JPH07100242A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a game machine which can cope easily with adding balls, etc., by constituting the machine so that the number of balls which can be handled is varied in accordance with a game, and also, a game customer can grasp clearly the number of remaining balls. CONSTITUTION:This machine is provided with game selection buttons 13a, 13b and 13c for selecting arbitrarily the number of use balls supplied to a game, a ball feeding-out device 30 which can vary the number of balls to be fed out, and plural ball sensors 25a, 25b and 25c which are provided on the way of a stand-by flow passage 31 of the ball feeding-out device 30, and detect whether balls exist on the way of the stand-by flow passage 31 or not. This machine also is provided with a ball shortage display lamp 17 for informing the outside about the ball shortage on the way of the stand-by flow passage, and a remaining ball display window 16 for displaying the number of remaining balls so as to be visible in the outside.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which balls are used as a medium and the number of balls used can be changed according to the game, and is constructed as, for example, a slot machine, an arrange ball, a pachinko machine, or the like. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional game machine of this type, there is, for example, the following slot machine. That is, the balls corresponding to the inserted amount are paid out, the balls are transferred to the bowl, and the balls taken into the machine from the ball entrance of the bowl are successively used for the game. In this case, it is general that the number of balls to be bet does not change in one pattern matching. In addition, the player had to judge how much more he could play, depending on the number of balls in the bowl.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional game machine, since the number of balls used according to the game is constant, there is no change in the game and there is no interest, so it is an attractive game machine. However, there was a problem that it was not attractive as a product.

Further, since it is difficult for the player to accurately determine how many balls can be used for the game, the player may miss the timing of replenishing the balls in the bowl to ensure a smooth game. There was also a risk that it would not be possible to proceed and the interest would be impaired.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to such a conventional problem, and it is possible to change the number of balls that can be handled according to the game, and the player can set the remaining number of balls. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that solves the above-mentioned problems by being able to clearly grasp the information, and by doing so, it is possible to easily take measures such as adding balls.

[0006]

The gist of the present invention for achieving the above object is to provide a gaming machine (10) in which balls are used as a medium and the number of balls used can be changed according to the game. A game selection button (13a, 13b, 13c) for arbitrarily selecting the number of balls to be used in the game, a standby flow path (31) in which the balls are arranged, and the standby flow path (31) are collected for each plurality of balls. Plural feeding members (35a, 35b, 35c)
The number of balls to be fed can be changed by operating the feeding members (35a, 35b, 35c) by a predetermined number according to the operation of the game selection buttons (13a, 13b, 13c). A plurality of devices (30) and ball sensors (25a, 25b, 25c) provided in the middle of the standby flow path (31) of the ball delivery device (30) for detecting the presence or absence of balls in the standby flow path (31). ), And a ball shortage indicator lamp (17) for notifying the shortage of balls in the middle of the standby flow path (31) to the outside based on the detection results of the ball sensors (25a, 25b, 25c), and the standby flow path (31). The remaining number of balls to be used in the game, including balls in the middle,
The remaining ball display window (16) that can be visually displayed on the outside,
The present invention resides in a game machine (10) characterized by having.

[0007]

The player can arbitrarily select the number of balls to be used for the game by using the game selection buttons (13a, 13b, 13c) according to the demand of the game. That is, the feed members (35a, 35a) of the ball delivery device (30) are operated by operating the game selection buttons (13a, 13b, 13c).
b, 35c) actuated by a predetermined number, balls corresponding thereto are sent out from the standby flow path (31) and provided for the game. As a result, the player can play a game that is varied and interesting.

As the game progresses, the standby channel (31)
When there is no more balls, the ball sensor (25a, 25b, 25c) in the middle of the standby flow path (31) detects a ball shortage, and the ball shortage indicator lamp (17) blinks or lights based on the detection result. Then, the shortage of balls in the middle of the standby flow path (31) is warned to the outside.

The player is warned by the warning by the ball shortage display lamp (17) and looks at the remaining ball display window (16),
It is possible to make an accurate judgment as to how many balls can be used in the game.

As a result, the player can display the remaining ball display window (1
Depending on the number of balls displayed in 6), a ball is newly added to the bowl of the gaming machine (10) or the game selection buttons (13a, 13b, 13c) are operated again, and the game per unit is played. It is possible to reduce the number of balls used for.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts in each embodiment, and the duplicated description will be omitted. 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment is a slot machine, and slot games windows 11a, 11b, 11c, game stop buttons 12a, 12b, 12c, and game selection button 13 are provided on the front surface thereof.
a, 13b, 13c, a handle 14, a lower plate 15, a remaining ball display window 16, a ball shortage display lamp 17 and the like are provided, and a hundred-shot tray 20 is provided.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the 100-dish 20
A ball entrance 21 into the main body of the gaming machine 10 is opened, and a prize ball outlet 22 is opened facing the 100-bowl dish 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the ball entrance 2 of the 100-shot plate 20
1, the ball feeding device 30 following the outflow path 23 connected to 1.
Is provided.

The ball feeding device 30 has a shelf-like standby flow passage 31 formed in an elongated shape continuously from an outflow passage 23 from the ball inlet 21 of the hundred-bowl dish 20, and can swing on the standby flow passage 31. The supported feed members 35a, 35b, 35c and the thrust rod 3
9a, 39b, 39c.

The outflow passage 23 and the standby flow passage 31 from the hundred-bowl dish 20 are inclined so as to gradually descend toward the end of the standby flow passage 31, and the end of the standby flow passage 31 is normally closed. The discharge door 32 is provided so as to be upright. The feed members 35a, 35b, 35c correspond to three balls and each have a downward groove-shaped cross section, and are arranged so as to cover the standby flow path 31.

Since the feed members 35a, 35b and 35c have the same structure, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals. The pivotally supported pieces 36 and 36 are erected on the upper end of the game. A support shaft 37 supported by the main body of the machine 10 is inserted through the pivotally supported pieces 36, 36 ... Of the feed members 35a, 35b, 35c. Back wall 3 of feeding members 35a, 35b, 35c
8, a shutter piece 38a is bent toward the start end side, and an interlocking piece 38b that pushes an adjacent feed member from the rear side is bent toward the rear end side.

A first ball sensor 24 is installed at the end of the outflow passage 23, and each feeding member 3 is provided in the middle of the standby passage 31.
Ball sensor 2 corresponding to 5a, 35b, 35c
5a, 25b, 25c are installed. The first ball sensor 24 is for detecting the presence or absence of a ball on the starting end side of the standby flow path 31, while the ball sensors 25a, 25 are provided.
b and 25c are respectively corresponding feeding members 35a and 3c.
The presence or absence of balls on the standby flow path 31 surrounded by 5b and 35c is detected.

The ball shortage indicator lamp 17 shown in FIG. 1 is based on the detection results of the ball sensors 25a, 25b and 25c.
The shortage of balls on the standby channel 31 is notified to the outside. More specifically, the first lamp 17a labeled "9" and the second lamp 17b labeled "6".
And a third lamp 17b labeled "3".

The first lamp 17a outputs a ball sensor 2 which outputs when the number of balls surrounded by the feed member 35a is less than three.
The second lamp 17b is set to light based on the signal from the ball sensor 25b which is output when the number of balls surrounded by the feed member 35b is less than three. Similarly, the third lamp 17c has a feed member 35c.
When the number of balls surrounded by is less than three, it is set to light based on the signal of the ball sensor 25C that outputs.

The game selection buttons 13a, 13b shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 13c is a switch for arbitrarily selecting the number of balls used for the game. More specifically, each game selection button 1
3a, 13b and 13c are ball feeding devices 30 respectively.
It corresponds to the thrust rods 39a, 39b, 39c. That is, when the game selection button 13a is pressed, the thrust bar 39a is subsequently operated, when the game selection button 13b is pressed, the thrust bar 39b is subsequently operated, and when the game selection button 13c is pressed, the thrust bar 39c is subsequently operated. Is set to work.

The remaining ball display window 16 shown in FIG. 1 displays the number of remaining balls to be used in the game including the balls in the standby flow path 31 of the ball feeding device 30 in a visually observable manner. . The remaining number of balls is determined by the ball sensors 25a, 25b,
In addition to 25c and the first ball sensor 24, it is calculated based on the output of a ball sensor (not shown) provided in the outflow path 23 or in the 100-bowl dish 20. The remaining ball display window 16 is configured by a 7-segment LED or the like so as to digitally display the remaining number of balls.

Next, the operation will be described. The game player can arbitrarily determine the number of balls used per unit for the game by using the game selection buttons 13a, 13b, 13c.
When the handle 14 is operated, the drum installed in the gaming machine 10 rotates, and the slot game windows 11a, 11b, 11
The display seen from c changes. While watching this display, the game stop buttons 12a, 12b, 12c are operated to match the symbols and the game proceeds.

The first holding balls are put into the hundred-hull dish 20, and the prize balls are discharged from the prize-ball outlet 22 into the hundred-hull plate 20. The overflowing balls enter the lower plate 15. Game selection buttons 13a, 13
The operation of the ball feeding device 30 when the number of balls changes depending on the selection of b and 13c is as follows.

The thrust rods 39a, 39b, 39c correspond to the game selection buttons 13a, 13b, 13c. When the first ball sensor 24 and each of the ball sensors 25a, 25b, 25c detect that there is no ball, the sticks 39a, 39b, 39c are detected.
Does not work.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the thrust rod 39a projects and pushes the back wall 38 of the feed member 35a, the feed member 35a is pushed.
Oscillates around the support shaft 37, and scrapes out the balls located therebelow from the standby flow path 31. When the feed member 35a oscillates, the shutter piece 38a of the back wall 38 moves above the standby flow path 31. Prevents the next ball from entering and entering.

When the feed member 35a further swings, the interlocking piece 38b locks the back wall 38 of the adjacent feed member 35b, and similarly, the interlocking piece 38b of the back wall 38 of the feed member 35b adjoins the adjacent feed member 35c. Locking the back wall 38 of the
All of a, 35b, and 35c swing, and a total of 9 balls are scraped out.

The feed member 3 is selected by selecting the game selection button 13b.
When the thrusting rod 39b piercing the back wall 38 of 5b operates, the feeding member 35a is left behind, so six balls are scraped out, the game selecting button 13c is selected, and the thrusting rod 39c pokes the feeding member 35c. When operated, only the feeding member 35c swings and three balls are scraped out. In either case, the shutter piece 38a of the back wall 38 is prevented from entering the standby flow path 31 and inflowing balls upstream thereof.

When the feeding members 35a, 35b, 35c are returned, the balls in the outflow passage 23 flow into the standby passage 31 and stand by. When the balls in the standby flow path 31 are exhausted as the game progresses, the ball sensor 25 in the middle of the standby flow path 31
The shortage of balls is detected by a, 25b, and 25c, and the shortage of balls indicator lamp 17 is turned on based on the detection result to warn the outside of the shortage of balls in the standby flow path 31.

The player is alerted to the warning by the ball shortage display lamp 17, and by looking at the remaining ball display window 16, it is possible to accurately judge how many more balls can be used for the game. . As a result, the player can add a new ball to the bowl of the gaming machine 10 according to the number of balls displayed in the remaining ball display window 16 or the game selection button 1 again.
By operating 3a, 13b, 13c, it is possible to deal with the situation by reducing the number of balls used for the game per unit. In addition, when the game is stopped, the discharge door 32 is tilted to collect the balls being loaded.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
The gaming machine according to the present embodiment has a ball feeding device having a different structure. That is, the difference from the first embodiment is that the feed members 35d, 35e, 35f are linearly operated, and the feed members 35d, 35e, 35f are each provided with a linear motion guide piece 33, and one side surface thereof is used as a shutter. Surface 3
3a and an interlocking piece 33b is provided. In such a second embodiment, the feeding members 35d, 35
e and 35f are directly moved, whereby the balls on the standby flow path 31 are selectively scraped out.

8 to 10 show a third embodiment of the present invention. The gaming machine according to the present embodiment has a ball feeding device having a specific configuration different from those of the two embodiments.

That is, the ball feeding device 40 in the present embodiment is connected to the end of the outflow passage 23 which continues to the ball inlet 21 of the hundred-bowl dish 20 and has a gutter-shaped standby flow path 41 which is inclined so that the end is lowered, and a shutter. Member 43 and feed members 45a, 45
b, 45c.

The standby channel 41 is a split groove 4 formed in the side wall.
It is divided into three parts corresponding to three balls by 1a, 41b and 41c, and the end forms the discharge port 42. The shutter member 43 has a shutter piece 43a that can advance and retreat to the discharge port 42 of the standby flow channel 41, a driven wall 43b extends along the split grooves 41a, 41b, 41c of the standby flow channel 41, and a spring. The shutter piece 43a is biased by 44 so as to close the discharge port 42 of the standby flow path 41.

The feeding members 45a, 45b, 45c are all substantially L-shaped and have the same structure. Similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals. It has an operating piece 46 that can enter the flow path of the standby flow path 41 from 41b and 41c.

Further, the lower edge of the operating piece 46 is engaged with the driven wall 43b of the shutter member 43 to push down the driving edge 46.
a is formed, and the other end has the push rods 39a, 39b, 39.
A driven piece 47 that is pressed against c is formed, and a spring 48
Thus, the operating piece 46 is urged in the direction of withdrawing from the flow path of the standby flow path 41.

The operation of the third embodiment is as follows. When the push rod 39a pushes the driven piece 47 of the feed member 45a, the feed member 45a rotates against the urging force of the spring 48, and the operating piece 46 enters the split groove 41a of the standby flow passage 41 to move the flow passage. And the driving edge 46a pushes down the driven wall 43b of the shutter member 43, displaces the shutter member 43 against the biasing force of the spring 44, and causes the shutter piece 43a to exit from the discharge port 42 of the standby flow channel 41. .

As a result, the balls downstream of the split groove 41a are discharged from the discharge port 42, and the split groove 41a is in the uppermost stream, so 9 balls are discharged. Similarly, the feeding members 45b, 4
When 5c is operated, 6 balls and 3 balls are discharged from the discharge port 42, respectively.

When the feeding members 45a, 45b, 45c return, the shutter member 43 also returns, the shutter piece 43a closes the discharge port 42 of the standby flow path 41, and the balls in the outflow path 23 flow into the standby flow path 41. And wait. When the game is stopped, the shutter member 43 is manually moved, and the shutter piece 43a is withdrawn from the discharge port 42 of the standby flow channel 41 to collect the balls.

11 and 12 show a modification of the third embodiment. That is, the feeding members 45a, 45b, 4
A notch 46b is formed on the lower edge of the tip of the operation piece 46 of 5c. According to this modified example, as can be seen in FIG. 12, the operating piece 46 interrupts the balls without breaking them apart to stop the flow of the balls, and thus has an advantage that the entrance resistance is reduced.

The gaming machines according to the various embodiments described above are slot machines, but in addition, for example, arrange balls,
Alternatively, it may be configured as a pachinko machine or the like.

[0040]

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the number of balls used per unit used in the game is arbitrarily selected by changing the number of balls fed by the ball feeding device according to the game by the game selection button. Therefore, it is possible to provide a game machine capable of playing games that are varied and entertaining, and the demand can be expanded.

Also, when the balls run out as the game progresses, the ball sensor detects a ball shortage and the ball shortage indicator lamp informs the ball shortage to the outside, and the player pays attention to the ball shortage indicator lamp. You can be dealt with accurately by looking at the remaining ball display window. That is, the number of balls used for the game per unit is the number of balls used for the game by the player, depending on the number of balls displayed in the remaining ball display window, by replenishing the game machine with new balls or operating the game selection button again. Can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a ball feeding device that constitutes the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a ball feeding device which constitutes the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a principal part in the vicinity of a ball feeding device which constitutes the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view on arrow V in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view of the ball feeding device which constitutes the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of a ball feeding device that constitutes a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a ball feeding device that constitutes a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a view on arrow IX in FIG. 8. FIG.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view of the ball feeding device constituting the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the feeding member of the ball feeding device constituting the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing a state in which an operating piece of a feed member according to a modification is inserted between balls.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Gaming machine 13a, 13b, 13c ... Game selection button 16 ... Remaining ball display section 17 ... Ball shortage display lamp 20 ... Hundred plates 25a-25c ... Ball sensor 30, 40 ... Ball feeding device 31, 41 ... Standby flow path 35a-35f, 45a-45c ... Feeding member

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 14, 1993

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 1]

[Fig. 2]

[Figure 3]

[Figure 4]

[Figure 5]

[Figure 6]

[Figure 7]

[Figure 9]

FIG. 11

[Figure 8]

[Figure 10]

[Fig. 12]

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a gaming machine in which balls are used as a medium and the number of balls used can be changed according to the game, a game selection button for arbitrarily selecting the number of balls used for a game, and a standby in which the balls are arranged A flow path and a plurality of feed members for grouping the standby flow path into a plurality of balls are provided, and the number of balls to be sent is changed by operating the feed member by a predetermined number according to the operation of the game selection button. A ball feeding device capable of, a plurality of is provided in the middle of the standby flow path of the ball feeding device,
A ball sensor for detecting the presence or absence of balls in the middle of the standby flow path, a ball shortage indicator lamp for notifying the outside of the shortage of balls in the middle of the standby flow path based on the detection result of the ball sensor, and a ball in the middle of the standby flow path A gaming machine characterized by having a remaining ball display window that visually displays the number of remaining balls to be used for a game including the above.