JP3682391B2

JP3682391B2 - Prize ball rectifying and feeding device

Info

Publication number: JP3682391B2
Application number: JP28042899A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 將志今仁; 雅之谷口; 真介萬道
Original assignee: 株式会社森創
Priority date: 1999-09-30
Filing date: 1999-09-30
Publication date: 2005-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-30
Also published as: JP2001096017A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、パチンコ機等の弾球遊技機における賞球整流送出装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来のパチンコ機（賞球整流送出装置）として、特開平１−３７９８０号公報に開示されているものがある。
そのパチンコ機は、裏側の上方に賞球貯留部を有しており、その賞球貯留部から２列になって流下してくるパチンコ球（賞球）は、賞球整流送出装置によって１列に整流された状態で流下して、賞球排出装置へ至る。そして、表側の遊技盤上において遊技者によって発射されたパチンコ球が入賞口に入賞することに基づいて、所定の数のパチンコ球が賞球排出装置から排出され、表側の球皿へ送出される。
【０００３】
上記の賞球整流送出装置は、２列の整流路の下流部に歯車状の整流盤を各々有している。その２つの整流盤は、半ピッチずれた状態で相対的に固定され、全体として回転可能に設けられている。そして、２列の整流路を流下してくるパチンコ球による圧力に基づいてその整流盤が回転することによって、その２列の整流路から交互に１つずつパチンコ球が流下するようにされている。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで、賞球排出装置は、前述したように、遊技者によって遊技盤上に発射されたパチンコ球が所定の入賞口に入った場合に、その入賞口の種類に応じて所定の数のパチンコ球を賞球として排出するものである。このため、賞球排出装置は精密な機構によって構成されており、流下してくるパチンコ球による圧力をあまり受けない方が好ましい。
【０００５】
しかしながら、上記従来のパチンコ機では、上方に設けられた賞球貯留部から流下してくるパチンコ球（賞球）の大きな圧力が賞球排出装置に加わり、賞球排出装置に大きな負担をかけている。すなわち、賞球貯留部から賞球排出装置までの高低差に基づく大きな球圧が賞球排出装置に加わるのである。なお、上記従来のパチンコ機では、賞球排出装置の上流側に「く」の字状に曲げられた球圧軽減路が設けられており、多少はその圧力（球圧ともいうこととする）が軽減されるものの、それ以外には特に球圧を軽減する機構は設けられておらず、賞球排出装置にかかる負担はやはり大きいのである。
【０００６】
そこで、本発明は、２列になって流下してくる賞球を１列に整流するとともに、下流側に設けられた装置に加わる賞球の圧力を軽減することができる賞球整流送出装置を提供することを課題とする。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記の課題を解決するために、請求項１に係る発明は、賞球貯留部から２列になって流下してくる賞球を１列に整流する、弾球遊技機における賞球整流送出装置であって、第１列の賞球が流れる第１流路と、第２列の賞球が流れる第２流路と、前記第１流路を流れてくる賞球と前記第２流路を流れてくる賞球とがほぼ相反する方向から一対ずつ流入し衝突して合流する合流部と、前記合流部の下流側に設けられ、合流部において衝突し合流した賞球が一対ごと並んで落下する落下部と、前記落下部の下方に設けられ、下方に向かうにつれて前記落下部における賞球の並び方向成分を有する方向に向かう斜底部と、前記斜底部から連なる排出路とを有する、弾球遊技機における賞球整流送出装置である。
【０００８】
「第１列の賞球」「第２列の賞球」とは、各々、賞球貯留部から２列になって流入してくる賞球のうちの第１列の賞球及び第２列の賞球のことをいう。
【０００９】
この発明の賞球整流送出装置では、次のように賞球が整流される。賞球貯留部から２列になって流入してくる賞球のうちの第１列の賞球が第１流路を流通して合流部に流入し、同様に、第２列の賞球が第２流路を流通して合流部に流入し、合流部においてその賞球がほぼ相反する方向から一対ずつ衝突して合流する。そして、その賞球が一対ごと並んで落下部を落下し、斜底部に着地する。そして、その一対の賞球は、低い位置に着地した賞球が先、高い位置に着地した賞球が後の順をもって、その斜底部の傾斜に沿って流下し、その順をもって排出路を流出する。上記の作用が一対の賞球ごとに順次行われることによって、２列になって流入してくる賞球が１列に整流されるのである。
【００１０】
この発明の賞球整流送出装置では、上記のように賞球が整流される際に、次の作用効果が得られる。合流部において賞球がほぼ相反する方向から一対ずつ衝突することによって、その両賞球のエネルギーが十分に散逸する。このため、それよりも下流側に設けられた装置に加わる賞球の圧力は、その散逸されたエネルギーの分、軽減されることとなる。このため、当該下流側に設けられた装置（例えば賞球排出装置）に対する負荷が十分に軽減され、当該装置の十分な保護が図られるのである。
【００１１】
なお、上述のように、「斜底部」は、下方に向かうにつれて落下部における賞球の並び方向成分を有する方向に向かうものであればよい。すなわち、下方に向かうにつれて落下部における賞球の並び方向（すなわちその並び方向と同一方向）に向かうものが代表例であるが、その方向に限らず、落下部における賞球の並び方向からねじれていても、落下部における賞球の並び方向成分を有する方向であればよい。
【００１２】
請求項２に係る発明は、請求項１に係る発明であって、前記合流部が、ほぼ水平な回転軸線を中心に回転可能に設けられ当該回転軸線から複数の仕切板部が放射状に延びる回転仕切部材を有し、前記第１流路及び前記第２流路を各々流れてくる賞球が、隣接する前記仕切板部間の空間内にほぼ相反する方向から一対ずつ流入し衝突して合流するものである、弾球遊技機における賞球整流送出装置である。
【００１３】
この発明の賞球整流送出装置では、請求項１に係る発明に加えて、次の作用効果が得られる。
前述のようにして第１流路及び第２流路を流れてくる賞球は、合流部において、回転仕切部材のうちの隣接する仕切板部間の空間内に、ほぼ相反する方向から一対ずつ流入し衝突して合流する。そして、その賞球に加わる重力に基づいて回転仕切部材が回転することによって、その賞球は仕切板部による支持を失い、その賞球は一対ごと並んで落下部を落下していく。
このように、この発明の賞球整流送出装置では、合流部において賞球が一対ずつ衝突して落下部を一対ごと落下する、ということが確実に得られ、請求項１に係る発明の作用効果を確実に得ることができるのである。
【００１４】
請求項３に係る発明は、請求項２に係る発明であって、前記回転仕切部材の各仕切板部の両側端面部が、一回転方向側に向かうにつれて当該仕切板部の幅が広くなる方向に向かうように斜めに形成されている、弾球遊技機における賞球整流送出装置である。
【００１５】
この発明の賞球整流送出装置では、請求項２に係る発明に加えて次の作用効果が得られる。回転仕切板部が、合流室内に流入しようとする各賞球の当該流入を遮るような角度状態の場合でも、その各賞球がその仕切板部の各側端面部に衝突することによって、仕切板部が前記一回転方向側に移動しようとして回転仕切部材が回転する。こうして、隣接する仕切板部間の空間内にその一対の賞球が確実に流入でき、請求項２に係る発明の作用効果が確実に得られるのである。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
次に、本発明の一実施形態を図面に基づいて説明する。
図１に示すように、このパチンコ機の裏側の上方には、賞球貯留部２が設けられている。賞球貯留部２はタンク状をしている。賞球貯留部２の下流側には２本の整流路４ａ，４ｂが設けられている。２本の整流路４ａ，４ｂは、その流れ方向に延びる仕切部（図示省略）によって仕切られて並列的に設けられている。各整流路４ａ，４ｂは下り坂状に形成されており、パチンコ球は各整流路４ａ，４ｂを各々１列になって流下する。すなわち、パチンコ球は合計２列で流下する。
【００１７】
整流路４ａ，４ｂの下流側には賞球整流送出装置１０が設けられており、その下流側には賞球排出装置８０が設けられている。賞球排出装置８０は、このパチンコ機の表側に設けられた上側球皿８２ａ及び下側球皿８２ｂに接続されている。
一方、このパチンコ機の表側の遊技盤（図示省略）には複数種類の入賞口（図示省略）が設けられており、遊技者によって遊技盤上に発射されたパチンコ球（遊技球）が遊技盤上を転動した後に入賞口に入った場合に、その入賞口の種類に応じて、所定の数のパチンコ球が、賞球として、上側球皿８２ａ及び下側球皿８２ｂへ排出される。すなわち、このパチンコ機は制御装置（図示省略）を有しており、どの入賞口にパチンコ球（遊技球）が入ったかが、その制御装置によって検知される。そして、その制御装置の制御の下に、賞球排出装置８０によって、その入賞口の種類に応じた所定の数のパチンコ球が賞球として排出され、そのパチンコ球（賞球）が上側球皿８２ａ及び下側球皿８２ｂへと導かれるのである。
【００１８】
次に、賞球整流送出装置１０について詳しく説明する。
図２及び図３に示すように、この賞球整流送出装置１０は、中央部材１２，第１流路形成部材１４，第２流路形成部材１５，蓋部材１６，回転仕切部材５０を有している。そして、回転仕切部材５０が中央部材１２及び蓋部材１６の間に回転可能に配設されるとともに、中央部材１２，第１流路形成部材１４，第２流路形成部材１５，蓋部材１６がビス１８によって結合されて形成されている。
【００１９】
図３〜図６に示すように、この賞球整流送出装置１０は、第１流路２０及び第２流路３０を有している。第１流路２０は、中央部材１２及び第１流路形成部材１４によって四角形断面の管状に形成されている。第２流路３０は、第２流路形成部材１５を主体に形成されており、第１流路形成部材１４及び中央部材１２によって一方の側部が塞がれ、四角形断面の管状に形成されている。
【００２０】
第１流路２０の流入口（第１流入口２１という）及び第２流路３０の流入口（第２流入口３１という）は隣接して設けられている。第１流入口２１（第１流路２０）は前述の整流路４ａ（図１参照）と連結されており、第２流入口３１（第２流路３０）は他方の整流路４ｂと連結されている。
【００２１】
図３〜図５に示すように、第１流路２０は、第１下り坂部２２，第２下り坂部２３，略鉛直部２４，第３下り坂部２５を有している。第１下り坂部２２は図５中右方向に向かうにつれて下方へ向かい、第２下り坂部２３は図５中左方向に向かうにつれて下方へ向かい、略鉛直部２４はほぼ鉛直に下方へ向かい、第３下り坂部２５は図５中右方向に向かうにつれて下方へ向かっている。
【００２２】
第２流路３０は、第１下り坂部３２，略鉛直部３４，第２下り坂部３５を有している。第１下り坂部３２は図５中右方向に向かうにつれて下方へ向かい、略鉛直部３４はほぼ鉛直に下方へ向かい、第２下り坂部３５は図５中左方向へ向かうにつれて下方へ向かっている。
【００２３】
第１流路２０の第１下り坂部２２及び第２流路３０の下り坂部３２は、並列的に設けられている。第１流路２０の略鉛直部２４及び第２流路３０の略鉛直部３４は、対極的に離隔している。第１流路２０の第３下り坂部２５及び第２流路３０の第２下り坂部３５は、対称的にかつ相互に接近するように設けられている。
【００２４】
図３〜図６に示すように、第１流路２０及び第２流路３０の下流側には、合流室４０（合流部に該当する）が設けられている。合流室４０は、中央部材１２及び蓋部材１６にわたって形成されている。図５及び図６に示すように、合流室４０は、扁平な横向き円筒状の円筒殻部４１と、その両端をほぼ塞ぐ円形状の第１端板部４２ａ，第２端板部４２ｂによって形成されている。
【００２５】
図３及び図６に示すように、第１端板部４２ａ（そのうちの中央部材１２の側の部分）には、第１流入部４３ａが形成されている。図４に示すように、第２端板部４２ｂ（そのうちの中央部材１２の側の部分）には、第２流入部４３ｂが形成されている。第１流入部４３ａ及び第２流入部４３ｂは、対向して、ともに孔状に形成されている。第１流入部４３ａは、第１流路２０と合流室４０とを連通させ、第２流入部４３ｂは、第２流路３０と合流室４０とを連通させるものである。
また、図１０に示すように、合流室４０の幅（円筒殻部４１の長さ）は、２つのパチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂが並んで収容される長さとされている。図５及び図６に示すように、合流室４０（円筒殻部４１）の下部には、流出孔部４６が形成されている。これも、２つのパチンコ球が並んで流出できる大きさとされている。
【００２６】
図３〜図６に示すように、合流室４０には、回転仕切部材５０が設けられている。
回転仕切部材５０は中心軸５２（回転軸線に該当する）を有し、中心軸５２から５枚の仕切板部５４が等角度間隔で放射状に延びている。中心軸５２の２つの軸端部５３ａ，５３ｂは、第１端板部４２ａ，第２端板部４２ｂのほぼ中央の軸孔部４８ａ，４８ｂに回転可能に嵌められており、中心軸５２は水平にかつ回転可能に設けられている。
すなわち、図３に示すように、両軸孔部４８ａ，４８ｂは中央部材１２及び蓋部材１６にまたがって形成されており、両軸孔部４８ａ，４８ｂのうち中央部材１２の部分に各軸端部５３ａ，５３ｂが嵌められた状態で、中央部材１２に蓋部材１６が取り付けられることによって、回転仕切部材５０が合流室４０に対して回転可能に取り付けられるのである。
【００２７】
図１４に示すように、各仕切板部５４は、ほぼ平板状をなしているとともに、その両方の側端面部５６ａ，５６ｂは、図６中時計回り方向に向かうにつれて外側方向（すなわち、各仕切板部５４の幅が広くなる方向）に斜めに形成されている。各仕切板部５４の間の空間のことを仕切板部間空間５５ということとする。
【００２８】
図５，図６，図９に示すように、合流室４０の下流側には、落下部６０が形成され、その下流側には流出路７０が形成されている。図３に示すように、落下部６０及び流出路７０も、中央部材１２及び蓋部材１６によって、四角形断面の管状に形成されている。図１０に示すように、落下部６０は鉛直に形成され、落下部６０も、２つのパチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂが並んで位置し得る幅を有している。
【００２９】
図５，図６，図９に示すように、流出路７０は、上流側の第１斜め流出部７１及び下流側の第２斜め流出部７２（排出路に該当する）を有している。第１斜め流出部７１は、下方に向かうにつれて図５中左方向に向かっており、第２斜め流出部７２は下方に向かうにつれて図５中右方向に向かい、その後、鉛直下方に向かっている。流出路７０（第２斜め流出部７２）は、賞球排出装置８０に連結される。流出路７０は、パチンコ球Ｂ（Ｂａ，Ｂｂ）が１列でのみ流下できる管断面を有している。
【００３０】
第１斜め流出部７１のうち図５中右側の部分は、斜底部７５とされている。斜底部７５は落下部６０の下方に形成されており、下方に向かうにつれて図５中左側へ向かっている。すなわち、落下部６０におけるパチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂの並び方向（図５及び図１１中左右方向）のうちの１方向に向かっている。
【００３１】
次に、この賞球整流送出装置１０の作用及び効果について説明する。
図１に示すように、賞球貯留部２に貯留されたパチンコ球（賞球）が、２本の整流路４ａ，４ｂを各々１列（合計２列）で流下してきて、賞球整流送出装置１０に流入する。すなわち、図３及び図５に示すように、一方の整流路４ａを流下してくるパチンコ球Ｂａが第１流入口２１から第１流路２０に流入し、他方の整流路４ｂを流下してくるパチンコ球Ｂｂが第２流入口３１から第２流路３０に流入する。
【００３２】
図３〜図５に示すように、第１流路２０に流入したパチンコ球Ｂａは、順次、第１下り坂部２２，第２下り坂部２３，略鉛直部２４，第３下り坂部２５を流下していく。そして、第１流入部４３ａから合流室４０へと１つずつ流入していく。
一方、第２流路３０に流入したパチンコ球Ｂｂは、順次、第１下り坂部３２，略鉛直部３４，第２下り坂部３５を流下していく。そして、第２流入部４３ｂから合流室４０へと１つずつ流入していく。
【００３３】
図６，図９，図１０に示すように、合流室４０においては、第１流入部４３ａから流入してくる１つのパチンコ球Ｂａが、回転仕切部材５０の１つの仕切板部間空間５５（その際に合流室４０に位置する仕切板部間空間５５）内に流入する。同様に、図９及び図１０に示すように、第２流入部４３ｂから流入してくる１つのパチンコ球Ｂｂが、同時に、回転仕切部材５０の同じ仕切板部間空間５５内に流入する。こうして、２つのパチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂが、相反する方向から合流室４０内における回転仕切部材５０の同じ仕切板部間空間５５内に流入し、両パチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂが衝突（ほぼ正面衝突）し、合流するのである。
【００３４】
図６〜図８に示すように、回転仕切部材５０の１つの仕切板部間空間５５に一対のパチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂ（図６〜図８中にパチンコ球Ｂｂは示されていない）が流入することによって、その重力によって回転仕切部材５０は回転（図６〜図８中時計回り方向）するとともに、その一対のパチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂは、その回転によって仕切部材５４の支持を失って、仕切板部間空間５５（回転仕切部材５０）から落下していく。そして、その次の仕切板部間空間５５に次の一対のパチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂが流入するのである。こうして、回転仕切部材５０が回転するとともに、順次、パチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂが一対ごと衝突して合流するのである。
【００３５】
図９〜図１３に示すように、合流室４０（仕切板部間空間５５）内において合流した一対のパチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂは、流出孔部４６（図６参照）を通って合流室４０から流出し、流出路７０を流下していく。すなわち、図１０〜図１３に示すように、一対のパチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂは並んで落下部６０を同時に自然落下し、斜底部７５に到達する。その際、前述したように、斜底部７５が下方に向かうにつれて図９〜図１３中左方に向かうように斜めに形成されているため、図１１及び図１２中右側のパチンコ球Ｂｂ（第２流路３０を流れてきたパチンコ球。右球ともいう）の方が先に斜底部７５に着地し、図１２及び図１３中左側のパチンコ球Ｂａ（第１流路２０を流れてきたパチンコ球。左球ともいう）が先行し、流出路７０を左球Ｂａが先，右球Ｂｂが後の順で、パチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂが１列になって流下していく。
【００３６】
以上のようにして、２列になって流入してくるパチンコ球（賞球）が１列になって流出し、図１に示すように、賞球排出装置８０へと流れていく。そして、前述したように、制御装置（図示省略）の制御の下、賞球排出装置８０から所定の数のパチンコ球が賞球として上側球皿８２ａ及び下側球皿８２ｂへと流れていく。詳しくいえば、まず上側球皿８２ａへ流れていき、上側球皿８２ａが満杯の際には下側球皿８２ｂへ流れていくのである。
【００３７】
上述のように２列になって流入してきたパチンコ球が１列になって流出していく際に、この賞球整流送出装置１０では次のような作用効果がある。
図１に示すように、賞球貯留部２，賞球整流送出装置１０，賞球排出装置８０は、上方から下方にかけてその順で設けられており、パチンコ球は、自重に基づいて、前述したように、その順に流下していく。すなわち、賞球貯留部２から一対の整流路４ａ，４ｂを経て賞球整流送出装置１０に流入してきたパチンコ球は、賞球貯留部２との高低差に基づくエネルギーを有している。
【００３８】
そして、前述のように、この賞球整流送出装置１０では、そのエネルギーを有する一対のパチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂが合流室４０において衝突（ほぼ正面衝突）する（図１０参照）。このため、その衝突の際にその両パチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂのエネルギーが散逸し、その分、両パチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂのエネルギーが小さな状態となる。両パチンコ球Ｂ（Ｂａ，Ｂｂ）はその小さなエネルギーの状態で賞球整流送出装置１０から流下していくため（図５参照）、賞球排出装置８０（図１参照）に加わるパチンコ球の圧力は、衝突によって散逸したエネルギーの分、小さなものとなり、賞球排出装置８０の保護が図られるのである。
【００３９】
また、前述したように、この賞球整流送出装置１０では、合流室４０に回転仕切部材５０が設けられている（図５及び図６参照）。そして、第１流路２０を流れてきて合流室４０内に流入するパチンコ球Ｂａと、第２流路３０を流れてきて合流室４０内に流入するパチンコ球Ｂｂとが、回転仕切部材５０の仕切板部間空間５５において一対ずつ確実に衝突し合流するようにされている。
このように、この賞球整流送出装置１０では、回転仕切部材５０によって、２列状態のパチンコ球を１列状態に整流させるとともに賞球排出装置８０に加わる球圧を軽減させる、という上述した作用効果が確実に得られるのである。
【００４０】
また、図１４に基づいて前述したように、回転仕切部材５０の各仕切板部５４の両方の側端面部５６ａ，５６ｂは、図６中時計回り方向に向かうにつれて外側方向（すなわち、各仕切板部５４の幅が広くなる方向）に斜めに形成されている。このため、図１５に示すように、仕切板部５４が、合流室４０内に流入しようとするパチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂの流入を遮るような角度状態の場合でも、そのパチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂがその仕切板部５４の各側端面部５６ａ，５６ｂに衝突することによって、その仕切板部５４が図１５中下方向（図６中時計回り方向）に移動しようとする。こうして回転仕切部材５０が回転し、仕切板部間空間５５内にその一対のパチンコ球Ｂａ，Ｂｂが流入できるのである。このようにして、回転仕切部材５０の円滑な回転が確保され、上述した回転仕切部材５０の作用効果が確実に得られるのである。
【００４１】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、この発明の賞球整流送出装置では、２列になって流下してくる賞球が１列に整流されるとともに、それよりも下流側に設けられた装置に加わる賞球の圧力が軽減されることとなる。このため、当該下流側に設けられた装置に対する負荷が軽減され、その装置の保護が図られる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態の賞球整流送出装置を有するパチンコ機の全体の概略を示す背面図である。
【図２】本発明の一実施形態の賞球整流送出装置を示す斜視図である。
【図３】本発明の一実施形態の賞球整流送出装置を示す分解斜視図である。
【図４】本発明の一実施形態の賞球整流送出装置を示す斜視図である。蓋部材を取り外し中央部材を一部破断した状態を示す。
【図５】本発明の一実施形態の賞球整流送出装置を示す正面図である。蓋部材を取り外し中央部材を一部破断した状態を示す。
【図６】本発明の一実施形態の賞球整流送出装置を示す縦断面図である。合流室に対するパチンコ球の流入・流出の第１段階を示す。図５中のVI−VI線で切断したものであり、パチンコ球については着目するもののみを示す（図６及び図７も同様である）。
【図７】本発明の一実施形態の賞球整流送出装置を示す縦断面図である。合流室に対するパチンコ球の流入・流出の第２段階を示す。
【図８】本発明の一実施形態の賞球整流送出装置を示す縦断面図である。合流室に対するパチンコ球の流入・流出の第３段階を示す。
【図９】本発明の一実施形態の賞球整流送出装置の作用（第１段階）を示す図である。図５のうちの要部（回転仕切部材を取り外した状態）を示す図であり、パチンコ球については、着目する一対のみを示す（図１０〜図１３も同様である）。
【図１０】本発明の一実施形態の賞球整流送出装置の作用（第２段階）を示す図である。
【図１１】本発明の一実施形態の賞球整流送出装置の作用（第３段階）を示す図である。
【図１２】本発明の一実施形態の賞球整流送出装置の作用（第４段階）を示す図である。
【図１３】本発明の一実施形態の賞球整流送出装置の作用（第５段階）を示す図である。
【図１４】本発明の一実施形態の賞球整流送出装置のうちの回転仕切部材を取り出して拡大して示す斜視図である。図２〜図４とは反対側から見た斜視図である。
【図１５】本発明の一実施形態の賞球整流送出装置のうちの回転仕切部材の仕切板部の側端面部の作用を示す図である。図５とは反対側から見た状態の要部を示す。パチンコ球については、着目する一対のみを示す。
【符号の説明】
１０賞球整流送出装置
２０第１流路
３０第２流路
４０合流室（合流部）
５０回転仕切部材
５２中心軸（回転軸線）
５４仕切板部
５５仕切板部間空間
５６ａ，５６ｂ側端面部
６０落下部
７２第２斜め流出部（排出路）
７５斜底部
Ｂ，Ｂａ，Ｂｂパチンコ球（賞球）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a prize ball rectifying and sending device in a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional pachinko machine (principal ball rectifying and sending device), there is one disclosed in JP-A-1-37980.
The pachinko machine has a prize ball storage section on the upper side of the back side, and the pachinko balls (prize balls) flowing down from the prize ball storage section in two rows are arranged in one row by the prize ball rectifying and sending device. It flows down in a rectified state and reaches the prize ball discharging device. A predetermined number of pachinko balls are discharged from the prize ball discharge device and sent to the front side ball tray based on the fact that the pachinko balls launched by the player on the front side game board win a prize opening. .
[0003]
Said prize ball rectification | straightening delivery apparatus has a gear-shaped rectification | straightening board in the downstream part of two rows of rectification paths, respectively. The two rectifying boards are relatively fixed in a state shifted by a half pitch, and are provided rotatably as a whole. Then, the rectifier is rotated based on the pressure of the pachinko balls flowing down the two rows of rectifying paths, so that the pachinko balls alternately flow down one by one from the two rows of rectifying paths. .
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, as described above, when a pachinko ball launched by a player on a game board enters a predetermined winning opening, a predetermined number of pachinko balls according to the type of the winning opening are used. As a prize ball. For this reason, the prize ball discharging device is constituted by a precise mechanism, and it is preferable that the prize ball discharging device does not receive much pressure from the falling pachinko balls.
[0005]
However, in the conventional pachinko machine described above, a large pressure of the pachinko ball (prize ball) flowing down from the prize ball storage section provided above is applied to the prize ball discharge device, which places a heavy burden on the prize ball discharge device. Yes. That is, a large ball pressure based on the height difference from the prize ball storage unit to the prize ball discharge device is applied to the prize ball discharge device. In the above conventional pachinko machine, a ball pressure reducing path bent in a “<” shape is provided on the upstream side of the prize ball discharging device, and the pressure (also referred to as a ball pressure) is somewhat increased. However, there is no mechanism for reducing the ball pressure, and the burden on the prize ball discharging device is still large.
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention provides a prize ball rectifying and sending device that can rectify the prize balls flowing down in two rows into one row and reduce the pressure of the prize balls applied to the device provided on the downstream side. The issue is to provide.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a prize ball rectifying and sending device in a ball game machine that rectifies the prize balls flowing down in two rows from the prize ball storage unit into one row. The first flow path through which the first row of prize balls flows, the second flow path through which the second row of prize balls flow, the prize balls flowing through the first flow path, and the second flow path. A pair of inwardly colliding inflowing prize balls and a merge part that collides and merges, and a prize ball that collides and merges in the merge part falls side by side. A bullet ball having a falling portion, a slope bottom portion provided below the fall portion, and heading in a direction having a component in a direction in which prize balls are arranged in the fall portion, and a discharge path continuous from the slope bottom portion. This is a prize ball rectifying and sending device in a gaming machine.
[0008]
“First-row prize balls” and “second-row prize balls” are the first-row prize balls and the second-row, respectively, of the prize balls that flow in two rows from the prize-ball storing section. Means the prize ball.
[0009]
In the prize ball rectifying and sending device of the present invention, the prize balls are rectified as follows. Among the prize balls that flow in in two rows from the prize ball storage unit, the first row prize balls flow through the first flow path and flow into the junction, and similarly, the second row prize balls It flows through the second flow path and flows into the merging portion, and the prize balls collide one by one from the opposite directions at the merging portion and merge. Then, the prize balls are lined up in pairs and fall on the falling part and land on the oblique bottom part. The pair of award balls, the award ball that landed at a low position first, the award ball that landed at a high position flowed down along the slope of the slant bottom, and then flowed out of the discharge path in that order. To do. By sequentially performing the above operation for each pair of prize balls, the prize balls that flow in two lines are rectified into one line.
[0010]
In the prize ball rectifying and sending device of the present invention, the following effects are obtained when the prize ball is rectified as described above. When the prize balls collide one by one from the opposite directions at the junction, the energy of both prize balls is sufficiently dissipated. For this reason, the pressure of the prize ball applied to the device provided on the downstream side is reduced by the dissipated energy. For this reason, the load with respect to the apparatus (for example, prize ball discharge apparatus) provided in the said downstream is fully reduced, and sufficient protection of the said apparatus is achieved.
[0011]
As described above, the “oblique bottom portion” only needs to be directed in the direction having the component of the prize balls in the falling portion in the downward direction. In other words, a typical example is that the prize balls are arranged in the falling part in the downward direction (that is, in the same direction as the arrangement direction). However, it may be a direction having a component of the prize balls in the falling portion.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the joining portion is provided so as to be rotatable around a substantially horizontal rotation axis, and the plurality of partition plate portions extend radially from the rotation axis. A prize ball that has a partition member and flows through each of the first flow path and the second flow path flows into the space between the adjacent partition plate portions one by one from opposite directions and collides to join. This is a prize ball rectifying and sending device in a ball game machine.
[0013]
In addition to the invention according to claim 1, the prize ball rectifying and sending device of the present invention provides the following operational effects.
As described above, the prize balls flowing through the first flow path and the second flow path are paired one by one from the opposite directions in the space between the adjacent partition plate portions of the rotating partition member at the junction. It flows in, collides and merges. Then, when the rotary partition member rotates based on the gravity applied to the prize ball, the prize ball loses support by the partition plate part, and the prize balls fall side by side along the drop part.
Thus, in the prize ball rectifying and sending device of the present invention, it is possible to reliably obtain that the prize balls collide one by one at the junction and fall the fall parts one by one, and the effect of the invention according to claim 1 Can be obtained with certainty.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the width of the partition plate portion becomes wider as the both side end surface portions of the partition plate portion of the rotating partition member go to one rotation direction side. This is a prize ball rectifying and sending device in a ball game machine, which is formed obliquely so as to face.
[0015]
In the prize ball rectifying and sending device of the present invention, in addition to the invention according to claim 2, the following operational effects are obtained. Even when the rotating partition plate portion is in an angle state that blocks the inflow of each prize ball that is about to flow into the junction chamber, the prize ball collides with each side end surface portion of the partition plate portion, thereby The rotating partition member rotates as the plate portion moves toward the one rotation direction. Thus, the pair of prize balls can surely flow into the space between the adjacent partition plate portions, and the operational effect of the invention according to claim 2 can be obtained with certainty.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a prize ball storage unit 2 is provided above the back side of the pachinko machine. The prize ball storage unit 2 has a tank shape. Two rectifying passages 4 a and 4 b are provided on the downstream side of the prize ball storage unit 2. The two rectifying paths 4a and 4b are partitioned and provided in parallel by a partitioning portion (not shown) extending in the flow direction. Each of the rectifying paths 4a and 4b is formed in a downhill shape, and the pachinko sphere flows down the rectifying paths 4a and 4b in a row. That is, pachinko balls flow down in two rows in total.
[0017]
A prize ball rectifying / sending device 10 is provided on the downstream side of the rectifying paths 4a and 4b, and a prize ball discharging device 80 is provided on the downstream side thereof. The prize ball discharging device 80 is connected to an upper ball tray 82a and a lower ball tray 82b provided on the front side of the pachinko machine.
On the other hand, a game board (not shown) on the front side of this pachinko machine is provided with a plurality of types of winning holes (not shown), and a pachinko ball (game ball) fired on the game board by the player is a game board. When entering the prize opening after rolling up, a predetermined number of pachinko balls are discharged as prize balls to the upper ball tray 82a and the lower ball tray 82b according to the type of the prize opening. That is, this pachinko machine has a control device (not shown), and the control device detects which winning hole has a pachinko ball (game ball). Then, under the control of the control device, a predetermined number of pachinko balls corresponding to the type of the winning opening are discharged as prize balls by the prize ball discharge device 80, and the pachinko balls (prize balls) are used as the upper ball dish. 82a and the lower ball tray 82b.
[0018]
Next, the prize ball rectifying and sending device 10 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the prize ball rectifying and sending device 10 includes a central member 12, a first flow path forming member 14, a second flow path forming member 15, a lid member 16, and a rotating partition member 50. ing. The rotating partition member 50 is rotatably disposed between the central member 12 and the lid member 16, and the central member 12, the first flow path forming member 14, the second flow path forming member 15, and the lid member 16 are provided. It is formed by being joined by screws 18.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the prize ball rectifying and sending device 10 includes a first flow path 20 and a second flow path 30. The first flow path 20 is formed in a tubular shape having a square cross section by the central member 12 and the first flow path forming member 14. The second flow path 30 is formed mainly by the second flow path forming member 15, and one side is closed by the first flow path forming member 14 and the central member 12, and is formed in a tubular shape having a square cross section. ing.
[0020]
The inlet of the first channel 20 (referred to as the first inlet 21) and the inlet of the second channel 30 (referred to as the second inlet 31) are provided adjacent to each other. The first inlet 21 (first flow path 20) is connected to the aforementioned rectification path 4a (see FIG. 1), and the second inlet 31 (second flow path 30) is connected to the other rectification path 4b. ing.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the first flow path 20 includes a first downhill portion 22, a second downhill portion 23, a substantially vertical portion 24, and a third downhill portion 25. The first downhill portion 22 goes downward as it goes to the right in FIG. 5, the second downhill portion 23 goes down as it goes to the left in FIG. 5, the substantially vertical portion 24 goes downward substantially vertically, and the third The downhill portion 25 is directed downward as it goes to the right in FIG.
[0022]
The second flow path 30 has a first downhill portion 32, a substantially vertical portion 34, and a second downhill portion 35. The first downhill portion 32 is directed downward as it goes to the right in FIG. 5, the substantially vertical portion 34 is directed downward substantially vertically, and the second downhill portion 35 is directed downward as it goes to the left in FIG.
[0023]
The first downhill portion 22 of the first flow path 20 and the downhill portion 32 of the second flow path 30 are provided in parallel. The substantially vertical portion 24 of the first flow path 20 and the substantially vertical portion 34 of the second flow path 30 are spaced apart from each other. The 3rd downhill part 25 of the 1st flow path 20 and the 2nd downhill part 35 of the 2nd flow path 30 are provided so that it may approach symmetrically and mutually.
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, a merging chamber 40 (corresponding to a merging portion) is provided on the downstream side of the first channel 20 and the second channel 30. The merge chamber 40 is formed across the central member 12 and the lid member 16. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the merge chamber 40 is formed by a flat horizontal cylindrical cylindrical shell portion 41 and circular first end plate portion 42 a and second end plate portion 42 b that substantially close both ends thereof. Has been.
[0025]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, a first inflow portion 43 a is formed in the first end plate portion 42 a (part of the central member 12 side thereof). As shown in FIG. 4, a second inflow portion 43 b is formed in the second end plate portion 42 b (the portion on the central member 12 side thereof). The first inflow portion 43a and the second inflow portion 43b face each other and are formed in a hole shape. The first inflow portion 43a communicates the first flow path 20 and the merge chamber 40, and the second inflow portion 43b communicates the second flow path 30 and the merge chamber 40.
Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the width of the merge chamber 40 (the length of the cylindrical shell portion 41) is a length that accommodates two pachinko balls Ba and Bb side by side. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an outflow hole 46 is formed in the lower part of the merge chamber 40 (cylindrical shell 41). This is also a size that allows two pachinko balls to flow side by side.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the junction chamber 40 is provided with a rotation partition member 50.
The rotary partition member 50 has a central shaft 52 (corresponding to the rotational axis), and five partition plate portions 54 extend radially from the central shaft 52 at equal angular intervals. The two shaft end portions 53a and 53b of the central shaft 52 are rotatably fitted in the shaft hole portions 48a and 48b at substantially the center of the first end plate portion 42a and the second end plate portion 42b. It is provided horizontally and rotatably.
That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the shaft hole portions 48a and 48b are formed across the central member 12 and the lid member 16, and each shaft end portion is formed on the central member 12 portion of the shaft hole portions 48a and 48b. When the lid member 16 is attached to the central member 12 with the portions 53a and 53b fitted, the rotary partition member 50 is rotatably attached to the merge chamber 40.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 14, each partition plate portion 54 has a substantially flat plate shape, and both side end surface portions 56 a and 56 b of the partition plate portion 54 move outward in the clockwise direction in FIG. It is formed obliquely in the direction in which the width of the plate portion 54 increases. A space between the partition plate portions 54 is referred to as a partition plate portion space 55.
[0028]
As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 9, a dropping portion 60 is formed on the downstream side of the merge chamber 40, and an outflow path 70 is formed on the downstream side thereof. As shown in FIG. 3, the dropping portion 60 and the outflow passage 70 are also formed in a tubular shape having a square cross section by the central member 12 and the lid member 16. As shown in FIG. 10, the drop part 60 is formed vertically, and the drop part 60 also has a width in which two pachinko balls Ba and Bb can be positioned side by side.
[0029]
As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 9, the outflow passage 70 includes a first oblique outflow portion 71 on the upstream side and a second oblique outflow portion 72 on the downstream side (corresponding to the discharge passage). The first oblique outflow portion 71 is directed leftward in FIG. 5 as it goes downward, and the second oblique outflow portion 72 is directed rightward in FIG. 5 as it goes downward, and then vertically downward. The outflow path 70 (second oblique outflow portion 72) is connected to the prize ball discharging device 80. The outflow path 70 has a cross section that allows the pachinko spheres B (Ba, Bb) to flow down in only one row.
[0030]
A portion on the right side in FIG. 5 of the first oblique outflow portion 71 is an oblique bottom portion 75. The inclined bottom portion 75 is formed below the dropping portion 60 and is directed to the left side in FIG. 5 as it goes downward. That is, it is directed in one direction of the direction in which the pachinko balls Ba and Bb are arranged in the dropping portion 60 (the left-right direction in FIGS. 5 and 11).
[0031]
Next, the operation and effect of the prize ball rectifying and sending device 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, pachinko balls (prize balls) stored in the prize ball storage unit 2 flow down the two rectification paths 4 a and 4 b in one row (two rows in total), and send out the prize ball rectification. Flows into the device 10. That is, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the pachinko ball Ba flowing down one rectifying path 4a flows into the first flow path 20 from the first inlet 21 and flows down the other rectifying path 4b. The coming pachinko ball Bb flows into the second flow path 30 from the second inlet 31.
[0032]
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the pachinko ball Ba that has flowed into the first flow path 20 sequentially flows down the first downhill portion 22, the second downhill portion 23, the substantially vertical portion 24, and the third downhill portion 25. To go. And it flows in into merge room 40 one by one from the 1st inflow part 43a.
On the other hand, the pachinko sphere Bb flowing into the second flow path 30 flows down the first downhill portion 32, the substantially vertical portion 34, and the second downhill portion 35 sequentially. And it flows in into merge room 40 one by one from the 2nd inflow part 43b.
[0033]
As shown in FIGS. 6, 9, and 10, in the merge chamber 40, one pachinko ball Ba flowing in from the first inflow portion 43 a is separated into one partition plate portion space 55 ( At that time, it flows into the partition plate space 55) located in the merge chamber 40. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, one pachinko ball Bb flowing from the second inflow portion 43 b flows into the same partition plate portion space 55 of the rotary partition member 50 at the same time. Thus, the two pachinko balls Ba and Bb flow into the space 55 between the same partition plates of the rotating partition member 50 in the merge chamber 40 from opposite directions, and the two pachinko balls Ba and Bb collide (substantially frontal collision). And join together.
[0034]
As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, a pair of pachinko balls Ba and Bb (the pachinko balls Bb are not shown in FIGS. 6 to 8) flow into one space 55 between the partition plates of the rotary partition member 50. As a result, the rotating partition member 50 is rotated by the gravity (clockwise direction in FIGS. 6 to 8), and the pair of pachinko balls Ba and Bb lose the support of the partition member 54 due to the rotation. It falls from the inter-plate part space 55 (rotary partition member 50). Then, the next pair of pachinko balls Ba and Bb flow into the space 55 between the next partition plates. Thus, the rotating partition member 50 rotates, and the pachinko balls Ba and Bb sequentially collide and join together.
[0035]
As shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, the pair of pachinko balls Ba and Bb joined in the joining chamber 40 (space 55 between the partition plates) pass from the joining chamber 40 through the outflow hole 46 (see FIG. 6). It flows out and flows down the outflow path 70. That is, as shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 13, the pair of pachinko balls Ba and Bb side by side naturally drop the dropping part 60 simultaneously and reach the oblique bottom part 75. At this time, as described above, the slant bottom 75 is formed obliquely toward the left in FIGS. 9 to 13 as it goes downward, so that the right pachinko ball Bb (second second) in FIGS. The pachinko sphere that has flowed through the flow path 30 (also referred to as the right sphere) landed on the oblique bottom 75 first, and the left pachinko sphere Ba in FIGS. 12 and 13 (pachinko sphere that has flowed through the first flow path 20). (Also referred to as a left sphere) precedes, and the pachinko balls Ba and Bb flow down in the outflow path 70 in the order of the left sphere Ba and the right sphere Bb in the rear order.
[0036]
As described above, pachinko balls (prize balls) that flow in two rows flow out in one row and flow to the prize ball discharge device 80 as shown in FIG. As described above, under the control of the control device (not shown), a predetermined number of pachinko balls flow from the prize ball discharge device 80 as prize balls to the upper ball dish 82a and the lower ball dish 82b. More specifically, it first flows to the upper bowl 82a, and then flows to the lower bowl 82b when the upper bowl 82a is full.
[0037]
As described above, when the pachinko balls that have flowed in in two rows flow out in one row, the prize ball rectifying and sending device 10 has the following operational effects.
As shown in FIG. 1, the prize ball storage unit 2, the prize ball rectifying and sending device 10, and the prize ball discharge device 80 are provided in this order from the top to the bottom, and the pachinko ball is based on its own weight. So, it will flow down in that order. That is, the pachinko ball that has flowed into the prize ball rectifying / sending device 10 via the pair of rectifying passages 4 a and 4 b from the prize ball storing unit 2 has energy based on the height difference from the prize ball storing unit 2.
[0038]
As described above, in the prize ball rectifying and sending device 10, the pair of pachinko balls Ba and Bb having the energy collide (substantially frontal collision) in the merge chamber 40 (see FIG. 10). For this reason, at the time of the collision, the energy of both the pachinko spheres Ba and Bb is dissipated, and the energy of both the pachinko spheres Ba and Bb is reduced accordingly. Since both pachinko balls B (Ba, Bb) flow down from the prize ball rectifying and sending device 10 in a state of small energy (see FIG. 5), the pressure of the pachinko balls applied to the prize ball discharging device 80 (see FIG. 1). Is reduced by the amount of energy dissipated by the collision, and the prize ball discharging device 80 is protected.
[0039]
Further, as described above, in the prize ball rectifying and delivering device 10, the rotating partition member 50 is provided in the merge chamber 40 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The pachinko sphere Ba flowing through the first flow path 20 and flowing into the merge chamber 40 and the pachinko sphere Bb flowing through the second flow path 30 and flowing into the merge chamber 40 are formed in the rotating partition member 50. In the space 55 between the partition plates, each pair is surely collided and joined.
As described above, in the prize ball rectifying and sending device 10, the rotating partition member 50 rectifies the two-row pachinko balls into the one-row state and reduces the ball pressure applied to the prize ball discharging device 80. The effect is surely obtained.
[0040]
Further, as described above with reference to FIG. 14, both side end surface portions 56 a and 56 b of each partition plate portion 54 of the rotary partition member 50 are directed outward in the clockwise direction in FIG. 6 (that is, each partition plate). It is formed obliquely in the direction in which the width of the portion 54 increases. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 15, even when the partition plate portion 54 is in an angle state that blocks the inflow of the pachinko balls Ba and Bb that are about to flow into the merge chamber 40, the pachinko balls Ba and Bb are By colliding with the side end surface portions 56a, 56b of the partition plate portion 54, the partition plate portion 54 tends to move downward in FIG. 15 (clockwise direction in FIG. 6). Thus, the rotating partition member 50 rotates and the pair of pachinko balls Ba and Bb can flow into the space 55 between the partition plates. In this way, smooth rotation of the rotary partition member 50 is ensured, and the operational effects of the rotary partition member 50 described above can be obtained with certainty.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the prize ball rectifying and sending device of the present invention, the prize balls flowing down in two rows are rectified into one row, and the prize balls applied to the device provided on the downstream side of the prize balls are rectified. The pressure will be reduced. For this reason, the load with respect to the apparatus provided in the said downstream is reduced, and the protection of the apparatus is achieved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a rear view showing an outline of an entire pachinko machine having a prize ball rectifying and feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a prize ball rectifying and delivering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a prize ball rectifying and feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a prize ball rectifying and feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cover member is removed and the central member is partially broken.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a prize ball rectifying and sending device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cover member is removed and the central member is partially broken.
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a prize ball rectifying and delivering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first stage of inflow / outflow of pachinko balls to the confluence room is shown. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI, and only the pachinko sphere of interest is shown (the same applies to FIGS. 6 and 7).
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a prize ball rectifying and feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The second stage of the inflow / outflow of pachinko spheres to the confluence chamber is shown.
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a prize ball rectifying and feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The third stage of the inflow / outflow of pachinko balls to the confluence room is shown.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an operation (first stage) of the prize ball rectifying and sending device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the principal part (state which removed the rotation partition member) of FIG. 5, About a pachinko ball, only a pair to which its attention is shown (FIGS. 10-13 is also the same).
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation (second stage) of the prize ball rectifying and sending device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operation (third stage) of the prize ball rectifying and feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an operation (fourth stage) of the prize ball rectifying and sending device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an operation (fifth stage) of the prize ball rectifying and sending device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view showing a rotary partition member extracted from the prize ball rectifying and delivering device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view seen from the opposite side to FIGS.
FIG. 15 is a view showing the operation of the side end surface portion of the partition plate portion of the rotary partition member in the prize ball rectifying and feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The principal part of the state seen from the opposite side to FIG. 5 is shown. For pachinko balls, only a pair of attention is shown.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Prize ball rectification delivery apparatus 20 1st flow path 30 2nd flow path 40 Merging room (merging part)
50 Rotating partition member 52 Central axis (rotating axis)
54 Partition plate portion 55 Spaces 56a, 56b between the partition plate portions Side end surface portion 60 Falling portion 72 Second oblique outflow portion (discharge path)
75 Slope bottom B, Ba, Bb Pachinko ball (prize ball)

Claims

A prize ball rectifying and sending device in a ball game machine that rectifies the prize balls flowing down in two rows from the prize ball storage unit into one row,
A first flow path through which the first row of prize balls flows;
A second flow path through which the second row prize balls flow;
A confluence portion in which a prize ball flowing in the first flow path and a prize ball flowing in the second flow path flow in a pair one by one from opposite directions, collide and join,
A falling part that is provided downstream of the merging part, and the prize balls that collide and merge at the merging part fall side by side;
A slanted bottom portion that is provided below the falling portion and that goes in a direction having a component of the direction of arrangement of prize balls in the falling portion as it goes downward;
A prize ball rectifying and sending device in a bullet ball game machine, comprising: a discharge path that extends from the oblique bottom portion.

A prize ball rectifying and sending device in a ball game machine according to claim 1,
The merge portion includes a rotary partition member provided rotatably about a substantially horizontal rotation axis, and a plurality of partition plate portions extending radially from the rotation axis, and the first flow path and the second flow path A prize ball rectifying and sending device in a ball game machine, in which each winning ball flows into a space between adjacent partition plates from each other in a substantially opposite direction and collides with each other.

A prize ball rectifying and sending device in a bullet ball game machine according to claim 2,
Prize balls in a ball game machine in which both side end surface portions of each partition plate portion of the rotating partition member are formed obliquely so as to go in a direction in which the width of the partition plate portion becomes wider toward the one rotation direction side. Rectification delivery device.