JPH09173540A - Device for distributing steel ball - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for distributing steel balls, a device that is capable of enhancing the speculative spirit of a player by suggesting which ball comes in the specific winner area. SOLUTION: The first to 3rd steel balls among those supplied to a divider 12 strike a position shifted from an apex 12a of the dividing part 12 to a slant 12b side because of a guiding part 16; therefore, these three balls are just bounced and stored into a first storage part 18. Meantime, the fourth ball is also initially directed to strike the same position as shifted from the apex 12a of the divider 12 to the first storage part 18 side because of the guiding part 16; however, with the storable number (3 pieces) of balls already held in the storage part 18, the fourth ball is guided to the other slant 12c side of the divider 12, made to fall so as to be held by stopper 21 and stored in a second storage part 20. Then, from the fifth ball on, balls are guided to the second storage part 20 similarly as the fourth ball but are ejected through a discharging port 22 to the outside of the second storage part 20 because it already holds the storable number (1 ball) of balls in it.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game ball sorting apparatus used for a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball machine and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a ball and ball game machine such as a pachinko machine, there has been known a so-called game machine with a so-called third type electric accessory. That is, according to such a ball game machine, when the game ball passes through the starting gate, the symbol of the symbol display device fluctuates, and when the subsequent stop symbol is a preset hit symbol, the electric accessory is kept for a predetermined time (for example, It operates in the open state only for 6 seconds). A plurality of game balls win while the electric accessory is in an open state. If one of the game balls wins a specific area called a so-called V zone, a big hit right is generated.
If a game ball wins in the third-type starting port provided on the right side of the board during the occurrence of the big hit right, the big winning port which is not normally opened is opened for 6 seconds. This 6-second opening can be repeated 16 times.

[0003] By the way, there is a case where a second game ball wins in a specific area while the electric auditorium is in an open state. The jackpot right was extinguished with the second, and this became a source of concern for players.

In view of this point, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-5992
In No. 0, as shown in FIG. 11, a gutter-shaped stopping portion 103 having a U-shaped cross section is provided at the center of the opening / closing plate 101 in an electric accessory in which the opening / closing plate 101 performs an opening / closing operation. Only one game ball parked at the opening and closing plate 101
One that was guided to a specific area when the building was closed was developed.

[0005]

However, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-59920, the player simply touches the opening / closing plate 101.
In order to stop the game ball in the stop portion 103, the gambling of the player was not so much enhanced.

Further, even if a plurality of game balls win a prize through the open / closed plate 101, the open / close plate 101 may be closed without any of the game balls staying in the stop portion 103. In this case, too, the player Could not get the jackpot right. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a game ball distribution device capable of increasing a player's motivation by informing the player of which number of game balls will be won in a specific area. The purpose is to

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a game ball distributing device used in a ball game machine, which has a ridge having left and right hem. -Shaped distribution section, a first storage section provided on one hem side of the distribution section and capable of storing n (n is a predetermined number) game balls, and the other hem side of the distribution section And a guide portion for guiding the game balls supplied to the distribution portion to the first storage portion, and when n game balls are stored in the first storage portion, (n + 1) The second game ball is guided to the other hem side of the distribution unit and reaches the specific region.

In other words, the first to n-th game balls supplied to the distribution unit are guided to the first storage unit by the guiding unit, but the (n + 1) th game ball is temporarily directed to the first storage unit by the guiding unit. However, since the first storage unit cannot store more than n pieces, it overflows and is guided to the other skirt side of the distribution unit to reach a specific area.

This game ball distribution device can adopt a mode in which game balls are supplied to the distribution unit via a tulip-type or open-close plate-type electric accessory. Further, the predetermined number n can be set to an arbitrary value depending on the size and shape of the distribution unit or the first storage unit.

According to this game ball sorting device, if the player is informed in advance that the (n + 1) th game ball wins the specific area, the player can manage the (n + 1) game balls. It will be rushed to be supplied to the department. For this reason, the effect that the player's gambling spirit is increased as compared with the case where the game ball is simply vaguely supplied with the game ball is obtained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game ball sorting apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the guiding section moves the game balls supplied to the sorting section from one vertex of the sorting section to one hem side. It is characterized in that it is guided so as to hit the shifted position and is guided to the first storage section. That is, the game ball supplied to the distribution unit hits a position shifted from the vertex of the distribution unit to one hem side (that is, the first storage unit side), and therefore is always guided to the first storage unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game ball sorting apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the second storage is provided on the other skirt side of the sorting section and upstream of the specific area. Part, a first communication port that communicates the first storage section with a normal area that is an area other than the specific area, a second communication port that communicates the second storage section with the specific area, A shutter is provided, which can open and close the first communication port and the second communication port, and shutter driving means for opening and closing the shutter.

That is, when the shutter is closed by the shutter driving means, the first to nth game balls supplied to the distribution unit are guided to the first storage unit by the guiding unit, and the (n + 1) th game ball is supplied to the distribution unit. Overflows the first storage unit and is guided to the second storage unit. Thereafter, if the shutter is opened by the shutter driving means, the n game balls guided to the first storage unit reach the normal area through the first communication port, and the game balls guided to the second storage unit It reaches the specific area through the second communication port.

In this game ball sorting apparatus, for example, the shutter opening / closing timing may be controlled by a control unit including a CPU or the like as shutter driving means. At this time,
The opening / closing timing may be, for example, after a lapse of a predetermined time, or a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 1
) May be induced.

According to the game ball sorting device, the shutter driving means can open and close the shutter. For this reason, the game balls stored in the first and second storage units can be guided to the normal region and the specific region at appropriate timing, and thereafter, the first and second storage units are again empty. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the effect that the game ball distribution device can be continuously used.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the second storage section includes a discharge port communicating with the normal area, and the second storage section includes m outlets (m is When a (predetermined number) of game balls are stored, the (m + 1) th game ball is discharged from the outlet and reaches the ordinary area.

That is, when the shutter is closed by the shutter driving means, the first to nth game balls supplied to the distribution unit are guided to the first storage unit by the guidance unit, and the (n + 1) th game ball is supplied to the distribution unit. Overflows the first storage unit and is guided to the second storage unit. Then, when the number of the game balls guided to the second storage section exceeds m (that is, the number becomes the (m + 1) th), the game balls are discharged from the outlet and reach the normal area. Thereafter, when the shutter is opened by the shutter driving unit, the n game balls guided to the first storage unit are moved to the first storage ball.
The normal area is reached through the communication port, and the m game balls guided to the second storage section reach the specific area through the second communication port.

As this game ball sorting device, for example,
A weir that can support m game balls is provided on the bottom surface of the second storage unit,
A structure in which a discharge port larger than the game ball is provided above the weir can be adopted. According to this game ball distribution device, the effect is obtained that the number of game balls to be introduced into a specific area can be arbitrarily set.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game ball sorting apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the sorting unit, the first storage unit, and the second storage unit are provided on a game board of an elastic game machine. It is provided in the attached case. That is, since the distribution unit, the first storage unit, and the second storage unit are provided in a case attached to the game board, a plurality of cases are prepared in advance, and the values of m and n are various values in each case. If the sizes of the distribution unit, the first storage unit, and the second storage unit are set so as to satisfy the above, the values of m and n can be changed simply by replacing this case. That is, other members (shutter, shutter driving means, etc.) can be used as common members.

According to the game ball sorting apparatus, the effect is obtained that the values of m and n can be easily changed without increasing the cost. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game ball sorting apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the inside of the case is transparent.

According to the game ball sorting device, the player can visually check the game balls stored in the first and second storage sections, and thus the effect of increasing the gambling of the player can be obtained. .

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment of the present invention
It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and can take various forms within the technical scope of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a partial front view of a pachinko machine, FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of a game ball sorting device, FIG. 3 is a front view thereof, FIG. 4 is a rear view thereof, and FIG. 5 is a right side view thereof.

First, regarding the entire configuration of the pachinko machine 1,
A brief description will be given based on FIG. Pachinko machine 1 game board 2
The symbol display device 3, the specific prize device 4, and the special prize device 5 are mainly provided on the front surface of the device. The symbol display device 3 is arranged substantially at the center of the game board 2 and has three symbol display units. Each symbol display unit displays a plurality of different symbols, for example, numeric symbols from 0 to 9 on a liquid crystal display. Immediately below the symbol display device 3, a start gate 6 for starting the change of the symbol display device 3 is arranged.

The specific winning device 4 is a so-called winning device, and comprises a tulip-type electric accessory 7 and a game ball sorting device 10. In the specific winning device 4, when the stop symbol after the change of each symbol display portion of the symbol display device 3 displays a preset hit symbol, the electric accessory 7 operates in the open state for a predetermined time. Game balls are supplied to the game ball sorting device 10 via the electric accessory 7 in the state.

The special prize device 5 is for a so-called big hit, and a big hit sensor (not shown) provided in a specific area 33 (see FIG. 2) of the specific prize device 4 detects a game ball.
In addition, when a game ball enters the starting port 8 provided above the special winning device 5, the operation of opening and closing the opening / closing plate 9 for a predetermined time is repeated a plurality of times.

Next, the configuration of the game ball sorting apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, the game ball sorting device 10 includes a front case 11 and a base case 31. The front case 11 includes a sorting unit 12, a supply port 14, and a guiding unit 1.
6. It has a first storage section 18 and a second storage section 20, and is made of transparent plastic.

The distribution portion 12 is formed in a substantially mountain shape having skirts 12b and 12c on both left and right sides of a vertex 12a. The supply port 14 is provided substantially opposite to the vertex 12a of the distribution unit 12, and is formed slightly larger than the game ball.
The guide portion 16 is provided so as to extend toward the hem 12b on the lower right side (the hem 12c side) of the supply port 14.

The first storage section 18 is provided on the side of the skirt 12b, is formed integrally with the distribution section 12, and can store three (ie, n = 3) game balls. The first storage section 18 is provided with a first communication port 19 communicating with the normal area 32. The second storage unit 20 is provided on the side of the skirt 12 c and is formed separately from the distribution unit 12. A weir 21 that can support only one game ball (that is, m = 1) protrudes from the bottom surface of the second storage unit 20. In addition, this weir 2
The distance between the upper end of the ball 1 and the skirt 12c of the sorting unit 12 is formed to be larger than that of the game ball. For this reason, the 2nd storage part 20 can store one game ball. The second storage section 20 is provided with a second communication port 23 communicating with the specific area 33. Front case 11
A third communication port 2 that communicates with the ordinary area 32 is located substantially below the center.
4 are provided. The first to third communication ports 19, 2
Each of 3 and 24 is formed in a size that allows a game ball to sufficiently pass through.

The base case 31 includes a normal area 32, a specific area 33, a shutter 41, and a shutter driver (shutter driver) 46. The ordinary area 32 includes a partition member 35 suspended from an upright member 34 and a substantially W-shaped bent member 3.
6 and are formed. The space between the bottom side 34a of the upright member 34 and the bottom surface 36a of the bending member 36 is formed to be large enough to allow a game ball to pass through. Specific area 3
3 is substantially the same as the partition member 35 vertically provided on the standing member 34.
It is formed so as to be surrounded by the plate member 37 having the shape of a circle. The bottom surface 37a of the plate member 37 is provided with a circular hole 38 through which a game ball can pass.

The shutter 41 has a substantially U-shape when viewed from above, and includes first and second tip portions 42 and 43. The first distal end portion 42 is a square hole 34b provided in the upright member 34.
And passes through the first storage port 18 and faces the first communication port 19. On the other hand, the second tip 43 passes through the square groove 34 c provided in the upright member 34 and faces the second communication port 23 of the second storage section 20. A rail groove 4 is provided at the center of the base 44 of the shutter 41.
5 (see FIG. 4).

The shutter driving body 46 is composed of a solenoid 47 and a plunger 48, and is fixed on the back side of the standing member 34 so that the plunger 48 faces downward. As shown in FIG.
The ring 49 is fitted into the rail groove 45 of the shutter 41, and the two are integrated. The plunger 48 has a spring 50 inserted therein. Therefore, the plunger 48 is normally biased by the spring 50 and positioned at a lower position (see a solid line in FIG. 4). At this time, the first and second tip portions 42, 4
3 prevents the game ball from passing through the first and second communication ports 19 and 23 (see FIG. 3). Also, this plunger 48
When the solenoid 47 is excited, it is positioned at an upper position (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4) against the bias of the spring 50.
At this time, the first and second tip portions 42 and 43 allow the game ball to pass through the first and second communication ports 19 and 23.

Next, the operation of the game ball sorting apparatus according to the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described, including the operation of the entire pachinko machine. 6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the game ball sorting device. In the game ball sorting apparatus 10, the solenoid 47 is normally in a demagnetized state, and the plunger 48 is biased by the spring 50 and positioned at a lower position. Therefore, the first and second tip portions 42 and 43 of the shutter 41
Are the first communication port 19 of the first storage section 18 and the second storage section 20
Of the second communication port 23 is closed. In this state, when the game ball passes through the starting gate 6, the symbol of the symbol display device 3 fluctuates, and when the subsequent stop symbol is a preset hit symbol, the tulip-type electric accessory 7 is for a predetermined time (for example, Operates in the open state only for 6 seconds. While the electric accessory 7 is in the open state, a plurality of game balls enter, and the game ball distribution device 10
Is supplied to the distribution unit 12 from the supply port 14 of the hopper.

One of the game balls supplied to the sorting unit 12
As shown in FIG. 6A, the third to third guide portions 16 are provided.
Due to the presence of, it hits a position displaced from the vertex 12a of the distribution unit 12 to the hem 12b side (the first storage unit 18 side), and falls as it is and is stored in the first storage unit 18. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, the fourth one attempts to hit the position shifted from the vertex 12a of the sorting part 12 to the first storage part 18 by the guiding part 16, but has already been in the first storage part. Since 18 has a number that can be stored (three), it cannot go to the first storage part 18 side, is guided to the other hem 12c side of the distribution part 12, falls as it is, and stores the second storage part. Weir 21 at part 20
It is supported by and stored. Then, the fifth and subsequent units are shown in FIG.
(C) As shown in FIG.
Although it is guided to 0, since the second storage unit 20 already has the number (1) that can be stored, the second storage unit 20 is discharged from the outlet 22 to the outside of the second storage unit 20, and as shown in FIG. Third communication port 2
4 to the normal area 32 (see the white arrow in FIG. 2).

After a lapse of a predetermined time from the opening of the electric accessory 7, the electric accessory 7 is closed. At the same timing, the solenoid 47 of the shutter driver 46 is excited. Then, the plunger 48 is moved to the lower position (FIG. 7).
(See (a)) to an upper position (see FIG. 7 (b)), and the first and second tip portions 42, 43 of the shutter 41 allow the game balls to pass through the first and second communication ports 19, 23. Tolerate. Then, the three game balls stored in the first storage unit 18 are guided to the normal region 32 (see the black arrow in FIG. 2), and the one game ball stored in the second storage unit is changed to the specific region. 33 (see the dotted arrow in FIG. 2). Here, the game ball guided to the specific area 33 is detected by a big hit sensor (not shown) after passing (or before passing) the circular hole 38 shown in FIG. The jackpot right is generated by the detection signal of the jackpot sensor. Then, during the occurrence of the big hit right, if the game ball wins in the third kind starting port 8 shown in FIG.
The opening and closing plate 9 of the special winning device 5 which is not normally opened is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 6 seconds). This opening operation is repeated 16 times.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. That is, when the electric accessory 7 is in the open state, the player is notified that the fourth game ball among the game balls supplied to the distribution unit 12 via the electric accessory 7 generates a big hit right. In other words, the player gets excited so that four game balls can be supplied to the distribution unit 12 through the electric accessory 7. For this reason, the effect that the player's ambition is increased as compared with the case where it is not known how many game balls generate the big hit right is obtained. In this embodiment, as in the case of a normal pachinko machine, the specific area 3
When two game balls are awarded in No. 3, the jackpot right generated once is lost, but only one game ball guided to the specific area 33 (only one game ball stored in the second storage unit 20). Therefore, there is no possibility that such a situation will occur. Therefore, the player does not have to be afraid that the jackpot right will disappear. A plurality of front cases 11 are prepared. In each front case 11, the number of game balls that can be stored in the first storage unit 18 and the number of game balls that can be stored in the second storage unit 20 have various values. If the sizes of the distribution unit 12, the first storage unit 18, and the second storage unit 20 are set in advance, the base case 31 (see FIG. 2) is shared, and storage can be performed simply by replacing the front case 11. Can be changed in various ways. That is, there is an effect that the cost can be easily changed without increasing the cost when the storage number is variously changed. Since the member attached to the front case 11 is formed of a transparent material, the player can perform the operations shown in FIGS.
Can be visually observed. For this reason, an effect is obtained that the ambition of the player can be further enhanced. Conventionally (see FIG. 11), when another game ball collides with a game ball parked at the stop section 103, the game ball parked at the stop section 103 is repelled and the stop section 103 becomes empty. However, in the above embodiment, the second storage unit 2
Since the game balls stored in 0 are not repelled by other game balls, the effect is obtained that the game balls once stored in the second storage unit 20 are always guided to the specific area. [Other Embodiments] As shown in FIG. 8, game balls supplied to the distribution unit 12 are provided by displacing the supply port 14 on one hem 12 b side from a position facing the vertex 12 a of the distribution unit 12. May be guided to the first storage unit 18. In this case, the supply port 14 serves as a guiding section.

It is to be noted that a lamp for lighting the game ball sorting device is mounted on a board, and the board may be fixed to the rear side of the front case with screws (FIG. 5).
And FIG. 9 (a)). However, in such a structure, it is necessary to remove the front case 11 each time the lamp burns out. Therefore, the structure shown in FIG. 9B may be adopted. That is, a pair of mounting members 61, 61 (here, a pair of rubber pieces formed in a substantially D shape is used on the back side of the front case 11, but for example, at least one of the A biasing member may be provided, and a structure in which a substrate with a lamp is dropped between the pair of mounting members 61 and 61 and inserted into the mounting member may be fixed. According to this, when the lamp is cut off, the board can be lifted up and replaced without removing the front case 11, and then the board can be inserted again between the pair of mounting members 61. In addition, the lamp replacement operation is greatly simplified. Such a lamp mounting structure can also be employed for decorative lamps, electric accessory lamps, windmill lamps, corner lamps, frame decorative lamps, side lamps, and the like.

In the above embodiment, as the opening / closing structure of the shutter 41, a plunger 48 and a solenoid 47 for projecting / retracting the plunger 48 (in addition to a driving unit such as an electric motor or an air cylinder) may be used. ,
Although the shutter 41 employs a structure of being integrally fixed to the plunger 48, the shutter 41 may have an opening and closing structure as shown in FIG. That is, the two shutters 421, 421 are provided so as to be rotatable around the rotation shafts 422, 422, respectively.
Each of the legs 421a, 421a may be pressed by the plunger 48 to open the shutters 421, 421. At this time, the shutter 421 constantly excites the solenoid 47 to continuously position the solid line (the first and second communication ports 19 and 23).
To the closed position).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial front view of a pachinko machine.

FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the game ball sorting device.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the game ball sorting device.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the game ball sorting device.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the game ball sorting device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the game ball sorting device.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the game ball sorting device.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of another game ball sorting device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a lamp mounting structure.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a shutter opening / closing structure.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Pachinko machine 2 ... Game board 3
... Symbol display device, 4 ... Specific winning device, 5 ... Special winning device, 6 ... Starting gate, 7 ... Electric accessory,
8 ... Type 3 starting port, 9 ... Open / close plate, 10 ... Gaming ball sorting device, 11 ... Front case, 12 ... Distribution section, 12a ... Top, 12b, c ... Hem,
14 ... supply port, 16 ... guide part, 18 ... first
Storage unit, 19: first communication port, 20: second storage unit,
22: discharge port, 23: second communication port, 2
4: 3rd communication port, 31: base case, 32
... normal area, 33 ... specific area, 41 ... shutter, 46 ... shutter driver, 47 ... solenoid, 48 ... plunger, 50 ... spring,

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masashi Imani 12 Futamachi, Nishi-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Stock Company Mori Woodworking Co., Ltd. (72) Masayuki Taniguchi 12-kata, Fukumachi, Nishi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Mori Woodworking Company

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A game ball distribution device used for a ball game machine, comprising: a distribution portion formed in a substantially mountain shape having left and right hem; n number of distribution portions provided on one hem side of the distribution portion; A first storage unit capable of storing (n is a predetermined number) game balls, a specific region communicating with the other skirt side of the distribution unit, and guiding game balls supplied to the distribution unit to the first storage unit When n game balls are stored in the first storage unit, (n +
1) A game ball sorting device, wherein a third game ball is guided to the other skirt side of the sorting unit and reaches the specific area. 2. The guiding unit regulates a game ball supplied to the distribution unit so as to hit a position shifted from a vertex of the distribution unit to one hem side, and guides the game ball to the first storage unit. The game ball sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 3. A second storage section provided on the other skirt side of the distribution section and upstream of the specific area, and a normal area which is an area other than the first storage section and the specific area. A first communication port that communicates, a second communication port that communicates the second storage section with the specific area, a shutter that can open and close the first communication port and the second communication port, and open and close the shutter 3. The game ball sorting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a shutter driving unit. 4. The second storage section has a discharge port communicating with the normal area, and when m (m is a predetermined number) game balls are stored in the second storage section, (m + 1) pieces of the game balls are provided. 4. The game ball sorting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a game ball of an eye is discharged from the outlet and reaches the normal area. 5. The distribution unit, the first storage unit, and the second storage unit are provided in a case attached to a game board of an elastic gaming machine, according to claim 3 or 4. Game ball distribution device. 6. The game ball sorting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the inside of the case is transparent.