JP3025554B2 - Variable prize ball device for ball game machines - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball receiving member which can be changed between a first state advantageous to a player and a second state disadvantageous to the player, and a winning ball received by the ball receiving member. And a movable component member provided in the winning space and driven by an electric drive source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, a winning ball received when a ball receiving member which can be changed between a first state advantageous to a player and a second state unfavorable to the player is in the first state is displayed. Many variable winning ball devices have been proposed in which the flow path is changed or stored by a movable component member provided in the winning space when flowing down the winning space. The movable components provided in such a variable winning ball device include:
Usually, one electric drive source corresponds to one movable component.

[0003]

For this reason, when the number of movable components provided in the variable prize ball device is increased, the number of electric drive sources is also increased accordingly. On the other hand, when the number of electric driving sources is limited to prevent the size, the number of movable components provided in the variable winning ball device is limited. . SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a variable prize ball device for a ball game machine in which a large number of movable components can be provided with a small number of electric drive sources. Is to do.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a first advantageous player is provided.
Ball receiving member that can be changed to the state described above and the second state that is disadvantageous to the player, a winning space in which a winning ball received by the ball receiving member flows, and an electric drive source provided in the winning space and provided in the winning space a movable component driven by, but game
Collectively provided on a mounting board mounted on the surface of the panel
In the variable winning ball apparatus pinball game machine that, the variable winning ball apparatus, influences the movement of the winning balls flowing down the winning space
And a plurality of different types of movable component members are respectively engaged with a plurality of engagement portions formed on an operating member that is operated by one electric drive source. It is characterized by being combined.

[0005]

When the operating member is operated by one electric drive source, it engages with a plurality of engaging portions of the operating member.
A plurality of different types of movable components are driven. In other words, in the present invention, a small number of electric drive sources
Since a plurality of different types of movable components can be driven, the size of the variable winning ball device can be prevented, and the number of movable components provided in the variable winning ball device is not limited.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the game board 1 of a ball game machine to which the variable winning ball device 20 according to the embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a front view showing the configuration of the game area 3 of the gaming board 1, and FIG. 9 is a rear view showing the configuration of the back of the gaming board 1. In the figure, a game board 1
A partition rail 2 is planted in a substantially circular shape on the front surface of the partition rail 2, and the inside of the partition rail 2 is a game area 3. In the game area 3, a variable winning ball device 20 constituting a main part of the present embodiment is arranged at the center thereof. The variable winning ball device 20
A pair of ball receiving members 29a, 29b that can be changed between a horizontal state that accepts a hit ball so as to be advantageous to the player and an upright state that does not accept a hit ball so as to be disadvantageous to the player;
A winning space 27 for letting the winning balls received by the ball receiving members 29a and 29b flow down, and constituent members 54 and 57a provided in the winning space 27 and driven by a drive motor 65 (electric drive source) described later. , 57b, and
Further, a specific winning opening 38 containing a specific winning ball detector 39 is formed in a lowermost part of the winning space 27. The detailed configuration of the variable winning ball device 20 will be described later.

[0007] Further, a plurality of (3
), A start winning opening device 4 in which start winning winning openings 5, 6a and 6b are formed. Each starting winning opening 5, 6a, 6
b, a starting winning ball detector 7 for detecting a winning ball,
8a and 8b are built in. In addition, the starting winning opening device 4
On both sides are provided chucker lamps 9a and 9b which are displayed and controlled at the time of a start winning prize or a big hit game state, which will be described later.

A description will be given of the gaming state when a hit ball is won in the above-mentioned starting winning ports 5, 6a, 6b.
When a hit ball wins the central winning opening 5, the ball receiving members 29a and 29b of the variable winning ball device 20 open and close twice. When the hit ball wins the right and left starting winning ports 6a and 6b, the ball receiving members 29a and 29b open and close once. The state in which the opening / closing operation is performed is referred to as a start winning prize. Thus, when the winning ball received by the variable winning ball device 20 by the opening / closing operation at the time of the start winning wins the specific winning opening 38 and the specific winning ball detector 39 is turned on, the specific game state (generally a big hit game) State).

When the big hitting game state is reached, the ball receiving member 29
a and 29b perform opening and closing operations a predetermined number of times (for example, 18 times), or open and close operations (hereinafter, an opening and closing cycle) until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winning balls are generated during the opening and closing operations of the predetermined number of times. Is called). Then, when the winning ball accepted during the opening / closing cycle is guided again to the specific winning opening 38, a continuation right is generated, the current opening / closing cycle is immediately stopped, and the process proceeds to the next opening / closing cycle. Such repetition of the opening / closing cycle is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times) on condition that the continuation right is established. Therefore, when the big hitting game state is reached, a large number of winning balls can be obtained in a short time. In order to detect a winning ball that can be accepted during one opening and closing cycle, the winning ball detectors 45a and 45b are provided in the variable winning ball device 20 as shown in FIG.

In the game area 3, in addition to the variable winning ball device 20 and the starting winning opening device 4, the tulip-type winning openings 10a and 10b, side lamps 12a and 12b, the out opening 13, a windmill and obstacle nails (both in (No sign). The tulip winning ports 10a and 10b are arranged at the upper left and right sides of the starting winning port apparatus 4, and have sleeve lamps 11a and 11b built therein. This sleeve lamp 11
A and 11b are displayed and controlled in a predetermined manner at the time of start winning or a big hit game state, together with the side lamps 12a and 12b arranged at the center side end of the game area 3.
Further, as the lamps controlled to be displayed in this manner, a rail decoration lamp 17 (not shown) surrounding the outer periphery of the game area 3 is shown.
(See FIG. 10) and a frame lamp 18 (see FIG. 10) provided on the upper front of the ball and ball game machine. Further, a speaker 19 (not shown; see FIG. 10) is provided on the back of the ball game machine in order to generate a sound effect according to the gaming state. The display operation of the lamps and the speaker 19 will be described later in detail. The out port 13 is provided at the lowermost part of the game area 3, and collects out balls that have not been won.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, a winning ball collecting cover body 14 is fixed to the back of the gaming board 1. The winning ball set cover body 14 is formed with a guiding path for guiding a winning ball that has won the variable winning ball device 20 or a winning ball that has won a tulip-type winning opening 10a, 10b downward. A guide plate 15 is fixed to the rear surface of the starting winning opening device 4. The guide plate 15 is formed with guide holes 16a and 16b that open rearward to the left and right, and the winning balls that have won the start winning holes 5, 6a and 6b are passed from the guide ports 16a and 16b to the second winning ball collection space. (Not shown). The number of prize balls discharged by the prize balls discharged to the second prize ball collection space is determined by the first prize ball collection space (the space where the prize balls falling in the variable prize ball device 20 and the tulip-type prize openings 10a and 10b fall). ) Is set to a number (for example, 7) smaller than the number of prize balls (for example, 15) discharged by the winning prize ball released in ()).

The configuration of the game board 1 has been described above. Next, the configuration of the variable winning ball device 20 which is a main part of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, the variable winning ball device 20 has a mounting board 21 mounted on the surface of the gaming board 1.
The mounting substrate 21 is formed in a vertically elongated flat plate shape with both lower sides extended laterally, and normal winning ports 22 to 24 are protruded from the upper part and the front surfaces on both left and right sides. ing. Further, a rectangular winning opening 25 is opened at the center of the mounting board 21, and a peripheral frame 26 is provided behind the winning opening 25.
And a region surrounded by the peripheral frame 26 is a winning space 27.
Is composed. The components 54, 57a, 57b driven by the electric drive source in the winning space 27.
Is provided.

On the front surface of the mounting board 21, an upper obstacle frame 28 projects along the upper opening edge of the winning opening 25, and a pair of ball receiving members 29 are provided below both ends of the upper obstacle frame 28.
a, 29b are provided to be freely opened and closed. The ball receiving members 29a and 29b are fixed to lower portions thereof and rotate around rotation shafts 30a and 30b extending rearward. Rotating shaft 3
The rotational movements of the rotary shafts 0a and 30b are performed by link members 31a and 31b (see FIGS. 4 and 5) fixed to the rear ends of the rotary shafts 30a and 30b and an operating member 32 connected to the open / close solenoids 33a and 33b. , Opening and closing solenoids 33a, 33
This is performed by converting the vertical movement of b. The operating member 32 connected to the open / close solenoids 33a, 33b has, as shown in FIG.
4 is formed, and an engaging piece 52 of a connecting rod 51 connected to a movable decorative member 49 to be described later is engaged with the engaging concave portion 34. The movable decorative member is actuated by opening and closing solenoids 33a and 33b. 49 is also driven. Therefore, the ball receiving members 29a and 29b and the movable decorative member 49 are driven synchronously.

Below the ball receiving members 29a and 29b, a transparent plate 35 constituting a part of the opening edge of the winning opening 25 is provided.
Obstacle standing walls 36a, 36 integrally projecting from a, 35b
b is located. The transparent plates 35a and 35b are
The storage components 57a and 57b, which will be described later, are provided corresponding to the portions extending left and right in the lower part of the prize space 2.
Even in a state opened in 7, the state can be seen through.

Further, a winning ball receiving frame 37 is protruded below the obstacle standing walls 36a and 36b and along the lower edge of the winning opening 25. In the center of the winning ball receiving frame 37,
As shown in FIG. 7, a specific winning opening 38 is formed, and the specific winning opening 38 has a built-in specific winning ball detector 39 for detecting the passage of a ball. The left and right sides of the specific winning opening 38 are normally set as the winning openings 40a and 40b. The winning balls passing through the specific winning opening 38 and the winning balls falling into the normal winning openings 40a and 40b are also provided at the lower portion of the mounting board 21. The ball is discharged to the opened ball discharge port 41. Guidance balls are guided to the ball discharge port 41 quickly by guide pieces 37a to 37c which are inclined and protruded from the rear surface of the front plate portion of the prize ball receiving frame 37. Further, since at least the front plate portion of the winning ball receiving frame 37 is transparent so that the inside can be seen through, the specific winning opening 38 and the normal winning openings 40a, 40.
It can be seen that the winning ball that passed or fell into b is guided to the ball outlet 41. The number of opening LEDs 42 for displaying the number of times the opening / closing cycle is continued, and the number of winnings L for displaying the number of winning balls received during one opening / closing cycle are provided on the left and right mounting substrates 21 of the ball discharge port 41.
An ED 43 is provided. A decoration LED 76 for decoration is also provided below the winning ball receiving frame 37.

As described above, the winning opening 25 is formed by the upper obstacle frame 28 and the ball receiving member 29 protruding from the front surface of the mounting board 21.
a, 29b, the obstacle standing walls 36a, 36b, and the winning ball receiving frame 37, so that a ball falling in the game area 3 does not win in a normal state. However, when the ball receiving members 29a and 29b are opened, the ball hitting the game area 3 is received by the ball receiving members 29a and 29b, guided to the inside of the winning opening 25, reaches the winning space 27, and finally. Will be a winning ball. When the ball receiving members 29a and 29b stand up, the hit ball does not win at all, but the ball receiving members 29a and 29b and the upper obstacle frame 2
An interval may be formed between the ball 8 and the ball so that it is difficult to win.

In the winning space 27, an upper ball rolling plate 44 which is inclined downward toward the rear is laid on the upper portion thereof, and the rear end of the upper ball rolling plate 44 is detected by passing a winning ball. Winning ball detectors 45a and 45b are provided. The winning balls received by the ball receiving members 29a and 29b all flow down the upper ball rolling plate 44 and are detected by the winning ball detectors 45a and 45b, and then fall downward. The number of winning balls detected by the winning ball detectors 45a and 45b in the big hit game state is displayed on the winning number display LED 43.

The prize balls which have passed through the prize ball detectors 45a and 45b and fall downward are lower ball rolling plates 46 inclined toward the specific prize port 38 and the normal prize ports 40a and 40b.
Fall on. In the center of the lower ball rolling plate 46, an obstacle projection 47 is provided so as to protrude at a position corresponding to an upper portion of the specific winning opening 38. The obstacle projection 47 is formed with a passage toward the specific winning opening 38, and the winning ball flowing down this passage is almost certainly guided to the specific winning opening 38, but flows down at a position deviating from this passage. The winning prize is almost always guided to the winning prize ports 40a and 40b.

By the way, in the rear part of the prize space 27, a prize ball does not enter, but at a position where the prize ball does not enter, a decorative member which does not affect the flow of the prize ball is arranged. Specifically, a fixed decorative member 48 is provided at the upper rear of the upper ball rolling plate 44, and a movable decorative member 49 is provided below the fixed decorative member 48. As shown in FIG. 4, the movable decorative member 49 is provided so as to be swingable about the support shaft 50, and the engaging piece 52 of the connecting rod 51 connected to the rear end thereof is connected to the open / close solenoids 33a, 33.
The engagement member 32 engages with the operating member 32 which is moved up and down by b. Therefore, the open / close solenoids 33a, 33b
By repeatedly turning ON and OFF, the movable decorative member 4
9 swings up and down. The fixed decorative member 48 is provided with a design of the face of the robot monster, and the movable decorative member 49 is provided with a design of the mouth of the robot monster.
For this reason, when the movable decorative member 49 is driven, the robot monster performs an operation of opening and closing the mouth. A decoration LED 73a for decoration is provided inside the fixed decoration member 48 and the movable decoration member 49.

On the other hand, behind the lower part of the upper ball rolling plate 44,
Decorative case 53 to which the design of the body of the robot monster is given
Is provided. Then, from the decoration case 53, a plurality of components 54, 5
7a and 57b are provided toward the winning space 27 in front. More specifically, the component 54 is disposed below the winning ball detectors 45a and 45b and distributes winning balls falling from above to the left and right.
And the constituent members 57a and 57b are provided with the lower ball rolling plate 4
The storage components 57a and 57b are configured to store or cancel the winning balls flowing down the ball 6.

Thus, the distributing member 54 is provided with a design of a cannon projecting forward from the center of the decorative case 53, and as shown in FIG.
Is provided so as to be swingable in the left-right direction around the center. An engagement recess 56 is formed at the rear end of the distribution component 54, and an engagement pin 67 protruding from an operation cam 66 described later is provided.
And is adapted to be engaged.

The storage components 57a and 57b are provided with a design of an arm protruding in a curved shape from the side of the decorative case 53 toward the front, and as shown in FIG. It is provided so as to be swingable in the left-right direction by the support shafts 58a and 58b. Biasing springs 59a, 59b are provided around the support shafts 58a, 58b, and the storage constituent members 57a, 5b.
7b is urged in the direction in which the tip of the end 7b contacts. Further, at the rear ends of the storage constituent members 57a, 57b, engagement protrusions 60a,
60b is formed, and engages with engagement arc projections 68a and 68b projecting from the operation cam 66 described later.

Further, locking projections 61a, 61b project rearward from rear ends of the storage components 57a, 57b. The locking projections 61a and 61b are provided on stopper members 62a and 62b which are rotatably provided laterally in a state in which the distal ends of the storage components 57a and 57b are open (a state shown by a solid line; a storage release state). The storage releasing members 57a and 5 are engaged with the distal end portion to maintain the storage release state.
In a state where the distal end of the stopper 7b is closed (a state shown by a broken line; called a storage state), the distal ends of the stopper members 62a and 62b are placed on the upper portions and become in a state of no engagement. Thus, in the normal game state, the storage components 57a, 57b
Is in the storage release state, and the storage state appears during the open / close cycle in the big hit game state.
In order to make the storage state appear, the stopper member 62
It is necessary to release the engagement state between the locking projections 61a, 61b and the locking projections 61a, 61b. In this case, the release operation lever 64 which rises when the release solenoid 63 shown in FIG. The members 62a and 62b are pushed up to release the engagement with the locking projections 61a and 61b.

The plurality of components 54, 57a, 5
7b is driven by a drive motor 65 which is one electric drive source. That is, in front of a disk-shaped operation cam 66 fixed to a motor shaft of the drive motor 65, as shown in FIG. Engagement projections 68a, 68b are formed. The engagement pin 67 projects from a position eccentric from the rotation center of the operation cam 66 and engages with the engagement recess 56 of the distribution component 54. As shown in FIG. 2, the engagement arc projections 68a and 68b are provided in a substantially arc shape at a position symmetrical with respect to the rotation center of the operation cam 66, and have a radius D1 of the inner peripheral surface of the rotation tip and a rotation rear end. The relationship with the radius D2 of the inner peripheral surface is designed so that D2 <D1. Further, the shape of the rotating tip portion is such that the engaging projections 60a, 60b of the storage constituent members 57a, 57b can smoothly engage with the arcuate projections 68a, 68 even when the operation cam 66 is rotating.
8b is formed so as to be in contact with the inside thereof.

Thus, the operating cam 66 is driven by the drive motor 65
Components 54, 57a, 57 when rotated by
The operation b will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the operation of the distribution component 54 will be described. Since the engagement pin 67 is provided at a position eccentric from the center of the operation cam 66, the rotation of the operation cam 66 causes the engagement pin 67 to move in a horizontal direction. It will reciprocate. For this reason,
The rear end of the distribution component 54 is reciprocated right and left about the support shaft 55 while moving up and down in the engagement recess 56.
That is, the tip of the distribution component 54 also reciprocates in the left-right direction. When the distribution component 54 reciprocates in this way, the winning balls falling from the winning ball detectors 45a and 45b collide with the distribution component 54 or the lower ball rolling plate without collision. Since the ball falls to 46, the winning ball can be distributed in various directions.

Next, the operation of the storage components 57a, 57b will be described. The inner circumference of the engagement arc projections 68a, 68b in which the engagement projections 60a, 60b of the storage components 57a, 57b rotate by the rotation of the operation cam 66. Touch the surface. Thus, the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the engagement arc projections 68a, 68b gradually changes from the radius D1 to the smaller radius D2, and accordingly, the engagement projections 60a, 60b move toward the center. Conversely, the tip of the storage component 57a, 57b
Release gradually. Thus, when the stopper members 62a and 62b are released to some extent, the stopper members 62a and 62b rotate downward by their own weight and engage with the locking projections 61a and 61b. The engagement projections 60a, 60b are engaged with the engagement arc projections 68a, 68, respectively.
8b, the stopper member 62a,
Since the engaging projections 61a and 61b are engaged with the locking projections 62b, the distal ends of the storage components 57a and 57b do not close, and the storage release state is maintained. In order to release the storage release state, it is necessary to release the engagement with the locking projections 61a and 61b by turning on the release solenoid 63 and turning the stopper members 62a and 62b upward as described above. is there. When released, the storage component 57
The distal ends of a and 57b are closed at a stretch by the urging force of the urging springs 59a and 59b.

By the way, cutouts 69a and 69b are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the operation cam 66 on the diameter passing through the engaging pin 67, and a stop position detector 70 for detecting the cutouts 69a and 69b has a lower portion. Is provided. Thus, at the position where the stop position detector 70 has detected the notches 69a, 69b, the distribution component 54 is in a state of facing forward, and the engaging projections 60a, 60b are engaged with the engaging arc projections 68a, 6b.
8b in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the rotating tip (in this state,
If there is no engagement by the stopper members 62a and 62b,
The storage components 57a and 57b are in a storage state). When the storage components 57a, 57b are in the storage release state, as shown in FIG. 5, the tips of the storage components 57a, 57b are connected to the transparent plates 35a, 35b.
, There is almost no effect on winning balls flowing down the lower ball rolling plate 46. 6 when the storage members 57a and 57b are in the storage state.
As shown in the figure, all the winning balls falling from the winning ball detectors 45a and 45b are stored, and at least one of the stored winning balls can be stored in the center portion (in the portion corresponding to the little finger). The ball is stored).

The general structure of the variable prize ball device 20 is as described above. In addition, the variable prize ball device 20 is provided with a large number of decorative lamps and LEDs. Some of these are not shown, but in brief, a decorative LED 71 (not shown; hereafter, a decorative LED) illuminates the winning opening 22 at the top of the mounting board 21.
-A), fixed decorative member 48 and movable decorative member 49
Decorative LED 72 that illuminates the upper and lower surfaces of the LED (see FIG. 5;
The decoration LEDs 73a and 73b (hereinafter, referred to as decoration LED-B), the fixed decoration member 48 and the movable decoration member 49, and the decoration LEDs 73a and 73b provided inside the distribution component member 54 (see FIG. 4;
Hereinafter, the decorative LED-C), the storage component members 57a,
Decorative LEDs 74a, 74b for illuminating the rear side of 57b
(See FIG. 4; hereinafter, referred to as decoration LED-D), a decoration LED 75 that illuminates the lower ball rolling plate 46 (see FIG. 4;
A decorative LED-E), a decorative LED 76 for decorating the lower front surface of the winning ball receiving frame 37 (see FIG. 6; hereinafter, a decorative LED 76).
-F), and accessory lamps 77a, 77b for illuminating the winning space 27 behind the lower ends of the transparent plates 35a, 35b.
(See FIG. 5). The display of these LEDs and lamps is controlled in a predetermined manner at the time of a start winning or a big hit game state, as described later.

The configuration of the game board 1 of the ball game machine including the variable winning ball device 20 has been described above. The game machines are controlled by a game control circuit shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a game control circuit in a block configuration, which is controlled by a basic control circuit 80 including an MPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an input / output circuit. Thus, the basic control circuit 80 performs detection from the specific winning ball detector 39, the starting winning ball detectors 7, 8a, 8b, the winning ball detectors 45a, 45b, and the stop position detector 70 via the detecting circuit 81. The signal is input, and a chip select signal is given from the address decode circuit 82 to the basic control circuit 80 and the detection circuit 81. When the power is turned on, the initial reset circuit 83 is turned on.
Supplies a reset signal to the basic control circuit 80, and a periodic reset signal from the periodic reset circuit 84 to the basic control circuit 80 at predetermined time intervals.

On the other hand, the basic control circuit 80 supplies control signals to the following devices and circuits. That is, an audio signal is given to the speaker 19 via the speaker control circuit 85, and a drive signal is given to the drive motor 65 via the motor drive circuit 86. In addition, display control signals are given to the winning number display LED 43, the opening number display LED 42, and the decoration LEDs-A to F through the LED control circuit 87, and the frame lamp 18, the rail decoration lamp 17, Official lamps 77a, 77b, side lamp 12
a, 12b, chucker lamps 9a, 9b, and sleeve lamps 11a, 11b. Further, the solenoids 33a, 33a,
A drive signal is given to 33b and the release solenoid 63. The basic control circuit 80 outputs a jackpot signal to the jackpot information output circuit 90. Note that power having various voltages is supplied from the power supply circuit 91 to the above-described devices and circuits.

Next, the operation of the variable winning ball apparatus 20 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. First, with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the operation of the variable winning ball device 20 at the time of starting winning will be described. FIG. 11 is a time chart showing the operation at the time of opening once, and FIG.
It is a time chart which shows operation at the time of twice opening. In addition,
In the figure, the cannon indicates the distribution component member 54, the mouth indicates the movable decorative member 49, and the special winning opening indicates the ball receiving members 29a, 29.
b. Thus, after turning on the power, the drive motor 65
Since rotating at a constant speed, the cannon 54 reciprocates left and right at a constant cycle (4.000 seconds). Also,
At this time, the storage constituent members 57a and 57b are engaged with the stopper members 62a and 62b to maintain the storage release state.

In FIG. 11, when a ball hits one of the starting winning openings 8a and 8b and the starting signal S1 is derived,
Immediately, the coffins 29a and 29b are opened for a certain time (4.1 seconds). In addition, a predetermined time (1.000 hours) from the start signal S1.
Seconds) and the special winning openings 29a and 29b are short (0.5
00 seconds) open. The opening 49 opens and closes in synchronization with the opening and closing of the special winning openings 29a and 29b. Then, the start signal S1
The time from when the special winning opening 29a, 29b is closed to the time when the special winning opening 29a, 29b is closed is a start acceptance prohibited period. During the start acceptance ban, any start winning opening 5, 6a, 6
The hit ball winning b is also invalidated as a start winning function.

In the illustrated time chart, it takes a long time for the prize balls flowing down the prize space 27 to reach the specific prize port 38 even after the prize ports 29a and 29b are closed. 29b, a certain period of time (3,000 seconds) after the closing of the accessory continuous operation device operation valid time is recognized. The validity period of the continuous actuation device for the public works is a special winning opening 29
Since the winning prize which has been won just before the closing of a and 29b may be awarded in the specific winning opening 38, this is a grace time set for validating the winning.

Next, in FIG. 12, when the ball is hit in the starting winning opening 7 and the starting signal S2 is derived, the special winning opening 29a, 29b is delayed for a predetermined time (1.000 seconds) for a very short time (0.0.0 seconds). 500 seconds) and a short time (0.7
(00 seconds) twice. The time from when the start signal S2 is received until the opening of the two special winning openings 29a and 29b is completed is a start acceptance prohibited period. Also,
Since the opening time and the number of times of opening the special winning openings 29a and 29b in the double opening start are larger than those in the single opening start, there is a high possibility that the winning ball is guided to the specific winning opening 38, and the big hit game state Easily. Also in FIG. 12, a certain time (3.0) after closing the special winning openings 29a and 29b.
00 second).

Next, the operation in the open / close cycle will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 shows the operation state of the first switching cycle, and FIG. 14 shows the operation of the switching cycle when the switching cycle continues. In addition, in the figure, the continuous actuating device for a character shows the specific winning ball detector 39, and the arms show the storage constituent members 57a and 57b.

First, the operation in the first opening / closing cycle will be described with reference to FIG. When the accessory continuous operation device 39 is operated and the continuation signal R1 is derived, the continuation signal R1 is output.
After a certain time (5.000 seconds) from the big winning opening 29a,
29b starts the opening and closing operation. Then, winning opening 29
a, 29b until the opening and closing operation starts.
From the right until returning to the center, that is, the stop position detector 70
Operates until the notch 69a is detected, and stops when the cannon 54 returns to the center. Also, the arms 57a and 57b
The release solenoid 63 is turned on and closed at the same time as the continuation signal R1 is derived, but is opened again. And big winning opening 2
At the same time as the opening and closing operation of 9a and 29b starts, it is closed again, that is, the storage state.

When the opening and closing operations of the special winning openings 29a and 29b are started, all the winning balls received by the special winning openings 29a and 29b are the winning ball detectors 45a and 45b.
b and is stored in the arms 57a and 57b. Further, the opening / closing operation at the first stage of the opening / closing cycle (opening / closing operation up to the fifth time) and the opening / closing operation at the second stage (opening / closing operation after the sixth time) are controlled to be different. Specifically, in the opening / closing operation at the preceding stage, the opening time and the closing time are 0.71
The opening and closing operations are performed at an interval of 0.748 seconds at an interval of 2 seconds.

As described above, the special winning openings 29a, 29b
When the opening / closing operation progresses to the end condition of the opening / closing cycle, that is, when the number of opening of the special winning openings 29a and 29b reaches 18, or when ten winning balls are won in the special winning openings 29a and 29b. (When the winning ball number detectors 45a, 45b
The drive of the drive motor 65 is restarted at the time when ten are detected at the same time, and the reciprocation of the cannon 54 is started.
The arms 57a and 57b are opened, and the stored winning balls flow down onto the lower ball rolling plate 46. In this case, the number of the winning prize balls stored is close to the maximum of ten, and the prize balls are released at one time.
8, the probability of being continued to the next opening / closing cycle is increased.

When the condition for terminating the opening / closing cycle has been reached, the valid operation time of the accessory continuous operating device is set in the same manner as described above, and the winning prize ball released by the arms 57a, 57b within that time is the specific winning opening 38. To the next opening / closing cycle. However, at the time of the last opening / closing cycle, the effective operation time of the accessory continuous operating device is not set.

Next, the operation during the continuation of the opening / closing cycle will be described with reference to FIG. 14. In the last opening / closing cycle, 10 winning balls are generated before reaching the 18th opening / closing operation and the opening / closing cycle is repeated. Is reached, and the prize balls stored thereby are released and the specific prize port 38 is won, so that the continuation signal Rn (2 ≦ n ≦ 1
5) is derived. When the continuation signal Rn is derived, similarly to when the continuation signal R1 is derived, the special winning opening 29 is delayed by a predetermined time (5.000 seconds) from the continuation signal Rn.
a, 29b start the opening and closing operation. And big winning opening 2
Until 9a and 29b start the opening and closing operation, the cannon 54
From the right until returning to the center, that is, the stop position detector 70
Operates until the notch 69a is detected, and stops when the cannon 54 returns to the center. Also, the arms 57a and 57b
The release solenoid 63 is turned on and closed simultaneously with the derivation of the continuation signal Rn, but is opened again. And big winning opening 2
At the same time as the opening and closing operation of 9a and 29b starts, it is closed again, that is, the storage state. Also in the second and subsequent opening / closing cycles, the opening / closing operation is controlled at the same time interval as the first opening / closing cycle.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the operation of the lamp, LED, and speaker displayed according to each game state will be described. Circles in the figure indicate the lighting state,
A display with a cross in a circle indicates that the display is blinking at a half cycle.

First, in a normal game state in which the power is turned on, the decoration LED-F provided on the variable winning ball apparatus 20 blinks at 500 ms intervals, and the decoration LED-D turns on for 500 ms.
Blinks by turning on and off for 3.5s, and decoration LE
DE has a period of 4 s, and decoration LED-B and decoration LE
DA moves on and off at a cycle of 1.54 s. Further, both the number-of-times display LED 42 and the number-display LED 43 are lit up with 0. Further, no sound effect is produced.

Next, when the ball is hit, one of the starting winning ports 5, 6
When the player wins a or 6b, the rail decoration lamp 17 and the sleeve lamps 11a and 11b alternately flash at intervals of 100 ms, and the side lamps 12a and 12b and the chucker lamps 9a and 9b are ON for 100 ms and OFF for 300 ms.
And the accessory lamps 77a and 77b are turned on. The decoration LED-E and the decoration LED-C are synchronized with the rail decoration lamp 17 and
D flashes in synchronization with the sleeve lamps 11a and 11b, respectively, and the decoration LED-E displays the decoration L at a fast cycle of 400 ms.
The ED-B and the decorative LED-A are respectively turned on and off at a fast cycle of 320 ms. Further, both the number-of-times display LED 42 and the number-display LED 43 are lit up with 0. Further, the speaker emits a sound effect A at the time of the opening winning once, and a sound effect B at the time of the opening winning twice.

When an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine including the variable winning ball device 20, the side lamps 12a, 12a
b is turned on, and decoration LED-B, decoration LED-
A, the count display LED 42, and the number display LED 43 maintain the state before the occurrence of the abnormality, and the sound effect G is emitted. Thereby, for example, the count display LED 42 and the number display LED
The game state at the time of occurrence of an abnormality can be known by looking at 43.

Next, in the big hit game state, a first stage from when a specific winning is detected to when the ball receiving members 29a and 29b are opened, and a second stage when the ball receiving members 29a and 29b are being opened, For a certain period of time (3
Second) until the time elapses, and a ramp,
LED and sound effect are driven.

First, in the first stage, the frame lamp 1
8, side lamps 12a and 12b, sleeve lamps 11a and 1
1b, 60m synchronized with chucker lamps 9a and 9b
blinks at intervals of s, the rail decoration lamp 17
Blinks alternately, and the accessory lamps 77a and 77b are lit. The decoration LEDs-FC blink at intervals of 60 ms in synchronization with the frame lamp 18, and the decoration LED-B and the decoration LED-A blink at intervals of 40 ms. Further, the number-of-times display LED 42 and the number-display LEDs 43 are such that two of each of the seven segments are sequentially turned on and off at a cycle of 360 ms. Further, a sound effect C is uttered from the speaker.

In the second stage, the frame lamp 18
Flashes at 0 ms intervals, and rail decoration lamp 17 and chucker lamps 9 a and 9 b are ON 100 ms / OFF 500
Flashes at ms intervals, and the side lamps 12a, 12b and the sleeve lamps 11a, 11b are ON for 100 ms.
The lamp flashes at intervals of ms / ON 100 ms / OFF 100 ms, and the accessory lamps 77a and 77b alternately flash with the frame lamp 18 at intervals of 60 ms. Further, the decoration LED-F and the decoration LED-C alternately flash with the frame lamp 18, and the decoration L-F.
The ED-D blinks in synchronization with the frame lamp 18. Also,
The decoration LED-E lights and moves at a period of 600 ms, and the decoration LED-B and the decoration LED-A move and light at a period of 2.4 s. Count display LED 42 and number display LED 43
Indicates the number of continuations and the number of winnings, respectively. In this case, when the number of continuations of the opening / closing cycle is 10 or more, the number display LED 42 indicates the above-described first to fourth steps.
Only the first digit is displayed through the second stage, and the display mode is blinking display at 120 ms intervals. Therefore, in the tenth to fifteenth opening / closing cycles, 0
To 5 are displayed in a blinking manner, so that they can be distinguished from the lighting displays in the first to fifth opening / closing cycles. In the second stage except the last round, the sound effect D is uttered, and in the last open / close cycle, the sound effect E is uttered.

Next, in the third stage in which the big hitting game state ends, the frame lamp 18 is kept for a predetermined time (3.0 seconds).
(100 ms), the side lamps 12a and 12b and the chucker lamps 9a and 9b (both 60 ms) are synchronized,
And rail decoration lamp 17 and sleeve lamps 11a and 11b
(Both 60 ms) alternately flashes with the frame lamp 18, and the decorative LED-C also flashes at intervals of 60 ms in synchronization with the frame lamp 18. In addition, decoration L
The ED-B and the decorative LED-A are turned on and off at a period of 3.0 s. A sound effect F is also uttered.

Although the configuration and operation of the variable winning ball apparatus 20 according to the embodiment have been described above, according to this embodiment, when the operation cam 66 is operated by one drive motor 65, the operation cam 66 is operated. The distribution component 54, the storage component 57a, and the storage component 57, which respectively engage with a plurality of engagement portions (engagement pins 67, engagement arc projections 68a, 68b) formed on the base member.
57b is driven. Therefore, the plurality of movable components 54, 57a, 57b can be driven by a small number of electric drive sources, so that the variable winning prize ball device 20 can be prevented from being enlarged, and the movable component provided in the variable prize ball device 20 can be prevented. There is no limitation on the number of 54, 57a, 57b.

In the above-described embodiment, the drive motor 65 is exemplified as the electric drive source. However, another electric drive source, for example, a solenoid may be used. Further, the shape of the operating member operated by the electric drive source is not limited to a disk-shaped one such as the operating cam 66. Further, the operating member has two or more engaging portions. Is fine.

[0051]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, different types of engaging portions formed on an operating member operated by one electric drive source are used.
A plurality of types of so moving component was engaged respectively, a plurality of types of different kinds by small electric drive source comprising
Of the variable winning ball device can be prevented, and the number of movable components provided in the variable winning ball device is not limited.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a state in which a plurality of movable components provided in a variable winning ball device according to an embodiment are driven by one electric drive source.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a relationship between one movable component member and an engagement portion formed on an operation member.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the variable winning ball device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the variable winning ball device cut in a vertical direction.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view in which a part of the variable winning ball device is broken.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the variable winning ball device.

7A and 7B show the configuration of a specific winning opening portion of the variable winning ball device, FIG. 7A is a front view, FIG. 7B is a plan view, and FIG.
It is sectional drawing.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a configuration of a game area of a game board of a ball game machine to which the variable winning ball device is applied.

FIG. 9 is a rear view showing the rear structure of the game board.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a game control circuit for controlling a game operation.

FIG. 11 is a time chart showing the operation of the variable winning prize ball device at the time of a single opening start winning.

FIG. 12 is a time chart showing the operation of the variable winning ball device at the time of a double opening start winning.

FIG. 13 is a time chart showing the operation of the first opening / closing cycle in the big hit game state.

FIG. 14 is a time chart showing an operation when a second and subsequent opening / closing cycles are continued in the big hit game state.

FIG. 15 is a table showing operations of a lamp, an LED, and a speaker in each game state.

FIG. 16 is a table showing operations of a lamp, an LED, and a speaker in each game state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 variable winning ball device 27 winning space 29a, 29b ball receiving member 54 sorting component (movable component) 57a, 57b storage component (movable component) 65 drive motor (electric drive source) 66 operating cam (operating member) 67) Engagement pin (engagement part) 68a, 68b Engagement arc projection (engagement part)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A ball receiving member which can be changed between a first state advantageous to the player and a second state disadvantageous to the player, and a winning space in which a winning ball received by the ball receiving member flows down. a movable component and driven by the electric driving source provided on the winning space, but on the surface of the game board
A variable prize ball device of a ball game machine provided collectively on a mounting board to be mounted, the variable prize ball device comprising: a prize ball flowing down in the prize space.
Including a plurality of different types of movable components that affect the movement of a plurality of types of movable components, the plurality of different types of movable components being formed on a plurality of engagement portions formed on an operating member that is operated by one electric drive source. A variable winning ball device for a ball game machine, wherein the members are engaged with each other.