JP4026033B2

JP4026033B2 - Ball removal device for pachinko machines

Info

Publication number: JP4026033B2
Application number: JP16543398A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 利男玉垣; 直樹宮原
Original assignee: Newgin Co Ltd
Current assignee: Newgin Co Ltd
Priority date: 1998-06-12
Filing date: 1998-06-12
Publication date: 2007-12-26
Anticipated expiration: 2018-06-12
Also published as: JP2000000359A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、パチンコ遊技機の球抜き装置に関し、更に詳しくは、パチンコ球を使用する遊技機の前側で相当数のパチンコ球を収容して必要時に排出し得る球皿の球出口部側に装備された球抜き装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
この種の遊技機の代表例の一つである一般的なパチンコ機では、ゲーム開始操作に基づく打球発射装置と球送り装置との関連作動において、上球受け皿(上球皿)内の遊技球を１球ずつ機内の発射部位に送込み、これを遊技面内に打出してゲームを遂行し得るようになっている。そして、ゲーム中に発生したセーフ球に対する褒賞として、機裏側の機構セット盤に配設した賞球排出部から所定数のパチンコ球(賞球ともいう)が排出され、遊技者側に還元されるようになっている。このためパチンコ機は、パチンコ球の受入れおよび貯留に必要とされる球受け部材として、機体前面の中央において貯留,送出用として設置される前記上球皿と、下端部において貯留用として設置される下球受け皿(下球皿)とを備えている。そして、前記賞球排出部から排出された賞球については、機裏側の主排出路から上球皿へ優先的に通出されて遊技球として送出されたり貯留され、この上球皿の充満以後に溢れ出る余剰賞球は、主排出路から分岐連設された副排出路を介して下球皿へ排出されて貯留されるようになっている。
【０００３】
また、前述した上球皿および下球皿には、遊技者が適時必要に応じて指先で開放操作し得る球抜き装置が付設されている。例えば上球皿に付設される球抜き装置については、各メーカ毎のパチンコ機において設置部位や形式等に差異があっても、その基本的な形態としては、上球皿の外郭体に露出されている操作部材の操作に伴い開閉弁部材が開放変位されることにより、上球皿の下流端の球送出口と球抜き路が互いに開放連通されて、同上球皿の貯留球を下球皿側へ抜出し得るようになっている。また下球皿には、別の球抜き装置が配設されており、この球抜き装置における操作部材の操作に伴って開閉弁部材が開放変位することにより、皿部底面の球抜き口が開放されて、同下球皿側の貯留球および上球皿側からの球を抜出して、下方に用意される球受け箱に排出するよう構成されている。すなわち、遊技者が当該パチンコ機における遊技を終了するに際しては、先ず上球皿内に貯留されていたパチンコ球を、上球皿に配設された球抜き装置を利用して下球皿へ排出し、次いで下球皿に配設された球抜き装置を利用して機外へ抜出すようになっている。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで前記上球皿および下球皿では、夫々の球皿毎に概ね５００個前後のパチンコ球を貯留し得るようになっている。従って、全てのパチンコ球の球抜きには３０秒〜１分程度の時間を要するため、球抜きが完了するまでの間、遊技者は球抜き装置の操作部材を指先で操作状態に継続的に保持していなければならない。しかし、これを面倒で煩雑に感じる遊技者においては、マッチ棒や爪楊枝またはコイン等を利用して前記操作部材を球抜き位置に固定保持して、指先を使わずにパチンコ球を抜出してしまい、全てのパチンコ球の球抜きが終了すると、前記操作部材の固定保持を解除しないまま席を立つ場合が極めて多い。ところが従来の球抜き装置では、球送出口に対して前記開閉弁部材が半開きまたは全開の状態(球抜き状態)にある場合を検知して、これを報知する手段が具備されていなかった。このため、球抜き装置が球抜き状態に保持されている遊技機において、次の遊技者がこれに気付かずに遊技球を上球皿へ投入した際には、遊技球が下球皿側へそのまま排出されてしまう。すなわち、操作部材の通常位置への復帰操作と、下球皿へ排出された遊技球の上球皿への再投入作業とを強いられ、次の遊技者に極めて不愉快な思いをさせてしまう不都合があった。
【０００５】
【発明の目的】
本発明は、前述した課題を解決するべく新規に提案されたものであって、球抜き装置が球抜き状態にある場合を検知する検出手段と、これを知らせる報知手段とを備えて、遊技者に不愉快な思いをさせることを防止し得るようにしたパチンコ遊技機の球抜き装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前述した課題を解決し、所期の目的を好適に達成するため、本発明に係るパチンコ遊技機の球抜き装置は、
パチンコ球を使用する遊技機の前側で相当数のパチンコ球を収容して必要時に排出でき、球収容部および球送出口を含む形状に形成された皿本体と、皿の外郭形状に形成された外郭体とを互いに着脱可能に組付けて構成した上球皿の球出口部側に装備された球抜き装置にあって、
上方へ全面開口する開口部および前記球送出口に対応して後壁に上方に開放して形成した開口を有する本体部材と、該本体部材の開口部に整合し得る形状に成形されて該開口部を上方から全面的に覆蓋する蓋部材とからなり、前記皿本体および外郭体の間に着脱可能に取着されるケース体と、
前記本体部材に前後方向に形成した案内リブに対し、下部に形成した案内溝を上方から嵌合すると共に、前記蓋部材の下面に形成した規制リブにより上方への移動が規制された状態で、前記ケース体に対し前後方向に移動可能に組付けられ、前後方向への移動につれて、前記開口を介して前記ケース体から後方側へ突出した状態および該ケース体に収納された状態となる舌片部で前記球送出口を開閉し得る開閉部材と、
前記開閉部材に一端を連繋すると共に、他端となる連繋片部の端面を円形曲面状に形成し、前記ケース体の内部に傾動可能に支持された作動部材と、
前記外郭体において奥壁を有する円形凹状に形成した挿通部に対し、該挿通部の内周面に外周面を略密着した状態で前方からセットされる押しボタン型の円形状の操作部および前端部を該外郭体の後方から挿通部の挿通孔を介して前記操作部に係着すると共に、後端部に形成した連繋溝を前記作動部材の連繋片部に着脱可能に連繋した軸杆部を有し、該外郭体の外側から指先操作し得る操作部材と、
前記ケース体の内部において前記開閉部材または作動部材あるいは操作部材に付設され、該開閉部材を球送出口の閉鎖方向に付勢保持するばねと、
前記ケース体の内部に設けられ、回路基板に接続された検出素子および前記開閉部材の所定位置に付設されて検出素子で検出される被検出素子を有し、前記球送出口に対する開閉部材の半開きまたは全開の状態にある場合を、検出素子と被検出素子との検出対応位置関係により検出し得る位置検出手段と、
前記蓋部材に形成した設置部に取付けられると共に、前記外郭体のランプレンズを介して外部から視認可能とされ、前記位置検出手段の回路基板に電気的に接続されて、該位置検出手段の検出信号に基づいて作動して、前記開閉部材の前記開放範囲状態を報知し得る報知手段とを備え、
前記ケース体の前壁に形成された挿入口の左右両側縁から後方へ平行に延在する案内壁、前記本体部材の底面において前後方向へ延在するリブおよび前記蓋部材の下面において前後方向へ延在するリブにより、前記操作部材における軸杆部の左右方向および上下方向への移動を規制して、該操作部材は前後方向へのみスライド移動が許容され、
前記軸杆部の外周面の上下対向部には、前端部から所要長に亘って平面状の切欠きを形成し、該操作部材を前方向へスライド移動した際に、該切欠きに対応する形状に成形した前記挿通孔の後方開口部に対し、切欠きの後方端部を係止して抜止め保持するよう構成したことを特徴とする。
また、前述した課題を解決し、所期の目的を好適に達成するため、本願の別の発明に係るパチンコ遊技機の球抜き装置は、
パチンコ球を使用する遊技機の前側で相当数のパチンコ球を収容して必要時に排出でき、球収容部および球送出口を含む形状に形成された皿本体と、皿の外郭形状に形成され、両端を曲面状にした流線形状の外郭体とを互いに着脱可能に組付けて構成した上球皿の球出口部側に装備された球抜き装置にあって、
上方へ全面開口する開口部および前記球送出口に対応して後壁に上方に開放して形成した開口を有する本体部材と、該本体部材の開口部に整合し得る形状に成形されて該開口部を上方から全面的に覆蓋する蓋部材とからなり、前記皿本体と外郭体との間における端部に形成した取着セット部に対して着脱可能に取着されるケース体と、
前記本体部材に左右方向に対向配置されて前後方向に延在する一対の案内リブに対し、左右の側面が当接すると共に、前記蓋部材の下面に形成した規制リブにより上方への移動を規制した状態で、前記ケース体に対し前後方向に移動可能に組付けられ、前後方向への移動につれて、前記開口を介して前記ケース体から後方側へ突出した状態および該ケース体に収納した状態となる舌片部で前記球送出口を開閉し得る開閉部材と、
円筒状の支点部と、該支点部の外周面上端から水平外方へ延出した第１アーム部と、支点部の外周面上端から第１アーム部と所要角度変位した水平外方へ延出した第２アーム部と、該第２アーム部の先端に形成した操作部とを一体成形し、前記本体部材の内底面に上方へ突出したボス状の支持部に対し支点部を外嵌することで、前記ケース体に旋回動可能に保持された操作部材と、
前記ケース体の内部に設けられ、回路基板に接続された検出素子および前記開閉部材の所定位置に付設されて検出素子で検出される被検出素子を有し、前記球送出口に対する開閉部材の半開きまたは全開の状態にある場合を、検出素子と被検出素子との検出対応位置関係により検出し得る位置検出手段と、
前記蓋部材に形成した設置部に取付けられると共に、前記外郭体のランプレンズを介して外部から視認可能とされ、前記位置検出手段の回路基板に電気的に接続されて、該位置検出手段の検出信号に基づいて作動して、前記開閉部材の前記開放範囲状態を報知し得る報知手段とを備え、
前記第１アーム部の先端下面に突出するよう一体形成されたピンを、前記開閉部材の上面に形成した係合孔に対し分離可能に係合して、開閉部材および操作部材を連繋することで、該開閉部材の舌片部を前記球送出口の開閉位置に臨ませると共に、前記操作部を外郭体に形成した操作口の後側に臨ませ、
前記開閉部材および操作部材の少なくとも一方に付勢手段を付設して、該開閉部材を閉鎖方向に付勢保持し、
前記操作部のカバー板は、前記支持部を中心とする前記外郭体の曲面に応じた所要の曲率半径で湾曲形成されていることを特徴とする。
【０００７】
【作用】
球抜き装置は、球皿の表面に臨んだ操作部材に対する非操作時には、該操作部材に連繋接続された開閉部材が球出口部を全閉状態に保持されるので球皿内のパチンコ球は排出されず、また検出手段が非検知状態になっている。そして、前記操作部材を操作して球抜き状態となった場合には、前記開閉部材が球出口部を全開状態にして球皿内のパチンコ球が排出され、またこれを検出手段が検知して報知手段が報知する。なお報知手段としては、ランプ等の光を発生する部品やブザー等の音を発生する部品が採用され、また回路基板内のタイマー回路を介するようにすれば、検出手段による検出情報に対して設定時間後に報知作動がなされるよう制御し得る。
【０００８】
【発明の実施の形態】
次に、本発明に係るパチンコ遊技機の球抜き装置につき、好適な実施例を挙げて、添付図面を参照しながら以下詳細に説明する。なお本実施例では、前枠の正面内部にパチンコ球用の遊技盤がセットされた一般的なパチンコ機の場合を主に示す。
【０００９】
本実施例のパチンコ機Ｐは、その基本的構成の概要として、図１に略示するように、外枠Ａの開口前面側に連結支持手段および施錠手段を利用して開閉および着脱が可能に組付けられる前枠Ｂの各部に、ガラス扉Ｄ付きの窓枠Ｃ、後述する上下の球受け皿Ｅ,Ｆおよび打球発射装置Ｇ等が装備されている一方、前枠Ｂの正面内部に所要の遊技盤Ｈが着脱交換可能にセットされており、そして前枠Ｂの裏側にアウト球、セーフ球、賞品球の各処理部を有する機構セット盤(図示せず)が着脱可能に装備されている。なお外枠Ａは、上下および左右の各枠部材１,２,３,４が互いに枠組み連設された形態のものを例とし、少なくとも右と下の枠部材３,４を合成樹脂成形製のものとして交換することにより、一般に「関東枠、関西枠」と呼称区分されているタイプのものに変更し得るようになっている。
【００１０】
(前枠について)
各種構成部材の搭載枠とされる前記前枠Ｂは、全体が合成樹脂成形されたものを例とし、基本的には図１に示すように、外枠Ａの開口前面域に適合する外形枠サイズに成形されて内側に正面縦長方形の窓枠口６を開口した枠体５と、この枠体５の裏側に一体成形されて窓枠口６よりやや狭い開口面域を成形した収容保持枠８とが前後に連設された内外二重枠形態とされている。そして前記枠体５においては、窓枠口６の内周囲に窓枠Ｃを設置し得るようになっており、この窓枠口６の下部に下球皿Ｆや打球発射装置Ｇ等を設置するための前盤部７が成形され、また窓枠口６の上縁部および右縁部に亘り電光装飾部９が設置されている。なお収容保持枠８においては、窓枠口６の下部内側に位置する遊技補助盤１０が一体成形され、この遊技補助盤１０には、賞品球用の排出口１１およびこぼれ球やファール球用の回収路１２等が成形されていると共に、同盤の前側に発射レール１３とスピーカ１４等を組込んだ回収ケース１５等がセットされている。
【００１１】
(上球皿について)
前枠Ｂの下部前側に装備される上球受け皿(単に上球皿ともいう)Ｅは、窓枠Ｃにおけるガラス扉Ｄの下方面域に合わせて開閉および着脱可能に組付けセットされている。この上球皿Ｅは、図２および図３に示すように基本的な構成として、合成樹脂成形された基本構成部材である箱枠状の外郭体２０と、同外郭体２０の開口内側に嵌合セットされる皿本体２１とをビス１９で組付け整合して、全体が下面を水平にし両端を曲面状にした流線形状にユニット化されており、この両者２０,２１の裏面に合わせて、補強装飾用の補助部材２２を前面に取着した薄肉金属成形製(または樹脂製)の開閉セット板２３がビス１８で取着されて単一化されている。そして外郭体２０および補助部材２２は、ともに同長に整合されて互いの右端部が開閉セット板２３の右端から延出しており、また開閉セット板２３は、窓枠Ｃの下部面域に整合する横長方形サイズにされて、各部に必要な口が成形されていると共に、その水平下端縁が外郭体２０における水平底板部２０ａの下底面に対して平行位置に整合されている(図４参照)。
【００１２】
そして、この上球皿Ｅの着脱開閉用の連結支持手段として、図１および図２に例示するように、前枠Ｂの前盤部７の左端部前面に固定された支持具１６の支軸１６ａに対して、開閉セット板２３の左端部前面に固定された受け具２４の軸筒部２５が軸孔２６を介して上下方向へ抜脱可能に嵌挿連結し得るようになっている。また施錠手段として、図１に示すように、窓枠Ｃの右中央内側に設置された施錠具１７の昇降施錠杆に対して、開閉セット板２３の右側裏面に取着された掛け具２７が係脱可能に係合できるようになっている。なお、前記受け具２４の軸筒部２５を含む前出部分は、外郭体２０および皿本体２１の左端部に成形された平面Ｕ字状の逃し口２８内に位置するようになっており(図２参照)、そして軸筒部２５と支軸１６ａとが適正な嵌合い公差を以って嵌挿される。
【００１３】
前記皿本体２１は、枠体部２９に成形された皿部として、球収容部３０と金属製のレール３１を敷設した整列送出部３２とが一連の勾配で成形されており、この送出部３２の下流端に開口された球送出口３３に対し、後述する球抜き装置４２が付設されるようになっている。一方前記補助部材２２は、開閉セット板２３の上縁に合わせて着脱交換可能に取着されており、その本体３４の左端部には前枠Ｂ側の賞球用排出口１１と皿本体２１の球収容部３０とを連絡する賞球給出用の連絡筒部３５が成形されている。また開閉セット板２３では、その上端縁に沿って成形された係合レール部３６が、前記ガラス扉Ｄの下縁と噛合状態で整合し得るようになっている。なお、前述の上球皿Ｅにおけるその余の構成として、外郭体２０における前記逃し口２８の底面周囲と水平底板部２０ａの右部下底面とに、夫々水平姿勢保持用の支持座３７が形成されている(図４参照)。
【００１４】
また補助部材２２では、一般的なパチンコ機Ｐの場合には標準タイプのものが、また球貸し型のパチンコ機Ｐの場合には、図１に示すように、球貸し操作部３８を備えた別種タイプのものが夫々選択使用される。これら２種タイプの何れの補助部材２２にあっても、球貸し操作部３８の有無を除いて基本的には同様に構成されて、開閉セット板２３に対して止め具(図示せず)を利用してビス着されている。そして前枠Ｂに対する上球皿Ｅの組付け状態において、補助部材２２の本体３４の右外端部が外郭体２０の右外端部と共に窓枠Ｃの右側下部を覆蓋し得るようになっている。
【００１５】
(球抜き部について)
前述した上球皿Ｅにおける球抜き部４０は、皿本体２１内のパチンコ球を下球皿Ｆへ直接的に抜出す形態のものであって、皿本体２１と外郭体２０との右側空間部内に組込まれている。すなわちこの球抜き部４０では、図１および図４に示すように、皿本体２１の枠体部２９裏側に成形されて前記球送出口３３と縦通した球抜き路４１と、枠体部２９前面に固定される球抜き装置４２とから構成されている。そして、球送出口３３の隣接部位に形成された取着セット部４５に、球抜き装置４２の後述する舌片部６２の挿通を許容するスリット口４３が形成されており、また球抜き路４１の開口下端に合わせて外郭体２０の水平底板部２０ａに出口４４が開口されている。なお前記出口４４は、下球皿Ｆに連通する球抜き通入部１１４の上端開口部１１４ａに整合するようになっている。
【００１６】
そこで次に、前述のように構成されたパチンコ機Ｐに実施される球抜き装置につき、好適な実施例を挙げて具体的に説明する。
【００１７】
【第１実施例】
図３〜図７は、第１実施例に係る球抜き装置４２を例示しており、この球抜き装置４２は、所要形状に成形されたケース体４６に組込んで前記球送出口３３を開閉し得る開閉部材６０と、同ケース体４６に組込んで該開閉部材６０に一端を連繋する作動部材７０と、前記ケース体４６の外方から嵌挿されて該作動部材７０に連繋される操作部材８０と、前記開閉部材６０の位置を検知する位置検出手段９１と、この位置検出手段９１による検出信号をもとに作動される報知手段１００とから構成され、操作部材８０の操作部８１を押圧操作するプッシュボタン形式となっている。そして、前記皿本体２１および外郭体２０との間において、前記開閉部材６０,作動部材７０,位置検出手段９１および報知手段１００を組込んだ前記ケース体４６を皿本体２１に形成した前記取着セット部４５に取付固定し、前記操作部材８０の押しボタン状の操作部８１を前記外郭体２０の前面右方に開設した挿通部７７に嵌挿支持させた状態で、前記皿本体２１と外郭体２０との間に着脱可能に取着されるようになっている。
【００１８】
(ケース体について)
前記ケース体４６は、上方へ全面開口する開口部４７ａを有する略矩形状の本体部材４７と、該本体部材４７の開口部４７ａに整合し得る形状に成形されて該開口部４７ａを上方から全面的に覆蓋する蓋部材４８とから形成されている。前記本体部材４７では、内部右側に前記開閉部材６０用の摺動室４９が画成され、内部左側に前記操作部材８０の軸杆部８２用の嵌挿部５０が画成されると共に、摺動室４９と嵌挿部５０との間に前記作動部材７０用の支持部５１が形成されている。そして、前記摺動室４９に整合する後壁に、開閉部材６０の舌片部６２の移動を許容し得る大きさの開口５２が形成され、また前記嵌挿部５０に整合する前壁に、軸杆部８２の挿通を許容する挿入口５３が形成されている。一方、本体部材４７の左前隅角部と右後隅角部には上方に開口したビス孔５４が形成され、また蓋部材４８の左前隅角部と右後隅角部には該ビス孔５４に整合する通孔５５が形成されており、本体部材４７と蓋部材４８とを整合セットした状態で各通孔５５に挿通したビス５６を各ビス孔５４に締付けることにより、中空体状のケース体４６が形成される。更に図４および図６に示すように、本体部材４７の下面後端部には、垂直下方へ延出した取付片５７が該本体部材４７に一体成形されると共に、蓋部材４８の上面後端部には、垂直上方へ延出した取付片５８が該蓋部材４８に一体成形されており、これら取付片５７,５８の凹部５７ａ,５８ａに整合させたビス５９を皿本体２１の枠体部２９に締付けることにより、ケース体４６全体が該皿本体２１の取着セット部４５に組付けられるようになっている。なお、本体部材４７の右壁内側に位置検出手段９１における回路基板９２用の設置部７６が形成され、また蓋部材４８の右端後方部に報知手段１００として実施される発光ランプ１０２用の円筒状の設置部７９が形成されている。
【００１９】
(開閉部材について)
前記開閉部材６０は、図７に示すように、断面が倒伏コ字状に形成された樋状の本体６１と、この本体６１の後端面から後方に略水平に延出する舌片部(開閉舌部)６２と、前記本体６１の右側面から右方に形成された係止案内部６３とが一体的に成形されている。この開閉部材６０は、前記本体部材４７に画成された摺動室４９に収納された状態において、該摺動室４９の左側に形成された案内リブ６４に対して本体６１の左側面が当接し、右側に形成された案内リブ６５に対して係止案内部６３に形成された案内溝６６が上方から嵌合しており、これら案内リブ６４,６５に沿って前後方向へのスライド移動のみが可能となっている。また、蓋部材４８の下面には規制リブ６９が形成されており、開閉部材６０は上方への移動が規制されている。そして、開閉部材６０が摺動室４９内の最も後方までスライド移動すると、前記舌片部６２がケース体４６の後方側へ突出した状態となり(図２または図３参照)、摺動室４９内の最も前方までスライド移動すると、前記舌片部６２がケース体４６内に収納した状態となる(図５参照)。なお、摺動室４９に面した前壁内側に、後方へ突出したボス６７が一体成形され、このボス６７と開閉部材６０の本体６１後壁との間にコイルばね６８が圧縮状態に配設されており、これにより開閉部材６０は、常に摺動室４９の後方側へ付勢されて前記舌片部６２をケース体４６の後方側へ延出させた状態に保持される。
【００２０】
(作動部材について)
前記作動部材７０は、上方へ突出したボス状の前記支持部５１に外嵌される円筒状の支点部７１と、この支点部７１の外周面上端から水平外方へ延出したアーム部７２と、前記支点部７１の外周面中央から該アーム部７２とは正反対(略１８０度)方向の水平外方へ延出した連繋片部７３とが一体成形され、前記支点部７１を支持部５１に対して上方から嵌合させることにより、該支持部５１を中心とした旋回動が可能となっている。そして、前記アーム部７２の先端下面には、垂直下方へ突出したピン７４が一体成形されており、前記開閉部材６０の係止案内部６３の上面に形成した係合孔７５に、前記ピン７４が上方から係合するようになっている。また前記連繋片部７３は、その先端部の端面が円形曲面状に形成され、操作部材８０の軸杆部８２の後端に形成された連繋溝８３に係合するようになっている。前記係合孔７５は、作動部材７０の旋回動に伴うピン７４の円弧動を許容するように、左右方向に長い長孔にしてある。なお、作動部材７０の上下方向へのがたつきを防止するために、支点部７１の上方から支持部５１に対してビスを締付けるようにしてもよい。
【００２１】
(操作部材について)
前記操作部材８０は、前記外郭体２０の所定位置に形成された円形凹状の挿通部７７に前方からセットされる押しボタン型の円形状の操作部８１と、外郭体２０の後方から前記挿通部７７の挿通孔７８を介して前記操作部８１に係着される前記軸杆部８２とから構成され、ケース体４６に直接的に取着されるようになっていない。すなわち軸杆部８２は、ケース体４６の前壁に形成された前記挿入口５３を介してその後端側が嵌挿部５０内へ挿入され、これにより後端部に形成された前記連繋溝８３と前記作動部材７０の連繋片部７３とが、好適に連繋されるよう構成されている。なお軸杆部８２は、図６に示すように、挿入口５３の左右両側縁から後方へ平行に延在する案内壁８４,８４と、嵌挿部５０の下面(本体部材４７の底面)において前後方向へ延在するリブ８５と、該嵌挿部５０の上面(蓋部材４８の下面)において前後方向へ延在するリブ８６とにより、左右方向および上下方向への移動が規制され、前後方向へのみスライド移動が許容される。また、操作部８１の外周面と挿通部７７の内周面とは、略密着した状態となっており、しかも挿通孔７８に向けて奥壁が形成されているので、この挿通部７７から針金等の極細異物を侵入させることは不可能である。
【００２２】
そして、軸杆部８２の前端部に係合溝部８７が形成され、また操作部８１の背面には、該軸杆部８２の前端部に外嵌される連結筒部８８と前記係合溝部８７に係合する係合突部８９が形成されており、係合溝部８７と係合突部８９との係合および連結筒部８８と軸杆部８２外周面との係合により、軸杆部８２と操作部８１とが容易な分離が不能に係着される。このように構成された操作部材８０は、前記外郭体２０に対して前後方向へスライド移動が可能に配設され、これにより操作部８１が挿通部７７に対して出没変位するようになっている。なお軸杆部８２の外周面の上下対向部には、前端部から所要長に亘って平面状の切欠き９０が形成されると共に、前記挿通孔７８はこの切欠き９０に対応した形状に成形されており、操作部材８０の前方向へのスライド移動した際には、挿通孔７８の後方開口部と切欠き９０の後方端部とが係止して、該操作部材８０が外郭体２０から脱抜することを防止し得るようになっている(図４参照)。
【００２３】
(位置検出手段について)
第１実施例の球抜き装置４２では、前記開閉部材６０のスライド移動位置に対応して、前記球送出口３３に対する半開状態または全開状態にある場合を電気的に検知する位置検出手段９１が具備されている。この位置検出手段９１は、例えば図５〜図８に示すような公知の磁気型リードスイッチが例とされ、前記本体部材４７に形成された設置部７６にビス等で取着される回路基板９２に接続された検出素子９３を備えたコンタクト部９４と、前記開閉部材６０の係止案内部６３に埋設して右側面に露出させた被検出素子９５を備えたマグネット部９６とから構成されている。そして前記コンタクト部９４における検出素子９３は、図９に示すように、開閉部材６０が摺動室４９内を前後にスライド移動するに際し、前記舌片部６２が球送出口３３に対する半開き状態と全開状態との範囲内に位置している場合に、前記被検出素子９５が近接してそれを検知し得る長さに設定されている。すなわち、舌片部６２により球送出口３３が全閉状態となっている場合(開閉部材６０が摺動室４９の後方側に位置している)は、被検出素子９５が検出素子９３から離間しているので該検出素子９３の接点が「開」となり、また舌片部６２により球送出口３３が半開き状態から全開状態の間に位置している場合(開閉部材６０が摺動室４９の中央と前方側の間に位置している)には、被検出素子９５が検出素子９３に近接して両素子９３,９５間に磁気回路が形成され、検出素子９３の接点が「閉」となる。
【００２４】
(報知手段について)
そして第１実施例の球抜き装置４２では、前記位置検出手段９１の回路基板９２とリード線１０１を介して電気的に接続されて、該位置検出手段９１の検出信号をもとに作動する報知手段１００を具備している。この報知手段１００は、例えば図５〜図８に示すような発光ランプ１０２が例とされ、蓋部材４８に形成された前記設置部７９に上方から嵌合セットされ、発光部を上方に指向させた状態に取付けられるようになっている。そして、前記位置検出手段９１における検出素子９３の接点が「閉」状態となった際に通電されて、発光制御されるようになっている。なお、上球皿Ｅにおける外郭体２０の上面において前記発光ランプ１０２が対応する位置には、図２および図６に示すように、開口１０３および該開口１０３に取着されるランプレンズ１０４が取着されており、球抜き装置４２の球抜き状態時に発光する該ランプ１０２を外部から視認し得るようになっている。また本体部材４７の右壁上縁には、前記リード線１０１用の挿通口４７ｂが形成されている。
【００２５】
(回路基板について)
このように第１実施例の球抜き装置４２では、リードスイッチ型の位置検出手段９１と発光ランプ１０２による報知手段１００とが具備され、これら位置検出手段９１と報知手段１００とは、前述したように、回路基板９２を介して接続されている。この回路基板９２には、例えば図１０に略示するように、前記位置検出手段９１に接続される入力回路１２１と、前記報知手段１００に接続される駆動回路１２２と、外部電源(ＡＣ２４Ｖ)１１９に接続されて前記入力回路１２１および駆動回路１２２に接続される電源回路１２０とを備えており、位置検出手段９１から出力される検出信号は、入力回路１２１を介して駆動回路１２２に伝達され、この駆動回路１２２の設定内容に従って報知手段１００の発光ランプ１０２が発光制御される。すなわち駆動回路１２２での設定内容により、発光ランプ１０２による発光表示は、連続点灯や適宜間隔での点滅等が可能となって表示機能の多様化および効果アップを図ることができる。なおリードスイッチを利用した位置検出手段９１では、図１１に略示するように、回路基板９２を介さずに発光ランプ１０２と検出素子９３とを直結することが可能であり、前記球送出口３３に対する半開状態または全開状態を単に連続的に点灯させるだけであれば、この形態も好適に実施し得る。
【００２６】
また前記位置検出手段９１と報知手段１００とは、図１２に略示するように、前記回路基板９２にタイマー回路１２４を追加した回路基板１２５を介して接続するようにしてもよい。この場合では、位置検出手段９１からの検出信号が入力回路１２１に出力され、この検出信号を受けた入力回路１２１はタイマー回路１２４へ信号を出力し、そしてタイマー回路１２４は、予め設定した時限条件に基いて設定時間後にタイムアップして駆動回路１２２へ信号を出力し、これに基いて報知手段１００の発光ランプ１０２が発光制御されるようになる。すなわち、タイマー回路１２４の時限条件を例えば「１分」に設定しておけば、球抜き装置４２の操作部８１を押圧して球抜き操作を開始した時点においては、前記発光ランプ１０２は発光制御されず、球抜き操作状態が１分間経過すると、発光ランプ１０２が発光制御されるようになる。従って、タイマー回路１２４の時限条件を、貯留球の球抜きを完全に行なうに要する時間以上に設定しておけば、正常な球抜き操作(指先を掛けた操作)を行なった場合には、前記発光ランプ１０２が発光制御されることはなく、球抜き状態を固定保持しかつそれを解除しなかった場合にのみ発光ランプ１０２を発光制御させ得るようになる。
【００２７】
(球抜き装置の取付け)
前述のように構成された第１実施例の球抜き装置４２では、前記開閉部材６０,コイルばね６８,作動部材７０および位置検出手段９１の各部材を内部に収納セットすると共に、報知手段１００の発光ランプ１０２を取着してユニット化されたケース体４６が、前述したように、前記開閉部材６０の舌片部６２がスリット口４３を介して球送出口３３に整合した状態で、皿本体２１における枠体部２９の取着セット部４５にビス５９で固定される。一方操作部材８０は、操作部８１を外郭体２０の挿通部７７の前側からセットすると共に、軸杆部８２を外郭体２０の挿通孔７８を介して後側からセットし、両者８１,８２を係着して該外郭体２０に対してスライド移動可能でかつ脱抜不能に配設される。そして、ケース体４６を取付けた皿本体２１と、操作部材８０を配設した外郭体２０とを組付けることにより、操作部材８０の軸杆部８２がケース体４６の嵌挿部５０へ挿通され、前記連繋溝８３と連繋片部７３とが好適に係合されると共に、発光ランプ１０２がランプレンズ１０４の内部下方に整合位置する。
【００２８】
(球抜き装置の作動態様について)
前記皿本体２１と外郭体２０との間に組付けられた実施例の球抜き装置４２は、前記操作部８１に対する非押圧状態においては、前記コイルばね６８の伸び方向への付勢弾力のもとに、開閉部材６０が摺動室４９内を後方側へ移動し、舌片部６２がスリット口４３を介して球送出口３３へ延出するので、該球送出口３３は閉鎖状態に保持されて貯留球の球抜きがなされない(図３参照)。なおこの状態では、作動部材７０が図の反時計方向へ旋回するので、操作部材８０は前方側へ押出され、操作部８４が挿通部７７の前方部に位置するようになる。また位置検出手段９１においては、検出素子９３に対して被検出素子９５が離間しているので、前記発光ランプ１０２は消灯制御される。一方、前記操作部８１を指先で後方側へ押圧すると、操作部材８０の軸杆部８２が後方へ移動することに伴って作動部材７０が時計方向へ旋回するので、開閉部材６０がコイルばね６８の付勢弾力に抗して摺動室４９内を前方側へ移動し、舌片部６２が球送出口３３から退避するので、該球送出口３３の開放に伴って貯留球の球抜きが行なわれる。また位置検出手段９１においては、検出素子９３に対して被検出素子９５が近接位置するので、該検出素子９３が「閉」となることに伴い前記発光ランプ１０２が適宜発光制御される。
【００２９】
(球送り装置について)
そして、前述のように構成された上球受け皿Ｅの開閉セット板２３裏面に、球送り装置１０６がセットされている(図２および図３参照)。この球送り装置１０６は、打球発射装置Ｇ側の打球作動とタイミングを合わせて球送り作動を行ない得る電動制御形態のものであって、全体がカセット形式に構成・取扱い得るようになっている。そして開閉セット板２３の裏面において、ケース１０７の送通路(図示せず)の入口を上球皿Ｅの前記球送出口３３に合わせてビス止めセットされ、この送通路の出口を前記発射レール１３の基部側に臨ませている。
【００３０】
(下球皿について)
前記前枠Ｂの下段前側に装備される前記下球受け皿(単に下球皿ともいう)Ｆは、本来の賞品球貯留機能の他に、前記上球皿Ｅの載置保持機能をも奏し得るものとして、前盤部７の前面において上球皿Ｅの下面と整合する条件で設置されている。この下球皿Ｆは、図１に示すように基本的な構成として、合成樹脂成形された基本構成部材である箱枠状の外郭保護体１１０と、同保護体１１０の開口内側に嵌合セットされる皿本体１１１と、両者１１０,１１１の開口裏面に当接セットされる横長方形のセット板(図示せず)を組付け整合してユニット化されている。また、セット板と外郭保護体１１０との間には、前記上球皿Ｅに形成した球抜き路４１の出口４４と、下球皿Ｆにおける皿本体１１１の貯留皿部１１３とを連通する前記球抜き通入部１１４が配設され、前述したように、該球抜き通入部１１４の上端開口部１１４ａが前記出口４４に整合している。従って、前記球抜き装置４２における球抜き操作により球送出口３３から通出された上球皿Ｅの貯留球は、球抜き路４１および球抜き通入部１１４を介して下球皿Ｅの貯留皿部１１３に通出されるよう構成されている。
【００３１】
前記下球皿Ｅに対するその余の構成として、前記外郭保護体１１０の水平上板部１１０ａの上面内側に沿って係合レール部１１２が成形され、上球皿Ｅにおける開閉セット板２３の下端縁と噛合状態で整合し得るようになっている(図４参照)。そして打球発射装置Ｇにおける球球操作部１１５が、図３に示すように、外郭保護体１１０の右側斜状部において、平面外向きでかつ側面後下りの所要角度の斜状に設置されて、遊技者が長く楽に疲れず把持操作できるようになっている。また皿本体１１１における貯留皿部１１３の底部には、該貯留皿部１１３内の賞品球を抜出すための球抜き部１１６が設置され、該貯留皿部１１３の左方に灰皿１１７が設置されている。更に外郭保護体１１０における左側部には、パチンコ機におけるゲーム制御用、電気部材や電気制御機器に対するリセット用、あるいは遊技者による異常連絡用等に適宜選択して用いられるスイッチ操作部１１８が設置されている。
【００３２】
【第１実施例の作用】
前述のように構成された本実施例のパチンコ機Ｐは、外枠Ａに対する前枠Ｂに、ガラス扉Ｄ付きの窓枠Ｃ、遊技盤Ｈ、機構セット盤の他に、前述した上下の球皿Ｅ,Ｆおよび打球発射装置Ｇ等が装備・セットされて１台単位に構成される。そしてゲームホール内の設置枠台に所定の傾き起立姿勢で設置された外枠Ａに、前枠Ｂ全体が組付けられることにより、在来のパチンコ機と同様な縦型弾球遊技機として遊技に供し得る。このもとで通常の打球発射操作を行なうことにより、上球皿Ｅ内の遊技球を球送り装置１０６により１球ずつ発射レール１３に送込み、打球発射装置Ｇの駆動に従動する打球杆で打出して、遊技盤Ｈ内で所要のパチンコゲームを展開し得る。そして、このゲーム中に発生したセーフ球に対して機構セット盤の賞球排出装置から払出された賞品球が、排出口１１および連絡筒部３５を介して上球皿Ｅ側へ優先的に排出されて球収容部３０内に収容され、また上球皿Ｅ側の充満以後には下球皿Ｆ側へ排出されて貯留皿部１１３内に貯留される。
【００３３】
そしてこのようなパチンコ機にあって、前記球抜き装置４２の組立ておよび上球皿Ｅに対する組付けに関しては、ケース体４６の本体部材４７において、摺動室４９内にコイルばね６８および開閉部材６０をセットすると共に、ピン７４を開閉部材６０の係合孔７５に係合させた作動部材７０を支持部５１に配設する。また位置検出手段９１においては、検出素子９３を配設した回路基板９２(１２５)を本体部材４７の設置部７６にビス着すると共に、被検出素子９５を開閉部材６０の係止案内部６３に埋設する。そして、本体部材４７に蓋部材４８をセットしてビス５６を締付けることにより、ユニット化されたケース体４６が形成される。一方、前記回路基板９２(１２５)にリード線１０１を介して電気的に接続された発光ランプ１０２を、蓋部材４８の設置部７９に嵌合セットする。このように組立てられたケース体４６は、後方に延出している舌片部６２を、皿本体２１における枠体部２９の所定位置に形成したスリット口４３に整合させた状態に位置決めし、ビス５９を利用して該枠体部２９の取着セット部４５に組付固定する。一方操作部材８０は、操作部８１を外郭体２０の挿通部７７の前側からセットすると共に、軸杆部８２を外郭体２０の挿通孔７８を介して後側からセットして両者８１,８２を係着することで、外郭体２０に対してスライド移動可能でかつ脱抜不能に配設する。このように実施例の球抜き装置４２は、操作部材８０とケース体４６との２点から構成され、その構成の簡素化が図られる。
【００３４】
そして、前記球抜き装置４２のケース体４６を組付固定した皿本体２１と、該装置４２の操作部材８０を配設した外郭体２０は、同外郭体２０の開口内側に皿本体２１を嵌合セットしてビス１９を締付けることにより流線形状に一体化される。なお、両者２０,２１の組付けに際して、前記操作部材８０の軸杆部８２が、前記ケース体４６の嵌挿部５０へ挿通され、連繋溝８３と連繋片部７３とが係合されるので、操作部材８０,作動部材７０,開閉部材６０が好適に連繋される。また前記発光ランプ１０２が、外郭体２０のランプレンズ１０４の内部下方に整合位置する。次いで、皿本体２１の裏面に合わせて、補強装飾用の補助部材２２を前面に取着した前記開閉セット板２３を、ビス１８を利用して取着することにより、単一ユニット化された上球皿Ｅが形成される。このように、前記第１実施例の球抜き装置４２の構成の簡素化に伴い、上球皿Ｅ全体を極めて楽に組立て、製作することが可能となる。しかも、操作部材８０と作動部材７０とは、連繋溝８３と連繋片部７３との係合のみで連繋されるので、組付不良等が発生することもない。
【００３５】
前述のように組立てられた上球皿Ｅの前枠Ｂに対する組付けは、前記下球皿Ｆを前盤部７の前面に水平姿勢に固定セットした後において、該前枠Ｂに設置された窓枠Ｃのガラス扉Ｄを開放したもとで簡単に行ない得る。すなわち、上球皿Ｅの左端部をガラス扉Ｄと干渉しない所要の向きにしたまま、下球皿Ｆの上方に露出している前記支持具１６の支軸１６ａを、開閉セット板２３の受け具２４における軸筒部２５の軸孔２６に差込むことにより、上球皿Ｅはガタ付きの少ない条件で連結支持され、また窓枠Ｃ側の施錠具１７の昇降施錠杆に、開閉セット板２３の掛け具２７を係合して施錠される。そしてこの組付け状態において上球皿Ｅは、下球皿Ｆの水平上板部１１０ａ上に支持座３７を当接した水平姿勢で安定良く載置セットされる。これにより皿本体２１の皿部に係る球流れ勾配を設定通りに維持して良好な球流れを図り得、また球送り装置１０６を、発射レール１３の発射位置や打球発射装置Ｇにおける打球杆の打球点位置に対して適正な位置,姿勢に保持して的確な球送りを図ることができる。
【００３６】
そしてこのような上球皿Ｅでは、その開閉について、前記ガラス扉Ｄを開放すると共に前述の施錠具１７を解錠したもとで、下球皿Ｆの水平上板部１１０ａを載置台面として利用しながら、支持具１６と受け具２４の連結支点に基いて水平保持したまま円滑に開閉し得る。また着脱にあたっては、上球皿Ｅをガラス扉Ｄと干渉しない向きにしたもとで、前述の支持具１６と受け具２４との着脱を利用して簡単に組外し・組付けができるので、上球皿Ｅの新旧交換等に際しては、未熟練者でも手早く容易に、楽な姿勢で簡単に着脱することができる。しかもこの上球皿Ｅのセット状態においては、開閉セット板２３の係合レール部３６がガラス扉Ｄの下縁と噛合状態で整合すると共に、外郭体２０および補助部材２２の両右外端部が窓枠Ｃの右下部を覆蓋し、また下球皿Ｆ側の係合レール部１１２が開閉セット板２３の下端縁と噛合状態で整合するので、針金や帯状片等の異物を遊技盤Ｈ内に侵入させようとする不正行為を積極的に防止することができる。
【００３７】
そして、前述のように装備されて実施される上球皿Ｅにおいては、簡単な球抜き操作により貯留球および賞品球を速やかに下球皿Ｆ側へ抜出し得る。すなわち、前記球抜き装置４２における操作部８１を指先で押圧することにより、閉鎖位置の舌片部６２が開放変位されて球送出口３３と球抜き路４１とが連絡保持される。これにより皿本体２１内、更には連絡筒部３５および排出口１１内に亘り収容されている全ての貯留球および賞品球を、球送出口３３から球抜き路４１へ速やかに流通させ得、そのまま下球皿Ｆの球抜き通入部１１４内へ通入させて、最終的には下球皿Ｆの貯留皿部１１３に抜出し得る。なお下球皿Ｆでは、球抜き部１１６を開放操作することにより、貯留皿部１１３内に貯留されている全ての賞品球を皿外へ抜出すことができる。
【００３８】
前記球抜き装置４２による球抜き操作時には、開閉部材６０の前方へのスライド移動に伴い、位置検出手段９１における検出素子９３が「閉」状態となるので、検出信号が回路基板９２(１２５)の入力回路１２１に出力される。例えば、前記回路基板９２を装着した球抜き装置４２においては、球抜き操作の開始と同時に前記発光ランプ１０２が点灯または点滅制御され、これがランプレンズ１０４を介して外部から視認され、当該パチンコ機Ｐにおける球抜き装置４２が球抜き状態にあることが報知される。従って当該パチンコ機Ｐでの遊技者が、前記操作部８１を何らかの方法で押圧状態に固定保持しながら球抜き操作を行なったとしても、該遊技者がパチンコ機から立ち去る際には、発光ランプ１０２の発光状態が目に入り、球抜き状態の解除操作を促すことができる。また万一、先の遊技者が球抜き装置４２を球抜き状態に固定保持したまま当該パチンコ機Ｐから立ち去ったとしても、次の遊技者は発光ランプ１０２の発光状態を目視することにより、当該パチンコ機Ｐの球抜き装置４２が球抜き状態にあることを容易に確認し得、上球皿Ｅへの遊技球の投入に先立って球抜き状態を解除することができる。
【００３９】
また前記回路基板１２５を装着した球抜き装置４２においては、球抜き操作の開始時には前記発光ランプ１０２が発光制御されず、また球抜き終了時に球抜き操作が正常に解除された場合には、タイマー回路１２４がタイムアップしないので、該発光ランプ１０２は発光制御されることはない。しかし、先の遊技者が球抜き装置４２を球抜き状態に固定保持したまま当該パチンコ機Ｐから立ち去った場合には、タイマー回路１２４が設定時間経過後にタイムアップし、これにより前記発光ランプ１０２が点灯または点滅制御されるので、これがランプレンズ１０４を介して外部から視認され、当該パチンコ機Ｐにおける球抜き装置４２が球抜き状態にあることが報知される。従って次の遊技者は、発光ランプ１０２の発光状態を目視することにより、当該パチンコ機Ｐの球抜き装置４２が球抜き状態にあることを容易に確認し得、上球皿Ｅへの遊技球の投入に先立って球抜き状態を解除することができる。
【００４０】
このように、第１実施例に係る球抜き装置４２を装備したパチンコ機Ｐでは、先の遊技者が球抜き状態に固定保持したまま当該パチンコ機Ｐから立ち去ったとしても、次の遊技者は発光ランプ１０２の発光状態を目視することができるので、当該パチンコ機Ｐの球抜き装置４２が球抜き状態に固定保持されていることを容易に確認し得、上球皿Ｅへの遊技球の投入に先立って球抜き状態を解除することができる。従って次の遊技者が、球抜き装置４２が球抜き状態に保持されていることに気付かずに遊技球を上球皿Ｅへ投入することがなくなり、次の遊技者に不愉快な思いをさせてしまう不都合が好適に回避される。
【００４１】
また実施例では、報知手段１００として発光ランプ１０２を例示したが、この他に、ブザーやスピーカ等の音を発生する装置であってもよい。この場合には、前記回路基板９２,１２５に実施される駆動回路１２２は、実施する対応の装置を好適に制御するものとされる。
【００４２】
一方、前記第１実施例の球抜き装置４２における操作部材８０に関しては、外郭体２０の前側から挿通部７７にセットする操作部８１と、該外郭体２０の裏側から挿通孔７８を介して該操作部８１に係着する軸杆部８２とから構成される分割形態のものを例示したが、この操作部８１と軸杆部８２とを一体成形して、外郭体２０の前方から挿通部７７に配設セットする形態のものであってもよい。但しこの一体形態においては、挿通部７７にセットした操作部材８０の抜止めを図るために、挿通孔７８から後方へ延出した軸杆部８２の所定位置に、例えばスナップリング等を取着することが好ましい。
【００４３】
また、前記第１実施例における球抜き装置４２では、開閉部材６０に直接的に付勢力を付加するコイルばね６８により、該開閉部材６０を球送出口３３の閉鎖方向へ付勢するよう構成したが、この開閉部材６０に対する付勢形態はこれに限定されるものではない。すなわち、前記作動部材７０の支点部７１に外装されると共にアーム部７２または連繋片部７３の何れかに係止されるねじりばねを取付け、該作動部材７０を反時計方向へ回動付勢するようにしても、ピン７４と係合孔７５の連繋下に、前記開閉部材６０は球送出口３３の閉鎖方向へ付勢される。この他に、前記操作部材８０にコイルばね等の付勢力が作用するよう構成して、作動部材７０を介して開閉部材６０を球送出口３３の閉鎖方向へ付勢するようにしてもよい。
【００４４】
更に第１実施例では、球送出口３３から抜出された貯留球を、前枠Ｂの前面側に形成した球抜き路４１および球抜き通入部１１４を介して下球皿Ｆ側へ直接的に抜出す形態の上球皿Ｅに、プッシュボタン形式の球抜き装置４２を組付けたものを例示したが、この球抜き装置４２は、このような形態の上球皿に限らず、例えば貯留球を前枠Ｂの背面側に一旦排出した後に賞球の副排出路を介して下球皿に抜出す裏側排出形態の上球皿にも好適に実施し得る。
【００４５】
【第２実施例】
図１３は、前記上球皿Ｅの球抜き部４０に付設される第２実施例に係る球抜き装置を、分解状態で示した概略斜視図である。この第２実施例の球抜き装置１３０は、所要形状に成形されたケース体１３１に、前記皿本体２１の球送出口３３を開閉し得る舌片部１４７を有する開閉部材１４５と、指先操作のための操作部１５９を有する操作部材１５５と、前記開閉部材１４５の位置を検知する位置検出手段１７０と、この位置検知手段１７０による検出信号をもとに作動される報知手段１７６と、を組込んだスライドレバー形式として構成され、該ケース体１３１単位のユニット部材として取扱い得るようになっている。そして、皿本体２１に形成された前記取着セット部４５に着脱可能に取付固定することにより、前記操作部材１５５の操作部１５９を外郭体２０の表面側に形成した操作口に臨ませた状態で、前記皿本体２１と外郭体２０との間に組込まれるようになっている。そこで次に、第２実施例に係る球抜き装置１３０の各構成部材につき詳細に説明する。なお、パチンコ機Ｐの外枠Ａ,前枠Ｂ,窓枠Ｃ,ガラス扉Ｄ,上球皿Ｅおよび下球皿Ｆ等は、基本的に前記第１実施例と同一であるから、これら各部材の具体的な説明は省略する。
【００４６】
(ケース体について)
前記ケース体１３１は、上方へ全面開口する開口部１３２ａを有する略矩形状の本体部材１３２と、該本体部材１３２の開口部１３２ａに整合し得る形状に成形されて該開口部１３２ａを上方から全面的に覆蓋する蓋部材１３３とから構成されている。前記本体部材１３２では、内部右側に前記開閉部材１４５用の摺動室１３４が画成され、内部左側の左後隅角部に操作部材１５５用の支持部１３５が形成されている。そして、前記摺動室１３４に整合する後壁に、開閉部材１４５の舌片部１４７の移動を許容し得る大きさの開口１３６が形成され、また前壁の上縁中央に、操作部材１５５の第２アーム部１５８の旋回移動を許容するスリット口１３７が形成されている。また、本体部材１３２の左前隅角部と右後隅角部には上方に開口したビス孔１３８が夫々形成され、また蓋部材１３３の左前隅角部と右後隅角部には各ビス孔１３８に整合する通孔１３９が夫々形成されており、本体部材１３２と蓋部材１３３とを整合セットした状態で各通孔１３９に挿通したビス(図示せず)をビス孔１３８に締付けることにより、中空体状のケース体１３１が形成される。更に本体部材１３２の下面後端部には、垂直下方へ延出した取付片１４１が該本体部材１３２に一体成形されると共に、蓋部材１３３の上面後端部には、垂直上方へ延出した取付片１４２が該蓋部材１３３に一体成形されており、これら取付片１４１,１４２およびビスを利用して、ケース体１３１全体が、該枠体部２９の取着セット部４５に組付けられるようになっている。なお前記各取付片１４１,１４２の背面には、位置決め用のボス１４４が形成されている。また、本体部材１３２の右壁内側に位置検出手段１７０における回路基板９２(１２５)用の設置部１６５が形成され、また蓋部材１３３の右端後方部に報知手段１７６として実施される発光ランプ１０２用の円筒状の設置部１６６が形成されている。
【００４７】
(開閉部材について)
前記開閉部材１４５は、図７に示すように、断面が倒伏コ字状に形成された樋状の本体１４６と、この本体１４６の後端面から後方へ略水平に延出する舌片部１４７と、前記本体１４６の右側面から右方に形成された係止片部１４８とが一体的に成形されている。この開閉部材１４５は、前記摺動室１３４に収納された状態において、該摺動室１３４の左側に形成された案内リブ１４９に対して本体１４６の左側面が当接し、右側に形成された案内リブ１５０に対して該本体１４６の右側面下端部が当接しており、これら案内リブ１４９,１５０に沿って前後方向へのスライド移動のみが可能となっている。また、蓋部材１３３の下面には規制リブ(図示せず)が形成されており、開閉部材１４５は上方への移動が規制されている。そして、開閉部材１４５が摺動室１３４内の最も後方までスライド移動すると、前記舌片部１４７がケース体１３１の後方側へ突出した状態となり、摺動室１３４内の最も前方までスライド移動すると、前記舌片部１４７がケース体１３１内に収納した状態となる。なお、摺動室１３４に面した前壁内側に、後方へ突出したボス１５２が一体成形され、このボス１５２と開閉部材１４５の本体１４６後壁との間にコイルばね(付勢手段)１５３が圧縮状態に配設されており、これにより開閉部材１４５は、常に摺動室１３４の後方側へ付勢されて前記舌片部１４７をケース体１３１の後方側へ延出させた状態に保持される。
【００４８】
(操作部材について)
前記操作部材１５５は、上方へ突出したボス状の前記支持部１３５に外嵌される円筒状の支点部１５６と、この支点部１５６の外周面上端から水平右外方へ延出した第１アーム部１５７と、前記支点部１５６の外周面上端から第１アーム部１５７と所要角度(約８０度)変位した水平前外方へ延出した第２アーム部１５８と、この第２アーム部１５８先端の操作部１５９とが一体成形され、前記支点部１５６を支持部１３５に対して上方から嵌合させることにより、該支持部１３５を中心とした旋回動が可能となっている。そして、前記第１アーム部１５７の先端下面には、垂直下方へ突出したピン１６０が一体成形されており、前記開閉部材１４５の係止片部１４８の上面に形成した係合孔１６１に、前記ピン１６０が上方から係合するようになっている。また第２アーム部１５８は、その略中央部で水平方向へ屈曲形成され、前記スリット口１３７を介してケース体１３１の外方へ延出するようになっている。前記係合孔１６１は、操作部材１５５の旋回動に伴うピン１６０の円弧動を許容するように、左右方向に所定長さの長孔となっている。なお、操作部材１５５の上下方向へのがたつきを防止するために、支点部１５６の上方から支持部１３５に対してビスを締付けるようにしてもよい。
【００４９】
前記操作部材１５５の操作部１５９は、前記第２アーム部１５８の先端において、前記支持部１３５を中心とした所要の曲率半径で湾曲形成されたカバー板１６２と、このカバー板１６２の左右中央に前方へ突設された指掛片１６３とが、該第２アーム部１５８と一体成形されている。この操作部１５９は、ユニット化された球抜き装置１３０を取付固定した皿本体２１と前記外郭体２０とを組付けた際に、該外郭体２０の前面右方に形成した横長矩形状の操作口(図示せず)の後側に臨むように構成されている。そしてカバー板１６２は、操作部材１５５を旋回変位させても常に前記操作口を全面的に覆蓋するようになっており、しかも前述のような曲率半径に形成されていることにより、常に該操作口の開口端縁部に略密着した状態を保持されて隙間が画成されないようになっている。また指掛片１６３は、球抜き操作時に指先がフィットし易い曲面状に形成されている。
【００５０】
(位置検出手段について)
第２実施例の球抜き装置１３０では、前記開閉部材１４５のスライド移動位置に対応して、前記球送出口３３に対して舌片部１４７が、半開状態または全開状態にある場合を電気的に検知する位置検出手段１７０が具備されている。この位置検出手段１７０は、例えば図１４に示すような公知のフォトスイッチが例とされ、前記本体部材１３２に形成された設置部１６５にビス等で取着される回路基板９２に接続配置した検出素子１７１と、前記開閉部材１４５の係止片部１４８に一体成形されて遮光面(または反射面)１７２ａを有する被検出素子１７２とから構成されている。この被検出素子１７２は、開閉部材１４５が摺動室１３４内を前後にスライド移動するに際し、前記舌片部１４７が球送出口３３に対する半開き状態と全開状態との範囲内に位置している場合に、検出素子１７１の凹部に臨んで遮光(または反射)し得る長さに設定されている。すなわち、舌片部１４７により球送出口３３が全閉状態となっている場合(開閉部材１４５の摺動室１３４の後方側に位置している)は、被検出素子１７２は検出素子１７１から離間して該検出素子１７１を遮光(または反射)しないようになっている。
【００５１】
(報知手段について)
そして第２実施例の球抜き装置１３０では、前記位置検出手段１７０の回路基板９２とリード線１７５を介して電気的に接続されて、該位置検出手段１７０の検出信号をもとに作動する報知手段１７６を具備している。この報知手段１７６は、例えば前記第１実施例と同様に発光ランプ１０２が例とされ、蓋部材１３３に形成された前記設置部１６６に上方から嵌合セットされ、発光部を上方に指向させた状態に取付けられるようになっている。そして、前記位置検出手段１７０における検出素子１７１が遮光(または反射)された際に通電されて、発光制御されるようになっている。なお、上球皿Ｅにおける外郭体２０の上面において前記発光ランプ１０２が対応する位置には、前記第１実施例で示したように、開口１０３および該開口１０３に取着されるランプレンズ１０４が取着されており、球抜き装置１３０の球抜き状態時に発光する該ランプ１０２を外部から視認し得るようになっている。また本体部材１３２の右壁上縁には、前記リード線１７５用の挿通口１３２ｂが形成されている。
【００５２】
(回路基板について)
このように第２実施例の球抜き装置１３０では、フォトスイッチ型の位置検出手段１７０と発光ランプ１０２による報知手段１７６とが具備され、これら位置検出手段１７０と報知手段１７６とは、前述したように、回路基板９２を介して接続されている。この回路基板９２は、前述すると共に図１０に略示するように、前記位置検出手段１７０に接続される入力回路１２１と、前記報知手段１７６に接続される駆動回路１２２と、外部電源(ＡＣ２４Ｖ)１１９に接続されて前記入力回路１２１および駆動回路１２２に接続される電源回路１２０とが備えられており、位置検出手段１７０から出力される検出信号は、入力回路１２１を介して駆動回路１２２に伝達され、この駆動回路１２２の設定内容に従って報知手段１７６の発光ランプ１０２が発光制御される。すなわち駆動回路１２２での設定内容により、発光ランプ１０２による発光表示は、連続点灯や適宜間隔での点滅等が可能となって表示機能の多様化および効果アップを図ることができる。
【００５３】
また前記位置検出手段１７０と報知手段１７６とは、図１２に略示するように、タイマー回路１２４を具備した前記回路基板１２５を介して接続するようにしてもよい。この場合では、位置検出手段１７０からの検出信号が入力回路１２１に出力され、この検出信号を受けた入力回路１２１はタイマー回路１２４へ信号を出力し、そしてタイマー回路１２４は、予め設定した時限条件に基いて設定時間後にタイムアップして駆動回路１２２へ信号を出力し、これに基いて報知手段１７６の発光ランプ１０２が発光制御されるようになる。従って、タイマー回路１２４の時限条件を、貯留球の球抜きを完全に行なうに要する時間以上に設定しておけば、正常な球抜き操作(指先を掛けた操作)を行なった場合には、前記発光ランプ１０２が発光制御されることはなく、球抜き状態を固定保持しかつそれを解除しなかった場合にのみ発光ランプ１０２を発光制御させ得るようになる。
【００５４】
(球抜き装置の取付け)
前述のように構成された第２実施例の球抜き装置１３０では、前記開閉部材１４５,コイルばね１５３および操作部材１５５,位置検出手段１７０および報知手段１７６を組付けセットしてユニット化されたケース体１３１が、前述したように、前記開閉部材１４５の舌片部１４７がスリット口４３を介して球送出口３３に整合した状態で、皿本体２１における取着セット部４５にビス１４３で固定される。そして、球抜き装置１３０を取付けた皿本体２１と外郭体２０とを組付けることにより、操作部材１５５の操作部１５９が外郭体２０に形成した操作口に臨んだ状態となる。
【００５５】
【第２実施例の作用】
第２実施例の球抜き装置１３０を装備して実施される上球皿Ｅにおいては、簡単な球抜き操作により貯留球および賞品球を速やかに下球皿Ｆ側へ抜出し得る。すなわち、前記球抜き装置１３０における操作部１５９を、指掛片１６３を利用して左方へスライドさせることにより、閉鎖位置の舌片部１４７が開放変位されて球送出口３３と球抜き路４１とが連絡保持される。これにより皿本体２１内、更には連絡筒部３５および排出口１１内に亘り収容されている全ての貯留球および賞品球を、球送出口３３から球抜き路４１へ速やかに流通させ得、そのまま下球皿Ｆの球抜き通入部１１４内へ通入させて、最終的には下球皿Ｆの球留皿部１１３に抜出し得る。なお下球皿Ｆでは、球抜き部１１６を開放操作することにより、球留皿部１１３内に貯留されている全ての賞品球を皿外へ抜出すことができる。
【００５６】
前記球抜き装置１３０による球抜き操作時には、開閉部材１４５の前方へのスライド移動に伴い、位置検出手段１７０における検出素子１７１が遮光(または反射)された状態となるので、検出信号が回路基板９２(１２５)の入力回路１２１に出力される。例えば、前記回路基板９２を装着した球抜き装置１３０においては、球抜き操作の開始と同時に前記発光ランプ１０２が点灯または点滅制御され、これがランプレンズ１０４を介して外部から視認され、当該パチンコ機Ｐにおける球抜き装置１３０が球抜き状態にあることが報知される。従って当該パチンコ機Ｐでの遊技者が、前記操作部１５９を何らかの方法でスライド状態に固定保持しながら球抜き操作を行なったとしても、該遊技者がパチンコ機から立ち去る際には、発光ランプ１０２の発光状態が目に入り、球抜き状態の解除操作を促すことができる。また万一、先の遊技者が球抜き装置１３０を球抜き状態に固定保持したまま当該パチンコ機Ｐから立ち去ったとしても、次の遊技者は発光ランプ１０２の発光状態を目視することにより、当該パチンコ機Ｐの球抜き装置１３０が球抜き状態にあることを容易に確認し得、上球皿Ｅへの遊技球の投入に先立って球抜き状態を解除することができる。
【００５７】
また前記回路基板１２５を装着した球抜き装置１３０においては、球抜き操作の開始時には前記発光ランプ１０２が発光制御されず、また球抜き終了時に球抜き操作が正常に解除された場合には、タイマー回路１２４がタイムアップしないので、該発光ランプ１０２は発光制御されることはない。しかし、先の遊技者が球抜き装置１３０を球抜き状態に固定保持したまま当該パチンコ機Ｐから立ち去った場合には、タイマー回路１２４が設定時間経過後にタイムアップし、これにより前記発光ランプ１０２が点灯または点滅制御されるので、これがランプレンズ１０４を介して外部から視認され、当該パチンコ機Ｐにおける球抜き装置１３０が球抜き状態にあることが報知される。従って次の遊技者は、発光ランプ１０２の発光状態を目視することにより、当該パチンコ機Ｐの球抜き装置１３０が球抜き状態にあることを容易に確認し得、上球皿Ｅへの遊技球の投入に先立って球抜き状態を解除することができる。
【００５８】
このように、第２実施例に係る球抜き装置１３０を装備したパチンコ機Ｐにおいても、前記第１実施例に係る球抜き装置４２と同様に、先の遊技者が球抜き装置１３０を球抜き状態に固定保持したまま当該パチンコ機Ｐから立ち去ったとしても、次の遊技者は発光ランプ１０２の発光状態を目視することができるので、当該パチンコ機Ｐの球抜き装置１３０が球抜き状態にあることを容易に確認し得、上球皿Ｅへの遊技球の投入に先立って球抜き状態を解除することができる。従って次の遊技者が、球抜き装置１３０が球抜き状態に固定保持されていることに気付かずに遊技球を上球皿Ｅへ投入することがなくなり、次の遊技者に不愉快な思いをさせてしまう不都合が好適に回避される。
【００５９】
なお第２実施例の球抜き装置１３０においても、報知手段１７６としては、前記発光ランプ１０２の他に、ブザーやスピーカ等の音を発生する装置であってもよい。
【００６０】
また、第２実施例における球抜き装置１３０では、開閉部材１４５に直接的に付勢力を付加するコイルばね１５３により、該開閉部材１４５を球送出口３３の閉鎖方向へ付勢するよう構成したが、この開閉部材１４５に対する付勢形態はこれに限定されるものではない。すなわち、前記操作部材１５５の支点部１５６に外装されると共に第１アーム部１５７または第２アーム部１５８の何れかに係止されるねじりばねを取付け、該操作部材１５５を反時計方向へ回動付勢するようにしても、ピン１６０および係合孔１６１の連繋下に、前記開閉部材１４５は球送出口３３の閉鎖方向へ付勢される。更に、第１アーム部１５７と本体部材１３２の壁面とに間に、コイルばねを架設するよう構成してもよい。
【００６１】
そして第２実施例では、球送出口３３から抜出された貯留球を、前枠Ｂの前面側に形成した球抜き路４１および球抜き通入部１１４を介して下球皿Ｆ側へ直接的に抜出す形態の上球皿Ｅに、スライドレバー形式の球抜き装置１３０を組付けたものを例示したが、この球抜き装置１３０は、このような形態の上球皿に限らず、例えば貯留球を前枠Ｂの背面側に一旦排出した後に賞球の副排出路を介して下球皿に抜出す裏側排出形態の上球皿にも好適に実施し得る。
【００６２】
更に第２実施例の球抜き装置１３０は、ケース体１３１単位で取扱われ、皿本体２１に対する着脱を容易に行ない得るので、例えば当該パチンコ機の廃棄に際しては、上球皿Ｅから取外して他のパチンコ機へ再利用することができる。従って、上球皿Ｅ全体を楽にかつ安価に製作し得る。
【００６３】
更にまた、第２実施例の球抜き装置１３０は、皿本体２１の枠体部２９に形成した取着セット部４５に取付固定するよう構成したが、外郭体２０の背面側に取着セット部を形成して、この外郭体２０に球抜き装置１３０を取付固定するようにしてもよい。
【００６４】
なお、前述した各実施例では、本願発明の球抜き装置を上球皿に採用した場合につき説明したが、本願はこれに限定されるものでなく、下球皿に採用することもできる。
【００６５】
【発明の効果】
以上説明した如く、本発明に係るパチンコ遊技機の球抜き装置によれば、球皿に組付けられる球抜き装置に、該球皿の球出口部分が半開き状態または全開状態にあることを検知する位置検出手段と、この位置検出手段による検知に基いて作動する報知手段とを具備したことにより、当該球抜き装置の球抜き状態を外部に報知することができる。従って先の遊技者が、球抜き装置を球抜き状態に固定保持したまま当該遊技機から立ち去ったとしても、次の遊技者は、報知手段による表示によって球抜き装置が球抜き状態に保持されていることを、遊技前に目視して確認することができる利点がある。これにより、球抜き装置が球抜き状態に固定保持されていることを気付かずに遊技球を球皿へ投入することがなくなり、次の遊技者に不愉快な思いをさせてしまう不都合が好適に回避される。また報知手段としては、電気的に接続される光または音を発生する部品が実施されるので、球抜き装置の球抜き状態を効果的に表示することが可能である。また、位置検出手段と報知手段とをタイマー回路を介して電気的に接続するよう構成すれば、球抜き装置の球抜き状態が所定時間以上に亘って継続的に保持された場合にのみ該報知手段を作動させることが可能となる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施例に係るパチンコ機全体を略示する正面図である。
【図２】実施例の上球皿の各構成部材を分解した状態で示す平面図である。
【図３】第１実施例に係る球抜き装置を組付けた上球皿の要部横断平面図である。
【図４】第１実施例に係る球抜き装置の組付位置で破断した上球皿の縦断側面図である。
【図５】上球皿に組付けた第１実施例に係る球抜き装置を一部破断して示す横断平面図である。
【図６】第１実施例に係る球抜き装置を所定位置で破断した縦断正面図である。
【図７】第１実施例に係る球抜き装置の各構成部材を分解状態で示す概略斜視図である。
【図８】第１実施例に係る球抜き装置に具備される位置検出手段および報知手段を示す平面図である。
【図９】位置検出手段における検出素子および被検出素子を示す説明図である。
【図１０】位置検出手段と報知手段を駆動回路等を備えた回路基板を介して接続した形態例を示すブロック図である。
【図１１】位置検出手段と報知手段を直結した接続形態例を示すブロック図である。
【図１２】位置検出手段と報知手段をタイマー回路および駆動回路等を備えた回路基板を介して接続した形態例を示すブロック図である。
【図１３】第２実施例に係る球抜き装置を、各構成部材を分解した状態で示す概略斜視図である。
【図１４】第２実施例に係る球抜き装置に具備される位置検出手段および報知手段を、一部破断した状態で示す正面図である。
【符号の説明】
３３球送出口
６０,１４５開閉部材
８０,１５５操作部材
９１,１７０位置検出手段
９２,１２５回路基板
９３,１７１検出素子
９５,１７２被検出素子
１００,１７６報知手段
１２４タイマー回路
Ｅ上球皿
Ｐパチンコ機(遊技機)
２０外郭体
２１皿本体
３０球収容部
４５取着セット部
４６ , １３１ケース体
４７ , １３２本体部材
４７ａ , １３２ａ開口部
４８ , １３３蓋部材
５２ , １３６開口
５３挿入口
６２ , １４７舌片部
６５案内リブ
６６案内溝
６８ばね
６９規制リブ
７０作動部材
７３連繋片部
７７挿通部
７８挿通孔
７９ , １６６設置部
８１操作部
８２軸杆部
８３連繋溝
８４案内壁
８５リブ
８６リブ
９０切欠き
１０４ランプレンズ
１４９ , １５０案内リブ
１３５支持部
１５３付勢手段
１５６支点部
１５７第１アーム部
１５８第２アーム部
１５９操作部
１６０ピン
１６１係合孔
１６２カバー板 [0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a ball removing device for a pachinko gaming machine, and more specifically, equipped on the ball outlet side of a ball tray that can accommodate a considerable number of pachinko balls on the front side of the gaming machine using the pachinko balls and discharge them when necessary. The present invention relates to a ball removal apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a typical pachinko machine, which is one of the representative examples of this type of game machine, a game ball in an upper ball tray (upper ball tray) is used in a related operation of a ball hitting device and a ball feeding device based on a game start operation. Can be sent to the launch site in the plane one by one, and this can be launched into the game surface to execute the game. Then, as a reward for the safe ball generated during the game, a predetermined number of pachinko balls (also called prize balls) are discharged from the prize ball discharge section arranged on the mechanism set board on the back side of the machine and returned to the player side It is like that. For this reason, the pachinko machine is installed as a ball receiving member required for receiving and storing pachinko balls, the upper ball tray installed for storage and delivery at the center of the front of the machine body, and the storage at the lower end. And a lower ball tray (lower ball tray). The prize balls discharged from the prize ball discharge unit are preferentially passed from the main discharge path on the back side of the machine to the upper ball tray and are sent or stored as game balls. After the upper ball tray is filled The surplus prize balls overflowing from the main discharge path are discharged and stored in the lower ball tray through a sub discharge path that is branched from the main discharge path.
[0003]
In addition, the above-described upper ball tray and lower ball tray are provided with a ball removal device that allows a player to perform an opening operation with a fingertip as needed. For example, with regard to the ball removal device attached to the upper ball tray, even if there is a difference in the installation site or type in the pachinko machines of each manufacturer, the basic form is exposed to the outer body of the upper ball tray. The on-off valve member is opened and displaced in accordance with the operation of the operating member, so that the ball outlet and the ball discharge path at the downstream end of the upper ball tray are in open communication with each other. It can be pulled out to the side. In addition, another ball removal device is disposed in the lower ball tray, and the ball opening on the bottom of the plate portion is opened by opening and closing the opening / closing valve member in accordance with the operation of the operation member in this ball removal device. Then, the storage ball on the lower ball tray side and the ball from the upper ball tray side are extracted and discharged to a ball receiving box prepared below. That is, when the player finishes the game in the pachinko machine, first, the pachinko balls stored in the upper ball dish are discharged to the lower ball dish using the ball removing device arranged in the upper ball dish. Then, it is extracted out of the machine by using a ball removing device disposed in the lower ball tray.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the upper ball tray and the lower ball plate, approximately 500 pachinko balls can be stored for each ball plate. Accordingly, it takes about 30 seconds to 1 minute to remove all the pachinko balls. Therefore, until the ball removal is completed, the player continuously operates the operation member of the ball removal device with the fingertip. Must hold. However, in a player who feels troublesome and complicated, using a match stick, toothpick or coin, etc., the operation member is fixedly held at the ball extraction position, and the pachinko ball is extracted without using the fingertip, When all the pachinko balls have been removed, the seat is often stood without releasing the fixed holding of the operation member. However, in the conventional ball removing device, there is no means for detecting when the on-off valve member is in a half-opened state or a fully-opened state (ball-out state) with respect to the ball outlet and notifying it. For this reason, in a gaming machine in which the ball removal device is held in a ball removal state, when the next player puts the game ball into the upper ball tray without noticing this, the game ball moves to the lower ball tray side. It is discharged as it is. In other words, the operation member is forced to return to the normal position and the game ball discharged to the lower ball tray is re-inserted into the upper ball tray, which makes the next player feel very unpleasant. was there.
[0005]
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been newly proposed to solve the above-described problems, and includes a detection means for detecting a case where the ball removal device is in a ball removal state, and a notification means for informing the detection means, It is an object of the present invention to provide a ball punching device for a pachinko gaming machine that can prevent an unpleasant feeling from being caused.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the desired purpose suitably, the ball pulling device of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention is:
  Accommodates a large number of pachinko balls in front of gaming machines that use pachinko balls and discharges them when necessaryAnd a tray main body formed in a shape including a ball receiving portion and a ball outlet and a shell formed in a shell outer shape are detachably assembled to each other.In the ball removing device equipped on the ball outlet side of the ball tray,
  A main body member having an opening that opens to the entire surface upward and an opening formed on the rear wall so as to correspond to the ball outlet, and the opening is molded into a shape that can be aligned with the opening of the main body member. A case body that is detachably attached between the plate body and the outer body,
  With the guide rib formed in the front-rear direction on the main body member, the guide groove formed in the lower portion is fitted from above, and the upward movement is restricted by the restriction rib formed on the lower surface of the lid member, A tongue piece that is assembled so as to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the case body, and that protrudes rearward from the case body through the opening and is housed in the case body as it moves in the front-rear direction. An opening and closing member capable of opening and closing the ball delivery port at the section;
  One end is connected to the opening and closing member, and the end surface of the connecting piece serving as the other end is formed into a circular curved surface, and an operation member supported to be tiltable inside the case body,
  Push button type circular operation portion and front end set from the front with the outer peripheral surface being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion with respect to the insertion portion formed in a circular concave shape having a back wall in the outer body The shaft flange part is engaged with the operation part from the rear side of the outer body through the insertion hole of the insertion part, and the connection groove formed in the rear end part is detachably connected to the connection piece part of the operating member. An operation member that can be operated by a fingertip from the outside of the outer body,
  A spring that is attached to the opening / closing member or the operating member or the operating member inside the case body, and biases and holds the opening / closing member in the closing direction of the ball delivery port;
  A detection element provided inside the case body and connected to a circuit board, and a detection element attached to a predetermined position of the opening / closing member and detected by the detection element, and a half-opening of the opening / closing member with respect to the ball outlet Alternatively, a position detection unit that can detect the case of the fully open state by the detection corresponding positional relationship between the detection element and the detected element;
  The position detection means is attached to an installation portion formed on the lid member and is visible from the outside through a lamp lens of the outer body, and is electrically connected to a circuit board of the position detection means. A notification means that operates based on a signal and can notify the open range state of the opening and closing member;
  A guide wall extending in parallel from the left and right side edges of the insertion port formed in the front wall of the case body, a rib extending in the front-rear direction on the bottom surface of the main body member, and a front-rear direction on the lower surface of the lid member The extending rib regulates the movement of the shaft flange portion in the operation member in the left-right direction and the up-down direction, and the operation member is allowed to slide only in the front-rear direction,
A flat notch is formed on the upper and lower opposing portions of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft flange portion from the front end portion over a required length, and corresponds to the notch when the operating member is slid forward. The rear opening of the insertion hole formed into a shape is configured to be retained by retaining the rear end of the notch.It is characterized by that.
  In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the intended purpose suitably, a ball punching device for a pachinko gaming machine according to another invention of the present application is:
  A considerable number of pachinko balls can be accommodated on the front side of a gaming machine that uses pachinko balls and can be discharged when necessary, and is formed into a dish body formed into a shape including a ball housing part and a ball delivery port, and an outer shape of the dish, In a ball removing device equipped on the ball outlet side of the upper ball dish constructed by detachably assembling a streamlined outer shape with curved ends at both ends,
  A main body member having an opening that opens to the entire surface upward and an opening formed on the rear wall so as to correspond to the ball outlet, and the opening is molded into a shape that can be aligned with the opening of the main body member. Part A case member that is detachably attached to an attachment set portion formed at an end portion between the dish body and the outer body,
  The left and right side surfaces are in contact with a pair of guide ribs that are opposed to the main body member in the left-right direction and extend in the front-rear direction, and the upward movement is restricted by the restriction ribs formed on the lower surface of the lid member. In the state, it is assembled so as to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the case body, and as it moves in the front-rear direction, it protrudes rearward from the case body through the opening and is stored in the case body. An opening and closing member capable of opening and closing the ball delivery port at the tongue piece;
  A cylindrical fulcrum portion, a first arm portion extending horizontally outward from the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the fulcrum portion, and a horizontal outward extending from the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the fulcrum portion by a required angle with the first arm portion. The second arm portion and the operation portion formed at the tip of the second arm portion are integrally formed, and the fulcrum portion is externally fitted to the boss-like support portion protruding upward on the inner bottom surface of the main body member. And an operation member held by the case body so as to be capable of swiveling,
  A detection element provided inside the case body and connected to a circuit board, and a detection element attached to a predetermined position of the opening / closing member and detected by the detection element, and a half-opening of the opening / closing member with respect to the ball outlet Alternatively, a position detection unit that can detect the case of the fully open state by the detection corresponding positional relationship between the detection element and the detected element;
  The position detection means is attached to an installation portion formed on the lid member and is visible from the outside through a lamp lens of the outer body, and is electrically connected to a circuit board of the position detection means. A notification means that operates based on a signal and can notify the open range state of the opening and closing member;
  By detachably engaging a pin integrally formed so as to protrude from the lower surface of the front end of the first arm portion with respect to an engagement hole formed on the upper surface of the opening and closing member, and connecting the opening and closing member and the operating member. , The tongue piece portion of the opening / closing member faces the opening / closing position of the ball outlet, and the operation portion faces the rear side of the operation port formed in the outer body,
  A biasing means is attached to at least one of the opening / closing member and the operation member, and the opening / closing member is biased and held in the closing direction,
  The cover plate of the operation part is formed to be curved with a required radius of curvature corresponding to the curved surface of the outer body centered on the support part.
[0007]
[Action]
When the operation member facing the surface of the ball tray is not operated, the ball removing device is configured so that the opening and closing member connected to the operation member holds the ball outlet part in the fully closed state, so that the pachinko balls in the ball tray are discharged. In addition, the detection means is in a non-detection state. Then, when the operation member is operated and the ball is released, the opening and closing member opens the ball outlet part fully, and the pachinko ball in the ball tray is discharged, and this is detected by the detection means. Notification means notifies. As the notification means, a part that generates light such as a lamp or a part that generates sound such as a buzzer is adopted, and if it is provided via a timer circuit in the circuit board, it is set for detection information by the detection means. Control can be performed so that a notification operation is performed after a time.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, the ball removal device for a pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings by giving a preferred embodiment. This embodiment mainly shows a case of a general pachinko machine in which a pachinko ball game board is set inside the front of the front frame.
[0009]
As shown schematically in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine P according to the present embodiment can be opened / closed and detached using a connecting support means and a locking means on the front side of the opening of the outer frame A as schematically shown in FIG. Each part of the front frame B to be assembled is equipped with a window frame C with a glass door D, upper and lower ball receiving trays E and F, which will be described later, a ball hitting device G, and the like. The game board H is set to be detachable and replaceable, and a mechanism set board (not shown) having an out ball, a safe ball, and a prize ball processing unit on the back side of the front frame B is detachably mounted. . The outer frame A is an example in which the upper and lower and left and right frame members 1, 2, 3, and 4 are connected to each other, and at least the right and lower frame members 3 and 4 are made of synthetic resin. By exchanging as a thing, it is possible to change to a type generally called “Kanto frame, Kansai frame”.
[0010]
(About the front frame)
The front frame B used as a mounting frame for various components is, for example, a synthetic resin molded whole, and as shown in FIG. A frame body 5 that is formed in a size and has a front vertical rectangular window frame port 6 opened therein, and an accommodation holding frame that is integrally formed on the back side of the frame body 5 and has an opening surface area slightly narrower than the window frame port 6 8 is in the form of an inner / outer double frame in which the front and rear are connected to each other. In the frame 5, a window frame C can be installed around the inner periphery of the window frame mouth 6, and a lower ball tray F, a ball hitting device G, and the like are installed in the lower part of the window frame mouth 6. The front board part 7 for this purpose is shape | molded, and the lightning decoration part 9 is installed over the upper edge part and right edge part of the window-frame opening 6. FIG. In the housing and holding frame 8, a game auxiliary board 10 located inside the lower part of the window frame opening 6 is integrally formed. The game auxiliary board 10 has a discharge opening 11 for prize balls and spilled balls and foul balls. A recovery path 12 and the like are formed, and a recovery case 15 and the like incorporating a firing rail 13 and a speaker 14 and the like are set on the front side of the same board.
[0011]
(About upper ball dish)
An upper ball tray (also simply referred to as an upper ball tray) E mounted on the lower front side of the front frame B is assembled and set so as to be openable / closable and detachable in accordance with the lower surface area of the glass door D in the window frame C. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper bowl dish E is fitted with a box frame-shaped outer body 20 which is a basic structural member molded with a synthetic resin, and inside the opening of the outer body 20 as shown in FIGS. The plate body 21 to be set and assembled is assembled and aligned with a screw 19, and the whole is unitized in a streamline shape with the bottom surface horizontal and both ends curved. An opening / closing set plate 23 made of thin metal (or made of resin) with an auxiliary member 22 for reinforcing decoration attached to the front is attached with screws 18 and unified. The outer body 20 and the auxiliary member 22 are aligned to the same length, and their right ends extend from the right end of the opening / closing set plate 23. The opening / closing set plate 23 is aligned with the lower surface area of the window frame C. The required opening is formed in each part, and the horizontal lower end edge thereof is aligned in parallel with the lower bottom surface of the horizontal bottom plate part 20a in the outer body 20 (see FIG. 4). ).
[0012]
And as a connection support means for attaching and detaching opening and closing of the upper ball tray E, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support shaft of the support 16 fixed to the front surface of the left end portion of the front plate portion 7 of the front frame B. With respect to 16a, the shaft cylinder part 25 of the receiving fixture 24 fixed to the front surface of the left end part of the opening / closing set plate 23 can be fitted and connected through the shaft hole 26 so as to be detachable in the vertical direction. As a locking means, as shown in FIG. 1, a lifting tool 27 attached to the right back surface of the opening / closing set plate 23 is provided with respect to a lifting / lowering locking rod of the locking tool 17 installed inside the right center of the window frame C. It can be engaged in a detachable manner. Note that the protruding portion including the shaft tube portion 25 of the receiver 24 is located in a plane U-shaped relief port 28 formed at the left end portion of the outer body 20 and the plate body 21 ( 2), and the shaft tube portion 25 and the support shaft 16a are inserted with an appropriate fitting tolerance.
[0013]
The dish main body 21 is formed as a dish part formed on the frame body part 29, and a ball accommodating part 30 and an alignment sending part 32 laid with a metal rail 31 are formed with a series of gradients. A ball removing device 42 to be described later is attached to the ball outlet 33 opened at the downstream end of the ball. On the other hand, the auxiliary member 22 is attached to the upper edge of the opening / closing set plate 23 so as to be detachable and replaceable. The left end portion of the main body 34 has a prize ball outlet 11 on the front frame B side and a dish main body 21. A connecting cylinder portion 35 for feeding out a prize ball that communicates with the ball receiving portion 30 is formed. In the opening / closing set plate 23, the engagement rail portion 36 formed along the upper edge thereof can be aligned with the lower edge of the glass door D in a meshed state. As the remaining structure of the upper ball tray E, a support seat 37 for holding a horizontal posture is formed around the bottom surface of the escape port 28 in the outer body 20 and the lower bottom surface of the right portion of the horizontal bottom plate portion 20a. (See FIG. 4).
[0014]
Further, the auxiliary member 22 is a standard type in the case of a general pachinko machine P, and in the case of a ball lending type pachinko machine P, as shown in FIG. Different types are selectively used. Both of these two types of auxiliary members 22 are basically configured in the same manner except for the presence or absence of the ball lending operation unit 38, and a stopper (not shown) is attached to the open / close set plate 23. Screws are used. In the assembled state of the upper ball tray E with respect to the front frame B, the right outer end portion of the main body 34 of the auxiliary member 22 can cover the right lower portion of the window frame C together with the right outer end portion of the outer body 20. Yes.
[0015]
(About ball removal part)
The above-described ball removal portion 40 in the upper ball dish E is configured to directly pull out the pachinko balls in the dish body 21 to the lower ball dish F, and in the right space portion between the dish body 21 and the outer body 20. It is built in. That is, in this ball punching portion 40, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a ball punching passage 41 formed on the back side of the frame body portion 29 of the dish body 21 and vertically passing through the ball delivery port 33, and the frame body portion 29. The ball removing device 42 is fixed to the front surface. A slit opening 43 that allows insertion of a tongue piece portion 62 (described later) of the ball removing device 42 is formed in the attachment set portion 45 formed in the adjacent portion of the ball delivery port 33, and the ball removing passage 41 is provided. An outlet 44 is opened in the horizontal bottom plate portion 20a of the outer body 20 in accordance with the lower end of the opening. The outlet 44 is adapted to be aligned with the upper end opening 114a of the ball removal passage 114 communicating with the lower ball tray F.
[0016]
Then, next, it demonstrates concretely, giving a suitable Example about the ball removal apparatus implemented with the pachinko machine P comprised as mentioned above.
[0017]
[First embodiment]
3 to 7 illustrate a ball punching device 42 according to the first embodiment. This ball punching device 42 is incorporated in a case body 46 formed in a required shape, and opens and closes the ball outlet 33. Openable / closable member 60, operating member 70 incorporated in the case body 46 and connected to the openable / closable member 60 at one end, and operation connected to the operating member 70 by being inserted from the outside of the case body 46 It comprises a member 80, a position detection means 91 for detecting the position of the opening / closing member 60, and a notification means 100 that is operated based on a detection signal from the position detection means 91. It is a push button type for pressing. And the attachment which formed the said case body 46 incorporating the said opening-and-closing member 60, the operation member 70, the position detection means 91, and the alerting | reporting means 100 between the said plate main body 21 and the outer body 20 in the plate main body 21. In the state where the push button-like operation part 81 of the operation member 80 is fitted and supported by the insertion part 77 established on the right side of the front surface of the outer body 20 while being fixedly attached to the set part 45, It is detachably attached to the body 20.
[0018]
(About the case body)
The case body 46 is formed into a substantially rectangular main body member 47 having an opening 47a that opens to the entire upper surface, and a shape that can be aligned with the opening 47a of the main body member 47, and the opening 47a is formed on the entire surface from above. And a cover member 48 that covers the cover. In the main body member 47, a sliding chamber 49 for the opening / closing member 60 is defined on the inner right side, and a fitting insertion portion 50 for the shaft collar portion 82 of the operation member 80 is defined on the inner left side. A support portion 51 for the operating member 70 is formed between the moving chamber 49 and the fitting insertion portion 50. An opening 52 having a size allowing the movement of the tongue piece 62 of the opening / closing member 60 is formed in the rear wall aligned with the sliding chamber 49, and the front wall aligned with the fitting insertion portion 50 An insertion port 53 that allows insertion of the shaft flange 82 is formed. On the other hand, a screw hole 54 opened upward is formed in the left front corner portion and the right rear corner portion of the main body member 47, and the screw hole 54 is formed in the left front corner portion and the right rear corner portion of the lid member 48. Through holes 55 that are aligned with each other, and screws 56 that are inserted through the respective through holes 55 in a state in which the main body member 47 and the lid member 48 are aligned and set are fastened to the respective screw holes 54, thereby forming a hollow body-like case. A body 46 is formed. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a mounting piece 57 extending vertically downward is formed integrally with the main body member 47 at the rear lower end portion of the main body member 47, and the upper rear end of the lid member 48. A mounting piece 58 extending vertically upward is integrally formed on the lid member 48, and a screw 59 aligned with the recesses 57a, 58a of the mounting pieces 57, 58 is attached to the frame portion of the plate body 21. By tightening to 29, the entire case body 46 is assembled to the attachment set portion 45 of the dish body 21. An installation portion 76 for the circuit board 92 in the position detection means 91 is formed on the inner side of the right wall of the main body member 47, and a cylindrical shape for the light emitting lamp 102 implemented as the notification means 100 on the rear end of the right end of the lid member 48. The installation portion 79 is formed.
[0019]
(About opening and closing members)
As shown in FIG. 7, the opening / closing member 60 includes a bowl-shaped main body 61 whose cross section is formed in an inverted U shape, and a tongue piece (open / closed) extending rearward from the rear end surface of the main body 61. (Tongue) 62 and a locking guide 63 formed rightward from the right side surface of the main body 61 are integrally formed. When the opening / closing member 60 is housed in the sliding chamber 49 defined in the main body member 47, the left side surface of the main body 61 contacts the guide rib 64 formed on the left side of the sliding chamber 49. A guide groove 66 formed in the locking guide portion 63 is fitted from above with a guide rib 65 formed on the right side, and only sliding movement in the front-rear direction along these guide ribs 64 and 65 is performed. Is possible. In addition, a regulation rib 69 is formed on the lower surface of the lid member 48, and the opening / closing member 60 is restricted from moving upward. When the opening / closing member 60 slides to the farthest rear in the sliding chamber 49, the tongue piece 62 projects to the rear side of the case body 46 (see FIG. 2 or FIG. 3). When the slide part moves to the foremost position, the tongue piece 62 is housed in the case body 46 (see FIG. 5). A boss 67 protruding rearward is integrally formed on the inner side of the front wall facing the sliding chamber 49, and a coil spring 68 is disposed between the boss 67 and the rear wall of the body 61 of the opening / closing member 60 in a compressed state. Thus, the opening / closing member 60 is always urged to the rear side of the sliding chamber 49 and is held in a state where the tongue piece 62 is extended to the rear side of the case body 46.
[0020]
(About actuating members)
The actuating member 70 includes a cylindrical fulcrum portion 71 fitted over the boss-like support portion 51 protruding upward, and an arm portion 72 extending horizontally outward from the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the fulcrum portion 71. A connecting piece 73 extending horizontally outward from the center of the outer peripheral surface of the fulcrum 71 in the direction opposite to the arm 72 (approximately 180 degrees) is integrally formed, and the fulcrum 71 is used as the support 51. On the other hand, by making it fit from above, it is possible to turn around the support portion 51. A pin 74 projecting vertically downward is integrally formed on the lower surface of the distal end of the arm portion 72, and the pin 74 is inserted into an engagement hole 75 formed on the upper surface of the locking guide portion 63 of the opening / closing member 60. Are engaged from above. The connecting piece 73 has a circular curved end surface and is engaged with a connecting groove 83 formed at the rear end of the shaft flange 82 of the operating member 80. The engagement hole 75 is a long hole that is long in the left-right direction so as to allow the arc movement of the pin 74 accompanying the turning movement of the actuating member 70. In order to prevent the actuating member 70 from rattling in the vertical direction, a screw may be fastened to the support portion 51 from above the fulcrum portion 71.
[0021]
(About operation members)
The operation member 80 includes a push button type circular operation portion 81 set from the front to a circular concave insertion portion 77 formed at a predetermined position of the outer body 20, and the insertion portion from the rear of the outer body 20. The shaft flange portion 82 is engaged with the operation portion 81 via an insertion hole 78 of 77, and is not directly attached to the case body 46. That is, the shaft flange portion 82 has a rear end side inserted into the fitting insertion portion 50 through the insertion port 53 formed in the front wall of the case body 46, and thereby the connecting groove 83 formed in the rear end portion. The connecting piece 73 of the operating member 70 is configured to be suitably connected. As shown in FIG. 6, the shaft flange 82 has guide walls 84, 84 extending in parallel rearward from the left and right side edges of the insertion port 53, and the lower surface of the fitting insertion portion 50 (the bottom surface of the main body member 47). The movement in the left-right direction and the up-down direction is restricted by the rib 85 extending in the front-rear direction and the rib 86 extending in the front-rear direction on the upper surface of the fitting insertion portion 50 (the lower surface of the lid member 48). Slide movement is allowed only to Further, since the outer peripheral surface of the operation portion 81 and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion 77 are in close contact with each other and a back wall is formed toward the insertion hole 78, the insertion portion 77 extends from the wire. It is impossible to infiltrate ultrafine foreign substances such as.
[0022]
An engagement groove portion 87 is formed at the front end portion of the shaft flange portion 82, and the connecting cylinder portion 88 and the engagement groove portion 87 are fitted to the front end portion of the shaft flange portion 82 on the back surface of the operation portion 81. An engagement protrusion 89 that engages with the engagement protrusion 89 is formed, and the engagement between the engagement groove 87 and the engagement protrusion 89 and the engagement between the connecting tube portion 88 and the outer periphery of the shaft flange 82 result in a shaft flange portion. 82 and the operation unit 81 are engaged with each other so that they cannot be easily separated. The operation member 80 configured in this manner is disposed so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the outer body 20, whereby the operation portion 81 is displaced relative to the insertion portion 77. . In addition, a planar notch 90 is formed from the front end portion to a required length on the upper and lower facing portions of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft flange portion 82, and the insertion hole 78 is formed into a shape corresponding to the notch 90. When the operation member 80 is slid in the forward direction, the rear opening of the insertion hole 78 and the rear end of the notch 90 are locked, and the operation member 80 is detached from the outer body 20. It is possible to prevent the removal (see FIG. 4).
[0023]
(PositioningOut(About means)
  In the ball removing device 42 of the first embodiment, there is provided a position detecting means 91 for electrically detecting a case where the ball outlet / outlet 33 is in a half-open state or a full-open state corresponding to the slide movement position of the opening / closing member 60. Has been. The position detecting means 91 is, for example, a known magnetic reed switch as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, and a circuit board 92 that is attached to an installation portion 76 formed on the main body member 47 with screws or the like. A contact portion 94 having a detection element 93 connected to the magnet, and a magnet portion 96 having a detection element 95 embedded in the locking guide portion 63 of the opening / closing member 60 and exposed to the right side surface. Yes. As shown in FIG. 9, the detection element 93 in the contact portion 94 has a half-open state and a full-open state when the opening / closing member 60 slides back and forth in the sliding chamber 49. When it is located within the range of the state, the length is set such that the detected element 95 can approach and detect it. That is, when the ball outlet 33 is fully closed by the tongue piece 62 (the opening / closing member 60 is located on the rear side of the sliding chamber 49), the detected element 95 is separated from the detecting element 93. Therefore, when the contact point of the detection element 93 is “open” and the ball outlet 33 is positioned between the half-open state and the fully-open state by the tongue piece 62 (the opening / closing member 60 is located in the sliding chamber 49). (Located between the center and the front side), the detected element 95 is close to the detecting element 93 andChildA magnetic circuit is formed between 93 and 95, and the contact of the detection element 93 is “closed”.
[0024]
(About notification means)
In the ball removing device 42 according to the first embodiment, a notification is made that is electrically connected to the circuit board 92 of the position detecting means 91 via the lead wire 101 and operates based on the detection signal of the position detecting means 91. Means 100 are provided. The notification means 100 is, for example, a light-emitting lamp 102 as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, and is fitted and set to the installation portion 79 formed on the lid member 48 from above so that the light-emitting portion is directed upward. It can be installed in the state. Then, when the contact of the detection element 93 in the position detection means 91 is in a “closed” state, power is supplied and light emission is controlled. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, an opening 103 and a lamp lens 104 attached to the opening 103 are attached to a position corresponding to the light emitting lamp 102 on the upper surface of the outer body 20 in the upper ball tray E. The lamp 102 that is worn when the ball removing device 42 is in a ball-out state can be seen from the outside. An insertion port 47 b for the lead wire 101 is formed at the upper edge of the right wall of the main body member 47.
[0025]
(About circuit boards)
As described above, the ball removing device 42 of the first embodiment includes the reed switch type position detecting means 91 and the notifying means 100 using the light emitting lamp 102. The position detecting means 91 and the notifying means 100 are as described above. Are connected via a circuit board 92. For example, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 10, the circuit board 92 includes an input circuit 121 connected to the position detection unit 91, a drive circuit 122 connected to the notification unit 100, and an external power source (AC24V) 119. And a power supply circuit 120 connected to the input circuit 121 and the drive circuit 122, and a detection signal output from the position detection means 91 is transmitted to the drive circuit 122 via the input circuit 121, The light emission lamp 102 of the notification means 100 is controlled to emit light according to the setting contents of the drive circuit 122. That is, according to the setting contents in the drive circuit 122, the light emission display by the light emitting lamp 102 can be continuously lit or blinked at an appropriate interval, so that the display function can be diversified and the effect can be improved. In the position detecting means 91 using a reed switch, as schematically shown in FIG. 11, the light emitting lamp 102 and the detecting element 93 can be directly connected without using the circuit board 92. If only the half-open state or the fully-open state with respect to is simply lit continuously, this form can also be suitably implemented.
[0026]
Further, the position detection means 91 and the notification means 100 may be connected via a circuit board 125 in which a timer circuit 124 is added to the circuit board 92, as schematically shown in FIG. In this case, a detection signal from the position detection means 91 is output to the input circuit 121, the input circuit 121 receiving the detection signal outputs a signal to the timer circuit 124, and the timer circuit 124 has a preset time limit condition. Based on this, the time is up after a set time and a signal is output to the drive circuit 122, and based on this, the light emission lamp 102 of the notification means 100 is controlled to emit light. That is, if the time limit condition of the timer circuit 124 is set to, for example, “1 minute”, the light emitting lamp 102 controls the light emission when the operation unit 81 of the ball removal device 42 is pressed to start the ball removal operation. Instead, when the ball removal operation state has passed for 1 minute, the light emission lamp 102 is controlled to emit light. Therefore, if the time limit condition of the timer circuit 124 is set to be longer than the time required to completely remove the stored ball, when the normal ball removing operation (operation with the fingertip) is performed, The light emission lamp 102 is not controlled to emit light, and the light emission lamp 102 can be controlled to emit light only when the ball-out state is fixedly held and is not released.
[0027]
(Installation of ball removal device)
In the ball removing device 42 of the first embodiment configured as described above, the opening / closing member 60, the coil spring 68, the actuating member 70, and the position detecting means 91 are housed and set inside, and the notifying means 100 is provided. The case body 46, which is unitized by attaching the light emitting lamp 102, has the plate body in a state where the tongue piece 62 of the opening / closing member 60 is aligned with the ball outlet 33 through the slit port 43 as described above. 21 is fixed to the attachment set portion 45 of the frame portion 29 with screws 59. On the other hand, the operation member 80 sets the operation part 81 from the front side of the insertion part 77 of the outer body 20 and sets the shaft flange part 82 from the rear side through the insertion hole 78 of the outer body 20. It is attached so as to be slidable relative to the outer body 20 and not removable. Then, by assembling the plate body 21 to which the case body 46 is attached and the outer body 20 on which the operation member 80 is disposed, the shaft collar portion 82 of the operation member 80 is inserted into the fitting insertion portion 50 of the case body 46. The connecting groove 83 and the connecting piece 73 are preferably engaged, and the light-emitting lamp 102 is positioned in the lower position inside the lamp lens 104.
[0028]
(About the operation mode of the ball removal device)
The ball punching device 42 of the embodiment assembled between the plate main body 21 and the outer body 20 has a biasing elasticity in the extending direction of the coil spring 68 in a non-pressed state with respect to the operation portion 81. At the same time, the opening / closing member 60 moves rearward in the sliding chamber 49 and the tongue piece 62 extends to the ball delivery port 33 through the slit port 43, so that the ball delivery port 33 is kept closed. As a result, the stored ball is not removed (see FIG. 3). In this state, the actuating member 70 pivots counterclockwise in the figure, so that the operating member 80 is pushed forward and the operating portion 84 is positioned in the front portion of the insertion portion 77. Further, in the position detecting means 91, since the detected element 95 is separated from the detecting element 93, the light emitting lamp 102 is controlled to be turned off. On the other hand, when the operation portion 81 is pressed backward with a fingertip, the operating member 70 turns clockwise as the shaft collar portion 82 of the operation member 80 moves rearward, so that the opening / closing member 60 is turned into the coil spring 68. Since the tongue 62 moves away from the ball delivery port 33 against the biasing elasticity of the ball and the tongue piece 62 is retracted from the ball delivery port 33, the ball is removed from the stored ball as the ball delivery port 33 is opened. Done. Further, in the position detection means 91, since the element 95 to be detected is positioned close to the detection element 93, the light emission lamp 102 is appropriately controlled to emit light as the detection element 93 is "closed".
[0029]
(About ball feeder)
The ball feeding device 106 is set on the back surface of the opening / closing set plate 23 of the upper ball tray E configured as described above (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The ball feeding device 106 is of an electric control form capable of performing ball feeding operation in synchronism with the hitting operation on the hitting ball launching device G side, and the whole can be configured and handled in a cassette type. Then, on the back surface of the open / close set plate 23, the inlet of the feeding passage (not shown) of the case 107 is set with a screw so that the inlet of the upper bowl dish E is aligned with the ball feeding outlet 33. It faces the base side.
[0030]
(About the lower ball dish)
The lower ball tray (also simply referred to as the lower ball tray) F equipped on the lower front side of the front frame B can also have a function of placing and holding the upper ball tray E in addition to the original prize ball storage function. As a thing, in the front surface of the front board part 7, it is installed on the conditions aligned with the lower surface of the upper ball tray E. As shown in FIG. 1, the lower ball tray F has a basic configuration of a box frame-shaped outer protector 110 that is a basic constituent member molded with a synthetic resin, and a fitting set inside the opening of the protector 110. The plate body 111 to be assembled and a horizontal rectangular set plate (not shown) set in contact with the back of the opening of both 110 and 111 are assembled and unitized. Further, between the set plate and the outer shell protector 110, the outlet 44 of the ball discharge path 41 formed in the upper ball tray E and the storage tray portion 113 of the tray main body 111 in the lower ball tray F are communicated. A ball removal passage 114 is provided, and the upper end opening 114a of the ball removal passage 114 is aligned with the outlet 44 as described above. Accordingly, the stored ball in the upper ball tray E that has been passed from the ball delivery port 33 by the ball removal operation in the ball removal device 42 is stored in the lower ball dish E via the ball removal passage 41 and the ball removal passage portion 114. The unit 113 is configured to pass through.
[0031]
As an additional configuration for the lower ball tray E, an engagement rail portion 112 is formed along the inner surface of the horizontal upper plate portion 110a of the outer protector 110, and the lower edge of the open / close set plate 23 in the upper ball tray E is formed. And can be aligned in a meshed state (see FIG. 4). Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the ball operation unit 115 in the hitting ball launching device G is installed in a slanted shape at a right angled slanted part of the outer shell protector 110 so as to face the plane outward and to have a required angle of the rear side down, The player can perform a grip operation for a long time without getting tired easily. In addition, a ball removing portion 116 for extracting a prize ball in the storage tray portion 113 is installed at the bottom of the storage tray portion 113 in the plate body 111, and an ashtray 117 is installed on the left side of the storage tray portion 113. ing. Further, on the left side of the outer protector 110, a switch operation unit 118 is installed which is appropriately selected and used for game control in a pachinko machine, for resetting electric members and electric control devices, or for abnormal communication by a player. ing.
[0032]
[Operation of the first embodiment]
The pachinko machine P of the present embodiment configured as described above has a front frame B with respect to the outer frame A, a window frame C with a glass door D, a game board H, a mechanism set board, and the upper and lower balls described above. The dishes E and F, the ball hitting device G, etc. are equipped and set to constitute one unit. The entire front frame B is assembled to the outer frame A that is installed on the installation frame base in the game hall with a predetermined tilted standing posture, so that the game can be played as a vertical ball game machine similar to a conventional pachinko machine. Can be used. Under this condition, by performing a normal hitting operation, the game balls in the upper ball tray E are sent one by one to the launching rail 13 by the ball feeding device 106 and driven by the driving of the hitting ball launching device G. The required pachinko game can be developed in the game board H. Then, the prize balls paid out from the prize ball discharge device of the mechanism set board with respect to the safe balls generated during the game are discharged preferentially to the upper ball tray E side through the discharge port 11 and the connecting cylinder part 35. Then, it is accommodated in the ball accommodating portion 30, and after being filled on the upper ball tray E side, it is discharged to the lower ball tray F side and stored in the reservoir tray portion 113.
[0033]
In such a pachinko machine, regarding the assembly of the ball removing device 42 and the assembly to the upper ball tray E, the coil spring 68 and the opening / closing member 60 are provided in the sliding chamber 49 in the main body member 47 of the case body 46. And the operating member 70 in which the pin 74 is engaged with the engaging hole 75 of the opening / closing member 60 is disposed on the support portion 51. In the position detecting means 91, the circuit board 92 (125) provided with the detecting element 93 is screwed to the installation portion 76 of the main body member 47 and the detected element 95 is attached to the locking guide portion 63 of the opening / closing member 60. Buried. Then, the case member 46 is formed as a unit by setting the lid member 48 on the main body member 47 and tightening the screw 56. On the other hand, the light-emitting lamp 102 electrically connected to the circuit board 92 (125) via the lead wire 101 is fitted and set to the installation portion 79 of the lid member 48. The case body 46 assembled in this way is positioned so that the tongue piece portion 62 extending rearward is aligned with the slit opening 43 formed at a predetermined position of the frame body portion 29 in the plate body 21. 59 is attached and fixed to the attachment set portion 45 of the frame body portion 29. On the other hand, the operation member 80 sets the operation portion 81 from the front side of the insertion portion 77 of the outer body 20, and sets the shaft flange portion 82 from the rear side through the insertion hole 78 of the outer body 20. By being engaged, the outer casing 20 is slidably movable and cannot be removed. As described above, the ball removing device 42 according to the embodiment includes the operation member 80 and the case body 46, and simplification of the configuration is achieved.
[0034]
Then, the plate body 21 in which the case body 46 of the ball removing device 42 is assembled and fixed, and the outer body 20 in which the operation member 80 of the device 42 is disposed, the plate body 21 is fitted inside the opening of the outer body 20. By fitting and tightening the screws 19, they are integrated into a streamline shape. At the time of assembling both the members 20 and 21, the shaft flange portion 82 of the operation member 80 is inserted into the fitting insertion portion 50 of the case body 46, and the connecting groove 83 and the connecting piece portion 73 are engaged. The operation member 80, the operation member 70, and the opening / closing member 60 are suitably connected. In addition, the light emitting lamp 102 is positioned below the inside of the lamp lens 104 of the outer body 20. Next, the open / close set plate 23 with the auxiliary member 22 for reinforcing decoration attached to the front side according to the back side of the plate body 21 is attached by using screws 18 to form a single unit. A ball dish E is formed. Thus, with the simplification of the configuration of the ball removing device 42 of the first embodiment, the entire upper ball tray E can be assembled and manufactured very easily. In addition, since the operation member 80 and the operation member 70 are linked only by the engagement of the linking groove 83 and the linking piece 73, assembly failure or the like does not occur.
[0035]
The assembly of the upper ball tray E assembled as described above with respect to the front frame B was performed after the lower ball tray F was fixedly set in a horizontal posture on the front surface of the front panel portion 7 and then installed on the front frame B. This can be done easily with the glass door D of the window frame C opened. That is, the supporting shaft 16a of the support 16 exposed above the lower ball tray F is received by the open / close set plate 23 with the left end portion of the upper ball tray E in a required direction not interfering with the glass door D. By inserting into the shaft hole 26 of the shaft tube portion 25 in the tool 24, the upper ball tray E is connected and supported under a condition with little backlash, and the opening / closing set plate is attached to the lifting / lowering locking rod of the locking tool 17 on the window frame C side. 23 hooks 27 are engaged and locked. In this assembled state, the upper ball tray E is stably placed and set in a horizontal posture in which the support seat 37 is in contact with the horizontal upper plate portion 110a of the lower ball tray F. Thereby, the ball flow gradient relating to the dish portion of the dish body 21 can be maintained as set to achieve a good ball flow, and the ball feeding device 106 can be used for the firing position of the firing rail 13 or the ball hitting device G in the ball hitting device G. The ball can be accurately fed while being held at an appropriate position and posture with respect to the hitting point position.
[0036]
In such an upper ball tray E, the glass door D is opened and the locking device 17 is unlocked, and the horizontal upper plate portion 110a of the lower ball tray F is used as a mounting table surface. While being used, it can be smoothly opened and closed while being held horizontally based on the connection fulcrum of the support 16 and the support 24. In addition, when attaching and detaching, since the upper ball tray E is oriented so as not to interfere with the glass door D, it can be easily detached and assembled using the attachment and detachment of the support 16 and the receiver 24 described above. When exchanging the upper and lower bowls E, the unskilled person can easily and easily attach and detach with a comfortable posture. In addition, in the set state of the upper ball tray E, the engagement rail portion 36 of the opening / closing set plate 23 is aligned with the lower edge of the glass door D, and both right outer end portions of the outer body 20 and the auxiliary member 22 are aligned. Covers the lower right portion of the window frame C, and the engaging rail portion 112 on the lower ball tray F side is aligned with the lower end edge of the opening and closing set plate 23 so that foreign matter such as wires and strips can be removed from the game board H. It is possible to positively prevent fraudulent attempts to intrude inside.
[0037]
Then, in the upper ball tray E that is installed and implemented as described above, the stored ball and the prize ball can be quickly extracted to the lower ball tray F side by a simple ball removal operation. That is, by pressing the operation portion 81 of the ball removal device 42 with a fingertip, the tongue piece portion 62 in the closed position is opened and displaced, and the ball delivery port 33 and the ball removal passage 41 are held in communication. As a result, all the stored balls and prize balls stored in the tray main body 21 and further in the communication cylinder portion 35 and the discharge port 11 can be quickly circulated from the ball delivery port 33 to the ball removal path 41, as it is. The ball can be inserted into the ball removing / passing portion 114 of the lower ball tray F and finally extracted to the storage tray portion 113 of the lower ball tray F. In the lower ball tray F, all the prize balls stored in the storage tray portion 113 can be extracted out of the tray by opening the ball removal portion 116.
[0038]
During the ball removal operation by the ball removal device 42, the detection element 93 in the position detection means 91 is in the “closed” state as the opening / closing member 60 slides forward, so that the detection signal is transmitted to the circuit board 92 (125). It is output to the input circuit 121. For example, in the ball removing device 42 equipped with the circuit board 92, the light emitting lamp 102 is controlled to be turned on or blinked simultaneously with the start of the ball removing operation, and this is visually recognized from the outside via the lamp lens 104, and the pachinko machine P It is informed that the ball removal device 42 at is in a ball removal state. Therefore, even if the player at the pachinko machine P performs the ball removal operation while holding the operation unit 81 in a pressed state by some method, when the player leaves the pachinko machine, the light emitting lamp 102 The light emission state of can be seen, and the release operation of the ball removal state can be prompted. Even if the previous player leaves the pachinko machine P with the ball removal device 42 fixed and held in the ball removal state, the next player visually observes the light emission state of the light emitting lamp 102, It can be easily confirmed that the ball removal device 42 of the pachinko machine P is in the ball removal state, and the ball removal state can be released prior to the insertion of the game ball into the upper ball tray E.
[0039]
In the ball removing device 42 equipped with the circuit board 125, the light emission lamp 102 is not controlled to emit light at the start of the ball removing operation, and when the ball removing operation is normally canceled at the end of the ball removing operation, Since the circuit 124 does not time up, the light emitting lamp 102 is not controlled to emit light. However, when the previous player leaves the pachinko machine P while holding the ball removal device 42 in the ball removal state, the timer circuit 124 times out after the set time elapses. Since the lighting or blinking is controlled, this is visually recognized from the outside through the lamp lens 104, and it is notified that the ball removing device 42 in the pachinko machine P is in the ball removing state. Therefore, the next player can easily confirm that the ball removal device 42 of the pachinko machine P is in the ball removal state by observing the light emission state of the light emitting lamp 102, and the game ball to the upper ball tray E Prior to throwing in, the ball-out state can be released.
[0040]
Thus, in the pachinko machine P equipped with the ball removal device 42 according to the first embodiment, even if the previous player leaves the pachinko machine P while holding the ball removal state fixed, the next player is Since the light emission state of the light emitting lamp 102 can be visually checked, it can be easily confirmed that the ball removing device 42 of the pachinko machine P is fixed and held in the ball removed state. Prior to throwing, the ball-out state can be released. Accordingly, the next player does not notice that the ball removal device 42 is held in the ball removal state and does not throw the game ball into the upper ball tray E, which makes the next player feel unpleasant. The inconvenience is preferably avoided.
[0041]
In the embodiment, the light emitting lamp 102 is exemplified as the notification unit 100. However, other devices such as a buzzer and a speaker may be used. In this case, the drive circuit 122 implemented on the circuit boards 92 and 125 preferably controls corresponding devices to be implemented.
[0042]
On the other hand, regarding the operation member 80 in the ball removing device 42 of the first embodiment, the operation unit 81 set in the insertion part 77 from the front side of the outer body 20 and the insertion hole 78 from the back side of the outer body 20 through the insertion hole 78. Although the thing of the division | segmentation form comprised from the shaft collar part 82 engaged with the operation part 81 was illustrated, this operation part 81 and the shaft collar part 82 were integrally molded, and the insertion part 77 from the front of the outer body 20 was shown. It may be in the form of being arranged and set in the above. However, in this integrated form, in order to prevent the operation member 80 set in the insertion portion 77 from being removed, for example, a snap ring or the like is attached to a predetermined position of the shaft flange portion 82 extending rearward from the insertion hole 78. It is preferable.
[0043]
In the ball removing device 42 in the first embodiment, the opening / closing member 60 is biased in the closing direction of the ball outlet 33 by a coil spring 68 that directly applies a biasing force to the opening / closing member 60. However, the biasing form with respect to the opening / closing member 60 is not limited to this. That is, a torsion spring that is externally mounted on the fulcrum portion 71 of the operating member 70 and that is locked to either the arm portion 72 or the connecting piece portion 73 is attached, and the operating member 70 is urged to rotate counterclockwise. Even so, the opening / closing member 60 is biased in the closing direction of the ball outlet 33 under the connection of the pin 74 and the engagement hole 75. In addition, the operating member 80 may be configured to be applied with an urging force such as a coil spring, and the opening / closing member 60 may be urged in the closing direction of the ball outlet 33 via the operating member 70.
[0044]
Further, in the first embodiment, the storage ball extracted from the ball delivery port 33 is directly directed to the lower ball tray F side through the ball extraction path 41 and the ball extraction passage portion 114 formed on the front side of the front frame B. Although an example in which a push-button type ball punching device 42 is assembled to the upper ball tray E in the form of being pulled out is illustrated, the ball punching device 42 is not limited to such an upper ball tray, for example, storage The present invention can also be suitably applied to an upper ball tray in which a ball is once discharged to the back side of the front frame B and then extracted to the lower ball tray through a prize ball sub-discharge path.
[0045]
[Second embodiment]
  FIG. 13 is attached to the ball removal portion 40 of the upper ball tray E.ThisIt is the schematic perspective view which showed the ball removal apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example which was shown in the decomposition | disassembly state. The ball removing device 130 of the second embodiment includes an opening / closing member 145 having a tongue piece 147 that can open and close the ball delivery port 33 of the dish body 21 in a case body 131 molded in a required shape, and a fingertip operation. Operation part for159As a slide lever type incorporating an operating member 155 having a position, a position detecting means 170 for detecting the position of the opening / closing member 145, and a notifying means 176 that is operated based on a detection signal from the position detecting means 170. The case member 131 can be handled as a unit member. And by attaching and fixing to the said attachment set part 45 formed in the plate | board main body 21 so that attachment or detachment is possible, the operation part of the said operation member 155 is obtained.159Is placed between the plate body 21 and the outer body 20 in a state of facing the operation port formed on the surface side of the outer body 20. Therefore, each component of the ball removing device 130 according to the second embodiment will be described in detail next. The outer frame A, the front frame B, the window frame C, the glass door D, the upper ball dish E, the lower ball dish F and the like of the pachinko machine P are basically the same as those in the first embodiment. A specific description of the members will be omitted.
[0046]
(About the case body)
  The case body 131 is formed into a substantially rectangular main body member 132 having an opening 132a that opens to the entire upper surface, and a shape that can be aligned with the opening 132a of the main body member 132, and the opening 132a is formed on the entire surface from above. And a lid member 133 that covers the lid. In the main body member 132, a sliding chamber 134 for the opening / closing member 145 is defined on the inner right side, and a support portion 135 for the operation member 155 is formed on the left rear corner of the inner left side. An opening 136 having a size allowing the movement of the tongue piece 147 of the opening / closing member 145 is formed in the rear wall aligned with the sliding chamber 134, and the operation member 155 has a center at the upper edge of the front wall. Second arm part158A slit opening 137 is formed to allow the swiveling movement of the. Also, screw holes 138 that open upward are formed in the left front corner portion and the right rear corner portion of the main body member 132, respectively, and the screw holes 138 are formed in the left front corner portion and the right rear corner portion of the lid member 133, respectively. Through holes 139 that are aligned with 138 are formed, and by tightening screws (not shown) that are inserted through the respective through holes 139 with the main body member 132 and the lid member 133 aligned and set to the screw holes 138, A hollow body case 131 is formed. Further, a mounting piece 141 extending vertically downward is integrally formed with the main body member 132 at the rear lower end portion of the main body member 132, and extends vertically upward at the upper rear end portion of the lid member 133. An attachment piece 142 is integrally formed with the lid member 133 so that the entire case body 131 is assembled to the attachment set portion 45 of the frame body portion 29 using these attachment pieces 141 and 142 and screws. It has become. The mounting pieces 141,142A positioning boss 144 is formed on the back surface of the lens. In addition, an installation portion 165 for the circuit board 92 (125) in the position detection means 170 is formed inside the right wall of the main body member 132, and for the light emitting lamp 102 implemented as a notification means 176 at the rear right end of the lid member 133. The cylindrical installation portion 166 is formed.
[0047]
(About opening and closing members)
As shown in FIG. 7, the opening / closing member 145 includes a bowl-shaped main body 146 having a cross-sectionally U-shaped cross section, and a tongue piece 147 extending substantially horizontally rearward from the rear end surface of the main body 146. A locking piece 148 formed rightward from the right side surface of the main body 146 is integrally formed. When the opening / closing member 145 is housed in the sliding chamber 134, the left side surface of the main body 146 contacts the guide rib 149 formed on the left side of the sliding chamber 134, and the guide formed on the right side. The lower end portion of the right side surface of the main body 146 is in contact with the rib 150, and only sliding movement in the front-rear direction along the guide ribs 149 and 150 is possible. In addition, a regulation rib (not shown) is formed on the lower surface of the lid member 133, and the upward movement of the opening / closing member 145 is regulated. When the opening / closing member 145 slides to the farthest rear in the sliding chamber 134, the tongue piece 147 protrudes to the rear side of the case body 131, and when the sliding member 134 slides to the foremost in the sliding chamber 134, The tongue piece 147 is stored in the case body 131. A boss 152 protruding rearward is integrally formed on the inner side of the front wall facing the sliding chamber 134, and a coil spring (biasing means) 153 is provided between the boss 152 and the rear wall of the main body 146 of the opening / closing member 145. The opening / closing member 145 is always biased to the rear side of the sliding chamber 134 and is held in a state where the tongue piece 147 extends to the rear side of the case body 131. The
[0048]
(About operation members)
The operating member 155 includes a cylindrical fulcrum part 156 fitted on the boss-like support part 135 protruding upward, and a first arm extending horizontally outward from the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the fulcrum part 156. Portion 157, a second arm portion 158 extending from the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the fulcrum portion 156 to the front side of the first arm portion 157 and displaced from the first arm portion 157 by a required angle (about 80 degrees), The operation portion 159 is integrally formed, and the fulcrum portion 156 is fitted to the support portion 135 from above, thereby enabling a turning motion around the support portion 135. A pin 160 protruding vertically downward is integrally formed on the lower surface of the front end of the first arm portion 157, and the engagement hole 161 formed on the upper surface of the locking piece portion 148 of the opening / closing member 145 has the The pin 160 is engaged from above. The second arm portion 158 is bent in the horizontal direction at its substantially central portion, and extends outward from the case body 131 through the slit port 137. The engagement hole 161 is a long hole with a predetermined length in the left-right direction so as to allow the arc movement of the pin 160 accompanying the turning movement of the operation member 155. In order to prevent the operation member 155 from rattling in the vertical direction, a screw may be fastened to the support portion 135 from above the fulcrum portion 156.
[0049]
The operation portion 159 of the operation member 155 includes a cover plate 162 that is curved with a required radius of curvature around the support portion 135 at the distal end of the second arm portion 158, and a left and right center of the cover plate 162. A finger hook piece 163 protruding forward is integrally formed with the second arm portion 158. The operation unit 159 is a horizontally long rectangular operation formed on the right side of the front surface of the outer body 20 when the dish body 21 to which the unitized ball removing device 130 is attached and fixed and the outer body 20 are assembled. It is configured to face the rear side of the mouth (not shown). The cover plate 162 always covers the entire operation port even when the operation member 155 is swung, and the cover plate 162 is formed to have the curvature radius as described above. Thus, the gap is not defined by being held in a state of being in close contact with the opening edge of the opening. Further, the finger-hanging piece 163 is formed in a curved surface shape that allows the fingertip to easily fit during the ball removal operation.
[0050]
(About position detection means)
In the ball removing device 130 of the second embodiment, the case where the tongue piece 147 is in a half-open state or a fully-open state with respect to the ball outlet 33 corresponding to the slide movement position of the opening / closing member 145 is electrically. Position detecting means 170 for detecting is provided. The position detection means 170 is, for example, a known photoswitch as shown in FIG. 14, and is a detection that is connected to a circuit board 92 that is attached to an installation portion 165 formed on the main body member 132 with screws or the like. An element 171 and a detected element 172 that is integrally formed with the locking piece 148 of the opening / closing member 145 and has a light shielding surface (or reflecting surface) 172a. When the opening / closing member 145 slides back and forth in the sliding chamber 134, the detected element 172 has the tongue piece 147 positioned within a range of a half-open state and a fully-open state with respect to the ball delivery port 33. Further, the length is set such that the light can be shielded (or reflected) by facing the concave portion of the detection element 171. That is, when the ball outlet 33 is fully closed by the tongue piece 147 (located behind the sliding chamber 134 of the opening / closing member 145), the detected element 172 is separated from the detecting element 171. Thus, the detection element 171 is not shielded (or reflected).
[0051]
(About notification means)
In the ball removing device 130 according to the second embodiment, the notification is made by being electrically connected to the circuit board 92 of the position detecting means 170 via the lead wire 175 and operating based on the detection signal of the position detecting means 170. Means 176 are provided. The notification unit 176 is, for example, the light emitting lamp 102 as in the first embodiment, and is fitted and set from above to the installation portion 166 formed on the lid member 133 so that the light emitting portion is directed upward. It can be attached to the state. Then, when the detection element 171 in the position detection means 170 is shielded (or reflected), it is energized to control light emission. In addition, as shown in the first embodiment, the opening 103 and the lamp lens 104 attached to the opening 103 are located at the position corresponding to the light-emitting lamp 102 on the upper surface of the outer body 20 in the upper ball tray E. The lamp 102, which is attached and emits light when the ball removal device 130 is in a ball removal state, can be viewed from the outside. An insertion port 132b for the lead wire 175 is formed at the upper edge of the right wall of the main body member 132.
[0052]
(About circuit boards)
As described above, the ball removing device 130 of the second embodiment includes the photoswitch type position detecting means 170 and the notifying means 176 by the light emitting lamp 102. The position detecting means 170 and the notifying means 176 are as described above. Are connected via a circuit board 92. As described above and schematically shown in FIG. 10, the circuit board 92 includes an input circuit 121 connected to the position detection unit 170, a drive circuit 122 connected to the notification unit 176, and an external power supply (AC24V). 119 and a power supply circuit 120 connected to the input circuit 121 and the drive circuit 122, and a detection signal output from the position detection means 170 is transmitted to the drive circuit 122 via the input circuit 121. Then, the light emission lamp 102 of the notification means 176 is controlled to emit light according to the setting contents of the drive circuit 122. That is, according to the setting contents in the drive circuit 122, the light emission display by the light emitting lamp 102 can be continuously lit or blinked at an appropriate interval, so that the display function can be diversified and the effect can be improved.
[0053]
Further, the position detection means 170 and the notification means 176 may be connected via the circuit board 125 provided with a timer circuit 124, as schematically shown in FIG. In this case, a detection signal from the position detection means 170 is output to the input circuit 121, the input circuit 121 receiving the detection signal outputs a signal to the timer circuit 124, and the timer circuit 124 has a preset time limit condition. Based on this, the time is up after a set time and a signal is output to the drive circuit 122, and based on this, the light emission lamp 102 of the notification means 176 is controlled to emit light. Therefore, if the time limit condition of the timer circuit 124 is set to be longer than the time required to completely remove the stored ball, when the normal ball removing operation (operation with the fingertip) is performed, The light emission lamp 102 is not controlled to emit light, and the light emission lamp 102 can be controlled to emit light only when the ball-out state is fixedly held and is not released.
[0054]
(Installation of ball removal device)
In the ball pulling device 130 of the second embodiment configured as described above, the opening / closing member 145, the coil spring 153, the operation member 155, the position detection means 170, and the notification means 176 are assembled and set as a unitized case. As described above, the body 131 is fixed to the attachment set portion 45 in the plate body 21 with the screw 143 in a state where the tongue piece portion 147 of the opening / closing member 145 is aligned with the ball delivery port 33 through the slit port 43. The And the assembly part 159 of the operation member 155 will be in the state which faced the operation port formed in the outer body 20 by assembling | attaching the tray main body 21 and the outer body 20 which attached the ball removal apparatus 130. FIG.
[0055]
[Operation of the second embodiment]
In the upper ball tray E that is implemented with the ball removal device 130 of the second embodiment, the stored ball and the prize ball can be quickly extracted to the lower ball tray F side by a simple ball removal operation. That is, by sliding the operation portion 159 of the ball removal device 130 to the left using the finger-hook piece 163, the tongue piece portion 147 in the closed position is opened and displaced, and the ball delivery port 33 and the ball removal passage 41 are moved. And is kept in contact. As a result, all the stored balls and prize balls stored in the tray main body 21 and further in the communication cylinder portion 35 and the discharge port 11 can be quickly circulated from the ball delivery port 33 to the ball removal path 41, as it is. The ball can be inserted into the ball removing / passing portion 114 of the lower ball tray F and finally extracted to the ball retaining plate portion 113 of the lower ball tray F. In the lower ball tray F, all the prize balls stored in the ball retaining plate portion 113 can be drawn out of the plate by opening the ball removing portion 116.
[0056]
During the ball removal operation by the ball removal device 130, the detection element 171 in the position detection means 170 is shielded (or reflected) as the opening / closing member 145 slides forward. (125) to the input circuit 121. For example, in the ball removing device 130 on which the circuit board 92 is mounted, the light-emitting lamp 102 is controlled to be turned on or blinking simultaneously with the start of the ball removing operation, and this is visually recognized from the outside via the lamp lens 104, and the pachinko machine P It is notified that the ball removal device 130 in the state is in a ball removal state. Therefore, even if the player at the pachinko machine P performs a ball removal operation while holding the operation unit 159 in a sliding state by some method, when the player leaves the pachinko machine, the light emitting lamp 102 The light emission state of can be seen, and the release operation of the ball removal state can be prompted. Even if the previous player leaves the pachinko machine P while holding the ball removal device 130 in the ball removal state, the next player visually observes the light emission state of the light emitting lamp 102, It can be easily confirmed that the ball removal device 130 of the pachinko machine P is in the ball removal state, and the ball removal state can be released prior to the insertion of the game ball into the upper ball tray E.
[0057]
In the ball removing device 130 equipped with the circuit board 125, the light emission lamp 102 is not controlled to emit light at the start of the ball removing operation, and when the ball removing operation is normally canceled at the end of the ball removing operation, Since the circuit 124 does not time up, the light emitting lamp 102 is not controlled to emit light. However, when the previous player leaves the pachinko machine P while holding the ball removal device 130 in the ball removal state, the timer circuit 124 times out after the set time has elapsed, thereby causing the light-emitting lamp 102 to turn on. Since the lighting or blinking is controlled, this is visually recognized from the outside through the lamp lens 104, and it is notified that the ball removing device 130 in the pachinko machine P is in a ball removal state. Therefore, the next player can easily confirm that the ball removal device 130 of the pachinko machine P is in the ball removal state by observing the light emission state of the light emitting lamp 102, and the game ball to the upper ball tray E Prior to throwing in, the ball-out state can be released.
[0058]
As described above, in the pachinko machine P equipped with the ball removal device 130 according to the second embodiment, the previous player removes the ball removal device 130 in the same manner as the ball removal device 42 according to the first embodiment. Even if the player leaves the pachinko machine P while being held in a fixed state, the next player can see the light emission state of the light-emitting lamp 102, so the ball removal device 130 of the pachinko machine P is in the ball removal state. This can be easily confirmed, and the ball removal state can be released prior to the insertion of the game ball into the upper ball tray E. Accordingly, the next player does not notice that the ball removing device 130 is fixedly held in the ball removed state, and does not throw the game ball into the upper ball tray E, which makes the next player feel unpleasant. The inconvenience that occurs is preferably avoided.
[0059]
In the ball removal device 130 of the second embodiment, the notification unit 176 may be a device that generates a sound such as a buzzer or a speaker in addition to the light emitting lamp 102.
[0060]
In the ball removing device 130 in the second embodiment, the opening / closing member 145 is biased in the closing direction of the ball outlet 33 by the coil spring 153 that directly applies the biasing force to the opening / closing member 145. The biasing form for the opening / closing member 145 is not limited to this. That is, a torsion spring that is externally mounted on the fulcrum 156 of the operation member 155 and is locked to either the first arm portion 157 or the second arm portion 158 is attached, and the operation member 155 is rotated counterclockwise. Even when urged, the opening / closing member 145 is urged in the closing direction of the ball outlet 33 under the connection of the pin 160 and the engagement hole 161. Further, a coil spring may be provided between the first arm portion 157 and the wall surface of the main body member 132.
[0061]
In the second embodiment, the stored ball extracted from the ball delivery port 33 is directly fed to the lower ball tray F side through the ball extraction path 41 and the ball extraction passage portion 114 formed on the front side of the front frame B. Although an example in which a slide lever type ball punching device 130 is assembled to the upper ball tray E in the form of being pulled out in the above is illustrated, the ball punching device 130 is not limited to such an upper ball tray, but for example, storage The present invention can also be suitably applied to an upper ball tray in which a ball is once discharged to the back side of the front frame B and then extracted to the lower ball tray through a prize ball sub-discharge path.
[0062]
Furthermore, since the ball removing device 130 of the second embodiment is handled in units of the case body 131 and can be easily attached to and detached from the plate body 21, for example, when the pachinko machine is to be discarded, Can be reused for pachinko machines. Therefore, the entire upper ball tray E can be manufactured easily and inexpensively.
[0063]
Furthermore, the ball removing device 130 of the second embodiment is configured to be fixedly attached to the attachment set portion 45 formed on the frame body portion 29 of the plate body 21, but the attachment set portion is provided on the back side of the outer body 20. The ball removing device 130 may be attached and fixed to the outer body 20.
[0064]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the ball removing device according to the present invention is used for the upper ball tray has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be also used for the lower ball tray.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the ball punching device of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention, the ball punching device assembled to the ball tray detects that the ball outlet portion of the ball tray is in a half-open state or a full-open state. By providing the position detection means and the notification means that operates based on the detection by the position detection means, the ball removal state of the ball removal device can be notified to the outside. Therefore, even if the previous player leaves the gaming machine with the ball removal device fixed and held in the ball removal state, the next player will keep the ball removal device in the ball removal state by the display by the notification means. There is an advantage that it can be visually confirmed before a game. This prevents the inconvenience of the next player from being thrown into the ball tray without noticing that the ball removal device is fixedly held in the ball removal state. Is done. Further, as the notification means, an electrically connected part that generates light or sound is implemented, so that the ball removal state of the ball removal device can be effectively displayed. Further, if the position detection means and the notification means are configured to be electrically connected via a timer circuit, the notification is performed only when the ball removal state of the ball removal device is continuously maintained for a predetermined time or more. The means can be activated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing an entire pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the components of the upper ball tray of the embodiment in an exploded state.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of an essential part of an upper ball tray in which the ball removing device according to the first embodiment is assembled.
FIG. 4 is a vertical side view of the upper ball tray broken at the assembly position of the ball removing device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view, partially broken away, showing the ball removing device according to the first embodiment assembled to an upper ball tray.
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal front view in which the ball removing device according to the first embodiment is broken at a predetermined position.
FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing components of the ball removing device according to the first embodiment in an exploded state.
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing position detection means and notification means provided in the ball removing device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a detection element and a detected element in the position detection means.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example in which the position detection means and the notification means are connected via a circuit board provided with a drive circuit and the like.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a connection form in which a position detection unit and a notification unit are directly connected.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example in which the position detecting means and the notifying means are connected via a circuit board provided with a timer circuit, a drive circuit, and the like.
FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing the ball removing device according to the second embodiment in a state in which each constituent member is disassembled.
FIG. 14 is a front view showing the position detecting means and the notifying means provided in the ball removing device according to the second embodiment in a partially broken state.
[Explanation of symbols]
33 ball deliverymouth
60,145 Opening / closing member
80,155 Operation member
91,170 Position detection means
92,125 circuit board
93,171 sensing element
95,172 Detected element
100,176 Notification means
124 timer circuit
E Upper ball dish
P Pachinko machine (game machine)
20 Outer body
21 Dish body
30 Ball housing
45 Attachment set
46 , 131 Case body
47 , 132 Body member
47a , 132a Aperture
48 , 133 Lid member
52 , 136 Opening
53 Insertion slot
62 , 147 Tongue
65 Guide rib
66 Guide groove
68 Spring
69 Regulatory rib
70 Actuating member
73 Connected piece
77 Insertion part
78 Insertion hole
79 , 166 Installation part
81 Operation part
82 Shaft collar
83 Continuous groove
84 Guide wall
85 rib
86 rib
90 Notch
104 Lamp lens
149 , 150 Guide rib
135 Supporting part
153 Energizing means
156 Fulcrum
157 First arm
158 Second arm part
159 Operation part
160 pin
161 Engagement hole
162 Cover plate

Claims

Dish body ( 30) and ball outlet (33) formed into a shape that can accommodate a considerable number of pachinko balls on the front side of gaming machines (P) that use pachinko balls and discharge them when necessary 21) and an outer ball body (20) formed in the outer shape of the dish are detachably assembled to each other, and are in a ball removal device equipped on the ball outlet side of the upper ball dish (E),
A main body member (47) having an opening (47a) that opens to the entire surface upward and an opening (52) that is formed to open upward on the rear wall corresponding to the ball outlet (33) , and the main body member (47 ) And a lid member (48) that covers the opening (47a) entirely from above and is formed into a shape that can be aligned with the opening (47a) of the plate body (21) and the outer body (20 ) And a case body (46) that is detachably attached ,
The relative body member guide rib formed in the longitudinal direction (47) (65), together with fitting the guide groove formed in the lower (66) from above, restricting rib formed on the lower surface of the lid member (48) (69) is attached to the case body (46) so as to be movable in the front-rear direction in a state in which the upward movement is restricted by the case (69) , and the case through the opening (52) as it moves in the front-rear direction. the body state and the case body which protrudes rearward from (46) the tongue piece portion which is a state of being stored in (46) opening and closing member capable of opening and closing the ball outlet (33) at (62) (60),
One end is connected to the opening / closing member (60) , and the end surface of the connecting piece (73) serving as the other end is formed in a circular curved surface, and is supported in a tiltable manner inside the case body (46). and (70),
Push button insertion portion formed in a circular concave shape to (77), which is set from the front in a state where the outer peripheral surface is substantially in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion passage part (77) having a back wall in the outer body (20) circular operation of the mold (81) and the insertion portion from the rear of the front end portion of the outer Kakukarada (20) the operating unit through the insertion hole (78) in (77) while engaged with (81), after A shaft groove part (82) detachably connected to the connecting piece part (73) of the actuating member (70) is provided with a connecting groove (83) formed at the end part, and the fingertip from the outside of the outer body (20) An operation member (80) that can be operated ;
Inside the case body (46) , it is attached to the opening / closing member (60), the operating member (70) or the operation member (80) , and biases the opening / closing member (60) in the closing direction of the ball outlet (33). Holding spring (68) ;
Provided inside of the case body (46), the detected in is attached to a predetermined position detection element of the detection element which is connected to the circuit board (92) (93) and said closing member (60) (93) has a detection element (95), detecting corresponding positions of the object detecting element (95) a case where a state of ajar or fully open, and the detection element (93) of the closing member (60) with respect to the sphere outlet (33) Position detecting means (91) that can be detected by the relationship ;
A circuit of the position detecting means (91) is attached to an installation part (79) formed on the lid member (48) and is visible from the outside through the lamp lens (104) of the outer body (20). A notifying means (100) electrically connected to the substrate (92) , operating based on a detection signal of the position detecting means (91) , and notifying the open range state of the opening and closing member (60 ) ; With
Guide walls (84 , 84) extending in parallel from the left and right side edges of the insertion port (53) formed in the front wall of the case body (46) in the front- rear direction on the bottom surface of the main body member (47) The extending rib (85) and the rib (86) extending in the front-rear direction on the lower surface of the lid member (48) allow the shaft flange (82) of the operating member (80) to extend in the left-right direction and the up-down direction. Restricting movement, the operating member (80) is allowed to slide only in the front-rear direction,
A planar notch (90) is formed from the front end to the required length on the upper and lower opposing portions of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft flange (82), and the operating member (80) is slid in the forward direction. when, with respect to the rear opening of the notch the insertion hole molded into a shape corresponding to (90) (78), and configured to hold the retainer engages the rearward end of the notch (90) <br/> A ball removal device for a pachinko machine characterized by the above.

Dish body ( 30) and ball outlet (33) formed into a shape that can accommodate a considerable number of pachinko balls on the front side of gaming machines (P) that use pachinko balls and discharge them when necessary and 21), it is formed in the outer shape of the dish across an outer shell of streamlined shape that is a curved surface (20) and a ball outlet side of the upper ball dish (E) to the configured detachably assembled to each other In the equipped ball remover,
Opening to fully open upward and the body member (132) having a (132a) and the opening formed by opening upwardly in the rear wall in correspondence with the ball outlet (33) (136), said body member (132 opening (being molded into a shape that can engage integer to 132a) entirely made from the lid member and the (133) for covering said opening portion (132a) from above, the dish body (21) and the outer body) ( attachment set portion formed in the end portion between the 20) and (case body which is removably mounted with respect to 45) (131),
The left and right side surfaces are in contact with a pair of guide ribs (149, 150) that are opposed to the main body member (132) in the left-right direction and extend in the front-rear direction, and are formed on the lower surface of the lid member (133). In a state where the upward movement is restricted by the rib, the case body (131) is assembled so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and the case body (131 ) is passed through the opening (136) as it moves in the front-rear direction. the state and the case body which projects rearward (opening and closing member capable of opening and closing the ball outlet (33) at the tongue portion in a state of being housed in 131) (147) (145) from)
Cylindrical fulcrum portion (156), a first arm portion extending in a horizontal outward from the outer peripheral surface upper end of the fulcrum portion (156) and (157), the first arm from an outer peripheral surface upper end of the fulcrum (156) part (157) and the required angle displaced second arm portion extending in a horizontal outward and (158), integrally formed operating portion formed at the tip of the second arm portion (158) and (159), the An operation held by the case body (131) so as to be pivotable by externally fitting a fulcrum part (156) to a boss-like support part (135) protruding upward on the inner bottom surface of the main body member (132) Member (155) ;
Provided inside of the case body (131), the detected in is attached to a predetermined position detection element of the detection element which is connected to the circuit board (92) (171) and said closing member (145) (171) has a detection element (172), detecting corresponding positions in the case where there ajar or fully opened, the detecting element (171) and the detection element (172) of the closing member (145) with respect to the sphere outlet (33) Position detection means (170) that can be detected by the relationship ;
A circuit of the position detection means (170) is attached to the installation portion (166) formed on the lid member (133) and is visible from the outside through the lamp lens (104) of the outer body (20). A notifying means (176) electrically connected to the substrate (92) , operating based on a detection signal of the position detecting means (170) , and notifying the open range state of the opening and closing member (145 ) ; With
A pin (160) integrally formed so as to protrude from the lower surface of the front end of the first arm portion (157) is detachably engaged with an engagement hole (161) formed on the upper surface of the opening / closing member (145). By connecting the opening / closing member (145) and the operation member (155) , the tongue piece (147) of the opening / closing member (145) is brought to the opening / closing position of the ball outlet (33) and the operation is performed. The part (159) faces the back side of the operation port formed in the outer body (20) ,
A biasing means (153) is attached to at least one of the opening / closing member (145) and the operating member (159) , and the opening / closing member (145) is biased and held in the closing direction,
The cover plate (162 ) of the operation portion (159) is curved with a required radius of curvature corresponding to the curved surface of the outer body (20) with the support portion (135) as the center .
A ball removal device for a pachinko machine characterized by that .

The notification means (100/176), said position detecting means (91/170) and electrically connected to the circuit board (125) of the light emitting lamp timer via the circuit (124) is electrically connected ( 102) , for the detection information of the open range state of the opening / closing member (60/145) by the position detection means (91/170), a predetermined notification operation is possible based on the set time limit condition of the timer circuit (124) The ball punching device for a pachinko gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, which is set to the above.