JP5229948B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, an inner frame is assembled to a rectangular outer frame so as to be opened and closed, and a front frame is disposed on the inner frame so as to be opened and closed via a hinge. A game board is detachably assembled on the front side of the inner frame, and a ball tray is provided on the front frame. The ball tray temporarily stores the game ball and guides the stored game ball to the launch position of the launch device provided in the inner frame. A launch handle is provided on the front frame, and the launch device is operated by operating the launch handle.

  A control unit including an image processing board of the symbol display device and a main control board for controlling the operation of the pachinko machine is assembled on the back side of the inner frame. In addition, a replenishment tank that stores game balls supplied from the game machine island of the game hall, a tank rail that guides the game balls in the replenishment tank downstream, a ball passage that allows the ball pressure to flow down from the tank rail, and a ball A ball payout device for paying out game balls as prize balls / rented balls based on predetermined conditions is provided for the game balls supplied from the passage. The game balls paid out from the payout exit through the ball payout passage from the ball payout device are temporarily stored in a ball receiving tray provided in the front frame.

  While the player is playing, the staff may open the front frame to clear the ball clogging and check the pachinko machine. At this time, if the ball tray is full of game balls and is filled with game balls up to the ball payout passage, or a prize ball payout operation is performed by winning a prize, the game balls flowing down or stopped in the ball payout passage May spill onto the floor. Here, since the game ball paid out from the ball payout device becomes the player's ball, ball spilling or the like is not allowed.

In order to eliminate such a problem, a first movable part is provided in the vicinity of the opening of the pachinko ball guiding part of the machine frame that is movable by the elastic force of the elastic member, and the first movable part is opened when the front plate door is opened from the machine frame. The second moving part (shutter) that moves by the elastic force of the elastic member provided on the front plate part door is adjusted to the opening of the front plate part door to suppress the fall of the game ball by tilting the front plate part door The technique which suppresses the fall of the game ball from the said front-plate part by making it move to (refer patent document 1) is proposed.
JP 2002-119718 A

  In the gaming machine of Patent Document 1 described above, since the downstream side of the first movable part is inclined upward by elastic force with respect to the inclination of the pachinko ball guiding part, the flow of the game ball is suppressed, When the momentum of the game ball flowing down the ball payout passage is fast, there is a possibility that the game ball may fall before the first movable portion tilts due to the opening of the front plate door or over the tilt. In addition, since the flow of the game ball is suppressed while the game ball is on the first movable part, if the inclination of the first movable part is insufficient, the first movable part is opened in the middle of opening the front plate part door. There is a risk that the game ball on the club spills due to the ball pressure of the subsequent game ball.

  In addition to the first movable part on the machine frame side for paying out game balls, the front plate part door is also provided with a second movable part so that it can be moved by pin operation on the machine frame side. The number of points increases, the size and the structure become complicated, and the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost also increase.

  An object of the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a gaming machine capable of effectively suppressing the spilling of a game ball flowing down the ball payout passage when the front frame is opened from the inner frame Is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention is:
A front frame is disposed on the front side of the inner frame holding the game board so as to be openable and closable via a hinge, and a game ball paid out from a ball payout device provided on the inner frame is placed on a ball tray provided on the front frame. A gaming machine having a ball spill prevention mechanism for preventing a game ball from spilling when the front frame is opened in the guided ball payout passage, wherein the ball spill prevention mechanism is located near the end of the ball payout passage. disposed the rotational axis a rotatable about the rotational axis which intersects the flow direction of the passage immediately above or immediately below the ball disbursement passage, it rotates rush from the ceiling surface or the bottom of the ball disbursement passage to the ball dispensing passage vanes the has a rotary body rotating by the game ball flowing down the sphere dispensing passage to the blade contacts, provided on the inner frame side, and a lock position for restricting rotation in contact with the rotating body, that Unloader that releases contact and allows rotation of the rotating body A locking member that can be moved on the rotation axis between the unlocked position and the external force to be moved from the unlocked position toward the locked position, and provided on the front frame side. Operating means for holding the lock member in the unlocked position against external force when closed, and when the front frame is opened, the lock member is released from being held in the unlocked position by the operating means, and the lock member applies external force. In response, the rotation of the rotating body is regulated on the rotational axis to restrict the rotation of the rotating body, and the blades of the rotating body block the flow of the game ball in the ball payout passage. The rotator is rotated by contact of the blade with the game ball held in the unlocked position and flowing down the ball payout passage .

  According to the present invention, as a ball spill prevention mechanism for preventing the game ball from spilling when the front frame is opened, the game ball flowing down through the passage rotates into contact with the blade that rotates into the ball payout passage. A rotating body is provided. According to this, the game ball flowing down the ball payout passage flows down in contact with the blades of the rotating body, so the momentum of the game ball flowing down is relaxed and discharged to the ball tray. Therefore, even when a known shutter mechanism is used at the end of the ball payout passage, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the game ball spills before the shutter is completely closed when the front frame is suddenly opened. Furthermore, when the front frame is closed, the game ball can be paid out stably from the outlet of the ball tray, so that there is no problem that the ball spills even when the depth of the ball tray is shallow.

  Further, when the front frame is opened, the rotation of the rotating body is restricted, and the blades of the rotating body can block the flow of the game ball in the ball payout passage.

And as a specific aspect of the ball spill prevention mechanism,
It is provided on the inner frame side, and is movable between a locked position that abuts against the rotating body and restricts rotation, and an unlocked position that releases the contact and allows rotation of the rotating body. A lock member that constantly receives an external force to be moved toward the lock position;
Operating means provided on the front frame side and holding the lock member in the unlocked position against external force when the front frame is closed,
When the front frame is opened, the holding of the lock member at the unlocked position by the operating means is released, the lock member is moved to the locked position by an external force, and the rotation of the rotating body is restricted. It can be set as the structure which dams the flow-down of the game ball in a channel | path.

  According to this, since the flow of the game ball is directly regulated by the rotating body (blade) that contacts the game ball flowing down the ball payout passage, the shutter moves to the regulation position like a known shutter mechanism. The initial operation is not necessary, and the time lag until the rotation of the rotating body is restricted when the front frame is opened can be eliminated (it can be shortened). As a result, the spilling of the game ball when the front frame is opened can be more reliably suppressed.

The external force acting on the lock member is an urging force by a coil spring,
The rotating body, the lock member, and the coil spring are pivotally supported by a shaft pin arranged along the rotation axis in this order, and the lock member can be configured to move along the shaft pin. According to this, since the rotating body and the lock member are pivotally supported by the shaft pin, the rotation of the rotating body can be regulated by reliably bringing the lock member into contact with the rotating body. Further, since the rotating body itself does not move up and down, left and right, the projected area of the gaming machine in a front view can be reduced, and the size and size can be reduced.

  Note that gravity can be used as the external force acting on the lock member. In that case, the movement of the lock member is such that the lock position is displaced in the vertical direction so that the lock position is low and the unlock position is high. Therefore, biasing means such as a coil spring can be omitted, and the number of parts can be reduced.

  In addition, when the lock member restricts the rotation of the rotating body at the locked position, the restricting surface of the rotor of the rotating body that dams the game ball flowing down the ball payout passage stops corresponding to the terminal opening of the ball payout passage. Can be configured. According to this, since the regulation surface of the blade stops corresponding to the terminal opening of the ball payout passage, for example, when a predetermined number of game balls are stopped from the ball receiving tray to the ball payout passage, The game ball does not stop at the downstream side of the blades of the rotating body, and the spilling of the game ball when the front frame is opened can be more reliably suppressed.

  Further, on the front frame side, a ball receiving passage is provided which extends from the ball receiving tray outlet to the back side and receives the game ball flowing down the ball paying passage, and the operating means is formed in the ball receiving passage. Can be configured. According to this, since the ball receiving passage for guiding from the ball paying passage to the ball receiving tray outlet is provided, the game ball can be more stably discharged from the ball receiving tray outlet. And, by forming the operation means in the ball receiving passage, not only the number of parts can be reduced, but also contributes to downsizing and compactness, and operation of the lock member when the front frame is closed (unlock position) And the time difference until the ball receiving passage faces the ball payout passage can be reduced. As a result, the spilling of the game ball due to opening and closing of the front frame can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, the operation means can be configured to be used also as a side wall of a ball receiving passage that restricts the flow-down direction of the game ball when the game ball is received from the ball payout passage. According to this, the time difference between the operation of the locking member when the front frame is closed (moving to the unlocked position) and the ball receiving passage faces the ball payout passage is reduced, and the front frame is closed. , The gap between the ball payout passage and the ball receiving passage can be reduced to prevent the ball from spilling.

  Further, the rotating body as the ball spill prevention mechanism may be configured such that the rotation axis is disposed above the ball payout passage, and the blades are rotated and inserted from the ceiling surface of the ball payout passage. According to this, since the contact time and distance between the game ball and the rotating body (blade) due to the flow are shortened, the load of the directly contacting blade and the rotating shaft that receives the load is reduced, and the product life is extended. Can do. Further, the floor surface (lower surface) on which the game ball rolls (flows down) is made flat, for example, to prevent clogging of the ball, and the rotating body and the ball receiving passage do not interfere with each other. The degree of freedom of design is improved by sliding it into the lower side.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a front view showing an example of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a rear view of the gaming machine of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the gaming machine of FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ball dispensing passage unit as viewed from above and below, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ball dispensing passage unit of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section of the ball dispensing passage unit and the ball receiving passage when the front frame is closed. 7 is an explanatory view showing the relationship between the rotating body and the lock member, and FIG. 8 is a plan view, a rear view and a perspective view of the ball receiving passage.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a gaming machine (hereinafter also referred to as a pachinko machine) 1 includes a frame-like outer frame 2 that forms the outline of the pachinko machine 1. The inner frame 3 is supported so as to be able to open one side toward the front side. A game board 5 in which a game area 5a is formed by the guide rail 4 is mounted on the inner frame 3, and a launching mechanism (not shown) is provided below the inner board 3. A glass frame 6 is provided on one side of the inner frame 3 as a front frame provided with a transparent plate such as glass that covers the front of the game board 5 so as to be freely opened and closed. Below that, a ball tray frame 7 is pivotally supported as a front frame so as to be openable and closable. A ball tray 9 that stores game balls on the front surface thereof, rectifies the stored game balls, and supplies the game balls to the launch mechanism is provided. Is provided. A launching handle 10 for adjusting the launching force of the game ball is provided on the lower right side of the ball tray 9.

  In the present specification, the vertical direction in the pachinko machine 1 means the direction (vertical direction) in which the game ball flows down the game area 5a in a manner along the board surface of the game board 5. Moreover, the left-right direction means a direction (horizontal direction) orthogonal to the up-down direction in a mode along the board surface of the game board 5. Further, the front-rear direction means a direction (horizontal direction) perpendicular to the board surface of the game board 5, the player side of the game board 5 is the front side, and the back side of the game board 5 (opposite side of the game area 5 a) is the rear side. On the side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the inner frame 3 is formed into a vertical rectangular shape made of synthetic resin and is formed in a frame shape in which a window portion 11 is opened at the center. A replenishment tank 12 for storing game balls replenished from a replenishment path (not shown) is provided, and a straight and bent ball guiding path 13 for aligning and flowing down game balls downstream of the replenishment tank 12 is provided. Is provided. Further, a ball payout device 14 for counting and paying out a predetermined number of game balls is provided on the downstream side of the ball guide path 13. On the downstream side of the ball payout device 14, a ball payout passage 15 is provided for guiding the game balls discharged from the ball payout device 14 from the payout opening 9a to the ball receiving tray 9 (see FIG. 1). The ball payout passage 15 is provided with a ball spill prevention mechanism 16 that prevents the game ball from spilling when the ball tray frame (front frame) 7 is opened. Here, when the ball tray frame 7 is closed with respect to the inner frame 3, the ball spill prevention mechanism 16 allows the game balls discharged from the ball discharge device 14 to flow down in the ball discharge passage 15, and the ball tray frame 7. When the ball is opened, the flow of game balls in the ball payout passage 15 is blocked.

  Hereinafter, the ball spill prevention mechanism 16 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the ball spill prevention mechanism 16 includes a ball payout passage unit 20 provided on the inner frame 3 side and a ball receiving passage 30 provided on the ball tray frame 7 side.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ball payout passage unit 20 includes a base member 21 and a cover member 22 that form a terminal portion of the ball payout passage 15, and a ball payout passage 15 near the end of the ball payout passage 15. And a lock member 24 that restricts the rotation of the rotary body 23. The rotary body 23 is rotatably arranged around a rotation axis O1 that intersects the flow direction. The ball payout passage unit 20 includes a coil spring (biasing means) 25 that biases the lock member 24 toward the rotating body 23, and the rotating body 23, the lock member 24, and the coil spring 25 along the rotation axis O1. A shaft pin 26 that supports the shaft, and first and second bearings 27 and 28 that are rotatably supported in the direction of the rotation axis O1 of the rotating body 23 are provided. The ball payout passage unit 20 forms an upstream opening 20a for introducing game balls into the inside and a downstream opening 20b for discharging the introduced game balls to the outside.

  The base member 21 has a box shape, and includes a passage portion 21a that becomes the ball payout passage 15 and a rotating body accommodation portion 21b that accommodates the rotating body 23 when the cover member 22 is attached. A fixing hole 21c to which the second bearing 28 is fixed to support one end of the shaft pin 26 is formed in the rotating body housing portion 21b.

  The cover member 22 has a plate shape, covers the opening side surface of the base member 21, and includes a lock mechanism housing portion 22a that houses the lock member 24, the coil spring 25, and the like as a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism housing portion 22a is formed with a support hole 22b for supporting the other end of the shaft pin 26, and a notch portion 22c extending parallel to the rotation axis O1 serving as a guide for the lever portion 24c of the lock member 24. Yes. The shaft pin 26 is supported on the shaft so as to be sandwiched between the base member 21 and the cover member 22.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rotating body 23 includes a plurality of (for example, six) blades 23 a that rotate into the ball dispensing passage 15, and extends along the rotation axis O <b> 1 on both sides of the blades 23 a. And cylindrical rotary protrusions 23c and 23d having shaft holes 23b through which the shaft pins 26 are inserted. Further, the tip of the rotation projection 23c on the cover member 22 (first bearing 27) side is formed as an actuated portion 23e with which the lock member 24 abuts. Therefore, the rotating body 23 rotates when the game ball flowing down the ball payout passage 15 contacts the blade 23a. The ball spill prevention mechanism 16 restricts the rotation of the rotating body 23 when the ball tray frame 7 is opened, and the blades 23a of the rotating body 23 block the flow of the game ball in the ball payout passage 15.

  The rotating body 23 has a rotational axis O1 disposed above the passage portion 21a (the ball payout passage 15), and is rotationally inserted from the ceiling surface 21d of the blade 23a passage portion 21a (see FIG. 6).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lock member 24 includes an action portion 24 a that comes into contact with the acting portion 23 e of the rotating body 23, an insertion hole 24 b through which the shaft pin 26 is inserted, and a radial direction of the insertion hole 24 b. And an extending lever portion 24c. Further, the lock member 24 is pivotally supported by a shaft pin 26 disposed along the rotation axis O <b> 1 between the rotating body 23 and the coil spring 25, and the lever portion 24 c is supported by the notch portion 22 c of the cover member 22. It is guided and moves along the shaft pin 26. That is, a lock position (see FIG. 9A) that abuts against the rotating body 23 and restricts rotation, and an unlock position that releases the contact and allows the rotation of the rotating body 23 (see FIG. 9B). It is provided to be movable between. The lock member 24 always receives the urging force of the coil spring 25 as an external force to be moved from the unlock position toward the lock position.

  The actuating portion 23e of the rotating body 23 and the acting portion 24a of the locking member 24 use, for example, a latch structure, and when the locking member 24 moves to the locked position, the game in the ball payout passage 15 of the rotating body 23 is performed. The structure is such that the rotation in which the flow direction of the sphere is the forward direction is restricted and the reverse rotation is allowed. According to this, the rotation of the rotating body 23 due to the ball pressure of the game ball stopped in the ball payout passage 15 (the flow of the game ball) is stably regulated, the impact due to the collision of the game ball is absorbed, and the ball pressure Ball chewing and ball clogging can be suppressed.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7A, the actuated portion 23e of the rotating body 23 is formed by a vertical surface 23s including the rotation axis O1 and an inclined surface 23t intersecting the rotation axis O1. The formed recesses are annularly arranged at the tip of the rotating projection 23c corresponding to the plurality of blades 23a. The action portion 24a of the lock member 24 is formed by a vertical surface 24s including the rotation axis O1 and an inclined surface 24t intersecting the rotation axis O1 corresponding to the concave portion of the acting portion 23e of the rotating body 23. The convex portions are arranged in a ring shape. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the lock member 24 moves in the direction of the arrow R, the inclined surface 24t of the lock member 24 abuts on the inclined surface 23t of the rotating body 23 and the vertical surfaces 23s, 24s contact each other. The rotating body 23 is rotated (guided) to the contacting rotation angle, and the rotation of the rotating body 23 is stopped (restricted) in such a manner that the convex portion of the action portion 24a of the lock member 24 fits into the concave portion of the operated portion 23e of the rotating body 23 ) As shown in FIG. 7C, when the corner 23u between the vertical surface 23s and the inclined surface 23t of the rotating body 23 is chamfered, the lock member 24 moves in the arrow R direction. Further, the vertical surface 23 s of the lock member 24 can be brought into contact with the vertical surface 23 s on the preceding side with respect to the flow direction of the ball payout passage 15 by the corner portion 23 u. That is, since the rotation is restricted by rotating the rotating body 23 slightly, the ball spilling can be more effectively suppressed.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4B, the lock member 24 has the lever portion 24c positioned in the circumferential direction by the notch portion 22c of the cover member 22, so that the blade 23a of the rotating body 23 is connected to the ball discharge passage. 15 is set to stop at a predetermined position. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, when the lock member 24 restricts the rotation of the rotating body 23 at the locked position, the regulating surface of the blade 23 a of the rotating body 23 that dams the game ball flowing down the ball payout passage 15. 23p is formed to stop corresponding to the downstream opening 20b of the ball payout passage 15. That is, since the rotating body 23 is disposed on the upper side of the ball payout passage 15, it can be reasonably disposed corresponding to the downstream opening 20b. Thereby, the contact (dependence) of the rotating body 23 can be shortened as much as possible with respect to the game ball discharged from the downstream opening 20 b of the ball payout passage 15. The restricting surface 23p of the blade 23a of the rotating body 23 is a surface on the rear side of the blade 23a in the rotation direction in which the flow direction of the game ball in the ball payout passage 15 is the forward direction (clockwise in FIG. 6A). It is.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the first bearing 27 is held in the lock mechanism housing portion 22a of the cover member 22 by the flange portion 27a. Further, the first bearing 27 supports the side surface of the blade 23a by inserting the rotation protrusion 23c of the rotating body 23, and the inner peripheral surface 27b of the operated portion 23e of the rotating body 23 and the lock member 24 described above. Abutting (locking) with the action portion 24a is assisted (see FIG. 8). Thereby, the unlocking is suppressed. The second bearing 28 supports the end surface of the rotation protrusion 23 d on the side opposite to the first bearing 27.

  Thus, by disposing the ball payout passage unit 20 including the passage and the ball spill prevention mechanism at the end portion of the ball payout passage 15, a complicated work such as assembling the shutter and its drive mechanism to the inner frame 3 can be performed. As a result, the inner frame 3 can be easily assembled. In addition, since the base member 21 and the cover member 22 accommodate the rotating body 23, the shaft pin 26, and the like, entry of dust, dust, dust and the like is suppressed, and occurrence of malfunctions is prevented.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 8, the ball receiving passage 30 extends from the payout opening 9 a of the ball receiving tray 9 to the back side, receives the game ball flowing down the ball payout passage 15, A game ball is paid out to the ball tray 9 through the payout opening 9a. Here, the ball spill prevention mechanism 16 is provided on the front frame side, and is an operation means for holding the lock member 24 in the unlocked position against an external force (the urging force of the coil spring 25) when the front frame is closed. A ball receiving passage 30 is provided. That is, the operating means is formed in the ball receiving passage 30.

  Specifically, the ball receiving passage 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape so that the downstream side is continuous with the discharge port 9a, and the upstream side is formed in a receiving port shape. The ball receiving passage 30 includes a ball receiving portion 31 that receives a game ball introduced from the ball payout passage 15, a side wall portion 32 that regulates the flow direction of the game ball received by the ball receiving portion 31, A side wall piece 33 that protrudes from an intermediate position in the width direction and regulates the flow-down direction of the game ball on the opposite side of the side wall portion 32 is provided. In the present embodiment, the side wall piece 33 is used as an operation means. Further, the ball receiving portion 31 is formed to include an extending portion 31 a that extends upstream from the side wall portion 32 and the side wall piece 33.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the ball receiving passage 30 moves in the direction of the arrow P around the hinge 2 a as the rotation center as the ball tray frame 7 is opened and closed. Then, when the ball tray frame 7 is closed, as shown in FIG. 6, the ball tray frame 7 is disposed so as to face the ball dispensing passage unit 20 (the ball dispensing passage 15). At this time, the extending portion 31a of the ball receiving portion 31 is formed so as to enter the lower side of the ball payout passage 15 (passage portion 21a). Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the extending portion 31a is formed so as to enter only the diameter D of the game ball, for example. According to this, when the ball tray frame 7 is opened in a state where the ball receiving passage 30 (ball receiving portion 31) is filled with the game balls and the ball tray frame 7 is closed, the ball receiving passage 30 Since the ball receiving portion 31 is separated in a state where an extension portion 31a (empty space) for one game ball is secured, even if one game ball flows down from the downstream opening 20b, the extension portion 31a The ball tray frame 7 can be opened without spilling. When the ball tray frame 7 is closed again, the extended portion 31a enters the lower side of the ball payout passage 15 (passage portion 21a) and is stopped by the end of the floor wall of the downstream opening 20b. The ball is pushed out from the payout opening 9a to the ball receiving tray 9, and an empty space is secured by the extending portion 31a.

  Next, the operation of the ball spill prevention mechanism 16 accompanying the opening / closing operation of the ball tray frame 7 will be described. FIG. 9 is a partially broken perspective view for explaining the operation of the ball spill prevention mechanism. 9A shows the ball spill prevention mechanism 16 when the ball tray frame 7 is closed relative to the inner frame 3, and FIG. 9B shows the ball spill prevention mechanism 16 when the ball tray frame 7 is opened. Yes. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the ball tray frame 7 is closed, the side wall piece 33 of the ball receiving passage 30 abuts against the lever portion 24c of the lock member 24, and the lock member 24 is urged by the urging force of the coil spring 25. Hold it in the unlocked position. That is, the action part 24 a of the lock member 24 is held in a state of being separated from the acted part 23 e of the rotating body 23. As a result, the ball payout passage 15 and the payout outlet 9a are in a continuous state via the ball receiving passage 30 and the rotating body 23 is in a state allowing free rotation, so that the game paid out from the ball payout device 14 The ball flows down the ball dispensing passage 15, contacts the blade 23, rotates the rotating body 23, and is dispensed to the ball receiving tray 9 through the ball receiving passage 30.

  When the ball tray frame (front frame) 7 is opened, as shown in FIG. 9B, the ball receiving passage 30 is separated from the ball dispensing passage unit 20 together with the ball tray frame 7 (see FIG. 3). The holding of the lock member 24 at the unlock position by the side wall piece 33 of the receiving passage 30 is released, and the lock member 24 moves to the lock position by the biasing force (external force) of the coil spring 25. That is, the action part 24 a of the lock member 24 is held in a state of being in contact (fitting) with the acted part 23 e of the rotating body 23. As a result, the ball payout passage 15 and the payout opening 9a are blocked, so that the rotation of the rotating body 23 is restricted and the blades 23a of the rotating body 23 block the flow of the game ball in the ball payout passage 15 .

  Since the side wall piece 33 of the ball receiving passage 30 is formed at an intermediate position in the width direction of the ball receiving portion 31, the side wall piece 33 contacts the lever portion 24c of the lock member 24 when the ball tray frame 7 is closed. Before contact, the ball receiving portion 31 enters the lower side of the ball payout passage unit 20 (ball payout passage 15), and the side wall piece 33 is separated from the lever portion 24c of the lock member 24 when the ball tray frame 7 is opened. Since the ball receiving portion 31 remains below the ball payout passage unit 20 (the ball payout passage 15), it is possible to suppress the ball biting and the ball spilling. Since the regulation surface 23p of the blade 23a of the rotating body 23 regulates the game ball at the end of the ball payout passage 15 (downstream opening 20b), the game ball is separated from the ball payout passage unit 20 after the ball receiving passage 30 is separated. The problem of spilling has been solved.

  Next, another embodiment of the ball spill prevention mechanism 16 will be described with reference to the drawings. 10 is a perspective view of a ball dispensing path unit according to another embodiment as viewed from above and below, FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the ball dispensing path unit of FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is a ball receiver according to another embodiment. It is the front view, side view, and perspective view of a channel | path.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the ball payout passage unit 40 includes a base member 41 and a cover member 42 that form a terminal portion of the ball payout passage 15, and a rotation axis O 2 that intersects the flow direction of the ball payout passage 15. And a shutter 44 disposed so as to be swingable about a swing axis O3 parallel to the rotation axis O2. The ball payout passage unit 40 includes shaft pins 45 and 45 that pivotally support the rotating body 43 and the shutter 44, and a retaining member 47 such as a bearing 46 and an e-ring is provided at both ends of the shaft pins 45 and 45. ing. Note that the ball payout passage unit 40 forms an upstream opening 40a for introducing game balls into the inside and a downstream opening 40b for discharging the introduced game balls to the outside.

  The base member 41 includes a passage portion 41a that becomes the ball payout passage 15 when the cover member 42 is attached, and a rotating body housing portion 41b that houses the rotating body 43 below the passage portion 41a. . The base member 41 has ribs 41c formed on the floor wall of the passage portion 41a, and two rows of passages through which game balls flow down. In addition, openings 41d and 41d are formed in the floor wall of the passage portion 41a so that the rotator 43 rotates into the passage. Moreover, the shaft support part 41e which penetrates the shaft pins 45 and 45 is each formed in the upper side of the channel | path part 41a, and the rotary body accommodating part 41b. The cover member 42 is provided as a support wall that receives the load of the shutter 44, which will be described later.

  The rotating body 43 includes a blade 43a that rotates into the passage portion 41a from the opening 41d of the base member 41, and a cylindrical rotation shaft that is disposed so that the rotation axis O2 is positioned outside (lower side) the passage portion 41a. 43b. Further, the blades 43a are formed to extend in the radial direction at a plurality of locations (six in this embodiment) at two locations spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the direction of the rotational axis O2 on the rotational shaft 43b. The rotating body 43 is formed so as to be freely rotatable around the rotation axis O2. Further, since the rotating body 43 is formed by dividing the blades 43a at two places, the entire weight is reduced, and the rotating body 43 can be rotated without difficulty even with the weight of one game ball.

  The shutter 44 enters the passage portion 41a (the ball payout passage 15) and restricts the flow of the game ball, and has a bent shape, and an elastic piece 44b for allowing the restriction piece 44a to enter the passage portion 41a. And a cylindrical rocking shaft 44c disposed so that the rocking axis O3 is located outside (upper side) of the passage portion 41a.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the ball receiving passage 50 is formed with a flange portion 52 that protrudes from the upper end of the cylindrical main body portion 51 to the back side so as to be continuous with the discharge port 9a.

  Next, the operation of the ball spill prevention mechanism 16 accompanying the opening / closing operation of the ball tray frame 7 will be described. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the operation of a ball spill prevention mechanism according to another embodiment. 13A shows the ball spill prevention mechanism 16 when the ball tray frame 7 is closed with respect to the inner frame 3, and FIG. 13B shows the ball spill prevention mechanism 16 when the ball tray frame 7 is opened. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, when the ball tray frame 7 is closed, the flange portion 52 of the ball receiving passage 50 abuts against the elastic piece 44b of the shutter 44, and the elastic piece 44b is pressed against the cover member 42. keeping. That is, the shutter 44 is swung by the rocking shaft 44c by the amount that the elastic piece 44b is crushed, and the restricting piece 41a is held at a position where it is retracted from the ball payout passage 15 (a position that does not contact the game ball). Thereby, the ball payout passage 15 (passage portion 41a) and the discharge outlet 9a are in a continuous state via the main body portion 51 (ball receiving passage 50), and the rotating body 43 is in a freely rotatable state. The game balls paid out from the ball payout device 14 flow down the ball payout passage 15, contact the blades 43 a, rotate the rotating body 43, and pass through the main body 51 (ball receiving passage 50) to the ball receiving tray 9. To be paid out.

  When the front frame is opened, the ball receiving passage 50 is separated from the ball dispensing passage unit 40 together with the ball tray frame 7 as shown in FIG. 13B (see FIG. 3). The pressing of the elastic piece 44 b of the shutter 44 by 52 is released, and the regulating piece 44 a moves into the ball dispensing passage 15 by the elastic force of the elastic piece 44 b. That is, the elastic piece 44b is held in a state of being placed on the cover member 42. As a result, the ball payout passage 15 and the payout outlet 9a are blocked, and the flow of the game ball in the ball payout passage 15 is blocked. At this time, since the momentum of the flow of the game ball is reduced by the rotation of the rotating body 43, the flow of the game ball can be blocked without delaying the initial operation of the restriction piece 44a of the shutter 44.

  Although the pachinko machine has been described as an example of the gaming machine in the present invention, the present invention can be applied to a gaming machine provided with a payout device such as an arrange ball gaming machine or a sparrow ball gaming machine.

The front view which shows an example of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The rear view of the gaming machine of FIG. The principal part expansion perspective view of the gaming machine of FIG. 1 when the front frame is opened. The perspective view which looked at the ball delivery path unit from the upper and lower sides. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ball dispensing path unit of FIG. 4. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the ball discharge passage unit and the ball receiving passage when the front frame is closed. Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a rotary body and a locking member. The top view, rear view, and perspective view of a ball receiving passage. The partially broken perspective view explaining the effect | action of a ball spill prevention mechanism. The perspective view which looked at the ball discharge passage unit concerning another embodiment from the upper and lower sides. The disassembled perspective view of the principal part of the ball discharge path unit of FIG. The front view, side view, and perspective view of the ball receiving passage which concern on another embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view explaining the action | operation of the ball spill prevention mechanism which concerns on another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachinko machine (game machine)
2 Outer frame 3 Inner frame 5 Game board 6 Glass frame (front frame)
7 ball tray frame (front frame)
9 Ball tray 9a Discharge outlet 14 Ball discharge device 15 Ball discharge passage 16 Ball spill prevention mechanism 20 Ball discharge passage unit 20a Upstream opening 20b Downstream opening 21 Base member 22 Cover member 23 Rotating body 23a Blade 23b Shaft hole 23c, 23d Rotation Projection 23e Actuated part 23p Restriction surface 24 Lock member 24a Action part 24b Insertion hole 24c Lever part 25 Coil spring (biasing member)
26 Shaft pin 27 First bearing 28 Second bearing 30 Sphere receiving passage 31 Sphere receiving portion 31a Extension portion 32 Side wall portion 33 Side wall piece (operation means)
40 Ball delivery path unit 41 Base member 42 Cover member 43 Rotating body 44 Shutter 50 Ball receiving path 52 Collar portion O1, O2 Rotating axis O3 Oscillating axis

Claims (6)

A front frame is disposed on the front side of the inner frame holding the game board via a hinge so as to be openable and closable, and a game ball paid out from a ball payout device provided on the inner frame is provided on the front frame. A gaming machine provided with a ball spill prevention mechanism for preventing a game ball from spilling when the front frame is opened in a ball payout path that guides to a tray,
The ball spill prevention mechanism is
Near the terminal end of the ball payout passage, it is rotatable around a rotation axis that intersects the flow direction of the ball payout passage, and the rotation axis is arranged directly above or directly below the ball payout passage, and the ceiling of the ball payout passage from the surface or the bottom has a blade rotating rush to the ball dispensing passage, a rotary body rotating by the game ball flowing down the sphere dispensing passage to the blade is in contact,
It is provided on the inner frame side and can move on the axis of rotation between a locked position that contacts the rotating body and restricts rotation, and an unlocked position that releases the contact and allows the rotating body to rotate. And a locking member that constantly receives an external force to move from the unlocked position toward the locked position,
Operating means provided on the front frame side and holding the locking member in the unlocked position against the external force when the front frame is closed,
When the front frame is opened, the locking member is released from the unlocking position by the operating means, and the locking member receives the external force and moves to the locking position on the rotation axis to rotate the rotating body. And the blades of the rotor block the flow of the game ball in the ball payout passage, and when the front frame is closed, the lock member is held in the unlock position by the operating means, and the ball payout passage A game machine characterized in that a rotating body rotates when a blade comes into contact with a game ball flowing down . The external force is a biasing force by a coil spring,
The rotating body, the lock member, and the coil spring are pivotally supported by a shaft pin arranged along the rotation axis in this order,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the lock member moves along the shaft pin . When the lock member restricts the rotation of the rotating body at the locked position, the restricting surface of the rotor of the rotating body that dams the game ball flowing down the ball payout passage corresponds to the terminal opening of the ball payout passage. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gaming machine is stopped . The acting portion of the lock member and the acted portion of the rotating body that face each other in the rotation axis direction are each formed with a vertical surface parallel to the rotation axis direction and an inclined surface that intersects the vertical surface, and is formed in an uneven portion. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising a latch structure that engages with each other, and a corner portion of the vertical surface and the inclined surface of the rotating body has a chamfered shape . The front frame side is provided with a ball receiving passage that extends from the outlet of the ball receiving tray to the back side and receives a game ball that has flowed down the ball discharging passage,
The gaming machine according to claim 1 , wherein the operating means is formed in the ball receiving passage . The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the operating means is also used as a side wall of the ball receiving passage that restricts the flow-down direction of the game ball when the game ball is received from the ball payout passage .

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