JP6739098B2 - Amusement machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a gaming machine including an opening/closing member that opens and closes a winning opening, a stepping motor that opens and closes the opening and closing member, and a control unit that drives and controls the stepping motor (for example, see Patent Document 1). .. In this gaming machine, the stepping motor is attached to the gaming board so that the drive shaft is horizontal, and a plurality of spur gears are provided between the drive shaft and the opening/closing member. Therefore, the rotational force of the drive shaft is transmitted to the opening/closing member via the plurality of spur gears, and the opening/closing member rotates to open/close the winning opening. In order to prevent ball clogging at the winning opening, the control unit stops the opening/closing member at a predetermined angle position before full opening to form an open state, and when closing, further opens from the predetermined angle position before closing position. To control the stepping motor.

JP 2012-5775 A

In the above control, the stepping motor is loaded, and therefore, in order to stably operate the opening/closing member for a long period of time, it has been required to develop a winning opening unit capable of eliminating the ball clogging only by the mechanical structure.

An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can stably drive a shutter member that opens and closes a passage opening of a game ball for a long period of time and can prevent ball clogging at the passage opening.

A gaming machine according to one aspect of the present invention is provided in a gaming board, and is provided with a unit that opens and closes a passage opening through which a game ball passes, wherein the unit is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the passage opening. A shutter member that opens and closes the passage opening, an urging unit that constantly urges the shutter member toward the passage opening, and an output shaft extending in parallel with the direction in which the game ball passes through the passage opening. A motor, a first gear provided on the output shaft, a support shaft provided between the first gear and the shutter member and extending parallel to the output shaft, and rotatably provided about the support shaft. A second gear that directly or indirectly meshes with the first gear, and a second gear that protrudes outward in the radial direction from the second gear. As the motor is driven, the driving force thereof is the output shaft and the When the second gear is rotated by being transmitted through the first gear, the second gear is brought into contact with an abutted portion provided on the shutter member and resists the urging force of the urging means. It is characterized by further comprising: an abutting portion which is pushed to the side opposite to the passage opening side, moves the shutter member to a predetermined position for opening the passage opening, and then separates from the abutting state.

In the game machine of this aspect, regarding the operation of the shutter member that opens and closes the passage opening through which the game ball passes, the power of the motor is used when the shutter member is opened, and the urging force of the urging means is used when the shutter member is closed. As a result, even if the game ball is caught in the passage opening due to being jammed by the shutter member, the shutter member resists the biasing force of the biasing means by the external impact being applied to the game ball. Since it is pushed open, the game ball can pass through the passage opening. Further, by adjusting the biasing force of the biasing means to such an extent that the shutter member cannot sandwich the game ball, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of ball clogging at the passage opening. Further, according to this aspect, in the operation of the shutter member that opens and closes the passage opening at a constant cycle, by using the motor without using the solenoid that easily generates heat, the shutter member can be stably driven for a long period of time. Also, the number of times the solenoid can be driven is generally fixed, and if it exceeds that number, it may break down and become unusable.However, in this embodiment, by using a motor, the shutter member can be operated stably for a long period of time. It becomes possible to drive.

The passage opening opens upward, the shutter member is provided so as to be capable of advancing and retracting from the rear to the front with respect to the passage opening, and the output shaft and the support shaft are lateral to the shutter member. They may be arranged side by side in the direction. In this case, in the gaming machine of this aspect, since the support shaft and the output shaft are arranged side by side with respect to the shutter member, the power of the motor is sequentially transmitted to the shutter member in the lateral direction. it can. As a result, the unit does not become large in the vertical direction, and a compact structure can be achieved.

The contact portion may include an arcuate surface that is convex outward in the radial direction of the second gear. In this case, since the contact portion of the gaming machine of this aspect is the arcuate surface, it is possible to reduce the wear caused by the contact between the contacted portion and the contact portion due to long-term use.

The unit may include the passage opening, a flow path through which the game ball that has passed through the flow path flows down, and a winning opening through which the game ball that flows down the flow path wins. In this case, the gaming machine of this aspect can provide a unit having a winning opening.

The present invention may arbitrarily combine the configurations described in claims 1 to 4.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine 1. It is a front view of the game board 2. It is a front view of the winning opening unit 30. It is a front view of the winning opening unit 30 (a portion hidden by the decorative plate 32 is shown by a dotted line). It is a right side view of the winning opening unit 30. It is a plan view of the winning opening unit 30 (when the shutter 92 is closed). It is a plan view of the winning opening unit 30 (when the shutter 92 is open). It is a front view of the unit main body 31. FIG. 6 is a front view of a shutter mechanism unit 60. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a shutter mechanism section 60. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an operation of the shutter mechanism unit 60.

Hereinafter, a pachinko machine 1 which is an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the front side, the back side, the upper side, the lower side, the left side, and the right side of FIG. 1 are referred to as the front side, the rear side, the upper side, the lower side, the left side, and the right side of the pachinko machine 1, respectively.

The mechanical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 1 has an outer frame 10 that is a rectangular frame body that is long in the vertical direction when viewed from the front. A main body frame 11 is attached to the inside of the outer frame 10 so as to be openable from the front with its left end edge as an axis. The game board 2 is provided in the upper half portion on the front surface side of the main body frame 11.

The game board 2 has a substantially square plate shape in front view (see FIG. 2 ), and the front surface is protected by a front frame 12 holding a transparent glass plate. The front surface frame 12 is attached to the front surface side of the main body frame 11 so as to be openable from the front with the left end edge thereof as an axis. An upper plate 5 is provided below the game board 2 in the main body frame 11. The upper plate 5 supplies a game ball made of metal to a game ball launching device (not shown) and receives a prize ball. An operation button 9 operated by a player is provided on the upper surface of the upper plate 5. Immediately below the upper plate 5, a lower plate 6 for receiving prize balls is provided. On the right side of the lower plate 6, a firing handle 7 for adjusting the firing of the game ball is provided. The firing handle 7 is provided so that the player can rotate it, and when the player rotates the firing handle 7 to perform the firing operation, the game ball launching device has a strength according to the rotation angle of the firing handle 7. A game ball is fired by. Speakers 48 are provided on the upper left and right corners of the front frame 12, respectively. The speaker 48 performs various effects by outputting music such as BGM, voices such as dialogue of characters appearing in the game effect, and various sound effects.

As shown in FIG. 2, on the front surface of the game board 2, a substantially circular game area 4 surrounded by a guide rail 3 is formed. The game ball launched by the game ball launching device is guided to the game area 4 by the guide rail 3 and flows down in the game area 4. A center ornament 8 for executing various effects is provided in the approximate center of the game area 4. The center decoration 8 mainly includes a display screen 28. The display screen 28 is arranged substantially in the center of the center ornament 8. The display screen 28 is composed of, for example, an LCD or the like, and can display various images. In the present embodiment, the display screen 28 displays an effect design that notifies the result of the big hit determination. The pachinko machine 1 changes the plurality of (for example, three) effect symbols, and then executes the notification effect for confirming and displaying the combination of effect symbols showing the result of the jackpot determination, thereby giving the player the result of the jackpot determination. Notify me.

A first starting port 14 is provided substantially below the center of the center ornament 8. A special winning opening 17 is provided below the first starting opening 14. A symbol operation gate 13 is normally provided on the lower right of the center ornament 8. Below the normal symbol operation gate 13, a second starting port 15 is provided. The second starting opening 15 and the special winning opening 17 each include an opening/closing member. The game ball 20 can win each of the second starting opening 15 and the special winning opening 17 only when the opening/closing member is opened. The winning opening unit 30 is attached diagonally below the second starting opening 15. The winning opening unit 30 is provided with a passage opening 16, a shutter 92, a flow path 54, and a third starting opening 46. The winning opening unit 30 uses a motor 101, which will be described later, as a drive source, and when the pachinko machine 1 is powered on, the shutter 92 is moved forward and backward with respect to the passage opening 16 at a constant cycle to pass the shutter 92. Open and close mouth 16. The game ball 20 can pass through the passage port 16 only when the shutter 92 is opened. The game ball 20 that has passed through the passage opening 16 flows down through the flow path 54, and almost all of it enters the third starting opening 46.

At the lower right of the game board 2, a symbol display section 24 is provided. The symbol display unit 24 includes a first special symbol display unit, a second special symbol display unit, a normal symbol display unit, a first special symbol memory number display LED, a second special symbol memory number display LED, and a normal symbol memory number display LED. Prepare

In the present embodiment, when the game ball wins the first starting opening 14, the first jackpot determination is performed, and the first special symbol indicating the result of the determination is displayed on the first special symbol display section of the symbol display section 24. .. In the first jackpot determination, whether the jackpot or the jackpot is determined based on the jackpot random number. If it is determined to be a big hit in the first big hit determination, a big hit game in which the opening/closing member of the special winning opening 17 is opened is executed. A specific area is provided inside the special winning opening 17. In the pachinko machine 1, the fact that the game ball 20 passes through a specific area during the big hit game is a condition for causing a probability fluctuation state after the end of the big hit game. The probability variation state is a state in which the probability of being judged as a “big hit” in the big hit judgment is higher than usual.

When the game ball 20 passes through the normal symbol operation gate 13, the normal hit determination is performed, and the normal symbol showing the result of the determination is displayed on the normal symbol display section of the symbol display section 24. When it is determined to be a hit in the normal hit determination, the opening/closing member of the second starting opening 15 is opened. When the game ball wins the second starting opening 15 or the third starting opening 46 of the winning opening unit 30, the second jackpot determination is performed, and the second special symbol showing the result of the determination is the second special symbol of the symbol display section 24. It is displayed on the display. If it is determined to be a big hit in the second big hit determination, the same big hit game as described above is executed.

The structure of the winning opening unit 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9. The winning opening unit 30 is a device that opens and closes the passage opening 16 at a constant cycle by a shutter 92 and causes almost all of the game balls 20 that have passed through the passage opening 16 to enter the third starting opening 46. The winning opening unit 30 includes a unit body portion 31, a decorative plate 32, a shutter mechanism portion 60, and the like. The unit main body 31 is provided with the passage port 16, the flow path 54, the third starting port 46, and the like on the front surface side. The decorative plate 32 is fixed to the front surface side of the unit main body 31 with screws. The shutter mechanism section 60 is fixed to the upper part of the rear surface of the unit main body section 31 with screws 68 (see FIG. 6). The shutter mechanism section 60 opens and closes the passage opening 16 at regular intervals by moving the shutter 92 forward and backward with respect to the passage opening 16 side.

First, the structure of the unit body 31 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the unit main body 31 includes a plate member 310. The plate member 310 has a surface direction in the front-rear direction and is formed of, for example, a transparent resin member. The plate member 310 includes a lower portion 311 and an upper portion 312. The lower portion 311 is a portion occupying, for example, about 3/4 of the lower side of the plate member 310, and is formed in a substantially polygonal shape in a front view. The upper side portion 312 is a portion that occupies the remaining upper side about 1/4 of the plate member 310, and is formed in a substantially triangular shape in a front view.

A first rib structure 41 is provided on the upper right portion of the front surface of the lower portion 311 so as to project forward. The first rib structure 41 is formed in a substantially tubular shape having a substantially inverted L shape in a front view. On the left side of the first rib structure 41, a second rib structure 42 smaller than the first rib structure 41 is provided so as to project forward. The second rib structure 42 is formed in a substantially tubular shape having a substantially L shape in a front view. Further, below the second rib structure 42, a third rib structure 43 smaller than the second rib structure 42 is provided so as to project forward. The third rib structure 43 is formed in a substantially tubular shape having a substantially rectangular shape in a front view.

On the upper portion of the first rib structure 41, a flat surface portion 411 that is slightly inclined from the right side to the left side with respect to the horizontal plane is formed. The plane portion 411 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction in plan view (see FIG. 6) and constitutes a passage through which the game ball 20 passes. A curved portion 412 is formed on the upper left side of the first rib structure 41. The curved portion 412 is curved in a substantially inverted L shape so as to be concave toward the right side. On the other hand, a flat surface portion 421 that is inclined in the same direction as the flat surface portion 411 and is shorter in the left-right direction than the flat surface portion 411 is formed on the upper portion of the second rib structure 42. The plane portion 421 is also formed in a substantially rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction in plan view (see FIG. 6) and constitutes a passage through which the game ball 20 passes. A curved portion 422 is formed on the right side of the second rib structure 42. The curved portion 422 is formed to face the curved portion 412 and is curved in a substantially L shape so as to be concave toward the left side.

In the inner area surrounded by the first rib structure 41, fixing holes 45 are provided in the upper right portion and the lower right portion, respectively. The fixing hole 45 is also provided in the upper part of the inner region surrounded by the second rib structure 42. The fixing hole 45 is also provided in the inner region surrounded by the third rib structure 43. Screws (not shown) are inserted into the fixing holes 45 from the back surface side of the plate member 310 and fastened to the three fixing holes 45 (see FIG. 4) of the decorative plate 32 positioned on the front side of the plate member 310, respectively. It

In the first rib structure 41 and the second rib structure 42, a passage opening 16 through which the game ball 20 can pass is formed between the left end portion of the flat surface portion 411 and the right end portion of the flat surface portion 421. (See FIGS. 6 and 8). The passage opening 16 opens upward. As shown in FIG. 8, a flow path 54 is formed between the curved portions 412 and 421. The flow path 54 is formed in a crank shape. Specifically, the flow path 54 extends downward from the passage opening 16, then bends rightward in a substantially L shape in a front view, and further bends downward. The flow path 54 allows the game ball 20 that has passed through the passage port 16 to flow down. Below the lower end of the flow path 54, a third starting port 46 that penetrates in the front-rear direction is provided. The third starting port 46 is formed in a substantially circular shape when viewed from the front, and the game ball 20 can be won.

A substantially semi-cylindrical receiving portion 47 is provided so as to project forward along the lower half of the inner edge portion of the third starting opening 46. The position of the front end of the receiving portion 47 is the same as the position of the front end of each of the first rib structure 41 and the second rib structure 42. Therefore, it is possible to receive the game ball 20 flowing down the flow path 54. A rib 47A having a substantially triangular shape in a side view is provided upright along the bottom of the inner surface (upper surface curved in a concave shape) of the receiving portion 47 extending in the front-rear direction. The upper end surface of the rib 47A is inclined downward from the front toward the third starting port 46. Further, a gap 49 is provided between the first rib structure 41 and the right end portion of the receiving portion 47 that curves upward and extends. The gap 50 is also provided between the second rib structure 42 and the left end portion that curves and extends upward of the receiving portion 47. These gaps 49 and 50 face each other in the left-right direction and are formed with a diameter of at least one game ball.

A shutter opening 53 having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front is provided in a portion of the lower side portion 311 that is located immediately above the passage opening 16. The shutter 92 of the shutter mechanism section 60 is moved forward and backward through the shutter opening 53 to open and close the passage opening 16 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

As shown in FIG. 8, on the front surface of the upper portion 312, three ribs 56 are provided near the flat portion 411 of the first rib structure 41 and at predetermined intervals in the length direction of the flat portion 411. There is. The rib 56 is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction and project forward (see FIGS. 5 to 8 ). Fixing holes 58 are provided at the top and the lower left corner of the upper portion 312, respectively. Fixing holes 58 are also provided in the lower left corner and the right side of the lower side part 311. Screws (not shown) are inserted into the fixing holes 58 from the front and are fastened to fixing holes (not shown) provided in the game board 2, whereby the plate member 310 is fixed to the game board 2.

On the back surface of the upper portion 312, three substantially cylindrical fixing base portions 381 to 383 are provided so as to project rearward (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The fixed base portion 381 is provided slightly to the right of the central portion of the upper portion 312, the fixed base portion 382 is provided on the right side of the upper portion 312, and the fixed base portion 383 is provided on the left side of the upper portion 312. A fixed piece portion 85 of the shutter mechanism portion 60, which will be described later, and a pair of fixed piece portions 79 are brought into contact with the fixed base portions 381 to 383, respectively, and fixed by screws 68.

The cover 120 is fixed to the back surface of the lower side portion 311 with screws (not shown) (see FIG. 5). The cover 120 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape whose front side is open, and is formed of, for example, a transparent resin member. A ball outlet (not shown) having the same shape as the third starting port 46 is provided on the rear surface of the cover 120 at a position facing the third starting port 46 provided in the plate member 310 of the unit main body 31. A substantially semi-cylindrical receiving portion (not shown) that is continuous with the receiving portion 47 at the rear side is provided between the third starting port 46 and the ball outlet.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the unit main body 31 having the above structure, for example, when the game ball 20 passes the flat surface portion 411 to the left and falls to the passage port 16, it flows down the flow path 54 and the receiving portion 47. It falls on the upper end surface of the rib 47A provided inside. Since the upper end surface of the rib 47A is inclined downward toward the rear, the game ball 20 flows rearward along the upper end surface of the rib 47A and passes through the third starting port 46. The game ball 20 that has passed through the third starting port 46 flows rearward through a receiving portion provided on the cover 120, and is discharged rearward from the ball outlet.

Next, the structure of the decorative plate 32 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the decorative plate 32 is formed of, for example, a transparent resin member, and has a polygonal shape in a front view. As shown in FIG. 4, on the rear surface side of the decorative plate 32, at the positions corresponding to the four fixing holes 45 provided in the lower portion 311 of the unit main body portion 31, respectively, four substantially circular cylinders protruding rearward are provided. A fixed cylindrical portion 35 is provided. A screw (not shown) is inserted into each fixing hole 45 from the back side of the unit main body 31 and is fastened to a shaft hole (not shown) of each fixed cylinder portion 35 provided in the decorative plate 32. The decorative plate 32 is fixed to the front surface side of the unit main body 31. The decorative plate 32 covers the front side of the unit main body 31 and covers the front side of the lower side 311 and a part of the lower side of the upper side 312. The player can easily confirm the passage opening 16, the flow path 54, the third starting opening 46, and the like provided on the front surface side of the unit main body 31 through the transparent decorative plate 32 (see FIG. 4 ).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, two ribs 56 are provided on the back surface side of the decorative plate 32 and between the three ribs 56 provided on the upper portion 312 of the unit main body portion 31. Ribs 36 are provided. Like the rib 56, the rib 36 extends in the vertical direction and is formed so as to project rearward (see FIG. 5 ). The three ribs 56 and the two ribs 36 are arranged so as to be staggered in the left-right direction in the length direction of the flat surface portion 411 (see FIG. 6 ). As a result, when the game ball 20 vigorously passes the flat surface portion 411 from the right to the left toward the passage opening 16, the ribs 56, 36 collide with each other to weaken the momentum of the game ball 20 and decelerate it. You can Therefore, the unit main body 31 can reliably drop the game ball 20 passing through the flat surface portion 411 into the passage opening 16.

Next, the structure of the shutter mechanism unit 60 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the shutter mechanism section 60 is fixed to the upper rear surface of the plate member 310 of the unit main body section 31 by three screws 68 (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 10, the shutter mechanism unit 60 includes a housing 70, a gear 87, a biasing gear 88, a shutter member 90, a spring 97, a motor 101, a sensor unit 110, and the like.

First, the housing 70 will be described. The housing 70 is formed into a shallow rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a lower case 71 and an upper case 72. The lower case 71 is located below the housing 70, and the upper case 72 is located above the housing 70. The lower case 71 and the upper case 72 are formed of, for example, a transparent resin member.

The lower case 71 is formed in a box shape having an open top surface, and includes a front wall 73, a right wall 74, a left wall 75, a back wall 76, a bottom wall 77, and the like. A shutter opening 80 is provided on the left side of the front wall 73. The shutter opening 80 is formed so as to be cut out in a substantially rectangular shape from the upper end of the front wall 73 downward. The shutter 92 of the shutter member 90 is arranged in the shutter opening 80 so as to be able to move forward and backward. On the front end side of the outer surface of the right wall 74 and the front end side of the outer surface of the left wall 75, a pair of fixing piece portions 79 protruding to the right side and the left side are provided. A fixing hole 791 that penetrates in the front-rear direction is provided at approximately the center of each fixing piece portion 79. The pair of fixing piece portions 79 are positioned by abutting the fixing base portions 382 and 383 provided on the rear surface side of the upper portion 312 of the plate member 310 (see FIG. 6). The lower case 71 of the housing 70 is fixed to the back surface side of the plate member 310 by inserting the screws 38 into the respective fixing holes 791 from the rear and fastening them to the fixing base portions 382 and 383.

A pair of guide rails 705A and 705B extending in the front-rear direction is provided on the left side of the upper surface of the bottom wall 77 of the lower case 71 and at a position corresponding to the shutter opening 80. The guide rail 705A is arranged on the right side, and the guide rail 705B is arranged on the left side. The guide rail 705A extends rearward from the vicinity of the front wall 73 and is parallel to each other. The guide rails 705A and 705B support a shutter member 90 described later so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. A gear support 81 is provided at the right front corner of the inner surface of the bottom wall 77. The gear support portion 81 is formed in a substantially short tubular shape extending in the vertical direction, and rotatably supports a gear 87 described later. A gear support portion 82 is provided substantially in the center of the bottom wall 77 and to the left of the gear support portion 81. The gear support portion 82 is formed in a substantially short tubular shape extending in the vertical direction, and rotatably supports a biasing gear 88 described later.

A substantially tubular fixed tubular portion 78 is erected at a position diagonally forward left of the gear support portion 82 and near the front wall 73. A substantially tubular fixed tubular portion 78 is erected at a position diagonally left rear of the gear support portion 82 and near the back wall 76. Furthermore, a fixed tubular portion 78 having a substantially tubular shape is provided upright at the right front corner portion on the inner surface of the bottom wall 77 and near the corner portion where the front wall 73 and the right wall 74 are connected. These three fixed cylindrical portions 78 correspond to three fixed holes 84, which will be described later, provided in the upper case 72. A substantially cylindrical spring support portion 83 protruding forward is provided on the inner surface of the back wall 76 and at a position facing the shutter opening 80 of the front wall 73.

The upper case 72 is formed in a lid shape that is substantially rectangular in a plan view. On the upper surface of the upper case 72, three fixing holes 84 penetrating in the vertical direction are provided at positions corresponding to the three fixed cylindrical portions 78 provided in the lower case 71, respectively. A screw 65 is inserted into each fixing hole 84 from above, and is fastened to a shaft hole 781 of each fixed cylinder portion 78 provided in the lower case 71, so that the upper case 72 closes the upper opening of the lower case 71. To be fixed as. Further, a fixing piece portion 85 protruding upward is provided near the front end portion on the upper surface of the upper case 72. The fixing piece portion 85 is formed in a generally semicircular shape in a front view having a surface direction in the front-rear direction, and a fixing hole 851 penetrating in the front-rear direction is provided in the center thereof. In the state where the pair of left and right fixing pieces 79 provided on the lower case 71 are fixed to the back surface side of the plate member 310 with the screws 68, the fixing piece part 85 has the fixing base portion 381 provided on the back surface of the plate member 310. (See FIG. 6). Then, the upper case 72 is fixed to the back side of the plate member 310 by fastening the screw 68 to the fixing base portion 381 through the fixing hole 851 of the fixing piece portion 85. As a result, the housing 70 is integrally fixed to the back surface side of the plate member 310 firmly.

The gear 87 will be described. The gear 87 is a spur gear, and is arranged on the gear support 81 with the surface direction facing vertically. A shaft hole 871 (see FIG. 10) penetrating in the vertical direction is provided in the center thereof. The output shaft 102 of the motor 101 described below is inserted into the shaft hole 871 from below, and the shaft hole 871 of the gear 87 is inserted into the end portion of the output shaft 102 extending upward from the shaft hole 871. Fixed. As a result, the gear 87 is rotated by the drive of the motor 101 above the gear support 81.

The biasing gear 88 will be described. The biasing gear 88 includes a base portion 881, a gear portion 882, a shaft hole 883, a cam portion 89, and the like. The base portion 881 is formed in a substantially circular plate shape, and is arranged on the gear support portion 82 with the surface direction oriented vertically. The gear portion 882 is provided on the lower surface of the base portion 881 of the base portion 881 and is a general spur gear. The base portion 881 and the gear portion 882 are arranged coaxially. The shaft hole 883 is provided so as to vertically pass through the centers of the base portion 881 and the gear portion 882. The cam portion 89 is provided so as to protrude radially outward from a part of the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 881. The cam portion 89 is formed in a substantially fan shape in plan view. The cam portion 89 includes a contact portion 891 and an outer peripheral portion 892. The outer peripheral portion 892 includes an arc surface that is convex outward in the radial direction. The contact portion 891 is provided at a corner portion on the downstream side in the clockwise direction in plan view of both end portions in the length direction of the outer peripheral portion 892.

A support shaft 884 (see FIG. 11) extending in the vertical direction is inserted and fixed in a hole portion 82A provided at the center of the gear support portion 82. The support shaft 884 extends parallel to the output shaft 102 of the motor 101. The shaft hole 883 of the biasing gear 88 is rotatably inserted into the support shaft 884. Therefore, the biasing gear 88 is rotatably supported by the gear support portion 82 about the support shaft 884. The gear portion 882 of the biasing gear 88 meshes with the gear 87. As a result, when the gear 87 rotates counterclockwise in plan view with the drive of the motor 101, the biasing gear 88 rotates clockwise in plan view (see FIG. 11 ). Along with this, the cam portion 89 also rotates clockwise in a plan view and pushes the shutter member 90 rearward. The specific operation of the shutter mechanism unit 60 will be described later.

The shutter member 90 will be described. The shutter member 90 is supported by guide rails 705A and 705B provided on the lower case 71 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The shutter member 90 is formed in a substantially inverted L shape in a side view, and includes a substrate portion 91, a shutter 92, an abutted portion 93, a spring support portion 94, a guided portion 95 and the like. The shutter member 90 is formed of a resin member. The board portion 91 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape in a plan view. The shutter 92 protrudes forward from the front end of the substrate portion 91 and is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape in plan view. The contacted portion 93 is provided upright from the rear end portion of the substrate portion 91 and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the rear. On the right side of the front surface of the contacted portion 93, the contact portion 891 of the cam portion 89 provided on the biasing gear 88 contacts. The corner on the right end of the front surface of the contacted portion 93 may be tapered. The spring support portion 94 is provided on the back surface of the contacted portion 93 and is formed in a substantially tubular shape protruding rearward from the back surface.

The guided portion 95 is provided on the lower surface of the substrate portion 91. The guided portion 95 includes a long piece portion 951 and a short piece portion 952. The long piece portion 951 extends vertically downward from the right end portion of the substrate portion 91 and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a side view. The short piece portion 952 extends vertically downward from a position slightly leftward of the right end portion of the substrate portion 91, and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a side view. The long piece portion 951 and the short piece portion 952 are parallel to each other. The vertical length of the long piece portion 951 is longer than the vertical length of the short piece portion 952. The long piece portion 951 is arranged on the right side of the guide rail 705A, and the short piece portion 952 is arranged between the guide rails 705A and 705B. The board portion 91 is placed on the upper ends of the guide rails 705A and 705B and slides thereon. Therefore, the shutter member 90 is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction along the guide rails 705A and 705B.

The spring 97 will be described. The spring 97 is a coil-shaped spring, and is axially arranged in the front-rear direction between the spring support portion 83 provided on the inner surface of the back wall 76 of the lower case 71 and the spring support portion 94 provided on the shutter member 90. It is arranged facing the direction. The rear end side of the spring 97 is externally inserted into the spring support portion 83, and the front end side of the spring 97 is externally inserted into the spring support portion 94. Since the spring 97 always biases the shutter member 90 forward, the shutter member 90 moves forward along the guide rails 705A and 705B. When the front end portions of the long piece portion 951 and the short piece portion 952 come into contact with the back surface of the front wall 73 of the lower case 71, the shutter member 90 stops. At this time, the entire portion of the shutter 92 is in a state of protruding forward from the shutter opening 80, and the passage opening 16 is closed.

The motor 101 will be described. The motor 101 is fixed to the lower surface of the bottom wall 77 of the lower case 71 at a position corresponding to the gear support 81. The motor 101 includes an output shaft 102 and a pair of fixed piece portions 103. The output shaft 102 extends upward from the upper surface of the motor 101. The pair of fixing piece portions 103 are provided above the outer peripheral surface of the motor 101 and project outward from positions facing each other. The pair of fixing piece portions 103 are provided with fixing holes 103A penetrating in the vertical direction. A screw 66 (see FIG. 5) is inserted into each fixing hole 103A from below, and is fastened to a fixing hole (not shown) provided in the lower case 71, so that the motor 101 is fixed to the bottom wall 77 of the lower case 71. It is fixed on the bottom surface. The output shaft 102 is inserted into a hole (not shown) provided in the gear support 81 from below, and the shaft hole 871 of the gear 87 is inserted and fixed to the end protruding upward.

The sensor unit 110 will be described. The sensor unit 110 includes a cover member 111 and a sensor 112. The cover member 111 is formed in a box shape having an open top surface, and the sensor 112 is housed inside thereof. The cover member 111 is provided with a fixing hole 113 penetrating in the vertical direction. A screw is inserted into the fixing hole 113 from below and is fastened to a fixing hole (not shown) provided in the bottom wall 77 of the lower case 71, whereby the sensor unit 110 is fixed to the bottom wall 77 of the lower case 71. It The sensor 112 is a well-known proximity sensor and detects the position of the shutter member 90. For example, the control unit provided on the sub integrated board (not shown) of the pachinko machine 1 can detect the open/closed state of the passage opening 16 by specifying the position of the shutter member 90 based on the signal output from the sensor 112.

When the shutter mechanism unit 60 having the above structure is fixed to the back surface of the plate member 310 of the unit body 31, the front surface of the housing 70 contacts the back surface of the plate member 310. The shutter opening 80 provided on the front surface of the housing 70 is arranged to face the shutter opening 53 provided on the plate member 310. Therefore, the shutter 92 of the shutter member 90 can move forward through the shutter openings 80 and 53 to cover the area directly above the passage opening 16 to close the passage opening 16.

The opening/closing operation of the passage opening 16 by the shutter mechanism unit 60 will be described with reference to FIG. 11. First, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the shutter member 90 has moved to the front position, the shutter 92 projects forward from the shutter opening 80. At this time, the passage port 16 is covered and closed by the shutter 92 (see FIG. 6). When the game in the pachinko machine 1 is started, the motor 101 is driven, and the output shaft 102 of the motor 101 rotates counterclockwise in plan view at a constant speed. Along with this, the gear 87 also rotates counterclockwise. With the rotation of the gear 87, the gear 87 rotates clockwise. With the rotation of the gear 87, the cam portion 89 also rotates clockwise. The cam portion 89 approaches the front surface of the contacted portion 93 of the shutter member 90 from the front side, which is the passage opening 16 side. The rotation of the biasing gear 88 causes the contact portion 891 of the cam portion 89 to contact the front surface of the contacted portion 93, and pushes the contacted portion 93 rearward against the biasing force of the spring 97. As a result, the shutter member 90 moves rearward.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11(2), the contact portion 891 of the cam portion 89 pushes the contacted portion 93 further rearward, whereby the spring 97 is compressed and the shutter member 90 moves further rearward. When the shutter 92 moves rearward of the shutter opening 80, the passage opening 16 is completely opened. Then, when the shutter member 90 moves to a predetermined rear position, the front surface of the contacted portion 93 rides over the contact portion 891 of the cam portion 89 that has been in contact so far, and then contacts the outer peripheral portion 892. The front surface of the contacted portion 93 is pressed against the outer peripheral portion 892 by the biasing force of the spring 97.

In this state, the biasing gear 88 further rotates and the arcuate surface of the outer peripheral portion 892 slides on the front surface of the contacted portion 93, whereby the contacted portion 93 is held at the current position. Therefore, while the outer peripheral portion 892 slides on the front surface of the contacted portion 93, the shutter member 90 stops at a predetermined rear position, so that the passage opening 16 is opened. Further, since the outer peripheral portion 892 has an arcuate surface, it is possible to reduce wear caused by the front surface of the contacted portion 93 and the outer peripheral portion 892 contacting each other after long-term use.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11(3), when the cam portion 89 further rotates clockwise and the outer peripheral portion 892 slides on the front surface of the contacted portion 93 while sliding to the right, the shutter member 90 is released. Since it is urged forward by the urging of the spring 97, it moves vigorously forward. As a result, the shutter 92 projects forward from the shutter opening 80, and the passage port 16 is closed again. The shutter mechanism unit 60 can open and close the passage opening 16 at a constant cycle by repeating FIGS. 11(1) to 11(3).

In addition, since the corner portion on the right end side of the front surface of the contacted portion 93 is formed in an arc shape, it is possible to reduce abrasion and abrasion of the outer peripheral portion 892 of the cam portion 89. Further, since the outer peripheral portion 892 of the cam portion 89 is also a circular arc surface, it is possible to reduce the abrasion between the circular arcs by sliding the circular arcs and the circular arcs. That is, in the present embodiment, since the shutter member 90 and the urging gear 88 are both inexpensive resin parts, by making the contacting and sliding part into an arc shape, the abrasion of the resin is maintained while maintaining low cost. Can be reduced.

As described above, in the winning opening unit 30, the power of the motor 101 can be used when the shutter 92 is opened and the urging force of the spring 97 can be used when the shutter 92 is closed due to the above-described configuration of the shutter mechanism section 60. For example, in the passage port 16, the shutter 92 may pinch the game ball 20 to cause ball clogging. The shutter member 90 of the present embodiment is merely biased in the closing direction by the biasing force of the spring 97, so that, for example, the other game ball 20 collides with the game ball 20 sandwiched between the shutters 92. Since the shutter 92 is pushed open, the ball clogging is naturally resolved. Further, by adjusting the biasing force of the spring 97 to such an extent that the shutter 92 cannot sandwich the game ball 20, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of ball clogging. As a result, the game ball 20 can pass through the passage opening 16 satisfactorily. Therefore, the winning opening unit 30 can prevent the ball clogging occurring in the passage opening 16.

Further, in the present embodiment, with respect to the operation of the shutter 92 that opens and closes the passage opening 16 at a constant cycle, by using the motor 101 without using the solenoid that easily generates heat, the shutter 92 can be stably driven for a long period of time. Becomes Furthermore, since the opening/closing speed of the passage opening 16 by the shutter 92 can be adjusted by adjusting the driving speed of the motor 101, it is possible to adjust the probability that the game ball 20 will win the third starting opening 46. Further, the opening/closing speed of the passage opening 16 by the shutter 92 can also be adjusted by changing the size of the cam portion 89 of the biasing gear 88 or the outer peripheral portion 892.

As described above, the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment is provided with the winning opening unit 30 on the game board 2. The winning opening unit 30 includes a shutter mechanism section 60 that opens and closes the passage opening 16 at a constant cycle. The shutter mechanism unit 60 includes a shutter member 90, a spring 97, a motor 101, a gear 87, a support shaft 884, a biasing gear 88, and the like. The shutter member 90 includes a shutter 92 that is provided to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the passage opening 16 and that opens and closes the passage opening 16. The spring 97 constantly biases the shutter member 90 toward the passage opening 16 side. The output shaft 102 of the motor 101 extends parallel to the vertical direction in which the game ball 20 passes through the passage opening 16. The gear 87 is provided on the output shaft 102. The support shaft 884 is provided between the gear 87 and the shutter member 90 and extends parallel to the output shaft 102. The biasing gear 88 is provided rotatably around a support shaft 884, and includes a gear portion 882 that meshes with the gear 87. The biasing gear 88 includes a cam portion 89 that projects radially outward.

When the motor 101 is driven, the driving force of the motor 101 is transmitted to the urging gear 88 via the output shaft 102 and the gear 87, and the urging gear 88 rotates about the support shaft 884. At this time, the cam portion 89 of the biasing gear 88 contacts the front surface of the contacted portion 93 provided on the shutter member 90 from the passage opening 16 side. The cam portion 89 pushes the contacted portion 93 rearward on the side opposite to the passage opening 16 side against the biasing force of the spring 97, so that the shutter 92 opens the passage opening 16. Then, after the shutter member 90 moves to a predetermined rearmost position that opens the passage opening 16, the cam portion 89 separates from the contacted portion 93. As a result, the shutter member 90 is urged toward the passage port 16 by the urging force of the spring 97, so that the passage port 16 is closed by the shutter 92.

In this way, in the winning opening unit 30, the power of the motor 101 is used when opening the shutter 92, and the urging force of the spring 97 is used when closing the shutter 92, so the shutter 92 tentatively sandwiches the game ball 20 at the passage opening 16. Even when the game ball 20 is given an external impact, the shutter 92 can be pushed open, so that the ball clogging can be naturally eliminated. Further, in the present embodiment, with respect to the operation of the shutter 92 that opens and closes the passage opening 16 at a constant cycle, by using the motor 101 without using the solenoid that easily generates heat, the shutter 92 can be stably driven for a long period of time. Becomes Further, since the structure of the winning opening unit 30 is simple, the cost for members can be reduced.

In addition, in the winning opening unit 30 of the present embodiment, the passage opening 16 opens upward. The shutter member 90 is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat from the rear to the front with respect to the passage opening 16. Further, the output shaft 102 and the support shaft 884 are arranged side by side in the lateral direction with respect to the shutter member 90. This allows the winning opening unit 30 to have a structure in which the power of the motor 101 is sequentially transmitted laterally toward the shutter member 90. That is, since the winning opening unit 30 does not become large in the vertical direction, a compact structure can be achieved. Therefore, the winning opening unit 30 can be attached even in a small area of the game board 2.

Further, the cam portion 89 provided on the biasing gear 88 of the present embodiment includes an outer peripheral portion 892 having an arcuate surface that is convex outward in the radial direction of the biasing gear 88. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce wear caused by the front surface of the contacted portion 93 and the outer peripheral portion 892 of the cam portion 89 contacting each other after long-term use.

Further, the winning opening unit 30 of the present embodiment, the passage opening 16, a flow path 54 for flowing down the game ball 20 passing through the passage opening 16, a third starting opening for winning the game ball 20 flowing down through the flow path 54. It is equipped with 46. Therefore, the present embodiment can be provided as a unit including the third starting port 46.

In the above description, the winning opening unit 30 or the shutter mechanism unit 60 is an example of the “unit” in the present invention. The spring 97 is an example of the “biasing means” of the present invention. The gear 87 is an example of the "first gear" in the present invention. The biasing gear 88 is an example of the "second gear" in the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in detail above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The winning opening unit 30 of the above-described embodiment includes the passage opening 16 that opens upward, but the opening direction of the passage opening may be any direction. Further, the mounting position of the winning opening unit 30 on the game board 2 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be applied to various passage openings including each winning opening.

In the winning opening unit 30 of the above embodiment, the number of gears provided in the shutter mechanism unit 60 is not limited to two, and may be more than this. For example, another gear may be interposed between the gear 87 and the biasing gear 88. In that case, the rotation direction of the output shaft 102 of the motor 101 may be appropriately changed.

In the biasing gear 88 provided in the shutter mechanism unit 60 of the above-described embodiment, the outer peripheral portion 892 of the cam portion 89 has an arc shape, but may have a shape other than this, for example, the outer peripheral portion 892 has a step shape. By providing the opening/closing operation, the opening/closing operation of the shutter 92 may be performed stepwise.

The sensor unit 110 provided in the shutter mechanism section 60 of the winning opening unit 30 of the above embodiment may be omitted.

In the winning hole unit 30 of the above-described embodiment, the unit main body 31, the decorative plate 32, the housing 70 of the shutter mechanism unit 60, and the like are formed of a transparent resin member, but they need not be transparent and are decorated. Etc. can be changed freely. For example, an uneven surface may be provided on the back surface of the plate member 310 of the unit body 31 to diffusely reflect the light emitted from the surroundings.

In the above embodiment, the pachinko machine 1 which is a kind of gaming machine is taken as an example of the gaming machine, but the gaming machine is not limited to the pachinko machine and can be applied to various gaming machines such as a pachicon machine and a pachislot machine. is there.

In addition, all the elements described in the claims, the description and the drawings (for example, the rendering device, the symbol display portion, the electric accessory, the winning opening, etc.) are not explicitly stated unless the number is intentionally limited. It may be physically single or plural, and the arrangement may be appropriately changed. In addition, the names given to the elements (element names) are merely given for convenience of description of the present case, and it is not particularly conscious that the names have special meanings. Therefore, the element name alone does not limit the interpretation of the element. For example, the "display screen" may be hardware alone or may include software. Further, it is easily conceivable for a person skilled in the art whether to properly configure a plurality of elements among all of the above elements or to configure one element into a plurality of elements. Therefore, it is clear that all patterns are within the expected range without intentionally describing all patterns in the description, etc., and therefore it is stated in the claims etc. that they are explicitly excluded. It goes without saying that all of them are included in the scope of rights according to the present invention unless otherwise specified. Therefore, it is not considered that the right of the present invention is avoided only by adopting the structural difference within the extent of the extent to the gaming machine because it is not described in the present embodiment. .. In addition, the same applies to the differences in the configurations, shapes, and the like of the respective elements that are obvious to those skilled in the art from the present embodiment.

1 Pachinko machine 2 Gaming board 16 Passage opening 20 Gaming ball 30 Winning opening unit 46 Third starting opening 54 Flow path 60 Shutter mechanism section 87 Gear 88 Energizing gear 89 Cam section 90 Shutter member 92 Shutter 97 Spring 101 Motor 102 Output shaft 891 Abutting part 892 outer peripheral part

Claims (4)

In a game machine provided with a game board and provided with a unit for opening and closing a passage opening through which a game ball passes,
The unit is
A shutter member that is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the passage opening, and that opens and closes the passage opening,
Biasing means for constantly biasing the shutter member toward the passage opening,
A motor having an output shaft extending in parallel to the direction in which the game ball passes through the passage opening,
A first gear provided on the output shaft,
A support shaft provided between the first gear and the shutter member and extending parallel to the output shaft,
A second gear that is rotatably provided around the support shaft and that directly or indirectly meshes with the first gear,
When the second gear rotates by being projected radially outward from the second gear and the driving force thereof being transmitted through the output shaft and the first gear when the motor is driven. Abutting against an abutted portion provided on the shutter member and pushing it against the passage opening side against the biasing force of the biasing means to open the shutter member through the passage opening. A gaming machine, comprising: an abutting portion that is moved from the abutting state after being moved to a predetermined position. The passage opening opens upward,
The shutter member is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat from the rear to the front with respect to the passage opening,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the output shaft and the support shaft are arranged side by side in the lateral direction with respect to the shutter member. The game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact portion includes an arc surface that is convex outward in the radial direction of the second gear. The unit is
The passage opening,
A flow path through which the game ball that has passed through the passage port flows down,
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a winning opening for winning the game ball flowing down the flow path.

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