JP7025008B2 - Game ball distribution device - Google Patents

Description

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is provided in a gaming area in which a pachinko ball rolls in a gaming machine using a pachinko ball as a gaming medium, such as a pachinko gaming machine, an arrange ball gaming machine, or a sparrow ball gaming machine, and the inflowing gaming ball is passed through a plurality of passages. It relates to a game ball distribution device for distributing game balls to, and more particularly to a device for distributing game balls by flowing the game balls into a pickpocket-shaped dish having a plurality of outlets formed therein.

The game ball distribution device provided in the game area of the game board of a pachinko game machine or the like guides the inflowing game ball to one of a plurality of passages, and by interlocking with the display of the liquid crystal display device. Gaming machines that increase the effect of production are also known.
In the game ball sorting device shown in Patent Document 1 below, pickpocket-shaped dishes called crune are arranged in two upper and lower stages, and three outlets are formed in the center of each dish. , The game ball that has flowed into the upper cloon is guided to the lower crune when it enters a specific outlet of the three outlets, and the game ball enters a specific outlet of the three outlets. And, it is configured to shift to a specific gaming state (probability changing gaming state), and the movement of the gaming ball in each crune is configured to be visible to the player.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-458

By the way, in the game ball distribution device shown in Patent Document 1, the probability that the game ball enters the specific flow port in each of the upper and lower crunes is one-third, so that the probability of entering the specific game state is always 9 minutes. It was only a certain probability of 1. For this reason, there is a problem that there is little change in the situation during the game and there is little fun. That is, there is no situation in which the advantage or disadvantage is increased for the player, so there is a problem that the game tends to be monotonous.
In addition, recent ball pachinko machines are configured so that a player's advantageous situation such as a jackpot or a probability change always arrives with a certain probability by an electronic circuit, so such a configuration also makes the game monotonous. It was a factor.

The game ball distribution device according to the present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and forms a plurality of outflow ports in a bowl-shaped dish arranged so that the game balls flow into the game area, and the outflow port is formed. At least one of them is designated as a specific outflow port, and a flow path switching mechanism for switching at least one flow path of the game ball that has entered the other general outflow port is provided downstream of the specific outflow port according to the ball weight of the game ball. It is characterized by being.
Therefore, as long as the game ball does not enter the specific outflow port, the flow path of the game ball that has entered the general outflow port does not change, and the favorable or unfavorable situation for the player continues, and the game situation changes. It will be rich.

In the present invention, in the game ball distribution device, a state in which the inflowing game ball rolls on a pickpocket-shaped dish and a flow path switching state of the flow path switching mechanism are provided so as to be visible to the player. It is characterized by being.
The player can always recognize the current flow path switching state and play the game, and the player can see the situation where the game ball rolls on the pickpocket-shaped plate, which improves the game playability. ..

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY In the game ball distribution device, the present invention is provided with a flow path switching mechanism that can be opened and closed by a braking body that rotates according to the weight of the game ball that has entered the specific flow port and directly below the general flow port. It consists of a flow path switching blade, and the braking body rotates by a predetermined angle each time a game ball enters the specific flow port, and the flow path switching blade is opened or closed according to the rotation state of the braking body. It is characterized by being.
Depending on whether the flow path switching blade is in the open state or the closed state, it becomes easy to determine whether the situation is advantageous or disadvantageous for the player, and the game ball enters the specific flow port. Will surely switch the situation.

It is possible to improve the playability of the ball gaming machine by the mechanical configuration without using an electronic circuit or an electric drive source, and to provide a truly interesting gaming machine for the player.

A perspective view of the game ball distribution device according to the present invention as viewed from the front. The plan view of the game ball distribution apparatus which concerns on this invention. A perspective view of the game ball distribution device according to the present invention as viewed from the front. A perspective view of the game ball sorting device according to the present invention as viewed from the rear. An exploded perspective view of the game ball sorting device according to the present invention as viewed from the front. An exploded perspective view of the game ball sorting device according to the present invention as viewed from the lower rear side. It is an exploded perspective view of the flow path switching mechanism of the game ball distribution device which concerns on this invention. The cross-sectional view of the flow path switching mechanism of the game ball distribution device which concerns on this invention. The front view which shows the operating state of the game ball distribution apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the game ball distribution device of FIG. The vertical sectional view which shows the operating state of the game ball sorting apparatus which concerns on this invention. The perspective view which shows the operating state of the flow path switching mechanism of the game ball distribution device which concerns on this invention. The vertical sectional view which shows the operating state of the game ball sorting apparatus which concerns on this invention. The front view which shows the operating state of the game ball distribution apparatus which concerns on this invention. The perspective view which shows the operating state of the flow path switching mechanism of the game ball distribution device which concerns on this invention.

The game ball distribution device shown in this embodiment includes a pickpocket-shaped dish 10 called a crune, a case body 20 that horizontally supports the dish 10, and a flow path switching mechanism 30 provided in the case body 20. (FIG. 12, FIG. 15). The plate 10 has a substantially circular plane, and an inflow path 11 connected in the tangential direction is integrally formed on the outer peripheral portion thereof, and three outlets 12 and 13 having a size at which a game ball can flow down are formed in the central portion of the plate 10, respectively. , 14 are formed, of which the outflow port 12 is a specific outflow port and the outflow ports 13 and 14 are general outflow ports. A mounting edge 16 is formed on both lower edges of the dish 10 to fix the case body 20 to the case body 20 with screws 15. The situation of the game ball flowing into the plate 10 from the inflow path 11 is arranged so that the player during the game can always see it.

Further, the case body 20 includes a case body 21, a front plate 23 fixed to the front surface of the case body 21 by screws 22, and a back plate 25 fixed to the back surface of the case body 21 by screws 24. .. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the case main body 21 is formed with a partition wall 26 for partitioning the inside into the front and rear, and a central discharge gutter 27 is formed on the front surface of the partition wall 26. Bearing holes 29a and 29b for inserting brass support shafts 28a and 28b are formed symmetrically in the partition wall 26, and an arc-shaped through hole 30a having the bearing holes 29a and 29b as the center of curvature is formed. , 30b are shaped so that the brass connecting shafts 31a and 31b can be inserted into the through holes 30a and 30b. Further, the front half of the upper surface of the case body 21 is formed with large openings 32 on the left and right so that the game balls that have fallen into the general flow openings 13 and 14 can enter, and the latter half of the upper surface of the case body 21 is the specific flow. An opening 33 is formed in which a game ball that has fallen into the mouth 12 enters. Further, ball discharge gutters 34a and 34b are formed in the front half of the left and right side walls, respectively.

Then, the flow path switching blade 35a is locked to the front ends of the support shaft 28a and the connecting shaft 31a, the flow path switching blade 35b is locked to the front ends of the support shaft 28b and the connecting shaft 31b, and the support shaft is locked. The switching actuating piece 36a is locked to the rear end portion of the 28a and the connecting shaft 31a, and the switching actuating piece 36b is locked to the rear end portion of the support shaft 28b and the connecting shaft 31b. Therefore, the pair of flow path switching blades 35a and 35b are rotatably supported within the arcuate range of the through holes 30a and 30b with the support shafts 28a and 28b as fulcrums, respectively, and the general flow openings 13 and 14 are supported. It is arranged so as to be openable and closable directly below the central discharge gutter 27 and directly above the central discharge gutter 27. That is, when the pair of flow path switching blades 35a and 35b have an eight-shaped shape as shown in FIGS. 3, 9, and 12, it is difficult for the game ball to enter between the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b. The central discharge gutter 27 is closed. On the other hand, when the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b are tilted outward as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 to widen the interval, the game ball can fall between them and the central discharge gutter 27 is opened. In addition, concave concave contact portions 36a'and 36b' are formed on the opposing inner surfaces of the lower end portions of the switching operation pieces 36a and 36b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a transparent plate 37 is fitted to the upper half of the front plate 23 so that the inside of the case body 21 can be seen through, and a player playing a game through the transparent plate 37 has an internal flow path. The open / closed status of the switching blades 35a and 35b can always be visually recognized. Further, in the lower half of the front plate 23, a square hole 38 for projecting the central discharge gutter 27 and bearing holes 39a, 39b for pivotally supporting the front end portions of the support shafts 28a, 28b are formed.

Further, a square siege chamber 40 having an open front surface is formed in the central portion of the back plate 25, and the bottom surface 41 of the siege chamber 40 is formed so as to be inclined toward the front, and a normal pachinko machine is formed in the siege chamber 40. A weight ball 42 made of a steel ball having a diameter slightly smaller than the ball (diameter 11 mm) and having a diameter of about 10 mm is rotatably arranged. Bearing holes 43a, 43b that pivotally support the rear ends of the support shafts 28a, 28b are formed on both upper sides of the surrounding chamber 40. Further, bearing portions 44a and 44b extending in the horizontal direction are formed on both sides of the surrounding chamber 40, and the rotating shaft 46 of the braking body 45 is rotatably inserted into the bearing portions 44a and 44b, and both ends of the rotating shaft 46 are E. It is fastened by the rings 47a and 47b. As shown in FIG. 11, in the braking body 45, a protrusion 48a, a notch 49a, a protrusion 48b, and a notch 49b are formed at intervals of 90 degrees around the braking body 45, and as shown in FIG. It has a substantially weight shape when viewed from the axial direction. The outer peripheral surfaces of the protruding portions 48a and 48b are formed with recesses 48a'and 48b'in the center so that the game ball can be received. The braking body 45 is arranged directly below the opening 33, and when the game ball that has fallen into the specific flow-out port 12 hits the recesses 48a', 48b' or the cutouts 49a, 49b of the braking body 45, the weight of the game ball causes the braking body 45. The braking body 45 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, and the game ball is discharged to the outside from the discharge path 50 formed below the braking body 45.

Since the bottom surface 41 of the weight ball 42 is inclined, the weight ball 42 always approaches and presses against the braking body 45 due to its own weight. Therefore, when the game ball dropped from the specific flow-out port 12 rotates the braking body 45 by 90 degrees, the weight ball 42 intervenes in the notches 49a, 49b or the recesses 48a', 48b', and the braking body 45 Do not rotate more than 90 degrees unnecessarily. That is, each time the game ball falls from the specific flow-out port 12, the braking body 45 surely rotates by 90 degrees, and when the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b are in the closed state, they are opened and in the open state. When it is closed.
The flow path switching blades 35a, 35b and the switching actuating pieces 36a, 36b are formed larger on the outside than the inside of the support shafts 28a, 28b, and are made of brass on the outside of the support shafts 28a, 28b, and are relatively heavy connecting shafts 31a. , 31b is arranged so that the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b are tilted toward the outside of the support shafts 28a and 28b within the range of the through holes 30a and 30b, and are always in an open state by their own weight. .. In this open state, the portions below the support shafts 28a and 28b of the switching operation pieces 36a and 36b are in a state of being close to each other. When the game ball P falls from the specific flow-out port 12 in this open state, the game ball P falls between the lower portions of the switching operation pieces 36a and 36b, widens the distance between the lower portions by the weight of the ball, and the flow path. The switching blades 35a and 35b are rotated in the closed direction, and from this state, the game ball P further falls and collides with the braking body 45 to rotate the braking body 45 by 90 degrees, and the protruding portion 48a of the braking body 45. Alternatively, the protruding portion 48b intervenes between the contact portions 36a'and 36b'at the lower ends of the switching operation pieces 36a and 36b to stop, so that the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b are closed in an eight-shaped shape as described above. To. That is, the flow path switching mechanism 30 is closed. (See FIG. 12).
On the other hand, if the game ball P falls into the specific flow port 12 when the flow path switching mechanism 30 is closed in this way, the game ball P has the flow path switching blades 35a, 35b and the switching operation piece 36a, It falls between the lower ends of the switching actuating pieces 36a and 36b without particularly acting on the 36b, collides with the braking body 45, and further rotates the braking body 45 by 90 degrees. When the braking body 45 is further rotated by 90 degrees in this way, the notched portions 49a and 49b of the braking body 45 come to face the lower ends of the switching actuating pieces 36a and 36b, and the protruding portions 48a or the braking body 45 Since the protruding portion 48b is removed from between the abutting portions 36a'and 36b', the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b are directed toward the outside of the support shafts 28a and 28b again by their own weight without being restricted by the braking body 45. It tilts and becomes open. That is, the flow path switching mechanism 30 is in the open state. (See FIG. 15).

In this game ball distribution device, the game ball flowing in from the inflow path 11 continues to rotate on the plate 10 for several seconds to several tens of seconds due to the action of centrifugal force, and the game ball eventually has three outflow ports 12, You can enjoy observing whether you are in 13 or 14. At this time, for example, when the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b are in the closed state, the game ball P that has entered the general flow port such as the flow port 13 or the flow port 14 is always guided to the ball discharge gutters 34a and 34b, and the case body 20 It is discharged to either the left or right side of. (See FIGS. 9 and 10). On the other hand, when the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b are in the open state as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the game ball P that has entered the general outflow port such as the outflow port 13 or the outflow port 14 becomes the central discharge gutter 27. It is guided and discharged to the front of the case body 20. Here, for example, if the game ball P discharged from the central discharge gutter 27 is set so as to easily win a prize at the start winning opening for starting a lottery in a special game state such as a big hit, the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b Is a very advantageous situation for the player when is in the open state, while it is not such an advantageous situation when the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b are in the closed state. Since the states of the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b can be visually recognized through the transparent plate 37, the player can always know the current situation such as advantage or disadvantage.

When the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b are in the open state, the game ball P is guided to the central discharge gutter 27 through the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b. At this time, since the lower portion of the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b below the support shafts 28a and 28b is formed so as to protrude inward, the game ball P is formed on the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b. When passing between the game balls P, the game ball P hits the lower portion of the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b. Therefore, each time the game ball P passes between the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b, the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b open and close. Such an operation forms a larger outside than the inside of the support shafts 28a and 28b of the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b and the switching operation pieces 36a and 36b, and is made of brass on the outside of the support shafts 28a and 28b and is relatively relatively. This is achieved by connecting the heavy connecting shafts 31a and 31b so that the center of gravity of the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b and the switching actuating pieces 36a and 36b is outside the support shafts 28a and 28b. When the projecting portions 48a and 48b do not intervene between the switching operating piece 36a and the switching operating piece 36b, when the game ball P passes through, the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b have the through holes 30a, Within the range of 30b, it always tilts outward and opens, and the open state of the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b continues.

As described above, the favorable or unfavorable situation for the player continues until the game ball rolling on the plate 10 enters the specific outflow port 12 of the three outflow ports 12, 13, 14. That is, when the game ball enters the specific flow-out port 12, the game ball P rotates the braking body 45 by 90 degrees, and the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b that were in the closed state are opened and are in the open state. The flow path switching blades 35a and 35b are closed. Therefore, when the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b are in an advantageous situation for the player, the player wishes that the game ball does not enter the specific flow-out port 12 as much as possible, whereas the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b When is in a disadvantageous situation for the player, the player wants the game ball to enter the specific dropout 12 as soon as possible. As described above, in this game ball distribution device, the advantageous or disadvantageous situation does not change unless the game ball enters the specific flow-out port 12, so that the advantageous situation may continue for a long period of time or the advantageous situation may be short-term. It may end in between. Therefore, the period during which the favorable or unfavorable situation continues is always unspecified, which increases the playability. It should be noted that which of the plurality of outlets 12, 13, and 14 the game ball rolling on the plate 10 enters also depends on the chance, so that the situation advantageous to the player continues for a long period of time, or Even if the situation becomes disadvantageous to the player, the game ball may enter the specific outflow port 12 immediately and the disadvantageous situation may be avoided in a short time. In this way, by providing this game ball distribution device, the period in which the advantageous situation or the disadvantageous situation continues is determined by chance, so that the taste of the ball game machine can be improved more than ever. It is possible, and the monotony such as the one in which the lottery is performed by the conventional electronic circuit and the situation is always advantageous or disadvantageous with a certain probability is avoided.

Further, since this game ball distribution device has a structure in which the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b are opened and closed by the rotation of the braking body 45 by the own weight of the game ball P, an electric drive source such as a motor or a solenoid and an electron for controlling the electric drive source thereof. It can be easily configured without the need to provide a circuit or the like. However, further improvement is possible by additionally providing an electric drive source such as a motor or a solenoid and a control means thereof.

In this game ball distribution device, the game balls P discharged from the central discharge gutter 27 are arranged so as to be easy to always win a prize in the starting winning opening as described above, but in the present invention, such an arrangement is not always required. It does not have to be. For example, a winning device capable of winning a plurality of prize balls when the game ball P enters instead of the starting winning opening may be arranged below the central discharge gutter 27 so as to be easy to enter, or the central discharge. The game ball P discharged from the gutter 27, the ball discharge gutters 34a, 34b, the discharge path 50, etc. may be returned to a specific part of the game area, or may be treated as a winning ball. In short, it is up to you how to treat the game ball after distribution.
Further, in this embodiment, the transparent plate 37 is provided on the front plate 23 so that the state of the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b can be visually recognized. May be visible to the player. Further, in this embodiment, the dish 10 is provided with three outflow ports 12, 13, 14, but in short, the dish 10 may be provided with a specific outflow port and a general outflow port, and the number of outflow ports is two. However, it may be three or more.

The flow path of the game ball P that has entered the general flow openings 13 and 14 changes due to the operation of the flow path switching mechanism 30 when the game ball P falls into the specific flow port 12. However, the flow conditions of all general outlets do not have to change. That is, there may be a configuration in which there is a general outflow port where the flow path cannot be switched.
Further, the braking body 45 rotates by 90 degrees each time the game ball P falls from the specific flow-out port 12, and the protruding portions 48a and 48b and the notched portions 49a and 49b move in sequence, so that the flow path switching blade 35a , 35b repeats opening and closing, but if the order is such that a notch, a protruding portion, a protruding portion, and a protruding portion are formed on the outer periphery of the braking body 45 by, for example, 90 degrees, the braking body 45 can be formed. Even if the game balls are rotated by 90 degrees, the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b will not be opened unless the four game balls P are dropped from the specific flow port 12. By variously combining the arrangement of the cutout portion and the protruding portion in the braking body 45 in this way, the opening / closing timing of the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b can be freely set. Further, the rotation angle of the braking body 45 is not limited to rotating by 90 degrees each time the game ball P falls, and may be set to 90 degrees or less or 90 degrees or more, whereby the flow path switching blades 35a and 35b may be set. The opening / closing movement can be controlled as desired.

10 ... Dish, 11 ... Inflow path, 12 ... Specific drainage port, 13, 14 ... General drainage port, 15 ... Screw, 16 ... Mounting edge, 20 ... Case body, 21 ... Case body, 22 ... Screw, 23 ... Front plate , 24 ... screw, 25 ... back plate, 26 ... partition wall, 27 ... central discharge gutter, 28a, 28b ... support shaft, 29a, 29b ... bearing hole, 30 ... flow path switching mechanism, 30a, 30b ... through hole, 31a, 31b ... connecting shaft, 32 ... opening, 33 ... opening, 34a, 34b ... ball discharge gutter, 35a, 35b ... flow path switching blade, 36a, 36b ... switching operating piece, 36a', 36b' ... contact portion, 37 ... Transparent plate, 38 ... Square hole, 39a, 39b ... Bearing hole, 40 ... Surrounding chamber, 41 ... Bottom surface, 42 ... Weight ball, 43a, 43b ... Bearing hole, 44a, 44b ... Bearing part, 45 ... Braking body, 46 ... Rotating shaft, 47a, 47b ... E-ring, 48a, 48b ... protruding part, 48a', 48b' ... concave part, 49a, 49b ... notch part, 50 ... discharge path, P ... game ball

Claims (3)

A plurality of outlets are formed in a pickpocket-shaped dish arranged so that the game ball flows into the game area, at least one of the outlets is designated as a specific outlet, and the game ball is downstream of the specific outlet. A game ball distribution device characterized in that a flow path switching mechanism for switching at least one flow path of a game ball that has entered another general flow port is provided according to the weight of the ball. The first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the inflowing game ball rolls on a pickpocket-shaped plate, and the flow path switching state of the flow path switching mechanism is visibly provided to the player. The game ball sorting device described. The flow path switching mechanism includes a braking body that rotates according to the weight of the game ball that has entered the specific flow port, and a flow path switching blade that is provided so as to be openable and closable directly below the general flow port. 1. The game ball distribution device according to 2.

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