JPH0451198B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Application] The present invention is applicable to a variable display device that is provided in the play area of a pachinko game machine and is activated when a game ball enters a specific winning hole. Concerning effective techniques.

[Prior art] Pachinko machines dynamically change the content of the game to increase the interest of the game, as well as temporarily increase the winning probability and improve the service to players. A variety of electric winning devices called () have been developed, and for example, they are activated when a game ball enters a specific winning hole provided in the gaming section, and although the occurrence rate is relatively low, it is possible to win a so-called jackpot. 2. Description of the Related Art Pachinko gaming machines equipped with variable display devices and the like that generate specific modes have been proposed.

Conventionally, as the above-mentioned variable display device, codes such as numbers displayed on a plurality of (for example, four) segment-type displays made of LEDs can be varied depending on the winning of a ball to a specific winning opening in a gaming area. A so-called digital variable display that is stopped by an automatic stop using a stop switch or a timer, and a specific mode (jackpot condition) is generated when the combination of numbers in the stopped state reaches a preset specific combination. The device and several (for example, three) drums with multiple numbers and patterns attached to the outer periphery are rotated by winning a prize in a specific winning slot and stopped in order with a stop switch or timer, and the numbers in the stopped state are There has been provided a so-called rotary drum type variable display device that generates a specific mode depending on a combination of images and pictures.

[Problem] However, in a rotary drum type variable display device, in order to detect the occurrence of a specific condition, it is necessary to detect the stop position of each drum, so the control device itself that controls the variable display device has to grasp the displayed content. It is difficult to configure a means for detecting the occurrence of multiple types of specific modes compared to digital variable display devices that can be used. For example, using a micro switch 5
In order to detect the occurrence of one type of specific aspect, five detectors are required for each drum, which may increase the size of the entire apparatus.

Therefore, a light emitter and a light receiver are arranged facing each other on both sides of the rotating drum, and each drum is provided with a light guiding section. A possible method is optical detection based on the condition of coincidence. However, in the detection method using the optical sensor as described above, there is a high possibility that the detector may malfunction due to light leaking from the outside. In particular, pachinko gaming machines equipped with variable display devices can
Since the gaming section is configured to open a variable winning device with a relatively large winning opening, if a specific type of occurrence detector malfunctions, a large amount of unfair advantage will be given to the player, and the fairness of the game will be compromised. Not only will this not be possible, but the pachinko parlor will suffer an unexpected disadvantage. Therefore, malfunction of the specific mode occurrence detector must be avoided at all costs.

[Object of the Invention] An object of the present invention is to miniaturize the device by making it possible to detect a plurality of specific aspects with a relatively small number of detectors in a rotating drum type variable display device, and to reduce the size of the device by detecting the occurrence of specific aspects. The objective is to ensure that malfunctions of the equipment can be prevented.

[Means for Solving the Problem] The present invention includes disposing a light projector and a light receiver on both sides of a rotating drum so as to face each other so that their detection optical axes are parallel to the rotation axis of the drum,
A cylindrical display part is formed on the periphery of the drum, and a ratchet part slightly smaller than this is formed on the opposite side of the display part, and an unformed cavity is formed inside of the ratchet part, and a light guide part is placed there. The cylindrical display part and the ratchet part of the adjacent rotating drums are opened, and the cylindrical display part and the ratchet part of the adjacent rotating drums are overlapped with a gap between them, and the unformed empty space inside the cylindrical display part located on both sides and the unformed part inside the ratchet part are overlapped. By facing the tips of the emitter and receiver into the empty space, the detection optical axis is perpendicular to the direction of light incident from between each drum, and direct incident light does not intersect with the detection optical axis. By doing so, it is possible to detect a plurality of specific aspects with a relatively small number of detectors, thereby reducing the size of the device, and at the same time, it is possible to reliably prevent malfunction of the specific aspect occurrence detector. It accomplishes its purpose.

[Example] FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a pachinko game machine equipped with a variable display device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of its gaming area. A guide rail 3 is provided for guiding the ball fired by the ball launcher 2 driven by the operation dial 2 at the bottom to the upper part of the game board 1. A gaming area is configured in a space surrounded by glass plates. In the center of this gaming area, there is a variable display device 4 as a game device, and below it, which normally forms a part of the gaming area, when a specific mode occurs in the variable display device 4, a prize can be won. A variable winning device 5 for converting into a region is provided. The variable winning device 5 has two types of winning holes, a general winning hole and a special winning hole that constitutes a continuation condition, and an opening/closing door 5 is provided to cover these winning holes.
In addition, there are general winning holes 5 on both sides of the variable winning device 5.
is provided.

On both sides of the variable display device 4, there are first specific winning openings 7, and on both sides of the variable display device 4,
A second specific winning hole 8 is located between the variable winning device 5 and the variable winning device 5.
is provided. Among these, the first specific winning opening 7 is
A ball receiving part 7 whose upper part is surrounded by a pair of direction setting guide members 13, 13 arranged in an arc shape with an interval of one ball, and whose lower half protrudes into the game area.
a, and all the batted balls that pass between the direction setting guide members 13a and 13b enter through the semi-cylindrical opening that forms the specific winning hole, and pass through the winning ball exit path that is formed so as to penetrate the game board. It is then collected on the back of the game board and detected. The second specific winning hole 8 consists of a winning tool called a winning chucker that opens upward into the gaming area.

Above the game board 1, there are provided a so-called "" winning hole 6 consisting of a prize chucker, and "heaven's left" and "heaven's right" winning holes 6b and 6c consisting of diving type winning devices. Further, on the diagonally downward outer side of the first specific winning opening 7, a tulip type batted ball winning device 9 is arranged.

In addition, at the bottom of the game board 1, each of the above-mentioned winning areas 6a to 6c,
An outro 10 is provided to collect the batted balls that did not win the 7th, 8th, 9th, etc. to the rear of the game board.
Further, at appropriate positions on the surface of the game board 1, there are a number of obstacle nails 11 that randomly change the direction of the hit ball falling from above, and rolling guide members 12a to 12c that control the falling speed and direction of the hit ball. are arranged symmetrically.

Of these, the rolling guide member 12b is disposed diagonally below the first specific prize opening 7, slightly in the center, and is connected to the direction setting guide member 13a and the variable display device 4 provided above it. A rotating shaft is disposed at a position slightly shifted outward from the centerline C-C' of the distance from the arcuate ball-hitting guiding surface 41a. Further, the direction setting guide member 13a is formed such that its terminal end is located below the end of the ball-hitting guide surface 41a of the variable display device. As a result, the batted ball that is guided by the direction setting guide member 13a and flows down is easily guided toward the AC surface on the front surface of the variable display device 4, and the ball is easily guided toward the AC surface on the front surface of the variable display device 4, and the ball is guided to the specific winning opening provided below the variable display device 4. The probability of winning 8 is increased. On both sides of the specific winning hole 8, downstream repulsion members 14 are provided which make it easier for the ball to enter the specific winning hole 8 by collision and rebound of the ball thereon.

A V-shaped flow path (indicated by broken line D in FIG. 2) is formed between the second specific winning hole 8 and the variable winning device 5 for guiding the batted ball toward the winning hole of the variable winning device 5. A downstream guide member 15 is disposed, and at the lower end of the downstream guide member 15, in correspondence to the two types of winning holes of the variable winning device 5, the balls are distributed to the winning holes, and the balls are distributed into the variable winning device 5. A distribution guide member 16 is provided to reduce the speed of winning balls.

The width of the distribution guide member 16 is formed to be wider than the width of the winning hole of the variable winning device 5, thereby making the actual width of the winning hole of the variable winning device 5 wider. In addition, the nails are arranged so that the width of the upper end of the downstream guide member 15 is wider than the width of the distribution guide member 16, and this allows the special game in which the prize opening of the variable prize winning device 5 to be opened. When shifting to the state, the winning possible area is expanded beyond the original winning area of the variable winning device 5 to the area where the downstream guide member 15 is arranged, and the possibility of winning a hit ball is increased. ing. The variable winning device 5 is closed when a predetermined number of balls hit a prize or a predetermined time elapses, but due to the distributing action of the distribution guide member 16, a part of the winning opening of the variable winning device 5 ( When a ball hits the special winning hole 5 provided in the center), the continuation condition is satisfied, and the opening/closing door 5a of the winning hole of the variable winning device 5 is opened again.

In the non-gaming space, the upper half of which is surrounded by the direction setting guiding members 13c disposed on both sides of the center of the game board 1, through which most of the batted balls do not pass, a specific mode occurs due to the stoppage of the variable display operation of the variable display device 4. An illumination means 25 is provided which is turned on or off at certain times. In addition, on the top of the game board 1, there are heavenly prize openings 6a to 6c and a chulip type batted ball prize device 9.
A prize ball lamp 21 that is temporarily turned on when a ball hits a winning hole, etc., a turbo lamp 22 that is turned on or blinks when a specific mode occurs due to the stop of the variable display operation of the variable display device 4, etc. A display member equipped with a segment type display 23 that displays the number of winning balls when the winning device 5 is opened, and a completion lamp 24 that indicates the end of the game when all the winning balls of a predetermined number are paid out. 2
0 is placed.

In addition, on both sides of the variable prize winning device 5, there is a lighting device 28 that lights up or flashes when a jackpot occurs.
In addition, in the special winning opening 5c, there is a continuation condition fulfillment indicator 29 that lights up when the continuation condition is satisfied by winning there, and further below the variable winning device 5, there is a batted ball that won a prize while the variable winning device was open. A count detector 32 is provided to detect.

Note that the guide rail 3 is located outside the lighting means 25 on one side (the right side in the figure) of the game board 1.
An arcuate ball guide member 17 is fixed so as to form a continuous arc, and at the upper end of this ball guide member 17 there is a ball guide member 17 that suppresses riots in the game area by killing the momentum of the ball hit at high speed. A blocking member 18 is attached.

Furthermore, on the upper part of the holding frame 100 of the pachinko game machine that holds the game board 1 configured as described above, there is a firing device drive lamp 26 that is lit when the operation dial 2a of the batted ball firing device is operated, and a firing device driving lamp 26 that is lit when a specific situation occurs. An indicator lamp 27 that blinks or lights up together with the turbo lamp 22 is provided. This indicator lamp 27 allows an employee of the game parlor to know that a specific situation has occurred even from the end of the island facility.

Further, a supply tray 102 is attached to an opening/closing panel 101 attached to the lower part of the holding frame 100 for holding the batted balls supplied to the batted ball launcher, and a prize ball overflowing from the supply tray is stored below the supply tray 102. A saucer 103 is provided for this purpose. A variable display means 30 is provided on the side of the holding frame 100 (on the left side in the figure) for stopping the variable display device 4 driven by a winning in a specific winning opening.

In the pachinko game machine configured as described above, when a ball hit into the game area by the ball launcher enters the specific winning hole 7 or 8, the variable display device 4 is driven to fluctuate, and the display window 45a is The three numbers or patterns displayed are changed. Then, the variable display is stopped when the player presses the variable display stop means 30 provided on the holding frame 100 or by auto-stop using a timer, and at this time, the display window section 45a
A specific mode is generated by a combination of numbers or patterns that appear.

When a specific mode occurs, the variable winning device 5 is converted to an open state, and the probability of winning there is changed from zero to a very high state. As a result, a large number of prize balls are generated within a relatively short period of time, and a large number of prize balls are given to players.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the variable display device 4.
An exploded perspective view and a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment are shown.

An armor member 41 having the above-mentioned arc-shaped ball guide surface 41a is formed on the upper part of the front component board 40 of the variable display device 4, and this armor member 41 protrudes forward from the surface of the game board 1. A decorative plate 42 having a lighting member 42a is attached to its front end. The armor member 41 can reduce the speed of the hit ball flowing down from above the game board by the upper arcuate ball guide surface 41a, and can smoothly distribute the hit ball to either the left or right game area.

The lower part of the front component board 40 forms an exchange surface 43 which is joined to the game board 1 and forms approximately the same plane as the game board 1. Through this exchange surface 43, batted balls flowing down the left and right game areas are allowed to interact, The lower second specific winning hole 8 makes it easier for the ball to fly into the variable winning device 5.

A recess forming wall 44 is formed inside the exchange surface 43 so as to protrude rearward, that is, into the storage chamber 1A provided in the game board 1.
A display panel 45 having three display windows 45a at the center is attached to the rear end. In this way, by integrally forming the front component board 40 with the armor member 41, the AC surface 43, the recess forming wall 44, and the display panel 45, it is different from the conventional type in which the inside of the AC surface 43 is empty. It has higher rigidity than the component board of the variable prize winning device. The center of the display panel 45, ie, the periphery of the display window 45a, is curved so as to protrude forward, and an illumination section 45b containing a lamp is provided at the top. Further, in the center of the illumination section 45b, a segment type display section 45c is arranged to display the number of openings of the variable prize winning device 5 when the specific mode occurs.

A transparent protective member 46 is attached to the back of the display window 45a formed at the center of the display panel 45.
is attached so that the patterns on the surfaces of three rotating display members (rotary drums) 72 in a variable display mechanism section 60 (described later) disposed behind the front component board 40 can be seen from the front. Protective member 46
Alternatively, it may be enlarged and displayed by changing the thickness like a lens.

Furthermore, four memory display means 49 are arranged in a row at the lower part of the concave forming wall 44 to display the number of batted balls that have won in the specific winning holes 7 and 8, and at the upper part of the concave forming wall 44. A pair of guide portions 47 are formed on the outer wall. The variable display device 4 can be attached to the game board using screws, nails, etc. through the mounting holes 40d formed on the periphery of the front component board 40, with the recess-forming wall 44 inserted into the storage chamber 1A of the game board 1. It is designed to be fixed to the surface of the board 1.

In correspondence with the front forming board 40 which is inserted from the front into the storage chamber 1A at the center of the game board and fixed therein, a substantially rectangular back forming board 50 is attached to the back of the game board 1. ing. The front component board 40 is located in the center of the back component board 50.
An opening 50a corresponding to the central display window 45a is formed, and upright walls 51 and 52 acting like spacers are formed at the periphery of this opening 50a and at the top and both sides of the back component substrate, respectively. There is. The top prize openings 6a to 6c are provided on the front surface of the back surface component board 50 so as to be located in a space surrounded by the upstanding walls 51 and 52 formed on the side facing the back surface of the game board 1. A guiding path 53 for guiding the winning batted ball, a pair of guiding paths 54 for guiding the winning batted ball in the left and right specific winning openings 7, and a guiding gutter 5 for guiding the winning batted ball in the lower second specific winning opening 8.
5 is provided. In addition, these taxiways 54
At the downstream end of the guide gutter 55, there are specific winning hole detectors 33 and 34 that detect the guided winning balls.
are arranged respectively. The detection signals from the specific winning detectors 33 and 34 start the variable operation of the variable display device 4. In addition, the back configuration board 50
A drive source 56 such as a solenoid that operates the opening/closing door 5a provided at the winning opening of the variable winning device 5 is attached to the lower part of the variable winning device 5.

Furthermore, a guide receiving part 57 that can be engaged with the guide part 47 at the rear end of the front component board 40 is formed on the standing wall 51 around the opening 50a. This guide receiving part 57 is inserted into the guide part 47, and attachment parts 58 are provided at the four corners of the back component board 50.
At this step, the back component board 50 is fixed to the back surface of the game board 1 with screws or the like. In other words, the front component board 40 is viewed from the front of the game board 1, and the back component board 50 is viewed from the rear.
Attach the game board 1 between them. As a result, the front component board 40 and the back component board 50 are firmly and accurately positioned so as to reinforce each other within the storage chamber 1A.

Two pairs of attachment receiving parts 5 are provided on the back side of the back side component board 50.
9 is formed, and a variable display mechanism section 60 is fixed to this attachment receiving section 59 by attachment sections 60a provided on the upper and lower walls. Of the two pairs of attachment receptacles 59, only the one above the opening 50a is shown in the drawing, but an attachment receptacle is similarly formed below the opening 50a.

5 to 7 show specific configuration examples of the variable display mechanism section 60.

The variable display mechanism section 60 includes an upper wall 61a, a lower wall 61b, and side walls 61c and 6 that are separably connected to each other.
1d and a rear wall 61e, it is configured within a frame 61 that is formed into a box shape with an open front.

Of the walls, the upper wall 61a and the lower wall 61b are each provided with an upright portion 62 having a mounting hole 62a along both side edges, and the ends of the side walls 61c, 61d are brought into contact with this upright wall 62. By inserting screws from the side and screwing them into the mounting holes 62a, the upper wall 61a, the lower wall 61b and the side wall 61c,
61d is integrated. The rear wall 61e has an upright portion 62 having attachment holes 62b formed on both side edges thereof.
The upper wall 61a, the lower wall 61b and the side walls 61c, 6
1d to engage with the rear end opening of the side walls 61c, 6.
It is designed to be fixed by screwing a screw into the attachment hole 62b from the outside of 1d.

A through hole 63 is formed at a position slightly forward from the center of the side walls 61c, 61d, and both ends of the main shaft 64 are inserted into this through hole 63.
It is designed to be rotatably supported between 1d. A pair of collars 64a are fitted to both ends of the main shaft 64, and by abutting the collars 64a against the side walls 61c and 61d, movement in the axial direction is prevented. The driven gear 65 protrudes further and is attached to the driven gear 65. Further, boss portions (4 pieces) 66 protruding outward are formed on the side wall 61c, and this boss portion 6
6 includes a motor 67a and a first motor that decelerates its rotation.
A storage case 68 that holds the drive means 67 serving as the transmission section 67b is attached. A drive gear 69 is attached to the drive shaft 67c of the drive means 67, and the drive gear 69 is meshed with the driven gear 65 to change the rotation speed of the drive means 67 and transmit it to the main shaft 64, and to adjust the rotation speed to the main shaft 64 in the most appropriate manner. A second transmission section 70 is configured to rotate at a rotational speed of .

The first speed change section 67b allows the main shaft 64 to rotate smoothly by increasing the rotational force of the motor 61a. In addition, the second transmission section 70
When the rotating display member 72, which will be described later and is attached to the outer periphery of the main shaft 64, is being rotated, the main shaft 64 is rotated at such a rotational speed that the player can barely read the numbers on the surface of the display member 72, which will be described later. will now be rotated.

Groove 6 formed on the outer periphery of the main shaft 64
4b, three sets of retaining rings 7 made of E-type rings etc.
1a and 71b, and a cylindrical variable display member 72 is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the main shaft 64 between each set of retaining rings 71a and 71b.

The variable display member 72 includes a shaft portion 72a fitted to the shaft 64, a disk-shaped main wall 72b formed on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 72a, a cylindrical display portion 72c formed on the outer periphery of the main wall 72b, and a main wall. The main wall 72b includes a ratchet portion 72d formed on the outer wall thereof, and a plurality of light guide portions 72e formed on the inner surface of the main wall 72b.

The retaining rings 71a and 71b are arranged so as to have an interval larger than the width of the shaft portion 72a of the variable display member 72, and one of the retaining rings 71a and 71b is
The washer 73 is attached to the shaft 64 so as to be in contact with 1b.
is mated to. A compression spring 74 is inserted between the washer 73 and the base of the main wall 72b of the variable display member 72.
Due to the repulsive force of 4, the retaining ring 71a and the end portion 72a
between the spring 74 and the main wall 72b, between the spring 74
Frictional force is generated at four contact surfaces between the washer 73 and the washer 73 and between the washer 73 and the retaining ring 71b. These friction surfaces transmit the rotational force of the main shaft 64 to the variable display member 72, and when the rotation of the rotation display member 72 is forcibly stopped from the outside, slipping occurs on each friction surface. The rotation of the rotation display member 72 can now be stopped without stopping the rotation of the main shaft 64.

Moreover, in the above case, each variable display member 72 is inserted between each pair of retaining rings 71a and 71b, and adjacent sets of retaining rings 71b and 71a are spaced apart.
C ₁ , each retaining ring 71a, 71b
Frictional force acts only on one side. Therefore, each retaining ring 71a, 71b is prevented from idling. In other words, if only one retaining ring is disposed between each of the variable display members 72 and the compression springs 74 are brought into contact with both sides of the retaining ring, the frictional force will increase because the frictional force will act on both sides of the retaining ring. There is a risk that the retaining ring, which is simply fitted to the outer periphery of the shaft, may become idly rotated.

In this way, since the three rotation display members 72 are loosely fitted onto one main shaft 64 and are configured to follow and rotate due to frictional force, a rotation drive source is provided for each rotation display member. It becomes possible to stop the rotation of each of them independently. At the same time, when the variable display member 72 is forcibly stopped, it slips on the four friction surfaces and idles, so that no unreasonable force is applied to the main shaft 64 and the load on the drive means 67 is reduced.

Further, the gap between each pair of retaining rings 71a is set wider than the width of the cylindrical display portion 72c of the rotation display member 72, so that when the retaining ring 71a is attached to the shaft, the gap between each cylindrical display portion 72c is A gap _C2 is formed in the gap C2, and the ratchet portion 72d can be viewed from the gap _C2 .

Three stopper levers 76 are provided at the rear of the rotation display member 72 corresponding to the ratchet portion 72d.
are disposed, and these stopper levers 76 are rotatably supported by a subshaft 77 horizontally suspended parallel to the main shaft 64 between the side walls 61c and 61d. Furthermore, three solenoids 78 are attached to the inside of the rear wall 61e in order to rotate the respective stopper levers 76, and the tip of the plunger 78a of each solenoid 78 is attached to a pin or the like at the rear end of the stopper lever 76. are connected. 3 in the vertical direction on the inner surface of the rear wall 61e.
A pair of rib-shaped guide portions 162a and 162b are formed in parallel with an interval equal to the width of the solenoid 78, and by engaging the solenoid 78 between the guide portions 162a and 162b, positioning is automatically performed. It is beginning to be practiced. In the normal state (demagnetized state) of the solenoid 78, the plunger 78a is raised by the force of the return spring 78b, which urges the distal end locking portion 76a of the stopper lever 76 toward the main shaft, causing each rotation to be displayed. It comes into contact with the outer periphery of the ratchet portion 72d of the member 72 to prevent its rotation.

However, when the solenoid 78 is energized, the plunger 78a is lowered and the stopper lever 76
is rotated, and the locking portion 76a at the tip is lifted and removed from the outer periphery of the ratchet portion 72d. As a result, the rotation preventing force of the ratchet portion 72d is released, and the rotation display member 72 begins to rotate following the rotation of the main shaft 64.

In the above case, since the stopper lever 76 and its driving solenoid 78 are provided for each rotation display member 72, the rotation and stopping of the three rotation display members 72 can be controlled independently. This imparts irregularity to the arrangement of numbers and patterns on the surface of the rotation display member when the rotation is stopped. A window 79 is formed in the upper part of the rear wall 61e corresponding to the rear end of the stopper lever 76, and the interior of the variable display mechanism 60 can be adjusted through the window 79. . Window part 79
Usually, a lid 80 is engaged and locked with elastic locking pieces 80a at both ends, and a light-shielding seal or the like is pasted on top of the lid 80 to prevent light from leaking inside. .

On the other hand, on the inner surface of the side wall 61d, there are a plurality of holes (5 in the drawing) located on a concentric circle centered on the through hole 63 through which the main shaft 64 is inserted.
A number of light projecting sections 81 are provided respectively. The light projecting portion 81 is composed of a through hole and a cylindrical portion that projects inward from the side wall along the periphery of the through hole. The element 83 is inserted from the outside of the side wall 61d, and the light projection board 82 is fixed with screws or the like. Furthermore, a cover 84 that covers the periphery of the light projection board 82 to prevent light from entering the inside is provided on the side wall 61d.
attached to the outer surface of the

On the inner surface of the side wall 61c facing each of the light projecting parts 81, there is a cylindrical light receiving part 8 disposed symmetrically with the light projecting part 81.
A light-receiving substrate 87 having a light-receiving element 86 incorporated therein is fixed with a screw or the like.

When the ball hits the specific winning hole 7 or 8, the solenoid 78 is energized, and the stopper lever 76 is activated.
The three rotation display members 72 rotated by being removed are stopped by the stop switch 30 cutting off the power to the solenoid 78 and the stop lever 76 being engaged with the ratchet portion 72d. When the numbers or patterns on the surface of each cylindrical display section 72c are aligned in a predetermined state,
The arrangement of the patterns on the surface of the cylindrical display section 72c is determined in advance so that the light guide sections 72e inside the main wall 72b coincide with each other. Therefore, when the pictures are aligned in a predetermined state and stopped, the light guide portions 72e of each rotating display member 72 are aligned on the detection optical axis of any pair of light emitting element 83 and light receiving element 86.

Then. Light emitted from the light emitting element 83 passes through each light guide section 72e, reaches the light receiving element 86, and is detected. As a result, the three rotation display members 72
It is detected that the numbers or patterns on the surface of the ``are in a predetermined state (occurrence of a specific condition), and the variable winning device 5 is operated for a certain period of time (e.g. 30 seconds) or until a predetermined number (e.g. 10) of winning balls are received. A special gaming state called a "jackpot" can be generated in which this is repeated a plurality of times (for example, 10 times) by opening the opening and fulfilling the continuation condition (winning in the special winning hole 5c).

In this embodiment, five sets of light emitting and light receiving elements 83,
86, several types of specific aspects can be detected.

Further, on the lower surface of the upper wall 61a, there are two cylindrical display sections 72c on the left among the three rotating display members 72.
A rotational position detector 91 consisting of two reed switches or the like is attached by a mounting board 92 corresponding to the magnet 90 embedded in the magnet 90 . When the rotation display member 72 is stopped and the magnets 90 are both located at the upper end, the two rotation position detectors 91 are equally turned on. This results in
A mid-win state is generated which gives a smaller profit than the above-mentioned jackpot state, for example, by making the variable prize winning device 5 open for a short time.

Next, a method for detecting the occurrence of the above specific aspect will be explained in more detail.

In this embodiment, as described above, the rotation display member 7
A light guide section 7 parallel to the main shaft 64 is located inside the main shaft 64.
2e, and a light projecting section 81 and a light receiving section 85 are provided at both ends thereof.
Detection is performed by arranging the detectors to face each other and providing a detection optical axis parallel to the main shaft. Therefore, in principle, light that is orthogonal to the detection optical axis does not interfere with detection. Therefore, if the gap _C2 between the three rotary display members 72 attached to the main shaft 64 is sufficiently small, the light entering from there will be orthogonal to the detection optical axis, so that the detector will not malfunction. There isn't. However, in the above embodiment, the void
Since rotation of the rotation display member 72 is prevented by entering the tip of the stopper lever 76 into _C2 and engaging with the inner ratchet portion 72d, the gap _C2 cannot be made very small. As a result, the detector may malfunction due to the light entering through the gap _C2 . However, by introducing the stopper lever 76 into the gap _C2 and stopping the rotation, it is possible to prevent the stopper lever 76 from moving in the lateral direction, thereby preventing the stopper lever from falling off.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a method is adopted in which the stopper lever 76 enters through the gap _C2 to stop the rotation, thereby preventing the stopper lever ₇₆ from falling off. was avoided as follows.

That is, a first end-forming cavity _E1 is formed inside the cylindrical display portion 72c of each rotating display member 72,
and the outer diameter cylindrical display portion 72 of the ratchet portion 72d.
By forming the gap C ₃ smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical display portion 72 c and the ratchet portion 72 d so that the ratchet portion 72 d faces the first end-forming cavity E ₁ , there is a gap between the cylindrical display portion 72 c and the ratchet portion 72 d. Part _F1 was created. Further, a second end-forming cavity E2 is formed inside the ratchet portion 72d, and a cylindrical light-receiving cavity _E2 is formed in the second end-forming cavity _E2 of the rotary display member 72 on the light-receiving part side (leftmost side). A weighted portion _F2 is formed between the tip of the portion 85 and the ratchet portion 72d, and a second end forming cavity E2 of the second and third rotary display members ₇₂ from the left is provided with the first and third portions. The tip of the light guide portion 72e of the second rotary display member 72 is exposed and slightly overlaps with the ratchet portion 7d.

This makes it very difficult for light entering from the gap between the leftmost rotating display member 72 and the light receiving section 85 and the gap _C2 between each rotating display member 72 to reach the light receiving element 86 in the light receiving section 85. As a result, malfunction of the detector can almost certainly be prevented. Moreover, by providing the end-formed cavities E ₁ and E ₂ , the weight ratio of the rotary display member 72 can be reduced, and the driving force of the driving means 67 can be reduced.

Next, a rotation stop mechanism for stopping the rotation of the rotation display member 72 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 9, the outer periphery of the ratchet portion 72d includes an engaging surface 172a that is inclined slightly outwardly from the normal line G in the radial direction, and this engaging surface 172a.
72a, and a connecting surface 172c that reaches the base of the engagement surface 172a at a gentle inclination angle from the reinforcing surface 172b.
A chevron-shaped claw 172 consisting of is continuously formed along the circumferential direction. The number of claws 172 on the outer periphery of the ratchet portion 72d is the same as the number of numbers or pictures attached to the surface of the cylindrical display portion 72.

Subshaft 7 that holds stopper lever 76
7 is disposed a distance L outside an extension of a tangent H that is orthogonal to the normal G passing through the center of the ratchet portion 72d. As a result, the stopper lever 76 is activated by the solenoid 78 to move the stopper lever 76 to the ratchet portion 7.
2d, when the tip locking portion 76a is rotated in the direction of the normal line G, the tip locking portion 76a is rotated not in the direction of the normal line G but outwardly. It is rotated so that it can be rotated. Therefore, when the stopper lever 76 is disengaged from the ratchet portion 72d, it is rotated outward while moving toward the front of the pawl 172, that is, in the moving direction. As a result, the stop lever at the time of withdrawal is 76
The frictional force between the end locking part 76a and the ratchet part 72d is reduced, and the stopper lever can be removed with a relatively light force.

Furthermore, the end locking portion 76 of the stopper lever 76
a is engaged with the ratchet portion 72d, and the pawl 1
An engagement surface 172a and a communication surface 172c forming a
It is shaped to fit snugly into the angle formed by the two. As a result, the ratchet portion 7
2d, the rotation of the locking portion 76a is stopped once, and then the locking portion 76a disengages from the pawl 172 and then engages with the next pawl again to prevent the locking portion 76a from stopping twice. Wear of the mating surface 172a and the communicating surface 172c is suppressed, and displacement due to vibration at the time of engagement is prevented.

Further, since the reinforcing surface 172b is formed at the tip of the claw 172, the chevron of the claw is less likely to be scraped off compared to a case where the tip has an acute angle. Therefore, even if frequent engagement and disengagement operations are repeated for a long period of time, there is little wear and reliable stopping is guaranteed.

Note that a relay board 93 that constitutes a repeater is attached to the lower surface of the lower wall 61b that constitutes the frame 61 of the variable display mechanism section 60 configured as described above. This relay board 93 includes the rotation driving means 67 provided in the variable display mechanism section 60, a rotation stop solenoid 78, and a light projecting board 8 that constitutes a specific mode occurrence detector (big hit, medium hit detector).
2 and plugs 94a, 9 at the end of each lead wire pulled out from the light receiving board 87 and the rotational position detector 91.
Terminal block 9 for inserting 4b, 94c, 94d
5a, 95b, 95c95d are provided.
Then, once the lead wires are assembled on the relay board 93, the second relay board 97 provided on the back side component board 50 is connected by a bundle of connection wires 96 connected to each terminal block 95a to 95d. It is connected to a control board 98 equipped with a control circuit such as a CPU (see FIG. 10).

This makes it easier to handle the lead wires drawn out from the variable display mechanism section 60, which has a large number of electrical drive sources and detectors, when assembling the variable display mechanism section. The lead wire of the variable display mechanism is no longer entangled with parts such as the dispensing device. Also, since each lead wire is bundled into a bundle of connection wires 96 and then connected to the control board 98 via the second relay board 97, electricity to the control board 98 after the variable display mechanism is assembled is Connection work can also be done very easily.

Further, the terminals (pins) on the terminal blocks 95a to 95d are arranged parallel to the lower wall 61b, and the plugs 94a to 94d at the ends of the lead wires are respectively inserted from the horizontal direction. Therefore,
Compared to the case where the plug is inserted at right angles to the lower wall 61b, the amount of protrusion from the wall surface is smaller, and the entire variable display mechanism becomes more compact.

In addition, since the relay board 93 is attached to the lower wall 61b of the variable display mechanism section 60, a sufficient distance from other parts is ensured. Heat is radiated sufficiently and local temperature increases can be prevented. That is, there is not enough space from the top to the side of the variable display mechanism section 60 because the winning ball storage tank, winning ball payout device, etc. are arranged in close proximity thereto. On the other hand, since the variable winning device is only protruded a little further downward, a relatively wide space is secured.

FIG. 10 is a drawing of the variable display device 4 seen from behind the game board. The second relay board 97 is disposed at the upper left corner of the back side component board 50 attached to the back side of the game board 1, and the variable display mechanism section 60 is installed here.
A connecting wire 96 is extended and connected from the first relay board 93 mounted on the lower surface of the lower wall 61b. The second relay board 97 has
In addition, lead wires from the lighting means 25 on both sides, the solenoid 56 disposed at the bottom of the back component board 50, the specific winning detectors 33, 34, etc. are also connected, and the second relay board 97 is connected. Through,
Each pachinko game machine is electrically connected to a control board 98 provided on its back or the like.

Below the back structure board 50, the back mechanism part of the variable winning device 5 is arranged so as to penetrate the game board and protrude rearward, and is opened and closed to cover the winning slot on the front side of the variable winning device 5. The plunger tip of the solenoid 56 is arranged above the rear end of the transmission member 5d connected to the door 5c (see FIG. 2) so as to face it.

FIG. 11 shows the control of the entire pachinko game machine equipped with the variable display device configured as described above, that is, the various displays provided on the game board, the drive source of the variable display device, the special variable prize winning device, the speaker, etc. An example of a control circuit is shown.

Switches SW1 to SW4 forming input signals to the control circuit of this embodiment are respectively the start switch, that is, the specific winning detectors 33 and 34, the detector in the variable display stop means 30, and the special variable winning device 5 in the above embodiment. This detector corresponds to the specific condition configuration detector 31 and count detector 32 in the above.

Further, the LED lamps LED1 to LED4 driven by the output signal of this control circuit correspond to the storage display means 49 for specific winning balls in the above embodiment. Similarly, the solenoids SoL1 to SoL4 correspond to the rotation stop solenoid 78 in the variable display device 4 and the drive source 56 for the special variable winning device 5 in the previous embodiment, respectively.

The control device shown in FIG. 11 is constructed using a program-storable CPU (central processing unit: microcomputer) 210 that is implemented as a semiconductor integrated circuit device.

That is, the control device shown in FIG.
210, ROM (read-only storage device) 220,
RAM (random access memory) 230,
It is composed of an address coder 240, an I/O (input/output) unit 250, a clock signal generating means 280, a reset signal generating means 290, an address bus LA, a data bus LD, a logic gate G1, and the like.

The CPU 210 is an 8-bit type (model number: Z80). This CPU210
are address terminals (A ₀ to A ₁₅ ), data terminals (D ₀
~ _D7 ), a read control terminal RD, a write control terminal WR, a clock terminal CK, and a reset terminal R.

The ROM 220 stores programs executed by the CPU 210 and fixed data.

The RAM 230 provides a work area for the CPU 210 and a variable data storage area.

The address decoder 240 decodes address data (A ₀ -A ₁₁ ) output from the CPU 210 to generate a plurality of alternative selection signals S1 - S9. The decoding operation is performed by activating either the read control signal (RD) or the write control signal (WD). These two control signals (RD/WD) are issued from the CPU 210. Both signals (RD/WD) are ORed together by logic gate G1. This logical sum becomes a control signal for the address decoder 240.

A portion (S8, S9) of the selection signals S1 to S9 output from the address decoder 240 are
It is used as a chip select signal for ROM 220 and RAM 230. In addition, another selection signal S
1 to S7 are used to control input/output circuits within the I/O unit 250, which will be described later. In other words,
Here, a so-called memory mapped I/O method is adopted in which input/output channels are arranged in an address space. By adopting this memory mapped/IO method, you can perform any input/output without having to perform complex procedures such as opening and closing input/output channels, and by simply processing only accessing a specific address. It is designed to perform input/output operations from the circuit.

The I/O unit 250 forms an interface between the control device and the pachinko gaming machine main body 300. This I/O unit 250 is provided with a large number of input/output circuits, as will be described later. The operation of each input/output circuit is individually controlled by the selection signals S1 to S7. The individual configurations of the input/output circuits will be described later, but for example, decoders, latch circuits, drivers, buffer gates, amplifiers, etc. are used.

The clock generating means 280 generates a highly accurate clock pulse φk of, for example, 2 MHz by using a crystal oscillator Xtal (4 MHz) as a frequency reference. This clock pulse φk is applied to the clock terminal CK of the CPU 210.

The reset signal generating means 290 generates a reset pulse φt of a constant period from the clock pulse φk. This reset pulse φt is applied to the CPU 21 above.
0 reset terminal R. This reset signal generating means 290 is constructed simply and on a small scale by a counter or the like.

In this case, the reset pulse φt has a duty width, that is, a pulse width of the CPU 21.
It has a length that can reliably reset 0. Further, the pulse generation interval, that is, the period, is set to be reliably longer than the processing time for the CPU 210 to execute a set of program instructions stored in the ROM.

Furthermore, since the reset interval of the CPU 210 is a constant cycle, the number of resets can be
By storing it in the RAM 230, a so-called soft timer function is configured.

Next, the I/O unit 250 includes a buffer gate 251 and a latch circuit 2 as input/output circuits.
52 to 256 are provided. The operation of these input/output circuits (251 to 256) is controlled by the selection signal S mentioned above.
1 to S6. Further, each input/output circuit (251 to 256) is connected to the CPU 210 via a data bus LD. Data exchanged between the pachinko game machine main body 300 side and the control device side is placed on the data bus LD. Furthermore, in addition to the input/output circuits (251 to 256), a scale generator 257
is provided. The operation of this scale generating means 257 is controlled by a selection signal S7.

Among the input/output circuits (251 to 256), the buffer gate 251 constitutes an input circuit. This buffer gate 251 is connected to the pachinko game machine main body 300.
The control device 200 receives detection signals from various detection means (SW1 to SW4, etc.) provided on the side.
It is placed on the internal data bus LD. In this case, the detection means include the aforementioned start switch SW1,
Stop switch SW2, continuation condition detection switch
SW3, 10 count detector SW4 and “Jackpot”
There are detectors (83, 86) and a rotational position detector 91 that detect the occurrence of a specific aspect called "mid-hit".

Furthermore, among the input/output circuits (251 to 256), latch circuits 252 to 256 form output circuits. Furthermore, the latch circuit 254 includes a decoder therein. This decoder decodes each display data of the light emitting diode type segment type display 23, 45c on the pachinko game machine main body 300 side. The display data is given from CPU 210 via data bus LD.

The functions of each output circuit (252-256) are as follows.

That is, the latch circuit 252 forms a drive signal for the motor 67a that rotates the main shaft 64 having the rotating display member 72 of the variable display device 4 described above. The latch circuit 253 is connected to the rotating member 7.
A drive signal for the solenoids 78 (SoL1 to SoL3) is generated to operate the stopper lever 76 that prevents the rotation of the solenoid 78 (SoL1 to SoL3). In addition, each latch circuit 252, 25
3 are attached with drivers 262 and 263, respectively, for increasing the driving force of the output.

The latch circuit 254 is connected to the segment type display 23.
and 45c are displayed. Of these, display 2
3 indicates the number of batted balls that won during one opening operation of the variable winning device 5 when a specific form of "jackpot" occurs, and the display 45c indicates, as described above,
It displays the number of times the continuation condition is satisfied at the time of a "big hit". The display data is given from the CPU via the data bus LD.

The latch circuit 255 individually drives the memory display lamps LED1 to LED4 made of light emitting diodes to turn on. The control data for the lighting is the data bus LD.
given from the CPU via. The memory display lamps LED1 to LED4 are used, as described above, to display the number of reserved batted balls that have won the specific winning openings 7 and 8 (FIG. 2).

The latch circuit 256 individually drives the drive source and display means on the pachinko gaming machine main body 300 side via the driver 266. In this case, the drive source is the electromagnetic solenoid 56 (FIG. 5) that drives the above-mentioned special variable winning device 5 to open, and the display means is the continuation condition fulfillment display unit 29 (FIG. 2) attached to the above-mentioned variable winning device 5. ) etc.

In addition, the scale generating means 257
When the rotating display member 72 rotates in
To generate a sound source having a predetermined scale when a "middle hit" occurs. The generated sound source is amplified by an amplifier 267 and is provided to a speaker SP for generating sound effects on the pachinko gaming machine main body 300 side. The scale of this sound source is
It is designed to be set by data given from the CPU via the data bus LD.

[Function/Effect] The emitter and the receiver are arranged on both sides of the rotating display member (rotating drum), facing each other so that their detection optical axes are parallel to the main shaft.
This alone basically avoids detector malfunctions. Moreover, a cylindrical display part is formed on the periphery of the rotary display member, and a ratchet part slightly smaller than this is formed on the opposite side of the display part, and an unformed cavity is formed inside the ratchet part. The light guide section is opened, and the cylindrical display section and the ratchet section of adjacent rotary display members are overlapped with each other with a gap therebetween,
Furthermore, the tips of the emitter and receiver are made to face the unformed space inside the cylindrical display part and the unformed space inside the ratchet part located on both sides, respectively, so that the detection optical axis is aligned between the drums. This is perpendicular to the direction of the light incident from the sensor, and the direct incident light no longer intersects with the detection optical axis, making it possible to detect multiple specific aspects with a relatively small number of detectors, making it possible to downsize the device. In addition, there is an effect that malfunction of the specific mode occurrence detector can be reliably prevented.

As a result, the specific mode occurrence detector malfunctions,
To prevent players from being given a large unfair advantage and the fairness of the game being hindered, and also to prevent a pachinko game parlor from suffering an unexpected disadvantage.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine equipped with a variable display device according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of the game board;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the variable display device, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembled state of the variable display device, and FIG. 5 is a variable display mechanism constituting the variable display device. An exploded perspective view showing an example of the part;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the assembled state of the variable display mechanism, FIG. 7 is a sectional front view showing details of the variable display mechanism, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the stop means for the rotating display member. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the part surrounded by the chain line A in FIG. 8, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control device for a pachinko game machine. 1... Game board, 2... Hit ball launcher, 3... Guide rail, 4... Variable display device, 5... Variable winning device,
7, 8...Specific winning opening, 10...Outro, 30...Variable display stop means, 31...Count detector, 32...
Continuation condition detector, 33, 34...Specific winning detector,
40...Front component board, 41a...Battered ball guiding surface, 43
...AC surface, 45a...display window section, 50...rear surface component board, 60...variable display mechanism section, 64...main shaft, 67...rotation drive means (motor), 72...rotation display member, 76, 78...rotation stop Means (stopper lever, solenoid), 83, 86, 91... stop state detection means (specific mode occurrence detector).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An armor member having an exchange surface that is almost flush with the game board when attached to it, a ball-hitting guiding surface that is located above this exchange surface and projects forward from it, and an armor member that extends rearward inside the exchange surface. A front component board consisting of a concave-forming wall that is formed to protrude and has a guide section at the top, a display panel that is fixed to the rear end of this concave-forming wall and has a display window in the center, and a number or pattern on the outer peripheral surface. A main shaft having a plurality of attached rotation display members fitted together so as to be able to rotate idly; a drive means for rotationally driving the main shaft; a rotation stop means for independently preventing rotation of the rotation display members; The variable display device is constituted by a stop state detection means for detecting the stop position of the display member, and a variable display mechanism section consisting of a frame body that integrally holds these members, and a variable display mechanism is provided on both sides of the rotary display member. Alternatively, two or more sets of emitters and receivers are arranged facing each other so that their detection optical axes are parallel to the main shaft, and a cylindrical display section is provided around the periphery of the rotating display member, and this display A ratchet part is formed on the opposite side of the ratchet part, which has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the display part, and into which the end of the rotation stopper is engaged and disengaged, and an unformed cavity is provided inside the ratchet part. opening one or more light guide portions corresponding to the arrangement of numbers or patterns on the surface of the display portion, and overlapping the cylindrical display portion and the ratchet portion of adjacent rotary display members with a gap therebetween; Furthermore, the tips of the emitter and receiver are made to face the unformed space inside the cylindrical display section outside the rotary display member located at both ends of the main shaft, and the unformed space inside the other ratchet section, respectively. A variable display device characterized by: