JP7298723B2 - game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a structure for storing balls .

JP 2007-136095 A

However , the conventional gaming machine described above has a problem that it is difficult to disperse the balls throughout the storage area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the problems exemplified above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a game machine that can easily disperse balls throughout the storage area.

In order to achieve this object, the gaming machine according to claim 1 comprises a front frame which has a ball storage area on the front side and is formed to be openable and closable, and a first inlet opening which is formed in the front frame. a ball-throwing path formed to allow a ball to be thrown to the first inlet; a second inlet formed at a position spaced apart from the first inlet of the front frame; a communication passage having one end communicated with the second inlet so that a ball can be thrown to the second inlet, and the ball passing through the ball-throwing passage can flow into a storage area on the front side of the first inlet; The ball passing through the communication passage can flow into the storage area on the front side of the second inlet, and the bottom surface of the storage area on the front side of the first inlet is lower than the lower surface of the first inlet. The front side of the lower surface of the first inlet is connected to the bottom surface of the storage area on the front side of the first inlet through the front surface of the front frame, and the storage area on the front side of the second inlet. is located below the lower surface of the second inlet, and the front side of the lower surface of the second inlet is positioned in front of the front side of the second inlet through the front surface of the front frame. The front surface of the front frame is positioned on the front side of the communicating passage and connected to the bottom surface, and a discharge port through which balls can be discharged is formed on the bottom surface of the storage area on the front side of the second inlet.

According to the gaming machine of claim 1, it is possible to easily disperse the balls throughout the storage area.

1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board of a pachinko machine; FIG. It is a rear view of the pachinko machine. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a pachinko machine; FIG. Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the inner frame and lower plate; It is an exploded front perspective view of an inner frame and a lower plate. (a) and (b) are front perspective views of the lower tray in a reduced state. (a) and (b) are front perspective views of the lower tray in an enlarged state. It is an exploded front perspective view of a lower plate. (a) is a top view of the side wall member in a reduced state, and (b) is a top view of the side wall member in an enlarged state. Fig. 10(a) is an exploded front perspective view of the side wall member as viewed in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 10(a); Fig. 10(a) is an exploded front perspective view of the side wall member as viewed in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 10(a); Fig. 10(a) is an exploded front perspective view of the side wall member as viewed in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 10(a); Fig. 10(a) is an exploded front perspective view of the side wall member as viewed in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 10(a); Fig. 10(a) is an exploded front perspective view of the side wall member as viewed in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 10(a); Fig. 10(a) is an exploded front perspective view of the side wall member as viewed in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 10(a); It is an exploded bottom perspective view of the side wall member as seen from the bottom. It is an exploded bottom perspective view of the side wall member as seen from the bottom. It is an exploded bottom perspective view of the side wall member as seen from the bottom. 10(a) is a cross-sectional view of the side wall member taken along line XXa-XXa of FIG. 10(a), and FIG. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view of the side wall member taken along line XXb-XXb of FIG. 10(b). FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the side wall member taken along line XXI-XXI of FIG. 10(a); (a) is a top view of the side wall member in a contracted state, and (b) to (d) are top views of the side wall member in first to third states. (a) and (b) are top views of the side wall member in fourth and fifth states, and (c) is a top view of the side wall member in an enlarged state. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the side wall member in a contracted state; FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the side wall member in the first state; FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the side wall member in a second state; FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the side wall member in a third state; FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the sidewall member in a fourth state; FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the sidewall member in a fifth state; FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the side wall member in an expanded state; It is an exploded front perspective view of a first divided body. FIG. 4B is a top view of the side wall member in a contracted state; 33(a) and 33(b) are side views of the side wall member as viewed in the direction of arrow XXXIII in FIG. 32. FIG. (a) is a top view of the side wall member in an enlarged state, and (b) is a side view of the side wall member as viewed in the direction of arrow XXXIVb in (a). FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the lower tray in the second embodiment in a contracted state. It is a front perspective view of the lower plate in an enlarged state. It is an exploded front perspective view of a lower plate. It is a rear perspective view of an inner wall member. Fig. 4 is an exploded front perspective view of a side wall member; Fig. 4 is an exploded front perspective view of a side wall member; FIG. 4 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the side wall member; FIG. 4 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the side wall member; It is a rear perspective view of the lower plate in an enlarged state. (a) is a top view of the bottom tray in a reduced state, (b) to (d) are top views of the bottom tray in first to third states, and (e) is a top view of the bottom tray in an enlarged state. It is a top view of a dish. (a) is a side cross-sectional view of the lower tray in a reduced state, and (b) and (c) are side cross-sectional views of the lower tray in a first state and a second state. (a) is a side sectional view of the lower tray in a third state, and (b) is a side sectional view of the lower tray in an enlarged state. It is a front perspective view of the inner frame and lower plate in 3rd Embodiment. (a) is a top view of the inner frame and the lower plate, and (b) is a sectional view of the inner frame and the lower plate taken along line XLVIIIb-XLVIIIb of (a). (a) is a top view of the inner frame and the lower tray, and (b) is a sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray. (a) is a top view of the inner frame and the lower tray, and (b) is a sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray. (a) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower plate in the fourth embodiment, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower plate along line LIb-LIb of (a). (a) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray. (a) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray. (a) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray. (a) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower plate in the fifth embodiment, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower plate taken along line LVb-LVb of (a). (a) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray. (a) is a sectional view of the inner frame and the lower plate in the sixth embodiment, and (b) is a sectional view of the inner frame and the lower plate taken along line LVIIb-LVIIb in FIG. 57(a). (a) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray. (a) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray. (a) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray, and (c) is a cross-section of the inner frame taken along line LXc-LXc in (b). It is a diagram. (a) is a top view of the inner frame and the lower plate in the seventh embodiment, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower plate along line LXIb-LXIb in (a), and (c) is a , and a cross-sectional view of the inner frame along line LXIc-LXIc of (a). (a) is a top view of the inner frame and the lower tray, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame. (a) is a top view of the inner frame and the lower tray, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame and the lower tray, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame. It is a front perspective view of an inner frame and a lower plate in 8th Embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko game machine (hereinafter simply referred to as "pachinko machine") 10 will be described as a first embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 to 34. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 10 according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a front view of a game board 13 of the pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 whose outer shell is formed by a wooden frame combined in a substantially rectangular shape, and an outer frame 11 formed in substantially the same outer shape as the outer frame 11. and an inner frame 12 supported so as to be openable and closable. In order to support the inner frame 12, the outer frame 11 is provided with metal hinges 18 at two upper and lower positions on the left side when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1). A frame 12 is supported toward the front side so that it can be opened and closed.

A game board 13 (see FIG. 2) having a large number of nails, winning slots 63 and 64, etc. is detachably attached to the inner frame 12 from the back side. A ball (game ball) flows down the front surface of the game board 13 to play a pinball game. In addition, the inner frame 12 includes a ball shooting unit 112a (see FIG. 4) that shoots a ball to the front area of the game board 13 and a shooting unit that guides the ball shot from the ball shooting unit 112a to the front area of the game board 13. A rail (not shown) or the like is attached.

On the front side of the inner frame 12, a front frame 14 covering the front upper side and a lower tray unit 15 covering the lower side are provided. In order to support the front frame 14 and the lower tray unit 15, metal hinges 19 are attached at two upper and lower positions on the left side when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1). 14 and a lower tray unit 15 are supported so as to be openable and closable toward the front side. The locking of the inner frame 12 and the locking of the front frame 14 are unlocked by inserting a dedicated key into the keyhole 21 of the cylinder lock 20 and performing a predetermined operation.

The front frame 14 is assembled with decorative resin parts, electrical parts, and the like, and has a window portion 14c having a substantially elliptical opening at its substantially central portion. A glass unit 16 having two sheet glasses is arranged on the back side of the front frame 14, and the front side of the game board 13 can be visually recognized on the front side of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 16.例文帳に追加

An upper tray 17 for storing balls projects forward from the front frame 14 and is formed in a substantially box-like shape with an open upper surface. The bottom surface of the upper tray 17 is inclined downward to the right when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1), and the inclination guides the ball thrown into the upper tray 17 to the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4). A frame button 22 is provided on the upper surface of the upper plate 17 . The frame button 22 is operated by the player when, for example, the stage of the effect displayed on the third symbol display device 81 (see FIG. 2) is changed, or the content of the super ready-to-win effect is changed. be.

Light-emitting means such as various lamps are provided around the front frame 14 (for example, corner portions). These light emitting means are controlled to change the light emitting mode by lighting or blinking in response to changes in the game state such as when a big win is made or when a predetermined ready-to-win state is reached, and play a role of enhancing the effect during the game. Illuminated portions 29 to 33 containing light emitting means such as LEDs are provided on the periphery of the window portion 14c. In the pachinko machine 10, these electric decoration parts 29 to 33 function as production lamps such as big win lamps, and the respective electric decoration parts 29 to 33 are lit by lighting or blinking of built-in LEDs at the time of a big win or a ready-to-win production. Alternatively, it flashes to indicate that the jackpot is in progress or that the player is in the process of reaching one step before the jackpot. In addition, a display lamp 34 having a built-in light emitting means such as an LED or the like and capable of displaying whether prize balls are being paid out or when an error has occurred is provided in the upper left portion of the front frame 14 when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1).

In addition, a small window 35 is formed by attaching a transparent resin from the back side so that the back side of the front frame 14 can be visually recognized on the lower side of the right electrical decoration part 32, and a pasting space K1 (Fig. 2) can be visually recognized from the front of the pachinko machine 10. In addition, in the pachinko machine 10, a plated member 36 made of ABS resin, which is plated with chromium, is attached to the area around the electric decorations 29 to 33 in order to create more splendor.

A ball rental operation unit 40 is arranged below the window portion 14c. The ball rental operation unit 40 is provided with a frequency display unit 41 , a ball rental button 42 and a return button 43 . When the ball lending operation unit 40 is operated with banknotes, cards, etc. inserted into a card unit (ball lending unit) (not shown) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10, the balls are released according to the operation. Lending is done. Specifically, the frequency display section 41 is an area in which the balance information of the card or the like is displayed, and the built-in LED is turned on to display the remaining amount in numbers as the balance information. The ball lending button 42 is operated to obtain lending balls based on information recorded on a card or the like (recording medium), and lending balls are supplied to the top tray 17 as long as the card or the like has a balance. be done. The return button 43 is operated when requesting the return of the card or the like inserted in the card unit. A pachinko machine in which balls are directly lent to the upper tray 17 from a ball leasing device or the like without going through the card unit, that is, a so-called cash machine, does not require the ball leasing operation unit 40. A decorative seal or the like may be added to the installation portion to make the parts configuration common. It is possible to achieve commonality between a pachinko machine using a card unit and a cash machine.

In the lower tray unit 15 located below the upper tray 17, a lower tray 50 for storing the balls that could not be stored in the upper tray 17 is formed in a substantially box-like shape with an open upper surface. . On the right side of the lower plate 50, an operating handle 51 is provided which is operated by the player to hit the ball into the front surface of the game board 13. As shown in FIG.

Inside the operating handle 51, there are a touch sensor 51a for permitting the driving of the ball shooting unit 112a, a shooting stop switch 51b for stopping the shooting of the ball during the pressing operation, and a rotation of the operating handle 51. A variable resistor (not shown) for detecting a dynamic operation amount (rotational position) based on a change in electrical resistance is incorporated. When the operating handle 51 is rotated clockwise by the player, the touch sensor 51a is turned on and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes corresponding to the amount of rotation operation. A ball is shot with a strength (shooting intensity) corresponding to , and is hit to the front surface of the game board 13 with a flying amount corresponding to the player's operation. Further, when the operation handle 51 is not operated by the player, the touch sensor 51a and the firing stop switch 51b are turned off.

A ball extraction lever 52 is provided at the lower front portion of the lower tray 50 for operation when discharging the balls stored in the lower tray 50 downward. The ball extracting lever 52 is always biased in the front direction, and when it is slid in the rear direction against the bias, the bottom opening formed in the bottom surface of the lower tray 50 is opened. The ball naturally falls from the bottom opening and is discharged. The operation of the ball extracting lever 54b is normally performed with a box (generally called a "senryo box") placed below the lower tray 50 for receiving the balls ejected from the lower tray 50. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 13 includes a base plate 60 cut into a substantially square shape in a front view, and a number of nails (not shown) for guiding balls, windmills, rails 61 and 62, and a general winning prize. The opening 63, the first winning opening 64, the second winning opening 640, the variable winning device 65, the through gate 67, the variable display device unit 80, etc. are assembled, and the peripheral portion thereof is the rear surface of the inner frame 12 (see FIG. 1). mounted on the side. The base plate 60 is made of a light-transmissive resin material, and is formed so that the player can visually recognize various structures arranged on the back side of the base plate 60 from the front side thereof. The general winning opening 63, the first winning opening 64, the second winning opening 640, the variable winning device 65, and the variable display device unit 80 are arranged in through-holes formed in the base plate 60 by router processing. It is fixed by a tapping screw or the like from the front side.

The central portion of the front surface of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the inner frame 12 through the window portion 14c (see FIG. 1) of the front frame 14. As shown in FIG. Mainly referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of the game board 13 will be described below.

On the front surface of the game board 13, an outer rail 62 formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate into a substantially circular arc is planted, and a strip-shaped metal plate similar to the outer rail 62 is placed inside the outer rail 62. An arc-shaped inner rail 61 formed by is erected. The outer periphery of the front surface of the game board 13 is surrounded by the inner rail 61 and the outer rail 62, and the front and rear sides are surrounded by the game board 13 and the glass unit 16 (see FIG. 1). A game area is formed in which a game is played by the behavior of . The game area is the front surface of the game board 13 and is defined by two rails 61 and 62 and an outer edge member 73 made of resin that connects the rails. area where the ball flows down).

The two rails 61 and 62 are provided to guide the balls shot from the ball shooting unit 112a (see FIG. 4) to the upper part of the game board 13. As shown in FIG. A return ball prevention member 68 is attached to the tip of the inner rail 61 (upper left part in FIG. 2) to prevent the ball once guided to the upper part of the game board 13 from returning into the ball guide passage again. be done. A return rubber 69 is attached to the tip of the outer rail 62 (upper right in FIG. 2) at a position corresponding to the maximum flying portion of the ball. is attenuated and rebounded toward the center.

First pattern display devices 37A and 37B having a plurality of LEDs as light emitting means and a 7-segment display are arranged in the lower left part of the game area when viewed from the front (lower left part in FIG. 2). The first symbol display devices 37A and 37B are for displaying according to each control performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and mainly display the game state of the pachinko machine 10. FIG. In this embodiment, the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B are configured to be used properly depending on whether the ball has won the first prize winning port 64 or the second prize winning port 640.例文帳に追加Specifically, when the ball enters the first winning hole 64, the first symbol display device 37A operates, while when the ball enters the second winning hole 640, the first The pattern display device 37B is configured to operate.

In addition, the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B use LEDs to indicate whether the pachinko machine 10 is in the variable probability, the time saving mode, or the normal state by the lighting state, or indicate whether the pachinko machine 10 is in the changing state by the lighting state. Whether the stop pattern is a pattern corresponding to the probability variable jackpot, a pattern corresponding to the normal jackpot, or a missing pattern is indicated by the lighting state, the number of pending balls is indicated by the lighting state, and a 7-segment display device indicates the round during the jackpot. Display numbers and errors. The plurality of LEDs are configured so that each LED has a different emission color (for example, red, green, and blue), and depending on the combination of the emission colors, it is possible to suggest various game states of the pachinko machine 10 with a small number of LEDs. can.

In addition, in the pachinko machine 10, a lottery is performed when a prize is won in the first prize winning port 64 and the second prize winning port 640.例文帳に追加In the lottery, the pachinko machine 10 determines whether or not it is a big win (big win lottery), and also determines the kind of big win when it is determined as a big win. As the jackpot type determined here, a 15R probability variable jackpot, a 4R probability variable jackpot, and a 15R normal jackpot are prepared. The first pattern display devices 37A and 37B not only indicate whether or not the result of the lottery is a jackpot as a stop pattern after the end of variation, but also indicate a pattern corresponding to the jackpot type when the jackpot is won. .

Here, the “15R probability variable jackpot” is a probability variable jackpot that shifts to a high probability state after the maximum number of rounds is 15 rounds, and the “4R probability variable jackpot” is a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 4 rounds. It is a variable jackpot that shifts to a high probability state after . In addition, "15R normal jackpot" is a jackpot that shifts to a low probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 15 rounds, and a time-saving state during a predetermined number of fluctuations (for example, 100 fluctuations). be.

In addition, the "high probability state" refers to a state in which the probability of a subsequent jackpot is increased as an added value after the end of the jackpot, a time during so-called probability fluctuation (probability change), in other words, a game that is easy to shift to a special game state It is the state of The high-probability state (during probability variation) in the present embodiment includes a game state in which the winning probability of the second symbol (to be described later) is increased and the ball is likely to enter the second winning hole 640 . "Low probability state" refers to a state in which the odds are not variable, and the jackpot probability is normal, that is, a state in which the jackpot probability is lower than when the odds are variable. In addition, the time-saving state (during time-saving) of the "low-probability state" is a state in which the jackpot probability is normal, and the jackpot probability remains the same, but only the winning probability of the second symbol is increased, and the second winning port 640 It refers to the state of the game in which the ball is likely to win a prize. On the other hand, when the pachinko machine 10 is in the normal state, it means that the game is in a state of neither variable probability nor time reduction (state in which neither the jackpot probability nor the second pattern winning probability is increased).

During the probability change or the time reduction, not only the winning probability of the second symbol is increased, but also the time when the electric accessory 640a attached to the second winning opening 640 is opened is changed, and the time is longer than during normal. set. When the electric accessory 640a is in the open state (open state), the balls enter the second winning port 640 more than when the electric accessory 640a is in the closed state (closed state). becomes easy. Therefore, during the probability change or the time reduction, the ball is likely to enter the second winning hole 640, and the number of times the big winning lottery is performed can be increased.

In addition, instead of changing the opening time of the electric accessory 640a associated with the second winning opening 640 during the probability change or the time saving, or in addition to changing the opening time, A change may be made to increase the number of times the accessory 640a is released more than during normal times. In addition, the winning probability of the second symbol is not changed during the probability change or the time reduction, and the electric accessory 640a is opened at the time when the electric accessory 640a associated with the second winning opening 640 is opened and once. At least one of the number of times may be changed. In addition, during the probability change or the time reduction, the time when the electric accessory 640a attached to the second winning opening 640 is opened and the number of times the electric accessory 640a is opened per hit are not set. Only the probability may be changed to be higher than normal.

The game area is provided with a plurality of general winning holes 63 through which 5 to 15 balls are paid out as prize balls when the balls win. A variable display device unit 80 is arranged in the central portion of the game area. In the variable display device unit 80, the winning (starting winning) to the first winning port 64 and the second winning port 640 is used as a trigger, and while synchronizing with the variable display on the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, the third symbol is displayed. It is composed of a third pattern display device 81 composed of a liquid crystal display (hereinafter simply referred to as a "display device") that performs variable display, and an LED that variably displays the second pattern triggered by the passage of the ball through the through gate 67. A second pattern display device (not shown) is provided.

A center frame 86 is arranged in the variable display device unit 80 so as to surround the outer periphery of the third pattern display device 81 . The third pattern display device 81 can be visually recognized through an opening formed in the center of the center frame 86 .

The third pattern display device 81 is composed of a large 9-inch liquid crystal display, and the display contents are controlled by the display control device 114 (see FIG. 4), so that, for example, the top, middle and bottom three patterns are displayed. A column of symbols is displayed. Each pattern row is composed of a plurality of patterns (third patterns), and these third patterns are horizontally scrolled for each pattern row to variably display the third pattern on the display screen of the third pattern display device 81.例文帳に追加It's like In the third symbol display device 81 of the present embodiment, the game state is displayed by the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B under the control of the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4). Decorative display according to the display of the pattern display devices 37A and 37B is performed. Incidentally, instead of the display device, for example, the third symbol display device 81 may be constructed using a reel or the like.

The second pattern display device alternately lights up a symbol "O" and a symbol "X" as a display symbol (second symbol (not shown)) for a predetermined time each time the ball passes through the through gate 67. This is for variable display. In the pachinko machine 10, when it is detected that the ball has passed through the through gate 67, a winning lottery is performed. As a result of the winning lottery, if the winning lottery is won, the second symbol display device stops and displays the symbol "○" after the second symbol is variably displayed. Further, if the result of the winning lottery is a loss, the symbol "x" is stopped and displayed on the second symbol display device after the variable display of the third symbol.

In the pachinko machine 10, when the variable display on the second symbol display device stops at a predetermined symbol ("○" symbol in this embodiment), the electric accessory 640a associated with the second winning hole 640 is displayed for a predetermined period of time. is configured to be activated (opened) only.

The time required for the variable display of the second symbol is set so as to be shorter during the variable probability or during the time saving than during the normal gaming state. As a result, the variable display of the second symbol is performed in a short time during the probability change and the time reduction, so that more winning lotteries can be performed than during normal times. Therefore, the chance of winning in the winning lottery increases, so that the player can be given more opportunities to open the electric accessary 640a of the second winning opening 640.例文帳に追加Therefore, it is possible to create a state in which the ball is likely to enter the second winning hole 640 during the probability variation and the time saving.

In addition, during the probability change or the time reduction, other methods such as increasing the winning probability, increasing the opening time and the number of openings of the electric accessory 640a for one hit, etc. When the ball is in a state where it is easy to win a prize, the time required for the variable display of the second symbol may be fixed regardless of the game state. On the other hand, if the time required for the variable display of the second symbol is set shorter than normal during the variable probability or during the time saving, the winning probability may be constant regardless of the game state, and one winning The opening time and the number of openings of the electric accessory 640a may be constant regardless of the game state.

The through gate 67 is attached to the game board on the right side of the lower area of the variable display unit 80, and allows some of the balls launched to the game board that flow down the right side of the game board to pass through. is configured to When the ball passes through the through gate 67, a winning lottery for the second symbol is performed. After the winning lottery, the variable display is performed on the second symbol display device, and if the result of the winning lottery is a win, the symbol "○" is displayed as a stop symbol of the variable display, and if the result of the winning lottery is a loss. For example, an "x" symbol is displayed as a variable display stop symbol.

The number of times the ball passes through the through gate 67 is suspended up to a total of four times, and the number of suspended balls is displayed by the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B described above, and is displayed on the second symbol suspension lamp (not shown). is also displayed. Four second pattern holding lamps are provided for the maximum number of holdings, and are arranged symmetrically below the third pattern display device 81 .

The variable display of the second pattern is performed by switching between lighting and non-lighting of a plurality of lamps in the second pattern display device as in the present embodiment. A part of the pattern display device 81 may be used. Similarly, the lighting of the second symbol reservation lamp may be performed by a part of the third symbol display device 81 . Also, the maximum number of held balls to pass through the through gate 67 is not limited to four times, and may be set to three times or less, or five times or more (for example, eight times). Also, the number of through gates 67 to be assembled is not limited to one, and may be plural (for example, two). Also, the mounting position of the through gate 67 is not limited to the right side of the variable display device unit 80, but may be the left side of the variable display device unit 80, for example. In addition, since the number of reserved balls is indicated by the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, the lighting display may not be performed by the second symbol reservation lamp.

Below the variable display device unit 80, a first winning hole 64 through which balls can win is arranged. When the ball enters the first winning hole 64, a first winning hole switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on, and the main controller 110 is caused to turn on the first winning hole switch. (See FIG. 4), a lottery for a big hit is made, and a display corresponding to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37A.

On the other hand, on the right side of the first winning hole 64 when viewed from the front, a second winning hole 640 through which a ball can win is arranged. When the ball enters the second winning hole 640, a second winning hole switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on, and the main controller 110 is caused to turn on the second winning hole switch. (See FIG. 4), a lottery for a big win is made, and a display corresponding to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37B.

In addition, the first prize winning port 64 and the second prize winning port 640 are also one of the prize winning ports from which five balls are paid out as prize balls when the balls win. In this embodiment, the number of prize balls paid out when the balls enter the first prize winning port 64 and the number of prize balls paid out when the balls enter the second prize winning port 640 are configured to be the same. , the number of prize balls paid out when the balls enter the first prize winning port 64 and the number of prize balls paid out when the balls enter the second prize winning port 640 are different numbers, for example, the number of balls to the first prize winning port 64 The number of prize balls to be paid out when is won may be set to three, and the number of prize balls to be paid out when a ball enters the second prize winning port 640 may be set to be five.

An electric accessory 640a is attached to the second prize winning port 640. - 特許庁This electric accessory 640a is configured to be openable and closable, and normally the electric accessory 640a is in a closed state (reduced state), making it difficult for the ball to enter the second winning opening 640. On the other hand, as a result of the variable display of the second symbol triggered by the passage of the ball through the through gate 67, when the symbol "○" is displayed on the second symbol display device, the electric accessory 640a is in the open state (enlarged state), which makes it easier for the ball to enter the second winning hole 640.例文帳に追加

As described above, during the probability variation and during the time saving, the probability of hitting the second symbol is higher than during normal, and the time required for the variation display of the second symbol is short, so in the variation display of the second symbol "○ ” is more likely to be displayed, and the number of times the electric accessory 640a is in the open state (enlarged state) increases. Furthermore, the time during which the electric accessory 640a is opened is also longer during the variable probability and the shorter working hours than during the normal time. Therefore, it is possible to create a state in which the ball is more likely to enter the second winning hole 640 during the variable probability and the shorter working hours compared to the normal time.

Here, when the ball enters the first prize winning port 64 and when the ball enters the second prize winning port 640, the probability of winning the jackpot is the same in both the low probability state and the high probability state. However, the probability of winning a 15R probability variable jackpot as the type of jackpot selected in the event of a jackpot is higher when the ball enters the second winning port 640 than when the ball enters the first winning port 64. is set. On the other hand, the first prize winning port 64 does not have an electric accessory like the second prize winning port 640, and the ball can always win a prize.

Therefore, during normal operation, the electric accessory attached to the second prize winning port 640 is often closed, and it is difficult to win the second prize winning port 640. Then, a ball is shot so that the ball passes through the left side of the variable display unit 80 (so-called "left-handed hitting"), and by winning the first prize-winning port 64, many chances of a big winning lottery are obtained, and a big win is achieved. It is advantageous for the player to aim at that.

On the other hand, during the probability change or the time reduction, by passing the ball through the through gate 67, the electric accessory 640a attached to the second winning port 640 is likely to be in an open state, and the second winning port 640 is in a state where it is easy to win. Therefore, the ball is shot toward the second winning hole 640 so as to pass the right side of the variable display device 80 (so-called "right hitting"), and passed through the through gate 67 to open the electric accessory. In addition, it is advantageous for the player to aim for a 15R probability variable jackpot by winning the second prize winning port 640.例文帳に追加

As described above, the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment shoots balls to the player according to the game state of the pachinko machine 10 (whether the game is variable probability, short time, or normal). It is possible to change the way of hitting to "left hitting" and "right hitting". Therefore, it is possible to change the way the player hits the ball, so that the player can enjoy the game.

A variable prize winning device 65 is arranged on the upper right side of the first prize winning port 64, and a horizontally long rectangular specific prize winning port (large open port) 65a is provided in the substantially central portion thereof. In the pachinko machine 10, when the jackpot lottery performed due to the winning of the first prize winning port 64 or the second prize winning port 640 results in a jackpot, after a predetermined time (fluctuation time) elapses, the jackpot stop symbol is displayed. The first symbol display device 37A or the first symbol display device 37B is turned on so as to cause the first symbol display device 37A or the first symbol display device 37B to be lit, and the third symbol display device 81 is caused to display the stop symbol corresponding to the big win, thereby indicating the occurrence of the big win. After that, the game state transitions to a special game state (jackpot) in which the balls are likely to win. As this special game state, the specific winning opening 65a which is normally closed is opened for a predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds have passed or until 10 balls have been won).

The specific winning opening 65a is closed after a predetermined period of time has passed, and after the closure, the specific winning opening 65a is opened again for a predetermined period of time. The opening and closing operation of the specific winning opening 65a can be repeated up to 15 times (15 rounds), for example. The state in which this opening and closing operation is performed is one form of a special game state that is advantageous to the player, and the player is given a game value (game value) by paying out a larger amount of prize balls than usual. is done.

Specifically, the variable prize winning device 65 includes a horizontally long rectangular opening/closing plate that covers the specific prize winning opening 65a, and a large opening solenoid (not shown) for opening and closing forward with the lower side of the opening/closing plate as an axis. and The specific prize winning opening 65a is normally in a closed state in which the ball cannot or hardly wins a prize. In the event of a big win, the large opening solenoid is driven to tilt the opening/closing plate to the lower front side to temporarily form an open state in which the ball is likely to enter the specific prize winning port 65a, and the open state and the normal closed state are formed. It operates to alternate between states.

Incidentally, the special game state is not limited to the form described above. A large opening that is opened and closed separately from the specific winning opening 65a is provided in the game area, and when the LED corresponding to the big win is lit in the first pattern display devices 37A and 37B, the specific winning opening 65a is opened for a predetermined time, and the A special game is a game state in which a large opening provided separately from the specific winning opening 65a is opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times when a ball enters the specific winning opening 65a while the specific winning opening 65a is open. You may make it form as a state. In addition, the number of the specific winning openings 65a is not limited to one, and one or two or more (for example, three) may be arranged. , the left side of the variable display device unit 80 .

An affixing space K1 for affixing a certificate stamp, an identification label, etc. is provided at the right corner of the lower side of the game board 13. 35 (see FIG. 1).

The game board 13 is provided with a first outlet 71 . Balls that flow down the game area and do not win any of the winning holes 63, 64, 65a, 640 are guided through the first out hole 71 to a ball discharge path (not shown). The first out port 71 is arranged below the first winning port 64 .

The game board 13 is provided with a large number of nails for properly dispersing and adjusting the falling direction of the balls, and various members (accessories) such as windmills.

As shown in FIG. 3, the back side of the pachinko machine 10 is mainly provided with control board units 90 and 91 and a back pack unit 94 . The control board unit 90 is unitized by mounting a main board (main controller 110), an audio lamp control board (audio lamp control device 113), and a display control board (display control device 114). The control board unit 91 is unitized by mounting a payout control board (payout control device 111), a launch control board (launch control device 112), a power supply board (power supply device 115), and a card unit connection board 116.

The back pack unit 94 includes a back pack 92 forming a protective cover and a dispensing unit 93 as a unit. In addition, each control board has an MPU as a 1-chip microcomputer that manages each control, a port that communicates with various devices, a random number generator that is used for various lotteries, and is used for time counting and synchronization. A clock pulse generation circuit or the like is mounted as required.

The main control device 110, the sound lamp control device 113, the display control device 114, the payout control device 111, the firing control device 112, the power supply device 115, and the card unit connection board 116 are housed in the board boxes 100 to 104, respectively. . Each of the board boxes 100 to 104 has a box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are connected to each other to accommodate each controller and each board.

In addition, the board box 100 (main controller 110) and the board box 102 (dispensing control device 111 and firing control device 112) connect the box base and the box cover in an unopenable manner (caulking structure) by a sealing unit (not shown). consolidation). A sealing seal (not shown) is attached to the connecting portion between the box base and the box cover over the box base and the box cover. The sealing seal is made of a brittle material, and if the sealing seal is peeled off in order to open the circuit board boxes 100, 102, or if the circuit board boxes 100, 102 are forcibly opened, the box base and the box cover may be damaged. cut to the side. Therefore, by checking the sealing unit or the sealing seal, it is possible to know whether the substrate boxes 100, 102 have been opened.

The dispensing unit 93 includes a tank 130 located at the top of the back pack unit 94 and open upward, a tank rail 131 connected to the lower side of the tank 130 and gently inclined toward the downstream side, and a tank rail 131 downstream of the tank rail 131. and a payout device 133 provided at the most downstream portion of the case rail 132, which pays out balls by a predetermined electrical configuration of a payout motor 216 (see FIG. 4). ing. The tank 130 is successively replenished with balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall, and a payout device 133 pays out the required number of balls as appropriate. A vibrator 134 for applying vibration to the tank rail 131 is attached to the tank rail 131 .

The payout control device 111 is provided with a state return switch 120, the firing control device 112 is provided with a variable resistor control knob 121, and the power supply device 115 is provided with a RAM erasure switch 122. The state recovery switch 120 is operated to eliminate ball clogging (return to normal state) when a dispensing error such as a ball clogging in the dispensing motor 216 (see FIG. 4) occurs. The operating knob 121 is operated to adjust the firing force of the firing solenoid. The RAM erase switch 122 is operated when the power is turned on when the pachinko machine 10 is to be returned to its initial state.

Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10. As shown in FIG.

The main control unit 110 is equipped with an MPU 201 as a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic unit. The MPU 201 includes a ROM 202 storing various control programs and fixed value data to be executed by the MPU 201, and a memory for temporarily storing various data when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 202. A RAM 203 and other various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission/reception circuit are incorporated. In the main control unit 110, the MPU 201 performs main processing of the pachinko machine 10, such as the setting of the jackpot lottery, the display settings of the first symbol display devices 37A, 37B and the third symbol display device 81, and the lottery of the display results of the second symbol display device. to run.

In addition, various commands are transmitted from the main controller 110 to the sub-controller by the data transmission/reception circuit in order to instruct the operation of the sub-controller such as the payout controller 111 and the sound lamp controller 113. Such commands are sent in only one direction from the main controller 110 to the sub-controllers.

The RAM 203 stores various areas, counters, flags, contents of internal registers of the MPU 201, return addresses of control programs executed by the MPU 201, etc., and a stack area for storing various flags, counters, I/O, and the like. and a work area (work area) in which values are stored. The RAM 203 is configured to retain (back up) data by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply 115 even after the pachinko machine 10 is powered off, and all the data stored in the RAM 203 is backed up. .

When power is interrupted due to power failure or the like, the RAM 203 stores the stack pointer and the values of each register at the time of power interruption (including power failure; the same applies hereinafter). On the other hand, when the power is turned on (including when the power is turned on due to the cancellation of the power failure; the same applies hereinafter), the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power was cut off based on the information stored in the RAM 203 . Writing to the RAM 203 is executed by the main process (not shown) when the power is turned off, and restoration of each value written in the RAM 203 is executed by the start-up process (not shown) when the power is turned on. The NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the MPU 201 is configured to receive a power failure signal SG1 from the power failure monitoring circuit 252 when power is shut off due to a power failure or the like. , NMI interrupt processing (not shown) is immediately executed as power failure processing.

An input/output port 205 is connected to the MPU 201 of the main controller 110 via a bus line 204 comprising an address bus and a data bus. The input/output port 205 includes the payout control device 111, the sound lamp control device 113, the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, the second symbol display device, the second symbol reservation lamp, and the lower side of the opening/closing plate of the specific winning opening 65a. A solenoid 209 consisting of a large opening solenoid for driving opening and closing to the front side and a solenoid for driving an electric accessory is connected. to send.

The input/output port 205 also includes various switches 208 including a group of switches (not shown) and a group of sensors including a slide position detection sensor S and a rotation position detection sensor R, and a RAM erasure switch circuit 253 provided in the power supply 115, which will be described later. , and the MPU 201 executes various processes based on the signals output from the various switches 208 and the RAM erasing signal SG2 output from the RAM erasing switch circuit 253 .

The payout control device 111 drives the payout motor 216 to control the payout of prize balls and rental balls. The MPU 211, which is an arithmetic unit, has a ROM 212 storing control programs executed by the MPU 211, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 213 used as a work memory and the like.

The RAM 213 of the payout control device 111, like the RAM 203 of the main control device 110, has a stack area for storing the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 211 and the return address of the control program executed by the MPU 211, and various flags and counters. , and a work area (work area) in which values such as I/O are stored. The RAM 213 is configured to retain (back up) data by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply 115 even after the pachinko machine 10 is powered off, and all the data stored in the RAM 213 is backed up. As with the MPU 201 of the main controller 110, the NMI terminal of the MPU 211 is also configured to receive a power failure signal SG1 from the power failure monitoring circuit 252 when power is shut off due to a power failure or the like. When input to the MPU 211, NMI interrupt processing (not shown) is immediately executed as power failure processing.

An input/output port 215 is connected to the MPU 211 of the payout control device 111 via a bus line 214 composed of an address bus and a data bus. The input/output port 215 is connected to the main controller 110, the dispensing motor 216, the launch controller 112, and the like. Although not shown, the payout control device 111 is connected with a prize ball detection switch for detecting paid prize balls. The prize ball detection switch is connected to the payout controller 111 but not to the main controller 110 .

The shooting control device 112 controls the ball shooting unit 112a so that the shooting strength of the ball corresponds to the amount of rotation of the operation handle 51 when the main controller 110 issues an instruction to shoot the ball. . The ball shooting unit 112a has a shooting solenoid and an electromagnet (not shown), and the firing solenoid and the electromagnet are permitted to be driven when predetermined conditions are met. Specifically, the touch sensor 51a detects that the player is touching the operation handle 51, and the operation is performed on the condition that the shooting stop switch 51b for stopping the shooting of the ball is turned off (not operated). A shooting solenoid is energized corresponding to the amount of rotation operation (rotation position) of the handle 51 , and the ball is shot with strength corresponding to the amount of operation of the operation handle 51 .

The audio lamp control device 113 outputs audio from an audio output device (such as a speaker (not shown)) 226, outputs lighting and extinguishing from a lamp display device (electrical parts 29 to 33, display lamp 34, etc.) 227, and changes production (variation It controls the setting of the display mode of the third pattern display device 81 performed by the display control device 114 such as display) and advance notice effect. The MPU 221, which is an arithmetic device, has a ROM 222 storing control programs executed by the MPU 221, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 223 used as a work memory and the like.

An input/output port 225 is connected to the MPU 221 of the audio lamp control device 113 via a bus line 224 comprising an address bus and a data bus. The input/output port 225 is connected to the main control device 110, the display control device 114, the audio output device 226, the lamp display device 227, the other device 228, the frame button 22, and the like.

Sound lamp control device 113, based on various commands (fluctuation pattern command, stop type command, etc.) received from main control device 110, determines the display mode of third symbol display device 81, and sends the determined display mode to the command The display control device 114 is notified by (display variation pattern command, display stop type command, etc.). In addition, the sound lamp control device 113 monitors the input from the frame button 22, and when the frame button 22 is operated by the player, changes the stage displayed on the third symbol display device 81 or super reach. The display control device 114 is instructed to change the effect contents of the hour. When the stage is changed, a rear image change command including information about the stage after the change is transmitted to the display control device 114 in order to display the rear image corresponding to the stage after the change on the third pattern display device 81. . Here, the back image is an image displayed on the back side of the third design, which is the main image to be displayed on the third design display device 81 . The display control device 114 displays various images on the third pattern display device 81 in accordance with commands transmitted from the sound lamp control device 113 .

Also, the sound lamp control device 113 receives a command (display command) representing the display content of the third pattern display device 81 from the display control device 114 . In the audio lamp control device 113, based on the display command received from the display control device 114, in accordance with the display content of the third pattern display device 81, output the audio corresponding to the display content from the audio output device 226, Lighting and extinguishing of the lamp display device 227 are controlled in accordance with the display contents.

The display control device 114 is connected to the sound lamp control device 113 and the third pattern display device 81, and based on the command received from the sound lamp control device 113, the third pattern display device 81 changes the third pattern, etc. It controls the display. Further, the display control device 114 appropriately transmits a display command for notifying the display contents of the third pattern display device 81 to the sound lamp control device 113 . The sound lamp control device 113 outputs sound from the sound output device 226 in accordance with the display contents indicated by this display command, so that the display of the third pattern display device 81 and the sound output from the sound output device 226 are matched. be able to.

The power supply device 115 includes a power supply unit 251 for supplying power to each part of the pachinko machine 10, a power failure monitoring circuit 252 for monitoring power interruption due to power failure, etc., and a RAM provided with a RAM erase switch 122 (see FIG. 3). and an erase switch circuit 253 . The power supply unit 251 is a device that supplies necessary operating voltages to the control devices 110 to 114 and the like through a power supply path (not shown). As an overview, the power supply unit 251 takes in a voltage of 24 volts supplied from the outside, various switches such as the various switches 208, solenoids such as the solenoid 209, a voltage of 12 volts for driving a motor, etc. A voltage of 5 volts for logic, a backup voltage for RAM backup, etc. are generated, and these 12 volts, 5 volts and backup voltages are supplied to the controllers 110 to 114 and the like as necessary voltages.

The power failure monitoring circuit 252 is a circuit for outputting a power failure signal SG1 to each NMI terminal of the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 and the MPU 211 of the payout control device 111 at the time of power failure due to power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 252 monitors the voltage of stable DC 24 volts, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 251, and determines that a power failure (power shutdown, power shutdown) has occurred when this voltage is less than 22 volts. Then, a power failure signal SG1 is output to the main controller 110 and the payout controller 111. By the output of the power failure signal SG1, the main controller 110 and the payout controller 111 recognize the occurrence of the power failure and execute NMI interrupt processing. Even after the stable DC voltage of 24 volts becomes less than 22 volts, the power supply unit 251 outputs a voltage of 5 volts, which is the driving voltage of the control system, for a time sufficient to execute the NMI interrupt processing. is configured to maintain a normal value. Therefore, the main control device 110 and the payout control device 111 can normally execute and complete the NMI interrupt process (not shown).

The RAM erase switch circuit 253 is a circuit for outputting a RAM erase signal SG2 for clearing backup data to the main controller 110 when the RAM erase switch 122 (see FIG. 3) is pressed. When the pachinko machine 10 is powered on, the main controller 110 clears the backup data when the RAM erase signal SG2 is input, and controls the payout initialization command for clearing the backup data in the payout control device 111. Send to device 111 .

Next, the lower plate 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 34. FIG. First, the overall configuration of the lower plate 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the inner frame 12 and the lower tray 50, and FIG. 6 is an exploded front perspective view of the inner frame 12 and the lower tray 50. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, on the lower left side of the inner frame 12, a payout port 23 formed as a rectangular opening when viewed from the front is provided. A lower plate 50 is disposed at a position where the ball paid out from the bottom can be received. The balls that cannot be stored in the upper tray 17 are paid out from the outlet 23 to the lower tray 50 and stored in the storage area of the lower tray 50. - 特許庁

The lower tray 50 is disposed on the inner frame 12 in such a posture that the dispensing port 23 is located on the left side of the storage area and the bottom wall member 54 is located below the lower surface of the dispensing port 23 when viewed from the front. be. Therefore, in the initial stage, the ball discharged from the discharge port 23 is stored while flowing from the left side to the right side in the front view of the bottom wall member 54 of the lower tray 50, and the ball spreads over the entire bottom wall member 54. When the balls are stored to such an extent that they spread, they are stored in a form forming a mountain near the payout port 23 . When a predetermined amount of balls is stored in the lower tray 50, the player operates the ball extraction lever 54b to discharge the balls to a box (so-called senryo box) arranged below the lower tray 50. FIG.

Here, in the present embodiment, the side wall member 55 of the lower tray 50 is formed so as to be displaceable forward and backward, and the side wall member 55 is projected forward or retracted rearward to expand or retract the size of the storage area. It can be scaled down (see Figures 7 and 8). Therefore, since the size of the storage area can be increased, the frequency of the operation of removing the ball from the lower tray 50 can be reduced, and the player can concentrate on the game accordingly. On the other hand, since the size of the storage area can be reduced, the lower tray 50 (overhanging side wall member 55) interferes with the adjacent pachinko machine 10 when the front frame 14 is opened, and the outer shape during transportation is increased. can be suppressed. The structure for expanding and contracting the lower plate 50 will be described in detail below.

7(a) and 7(b) are front perspective views of the lower tray 50 in a reduced state, and FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are front perspective views of the lower tray 50 in an enlarged state. be. 9 is an exploded front perspective view of the lower tray 50. FIG. Note that FIG. 9 shows an exploded state of the lower tray 50 in a contracted state.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the lower tray 50 includes a bottom wall member 54 forming the bottom surface of the storage area, side wall members 55 standing from the bottom wall member 54 and forming side surfaces of the storage area, and inner wall members. 56 , and a support pin 57 and a support plate 58 for rotatably supporting the side wall member 55 to the bottom wall member 54 .

The bottom wall member 54 is a plate-like member arranged on the front surface of the inner frame 12 in a posture that protrudes substantially horizontally toward the front, and is an opening for discharging balls from the storage area of the lower tray 50. A ball extraction hole 54a and a ball extraction lever 54b operated by a player when opening the ball extraction hole 54a are provided. The ball removal hole 54a is located on the right side of the storage area of the lower tray 50 (opposite to the outlet 23) when viewed from the top of the bottom wall member 54, and the upper surface of the bottom wall member 54 is provided with ball removal from all sides. It is formed in a shape that slopes downward toward the hole 54a.

The side wall member 55 is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed from the top. 551Y to 557Y (see FIGS. 11 to 19)) is directed to the front of the front frame 12 so that the bent portion of the L-shape protrudes forward of the front frame 12. Therefore, on the front surface of the front frame 12 , a substantially triangular space in top view is defined by the side wall member 55 . The side wall member 55 has a substantially L-shaped long side end when viewed from the top (the left side when viewed from the front, that is, the end on the same side as the side on which the front frame 14 is supported so as to be openable and closable). A mounting plate 58 rotatably supports the bottom wall member 54 .

Note that the side wall member 55 includes a plurality of (seven in this embodiment) split bodies (first split body 551 to seventh split body 557, see FIGS. 11 to 19) that are approximately L-shaped when viewed from the top, and are connected to the rotary shaft. (Rotating pin 57) are overlapped along the axial direction. When each of these divided bodies 551 to 557 is rotated around the pivot pin 57, the divided bodies on the upper layer side are largely displaced outward, thereby forming a stepped shape and forming a storage area of the lower tray 50. to expand. Therefore, it is possible to secure a degree of freedom in arranging the ball removal holes 54a (see FIG. 9) in the bottom wall member 54. FIG.

That is, in a structure in which the storage area is expanded or contracted by sliding the bottom wall and the side walls back and forth by the operation of the player, the overlapping portion of the bottom wall on the fixed side and the bottom wall on the sliding side , the ball hole cannot be arranged, and the degree of freedom in its arrangement is reduced.

On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the vertically superimposed divided bodies 551 to 557 are displaced to form a stepped shape, thereby expanding the storage area. There is no overlapping margin between the portions (divided bodies 551 to 557) displaced to the bottom wall member 54 and the bottom wall member 54. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the ball removal hole 54a can be arranged at an arbitrary position of the bottom wall member 54, and the degree of freedom of the arrangement can be ensured.

In addition, the side wall member 55 is expanded in a stepped shape by being displaced outward more in the upper layer side (see FIG. 8). That is, since the upper layer side divided body protrudes toward the player's side as viewed from the player, the storage area can be expanded without narrowing the distance from the upper tray 17 and with the front side opening widened. Since it is enlarged, the player's hand can be easily put into the lower tray 50.例文帳に追加In other words, the size of the upper plate 17 can be increased accordingly. In addition, by projecting the side wall member 55 forward from the player's perspective, the player can easily recognize that the lower tray 50 is in the expanded state.

The inner wall member 56 is a plate-like member erected from the bottom wall member 54, and is inside (storage area side) of the short side portions (second pieces 551Y to 557Y) of the substantially L-shaped side wall member 55 when viewed from above. and forms part of the side surface of the storage area of the lower plate 50 . That is, the side surface of the storage area of the lower tray 50 is formed by the inner frame 12, the long side portions (first pieces 551X to 557X) of the side wall member 55 that are approximately L-shaped when viewed from above, and the inner wall member 56 in the contracted state. In the expanded state, the short side portions (second pieces 551Y to 557Y) of the substantially L-shaped side wall member 55 are added thereto.

Here, the short side portions (second pieces 551Y to 557Y) of the substantially L-shaped side wall member 55 when viewed from above have different length dimensions. Therefore, in the contracted state, the respective ends are arranged at different positions, and a plurality of steps are formed along the longitudinal direction of the short side portions (second pieces 551Y to 557Y). Therefore, when the side surface of the storage area of the lower tray 50 is formed by such short side portions (second pieces 551Y to 557Y), for example, one or several balls remaining on the lower tray 50 when the game is finished can be removed. When taking it out, the ball gets caught on the steps and is difficult to take out.

That is, since the upper tray 17 is arranged above the lower tray 50 and the space is narrow, it is difficult to pick up the ball in the lower tray 50 with fingers. Therefore, the finger of the left hand presses the ball against the right side (handle 51 side) of the storage area of the lower tray 50 and rolls it forward to take it out. In this case, if the above-described steps are formed, the ball will be caught on the steps and will be difficult to remove.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the side surface on the right side (on the handle 51 side) of the storage area of the dish 50 is formed by the inner wall member 56 in the contracted state and formed into a flat surface. That is, the inner wall member 56 can hide the step due to the short side portions (the second pieces 551Y to 557Y). As a result, the ball can be easily taken out by pressing it against the side surface of the storage area of the lower tray 50 on the right side (handle 51 side) with the finger of the left hand and rolling it forward.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the inner wall member 56 forms part of the inner wall of the storage area, and in the contracted state shown in FIG. pieces 551Y to 557Y) are arranged on the back side of the inner wall member 56, and in the enlarged state shown in FIG. 56, and both the substantially L-shaped short side portions (second pieces 551Y to 557Y) and the inner wall member 56 form part of the inner wall of the storage area. As a result, the length of the substantially L-shaped short side portion can be shortened, and the space required for moving the substantially L-shaped short side portion can be reduced accordingly.

That is, when the inner wall member 56 is not provided, not only when the storage area is reduced, but also when the storage area is expanded, the short sides of the substantially L-shaped segments 551 to 557 ( Since the second pieces 551Y to 557Y) need to form part of the inner wall of the storage area, the length dimension of the short side portion of the substantially L-shaped portion is set to the length dimension corresponding to the inner wall member 56 and the storage area (inner wall ) is required to add the length dimension corresponding to the enlarged portion.

Therefore, the space required for moving the substantially L-shaped short side portions (the second pieces 551Y to 557Y) becomes large, and it is necessary to secure part of this space in the internal space of the inner frame 12 . That is, it becomes necessary to accommodate the other ends of the substantially L-shaped short sides (second pieces 551Y to 557Y) in the internal space of the inner frame 12 in the contracted state shown in FIG.

On the other hand, by providing the inner wall member 56, the substantially L-shaped short side portions (second pieces 551Y to 557Y) only need to serve as the inner wall of the storage area only in the expanded state. The length dimension of the side portion can be suppressed to the length dimension corresponding to the enlarged portion (the length dimension corresponding to the inner wall member 56 can be eliminated). As a result, the space required for moving the short side portion of the substantially L-shape can be reduced, and it becomes unnecessary to secure part of the space in the internal space of the inner frame 12 .

A regulating portion 56a is projected from the back side of the inner wall member 56, and the regulating portion 56a overlaps the upper surface of the short side portion (second piece 551Y) of the side wall member 55 which is approximately L-shaped when viewed from above. Therefore, when the side wall member 55 receives the weight of the ball and tries to fall downward, the restricting portion 56a presses the upper surface of the side wall member 55 (short side portion) to prevent the side wall member 55 from rising. Falling downward can be suppressed. In addition, since the restricting portion 56a can abut on the stopper portion 551S1 of the side wall member 55, it is possible to restrict the rotation of the side wall member 55 in the expanding direction and hold it at the extended position (see FIG. 9). .

In this case, each of the divided bodies 551 to 557 has a substantially L-shaped short side portion (second pieces 551Y to 557Y) whose length dimension is larger toward the upper divided body (see FIGS. 11 to 19). When the expanded state shown in Fig. 2 is formed, the upper divided body protrudes outward, and the end faces of the short sides of the substantially L-shaped portion (the opposite side to the expansion direction, the right side in Fig. 8) are arranged flush with each other. (See FIG. 8), so that the short sides of the substantially L-shaped short sides can be formed while suppressing deflection against the weight of the sphere by securing an overlap between the short side portions of the substantially L-shaped segments 551 to 557. By suppressing the length of the part, it is possible to suppress the part cost.

That is, in the enlarged state shown in FIG. 8, in each of the split bodies 551 to 557, the end face of the substantially L-shaped short side portion (second pieces 551Y to 557Y) of the lower split body protrudes from the upper split body. Even if it is, the projecting portion cannot contribute to suppressing the bending of the adjacent short side portion. On the other hand, in the contracted state shown in FIG. 7, the overlap between the short sides of the substantially L-shaped segments 551 to 557 is reduced. is not directly acted on the short side of . Therefore, this configuration is effective.

In addition, in the enlarged state shown in FIG. 8, the restricting portion 56 of the inner wall member 56 is formed on the upper surfaces of the ends of the substantially L-shaped short sides (second pieces 551Y to 557Y) arranged flush with each other. overlaps with That is, as will be described later, the storage area is expanded or contracted in seven stages, namely, the reduced state, the first state to the fifth state, and the expanded state (see FIGS. 22 and 23). It is arranged at a position where it can overlap with the substantially L-shaped short side portions (second pieces 551Y to 557Y) of all the divided bodies (first to seventh divided bodies 551 to 557) when viewed from above. Therefore, regardless of the degree of expansion of the storage area (at which stage among the seven stages), the substantially L-shaped short side portions of the divided bodies 551 to 557 can be supported at optimal fulcrum positions. , the bending of the side wall member 55 can be suppressed.

Further, the restricting portion 56 of the inner wall member 56 can be brought into contact with the stopper portion 551S1 of the side wall member 55 (first divided body 551), thereby restricting the rotation of the side wall member 55 in the expanding direction. That is, the restricting portion 56a not only supports the upper surface of the substantially L-shaped short side portion (second piece 551Y) of the side wall member 55 (first divided body 551) to suppress bending, Since it also serves as a stopper for restricting the rotation of 551 to 557 in the expansion direction, the number of parts can be reduced accordingly, and the product cost can be reduced.

Here, when the lower tray 50 is formed so that its storage area can be expanded or contracted, in a hall in which a plurality of pachinko machines 10 are arranged side by side, the front frame 14 is held while the lower tray 50 is expanded. is carelessly opened, the enlarged lower tray 50 may come into contact with the adjacent pachinko machine 10 and be damaged.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the rotating shaft (shaft support pin 57) of the lower tray 50 is parallel to the shaft (not shown) that supports the front frame 14 so as to be openable and closable, and is on the same side in the width direction. Since it is arranged on the left side in front view, even if the front frame 14 is opened while the lower tray 50 is enlarged and the lower tray 50 contacts the pachinko machine 10 installed next to it, the side wall member 55 is reduced. Since the lower tray 50 can be rotated in any direction, damage to the lower tray 50 can be suppressed.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the side wall member 55 is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed from the top, and the amount of protrusion of the side wall member 55 from the front surface of the inner frame 12 increases as the distance from the rotation shaft (shaft support pin 57) increases. , and is maximized at the curved portion of the substantially L-shaped top view, when the enlarged lower plate 50 contacts the adjacent pachinko machine 10 due to the opening of the front frame 14, the contact causes the side wall member 55 to move. The applied pressing force can be applied to the side wall member 55 (long side portion) in a direction that facilitates generation of torque for rotating the side wall member 55 around the rotation axis. Therefore, the side wall member 55 can be easily rotated in the contraction direction, and damage to the lower tray 50 can be suppressed.

Further, the side wall member 55 is formed such that the long side portions (the first pieces 551X to 557X) of a substantially L-shaped top view are curved in an outwardly convex arc shape, so that the enlarged lower plate 50 is formed on the front surface. When contacting the adjacent pachinko machine 10 due to the opening of the frame 14, the mating member is slid along the side wall member 55 (the outer peripheral surface of the long side portion) to prevent the two from being caught. Therefore, the side wall member 55 can be smoothly rotated in the contraction direction, and as a result, damage to the lower tray 50 can be suppressed.

The side wall member 55 has short sides (first pieces 551Y to 557Y) that are approximately L-shaped when viewed from the top, and as will be described later, are curved in an arc shape centering on the rotation shaft (shaft support pin 57). Since it is formed, when the expanded lower plate 50 contacts the adjacent pachinko machine 10 by opening the front frame 14, the short side portion of the side wall member 55 can be suppressed from contacting the other member. That is, it is possible to prevent the counterpart member from contacting the short side portion of the side wall member 55 and hindering the rotation of the side wall member 55 in the contraction direction. As a result, damage to the lower plate 50 can be suppressed.

In this embodiment, the lower plate 50 (first divided body 551 ) is arranged at the same height position as the handle 51 . Therefore, when the interval (horizontal distance) between the rotating shaft (shaft support pin 57) and the handle 51 of the adjacent pachinko machine 10 is smaller than the horizontal dimension of the first piece 551Y of the first divided body 551. 2, when the front frame 14 is opened while the lower tray 50 is enlarged, the enlarged lower tray 50 is brought into contact with the handle 51 of the adjacent pachinko machine 10.例文帳に追加

In this case, since the handle 51 is formed in a spherical shape, when the expanded lower tray 50 comes into contact with the handle 51 of the adjacent pachinko machine 10 due to the opening of the front frame 14, the side wall member 55 (the first piece 551Y (outer peripheral surface of the ), and it is possible to suppress that both are caught. Therefore, the side wall member 55 can be smoothly rotated in the contraction direction, and as a result, damage to the lower tray 50 can be suppressed.

Next, the detailed configuration of the lower plate 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 34. FIG. 10(a) is a top view of the side wall member 55 in a contracted state, and FIG. 10(b) is a top view of the side wall member 55 in an enlarged state. 11 to 13 are exploded front perspective views of the side wall member 55 as viewed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 10A, and FIGS. 14 to 16 are views of the side wall member 55 as viewed in the direction of arrow B in FIG. is an exploded front perspective view of the. 17 to 19 are exploded bottom perspective views of the side wall member 55 as seen from the bottom.

11, 14 and 17 (a) and (b), the first divided body 551 and the second divided body 552 are shown in FIGS. 12, 15 and 18 (a) and (b). shows the third divided body 553 and the fourth divided body 554, and shows the fifth divided body 555, the sixth divided body 556 and the seventh divided body 555 in FIGS. Dividers 557 are shown respectively.

As shown in FIG. 10, the side wall member 55 is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed from above, and a plurality of (7 in this embodiment) superimposed along the axial direction of the rotating shaft (shaft support pin 57, see FIG. 9). ) divided bodies (first divided body 551 to seventh divided body 557). Each of the divided bodies 551 to 557 is formed of a resin material so as to overlap each other (substantially the same shape) when viewed from above.

Specifically, the side wall member 55 has the uppermost layer formed by the first divided body 551, and the second divided body 552 to the sixth divided body 552 on the lower surface of the first divided body 551 (the surface on the back side of the paper surface of FIG. 10A). Divided bodies 556 are arranged in order, and the bottom layer is formed by the seventh divided body 557 arranged on the lower surface of the sixth divided body 556 . The seventh divided body 557 in the lowest layer is fastened and fixed to the side wall member 55 (see FIG. 9).

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 19, each of the first divided body 551 to the seventh divided body 557 is provided with shaft supporting holes 551a to 557a at one end side thereof to form a long side portion of a substantially L-shaped top view. It is composed of one piece 551X to 557X and second pieces 551Y to 557Y which are connected to the other end side of the first piece 551X to 557X and form a short side portion of a substantially L shape when viewed from above.

The first pieces 551X to 557X are arcuately concave (that is, convex outward) on the storage area side, and the second pieces 551Y to 557Y are centered on the shaft support holes 551a to 557a and have substantially the same diameter. Each of them is formed in a curved arc shape when viewed from above (the shape of the shaft support holes 551a to 557a when viewed in the axial direction).

By curving the first pieces 551X to 557X in an outwardly convex circular arc shape, not only is it possible to ensure the size of the storage area, but also, as described above, the front frame 14 can be extended while the lower plate 50 is enlarged. The lower tray 50 (side wall member 55) can be easily closed when it is opened and collides with the adjacent pachinko machine 10 or the like. In addition, the second pieces 551Y to 557Y are curved in an arc centering on the shaft support holes 551a to 557a, so that the circumferentially overlapping state can be maintained in each state of expansion and contraction of the side wall member 55, As will be described later, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the side wall member 55 and suppress bending due to the weight of the ball.

On the upper surfaces of the first pieces 552X to 557X of the second divided body 552 to the seventh divided body 557, projections extending along the longitudinal direction of the first pieces 552X to 557X and protruding as projections having a rectangular cross section. 552b to 557b are provided (see FIGS. 11 to 16). On the other hand, on the lower surface of the first pieces 551X to 556X of the first divided body 551 to the sixth divided body 556, grooves having a concave cross section extending along the longitudinal direction of the first pieces 551X to 556X are provided. Regulating grooves 551c to 556c are provided (see FIGS. 17 to 19).

When the divided bodies 551 to 557 are stacked vertically, the projections 552b to 557b of the second divided body 552 to the seventh divided body 557 are aligned with the regulating grooves 551c to 556c of the first divided body 551 to the sixth divided body 556. When each of the divided bodies 551 to 556 is rotated around the pivot pin 57, the protrusions 552b to 557b are brought into contact with the inner wall surfaces of the restriction grooves 551c to 556c. defines the movable (rotational) range of each of the divided bodies 551 to 557 (see FIG. 20).

The projecting portions 552b to 557b are formed in an arcuate shape in which the side that becomes the storage area is concave (that is, convexes outward) when viewed from above (the shape of the shaft support holes 552a to 557a when viewed in the axial direction). It is disposed in a posture positioned on the opposite side (outward side) to the storage area as it goes from the support holes 552a to 557a to the second pieces 552Y to 557Y. That is, the protrusions 552b to 557b extend obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first pieces 552X to 557X.

A pair of opposing inner wall surfaces of the regulating grooves 551c to 556c are curved in an arc shape having a bottom view shape substantially identical to the top view shape of the projections 552b to 557b. Along the edges of the first pieces 552X to 557X on the area side, the other inner wall surface is on the side opposite to the storage area (outer side) from the pivot holes 551a to 556a toward the second pieces 551Y to 556Y. side). That is, the groove widths of the regulation grooves 551c to 556c are gradually enlarged from the pivot holes 551a to 556a toward the second pieces 551Y to 556Y.

The second pieces 552Y to 555Y of the second divided body 552 to the fifth divided body 557 are composed of first horizontal portions 552e to 555e continuing in parallel to the first pieces 552X to 555X and the outer edge (axis) of the first horizontal portion 552e. Upright portions 552f to 555f standing along the axial direction of the shaft support holes 552a to 555a from the edges farther from the support holes 552a to 555a, and the upright portions 552f to 555f Second horizontal portions 552g to 555g extend outward (in the direction away from the shaft support holes 552a to 555a) from the distal end in parallel with the first pieces 552X to 555X.

The second pieces 556Y and 557Y of the sixth divided body 556 and the seventh divided body 557 are composed of first horizontal portions 556e and 557e continuing in parallel to the first pieces 556Y and 557Y and outer edge portions of the first horizontal portions 556e and 557e. It is formed with standing portions 556f and 557f erected along the axial direction of the shaft support holes 556a and 557a from (the edge on the far side from the shaft support hole 556a). That is, the second horizontal portion is omitted from the sixth divisional body 556 and the seventh divisional body 557 . The standing portion 557f of the seventh divided body 557 is formed with an inclined surface 557f1 on the side opposite to the side on which a locking piece 773 (see FIGS. 32 and 33) of the locking mechanism 77, which will be described later, is engaged. be.

The first horizontal portions 552e to 557e have the same inner edge radius (distance from the axis of the pivot holes 552a to 557a), and the outer edge radius is located on the upper side (first divided body 551 side). is set to a smaller value. Therefore, the erected portions 552f to 557f erected from the outer edge portions of the first horizontal portions 552e to 557e are located closer to the inner edge portion of the first horizontal portions 552e to 557e as they are located on the upper side (first division body 551 side). It is positioned on the side of the shaft support holes 552a to 557a. In addition, the erected portions 552f to 557f are set to have a smaller value as the erected height is positioned higher (on the side of the first divided body 551), and the width dimension ( The distance between the inner edge portion and the outer edge portion) is set to a smaller value the closer the position is to the upper side (the first divided body 551 side).

Therefore, when the first divided body 551 to the seventh divided body 557 are stacked vertically, the upper side (first divided body 551 side) is positioned closer to the storage region side (shaft support holes 551a to 557a side). 21, the first horizontal portions 552e to 557e, the standing portions 552f to 557f, and the second horizontal portions 552g to 555g of the second pieces 552Y to 557Y can be superimposed on each other (see FIG. 21). This superposition makes it possible to improve the rigidity of the second pieces 551Y to 557Y, as will be described later. Also, by suppressing the width dimension of the second pieces 551Y to 557Y, it is possible to secure the storage area.

L-shaped openings 552m to 554m are formed in the second horizontal portions 552g to 554g of the second pieces 552Y to 554Y of the second divided body 552 to the fourth divided body 554. As the openings 552m to 554m are formed, engaging pieces 552n to 554n extending along the longitudinal direction of the second pieces 552Y to 554Y are formed. The engaging pieces 552n to 554n are formed as cantilevered elastic pieces with free ends, and protrusions 552n1 to 554n1 having semicircular cross sections protrude from the upper surfaces of the ends.

On the other hand, in the second pieces 555Y and 556Y of the fifth divided body 552 and the sixth divided body 556, U-shaped openings 555m and 556m are formed in the first horizontal portions 555e and 556e of the fifth divided body 552 and the sixth divided body 556, respectively. Along with the formation of the openings 555m, 556m, engaging pieces 555n, 556n extending along the longitudinal direction of the second pieces 555, 556 are formed. The engaging pieces 555n and 556n are formed as cantilevered elastic pieces with free ends, and projecting portions 555n1 and 556n1 having a semicircular cross-section protrude from the upper surfaces of the ends.

Further, the second pieces 556Y and 557Y of the sixth divided body 556 and the seventh divided body 557 are provided with restricting protrusions 556r and 557r on the upper surfaces of the first horizontal portions 556e and 557e. On the other hand, in the second pieces 554Y and 555Y of the fourth and fifth divisions 554 and 555, engagement recesses 554t and 555t are formed in the lower surfaces of the first horizontal portions 554e and 555e.

The engagement piece 552n (protrusion 552n1) of the second split body 552 is formed to be engageable with the engagement wall 551j of the first split body 551 (see FIG. 24). The relative displacement in one direction of the second divided body 552 can be restricted, and the elastic deformation of the engagement piece 552n releases the engagement with the engagement wall 551j, thereby preventing the relative displacement in one direction. It is possible to allow and restrict the relative displacement in the other direction (see FIG. 30).

The engaging pieces 553n, 554n (protrusions 553n1, 554n1) of the third divided body 553 and the fourth divided body 554 are formed to be engageable with the openings 552m, 553m of the second divided body 552 and the third divided body 553. By such engagement, relative displacement of the third divided body 553 and the fourth divided body 554 with respect to the second divided body 552 and the third divided body 553 in one direction can be regulated, and the engagement pieces 553n and 554n By releasing the engagement with the openings 552m and 553m due to the elastic deformation of , relative displacement in one direction can be permitted and relative displacement in the other direction can be restricted (see FIG. 28). .

The engagement pieces 555n, 556n (protrusions 555n1, 556n1) of the fifth divisional body 555 and the sixth divisional body 556 can be engaged with the engaging recesses 554t, 555t of the fourth divisional body 554 and the fifth divisional body 555. By such engagement, the relative displacement of the fifth divided body 555 and the sixth divided body 556 with respect to the fourth divided body 554 and the fifth divided body 555 can be restricted, and the engaging pieces 555n, 556n is disengaged from the engaging recesses 554t and 555t by elastic deformation, so that relative displacement in one direction can be permitted and relative displacement in the other direction can be restricted (FIG. 26). reference).

That is, the engaging pieces 552n to 556n and the like are portions that function as regulating means for regulating the relative movement of the superimposed divided bodies 551 to 557, and the side wall member 55 is enlarged or reduced by the operation of the player. In this case, the order in which the divisions 551 to 557 are allowed to rotate is defined. Thereby, as will be described later, the order of rotation of each of the divided bodies 551 to 557 is fixed, and the form of expansion or contraction of the storage area can be made unique (see FIGS. 22 and 23).

Next, with reference to FIG. 20, the relationship between the first pieces 551X to 557X in the first divided body 551 to the seventh divided body 557 of the side wall member 55 will be described.

20(a) is a cross-sectional view of the side wall member 55 taken along line XXa-XXa of FIG. 10(a), and FIG. 20(b) is a cross-sectional view of the side wall member 55 taken along line XXb-XXb of FIG. 10(b). It is a diagram.

As shown in FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b), the mating surfaces of the first pieces 551X to 557X of the first divided body 551 to the seventh divided body 557 have one mating surface (the 552 to the upper surface of the first pieces 552X to 557X of the seventh divided body 557) are projected from the projections 552b to 557b (see FIGS. 11 to 16), and the other mating surface (from the first divided body 551 to the first Restriction grooves 551c to 556c for receiving projections 552b to 557b are formed in the lower surfaces of the first pieces 551X to 556X of the six-segmented body 556 (see FIGS. 17 to 19).

Therefore, when the side wall member 55 is pushed by the player and the storage area is reduced (see FIGS. 10(a) and 20(a)), the protrusions 552b to 557b are opposed to the regulation grooves 551c to 556c. 20 (a left side in FIG. 20A). can be restricted from being displaced (rotated) in the contraction direction (rightward direction in FIG. 20(a)).

In addition, when the side wall member 55 is pulled out by the player and the storage area is expanded (see FIGS. 10(b) and 20(b)), the projections 552b to 557b face the regulation grooves 551c to 556c. 20(b), the inner wall surface located on the storage area side, the right side of FIG. 20(b)). Displacement (rotation) in the direction (leftward in FIG. 20(b)) can be restricted.

In this case, since the projections 552b to 557b and the inner walls of the regulation grooves 551c to 556c are engaged with the vertically overlapping divided bodies 551 to 557, the side wall member 55 ( It is possible to secure the rigidity of the entire structure in which the divided bodies 551 to 557 are overlapped. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the side wall member 55 from bending due to the weight of the ball.

Furthermore, the protrusions 552b-557b and the regulation grooves 551c-556c are protruded or recessed from the mating surfaces (upper surfaces or lower surfaces) of the divided bodies 551-557 which are vertically superimposed. That is, since the mating surfaces (internal spaces of the divided bodies 551), which are dead spaces, are used to provide the projections 552b to 557b and the restriction grooves 551c to 556c, the side wall member 55 can be made smaller by that amount. Therefore, the capacity of the storage area can be secured.

In particular, in this embodiment, the projections 552b to 557b and the regulation grooves 551c to 556c are formed on the first pieces 551X to 557X of the rotors 551 to 557, respectively. can function effectively. That is, since the first pieces 551X to 557X are portions that are operated (pushed in and pulled out) by the player when expanding or contracting the storage area, the operating force is applied to the protrusions 552b to 557b and the regulation groove 551c. 556c can receive directly. Therefore, separation of the divided bodies 551 to 557 due to the operation force can be suppressed, and the divided bodies 551 to 557 can be operated in a state in which the divided bodies 551 to 557 are maintained integrally, thereby improving the operational feeling of the player. can be achieved.

Here, since the first pieces 551X to 557X are portions that are enlarged in a stepped manner that protrudes outward toward the upper side (see FIG. 10(b)), they are easily bent by the weight of the ball. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the projections 552b to 557b and the regulating grooves 551c to 556c are formed in the first pieces 551X to 557X of the rotating bodies 551 to 557, so that the rigidity of the first pieces 551X to 557X is reduced. can be intensively improved. Therefore, it is possible to suppress bending due to the weight of the ball in the stepwise expanded state.

In this case, the protrusions 552b to 557b and the regulation grooves 551c to 556c are formed as ridges and grooves continuously extending along the longitudinal direction of the first pieces 551X to 557X (Figs. 19), the engagement area between the protrusions 552b to 557b and the inner wall surfaces of the regulation grooves 551c to 556c is secured to improve the rigidity of the side wall member 55 (structure in which the divided bodies 551 to 557 are overlapped) as a whole. can be achieved.

In particular, projections 552b to 557b and regulating grooves 551c to 556c, which are continuously extended as ridges and grooves, are supported by first pieces 551X to 557X, one end of which is supported by a shaft support pin 57 (see FIG. 9). , so that the direction of the load due to the player's operation and the weight of the ball can be orthogonal to the engagement area of the ridges and grooves (projections 552b to 557b and regulation grooves 551c to 556c). can. Therefore, deflection of the side wall member 55 (first pieces 551 to 557) against such load can be suppressed.

In addition, the projections 552b to 557b and the pair of opposing inner wall surfaces of the regulating grooves 551c to 556c have the same shape when viewed from above (when viewed in the axial direction of the shaft support holes 551a to 557a). The projections 552b to 557b and the regulation grooves 551c to 556c (inner wall surface ) can be maximized within the range (area) of the mating surfaces of the first pieces 551X to 557X. Therefore, it is possible to maximize the engagement area between the protruding portions 552b to 557b and the inner wall surfaces of the regulating grooves 551c to 556c, thereby improving the rigidity of the side wall member 55 (first pieces 551X to 557X) as a whole. In addition, the load on the protrusions 552b to 557b and the regulation grooves 551c to 556c can be reduced, and the durability thereof can be improved.

Next, referring to FIG. 21, the relationship between the second pieces 551Y to 557Y of the first divided body 551 to the seventh divided body 557 of the side wall member 55 will be described. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the side wall member 55 taken along line XXI-XXI of FIG. 10(a).

In the side wall member 55, as described above, the second pieces 551Y to 557Y of the divided bodies 551 to 557 are formed in circular arc shapes having the same diameter centered on the shaft support holes 551a to 557a (shaft support pin 57, see FIG. 9). , so that when the divided bodies 551 to 557 are rotated about the shaft support holes 551a to 557a, the trajectories of the second pieces 551Y to 557Y can be matched with each other (see FIG. 10). . Therefore, since the second pieces 551Y to 557Y are always overlapped, the rigidity of the side wall member 55 (the structure in which the divided bodies 551 to 557 are overlapped) can be secured, and bending due to the weight of the ball can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 21, in this case, the side wall member 55 is such that the second pieces 552Y to 555Y of the second divided body 552 to the fifth divided body 557 are divided into first horizontal portions 552e to 555e and the first horizontal portion 552e. and second horizontal portions 552g to 555g extending from the erected tips of the erected portions 552f to 555f, the sixth divided body 556 and the seventh divided The second pieces 556Y and 557Y of the body 557 are provided with first horizontal portions 556e and 557e and standing portions 556f and 557f erected from the first horizontal portions 556e and 557e. , the standing portions 552f to 557f and the second horizontal portions 552g to 555g are overlapped with each other.

Therefore, even when a large number of balls are stored in the storage area, the weight of the balls acting on the side wall member 55 (each of the divided bodies 551 to 557) is The interaction between 557f and the second horizontal portions 552g to 555g can effectively support the side wall member 55, and as a result, the deflection of the side wall member 55 can be suppressed.

Specifically, in the second pieces 551Y to 557Y, the first horizontal portions 552e to 557e and the second horizontal portions 552g to 555g are vertically overlapped, and the standing portions 552f to 557f extend in the horizontal direction (left and right in FIG. 31). direction), and the extending ends of the second horizontal portions 552g to 555g overlap the standing portion 556f in the vertical direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 21) (the position where the standing portion 556f is placed on the standing end). ).

As a result, in a state in which the side wall member 55 is expanded (see FIG. 10B), when a large number of balls are stored in the storage area, the side wall member 55 bends downward (toward the back of the paper surface of FIG. 10). ) Where there is a risk, the first horizontal portions 552e to 557e, the erected portions 552f to 557f, and the second horizontal portions 552g to 555g are displaced upward (that is, displacement in the direction of bending the side wall member 55 downward). can be mutually restrained by what is located above them. As a result, downward deflection of the side wall member 55 can be suppressed.

In addition, with respect to the load in the horizontal direction (the direction in which the side wall member 55 is pushed outward, the left direction in FIG. 21) received from the stored ball, the erected portions 552f to 557f move the erected tip end side. When they fall obliquely so as to be displaced outward (to the left in FIG. 21), such tilting can be mutually restrained by something positioned further outward than themselves. In particular, the standing portions 552f to 557f are connected to the second horizontal portions 552g to 555g. When trying to push down an object located on the side, such pushing down operation can be regulated by being supported by the standing portions 552f to 557f. As a result, outward deflection of the side wall member 55 can be suppressed.

The second piece 551Y extends to a position where the side wall portion 551h on the storage area side overlaps the first horizontal portion 552e in the vertical direction (position where the lower end surface of the side wall portion 551h is placed on the first horizontal portion 552e). The rib portion 551i that is provided and overlaps the standing portion 552f in the horizontal direction and hangs down from the portion forming the upper surface of the second piece 551Y overlaps the second horizontal portion 552g in the vertical direction (below the rib portion 551i). (position where the end surface is placed on the second horizontal portion 552g). As a result, the side wall portion 551h and the rib portion 551i of the second piece 551Y interact with the first horizontal portions 552e to 557e, the standing portions 552f to 557f, and the second horizontal portions 552g to 555g of the second pieces 552Y to 557Y. As described above, the downward and outward deflection of the side wall member 55 can be suppressed.

In particular, as described above, the upper surface of the second piece 551Y is provided with the restricting portion 56a of the inner wall member 56 (see FIGS. 7 and 8), and receives the weight of the stored ball, and the side wall member 55 When about to fall downward, the restricting portion 56a presses the upper surface of the side wall member 55 (the second piece 551Y) to prevent the second piece 551Y from rising. Therefore, the side wall portion 551h and the rib portion 551i are provided on the second piece 551Y so as to vertically overlap the first horizontal portion 552e and the second horizontal portion 552g of the second piece 552Y. It is particularly effective for suppressing bending to.

In addition, by arranging the second pieces 551Y to 557Y so as to overlap each other, the second pieces 551Y to 557Y serve as guides even when the side wall member 55 is bent by the weight of the ball. Thus, the side wall member 55 can be smoothly shifted from the expanded state to the contracted state. Therefore, even if the front frame 14 is inadvertently opened while the lower tray 50 in which the balls are stored remains expanded, the lower tray 50 (side wall member 55) can be displaced in the contraction direction. Damage can be suppressed.

Note that the standing portions 552f to 557f are arranged at intervals having a predetermined gap between adjacent ones on the left and right. Therefore, when a load is applied to the side wall member 55 in the horizontal direction (in a direction that pushes the side wall member 55 outward), the erected portions 552f to 557f fall down, thereby creating gaps between adjacent ones. are buried and come into contact with each other, they can be mutually regulated from falling down. 557) is rotated, it is possible to improve operability by reducing the sliding resistance by the amount of the gap between adjacent ones.

Here, the second pieces 552Y to 557Y are such that the width dimension of the first horizontal portions 552e to 557e (horizontal direction dimension in FIG. 21) is made smaller and the second horizontal portions 552g to The width dimension of 555g is increased. As a result, even when the first horizontal portions 552e to 557e, the standing portions 552f to 557f, and the second horizontal portions 552g to 555g are superimposed on the adjacent second pieces 552Y to 557Y, the entire second pieces 552Y to 557Y , the width dimension (horizontal dimension in FIG. 21) can be suppressed. That is, while the rigidity of the second pieces 552Y to 557Y is improved by overlapping, the storage area can be secured by suppressing the width dimension of the second pieces 552Y to 557Y as a whole. In addition, the outward protrusion of the second pieces 552Y to 557Y can be suppressed, and the arrangement space for other members can be secured accordingly.

In particular, since the formation of the second horizontal portion is omitted in the second pieces 556Y and 557Y positioned outward, the outward and downward deflection of the side wall member 55 is suppressed by the action of the standing portions 556f and 557f. It is possible to suppress the width dimension of the second pieces 552Y to 557Y as a whole while maintaining the effect of achieving the above.

Next, referring to FIGS. 22 to 30, when the side wall member 55 is operated by the player to enlarge or reduce the storage area of the lower tray 50, the order in which the division bodies 551 to 557 are displaced (rotated). will be explained.

FIG. 22(a) is a top view of the side wall member 55 in a contracted state, and FIGS. 22(b) to 22(d) are top views of the side wall member 55 in first to third states. 23(a) and 23(b) are top views of the side wall member 55 in the fourth state and the fifth state, and FIG. 23(c) is a top view of the side wall member 55 in the enlarged state.

24 is a side sectional view of the side wall member 55 in a contracted state, FIGS. 25 to 29 are side sectional views of the side wall member 55 in first to fifth states, and FIG. 30 is an enlarged state. is a side sectional view of the side wall member 55 in FIG.

In addition, in FIGS. 24 to 30, in order to facilitate understanding of the state of regulation or release of relative displacement between the divided bodies 551 to 557, the divided body 551 is arranged so that the engaging pieces 552n to 556n are visible. 557 are shown cut in multiple planes.

As shown in FIGS. 22(a) and 24, in the contracted state (the state in which the divided bodies 551 to 557 are pushed in to minimize the storage area), the engaging wall 551j of the first divided body 551 has the second divided body. The engagement piece 552n (protrusion 552n1) of the body 552 is engaged, and the inner wall surfaces of the openings 552m and 553m of the second and third divisions 552 and 553 are fitted with the third and fourth divisions 553 and 553m. The engaging pieces 553n, 554n (protrusions 553n1, 554n1) of 554 are engaged with each other.

The engaging pieces 552n, 553n of the second divided body 552 and the third divided body 553 are arranged with the engaging pieces 553n, 554n of the third divided body 553 and the fourth divided body 554 on the lower surface side thereof. The engaging piece 554n of the four-part divided body 554 is arranged downward (that is, the direction in which the projections 552n1, 553n1, and 554n1 come out) by arranging the second horizontal part 555g of the fifth divided part 555 on the lower surface side thereof. 24) is regulated.

As a result, relative displacement of the second divided body 552, the third divided body 553 and the fourth divided body 554 with respect to the first divided body 551, the second divided body 552 and the third divided body 553 (with the pivot pin 57 as the center) rotation) are regulated respectively.

Further, the engaging pieces 555n, 556n (protrusions 555n1, 556n1) of the fifth divided body 555 and the sixth divided body 556 are formed on the inner wall surfaces of the engaging recesses 554t, 555t of the fourth divided body 554 and the fifth divided body 555. respectively engaged.

The engaging pieces 554n and 555n of the fourth divided body 554 and the fifth divided body 555 are provided with the restricting protrusions 556r and 557r of the fifth divided body 555 and the sixth divided body 556, respectively, on the lower surface side thereof. The downward elastic deformation (that is, the direction in which the protrusions 554n1 and 555n1 come out, the lower side in FIG. 24) is restricted.

As a result, relative displacement (rotation about the pivot pin 57) of the fifth divided body 555 and the sixth divided body 5564 with respect to the fourth divided body 554 and the fifth divided body 555 is restricted.

As described above, in the contracted state, the relative displacement (rotation) of the first divided body 551 to the sixth divided body 556 is regulated, and the structure in which the first divided body 551 to the sixth divided body 556 are integrated. body is formed.

In this case, such an integrated structure (first to sixth divided bodies 551 to 556) is such that the lock piece 773a of the lock mechanism 77 arranged in the first divided body 551 is connected to the seventh divided body 557, as will be described later. By being engaged with the erected portion 557f, the integral structure (first to sixth divided bodies 551 to 556) with respect to the seventh divided body 557 expands (downward in FIG. 22(a), left in FIG. 24) direction) is restricted (see FIG. 33(a)). Further, the relative displacement (rotation) in the contraction direction is restricted by the engagement of the protrusion 557b of the seventh split body 557 with the inner wall surface of the restriction groove 556c of the sixth split body 556, as described above. (See FIG. 20(a)).

Therefore, by releasing the engagement between the locking piece 773a of the first divided body 551 and the standing portion 557f of the seventh divided body 557 (see FIG. 33(b)), the integrated structure with respect to the seventh divided body 557 can be obtained. It is possible to displace (rotate) the body (first to sixth divided bodies 551 to 556) in the expanding direction.

That is, in a state in which the lock mechanism 77 is released, the side wall member 55 (for example, the first divided body 551) is displaced in the expanding direction (lower side in FIG. 22(a), left side in FIG. 24) by the operation of the player. Then, as shown in FIGS. 22(b) and 25, the structures (divided bodies 551 to 556) integrated with the seventh divided body 557 fixed to the bottom wall member 54 (see FIG. 9) are enlarged. direction to form a first state.

In the first state, the relative displacement (rotation) in the expanding direction is caused by the projection 557b of the seventh divided body 557 being engaged with the inner wall surface of the restriction groove 556c of the sixth divided body 556, as described above. is regulated (see FIG. 20(b)).

As shown in FIGS. 22(b) and 25, the structures integrated with the seventh divided body 557 (first to sixth divided bodies 551 to 556) extend in the expanding direction (lower side in FIG. 22(b), 25 left) (left side of FIG. 25), the restricting projection 557r of the seventh divided body 557 is retracted from the lower surface of the engagement piece 556n of the sixth divided body 556 (right side of FIG. 25). is evacuated to As a result, a space is formed below the engagement piece 556n of the sixth divided body 556, and a space is formed below the engagement piece 556n (that is, in the direction in which the protrusion 556n1 comes out of the engagement recess 555t, downward in FIG. 25). It becomes a state in which elastic deformation is possible.

Therefore, from the state (first state) shown in FIGS. 25 leftward), the fifth divided body 555 (first horizontal portion 555e) pushes down the protrusion 556n1 of the engagement piece 556n of the sixth divided body 556 with the inner wall surface of the engagement recess 555t. 22(c) and 26, the second state is formed by displacing in the expansion direction and the inner wall surface of the engaging recess 555t getting over the protrusion 556n1.

In the second state, the relative displacement (rotation) in the expanding direction is caused by the protrusion 556b of the sixth divisional body 556 being engaged with the inner wall surface of the regulation groove 555c of the fifth divisional body 555, as described above. is regulated (see FIG. 20(b)).

In the second state, the projection 556n1 of the engaging piece 556n of the sixth divided body 556 abuts against the lower surface of the first horizontal portion 555e of the fifth divided body 555, and the engaging piece 556n of the sixth divided body 556 is elastically deformed downward (lower side in FIG. 26). As a result, the tip of the engaging piece 556n of the sixth divided body 556 is engaged with the outer wall surface of the restricting protrusion 557r of the seventh divided body 557, and the sixth divided body 556 shrinks with respect to the seventh divided body 557 ( Relative displacement (rotation) toward the upper side in FIG. 22(c) and the right side in FIG. 26 is restricted.

As shown in FIGS. 22(c) and 26, the structures integrated with the seventh divided body 557 and the sixth divided body 556 (the first to fifth divided bodies 551 to 555) expand in the expanding direction (see FIG. 22 ( c) When displaced (rotated) downward (to the left in FIG. 26) (second state), the restricting protrusion 556r of the sixth divided body 556 contracts from the lower surface of the engaging piece 555n of the fifth divided body 555. direction (right side in FIG. 26). As a result, a space is formed below the engagement piece 555n of the fifth divided body 555, and a space is formed below the engagement piece 555n (that is, in the direction in which the protrusion 555n1 comes out of the engagement recess 554t, downward in FIG. 26). It becomes a state in which elastic deformation is possible.

Therefore, from the state (second state) shown in FIGS. 26), the fourth divided body 554 (first horizontal portion 554e) pushes down the protrusion 555n1 of the engagement piece 555n of the fifth divided body 555 with the inner wall surface of the engagement recess 554t. 22(d) and 27, the third state is formed by displacing in the expanding direction and the inner wall surface of the engaging recess 554t getting over the protrusion 555n1.

In the third state, the relative displacement (rotation) in the expanding direction is caused by the engagement of the protrusion 555b of the fifth split body 555 with the inner wall surface of the regulation groove 554c of the fourth split body 554, as described above. is regulated (see FIG. 20(b)).

In the third state, the protrusion 555n1 of the engaging piece 555n of the fifth divided body 555 abuts against the lower surface of the first horizontal portion 554e of the fourth divided body 554, and the engaging piece 555n of the fifth divided body 555 is elastically deformed downward (lower side in FIG. 27). As a result, the tip of the engaging piece 555n of the fifth divided body 555 is engaged with the outer wall surface of the restricting protrusion 556r of the sixth divided body 556, and the fifth divided body 555 shrinks with respect to the sixth divided body 556 ( Relative displacement (rotation) toward the upper side in FIG. 22(d) and the right side in FIG. 27 is restricted.

As shown in FIGS. 22(d) and 27, structures (first to fourth divided bodies 551 to 554) integrated with the seventh divided body 557, the sixth divided body 556 and the fifth divided body 555 are In a state (third state) in which the second horizontal portion 555g of the fifth divided body 555 is displaced (rotated) in the expansion direction (downward in FIG. 22(d), leftward in FIG. It is retracted from the lower surface of the joint piece 554n in the contraction direction (the right side in FIG. 27). As a result, a space is formed below the engaging piece 554n of the fourth divided body 554, and the downward elasticity of the engaging piece 554n (that is, the direction in which the projection 554n1 comes out of the opening 553m, the lower side in FIG. 27). It becomes possible to transform.

Therefore, from the state (third state) shown in FIGS. 27), the third divided body 553 (second horizontal portion 553g) pushes downward the projection 554n1 of the engaging piece 554n of the fourth divided body 554 with the inner wall surface of the opening 553m. , and the inner wall surface of the opening 553m climbs over the protrusion 554n1, thereby forming the fourth state as shown in FIGS.

In the fourth state, the relative displacement (rotation) in the expanding direction is caused by the engagement of the protrusion 554b of the fourth split body 554 with the inner wall surface of the restriction groove 553c of the third split body 553, as described above. is regulated (see FIG. 20(b)).

In the fourth state, the protrusion 554n1 of the engagement piece 554n of the fourth division 554 abuts against the lower surface of the second horizontal portion 553g of the third division 553, and the engagement piece 554n of the fourth division 554 is elastically deformed downward (lower side in FIG. 28). As a result, the tip of the engaging piece 554n of the fourth divisional body 554 is engaged with the outer wall surface of the second horizontal portion 555g of the fifth divisional body 555, and the fourth divisional body 554 is contracted with respect to the fifth divisional body 555. Relative displacement (rotation) toward (upper side in FIG. 23(a), right side in FIG. 28) is restricted.

As shown in FIGS. 23(a) and 28, a structure integrated with the seventh divided body 557, the sixth divided body 556, the fifth divided body 555 and the fourth divided body 554 (first to third divided bodies). In a state (fourth state) in which the bodies 551 to 553) are displaced (rotated) in the expansion direction (lower side in FIG. 23(a), left side in FIG. 28), the second horizontal portion 554g of the fourth divided body 554 It is retracted from the lower surface of the engaging piece 553n of the three-part divided body 553 in the contraction direction (the right side in FIG. 28). As a result, a space is formed below the engaging piece 553n of the third divided body 553, and the downward elasticity of the engaging piece 553n (that is, the direction in which the projection 553n1 comes out of the opening 552m, the lower side in FIG. 28). It becomes possible to transform.

Therefore, from the state (fourth state) shown in FIGS. 28 left), the second divided body 552 (second horizontal portion 552g) pushes downward the projection 553n1 of the engaging piece 553n of the third divided body 553 with the inner wall surface of the opening 552m. , and the inner wall surface of the opening 552m climbs over the protrusion 553n1, thereby forming the fifth state as shown in FIGS.

In the fifth state, the relative displacement (rotation) in the expanding direction is caused by the engagement of the protrusion 553b of the third split body 553 with the inner wall surface of the regulation groove 552c of the second split body 552, as described above. is regulated (see FIG. 20(b)).

Further, in the fifth state, the projection 553n1 of the engaging piece 553n of the third divided body 553 abuts against the lower surface of the second horizontal portion 552g of the second divided body 552, and the engaging piece 553n of the third divided body 553 is elastically deformed downward (lower side in FIG. 29). As a result, the tip of the engaging piece 553n of the third divided body 553 is engaged with the outer wall surface of the second horizontal portion 554g of the fourth divided body 554, and the third divided body 553 is contracted with respect to the fourth divided body 554. Relative displacement (rotation) toward (upper side in FIG. 23(b), right side in FIG. 29) is restricted.

As shown in FIGS. 23(b) and 29, a structure ( In a state (fifth state) in which the first and second divided bodies 551 and 552) are displaced (rotated) in the expansion direction (lower side in FIG. 23(b), left side in FIG. 29), the second The horizontal portion 553g is retracted from the lower surface of the engaging piece 552n of the second split body 552 in the contraction direction (right side in FIG. 29). As a result, a space is formed below the engaging piece 552n of the second split body 552, and a space is formed below the engaging piece 552n (that is, in the direction in which the protrusion 552n1 comes out of the engaging wall 551j, downward in FIG. 29). It becomes a state in which elastic deformation is possible.

Therefore, from the state (fifth state) shown in FIGS. 29 (left side)), the first split body 551 is displaced in the expansion direction while pushing down the projection 552n1 of the engagement piece 552n of the second split body 552 with its engagement wall 551j. When the wall 551j climbs over the protrusion 552n1, an enlarged state is formed as shown in FIGS.

In the expanded state, the relative displacement (rotation) in the expansion direction is caused by the engagement of the protrusion 552b of the second divided body 552 with the inner wall surface of the regulation groove 551c of the first divided body 551, as described above. is regulated (see FIG. 20(b)). At the same time, the stopper portion 551S1 of the first divided body 551 is brought into contact with the restricting portion 56a of the inner wall member 56, thereby restricting the relative displacement (rotation) in the expansion direction (see FIG. 8).

In the enlarged state, the projection 552n1 of the engaging piece 552n of the second divided body 552 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the first divided body 551, and the engaging piece 552n of the second divided body 552 is positioned downward (lower side in FIG. 30). ) is elastically deformed. As a result, the tip of the engagement piece 552n of the second division 552 is engaged with the outer wall surface of the second horizontal portion 553g of the third division 553, and the second division 552 is contracted with respect to the third division 553. Relative displacement (rotation) toward (upper side in FIG. 23(c), right side in FIG. 30) is restricted.

A structure for restricting the relative displacement (rotation) of the first divided body 551 in the contraction direction (upper side in FIG. 23(c), right side in FIG. 30) with respect to the second divided body 552 in the enlarged state will be described later. 34).

On the other hand, from the state (enlarged state) shown in FIGS. 23(c) and 30, the side wall member 55 (first divided body 551) is contracted by the player's operation (upper side in FIG. 23(c), right side in FIG. 30). When the engaging wall 551j is displaced and passes through the projection 552n1 of the engaging piece 552n of the second divided body 552, the engaging piece 552n of the second divided body 552 pushes the projection 552n1 against the engaging wall 551j due to its elastic recovery force. is returned to the state in which it is engaged with That is, the fifth state shown in FIGS. 23(b) and 29 is formed.

From the state (fifth state) shown in FIGS. 23(b) and 29, the side wall member 55 (for example, the first divided body 551) is contracted by the player's operation (upper side in FIG. 23(b), right side in FIG. 29). When the opening 552m of the second divided body 552 (second horizontal portion 552g) is positioned above the protrusion 553n1 of the engaging piece 553n of the third divided body 553, the third divided body 553 is engaged. The joining piece 553n is returned to the state in which the protrusion 553n1 is engaged with the opening 552m by elastic recovery force. That is, the fourth state shown in FIGS. 23(a) and 28 is formed.

Similarly, from the state (fourth state) shown in FIGS. 28 to the right), and the opening 553m and the engaging recesses 554t and 555t are arranged above the projections 554n1 to 556n1 of the engaging pieces 554n to 556n. The engagement pieces 554n to 556n return to the state in which the projections 554n1 to 556n1 are engaged with the opening 553m and the engagement recesses 554t and 555t by elastic recovery force. That is, the third state (see FIGS. 22(d) and 27), the second state (see FIGS. 22(c) and 26) and the first state (FIGS. 22(b) and 25) are formed in order. .

When the first state is established, as shown in FIG. 25, the engagement between the engaging piece 556n of the sixth divided body 556 and the outer wall surface of the restricting protrusion 557r of the seventh divided body 557 is released. When the side wall member 55 (for example, the first divided body 551) is displaced in the contracting direction by the player's operation, the contracted state shown in FIGS. 22(a) and 24 is formed.

Next, referring to FIGS. 31 to 34, a lock structure for maintaining the lower tray 50 in the contracted state will be described.

31 is an exploded front perspective view of the first divided body 551. FIG. As shown in FIG. 31, the first divided body 551 includes an outer shell member 551S having a U-shaped cross section with an open lower surface and a closed open surface corresponding to the first piece 551X of the outer shell member 551S. and a lock mechanism 77 arranged in an internal space formed between the outer shell member 551S and the bottom wall member 551U.

An opening 551S1 is formed on the upper surface of the outer shell portion 551S, and a stopper portion 551S2 is protruded. A pair of shaft support portions 551U1 are provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall member 551U. The opening 551S1 is an opening through which the pressing operation portion 774 of the lock mechanism 77 is inserted to allow the player to perform a pressing operation. It is a wall portion for restricting the displacement (rotation) of the divided body 551 in the expanding direction. The shaft support portion 551U1 is a portion for rotatably supporting the shaft 772 of the lock mechanism 77 .

Here, since the first piece 551X of the first divided body 551 is located at the forefront in the expanded state (see FIG. 8), the front frame 14 is carelessly placed while the lower plate 50 remains expanded. If it is opened, there is a high possibility that it will come into contact with the adjacent pachinko machine 10 and be damaged. In this case, in this embodiment, the first piece 551X of the first divided body 551 is formed in a box shape with the lower surface of the outer shell member 551S closed by the bottom wall member 551U, and the rigidity is increased. Damage can be prevented. In addition, when the player operates the lower tray 50 (side wall member 55) in the expansion direction or the contraction direction), the first divided body 551 becomes a part to be pushed and pulled. It is particularly effective that the rigidity of the first piece 551X) of the body 551 is increased.

On the other hand, the second piece 551X of the first divided body 551 does not have the bottom wall member 551U disposed on the lower surface of the outer shell member 551S, and has a box shape with an open lower surface (see FIG. 17A). , the second pieces 552Y to 557Y of the second to seventh divided bodies 552 to 557 can be received from the bottom surface of the box shape and housed in the internal space (see FIG. 21). Thereby, size reduction of the side wall member 55 (lower plate 50) can be achieved.

The lock mechanism 77 includes a base portion 771 disposed within the first piece 551X, and a pair of shafts 772 projecting from both side surfaces of the base portion 771 and rotatably supported by the shaft support portions 551U1 of the bottom wall member 551U. , a locking piece 773 projecting from the side of the base 771 where the shaft 772 is formed and the tip side of which is arranged in the second piece 551Y, and a pressing operation portion 774 protruding from the upper surface of the base end 771 side. Prepare.

The lock mechanism 77 is urged in a rotational direction in which the lock piece 773 is lowered and the pressing operation portion 774 is raised by the urging force of an urging spring (in this embodiment, a torsion coil spring) not shown. The lock piece 773 can be lifted by the player's depression operation of the depression operation portion 774 protruding from the opening 551S1 of the outer shell member 551S. Further, when the pressing operation by the player is released, the urging force of the urging spring can restore the initial state (the state in which the lock piece 773 is lowered).

FIG. 32 is a top view of the side wall member 55 in a contracted state, illustrating a state in which the outer shell member 551S is removed. 33(a) and 33(b) are side views of the side wall member 55 viewed in the direction of arrow XXXIII in FIG. Note that FIG. 33(a) shows the state before the push-down operation portion 774 is pushed down, and FIG. 33(b) shows the state after the push-down operation of the push-down operation portion 774 is shown.

As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33(a), in a contracted state (divided bodies 551 to 557 are pushed in to minimize the storage area, see FIGS. 22(a) and 24), the pressing operation When the portion 774 is not pushed down by the player, the locking piece 773 of the first divided body 551 (lock mechanism 77) engages the engaging surface 773a with the side surface of the rising portion 557f of the seventh divided body 557. is placed in a position facing the

That is, the engaging surface 773a of the locking piece 773 of the first divided body 551 (locking mechanism 77) is engaged with the side surface of the standing portion 557f of the seventh divided body 557, thereby forming the integral structure ( The first to sixth divided bodies 551 to 556) are displaced (rotated) with respect to the seventh divided body 557 in the expansion direction (left direction in FIGS. 32 and 33(a)) (that is, from the reduced state to the first state). (see FIGS. 22(b) and 25) can be restricted.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 33(b), when the player presses down the pressing operation portion 774 in the contracted state, the lock piece 773 of the first divided body 551 (lock mechanism 77) is lifted. Due to the upward movement, the engaging surface 773a of the lock piece 773 does not face the side surface of the erected portion 557f of the seventh divided body 557. As shown in FIG. That is, the lock piece 773 of the first divided body 551 (lock mechanism 77) can pass above the standing portion 557f of the seventh divided body 557 and be displaced in the expansion direction. Therefore, it becomes possible to displace (rotate) the above-described integral structure (first to sixth divided bodies 551 to 556) in the expansion direction (leftward in FIG. 33(b)) with respect to the seventh divided body 557. , and as a result, it is possible to transition from the reduced state to the first state (see FIGS. 22(b) and 25).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the lock piece 773 of the first divisional body 551 (locking mechanism 77) and the erected portion 557f of the seventh divisional body 557 are separated from each other unless the pressing operation portion 774 is depressed by the player. Since the engagement can be maintained, for example, it is possible to prevent the lower tray 50 from being unintentionally expanded during transportation of the pachinko machine 10 or when the front frame 14 is opened. As a result, it is possible to prevent the lower tray 50 and surrounding members from being damaged during transportation or when the front frame 14 is opened.

In addition, the lock mechanism 77 restricts the displacement of the side wall member 55 in the expansion direction, as described above, so that the integral structure (the first to sixth divided bodies 551 to 556) expands relative to the seventh divided body 557. Regulate displacement in the direction. That is, only the first displacement in the expansion direction (transition from the contracted state to the first state) is regulated, and the subsequent displacements (transitions from the first state to the expanded state to each state) are not regulated. (See Figures 22-30).

As a result, it is possible to prevent the side wall member 55 from being unintentionally expanded during transportation. After that, it is not necessary to press down the pressing operation portion 774 of the lock mechanism 77 for the subsequent displacement, so that it is possible to improve the operability of the player when adjusting the size of the storage area.

From the state shown in FIG. 33(b), the integral structure (first to sixth divided bodies 551 to 556) described above expands with respect to the seventh divided body 557 (leftward in FIG. 33(b)). After being displaced (rotated) to the first state (see FIGS. 22(b) and 25), the lock piece 773 of the first divided body 551 (lock mechanism 77) moves its inclined surface 773b to the first state. The inclined surface 557f1 of the standing portion 557f of the 7-divided body 557 is made to face.

Therefore, when making the transition from the first state to the contracted state, the player displaces the integral structures (the first to sixth divided bodies 551 to 556) in the contracted direction so that the inclined surfaces 773b and 557f1 , the lock piece 773 can be lifted and passed over the standing portion 557f. That is, since it is possible to eliminate the need to operate the pressing operation portion 773, it is possible to improve the operability of the player when forming the contracted state.

FIG. 34(a) is a top view of the side wall member 55 in an enlarged state, illustrating a state in which the outer shell member 551S is removed. 34(b) is a side view of the side wall member 55 as viewed in the direction of arrow XXXIVb in FIG. 34(a). Note that FIG. 34B illustrates a state in which the pressing operation portion 774 is not pressed.

As shown in FIGS. 34(a) and 34(b), the enlarged state (the divided bodies 551 to 557 are pulled out to maximize the storage area; see FIGS. 23(c) and 30); , when the pressing operation portion 774 is not pressed down by the player, the lock piece 773 of the first divided body 551 (lock mechanism 77) moves its inclined surface 773b toward the second horizontal portion of the second divided body 552. It is arranged at a position facing the side surface (end surface) of 552g.

That is, the inclined surface 773b of the lock piece 773 of the first divided body 551 (locking mechanism 77) is engaged with the side surface (end surface) of the second horizontal portion 552g of the second divided body 552, whereby the first divided body 551 is displaced (rotated) relative to the second divided body 552 in the contraction direction (right direction in FIGS. (b) and FIG. 29) can be regulated.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the side wall member 55 (lower plate 50) from being unintentionally contracted from the expanded state. In addition, since the lock mechanism 77 (lock piece 773) serves both as a means for prohibiting expansion from the contracted state and as a means for inhibiting contraction from the expanded state, the number of parts can be reduced accordingly, and the product cost can be reduced. can be reduced.

In this case, in the present embodiment, the inclined surface 773b of the lock piece 773 of the lock mechanism 77 is engaged with the side surface (end surface) of the second horizontal portion 552g of the second divided body 552 so that the first divided body 551 is locked. Displacement (rotation) in the contraction direction (the right direction in FIGS. 34(a) and 34(b)) with respect to the second split body 552 is restricted. Therefore, even when the pressing operation portion 773 is not pressed down, the first divided body 551 is contracted with respect to the second divided body 552 (to the right in FIGS. 34(a) and 34(b)). When displaced by a force greater than the reference, the action of the inclined surface 773 raises the lock piece 773 against the urging force of the urging spring and allows it to climb over the side surface (end surface) of the second horizontal portion 552g. .

That is, if the force is less than the standard, even if the first divided body 551 is displaced in the contracting direction with respect to the second divided body 552, the engagement between the lock piece 773 and the second horizontal portion 552g will not be released. The side wall member 55 can be maintained in the expanded state, and can be prevented from being inadvertently contracted (transitioned to the fifth state). On the other hand, if the first divided body 551 is displaced in the contraction direction with respect to the second divided body 552 with a force exceeding the reference, the locking piece 773 and the second horizontal portion can be moved without pressing the pressing operation portion 773 . 552g can be disengaged, the enlarged state can be changed to the fifth state, and the operability of the player can be improved.

In particular, there is no configuration in which the engagement between the lock piece 773 and the second horizontal portion 552g can be released and the enlarged state can be changed to the fifth state without pressing down the pressing operation portion 773. Even if the front frame 14 is inadvertently opened while the lower tray 50 is in an expanded state (expanded state), the lower tray 50 (side wall member 55) can be displaced in the contraction direction, so that damage is prevented. is particularly effective in suppressing

As described above, according to the lower plate 50 of the present embodiment, the means for regulating the relative displacement of the superimposed divided bodies 551 to 557 (for example, the engaging portions 552n to 556n, the engaging portions 552n to 556n Engagement wall 551j, openings 552m, 553m, engagement recesses 554e, 555e, lock mechanism 77, etc.) are provided, and the side wall member 55 (divided bodies 551 to 557) is stored by the operation of the player. When displaced (rotated) in the direction of enlarging or contracting the area, the order allowing the relative movement of the superimposed divisions 551 to 557 is formed so as to be regulated by the regulating means. As a result, the order of displacement (rotation) of each of the divided bodies 551 to 557 becomes constant, and the expansion or contraction of the storage area can be made unique (see FIGS. 22 and 23).

In this case, in this embodiment, when the side wall member 55 (divided bodies 551 to 557) is displaced (rotated) in the expanding direction, the relative movement of the vertically superimposed divided bodies 551 to 557 is shifted to the lower side. , the size of the storage area can be expanded rapidly.

That is, if the divided bodies are allowed to move relative to each other in the direction of expansion in order from the bottom, the divided bodies superimposed above the divided bodies allowed to move relative to each other are also displaced in the direction of expansion together. Since it can be (rotated), it is possible to increase the size of the storage area more quickly than in the case where relative movement is permitted in order from the upper divided body.

For example, when expanding from the reduced state (see FIGS. 22(a) and 24) to the first state (see FIGS. 22(b) and 25), the seventh divided body 557 is fixed, and the first divided bodies 551 to Since the sixth divided body 556 is simultaneously displaced in the expanding direction as an integrated structure, for example, the second divided body 552 to the seventh divided body 557 are fixed, and only the first divided body 551 is displaced in the expanding direction. Compared to , even if the amount of operation by the player in the expansion direction is the same, the amount of expansion of the size of the storage area for that operation can be increased. As a result, the size of the storage area can be expanded quickly.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the side wall member 55 (divided bodies 551 to 557) is displaced (rotated) in the contraction direction, the relative movement of the vertically superimposed divided bodies 551 to 557 is the same as that of the upper side. Since the divisions are allowed in order from the divisions, the divisions 551 to 557 can be smoothly displaced (rotated) according to the state of the balls stored in the storage member.

For example, in a mode in which relative movement in the direction of contraction is allowed in order from the lower divided body, when the balls are stored up to a predetermined height position in the storage area, the balls move downward from the predetermined height position. It becomes necessary to displace (rotate) the positioned segmented body in the direction of contraction while causing the stored balls to flow (push aside), which hinders the operation of the segmented body.

Specifically, for example, in the enlarged state (see FIGS. 23(c) and 30), when the balls are stored up to the height position of the fourth divided body 554, the side wall member 55 (divided bodies 551 to 557 ) in the contracting direction, when the sixth divided body 556 is displaced in the contracting direction with respect to the seventh divided body 557 (when transitioning from the enlarged state to the fifth state, as shown in FIG. 23 ( b) and FIG. 29), the fourth divided body 554 to the sixth divided body 556 need to be displaced while causing the ball to flow (while pushing it away), and the flow resistance hinders the operation.

On the other hand, if relative movement is allowed in order from the upper divided body, each divided body can be smoothly displaced without being hindered by the sphere until it interferes with the sphere stored in the storage area. and the size of the reservoir area can be reduced. In the above example, when the first divided body 551 to the third divided body 553 are displaced in the contraction direction (that is, until the transition from the expanded state to the fourth state), FIGS. 28 to 27) can be smoothly displaced in the contraction direction without being hindered by the ball.

Further, when the divided body is displaced to a position where it interferes with the sphere (that is, from the fourth state, see FIGS. 23A and 27), the movement of the divided body is hindered by the sphere. is interfering (that is, the storage area has been reduced to the required size) by increasing the operating force. Therefore, the player can interrupt the operation without visually confirming the state of the lower tray 50 . As a result, it is possible to smoothly rotate the divided body (reduce the size of the storage area) according to the state of the balls stored in the storage area, and improve the operability of the player.

In this embodiment, the engaging pieces 552n to 556n are formed as cantilevered elastic pieces with projecting portions 552n1 to 556n1 protruding from the top surfaces of the tip ends, and the divided bodies (the first divided body 551 to the second divided body) are stacked on the upper side. By engaging the projections 552n1 to 556n1 with respect to the fifth divided body 555), the divided bodies (the third divided body 553 to the seventh divided body 557) stacked on the lower side can be Since the engaging pieces 552n to 556n are elastically deformed and engaged, each of the engaging pieces 552n to 556n can serve both the function of restricting the relative displacement in the expansion direction and the function of restricting the relative displacement in the contraction direction. That is, it is not necessary to separately provide an engaging piece for restricting the relative displacement in the expanding direction and an engaging piece for restricting the relative displacement in the contracting direction. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced, the structure can be simplified, and the product cost can be reduced accordingly. Moreover, since the opening area of the opening for forming the engaging piece can be reduced, the rigidity of each of the divided bodies 552 to 556 can be improved accordingly.

Further, in the present embodiment, the engaging pieces 552n to 556n are formed on the second pieces 552Y to 556Y that are curved in an arc around the shaft support holes 551a to 557a (shaft support pin 57). Therefore, a space for arranging the engaging pieces 552n to 556n can be secured along the circumferential direction of the second pieces 552Y to 556Y. Therefore, the size of the engaging pieces 552n to 556n can be increased, and the rigidity thereof can be increased, so that it is possible to ensure the regulation of relative displacement and improve the durability.

Next, a lower plate 2050 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 35 to 46. FIG. First, the overall configuration of the lower plate 2050 will be described with reference to FIGS. 35 to 38. FIG.

FIG. 35 is a lower tray according to the second embodiment, and is a front perspective view of the lower tray 2050 in a reduced state, and FIG. 36 is a front perspective view of the lower tray 2050 in an expanded state. 37 is an exploded front perspective view of the lower plate 2050, and FIG. 38 is a rear perspective view of the inner wall member 2056. As shown in FIGS. Note that FIG. 37 shows an exploded state of the lower plate 2050 in a contracted state. In addition, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the part same as 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate|omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 35 to 38, the lower tray 2050 includes a bottom wall member 2054 forming the bottom surface of the storage area, side wall members 2055 erected from the bottom wall member 2054 and forming side surfaces of the storage area, and inner wall members. 2056 , and a support pin 2057 and a support plate 2058 for rotatably supporting the side wall member 2055 to the bottom wall member 2054 .

The bottom wall member 2054 has a ball extraction hole 2054a which is an opening for ejecting a ball from the storage area of the lower tray 2050, and a ball extraction lever 2054b operated by the player when opening the ball extraction hole 2054a. Prepare. The ball removal hole 2054a is disposed on the right side of the storage area of the lower plate 2050 (opposite to the outlet 23, see FIG. 6) when viewed from the top of the bottom wall member 2054, and the top surface of the bottom wall member 2054 is It is formed in a form that slopes downward from all sides toward the ball removal hole 2054a.

Here, in the configuration in which the ball extracting lever 2054a is disposed in front of the lower tray 2050, when the lower tray 2050 is in the enlarged state, the ball is hidden by the divided bodies 2551 to 2554 projecting forward. The player cannot see the pull-out lever 2054a, and it is difficult for the player to reach the ball pull-out lever 2054a due to the hindrance by the divided bodies 2551 to 2554 projecting forward. Therefore, deterioration of operability is caused.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the ball extraction lever 2054a is arranged on the right side surface of the lower plate 2050 when viewed from the front. As a result, even when the lower plate 2050 is expanded, it is possible to prevent the ball removing lever 2054a from being hidden by the divided bodies 2551 to 2554 projecting forward. As a result, the player can always see it regardless of the enlarged state of the lower tray 2050, so that the operability can be improved.

In addition, the ball extraction lever 2054a is biased toward the front side (player side) by a biasing spring (not shown), and by pushing it in the direction opposite to the biasing direction (inner frame 12 side), the ball removal hole 2054a is opened. open up. In this case, the ball extracting lever 2054a is arranged on the left side of the operation handle 51 (see FIG. 47) in front view and at substantially the same height. As a result, while operating the operating handle 51 with the right hand, the player can easily perform the push-in operation of the ball extracting lever 2054a by using fingers (for example, the right thumb) that are unnecessary for operating the operating handle 51. can be done. As a result, it is possible to improve the operability of the ball extracting lever 2054a.

The side wall member 2055 supports a plurality of (four in this embodiment) split bodies (first split body 2551 to fourth split body 2554, see FIGS. 39 to 42) in the axial direction of the rotation shaft (shaft support pin 2057). It is formed by superimposing along. When each of these divided bodies 2551 to 2554 is rotated around the pivot pin 2057, the upper divided bodies are displaced outward more greatly, thereby forming a stepped shape and forming a storage area of the lower tray 2050. to expand. Therefore, as in the case of the first embodiment, it is possible to secure the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the ball removal holes 2054a in the bottom wall member 2054. FIG.

In addition, the side wall members 2055 are expanded in a stepped shape by being displaced outward more in the upper layer side divisions (see FIG. 36). Therefore, as in the case of the first embodiment, the storage area can be expanded without narrowing the distance from the upper plate 17 and with the opening on the front side widened. A player's hand can be easily put into the lower tray 2050.例文帳に追加In other words, the size of the upper plate 17 can be increased accordingly.

The inner wall member 2056 includes an upper wall portion 2056a fixed to the bottom wall member 2054, and a measuring wall portion 2056b depending from the edge of the upper wall portion 2056a. The upper wall portion 2056a and the side wall portion 2056b are arranged on the upper surface side and inside (storage area side) of the short side portions (second pieces 551Y to 557Y) of the substantially L-shaped side wall member 2055 when viewed from above. As a result, the periphery of the short side portion of the substantially L-shaped side wall member 2055 in top view is surrounded by the bottom wall member 2054 and the inner wall member 2056 .

The inner wall member 2056 forms part of the side surface of the storage area of the lower plate 2050 with the side wall portion 2056b, as in the first embodiment. That is, the side surface of the storage area of the lower tray 2050 in the contracted state consists of the inner frame 12, the long side portions (first pieces 2551X to 2554X) of the side wall member 2055 that are approximately L-shaped when viewed from above, and the inner wall member 2056 (side wall 2056b), and in the expanded state, the short side portions (second pieces 2551Y to 2554Y) of the side wall member 2055, which are approximately L-shaped when viewed from the top, are added thereto.

Thus, in this embodiment, the inner wall member 2056 (side wall portion 2056a) forms part of the inner wall of the storage area, and in the reduced state shown in FIG. The side portions (second pieces 2551Y to 2554Y) are housed inside the inner wall member 2056, and in the expanded state shown in FIG. Both the short side portions (second pieces 551Y to 557Y) of the substantially L shape and the inner wall member 2056 (side wall portion 2056a) form part of the inner wall of the storage area. As a result, as in the first embodiment, the length of the short side of the substantially L-shaped short side is shortened, and the space required for moving the short side of the substantially L-shaped short side is reduced accordingly. can be suppressed.

A regulating portion 2056c protrudes from the lower surface of the upper surface wall 2056a of the inner wall member 2056 on the one end side (expansion direction side). 2551Y). Therefore, when the side wall member 2055 receives the weight of the ball and tries to fall downward, the restricting portion 2056c presses the upper surface of the side wall member 2055 (short side portion) to prevent the side wall member 2055 from rising. Falling downward can be suppressed.

In addition, since the restricting portion 2056c can abut on the stopper portion 2551S2 of the side wall member 2055, it is possible to restrict the rotation of the side wall member 2055 in the expansion direction and hold it in the extended position (see FIG. 36). . That is, the restricting portion 2056c not only supports the upper surface of the substantially L-shaped short side portion (the second piece 2551Y) of the side wall member 2055 to suppress the bending, but also serves to prevent the divisions 2551 to 2554 from expanding. Since it also serves as a stopper that restricts the rotation of , the number of parts can be reduced accordingly, and the product cost can be reduced.

The rotation shaft (shaft support pin 2057) of the lower plate 2050 is parallel to the shaft (not shown) that supports the front frame 14 so as to be able to open and close, and is arranged on the same side (left side in front view) in the width direction. Therefore, even if the front frame 14 is opened while the lower tray 2050 is enlarged and the lower tray 2050 comes into contact with the pachinko machine 10 installed next to it, the side wall member 2055 can be rotated in the contraction direction. Damage to the lower plate 2050 can be suppressed.

Here, in the bottom wall member 2054, a protrusion 2555b is provided on the upper surface of the region where the first piece 2554X of the fourth divided body 2554 is superimposed in the contracted state, and a pair of protrusions 2555b are provided on the upper surface of the region where the second piece 2554Y is superimposed. A rail portion 2555w and a restricting protrusion 2555r are provided, respectively.

The projecting portion 2555 b protrudes as a projection having a rectangular cross section and is arranged (stored) in the regulation groove 2554 c of the fourth divided body 2554 . When the fourth divided body 2552 is rotated about the pivot pin 2057, the protrusion 2555b contacts the inner wall surface of the regulation groove 2554c, thereby moving the fourth divided body 2554 relative to the bottom wall member 2054. A (rotational) range can be specified.

When the divided bodies 2551 to 2554 are superimposed, the rail part 2555w is fitted between the pair of opposing side walls of the second piece 2554Y of the fourth divided body 2554, thereby improving the rigidity of the side wall member 2055 as a whole. (See FIG. 43). When the engaging piece 2554n of the fourth divided body 2554 is elastically deformed, the restricting projection 2555r comes into contact with the tip of the engaging piece 2554n, thereby displacing (rotating) the fourth divided body 2554 in the shrinking direction. ) is regulated (see FIG. 45).

Further, the bottom wall member 2054 is formed with regulation walls 2555k1 and 2555k2 on the side of the rail portion 2555w (the side opposite to the storage area), and the inner wall member 2056 is formed with a regulation wall 2555k3 and a latch from the lower surface of the upper wall portion 2056a. An engaging portion 2555p is formed. The regulating walls 2555k1 to 2555k3 are protrusions that protrude from the side surfaces of the second pieces 2552Y to 2554Y of the second divided body 2552, the third divided body 2553, and the fourth divided body 2554 when the side wall member 2055 is expanded. It faces the upper surfaces of the walls 2522z to 2554z so as to be abuttable, and restricts upward movement of the projecting walls 2552z to 2554z. Thereby, the side wall member 2054 can be prevented from collapsing downward (see FIG. 43).

The latch engaging portion 2555p is formed as a recess with which the latch portion 2551p protruding from the side of the first divided body 2551 is engaged. When the side wall member 2055 is contracted, the latch portion 2551p of the first divided body 2551 is engaged with the latch engagement portion 2555p, thereby restricting the relative movement of the first divided body 2551 with respect to the inner wall member 2056. . That is, it is possible to restrict the displacement (rotation) of the side wall member 2055 (the first divided body 2551) in the expanding direction.

Next, the detailed configuration of the lower plate 2050 will be described with reference to FIGS. 39 to 46. FIG. 39 and 40 are exploded front perspective views of sidewall member 2055, and FIGS. 41 and 42 are exploded bottom perspective views of sidewall member 2055. FIG.

39(a) and 41(a) show the first divided body 2551, FIGS. 39(b) and 41(b) show the second divided body 2552, and FIGS. (a) shows the third divided body 2553, and FIGS. 40(b) and 42(b) show the fourth divided body 2554, respectively.

Here, in this embodiment, the second divided body 2552 to the fourth divided body 2554 are formed in the same shape (that is, as common parts). Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced, and the product cost can be reduced. However, for convenience of explanation, different names and symbols are assigned to the components of the second divided body 2552 to the fourth divided body 2554 for explanation.

As shown in FIGS. 39 to 42, each of the first divided body 2551 to the fourth divided body 2554 has shaft supporting holes 2551a to 2554a formed at one end thereof to form a long side portion of a substantially L shape when viewed from above. It is composed of one piece 2551X to 2554X and second pieces 2551Y to 2554Y which are connected to the other end side of the first piece 2551X to 2554X and form a short side portion of a substantially L shape when viewed from above.

The first pieces 2551X to 2557X have a substantially V-shape with the side serving as the storage area concave (that is, convex outward), and the second pieces 2551Y to 2554Y are centered on the shaft support holes 2551a to 2554a and substantially Circular arcs having the same diameter are formed in top view shapes (shapes of the shaft support holes 2551a to 2554a in the axial direction).

By forming the first pieces 2551X to 2554X to be bent in a substantially dogleg shape that protrudes outward, not only is it possible to ensure the size of the storage area, but also a linear portion is formed, so that the side wall When the member 2055 (first piece 2551X) is expanded or contracted by the player's operation, the linear portion can be easily grasped by hand, and the side wall member 2055 (first piece 2551X) can be pushed in or pulled out. operability can be improved.

On the upper surface of the first pieces 2552X to 2554X of the fourth divided body 2554 from the second divided body 2552, projections extending along the longitudinal direction of the first pieces 2552X to 2554X and protruding as projections having a rectangular cross section. 2552b-2554b are provided (see FIGS. 39 and 40). On the other hand, on the lower surface of the first pieces 2551X to 2554X from the first divided body 2551 to the fourth divided body 2554, recessed grooves having a concave cross section extending along the longitudinal direction of the first pieces 2551X to 2554X are provided. Regulating grooves 2551c to 2554c are provided (see FIGS. 41 and 42).

When the divided bodies 2551 to 2554 are superimposed vertically, the protrusions 2552b to 2554b of the second divided body 2552 to the fourth divided body 2554 are arranged in the regulation grooves 2551c to 2553c of the first divided body 2551 to the third divided body 2553. Further, the protrusions 2555b (see FIG. 37) of the bottom wall member 2054 are arranged (stored) in the regulation grooves 2551c of the fourth split body 2553, respectively. As a result, when each of the divisions 2551 to 2554 rotates around the pivot pin 2057, the protrusions 2552b to 2555b abut against the inner wall surfaces of the regulation grooves 2551c to 2554c, thereby allowing each division 2551 to rotate. A movable (rotational) range of ~2554 is defined.

A pair of opposing inner wall surfaces of the regulating grooves 2551c to 2554c are formed to have the same shape in bottom view as the projections 2552b to 2555b in top view. Along the edges of the pieces 2552X to 2554X, the other inner wall surface is located on the opposite side (outer side) of the storage region as it goes from the pivot holes 2551a to 2554a toward the second pieces 2551Y to 2554Y. It is arranged in the posture to do. That is, the groove widths of the regulating grooves 2551c to 2554c are gradually enlarged from the pivot holes 2551a to 2554a toward the second pieces 2551Y to 2554Y.

In the second piece 2551Y of the first divided body 2551, an opening 2551m having a rectangular shape in a front view is formed on the bottom surface, and a latch part 2551p is provided on the side surface so as to be retractable. The latch portion 2551p is biased in the protruding direction by a biasing spring, and is engaged with the latch engaging portion 2555p (see FIG. 38) of the inner wall member 2056 when the side wall member 2055 is contracted. When the side wall member 2055 (first divided body 2551) in the contracted state is displaced (rotated) in the expansion direction by the player's operation, the latch portion 2551p is retracted into the first divided body 2551, and the latch engagement portion 2555p is inserted. is disengaged from.

Rectangular openings 2552m to 2554m in a front view are formed in the second pieces 2552Y to 2554Y of the second divided body 2552 to the fourth divided body 2554, and positions (top surface) corresponding to the openings 2552m to 2554m are formed. 2552Y to 2554Y, the engagement pieces 2552n to 2554n extending along the longitudinal direction of the second pieces 2552Y to 2554Y are formed in a manner raised from the upper surface.

The engaging pieces 2552n to 2554n are formed as cantilevered elastic pieces with free ends, and are raised from the openings 2552m to 2554m to the upper surface side. projections 2552n1 to 2554n1 are provided. Rib-shaped ribs 2552n2 to 2554n2 are suspended from the lower surfaces of the engaging pieces 2552n to 2554n.

A pair of rail portions 2552w to 2554w are erected from the upper surface of the second pieces 2552Y to 2554Y of the fourth divided body 2554 from the second divided body 2552, and projecting walls 2552z to 2554z extend horizontally from the side surfaces. be done.

The pair of rail portions 2552w to 2554w are set such that the distance between the outer surfaces thereof is equal to or slightly smaller than the distance between the pair of side walls of the second pieces 2551Y to 2553Y of the first to third divisions 2552 to 2553. be done. Therefore, when the divided bodies 2551 to 2554 are overlapped, the rail portions 2552w to 2554w are fitted between the pair of side walls of the second pieces 2551Y to 2554Y, thereby improving the rigidity of the side wall member 2055 as a whole. (See FIG. 43).

The overhang walls 2552z to 2554z face the lower surfaces of the regulation walls 2555k1 and 2555k2 of the bottom wall member 2054 and the regulation walls 2555k3 of the inner wall member 2056, respectively, when the side wall member 2055 is expanded. Upward movement of walls 2552z-2554z is restricted (see FIG. 43).

Engaging pieces 2552n to 2554n (protrusions 2552n1 to 2554n1) of the second divided body 2552 to the fourth divided body 2554 are formed to be able to engage with the openings 2551m to 2553m of the first divided body 2551 to the third divided body 2553. By such engagement, it is possible to restrict the relative displacement in one direction of the second divided body 2552 to the fourth divided body 2554 with respect to the first divided body 2551 to the third divided body 2553, and the engaging pieces 553n and 554n. By releasing the engagement with the openings 552m and 553m due to elastic deformation, relative displacement in one direction can be permitted and relative displacement in the other direction can be restricted (Figs. 46).

That is, the engaging pieces 2552n to 2554n and the like are portions that function as regulating means for regulating the relative movement of the superimposed divided bodies 2551 to 2554, and the side wall member 2055 is enlarged or reduced by the operation of the player. In this case, the order in which the divisions 2551 to 2554 are allowed to rotate is defined. Thereby, as will be described later, the order of rotation of each of the divided bodies 2551 to 2554 can be fixed, and the form of expansion or contraction of the storage area can be made unique (see FIG. 44).

Next, with reference to FIG. 43, the relationship between the second pieces 2551Y to 2554Y in the first divided body 2551 to the fourth divided body 2554 of the side wall member 2055 will be described. FIG. 43 is a rear perspective view of lower plate 2050 in an enlarged state, illustrating a state in which inner wall member 2056 has been removed.

In the side wall member 2055, as described above, the second pieces 2551Y to 2554Y of the divided bodies 2551 to 2554 are arcuate with the same diameter around the shaft support holes 2551a to 2554a (shaft support pin 2057, see FIG. 37). , so that when the divided bodies 2551 to 2554Y are rotated about the shaft support holes 2551a to 2554a, the trajectories of the second pieces 2551Y to 2554Y can be matched with each other (see FIG. 44). . Therefore, since the second pieces 2551Y to 2554Y are always overlapped, the rigidity of the side wall member 2055 (the structure in which the divided bodies 2551 to 2554 are overlapped) can be secured, and bending due to the weight of the ball can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 43, in this case, the side wall member 2055 is provided between the pair of side walls facing each other in the second pieces 2551Y to 2554Y of the first divided body 2551 to the fourth divided body 2554 from the bottom side thereof. The rail portions 2552w to 2554w of the second pieces 2552Y to 2554Y of the fourth divided body 2554 and the rail portion 2555w of the bottom wall member 2054 are fitted from the divided body 2552 to overlap each other.

Therefore, the second pieces 2551Y to 2554Y falling outward due to the load in the horizontal direction (the direction in which the second pieces 2551Y to 2554Y of the side wall member 2055 tend to spread outward) received from the stored balls is By fitting the rail portions 2552w to 2555w between the pair of side walls facing each other, they can be mutually regulated. In particular, in this embodiment, since the lowermost rail portion 2555w is erected from the bottom wall member 2054, the rigidity of the side wall member 2055 can be used to prevent the fourth divided body 2554 from falling down from the first divided body 2551. can be strongly supported.

Further, the side wall member 2055 is formed with projecting walls 2552z to 2554z projecting from the sides of the second pieces 2551Y to 2554Y of the fourth segment 2554 from the second segment 2552. In the expanded state, the projecting walls 2552z to 2554z faces the regulating walls 2555k1 and 2555k2 of the bottom wall member 2054 and the regulating wall 2555k3 of the inner wall member 2056 (see FIG. 38) so as to be able to abut.

Here, when a large number of balls are stored in the storage area in the enlarged state, each of the divided bodies 2551 to 2554 projecting in a stepped manner bends in the direction of tilting the first pieces 2551X to 2554X downward. However, according to this embodiment, the upward movement of the projecting walls 2552z to 2554z can be regulated by the regulating walls 2555k1 to 2555k3. You can prevent it from floating. As a result, the downward collapse of the side wall member 55 can be suppressed.

In this case, the restriction portion 2056c of the inner wall member 2056 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the second piece 2551 of the first divided body 2551 (see FIGS. 36 and 38). It is possible to suppress the lifting of the two pieces 2551Y upward. Therefore, this also prevents the side wall member 55 from collapsing downward.

Next, referring to FIGS. 44 to 46, when the side wall member 2055 is operated by the player to enlarge or reduce the storage area of the lower tray 2050, the order in which the division bodies 2551 to 2554 are displaced (rotated). will be explained.

44(a) is a top view of the lower tray 2050 in the contracted state, and FIGS. 44(b) to 44(d) are top views of the lower tray 2050 in the first to third states. 44(e) is a top view of lower plate 2050 in an enlarged state.

45(a) is a side cross-sectional view of the lower tray 2050 in the contracted state, and FIGS. 45(b) and 45(c) are side cross-sectional views of the lower tray 2050 in the first state and the second state. is. 46(a) is a side sectional view of the lower tray 2050 in the third state, and FIG. 46(b) is a side sectional view of the lower tray 2050 in the enlarged state.

As shown in FIGS. 44(a) and 45(a), in a contracted state (a state in which the divided bodies 2551 to 2554 are pushed in to minimize the storage area), the first divided body 2551 to the third divided body 2553 Engagement pieces 2552n to 2554n (protrusions 2552n1 to 2554n1) of the second divided body 2552 to the fourth divided body 2554 are engaged with the inner wall surfaces of the openings 2551m to 2553m.

The engaging pieces 2552n, 2553n of the second divided body 2552 and the third divided body 2553 are arranged with the engaging pieces 2553n, 2554n of the third divided body 2553 and the fourth divided body 2554 on the lower surface side thereof. The engaging piece 2554n of the four-part divided body 2554 is arranged downward (that is, in the direction in which the projections 2552n1, 2553n1, and 2554n1 come out) by arranging the regulation projection 2555r of the bottom wall member 2054 on the lower surface side thereof. a) Elastic deformation to the bottom) is restricted.

The downward elastic deformation of the engaging pieces 2552n to 2554n is restricted by the ribs 2552n2 to 2554n2 hanging down from the lower surfaces thereof contacting the engaging pieces 2553n, 2554n or the upper surface of the restricting protrusion 2555r. be done.

As a result, the relative displacement of the second divided body 2552, the third divided body 2553 and the fourth divided body 2554 with respect to the first divided body 2551, the second divided body 2552 and the third divided body 2553 (about the pivot pin 2057) rotation) are regulated respectively. That is, in the contracted state, relative displacement (rotation) of the first divided body 2551 to the fourth divided body 2554 is restricted, and a structure in which the first divided body 2551 to the fourth divided body 2554 are integrated is formed. be done.

In this case, such an integrated structure (first to fourth divided bodies 2551 to 2554) has the latch portion 2551p (see FIG. 39(a)) disposed in the first divided body 2551 as described above. By being engaged with the latch engaging portion 2555p (see FIG. 38) of the member 2056, the integrated structure (first to fourth divided bodies 2551 to 2554) with respect to the bottom wall member 2054 expands (see FIG. 44(a)). ) relative displacement (rotation) in the downward direction (to the left in FIG. 45(a)) is restricted. Also, the relative displacement (rotation) in the contraction direction is restricted by the engagement of the protrusion 2555b of the bottom wall member 2054 with the inner wall surface of the restriction groove 2556c of the fourth split body 2554 .

Therefore, when the side wall member 2055 (the integrated structure of the first to fourth divided bodies 2551 to 2554) is displaced (rotated) in the expansion direction by the player's operation, the first divided body 2551 The engagement between the latch portion 2551p of the inner wall member 2056 and the latch engaging portion 2555p of the inner wall member 2056 is released, and the integral structure (first to sixth divided bodies 551 to 556) with respect to the bottom wall member 2054 is displaced in the expanding direction ( rotation) becomes possible. Thereby, the first state shown in FIGS. 44(b) and 45(b) is formed.

In the first state, the relative displacement (rotation) in the expansion direction is restricted by engaging the protrusion 2555b of the bottom wall member 2054 with the inner wall surface of the restriction groove 2554c of the fourth divided body 2554. (See FIGS. 37 and 42(b)).

As shown in FIGS. 44(b) and 45(b), in the first state, the regulating protrusion 2555r of the bottom wall member 2054 is retracted from the lower surface of the engagement piece 2554n of the fourth divided body 2554 (FIG. 45). (b) right side). As a result, a space is formed below the engagement piece 2554n of the fourth divided body 2554, and the space is provided below the engagement piece 2554n (that is, the direction in which the protrusion 2554n1 exits the opening 2553m, the lower side in FIG. 45(b)). It becomes a state in which elastic deformation to

Therefore, from the state (first state) shown in FIGS. 44(b) and 45(b), the side wall member 2055 (for example, the first divided body 551) is expanded in the expansion direction (downward in FIG. 44(b)) by the operation of the player. 45(b) left), the inner wall surface of the opening 2553m of the third divided body 2553 pushes down the protrusion 2554n1 of the engaging piece 2554n of the fourth divided body 2554, By being displaced in the expanding direction and the inner wall surface of the opening 2553m getting over the protrusion 2554n1, the second state is formed as shown in FIGS. 44(c) and 45(c).

In the second state, the relative displacement (rotation) in the expansion direction is restricted by engaging the protrusion 2554b of the fourth segment 2554 with the inner wall surface of the restriction groove 2553c of the third segment 2553. (See FIGS. 40(b) and 42(a)).

Further, in the second state, the protrusion 2554n1 of the engaging piece 2554n of the fourth divided body 2554 contacts the lower surface of the second piece 2553Y of the third divided body 2553, and the engaging piece 2554n of the fourth divided body 2554 It is in a state of being elastically deformed downward (downward in FIG. 45(c)). As a result, the tip of the engaging piece 2554n of the fourth divided body 2554 (the end face of the rib 2554n2) is engaged with the outer wall surface of the restricting projection 2555r of the bottom wall member 2054, and the fourth divided body 2554 with respect to the bottom wall member 2054 is engaged. relative displacement (rotation) in the contraction direction (upper side in FIG. 44(c), right side in FIG. 45(c)).

As shown in FIGS. 44(c) and 45(c), in the second state, the engaging piece 2554n of the fourth divided body 2554 moves from the lower surface of the engaging piece 2553n of the third divided body 2553 in the contracting direction (see FIG. 45(c)). 45(c) right side). As a result, a space is formed below the engagement piece 2553n of the third divided body 2553, and the space is provided below the engagement piece 2553n (that is, the direction in which the protrusion 2553n1 exits the opening 2552m, the lower side in FIG. 45(c)). It becomes a state in which elastic deformation to

Therefore, from the state (second state) shown in FIGS. 44(c) and 45(c), the side wall member 2055 (for example, the first divided body 551) is expanded in the expansion direction (downward in FIG. 44(c)) by the operation of the player. 45(c) left side), the second divided body 2552 presses down the protrusion 2553n1 of the engagement piece 2553n of the third divided body 2553 with the inner wall surface of the opening 2552m, By being displaced in the expanding direction and the inner wall surface of the opening 2552m getting over the projection 2553n1, the third state is formed as shown in FIGS. 44(d) and 46(a).

In the third state, the relative displacement (rotation) in the expansion direction is restricted by engaging the protrusion 2553b of the third segment 2553 with the inner wall surface of the restriction groove 2552c of the second segment 2552. (See FIGS. 40(a) and 41(b)).

Further, in the third state, the protrusion 2553n1 of the engaging piece 2553n of the third divided body 2553 contacts the lower surface of the second piece 2552Y of the second divided body 2552, and the engaging piece 2553n of the third divided body 2553 It is in a state of being elastically deformed downward (downward in FIG. 46(a)). As a result, the tip of the engaging piece 2553n of the third divided body 2553 (the end surface of the rib 2553r) is engaged with the rear end surface of the engaging piece 2554n of the fourth divided body 2554, and the third divided body 2554 is engaged with the rear end surface of the engaging piece 2554n. Relative displacement (rotation) of the body 2553 in the contraction direction (upper side in FIG. 44(d), right side in FIG. 46(a)) is restricted.

As shown in FIGS. 44(d) and 46(a), in the third state, the engaging piece 2553n of the third divided body 2553 moves from the lower surface of the engaging piece 2552n of the second divided body 2552 in the contracting direction (Fig. 46(a)). 46(a) right side). As a result, a space is formed below the engaging piece 2552n of the second split body 2552, and the space below the engaging piece 2552n (that is, the direction in which the projection 2552n1 exits the opening 2551m, the lower side in FIG. 46A). ) is ready for elastic deformation.

Therefore, from the state (third state) shown in FIGS. 44(d) and 46(a), the side wall member 2055 (for example, the first divided body 551) is expanded in the expansion direction (downward in FIG. 44(d)) by the operation of the player. 46(a) left side), the first divided body 2551 presses down the projection 2552n1 of the engagement piece 2552n of the second divided body 2551 with the inner wall surface of the opening 2551m, By being displaced in the expansion direction and the inner wall surface of the opening 2551m getting over the projection 1551n1, an expanded state is formed as shown in FIGS. 44(e) and 46(b) in FIG.

In the expanded state, the relative displacement (rotation) in the expansion direction is restricted by engaging the protrusion 2552b of the second split body 2552 with the inner wall surface of the restriction groove 2551c of the first split body 2551. (See FIGS. 39(b) and 41(a)). At the same time, the stopper portion 2551S2 of the first divided body 2551 is brought into contact with the restricting portion 2056c of the inner wall member 2056, thereby restricting the relative displacement (rotation) in the expansion direction.

In the expanded state, the protrusion 2552n1 of the engaging piece 2552n of the second split body 2552 abuts against the lower surface of the second piece 2552Y of the first split body 551, and the engaging piece 2552n of the second split body 2552 moves downward. It is in a state of being elastically deformed (downward in FIG. 46(b)). As a result, the tip of the engaging piece 2552n of the second divided body 2552 (the end surface of the rib 2552n2) is engaged with the rear end surface of the engaging piece 2553n of the third divided body 2553, and the second divided body for the third divided body 2553 is engaged. Relative displacement (rotation) of the body 2552 in the contraction direction (upper side in FIG. 44(e), right side in FIG. 46(b)) is restricted.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, in the expanded state, relative displacement (rotation) of the first divided body 2551 to the second divided body 2552 in the contraction direction (upper side in FIG. 44(e), right side in FIG. 46(b)) is not restricted. . That is, the player can displace (rotate) the first split body 2551 in the contraction direction without performing an operation to unlock the lock mechanism, for example, so that operability in contraction is improved.

From the state (enlarged state) shown in FIGS. 44(e) and 46, the side wall member 2055 (first divided body 2551) is contracted by the player's operation (upper side in FIG. 44(e), right side in FIG. 46(b)). When the opening 2551m passes through the projection 2552n1 of the engagement piece 2552n of the second division 2552, the engagement piece 2552n of the second division 2552 pushes the projection 2552n1 into the opening 2551m due to its elastic recovery force. It returns to the engaged state. That is, the third state shown in FIGS. 44(d) and 46(a) is formed.

From the state (third state) shown in FIGS. 44(d) and 46(a), the side wall member 2055 (for example, the first divided body 2551) is contracted by the player's operation (upper side of FIG. 44(d), FIG. 46(a) right) and the opening 2552m of the second divided body 2552 is arranged above the projection 2553n1 of the engaging piece 2553n of the third divided body 2553, the third divided body 2553 is engaged. The piece 2553n returns to the state where the projection 2553n1 is engaged with the opening 2552m by elastic recovery force. That is, the second state shown in FIGS. 44(c) and 45(c) is formed.

Similarly, from the state (second state) shown in FIGS. 44(c) and 45(c), the side wall member 2055 (for example, the first divided body 551) is contracted by the player's operation (FIG. 44(c)). 45(c) to the right), and the opening 2553m of the third divided body 2553 is arranged above the protrusion 2554n1 of the engagement piece 2554n of the fourth divided body 2554, the fourth divided body 2554 The engagement pieces 2554n are sequentially restored to the state in which the protrusions 2554n1 are engaged with the openings 2553m by elastic recovery force. That is, the first state shown in FIGS. 44(b) and 45(b) is formed.

When the first state is established, as shown in FIG. 45(b), the engagement between the engaging piece 2554n of the fourth divided body 2554 and the outer wall surface of the restricting protrusion 2555r of the bottom wall member 2054 is released. Therefore, when the side wall member 2055 (for example, the first divided body 551) is displaced in the contracting direction by the player's operation, the contracted state shown in FIGS. 44(a) and 45(a) is formed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the order of displacement (rotation) of each of the divided bodies 2551 to 2554 is fixed to make the expansion or contraction of the storage area unique. (See Figures 44 to 46).

In this case, the displacement (rotation) of the side wall member 2055 (divided bodies 2551 to 2554) in the expanding direction is permitted in order from the lower divided body, as in the case of the first embodiment. It is possible to rapidly increase the size. On the other hand, the displacement (rotation) in the contraction direction is permitted in order from the upper split body, so that the displacement (rotation) of each split body 2551 to 2554 can be smoothly performed according to the state of the balls stored in the storage member. It can be carried out.

Next, the inner frame 3012 in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 47 to 50. FIG.

FIG. 47 is a front perspective view of the inner frame 3012 and lower plate 2050 in the third embodiment. 48(a) is a top view of the inner frame 3012 and the lower plate 2050, and FIG. 48(b) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame 3012 and the lower plate 2050 along line XLVIIIb-XLVIIIb of FIG. 48(a). is. In addition, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the same part as each said embodiment, and the description is abbreviate|omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 47 and 48, the inner frame 3012 in the third embodiment has a first detour 3300 and a second detour 3400 formed in front thereof. These first detour 3300 and second detour 3400 are ball passages for detouring the ball paid out from the payout port 23 and sending the ball to an area away from the payout port 23 of the lower tray 2050, It is formed in the front surface of the inner frame 3012 as a concave groove that is horizontally long and approximately rectangular when viewed from the front.

The first detour 3300 and the second detour 3400 extend from the outlet 23 toward the left side and the right side when viewed from the front, respectively, and the lower surface of the concave groove (lower surface in FIG. 48(b)) rolls. The moving surfaces are 3310 and 3410 . The rolling surfaces 3310 and 3410 are portions on which balls roll, and one end is located at a height position (vertical position in FIG. 48(b)) that is substantially flush with the lower surface 23a of the payout port 23 when viewed from the front. , and is inclined downward from one end to the other end.

One end of the rolling surface 3310, 3410 of each of the detours 3300, 3400 is substantially flush with the lower surface 23a of the dispensing port 23, so that the balls stored in the vicinity of the dispensing port 23 form a mountain and After the height of the mountain exceeds at least the lower surface 23a of the payout port 23, the balls can be made to flow into the detours 3300 and 3400 (see FIGS. 49 and 50). That is, after forming a mountain of a certain height in the vicinity of the dispensing port 23, the ball can be detoured to an area away from the mountain by the detours 3300 and 3400, so that the entire storage area of the lower tray 2050 can be filled. It is possible to make it easy to disperse the spheres uniformly.

Also, the rolling surfaces 3310 and 3410 are inclined downward from the inner frame 3012 toward the lower plate 2050, and the inclination angle of the downward inclination is increased toward the other end. As a result, when the balls bypassed by the detours 3300 and 3400 flow down to the lower tray 2050 (see FIG. 50), the ball flowing down from the other end can gain more momentum. , the ball can be thrown to a farther area within the lower plate 2050 . Therefore, it is possible to easily disperse the balls uniformly over the entire lower plate 2050 .

The lower surface 23a of the payout port 23 is formed in a shape in which the width dimension (horizontal direction dimension in FIG. 48(b)) increases toward the lower tray 2050 (that is, a shape in which the width widens along the downward inclination direction). be. This makes it easier to throw the ball from the lower surface 23a of the payout port 23 to the rolling surfaces 3310, 3410 of the detours 3300, 3400. As shown in FIG.

In addition, the lower surface 23a of the outlet 23 is inclined downward from the inner frame 3012 toward the lower plate 2050, and both side portions thereof (that is, the side connected to the rolling surfaces 3310 and 3410) extend to the rolling surfaces 3310 and 3410. tilted down towards Therefore, the ball that has flowed down from the upper tray 17 to the lower surface 23a of the payout port 23 rolls on the lower surface 23a and is sent (flowed down) to the lower tray 2050 . A ball whose throwing from the lower surface 23a to the lower tray 2050 is blocked by the pile of balls stacked on the lower tray 2050 is thrown to one end of the rolling surfaces 3310 and 3410 by the downward inclination of the both side portions of the lower surface 23a. It rolls on the moving surfaces 3310 and 3410 toward the other end.

Next, referring to FIGS. 49 and 50, detouring of the sphere by the first detour 3300 and the second detour 3400 will be described. 49(a) and 50(a) are top views of the inner frame 3012 and the lower plate 2050, and FIGS. 49(b) and 50(b) are sectional views of the inner frame 3012 and the lower plate 2050. be. 49(b) and 50(b) correspond to FIG. 48(b).

As shown in FIG. 49, the balls paid out from the payout port 23 to the lower tray 2050 are likely to be accumulated in the vicinity of the payout port 23, and the balls that are gradually piled up form a mountain. Therefore, it is difficult to distribute the balls evenly over the entire storage area of the lower tray 2050, and in the conventional product, the player had to level the pile by hand to make it flat. Moreover, even if the storage area of the lower tray 2050 is configured to be expandable as in this embodiment, it is difficult to effectively utilize the entire enlarged storage area.

As shown in FIG. 50, in the present embodiment, when a pile of balls piled up near the payout port 23 prevents the balls from flowing into the storage area from the payout port 23, the pile prevents the balls from flowing into the storage area. The ball with the obstructed flow is made to flow into each of the detours 3300, 3400, and the rolling surfaces 3310, 3410 of each of the detours 3300, 3400 roll from one end to the other end, thereby detouring the ball. can be done.

As a result, the balls can be sent to a region away from the payout port 23, ie, a region away from the mountain, and the balls can be easily distributed uniformly throughout the storage region. As a result, for example, the player does not need to level out the piles accumulated in a part of the accumulation area, and can concentrate on the game. Also, the entire expanded storage area can be effectively utilized.

In particular, in the present embodiment, since the first detour 3300 and the second detour 3400 are provided on the left and right sides of the payout port 23 in opposite directions, respectively, the mountain formed by the balls stacked near the payout port 23 The ball can be detoured to the left and right sides. That is, not only can the ball be sent to the area (the right side in FIG. 50(b)) beyond the ball extraction hole 2054a when viewed from the payout port 23, but also , and the area on the opposite side thereof (the area on the side opposite to the direction toward the ball removal hole 2054a from the outlet 23 and on the ascending inclined side of the bottom wall member 2054, the area where balls are difficult to accumulate, the left side in FIG. 50(b)). 1 Detour 3300 allows the ball to be sent. As a result, the entire expanded storage area can be effectively utilized.

Here, the width dimension of the rolling surfaces 3310 and 3410 is preferably larger than the diameter of the sphere, and in this embodiment, the width dimension is set to twice the diameter of the sphere. As a result, among the balls stacked to form a mountain in the lower plate 2050, the balls positioned above the height positions of the rolling surfaces 3310 and 3410 and positioned at the outermost sides of the detours 3300 and 3400 enters the space of each of the detours 3300, 3400 (that is, when a part of the outermost ball overlaps the rolling surfaces 3310, 3410 in top view), the rolling surfaces 3310, 3410 A space for the ball to roll on 3410 can be secured to allow the ball to continue its detour.

The state illustrated in FIG. 50 corresponds to the initial stage in which detours of the balls by the detours 3300 and 3400 are started, and as the detours of the balls progress, the balls stored in the lower tray 2050 further increased. Since the same applies to each of the following embodiments, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the inner frame 4012 in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 51 to 54. FIG.

FIG. 51(a) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame 4012 and the lower plate 2050 in the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 51(b) is the inner frame 4012 and the lower plate 2050 taken along line LIb-LIb in FIG. 51(a). is a cross-sectional view of. Note that FIG. 51(a) corresponds to FIG. 47(b). Also, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the above-described embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 51, in addition to the first detour 3300 and the second detour 3400 on the front of the inner frame 4012 in the fourth embodiment, at positions lower than the detours 3300 and 3400, A third detour 4500 and a fourth detour 4600 are further formed, respectively.

The third detour 4500 and the fourth detour 4600 are arranged at a position one step lower (the lower side in FIG. 51(a)) from the payout port 23, the first detour 3300, and the second detour 3400. It is formed as a horizontally elongated substantially rectangular concave groove, and the lower surface of the concave groove (surface on the lower side in FIG. 51(a)) serves as rolling surfaces 4510 and 4610. The rolling surfaces 4510 and 4610 communicate with each other at one end in a front view, arrange the communicated portion below the outlet 23, and descend from the communicated portion (one end) toward the other end. Formed at an angle.

Also, the rolling surfaces 4510 and 4610 are inclined downward from the inner frame 4012 toward the lower plate 2050, and the inclination angle of the downward inclination is increased toward the other end. As a result, as in the case of the first detour 3300 and the second detour 3400, when the balls detoured by the detours 4500 and 4600 flow down to the lower tray 2050 (see FIG. 53), the other end A ball that flows down from the side can be thrown to a farther area in the lower tray 2050 because the momentum can be applied to the falling down. Therefore, it is possible to easily disperse the balls uniformly over the entire lower plate 2050 .

Next, referring to FIGS. 52 to 54, detouring of the ball by the first detouring route 3300 to the fourth detouring route 4600 will be described. 52(a), 53(a) and 54(a) are sectional views of the inner frame 4012 and the lower plate 2050, and FIGS. 52(b), 53(b) and 54(b) are , a cross-sectional view of the inner frame 4012 and the lower plate 2050. FIG. 52(a), 53(a) and 54(a) correspond to FIG. 51(a), and FIGS. 52(b), 53(b) and 54(b) 51(b).

As shown in FIG. 52, the ball paid out from the payout port 23 flows down the third detour 4500 and the fourth detour 4600 (rolling surfaces 4510, 4610), and then rolls on the rolling surfaces 4510, 4610. , and the spheres are gradually piled up to form a mountain. When the pile of balls piled up near the payout port 23 blocks the balls from flowing into the storage area from the rolling surfaces 4510 and 4610 of the third and fourth detours 4500 and 4600, as shown in FIG. The ball blocked from flowing into the storage area by the mountain is caused to flow into the third detour 4500 and the fourth detour 4600, and the rolling surfaces 4510, 4610 of the detours 4500, 4600 are directed from one end to the other end. The ball can be detoured by rolling it.

After that, when the third detour 4500 and the fourth detour 4600 are filled with piled up piles of balls, as shown in FIG. By causing the ball with the hindered flow to flow into the first detour 3300 and the second detour 3400, and rolling the rolling surfaces 3310, 3410 of the detours 3300, 3400 from one end to the other end, You can circumvent the ball.

Thus, in this embodiment, since the plurality of detours (first to fourth detours 3300 to 4600) are formed at different height positions, balls stored near the payout port 23 form mountains. Then, first, the sphere can be made to flow into and detour the detours (the third detour 4500 and the fourth detour 4600) with a lower height position, and the detours (the third detour 4500 and the fourth detour 4600) 4 detour 4600) is buried in the sphere, the sphere can flow into the detour with a higher height position to detour. That is, according to the degree of growth of the mountain formed near the payout port 23 (the degree of stacking of balls), the balls can be detoured step by step through different detour routes, and the entire storage area of the lower tray 2050 can be evenly distributed. You can make the spheres easier to disperse.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the other ends of the third rolling surface 4510 and the fourth rolling surface 4610 are closer to the outlet 23 than the other ends of the first rolling surface 3310 and the second rolling surface 3410. , so that as the mountain formed near the payout port 23 grows, the ball can be detoured step by step to a region farther from the payout port 23 (that is, around the mountain). As a result, the spheres can be easily distributed uniformly over the entire storage area of the lower plate 2050 .

Next, the inner frame 5012 in the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 55 and 56. FIG.

55(a) and 56(a) are cross-sectional views of the inner frame 5012 and the lower plate 2050 in the fifth embodiment, and FIGS. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame 5012 and the lower plate 2050 along line LVb-LVb. Note that FIG. 55(a) corresponds to FIG. 47(b). Also, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the above-described embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 55 , the inner frame 5012 in the fifth embodiment extends from the edge of the rolling surfaces 3310 and 3410 of the first detour 3300 and the second detour 3400 on the side of the lower plate 2050 (storage area) to vertical walls 3311 and 3311 . 3411 is erected. The standing walls 3311 and 3411 are formed within a predetermined range from one end of the edge of the rolling surfaces 3310 and 3410 on the dispensing port 23 side (in this embodiment, the range is approximately half the length of the rolling surfaces 3310 and 3410 in the rolling direction). and is not provided on the other end side.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 56, when balls are dispensed from the dispensation port 23 to the lower tray 2050 and the balls are gradually piled up to form a mountain, the rolling surface of the balls forming the mountain is 3310, 3410, the outermost sphere on the side of each detour 3300, 3400 enters the space of each detour 3300, 3400 (that is, the outermost ball overlapping with the rolling surfaces 3310 and 3410 in top view). As a result, it is possible to prevent the balls that have entered the detours 3300 and 3400 from hindering the rolling of the balls on the rolling surfaces 3310 and 3410 . As a result, the detours 3300 and 3400 can be effectively functioned, and the balls can be easily dispersed uniformly over the entire storage area of the lower plate 2050 .

Also, even when the first detour 3300 and the second detour 3400 are provided, more balls can be stacked near the payout port 23 to increase the height of the mountain. Therefore, more balls can be stored in the storage area of the lower plate 2050 accordingly.

Next, the inner frame 6012 in the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 57 to 60. FIG.

57(a) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame 6012 and the lower plate 2050 in the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 57(b) is the inner frame 6012 and the lower plate 2050 taken along line LVIIb-LVIIb in FIG. 57(a). is a cross-sectional view of. Note that FIG. 57(a) corresponds to FIG. 47(b). Also, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the above-described embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 57, the inner frame 6012 in the sixth embodiment has a first detour 3300 and a fifth detour 6700 formed in front thereof. The fifth detour 6700 is a ball passage for detouring the ball paid out from the payout port 23 and sending the ball step by step to two places away from the payout port 23 of the lower tray 2050 . is formed on the front surface as a recessed groove that is horizontally elongated and generally rectangular when viewed from the front.

The fifth detour 6700 extends from the outlet 23 toward the right side in front view, and the lower surface of the groove (lower surface in FIG. 57(a)) serves as a rolling surface 6710 . The rolling surface 6710 is a portion on which the ball rolls, and one end is arranged at a height position (vertical position in FIG. 57(a)) that is substantially flush with the lower surface 23a of the payout port 23 when viewed from the front. At the same time, it is inclined downward from one end to the other end (the right side in FIG. 57(a)).

On the rolling surface 6710 in this embodiment, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) flow sections 6711 and 6712 are provided at predetermined intervals in the extending direction of the fifth detour 6700 (horizontal direction in FIG. 57(a)). ), which divides the rolling surface 6710 into an upstream rolling surface 6710a and a downstream rolling surface 6710b.

The flow-down parts 6711 and 6712 are parts for causing the balls rolling on the rolling surface 6710 to flow down to the lower plate 2050, and are located at a height position in a front view from the rolling surface 6710 (Fig. ) is lowered and is inclined downward from the inner frame 6012 toward the lower plate 2050 .

In this case, the height direction between the upper surface of the downstream portion 6711 on the inner frame 6012 side (the far side of the paper in FIG. 57(a)) and the upper surface of the downstream end of the upstream rolling surface 6710a (the right side in FIG. 57(a)) The amount of separation (in the vertical direction in FIG. 57(a)) is set to a dimension larger than the diameter of the sphere (approximately twice the diameter of the sphere in this embodiment), and the lower plate 2050 side of the flow section 6711 (Fig. 57(a) front side of the paper) and the upper surface of the upstream end of the downstream rolling surface 6710b (left side of FIG. 57(a)) in the height direction (vertical direction of FIG. 57(a)) is , is set to a dimension equal to or smaller than the diameter of the sphere (equivalent dimension in this embodiment).

That is, when a plurality of balls stay in the flow-down portion 6711, the imaginary plane formed by connecting the tops of the balls is positioned at a height below the downstream end of the upstream rolling surface 6710a, In addition, it is located at a height position equal to or above the upstream end of the downstream rolling surface 6710b (equivalent height position in this embodiment) (see FIG. 60(c)).

Therefore, as will be described later, in a state in which a plurality of balls are stagnant in the flow-down portion 6711 (see FIG. 60(c)), the balls flowed down from the upstream rolling surface 6710a to the flow-down portion 6711 have momentum when they flow down. can be used to pass over the plurality of balls stagnating in the flow part 6711 and reach the downstream rolling surface 6710b. As a result, the ball that rolls on the downstream rolling surface 6710 b and reaches the flow-down portion 6712 can flow down from the flow-down portion 6712 to the lower plate 2050 .

Next, referring to FIGS. 58 to 60, detouring of the sphere by the fifth detour 6700 will be described. 58(a), 59(a) and 60(a) are sectional views of the inner frame 6012 and the lower plate 2050, and FIGS. 58(b), 59(b) and 60(b) are , a cross-sectional view of the inner frame 6012 and the lower plate 2050. FIG. FIG. 60(c) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame 6012 along line LXc-LXc in FIG. 60(b). 58(a), 59(a) and 60(a) correspond to FIG. 57(a), and FIGS. 58(b), 59(b) and 60(b) 57(b).

As shown in FIG. 58, when the balls are paid out from the payout port 23 to the lower tray 2050, the balls gradually pile up to form a mountain. When the pile of balls piled up in the vicinity of the payout port 23 obstructs the flow of the balls from the payout port 23 to the lower tray 2050, as shown in FIG. , into the fifth detour 6700 to roll on the upstream rolling surface 6710a, and then first flow down to the lower tray 2050 from the flow-down portion 6711 on the side closer to the dispensing port 23 .

Thereafter, a mountain is formed by the accumulated balls that flow down from the flow-down portion 6711, and when the flow of the balls from the flow-down portion 6711 to the lower plate 2050 is blocked by the mountain, the balls roll from the upstream rolling surface 6710a. The spheres stay in the flowing part 6711, and the staying spheres fill the flowing part 6711 (see FIGS. 60(b) and 60(c)).

As a result, as shown in FIG. 60, the balls that have flowed into the fifth detour 6700 and that have rolled from the upstream rolling surface 6710a to the flow portion 6711 are replaced by the plurality of balls staying on the flow portion 6711. to reach the downstream rolling surface 6710b. Thereby, it is possible to flow down to the lower tray 2050 from the flow-down part 6712 on the far side from the outlet 23 .

Thus, in this embodiment, the ball that has flowed into the fifth detour 6700 is first flowed down from the flow-down portion 6711 on the side closer to the dispensing port 23 to the lower tray 2050, When the flow from the flow-down part 6711 to the lower tray 2050 is blocked by the above, the liquid can be made to flow down from the flow-down part 6712 on the far side from the payout port 23 to the lower tray 2050 . As a result, as the mountain formed near the payout port 23 grows, the ball can be detoured step by step to a region farther from the payout port 23 (that is, around the mountain). As a result, the spheres can be easily distributed uniformly over the entire storage area of the lower plate 2050 .

In addition, in this embodiment, the upstream rolling surface 6710 a and the downstream rolling surface 6710 b are not inclined downward from the inner frame 6012 toward the lower plate 2050 . However, at least one of the rolling surfaces 6710 a and 6710 b may be inclined downward from the inner frame 6012 toward the lower tray 2050 . In this case, the inclination angle of the downward inclination from the inner frame 6012 toward the lower plate 2050 is such that the inclination angles of the rolling surfaces 6710a and 6710b are smaller than the inclination angles of the flow parts 6711 and 6712. As a result, the balls that have flowed into the fifth detour 6700 can be caused to flow down mainly from the flow-down portions 6711 and 6712 to the lower tray 2050, and the balls can also flow down from the rolling surfaces 6710a and 6710b to the lower tray 2050. Therefore, it is possible to easily disperse the balls uniformly over the entire storage area of the lower plate 2050 .

Next, the inner frame 7012 in the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 61 to 63. FIG.

FIG. 61(a) is a top view of the inner frame 7012 and the lower plate 2050 in the seventh embodiment, and FIG. 61(b) is the inner frame 7012 and the lower plate 2050 taken along line LXIb-LXIb in FIG. 61(a). 61(c) is a cross-sectional view of the inner frame 7012 along line LXIc-LXIc in FIG. 61(a). In addition, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the same part as each said embodiment, and the description is abbreviate|omitted.

As shown in FIG. 61, in the inner frame 7012 in the seventh embodiment, a second payout port is formed as a rectangular opening in front view on the side of the payout port 23 (right side in the width direction, right side in FIG. 61(b)). 7023 is provided. In this embodiment, the payout port 23 and the second payout port 7023 are formed to have the same shape when viewed from the front, and are arranged at the same height position (vertical position in FIG. 61(b)).

Inside the inner frame 7012, there is a ball-throwing passage 7024 for throwing the balls that could not be stored in the upper tray 17 (see FIG. 1) to the pay-out port 23, and one end (upstream end) in the middle of the feeding passage 7024. , and the other end (downstream end 7025a) is communicated with the second dispensing port 7023, and a sixth detour 7025 inclined downward from one end to the other end is formed.

The ball feed path 7024 hangs down while being curved in a substantially S-shape from the upstream end on the upper tray 17 side, and the downstream end 7024a communicates with the payout port 23 at a position visible from the payout port 23 in a front view. Therefore, the ball that has flowed down the feed path 7024 and reached its downstream end 7024 a flows down from the payout port 23 to the lower tray 2050 . In this embodiment, the distance from the downstream end 7024a of the ball throwing path 7024 to the lower edge of one end (upstream end) of the sixth detour 7025 is approximately three times the diameter of the ball.

One end (upstream end) of the sixth detour 7025 communicates with the ball-throwing path 7024 at a position a predetermined distance above the downstream end 7024a of the ball-throwing path 7024, and the downstream end 7025a is the second It communicates with the second payout port 7023 at a position visually recognized from the payout port 7023 . Therefore, the ball that has flowed into the sixth detour 7025 and reached its downstream end 7025 a flows down from the second outlet 7023 to the lower tray 2050 .

Next, referring to FIGS. 62 to 63, detouring of the sphere by the sixth detouring route 7025 will be described. 62(a) and 63(a) are top views of the inner frame 7012 and the lower plate 2050, and FIGS. 62(b) and 63(b) are sectional views of the inner frame 7012 and the lower plate 2050. 62(c) and 63(c) are sectional views of the inner frame 7012. FIG. 62(a) and 63(a) correspond to FIG. 61(a), FIGS. 62(b) and 63(b) correspond to FIG. 61(b), and FIG. ) and FIG. 63(c) correspond to FIG. 61(c).

When the balls are paid out from the payout port 23 to the lower tray 2050, the balls gradually pile up to form a mountain. When the pile of balls piled up near the payout port 23 obstructs the flow of the balls from the payout port 23 to the lower tray 2050, as shown in FIG. The remaining balls fill the downstream end 7024a side of the ball throwing path 7024 (see FIG. 62(c)).

As a result, as shown in FIG. 63, the ball flowing down the throwing path 7024 can be caused to flow into the sixth detour 7025 . As a result, the ball that has flowed into the sixth detour 7024 and rolled to its downstream end 7025a can flow down to the lower tray 2050 from the second outlet 7023 spaced apart from the outlet 23 in the width direction.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the ball flow from the payout port 23 to the lower tray 2050 is blocked by the mountain formed near the payout port 23, the ball flowing down from the ball throwing path 2024 is moved to the sixth It is possible to detour to the second outlet 7023 through the detour 7025 and flow into the lower tray 2050 from the second outlet 7023 . As a result, the ball can be flowed (thrown) from the second payout port 7025 toward the area away from the mountain formed by the ball flowed in from the payout port 23 , and as a result, the lower tray 2050 is stored. It can help to distribute the spheres evenly throughout the area.

That is, for example, in the detour formed by recessing the front surface of the inner frame 7012, since the bottom plate 2050 side is open, the balls are rolled from one end to the other end of the detour to detour ( between one end and the other), the ball flows down to the lower plate 2050 . That is, all the balls that have flowed into the detour cannot be diverted to the other end, and some balls flow down to the lower tray 2050 before reaching the other end.

On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the sixth detour 7025 is arranged inside the inner frame 7012 and formed as a closed passage, so that the ball does not flow down to the lower tray 2050 during the detour. , all the balls that have flowed into the sixth detour 7025 can be rolled (detoured) to the other end (downstream end 7025a) (that is, flow down from the second outlet 7023 to the lower tray 2050). can).

As a result, the ball is allowed to flow down to the lower tray 2050 only from a position (second outlet 7023) sufficiently distant from the mountain formed by the balls that have flowed down from the dispensing opening 23 to the lower tray 2050. As a result, it is possible to facilitate uniform distribution of the balls throughout the storage area of the lower plate 2050 .

Here, in the present embodiment, the ball throwing path 7024 is provided with a first lower plate full switch (not shown) on the downstream end 7024a side thereof, and the sixth bypass path 7025 is provided with a downstream end 7024a. A second lower tray full switch (not shown) is provided on the end 7025a side. Both of these lower tray full switches indicate that the ball is stored in the ball throwing path 7024 or the sixth detour 7025 (the ball cannot be thrown from the payout port 23 or the second payout port 7023 to the lower tray 2050). is detected.

In this case, when the first lower tray full switch is turned on and the second lower tray full switch and the contraction state detection sensor are turned off, it can be estimated that a mountain of balls is formed in the vicinity of the payout port 23. Therefore, the player is notified to "level the ball on the lower tray 2050". As a result, the ball can be thrown again from the payout port 23 by leveling the pile, and more balls can be stored by efficiently using the storage area of the lower tray 2050 .

When both the first lower tray full switch and the second lower tray full switch are turned on, a mountain of balls is formed in the vicinity of the payout port 23, and the detour of the balls by the sixth detour 7025 is also completed. , since it can be estimated that the lower tray 2050 is full of balls, the player is notified to "operate the ball removal lever 2054a".

Here, the lower tray 2050 is further provided with a contraction state detection sensor (not shown) that is turned on when the side wall member 2055 is in the contraction state. When both switches are turned on and the contraction state detection sensor is turned on, ``enlarge the lower tray 2050'' before informing the player to ``operate the ball removal lever 2054a''. may be notified. The expandable bottom plate 2050 can be effectively utilized.

In addition, as a method of notification, display on the third pattern display device 81, output by voice from a voice output device, and the like are exemplified. Alternatively, the first lower tray full switch and the second lower tray full switch may be omitted, and only one lower tray full switch may be provided. In this case, the ball-throwing path 7024 is provided upstream of the branch to the sixth detour 7025 (opposite to the downstream end 7024a). By disposing in such a position, even when the payout port 23 and the second payout port 2023 are formed, it is possible to detect that the lower tray 2050 is full of balls by the one lower tray full switch.

Next, with reference to FIG. 64, the inner frame 8012 and lower plate 8050 in the eighth embodiment will be described. FIG. 64 is a front perspective view of the inner frame 8012 and lower plate 8050 in the eighth embodiment. In addition, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the same part as each said embodiment, and the description is abbreviate|omitted.

As shown in FIG. 64, in the eighth embodiment, a seventh detour 8400 is formed in front of the inner frame 8012 and an extension detour 8800 is connected to the seventh detour 8400 . The seventh detour 8400 is formed as a groove extending from the payout port 23 toward the right side in front view, and the lower surface of the groove serves as a rolling surface 8410 . Note that the seventh detour 8400 is substantially the same as the second detour 3400 except that the extension length of the seventh detour 8400 is longer than the extension length of the second detour 3400 in the third embodiment. , the description thereof will be omitted.

An inner wall member 2056 of the lower plate 2050 is formed with a protruding wall 8056h protruding from a side wall portion 2056b toward the inside of the storage area. The projecting wall 8056h is formed as a plate-like body that bends in a doglegged shape when viewed from the front, and the upper surface thereof serves as the rolling surface 8810 of the extended detour 8800 . The overhang wall 8056h connects one end (upstream end) of the rolling surface 8810 to the other end (downstream end) of the eighth detour 8400, and the rolling surface 8810 descends toward the other end (downstream end). It is arranged in an inclined position.

In this embodiment, the projecting wall 8056h is arranged at a position spaced upward from the bottom wall member 2054, and a space (storage area) in which the ball can be stored between the bottom surface of the projecting wall 8056h and the top surface of the bottom wall member 2054 ) is formed. In addition, the other end of the overhang wall 8056h (the side opposite to the one end connected to the inner frame 12) is arranged at a height position substantially equal to the upper surface of the first piece 2554X of the fourth divided body 2554 of the side wall member 2055. be done.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to forming the eighth detour 8400 in the inner frame 12, the extended detour 8800 is also formed in the lower plate 2050 (inner wall member 2056). When the pile of balls piled up in the vicinity obstructs the flow into the storage area and the balls flow into the eighth detour 8400 (see FIGS. 49 and 50), the rolling surface 8410 of the eighth detour 8400 Using the rolling surface 8810 of the extension detour 8800, the ball rolled to the end is moved to the farthest position from the outlet 23 (the first pieces 2551X to 2554X and the third The ball can be sent out (detoured) to the connecting portion of the two pieces 2551Y to 2554Y. As a result, the balls can be sent to a region distant from the mountain, and the balls can be easily distributed uniformly throughout the storage region.

In particular, in this embodiment, the other end of the overhang wall 8056h (that is, the terminal end (downstream end) of the rolling surface 8810 of the extension detour 8800) It is arranged at a height position substantially equal to the upper surface.

Therefore, when the lower plate 2050 is in the enlarged state (that is, when the storage area is enlarged and it is required to effectively utilize the storage area), the end of the rolling surface 8810 of the extended detour 8800 spheres flowing down from the first pieces 2551X to 2554X of the first divided body 2551 to the fourth divided body 2554 (that is, each member forming the stepwise enlarged area) on each side surface of the inner frame 12 side It is possible to further roll in the direction opposite to the rolling direction of the ball in the eighth detour 8400 (leftward in FIG. 64).

That is, the balls can be detoured to the rear side of the mountain formed by the balls piled up in the storage area (the side wall member 2055 side opposite to the dispensing port 23), and the balls are evenly distributed throughout the storage area. can be made easier.

The overhang wall 8056h is bent in a V-shape when viewed from the front, and the downward inclination angle of the rolling surface 8810 formed on the upper surface of the overhang wall 8056h increases toward the other end (toward the side wall member 2055). Therefore, when the lower plate 2050 is contracted, a space is provided between the upper surface of the overhang wall 5056h on the other end side and the inner wall surface of the side wall member 2055 (second pieces 2551X to 2554X). can be formed.

As a result, when the player performs an operation to reduce the lower tray 2050 from the expanded state to the contracted state, the player's fingers are placed between the overhanging wall 8056h and the inner wall surface of the side wall member 2055 (second pieces 2551X to 2554X). It is possible to suppress being sandwiched between them. In other words, the operation of contracting the lower tray 2050 involves inserting the fingers of the left hand into the inner wall surfaces of the second pieces 2551X to 2554X of the side wall member 2055, and pressing the second piece 2551X of the side wall member 2055 with the palm and thumb of the left hand. The operability is good when the operation method is to push the finger toward the side.

Here, in the case of forming a recessed groove in the side wall portion 256b of the inner wall member 2056 to form the extension detour 8800, the inner wall member 2056 must be an operation handle because it is necessary to secure a space for accommodating the divided bodies 2551 to 2554. The operability of the operation handle 51 is deteriorated because it is arranged on the 51 side and the distance therebetween is narrowed.

In contrast, according to the present embodiment, the extension detour 8800 is formed by projecting the overhang wall 8056h from the side wall portion 256b of the inner wall member 2056, so that the distance between the inner wall member 2056 and the operation handle 51 is secured. As a result, the operability of the operating handle 51 can be improved. On the other hand, even if the projecting wall 8056h protrudes from the side wall portion 2056b of the inner wall member 2056, according to the present embodiment, the projecting wall 8056h is formed in a plate shape, and the lower surface of the projecting wall 8056h and the bottom wall Since a space (storage region) in which balls can be stored is formed between the member 2054 and the upper surface, the size of the storage region can be secured.

Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiments, the present invention is by no means limited to the above embodiments, and it will be easily understood that various modifications and improvements are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. It can be inferred.

In each of the above embodiments, a gaming machine may be configured by replacing or combining part or all of one embodiment with part or all of another one or more embodiments.

Although not described in each of the above embodiments, driving means (for example, an electric motor) for applying a driving force to the side wall members 55 and 2055 is provided, and the side wall portions 52 and 2055 are displaced by the driving force applied from the driving means. By (rotating), the lower plate 50, 2050 may be enlarged and reduced.

In this case, for example, a sensor device for detecting the amount of balls stored in the lower tray 50 is provided, and the side wall members 55, 55 and 55 are displaced (rotated) according to the amount of balls detected by the sensor. By displacing (rotating) 2055 by driving means (see, for example, FIGS. 22 and 23), the lower trays 50 and 2050 may be enlarged and reduced. The lower trays 50 and 2050 that are unnecessarily enlarged and protruded forward are prevented from becoming an obstacle to the player, and the lower trays 50 and 2050 can be enlarged if necessary, so that the player can easily access the senryo box. It is possible to concentrate on the game by suppressing the discharge frequency.

Alternatively, the lower trays 50 and 2050 may be enlarged and reduced according to the game state. For example, a means for detecting the occurrence of a hit is provided, and when the occurrence of a hit is detected by the means, the side wall members 55, 2055 are displaced (rotated) in the expanding direction by the drive means, and the lower trays 50, 2050 are rotated. may be expanded in advance. Also, for example, the lower plates 50 and 2050 may be enlarged during a predetermined presentation. The enlargement of the lower plate 50, 2050 can give the player a sense of expectation.

Alternatively, depending on the state of the front frame 14, the lower plate 50, 2050 may be enlarged or reduced. For example, a sensor device for detecting the state of the front frame 14 is provided, and when the sensor device detects an operation to open the front frame 14, the side wall members 55 and 2055 are displaced (rotated) in the contraction direction by the driving means. , the lower plate 50, 2050 may be reduced. Further, for example, a sensor device for detecting the state of the cylinder lock 20 that locks the front frame 14 is provided, and when the sensor device detects that the cylinder lock 20 is unlocked, the side wall members 55 and 2055 are retracted by the driving means. The lower tray 50, 2050 may be contracted by displacing (rotating) in the direction. When the front frame 14 is carelessly opened while the lower tray 50 is expanded, the enlarged lower tray 50 can be prevented from coming into contact with the adjacent pachinko machine 10 and being damaged.

In each of the above embodiments, the lower trays 50 and 2050 have been described as examples of targets for enlarging or reducing the storage area. The plate 17 may also be the target.

In each of the above embodiments, the side wall members 55 and 2055 are rotatably connected to the bottom wall members 54 and 2054 by the shaft support pins 57 and 2057 at the ends on the same side as the side on which the front frame 14 is rotatably supported. Although the case where the front frame 14 is pivotally supported has been described, it is not necessarily limited to this. , 2054 may be rotatably supported.

In each of the above-described embodiments, as an example, the elastic deformation of the engaging pieces 552n to 556n and 2552n to 2554n is used as the regulation means for regulating the relative movement of the superimposed divided bodies 551 to 557 and 2551 to 2554. Although explained, it is not necessarily limited to this, and other regulation means may be employed. As another regulating means, for example, the coefficients of friction between the divided bodies 551 to 557 and 2551 to 2554 are made different, and based on the difference in the coefficients of friction, the divided bodies 551 to 557 and 2551 to 2554 are adjusted. An example is one that defines the order in which rotation is allowed. Alternatively, a plurality of actuators (for example, solenoids) are provided for engaging and disengaging the divided bodies 551 to 557 and 2551 to 2554, and the divided bodies 551 to 557 and 2551 to 2554 are driven by driving the actuators. An example is to define the order in which 2554 rotations are allowed.

Although not described in the above embodiments, a first sensor device for detecting that the lower tray 50, 2050 is in the expanded state (or at least not in the contracted state), and a sensor device for detecting that the front frame 14 is opened. Notification when the lower tray 50, 2050 is in the expanded state and the front frame 14 is detected to be open by the second sensor device for detection and the first and second sensor devices and an informing means (for example, means for generating a sound) may be provided. It is possible to prevent the front frame 14 from being opened while the lower tray 50, 2050 is in the expanded state by leaving the notification means unattended. As a result, it is possible to prevent the lower trays 50 and 2050 from colliding with the adjacent pachinko machine 10 or the like and being damaged.

In the fourth embodiment, the case where the first and second detours 3300, 3400 and the third and fourth detours 4500, 4600 are provided in two stages in the vertical direction has been described, but it is not necessarily limited to this. Instead, detour routes may be provided in three stages or more.

In the sixth embodiment described above, the case where the flow-down portions 6711 and 6712 are formed at two locations on the rolling surface 6710 of the fifth detour 6700 has been described. You can set up a department.

In the above-described seventh embodiment, the case where two payout ports (payout port 23 and second payout port 7023) are provided has been described. good.

In the eighth embodiment, the other end of the overhanging wall 8056h (end (downstream end) of the rolling contact surface 8810) has substantially the same height as the upper surface of the first piece 2554X in the fourth divided body 2554 of the side wall member 2055. Although the case where it is arranged at the position has been described, it is not necessarily limited to this. can be set higher.

The present invention may be applied to a different type of pachinko machine or the like from the above embodiments. For example, once the jackpot hits, the expected value of the jackpot is increased until the jackpot state occurs multiple times (for example, 2 times, 3 times) including the pachinko machine (commonly known as 2 times rights product, 3 times rights product) may be implemented as Further, it may be implemented as a pachinko machine that generates a special game in which a predetermined game value is given to the player under the condition that the ball enters a predetermined area after the big winning pattern is displayed. Also, a pachinko machine having a prize winning device having a special area such as a V-zone and entering a special game state as a necessary condition for winning a ball in the special area may be implemented. Furthermore, in addition to pachinko machines, various game machines such as arepachi, mammoth, slot machines, and so-called game machines combining a pachinko machine and a slot machine may be implemented.

In the slot machine, for example, the pattern is changed by operating the control lever in a state where the pattern effective line is determined by inserting a coin, and the pattern is stopped and fixed by operating the stop button. It is. Therefore, the basic concept of a slot machine is "provided with a display device that confirms and displays identification information after variably displaying an identification information string consisting of a plurality of pieces of identification information, The variable display of the identification information is started, and the variable display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stopping (for example, a stop button) or after a predetermined period of time has passed, and the stop is displayed. It is a slot machine that generates a special game that gives a player a predetermined game value under the condition that the combination of time identification information is a specific one. In this case, the game medium is represented by coins, medals, etc. Examples include:

Further, as a specific example of a game machine that combines a pachinko machine and a slot machine, it is equipped with a display device for displaying a symbol sequence consisting of a plurality of symbols in a variable manner and then confirming and displaying the symbols, and is equipped with a ball launching handle. There are things that are not. In this case, after throwing a predetermined amount of balls based on a predetermined operation (button operation), for example, the pattern starts to change due to the operation of the control lever, for example, due to the operation of the stop button, or a predetermined As time elapses, the fluctuation of the symbols is stopped, and a special game is generated in which a predetermined game value is given to the player under the condition that the determined symbols at the time of the stop are so-called jackpot symbols, and the player is given a special game. A lot of balls are paid out to the tray at the bottom. If such a game machine is used instead of a slot machine, only the balls can be treated as game value in the game hall. It is possible to solve the problems such as the burden on the equipment due to the separate handling of the medals and the balls and the restrictions on the installation location of the game machine.

In the following, concepts of various inventions included in the above-described embodiments in addition to the game machine of the present invention are shown.

<Regarding the Concept of the Invention Taking the Bottom Plate 50 as an Example>
A gaming machine comprising a front frame that can be opened and closed, and a storage member that is disposed in front of the front frame and forms a storage area for storing balls, wherein the storage member is used by a player. The size of the storage area is formed to be displaceable in a direction in which the size of the storage area is enlarged or reduced by operation, and when a pressing force is applied to the storage member from the outside due to the opening of the front frame, the size of the storage area is increased. A game machine A1 characterized in that the storage member is formed to be displaceable in a direction in which the height is reduced.

Here, a front frame formed to be openable and closable, an upper plate disposed on the front frame for storing balls to be shot into the game area, and a ball disposed below the upper plate so as not to fit into the upper plate A gaming machine is known that has a lower tray for receiving balls. In this case, if the side wall is raised in order to expand the storage area of the lower tray, the gap between it and the upper tray is reduced accordingly. Therefore, for example, it becomes difficult for the player to put his or her hand into the lower tray when flattening the balls that are unevenly stored in the lower tray. Therefore, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-136095, the bottom wall and the side wall of the lower tray are slid back and forth by the player's operation, thereby making it easier for the player to put his/her hands into the storage area of the lower tray. A structure for expanding or contracting is disclosed. However, in the game machine described above, if the front frame is opened while the bottom tray is enlarged, there is a problem that the enlarged bottom tray comes into contact with the adjacent game machine and is damaged.

On the other hand, according to the gaming machine A1, the storage member is displaceable in the direction of enlarging or reducing the size of the storage area by the operation of the player, and the storage member is externally displaced when the front frame is opened. Since the storage member is formed to be displaceable in a direction in which the size of the storage region is reduced when a pressing force is applied to the storage region, damage to the storage member can be suppressed.

Examples of the storage member include an upper tray that stores balls to be shot into the game area, and a lower tray that is disposed below the upper tray and receives balls that do not fit in the upper tray.

Further, when the pressing force is applied to the storage member from the outside due to the opening of the front frame, for example, the storage member comes into contact with an adjacent game machine and the pressing force is applied from the adjacent game machine to the storage member. For example, when a person grips the storage member and opens the front frame, a person's hand applies a pressing force to the storage member.

In the game machine A1, the front frame opens and closes by rotating around a rotation axis provided on one side in the width direction, and the storage member is located on the same side as the rotation axis of the front frame in a front view. A gaming machine A2 characterized in that the size of the storage area is enlarged or reduced by rotating around a rotating shaft provided on one side in the width direction.

According to the game machine A2, in addition to the effects of the game machine A1, the storage member rotates around a rotation shaft provided on one side in the width direction to expand or reduce the size of the storage area. Since the rotation axis of the storage member is on the same side as the rotation axis of the front frame when viewed from the front, when a pressing force is applied to the storage member from the outside due to the opening of the front frame, the storage member can be stored. It is possible to facilitate displacement in a direction in which the size of the area is reduced. As a result, damage to the storage member can be suppressed.

In the game machine A2, the storage member includes a bottom wall portion and a side wall portion erected from the bottom wall portion, and the side wall portion is formed by overlapping a plurality of divided bodies vertically, and the plurality of divided bodies are divided into the plurality of divided bodies. A game machine A3 characterized in that the size of the storage area is enlarged or reduced by rotating the body around the rotation axis in a direction toward or away from the front frame.

According to the gaming machine A3, in addition to the effects of the gaming machine A2, it is possible to ensure the degree of freedom in arranging the ball extraction holes while allowing the size of the storage area to be expanded or reduced. For example, in a structure in which the storage area is expanded or contracted by sliding the bottom wall and side walls back and forth according to the player's operation, the overlapping portion of the bottom wall on the fixed side and the bottom wall on the sliding side , the ball hole cannot be arranged, and the degree of freedom in its arrangement is reduced.

On the other hand, according to the gaming machine A3, the side wall portion is formed from a plurality of divided bodies that are vertically superimposed, and the plurality of divided bodies are rotated in the direction of approaching or separating from the front frame, so that the storage area Where the size can be expanded or reduced, there is no overlapping margin between the portion (divided body) that is displaced due to the expansion or contraction of the storage area and the bottom wall. A ball extraction hole can be arranged, and the degree of freedom of the arrangement can be ensured.

In the game machine A3, the plurality of divided bodies are rotated in a direction away from the front frame about the rotation shaft, and when the storage area is enlarged, the upper divided bodies are protruded outward. , a gaming machine A4 characterized in that when it is rotated in a direction approaching said front frame about said rotating shaft and said storage area is reduced, said divided bodies overlap each other when viewed in the axial direction of said rotating shaft.

According to the game machine A4, in addition to the effects of the game machine A3, when the plurality of divided bodies are rotated in the direction away from the front frame, the upper divided bodies project outward, so that the player can The storage area can be expanded in an easily accessible form. On the other hand, when rotated in a direction approaching the front frame, the divided bodies overlap when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, so that the rigidity of the storage member can be ensured in a state in which the storage area is reduced.

In addition, when the storage area is expanded, the plurality of divided bodies protrude outward, making it easier for the player to recognize that the lower tray is in the expanded state.

In the gaming machine A3 or A4, the divided body is formed in a substantially L-shaped top view from a first piece having one end supported by the rotating shaft and a second piece extending from the other end of the first piece. , wherein the second piece is curved in an arc around the rotation axis.

According to the gaming machine A5, in addition to the effects of the gaming machine A3 or A4, the divided body includes the first piece having one end pivotally supported by the rotating shaft and the second piece extending from the other end of the first piece. The second piece is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed from above, and the second piece is formed to be curved in an arc shape centering on the rotation axis. The trajectory of the second piece of division can be matched. That is, since the second pieces of the divided bodies can always overlap each other, the rigidity of the side walls (the plurality of divided bodies) can be ensured.

In the gaming machine A5, the second piece of the divided body includes a horizontal portion continuous with the first piece, a standing portion erected from the end of the horizontal portion, and the vertical portion extending from the standing end of the standing portion. Each division has a horizontal portion and an extension portion extending in the opposite direction, and each divided body connects the horizontal portion, the vertical portion and the extension portion to the horizontal portion, the vertical portion and the extension portion of the adjacent division. A gaming machine A6 characterized in that it is arranged in a state of being superimposed on the part.

According to the game machine A6, in addition to the effects of the game machine A5, the second piece of the divided body has a horizontal portion connected to the first piece, an erected portion erected from the end of the horizontal portion, and and an extension portion extending from the upright end of the upright portion to the opposite side of the horizontal portion, each division connecting the horizontal portion, the upright portion, and the extension portion with the horizontal portion of the adjacent division; Since the standing portion and the extended portion are overlapped with each other, when a large number of balls are stored in the storage area, the weight of the balls acting on the side wall portion (each split body) is controlled by each split body. The interaction between the horizontal portion, the standing portion and the extending portion can effectively support the side wall portion (each divided body), and as a result, the bending of the side wall portion (each divided body) can be suppressed.

In addition, since the second pieces are superimposed on each other, even when the side wall is bent by the weight of the ball, the second piece serves as a guide to smoothly change the side wall from the expanded state to the contracted state. can be transferred. Therefore, even if the front frame is inadvertently opened while the lower tray in which the balls are stored remains expanded, the lower tray (side wall portion) can be displaced in the contracting direction, so damage to the lower tray can be suppressed. .

In the gaming machine A6, the plurality of divided bodies are characterized in that the width of one of the horizontal portion or the extended portion is reduced and the width of the other is increased toward the upper division. .

According to the game machine A7, in addition to the effects of the game machine A6, the plurality of divided bodies have a width of one of the horizontal portion and the extended portion made smaller and the width of the other made larger toward the upper side of the divided body. Therefore, even when the horizontal portion, the standing portion and the extending portion of the second pieces are overlapped with each other, the width dimension of the second pieces can be suppressed. That is, it is possible to secure a storage area by suppressing the width dimension of the second piece while improving the rigidity of the second piece by overlapping. In addition, the second piece (side wall portion) is prevented from protruding outward, and a space for arranging other members can be secured accordingly.

In any one of the game machines A5 to A7, an inner wall member forming a part of the inner wall of the storage area is provided, the plurality of divided bodies are rotated about the rotation axis in a direction approaching the front frame, and the In a state where the storage area is reduced, the second piece is arranged on the back side of the inner wall member, the plurality of divided bodies are rotated around the rotation shaft in a direction away from the front frame, and the storage area is reduced. is expanded, the second piece is arranged side by side with the inner wall member, and a part of the inner wall of the storage area is formed by the second piece and the inner wall member. A8.

According to the game machine A8, in addition to the effects of any one of the game machines A5 to A7, the inner wall member forming a part of the inner wall of the storage area is provided, and in a state where the storage area is reduced, the second piece is arranged on the back side of the inner wall member and the storage area is enlarged, the second piece is arranged side by side with the inner wall member, and the second piece and the inner wall member form a part of the inner wall of the storage area. Therefore, the length dimension of the second piece can be shortened, and the space required for moving the second piece can be reduced accordingly.

That is, when the inner wall member is not provided, the second piece must serve as the inner wall of the storage area not only when the storage area is contracted but also when the storage area is expanded. As the length dimension of the piece, a dimension obtained by adding the length dimension corresponding to the inner wall member and the length dimension corresponding to the enlarged portion is required. Therefore, the space required for movement of the second piece increases (this space must be secured on the side of the inner wall member opposite to the direction in which the storage area expands). On the other hand, when the inner wall member is provided, it is sufficient that the second piece serves as the inner wall of the storage area only when the storage area is expanded. length dimension (the length dimension corresponding to the inner wall member can be eliminated). As a result, the space required for moving the second piece can be suppressed (this space is sufficient only on the back side of the inner wall member, and is secured on the side of the inner wall member opposite to the direction in which the storage area expands. not necessary).

In the gaming machine A8, the plurality of divided bodies are such that the upper divided body has a larger length dimension of the second piece, is rotated about the rotation axis in a direction away from the front frame, and is rotated in the storage area. is expanded, the upper divisions project outward, and the end surfaces of the second pieces of the divisions are arranged flush with each other.

According to the game machine A9, in addition to the effects of the game machine A8, the plurality of divided bodies have a second piece with a larger length dimension for the upper divided body, and move away from the front frame around the rotation axis. When the storage area is enlarged by rotating, the upper divided body protrudes outward, and the end faces of the second pieces of the divided bodies are arranged flush with each other. While securing the overlapping margin between the second pieces of the body to suppress the deflection of the side wall portion (second piece) against the weight of the ball, the length of the second piece in each divided body is suppressed, and the part cost can be suppressed. That is, when the storage area is expanded, even if the end surface of the second piece in the lower divided body protrudes from the upper divided body, the projected portion cannot support the upper second piece, and the deflection is reduced. It does not contribute to suppression. On the other hand, when the storage area is reduced, the overlapping margin between the second pieces of each divided body is reduced, but the weight of the ball acts on the inner wall member and does not directly act on the second piece. Therefore, this configuration is effective.

In any one of the game machines A5 to A9, a contact member formed to be able to contact the upper surface of the second piece of the uppermost divided body is provided, and the contact member A gaming machine A10, characterized in that it is arranged at a position overlapping the second piece of the divided body located on the lower side when viewed in the axial direction.

According to the game machine A10, in addition to the effects of any one of the game machines A5 to A9, the abutment member is provided so as to be able to abut on the upper surface of the second piece of the uppermost divided body. Since the supporting rigidity of the second piece can be increased by using the contact member as a fulcrum, it is possible to prevent the side wall portion (each divided body) from bending when supporting the weight of the ball. In particular, when the storage area is expanded, the abutment member is arranged at a position overlapping the second piece of the divided body located on the lowermost side when viewed in the axial direction of the divided body. The second piece of each divided body can be supported at the optimum fulcrum position regardless of which of the divided bodies is displaced in the expanding direction, and the side wall portion (each divided body) is suppressed from bending. can.

In the game machine A10, the uppermost divided body has an engaging portion formed on the upper surface of the second piece, and the uppermost divided body rotates from the front frame about the rotation shaft. The game machine A11 is characterized in that when it is rotated to a predetermined position in the separating direction, the engaging portion engages with the contact member to restrict the rotation.

According to the gaming machine A11, in addition to the effects of the gaming machine A10, an engaging portion is formed on the upper surface of the second piece of the uppermost divided body, and the engaging portion comes into contact with the contact member. , the uppermost divided body can be restricted at a predetermined position from rotating in the direction away from the front frame. That is, the abutting member not only supports the upper surface of the split body (second piece) to suppress the deflection, but also serves as a stopper that restricts the rotation of the split body. can be reduced, and the product cost can be reduced.

In any one of the game machines A3 to A11, the divided body has a convex portion formed on one mating surface of the vertically superimposed divided body and a concave portion for receiving the convex portion formed on the other mating surface, When the storage area is expanded, the protrusion is brought into contact with the inner wall of one side of the recess, and when the storage area is contracted, the protrusion is brought into contact with the inner wall of the other side of the recess. A game machine A12 characterized in that it is formed so as to be able to regulate the relative displacement of the divided bodies superimposed on each other.

According to the game machine A12, in addition to the effect of any one of the game machines A3 to A11, the vertically superimposed divided body has a convex portion formed on one mating surface and a concave portion on the other mating surface. When the storage area is enlarged, the protrusions are brought into contact with the inner wall of one side of the recess, and when the storage area is reduced, the protrusions are brought into contact with the inner wall of the other side of the recess, so that they are vertically overlapped. Since it is formed so that the relative displacement of the divided bodies can be regulated, the relative positions of the divided bodies can be defined. In this case, since the protrusions and the inner walls of the recesses are engaged with the overlapping split bodies, the sidewalls (overlapping split bodies) can be maintained when the storage area is expanded and contracted. (Body) The rigidity as a whole can be secured, and bending due to the weight of the ball can be suppressed. In this case, the convex portion and the concave portion are respectively formed on the mating surfaces of the vertically superimposed divided bodies. That is, since the mating surfaces, which serve as dead spaces, are used to arrange the protrusions and recesses, the side walls (divided bodies) can be reduced in size accordingly, and the capacity of the storage area can be ensured.

In the game machine A12, the divided body is formed into a substantially L shape when viewed from the top by a first piece having one end supported by the rotating shaft and a second piece extending from the other end of the first piece. and the protrusion and the recess are respectively formed as a protrusion and a recess extending continuously along the longitudinal direction of the first piece on the mating surfaces of the first pieces. Game machine A13.

According to the game machine A13, in addition to the effects of the game machine A12, the divided body includes a first piece having one end supported by the rotating shaft and a second piece extending from the other end of the first piece. Since it is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed from the top, and the convex portion and the concave portion are formed on the mating surfaces of the first pieces, the convex portion and the concave portion can function effectively. That is, since the first piece is a part operated by the player when expanding or contracting the storage area, the operation force can be directly received by the engagement between the convex portion and the inner wall of the concave portion, It is possible to improve the operational feeling. Also, the portion where the first pieces are overlapped is likely to bend due to the weight of the ball when the storage area is expanded, so the rigidity of this portion can be intensively improved.

In this case, since the protrusion and the recess are formed as a protrusion and a recess extending continuously along the longitudinal direction of the first piece, the engagement area between the protrusion and the inner wall of the recess is ensured. Therefore, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the side wall portions (overlapped divided bodies) as a whole. In particular, since the protrusions and recesses formed as protrusions and grooves are formed along the first piece, one end of which is supported by the rotating shaft, the direction of the load due to the player's operation or the weight of the ball is Since it can be perpendicular to the engaging region of the ridge and the groove, it is possible to suppress the deflection of the side wall portion (overlapping first piece) against the applied load.

In the gaming machine A13, the first piece is formed to be curved in an outwardly convex circular arc shape when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, and the ridge and the inner wall of the groove have the same radius. A gaming machine A14 characterized by being curved in a convex circular arc shape in the same direction as the first piece.

According to the game machine A14, in addition to the effects of the game machine A13, the first piece is curved in an outwardly convex arc shape when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, so that the capacity of the storage area is increased. be able to. In this case, since the ridges and the inner walls of the grooves are curved in the same direction as the first piece in the same direction as the first piece, the extension lengths of the ridges and the inner walls of the grooves are the same as the first piece. can be maximized within the range of Therefore, by maximizing the engagement area between the projection and the inner wall of the recess, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the side wall portion (overlapping first piece) as a whole, and reduce the burden on the projection and the recess. , durability can be improved.

<Regarding the concept of the invention with the first detour 3300 as an example>
A front frame formed to be openable and closable, a storage member disposed on the front surface of the front frame and forming a storage area for storing balls, and an inlet for flowing the balls into the storage area of the storage member. , wherein the game machine B1 is characterized by comprising a detour extending from one end on the inlet side to the other end as a path through which a ball can be thrown.

Here, a front frame formed to be openable and closable, an upper plate disposed on the front frame for storing balls to be shot into the game area, and a ball disposed below the upper plate so as not to fit into the upper plate A gaming machine is known that has a lower tray for receiving balls. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2007-136095 discloses a structure that expands the storage area of the lower tray by sliding the bottom wall and side walls of the lower tray back and forth according to the player's operation. However, in the above-described gaming machine, the balls tend to be biased in a part of the storage area of the lower tray (for example, in the vicinity of the inlet through which the balls flow into the lower tray), and are distributed uniformly throughout the expanded storage area of the lower tray. There was a problem that it was difficult to disperse the spheres.

On the other hand, according to the game machine B1, since it is provided with a detour extending from one end on the inlet side to the other end as a passage through which the ball can be thrown, for example, the ball that has flowed in from the inlet When a mountain is formed by being stored in the vicinity of the entrance, the balls whose flow into the storage area is blocked by the mountain are allowed to flow into the detour and roll from one end of the detour to the other end. You can make the ball go around by moving it. As a result, the balls can be sent to a region away from the inlet, that is, a region away from the mountain, and the balls can be easily dispersed uniformly throughout the storage region. As a result, for example, the player does not need to level out the piles accumulated in a part of the accumulation area, and can concentrate on the game.

A gaming machine B2 characterized in that, in the gaming machine B1, the detour is inclined downward from the one end to the other end.

According to the game machine B2, in addition to the effects of the game machine B1, the detour is inclined downward from one end to the other end, so that the ball can be reliably sent to the other end of the detour. In particular, even if the ball collides with a mountain that is unevenly stored near the inflow port and loses momentum when it enters the detour, the ball rolls to the other end of the detour. can be done. In addition, since the ball can be given momentum until it reaches the other end of the detour, it is possible to increase the initial speed when the ball is sent from the other end of the detour to the storage area. As a result, it is possible to facilitate uniform distribution of the spheres throughout the storage area.

A gaming machine B3 characterized in that one end of the detour in the gaming machine B1 or B2 continues to the lower surface of the inflow port.

According to the gaming machine B3, in addition to the effects of the gaming machine B1 or B2, one end of the detour is connected to the lower surface of the inflow port, so that a mountain is formed by the balls stored near the inflow port, and the mountain is formed. exceeds the lower surface of the inflow port, the ball can be reliably flowed into the detour. That is, after forming a mountain of a certain height in the vicinity of the inlet, the spheres can be detoured to an area away from the mountain by a detour, so that the spheres can be easily dispersed uniformly throughout the storage area. can be done.

A game machine B4 characterized in that, in any one of the game machines B1 to B3, a plurality of the detours are formed at different height positions.

According to the game machine B4, in addition to the effect of any one of the game machines B1 to B3, since a plurality of detours are formed at different height positions, a mountain is formed by the balls stored near the inlet. Then, the ball first flows into the detour with a low height position and is detoured, and when the detour is buried in the balls, the ball is flowed into the detour with a low height position and detoured. That is, the spheres can be detoured step by step to areas away from the ridges by the detours according to the degree of growth of the ridges formed in the vicinity of the inlet, so that the spheres are evenly dispersed throughout the storage area. can be made easier.

In the game machine B4, the game machine B5 is characterized in that the plurality of detours having different height positions are set to have different distances from the inflow port to the other end.

According to the gaming machine B5, the plurality of detours with different height positions are set to have different distances from the inflow port to the other end. Accordingly, when the sphere is detoured step by step by different detour routes, the sphere can be detoured to an appropriate area (detour destination) corresponding to each step. As a result, it is possible to facilitate uniform distribution of the spheres throughout the storage area.

In the game machine B5, the game machine B6 is characterized in that the higher the height position of the detour, the longer the separation distance from the inflow port to the other end is set.

According to the game machine B6, in addition to the effects of the game machine B5, the higher the height position of the detour, the longer the distance from the inflow port to the other end is set, so that it is formed in the vicinity of the inflow port. As the mountain grows, the sphere can be diverted step by step to areas further from the inlet (ie, areas further from the mountain). As a result, it is possible to facilitate uniform distribution of the spheres throughout the storage area.

In any one of the game machines B1 to B6, the detour is connected to the inner wall that defines the storage area and is formed as a rolling surface on which the balls can roll on the side opposite to the connected portion, and is open, A game machine B7 characterized in that an upright wall is erected on the edge of the rolling surface on the side to be opened.

According to the game machine B7, in any one of the game machines B1 to B6, it is connected to the inner wall that divides the storage area, and the side opposite to the connecting portion is opened and formed as a rolling surface on which the balls can roll. Therefore, for example, the structure of the detour can be simplified and the product cost can be reduced compared to the case where the detour is formed inside the storage member. In this case, since the standing wall is erected on the edge of the rolling surface on the open side, some of the balls stored in the storage area enter the detour and roll the balls on the rolling surface. It is possible to suppress that movement is inhibited. As a result, the detour can be made to function effectively, making it easier to distribute the spheres evenly throughout the storage area.

The standing wall may be formed only in the vicinity of one end (inlet) of the detour. Also, the height of the standing wall may be made higher on the side (one end) closer to the inlet and lowered continuously or stepwise toward the other end. This is because the closer the inflow port is, the higher the mountain becomes and the easier it is for the ball to enter the detour. Also, no vertical wall is formed near the other end of the detour. This is for delivering the ball from the detour to the storage area.

In any one of the game machines B1 to B7, the detour is connected to the inner wall that defines the storage area and is formed as a rolling surface on which the balls can roll on the side opposite to the connected portion, and is open, A game machine B8 characterized in that a plurality of flow-down portions for causing the ball to flow down to the released side are formed on the rolling surface at predetermined intervals in the rolling direction of the ball.

According to the game machine B8, in any one of the game machines B1 to B7, it is connected to the inner wall that divides the storage area, and the side opposite to the connected part is opened and formed as a rolling surface on which the balls can roll. Therefore, for example, the structure of the detour can be simplified and the product cost can be reduced compared to the case where the detour is formed inside the storage member. In this case, on the rolling surface, a plurality of flowing parts for causing the balls to flow down to the open side are formed at predetermined intervals in the rolling direction of the balls. can do. That is, the ball that has flowed into the detour is flowed down from the first flow-down part of the plurality of flow-down parts to the storage area, and a mountain is formed at the flow-down point. When the mountain obstructs the flow from the downstream area to the storage area, the ball that has flowed into the detour is rolled to the next downstream area, and flows down from the downstream area to the storage area. mountains are formed in By repeating this, the positions of the mountains formed in the storage area can be sequentially shifted along the detour, and as a result, the spheres can be easily dispersed uniformly throughout the storage area.

In any one of the game machines B1 to B8, a ball-throwing path for sending a ball to the inflow port to flow into the storage area of the storage member from the inflow port, and a second inflow port spaced apart from the first inflow port. and wherein one end of the detour is communicated with the ball-throwing path and the other end is communicated with the second inlet.

According to the game machine B9, in addition to the effect of any one of the game machines B1 to B8, a feed path for sending balls to the inflow port to flow into the storage area from the inflow port and a position spaced apart from the first inflow port One end of the detour is communicated with the ball feeding passage and the other end is communicated with the second inlet, so that the balls can be easily dispersed uniformly throughout the storage area. can.

That is, when a ball thrown from the ball-throwing path flows into the storage area from the inlet, the ball flowing in from the inlet forms a mountain. In this case, when the inflow of the ball from the inflow port to the storage area is blocked by the mountain, the ball thrown from the ball-throwing path is detoured through the communication path to the second inflow port, and from the second inflow port to the storage area. can flow into As a result, the spheres can be caused to flow from the second inflow port into a region away from the mountain formed by the spheres flowing in from the inflow port, and as a result, the spheres can be easily dispersed uniformly throughout the storage region. can be done.

<Regarding the Concept of the Invention Using the Engagement Piece 552n as an Example>
A game machine comprising a front frame that can be opened and closed, and a storage member disposed on the front surface of the front frame and forming a storage area for storing balls, wherein the storage member includes a bottom wall portion. and a side wall portion erected from the bottom wall portion, the side wall portion being formed by overlapping a plurality of divided bodies vertically, and the plurality of divided bodies are arranged in a direction approaching or separating from the front frame. The size of the storage area is enlarged or reduced by being rotated, and each of the divided bodies is provided with a regulating means for regulating the order in which the divided bodies are allowed to move relative to each other. Game machine C1.

Here, a front frame formed to be openable and closable, an upper plate disposed on the front frame for storing balls to be shot into the game area, and a ball disposed below the upper plate so as not to fit into the upper plate A gaming machine is known that has a lower tray for receiving balls. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-136095 discloses a structure that enlarges or reduces the storage area of the lower tray by sliding the bottom wall and side walls of the lower tray back and forth according to the player's operation. However, in the game machine described above, the ball removal hole cannot be arranged in the overlapping portion between the fixed-side bottom wall portion and the sliding-side bottom wall portion, and the degree of freedom in the arrangement thereof is reduced.

As a result of intensive studies, the applicant of the present application has found that the side wall is formed from a plurality of divided bodies that are vertically superimposed, and the plurality of divided bodies are rotated in the direction of approaching or separating from the front frame by the player's operation. , came up with a structure that expands or reduces the size of the storage area (unknown at the time of filing). According to this structure, since there is no overlap between the part (divided body) that is displaced due to the expansion or contraction of the storage area and the bottom wall, the ball removal hole can be arranged at any position on the bottom wall. It is possible to secure the degree of freedom of the arrangement. However, the inventor of the present application has found a problem that the order of rotation of each of the plurality of divided bodies is not fixed, and the expansion or contraction of the storage area is not unique.

On the other hand, according to the game machine C1, each divided body is provided with a regulating means for regulating the relative movement of the superimposed divided bodies. When the divided bodies are rotated in the direction in which they are rotated, the order in which the divided bodies are allowed to move relative to each other is defined by the regulation means, so that the order of rotation of the divided bodies becomes constant. Expansion or contraction can be unique.

In the gaming machine C1, when the plurality of divided bodies are rotated in a direction away from the front frame, the regulating means controls the relative movement of the vertically superimposed divided bodies from the lower divided body. A gaming machine C2 characterized by permitting in order.

According to the game machine C2, in addition to the effects of the game machine C1, the regulating means is provided when the plurality of divided bodies are rotated in a direction away from the front frame (that is, when the size of the storage area is enlarged). Since the vertically superposed divided bodies are allowed to move relative to each other in order from the lower divided body, the size of the storage area can be expanded quickly. That is, in the form in which relative movement is allowed in order from the lower divided body, the divided bodies superimposed on the upper side of the divided body where relative movement is permitted move together (rotate in the direction away from the front frame) ), the entire side wall portion can be moved in the direction of enlarging the size of the storage area. Therefore, for example, the size of the storage area can be expanded more quickly than in the case of allowing relative movement in order from the upper divided body.

In the game machine C1 or C2, when the plurality of divided bodies are rotated in a direction approaching the front frame, the regulating means controls the relative movement of the vertically superimposed divided bodies to the upper divided body. A game machine C3 characterized in that it permits in order from .

According to the gaming machine C3, in addition to the effects of the gaming machine C1 or C2, the stipulating means is provided when the plurality of divided bodies are rotated in a direction approaching the front frame (that is, the size of the storage area is reduced). case), relative movement of the vertically superimposed divided bodies is allowed in order from the upper divided body, so that the divided body rotates according to the state of the spheres stored in the storage member (the size of the storage area changes). reduction) can be performed smoothly.

That is, for example, in a form in which relative movement is permitted in order from the lower divided body, the number of balls stored in the storage member is relatively small, and even if the size of the storage area is reduced, the lowermost segment If the spheres are stored to such an extent that they interfere with the divided body, it becomes necessary to rotate the divided body while making the spheres flow, which hinders the operation of the divided body.

On the other hand, if relative movement is allowed in order from the upper divided body, the divided bodies can be smoothly rotated without being hindered by the balls until they interfere with the balls stored in the storage member. (Reduce the size of the reservoir area). In addition, when the divided body is rotated to a position where it interferes with the sphere (the size of the storage area is reduced), the rotation is inhibited, resulting in interference (that is, the storage area is reduced to the required size). operation) can be interrupted. As a result, it is possible to smoothly rotate the divided body (reduce the size of the storage area) according to the state of the balls stored in the storage member.

In any one of the game machines C1 to C3, the regulating means includes a first engaging pawl elastically deformable on the divided body, and the plurality of divided bodies are rotated in a direction approaching the front frame. In this state, the upper and lower divided bodies are engaged with the first engaging claws, and when the lower and lower divided bodies are moved relative to each other. , a space for allowing elastic deformation of the first engaging pawl is formed between the divided body superimposed on the lower side thereof and the engagement between the divided body superimposed on the upper side and the first engaging pawl. is releasable, allowing relative movement with respect to the divided body superimposed on the upper side.

According to the game machine C4, in addition to the effect of any one of the game machines C1 to C3, the regulating means has the first engaging claw engaged with the divided body superimposed on the upper side, and the divided body is superimposed on the lower side. When the divided body is relatively moved, a space is formed between the divided body and the divided body superimposed on the lower side to allow elastic deformation of the first engaging claw, and the divided body and the first engaging claw superimposed on the upper side are formed. Since the engagement with the dowel can be released, relative movement with respect to the divided bodies superimposed on the upper side is allowed, so that the vertically superimposed divided bodies can be rotated in a direction away from the front frame. can be accepted in order from the division body of That is, by the player's operation to rotate the plurality of divided bodies in the direction away from the front frame, relative movement is permitted step by step from the lower divided body, and a state in which the size of the storage area is expanded is formed. can do.

In the gaming machine C4, the regulating means includes a second engaging pawl elastically deformable formed on the divided body, and in a state in which the plurality of divided bodies are rotated in a direction away from the front frame, the The divided bodies stacked vertically are engaged with the second engaging claws on the divided bodies stacked on the lower side, and when the divided bodies stacked on the upper side are relatively moved, the divided bodies stacked on the upper side are overlapped on the upper side. A space that allows elastic deformation of the second engaging claw is formed between the divided body and the second engaging claw, and the engagement between the divided body and the second engaging claw that is superimposed on the lower side can be released. Thus, the gaming machine C5 is characterized in that relative movement with respect to the divided body superimposed on the lower side is permitted.

According to the game machine C5, in addition to the effects of the game machine C4, the regulating means is such that when the plurality of divided bodies are rotated in a direction away from the front frame, the vertically superimposed divided bodies are positioned downward. When the divided body superimposed on the upper side is relatively moved, the second engaging claw is engaged with the divided body superimposed on the upper side. A space that allows elastic deformation is formed, and the engagement between the divided body superimposed on the lower side and the second engaging claw can be released, thereby allowing relative movement with respect to the divided body superimposed on the lower side. Therefore, it is possible to allow the vertically superimposed divisions to rotate in a direction approaching the front frame in order from the upper division. That is, by the player's operation to rotate the plurality of divided bodies in a direction approaching the front frame, relative movement is allowed step by step from the upper divided body, and a state in which the size of the storage area is reduced is formed. be able to.

In the gaming machine C5, the first engaging claw and the second engaging claw have a shape consisting of a plate portion fixed at the base end side to the divided body and a projection projecting from the tip end of the plate portion. The projecting portion is engaged with one of the upper divided body and the lower divided body formed to overlap the upper divided body or the lower divided divided body. The game machine C6 is characterized in that the plate portion is elastically deformed when the projecting portion is brought into contact with the one divided body to be engaged with the other portion of the game machine C6.

According to the gaming machine C6, in addition to the effects of the gaming machine C5, the first engaging pawl and the second engaging pawl include a plate portion fixed to the divided body at the base end side and a plate portion projecting from the tip end of the plate portion. The projection is engaged with one of the upper divided body and the lower divided body, and the upper divided body and the lower divided body With respect to the other of the divided bodies superimposed on each other, the plate portion is elastically deformed by the contact of the projection with the one of the divided bodies, so that the first engaging claw and the second engaging claw are separated from each other. It can be shared (used as an engagement piece consisting of a plate portion and a projection portion). Therefore, by reducing the number of parts, the structure can be simplified, and the product cost can be reduced accordingly.

In any one of the game machines C1 to C6, the divided body includes a first piece having one end pivotally supported by the rotating shaft, and a first piece extending from the other end of the first piece and centering on the rotating shaft. A game machine C7 characterized by being formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed from above from a second piece curved in an arc shape, and wherein the defining means is formed in the second piece.

According to the game machine c7, in addition to the effect of any one of the game machines C1 to C6, the divided body includes a first piece having one end pivotally supported by the rotating shaft and a second piece extending from the other end of the first piece. and the second piece curved in an arc centered on the rotation axis. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the regulation of the relative displacement and improve the durability. That is, the second piece is curved in an arc around the rotation axis, and the second pieces of the divided bodies can always overlap each other. can be ensured along the circumferential direction, and the size of the defining means can be increased accordingly.

<Regarding the Concept of the Invention Using the Lock Mechanism 77 as an Example>
A front frame formed to be openable and closable, and a storage member disposed on the front surface of the front frame and forming a storage area for storing balls, wherein the storage member is operated by a player to operate the storage member. A game machine configured to be displaceable in a direction in which the size of the storage area is enlarged or reduced comprises prohibiting means for prohibiting displacement of the storage member in at least the direction in which the size of the storage portion area is enlarged. A gaming machine D1 characterized by:

Here, a front frame formed to be openable and closable, an upper plate disposed on the front frame for storing balls to be shot into the game area, and a ball disposed below the upper plate so as not to fit into the upper plate A gaming machine is known that has a lower tray for receiving balls. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-136095 discloses a structure that enlarges or reduces the storage area of the lower tray by sliding the bottom wall and side walls of the lower tray back and forth according to the player's operation. However, the game machine described above has a problem that the lower tray is unintentionally enlarged. That is, for example, if the lower tray is unintentionally expanded during the transportation of the product or during the opening operation of the front frame, it may be damaged due to rattling during transportation or collision with surrounding members. On the other hand, according to the game machine D1, at least the inhibiting means for inhibiting the displacement of the storage member in the direction in which the size of the storage portion area is expanded prevents the storage member from being unintentionally expanded. can do. As a result, for example, it is possible to suppress damage during transportation of the product or during opening operation of the front frame.

In the gaming machine D1, the storage member includes a bottom wall portion and a side wall portion erected from the bottom wall portion. When the size is enlarged from the reduced state, the plurality of divided bodies are rotated in a predetermined order in a direction away from the front frame, and the prohibiting means rotates the plurality of divided bodies rotated in the predetermined order. A game machine D2 characterized by prohibiting the rotation of the divided body first rotated in the direction away from the front frame among the divided bodies.

According to the gaming machine D2, in addition to the effects of the gaming machine D1, the side wall portion is formed by overlapping a plurality of divided bodies vertically, and the size of the storage area is expanded from a reduced state by the player's operation. When the plurality of divided bodies are rotated in a predetermined order in a direction away from the front frame, the prohibiting means is arranged so that one of the plurality of divided bodies rotated in the predetermined order is first removed from the front frame. Since the division body is prohibited from rotating in the direction of separation, it is possible to reliably suppress the storage member from being unintentionally expanded, and the division that is rotated first by releasing the prohibition means is possible. After the body is rotated, the remaining divided bodies can be rotated as desired, so that the operability of adjusting the size of the storage area can be improved.

In the gaming machine D2, the prohibition means includes an operator that can be placed at a prohibition position and a release position by a player's operation. Rotation of the divided body that is first rotated in a direction away from the front frame among the plurality of rotated divided bodies is prohibited, and the operation element is arranged at the release position, thereby performing the predetermined order. A game machine D3 characterized in that prohibition of rotation of a divided body rotated in a direction away from said front frame is released first among a plurality of divided bodies rotated in D3.

According to the gaming machine D3, in addition to the effects of the gaming machine D2, when the player places the operator in the prohibited position, the division body that is rotated first is prohibited from rotating, and the operator moves the operator. When it is placed at the release position by , the prohibition of rotation of the divided body that is rotated first is released, so that expansion of the storage member can be avoided regardless of the player's intention, and expansion of the storage member can be prevented. can be prohibited at will.

In the game machine D3, when the size of the storage area is reduced from the expanded state, the plurality of divided bodies are rotated in a predetermined order in a direction approaching the front frame, and are rotated in the predetermined order. A gaming machine D4 characterized in that the operation member of the prohibiting means is formed so as to be able to prohibit the rotation of the divided body that is first rotated in a direction approaching the front frame among the plurality of rotated divided bodies. .

According to the game machine D4, in addition to the effects of the game machine D3, when the size of the storage area is reduced, the plurality of divided bodies are rotated in a predetermined order in a direction approaching the front frame, Since the operation member of the prohibiting means is formed so as to be able to prohibit the rotation of the divided body that is first rotated in the direction of approaching the front frame among the plurality of divided bodies that are rotated in a predetermined order, the storage member is unnecessary. It is possible to suppress being easily reduced. In addition, since the manipulator of the prohibiting means serves both as means for prohibiting expansion of the storage member and means for prohibiting contraction of the storage member, the number of parts can be reduced accordingly, and the product cost can be reduced. can be done.

In the gaming machine D4, the prohibition by the operator of the prohibiting means is that the divided body that is first rotated in the direction approaching the front frame is rotated in the direction approaching the front frame by the operation of the player. A gaming machine D5 characterized by being releasable.

According to the gaming machine D5, in addition to the effects of the gaming machine D4, the prohibition by the operating element of the prohibiting means is such that the divided body first rotated in the direction approaching the front frame approaches the front frame by the player's operation. Since it can be released by rotating it in the direction that Since the storage member can be reduced, it is possible to improve the operability of the player. In addition, even when the storage member comes into contact with the adjacent game machine as the front frame is opened, the storage member can be contracted and its damage can be suppressed.

A gaming machine K1, wherein the gaming machine is a slot machine in any one of the gaming machines A1 to A14, B1 to B9, C1 to C7 and D1 to D5. Among them, the basic configuration of the slot machine is "provided with variable display means for displaying the identification information in a fixed manner after dynamically displaying an identification information string consisting of a plurality of identification information, As a result, the dynamic display of the identification information is started, and the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (stop button) or after a predetermined time has passed, and the stop time and a special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player on the condition that the definite identification information of is the specific identification information. In this case, typical examples of game media include coins and medals.

A gaming machine K2 characterized in that, in any one of the gaming machines 1 to A14, B1 to B9, C1 to C7 and D1 to D5, the gaming machine is a pachinko gaming machine. Above all, the basic structure of a pachinko game machine is provided with an operating handle, and in response to the operation of the operating handle, balls are shot into a predetermined game area, and the balls are ejected into actuating openings arranged at predetermined positions in the game area. For example, the identification information dynamically displayed on the display means is determined and stopped after a predetermined period of time, with the requirement of winning a prize (or passing through an activation opening). In addition, when a special game state occurs, a variable prize winning device (specific prize winning port) arranged at a predetermined position in the game area is opened in a predetermined manner to allow the balls to win prizes, and a value corresponding to the number of prizes won Values (including not only prize balls but also data written to magnetic cards, etc.) can be given.

A game machine K3 characterized in that, in any of the game machines 1 to A14, B1 to B9, C1 to C7 and D1 to D5, the game machine is a combination of a pachinko game machine and a slot machine. Among them, the basic configuration of the integrated game machine is "provided with variable display means for confirming and displaying the identification information after dynamically displaying an identification information string consisting of a plurality of identification information, and an operation means for starting (such as an operation lever) The identification information starts to change due to the operation of, and the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (for example, the stop button) or after a predetermined period of time has passed. a special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player on condition that the fixed identification information at the time of stop is the specific identification information; the ball is used as a game medium; A gaming machine configured to require a predetermined number of balls at the start of dynamic display, and to pay out a large number of balls at the occurrence of a special game state.
<Others>
2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine such as a pachinko machine is known that includes a front frame that can be opened and closed and a storage member that is disposed on the front frame and stores balls. Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which the storage area of the storage member (lower plate) can be expanded or contracted (Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-136095).
Here, the applicant of the present application has conceived of a structure in which the size of the storage area is enlarged or reduced by rotating a plurality of vertically superimposed divided bodies in the direction of approaching or separating from the front frame by the player's operation. (unknown at the time of filing). However, in this case, a problem was found that the expansion or contraction of the storage area was not unique.
The present technical idea has been made to solve the problems exemplified above, and an object thereof is to provide a game machine capable of uniquely expanding or contracting the storage area.
<Means>
In order to achieve this object, the game machine of Technical Concept 1 comprises a front frame that can be opened and closed, and a storage member that is disposed in front of the front frame and forms a storage area for storing balls. The storage member includes a bottom wall portion and a side wall portion erected from the bottom wall portion, the side wall portion being formed by overlapping a plurality of divided bodies vertically, and the plurality of By rotating each of the divided bodies in a direction to approach or separate from the front frame, the size of the storage area is enlarged or reduced, and the divided bodies allow relative movement between the divided bodies. Prescribing means are provided for prescribing the order in which the
The gaming machine according to technical idea 2 is the gaming machine according to technical idea 1, wherein when the plurality of divided bodies are rotated in a direction away from the front frame, the plurality of divided bodies are superimposed one on top of the other. relative movement of the divided bodies in order from the lower divided body.
The gaming machine of technical idea 3 is the gaming machine according to technical idea 1 or 2, wherein when the plurality of divided bodies are rotated in a direction approaching the front frame, the upper and lower Relative movement of the divided bodies superimposed on each other is allowed in order from the upper divided body.
<effect>
According to the gaming machine described in technical idea 1, expansion or contraction of the storage area can be made unique.
According to the gaming machine described in technical idea 2, in addition to the effects of the gaming machine described in technical idea 1, the size of the storage area can be expanded quickly.
According to the gaming machine described in technical idea 3, in addition to the effects of the gaming machine described in technical idea 1 or 2, it is possible to smoothly reduce the size of the storage area.
<Sign>
10 Pachinko machines (game machines)
14 front frame
23 outlet (inlet, first inlet)
50, 2050 lower plate (storage member)
54, 2054 bottom wall member (bottom wall portion)
55, 2055 side wall member (side wall portion)
551, 2551 First divided body (divided body)
552, 2552 Second divided body (divided body)
553, 2553 Third divided body (divided body)
554, 2554 Fourth divided body (divided body)
555 fifth divided body (divided body)
556 6th divided body (divided body)
557 7th divided body (divided body)
551X to 557X first piece
2551X to 2554X 1st piece
551Y to 557Y 2nd piece
2551Y to 2554Y 2nd piece
552b to 557b protrusions (projections)
551c to 556c restriction grooves (recesses)
2552b to 2554b projections (projections)
2551c to 2554c regulation grooves (recesses)
552e to 557e first horizontal part (horizontal part)
552f-557f upright part
552g-555g 2nd horizontal part (extended part)
552m-556m opening (regulating means)
2551m-2554m opening (regulating means)
552n to 556n engaging pieces (regulating means, first engaging claw, second engaging claw)
552n1 to 556n1 protrusions
2552n to 2554n engaging pieces (regulating means, first engaging claw, second engaging claw)
2552n1 to 2554n1 protrusions
556r, 557r regulation protrusion (regulation means)
551S2, 2551S2 stopper portion (engagement portion)
554t, 555t engaging recesses (defining means)
56, 2056 inner wall member
56a restricting portion (contact member)
57, 2057 pivot pin (rotating shaft)
77 locking mechanism (regulating means, prohibiting means)
3300 first detour (detour)
3400 second detour (detour)
4500 3rd Detour (Detour)
4600 4th Detour (Detour)
3310-4610 rolling surface
3311, 3411 standing wall
6700 5th Detour (Detour)
6710 rolling surface
6711, 6712 downstream
7025 No. 6 Detour (Detour)
8400 7th Detour (Detour)
8400 rolling surface
8800 Extended Detour (Detour)
8810 rolling surface
7023 second outlet (second inlet)
7024 throwing path

10 Pachinko machines (game machines)
7012 inner frame (front frame)
23 outlet (first inlet)
23a Lower surface 7023 Second outlet (second inlet)
7024 Throwing path 7025 6th detour (communication path)
54, 2054 bottom wall member (bottom of storage area)
54a, 2054a ball extraction hole (exhaust port)

Claims (1)

A front frame which has an openable and closable area on the front side to store a ball, a first inlet formed in the front frame, and a ball capable of being thrown to the first inlet. a ball-throwing path, a second inlet formed at a position spaced apart from the first inlet of the front frame, and one end communicating with the middle of the ball-throwing path so that a ball can be thrown to the second inlet. and a communicating passage,
The ball that has passed through the ball feeding path can flow into the storage area on the front side of the first inlet, and the ball that has passed through the communication path can flow into the storage area on the front side of the second inlet,
the bottom surface of the storage area on the front side of the first inlet is located below the lower surface of the first inlet;
The front side of the lower surface of the first inlet is connected to the bottom surface of the storage area on the front side of the first inlet via the front surface of the front frame,
the bottom surface of the storage area on the front side of the second inlet is positioned below the lower surface of the second inlet;
The front side of the lower surface of the second inlet is connected to the bottom surface of the storage area on the front side of the second inlet via the front surface of the front frame,
The front surface of the front frame is positioned on the front side of the communication path ,
A gaming machine characterized in that a discharge port through which balls can be discharged is formed in a bottom surface of the storage area on the front side of the second inlet.

Images