JP7349968B2 - gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

Conventionally, gaming machines (pachinko gaming machines) have been known that include a gaming area in which game balls (gaming media) move and fire the gaming balls into the gaming area in response to operations by a player. This type of gaming machine has a starting winning hole as a detection area for detecting game balls in the gaming area, and when it is detected that a gaming ball has entered the starting winning hole, a special lottery is held and a changing symbol is displayed on the display device. is started, and when the result of the special lottery is a jackpot, the symbols are stopped and displayed in a specific manner. Then, the gaming state is shifted to a special gaming state, and in the special gaming state, multiple jackpot games are executed, and for each jackpot game, the big winning opening provided in the gaming area is operated to open state, and the opening to the big winning opening is operated. The game ball is paid out in accordance with the entry of the game ball.

In this type of gaming machine, an operating section that is used to hold or remove the glass unit is provided at the top of the back of the opening/closing door that forms the front of the gaming machine, but the rear end of this operating section is However, there is a device in which the opening/closing door is in contact with the front surface of the game board when it is closed, so that even if the glass unit is pushed or tapped, it does not affect the game (see Patent Document 1) ).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-20809

However, in such gaming machines, the gaming board can be protected when it is attached to the gaming machine, but it cannot be protected when the gaming board is removed from the gaming machine. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a game machine that can protect the game board and improve the interest of the game.

(1) The present invention is a game machine that includes a game board that forms a predetermined area in which a game ball moves, and that fires the game ball into the predetermined area in response to a player's operation, An outer rail that guides the game ball at least from the left side to the upper side of a predetermined area, an inner rail that guides the game ball inside the outer rail, and a game ball that does not return to the area between the outer rail and the inner rail. a return prevention valve provided on the game board, and a return prevention valve mounting part to which the return prevention valve is attached; The distance between the first most front part that is the most forward position and the reference surface is defined as a first distance, and the distance between the second most front part that is the most forward position in the return prevention valve mounting part provided on the game board and the reference surface is defined as a first distance. The present invention relates to a gaming machine characterized in that when the second distance is defined as the first distance, the first distance is shorter than the second distance.

In the present invention, each part of the game board is provided so that the first distance is shorter than the second distance to prevent damage to the return prevention valve, so that the game ball moves as designed. It can be done.

(2) Further, in the present invention, a gap is formed between the return prevention valve and the back side of the predetermined area, and the distance between the return prevention valve and the reference surface is determined by the body of the game nail provided in the predetermined area. It may be made longer than the diameter of the section.

In the present invention, the return prevention valve can be prevented from coming into contact with the back side of the predetermined area, so that the return prevention valve can operate smoothly and can be prevented from damaging the back side of the predetermined area.

(3) Further, in the present invention, the outer rail is provided with a guide portion that guides the outer rail to a mounting position of the game board, and the outer rail provided on the game board is closest to the game media launcher. The range from the starting end to the leftmost part of the outer rail provided on the game board is defined as the first range, and the range from the leftmost part to the uppermost part of the outer rail provided on the game board is defined as the first range. If the range from the top to the top is defined as the second range, and the range from the top to the end of the outer rail provided on the game board is defined as the third range, then the number of guide parts is , the first range may be larger than the second range, and the second range may be larger than the third range.

In the present invention, the number of guide parts is increased in the part near the launching device where the impact from the game media is large and where accuracy is particularly required in the arrangement of the outer rail. By preventing vibrations and vibrations, the game ball can be made to move as designed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the interest of the game.

1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing the state where the front frame of an embodiment of the present invention is opened. 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a game board according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a glass unit of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing the process of attaching the glass unit to the front frame of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a part of a game board according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a sectional view of a part of the game board of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a game board according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the outer rail of embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged side sectional view of the upper part of the game board of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that this embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in this embodiment are essential components of the present invention.

1. Configuration of Gaming Machine FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to the present embodiment. The gaming machine of this embodiment is for playing games using gaming balls (gaming media) lent from a gaming parlor, and includes an outer frame 2 (frame body) forming the outer surface of the gaming machine, and A game board 6 that is provided inside and forms a game area 4 in which game balls move, a main body 7 that holds the game board 6 and various control boards inside the game machine, and a player can visually recognize the game area 4. It also includes a glass unit 8 that makes contact impossible, and a front frame 10 (door body) formed to surround the gaming area 4 at the front of the gaming machine. The front frame 10 forms a front frame opening 11 in a range corresponding to the gaming area 4 so that the player can see the gaming area 4, and a glass unit is installed from the back side so as to close the front frame opening 11. 8 is attached to form the front surface of the gaming machine together with the glass unit 8.

A part of the front frame 10 is made of a semi-transparent material through which light passes, and inside the part made of the semi-transparent material, there are a plurality of lights that output lighting to enliven the game. A lighting lamp is provided for the performance. Further, the front frame 10 is provided with a speaker 14 that outputs effects such as sounds to enliven the game.

In addition, an upper tray 16 for storing game balls is provided at the center of the lower part of the front frame 10, and on the left side of the inner surface of the upper tray 16, game balls are distributed from the gaming machine to the player. A dispensing port 18 for dispensing is provided. Further, a handle 20 is provided on the lower right side of the front frame 10, and when the player rotates the handle 20 clockwise toward the game machine, a firing device (not shown) provided inside the game machine is activated. is activated, and game balls are launched into the game area 4. The firing device of this embodiment can fire 99 game balls per minute (1.65 balls per second).

A supply port 22 for supplying game balls from the upper tray 16 to the firing device is provided on the right side of the inner surface of the upper tray 16. Further, below the upper tray 16, a lower tray 24 is provided for storing surplus game balls when the upper tray 16 cannot store all the game balls.

Further, in the center of the front side of the upper plate 16, a production input device 25 (performance operation means) composed of buttons, a handle, etc. is provided, and when a player operates the production input device 25, the game machine The performance that will be performed will change.

Here, the front frame 10 is rotatably attached to the outer frame 2 about a frame rotation axis 26 along the left side of the front frame 10 and the left side of the outer frame 2. When the key is inserted into the cylinder lock 27 provided on the right side of the upper plate 16 and rotated in one direction, the lock is released and the front frame 10 can be opened relative to the outer frame 2. .

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the front frame 10 is open with respect to the outer frame 2. As shown in FIG. 2, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the main body 7, on which the gaming board 6 and various control boards are provided, also rotates relative to the outer frame 2 and the front frame 10 about the frame rotation axis 26. The front frame 10 can be opened with respect to the outer frame 2 and the main body 7, and the main body 7 can be opened with respect to the outer frame 2.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the external configuration of the game board 6 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the game board 6 is provided with an arcuate outer rail 28, and the area surrounded by the outer rail 28 is the game area 4 in which the game balls move. Further, at the left end of the game area 4, an inner rail 30 is provided in an arc shape along the outer rail 28. A game ball fired from the device is guided to a game area 4.

Furthermore, a game board opening 31 is formed in the center of the game board 6, and on the back side of the game board opening 31, a liquid crystal display 32 (effect image display means) that displays effect images to enliven the game. is provided. A first effect 34 (movable object) is provided at the upper part of the front side of the liquid crystal display 32, and the first effect 34 has a reference position (first state) shown in FIG. 3 and a reference position. It is possible to operate (displace) between the operation position (second state) in which it moves downward and covers a part of the display area of the liquid crystal display 32 (second state). In addition, a second effect 36 (movable object) is provided at the lower part of the front side of the liquid crystal display 32, and the second effect 36 has a reference position (first state) shown in FIG. It is possible to operate (displace) between the operation position (second state) in which it moves upward and covers a part of the display area of the liquid crystal display 32 (second state). Parts of the first performance 34 and the second performance 36 are made of a translucent material that allows light to pass through, and inside the part made of the translucent material, there is a part that enhances the game. A plurality of lighting lamps are provided to output lighting for lighting purposes.

In this embodiment, the game ball cannot pass through the front side of the game board opening 31, and the game ball fired from the firing device is either in the game area 4 on the left side of the game board opening 31 or in the game board opening 31. It is designed to fall through the game area 4 on the right side of the screen. A large number of game nails 39 are nailed into the game area 4 so as to intersect with the surface of the game board 6, so that the moving direction of the game ball moving in the game area 4 changes randomly.

In addition, a left opening 40 is formed in the left side game area 4, through which a game ball falling in the left side game area 4 can pass. It is designed to fall onto a stage 44 provided at the bottom of 4. The upper surface of this stage 44 is a smooth curved surface, and a gap is formed between the stage 44 and the glass unit 8 so that the game ball can fall downward from the stage 44, and fall onto the stage 44 from the passage 42. After the game ball moves back and forth from side to side on the stage 44, it falls downward from near the center of the stage 44.

A first starting prize opening 46 is provided below the center of the stage 44, into which a game ball that has fallen downward from near the center of the stage 44 can enter. This first starting prize opening 46 has a built-in sensor (detection means) that detects that a game ball has entered, and is configured so that when a game ball enters, the game ball is collected inside the gaming machine. 1 Each time a game ball enters the starting prize opening 46, a predetermined number of game balls (a prescribed number of 1 or more, for example 3) are paid out to the player, and a random value is obtained to determine whether or not the jackpot has been won. A special lottery will be held to determine the

Further, in the gaming area 4 on the right side, there is provided a passage gate 48 through which game balls pass through without being collected inside the gaming machine. This passage gate 48 has a built-in sensor that detects when a game ball has passed through, and every time a game ball passes through the passage gate 48, a normal lottery is held to obtain a random value and determine whether the game ball has won or not. .

Further, in the gaming area 4 on the right side, a second starting prize opening 50 is provided below the passage gate 48, through which the gaming ball is collected inside the gaming machine when the gaming ball enters. This second starting prize opening 50 has a built-in sensor (gaming medium detecting means) that detects that a game ball has entered the second starting winning opening 50, and is in a reduced state in which it is difficult for the game ball to enter the second starting winning opening 50 (no assistance is provided for entry). A normal accessory 52 (auxiliary means) is provided which includes an auxiliary member that can operate between the expanded state (state/non-assistance state) and the enlarged state (state/auxiliary state that assists entry) in which the game ball can easily enter. The normal accessory 52 has a built-in driving device such as a solenoid that operates an auxiliary member, and is controlled to be in an enlarged state under predetermined conditions when a normal prize is won in a normal lottery. Each time a game ball enters the second starting prize opening 50, a predetermined number (one or more prescribed number, for example, one) of game balls is paid out to the player, and a random value is obtained to win the jackpot. A special lottery will be held to determine the winner.

In addition, the number of game balls paid out to the player each time a game ball enters the first starting prize opening 46, and the number of gaming balls paid out to the player each time a gaming ball enters the second starting prize opening 50. may be the same number or different numbers.

Further, in the gaming area 4 on the right side, there is provided a grand prize opening 54 through which the gaming balls are collected inside the gaming machine when the gaming balls enter. This big prize opening 54 has a built-in sensor that detects that a game ball has entered, and is provided with a special accessory 56 that includes a plate-like member that blocks the big prize opening 54. It is configured to be operable between an open state in which a game ball can enter the prize opening 54 (first state, enterable state) and a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter (second state, enterable state). There is. The special accessory 56 has a built-in drive device such as a solenoid that operates a plate-like member, and is controlled to be in an open state under predetermined conditions in a special game state that starts when a jackpot is won in a special lottery. Ru. Each time a game ball enters the big prize opening 54, a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls are paid out to the player.

Further, at the lowest part of the gaming area 4, an out opening 62 is provided for collecting game balls that have fallen from the gaming area 4 without entering any of the winning openings into the inside of the gaming machine.

The game ball launcher is configured such that the ejection force of the game ball is changed by adjusting the rotation amount of the handle 20 shown in FIG. 1, and when the rotation amount of the handle 20 is small, the left side The game ball is shot so that it falls down the game area 4, and when the amount of rotation of the handle 20 is large, the game ball is shot so that it falls down the right side game area 4.

Therefore, the player adjusts the amount of rotation of the handle 20 according to the game situation, and allows the game ball to fall through the left side game area 4 or pass through the left opening 40, the passage 42, and the stage 44 before starting the first start. You can launch the game ball so that it enters the winning hole 46 (left-handed hit), or the game ball falls down the right side game area 4 and passes through the passage gate 48, or the second start winning hole is used. The game ball is fired so that the game ball enters the winning hole 50 or the game ball enters the big prize opening 54 (right-handed hit).

In addition, in the game machine of this embodiment, when the game ball falls through the left side game area 4, the game ball does not pass through the passage gate 48, and the game ball does not pass through the passage gate 48, and the game ball enters the second starting prize opening 50 or the grand prize opening 54. If the ball does not win and the game ball falls down the right side game area 4, the game ball will not win in the first starting prize opening 46.

In addition, at the lower right of the game board 6 and outside the game area 4, there is a status display device that indicates various statuses of the game machine, such as the results of the regular lottery, the results of the special lottery, and the game status, by lighting and extinguishing lights such as lamps. 70 are provided.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the glass unit 8 removed from the front frame 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the glass unit 8 includes a transparent plate-shaped glass plate 80 and a resin glass frame 82 surrounding the glass plate 80. A protrusion 84 is provided so as to protrude downward from the bottom of 82 . Further, extending surfaces 86 are provided on the left and right sides of the upper part of the glass frame 82 so as to extend upward from the upper part of the glass frame 82.

As shown in FIG. 5, a support surface 88 that supports the bottom of the glass unit 8 is formed at the lower end of the front frame opening 11 of the front frame 10 to which the glass unit 8 is attached. is provided with a receiving portion 90 that forms a receiving space that receives the protrusion 84 of the glass unit 8 with the support surface 88 supporting the bottom of the glass unit 8 . Each of the left and right receiving parts 90 restricts the movement of the glass unit 8 so that the glass unit 8 is positioned at an appropriate position with respect to the front frame 10 while receiving each of the left and right protrusions 84. do.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, rectangular holding members 92 are provided on the left and right sides of the upper back surface of the front frame 10, and each of the left and right holding members 92 is attached to the front frame 10. It is attached rotatably about an axis perpendicular to the glass surface of the glass unit 8. Each of the left and right holding members 92 comes into contact with the extended surface 86 of the glass unit 8 and holds the glass unit 8 when the holding member 92 faces downward, and when the holding member 92 faces sideways, , a release state occurs in which the glass unit 8 is released without contacting the glass unit 8.

When attaching the glass unit 8 to the front frame 10, as shown in FIG. . Then, while the holding member 92 is in the released state, the upper part of the glass unit 8 is brought into contact with the upper part of the front frame 10, and the holding member 92 is rotated from the released state to the held state. Then, the glass unit 8 can be fixed to the front frame 10 so that the upper part of the front frame 10 and the holding member 92 sandwich the extending surface 86 of the glass unit 8. In this way, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the glass unit 8 can be attached to or removed from the front frame 10 while the front frame 10 is open with respect to the outer frame 2.

2. Details of Game Board FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper left part of the game board 6 shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 6, in the game board 6 of this embodiment, game nails 39 are nailed to the surface of the acrylic board 100 that forms the back side of the game area 4 (the back side of the predetermined area).

Further, a front decoration part 102 that decorates the game area 4 is provided on the surface of the acrylic board 100, and a game ball can pass between the front decoration part 102 and the surface of the acrylic board 100.

Furthermore, an inner rail 30 is provided on the surface of the acrylic board 100. At the end of the inner rail 30, a return prevention valve attachment part 106 is attached with a return prevention valve 104 for preventing the game balls in the game area 4 from returning to the area between the outer rail 28 and the inner rail 30. is provided.

In detail, the return prevention valve 104 is made of a thin metal plate-like member, and is tilted in the direction of movement of the game ball fired from the firing device, while being tilted in the area between the outer rail 28 and the inner rail 30. It is set up so as to block about half of the area. When the game ball fired from the firing device collides with the return prevention valve 104, the return prevention valve 104 is bent to open, and the game ball fired from the firing device passes through the return prevention valve 104. It is possible to move to the gaming area 4 from the area between the outer rail 28 and the inner rail 30. On the other hand, even if the game ball moving in the game area 4 collides with the return prevention valve 104, it will not be able to pass through the return prevention valve 104 and will not return to the area between the outer rail 28 and the inner rail 30. ing.

Further, the return prevention valve 104 is provided so that a gap is formed between the return prevention valve 104 and the surface of the acrylic board 100 so as not to contact the surface of the acrylic board 100, through which the game ball fired from the firing device passes. While ensuring that the return prevention valve 104 operates smoothly at each time, the surface of the acrylic plate 100 is not damaged. Specifically, in this embodiment, the distance d0 between the return prevention valve 104 and the surface of the acrylic board 100 is longer than the diameter (1.25 mm) of the body of the game nail 39.

Further, on the near side edge of the inner rail 30, a fraud prevention rubber 108 (elastic part) is provided to prevent a player from committing fraud by inserting a piano wire or the like into the gaming area 4. When the front frame 10 is closed, no gap is created between the inner surface of the glass plate 80 and the inner rail 30.

Furthermore, an outer rail attachment portion 608 to which the outer rail 28 is attached is provided at the outer edge of the surface of the acrylic plate 100. A protrusion 110 is provided on the front surface of the outer rail mounting portion 608 and protrudes 1 mm forward from the surrounding area, and is provided between the inner surface of the glass plate 80 and the protrusion 110 when the front frame 10 is closed. This ensures that no gaps occur. As shown in FIG. 3, one protrusion 110 is provided at each of the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right of the game board 6, that is, at four locations on the outer peripheral side of the game area 4. There is. Note that each of the four protrusions 110 is integrally molded with a resin component on which each of the four protrusions 110 is provided.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the upper left part of the game board 6 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, in the game board 6 of this embodiment, the distance d1 (first distance) between the frontmost part (first front part) of the return prevention valve 104 and the surface of the acrylic plate 100 is 16 mm. The distance d2 between the frontmost part of the first portion 112 of the inner rail 30 to which the anti-tampering rubber 108 is attached and the surface of the acrylic plate 100 is 16.5 mm. The distance d3 (second distance) between the surface of the acrylic plate 100 and the acrylic plate 100 is 18 mm. The distance d4 between the front part of the anti-tampering rubber 108 and the surface of the acrylic plate 100 is 18.5 mm, and the distance d5 between the frontmost part of the anti-tampering rubber 108 and the surface of the acrylic plate 100 is 22 mm.

Further, the distance d6 between the frontmost part of the game nail 39 and the surface of the acrylic board 100 is 18 mm. Furthermore, the distance d7 between the front surface of the outer rail attachment part 608 and the surface of the acrylic plate 100, the distance between the front surface of the front decoration part 102 shown in FIG. The distance between the front surface of the acrylic plate 100 and the surface of the acrylic plate 100 is also 18 mm. The distance d8 between the frontmost part of each of the four protrusions 110 and the surface of the acrylic plate 100 is 19 mm.

In this embodiment, when the front frame 10 is closed, the glass plate 80 covers the front of the game board 6, but the distance from the surface of the acrylic plate 100 to the inner surface of the glass plate 80 is 19 mm. Designed.

Therefore, when the front frame 10 is closed, the return prevention valve 104, the inner rail 30, the return prevention valve attachment part 106, the game nail 39, the outer rail attachment part 608, the front decoration part 102, the ordinary accessory 52, etc. Although the four projections 110 do not contact the inner surface of the glass plate 80, when the front frame 10 is closed, the four protrusions 110 come into contact with the inner surface of the glass plate 80 without applying pressure.

As a result, in this embodiment, the glass plate 80 is prevented from bending inward at four locations on the outer circumferential side of the game area 4, and various parts provided on the surface of the acrylic plate 100 are prevented from coming into contact with the glass plate 80. In this way, various parts provided on the surface of the acrylic plate 100 and the glass plate 80 can be prevented from being damaged.

In particular, since the return prevention valve 104 is constructed of a thin metal plate-like member as described above, it is likely to damage the glass plate 80, but since the distance d1 is 16 mm, the inner surface of the glass plate 80 This can prevent the inner surface of the glass plate 80 from being damaged or the return prevention valve 104 from being bent due to contact with the return prevention valve 104.

In addition, since the four protrusions 110 are the most forwardly protruding parts on the front surface of the game board 6 except for the anti-tampering rubber 108, the four protrusions 110 are the parts that protrude the most forwardly on the front surface of the game board 6. When placing the game board 6 on top of each other in a stacked state, or when placing the game board 6 face down on the floor for work in a game hall, the four protrusions 110 allow various types of damage provided on the surface of the acrylic board 100 to be performed. Various parts provided on the surface of the acrylic board 100 can be prevented from being damaged by preventing the parts from coming into contact with other game boards 6, the floor, etc.

In particular, the return prevention valve 104 is designed to operate smoothly each time a game ball fired from the firing device passes, as described above, so it has lower strength than the return prevention valve mounting part 106, but the distance d1 16 mm, and the distance d3 is 18 mm, so even if a foreign object gets caught when the game boards 6 are stacked or placed on the floor, they will return before the return prevention valve 104. Since the prevention valve mounting portion 106 comes into contact with foreign matter, it is possible to prevent the return prevention valve 104 from being damaged.

Moreover, when the front frame 10 is closed, the anti-tamper rubber 108 is pressed against the inner surface of the glass plate 80 and comes into contact with it in a bent state.

As a result, in this embodiment, a gap is prevented from occurring between the inner surface of the glass plate 80 and the inner rail 30, and a player is prevented from committing fraud by inserting a piano wire or the like into the gaming area 4. In addition, the anti-tamper rubber 108 also prevents the glass plate 80 from bending inward, preventing the glass plate 80 from coming into contact with the return prevention valve 104, inner rail 30, and return prevention valve mounting portion 106, and preventing the glass plate 80 from returning. It is possible to prevent the prevention valve 104, the inner rail 30, the return prevention valve mounting portion 106, and the glass plate 80 from being damaged.

Here, in this embodiment, as the gaming area 4 is expanded toward the outer circumferential side as the liquid crystal display 32 becomes larger, when the front frame 10 is closed, the inner rail 30 shown in FIG. Since the left part is covered by the left part of the front frame 10, the middle part of the inner rail 30 cannot be seen from the outside, but the starting and ending parts of the inner rail 30 cannot be seen from the outside even when the front frame 10 is closed. It is visible from. Therefore, even when the front frame 10 is in a closed state, the state of the tamper-proofing rubber 108 can be checked from the outside.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the game board 6 with the outer rail 28, outer rail mounting portion 608, and acrylic plate 100 disassembled. Note that the game board 6 and the outer rail attachment portion 608 may be configured integrally, or the outer rail 28 may be directly attached to the game board 6. As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of protrusions 612 are provided on a mounting surface 610 of the outer rail mounting portion 608 to which the outer rail 28 is mounted. On the other hand, the outer rail 28 is provided with a plurality of receiving parts 614 (positioning parts) that receive the corresponding protrusions 612 at positions corresponding to the plurality of protrusions 612. When the outer rail 28 is attached along the outer rail attachment part 608, the plurality of protrusions 612 are received by the plurality of receiving parts 614, so that the outer rail 28 is attached to the outer rail attachment position 608. The outer rail 28 is adapted to be positioned.

Thereby, in this embodiment, the outer rail 28 can be attached to an accurate position, and even if the game ball passes repeatedly, the outer rail 28 can be prevented from shifting or vibrating.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the outer rail 28. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the plurality of receiving portions 614 of this embodiment is formed as a long oval through hole along the length direction of the outer rail 28. As shown in FIG. The plurality of receiving portions 614 are provided not at the center of the outer rail 28 but at positions that are close to the acrylic plate 100 when the outer rail 28 is attached to the outer rail attachment portion 608. Note that the receiving portion 614 may be formed as a notch or a groove instead of a through hole.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side sectional view of the upper part of the game board 6. As shown in FIG. 10, the outer rail 28 is attached so as to be in close contact with the mounting surface 610, with the protrusion 612 being received in the receiving portion 614. The plurality of protruding parts 612 and the plurality of receiving parts 614 are provided at positions close to the acrylic board 100 as described above, so that game balls moving along the outer rail 28 do not come into contact with each other. There is.

In a state where the outer rail 28 is attached to the outer rail attachment portion 608, the outer rail 28 and the attachment surface 610 are inclined so that the outer rail 28 slightly descends toward the front. This makes it difficult for the game ball moving along the outer rail 28 to head forward.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the game board 6 with the outer rail 28 attached. As shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, the intervals between the plurality of protrusions 612 and the intervals between the plurality of receiving parts 614 are not equal.

Specifically, the first range R1 is defined as the range from the starting end S closest to the launcher to the leftmost part L of the outer rail 28 provided in an arc shape, and the range from the leftmost part L to the uppermost part L is the first range R1. If the range from the top U to the top U is the second range R2, and the range from the top U to the terminal end E is the third range R3, then the number of the plurality of protrusions 612 and the number of the plurality of receiving parts 614 There are 3 pieces in the first range R1, 2 pieces in the second range R2, and 0 pieces in the third range R3, and there are more pieces in the first range R1 than in the second range R2. The second range R2 is larger than the third range R3.

Further, if the range from the leftmost part L to the terminal part E is a fourth range R4, the number of the plurality of protrusions 612 and the number of the plurality of receiving parts 614 are two in the fourth range R4. The number is larger in the first range R1 than in the fourth range R4.

Further, if the range from the starting end S to the top U is a fifth range R5, the number of the plurality of protrusions 612 and the number of the plurality of receiving parts 614 are five in the fifth range R5. , the number is larger in the fifth range R5 than in the third range R3.

Further, if the range from the start end S to the midpoint M between the start end S and the end point E is defined as a sixth range R6, and the range from the midpoint M to the end point E is defined as a seventh range R7, a plurality of protrusions 612 and the number of the plurality of receiving parts 614 are 4 in the sixth range R6 and 1 in the seventh range R7, and the number in the sixth range R6 is larger than in the seventh range R7. It has become.

Further, the leftmost portion L and the topmost portion U are not provided with the protruding portion 612 and the receiving portion 614.

In this way, in this embodiment, the number of the plurality of protrusions 612 arranged and the By increasing the number of receiving portions 614, displacement and vibration of the outer rail 28 in the portion close to the launcher can be reliably prevented.

Furthermore, the stability of the outer rail mounting portion 608 is improved by not providing the protruding portion 612 and the receiving portion 614 in the portions corresponding to the leftmost portion L and the uppermost portion U where the width of the outer rail mounting portion 608 is narrow. This is to reliably prevent displacement and vibration of the outer rail 28 at the high portion.

As a result, in this embodiment, the trajectory of the game ball can be stabilized, and the game ball can enter each winning slot according to the designed value, so that fair games can be played as designed. .

On the other hand, in the portion near the end portion E where the impact received from the game ball is small and the impact on the game is small, by reducing the number of the plurality of protrusions 612 and the number of the plurality of receiving portions 614 arranged. This reduces the manufacturing cost of the outer rail 28 and the outer rail attachment portion 608, and also facilitates the work of attaching the outer rail 28 to the outer rail attachment portion 608.

Note that the number of the plurality of protruding parts 612 and the number of the plurality of receiving parts 614 are set to 3 in the first range R1, 2 in the second range R2, and 1 in the third range R3. Alternatively, the number may be 3 in the first range R1, 1 in the second range R2, and 0 in the third range R3, or 3 in the first range R1 and 3 in the second range R3. The number may be 1 in the range R2 and 1 in the third range R3, or 1 in the first range R1, 1 in the second range R2, and 0 in the third range R3. Alternatively, the number may be three in the first range R1, two in the second range R2, and three in the third range R3.

3. Functional Block FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine of this embodiment. The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by a control board including a main board 800 and a sub board 900. The main board 800 receives input signals from input means such as a passing gate sensor 802, a first starting winning opening sensor 804, a second starting winning opening sensor 805, a big winning opening sensor 806, a payout sensor 808, etc., and executes a game. Various calculations are performed to perform the calculation, and based on the calculation results, the operation of output means such as the normal accessory drive device 820, the special accessory drive device 822, and the payout device 824 is controlled.

Further, the sub-board 900 receives signals sent from the main board 800 and input signals from the effect input device switch 902, and performs various calculations to execute effects in accordance with the progress of the game. Based on the results, the operation of the performance devices 926 such as the performance display device 920, the audio device 922, the movable object drive device 924, etc. is controlled. In addition, the functions of each board such as the main board 800 and the sub-board 900 include hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), or RAM, and ROM. This is realized by software consisting of a given program stored in advance in, for example, a computer.

The main board 800 includes a random number generation means 840, a normal lottery means 842, a normal drive control means 844, a special lottery means 846, a game state transition control means 848, a special drive control means 850, a payout control means 852, a communication control means 854, It is configured to include a main memory 870.

The random number generation means 840 is means for generating random numbers for lottery, and is realized by a random number generator that generates hardware random numbers or a program that generates software random numbers. The software random number can be generated, for example, based on the count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts numerical values so as to cycle through a predetermined count range). Note that in this embodiment, "random value" includes not only a value that occurs randomly in a mathematical sense, but also a value that actually occurs even if the generation itself is regular, because the acquisition timing etc. are irregular. Also includes values that can function as random numbers.

The normal lottery means 842 obtains a random number value (random number value for lottery) from the random number generation means 840 based on a detection signal from the passage gate sensor 802 which is activated every time one game ball passes through the passage gate 48. Then, a normal lottery is conducted to determine whether or not the random number is a normal win based on the obtained random numbers.

The normal drive control means 844 controls the normal accessory drive device 820 so that the normal accessory 52 becomes enlarged under predetermined conditions when a winning is won in the regular lottery.

The special lottery means 846 is based on a detection signal from the first starting winning hole sensor 804 that is activated each time one game ball enters the first starting winning hole 46, or when one gaming ball enters the second starting winning hole 46. Based on the detection signal from the second start winning hole sensor 805 which is activated every time the winning hole 50 is entered, a random number value (random number for lottery) is obtained from the random number generation means 840, and a jackpot is determined based on the obtained random number value. In addition to determining whether or not the jackpot has been won, a special lottery is held to determine which of the plurality of jackpot symbols has won the jackpot.

The gaming state transition control means 848 performs a gaming state transition control process to shift the gaming state between a normal state, a special gaming state, a variable probability state, and a time saving state based on the establishment of a predetermined transition condition.

The normal state is a gaming state corresponding to an initial state among a plurality of types of gaming states, and it is possible to shift from the normal state to a special gaming state.

The special game state is started based on a jackpot being won in a special lottery in the normal state, variable probability state, or time saving state, and jackpot games are executed for a predetermined number of rounds (number of executions) according to the type of jackpot symbol. It will end when it is done. When the jackpot symbol is a variable probability symbol, the state is shifted to a variable probability state when the special game state ends, and when the jackpot symbol is a normal symbol, the state is shifted to a time saving state when the special game state is finished.

The variable probability state is a game state in which a special lottery is held so that the probability of winning a jackpot is higher than in the normal state, and a normal lottery is held so that the probability of winning a normal jackpot is higher than in the normal state. In addition, in the variable probability state, the time required for one special lottery and the time required for one regular lottery are shorter than in the normal state, so that the opportunity to execute the special lottery and the regular lottery can occur more frequently. controlled by. From the variable probability state, it is possible to shift to the special game state, but the state is terminated and shifted to the normal state on the condition that the number of times the special lottery has been held in the variable probability state reaches 9999 times. However, in the variable probability state, the probability of winning the jackpot in the special lottery is set to approximately 1/50, so the special gaming state will start before the number of times the special lottery has been held in the variable probability state reaches 9999, and the probability of winning the jackpot in the special lottery will be set to approximately 1/50. There is almost no transition to the normal state.

The time saving state is a game state in which a special lottery is held so that the probability of winning a jackpot is the same as in the normal state, but a normal lottery is performed so that the probability of winning a regular jackpot is higher than in the normal state. In addition, in the time saving state, the time required for one special lottery and the time required for one regular lottery are shorter than in the normal state, so that opportunities to execute the special lottery and regular lottery can occur more frequently. controlled by. From the time-saving state, it is possible to shift to a special game state, but on the condition that the number of times the special lottery has been held in the time-saving state reaches 100, the state is terminated and the state is shifted to the normal state.

The special drive control means 850 controls the drive of the special accessory drive device 822 so that the special accessory 56 is opened in a predetermined manner according to the type of jackpot symbol in each jackpot game in the special game state. conduct.

The payout control means 852 is based on the detection signal from the first starting winning hole sensor 804, the second starting winning hole sensor 805, or the big winning hole sensor 806, and corresponds to the number of prize balls predetermined for each detection signal. Control is performed to cause the payout device 824 to pay out the number of game balls to be paid out.

Communication control means 854 controls the transmission of signals to sub-board 900. Note that in the gaming machine of this embodiment, only unidirectional communication from the main board 800 to the sub board 900 is possible between the main board 800 and the sub board 900, and communication from the sub board 900 to the main board 800 is possible. Communication connections are made such that signals cannot be transmitted.

Next, the sub-board 900 will be explained. The sub-board 900 is configured to include a production control means 940 and a sub-memory 970.

The effect control means 940 controls the effect display device 920 based on the notification signal transmitted from the main board 800, the input signal from the effect input device switch 902, and the effect data stored in the sub-memory 970. It lights up or flashes a production lamp, displays a production image on the liquid crystal display 32, controls the audio device 922 to output production sound from the speaker 14, and drives the movable object drive device 924 to move a movable object. By controlling the performance device 926, such as by operating the game, a performance for enlivening the game or assisting the game is executed.

For example, in response to the occurrence of a game event such as winning of a game ball into the first starting winning hole 46 or the second starting winning hole 50, an operation on the effect input device 25, a change in the gaming state, special lottery effect processing, state presentation, etc. Perform processing, etc.

In the special lottery effect processing, the effect control means 940 causes the effect device 926 to execute a special variable effect that produces a special lottery based on the notification signal transmitted from the main board 800. In this embodiment, the effect control means 940 causes the special symbol image to be displayed in a variable manner on the liquid crystal display 32, and then stops and displays the special symbol image in a manner according to the result of the special lottery, and operates the character image on the liquid crystal display 32. A special variable effect is executed on the liquid crystal display 32 by displaying a variable effect image that changes the background image.

Here, in this embodiment, Premium Reach, Super Reach 1, Super Reach 2, Normal Reach, and No Reach are prepared as the execution types of the special variable performance, and the performance control means 940 selects the special variation performance based on the result of the special lottery. It is determined which of a plurality of execution types is to be used as the execution type of the variable performance. The special variation effects of each execution type differ in the display patterns of special symbol images and variation effect images, and the movement patterns of movable objects, as well as the probability of selection depending on the result of the special lottery and the time it takes from start to finish. The execution times are different. As a result, the special variation performance of each execution type is different in the degree of expectation for winning a jackpot and the degree of expectation for winning a probability variable symbol or a normal symbol when the special variation performance of each execution type is executed.

In addition, the performance control means 940 controls the movable object drive device 924 to move movable objects such as the first performance 34 and the second performance 36 as a special variable performance according to the progress of the special symbol image and the variable performance image. make it work. In detail, in this embodiment, the effect control means 940 (control means) controls the movable object drive device 924 such as a solenoid or a motor to cause the first effect 34 to fall from the reference position to the falling position, and The performance product 36 is raised from the reference position to the raised position, or the first performance product 34 or the second performance product 36 is returned to the reference position from the falling position or the raised position.

In the state production processing, the production control means 940 operates the character image on the liquid crystal display 32, changes the background image, and other functions based on the notification signal transmitted from the main board 800, depending on the current game state. A state presentation is performed that suggests the current game state to the player by making the animal move.

For example, when the current gaming state is the normal state, the performance control means 940 performs a performance state transition lottery under predetermined conditions, and selects which performance state to set the performance state to among a plurality of types of performance states. Determine. Then, the effect control means 940 causes the liquid crystal display 32 to display a normal state image according to the set effect state. In addition, when the current gaming state is a variable probability state, the performance control means 940 causes the liquid crystal display 32 to display a variable probability state image that suggests that the current gaming state is a variable probability state, and the current gaming state is If the current gaming state is in the time saving state, a time saving state image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 32 indicating that the current gaming state is the time saving state and showing the remaining number of times until the number of times the special lottery has been held reaches 100. When the current gaming state is a special gaming state, the liquid crystal display 32 indicates that the current gaming state is a special gaming state, and also displays a special gaming state image showing the number of rounds played and the number of remaining rounds. let

Furthermore, the effect control means 940 outputs a specific effect sound from the speaker 14 or displays a specific effect image on the liquid crystal display 32 based on the operation performed on the effect input device 25 at a predetermined timing. control to move objects and move movable objects.

4. Modifications The present invention is not limited to those described in the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible, and modifications will be introduced below. Note that the embodiments described above and various methods described below as modified examples can be employed in appropriate combinations as control methods for realizing the present invention.

First, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the protrusions 110 are provided at four locations on the outer circumferential side of the gaming area 4, but the protruding portions 110 are provided at predetermined locations on the inner circumferential side of the gaming area 4. It may be set as follows.

Further, in the embodiment described above, each of the four protrusions 110 is explained by giving an example in which each of the four protrusions 110 is integrally molded with the resin component on which each of the four protrusions 110 is provided, but one of the four protrusions 110 is Part or all of the part may be configured as a separate rubber part that is attached to a resin part.

Further, for example, in the vicinity of the area where game balls pass most frequently in the left side game area 4, a glass plate 80 is placed at a predetermined location on the inner peripheral side of the game area 4 with the front frame 10 closed. A rubber protrusion that comes into contact with the inner surface of the glass plate 80 may be provided to soften the impact when the game ball collides with the inner surface of the glass plate 80.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the distance d0 between the return prevention valve 104 and the surface of the acrylic plate 100 is longer than the diameter (1.25 mm) of the body of the game nail 39. The distance d0 may be longer than the diameter (2.5 mm) of the head of the game nail 39.

For example, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. The game balls fired from the device collide more frequently than the game nails 39 provided in other parts, and there is a risk that the game balls will break due to the impact of the collision.

Therefore, by making the distance d0 longer than the diameter of the head of the game nail 39, the broken game nail 39 is prevented from getting caught in the gap between the return prevention valve 104 and the surface of the acrylic plate 100, and It may also be possible to prevent the return prevention valve 104 from being damaged due to the game ball being fired with the game nail 39 caught in the gap between the return prevention valve 104 and the surface of the acrylic board 100. .

Further, the distance d0 may be made shorter than the diameter of the body of the game nail 39. In this case, since the gap between the return prevention valve 104 and the surface of the acrylic plate 100 is narrow, the game machine Although there is a risk that the surfaces of the return prevention valve 104 and the acrylic board 100 may come into contact due to misalignment during assembly, the broken game nail 39 should not be caught in the gap between the return prevention valve 104 and the surface of the acrylic board 100. be able to.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the return prevention valve mounting portion 106 is provided at the terminal end of the inner rail 30 has been described. The return prevention valve mounting portion 106 may be provided so that a gap is formed. That is, the inner rail 30 and the return prevention valve mounting portion 106 may be provided as one body or may be provided as separate bodies.

Further, in the above embodiment, the distance d4 between the frontmost part of the second portion 114 that covers the end of the anti-tampering rubber 108 of the inner rail 30 and the surface of the acrylic plate 100 is 18.5 mm. However, the distance d4 may be set to 18 mm, similar to the distance d3 between the frontmost part of the return prevention valve mounting portion 106 and the surface of the acrylic plate 100, or may be set to be shorter than the distance d3. It's okay.

2 Outer frame, 4 Game area, 6 Game board, 7 Main body, 8 Glass unit, 10 Front frame,
11 front frame opening, 14 speaker, 16 upper tray, 18 dispensing port, 20 handle,
22 supply port, 24 lower tray, 25 production input device, 26 frame rotation axis,
27 cylinder lock, 28 outer rail, 30 inner rail,
32 liquid crystal display, 34 first performance, 36 second performance,
40 left opening, 42 passage, 44 stage, 46 first starting prize opening,
48 Passage gate, 50 2nd starting prize opening, 52 Ordinary accessory, 54 Grand prize opening,
56 Special accessories, 62 Outlet, 70 Status display device

Claims (1)

a game board forming a predetermined area in which a game ball moves;
a game ball path through which game balls are guided through the upper end of the predetermined area;
a firing device that fires a game ball toward the predetermined area in response to a firing operation;
an arcuate outer rail portion that the game ball contacts in the predetermined area ;
an inner rail part that guides a game ball inside the outer rail part ;
a return prevention valve for preventing the game ball from returning to the area between the outer rail part and the inner rail part ;
comprising a return prevention valve mounting part to which the return prevention valve is attached;
A plane including the back side of the predetermined area is a reference plane,
The distance between the first frontmost part of the return prevention valve provided on the game board and the reference surface is a first distance,
If the distance between the second most forward part, which is the most forward part of the return prevention valve mounting part provided on the game board, and the reference surface is a second distance,
the first distance is shorter than the second distance,
The outer rail part is formed in a plate shape, and has a plurality of predetermined positioning parts that guide the game ball at least from the left side to the upper side of the predetermined area and enable positioning of the outer rail part ,
The end of the outer rail portion on the side of the launching device is a starting end ,
an end of the outer rail portion on a side remote from the launcher is a terminal end ;
The range from the starting end of the outer rail part to the leftmost part is a first range,
The range from the leftmost part to the top of the outer rail part is a second range,
If the range from the top of the outer rail part to the terminal end is defined as the third range,
the first range is narrower than the second range,
The terminal end of the outer rail part is located to the right of the top of the outer rail part ,
The leftmost and topmost parts of the outer rail part do not have the predetermined positioning parts,
The number of the predetermined positioning parts in each range is greater in the first range than in the second range, and greater in the second range than in the third range. A gaming machine with special features.

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