JP7125103B2 - game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to gaming machines.

In the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, game balls are sorted by a shutter that slides back and forth to open and close the passage of game balls.

JP 2016-163614 (Paragraph [0231], Figures 11 and 13)

In the game machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the shutter is closed, the game ball may be caught between the shutter and the wall arranged in front of the shutter, and it is required to suppress the occurrence of ball sticking. there is

The invention according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above problems, includes a downflow passage into which a game ball can flow, a branch passage into which a game ball can enter and branch from the downflow passage, and a projecting into the downflow passage, a distributing member movable between a protruding position that guides the game balls flowing down the flow path to the branch path, and a retracted position that is retracted from the protruding position and allows the game balls to continue to flow down the flow path; When the distribution member is arranged at the protruding position, the distribution member protrudes into the downflow passage from a position facing the entrance of the branch passage and surrounds the downflow passage; and an opening for projecting the distribution member into the downflow path at the projecting position, projecting from the wall surface and extending in the vertical direction, and upstream from the opening The game machine has at least one rail that abuts on the game ball that has flowed down the downflow path from the opening to keep the game ball away from the opening .

According to the above invention, occurrence of ball jamming is suppressed.

Front view of gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure front view of game board Enlarged view of the vicinity of the grand prize opening in Fig. 2 Cross section of taxiway Partially broken perspective view of the taxiway Partially broken perspective view of the rolling part of the main flow path Front sectional view of the sorting member and the guideway in the first sorting state Front sectional view of the distribution member and the guideway in the second distribution state (A) Front view of distribution member and distribution drive mechanism in first distribution state, (B) Front view of distribution member and distribution drive mechanism in second distribution state (A) Front perspective view of distribution member and distribution drive mechanism in first distribution state, (B) Front perspective view of distribution member and distribution drive mechanism in second distribution state (A) Rear perspective view of distribution member and distribution drive mechanism in first distribution state, (B) Rear perspective view of distribution member and distribution drive mechanism in second distribution state Partially broken perspective view of the falling part Side sectional view of drop part (A) Planar sectional view of the drop portion when the sorting member is in the second sorting state, (B) Planar sectional view of the drop portion when the sorting member is in the first sorting state Side cross-sectional view of a distribution member according to another embodiment Front sectional view of a taxiway according to another embodiment Side cross-sectional view of a drop section according to another embodiment Front sectional view of a taxiway according to another embodiment Planar cross-sectional view of a drop portion according to another embodiment

As shown in FIG. 1, the game machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes a game board 11 shown in FIG. 2 covered with a front frame 10Z. The entire game area R1 formed on the front side of 11 is visible. The game area R1 is surrounded by a substantially circular guide rail 12 projecting from the front surface of the game board 11 (see FIG. 2). In the following description, unless otherwise specified, "right" and "left" refer to "right" and "left" when the gaming machine 10 is viewed from the front.

Below the glass window 10W of the front frame 10Z, an upper plate 26 and a lower plate 27 are provided in two stages, and a firing handle 28 is provided on the right side of the lower plate 27. - 特許庁When the shooting handle 28 is rotated, the game balls contained in the upper tray 26 are ejected one by one toward the game area R1 by a shooting device (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 2, a display opening 11H is formed through the center of the game area R1 of the game board 11, and the display device 13 faces the display opening 11H from the back side of the game board 11. there is The display device 13 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal module, and has a display screen 13G on the front surface for performing game-related effects.

A display decoration frame 23 is attached to the front center of the game board 11 so as to surround the display screen 13G. The display decoration frame 23 is fitted into the display opening 11</b>H from the front side of the game board 11 and protrudes forward from the front surface of the game board 11 . As a result, the game ball flowing down the game area R1 is restricted from overcoming the decorative display frame 23 and entering inside the decorative display frame 23 .

A starting gate 18 is provided on the right side of the decorative display frame 23 in the game area R1. The starting gate 18 is formed in a gate shape through which a game ball flowing down the game area R1 can pass. When the game ball passes through the starting gate 18, normal symbol suitability determination is performed.

A first start winning opening 14A is provided in the horizontal central portion of the lower portion of the display decoration frame 23 in the game area R1. The first start winning opening 14A has a pocket structure with an upper opening large enough to allow game balls to enter one by one, and is always open.

A second starting prize-winning opening 14B is provided below the first starting prize-winning opening 14A. The second start winning opening 14B opens forward and is opened and closed by a rotating door 14T. Specifically, the rotating door 14T is normally placed in a vertical upright closed position, and when the above-mentioned normal symbol validity determination is successful, the rotating door 14T rotates around the lower end portion and falls forward to the open position. placed in The rotating door 14T arranged at the open position receives the game ball flowing down from above and guides it to the second start winning opening 14B.

When the game balls enter the start winning holes 14A and 14B, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls to the upper tray 26 (see FIG. 1), and special symbol suitability determination is performed. The result of the special symbol propriety determination is displayed on the display screen 13G. When a win is achieved in the special symbol propriety determination, the game state changes to a big win game state, and a big win game is executed.

A large winning opening 15 is provided in the lower right portion of the display decoration frame 23 in the game area R1. The big winning opening 15 is formed in a horizontally long rectangle, and is closed by a movable door 15T in a normal game state. When the game state changes to the jackpot game state and the jackpot game is executed, the movable door 15T is pushed forward over a predetermined period to open the big prize winning port 15, and the movable door 15T is used as a guide to open the big prize winning port. At 15, many game balls can enter. When the game balls enter the big winning hole 15, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the upper tray 26 (see FIG. 1) as prize balls. In the jackpot game, a round game in which the jackpot 15 is opened a preset number of times is executed a number of times corresponding to the type of the jackpot game. One round game ends when a predetermined upper limit number of game balls enter the big winning opening 15 or when a predetermined round game time elapses.

The game area R1 is provided with a first starting winning opening 14A, a second starting winning opening 14B, a big winning opening 15, and a plurality of general winning openings 20. - 特許庁The general winning opening 20 has a pocket structure similar to that of the first starting winning opening 14A and is always open. When game balls enter the general winning hole 20, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls to an upper tray 26 (see FIG. 1). In addition, the game area R1 is provided with an out port 16 for discharging a game ball that has not entered any of the winning ports 14A, 14B, 15, 20 to the outside.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, a game ball that enters the big winning hole 15 during a big win game flows down the guide path 30 and enters the first ball entering area 51 and the second entering area. It flows down through any ball entry area of the ball area 52 and is discharged to the rear side of the game board 11 . Distribution of game balls to ball entry areas is performed by a distribution member 60 . The game balls ejected to the rear side of the game board 11 pass through a ball ejection duct (not shown) and are recovered by a ball recovery device (not shown).

The second ball entry area 52 is a so-called V winning area. The game state is an advantageous state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game state. On the other hand, the game ball does not flow down the second ball entry area 52 during the jackpot game (that is, the game ball flows down only the first ball entry area 51 during the jackpot game (enters only the first winning area 51). ), the game state after the end of the jackpot game becomes a normal game state. Examples of the advantageous state include a time-saving state, a variable probability state, and the like.

In addition, when the game ball does not flow down the second ball entry area 52 during the big hit game (that is, when the game ball flows down only the first ball entry area 51), the game state after the end of the big hit game is the normal game. When a game ball flows down a second ball entry area 52 during a big win game, the game state after finishing the big win game is more advantageous to the player than the first advantageous state. a second advantageous state.

[1] Taxiway 30
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the guiding path 30 includes a main flow path 31 and branch flow paths 41 branched from the main flow path 31 . A game ball flowing down the main flow path 31 as it is flows down the second ball entry area 52 , and a game ball flowing down the branch flow path 41 flows down the first ball entry area 51 .

The main flow path 31 includes an introduction portion 32 , a rolling path 33 , and a drop portion 34 in this order from the upstream side of the main flow path 31 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , the lead-in portion 32 extends downward from a prize winning room 15</b>R arranged on the far side (rear side) of the big prize winning opening 15 . Specifically, the introduction part 32 communicates with an outlet formed in the floor wall of the winning room 15R, and guides the game ball received in the winning room 15R downward. A part of the introduction portion 31 is formed by the detection hole 321A of the ball detection switch 321. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rolling portion 33 extends from the lower end portion of the introduction portion 32 to one side in the left-right direction (the left side in this embodiment). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the floor wall 331 of the rolling part 33 has a curved portion 331A curved leftward as it goes downward, a terminal inclined portion 331C inclined rearwardly downward, are connected via the stepped portion 331B. The game ball flowing down the rolling portion 33 rolls on the floor wall 331 and is guided to the left.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rear wall 333 arranged on the rear side among the walls sandwiching the rolling portion 33 in the front and rear direction discharges the game ball that has rolled on the terminal inclined portion 331C from the rolling portion 33. A terminal opening 333K is formed to allow access. In addition, the end opening 333K is formed in a size that allows only one game ball to pass through.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the left end of the front wall 332 arranged on the front side among the walls sandwiching the rolling portion 33 in the front and rear direction is a rear guide portion that curves rearward as it goes to the left. 332A.

As shown in FIG. 12 , the falling portion 34 is formed in a substantially vertical straight line shape, and its upper end communicates with the terminal end (left end) of the rolling portion 33 . Specifically, the drop portion 34 is arranged on the rear side of the rolling portion 33 and communicates with the end opening 333K (see FIG. 4). And the drop part 34 drops the game ball discharged|emitted from terminal opening 333K of the rolling part 33 below.

As shown in FIG. 14(A), the cross section of the flow path of the drop portion 34 is formed to have a size through which only one game ball can pass. Specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the flow path of the drop portion 34 is formed in a substantially square shape, and the length of one side of the square is slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball.

As shown in FIG. 7, a first opening 341A is formed in a first opposing wall 341 located on the left side of the pair of opposing walls 340, 340 that face each other across the falling portion 34 on both sides. there is The height of the first opening 341A is greater than 1.5 game balls and less than 2 balls. The length of the first opening 341 in the front-rear direction is slightly larger than one game ball.

A second opening 342A is formed in the second opposing wall 342 arranged on the right side of the pair of opposing walls 340,340. The second opening 342A is arranged to face the first opening 341A. Specifically, the lower end of the second opening 342A is arranged at substantially the same height as the lower end of the first opening 341A, and the height of the second opening 342A is about the height of one game ball. . The length in the front-rear direction of the second opening 342A is substantially the same as the length in the front-rear direction of the first opening 341A.

A second ball detection sensor 54 is arranged below the drop section 34 , and the game ball that has dropped from the drop section 34 passes through a second detection hole 54 A of the second ball detection sensor 54 . The second detection hole 54A constitutes the second ball entry area 52 described above.

As shown in FIG. 7, the branch channel 41 slopes downward to the left, and its right end communicates with the first opening 341A.

The floor wall 411 of the branch channel 41 is inclined downward to the left from the lower edge of the first opening 341A. A discharge port 411A is formed at the left end of the floor wall 411 . A first ball detection sensor 53 is arranged below the discharge port 411A, and the game ball discharged from the discharge port 411A passes through the first detection hole 53A of the first ball detection sensor 53. The first detection hole 53A constitutes the first ball entry area 51 described above.

The ceiling wall 412 of the branch flow path 41 extends downward to the left from the upper edge of the first opening 341A. Specifically, the ceiling wall 412 includes an upstream curved portion 412A, an intermediate inclined portion 412B, and a downstream curved portion 412C in this order from the upstream side of the branch flow path 41 . The upstream curved portion 412A and the downstream curved portion 412C curve downward toward the left, and the intermediate inclined portion 412B is inclined downward to the left. Note that the inclination of the intermediate inclined portion 412B is larger than the inclination of the floor wall 411, and the height (length in the vertical direction) at the downstream end of the branched channel 41 is equal to the height at the upstream end of the branched channel 41. height (that is, the vertical length of the first opening 341A).

[2] Distribution member 60
As shown in FIG. 4 , game balls flowing down the guideway 30 are distributed to either the first ball entry area 51 or the second ball entry area 52 by the distribution member 60 . The distribution member 60 is driven by a distribution drive mechanism 70 shown in FIG. and a second distribution state (see FIG. 8) in which the ball is distributed to the second ball entry area 52 .

As shown in FIGS. 9A, 10A, and 11A, the distribution member 60 includes a disk-shaped rotation shaft portion 61 and a diameter from the rotation shaft portion 61. An arm portion 62 projecting in one direction, and a receiving projection projecting from the tip of the arm portion 62 in the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft portion 61 (the circumferential direction of a circle centered on the rotation shaft portion 61). a portion 63;

A center hole 61A is formed in the rotating shaft portion 61 . A spindle portion 343 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is inserted through the center hole 61A. The support shaft portion 343 is integrally formed with a portion of the second opposing wall 342 located above the second opening portion 342 and extends in the front-rear direction. The rotating shaft portion 61 is rotatable around the support shaft portion 343 .

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the arm portion 62 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and protrudes forward from the rotating shaft portion 61 . As shown in FIGS. 7 and 14(B), the arm portion 62 is arranged on the right side of the second opposing wall 342, and is a pair of front-rear facing arms that sandwich the falling portion 34 of the main flow passage 31 in the front-rear direction. It is arranged across the front and rear sides of the front-rear facing wall 345 arranged on the rear side of the walls 345 , 345 . A stepped portion 62</b>D is formed on the surface of the arm portion 62 facing the front side so that the side far from the rotation shaft portion 61 protrudes forward in a stepped manner.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the receiving protrusion 63 protrudes clockwise from the front end of the arm 62 (the end on the far side from the rotation shaft 61). ing. Further, as shown in FIG. 14B, the receiving protrusion 63 protrudes from the portion near the front end of the arm portion 62 and is disposed forward of the front-rear facing wall 345 on the rear side.

As shown in FIGS. 9(A) and 10(A), the surface of the receiving protrusion 63 facing the rotating shaft portion 61 is a ball receiving surface 64 . The ball receiving surface 64 is provided with a plurality of steps of inclination so that the ball receiving surface 64 separates from the rotating shaft portion 61 as it separates from the arm portion 62 . Specifically, the ball receiving surface 64 includes a tip inclined portion 64A formed at the tip portion of the receiving protrusion 63 and a base end inclined portion 64B continuous with the tip inclined portion 64A. Both the distal inclined portion 64A and the proximal inclined portion 64B are inclined away from the rotation shaft portion 61 as they are separated from the arm portion 62, and the inclination angle of the proximal inclined portion 64B is larger than the inclined angle of the distal inclined portion 64A. ing.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the distribution drive mechanism 70 includes a solenoid 71, a movable iron core 72, and a power transmission member 73. As shown in FIG. The solenoid 71 is of a pull type, and when the solenoid 71 is energized (turned ON), the movable iron core 72 is pulled as shown in the change from FIG. 10(A) to FIG. 10(B). It is attracted by the solenoid 71 .

A flange 72</b>F is formed at one end of the movable iron core 72 , and a coil spring 74 is interposed between the flange 72</b>F and the solenoid 71 . The movable iron core 72 is biased by a coil spring 74 in a direction in which the flange 72</b>F moves away from the solenoid 71 . The power transmission member 73 is attached to the flange 72</b>F of the movable iron core 72 and moves integrally with the movable iron core 72 .

As shown in FIG. 11A, the power transmission member 73 is provided with an engagement hole 73A. An engagement pin 60P provided on the rotation shaft portion 61 of the distribution member 60 is inserted through the engagement hole 73A. Then, when the solenoid 71 is energized and the power transmission member 73 moves, the power is transmitted to the rotation shaft portion 61, and as shown in the change from FIG. 11(A) to FIG. The member 60 rotates about the center hole 61A of the rotation shaft portion 61. As shown in FIG.

When the solenoid 71 is in a non-energized state, the distribution member 60 is arranged at the projecting position shown in FIGS. 7, 9A, 10A and 11A. When the distribution member 60 is arranged at the projecting position, the arm portion 62 hangs downward from the rotating shaft portion 61 and is arranged along the falling portion 34, and the receiving projection portion 63 is positioned at the second opening portion. It rushes into the drop portion 34 through 342A (see FIGS. 7 and 9A).

When the solenoid 71 is energized, the movable iron core 72 is driven, and the distribution member 60 is placed at the retracted position shown in FIGS. 8, 9B, 10B and 11B. be. When the distribution member 60 is arranged at the retracted position, the arm portion 62 extends downward to the right from the rotation shaft portion 61 and moves away from the falling portion 34 toward the downstream side of the falling portion 34 . 34. The receiving protrusion 63 retreats to the back side of the second opening 342A and is removed from the falling portion 342 (see FIGS. 8 and 9B).

As shown in FIG. 7, when the distribution member 60 is arranged at the projecting position, the receiving projection 63 blocks the falling portion 34 and abuts against the first opening 341A. In this state, the game ball falling down the drop portion 34 is received by the receiving protrusion 63 (more specifically, the ball receiving surface 64 (see FIG. 9A)) and is directed to the first opening 341A. Induced. The game ball guided to the first opening 341A flows down the first ball entry area 51 through the branch flow path 41 . That is, when the distribution member 60 is arranged at the projecting position, the distribution member 60 enters the first distribution state in which the game balls falling from the drop section 34 are distributed to the first ball entering area 51 .

As shown in FIG. 8 , when the distribution member 60 is arranged at the retracted position, the receiving protrusion 63 is disengaged outside (to the right in this embodiment) of the drop section 34 . In this state, the game ball falling down the falling part 34 falls down the falling part 34 as it is without being received by the receiving protrusion 63 and flows down the second ball entering area 52 . That is, the distribution member 60 is in the second distribution state in which the game balls falling down the drop section 34 are distributed to the second ball entering area 52 when arranged at the projecting position.

In this embodiment, the receiving protrusion 63 of the distribution member 60 moves in the left-right direction intersecting the extending direction of the falling portion 34 to approach or separate from the first opposing wall 341 . Therefore, when the distribution member 60 moves to the projecting position, a game ball may be pinched between the distribution member 60 and the first opposing wall 341, resulting in ball biting. However, in the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, the receiving protrusion 63 of the distribution member 60 arranged at the protrusion position abuts against the first opening 341A. The pinching of the ball is suppressed, and the occurrence of ball biting is suppressed.

More specifically, when the distribution member 60 is arranged at the projecting position, the distance between the tip of the receiving protrusion 63 and the upper edge of the first opening 341A is larger than one game ball. , 1.5 or less. This allows the game ball received by the receiving protrusion 63 to smoothly enter the branch flow path 41 . In addition, the curved portion of the upstream curved portion 412A of the ceiling wall 412 of the branch flow path 41 acts as a relief portion for avoiding interference with the game ball.

Further, when the distribution member 60 is arranged at the projecting position, the distance between the tip of the receiving protrusion 63 and the lower edge of the opening of the first opening 341A is less than 0.5 game balls. there is As a result, the entry of the game ball between the receiving projection 63 and the floor wall 411 is suppressed, and the ball biting between the receiving projection 63 and the floor wall 411 is suppressed.

[3] Isolation means 80
In the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, the first opposing wall 341 , which is one of the pair of opposing walls 340 and 340 sandwiching the falling portion 34 of the main channel 31 , communicates with the branch channel 41 . A first opening portion 341A is formed, and a second opening portion 342A serving as an entrance and exit of the receiving projection portion 63 of the distribution member 60 is formed in the second opposing wall 342 which is the other opposing wall 340 . In such a configuration of the game machine 10, when the distribution member 60 is in the second distribution state and the game ball falling down the drop section 34 is dropped as it is without being guided to the branch flow path 41, The game ball enters the second opening 342A, bounces off the lower edge of the opening of the second opening 342A and enters the branch flow path 41, and does not enter the second ball entering area 52. Ball errors can occur. In particular, in the present embodiment, the rolling portion 33 that guides the game ball to the drop portion 34 in the main flow path 31 rolls the game ball to the left, and the second opposing wall 342 having the second opening 342A is designed to allow the game ball to drop. Since it is arranged on the right side of the portion 34, the game ball that rolls on the rolling portion 33 collides with the first opposing wall 341, making it easier for the game ball to approach the second opening 342A. there is Therefore, the game machine 10 is provided with an isolating means 80 for keeping the game ball falling from the drop portion 34 away from the second opening 342A in order to suppress the ball entry error.

As shown in FIGS. 14(A) and 14(B), the isolating means 80 is a game ball falling from the falling portion 34 (indicated by two-dot chain lines in FIGS. 14(A) and 14(B)). ) on the side of the second opposing wall 342 (that is, on the right side). The isolating means 80 keeps the game ball away from the second opening 342A by abutting the game ball falling from the falling portion 34 from the second opposing wall 342 side.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the isolation means 80 is composed of an isolation rail 81 extending vertically. The upper end of the isolation rail 81 is arranged below the rolling portion 33, and the lower end of the isolation rail 81 is arranged at approximately the same height as the lower edge of the second opening 342A. More specifically, the upper end of the isolation rail 81 extends from the rearward extension surface (indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 13) of the upper surface of the terminal inclined portion 331C of the floor wall 331 of the rolling portion 33. placed below. The upper end of the isolation rail 81 is tapered downward toward the first opposing wall 341 .

As shown in FIG. 14(A), the isolation rail 81 is formed by a ridge protruding from the rear surface of the front-rear facing wall 345 disposed on the front side of the front-rear facing walls 345, 345 sandwiching the falling portion 34 in the front-rear direction. It is configured. Then, it overlaps the front end portion of the second opposing wall 342 from the inside of the falling portion 34 . Here, the isolation rail 81 may be arranged with no space between it and the second opposing wall 342, or may be arranged with a space therebetween. The isolation rail 81 overlaps the outer edge of the second detection hole 54A of the second ball detection sensor 54 when viewed from above.

By the way, the isolation rail 81 is formed in the front-rear facing wall 345 on the front side, so that it is arranged in the portion near the front end inside the falling portion 34 . As a result, the game ball falling down the falling part 34 can easily pass through the rear part of the falling part 34.例文帳に追加Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14(B), the receiving protrusion 63 of the distribution member 60 is arranged closer to the rear side of the falling portion 34, thereby receiving the game ball. is stabilized.

As described above, in the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, the isolation rail 81 can abut against the game ball that has fallen from the drop portion 34 from the second opposing wall 342 side. 342A is suppressed, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a ball-entering error in which the game ball to enter the second ball-entering area 52 does not enter the second ball-entering area 52.例文帳に追加Moreover, since the isolation rail 81 extends along the drop portion 34 , it is possible to drop the game ball while keeping it away from the second opposing wall 342 .

In addition, in this embodiment, the isolation rail 81 is superimposed on the second opening 342A from the inside of the falling portion 34, so when the game ball falls beside the second opening 342A, the second opening 342A Approaching 342 is suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the isolation rail 81 overlaps the portion of the second opposing wall 342 that is located above the second opening 342A from the inside of the falling portion 34, so that the second opening 342A It can be kept away from the second opposing wall 342 on the upper side. Therefore, even if the isolation rail 81 does not overlap the second opening 342A, when the game ball falls beside the second opening 342A, the game ball enters the second opening 342A. is suppressed.

[Regarding technical features extracted from the above embodiment]
Hereinafter, features extracted from the above-described embodiments will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following description, for ease of understanding, 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 parentheses or the like.

<Characteristic group A>
The following feature group A relates to the gaming machine. With respect to the background art that "whether or not the game ball enters the V winning slot is sorted by the shutter that slides open and close." A game ball is sometimes caught between the wall portion arranged ahead, and it is required to suppress the occurrence of ball biting."

[Feature A1]
a main channel (main channel 31) through which game balls can flow down one by one;
a pair of opposing walls (facing walls 340) that face each other across the main channel;
a first opening (first opening 341A) formed in one of the pair of opposing walls (first opposing wall 341);
a branch channel (branch channel 41) communicating with the first opening and branching from the main channel;
A distribution member (distribution member) that changes between a first distribution state in which the game balls flowing down the main flow path flow down to the branch flow path and a second distribution state in which the game balls flow down to the main flow path as they are. member 60);
A game machine (game machine 10 ) in
The other opposing wall (second opposing wall 342) of the pair of opposing walls is provided with a second opening (second opposing wall 342A) facing the first opening,
The sorting member is movable between a retracted position in which it is retracted to the back side of the second opening and a protruding position in which it protrudes from the second opening. A gaming machine that enters a distributed state and enters the second distributed state when arranged at the retracted position.

In the configuration shown in this feature, the distribution member retracts or protrudes toward the back side of the second opening facing the first opening. According to this configuration, even if the sorting member enters the first sorting state and jumps out from the second opening, the first opening waits in front of the sorting member. Ball biting by is suppressed.

[Feature A2]
The distribution member has a ball receiving surface (ball receiving surface 64) capable of receiving a game ball flowing down the main flow path when arranged at the projecting position,
The ball receiving surface has a plurality of steps of inclination (tip The game machine according to feature A1, provided with an inclined portion 64A and a base end inclined portion 64B).

In the configuration shown in this feature, the distribution member arranged at the protruding position catches the game balls flowing down the main flow path and makes it easier to flow down to the branch flow path. In addition, as a specific configuration of this feature, a plurality of inclined portions that are inclined toward the downstream side of the main flow path as the first opening is approached are provided, and the plurality of inclined portions are arranged in the projecting direction of the distribution member. , and the inclination angle of the inclined portion on the side closer to the first opening (i.e., the side of the protruding tip) is made smaller than the inclination angle of the inclined portion on the side farther from the first opening (i.e., the side farther from the protruding tip) are mentioned.

[Feature A3]
The distribution member is
a rotation shaft portion (rotation shaft portion 61) extending along a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the main flow path and the facing direction of the pair of opposing walls;
a protruding portion (arm portion 62) protruding from the rotating shaft portion in the rotating radial direction;
a receiving projection (receiving projection 63) projecting from the projecting portion in the rotation direction of the rotation shaft,
The protruding portion is arranged along the main flow path when the distribution member is arranged at the projecting position, and is arranged along the main flow path when the distribution member is arranged at the retracted position. inclined so as to move away from the main flow path as it moves away from the driving shaft;
The receiving protrusion projects into the main flow path through the second opening when the distribution member is arranged at the projecting position, and when the distribution member is arranged at the retracted position. 3. The game machine according to claim 1 or 2, arranged on the far side of said second opening.

The distribution member may be configured to be linearly movable or may be configured to be rotatable. In particular, in the latter case, with the configuration shown in this feature, when the distribution member moves from the retracted position to the projecting position, it becomes easier to scoop up the game ball with the receiving protrusion.

[Feature A4]
4. Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a portion of the opening edge of the second opening that is arranged on the upstream side of the main flow path is inclined with respect to the extending direction of the main flow path. or the gaming machine according to item 1.

In the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to suppress the game ball from being caught between the distribution member and the opening edge of the second opening.

[Feature A5]
The main flow path includes a rolling portion (rolling portion 33) for rolling the game ball so as to descend to one side in the first horizontal direction, and a game ball connected to the lower end portion of the rolling portion to drop the game ball. A falling portion (falling portion 34) that causes
the pair of opposing walls are opposed in the first horizontal direction;
The first opening is formed in a first opposing wall (first opposing wall 341) arranged on one side in the first horizontal direction of the pair of opposing walls, and the second opening is , formed on a second opposing wall (second opposing wall 342) arranged on the other side in the first horizontal direction of the pair of opposing walls,
Characteristic A1 to A4, further comprising isolation means (isolation means 80) for keeping the game ball falling from the falling part away from the second opposing wall and restricting the game ball from entering the second opening. The gaming machine according to any one of

According to the configuration shown in this feature, in a state in which the distribution member is arranged at the retracted position, the game ball enters the second opening or bounces off the lower edge of the opening of the second opening to the first opening It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a ball entry error in which the game ball for entering the ball entry area does not enter the ball entry area. It should be noted that "the game ball enters the second opening" in this feature includes the entry of part of the game ball.

[Feature A6]
The isolating means protrudes from a portion of the second opposing wall disposed above the second opening or overlaps the portion from the inside of the main flow path and falls down the falling portion. The game machine according to feature A5, which is composed of a ball contact portion (separation rail 81) capable of contacting a ball.

[Feature A7]
The isolation means is composed of a ball contact portion (isolation rail 81) that is superimposed on the second opening from the inside of the main flow path and can contact a game ball falling down the drop portion. The gaming machine according to feature A5.

In the configuration shown in feature A6 or feature A7, it becomes easier to keep the game ball away from the second opposing wall.

[Feature A8]
The gaming machine according to feature A6 or A7, wherein the ball contact portion has at least one rail (isolation rail 81) extending in the vertical direction.

In the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to allow the game ball to flow down while being kept away from the second opposing wall.

[Feature A9]
a channel (main channel 31) through which game balls can flow down one by one;
A pair of opposing walls (facing walls 340) that face each other across the flow path,
A game machine (game machine 10) having a first opening (first opening 341A) formed in one of the pair of opposing walls (first opposing wall 341),
A retracted position in which a second opening (second opening 342A) formed in the other opposing wall (second opposing wall 342) of the pair of opposing walls is retracted to the depth side, and a projection protruding from the second opening has a moving member (distribution member 60) that can move between positions,
The game machine, wherein the first opening is abutted against the moving member arranged at the projecting position.

In the configuration shown in this feature, even if the moving member is arranged at the projecting position and protrudes from the second opening, the moving member abuts against the first opening, so ball engagement by the moving member is suppressed.

The configuration shown in feature A9 may be combined with the configurations shown in features A1 to A8.

The feature group A may include the following embodiments.

(a1) As shown in FIG. 15, the distributing member 60 is rectilinearly moved in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the falling portion 34 to retreat to the back side of the second opening portion 342A; 2 and a protruding position protruding from the opening 342A.

(a2) As shown in FIG. 16, the arrangement of the rolling parts 33 may be left-right reversed. In this case, a configuration without the isolating means 80 (see FIGS. 12 to 14) may be employed.

(a3) As shown in FIG. 17, the upper edge of the second opening 342A may be inclined forwardly or rearwardly (FIG. 17 shows an example in which it is inclined rearwardly). ). This suppresses ball engagement between the receiving protrusion 63 of the distribution member 60 and the upper edge of the second opening 342A.

(a4) The ball receiving surface 64 of the receiving protrusion 63 may include only the tip inclined portion 64A as the inclined portion, or may 61) may be provided with a curved portion that is curved to face one side. In addition, when the distribution member 60 is arranged at the projecting position, the curved portion is arranged so as to face the first opening 341A toward the downstream side of the falling portion 34 .

<Characteristic group B>
The following feature group B relates to the game machine, "In the game machine of Patent Document B (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-163614 (paragraph [0224], FIG. 11, FIG. 12), V A normal ball entrance is provided at the end of a fork path laterally branched from the drop path, and game balls are V-winning by means of a shutter member provided at the branched portion from the side guide path. With respect to the background art of "Entering a ball into either the mouth or the normal ball entrance.", "In the gaming machine of Patent Document B, a game ball for entering the V winning mouth does not enter the V winning mouth." Errors sometimes occurred, and there was a need to improve ball entry errors.”

[Feature B1]
a main channel (main channel 31) through which game balls can flow down one by one;
In a gaming machine (gaming machine 10) having a ball entry area (second ball entry area 52) into which a game ball that has flowed down the main flow path can enter,
At least one opposing wall (second opposing wall 342) of a pair of opposing walls (facing walls 340) that face each other across the main flow path has an opening (second opening 342A) into which a game ball can enter. ) is formed and
A gaming machine comprising isolation means (isolation means 80) for keeping game balls flowing down the main flow path away from the one opposing wall.

According to the configuration shown in this feature, the game ball flowing down the main flow path is suppressed from entering the opening, and the game ball for entering the ball entering area does not enter the ball entering area. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of errors. It should be noted that the "opening into which game balls can enter" in this feature includes those into which part of game balls can enter.

[Feature B2]
The isolating means protrudes from a portion of the one opposing wall that is arranged on the upstream side of the main flow passage relative to the opening, or overlaps the portion from the inside of the main flow passage to form the main flow path. The game machine according to feature B1, which is composed of a ball contact portion (separation rail 81) capable of coming into contact with a game ball that has flowed down the flow path.

[Feature B3]
The isolating means is composed of a ball abutting portion (separating rail 81) that is superimposed on the second opening from the inside of the main flow path and capable of coming into contact with a game ball that has flowed down the main flow path. The gaming machine according to feature B1.

In the configuration shown in feature B2 or B3, it becomes easier to keep the game ball away from one opposing wall.

[Feature B4]
The gaming machine according to feature B2 or B3, wherein the ball contact portion has at least one rail (isolation rail 81) extending along the main flow path.

In the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to allow the game ball to flow down while being kept away from one opposing wall.

[Feature B5]
The main flow path includes a rolling portion (rolling portion 33) for rolling the game ball so as to descend to one side in the first horizontal direction, and a game ball connected to the lower end portion of the rolling portion to drop the game ball. A falling portion (falling portion 34) that causes
the pair of opposing walls are opposed in the first horizontal direction;
The gaming machine according to any one of characteristics B1 to B4, wherein the opening is formed in an opposing wall arranged on the other side in the first horizontal direction of the pair of opposing walls.

In the configuration shown in this feature, the game ball that has rolled on one side in the first horizontal direction at the rolling portion is bounced off the opposing wall arranged on one side in the first horizontal direction and is bounced to the opposing wall on the other side. Entry into the formed opening is suppressed.

Note that the features shown in the feature group B may be combined with the features shown in the feature group A.

Features B may include the following embodiments.

(b1) As shown in FIG. 18, the distribution member 60 may be a shutter member that slides back and forth to open and close the second detection hole 54A of the second ball detection sensor 54. As shown in FIG. In this case, the second opening 342A becomes unnecessary. Moreover, it is preferable that the rolling part 33 is arranged in a left-right reversed manner. Separating means 80 (see FIGS. 12 to 14) keeps the game ball falling down the drop section 34 away from the first opening 341A of the first opposing wall 341. As shown in FIG.

(b2) The isolation rail 81 may overlap only a portion of the second opposing wall 342 above the second opening 342A, or may overlap only the second opening 342A.

(b3) The isolation rail 81 may be formed on the second opposing wall 342 (see FIG. 19), or may be formed on the front-rear opposing wall 345 on the rear side. In the latter case, the receiving projections 63 of the distribution member 60 may be arranged forwardly in the falling portion 34 .

(b4) A plurality of isolation rails 81 may be provided in the width direction (front-rear direction) of the second opposing wall 342 . In that case, the plurality of isolation rails 81 may be formed on the second opposing wall 342 (see FIG. 19), or may be formed on each of the pair of front and rear opposing walls 345 , 345 .

(b5) The isolation means 80 may further include protrusions (e.g., projections, bumps, bosses, ribs, etc.) formed on the second opposing wall 342 or the front-rear opposing walls 345, or may be composed only of the protrusions. may When the protrusion is formed on the front-rear facing wall 345 , the protrusion may be formed on either the front-rear facing wall 345 or the rear-rear facing front-rear wall 345 . In addition, the number of protrusions may be one or plural.

(b6) The isolating means 80 may be composed of a magnet that is embedded in the first opposing wall 341 and attracts the game ball to the first opposing wall 341, for example. The magnetic force of this magnet may be adjusted to a strength that does not prevent the game ball from falling.

10 game machine 31 main channel 33 rolling part 34 falling part 41 branch channel 51 first ball entry area 52 second ball entry area 60 distribution member 80 separating means 341 first opposing wall 341A first opening 342 second second Opposing wall 342A Second opening

Claims (1)

a downflow path through which game balls can flow down;
a branch path branching from the downflow path into which a game ball can enter;
A protruding position that protrudes into the downflow path and guides the game ball flowing down the downflow path to the branch path, and a retracted position that is retracted from the protruding position and allows the game ball to continue to flow down the downflow path. a movable sorting member,
When the distribution member is arranged at the protruding position, the distribution member protrudes from a position facing the entrance of the branch passage into the downflow passage,
a wall portion surrounding the downflow passage;
an opening formed in the wall surface for projecting the distribution member into the downflow path at the projecting position;
A game having at least one rail projecting from the wall surface portion and extending in the vertical direction and contacting a game ball flowing down the flow path from the upstream side of the opening to keep the game ball away from the opening. machine.

Images