JPH0966139A - Variable winning hole device and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an unique novel variable winning hole device and a game machine having a simple structure. SOLUTION: A variable winning hole device which enlarges or opens a winning hole when a predetermined game term is satisfied, a ball inlet port 8 for introducing therein a game bell, a pair of blade members 6, 7 arranged on opposite sides of a winning hole 8, and electromagnets for driving the pair of blade members 6, 7. When the electromagnets are not energized, spaces through which a game ball drops is defined between the pair of blades 6, 7 and the hole 8, and when the electromagnets are deenergized, one of both of the pair of blades 6, 7 are operated for receiving a game ball which is therefore led to the hole 8.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a variable ball entrance device for enlarging or opening a ball entrance so as to easily accept a game ball falling when a predetermined game condition is satisfied.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, two types of variable ball entry devices have been known as a variable ball entry device for enlarging or opening a ball entry port so that a game ball falling on a game board surface can be easily received. One is a tulip-shaped variable ball entry device, which expands a pair of left and right blades and takes in a game ball inside. The other one is usually called an attacker, and when actuated, the game ball receiving port is projected onto the game board surface to take in the game ball inside. This variable ball entrance device has been improved in drive mechanism, shape and the like, and many types have been used. The inventions described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-15664 “Variable safe ball socket for pachinko machine” and Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-52995 “Pachinko machine prize ball device” are known as examples of these conventional techniques. Has been.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned variable ball entrance device has not deviated from two types, that is, a tulip-shaped device and an attacker. On the other hand, there is a tendency that players always seek novel game contents and new game machines. Therefore,
The present applicant has made the following invention for the purpose of providing a novel and novel variable ball entrance device and game machine with a simple structure.

[0004]

As a means for solving the above problems, the variable ball entrance device according to claim 1 enlarges or opens a ball entrance when a predetermined game condition is satisfied, and a player. In the variable ball entering device that is in an advantageous state for
It does not drive the driving means, including a ball entrance for entering a game ball, a pair of blade members arranged on the left and right of the ball entrance, and a drive means for driving the pair of blade members. Sometimes, a space for a game ball to fall is formed between the pair of blade members and the ball entrance, and when the drive means is driven, both or one of the pair of blade members operates to receive the game ball. The game ball that has been received is guided to the ball entrance. The game machine according to claim 2 is characterized in that the condition detecting means for detecting that a predetermined game condition is satisfied and the condition detecting means detects that the predetermined game condition is satisfied. And a control means for driving and controlling the drive means of the variable ball entrance device. Here, the pair of blade members are arranged on the left and right sides of the ball entrance, and a left-right symmetrical molded product is preferable, but they are not necessarily left-right symmetrical. The ball entrance may be any one as long as it takes in the game ball on the back surface of the game board. Of course, if there is a game ball, a so-called prize hole that pays out a predetermined number of game balls is applicable. It is intended to include a ball entrance used in an arrangement ball game machine for lighting a predetermined symbol when the ball is sphered. The ball inlet and the pair of blade members may be an integral structure before being attached to the game board surface, or may be a pair of blade members when they are attached to the game board even if they are not an integral structure. May be arranged on the left and right of the entrance. The drive means may be any means that drives both or one of the pair of blade members, and may be configured using an electric drive means such as a motor or solenoid, or mechanically driven by the weight of the game ball. It may be configured to do so.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the variable ball entrance device according to claim 1 having the above structure, when the driving means is driven,
Both or one of the pair of left and right blade members operates to receive the game ball, and guides the received game ball to the ball entrance.
That is, it works as an entrance for the game, which is an enlarged entrance of the game ball. On the other hand, when the drive means is not driven, the game ball falls between the ball entrance and the pair of left and right blade members, and the pair of blade members act merely as obstacles for the game ball. Further, the entrance port functions as a normal entrance port in which the size of the entrance does not increase. A gaming machine according to a second aspect is a gaming machine that employs the variable ball entering device according to the first aspect, and acts to provide a new game content by giving an unprecedented movement to the motion of the gaming ball.

[0006]

Concrete Example Next, a preferable concrete example of the variable ball entrance device of the present invention will be described. The variable ball entry device 1 of this specific example shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is roughly divided into a ball entry part 3 attached to the front surface of the game board 2 and a drive part 4 located in the game board 2 and on the back surface. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the ball-in portion 3 is a mounting plate 5 that is in close contact with the game board 2, and a pair of blade members 6 and 7.
And a ball entrance 8 near the center below the mounting plate 5 and other various accessory parts. The game ball entered from the ball entrance 8 is configured to be discharged to the back surface of the mounting plate 5. The shortest distance from the upper left and right ends of the ball entrance 8 to the pair of blade members 6 and 7 is about 15 mm in this example. In addition, near the uppermost part of the mounting plate 5,
Guide projections 9 and 10 are provided on the vertical lines at both ends of the ball entrance 8 respectively. The game ball that has passed between the guide protrusions 9 and 10 can easily enter the ball entrance 8. Further, it is located between the guide protrusions 9 and 10 and the ball entrance 8 and is attached to the mounting plate 5.
Rotation shaft holes 11 and 12 are respectively provided at both ends of the shaft.

In the blade members 6 and 7, the rotary shafts 13 and 1 corresponding to the rotary shaft holes 11 and 12 formed through the mounting plate 5, respectively.
4 are fixed to each other, and the rotary shafts 13 and 14 are inserted into the rotary shaft holes 11 and 12, respectively. The rotary shaft holes 11 and 12 are formed slightly larger than the diameters of the rotary shafts 13 and 14, and the rotary shafts 13 and 14 inserted into the rotary shaft holes 11 and 12 are freely rotatable.

The drive unit 4 located on the rear surface of the game board 2 is a back plate 20 mounted on the rear surface of the mounting plate 5 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and a cam fixed to the other ends of the rotary shafts 13 and 14. 21 and 22, a case 24 for fixing the electromagnet 23, a slide plate 25 located in the case 24, which slides up and down in conjunction with the on / off operation of the electromagnet 23, a cover 26 covering the case 24, and various other types. It is composed of accessory parts.

Below the back plate 20, a ball passage 27 corresponding to the ball entrance 8 of the ball entrance 3 is provided. At both ends above the ball passage 27, the rotary shafts 13 and 14 of the ball entrance 3 are respectively provided. Corresponding to the rotary shaft holes 28 and 29 are provided through. The ball passage 27 is configured to discharge the game ball entering the ball entrance 8 of the ball entrance 3 to the back surface of the back plate 20. The turning shaft holes 28 and 29 are formed to be slightly larger in diameter than the turning shafts 13 and 14, and the turning shaft 1 inserted into the turning shaft holes 28 and 29, respectively.
3 and 14 are freely rotatable. Further, spacers 30 and 31 are provided so as to project from both ends of the back surface of the back plate 20. The back plate 20 is fixed to the back surface of the mounting plate 5 of the ball entrance portion 3, and at this time, the ball entrance 8 penetrating the back surface of the mounting plate 5 is inserted.
Is aligned with the ball passage 27 of the back plate 20, and the rotation shaft holes 11 and 12 of the mounting plate 5 and the rotation shaft holes 28 and 29 of the back plate 20 are aligned.
It is fixed by aligning with. Also, the rotation shaft hole 1 of the mounting plate 5
The rotating shafts 13 and 14 inserted into the rotating plate holes 1 and 12 are inserted into the rotating shaft holes 28 and 29 of the back plate 20, respectively. At this time, the blade members 6 and 7 are brought close to the surface of the mounting plate 5 with some margin, and the other ends of the rotating shafts 13 and 14 are projected toward the back surface of the back plate 20. Further, the rotating shafts 13 and 14
Cams 21 and 22 are fixed to each of the other ends of the. still,
The cams 21 and 22 have shaft pins 21a and 22 respectively.
a is projected.

A cylindrical cavity portion 23a is provided at the center of the bottom surface of the electromagnet 23, and a plunger 33 is inserted from the cavity portion 23a via a coil spring 32 so as to project and retract freely. A flange 33a is provided at the bottom of the plunger 33.
Are formed. Further, a fitting recess 34 is provided on the lower portion of the back surface of the slide plate 25, and bearing portions 35 and 36 are provided on both ends of the upper portion of the front surface. Slide grooves 37 and 38 for moving the slide plate 25 are provided at both ends of the case 24, and the electromagnet 23 is provided in the case 24.
Is fixed. At this time, the slide plate 25 is located inside the case 24 except for the bearing portions 35 and 36, and the covers 26 are fixed below the slide grooves 37 and 38 at both ends of the case 24. In this state, the slide plate 25
The bearings 35 and 36 are located on the slide grooves 37 and 38, respectively, and can move up and down on the slide grooves 37 and 38.

The shaft pins 21a and 22a projecting from the cams 21 and 22 attached to the other ends of the rotating shafts 13 and 14 have bearing portions 35 and 3 of the slide plate 25.
6 inserted in each. Further, the spacers 30 and 31 on the back surface of the back plate 20 are fixed to the cover 26. In the space formed between the back plate 20 and the cover 26 by the spacers 30 and 31, the game balls discharged to the back surface of the back plate 20 via the ball passage 27 of the back plate 20 can fall downward. It is kept at a distance.

The variable ball-entering device 1 having the above-described structure is provided with the electromagnet 23.
When the switch is off, the plunger 33 protrudes downward as shown in FIG.
The blade members 6 and 7 are adjusted to be substantially vertical as shown in FIG. 4 (a). At this time, the game balls that have fallen between the blade members 6 and 7 from above are the guiding projections 9 and 10 of the mounting plate 5.
If the ball does not pass through the space, it is unlikely that the ball will enter the ball entrance 8, and the ball will fall to the left and right of the ball entrance 8.

When the electromagnet 23 is turned on, the plunger 3 is attracted by the attractive force of the electromagnet 23 as shown in FIG.
3 moves up and at the same time the flange 33a of the plunger 33
The slide plate 25 fitted to the upper part also moves upward. Then
The shaft pins 21a and 22a inserted into the bearing portions 35 and 36 of the slide plate 25 rotate outward, respectively, and the rotary shafts 13 and 1 fixed to the cams 21 and 22 respectively.
Each of 4 also rotates outward. This rotation of the rotary shafts 13 and 14 causes the blade members 6 and 7 to rotate so that the lower ends of the blade members 6 and 7 are directed inward, but in this specific example, the blade members 6 and 7 are shown in FIG. As shown, the amount of movement of the slide plate 25 is limited so that the slide plate 25 has a substantially inverted C-shape. More specifically, the blade member 6 is in a state of being close to the upper left side portion of the ball entrance 8, and the blade member 7 is in a state of being close to the upper right side portion of the ball entrance. As a result, the entrance of the ball entrance 8 is enlarged by the blade members 6 and 7, and the game ball falling between the blade members 6 and 7 is guided to the ball entrance 8.

This variable ball entrance device 1 is attached to a mounting position near the center of the lower part of the game board 2 of the gaming machine 40 shown in FIG. 5, and the outer periphery of the mounting plate 5 of the variable ball entrance device 1 is attached to the mounting position. A mounting hole having a reduced size is penetrated inward by about 5 mm, and the variable ball entering device 1 is fixed by being inserted into the mounting hole and screwing the mounting plate 5 to the game board 2 with a screw or the like. It Further, the game board 2 is provided with a well-known variable display device 41 and a ball entrance 42, and the variable display device 41 is configured such that the symbols of the three LEDs 41a to 41c can be changed. In this specific example, when a game ball enters the ball entrance 42, the LEDs 41a of the variable display device 41 to
The symbols of 41c start to change, and these three LEDs 41
When the combination of the symbols a to 41c is a predetermined combination, the electromagnet 23 is turned on for a certain period of time. The game board 2 is provided with other entrances, accessories, etc., but their illustration and description are omitted.

As described in detail above, when the electromagnet 23 is turned on, the variable ball entrance device 1 of the present embodiment acts as an entrance ball with the size of the entrance of the entrance port 8 enlarged, and the electromagnet 23 is turned on. When turned off, the ball entrance 8 acts as a normal ball entrance in which the size of the entrance is not enlarged, and the pair of blade members 6 and 7 merely serve as obstacles for the game ball. That is, although it is a single device, it has a function as a variable ball entrance device in which the size of the entrance of the ball entrance 8 is enlarged.
This has an effect of having a function as a device provided with an obstacle of a game ball near the usual ball entrance 8.

In this specific example, the blade members 6 and 7 rotate in a substantially inverted C shape, but as shown in FIG. Set each,
The blade members 6 and 7 are rotated in a substantially C-shape so that the ball entrance 43
The game balls may be guided to 44 and 44. Also, the electromagnet 2
It is also possible to guide a game ball by providing a plurality of 3 and rotating only one of the blade members 6 and 7. That is, either one of the blade members 6 and 7 guides the game ball to the entrance port, or both blade members 6 and 7 guide the game ball to the entrance port. By changing each rotation variously, it is possible to change the rate of entering the game ball into the entrance. In this specific example,
The electromagnet 23 corresponds to the driving means.

[0017]

The variable ball-entering device and the gaming machine according to the first and second aspects of the present invention act as a ball-entry port in which the size of the entrance of the ball-entry port is enlarged when the drive means is driven. However, when the drive means is not driven, the ball entrance acts as a normal ball entrance in which the size of the entrance does not increase, and the pair of blade members act as mere obstacles for the game ball. That is, although it is one device with a simple configuration,
It has an extremely excellent effect that it has both the function as a variable ball entrance device for increasing the size of the entrance and the function as a device provided with an obstacle for a game ball in the vicinity of a normal entrance ball. Further, by doing so, it is possible to give a movement which is not in the past to the movement of the game ball, and it is possible to provide a novel game content that is not in the past, which is an extremely excellent effect. Furthermore, if the combination of the pair of blade members and the ball entrance is changed, it can be used as a device having a different shape or a different design, increasing the chances of providing a new variable ball entrance device and game machine to the player. It has an excellent effect of being able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a ball entering portion of a variable ball entering device of the present specific example.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a drive unit of the variable ball entrance device of the present specific example.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the operation of the variable ball entrance device of the present specific example, and FIG. 3 (a) shows a state in which the electromagnet is off,
(B) is a sectional view showing a state in which the electromagnet is turned on.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the operation of the variable ball entrance device of the present concrete example, FIG. 3 (a) shows a state in which the electromagnet is off, and FIG.
(B) is a front view showing a state in which the electromagnet is turned on.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a gaming machine to which the variable ball-entering device of this specific example is attached.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a state in which the blade members of the variable ball entrance device of the present specific example are formed in a substantially V-shape.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Variable ball entrance device 2 ... Game board 3
・ ・ ・ Ball entry part 4 ・ ・ ・ Drive part 5 ・ ・ ・ Mounting plate
6, 7 ... blade member 8, 42, 43, 44 ... ball inlet 9, 10 ...
..Guide projections 11, 12, 28, 29 ... Rotating shaft holes 13, 14
・ ・ ・ Rotating shaft 20 ・ ・ ・ Backboard 21,22
... Cams 21a, 22a ... Axle pin 23 ...
Electromagnet 23a ... cavity 24 ... case 2
5 Slide plate 26 ... Cover 27 ...
Ball passage 30, 31 ... Spacer 32 ...
Coil spring 33 ... Plunger 33a ...
・ Flange 34 ・ ・ ・ Mating recesses 35, 36
... Bearings 37, 38 ... Slide groove 40 ...
Gaming machine 41 ... Variable display device 41a, 41b, 41c ... LED

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claim: What is claimed is: 1. A variable ball entrance device for enlarging or opening a ball entrance when a predetermined game condition is satisfied to bring the game ball into an advantageous state for a player. A pair of blade members arranged on the left and right of the mouth, and a drive means for driving the pair of blade members. When the drive means is not driven, the pair of blade members and the ball entrance are A space for the game ball to drop is formed between them, and when the drive means is driven, both or one of the pair of blade members is operated to receive the game ball, and the received game ball is guided to the ball entrance. A variable ball entrance device characterized in that it is configured to. 2. A variable ball entry device according to claim 1, wherein condition detecting means for detecting that a predetermined game condition is satisfied, and that the predetermined game condition is detected by the condition detecting means. A game machine characterized by comprising a control means for driving and controlling the drive means.