JP7337623B2 - medal pusher game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a medal pusher game machine provided with a pusher base.

Conventionally, there has been a medal pusher game machine that has a pusher base and collects medals that drop from the pusher base.

JP 2007-105219 A

However, conventional medal pusher game machines have room for improvement.

In order to solve the above problems, for example, the following aspects are provided. In addition, although the code|symbol corresponding to embodiment is attached and demonstrated, it is not limited to this. Also, the configurations described with reference numerals may be changed as appropriate, and at least some of them may be replaced with other configurations.
・The first form consists of a fixed table (35b) having a horizontal surface on which medals are placed, and a reciprocating table (35a) that gradually moves the medals on the fixed table by reciprocating on the fixed table. and a medal collection part (36L, 36R) provided at the edge of the tip of the fixed table in the medal moving direction, and the medal collection part easily collects the medals on the fixed table. and a difficult-to-fall portion (55c) from which medals on the fixed table are more difficult to collect than the easy-to-drop portion. The medal pusher game machine is provided with a driving section (59) that rotates to change a portion of the fixed table that is continuous with the edge of the tip of the fixed table in the medal moving direction between the easy-falling section and the hard-falling section.
- In the second mode, the medal recovery part (36L, 36R) has a recovery hole (55h) for recovering the medals, and the easy drop part is continuous with the surface of the fixed table (35b) and is connected to the fixed table (35b). It has an easy drop surface (55b) which is a surface continuous with the recovery hole without protruding from the surface of the table, and the difficult drop portion is continuous with the surface of the fixed table and extends toward the recovery hole side. The first embodiment of the medal pusher game machine is characterized by having a protruding surface (55c) that protrudes from the surface of the fixed table by a large amount.
- In the third mode, the shape of the medal collection part (36L, 36R) is a cylinder whose hollow part forms a collection hole (55h) for collecting medals, and the fixed table (35b) is the outer surface of the cylinder. The medal pusher game machine of the first or second embodiment is characterized by comprising an arc-shaped notch (52) corresponding to the .
In the fourth mode, the wall portion (34d) in the direction (X) orthogonal to the medal movement direction (Y1) on the fixed table (35b) is not provided with a drop hole for medals to fall, The medal pusher game machine according to any one of the first to third embodiments is characterized in that the medal collecting section (36L, 36R) is provided continuously from the wall section in the medal moving direction.
- In the fifth mode, the fixed table (35b) is a game medium different from the medal, and a ball (38) having a diameter larger than the medal is placed so as to be movable according to the movement of the medal. The recovering portions (36L, 36R) are provided above the easy-falling portion (55b) and the difficult-falling portion (55c), and are provided at a position where the height from the fixed table is smaller than the diameter of the ball, The medal pusher game machine according to any one of the first to third aspects is characterized by comprising a ball guard (56) that prevents a ball from reaching the easy-drop portion and the hard-drop portion.
In the sixth mode, the medal collecting parts (36L, 36R) are exposed upward in the area (F1) where the medal game is played so that the medal collecting parts (36L, 36R) can be visually recognized by the player. and a control section (96) for progressing the game according to the detection of the medals by the detection section. It's a game machine.
- In the seventh mode, the medal collection section (36L, 36R) is located at the edge of the tip (Y1) of the fixed table (35b) in the medal moving direction, in the orthogonal direction that is the direction orthogonal to the medal moving direction. The medal pusher game machine according to any one of the first to sixth forms, characterized in that it is provided at both ends of (X).

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, there exist the following effects, for example.
(1) By rotating the medal collecting section, the portion of the fixed table that is continuous with the edge of the tip of the fixed table in the direction of medal movement is changed between the easy-to-drop section and the difficult-to-drop section, thereby collecting the medals moving on the fixed table. It can be changed between easy to collect and difficult to collect. In addition, since the medal collection section is provided at the tip of the fixed table in the medal advancing direction, the medals can be efficiently guided to the medal collection section.
(2) It is possible to form an easy-to-fall portion and a difficult-to-fall portion by changing the amount of projection of the surface that is continuous with the fixed table to change the ease with which medals can be collected.
(3) Since the medal collecting section is cylindrical and the fixed table has an arc-shaped notch, the medal collecting section and the fixed table are connected, and the medal collecting section is rotationally driven without interfering with the fixed table. be able to.
(4) Since the wall portion is not provided with a drop hole through which the medals fall, the medals placed near the wall portion of the fixed table tend to move along the wall portion in the medal moving direction. Further, since the medal collecting portion is provided so as to be continuous with the wall portion, the medals moving along the wall portion can be efficiently guided to the medal collecting portion.
(5) Since the ball guard is provided, it is possible to prevent the ball from being collected by the medal collecting section.
(6) The medal collecting section is exposed to be visible, and the game can be advanced according to the collection of medals by the medal collecting section. For this reason, it is possible to use the medal collection section to collect the medals in the medal collection section, instead of using the medal collection section as a substitute for the conventional parent pitfalls, for the progress of the game.
Also, as in (1) above, the medals on the fixed table can be efficiently guided to the medal collection section, so the opening area of the collection hole can be made smaller than the opening area of the conventional parent pitfall. . Therefore, the area through which the medals collected by the medal collecting section pass is limited to a small range. This makes it easier for the detector to detect the collected medals.
(7) The functions and effects of (1) to (6) above are exhibited at both ends of the fixed table.

1 is a perspective view of a game machine 1 of an embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a view showing the gaming machine 1 of the embodiment viewed from the upper side Z2, and is a drawing for explaining the arrangement of the lottery device 10, the mass release device 25, and six stations St1 to St6. It is a perspective view of the structure of the inclined surface 12 vicinity of embodiment. It is the figure which looked at the inclined surface 12 of embodiment, and the structure of station St1 vicinity from the upper side Z2. It is a figure which shows typically the arrangement|positioning of each structure of the state which looked at the structure of the inclined surface 12 vicinity of embodiment from the right side X2. It is a figure explaining the roulette screen of the display part 21 of embodiment. It is a figure explaining the movement aspect of the ball|ball 11 during the ball game of embodiment. It is the figure which looked at the pusher stand 35 of station St1 of embodiment, and operation panel 2d vicinity from upper side Z2. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the main configuration of the external medals M1 and internal medals M2 of the game machine 1 of the embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining the flow of the external medals M1 and internal medals M2. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the configuration in the vicinity of the recovery tube 36 of the embodiment, viewed from the back side Y2; 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining the configuration of a tube main body 55 of the recovery tube 36 of the embodiment; FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the vicinity of the recovery tube 36 of the embodiment when the recovery tube 36 is arranged in an inner rotating state and an outer rotating state; FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a manner in which medals M of the embodiment are moved by a collection tube 36; It is a figure explaining the structure of the pusher base 35 of embodiment, and the ball feeder 70 vicinity. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the configuration near the fixed table 35b and the ball feeding device 70 of the embodiment, viewed from the upper right; 10 is a flowchart of lottery processing associated with winning a chucker prize according to the embodiment; FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a slot screen 80 of the display unit 21 during slot lottery processing according to the embodiment; FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a slot screen 80 of the display unit 21 during slot lottery processing according to the embodiment;

(embodiment)
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game machine 1 of the embodiment.
Note that FIG. 1 mainly illustrates the main configuration of the station St1 among the six stations St1 to St6, and the other stations St are omitted. In addition, the column 2b, the top plate 2c, and the like are shown by two-dot chain lines, and the structure hidden behind these members is shown transparently.
FIG. 2 is a view showing the game machine 1 of the embodiment viewed from the upper side Z2, and is a view for explaining the arrangement of the lottery device 10, the mass release device 25, and the six stations St1 to St6.
In the embodiments and drawings, for convenience of explanation, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system (horizontal direction X, depth direction Y, vertical direction Z) is provided. The depth direction Y and the left-right direction X are on a horizontal plane when the game machine 1 is arranged as shown in FIGS. direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, a game machine 1 (a medal pusher game machine) is a large-sized device mainly installed in amusement facilities and the like.
The game machine 1 includes a storage section 95 and a control section 96 .
The storage unit 95 stores various information, programs, etc. for operating the game machine 1 .
The control unit 96 is a device for performing arithmetic processing necessary for the operation of the game machine 1 and for controlling the game machine 1 in an integrated manner. The control unit 96 controls each drive unit (motor, etc.) according to the output of each detection unit, and performs various arithmetic processing.
In the embodiment, an example in which one controller 96 controls all stations St1 to St6 will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Each station St may be provided with a control unit for performing operations such as pusher games, and a single center control unit may be provided to share the process of releasing a large amount of medals. In this case, the controller of each station and the controller of the center may communicate with each other as required.

In the embodiments, a computer refers to an information processing device including a storage device, a control device, etc. The game machine 1 includes a storage section 95 and a control section 96, and is included in the concept of a computer.
The storage unit 95 is a storage device such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory device for storing programs, information, etc. necessary for the operation of each device. The control unit 96 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 96 realizes various functions of the embodiment by appropriately reading and executing various programs and various information stored in the storage unit 95 .

[Overview of Game Machine 1]
An outline of the game machine 1 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the game machine 1 is a medal pusher game machine.
The game machine 1 has six stations St1 to St6 (play sections). The stations St1 to St6 are arranged so as to surround the lottery device 10 and the mass release device 25. FIG. The mass discharge device 25 is provided with a model 25a imitating a dinosaur, and produces an atmosphere of the Mesozoic era where dinosaurs lived.
As a result of the game at each station St, when the stage shifts to the stage of mass release of medals (hereinafter also simply referred to as "mass release"), the lottery device 10 performs lottery processing related to mass release for the station St, and then the mass release device 25 releases a large amount of medals according to the lottery result. As will be described later, the lottery process includes lottery operations, processes, and the like using a ball game, roulette 20a, and the like.

The outer shape of the housing 2 of the game machine 1 is a polygonal column whose center axis is in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG.
The inside and outside of the housing 2 of the game machine 1 are separated by a transparent window 2a. The player can see the area F (F0 to F6) through the window 2a.
A region F is a region inside the game machine 1 . Area F mainly comprises areas F0 to F6.
The area F0 is an area where a lottery game using the lottery device 10 is performed. Areas F1 to F6 correspond to stations St1 to St6, respectively, and are areas where a pusher game is played with medals inserted by the player.

In the center of the game machine 1, the main part of the lottery device 10 and the main part of the mass medal release device 25 are arranged.
Each station St is an independent device for six players to independently play the medal pusher game.
Although the game machine 1 includes six stations St1 to St6 in the embodiment, the game machine 1 is not limited to this and may include stations St other than six. In this case, the shape of the game machine 1 may be appropriately changed according to the number of stations St.
In the embodiment, the configuration of station St1 will be mainly described. The configurations of other stations St2 to St6 are the same.

[Lottery device 10, mass release device 25]
The lottery device 10 and the mass release device 25 will be described.
(Configuration of Lottery Device 10 and Mass Ejection Device 25)
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the configuration near the inclined surface 12 of the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a view of the configuration of the inclined surface 12 of the embodiment and the vicinity of the station St1 viewed from the upper side Z2.
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the arrangement of each configuration when the configuration in the vicinity of the inclined surface 12 of the embodiment is viewed from the right side X2.
3 to 5 show the state in which the direction A1 of the inclined surface 12 is directed towards the station St1.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the roulette screen of the display unit 21 of the embodiment.

In the following description, when viewed from the upper side Z2, the direction A1 (first direction) is the direction along the lower side of the inclined surface 12 in the inclination direction, and the direction opposite to the direction A1 and along the upper side of the inclination direction The direction is called direction A2 (second direction). The angle of inclination of the inclined surface 12 with respect to the horizontal plane (that is, the angle formed by the normal direction of the inclined surface 12 and the vertical direction Z) is about 5 degrees, which is sufficiently small. Therefore, in the embodiment, the state viewed from the upper side Z2 in the vertical direction Z is appropriately regarded as the state viewed from the normal direction of the inclined surface 12 for description. Further, the direction A (direction A1, direction A2) will also be described as being the tilt direction of the tilt surface 12. Also called upper).
For the sake of convenience, the horizontal direction X of the inclined surface 12 will be described with the inclined surface 12 arranged in the states shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 (the direction A1 facing the station St1).

The lottery device 10 includes a ball 11, an inclined surface 12, a regulating rail 13 (regulating portion), an accommodating portion 14 (ball accommodating portion), interspersed projections 15 (15A to 15D), an obstructing projection 16, a first arm 17 (ball movement section), a second arm 18 (ball moving section), a model stand 19 (installation section for a medal release section), and a lottery section 20 (event generating section).

(ball 11)
The ball 11 is a sphere used for lottery. The surface layer of the ball 11 may be made of an elastic material such as rubber or sponge.

(Inclined surface 12)
The inclined surface 12 is the upper surface of an inclined plate 12a (see FIG. 5) fixed to the rotating frame 12b. The inclined plate 12a is a disk-shaped plate member fixed to the rotating frame 12b.
The rotating frame 12b is a cylindrical member. A central axis C12 of the rotary frame 12b is concentric with the central axis of the game machine 1 and extends in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. Further, the central axis C12 coincides with the center of the inclined surface 12 when viewed from the upper side Z2.
The rotating frame 12b is supported by a plurality of rollers 12e so as to be rotatable about the central axis C12 (see rotation direction θ12). The rotating frame 12b is rotationally driven by a drive section 12d (see FIG. 5) including a motor or the like. The rotary frame 12b is provided with a detection unit (not shown) such as a rotary encoder for detecting the rotational position and rotational speed.

The inclined surface 12 is arranged so that the ball 11 can move.
As described above, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 12 is moderate, for example, about 5 degrees.
With the above configuration, the inclined surface 12 is rotatable around the central axis C12. In addition, the inclined surface 12 is inclined so as to reach the lower side Z1 in the vertical direction Z as it goes in the direction A1.

(regulation rail 13)
The regulation rail 13 is a fence provided on a circle that is one size smaller than the outer circumference of the inclined surface 12 . Thereby, the regulation rail 13 regulates the movement range of the ball 11 on the inclined surface 12 within this circumference.
A wall portion 13a (see FIG. 3) is also provided on the outer circumference of the inclined surface 12. As shown in FIG. This wall portion 13a is for preventing the ball 11 from falling from the inclined surface 12 when the ball 11 unexpectedly climbs over the regulation rail 13 and deviates outside the regulation rail 13.例文帳に追加During normal operation of the game machine 1, the ball 11 does not deviate from the regulation rail 13. - 特許庁
The lowermost portion of the regulation rail 13 is provided with an opening 13b (see FIG. 3) slightly wider than the diameter of the ball 11. As shown in FIG.

(Accommodating portion 14)
The accommodation portion 14 is arranged on the direction A1 side (the lower side in the inclination direction) in the inclined surface 12 and is arranged in the opening 13b portion of the regulation rail 13 . Therefore, the ball 11 on the inclined surface 12 is guided to the accommodation portion 14 by the action of gravity.
The housing portion 14 includes a first opening/closing arm 14a, a second opening/closing arm 14b, and a ball detection portion 14c.

The first opening/closing arm 14a and the second opening/closing arm 14b are rotated by a motor (not shown) around the axis in the vertical direction Z (more precisely, around the axis normal to the inclined surface 12) between the open position and the closed position. ). The rotation axis of the first opening/closing arm 14a is arranged on the right side X2 of the opening 13b. The rotation axis of the second opening/closing arm 14b is arranged on the left side X1 of the opening 13b.
Two first opening/closing arms 14a are provided at different heights in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG.
The second opening/closing arm 14b is arranged in the vertical direction Z between the two first opening/closing arms 14a.
Therefore, in the vertical direction Z, the rotation range of the first opening/closing arm 14a and the rotation range of the second opening/closing arm 14b do not overlap. As a result, the first opening/closing arm 14a and the second opening/closing arm 14b can rotate without interfering with each other.

In the open position (open state), the first opening/closing arm 14a and the second opening/closing arm 14b are arranged in a V shape forming an opening 13b on the direction A2 side. As a result, the first opening/closing arm 14 a and the second opening/closing arm 14 b form a wall portion of the housing portion 14 , and the housing portion 14 becomes capable of housing the ball 11 .

As shown within the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, the first opening/closing arm 14a and the second opening/closing arm 14b close the opening 13b in the closed position (closed state). In addition, when viewed from the upper side Z2, the outer shape of the first opening/closing arm 14a and the second opening/closing arm 14b is arcuate so as to extend the regulation rail 13 toward the direction A1 (downward in the tilt direction). Therefore, in the closed position, the ball 11 is stably placed on the first opening/closing arm 14a and the second opening/closing arm 14b by the action of gravity.
The position of the ball 11 shown within the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 3 is the position when the ball 11 is launched, as will be described later.

The ball detection section 14c is a detection section that detects the ball 11 accommodated in the accommodation section 14 . The ball detection unit 14c is, for example, an optical sensor or the like.

(Dotted protrusions 15 (15A to 15D))
Four interspersed protrusions 15 are provided and have the same shape.
The interspersed protrusions 15 are fixed to the inclined surface 12 so as to protrude from the inclined surface 12 . The interspersed protrusions 15 are arranged so as to be scattered on the inclined surface 12 . As will be described later, the interspersed protrusions 15 irregularly change the moving direction of the ball 11 moving on the inclined surface 12, for example.
Among the surfaces of the interspersed projections 15 , the surface on the direction A2 side (the upper side in the inclination direction) is a flat surface, and is an upright surface 15 a standing upright with respect to the inclined surface 12 . The normal direction of the upright surface 15a faces the direction A2.
Of the surfaces of the interspersed projections 15, the surface on the direction A1 side (the lower side in the inclination direction) is an inclined surface 15b. The slope 15b is a plane, and is displaced upward Z2 in the vertical direction Z (that is, the direction normal to the slope 12 and away from the slope 12) toward the direction A2 (upper side in the slope direction).

As shown in FIG. 4, when viewed from the upper side Z2, three interspersed projections 15A to 15C are arranged in the region on the right side X2 of the obstructing projection 16, and one scattered projection 15A to 15C is arranged in the region on the left side X1. A protrusion 15D is arranged. Moreover, when viewed from the upper side Z2, each interspersed protrusion 15 has a substantially triangular shape. The interspersed protrusions 15 are arranged in a substantially inverted triangular shape, that is, the apexes face the direction A1 side (downward in the tilt direction) and the base side (upright surface 15a side) faces the direction A2 side (upward in the tilt direction). placed in Therefore, the gap S15 between the adjacent interspersed projections increases toward the direction A1 (downward in the tilt direction).

The three interspersed projections 15A to 15C are arranged on the same line with equal intervals. The size of the gap S15 between the adjacent interspersed projections 15 is slightly larger than the diameter of the ball 11 . The gap between the interspersed projections 15C arranged inside and the interfering projections 16 is also slightly larger than the diameter of the ball 11 .
The three upright surfaces 15a of these interspersed projections 15A to 15C are arranged on the same plane. In addition, when the three upright surfaces 15a are extended inward, they just intersect the obstructing projection 16 (see two-dot chain line L15 shown in FIG. 4).
In addition, the interspersed projections 15A on the right end are arranged along the regulation rail 13, that is, arranged so as to come into contact with the inner periphery of the regulation rail 13. As shown in FIG.

The gap between the interspersed projections 15D and the obstructing projections 16 on the left side X1 is also slightly larger than the diameter of the ball 11. As shown in FIG. Also, the distance between the interspersed protrusions 15</b>D and the regulation rail 13 is larger than the diameter of the ball 11 . That is, the interspersed projections 15A are arranged so as to be in contact with the regulation rail 13, whereas the interspersed projections 15D are arranged sufficiently away from the regulation rail 13. As shown in FIG.

(Interfering protrusion 16)
The obstructing protrusion 16 is arranged near the direction A2 side (upper side in the inclination direction) of the accommodating portion 14 .
The obstructing projections 16 are fixed to the inclined surface 12 so as to protrude from the inclined surface 12 in the same way as the interspersed projections 15 . As will be described later, the obstructing projection 16 obstructs the movement of the ball 11 moving on the inclined surface 12 toward the accommodating portion 14, for example.
When viewed from the upper side Z2, the obstructing protrusion 16 has an arc shape elongated in the left-right direction X and bulging in the direction A1.
The obstructing projections 16 have slopes 16b similar to the interspersed projections 15. As shown in FIG. The surface of the obstructing projection 16 on the A2 side is an upright surface that stands upright with respect to the inclined surface 12, and is a curved surface 16a that is recessed in the direction A1 according to the outer shape of the obstructing projection 16.

(first arm 17, second arm 18)
The first arm 17 and the second arm 18 are members that contact the ball 11 while rotating to move the ball 11 in a striking manner.
The first arm 17 and the second arm 18 are rotatable about rotation axes C17 and C18 perpendicular to the inclined surface 12, respectively. The rotating shafts C17 and C18 are located on the direction A1 side (tilt direction lower side) of the obstructing projection 16 . The first arm 17 and the second arm 18 are rotationally driven by motors (not shown). Further, the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 are provided with detection units (not shown) such as rotary encoders for detecting the rotational position and rotational speed, respectively.

The first arm 17 is rotationally driven clockwise (see FIG. 4).
A rotation range A17 (see FIG. 4) of the first arm 17 overlaps the obstructing protrusion 16 when viewed from the upper side Z2. However, in the vertical direction Z, the rotation range A17 (see FIG. 5) of the first arm 17 is a space above the obstructing projection 16 Z2. The position of the first arm 17 from the inclined surface 12 is about the radius of the ball 11 . This allows the first arm 17 to rotate without interfering with the obstructing protrusion 16 . As long as the ball 11 is in the vicinity of the obstructing protrusion 16, the first arm 17 can contact the ball 11 regardless of whether the ball 11 is positioned on the A1 or A2 side.

The second arm 18 is substantially symmetrical in the horizontal direction X with respect to the first arm 17 . The second arm 18 is rotationally driven counterclockwise (see FIG. 4). As a result, the second arm 18 can rotate and move without interfering with the obstructing projection 16 , and can contact the ball 11 positioned near the obstructing projection 16 , like the first arm 17 .
The rotation range A17 of the first arm 17 and the rotation range A18 of the second arm 18 are sufficiently close to each other in the range on the direction A2 side (the upper side in the tilt direction) of the housing portion 14 .

(Model stand 19)
The model stand 19 is a platform for attaching the model 25 a of the mass discharge device 25 to the inclined surface 12 . The shape of the model table 19 is a columnar shape with a low height, and the central axis is perpendicular to the inclined surface 12 . Since the model table 19 is fixed to the inclined surface 12, the model table 19 and the model 25a are integral with the inclined surface 12 and can rotate around the central axis C12.
The model stand 19 is arranged within the inclined surface 12 and within the regulation rail 13 when viewed from the upper side Z2. The center of the model table 19 is arranged on the direction A2 side of the center of the inclined surface (the central axis C12), that is, the model table 19 is arranged eccentrically on the circular inclined surface 12 in the direction A2.
With the above configuration, the area S12a (first area) in the direction A1 (downward in the inclination direction) of the inclined surface 12 can secure a large exposed area as an area used in a ball game. Further, the area S12b (second area) on the direction A2 side of the inclined surface 12 is on the direction A2 side (upper side in the inclination direction) of the model table 19 and is continuous with a narrow passage S12c. A region S12, which is a combination of the regions S12a and S12b, continues in an annular shape so as to surround the model table 19. As shown in FIG. Thereby, the ball 11 can move in the region S12, that is, the region surrounding the model table 19. FIG.

(Lottery section 20)
The lottery unit 20 is a device that performs lottery processing in response to the ball 11 being accommodated in the accommodation unit 14 .
As shown in FIG. 6 , the lottery section 20 has a display section 21 .
The display unit 21 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device. The display unit 21 is provided in each station St (see FIG. 1). The display unit 21 is arranged so that the display screen faces the player playing at each station St.
The display unit 21 is mainly used to display various information when playing the medal pusher game at each station St, but is also used as a part of the lottery device 10 in the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the storage unit 95 of the game machine 1 stores information on the lottery roulette 20a, and the display unit 21 displays the roulette 20a.
In the roulette 20a, a plurality of symbols displaying winning information are arranged on the circumference.
The win information is the combination information such as the number of medals released when a large number of coins are released, JP (jackpot), and NEXT.

The JP role is the total number of medals (or the product of the total number of medals and a coefficient (eg, 0.8)) inserted at all stations St1 to St6 after the previous JP role was won at one of the stations St, and a predetermined number. It is a hand to release the number of medals added to the number (for example, 300, the maximum number of released symbols of normal symbols). This total number of medals is reset each time a JP combination is won. The JP combination is the combination that gives the most medals and is the combination that gives the player the most profit.

The NEXT combination is a combination in which a predetermined number of coins (for example, 50) is added to the large number of coins to be released for all the winning combinations to increase the number of coins to be released in large quantities and perform a re-lottery. When the NEXT combination is won, the control unit 96 adds a predetermined number (for example, 50) to, for example, 300 of the large number of coins to be released, and then executes a re-lottery process. The lottery time (described later) is reset. Therefore, the NEXT combination is a combination that is highly profitable for the player.
It should be noted that the NEXT combination can be appropriately set according to the specifications of the game, and for example, the large number of winning combinations may be doubled.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the display unit 21 displays only the portion arranged above the roulette 20a so as to rotate the roulette 20a. When the rotating roulette 20a is stopped, the symbol arranged at the top is the winning symbol, and the combination displayed in that symbol is the winning combination. When the roulette 20a rotates and stops, the symbols arranged at the top are enlarged and displayed.

(Mass release device 25)
The mass release device 25 is a device that releases a large amount of medals onto the pusher base of each station St.
The mass release device 25 includes a model 25a and a mass release port 25b.
The model 25 a is provided on the model table 19 . The model 25a is arranged so that the head of the dinosaur faces the direction A2 and the tail faces the direction A1.
The mass ejection port 25b is a portion that actually ejects medals. The mass discharge port 25b is attached to the head. Therefore, the mass ejection port 25b ejects medals in the direction A2.
Although the detailed description is omitted, the medals to be discharged are contained in a hopper, and sent out from the hopper to the mass discharge port 25b through a medal conveying path such as a rail.

[Operation at mass release stage]
The bulk release stage transitions from the normal stage.
The normal stage is a state in which the medal pusher game can be executed at all stations St1 to St6. The inclined surface 12, the lottery device 10, and the mass discharge device 25 are integrally rotated around the central axis C12. As a result, the model 25a is directed to sequentially face each station St. In addition, in the normal stage, the accommodating portion 14 is controlled to be in an open state (see FIG. 3) and accommodates the ball 11 . The first arm 17 and the second arm 18 are controlled to be in a stopped state without being rotationally driven.

Then, when any station St shifts to the mass release stage, the control unit 96 performs processing for the mass release stage for that station St.
The condition for shifting to the mass release stage may be set such that a specified number (eg, seven) of balls 38 fall into the acquisition hole 37 (see FIG. 8, etc.). In this case, the control unit 96 may count the number of balls 38 that have fallen into the acquisition hole 37 based on the output of an optical sensor or the like (not shown) that detects the balls 38 that have fallen into the acquisition hole 37 .
The mass release stage mainly includes processing of ball launch, ball game, roulette lottery, and mass release, and the processing is performed in this order.
After shifting to the mass release stage, the lottery device 10 and the mass release device 25 are controlled by the controller 96 as follows.
Here, an example in which the station St1 shifts to the mass discharge stage will be described.

(ball launch)
(1) The inclined surface 12 is rotationally driven so that the direction A1 of the inclined surface 12 faces the station St1 side.
This makes it easier for the player playing at the station St1 to visually recognize the area S12a. In addition, the station St1, which has shifted to the ball game, can use such an easily visible area in order to play the ball game.

(2) The ball 11 is placed at the launch position by controlling the housing portion 14 to the closed state (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3). By deforming the receiving portion 14 in this manner, the ball 11 can be positioned at the launch position in an interesting manner.
The ball launch position is located within the rotation range A17 of the first arm 17 (see FIG. 4).

(3) The ball 11 is launched by rotationally driving the first arm 17 (upward moving operation).
The hitting position of the ball 11 is the position where the first arm 17 hits the ball 11 to the left side X1. Therefore, the hit ball 11 moves clockwise while being inscribed in the regulation rail 13 . As a result, the ball 11 is moved on the inclined surface 12 from the direction A1 side (downward in the inclined direction) to the direction A2 side (downward in the inclined direction).
Note that the rotation speed of the first arm 17 is faster than during the ball game. Therefore, when the ball 11 is launched, the first arm 17 can reliably move the ball 11 to the range on the direction A2 side (upper side in the inclination direction) of the inclined surface 12 .

The ball 11 further moves clockwise while being inscribed in the regulating rail 13 or separated from the regulating rail 13 by the action of gravity, and reaches the range of the region S12b. As a result, the ball 11 moves while rolling under the action of gravity after passing through the narrow path S12c on the side of the model stand 19 in the direction A2.
In this way, the ball 11 can be moved around the model stand 19 at the time of launch, so the manner of movement of the ball 11 is interesting.

(4) At the time when the first arm 17 hits the ball 11, the second arm 18 is arranged at a position retreated from the movement path of the ball 11 immediately after hitting. As a result, the hit ball 11 can move while being inscribed in the regulation rail 13 without being hindered by the second arm 18 . Also, the first arm 17 can reliably move the ball 11 above the inclined surface 12 .
It should be noted that the second arm 18 may be controlled in either a rotationally driven state or a stopped state as long as the second arm 18 is arranged at the retracted position.

(ball game)
After the ball 11 has been launched, the ball game process is started.
A ball game is played by rotating the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 for a limited time (for example, 60 seconds), and the ball 11 is accommodated in the container 14 even within the limited time. end by
(1) After the ball 11 has been hit, the housing portion 14 is opened (that is, the first opening/closing arm 14a and the second opening/closing arm 14b are placed at the open position).
(2) After hitting the ball, the first arm 17 is rotationally driven at a constant rotational speed during the ball game. As described above, this rotational speed is slower than the rotational speed at launch. Similarly, the second arm 18 is rotationally driven at a constant rotational speed.
The rotational speeds of the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 may be the same or different. In the embodiment, the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 rotate synchronously or rotate only one arm temporarily (for example, for several seconds) to perform an irregular rotational motion.

(3) The display unit 21 displays the roulette screen (see FIG. 6) in response to the transition to the ball game.

(Mode of movement of ball 11 during ball game)
As described above, the hit ball 11 normally goes around the model stand 19 and moves to the right side X2 of the model stand 19 .
Since the inclined surface 12 is inclined, the ball 11 moves toward the inclined surface 12 in the direction A1 (downward in the inclined direction) and toward the accommodating portion 14 by the action of gravity. Further, since the accommodating portion 14 is provided at the lowest portion of the inclined surface 12, the ball 11 rolls while contacting the regulation rail 13 due to the action of gravity, thereby moving toward the accommodating portion 14. .
However, the inclined surface 12 has a first arm 17 and a second arm 18 that are rotationally driven in addition to the interspersed protrusions 15 and the obstructing protrusions 16 . Therefore, the ball 11 on the inclined surface 12 not only moves by the action of gravity, but also moves very irregularly.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining how the ball 11 moves during the ball game of the embodiment.
A typical example of the movement mode of the ball 11 will be described.
・Movement mode in FIG. 7(A) The ball 11, which has passed through the passage S12c immediately after being hit, moves in the area of the right side X2 of the inclined surface 12 toward the direction A1 (downward in the inclined direction), and then scattered. From the gaps S15 between the projections 15 and the gaps between the interspersed projections 15 and the interfering projections 16, it moves in the direction A1 (downward in the inclination direction) (see arrows a1 and a2) or stays on the interfering projections 16.
For example, the ball 11 in contact with the upright surface 15a of the interspersed projections 15 cannot reach the adjacent interspersed projections 15 or the interfering projections 16, and moves from the gap S15 in the direction A1. . Also, the ball 11 reaching the interspersed projections 15 bounces on the upright surface 15a and reaches the adjacent interspersed projections 15. - 特許庁
Thus, the moving direction of the ball 11 after reaching the interspersed protrusions 15 is irregular.
In addition, the game machine 1 can make the movement of the ball 11 interesting by allowing the ball 11 to pass through the gap S15 between the interspersed protrusions 15 or not.

・Movement mode shown in FIG. 7(B) In the scene shown in FIG. 7(A), if the ball 11 does not move in the direction A1 (downward in the tilt direction), the ball 11 moves left and right over the obstructing protrusion 16. It swings to X (see arrow b1) or stays on the obstructing projection 16 .
When viewed from the upper side Z2, the rotation range A17 of the first arm 17 and the obstructing projection 16 overlap, and similarly, the rotation range A18 of the second arm 18 and the obstructing projection 16 overlap. ing. Therefore, the ball 11 swinging on the obstructing projection 16 contacts the first arm 17 or the second arm 18 .
Since the outer shape of the obstructing projections 16 is curved so as to swell in the direction A1 (downward in the inclination direction), the ball 11 swinging on the obstructing projections 16 is positioned at the most bulging position ( It tries to stop by being guided to the position shown in FIG. 7(B). The ball 11 arranged at this position and the rotation range A17 of the first arm 17 overlap.
Therefore, the ball 11 guided onto the obstructing projection 16 will inevitably come into contact with the first arm 17 or the second arm 18, and will be moved in an irregular direction (arrow b2, etc.). Therefore, the ball 11 will not be left on the obstructing protrusion 16 .

7(C) to 7(E), the ball 11 is positioned on the direction A1 side (below in the inclination direction) relative to the interfering projections 16 and the interspersed projections 15, and moves toward the accommodation portion 14. This is an example in which the ball 11 is moved again toward the direction A2 (upper in the tilt direction) than the interfering projections 16 and the interspersed projections 15 in a state where the ball 11 is on the ground.
・Movement mode of FIG. 7(C) The ball 11 moving on the inclined surface 12 in the direction A1 side (downward in the inclined direction) moves the obstructing projection 16 in the direction A1 side (downward in the inclined direction) when the moving speed is fast. You can get over it.
That is, the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 rotate and move in the space above Z<b>2 of the obstructing projection 16 . Also, the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 hit the ball 11 from the lateral direction (the direction of the AX plane) toward the center of the ball 11 . Therefore, the height of the obstructing protrusion 16 from the inclined surface 12 must be lower than the installation height of the first arm 17 and the second arm 18, and is set to the radius of the ball 11 or less.
As a result, the ball 11 may or may not be able to climb over the obstructing protrusion 16 depending on the speed and moving direction when it reaches the obstructing protrusion 16 .
Although not shown, the ball 11 may also get over the interspersed protrusions 15 in some cases.
Thus, the obstructing projections 16 and the interspersed projections 15 are set to a height that allows the ball 11 to climb over the obstructing projections 16 when the moving speed of the ball 11 is high.

The ball 11 is more likely to be accommodated in the accommodating portion 14 if it can get over the obstructing projection 16 or the like. On the other hand, if the ball 11 cannot get over the obstructing projection 16 (case of FIG. 7(B), etc.), the ball 11 must hit the first arm 17 or the second arm 18 in order to be housed in the housing portion 14. It is necessary to move away from the obstructing projection 16 once by contacting it. In this way, the obstructing protrusion 16 prevents the ball 11 from being accommodated in the accommodating portion 14, and the first arm 17 or the second arm 18 prevents the ball 11 thus obstructed by the obstructing protrusion 16. , can move away from the obstructing projection 16 . In this case, the ball 11 can roll again toward the direction A1 (downward in the tilting direction) after moving in the direction A2 (upward in the tilting direction).

When the ball 11 gets over the gap S15 between the interspersed projections 15 or the obstructing projection 16, the ball 11 rolls on the inclined surface 12, moves along the regulation rail 13, and moves toward the storage portion 14. become.
The first arm 17 or the second arm 18 is provided in the vicinity of the housing portion 14 and on the direction A2 side (upper side in the tilt direction) of the housing portion 14 .
Therefore, the first arm 17 or the second arm 18 can prevent the ball 11 from entering the storage portion 14 by coming into contact with the ball 11 moving toward the storage portion 14 . The moving direction of the ball 11 after contacting the first arm 17 or the second arm 18 includes the moving direction and position of the ball 11 immediately before contact, the rotation angles of the first arm 17 and the second arm 18, and the contact angle. It depends on the location, etc. Therefore, the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 can move the ball 11 in an irregular direction that is difficult for the player to predict.

In this way, in addition to the state where the ball 11 is positioned on the direction A2 side (upper side in the tilt direction) of the obstructing projection 16, the ball 11 can be positioned on the direction A1 side (lower side in the tilt direction) of the obstructing projection 16 by the first arm. 17, abutting on the second arm 18; As a result, the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 can move the ball 11 even when the ball 11 is positioned on the direction A1 side of the obstructing protrusion 16 (downward in the tilt direction).

When the ball 11 comes into contact with the first arm 17, it is likely to move clockwise along the regulation rail 13 (see arrow c1). After that, depending on the moving speed, it passes through the passage S12c (see arrow c2) in the same way as when launching (see FIG. 4), or if it cannot reach the passage S12c, it moves from the middle of the inclined surface 12 to the direction A1 (see FIG. 4). downward in the tilt direction) (see arrow c3).

・Movement Mode in FIG. 7(D) When the ball 11 comes into contact with the second arm 18 in the vicinity of the housing portion 14, for example, it is likely to move counterclockwise along the regulation rail 13 ( See arrow d1).
After that, the ball 11 can get over the interspersed projections 15A if it has a speed sufficient to get over the interspersed projections 15A (see arrow d2). Since the interspersed projections 15A have slopes 15b, the ball 11 moving along the regulation rail 13 can easily get over them. Furthermore, although the ball 11 that has crossed over in this way moves toward the direction A2, it is difficult to predict the correct direction.
That is, in the embodiment, the interspersed projections 15A are arranged on the movement path of the ball 11 by utilizing the property that the ball 11 can easily move along the regulation rail 13 . Further, the interspersed projections 15A are formed in a shape that allows the ball 11 moving in the direction A2 to easily climb over, and the moving direction of the overriding ball 11 can be made irregular.

Incidentally, when the ball 11 does not move along the regulation rail 13, it may move toward the other scattered protrusions 15B to 15D. Even in such a case, the ball 11 can easily climb over the other scattered projections 15B to 15D due to the slope 15b (see arrow d3, etc.). Further, since the obstructing protrusions 16 also have slopes, the ball 11 can climb over the obstructing protrusions 16 in the same manner as the interspersed protrusions 15 (see arrow d4).

Even if the ball 11 does not climb over the interspersed protrusions 15, the ball 11 may pass through the gap S15 and move toward the direction A2 (upward in the tilt direction) from the interspersed protrusions 15 (see arrow d5, etc.).
Since the interspersed protrusions 15 are arranged in the shape of an inverted triangle, the frontage of the gap S15 on the direction A1 side (the lower side in the inclination direction) becomes larger. Furthermore, the ball 11 is guided toward the direction A2 (upward in the tilt direction) by the side portions of the interspersed projections 15 . Therefore, the ball 11 can easily move in the direction A2 (upward in the tilt direction) through the gap S15.
Although not shown, the ball 11 is similarly likely to move in the direction A2 through the gaps between the interspersed projections 15 and the obstructing projections 16 .

・Movement Mode of FIG. 7(E) When the ball 11 contacts the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 in a state of being positioned in the middle of the first arm 17 and the second arm 18, the ball 11 It is moved by the second arm 18 so as to be lifted in the direction A2 (upward in the tilt direction). As a result, the ball 11 can get over the obstructing projection 16 in the direction A2 (upward in the tilt direction). After that, the ball 11 moves away from the obstructing protrusion 16, such as by contacting the first arm 17. As shown in FIG.

As described above with reference to FIG. 7 and the like, the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 come into contact with the ball 11 moving on the inclined surface 12, thereby changing the moving direction of the ball 11 in an irregular direction. Perform a change action (irregular movement action).
Also, the rotational speed of the first arm 17 during the ball game is slower than that during launch. Therefore, the player can carefully observe how the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 move in contact with the ball 11, and enjoy the ball game.

(4) When the ball 11 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 14 (see FIG. 3, etc.), the ball detection portion 14 c outputs detection information of the ball 11 to the control portion 96 .
When the ball 11 is housed within the time limit, the controller 96 stops the rotation of the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 at that point.
If the ball 11 is not received within the time limit, the controller 96 stops the rotation of the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 when the time limit elapses. As a result, the ball 11 can move toward the accommodation portion 14 without being obstructed by the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 and is accommodated in the accommodation portion 14 .
Note that the control unit 96 may slow down the rotation speeds of the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 according to the elapse of the time limit, thereby making it easier for the ball 11 to be accommodated in the accommodation unit 14 . Further, the control unit 96 may control the rotation so that the distance between the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 is widened so that the ball 11 is easily accommodated in the accommodation unit 14 .
Here, if the ball 11 is not accommodated in the accommodating portion 14 even after a predetermined period of time (for example, within 10 seconds) has elapsed after the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 are stopped, the ball 11 will be placed on the obstructing projection 16. may have remained. In such a case, the controller 96 may move the ball 11 off the obstructing projection 16 by rotating the first arm 17 several times.
As a result, the ball game using the inclined surface 12 ends.

(roulette lottery)
The control unit 96 stops the rotation of the roulette 20a on the display unit 21 when receiving the output of the detection information of the ball 11 . Then, the control unit 96 determines the symbol positioned at the top of the roulette 20a as the winning symbol when the roulette 20a is stopped. For example, when the roulette 20a is stopped in the scene of FIG. 6(B), the winning symbols are 150 symbols.
In this way, winning symbols are determined at the timing when the ball 11 is accommodated in the accommodation section 14 by the ball game. As described above, the movement of the ball 11 on the inclined surface 12 is irregular, and it is difficult for the player to predict when the ball 11 will be accommodated in the accommodation section 14 .
As a result, the game machine 1 can improve the excitement of the player in the ball game and the roulette lottery.
It should be noted that the control unit 96 may change the time limit, for example, when another station Sr is waiting for the start of the game in the mass emission stage, or when the shop is before closing time. good.

(Large amount of medals released)
(1) After determining the winning pattern, the control unit 96 rotates the inclined surface 12 by 180 degrees around the central axis C12, thereby directing the head of the model 25a, that is, the large-volume discharge port 25b, toward the station St1. (See FIG. 1, etc.). As a result, the direction A2 side of the inclined surface 12 faces the station St1.
As a result, the normal direction of the inclined surface 12 faces the opposite side of the station St1, and the area S12a is arranged on the opposite side of the station St1. Therefore, there is no hindrance to the progress of the series of games.

(2) The controller 96 drives the medal delivery device (not shown) of the hopper storing the medals, thereby ejecting the number of medals corresponding to the winning symbols onto the pusher table of the station St1.

In this way, by arranging the model table 19 eccentrically on the inclined surface 12, the game machine 1 secures a large area for the main area S12a used in the ball game, and the model stand 19 can be used during the execution of the ball game. can direct this main area S12a towards station St1. As a result, the limited space inside the game machine 1 can be effectively used. Also, when a large amount of medals are released, the model table 19 approaches the station St, so the medal transfer route can be shortened.

As described above, the game machine 1 can make the lottery using the ball 11 interesting and make it difficult to predict the timing at which winning symbols are determined. In addition, the game machine 1 can effectively utilize the internal space by installing the mass ejection device 25 on the inclined surface 12 and rotating it.

[Configuration of External Medal M1 and Internal Medal M2 at Each Station St]
Configurations relating to the external medals M1 and internal medals M2 in each station St (configurations relating to medal insertion, medal ejection, payout, medal circulation, etc.) will be described.
The medals M that the player throws into the slot 31L, 31R and is paid out to the payout slot 39 and the medals M that are supplied to the pusher base 35 and used in the play areas F1 to F6 and the like have different flows. In other words, the medals M that the player actually touches and the medals M that are used only inside the game machine are operated separately.
In this description, in order to clearly distinguish between the two medals M, the former is also referred to as an external medal M1 and the latter as an internal medal M2 as appropriate. The external medal M1 and the internal medal M2 may be of different types in terms of size, material, shape, etc., or may be of the same type. In the embodiment, an example in which both are of the same type will be described.
Further, the injection of the internal medals M2 from the injection devices 34L, 34R of each station St to the pusher bases 35 of the respective play areas F1 to F6 is also called "injection" as appropriate.

FIG. 8 is a view of the vicinity of the pusher table 35 and the operation panel 2d of the station St1 of the embodiment, viewed from the upper side Z2.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the main configuration of the external medals M1 and internal medals M2 of the game machine 1 of the embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining the flow of the external medals M1 and internal medals M2.
Although the configuration of the station St1 will be mainly described below, the other stations St2 to St6 have the same configuration.

(Station St)
The station St1 includes a left slot 31L (external medal slot), a right slot 31R (external medal slot), a left lever 32L (first lever), a right lever 32R (second lever), a payout button 33, and a left injection. Device 34L (first medal ejection device, internal medal insertion portion), right ejection device 34R (second medal ejection device, internal medal insertion portion), pusher base 35, left collection cylinder 36L, right collection cylinder 36R, acquisition hole 37, It has a payout port 39 (external medal payout section), left hopper 40L, right hopper 40R, external medal hopper 41 (external medal storage section), and internal medal hopper 42 (internal medal storage section).
The left inlet 31L, the left lever 32L, the left injection device 34L, the left collection cylinder 36L, and the right inlet 31R, the right lever 32R, the right injection device 34R, and the right collection cylinder 36R are symmetrical in the horizontal direction X, respectively. Configuration. The configuration of the left side X1 will be mainly described below, and the description of the configuration of the right side X2 will be omitted as appropriate.

The left inlet 31L, right inlet 31R, left lever 32L, right lever 32R, and dispensing button 33 are provided on an operation panel 2d provided on the front side Y1 of the outer surface of the housing 2. FIG.
The left input port 31L and the left lever 32L are a set of operation units provided on the left side X1 of the operation panel 2d, and the right input port 31R and the right lever 32R are provided on the right side X2 of the operation panel 2d. A set of operating units. These two operation units may be operated by one player or by two players. The payout button 33 is provided between the two operation sections and shared by the two operation sections.
In this way, the station St1 is configured so that one player may play, or two players may play while sharing the play area F1.
Two payout buttons 33 may be provided on the left and right sides so that two players can operate each payout button 33 .

The left insertion slot 31L is an insertion slot into which the player inserts the external medals M1. The inside of the left slot 31L is equipped with a detection section 31a (such as an optical sensor) that detects the inserted external medals M1.

The left lever 32L is an operating portion for operating the left injection device 34L and the mass ejection device 25. As shown in FIG. The left lever 32L is provided so as to protrude from the operation panel 2d. The left lever 32L is tilted in directions different from each other: left side X1 (first direction), right side X2 (second direction), front side Y1 (third direction), and back side Y2 (third direction). is possible.
The payout button 33 is a button for receiving an operation for paying out the acquired medals (described later) obtained by the player to the payout port 39 as the external medals M1.

The left ejection device 34L is a device that ejects the internal medals M2 onto the pusher base 35. As shown in FIG. The left injection device 34L puts the internal medal M2 into the play area F1 in response to the insertion of the external medal M1 into the left slot 31L, the operation of the left lever 32L, the winning of a small prize in the game, and the like. inject.
The left injection device 34L includes an injection cylinder 34a, an injection port 34b, and a motor 34c.
The ejection cylinder 34a is provided near the upper side of the reciprocating table 35a of the pusher base 35 in the range of the inner side Y2 of the side wall 34d surrounding the play area F1. The injection cylinder 34a is rotatably supported around the vertical Z axis.
The ejection port 34b is a portion that actually ejects the internal medals M2. The injection port 34b is provided at the tip of the injection cylinder 34a.

The motor 34c is a drive unit that rotates the injection cylinder 34a. By rotating the ejection cylinder 34a by the motor 34c, the ejection direction of the internal medals M2 ejected from the ejection opening 34b is changed.
The motor 34c rotates the ejection cylinder 34a counterclockwise (direction corresponding to the first direction) in accordance with the tilting operation of the left lever 32L to the left side X1 to change the ejection direction to the back side Y2. On the other hand, the motor 34c rotates the ejection cylinder 34a clockwise (direction corresponding to the second direction) in response to the tilting operation of the left lever 32L to the right side X2 to change the ejection direction to the front side Y1. Thereby, the player can change the position at which the ejected internal medals M2 are placed on the pusher table 35 .

As for the range in which the ejection cylinder 34a can be rotationally driven, the ejection range A34 of the internal medals M2 ejected from the ejection port 34b (the range in which the ejected internal medals M2 are placed) is about the entire upper surface of the reciprocating table 35a. It is set so that

The pusher base 35 gradually moves the internal medals M2 placed on the reciprocating table 35a and the fixed table 35b to the front side Y1 by the reciprocating movement of the reciprocating table 35a.
The left recovery tube 36L and the right recovery tube 36R are provided on the left and right sides of the front edge of the fixed table 35b.
A detailed description of the pusher base 35, the left recovery tube 36L, and the right recovery tube 36R will be given later.
Acquisition hole 37 is an opening in the center of the front side edge of fixed table 35b.

With such a configuration, the internal medals M2 placed on the fixed table 35b are moved to the front side Y1, and are finally placed in one of the left collection cylinder 36L, the right collection cylinder 36R, and the acquisition hole 37. to fall.
The left recovery tube 36L and the right recovery tube 36R are provided with a detection section 36a (such as an optical sensor) for detecting the dropped internal medals M2. Similarly, the acquisition hole 37 is provided with a detection section 37a for detecting the dropped internal medal M2. In the embodiment, the detection unit 36a is designed to also detect the internal medals M2 that have fallen into the collection cylinders 36L and 36R. may have been
The storage unit 95 stores the number of medals dropped into the acquisition hole 37 as the number of medals acquired by the player. The acquired medals stored in the storage unit 95 in this way are also called credit medals. In addition, the storage unit 95 stores the number of medals dropped into the collection cylinders 36L and 36R as the number of collected medals.

Balls 38 are supplied from the ball supply device onto the fixed table 35b as the game progresses. This ball 38 is a game medium different from the internal medal M2 and the ball 11 described above.
The ball 38 rides directly on the fixed table 35b or rides on the internal medal M2 on the fixed table 35b. Therefore, when the internal medal M2 moves on the fixed table 35b, the ball 38 also moves on the fixed table 35b.

The payout port 39 is a payout port for paying out medals obtained by the player in the game to the outside as external medals M1. The dispensing port 39 is provided on the front surface of the housing 2 (see FIG. 1).

The left hopper 40L is a container that stores the internal medals M2 ejected from the left ejection device 34L. The left hopper 40L has a delivery device 40a for delivering the internal medals M2 to the left ejection device 34L.
Similarly, the right hopper 40R is provided with a delivery device 40a for storing the internal medals M2 ejected from the right ejection device 34R and delivering the internal medals M2 to the right ejection device 34R.

The external medal hopper 41 is a container for storing the external medals M1 inserted into the insertion openings 31L and 31R and the external medals M1 to be paid out to the payout opening 39. As shown in FIG. A manager (clerk, etc.) of the game machine 1 can replenish or reduce the number of external medals M1 in the external medal hopper 41 by opening and closing the maintenance opening 2h (see FIG. 1).
The external medal hopper 41 is provided with a delivery device 41a for delivering the external medals M1 to the payout port 39. As shown in FIG.

The internal medal hopper 42 stores the internal medals M2 that have fallen from the fixed table 35b (that is, the internal medals that have moved outside the play area) according to the result of the game. It is a container for pre-storing the internal medals M2 before being charged.
The internal medal hopper 42 is provided with a delivery device 42a for delivering the internal medals M2 to the left hopper 40L, the right hopper 40R, and the discharge hopper 43b. The delivery device 42a may be configured such that one delivery device selects and delivers the internal medals M2 from the three hoppers 40L, 40R, 43b, and is composed of three devices corresponding to the three hoppers 40L, 40R, 43b. may have been

(Mass release device 25)
The mass discharge device 25 includes a discharge hopper 43b and a motor 43c.
The release hopper 43b is a container that stores the internal medals M2 released from the mass release port 25b. Unlike the hoppers described above, the discharge hopper 43b is not provided for each station St, but only one. In other words, the discharge hopper 43b is shared among all the stations St1 to St6.
The ejection hopper 43b is provided with a delivery device 43a for delivering the internal medals M2 to the mass ejection port 25b.
The motor 43c is a driving device that rotates the head of the model 25a about the vertical Z axis. As a result, the motor 43c rotationally drives the mass discharge port 25b so as to reciprocate left and right (see direction X25b shown in FIG. 8).

In the state in which a large amount of internal medals M2 are ejected, the large amount ejection port 25b is positioned approximately in the center of the pusher base 35 when viewed from the upper side Z2 (see FIG. 8), and the height from the large amount ejection port 25b to the pusher base 35 is sufficiently high, for example, about 1 m.
Therefore, the internal medals M2 ejected from the mass ejection port 25b are ejected so as to drop in the horizontal direction X in the substantially central range of the depth direction Y on the pusher base 35. As shown in FIG. Also, the internal medal M2 released to the pusher base 35 bounces on the pusher base 35. - 特許庁Therefore, the ejection range A25b of the internal medals M2 is substantially the entire upper surface of the pusher base 35 (reciprocating table 35a and fixed table 35b).
On the other hand, as described above, the injection range A34 of the injection devices 34L and 34R is only on the reciprocating table 35a.

Here, the movement range of the ball 38 is on the fixed table 35b. Therefore, on the pusher base 35, the area where the release range A25b and the movement range of the ball 38 overlap is almost the entire range on the fixed table 35b. In principle, there is no region where the injection range A34 and the movement range of the ball 38 overlap. Therefore, the former range is wider than the latter range.

[Flow of external medal M1 and internal medal M2]
The flow of the external medals M1 and the internal medals M2 will be explained while explaining the method of playing the game.
(Supply of internal medals M2 to pusher base 35 in accordance with insertion of medals into slot 31L, 31R)
When the player wants to eject the internal tokens M2 onto the pusher table 35, the player tilts the left lever 32L in the left-right direction X (left side X1, right side X2) to determine the direction of the ejection port 34b, and shoots the external tokens M1. should be used as the left inlet 31L.
The control unit 96 controls the left injection device 34L according to the tilting operation of the left lever 32L in the left-right direction X, thereby rotationally driving the injection cylinder 34a in the depth direction Y (front side Y1, back side Y2). The orientation of the ejection port 34b, that is, the ejection direction of the internal medals M2 is changed. Also, the external medals M1 inserted into the left slot 31L are detected by the detecting section 31a and stored in the external medal hopper 41. FIG. The control section 96 drives the delivery device 40a of the left hopper 40L according to the detection by the detection section 31a.
As a result, the control unit 96 supplies the internal medals M2 stored in the left hopper 40L to the pusher base 35 from the injection opening 34b in response to the insertion of the external medals M1 into the left insertion opening 31L. In addition, the control unit 96 executes medal ejection without accepting the tilting operation in the depth direction Y of the left lever 32L.
Although detailed description is omitted, similarly, the control unit 96 causes the internal medals M2 stored in the right hopper 40R to be transferred from the right injection device 34R to the pusher base 35 in response to the insertion of the external medals M1 into the right insertion slot 31R. supply.

(Supply of internal medals M2 to pusher base 35 by consuming earned medals)
As the game progresses, the internal medals M2 on the pusher table 35 drop into the acquisition hole 37 and the collection cylinders 36L and 36R.
The internal medal M2 that has fallen into the acquisition hole 37 is detected by the detection section 37a and stored in the internal medal hopper 42. FIG. The control unit 96 counts the number of internal medals M2 dropped into the acquisition hole 37 and adds the number of acquired medals in the storage unit 95 each time the detection unit 37a detects the internal medal M2. Further, the control unit 96 does not pay out the external medal M1 even if the internal medal M2 falls into the acquisition hole 37. - 特許庁
Similarly, the control section 96 counts the internal medals M2 that have fallen into the collection cylinders 36L and 36R according to the output of the detection section 36a, and adds the number of collected medals.

When the player wants to shoot the internal medals M2 onto the pusher base 35 using the number of medals won, the player tilts the left lever 32L in the horizontal direction X (left side X1, right side X2) to direct the ejection port 34b. is determined, and the left lever 32L is tilted in the depth direction Y (back side Y2 or front side Y1).
The control unit 96 changes the throwing direction of the internal medals M2 of the left ejection device 34L in accordance with the tilting operation of the left lever 32L in the left-right direction X, in the same manner as the insertion of the external medals M1 described above. The control unit 96 consumes the acquired medals by subtracting the number of acquired medals in the storage unit 95 in accordance with the tilting operation of the left lever 32L in the depth direction Y, and also consumes the acquired medals in the same manner as the aforementioned insertion of the external medals M1. , the internal medals M2 stored in the left hopper 40L are supplied to the pusher base 35 from the ejection port 34b. Note that while the left lever 32L is continuously being tilted in the depth direction Y, the control unit 96 continuously supplies the plurality of internal medals M2 to the pusher base 35 one by one.

Although detailed description is omitted, the control unit 96 similarly controls the right injection device 34R according to the tilting operation of the right lever 32R in the left-right direction X and the depth direction Y, and causes the right hopper 40R to store the right injection device 34R. The internal medal M2 is supplied to the pusher base 35.
It should be noted that the acquired medals of the station St1 are not distinguished by the left and right areas, and the storage unit 95 stores the number of acquired medals of the station St1 as a whole. Therefore, the control unit 96 consumes the acquired medals of the station St1 and ejects the internal medals M2 from the left ejection device 34L and the right ejection device 34R, respectively, regardless of whether the left lever 32L or the right lever 32R is operated. . That is, the control unit 96 shares the number of won medals stored in the storage unit 95 with respect to the internal medals M2 thrown into the play area F1 by the two injection devices 34L and 34R in response to the operation of the levers 32L and 32R.
In the embodiment, the control unit 96 tilts the levers 32L and 32R in an oblique direction in order to prevent an erroneous operation such as inserting medals while changing the direction of the ejection opening 34b. It is configured not to accept However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control unit 96 may receive a tilting operation in an oblique direction so that medals can be inserted while changing the direction of the ejection opening 34b.

(Payment of external medals M1)
The player may operate the payout button 33 when ending the game.
The control unit 96 controls the external medal hopper 41 according to the operation of the payout button 33 to pay out the external medals M1 corresponding to the number of won medals stored in the storage unit 95 to the payout port 39 .
As a result, the player can pay out external medals M1 corresponding to the number of earned medals obtained in the game.

In this way, by inserting the external medals M1 that can be actually touched into the insertion slots 31L and 31R, the player feels as if the medals were directly inserted into the play area F as in the conventional art. can be played with

Also, the player can play by consuming the medals obtained in the game by operating the levers 32L and 32R in the depth direction Y. Therefore, when the player has used up the external medals M1, the player can play by consuming the medals that have been acquired up to that point.
In this case, the player can operate the left ejection device 34L to change the ejection direction and perform ejection by operating the left lever 32L only with the left hand. Similarly, the player can change the injection direction of the right injection device 34R and execute injection by operating the right lever 32R only with the right hand. As a result, the player can simultaneously operate both the left ejection device 34L and the right ejection device 34R by operating the levers with both hands, and can play while consuming earned medals shared by both ejection devices.
As described above, the game machine 1 has much better operability than conventional game machines.

(Circulation of internal medals M2)
The control unit 96 controls the delivery device 42a so that the internal medals M2 dropped into the acquisition hole 37 and the collection cylinders 36L and 36R and stored in the internal medal hopper 42 are transferred to the left hopper 40L, the right hopper 40R and the discharge hopper 43b. are sent out in such a way that they are divided into
The number of medals stored in the internal medal hopper 42 is the largest, for example several hundred. The control unit 96 sends out to the left hopper 40L, the right hopper 40R, and the discharge hopper 43b as necessary.
When the internal medal M2 is ejected from the left ejection device 34L, it is when the player inserts the medal into the left slot 31L or operates the left lever 32L. Similarly, when the internal medal M2 is ejected from the right ejection device 34R, it is when the player inserts the medal into the right slot 31R or operates the right lever 32R. Also, when winning a small prize in the game, the internal medals M2 are ejected from the ejection devices 34L and 34R.
For this reason, the control unit 96 controls the left hopper 40L and the right hopper 40R so that, for example, about 100 internal medals M2 are accommodated in the left hopper 40L and the right hopper 40R, respectively, as the necessary quantity to be thrown from the left injection device 34L and the right injection device 34R. , controls the delivery device 42 a of the internal medal hopper 42 .

On the other hand, the control section 96 does not store the internal medals M2 in the discharge hopper 43b during the normal stage. Only when the control unit 96 performs the mass release process at each station St that has shifted to the mass release stage from among the stations St1 to St6 according to the progress of the game (that is, each station St determined to perform the large release), Control is performed so that the internal medals M2 of each station St are delivered to the release hopper 43b.
For example, when the control unit 96 shifts to the mass release stage at the station St1 and performs mass release processing, the internal medals M2 of the number won in the roulette lottery are sent from the internal medal hopper 42 of the station St1 to the release hopper 43b. do. Further, the internal medal hoppers 42 of the stations St2 to St6 different from the station St1 are not driven, and the internal medals M2 are not delivered from these internal medal hoppers 42 to the discharge hopper 43b. Then, the control unit 96 supplies the internal medals M2 delivered to the release hopper 43b to the pusher table 35 of the station St1 from the mass release port 25b by further controlling the release hopper 43b.
Therefore, only the internal medals M2 of the internal medal hopper 42 of the station St1 are used in the mass discharge process of the station St1, and the internal medals M2 of the internal medal hoppers 42 of the other stations St2 to St6 are not used.

In this way, the internal medals M2 of each station St are completely separated from the flow path of the external medals M1 and are not mixed with the internal medals M2 of other stations St. Therefore, the internal medals M2 of each station St circulate only within each station St without moving from each station St to another station St. Therefore, the number of internal medals M2 held by each station St is constant and does not change even if the game progresses.
As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a shortage of internal medals M2 (so-called medal shortage) at each station St. In addition, the manager of the game machine 1 can easily manage the medals because he/she only needs to pay attention to the excess or deficiency of the external medals M1 and replenish or reduce the number of the external medals M1.

(Operation of mass release port 25b during mass release)
The control unit 96 does not accept the operation of the injection devices 34L, 34R by the levers 32L, 32R of the station St when a large amount of ink is discharged at each station St. In other words, even if the levers 32L and 32R are tilted, the control section 96 does not receive the control of changing the injection direction of the internal medals M2 and the execution of injection by the injection devices 34L and 34R.
Then, when a large amount of liquid is discharged at each station St, the control section 96 changes the direction of the large amount of discharge port 25b by controlling the motor 43c according to the operation of the levers 32L and 32R in the horizontal direction X. As a result, the control section 96 changes the release direction of the large number of internal medals M2 to the horizontal direction X (see direction X25b shown in FIG. 8).
In this case, when both levers 32L and 32R are operated, the control section 96 may follow the operation of the last operated lever, for example.

When the levers 32L and 32R are tilted to the left side X1, the control section 96 accepts this operation and moves the large amount discharge port 25b to the left side X1. Further, when the levers 32L and 32R are tilted to the right X2, the control unit 96 accepts this operation and moves the ejection port 34b to the right X2.

In this way, the control unit 96 switches the operation target of the lever operation from the injection devices 34L and 34R to the mass ejection device 25 in response to the mass ejection device 25 releasing the internal medals M2 to the play area F1. As a result, the levers 32L and 32R can be used both as an operating device for the injection devices 34L and 34R and as an operating device for the mass ejection device 25. FIG.
In addition, the control unit 96 can change the direction in which the internal medals M2 are discharged to the play area F1 by the large quantity discharge device 25 by receiving only the lever operation of the station St that performs the large quantity discharge.

Since the player can control the ejection direction of the internal medals M2 from the mass ejection device 25 during mass ejection, the player can control the position of the pusher base 35 to eject the internal medals M2.
A ball 38 is placed on the fixed table 35b.
Therefore, the player can play such that the internal medal M2 hits the ball 38 by operating the ejection direction of the internal medal M2. The ball 38 moves on the fixed table 35b by hitting the ejected internal medal M2. In addition, since the ejection range A25b of the internal medals M2 includes the entire surface of the fixed table 35b, which is the moving range of the ball 38, it is a chance for the player to move the ball 38 advantageously.
It should be noted that if the ball 38 falls into the acquisition hole 37 during the mass release, the player will be provided with a benefit such as, for example, performing processing in which two balls 38 fall in response to the fall of one ball 38. may be granted.

That is, during the normal stage, the internal medals M2 ejected from the ejection devices 34L and 34R cannot directly hit the ball 38. During the normal stage, the internal medal M2 moves with the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating table 35a, and the ball 38 moves little by little on the fixed table 35b with the movement of the internal medal M2.
On the other hand, when a large amount of medals are released, the internal medals M2 from the large amount of ejection device 25 can be directly hit against the ball 38, so that the ball 38 can be moved greatly. Also, since the ejection range A25b is the entire surface of the fixed table 35b, if the internal medal M2 hits the ball 38 so that the ball 38 moves to the front side Y1, the ball 38 moves in the direction of the acquisition hole 37. can be done.

When the large amount discharge stage of station St1 ends, the control unit 96 shifts to the normal stage and restarts the normal stage. Along with this, the control unit 96 switches the operation target of the lever operation of the station St1 from the mass ejection device 25 back to the injection devices 34L and 34R. The injection units 34L, 34R are uncontrolled during the mass ejection stage. Therefore, when the normal stage resumes, the injection direction is maintained because the state prior to transition to the large-volume ejection stage is maintained.
Therefore, when the normal stage is resumed, the player can eject the internal medals M2 in the target direction before releasing a large amount of medals.

[Configuration Related to Pusher Base 35 and Recovery Cylinder 36]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the configuration near the recovery tube 36 of the embodiment, viewed from the back side Y2.
11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the tube main body 55 of the recovery tube 36 of the embodiment.
FIG. 11(A) is a view of the cylinder main body 55 viewed from the upper side Z2.
FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view (BB cross-sectional view) of the cylinder body 55 viewed from the right side X2.
FIG. 11C is a right side view of the cylinder main body 55. FIG.
FIG. 11(D) is a view of the cylinder main body 55 viewed from the back side Y2.
FIG. 11E is a perspective view of the cylinder main body 55. FIG.
12A and 12B are perspective views illustrating the configuration around the recovery tube 36 of the embodiment when the recovery tube 36 is arranged in an inner rotation state and an outer rotation state.
Note that FIG. 12 omits illustration of the ball guard 56 in order to explain the manner of movement of the medal M in an easy-to-understand manner.

In the game machine 1, the configuration of the pusher base 35 and the two collection cylinders 36L and 36R is substantially symmetrical in the horizontal direction X. As shown in FIG. The left recovery tube 36L on the left side X1 will be mainly described below, and the recovery tubes 36L and 36R will also be referred to as the recovery tube 36. As shown in FIG.
The game machine 1 includes a pusher base 35 , a collecting cylinder 36 (medal collecting section), a surrounding wall 58 and a driving section 59 .
The pusher base 35 includes a reciprocating table 35a and a fixed table 35b.
The upper surfaces of the reciprocating table 35a and the fixed table 35b are horizontal surfaces, and the medals M can be movably placed thereon. A side wall 34d is provided outside the reciprocating table 35a and the fixed table 35b in the horizontal direction X (direction orthogonal to the medal moving direction).

The reciprocating table 35a is driven to reciprocate in the depth direction Y on the fixed table 35b by a drive unit (not shown) having a motor or the like. The state shown in FIG. 10 is a state in which the reciprocating table 35a is arranged on the frontmost side Y1.
The medals M supplied onto the reciprocating table 35a from the injection device 34 or the like come into contact with the back wall 50 (see FIG. 1) due to the reciprocating movement of the reciprocating table 35a. Therefore, the plurality of medals M placed on the reciprocating table 35a gradually move toward the front side Y1 like a pile-up phenomenon. As a result, some of the plurality of medals M fall from the inclined surface 35c on the front side Y1 onto the fixed table 35b.

The fixed table 35 b is fixed to the housing 2 . The shape of the fixed table 35b as seen from the upper side Z2 is rectangular in the embodiment, but may be changed as appropriate according to the specifications of the game machine.
The medals M and the like dropped from the reciprocating table 35a are placed on the fixed table 35b. Further, the medal M dropped from the reciprocating table 35a contacts the front wall portion of the reciprocating table 35a due to the reciprocating movement of the reciprocating table 35a. Therefore, the plurality of medals M placed on the fixed table gradually move toward the near side Y1 (medal movement direction) like a pile-up phenomenon. As a result, some of the plurality of medals M fall from the front edge of the fixed table 35b into the acquisition hole 37 or are recovered in the recovery tube 36. As shown in FIG.

A corner portion on the front side Y1 of the fixed table 35b (that is, both left and right ends of the front edge portion) is provided with a notch 52 .
The notch 52 is an arc-shaped notch formed in the corner of the fixed table 35b. The radius of this arc is the same as the radius of the cylinder of the collection cylinder 36 . Thus, the notch 52 has a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the recovery cylinder 36 .
Therefore, the recovery tube 36 and the fixed table 35b are continuously arranged in the play area F1, and the recovery tube 36 can be rotationally driven without interfering with the fixed table 35b.

The side wall 34d is not provided with a drop hole for medals M (also referred to as a parent drop hole) unlike conventional game machines. Therefore, the medals M placed in the vicinity of the side wall 34d of the fixed table 35b are likely to move toward the front side Y1 along the side wall 34d. Further, as will be described later, the vicinity of the side wall 34d on the fixed table 35b is an easily movable area 61b (see FIG. 14A) where the medals M are easily moved.
Since the recovery tube 36 is provided so as to be continuous with the side wall 34d, the medals M moving along the side wall 34d can be efficiently guided to the recovery tube 36 in the vicinity of the side wall 34d.

A ball 38, which is a game medium different from the medal M, is supplied on the fixed table 35b. The ball 38 moves on the fixed table 35b in accordance with the movement of the medal M on the fixed table 35b. The diameter of the ball 38 is larger than the diameter of the medal M.

The collection cylinder 36 is a member for collecting the medals M that have moved on the fixed table 35b.
The recovery cylinder 36 is arranged so that a part thereof is accommodated in the notch 52 of the fixed table 35b. That is, the two collection cylinders 36 are provided on the front edge of the fixed table 35b on the left side X1 and the right side X2 in the left-right direction X (perpendicular direction) (see FIG. 8). The collection tube 36 is provided on the front side Y1 of the side wall 34d so as to be continuous with the side wall 34d.
The game machine 1 is not provided with a member for blindfolding the collection tube 36. - 特許庁For this reason, unlike the drop hole of the conventional game machine, the collection tube 36 is exposed on the upper side Z2 within the play area F1, and is arranged so as to be clearly visible to the player.
A ball guard 56 (ball movement suppressing member) is fixed to the upper side Z2 of the recovery tube 36 .

The shape of the tube main body 55 of the recovery tube 36 will be described with reference to FIG. In the description of the cylinder main body 55, for convenience, it is assumed that the central axis C35 of the cylinder is the vertical direction Z and the flat surface 55b is directed toward the back side Y2.
A table layout line 55i shown in FIG. 11 indicates the position of the surface of the fixed table 35b in the vertical direction Z when the cylinder body 55 is attached to the game machine 1 .
The cylinder main body 55 has a shape in which a part of the upper portion of the cylindrical member is cut off so as to have an opening 55j that opens toward the back side Y2. In addition, the hollow part of the cylinder forms a recovery hole 55h through which the medals M drop. The diameter of the collection hole 55h is larger than the diameter of the medal M.

The cylinder main body 55 includes a falling surface 55a, a flat surface 55b (easy falling surface), a raised surface 55c (difficult falling surface), an upright surface 55d, an inner wall 55e, and a top surface 55f.
The falling surface 55a guides the medals M that have moved from the flat surface 55b, the raised surface 55c, etc. to the recovery hole 55h. The falling surface 55a is inclined downward Z1 toward the recovery hole 55h.

The flat surface 55b and the raised surface 55c are formed on the upper surface of the cylinder main body 55. As shown in FIG.
The flat surface 55b is formed on the outer edge of the cylinder main body 55 and is a surface surrounded by the arc and chord of the outer circumference of the cylinder main body 55 . The flat surface 55b is flat and horizontal. In the vertical direction Z, the flat surface 55b is arranged at the same position as the surface of the fixed table 35b. In addition, the outer edge of the flat surface 55b coincides with the table arrangement line 55i.
The raised surface 55 c is a surface formed on the outer edge of the cylinder body 55 . The raised surfaces 55c are provided on the left and right outer sides of the flat surface 55b.
The protruding surface 55c extends from the table arrangement line 55i in the direction of the recovery hole 55h (that is, in the direction of the central axis C35 of the cylinder) so as to reach the upper side Z2 (that is, to protrude above the surface of the fixed table 35b to the upper side Z2). ), is formed.

The upright surface 55d is a wall surface extending from the front side Y1 of the raised surface 55c to the top surface 55f. The upright surface 55d is a surface substantially parallel to the vertical surface (XZ plane).
The inner wall 55e is a side wall extending from the left and right outer side portions of the falling surface 55a to the raised surface 55c.
The top surface 55f is a surface that forms the top of the cylinder main body 55. As shown in FIG. The top surface 55f is a horizontal surface.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the recovery tube 36 is attached to the game machine 1, the flat surface 55b is arranged so as to be continuous with the surface of the fixed table 35b. Also, the flat surface 55b forms a surface continuous with the recovery hole 55h without protruding from the surface of the fixed table 35b. Therefore, the flat surface 55b can easily guide the medals M that have been moved on the fixed table 35b to the collection hole 55h, that is, can form a part where the medals M can be easily collected.
The raised surface 55c is continuous with the surface of the fixed table 35b and arranged to form a surface protruding from the surface of the fixed table 35b. For this reason, the raised surface 55c makes it more difficult to guide the medals M that have moved on the fixed table 35b to the collection hole 55h than the flat surface 55b.

Note that the portion (easily dropping portion) from which the medals M are easily recovered may not be composed only of the flat surface 55b, but may be composed of a combination of the flat surface 55b and another surface. Similarly, the portion where medals M are difficult to collect (hard-to-fall portion) may be configured by combining the raised surface 55c and another surface.

As shown in FIG. 10, the ball guard 56 is a member that prevents the ball 38 on the fixed table 35b from entering the recovery hole 55h. The ball guard 56 is fixed to the top surface 55f of the cylinder body 55. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the ball guard 56 is arranged above the flat surface 55b and the raised surface 55c Z2.
The ball guard 56 is an annular plate member. The outer diameter of the ball guard 56 is equal to the outer diameter of the cylinder main body 55 when viewed from the upper side Z2. Also, the height from fixed table 35 b to ball guard 56 is less than the diameter of ball 38 , in embodiments this height is equal to the radius of ball 38 . The ball 38 that has moved on the fixed table 35 b contacts the ball guard 56 before contacting the cylinder main body 55 . Thereby, the ball guard 56 can prevent the ball 38 from reaching the flat surface 55b and the raised surface 55c.

The diameter of the inner diameter portion of the ball guard 56 is larger than the diameter of the medal M.
Here, for example, when a large amount of medals M are released, the released medals M may bounce on the pusher base 35 or the like and fall toward the recovery tube 36 from the upper side Z2. Such medals M pass through the inner diameter portion of the ball guard 56 and drop into the recovery hole 55h.
In this way, the ball guard 56 can prevent the ball 38 from reaching the tube main body 55, and allows the medal M to pass through even if it moves in an unusual manner.

As shown in FIG. 10, the side wall 34d is provided with a ball guide plate 57 that guides the ball 38 on the pusher base 35 so that it does not move toward the collection cylinder 36. As shown in FIG.
The ball guide plate 57 is provided so as to protrude left and right inward from the side wall 34d.
However, in order to ensure that the balls 38 do not reach the recovery tube 36 , it is necessary to make the ball guide plate 57 larger and to install the ball guide plate 57 close to the recovery tube 36 . In this case, the ball guide plate 57 hides many of the medals M on the fixed table 35b, and it is difficult to observe the movement of the medals M in the vicinity of the collection cylinder 36. Therefore, the game machine 1 is configured so that the ball 38 may reach the recovery tube 36 even if the ball guide plate 57 is provided.

The surrounding wall 58 is a wall portion that surrounds the front side Y1 and left and right outer portions of the recovery tube 36 . In the left-right direction X, the inner part 58a of the surrounding wall 58 is located between the collection tube 36 and the fixed table 35b.
The drive unit 59 is a device that rotates the collection tube 36 around an axis in the vertical direction Z, and includes, for example, a motor. The recovery tube 36 is rotationally driven by the driving portion 59 so as to reciprocate within a range of about 90 degrees around the central axis C35.

Therefore, in the depth direction Y, the portion of the recovery tube 36 that is continuous with the notch 52 of the fixed table 35b (that is, the edge of the fixed table 35b at the tip of the medal moving direction) is changed between the flat surface 55b and the raised surface 55c. be done.
As a result, the state of the ease with which medals M fall is changed between an easy-to-fall state (state shown in FIG. 12A) and a difficult-to-fall state (state shown in FIG. 12B).

(Movement of Medal M Arriving at Collection Cylinder 36)
As shown in FIG. 12(A), in the easy drop state, the portion of the opening 55j where the flat surface 55b is formed is arranged to face the back side Y2, so it moves to the front side Y1 on the fixed table 35b. It is arranged so as to face the incoming medal M. In addition, in the left-right direction X, the outer end 55k (indicated by a black circle) of the flat surface 55b is arranged at the same position as the side wall 34d. Therefore, the medal M that has moved on the fixed table 35b can easily move onto the flat surface 55b. As a result, the medals M on the fixed table 35b are easily collected into the collection cylinder 36 in the easy-fall state.

As shown in FIG. 12(B), in the hard-to-fall state, the flat surface 55b is arranged to face the right side X2 (left and right inner sides). Therefore, the portion of the opening 55j where the flat surface 55b is formed is arranged so as to face the right side X2 (that is, the direction perpendicular to the front side Y1, which is the medal moving direction). Also, the portion where the raised surface 55c is formed is arranged so as to face the back side Y2. Furthermore, a portion 55m of the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder main body 55 is also arranged so as to face the back side Y2.
Therefore, the medal M that has moved on the fixed table 35b is difficult to ride on the raised surface 55c, move along the hem of the raised surface 55c, and move onto the flat surface 55b. Furthermore, the medal M that is in contact with the portion 55m of the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder main body 55 cannot enter the recovery hole 55h. As a result, the medals M on the fixed table 35b are difficult to be collected by the collection tube 36 in the hard-to-drop state.

Here, the medals M that have reached the collection tube 36 are further moved by the rotation of the collection tube 36 .
13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a manner in which the medals M of the embodiment are moved by the collection tube 36. FIG.
It should be noted that the manner in which the medals M move is complicated because it depends on the number of medals M, the state of movement of the medals M accompanying the reciprocating movement of the reciprocating table 35a, and the like. FIG. 13 shows a typical example of how the medal M moves.
As shown in FIG. 13(A), the medal M positioned on the flat surface 55b in the easy-falling state is dropped into the collection hole 55h if it is further moved to the front side Y1. However, when the collection cylinder 36 rotates clockwise to change from this state to the hard-to-drop state, the medal M may come into contact with the inner wall 55e. As shown in FIG. 13(B), therefore, the medals M may be moved inward as the collection tube 36 rotates. Therefore, the medals M expected by the player to be collected in the collection tube 36 may not be collected.

As shown in FIG. 13(C), the medals M positioned on the raised surface 55c in the easy-falling state are returned to the fixed table 35b when the collection tube 36 rotates clockwise from this state. However, when the recovery cylinder 36 rotates clockwise in the same manner as described above, the medal M may get caught on the inner part 58 a of the surrounding wall 58 . When the medal M rotates in such a hooked state, it may climb over the raised surface 55c and fall into the collection hole 55h as shown in FIG. 13(D). Therefore, the medals M that the player expects not to be collected in the collection tube 36 may be collected.

As shown in FIG. 13(E), the medal M, which has been placed on the raised surface 55c in the hard-to-fall state, is once maintained in a state where it does not fall into the recovery hole 55h. When the recovery tube 36 rotates counterclockwise to change from this state to the easy-falling state, the medals M riding on the protruding surface 55c rotate as they are, as shown in FIG. 13(F). After coming into contact with the side wall 34d and moving to the flat surface 55b, it may drop into the recovery hole 55h. In this way, it is possible to make the mode in which the medals M fall into the recovery hole 55h interesting.

Since the recovery cylinder 36 is exposed, the player can observe such movements of the medals M with interest. The player can also observe the medals M falling into the recovery hole 55h through the inner diameter portion of the ball guard 56. FIG.

(Operation after collecting medals into collection tube 36)
As described above, the medals M collected in the collection tube 36 are detected by the detector 36a (see FIG. 9).
Here, since the game machine 1 can efficiently guide the medals M on the fixed table 35b to the collection tube 36 as described above, the opening area of the collection hole 55h is the same as the opening of the parent pitfalls of the conventional game machine. It can be smaller than area. Therefore, the area through which the medals M collected in the collection tube 36 pass can be made a small space. This makes it easier for the detection unit 36a to detect the collected medals M.

The control section 96 drives the ball feeding device 70 according to the output of the detecting section 36a to lift the balls 38 of the ball lifting device 71. As shown in FIG. The ball feeder 70 feeds the balls 38 to the fixed table 35b and the balls 38 drop from the fixed table 35b into the acquisition holes 37 leading to the transition to the mass release stage.
In this way, the game machine 1 of the embodiment has a configuration that makes it easy to detect the collected medals M, unlike the parent pitfalls of the conventional game machine, and actively controls the manner in which the medals M are collected. It is configured to be shown to the player. Therefore, in the game machine 1 of the embodiment, not only can the recovery tube 36 be used as a substitute for the parent pitfall, but the recovered medals M can also be used to advance the game.
Further, in the conventional game machine, a blindfold was provided on the pusher table to hide the parent pitfalls in order to make it difficult for the player to understand that the medals are being collected and the amount of collected medals. On the other hand, since the game machine 1 is configured to show that the medals M are being collected, the blindfold is unnecessary. Thereby, the game machine 1 can give the player a sense of security.

Note that the rotation period of the collection tube 36 may not be constant. For example, the control section 96 may calculate the payout rate based on the number of inserted medals and the number of paid out medals, and change the rotation period of the recovery tube 36 based on the calculation result. In this case, the control unit 96 can increase the payout rate by increasing the time during which the recovery cylinder 36 is placed in the easy-to-drop state. The longer the , the lower the payout percentage can be adjusted.
Further, for example, when the reciprocating table 35a is moved to the front side Y1, the medals M on the fixed table 35b are likely to move to the front side Y1. Therefore, the control unit 96 can increase the payout rate by controlling the recovery tube 36 to be in an easy-falling state while the reciprocating table 35a is moving toward the front side Y1. The payout rate can be adjusted to be lower by controlling to make it difficult to fall.

[Configuration Related to Pusher Base 35 and Ball Feeding Device 70]
10, 14, 15, etc., the configuration related to the pusher base 35 and the ball feeding device 70 will be described.
14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining the configuration near the pusher base 35 and the ball feeding device 70 of the embodiment.
FIG. 14A is a view of the configuration near the fixed table 35b as seen from the upper side Z2.
FIG. 14(B) is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship of the fixed table 35b, the side structure 65, the ball lowering device 73, the ball supply port 75, etc. viewed from the front side Y1, and FIG. 14(A). is a view corresponding to the BB cross-sectional view of FIG.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the configuration near the fixed table 35b and the ball feeding device 70 of the embodiment, viewed from the upper right.
15 illustrates a state in which the transparent cover 71e of the ball raising device 71, the transparent cover 73e of the ball lowering device 73, the blind cover 74e, and the like are removed.

The game machine 1 includes a fixed table 35b, a ball feeder 70 (ball feeder), etc., as components related to the ball 38. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10, the ball feeding device 70 is provided on the side structure 65 located on the left side X1 of the fixed table 35b. The side structure 65 is a structure arranged on the left side X1 of the play area F1. The right side surface of the side structure 65 is the side wall 34d.

(Easy-to-move region 61 and difficult-to-move region 62 of fixed table 35b)
As shown in FIG. 14, the fixed table 35b includes a plurality of screws 60 (resistance imparting members).
The screws 60 are fixed in stepped holes in the fixed table 35b. The screw 60 is a type of screw whose head surface has a gently curved surface (that is, has a large radius of curvature), and is, for example, a truss screw, a bind screw, or the like.
Only the upper portion of the curved surface of the head of the screw 60 protrudes from the surface of the fixed table 35b. The edge of the curved surface is located on the lower side Z1 than the surface of the fixed table 35b, and the outer peripheral surface of the head is also located on the lower side Z1 than the surface of the fixed table 35b.
For this reason, when the medal M moving on the fixed table 35b passes through the installation portion of the screw 60, it rides on the curved surface without being caught by the outer peripheral surface of the head of the screw 60, thereby making it difficult to move. resistance is applied.
During play, the screws 60 are covered with the medals M and cannot be visually recognized. Therefore, the player does not feel uncomfortable.

The installation range of the screw 60 is the substantially central area of the fixed table 35b. The external shape of the installation range of the screw 60 is an isosceles trapezoid shape having an upper base on the back side Y2 and a lower side on the front side Y1. In addition, within this isosceles trapezoidal area, there is a range in which the screws 60 are not installed in a smaller isosceles trapezoidal area.
Of the surface of the fixed table 35b, the area within the small isosceles trapezoid and the area outside the large isosceles trapezoid are easy-moving areas 61 where the medals M can easily move.
In the embodiment, the inside of the small isosceles trapezoid in the easily movable area 61 is also referred to as an easily movable area 61a, and the area along the side wall 34d is also referred to as an easily movable area 61b. A ball stop range (to be described later) is located in the easily movable area 61a.
A range obtained by removing the small isosceles trapezoid shape from the large isosceles trapezoid becomes a difficult-to-move region 62 in which the medal M is more difficult to move than the easily-movable region 61 .

In the easy-moving area 61, the movement speed of the medals M increases because the resistance to the movement of the medals M is small. On the other hand, in the hard-to-move area 62 , the resistance to the movement of the medals M is greater than in the easy-to-move area 61 , so the movement speed of the medals M becomes slower than in the easy-to-move area 61 . Therefore, in the hard-to-move region 62 , the medals M are more likely to stagnate than in the easy-to-move region 61 .
As shown in FIG. 14B, therefore, the height of the medals M stacked on the fixed table 35b is higher in the hard-to-move region 62 and lower in the easy-to-move region 61 than this. Further, the surface shape on which the medals M are stacked has a caldera-like shape in which the easily movable area 61a has a concave portion and the hard-to-move area 62 protrudes and surrounds the concave portion.

(Ball supply device 70)
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 15, the ball feeder 70 is a device that feeds the balls 38 onto the fixed table 35b. The surface layer of the ball 38 may be made of an elastic material such as rubber or sponge.
The ball supply device 70 includes a ball raising device 71 , a bridge rail 72 , a ball lowering device 73 (ball moving section), a deceleration section 74 and a ball supply port 75 .
The movement path of the balls 38 in the ball supply device 70 is in this order, that is, the balls 38 move from the ball lifting device 71 toward the ball supply port 75 . The ball lifting device 71 side is the upstream side, and the ball supply port 75 is the downstream side.

(Ball lifting device 71)
The ball lifting device 71 is a device for lifting the balls 38 from a ball container (not shown) in which the balls 38 are stocked to the upper side Z2 of the side structure 65 . The ball raising device 71 is provided on the upstream side of the ball moving path from the ball lowering device 73 .
The ball elevating device 71 comprises an elevating guide rail 71a, a spiral screw 71b and a transparent cover 71e.

The rising guide rail 71a is a member that guides the rising ball 38. As shown in FIG. The rising guide rail 71a has two bar shapes extending from the ball container toward the upper side Z2. Since the upper structure of the ascending guide rail 71a is positioned above the side structure 65 Z2, it is exposed in the play area F1.
The helical screw 71b includes a rod member and a rising wing 71c (abutment portion) that is a helical wing attached to the periphery of the rod member. The direction of the central axis C71b of the spiral screw 71b is the vertical direction Z. The spiral screw 71b is rotationally driven around the central axis C71b.
The transparent cover 71e (see FIG. 10) is a transparent cover that covers the spiral screw 71b from the outside. The transparent cover 71e prevents the medals M from entering the inside of the ball lifting device 71, for example.

With the above configuration, the ball lifting device 71 moves the ball 38 accommodated in the ball container along the rising guide rail 71a while contacting the rising blades 71c of the spiral screw 71b by rotationally driving the spiral screw 71b. can be raised by The player can visually recognize the ball 38 rising in this way through the transparent cover 71e.
A detection unit (optical sensor or the like) for detecting the raised ball 38 is provided on the upper portion of the ascending guide rail 71a (near the upper end of the ball's vertical movement range). The controller 96 can confirm that the ball 38 has risen to the upper end of the lift guide rail 71 a and moved to the bridge rail 72 according to the detection by the detector.

(Bridge rail 72)
The bridge rail 72 is a rail that moves the ball 38 lifted by the ball lifting device 71 to the upper part of the ball lowering device 73 . The bridge rail 72 is formed from a plurality of rod-shaped members, and is inclined downward Z1 from the ball raising device 71 toward the ball lowering device 73 . Thereby, the bridge rail 72 can move the ball 38 toward the ball descending device 73 while rolling by the action of gravity so that the ball 38 can be visually recognized by the player.

(Ball lowering device 73)
The ball descending device 73 includes descending blades 73c and a transparent cover 73e.
The descending vane 73c is a spiral vane attached to the periphery of the rod member. The axial direction of the bar member is the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. The shape of the descending vane 73c is similar to the shape of the ascending vane 71c of the helical screw 71b, ie, they are of corresponding shape. The descending vane 73c is not rotationally driven unlike the helical screw 71b.
The upper structure of the descending blade 73c is located above the side structure 65 Z2, while the lower structure is accommodated in the side structure 65. As shown in FIG.
The transparent cover 73e (see FIG. 10) is a transparent cover that covers the descending blade 73c from the outside. The shape of the transparent cover 73e is a thin cylindrical shape.

With the above configuration, a spiral descending path 73d (ball descending path), which is a passage that spirally changes at the center of the rod member, is formed between the inner wall surface of the transparent cover 73e and the descending blade 73c. The ball 38 in the spiral descent path 73d abuts on the inner wall surfaces of the descent blade 73c and the transparent cover 73e, and moves while being accelerated by the action of gravity while abutting on them.
In this manner, the ball descending device 73 receives the ball 38 that has moved from the bridge rail 72 and passes it through the spiral descending path 73d, thereby descending the ball 38 while rotating. Further, since the ball 38 is accelerated by the action of gravity, the ball descending device 73 does not require a driving device having a motor or the like, and can be constructed simply.

The ball 38 is guided to the deceleration section 74 through the spiral descent path 73d.
As shown in FIG. 15, the terminal end of the spiral descent path 73d is arranged such that the tangential direction is substantially in the left-right direction X. As shown in FIG. The ball 38 advances from the end of the spiral descent path 73d toward the right side X2 substantially parallel to the left-right direction X.

As described above, the ball 38 turns, accelerates, and descends at a high speed, so that it moves dynamically and is interesting. The player can visually recognize the ball 38 through the transparent cover 73e at the portion of the ball lowering device 73 protruding from the side structure 65, and can enjoy observing it.
In addition, the ball raising device 71 and the ball lowering device 73 have spiral blades of the same shape, and are arranged side by side in the depth direction Y so as to stand upright on the side structure 65 as a pair. . Therefore, both can be neatly arranged in the play area F1, and the appearance is good.

(Deceleration unit 74)
The deceleration portion 74 is a portion from the end of the spiral descent path 73d to the ball supply port 75, and is a portion mainly having the function of decelerating the ball 38 that has been accelerated in the helical descent path 73d to a high speed. be.
The speed reducer 74 is provided inside the side structure 65 .
The structure of the deceleration section 74 is hidden by a blindfold cover 74e (blindfold section) so as not to be exposed to the play area F1 (see FIG. 10). Therefore, the beauty of the play area F1 is not spoiled. The blind cover 74 e constitutes part of the top surface of the side structure 65 .

The deceleration portion 74 includes a deceleration projection 74a and an inclined surface 74b.
The deceleration projection 74a is a member for decelerating the ball 38 by coming into contact with the ball 38 that has moved from the spiral descent path 73d. As described above, the ball 38 is accelerated in the spiral descent path 73d, and the speed is too high to be released directly onto the fixed table 35b. Therefore, the deceleration projection 74a decelerates the ball 38. As shown in FIG.

The deceleration projection 74a is arranged on the movement locus of the ball 38 that has moved from the spiral descent path 73d. The deceleration projection 74a is fixed so as to protrude from the front inner surface of the deceleration portion 74 to the back side Y2. The deceleration projection 74a may be formed of an elastic member (for example, sponge, rubber, spring, etc.) or the like so as to suppress damage to the ball 38 .

The inclined surface 74b is part of the bottom surface of the deceleration section 74. As shown in FIG. The inclined surface 74 b is a surface that is connected to the ball supply port 75 and is positioned immediately inside the ball supply port 75 . The inclined surface 74b is inclined to the lower side Z1 toward the ball supply port 75 to such an extent that the medal M slides down.
Here, when a large amount of medals M are ejected, the medals M bounced off the pusher base 35 or the like may enter the inside of the ball supply port 75 . The inclined surface 74b allows the medal M that has entered in this way to slide down and be discharged from the ball supply port 75 onto the fixed table 35b.

(Ball supply port 75)
The ball supply port 75 is provided in the side wall 34d and is an opening through which the balls 38 are directed onto the fixed table 35b.
As shown in FIG. 14A, in the depth direction Y, the ball supply port 75 is arranged at the same position as the easily movable region 61a.

(Motion of ball 38 ejected from ball supply port 75)
As shown in FIG. 14(B), the ball 38 advances toward the right side X2 from the end of the spiral descending path 73d, and exits from the ball supply port 75 toward the right side X2. After dropping onto the fixed table 35b, the ball 38 moves while rolling to the right side X2 and stops within the easily movable area 61a, or drops and stops within the easily movable area 61a.
In other words, the size, material, etc. of the deceleration projection 74a determine the movement speed of the ball 38 that has moved down the spiral descent path 73d. It is set to decelerate to the extent that it is within. The setting of the deceleration projection 74a may be appropriately changed according to the characteristics of the game machine, such as the size of the ball 38 and the speed of the ball 38 when exiting the spiral descent path 73d.
When the game machine 1 was actually manufactured as a prototype, it was confirmed that the provision of the deceleration projection 74a has the effect of stopping the ball 38 ejected from the ball supply port 75 within the easily movable area 61a. Also, when the deceleration projection 74a is not provided, the ball 38 reaches the opposing wall of the side wall 34d on the left side X1 because the speed is increased by the spiral descent path 73d.

Further, the height from the fixed table 35b to the ball supply port 75 is set so that the falling speed of the ball 38 can be stopped within the ball stop range. A height H75 from the fixed table 35b to the bottom of the ball supply port 75 is, for example, 30 mm or more and 50 mm or less.
That is, if the position of the ball supply port 75 is too high, the balls 38 will again become too fast due to the action of gravity. Also, if the ball 38 falls on the medal M on the fixed table 35b at too high a speed, it bounces in too irregular directions, making it difficult to move in the direction of the easily movable area 61a. Also, if the position of the ball supply port 75 is too low, the medals M bounced off the fixed table 35b are likely to enter the ball supply port 75, which is not preferable.

In this manner, the game machine 1 of the embodiment can stop the ball 38 ejected from the ball supply port 75 of the side wall 34d within the easy movement area 61a, which is the target position in the game specification. Therefore, the game machine 1 does not need to provide a large arm, rail or the like for guiding the ball 38 on the fixed table 35b. Therefore, the play area F1, which is an area for playing a game, can be made neat without being complicated.
As shown in FIG. 8, the mass release device 25 releases a large amount of medals M from the upper side Z2 of the fixed table 35b to a range including the ball stop range on the upper surface of the fixed table 35b. Since the game machine 1 of the embodiment does not require the arms, rails, etc., it does not interfere with the ejection of such a large amount of medals M.
On the other hand, since the conventional game machine is equipped with the arm, the rail, etc., the play area F1 is complicated, and when a large amount of the medals M are released, the medals M collide with the arm, the rail, etc. and become an obstacle. Ta.

(Timing of ball supply)
In the embodiment, when the number of medals collected in the collection cylinders 36L and 36R reaches a certain number (for example, about 100), the controller 96 rotates the spiral screw 71b to collect one ball 38. It is supplied on a fixed table 35b. The display unit 20 may display the ratio of the amount of collected medals M to the fixed number of medals M using a gauge or the like.
Further, when the number of medals reaches a certain number, the control section 96 may play a game using the display section 20 and supply balls on condition that the player wins the game.
However, the method of supplying the balls can be appropriately set according to the specifications of the game machine 1. For example, each time the medals M are collected one by one, the spiral screw 71b is rotated by a certain angle so that the inside of the ball lifting device 71 is , the ball 38 may rise little by little.
Further, the ball lifting device 71 lifts the ball 38 to the upper part of the lifting guide rail 71a, holds the ball 38 so as not to move to the bridge rail 72 by the lock mechanism, and locks the lock mechanism when the ball is supplied. The release may move the ball 38 to the bridge rail 72 .

[Lottery processing associated with winning a prize]
8, 16 to 18, etc., the slot lottery process associated with winning a chucker prize will be described.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart of lottery processing associated with winning a chucker prize in the embodiment.
17 and 18 are diagrams for explaining the slot screen 80 of the display unit 21 during the slot lottery process of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 96 controls three chuckers 90R (first winning hole), chucker 90G (second winning hole), and chucker 90B (second winning hole) provided on the inclined surface 35c of the pusher base 35. ), the slot screen 80 (see FIG. 17) is displayed on the display unit 21 (see FIG. 1), and slot lottery processing (profit giving lottery processing) is performed. In other words, the control unit 96 grants the player the right to execute the slot lottery according to the chucker win. In embodiments, this right is also referred to as stock.
The edges of the chucker 90 are colored with red (R), green (G), and blue (B) indicating attributes of the chucker 90G. In the embodiment, the color attributes of these chuckers 90 are also referred to as winning colors.
Inside each chucker 90, a detection unit (optical sensor or the like) for detecting the medal M that has won is provided.

The control section 96 can determine which chucker 90 the medal M has won based on the outputs of these detection sections. As a result of the slot lottery, when the lottery is won, the controller 96 ejects the medals M corresponding to the lottery result onto the pusher table 35 from the injection devices 34L and 34R and supplies them. The number of medals to be supplied is, for example, 50 when the variable symbol is "777", 30 when three identical odd numbers other than "7" are aligned, and three identical even numbers. When they are lined up, they are 10 or the like.
When the medals M are supplied onto the pusher base 35, the medals M (M2) and the ball 38 on the fixed table 35b are likely to fall into the acquisition hole 37.例文帳に追加Therefore, winning in the slot lottery process is profitable for the player.

As shown in FIG. 17A, the control unit 96 displays the slot screen 80 on the display unit 21 during the slot lottery.
The slot screen 80 includes a variation display portion 81 , a stock display portion 82 , and a lottery executed stock display portion 83 .
The variable display unit 81 displays numbers 0 to 9 in three display areas in order to display the result of the lottery. A winning combination in the slot lottery corresponds to a combination of these three numbers.

The stock display unit 82 displays information on the stock owned by the player as a stock figure 85 (85R, 85G, 85B). In the embodiment, the stock graphic 85 is a circular graphic having colors corresponding to winning colors. 17 and 18 show the colors of the stock graphic 85 by indicating the colors "R, G, B" in the stock graphic 85. FIG. The stock figures 85 are displayed side by side from the left side X1 toward the right side X2 in order of winning, and the stock of the stock figure 85 arranged on the leftmost side X1 is drawn. In FIGS. 17 and 18, the stock acquisition order corresponding to each stock graphic 85 is indicated by branch numbers. The stock display section 82 displays up to ten stock figures 85 .
The lottery execution stock display section 83 displays a stock figure 85 of the stock for which the lottery is currently being executed.

For example, FIG. 17(A) shows a scene where the stock corresponding to the stock graphic 85R-0 is consumed from the state of having 10 stocks and the slot lottery is being performed.
Therefore, the stock figure 85R-0 is displayed in the lottery executed stock display portion 83. FIG. Also, the number of stock figures 85 displayed on the stock display portion 82 is reduced from ten to nine.

(Flow of slot lottery process)
The flow of the slot lottery process will be described with the progress of the game shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 as an example.
As shown in FIG. 16, in S1, the control section 96 determines whether or not the medal M has been won based on the output of the detection section of the chucker 90 . If the control unit 96 determines that a prize has been won (S1: YES), it proceeds to S2, and if it determines that a prize has not been won (S1: NO), it proceeds to S1a.
In S1a, the control unit 96 refers to the storage unit 95 to determine whether or not there is stock. If the control unit 96 determines that it has stock (S1a: YES), it proceeds to S5, and if it determines that it does not have stock (1a: NO), it repeats the processing from S1.

In S2, the control unit 96 determines winning probability information corresponding to each prize by executing a lottery for winning probability information. Information about winning probability information is stored in the storage unit 95 .
Winning probability information is information on winning probability used in slot lottery (S5 described later). Winning probability information has, for example, three types of information: high probability, medium probability, and low probability. The higher the probability, the easier it is to win a role with a large number of supplied medals, and the lower the probability of losing, which is advantageous for the player.

In S3, the control unit 96 associates the winning color with the winning probability information determined in S2, and stores them in the storage unit 95 as a stock. As a result, each time the chucker 90 wins, a plurality of stocks are stored in the storage unit 95 in order of winning. Note that the maximum stock number of the storage unit 95 is 10, which is the number corresponding to the stock display unit 82, and the control unit 96 does not store 11 or more stocks in the storage unit 95. Therefore, even if a new prize is won when the stock reaches 10, it is not profitable for the player.

In S4, the control unit 96 displays the stock graphic 85 corresponding to the stock in response to storing the stock in the storage unit 95. FIG. As a result, the stock graphic 85 is displayed on the stock display portion 82 each time the chucker 90 wins. Also, by checking the stock graphic 85, the player can confirm that the stock is in stock (that is, that the stock is in the storage unit 95) and the winning color.

In S5, the control unit 96 displays the stock graphic 85 arranged on the leftmost side X1 so as to move to the lottery execution stock display unit 83, and performs slot lottery processing for the stock corresponding to this stock graphic 85. . Winning probability information (for example, high probability) associated with the stock is used in the slot lottery process. Furthermore, the control unit 96 erases the stock for which the lottery was performed from the storage unit 95 .
As a result, stocks are consumed in order of winning, and slot lottery processing corresponding to each stock is sequentially performed.
As shown in FIG. 17B, the control unit 96 erases the stock figure 85R-0 for which the slot lottery was performed from the lottery execution stock display unit 83 in response to displaying the lottery result on the variation display unit 81. do. As a result, the player can confirm the information on the slots consumed for the slot lottery process.

In S6, the control unit 96 determines whether or not the lottery result of S5 was a winning. When the control unit 96 determines that the prize has been won (S6: YES), the process proceeds to S7. On the other hand, if it determines that the prize has not been won (S6: NO), the processing from S1 is repeated.
In S7, the control unit 96 performs winning processing. That is, the control unit 96 controls the ejection devices 34L and 34R to supply the medals M corresponding to the winning number onto the pusher base 35 .

In FIG. 17B, 50 cards have been won in the slot lottery of the stock (each first lottery right) corresponding to the stock figure 85R-0 (first right display of each first lottery right). 96 supplies fifty medals M onto the pusher base 35 .
In S8, the control unit 96 refers to the storage unit 95 to determine whether or not there is a stock of the same winning color as the stock won in S6 (another first lottery right). judge. If the control unit 96 determines that there is stock of the same winning color (S8: YES), it proceeds to S9, and if it determines that there is no stock of the same winning color (S8: NO). , S1 are repeated to draw a lottery for the slot for the next stock.

In S9, the control unit 96 performs combo processing (batch profit giving processing) for stocks of the same winning color. Combo processing is performed in the following order.
(1) As shown in FIGS. 17(C) and 18(A), the stock graphic 85R-3 in the stock display section 82 is moved to the lottery execution stock display section 83. FIG. In addition, the stock display unit 82 moves the stock graphic 85 displayed on the right side X2 of the stock graphic 85R-3 so as to fill up the empty space accompanying the movement of the stock graphic 85R-3.
Also, the stock corresponding to the stock figure 85R-3 is erased from the storage unit 95. FIG.
When this stock is erased, the number of stocks in the storage unit 95 decreases, and the number of stocks that can be newly stored increases.

(2) Display "Stock Combo! 50 pieces x 2" on the display section 21, and regarding the stock corresponding to the stock graphic 85R-3 moved to the lottery executed stock display section 83 in (1) above, the same as S7. Election processing is performed. In other words, the ejection devices 34L and 34R are controlled to supply 50 medals M onto the pusher table 35 as in the case of FIG. 17(B).
(3) The stock figure 85R-3 is erased from the lottery execution stock display section 83 in accordance with the end of medal supply.

In this way, when the lottery result for the stock graphic 85R-0 is a win, the control unit 96 processes it as a win without performing the slot lottery process for the stock graphic 85R-3.
Further, in this case, the control unit 96 selects the same number of medals M as the lottery result of the stock of the stock graphic 85R-0 regardless of the winning probability information (for example, low probability) associated with the stock of the stock graphic 85R-3. is supplied onto the pusher base 35. In other words, even if there is winning probability information associated with the stock of the stock graphic 85R-3, the lottery result of the stock of the stock graphic 85R-0 is transferred to the stock of the stock graphic 85R-3 without using this information. By reflecting it, medal supply processing can be performed with respect to the stock of the stock graphic 85R-3.
In addition, the control unit 96 performs the processes (1) to (3) above regarding the display of the stock graphic 85R-3, thereby supplying medals related to the stock graphic 85R-3 following the stock graphic 85R-0. The player can be notified that the

(4) When the supply of medals for the stock graphic 85R-3 is completed, the control unit 96 refers to the storage unit 95 again to determine whether or not there is stock of the same winning color as the stock won in S6. do. When the control unit 96 determines that there is stock of the same winning color, the above processing (1) to (3) is repeated again.

In the example of FIG. 18A, a stock figure 85R-8 of the same color as the stock figure 85R-0 is displayed. Therefore, there is a stock of the same color as the stock won in S6.
As shown in FIG. 18(B), therefore, the control unit 96 performs the same processing as (1) to (3) above regarding the stock corresponding to the stock graphic 85R-8.
In this way, in the combo process, when there are a plurality of stocks of the same winning color, stock display, medal supply, etc. are sequentially performed, so that it can be produced as if it is interlocked with the first winning.

(5) After the medal supply processing of the stock figure 85R-8, there is no stock of the same winning color as the stock won in S6.
As shown in FIG. 18C, therefore, the control unit 96 repeats the processing from S1 for the stock of the stock graphic 85G-1.

Although the above process has been described with respect to the stock associated with the winning of the chucker 90R, the stock associated with the winning of the chucker 90G and the chucker 90B is similarly processed.

In this way, when the lottery result of the slot lottery is winning, the game machine 1 collectively processes the stock of the same winning color as the winning stock as winning without performing the slot lottery. This saves playing time.
That is, in a form in which batch processing is not performed unlike the embodiment, if the time until the slots are stopped in one lottery process is, for example, 5 seconds, the stock graphics 85R-3 and 85R-8 of the above example are used. It takes 10 seconds extra for the processing of .
Also, even if the maximum number of stocks is 10 or the like, batch processing will result in a sufficient margin for the remaining number of stocks. This is beneficial to the player as it reduces the chances of the winnings being wasted.
Furthermore, the game machine 1 supplies the medals M for a plurality of times of winning to the pusher base 35 when one slot lottery is won, so that the player's motivation to play can be improved.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, various modifications and changes can be made within the technical scope of the present invention. be. Moreover, the effects described in the embodiments are merely enumerations of the most suitable effects produced by the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments. It should be noted that although the configurations of the above-described embodiments can be used in part or in combination as appropriate, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(deformed form)
(1) In the embodiment, the lottery device is used for lottery related to mass release, but it is not limited to this. For example, the lottery device may be used for lottery (event type lottery, etc.) for generating various events of the game.

(2) In the embodiment, the lottery device uses roulette for lottery, but is not limited to this. For example, the lottery device may determine the winning result according to the timing at which the ball is accommodated in the accommodation unit. good.

(3) In the embodiment, the mass ejection device has shown an example of ejecting medals, but it is not limited to this. The mass ejection device may be a device (game media ejection unit) that ejects game media (spheres such as balls, capsules, etc.) different from medals.

(4) In the above embodiments, the control section similarly ejects medals from the ejection device regardless of whether the lever is tilted toward the front side or the back side, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit may change the interval of the medal ejection time (that is, the number of medals ejected per unit time) according to the operation on the front side or the back side of the lever. In this case, the player can take a strategy such as changing the amount of medals supplied to the pusher table, for example, according to the state of the medals placed on the pusher table. In addition, the control unit may change the ejection speed of medals, for example, according to the operation of the lever on the front side or the back side. In this case, the speed at which the left hopper and the right hopper feed medals may be changed.
Further, the control unit is arranged so that when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot, it is possible to select whether the medal is to be ejected immediately or whether to be stored as a credit medal in the storage unit. Credit medals may be consumed and medals may be ejected from the ejection device according to the operation. In this mode, the player can choose how they want to play.

(5) In the embodiment, an example is shown in which the direction of ejecting medals from the ejection opening of the mass ejection device is shifted in the left-right direction when ejecting a large amount of medals, but the present invention is not limited to this. The discharge direction from the discharge port may be at least one of the horizontal direction and the other direction. For example, the mass discharge device includes a motor (with a rotation axis in the horizontal direction, etc.) that moves the discharge port in the vertical direction, and the control unit controls the motor in accordance with the tilting operation of the lever in the depth direction to move the discharge port. can be moved vertically.

(6) In the embodiment, the recovery cylinder has a flat surface and a raised surface as the easy drop portion and the hard drop portion, but the present invention is not limited to this. The easy-to-drop portion and the hard-to-drop portion may have a form in which the easiness of medal collection changes according to the rotational movement of the collection tube. For example, the easy drop portion may have a form in which the drop surface is extended to the outer periphery of the recovery tube without the flat surface. Further, the difficult-to-fall portion may be a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the recovery cylinder above the fixed table.

(7) In the embodiment, the deceleration section has deceleration protrusions for decelerating the ball, but the present invention is not limited to this. The deceleration section may include other members as long as they can decelerate the ball. For example, a sheet material having a rough surface may be provided to increase the rolling resistance of the ball.

(8) In the embodiment, the resistance imparting member is a screw, but it is not limited to this. The resistance imparting member may be any member as long as it imparts resistance to movement of the medal. The resistance imparting member, for example, a sheet material having different surface roughnesses on a part of the surface of the fixed table may be used.
Further, in the game machine, the reciprocating table may be provided with the easy-moving area and the difficult-to-move area by providing the reciprocating table with the resistance imparting member.

(9) In the embodiment, the control unit executes a lottery according to the win of the chucker to determine the winning probability information (high probability, medium probability, low probability, etc.), but it is not limited to this. . In addition to this lottery, the control unit performs an additional right lottery for determining whether or not to grant additional rights (for example, the right to supply 10 additional medals to the pusher table when winning the slot lottery). may be executed. If the grant of the additional right is successful, the control unit may associate the additional right with the stock and store them in the storage unit.
This additional right may not disappear in combo processing. In other words, in the example of the embodiment, when the stock of the stock graphic 85R-3 and the additional right are associated, the control unit controls the stock of the stock graphic 85R-3 during combo processing based on the stock graphic 85R-0. In addition to the 150 medals, 10 medals for additional rights may be added and supplied to the pusher table. As a result, the player does not lose the benefits related to the additional rights.

(10) In the embodiment, in the combo process, an example is shown in which processes such as stock graphic movement and medal supply are sequentially performed for each stock of the same winning color, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the combo processing, the total number of medals corresponding to all the stocks of the same winning color may be simultaneously supplied without moving the stock figure with respect to the stock of the same winning color. In this case, the processing time for combo processing can be further shortened.

(11) In the embodiment, the game machine that performs combo processing of stocks of the same prize color is a medal pusher game machine, but it is not limited to this. For example, in a game machine such as a pachinko machine, combo processing may be performed by assigning a stock attribute to each win. Further, the present invention may be applied to an electronic game machine that has a display section such as a liquid crystal display device and allows game media to enter a winning slot on the display section.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Game machine 10... Lottery device 11... Ball 12... Inclined surface 14... Storage part 14a... 1st opening-and-closing arm 14b... 2nd opening-and-closing arm 14c... Ball detection part 15, 15A-15D... Dotted protrusion 15a... Upright surface 15b Slope 16 Obstruction projection 16a Curved surface 16b Slope 17 First arm 18 Second arm 19 Model table 20 Lottery unit 20a Roulette 21 Display unit 25 Mass release device 25b Mass release port 31L Left inlet 31R Right inlet 31a Detector 32L Left lever 32R Right lever 34L Left injection device 34R Right injection device 34b Ejection port 34d Side wall 35 Pusher base 35a Reciprocating table 35b Fixed table 36L Left recovery tube 36R Right recovery tube 37 Acquisition hole 37a Detector 38 Ball 39 Dispensing port 41 External medal hopper 42 Internal medal hopper 43b Discharge hopper 52 Notch 55 Tube main body 55a Drop surface 55b Flat surface 55c Raised surface 55h Recovery hole 56 Ball guard 59 Driving unit 60 Screws 61, 61a, 61b Easily movable area 62 Hardly movable area 70 Ball supply device 71 Ball lifting device 71a Elevation guide rail 71b... spiral screw 71c... ascending blade 71e... transparent cover 72... bridge rail 73... ball descending device 73c... descending vane 73d... spiral descending path 74... deceleration part 74a... deceleration projection 74b... inclined surface 75... ball supply port 85... stock Figures 90, 90R, 90G, 90B... Chucker 95... Storage section 96... Control section F0 to F6... Play area M... Medal M1... External medal M2... Internal medal S15... Gap St, St1 to St6... Station

Claims (7)

a pusher base comprising a fixed table having a horizontal surface on which medals are placed; and a reciprocating table for gradually moving the medals on the fixed table by reciprocating on the fixed table;
a medal collection unit provided at the edge of the tip of the fixed table in the medal moving direction,
The medal collection unit
an easy-falling portion, which is a portion of the fixed table from which medals can be easily recovered;
a difficult-to-fall portion, which is a portion where medals on the fixed table are more difficult to collect than the easy-to-fall portion;
a driving unit that rotates the medal collection unit around a vertical axis to change a portion of the fixed table that is continuous with the edge of the tip of the fixed table in the medal moving direction between the easy-falling portion and the hard-falling portion. Medal pusher game machine. The medal collection unit includes a collection hole for collecting medals,
The easy drop portion has an easy drop surface that is continuous with the surface of the fixed table and continuous with the recovery hole without protruding from the surface of the fixed table,
2. The medal according to claim 1, wherein the difficult-to-fall portion has a protruding surface that is continuous with the surface of the fixed table and that protrudes from the surface of the fixed table to a greater extent toward the recovery hole side. Pusher game machine. The shape of the medal collecting part is a cylinder whose hollow part forms a collecting hole for collecting medals,
The fixed table has an arc-shaped cutout corresponding to the outer surface of the cylinder,
3. The medal pusher game machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The wall portion of the fixed table in the direction orthogonal to the direction of medal movement is not provided with a drop hole through which medals fall,
The medal pusher game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the medal collecting section is provided so as to continue from the wall section in the medal moving direction. The fixed table is a game medium different from the medal, and a ball larger than the diameter of the medal is placed so as to be movable according to the movement of the medal,
The medal collecting section is provided above the easy-dropping section and the difficult-to-drop section, and is provided at a position where the height from the fixed table is smaller than the diameter of the ball, and the ball is placed above the easy-dropping section and the difficult-to-drop section. 4. The medal pusher game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a ball guard that prevents the ball from reaching the falling part. The medal collection unit is exposed upward in an area where the medal game is played so as to be visible to the player,
a detection unit that detects the medals collected by the medal collection unit;
The medal pusher game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a control section that advances the game in response to detection of medals by the detection section. Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said medal recovery section is provided at the edge of the tip of said fixed table in the medal moving direction and at both ends in the orthogonal direction which is the direction orthogonal to the medal moving direction. The medal pusher game machine according to any one of .

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