JPH0647135A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent balls from being fouled by stopping the balls from entering a shooting rail. CONSTITUTION:An entrance stopping member 73 is disposed above a shooting rail 72 to stop falling balls from entering the shooting rail 72. Even when balls remaining on a game board fall down as a metal frame is open, for example, the entrance stopping member 73 prevents the balls from being put on the shooting rail 72, thus avoiding shooting foul. A ball passage 81 is provided on the back side of the shooting rail 72 and thereby balls collected in one place by the entrance stopping member 73 are discarded below the shooting rail 72 through the ball passage 81 so that no ball mains on the entrance stopping member 73.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine, and more specifically, to eliminate a situation in which a ball left on the game board rides on a launch rail and the next launch becomes a foul when a metal frame is opened. The present invention relates to a gaming machine with an improved method of preventing balls from entering the launch rail.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a pachinko machine using balls as a game medium is provided with a launching device capable of automatically launching balls by a player's operation in order to smoothly execute a game, and the ball launched by the launching device. Is guided along the launch rail to the game board.

[0003]

By the way, in the conventional pachinko machine, a member for preventing balls from entering is not provided on the upper portion of the launch rail, and balls dropped from above are launched on the launch rail. There was a problem that the next shot would get foul after getting on. As a result, the smooth execution of the game is hindered, or the launcher is broken.

For example, when the metal frame is opened, balls remaining on the game board may get on the launch rail. In such a case, several balls falling from above and balls at the launch position are simultaneously on the launch rail. Existence exists, the balls on the rail collide with each other at the start of the next launch, the firing energy of the balls is reduced, and the balls become fouls. As the balls remaining on the game board when the gold frame is opened, for example, there are those that remain as floating balls by being entangled with a windmill or an obstacle nail.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of preventing balls from entering the launch rail and preventing the balls from becoming fouls.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, the gaming machine according to the present invention is a game in which a ball on a launch rail 72 is repelled by a launching device and is launched toward a game area (for example, a game board 13). In the machine (for example, the pachinko machine 1), an invasion blocking member 73 that blocks intrusion of a falling ball is provided in a certain range including the upper portion of the launch rail 72.

In a preferred embodiment, the invasion preventing member 73 is inclined in one direction so that a ball is placed at one place (for example,
The ball flow passage 81 is provided on the back side of the firing rail 72 and can be collected in the ball collecting portion 73A).
One end (for example, one end side opening 81A) is opened at a position facing balls gathered in one place, and the other end (for example, the other end side opening 81B) is opened below the firing rail 72 to prevent intrusion. The balls gathered at one place by the member 73 are discharged below the launch rail 72 through the ball passage 81.

[0008]

In the present invention, the invasion blocking member is arranged above the launch rail, and the intrusion blocking member prevents the falling ball from invading the launch rail. Therefore, even if the balls remaining on the game board fall down, for example, when the metal frame is opened, the invasion blocking member prevents the balls from entering the launch rail, and the balls do not ride on the launch rail, and do not become a foul. Also, by providing a ball passage on the back side of the launch rail, the balls gathered in one place by the intrusion prevention member can be discharged below the launch rail through the ball passage, and the balls are placed on the intrusion prevention member. It does not remain.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an embodiment of a credit-type pachinko machine to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a pachinko machine (gaming machine), which has a credit system in which the number of balls is stored in a certain range in an internal microcomputer during a pachinko game.

The pachinko machine 1 has a frame-shaped front frame 11 as a portion visible on the front side, a metal frame (glass frame) 12 arranged in an opening of the front frame 11 for supporting glass, and a game board 13. The front display panel 14 and the front operation panel 15 below the front display panel 14 are provided. Front frame 11
Is openably and closably supported by a wooden frame 16 in which the pachinko machine 1 is installed, and similarly, the metal frame 12 is also openably and closably supported by the front frame 11. The front frame 11 is made of resin and given a predetermined colorful color.

The front display panel 14 is formed in a curved shape such that the front side is projected and slightly raised, and the front display panel 14 has an upper plate 2 for receiving a pachinko ball as a prize ball.
1 is formed, and a credit number display 22, a settlement button 23, an upper plate ball punching switch 24, and a ball punching blinking display 25 are provided on the front side.

The credit number indicator 22 displays the number of pachinko balls held by the player as a credit, with a limit of 250, and more specifically, when the upper plate 21 is full, the upper plate is then displayed. Number of balls that exceeded 21 is 2
A maximum of 50 balls are displayed, and more than 250 balls are discharged to the lower tray 32 described later. The number of credits is limited to 250 in order to match the range of "1 byte" of the microcomputer, and the range of credits in the rotary throttle machine (so-called pachi-slot) (for example, at present, the maximum number of credits is 50: This is to synchronize with the number of medals).

The credit number display 22 is composed of three columns using, for example, 7-segment large-sized LEDs, and displays the credit number in units of one up to 100. The credit number indicator 22 is not limited to a 7-segment LED, and may be configured by using, for example, a dot LED, a liquid crystal, a fluorescent display tube, or the like.

In the case of this embodiment, the credit amount display 22 also has a function of displaying a discharge error (for example, CE). The discharge error includes, for example, a prize ball discharge trouble, a ball rental trouble and the like, and in these cases, the credit amount indicator 22 displays a discharge error to notify the player.

The settlement button 23 is for settlement of credits. When the settlement button 23 is pressed, the number of balls corresponding to the number of credits at that time is paid out and discharged to the lower plate 32. The upper dish ball drop switch 24 is a push button for turning on a solenoid (not shown) that opens and closes a passage connecting the balls of the upper dish 21 to a ball storage dish 32 described later. When the pulling switch 24 is pressed, the blinking blinking indicator 25 blinks to inform the player. In addition, as the blinking indicator 25 during the punching, for example, L
ED is used.

Front operation panel (corresponding to the decoration in front of the plate) 15
In addition, an ashtray 31 is formed on the left side thereof, and the center of the front surface is formed to project forward, and the inside of the projecting portion is a ball storage tray (lower tray) 32. The ball storage tray 32 has a role of receiving prize balls when the upper tray 21 and the number of credits are full, and is for temporarily storing balls. Further, the front operation panel 15 is provided with a ball pulling lever 33, an overflow lamp 34, a firing operation handle 35 of the firing device, a firing strength level LED 36, and a one-shot switch 37.

The ball drop lever 33 is for pulling out the balls stored in the ball storage tray 32 to the outside downward, and when the ball drop lever 33 is moved to the left, for example, the ball storage tray 32.
The bottom part of the bottom part is open so that the ball can be discharged downward. The overflow lamp 34 is arranged so as to be built in the side wall portion of the ball storage tray 32, and lights up to notify the player when the balls of the ball storage tray 32 are full. When the player operates the ball pulling lever 33 to release the balls of the ball storage tray 32 in response to the lighting of the overflow lamp 34, the overflow state is resolved.

The firing operation handle 35 is for operating a firing device that causes one of the pachinko balls lined up in a row to be fired one by one in the firing position into the game area on the front surface of the game board 13. . The firing operation handle 35 is coated with a thin metal film over the entire outer periphery thereof, so that a touch sensor (not shown) is provided so that the player can detect the state of gripping the handle by the conductivity of the metal. It is provided. Further, a firing operation switch (variable resistance for adjusting the flight distance) 35a is arranged on the left side of the firing operation handle 35 in the figure, and the strength of the firing (for example, the flight distance of a ball) is controlled by operating the firing operation switch 35a. Is adjustable.

Launch intensity level LED (distance display section) 3
Reference numeral 6 indicates a firing strength level (ball flying distance) varied by operating the firing operation switch 35a. For example, the firing strength level can be known from the number of lit LEDs. The one-shot switch 37 is for temporarily stopping the firing of the ball regardless of the operation of the firing operation handle 35, and is used, for example, when the ball is fired in a single shot.

On the upper part of the front frame 11 of the pachinko machine 1, there is provided a big hit indicator 41 which lights up when the accessory device is big hit. The metal frame 12 is openably and closably supported by the front frame 11,
Normally, the front frame 11 is locked by a locking device by inserting a key into the locking hole 51 and operating the key.
When the metal frame 12 is opened, by inserting a predetermined key into the locking hole 51 and rotating it, the locked state of the locking device is released and the metal frame 12 is opened.

The game board 13 is made of, for example, wooden veneer, and the front side thereof is a game area. The game area can have any configuration, for example, there are so-called first type, second type, third type, etc. It can be an application target of the invention. In the present embodiment, those belonging to the second type are adopted.

That is, a rail 61 for guiding the ejected balls to the upper portion of the surface of the game board 13 is arranged around the game area, and a center accessory device (fluctuation) is provided substantially in the center of the inside of the rail 61. A winning device) 62, a tulip-type ordinary electric starting port 63 is arranged below the center accessory device 62, and ordinary symbol gates 64 and 65 are arranged above and below the ordinary electric starting port 63, respectively.

The center accessory device 62 is in a first state (closed state), which is disadvantageous to the player for preventing the balls that have stood upright and flowed down from flowing into the inside, and the upper end is tilted outward to flow down. It has a pair of movable pieces (movable members) 66a, 66b that can be converted into a second state (open state), which is advantageous for the player who receives the balls that have been played and flows the balls into the inside,
A general winning opening and a special winning opening (so-called V winning opening: continuous winning opening) into which balls received by the movable pieces 66a and 66b flow are arranged.

When a ball wins the ordinary electric starting port 63, the movable pieces 66a, 66b of the center accessory device 62 enter the second state (open state) in which it is easy to receive the ball. At this time, the special prize of the center accessory device 62 is won. When winning in the mouth (when winning V), the special mode game state (big hit state) is entered. In this special mode game state, the movable piece performs an opening / closing operation up to 18 times, and it is possible to repeat the special mode game for a maximum of 15 cycles, for example, on the condition that the V prize is set as one cycle. Therefore, the player can obtain many balls and enjoy higher profits.

The normal design gates 64 and 65 have a gate through which only one ball can pass, and when the ball passes through the gate,
Ordinary symbol display 63a arranged in the ordinary electric starting port 63
The pattern (for example, a number) is changed, and when this number reaches a specific value (for example, “7”), the tulip of the normal electric starting port 63 is electrically operated to open for a fixed time. Normally, the electric starting port 63 normally closes the tulip, but is configured to open the tulip under certain conditions as described above. Further, as will be described later in detail, the probability of opening the tulip is changed by the probability setting device 75.

Rails 61 are provided on both sides of the center accessory device 62.
The part along the inside of the side lamp 67 for decoration,
68 is provided, and the side lamps 67, 68 blink, for example, when the movable pieces 66a, 66b are opened, and also blink during the big hit to raise the player's motivation. Further, a plurality of hitting ball direction changing members (not shown) called windmills are rotatably installed at appropriate positions in the game area, and a large number of obstacle nails (not shown) are planted.
Further, an out-ball collecting port 69 is formed in the lower center of the game area.

[Details of Stochastic Control] Here, the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment performs control called so-called neuropachinko universal electric control, which is a prize for the electric tulip of the ordinary electric starting port 63. This is because the probability (hereinafter, simply referred to as the probability of winning the prize in general) is variably controlled as follows.

(I) Normal time The winning probability of the normal electric starting opening 63 is controlled so that there are three starting winnings for every 100 balls fired. Specifically, the winning rate is controlled by properly using the winning probability of 1/3 and the random number of 1/30. (II) High probability The winning probability of the normal electric starting opening 63 is controlled to 1/3. Therefore, there is one starting prize for every three shots of the ball, and the player is in an extremely advantageous state and the game becomes interesting.

A. Conditions under which the probability of winning a prize changes: After the jackpot of the center accessory device 62 is completed, it becomes a high probability by using one of the following six-stage probability values set by a predetermined probability setting device (not shown). Decide whether or not In addition, when the next big hit occurs in the high probability, it returns to the normal probability. In addition, the normal probability is adopted during the big hit.

B. Probability setting value The probability value that the probability of winning the Poden prize changes to a high probability is as follows.
There are stages. [6] …… 17/32 [5] …… 13/32 [4] …… 10/32 [3] …… 7/32 [2] …… 5/32 [1] …… 3/32

The above six-step fluctuation probability values are changed in advance by a probability setting device, for example, by a clerk before the opening of the hall.
It is set (that is, one of six stages is set).
Since this probability setting is important, a locking device is provided for sealing, and the probability is set by the staff of the hall inserting a predetermined key into the key insertion port. Therefore, the player is not easily touched from the outside, and the probability value cannot be seen from the outside.

Structure for Arranging Ball Intrusion Preventing Member on Launch Rail Next, a structure for disposing a ball intrusion preventing member on the launch rail to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view near the launch rail of the pachinko machine 1. In FIG. 2, 71
Is a frame board integrally molded with the front frame 11 of the pachinko machine 1. The frame board 71 is made of synthetic resin and given a predetermined color (for example, white). The frame board 71 is arranged at a position corresponding to the front display panel 14 below the game board 13 (that is, inside the front display panel 14).

The frame board 71 is mainly provided with a firing rail 72, an intrusion prevention member 73 and a foul sensor 74. The firing rail 72 is made of metal,
It has an M-shaped cross section and is inclined downward to the right in the figure. The inclined lower end portion of the launch rail 72 is located at the ball launching position, and the launching punch can face the ball at this launching position from the launching punch opening 72A. Then, the ball at the firing position is repelled by the firing punch of the firing device. A rotary solenoid type is used as the launching device, and a launching punch (not shown) is used by the rotary solenoid to launch the launching punch opening 72A.
It shoots out and shoots the ball at the firing position.

Above the launch rail 72 is an intrusion prevention member 7.
3 is arranged, and the intrusion prevention member 73 is the firing rail 7
It is provided so as to cover the upper part along 2 and
The ball collecting portion 73A is inclined downward to the right, and its right end portion intersects with the vertical direction at a substantially right angle. Further, a ball return portion 73B is provided above the ball collecting portion 73A, and the ball return portion 73B also has a function as the intrusion prevention member 73 and constitutes a part thereof.

Reference numeral 81 is a ball passage formed on the frame board 71. The ball passage 81 is a passage formed by projecting a part of the frame board 71 to the rear side of the pachinko machine 1 (recessed when viewed from the front side). Is formed). Ball passage 81
Has a cross section through which approximately one ball can pass, and the one end side opening 81A faces the ball collecting portion 73A and the other end side opening 81A.
B is located below the firing rail 72. The portion of the frame board 71 facing the other end side opening 81B of the ball passage 81 (hereinafter referred to as the frame board bottom portion 71B) is inclined to the lower left, and the balls discharged from the other end side opening 81B are The ball can be moved by its own weight to the lower plate discharge port 82 that guides the ball to the lower plate (ball supply plate) 32 through the board bottom portion 71B.

Reference numeral 83 is a foul return port. The foul return port 83 is formed by a member integrally molded with the frame board 71, and the ball ejected by the launching device returns as a foul ball without reaching the game area. It is an opening for collecting things in front of the launch rail 72, and the balls collected by the foul return port 83 are detected by the foul sensor 74. The foul sensor 74 includes, for example, a photo sensor, and detects a foul ball passing through the foul return port 83.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a mounting structure of the launch rail 72. In FIG. 3, 73F is an intrusion prevention member 73.
And an intrusion prevention member body including a ball collecting portion 73A,
The intrusion prevention member main body 73F is fixed to the frame board 71 by inserting screws (not shown) into the screw holes 91 and 92 and screwing the screws into screw insertion holes 93 and 94 formed in the frame board 71, respectively. In FIG. 3, the ball passage 81 is drawn so as to be understandable as a recess formed in the frame board 71. That is, by covering a part of the ball passage 81 with the intrusion prevention member main body 73F, one end side opening 81A and the other end side opening 8 of the ball passage 81 are formed.
1B is formed.

A columnar boss 95 is provided on the invasion blocking member main body 73F, and the firing rail 72 is screwed into the boss 95 through a screw (not shown) in a screw hole 96, so that the invasion blocking member main body 73F is inserted. Fixed. Therefore, the invasion blocking member main body 73F has a function as a launch rail mounting substrate. The other end of the launch rail 72 (collection in FIG. 3) is similarly fixed to the intrusion prevention member main body 73F with screws.

In the above structure, in the present embodiment, for example, when a ball remaining on the game board 13 drops downward when the metal frame (glass frame) 12 is opened, the intrusion prevention member 73 is placed above the launch rail 73. Is disposed, it is possible to prevent the falling ball from being caught by the invasion blocking member 73 and riding on the launch rail 73. Therefore, since the falling ball does not ride on the launch rail 72, it is possible to avoid a situation where a plurality of falling balls and balls at the launch position are present on the launch rail 72 at the same time, and a launch foul can be prevented. As a result, the game can be executed smoothly, and the failure of the launching device can be avoided.

Further, the falling balls captured by the invasion blocking member 73 move on the inclined invasion blocking member 73 and reach the ball collecting portion 73A. The falling balls are also captured by the ball returning section 73B. The ball T that has arrived at the ball collecting portion 73A flows into the one end side opening 81A of the ball passage 81, passes through the ball passage 81, and is located below the firing rail 72, as shown by the arrow in FIG. The other end side opening 81B
From the lower plate discharge port 82 to the ball supply plate (lower plate) 32.

In this way, since the falling balls captured by the invasion blocking member 73 can be smoothly moved to the ball supply tray 32 through the ball passage 81, the intrusion blocking member 7
This has the effect that no balls will remain on top of 3.

The shape and position of the invasion blocking member 73 are not limited to those in the above-mentioned embodiment, and any structure can be used as long as it is capable of blocking the intrusion of a falling ball into the launch rail 73. Considering the situation of the falling ball, The most appropriate shape and position may be set.

Further, the launching device is not limited to the type of the above embodiment, and may be of any type within the scope of the object of the present invention regardless of the model of the game machine.

Further, the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to the example applied to a part-credit type pachinko machine, but can be applied to all other pachinko machines. Further, not only the upper side of the launch rail but also a part of the side of the launch rail itself may be covered. It is also applicable to a pachinko machine equipped with a so-called ball lending machine, or a pachinko machine with a built-in card reader / writer for reading a packing card.

[0045]

According to the present invention, since the intrusion blocking member is arranged above the launch rail and the intrusion blocking member prevents the falling ball from intruding into the launch rail, for example, when the metal frame is opened. Even if the balls remaining on the game board fall downward, the intrusion blocking member prevents the balls from entering the launch rail and prevents the balls from riding on the launch rail. Therefore, since the falling ball does not ride on the launch rail, it is possible to avoid a situation where a plurality of falling balls and balls at the launch position are present on the launch rail at the same time, and a launch foul can be prevented. As a result, the game can be executed smoothly, and the failure of the launching device can be avoided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the falling balls captured by the invasion blocking member are discharged from below the launch rail through the ball passage, no balls remain on the intrusion blocking member. There is an effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an embodiment of a pachinko machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of a launch rail of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a mounting structure of the launch rail of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating movement of a falling ball according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Pachinko machine 11 Front frame 13 Game board 15 Front operation panel 22 Credit number display 23 Settlement button 34 Overflow lamp 35 Firing operation handle 62 Center accessory device 63 Normal electric starting port 71 Frame board 72 Firing rail 73 Intrusion prevention member 74 Foul Sensor 81 Ball flow path 82 Lower plate discharge port 83 Foul return port

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A game machine for ejecting a ball on a launch rail by a launching device and launching the ball toward a game area, wherein an intrusion prevention member for inhibiting intrusion of a falling ball is included in a certain range including the upper side of the launch rail. A gaming machine characterized by being provided. 2. The invasion blocking member is inclined in one direction so that balls can be gathered at one place, and a ball channel is provided on the back side of the firing rail, and one end of the ball channel is The ball gathered in one place is opened at the position facing the ball, the other end is opened below the launch rail, and the balls gathered in one place by the intrusion prevention member are discharged below the launch rail through the ball passage. The gaming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that.