JPH0368384A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify the structure of a premium ball delivery mechanism by installing a winning ball collecting trough and a winning ball processing mechanism in correspondence with each group and installing only one premium ball delivery device so as to be used in common. CONSTITUTION:In the first and second winning ball collecting troughs 25 and 32, the winning balls which are introduced into the winning inlet belonging to each group are collected separately. Further, the first and second winning ball processing mechanisms 50a and 50b treats the winning balls one by one in each collecting trough 25, 32. Further, in the first and second winning ball detecting means 57a and 57b, the presence of the winning ball in each processing mechanism 50a, 50b is detected. Further, one premium ball delivery mechanism 40 delivers premium balls, counting the balls one by one, on the basis of each detection output of the detecting means 57a and 57b. Further, a drive control means 37 drive-controls the processing mechanism 50a or 50b and the delivery mechanism 40, when the detecting means 57a or 57b detects the winning ball.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention divides winning holes provided in a game board of a pachinko machine into at least a first group and a second group, and allows winning holes belonging to each group to enter a prize. This relates to a pachinko machine that is designed so that the number of prize balls ejected differs depending on the winning balls.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, the winning holes provided on the game board of a pachinko machine are divided into at least a first group and a second group, and the number of prize balls ejected by winning balls that enter the winning holes belonging to each group is determined. Many differently configured pachinko machines were offered on the market. This kind of pachinko machine is
Mainly, the winning balls belonging to each group are collected separately and the winning ball processing device and the prize ball ejecting device provided corresponding to each group are driven independently (hereinafter referred to as the first type), or one type. A format in which all winning balls belonging to a group are stored, a prize ball ejecting device is driven based on the stored numerical values, and winning balls belonging to the other group are collected to drive a winning ball processing device and a prize ball ejecting device. (hereinafter referred to as the second type), and a type in which all winning balls belonging to both groups are stored and the prize ball ejecting device is driven based on each stored value (hereinafter referred to as the third type). was there.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the pachinko machine equipped with the conventional prize ball discharging mechanism described above, for example, in the first type, the winning ball processing device and the prize ball discharging device are arranged for each group. There is a problem that the mechanism plate that constitutes the prize ball ejection mechanism becomes large and its structure becomes complicated, and in the second type and third type, Since the winning balls are configured to be memorized, there is a problem in that the memorized values are erased in the event of a power outage.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to simplify the structure of the mechanism board on which the prize ball ejection mechanism is installed, and to reduce the number of winning balls that are generated even during power outages. To provide a pachinko machine equipped with a prize ball ejection mechanism that does not erase prize balls.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the pachinko machine according to the present invention divides the winning holes provided on the game board of the pachinko machine into at least a first group and a second group, respectively. A first prize ball set in which the number of prize balls ejected is different depending on the winning balls that have entered the winning holes belonging to the groups, and the winning balls that have entered the winning holes that belong to each group are separately collected. a gutter and a second winning ball collecting gutter; a first winning ball processing mechanism and a second winning ball processing mechanism that face each of the first and second winning ball collecting gutter and process winning balls one by one; a first winning ball detection means and a second winning ball detection means for detecting the presence of a winning ball in each of the first and second winning ball processing mechanisms; and a detection output of each of the first and second winning ball detection means. one prize ball ejecting device that ejects prize balls one by one while counting them based on the winning ball, and the first winning ball is detected when the first winning ball detecting means or the second winning ball detecting means detects the winning ball. The present invention is characterized by comprising a drive control means for driving and controlling either the ball processing mechanism or the second winning ball processing mechanism and the prize ball ejecting device.

[Operation] The winning balls that entered the winning holes of the first group and the second group are collected separately in the first or second winning ball collection gutter. The winning balls that gather in each winning ball collection gutter and flow down are processed one by one by each winning ball processing mechanism, but each winning ball depends on whether or not there is a winning ball in the winning ball processing mechanism. The ball is detected by the ball detection means, and either one of the winning ball processing mechanism and the prize ball ejecting device is driven and controlled based on the detection output. In other words, in this invention, various mechanisms for processing winning balls are:
Although each group is provided with a prize ball ejecting device, one is provided so that the prize ball ejecting device for ejecting prize balls can be used commonly.
Since only one ball is provided, the structure of the prize ball ejection mechanism is simplified accordingly, and since the winning balls are disposed of one by one without being memorized, accidents such as during power outages are avoided. Even if there is, the number of winning balls will not be erased.

[Examples] Examples according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, a pachinko machine to which the embodiment is applied will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 2 is a front view of the pachinko machine, and in the figure, a metal frame 3 is provided around the opening of the front frame 2 of the pachinko machine 1, which is formed in the shape of a frame. A glass door frame 4 having glass and a front plate 5 are provided on the metal frame 3 so as to be openable and closable. A game board 6 is disposed behind the glass door frame 4, and an upper tray 7 is fixed to the surface of the front plate 5 for storing hit balls and supplying the hit balls to a hit ball firing position (not shown).

Furthermore, below the front frame 2, there is an operation handle 8 which is a part of the batted ball firing device 36 (see FIG. 1), a lower tray 9 for storing prize balls that cannot be stored in the upper tray 7, and a lower tray 9 which will be described later. A push button switch 10 and the like are provided to stop the operation of the combination display device 11.

The game board 6 has a substantially square shape, and has the following on its surface:
A gaming area is defined by guide rails 17. A combination display device 11 is located approximately in the center of the gaming area.
An opening/closing plate 13 is provided below the combination display device 11.
A variable winning ball device 12 having a variable winning ball device 12 is provided. The combination display device 11 changes its display when a batted ball enters the starting prize openings 14a to 14c provided on the left, right, and lower sides of the combination display device 11, and after a certain period of time has elapsed, or when the push button switch 10 It is designed to stop when the player presses the button. When the display mode displayed on the combination display device 11 is a predetermined combination, the opening/closing plate 13 is opened for a certain period of time (for example, 30 seconds).
seconds) or until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winning balls are won. In addition, when the winning ball that is guided by the opening/closing plate 13 and wins a prize enters a special winning hole (not shown) formed inside the opening/closing plate 13, the opening/closing plate 13
is opened under the above-mentioned conditions, and such an open state continues for a maximum of 10 times as long as a batted ball enters the special winning hole.

Further, normal winning openings 15a and 15b are arranged diagonally above the left and right of the variable winning device 12, respectively.

The above-mentioned variable winning device 12 and normal winning machine 15a, 15
b forms one group in which the number of prize balls ejected is the same (hereinafter referred to as the first group), and the winning balls that enter the winning slots are included in the first winning ball set described later. It is designed to be guided to a space 24.

In addition, the starting prize holes 14a to 14c are connected to another group (hereinafter, a second group) in which the number of prize balls to be ejected is the same.
The winning balls forming a group (referred to as a group) and entering the winning slots are guided to a second winning ball gathering space 31, which will be described later. The number of prize balls ejected from these winning balls that entered the second group is:
The number of prize balls is different from the number of prize balls ejected by the winning balls that entered the first group described above. Specifically, when a winning hole belonging to the first group is entered, 13 prize balls are ejected, and when a winning hole belonging to the second group is won, 7 prize balls are ejected. It is configured to

Furthermore, an out port 16 is formed at the bottom of the gaming area, into which the batted ball that has not won a prize in any of the winning ports enters.
On the upper side of the game board 6 on the outside of the guide rail 17, there is a prize ball output number display section that lights up to notify the player when the number of prize balls that are ejected by the winning balls belonging to each group is ejected. 18 are provided.

Next, the back structure of the pachinko machine will be explained with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3 to 5. In the figure, a winning ball collection cover 19 is detachably fixed to the back surface of the game board 6. This winning ball collection cover integrated 19 is connected to a first winning ball collection space 24 (
(see FIG. 3), which causes the winning balls that have flowed down from the winning openings belonging to the first group to fall downward. In addition, on the front of the winning ball collection cover 19, there are three starting winning ball guide paths 20a to 20.
c is formed and communicates with a second winning ball gathering space 31, which will be described later, at the lower end of the starting winning ball guiding paths 20a to 20c.
Space guide members 21a to 21c are connected. Therefore, the winning balls that have entered the starting winning holes 14a to 14c are guided to the second winning ball gathering space 31 via the starting winning ball guiding paths 20a to 20c and the second space guiding members 21a to 21c. It has become. Further, on the back side of the winning ball collection cover 19, there are provided for driving and controlling the combination display device 11, variable winning device 12, etc., as well as driving and controlling the prize ball discharging device 40 and winning ball processing mechanisms 50a and 50b, which will be described later. A control circuit board 37 including a control circuit is attached.

Note that the control circuit board 37 only controls the game operation, and does not control the prize ball discharging device 40 or the winning ball processing devices 50a, 50.
A control circuit for controlling b may be provided separately.

On the other hand, a mechanism plate 22 is provided on the back side of the pachinko machine 1 so as to be openable and closable so as to cover the entire back side of the game board 6. A concave first winning ball gathering space 24 is formed on the front surface of the mechanism plate 22, and an opening 23 is opened approximately in the center of the winning ball gathering space 24. This frontage 23 is formed to be slightly smaller than the surface area of the input prize ball collection cover 19.

The reason for providing the opening 23 in this way is that in general, in recent years, pachinko machines have become mainstream in which only the game board is replaced and the pachinko machine body including the mechanism plate 22 is used repeatedly. Among the winning ball devices installed on the game board to be replaced, there are some that protrude far behind the game board, and others that do not. An opening 23 is provided in the board 22, and in order to accommodate changes in structure due to the back surface of various game boards 6, the winning ball collection cover 19 is made to match the structure of the back surface at the stage of manufacturing the game board 6. We are dealing with this by processing it. Of course, the first winning ball collecting space 24 may be configured without fixing the winning ball collecting cover 19 to the back surface of the game board 6 and without forming the opening 23 in the mechanism plate 22. First winning ball gathering space 2
4, a first winning ball collection gutter 25 is installed so as to protrude to one side, and the winning balls falling in the first winning ball collection space 24 are transferred to a first winning ball processing mechanism 50a, which will be described later. It is designed to guide you.

By the way, an example of the frontage 23 (right side in FIG. 1)
Wiring storage portions 26 are provided protrudingly on three sides except for the three sides. This wiring storage section 26, as shown in detail in FIG.
A pair of vertical walls 27 are provided to protrude from the mechanism plate 22, and the vertical walls 27 are removably covered with cover plates 28a to 28c. Then, the standing wall 27 and the cover plate 28
The wiring is housed inside the inside covered with a to 28C.

Furthermore, the vertical wall 27 protruding from the lower side has guide holes 29a to 29c that communicate with each other vertically.
a to 29c constitute the population of the second winning ball gathering space 31, and are provided corresponding to the second space guiding members 21a to 21c that communicate with the starting winning holes 14a to 14c. However, at the bottom of the standing wall 27 on the lower side,
A second winning ball gathering space forming member 30 is connected to the standing wall 27.
is attached, and its lower end is formed in an inclined shape to form a second winning ball collection gutter 32. This second winning ball gathering space forming member 30 constitutes a second winning ball gathering space 31, which collects the winning balls falling from the guide holes 29a to 29C and performs a second winning ball processing to be described later. This guides the user to the mechanism 50b. In this way, the second winning ball gathering space 3
1 is formed by laminating the first winning ball gathering space 24 and the mechanism plate 22 in the front-rear direction, but the laminated structure may be such that only the lower part is laminated as in the illustrated embodiment. Alternatively, the entire structure may be laminated.

Various mechanisms for ejecting prize balls are provided on the rear side of the mechanism plate 22. These mechanisms are mainly
To explain with reference to the figure, in the figure, a prize ball tank 33 is provided at the top of the mechanism board 22 for storing a large number of prize balls supplied from a prize ball supply mechanism (not shown). Alignment gutter 3 for arranging prize balls below
4 is provided at an angle. This alignment gutter 34 arranges the prize balls in two rows. A curved gutter 35 is provided connected to the alignment gutter 34 to weaken the throne of prize balls stored in the alignment gutter 34. And aligned gutter 3
4, the prize balls are arranged in two rows and flow down, then merge into one row at the connection part with the curved gutter 35, and are supplied to a prize ball discharging device 40, which will be described next.

Here, the structure of the prize ball ejecting device 40 will be explained. As shown in FIG. , a sprocket 43 facing a notch 42 formed in one side wall of the prize ball falling passage, and a stopper solenoid 44 having a stopper piece 45 that engages and disengages from the sprocket 43. The outer periphery C of the sprocket 43 is formed with a plurality of recesses for storing one prize ball flowing down the prize ball falling path 41, and when the recesses engage with the prize balls, the sprocket 43 is moved by the weight of the prize balls. It is designed to rotate. Further, a stopper piece 45 is disposed on the opposite side from the notch 42, and a spring 46 is secured to the upper end of the stopper piece 45.

Therefore, the lower end of the stopper piece 45 is always urged toward the sprocket 43 and engages with the recess of the sprocket 43 to stop the rotation of the sprocket 43. When the stopper solenoid 44 is energized, the stopper The piece 45 is attracted and disengaged from the recess of the sprocket 43, allowing the sprocket 43 to rotate. When the stopper piece 45 stops the rotation of the sprocket 43, the prize ball PI flowing down the prize ball falling path 41 on the opposite side is stored in the recess and stops, and the prize ball is placed at the stopped position. A prize ball confirmation switch 47 is provided to confirm whether or not a prize ball exists. The prize ball confirmation switch 47 is composed of a light projection/reception type detection switch, and is controlled so that the prize ball discharge device 40 is not driven unless the prize ball confirmation switch 47 is in an ON state. Further, in the prize ball falling path 41, a counting switch 48, which is also a light emitting/receiving type detection switch, is provided below the prize ball confirmation switch 47. This counting switch 48 detects the prize balls immediately after being released by the sprocket 43 when the engagement with the stopper piece 45 is released and the sprocket 43 starts rotating, and counts the number of prize balls detected. As a result, the number of prize balls corresponding to the winning balls belonging to each group is discharged.

The above-described prize ball ejecting device 40 is connected to (and is driven by) winning ball processing mechanisms 50a and 50b provided downstream of the first winning ball collecting gutter 25 and the second winning ball collecting gutter 32.Here, The configuration of the winning ball processing mechanisms 50a and 50b will be explained with reference to FIG. 5. Winning ball processing mechanism 50a
, 50b, a first winning ball processing mechanism 50a that processes winning balls belonging to the first group and a second winning ball processing mechanism 50b that processes winning balls belonging to the second group are connected to the mechanism board 22. It is formed in front and behind.

Therefore, the winning ball processing mechanisms 50a and 50b
It is composed of swing levers 51a, 51b facing the winning ball collecting gutter 25 and the second winning ball collecting gutter 32, and winning ball solenoids 53a, 53b that swing the swinging levers 51a, 51b. The swing levers 51a and 51b have a support shaft 52a at a portion near the tip.

52b, and its tip is formed in a concave shape so as to receive and stop winning balls, and when its rear end moves downward, the winning ball gathering gutter 2 as shown by the solid line in FIG.
5.32 The winning ball P, which is flowing down, is stopped, and when the trailing end moves upward, the winning ball P, as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 5.
2 is released, and the next winning ball P is held at its upper part.

At the rear ends of the swing levers 51a and 51b, a connecting rod 55a,
The lower ends of the connecting rods 55a and 55b are connected to each other, and the upper ends of the connecting rods 55a and 55b are connected to a winning ball solenoid 53a.

53b is connected to plungers 54a and 54b.

Further, return springs 56a, 56b are provided around the plungers 54a, 54b, and the plungers 54a, 54b are provided with return springs 56a, 56b.
4 b is always urged downward.

For this reason, the tips of the swing levers 51a and 51b are always in the upwardly moved position and are in a state where winning balls are stopped. In addition, in such a state, the swing levers 51a, 5
Winning ball switches 57a and 57b are provided in the winning ball collection gutter 25, 32 for detecting the winning balls that have been stopped by 1b. The winning ball switches 57a, 57b are comprised of light emitting/receiving type detection switches, similar to the prize ball confirmation switch 47, and the winning ball switches 57a, 57b are turned off.
By pressing N, the prize ball ejecting device 40 is driven. Also, if the winning ball is on the swing levers 51a, 5
In the stopped state of 1b, the winning ball switch 57a,
57b for a relatively long period of time, it is possible to reliably determine the presence or absence of a winning ball without malfunctioning due to external noise, compared to a method that simply detects a winning ball passing by. can.

The operations of the prize ball discharging device 40 and winning ball processing mechanisms 50a, 50b configured as described above will be explained with reference to the schematic flow diagram shown in FIG. 6. First, the game starts,
It is determined whether the first winning ball switch 57a (hereinafter referred to as the first winning ball SW) is turned on (step 36), and the
NL, if not, the process advances to step S11, which will be described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the first winning ball SW is turned on, the prize ball confirmation switch 47 (hereinafter, the prize ball confirmation switch
) is in the ON state (step S2).
, it will not proceed to the next step unless it is in the ON state.

This indicates that the prize balls are not being supplied to the prize ball ejecting device 40, and is to prevent the prize ball ejecting operation from being performed before the prize balls are being supplied to the prize ball ejecting device 40. Note that the installation position of the prize ball confirmation SW does not necessarily have to be the illustrated position, and may be provided in the curved gutter 35, for example.

By the way, when it is determined that the prize ball confirmation SW is in the ON state, the stopper solenoid 44 is turned ON (
In step S3), the stopper piece 35 is attracted and disengaged from the sprocket 43, so the sprocket 43 becomes free, and the sprocket 43 starts rotating due to the earth pressure of the prize ball. Then, it is determined whether or not the counting switch 48 (hereinafter referred to as counting SW) is turned on (step S4), and if it is turned on, "1" is added to the first counting counter (step S5). The first counting counter is provided corresponding to the first winning ball SW, and is activated when the prize ball ejecting operation is performed based on the operation of the first winning ball SW. Then, it is determined whether the value of the first counting counter has reached "13" (step 36), and if it has not become "13", the processing from step 34 to step S6 is changed to "13".
Repeat until it reaches 3.

On the other hand, when the value of the first counting counter reaches "13", the stopper solenoid 44 is turned off (step S7), and therefore the stopper piece 45
It is returned by the biasing force of 6 and engages again with the recess of the sprocket 43 to stop the rotation of the sprocket 43 and complete the ejection operation of the prize ball. Thereafter, the first winning ball solenoid 53a is turned on and a timer for a minute time tl is set (step S8). 1st winning ball solenoid 53
When a is turned on, the swing lever 51a swings and the winning ball detected by the first winning ball SW is ejected. and,
In order to ensure the ejection operation of this winning ball, a minute time tl
Set the timer and turn on the first winning ball solenoid 53a until the timer 1 ends (step S9,
SIO〉.

After the first winning ball solenoid 53a is turned off, the process proceeds to step S11, but the operations up to step 511N and step S20 are the operations when the second winning ball switch 53b is turned on.
The process up to O is almost the same. The only difference is that
In step S16, the value of the second counting counter is "7"
The only point to be determined is whether or not it is. Therefore, the processing from step Sll to step S20 is performed in step 31.
Since this process is similar to the process in step S10 and can be easily understood, the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In the above flowchart, when the first winning ball SW and the second winning ball SW are turned on at the same time, the ejecting operation of the prize balls is performed alternately, so that, for example, the combination display device 11 is in the jackpot state. Even if a large number of winning balls are generated, and moreover, half of the winning balls belong to the first group and half of the winning balls belong to the second group, the winning balls can be processed with sufficient margin. Of course, it may be possible to control the winning balls belonging to one of the groups to be processed with priority, but in this case, especially when a jackpot occurs, a large amount of winning balls that do not have priority will be stored. Care must be taken not to cause balls to jam or to prevent winning balls from flowing backwards from the winning opening located below the game board 6.

The embodiment has been described above, but according to this embodiment, the winning ball collection gutter 25.32 for processing winning balls.
The winning ball processing mechanisms 50a and 50b are provided corresponding to each group, but since only one prize ball discharging device 40 for discharging prize balls is provided for common use, In addition, the structure of the prize ball ejection mechanism has been simplified, and the winning balls that belong to any group are processed one by one without being memorized, so even if there is an accident such as a power outage, winning balls can still be collected. Numbers are never deleted.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the prize ball ejecting device 40 is provided with the prize ball confirmation switch 47, but this may be omitted. Further, although the prize ball confirmation switch 47, the counting switch 48, and the winning ball switches 57a and 57b are light emitting/receiving type detection switches, other detection switches such as proximity type switches may be used.

Further, the configuration of the prize ball ejecting device 40 may be any other configuration as long as it is configured to eject prize balls one by one while counting them, and the configuration of the prize ball processing devices 50a and 50b may also be configured to eject prize balls one by one. Any configuration may be used as long as it processes one item at a time.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above explanation, in the pachinko machine according to the present invention, the winning ball collection gutter and winning ball processing mechanism for processing winning balls are provided corresponding to each group. However, since only one prize ball ejecting device for ejecting prize balls is provided for common use, the structure of the prize ball ejecting mechanism is simplified accordingly, and it can be used in any group. Since the IA is filled one by one without remembering the winning balls to which they belong, the number of winning balls will not be erased even if there is an accident such as a power outage.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 shows the back of the pachinko machine according to the embodiment, and in particular shows the detailed structure of the mechanism plate on which the prize ball ejection mechanism is installed, Fig. 2 is a front view of the pachinko machine, and Fig. 3 , FIG. 4 is a front view of the prize ball discharging device, FIG. 5 is a front view showing the operation of the prize ball processing mechanism, and FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the approximately central portion of the mechanism plate. FIG. 6 is a front view of the prize ball discharging mechanism. FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing the operation of FIG. 1... Pachinko machine 6... As a winning opening belonging to the first group of game board, 12... Variable winning device 15a, 15b... As a winning opening belonging to the second group between normal winnings, 14a to 14c... Starting winning opening 25...First winning ball collecting gutter 32...Second winning ball collecting gutter 37...Control circuit board (including drive control means) 40...
Prize ball ejecting device 50a...First winning ball processing mechanism 50b...Second winning ball processing mechanism 57a...First winning ball switch (first winning ball detection means) 57b...Second winning ball switch (second winning ball detecting means) ball detection means)

Claims (1)

[Claims] The winning holes provided on the game board of a pachinko machine are divided into at least a first group and a second group, and the number of prize balls ejected is different depending on the winning balls that enter the winning holes belonging to each group. In a pachinko machine configured as follows: a first winning ball collecting gutter and a second winning ball collecting gutter that separately collect winning balls that have entered the winning slots belonging to each group; and the first and second winning ball collecting gutter. A first winning ball processing mechanism and a second winning ball processing mechanism face each of the gutter and process winning balls one by one, and each of the first and second winning ball processing mechanisms detects that there is a winning ball. A first winning ball detecting means, a second winning ball detecting means, and a prize ball discharging device that discharges prize balls while counting them one by one based on the respective detection outputs of the first and second winning ball detecting means. and, when the first winning ball detecting means or the second winning ball detecting means is detecting a winning ball, either the first winning ball processing mechanism or the second winning ball processing mechanism and the prize ball discharging device A pachinko machine comprising: drive control means for controlling the drive of the and.