JP5148166B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to a technique for preventing a ball leakage of a gaming ball when a payout device is removed from an installation area.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine is known in which a payout device for paying out a predetermined number of game balls is detachably attached. As an example, Patent Document 1 includes a series of flow paths that allow a plurality of game balls to flow down by attaching a payout device (ball discharge device) between the flow paths (between the guide rod and the lead rod). A gaming machine is disclosed. Further, in Patent Document 2, a separate payout device (prize ball payout device, ball lending payout device) is attached independently between the flow paths, so that only the payout device in which the failure has occurred is removed and replaced. A gaming machine that can be used is disclosed. Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a gaming machine in which a plurality of payout devices (ball payout units) are collectively attached between flow paths, and only the corresponding payout device can be removed and replaced.
JP-A-8-224343 JP 2000-197748 A JP 2006-181352 A

  By the way, in the gaming machine of each patent document described above, by attaching the payout device between the flow paths, the upstream flow path and the downstream flow path of the payout apparatus can be made continuous with each other. For this reason, in a state where the dispensing device is removed from between the flow paths, the outlet of the upstream flow path is directly exposed to the outside. At this time, if game balls remain in the upstream channel, the game balls flow down the upstream channel and spill out from the outlet (game ball leakage).

  Here, as a method of preventing the ball leakage of the game balls, for example, before removing the payout device, a method of removing all the game balls remaining in the upstream flow path in advance, A method of removing the dispensing device after closing the outlet can be applied. However, in such a method, in addition to the operation of removing the payout device, a special operation as described above must be performed separately, which is troublesome and cumbersome, and cannot be annoying.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and its object is to easily and surely prevent the leakage of a game ball when the payout device is removed without performing a special operation separately. It is to provide a gaming machine capable of.

In order to achieve such an object, the first invention includes a rail unit having a flow path through which a plurality of game balls flow down, an outflow port through which the game balls flowing down the flow path flow out, and a predetermined unit. A payout device that is detachably installed in an installation area and receives the game balls that have flowed out from the outlet of the rail unit, and pays out a predetermined number of the game balls using the received game balls. And a stopper unit that dams the game ball flowing down the flow path when the dispensing device is removed from the installation area, and the stopper unit flows down the game ball flowing down the flow path It is pivotally supported so as to be able to turn into a closed position where it enters the possible area and blocks the game ball, and an open position where the game ball flows out of the outflow port while avoiding the flowable area. A stopper, an elastic member that constantly urges the stopper toward the closed position, and is engaged with the stopper and extends toward the installation area, and applies a pressing force from the installation area side. And a pressing member that rotates the stopper against the biasing force of the elastic member from the closed position toward the open position, and the stopper unit faces the flow path of the rail unit. An inclined portion raised toward the flow path is extended along the flow path at the position, and the rising dimension of the inclined portion is gradually increased toward the outlet of the flow path. By setting it large, an inclined surface that forms a downward slope toward the outlet of the flow path is formed, and on the upstream side of the stopper unit, a spherical member is provided adjacent thereto. The sphere leveling member includes a sphere leveling plate extending in the downstream direction along the flow path, and the sphere leveling plate is guided by the guide adjacent to the upstream side of the inclined portion. It is pressed in the road direction, is continuously stable on the inclined surface, and constitutes a series of sphere leveling surfaces with the inclined portion.

  According to the first invention, when the dispensing device is removed from the installation area, the stopper automatically enters the flowable area of the game ball by the biasing force of the elastic member, so that the flow path is directed toward the outlet. The game balls that flow down can be reliably dammed up. The operation required at this time is only the removal operation of the dispensing device, and there is no need to perform a special operation separately. For this reason, the ball leakage of the game ball can be easily prevented.

In the second aspect of the invention, the guide is formed with a guide inclined surface that forms a downward gradient toward the outlet of the flow path, and an inclination angle of the guide inclined surface with respect to the flow path is determined by the guide inclined surface. It is an angle smaller than the inclination angle with respect to the flow path of the inclined surface of the adjacent inclined portion.

  In a third invention, the rail unit is provided with at least one wall portion extending along the flow path, and the flow path is divided into a plurality of flow paths parallel to each other by the wall portion. The wall portion is set at a position lower than the game balls flowing down the plurality of flow paths, and the stopper of the stopper unit crosses the plurality of flow paths. The pressing force applied to the pressing member by the paying device is released when the paying device is removed from the installation area, and the stopper is released to the open position by the biasing force of the elastic member. The game ball that flows down toward each of the plurality of flow paths toward the outlet is dammed at the same time by rotating toward the closed position from above and contacting the wall portion.

  According to the third aspect, since the game balls can be caused to flow down in each of the plurality of flow paths, a large number of game balls can be paid out efficiently in a short time. Further, by extending the stopper across the plurality of flow paths, the game balls flowing down the plurality of flow paths can be simultaneously dammed by one stopper. In this case, the stopper can be stably positioned at the closed position by bringing the stopper into contact with the wall when the dispensing device is removed. Thereby, the ball leakage of the game ball can be surely prevented.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a gaming machine that can easily and surely prevent a leakage of a game ball when the payout device is removed without performing a special operation separately.

Hereinafter, a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko machine is assumed as a gaming machine.
As shown in FIG. 1, a pachinko machine 2 according to the present embodiment includes an outer frame 4 for mounting on a gaming machine island (not shown), and an inner frame pivotally supported on the front surface of the outer frame 4. 6 and various effect display devices (variable display devices such as LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)) (not shown) fitted behind the inner frame 6. A game board (not shown) configured with a game member (not shown) such as is detachably mounted. Various effect displays by the effect display device are controlled by the sub-control board 8 (FIG. 2) mounted on the back surface of the inner frame 6.

  A front door 12 fitted with a glass plate 10 is pivotally supported on the front surface of the inner frame 6, and a lamp 14 for effecting light is attached to the upper side of the front door 12. . Further, on the lower front side of the inner frame 6, an upper plate 16 that receives a rented ball and a prize ball, a lower plate 18 that receives a game ball that overflows when the upper plate 16 is full, and a firing force for firing the game ball An adjustment handle 20 and a speaker 22 for producing sound are provided. The upper plate 16 is provided with a ball lending operation panel 24 for a player to lend out a game ball. Various effects by the lamp 14 and the speaker 22 are controlled by the sub-control board 8 (FIG. 2) mounted on the back surface of the inner frame 6.

  Here, when the ball lending button 26 on the ball lending operation panel 24 is operated, as shown in FIG. 2, a payout / launch control board 28 built in the pachinko machine 2 and a card unit (shown) No), signals regarding ball lending processing are exchanged. At this time, the payout / launch control board 28 controls the payout device 30 based on the communicated signal to flow down the rail unit 34 from the ball tank 32 attached to the upper part of the inner frame 6 (FIG. 1). Among the plurality of game balls, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out one by one by the payout device 30, and flow down the ball passage 36 and supplied to the upper plate 16 (FIG. 1).

  When the game ball is supplied to the upper plate 16, when the lever 38 (FIG. 1) of the handle 20 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the dispensing / firing control board 28 drives and controls a firing solenoid (not shown) of the launching device. As a result, the game ball is launched into the game area along the guide rail (not shown). At this time, when a game ball launched into the game area wins, the payout / launch control board 28 controls the payout device 30 based on a command transmitted from the main control board 40 (FIG. 2) to the payout / launch control board 28. By controlling the drive, a predetermined number of game balls out of the plurality of game balls flowing down the rail unit 34 from the ball tank 32 attached to the upper portion of the inner frame 6 are paid out one by one by the payout device 30, 36 flows down and is supplied to the upper plate 16.

  In such a pachinko machine 2, as shown in FIG. 3, the payout device 30, the ball tank 32, and the rail unit 34 are attached to a back upper base 42 fixed to the inner frame 6. The rail unit 34 has a flow path that allows a plurality of game balls stored in the ball tank 32 to flow down, and an outlet that allows the game balls that have flowed down the flow path to flow out toward the payout device 30. In this case, the rail unit 34 is provided with one wall portion 44 (see FIG. 21) extending along the flow path, and the flow path includes two flow paths parallel to each other by the wall portion 44. It is configured as a twin rail divided into R1 and R2 (see FIG. 21). Accordingly, the outlets F1 and F2 (see FIG. 21) are also configured on the downstream side of the flow paths R1 and R2, respectively.

  Thereby, the plurality of game balls stored in the ball tank 32 flow down the two flow paths R1, R2 of the rail unit 34 at the same time, and the payout device 30 from the outlets F1, F2 of the flow paths R1, R2. Will be leaked towards In the drawing, the two flow paths R1 and R2 are configured as an example, but it goes without saying that the number of flow paths can be divided into three or more by providing two or more wall portions 44, for example.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, 14, and 15, the payout device 30 includes two first and second receiving ports G 1 that receive the game balls that have flowed out from the respective outlets F 1 .F 2 of the rail unit 34, respectively. G2, two first and second flow paths that are continuous in parallel with each other from each of the receiving ports G1 and G2, and a first and a second that are rotatably provided in the middle of the first and second flow paths. Second payout levers L1 and L2 are provided. As a result, the plurality of game balls flowing down the first and second flow paths from the first and second receiving ports G1, G2 are paid out one by one by the first and second payout levers L1, L2.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the payout device 30 includes a payout intermediate base 46, a payout cover front part 48 and a payout cover rear part 50 assembled so as to cover both sides of the payout intermediate base 46, and a payout cover front part. A payout gear cover 52 that is assembled so as to cover the outside of 48 (the side opposite to the payout intermediate base 46), and a substrate cover 54 that is assembled so as to cover the outside of the payout cover rear part 50 (the side opposite to the payout intermediate base 46). It has. Then, by assembling these components 46, 48, 50, 52, and 54, the dispensing device 30 is attached to the back upper base 42 (FIG. 3) as one dispensing unit. The payout device 30 is attached with the payout gear cover 52 in contact with the back upper base 42.

  Here, as a method of assembling each of the components 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 described above, for example, the engagement piece 50E (from the upper end and the lower end of the payout cover rear portion 50 toward the payout gear cover 52). For example, the recesses 46K and 48K through which the engagement pieces 50E are inserted are formed at the upper end and the lower end of the payout intermediate base 46 and the payout cover front portion 48, respectively, and the payout gear cover 52 Engagement recesses 52E into which the engagement pieces 50E can be engaged are formed at the upper end and the lower end. Further, an engaging convex portion 50F is projected from the upper end of the payout cover rear portion 50 toward the substrate cover 54, and an engaging hole 54H in which the engaging convex portion 50F can be engaged is formed at the upper end of the substrate cover 54. To do.

  According to this, for example, the dispensing cover front part 48 is assembled to the dispensing intermediate base 46 and the dispensing gear cover 52 is assembled to the dispensing cover front part 48, and then the dispensing cover rear part 50 is assembled to the dispensing intermediate base 46. At this time, the engagement piece 50E of the discharge cover rear portion 50 is engaged with the engagement recess 52E of the discharge gear cover 52 via the discharge intermediate base 46 and the recess portions 46K and 48K of the discharge cover front portion 48, thereby causing The base 46 and the payout cover front portion 48, the payout cover rear portion 50, and the payout gear cover 52 are temporarily fixed to each other. Subsequently, when the board cover 54 is assembled to the payout cover rear part 50, the board cover 54 is temporarily fixed to the payout cover rear part 50 by the engagement convex part 50F engaging with the engagement hole 54H. In this state, the above-described components 46, 48, 50, 52, and 54 can be fastened to each other by screwing from the outside of the substrate cover 54 to the payout gear cover 52.

  In such a dispensing device 30, the first flow path continuous from the first receiving port G <b> 1 is configured between the dispensing intermediate base 46 and the dispensing cover rear part 50, while continuing from the second receiving port G <b> 2. The second flow path is configured between the dispensing intermediate base 46 and the dispensing cover front portion 48. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the first and second flow paths are continuous in parallel with each other on both sides of the dispensing intermediate base 46.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 20A, the first flow path is a first flow path wall 50P raised substantially vertically from the payout cover rear portion 50 toward the payout intermediate base 46. Thus, the first upper flow path 1Up and the first lower flow path 1Dn are formed. In this configuration, the first payout lever L1 is rotatably provided between the first upper flow path 1Up and the first lower flow path 1Dn. As a result, the plurality of game balls S received from the first receiving port G1 flow down through the first upper flow path 1Up, and then are discharged one by one toward the first lower flow path 1Dn by the first payout lever L1. Become.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 20B, the second flow path is formed by the second flow path wall 48P raised substantially vertically from the payout cover front portion 48 toward the payout intermediate base 46. 2 An upper flow path 2Up and a second lower flow path 2Dn are formed. In this configuration, the second payout lever L2 is rotatably provided between the second upper flow path 2Up and the second lower flow path 2Dn. As a result, the plurality of game balls S received in the second receiving port G2 flow down the second upper flow path 2Up, and then are discharged one by one toward the second lower flow path 2Dn by the second payout lever L2. Become.

  Further, in the middle of the first upper flow path 1Up, a first ball extraction guide 56 (FIGS. 14 and 20 (a)) is pivotally supported, and in the middle of the second upper flow path 2Up, A second ball extraction guide 58 (FIGS. 15 and 20B) is pivotally supported. The first and second ball pulling guides 56 and 58 are rotatable with respect to one guide shaft 60 (FIGS. 7 and 8) extending from the dispensing cover front portion 48 through the dispensing intermediate base 46, for example. Is pivotally supported. Further, the first and second ball pulling guides 56 and 58 are, for example, one piece extending from the dispensing cover front portion 48 through the dispensing intermediate base 46 and extending toward the outside of the dispensing device 30 (dispensing cover rear portion 50). They are connected to each other by a ball release lever shaft 62 (FIGS. 7 and 8).

  In this case, the payout intermediate base 46 is formed with a base through hole 46 </ b> H having a long circular arc shape for allowing the ball removal lever shaft 62 to pass therethrough. On the other hand, an operation plate 50a (FIGS. 4 and 12) is provided outside the payout cover rear portion 50 so as to be exposed to the outside. The operation plate 50a is opposed to the base through hole 46H and has the same shape. An operation through hole 50H is formed. The ball removal lever shaft 62 is inserted through each of the through holes 46H and 50H, and a ball removal lever 64 is attached to a portion extending outward from the operation plate 50a. In this configuration, by operating the ball removal lever 64 and moving the ball removal lever shaft 62 along the through holes 46H and 50H, both the first and second ball removal guides 56 and 58 are simultaneously guided by the guide shaft. It can be rotated around 60.

  Further, the ball release lever shaft 62 is configured to be slightly movable along the axial direction thereof, and in the region between the payout intermediate base 46 and the payout cover rear portion 50 (operation plate 50a), the ball release lever shaft 62 is provided. An annular member 66 (FIGS. 7 and 12) and an urging spring 68 (FIGS. 7 and 12) are mounted on. In this case, the annular member 66 is disposed near the operation plate 50 a and is configured to be movable along the ball removal lever shaft 62. On the other hand, the urging spring 68 is disposed closer to the payout intermediate base 46 with respect to the annular member 66, and one end thereof is locked to a groove 62g (FIG. 8) formed in the ball removal lever shaft 62, and the other end. Is locked to the annular member 66.

  As a result, the annular member 66 is always kept pressed against the operation plate 50 a by the urging force of the urging spring 68. At this time, the annular member 66 receives a reaction force from the operation plate 50a. The reaction force is transmitted from the annular member 66 to the ball removal lever shaft 62 via the biasing spring 68, and the ball removal lever shaft 62 receives the reaction force. The lever shaft 62 works in the direction of retracting from the operation plate 50a. Thereby, the ball removal lever 64 attached to the ball removal lever shaft 62 outside the operation plate 50a is always kept pressed against the operation plate 50a by the ball removal lever shaft 62.

  Further, the ball release lever 64 is provided with a pair of convex portions 64T (FIGS. 12 and 13) on the surface facing the operation plate 50a, and each convex portion 64T is fitted into the operation plate 50a. Recessable concave portions H1 and H2 (FIG. 12) are provided at both ends of the operation through hole 50H. Here, when operating the ball removal lever 64, first, the ball removal lever 64 is pulled to the front. At this time, the ball pulling lever shaft 62 is pulled against the biasing force of the biasing spring 68 by the pulling force of the ball pulling lever 64. As a result, the ball removal lever shaft 62 moves slightly toward the outside of the operation plate 50a, whereby the ball removal lever 64 can be separated from the operation plate 50a.

  While maintaining this state, after the ball release lever shaft 62 is moved to one end along the through holes 46H and 50H and then the tensile force of the ball release lever 64 is released, the ball release lever shaft 62 is attached to the ball release lever shaft 62. A reaction force from the operation plate 50a due to the urging force of the urging spring 68 acts. At this time, the ball removal lever shaft 62 moves in the direction of retracting from the operation plate 50a, whereby the ball removal lever 64 is pressed against the operation plate 50a. Thereby, the convex part 64T of the ball removal lever 64 is fitted into the concave part H1 on one end side of the operation plate 50a.

  At this time, the first and second ball pulling guides 56 and 58 are rotated and positioned at the ball paying positions indicated by solid lines in FIGS. 20 (a) and 20 (b). In this case, the plurality of game balls S received from the first and second receiving ports G1 and G2 flow down the first and second upper flow paths 1Up and 2Up, and then the first and second ball removal guides 56 and 58. The guide surfaces 56s and 58s flow down toward the first and second delivery levers L1 and L2. Then, by rotating each of the payout levers L1 and L2, one payout is made toward the first and second lower flow paths 1Dn and 2Dn.

  Further, by pulling the ball removal lever 64 forward, the ball removal lever shaft 62 is moved to the other end along the through holes 46H and 50H while maintaining the state where the ball removal lever 64 is separated from the operation plate 50a. After the movement, the pulling force of the ball removal lever 64 is released. At this time, the ball removal lever shaft 62 moves in the direction of retracting from the operation plate 50a, whereby the ball removal lever 64 is pressed against the operation plate 50a. Thereby, the convex part 64T of the ball removal lever 64 fits into the concave part H2 on the other end side of the operation plate 50a.

  At this time, the first and second ball removal guides 56 and 58 are rotated and positioned at the ball removal positions indicated by the dotted lines in FIGS. 20 (a) and 20 (b). In this case, the plurality of game balls S received from the first and second receiving ports G1 and G2 flow down the first and second upper flow paths 1Up and 2Up, and then the first and second ball removal guides 56 and 58. The guide surfaces 56s and 58s guide the first and second ball passages 1Fr and 2Fr. As a result, all the game balls S stored in the ball tank 32 can be discharged to the outside from the ball extraction channels 1Fr and 2Fr. Note that the game balls S that have flowed down the respective ball extraction channels 1Fr, 2Fr are collected by, for example, a collection device (not shown) installed on the game island.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7, 12, 14, and 20 (a), the payout intermediate base 46 of the payout device 30 is provided with a detection device 70 that detects the ball payout state and the ball removal state. The detection device 70 has a detection switch 72 whose base end is rotatably supported. The detection switch 72 is provided with an urging spring (not shown) at its base end, and the urging spring causes the detection switch 72 to always be in a rotating state in which the tip is separated from the detection device 70 (see FIG. 20 (a) dotted line). In the drawing, as an example, the detection device 70 is provided on the payout cover rear portion 50 side of the payout intermediate base 46.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, FIGS. 14 and 15, and FIGS. 20A and 20B, the first and second ball extraction guides 56 and 58 are provided with projections 56T and 58T. ing. In this case, by operating the ball removal lever 64 and fitting the convex portion 64T to the concave portion H1 on one end side of the operation plate 50a, the first and second ball removal guides 56 and 58 are shown in FIG. It is rotated and positioned at the ball payout position indicated by the solid lines in a) and (b). At this time, the detection switch 72 is pressed against the biasing force of the biasing spring by the projection 56T of the first ball removal guide 56. As a result, the detection switch 72 is rotated around the base end, and is maintained in a rotation state (a state indicated by a solid line in FIG. 20A) where the tip is in contact with the detection device 70.

  On the other hand, when the ball removal lever 64 is operated and the convex portion 64T is fitted into the concave portion H2 on the other end side of the operation plate 50a, the first and second ball removal guides 56 and 58 are It is rotated and positioned at a ball removal position indicated by a dotted line in FIGS. 20 (a) and 20 (b). At this time, the pressing force of the projection 56T of the first ball removal guide 56 against the detection switch 72 is released. As a result, the detection switch 72 is rotated around the proximal end by the urging force of the urging spring, and the distal end thereof is maintained in the rotation state separated from the detection device 70 (the state indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 20A). Is done.

  In this case, when the tip of the detection switch 72 comes into contact with the detection device 70, the detection device 70 outputs a ball payout signal indicating that the first and second ball removal guides 56 and 58 are positioned at the ball payout position. At the same time, when the tip of the detection switch 72 is separated from the detection device 70, a ball removal signal indicating that the first and second ball removal guides 56 and 58 are positioned at the ball removal position is output. Accordingly, for example, based on a ball payout signal, a drive device (motor) M described later is controlled to rotate the payout levers L1, L2, or, for example, a drive device (described later) based on a ball removal signal ( Various controls such as controlling the motor M to stop the rotation of the payout levers L1 and L2 are possible. The detecting device 70 and the driving device (motor) M are connected to an external power source (not shown) and the dispensing / launching control board 28 (FIG. 6) via a relay board 74 (FIGS. 6 and 12) attached to the dispensing cover rear part 50. 2) etc.

  In such a dispensing device 30, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, 14 and 15, and 20 (a) and 20 (b), the first and second dispensing levers L 1 and L 2 have the same shape. And is pivotally supported with respect to one payout lever shaft 76. The payout lever shaft 76 extends from the payout cover front part 48 through the payout intermediate base 46 to the payout cover rear part 50.

  Here, the first payout lever L1 is disposed on the downstream side of the stop portion 1Lt and stopped at the stop portion 1Lt for stopping the game ball S downstream along the first upper flow path 1Up, and stopped by the stop portion 1Lt. A holding portion 1Ls having a substantially concave shape capable of receiving and holding one game ball S. In this case, the first payout lever L1 is substantially extended from the payout lever shaft 76 toward the first upper flow path 1Up and the upstream extension portion 1Ex and from the payout lever shaft 76 toward the first lower flow path 1Dn. A downstream extending portion 1Ey extending in an L shape is provided. In this configuration, the stop portion 1Lt is provided at the outer edge of the upstream extension portion 1Ex, and the retaining portion 1Ls is provided at the inner edge of the downstream extension portion 1Ey.

  On the other hand, the second payout lever L2 is disposed on the downstream side of the stop portion 2Lt and stopped by the stop portion 2Lt, and the stop portion 2Lt stops the game ball S downstream along the second upper flow path 2Up. A holding portion 2Ls having a substantially concave shape capable of receiving and holding the game balls S. In this case, the second payout lever L2 is substantially extended from the payout lever shaft 76 toward the second upper flow path 2Up and the upstream extension portion 2Ex, and from the payout lever shaft 76 toward the second lower flow path 2Dn. A downstream extending portion 2Ey extending in an L shape is provided. In this configuration, the stop portion 2Lt is provided on the outer edge of the upstream extension portion 2Ex, and the retaining portion 2Ls is provided on the inner edge of the downstream extension portion 2Ey.

  The first cam C1 is disposed at a position facing the upstream extension portion 1Ex of the first payout lever L1, and at a position facing the upstream extension portion 2Ex of the second payout lever L2. A second cam C2 is arranged. These two first and second cams C1 and C2 are attached to one drive shaft 78. The drive shaft 78 passes through the payout intermediate base 46 from the payout cover front portion 48 and is rotatable. It is provided and is connected to a driving device (motor) M through a predetermined connecting mechanism. In this case, the driving device (motor) M is supported across the dispensing cover front portion 48 and the dispensing intermediate base 46. The coupling mechanism (FIGS. 9 and 13) includes an output gear 82 fixed to the output shaft 80 of the drive device (motor) M and a cam gear 84 fixed to the drive shaft 78. The two gears 82 and 84 are positioned so as to mesh with each other. The connecting mechanism (the output gear 82 and the cam gear 84) is interposed between the payout cover front portion 48 and the payout gear cover 52.

  Further, the first cam C1 has a drive portion 1Cd projecting in a predetermined direction to drive (rotate) the first payout lever L1 around the payout lever shaft 76, and the second cam C2 has a drive portion 1Cd. A drive portion 2Cd for driving (turning) the second payout lever L2 around the payout lever shaft 76 is projected in a predetermined direction. On the other hand, the upstream extension portion 1Ex of the first payout lever L1 is formed with a contact portion 1Ld with which the drive portion 1Cd of the first cam C1 can come into contact, and the upstream extension portion of the second payout lever L2 is extended. In the portion 2Ex, an abutting portion 2Ld with which the driving portion 2Cd of the second cam C2 can abut is formed.

  In this case, when the output shaft 80 is rotated by driving the drive device (motor) M, the rotational motion is transmitted to the cam gear 84 via the output gear 82 to rotate the drive shaft 78. At this time, the first and second cams C1 and C2 rotate (drive) together with the drive shaft 78, and the drive portions 1Cd and 2Cd of these cams C1 and C2 are contact portions 1Ld of the first and second payout levers L1 and L2. , 2Ld, the first and second payout levers L1, L2 are driven (turned) to the first position and the second position.

  Here, the first position means that the stop portions 1Lt and 2Lt enter the flowable area of the game ball S flowing down from the first and second upper flow paths 1Up and 2Up to the first and second lower flow paths 1Dn and 2Dn. In addition, this indicates a rotation state in which the holding units 1Ls and 2Ls are avoided outside the flowable area of the game ball S. On the other hand, the second position refers to a rotating state in which the stop portions 1Lt and 2Lt are avoided outside the flowable region of the game ball S and the holding portions 1Ls and 2Ls enter the flowable region of the game ball S. . As an example, FIG. 20 (a) shows a state in which the first payout lever L1 is driven to the second position, and FIG. 20 (b) shows the second payout lever L2 in the first position. The driven state is shown in FIG. Note that the first position of the first payout lever L1 is the same as the rotation state of the second payout lever L2 in FIG. 20B, and the second position of the second payout lever L2 is Since this is the same as the rotation state of the first payout lever L1 in FIG.

  The payout lever shaft 76 is provided with a first lever elastic body 86 (for example, a torsion coil spring) adjacent to the first payout lever L1, and the first lever elastic body 86 is One end 86a is fixed to the payout intermediate base 46, and the other end 86b is fixed to the downstream extending portion 1Ey of the first payout lever L1. The first lever elastic body 86 can bias the first payout lever L1 to the pivoting state of either the first position or the second position. Here, as an example, the first payout lever L1 is used. L <b> 1 is biased to a state where it is rotated to the second position by the elastic force of the first lever elastic body 86.

  Similarly, the payout lever shaft 76 is provided with a second lever elastic body 88 (for example, a torsion coil spring) adjacent to the second payout lever L2, and the second lever elastic body 88 is One end 88a is fixed to the dispensing cover front portion 48, and the other end 88b is fixed to the downstream extending portion 2Ey of the second dispensing lever L2. The second lever elastic body 88 can bias the second payout lever L2 to either the first position or the second position, but as an example here, the second payout lever L2 L2 is biased to a state where it is rotated to the second position by the elastic force of the second lever elastic body 88.

  In this case, the first and second payout levers L1 and L2 are maintained in the state of being rotated to the second position (see FIG. 20A), and the stop portions 1Lt and 2Lt are allowed to flow down the game ball S. It is positioned in a state where the holding portions 1Ls and 2Ls enter the flowable area of the game ball S. For this reason, one game ball S flowing down the first and second upper flow paths 1Up, 2Up is received and held in the holding portions 1Ls, 2Ls.

  In this state, when the first and second cams C1 and C2 are rotated and the drive portions 1Cd and 2Cd are brought into contact with the contact portions 1Ld and 2Ld of the first and second delivery levers L1 and L2, the first The second payout levers L1 and L2 rotate around the payout lever shaft 76 against the urging force of the first and second lever elastic bodies 86 and 88 to be in the first position (FIG. 20B). Drive). At this time, the stop portions 1Lt and 2Lt enter the flowable region of the game ball S, and at the same time, the holding portions 1Ls and 2Ls avoid the outflow region of the game ball S. As a result, the game balls S flowing down the first and second upper flow paths 1Up, 2Up are stopped by the stop portions 1Lt, 2Lt, and one game ball S held in the hold portions 1Ls, 2Ls is The first and second lower flow paths 1Dn and 2Dn are caused to flow down.

  When the first and second cams C1 and C2 are further rotated to release the contact state between the drive portions 1Cd and 2Cd and the contact portions 1Ld and 2Ld of the first and second payout levers L1 and L2. The first and second payout levers L1 and L2 are rotated around the payout lever shaft 76 by the urging force of the first and second lever elastic bodies 86 and 88 to be in the second position (FIG. 20A). (Refer to Reference). At this time, the stopping parts 1Lt and 2Lt avoid the outside of the flowable area of the game ball S, and at the same time, the holding parts 1Ls and 2Ls enter the flowable area of the game ball S. Thereby, one game ball S stopped by the stop portions 1Lt and 2Lt is caused to flow down, and one game ball S flowing down from the stop portions 1Lt and 2Lt is received and held in the hold portions 1Ls and 2Ls.

  In this way, by rotating the first and second cams C1 and C2, the game balls S are directed to the first and second lower flow paths 1Dn and 2Dn one by one by the first and second payout levers L1 and L2. Can be paid out. Specifically, since the first and second cams C1 and C2 are directly connected to the cam gear 84 via the drive shaft 78 (FIGS. 18 and 19), when the cam gear 84 is rotated once, Along with this, the first and second cams C1 and C2 also make one rotation, so that a total of two game balls S are paid out one by one by the first and second payout levers L1 and L2. In this case, the first and second payout levers L1 and L2 are alternately driven at predetermined timings by setting the projecting directions of the drive portions 1Cd and 2Cd of the first and second cams C1 and C2 to be different from each other. Move). Thereby, the game balls S can be alternately paid out one by one toward the first and second lower flow paths 1Dn and 2Dn.

  In the drawing, as an example, the first and second cams C1 and C2 are attached to the drive shaft 78 in a state in which the drive portions 1Cd and 2Cd are directed in the direction reversed by 180 °. Thereby, each time the cam gear 84 is rotated halfway, one game ball S can be paid out from either one of the first and second payout levers L1, L2. In this case, the number of game balls S paid out by the first and second payout levers L1 and L2 is grasped (counted) by detecting the rotation state (for example, the rotation position and the rotation speed) of the cam gear 84. Is possible.

  Therefore, the payout device 30 includes a detection body 90 (FIGS. 18 and 19) provided on the cam gear 84 and a rotation speed detection device that detects the rotation speed of the detection body 90 rotating together with the cam gear 84. 92 (FIGS. 10 and 15). The rotation speed detection device 92 is connected to an external power source (not shown), the dispensing / launch control board 28 (FIG. 2), etc. via a relay board 74 (FIGS. 6 and 12). Further, one detection body 90 protrudes from the cam gear 84 toward the payout cover front portion 48, and one detection body 90 is provided at each symmetrical position on both sides of the drive shaft 78. In this case, the pair of detection bodies 90 are respectively positioned at positions rotated by 90 ° with respect to the protruding directions of the drive portions 1Cd and 2Cd of the first and second cams C1 and C2.

  The rotation speed detection device 92 is supported by the payout cover front portion 48, and is a photosensor (see FIG. 10) constructed from the opening 48h (FIG. 10) formed in the payout cover front portion 48 toward the cam gear 84. And FIG. 13). In the photosensor, a light emitting element 94 and a light receiving element 96 are arranged to face each other, and a pair of detectors 90 that rotate together with the cam gear 84 pass between the light emitting element 94 and the light receiving element 96. Has been. In this case, laser light having a constant light characteristic (for example, light amount and light intensity) is always emitted from the light emitting element 94 toward the light receiving element 96, and at this time, a constant output level (for example, a certain level) An electrical signal (voltage level or current level) is output.

  In such a state, assuming that one detection body 90 passes between the light emitting element 94 and the light receiving element 96 as the cam gear 84 rotates, the laser light is shielded by the detection body 90. As a result, the light receiving element 96 is not irradiated with the laser light from the light emitting element 94. At this time, the output level of the electric signal output from the light receiving element 96 changes. For example, the output level becomes zero. In this case, since the pair of detection bodies 90 are positioned at positions rotated by 90 ° with respect to the protruding directions of the drive portions 1Cd and 2Cd of the first and second cams C1 and C2, one of the detection bodies 90 emits light. When passing between the element 94 and the light receiving element 96, one game ball S is paid out from either one of the first and second payout levers L1, L2.

  Then, by further rotating the cam gear 84, when the other detector 90 subsequently passes between the light emitting element 94 and the light receiving element 96, an electric signal output from the light receiving element 96 is output in the same manner as described above. The level changes (for example, the output level changes to zero). At this time, one game ball S is paid out from either one of the first and second payout levers L1, L2. Therefore, the number of game balls S to be paid out by the first and second payout levers L1 and L2 is grasped by counting the change state (for example, the number of changes) of the output level of the electrical signal output from the light receiving element 96. (Counting).

  Here, assuming that, for example, a command for paying out 15 game balls S is transmitted from the payout / launch control board 28 (FIG. 2) to the payout device 30, the relay board 74 is based on the payout instruction. A control signal is transmitted from the drive device (motor) M to the output shaft 80 of the drive device (motor) M. At this time, the rotational motion of the output shaft 80 is transmitted to the cam gear 84 via the output gear 82 to rotate the cam gear 84. Since the cam gear 84 is directly connected to the first and second cams C1 and C2 via the drive shaft 78, the first and second cams C1 and C2 are similarly operated in accordance with the rotation of the cam gear 84. Rotate.

  First, as one cam 90 passes between the light emitting element 94 and the light receiving element 96 as the cam gear 84 rotates, the output level of the light receiving element 96 changes. Count as a change state. At this time, for example, the drive portion 2Cd of the second cam C2 comes into contact with the contact portion 2Ld of the second payout lever L2, and the second payout lever L2 resists the urging force of the second lever elastic body 88. Drive (rotate) to the position (FIG. 20B). Thereby, the game ball S flowing down the second upper flow path 2Up is stopped by the stop portion 2Lt, and one game ball S held in the holding portion 2Ls is paid out to the second lower flow path 2Dn. On the other hand, since the first payout lever L1 is urged to the second position (FIG. 20A) by the elastic force of the first lever elastic body 86, the holding portion 1Ls includes One game ball S flowing down the first upper flow path 1Up is received and put on hold.

  Subsequently, when the other detection body 90 passes between the light emitting element 94 and the light receiving element 96 by rotating the cam gear 84, the output level of the light receiving element 96 changes. Is counted as a change state. At this time, for example, the drive portion 1Cd of the first cam C1 comes into contact with the contact portion 1Ld of the first payout lever L1, and the first payout lever L1 resists the urging force of the first lever elastic body 86 to be in the first position. It is driven (turned) to a position (position similar to FIG. 20B). Thereby, the game ball S flowing down the first upper flow path 1Up is stopped by the stop portion 1Lt, and one game ball S held in the holding portion 1Ls is paid out to the first lower flow path 1Dn. On the other hand, the second payout lever L2 is urged to the second position (the same position as FIG. 20A) by the elastic force of the second lever elastic body 88, so that the holding portion thereof In 2Ls, one game ball S flowing down the second upper flow path 2Up is received and held.

  When the cam gear 84 is further rotated, the first and second payout levers L1 and L2 are alternately driven (rotated) to the first and second positions, and the first and second payout levers L1 and L2 The game balls S are paid out one by one alternately. During this time, when the change state of the output level of the light receiving element 96 is counted 15 times, a total of 15 game balls S are paid out by the first and second payout levers L1, L2. Thereafter, the drive device (motor) M is controlled to stop.

  As a method for stopping control of the driving device (motor) M, for example, when the fifteenth change state is counted, a stop control signal is transmitted from the rotational speed detection device 92 to the driving device (motor) M, for example. Thus, the driving device (motor) M may be stopped. Alternatively, for example, the change state of the output level of the light receiving element 96 is fed back from the rotation speed detection device 92 to the dispensing / launch control board 28 via the relay board 74. Then, when the fifteenth change state is counted, a stop control signal may be transmitted from the payout / launch control board 28 to the driving device (motor) M, thereby stopping the driving device (motor) M. . In short, as long as the driving device (motor) M can be stopped, the stop control method is not limited.

  Further, the payout timing and payout speed of the game ball S are adjusted by changing the rotational speed of the cam gear 84 and adjusting the drive (turning) timing and speed of the first and second payout levers L1 and L2. Although it can be set arbitrarily, this is appropriately set according to the purpose and environment of use of the pachinko machine 2, and is not particularly limited here.

  Furthermore, when the first and second payout levers L1 and L2 are driven to the second position, the payout device 30 described above detects one game ball S held in the holding portions 1Ls and 2Ls. A game ball detecting means 98 is provided. In this case, the game ball detecting means 98 is between the first and second upper flow paths 1Up, 2Up and the first and second lower flow paths 1Dn, 2Dn and is in a state of being held in the holding portions 1Ls, 2Ls. The balls S are arranged at positions where the balls S can be directly detected. Thereby, each time the first and second payout levers L1 and L2 are driven to the second position, it is possible to reliably detect whether or not the game ball S is held in the holding portions 1Ls and 2Ls. . Note that, as the game ball detecting means 98, for example, a commercially available magnetic sensor, optical sensor, weight sensor, or the like can be used as appropriate, and is not particularly limited here.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, instead of the conventional sprocket, the first and second payout levers L1 and L2 are applied and driven, so that one of the retentive portions 1Ls and 2Ls is retained. By paying out the game balls S, a predetermined number of game balls S can be discharged smoothly and accurately one by one without causing a conventional pinched state.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, only by driving the first and second payout levers L1, L2 with the first and second cams C1, C2, a predetermined number of game balls S can be alternately and smoothly turned one by one. It can be paid out accurately. The first and second payout levers L1 and L2 after being driven by the first and second cams C1 and C2 are moved to the second position by the urging force of the first and second lever elastic bodies 86 and 88. It returns to the rotated state and stabilizes in that state. In this case, it is possible to simply construct a structure for returning the payout levers L1 and L2, and as a result, the payout device 30 can be made compact and low in cost. Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the pachinko machine 2 can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, when the ball pressure acting on the first and second payout levers L1, L2 from the game ball S flowing down the first and second upper flow paths 1Up, 2Up is considered, the first and second levers It is preferable that the elastic force of the elastic members 86 and 88 is applied in a direction in which the payout levers L1 and L2 are returned to the second position. In this case, the respective payout levers L1 and L2 are stabilized in a state where they are always returned to the second position by the urging force of the lever elastic bodies 86 and 88. In this state, the holding portions 1Ls and 2Ls of the first and second payout levers L1 and L2 are positioned so as to enter the flowable area of the game ball S. For this reason, one game ball S flowing down continuously through the first and second upper flow paths 1Up, 2Up is received and held in the holding portions 1Ls, 2Ls, and the first and second in this state are held. The postures of the payout levers L1 and L2 are stabilized. At this time, one game ball S can always be positioned in a state immediately before the payout by the payout levers L1 and L2. As a result, it is possible to completely eliminate the occurrence of the ball pinching state, and as a result, the first and second payout levers L1 and L2 are simply driven to the first position by the first and second cams C1 and C2. Thus, a predetermined number of game balls S can be alternately and quickly flowed down and discharged one by one.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the first and second payout levers L1 and L2 provided in the first and second flow paths are driven alternately by the corresponding first and second cams C1 and C2. Thus, a predetermined number of game balls S can be alternately discharged from the first and second flow paths one by one. For example, only by rotating the cam gear 84 fixed to the drive shaft 78 once, the first and second payout levers L1, L2 are moved once by the first and second cams C1, C2 attached to the drive shaft 78. Driven alternately, in synchronization with this, the game balls S are alternately discharged from the first and second flow paths one by one. Thereby, the payout speed of the game ball S can be improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, one game ball S held in the holding units 1Ls and 2Ls is directly detected by the game ball detection means 98, so that the game ball S immediately before paying out can be detected quickly. can do. Thereby, since excessive payout of the game balls S can be prevented, a predetermined number of game balls S can be accurately flowed down and paid out.

  In the embodiment described above, the first and second lever levers L1 and L2 are rotated to the second position (FIG. 20A) by the first and second lever elastic bodies 86 and 88. The first and second levers L1, L2 are moved to the first position (FIG. 20B) by the first and second lever elastic bodies 86, 88 instead. You may comprise so that it may urge to the state rotated.

  In the embodiment described above, the first and second payout levers L1 and L2 after being driven by the first and second cams C1 and C2 are attached to the first and second lever elastic bodies 86 and 88, respectively. Instead of this, the first and second payout levers L1 and L2 are moved to the first and second positions by the first and second cams C1 and C2, respectively. You may comprise so that it may be forced to rotate to this position. In this configuration, the first and second lever elastic bodies 86 and 88 are not necessary, and a pair of operating levers (not shown) extending from the respective payout levers L1 and L2 so as to sandwich the cams C1 and C2 are provided. Build it.

  In this case, each of the cams C1 and C2 is rotated by the cam gear 84 and the drive portions 1Cd and 2Cd are brought into contact with one of the operating levers, so that the first and second payout levers L1 and L2 are, for example, the first The first and second payout levers can be driven (rotated) at the same position, and the cams C1 and C2 are further rotated to bring the drive portions 1Cd and 2Cd into contact with the other operating lever. For example, L1 and L2 can be driven (rotated) to the second position. According to such a configuration, since the number of parts can be reduced by the amount that the first and second lever elastic bodies 86 and 88 are no longer required, the dispenser 30 can be reduced in size and price. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the above-described payout device 30 is detachably attached to the installation area 42P of the back upper base 42, and the installation area 42P has a positional relationship surrounding the payout device 30. A plurality of holding pieces 42s project. In this case, the payout device 30 can be attached to the installation region 42P by being pushed toward the outlets F1 and F2 of the rail unit 34 in a state where the payout device 30 is fitted along the plurality of holding pieces 42s. (Figure 3). By the way, such a payout device 30 may be removed from the installation region 42P of the back upper base 42 as shown in FIG. At this time, if game balls remain in the flow paths R1, R2 of the rail unit 34, the game balls spill out from the outlets F1, F2 (game ball leakage).

  Therefore, in order to prevent such ball leakage of the game balls, the rail unit 34 has two flow paths R1 and R2 that are connected to the outlets F1 and F2 when the payout device 30 is removed from the installation area 42P. A stopper unit 100 (FIG. 21) is provided for damming a game ball flowing down toward the head. The stopper unit 100 is detachably engaged and attached at positions near the outlets F1 and F2 of the rail unit 34. By removing the stopper unit 100 from the rail unit 34 as shown in FIG. It is possible to efficiently and smoothly perform the ball removal processing of the game balls remaining in the flow paths R1 and R2 of the rail unit 34. The rail unit 34 has a side wall 34w raised so as to surround the two flow paths R1 and R2, and the stopper unit 100 is provided between the side walls 34w near the outlets F1 and F2. The upper opening 34k for attaching the is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 23 to 27, the stopper unit 100 includes an upper surface plate 100t having a shape along the upper opening 34k of the rail unit 34 (FIG. 22), and side surface plates 100s disposed on both sides of the upper surface plate 100t. And a front plate 100f arranged so as to partially cover the upper sides of the outlets F1, F2 of the rail unit 34. The top plate 100t is provided with a plurality of (one pair in the drawing) positioning engaging members 102 on both edges thereof, and the side plate 100s is provided with one mounting engaging member 104. Yes. In this case, the positioning engagement member 102 has its proximal end fixed to the upper surface plate 100t and its distal end folded back so as to straddle the side wall 34w (FIG. 21) of the rail unit 34. The attachment engagement member 104 protrudes toward an engagement hole 34h (FIG. 21) formed on the side wall 34w of the rail unit 34, respectively.

  According to this configuration, when the stopper unit 100 is inserted into the upper opening 34k of the rail unit 34, the positioning engagement member 102 comes into contact with and engages with the upper end of the side wall 34w, and the attachment engagement member 104 enters the engagement hole 34h. Engage and engage. Accordingly, the stopper unit 100 can be positioned and attached to the upper opening 34k of the rail unit 34. On the other hand, when the stopper unit 100 is removed from the rail unit 34, the engagement state between the mounting engagement member 104 and the engagement hole 34h is released, and the stopper unit 100 is pulled out from the upper opening 34k of the rail unit 34. It can be easily removed.

  Further, the stopper unit 100 has a pair of inclined portions 100P raised toward the flow paths R1 and R2 at positions facing the two flow paths R1 and R2 of the rail unit 34, respectively. , R2 and the rising dimension of each inclined portion 100P is gradually set larger toward the outlets F1, F2 of the flow paths R1, R2. Thus, the inclined surfaces 1Ps, 2Ps, which form a downward slope toward the outlets F1, F2 of the flow paths R1, R2 on the rising end surfaces (surfaces facing the flow paths R1, R2) of the respective inclined portions 100P. 3Ps is formed. In the drawing, as an example, the upright end surface of each inclined portion 100P is constituted by three inclined surfaces 1Ps, 2Ps, 3Ps inclined in three stages, but one inclined surface, two inclined surfaces, or four or more The rising end surface of each inclined portion 100P may be configured by the inclined surfaces.

  According to this configuration, the flowable areas of the game balls that flow down the flow paths R1, R2 of the rail unit 34 toward the outlets F1, F2 are respectively the rising end surfaces (inclined surfaces 1Ps, 2Ps of the inclined portions 100P). , 3Ps) is narrowed toward the outlets F1 and F2, and the vicinity of the outlets F1 and F2 is narrowed to such an extent that game balls can be aligned and flow down one by one. Further, the rail unit 34 is provided with a spherical leveling member Ub (FIGS. 22 and 26) adjacent to the upstream side of the upper opening 34k, and the spherical leveling member Ub has two flow paths. A pair of spherical leveling plates 1Ub and 2Ub extending in the downstream direction along R1 and R2 are provided.

  In this case, when the stopper unit 100 is attached to the upper opening 34k of the rail unit 34, the pair of sphere leveling plates 1Ub and 2Ub are adjacent to the guide Q adjacent to the upstream side of the pair of inclined portions 100P (FIGS. 24 and 25). Is pressed in the direction of the flow paths R1 and R2 and is continuously stabilized on the inclined surface 1Ps. As a result, a series of sphere leveling surfaces are formed from the sphere leveling plates 1Ub, 2Ub to the rising end surfaces (inclined surfaces 1Ps, 2Ps, 3Ps). As a result, the plurality of game balls flowing down in a state where the respective flow paths R1 and R2 of the rail unit 34 are overlapped with each other are caused to rise from the leveling plates 1Ub and 2Ub (the inclined surfaces 1Ps, 2Ps and 3Ps). It flows down smoothly toward the outlets F1 and F2 while being leveled along.

  Further, the stopper unit 100 described above has a closed position (position indicated by a dotted line in FIGS. 23 and 27) that has entered the flowable area of the game ball and an open position (see FIGS. 23 and 27) that is avoided outside the flowable area. A stopper 106 pivotally supported toward the position (shown by a solid line), an elastic member 108 that constantly biases the stopper 106 toward the closed position, and an installation region 42P (see FIG. 21), and a pressing force that applies a pressing force from the installation region 42P side and rotates the stopper 106 from the closed position to the open position against the urging force of the elastic member 108. Member 110.

  The stopper 106 is interposed between a pair of inclined portions 100P raised toward the flow paths R1 and R2 of the rail unit 34, and faces each other inwardly from the inclined portions 100P. It is pivotally supported by a pair of protruding rotating shafts 112. More specifically, the stopper 106 includes a rotation center portion 106m having a pair of bearings Br rotatably fitted to the rotation shafts 112, and extends from the rotation center portion 106m toward the upper surface plate 100t. The operating portion 106f is in contact with the base end 110e of the pressing member 110, and the damming portion 106s extends from the rotation center portion 106m toward the lower end of the front plate 100f. The damming portion 106s is provided with a damming piece 106t that protrudes downward (in the direction of the flow paths R1 and R2) from its extended end.

  The elastic member 108 (for example, a torsion coil spring) is wound around one rotation shaft 112, one end 108a of the elastic member 108 is locked to the one inclined portion 100P, and the other end 108b is the rotation center portion 106m. It is locked to. As a result, as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 27, the stopper 106 rotates around the rotation shaft 112 by the urging force of the elastic member 108, and the damming piece 106t of the damming portion 106s becomes the flow path R1, R2. Is maintained in a state of being urged in the direction of turning toward.

  The pressing member 110 has a cylindrical shape and extends through the front plate 100f from the base end 110e that is in contact with the operating portion 106f of the stopper 106, and is pushed from the installation region 42P side to the extending end. A pressing surface 110t for receiving pressure is formed. The pressing member 110 is supported in a state of being inserted through a through hole 114h (FIG. 25) of the holder 114 fixed to the front plate 100f, and is configured to be movable along the through hole 114h.

  By the way, when the stopper 106 is rotated by the urging force of the elastic member 108, the operating portion 106f is rotated to press the base end 110e of the pressing member 110, whereby the pressing member 110 is pushed out from the front plate 100f. become. At this time, depending on the pressing force of the operating portion 106f against the pressing member 110, the pressing member 110 may come out of the front plate 100f and fall off. Therefore, an annular dropout prevention member 116 is attached to the pressing member 110 between the base end 110 e and the holder 114. As a result, even if the pressing member 110 is pushed out by the operating portion 106f, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. can do. Therefore, the pressing member 110 does not fall out of the front plate 100f.

  Here, in a state where the stopper unit 100 is attached to the upper opening 34k of the rail unit 34, when the dispensing device 30 (FIG. 3) is installed in the installation area 42P, the dispensing device 30 applies a pressing force to the pressing member 110. When applied, the pressing member 110 is pushed from the front plate 100f along the through hole 114h (FIG. 25) of the holder 114, as shown by the solid line in FIG. At this time, the stopper 106 rotates from the closed position toward the open position against the urging force of the elastic member 108 in accordance with the pressing amount of the pressing member 110 with respect to the operating portion 106f. As a result, the damming piece 106t of the damming portion 106s is avoided outside the flowable region (see solid lines in FIGS. 27 and 28). Thereby, the game ball S (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 28) that has flowed down the respective flow paths R1 and R2 flows out from the outlets F1 and F2 toward the payout device 30.

  On the other hand, when the dispensing device 30 is removed from the installation area 42P, the pressing force applied to the pressing member 110 by the dispensing device 30 is released. At this time, the stopper 106 is rotated from the open position to the closed position by the urging force of the elastic member 108, and as a result, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. By pressing the base end 110e, the pressing member 110 is pushed out from the front plate 100f. As a result, the damming piece 106t of the damming portion 106s enters the flowable region (see dotted lines in FIGS. 27 and 28).

  By the way, the wall portion 44 raised between the two flow paths R1 and R2 is set at a position lower than the game ball S (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 28) flowing down the flow paths R1 and R2. ing. Specifically, the height of the top portion 44t of the wall portion 44 is set to be lower than the game ball S flowing down through the flow paths R1 and R2. In this case, the damming piece 106t of the stopper 106 (damping portion 106s) that has entered the flowable area abuts against the top 44t of the wall portion 44 and is stably positioned in this state. The damming piece 106t of the damming portion 106s extends across the flow paths R1 and R2. As a result, the game balls S (see the two-dot chain lines in FIG. 28) that have flowed down the flow paths R1 and R2 toward the outlets F1 and F2 are simultaneously dammed immediately before the outlets F1 and F2 by the damming pieces 106t. It is done.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the dispensing device 30 is removed from the installation region 42P, the stopper 106 is within the flowable region of the game ball S (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 28) by the urging force of the elastic member 108. The game balls that flow down the flow paths R1 and R2 of the rail unit 34 toward the outlets F1 and F2 can be surely blocked. The operation required at this time is only the removal operation of the payout device 30, and there is no need to perform a special operation separately. For this reason, the ball leakage of the game ball S can be easily prevented.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, by extending the inclined portion 100P to the stopper unit 100, the plurality of game balls flowing down the respective flow paths R1, R2 are discharged from the outlet while being leveled by the inclined portion 100P. Flow down toward F1 and F2. In this case, if the game balls flow down while being overlapped with each other, it may cause clogging of the balls, but a plurality of such overlapping game balls can be made to flow evenly by the inclined portion 100P. Thereby, the plurality of game balls flowing down the respective flow paths R1, R2 can be smoothly flowed toward the outlets F1, F2.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the game balls can flow down into each of the two flow paths R1, R2, a large number of game balls can be paid out efficiently in a short time. In addition, a game ball that flows down each flow path R1, R2 by one stopper 106 by extending a blocking piece 106t of the stopper 106 (damping portion 106s) across the flow paths R1, R2. Can be dammed at the same time. In this case, the stopper 106 can be stably positioned at the closed position by bringing the stopper 106 into contact with the top 44t of the wall 44 when the dispensing device 30 is removed. Thereby, the ball leakage of the game ball can be surely prevented.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, no particular mention is made of a portion that applies a pressing force to the pressing surface 110t of the pressing member 110 by the discharging device 30, but the pressing portion 118 (see FIG. 5 to 7), and it is preferable to apply a pressing force from the pressing portion 118 to the pressing surface 110t. In this case, the payout intermediate base 46 extends in a plate shape along the pressing direction of the pressing member 110, and exhibits higher rigidity along the pressing direction than other configurations of the payout device 30. Thereby, it is possible to reliably apply the pressing force to the pressing surface 110t. Further, the durability of the dispensing device 30 can be improved.

The perspective view which shows the structure of the front side of the game machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the structure of the back side of the game machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the arrangement configuration of a payout apparatus, a ball tank, and a rail unit. The perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of a payout apparatus. The perspective view which looked at the external appearance structure of the dispensing device from the other direction. The perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the dispensing apparatus from which the board | substrate cover was removed. The perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the dispensing apparatus from which the dispensing cover rear part was removed. The perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the payout apparatus from which the payout intermediate base was removed. The perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the dispensing apparatus from which the dispensing gear cover was removed. The perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the dispensing device from which the gear for cams was removed. The perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the dispensing apparatus from which the dispensing cover front part was removed. The disassembled perspective view of a payout apparatus. The disassembled perspective view seen from the other direction of the dispensing device. Sectional drawing which follows the X1-X1 line | wire of the dispensing apparatus shown by FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the X2-X2 line | wire of the dispensing apparatus shown by FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the YY line of the payout apparatus shown by FIG. The top view of the payout apparatus of FIG. The perspective view which extracts and shows the structure which the cam which drives a discharge lever is connected with the drive device via the connection mechanism from the drive shaft. The top view which looked at the structure shown by FIG. 18 from the payout lever side. (a) is a figure which shows the internal structure of a 1st flow path, (b) is a figure which shows the internal structure of a 2nd flow path. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the dispensing device shown in FIG. 3 is removed from the installation area. The perspective view which shows the state by which the stopper unit shown by FIG. 21 was removed from the rail unit. The perspective view which looked at the stopper unit from the upper surface side. The perspective view which looked at the stopper unit from the lower surface side. The perspective view which shows the state from which the stopper and the press member were removed from the stopper unit shown by FIG. The perspective view which shows the structure of the rail unit to which the stopper unit was attached. The side view for demonstrating operation | movement of a stopper unit. The front view for demonstrating operation | movement of a stopper unit.

Explanation of symbols

100 Stopper unit 106 Stopper 108 Elastic member 110 Pressing member

Claims (3)

A rail unit having a flow path through which a plurality of game balls flow, and an outlet through which the game balls flowed down the flow path,
The game balls that are detachably installed in a predetermined installation area and that have flowed out of the outlet of the rail unit are received, and a predetermined number of the game balls are paid out using the received game balls. A dispensing device;
A stopper unit for damming the game ball flowing down the flow path when the dispensing device is removed from the installation area;
The stopper unit is
A closed position that enters the flowable area of the game ball flowing down the flow path and blocks the game ball, and an open position that avoids the flowable area and flows the game ball out of the flow outlet. A stopper pivotally supported so as to be able to rotate,
An elastic member that constantly biases the stopper toward the closed position;
The stopper is engaged with the stopper and extended toward the installation area, and by applying a pressing force from the installation area side, the stopper is against the biasing force of the elastic member from the closed position. A pressing member that rotates toward the open position ,
In the stopper unit, an inclined portion raised toward the flow path is extended along the flow path at a position facing the flow path of the rail unit. By gradually setting the dimensions toward the outlet of the flow path, an inclined surface that forms a downward slope toward the outlet of the flow path is formed, and
On the upstream side of the stopper unit, a sphere leveling member is provided adjacent thereto,
The sphere leveling member includes a sphere leveling plate extending in the downstream direction along the flow path,
The sphere leveling plate is pressed in the direction of the flow path by a guide adjacent to the upstream side of the inclined portion, is continuously stabilized on the inclined surface, and constitutes a series of spherical average surfaces together with the inclined portion. A gaming machine characterized by The guide is formed with a guide inclined surface that forms a downward slope toward the outlet of the flow path,
2. The inclination angle of the guide inclined surface with respect to the flow path is smaller than an inclination angle of the inclined surface of the inclined portion adjacent to the guide inclined surface with respect to the flow path. Gaming machine. The rail unit is provided with at least one wall portion extending along the flow path, and the flow path is divided into a plurality of flow paths parallel to each other by the wall portion, and the wall The portion is set at a position lower than the game balls flowing down the plurality of flow paths, respectively.
The stopper of the stopper unit extends across a plurality of the flow paths,
When the dispensing device is removed from the installation area, the pressing force applied to the pressing member by the dispensing device is released, and the stopper is directed from the open position to the closed position by the biasing force of the elastic member. The game ball that flows down each of the plurality of flow paths toward the outflow port is simultaneously dammed up by rotating and abutting on the wall portion according to claim 1 or 2. Gaming machine.

Images