JP7272995B2 - game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines.

As a game machine, a pachinko game machine having a game board, a shooting device, and the like is known. In a pachinko machine, a game ball (game medium) is shot into a game area provided in front of a game board, and the game ball enters a prize winning opening provided in the game area. higher profits are awarded. A predetermined game machine represented by such a game machine is provided with a tray for storing game balls, and it is possible to discharge the game balls from the tray based on button operation (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2005-160568

By the way, conventional gaming machines have had a problem of poor operability for some operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can be operated comfortably.

In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine of the present invention
a first hole through which the game ball can be discharged from the saucer;
a second hole through which the game ball can be discharged from the receiving tray;
a first opening/closing means capable of opening and closing the first hole;
a second opening/closing means capable of opening and closing the second hole;
a first operating means for receiving an operation to move the first opening/closing means;
a second operation means for receiving an operation to move the second opening/closing means;
the second hole is larger than the first hole,
The first operation means is an operation amount less than the diameter of the game ball, and puts the game ball in a state in which the game ball can pass through the first hole,
The second operation means is an operation amount less than the diameter of the game ball, and puts the game ball in a state in which the game ball can pass through the second hole,
A ratio of the operation amount smaller than the diameter to the maximum operation amount in the second operation means is smaller than a ratio of the operation amount smaller than the diameter to the maximum operation amount in the first operation means.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine of the present invention
a first hole capable of discharging the game ball from the first receiving tray;
a second hole capable of discharging the game ball from the second receiving tray;
a first opening/closing means capable of opening and closing the first hole;
a second opening/closing means capable of opening and closing the second hole;
a first operating means for receiving an operation to move the first opening/closing means;
a second operation means for receiving an operation to move the second opening/closing means;
the second hole is larger than the first hole,
The first operation means is an operation amount less than the diameter of the game ball, and puts the game ball in a state in which the game ball can pass through the first hole,
The second operation means is an operation amount less than the diameter of the game ball, and puts the game ball in a state in which the game ball can pass through the second hole,
A ratio of the operation amount smaller than the diameter to the maximum operation amount in the second operation means is smaller than a ratio of the operation amount smaller than the diameter to the maximum operation amount in the first operation means.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the amount of operation of the first operating means or the second operating means required to eject the game ball from the first hole or the second hole. Therefore, it is possible to remove the ball from the tray with a small amount of operation, so that the burden of operation can be reduced. Further, according to such a configuration, the ratio of the operation amount smaller than the diameter to the maximum operation amount in the second operation means is smaller than the ratio of the operation amount smaller than the diameter to the maximum operation amount in the first operation means. Therefore, it is possible to give the feeling that the game ball can be ejected more quickly by operating the second operating means. Therefore, when more than a predetermined amount of game balls are stored in the tray and the tray is full (when a full tank error occurs), ball removal can be performed efficiently when quick ball removal is desired. It is possible to provide a sensory motivation for prompting the user to operate the second operating means.

According to the game machine of the present invention, it can be operated comfortably.

1 is a perspective view showing an example of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. Similarly, it is the figure which looked at the game board from the front side. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the tray unit of the same; Similarly, it is the figure which looked at the tray unit from the back side. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the downstream ball extracting unit of the same; It is a figure for demonstrating the closed state of a downstream ball extraction hole equally. It is a figure for demonstrating the open state of a downstream ball extraction hole equally. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the upstream ball removing unit of the same; It is a figure for demonstrating the closed state of an upstream ball extraction hole equally. It is a figure for demonstrating the open state of an upstream ball extraction hole equally. Similarly, it is a diagram for explaining the state of the upstream side ball extraction hole when the upstream side ball extraction button is operated a predetermined amount less than the diameter of the game ball. Similarly, it is the figure which looked at the lower part of the gaming machine from the lower side.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko game machine, which is one of game machines, will be described, but other game machines (for example, slot machines, medalless game machines, etc.) may be used. In the following explanation, "front and back" basically means that the player is "front" and the pachinko machine is "back" when the player is on the front side of the pachinko machine, and "up and down" means "up and down". means that the top side of the pachinko machine is "top" and the bottom side is "bottom", and "left and right" means that the left hand side of the player is "left" and the right hand side is "right". It should be noted that, within the scope of the invention, the present invention can freely combine each configuration, arbitrarily modify each configuration, or omit each configuration.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a pachinko game machine 1 according to this embodiment. The gaming machine of the present embodiment performs a game using game balls (game media) rented from a gaming arcade. , a game board 6 that forms a game area 4 in which game balls move, a glass unit 8 that makes the game board 6 visible to the player but inaccessible to the player, and a front frame 10 to which the glass unit 8 is attached. ing.
Incidentally, the diameter of the game ball used in the gaming machine of this embodiment is approximately 11 mm.

A portion of the front frame 10 surrounding the glass unit 8 is made of a translucent material that transmits light. A plurality of front frame lamps (illumination devices) 12 for outputting are provided.

A design member (lighting device) 13 elongated in the left-right direction is provided on the upper portion of the front frame 10 . Further, the design member 13 is arranged so as to protrude forward so that its front surface is located forward of the game area 4 and the glass unit 8 . The design member 13 is provided with a logo representing the model name, etc., and the logo is illuminated by an LED board provided inside.

In addition, the front frame 10 is provided with a plurality of speakers 14 for outputting production sounds and the like for livening up the game.

A tray 16 for storing game balls is provided in the lower center of the front frame 10, and the game balls are paid out from the gaming machine to the player on the left side of the inner side surface (rear surface 16e) of the tray 16. A payout port 18 is provided for the purpose. A supply port 22 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) for supplying game balls from the tray 16 to the shooting device is provided on the right side of the inner side surface (back surface 16e) of the tray 16. As shown in FIG.

A grip unit 20 is provided on the lower right side of the front frame 10. When the player performs an operation to rotate the grip unit 20 clockwise toward the gaming machine, a grip unit (not shown) provided inside the gaming machine is rotated clockwise. A shooting device is operated to shoot game balls into the game area 4.例文帳に追加The shooting device of this embodiment can shoot 99 game balls per minute (1.65 game balls per second).

A performance operation device 26 is provided on the near side of the edge of the tray 16, and when the player operates the performance operation device 26, the performance performed by the game machine changes.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the external configuration of the game board 6 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 6 is provided with a circular outer rail 28, and an area surrounded by the outer rail 28 serves as a game area 4 in which game balls move. In addition, at the left end of the game area 4, an inner rail 30 is provided in an arc shape along the outer rail 28. The outer rail 28 and the inner rail 30 are provided below the game board 6 (not shown). A game ball shot from a shooting device is guided to a game area 4. - 特許庁

In the central part of the game board 6, a liquid crystal display 32 for displaying a performance image or the like for livening up the game, and a performance unit 36 having a display frame 34 formed so as to surround the liquid crystal display 32 are provided. A design member 38 is provided on the display frame 34 . In this embodiment, the design member 38 is provided above the liquid crystal display 32, but the position of the design member 38 is not limited to this.

In this embodiment, the game ball cannot pass through the front side of the liquid crystal display 32, and the game ball shot from the shooting device can pass through either the left side game area 4 or the right side game area 4 of the liquid crystal display 32. It is designed to fall. In the game area 4, a large number of game nails (not shown) are nailed so as to intersect the surface of the game board 6, so that the moving direction of the game balls moving in the game area 4 changes at random. .

In the left part of the display frame 34, an opening 40 is formed through which game balls falling in the game area 4 on the left side of the liquid crystal display 32 can pass. The liquid crystal display 32 passes through the passage 42 and falls onto a stage 44 provided below the liquid crystal display 32 . The upper surface of the stage 44 is a smoothly curved surface, and a gap is formed between the stage 44 and the glass unit 8 to allow game balls to fall downward from the stage 44, and drop onto the stage 44 from the passage 42. After the game ball hits the stage 44 and reciprocates left and right, it falls downward from the vicinity of the central portion of the stage 44. - 特許庁

A first starting prize opening 46 is provided below the central portion of the stage 44 .
A passage gate 48 is provided in the game area 4 on the right side of the liquid crystal display 32 . In addition, a second start winning opening 50 is provided below the passage gate 48 . This second start winning port 50 has a reduced state (state without assisting entry/non-assisted state) in which game balls are difficult to enter into the second start winning prize port 50 and an enlarged state (entry is assisted) in which game balls easily enter A normal accessory 52 is provided that includes an auxiliary member that can operate between (state and auxiliary state).

In the game area 4 on the right side of the liquid crystal display 32, a large winning opening 54 is provided below the second starting winning opening 50. - 特許庁A special accessory 56 having a movable member that closes the big winning opening 54 is provided in the big winning opening 54 . The special accessory 56 is operable between a closed state in which game balls cannot enter the big winning opening 54 and an open state in which game balls can enter the big winning opening 54 (see FIG. 2). closed). The special accessory 56 is controlled to be open under a predetermined condition in a special game state which is started when a jackpot is won.

Below the big prize opening 54, a big prize passage 58 is provided downward. A normal entrance 62 is provided at the lower end of the big winning passage 58 . Further, a specific path 65 is provided below the big winning path 58 so as to branch downward from the middle of the big winning path 58 . This specific path 65 is provided with a specific accessory 66 having a movable member that closes the specific path 65 . The specific accessory 66 is operable between a closed state in which game balls cannot enter the specific path 65 and an open state in which game balls can enter the specific path 65 (FIG. 2 shows a closed state ). The specific accessory 66 is controlled to be in an open state under predetermined conditions in the special game state. A specific entrance 68 is provided at the lower end of the specific passage 65 . In addition, at the bottom of the game area 4, an out port 69 is provided for collecting game balls that have fallen in the game area 4 without entering any of the winning openings into the inside of the game machine.

The game ball shooting device is configured so that the shooting force of the game ball is changed by adjusting the amount of rotation of the grip unit (operating handle) 20 shown in FIG. 1, and the amount of rotation of the grip unit 20 is small. In this case, the game ball is shot so that it falls in the game area 4 on the left side of the liquid crystal display 32, and when the amount of rotation of the grip unit 20 is large, the game ball falls in the game area 4 on the right side of the liquid crystal display 32. A game ball is launched so as to fall.

The player adjusts the amount of rotation of the grip unit 20 according to the game situation, and the game ball falls through the left game area 4, or passes through the opening 40, the passage 42 and the stage 44, and enters the first starting winning opening. 46, the game ball is shot (left-handed), the game ball falls through the game area 4 on the right side, and the game ball passes through the passage gate 48, or into the second start winning opening 50. A game ball is shot so as to enter the game ball or to enter the big winning hole 54 (right-handed hitting).

At the lower right portion of the game board 6 and outside the game area 4, there is provided a state display section 70 that indicates various states of the game machine by lighting and extinguishing lamps and the like. The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by a control board including a main board and sub-boards. The functions of each board such as the main board and sub-boards are implemented by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM (an example of information storage medium), or RAM. It is realized by software consisting of a given program pre-stored in, for example.

The main board receives an input signal from an input means (first starting winning gate sensor, passing gate sensor, second starting winning gate sensor, big winning gate sensor, normal entrance sensor, specific path sensor, payout sensor, etc.). , various calculations for executing the game are performed, and based on the calculation results, the output means (status display drive device, normal accessory drive device, special accessory drive device, specific accessory drive device, payout device, etc.) Controls motion.

The sub board receives commands sent from the main board and input signals from the effect operation sensor that detects operations on the effect operation device 26, and performs various calculations for executing effects in accordance with the progress of the game. , and based on the calculation result, the operation of the production device (production display device, sound device, production drive device, etc.) is controlled.

A tray unit 100 is provided in the lower portion of the front frame 10 . 3 and 4, the tray unit 100 includes a tray member 110 forming the front surface 16a, the lower surface 16b and the left and right side surfaces 16c and 16d of the tray 16, and a base member (plate member) forming the rear surface 16e of the tray 16. shaped member) 111, a downstream side ball extraction unit (first ball extraction unit) 112 and an upstream side ball extraction unit (second ball extraction unit) 113 for discharging game balls stored in the tray 16, and a tray 16 It has a first path 114 and a second path 115 through which game balls ejected from the tray pass, and a button arrangement portion 116 that constitutes the right portion of the upper surface of the receiving tray unit 100 and in which various buttons are arranged.
The button arrangement portion 116 is provided with a ball rental button (not shown), a return button 91, a direction key 92, a volume adjustment button 93, a light amount adjustment button 94, and the like (see FIG. 1). Here, the ball lending button is a button operated when lending a game ball. Also, the return button 91 is a button operated when the game ball owned by the player is discharged to the receiving tray 16 . Also, the direction key 92 is a button that is operated when making selections related to effects. A volume adjustment button 93 and a light amount adjustment button 94 are buttons operated when adjusting the volume or the light amount, respectively.

A game ball lent to a player (rental ball) or a game ball obtained by winning a prize (prize ball) is stored in the tray 16. - 特許庁That is, the game balls discharged from the payout port 18 are stored in the tray 16 . As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom surface 16b of the tray 16 is inclined downward from the left side to the right side. Further, the width of the receiving plate 16 in the front-rear direction becomes narrower from the left side to the right side (from the upper side to the lower side). The game balls discharged to the receiving tray 16 are arranged in a line and head toward the lower right portion of the receiving tray 16. - 特許庁In other words, an alignment passage 103 for aligning game balls in a row is formed in the lower right portion of the tray 16 . In addition, a downstream ball extraction hole 118 (first hole) is formed at the lower right end of the alignment passage 103 (receptacle 16) as a hole (ball extraction hole) through which game balls can be discharged from the reception tray 16. .

In addition, on the left side of the bottom surface 16b of the tray 16, an upstream ball removal hole 119 (second hole) is formed as a hole (ball removal hole) through which game balls can be discharged from the tray 16. Further, the upstream ball extraction hole 119 is provided in front of the payout port 18 and at least partially overlaps with the payout port 18 in the front-rear direction.

The downstream ball removal hole 118 and the upstream ball removal hole 119 have an open state and a closed state, respectively. In the open state, the ball extraction holes 118 and 119 are in an open state, and game balls can drop through the ball extraction holes 118 and 119. In the closed state, the ball extraction holes 118 and 119 are blocked by the downstream ball extraction unit 112 or the upstream ball extraction unit 113, and the game balls fall through the ball extraction holes 118 and 119. becomes impossible.
It should be noted that the term "closed" as used herein does not only indicate the state in which the ball extraction holes 118 and 119 are closed without gaps, but means the state in which the game balls cannot pass through.

The downstream ball removal unit 112 is provided corresponding to the downstream ball removal hole 118 . By operating the downstream side ball removal unit 112, the downstream side ball removal hole 118 can be switched between an open state and a closed state. Also, the upstream ball removal unit 113 is provided corresponding to the upstream ball removal hole 119 . By operating the upstream ball removal unit 113, the upstream ball removal hole 119 can be switched between an open state and a closed state.

As shown in FIG. 5, the downstream ball extractor unit 112 includes a downstream ball extractor button 120 (first button: first operating means), a link member 122, a slide member 124, and a downstream lid 125 ( A first lid (first opening/closing means), a pin 126 and a spring 128 are provided. In addition, portions of the base member 111 and the like to which the downstream ball extractor button 120, the link member 122, the slide member 124, the spring 128 and the like are attached (protrusions 200, 202, 202 and base member side hooks 204 and the like, which will be described later) It can be said that it constitutes part of the downstream ball removing unit 112 .

The downstream side ball extraction button 120 can be pressed by a player or the like. The downstream ball extraction button 120 includes a pressing portion 130 touched by a player or the like, a projecting portion 132 projecting downward (back side) of the pressing portion 130, and locking portions 134,134. Further, the pressing portion 130, the protruding portion 132, and the engaging portion 134 are integrally formed of a resin material.

The pressing portion 130 has a substantially rectangular box shape. Moreover, the protruding portion 132 has a prism shape and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the pressing portion 130 . The engaging portions 134 are provided at lower positions on the left and right side surfaces of the pressing portion 130 and have claws that protrude outward in the left-right direction.

The downstream ball-extracting button 120 is provided on the button arrangement portion 116 . Specifically, the downstream ball removal button 120 is arranged in the button placement portion 116 so that the pressing portion 130 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the button placement portion 116 when not operated (see FIG. 1). , see FIG. 4). Further, when the operation is not performed, the claw of the locking portion 134 is locked to the lower surface of the button placement portion 116, thereby restricting the upward movement of the pressing portion 130. As shown in FIG. Assuming that the position of the downstream ball-extracting button 120 (pressing portion 130) during non-operation is the initial position (first initial position), the downstream ball-extracting button 120 (pressing portion 130) moves downward from the initial position. It is possible to push to move.

The link member 122 includes a substantially cylindrical portion 140 , a first arm 142 , a second arm 144 and a reinforcing plate 146 . Cylindrical portion 140, first arm 142, second arm 144, and reinforcing plate 146 are integrally formed of a resin material.

The cylindrical portion 140 is in a state in which its axis is oriented in the front-rear direction. Also, the first arm 142 and the second arm 144 are formed to extend radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 140 . Also, the first arm 142 and the second arm 144 are formed at positions separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 140 . Specifically, the base end of the first arm 142 is connected to the left portion of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 140 . A distal end portion of the first arm 142 extends radially outward from the cylindrical portion 140 from the proximal end portion. A base end portion of the second arm 144 is connected to a lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 140 . A distal end portion of the second arm 144 extends radially outward from the cylindrical portion 140 from the proximal end portion. That is, the proximal end portion of the first arm 142 and the proximal end portion of the second arm 144 are separated from each other by a predetermined angle (for example, about 90 degrees) in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 140 . is connected with Also, the distal end of the first arm 142 and the distal end of the second arm 144 are arranged at positions separated by a predetermined angle (for example, approximately 90 degrees) in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 140 .

The tip of the first arm 142 is formed with a contact surface 150 with which the projecting portion 132 of the downstream ball removal button 120 contacts. Specifically, the distal end portion of the first arm 142 is cylindrical, and the upper portion of the outer peripheral surface (outer curved surface) of the distal end portion serves as a contact surface 150 with which the projecting portion 132 contacts. there is A pin insertion hole 152 into which the pin 126 is inserted is formed at the tip of the second arm 144 . The pin 126 has a round bar shape and is provided so as to protrude rearward from the tip of the second arm 144 .

A plate-shaped reinforcing plate 146 that connects the first arm 142 and the second arm 144 is provided between the first arm 142 and the second arm 144 . This reinforcing plate 146 reinforces the first arm 142 and the second arm 144 .

A cylindrical projecting portion 200 projecting rearward from the rear surface of the base member 111 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 140 (see FIGS. 6A and 7A). The link member 122 is rotatable in the circumferential direction around the cylindrical portion 140 (with the projecting portion 200 as an axis). In other words, the first arm 142 and the second arm 144 rotate around the center axis of the cylindrical portion 140 .

The slide member 124 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped slide member main body 160 . A rectangular pin insertion hole 161 into which the pin 126 is inserted is formed at the right end of the slide member main body 160 . The width of the pin insertion hole 161 in the horizontal direction is substantially equal to the diameter of the pin 126 , and the width in the vertical direction is longer than the diameter of the pin 126 . The pin 126 is made to be almost immovable in the horizontal direction with respect to the pin insertion hole 161, and is allowed to move in the vertical direction.

Two holes 162 , 162 are formed in the slide member main body 160 so as to be aligned in the left-right direction. Cylindrical protrusions 202, 202 protruding rearward from the back surface of the base member 111 are inserted into the two holes 162, 162, respectively (see FIGS. 6A and 7A). The holes 162, 162 are rectangular. Also, the holes 162, 162 have a vertical width substantially equal to the diameter of the projections 202, 202, and a horizontal width longer than the diameter of the projections 202, 202 (for example, larger than the diameter). longer than 11 mm). The holes 162, 162 (slide member 124) are made substantially immovable in the vertical direction with respect to the protrusions 202, 202 (base member 111), and are allowed to move in the horizontal direction. there is That is, the holes 162, 162 and the projecting portions 202, 202 form an operation direction limiting portion that limits the moving direction of the slide member 124 in the left-right direction.

A slide member side hook 164 on which the spring 128 is hooked is provided on the upper portion of the slide member main body 160 . The spring 128 is a tension spring and can be extended and contracted in the horizontal direction. Also, the spring 128 has circular hooks 128a and 128b at both left and right ends. A hook 128 b on the right end of the spring 128 is hooked on the slide member side hook 164 . A base member-side hook 204 is provided on the back surface of the base member 111 to which the hook 128a of the left end of the spring 128 is hooked (see FIGS. 6(a) and 7(a)). A hook 128 a on the left end of the spring 128 is hooked on the hook 204 on the base member side.

A downstream lid 125 is provided at the left end of the slide member 124 (slide member main body 160). Further, the downstream lid 125 is provided so as to protrude leftward from the slide member 124 . Further, the downstream lid 125 has a substantially rectangular plate shape. Also, the downstream side lid 125 and the slide member 124 are integrally formed of a resin material.

The downstream lid 125 is a lid that opens and closes the downstream ball extraction hole 118 . The downstream side lid 125 moves in the left-right direction in conjunction with the left-right movement of the slide member 124 . The downstream side cover 125 closes the downstream ball removal hole 118 when positioned on the left side, and opens the downstream side ball removal hole 118 when positioned on the right side. In other words, the downstream lid 125 is movable between a closed position that closes the downstream ball hole 118 and an open position that opens the downstream ball hole 118 .

In the downstream side ball removing unit 112, the downstream side lid 125 moves in the horizontal direction as the downstream side ball removing button 120 moves in the vertical direction. That is, the downstream side lid 125 can be moved to open and close the downstream side ball removal hole 118 based on the player's operation of the downstream side ball removal button 120 .

The operation of the downstream ball extraction unit 112 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the downstream side ball removal button 120 is in the initial position when not operated and the downstream side lid 125 is in the closed position. 6(a) is a diagram including the base member 111, and FIG. 6(b) is a diagram omitting the base member 111. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the downstream side ball removal button 120 is in the fully pushed position (maximum depression position) and the downstream side cover 125 is in the open position. 7(a) is a diagram including the base member 111, and FIG. 7(b) is a diagram omitting the base member 111. As shown in FIG.

First, when the downstream side ball removal button 120 is at the initial position when not operated, the downstream side lid 125 is positioned at the closed position. That is, at this time, the downstream ball extraction hole 118 is in a closed state. Then, when the downstream side ball removal button 120 is moved downward from the initial position (when pressed by the player), the tip of the first arm 142 of the link member 122 moves to the projecting portion 132 of the downstream side ball removal button 120. is pushed downwards from above. Then, the first arm 142 rotates downward (counterclockwise) around the cylindrical portion 140 . At the same time, the second arm 144 rotates rightward (counterclockwise) about the cylindrical portion 140 . Further, when the second arm 144 rotates rightward, the pin 126 pulls the slide member 124 rightward while moving up and down inside the pin insertion hole 161 of the slide member 124 . Then, the slide member 124 moves rightward against the elastic force of the spring 128 . Along with this, the downstream lid 125 moves to the right. Then, the downstream side lid 125 is at the open position, and the downstream side ball extraction hole 118 is opened.
When the downstream ball-removal button 120 is pushed down to the maximum, the holes 162, 162 of the slide member 124 and the protrusions 202, 202 of the base member 111 come into contact with each other, and the downstream ball-removal button 120 moves further downward. and rightward movement of the slide member 124 are restricted.

Also, when the player releases the downstream ball removal button 120, the elastic force of the spring 128 pulls the slide member main body 160 leftward. Along with this, the downstream lid 125 moves leftward. Further, the movement of the slide member main body 160 is transmitted to the downstream side ball removal button 120 via the pin 126 and the link member 122, and the downstream side ball removal button 120 returns to the initial position. That is, the downstream ball removal button 120 is arranged at the initial position by the elastic force of the spring 128 when not operated. In other words, the downstream ball extraction button 120 is biased upward.

In this way, the link member 122, the slide member 124, and the pin 126 convert the vertical movement of the downstream side ball extractor button 120 into the horizontal movement of the downstream side cover 125, so that the downstream side cover 125 moves in the horizontal direction. A link mechanism is formed to change the movement of the downstream ball ejecting button 120 to the vertical movement thereof.

Here, the distance L2 from the center of rotation of the link member 122 (the center axis of the cylindrical portion 140) to the pin 126 (the tip of the second arm 144) is the distance from the center of rotation of the link member 122 to the downstream ball removal button. 120 and the first arm 142 (tip of the first arm 142: contact surface 150) is more than twice the distance L1. Therefore, the second arm 144 moves to the right more than twice as much as the first arm 142 moves downward. That is, the downstream lid 125 moves to the right by twice or more the pressing amount of the downstream ball removal button 120 . That is, the link mechanism increases the amount of operation of the downstream ball removal button 120 and transmits it to the downstream lid 125 .

In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the amount of operation of the downstream side ball extraction button 120 required to open the downstream side ball extraction hole 118 so that at least one game ball can pass through is set to less than the diameter. Specifically, when the downstream side ball removal button 120 is pressed about 4 mm from the initial position, the downstream side cover 125 moves rightward about 11 mm. In other words, when the downstream side ball removal button 120 is pressed down from the initial position by a predetermined amount (about 4 mm) less than the diameter of the game ball, the opening width W1 of the downstream side ball removal hole 118 (from the tip of the downstream side lid 125 to the tip) The distance to the edge of the opposing downstream side ball extraction hole 118) is 11 mm or more. In other words, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the operation amount of the downstream side ball removal button 120 required to open the downstream side ball removal hole 118 so that at least one game ball can pass through is , is set to be less than the radius of the game ball.

Further, when the downstream side ball removal button 120 is pushed down to the maximum, the opening width W1 of the downstream side ball removal hole 118 is about 14 mm. That is, when the downstream side ball extraction button 120 is pushed to the maximum, the downstream side ball extraction hole 118 is opened by about +3 mm of the diameter of the game ball, and is less than twice the diameter of the game ball. In other words, the downstream ball extraction hole 118 is designed so that two game balls cannot pass through it at the same time even if the downstream ball extraction button 120 is pushed down to the maximum.

In addition, the maximum amount (maximum operation amount) of the downstream side ball extraction button 120 that can be pressed is set to be equal to or less than the diameter of the game ball (less than the diameter (approximately 6 mm)). In other words, when the downstream side ball extraction button 120 is pushed in by a predetermined amount equal to or less than the diameter of the game ball (less than the diameter), it cannot be pushed in further. Specifically, the maximum amount of operation of the downstream side ball extraction button 120 is set to be equal to or more than the radius of the game ball and equal to or less than the diameter. In addition, it can be said that the diameter is set to approximately half the diameter of the downstream side ball removal button 120 . Here, about half the diameter means a range within about ±1.5 mm (about 4 mm to 7 mm) from half the diameter.

In addition, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, even when the downstream side ball removal button 120 is in the initial position when not operated, the tip of the downstream side lid 125 and the downstream side ball removal button Between the edge of the hole 118, a gap of a predetermined width W2 less than the diameter of the game ball is formed in the operation direction (horizontal direction) of the downstream side lid 125. As shown in FIG. This makes it possible to drop the game ball from the downstream side ball extraction hole 118 with a smaller amount of operation.

In addition, when the downstream side cover 125 closes the downstream side ball extraction hole 118, the game ball is guided from the lower right end of the tray 16 through the supply port 22 to the shooting device.

Next, the upstream ball removing unit 113 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, the upstream ball removing unit 113 includes an upstream lid 300 (second lid: second opening/closing means), a torsion spring 302, a cover member 304, and an upstream ball removing button 306 ( A second button (second operating means), a slide member 308, a latch 310, and a ball extraction base 312 (base member).

The upstream lid 300 includes a lid portion 320 that closes the upstream ball extraction hole 119 and a support portion 322 that supports the lid portion 320 (rotation of the lid portion 320). The lid portion 320 is formed in a substantially circular plate shape. Further, the lid portion 320 has a size capable of covering the upstream ball removal hole 119 from below. Further, the support portion 322 is formed to protrude forward from the edge on the front side of the lid portion 320 . Lid portion 320 and support portion 322 are integrally formed of a resin material.

The support portion 322 is formed with an insertion hole 324 into which a projecting portion 332 of the cover member 304, which will be described later, is inserted. Further, the support portion 322 is provided with a cylindrical guide projection portion 326 projecting downward.

The cover member 304 has a substantially rectangular plate shape. A game ball passage hole 330 through which a game ball passes is formed in the right rear portion of the cover member 304 . A cylindrical projecting portion 332 is provided on the upper surface of the cover member 304 and in front of the game ball passage hole 330 .

Three arc-shaped rails 334 are formed on the upper surface of the cover member 304 . The three rails 334 are arc-shaped ridges, and the center of the arc is the protruding portion 332 (the central axis of the protruding portion 332).

Further, the cover member 304 is provided with a guide hole 336 through which the guide protrusion 326 of the upstream lid 300 is inserted. Further, the guide hole 336 is an arc-shaped hole, and the center of the arc is the protruding portion 332 (the central axis of the protruding portion 332). The guide hole 336 is provided in front of the game ball passage hole 330 and to the right of the projecting portion 332 . The guide hole 336 has a width (the length of the arc in the radial direction) that substantially matches the outer diameter of the guide protrusion 326, and a length (the length of the arc in the circumferential direction) that is the same as the guide hole 336. It is longer than the outer diameter of the projecting portion 326 .

A wall portion 338 that receives one arm of the torsion spring 302 is provided on the upper surface of the cover member 304 . The wall portion 338 is formed extending in the left-right direction. Further, the wall portion 338 is provided on the front left side of the projecting portion 332 .

The upstream lid 300 is placed on the cover member 304 with the protrusion 332 of the cover member 304 inserted into the insertion hole 324 of the upstream lid 300 . In addition, the upstream lid 300 is rotatable about the projecting portion 332 of the cover member 304 (the central axis of the projecting portion 332). Here, the guide protrusion 326 of the upstream lid 300 is inserted into the guide hole 336 of the cover member 304 . Therefore, the guide protrusion 326 can move within the lengthwise range of the guide hole 336 . That is, the guide protrusion 326 and the guide hole 336 form a movement range limiting portion that limits the movement range (movable range) of the upstream lid 300 .

Also, the torsion spring 302 is arranged between the cover member 304 and the upstream side lid 300 in a state in which the protruding portion 332 of the cover member 304 is passed through the inner side of the torsion spring 302 . The lower surface of the cover member 304 is provided with a cylindrical protrusion (not shown) having a hole communicating with the insertion hole 324 and protruding downward. The projecting portion 332 of the cover member 304 is inserted inside the projecting portion, and the torsion spring 302 is arranged so as to surround the projecting portion. A fixing portion (not shown) for fixing one arm of the torsion spring 302 is provided on the lower surface of the cover member 304 . One arm of the torsion spring 302 is fixed to the fixing portion, and the other arm is pressed against the wall portion 338 of the cover member 304 . As a result, a force is applied from the torsion spring 302 to the upstream lid 300 in a direction to close the upstream ball extraction hole 119 .
A screw hole is provided in the projecting portion 332 of the cover member 304 . The upstream lid 300 is attached to the cover member 304 by screwing a screw 333 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) inserted through the insertion hole 324 of the upstream lid 300 into the screw hole.

In addition, the upstream lid 300 rotates so as to slide on the rails 334 of the cover member 304 when it rotates. Therefore, friction between the upstream lid 300 and the cover member 304 can be reduced, and the upstream lid 300 can be rotated with less force.

A ridge portion 340 extending in the front-rear direction is provided on the lower surface of the cover member 304 .

In addition, screw insertion holes 342 through which screws 345 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) are inserted are formed at three corners (right front, right rear, and left rear corners) of the cover member 304, respectively. It is

The slide member 308 is arranged between the ball extraction base 312 and the cover member 304 in a state that it can move in the front-rear direction. The slide member 308 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape. A button fixing portion 350 to which the upstream ball removal button 306 is fixed is formed on the front left portion of the slide member 30 . The upstream ball removal button 306 is fixed to the button fixing portion 350 by screwing.

A lock projection 352 projecting rearward is formed on the left rear portion of the slide member 308 . The lock projection 352 has a rod-shaped support portion extending rearward and a tip portion that spreads in the left-right direction at the tip of the support portion.

The right side portion of the slide member 308 is a frame portion 353 having a substantially square frame shape with a short width in the front-rear direction. A guide insertion hole 354 into which the guide projecting portion 326 of the upstream lid 300 is inserted is formed in the frame-shaped portion 353 . The length in the front-rear direction of the guide insertion hole 354 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the guide protrusion 326, and the length in the left-right direction is longer than the outer diameter of the guide protrusion 326. . That is, the guide protrusion 326 is made to be almost immovable in the front-rear direction with respect to the guide insertion hole 354, and is allowed to move in the left-right direction. Also, the front surface of the frame-shaped portion 353 serves as a contact surface 355 that contacts a front wall 372 of the ball extraction base 312, which will be described later.

The lower surface of the slide member 308 is provided with a projection (not shown) into which one end of the cylindrical spring 360 is inserted and a wall (not shown) against which one end of the spring 360 is pressed ( See projection 382 and wall portion 380 of ball extraction base 312, which will be described later).

A groove 356 extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the upper surface of the slide member 308 . The groove 356 has a shape along the protrusion 340 of the cover member 304 . A projection 358 extending in the front-rear direction is provided on the lower surface of the slide member 308 .

The ball removing base 312 is arranged at the bottom of the upstream side ball removing unit 113 and constitutes the bottom of the upstream side ball removing unit 113 . The ball removing base 312 has a substantially rectangular plate shape. Further, the left front portion of the sphere extraction base 312 has a shape that is notched toward the rear, and a notch portion 370 is formed. The upstream ball extraction button 306 is pushed inside the notch 370 when pushed.

A wall portion (front wall 372 ) protruding upward is formed on the right side portion of the front edge of the ball removing base 312 (the portion other than the notch portion 370 ).

A game ball passing hole 374 through which a game ball passes is formed in the right rear portion of the ball extraction base 312 . The game ball passage hole 374 is provided below the game ball passage hole 330 of the cover member 304 , and has an inner diameter (hole shape) substantially matching the game ball passage hole 330 .
The inner diameters of the game ball passage holes 330 and 374 are smaller than the outer diameter of the lid portion 320 of the upstream lid 300 . When the upstream side lid 300 is closed, the game ball passage holes 330 and 374 are completely covered from above (see FIG. 9(b)).

A latch fixing portion 376 to which the latch 310 is fixed is provided on the left rear portion of the upper surface of the ball extraction base 312 . Also, the latch 310 fixed to the latch fixing portion 376 is positioned behind the lock projection 352 of the slide member 308 .

A groove 378 for guiding the slide member 308 is provided in the central portion (between the game ball passage hole 374 and the latch fixing portion 376) in the left-right direction of the upper surface of the ball extraction base 312. As shown in FIG. The groove 378 is formed to extend in the front-rear direction and has a shape along the convex portion 358 of the slide member 308 . A wall portion 380 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the ball extraction base 312 is provided at the rear portion of the groove 378 . A projection 382 projecting forward is provided on the front surface of the wall portion 380 . This protrusion 382 is adapted to be inserted into one end of a cylindrical spring 360 . One end of the spring 360 is pressed against the wall portion 380 . Between the wall portion 380 and the wall portion provided on the lower surface of the slide member 308, a spring 360 is arranged so as to be able to extend and contract in the front-rear direction.

Screw holes 384 for screwing screws 345 are formed in three corners (right front, right rear, and left rear corners) of ball extraction base 312 .

The ball removing base 312 and the cover member 304 are fixed to each other by screwing the screw 345 inserted through the screw insertion hole 342 of the cover member 304 into the screw hole 384 of the ball removing base 312 . Here, the slide member 308 is sandwiched between the ball extraction base 312 and the cover member 304 . Also, the convex portion 358 of the slide member 308 is inserted into the groove 378 of the ball extraction base 312 and the protrusion 340 of the cover member 304 is inserted into the groove 356 of the slide member 308 . The slide member 308 is guided by the groove 378 of the ball removing base 312 and the protrusion 340 of the cover member 304 to move in the front-rear direction. Further, the frame-shaped portion 353 of the slide member 308 is arranged between the front wall 372 of the ball extraction base 312 and the game ball passage hole 374, and can move back and forth between them.

Further, the upstream lid 300 rotates in the left-right direction in conjunction with the movement of the slide member 308 in the front-rear direction. The upstream lid 300 closes the upstream ball removal hole 119 when positioned on the right side, and opens the upstream ball removal hole 119 when positioned on the left side. In other words, the upstream lid 300 is movable between a closed position that closes the upstream ball hole 119 and an open position that opens the upstream ball hole 119 . That is, the upstream lid 300 serves as a lid for opening and closing the upstream ball extraction hole 119 . In other words, in the upstream ball extracting unit 113, the upstream lid 300 moves laterally as the upstream ball extracting button 306 moves forward and backward. That is, it is possible to move the upstream lid 300 to open and close the upstream ball removal hole 119 based on the player's operation of the upstream ball removal button 306 .

The operation of the upstream ball extraction unit 113 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. Note that FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the upstream ball removal button 306 is at the initial position when not operated, and the upstream lid 300 is at the closed position. 9(a) is a diagram including the dish member 110 and the cover member 304, and FIG. 9(b) is a diagram omitting the dish member 110 and the cover member 304. As shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state where the upstream side ball removal button 306 is pushed in, the slide member 308 is held by the latch 310, and the upstream side lid 300 is in the open position. 10(a) is a diagram including the dish member 110 and the cover member 304, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram omitting the dish member 110 and the cover member 304. As shown in FIG.

In the following, the state of the upstream ball-extracting button 306 when the upstream-side ball-extracting button 306 is not operated and the slide member 308 is not held by the latch 310 will be referred to as the initial state of the upstream ball-extracting button 306. and In other words, the initial state is a state in which the upstream ball removal button 306 protrudes forward (most). The position of the upstream ball removal button 306 in the initial state is assumed to be the initial position (second initial position).

First, when the upstream ball removal button 306 is in the initial position when not operated, the upstream lid 300 is in the closed position. In this state, the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 is closed by the upstream side lid 300 so that the game ball cannot be dropped from the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 .
In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a flange portion 390 is formed on the outer edge portion of the lid portion 320 of the upstream side lid 300 . The flange portion 390 is provided below the central portion of the lid portion 320 so as to protrude radially outward of the lid portion 320 . Further, the flange portion 390 is provided on the front portion (right side portion) of the lid portion 320 in the moving direction when the upstream lid 300 is closed. Further, the flange portion 390 is in a state of being inserted below the receiving plate 16 in a state in which the upstream side cover 300 closes the upstream side ball removal hole 119 (protrudes outward from the edge of the upstream side ball removal hole 119). ing). When the upstream ball removal button 306 is at the initial position, the upstream ball removal hole 119 is tightly closed by the upstream lid 300 in plan view (when viewed from above). . In other words, the upstream side cover 300 completely closes the upstream ball removal hole 119 so that members below the upstream ball removal hole 119 cannot be visually recognized. On the other hand, as described above, when the downstream side ball removal button 120 is at the initial position, a gap is formed between the downstream side cover 125 and the downstream side ball removal hole 118 . However, a cover member 392 that covers the downstream ball extraction hole 118 is arranged above the downstream ball extraction hole 118 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the cover member 392 prevents members below the downstream ball extraction hole 118 from being visible in a plan view. The cover member 392 has the function of aligning the game balls guided to the lower right end of the tray 16 in a line in the vertical direction.

When the upstream ball removal button 306 is moved rearward from the initial position (pressed by the player), the slide member 308 integrated with the upstream ball removal button 306 is moved rearward. Then, the guide protrusion 326 of the upstream lid 300 inserted into the guide insertion hole 354 of the slide member 308 is pushed rearward. Then, the upstream lid 300 rotates counterclockwise (counterclockwise in plan view) about the projecting portion 332 of the cover member 304 (the central axis of the projecting portion 332). In other words, the upstream lid 300 moves leftward. Then, the upstream side lid 300 is at the open position, and the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 is opened.

Further, when the upstream ball removal button 306 is moved rearward from the initial position by a predetermined amount or more, the lock projection 352 of the slide member 308 is pushed into the latch 310 . The latch 310 then closes and grips the tip of the lock projection 352 . As a result, the slide member 308 is held (latched) by the latch 310, and the upstream ball removal button 306 is pushed and fixed.

When the slide member 308 is held by the latch 310, the upstream ball extraction hole 119 is completely opened as shown in FIG. That is, in this state, the upstream side ball removal hole 119 and the upstream side cover 300 do not overlap at all in the vertical direction, and the upstream side cover 300 can be visually recognized from the upstream side ball removal hole 119 in plan view. It is in a state where it is not possible. Also, below the upstream ball extraction hole 119, the game ball passage hole 330 of the cover member 304 and the game ball passage hole 374 of the ball extraction base 312 are arranged. , is larger than the inner diameter of the upstream ball extraction hole 119, and the edges of the game ball passage holes 330 and 374 cannot be visually recognized from the upstream ball extraction hole 110 in plan view. In other words, in this state, a game ball that falls vertically (perpendicularly) from the upstream ball extraction hole 119 does not hit the edges of the upstream lid 300 and the game ball passage holes 330 and 374. ing.
A portion of the upstream lid 300 may protrude radially inward of the upstream ball removal hole 119 while the slide member 308 is held by the latch 310 . In addition, the part of the upstream lid 300 (in the open state) has an inclined surface or the like directed downward toward the radially inner side of the upstream ball extraction hole 119, so that a game can be played from the upstream ball extraction hole 119. It may have a role of assisting the falling of the ball.

Also, when the slide member 308 is pushed again in a state where the latch 310 is closed (a state in which the lock projection 352 is gripped), the latch 310 releases the lock projection 352 and allows the slide member 308 to move forward. . Here, in a state in which the slide member 308 is pushed in (a state in which the latch 310 grips the lock protrusion 352 or a state at the moment when the latch 310 releases the lock protrusion 352), the above-described The spring 360 is in a compressed state between the wall portion and the wall portion 380 provided on the upper surface of the ball extraction base 312 . Therefore, the elastic force of the spring 360 acts to push back the slide member 308 forward. At this time, if the latch 310 grips the lock projection 352, the forward movement of the slide member 308 is regulated, and the slide member 308 and the upstream ball removal button 306 are fixed in a pushed state. On the other hand, when the latch 310 releases the lock projection 352, the elastic force of the spring 360 pushes back the slide member 308 and the upstream ball removal button 306 forward.

When the slide member 308 is pushed forward by the elastic force of the spring 360, the guide protrusion 326 of the upstream lid 300 inserted into the guide insertion hole 354 of the slide member is pulled back forward. Then, the upstream lid 300 rotates clockwise (clockwise in plan view) about the projecting portion 332 of the cover member 304 (the center axis of the projecting portion 332). In other words, the upstream lid 300 moves rightward. Then, the upstream side lid 300 is in the closed position, and the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 is blocked.

Further, as described above, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the torsion spring 302 applies a force to the upstream lid 300 in the direction of closing the upstream ball extraction hole 119 . That is, when the upstream lid 300 is open, the elastic force of the torsion spring acts to return the upstream lid 300 to the closed position. Also, this force is transmitted to the slide member 308 via the guide protrusion 326 of the upstream lid 300 . That is, the elastic force of the torsion spring 302 acts in a direction to return the slide member 308 and the upstream ball removal button 306 forward.

Therefore, when the slide member 308 is not held by the latch 310 when not operated, the elastic force of the spring 360 and the elastic force of the torsion spring 302 return the upstream lid 300 to the closed position. , the upstream ball extraction button 306 is returned to the initial position. In other words, the upstream ball removal button 306 is arranged at the initial position when it is not operated and the slide member 308 is not held by the latch 310 . In other words, the upstream ball extraction button 306 is biased forward.

Further, the distance L4 from the center of rotation of the upstream side lid 300 (the central axis of the projecting portion 332 of the cover member 304) to the center of the lid portion 320 is the distance from the center of rotation of the upstream side lid 300 to the guide projecting portion 326 (guide projecting portion). The contact portion between the portion 326 and the guide insertion hole 354 (the portion where the upstream side lid 300 is pushed by the slide member 308) is at least twice the distance L3. Therefore, when the slide member 308 moves rearward, the cover portion 320 rotates more than twice as long as the guide projection portion 326 rotates.

In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the amount of operation of the upstream ball extraction button 306 required to open the upstream ball extraction hole 119 so that at least one game ball can pass through is set to less than the diameter. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, when the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is pressed down about 4 mm from the initial position, the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 is opened so that at least one game ball B can pass through. . That is, when the upstream ball extraction button 306 is pressed down from the initial position by a predetermined amount less than the diameter of the game ball (about 4 mm), the opening width W3 of the upstream ball extraction hole 119 (from the tip of the upstream lid 300 to the tip) distance to the edge of the upstream ball extraction hole 119) is 11 mm or more. Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the amount of operation of the upstream ball extraction button 306 required to open the upstream ball extraction hole 119 so that at least one game ball can pass through is Set to less than the radius of the sphere.

Further, when the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is pushed to the maximum, the opening width W3 of the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 is larger than twice the diameter of the game ball (22 mm). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is pushed down to the maximum, the slide member 308 is held by the latch 310. In this state, when the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is released, the upstream The side ball removal button 306 (slide member 308) returns slightly (for example, about 3 mm) to the front side. However, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the upstream ball extraction hole 119 is closed in both the state in which the upstream ball extraction button 306 is pushed down to the maximum and the state in which the slide member 308 holds the latch 310. is fully open. And at this time, the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 will be in a state in which at least two game balls can pass through at the same time. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the upstream ball extraction hole 119 is in a state in which three or more, more specifically four or more game balls can pass through at the same time. Also, at this time, the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 is arranged in a state in which the three game balls are arranged in the same straight line, and the three game balls cannot pass through at the same time. In other words, the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 has a linear distance (crossing: diameter) from edge to edge in any portion less than three times the diameter of the game ball. In other words, the upstream ball extraction hole 119 has a linear distance (diameter) from edge to edge in two mutually intersecting (perpendicular) directions less than three times the diameter of the game ball. In addition, the upstream ball extraction hole 119 has a linear distance (diameter) from edge to edge in two mutually intersecting (perpendicular) directions greater than twice the diameter of the game ball.
In this way, since the diameter of the game ball is more than twice the diameter of the game ball, when two game balls try to pass through the upstream ball removal hole 119 at the same time, the upstream ball removal hole 119 It is possible to prevent it from getting caught and clogged. In addition, since the diameter of the game ball is less than three times the diameter of the game ball, such clogging of game balls can be prevented more reliably.

In addition, the maximum amount (maximum operation amount) that can be pushed down on the upstream ball extraction button 306 is set to be equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball (the length exceeding the diameter). In other words, the maximum operation amount of the upstream side ball removal button 306 is set larger than the maximum operation amount of the downstream side ball removal button 120 . In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the maximum operation amount of the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is set to approximately 14.5 mm. That is, the maximum operation amount of the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is set to be equal to or more than the diameter of the game ball and less than twice the diameter (less than 1.5 times).

According to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the downstream ball extraction button 120 (first button: first operation means) is operated by an amount less than the diameter of the game ball, and the downstream ball extraction hole 118 (first hole) can be passed through the game ball, and the upstream ball removal button 306 (second button: second operation means) is operated by an amount less than the diameter of the game ball, and the upstream ball removal hole 119 (second 2 hole) to allow the game ball to pass through, so the downstream ball removal button 120 or the upstream ball required to discharge the game ball from the downstream ball removal hole 118 or the upstream ball removal hole 119 It is possible to reduce the amount of operation on the pull-out button 306 . Therefore, it is possible to remove the ball from the tray 16 with a small amount of operation, and the burden of operation can be reduced.

Further, according to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the maximum value of the operation amount for the downstream side ball extraction button 120 is equal to or less than the diameter of the game ball (less than the diameter), and the maximum value for the operation amount for the upstream side ball extraction button 306. is greater than or equal to the diameter of the game ball (the length exceeds the diameter), and when the upstream ball removal button 306 is operated to the position where the operation amount for the upstream ball removal button 306 reaches the maximum value, the upstream ball removal hole 119 is , at least two game balls can pass through at the same time. Therefore, the downstream ball removal button 120 reaches the maximum operation amount with a small operation amount, so that the operation burden can be reduced. In addition, regarding the upstream side ball extraction button 306, by setting the maximum operation amount to the diameter of the game ball or more, it is possible to improve the discharge capacity of the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 when operated to the maximum operation amount. Further, since the maximum operation amount differs between the downstream ball-extracting button 120 and the upstream ball-extracting button 306 (associating the operation amount with the discharge capacity of the hole), the downstream ball-extracting button 120 and the upstream ball-extracting button 306 It becomes easy to distinguish from the upstream side ball removal button 306, and it becomes easy to grasp the operation feeling for both operation means having the same function. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation such as ejecting game balls from a place unintended by the player, or an erroneous operation such as ejecting a number of game balls not intended by the player. Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the downstream side ball extraction button 120 returns to the initial position when the player releases the hand, so the ball extraction from the downstream side ball extraction hole 118 is continued. In order to do so, the downstream side ball removal button 120 must be pressed continuously. However, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the downstream side ball extraction button 120 reaches the maximum operation amount with a small amount of operation, so it is possible to keep pressing the downstream side ball extraction button 120 with a small burden. On the other hand, since the upstream ball extracting button 306 is held by the latch 310, ball extracting from the upstream ball extracting hole 119 can be continued without continuously pressing the upstream ball extracting button 306. can be done. As for the upstream side ball ejection button 306, a large amount of game balls can be ejected from the receiving tray 16 in a short time by setting the maximum amount of operation to be equal to or larger than the diameter of the game ball.

Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the downstream ball extraction hole 118 is smaller in size than the upstream ball extraction hole 119 . That is, the downstream ball extraction hole 118 has a smaller hole diameter (span) (the longest linear distance from edge to edge) than the upstream ball extraction hole 119 . In other words, the downstream ball removal hole 118 has a smaller hole area than the upstream ball removal hole 119 .

In addition, the operation amount required to open the ball removal hole (downstream ball removal hole 118 or upstream ball removal hole 119) so that at least one game ball can pass through (the operation amount for one ball ), the downstream ball-extracting button 120 may be larger than the upstream ball-extracting button 306 . Specifically, for example, when the downstream side ball removal button 120 is moved about 4 mm from the initial position, the game ball can pass through the downstream side ball removal hole 118, and the upstream side ball removal button 306 is moved about 3 mm from the initial position. When moved, the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 may be in a state in which the game ball can pass. In other words, the operation amount for one ball may be different between the downstream ball-extracting button 120 and the upstream ball-extracting button 306, and the difference between the operation amounts for one ball for both buttons is the maximum It is sufficient if it is smaller than the difference between the manipulated variables. According to such a configuration, the operation amount for one ball is different between the downstream ball extraction button 120 and the upstream ball extraction button 306 (the operation amount and the discharge capacity of the hole are associated with each other). ) makes it easier to distinguish between the downstream ball-extracting button 120 and the upstream ball-extracting button 306, and makes it easier to grasp the operational feeling of both operating means having common functions. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation such as ejecting game balls from a place unintended by the player, or an erroneous operation such as ejecting a number of game balls not intended by the player. Further, according to such a configuration, the amount of operation for one ball of the downstream ball-extracting button 120 becomes larger than the amount of operation for one ball of the upstream-side ball-extracting button 306, and The maximum operation amount of the pullout button 120 becomes smaller than the maximum operation amount of the upstream ball pullout button 306 .

It should be noted that the amount of operation of the upstream ball-extracting button 306 for one ball is smaller than the amount of operation of the downstream-side ball-extracting button 120 for one ball, and the operation amount of the upstream ball-extracting button 306 for one ball The amount of operation load required to move the upstream ball-extracting button 306 is equal to the amount of operation of the downstream-side ball-extracting button 120 for one ball, and the operation load required to move the downstream-side ball-extracting button 120 is may be smaller than Specifically, for example, when the upstream side ball removal button 306 is moved about 3 mm from the initial position, the game ball can pass through the upstream side ball removal hole 119, and the downstream side ball removal button 120 is moved about 4 mm from the initial position. When moved, the game ball can pass through the downstream ball extraction hole 118, and the operation load required to move the upstream ball extraction button 306 about 3 mm is set to 2 N, for example, and the downstream ball extraction button 120 is moved about 4 mm. The operating load required for this may be about 4N. In other words, when a load of the same magnitude is applied to the upstream side ball removal button 306 and the downstream side ball removal button 120 (within a range in which the operation amount for each does not reach the maximum operation amount), the upstream side ball removal hole 119 is opened. may be opened wider than the downstream ball extraction hole 118 . According to such a configuration, the upstream ball-removal button 306 can perform ball-removal with a smaller operation amount than the downstream-side ball-removal button 120, and can perform ball-removal with an operation load smaller than that of the downstream-side ball-removal button 120. becomes possible. Therefore, when a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the receiving tray 16 and the receiving tray 16 is in a full state (when a full-fill error occurs), ball removal is performed efficiently when quick ball removal is desired. It is possible to give a sensory motivation to prompt the operation of the upstream ball removal button 306 capable of executing the above.
Regardless of the magnitude of the operation amount for one ball between the downstream ball-extracting button 120 and the upstream ball-extracting button 306, the operation amount for one ball for the upstream ball-extracting button 306 is The operation load required to move the ball-removal button 306 is made smaller than the operation load required to move the downstream-side ball-removal button 120 by the operation amount for one ball of the downstream-side ball-removal button 120. good too.

Further, according to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the ratio of the amount of operation for one ball (approximately 3 mm or approximately 4 mm) to the maximum amount of operation (approximately 14.5 mm) of the upstream ball removal button 306 is It is smaller than the ratio of the amount of operation for one ball (approximately 4 mm) to the maximum amount of operation (approximately 6 mm) of the pull-out button 120 . For this reason, it is possible to give a feeling that the game ball can be ejected more quickly by operating the upstream side ball ejection button 306 . Therefore, when a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the receiving tray 16 and the receiving tray 16 becomes full (when a full-fill error occurs), etc., when quick ball removal is desired, efficient ball removal is possible. It is possible to provide a sensory motivation to prompt the user to operate the executable upstream ball removal button 306 .

In addition, according to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, when the operation of the downstream side ball extraction button 120 is the maximum operation amount, it is impossible for two or more game balls to pass through the downstream side ball extraction hole 118 at the same time. When the operation of the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is the maximum operation amount, it is a state in which two or more game balls can pass through the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 at the same time, and the upstream side ball The maximum amount of operation for the pullout button 306 is greater than the maximum amount of operation for the downstream ball pullout button 120 . Therefore, the relationship between the maximum amount of operation of the downstream side ball extraction button 120 and the maximum amount of operation of the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is linked to the game ball discharge efficiency. Therefore, it is possible to give a feeling that the game ball can be ejected more quickly by operating the upstream side ball ejection button 306.例文帳に追加Therefore, when a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the receiving tray 16 and the receiving tray 16 becomes full (when a full-fill error occurs), etc., when quick ball removal is desired, efficient ball removal is possible. It is possible to provide a sensory motivation to prompt the user to operate the executable upstream ball removal button 306 .

In addition, in the downstream side ball removing unit 112 or the upstream side ball removing unit 113, the lid (downstream side lid 125 or upstream side lid 300) is not limited to the mechanism described above, and various well-known transmission mechanisms can be employed as the mechanism for increasing the amount of movement of 300). In addition, the downstream ball removal button 120 (first operation means) or the upstream ball removal button 360 (second operation means) is not limited to a push button as described above, but is a slide type operation means (for example, left and right It may be a lever that slides in the direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the upstream ball removing unit 113 is fixed to the lower left portion of the plate member 110 by screwing. The upstream ball removal button 306 is arranged below the tray 16 . Further, as shown in FIG. 12 , the upstream ball removal button 306 is provided so as to protrude forward from an opening provided in the exterior component of the front frame 10 .

The upstream ball removal button 306 and the portion surrounding the upstream ball removal button 306 have different colors. That is, the peripheral member (exterior component) that forms the opening for exposing the upstream ball-extracting button 306 has a different color from the upstream-side ball-extracting button 306 . In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the upstream side ball extraction button 306 is red, while the peripheral member is white.

Further, as described above, the downstream ball-extracting button 120 is provided in the button arrangement portion 116, but the downstream-side ball-extracting button 120 and the button arrangement portion 116 have different colors. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the downstream ball removal button 120 is red, while the button arrangement portion 116 is black.

In this manner, the visibility of the buttons can be improved by making the colors of the upstream ball-extracting button 306 and the downstream ball-extracting button 120 different from the colors of the peripheral members surrounding the buttons. Therefore, the player can easily find the button.

Further, the upstream ball-removal button 306 and the downstream ball-removal button 120 are made of resin material of the same color (similar color). Further, the upstream ball-extracting button 306 and the downstream ball-extracting button 120 are formed in one color throughout. Other buttons (ball lending button, return button 91, direction key 92, volume adjustment button 93, light amount adjustment button 94, etc.) arranged in the button arrangement portion 116 are all It is made of a resin material of a different color from the ball-removing button 120 . Therefore, it is easy to understand which button is the button for removing the ball, and the player can find the button more easily.
In addition to the upstream ball-extracting button 306 and the downstream ball-extracting button 120, there may be no buttons molded of the same color resin material as these buttons. That is, the color may be used as a dedicated color for the button for ejecting the game ball from the receiving tray 16 . Buttons (other buttons) other than the upstream ball-extracting button 306 and the downstream ball-extracting button 120 may include exclusive colors, in which case the other buttons may include colors other than the exclusive colors. It is preferable to be

In addition, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the pressing surface of the downstream side ball removal button 120 (first button: first operation means) (surface touched by the player when pressing the button: upper surface) (operation surface ) are formed (almost) flat. On the other hand, the pressing surface (surface touched by the player or the like when pressing the button: front surface) (operation surface) of the upstream ball removal button 306 (second button: second operation means) is formed with irregularities. ing. In other words, the pressing surface of the upstream ball-removing button 306 has a more uneven shape than the pressing surface of the downstream-side ball-removing button 120 . The upstream ball removal button 306 is difficult to see because it is surrounded by exterior parts and is provided so as to protrude forward below the tray 16, but is provided with a relatively large number of irregularities. This makes it easier for the player to find the buttons. In addition, since the downstream ball removal button 120 is provided in the button placement portion 116 forming the upper surface of the receiving tray unit 100, it is easy to see. One thing is easier to identify.

Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the operation surface of the downstream side ball removal button 120 (first button: first operation means) is the same as the upstream side ball removal button 306 (second button: second operation means). ) has a smaller area than the operation surface. Here, the operation surface means a surface where the player's touchable range does not change and the player's visible range does not change, regardless of the position of the operating means. In other words, the operation surface does not include a surface that is hidden by surrounding members when the operation means is operated. According to such a configuration, the size of the operation surface is related to the amount of operation of the operation means, so that it is easy to grasp the operation feeling for both operation means having the same function. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation such as discharging an unintended number of game balls by the player.

In addition, the game ball discharged from the downstream side ball extraction hole 118 is guided downward through the first passage 114 . Also, the game ball discharged from the upstream ball extraction hole 119 is guided downward through the second passage 115 . Also, the first passage 114 merges with the second passage 115 . Also, the second passage is connected to a hole 400 provided on the bottom surface of the gaming machine (see FIG. 12). A game ball ejected from the downstream side ball extraction hole 118 or the upstream side ball extraction hole 119 is ejected from the hole 400 to the outside of the gaming machine.

In addition, although the game machine of the present embodiment has one receiving tray 16, it may have a plurality of receiving trays. For example, a game machine having two trays, an upper tray (first tray) and a lower tray (second tray), is generally known. In this type of gaming machine, game balls lent to players (rental balls) and game balls obtained by winning prizes (prize balls) are stored in the upper tray. The lower tray is located below the upper tray. For example, when the upper tray is full (a state in which a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the upper tray), additional game balls are dispensed. is stored. In addition, game balls can be discharged toward the lower tray from the ball extraction hole provided in the upper tray. The configuration of the gaming machine of this embodiment may be applied to this type of gaming machine. Specifically, for example, a ball removal hole similar to the downstream ball removal hole 118 may be provided in the upper plate, and the downstream ball removal unit 112 corresponding to the ball removal hole may be provided. In other words, the downstream ball removal hole 118 and the downstream ball removal unit 112 in this embodiment may be read as being provided for the upper plate. Further, for example, a ball removal hole similar to the upstream ball removal hole 119 may be provided in the lower plate, and an upstream ball removal unit 113 corresponding to the ball removal hole may be provided. In other words, the upstream ball removal hole 119 and the upstream ball removal unit 113 in this embodiment may be read as being provided for the lower plate.

100 tray unit 110 tray member 112 downstream side ball removing unit (first ball removing unit)
113 upstream ball extraction unit (second ball extraction unit)
118 downstream ball extraction hole (first hole)
119 upstream ball extraction hole (second hole)
120 Downstream ball extraction button (first operation means)
125 downstream lid (first opening/closing means)
300 upstream lid (second opening/closing means)
306 Upstream ball removal button (second operation means)

Claims (2)

a first hole through which the game ball can be discharged from the saucer;
a second hole through which the game ball can be discharged from the receiving tray;
a first opening/closing means capable of opening and closing the first hole;
a second opening/closing means capable of opening and closing the second hole;
a first operating means for receiving an operation to move the first opening/closing means;
a second operation means for receiving an operation to move the second opening/closing means;
the second hole is larger than the first hole,
The first operation means is an operation amount less than the diameter of the game ball, and puts the game ball in a state in which the game ball can pass through the first hole,
The second operation means is an operation amount less than the diameter of the game ball, and puts the game ball in a state in which the game ball can pass through the second hole,
The ratio of the operation amount smaller than the diameter to the maximum operation amount in the second operation means is smaller than the ratio of the operation amount smaller than the diameter to the maximum operation amount in the first operation means,
The operation load required to move the second operation means for the operation amount less than the diameter for the second operation means is the operation amount for the first operation means less than the diameter and the operation load required to move the second operation means This game machine is characterized in that it is smaller than an operation load required to move one operation means . a first hole capable of ejecting a game ball from the upper plate ;
a second hole through which the game ball can be discharged from the lower plate ;
a first opening/closing means capable of opening and closing the first hole;
a second opening/closing means capable of opening and closing the second hole;
a first operating means for receiving an operation to move the first opening/closing means;
a second operation means for receiving an operation to move the second opening/closing means;
the second hole is larger than the first hole,
The first operation means is an operation amount less than the diameter of the game ball, and puts the game ball in a state in which the game ball can pass through the first hole,
The second operation means is an operation amount less than the diameter of the game ball, and puts the game ball in a state in which the game ball can pass through the second hole,
The ratio of the operation amount smaller than the diameter to the maximum operation amount in the second operation means is smaller than the ratio of the operation amount smaller than the diameter to the maximum operation amount in the first operation means,
The operation load required to move the second operation means for the operation amount less than the diameter for the second operation means is the operation amount for the first operation means less than the diameter and the operation load required to move the second operation means This game machine is characterized in that it is smaller than an operation load required to move one operation means .

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