JPH10179849A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent clogging of pachinko balls without an abnormal sound by providing vibration means at such a member required to be vibrated as a tank for reserving the balls, passages, and transmitting the vibration generated thereby to the member through an elastic member. SOLUTION: A vibration implement 1 is fixed at a specified position through a fixing member 7. To fix it, at first, a fixing member 7 is fixed to a ball reserving tank 16 by screw 7c, and a fixing groove 5b on a storing box 5 is slidingly fitted to a projection 7a on the fixing member 7. The storing box (elastic member) 5 is closedly attached to the tank 16 made of synthetic resin, whereby vibration of the box 5 is transmitted to the tank 16 to thereby eliminating clogging of pachinko balls in the tank 16. Since the box 5 is of the elastic member, the vibration is transmitted to the tank 16 made of synthetic resin. Therefore, abnormal sound is hard to generate in comparison with the conventional case where a synthetic resin made base is engaged with a tank rail directly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly, to a vibrating means for eliminating clogging of a game ball or the like occurring in a gaming machine or equipment for installing the gaming machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a game machine (for example, a pachinko machine) or a game machine installation equipment, a game ball is polished, a storage tank, a prize ball dispensing device, a supply tray through a straight or bent passageway. Etc. will be distributed. Although the game balls are configured to flow smoothly in the passage or the like, dust or the like may adhere to the game balls or the ball may be clogged due to the overlap of the game balls. As an example of the solving method, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-96077 discloses that a detector and a vibrating means for a game ball are provided in a passage of the game ball, and that when the detector no longer detects the game ball, the ball is clogged. Also, there is disclosed an invention in which ball clogging is eliminated by vibrating means.

[0003]

The vibrating means is characterized in that the vibration motor itself generates vibration due to imbalanced rotation by rotating a half-cylindrical rotator, and the vibration is generated by a synthetic resin. Vibration is applied to the synthetic resin tank rail via the substrate. As a result, since the substrate and the tank rail, both made of synthetic resin, are directly engaged, abnormal noise due to vibration is generated at the contact point, which is annoying. In view of the above, the present invention provides a vibration means capable of suppressing the generation of such abnormal noise, and aims at eliminating and preventing clogging of a ball.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine in which a vibrating means is provided on a vibrating body such as a storage tank for game balls or a passage, and vibration generated by the vibrating means is required via an elastic member. This is transmitted to the vibrating body. Since the vibration by the vibrating means vibrates the vibrating body via the elastic member, the clogging of the game balls can be eliminated or prevented without generating abnormal noise.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a vibrating body is attached to a main body such as a mechanism plate through an elastic member. Even if the vibrating body vibrates, the vibration of the vibrating body is transmitted to the main body. Block transmission.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the gaming machine has a vibration handle mounted on a firing handle operable to fire a game ball, and the vibration means is mounted via an elastic member. It is possible to provide the player with unprecedented fun by vibrating the steering wheel without the need.

The gaming machine according to the fourth aspect can be configured simply because the vibration means is performed by a vibration motor.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a vibration motor (vibration means) 2, elastic members 4a, 5 and a fixing member 7, which are components of the vibration device 1, a cross section of A to A, and the entire vibration device 1. FIG. It is. Reference numeral 2 denotes a vibration means, which is constituted by attaching a motor 2a whose outer cover is made of metal (or synthetic resin) and a semi-cylindrical rotator 2c to a rotation shaft 2b of the motor 2a. 4
Reference numeral a denotes a motor cover body as an elastic member (the material will be described in detail later), which has a cylindrical shape in which the vibrating means 2 is tightly fitted, and has an opening 4b which can be inserted into the top.
Reference numeral 5 denotes a box-shaped storage box made of an elastic member (the material will be described later in detail). The box 5 is formed so that the motor cover 4a can be closely inserted into the box. A fixing groove 5b is formed on the surface.

Reference numeral 7 denotes an L-shaped fixing member for fixing the storage box 5 via a fixing groove 5b.
A projection 7a that can be fitted to the projection b is protruded, and a screw hole 7b is drilled. 8 is a lid of the storage box 5,
The vibration tool 1 is configured by mounting the vibration motor 2 on the motor cover 4a, mounting the motor cover 4a on the storage box 5, and then closing the lid 8.

Next, the operation of the vibrator 1 will be described. When the motor 2a is started, the rotating body 2c rotates. Since the rotating body 2c has a semi-cylindrical shape, the vibration motor (vibration means) 2 vibrates due to imbalanced rotational movement. Then, this vibration is transmitted to the motor cover body (elastic member) 4a that is in close contact, and vibrates the storage box (elastic member) 5 that is in close contact. Therefore, even if the vibrating portion (outer cover) of the vibration motor 2 is made of metal (or synthetic resin),
The vibration is transmitted to the motor cover 4a of the elastic member and the storage box 5 of the elastic member, so that no abnormal noise is generated at each contact portion. The vibration means 2 includes a motor 2a and a rotating body 2
Since it is composed of c, it can be easily formed.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a vibrating tool 1A having another structure, and FIG. 2B is a front view of the vibrating tool 1A.
A is composed of a motor 2a and a rotating body 2d.
d is a cylindrical body and is mounted eccentrically on the rotating shaft 2b. 9 is
A pair of motor covers as elastic members (materials will be described in detail later) are formed in a substantially L-shape so that the motor 2a can be tightly fixed, and a screw hole 9b for fixing the motor cover 9 is formed. It is. This vibrating tool 1A includes a rotating body 2d.
The vibration motor (vibration means) 2A is vibrated by the imbalanced rotation of the motor 2a, and the vibration vibrates the motor cover body 9 which is an elastic member, but the vibrating portion (outer cover) of the motor 2a is made of metal (or synthetic resin). ), The vibration is transmitted to the motor cover 9 made of an elastic member, and no abnormal noise is generated at the contact portion. The vibration means 2A includes a motor 2a and a rotating body 2d.
, And can be easily formed.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view (A) of a well-known game machine (pachinko machine) and a perspective view (B) of a mechanism plate and the like attached to the back of the pachinko machine. 10 is a machine frame, 11
Is a glass door, 12 is a game ball supply tray, 13 is a storage tray, 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes a launch handle for game balls, 15 denotes a mechanism plate, 16 denotes a storage tank for game balls, 17 denotes a prize ball payout device, and 40 denotes a prize ball storage unit.

Next, any of the vibrators 1 and 1A may be used, but any one of the vibrators may be attached to the vibrator, and measures for eliminating and preventing clogging of the game ball will be described with reference to FIG. Will be explained. FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view (cross-section BB in FIG. 4B) of a storage tank 16 for game balls made of synthetic resin, which is one of the required vibrators. The vibrator 1 is fixed at a predetermined position via a fixing member 7, and the method is as follows.
The fixing member 7 is fixed to the storage tank 16 with a screw 7c, and the fixing groove 5b formed in the storage box 5 is formed in the protrusion 7 formed in the fixing member 7.
a. Storage box (elastic member) 5
Is mounted in close contact with the storage tank 16 made of synthetic resin, so that the vibration of the storage box 5 is transmitted to the storage tank 16,
The clogging of game balls in the storage tank 16 can be eliminated. At this time, since the storage box 5 is an elastic member, the vibration is transmitted to the synthetic resin storage tank 16. Abnormal noise is less likely to occur than in the conventional case where the substrate made of synthetic resin and the tank rail are directly engaged. Further, when the synthetic resins are screwed together, if the screws are loosened, a gap is formed between the synthetic resins, and the synthetic resins collide with each other due to vibration. Because of the interposition of members, abnormal noise hardly occurs even in such a case.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the storage tank 16 for the game balls made of synthetic resin and the mechanism plate 15, and the storage tank 16 has an attachment 21a fixed to the mechanism plate (main body) 15.
Is formed. Also, the mounting plate 21a is attached to the mechanism plate 15.
, A fixed body 21b is formed. Then, the storage tank 16 is fixed with screws 23 via a plate-like elastic member (the material will be described later in detail) 22 between the attachment body 21a and the fixed body 21b. Thus, the storage tank 1
6 is fixed to the mechanism plate 15 so that the storage tank 1
Since the vibration of 6 prevents transmission to the mechanism plate 15 due to the elastic member 22, the influence that other parts, for example, a symbol display device (not shown) installed on the game board vibrates and becomes difficult to see. It is preferred.

FIG. 4C is a front view of the storage tank 16 and a cross-sectional view of the mounting body 21a taken along line CC. On the fixed body 21b side of this mounting body 21a, a thermoplastic elastomer 2
4 is formed integrally with a storage tank 16 made of synthetic resin. That is, first, the storage tank 16 is formed of a hard resin such as ABS or polycarbonate, and then the elastomer 24 is formed by injection molding at a temperature of about 230 ° C. inside the mounting body 21a. Thus, the elastomer 24 is formed on the inner surface of the mounting body 21a by simple injection molding.
Forming the storage tank 16 with the mechanism plate 15
When attached to the, it is the same as when it is fixed via an elastic member. Therefore, the vibration of the storage tank 16 prevents the transmission to the mechanism plate 15, and has the same effect as described above.

The elastic members (4a, 5, 9, 22)
In addition to natural rubber, synthetic rubber, elastic members formed by enclosing a gel-like material, foamed rubber-like material, soft plastic,
It is a polymer material that exhibits rubber elasticity at room temperature that can be vibrated, such as a soft foam. The vibrating means 2 and 2A are rotary vibration motors, and the operating rod reciprocated by an electromagnet or the like repeatedly contacts and separates from the elastic members 4a and 9 to form the elastic member 4.
a, 9 may be vibrated. Therefore, the elastic members 4a and 9 are required to be vibrated (such as the storage tank 16 for game balls).
, And the elastic members 4a, 9 may be vibrated.

Next, how to use the vibrator 1 (or vibrator 1A) in relation to a game will be described. FIG.
(A) is a front view in which a game ball flows down from the storage tank (vibration required) 16 to the prize ball payout device 17 (17a, 17b) via two passages 30a, 30b, FIG.
(B) is a side view of the passages 30a and 30b. The vibrator 1 is attached to the storage tank 16 at the position described above (see FIG. 4A), and the passages 30a, 30b
Are mounted with game ball detectors 32a and 32b of a well-known limit switch type using detection terminals or a proximity switch type in which a magnetic field changes depending on the presence or absence of a game ball.

Therefore, when the detectors 32a and 32b do not detect a game ball, since the game ball is clogged in the storage tank 16, the vibrator 1 is activated to vibrate the storage tank 16 and the game ball is clogged. Break the bridge) and let the game ball flow down. In place of the installation of the detectors 32a and 32b, the clogging may be eliminated by activating the vibrator 1 for a predetermined time at appropriate time intervals via a timer. Alternatively, after the prize ball payout devices 17a and 17b are activated and stopped, they may be vibrated for a predetermined time to eliminate the clogging.

The prize ball payout devices 17a and 17b
Is formed so that one and two game balls can be paid out, so a specific operation example of the vibrator 1 will be described. For example, when paying out five game balls, one prize ball is delivered by the prize ball payout device 17a to the prize ball payout device 17b.
Perform the operation of paying out four game balls and pay out in the shortest time. At this time, assuming that both the passages 30a and 30b are clogged, one passage is formed in the passage 30a and four spaces are formed in the passage 30b. The tool 1 is operated for 0.1 second to vibrate the storage tank 16. Also, when paying out 15 game balls, five passing paths 30 are provided in the passing path 30a.
b has ten spaces, and since these spaces are long, the vibrator 1 is operated for 1.0 second to vibrate the storage tank 16. As described above, it is significant to improve the efficiency of the vibration time by changing the time for giving the vibration in accordance with the number of pieces to be paid out.

In addition, since there are many game balls to be paid out during the big hit, a method of repeatedly stopping and starting the vibrator 1 may be considered in order to make the flow of the game balls smooth. still,
Detectors 33a and 33b for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball are provided in the middle of the passages 30a and 30b, and are used as payout prohibition signals of the prize ball payout devices 17a and 17b. Therefore, the operation signals of the vibrator 1 attached to the storage tank 16 may be obtained by the signals of the detectors 33a and 33b. When the passages 30a and 30b are attached to the mechanism plate 15 via an elastic member as shown in FIG. 4B, the same effect as that of the storage tank 16 can be obtained.

FIG. 6A is a front view showing the winning ball storage section 40, and FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along line D-D. Game balls entering a winning port (not shown) arranged on the front side of the game board are collected via a common path 40a, guided through a passage 41 to a game ball discharge device 42, and then received by one ball. Each time, it is discharged and detected by the detector 43. In the winning ball storage section 40, many game balls gather at the time of a big hit, and the passing path 4
The ball is sent to each ball while being aligned. Therefore, an aligning tool (not shown) is generally attached to the aligned portion (oscillator required) of the passage 41, but may not function sufficiently.

Therefore, the vibrating device 1A is attached to an aligned portion (vibration required) of the passage 41 which is easily clogged, and when the vibrating device 1 detects a game ball by the detector 43, or the discharging device 4
2 is activated when the activation is stopped, or is activated at predetermined intervals to prevent clogging. In addition, during the jackpot,
Since there are many game balls stored in the winning ball storage unit 40, the operation may be an operation of repeatedly starting and stopping every predetermined time.

FIG. 7A is a plan view of the supply tray 12, and FIG.
Is a rear cross-sectional view, and (C) is an EE cross-sectional view. Supply tray 1
2 is attached to the front plate 19, and a passageway 52 is formed in the front plate 19 on the upstream side of the ball feeding member 51, and a game ball is played through the ball feeding member 51 to play a game ball (shown in FIG. (Omitted) every ball. When the game balls stored in the supply tray 12 form a bridge and clog the balls, the game balls cannot move to the passage 52. Therefore,
In order to solve such inconvenience, the vibrator 1A is attached to the back surface side (vibration required) of the supply tray 12. The vibrating device 1A is operated by the firing device 14 via the firing handle 14, every ball, when the ball sending member 51 is operated, at predetermined time intervals, or the like, and smoothly sends game balls to the firing device. The operation may be performed as follows. When the passage 52 is attached to the front plate 19 via an elastic member, the storage tank 16 (FIG.
The same effect as (A) is obtained.

Next, FIG. 8A shows a facility (commonly known as a pachinko machine) in which a plurality of gaming machines (for example, pachinko machines) 49 are arranged.
It is a diagram showing the entirety of an island, and when roughly described, a game ball discharged from each of the gaming machines 49 and the like is opened and closed by an opening / closing mechanism 5 in the center of the island.
A polishing device 50 that receives the ball through the 4a and 54b and grinds the game ball while raising it is disposed. The game ball discharged from the upper portion of the polishing device 50 is stored in the upper storage tank 51. Then, the game ball is distributed to a counter (not shown) installed in each game machine 49 through a supply gutter 52 provided with a rectifier 69 rotatable up and down and rotatable through a receiving tool 53.

The game balls discharged from each of the gaming machines 49 are temporarily stored in a rear storage tank 57 having an inclined bottom plate and a front storage tank 58 via an out tank 55 and an out gutter 56, and then the opening and closing mechanism is opened. Polishing device 5 via 54a
Flows into zero. A prize ball counter 60 is provided at the end of the island. A large amount of game balls discharged from the prize ball counter 60 are stored in a prize ball storage tank 61 and then stored in a rear storage tank via a lifter 62. 57, front storage tank 5
After being temporarily stored in the polishing apparatus 8, it flows into the polishing apparatus 50 via the opening / closing mechanism 54 b. The game balls overflowing from the upper storage tank 51 flow into the middle storage tank 59,
A partition plate is provided in the storage tank 59. Overflow game balls are provided in the front storage tank 58, and other game balls are provided in the rear storage tank 5 through the middle gutters 59a and 59b.
Flow into 7.

As described above, the game ball moves through various facilities, but the game ball is easily clogged.
As an example, the vibrator 1 is attached.
Since this is the same as (A), a detailed description is omitted. FIG. 8 (B)
Is a diagram in which the vibrating tool 1 is attached to the bottom of the synthetic resin receiving tool 53, and a game ball is received by the receiving tool 53 from the supply gutter 52 and installed in each gaming machine via the drop path 70. It is led to the storage tank 16. Then, the vibrator 1 is activated at predetermined time intervals or by a game ball empty signal from a game ball detector (not shown) installed in the storage tank 16. Since the vibrating tool 1 is transmitted to the synthetic resin receiving tool 53 via the elastic member 5 and vibrates, a smooth flow of the game ball can be achieved.
It should be noted that the vibration is applied through the elastic member 5 to the synthetic resin receiving tool 53.
When the receiving tool 53 is attached to the main body via an elastic member as shown in FIG. 3 (B), the vibration of the receiving tool 53 becomes It is preferable without being transmitted to other devices.

As described above, in addition to the receiving device 53, the vibrating device 1 (or 1A) is provided at a place where the game balls are clogged (vibration required), such as the discharge port of the upper storage tank 51, the passage of the game balls, or the like. In addition to preventing the clogging of the game ball and eliminating the clogging of the game ball by appropriately operating the game tank according to the content of the game, the storage tank 1
When the attachment to the main body such as the mechanism plate 15 is attached via an elastic member as in the case of 6 or the like, the transmission of vibration is prevented, so that other devices are not obstructed, so that more effective vibration can be obtained. it can.

FIG. 9 shows components of the firing handle 14 having a well-known configuration.
A description will be given of the attachment. The operation rod 61 is inserted into a base fixing member 62 fixed to the front frame 20 and is fixed to the hit ball speed adjusting member 63. In addition, a ball speed adjusting body 63 and an auxiliary wheel body 66 are sandwiched between a cover body 64 to which the substrate 65 is fixed,
The adjusting body 63 is rotatably mounted via a long screw 67. A space 62a is formed on the rear side of the base fixing body 62, and the vibrator 1B is mounted in the space 62a. This vibrating tool 1B includes a vibration unit (motor 2) shown in FIG.
a) and a rotating body 2c) 2 are wrapped in a motor cover body (elastic member) 9a, and inserted into the space 62a in close contact with the space 62a. The material of the elastic member 9a is natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or the like, similarly to the elastic member 9.

When the vibrator 1B is operated to generate vibration, the vibration is generated by the elastic member 9a, the base fixing body 62,
The power is transmitted to the cover body 64 (and the hitting speed adjusting body 63). The vibration of the elastic member 9a is caused by the base member 6 made of synthetic resin.
2 and the transmission of the noise is reduced by the contact between the elastic member and the synthetic resin. Then, this vibration tool 1B
Is activated according to the game state, for example, at the time of the reach (before the big hit), the player feels the vibration with his hand, and can play the game with a different feeling than before.

[0030]

According to the gaming machine of the first aspect of the present invention, the vibration generated by the vibrating means is transmitted to the vibrating body via the elastic member, so that the clogging of the game ball can be eliminated without generating abnormal noise. Make it possible. In the gaming machine according to the second aspect, since the vibrating body is attached to a main body such as a mechanism plate via an elastic member,
It is preferable that the vibration of the vibrating body prevents transmission to other devices, and other devices and the like are not affected by the vibration. In the gaming machine according to the third aspect, by vibrating the firing handle, it is possible to give the player an unprecedented interest. According to the fourth aspect, since the vibration means is performed by a vibration motor, it can be simply configured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing components and the like of a vibration tool.

FIG. 2 is a view showing another vibrator.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front of the gaming machine, a mechanism plate, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a vibrating body (storage tank) and a diagram with a vibrator attached thereto.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a vibrating tool, a vibrating body (reservoir tank), and a prize ball payout device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a front view and a section D-D of a winning ball storage section.

7A is a plan view of a supply tray, FIG. 7B is a rear cross-sectional view, and FIG.

8A is a partial sectional view of an island, and FIG. 8B is a partially enlarged view.

FIG. 9 shows the components of the firing handle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1A, 1B Vibration tool 2, 2A Vibration motor (vibration means) 2a Motor 2c, 2d Rotating body 4a Motor cover body (elastic member) 5 Storage box (elastic member) 9, 9a Motor cover body (elastic member) 14 Launch Handle 15 Mechanism plate (main body) 16 Storage tank (vibration required) 22 Elastic member 41 Passageway (vibration required)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kazuo Morioka 3-12-12 Nagatoi-cho, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya-shi Yutaka Maru Sangyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoji Morimoto 3-12-12 Nagatoi-cho, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya Sangyo Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A game machine in which a vibrating means is provided on a vibrating body such as a storage tank or a passage of a game ball, wherein the vibrating means is provided on the vibrating body via an elastic member. Gaming machine to do. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the vibrating body is attached to a main body such as a mechanism plate via an elastic member. 3. A game machine in which a vibrating means is mounted on a firing handle operable to fire a game ball, wherein the vibrating means is mounted on the firing handle via an elastic member. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the vibration means is a vibration motor.