JPH105403A - Variable ball putting device and pinball machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a novel and new variable ball putting device without any probability of giving diadvantages to a player. SOLUTION: Pins 5f, 6f of flanges 5e, 6e of electromagnetic solenoids 5, 6 are inserted respectively into slide slots 4b, 4c of a base plate 4 from the rear surface side of the base plate 4 to project from the front surface side. The respective electromagnetic solenoids 5, 6 are secured fixedly to solenoid mounting parts 8, 9 and blade members 2, 3 are respectively inserted on the pins 5f, 6f from the front surface side of the base plate 4. These blade members 2, 3 are located right above a ball receiving port 7 to be nearly horizontally moved left and right by turning on and off the electromagnetic solenoids 5, 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a variable ball input device for a ball game machine which expands or opens a ball receiving port so that a dropped game ball can be easily received when predetermined game conditions are satisfied.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Tulip-type variable ball-in devices and variable ball-in devices usually called attackers are known as variable ball-in devices of conventional ball game machines. As shown in FIG. 6A, the tulip-type variable ball input device 50 includes a pair of left and right blade members 51 and 52, and each of the blade members 5
Shaft pins 51a and 52a provided below the first and second shafts 52 are rotatably attached to the base plate 53. The engagement pins 51b,
A projection 52b is provided, and the engagement pins 51b and 52b are engaged with an engagement plate 54 provided behind the base plate 53. As shown in FIG. 6 (b), the variable ball entry device 50 configured as described above raises the engagement plate 54 by an electric drive device such as a solenoid, so that the blade member 5
By turning the wheels 1 and 52 to the open state, it is easy to receive the dropped game balls. Also,
As shown in FIG. 7, the above-mentioned variable ball-entering device 60 called an attacker protrudes an opening plate 62 to open a ball receiving port 61 by an electric drive device such as a solenoid, so that it is easy to receive a dropped game ball. Was to do. This variable ball entry device 60 is normally used as a so-called big winning port.

[0003]

However, such a variable ball input device has not deviated from two types, that is, a tulip type and an attacker. On the other hand, there is a tendency that players always seek novel game contents and new game machines. Also,
When the pair of blade members is in the open state, the opening width of each of the above-mentioned tulip-type variable ball openings is widened at the upper side, but the opening width becomes narrower as approaching the lower side, so between the blade members. When a plurality of game balls enter at once, there is a possibility that the game balls may be clogged and disadvantageous to the player.
Furthermore, the attacker type variable ball input device described above has a configuration in which the ball receiving port is opened by projecting the release plate, so that when the release plate protrudes, between the release plate and the glass in front of the ball game machine. The inconvenience was considered that the game ball was caught and the ball could not enter the ball receiving hole. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a variable ball-entering device that is novel, new, and has no risk of causing a disadvantage to a player with a simple configuration.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a ball game machine of the present invention normally reduces or closes a ball receiving port so as to be in a disadvantageous state for a player, and requires a predetermined condition. In the variable ball-in device that expands or opens the ball socket when the condition is established, and is in an advantageous state for the player,
A ball receiving port for receiving a game ball, a blade member for setting the ball receiving port in the disadvantageous or advantageous state, and a horizontal driving unit for moving the blade member substantially horizontally. A variable ball entry device, characterized in that: here,
The wing members are arranged on the left and right of the ball receiving port, and a left-right symmetrical molded product is suitable, but it is not necessarily required to be left-right symmetrical. The ball receiving port is only required to take in the game ball on the back of the game board, and if a game ball is entered, a so-called winning opening for paying out a predetermined number of game balls is, of course, applicable. The purpose is to include a ball socket used in an arrangement ball type gaming machine that lights a predetermined symbol when the ball is balled. The horizontal drive means may be configured using an electric drive source such as a motor or an electromagnetic solenoid, or may be configured to be driven mechanically by the weight of a game ball or the like.

[0005]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the variable ball entry device of the present invention constructed as described above, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the horizontal driving means is driven to move the wing member substantially horizontally, thereby enlarging or expanding the ball receiving port. Open. This makes it easy for the dropped game ball to enter the ball receiving port, which is advantageous for the player.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A variable ball entry device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the variable ball-entering device 1 includes a pair of blade members 2 and 3, a base plate 4, and electromagnetic solenoids 5 and 6.
The blade members 2 and 3 are each formed in a substantially right triangular shape, and fixing holes 2a and 3 are provided below the back surfaces of the blade members 2 and 3, respectively.
a is engraved. A ball receiving port 7 is formed below the front surface of the base plate 4, and a ball outlet 4 a is provided on the base plate 4 and at the lowest portion in the ball receiving port 7. Further, slide holes 4b and 4c are provided on the base plate 4 and above the upper ends of the ball receiving port 7, respectively.
Solenoid mounting portions 8, 9 are formed on the left and right sides of the back surface. The electromagnetic solenoid 5 is configured such that one of the plungers 5d is inserted into the hollow portion 5b of the electromagnet 5a via the coil spring 5c to protrude and retreat. A substantially cubic flange 5e is formed at the other end of the plunger 5d, and a pin 5f protrudes from one side of the flange 5e. The configuration of the electromagnetic solenoid 6 is the same as that of the electromagnetic solenoid 5.
The description is omitted because it is the same as.

On the back surface of the base plate 4, an electromagnetic solenoid 5,
At this time, the electromagnetic solenoids 5 and 6 insert the respective pins 5f and 6f into the respective slide holes 4b and 4c of the base plate 4 with the respective flanges 5e and 6e facing each other toward the inside of the base plate 4. In this state, they are fixed to the solenoid mounting portions 8 and 9. In this state, the pins 5f, 6f
Is formed such that the tip protrudes toward the front side of the base plate 4. Fixing holes 2a and 3a of the blade members 2 and 3 are inserted into the tips of the pins 5f and 6f, respectively, and the blade members 2 and 3 are fixed to the pins 5f and 6f, respectively. At this time,
The blade members 2 and 3 are attached so that their vertical surfaces face each other. Thereby, the blade members 2, 3
Can move in the corresponding slide holes 4b and 4c. The blade members 2 and 3 are located immediately above the ball receiving port 7.

[0008] The operation of the variable pitching apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the solenoid mounting portions 8, 9 and the coil springs 5c, 6c
Has been omitted. When the electromagnetic solenoids 5 and 6 are off, the plungers 5d and 6d are protruded inward of the base plate 4 by the urging force of the coil springs 5c and 6c as shown in FIG. Pin 5
f and 6f are located on the innermost sides of the corresponding slide holes 4b and 4c. In this state, a distance (12.5 mm) through which one game ball can pass between the blade members 2 and 3
Degree). When the electromagnetic solenoid is turned on, as shown in FIG.
d, 6d are attracted by the magnetic force of the electromagnets 5a, 6a and recede,
The pins 5f, 6f of the flanges 5e, 6e move to the outermost of the corresponding slide holes 4b, 4c. At the same time, the blade members 2 and 3 fixed to the pins 5f and 6f also move outward, and the space between the blade members 2 and 3 is enlarged. As a result, the variable ball-entering device 1 is brought into a state where it is easy to receive the dropped game balls.

According to the variable ball entry device 1 of the first specific example, the pair of blade members 2 and 3 are respectively slid left and right so that the dropped game ball can be easily received. An extremely excellent effect of providing a new and novel variable ball entry device that has never existed before can be provided. Also, when the blade members 2 and 3 are in the open state, the upper and lower opening widths of the blade members 2 and 3 are substantially equal, so that there is also an excellent effect that there is no possibility that the game ball is clogged below the blade members 2 and 3. Further, since each of the electromagnetic solenoids 5 and 6 is respectively associated with the blade members 2 and 3, if only one of the blade members 2 and 3 is operated to change the ball entry rate, The effect that the interest of a game can be improved can also be obtained.

Next, a variable pitching device 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
0 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the variable ball input device 10 includes a pair of blade members 11, 1.
2, a base plate 13, and a drive unit 14 that operates the pair of blade members 11 and 12. A ball socket 15 is formed below the front surface of the base plate 13, and a ball outlet 13 a is provided on the base plate 13 and at a lowermost portion in the ball socket 15. A slide hole 1 is provided on the base plate 13 and above each of both upper ends of the ball receiving port 15.
3b and 13c are penetrated. The slide hole 13c
Is located a predetermined distance above the slide hole 13b. Further, a solenoid mounting portion 16 is formed on the right rear surface of the base plate 13.

The drive section 14 includes an upper rack 20 and a lower rack 21, a gear 22, a rack cover 23, and an electromagnetic solenoid 24. The upper rack 20 has a gear groove 20a formed below the horizontally long plate, and a pin 20b is protrudingly provided on the right side in front of the upper rack 20. An engagement groove 20c is formed below the vicinity of the right end of the upper rack 20. Are formed. The lower rack 21 has a gear groove 21a formed above a horizontally long plate.
Is protruding. The gear 22 is formed by forming a gear groove 22a around a disk, and has a shaft hole 22b formed at the center thereof. An upper rack slide groove 23a is provided above the front of the rack cover 23, and a lower rack slide groove 23 is provided below.
b is formed, and a gear housing 23c is formed between the upper rack slide groove 23a and the lower rack slide groove 23b. The upper rack slide groove 23a and the lower rack slide groove 23b communicate with the gear housing 23c, and a shaft pin 23d protrudes from the center of the gear housing 23c. The upper rack 20 has an upper rack slide groove 23a and a lower rack slide groove 23b.
The lower rack 21 is freely accommodated in the left and right slides, and the gear storage portion 23c is provided with the gear 22 and the shaft pin 2.
By inserting the shaft hole 22b into 3d, the shaft is freely pivoted. In this state, the gear groove 2 of the upper rack 20
The gear groove 21a of the lower rack 21 and the gear groove 22a of the gear 22 are meshed with each other, and are configured to interlock with each other. The length of the rack cover 23 is the upper rack 2
0 and a little shorter than the length of the lower rack 21.

The above-described rack cover 23 is provided on the base plate 13.
At this time, the pins 20 of the upper rack 20 are fixed.
b is inserted into the slide hole 13c, and the pin 21b of the lower rack 21 is inserted into the slide hole 13b.
b is fixed in such a manner that the end of b protrudes toward the front side of the base plate 13. At this time, the pins 20b and 21b are respectively positioned at the innermost sides of the corresponding slide grooves 13b and 13c, and both ends of the upper rack 20 and the lower rack 21 are projected from the rack cover 23, and are in a standby state. .

The electromagnetic solenoid 24 is configured such that one of a plunger 24c is inserted into a hollow portion (not shown) of an electromagnet 24a via a coil spring 24b so as to protrude and retract. A substantially cubic flange 24d is formed at the other end of the plunger 24c.
Is fixed to the solenoid mounting portion 16 of the base plate 13 with the flange 24d engaged with the engaging groove 20c of the upper rack 20. At this time, the plunger 24c is
It is projected by the biasing force of b.

The blade members 11, 12 are formed in a substantially right-angled triangular shape, and pin fixing grooves 11a, 1
2a are respectively engraved. These blade members 11 and 12
, With the vertical surfaces facing inward, slide grooves 13b,
Each of the pin fixing grooves 11a and 12a is inserted into and fixed to each of the pins 20b and 21b protruding from 13c.
At that time, the blade members 11 and 12 are located immediately above the ball receiving port 15, and a distance (about 12.5 mm) that allows one game ball to pass between the blade members 11 and 12 is maintained.

[0015] The variable ball-in device 10 configured as described above.
Will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG.
4 and 5, illustration of the rack cover 23 is omitted. When the electromagnetic solenoid 24 is off, the plunger 24c of the electromagnetic solenoid 24 is projected by the urging force of the coil spring 24b as shown in FIG.
The gear groove 21a is meshed with the gear groove 22a of the gear 22 at the center of each gear groove 20a, 21a. At this time, the distance between the blade members 11 and 12 fixed to each of the pins 20b and 21b of the upper rack 20 and the lower rack 21 can pass one game ball as described above (about 12.5 mm).
Is kept in a state where is maintained. In this state, the falling game balls are difficult to enter. When the electromagnetic solenoid 24 is turned on, the plunger 24c is attracted by the magnetic force of the electromagnet 24a as shown in FIG.
The upper rack 20 retracted with 4d and engaged with the flange 24d slides to the left. Then, upper rack 2
The gear 22 meshed with 0 rotates to the left, and the lower rack 21 meshed with the gear 22 slides to the right as the gear 22 rotates to the left. Thereby, the upper rack 20
The blade members 11 and 12 fixed to the pins 20b and 21b of the lower rack 21 respectively move outwardly of the base plate 13, the space between the blade members 11 and 12 is enlarged, and the falling game balls enter. It is in a state where it is easy to ball.

According to the variable ball entry device 10 of the second embodiment,
The present invention provides a novel and novel variable ball-in device which is not provided in the past because the pair of blade members 11 and 12 are configured to slide left and right, respectively, so that the dropped game ball can be easily received. This is an extremely excellent effect that can be achieved. Further, when the blade members 11 and 12 are in the open state, the upper and lower open widths of the blade members 11 and 12 are substantially equal, so that there is also an excellent effect that a game ball is not likely to be clogged below the blade members 11 and 12. Further, since the blade members 11 and 12 can be driven by one electromagnetic solenoid 24, the electric wires can be reduced and the power consumption can be reduced.

The variable ball-entering devices 1 and 10 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment are installed on a game board of a well-known ball game machine.
When a predetermined game condition is satisfied, the operation is controlled by an electronic control circuit (condition detection means, drive control means). Also,
In the first specific example and the second specific example, the variable ball-in device 1
And 10 are configured as ordinary variable ball-entering devices, but may be configured as variable so-called attackers by modification.

Incidentally, the present invention is not limited to such specific examples, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various ways without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0019]

As described above in detail, according to the variable ball input device of the present invention, the wing member is moved substantially horizontally so that the game ball can be easily received. There is an excellent effect that a novel and novel ball game machine can be provided. Further, by moving the blade member substantially horizontally, there is also an effect that a problem such as a clogging or pinching of the game ball is less likely to occur.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a variable ball entry device of a first specific example.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams showing the operation of the variable ball entry device of the first specific example, where FIG. 2A shows a state in which an electromagnetic solenoid is off, and FIG. 2B shows a state in which the electromagnetic solenoid is on. FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a variable ball input device according to a second specific example.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which an electromagnetic solenoid of the variable ball-in device of the second specific example is off, and is a rear view with a rack cover removed.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which an electromagnetic solenoid of the variable ball-in device of the second specific example is turned on, and is a rear view with a rack cover removed.

6A and 6B are schematic diagrams showing the operation of a conventional tulip-type variable ball-entering device, wherein FIG. 6A shows a standby state of a blade member, and FIG. 6B shows a front view showing an opened state of the blade member. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional variable ball entry device (attacker).

[Explanation of symbols]

1,10 ... variable ball-in device 2,3,11,
12: blade member 2a, 3a, 11a, 12a: fixing groove 4, 13: base plate 4a, 13a
..Spherical outlets 4b, 4c, 13b, 13c ... slide holes 5, 6, 24 ... electromagnetic solenoids 5a, 6a, 2
4a ... electromagnet 5b ... hollow part 5c, 6c, 24b
... Coil springs 5d, 6d, 24c ... Plungers 5e, 6e, 24d ... Flanges 5f, 6f, 20b, 21b ... Pins 7, 15 ... Ball sockets 8, 9, 16,
..Solenoid mounting part 14 drive part 20 upper rack 20a, 21a, 22a gear groove 20c
Engagement groove 21 Lower rack 22 Gear
22b: Shaft hole 23: Rack cover 23a:
Upper rack slide groove 23b ・ ・ ・ Lower rack slide groove 23c ・ ・ ・
Gear storage part 23d: shaft pin

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Normally, the ball socket is reduced or closed to make it disadvantageous for the player, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the ball socket is expanded or opened to make it advantageous for the player. In the variable ball input device, a ball receiving port for receiving a game ball, a blade member for setting the ball receiving port in the disadvantageous or advantageous state, and a horizontal driving unit for moving the blade member substantially horizontally. And a variable ball input device. 2. The variable ball-entering device according to claim 1, wherein the blade members are arranged on left and right sides of the ball receiving port. 3. The variable ball-entering device according to claim 1, wherein the blade member is disposed on at least one of the left and right sides of the ball receiving port. 4. A ball game machine comprising the variable ball-entering device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.