured by the mechanical link means causes the next distribution destination to be the first ball passage. The dividing means is activated. Therefore, since the distribution destination is changed by the mechanical linking means, it is possible to suppress the control load and prevent the privilege obtained by the player from being biased toward the second privilege.

<Characteristic 44>
A gaming machine according to feature 40,
The passage opening is provided in a game area other than the second game area in the game area,
The game machine characterized in that the distribution destination changing entrance is provided at a passage position of a game ball moving from the second game area to the game area where the passage opening is provided.

In the case of the gaming machine described in the feature 44, the distribution destination change entrance is provided at the passage position of the game ball that moves from the second game area to the game area other than the second game area where the passage opening is provided. ing. As a result, although the player shoots a game ball aiming at the second game area, there is a possibility that the game ball will pass through the distribution destination change entrance and enter the passage opening to which the second privilege is granted. In this case, the next distribution destination by the distribution means is changed to a distribution destination to which the first privilege can be given, so that it is possible to prevent the privilege acquired by the player from being biased to the second privilege.

<Characteristic 50>
Based on the detection unit (medium start winning switch 441A, 441B) capable of detecting the game ball, and the detection unit detecting the game ball based on the detection of the game ball by the detection unit (first special A game machine (pachinko machine 100) provided with a privilege granting means (main control board 920) for granting a symbol lottery, a second special symbol lottery,
A game ball that has entered a predetermined distribution entrance (entrance 611) is configured to be distributed to any of a plurality of distribution destinations, and the game ball is distributed to a first distribution destination among the plurality of distribution destinations. In the case where the next distribution destination is set to a second distribution destination different from the first distribution destination among the plurality of distribution destinations, a distribution unit (distribution unit 620),
A first detection unit, which is provided on the first distribution destination on the downstream side of the distribution unit, and is provided with a first privilege (first special symbol lottery) by the privilege granting unit of the detection unit. A first ball passage (main ball passage 652A) extending to
A second privilege (second special symbol lottery) that is provided on the second distribution destination on the downstream side of the distribution unit and is different from the first privilege by the privilege granting unit of the detection unit A second sphere passage (main sphere passage 652B) extending to the provided second detection portion,
It is a passage opening of a game ball provided at a position different from the distribution entrance, and is detected by the second detection unit or another detection unit (right start winning award switch 442) that gives the second privilege. A passage opening (the entrance of the right start winning device 432),
Random value storage means capable of storing the random number value acquired by the random value acquisition means based on the detection of the game ball by the second detection section or the other detection section up to a predetermined upper limit number ( RAM of the main control board 920),
An operating portion (sorting destination changing lever 850) operated by the game ball that has passed through the passage opening,
The distribution means acts on the distribution means based on the actuation of the operating portion in a state where the game balls are distributed to the second distribution destination, and is different from the second distribution destination. And a distribution changing means (link mechanism 840) that can be changed to a distribution destination to which the first privilege can be given,
A gaming machine characterized by being equipped with.

<Characteristic 51>
A symbol display means (decorative symbol display device 479) capable of displaying the symbols in a variable manner, a detecting unit (medium starting prize winning switch 441A, 441B) relating to the establishment of the starting condition capable of detecting the game ball, and a game ball by the detecting unit. Based on the fact that the starting condition is established by the detection of, the starting condition is established by the detection of the game ball, and the random number obtaining means (main control board 920) that obtains the random number value relating to the winning and the establishment of the starting condition. On the basis of the variable display of the symbols, the variable display of the type according to the detection unit relating to the establishment of the starting condition (the unit game related to the first special symbol, the unit game related to the second special symbol) is displayed as the symbol. Means for executing the variable display (main control board 920), and when the variable display execution means executes the variable display, the random value acquisition means based on the establishment of the starting condition corresponding to the variable display. When the random number value acquired by the predetermined value is a predetermined value, a game including a privilege granting unit (main control board 920) that stops the variable display in execution in a predetermined mode and grants a predetermined privilege. Machine (pachinko machine 100),
A game ball that has entered a predetermined distribution entrance (entrance 611) is configured to be distributed to any of a plurality of distribution destinations, and the game ball is distributed to a first distribution destination among the plurality of distribution destinations. In the case where the next distribution destination is set to a second distribution destination different from the first distribution destination among the plurality of distribution destinations, a distribution unit (distribution unit 620),
A first detection unit that is provided on the first distribution destination on the downstream side of the distribution means and that is related to the execution of the first variable display (unit game related to the first special symbol) of the types of the variable display. A first ball passage (main ball passage 652A) extending to
Second on the second distribution destination on the downstream side of the distribution means, which is provided in the second distribution destination, and which is different from the first fluctuation display (unit game related to the second special symbol) A second ball passage (main ball passage 652B) extending to the detection unit of
It is a passage opening of a game ball provided at a position different from the distribution entrance, and is detected by the second detection unit or another detection unit (right start prize winning switch 442) related to execution of the second variation display. A passage opening (the entrance portion of the right starting winning device 432),
For each type of variable display, a random number storage means (mainly capable of storing the random number value acquired by the random number acquisition means based on the establishment of the starting condition corresponding to the variable display up to a predetermined upper limit number) RAM of the control board 920),
An operating portion (sorting destination changing lever 850) operated by the game ball that has passed through the passage opening,
The distribution means acts on the distribution means based on the actuation of the operating portion in a state where the game balls are distributed to the second distribution destination, and is different from the second distribution destination. And a distribution changing unit (link mechanism 840) provided on the downstream side and capable of changing the distribution destination, the detection unit relating to execution of the first variation display,
A gaming machine characterized by being equipped with.

A pachinko machine is a typical example of a game machine. In a typical conventional pachinko machine, when entering a starting opening provided in the game area, a lottery is performed according to the entered ball, and when a big hit is won in the lottery, it becomes a special game state. It is known that a large number of game balls can enter the winning opening. In addition, such a pachinko machine is provided with a display device, and in the display device, variable display of symbols is started based on the fact that the lottery is performed, and in the lottery result as a final stop display of the variable display. The corresponding stop result is displayed.

Further, in the conventional pachinko machine, when the game ball enters the starting port while the display of the symbols is being changed on the display device, the hit information used for the big hit lottery is predetermined. Some are configured to be stored on hold with a number (for example, four) as an upper limit. At this time, the hit information stored on hold is provided to a lottery of whether or not it is a big hit after the variable display of the symbols is finished, and the variable display of the next symbol is started accordingly.

In recent years, a gaming machine is known in which a plurality of starting openings (for example, two starting openings) are provided, and hit information can be held and stored for each starting opening up to the maximum number allowed for each starting opening. .. In such a gaming machine, a winning device including a plurality of branch passages connected to each of a plurality of starting openings, and a distribution means for distributing a game ball entering from a predetermined entrance to one of these branch passages, It is known to be used (see, for example, JP-A-2016-22147).

However, there is still room for improvement in a gaming machine, such as the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, which has an advantageous area in which the winning information is selected by the passing of the gaming balls sorted by the sorting means. For example, when an advantageous area that gives a predetermined privilege by passing a game ball is provided separately from an advantageous area through which a game ball sorted by the sorting means can pass, by sorting the game balls by the sorting means. Not only the game to get the privilege, but also the game to shoot the game ball aiming at another advantageous area can be performed, so that the monotony of the game can be suppressed, but the privilege that the player can obtain tends to be biased .. Since the hit information can be reserved and stored up to the upper limit number for each privilege, the privilege that can be acquired is biased, so that there occurs a situation in which the reserved storage number of the hit information for a particular privilege easily reaches the upper limit number. Even if the player obtains the hit information as a privilege, if the hit information cannot be stored on hold and is wasted, the player may lose interest in the game.

On the other hand, with the gaming machine described in the characteristics 50 and 51, the game ball that has entered the sorting entrance can be distributed to any of a plurality of distribution destinations, and the game ball is When the distribution destination is the first distribution destination, the next distribution destination is set to the second distribution destination different from the first distribution destination among the plurality of distribution destinations.

A first ball passage is provided on the downstream side of the distribution means and at the first distribution destination. The first ball passage extends to the first detection unit related to the first variation display of the variation display type, and the game ball that has entered the first ball passage by the distribution means is sorted by the first detection unit. When detected, the first variable display is executed by the variable display executing means. Further, the second ball passage is provided at the second distribution destination on the downstream side of the distributing means. The second ball passage extends to the second detection unit related to execution of the second variation display, and when the game ball that has entered the second ball passage by the distribution unit is detected by the second detection unit. A gaming ball passage opening is provided at a position different from the distribution entrance where the first variation display is executed by the fluctuation display executing means. When the game ball has passed through the passage opening, the game ball is detected by the second detection unit or another detection unit related to the execution of the second variable display, whereby the second display is performed by the variable display execution means. The variable display is executed. When a game ball passes through such a passage opening, the operating portion is operated by the game ball.

When the operating unit operates in a state in which the distribution unit distributes the game balls to the second distribution destination, the distribution changing unit that acts on the distribution unit based on the operation of the operation unit causes the distribution unit to perform the next operation. Can be changed to a distribution destination different from the second distribution destination and in which the detection unit related to execution of the first variable display is provided on the downstream side.

Therefore, when the game ball has passed through the passage opening, and the game ball is detected by the second detection unit or another detection unit related to the execution of the second variation display, the distribution unit Since the next distribution destination can be changed to the distribution destination in which the detection unit related to execution of the first variation display is provided on the downstream side, the game ball is detected biased to the detection unit related to execution of the second variation display. Can be suppressed. Since the random number storage means has an upper limit on the random number value that can be reserved and stored for each type of variable display, the game ball is detected biased to the detection unit related to execution of variable display of a specific type (that is, second variable display). By suppressing this, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the random number value corresponding to the variable display of the specific type cannot be stored in a reserved state.

<Characteristic 52>
A gaming machine described in feature 51,
In an advantageous period generated based on the satisfaction of a predetermined condition, an entry probability changing unit (a movable piece of the right starting winning device 432, a main control, which raises the probability of the game ball entering the passage opening as compared with that outside the advantageous period. A game machine provided with a substrate 920).

In the case of the gaming machine described in the feature 52, the probability of the game ball entering the passage opening is increased by the approach probability changing means during the advantageous period that occurs based on the establishment of the predetermined condition, compared to outside the advantageous period. With such a configuration, the game ball easily passes through the passage opening during the advantageous period. Therefore, the chance that the game ball is detected by the detection unit related to the execution of the second variable display increases during the advantageous period. As described above, in the gaming machine in which the chances of the game ball being detected by the detection unit relating to the execution of the second variation display can be increased at a specific time (that is, an advantageous period), the game ball is used to perform the second variation display. It is possible to prevent the detection from being biased toward the detection unit.

<Characteristic 53>
A gaming machine according to any one of features 50 to 52,
The distribution unit is configured to be operable so as to alternately allocate the first ball passage and the second ball passage as destinations,
The movable portion is provided in a passage extending in a direction intersecting the direction of gravity in a passage in which a game ball passing through the passage port flows downward so as to move downward due to the weight of the game ball passing through the passage. Part (sorting destination change lever 850),
The distribution changing unit is configured by a mechanical link unit (link mechanism 840) provided so that the distribution unit can be operated by the operation of the movable unit,
The link unit is configured to operate the distribution unit so that the distribution destination of the distribution unit is the first ball passage when the movable unit is moved by the game ball that has passed through the passage opening. A gaming machine characterized by being present.

In the case of the gaming machine according to feature 53, in the passage in which the game ball that has passed through the passage flows down, the passage extends in a direction intersecting the direction of gravity and moves downward due to the weight of the game ball that passes through the passage. It is configured as a movable part provided as described above. When the movable portion moves downward due to the weight of the game ball that has passed through the passage opening, the distribution changing means configured by the mechanical link means causes the next distribution destination to be the first ball passage. The dividing means is activated. Therefore, since the distribution destination is changed by the mechanical linking means, it is possible to suppress the control load and prevent the game ball from being biasedly detected by the detection unit related to the execution of the second variation display.

Note that at least one feature described in Features 10 to 53 may be applied in combination with any other feature or multiple features. Below, a basic configuration of a gaming machine to which the above-mentioned respective features can be applied is shown.

Pachinko machine: A launching operation means operated by a player, a game ball launching means for launching a game ball based on the operation of the launching operation means, and a passage portion for guiding the launched game ball to a predetermined game area. A gaming machine that includes each game component arranged in a game area, and gives a bonus to a player when a game ball passes through a predetermined passage portion of each of the game components.

Rotating drum type gaming machines such as slot machines: The rotation of the revolving body is started based on the operation of the start operation means, the rotation of the revolving body is stopped based on the operation of the stop operation means, and the player is responsive to the pattern after the stop. A gaming machine that gives benefits to.

As described above, the present invention is suitable for a game machine such as a ball game machine.

100... Gaming machine, 400... Gaming board, 431... Medium starting prize device, 431A... Left middle starting prize device, 431B... Right middle starting prize device, 441... Medium starting prize switch, J1... Detection part, J2... Circuit part, 612... Guiding part, 620... Distributing part, 634... Projection part, 652A, 652B... Main ball passage, 653A, 653B, 653C... Sub-ball passage, 654A1, 654A2, 654B1, 654B2... Inlet part, 810... Change lever, 820... Link mechanism, 840... Link mechanism, 850... Sorting destination change lever

Claims (2)

A gaming machine including a detection unit capable of detecting a game ball, and a privilege granting unit for granting a privilege according to the detection unit detecting the game ball based on the detection of the game ball by the detection unit. And
A start detection unit which is provided as the detection unit and which satisfies a start condition for performing variable display of symbols,
A first posture in which a game ball that has entered a predetermined distribution entrance can be output to a first distribution destination, and a game ball that has a posture different from the first posture and that has entered the distribution entrance A distribution member configured to take a second posture capable of outputting to a second distribution destination different from the first distribution destination;
A main ball passage that is provided on the downstream side of the distribution member and extends to at least one of the start detecting portions;
A branch passage that branches from the main ball passage on the upstream side of the start detection unit in the main ball passage, and can guide the game ball to a region different from the start detection unit,
When the game ball is distributed to the first distribution destination by the distribution member, a predetermined posture is taken, and the game ball enters the predetermined operation port before the predetermined posture is taken. An operating part that performs an operation to return to the original posture of
A link mechanism that moves the operating portion from the original posture to the predetermined posture by the weight of the game balls that enter the sorting entrance and are sorted to the first sorting destination ;
A gaming machine, wherein the operating portion is configured to take the predetermined posture only when a game ball is distributed to the first distribution destination . The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko gaming machine.