JP7487833B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

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

2. Description of the Related Art In gaming machines such as pachinko machines, there is a gaming machine in which the operation of an operating means is controlled based on the detection of a gaming ball by a detection means, and the gaming ball is caused to flow down by the operating means (Patent Document 1).

JP 2015-181572 A

However, the above-mentioned conventional gaming machines have a problem that there is room for improvement in terms of optimizing the flow of the gaming balls by the operating means . The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can optimize the flow of the gaming balls by the operating means .

In order to achieve this object, the gaming machine described in claim 1 is a gaming machine comprising a gaming ball launching device that launches gaming balls, a gaming area forming means that forms a gaming area into which the gaming balls launched by the gaming ball launching device flow down, a detection means that is disposed in the gaming area and detects the passage of the gaming balls, and an operation means that can be controlled in operation based on the detection of the passage of the gaming balls by the detection means, wherein the operation means is configured to be displaceable between a first position and a second position in the operation control, and includes a first forming section that allows the gaming balls to flow down when the first position is located, and a second forming section that can be controlled in operation based on the detection of the passage of the gaming balls by the detection means. and a second component part different from the first component part, and is configured to be able to make the flow-down pattern of the game balls in the first component part and the flow-down pattern of the game balls in the second component part different at least in a predetermined state that can occur when the first component part is positioned at the first position by the operational control, the gaming machine is configured so that game balls that have flowed down the first component part can flow down the second component part, and the operating means is configured so that the first component part and the second component part are formed of the same member, and the forming position of the first component part and the forming position of the second component part are shifted at least in the left-right direction .

According to the gaming machine of the first aspect, the operation means can optimize the flow of the gaming balls downward .

1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the path configuration device. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged front view of the path configuration device. 7A and 7B are partial cross-sectional views of the path configuration device taken along line VIIa-VIIa in FIG. 6. 8A and 8B are partial front views of the path configuration device in a range VIIIa of FIG. 6. 8A and 8B are partial front views of the path configuration device in a range VIIIa of FIG. 6. 8A and 8B are partial front views of the path configuration device in a range VIIIa of FIG. 6. 8A and 8B are partial front views of the path configuration device in a range VIIIa of FIG. 6. FIG. 3 is a partial front view of the game board in range XII of FIG. 2 . (a) is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the ROM in the main control device, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the first winning type counter and the jackpot type for special patterns, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the second winning random number counter and winnings for normal patterns. 11A to 11D are diagrams showing an example of detection of the passage of a ball through a normal winning opening (through gate) and a time-counted change in the state of an electric device. FIG. 11 is an exploded front perspective view of a game board in a second embodiment. 1A is a front view of the front unit, and FIG. 1B is a rear view of the front unit. FIG. FIG. 4A is a front view of the sorting unit, and FIG. 4B is a rear view of the sorting unit. 20(a) is a cross-sectional view of the sorting unit taken along line XXa-XXa in FIG. 19(a), and FIG. 20(b) is a cross-sectional view of the sorting unit taken along line XXb-XXb in FIG. 20(a). 20(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of the distribution unit taken along line XXb-XXb in FIG. 20(a). 11A to 11D are diagrams showing an example of detection of the passage of a ball in the detection device and a change in the state of the wing member over time. A cross-sectional view of the game board taken along line XXIII-XXIII in Figure 16(a). 23(a) and (b) are partial cross-sectional views of the winning port unit and the ball throwing unit taken along line XXIVa-XXIVa in FIG. 23. FIG. 13 is a partial front view of a game board in a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a partial front view of a game board in a fourth embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, with reference to Figs. 1 to 14, a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a "pachinko machine") 10 will be described. Fig. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10 in the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a front view of the game board 13 of the pachinko machine 10, and Fig. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10.

In the following explanation, the front side of the paper will be referred to as the front (front) side and the back side of the paper will be referred to as the rear (rear) side with respect to the pachinko machine 10 in the state shown in Figure 1. Also, with respect to the pachinko machine 10 in the state shown in Figure 1, the top side will be referred to as the upper (upper) side, the bottom side will be referred to as the lower (lower) side, the right side will be referred to as the right (right) side, and the left side will be referred to as the left (left) side. Furthermore, the arrows U-D, L-R, and F-B in the figure (see Figure 2, for example) indicate the up-down direction, left-right direction, and front-back direction of the pachinko machine 10, respectively.

As shown in Figure 1, the pachinko machine 10 comprises an outer frame 2, the outer shell of which is formed by wooden frames assembled into a roughly rectangular shape, and an inner frame 4, which is formed to roughly the same external shape as the outer frame 2 and is supported so as to be openable and closable relative to the outer frame 2. Metal hinges 18 are attached to the outer frame 2 at two locations, top and bottom, on the left side when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), in order to support the inner frame 4, and the inner frame 4 is supported so as to be openable and closable towards the front, with the side where the hinges 18 are provided serving as the axis for opening and closing.

A game board 13 (see FIG. 2) having numerous nails and winning holes 63, 64, etc. is attached to the inner frame 4 so that it can be detached from the back side. A pinball game is played by balls (game balls) flowing down the front of the game board 13. The inner frame 4 is also fitted with a ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) that launches balls into the front area of the game board 13, and a launch rail (not shown) that guides the balls launched from the ball launching unit 112a to the front area of the game board 13.

On the front side of the inner frame 4, there is a front door 5 that covers the upper side of the front, and a lower tray unit 15 that covers the lower side. Metal hinges 19 are attached to two places, top and bottom, on the left side when viewed from the front (see Figure 1) to support the front door 5 and the lower tray unit 15, and the front door 5 and the lower tray unit 15 are supported so that they can be opened and closed toward the front side, with the side where the hinges 19 are installed as the axis for opening and closing. The locks on the inner frame 4 and the front door 5 can be released by inserting a special key into the keyhole 21 of the cylinder lock 20 and performing a specified operation.

The front door 5 is fitted with decorative resin parts and electrical parts, and has a window 5c formed in a roughly elliptical shape at its center. A glass unit 16 having two glass sheets 8 is disposed on the rear side of the front door 5, and the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 16.

In the front door 5, an upper tray 17 for storing balls is formed in a roughly box-like shape that protrudes forward and has an open top, and prize balls and loan balls are discharged into this upper tray 17. The bottom surface of the upper tray 17 is formed with a downward slope to the right when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), and this slope guides balls dropped into the upper tray 17 to the ball launching unit 112a (see Figure 4). In addition, a frame button 22 is provided on the top surface of the upper tray 17. This frame button 22 is operated by the player, for example, when changing the stage of the performance displayed on the third pattern display device 81 (see Figure 2) or when changing the content of the Super Reach performance.

The front door 5 is provided with various light-emitting means such as lamps around it (for example, in the corners). The light-emitting means change and control the light-emitting state by lighting or blinking in response to changes in the game state such as when a jackpot is hit or when a certain reach is reached, and play a role in enhancing the presentation effect during the game. The periphery of the window 5c is provided with illumination units 29-33 incorporating illumination units such as LEDs. In the pachinko machine 10, these illumination units 29-33 function as presentation lamps such as jackpot lamps, and when a jackpot is hit or when a reach is reached, each illumination unit 29-33 lights up or blinks by lighting or blinking the built-in LEDs, thereby notifying that a jackpot is being hit or that the player is in the reach just before a jackpot. In addition, the upper left corner of the front door 5 when viewed from the front (see Figure 1) is provided with an indicator lamp 34 incorporating an illumination unit such as LED that can indicate when prize balls are being paid out and when an error has occurred.

A small window 35 is formed by attaching transparent resin to the underside of the right-side illumination section 32 from the back side so that the back side of the front door 5 can be seen, and the certificate stamps and the like affixed to the attachment space K1 (see Figure 2) on the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front of the pachinko machine 10. In addition, in order to create a more dazzling appearance, a plated member 36 made of chrome-plated ABS resin is attached to the area around the illumination sections 29-33 in the pachinko machine 10.

The ball lending operation unit 40 is disposed below the window 5c. The ball lending operation unit 40 is provided with a number display unit 41, a ball lending button 42, and a return button 43. When the ball lending operation unit 40 is operated with bills, cards, etc. inserted into the card unit (ball lending unit) (not shown) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10, balls are lent out according to the operation. Specifically, the number display unit 41 is an area where the remaining balance information of the card, etc. is displayed, and the built-in LED is lit to display the remaining balance in numbers as the remaining balance information. The ball lending button 42 is operated to obtain loan balls based on the information recorded on the card, etc. (recording medium), and loan balls are supplied to the upper tray 17 as long as there is a remaining balance on the card, etc. The return button 43 is operated when requesting the return of the card, etc. inserted into the card unit. In addition, in pachinko machines where balls are directly dispensed from a ball dispensing device to the upper tray 17 without going through a card unit, i.e., in so-called cash machines, the ball dispensing operation unit 40 is not necessary, but in this case, a decorative sticker or the like may be added to the installation part of the ball dispensing operation unit 40 to make the parts configuration common. It is possible to standardize pachinko machines that use a card unit and cash machines.

The lower tray unit 15, located below the upper tray 17, has a lower tray 50 in the center formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top for storing balls that cannot be stored in the upper tray 17. An operating handle 51 is provided on the right side of the lower tray 50, which is operated by the player to shoot the ball into the front of the game board 13.

The operating handle 51 contains a touch sensor 51a for permitting the operation of the ball launching unit 112a, a launch stop switch 51b for stopping the launch of balls while the switch is being pressed, and a variable resistor (not shown) for detecting the amount of rotation (rotation position) of the operating handle 51 by changes in electrical resistance. When the operating handle 51 is rotated clockwise by the player, the touch sensor 51a is turned on and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes in response to the amount of rotation, and the ball is launched with a strength (launch strength) corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor, thereby hitting the front of the game board 13 with a flight amount corresponding to the player's operation. When the operating handle 51 is not being operated by the player, the touch sensor 51a and the launch stop switch 51b are turned off.

A ball removal lever 52 is provided on the lower front part of the lower tray 50 to be operated when discharging the balls stored in the lower tray 50 downward. This ball removal lever 52 is always biased to the right, and by sliding it to the left against this bias, the bottom opening formed on the bottom surface of the lower tray 50 opens, and the balls fall naturally from the bottom opening and are discharged. This ball removal lever 52 is usually operated with a box (commonly called a "senryo box") placed below the lower tray 50 to receive the balls discharged from the lower tray 50. As mentioned above, the operating handle 51 is disposed on the right side of the lower tray 50, and an ashtray 53 is attached to the left side of the lower tray 50.

As shown in Figure 2, the game board 13 is constructed by assembling a number of nails (not shown) for guiding balls, a windmill, rails 61, 62, a general winning opening 63, a first winning opening 64, a second winning opening 640, a variable winning device 65, normal winning openings (through gates) 66, 67, a variable display unit 80, etc., to a base plate 60 machined into a roughly square shape when viewed from the front, and the peripheral portion of the board is attached to the back side of the inner frame 12 (see Figure 1).

The base plate 60 is made of a light-transmitting resin material and is formed so that the player can see the various structures arranged on the back side of the base plate 60 from its front side. The general winning opening 63, the first winning opening 64, the second winning opening 640, the variable winning device 65, and the variable display unit 80 are arranged in through holes formed in the base plate 60 by router processing, and are fixed from the front side of the game board 13 with tapping screws or the like.

The construction of the base plate 60 is not limited to resin materials. For example, it may be made of wood with thin plates glued together, and the various structures arranged on the back side of the base plate 60 may be formed so that they cannot be seen by the player from the front side.

The central front portion of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the inner frame 12 through the window portion 14c (see Figure 1) of the front frame 14. The configuration of the game board 13 will be described below, mainly with reference to Figure 2.

An outer rail 62 formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate into an approximately arc shape is set up on the front of the game board 13, and an arc-shaped inner rail 61 formed from a strip-shaped metal plate like the outer rail 62 is set up inside the outer rail 62. The inner rail 61 and outer rail 62 surround the front outer periphery of the game board 13, and the game board 13 and glass unit 16 (see Figure 1) surround the front and back, forming a game area in front of the game board 13 where games are played based on the behavior of the ball. The game area is an area (where prize holes and the like are arranged and where shot balls flow down) that is partitioned in front of the game board 13 and is formed by the two rails 61, 62 and the resin arc member 70 that connects the rails.

The above-mentioned play area is a narrow interpretation, and in a broader sense, the play area may be expressed as the area where the game balls flow down until the profit given to the player by the game balls that flow down is determined. In this sense, the play area is not limited to the area on the front side of the game board 13. For example, the path located upstream of the sensor SE described below is also included in the play area.

The two rails 61, 62 are provided to guide the ball launched from the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) to the top of the game board 13. A return ball prevention member 68 is attached to the tip of the inner rail 61 (upper left in FIG. 2), which prevents the ball once guided to the top of the game board 13 from returning to the ball guide passage again. A return rubber 69 is attached to the tip of the outer rail 62 (upper right in FIG. 2) at a position corresponding to the maximum flight part of the ball, and a ball launched with a certain amount of force or more hits the return rubber 69 and bounces back to the center while reducing its force. In addition, between the tip of the lower right side of the inner rail 61 and the tip of the upper right side of the outer rail 62, a resin arc member 70 formed with an arc on the inner side connecting the rails is driven into the base plate 60 and fixed.

The lottery based on winning will be explained in detail below. In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, a lottery for a special symbol (first symbol) is held when a ball wins a prize (a ball that is expected to give the player some kind of benefit (e.g., the payout of prize balls, the execution of a lottery, or the benefit of moving to a more favorable state)) in the first winning slot 64 or the second winning slot 640, and a lottery for a normal symbol (second symbol) is held when the ball passes through the normal winning slots 66, 67 (or the normal winning slot (through gate) 765 described later). In the lottery for a special symbol held for a ball that wins the first winning slot 64 or the second winning slot 640, a judgment is made as to whether or not the special symbol is a jackpot, and if a jackpot for a special symbol is determined, the type of jackpot is also determined.

In this pachinko machine 10, in a low probability state of the special symbol, for example, there is a 1 in 320 probability of a special symbol being determined to be a jackpot, and in a high probability state of the special symbol (also called a special symbol probability state), for example, there is a 1 in 60 probability of a special symbol being determined to be a jackpot. For ease of explanation, the lottery for the special symbol that is performed when the game ball that entered the first winning slot 64 is detected by the sensor SE described below is referred to as the "lottery for special symbol 1," and the lottery for the special symbol that is performed when the game ball that entered the second winning slot 640 is detected by a downstream sensor (not shown) is referred to as the "lottery for special symbol 2."

When a special symbol hits the jackpot, the pachinko machine 10 transitions to a special game state, and the specific winning port 65a, which is normally closed, is opened for a predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds have passed, or until 10 balls (the specified number) have entered), and this operation is repeated up to 15 times (15 rounds). As a result, a large number of balls enter the specific winning port 65a, and a larger number of prize balls are paid out than usual. Note that prize balls are paid out when balls enter the specific winning port 65a, and the number of balls paid out will be described later.

There are six types of jackpots for special symbols: "jackpot A," "jackpot B," "jackpot C," "jackpot a," "jackpot b," and "jackpot c." Details will be described later, but the number of rounds of the special game and the operation pattern of the electric device 640a after the special game ends are configured to differ depending on the jackpot type.

When a special pattern (first pattern) is drawn, the first pattern display device 37 starts displaying the special pattern, and after a predetermined time (e.g., 11 to 60 seconds) has elapsed, the special pattern showing the result of the drawing is displayed stationary. When a ball enters the first winning slot 64 or the second winning slot 640 while the first pattern display device 37 is displaying the variable display, the number of balls entering is reserved for each type of winning slot up to a maximum of four times, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the first pattern display device 37 and also by the third pattern display device 81. When the variable display by the first pattern display device 37 ends, if there are still reserved balls for the first winning slot 64 (reserved balls for special pattern 1) or the second winning slot 640 (reserved balls for special pattern 2), the next special pattern is drawn and the variable display corresponding to the lottery is started. In addition, if there are both reserved balls with special pattern 1 and reserved balls with special pattern 2 remaining, the lottery based on the reserved balls with special pattern 2 will be held first.

In this embodiment, if there are both reserved balls with special pattern 1 and reserved balls with special pattern 2 remaining, the lottery based on the reserved balls with special pattern 2 is executed preferentially, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the lottery may be executed preferentially in the order in which the special patterns are obtained (balls are scored), or the lottery may be executed alternately between special pattern 1 and special pattern 2, or the lottery may be executed simultaneously for special pattern 1 and special pattern 2.

In the lottery for the normal symbol (second symbol), a determination is made as to whether or not the normal symbol is a winning symbol. If the normal symbol is a winning symbol, the electric device 640a attached to the second winning hole 640 is driven for a predetermined time (for example, 0.2 seconds or 1 second), making it easier for the ball to enter the second winning hole 640. In other words, if the normal symbol is a winning symbol, it becomes easier for the ball to enter the second winning hole 640, and as a result, it becomes easier for the lottery for the special symbol to be drawn.

When the normal pattern (second pattern) is drawn, the second pattern display device 83 starts displaying the normal pattern, and after a predetermined time (e.g., 0.1 or 1 second) has elapsed, the normal pattern showing the lottery result is displayed stationary. If a ball passes through the normal winning slots 66, 67, 765 while the second pattern display device 83 is displaying the variable display, the number of passes is reserved up to a maximum of four times, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the first pattern display device 37 and is also shown by the second pattern reserved lamp 84. When the variable display by the second pattern display device 83 ends, if there are reserved balls remaining for the normal winning slots 66, 67, 765, the next normal pattern is drawn and the variable display corresponding to the lottery starts.

In this embodiment, as added value after a jackpot, the pachinko machine 10 is configured to transition to a high probability state of special symbols (special symbol probability change) from the end of the jackpot until the next jackpot (for example, jackpot A, jackpot B, jackpot a, jackpot b described below), and to a time-saving state of normal symbols after a jackpot game until 100 special symbol lottery draws are completed (for example, jackpot C, jackpot c described below).

In this embodiment, when a special symbol high probability state is granted after the end of a special game state, the high probability state of the special symbol is continued until the next big win is achieved. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the high probability state of the special symbol (high probability state) may be granted from the end of the special game state until 100 special symbol lotteries have been completed, and the normal state may be set after 100 special symbol lotteries have been completed.

The number of times the special symbol is drawn to give the special symbol a high probability state (high probability state) is not limited to 100 times. For example, it may be 50 times or 200 times.

In addition, the number of times the special symbols that result in the time-saving state of the normal symbols described above are drawn is not limited to 100 times. For example, it could be 50 times, 5 times, or even 0 times.

Here, "high probability state for special symbols" refers to a state in which the probability of a subsequent jackpot increases as an added value after the end of a jackpot, that is, during a so-called probability fluctuation (during a special jackpot), in other words, a game state in which it is easy to transition to a special game state. In this embodiment, the high probability state for special symbols (during a special jackpot) includes a game state in which the probability of a hit with a normal symbol (second symbol) does not change, but in which it is easy for the ball to enter the second winning slot 640. On the other hand, "low probability state for special symbols" refers to a time when the special symbol is not in a special jackpot, and refers to a state in which the jackpot probability is normal, that is, the jackpot probability is lower than during a special jackpot.

"Normal symbol time-saving state (time-saving state)" refers to a game state in which the probability of winning with a normal symbol does not change, but the ball is more likely to enter the second winning slot 640. "Normal state" refers to a game state that is not in a special symbol probability change state, nor in a normal symbol time-saving state (a state in which neither the probability of a jackpot nor the probability of winning with a normal symbol (second symbol) has changed, and it is not more likely that the ball will enter the second winning slot 640).

During the special symbol probability change or the normal symbol time reduction, the time for which the electric device 640a associated with the second winning hole 640 is opened is changed and set to a longer time than in the normal state. When the electric device 640a is in an excited state (excited state, a state in which the moving plate member 641 described later is placed in the front position and enters the first ball sending path KR1), the ball is more likely to enter the second winning hole 640 than when the electric device 640a is in a de-excited and withdrawn state (de-excited state, a state in which the moving plate member 641 described later is placed in the rear position and withdrawn from the first ball sending path KR1). Therefore, during the special symbol probability change or the normal symbol time reduction, the ball is more likely to enter the second winning hole 640. In other words, the special symbol lottery is more likely to be held.

In addition, during the special symbol probability change or the normal symbol time reduction, instead of changing the opening time of the electric device 640a associated with the second winning slot 640, or in addition to changing the opening time, the number of times that the electric device 640a opens when a normal symbol wins may be increased from the normal state.

In addition, during the special pattern's probability of winning or during the normal pattern's time-saving period, the probability of winning the normal pattern (second pattern) may be increased, and at least one of the time during which the electric device 640a associated with the second winning slot 640 is opened and the number of times the electric device 640a is opened may be changed.

In addition, during the special symbol probability change or the normal symbol time reduction, the time for which the electric device 640a associated with the second winning slot 640 is opened or the number of times the electric device 640a is opened may be left unchanged, and only the probability of winning the normal symbol (second symbol) may be increased compared to the normal state.

At the lower left side of the game area when viewed from the front (lower left side of FIG. 2), the first pattern display devices 37A and 37B are provided, each equipped with a plurality of LEDs as light-emitting means and a seven-segment display. The first pattern display devices 37A and 37B display information according to the controls performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and mainly display the game status of the pachinko machine 10. In this embodiment, the first pattern display devices 37A and 37B are configured to be used differently depending on whether the ball has entered the first winning hole 64 or the second winning hole 640. Specifically, when the ball has entered the first winning hole 64, the first pattern display device 37A is activated, while when the ball has entered the second winning hole 640, the first pattern display device 37B is activated.

The first symbol display devices 37A and 37B also use LEDs to indicate whether the pachinko machine 10 is in a special mode, a time-saving mode, or a normal mode, whether it is fluctuating, whether the stopped symbol corresponds to a special mode jackpot, a normal jackpot, or a miss, and the number of reserved balls, while the seven-segment display device displays the number of rounds during a jackpot and any errors. The multiple LEDs are configured to emit different colors (e.g., red, green, blue), and the combination of these colors can indicate various game states of the pachinko machine 10 with a small number of LEDs.

When a ball enters the first winning slot 64 or the second winning slot 640 while the special pattern (first pattern) is being displayed in a variable manner on the first pattern display device 37A, 37B, the number of balls entering each winning slot is reserved up to a maximum of four times, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the first pattern display device 37A, 37B and also by the third pattern display device 81. In this embodiment, the sensor SE located downstream of the first winning slot 64 and the second winning slot 640 are each configured to reserve balls up to four times, but the maximum number of reserved times is not limited to four, and may be set to three or less, or five or more times (e.g., eight times).

In this pachinko machine 10, a lottery is held when a prize is won at either the sensor SE located downstream of the first winning port 64 or the second winning port 640. In the lottery, the pachinko machine 10 determines whether or not there is a jackpot (jackpot lottery), and if it determines that there is a jackpot, it also determines the type of jackpot. The types of jackpots that can be determined here include a 15R variable jackpot, an 8R variable jackpot, a 4R normal jackpot, and a 15R normal jackpot. The first symbol display devices 37A, 37B not only show whether or not the result of the lottery is a jackpot as the stopping symbol after the fluctuation has ended, but also show a symbol according to the type of jackpot if there is a jackpot.

Here, a "15R special jackpot" refers to a special jackpot that transitions to a high probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 15, and an "8R special jackpot" refers to a special jackpot that transitions to a high probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 8.

A "4R normal jackpot" is a jackpot where the maximum number of rounds is 4, followed by a transition to a low probability state and a time-saving state for a specified number of variations (e.g., 100 variations), and a "15R normal jackpot" is a jackpot where the maximum number of rounds is 15, followed by a transition to a low probability state and a time-saving state for a specified number of variations (e.g., 100 variations).

The "high probability state" refers to a state in which the probability of a subsequent jackpot increases as an added value after the jackpot has ended, i.e., when the probability is fluctuating (during a high probability state), in other words, a gaming state in which it is easy to transition to a special gaming state.

The "low probability state" refers to a time when the probability of winning is not in a special probability state, and refers to a state in which the probability of winning a jackpot is normal, that is, a state in which the probability of winning a jackpot is lower than when the probability of winning a jackpot is in a special probability state. The time-saving state (during time-saving state) of the "low probability state" refers to a game state in which the probability of winning a jackpot is normal, and the operation pattern of the electric device 640a changes (or the probability of winning the second pattern (normal pattern) increases) while the probability of winning a jackpot remains the same, making it easier for the ball to win the second winning slot 640. On the other hand, when the pachinko machine 10 is in a normal state, it refers to a game state in which the probability of winning a jackpot is not in a special probability state, nor is the time-saving state (a state in which neither the probability of winning a jackpot nor the ease of winning the second winning slot 640 has increased).

During the special rate or time-saving period, not only does the probability of winning the second symbol increase, but the time that the electric device 640a associated with the second winning slot 640 is opened is also changed and set to a longer time than during normal play. When the electric device 640a is in an open state (open state), it is easier for the ball to win the second winning slot 640 than when the electric device 640a is in a closed state (closed state). Therefore, during the special rate or time-saving period, it is easier for the ball to win the second winning slot 640, and the number of times the jackpot lottery is held can be increased.

In addition, during the probability bonus or time-saving period, instead of changing the opening time of the electric role 640a associated with the second winning slot 640, or in addition to changing the opening time, the number of times the electric role 640a opens with one win may be increased compared to normal. Also, during the probability bonus or time-saving period, the probability of winning the second symbol may not be changed, and at least one of the time when the electric role 640a associated with the second winning slot 640 is opened and the number of times the electric role 640a opens with one win may be changed. Also, during the probability bonus or time-saving period, the time when the electric role 640a associated with the second winning slot 640 is opened and the number of times the electric role 640a opens with one win may not be changed, and only the probability of winning the second symbol may be changed to be increased compared to normal.

The play area is provided with multiple general winning holes 63 through which 5 to 15 balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball wins. A variable display unit 80 is also provided in the center of the play area.

The variable display unit 80 is provided with a third pattern display device 81 consisting of a liquid crystal display (hereinafter simply referred to as "display device") that displays a third pattern in synchronization with the display change in the first pattern display device 37A, 37B, triggered by a win (initial win) in either the first winning port 64 or the second winning port 640; a second pattern display device 83 consisting of an LED that displays a second pattern in synchronization with a ball passing through the normal winning port (through gate) 66, 67; and a second pattern reserved lamp 84 that indicates the number of reserved balls corresponding to the number of times the game ball has passed through the normal winning port 66, 67 by lighting it up.

In addition, a center frame 86 is arranged on the variable display device unit 80 so as to surround the outer periphery of the third pattern display device 81. The third pattern display device 81 can be seen through an opening in the center of this center frame 86.

The third pattern display device 81 is composed of a large 9-inch liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by the display control device 114 (see Figure 4), so that, for example, three pattern rows, top, middle, and bottom, are displayed. Each pattern row is composed of multiple patterns (third patterns), and these third patterns are scrolled horizontally for each pattern row, so that the third patterns are variably displayed on the display screen of the third pattern display device 81.

The third symbol display device 81 of this embodiment performs decorative display according to the display of the first symbol display device 37A, 37B, while the first symbol display device 37A, 37B displays the game status in accordance with the control of the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4). Note that the third symbol display device 81 may be configured using, for example, a reel instead of a display device.

In this embodiment, the third symbol is composed of 10 main symbols numbered "0" to "9". In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, if the result of the lottery for the special symbols performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, is a jackpot, a variable display in which the same main symbols line up (a variable display that finally stops with the same main symbols lined up) is performed, and the jackpot occurs (the transition to the special game state begins) after the variable display ends. On the other hand, if the result of the lottery for the special symbols is a miss, a variable display in which the same main symbols do not line up (a variable display that finally stops with the symbols not lined up) is performed.

For example, if the result of the special symbol lottery is a regular jackpot, a variable display will be displayed in which the main symbols with the even numbers "0, 2, 4, 6, 8" will line up. On the other hand, if the result is a special jackpot, a variable display will be displayed in which the main symbols with any of the numbers "0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9", including odd numbers, will line up. On the other hand, if the result of the special symbol lottery is a miss, a variable display will be displayed in which the main symbols with the same numbers do not line up.

Next, we will explain the display (right hit navigation) that is displayed on the third pattern display device 81 and encourages the player to aim for the path (flow path) on the right side of the game board 13 and shoot the ball.

In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, when the special symbol is in a high probability state or the normal symbol is in a time-saving state, the electric device 640a is more likely to guide the game ball, so that the ball can be more easily entered into the second winning hole 640 by shooting the ball to the right side of the game board 13 where the electric device 640a is located (hitting to the right). In addition, although details will be described later, when a jackpot is awarded by a lottery for a special symbol (lottery for special symbol 2) based on a ball entering the second winning hole 640, the jackpot is more likely to be awarded with the maximum number of prize balls (jackpot a, b, c) compared to when a jackpot is awarded by a lottery for a special symbol (lottery for special symbol 1) based on a ball entering the first winning hole 64.

Therefore, in the special symbol probability state that is granted after the end of a jackpot, or in the normal symbol time-saving state, hitting to the right is advantageous for the player. In other words, even if the special symbol probability state or normal symbol time-saving state is set, it is difficult for the player to get the ball into the second winning hole 640 unless the player hits to the right, and the player will not be able to fully enjoy the benefits of the special symbol probability state or the normal symbol time-saving state.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a specific image (right-hit navigation) is displayed when the special symbol is in a high probability state or the normal symbol is in a time-saving state, ensuring that the player can obtain the benefits of entering the special symbol's high probability state or the normal symbol's time-saving state.

In the right-hit navigation, the third symbol display device 81 displays the words "Aim to the right!!" along with three right-pointing arrows above and below the words. By displaying these words and arrows, the player is made to feel that he or she should shoot the ball into the path (flow path) provided on the right side of the game board 13. This allows the player to reliably obtain the benefits of entering the special symbol's high probability state and the normal symbol's time-saving state.

Next, an example of a warning image displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment will be described. This warning image is an image (right hit warning image) that is displayed on the third symbol display device 81 when it is determined that the player is making a right hit even though it is not the period in which the player should shoot the ball into the path (flow path) provided on the right side of the game board 13 (to make a right hit). More specifically, it is displayed when it is determined that the player is making a right hit in the normal state (a state in which the special symbol is not in a special bonus state, nor in a normal symbol time-saving state).

In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, the electric device 640a is controlled so that it is difficult to guide the ball to the second winning hole 640 in the normal state (even if a right hit is made, it is difficult to make the ball enter the second winning hole 640). For this reason, if a right hit is made in the normal state, there are fewer opportunities to win a special pattern compared to when a left hit is made to shoot the ball toward the first winning hole 64. In other words, if a right hit is made in the normal state, it is difficult to win a jackpot, which is a loss for the player. Therefore, the right hit warning image is displayed to encourage a left hit, so that it is possible to prevent (suppress) the player from incurring a loss.

If it is determined that the player is hitting with the right hand under normal conditions, the third symbol display device 81 will display the words "Warning" and "Play with your left hand!!" By displaying these words, the player can be made aware that they should not hit with the right hand (they should hit with the left hand). In addition, by checking for the presence or absence of a right hand warning screen, the hall staff can easily determine whether or not a player is playing in an irregular way by hitting with the right hand under normal conditions.

In this embodiment, the method for determining whether or not a right-handed hit is made is to determine whether or not the ball has entered the normal winning opening (through gate) 67 (see Figure 2), into which the ball can flow if a right-handed hit is made.

In this embodiment, when it is detected that a ball has entered the normal winning port (through gate) 67 (see FIG. 2) in the normal state, a right-hit warning image is displayed, but this is not limited to the above. For example, when it is detected that a ball has entered the specific winning port 65a in a state other than the special game state (jackpot state), it may be determined that an illegal game (not limited to a right-hit game, but including, for example, a game mode in which a load is applied to the variable winning device 65 to open the specific winning port 65a and the game ball is forcibly entered) is being played, and a right-hit warning image is displayed. This allows the hall staff to easily determine whether or not there is illegal play simply by checking whether or not there is a right-hit warning image.

In addition, for example, when it is detected that a ball has entered the specific winning port 65a in a state other than the special game state (jackpot state), a signal indicating that cheating is occurring may be output to the hall computer. This allows the operator of the hall computer to easily determine whether or not cheating is likely to be occurring and the machine number (location) of the pachinko machine 10 where the cheating is occurring.

For example, the right-side flow path of the variable display unit 80 may be narrowed to create an area through which the game ball must pass, and a detection sensor capable of detecting the passage of the game ball may be disposed in that area. In this case, it may be determined that a right-side hit is being performed based on the detection of the passage of the game ball by the detection sensor.

In addition, for example, a detection sensor may be provided that can detect the displacement of a movable member (e.g., a windmill) located to the left of the top position of the variable display unit 80 (corresponding to the center position in FIG. 2). In this case, when a game ball is being shot, it can be determined that a right shot is being performed based on the fact that no displacement of the movable member is detected even after the expected operation timing has passed.

Next, we will explain the warning image that is displayed when an abnormality is detected in the variable winning device 65. Here, an abnormality in the variable winning device 65 is, for example, when a ball is detected entering a specific winning hole 65a even though the special game state (jackpot state) is not in effect.

If it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the variable winning device 65, the word "Warning" is displayed in large letters in the center of the third symbol display device 81. In addition, the words "Please call a gate error attendant" are displayed below that. These letters enable the player to determine that an error has occurred in the pachinko machine 10, and so the player can promptly request repairs from the hall staff, etc.

The second symbol display device 83 performs a variable display in which a "circle" and an "x" symbol are alternately lit for a predetermined period of time as the display symbol (second symbol) each time the ball passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765. In the pachinko machine 10, when it is detected that the ball has passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765, a lottery is held to determine whether the second symbol will win. If the result of the lottery is a win, the second symbol display device 83 displays a static "circle" symbol after the second symbol is displayed. If the result of the lottery is a miss, the second symbol display device 83 displays a static "x" symbol after the second symbol is displayed.

The pachinko machine 10 is configured so that when the variable display on the second pattern display device 83 stops at a predetermined pattern (in this embodiment, a "circle" pattern), the electric device 640a attached to the second winning port 640 is activated (opened) for a predetermined period of time.

The time it takes for the second symbol to change display (change time) is set to be shorter during the special symbol's probability change or during the normal symbol's time-saving mode than during the normal game state. As a result, during the special symbol's probability change and during the normal symbol's time-saving mode, the second symbol's change display is performed in a short time, so more normal symbols (second symbols) can be drawn than during the normal state. This increases the chances of winning with the normal symbol, giving the player more opportunities to open the electric device 640a of the second winning slot 640. Therefore, during the special symbol's probability change and during the normal symbol's time-saving mode, it is possible to create a state in which it is easier for the ball to win the second winning slot 640.

Note that if the state is made such that it is easier for the ball to enter the second winning slot 640 during a special symbol probability change or during a normal symbol time-saving period, such as by increasing the probability of winning or by increasing the opening time or number of times the electric device 640a opens, the time it takes for the second symbol to change display may be constant regardless of the game state. On the other hand, if the time it takes for the second symbol to change display is set shorter during a special symbol probability change or during a normal symbol time-saving period than during the normal state, the probability of a normal symbol winning may be constant regardless of the game state, and the opening time or number of times the electric device 640a opens for one normal symbol winning may be constant regardless of the game state.

Normal winning ports (through gates) 66, 67 are attached to the game board in the areas on both sides of the variable display unit 80, and are configured to allow some of the balls that flow down the game board out of the balls that are shot onto the game board to pass through. In addition, normal winning port (through gate) 765 is arranged so that it can detect game balls that flow down the internal flow path of the path configuration device 700.

When the ball passes through the normal winning gate (through gate) 66, 67, 765, a lottery is held to determine whether the second symbol will win. After the lottery, a variable display is performed on the second symbol display device, and if the lottery result is a win, a "○" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol on the variable display, and if the lottery result is a miss, a "×" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol on the variable display.

The number of times that a ball passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765 is reserved up to a maximum of four times in total, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the above-mentioned first pattern display devices 37A, 37B and is also displayed by the second pattern reserved lamp 84. There are four second pattern reserved lamps 84, the maximum number of reserved balls, and they are arranged symmetrically below the third pattern display device 81.

The change in the second pattern may be displayed by switching on and off a number of lamps in the second pattern display device 83 as in this embodiment, or may be displayed using a part of the first pattern display devices 37A, 37B and the third pattern display device 81. Similarly, the second pattern hold lamp 84 may be lit by a part of the third pattern display device 81.

In addition, the maximum number of balls that can be reserved for passing through the normal winning openings (through gates) 66, 67, 765 is not limited to four times, but may be set to three times or less, or to five times or more (e.g., eight times). In addition, the number of normal winning openings (through gates) 66, 67 attached to the base plate 60 is not limited to two, but may be one, or any other number (e.g., three or more).

The installation positions of the normal winning openings (through gates) 66, 67 are not limited to both the left and right sides of the variable display unit 80, but may be, for example, either the left or right side of the variable display unit 80, or above or below the variable display unit 80. In addition, since the number of reserved balls is indicated by the first pattern display devices 37A, 37B, the second pattern reserved lamp 84 may not be illuminated.

A first winning hole 64 into which a ball can enter is disposed below the variable display unit 80. When a ball enters this first winning hole 64, a sensor SE serving as a first winning hole switch provided on the back side of the game board 13 turns on. When the first winning hole switch turns on, a lottery for a jackpot is held by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and a display according to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37A.

On the other hand, a second winning hole 640, into which a ball can enter, is disposed below the first winning hole 64 when viewed from the front. When a ball enters the second winning hole 640, a second winning hole switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 turns on. When the second winning hole switch turns on, a lottery for a jackpot is held by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and a display according to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37B.

In addition, when a ball enters the first winning port 64 and the second winning port 640, the sensor SE as the first winning port switch or the second winning port switch (each switch is arranged so that the flowing balls do not pass through consecutively) turns on, and five balls are paid out as prize balls (prize ball ports).

In this embodiment, the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the first winning port 64 is the same as the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second winning port 640. However, the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the first winning port 64 and the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second winning port 640 may be different, for example, the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the first winning port 64 may be three, and the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second winning port 640 may be five. Also, the number of prize balls and the size relationship of the number of prize balls may be reversed.

An electric device 640a is attached to the second winning opening 640. This electric device 640a is configured to be slidable, and normally the electric device 640a is in a non-energized state (retracted state), making it difficult for the ball to win the second winning opening 640. On the other hand, when the second pattern is displayed on the second pattern display device 83 as a result of the variable display of the second pattern, which is triggered by the passage of the ball through the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765, the electric device 640a is in an excited state (entering state), making it easier for the ball to win the second winning opening 640.

As mentioned above, during the special symbol's probability of winning and during the normal symbol's time-saving period, the probability of winning is higher than during the normal state, and the time it takes for the normal symbol to change is also shorter, so the "○" symbol may be made more likely to be displayed in the normal symbol's change display. In other words, the number of times the electric device 640a is in the open state (expanded state) increases. Furthermore, during the special symbol's probability of winning and during the normal symbol's time-saving period, the time for which the electric device 640a is open may be made longer than during the normal state.

During the special symbol probability change and during the normal symbol time reduction, it is possible to create an environment in which the ball is more likely to win a prize in the second prize winning slot 640 than in the normal state. On the other hand, the first prize winning slot 64 does not have an electric device like the second prize winning slot 640, and the ball can always win a prize.

Here, the probability of winning a jackpot when a ball enters the first winning slot 64 and when a ball enters the second winning slot 640 is the same in both low and high probability states. However, the probability of a jackpot (jackpot A, a, b, c) that can provide the maximum profit (number of winning balls in the special game state) as the type of jackpot selected in the event of a jackpot is set to be higher when a ball enters the second winning slot 640 than when a ball enters the first winning slot 64. On the other hand, the first winning slot 64 does not have the electric device 640a that the second winning slot 640 has, and the ball is always in a state where it can win a prize.

Therefore, during normal play, the electric device 640a associated with the second winning slot 640 is often in a non-energized state (retracted state), making it difficult to win at the second winning slot 640. Therefore, it is more advantageous for the player to aim for a big win by shooting the ball toward the first winning slot 64, which does not have the electric device 640a, so that the ball passes to the left of the variable display unit 80 (the so-called "left shot") and having the ball win at the first winning slot 64, thereby gaining more opportunities to win the big win lottery.

On the other hand, during the special symbol probability change or the normal symbol time reduction, the electric device 640a associated with the second winning port 640 is likely to be in an excited state (entry state) by passing the ball through the normal winning port (through gate) 66, 67, 765, making it easier to win at the second winning port 640. Therefore, it is more advantageous for the player to shoot the ball toward the side where the electric device 640a is located so that it passes to the right of the variable display device 80 (the so-called "right hit"), passing through the normal winning port (through gate) 67 to open the electric device 640a and aiming for a jackpot by winning at the second winning port 640.

In this way, the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment allows the player to change the way the ball is shot between "left hit" and "right hit" depending on the game state of the pachinko machine 10 (whether it is in a special mode, a time-saving mode, or a normal mode). This allows the player to have more fun playing the game because it allows them to change the way they hit the ball.

A variable winning device 65 is provided below the first winning opening 64, and a horizontally long rectangular specific winning opening (large opening) 65a is provided in the approximate center.

In the pachinko machine 10, when a jackpot is awarded in a lottery for a special symbol resulting from winning in the first winning slot 64 or the second winning slot 640, the first symbol display device 37A or the first symbol display device 37B is lit up to show the jackpot stopping symbol after a predetermined time (variable time) has elapsed. In addition, the stopping symbol corresponding to the jackpot is displayed on the third symbol display device 81 to notify the occurrence of the jackpot. After that, the game state transitions to a special game state (jackpot) in which the ball is more likely to win. In this special game state, the specific winning slot 65a, which is normally closed, is opened for a predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds have elapsed or until 10 balls (prescribed number) have won).

The opening and closing of this special winning port 65a can be repeated up to, for example, 15 times (15 rounds). The state in which this opening and closing is taking place is one form of a special game state that is advantageous to the player, and the player is paid out a larger number of prize balls than usual (in this embodiment, 15 balls based on the winning of one ball) as an added gaming value (game value).

Specifically, the variable winning device 65 comprises a horizontally long rectangular opening plate that covers the specific winning opening 65a, and a large opening solenoid (not shown) for driving the opening plate to open and close in the forward and backward directions. The specific winning opening 65a is normally in a closed state in which balls cannot or do not easily win. In the event of a big win, the large opening solenoid is driven to retract the opening plate to the rear, temporarily creating an open state in which it is easy for balls to win the specific winning opening 65a, and the device operates to alternate between this open state and the normal closed state.

The special game state is not limited to the above-mentioned form. A large opening that opens and closes separately from the specific winning opening 65a is provided in the game area, and when the LED corresponding to the big win is lit in the first pattern display device 37A, 37B, the specific winning opening 65a is opened for a predetermined time, and while the specific winning opening 65a is open, a ball enters the specific winning opening 65a, triggering the large opening provided separately from the specific winning opening 65a to be opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times, so that a game state can be formed as a special game state. Also, the number of specific winning openings 65a is not limited to one, and one or more than two (for example, three) may be arranged, and the arrangement position is not limited to the lower side of the first winning opening 64, but may be, for example, on the left or right side or upper side of the variable display unit 80.

The right corner of the lower side of the game board 13 is provided with an attachment space K1 for attaching stamps, identification labels, etc., and the stamps, etc. attached to the attachment space K1 can be seen through a small window 35 in the front frame 14 (see Figure 1).

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

The game board 13 has many nails planted in it to appropriately distribute and adjust the direction in which the balls fall, and various parts (gimmicks) such as windmills are also arranged on it.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rear side of the pachinko machine 1 is mainly equipped with control board units 90, 91 and a back pack unit 94. The control board unit 90 is unitized with a main board (main control device 110), a voice lamp control board (voice lamp control device 113), and a display control board (display control device 114). The control board unit 91 is unitized with a payout control board (payout control device 111), a launch control board (launch control device 112), a power supply board (power supply device 115), and a card unit connection board 116.

The back pack unit 94 is a unit consisting of the back pack 92, which forms the protective cover, and the payout unit 93. In addition, each control board is equipped with an MPU as a one-chip microcomputer that controls each part, ports for communicating with various devices, a random number generator used in various lotteries, a clock pulse generating circuit used for time counting and synchronization, etc. as necessary.

The main control device 110, the voice lamp control device 113 and the display control device 114, the payout control device 111 and the launch control device 112, the power supply device 115, and the card unit connection board 116 are each stored in the board boxes 100-104. The board boxes 100-104 each include a box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base, and the box base and the box cover are connected to each other to store the respective control devices and boards.

The board box 100 (main control device 110) and the board box 102 (dispensing control device 111 and launch control device 112) are connected to the box base and box cover by a sealing unit (not shown) so that they cannot be opened (connected by a crimping structure). A sealing seal (not shown) is attached to the connection between the box base and the box cover, spanning the box base and the box cover. This sealing seal is made of a brittle material, and if you try to peel off the sealing seal to open the board box 100, 102 or forcefully open the board box 100, 102, it will be cut into the box base side and the box cover side. Therefore, by checking the sealing unit or sealing seal, you can know whether the board box 100, 102 has been opened.

The payout unit 93 is equipped with a tank 130 located at the top of the back pack unit 94 and opening upward, a tank rail 131 connected to the bottom of the tank 130 and gently sloping toward the downstream side, a case rail 132 connected vertically to the downstream side of the tank rail 131, and a payout device 133 provided at the most downstream part of the case rail 132, which pays out balls using a specified electrical configuration of a payout motor 216 (see Figure 4). The tank 130 is successively replenished with balls supplied from the island equipment of the game hall, and the payout device 133 pays out the required number of balls as appropriate. A vibrator 134 is attached to the tank rail 131 to impart vibration to the tank rail 131.

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

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

The main control device 110 is equipped with an MPU 201, which is a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic device. The MPU 201 contains a ROM 202 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 201, a RAM 203 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 202, and various other circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission/reception circuit. In the main control device 110, the MPU 201 executes the main processes of the pachinko machine 10, such as the jackpot lottery, the display settings on the first pattern display devices 37A, 37B and the third pattern display device 81, and the lottery for the display results on the second pattern display device.

In addition, in order to instruct the sub-control devices such as the dispensing control device 111 and the voice lamp control device 113 to operate, various commands are sent from the main control device 110 to the sub-control devices via a data transmission/reception circuit, but such commands are sent only in one direction, from the main control device 110 to the sub-control devices.

RAM 203 has various areas, counters, and flags, as well as a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of MPU 201 and the return addresses of control programs executed by MPU 201 are stored, and a work area (working region) in which various flags, counters, I/O values, etc. are stored. Note that RAM 203 is configured so that it can retain (back up) data by receiving a backup voltage from power supply device 115 even after power to pachinko machine 10 is cut off, and all data stored in RAM 203 is backed up.

When the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, the stack pointer and the values of each register at the time of the power outage (including the occurrence of a power outage; the same applies below) are stored in RAM 203. On the other hand, when the power is turned on (including the power turned on when the power outage is resolved; the same applies below), the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power outage based on the information stored in RAM 203. Writing to RAM 203 is performed by main processing (not shown) when the power supply is turned off, and the restoration of each value written to RAM 203 is performed during start-up processing (not shown) when the power supply is turned on. Note that the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of MPU 201 is configured to receive a power outage signal SG1 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252 when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, and when the power outage signal SG1 is input to MPU 201, NMI interrupt processing (not shown) is immediately executed as a power outage processing.

The MPU 201 of the main control device 110 is connected to an input/output port 205 via a bus line 204 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input/output port 205 is connected to the payout control device 111, the sound lamp control device 113, the first pattern display device 37A, 37B, the second pattern display device, the second pattern reservation lamp, and solenoids 209 consisting of a large opening solenoid for driving the specific winning port 65a to open and close forward around the lower edge of the opening/closing plate as an axis, and a solenoid for driving the electric role-playing device, and the MPU 201 transmits various commands and control signals to these via the input/output port 205.

The input/output port 205 is also connected to various switches 208, which are made up of a group of switches (not shown) and a group of sensors including a slide position detection sensor S and a rotation position detection sensor R, and a RAM erase switch circuit 253 (described below) provided in the power supply device 115. The MPU 201 executes various processes based on the signals output from the various switches 208 and the RAM erase signal SG2 output from the RAM erase switch circuit 253.

The payout control device 111 drives the payout motor 216 to control the payout of prize balls and loan balls. The MPU 211, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 212 that stores the control program executed by the MPU 211, fixed value data, etc., and a RAM 213 that is used as a work memory, etc.

The RAM 213 of the payout control device 111, like the RAM 203 of the main control device 110, has a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 211 and the return addresses of the control programs executed by the MPU 211 are stored, and a work area (working area) in which the values of various flags, counters, I/O, etc. are stored. The RAM 213 is configured to be able to retain (back up) data by receiving backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power supply of the pachinko machine 1 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAM 213 is backed up. Note that, like the MPU 201 of the main control device 110, the NMI terminal of the MPU 211 is also configured to receive a power outage signal SG1 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252 when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, and when the power outage signal SG1 is input to the MPU 211, an NMI interrupt process (not shown) is immediately executed as a power outage process.

The MPU 211 of the payout control device 111 is connected to an input/output port 215 via a bus line 214 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The main control device 110, payout motor 216, launch control device 112, etc. are each connected to the input/output port 215. In addition, although not shown, a prize ball detection switch for detecting paid-out prize balls is connected to the payout control device 111. Note that the prize ball detection switch is connected to the payout control device 111, but is not connected to the main control device 110.

When the main control device 110 issues an instruction to launch a ball, the launch control device 112 controls the ball launch unit 112a so that the strength of the ball launch corresponds to the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51. The ball launch unit 112a is equipped with a launch solenoid and electromagnet (not shown), and the launch solenoid and electromagnet are permitted to operate when certain conditions are met. Specifically, the touch sensor 51a detects that the player is touching the operating handle 51, and on condition that the launch stop switch 51b for stopping the launch of the ball is off (not operated), the launch solenoid is excited in response to the amount of rotation (rotation position) of the operating handle 51, and the ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51.

The audio lamp control device 113 controls the output of audio from the audio output device (such as a speaker not shown) 226, the output of turning on and off the lamp display device (such as the illumination units 29-33 and the display lamp 34) 227, and the setting of the display mode of the third pattern display device 81 performed by the display control device 114, such as variable performance (variable display) and advance notice performance. The MPU 221, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 222 that stores the control program executed by the MPU 221, fixed value data, etc., and a RAM 223 used as a work memory, etc.

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

The voice lamp control device 113 determines the display mode of the third symbol display device 81 based on various commands (variation pattern command, stop type command, etc.) received from the main control device 110, and notifies the display control device 114 of the determined display mode by commands (display variation pattern command, display stop type command, etc.). The voice lamp control device 113 also monitors input from the frame button 22, and when the frame button 22 is operated by the player, instructs the display control device 114 to change the stage displayed on the third symbol display device 81 or change the performance content during a super reach. When the stage is changed, a back image change command including information about the changed stage is sent to the display control device 114 so that the third symbol display device 81 displays a back image corresponding to the changed stage. Here, the back image refers to an image displayed on the back side of the third symbol, which is the main image to be displayed on the third symbol display device 81. The display control device 114 displays various images on the third symbol display device 81 according to the command sent from this voice lamp control device 113.

The voice lamp control device 113 also receives a command (display command) from the display control device 114 that indicates the display content of the third pattern display device 81. Based on the display command received from the display control device 114, the voice lamp control device 113 outputs a voice corresponding to the display content of the third pattern display device 81 from the voice output device 226 in accordance with the display content, and also controls the turning on and off of the lamp display device 227 in accordance with the display content.

The display control device 114 is connected to the voice lamp control device 113 and the third pattern display device 81, and controls the display of the third pattern display device 81, such as the variable performance of the third pattern, based on commands received from the voice lamp control device 113. The display control device 114 also transmits display commands to the voice lamp control device 113 as appropriate, notifying the display contents of the third pattern display device 81. The voice lamp control device 113 can match the display of the third pattern display device 81 with the audio output from the audio output device 226 by outputting audio from the audio output device 226 in accordance with the display contents indicated by the display commands.

The power supply device 115 has a power supply unit 251 for supplying power to each unit of the pachinko machine 10, a power failure monitoring circuit 252 for monitoring power interruption due to a power failure or the like, and a RAM erase switch circuit 253 provided with a RAM erase switch 122 (see FIG. 3). The power supply unit 251 is a device that supplies the necessary operating voltage to each of the control devices 110-114, etc. through a power supply path not shown. In summary, the power supply unit 251 takes in an externally supplied 24-volt AC voltage, generates a 12-volt voltage for driving various switches such as the various switches 208, solenoids such as the solenoid 209, motors, etc., a 5-volt voltage for logic, a backup voltage for RAM backup, etc., and supplies the necessary voltages to each of the control devices 110-114, etc.

The power failure monitoring circuit 252 is a circuit for outputting a power failure signal SG1 to each NMI terminal of the MPU 201 of the main control unit 110 and the MPU 211 of the dispensing control unit 111 when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 252 monitors the voltage of 24 volts DC, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 251, and when this voltage falls below 22 volts, it determines that a power failure (power failure, power cut) has occurred and outputs the power failure signal SG1 to the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control unit 111. By outputting the power failure signal SG1, the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control unit 111 recognize the occurrence of a power failure and execute NMI interrupt processing. Note that the power supply unit 251 is configured to maintain the output of the 5 volt voltage, which is the drive voltage of the control system, at a normal value for a sufficient time to execute the NMI interrupt processing, even after the voltage of 24 volts DC stabilized falls below 22 volts. Therefore, the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control unit 111 can normally execute and complete the NMI interrupt processing (not shown).

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

The overall configuration of the path configuration device 700 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Figure 5 is an exploded front perspective view of the path configuration device 700, Figure 6 is a partially enlarged front view of the path configuration device 700, and Figures 7(a) and 7(b) are partial cross-sectional views of the path configuration device 700 taken along line VIIa-VIIa in Figure 6.

In FIG. 6, the inner circumferential surface of the distribution member 760, the seesaw member 762, the communication hole 751, and the outer shape of the recovery hole 752 are shown by dashed lines. Also, FIG. 7(a) shows the retracted state in which the electric device 640a is retracted from the first ball sending path KR1 described below, and FIG. 7(b) shows the advanced state in which the electric device 640a is advanced into the first ball sending path KR1.

As shown in FIG. 5, the path configuration device 700 is disposed below the center frame 86 of the game board 13 and is formed mainly with a front side forming section 710 arranged on the front side of the base plate 60, and a rear side forming section 720 arranged on the rear side of the base plate 60.

The front side forming section 710 is formed mainly by comprising a winning member 730 attached to the front side of the base plate 60 and a bending member 740 disposed on the front side on both the left and right sides of the winning member 730.

The rear side forming section 720 is formed mainly by comprising an interposed member 750 attached to the rear side of the base plate 60, a distribution member 760 disposed on the rear side of the interposed member 750, and an electric accessory 640a to which a solenoid 640s is fixedly disposed on the interposed member 750.

The winning member 730 is arranged on the front of the base plate 60, and is formed thinly to cover the through hole 60a and attached to the base plate 60. The covering plate 711 has an upper ball passing hole 713 drilled in the front-rear direction at the left-right center of the covering plate 711, a lower ball passing hole 714 drilled in the front-rear direction below the upper ball passing hole 713, a first winning opening 64 located at the top left-right center of the covering plate 711, a second winning opening 640 located below the first winning opening 64 (below the lower ball passing hole 714), through holes 731 located on both left-right sides and formed to penetrate in the front-rear direction, and the through holes 7 It is mainly composed of a lower through hole 732 located below 31 and formed through in the front-rear direction, a first ball throwing section 734 having a ball passing hole 734a formed through in the front-rear direction to the left of the right lower through hole 732, a through hole 735 formed through in the front-rear direction as a long hole extending from the right end of the lower edge of the first ball throwing section 734 in the upper right direction, a second ball throwing section 736 having a ball passing hole 736a formed through in the front-rear direction to the right of the right lower through hole 732, and a third ball throwing section 737 formed symmetrically to the first ball throwing section 734 with respect to the upper ball passing hole 713.

The through hole 731 is a member into which the upper protrusion 741 of the bending member 740 described later is inserted, and is formed in a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the front, with an opening slightly larger than the outer shape of the upper protrusion 741 when viewed from the back.

The lower insertion hole 732 is a hole that communicates with the recovery hole 752 of the interposition member 750 disposed on the rear side, and is formed at a position opposite the recovery hole 752 of the interposition member 750. The lower insertion hole 732 is also opened in a generally D-shape when viewed from the front, with the lower side curved.

A sensor SE that detects the passage of a ball is disposed on the back surface of the lower insertion hole 732. The sensor SE is formed in a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is a member in which a through hole with a diameter slightly larger than that of the ball is formed on one side thereof, and the passage of the ball can be detected when the ball passes through the through hole. The sensor SE is disposed so that the axis of the through hole is positioned coaxially with the arc axis on the underside of the lower insertion hole 732. This allows the opening direction of the through hole to be inclined slightly downward as it approaches the back surface, preventing a ball passing through the sensor SE's through hole from remaining inside the through hole.

The first ball sending section 734 is equipped with a ball passing hole 734a arranged at a position connected to the upstream end of the first inclined groove 755 of the interposed member 750, a protruding edge portion 734b where the edge portion of the U-shape of the ball passing hole 734a when viewed from the front is protruding toward the front side, and a downstream ball sending section 734c which is protruding toward the ball path side at the downstream part of the protruding edge portion 734b and has a protruding tip that is inclined toward the rear side so that the ball flowing down can be sent to the rear side.

The through hole 735 is formed in a shape that allows the movable plate member 641 to be inserted in the front-rear direction. In other words, the through hole 735 is formed in a shape that is slightly larger than the outer shape of the right guide portion 643 and the left guide portion 645 of the movable plate member 641 and the connecting portion that connects them when viewed from the front.

As a result, when the movable plate member 641 is in the retracted state, the front end of the movable plate member 641 is supported by the through hole 735, and when the movable plate member 641 is in the advanced state, the rear end side of the movable plate member 641 is supported by the through hole 735, thereby stabilizing the position of the movable plate member 641.

The second ball sending section 736 is equipped with a ball passing hole 736a arranged at a position connected to the upstream end of the second inclined groove 757 of the interposed member 750, a protruding edge portion 736b where the edge portion of the U-shape of the ball passing hole 736a when viewed from the front is protruding toward the front side, and a downstream ball sending section 736c which is protruding toward the ball path side at the downstream part of the protruding edge portion 736b and has a protruding tip that is inclined toward the rear side so that the ball flowing down can be sent to the rear side.

The third ball throwing section 737 is formed symmetrically to the first ball throwing section 734, but is not configured to guide game balls with the electric device 640a. Its shape allows balls to enter from the left, reducing the frequency of balls entering. The third ball throwing section 737 has the same function as the general winning opening 63 (see Figure 2). That is, when a ball enters the opening, 5 to 15 balls are paid out as prize balls. Since balls rarely enter the third ball throwing section 737, the number of prize balls is set to a maximum (15) in order to maximize the player's profits in the event that a ball does enter.

The bending member 740 is a member disposed on the front side of the through hole 731 and the lower insertion hole 732 of the above-mentioned winning member 730, and two are disposed symmetrically at approximately the center position in the left-right direction of the base plate 60 (see Figure 2) when viewed from the front, and its external shape is formed to be roughly symmetrical.

In addition, the bending member 740 is positioned, when viewed from the front, at a position where a gap large enough for a ball to pass through is formed between the bending member 740 and the inner rail 61 (see FIG. 2) that forms the play area. This prevents balls flowing down the play area below the bending member 740 from being pinched between the bending member 740 and the inner rail 61 and remaining in the play area.

The bending member 740 is formed from a plate-like body that is generally rectangular when viewed from the front, and is formed with an upper protrusion 741 that protrudes from its back surface, a lower protrusion 743 that protrudes below the upper protrusion 741, and an opening 744 that is formed between the opposing upper protrusion 741 and lower protrusion 743.

The upper protrusion 741 is formed in a roughly U-shape that is open at the bottom when viewed from behind, and its outer shape is set to be slightly smaller than the inner shape of the through hole 731 of the winning member 730. This allows the upper protrusion 741 to be inserted into the through hole 731 when placing the bending member 740 on the winning member 730. Therefore, when placing the bending member 740 on the winning member 730, the upper protrusion 741 can be inserted and positioned, simplifying the assembly process.

The lower protrusion 743 is formed below the upper protrusion 741 and is formed in a generally U-shape when viewed from the rear, with the upper side open. In other words, when viewed from the rear, the upper protrusion 741 and the lower protrusion 743 are formed such that their open portions face each other in the vertical direction.

The lower protrusion 743 is a member for forming a path (hereinafter referred to as the "second ball sending path KR2") for sending the ball sent from the through hole 731 of the winning member 730 toward the bending member 740 to the lower insertion hole 732 of the winning member 730, and is formed in a position facing the lower insertion hole 732 in the front-to-rear direction.

The protruding distance of the lower protrusion 743 toward the rear side is set to a dimension larger than the diameter of the ball. In addition, the bending member 740 is placed on the winning member 730 with the protruding tip surface of the lower protrusion 743 abutting the winning member 730. Thus, the distance dimension between the opposing bending member 740 and the winning member 730 is made larger than the diameter of the ball, and a ball throwing path (hereinafter referred to as the "first ball throwing path KR1") along which the ball is thrown vertically is formed between the opposing bending member 740 and the winning member 730.

The bending member 740 is formed with a guide portion 742 that protrudes from the upper inner surface of the upper protrusion 741 to the lower inner surface of the lower protrusion 743. The guide portion 742 protrudes in a generally U-shape with an open back side in a side view.

The guide portion 742 is a protruding wall that sends the ball vertically from the through hole 731 of the winning member 730 to the bending member 740 (first ball sending path KR1) and then sends it to the lower insertion hole 732 of the winning member 730, and the vertical height of the lower inner edge is formed slightly smaller than the height of the lower inner edge of the lower insertion hole 732 located on the back surface.

The guide portion 742 is formed along the center line in the left-right direction of the through-hole 731 located on the rear side when viewed from the front. This allows the ball to be easily shifted left-right as it comes into contact with the guide portion 742 and is guided (folded back toward the rear side).

The opening 744 is a predetermined gap formed between the opposing upper protrusion 741 and lower protrusion 743, and is formed on both the left and right sides in rear view. In addition, the opening 744 is formed in a roughly U-shape in side view with the rear side open.

The upper end of the rear end of the opening 744 is set at approximately the same vertical height as the tip side of the guide portion 742 at the same front-to-rear position, and the lower end of the rear end is set at approximately the same vertical height as the lower surface of the right guide portion 643 of the moving plate member 641. The opening 744 is formed by opening into the left and right sides of the connection portion between the first ball throwing path KR1 and the fourth ball throwing path KR4.

The allocating member 760 is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is formed in a box shape with the front side open. The allocating member 760 is bent at approximately the center position in the left-right direction when viewed from the front, and is formed to incline downward as it moves from the approximately center position in the left-right direction toward the outside in the left-right direction. Furthermore, both ends of the allocating member 760 in the left-right direction are set in positions facing the through holes 731 of the above-mentioned winning member 730.

The distribution member 760 is mainly comprised of a pair of inclined surfaces 761 that slope downward from the center position in the left-right direction when viewed from the front to both the left and right, a seesaw member 762 that is positioned in the center of the inclined surfaces 761, a ball sending port 763 formed above the seesaw member 762, a regulating wall portion 764 for regulating the rotation of the seesaw member 762, and a normal winning port (through gate) 765 that is arranged in a position that allows the ball guided to the right-side inclined surface 761 to pass through.

The pair of inclined surfaces 761 are inclined surfaces that extend in opposite directions, and are formed so that the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal plane is symmetrical. In this embodiment, an area with a slightly steeper inclination angle is provided on the upstream side, and an area with a gentler inclination angle downstream is formed at an inclination angle of 5 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane.

The ball throwing port 763 is a member for forming an opening on the front side of the distribution member 760, and is formed in a position opposite the first winning port 64 of the winning member 730. As a result, when the distribution member 760 is disposed on the intervening member 750 described later, a space can be formed between the ball throwing port 763 and the intervening member 750.

The space is formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the ball (i.e., a space through which the ball can pass), and is connected to the internal space of the first winning opening 64 of the winning member 730 via a through hole 60b drilled in the base plate 60. This allows the ball entering the first winning opening 64 to be sent into the space between the ball sending opening 763 and the interposed member 750, and the ball can be sent inside that space.

The shaft portion 762b is a support for rotating the seesaw member 762 around its axis, and is formed in a cylindrical shape and inserted into the inner side of the ring of the seesaw member 762. In this state, the shaft portion 762b is sandwiched between the intermediate member 750 and the distribution member 760, so that the seesaw member 762 is arranged to be rotatable around the shaft portion 762b.

The protrusions 762a are protrusions for distributing the balls alternately to the left and right inclined surfaces 761 one by one when the balls are thrown from the space between the above-mentioned ball throwing port 763 and the interposed member 750, and the balls are thrown in the direction opposite to the left and right direction of the tip of the central protrusion 762a. The protrusions 762a protruding from both ends are members that regulate the displacement of the seesaw member 762, and displace the direction of the tip of the central protrusion 762a (rotate the seesaw member 762) due to the weight applied when the ball passes through, and the rotation of the seesaw member 762 is regulated by the contact of the tip surface of the protrusion 762a with the regulating wall portion 764.

On the other hand, when a ball is guided by the central protrusion 762a, the protrusion 762a that is not in contact with the regulating wall portion 764 collides with the protrusion 762a and is pushed downward. This causes the protrusion 762a on the opposite side to be displaced upward, and the tip of the downwardly displaced protrusion 762a comes into contact with the regulating wall portion 764, restricting its displacement.

The inclined surface 761 is the rolling surface of the path (hereinafter referred to as the "third ball sending path KR3") along which the ball sorted to the left and right by the seesaw member 762 described above rolls and is sent, and is formed with a downward incline toward the outside from the center position in the left-right direction of the sorting member 760. As a result, the ball sorted to the left and right by the seesaw member 762 of the sorting member 760 rolls on the inclined surface 761 and is sent (rolled) to the downward end of the inclined surface 761.

The downward end of the inclined surface 761 is formed with an inclination toward the interposed member 750 so that the rear side surface becomes thicker toward the front as it approaches the end. This allows a ball that rolls along the inclined surface 761 and is sent to the end to be sent to the communication hole 751 of the interposed member 750 that is disposed in front of the sorting member 760.

The normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is disposed between the intervening member 750 and the allocating member 760, and is fixedly positioned on the inside by connecting and fixing the intervening member 750 and the allocating member 760.

The layout of the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is designed so that the inner surface of the ball passage hole of the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, which is the surface that runs along the inclined surface 761, is flush with the upper surface of the inclined surface 761.

This minimizes the resistance experienced by the ball as it passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, and makes it possible to equalize the flow speed of the ball flowing down the right-hand inclined surface 761 where the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is located, and the ball flowing down the left-hand inclined surface 761 where the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is not located.

The function of the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is the same as the normal winning openings (through gates) 66 and 67 described above. In other words, the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 functions as a detection opening through which a lottery for a normal symbol (second symbol) is performed when a ball passes through.

In addition, if a ball passes through the normal winning gate (through gate) 765 while the variable display is being performed on the second pattern display device 83, the number of times it has passed through is reserved up to a maximum of four times together with the number of times it has passed through the normal winning gates (through gates) 66, 67, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the first pattern display device 37 and is also indicated by the second pattern reserved lamp 84.

The maximum number of balls that can be reserved for passing through the normal winning gates (through gates) 66, 67, and 765 is not limited to four times, but may be set to three times or less, or five times or more (e.g., eight times).

The second symbol display device 83 performs a variable display in which a "circle" and an "x" symbol are alternately lit for a predetermined period of time as the display symbol (second symbol) each time the ball passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765. In the pachinko machine 10, when it is detected that the ball has passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765, a lottery is held to determine whether the second symbol will win. If the result of the lottery is a win, the second symbol display device 83 displays a static "circle" symbol after the second symbol is displayed. If the result of the lottery is a miss, the second symbol display device 83 displays a static "x" symbol after the second symbol is displayed.

When the variable display on the second symbol display device 83 ends, if there are still reserved balls remaining for the normal winning gates (through gates) 66, 67, and 765, a lottery is held for the next normal symbol, and the variable display according to the lottery is started.

The intermediate member 750 is a member interposed between the bending member 740 and the distribution member 760, and is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is mainly formed with the above-mentioned variable winning device 65 at the lower center in the left-right direction when viewed from the front, a communication hole 751 penetrating in the front-back direction on both the left and right sides, a recovery hole 752 opened below the communication hole 751, a support recess 753 penetrating in the front-back direction between the communication hole 751 and the recovery hole 752 in a left-right elongated shape, a first inclined groove 755 in a straight line that slopes downward toward the left side when viewed from the front, with the downstream end at the left-right center position below the first inclined groove 755, a second inclined groove 757 in a straight line that slopes downward toward the left side when viewed from the front, with the downstream end at the left-right center position below the first inclined groove 755, and a second recovery hole 758 located below the second inclined groove 757.

The communication holes 751 are formed on the front side of both the left and right ends of the distribution member 760, and on the back side of the through hole 731 of the winning member 730. Therefore, the spaces at both the left and right ends of the distribution member 760 and the internal space of the through hole 731 of the winning member 730 are connected via the communication holes 751. Therefore, a path (hereinafter referred to as the "fourth ball sending path KR4") can be formed that sends the ball rolling on the upper part of the inclined surface 761 of the distribution member 760 described above through the communication holes 751 to the through hole 731 of the winning member 730.

As described above, the recovery hole 752 is an opening formed on the rear side of the lower insertion hole 732 of the winning member 730. In other words, the recovery hole 752 is connected to the rear side of the sensor SE, and balls that pass through the sensor SE are sent to the opening of the recovery hole 752. The recovery hole 752 is connected to a ball circulating device installed in the store, and the balls recovered in the recovery hole 752 are circulated by the circulation device and shot out again from the ball launching unit 112a as game balls.

The support recess 753 is a recessed groove formed to ensure sufficient space for the right guide portion 643 of the moving plate member 641 to move in the front-rear direction. The lower bottom surface of the support recess 753, which faces the lower surface of the right guide portion 643 in the vertical direction, is formed in a planar shape that is horizontal in the left-right direction. In addition, the upper top surface of the support recess 753, which faces the upper surface of the right guide portion 643 in the vertical direction, is formed in a planar shape with the same inclination angle as the inclined surface 643a.

That is, the support recess 753 is recessed from the left side to the right side, and is formed in a wedge shape that is wider on the left side and narrower on the right side, and functionally has a vertical width (slightly larger wedge shape) that is slightly larger than the vertical width of the right guide portion 643 when viewed from the front.

As a result, when the movable plate member 641 is used and slid forward and backward, the right guide portion 643 is guided along the inside of the support recess 753, allowing for smooth movement, and when the right guide portion 643 enters the first ball sending path KR1 to receive a ball that has flowed down, the lower surface of the support recess 753 can support the right guide portion 643 from below. In other words, the support recess 753 provides the effect of smoothing the movement of the movable plate member 641 and the effect of stabilizing the vertical position of the movable plate member 641.

The first inclined groove 755 is disposed at a position where its upstream end communicates with the ball passing hole 734a, and is configured in such a way that a ball that reaches its downstream end can be sent to the front side through the upper ball passing hole 713 of the front side forming part 710.

The second inclined groove 757 is disposed at a position where its upstream end communicates with the ball passing hole 736a, and is configured in such a way that a ball that reaches its downstream end can be sent to the front side through the lower ball passing hole 714 of the front side forming part 710.

In this embodiment, the first inclined groove 755 and the second inclined groove 757 are formed in a linear groove shape, and the straight lines along which each groove runs are parallel to each other.

The second collection hole 758 is an opening through which balls that enter the second winning hole 640 are sent, and is located upstream of the second winning hole switch (not shown). The second collection hole 758 is connected to a ball circulating device installed in the store, and the balls collected in the second collection hole 758 are circulated by the circulation device and shot out again from the ball launching unit 112a as game balls.

The upper ball passing hole 713 and the lower ball passing hole 714 are aligned in a straight line along the vertical direction, and the second winning hole 640 is located below the lower ball passing hole 714 on the same straight line (see Figure 6).

Therefore, a ball sent to the front side through the upper ball passing hole 713 passes through the front side of the lower ball passing hole 714 and enters the second winning hole 640. In addition, a ball sent to the front side through the lower ball passing hole 714 merges with the flow path of the ball sent to the front side from the upper ball passing hole 713 and enters the second winning hole 640.

At the confluence point of the ball flow paths, the ball flows down from the upper ball passing hole 713 in a vertical direction, which allows the ball to fall at a high speed at the confluence point. Therefore, even if the balls guided from the upper ball passing hole 713 and the lower ball passing hole 714 reach the confluence point at the same time, the ball flowing down from the upper ball passing hole 713 can pass downwards by its momentum, making it easy to avoid ball clogging.

The wall portion 714a extending from the left and right edges of the lower ball passage hole 714 to the front side makes it easier to prevent the ball from deviating to the left or right from the joining position. The wall portion 714a also acts to prevent balls from entering the second winning hole 640 from the outside left or right.

The wall portion 713a extending from the left and right edges and the upper edge of the upper ball passing hole 713 to the front side prevents a ball flowing down the front side of the base plate 60 from colliding with a ball immediately after it is sent to the front side from the upper ball passing hole 713. The wall portion 713a also acts to prevent a ball flowing down the front side of the base plate 60 from flowing down toward the second winning opening 640.

The electric device 640a includes a solenoid 640s fixed to the intermediate member 750, and a movable plate member 641 that is interlockingly connected to the solenoid 640s and slides forward and backward when driven by the solenoid 640s.

The movable plate member 641 includes a transmission plate portion 642 that is a plate-shaped portion to which the driving force of the solenoid 640s is transmitted and that extends in the vertical direction, a left guide portion 645 that is disposed at the front end of the transmission plate portion 642 and protrudes toward the front side, and a right guide portion 643 that extends to the right of the left guide portion 645.

The right guide portion 643 has an upper surface that forms the rolling surface of the ball and is formed as an inclined surface 643a that slopes downward toward the right, and is disposed between the communication hole 751 and the recovery hole 752 when viewed from the front.

The left guide portion 645 is formed with an inclined surface 645a whose upper surface, which is the ball rolling surface, slopes downward toward the left side, and is disposed so as to connect the bending member 740 and the first ball throwing portion 734 when viewed from the front. The upper surface of the downstream end of the inclined surface 645a is positioned so as to be flush with the upper surface of the lower end of the protruding edge portion 734b of the first ball throwing portion 734.

The protruding edge 734b of the first ball throwing section 734 is not dish-shaped with an open top, but has a shape with a lid on the top with the open side facing to the right, so that the left guide section 645 can smoothly receive rolling balls while preventing balls that bounce off the left guide section 645 or balls that flow down a path that reaches the first ball throwing section 734 from above from flying into the ball passage hole 734a. The protruding lid section 734b may also be formed into a dish shape to allow balls to fly in from above.

Even if the ball lands on the left guide section 645, it is difficult for it to enter the first ball sending section 734 until the bounce stops. For this reason, it is preferable to adopt a configuration that reduces the bounce at the left guide section 645.

For example, the momentum of the ball's downward flow can be slowed down in advance by closely arranging nails above the left guide section 645 that can collide with the ball, or by arranging multiple deceleration protrusions protruding from the front side of the covering plate section 711. Also, a highly cushioned sheet material can be attached to the inclined surface 645a to prevent the ball from bouncing.

When the solenoid 640s is in a non-energized state, the moving plate member 641 is in a retracted state where it retreats from the first ball throwing path KR1 (see FIG. 7(a)), and when the solenoid 640s is in an excited state (a state in which a driving force is being generated), the moving plate member 641 is in an advanced state where it advances into the first ball throwing path KR1 (see FIG. 7(b)).

The path configuration device 700 configured as above sends a game ball as follows. A ball entering from the first winning opening 64 is sent to the distribution member 760 and sent to the third ball sending path KR3 in either the left or right direction by the seesaw member 762 of the distribution member 760. When the ball sent on the third ball sending path KR3 reaches the end of the third ball sending path KR3, it is sent to the fourth ball sending path KR4 inside the communication hole 751 of the intervening member 750 arranged on the front side. The ball sent on the fourth ball sending path KR4 is sent to the first ball sending path KR1 on the back side of the bending member 740. The ball sent on the first ball sending path KR1 is guided by the lower protrusion 743 of the bending member 740 and sent to the second ball sending path KR2. The ball sent along the second ball sending path KR2 passes through the lower insertion hole 732 of the winning member 730, is sent to the recovery hole 752 of the interposed member 750, and passes through the inside of the sensor SE.

The ball sent from the fourth ball sending path KR4 to the first ball sending path KR1 flows down toward the front side of the base plate 60, and the ball appears to be approaching the player from the player's point of view. This clarifies the difference in the flow pattern between the ball and other game balls flowing downward in the game area, thereby enhancing the presence of the ball sent from the fourth ball sending path KR4 to the first ball sending path KR1.

Next, the setting of the ball flow pattern will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figures 8(a), 8(b), 9(a) and 9(b) are partial front views of the path configuration device 700 in range VIIIa of Figure 6.

In Figures 8(a), 8(b), 9(a) and 9(b), the flow patterns of three balls P1 to P3 that enter the first winning hole 64 in succession without any gaps are shown in a time series at 0.5 second intervals.

That is, FIG. 8(b) is illustrated as the state 0.5 seconds after the state of FIG. 8(a), FIG. 9(a) is illustrated as the state 0.5 seconds after the state of FIG. 8(b), and FIG. 9(b) is illustrated as the state 0.5 seconds after the state of FIG. 9(a). Note that, as an example, FIG. 8(a) illustrates a state in which the tip of the central protrusion 762a faces leftward.

As shown in FIG. 8(a), when the ball P1 is guided by the central protrusion 762a, the guided ball P1 collides with one of the protrusions 762a at both ends and is pushed downward. This displaces the opposite protrusion 762a upward, and the tip of the downwardly displaced protrusion 762a abuts against the regulating wall portion 764, regulating its displacement (see FIG. 8(b)).

In this state, ball P1, which has pushed down the seesaw member 762, flows down to the right, and at the same time the next ball P2 is guided to the central protrusion 762a. At this time, at the same time that ball P2 reaches the central protrusion 762a, ball P1, which previously pushed down the seesaw member 762, passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 (see Figure 8 (b)).

Ball P2 is caused to flow down to the left by the seesaw member 762, and at the same time the next ball P3 is guided to the central protrusion 762a. At this time, just as ball P3 reaches the central protrusion 762a, ball P1 is positioned below the right-side guide portion 643 (see FIG. 9(a)). After that, ball P3 is caused to flow down to the right by the seesaw member 762 (see FIG. 9(b)).

In this way, in this embodiment, the position of the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is determined in relation to the position of the electric device 640a. In other words, it is designed so that the next ball P3 does not reach the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 between the time when ball P1 passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 and the time when ball P3 is positioned below the right guide section 643.

When the passage of a ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, the operation of the electric device 640a is executed based on a preset operation pattern. The operation of the electric device 640a is not interrupted in the middle of the operation pattern. Even if the passage of a ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 while the operation of the electric device 640a based on the operation pattern is continuing, the execution of the operation of the electric device 640a due to the detection is put on hold until the operation of the electric device 640a based on the currently executed operation pattern is completed.

Therefore, even if the operation pattern of the electric device 640a is set so that it can affect the ball that has passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 based on the ball's flow time, if the execution of the operation of the electric device 640a is put on hold, the effect on the ball that has passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 may be unexpected.

In contrast, in this embodiment, on the premise that the operation pattern of the electric device 640a is set based on the time width until the ball reaches the right guide section 643, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the operation of the electric device 640a continues due to the previous ball P1 being detected by the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 until the next ball P3 is detected by the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 (the operation of the electric device 640a ends in advance).

Therefore, when the passage of a ball is detected by the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, the operation of the electric device 640a can be immediately executed based on a preset operation pattern without being suspended. This reduces the possibility that the impact on the ball that has passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 will be unexpected.

Figures 10(a), 10(b), 11(a) and 11(b) are partial front views of the path configuration device 700 in range VIIIa of Figure 6. Figures 10(a) and 10(b) and Figures 11(a) and 11(b) show different examples of how a ball flows down the right-side inclined surface 761 in a time series.

In other words, Figure 10(a) shows the state in which the ball passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, and Figure 10(b) shows the state in which the moving plate member 641 is maintained in a retracted state (see Figure 7(a)) in which it is retracted from the first ball sending path KR1 as the ball passes through, and the ball is guided to the recovery hole 752.

In addition, Figure 11(a) shows the state in which the ball passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 (the same state as Figure 10(a)), and Figure 11(b) shows the state in which the moving plate member 641 is in an entry state in which it enters the first ball throwing path KR1 (see Figure 7(b)) just before the ball passes through, and the ball is guided toward the second ball throwing section 736.

In addition, in FIG. 11(b), dots are drawn on the movable plate member 641 to show a schematic diagram that the movable plate member 641 is sliding toward the front side and is not allowing the ball to pass through the front side.

When the solenoid 640s is in a non-energized state, the moving plate member 641 is in a retreat state where it retreats from the first ball throwing path KR1 (see FIG. 7(a)), and when the solenoid 640s is in an excited state (when a driving force is being generated), the moving plate member 641 is in an entry state where it enters the first ball throwing path KR1 (see FIG. 7(b)). Therefore, when in the non-energized state, a ball that reaches the top surface of the moving plate member 641 in a front view passes through the front side of the moving plate member 641 and flows downward, while when in the excited state, a ball that reaches the top surface of the moving plate member 641 in a front view rolls on the inclined surface 643a or inclined surface 645a of the moving plate member 641 and flows downward in the left-right direction.

For example, the ball flows down along the arrow shown in FIG. 11(b). More specifically, when the moving plate member 641 is in an excited state, the ball that reaches the first ball throwing path KR1 rolls on the upper surface of the inclined surface 643a, passes through the opening 744, and then falls to be received by the second ball throwing section 736.

When the moving plate member 641 is in an excited state, a ball attempting to flow down between the right-side bending member 740 and the first ball sending section 734 rolls along the upper surface of the inclined surface 645a, is guided to the ball passing hole 734a, and enters the second winning hole 640.

Figure 12 is a partial front view of the game board 13 in range XII of Figure 2. Figure 12 shows the solenoid 640s in an excited state and the moving plate member 641 in an advanced state.

As mentioned above, the functions of the normal winning openings (through gates) 66, 67, and 765 are the same, so the electric device 640a will operate not only when the ball that entered the path configuration device 700 passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, but also when the ball passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 67 when playing the right-hand game described above.

In this case, more balls released in right-handed play will reach the ceiling surface of the right-side bending member 740 than will be guided to the first winning opening 64 (approximately 10 times as many), so when the moving plate member 641 is in the entered state, the balls are more likely to reach the left guide portion 645 of the electric device 640a than the right guide portion 643.

When a ball reaches the left guide section 645, if the solenoid 640s remains in an excited state until the ball flows down and reaches the first ball throwing section 734, it will enter the second winning hole 640. Even if the solenoid 640s is switched to a de-energized state before the ball reaches the first ball throwing section 734, the ball will simply flow directly below it and will not be guided to the recovery hole 752. In other words, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a ball that reaches the left guide section 645 wins the lottery for special pattern 1.

A ball that reaches the left guide section 645 in the approaching state can be received by the first ball throwing section 734 in approximately 1.0 second, regardless of the landing position. On the other hand, if the moving plate member 641 changes to the retracted state in a very short time, such as 0.5 seconds, the ball may be prevented from entering the first ball throwing section 734 even if it lands near the left end of the left guide section 645 in the approaching state.

Therefore, when a ball that does not enter the first winning opening 64 but flows down reaches the left guide section 645, which is activated and put into an entry state as a result of a lottery based on the detection of the ball at the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765, at the right time, whether the ball is accepted by the first ball sending section 734 depends on the operating state of the electric device 640a.

In particular, in the normal operating pattern (the fourth operating pattern described below), the period during which the moving plate member 641 is in the entered state is shorter than 0.5 seconds, so the probability that the ball will be received by the first ball sending section 734 is extremely low.

When a ball enters the first winning opening 64, if the moving plate member 641 is in the advanced state when the ball reaches the first ball throwing path KR1, the ball will be guided by the right guide portion 643 and will ultimately enter the second winning opening 640, and will not pass through the sensor SE (see FIG. 7(b)), preventing the ball from winning the lottery for special pattern 1. On the other hand, if the moving plate member 641 is in the retracted state when the ball reaches the first ball throwing path KR1, the ball will be guided to the second ball throwing path KR2 and will pass through the sensor SE, resulting in the ball winning the lottery for special pattern 1.

In this way, with the electric device 640a of this embodiment, the chances of the ball winning the lottery for special pattern 1 (the chances of winning the lottery for special pattern 2) can be varied depending on whether the ball flows down a path that can reach the right guide section 643 (the path after entering the first winning opening 64) or a path that can reach the left guide section 645.

As mentioned above, the balls arrive at the right guide section 643 at intervals, but the left guide section 645 does not have intervals due to the action of the seesaw member 762, so multiple balls that flow down the normal winning opening (through gate) 67 side can arrive at the same time. Therefore, it is preferable to make the left guide section 645 stronger than the right guide section 643.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the left guide portion 645 is disposed on the transmission plate portion 642 (see FIG. 5). That is, by disposing the left guide portion 645 on the transmission plate portion 642, which is the side closer to the solenoid 640s (the upstream side of the drive force transmission path), changes in the posture of the left guide portion 645 are suppressed. As a result, even if multiple balls are placed on the left guide portion 645 and weight is applied to it, it is possible to avoid an increase in the operating resistance of the moving plate member 641 due to an excessive change in posture of the left guide portion 645.

The means for making the left guide portion 645 sturdy are not limited to those described above. For example, the plate thickness of the left guide portion 645 may be made thicker than the plate thickness of the right guide portion 643, or a rib may be formed to connect the lower portion of the left guide portion 645 and the transmission plate portion 642.

The contents of ROM 202 (see FIG. 4) will be described with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13(a) is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of ROM 202 in main control device 110, FIG. 13(b) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the first winning type counter C2 and the big winning type in special patterns, and FIG. 13(c) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the second winning random number counter C4 and winning in normal patterns.

As shown in FIG. 13(a), the ROM 202 of the main control device 110 stores at least a first winning random number table 202a, a first winning type selection table 202b, a second winning random number table 202c, and a variation pattern selection table 202d as part of the fixed value data described above.

The first win random number table 202a is a data table that stores the jackpot determination value of the first win random number counter, which is updated periodically (e.g., every 2 msec). If the value of the first win random number counter obtained based on the start winning matches any of the determination values specified in the first win random number table 202a, it is determined to be a jackpot with a special symbol.

The first win type selection table 202b (see FIG. 13(b)) is a data table that stores judgment values for determining the jackpot type, and the judgment values of the first win type counter C2 are specified in correspondence with each jackpot type and the type of winning slot that triggered the selection of the special symbol. In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, when a jackpot with a special symbol is judged to be a jackpot, the value of the first win type counter C2 obtained based on the start winning is compared with the first win type selection table 202b, and the jackpot type corresponding to the value of the first win type counter C2 is selected.

Specifically, when a jackpot is awarded in the drawing of special pattern 1 (drawing based on the ball entering first winning slot 64), the value of first winning type counter C2 in the range of "0 to 19" is associated with jackpot A (see 202b1 in FIG. 13(b)).

When jackpot A is obtained, the game state after 15 rounds of jackpot play (special play) is set to a high probability state, and the operation pattern of the electric device 640a is set to the first operation pattern described below, and this state continues until the next jackpot is obtained.

The range of the value of the first winning type counter C2 from "20 to 49" is associated with the big win B (see 202b2 in FIG. 13(b)).

When jackpot B is achieved, the game state after eight rounds of jackpot play (special play) is set to a high probability state, and the operating pattern of the electric device 640a is set to the second operating pattern described below, and this state continues until the next jackpot is achieved.

The value of the first winning type counter C2 in the range of "50 to 99" is associated with a big winning type C (see 202b3 in FIG. 13(b)).

If a jackpot C is obtained, the game state after four rounds of jackpot play (special play) will be set to a low probability state, and the operation pattern of the electric device 640a will be set to the second operation pattern described below, and this state will continue until 100 special symbol lottery draws have been completed.

In a jackpot based on the drawing of special pattern 1 (a drawing based on a ball entering first winning slot 64), there is a 20% chance of winning a 15-round jackpot, while there is a 50% chance of winning a 4-round jackpot, so you basically cannot expect to win a large number of prize balls. On the other hand, a 4-round jackpot game ends in a shorter time than a 15-round jackpot game, so you can start shooting balls earlier in order to try to win a subsequent jackpot.

On the other hand, if a jackpot is awarded in the drawing of special pattern 2 (drawn based on the ball entering the second winning slot 640), the value of the first winning type counter C2 in the range of "0 to 19" is associated with jackpot a (see 202b4 in FIG. 13(b)).

When jackpot a is achieved, the game state after 15 rounds of jackpot play (special play) is set to a high probability state, just like jackpot A, and the operation pattern of the electric device 640a is set to the first operation pattern described below, and this state continues until the next jackpot is achieved.

The range of the value of the first winning type counter C2 from "20 to 49" is associated with the big winning type b (see 202b5 in FIG. 13(b)).

When jackpot b is achieved, the game state after 15 rounds of jackpot play (special play) is set to a high probability state, and the operating pattern of the electric device 640a is set to the first operating pattern described below, and this state continues until the next jackpot is achieved.

The value range of the first winning type counter C2 from "50 to 99" is associated with the big winning type c (see 202b6 in FIG. 13(b)).

If jackpot c is obtained, the game state after 15 rounds of jackpot play (special play) is set to a low probability state, and the operation pattern of the electric device 640a is set to the third operation pattern described below, and this state continues until 100 special symbol lottery draws are completed.

As described above, if a jackpot is won in the drawing of special symbol 2 (a drawing based on a ball entering the second winning slot 640), 15 rounds of jackpot play can be played regardless of the type of jackpot, but the allocation of the operating pattern of the electric device 640a after the jackpot play ends is set to be different from when a jackpot is won in the drawing of special symbol 1. The difference is particularly noticeable with jackpot c, but more details will be given later.

The second winning random number table 202c (see FIG. 13(c)) is a data table in which winning judgment values for normal symbols are stored. Specifically, in the normal state of normal symbols, "5 to 204" are stipulated as the judgment value for a winning normal symbol (see 202c1 in FIG. 13(c)). Also, in the high probability state of normal symbols, "5 to 204" are stipulated as the judgment value for a winning normal symbol (see 202c2 in FIG. 13(c)).

In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, the value of the second winning random number counter C4, which is obtained based on the ball passing through the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765, and the second winning random number table 202c are referenced to determine whether or not the normal pattern is a winning pattern. The variation pattern selection table 202d is a data table in which the judgment value of the variation type counter for determining the display mode of the variation pattern is specified for each display mode.

Figures 14(a) to 14(d) are diagrams showing an example of the detection of the passage of a ball through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 and the time-counting change in the state of the electric role 640a. Note that Figure 14(a) shows the time-counting change in the first operation pattern, Figure 14(b) shows the time-counting change in the second operation pattern, Figure 14(c) shows the time-counting change in the third operation pattern, and Figure 14(d) shows the time-counting change in the fourth operation pattern.

The fourth operating pattern is used during normal play or after 100 special symbol lottery draws have been completed after the end of a jackpot C or c (see FIG. 13(b)).

In Figures 14(a) to 14(d), when the second pattern is displayed as a change due to the detection of the passage of the ball at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 (after about 0.1 seconds in this embodiment), and the "○" pattern is displayed on the second pattern display device 83, the meaning of the state of the electric device 640a at the reference time Td1 (about 0.5 seconds in this embodiment) from the detection of the passage of the ball at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 will be described in detail, among the operation patterns of the electric device 640a based on the detection of the passage of the ball at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765.

The length of the reference time Td1 is set to the time corresponding to the time from when the ball passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 to when it passes through the right guide section 643.

As shown in FIG. 14(a), in the first operating pattern, from when the passage of the ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765, until the end of the display of the changing second pattern (0.1 seconds after the passage of the ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765), the moving plate member 641 of the electric device 640a is maintained in an advanced state (also indicated as "advance" in the figure; the same applies in subsequent figures) in which it has advanced into the first ball sending path KR1 for a reference time Td1.

In the first operating pattern, the electric device 640a remains in the first ball sending path KR1 until approximately 3.0 seconds after the reference time Td1 has passed and the passage of the ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 (approximately 3.0 seconds pass before the normal pattern stops changing).

As a result, when a right-handed hit is made and the passage of the ball is detected by the normal winning opening (through gate) 67, the moving plate member 641 can be maintained in a state in which it has entered the first ball sending path KR1 for a length sufficient to guide the ball that has reached the left-side guide section 645 to the first ball sending section 734. This makes it easier to get the ball to enter the second winning opening 640.

In addition, the moving plate member 641 can be set to enter the first ball sending path KR1 before the ball detected to have passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 passes through the right-side guide section 643, so that the ball can be made to roll on the top surface of the right-side guide section 643 and flow to the right, making it easier to guide the ball to the second ball sending section 736.

This makes it easier for a ball that enters the first winning slot 64 to be swept to the right by the seesaw member 762 and enter the second winning slot 640, winning the lottery for special pattern 2, compared to a ball that enters the first winning slot 64 and is then detected by the sensor SE and wins the lottery for special pattern 1.

As shown in FIG. 14(b), in the second operating pattern, after the passage of a ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765, the moving plate member 641 of the electric device 640a changes to a state in which it has entered the first ball throwing path KR1 just before the reference time Td1 has elapsed, and immediately after the reference time Td1 has elapsed, the moving plate member 641 of the electric device 640a changes to a retracted state (also indicated as "retracted" in the figure; the same applies in subsequent figures) in which it has retracted from the first ball throwing path KR1.

In the second operating pattern, the electric device 640a remains in the first ball sending path KR1 until approximately 1.0 second after the reference time Td1 has elapsed and the passage of the ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 (approximately 1.0 second has passed before the normal pattern stops changing).

As a result, when the passage of the ball is detected by the normal winning opening (through gate) 67 due to a right-handed hit, even if the ball reaches the left-side guide section 645, it cannot be said that the moving plate member 641 maintains a state in which it has entered the first ball sending path KR1 for a length sufficient to guide the ball to the first ball sending section 734, so it is not easy to get the ball to enter the second winning opening 640 when playing with a right-handed hit.

On the other hand, the moving plate member 641 can be set to a state in which the ball detected to have passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 has entered the first ball throwing path KR1 before passing through the right-side guide section 643, so that the ball can be made to roll on the upper surface of the right-side guide section 643 and flow to the right, making it easier to guide the ball to the second ball throwing section 736. Since the moving plate member 641 is maintained in the entered state for 0.5 seconds after the ball reaches the right-side guide section 643, the ball can be stably thrown toward the second ball throwing section 736.

This makes it easier for a ball that enters the first winning slot 64 to be swept to the right by the seesaw member 762 and enter the second winning slot 640, winning the lottery for special pattern 2, compared to a ball that enters the first winning slot 64 and is then detected by the sensor SE and wins the lottery for special pattern 1.

As shown in FIG. 14(c), in the third operating pattern, after the passage of the ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765, and after the variable display of the second pattern ends (0.1 seconds after the passage of the ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765), the moving plate member 641 of the electric device 640a is maintained in a state in which it has entered the first ball throwing path KR1, and just before the reference time Td1 has elapsed, the moving plate member 641 of the electric device 640a changes to a state in which it has retreated from the first ball throwing path KR1 (also shown as "retracted" in the figure; the same applies in the following figures), and just after the reference time Td1 has elapsed, the moving plate member 641 of the electric device 640a changes to a state in which it has entered the first ball throwing path KR1.

In the third operating pattern, after the reference time Td1 has elapsed, the electric device 640a remains in the first ball sending path KR1 until approximately 3.0 seconds have elapsed since the passage of the ball was detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 (approximately 3.0 seconds have elapsed until the normal pattern changes have finished).

As a result, when a right-handed hit is made and the passage of the ball is detected by the normal winning opening (through gate) 67, the moving plate member 641 can be maintained in a state in which it has entered the first ball sending path KR1 for a length sufficient to guide the ball that has reached the left-side guide section 645 to the first ball sending section 734. This makes it easier to get the ball to enter the second winning opening 640.

On the other hand, the movable plate member 641 can be moved away from the first ball throwing path KR1 before the ball detected to have passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 passes through the right-side guide section 643, so that the ball can be rolled on the top surface of the right-side guide section 643 and steered to the right, thereby preventing the ball from being guided to the second ball throwing section 736.

This makes it less likely that a ball that enters the first winning slot 64 will be swept to the right by the seesaw member 762 and detected by the sensor SE, resulting in a drawing for special symbol 1, and that the ball will enter the second winning slot 640 and win a drawing for special symbol 2.

If the normal pattern (second pattern) is still fluctuating when the ball swept to the right by the seesaw member 762 is detected by the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, the electric device 640a may be in an in-going state when the ball reaches the first ball sending path KR1. In this case, the ball swept to the right by the seesaw member 762 enters the second winning opening 640, and the player can win the lottery for special pattern 2.

As shown in FIG. 14(d), in the fourth operating pattern, after the passage of a ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765, the moving plate member 641 of the electric device 640a is maintained in a retracted state away from the first ball sending path KR1, and after the moving plate member 641 changes to an entering state, the moving plate member 641 of the electric device 640a changes again to the retracted state just before the reference time Td1 has elapsed. In the fourth operating pattern, control is completed at the reference time Td1 (approximately 0.5 seconds elapse before the normal pattern changes to the end).

As a result, when the passage of the ball is detected by the normal winning opening (through gate) 67 due to a right-handed hit, even if the ball reaches the left-side guide section 645, it cannot be said that the moving plate member 641 will maintain a state in which it has entered the first ball sending path KR1 long enough to guide the ball to the first ball sending section 734, so it is not easy to get the ball to enter the second winning opening 640 when playing with a right-handed hit.

On the other hand, the movable plate member 641 can be moved away from the first ball throwing path KR1 before the ball detected to have passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 passes through the right-side guide section 643, so that the ball can be rolled on the top surface of the right-side guide section 643 and steered to the right, thereby preventing the ball from being guided to the second ball throwing section 736.

This makes it less likely that a ball that enters the first winning opening 64 will be swept to the right by the seesaw member 762 and detected by the sensor SE, resulting in a drawing for special pattern 1, and that the ball will enter the second winning opening 640 and win a drawing for special pattern 2. In other words, when multiple balls enter the first winning opening 64, the drawing for special pattern 1 can be configured to be repeatedly won.

According to each of the operation patterns described above, in a game state where the aim is to win a jackpot by winning the lottery for special pattern 1 or special pattern 2, it is possible to create different patterns for winning the lottery for special patterns.

For example, in the first and third operating patterns, it is possible to aim to win the lottery for special pattern 2 when playing with a right-hand hit, so it is preferable to display the above-mentioned "right-hand hit navigation" on the third pattern display device 81.

Furthermore, in the first operating pattern, the moving plate member 641 is maintained in the state of entering the first ball sending path KR1 (see FIG. 7(b)) for a long period of time, and the moving plate member 641 is in the state of entering the first ball sending path KR1 when the reference time Td1 has elapsed since the passage of the ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765. Therefore, even if the ball enters the first winning opening 64, it is possible to win the lottery for special pattern 2 with part of the ball that is swept to the right by the seesaw member 762. This makes it possible to keep the disadvantage suffered by the player when the ball enters the first winning opening 64 during right-handed play low.

On the other hand, in the third operating pattern, the moving plate member 641 is maintained in the approaching state (see FIG. 7(b)) for a long period of time, but when the reference time Td1 has elapsed since the passage of the ball was detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, the moving plate member 641 is in a retreated state in which it retreats from the first ball sending path KR1. Therefore, when the normal pattern (second pattern) starts to change at the same time as the ball passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, the ball passes through the front side of the moving plate member 641 and is guided to the sensor SE.

In other words, when a ball enters the first winning hole 64, the possibility of winning the lottery for special pattern 2 with the ball swept to the right by the seesaw member 762 can be reduced. This makes it possible to increase the disadvantage suffered by the player when a ball enters the first winning hole 64 during right-handed play, compared to the first operation pattern.

For example, in the second and fourth operating patterns, it is difficult to aim to win the lottery for special symbol 2 in right-hand play because the operating time of the electric role 640a is too short, so it is preferable not to display the above-mentioned "right-hand play navigation" on the third symbol display device 81 and to recommend left-hand play.

In this case, in the second operating pattern, the moving plate member 641 is in an entry state (see FIG. 7(b)) in which it has entered the first ball sending path KR1 when the reference time Td1 has elapsed since the passage of the ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765. Therefore, even if the ball enters the first winning opening 64, it is possible to win the lottery for special pattern 2 with part of the ball that has been swept to the right by the seesaw member 762.

This allows the player to alternate between special pattern 1 and special pattern 2 in the lottery for the special pattern that can be won when the ball enters the first winning port 64 during left-handed play. Note that when the moving plate member 641 is in the entered state at the reference time Td1 after the passage of the ball is detected at the normal winning port (through gate) 765, the lottery for special pattern 2 can be won only when the normal pattern (second pattern) begins to change at the same time as the ball passes through the normal winning port (through gate) 765. Therefore, if the normal pattern (second pattern) is still changing when the passage of the ball is detected at the normal winning port (through gate) 765, the effect of making it easier to win the lottery for special pattern 2 cannot be achieved.

On the other hand, in the second operation pattern (or the fourth operation pattern), the time from the detection of the ball at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 to the end of the operation control of the electric role device 640a is set to 0.5 seconds, so compared to the first and third operation patterns in which the same time span is set to 3 seconds, it is possible to reduce the possibility of a situation occurring in which the change in the normal pattern (second pattern) is put on hold. Therefore, it is possible to achieve the effect of making it easier to win the lottery for special pattern 2 with a high probability.

On the other hand, in the fourth operating pattern, the entry state of the moving plate member 641 (see FIG. 7(b)) is as short as in the second operating pattern, and the moving plate member 641 is in a retracted state when the reference time Td1 has elapsed since the passage of the ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765. Therefore, when the ball enters the first winning opening 64, it is possible to reduce the possibility of winning the lottery for special pattern 2 with the ball swept to the right by the seesaw member 762. As a result, when a ball enters the first winning opening 64 during left-handed play, the lottery for special pattern 1 can account for most of the lotteries for special patterns that the player can win.

As described above in detail, each operation pattern can create different patterns for drawing special symbols in a game state in which the player aims to win a jackpot by drawing special symbol 1 or special symbol 2.

Returning to Figure 13(b), we will explain the difference in the profits that a player can obtain when winning a jackpot with special symbol 1 and a jackpot with special symbol 2.

First, the probability of winning a jackpot of the maximum round (15 rounds in this embodiment) is higher with special pattern 2. Among jackpots with special pattern 1, the probability of winning a jackpot of the maximum round is 20%, while the probability of winning a jackpot with special pattern 2 is 100%. Therefore, at least in terms of the number of winning balls, the profit that a player can get from a jackpot with special pattern 2 is greater than the profit that a player can get from a jackpot with special pattern 1.

In addition, in the case where a high probability state occurs after the end of a jackpot game, if the jackpot is a special symbol 2, right-hand play will be performed 100%, and the special symbol 2 can be drawn repeatedly. However, in 30% of jackpots with special symbol 1 (jackpot B), right-hand play will not be performed and left-hand play is recommended, and the drawings for special symbol 1 and special symbol 2 will alternate.

In this case, when playing with the left hand, the time efficiency of winning the lottery for the special symbol is lower than when playing with the right hand, and since the lottery for special symbol 1 is executed with a 1/2 chance, the hurdle to winning the maximum round of the jackpot is higher.

In addition, if the player is in a low probability state after a jackpot game ends, if the jackpot is a special symbol 2 (jackpot c), the player will play with a right-handed reel and can repeatedly win the lottery for special symbol 2. However, if the jackpot is a special symbol 1 (jackpot C), the player will not play with a right-handed reel and left-handed play is recommended, and the lottery for special symbol 1 and the lottery for special symbol 2 will alternate.

In this case, when playing with the left hand, the time efficiency of winning the lottery for the special symbol is lower than when playing with the right hand, and since the lottery for special symbol 1 is executed with a 1/2 chance, the hurdle to winning the maximum round of the jackpot is higher.

Furthermore, while the condition of 100 draws for the special symbol is the same, with jackpot C it is easy to win 100 draws for special symbol 2, whereas with jackpot C the 100 draws are completed after 50 draws for special symbol 1 and 50 draws for special symbol 2, so in effect you can only win 50 draws for special symbol 2.

In summary, a jackpot resulting from the drawing of special symbol 2 has at least the following advantages over a jackpot resulting from the drawing of special symbol 1: first, it is easier to win a jackpot of the maximum round; second, it is easier to enter a gaming state in which the drawing of special symbol 2 is repeatedly won; and third, it is easier to maintain a high time efficiency in winning the drawing of special symbols by playing to the right.

In the above first embodiment, when the lottery for special symbol 2 is executed preferentially, the variable time for the lottery is selected probabilistically from options of about 3 seconds to 5 minutes, but this is not limited to the above. For example, when the lottery is executed simultaneously for special symbol 1 and special symbol 2, a game state may be configured in which the variable time for the lottery for special symbol 2 is intentionally set long.

That is, for example, in the 100 drawings of special symbols after the end of jackpot B or jackpot C, the variation time for the drawing of special symbol 2 may always be set to 10 minutes. In this case, assuming that the ball that enters first winning port 64 alternates between passing through sensor SE and passing through second winning port 640, if a ball is placed in first winning port 64 after the reserved number of special symbol 2 is full, the ball will not be able to win the drawing of special symbol 2 even if it passes through second winning port 640, and the drawing of special symbol 1 will be repeatedly executed.

In addition, if the number of reserved special symbols 2 is full, the player can choose not to let the ball enter the first winning slot 64. In this case, the time efficiency of the game can be reduced, and the number of jackpots that occur within the same time period can be reduced. This makes it easier for the gaming machine store to avoid running at a loss.

In the above-mentioned game state, the balls swept to the right from the seesaw member 762 will give the player the benefit of winning the lottery for special symbol 2 and the benefit of receiving prize balls until the reserved number of special symbol 2 is full, and therefore the player will receive a greater benefit than the balls swept to the left from the seesaw member 762, which will give the player the benefit of winning the lottery for special symbol 1 and the benefit of receiving prize balls.

On the other hand, when the reserved number of special symbol 2 is full, balls swept to the right from the seesaw member 762 only provide the player with the benefit of receiving prize balls, so the benefit the player receives is smaller than that of balls swept to the left from the seesaw member 762, since it includes the benefit of winning the lottery for special symbol 1.

In other words, the amount of benefit given to the player by the balls that are swept to the right and the balls that are swept to the left by the seesaw member 762 can be switched depending on whether the reserved number of special symbols 2 is full or not.

In addition, in the above-mentioned game state, the operation of the moving plate member 641 based on the detection of a ball at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 may be configured to be selected by lottery from multiple operating patterns.

For example, the second operation pattern may be controlled to operate 5% of the time, and the remaining 95% may be controlled to operate in the fourth operation pattern. In this case, there is an advantage that if the moving plate member 641 operates in the second operation pattern, a lottery for special pattern 2 can be won, so the attention to the moving plate member 641 can be increased.

On the other hand, when the reserved number of special symbols 2 is full, if the moving plate member 641 is operated in the fourth operating pattern, a lottery for special symbol 1 can be won, but if the moving plate member 641 is operated in the second operating pattern, there is a disadvantage in that neither the lottery for special symbols 1 nor 2 can be won, so even in this case, attention to the moving plate member 641 can be improved. In other words, whether the reserved number of special symbols 2 is full or not, attention to the moving plate member 641 can be improved.

When special symbol 1 and special symbol 2 are drawn simultaneously, a game state may be configured in which the variable time for the drawing of special symbol 1 is intentionally set long. For example, by always setting the variable time for the drawing of special symbol 1 to 10 minutes, in a game state in which both the drawing of special symbol 1 and the drawing of special symbol 2 can occur, the drawing of special symbol 2 can be performed multiple times before the result of the drawing of special symbol 1 is announced. This reduces the possibility of an unintentional jackpot occurring by the drawing of special symbol 1, which would cause a disadvantage to the player.

The present embodiment described above provides the following excellent advantages:

It is possible to equalize the speed at which balls flow down the right-hand inclined surface 761 where the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is located, and the speed at which balls flow down the left-hand inclined surface 761 where the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is not located.

In addition, at the position where the ball that entered the first winning opening 64 branches off into the flow path on the second winning opening 640 side (e.g., the first ball sending path KR1) and at the position where the ball falls toward the second winning opening 640 side (e.g., the upper ball passing hole 713, the lower ball passing hole 714), the ball's flow direction has a front-to-rear component. This makes it possible to highlight the areas that are closely related to the ball's flow toward the second winning opening 640.

The paths to the second winning port 640 merge in front of the lower ball passing hole 714, but this merging position is far enough away from the moving plate member 641. This makes it possible to prevent a load from a ball colliding at the merging position from being applied to the moving plate member 641. It is also possible to avoid the merging of the flow paths in front of the lower ball passing hole 714 by shifting the left-right positions of the upper ball passing hole 713 and the lower ball passing hole 714 and expanding the left-right width of the second winning port 640 to more than the width of two balls.

It is also possible to create a case where it is possible to manage so that the next ball is not detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 from the time the ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 until the display of the normal pattern changes ends. This allows the electric device 640a, which is controlled by the detection of the ball, to act in a timely manner on the ball that has passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765.

Moreover, the movable plate member 641 is arranged so that it can act on balls that have passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 as well as on balls that have passed through the normal winning openings (through gates) 66 and 67. This increases the availability of the movable plate member 641.

In other words, the movable plate member 641 can be effectively used in a game state in which left-handed play is recommended to aim for the ball to enter the first winning hole 64, and in a game state in which right-handed play is recommended to aim for the ball to enter the normal winning hole (through gate) 67. Note that this effect is not limited to a symmetrical board surface, but can also be achieved, for example, on an asymmetrical board surface (for example, a configuration in which the normal winning hole (through gate) 66 is omitted).

In addition, regarding the number of balls that can be placed on the movable plate member 641, the left guide section 645 can simultaneously carry multiple balls, while the number of balls that can be placed on the right guide section 643 is limited to one. This makes it possible to improve the durability of the movable plate member 641 by making the right guide section 643 stronger than the left guide section 645.

In addition, by providing multiple operating patterns for the electric roler 640a, different patterns for winning the lottery for the special symbol can be created. For example, when the ball repeatedly enters the first winning slot 64, it is possible to switch between a pattern in which the lottery for special symbol 1 is repeatedly won, and a pattern in which the lottery for special symbol 1 and the lottery for special symbol 2 are alternately won.

In addition, when right-handed play is recommended as a pattern for winning the lottery for the special symbol, if the ball accidentally enters the first winning slot 64, it is possible to switch between a pattern in which it is easy to repeatedly win the lottery for special symbol 1, and a pattern in which there is a high probability that the winning of the lottery for special symbol 1 will be avoided for balls swept to the right by the seesaw member 762.

Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 15 to 24. In the first embodiment, a case was described in which a ball passes through a normal winning port (through gate) 765 when flowing down one of the paths allocated by the path configuration device 700, but the allocation unit 980 of the second embodiment is configured so that the ball passes through detection devices SE4 and SE5 as normal winning ports (through gates) in the multiple paths to which the balls are allocated. Note that parts that are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiments are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

Figure 15 is an exploded front perspective view of the game board 13 in the second embodiment. Note that in Figure 15, units other than the winning slot unit 930 and ball throwing unit 970 arranged on the base plate 60 are not shown.

As shown in FIG. 15, a through hole 2060a is formed in the base plate 60 by router processing below the central opening where the center frame 86 (see FIG. 2) is attached, penetrating the base plate 60 in the thickness direction.

The through hole 2060a is formed slightly smaller than the external shape of the front unit 940 when viewed from the front, which will be described later, and the drive unit 960 and the specific winning port unit 950 arranged in the front unit 940 are inserted inside.

On the base plate 60, a winning port unit 930 is arranged from the playing area (front side), and a ball throwing unit 970 is arranged from the opposite side (back side) of the playing area, and each is fastened and fixed with tapping screws or the like. The detailed configuration of the winning port unit 930 and the ball throwing unit 970 will be described later.

The winning port unit 930 is mainly formed by a front unit 940, a specific winning port unit 950 arranged on the rear side of the front unit 940, a drive unit 960 arranged on the rear side of the specific winning port unit 950, and a displacement member 966 configured to be movable in the vertical direction by the driving force of the drive unit 960. The displacement member 966 will be described later.

A portion of the specific winning hole unit 950 is inserted inside the specific winning hole 65a formed in the front unit 940, and a game ball can be sent to the inside of the specific winning hole unit 950 through the specific winning hole 65a.

The drive unit 960 is disposed on the rear side of the specific winning port unit 950, and is connected to the feather member 945 disposed on the front unit 940 via a displacement member 966. This allows the feather member 945 to be rotationally displaced by operating the displacement member 966 with the driving force of the drive unit 960. The operation of the feather member 945 will be described in detail later.

Next, the front unit 940 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 16 to 18. Fig. 16(a) is a front view of the front unit 940, and Fig. 16(b) is a rear view of the front unit 940. Fig. 17 is an exploded front perspective view of the front unit 940, and Fig. 18 is an exploded rear perspective view of the front unit 940. Note that in Figs. 16(a) and 16(b), the outline of the blade member 945 is shown by hidden lines.

As shown in Figures 16 to 18, the front unit 940 is mainly formed with a rear base 941 that is fastened to the base plate 60, a front base 943 that is disposed on the rear base 941 at a distance greater than the diameter of the game ball, and two (a pair) of wing members 945 that are rotatably disposed between the opposing rear base 941 and the front base 943.

The rear base 941 is formed from a plate-like body with a predetermined thickness and has an external shape that is roughly a vertically inverted T shape when viewed from the front. The rear base 941 is also formed from a colorless and transparent resin material, and when the prize winning port unit 930 (front unit 940) is arranged on the base plate 60, the inside of the through hole 2060a of the base plate 60 can be seen through the rear base 941.

The rear base 941 mainly comprises a first outlet 71 cut out at the bottom end, a specific winning opening 65a located above the first outlet 71 and formed as a horizontally long rectangle, a second winning opening 640 formed above the specific winning opening 65a, and a first winning opening 64 cut out at the edge (upper edge) opposite the first outlet 71.

The rear base 941 has a number of through holes 941a penetrating the outer edge in the plate thickness direction. The through holes 941a are formed of a first through hole 941a1 whose diameter decreases from the front side to the rear side, and a second through hole 941a2 whose diameter decreases from the rear side to the front side.

The first through hole 941a1 is a hole through which a tapping screw is inserted to fasten the rear base 941 (prize-winning port unit 930) to the base plate 60, and its inner diameter is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the threaded portion of the tapping screw.

As described above, the first through hole 941a1 is formed with a smaller diameter from the front side to the rear side, so that the head of the tapping screw can be accommodated in the larger diameter portion on the front side. This prevents the head of the tapping screw from protruding into the play area. Furthermore, a positioning protrusion 942a is formed near the first through hole 941a1, protruding cylindrically from the rear surface of the rear base 941.

The positioning protrusion 942a is formed at a position corresponding to the positioning hole formed around the through hole 2060a of the base plate 60, and is formed with an outer diameter that is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the positioning hole. This allows the rear base 941 (prize winning port unit 930) to be positioned and arranged relative to the base plate 60.

The second through hole 941a2 is a hole through which a screw for fastening the rear base 941 and the front base 943 is inserted from the rear base 941 side, and the inner diameter is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the screw-threaded portion. In other words, the front base 943 is fastened with a screw from the rear side of the rear base 941. In this case, the operation of removing the front base 943 from the rear base 941 must be performed after the prize winning port unit 930 has been removed from the base plate 60. This prevents a player from cheating and removing only the front base 943 from the front side (play area side) of the game board 13.

As described above, the second through hole 941a2 is formed with a smaller diameter from the rear side to the front side, so the head of the screw can be accommodated in the larger diameter portion on the rear side. This prevents the head of the screw from protruding into the rear side of the rear base 941. As a result, when the specific winning port unit 950 described later is disposed on the rear side of the rear base 941, the head of the screw can be prevented from abutting against the specific winning port unit 950.

The outer shape of the lower end of the rear base 941 in the direction of gravity is formed along the inner edge of the inner rail 61 (see FIG. 2) of the game board 13. The first outlet 71 is formed so that the edge of the cutout bottom (the upper edge in the direction of gravity) is spaced apart from the inner edge of the inner rail 61 by at least the diameter of the game ball. This allows game balls that flow down the game area formed on the front of the game board 13 and do not flow into any of the first winning opening 64, the second winning opening 640, the specific winning opening 65a, or the general winning opening 63 (see FIG. 2) to be sent to the rear side of the game board 13 (the opposite side of the game area) via the first outlet 71.

The first winning opening 64 is formed by cutting out the end opposite the first outlet 71 in a semicircular shape. The first winning opening 64 is also formed so that the inner edge dimension is larger than the diameter of the game ball. This allows the game ball that flows into the inside of the first receiving portion 941g (described later) to be sent through the first winning opening 64 to the back side (the opposite side of the game area (the front side of the paper in Figure 16 (b)).

The edge of the first winning opening 64 is formed with a first receiving portion 941g that protrudes toward the playing area (the front side of the page in Figure 16(a)) and is cup-shaped, and a first ball throwing portion 942g that protrudes with a U-shaped cross section toward the opposite side of the playing area (the front side of the page in Figure 16(b)).

The first receiving portion 941g is formed to be large enough to receive one game ball inside. This allows the game ball flowing down the game area from the upper side of the first receiving portion 941g (first winning port 64) in the direction of gravity to flow inside the first receiving portion 941g.

The first receiving portion 941g is formed so that the bottom surface is inclined downward toward the rear side. This allows the game ball that flows into the first receiving portion 941g to be sent to the rear side (the first ball sending portion 942g side) through the first winning opening 64.

The first receiving portion 941g further includes a guide portion 941g1 that extends downward from the upper end of both ends of the short side (left-right direction in FIG. 16) of the base plate 60, slanting outward in the left-right direction. The guide portion 941g1 is formed into a plate-like body with a predetermined thickness, and the side opposite the play area (the rear side) is connected to the front side of the rear base 941. This increases the rigidity of the first receiving portion 941g, and prevents game balls flowing down the flow area from colliding with the first receiving portion 941g and damaging the first receiving portion 941g.

In addition, if the first winning hole 64, the second winning hole 640, and the specific winning hole 65 are integrally formed on the rear base 941, there is a possibility that there will not be enough game nails to change the direction of the game ball flowing down the play area, making it difficult to change the direction of the game ball. Therefore, there is a risk that the player's interest will be lost, but by having the game ball collide with the guide portion 941g1, the direction of the game ball flowing down can be changed, preventing the player's interest from being lost.

Furthermore, when a game ball flowing down the front side of the rear base 941 toward the second winning opening 640 collides with the guide portion 941g1, the guide portion 941g1 can guide the game ball outward in the left-right direction. This makes it possible to prevent the probability of the game ball entering the second winning opening 640 from becoming excessively high.

The first ball throwing section 942g is formed in a U-shape that opens upward in the direction of gravity, and the distance between the opposing inner edges is formed to be greater than the diameter of the game ball. In addition, the bottom surface of the first ball throwing section 942g is formed to slope downward toward the back side, and the protruding tip side abuts against the edge of the inlet 982d of the ball throwing unit 970 described later. This allows the game ball sent from the inside of the first receiving section 941g through the first winning port 64 to the first ball throwing section 942g to roll toward the back side and be sent to the ball throwing unit 970.

The first ball throwing section 942g has a first notch 942g1 cut into a rectangular shape in side view at the upper end of the protruding tip. The first notch 942g1 is a notch on which the second protrusion 982d1 of the ball throwing unit 970 described below is placed, and is notched to a size approximately the same as the shape of the second protrusion 982d1 in side view. The arrangement of the first ball throwing section 942g and the ball throwing unit 970 will be described in detail later.

The second winning opening 640 is formed in a generally D-shape with a curved upper portion when viewed from the front, and the inner edge is formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the game ball. This allows the game ball sent between the opposing blade members 945 (described later) to be sent from the second winning opening 640 to the rear side.

The second winning port 640 has a front side wall portion 941b that protrudes toward the front side and a second ball throwing portion 942c that protrudes toward the rear side formed on its edge.

The front side wall portion 941b is formed along both side edges of the second winning opening in the short direction of the base plate 60. The front side wall portion 941b is set to a size such that its protruding tip surface abuts against the ball sending guide portion 943d of the front base 943 described later.

The second ball sending section 942c is formed by bending in an approximately L-shape when viewed from behind at both ends of the lower edge of the second winning opening 640. The dimension of the second ball sending section 942c in the direction of gravity (the vertical direction in FIG. 16(b)) is set to be larger than the radius of the game ball. This makes it possible to prevent the game ball rolling on the rolling section 943a of the front base 943 (described later) from falling from the upper surface of the rolling section 943a.

The pair of second ball sending sections 942c are arranged so that the distance between them in the short side direction of the base plate 60 (left and right direction in FIG. 16(b)) is set to be approximately the same as the length dimension of the rolling section 943a of the front base 943 described below in the short side direction of the base plate 60 (left and right direction in FIG. 16(b)), and the rolling section 943a is disposed on the inside.

The second ball throwing section 942c is positioned inside the displacement member 966 in the assembled state, and faces the displacement member 966 in the up, down, left and right directions. The left-right width between the outer surfaces of the second ball throwing section 942c is formed slightly shorter than the left-right width between the inner surfaces of the second opening 966c of the displacement member 966. This allows the second ball throwing section 942c to limit the left-right displacement of the displacement member 966.

The rear base 941 is formed with first shaft holes 941d recessed in two circular locations on the upper side (first winning opening 64 side) near the second winning opening 640 from the playing area side of the rear base 941 toward the opposite side of the playing area, two first openings 941e curved around the axis of the first shaft holes 941d and formed through the rear base 941, and a first guide wall 942b located outside the opposing direction of the two first openings 941e and protruding toward the rear side.

The first shaft hole 941d is capable of supporting the shaft member 945a that supports the blade member 945 described below, and is formed with an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the shaft member 945a. This allows one end of the shaft member 945a to be inserted into the first shaft hole 941d and supported.

The first opening 941e is opened in an arc shape with the center of the first shaft hole 941d as its axis. The first opening 941e is also designed to allow the protrusion 945b of the feather member 945 to be inserted therethrough, and is set to be larger than the maximum width dimension of the protrusion 945b in the radial direction of the rotation axis (insertion hole 945c) of the feather member 945. This makes it possible to prevent the protrusion 945b from contacting the inner surface of the first opening 941e when the feather member 945 rotates.

The pair of first guide walls 942b are walls that guide the upward and downward displacement of the displacement member 966 when the displacement member 966 described below is displaced, and the distance dimension between the pair of opposing first guide walls 942b is set to be slightly larger than the distance dimension in the short side direction (left and right direction) of the displacement member 966.

The pair of first guide walls 942b are formed in a generally L-shape when viewed from the rear, and extend in a direction in which the bent portions approach each other. This allows the protrusion 966a of the displacement member 966 to abut against the bent portions of the first guide walls 942b, thereby regulating the displacement distance of the displacement member 966.

The specific winning opening 65a is formed as a long rectangular opening in the opposing direction of the pair of blade members 945 (left and right direction in Figure 16 (b)), and an opening and closing plate of the specific winning opening unit 950 described later is arranged inside the opening.

The rear base 941 has a bulging portion 942h that bulges out between the specific winning opening 65a and the second ball sending section 942c, and a second guide wall 942d that protrudes from the outer frame of the specific winning opening 65a toward the first guide wall 942b (upper side in Figure 16 (b)).

The bulging portion 942h bulges out toward the rear side of the rear base 941 and is connected to the outer frame of the specific winning opening 65a and the second ball sending portion 942c. This makes it possible to reduce the contact area between the displacement member 966 and the rear side of the rear base 941 when the displacement member 966 described below is disposed on the rear side of the rear base 941, thereby reducing the frictional (sliding) resistance of the displacement member 966.

The second guide wall 942d is a wall surface that guides the displacement of the lower end portion of the displacement member 966, and the distance between the pair of opposing second guide walls 942d is set to be slightly larger than the distance in the short direction of the displacement member 966. Therefore, when the displacement member 966 is disposed between the pair of opposing second guide walls 942d, the displacement distance of the lower end portion of the displacement member 966 in the short direction (left and right direction) of the displacement member 966 can be regulated.

Therefore, not only is the displacement of the displacement member 966 restricted by the second ball sending section 942c being positioned on the inside, but the displacement of the displacement member 966 is also restricted by the second guide wall 942d being positioned on the outside. This makes it possible to restrict the displacement of the displacement member 966 in the left-right direction for a long period of time.

The rear base 941 is provided with a second outlet 941f formed by cutting out a semicircular shape downward from the upper edge of both the left and right ends of the specific winning port 65a. The second outlet 941f is a cutout for sending the game ball that has flowed into the third receiving portion 944a formed in the front base 943 to the rear side of the base plate 60, and is formed in a shape larger than the diameter of the game ball.

The edge of the second outlet 941f is formed with a third ball throwing section 942e that is formed in a roughly U-shape when viewed from the rear and protrudes toward the rear side. This allows the game ball that is thrown to the rear side via the inside of the second outlet 941f to be thrown to the inside of the third ball throwing section 942e.

The third ball throwing section 942e is formed so that the curved part (lower part) of the U-shape when viewed from the rear is inclined downward in the direction of gravity as it protrudes toward the rear side, and the game ball thrown from the second outlet 941f can be rolled toward the rear side.

The rear base 941 is formed with a third through hole 941i that is formed in a shape that extends linearly upward from the upper end of the first opening 941e, a fourth through hole 941j that is formed in an arc shape centered on the axis of the first axis hole 941d from the upper end of the third through hole 941i toward the left and right outside, a ball throwing hole 941k that is drilled between the pair of third through holes 941i and is large enough for a game ball to pass through, and a rolling plate portion 941l that extends toward the rear side from the lower edge of the ball throwing hole 941k as a base end.

The third through hole 941i is a through hole for passing the extension portion 945d and the plate-shaped portion 945e to the rear side when the wing member 945 is assembled. The fourth through hole 941j is a through hole for allowing the extension portion 945d to be displaced when the wing member 945 is in operation, and is drilled in a shape that includes the entire displacement trajectory of the extension portion 945d when viewed from the front (as viewed in the axial direction of the shaft member 945a). Note that since the plate-shaped portion 945e is disposed on the rear side through the rear base 941, it is not necessary to consider the displacement trajectory of the plate-shaped portion 945e.

The ball throwing hole 941k is an opening for throwing a ball that has rolled on the top surface of the plate-shaped portion 945e to the front side when the feather member 945 is in an open state. Because the lower part of the ball throwing hole 941k is left open on the front side of the ball throwing hole 941k (see Figures 17 and 18), it is possible to reduce the possibility of a ball entering the ball throwing hole 941k from the front side.

In other words, the front area of the ball throwing hole 941k is formed as a meeting point between the ball rolling on the top surface of the plate-shaped portion 945e and the ball rolling on the top surface of the feather-shaped body 945, and the flow of the ball through the ball throwing hole 941k can be made to flow exclusively toward the front side.

The rolling plate portion 941l is formed as an inclined plate that slopes upward toward the rear side, and is configured to allow a ball that has landed on the extended tip side to flow down to the base end side (front side). The ball that rolls on the upper surface of the rolling plate portion 941 and reaches the base end side passes through the ball sending hole 941k and reaches the front side of the rear base 941 (the space between the rear base 941 and the front base 943), and then flows down.

The front base 943 is formed in a roughly upside-down T-shape, with an outer shape smaller than that of the rear base when viewed from the front. The front base 943 is also formed from a colorless and transparent plate. This allows the player to visually see the game balls flowing down between the opposing front base 943 and rear base 941.

The front base 943 is formed mainly with a second receiving portion 943c and a third receiving portion 944a that protrude from positions corresponding to the second winning opening 640 and the second outlet 941f of the above-mentioned rear base 941, respectively.

The second receiving portion 943c is formed in a roughly U-shape when viewed from the rear, and the second winning opening 640 of the rear base 941 is located on the inside when viewed from the front. In addition, a pair of feather members 945, which will be described later, are arranged on the open side of the second receiving portion 943c (the open side of the U-shape).

Furthermore, the protruding distance of the second receiving portion 943c toward the rear base 941 is set to be greater than the diameter of the game ball. This allows the game ball to be sent between the opposing rear base 941 and the front base 943, while preventing the game ball from flowing into the second winning opening 640 from outside the opposing space between a pair of blade members 945 (described later).

The second receiving portion 943c also includes a ball guide portion 943d that protrudes inward from its inner edge, and a rolling portion 943a that protrudes from the inside of the curved portion toward the back base.

The ball throwing guide portions 943d are formed as a pair on the underside of the pair of wing members 945. The pair of ball throwing guide portions 943d are also formed at positions corresponding to the front side wall portions 941b of the rear base 941, and when the rear base 941 and the front base 943 are combined, their end faces abut against each other. This allows a game ball that has flowed between the opposing wing members 945 to be thrown between the opposing ball throwing guide portions 943d.

The rolling portion 943a is formed below the opposing pair of ball guide portions 943d, and the upper end surface 943a1 is formed so as to slope downward toward the rear base 941. As described above, when the rear base 941 and the front base 943 are fastened (combined), the rolling portion 943a is positioned at the inner lower end of the second winning opening 640, and the tip protrudes toward the rear side of the rear base 941.

This allows the game ball sent between the pair of opposing ball sending guide parts 943d to be sent to the end surface 943a1 of the rolling part 943a, and the game ball can be rolled on the upper part of the end surface 943a1 and sent to the rear side of the rear base 941.

The front base 943 also has a ring-shaped protrusion 943b that protrudes from the opening side (upper side) of the second receiving portion 943c in a position facing the first shaft hole 941d of the rear base 941. The ring-shaped protrusion 943b has a second shaft hole 943b1 on its inner edge, and the other end of the shaft member 945a that supports the blade member 945 described later can be inserted into the inside of the second shaft hole 943b1. As described above, one end of the shaft member 945a is inserted into the first shaft hole 941d of the rear base 941. Therefore, the shaft member 945a can be supported by being sandwiched between the opposing rear base 941 and front base 943.

The third receiving portion 944a is formed in a roughly U-shape when viewed from the rear, and the second outlet 941f of the rear base 941 is located inside it. This allows game balls flowing down the play area of the game board 13 to flow into the inside of the third receiving portion 944a, and game balls that have flowed into the third receiving portion 944a can be sent to the rear side via the second outlet 941f.

When viewed from the front, the feather members 945 are arranged in pairs, sandwiching the second winning opening 640 formed in the rear base 941. The feather members 945 are made of a colored translucent material and are visible to the player through the front base 943.

The feather member 945 mainly comprises a feather-shaped body 945m formed in a generally triangular shape when viewed from the front and formed with a thickness smaller than the width between the rear base 941 and the front base 943, a protrusion 945b protruding from the rear side of the feather-shaped body 945m, an insertion hole 945c formed through the feather-shaped body 945m in the thickness direction (from the rear base 941 side to the front base 943 side), a connecting portion 945d extending from the end of the feather-shaped body 945m opposite the side where the insertion hole 945c is located to the rear side, and a plate-shaped portion 945e extending in a plate shape from the tip side of the extension portion 945d in the longitudinal direction of the feather-shaped body 945m (the up-down direction in FIG. 16(a)).

The extension portion 945d and the plate-shaped portion 945e pass through the through holes 941i and 941j in the assembled state (see FIG. 16(a)) and are configured to be operable inside the sorting unit 980, as will be described in detail later.

The insertion hole 945c is formed with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the shaft member 945a supported between the opposing rear base 941 and front base 943. Therefore, when fastening (assembling) the rear base 941 and the front base 943, the shaft member 945a is inserted into the insertion hole 945c, so that the wing member 945 can be arranged between the opposing rear base 941 and the front base 943 in a rotatable state. This allows the wing member 945 to be displaced between a closed state (see FIG. 16(a)) in which the rotating tip sides are close to each other, and an open state in which the rotating tip sides are displaced to open outward on both the left and right sides.

The protrusion 945b is inserted into the sliding groove 966a2 of the displacement member 966 described below, and is a transmission part to which the driving force of the drive unit 960 is transmitted. The protrusion 945b has a dimension set so that its tip protrudes through the first opening 941e of the rear base 941 to the rear side of the rear base 941 and can be inserted into the sliding groove 966a2.

The displacement member 966 is formed in a U-shape with an open upper side when viewed from the front, and has a protruding portion 966a that protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the upper end and a bulging portion 966b that bulges outward from the lower end toward the rear side, with a second opening 966c formed through it at approximately the center when viewed from the front.

The second opening 966c is formed so that the shape of the inner edge when viewed from the front is larger than the second winning opening 640, and the second winning opening 640 is disposed on the inside. This prevents the game ball sent to the opposite side of the game area through the second winning opening 640 from colliding with the inner edge of the displacement member 966.

The protrusion 966a includes abutment portions 966a1 that are located on both outer sides of the displacement member 966 in the short direction and extend in the longitudinal direction, and a sliding groove 966a2 that penetrates the displacement member 966 in the plate thickness direction.

The sliding groove 966a2 is an elongated hole into which the protrusion 945b of the feather member 945 described above is inserted, and is formed as an elongated hole that is long in the short direction of the displacement member 966. The width dimension of the sliding groove 966a2 is set to be larger than the width dimension of the protrusion 945b in the radial direction of the rotation axis (insertion hole 945c) of the feather member 945. This prevents the protrusion 945b from contacting both inner surfaces facing each other in the width direction of the sliding groove 966a2 when the feather member 945 rotates, thereby preventing the movement of the feather member 945 from being restricted.

The bulging portion 966b is formed by bulging out toward the rear side (the rear base 941 side), and a horizontally long rectangular connecting hole 966b1 is formed in the inner portion in rear view. The connecting hole 966b1 is an opening into which the transmission member of the drive unit 960 is inserted, and the shape of the inner edge is set to be larger than the outer shape of the tip of the transmission member.

When the displacement member 966 is placed in a lower position via the transmission member of the drive unit 960, the wing member 945 is in a closed state. On the other hand, when the displacement member 966 is placed in an upper position via the transmission member of the drive unit 960, the wing member 945 is in an open state.

Next, the sorting unit 980 will be described with reference to Figures 19 and 20. Figure 19(a) is a front view of the sorting unit 980, Figure 19(b) is a rear view of the sorting unit 980, Figure 20(a) is a cross-sectional view of the sorting unit 980 taken along line XXa-XXa in Figure 19(a), and Figure 20(b) is a cross-sectional view of the sorting unit 980 taken along line XXb-XXb in Figure 20(a).

The distribution unit 980 is formed mainly by comprising a rear base 985, a front base 981 disposed on the player side of the rear base 985, and a distribution section 983 disposed in a rotatable state between the front base 981 and the rear base. The distribution section 983 is a member corresponding to the seesaw member 762 in the first embodiment.

The rear base 985 is formed from a colored translucent (blue in this embodiment) resin material, and is mainly comprised of a base portion 985a formed in a plate-like body, a number of openings (openings 985b to 985g) penetrating the base portion 985a in the thickness direction, a recess 985h recessed above the multiple openings, and a storage portion 986b protruding from the opposite surface of the recess 985h.

The base portion 985a is formed in a vertically elongated rectangle when viewed from the front, and is formed with a plurality of fastening holes 986c and 986d that penetrate the outer edge in a circular shape. The fastening hole 986c is a hole into which a screw that is inserted through the front base 981 (described later) is screwed. This allows the front base 981 and the rear base 985 to be fastened together. The fastening hole 986d is a hole into which a screw that is inserted through the passage unit 990 (described later) is screwed. This allows the rear base 985 (distribution unit 980) and the passage unit 990 to be fastened together.

The recess 985h is recessed from the front base 981 side toward the back side at approximately the center of the short side (left-right direction) of the base portion 985a. The recess 985h is formed with a size that can accommodate a part of the distribution portion 983 (described later) on the inside, and is provided with a bearing portion 985j that protrudes in an annular shape on the bottom surface. The bearing portion 985j is a hole into which one end of the shaft member 988a that supports the distribution portion 983 is inserted, and is formed with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the shaft member 988a.

Openings 985b and 985c are formed at both ends of the base portion 985a in the short direction, and the dimensions of the inner edges are set to be larger than the diameter of the game ball. Furthermore, openings 985b and 985c are formed with their lower inner surfaces sloping downward as they approach the opposite side to the front base 981 side. This allows the game balls flowing in from the front base 981 side to roll to the opposite side of the front base 981 (the back side).

Opening 985e is formed closer to opening 985b than the center position on the left and right, and opening 985f is formed closer to opening 985c than the center position on the left and right. In the following, openings 985e and 985f have the same configuration, so a detailed explanation will be given of opening 985f that can receive balls that have flowed down the second passage TR2, and an explanation of opening 985e that can receive balls that have flowed down the first passage TR1 will be omitted.

The opening 985f is formed mainly by an inlet passage 985f1 of the space that opens on the front base 981 side, an outlet passage 985f3 of the space that opens on the opposite side to the front base 981 side, an intermediate passage 985f2 that extends in the direction of gravity and connects the inlet passage 985f1 and the outlet passage 985f3, and a recessed portion 985f4 recessed in the intermediate passage 985f2 in a direction that is approximately perpendicular to the throwing direction of the game ball (the direction of gravity) (see Figures 19(b) and 20(a)).

The inflow passage 985f1 is connected to the second passage TR2 formed between the opposing front base 981 and rear base 985 described below, and is formed large enough for game balls to pass through. This allows game balls flowing down the second passage TR2 to flow into the inflow passage 985f1.

The intermediate passage 985f2 is formed by extending in the direction of gravity, and the upper side is connected to the inflow passage 985f1, and is formed large enough for game balls to pass through. This allows game balls passing through the inflow passage 985f1 to flow into the intermediate passage 985f2.

The recessed portion 985f4 is a cutout for disposing the detection device SE3 (described later) inside, and is set to be approximately the same as the external shape of the detection device SE3 when viewed from the rear. This allows the detection device SE3 to be inserted and disposed from the rear side of the base portion 985a (the side opposite the front base 981).

The detection device SE3 is a device that detects the passage of a game ball, and has a detection hole SE1a with an inner diameter slightly larger than the game ball formed through it in the thickness direction. The detection hole SE1a is formed offset to one side in the longitudinal direction of the detection device SE3, and a detection board SE1b that controls the detection device SE1 is disposed on the other side in the longitudinal direction where the detection hole SE1a is not formed.

The detection device SE3 is also arranged such that the axial direction of the detection hole SE1a is set parallel to the extension direction of the intermediate passage 985f2, and the internal space of the detection hole SE1a and the space of the intermediate passage 985f2 are approximately aligned. This allows a gaming ball to pass through the detection hole SE1a of the detection device SE3 when it flows down from the upper side of the intermediate passage 985f2. This allows a gaming ball passing through the second passage TR2 to be detected.

In addition, the detection device SE3 is formed so that the axial direction of the detection hole SE1a is parallel to the direction of gravity, making it easier to utilize the weight of the game ball when sending it to the detection hole SE1a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the game ball from getting caught in the connecting portion between the intermediate passage 985f2 and the detection hole SE1a.

The recessed portion 985f4 is formed so as to be continuous with the spaces of the inlet passage 985f1 and the outlet passage 985f3. That is, the intermediate passage 985f2 is formed using the detection device SE3. This makes it possible to prevent the length dimension of the intermediate passage 985f2 in the direction of gravity from increasing. As a result, it is possible to prevent the rear base 985 from becoming larger in the direction of gravity.

The discharge passage 985f3 is connected to the lower side of the intermediate passage 985f2 and is formed to a size that allows game balls to pass through. In addition, the discharge passage 985f3 is connected to the insertion hole of the passage unit 990 when the sorting unit 980 and the passage unit 990 are combined. This allows game balls passing through the intermediate passage 985f2 to flow into the discharge passage 985f3 and to be sent to the passage unit 990 by passing through that space.

The opening 985g is formed at the lower end of the rear base 985 in the center position from left to right. The lower inner surface of the opening 985g is also formed so that it slopes downward toward the side opposite the front base 981. This allows the game balls flowing in from the front base 981 side to roll toward the side opposite the front base 981.

The inflow passage 985f1 is connected to the second passage TR2 formed between the opposing front base 981 and rear base 985 described below, and is formed large enough for game balls to pass through. This allows game balls flowing down the second passage TR2 to flow into the inflow passage 985f1.

The storage section 986b is formed from a pair of semicircular rings. The storage section 986b is a portion that stores the magnetic body 988b described later inside, and its inner diameter is set to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the magnetic body 988b formed in a cylindrical body. The protruding dimension of the storage section 986b is set to be larger than the axial dimension of the magnetic body 988b. This allows the magnetic body 988b to be stored inside the storage section 986b. Since the storage section 986b is formed from a pair of semicircular rings, the magnetic body 988b can be disposed by elastically deforming the pair of semicircular rings even if the outer diameter of the magnetic body 988b is formed slightly larger due to manufacturing errors.

The magnetic body 988b is made of a magnet, and by being disposed in the housing portion 986b, it is possible to generate a magnetic field on the front base 981 side via the base portion 985a. This makes it possible to repel the magnetic body 988c disposed in the distribution portion 983 described later, making it easier to displace the distribution portion 983.

The rear base 985 has an opening 985k, which is a cutout for arranging the detectors SE4 and SE5 in the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 described below, formed in a shape substantially identical to the outer shape of the detectors SE4 and SE5 when viewed from the rear. This allows the detectors SE4 and SE5 to be inserted and arranged from the rear side of the base portion 985a (the side opposite the front base 981). Note that the structure of the detectors SE4 and SE5 is similar to that of the detector SE3 described above, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The detection devices SE4 and SE5 are also arranged so that the axial direction of the detection hole SE1a is set parallel to the extension direction of the first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2, and the internal space of the detection hole SE1a is approximately aligned with the space of the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2.

As a result, when a game ball flows down from the upper side of the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2, it can pass through the detection hole SE1a of the detection device SE4, SE5. This makes it possible to detect a game ball passing through the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2.

In addition, the detection devices SE4 and SE5 are formed so that the axial direction of the detection hole SE1a is parallel to the direction of gravity, making it easier to utilize the weight of the game ball when sending it to the detection hole SE1a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the game ball from getting caught in the connection between the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 and the detection hole SE1a.

Detection devices SE4 and SE5 are configured as devices that draw a regular symbol (second symbol) when it is detected that a ball has passed through detection hole SE1a.

The opening 985k is formed so as to be continuous with the space of the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2. That is, the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 is formed using the detection device SE3. This makes it possible to prevent the length dimension of the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 in the direction of gravity from increasing. As a result, it is possible to prevent the rear base 985 from becoming larger in the direction of gravity.

The front base 981 is formed from a colored translucent resin material (blue in this embodiment). The front base 981 is formed in a generally rectangular shape larger than the rear base 985 when viewed from the front, and is formed mainly with a base plate 981a and a bulge portion 982 that bulges out from the base plate 981a toward the player (the opposite side of the rear base 985).

The base plate 981a is formed as a plate member having a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is mainly formed with a plurality of insertion holes 981g penetrating in the plate thickness direction on its outer peripheral edge, a first guide wall 981f protruding toward the rear base 985 side, and a through hole 981c penetrating in the plate thickness direction on one side of the bulge portion 982 in the direction of gravity (the lower side in the direction of gravity).

The insertion hole 981g is a hole through which a screw (not shown) is inserted to fasten the assembled ball throwing unit 970 to the base plate 60 (see FIG. 15), and is set to an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the tip of the screw.

The first guide wall 981f is formed in a semicircular ring shape, and is formed as a pair in the short side direction with a bulge portion 982 (described later) sandwiched between them. The first guide wall 981f is also formed with the semicircular open portion facing approximately the center of the base plate 981a in the short side direction.

The through hole 981c is formed in a square shape with one side greater than the diameter of the game ball. The through hole 981c is also formed with a side wall portion 981b erected on the front side along its edge.

The through hole 981c is a portion that communicates with the second winning port 640 of the winning port unit 930 described above, and is formed at a position that overlaps with the rolling direction of the game ball that flows into the second winning port 640 when the winning port unit 930 and the ball sending unit 970 are attached to the base plate 60.

The side wall portion 981b is formed with dimensions such that the erected tip surface abuts the second ball throwing section 942c (see FIG. 18) of the winning opening unit 930 when the winning opening unit 930 and the ball throwing unit 970 are attached to the base plate 60. In addition, the side wall portion 981b is formed so that the rolling surface 981c1 on the lower inner surface is positioned lower than the end surface 943a1 (see FIG. 18) of the rolling section 943a, and is inclined downward toward the rear base 985.

The bulging portion 982 is formed in a dome shape that bulges out from the base plate 981a, and is set to a size that allows a game ball to pass through its inside. It is formed with a ball sending passage TR0 through which the game ball flowing in from the inlet 982d passes, and a first passage TR1 and a second passage TR2 that branch off from the ball sending passage TR0.

The bulge 982 is formed in a vertically elongated rectangle when viewed from the front, and is mainly composed of an inlet 982d formed by cutting out the upper end, an upright wall 982a formed in a wall-like shape extending toward the rear base 985 side at approximately the center position from the left to right when viewed from the front, and recesses 982e to 982j formed as curved surfaces at multiple points below the direction of gravity that can send game balls to the rear side.

The bulge 982 also includes a ball throwing opening 982k drilled in the front-to-rear direction below the standing wall 982a, a vertically elongated rectangular insertion opening 982l drilled in the front-to-rear direction on both the left and right sides of the ball throwing opening 982k, and a rotation permitting opening 982m drilled in a shape that extends outward to the left and right from the upper end of the insertion opening 982l.

The inlet 982d is cut out to have a generally U-shape when viewed from the front. The inlet 982d is formed at a position where the inner edge of the inlet 982d overlaps with the rolling direction of the game ball that has flowed into the first winning opening 64 of the winning opening unit 930 when the winning opening unit 930 and the ball sending unit 970 are attached to the base plate 60.

The inlet 982d also has a second protrusion 982d1 at its upper edge that protrudes in the direction opposite the rear base 985. The second protrusion 982d1 is formed in the shape of the inner edge of the first recess 942g1 (see FIG. 18) of the prize winning port unit 930 described above, and when the prize winning port unit 930 and the ball throwing unit 970 are disposed on the base plate 60, the second protrusion 982d1 abuts against the inner edge of the first recess 942g1.

In addition, the distance dimension L14 (see FIG. 19(a)) from the second protrusion 982d1 to the lower end face of the inlet 982d is set to be greater than the distance dimension L15 (see FIG. 16(b)) from the inner edge of the first recess 942g1 to the lower inner edge of the first ball throwing section 942g. This makes it possible for the game ball sent to the first ball throwing section 942g through the first winning opening 64 to be less likely to get caught between the inlet 982d (bulge 982) and the first ball throwing section 942g as it flows into the inlet 982d.

The erected wall 982a is formed in a rectangular shape with a predetermined distance from the outer edge shape of the bulge portion 982 when viewed from the front. The erected wall 982a is formed below the inlet 982d and is provided with an abutment portion 982a1 formed in a triangular shape on the upper side when viewed from the erected direction.

The horizontal distance between the vertical wall 982a and the inner edge of the outer periphery of the bulge 982 is set to be greater than the diameter of the game ball, and a first passage TR1 and a second passage TR2 are formed between them, which are spaces through which the game ball can pass.

The first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2 are formed downstream of the distribution section 983 described below, and game balls passing through the distribution section 983 are sent to one of them. The distribution section 983 is set up so that game balls flowing into the inlet 982d can be sent alternately to the first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2. This makes it possible to prevent the sending of game balls flowing into the first winning port 64 from becoming monotonous. As a result, it is possible to prevent the player's interest from being lost.

A bearing portion 982c is formed on the upper side of the erected wall 982a, protruding in an annular shape from the inner surface of the bulge portion 982 toward the rear base 985. The bearing portion 982c is a portion that supports the other end side of the shaft member 988a that axially supports the distribution portion 983 described below, and its inner diameter is set to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the shaft member 988a. Therefore, by inserting the shaft member 988a into the bearing portion 982c, the other end side of the shaft member 988a can be supported.

As described above, one end of the shaft member 988a is inserted into the bearing portion 985j of the rear base 985. When combining the front base 981 and the rear base 985, one end of the shaft member 988a is inserted into the bearing portion 985j and the other end of the shaft member 988a is inserted into the bearing portion 982c, so that the shaft member 988a can be supported between the front base 981 and the rear base 985.

The contact portion 982a1 is formed on the rotation trajectory of the distribution portion 983 described below, and the amount of rotational displacement of the distribution portion 983 is regulated by the contact of the action portion 983a of the distribution portion 983.

The recesses 982e and 982f are recessed from the lower inner surface of the bulge 982 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extension direction of the first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2. In addition, inside the recesses 982e and 982f, a first branch passage BK1 or a second branch passage BK2 is formed as a space that communicates with the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2.

The first branch passage BK1 is connected to the opening 985b of the rear base 985 when the front base 981 and the rear base 985 are combined. Therefore, the first branch passage BK1 is formed to be able to receive game balls flowing down the first passage TR1, and is also able to allow the received game balls to flow into the opening 985b of the rear base 985.

The second branch passage BK2 is connected to the opening 985c of the rear base 985 when the front base 981 and the rear base 985 are combined. Therefore, the second branch passage BK2 is formed to be able to receive game balls flowing down the second passage TR2, and is also able to allow the received game balls to flow into the opening 985c of the rear base 985.

Balls guided to the first branch passage BK1 or the second branch passage BK2 are guided to a ball discharge passage (not shown). That is, balls guided to the first branch passage BK1 or the second branch passage BK2 are discharged without providing any benefit to the player, just like balls that flow into the first outlet 71.

The benefit given to the player by the ball guided to the first branch passage BK1 or the second branch passage BK2 can be changed in various ways. For example, it can be designed as a benefit in which a preset number of prize balls are paid out, or as a benefit obtained by the ball being detected by a detection device for drawing the normal symbol or the jackpot.

The recesses 982h and 982j are recessed from the lower inner surface of the bulge 982 in the direction in which the first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2 extend. That is, the first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2 extend downward by the amount of the recesses 982h and 982j.

The first passage TR1 is connected to the opening 985e of the rear base 985 when the front base 981 and the rear base 985 are combined. Therefore, the first passage TR1 receives game balls that have flowed into the inlet 982d, and allows the game balls to flow into the opening 985e of the rear base 985.

The second passage TR2 is connected to the opening 985f of the rear base 985 when the front base 981 and the rear base 985 are combined. Therefore, the second passage TR2 receives the game balls that have flowed into the inlet 982d, and allows the game balls to flow into the opening 985f of the rear base 985.

The ball throwing opening 982k is formed between the recesses 982h and 982j. In addition, inside the ball throwing opening 982k, a third branch passage BK3 is formed, which is a space that communicates with the first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2. Therefore, since the third branch passage BK3 that communicates with the first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2 is formed between the first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2, the distribution unit 980 can be made smaller.

The rolling surface 982g formed on the lower side of the third branch passage BK3 is formed as an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front side. As a result, the third branch passage BK3 becomes a passage through which a game ball that has flowed down the back side of the front base 981 can pass to the front side of the front base 981 when the front base 981 and the back base 985 are combined.

In this embodiment, the third branch passage BK3 is formed to be capable of receiving a game ball flowing down the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2, and the received game ball flows to the front side through the ball sending opening 982k and the ball sending hole 941k (see FIG. 16(a)) and is configured to be able to enter the second winning hole 640.

The inclined portion 982b of the bulge portion 982 is formed on the lower side of the bulge portion 982 and extends downwardly toward the rear base 985. In addition, the inclined portion 982b is formed across the left-right width direction of the bulge portion 982 when the front base 981 and the rear base 985 are combined.

As a result, game balls flowing down the first passage TR1, the second passage TR2, the first branch passage BK1, and the second branch passage BK2 can be brought into contact with the inclined portion 982b, and the game balls flowing down can be guided toward the openings 985b to 985f (the rear side), making it easier for them to flow into the openings 985b to 985f.

On the other hand, by bringing the game ball flowing down the third branch passage BK3 into contact with the rolling surface 982g, the game ball flowing down can be guided toward the ball throwing opening 982k (front side), making it easier for the ball to flow into the ball throwing opening 982k.

The rolling surface 982g is not symmetrical when viewed from the front, but is asymmetrical with the left side being formed lower than the right side. This makes it easier to prevent balls from lining up side by side in the third branch passage BK3 when balls reach the third branch passage BK3 from the left and right at the same time, and makes it possible to make the direction in which the balls are lined up (series direction) have an up-down component. This makes it easier to prevent balls from clogging the third branch passage BK3, and makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the blade member 945 becomes inoperable due to ball clogging.

The insertion opening 982l is an opening for inserting the extension portion 945d and the plate-shaped portion 945e of the feather member 945 into the back side of the bulge portion 982 when assembling the winning port unit 930 and the ball throwing unit 970 to the base member 60.

In other words, when the winning hole unit 930 is in an assembled state, the extension portion 945d and the plate-shaped portion 945e (see FIG. 16(b)) that are inserted into the third through-hole 941i of the rear base 941 and protrude toward the rear side are also inserted into the insertion opening 982l of the ball throwing unit 970, and with the extension portion 945d penetrating the insertion opening 982l, the plate-shaped portion 945e is positioned on the rear side of the bulge portion 982.

The rotational opening 982m is an opening formed to a necessary extent to avoid restricting the displacement of the extension portion 945d that penetrates the bulge portion 982. By forming the rotational opening 982m to a minimum size (a width smaller than the diameter of the game ball), it is possible to prevent the game ball from being sent to the front side through the rotational opening 982m. Next, the displacement of the plate-shaped portion 945e accompanying the opening and closing operation of the blade member 945 will be described with reference to FIG. 21.

21(a) and 21(b) are cross-sectional views of the sorting unit 980 taken along line XXb-XXb in FIG. 20(a). FIG. 21(a) illustrates the wing member 945 (plate-shaped portion 945e) in the closed state, and FIG. 21(b) illustrates the wing member 945 (plate-shaped portion 945e) in the open state.

As shown in FIG. 21(a), when the vane member 945 is in the closed state, it is retracted from the first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2, and the balls flowing down the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 are directed to the openings 985e, 985f. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the balls that have flowed down the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 from being guided to the third branch passage BK3 side.

As shown in FIG. 21(b), when the blade member 945 is in the open state, the plate-shaped portion 945e enters the first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2, and the balls flowing down the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 are directed to the third branch passage BK3 side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the balls flowing down the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 from being guided into the openings 985e, 985f.

That is, the wing member 945 is configured to be able to switch between an open state and a closed state, thereby switching the guided side of the balls flowing down the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2. In other words, the wing member 945 not only acts to switch the guide direction of the balls flowing down the area between the rear base 941 and the front base 943 where the wing-shaped main body 945m (see FIG. 17) is arranged, but also acts to switch the guide direction of the balls flowing down the internal area of the sorting unit 980 where the plate-shaped portion 945e is arranged.

The following describes the case where the blade member 945 opens and closes immediately after the ball reaches the upstream branch position BK0. The upstream branch position BK0 is set as the position immediately before the position where the flowing ball is subjected to the action of the blade member 945. When the blade member 945 opens and closes to the closed state immediately after the ball reaches the upstream branch position BK0 in the open state, the ball is pushed into the third branch passage BK3 by the plate-shaped portion 945e.

On the other hand, when the wing member 945 is in a closed state and immediately after the ball reaches the upstream branch position BK0, the wing member 945 opens and closes to the open state, the ball is guided to the openings 985e, 985f, or to the first branch passage BK1 or the second branch passage BK2.

In this way, the side of the wing member 945 in the direction of movement is not blocked, and a space is formed in the direction of movement that is large enough to guide the ball, making it easier to avoid the ball getting stuck between the wing member 945 and the bulge 982.

When the ball is guided to the openings 985e, 985f, it is possible for the ball to win a lottery for special pattern 1 by being detected by the detection device SE3, and the player can receive the benefit of a prize ball being paid out, but when the ball is guided to the first branch passage BK1 or the second branch passage BK2, the player cannot win a lottery for special pattern 1, nor can the player receive the benefit of a prize ball being paid out.

Therefore, if the ball reaches the upstream branch position BK0 when the feather member 945 is in a closed state, the feather member 945 may open and close immediately afterwards, causing the player to suffer a disadvantage. This can increase attention to the upstream branch position BK0 and the feather member 945.

As shown in FIG. 21(b), the feather member 945 and feather-like portion 945e are configured with a symmetrical shape, so that there is no difference in the ease with which the feather member 945 can pick up balls that flow down the first passage TR1 and balls that flow down the second passage TR2. In addition, ball clogging when balls are guided simultaneously from the left and right is prevented by making the shape of the rolling surface 982g, which serves as the rolling surface of the third branch passage BK3, asymmetrical as described above.

Referring back to Figures 19 and 20, the distribution section 983 is set to a thickness slightly smaller than the dimension between the opposing front base 981 and rear base 985, and is formed in a roughly T-shape when viewed from the front. The distribution section 983 is mainly formed with an action section 983a on one side of the T-shape, an intermediate plate 983b protruding from approximately the center position in the extension direction of the action section 983a, a through hole 983c penetrating the connecting portion of the action section 983a and the intermediate plate 983b, a contact section 983d that bulges out in a circular shape around the axis of the through hole 983c, and a wall section 983e formed by connecting the action section 983a and the intermediate plate 983b to the rear base 985 side.

The through hole 983c is a hole into which the shaft member 988a supported between the opposing front base 981 and rear base 985 is inserted, and is formed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft member 988a. As a result, when assembling the front base 981 and rear base 985, the shaft member 988a is inserted into the through hole 983c of the distribution part 983, so that the distribution part 983 is disposed between the opposing front base 981 and rear base 985 in a rotatable state.

The intermediate plate 983b is formed by extending radially outward from the through hole 983c, and when the displacement of the distribution section 983 is restricted by rotation to one side or the other, the distance L17 (see FIG. 20(b)) from its tip to the inside of the intermediate plate 983b is set to a dimension smaller than the diameter of the game ball. This restricts the throw of the game ball to either the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2.

In addition, the intermediate plate 983b can be switched from a state in which the throwing of the game ball is restricted to one side of the first passage TR1 to a state in which the throwing of the game ball is restricted to the other side of the second passage TR2 by rotating the distribution portion 983 around the through hole 983c.

The action portion 983a is formed to extend in a direction approximately perpendicular to the extension direction of the intermediate plate 983b when viewed from the front. In addition, the connection position of the action portion 983a with the abutment portion 983d is set lower than the connection position with the abutment portion 983d of the intermediate plate 983b. As a result, the game ball sent to the distribution portion 983 through the inlet 982d is placed in a state where a load is applied to the action portion 983a side. As a result, the distribution portion 983 is rotationally displaced around the through hole 983c.

The wall portion 983e is connected to the action portion 983a and the intermediate plate 983b, and is formed in a substantially semicircular plate shape when viewed in the axial direction of the through hole 983c. The wall portion 983e is formed to protrude outward from the action portion 983a and the intermediate plate 983b in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the through hole 983c, and the thickness dimension is set smaller than the recessed dimension of the recess 985h of the back base 985 described above.

Therefore, when the distribution section 983 is disposed between the opposing rear base 985 and front base 981, the wall section 983e can be disposed inside the recess 985h. This prevents the game ball sent from the inlet 982d to the inside of the distribution unit 980 from getting caught inside the recess 985h, thereby preventing the flow of the game ball from being obstructed.

The wall portion 983e is provided with a housing portion 983e1 on the rear side of the intermediate plate 983b, recessed toward the intermediate plate 983b at the radially outer end from the through hole 983c. The housing portion 983e1 is a portion that houses the magnetic body 988c formed in a cylindrical body inside, and is recessed in a circular shape with an inner diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of the magnetic body 988c. The housing portion 983e1 is recessed from the rear base 985 side toward the front base 981 side, and the magnetic body 988c is housed inside from the rear base 985 side.

The magnetic body 988c is made of a magnet and is arranged in a state where it repels the magnetic body 988b arranged on the rear base 985. As a result, the magnetic force acts on the magnetic body 988c from the magnetic body 988b arranged on the rear base 985, and the distribution section 983 can rotate around the through hole 983c as an axis, causing the extension direction of the action section 983a to be tilted to one side or the other.

In addition, the magnetic body 988c and the magnetic body 988b are arranged in a state where they are repelled, and the storage section 983e1 is recessed toward the front side, so that the magnetic body 988c inserted into the storage section 983e1 can be prevented from slipping out of the storage section 983e1. In other words, since there is no need for a part to lock the magnetic body 988c inserted into the storage section 983e1, the structure of the sorting section 983 can be simplified, and the magnetic body 988c can be easily arranged in the sorting section 983.

The magnetic force of magnetic body 988b and magnetic body 988c is set to a magnetic force smaller than the load of the game ball. This prevents the game ball sent inside the sorting unit 980 from being magnetically attracted to magnetic body 988b and magnetic body 988c and from stagnating inside the sorting unit 980.

Next, the operation pattern of the feather member 945 driven by the drive unit 960 will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 21, the relationship between the time required for a ball that enters the first winning hole 64 to flow down will be described.

After a ball enters the first winning hole 64 and reaches the ball sending passage TR0, the distribution section 983 is tilted to flow down to the left or right. This tilting operation overlaps with the operation of the seesaw member 762 explained in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), so an explanation is omitted, but in this embodiment, the magnetic force of the magnetic bodies 988b and 988c is designed to be large in order to ensure that the time required for the tilting operation is sufficiently long. In other words, in this embodiment, the tilting operation of the distribution section 983 (from the state shown in Figure 8(a) to the state shown in Figure 8(b)) is designed to take at least 0.8 seconds.

When a ball flows from the throwing passage TR0 to the first passage TR1 after the sorting unit 963 is tilted, the passages are designed so that it takes 0.4 seconds for the ball to be detected by the detection device SE4. Also, when a ball flows from the throwing passage TR0 to the second passage TR2 after the sorting unit 963 is tilted, the passages are designed so that it takes 0.2 seconds for the ball to be detected by the detection device SE5. In other words, the vertical distance between the detection sensors SE4 and SE5 is set to a distance that requires 0.2 seconds at the ball's flow speed.

A pair of upstream branch positions BK0 are set on the left and right as positions just before the flowing ball is subjected to the action of the feather member 945. It is designed so that it takes 0.6 seconds for the ball to reach the upstream branch position BK0 after flowing from the ball sending passage TR0 to the first passage TR1 side or the second passage TR2 side.

In other words, it takes 0.2 seconds for the ball to reach the upstream branch position BK0 after it is detected by the detection device SE4. Also, it takes 0.4 seconds for the ball to reach the upstream branch position BK0 after it is detected by the detection device SE5.

If the feather member 945 is closed when the ball reaches the upstream branch position BK0, the ball passes through openings 985b, 985c or openings 985e, 985f, whereas if the feather member 945 is open when the ball reaches the upstream branch position BK0, the ball is guided to the third branch passage BK3 and passes through the ball sending opening 982k (see FIG. 19(a)).

According to the above-mentioned flow path configuration, if the operation pattern of the vane member 945 driven by the drive unit 960 is designed to end in less than 0.6 seconds after the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5, even if multiple balls enter the first winning hole 64 with no gap between them, the normal pattern can start changing immediately when the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5.

For example, if multiple balls enter the first winning hole 64 without any gaps between them, and the previous ball flows to the first passage TR1 and is detected by detection device SE4, there is a gap of 0.8 seconds before the next ball flows to the second passage TR2, and even if detection device SE5 is 0.2 seconds above detection device SE4, a gap of 0.6 seconds is ensured. In other words, it takes 0.6 seconds from when the previous ball is detected by detection device SE4 until the next ball is detected by detection device SE5.

For example, if multiple balls enter the first winning hole 64 without any gaps between them, and the previous ball flows to the second passage TR2 side and is detected by detection device SE5, there is a gap of 0.8 seconds before the next ball flows to the first passage TR1 side, and because detection device SE4 is 0.2 seconds below detection device SE5, a gap of 1.0 seconds is ensured. In other words, it takes 1.0 seconds from when the previous ball is detected by detection device SE5 until the next ball is detected by detection device SE4.

In this way, when multiple balls enter the first winning hole 64 without any gaps between them, the interval at which the balls are detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5 will be 0.6 seconds or more, regardless of whether the previous ball flows to the left or right.

Based on this premise, the eleventh to fourteenth operation patterns described in this embodiment are each designed to be completed 0.5 seconds after the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5 (0.5 seconds are required for the display of the normal pattern to finish), so even if multiple balls enter the first winning slot 64 with no gap between them, the normal pattern can start to change immediately once the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5. This makes it possible to prevent a time delay from occurring between the detection of the ball by the detection devices SE4 and SE5 and the operation of the wing member 945 being executed.

Figures 22(a) to 22(d) are diagrams showing an example of the detection of the passage of a ball by detection devices SE4 and SE5, and the change over time in the state of the wing member 945. Note that Figure 22(a) shows the change over time in the 11th operation pattern, Figure 22(b) shows the change over time in the 12th operation pattern, Figure 22(c) shows the change over time in the 13th operation pattern, and Figure 22(d) shows the change over time in the 14th operation pattern.

Figures 22(a) to 22(d) show the time-based change in the state of the feather member 945 when the second pattern display device 83 (see Figure 2) displays a "○" pattern as a result of the variable display of the second pattern (0.1 seconds) due to the detection of the passage of a ball by the detection devices SE4 and SE5.

As shown in FIG. 22(a), in the 11th operation pattern, after the passing of the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5 and the normal symbol is displayed stationary (0.1 seconds later), the wing member 945 is opened (also shown as "open" in the figure; the same applies in the following figures), and the open state is maintained for 0.4 seconds.

As a result, when a ball that enters the first winning hole 64 is detected by detection devices SE4 and SE5, the feather member 945 is maintained in an open state both 0.2 seconds after it is detected by detection device SE4 and reaches the upstream branch position BK0 and 0.4 seconds after it is detected by detection device SE5 and reaches the upstream branch position BK0.

As a result, regardless of whether the ball that enters the first winning opening 64 flows down the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2, the ball can be guided to the third branch passage BK3 side, making it easier for the ball to enter the second winning opening 640. In other words, there are more lottery entries for special pattern 2 than for special pattern 1 based on the ball entering the first winning opening 64.

As shown in FIG. 22(b), in the 12th operation pattern, after the passing of the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5 and the normal symbol is displayed stationary (0.1 seconds later), the wing member 945 is put into an open state (also shown as "open" in the figure; the same applies in the following figures), and this open state is maintained for 0.2 seconds. For the next 0.2 seconds, it is put into a closed state (also shown as "closed" in the figure; the same applies in the following figures).

As a result, when a ball that enters the first winning hole 64 is detected by detection devices SE4 and SE5, the feather member 945 is maintained in an open state 0.2 seconds after it is detected by detection device SE4 and reaches the upstream branch position BK0, but the feather member 945 is closed 0.4 seconds after it is detected by detection device SE5 and reaches the upstream branch position BK0.

As a result, if a ball that enters the first winning hole 64 flows down the first passage TR1, the ball can be guided to the third branch passage BK3, making it easier for the ball to enter the second winning hole 640. However, if the ball flows down the second passage TR2, the ball cannot be guided to the third branch passage BK3 and cannot enter the second winning hole 640, so the ball is detected by the detection device SE3 (see FIG. 20(a)).

In other words, the lottery that is won based on the ball entering the first winning slot 64 alternates between the lottery for special symbol 1 and the lottery for special symbol 2. When the ball flows down the first passage TR1, it corresponds to the lottery for special symbol 2.

As shown in FIG. 22(c), in the 13th operation pattern, after the passing of the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5 and the normal symbol is displayed stationary (0.1 seconds later), the wing member 945 is opened (also shown as "open" in the figure; the same applies in the following figures) 0.2 seconds later, and the open state is maintained for 0.2 seconds. After that, it is closed (also shown as "closed" in the figure; the same applies in the following figures).

As a result, when a ball that enters the first winning hole 64 is detected by detection devices SE4 and SE5, the feather member 945 is closed 0.2 seconds after it is detected by detection device SE4 and reaches the upstream branch position BK0, but the feather member 945 is maintained in an open state 0.4 seconds after it is detected by detection device SE5 and reaches the upstream branch position BK0.

As a result, if a ball that enters the first winning opening 64 flows down the first passage TR1, the ball cannot be guided to the third branch passage BK3 and cannot enter the second winning opening 640, so the ball is detected by the detection device SE3 (see Figure 20 (a)). However, if the ball flows down the second passage TR2, the ball can be guided to the third branch passage BK3, making it easier to enter the second winning opening 640.

In other words, the lottery that is won based on the ball entering the first winning slot 64 alternates between the lottery for special symbol 1 and the lottery for special symbol 2. When the ball flows down the second passage TR1, it corresponds to the lottery for special symbol 2.

As shown in FIG. 22(d), in the 14th operation pattern, after the passing of the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5 and the normal symbol is displayed stationary (0.1 seconds later), the wing member 945 is opened (also shown as "open" in the figure; the same applies in the following figures) just before 0.4 seconds have elapsed, and is closed (also shown as "closed" in the figure; the same applies in the following figures) immediately thereafter.

As a result, when a ball that enters the first winning hole 64 is detected by detection devices SE4 and SE5, the wing member 945 is maintained in a closed state both 0.2 seconds after it is detected by detection device SE4 and reaches the upstream branch position BK0 and 0.4 seconds after it is detected by detection device SE5 and reaches the upstream branch position BK0.

As a result, regardless of whether a ball that enters the first winning opening 64 flows down the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2, the ball cannot be guided to the third branch passage BK3, and it is not possible to make it easier for the ball to enter the second winning opening 640. In other words, there are more lottery entries for special pattern 1 than for special pattern 2 based on a ball entering the first winning opening 64.

As shown in Figures 22(a) to 22(d), by changing the operating pattern of the feather member 945, the lottery that is won when the ball enters the first winning slot 64 can be switched between a lottery for special pattern 1 or a lottery for special pattern 2.

In other words, when the feather member 945 operates in the 11th operating pattern, it is possible to win consecutive draws for special pattern 2. Also, when the feather member 945 operates in the 14th operating pattern, it is possible to win consecutive draws for special pattern 1.

When the vane member 945 operates in the 12th or 13th operating pattern, the special symbols obtained by the balls flowing down the first passage TR1 and the balls flowing down the second passage TR2 are different, and the special symbols 1 and 2 are obtained alternately.

Here, if the profit a player can get from a jackpot resulting from the drawing of special symbol 1 is different from the profit a player can get from a jackpot resulting from the drawing of special symbol 2, the player will pay close attention to whether the jackpot was the result of the drawing of special symbol 1 or special symbol 2.

Conventionally, gaming machines in which balls are distributed to the left and right by the distribution unit 983 are configured so that a ball diverted to one side (usually the left) by the distribution unit 983 can win a lottery for special pattern 1, and a ball diverted to the other side (usually the right) can win a lottery for special pattern 2.

Therefore, if it was possible to confirm whether the ball was being swept to the left or right by the sorting unit 983, it was possible to know whether the upcoming drawing would be for special symbol 1 or special symbol 2, even if the player took their eyes off the ball. In this case, attention to the path of the ball's flow downstream of the sorting unit 983 would decrease, resulting in the problem that the play area is not being effectively used as a presentation area.

In contrast, in this embodiment, in the 12th operating pattern, a ball flowing down the first passage TR1 can win a draw for special pattern 2, and in the 13th operating pattern, a ball flowing down the second passage TR2 can win a draw for special pattern 2. Therefore, simply by checking whether a ball is flowing left or right by the distribution unit 983, it is not possible to know whether the ball can win a draw for special pattern 1 or special pattern 2.

In other words, unless it is confirmed downstream of the distribution section 983 whether the ball is picked up by the plate-shaped portion 945e of the feather member 945, or whether the ball passes through the ball sending hole 941k (see FIG. 18) and flows forward to enter the second winning port 640, it is not possible to know whether the ball will win the lottery for special pattern 1 or special pattern 2. This makes it possible to increase attention to the path of the ball's flow downstream of the distribution section 983, and makes effective use of the play area as a presentation area.

Note that in each operating pattern, the relationship between the ball that enters the first winning opening 64 and the feather member 945 has been mainly explained. However, since the feather-shaped body 945m of the feather member 945 is positioned further forward than the rear base 941 (see FIG. 15), if a ball flowing down the front side of the rear base 941 reaches the feather member 945 at the exact moment that the feather member 945 is in the open state, it is natural that the ball will be guided to the second winning opening 640.

Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view of the game board 13 taken along line XXIII-XXIII in Figure 16(a), and Figures 24(a) and 24(b) are partial cross-sectional views of the winning port unit 930 and the ball throwing unit 970 taken along line XXIVa-XXIVa in Figure 23.

Figure 24(a) illustrates the closed state of the wing member 945, and Figure 24(b) illustrates the open state of the wing member 945. Note that Figure 22 will be referred to as appropriate in the explanation of Figures 23 and 24.

As shown in FIG. 23, the rolling plate portion 941l and the ball throwing hole 941k are positioned closer to the front than the ball throwing opening 982k of the sorting unit 980, so that the ball guided to the third branch passage BK3 in the internal flow path of the sorting unit 980 flows down toward the front.

This ball appears to be approaching the player from the player's point of view, and is therefore visually perceived in a manner that is clearly different from balls that appear to be moving away from the player by flowing downward in the play area or backwards, such as balls that enter the first winning hole 64 or the third receiving portion 944a.

By having the player focus on the ball that appears to be approaching him/her, the player can easily notice when a ball that has entered the first winning port 64 escapes from the internal flow path of the distribution unit 980 and flows toward the second winning port 640.

This makes it easier to avoid a situation in which the ball enters the second winning slot 640 without the player realizing it, and the lottery for special symbol 2 is executed without the player realizing it.

In addition, balls flowing down the front side of the distribution unit 980 (the front side of the rear base 941) can act to block the player's line of sight. This makes it easier to reduce the visibility of the balls as they flow down the internal path of the distribution unit 980, making game balls that are guided into the third branch passage BK3 and appear to be approaching the player's side even more noticeable.

In addition, since the ball throwing hole 941k is located on the back side of the front base 943, if the front base 943 is made of an opaque resin material, the visibility of the ball throwing hole 941k and the ball guided to the front side through the ball throwing hole 941k can be reduced.

In this case, the ball entering the first winning hole 64 can be easily seen, but it is difficult to know that the ball will flow down the ball sending hole 941k to the front side, so it is easy for a ball that has entered the first winning hole 64 to enter the second winning hole 640 without the player realizing, causing a lottery for special pattern 2 to be executed.

As shown in FIG. 23, a detection device SE6 capable of detecting the passage of a ball is disposed downstream (back side) of the second winning opening 640. The detection device SE6 is a device for detecting the passage of a game ball and has a similar configuration to the detection device SE3, and a detection hole SE1a with an inner diameter slightly larger than the game ball is formed through it in the thickness direction.

The lottery that can be won by the ball passing through detection device SE3 is a lottery for special pattern 1, while the lottery that can be won by the ball passing through detection device SE6 is a lottery for special pattern 2.

Which of the 11th to 14th operation patterns (see FIG. 22) the feather member 945 will operate in is preset based on the first hit type selection table 202b (see FIG. 13).

In this embodiment, if the jackpot type is jackpot A, a, or b, the subsequent operation pattern of the feather member 945 is set to the 11th operation pattern. If the jackpot type is jackpot B or C, the subsequent operation pattern of the feather member 945 is set to the 12th operation pattern. If the jackpot type is jackpot c, the subsequent operation pattern of the feather member 945 is set to the 13th operation pattern. During periods other than the duration of the 11th to 13th operation patterns, the operation pattern of the feather member 945 is set to the 14th operation pattern.

As a result, for the same event of the ball entering the first winning opening 64 and being distributed to the left and right, whether the ball can win a lottery for special pattern 1 or special pattern 2 can be changed depending on which operating pattern is used. This makes it possible to increase attention to the path of the ball that enters the first winning opening 64 and attract the player's attention.

In addition to the operation patterns shown in FIG. 22, the wing member 945 also has a long-open operation pattern in which the wing member 945 opens for a long period of time (approximately 2 seconds) from the timing when the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4, SE5 or the normal winning openings (through gates) 66, 67 (see FIG. 2).

When the vane member 945 is operated in the long open operating pattern, balls that flow down the front side of the base plate 60 (see FIG. 15) can be easily picked up by the vane-shaped main body 945m (see FIG. 17). In addition, balls that enter the first winning hole 64 can be easily guided to the third branch passage BK3 (see FIG. 21(b)).

In this way, it is easy to configure the ball picked up by the feather-shaped main body 945m to repeatedly enter the second winning opening 640. In addition, it is easy to configure the ball that once entered the first winning opening 64 to be guided to the third branch passage BK3 side by the plate-shaped portion 945e (see FIG. 21(b)) and ultimately enter the second winning opening 640. Therefore, it is possible to provide the player with a game mode in which the lottery for special symbol 1 is avoided and the lottery for special symbol 2 is repeatedly won.

As shown in FIG. 24(b), when the wing member 945 is in the open state, a ball P21 placed on the wing-shaped main body 945m on the front side of the rear base 941 and a ball P22 placed on the plate-shaped portion 945e on the rear side of the rear base 941 can be guided simultaneously at different front and rear positions (separate positions).

Therefore, even if the wing member 945 changes to the closed state in this state, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the balls P21 and P22 collide with each other. This makes it possible to avoid malfunctions in which the opening and closing operation of the wing member 945 is not completed due to the balls interfering with the opening and closing operation of the wing member 945.

Furthermore, since the ball P22 on the plate-shaped portion 945e can be placed on it, the number of balls that can be guided simultaneously when the feather member 945 is in an open state can be increased compared to the number of balls P21 that can be placed on the feather-shaped main body 945m at the same time (in this embodiment, one on each side).

For example, in a game mode in which all balls are launched toward the feather members 945, when the feather members 945 are in an open state, only one ball can be placed on the feather-shaped body 945m of one feather member 945 at a time, and it is difficult to place multiple balls on it at the same time.

On the other hand, in a game mode in which some balls are shot toward the vane members 945 and the remaining balls are shot toward the first winning opening 64, the balls can be placed on the plate-shaped portion 945e regardless of whether or not they are on the vane-shaped main body 945m, so it is easy for balls to be placed on the vane members 945 on one side at the same time.

In other words, the number of balls that can be placed on the feather member 945 at the same time can be changed depending on whether the game mode is one in which all balls are shot toward the feather member 945, or one in which some balls are shot toward the first winning hole 64 in addition to the feather member 945.

Ball P22, which reaches the feather member 945 via the first winning opening 64, and ball P21, which reaches the feather member 945 without passing through the first winning opening 64, have different flow directions before they reach the feather member 945, and therefore different flow speeds after they reach the feather member 945. Therefore, even though the balls reach the feather member 945 at the same time, they look different.

That is, the ball P22 flows vertically downward through the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 and reaches the plate-like portion 945e of the vane member 945, while the ball P21 reaches the vane-like body 945m in a downward flow direction having a velocity component that is directed from the left-right outer side to the left-right inner side of the guide portion 941g1 (see FIG. 16(a)).

Therefore, ball P21 flows faster to the left and right after reaching the wing member 945 than ball P22 because the left-right velocity component is larger. Therefore, even if balls P21 and P22 reach the wing member 945 at the same time, the time that balls P21 and P22 overlap when viewed from the front can be shortened, thereby improving the visibility of the balls rolling on the wing member 945.

Depending on the timing at which ball P22 rolls on the top surface of rolling plate portion 941l and passes through ball throw hole 941k to the front side of rear base 941, it may collide with ball P21 (their paths will merge).

Here, the vertical position of the top surface height at the rotation base end side of the feather member 945 is positioned lower than the vertical position of the lower edge of the ball throwing hole 941k. This allows the vertical position where the ball rolling on the rolling plate portion 941l flies into the front side of the rear base 941 and the vertical position where the ball rolling on the feather-shaped main body 945m flies into the space between the pair of feather members 945 to be shifted in the vertical direction.

Therefore, when balls collide with each other, the vertical positions of the balls can be shifted, and multiple balls can be made to flow down in sequence by relying on their own weight. This helps prevent balls from clogging.

In addition, in the long-open operation pattern of the wing member 945, as can be seen from the fact that the open duration exceeds 0.6 seconds, when, for example, multiple balls enter the first winning slot 64 without any gaps between them, there is a waiting time before the normal pattern starts to change (the change of the normal pattern may be put on hold).

Therefore, unlike the case described in FIG. 22 where the timing at which the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5 and the timing at which the wing members 945 open and close are set to correspond to the time it takes for the ball to flow downstream, it becomes difficult to match the placement of the ball with the opening and closing of the wing members 945.

Therefore, not all balls can be guided to the second winning opening 640, and it is possible that some of the balls that enter the first winning opening 64 may reach the upstream branch position BK0 when the wing member 945 is in the closed state (see Figure 21 (a)).

On the other hand, in the long-open operation pattern, by setting the time during which the wing member 945 is maintained in the closed state (operation waiting time, post-operation waiting time) to a short time (e.g., 0.1 seconds), it is possible to minimize the probability of the wing member 945 reaching the upstream branch position BK0 at the timing when it is in the closed state (see FIG. 21(a)).

The ball P22 rolling on the top surface of the plate-shaped portion 945e arrives at intervals of at least 1.8 seconds due to the operation of the distribution portion 983. In other words, it is configured so that multiple balls cannot be placed on the ball at the same time.

On the other hand, there is no restriction on the interval at which ball P21 reaches feather-shaped body 945m, and multiple balls may reach it at the same time. Therefore, it is preferable to form feather-shaped body 945m stronger than plate-shaped portion 945e.

In this embodiment, the blade-shaped body 945m is made thicker than the plate-shaped portion 945e, making it stronger. In addition, the blade-shaped body 945m is supported directly by the shaft member 945a, which makes it possible to suppress changes in posture and bending in the front-rear direction due to the weight of the ball.

The present embodiment described above provides the following excellent advantages:

By extending the plate-like portion 945e from the wing-shaped main body 945m of the wing member 945 arranged on the front side of the base plate 60 to the rear side, it is possible to act on game balls flowing down inside the distribution unit 980 arranged inside the base plate 60.

In other words, the feather member 945 can switch between a state in which it is easy to guide a game ball flowing down the front side of the base plate 60 toward the second winning opening 640 and a state in which it prevents the game ball from flowing down to the second winning opening 640, and can also switch between a state in which it is easy to guide a game ball that has entered the first winning opening 64 toward the second winning opening 640 and a state in which it prevents the game ball from flowing down to the second winning opening 640.

Furthermore, a rear base 941 that functions as a partition plate is provided between the balls rolling on the upper surface of the feather-shaped body 945m and the balls rolling on the upper surface of the plate-shaped portion 945e, making it possible to prevent the balls from colliding with each other at any position.

This prevents the ball from falling out of the vane member 945 (spill on the side opposite to the side guided to the second winning opening 640) due to a collision between the ball rolling on the vane-shaped body 945m and the ball rolling on the plate-shaped portion 945e.

In addition, at the position where the ball that entered the first winning opening 64 branches off into the flow path on the second winning opening 640 side (for example, the third branch passage BK3), the direction in which the ball flows down has a front-to-rear component. This makes it possible to highlight the area that is closely related to the ball flowing down to the second winning opening 640.

It is also possible to create a case where it is possible to manage the detection devices SE4 and SE5 so that they are not detected from the time the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5 until the display of the normal pattern changes ends. This allows the feather member 945, whose operation is controlled by the detection of the ball, to act in a timely manner on the ball that has passed through the detection devices SE4 and SE5.

There is an interval of at least 0.8 seconds between the timing when the ball is sent to the first passage TR1 and the timing when the ball is sent to the second passage TR2, so that balls do not enter the third branch passage BK3 from the left and right at the same time, but in addition, the rolling surface 982g is formed asymmetrically, making it easier to prevent ball clogging in the third branch passage BK3. This makes it possible to prevent malfunction of the feather member 945 due to ball clogging, even if the merging point of the ball flow path is close to the feather member 945.

The speed of the balls rolling on the top surface of the wing member 945 on the front side of the base plate 60 is configured to be different from the speed of the balls rolling on the top surface of the wing member 945 inside the base plate 60. This makes it possible to prevent the front and rear balls from continuously overlapping, and makes it easier to grasp the number of balls rolling on the top surface of the wing member 945.

In addition, regarding the number of balls that can be placed on the feather member 945, while the feather-shaped main body 945m can simultaneously carry multiple balls, the number of balls that can be placed on the plate-shaped portion 945e is limited to one. This makes it possible to improve the durability of the feather member 945 by making the feather-shaped main body 945m stronger than the plate-shaped portion 945e.

In addition, by providing multiple operating patterns for the electric roler 640a, different patterns for winning the lottery for the special symbol can be created. For example, when the ball repeatedly enters the first winning slot 64, it is possible to switch between a pattern in which the lottery for special symbol 1 is repeatedly won, a pattern in which the lottery for special symbol 1 and the lottery for special symbol 2 are alternately won, and a pattern in which the lottery for special symbol 2 is repeatedly won.

In addition, in a pattern in which the drawing of special symbol 1 and the drawing of special symbol 2 are alternately obtained, a pattern can be formed in which the game ball on the left or right corresponds to the drawing of special symbol 2 is reversed. This makes it possible to improve attention to the area downstream of the distribution unit 983, since simply checking whether the ball has flowed to the left or right is insufficient information.

In addition, when right-hand play is recommended as a pattern for winning the lottery for the special symbol, if the ball accidentally enters the first winning slot 64, it is possible to switch between a pattern in which it is easy to win the lottery for special symbol 1 and a pattern in which there is a high probability of avoiding winning the lottery for special symbol 1.

Next, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 25. In the first embodiment, a ball passes through a normal winning port (through gate) 765 when it flows down one of the paths allocated by the path configuration device 700. However, in the path configuration device 3700 of the third embodiment, a normal winning port (through gate) 3765 is provided that can detect the passage of a ball when it flows down the other path. Note that parts that are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiments are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

Figure 25 is a partial front view of the game board 13 in the third embodiment. In the path configuration device 3700, of the paths that are distributed to the left and right by the distribution member 760, a normal winning port (through gate) 3765 is disposed on the left path.

The normal winning opening (through gate) 3765 is positioned so that the left-right distance from the seesaw member 762 is the same as the left-right distance between the seesaw member 762 and the normal winning opening (through gate) 765.

Since a normal symbol can be drawn not only when the game ball that enters the first winning port 64 flows to the right, but also when it flows to the left, the frequency with which the electric device 640a operates can be increased.

In the first embodiment, the number of passes through the normal winning gates (through gates) 66, 67, and 765 is reserved up to four times. In this case, the electric device 640a can be easily operated continuously without interruption of the reservation, and right-hand play can be performed smoothly.

In contrast to this, in this embodiment, the number of passes through the normal winning ports (through gates) 66, 67, 765, 3765 is reserved up to a maximum of one time. The operation pattern selected by lottery for normal symbols when there are zero reserved balls is different from the operation pattern selected by lottery for normal symbols when there is one reserved ball. Since a state in which the number of reserved balls is full (one ball) is more likely to occur than when there are four reserved balls, differences in operation patterns occur frequently.

In this embodiment, as an example, in the special state, when the number of reserved balls with normal symbols is 0, the second activation pattern is likely to be selected, and when the number of reserved balls with normal symbols is 1, the first activation pattern is likely to be selected.

On this premise, when balls enter the first winning slot 64 consecutively (see Figures 8 and 9), it becomes easier to maintain the electric device 640a in the entered state at the timing when the third ball P3 reaches the moving plate member 641.

In other words, ball P1 is detected at normal winning opening (through gate) 765, and ball P2 is detected at normal winning opening (through gate) 3765 before the reference time Td1 has elapsed since the detection of ball P1. Therefore, the operation pattern selected in the lottery for the normal symbol upon detection of ball P2 is likely to be the first operation pattern.

As a result, the electric device 640a is maintained in the entered state even before the ball P3 reaches the moving plate member 641, so that both balls P1 and P2 can be guided to the second ball sending section 736 from the state shown in FIG. 8(a).

In FIG. 8(a), the case where ball P1 flows to the right side is described, but even if the inclination of seesaw member 762 is reversed and ball P1 flows to the left side, the operation pattern selected by the lottery for the normal symbol upon detection of ball P2 is likely to be the first operation pattern. Therefore, since electric device 640a is maintained in the entered state before ball P2 reaches moving plate member 641, ball P2 can be guided to second ball sending section 736.

In this embodiment, the number of reserved balls for normal symbols is one, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the number of reserved balls for normal symbols may be set to four, as in the first embodiment.

Next, the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 26. In the first embodiment, the moving plate member 641 is provided with a right guide section 643 that guides game balls that have entered the first winning opening 64, and a left guide section 645 that guides game balls that have not entered the first winning opening 64, and the guide sections 643, 645 are partitioned. However, the path configuration device 4700 of the fourth embodiment is configured so that game balls that have not entered the first winning opening 64 can be guided to the right guide section 643. Note that the same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

Figure 26 is a partial front view of the game board 13 in the fourth embodiment. As shown in Figure 26, the moving plate member 4641, which slides in the front-rear direction as the state of the electric role 4640a is switched between a retracted state and an advanced state, includes a right guide portion 643 and an upstream guide portion 4645 that extends from the left end of the right guide portion 643 to the upper left along the slope of the sloped surface 643a of the right guide portion 643.

The upstream guide section 4645 has an inclined surface 4645a that rolls the ball and slopes downward to the right, with the angle of inclination being the same as the angle of inclination of the right guide section 643 (approximately 5 degrees from the horizontal).

In this embodiment, an opening is formed in the left and right inner wall portions of the bending member 740, the opening being large enough to allow the ball rolling on the upper surface of the moving plate member 4641 to pass through. That is, an opening similar to the opening 744 (see FIG. 7(a)) is formed through the left and right inner wall portions of the bending member 740 (the wall portion on the left side of the right guide portion 643).

As a result, in addition to the path of the ball that has passed through the first winning opening 64, a path can be prepared that rolls through the upstream guide section 4645 and reaches the right guide section 643 as an inflow path into the first ball sending path KR1.

As shown in FIG. 26, when a ball rolls from the upstream guide section 4645 through the right guide section 643, depending on the operation timing of the moving plate member 4641, the ball may be received by the recovery hole 752 or the second ball sending section 736.

That is, when the electric device 4640a is switched to the retracted state while the ball is positioned on the first ball throwing path KR1, the ball flows down toward the recovery hole 752. On the other hand, if the electric device 4640a is still in the advanced state while the ball is positioned on KR1, the ball passes through the right guide portion 643 to the right and flows down toward the second ball throwing portion 736. That is, the ball rolling to the right on the top surface of the stiffening plate member 4641 can be made to flow down toward the recovery hole 752 or the second ball throwing portion 736.

The moving plate member 4641 is inclined downward to the right, but when a ball is hit with a right-handed hit, it passes above the bending member 740 to the left and reaches the moving plate member 4641, and there is a possibility that the momentum to the left will cause the ball to pass through the moving plate member 4641 in a leftward direction.

In contrast, in this embodiment, the protruding edge 734b of the first ball sending portion 734 is disposed so as to protrude upward from the left end of the moving plate member 4641. In other words, a ball that is about to pass through the left end of the moving plate member 4641 can be made to collide with the protruding edge 734b, causing the ball to bounce back, making it easier to create a state in which the ball rolls to the right on the upper surface of the moving plate member 4641.

Furthermore, the greater the repulsive force of the ball's rebound in the rightward direction, the shorter the time it takes for the ball to reach the right end of the movable plate member 4641. In other words, the protruding edge portion 734b not only prevents the ball from dropping off the left end of the movable plate member 4641, but also makes it easier for the ball to reach the right end of the movable plate member 4641 while the movable plate member 4641 is maintained in the advanced state.

The left end of the moving plate member 4641 is located above the ball passing hole 734a. Therefore, when the electric device 4640a is in the entering state, if the ball travels to the left on the top surface of the moving plate member 4641 and the moving plate member 4641 changes to the retracted state just before reaching the left end, the ball will fly leftward in a parabola, and although there is a low probability, it is possible for the ball to enter the ball passing hole 734a of the first ball throwing section 734.

The present invention has been described above based on the above embodiment, but the present invention is in no way limited to the above embodiment, and it can be easily imagined that various modifications and improvements are possible within the scope of the present invention.

In each of the above embodiments, some or all of the configuration in one embodiment may be combined with or replaced with some or all of the configuration in another embodiment to form another embodiment.

In the above embodiments, a case has been described in which a ball that has entered the first winning opening 64 is guided to the second winning opening 640 by the movable electric device 640a or the feather member 945, but this is not necessarily limited to the above. For example, a nail may be arranged in the path of the ball that has entered the first winning opening 64 to increase the randomness of the ball's downward flow, and the ball may be guided to the second winning opening 640 with a certain probability due to collision with the nail.

In the above embodiments, the operation of the electric role 640a or the feather member 945 is determined by a lottery for a normal symbol, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, it may be controlled to operate in a certain pattern from the time the pachinko machine 10 is powered on. In this case, attention to the electric role 640a or the feather member 945 can be improved.

In addition, when the electric role 640a or the feather member 945 operates at a constant rate, the through gate 765 and the detection devices SE4 and SE5 may still be placed. For example, when the passage of the ball is detected, the third pattern display device 81, a sound device, an LED, or the like may be controlled to notify the player that the ball has passed. In this case, it is possible to make it easier for the player to understand that it is time for the ball to flow down near the electric role 640a or the feather member 945.

In each of the above embodiments, a case has been described in which the drawing of the normal symbol can be suspended, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, even if the drawing of the normal symbol is not suspended and a ball passing through the normal winning port 66 or the like is detected while the normal symbol is changing, the drawing of the normal symbol may not be performed.

In the above embodiments, a seesaw member 762 or a distributor 983 is disposed at the branching point of the ball's flow path, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a nail may be disposed at the branching point, or a protruding part formed from a resin material may be disposed at the branching point. The ball's flow path can be branched by colliding with these. In this case, not only can the balls flow alternately, but it is also possible to create a situation where the balls flow continuously down one side (timing).

In each of the above embodiments, the operating time of the electric role 640a or the wing member 945 is set to a short time of about 0.5 to 3 seconds, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, it may be set to operate in a long-open operation pattern in which the electric role 640a is maintained in an advanced state or the wing member 945 is maintained in an open state for a time longer than 3 seconds (for example, 5 seconds) with a probability of about 10% in the lottery of normal symbols in the normal state.

When operating in the long-open operation pattern, the ball that enters the first winning opening 64 can be easily guided to the second winning opening 640 by the electric device 640a or the blade member 945. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where, among the balls that are shot when operating in the long-open operation pattern (a limited number of balls given the maximum shooting interval of 100 balls per minute), the ball that enters the first winning opening 64 is not guided to the second winning opening 640.

When the electric role 640a or the feather member 945 is operating in the long opening operation pattern, it is advantageous for the player to shoot a ball at the electric role 640a or the feather member 945, as this makes it easier to win the lottery for special pattern 2. Therefore, before the electric role 640a or the feather member 945 starts to operate in the long opening operation pattern, the third pattern display device 81, a sound device, an LED, or other means may be used to notify the player in advance to shoot a ball at the electric role 640a or the feather member 945.

The notification can be changed depending on the arrangement of the electric device 640a or the feather member 945, but in the first embodiment, it is preferable to notify the player of a right-handed hit, as this makes it easier for the ball to reach the electric device 640.

On the other hand, in the second embodiment, there is no difference in the ease with which the ball reaches the feather member 945 whether it is shot from the left or the right, but it is preferable to notify the player of a left shot in order to continue the previous shot state. Note that for players who play with a right shot from the normal state, a notification may be given to encourage them to continue shooting.

In the first embodiment described above, a case was described in which a draw for special pattern 1 can be won when the sensor SE detects passage, and a draw for special pattern 2 can be won when the ball passes through the second winning opening 640 and is detected by the switch downstream, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a draw for special pattern 1 can be won when passage is detected by the left sensor SE and when the ball is detected by the switch downstream of the second winning opening 640, and a draw for special pattern 2 can be won when passage is detected by the right sensor SE.

In this case, if the ball is swept to the right by the seesaw member 762, the player's profits will be greater if the ball passes through the first ball sending path KR1 while the electric device 640a is in the retracted state.

In the first embodiment, the rotational movement (left/right tilting movement) of the seesaw member 762 is completed in less than 0.5 seconds, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the operating resistance may be increased by reducing the clearance of the rotating shaft, and the time required for the rotational movement of the seesaw member 762 may be set to 1.0 second or more. In this case, even if consecutive balls enter the first winning hole 64, the gameplay can be configured such that the next ball is swept to the left by the seesaw member 762 after the variable display due to the detection of the ball at the normal winning hole (through gate) 765 ends.

In the above first embodiment, the guide portion 742 is arranged in the left-right center of the flow path formed inside the upper protrusion 741, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the guide portions 742 may be arranged in parallel on the left and right. In this case, the protrusion tip surfaces are formed to be inclined toward the base side as they approach the opposing surfaces, thereby effectively preventing the ball that comes into contact with the two guide portions 742 and is guided (folded back toward the back side) from being misaligned in the left-right direction.

In the first embodiment, a resin path is used to connect the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 and the bending member 740, but this is not necessarily limited to the above. For example, a path that uses nails to guide the ball may be used. In this case, the speed at which the ball flows down can be varied.

In the first embodiment, the first inclined groove 755 and the second inclined groove 757 are formed as parallel linear grooves, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the first inclined groove 755 and the second inclined groove 757 may be non-parallel. They may also be formed along a curved path. In the case of a curved path, the guide surface below the sphere may be curved like a metal rail, or may be curved in a manner that meanders back and forth.

In the first embodiment described above, when the moving plate member 641 is in the advanced state, the left guide portion 645 is disposed on the front side of the covering plate portion 711, and the ball can roll on its upper surface. In this case, a protrusion extending in a direction intersecting the ball's rolling path may be provided on the front side of the covering plate portion 711. This allows the ball rolling on the upper surface of the left guide portion 645 to collide with the protrusion, thereby slowing the ball down.

In the above first embodiment, the case where the balls sent to the right by the right guide portion 643 are received by the second ball throwing portion 736 without any leakage is described, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the right guide portion 643 may be formed to extend to a position above the second ball throwing portion 736, and the general winning opening 63 may be disposed to the right of the second ball throwing portion 736.

In this case, if the moving plate member 641 changes to a retracted state when the ball is placed vertically above the second ball throwing section 736, the ball will be received by the second ball throwing section 736, but if the moving plate member 641 is still maintained in the entered state when the ball is placed vertically above the second ball throwing section 736, the ball will pass through the second ball throwing section 736 to the right and be received by the general winning opening 63.

In other words, when the ball is swept to the right by the right-side guide section 643, it is not possible to tell whether the ball is being guided to the second ball throwing section 736 or to the general winning opening 63, which can improve attention to the ball.

In the above first embodiment, a case was described in which the electric device 640a is controlled by one operation pattern corresponding to the type of jackpot, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, multiple operation patterns corresponding to the type of jackpot may be preset, and when the passage of a ball through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is detected, which operation pattern is to be used for control may be selected at random, and the operation of the electric device 640a may be performed with the selected operation pattern.

In the above first embodiment, a case has been described in which the operation pattern of the electric role 640a in a high probability state is set to the first operation pattern or the second operation pattern, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, it may also include a case in which the operation pattern of the electric role 640a in a high probability state is the fourth operation pattern. In this case, it is possible to make it difficult to distinguish whether the state is a high probability state or a low probability state.

In the first embodiment, a ball that enters the first winning opening 64 flows downstream via the seesaw member 762, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the formation of the seesaw member 762 and the left-side flow path may be omitted. In other words, the flow path may be formed only from the first winning opening 64 and the right-side path.

In this case, it becomes difficult to eliminate the case where consecutive balls enter the first winning opening 64, but for example, by arranging a rotor that rotates at a constant speed on a longitudinal axis on the flow path from the center frame 86 to the first winning opening 64 and that has a recessed portion capable of accommodating a ball at a predetermined position on the outer circumference, the first winning opening 64 can be configured so that the ball is accepted by the first winning opening 64 only when the ball accommodated in the recessed portion reaches above the first winning opening 64 due to the rotation of the rotor, thereby preventing consecutive balls from entering the first winning opening 64.

In other words, the rotating body can prevent balls from entering the first winning hole 64 at any time, so the interval between balls entering the first winning hole 64 can be determined by the rotational speed of the rotating body.

In the above first embodiment, the ball that enters the first winning opening 64 is described as landing on the right guide section 643 and flowing down the opposite side to the left guide section 645, but this is not necessarily limited to the above. For example, the right guide section 643 may be configured to slope downward toward the left guide section 645, and the ball that enters the first winning opening 64 may flow from the right guide section 643 to the left guide section 645 and be guided to the first ball sending section 734.

In this case, if the moving plate member 641 is maintained in the approaching state for a sufficiently long time, the ball placed on the first ball throwing path KR1 can be guided to the first ball throwing section 734, and the special pattern 2 can be drawn.

On the other hand, if the moving plate member 641 is inserted too far, the ball will fall between the first ball sending section 734 and the bending member 740, but an receiving opening may be placed at this position to receive the ball and give the player a certain benefit.

When a ball enters the receiving opening, the benefit may be the payout of a prize ball, a lottery for special symbol 1 or special symbol 2, a lottery for a normal symbol, a fall lottery (a lottery that changes the game state from a high probability state to a low probability state), or some other benefit. In any case, it is possible to improve the attention to the ball rolling on the top surface of the moving plate member 641.

The plate may be extended so as to slope upward from the right end of the right guide portion 643 to the right, allowing the ball that falls to the right of the bending member 740 to be received. In this case, if the ball rolling on the upper surface of the moving plate member 641 from the right side of the bending member 740 reaches the first ball throwing path KR1, the moving plate member 641 may be operated to move to a retracted state while the ball is positioned on the first ball throwing path KR1, causing the ball to fall on the first ball throwing path KR1 and be detected by the sensor SE, making it possible to win the lottery for special pattern 1.

In the above first embodiment, a case has been described in which the normal winning opening (through gate) 66 is disposed on the left side of the play area, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the normal winning opening (through gate) 66 disposed on the left side may be omitted. In this case, the winning of the lottery for the normal symbol by hitting from the left is limited to the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, and the winning of the lottery for the normal symbol by hitting from the right is limited to the normal winning opening (through gate) 67, 765.

In other words, by shooting the ball with a left hit, the operation of the electric device 640a can be limited to operation based on the lottery of normal symbols at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, so that when the electric device 640a operates in the first or second operating pattern, it is easier to avoid the occurrence of a situation in which the ball is not guided by the right guide section 643 and is detected by the sensor SE.

On the other hand, firing the ball with a right hit makes it easier to win a lottery with a normal pattern, which makes it easier to increase game efficiency. In other words, the player can choose whether to play in a way that reduces game efficiency but makes it easier to avoid the ball being detected by the sensor SE, or to play in a way that increases game efficiency but slightly increases the chances of the ball being detected by the sensor SE.

In the first embodiment, the moving plate member 641 extends outward from the bending member 740, but this is not necessarily limited to the above. For example, the left guide portion 645 may be omitted. In this case, the second ball throwing portion 736 may function as the second winning opening 640.

In the above first embodiment, the ball is guided to the right guide portion 643 from the path formed by the distribution member 760, but this is not necessarily limited to the above. For example, the ball may be guided to the right guide portion 643 from the front side of the base plate 60. In this case, a plate portion is extended to the left from the left end of the right guide portion 643 at the same inclination, and an opening is formed on the left side of the bending member 740 so that the ball rolling on the upper surface of the plate portion can enter the inside of the bending member 740.

In the first embodiment, the paths of the balls that roll in different directions on the left and right sides of the upper surface of the moving plate member 641 are described as joining together downstream, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a detection device that detects the passage of the ball may be provided at the lower end of the first inclined groove 755, and the ball may be detected by the detection device, allowing a lottery for special pattern 2 to be won, or a detection device that detects the passage of the ball may be provided behind the second ball sending section 736, and the ball may be detected by the detection device, allowing a lottery for special pattern 2 to be won.

In other words, it is possible to omit the formation of the second inclined groove 757, and provide separate positions for detecting a ball rolling on the top surface of the left guide portion 645 and for detecting a ball rolling on the top surface of the right guide portion 643.

In the second embodiment described above, the paths of the balls that rolled in different positions on the upper surface of the feather member 945 merge downstream, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a ball passage hole may be formed behind the third branch passage BK3, and a detection device may be disposed downstream of the hole, and the passage of the ball may be detected by the detection device, making it possible to win a lottery for special pattern 2, similar to detection device SE6.

In other words, it is possible to omit the formation of the ball throwing hole 941k and the ball throwing opening 982k, and provide separate positions for detecting a ball rolling on the top surface of the feather-shaped main body 945m and for detecting a ball rolling on the top surface of the plate-shaped portion 945e.

In the second embodiment, the plate-shaped portion 945e is connected and fixed to the feather-shaped main body 945m at the rotation tip side of the feather member 945, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the extension portion 945d may be formed at the rotation base end side of the feather member 945, or may be formed at a middle position in the rotation radial direction. In particular, when the extension portion 945d is formed at the rotation base end side, the formation width of the fourth through hole 941j and the rotation allowance opening 982m can be reduced, and the reduction in strength of the back base 941 and the bulge portion 982 caused by the formation of the holes can be minimized.

When a ball rests on the plate-shaped portion 945e, the plate-shaped portion 945e may bend starting from the extension portion 945d. However, if the extension portion 945d is formed on the rotating tip side of the blade member 945, the elastic force generated when the plate-shaped portion 945e elastically recovers from the bending deformation is generated in a direction that pushes the ball into the third branch passage BK3. This allows the ball that reaches the upper surface of the plate-shaped portion 945e to be stably guided toward the third branch passage BK3.

In the second embodiment, the case where the extension portion 945d and the plate-shaped portion 945e are formed on both of the pair of wing members 945 is described, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the extension portion 945d and the plate-shaped portion 945e may be formed on only one of the wing members 945.

In the second embodiment described above, when the feather member 945 is in the open state, the rolling surface of the feather-shaped body 945m and the rolling surface of the plate-shaped portion 945e are formed with the same inclined surface, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the inclination angle of the plate-shaped portion 945e may be shallower (smaller angle with respect to the horizontal) than the inclination angle of the feather-shaped body 945m.

In this case, the speed of the ball rolling on the feather-shaped main body 945m can be made faster than the speed of the ball rolling on the plate-shaped portion 945e. This makes it easier to avoid a situation where the balls arranged in front and behind each other remain overlapped when viewed from the front.

In addition, compared to when one ball is placed on the feather-shaped main body 945m, when one ball is placed on the plate-shaped portion 945e, the motion resistance applied from the ball to the feather member 945 can be made larger, and the motion speed of the feather member 945 can be reduced.

In addition, when the feather member 945 is configured to appear and disappear by sliding back and forth, the inclination angle of the feather-shaped body 945m and the inclination angle of the plate-shaped portion 945e may be made different. In this case, even if a ball is placed on the plate-shaped portion 945e and the feather-shaped body 945m at the same time, depending on the operating length of the feather member 945, it is possible to create a state in which the ball rolling on either the plate-shaped portion 945e or the feather-shaped body 945m reaches the rolling plate portion 941l, while the ball rolling on the other of the plate-shaped portion 945e or the feather-shaped body 945m falls before reaching the rolling plate portion 941l.

In the second embodiment, the extension portion 945d extends from near the top surface of the feather-shaped main body 945m when the feather member 945 is in an open state, so that the top surface of the feather-shaped main body 945m and the top surface of the plate-shaped portion 945e appear to overlap from front to back. However, this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the top surface of the plate-shaped portion 945e and the top surface of the feather-shaped main body 945m may be formed to be vertically offset. In this case, even if a ball is placed on the feather-shaped main body 945m while a ball is placed on the plate-shaped portion 945e, the vertical offset makes it easier to avoid a situation in which the front ball completely hides the rear ball.

In the second embodiment, the plate-like portion 945e is formed in a symmetrical position, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the feather-like body 945m may be symmetrical, but the right plate-like portion 945e may be arranged higher than the left plate-like portion 945e (asymmetrical). In this case, the appearance of the feather-like body 945m, which is easy to see from the front, remains symmetrical, while the flow path of the balls rolling on the upper surface of the plate-like portion 945e arranged on the back side of the feather-like body 945m can be asymmetrical. This makes it easier to avoid a situation where the load in the left and right directions is balanced when a ball reaches the line of symmetry, and ball clogging occurs.

In the second embodiment, the magnetic bodies 988b and 988c are used to design the operating resistance of the distribution section 983, and the shortest interval between balls is determined. However, this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a rotor that rotates at a constant speed on a rotation axis in the forward and backward directions and has a recessed portion that can accommodate a ball at a predetermined position on the outer circumference may be arranged on the flow path from the center frame 86 to the first winning opening 64. In this case, by configuring the ball to be accepted by the first winning opening 64 only when the ball accommodated in the recessed portion reaches above the first winning opening 64 due to the rotation of the rotor, it is possible to prevent consecutive balls from entering the first winning opening 64.

In other words, the rotating body can prevent balls from entering the first winning hole 64 at any time, so the interval between balls entering the first winning hole 64 can be determined by the rotational speed of the rotating body.

In the fourth embodiment described above, the inclined surface 4645a of the upstream guide portion 4645 and the inclined surface 643a of the right guide portion 643 have the same inclination, but this is not necessarily limited to this.

For example, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 4645a may be greater than the inclination angle of the inclined surface 643a. In this case, the acceleration of the ball rolling on the inclined surface 4645a to the right can be increased, so that even if the electric device 4640a is in a retracted state while the ball is placed on the first ball throwing path KR1, the ball can flow toward the second ball throwing section 736 due to its momentum. In other words, by increasing the acceleration to the right, it is easier to prevent the ball from flowing down into the recovery hole 752. In this sense, it is easier for a ball rolling down the inclined surface 4645a to enter the second ball throwing section 736 than for a ball that enters the first winning hole 64.

Also, for example, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 4645a may be smaller than the inclination angle of the inclined surface 643a. In this case, the time that the ball stays on the inclined surface 643a can be increased, so that when the ball is placed on the first ball sending path KR1, the electric device 4640a changes to a retracted state, and the ball is more likely to flow down into the recovery hole 752.

The present invention may be implemented in a type of pachinko machine or the like different from the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, it may be implemented as a pachinko machine (commonly called a two-time right machine or a three-time right machine) in which the expected value of a jackpot is increased until a jackpot state occurs multiple times (for example, two or three times) including the first jackpot. It may also be implemented as a pachinko machine that generates a special game in which the player is given a predetermined game value after the jackpot pattern is displayed, with the necessary condition being that the ball enters a predetermined area. It may also be implemented as a pachinko machine that has a winning device with a special area such as a V zone, and the special game state is entered with the necessary condition being that the ball enters the special area. Furthermore, in addition to pachinko machines, it may be implemented as various gaming machines such as arepachi, mahjong ball, slot machines, and gaming machines that are a combination of a pachinko machine and a slot machine.

Slot machines are well known in that, for example, after inserting a coin and determining the effective line of symbols, a lever is operated to change the symbols, and a stop button is operated to stop and finalize the symbols. Therefore, the basic concept of a slot machine is "a slot machine that has a display device that displays a variable display of a string of identification information consisting of multiple identification information, and then displays the determined identification information, and that starts the variable display of the identification information due to the operation of a start operation means (e.g., a lever), stops the variable display of the identification information due to the operation of a stop operation means (e.g., a stop button) or after a predetermined time has passed, and generates a special game that awards a predetermined game value to the player, provided that the combination of identification information at the time of the stop is a specific one." In this case, typical examples of the game medium include coins, medals, etc.

An example of a gaming machine that combines a pachinko machine and a slot machine is one that has a display device that displays a pattern sequence consisting of multiple patterns in a variable manner and then displays the pattern in a fixed manner, but does not have a handle for shooting balls. In this case, after a specified amount of balls are inserted based on a specified operation (button operation), the pattern starts to change due to, for example, the operation of an operating lever, and the pattern change is stopped due to, for example, the operation of a stop button or after a specified time has passed, and a special game is generated in which a specified gaming value is awarded to the player, provided that the fixed pattern at the time of the stop is a so-called jackpot pattern, and a large number of balls are paid out to the player in a receiving tray at the bottom. If such a gaming machine is used instead of a slot machine, the gaming hall can handle only the balls as the gaming value, which can eliminate problems seen in current gaming halls where pachinko machines and slot machines are mixed, such as the burden on facilities due to the separate handling of medals and balls as the gaming value, and the restrictions on the location of gaming machines.

Below, we will explain the gaming machine of the present invention as well as the various invention concepts included in the above-mentioned embodiments.

<Configuration to reduce wasted balls>
A gaming machine A1 is provided with a gaming ball launching device that launches gaming balls, a gaming area forming means that forms a gaming area into which the gaming balls launched by the gaming ball launching device flow, a detection means that is disposed in the gaming area and detects the passage of the gaming balls, and an operation means that is controlled in operation in a predetermined pattern based on the detection of the passage of the gaming balls by the detection means, and is characterized in that the gaming machine A1 is provided with a guide means that guides the gaming balls that have passed through the detection means along a predetermined path to the operation means.

Some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, are equipped with movable parts that open and close after a specified time has elapsed since the passage of a gaming ball through the detection area is detected (see, for example, JP 2017-000562 A). However, in the conventional gaming machines described above, the flow path of the gaming ball that passed through the detection area flows down in multiple flow patterns, so depending on the flow pattern of the gaming ball, the gaming ball that passed through the detection area will either be picked up by the movable part or will fall off the movable part randomly. Therefore, if there are many gaming balls that fall off the movable part, the player may easily misunderstand that the gaming machine store is making adjustments that are disadvantageous to the player, and may become dissatisfied that they are not able to play in an equal environment.

In contrast, with gaming machine A1, the flow of the gaming ball after passing through the detection means is not random, and the gaming ball is guided to the operating means by the guiding means, so the player can understand that the difference between whether the gaming ball that passed the detection means is picked up by the operating means or drops out of the operating means is due to operation control (control based on the result of a lottery drawn in advance at the time of winning). In other words, the pattern of operation control of the operating means is set based on the flow time determined by the configuration of the guiding means, and it can be understood that this is not due to adjustments by the gaming machine store, making the player feel like they are playing in a fair environment.

The game area refers to the area where the game ball flows down until the profit given to the player by the game ball that flows down is determined, and is not limited to the area on the front side of the game board. For example, the game area includes a flow path formed upstream of a detection device that detects the passage of the game ball to draw the first symbol, and a flow path disposed inside the game board or on the back side of the game board.

Gaming machine A2 is characterized in that the guide means in gaming machine A1 is arranged to pass through the rear side of the gaming area.

In addition to the effects of gaming machine A1, gaming machine A2 can hide the gaming ball guided by the guidance means by the gaming ball flowing down in the gaming area, thereby improving attention to the area from the guidance means to the operating means.

Gaming machine A3 is characterized in that in gaming machine A2, the gaming balls guided by the guiding means flow down toward the front side of the gaming board that constitutes the gaming area within a predetermined range.

In addition to the effects of gaming machine A2, gaming machine A3 allows the player to see the gaming ball approaching because the gaming ball guided by the guiding means flows down to the front side of the gaming board. Therefore, the gaming ball guided by the guiding means can be made to stand out in comparison with normal gaming balls that simply flow down.

A gaming machine A4 is one of the gaming machines A1 to A3, characterized in that the guiding means is configured to be able to manage the time it takes for a gaming ball to flow down from the detection means to the operation means.

In addition to the effects of any of the gaming machines A1 to A3, gaming machine A4 can easily set the operation control of a pattern in which the gaming balls are picked up by the operating means and the operation control of a pattern in which the gaming balls are spilled.

A gaming machine A5 is characterized in that, in any one of the gaming machines A1 to A4, the operating means is configured to guide the gaming ball in a manner that causes the gaming ball to roll in a closed or open state, and has a first operating section in which the width dimension in the direction in which the gaming ball flows down is set to less than twice the diameter of the gaming ball, and the gaming ball guided by the guiding means is led to the first operating section.

In addition to the effects of any of the gaming machines A1 to A4, the gaming machine A5 has the following features: the first operating unit can shorten the time it takes for the gaming ball to be guided to the operating means, and the operating means can guide the gaming balls one by one. The width of the operating means can be shortened.

In the gaming machine A5, the operating means is provided with a second operating section that is longer than the first operating section, and the period required for the gaming ball to roll on the second operating section is longer than the period required for the gaming ball to roll on the first operating section. Gaming machine A6.

In addition to the effects of gaming machine A5, gaming machine A6 can also provide a guidance mode for a gaming ball that has reached the operating means, and when the operating means is operating in a similar operating pattern, it is possible to change how the gaming ball flows downstream depending on whether the gaming ball reaches the first operating section or the second operating section.

A gaming machine A7 is characterized in that in the gaming machine A6, the gaming ball guided to the first operating section and the gaming ball guided to the second operating section are guided to different flow-down areas.

In addition to the effects of gaming machine A6, gaming machine A7 can use a single operating means to configure the ball guidance direction in multiple directions, making it possible to realize multiple different appearances when the gaming ball is guided by the operating means.

A gaming machine A7 is configured so that gaming balls that pass through the detection means can be guided to the first operating unit, and gaming balls that flow down without passing through the detection means can be guided to the second operating unit. A gaming machine A8.

In addition to the effects of gaming machine A7, gaming machine A8 can prevent a problem in which a gaming ball that has passed through the detection means is bounced off by other gaming balls, resulting in poor guidance.

A gaming machine A9 is one of the gaming machines A6 to A8, characterized in that the gaming ball guided to the first operating section and the gaming ball guided to the second operating section are prevented from colliding on the operating means.

In addition to the effects of any of the gaming machines A6 to A8, gaming machine A9 makes it easier to avoid collisions between gaming balls rolling on the operating means, which can cause unevenness in the flow pattern.

The game balls placed on the first operating section and the game balls placed on the second operating section may be separated by placing a wall between them, or even if there is no wall, the balls may be managed so that they do not collide.

A gaming machine A10 is characterized in that in the gaming machine A9, the gaming ball guided to the first operating section flows down in the opposite direction to the gaming ball guided to the second operating section.

In addition to the effects of gaming machine A9, gaming machine A10 can avoid collisions between the gaming balls regardless of the flow speed of the gaming balls, unlike when the gaming balls guided to the first operating section and the gaming balls guided to the second operating section flow in the same direction.

The direction in which the game ball flows down may be reversed left to right, or front to back. It may also be reversed along a predetermined trajectory (e.g., a circular trajectory).

A gaming machine A11 is any one of the gaming machines A1 to A10, characterized in that the guidance means has multiple paths as the predetermined path.

In addition to the effects of any of the gaming machines A1 to A10, gaming machine A11 can increase the number of game ball flow patterns while reducing the number of types of motion patterns of the motion means.

<Sensors are placed along the path of the eight chances to pull the ball from the disadvantageous side to the advantageous side>
A gaming machine comprising a game ball launching device which launches game balls, a game area forming means which forms a game area into which the game balls launched by the game ball launching device flow down, a forming means which forms a flow path for the game balls, a first path which is arranged downstream of the forming means and through which the game balls are guided to a first ball inlet, and a second path which is arranged downstream of the forming means and through which the game balls are guided to a second ball inlet, the gaming machine B1 being characterized in that it comprises a moving means which moves the game balls flowing down the first path towards the second path.

In some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, the path that the gaming balls take periodically changes depending on the order in which the gaming balls pass through the ball entrance (see, for example, JP 2015-144741 A). However, in the conventional gaming machines described above, the advantage or disadvantage of a ball entering the ball entrance changes only with the cycle in which the gaming balls enter, and there is a problem in that it is difficult to create a generally advantageous or generally disadvantageous state. In other words, there is a problem in that the range of change in the degree of advantage for the player is limited.

In contrast, according to gaming machine B1, the moving means can randomly cause the gaming ball that has flowed down the path configured by the configuration means to enter either the first ball entry port or the second ball entry port, thereby increasing the range of variation in the degree of advantage of the player compared to when the entry port through which the gaming ball enters changes periodically.

Gaming machine B2 is characterized in that in gaming machine B1, the path configured by the configuration means is a branch path.

In addition to the effects of game machine B1, game machine B2 not only changes the way the game ball flows down due to the action of the moving means, but also changes the way the game ball flows down due to the branching of the path, so that attention to the game ball that has entered the component means can be increased.

Gaming machine B3 is characterized in that it is equipped with a detection means configured to be capable of detecting the passage of a gaming ball flowing down the path in gaming machine B1 or B2, the movement means is equipped with an operation means configured to be operable in a manner that affects the flow of the gaming ball down the path, the operation means is configured to send the gaming ball toward the first ball entrance in the first state and to send the gaming ball toward the second ball entrance in the second state, and is configured to be operable and controlled based on the passage of the gaming ball being detected by the detection means.

In addition to the effects of gaming machines B1 and B2, gaming machine B3 can switch between whether a gaming ball that enters the component means enters the first ball entry port or the second ball entry port depending on the operating pattern of the operating means, making it easier to lower the periodicity of the entry port through which the gaming ball enters. This makes it possible to increase the range of change in the degree of advantage of the player compared to when the entry port through which the gaming ball enters changes periodically.

Gaming machine B4 is characterized in that, in gaming machine B3, the operating means is configured to be capable of guiding gaming balls flowing down the outside of the component means.

In game machine B4, in addition to the effects of game machine B3, the operating means can serve both as a means for guiding game balls flowing down the flow path configured in the configuration means and as a means for guiding game balls flowing down outside the flow path configured in the configuration means.

Gaming machine B5 is characterized in that, in gaming machine B3 or B4, it is provided with a second detection means disposed outside the path of the component means, and the manner in which a gaming ball that has passed through the detection means is guided to the operating means is different from the manner in which a gaming ball that has passed through the second detection means is guided to the operating means.

In addition to the effects of gaming machines B3 and B4, gaming machine B5 can provide multiple types of guidance to the operating means.

The difference in guidance manner is not limited in any way, and various modes are exemplified. For example, it may be a difference in the path of the game ball, or a difference in the flow speed of the game ball.

Gaming machine B6 is any one of gaming machines B3 to B5, characterized in that the operating means changes the flow direction of the gaming ball between the up-down direction and the left-right direction by switching between the first state and the second state.

Gaming machine B6, in addition to the effects of any of gaming machines B3 to B5, makes it easier for players to grasp changes in the direction in which the gaming ball flows.

Gaming machine B7 is characterized in that, in any one of gaming machines B3 to B6, the detection means is controlled so that a predetermined pattern changes for a predetermined period of time based on the passage of the gaming ball, and the predetermined period is set to be shorter than the period required for the gaming ball to pass through the detection means after entering the path.

In addition to the effects of any of the gaming machines B3 to B6, gaming machine B7 maintains a state in which there is one or less gaming ball between the entrance of the path of the component means and the detection means, making it possible to avoid a situation in which the pattern is changing when the gaming ball passes through the detection means. Therefore, it is possible to start changing the predetermined pattern immediately after the gaming ball passes through the detection means.

Therefore, it is possible to synchronize the timing at which the game ball passes through the detection means with the timing at which the operation control of the operation means starts based on the game ball passing through the detection means.

Gaming machine B8 is characterized in that the operating means in gaming machine B7 can switch between a first control mode in which the gaming ball detected by the detection means is not guided, and a second control mode in which the gaming ball detected by the detection means is guided.

In addition to the effects of gaming machine B7, gaming machine B8 can improve the player's ability to focus on the operation of the operating means, since even if the operation of the operating means is executed, the game ball can be guided to the operating means in some cases and not in other cases depending on the control mode.

Gaming machine B9 is characterized in that the switching of the control mode in the gaming machine B8 is configured to be executable each time the detection means detects, and the type of the switchable control mode is configured to be changeable each time a jackpot is played.

Among any of gaming machines B3 to B9, gaming machine B10 is characterized in that the profit that the player obtains when the gaming ball enters the first ball entrance is different from the profit that the player obtains when the gaming ball enters the second ball entrance.

Gaming machine B10 can increase attention to the operating means in addition to the effects of any of gaming machines B3 to B9.

<Configuration in which the operating means flows down at multiple positions>
A gaming machine C1 comprising a gaming ball launching device which launches gaming balls, a gaming area forming means which forms a gaming area into which the gaming balls launched by the gaming ball launching device flow, a detection means which is disposed in the gaming area and which detects the passage of the gaming balls, and an operation means which is controlled in operation based on the detection of the passage of the gaming balls by the detection means, wherein the operation means comprises a first flow-down position at which the gaming balls can flow down, and a second flow-down position which is different from the first flow-down position, and is configured so that the flow-down pattern of the gaming balls flowing down the first flow-down position is different from the flow-down pattern of the gaming balls flowing down the second flow-down position.

In some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, a movable accessory is opened when a gaming ball is detected by a detection means, and the movable accessory guides the gaming ball to a winning opening (see, for example, JP 2015-181572 A). However, in the conventional gaming machines described above, the manner in which the gaming ball is guided to the movable accessory is monotonous, and there is a problem that there is room for improvement in terms of increasing the attention-grabbing power of the movable accessory.

In contrast, according to gaming machine C1, the operating means is provided with multiple flow-down positions to which the gaming ball flows down, and the flow pattern differs depending on which flow-down position the gaming ball flows down to, so that it is possible to provide variation in the manner in which the gaming ball is guided to the movable device, thereby improving the attention-grabbing power of the movable device.

In gaming machine C1, gaming machine C2 is characterized in that the flow pattern is the flow speed, flow direction, or flow interval of the gaming balls.

In addition to the effects of gaming machine C1, gaming machine C2 can disperse the flow of gaming balls flowing down along the operating means, thereby increasing attention to the gaming balls.

Gaming machine C3 is characterized in that, in gaming machine C1 or C2, the first flow-down position is set as a position where a gaming ball that has passed through the detection means can flow down.

In addition to the effects of gaming machines C1 and C2, gaming machine C3 makes it possible to know that the gaming ball has passed the detection means by confirming that the gaming ball has reached the first flow-down position, eliminating the need to visually check the detection means.

In addition, by making game balls that have passed through the detection means and game balls that have not passed through the detection means flow down at different positions on the operating means, the number of game balls that can be placed on the operating means at the same time can be changed by changing the launch mode to aim for all balls to pass through the detection means or to aim for some game balls to miss the detection means.

Gaming machine C4 is characterized in that in gaming machine C3, the flow path of the gaming ball that has passed through the detection means is configured as a path that does not branch.

In addition to the effects of gaming machine C3, gaming machine C4 can detect that the gaming ball has passed through the detection means by confirming that the gaming ball has reached the first flow-down position.

Gaming machine C5 is characterized in that, in any one of gaming machines C1 to C4, the flow path of the gaming ball that has flowed down the first flow position and the flow path of the gaming ball that has flowed down the second flow position merge at a predetermined merging position downstream of the operating means.

In addition to the effects of any of the gaming machines C1 to C4, gaming machine C5 can make the profits that can be obtained by the gaming balls caused to flow down by the operating means the same regardless of the position of the balls.

Gaming machine C6 is characterized in that, in gaming machine C5, the merging position is located at a position away from the operating means.

In addition to the effects of gaming machine C5, gaming machine C6 can reduce the impact of the load generated by the gaming balls when they merge on the operation of the operating means. This allows the operation of the operating means to be performed smoothly.

Gaming machine C7 is characterized in that, in gaming machine C5, the merging position is located close to the operating means.

In addition to the effects of gaming machine C5, gaming machine C7 can provide a detection device that detects the passage of gaming balls flowing down along the operating means, which can be positioned further upstream, making it possible to generate profits earlier. This can therefore shorten the waiting time from when the gaming balls flow down along the operating means until when profits are generated.

Gaming machine C8 is any one of gaming machines C5 to C7, characterized in that the gaming ball is configured to fall downward at the joining position.

In addition to the effects of any of the gaming machines C5 to C7, gaming machine C8 can prevent balls from flowing back after merging or from becoming jammed.

A gaming machine C9 is one of the gaming machines C1 to C8, characterized in that the gaming balls flowing down the first flow position and the gaming balls flowing down the second flow position are configured in the same flow direction.

In addition to the effects of any of the gaming machines C1 to C8, gaming machine C9 can unify the side on which attention is focused when the gaming ball reaches the operating means, allowing the player to easily grasp the area on which attention should be focused.

A gaming machine C10 is any one of the gaming machines C1 to C8, characterized in that the gaming balls flowing down the first flow position and the gaming balls flowing down the second flow position are configured to flow in different directions.

In addition to the effects of any of the gaming machines C1 to C8, gaming machine C10 allows the player to visually determine whether the gaming ball has flowed down the first flow position or the second flow position by visually checking the direction in which the gaming ball flows down. Therefore, even in a configuration in which gaming balls placed close to the operating means overlap one another and are difficult to see, the direction in which the gaming ball flows down can be ascertained downstream of the operating means.

A gaming machine C11 is any one of gaming machines C1 to C10, and is provided with a first ball inlet configured to be able to give a first benefit to a player when a gaming ball enters the first ball inlet, and a second ball inlet configured to be able to give a second benefit greater than the first benefit to a player when a gaming ball enters the first ball inlet, the first flow-down position is disposed on the flow-down path of a gaming ball that has entered the first ball inlet, and the operating means is configured to be able to guide a gaming ball flowing down the first flow-down position toward the second ball inlet.

In addition to the effects of any of the gaming machines C1 to C10, the gaming machine C11 can use an operating means to pull out a gaming ball that has entered the first ball entrance toward the second ball entrance before a profit is awarded by the gaming ball.

As a result, even in a gaming machine with a left-right symmetrical board (a gaming machine with a board configuration in which the winning holes for the lottery of special symbols and the winning holes that open and close during special games are arranged vertically in the center left and right, and the ball can be scored into these winning holes by either hitting from the left or right), the frequency with which a profit is generated by a ball scoring into the first ball scoring hole can be reduced by the operation of the operating means.

This reduces the need to configure a right-hand hitting path that does not guide game balls to the first ball inlet in order to reduce the frequency of balls entering the first ball inlet, thereby improving the design freedom of the game area.

<Advantages and disadvantages of the first flow path and the second flow path branched by the branching means can be changed>
A gaming machine D1 comprising a gaming ball launching device which launches gaming balls, a gaming area forming means which forms a gaming area into which the gaming balls launched by the gaming ball launching device flow, and forming a first flow path and a second flow path downstream of a predetermined ball entry area, characterized in that the gaming machine D1 also comprises a change means which is configured to be able to change the magnitude relationship between a first profit which a player can obtain when the gaming ball flows down the first flow path and a second profit which a player can obtain when the gaming ball flows down the second flow path.

In some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, the profit a player can expect to obtain differs depending on whether the gaming ball that has flowed down a specified ball entry area flows to the left or the right (see, for example, JP 2015-144741 A). However, in the conventional gaming machines described above, the advantageous direction when the gaming ball flows down is fixed, so if the player can simply confirm the direction in which the gaming ball flows down at the branching position, the profit to be obtained thereafter can be predicted, and the player's concentration peaks before the gaming ball reaches the fixed area where the profit is actually determined, which reduces the player's attention to the path from the branching position to the fixed area, and there is a problem that there is room for improvement in terms of using the gaming area as a performance area.

In contrast, with gaming machine D1, the magnitude relationship between the first profit and the second profit can be switched by the changing means, so the peak of the player's concentration can be brought to the point where the gaming ball actually enters the determined area where the profit is determined, rather than the point where the gaming ball enters the first or second flow path, and therefore high attention can be maintained on the path from the branching area to the determined area. This makes it possible to effectively use the gaming boundary area as a presentation area.

The time when the profit is determined is not limited in any way, and various modes are exemplified. For example, it may be the time when the game ball passes through a detection port (detection area, specific area, etc.), or it may be the time when the profit determined by the game ball passing through the detection port is notified to the player (the time when the player can recognize the profit).

Gaming machine D2 is characterized in that it is provided with a flow-down area that causes gaming balls to flow down to the front side when the larger of the first and second benefits is awarded to the player in gaming machine D1.

In addition to the effect of gaming machine D1, gaming machine D2 awards the player with a big win when the gaming balls flow differently from the normal flow pattern (flowing downwards), so by making the gaming balls visible, it is possible to make it easier for the player to understand that a big win has been awarded.

Gaming machine D3 is characterized in that the first flow path and the second flow path are configured to be able to merge in gaming machine D1 or D2, and there is a vertical position difference in the entry position to the merging position.

In addition to the effects of gaming machine D1 or D2, gaming machine D3 makes it easier to prevent the gaming ball from flowing backwards, because the load generated at the time of collision occurs in the vertical direction (the direction intersecting with the first flow path and the second flow path) even if gaming balls enter the joining position from the first flow path and the second flow path at the same time.

Gaming machine D4 is characterized in that the entry position of gaming machine D3 is arranged so that the side through which gaming balls pass more frequently is located at the bottom.

In addition to the effects of gaming machine D3, gaming machine D4 makes it easier to prevent gaming balls that pass through a specified entry position with high frequency from accidentally entering another entry position.

In any of gaming machines D1 to D4, the first flow path and the second flow path are provided with a detection means for detecting the passage of a gaming ball, and an operation means that is controlled in a predetermined pattern based on the detection of the passage of a gaming ball by the detection means, and gaming machine D5 is characterized in that the distance between the detection means and the operation means in the first flow path is different from the distance between the detection means and the operation means in the second flow path.

In addition to the effects of any of the gaming machines D1 to D4, gaming machine D5 can provide the same operational control of the operating means, but can vary whether the operating means acts on the gaming ball when the gaming ball flows down the first flow path from when the gaming ball flows down the second flow path.

<Switching between 3 states>
A gaming machine comprising a game ball launching device which launches game balls, a game area forming means which forms a game area into which game balls launched by the game ball launching device flow, a first ball entry port and a second ball entry port which are configured so that game balls which flow down the game area can enter, a detection means which is disposed in the game area and which detects the passage of the game ball, and an operation means which operates based on the detection of the passage of the game ball by the detection means, wherein the gaming machine E1 is configured to be switchable between a first state in which the game ball is likely to enter the first ball entry port, a second state in which the game ball is likely to enter the second ball entry port, and a third state in which the game ball is likely to enter the first ball entry port and the second ball entry port in response to the operation mode of the operation means.

Some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, are equipped with a first start hole and a second start hole (see, for example, JP 2015-144741 A). However, in the conventional gaming machines described above, although it is possible to switch between a state in which it is easy for the ball to enter the first start hole and the second start hole (first second start hole) and a state in which it is easy for the ball to enter only the second start hole (second second start hole), it is not possible to switch to a state in which it is easy for the ball to enter only the first start hole, which limits the degree of freedom in the way the game ball enters the hole.

In contrast, with the gaming machine E1, the state can be switched not only between the third state in which it is easier for the ball to enter the first and second ball entrances and the second state in which it is easier for the ball to enter the second ball entrance, but also to the first state in which it is easier for the ball to enter the first ball entrance, depending on the operating mode of the operating means, thereby improving the degree of freedom in the manner in which the gaming ball can enter.

Gaming machine E2 is characterized in that in the third state of gaming machine E1, the game ball that flows down alternates between entering the first ball entrance and the second ball entrance.

In addition to the effects of gaming machine E1, gaming machine E2 can equalize the number of balls entering the first ball entrance and the number of balls entering the second ball entrance in the third state.

Gaming machine E3 is characterized in that it is equipped with a predetermined flow path formed in gaming machine E1 or E2 so that gaming balls that flow down can enter the first ball entrance or the second ball entrance.

In addition to the effects of gaming machines E1 and E2, gaming machine E3 can attract more attention to the gaming ball flowing down the designated flow path because, when the gaming ball is flowing down the designated flow path, the gaming ball can still enter either the first ball entrance or the second ball entrance.

＜Earn both Special 1 and Special 2 with support＞
A gaming machine F1 comprising a game ball launching device which launches game balls, a game area forming means which forms a game area into which game balls launched by the game ball launching device flow, a first ball inlet and a second ball inlet which are configured to allow game balls which have flowed down the game area to enter, a detection means which is disposed in the game area and detects the passage of the game ball, and an operation means which is controlled in operation based on the detection of the passage of the game ball by the detection means, wherein the operation means is configured so that the flow path of the game ball which has flowed down to the position where the operation means is disposed can be branched into a first path heading towards the first ball inlet, a second path heading towards the second ball inlet, and other paths.

Some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, are equipped with a first start hole and a second start hole (see, for example, JP 2015-144741 A). However, in the above-mentioned conventional gaming machines, while it is possible to create a state in which it is easy for the ball to enter the second start hole (second second start hole) when the movable piece is in an open state, it is not possible to create a state in which it is easy for the ball to enter the first start hole, and there is a problem in that there is room for improvement in the way the movable piece guides the gaming ball.

In contrast, with the gaming machine F1, a first path and a second path are formed as flow paths downstream from the operating means, so that the gaming ball can be guided to either the first ball inlet or the second ball inlet, improving the way the gaming ball is guided by the operating means.

A gaming machine F2, characterized in that in the gaming machine F1, the profit that can be given to the player when a gaming ball enters the second ball entrance is set to be greater than the profit that can be given to the player when a gaming ball enters the first ball entrance, the first ball entrance is located below the center side of the operating means, and the second ball entrance is located below the end side of the operating means.

In addition to the effects of game machine F1, game machine F2 allows the game ball to enter the second ball entrance if it flows all the way to the end of the operating means, making it easier for the game ball to enter the second ball entrance compared to the game ball entering the first ball entrance by dropping midway (the operating means operates at the right time).

A gaming machine F3 is characterized in that it is equipped with a spill prevention means for preventing the gaming balls from spilling from the end of the operating means in the gaming machine F1 or F2.

In addition to the effects of gaming machines F1 and F2, gaming machine F3 uses a spill prevention means to prevent the gaming ball from spilling out of the operating means due to excessive force, which increases the player's sense of security when the gaming ball reaches the operating means.

In addition, by using the spill prevention means to make the game ball bounce back with high resilience, the rolling speed of the game ball on the upper surface of the operating means can be increased, making it easier for the game ball to pass over the upper surface of the operating means in a short period of time.

<Different configurations on left and right>
A gaming machine G1 comprising a game ball launching device which launches game balls, a game area forming means which forms a game area into which the game balls launched by the game ball launching device flow, a plurality of detection means which are arranged in the game area and which detect the passage of the game balls, an operation means which operates based on the detection of the passage of the game ball by the detection means, and a guided ball entry port which is configured to allow the game balls guided to the operation means to enter, wherein the plurality of detection means comprise a first detection means which is arranged upstream of the operation means, and a second detection means which is arranged in a position different from the first detection means.

Some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, are equipped with a normal starting port (see, for example, JP 2016-54970 A). However, in the conventional gaming machines described above, the path that is guided to the normal starting port and the path that is guided to the opening and closing member side are separate paths, and the game ball flows down each path alternately. Therefore, if a game ball collides with a nail located directly above the normal starting port and deviates from the normal starting port, a period of time will pass before the game ball is next guided to the normal starting port, and the game ball will flow down to the opening and closing member side when the opening and closing member is closed, creating a situation where there is little hope. In this case, there is a problem that the game becomes drawn out and the player's interest may be reduced.

In response to this, gaming machine G1 is equipped with a first detection means disposed upstream of the operating means and a second detection means disposed at a different location from the upstream side of the operating means, so that it is possible to frequently create a situation in which the gaming ball is detected by the detection means. This increases the frequency of operation of the operating means, thereby increasing the interest of the player.

A gaming machine G2 is characterized in that a predetermined flow path is formed between the first detection means and the operating means in the gaming machine G1.

In addition to the effects of gaming machine G1, gaming machine G2 can streamline the flow of gaming balls from the first detection means to the operation means.

A gaming machine G3, which is characterized in that in the gaming machine G1 or G2, the operating means is formed so as to extend toward the flow path of the gaming ball passing through the second detection means.

In addition to the effects of gaming machines G1 and G2, gaming machine G3 can prevent the attention level on the second detection means side from becoming too low compared to the attention level on the first detection means side.

Gaming machine Z1 is a slot machine in any one of gaming machines A1 to A11, B1 to B10, C1 to C11, D1 to D5, E1 to E3, F1 to F3, and G1 to G3. Among them, the basic configuration of a slot machine is "a gaming machine equipped with a variable display means for dynamically displaying a sequence of identification information consisting of a plurality of identification information and then definitively displaying the identification information, and equipped with a special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to a player, the dynamic display of the identification information being started due to the operation of a start operation means (e.g., an operation lever), the dynamic display of the identification information being stopped due to the operation of a stop operation means (a stop button) or by the passage of a predetermined time, and the necessary condition being that the definitive identification information at the time of the stop is a specific identification information." In this case, typical examples of the gaming medium include coins, medals, etc.

Gaming machine Z2 is a pachinko gaming machine in any one of gaming machines A1 to A11, B1 to B10, C1 to C11, D1 to D5, E1 to E3, F1 to F3, and G1 to G3. Among them, the basic configuration of a pachinko gaming machine includes a control handle, which launches a ball into a predetermined gaming area in response to the operation of the control handle, and the identification information dynamically displayed on the display means is fixed and stopped after a predetermined time, as a necessary condition that the ball enters (or passes through) an operating port arranged at a predetermined position in the gaming area. In addition, when a special gaming state occurs, a variable winning device (specific winning port) arranged at a predetermined position in the gaming area is opened in a predetermined manner to allow the ball to win, and a value (including not only prize balls but also data written to a magnetic card) according to the number of winning balls is given.

Gaming machine Z3 is characterized in that the gaming machine is a combination of a pachinko gaming machine and a slot machine in any one of gaming machines A1 to A11, B1 to B10, C1 to C11, D1 to D5, E1 to E3, F1 to F3, and G1 to G3. Among them, the basic configuration of the combined gaming machine is "a gaming machine having a variable display means for dynamically displaying a sequence of identification information consisting of a plurality of identification information and then definitively displaying the identification information, a special gaming state generating means for generating a special gaming state advantageous to the player, in which the variation of the identification information is started due to the operation of a start operating means (e.g., an operating lever), the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of a stop operating means (e.g., a stop button) or by the passage of a predetermined time, and the definitive identification information at the time of the stop is a specific identification information as a necessary condition, using balls as a gaming medium, and requiring a predetermined number of balls to start the dynamic display of the identification information, and configured to pay out a large number of balls when the special gaming state is generated."
＜Other＞
Among gaming machines such as pachinko machines, there are gaming machines equipped with movable parts that operate a specified time after the passage of a gaming ball is detected in a detection area (for example, Patent Document 1: JP 2017-000562 A).
However, the above-mentioned conventional gaming machines have a problem that there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of playing in a fair environment. The present technical idea has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can be improved from the viewpoint of playing in a fair environment.
<Means>
In order to achieve this objective, the gaming machine of technical idea 1 is a gaming machine comprising a gaming ball launching device that launches gaming balls, a gaming area forming means that forms a gaming area into which the gaming balls launched by the gaming ball launching device flow, a detection means that is disposed in the gaming area and detects the passage of the gaming balls, and an operation means that is controlled in operation in a predetermined pattern based on the detection of the passage of the gaming ball by the detection means, and is also provided with a guiding means that guides the gaming ball that has passed the detection means along a predetermined path to the operation means.
A gaming machine according to a second technical concept is the gaming machine according to the first technical concept, in which the guide means is disposed so as to pass through the rear side of the gaming area.
The gaming machine of Technical Concept 3 is the gaming machine according to Technical Concept 2, in which the gaming balls guided by the guiding means flow down toward the front side of the gaming board constituting the playing area within a predetermined range.
＜Effects＞
According to the gaming machine described in Technical Concept 1, it is possible to improve the gaming environment so that players can play in a fair environment.
According to the gaming machine described in Technical Concept 2, in addition to the effect achieved by the gaming machine described in Technical Concept 1, it is possible to improve attention to the guidance means.
According to the gaming machine described in Technical Concept 3, in addition to the effect achieved by the gaming machine described in Technical Concept 2, the gaming ball guided by the guiding means can be made to stand out.

10. Pachinko machines (amusement machines)
13 Game board (game board body)
60 Base plate (part of the play area forming means)
67 Regular winning port (detection means, second detection means)
112a ball launching unit (game ball launching device)
640 2nd prize entry gate (2nd ball entry gate)
640a Electric device (operating means)
643 Right guide portion (first operating portion, first flow-down position)
645 Left guide portion (second operating portion, second flow-down position)
700 Route configuration device (part of game area configuration means)
734 First ball throwing section (spill prevention means)
736a Ball passage hole (guided ball entrance hole)
740 Bending member (part of guide means)
750 Intervening member (part of guide means)
760 Distribution member (part of guide means)
765 Regular winning port (detection means, first detection means)
930 Winning port unit (part of the game area configuration means)
945 Feather member (movement means, operation means)
945e Plate-shaped portion (part of the operating means, first flow-down position)
945m Wing-shaped main body (part of the operating means, second flow-down position)
980 Allocation unit (part of game area configuration means, part of configuration means)
3765 Regular winning port (detection means, second detection means)
BK3 Third branch passage (part of the second route)
SE3 Detection device (first entrance)
SE4, SE5 Detection device (detection means)
SE6 Detection device (second entrance)
TR1 1st Passage (Part of the 1st Route)
TR2 2nd Passage (Part of the 1st Route)

Claims (1)

A gaming machine comprising: a game ball launching device that launches game balls; game area configuration means that configures a game area into which the game balls launched by the game ball launching device flow; detection means that is disposed in the game area and detects the passage of the game balls; and operation means that can be controlled based on the detection of the passage of the game balls by the detection means.
The operation means is configured to be displaceable between a first position and a second position in the operation control, and includes a first component part through which game balls can flow down when the first component part is located at the first position, and a second component part different from the first component part, and is configured to be able to make the flow-down behavior of game balls in the first component part different from the flow-down behavior of game balls in the second component part at least in a predetermined state that can be caused by being located at the first position by the operation control,
The gaming machine is configured so that a gaming ball that has flowed down the first component part can flow down the second component part,
The operating means is a gaming machine characterized in that the first component and the second component are formed from the same member, and the forming position of the first component and the forming position of the second component are offset at least in the left-right direction .

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