JPH08243213A - Game ball shooting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To restrain the instinct interesting of a PACHINKO game from lowering, by providing a drive control means for carrying out one or both of hooting delay control for operating a drive mechanism for a hitting hammer in a predetermined shooting delay time and stop delay control for stopping the operation after a predetermined stop delay time. CONSTITUTION: A motor control circuit 94 carries out shooting delay control such that a pulse motor 88 is operated so as to release a hitting hammer at a retracted position after a predetermined shooting delay time elapses from the time when a stop switch 29 is turned to a stop position from a shooting position if a touch part 28 detects gripping of a shooting handle by a player and a rotary limit switch 98 detects turning of the shooting handle by an angle greater than a predetermined value, or carries out stop delay control such that the operation of the pulse motor 88 is stopped after a predetermined stop delay time elapses from the time when the stop switch 29 is turned to the stop position from the shooting position. Further, either or both of the shooting delay control and the stop delay control is carried out.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game ball launching device mounted on a game machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, game machines using steel game balls, such as pachinko machines and arrange-ball type game machines (alepachi), are equipped with a game ball launching device for launching a game ball on a game board surface. Has been. This game ball launching device includes a ball-hitting hammer that hits a game ball by swinging displacement, a spring material for urging the ball-hitting hammer toward the hitting position, and a ball-hitting hammer swinging to a retracted position against the urging force of the spring material. There is provided a drive mechanism for driving and releasing at that position, and a drive control means for controlling the operation of the drive mechanism.
In addition, this game ball launching device is a touch sensor that detects that a player holds a launching handle provided on the front side of the gaming machine, and a rotation sensor that detects that the launching handle has been rotated by a predetermined amount or more. A motion sensor and a stop switch that is operated to switch between a firing position and a stop position are provided,
When the stop switch is in the firing position, the firing handle is grasped by the player, and the firing handle is rotated by a predetermined amount or more, the drive control means activates the drive mechanism, and when the stop switch is in the stop position, The drive control means stops the operation of the drive mechanism.

The stop switch is incorporated in, for example, a firing handle and is normally in a firing position, but when the player pushes the stop switch, the stop switch returns to the firing position when the pressing force is released. is there. The reason why such a stop switch is provided is to temporarily stop the firing of the game ball while holding the operation position (the amount of rotation) of the firing handle at a suitable position. By doing so, the firing of so-called waste balls can be avoided.

[0004]

As described above, the stop switch is provided in order to prevent the player from shooting an extra game ball, but the game ball is shot at this arbitrary timing. , The stop switch can be turned on / off according to a specific rhythm, taking advantage of its ability to perform stop
Some players turn off.

[0005] This is intended to obtain, for example, the operation of the special conductive object with a high probability, but it is also interesting for a pachinko game that there are many uncertain factors such as the behavior of a game ball out of calculation. The act of firing a game ball in accordance with a specific rhythm to obtain a favorable winning probability has impaired the fun of pachinko games.

An object of the present invention is to make it difficult to perform an action that impairs the original fun of a pachinko game, such as operating a stop switch according to a specific rhythm.

[0007]

As means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the game ball launching device according to claim 1 is a set number when a winning is established by the behavior of the game ball launched on the game board surface. A game ball launching device that is mounted on a game machine for paying out a game ball as a prize ball and hits the game ball placed at a hitting position to launch the game ball onto the game board surface. A hitting mallet for hitting, a driving mechanism for driving the hitting mallet backward in a direction away from the hitting position and releasing the hitting hammer at a predetermined retracted position, and urging the hitting mallet toward the hitting position side to release the hitting mallet A spring member for driving the hitting mallet to the hitting position side, a touch sensor for detecting that the firing handle is gripped by the player, and a time for detecting that the firing handle is rotated by a predetermined amount or more. Motion sensor, firing position and stop And a stop switch that is operated to be switched to a position, the touch sensor detects that the stop switch is at the firing position, and the firing handle is gripped by the player, and the firing handle has been rotated by a predetermined amount or more. A driving control means for activating the driving mechanism when the rotation sensor detects that the driving mechanism, and stopping the operation of the driving mechanism when the stop switch is set to a stop position, The drive control unit is configured to detect when the firing handle is gripped by a player by the touch sensor and when the rotation sensor detects that the firing handle has been rotated by a predetermined amount or more. Operate the drive mechanism to release the hitting hammer at the retracted position after a predetermined firing delay time from when the stop switch is changed from the stop position to the firing position. When the firing delay control is performed and the touch sensor detects that the firing handle is gripped by the player and the rotation sensor detects that the firing handle is rotated by a predetermined amount or more. One or both of a stop delay control for stopping the operation of the drive mechanism after a predetermined stop delay time after the stop switch is moved from the firing position to the stop position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the game ball launching device according to the first aspect, the drive control means includes: in the launch delay control, the stop switch is moved from the stop position to the firing position. Operating the drive mechanism to release the hitting hammer at the retracted position after a first firing delay time, and moving the hitting hammer at the retracted position after a second firing delay time following the first firing delay time. Control for operating the drive mechanism to release the drive mechanism is performed.

The game ball launching device according to claim 3 is the game ball launching device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive control means controls the stop delay control from the launch position to the stop position in the stop delay control. After the first stop delay time has elapsed, the driving mechanism is operated to release the hitting mallet in the retracted position, and the hitting mallet is retracted after a second stop delay time following the first stop delay time. After the drive mechanism is operated to be released at the position, control for stopping the operation of the drive mechanism is executed.

[0010]

In the game ball launching apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the drive control means detects by the touch sensor that the launching handle is being gripped by the player, and the launching handle is at least a predetermined amount. A firing that activates the drive mechanism to release the hitting hammer in the retracted position after a predetermined firing delay time after the stop switch is changed from the stop position to the firing position when the rotation sensor detects that the rotation has been performed. Delay control, and a stop switch is fired when the touch sensor detects that the firing handle is being held by the player and the rotation sensor detects that the firing handle has been rotated by a predetermined amount or more. One or both of stop delay control for stopping the operation of the drive mechanism after a predetermined stop delay time from the change from the position to the stop position.

When the firing handle is detected by the touch sensor as being gripped by the player and the rotation sensor detects that the firing handle has been rotated by a predetermined amount or more, and the stop switch is in the stop position. For example, a state in which the launch of the game ball is suspended (hereinafter referred to as a standby state)
Therefore, setting the stop switch from the stop position to the launch position in this standby state restarts the launch of the game ball.

At this time, if the firing delay control is executed,
A game ball is fired at a timing different from the timing expected by the player. Therefore, for example, even if the stop switch is turned on / off according to a specific rhythm, the game ball according to the specific rhythm is not launched, and the original interest of the pachinko game such as operating the stop switch according to the specific rhythm is achieved. The act of damaging becomes difficult.

The touch sensor detects that the firing handle is being held by the player, and the rotation sensor detects that the firing handle has been rotated by a predetermined amount or more. Is in a state in which a game ball is being fired (hereinafter referred to as a fired state). In this fired state, changing the stop switch from the fired position to the stop position means that the state shifts to the standby state. Become.

At this time, if the stop delay control is executed, the firing of the game ball is stopped at a timing different from the timing expected by the player. Therefore, for example, even if the stop switch is turned on / off in accordance with a specific rhythm, the firing of the game ball does not stop in accordance with the specific rhythm, and the pachinko game such as operating the stop switch in accordance with the specific rhythm. The act of spoiling the original fun becomes difficult.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the launching delay control, the drive control means moves the hitting hammer to the retracted position after a first firing delay time after the stop switch is moved from the stop position to the firing position. The driving mechanism is operated to release the ball, and after the second firing delay time following the first firing delay time, control is performed to operate the driving mechanism to release the hitting hammer at the retracted position.

That is, at the time of restarting the firing from the standby state, two game balls are fired at a timing different from what the player expects. Therefore, claim 1
The effect of the described configuration can be further ensured. In the game ball launching device according to claim 3, the drive control means, in the stop delay control, releases the hitting mallet in the retracted position after a first stop delay time after the stop switch is changed from the launch position to the stop position. The drive mechanism is operated, and after the second stop delay time following the first stop delay time, the drive mechanism is operated to release the hitting mallet in the retracted position, and then the control of stopping the drive mechanism is executed.

That is, after two game balls have been fired at a different timing than expected by the player, the state is switched from the fired state to the standby state. For this reason, the effect by the structure of Claim 1 or 2 can be further ensured.

[0018]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a metal frame 16 holding a glass 14 that covers the front side of the game board 12 and a metal frame 16 are provided on the front side of the gaming machine 10.
An upper plate 18 disposed below the front frame 20 is openably and closably mounted on a front frame 20, and a game area 22 is provided between the game board 12 and the glass 14.
Are formed.

A lower plate 24 and a firing handle 26 are attached to a lower portion of the front frame 20. A conductive touch portion 28 is provided on the peripheral portion of the firing handle 26, and a stop switch 29 is incorporated by projecting a head portion 29a on the peripheral portion. This stop switch 29
The firing position is when the head 29a is projected from the periphery of the firing handle 26 as shown in the figure.
Is pushed to the inside of the firing handle 26, the stop position is reached, and when the pushing force is released, it returns from the stop position to the firing position.

Further, the front frame 20 includes hinges 30, 3
It is held by the main body frame 34 via 2 and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body frame 34 about the hinges 30 and 32. As shown in FIG. 2, on the back side of the upper plate 18, a delivery mechanism 36 that sends out the game balls of the upper plate 18 to a firing rail (not shown) one by one is installed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, on the back side of the gaming machine 10, a prize ball tank 38 for storing gaming balls supplied from a ball supply path (not shown) of the gaming machine installation island is installed. The lower part of the prize ball tank 38 is provided with a prize ball outlet 40 through which game balls can flow out. Below the prize ball outlet 40, a prize ball guide gutter 42 for causing game balls to flow down while being aligned is arranged.

The prize ball guiding gutter 42 has a prize ball outlet 40
A load receiving member 44 urged upward by a spring (not shown) is provided almost immediately below the load receiving member 44. This load receiving member 4
4 indicates that when a sufficient amount of game balls are stored in the prize ball tank 38, the load is set to the lowered position. When the amount of game balls in the prize ball tank 38 falls below the set amount, the urging force of the spring is set. Is set to the ascending position. A limit switch 46 that is turned on / off in accordance with the elevation of the load receiving member 44 is attached to the lower surface of the prize ball guiding gutter 42. Is at the ascending position, the limit switch 46 is turned on, and a shortage signal is output. When the shortage signal is input to a hole management computer (not shown), the hole management computer instructs a supply mechanism (not shown) to supply game balls, and game balls are supplied from the ball supply path to the prize ball tank 38. Configuration. The shortage signal is also input to a well-known control board 48 installed on the gaming machine 10, and a ball breaking lamp (not shown) provided on the front of the gaming machine 10 is turned on by a command from the control board 48. .

Further, a well-known prize-ball payout device 50 (not shown in detail) is connected to the prize-ball guide gutter 42.
The prize ball distribution unit 5 connected below the prize ball payout device 50
Inside 2, an upper dish gutter 54 for guiding game balls to the upper dish 18 is opened, and a lower dish gutter 56 opened adjacent to the upper dish gutter 54 is provided. The lower dish gutter 56 is communicated with the lower dish 24, and is discharged from the prize ball payout device 50 when a large amount of game balls are accumulated in the upper dish 18 and the upper dish gutter 54 is closed. The game ball is guided to the lower plate 24.

A pendulum member 62 is attached to a side wall 58 of the lower dish gutter 56 via a pin 60. Pendulum member 62
A plate-like portion 64 and a weight portion 66 are provided in the shaft, and the weight portion 66 can swing about the pin 60 as an axis.
The pendulum member 62 normally displaces the plate-shaped portion 64 toward the side (inside the lower dish gutter 56) where the plate-shaped portion 64 is detached from the side wall 58 of the lower dish gutter 56 due to the weight of the weight portion 66. 64
Is pressed, the plate-shaped portion 64 is displaced in a direction to approach the side wall 58 against the force due to the weight of the weight portion 66. A limit switch 68 is provided on the outer surface of the side wall 58 of the lower gutter 56, and the pendulum member 62 is connected to the plate-shaped portion 6 as described above.
4 is displaced in a direction to approach the side wall 58, the limit switch 68 is turned on, and a full signal is sent to the control board 48.
Is output. When a full signal is input from the limit switch 68, a full lamp (not shown) provided on the front surface of the gaming machine 10 is turned on by a command from the control board 48, and at the same time, a buzzer (not shown) sounds an alarm. Is issued.

A game ball launching device (hereinafter, simply referred to as launching device) 70 for hitting a game ball and launching it into the game area 22 is attached to the lower rear side of the gaming machine 10. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the launching device 70 includes a motor case 74 held by a base plate 72, a hitting hammer 76 for hitting a game ball on a firing rail, and a swing of the hitting hammer 76. An elevating member 78 that is driven up and down to drive the delivery mechanism 36 is provided. Also,
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base plate 72 is provided with an upper stopper 80 and a lower stopper 82 for limiting the movement range of the striking hammer 76 on the forward side (striking position side). For swinging the ball toward the forward side, the arm portion 84 or the reversing portion 86 of the hitting mallet 76 moves up and down.
It is regulated at the position where it contacts 0, 82. In addition, hitting mallet 7
A striking spring 87 is attached to the tip of 6.

As shown in FIG. 5, a pulse motor 88 is housed inside the motor case 74, and an output gear 90 is attached to the output shaft of the pulse motor 88 penetrating the base plate 72. Further, a motor control circuit 94 as a drive control means of the present invention for controlling the operation of the pulse motor 88 is incorporated in the lid portion 92 of the motor case 74. Although not shown in detail, the motor control circuit 94 has a well-known microcomputer structure. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the lid 92 is provided with a connector 96 for connecting the motor control circuit 94 to the outside, and as shown in FIG. Signal lines and power supply lines are connected.

As shown in FIG. 6, the motor control circuit 94 has a level change corresponding to a touch signal from a touch section 28 provided on the firing handle 26 and a position (a firing position or a stop position) of a stop switch 29. Stop switch signal, a turning signal output from a turning limit switch 98 installed inside the firing handle 26 when the firing handle 26 is turned more than a predetermined amount, and a turning signal provided on the lower surface of the prize ball guide trough 42. The shortage signal from the limit switch 46 and the full signal from the limit switch 68 installed on the side wall 58 of the lower tray gutter 56 are input. Further, the motor control circuit 94 can control the rotation direction and the rotation amount (the number of steps) of the pulse motor 88 by adjusting the supply of the driving current to the pulse motor 88, and the torque sensor 95
Can be used to detect the torque of the pulse motor 88.

As shown in FIG. 5, the base plate 72 has a holding cylinder 10 integrally formed with the base plate 72.
0 is connected, and the bearing 1
A shaft 104 is rotatably supported at 02 and 102. The shaft 104 is integrally formed with an outer cylinder 106 and a shaft 108 fitted inside the outer cylinder 106. Outer cylinder 1
A hitting hammer 76 is externally fitted and fixed to 06, and the hitting hammer 76 is swung according to the rotation of the shaft 104.

Outside the holding cylinder 100, a coil spring 11
0 is wound and one end 1 of the coil spring 110 is wound.
Reference numeral 12 is engaged with a guide frame 114 provided along the outer periphery of the holding cylinder 100. Further, the other end portion 116 of the coil spring 110 penetrates the torque cap 120 connected to the shaft 104 by the nuts 118, 118. As shown in FIG. 7, the torque cap 120 is provided with an arc-shaped long hole 122, and the end 116 of the coil spring 110 passes through the long hole 122.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, a bending member 124 and a screw 126 are provided on the upper surface side of the torque cap 120.
Thus, the end 116 of the coil spring 110 is inserted into the holding hole 128 of the bending member 124. Further, a shaft end cam 130 that is in contact with the outer periphery of the bending member 124 is attached to the shaft 104. This shaft end cam 130 is
By rotating clockwise and counterclockwise in FIG. 7, the bending member 124 can be oscillated and displaced, and the end portion 116 of the coil spring 110 can be moved in the elongated hole 122.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
A spring force adjusting mechanism 132 is attached to the other end side of the. The spring force adjusting mechanism 132 includes a rotating part 134 connected to the shaft 104 and a case part 136 holding the rotating part 134, and pulls a claw 138 connected to the rotating part 134 in the direction of arrow A. If raised, the rotating part 134 can be rotated. The rotation of the rotating portion 134 is transmitted to the shaft end cam 130 via the shaft 104, the bending member 124 is displaced as described above, and the position of the end portion 116 of the coil spring 110 can be changed. .
When the position of the end portion 116 of the coil spring 110 is changed in this way, the relative position of the two end portions 112 and 116 of the coil spring 110 changes, so that the amount of torsional displacement of the coil spring 110 changes.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the torque cap 120 is provided with a roller arm 140 protruding in a radial direction, and a roller 142 is rotatably attached to a tip of the roller arm 140. ing. A reduction gear 144 is rotatably attached to the base plate 72, and the reduction gear 144 meshes with the output gear 90 of the pulse motor 88. Further, a coaxial drive cam 146 is fixed to the reduction gear 144, and the drive cam 146 is rotated with the rotation of the reduction gear 144.

The driving cam 146 has an arc shape having an outer arc portion 148 and an inner arc portion 150 as shown in FIG.
When the reduction gear 144 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 7 (arrow B), the outer arc 148 contacts the roller 142 to exert a force on the roller arm 140, thereby rotating the torque cap 120 clockwise (arrow C). Rotational displacement.
Due to the rotational displacement of the torque cap 120, the shaft 104 is rotated, and the hammer 76 is displaced in the retreating direction.
At this time, the coil spring 110 is twisted and displaced, and the force of the coil spring 110 for urging the hitting hammer 76 in the forward direction is increased. When the drive cam 146 further rotates counterclockwise, the roller 142 separates from the drive cam 146, so that the torque cap 120, the shaft 104 and the ball hammer 76 move clockwise in FIG. 7 due to the urging force of the coil spring 110. It is rotated. The game ball is hit by the pivotal movement of the hit ball hammer 76. By repeating the above operation, the ball hammer 76 is repeatedly swung,
You can hit the game balls one after another. The gear ratio between the reduction gear 144 and the output gear 90 is 5: 1, and one rotation of the output gear 90 (= one rotation of the pulse motor 88) is performed by the pulse motor 88.
Corresponds to 48 steps. Therefore, if the pulse motor 88 is rotated by 240 steps, the reduction gear 144 becomes 1
As a result, the hammer 76 swings one round trip.

As shown in FIG. 7, the adjustment gear 15 rotated by the firing handle 26 is provided on the base plate 72.
2. Transmission gears 154 and 156 connected to the adjustment gear 152 are rotatably attached, and the transmission gear 156 meshes with a gear portion 158 provided on the guide frame 114.
With this structure, if the firing handle 26 is rotationally displaced, the guide frame 114 can be rotationally displaced via the adjustment gear 152 and the transmission gears 154 and 156. Since the guide frame 114 holds the end 112 of the coil spring 110, the amount of twist of the coil spring 110 can be adjusted by the rotational displacement of the guide frame 114.
You can adjust the striking power.

As apparent from these descriptions, the drive mechanism of the present invention is formed by the pulse motor 88, the output gear 90, the reduction gear 144, the drive cam 146, the roller arm 140, the roller 142, the torque cap 120, the shaft 104, and the like. Have been. Next, the control performed by the motor control circuit 94 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9 and the operation of the firing device 70 will be described.

When the power of the gaming machine 10 is turned on, the motor control circuit 94 starts the origin determination routine shown in FIG. First, the motor control circuit 94 uses the pulse motor 8
8 is instructed to reverse up to 272 steps (step 1
100). When the pulse motor 88 reversely rotates in accordance with this, the drive cam 146 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 7 (the direction opposite to the arrow B).

When the inner arc portion 150 of the drive cam 146 is brought into contact with the roller 142 in accordance with this rotation, the shaft 104 and the ball hammer 76 are turned counterclockwise (in the direction opposite to the arrow C) on the torque cap 120. The force to rotate is exerted.
Therefore, the hitting mallet 76 is moved in the hitting direction, but if the hitting mallet 76 abuts the vertical stoppers 80 and 82 and is prevented from advancing, further rotational displacement cannot be performed. Therefore, the pulse motor 88 is prevented from rotating, and the torque increases. If this torque exceeds the set value (step 120)
If 0 (YES), the ball hammer 76 has reached the most advanced position (hitting position), so the motor control circuit 94 stops the pulse motor 88 (step 1300). In addition, even if it is not detected that the torque has reached the set value, the pulse motor 88 is stopped when the motor is rotated by 272 steps. This is because, regardless of the position of the drive cam 146, if the pulse motor 88 is rotated by 272 steps, the batting mallet 76 reaches the striking position.

Next, the motor control circuit 94 rotates the pulse motor 88 forward by 192 steps (step 14).
00). By the forward rotation of the pulse motor 88, the drive cam 146 causes the roller 142 that has been in contact with the inner
Then, the outer arc portion 148 is brought into contact with the roller 142, and the torque cap 120, the shaft 104, and the ball hammer 76 are rotated clockwise through the roller 142. At this time, the clockwise rotation of the hammer 76 is about 11 ° 45 ′ with respect to the hitting position described above, and the moving amount of the hitting spring 87 is about 15 mm. The position of this hammer 76 is the origin position, and 24
If the pulse motor 88 is rotated and stopped with 0 step as one unit, the hitting hammer 76 is always stopped at this origin position. The firing device 70 having determined the origin position in this way waits for the player to start operating the gaming machine 10.

Next, a case where the gaming machine 10 is operated by a player will be described with reference to a firing control routine shown in FIG. It should be noted that this launch control routine is repeatedly executed at a predetermined timing until the power of the game machine 10 is turned off after the above-mentioned origin determination routine is completed.

The motor control circuit 94 of the launch device 70 determines whether the touch signal input when the player touches the touch portion 28 of the launch handle 26 is turned on (step 2100). This routine is once ended. If the determination here is affirmative, the next step 220
0, the rotation limit switch 9 inside the firing handle 26
It is determined whether or not the rotation signal output from 8 is ON.
If a negative determination is made in step 2200, step 2100
If the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step 2300.
In step 2300, the motor control circuit 94 uses the stop switch signal of the stop switch 29 to stop the stop switch 29.
Is determined to be at the firing position. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 2100; if the determination is affirmative, the next step 2100 is performed.
Proceed to 400.

In step 2400, the motor control circuit 9
4 judges whether the shortage signal from the limit switch 46 installed on the lower surface of the prize ball guiding gutter 42 is on, and if the judgment is affirmative, at step 2500 a buzzer and a lamp are used to warn of a ball shortage, and This routine ends, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 2600. In step 2600, the motor control circuit 94 determines whether the full signal from the limit switch 68 installed on the side wall 58 of the lower tray gutter 56 is on, and if a positive determination is made, the buzzer and the lamp are turned down in step 2700. A warning that the plate 24 is full is warned, this routine is once terminated, and if the determination is negative, step 280
Go to 0.

In step 2800, the motor control circuit 9
4 executes a game ball launching process at regular intervals. Specifically, the motor control circuit 94 commands the pulse motor 88 to rotate forward for 240 steps at regular intervals. As a result, the pulse motor 88 rotates forward in units of 240 steps, and the rotation is transmitted from the roller arm 140 to the torque cap 120 via the drive cam 146, and the torque cap 120 is rotationally displaced clockwise (arrow C). . Due to the rotational displacement of the torque cap 120, the shaft 104 is rotated, and the hammer 76 is displaced in the retreating direction. At this time, the coil spring 110 is twisted and displaced,
The force of the coil spring 110 for urging the ball hammer 76 in the forward direction is strengthened. When the driving cam 146 further rotates counterclockwise and the hitting hammer 76 reaches the retreat position, the roller 14
Since 2 is disengaged from the drive cam 146, the hammer 76 is released from the backward drive, and is rotated clockwise in FIG. 7 by the urging force of the coil spring 110. The game ball is hit by the pivotal movement of the hit ball hammer 76.

The motor control circuit 94 controls the pulse motor 88
The pulse motor 88 is continuously rotated forward by instructing the rotation of 240 steps each time the rotation amount of the motor reaches 240 pulses. As a result, the hammer 76 is repeatedly rocked and fired at regular intervals.

In the next step 2900, the motor control circuit 94 determines whether or not the stop switch 29 is at the stop position based on the stop switch signal. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 3000 to execute the situation determination subroutine. If the determination in step 2900 is affirmative, the motor control circuit 94 proceeds to step 3100.

Here, the processing of the situation determination subroutine will be described with reference to FIG. First, the motor control circuit 94 determines whether the touch signal from the touch unit 28 is turned off (step 4100). Step 4100
If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 4200, in which the pulse motor 88 is rotated forward by a rotation amount in units of 240 steps and stopped, and this routine ends.

As already mentioned, the pulse motor 88 is
Since 240 steps, that is, the hitting mall 76 at the origin position is rotated again as a unit with the position where the hitting mallet 76 is the origin position as a reference, the pulse motor 88 is stopped by the processing of step 4200. At this time, the batting mallet 76 is set to the origin position. Therefore, when the launching device 70 is operated next time, the batting mallet 76 is at the origin position.

If a negative determination is made in step 4100, the motor control circuit 94 proceeds to step 4300 to determine whether the rotation signal from the rotation limit switch 98 is off. Then, the pulse motor 88 is normally rotated to a rotation amount in units of 240 steps and stopped, and the hitting hammer 76 is set as the origin position, and this routine ends. If a negative determination is made in step 4300, the motor control circuit 94 proceeds to step 440.
Go to 0.

In step 4400, the motor control circuit 9
4 judges whether the shortage signal from the limit switch 46 is ON, and if the judgment is affirmative, at step 4500, a buzzer and a lamp are used to warn of a shortage of a ball, and at step 4200
Go to. If a negative determination is made in step 4400, the flow advances to step 4600 to determine whether or not the full signal from the limit switch 68 is ON. If an affirmative determination is made, a warning is given in step 4700 that the lower plate 24 is full with a buzzer and a lamp. To step 4200. On the other hand, step 460
If the determination is 0, the process returns to the main routine.

As described above, in this situation determination subroutine, if any of the touch signal is turned off, the rotation signal is turned off, the shortage signal is turned on, or the full signal is turned on, the motor control circuit 94 causes the pulse motor 88 to perform a step-by-240 step. By rotating the hammer 76, the hammer 76 is stopped at the origin position. When the shortage signal is on and the full signal is on, an alarm is issued. On the other hand, if none of the conditions of the touch signal off, the rotation signal off, the shortage signal on, or the full signal on is satisfied (steps 4100, 4300, 4400, 460)
0 and both are NO), the motor control circuit 94 returns to the processing of the main routine.

Now, return to the description of the firing control routine shown in FIG. When returning from the situation determination routine, the motor control circuit 94 executes steps 2800 to 2900 again. If an affirmative decision is made in this step 2900 and the operation proceeds to step 3100, the motor control circuit 94
Operates the pulse motor 88 to release the hitting hammer 76 at the retreat position when the first stop delay time has elapsed since the stop switch signal detected that the stop switch 29 was at the stop position. Then, the motor control circuit 94
After the second stop delay time following the first stop delay time, the pulse motor 88 is operated to release the hitting hammer 76 at the retracted position (step 3200). Thereafter, the motor control circuit 94 rotates and stops the pulse motor 88 until the hammer 76 is set to the origin position (step 3300).

The behavior of the hammer 76 involved in the processing of steps 2900 to 3300 will be described with reference to FIG. Until step 3100, step 280
With the processing of 0, the batting mallet 76 repeatedly retreats (releases) and advances (striking) at a substantially constant interval t (about 0.61 seconds) to shoot a game ball. At this time, if the stop switch 29 is set to the stop position (YES in step 2900), the ball hitting hammer 76 is released at the retreat position when the first stop delay time t1 has elapsed, and is advanced by the urging force of the coil spring 110. The player hits the game ball (step 3100). Further, the ball-hitting hammer 76 has a second stop delay time t1 following the first stop delay time t1.
Is released at the retreat position when the stop delay time t2 has elapsed, and similarly advances and hits the ball (step 3200). After that, the batting mallet 76 is retracted from the forward position (striking position) and stopped at the origin (step 3300).
In this embodiment, the first stop delay time t1 is about 0.5
Second, the second stop delay time t2 is set to about 0.3 second, but these settings are arbitrary.

Now, the description returns to the firing control routine shown in FIG. After the hitting mallet 76 is set to the origin position as described above, the motor control circuit 94 again executes the above-mentioned situation determination subroutine (step 3400), and when returning from this subroutine, it is determined whether the stop switch 29 is in the firing position. A judgment is made (step 3500). If the determination is negative, the motor control circuit 94 returns to step 3300, and if the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 3600.

In step 3600, the motor control circuit 9
4 indicates the first firing delay time t3 after detecting that the stop switch 29 is in the stop position by the stop switch signal.
After the passage of (see FIG. 11), the pulse motor 88 is operated to release the hitting hammer 76 at the retracted position. Hitting hammer 76
Is released at the retracted position when the first firing delay time t3 has elapsed, and is advanced by the biasing force of the coil spring 110 to hit the game ball.

Subsequently, the motor control circuit 94 outputs a second firing delay time t4 (FIG. 11) following the first firing delay time t3.
Then, the pulse motor 88 is operated to release the hitting hammer 76 at the retracted position (step 3700). Hammer 7
6 is released at the retreat position when the second firing delay time t4 has elapsed, and is advanced by the urging force of the coil spring 110 to hit the game ball.

Thereafter, the motor control circuit 94 executes step 2
Returning to 800, the launch of the game ball is repeated at a constant interval t as described above. As described above, the motor control circuit 9
4, when the stop switch 29 is changed from the firing position to the stop position in the firing state in which the firing at the constant interval t is continued, the ball hammer 76 after the first stop delay time t1.
To operate the pulse motor 88 to release the
After the second stop delay time t2 subsequent to the first stop delay time t1, the pulse motor 88 is operated to release the hitting mallet 76 in the retracted position, and thereafter the operation of the pulse motor 88 is stopped.

Therefore, when shifting from the firing state to the standby state, the firing of the game balls is stopped at a timing different from the timing expected by the player. Therefore,
For example, the stop switch 29 is turned on / off according to a specific rhythm.
The off operation does not stop the launch of the game ball in accordance with the specific rhythm, and it is difficult to operate the stop switch 29 in accordance with the specific rhythm or otherwise impair the original fun of the pachinko game.

When the stop switch 29 is changed from the stop position to the firing position in the standby state and shifts to the firing state in the standby state, the motor control circuit 94 hits the ball after the first firing delay time t3 from the switching of the stop switch 29. The pulse motor 88 is operated to release the hammer 76 at the retracted position, and the pulse motor 88 is operated to release the hitting hammer 76 at the retracted position after a second firing delay time t4 following the first firing delay time t3.

Therefore, when shifting from the standby state to the firing state, the firing of the game balls is stopped at a timing different from the timing expected by the player. Therefore,
For example, the stop switch 29 is turned on / off according to a specific rhythm.
Even if the player turns off, the launch of the game ball does not start in accordance with the specific rhythm, and it is difficult to act such as operating the stop switch 29 in accordance with the specific rhythm, which detracts from the original fun of the pachinko game.

In addition, the motor control circuit 94 rotates the pulse motor 88 from the reverse direction to the normal direction when the gaming machine 10 is started, so that the batting mallet 76 is moved about 11 ° 4 from the hitting position.
5 ', the striking spring 87 is stopped at the origin position displaced by about 15 mm toward the retreat position side. Further, the hitting mallet 76 is always stopped at the origin position by rotating the pulse motor 88 in units of 240 steps based on the origin position. For this reason, it is avoided that the game ball sent onto the firing rail when the hitting hammer 76 is stopped comes into contact with the hitting hammer 76. Moreover, when the launching device 70 is restarted, the batting mallet 76 always starts to move from the origin position, so that the position of the gaming ball on the launch rail and the movement of the batting mallet 76 are matched to each other to ensure a normal launch. Done.

Furthermore, when the game balls in the prize ball tank 38 fall below a predetermined amount (when the shortage signal is on) and when the game balls of a set amount or more are accumulated in the lower plate 24 (when the full signal is on). Also, the hitting mallet 76 is stopped at the origin position. Thereby, when the game balls in the prize ball tank 38 become extremely small or empty, or when excessive game balls are accumulated in the lower plate 24, new game balls are not fired on the game board surface,
Occurrence of a prize (= payout of prize balls) is avoided even though the prize ball tank 38 is out of balls.

As is clear from the above description, the motor control circuit 94 functions as drive control means.
Although the present invention has been described above according to the embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments and can be variously implemented without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment, two game balls are shot by each of the launch delay control and the stop delay control, but the game balls shot under these controls may be one ball or three balls or more. In addition, the setting of the first firing delay time, the second firing delay time, the first stop delay time, and the second stop delay time is arbitrary, and they may be different from each other or one of them may be set to the same time. Is also possible.

[0062]

As described above, according to the game ball launching device of the first aspect, when the stop switch is set from the stop position to the launch position in the standby state and the launching of the game ball is restarted, the launch delay. The control is executed, and the game ball is shot at a timing different from the timing expected by the player.
Also, when the stop switch is set from the firing position to the stop position in the firing state and shifts to the standby state, the stop delay control is executed, and the firing of the game ball is stopped at a timing different from the timing expected by the player. . Therefore, in any case, for example, even if the stop switch is turned on / off according to a specific rhythm, it does not stop or restart the launch of the game ball in accordance with the specific rhythm, and the stop switch follows a specific rhythm. It is difficult to do something that impairs the original interest of pachinko games, such as manipulating.

According to the game ball launching device of claim 2,
At the time of restarting the firing from the standby state, two game balls are fired at timing different from what the player expects. For this reason, the effect of the configuration of claim 1 can be further ensured. According to the game ball launching device of the third aspect, the timing is different from the timing expected by the player.
After the game ball is fired, it will switch from the firing state to the standby state. For this reason, the effect by the structure of Claim 1 or 2 can be further ensured.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a front surface and a rear surface of an upper plate portion of the gaming machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the gaming machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the launching device of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the launching device of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a configuration related to a motor control circuit of the launching apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the launching device of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an origin determination routine executed by a motor control circuit of the launching device of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a firing control routine executed by the motor control circuit of the firing device of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a situation determination subroutine executed by the motor control circuit of the launching apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining displacement of a hitting hammer in the firing device of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Gaming machine, 12 ... Gaming board, 22 ... Gaming area, 24 ... Lower plate, 26 ... Firing handle, 28
... Touch part, 29 ... Stop switch, 46 ...
Limit switch, 68 ... Limit switch, 70
... launching device, 76 ... hitting hammer, 88 ... pulse motor (drive mechanism), 94 ... motor control circuit (drive control means), 95 ... torque sensor, 98 ... rotation Limit switch (rotation sensor), 104: shaft (drive mechanism), 110: coil spring (spring material),
120 ... Torque cap (drive mechanism), 140 ...
Roller arm (drive mechanism), 142: roller (drive mechanism), 144: reduction gear (drive mechanism), 146
... Driving cam (driving mechanism).

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine mounted on a gaming machine for paying out a set number of gaming balls as prize balls when a prize is established due to the behavior of the gaming balls fired on the game board surface, and placing the gaming ball at a hitting position. A game ball launching device for hitting and launching on the game board surface, wherein a hitting mallet for swinging and hitting the game ball, and a predetermined backward movement by driving the hitting mallet backward in a direction separating from the hitting position. A driving mechanism for releasing the ball at the position, a spring member for urging the ball hitting hammer toward the hitting position and driving the ball hammer released at the retracted position to the hitting position, and a launch handle are gripped by the player. A touch sensor that detects that
A rotation sensor that detects that the firing handle has been rotated by a predetermined amount or more, a stop switch that is operated to switch between a firing position and a stop position, the stop switch is at a firing position, and the firing handle is operated by a player. The drive mechanism is activated when the grip sensor is detected by the touch sensor and the rotation sensor detects that the firing handle has been rotated by a predetermined amount or more, and the stop switch is in the stop position. And a drive control means for stopping the operation of the drive mechanism when performed, the drive control means, wherein the touch sensor detects that the firing handle is gripped by the player, and The stop switch is moved from the stop position to the firing position when the rotation sensor detects that the firing handle has been rotated by a predetermined amount or more. After a predetermined firing delay time, a firing delay control for operating the drive mechanism to release the hitting hammer at the retracted position, and that a touch sensor detects that the firing handle is being gripped by a player and the When the rotation sensor detects that the firing handle has been rotated by a predetermined amount or more, the operation of the drive mechanism is stopped after a predetermined stop delay time from when the stop switch is changed from the firing position to the stop position. A game ball launching device that executes one or both of a stop delay control to be performed. 2. The driving control means according to claim 1, wherein, in the firing delay control, the hit switch is released at the retracted position after a first firing delay time after the stop switch is changed from the stop position to the firing position. A control for operating a drive mechanism and for operating the drive mechanism to release the hitting hammer at the retracted position after a second firing delay time following the first firing delay time is executed. A game ball launching device according to claim 1. 3. The stop delay control according to claim 2, wherein the stop switch is configured to release the hitting hammer at the retreat position after a first stop delay time from when the stop switch is changed from the firing position to the stop position. Control for operating the drive mechanism, stopping the operation of the drive mechanism after operating the drive mechanism to release the hitting hammer at the retracted position after a second stop delay time following the first stop delay time 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The game ball launching device described.