JPH04341285A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effectively utilize the whole game area, and to realize the game having interest by constituting a passing area determined so that a display part of a display device is subjected to display control by passing of a hit ball, two stages of a first passing area, and a second passing area provided in its lower position, in the game area. CONSTITUTION:A first passing area 62 which a hit ball discharged to a game area by a hit ball discharge device from a hit ball storage part can pass through, and a second passing area 14' having plural ball receiving ports in a game area in the lower position than the area are formed. Also, a display device 70 having plural display parts corresponding to each ball receiving port of a second passing area 14' and a first passing area 62 is provided, and moreover, in the front position of each ball receiving port of a second passing area 14, identification information corresponding to each display part of the display device 70 is attached respectively. Also, when a hit ball passes through a first passing area 62, or when it is received in the ball receiving port of a second passing area 14', the display part corresponding to each of them is subjected to display control.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a pinball game machine represented by a pachinko game machine, etc., and more specifically, the present invention relates to a pinball game machine represented by a pachinko game machine, etc. This invention relates to a pinball game machine that allows you to play the game repeatedly.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This type of pinball game machine is generally known in the past, and includes, for example, a plurality of passing areas through which balls hit in the game area can pass.
A display device having a plurality of display sections corresponding to each of the passing regions is provided, and based on the fact that the batted ball has passed through the passing region, the display state of the display section corresponding to the passing region through which the ball has passed changes, Some games have been configured so that a predetermined gaming value is awarded when a display device including the changed display section enters a predetermined display state.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in this type of conventional pinball game machine, the passing areas are arranged horizontally in a row at predetermined locations in the game area, so that the balls hit cannot pass through the game area. It is only when the ball falls and approaches the vicinity of the passing area that the player can experience the thrill and excitement of seeing which passing area the ball will pass through. At this stage, players cannot enjoy much thrill and excitement, and the disadvantage is that the entire gaming area is not effectively utilized for gaming.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an interesting pinball game machine that utilizes the entire game area as effectively as possible for the game.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention is a pinball game machine that can repeatedly play one unit of game by hitting balls into a game area within a predetermined upper limit. a batted ball storage unit capable of storing a batted ball thrown by a player; a batted ball firing device for firing the batted ball stored in the batted ball storage unit into the gaming area; and a batted ball firing device provided in the gaming area. , a passage area forming a first passage area through which balls can pass, and a second passage area provided within the gaming area at a position below the first passage area and having a plurality of ball receiving openings. a forming member, a display device having a plurality of display sections corresponding to each ball receiving port of the second passage area and the first passage area, and detecting passing balls that have passed through the first passage area. a first detection means; a second detection means for individually detecting passing balls received at each ball receiving port in the second passage area; a display control means for controlling a display of the display device; a prize ball dispensing control means for dispensing a predetermined prize ball to the batted ball storage section when the device is in a predetermined display state; and a prize ball dispensing control means for dispensing a predetermined prize ball to the batted ball storage section, and when the balls stored in the batted ball storage section become full, no more balls are stored. The passage area forming member includes a ball holder that is bulged between a glass plate located on the front side of the game board and the front side of the game board. Inlets are arranged side by side in the left and right direction, and there is a flowing bottom surface with a gentle slope to allow the balls received in each ball receiving port to flow down to the back side of the game board, and the balls that have flown down the flowing bottom surface are transferred to the game board. A display surface is provided at the front position of each of the ball receiving ports, and a display surface of the display device is provided at a position corresponding to each of the ball receiving ports on the display surface. Identification information corresponding to each display section is attached, and the display control means displays the display section corresponding to the first passage area through which the hit ball passed based on the detection output of the first detection means. The present invention is characterized in that a display section corresponding to a ball receiving opening in which a ball is received is controlled to display based on the detection output of the second detecting means.

[0006]

[Operation] According to the present invention, the batted balls stored in the batted ball storage section can be fired one by one into the game area by the batted ball firing device, and the hit balls that are fired and hit into the game area can pass through. A passage area forming member is provided in which a first passage area and a second passage area having a plurality of ball receiving openings are formed in the game area at a position below the first passage area. . A display device having a plurality of display sections corresponding to each ball receiving opening of the second passage area and the first passage area is further provided, and when the ball passes through the first passage area, the The display section corresponding to the first passage area is controlled to display, and when a hit ball is received into the ball receiving opening in the second passing area, the display section corresponding to the ball receiving opening is controlled to be displayed.

[0007] That is, the passing area, which is determined so that the display of the display unit of the display device is controlled by the passage of the ball, is located at a position below the first passing area and the first passing area within the gaming area. Since it is configured in two stages with the second passing area provided, when the ball falls near the second passing area on the lower stage, it will not hit the passing area corresponding to the desired display area. Not only can it give the player the thrill and excitement that accompanies a game in which the ball may pass, but it can also prevent the ball from falling at a position away from the second passing area at the bottom. However, if the ball is falling in the vicinity of the first passing area on the upper stage, it is possible to similarly provide the player with the thrill and excitement that accompanies the game.

[0008]Furthermore, at positions corresponding to the ball receiving ports on the display surface provided in front of each ball receiving port in the second passage area, there are provided respective display portions corresponding to the respective display portions of the display device. Since the identification information is attached, the player can easily recognize the correspondence between which display unit is displayed and controlled when a ball is received in which ball receiving slot.

[0009] Furthermore, the ball receiving openings formed by the passage area forming member are bulged out and arranged in parallel in the left and right direction between the glass plate and the front surface of the game board, and the ball receiving openings are formed by the passage area forming member. When the balls flowing down between the holes are received by each ball receiving port, the received balls roll on the bottom surface of the ball, are smoothly guided to the back side of the game board, and fall vertically along the vertical path. Since the flowing bottom surface and the vertical path are formed in the passing area forming member, the flowing bottom surface and the vertical path are formed at a predetermined position by attaching the passing area forming member to the game board.

Furthermore, when the display device enters a predetermined display state, a predetermined prize ball is paid out to the batted ball storage section by the action of the prize ball payout control means. Surplus balls stored in the batted ball storage section are full and can no longer be stored, and are delivered to and stored in the surplus ball storage section.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is an external view of a pachinko game machine 10, which is an example of a pinball game machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, on a game board 11 of a pachinko game machine 10, a safe hole 12 as a winning area and a winning ball device (yakumono) 13 are provided. Furthermore, on the game board 11, a plurality of passing areas 14 (1
4a to 14p) are provided, and a combination display 15 as an example of display means is also provided.

The combination display 15 includes a plurality of display sections 1
5a to 15p, and each display section is arranged in a predetermined order. The display sections 15a to 15p have different identification information (numbers "1" to "16" in the illustration) drawn on their display surfaces, and have built-in elements such as light emitting diodes and lamps on the back side of the display surfaces. ing.

Different identification information (numerals "1" to "16" in the figure) is drawn on the plurality of passage areas 14a to 14p, and these identification information are displayed on the combination display 15.
It corresponds to the identification information of each display part 15a-15p which constitutes. In addition, each display part 15a-15p may be provided in the front position of each corresponding passage area 14a-14p, respectively.

A ball waiting gutter 16, which is an example of a ball storage section, is provided at the lower front of the pachinko game machine 10. The batted ball waiting gutter 16 is for receiving the prize balls paid out from the prize ball dispensing port 18 and also for receiving the pachinko balls borrowed by the player.
It functions to guide each ball to the hitting position one by one. When the ball waiting gutter 16 is full of pachinko balls, the prize balls are paid out from the surplus prize ball payout port 181. The prize balls paid out at this time are received by a prize ball tray 19 which is an example of a surplus ball storage section. Furthermore, a ball hitting handle 17 and a ball hitting switch 171 are provided. The ball-hitting handle 17 and the ball-striking switch 171 are part of an electric ball-launching mechanism to be described later, and the rotation of the ball-striking handle 17 adjusts the strength of the ball, and the ball-striking switch 171 controls the hitting of the pachinko ball.

Although this pachinko game machine 10 is equipped with an electric ball launch mechanism, the pachinko game machine may have a manual ball launch mechanism instead.

FIG. 2 is a back view schematically showing the back portion of the pachinko game machine 10. As shown in FIG. In addition, FIG. 3 shows the passage area 1
It is an illustrative view showing details of 4a to 14p and details of a passing ball detection means.

Next, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 10 will be specifically explained.

First, mainly referring to FIG. 2, the game board 1
On the back side of 1, there is a winning ball collection gutter 21 that guides the winning balls that have entered the safe hole 12 or the Yakumono 13 to the winning ball processing device 22.
1 is formed.

The winning ball processor 22 has a cylindrical member 221 that is swingably supported by a support member 223. Cylindrical member 22
A ball receiver 222 is formed at the end of the winning ball collection gutter 211 of No. 1, and a winning ball detection switch 224 is provided below the ball receiver 222.

When the winning ball that enters the safe hole 12 or the Yakumono 13 is guided by the winning ball guide gutter 211 and rides on the ball receiving part 222, the cylinder member 221 rotates clockwise due to the weight of the ball. . At this time, the lever of the winning ball detection switch 224 provided on the lower side in the rotating direction of the cylinder member 221 is pressed, and the winning ball detection switch 224 detects the winning ball.

Next, referring mainly to FIG.
In the passage area forming member 94 forming 4a to 14p, a ball receiving opening 90 bulged between the glass plate 92 located on the front side of the game board 11 and the front surface of the game board 11 is provided in the left and right direction. In addition to being arranged side by side, a flowing bottom surface 91 having a gentle slope for causing the balls received in each ball receiving port 90 to flow down to the back side of the game board 11 is formed. Furthermore, a vertical path 93 is formed in the passage area forming member 94 to allow the balls flowing down the bottom surface 91 to fall vertically on the back side of the game board 11. Each passing area 14a to 14
In order to detect the pachinko balls guided to the back side by
23p is provided. Each passing ball detection switch 23a
~23p has a lever that protrudes into the corresponding passing area, and when one passing ball falls, the lever changes from the non-pressed state to the pressed state, and when another ball passes, it changes to the non-pressed state Return to Therefore, the detection switch is turned on for a short period of time to derive a pulse-like output. The passing balls detected by the passing ball detection switches 23a to 23p fall downward through the vertical path 93 and are collected. As shown in FIG. 1, a display surface is formed at the front position of the ball receiving port 90 described above, and each of the ball receiving ports 9 on the display surface
Each display section 15a of the display device 15 is placed at a position corresponding to 0.
Identification information corresponding to 15p (1 to 16 in the drawing)
numbers) are attached. In addition, the passing ball detection switch 2
3a to 23p may be constituted by proximity switches, and their arrangement positions may be on the flow bottom surface 91 or the like, and are not limited to the positions shown in the drawings.

Furthermore, this embodiment further includes the following configuration. Passing ball detection switches 23a to 23p
A rotation shielding plate 231 is fixed to a shaft 232 and rotated by the rotation of the shaft 232, and a pachinko ball is mounted on the upper part of the rotation shielding plate 231. A plate member 233 whose height is slightly lower than that is provided. Therefore, when the rotation shielding plate 231 is in a horizontal state, 1
Only Pachinko balls can be stored in the upper part of the rotation shielding plate 231, and subsequent passing balls are guided downward along the rear plate 234. With this configuration, even if the power goes out or the electric circuit breaks down during the game, the first passing ball that passes through each passing area will always be stored on the rotating shielding plate 231, This has the advantage of being able to confirm whether the ball has entered the passing area and preventing troubles between players and game hall attendants. Note that the rotation shielding plate 231 is rotated every time a predetermined number of passing balls are detected, and the storage balls stored thereon are collected.

Referring primarily to FIG. 2 again, passage area 1
A path 212 is provided below 4a to 14p to receive the passing balls and collect them all at once. Furthermore, a path 213 for collecting winning balls is provided below the winning ball processing device 22. The passing balls and winning balls guided through these paths 212 and 213 (that is, all the balls hit onto the game board surface) are transmitted to each pachinko game machine or when multiple pachinko game machines are lined up. It is recovered by a reduction device (not shown) provided in each island. The balls are then returned to the prize ball tank 24 via the prize ball supply path 214.

A back panel (not shown) is formed on the base frame on the back side of the game board 11, and a prize ball tank 24 is fixed to the back panel. A through hole is provided below the prize ball tank 24, and pachinko balls that fall through the through hole are arranged in a plurality of rows in a storage path 25. Near the end of the storage path 25, a prize ball out detection switch 27 is provided to detect out of prize balls.

A prize ball dispensing mechanism 26 is provided on the exit side of the storage path 25. The prize ball payout mechanism 26 includes a prize ball storage member 261 rotatably supported on a fulcrum 262, and a solenoid 263 for rotating the prize ball storage member 261. The prize ball storage member 261 is
It has a plurality of rows of grooves that receive a fixed number of pachinko balls aligned in the storage path 25, and when the solenoid 263 is deenergized, prize balls flowing from the storage path 25 are received as shown. On the other hand, when the solenoid 263 is energized, the terminal end of the prize ball storage member 261 moves downward, and the prize balls that have been stored until then fall toward the path 215 side. After a predetermined time, by deenergizing the solenoid 263, the end of the prize ball storage member 261 is pushed up again, and the prize balls flow into the prize ball storage member 261 from the storage path 25 again. In addition, in order to prevent the prize balls supplied from the storage path 25 from falling when the prize ball storage member 261 rotates, a stopper member 264 is provided at the lower end of the prize ball storage member 261 on the storage path 25 side. It is formed.

The prize ball released via path 215 is
It is dropped onto the upper surface of one side of the F-shaped lever 225. This F-shaped lever 225 is swingably supported by a support member 226, and rotates clockwise under the weight of the prize ball to guide the prize ball to the path 216. A path 216 guides the prize ball to the prize ball payout port 18. The upper end of a lever 227 is connected to the other end of the F-shaped lever 225, and the lower end of the lever 227 is connected to the cylindrical member 221. As a result, when the F-shaped lever 225 rotates due to the weight of the prize ball, the lever 227
By being pulled up, the cylindrical member 221 is returned to its original position.

In place of the illustrated prize ball payout mechanism 26, the following drum-type prize ball storage and payout mechanism may be used. That is, a plurality of cylinders each having an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of a pachinko ball and having a predetermined length are arranged in the vertical direction. The arrangement is such that they are arranged at equal intervals on the same radius with respect to a certain central axis. A large disk is provided at the lower end of the plurality of cylinders to prevent the pachinko balls inside the cylinders from falling downward. However, a through hole through which a pachinko ball can pass is provided at one location on the disc, and as the disc rotates, the through hole is arranged to face the lower end of the cylinder in turn. In this way, the plurality of cylinders rotate one after another so that the lower ends of the cylinders are placed above the through holes, so that the pachinko balls in the cylinders can fall downward. According to such a drum-type prize ball storage and payout mechanism, it is possible to control the payout of an arbitrary number of prize balls that is a multiple of the number of pachinko balls that can be stored in one cylinder.

[0030] An electric ball firing mechanism 28 is provided below the back surface of the pachinko game 10. Note that, as described above, the electric batt ball firing mechanism 28 may be replaced with a manual batt ball firing mechanism in which the player manually fires the ball.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a game control circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game control circuit of this embodiment includes, in particular, a counting means 33 for counting the number of balls passing into the passing areas 14a to 14p, and a combination display 15 that controls the display according to the number of balls passing to the passing areas 14a to 14p. And counting means 33
Every time the player counts a predetermined number of passing balls, the combination display 15
Initial state forcing means 23a to 23p, 31a to 31p, 33, 3 for forcibly resetting the display state of
5, a combination determination circuit 34 as a display state determination means that determines the combination state based on the display state of the combination display 15, and a prize ball payout means 3 that controls the payout of prize balls.
7, 38, 362, and 263.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the concrete operation of the pachinko game machine 10 according to the first embodiment will be explained.

After the player puts the pachinko balls borrowed from the ball lending machine into the ball waiting gutter 16 and adjusts the strength of the ball by rotating the ball hitting handle 17, the player presses the ball hitting switch 171 to perform the electric ball hitting system. Pachinko balls are driven into the game board 11 by the firing mechanism 28.

[0034] When a hit pachinko ball, that is, a hit ball, lands in the safe hole 12 or the Yakumono 13, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out for each winning ball. In other words, the prize ball payout control of a normal pachinko game machine is performed.

To explain this control more specifically, the safety
The winning ball that lands in hole 12 or Yakumono 13 is route 2.
11 to the winning ball processing device 22, and when the winning balls are dropped one by one in the winning ball processing device 22, the winning ball detection switch 22
4 is closed.

When the winning ball detection switch 224 is closed, the rising edge of the signal that changes from low level to high level is differentiated by the differentiating circuit 361 and sent to the counter 37 via the OR gate 322 as an addition command pulse. Given. The counter 37 counts the pulse input given every time there is one winning ball and supplies it to the drive circuit 38. When the count value of the counter 37 is 1 or more, the drive circuit 38 energizes the solenoid 263 to control the payout of a predetermined number of prize balls. At this time, the output of the drive circuit 37 is differentiated by a differentiating circuit 362 and provided as a subtraction command pulse input to the counter 37. Therefore, the count value of the counter 37 is subtracted by the number of times the prize balls are paid out. As a result, the drive circuit 38
Based on the count value of the counter 37, the solenoid 263 is intermittently energized a number of times that correlates to the number of winning balls, and controls the payout of a predetermined number of prize balls the number of times that corresponds to the number of winning balls.

On the other hand, if the ball hit by the player does not land in either the safe hole 12 or the Yakumono 13, it will fall to the bottom, and a plurality of balls are arranged in parallel below the game board 11. It falls into any one of the passage areas 14a to 14p. For example, assuming that the pachinko ball enters the passing area 14a, the pachinko ball is guided to the back side through the passing area 14a, and when falling downward, the lever of the passing ball detection switch 23a is pressed. Accordingly, a high level signal is sent to a flip-flop (hereinafter referred to as FF) via a passing ball detection switch 23a.
) 31a to set the FF 31a, and is also provided as a step pulse to the N-ary counter 33 via the OR gate 321. The N-ary counter 33 is a counter such as a ring counter that cyclically counts a predetermined number.
, 2, . . . , 15, 16, 1, 2, . . . A hexadecimal counter is used. This N-ary counter 33 sequentially counts passing balls in units of 16.

The set output of the FF 31a is given to the combination determination circuit 34, and at the same time lights up the light emitting diode 15a, which is one display section of the combination display 15. Similarly, each time the ball passes through each passing area, the FF corresponding to the passing area is set and the corresponding light emitting diode is lit, and at the same time, the count value of the N-ary counter 33 is set. is incremented by 1.

When 16 batted balls are detected by the passing ball detection switch 23, the N-ary counter 33 derives a count-up output, and the output is sent to the combination determination circuit 34.
is given as a judgment command signal. Combination judgment circuit 3
Step 4 determines whether the display state of the combination display 15 is in a predetermined combination state based on the outputs of the FFs 31a to 31p corresponding to the passing ball detection switches 23a to 23p. For example, multiple light emitting diodes 1
When four vertical, horizontal or diagonal light emitting diodes among 5a to 15p are lit, it is determined that a predetermined combination has been established. More specifically, how many combinations are established, i.e. 4 vertical, horizontal or diagonal combinations?
In order to determine how many combinations of light-emitting diodes are formed, the combination judgment circuit 34 includes a matrix circuit that generates pulses that correlate with the number of combinations that are formed. is output.

Although the combination display is performed by lighting the light emitting diodes 15a to 15p, the light emitting diodes 15a to 15p may be controlled to blink instead of lighting.

The combination determination output of the combination determination circuit 34, that is, the number of pulses corresponding to the number of established combinations, is applied to the counter 37 via the OR gate 322, and is added up by the counter 37. . And drive circuit 3
8 intermittently energizes the solenoid 263 by a number corresponding to the count value of the counter 37, and a predetermined number of prize ball payout control is performed a number of times corresponding to the number of established combinations.

Further, the count-up output of the N-ary counter 33 is delayed for a certain period of time by the delay circuit 35, and the output from the FF 31a
~Given to 31p, all FFs are reset,
The display state of the combination display 15 is reset to the initial state.

Thereafter, the player continuously plays ball hitting games in the same way, but the determination of the combination state of the combination display 15 and the reset of the display state are performed by a predetermined number counted by the N-ary counter 33, for example 16. This is done automatically for each passing ball. Therefore, the player does not need to insert metal or press the payment button or reset button to play again during the game, and can enjoy the combination game while continuously enjoying the pachinko game.

After the N-ary counter 33 has counted a predetermined number, the ball firing mechanism 28 may be stopped, for example, during the display state determination period until the output of the delay circuit 35 is derived.

[0045] In addition, in a pachinko game, the combination game is played using missed balls that did not land in the safe hole or the Yakumono hole, so the pachinko balls are effectively utilized in the game, and the service to the players is improved. This has the advantage of not only improving the quality of the game, but also making it extremely interesting for the players.

In the above embodiment, the N-ary counter 33 as the counting means performs counting operations based on the outputs of the passing ball detection switches 23a to 23p, so that the number of passing balls reaches a predetermined number, for example, 16. The combination determination circuit 34 operates to determine the display state of the combination display 15 each time a combination is determined. , a count-up signal may be given to the combination determination circuit 34 every time the number of shot balls reaches a predetermined number. Alternatively, the counting means 33 may count the balls entering the game area of the game board. That is, the balls fired by the ball launcher are guided to the game area by the guide rail, and a ball detection sensor may be provided there, and the output thereof may be counted by the counting means 33. Even in this case, the counting means 33 derives a count-up signal every time a predetermined number of balls are counted, and operates the combination determination circuit 34.

[0047] In this first embodiment, the game board 11
A combination display is installed on the top, and the vertical, horizontal,
Although a certain value is assigned based on the diagonal combination, the combination display is not limited to this, and may include, for example, an electric variable display. Next, such an embodiment will be explained.

Second Embodiment FIG. 5 is a front view of a display device applied to a second embodiment of the present invention. The pachinko gaming machine according to the second embodiment is the same as the panko gaming machine 10 according to the first embodiment described above, except that a display device, which will be explained later, is provided instead of the combination display 15. , is almost the same as the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the overall description of the pachinko game machine according to the second embodiment will be omitted, referring to the description of the pachinko game machine 10 according to the first example described above.

In the display device according to this embodiment, a combination display 40 and an electric rotating drum mechanism 50 are integrally combined.

[0050] The combination display 40 includes displays 41 and 42.
, 43, and each display 41, 42, 43 is
Each includes five display sections arranged in the shape of a quincunx of a dice. A total of 15 display sections included in the three display devices 41, 42, and 43 correspond to the passing areas 14a to 14o (see FIG. 1), and the corresponding display sections are given the same numbers as the passing areas. There is.

To explain more specifically, the display 41 is as follows.
Display sections 41a to 41 corresponding to passing areas 14a to 14e
e, the display 42 has display parts 42f to 42j corresponding to the passage areas 14f to 14j, and the display 43 has display parts 43k to 43o corresponding to the passage areas 14k to 14o. A light emitting diode, an indicator lamp, etc. are embedded in each display section, and when it is detected that a pachinko ball has passed through the passing area, the corresponding display section lights up. When a predetermined combination is completed in one combination game (while a predetermined number of passing balls or batted balls are counted), prize balls corresponding to the combination are paid out.

The electric rotating drum mechanism 50 is equipped with three drums 51a, 51b, and 51c. next,
The electric rotating drum mechanism 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative view of the electric rotating drum mechanism 50, as viewed obliquely from the rear.

In the configuration, the electric rotating drum mechanism 50
is equipped with a rotating drum group 51. The rotating drum group 51 is
It consists of three rotating drums 51a, 51b, and 51c, and identification information such as pictures, symbols, and numbers are drawn on the outer periphery of each drum. When certain identification information of each of the rotating drums 51a, 51b, 51c appears visibly to the player as shown in FIG. 5, a gaming value, which will be described later, is given based on the appearing identification information.

On the side surfaces of the rotating drums 51a, 51b, 51c, ratchet gears 52a, 52b, 5 each have a number of teeth that correlates with the number of identification information drawn on the outer peripheral surface.
2c (only 52c is shown in the figure) is fixed. Each rotating drum 51a, 51b, 51c is loosely fitted to the drum shaft 53, and when no external force is applied, the frictional force acting between the drum shaft 53 causes the drum shaft 53 to
It is possible to rotate with the rotation of.

The drum shaft 53 is pivotally supported on both sides of the casing 54, and has a rotational force transmission mechanism 55 at one end.
A gear 551 included in is fixed. The gear 551 meshes with a reduction gear 552. Reduction gear 552
is meshed with an output gear (not shown) of the drum drive motor 56. Therefore, the rotational force of the drive motor 56 is transmitted to the drum shaft 53 via the gears 552 and 551, and the rotating drum group 51 is rotated.

Each rotary drum 51 is provided on the rear surface of the housing 54.
Solenoids 57a, 57b, and 57c are fixed to each other for individually controlling the stops of a, 51b, and 51c. Solenoid shafts 58a, 58b, 58c of each of these solenoids
One ends of locking levers 59a, 59b, and 59c are respectively coupled to the . Locking levers 59a, 59b, 5
A substantially central portion of 9c is rotatably supported by a common lever shaft 57, and both ends of the lever shaft 59 are fixed to both side surfaces of the casing 54. Each locking lever 59a, 59b
, 59c have claw-like parts 59a', 59b', 59
c' (only 59c' is shown in the figure), and each claw-like part 59a', 59b', 59c' is
It is possible to engage with corresponding ratchet gears 52a, 52b, and 52c. Therefore, the solenoids 57a, 5
When 7b and 57c are in the on state, the claw-like parts 59a' and 59b
', 59c' are located above and do not engage with the corresponding ratchet gears 52a, 52b, 52c, but the solenoid 5
When 7a, 57b, 57c are turned off, the claw-shaped parts 59a',
59b', 59c' move downward and mesh with the corresponding ratchet gears 52a, 52b, 52c to rotate the rotating drum 5.
1a, 51b, and 51c are stopped.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation of the pachinko game machine according to the second embodiment will be explained with a focus on the display device.

Display control of the combination display 40 is performed by a control circuit similar to the control circuit according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. Therefore, since the explanation thereof overlaps with that of the first embodiment, it will be omitted here.

Next, the role and operation of the electric rotating drum mechanism 50 will be explained. For example, when a ball is hit into the upper safe hole 12 (see FIG. 1), it is detected by a winning ball detection sensor (not shown) and the electric rotating drum mechanism 50 starts to be driven. In other words, the upper side
The motor 56 is rotated in accordance with the winning ball detection signal sent to the hole 12, and the three rows of drums 51a, 51b, and 51c are rotated. After a certain period of time or when the player presses a stop button (not shown) provided on the front of the game board, the rotation of each rotating drum 51a, 51b, 51c is stopped. This stop is performed by the solenoids 57a, 57b, 5 as described above.
7c, the three solenoids are turned off at slightly different times. When the rotating drums 51a, 51b, and 51c all stop, the number of prize balls to be paid out is changed based on the combination of the combination display 40 depending on the combination of the identification information of each rotating drum that appears visibly. has been done.

Therefore, according to this second embodiment,
There are various advantages such as: - When the ball enters the safe hole, the display on the electric rotating drum mechanism 50 changes, attracting the player's interest.

[0062] Since the number of prize balls obtained by the combination display on the combination display 40 increases or decreases depending on the display contents of the rotating drum mechanism, you can not only enjoy the combination game by simply winning balls, but also enjoy the prize balls. The winning balls for the 12th ball are organically related to the combination game. In other words, the pachinko game and the combination game are harmoniously combined, making the game more interesting.

[0063] By displaying the rotating drum, there is a possibility that the number of prize balls paid out in the combination game can be increased, and the service to the players can be improved.

Third Embodiment FIG. 7 is a front view of a pachinko game machine 60 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. A game board 61 of a pachinko game machine 60 according to this embodiment is provided with a passing area 62, and is also provided with a horse race course type display 70 as a display means. Further, below the game board 61, a plurality of passage areas 14' forming a second passage area are arranged in parallel to receive pachinko balls that do not win into the Yakumono 13. The plurality of passage areas 14' are passage areas 141, 143, 141, 143, 141, 143, 141, 143, 141, 143, 141, 143, 141, 143, 143, 141, 143, 140, 140, 140, 140, 140, 140, 140, 140, 140, 140, 140, 140, 140, 140, and 143, each of which has identification information (1, 3, 5 in the figure) corresponding to each course of a horse racing course type display 70 which is an example of a display device has been drawn.
It consists of 145. The structure of the plurality of passage areas 14' is similar to that shown in FIG. 3. The passing ball detection switches 23a to 23p shown in FIG. 3 constitute a second detection means.

In this pachinko game machine 60, in addition to the normal pachinko game, when a batted ball passes through the passing area 14', a call corresponding to the identification information drawn in the passing area is played.
Display on the display 70 is performed so that the pieces on the screen are advanced. Therefore, in addition to pachinko games, players can enjoy games such as horse racing games, and have the pleasure of winning prize balls based on the results. In addition, each passing area 1
A display surface is provided at the front position of 4', and each ball receiving port 9
At the position corresponding to 0 (see FIG. 3), numbers representing an example of identification information corresponding to each display section (each course) of the display 70 are attached.

The other configuration is the same as that of the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1, except that the ball firing mechanism is a manual ball firing mechanism including a manual handle 67, so the same parts are used. are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted.

8 and 9 are illustrative views showing details of the passage area 62 and the race course type display 70 provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, and in particular, FIG. 8 is a front view thereof. , FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof.

First, in FIG. 8, the pachinko ball passing area 62 includes, for example, three types of passing areas 621, 623, and 625, which constitute a first passing area. These passing areas 621, 623, and 625 correspond to a first course 71 and a second course included in a horse racing course type display 70, which will be described later.
72 and a third course 73, and the display state of the corresponding course changes sequentially as the pachinko ball passes through each passing area. Note that one passing area may be configured to correspond to a plurality of courses.

On the surface of each passing area 621, 623, 625, the display state of the corresponding course 71, 72, 73 is such that one of the display sections 71t, 72t, 73t indicating the goal is lit. The number of points (1, 3, 5 in the illustration) that will be awarded when the target is reached is depicted.

Note that the points awarded when a predetermined number of balls pass through the passing area 625 and the display section 73t of the corresponding course 73 lights up are the same as those for the courses corresponding to the other passing areas 621 and 623. Since the score is higher than the score given when the display parts 71t and 72t of 71 and 72 are lit,
In order not to spoil the fun of the game, the passage area 625 is adjusted so that it is relatively difficult for a ball to pass through it compared to the passage areas 621 and 623. Passage area 623
The same applies between and 621. This passing area 62 is
It may be constructed with a mechanical tulip or an electric tulip.

More preferably, for the purpose of improving service to players, by passing one pachinko ball, regardless of the display state of each course on the horse race course display device 70, A special prize area 62V is provided to which a predetermined score is given. The pachinko ball that has passed through this special prize area 62V is guided to the back side and detected by an appropriate detection means. In addition, each course 71, 72 of the horse racing course type display device 70
, 73 are provided on the front side of the corresponding passage area 14', and the arrangement position of the race course-shaped display device 70 is not limited to that shown in the drawings.

Next, referring mainly to FIG. 9, passing ball detection switches 751, 753, which are an example of the first detection means for detecting the passing of pachinko balls, correspond to the passing regions 621, 622, 623, respectively. 755 are provided. These passing ball detection switches 751, 753, and 755 each have an operating lever that is inserted along the pachinko ball passing direction in each passing area and is pressed when a pachinko ball passes, and when the operating lever is pressed, A microswitch with closed contacts is used.

The pachinko balls that have passed through the passage areas 621, 623, and 625 either fall downward along the game board 61 and enter the prize winning ball device 13, or pass through the passage area 14 arranged below the game board 61. '. Although not shown, each region 141, 143, 145 of the passing region 14' is provided with a passing ball detection switch 761, 763, 765 similar to that described with reference to FIG. 2B above. There is.

As described above, each passing ball detection switch is
A magnetic switch (proximity switch) that generates a signal in response to the proximity of a pachinko ball, and a photoelectric switch that detects a pachinko ball by blocking light when a pachinko ball passes through, does not include a microswitch and an operating lever. There may be.

In addition, the passage areas 621, 623, and 625 are sections that guide balls falling from above to the back side of the gaming area.
It may also be a hole.

The horse race course type display device 70 includes a plurality of types of variable display columns, and in the illustration, for example, a first course display 71 as a first type of variable display column, and a second course display device 71 as a first type of variable display column. a second course display 72 as a type variable display column;
Third course indicator 7 as a third type of variable display column
It consists of three course indicators (hereinafter simply referred to as courses).

The first course 71 includes a plurality of display sections (20 in the figure) 71a to 71t, and these display sections 71a to 71t are arranged in an elliptical or annular shape. Similarly, the second and third courses 72 and 73 each include 20 display members 72a to 72t and 73a to 73t, which are the same number as the display parts of the first course 71. ―
Each of the display parts 72a to 72 of the same number from the start point of the
t, 73a to 73t correspond to the same number of display sections 71a to 71t from the starting point of the first course 71, respectively. Each course 71, 72, 73 is determined to be given a different score when the display state can be varied up to the display portions 71t, 72t, 73t representing the goal, respectively. For example, the first code
When the student 71 reaches the goal, a point of 1 is awarded and the second
When course 72 reaches the goal, 3 points will be awarded,
It is determined that a score of 5 is given when the third course 73 reaches the goal. And for each point scored,
Prize balls are paid out once.

[0078] Each display section 71a to 7 of each course 71 to 73
1t, 72a to 72t, and 73a to 73t include, for example, lamps or light emitting diodes. Then, as the pachinko balls pass through the corresponding passing areas 621, 623, and 625, the pachinko balls are lit up or blinking in order to advance the pieces one by one by a predetermined number of pieces.

[0079] More preferably, each course is
Each course has a different color, and the course that is lit can be identified by color. For example, the first code
The display section of the course 71 is colored green, the display section of the second course 72 is colored yellow, and the display section of the third course 73 is colored red.

[0080] Also, if necessary, when the pachinko ball passes through the passing areas 621, 623, 625, 62V,
The passing ball indicator 74 may be lit or blinking to notify that there is a passing ball.

In FIG. 8, the race course-shaped display 70 is arranged in an elliptical or annular shape, but a plurality of display parts may be arranged in a straight line.

Furthermore, as a method of varying the display state of each course based on the passing ball, the following method may be used. That is, the passage area 621 and the passage area 141 are
Each time one pachinko ball passes, the display section of the first course 71 can be advanced three frames, and the passing area 623 and the passing area 143 can advance the second course every time one pachinko ball passes. The display part of the course 72 can be advanced by two frames, and the passing area 625 and the passing area 145 can advance the display part of the third course by two frames each time one pachinko ball passes. , a horse racing game may be played thereby. The following explanation of the operation deals with this method.

[0083] Furthermore, as a method of variable display of the display section of each course, the display section of the corresponding course is changed one frame at a time according to the passing ball to the passing area 141, 143, 145. The display on the display unit may be changed to 5 pieces, 4 pieces, and 3 pieces, respectively, depending on the balls passing through the passing areas 621, 623, and 625. Note that instead of the horse race course type display device 70, the combination display device 1 shown in the first embodiment is used.
5 may be used to control the display of the corresponding display sections 15a to 15p based on the passage of the hit ball to the first and second passage areas.

Alternatively, other methods may be used to change the display on the display section. FIG. 10 shows a game control circuit diagram of a pachinko game machine 60 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, this game control circuit is as follows:
A variable display control circuit 81 for variably displaying the display sections 71a to 71t of the first course 71, and a variable display control circuit 82 for variably displaying the display sections 72a to 72t of the second course 72. and display sections 73a to 73 of the third course 73.
The variable display control circuit 83 includes a variable display control circuit 83 for variably displaying t. The variable display control circuit 81 includes a counter 811, a decoder 812, and transistors 81a to 81t. Similarly, the variable display control circuit 82 controls the counter 82
1. Decoder 822 and transistors 82a to 82t
The variable display control circuit 83 consists of a counter 8
31, decoder 832 and transistors 83a to 83
It consists of t. These variable display control circuits 81, 82,
83 constitutes a display control means for controlling the display of the display device.

[0086] Furthermore, the game control circuit includes an OR gate 841
845, an encoder 85 and a score counting circuit 86 for counting the score when the display state of each course reaches the goal, and a counting means for detecting that a certain number of passing balls have passed. It includes an N-ary counter 87 and a prize ball payout drive circuit 88.

Next, the gaming operation of the pachinko gaming machine 60 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.

[0088] The player operates the ball hitting handle 67 to hit the pachinko balls, and successively hits the game board 61 one by one.
Hit the pachinko ball inward. The pachinko ball hit in this way, that is, the hit ball falls within the game area and, if lucky, wins the winning ball device 13. Accordingly, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out for each winning ball, and a pachinko game is played.

Furthermore, even if a ball is hit into the winning ball device 13 and does not win a prize, the passing area 621, 1 is used to advance the display of the first course 71 of the horse racing course type display device 70 by three pieces.
41 or the second course 72
Passing areas 623, 143 for advancing the display two frames at a time
or passing through any of the passing areas 625 and 145 for advancing the display of the third course 73 two frames at a time, or passing through the special prize area 62V, lucky entrance 14L, or replay. Pass through any of the entrances 14P.

Now, suppose, for example, a case where a hit ball passes through the passing area 621 and also passes through the passing area 141. Then, either the switch 751 or the switch 761 is closed, so that the "H" signal is derived from the closed switch one after the other in time. The "H" signal is differentiated by the corresponding differentiation circuit DF, and OR
It is applied to counter 811 via gate 841 and to N-ary counter 87 via OR gate 845.

The counter 811 is configured to add a value "3" in response to the differential pulse input from the OR gate 841. Therefore, the count value is incremented by "3" each time a differential pulse is input. In this case, since a pulse is applied from either switch 751 or switch 761, counter 811 sets the count value to "6". The count value of the counter 811 is determined by the decoder 81
given to 2. The decoder 812 is the first course 71
It has output terminals corresponding to the number of display units 71a to 71t, and derives an "H" signal from the output terminal corresponding to the counted value of the counter 811 or from each output terminal corresponding to a value equal to or less than the counted value. be.

[0092] Now, the count value of the counter 811 is "6" as described above, so the decoder 812 outputs the value "6".
An "H" signal is derived from the output terminal corresponding to , turns on the transistor 81f, and lights up the light emitting diode 71f.

On the other hand, the N-ary counter 87 outputs the passage detection output (
Each time a differential pulse of the "H" signal) is applied, the count value is incremented by "1", and when N passing balls have been counted, a count-up output is derived as a reset signal r1. Therefore, one game is played using the N passing balls counted by the N-ary counter 87 on the horse racing course type display 70. In other words, when N passing balls are detected, the race course-shaped display 70
Regardless of its display state, it is reset, forced to the initial state, and the next game begins.

Similar control operations are performed by variable display control circuits 82 and 83 when the batted ball passes through other passing areas 623, 143 and 625, 145, respectively.

[0095] In the above explanation, a case has been described in which the batted ball that has passed through the passage area 621 falls into the passage area 141 at the lower part, but the batted ball that has passed through the passage area 621 falls into the passage area 143 or Needless to say, there are cases where the number falls to 145.

As described above, the batted ball passes through each passing area 6.
21, 623, 625 or 141, 143, 145, the display state of the corresponding course is incremented by a predetermined number of frames. Then, the display state in which one of the courses represents the goal, that is, the display portions 71t, 72t, and 73t.
When any of the above lights up, the points set for that course will be awarded.

For example, if the count value of the counter 811 is 20
, the first course 71 reaches the goal, and the decoder 812 outputs an output terminal (20
), and the “H” signal is sent to the OR gate 8.
44 to the differentiating circuit DF1, and the differentiating circuit D
An input representing the score "1" is given to the encoder 85 from F1. In response, the encoder 85 provides a coded signal of the numerical value "1" to a score counting circuit 86 (which circuit is constituted, for example, by an adder circuit).

Further, when the second course 72 reaches the goal, the decoder 822 outputs "H" from the output terminal representing the goal.
'' signal is derived, and the ``H'' signal is differentiated by a differentiating circuit DF3 and given to the encoder 85 as an input representing score 3. In response, the encoder 85 encodes the numerical value "3".
The code conversion signal is given to the score counting circuit 86.

Furthermore, the same applies when the third course 73 reaches the goal. Note that if all the courses reach the goal before a predetermined upper limit number (for example, 16) of balls are hit, the display 70 is initialized automatically or after the player's manual operation, and the next It may be possible to shift to a game. In this case, it is constantly determined whether all the courses have reached the goal (in the first embodiment, whether the combination has been established), and whether the goal has been reached (the combination has been established or not). If it is determined that the game has been established, the prize balls may be paid out immediately.

As described above, the score counting circuit 86 adds up the scores obtained when each course reaches the goal. The count output of the score counting circuit 86 is given to a prize ball put-out drive circuit 88, which is an example of a prize ball put-out control means, and the prize ball put-out drive circuit 88 is activated by being given a signal r1 as described below. Since the drive is started, the payout of prize balls will not be performed until the signal r1 is applied.

[0101] Hitting ball passing areas 621, 623, 625
, 141, 143, and 145, the N-ary counter 87 counts by "1" as described above.
When a predetermined number, for example "16" is counted, a reset signal r1 as a count-up signal is derived. Therefore, this reset signal r1 is activated by the prize ball payout drive circuit 8.
8, the prize ball payout drive circuit 88 is operated. The prize ball payout drive circuit 88 intermittently energizes the prize ball payout solenoid 263 a number of times corresponding to the number of points counted by the score counting circuit 86.

On the other hand, even if none of the courses reaches the goal until the N-ary counter 87 counts a predetermined number of passing balls, if the N-ary counter 87 derives a count-up signal, The counter 81 is controlled by the output of the delay circuit DL.
1,821,831 is reset, the horse race course type display 70 is forcibly returned to the initial display state, and prize balls are paid out based on the game played by the horse race course type display 70. Move on to the next game without being hit.

The count-up output of the N-ary counter 87 is delayed by a delay circuit DL for a predetermined period, that is, the time necessary and sufficient to pay out prize balls, and a reset signal r2 is derived. This reset signal r2 is applied to the counter 821
, 821, 823, and the count value of the score counting circuit 86.

As a result of the above, each time a predetermined number of balls pass through the passing area, the display state of the race course display 70 is forcibly returned to the initial state, and the game moves on to the next game. . Note that in this case, the player may
Regardless of whether the 0 game ends, the display state is returned to the initial state, and the next game begins, the pachinko game, that is, the hitting of pachinko balls, can be continued.

[0105] Note that the game using the horse racing course type display 70
Each time a game ends, the ball firing device is disabled for a certain short period of time, for example, several seconds, and pachinko balls are fired at the game break indicated by the horse race course display 70. may be made intermittently.

As a result of the above-described structure, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to provide a pachinko game machine that allows players to play pachinko while enjoying the fun of a horse racing game.

[0107]

Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, the passing area, which is determined so that the display of the display unit of the display device is controlled by the passage of the ball, is located within the gaming area from the first passing area and from the first passing area. 2 with a second passage area provided at a lower position.
Because the structure is structured in tiers, the thrill and excitement that when the ball falls near the second passing area on the lower tier, the ball may pass through the passing area corresponding to the desired display area. Not only can players be given
Even if the ball is falling at a position far from the second passing area on the lower level, if the ball is falling near the first passing area on the upper level, the same applies. It is possible to provide players with thrill and excitement. As a result, the entire gaming area is effectively utilized for gaming using the display device as much as possible. Furthermore, at the front position of each ball receiving port in the second passage area,
Since each display section of the display device has corresponding identification information attached to it, it is easy for the player to know which display section is to be displayed and controlled when a ball is received in which ball receiving slot. can be easily recognized, and the inconvenience of making a mistake in the target passing area can be avoided as much as possible.

[0108] Furthermore, by attaching the passing area forming member to the game board, the flow bottom surface and the vertical path are formed at predetermined positions, so that efficiency in the assembly stage can be improved. moreover,
When the display device reaches a predetermined display state, a predetermined prize ball is paid out to the batted ball storage section, but the balls stored in the batted ball storage section are full and no more can be stored. Since the surplus balls that have run out are paid out and stored in the surplus ball storage section, inconveniences associated with the batted ball storage section becoming full can be prevented as much as possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a pachinko game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative view of a portion provided on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram of a passing area and a passing ball detection switch.

FIG. 4 is a game control circuit diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of a combination display 40 and a rotating drum mechanism 50 provided in a pachinko machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative view of a combination display 40 and a rotating drum mechanism 50 provided in a pachinko machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a pachinko game machine 60 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 8] Passage area 62 provided in the pachinko game machine 60
FIG. 7 is a front view of a horse racing course-shaped display device 70. FIG.

[FIG. 9] Passage area 62 provided in the pachinko game machine 60
and FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a horse race course type display 70.

FIG. 10 is a game control circuit diagram of the pachinko game machine 60.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 is a safe hole, 13 is a winning ball device, 14a to 14p,
141, 143, 145, 621, 623, 625 are passing areas, 23a to 23p, 751, 753, 755, 7
61, 763, 765 are passing ball detection switches, 224 are winning ball detection switches, 31a to 31p are flip-flops, 33, 87 are N-ary counters, 34 is a combination determination circuit, 37 is a counter, 38 is a drive circuit, 40 50 is a combination display, 50 is a rotating drum mechanism, 70 is a horse racing course type display, 71 to 73 are first to third courses (variable display row)
, 81 to 83 are display control circuits, 85 is an encoder, 86
Reference numeral 88 indicates a score counting circuit, and 88 indicates a prize ball payout drive circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A pinball game machine capable of repeatedly playing one unit of game by hitting balls into a game area within a predetermined upper limit, wherein a batted ball storage unit capable of storing batted balls; a batted ball firing device for firing the batted balls stored in the batted ball storage unit into the game area; a passing area forming member forming a second passing area provided in the gaming area at a position below the first passing area and having a plurality of ball receiving openings; a display device having a plurality of display sections corresponding to each ball receiving port of the passage area and the first passage area;
a first detection means for detecting passing balls that have passed through the first passing area; a second detecting means for individually detecting passing balls received in each ball receiving port of the second passing area; a display control means for controlling the display of the display device; a prize ball payout control means for paying out a predetermined prize ball to the batted ball storage section when the display device enters a predetermined display state; and the batted ball. the passing area forming member includes a glass plate located on the front side of the game board; Ball receiving ports bulging out are arranged side by side in the left-right direction between the front surface of the game board and the ball receiving port, and a gently sloping downstream hole is provided to allow the balls received in each ball receiving port to flow down to the back side of the game board. It has a bottom surface and a vertical path that allows the balls that have flowed down the bottom surface to fall vertically on the back side of the game board, and a display surface is provided at the front position of each ball receiving port, and a display surface is provided on the front surface of each ball receiving port. Identification information corresponding to each display section of the display device is attached to a position corresponding to each of the ball receiving openings, and the display control means is configured to detect whether or not the ball has been hit based on the detection output of the first detection means. Display control is performed on the display section corresponding to the first passage area through which the ball has passed, and display control is performed on the display section corresponding to the ball receiving opening through which the ball is received based on the detection output of the second detection means. A pinball game machine.