JP4266966B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine that includes a ball storage tank that stores game balls and a ball discharge device that can discharge the game balls stored in the ball storage tank.

There is a pachinko game machine as a typical game machine that uses a game ball to play a game. On the back side of this pachinko gaming machine, a rear part of the display device for performing the game effect, a rear part of the effector, a control device for controlling the game, etc. are arranged, and around the rear part of the display device and the control device, etc. , A ball outlet mechanism including a ball storage tank, a ball alignment path, a ball discharge device, a discharge flow down route, a ball discharge device, a ball discharge flow down route, and the like. When a game ball wins a prize opening or a ball lending operation is performed by a player, the ball discharge mechanism is activated and the game ball stored in the ball storage tank flows down to the discharge flow path. And it is comprised so that it may discharge | emit to the ball tray (upper plate or lower plate) of the front surface of a pachinko machine as a prize ball or a rental ball. Also, at the time of pachinko gaming machine maintenance work or model exchange work (so-called replacement work), the ball removal device is operated to allow the game balls remaining in the ball withdrawal mechanism to flow down to the ball withdrawal flow path, It is configured to discharge to the outside of the machine. And, regarding a pachinko gaming machine equipped with a ball lead-out mechanism, a ball storage tank is arranged at the upper center on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine, and the ball discharge device, the discharge flow downway, the ball discharge device, and the ball discharge flow down route are respectively The thing arrange | positioned on the right and left both sides of the back surface of a machine is proposed (refer patent document 1).
JP 2003-236193 A

  By the way, the display device, the rendering agent, and the control device are fixed to a game board that is provided in a detachable (exchangeable) state from the pachinko gaming machine. And in recent years, in order to increase the effect of a game production, the display device and the production actor tend to increase in size. However, if the display device or the rendering agent is configured to be large, there is a possibility that these rear portions interfere with the components of the ball derivation mechanism. For this reason, the game board must be designed so as not to interfere with the ball lead-out mechanism. Therefore, the configuration of the back side of the game board and the location of the front side (that is, the game area) of the stage actors are limited, so that it is difficult to increase the effect of the game and it is difficult to realize a pachinko gaming machine with enhanced game fun.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine in which the arrangement of the ball storage tank and the ball discharging device can be easily changed according to the configuration of the game board. It is.

The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above object. According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ball storage tank capable of storing a game ball, and a ball storage tank connected to one side of the ball storage tank. A game machine in which a ball storage unit including a ball discharge device capable of discharging game balls stored in a storage tank is disposed on a back mechanism board,
The ball storage unit includes a state conversion mechanism capable of converting the arrangement state of the ball storage unit, and a first state in which the ball discharge device is arranged on one side of the back mechanism board by the state conversion mechanism; A gaming machine characterized in that it can be converted to a second state arranged on the other side.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the state conversion mechanism includes a rotation shaft arranged in a vertical direction and a rotation bearing that is pivotally attached to the rotation shaft in a rotatable state. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the game machine is disposed on the opposite side of the ball discharge device across the ball storage tank.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the state conversion mechanism includes a slide mechanism that allows the ball storage unit to slide along the lateral direction of the back mechanism board. It is a gaming machine described.

The thing of Claim 4 is provided with the detection means which can detect the state of the ball storage unit,
The back mechanism board is provided with a discharge downflow path that causes a game ball as a prize ball or a rental ball to flow down on one side, and a ball outlet downflow path that guides the game ball to the outside of the gaming machine on the other side,
When the ball storage unit is converted to the first state, the ball storage unit communicates with the discharge downstream, and when the detection means detects the conversion of the ball storage unit to the first state, the ball storage unit is allowed to discharge the game ball to the discharge downstream. When converted to the second state, the ball communicates with the ball outlet and when the detecting means detects the conversion of the ball storage unit to the second state, the game ball is allowed to be discharged to the ball outlet downstream. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the ball discharge device discharges the game ball to the ball outlet downstream after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection means detects the conversion of the ball storage unit to the second state. The gaming machine according to claim 4.

According to the present invention, the following excellent effects can be obtained.
According to the invention described in claim 1, a ball storage tank capable of storing game balls, a ball discharge device communicating with one side of the ball storage tank and capable of discharging game balls stored in the ball storage tank; The ball storage unit is provided with a state conversion mechanism capable of converting the arrangement state of the ball storage unit, and the state conversion mechanism discharges the ball. Since the apparatus can be converted into the first state in which the device is arranged on one side of the back mechanism board and the second state in which the apparatus is arranged on the other side of the back mechanism board, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the ball storage units can be increased. It is easy to change the arrangement of the ball storage units according to the configuration of the game board. Therefore, it is easy to set the configuration of the back side of the game board and the arrangement of the directors on the front side (that is, the game area) without worrying about interference with the ball storage unit, and a gaming machine that enhances the fun of the game. Can be realized.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the state conversion mechanism includes a rotary shaft arranged in a vertical direction, and a rotary bearing that is pivotally attached to the rotary shaft so as to be rotatable. Since the unit is disposed on the opposite side of the ball discharge device with the ball storage tank in between, the arrangement of the ball storage unit can be changed only by rotating in the left-right direction. Therefore, the arrangement of the ball storage units can be changed without spilling the game balls stored in the ball storage tank. From this, it is possible to reduce the burden of changing the arrangement of the ball storage unit. In addition, the state conversion mechanism can be realized with a simple structure, and the manufacturing cost of the ball storage unit whose arrangement can be changed can be kept low.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the state conversion mechanism includes the slide mechanism that allows the ball storage unit to slide along the lateral direction of the back mechanism board, the degree of freedom in arranging the ball storage unit is further increased. Can be increased. Further, there is a disadvantage that the size of the ball storage tank is limited based on the distance between the ball discharge device and the state conversion mechanism, that is, the distance between the side portion of the back mechanism panel where the ball discharge device is disposed and the state conversion mechanism. It can be eliminated, and a decrease in the game ball storage capacity of the ball storage tank can be suppressed.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided detection means capable of detecting the state of the ball storage unit, and the back mechanism board is provided with a discharge flow path for allowing a prize ball or a game ball as a rental ball to flow down on one side. In addition, the other side is provided with a ball outlet downstream for guiding the game ball to the outside of the gaming machine, and the ball storage unit communicates with the outlet downstream when converted to the first state, and the detection means is in the first state of the ball storage unit. When the conversion to is detected, the game ball is allowed to be discharged to the discharge flow downstream, and when converted to the second state, the ball is connected to the ball discharge downstream, and the detection means detects the conversion of the ball storage unit to the second state Then, since it is allowed to discharge the game ball to the ball outlet, the operation of causing the ball storage unit to discharge the game ball as a prize ball or a rental ball by simply changing the state, and the game in the ball storage tank Change the operation to pull out the ball to the outside It is possible to 's. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide in advance a configuration for discharging a winning ball or a rental ball and a configuration for removing a ball in the ball storage unit. Thereby, the structure of the sphere storage unit can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the sphere storage unit can be reduced.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, since the ball discharge device discharges the game ball to the ball outlet downstream after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection means detects the conversion of the ball storage unit to the second state. The ball outlet of the ball outlet and the ball collection place outside the gaming machine are communicated between the time when the ball storage unit is converted to the second state and the time when the ball discharge device discharges the game ball to the ball outlet. can do. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the game balls that have flowed down the ball draw-down path are scattered on the floor, and the ball draw work for removing the game balls from the ball storage unit can be performed smoothly, and the work load on the worker is reduced. Can be reduced.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a pachinko gaming machine as a typical gaming machine as an example. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine.
The pachinko gaming machine 1 has an outer frame (machine frame or main body frame) 2 that is pivotally attached to a front frame 3 having a substantially frame-shaped front frame (inner frame) that can be opened and closed. A storage frame 4 (see FIG. 8) is formed so that a rectangular game board 5 can be stored, and a front cover member 6 with one side (left side in FIG. 1) attached to the front side of the front frame 3 is opened and closed. The front cover member 6 is provided so that a transparent glass plate 7 is accommodated, and the game area 8 formed on the front surface of the game board 5 can be seen through from the front through the glass plate 7. Furthermore, the upper plate unit 9 and the lower plate unit 10 are provided below the front cover member 6 with the position slightly shifted left and right, and between the upper plate unit 9 and the lower plate unit 10, the gaming state A speaker 11 that generates a sound according to the above is arranged, an ashtray 12 is provided on the left side of the lower plate unit 10, and a shooting operation unit for shooting the game ball toward the game area 8 on the right side of the lower plate unit 10. (Launch operation handle) 13 is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a large frame-like back mechanism board 15 is provided on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1, more specifically on the back side of the front frame 3. A rectangular opening 16 is formed so that the rear portion of the center case 17 protruding from the back side of the game board 5, the game control device 18, and the external terminal board 19 do not interfere with the back mechanism board 15. The game board 5 includes a display device and a director in the center case 17, and covers the rear portion of the center case, that is, the portion facing the rear from the opening 16, from the rear (see FIG. 2). . In addition, when the cover body 20 covers a winning hole or the like (in other words, an opening through which the game ball rolling in the game area 8 passes to the back side of the game board 5) in addition to the rear portion of the center case 17, Of these, a ball approach channel may be provided in a portion facing the game board 5 so that the game ball can flow down the back side of the game board 5 through the ball approach channel.

  A ball storage unit 23 is arranged above the opening 16 in the back mechanism board 15, and a ball flow down path (specifically, a game ball discharged from the ball storage unit 23 flows down to the side of the opening 16. There are a discharge flow down path 25 which is a ball flow down path for allowing the game balls in the ball storage unit 23 to flow down as prize balls or rental balls, and the game balls in the ball storage unit 23 are collected in the lower part of the game machine island facility. A ball outlet channel 26, which is a ball channel that guides a kite (not shown), is provided. In addition, a ball guiding portion 27 that guides a game ball flowing down from the ball flow down path is formed below the opening portion 16, and a mounting base 28 is disposed behind the ball guiding portion 27. A rotation shaft 28a is provided on the right side (in FIG. 2) and is pivotally attached to the back mechanism board 15 in a freely rotatable state. The other side of the mounting base 28 (left side in FIG. 2) is attached to and detached from the back mechanism board 15. A fastening portion 28b is provided for fastening in a possible state. A discharge control device 29, a power supply device 30, and a relay board 31 are arranged at the rear portion of the mounting base 28 (the portion opposite to the portion facing the back mechanism panel 15). The ball flow path and the ball guiding unit 27 will be described in detail later.

Next, the sphere storage unit 23 will be described.
The ball storage unit 23 is a device capable of storing the game balls replenished from the replenishing device and discharging the stored game balls. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ball storage unit 23 includes a ball storage tank 34 that can store a game ball, and a game ball stored in the ball storage tank 34. 26 is configured to include a ball discharge device 35 that can be discharged to 26 and a state conversion mechanism 36 that can change the arrangement state of the ball storage unit 23.

  The ball storage tank 34 is for storing game balls supplied (supplemented) from the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1, specifically, from a replenishing device of the gaming machine installation island facility. The sphere storage tank 34 is formed in a horizontally long bottomed box shape having an upper surface opened, and is disposed below the replenishing device with the upper surface opening serving as a sphere receiving port. The lateral length (the length along the left-right direction of the back mechanism board 15) is longer than half the width of the back mechanism board 15, specifically, 2/2 of the width of the back mechanism board 15. The dimension is set to about 3 (see FIG. 2). Then, the bottom of the sphere storage tank 34 is inclined downward along the longitudinal direction, and a sprocket (holding rotator) of a sphere discharge device 35 to be described later is disposed on the inclined lower end side (left side in FIG. 5) of the bottom of the sphere storage tank 34. A substantially cylindrical sprocket accommodating portion (rotating member accommodating portion) 41 capable of accommodating 40 is provided so as to protrude downward. Further, at the bottom of the ball storage tank 34, a ball supply switch 42 capable of detecting the presence or absence of a game ball in the ball storage tank 34 (whether or not the ball is short) is disposed.

  The ball discharge device 35 is directly connected to one side in the longitudinal direction of the ball storage tank 34, specifically, the inclined lower end side of the bottom of the ball storage tank 34, and the game balls stored in the ball storage tank 34 are collected. It is a device that can be discharged. As shown in FIG. 5, the ball discharge device 35 is accommodated in a state in which the discharge stage member 44 disposed below the sprocket accommodating portion 41 and the sprocket accommodating portion 41 can rotate, and a plurality of outer peripheral edge portions have a plurality of them. A sprocket 40 provided with a sphere holding part 45, a discharge drive motor 46 connected to the upper part of the sprocket 40 to rotationally drive the sprocket 40, and disposed above one side of the sphere storage tank 34 so as to cover the sprocket 40; A motor base 47 to which the discharge drive motor 46 is attached is provided on the upper surface.

  The discharge stage member 44 is a member in which a discharge port 49 and a ball discharge port 50 are provided below the sprocket 40 so as to communicate with any one of the ball holding portions 45 and can discharge game balls (see FIG. 6). The stage body 51 is formed in a shape, a lid member 52 that closes the upper opening of the stage body 51, and a passage sensor 53 that can detect one game ball passing through the discharge port 49.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the stage main body 51 has a discharge opening 55 that is a downstream opening of the discharge port 49 and a ball extraction opening 56 that is a downstream opening of the ball extraction port 50 on the outer peripheral side of the bottom portion. It is. Further, a sensor accommodating portion 57 is formed around the discharge opening 55, and the passage sensor 53 is accommodated inside the sensor accommodating portion 57. The passage sensor 53 is configured to output a detection signal when the game ball passes through the through hole 53 a and detect the game ball passing through the discharge port 49.

The lid member 52 has a bearing hole 59 formed in the approximate center of the upper surface thereof, and a rotation shaft projection (not shown) projecting from below the sprocket 40 is inserted into the bearing hole 59 so that the sprocket 40 can be rotated. It is comprised so that it may support in a state. Further, a flat sliding stage 60 is formed around the bearing hole 59 so that the game ball held on the sprocket 40 can slide as the sprocket 40 rotates. Further, an exposure hole 61 that is an upper opening of the discharge port 49 is opened in the peripheral portion of the slide stage 60 in a state of communicating with the discharge opening 55, and the forward rotation direction R of the sprocket 40 in the exposure hole 61 (FIG. 5). On both sides and the back side (the side opposite to the sliding stage 60 side) in the middle clockwise direction, a regulation wall portion 62 that regulates the moving direction of the game ball is set up in a state surrounding the exposure hole 61, The game ball is configured to be guided to the discharge port 49 (the exposure hole 61, the through hole 53a, and the discharge opening 55).
The forward rotation direction R described above is used when the game ball is discharged from the discharge port 49 by communicating the ball holding portion 45 to the discharge port 49 in this embodiment, in other words, when the game ball is guided to the discharge port 49. The direction of rotation of the sprocket 40 (the direction of discharge rotation).

  Further, a ball extraction hole 64 serving as an upper opening of the ball extraction port 50 is communicated with the ball extraction opening 56 at a position that is a peripheral portion of the sliding stage 60 and whose phase is shifted from the exposure hole 61 in the normal rotation direction R. When the sprocket 40 is rotated in the reverse rotation direction L (the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 5 and the rotation direction of the sprocket 40 when the game ball is discharged from the ball outlet 50 in this embodiment), The game ball held by the sprocket 40 is configured to flow into the ball extraction opening 56 through the ball extraction hole 64. Further, above the ball extraction hole 64, a ball extraction guide portion 65 with its tip portion directed in the normal rotation direction R is extended, and the game ball moving in the reverse rotation direction L on the slide stage 60 is extracted from the ball extraction port 50. It is configured so that it can be guided to (ball hole 64, ball opening 56).

  The discharge stage member 44 configured in this manner is disposed at the lower part of the sprocket accommodating portion 41 with the sliding stage 60 facing upward, and a fastening piece provided on the outer peripheral portion of the stage main body 51 in this state. By fixing 67 to a stage fixing portion 68 provided on the outer periphery of the sprocket accommodating portion 41 with a fixing member (not shown) such as a screw, the lower opening of the sprocket accommodating portion 41 is closed and fixed. When the discharge stage member 44 is disposed below the sprocket housing 41, the sliding stage 60 faces the inside of the sprocket housing 41 and functions as the bottom of the sprocket housing 41. Further, the discharge port 49 is disposed on the opposite side of the bottom of the ball storage tank 34 with the center of the sliding stage 60 (that is, the rotation center of the sprocket 40) interposed therebetween.

  The sprocket 40 is accommodated in the sprocket accommodating portion 41 in a posture in which the rotation shaft is arranged vertically. In addition, the outer peripheral edge of the sprocket 40 includes a plurality (ten in this embodiment) of ball holding portions 45 that can receive and hold game balls. The ball holding portions 45 are formed by arc-shaped cutouts that follow the outer shape of the game ball in plan view, and are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the sprocket 40. The sprocket 40 is formed in a vertically long shape along the rotation axis direction, and a plurality of game balls (up to three in the present embodiment) are stacked between the ball holding portion 45 and the inner peripheral surface of the sprocket accommodating portion 41. It is configured to be held in a state, in other words, in a state of being arranged along the rotation axis direction of the sprocket 40. A rotating shaft member 70 having a bowler hat shape is fixed to the upper part of the sprocket 40.

  Of the sprocket accommodating portion 41 in which the sprocket 40 is accommodated, a ball flow-inhibiting portion (not shown) that can prevent the game ball in the ball holding portion 45 from flowing on the inner wall surface facing the ball holding portion 45. Projecting toward the ball holding portion 45 side. The ball flow down prevention portion is disposed above the discharge port 49 and the ball discharge port 50 at a distance substantially the same as the diameter of the game ball from the discharge port 49 and the ball discharge port 50 (or the sliding stage 60), and accommodates the sprocket. An arc shape is formed along the circumferential direction of the inner wall surface of the portion 41.

  The discharge drive motor (for example, step motor) 46 connects the output shaft extending downward to a rotary shaft member 70 positioned on the rotary shaft of the sprocket 40. Then, the output shaft is rotated based on the control by the discharge control device 29, and the sprocket 40 is rotated (forward or reverse) by a desired angle. In addition, the motor base 47 has a through hole 71 at the substantially center thereof, and is connected to the sprocket 40 through the output shaft of the discharge drive motor 46 in the through hole 71, and the discharge drive motor 46 is formed on the upper surface of the motor base 47. Is attached. Then, the fastening piece 72 protruding from the side portion of the motor base 47 is fastened to the base fastening portion 73 provided at the edge of the ball storage tank 34 by a fastening member (not shown) such as a screw. The sprocket housing 41 is fixed in a state of covering from above.

  Further, a laterally long rectangular shielding wall 75 is provided at one side edge of the motor base 47 (upstream side edge of the ball storage tank 34) along the front-rear width of the ball storage tank 34 (the front-rear direction of the pachinko gaming machine 1). The game ball in the ball storage tank 34 is configured to prevent the inconvenience of riding on the motor base 47. A locked portion 77 having a locked hole 76 is erected on the opposite side of the upper portion of the motor base 47 from the shielding wall 75 with the discharge drive motor 46 interposed therebetween, and a locking mechanism 78 described later. It is comprised so that a part of can be latched and the arrangement | positioning state of the bulb | ball storage unit 23 can be maintained.

  In the ball discharge device 35 having such a configuration, when the sprocket 40 rotates in the normal rotation direction R with the game ball held by the ball holding unit 45, the ball holding unit 45 is in communication with the discharge port 49 before Of the game balls in the ball holding unit 45, the first step and the second step or more are separated by the ball flow down prevention unit. In this state, when the ball holding portion 45 reaches above the discharge port 49, the first-stage (lowermost) game ball flows down to the discharge port 49, but the second-stage or higher game balls (held on the discharge port 49 side). The game ball above the played game ball) is prevented from flowing into the discharge port 49 by the ball flow down prevention unit. Thereby, the game balls held on the ball holding part 45 of the sprocket 40 on the sliding stage 60 can be reliably discharged to the discharge port 49 one by one. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a problem that a plurality of game balls held by one ball holding unit 45 flow down at a time and the game balls are clogged between the discharge port 49 and the sprocket 40.

  On the other hand, when the sprocket 40 rotates in the reverse rotation direction L with the game ball held by the ball holding part 45, the ball flow-inhibiting part is placed before the held game ball reaches (communicates) with the ball outlet 50. Therefore, among the three game balls stacked vertically, the first stage and the second stage or more are separated by the ball flow down prevention unit. In this state, when the ball holding portion 45 reaches above the ball outlet 50, the first-stage game ball flows down to the ball outlet 50, but the second and higher game balls pass through the ball outlet blocker. 50 is prevented from entering. Thereby, the game balls held in the ball holding portions 45 of the sprocket 40 on the sliding stage 60 can be surely discharged from the ball outlet 50 one by one.

Next, the state conversion mechanism 36 will be described.
The state conversion mechanism 36 is disposed on the opposite side of the sphere storage unit 23 from the sphere storage tank 34 with the sphere storage tank 34 interposed therebetween, and can change the arrangement state by reversing the left and right directions of the sphere storage unit 23. It is. The state conversion mechanism 36 includes a horizontally long base member 81 fixed to the upper part of the back mechanism board 15, a shaft member 83 connected to the base member 81, and a rotational shaft 82 disposed vertically, and the ball storage tank 34. And a rotation bearing 84 that is disposed on the opposite side of the outer wall portion from the ball discharge device 35 and pivotally attaches the rotation shaft 82 in a rotatable state. Then, the sphere storage unit 23 is supported in a state in which the sphere storage unit 23 can be rotated in the left-right direction, and the sphere storage unit 23 arranges the sphere discharge device 35 on one side (right side in FIG. 3) of the back mechanism board 15 (FIG. 3). 3 and FIG. 4 (a)) and a second state (see FIG. 4 (b) and FIG. 10) arranged on the other side of the back mechanism panel 15 (left side in FIG. 10). Has been.

  Further, slide grooves 85 extending in the lateral direction (that is, the left and right direction of the back mechanism board 15) are arranged on both upper and lower edges of the base member 81, and are arranged on the front side of the shaft member 83 (on the back mechanism board 15 side). Includes an engaging portion 86 that can be slidably engaged with the slide groove 85. Therefore, the slide groove 85 and the engaging portion 86 function as a slide mechanism in the present invention so that the ball storage unit 23 can be slid along the lateral direction of the back mechanism board 15 together with the rotation shaft 82 and the rotation bearing 84. It is configured. In addition, although the slide groove 85 of this embodiment is comprised so that the right-and-left both ends may be open | released and it may be easy to engage the engaging part 86 of the shaft member 83, this invention is not limited to this. For example, if the left and right ends of the slide groove 85 are closed by a lid member or the like after the shaft member 83 is engaged, the engagement portion 86 will not be disengaged from the slide groove 85, and the shaft member 83, and thus the ball storage unit. 23 can be prevented from falling off from the back mechanism board 15, which is preferable.

  Furthermore, a locking mechanism 78 that can lock the other side of the ball storage unit 23, specifically, the ball discharge device 35 side, is disposed at the left and right ends of the upper part of the back mechanism board 15. The locking mechanism 78 is arranged at the front end of the locking support portion 90 having a columnar shape extending rearward from the back mechanism board 15, and via a locking rotation shaft 91. And a locking piece 92 pivotally attached in a rotatable state. When the ball storage unit 23 is rotated and the rotation bearing 84 and the shaft member 83 are slid to the other end (left end in FIG. 4) of the slide groove 85 and converted to the first state, one side of the back mechanism panel 15 is obtained. The locking piece 92 of the locking mechanism 78 (the first locking mechanism 78a disposed on the right side in FIG. 5) passes through the locked hole 76 of the ball discharge device 35. When the locking piece 92 is rotated in this state, the locked portion 77 (specifically, the edge of the locked hole 76) is sandwiched between the locking piece 92 and the locking support portion 90, so that the first The locking mechanism 78a and the locked portion 77 are locked, the sphere storage unit 23 is maintained in the first state, and the conversion to the second state can be restricted. Further, when the locking piece 92 sandwiching the edge of the locked hole 76 with the locking support portion 90 is rotated and converted into a posture capable of passing through the locked hole 76, the first locking mechanism The locked state of 78a and the locked part 77 is cancelled | released, and it can accept | permit that the ball storage unit 23 converts into a 2nd state.

  On the other hand, when the ball storage unit 23 is rotated and the rotation bearing 84 and the shaft member 83 are slid to one end (the right end in FIG. 4) of the slide groove 85 and converted to the second state, the other side of the back mechanism panel 15. The locking piece 92 of the locking mechanism 78 (the second locking mechanism 78b disposed on the left side in FIG. 5) passes through the locked hole 76 of the ball discharge device 35. When the locking piece 92 is rotated in this state, the locked portion 77 (specifically, the edge of the locked hole 76) is sandwiched between the locking piece 92 and the locking support portion 90, so that the second The locking mechanism 78b and the locked portion 77 are locked, the ball storage unit 23 is maintained in the second state, and the conversion to the first state can be restricted. Further, when the locking piece 92 having the edge of the locked hole 76 sandwiched between the locking support portion 90 is rotated and converted into a posture capable of passing through the locked hole 76, the second locking mechanism The locked state of 78 and the locked part 77 is cancelled | released, and it can accept | permit that the ball storage unit 23 converts into a 1st state.

Next, the structure which comprises a ball flow downway, and the structure for arrange | positioning a ball flow downway are demonstrated.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the back mechanism board 15 includes flow-down unit mounting portions 100 on both left and right sides thereof, and a ball flow-down unit 101 is attached to the flow-down unit mounting portion 100 in a detachable manner. A spherical flow path is formed inside the flow unit 101. As shown in FIG. 6, the flow-down unit mounting portion 100 includes a vertically long mounting wall portion 105 extending rearward from the back mechanism panel 15 and a plurality of (two in this embodiment) protruding from the mounting wall portion 105. ) And a vertically long abutting rib 107 extending rearward in a state of being separated from the mounting wall portion 105. The mounting wall portion 105 is disposed on the side edge of the back mechanism panel 15 and is provided between the lower periphery of the sphere storage unit 23 and the upper periphery of the sphere guiding portion 27. A side surface (inner side surface) located on the side of the portion 16 is used as an attachment surface 105a to which the ball flow down unit 101 is attached. The protrusions 106 are cylindrical bosses that protrude from the attachment surface 105a of the attachment wall portion 105 toward the center in the left-right direction of the back mechanism panel 15, and are arranged in a state of being shifted back and forth on both upper and lower sides of the attachment surface 105a. A fastening hole 106 a is formed at the tip of the protrusion 106. The abutment rib 107 is a member for positioning the ball descending unit 101 in the front-rear direction, and protrudes rearward from between the side edge of the opening 16 of the back mechanism board 15 and the mounting wall 105 and is attached to the abutment rib 107. It is arranged in a state substantially parallel to the wall portion 105. Further, the front end (rear end) of the abutment rib 107 is arranged at a position side by side with the substantially middle portion of the mounting wall portion 105 in the front-rear direction, and the front end of the ball flow-down unit 101 in a state attached to the flow-down unit mounting portion 100. It is comprised so that it may contact | abut to a part (refer FIG. 8).

  For convenience of explanation, the flow-down unit mounting portion 100 disposed on one side (right side in FIG. 3) of the back mechanism panel 15 is referred to as a first flow-down unit mounting portion 100a, and is disposed on the other side (left side in FIG. 3). The flow-down unit mounting portion 100 is referred to as a second flow-down unit mounting portion 100b. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the first downflow unit mounting portion 100a has the upper protrusion 106 disposed near the back mechanism board 15 (frontward of the pachinko gaming machine 1), and the lower protrusion 106 is disposed on the back mechanism board. It is arranged on the opposite side of 15 (backward of the pachinko gaming machine 1). In addition, the second downflow unit mounting portion 100b has the upper protrusion 106 disposed on the opposite side of the back mechanism board 15 (backward of the pachinko gaming machine 1) and the lower protrusion 106 on the back mechanism board 15 (pachinko). It is arranged near the front of the gaming machine 1 (not shown).

  The ball flow down unit 101 includes two vertically long flow path forming parts, specifically, a discharge path forming part 108 and a ball discharge path forming part 109 arranged side by side, and the discharge path forming part 108 and the ball discharge path forming part. 109 is separable. The discharge path forming portion 108 is a thick plate-like vertically long member whose thickness in the left-right direction is set to be approximately equal to the interval between the mounting wall portion 105 and the edge portion of the opening 16 (see FIG. 8). Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, the discharge flow path 25 is formed inside the discharge path forming portion 108 in a meandering manner along the front-rear direction of the back mechanism board 15. An inlet is opened at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the upper end portion of the discharge passage forming portion 108, and the outlet of the discharge flow down passage 25 is located in front of the lower end portion of the discharge passage forming portion 108 (leftward in FIG. 7A). It is opened at the position. Further, the projection 106 of the flow-down unit mounting portion 100 can be fitted to the mounting contact portion 108a that is a portion of the side surface portion of the discharge path forming portion 108 that can overlap and face the mounting surface 105a of the mounting wall portion 105. A plurality of (two in this embodiment) discharge side recesses 111 are provided to be depressed. The discharge-side recesses 111 are formed on both upper and lower sides of the discharge path forming portion 108, and an insertion hole 112 is formed at the bottom located on the back side of the discharge-side recess 111 (the side opposite to the mounting wall portion 105). .

  The ball passage formation portion 109 is a thick plate-like vertically long member having substantially the same size and appearance as the discharge passage formation portion 108, and the thickness in the left-right direction is that of the mounting wall portion 105 and the opening portion 16. It is set approximately equal to the distance from the edge portion. Further, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), in the inside of the ball outlet forming portion 109, the ball outlet channel 26 is arranged in parallel with the outlet channel 25, and meanders along the front-rear direction of the back mechanism panel 15. The inlet of the ball outlet channel 26 is opened at a position rearward of the upper end of the ball outlet forming portion 109 (to the right in FIG. 7 (b)). Is opened at a position rearward of the lower end portion of the ball passage forming portion 109 (rightward in the middle of FIG. 7A). Furthermore, a plurality of (this embodiment) can be fitted with the projections 106 of the flow-down unit mounting portion 100 on the mounting contact portion 109a located on the side opposite to the discharge path forming portion 108 of the side surface portion of the ball passage forming portion 109. In this embodiment, two ball-extracted recesses 115 are provided. The ball extraction side recesses 115 are formed on both upper and lower sides of the ball extraction path forming portion 109, and an insertion hole 116 is formed at the bottom located on the back side (the mounting wall portion 105 side) of the ball extraction side recess 115. .

  As shown in FIG. 8, the discharge passage forming portion 108 and the ball discharge passage forming portion 109 having such a configuration are in a state in which the insertion holes 112 and 116 are opposed to each other, in other words, the discharge side concave portion 111 and the sphere. The extraction side recesses 115 are overlapped and arranged side by side in a state of facing outward. At this time, the discharge side recess 111 and the ball extraction side recess 115 are arranged on the same straight line. In this state, the mounting contact portion 108a of the discharge path forming portion 108 is overlapped with the mounting surface 105a of the mounting wall portion 105, and the discharge is performed. When the side recess 111 is fitted to the protrusion 106 and the ball flow-down unit 101 is attached to the flow-down unit mounting portion 100 (first flow-down unit mounting portion 100a), the ball removal side recess 115 connects the protrusion 106 and the ball flow-down unit 101. It functions as an insertion port for a fastening member 118 such as a screw to be fastened. Then, when the fastening member 118 is inserted from the ball-side recess 115 serving as the insertion port and fastened to the fastening hole 106a of the projection 106, the ball-falling unit 101 is connected to the flow-down unit mounting portion 100 (first flow-down unit mounting portion). 100a). In addition, the inlet of the discharge outlet 25 is located below and communicates with the outlet 49 of the ball outlet 35, and the inlet of the bulb outlet 26 is located below the outlet 50 of the bulb outlet 35. Communicate. Further, the tip of the abutment rib 107 abuts on the front end portion of the discharge path forming portion 108 to restrict the position of the discharge path forming portion 108 in the front-rear direction (that is, the front-rear direction of the ball flow down unit 101).

Next, the sphere guiding unit 27 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 9, the ball guide portion 27 is provided with a ball guide forming portion 121 below the opening 16 in the back mechanism board 15 in a state of protruding rearward from the left and right side portions of the back mechanism board 15, The ball guide forming unit 121 communicates with the upper plate unit 9 through a guide route (a discharge guide route 123 and a ball extraction guide route 124) that guides the game ball flowing down from the ball flow down path, and the upper plate unit 9 The upper plate communication port 126 for supplying to the lower plate unit 10, the lower plate communication port 127 for supplying game balls to the lower plate unit 10, and the ball removal communication for communicating with the ball collecting bowl in the gaming machine island facility And a mouth 128. Then, the upper plate communication port 126 is opened near one side of the back mechanism panel 15 (rightward in FIG. 9), and the lower plate communication port 127 is located below the upper plate communication port 126 and in the left-right direction of the back mechanism panel 15. It is opened at a substantially central portion, and the ball outlet communication port 128 is opened to the side of the lower plate communication port 127 (right side in FIG. 9).

  The discharge guide path 123 guides the game ball flowing down from the discharge flow down path 25 of the ball flow down unit 101 to the upper plate unit 9 or the lower plate unit 10, that is, guides the game ball to the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 1. A first discharge guiding path 131 that communicates with the upper plate communication port 126 and the discharge flow channel 25 in the ball flow unit 101 attached to the first flow unit mounting portion 100a, and the upper plate communication port 126. Overflow flow that communicates the second discharge guiding path 132 that communicates with the discharge flow down path 25 in the ball flow down unit 101 attached to the second flow down unit attachment portion 100b, and the upper dish communication port 126 and the lower dish communication port 127. And a path 133.

  The first discharge guide path 131 is formed on one side (right side in FIG. 9) of the front surface of the ball guide formation portion 121, and includes a first discharge section portion 135 that hangs down from below the first flow-down unit mounting portion 100a, A second discharge section 136 extending rearward from the lower end of the first discharge section 135 and penetrating the ball guide forming section 121; and a rear end of the second discharge section 136 formed on the rear surface of the ball guide forming section 121. And a third discharge section portion 137 inclined downward toward the upper right side of the upper plate communication port 126. And the 1st discharge guidance port 138 is opened in the upper end of the 1st discharge section part 135 arranged on the one side of back mechanism board 15, and this 1st discharge guidance port 138 is attached to the 1st descent unit attachment part 100a. The position and size are set so that the game ball can pass through the lower end of the discharge flow down path 25 in the ball flow down unit 101. Further, the rear part of the second discharge section part 136 and the rear part of the third discharge section part 137 are closed by the mounting base 28 in the closed state. Note that the first discharge guide port 138 can abut the edge of the first discharge guide port 138 on the lower end portion of the discharge path forming portion 108 disposed in the first flow-down unit mounting portion 100a, and the vertical position of the discharge path forming portion 108. It functions as a regulation unit that regulates

  The second discharge guiding path 132 is inclined downward from the other side of the rear surface of the ball guidance forming portion 121 (left side in FIG. 9) to the upper plate communication port 126 over the other side of the upper plate communication port 126. The second discharge guide port 139 is opened at the upper end of the second discharge guide path 132 disposed on the other side of the back mechanism panel 15, and the second discharge guide port 139 is connected to the second downflow unit mounting portion 100b. It is set to a position and a size that allow a game ball to pass through in communication with the lower end of the discharge flow down path 25 in the ball flow down unit 101 attached to. Further, the rear portion of the second discharge guiding path 132 is closed by the mounting base 28 in the closed state. The second discharge guide port 139 can abut the edge of the second discharge guide port 139 on the lower end portion of the discharge path forming portion 108 disposed in the second flow-down unit mounting portion 100b, and the vertical position of the discharge path forming portion 108. It functions as a regulation unit that regulates

  The overflow channel 133 is disposed on the rear surface of the ball guide forming portion 121 in a state of being inclined downward from one side of the upper plate communication port 126 (right side in FIG. 9) to the lower plate communication port 127. The rear part is closed by the mounting base 28 in the closed state. In addition, a shelf 141 is projected rearward from the lower edge of the upper plate communication port 126 in the overflow channel 133, and the overflow weir 142 faces upward on one side (right side in FIG. 9) of the shelf 141. The empty space beside the overflow weir 142 is used as the upstream inlet of the overflow channel 133. Therefore, when the game ball flows down the first discharge guide path 131 or the second discharge guide path 132, the game ball falls onto the shelf 141 and is discharged to the upper plate unit 9 through the upper plate communication port 126. The When the upper plate unit 9 is full and the game balls are accumulated from the upper plate communication port 126 to the shelf portion 141, the upper plate unit 9 gets over the overflow weir 142 and flows down in the overflow channel 133, and is lowered through the lower plate communication port 127. It is discharged to the dish unit 10.

  The ball removal guide path 124 guides the game ball flowing down from the ball drop down path 26 of the ball flow down unit 101 to the ball collection basket in the gaming machine island facility, that is, the game ball is guided outside the pachinko gaming machine 1. It is a taxiway to The ball outlet guide path 124 is connected to the first ball outlet guide path 146 communicating with the ball outlet lower path 26 in the ball outlet unit 101 attached to the first outlet unit mounting portion 100a and the second outlet unit mounting portion 100b. The second ball extraction guide path 147 communicating with the ball extraction lower path 26 in the attached ball flow reduction unit 101 is connected to the downstream part of the first ball extraction guide path 146 and the downstream part of the second ball extraction guide path 147. It is composed of a vertically long connection channel 148.

  The first ball pulling guide path 146 is formed on one side (right side in FIG. 9) of the rear surface of the ball guide forming portion 121, and a first ball pulling section 151 that hangs down from below the first flow-down unit mounting portion 100a; A second sphere extraction section is formed on the front surface of the sphere guide forming section 121 and a second sphere extraction section 152 extending forward from the lower end of the first sphere extraction section section 151 and penetrating the sphere guide forming section 121. It is comprised from the 3rd ball extraction area part 153 inclined down toward the upper end of the connection flow path 148 from the front end of the part 152. As shown in FIG. And the 1st ball extraction guide port 154 is opened in the upper end of the 1st ball extraction section part 151 arrange | positioned at the one side of the back mechanism board 15, and this 1st ball extraction guide port 154 is made into the 1st flow unit attachment part. The position and size of the first ball extraction guide port 154 communicated with the lower end of the ball discharge lower passage 26 in the ball flow lowering unit 101 attached to 100a so that the game ball can pass through the first ball discharge guide port 154. The rear mechanism board 15 is disposed closer to the center in the left-right direction than 138. Further, the rear part of the first ball extraction section 151 and the rear part of the second ball extraction section 152 are closed by the mounting base 28 in the closed state. Note that the first ball extraction guide port 154 can abut an edge of the first ball extraction guide port 154 on the lower end portion of the ball extraction path forming portion 109 disposed in the first flow-down unit mounting portion 100a. It functions as a restricting part that restricts the position in the direction.

  The second ball pulling guide path 147 is arranged in a state of being inclined downward from the other side of the front surface of the ball guide forming portion 121 (left side in FIG. 9) toward the upper end of the connection flow path 148, and the other side of the back mechanism board 15. A second ball extraction guide port 155 is provided at the upper end of the second ball extraction guide path 147 disposed in the second ball extraction guide route 147, and the second ball extraction guide port 155 is attached to the second flow down unit mounting portion 100b. The second ball extraction guide port 155 is set to a position and a size that allow the game ball to pass through the lower end of the inner ball discharge lower passage 26 and pass through the lower mechanism board 15 from the second discharge guide port 139. It is arranged near the center of the direction. Note that the second ball extraction guide port 155 can have its edge abutted against the lower end portion of the ball extraction path forming portion 109 disposed in the second flow-down unit mounting portion 100b. It functions as a restricting part that restricts the position in the direction.

  In addition, the lower end of the connection channel 148 communicates with the ball removal communication port 128, and the game balls that have flowed down the first ball removal guide route 146 and the second ball removal guide route 147 through the ball removal communication port 128. It is configured to be able to be recovered by flowing down to a ball collecting basket. Further, the ball collection path 157 is communicated with the upper end of the connection flow path 148, and the upper end of the ball collection path 157 is connected to the lower end of the ball approaching downflow path 158 disposed on the back side of the game board 5, thereby The game balls guided to the back side of the game board 5 as the out balls or the safe balls from 8 are guided to the connection flow path 148 via the ball approaching downstream 158 and the ball collection path 157, and the ball collection basket in the gaming machine island facility It is configured so that it can be recovered.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1 having the above-described configuration, when the game board 5 is attached to the front frame 3, a structure that protrudes from the back side of the game board 5 (a center with a display device for performing a game effect or a director) When the rear portion of the case 17 or the game control device 18 for controlling the game is arranged on the other side of the back mechanism board 15 (left side in FIG. 3), that is, the center case 17 is viewed from the front. In order to attach the game board 5 configured to move the player to the right side of the region 8 so as to make a so-called left strike, the ball storage unit 23 is converted to the first state as shown in FIG. The flow unit 101 is attached to the first flow unit attachment part 100a. Then, the ball storage unit 23, the discharge flow downway 25, and the ball drawout downway 26 can be arranged close to one side (right side in FIG. 3) of the back mechanism panel 15. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the other side (left side in FIG. 3) of the opening 16 from being covered with the ball storage unit 23 discharge flow down channel 25 and the ball outlet flow down channel 26, and the configuration of the back side of the game board 5 is the ball storage unit. 23 and the ball flow downway.

  Further, the discharge port 49 of the ball storage unit 23, the discharge flow down passage 25, and the first discharge guide passage 131 communicate with each other, and further, the ball discharge port 50 of the ball storage unit 23, the ball discharge down passage 26, and the first ball discharge guide. The road 146 communicates. When the ball discharge device 35 is operated in this state and the sprocket 40 is rotated in the forward rotation direction R, the game balls in the ball storage tank 34 are discharged from the discharge port 49 and discharged from the discharge flow down path 25 and the first discharge guide path 131. Is passed through the upper plate communication port 126 or the lower plate communication port 127 and supplied to the upper plate unit 9 or the lower plate unit 10. On the other hand, when the sprocket 40 is rotated in the reverse rotation direction L, the game balls in the ball storage tank 34 are discharged from the ball outlet 50 and flow down through the ball outlet flow path 26 and the first ball outlet guide path 146 to communicate with the ball. It passes through the mouth 128 and is collected in a ball collection basket in the gaming machine island facility.

  Further, when the configuration protruding from the back side of the game board 5 is arranged near one side of the back mechanism board 15 (right side in FIG. 10), that is, the center case 17 is placed on the left side of the game area 8 when viewed from the front. In order to attach the game board 5 configured to cause the player to make a so-called right strike, the ball storage unit 23 is converted to the second state as shown in FIG. It attaches to the 2 flowing down unit attaching part 100b. At this time, the ball flow unit 101 is attached to the second flow unit 100b in a posture different from the posture when attached to the first flow unit attachment portion 100a. Specifically, the discharge path forming unit 108 and the ball discharge path forming part 109 are separated, and the front and rear directions of the discharge path forming part 108 and the ball discharge path forming part 109 are respectively directed to the first downflow unit mounting portion 100a. The posture is reversed from the front-rear direction at the time of attachment, and the discharge passage forming portion 108 and the ball passage forming portion 109 are arranged and replaced so that the discharge passage forming portion 108 is closer to the other side of the back mechanism panel 15 (in FIG. 10). In addition to being arranged on the left side, the ball exit forming portion 109 is arranged on one side of the back mechanism panel 15 (right side in FIG. 10). In other words, the second falling unit mounting portion is set by setting the ball falling unit 101 to a posture rotated 180 degrees around the rotation shaft 82 of the state converting mechanism 36 from the posture attached to the first falling unit mounting portion 100a. Attach to 100b.

  As a result, the discharge passage forming portion 108 and the ball discharge passage forming portion 109 are overlapped with the insertion holes 112 and 116 facing each other, in other words, with the discharge side recess portion 111 and the ball discharge side recess portion 115 facing outward. Lined up side by side. Further, the discharge side recess 111 and the ball extraction side recess 115 are arranged on the same straight line. In this state, the attachment contact portion 108a of the discharge path forming portion 108 is overlapped with the attachment surface 105a of the attachment wall portion 105, and the discharge side When the concave portion 111 is fitted to the projection 106 and the ball flow-down unit 101 is attached to the second flow-down unit mounting portion 100b, the ball-out side concave portion 115 is fastened with a screw or the like that fastens the projection 106 and the ball flow-down unit 101. It functions as an insertion port for the member 118. Then, when the fastening member 118 is inserted from the ball outlet side recess 115 serving as the insertion port and fastened to the fastening hole 106a of the protrusion 106, the ball flow down unit 101 is fixed to the second flow down unit mounting portion 100b.

  Then, the ball storage unit 23, the discharge flow downway 25, and the ball drawout downway 26 can be arranged close to the other side of the back mechanism board 15 (left side in FIG. 10). Therefore, it is possible to avoid that one side (right side in FIG. 10) of the opening 16 is covered with the ball storage unit 23, the discharge flow downway 25, and the ball discharge downway 26, and the configuration on the back side of the game board 5 is the ball storage. There is no interference with the unit 23 or the ball flow downhill.

  Further, the discharge port 49 of the ball storage unit 23, the discharge flow downway 25, and the second discharge guide path 132 communicate with each other, and further, the ball discharge port 50, the ball discharge downway 26 of the ball storage unit 23 and the second ball discharge guide Road 147 communicates. When the ball discharge device 35 is operated in this state and the sprocket 40 is rotated in the forward rotation direction R, the game balls in the ball storage tank 34 are discharged from the discharge port 49 and discharged to the discharge flow down path 25 and the second discharge guide path 132. Is passed through the upper plate communication port 126 or the lower plate communication port 127 and supplied to the upper plate unit 9 or the lower plate unit 10. On the other hand, when the sprocket 40 is rotated in the reverse rotation direction L by operating the ball discharge device 35, the game balls in the ball storage tank 34 are discharged from the ball outlet 50, and the ball outlet flow 26 and the second ball outlet guide path. It flows down 147, passes through the ball outlet 128, and is collected in a ball collecting basket in the gaming machine island facility.

  In this way, the pachinko gaming machine 1 can increase the degree of freedom of the arrangement of the ball storage unit 23 and the ball flow downstream (the discharge flow downstream 25, the ball discharge downstream 26), and the ball storage unit 23 and the ball flow downward It is easy to change the arrangement of the road according to the configuration of the game board 5. Therefore, it becomes easy to set the configuration of the back side of the game board 5 and the arrangement of the directors on the front side (that is, the game area 8) without worrying about interference with the ball storage unit 23 and the ball flow downway. The pachinko gaming machine 1 with enhanced interest can be realized.

  Further, since the discharge flow down passage 25 and the ball discharge down passage 26 are formed in a meandering manner along the front-rear direction of the back mechanism board 15, the ball flow down unit 101 spreads laterally along the back mechanism board 15. Can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to further ensure a large arrangement space for the display device and the rendering agent (that is, the arrangement space for the center case 17) on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  Further, the discharge guide path 123 is provided with discharge guide ports 138 and 139 that can communicate with the lower end of the discharge flow down path 25 on both the left and right sides of the back mechanism board 15, respectively. Since the ball outlet guide ports 154 and 155 that can communicate with the lower end of the ball outlet lower passage 26 are provided respectively, the outlet guide passage 123 and the ball outlet can be adapted to change the arrangement of the outlet outlet lower passage 25 or the ball outlet lower passage 26. A guiding path 124 can be configured.

  The state conversion mechanism 36 includes a rotation shaft 82 arranged in the vertical direction and a rotation bearing 84 that pivotally attaches the rotation shaft 82 in a rotatable state. Since the storage tank 34 is disposed on the opposite side of the ball discharge device 35, the arrangement of the ball storage unit 23 can be changed only by rotating in the left-right direction. Therefore, the arrangement of the ball storage units 23 can be changed without spilling the game balls stored in the ball storage tank 34. From this, the burden of the arrangement change work of the ball storage unit 23 can be reduced. Moreover, the state conversion mechanism 36 can be realized with a simple structure, and the manufacturing cost of the ball storage unit 23 whose arrangement can be changed can be kept low.

  Furthermore, since the state conversion mechanism 36 allows the ball storage unit 23 to slide along the lateral direction of the back mechanism board 15, the degree of freedom in arrangement of the ball storage unit 23 can be further increased. Further, the rotation end of the ball storage unit 23 can be moved by sliding the state conversion mechanism 36. Therefore, even if the size of the sphere storage tank 34 is set to be more than half the width of the back mechanism board 15, the sphere storage unit 23 that rotates in the left-right direction can be accommodated within the width of the back mechanism board 15. it can. Thereby, the size of the sphere storage tank 34 is the distance between the sphere discharge device 35 and the state conversion mechanism 36, that is, the distance between the side portion of the back mechanism panel 15 where the sphere discharge device 35 is disposed and the state conversion mechanism 36. It is possible to eliminate inconveniences that are limited based on this, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the game ball storage capacity of the ball storage tank 34.

  In the above embodiment, the ball flow down unit 101 is configured to be separable into the discharge path forming unit 108 and the ball discharge path forming unit 109, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the discharge path forming unit You may comprise in the state which fixed and integrated 108 and the ball extraction path formation part 109. FIG.

  By the way, in the said embodiment, the operation | movement which arrange | positions the discharge flow downstream 25 and the ball extraction downstream 26 in the state adjacent, and discharges the game ball as a winning ball or a rental ball without changing the state of the ball storage unit 23. And the operation of extracting the game ball in the ball storage tank 34 to the outside, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 11 basically has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but the configuration around the opening 16 of the back mechanism board 15 is different.

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the back mechanism board 15 detects the state of the ball storage unit 23 on the side of the base member 81 of the state conversion mechanism 36 (the left side in FIG. 12). A possible detection switch 160 (corresponding to detection means in the present invention) is arranged. The detection switch 160 is movable in the front-rear direction, and is disposed in a state of covering the detection unit 161 that is always urged rearward (that is, in a direction protruding from the detection switch 160), and the detection unit 161. When the ball storage unit 23 is converted to the second state, the contact piece 162 is pressed by the side of the ball storage tank 34 and detected. The unit 161 is pushed in, and a state conversion signal notifying that the ball storage unit 23 has changed to the second state based on the pushing operation is transmitted to the control device (for example, the discharge control device 29). Further, when the ball storage unit 23 is converted to the first state, the contact piece 162 and the side of the ball storage tank 34 are separated from each other, and the detection unit 161 is converted to a state protruding from the detection switch 160, and this protrusion state is obtained. Based on this, transmission of the state conversion signal to the discharge control device 29 is stopped. With this transmission stop, the discharge control device 29 can recognize that the ball storage unit 23 has been converted to the first state.

  A discharge path forming portion 168 is attached to the first downflow unit mounting portion 100a located on one side of the back mechanism board 15, and a ball removal is attached to the second downflow unit attachment portion 100b located on the other side of the back mechanism board 15. A path forming portion 169 is attached. As shown in FIG. 11 (b), the discharge path forming part 168 and the ball extraction path forming part 169 of the second embodiment are vertically long, thick plates having the same shape as the discharge path forming part 108 of the first embodiment. It is an important member. The discharge path forming portion 168 is formed with a discharge flow path 25 for flowing down a game ball as a winning ball or a rental ball in a meandering manner along the front-rear direction of the back mechanism board 15. An inflow port is opened at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the upper end portion of the discharge passage forming portion 168, and an outlet of the discharge flow lower passage 25 is located in front of the lower end portion of the discharge passage forming portion 168 (leftward in FIG. 11B). ). Further, on the upper and lower sides of the mounting contact portion 168a, which is a portion of the side surface portion of the discharge path forming portion 168 that can overlap and face the mounting surface 105a of the mounting wall portion 105, protrusions of the first flow-down unit mounting portion 100a are provided. A plurality of (two in this embodiment) discharge-side recesses 171 into which 106 can be fitted are provided, and are inserted into the bottom portion located on the back side of the discharge-side recess 171 (opposite to the mounting wall portion 105). A hole 172 is opened. Then, the mounting contact portion 168a of the discharge path forming portion 168 is overlapped with the mounting surface 105a of the mounting wall portion 105, and the discharge side concave portion 171 is fitted to the projection 106 to be attached to the first downflow unit mounting portion 100a. In this state, a fastening member such as a screw inserted from the insertion hole 172 is fastened to the fastening hole 106a of the protrusion 106, and is fixed to the first flow unit attaching part 100a.

  In addition, the ball outlet forming portion 169 is formed with a ball outlet lower passage 26 that guides it to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a meandering manner along the front-rear direction of the back mechanism board 15. 26 is opened at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the upper end portion of the ball passage formation portion 169, and the outlet of the ball passage lower passage 26 is located behind the lower end portion of the ball passage formation portion 169 (FIG. 11). (B) Center left) Further, on the upper and lower sides of the mounting contact portion 169a, which is a portion that can overlap and face the mounting surface 105a of the mounting wall portion 105, of the side surface portion of the ball passage forming portion 169, the second downflow unit mounting portion 100b A plurality (two in this embodiment) of the ball extraction side recesses 175 into which the protrusions 106 can be fitted are provided to be recessed and located on the back side of the ball extraction side recesses 175 (opposite to the mounting wall portion 105). An insertion hole 176 is opened at the bottom. Then, the mounting contact portion 109a of the ball pull-out path forming portion 169 is overlapped with the mounting surface 105a of the mounting wall portion 105, and the ball pull-out side concave portion 115 is fitted to the protrusion 106, so that the mounting portion is attached to the second descending unit mounting portion 100b. In this state, a fixing member such as a screw inserted from the insertion hole 176 is fixed to the fixing hole 106a of the protrusion 106, and is fixed to the second downflow unit attaching portion 100b.

  Furthermore, a ball guiding portion 177 is provided below the opening 16 and below the flow-down unit mounting portion 100. The ball guide portion 177 basically has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but the configurations of the discharge guide path and the ball extraction guide path are different. More specifically, the discharge guiding path 181 of the ball guiding portion 177 has a different upstream configuration from the overflow channel 133, and the upper plate communication port 126 and the discharge are disposed at a portion upstream from the overflow channel 133. A discharge communication path 182 communicating with the downflow path 25 is provided. The discharge communication passage 182 is formed on one side (right side in FIG. 13) of the front surface of the ball guide forming portion 121, and includes a first discharge section 183 that hangs down from below the first flow-down unit mounting portion 100a, and the first discharge. A second discharge section 184 extending rearward from the lower end of the section 183 and penetrating the sphere guide forming section 121 and formed on the rear surface of the sphere guide forming section 121 and above the rear end of the second discharge section 184 It is comprised from the 3rd discharge | emission area part 185 inclined toward the upper part of the one side of the dish communication port 126. A discharge guide port 186 is opened at the upper end of the first discharge section 183 arranged on one side of the back mechanism board 15, and the discharge guide port 186 is connected to the first flow-down unit mounting portion 100a. The position and the size are set so that the game ball can pass through the lower end of the discharge flow path 25 in the formation portion 168. Further, the rear portion of the second discharge section portion 184 and the rear portion of the third discharge section portion 185 are closed by the mounting base 28 in the closed state.

  Further, the ball extraction guide path 191 of the ball guide section 177 has a different configuration except for the connection flow path 148 and the ball collection path 157. In other words, a ball discharge passage 192 that connects the connection flow passage 148 and the ball discharge lower passage 26 is provided on the side of the upper end of the connection flow passage 148 (left side in FIG. 13). The ball removal communication path 192 is formed on the other side (left side in FIG. 13) of the rear surface of the ball guide formation portion 121, and includes a first ball removal section 193 that hangs down from below the second flow-down unit attachment portion 100b, The first ball extraction section 193 extends forward from the lower end of the first ball extraction section 193 and penetrates the ball guide formation section 121. The second ball extraction section 194 is formed on the front surface of the ball guidance formation section 121. The third ball extraction section 195 is inclined downward from the front end toward the upper end of the connection flow path 148. Then, a ball extraction guide port 196 is opened at the upper end of the first ball extraction section 193 disposed on the other side of the back mechanism panel 15, and the ball extraction guide port 196 is attached to the second descending unit mounting portion 100b. Further, the position and size are set so that a game ball can pass through the lower end of the ball outlet lower passage 26 in the ball outlet forming portion 169. Further, the rear part of the first ball extraction section 193 and the rear part of the second ball extraction section 194 are closed by the mounting base 28 in the closed state.

  When the sphere storage unit 23 is converted to the first state with such a configuration, the discharge port 49 of the sphere discharge device 35 is disposed immediately above the inflow port of the discharge flow downway 25 as shown in FIG. Thus, the discharge port 49 and the discharge flow path 25 communicate with each other. Further, the detection switch 160 and the side portion of the ball storage tank 34 are separated from each other, and the detection switch 160 detects the conversion of the ball storage unit 23 to the first state. Then, the transmission of the state conversion signal from the detection switch 160 is stopped, and the discharge control device 29 stops the transmission of the state based on the stop of the transmission of the state conversion signal, that is, the ball storage unit 23 has converted to the first state. Allowing the game ball to be discharged to the path 25, specifically, allowing the discharge drive motor 46 of the ball discharge device 35 to be driven to rotate the sprocket 40 in the forward rotation direction R to discharge the game ball from the discharge port 49. To do. When the sprocket 40 is rotated in the forward rotation direction R in this permissible state, the game ball in the ball storage tank 34 flows down from the discharge port 49 to the discharge flow down path 25 and passes through the discharge communication path 182 of the ball guide portion 177. It can be supplied to the unit 9 or the lower dish unit 10.

  On the other hand, when the sphere storage unit 23 is converted to the second state, as shown in FIG. 12B, the discharge port 49 of the sphere discharge device 35 is disposed immediately above the inflow port of the sphere outlet channel 26, and the discharge port 49 communicates with the ball outlet channel 26. Further, the detection switch 160 and the side of the ball storage tank 34 come into contact with each other, and the detection switch 160 detects the conversion of the ball storage unit 23 to the second state. Then, a state conversion signal from the detection switch 160 is transmitted, and the discharge control device 29 transmits the state conversion signal, that is, based on the fact that the ball storage unit 23 has converted to the second state, the ball outlet flow 26 The game ball is allowed to be discharged, specifically, the discharge drive motor 46 of the ball discharge device 35 is driven to rotate the sprocket 40 in the forward rotation direction R to discharge the game ball from the discharge port 49. After a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) elapses in this allowable state, the discharge control device 29 drives the discharge drive motor 46 to rotate the sprocket 40 in the normal rotation direction R. Then, the ball discharge device 35 flows the game ball in the ball storage tank 34 from the discharge port 49 to the ball discharge downstream 26, and the ball in the gaming machine island facility through the ball discharge passage 192 of the ball guide portion 177. It can be collected in a collection tank.

  Therefore, the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the second embodiment only has to convert the state of the ball storage unit 23 to cause the ball storage unit 23 to discharge a game ball as a winning ball or a rental ball, The game ball can be switched to the outside operation. For this reason, it is not necessary to arrange a configuration for discharging the prize balls or the rental balls and a configuration for removing the balls in the ball storage unit 23 in advance. Specifically, it is not necessary to open the ball outlet 50 in the ball discharge device 35. Thereby, the structure of the sphere storage unit 23 can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the sphere storage unit 23 can be reduced.

  In addition, the ball discharge device 35 discharges the game ball to the ball outlet downstream 26 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection switch 160 detects the conversion of the ball storage unit 23 to the second state. Between the change to the second state and the time when the ball discharge device 35 discharges the game ball to the ball outlet channel 26, the ball outlet of the ball outlet channel 26 and the ball collection place outside the pachinko gaming machine 1 You can communicate. For example, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 attached to the gaming machine installation island facility, in order to change the state of the ball storage unit 23, it is necessary to open the front frame 3 to expose the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1. Then, the communication between the ball collection basket in the gaming machine island facility and the ball removal communication port 128 is released. However, between the time when the ball storage unit 23 is converted to the second state and the time when the ball discharge device 35 discharges the game ball to the ball discharge downstream 26, the front frame 3 is closed and the ball collection basket and the ball discharge communication port are closed. 128 can be communicated again. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the game balls flowing down the ball outlet channel 26 are scattered on the floor, and to smoothly remove the game balls from the ball storage unit 23. The burden can be reduced.

  Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the left and right ball flow-down units (discharge path forming part 168 or ball discharge path forming part 169) from being arranged so as to cover the left and right rear sides of the opening 16 of the back mechanism board 15. Therefore, the structure protruding from the back side of the game board 5 (the display device for performing the game effect, the rear part of the center case 17 having the effect agent, the control device for controlling the game, etc.) is the opening of the back mechanism board 15. The display device is arranged so as to extend on both the left and right sides of the game area 8 so that the player can perform so-called left-handed and right-handed evenly. It is easy to attach the gaming board 5 configured as described above.

  In the above-described embodiment, the state conversion mechanism 36 has the base member 81 arranged in a substantially vertical posture and the slide grooves 85 are provided on both upper and lower edges of the base member 81, but the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, in the modification shown in FIG. 14, the base member 201 is arranged in a substantially horizontal posture, and the slide grooves 202 are provided at both front and rear edges of the base member 201. The shaft member 203 is disposed with the plate-like base laid sideways, and includes an engaging portion 204 that can be slidably engaged with the slide groove 202 before and after the base portion. The rotating shaft 205 is erected on the side. When the base member 201 and the shaft member 203 are configured in this manner, the shaft member 203 and, as a result, the ball storage tank 34 can be supported by the base member 201 from below. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the load applied to the slide groove 202 and the engaging portion 204, which is preferable because the slide mechanism is hardly damaged.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the ball storage unit 23 which directly connected the ball discharge apparatus 35 to the inclination lower end in the ball storage tank 34 was convertible into a 1st state and a 2nd state, the structure of a ball storage unit is to this It is not limited. For example, the ball storage unit is capable of discharging the ball storage tank, the ball alignment path that communicates with the downstream side of the ball storage tank, allows the game balls to flow down while being aligned, and the game balls aligned by the ball alignment path The ball discharge portion may be configured to be connected in the same downward inclination direction. Or the structure which extended the ball | bowl alignment basket below the ball | bowl storage tank, and has arrange | positioned the ball | bowl discharge | emission apparatus to the lower end of this ball | bowl alignment tank may be sufficient.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the state conversion mechanism 36 was provided with the rotating shaft 82 and the rotation bearing 84, it was comprised so that a ball storage unit could be rotated in the left-right direction, and state conversion could be carried out. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any device may be used as long as it can be converted into a first state in which the ball discharging device is arranged on one side of the back mechanism board and a second state in which the ball discharging device is arranged on the other side of the back mechanism board. . For example, a link mechanism including a plurality of arms having a multi-joint structure may be used.

  And in each said embodiment, although the pachinko gaming machine 1 which is a typical game machine was illustrated and demonstrated, this invention is not restricted to this, The ball storage tank which stores a game ball, and this ball storage tank Any game machine may be used as long as it has a ball discharge device for discharging a stored game ball, for example, a game machine such as an arrange ball type game machine or a sparrow ball type game machine. Also good.

  It should be understood that the above-described embodiment is illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the above description, but is defined by the scope of the claims, and includes all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

It is a front perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a rear view of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine with the cover body removed. (A) is a perspective view of the ball storage unit in the first state, (b) is a perspective view of the ball storage unit in the second state. It is the exploded perspective view seen from the back of a ball storage unit and its circumference. It is the perspective view seen from the back of the 1st flow unit attachment part and a ball flow unit. (A) is a front perspective view of a discharge path formation part, (b) is a front perspective view of a ball extraction path formation part. It is AA sectional drawing in FIG. It is a rear view of a ball guidance part. It is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine in a state where the ball storage unit is converted to the second state and the ball flow unit is attached to the second flow unit attachment part. (A) is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine of the second embodiment, and (b) is a front perspective view of a discharge path forming part or a ball path forming part. It is a top view which shows the state of the ball storage unit in 2nd Embodiment, (a) is the state diagram converted into the 1st state, (b) is the state diagram converted into the 2nd state. It is a rear view of the ball guidance part in a 2nd embodiment. It is a modification of a base member and a shaft member.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 3 Front frame 9 Upper plate unit 10 Lower plate unit 15 Back mechanism board 16 Opening part 17 Center case 18 Game control device 23 Ball storage unit 25 Discharge flow down route 26 Ball flow down route 27 Ball guide portion 29 Discharge control device 34 Ball storage tank 35 Ball discharge device 36 State change mechanism 40 Sprocket 49 Discharge port 50 Ball outlet 76 Locked hole 77 Locked portion 78 Locking mechanism 78a First locking mechanism 78b Second locking mechanism 81 Base member 82 Rotating shaft 83 Shaft member 84 Rotating bearing 85 Slide groove 86 Engaging portion 90 Locking support portion 91 Locking rotating shaft 92 Locking piece 100 Flowing unit attaching portion 101 Ball falling unit 105 Mounting wall portion 106 Protrusion 108 Ejection Path formation part 109 Ball extraction path 123 Discharge guidance path 124 Ball extraction guidance path 138 First discharge induction port 139 Second discharge induction port 148 Connection flow 154 First ball extraction guide port 155 Second ball extraction guide port 160 Detection switch 161 Detection unit 162 Contact piece 168 Discharge path formation part 169 Ball extraction path formation part 177 Ball guide part 181 Discharge guide path 182 Discharge communication path 186 Discharge guidance 191 Sphere extraction guide path 192 Sphere extraction communication path 196 Sphere extraction guide port 201 Base member 202 Slide groove 203 Shaft member 204 Engaging portion 205 Rotating shaft

Claims (5)

A ball storage unit comprising a ball storage tank capable of storing game balls, and a ball discharge device communicating with one side of the ball storage tank and capable of discharging game balls stored in the ball storage tank. A gaming machine arranged in
The ball storage unit includes a state conversion mechanism capable of converting the arrangement state of the ball storage unit, and a first state in which the ball discharge device is arranged on one side of the back mechanism board by the state conversion mechanism; A gaming machine characterized in that it can be converted to a second state arranged on the other side.   The state conversion mechanism includes a pivot shaft arranged in a vertical direction and a pivot bearing that pivotally mounts the pivot shaft in a freely rotatable state, and includes a sphere with a sphere storage tank interposed therebetween. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is disposed on a side opposite to the discharging device.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the state conversion mechanism includes a slide mechanism that allows the ball storage unit to slide along the lateral direction of the back mechanism board. Comprising detection means capable of detecting the state of the ball storage unit;
The back mechanism board is provided with a discharge downflow path that causes a game ball as a prize ball or a rental ball to flow down on one side, and a ball outlet downflow path that guides the game ball to the outside of the gaming machine on the other side,
When the ball storage unit is converted to the first state, the ball storage unit communicates with the discharge downstream, and when the detection means detects the conversion of the ball storage unit to the first state, the ball storage unit is allowed to discharge the game ball to the discharge downstream. When converted to the second state, the ball communicates with the ball outlet and when the detecting means detects the conversion of the ball storage unit to the second state, the game ball is allowed to be discharged to the ball outlet downstream. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The game according to claim 4, wherein the ball discharging device discharges the game ball to the ball outlet downstream after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection means detects the conversion of the ball storage unit to the second state. Machine.

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