JP4437406B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that uses a game ball to perform a game, and more particularly to a gaming machine that can temporarily change a game ball that flows down along a game board surface to change the movement of the game ball.

  Among these types of gaming machines, in a type of gaming machine in which a relatively large display device is arranged at the center of the gaming area, the display device occupies a considerably large range in the gaming area. The range in which the game ball can move outside tends to be narrowed. In this case, since the movement of the game ball in the game area tends to be monotonous, an attempt is made to change the movement of the game ball using an accessory device or the like.

  For this reason, conventionally, there has been known a ball game machine in which a game ball is made to enter a central device disposed almost at the center of the game area and the course of the game ball is changed inside (see Patent Document 1). In this known ball game machine, a game ball movement area is formed in the central device, and the course of the game ball that has entered the game ball movement area is changed by a course changing member.

Specifically, when a flat play surface is formed in the above-mentioned game ball moving area, hemispherical projecting bodies are projected and immersed at a plurality of locations on the play surface, and have been rolled there. When the game ball comes into contact with the projecting body, the course is changed (see Example 1 of Patent Document 1). Alternatively, when a concave and convex movable member is arranged in the game ball moving area and the movable member is reciprocated to the left and right, the game ball touches the convex portion of the movable member and is flipped or slipped. However, most of the game balls enter the recess and are then guided to the near side (see Example 2 of Patent Document 1). Furthermore, when a drum containing a magnet is arranged in the game ball moving area and this drum is rotating, when the game ball rolls behind the drum, the game ball attracted by the magnet there is a drum. With this rotation, the path is forcibly moved to the near side and the course is changed (see Example 3 of Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-61059 A (Embodiment 1-3, FIG. 12, FIG. 15, FIG. 14)

  In the above known technique, a game ball is forcibly controlled by operating a certain course changing member in a certain pattern in the game ball moving area to bring the course changing member into contact with the game ball to prevent or restrict the course. It is recognized that it will change the course. However, in the known technique, there is a problem that the game ball does not come into contact with the course changing member at all, or even if it comes into contact with the destination, a certain degree of registration is obtained, so that it is still uninteresting.

  For example, when the above-described projecting body is used (Example 1 of publicly known document 1), while the projecting body is immersed under the play surface, the game ball only passes without contact, and there. Will not give a noticeable change in the path of the game ball. Alternatively, when the above-described movable member is used (Example 2 of publicly known document 1), the game ball passing through both sides of the movable member does not have a chance to come into contact with the convex portion. Is not given. On the other hand, when a drum with a built-in magnet is used (Example 3 of publicly known document 1), when the game ball comes into contact with the drum, the course is forcedly changed greatly by being attracted by the magnet, Since the destination is only the same as the direction of rotation of the drum, the future course can be easily predicted from there. In this case, since the course of the game ball is not changed except in a predetermined direction, there is no fun that the course of the game ball changes in an unexpected direction.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for changing the movement of a game ball in various ways and making its whereabouts not easily predictable.

(Solution 1)
The gaming machine of the present invention includes a display device arranged in the game area of the game board, a decoration body arranged to decorate the periphery of the display device, and a game ball provided to the decoration body to a predetermined winning opening. And a guide passage for guiding. In particular, in the present invention, interest can be enhanced by making it impossible to easily predict whereabouts in the process of guiding a game ball.

(Solution 2)
In order to solve the above-described problems, a gaming machine of the present invention is disposed in a gaming area of a gaming board, and can receive a game ball that flows down along the board surface temporarily, and a standing plate on the ball receiving part. A plurality of driving bodies arranged in a shape, and these driving bodies are arranged so as to overlap each other in the thickness direction, and the driving bodies are alternately divided into two groups in this arrangement direction, and the first driving body group and the second driving body are arranged. A first driving body that forms a body group and supports the two driving bodies adjacent to each other in the same group so that the distance between the two driving bodies is set smaller than the diameter of the game ball. And a drive mechanism for moving the group and the second drive body group up and down alternately.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, the first driving body group and the second driving body group are moved up and down relatively by the above driving mechanism, and the gaming machine is positioned in any one of the upper driving body groups. When the relative positional relationship between the first driver group and the second driver group is reversed upside down while the game ball is placed and supported between the upper end surfaces of two adjacent driver bodies, Of the two driving bodies adjacent to each other in the driving body group to be positioned next upward by reversing from the upper end surface of the two driving bodies adjacent to each other in the driving body group positioned up to By sequentially replacing the game balls between the upper end surfaces, a ball feeding operation for transferring the game balls in the arrangement direction of the driving bodies can be executed.

  The vertical movement of the two driving body groups by the driving mechanism may be, for example, a mode in which both are moved up and down in the opposite direction, or a mode in which one is fixed and only the other is moved up and down. Good. In any case, the two drive body groups are moved up and down relatively, so that in some cases, the upper end surfaces of the drive bodies belonging to one group protrude upward, and the drive bodies belonging to the other group immerse downward. The state of doing is realized. In such a state, the distance between two adjacent driving bodies in the group protruding upward is set smaller than the diameter of the game balls, so that the game balls are placed between these upper end surfaces. It can be supported in the placed state.

  When the positional relationship of the driving body group is reversed upside down from such a state, the driving body that has been supporting the game ball until then is immersed downward, and the other driving body is replaced instead. Protruding upward. At this time, the immersive driving body can no longer place the game ball, and the game ball that has lost its support is replaced by the next projecting driving body. The position of the driving body protruding at this time is shifted in the arrangement direction by one interval with respect to the driving body that has been above, so that when the game balls are replaced between the two, the result is Thus, the game balls are transferred in the arrangement direction.

  With the mechanism as described above, in the present invention, the ball feeding operation of the game ball can be realized only by the vertical movement of the driving body. During this time, the game ball can roll freely in the longitudinal direction of the driver, so the direction in which the game ball is transferred by the ball feeding operation is diverse, and the player can easily predict it. It will not be.

(Solution 3)
In addition, the present invention can have an independent aspect. That is, the gaming machine of the present invention is provided in the game area of the game board, and can be used for temporarily retaining the game balls flowing down along the board surface. A vertical plate-shaped first driving body having a shape undulation formed on the upper end surface, and a ball receiving portion arranged side by side with the first driving body, and the height position relative to the undulation on the upper end surface of the first driving body is the longitudinal direction A vertical plate-shaped second driving body having wave-shaped undulations shifted to the upper end surface, and a plurality of first driving bodies and a plurality of second driving bodies are alternately superposed and arranged, and this arrangement direction And a support mechanism that supports the first and second drive bodies so as to be relatively movable up and down with a space shorter than the diameter of the game ball between the first drive bodies or between the second drive bodies. A drive mechanism that moves the drive body and the second drive body alternately up and down relatively is provided.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, when one of the first and second driving bodies is positioned upward by the above driving mechanism, the upper end surfaces of the two first driving bodies or the second driving bodies that are at the upper position at this time When the relative positional relationship between the first driving body and the second driving body is reversed up and down while the game ball is placed and supported between them, The first and second driving bodies are sequentially transferred from between the upper end surfaces of the second driving body to the upper ends of the two first driving bodies or the second driving bodies that are the next higher by the reverse rotation. The ball feeding operation for transferring the game balls along the arrangement is executed.

  The independent solution means 3 is characterized in that a undulation pattern is formed on the upper end surface of the driving body. In this case, when the game ball is placed between the upper end surfaces of the two first drive bodies or the second drive bodies, the game ball fits well in the undulating valley portion on the upper end surface, and this valley Reciprocating rolling is possible by swinging in the longitudinal direction within the portion. On the other hand, since the undulation pattern is shifted in the longitudinal direction between the first driving body and the second driving body, the peak portion of the second driving body is located where there is a valley portion of the first driving body in the arrangement direction. Will be located. Therefore, when these positional relationships are reversed, the game balls are always transferred from one valley portion to the other mountain portion, and at this time, the game balls are distributed to both sides of the mountain portion at the destination. . Moreover, the distribution destination of the game balls is determined by the relative positional relationship between the position when the game ball is swaying in the valley portion before the transfer and the mountain portion of the transfer destination.

  As an example, when the longitudinal direction of each driving body is defined as left and right, the game ball is in a state of swinging left and right within the valley portion of one driving body before transferring. When the mountain portion of the other driving body protrudes there, if the game ball is located to the right from the top of the mountain portion, the game ball descends on the right slope of the mountain portion after the transfer, Sorted into the valley. On the other hand, if the game ball is located to the left from the apex of the mountain portion, the game ball descends the left slope of the mountain portion at the transfer destination and is distributed to the left valley portion.

  Since the sort operation as described above is accompanied with the ball feeding operation, the destination of the game ball becomes extremely diverse, and the destination changes rapidly, so it is difficult for the player to easily predict, It becomes an interesting aspect.

(Solution 4)
In the above solution 3, in the present invention, when the relative positional relationship between the first drive body and the second drive body is reversed up and down by the drive mechanism, The first driving body or the second driving body, which has been in the lower position until then, is pushed upward relatively between the two or between the two second driving bodies, and the gaming ball is pushed up along with this pushing-up operation. Can be replaced.

  In the present invention, the ball feeding operation of the game ball is realized only by the vertical movement of the first driving body and the second driving body, but when the positional relationship of these driving bodies is reversed, it has been in the lower level until then. When the other driving body pushes up the game ball, this is an opportunity for positively moving the game ball in the arrangement direction. For this reason, in the present invention, it is possible to rationally realize the ball feeding operation of the game ball.

(Solution 5)
Further, in the solving means 3 and 4 described above, the ball receiving portion has a certain depth from the front side facing the player and extends in the width direction of the game board, and the first and second driving bodies extend in the depth direction. Are preferably arranged alternately, and at the innermost position, a partition wall for blocking the movement of the game ball in the rear direction of the game board is arranged.

  In such an aspect, since the game ball is transferred from the back side to the near side of the board as viewed from the player, when the game ball is finally released from the forefront of the ball receiving portion, the game ball It is possible to effectively combine the effects of guiding the player toward a specific winning opening or distributing the ball to a specific ball guiding path. Further, since the game ball is dammed up by the partition wall at the deepest position of the ball receiving portion, the game ball does not move undesirably toward the back of the game board.

(Solution 6)
In the solving means 5 described above, the first and second driving bodies have the highest height position of the upper end surface at the rearmost position in a state where they are relatively higher, and the height increases from the front to the front side. A mode in which the height position of the end face is set to be gradually lower is more preferable. In this case, since each driving body is shorter as it is located on the front side of the array, when the gaming ball is replaced between the first driving body and the second driving body, the gaming ball is a ball. Since it becomes easy to move naturally toward the front side of the receiving part, a natural and smooth ball feeding operation is realized in the ball receiving part.

(Solution 7)
Further, in the above solution 5, 6, the position where the two first driving bodies and the second driving body, which are in any higher order, contact the game balls before and after these arrangements is set as the front contact position and the rear contact position, respectively. When the position where the second driving body or the first driving body sandwiched between them comes into contact with the game ball when the next driving position becomes higher due to the reversal of the positional relationship is set as the intermediate contact position, the rear contact is made from the intermediate contact position. The distance set to the position may be set shorter than the distance to the front contact position.

  If it is such an aspect, when the positional relationship between the first driving body and the second driving body is reversed, the next higher driving body protrudes upward than the center of gravity of the game ball. Since the game ball is brought into contact with the backside position (intermediate contact position), an action of pushing the game ball toward the front surface by pushing up at the intermediate contact position occurs. In addition, as already described in the solution means 4, in the present invention, the driving body pushes up the game ball, which triggers the ball feeding operation. At this time, the game ball is pushed toward the front, so that it is more rational. It is possible to realize a ball feeding operation of a game ball.

(Solution 8)
Alternatively, in the above-described solving means 5 to 7, it is more preferable that the upper end surface of each driving body is formed as an inclined surface that descends from the rear side to the front side of the array. In this case, when the game ball is transferred between the first drive body and the second drive body, the game ball is guided toward the front side along the inclination of the upper end surface thereof, so that the game is surely and smoothly performed. The sphere can be transferred in a certain direction.

  In addition, if the upper end surface of each driving body is formed as an inclined surface that descends to the near side, the top of the inclination is always located on the rear side, so when the driving body pushes up the game ball by reversing the positional relationship The game ball comes into contact with the apex on the back side first. Therefore, for example, even when the first driving body and the second driving body are arranged at a constant interval (equal pitch), the “front contact position” and the “rear contact position” defined by the solving means 7 A relative distance relationship with the “intermediate contact position” is easily realized.

(Other solutions)
Alternatively, in order to realize the relative distance relationship between the “front contact position” and the “rear contact position” and the “intermediate contact position” defined by the solving means 7 described above, two adjacent first drives in the array You may set the space | interval with the 2nd drive body or 1st drive body pinched | interposed between this between the bodies or the 2nd drive bodies longer than the back | inner side of an arrangement | sequence. In this case, since the driving body that should be the next highest protrudes from the rearward position of the array, the “intermediate contact position” that should come into contact with the game ball is also rearward accordingly.

  The gaming machine of the present invention can give an unusual change to the movement of the game ball by the vertical movement of the driving body. In addition, the gaming machine of the present invention exerts a highly entertaining effect by variously assigning the moving destination of the game ball along the undulation pattern of the driving body.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine will be described along the following items with reference to the corresponding drawings.

1. Overview of one embodiment (FIG. 1)
2. Equipment device (Figure 2)
3. Ball receiver (Fig. 2)
4). Driving body (FIGS. 2 to 3)
5). Drive unit (Fig. 4)
5-1. Support mechanism (Fig. 4)
5-2. Drive mechanism (FIGS. 5 to 8)
5-3. Contact position of the driver (Fig. 8)
5-4. Partition wall layout (Figs. 8-9)
5-5. Arrangement and form of the driving body (FIGS. 8 to 9)
6). Example of operation 6-1. Pattern 1
6-1-1. Inflow operation of game balls (FIG. 10)
6-1-2. Game ball transfer operation (FIG. 10)
6-1-3. Destination of the game ball accompanying the transfer operation (FIG. 10)
6-1-4. Ball feeding operation (Fig. 11)
6-1-5. Release path from ball receiver (Fig. 12)
6-2. Pattern 2 (Fig. 13)
6-3. Other patterns 6-4. Summary of operation example 7. Reference to other embodiments

(1. Overview of Embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a game board 1 that can be applied to a pachinko machine according to an embodiment. This game board 1 can be used by being mounted on a frame body (not shown) of a pachinko machine, and usually, the frame body is provided with a base frame portion for detachably supporting the game board 1. Yes. In addition to the front frame that decorates the front of the pachinko machine 1, the frame is provided with a glass frame (not shown) that covers the front of the game board 1, and the game board 1 is attached to the frame. When the front surface of the game board 1 is covered with a glass frame in a state of being played, the player can visually recognize the board surface of the game board 1 through the central glass plate.

  A substantially circular game area is formed at the center of the game board 1, and the periphery of the game area is partitioned by guide rails 2 and 4. A large number of guide nails (without reference numerals) are provided in a predetermined gauge arrangement inside the game area, and the wind turbine 6, the ball entry device 8, the attacker device 10, the general winning opening 12, and the like are not shown as the panel surface components. A decorative lamp or the like is provided. In an actual pachinko machine, a game can be advanced by launching a game ball into the game area with a ball launcher (not shown).

  In the game area, a particularly large accessory device 14 is disposed at a substantially central position, and a display device 16 such as a symbol is disposed inside the game device. The accessory device 14 is formed so as to decorate the periphery of the display device 16, and its specific form is designed to symbolize the board configuration of the game board 1 and the game contents. Further, the accessory device 14 has a built-in decorative lamp (not shown), and the decorative lamp can be used to perform the light emission decoration.

  The accessory device 14 can add interest to the game by guiding the fired game balls to be distributed to the left and right within the game area, or by performing an effect of blinking a decorative lamp at the time of winning a prize or the like. . In the present embodiment, a ball receptacle 18 is formed so as to protrude from the left edge of the accessory device 14, and a game ball that has jumped into the ball receptacle 18 passes through a warp passage (not shown). 14 is guided inside. Further, a ball receiving portion 20 is provided at a lower edge portion of the accessory device 14 at a position directly below the display device 16, and the game ball guided through the warp passage is released to the ball receiving portion 20. Has become.

  In the ball receiving unit 20, the game ball stays temporarily, and various changes are given to the movement of the game ball during this time. Thereafter, the game ball is released again from the front side of the ball receiving unit 20 into the game area. At this time, the game ball released from the center of the ball receiving unit 20 wins the ball entering device 8, that is, the start winning opening. It becomes easy. The movement of the game ball at the ball receiving unit 20 will be further described later.

  In addition, guide rods 22 and 24 are formed on the lower edge portion of the accessory device 14 so as to project to the left and right, and these guide rods 22 and 24 have a gentle downward slope toward the center of the game area. is doing. When the game balls distributed to the left and right above the accessory device 14 are received by the guide rods 22 and 24, the game balls are guided to the center along the inclination and further released from the guide rods 22 and 24. Falls, for example, via the windmill 6.

  The display device 16 is in a positional relationship that is substantially opposed to the player from the front, and various symbols, character information, video, and the like are displayed on the display device 16 as the game progresses with the pachinko machine. As a known operation example, the display device 16 starts to change when the game ball wins the ball entering device 8 and stops after a certain time has elapsed. At this time, if the symbol stops in a predetermined display mode (for example, a state in which three symbols of the same kind are arranged), a big hit is made, thereby shifting to the big hit gaming state. During the big hit game, the attacker device 10 operates in a predetermined operation pattern, and a winning can be made while the big winning opening is opened. Thereby, the player can obtain more prize balls than in the normal gaming state. However, the operation of the display device 16 in the pachinko machine is not limited to this.

(2. Equipment)
FIG. 2 shows the accessory device 14 collected. Inside the accessory device 14, the screen of the display device 16 is in a recessed position. Therefore, a space for the ball receiving portion 20 is secured on the front side of the display device 16. The ball receiving portion 20 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from above, and extends in the width direction directly below the display device 16 along the lower edge portion of the accessory device 14 and from the front (board surface) side facing the player. It has a certain depth toward the display device 16.

  Further, at the lower edge of the accessory device 14, two upper and lower ball receiving shelves 26 and 28 are formed on the front side of the ball receiving unit 20. These ball receiving racks 26, 28 extend almost fully along the lower edge of the accessory device 14, and the upper ball receiving rack 26 is adjacent to the ball receiving unit 20.

  A partition wall 30 is provided between the upper ball receiving shelf 26 and the lower ball receiving shelf 28. The center of the partition wall 30 is greatly raised in a mountain shape. After being interrupted at both sides, the partition wall 30 is raised again, and thereafter continues to the both ends of the ball receiving shelf 26 at a substantially constant height. The ball receiving rack 26 is formed with ball discharge paths 26a at two locations where the partition wall 30 is interrupted, and the upper and lower ball receiving racks 26 and 28 are connected through the ball discharge paths 26a. The game balls released from the ball discharge path 26 a can either cross the lower ball receiving shelf 28 and fall into the game area as they are, or can be transferred to the lower ball receiving shelf 28.

  In addition, a ball receiving shelf 26 rises along the partition wall 30 between the ball discharge paths 26a, and a ball entrance 26b is formed at the center. On the other hand, a ball discharge port 32 is formed in the lower edge portion of the accessory device 14 at the center position on the front surface, and this ball discharge port 32 is connected to the above-described entrance 26 b through the ball guide path 34. . The ball guide path 34 extends downward from the entrance 26 b, then bends in an L shape, passes under the ball receiving shelf 28, and communicates with the ball discharge port 32 on the front surface of the accessory device 14. The ball discharge path 32 is located immediately above the ball entry apparatus 8 (start winning prize opening), and the game ball that has entered the above-described ball entry opening 26b is discharged from the ball discharge opening 32 on the front surface through the ball guide path 34. Therefore, it is possible to win the start winning opening with a considerably high probability.

  The lower ball receiving shelf 28 is curved in a shape where the center is depressed, and the game ball staying in the ball receiving shelf 28 rolls so as to swing left and right, and eventually spills from the center to the front side. It becomes. A ball discharge path 28a is formed at the central position of the ball receiving shelf 28, and this ball discharge path 28a is also located immediately above the ball entry device 8, so that the game balls released from the ball discharge path 28a Will be able to win the starting prize opening with a certain probability.

(3. Ball receiving part)
Next, the ball receiver 20 will be described in detail. The ball receiving shelf 26 and the ball receiving portion 20 are partitioned by a partition wall 36, and a wavy undulation is formed at the upper end of the partition wall 36. The undulation pattern here is depressed so that the valley of the wave is located at the center when viewed in the longitudinal direction, and the bottom of the valley is connected to the entrance 26b. Further, the valleys on both sides thereof are located almost directly above the above-described spherical discharge path 26a.

  On the other hand, a partition wall 38 is formed at the innermost position of the ball receiving portion 20, and the partition wall 38 partitions the ball receiving portion 20 and the display device 16. Although both side ends of the ball receiving portion 20 are also partitioned by the side wall 40, only the left side wall 40 is shown in FIG. The left side wall 40 is partially open at the back, and a spherical guide path 42 is connected to the open portion. The ball guide path 42 is formed so as to meander from the left end of the lower edge portion of the accessory device 14, and is connected to the partition wall 38 at the back left side of the ball receiving portion 20.

  The game ball that has jumped into the ball receiving port 18 is guided to the ball guide path 42 through the warp path as shown by the wavy line in FIG. Further, the game ball rolls along the ball guide path 42 and then rolls along the partition wall 38 from the left back of the ball receiving portion 20 toward the center.

(4. Driving body)
A plurality of driving bodies 44 and 46 are disposed in the ball receiving portion 20. Each of the drive bodies 44 and 46 has a standing plate shape, is erected so that its longitudinal direction is along the board surface, and is arranged so as to overlap in the thickness direction when viewed from the front.

  In addition, the drive bodies 44 and 46 each have a shape in which the upper end face (small end face) has a wave-like undulation, and two groups (a first drive body group and a second drive body group) due to the difference in the undulation pattern. ). In FIG. 2, the driving bodies 44 classified into one group are indicated by solid lines, and the driving bodies 46 classified into the other group are indicated by two-dot chain lines. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, a member belonging to one group is referred to as a “first driver”, and a member belonging to the other group is referred to as a “second driver”.

  In the ball receiving portion 20, the first driving body 44 and the second driving body 46 are alternately positioned when viewed in the arrangement direction (front-rear direction). That is, when viewed in the arrangement direction, the second driving body 46 is adjacent to the first driving body 44, and the first driving body 46 is positioned on both sides (front and rear) of the second driving body 46. It can be said that the relationship is alternate.

  In FIG. 3, the first driver 44 and the second driver 46 are shown separately. As shown in FIG. 3A, there are a total of four first drive bodies 44, and the most deeply located ball receiving portion 20 is close to the partition wall 38, and conversely is closest to the front. What is to be done is close to the partition wall 36.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, there are a total of three second drive bodies 46, and each of the second drive bodies 46 is positioned between two second drive bodies 46. is doing. For this reason, even if it is located at the innermost part of the ball receiving portion 20, it is located at a position farther from the first drive body 44 with respect to the partition wall 38, and even if it is located at the foremost side, the partition wall 36 The first drive body 44 is located farther from the first drive body 44.

  Next, when comparing the undulation patterns of the upper end surfaces of the first and second driving bodies 44 and 46, first, in the first driving body 44, the bottom of the wave is located at the center, and from there, two waves symmetrically left and right. The undulation pattern with mountains continues. In the case of the present embodiment, the first drive body 44 has substantially the same relief pattern as that of the front partition wall 36. Therefore, when viewed from the front, the partition wall 36 and the four first drive bodies 44 have the same waveform. Configure.

  On the other hand, in the second driving body 46, the top of the wave is located at the center, and the undulation pattern having two wave peaks symmetrically continues from there. For this reason, the undulation pattern is shifted in the longitudinal direction between the second drive body 46 and the first drive body 44, and the peak of the second drive body 46 is located exactly in the middle of the valley of the first drive body 44. If both of these undulation patterns are compared to a wave (function) that repeats at a constant period, the wavelength of the undulation pattern is substantially the same between the first driving body 44 and the second driving body 46, and its phase It can be said that is shifted by a half cycle.

  In FIG. 3, the reason why the first driving body 44 and the second driving body 46 belonging to the two groups are separately shown is as follows. That is, in the ball receiver 20, both the first driving body 44 and the second driving body 46 are supported so as to be movable up and down, and these are driven up and down collectively for each group. Furthermore, when the two groups are alternately driven up and down, when only the group of the first drive bodies 44 protrudes from the surface of the ball receiving portion 20 ((a) in FIG. 3), The case where only the group protrudes ((b) in FIG. 3) occurs alternately.

(5. Drive unit)
In the present embodiment, the operations of the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46 are realized by a drive unit built in the accessory device 14. Hereinafter, the drive unit will be described in detail while showing the configuration of each part.

  FIG. 4 shows the drive unit 48 alone. The outer side of the driving unit 48 is covered with a casing 48a, and the first driving body 44 and the second driving body 46 are accommodated inside the casing 48a. The casing 48a is formed with the partition wall 36, the partition wall 38, the side wall 40, the ball guide path 42, and the like. In FIG. 4, only the left half of the casing 48a is shown, and the right half of the casing 48a is omitted. However, the outer shape of the casing 48a can be considered as being almost symmetrical.

  Further, the drive unit 48 is detachable from the rear side with respect to the lower edge portion of the accessory device 14, and therefore, brackets 48b are formed on both sides of the drive unit 48 (only the left side is shown in FIG. 4). )

  A gear box 48c is attached to the rear side of the casing 48a, and a gear train 50 is built in the gear box 48c. Further, a motor 48d is attached to the rear side of the gear box 48c, and the gear train 50 is driven by the power of the motor 48d.

(5-1. Support mechanism)
A support mechanism 48e is provided in the casing 48a. The support mechanism 48e is arranged in a pair on both sides of the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46 (only the right side is shown in FIG. 4), and each support mechanism 48e includes the first drive body 44 and The side edges of the second driver 46 are disposed so as to enclose all at once, and further, seven guide grooves 48f extending in the vertical direction are formed inside thereof. Both side edges of the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46 are fitted in the guide grooves 48f, and are slidable vertically in the corresponding guide grooves 48f.

(5-2. Drive mechanism)
FIG. 5 shows the drive unit 48 from the back, in which the casing 48a is omitted. The gear train 50 includes a transmission gear 50b in addition to the drive gear 50a attached to the output shaft of the motor 48d. The drive gear 50a and the transmission gear 50b rotate at the same speed as the motor 48d. Further, driven gears 50c are arranged at both ends of the gear train 50, and these driven gears 50c rotate faster than the drive gear 50a or the transmission gear 50b.

  In FIG. 5, if the drive gear 50a is rotated clockwise, the leftmost driven gear 50c is rotated counterclockwise, while the rightmost driven gear 50c is rotated clockwise. It has become.

  Next, FIG. 6 shows the drive unit 48 from the front. As shown in FIG. 6, a center guide 52 is disposed in the center of the drive unit 48, and the center guide 52 extends in the front-rear direction so as to penetrate the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46. In accordance with this, a long hole 54 extending in the vertical direction is formed in the first driving body 44 and the second driving body 46, and all of the first driving body 44 and the second driving body 46 have the long holes 54. The center guide 52 can be slid up and down with the center guide 52 inserted therethrough.

  In the gear train 50, the driven gears 50c at both ends are attached to one end of the cam shaft 56, and the cam shaft 56 extends through the drive unit 48 in the front-rear direction. A plurality of cams 56 a and 56 b are formed around the cam shaft 56 in the axial direction, and these cams 56 a and 56 b are formed at seven locations corresponding to the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46. ing. Correspondingly, cam receiving holes 58 are formed in the first driving body 44 and the second driving body 46, and the individual cams 56 a and 56 b enter the corresponding cam receiving holes 58. The individual cams 56 a and 56 b can freely rotate within the cam receiving hole 58.

  When viewed around the axis of the cam shaft 56, the two types of cams 56a and 56b are formed at symmetrical positions (opposite phases). For example, in FIG. 6, the upward cam 56 a corresponds to the first drive body 44, while the downward cam 56 b corresponds to the second drive body 46. Accordingly, the cams 56a and 56b are also formed alternately in the axial direction of the cam shaft 56, of which the cam 56a is arranged at four locations and the cam 56b is arranged at three locations. The outer shapes (cam profiles) themselves of the cams 56a and 56b are the same.

  FIG. 7 shows a state where the camshaft 56 is further rotated by 180 °. In this case, the cam 56a corresponding to the first drive body 44 faces upward, and conversely, the cam 56b corresponding to the second drive body 46 faces upward. In accordance with this, the positional relationship between the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46 is switched up and down. That is, the second drive body 46 hidden between the first drive bodies 44 in FIG. 6 protrudes upward in FIG. 7, and conversely, the first drive body 46 is the first except for the one closest to the front side. It is hidden between the two driving bodies 46.

  FIG. 8 shows the cam shaft 56 by its cross section. As shown in the figure, when one of the cams 56a is extended upward, all of the four first drive bodies 44 corresponding thereto are pushed up. On the contrary, since the other cam 56b is in a state of hanging downward, all of the three second drive bodies 46 corresponding thereto are lowered by their own weight. In this case, the first drive body 44 is positioned relatively higher than the second drive body 46, and conversely, the second drive body 46 is positioned relatively lower.

  When the camshaft 56 rotates 180 ° from this state, one cam 56a is now hanging downward, so that the first drive body 44 is all lowered by its own weight, and the other cam 56b is turned upward. The second drive body 46 is all pushed up. As a result, the positional relationship between the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46 is reversed up and down as described above, and in this case, the second drive body 46 is positioned relatively upward, and the first drive The body 44 is positioned relatively below.

  In this way, in the drive unit 48, the two cam shafts 56 are rotated in synchronization by operating the motor 48d, and along with this rotation, the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46 belonging to the two groups The operation of alternately exchanging the positions alternately up and down is repeated.

(5-3. Contact position of driving body)
In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 as a comparative reference, the game balls are indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the distance between the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46 in the arrangement direction The distance between the two first driving bodies 44 belonging to the same group and smaller than the radius or between the two second driving bodies 46 is set smaller than the diameter of the game ball. For this reason, for example, when the first driving body 44 is positioned relatively upward, the game ball is not sandwiched or dropped between the two first driving bodies 44 (the upper end surface). Between the two edges).

  At this time, when the position where the first driving body 44 on the near side in contact with the game ball in the arrangement direction is defined as the “front contact position”, this can be represented by a circled symbol (F) in FIG. Similarly, if the position where the first driving body 44 on the back side contacts the game ball is defined as a “rear contact position”, this can be represented by a circled symbol (R) in FIG. Further, when the second driving body 46 sandwiched between the two first driving bodies 44 is positioned next to the upper position by the reverse rotation, the position that should be contacted with the game ball first is defined as the “intermediate contact position”. Can be represented by a circled symbol (C) in FIG.

  When each contact position is defined, a distance L2 from the intermediate contact position (C) to the rear contact position (R) is shorter than a distance L1 from the intermediate contact position (C) to the front contact position (F). It is set (L1> L2). Accordingly, the intermediate contact position (C) is located behind the game ball (below the center of gravity) and toward the back, and when the second drive body 46 moves upward next due to the reverse rotation, the second drive body 46 becomes the game ball. The position behind the center of gravity is pushed up.

  The establishment of such a distance relationship is based on the relationship between the arrangement interval of the drive bodies 44 and 46 and the shape of the upper end surface. That is, in the present embodiment, the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46 are arranged at equal intervals, but each upper end surface is provided with a downward slope toward the front side, so that the top of the slope is Be sure to be behind. In this case, when each driver 44, 46 pushes up the game ball by reversing the positional relationship, the game ball comes into contact with the game ball first from the apex on the back side, so that from the intermediate contact position (C) to the rear contact position (R). The distance L2 is inevitably shorter than the distance to the front contact position (F). The inclination of the upper end surfaces of the drive bodies 44 and 46 will be further described later.

  Alternatively, such a relative distance relationship between the front contact position (F) and the rear contact position (R) and the intermediate contact position (C) can be realized by the arrangement interval of the drive bodies 44 and 46. For example, as viewed in the arrangement direction of FIG. 8, the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46 may not be all the same distance, but may be provided alternately with long and short intervals. For example, the second driving body 46 sandwiched between the two first driving bodies 44 adjacent to each other in the same group may be arranged from the middle to the back side. In this case, the distance between the second drive body 46 and the first drive body 44 located behind (back side) is shorter, and conversely, the distance between the front (front side) first drive body 44 is set longer. Will be. Accordingly, when viewed in FIG. 8, the second driving body 46 is located behind the game ball (below the center of gravity) and closer to the back, and when the second driving body 46 moves upward from this position, the second driving body 46 is moved. Will push behind the center of gravity of the game ball.

  As a result, the distance L2 from the intermediate contact position (C) to the rear contact position (R) is set shorter than the distance L1 from the intermediate contact position (C) to the front contact position (F) as in the above case. (L1> L2).

(5-4. Arrangement of partition walls)
Further, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 8, the distance between the innermost partition wall 38 and the first driving body 44 in front of the partition wall 38 is also smaller than the radius of the game ball. The distance between the first driving body 44 and the second driving body 46 is set shorter. Therefore, since there is no space for placing the game ball between the partition wall 38 and the first drive body 44 in front of the partition wall 38, the game ball does not stay between them. In addition, the partition wall 38 is taller than the first driving body 44 when positioned above, and the game ball is blocked there, so that the game ball moves (rolls) to the back side from the partition wall 38. There is nothing.

  Next, FIG. 9 shows a state when the second driving body 46 is positioned relatively upward. In this case, a space for allowing the game ball to enter is secured between the innermost partition wall 38 and the second drive body 46 immediately before it, so that the game ball can stay in the space. At this time, the game ball is held between the edge of the upper end surface of the second driver 46 and the wall surface of the partition wall 38. Here, similarly, since the space | interval smaller than the diameter of a game ball is ensured between the 2nd drive body 46 and the partition wall 38, a game ball does not pinch | interpose and fall between these.

  When the second driving body 46 is positioned relatively upward, the game ball is not sandwiched or dropped between the two second driving bodies 46 (the edge of the upper end surface). It is the same as the above that it is held in a state where it is placed between.

(5-5. Arrangement and form of driving body)
Next, the arrangement and features of the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46 will be described. For example, when compared with the height from the camshaft 56, when either the first drive body 44 or the second drive body 46 is positioned upward, the one at the back of the array is the tallest, and the array The one in front of is shorter. Therefore, in the state where the first driving body 44 or the second driving body 46 is relatively higher, the height position of the upper end surface is the highest at the back of the array, and increases from the top toward the front side. The height position of the end face is set to be gradually lowered.

  Further, as is apparent from the cross-sectional shapes shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper end surfaces of the first driving body 44 and the second driving body 46 are formed as inclined surfaces that descend from the rear side to the front side of the array. ing. The slope of the inclined surface is preferably in a relatively gentle range (for example, a downward slope of about 5 ° to 15 ° from the horizontal plane), and within such a range, between the two first drive bodies 44 or the two first A game ball can be satisfactorily placed between the two driving bodies 46.

(6. Example of operation)
Next, an operation example by the drive unit 48 will be described.
As described above, during the progress of the game by the pachinko machine, the game ball that has jumped into the ball receiving port 18 of the accessory device 14 is discharged from the warp passage (not shown) through the ball guide path 42 to the ball receiving portion 20. On the other hand, the drive unit 48 alternately moves the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46 up and down at regular intervals while operating the motor 48d at a predetermined pattern (for example, constant rotation speed). At this time, the movement of the game ball released to the ball receiving unit 20 is roughly divided into two patterns. One is the case where the first drive body 44 is positioned relatively upward, and the other is the case where the second drive body 46 is positioned upward. Hereinafter, an operation example will be described by dividing into these two patterns.

(6-1. Pattern 1)
(6-1-1. Game Ball Inflow Operation)
For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, when a game ball is released from the ball guide path 42 at the timing when the first driving body 44 is positioned above, the game ball is It flows between the first driving body 44 and the first driving body 44 just before it, and is guided between these upper end surfaces (between edges) and rolls in the lateral direction (right direction in this example). At this time, the initial velocity (momentum) at which the game ball is released is not always constant, and there is some variation. For this reason, of the released game balls, those with relatively low initial speed are returned to the valley without being able to get over any of the mountain parts, or lose momentum when they get over one or two mountain parts, You can't get over the mountain. On the other hand, a game ball that has been released at a relatively high initial speed sometimes rides over two to three mountain parts and rolls to the center of the ball receiving unit 20. In the example shown in FIG. 10 (a), the game ball stalls when it climbs over the first mountain portion as viewed in the rolling direction, and stays in the valley portion A1 ahead. During this time, the game ball rolls so as to swing left and right in the valley portion A1.

(6-1-2. Game ball replacement operation)
Next, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), when the positional relationship between the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46 is reversed up and down by the drive unit 48, the upper 2 until then is reached. The game balls are transferred from between the upper end surfaces of the two first driving bodies 44 to the upper end surfaces of the two second driving bodies 46 that are the next higher by reversing the positional relationship.

  In the above process, when the second driving body 46 protrudes relatively upward from between the two first driving bodies 44, the game ball is moved to the second driving body 46 as indicated by a two-dot chain line. It is pushed up by the upper end surface of. At this time, the game ball is pushed upward from the center of gravity of the game ball so that the game ball moves so as to be pushed forward, and the ball moves along the inclination of the upper end surface of the second driving body 46. Guided toward the front side of the receiving unit 20. Further, at this time, the second driving body 46 is set so as to be shorter in the front side of the array, so that the game ball easily moves naturally toward the front side of the ball receiving unit 20. As a result, with the reversal of the positional relationship between the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46, the game balls are smoothly transferred between the upper end surfaces of the two second drive bodies 46 that are relatively higher. It will be.

(6-1-3. Destination of the game ball accompanying the transfer operation)
On the other hand, at the timing when the second driving body 46 protrudes relatively upward from between the two first driving bodies 44, is the gaming ball at the right side from the center of the valley portion A1 or at the left side at this timing? When the game ball is replaced by, the movement destination is different on the left and right.

  That is, as already described, the wavy undulation pattern is shifted in the longitudinal direction between the first driving body 44 and the second driving body 46, and the second driving body is located approximately in the middle of the valley portion A 1 of the first driving body 44. The apex of 46 peak portions is located. For this reason, when the game ball is located to the right from the center of the valley portion A1, it moves so as to be distributed to the valley portion B2 on the right side of the mountain portion protruding from the lower side, and conversely from the center of the valley portion A1. When it is on the left side, it moves so as to be distributed to the left valley portion B1. Further, since the game ball swings to the left and right during this time, it is determined from the player whether the next destination for the game ball transfer operation is the right valley portion B2 or the left valley portion B1. At first glance, it is difficult to predict, and it is extremely accidental.

  In the example of FIG. 10B, the game ball is moved to the right valley portion B2. In addition, after such a repositioning operation, the game ball rolls so as to further swing left and right within the valley portion B2.

(6-1-4. Ball feeding operation)
As shown in FIG. 11A, when the reversal of the positional relationship further occurs and the first driver 44 is positioned upward again, the game ball is next moved to the two first drives positioned on the near side. It is transferred between the upper end surfaces of the body 44. Similarly, the game ball is pushed up right above the center of gravity by the first driver 44 and moved to the near side, and is guided to the near side along the inclination of the upper end surface. In addition, since the first driver 44 is also set to be shorter as it is closer to the front side of the array, the game ball is likely to move naturally toward the front side of the ball receiving unit 20, and as a result, two The game ball is smoothly transferred between the upper end surfaces of the first driver 44.

  Further, at this time, whether the game ball moves to the left valley portion A1 or the right valley portion B2 is the same mechanism as described above. From the center of the valley portion B2 on the second driver 46, If it is on the right side, it moves so as to be distributed to the right valley part A2 rather than the peak part protruding from below, and conversely if it is to the left from the center of the valley part B2, it moves to the left valley part A1. It will move so that it can be distributed.

  Thereafter, when the second driving body 46 is positioned upward, as shown in FIG. 11B, the game ball is next between the upper end surfaces of the two second driving bodies 46 positioned on the near side. Can be replaced. The movement mode of the game ball at this time (movement to the near side, distribution of the movement destination, shaking movement after movement, etc.) is the same as described above. In this example, the game ball moves from the valley portion A2 to the right valley portion B3. is doing.

  Thereafter, as the first driving body 44 and the second driving body 46 are alternately moved up and down, the game balls are sequentially transferred to the front side of the ball receiving unit 20, and as a result, the back side of the ball receiving unit 20. A series of ball feeding operations are realized from the front side toward the front side.

(6-1-5. Release path from ball receiver)
FIG. 12 continuously shows the operation when a game ball is released from the ball receiving unit 20. As shown in FIG. 12 (a), a game ball stays between the first driving body 44 that is closest to the first side in the array and the first driving body 44 that is one back side thereof. In some cases, the discharge path beyond that differs depending on which valley portion A0 to A4 the game ball is located.

  In FIG. 12B, a plurality of game ball discharge paths are shown. Hereinafter, some examples of the release path of the game ball will be described.

  (1) When the game balls are located in the outer valley portions A0 and A4, when the second drive body 46 is raised, the game balls are pushed to the near side, and the valley portion A0 of the partition wall 36 has a considerably high probability. , A4, and discharged from the upper ball receiving shelf 26 via the ball discharge path 26a.

  (2) When the game balls are located in the inner valleys A1 and A3, the game balls pass through the valleys A1 and A3 of the partition wall 36 with a very high probability, and are released as they are through the ball discharge path 26a. .

  (3) When the game ball is located in the central valley portion A2, the game ball passes through the central valley portion A3 of the partition wall 36 with a high probability and falls to the entrance 26b as it is, and the ball guide path 34 Through the ball discharge port 32.

  The release route is not limited to the above aspects (1) to (3), and there may be various other aspects. For example, even when the game ball is located in the outer valley portions A0 and A4, the game ball may get over the mountain portion of the partition wall 36 with a very low probability. In this case, the light passes through the inner valley portion A1 or A3 and is discharged through the ball discharge path 26a.

  Alternatively, even when the game ball is located in the inner valley portions A1 and A3, the game ball may get over the mountain portion of the partition wall 36 with a very low probability. In this case, it passes through the outer valley portions A0 and A4 and is discharged from the upper ball receiving shelf 26 via the ball discharge path 26a, or passes through the central valley portion A3 and falls to the entrance 26b. Then, the light is discharged from the ball discharge port 32 through the ball guide path 34.

(6-2. Pattern 2)
Next, FIG. 13 shows the movement of the game ball of pattern 2. As shown in FIG. 13 (a), when a game ball is released from the ball guide path 42 at the timing when the second driving body 46 is positioned above, the game ball is at the back. It flows between the second drive body 46 and the partition wall 38 and is guided by the upper end surface of the second drive body 46 and the wall surface of the partition wall 38 and rolls in the lateral direction (right direction in this example). When the movement at this time is compared with the pattern 1, the undulation pattern is formed only on the second driving body 46 and the wall surface of the partition wall 38 is flat. Resistance (kinetic energy loss) is small. Therefore, in the case of pattern 2, even if the initial speed of the game ball is about the same, it can roll over more mountain parts (four in the illustrated example), and in this example, the second driver 46 In the undulation pattern, the valley portion B4 is reached from the right end by one.

  The subsequent game ball replacement operation and the movement mode at that time (movement to the near side, distribution of the movement destination, shaking movement after movement, etc.) will be described in exactly the same manner as in the case of the above-described pattern 1. Can do. For example, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), when a game ball is on the right side from the center of the valley portion B4, the game ball is distributed to the valley portion A4 on the right side of the mountain portion protruding from below. On the contrary, if it is on the left side from the center of the valley part B4, it moves so as to be distributed to the valley part A3 on the left side. Further, the release path when the game ball is finally released from the ball receiving unit 20 can be described in the same manner as in the case of the pattern 1 described above.

(6-3. Other patterns)
In addition to the patterns 1 and 2 described above, various modes when the game ball flows into the ball receiving unit 20 can be considered. For example, a game ball may flow in the process in which the positional relationship between the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46 is reversed, and conversely, immediately after the game ball flows in, the first drive body 44 and There may be a case where the positional relationship of the second driver 46 starts to be reversed. In any case, the behavior of the game ball in these cases is not fixed at the beginning, and each time there is a possibility that it will be rich in many changes. It can be said that there are sex and fun.

  If the game ball stays at any position after flowing into the ball receiving portion 20, the subsequent movement of the game ball can be described in the same manner as in the case of the above patterns 1 and 2.

(6-4. Summary of operation example)
Summarizing the above operation examples, for example, the following points to be noted regarding the present embodiment are recognized.
(1) In the ball receiving unit 20, the game ball can be transferred to the near side only by the vertical movement of the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46. For this reason, an unprecedented ball feeding operation can be realized, and a production effect due to the unusual movement of the game ball during this period is exhibited.

  (2) Since the initial behavior of the game ball has many changes depending on the timing at which the game ball flows into the ball receiving unit 20, an effect that does not get bored even if the game is played for a long time is realized.

  (3) Even after the game ball stays between the upper end surfaces of the driving bodies 44 and 46, the game ball swings to the left and right during that time, so that the next destination is rapidly changed. It is interesting that the destination until the game ball moves to the end cannot be predicted until the end.

  (4) When a game ball finally enters the entrance 26b, it can be expected to win the start entrance with a high probability after the release, so the player has a strong expectation of winning the game ball. You can pay attention to the movement.

(7. Reference to other embodiments)
The above is the description of one embodiment, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. In the following, other embodiments will be described with some examples.

  (1) In the above operation example, not all the movement paths and release paths of the game balls are described, and the time until the game balls are transferred from the back side to the front side of the ball receiving unit 20 is not described. There are many different travel routes. For example, there may be a route in which the game ball moves so as to cross the ball receiving unit 20 diagonally or moves in a zigzag manner.

  (2) In one embodiment, the specifications such as the number of installed first drive bodies 44 and the second drive bodies 46 and the arrangement interval are specifically described. However, these are only preferable examples, and the ball feeding operation is performed. The specifications may be changed as appropriate within the feasible range. Further, the undulation pattern of the first drive body 44 and the second drive body 46 can be freely modified with respect to the height difference between the peak portion and the valley portion, the arrangement interval, the number of arrangement, and the like.

  (3) The configuration of the drive unit 48 of one embodiment is an example. For example, a belt transmission mechanism can be used instead of the gear train 50, or a drive body 44 using a drive source such as a solenoid instead of the motor 48d. 46 can be moved up and down.

  (4) In one embodiment, both drive bodies 44 and 46 are moved up and down in opposite directions. For example, one first drive body 44 is fixed, and only the second drive body 46 is adjacent to the first drive body 44. By moving up and down, the positions of the two may be relatively switched up and down.

  (5) In addition, the specific form of the accessory device 14 and the size, position, shape, and the like of the ball receiving unit 20 can be appropriately changed according to the specifications of the game board 1.

It is a front view of a game board. It is a perspective view of an accessory device. It is the perspective view which showed two types of drive bodies separately. It is a top view of a drive unit. It is a rear view of a drive unit. It is a front view of a drive unit. It is the front view which showed the state when a cam shaft reverses from the state of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the VIII-VIII line in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. It is a continuation diagram for explaining pattern 1 of an operation example. FIG. 11 is a continuous diagram illustrating the movement of the game ball when the driving body is further moved up and down from the state of FIG. 10. It is a continuous view for demonstrating the discharge path | route of a game ball. It is a continuation figure for explaining pattern 2 of an example of operation.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game board 18 Sphere receptacle 20 Sphere receptacle part 38 Partition wall 42 Sphere guide way 44 1st drive body 46 2nd drive body 48 Drive unit 48e Support mechanism 56 Cam shaft

Claims (2)

A ball receiving portion that is arranged in the game area of the game board and can temporarily store the game balls flowing down along the board surface;
A first plate-like first driving body provided on the ball receiving portion and having a wave-shaped undulation continuous in the longitudinal direction formed on the upper end surface;
A second plate-like second plate disposed on the first drive body at the ball receiving portion, and having a wave-shaped undulation whose upper and lower positions are shifted in the longitudinal direction with respect to the undulation on the upper end surface of the first drive body. A driver,
A plurality of first driving bodies and a plurality of second driving bodies are alternately stacked and arranged, and an interval shorter than the diameter of the game ball exists between the first driving bodies or the second driving bodies in this arrangement direction. A support mechanism for supporting the first and second drive bodies so as to be relatively movable in the up-and-down direction,
A gaming machine comprising a drive mechanism that alternately moves a first drive body and a second drive body alternately. When one of the first and second driving bodies is positioned upward by the driving mechanism, a game ball is placed between the upper end surfaces of the two upper first driving bodies or the second driving body at this time. While supporting
When the relative positional relationship between the first driving body and the second driving body is reversed up and down, from the upper end surfaces of the two first driving bodies or the second driving bodies that have been at the upper level, Next, a ball feeding operation for transferring the game balls along the arrangement of the first and second drive bodies by sequentially replacing the game balls between the upper end surfaces of the two first drive bodies or the second drive bodies which are the upper ranks. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein:

Images