JP2004208815A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pinball game machine capable of expanding a game area within a game machine frame as much as possible without being restricted by the position of a shot ball guiding passage for guiding a game ball shot out from a shooting device into the game area. <P>SOLUTION: The shot ball guiding passage 600 for guiding the game ball shot out from the shooting device 500 disposed at a lower position of the pinball game machine 2 into the game area 207 comprises a first guiding passage part 601 located above a shooting position 500a and a second guiding passage part 602 for guiding the game ball moving upward inside the first guiding passage part 601 to an outlet 618 disposed at a side upper position inside the game area 207. The first guiding passage part 601 is disposed on the rear surface 206b side of the game board 206. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball game machine that launches a game ball from a lower position of a ball game machine into a game area formed on a board of a game board to play a game.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a ball game machine that launches a game ball from a lower side position of the game board in a game area formed on a board surface of the game board to perform a game, for example, a lower side of the game board (for a game machine). There is a configuration in which a launching device is provided at a position (left side as viewed), and a game ball is launched from the launching device toward an upper game area (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-35264 (pages 4-6, FIGS. 1-4)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
A ball game machine that launches a game ball from the lower side position of these game boards to play a game is subject to restrictions such as installation of a launch rail compared to a game machine having a launch device near the handle of the game machine. Therefore, the size of the game area on the game board, in particular, the size in the vertical direction can be increased, and the size of the liquid crystal panel, which is a variable display device provided at a substantially central position of the game board, is increased. Since the restriction on the formation of the game board due to the enlargement of these liquid crystal panels and the like can be eliminated, the usefulness thereof is increasing.
[0005]
However, in the ball-and-ball game machine described in Patent Document 1, a launch for guiding a game ball launched from a launch device provided at a lower position of a game board toward an upper game area. Since the outer band forming the ball guideway was arranged on the front side of the game board, the game area could be expanded in the vertical width direction on the front of the game board, but the game area could be expanded on the left and right on the front of the game board. When trying to expand in the width direction, it is restricted by the arrangement position of the launching ball guide path constituted by the outer band, and it is difficult to expand the game area.
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, without being restricted by the arrangement position of the launch ball guide path for guiding the game ball launched from the launch device to the game region, the game area It is an object of the present invention to provide a ball game machine which can be expanded as much as possible in a game machine frame.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, the ball game machine of the present invention is provided at a lower position of the ball game machine, and a ball storage section for storing game balls for use in games, a ball game, A launching device provided at a lower position of the machine and for launching a game ball stored in the hitting ball storage section into a game area formed on the front side of a game board attached to the game machine frame. In ball game machines,
A game ball supply path for supplying game balls stored in the hit ball storage unit to a launch position of game balls in the launch device,
A launch ball guiding path for guiding a game ball launched from the launch device to the game area,
The launching ball guide path has a first guide path section located above the firing position, and a game ball moving upward in the first guide path section is disposed at a lateral upper position in the game area. A second guide path portion leading to the outlet,
It is characterized in that the first taxiway section is arranged on the rear side of the game board.
According to this feature, the game ball launched from the launching device provided at the lower position of the ball game machine moves upward on the rear side of the game board by the first guide path portion, and then moves to the second guide. The game area is expanded as much as possible within the gaming machine frame without being restricted by the placement position of the launch ball guide path, because it is guided to the front side through the road part and flows out from the outlet to the game area. Can be done.
[0008]
It is preferable that the launch ball guide path member constituting the launch ball guide path of the ball game machine of the present invention is attached to the gaming machine frame.
In this way, since the stability of the launch ball guide path member is improved by being attached to the high-strength gaming machine frame for attaching the game board, the launch ball launched from the launch device is reliably placed in the game area. Not only can it be guided, but it is not necessary to replace the launching ball guide path member with the replacement of the game board, so that the cost can be reduced.
[0009]
It is preferable that the launching ball guideway member constituting the launching ball guideway of the ball game machine of the present invention is attached to the game board.
In this way, since the launch ball guide path can be provided close to the rear surface of the game board, not only can the launch ball guide path be provided compactly, but also maintenance work such as cleaning can be performed for replacement of the game board. It can be done with it.
[0010]
In the ball game machine of the present invention, it is preferable that the second guide path portion is formed to penetrate the game board in the front-rear direction.
In this way, the game ball that has moved on the first guide path on the rear side of the game board can be launched into the front-side game area without any unnaturalness in appearance.
[0011]
The ball game machine of the present invention is provided with a foul ball passage for collecting game balls that are fired from the firing device and have not reached the game area as foul balls,
It is preferable that at least a part of the foul ball passage is arranged on a rear side of the game board.
With this configuration, at least a part of the foul ball path is arranged on the rear side of the game board, so that the game area is expanded as much as possible in the gaming machine frame without being restricted by the arrangement position of the foul ball path. Not only can it do so, but when the ball-and-ball game machines are juxtaposed, the foul ball passage does not become an obstacle.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
The pachinko machine 2, which is a ball-and-ball game machine of the present embodiment, includes a card unit 3, which is a game device, which is disposed at a side position of the pachinko machine 2 on a one-to-one basis. A plurality is used in parallel.
[0014]
Inside the gaming island where the pachinko machines 2 and the card units 3 are juxtaposed, a supply gutter for supplying the pachinko balls to the pachinko machines 2 and the pachinko balls used and discharged by the pachinko machines 2 are provided. (Not shown) which collects the paper money and feeds it to the supply gutter, and a bill discharged from each of the card units 3 is provided at an island end in a predetermined direction at a substantially central portion in the height direction. A banknote transport path (not shown) that can be transported to the collected collection box (not shown), and coins and prepaid cards similarly discharged from the card units 3 can be mixed and transported to the collection box at the island end in the predetermined direction. A mixing conveyance path (not shown) and the like are provided.
[0015]
The pachinko machine 2 which is the ball game machine of the present embodiment will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The pachinko machine 2 includes a front door frame 200 as a game machine frame, and a front door frame 200 of the front door frame 200. It comprises a glass door frame 202 pivotally supported on the front side so as to be openable and closable, and a glass plate provided at the center, and a base frame 201 formed in a rectangular frame shape for pivotally supporting the front door frame 200 so as to be freely openable and closable.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 4, on the lower front surface of the front door frame 200, a hit ball supply tray 203 as a hit ball storage unit for storing the rented ball and the paid out prize ball is provided integrally, An operation unit 14 is provided at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the hit ball supply tray 203. A hit ball operation handle (hereinafter, referred to as an operation knob) 205 for shooting a hit ball is provided below the hit ball supply tray 203 on the front surface of the front door frame 202. Note that reference numeral 241 in FIG. 1 denotes a cylinder lock for opening the glass door frame 202.
[0017]
In the vicinity of the hit ball operation handle 205, effect device operation buttons 112a to 112c for operating an effect device related to a game are provided. Although the effect device operation buttons 112a to 112c are not used in the present embodiment, for example, when an effect device related to a game is provided in accordance with a model change or the like, any operation related to such effect device is performed. This is a button used when doing.
[0018]
More specifically, the effect device is, for example, a movable member (for example, an accessory that is configured using a title character of a pachinko machine as a motif) movably provided at a predetermined position of a game board 206 described later, The effect display operation buttons 112a to 112c are used to move these movable members and to variably display the effect display device. Is used for an operation for stopping display or selecting a mini game or the like performed by the game.
[0019]
Since these effector operation buttons 112a to 112c are provided near the hitting operation handle 205, the player operates the effector operation buttons 112a to 112c with the hand operating the hitting operation handle 205 while operating the hitting operation handle 205. Since the operation can be performed, it is possible to operate the effect device without interrupting the hitting operation. Note that, for example, LEDs (not shown) capable of emitting light in a plurality of colors are incorporated in the effect device operation buttons 112a to 112c.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 4, the operation unit 14 reads out from a prepaid card which is a game recording medium inserted into a card insertion slot 314 (see FIG. 1) provided in the card unit 3 by the player as described below. A frequency display unit 17 for displaying the number of times the game value has been played, and a press operation when the game is started or the number of balls held in the hitting ball supply tray 203 is reduced or lost, and the remaining number is displayed on the frequency display unit 17. A lending button 16 for lending a predetermined number of pachinko balls when there is a frequency, and a new operation for a prepaid card inserted in the card unit 3 by being pressed when ending the game. A return button 15 for recording the remaining number and returning the remaining number is provided, and these parts are mounted on an operation board 18 provided inside the operation unit 14.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, a game board 206 is detachably attached to the front door frame 200 in an opening 200c formed substantially in the center. When the pachinko machine 2 is viewed from the front, a pachinko ball is provided on a rear surface 200b of the front door frame 200 at a lower left position of the hit ball supply tray 203 toward a game area 207 formed on a front surface 206a of the game board 206. A launching device 500 for launching is mounted. In addition, a first passage member 604 and a second passage member 605 constituting a launching ball guide path 600 for guiding the pachinko ball launched from the launching device 500 to the game area 207 are located above the launching device 500. It is provided for.
[0022]
Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the inside of the second passage member 605 is launched by the launching device 500, but the foul sphere that has not reached the game area 207 due to a weak launching force flows down. Ball flow path 295 is formed. The lower end of the second passage member 605 is connected to the upstream end of an inclined gutter 607 provided in the rear surface 200b of the front door frame 200 below the opening 200c so as to extend in the left-right direction. The flow path 295 is communicated with an inclined flow path 608 inclined in the inclined gutter 607. Therefore, the foul ball flows down the foul ball channel 295 and the inclined channel 608, and is returned to the hitting ball supply tray 203 through the payout port 623 formed in the front door frame 200 (FIG. 3). reference).
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, the pachinko balls stored in the hit ball supply tray 203 are aligned below the hit ball supply tray 203 in the front door frame 200 so as to be supplied to the launching device 500. A rectifying device 420 is provided, and the pachinko balls stored in the hitting ball supply tray 203 flow out from an outlet 421 (see FIG. 4) formed on the lowermost inclined side of the hitting ball supply tray 203. Then, it flows down to the rectifying device 420 having the launching ball supply path 420a, and the rectifying device 420 supplies the pachinko balls one by one to the launching position 500a of the launching device 500 in conjunction with the launching operation of the launching device 500. It has become.
[0024]
A first discharge port 422 for discharging pachinko balls in the hit ball supply tray 203 is formed at a position near the upstream side of the outlet 421 in the hit ball supply tray 203, and a lower surface of the first discharge port 422 is formed. The first discharge channel 423 is provided continuously toward the center. Further, a second discharge port 424 for discharging the pachinko balls flowing out from the payout port 623 is formed on the uppermost inclined side of the hit ball supply tray 203, and a second discharge port 424 is formed from the lower surface of the second discharge port 424. Two discharge channels 425 are provided continuously toward the center. The first discharge channel 423 and the second discharge channel 425 are merged near the center of the hitting ball supply tray 203, and a merged discharge port 426 is formed on the lower surface of the merged portion. The pachinko balls discharged downward from the second discharge port 424 are discharged from a merge discharge port 426 provided on the lower surface of the hit ball supply tray 203.
[0025]
Although not shown in detail, the first discharge port 422 is normally closed by an openable / closable plate provided to be openable and closable, and as shown in FIG. By operating the return operation lever 296 provided slidably, the first discharge port 422 is opened by sliding. In addition, the second discharge port 424 is normally closed by an openable / closable plate that is provided to be freely openable and closable. By operating the returned operation lever 234, the second discharge port 424 is opened by sliding.
[0026]
Here, the rectifying device 400 and the launching device 500 will be described. However, in the present embodiment, since a conventionally known rectifying mechanism and a launching mechanism are applied, an outline of the mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. I do.
[0027]
The launching device 500 and the rectifying device 400 are provided adjacent to each other at a predetermined location on the inclined lower side of the hit ball supply tray 203. The rectifying device 400 is formed with a launching ball supply path 420a that guides pachinko balls flowing down from the outlet 421 from the hitting ball supply tray 203 to the launching position 500a of the launching device 500, and regulates inflow into the launching device 500 and A release member (not shown) that can be released is swingably provided. The restricting member is linked to an interlocking member (not shown) that moves up and down in conjunction with the firing operation of the firing device 500, and is swung by the up and down motion of the interlocking member, so that the inside of the pachinko ball firing device 500 is rotated. The restriction on the inflow into the pachinko ball is released, and one pachinko ball is supplied to the launching position 500a of the launching device 500 via the launching ball supply path 420a.
[0028]
The launching device 500 is provided with a launching arm 502 that is pivotally supported about a rotation shaft 501. The launching arm 502 is rotated by driving a launching motor 511 (see FIG. 13), so that a rectifying device is provided. One pachinko ball supplied to the firing position 500a by 420 is configured to be launched obliquely upward and to the left. The firing motor 511 is driven and controlled by a firing control unit of a firing control board 291 described later, and is driven in accordance with the operation of the operation knob 205. As shown in FIG. 8, the launching device 500 is fixed to the rear surface 200b side of the front door frame 200 via a screw so that the firing position 500a is disposed on the rear surface 206b side of the game board 206. .
[0029]
The pachinko ball hit upward by the rotation of the firing arm 502 passes through an opening formed on the upper surface of the outer case of the firing device 500, and a firing ball described later extending upward from the opening. It flows into the passage 600, moves upward in the launching ball passage 600, and is launched into the game area 207. In addition, the regulation by the regulating member of the rectifying device 420 is released in association with the operation of launching one pachinko ball by the firing arm 502, and one pachinko ball is supplied from the rectifying device 420 into the launching device 500. It is set to the firing position 500a. By repeatedly performing the firing operation of the firing arm 502, the pachinko balls are continuously launched into the game area 207.
[0030]
Next, a detailed configuration of the above-described launch ball guide path 600 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 3 and FIGS. 6 to 9. As shown in FIG. 6, the launching ball guide path 600 includes a first passage member 604 extending upward from the upper surface of the launching device 500 and a second passage member 604 extending above the first passage member 604. It is composed of a two-passage member 605 and a third passage member 606 provided at an upper left position of the game area 207 formed on the front surface 206a of the game board 206.
[0031]
As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the first passage member 604 is made of a synthetic resin material formed in a U-shape in cross section. The upper end is connected to an opening (not shown) formed above the firing position 500a on the upper surface, and the upper end thereof is connected to the inside of the inclined flow channel 608 through an opening formed in the bottom plate 607a of the inclined gutter 607. The inclined gutter 607 extends to the opening 624 formed in the upper plate.
[0032]
The first passage member 604 is provided so as to be slightly inclined leftward upward as shown in FIG. 12, and a shooting ball launched from the firing device 500 is provided on the left side of a second passage member 605 described later. It is designed to be launched towards the top of the inner surface of the wall. Since the first passage member 604 is provided so that the axis thereof is oriented in the tangential direction on the arc-shaped left side wall of the second passage member 605, the pachinko ball launched from the firing device 500 is used as the second passage member. 605 is provided so as to slide smoothly along the inner surface of the left side wall.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 6, the second passage member 605 is formed such that the lower half thereof is formed wider in the left-right direction, and the upper half becomes narrower as going upward, and surrounds the outer periphery of the game area 207. As described above, the rail member 110 provided on the front surface 206a of the game board 206 is formed so as to curve inward so as to follow the arc-shaped portion on the upper left side. The second passage member 605 is disposed on the rear surface 206b side of the game board 206 by fastening screws (not shown) attached to a plurality of attachment pieces 605a formed at predetermined locations on the outer periphery thereof to the attachment plate 609. . As shown in FIG. 8, the mounting plate 609 is fixed to the front door frame 200 by fastening a screw 611 to a boss 610 provided around the opening 200c on the rear surface 200b of the front door frame 200. ing.
[0034]
A rectangular opening 612 is formed in the upper part of the front surface of the second passage member 605. When the game board 206 is attached to the opening 200c, an opening formed on the rear surface side of the third passage member 606 described later. Section. On the inner rear surface of the second passage member 605 corresponding to the opening 612, a plate-like guide rib 613 for guiding the pachinko ball to the front surface 206a side of the game board 206 extends in the moving direction of the pachinko ball. Is provided. The front end face 613a of the guide rib 613 is formed in a curved shape that gradually bulges toward the front side as going upward from below, and the pachinko ball that has moved upward is guided by the front end face 613a. , While gradually moving upward (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 9A).
[0035]
Further, a firing ball sensor 614 for detecting a pachinko ball guided by the rib is provided on the upper side surface of the guiding rib 613, and when the launching ball sensor 614 detects the passage of the pachinko ball, it will be described later. The three emission LEDs 615 provided on the front surface of the third passage member 606 are turned on for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds) to notify that one pachinko ball has been emitted from an outlet 618 described later. It has become.
[0036]
In the present embodiment, as described later, since the pachinko ball hit from the launching device 500 moves upward on the rear surface 206 side of the game board 206, one pachinko ball is discharged from the outlet 618 in this way. The fact that the ball has been fired is notified by the lighting of the firing LED 615, so that the state of firing of the pachinko ball into the game area 207 can be transmitted to the player in an easily understandable manner.
[0037]
In the present embodiment, the configuration is such that the firing status is notified by lighting of the firing LED 615, but the means for notifying the firing status is not limited to the light emitting means such as the LED. For example, a fire condition is notified by display contents of a display means such as a liquid crystal display device, or a sound is output by sound output means (such as a speaker), or a mechanical structure movably provided. The notification may be made by an operation of an object or the like. Further, each of these various notification means may be independently applied to perform the notification, or the notification may be performed by using a plurality of types of notification means in combination.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 6, the third passage member 606 has a substantially U-shape whose cross section is opened backward by a synthetic resin material, and has a left upper portion of the rail member 110 provided on the outer periphery of the game area 207. 8 and 9, a through-hole 616 formed to penetrate the game board 206 in the front-rear direction as shown in FIGS. The rear portion is fitted to the game board 206 so as to be fixed.
[0039]
On the inner front surface of the third passage member 606, a guide rib 617 facing the guide rib 613 of the second passage member 605 extends in the moving direction of the pachinko ball when the game board 206 is attached to the front door frame 200. It is provided as follows. The guide rib 617 is formed in substantially the same shape as the guide rib 613, and is formed so as to be in an upside down direction with respect to the guide rib 613. When the game board 206 is attached to the front door frame 200, the rear end face 617a of the guide rib 617 and the front end face 613a of the guide rib 613 face each other in the front-rear direction as shown in FIG. 9B. The front end face 613a and the rear end face 617b are arranged so as to be separated from each other by a diameter equal to or larger than the diameter of the pachinko ball. Therefore, the pachinko ball moving passage, that is, the pachinko ball moving on the rear surface 206b side of the game board 206 is moved to the front surface 206a (the game area) by the side walls of the second passage member 605 and the third passage member 606 and the guide ribs 613 and 617. A second guide path 602 is formed as a second guide path section for guiding to the side 207).
[0040]
At the upper end of the third passage member 606, an outflow port 618 through which the pachinko ball that has moved in the second guide path 602 flows out into the game area 207 is formed. A backflow prevention piece 619 (see FIG. 6) for preventing the backflow of pachinko balls into the outflow port 618 is provided.
[0041]
In this embodiment, the first passage member 604, the second passage member 605, the third passage member 606, and the guide ribs 613 and 617 are made of a synthetic resin material, but these materials are limited to the synthetic resin material. Instead, it may be made of, for example, stainless steel. Further, preferably, in order to prevent a decrease in the moving speed of the pachinko balls launched from the launching device 500 in the launch guide path 600, at least a contact surface of the members with the pachinko balls is made to have a self-lubricating property, fatigue resistance, for example. If it is made of a material having a small frictional resistance, such as a polyacetal resin material having a high property, it is possible to effectively reduce the moving speed and prevent abrasion caused by contact.
[0042]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second passage member 605 and the third passage member 606 configured as described above are connected to the second passage member 605 when the game board 206 is mounted in the opening 200c. The opening 612 and the rear opening of the third passage member 606 are aligned with each other to form the second guide path 602 as shown in FIG. 9A.
[0043]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the pachinko balls fired from the firing device 500 are moved by the lower halves of the first passage member 604 and the second passage member 605 disposed on the rear side of the game board 206. A first guideway 601 as a first guideway portion for moving the rear surface 206b side of the game board 206 is formed, and a first guideway is formed by an upper half portion of the second passage member 605 and a third passage member 606. A second taxiway 602 for guiding the pachinko ball moving upward in the road 601 to the game area 207 is formed, and the first taxiway 601 and the second taxiway 602 form a launching ball taxiway. 600 are formed.
[0044]
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 11, the pachinko ball that has been launched upward from the launching device 500 has a launch ball guiding path formed by the first passage member 604, the second passage member 605, and the third passage member 606. It moves upward in 600, and is fired into the game area 207 from the outlet 618 arranged on the upper left side of the game area 207.
[0045]
Further, the pachinko ball that is launched from the launching device 500 but does not reach the game area 207 without flowing out from the outlet 618 is directed substantially vertically in the first guide path 601 in the second passage member 605. And falls down into the inclined gutter 607, flows down the inclined flow path 608, and is returned to the hit ball supply tray 203. That is, the inside of the first guide path 601 in the second passage member 605 also functions as a foul ball flow path 295.
[0046]
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the left side of the first passage member 604 in the inclined gutter 607 is provided to prevent a foul ball falling from above from escaping due to jumping or flowing into the first passage member 604. A plurality of vertically inclined ribs 620 are provided, and the rear of the inclined ribs 620 is directed toward the downflow direction of the inclined flow path 608 without retaining the far ball guided backward by the inclined ribs 620. There are provided a plurality of lateral retention prevention ribs 621 for guiding.
[0047]
As described above, the pachinko ball that has been launched from the firing device 500 but has not reached the game area 207 without flowing out of the outflow port 618, as shown in FIG. Flowing down the path 601 in a substantially vertical direction, falling into the inclined gutter 607 through the opening 624 (see FIG. 7C), flowing down the inclined flow path 608 and returning to the ball supply tray 203. Will be done. Specifically, as described above, the pachinko ball launched from the launching device 500 is launched upward and diagonally to the left in the first guide path 601 of the second passage member 605, so that there is no momentum in the second passage member 605. Does not fall into the upper end opening of the first passage member 604, but flows into the inclined gutter 607 from the opening 624 formed on the side thereof.
[0048]
Next, the configuration of the game board 206 and the game area 207 formed on the front surface of the game board 206a will be described with reference to FIG.
[0049]
As shown in FIG. 3, in the vicinity of the upper center of the game area 207, as shown in FIG. 3, a variable display unit 209 for variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information called "special symbols" and an individual symbol called "ordinary symbols" (this embodiment) In the example, a variable display device 208 including a display 210 in which “O” and “X” are alternately lit is provided. In the present embodiment, the variable display unit 209 is formed by an LCD display (liquid crystal display), and is capable of variably displaying a special symbol. Specifically, in the display area of the variable display unit 209, nine variable display areas are formed on the display in a manner arranged vertically and horizontally, and a plurality of symbols common to each area are individually and independently variable in those areas. Is displayed.
[0050]
The display 210 has two LEDs, left and right, and the special symbol displayed on the variable display unit 209 is variably started based on the fact that a hit ball starts and wins in the start winning opening 214 as described later. On the other hand, the ordinary symbol displayed on the variable display section 210 is variably started based on a hit ball passing through the first passage gate 211a as described later.
[0051]
Below the variable display unit 209, there is provided a start winning storage display 218 having four display units (LEDs) for storing and displaying the number of starting winning balls that have won the starting winning opening 214. In this embodiment, one LED of the start winning storage indicator 218 is additionally turned on each time a starting winning is stored, with the upper limit being four. Then, each time the variable display of the special symbol is started on the variable display unit 209, one LED is turned off.
[0052]
On the side of the variable display device 208, a first passage gate 211a for guiding a hit ball is provided. The first passage gate 211a includes a gate switch 212a that detects a hit ball that has passed through the first passage gate 211a.
[0053]
The starting winning opening 214 is provided with a movable piece 215 and is opened by a solenoid 216. The starting winning prize ball winning the starting winning opening 214 is guided to the back of the game board 206, and the starting opening switch 217 is provided. Is detected by
[0054]
Below the starting winning opening 214, a second pass gate 211b and a third pass gate 211c are provided. Each of the pass gates 211b and 211c has a gate switch 212b for detecting a hit ball that has passed, respectively. When the hit ball passes through the second passage gate 211b, the opening and closing operation of the movable piece 269a of the accessory device 269 provided at the lower center position of the game area 207 is performed twice. When the hit ball passes through the third passage gate 211c, the opening and closing operation of the movable piece 269a of the accessory device 269 is performed once.
[0055]
A variable winning ball device 219 provided with an opening / closing plate 220 is attached below the two passing gates 211b and 211c. When the gaming state becomes a big hit state (specific gaming state), the open / close plate 220 is opened by the solenoid 221 and the big winning opening of the variable winning ball device 219 is opened. The winning ball that has entered the specific winning area (V pocket) among the balls that have entered the special winning opening is detected by the V count switch 222. On the other hand, a winning ball that has won a normal winning area other than the specific winning area in the special winning opening is detected by the count switch 223.
[0056]
In addition, at the lower center position of the game area 207, there is provided an accessory device 269, and at the outer periphery of the left and right upper portions of the accessory device 269, a movable piece 269a that is opened and closed by a solenoid 269b is provided. A rotator 269c driven and rotated by a rotator drive motor 269e is provided at the center position, and a hit ball wins at a center position inside the accessory device 269 on the outer periphery of the upper surface of the rotator 269c. A V winning port 269d in which a gaming state is a big hit state (specific gaming state) is formed, and a hit ball (a specific gaming state) is detected by detecting a hit ball winning the V winning port 269d by a V ball detection switch 269g. ). Further, both sides of the V winning opening 269d are voids, and hit balls that have not won the V winning opening 269d fall into the void and are detected by the winning ball detection switch 269f. .
[0057]
Further, the gaming board 206 is provided with a plurality of winning ports 224a to 224c. Decorative lamps 225 illuminated and displayed during the game are provided around the left and right sides of the game area 207, and an out port 226 is provided at a lower portion for collecting a hit ball which did not win any of the above winning ports as an out ball. Have been.
[0058]
Also, as shown in FIG. 1, two speakers 227 that emit sound effects are provided on the left and right upper portions outside the game area 207, and a game effect LED 228a and a game effect lamp are provided on the outer periphery of the game area 207. 228b and 228c are provided. In the vicinity of one of the speakers 227, a prize ball lamp 251 that lights up when a prize ball is paid out is provided. In the vicinity of the other speaker 227, a ball out lamp 252 that lights up when the supply ball runs out is provided. ing.
[0059]
A hit ball fired from the firing device 500 by operating the hit ball operation knob 205 enters the game area 207 and flows down the game area 207. When the hit ball passes through the passage gate 211a and is detected by the gate switch 212a, the normal symbol stopped and displayed on the display 210 is variably started. When the hit ball passes through the passage gate 211a during the variable display on the display 210, the passage is stored, and after the display 210 is stopped and the state can be changed again, the passing storage is set to " 1 "is subtracted, and the display 210 is variably displayed. The upper limit of the passage memory is set to, for example, “4”, and the number of passage memories at the present time is displayed by a passage memory display (not shown).
[0060]
In addition, when a hit ball is won in the starting winning opening 214 and detected by the starting winning switch 214, the special symbol displayed on the variable display unit 209 starts scrolling if the change of the special symbol can be started. For example, unless the special symbol is already changed and the special symbol is being changed, the change of the special symbol is not started immediately, so that the starting winning memory is increased by one.
[0061]
When the display result after the variable display operation of the display unit 210 becomes a predetermined specific display result (for example, the left LED corresponding to the “O” is lit), the display 210 is provided in the starting winning opening 214. The movable piece 215 thus opened is opened for a predetermined time, so that the pachinko ball is in an advantageous state for the player who can easily win the starting winning opening 214.
[0062]
When a pachinko ball wins in the starting winning opening 214 and is detected by the starting winning opening switch 217, if the special symbol can be changed, all the special symbols can be changed in the variable display section 209 of the variable display device 208. Display (variable display) starts. Then, after that, when the special symbols in the 9 areas are stopped and the stop display result is aligned with a predetermined specific display mode (for example, 777) on a predetermined line, the number of seconds corresponding to the display mode is determined. During this time, the movable piece 269a of the accessory device 269 is opened, and the hit ball can flow into the upper surface of the rotating body 269c.
[0063]
When any one of the hit balls flowing into the upper surface of the rotating body 269c wins the V winning opening 269d while the movable piece 269a is opened, a specific game state (big hit state) occurs. A specific display mode in which the movable piece 269a is opened in this way is called a big hit symbol, and in this example, a plurality of types are predetermined.
[0064]
When the big hit state occurs in this way, the open / close plate 220 of the variable winning ball device 219 is opened to enter a first state that is advantageous for the player. The first state ends when a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) elapses or a predetermined number of hit balls (for example, 10) wins, whichever is earlier, is satisfied. A disadvantageous second state results. If the hit ball that has entered the big winning opening of the variable winning ball device 219 in the first state wins in the specific winning area (V pocket) and is detected by the V count switch 222, the first state of that time. After the end of the operation, the opening / closing plate 220 is opened to return to the first state. The repetition continuation control in the first state can be executed up to 15 times in this embodiment. Such a period in the first state in which execution is possible up to 15 times is referred to as a round of repetition continuation control. In this example, the repetition continuation control can be repeatedly executed from the first round to a maximum of the fifteenth round.
[0065]
Also, when the special symbols of the nine areas variably displayed on the variable display unit 209 of the variable display device 208 are stopped and displayed in the combination of the big hit symbols matching the same symbol type, a big hit occurs as described above. In the case where the big hit symbol is displayed on a plurality of lines or different special symbols in all nine areas, when a prize is made to the V winning opening 269d, a big hit occurs compared to the normal gaming state. A probability variation state (hereinafter, also referred to as a “probable variation state”) in which the probability of occurrence has changed with a high probability. The big hit symbol of the special display mode that triggers the occurrence of such a probability fluctuation state is called a probable variable symbol. Hereinafter, the jackpot generated by the probable variable symbol is called a probable variable jackpot, and is distinguished from a normal jackpot which is a jackpot generated by a jackpot symbol (non-probable symbol) other than the probable symbol.
[0066]
Once a probability change big hit occurs during the normal game state, the probability change state is, for example, the probability change state until at least a predetermined number of times of the probability change continuation (for example, once or twice) big hit occurs. Is continuously controlled. Further, if a probability change big hit occurs during the probability change state, the probability change continuation number is counted again after the probability change big hit, and thereafter, the probability change state continues until at least the probability change continuation number of the big hit occurs. Then, if the jackpot that has reached the number of times of the probability change continuation is caused by a non-probability change symbol other than the probability change symbol, the game returns to the normal game state in which the probability variation does not occur.
[0067]
In the variable display unit 209 of the variable display device 208, a reach state may occur. Here, the “reach state” means that, after the variable display unit 209 of the variable display device 208 is variably started, the display control proceeds and reaches a stage before the display result is derived and displayed. This refers to a display mode that does not deviate from the display conditions that are the display mode. In other words, the reach is a display for causing the player to think that the combination of the specific display modes has become a variable display mode that is easy to be displayed when the display result of the variable display device 208 has not been derived and displayed yet. State. Then, for example, a state in which a plurality of the variable display units 209 perform variable display while maintaining a state in which the combinations of the specific display modes are aligned is also included in the reach display state. Further, among the reach, when it appears, a big hit is more likely to occur than in a normal reach (normal reach). Such a specific reach is called a super reach.
[0068]
The reach state is a display state at the time when the display control of the variable display device 208 progresses to a stage before the display result is derived and displayed, and before the display result is derived and displayed. It also refers to a display state when at least a part of the determined display results of the plurality of variable display areas 209 satisfies the condition for the specific display mode.
[0069]
Opening and closing of the movable piece 269a of the accessory device 269 is also performed by passing through the second passage gate 211b and the third passage gate 211c, and the hit ball flows into the upper surface of the rotating body 269c by the opening and closing, and the V winning opening A big hit state (specific game state) also occurs when the player wins the 269d, but in this case, the repetition continuation control can be repeatedly executed from the first round to a maximum of the eighth round. When the display result of the variable display unit 209 becomes a specific display mode (for example, 777) during the big hit, the big hit is terminated and the movable piece 269a is opened. ing.
[0070]
Next, the structure of the back of the pachinko machine 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. On the rear side of the game board 206 of the pachinko machine 2, a mechanism plate 236 pivotally supported by the front door frame 200 is provided, and the mechanism plate 236 has a display control of the variable display unit 209. Display control board 280 equipped with a display control board 280, etc., a game control board 231 covered with a game control board box 232 and a game control microcomputer, etc., and a payout control for paying out pachinko balls A prize ball control board 237 on which a microcomputer or the like is mounted is installed. Further, at the right corner of the upper portion of the mechanism plate 236, a launching / lifting control board 291 mounted with a microcomputer or the like for controlling the operation of the lifting unit 400 and the launching device 500, and a gaming effect LED 228a , A lamp control board 235 for sending signals to the game effect lamps 228b and 228c, and an audio control board 270 on which a microcomputer for controlling audio output from the speaker 227 is mounted.
[0071]
In addition, reference numeral 290 in FIG. 2 is provided in the downflow path of the inclined flow path 208, and is provided at a full tank switch 213 for detecting the full tank of the hit ball supply tray 203, and at an upstream portion of the ball discharging device 297. Signals from various switches, such as a ball-out switch 233 for detecting a ball-out, a count switch 223, a V-count switch 222, a prize-ball count switch 248a, and a lending-ball count switch 248b, are relayed to the game control board 231. This is a frame switch relay board for carrying out.
[0072]
A ball tank 238 is provided above the mechanism plate 236, and a pachinko ball is supplied to the ball tank 238 from a supply pipe (not shown) led out from the supply gutter of the game island. The pachinko balls in the ball tank 238 are supplied to the ball discharging device 297 through the guiding gutter 239.
[0073]
At the downstream end of the guide gutter 239, two ball supply passages 245 are continuously provided via a curve gutter 243 and a ball supply gutter 244, and the lower end of the ball supply passage 245 is awarded a prize. The pachinko ball flowing down the guiding gutter 239 is connected to a ball payout device 297 that pays out prize balls or pays out a lending ball given due to the occurrence, and swings freely around the mounting boss as a fulcrum. By the attached ball leveling member 249, the ball that flows down in two steps up and down is made one step by the action of the weight buried by the ball leveling member 249, and is divided into two by the guide gutter 239. After that, the flowing direction is changed from the left-right direction to the downward direction by the curve gutter 243, and is supplied to the ball dispensing device 297 via the ball supply gutter 244 and the ball supply passage 245.
[0074]
In the path of the ball supply passage 245, a ball-out switch 233 is provided corresponding to each strip. Whether or not the pachinko ball is prepared in the ball supply passage 245 is detected.
[0075]
A ball release valve 247 is provided at the bent portion of the curve gutter 243, and the operation lever (not shown) for operating the ball release valve 247 is operated from the front side of the pachinko machine 2 to bend the valve. The ball waiting in the guiding gutter 239 and the ball tank 238 on the upstream side of the part is discharged to the out ball tank of the game island through a ball removal passage 246 provided substantially in parallel with the ball supply passage 245.
[0076]
Although not shown in detail, the ball dispensing device 297 rotates a ball cutting sprocket (not shown) provided corresponding to each strip of the ball supply passage 245 by driving a dispensing motor (not shown). In this way, the pachinko balls that have entered the cutouts are discharged one by one downward, and below the sprocket, the passage of the pachinko balls dispensed from the ball dispensing device 297 is detected. The award ball count switch 248a and the lending ball count switch 248b (see FIG. 19) independently detect a pachinko ball paid out for a prize ball and a pachinko ball paid out for a lending. At the upstream position of the ball count switch 248a and the lent ball count switch 248b, the ball is swung by excitation or release of a distribution solenoid (not shown), A flow path switching valve (not shown) for switching the flow path of the pachinko ball discharged by the rotation of the sprocket to either the detection path of the prize ball count switch 248a or the detection path of the rental ball count switch 248b. ) Is provided.
[0077]
In the ball payout device 297, the pachinko ball discharged by the rotation of the sprocket at the time of paying out the prize ball is detected by the prize ball count switch 248a and discharged to the prize ball passage 273 by the flow path switching valve. It has become so. Further, when paying out the ball lending, the pachinko ball discharged by the rotation of the sprocket is detected by the lending ball count switch 248b and then discharged to the prize ball passage 273.
[0078]
At a downstream position of the prize ball passage 273, a communication port 274 communicating with an inflow port 622 (see FIG. 7B) formed on an upstream rear surface of the inclined gutter 607 communicating with the hit ball supply tray 203 is provided. The pachinko balls dispensed from the ball dispensing device 297 are discharged to the hitting ball supply tray 203 through the prize ball passage 273 and the communication port 274, and are stored.
[0079]
The configuration on the inner surface side of the mechanism plate 236 will be described. As shown mainly in FIGS. 5 and 6, on the inner surface side of the mechanism plate 236, a winning ball guiding path 276 for guiding a winning ball and an out ball are guided. An out ball passage 277 is formed. Above the winning ball guiding passage 276 is a winning ball falling entrance 278, which is collected and released by a winning ball guiding cover (not shown) formed so as to cover the rear surface 206b of the game board 206. The winning ball is received, and the winning ball is guided by the winning ball guiding passage 276 toward one side, and is guided from the communication port 279 formed in the mechanism plate 236 to the rear side of the mechanism plate 236. Further, the communication port 279 is guided to a junction passage 286 which communicates with the downstream portion of the ball emptying passage 246. The ball emptying passage 246 is bent in an inverted L-shape along the outer peripheral edge of the mechanism plate 236 at a position upstream of the merging portion with the merging passage 286, and finally merges with the merging discharge passage 287. I have.
[0080]
Therefore, the winning ball discharged from the game board 206 and received from the winning ball falling entrance 278 through the winning ball guiding cover body is transferred to the winning ball guiding passage 276, the communication port 279, the merging passage 286, and the ball removing passage 246. The pachinko machine 2 is guided to the outside of the pachinko machine 2 via the most downstream portion and the merging discharge passage 287. In addition, in the space between the winning ball falling entrance 278 and the winning ball guiding passage 276, it is supported so as to vibrate by the winning ball falling from the winning ball falling entrance 278, and rolls on the winning ball guiding passage 276. A guide member for arranging winning prize balls in a line is provided.
[0081]
Further, the out ball passage 277 is formed below the recess 281 formed on the side of the winning ball falling entrance 278 so as to vertically overlap the winning ball guiding passage 276, and the mechanism plate 236 at the lower end of the outflow ball guiding passage 276 is formed. A communication port 282 is opened in the main body so as to communicate with the merging discharge passage 287. The recess 281 described above is for accommodating a game board locking lever which is attached substantially at the center of the lower portion of the game board storage frame in order to fix the lower portion of the game board 206 from the back.
[0082]
However, the out ball taken in from the out port 226 of the game board 206 is guided to an out ball discharge passage (not shown) formed in the back surface of the game board 206, and further, the lower plate of the game board storage frame. After being guided to the above-mentioned out-ball passage 277 through an out-ball communication port formed in the shape of a ball, it is guided to the outside of the pachinko machine 2 through the communication port 282 and the merging discharge passage 287. In other words, in the above-mentioned merging discharge passage 287, the ball removal ball from the ball removal passage 246, the out ball from the out ball passage 277, and the winning ball from the winning ball guiding passage 276 are all merged into the outside of the pachinko machine 2. The pachinko machine 2 is guided and discharged from the merging discharge passage 287 to the outside of the pachinko machine 2.
[0083]
As shown in FIG. 2, a power supply unit box 272 accommodating a power supply unit substrate for generating a plurality of power supplies having different voltages is provided on the left side of the junction discharge passage 287. A power supply connector to which a power supply line is connected is mounted on the power supply unit board. The power supply line connected to the power supply connector is drawn down to a lower portion of the mechanism plate 236 along a wiring processing groove (not shown) formed on the back surface side of the mechanism plate 236, and each opening provided in the main body of the mechanism plate 236 is provided. From the main body and is connected to the power connector. The voltage supplied by the power supply line is a voltage of 24 V AC, and the plurality of voltages generated by the power supply unit substrate (power generation substrate) are four types of DC 30 V, DC 21 V, DC 12 V, and DC 5 V. (However, AC24V is also supplied to other substrates.)
[0084]
Further, the power supply unit board is used to back up (hold) the storage contents of the RAM provided on each board while the drive power is not supplied to each CPU of the game control board 231 and the award ball control board 237. Backup power is supplied to the board. Note that the game control board 231 and the prize ball control board 237 perform a process for backing up when a power-off signal is output from the power supply unit board (power generation board).
[0085]
On the back side of the power supply unit box 272, a game control board box 232 accommodating a game control board 231 for controlling a game operation is detachably attached. The mounting is performed on a horizontal projecting plate 284 that is bridged over the mechanism plate 236 slightly above the lower side of the opening window 240. When the game control board box 232 is mounted, the horizontal protruding plate 284 has a lamp control board 235 and a voice control board on which the back surface of the game control board box 232 is mounted on the back side of the power supply unit box 272 and the game board 206. The height is set to be superimposed so as not to contact the control board box accommodating the 270, and is substantially the same as the height of the L-shaped projecting plate.
[0086]
Here, an example of a circuit configuration of the game control board 231 of the pachinko machine 2 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 13. The game control board 231 includes a basic circuit 253 for controlling the pachinko machine 2 according to a program, and a winning ball. Detection switch 269f, V-ball detection switch 269g, gate switches 212a-c, starting winning opening switch 217, V count switch 222, count switch 223, winning ball detection switches 299a-c, full switch 213 (full of inclined flow path 608) A full-battery switch 213 for detecting a tongue, a ball-out switch 233, a prize-ball count switch 248a, a lending-ball count switch 248b, and signals from operation button switches 114a to 114c for detecting operation of the effect device operation buttons 112a to 112c. Switch given to basic circuit 253 The path 258, a solenoid 216 for opening and closing the movable piece 215 and a solenoid 221 for opening and closing the opening and closing plate 220, a solenoid 269b for opening and closing the movable piece 269a, and a rotating body drive motor 269e for rotating the rotating body 269c are commanded from the basic circuit 253. And a lamp / LED circuit 260 for lighting and blinking the start winning storage display 218 and for driving the display 210 and the decorative lamp 225.
[0087]
In addition, the game control board 231 generates big hit information indicating occurrence of a big hit, start information indicating the number of start winning prize balls used for variable display of the variable display device 208, and probability fluctuation in accordance with data provided from the basic circuit 253. And a first information output circuit 264 that outputs probability change information and the like indicating the fact to an external management computer or the like.
[0088]
The basic circuit 253 includes a ROM 254, a RAM 255, a CPU 256, an I / O port 257, and a clock generator 250. The ROM 254 is for storing various information (data) such as a game control program. The RAM 255 is to be used as a work memory. The CPU 256 performs a control operation such as a game control operation in accordance with various control programs such as a game control program. The I / O port 257 has a plurality of ports provided for input and output of various kinds of information such as data and signals. The clock generation unit 250 supplies an operation clock serving as a reference timing when the basic circuit 253 operates to each unit in the basic circuit 253 such as the CPU 256.
[0089]
Further, the game control board 231 includes an initial reset circuit 266 for resetting the basic circuit 253 when the power is turned on, a periodic reset circuit 265 for periodically resetting the basic circuit 253 after the power is turned on, and a basic circuit 253. An address decode circuit 267 that decodes an applied address signal and outputs a signal for selecting one of the I / O ports 257 is provided.
[0090]
The basic circuit 253 is initially reset by the initial reset circuit 266 when the power is turned on. After the power is turned on, the basic circuit 253 is reset periodically (for example, every 2 ms) by the periodic reset circuit 265, and an interrupt process is executed. Thus, every time the interrupt processing is executed, the game control program is executed again from the predetermined position.
[0091]
The hitting ball firing device 500 that shoots a hitting ball is controlled by a circuit on a firing control board 291. The launching force of the launching sphere by the launching device 500 is controlled by the operation of a launching intensity adjustment motor 512 provided inside the launching device 500 according to the operation amount of the operation knob 205, and the biasing force of the launching spring 504 is adjusted. Thus, the adjustment is performed according to the operation amount of the operation knob 205. That is, the circuit on the launch control board 291 is controlled so that the hit ball is launched at a speed corresponding to the operation amount of the operation knob 205. Further, a launch ball sensor 614 and a launch LED 615 are connected to the launch control board 291, and lighting control of the launch LED 615 is performed based on a signal from the launch ball sensor 614.
[0092]
In addition, display control command data and an interrupt signal as a strobe signal (hereinafter referred to as a display control signal) are transmitted from the game control board 231 to the display control board 280 as command information relating to display control of the variable display unit 209 of the variable display device 208. INT). The display control board 280 controls the display of the variable display unit 209 in accordance with the instruction content of the display control command data CD.
[0093]
From the game control board 231 to the lamp control board 235, command information relating to control of the game effect LED 228a, the prize ball lamp 251, the ball out lamp 252, and the game effect lamps 228b and 228c controlled by the lamp control board 235 are provided. Information such as a lamp control signal is transmitted.
[0094]
From the game control board 231 to the voice control board 270, information such as voice control command data as command information relating to control of voice such as sound effect output from the speaker 227 is transmitted by the voice control board 270. In accordance with the voice control command data, a voice control microcomputer provided in the voice control board 270 performs voice control such as generation of sound effects from the speaker 227.
[0095]
Further, the basic circuit 253 generates a predetermined number of prize balls based on the prize ball detection switches 299 a to 299 c, the detection signal of the starting prize port switch 217, the detection signal of the V count switch 222, and the detection signal of the count switch 223. An award ball signal for payout is output to the award ball control board 237. The prize ball control board 237 controls the ball payout device 297 based on the outputted prize ball signal to control a predetermined number of prize balls.
[0096]
Specifically, for the winning prize which has won the large winning opening of the variable winning prize ball device 219, for example, 15 prize balls are paid out by detecting one winning prize ball in the count SW, and the starting prize opening 214 is provided to the starting winning opening 214. For example, five prize balls are paid out when one prize ball is detected in the starting prize port SW of the prize prize ball, and the prize ball which has won one of the other prize ports 224a to 224c is a prize ball. When one ball is detected by one of the winning ball detection SWs 299a to 299c provided corresponding to each winning opening, for example, control is performed so that five winning balls are paid out.
[0097]
In order to control the payout of the two types of prize balls, the game control board 231 performs a control operation as follows. When a detection signal is input from the winning ball detection switch 269f, the V ball detection switch 269g, the starting winning port switch 217, the V count switch 222, or the count switch 223, the detection signal is used for determining the number of winning balls to be paid out. The payout number determination data is temporarily stored internally for each payout number of prize balls according to the switch. Thereafter, if any of the detection signals of the winning ball detection switches 299a to 299c is input, it is determined whether or not there is a detection signal from the starting winning opening switch 217 before the input by referring to the payout number determination data. If there is, the game control board 231 outputs a winning ball command signal for instructing the winning ball control board 237 to pay out the number of winning balls of “5”. When a detection signal is received from the count switch 223 or the V count switch 222, a prize ball command signal for instructing the payout of the number of prize balls of “15” is output. On the other hand, when there is a detection signal from any of the winning ball detection switches 299a to 299c, a detection signal is input from any of the starting winning opening switch 217, the count switch 223, and the V count switch 222 before that. If not, the game control board 231 outputs a winning ball command signal of the number of winning balls of “5” to the winning ball control board 237. In the prize ball control board 237, control for paying out prize balls from the ball payout device 297 is executed by the payout control microcomputer based on the prize ball command signal.
[0098]
When the detection signal from the full tank switch 213 indicates a full tank state, a prize ball prohibition command signal is sent to the prize ball control board 237 according to the situation, and the prize ball is released by the ball payout device 297. Stop payout.
[0099]
A second information output circuit section 268 is provided on the prize ball control board 237 so that information on the number of payouts of prize balls controlled by the prize ball control board 237 can be externally output. I have.
[0100]
The prize ball control board 237 is connected to an I / O port 319 provided on a card unit control board (not shown) of the card unit 3 via a connection cable 262 and a connection connector 263 (see FIG. 2). In addition, a lending completion signal (EXS) and a pachinko machine ready signal (PRDY) to be described later are output to a microprocessing unit (MPU) 321 to be described later provided in the card unit 3 and the card unit The MPU 321 receives a card unit ready signal (BRDY) and a lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ), which will be described later.
[0101]
The operation board 18 is connected to the I / O port 319 of the card unit 3 via a connection cable 262 and the connection connector 263, as shown in FIGS. A lending input signal that is output when the ball lending operation is performed by the player and the return button 15 is operated, and the player performs a return operation of the prepaid card inserted into the card insertion slot 314 described later. The return input signal output in this case is output to the MPU 321 of the card unit 3, and a frequency signal for performing the display control of the frequency display unit 17 is input from the MPU 321. The display control of the frequency display unit 17 is performed by an output signal from the MPU 321 of the card unit 3. It has become the jar.
[0102]
Next, the card unit 3 used in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 14. As shown in FIG. 1, an operation lamp for notifying the operation of the card unit 3 by turning on the light, as shown in FIG. 301, a usable indicator 302 for displaying whether or not the prepaid card is usable, and a link table for displaying whether or not the card unit 3 is compatible with the pachinko machine 2 on which side. A direction indicator 303 and a card insertion slot 314 into which a prepaid card can be inserted are provided.
[0103]
The structure of the card unit 3 will be described below. As shown in FIG. A card reader / writer 317 for reading out identification information (ID) described later recorded on the inserted prepaid card and a frequency as a game value and writing a new frequency updated by the game; The connection cable 262 is connected to a storage unit 318 that stores the frequency of reading and writing from the prepaid card and a control program in which the control content executed by the MPU 321 described later is described. An I / O port 319 for inputting / outputting various signals to / from the prize ball control board 237 or the operation board 18 A communication unit 325 for performing data communication with a management computer (not shown) via a communication cable, and an MPU 321 for performing display control and input detection of the frequency display unit 17 mounted on the operation board 18 and these units. These components are connected as shown in FIG.
[0104]
As described above, each of these card units 3 is connected to a management computer (not shown), and when the prepaid card is inserted, or when read from the inserted prepaid card and stored in the storage unit 318. When a change is made to the inserted frequency, or when the inserted prepaid card is returned or collected, etc., identification information (ID) and frequency described later recorded on the prepaid card are recorded. Data, changed new frequency data, and the like are output to the management computer.
[0105]
The prepaid card inserted into the card insertion slot 312 is provided with identification information (ID) capable of identifying each prepaid card, and is recorded in the management computer. The card is registered in association with the corresponding frequency, and based on the identification information (ID) recorded on the prepaid card, the frequency usable by the prepaid card is specified by the management computer. By being notified to the card unit 3 and being stored in the storage unit 318, a lending process for lending pachinko balls used for playing the pachinko machine 2 based on the stored frequency can be performed. .
[0106]
The control state of the lending process will be described with reference to FIG. 15. First, the prize ball control board 237 of the pachinko machine 2 supplies the ball to the ball tank 238 (see FIG. 2) of the pachinko machine 2 and the pachinko ball 2 When the payout becomes possible, the standby state is established, and the PRDY is output as LOW to the MPU 321 of the card unit 3 (S1).
[0107]
When the lending button 16 is operated in the state where PRDY is set to LOW, the MPU 321 of the card unit 3 outputs the BRDY as LOW to the award ball control board 237 (S2). Then, the BRQ is set to LOW and output to the award ball substrate 237 (S3).
[0108]
Next, when detecting the BRQ in a state where the BRDY output from the MPU 321 is detected, the award ball control board 237 outputs the EXS to LOW to the MPU 321 (S4).
[0109]
The MPU 321 that has detected the EXS LOW sets the output of the BRQ to HIGH, and the award ball control board 237 that has detected the BRQ HIGH outputs a ball payout signal to the ball payout device 297, and based on this, the frequency is reduced to 1 degree. The payout of the corresponding number of balls (25 balls in this embodiment) is performed, and based on the completion of the payout, the EXS output is set to HIGH (S5).
[0110]
The MPU 321 that has detected EXS HIGH subtracts one degree from the frequency read from the prepaid card inserted into the card insertion part 314 of the card unit 3 and stored in the storage part 318, and The display is updated by subtracting 1 degree from the frequency displayed on the display unit 17 (S6).
[0111]
The MPU 321 repeatedly performs the control of (S3) to (S6) for the number of times of lending based on one operation of the lending button 16 (five degrees in FIG. 21), and after these controls are completed. , BRDY is set to HIGH, and the lending process is completed (S7).
[0112]
As described above, based on the number of times the BRQ is output from the MPU 321 of the card unit 3, the award ball substrate 237 lends the number (25 balls) of pachinko balls corresponding to one time. Using the pachinko balls lent out in this manner, the player can play a game in the pachinko machine 2.
[0113]
Next, the structure and operation of the pachinko machine 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
[0114]
As shown in FIG. 6, the game board 206 is formed of a wooden plate so as to be fitted into an opening 200 a formed in the front door frame 200 separately from the synthetic resin front door frame 200. The front door frame 200 is fitted into the opening 200a from the front of the front door frame 200, and is detachably attached to the front door frame 200 via an attachment means (for example, a rotating claw or the like) provided on the front door frame 200. ing.
[0115]
A frame-shaped rail member 110 made of synthetic resin is fixed to a front surface 206a of the game board 206, and an inner area surrounded by the rail member 110 is a game area 207. The rail member 110 has a predetermined width, prevents the pachinko ball from deviating from the game area 207, and guides the pachinko ball to an out port 226 formed at the lower center of the game area 207 on the front surface 206a of the game board 206. It is configured to The out port 226 constitutes an out ball collection unit for collecting, as an out ball, a pachinko ball that has not been won in any of the winning ports described later after being fired from the firing device 500.
[0116]
In this embodiment, since the rail member 110 constituting the game area 207 is formed of a synthetic resin, the generation of the collision sound with the pachinko ball is effectively suppressed. Is not limited to a synthetic resin, and may be formed of a metal material such as stainless steel as conventionally known.
[0117]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the launching device 500 according to the present embodiment is located at the lower left position on the rear surface 200 b of the front door frame 200, that is, at the lower left position of the game area 207 formed on the front surface 206 a of the game board 206. Since there is no need to provide a firing rail or the like provided in the conventional pachinko machine below the front surface 206a of the game board 206, the game area 207 is lower than the game area of the conventional pachinko machine. Has been greatly expanded.
[0118]
As shown in FIG. 8, the launching device 500 is fixed to the rear surface 200b of the front door frame 200 so that the firing position 500a is located on the rear surface 206b side of the game board 206, and The first guiding path 601 in the launching ball guiding path 600 is provided above the device 500 and guides the pachinko ball launched from the launching device 500 to the upper side position of the game area 207 provided above the launching device 500. The first passage member 604 and the second passage member 605 that are configured are arranged on the rear surface 206b side of the game board 206.
[0119]
Therefore, the game board 206 can be enlarged in the left-right width direction without being restricted by the launching ball guide path 600 extending in the vertical direction of the front door frame 200. That is, it is possible to maximize the left and right width of the game area 207 formed on the front surface 206a of the game board 206 within the left and right width of the front door frame 200 by making maximum use of the left and right width of the front door frame 200. I can do it. By expanding the game area 207 in this manner, specifically, a large display, a large number of accessories, and the like are also provided on the front side of the launching ball guide path 600 shown by the dotted line in FIG. Since a large number of games can be arranged and a wide variety of games can be realized, the interest of the games can be effectively improved.
[0120]
In addition, a part of the launching ball guide path 600 guides the pachinko ball that has moved upward along the first guide path 601 to an outlet 618 disposed at an upper left position when viewed from the front in the game area 207. Guide path 602 is formed by a part of the second passage member 605 and the third passage member 606, so that the first guide path 601, that is, the rear surface 206b side of the game board 206 faces upward. The pachinko ball that has moved is smoothly guided to the game area 207 via the second guiding path 602 and flows out from the outlet 618.
[0121]
Since the second taxiway 602 is formed in the through-hole 616 formed to penetrate the game board 206 in the front-rear direction, the pachinko machine that has moved along the first taxiway 601 on the rear surface 206b side of the game board 206. The ball can be launched into the game area 207 via the second taxiway 602 without causing a sense of strangeness in appearance.
[0122]
Further, since the guide ribs 613 and 617 constituting the second guide path 602 are formed so that the moving direction is gradually changed from the rear surface 206b side to the front surface 206a side as the upward movement, the pachinko ball is formed. Can be guided to the front surface 206a side without significantly reducing the moving speed of the camera.
[0123]
Further, the first passage member 604 and the second passage member 605 constituting the launching ball guide path 600 are attached to the attachment plate 609 fixed to the rear surface 200b of the front door frame 200 via screws as described above. Since the first passage member 604 and the second passage member 605 do not need to be removed from the front door frame 200 when the game board 206 is attached to and detached from the front door frame 200, the game board 206 can be replaced. Has no effect on In addition, since the stability of the launching ball guide path 600 is improved by being attached to the front door frame 200 which requires support strength for fixing the gaming board 206 on which the gaming area 207 is formed, In addition to being surely guided to the area 207, it is not necessary to replace the first passage member 604 and the second passage member 605 constituting the launching ball guide path 600 together with the exchange of the game board 206, so that the cost is reduced. I can do it.
[0124]
When the first passage member 604 and the second passage member 605 constituting the launching ball guideway 600 are attached to, for example, the base frame 201 or the like, when the front door frame 200 is opened and closed with respect to the base frame 201, the launching ball guideway is provided. It is necessary to separate the launching ball 600 from the launching device 500 and the game board 206, but since it is attached to the front door frame 200, there is no need to separate the launching ball guide path 600 from the launching device 500 and the gaming board 206. Therefore, the structure of linking the pachinko ball with the launching device 500 and the game board 206 is prevented from becoming complicated.
[0125]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the entire first taxiway 601 of the launching ball taxiway 600 is disposed on the rear surface 206b side of the game board 206. Although it is preferable to be able to expand further downward, in the present invention, the guiding path portion of the launching ball guiding path 600 facing the rear surface 206b side of the game board 206 is a game board. If the first guide path 601 is configured by being disposed on the rear surface 206b side of the 206, for example, a part of the first passage member 604 located below the lower end of the game board 206 or the firing position 500a in the firing device 500 May be arranged at a position forward of the rear surface 206b of the game board 206.
[0126]
In addition, since the launching device 500 is disposed below the game board 206, a part of the launching device 500 is located forward of the rear surface 206b, but the entire launching device 500 is located at a position lower than the rear surface 206b of the gaming board 206. By disposing the game board 206 at the rear, the game board 206 can be further expanded downward.
[0127]
Further, since the foul ball flow path 295 in this embodiment is provided in the second passage member 605 arranged on the rear surface 206b side of the game board 206 as described above, the foul ball flow path 295 faces the vertical direction of the front door frame 200. The game board 206 can be expanded in the left-right width direction without being restricted by the extended foul ball channel 295. That is, it is possible to maximize the left and right width of the game area 207 formed on the front surface 206a of the game board 206 within the left and right width of the front door frame 200 by making maximum use of the left and right width of the front door frame 200. Since the second passage member 605 constituting the foul ball flow path 295 is attached to the rear surface 200b of the front door frame 200, the second passage member 605 is attached to and detached from the game board 206 with respect to the front door frame 200. Since it is not necessary to remove the member 605 from the front door frame 200, it does not affect replacement of the game board 206 or the like.
[0128]
In the present embodiment, the foul ball flow path 295 is formed in the second passage member 605 constituting a part of the launch ball guide path 600, but the present invention is not limited to this. A foul ball passage member separate from the second passage member 605 may be provided to form a foul ball channel. In this case, the foul ball passage member is preferably arranged on the rear surface 206b side of the game board 206.
[0129]
FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a pachinko machine 2 'as a modification of the present invention. In this modification, parts having the same configuration and function as those of the pachinko machine 2 of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the above-described embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. It shall be.
[0130]
Hereinafter, the pachinko machine 2 ′ according to the present modification is different from the pachinko machine 2 of the above-described embodiment in that the second passage member 605 is directly attached to the rear surface 206 b of the game board 206 instead of the front door frame 200. It is a point that has been.
[0131]
As described above, in the present invention, if the launching ball guide path 600 is disposed on the rear surface 206b side of the gaming board 206 in a state where the gaming board 206 is attached to the front door frame 200, the launching ball guiding path 600 The passage member constituting the road 600 may not be attached to the front door frame 200, and may be attached to the rear surface 206b side of the game board 206 as shown in FIG.
[0132]
In this way, since the launching ball guide path 600 can be provided close to the rear surface 206b of the game board 206, the launching ball guideway 600 can be provided compactly without projecting backward, Since the second passage member 605 and the third passage member 606 can be precisely positioned and fixed to the game board 206 in advance, the second passage member 605 and the third passage member 606 can be detached from the front door frame 200 to replace the game board 206. However, when the game board 206 is attached to the opening 200c, there is no need to align the opening 612 on the front surface of the second passage member 605 with the rear opening of the third passage member 606, so that the second taxiway. There is no step or the like in the 602, which hinders the movement of the pachinko ball. In addition, maintenance work such as cleaning of the launching ball guide path 600 can be performed with replacement of the game board 206.
[0133]
Each element in the above embodiment corresponds to the present invention as follows.
[0134]
Claim 1 of the present invention is a hitting ball storage unit (hitting ball supply) provided at a lower position of a ball game machine (pachinko machine 2, 2 ') for storing game balls (pachinko balls) for use in games. Plate 203) and a game ball (206a) provided at a lower position of the ball game machine and having game balls stored in the hit ball storage section attached to a game machine frame (front door frame 200). And a launching device (500) for launching into a game area (207) formed on the side of the ball game machine.
A launch ball supply path (420a) for supplying game balls stored in the hit ball storage section to a launch position (500a) of game balls in the launch device;
A launch ball guiding path (600) for guiding a game ball launched from the launch device to the game area,
The launch ball guide path includes a first guide path section (first guide path 601) located above the firing position, and a game ball moving upward in the first guide path section within the game area. A second guideway section (second guideway 602) for guiding to an outlet (618) arranged at a lateral upper position,
The first taxiway is disposed on the rear surface (200b) of the game board.
[0135]
Claim 2 of the present invention is that the launch ball guide path members (the first passage member 604 and the second passage member 605) constituting the launch ball guide path (600) are attached to the gaming machine frame (the front door frame 200). Installed.
[0136]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the launch ball guide path members (the first passage member 604 and the second passage member 605) constituting the launch ball guide path (600) are attached to the gaming board (206). .
[0137]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the second taxiway section (the second taxiway 602) is formed to penetrate the game board (206) in the front-rear direction.
[0138]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a foul ball path (a foul ball flow) for collecting game balls (pachinko balls) fired from the firing device (500) and not reaching the game area (207) as foul balls. Road 295 (inside the second passage member 605)).
At least a part of the foul ball passage is arranged on the rear surface (206b) side of the game board (206).
[0139]
As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in the above embodiments with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to each of the embodiments, and may be modified or added without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, this is also included in the present invention.
[0140]
For example, the launching apparatus 500 in the above-described embodiment is configured to be able to launch a pachinko ball by driving the cam drive motor 511, but the launch driving means of the launching apparatus for launching a pachinko ball into the game area 207 is limited to a motor. However, a rotor solenoid, a solenoid, or the like may be applied as the firing drive means.
[0141]
Further, in the above embodiment, the launch ball guiding path 600 is constituted by the first passage member 604, the second passage member 605, and the third passage member 606, but these passage members are integrated into one passage. It may be constituted by a member.
[0142]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the launching device 500 is disposed at the lower left position in the pachinko machine 2, but may be disposed at the lower right position or the lower central position. Further, the outlet 618 is provided at the upper left position in the game area 207, but may be provided at the upper right position or the upper central position.
[0143]
Further, in the above embodiment, the launching device 500 is configured to be controlled by the launch control unit provided on the launch control board 291. However, the launch control unit is provided on the winning ball control board 237, and the launch ball control is performed. You may comprise so that it may connect to the board | substrate 237.
[0144]
Further, in the above embodiment, the rail member 110 and the out port 226 constituting the game area 207 are provided on the game board 206, but may be provided on the front door frame 200. Since the member 110 and the outlet 226 do not need to be manufactured each time the game board 206 is replaced due to, for example, model change, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0145]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention has the following effects.
[0146]
(A) According to the first aspect of the present invention, a game ball launched from a firing device provided at a lower position of a ball game machine moves upward on a rear surface side of the game board by a first guide path portion. After that, it is guided to the front side through the second taxiway portion and flows out from the outlet into the game area, so that the game area can be divided into the game machine frame without being restricted by the arrangement position of the launch ball guideway. Inside as much as possible.
[0147]
(B) According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the stability of the launch ball guideway member is improved by being attached to the game machine frame having a high strength for attaching the game board, the launch ball launched from the launch device Not only can be surely guided to the game area, but also it is not necessary to replace the launching ball guide path member together with the replacement of the game board, so that the cost can be reduced.
[0148]
(C) According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the launching ball guideway can be provided close to the rear surface of the game board, the launching ball guideway can be compactly provided, and maintenance work such as cleaning can be performed. Can be performed with the exchange of the game board.
[0149]
(D) According to the invention of claim 4, the game ball moving on the first guiding path portion on the rear side of the game board can be launched into the front side game area without a sense of strangeness in appearance.
[0150]
(E) According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the foul ball passage is arranged on the rear side of the game board, so that the gaming area can be placed in the gaming machine without being restricted by the arrangement position of the foul ball passage. Not only can it be expanded as much as possible within the frame, but also the foul ball passage does not become an obstacle when arranging ball and ball game machines.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a ball game machine and a card unit as an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the ball game machine and the card unit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view showing an open state of a glass door frame in the ball game machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a configuration of a lower portion of a front surface in the ball game machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a view showing a pachinko ball channel formed by a mechanism plate in the ball and ball game machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the ball game machine of FIG.
7A is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3, FIG. 7B is an enlarged plan view of a main part of FIG. 3A, and FIG. 7C is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. .
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 3;
9A is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of FIG. 8, FIG. 9B is an EE sectional view of FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9C is a DD sectional view of FIG.
10A is a diagram showing an internal structure of a hitting ball supply tray, and FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a launching device and a rectifying device.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of a game ball in a normal state.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flow of a foul ball.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a ball game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a connection state between the ball game machine and the card unit and a configuration of the card unit in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an output state of each signal output from the prize ball control board and the card unit of the ball game machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a ball game machine as a modification of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Pachinko machines (ball game machines)
200 Front door frame
203 hitting plate (upper plate)
206 game board
206b Rear
207 Gaming Area
295 Foul ball channel
420a Launch ball supply path
500 launcher
600 Launch Ball Taxiway
601 First Taxiway
602 Second taxiway
604 first passage member
605 second passage member
606 Third passage member
618 Outlet

Claims (5)

A hit ball storage unit provided at a lower position of a ball game machine for storing game balls for use in games, and a game provided at a lower position of the ball game machine and stored in the hit ball storage unit A launching device for launching a ball into a gaming area formed on the front side of a gaming board attached to a gaming machine frame,
A game ball supply path for supplying game balls stored in the hit ball storage unit to a launch position of game balls in the launch device,
A launch ball guiding path for guiding a game ball launched from the launch device to the game area,
The launching ball guide path has a first guide path section located above the firing position, and a game ball moving upward in the first guide path section is disposed at a lateral upper position in the game area. A second guide path portion leading to the outlet,
A ball game machine, wherein the first taxiway is disposed on the rear side of the game board. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein a launch ball guideway member constituting the launch ball guideway is attached to the gaming machine frame. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the launch ball guide path member configuring the launch ball guide path is attached to the game board. The ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second guide path portion is formed so as to penetrate the game board in a front-rear direction. A foul ball path for collecting game balls fired from the firing device and not reaching the game area as foul balls,
The ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a part of the foul ball passage is arranged on a rear surface side of the game board.

Images