JPS63318975A - Variable winning ball apparatus of pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention relates to a variable winning ball device for a pinball game machine, and in particular,
This invention relates to a variable winning ball device for a pinball game machine, which widens the winning space to widen the range in which balls are transferred and is equipped with an opening/closing plate that opens and closes in the forward direction.

[Prior Art] Generally, a variable winning ball device in a pinball game machine has a pair of movable pieces pivotably attached to the left and right front surfaces of a mounting board. This movable piece is driven by, for example, a solenoid, and when it is open, it is in a first state where it is easy to receive balls that are advantageous to the player, making it easier for game balls to enter the winning space. On the other hand, when the drive by the solenoid is stopped and the movable piece stands upright in a substantially vertical direction and is closed, a second state occurs in which it does not accept balls that are disadvantageous to the player, or it is difficult to accept balls that are disadvantageous to the player, and the game ball will not be able to enter the winning space.

In such a variable winning ball device, it is conceivable to increase the winning space and expand the rolling range of the hit ball to attract the player's interest. That is, an opening is formed in the substrate of the variable prize winning ball device, a recessed base is provided behind the opening, and both left and right side surfaces of the recessed base are formed so as to protrude outward from the rotating wheel of the movable piece. When the movable piece is opened, the ball enters the opening, and the partition plate provided in the opening causes the ball to roll onto the right and left protruding parts of the concave base.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, as a modification of the variable winning ball device described above, openings are formed on the left and right front surfaces of the concave base, and when the movable piece is opened,
It is conceivable that the ball is configured so that it enters the left or right opening and rolls into the central concave base. However, in order to close the left and right openings with the movable piece, it is only necessary to provide a closing member on each of the left and right movable pieces, but when the movable piece opens, its tip protrudes from the variable winning ball device to the left and right. It ends up. However, it is necessary to install nails, windmills, etc. around the variable winning ball device in order to change the falling direction of the balls, so when the movable piece is opened, the tip of the variable winning ball device It is undesirable for it to protrude from the left and right sides.

Therefore, the main purpose of this invention is to enlarge the winning space and allow players to hit the ball from the left and right openings, thereby expanding the transfer range of the ball and thereby sufficiently attracting players' interest. To provide a variable prize winning ball device for a pinball game machine that allows the following.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention is a variable winning ball device for a pinball game machine, in which a first opening is formed approximately in the center of a mounting board, and
A second opening is formed on the left and right sides of the first opening, and a second opening is formed on the left and right sides of the first opening.
A first concave base is formed behind the opening, and a second concave base is formed behind the second opening. Furthermore, when the opening/closing plate is fitted into the second opening and the upper side of the opening/closing plate is pivoted forward,
At least the second concave base is in the first state where it is easy to receive a hit ball, and the opening/closing plate and the mounting board are in substantially the same plane.
The first recessed base and the second recessed base are configured to close the opening of the recessed base and to be freely changeable between at least a second state in which a hit ball is not received in the second recessed base or a hitted ball is difficult to be received in the second recessed base. are connected to each other so that the ball that has passed through the second concave base can flow into the first concave base.

[Function] The variable winning ball device for a pinball game machine according to the present invention is provided with an opening/closing plate in the second opening, and the winning ball flows from the second concave base to the first concave base. , the rolling range of the hit ball is expanded, and the player's interest can be sufficiently captured.

[Embodiment of the Invention] An embodiment of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a pinball game machine to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. A pachinko game machine 100, which is an example of a pinball game machine, includes a game board 12 that is detachably attached to a front frame 102. A roughly circular guide rail 124 is arranged on the surface of the game board 12 to define a game area. A variable winning ball device 10 is arranged in the center of the gaming area (the center of the game board 12), a winning hole 128 and a windmill 126 are arranged on both left and right sides, and furthermore, a winning hole 128 and a windmill 126 are arranged on the left and right sides of the ball device 10. Ball winning device 130 called Tulip
will be placed. Furthermore, the lower part of the variable winning ball device 10 is provided with starting winning ports 1B2a, 132b, and 134 that can start the variable winning ball device 10. Furthermore, both the left and right sides of the center of the gaming area and the front frame 102
A jackpot indicator 141.1:38 is provided on the upper side of each. Furthermore, an out port 136 for receiving out balls is provided at the bottom of the starting winning port 134.

In addition, in FIG. 10, the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a metal frame 104 attached to the front frame 102, a glass frame 106 attached to the metal frame 104 so as to be openable and closable, and a front frame 106 attached to the metal frame 104 so as to be openable and closable. Face plate 108 and front plate 108
A batted ball supply tray 110 provided in the batted ball supply tray 110, a prize ball dispensing port 112 for dispensing prize balls to the batted ball supply tray 110, and a speaker 11 for outputting sound effects built into the batted ball supply tray 110.
4, a front decorative plate 116, an operating handle 118 for firing pachinko balls, a surplus ball discharge port 122 for discharging balls that do not fit into the batted ball supply tray 110, and a receiving port for receiving the discharged surplus balls. The pachinko game machine is equipped with a surplus ball tray 120 and the like, but each of these members is already known in pachinko gaming machines.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the back structure of the pachinko game machine.

In FIG. 11, starting prize openings 132a and 1B2b for starting the variable winning ball device shown in FIG. 10.

The winning ball in 134 is detected by the starting winning ball detector 164 or starting winning ball detectors 162a, 162b, and based on the detection output, the solenoid 60a, 60b shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, which will be described later, is activated. Due to the operation, the opening/closing plate 24
a and 24b are configured to open and close. In other words,
When the detection output is derived by the starting winning ball detectors 162a and 162b, the opening/closing plates 24a and 24b are 1
When the opening and closing plates 24a and 24b are opened and closed twice and a detection output from the starting winning ball detector 164 is derived, the opening and closing plates 24a and 24b are controlled to open and close twice.

Next, if the hit ball enters the variable prize winning ball device 10 while the opening/closing plates 24 a, 24 b are opened and closed once or twice, the following figures 1, 2, 8 and 8 will be explained below. If you win in either the normal winning holes 44 a, 44 b shown in FIG. 9 or the V pocket 42 which is an example of the specific winning hole, and if you win in the pocket 42, it will be detected by the specific winning ball detector 158. . - All the balls that have won in the pocket 42 or the normal winning slots 44a and 44b are detected by the winning ball number detector 160.

In FIG. 11, on the back of the pachinko game machine 100,
Furthermore, there is a prize ball storage tank 140 for storing prize balls to be added to the pachinko game machine 100, and a ball gutter 142 that guides balls from the prize ball storage tank 140, which operate every time a prize is won. A prize ball dispensing device 144 for supplying only the number of batted balls to be paid out, a prize ball collection gutter 146 for collecting winning batted balls, and a prize ball dispensing device 144 that operates based on the winning batted balls. a winning ball processor 148 for driving the winning ball processor 148, and a batting rod 152 for firing batted balls in response to the operation of the operating handle 118 (see FIG. 10).
A motor 150 for driving a ball hitting rod 152 is provided, and these motors are already known in pachinko gaming machines. Further, the back side of the variable winning ball device 10 is covered with a winning ball collection cover 154, and a relay board 156 is provided here.

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the opening/closing plate is closed, FIG. 2 is a front view showing the opening/closing plate in an open state, and FIG. The figures are also a left side sectional view, showing a state corresponding to FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a left side sectional view, showing a state corresponding to FIG. 2.

Next, the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The variable prize winning ball device 10 includes a mounting board 14. The mounting board 14 is attached to the game board 12, and is spaced apart from the game board 12 by a certain distance from the glass plate 106.
a and 106b are provided. A first opening 16 is formed in the center of the mounting board 14, and a first concave base 18 is formed behind the first opening 16.

A winning opening 15 is formed above the first opening 16, and second openings 20a, 20 are formed on the left and right sides of the first opening 16.
b is formed, and second concave bases 22A and 22B are formed at the rear of each so as to communicate with the first concave base 18. The second openings 20a, 20b have opening/closing plates 24a, 2.
4b are provided rotatably around rotation shafts 28a and 28b, respectively.

That is, when the opening/closing plates 24a, 24b are opened,
The upper sides 26a, 26b of the opening/closing plates 24a, 24b turn forward to enter the first state in which the balls are easily received into the second concave bases 22A, 22B. In addition, the opening/closing plates 24a, 24b
When closed, the opening/closing plates 24a, 24b are substantially flush with the mounting board 14, and the second openings 20a,
20b and at least the second concave bases 22A, 22B.
The state changes to a second state in which the ball is not accepted or it is difficult to accept the ball.

Note that the first concave base 1 of each of the opening/closing plates 24a and 24b
On the 8 side, there is an arc-shaped stopper piece 30a.

30b is integrally formed so as to protrude forward 2, and the stopper pieces 30a, 30b are connected to the opening/closing plates 24a, 2.
Opening position regulating protrusions 32a, 32 provided at the bottom of 4b
The opening/closing angle of the opening/closing plates 24a, 24b is determined by contacting the opening/closing plates 24a, 24b. Note that the opening/closing mechanism of the opening/closing plates 24a, 24b will be described later.

At the bottom of each of the second concave bases 22A and 22B, a second
Concave base surfaces 22a and 22b are formed, and a launched ball transfer plate 58 is provided in the first concave base 18 so as to partition the first concave base 18 in the horizontal direction and tilt forward. , a first concave base surface 34 is provided at the bottom of the first concave base 18.
is formed. The ball transfer plate 58 is a board on which a ball launched by a launching solenoid 72 (described later) rolls. The second concave bases 22a and 22b are the second concave bases 22A.
, 22B is transferred, and this transferred ball rolls on the bottom surface 34 of the first four chambers. Note that, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first four-chamber bottom surface 34 is formed so that its front part is inclined forward and its rear part is inclined backward. Therefore, when a hit ball rolls to the front part of the first concave base surface 34, it falls forward, but a hit ball that flows into the rear part rolls backward and is launched upward by the launch solenoid 72. Note that the mechanism for launching pachinko balls will be described later.

The mounting board 14 at the bottom of the first concave base 18 has a long hole 56a,
56b is formed, and there is a distribution protrusion 54
a and 54b are provided so as to protrude. These distribution protrusions 54 a and 54 b are used to transfer the ball that has transferred from the front part of the first four-chamber bottom surface 34 and fallen forward, and to the first concave base surface 3 .
4, the ball is detected by the rear ball detector 70, launched by the launch solenoid 72, rolls on the launch transfer board 58, and falls forward.
Alternatively, the winnings are distributed to the normal winning slots 44a and 44b. That is, the distribution protrusions 54a, 54b are configured to be movable from side to side within the elongated holes 56a, 56b by a mechanism shown in FIG. 7, which will be described later. , 54b are located in the center, the balls are more likely to be distributed to the normal winning slot 44a or 44b. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the distribution protrusion 54a
, 54b are located on the left and right sides of the elongated holes 56a, 56b, respectively, the balls are easily distributed to the central specific winning hole 42.

The winning ball receiving frame 36 receives the balls that have been transferred and fallen on the first concave base surface 34 into the normal winning holes 44a, 44b or the special winning hole 4.
2, and the above-mentioned specific winning opening 42a1 and normal winning openings 44a and 44b are formed in the lower part of this winning ball receiving frame 36. That is, the bottom of the winning ball receiving frame 36 is partitioned by the raised wall 38 and the specific winning hole forming member 40, and a specific winning hole 42 is formed in the center, and normal winning holes 44a and 44b are formed on the left and right sides thereof. The specific winning a prize hole forming member 40 is provided in order to adjust whether or not the hit ball easily enters the specific winning a prize hole 42.

A front decorative plate 48 is provided in front of the specific winning opening 42 and the normal winning openings 44a and 44b.

In addition, a plurality of segment indicators 52 for displaying the number of winnings and a plurality of LEDs 50 for displaying the number of consecutive jackpots are provided at the lower part of the distribution projections 54a, 54b.

In addition, an upper front decorative plate 46 is provided at the front of the upper part of the mounting board 14.
is installed.

FIG. 5 is a back view showing the opening/closing mechanism of the opening/closing plate, and FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the same essential parts.

Next, referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, the opening/closing plate 24a,
The opening/closing mechanism of 24b will be explained. As shown in FIG. 5, solenoids (5Q
a, 60b are provided, and these solenoids 60a, 6
0b is attached to the mounting board 14 by solenoid mounting plates 61a and 61b. Solenoids 60a, 60b
The plungers 62a and 62b are shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b).
), it is connected to one end of the actuating members 64a, 64b. Notch grooves 66a, 66b are formed at the other ends of the actuating members 64a, 64b.

On the other hand, the opening/closing plates 24a and 24b are connected to the rotation shaft 2 as described above.
8a, 28b, but engagement pins 68a, 6 are provided on the sides of the opening/closing plates 24a, 24b.
8b is provided. And this engagement pin 68a,
68b is the notch groove 66a, 66 of the actuating member 64a, 64b.
b. Therefore, the solenoids 60a, 6
When 0b is driven, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the plungers 62a, 62b are pulled upward, and the actuating members 64a, 64b are also pulled upward accordingly. At this time, the engaging pins 68a, 53t) engaged with the notched grooves 66a, 66b are also pulled upward. As a result, the opening/closing plates 24a, 24b rotate clockwise about the rotation shaft 28b, and the upper sides 26a, 26 of the opening/closing plates 24a, 24b
b pivots forward and enters the first state in which the ball is easily received into the second concave bases 22A, 22B. In addition, plunge +
62a, 62b are provided with a rocking prevention plate 65a, in order to prevent the plungers 62a, 62b from swinging undesirably.
65b is attached.

When the solenoids 60a and 60b are no longer driven, the sixth
As shown in Figure (a), the plungers 62a, 62b move downward due to the elastic force of the spring, and the actuating members 64a, 64b also move downward accordingly. At this time, the engagement pins 68a, 68b that are engaged with the notch grooves 66a, 66b of the actuating members 64a, 64b are also pushed down. As a result, the opening/closing plates 24a, 24b are rotated by the rotation shafts 28a, 28b.
Rotate counterclockwise around the center. That is, the opening/closing plates 24a, 24b become substantially flush with the mounting board 14, close the second openings 20a, 20b, and close the second concave base 2.
2A and 22B change to a second state in which the ball is not accepted or it is difficult to accept the ball.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of essential parts showing the drive mechanism of the distribution protrusion.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIG. 7, a driving mechanism for the distribution protrusion will be described. The elongated hole 56a is formed in the mounting board 14 as described above.

Guide protrusions 57a and 57b are formed around 56b. Distribution protrusion guide members 55a, 55b are provided so as to be movable left and right while being guided by the guide protrusions 57a, 57b, respectively.
It is fixed to b.

Shafts 94a, 94b are fixed to approximately central portions of the L-shaped link members 92a, 92b.
Link members 92a and 92b are rotatably provided around 94b. Engagement holes 98a, 98b are formed at one end of the link members 92a, 92b, and an engagement pin 96a at the other end.

96b is provided. And an engagement hole 98a.

The distribution protrusion guide members 55a, 55bl: fixed distribution protrusions 54a, 54b are inserted into the distribution protrusion guide members 98b.

There are oval engagement holes 90 extending vertically on the left and right sides of the actuating plate 84.
a, 90b are formed, and a link member 92a is attached thereto.
, 92b are inserted. An oval engagement hole 88 extending laterally is formed in the center of the actuation plate 84, and engagement walls 86 are formed above and below the engagement hole 88. Link members 92a are provided on the left and right sides of the engagement hole 88.
, 92b are inserted into the engagement pins 96a and 96b provided at the other ends of the engagement hole 88, and an engagement pin 82 provided on the rotary cam 80 is inserted into the center of the engagement hole 88. An output shaft 78 of a motor 76 is fixed to the center of the rotating cam 80.

By configuring the drive mechanism for the distribution protrusions 54a and 54b as described above, when the motor 76 rotates, the rotating cam 80 also rotates, and the engagement pin 82 rotates in a circular manner. The engagement pin 82 of the engagement wall 86
to move the actuating plate 84 up and down. Actuation plate 84
When the link members 92a, 92b move up and down, the engagement pins 96a, 96b formed at the other ends of the link members 92a, 92b are moved up and down, so that the link members 92a, 92b rotate clockwise and counterclockwise about the shafts 94a, 94b. move. At this time,
Engagement hole 9 formed at one end of link members 92a, 92b
8a and 98b have distribution protrusions 54a.

54b is inserted, the link member 92a.

92b rotates clockwise and counterclockwise, the distribution protrusion guide members 55a and 55b move toward the guide protrusion 5.
It moves left and right while being guided by 7a and 57b. That is, the distribution protrusions 54a and 54b move left and right.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views of one embodiment of the present invention.

Next, the ball launching mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, FIGS. 8 and 9.

As mentioned above, the rear part of the first concave base surface 34 is formed so as to be inclined backward, and the ball detector 70 is provided at the lower part of the center part at the rear end part, and the ball detector 70 is provided on the left and right sides. Ports 45a and 45b are formed. The ball detector 70 includes
A hole is formed through which a hit ball can pass, and the ball detector 70 detects the hit ball that has passed through. At the bottom of the ball detector 70, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a launch solenoid 72 is attached to a back plate 73. When the ball detector 70 detects the passage of the ball, the launching solenoid 72
is driven, and the plunger 75 launches the ball upward.

A launched ball receiving surface 74 is formed on the upper part of the back plate 73 so that its cross section draws an arc, and the launched ball hits the inner surface of this launched ball receiving surface 74 and is transferred to the launched ball transfer plate 58.
bounce upwards.

The hit ball then rolls on the hit ball transfer plate 58 and falls forward.

In addition, instead of the normal winning holes 45a and 45b, solenoids may be provided at respective positions, and a plurality of pachinko ball launching mechanisms may be provided.

Next, the overall operation of one embodiment of the present invention will be explained. As shown in FIG. 9, an opening/closing plate 24a.

When 24b is opened, the hit ball P I + P 2 enters the second openings 20a, 20b and enters the second concave base 22A.

22B, transfers over the second concave base surfaces 22a and 22b, and flows into the first concave base 18. When the hit ball PH+ P2 that has flowed into the first concave base 18 flows into the front part of the first concave base surface 34, the hit ball P.

P2 is transferred forward and falls. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, when the distribution protrusions 54a, 54b are located at the center by the drive of the motor 76, the fallen balls P, , P2 fall onto the distribution protrusion 54a.

54b, the normal winning slots 44a,
It becomes easier to win 44b.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the distribution projection 54a.

When 54b is located on the left and right, Pachin ball P
,, When P2 falls to the center, it becomes easier to win a prize in the specific winning hole 42. However, when the hit ball P I +P2 enters the lower part of the first concave base surface 34, the hit ball P1. P2
The ball rolls backward and usually enters the winning slots 45a and 45b or enters the hole of the ball detector 70. Figures 4 and 9
As shown in the figure, when a hit ball P enters the hole of the ball detector 70, the ball detector 70 detects the hit ball P, which drives the solenoid 72 and causes the plunger 75 to move the hit ball P3.
launch upward. The launched ball P hits the launched ball receiving surface 74 and rolls on the launched ball transfer plate 58. Then, the hit ball P3 that has rolled on the hit ball transfer plate 58 falls forward as shown in FIG.

At this time, if the distribution protrusions 54a and 54b are located on the left and right, the hit ball P will easily enter the special winning hole 42,
When the distribution protrusions 54a, 54b are located at the center, the balls P are distributed to the left and right by the distribution protrusions 54a, 54b, making it easier to win in the normal winning slots 44a, 44b.

In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG.
Although it is possible to directly flow into the first concave base 18, it is configured such that it cannot directly flow into the first concave base 18 from the opening/closing plates 24a, 24b by, for example, extending the winning ball receiving frame 36 upward. You may.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the second concave base is formed so as to protrude from the left and right sides of the first concave base, and the opening of the second concave base is formed in the front-rear direction. By providing an opening/closing plate that opens and closes, it is possible to enter winning balls from the left and right openings. A variable winning ball device for a pinball game machine can be made, which allows the player to make decisions, maintains the player's interest, and is interesting. Moreover, since the opening/closing plate only opens and closes in the front and back direction, it does not become an obstacle when other members are arranged around the variable winning ball device.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the opening/closing plate is closed. FIG. 2 similarly shows a state in which the opening/closing plate is opened. FIG. 3 is a left side sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention,
A state corresponding to FIG. 1 is shown. FIG. 4 similarly shows a state corresponding to FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a back view showing the opening/closing mechanism of the opening/closing plate. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a main part of the opening/closing mechanism of the opening/closing plate. FIG. 7 is a back view showing the drive mechanism of the distribution protrusion. FIGS. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a front view of a pinball game machine to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 11 is a rear view of the same pinball game machine. In the figure, 10 is a variable winning ball device, 12 is a game board, 1
4 is a mounting board, 16 is a first opening, 18 is a first concave base, 20a, 20b are second openings, 22A, 22B are second concave bases, 22a, 22b are second concave bases. , 24a, 2
4b is an opening/closing plate, 26a. 26b is the upper side, 28a and 28b are rotating shafts, and 30a. 30b is a stopper piece, 32a, 32b are opening position regulating protrusions, 34 is the bottom of the first four chambers, 42 is a specific prize opening, 44a,
44b, 45a, 45b are normal winning openings, 54a, 54b
60a and 60b are solenoids, 72 is a launch solenoid, 76 is a motor, and 100 is a pachinko game machine.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A mounting board that is attached to a game board surface and is substantially flush with the game board surface; a first opening formed approximately in the center of the mounting board; a first concave base formed at the rear; a plurality of winning openings including a specific winning opening in which a ball that has passed through the first concave base can win a prize; and the first opening of the mounting board. a second opening formed on the left and right sides; a second concave base formed at the rear of the second opening; and a second concave base that is fitted into the second opening and whose upper side pivots forward. A first state in which a ball is easily received into at least the second concave base, and a state in which the ball is hit into at least the second concave base while being substantially flush with the mounting board and closing the second opening. a pair of opening/closing plates that can freely change between a second state in which the ball is not accepted or difficult to accept; the first concave base and the second concave base communicate with each other, and the second concave base A variable winning ball device for a pinball game machine, characterized in that a ball that has passed through the inside can flow into the first concave base.