JP7709213B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a number of gaming pegs are provided on a gaming board with a gaming area formed on the front side through which gaming balls can flow.

A pachinko machine, which is a typical gaming machine, has a gaming board on the front side of which is a gaming area where pachinko balls (gaming balls) can flow down, and is provided with a normal winning hole and a starting winning hole (starting winning means) where pachinko balls can win, as well as a display device (display means) such as a liquid crystal type or drum type that displays a changing pattern (so-called decorative pattern) to create a pattern changing effect. In addition, in the gaming area, many gaming nails are planted on the front side of the gaming board and are scattered around, avoiding the areas where gaming components such as winning components and decorative bodies are arranged (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In a pachinko machine, a pachinko ball shot into the play area bounces off of the play pegs and play components in the play area and gradually flows down due to its own weight. As it flows down the play area, it enters the start winning hole, and various game effects such as reach effects that accompany pattern changes are produced on the display device. When the patterns stop on the display device in a predetermined combination, a so-called jackpot occurs, and a special winning device installed on the play board opens, allowing the player to win a large number of prize balls.

JP 2022-81244 A

Gaming machine manufacturers adjust the spacing between the multiple gaming nails and the driving angle so that the gaming performance, such as the winning rate and ball payout rate, will be preset for the pachinko machine before shipping it. However, if the spacing between the multiple gaming nails and the driving angle are adjusted too much at the gaming parlor so that no gaming balls enter the winning hole, etc., there is a problem that the pachinko machine will not be able to achieve the desired gaming performance preset in the machine.

In other words, the present invention has been proposed in consideration of the above-mentioned problems inherent in gaming machines related to conventional technology, and aims to provide a gaming machine that makes it difficult to adjust the gaming nails and can maintain the desired gaming performance.

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the intended purpose, the first means comprises:
A gaming machine having a gaming board (20) on the front side of which is formed a gaming area (26) through which gaming balls can flow, and a plurality of gaming pegs (23A-23J, 56) facing the gaming area (26),
a regulating member (37, 49, 55) for regulating a displacement of the game nails (23A to 23J, 56) in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the game nails (23A to 23J, 56) by a predetermined amount or more;
The gist of the present invention is that an indicator surface (39a to 42a, 51a, 52a, 58a) which is located on the side of the game pin (23A to 23J, 56) on the regulating member (37, 49, 55) and enables identification of the distance from the game pin (23A to 23J, 56) is located at a predetermined distance from the game pin (23A to 23J, 56) and is composed of a curved surface or multiple surfaces which follow the game pin (23A to 23J, 56).
In this way, by restricting the displacement of the game nails with the restricting member, it is difficult to adjust the game nails, and the expected game performance can be maintained. In addition, since the restricting member is removable, maintenance such as replacement of the restricting member can be easily performed. Furthermore, it is easy to determine whether the game nail is placed in the appropriate position by the change in the distance between the indicator surface of the restricting member and the game nail. Furthermore, since the indicator surface is composed of a curved surface or multiple surfaces that follow the game nail, the displacement of the game nail can be appropriately restricted according to the driving angle of the game nail relative to the game board.

The gaming machine of the present invention makes it difficult to adjust the gaming nails, and can maintain the desired gaming performance.

1 is a front view showing a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a game board according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the main parts of the game board according to the embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the regulating portion provided on the first front cover portion of the embodiment and the guide pins. An explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the regulating portion provided on the second front cover portion of the embodiment and the guide pins. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a first front cover portion and a game board of the embodiment, longitudinally cross-sectionally taken at the position of the first restricting portion. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the index surface of the regulating member and the guide pins in another embodiment. FIG.

Next, the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, giving a preferred embodiment. Note that in the embodiment, a pachinko machine that uses pachinko balls as the game balls will be used as an example. In the following description, "front," "rear," "left," and "right" refer to the pachinko machine as viewed from the front (player's side) as shown in Figure 1, unless otherwise specified.

(About Pachinko Machine 10)
1, the pachinko machine 10 according to the embodiment has an outer frame 11 formed in a rectangular frame shape with openings at the front and rear, and installed in a vertical position on a mounting frame not shown in a gaming parlor. An inner frame 12 as a main frame for detachably holding a game board 20 is assembled in an openable and detachable manner on the front side of the opening of the outer frame 11, and a display device (presentation means) 17 as a display means capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of patterns is detachably arranged on the back side of the game board 20. In addition, a front frame 13 configured to cover a window portion 13a opening at the front and rear with a transparent protective plate 13b formed of a glass plate or a transparent synthetic resin material for protecting the game board 20 from view is assembled in an openable and detachable manner on the front side of the inner frame 12, and a lower ball tray 15 for storing pachinko balls is assembled below the front frame 13 in an openable and detachable manner. In the embodiment, an upper ball tray 14 for storing pachinko balls is integrally assembled to the lower position of the front frame 13, and the upper ball tray 14 is configured to open and close together with the opening and closing of the front frame 13. The upper ball tray 14 may be formed separately from the front frame 13 and assembled to the middle frame 12 so as to be openable and closable. In the embodiment, a liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal panel capable of displaying various patterns is housed in a housing case is used as the display device 17, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various conventionally known display devices capable of displaying various patterns in a stationary and variable manner, such as a drum type display device or a dot matrix type display device, may be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, a lamp device (light emitting means) 18 is disposed in the front frame 13 so as to surround the window portion 13a, and a speaker (sound output means) 19 capable of outputting voice and sound effects is disposed in the upper position of the front frame 13. Then, by lighting or blinking light-emitting bodies (not shown) such as LEDs provided in the lamp device 18, and outputting appropriate sound from the speaker 19, it is possible to perform light and sound effects in accordance with the various display effects (pattern changing effects) performed by the display device 17. In other words, the lamp device 18 and speaker 19 function as a performance means, just like the display device 17.

An operating handle 16 is provided at the lower right position of the front frame 13 to operate a ball launching device (not shown) disposed in the middle frame 12. The operating handle 16 is equipped with an operating lever 16a biased in a counterclockwise direction, and the ball launching device is operated by a player rotating the operating lever 16a to rotate clockwise, and the pachinko balls stored in the upper ball tray 14 are launched toward the game board 20. Here, the force of the pachinko balls hit by the ball launching device is changed depending on the amount of rotation of the operating lever 16a, and by manipulating the amount of rotation of the operating lever 16a, the player can select between a so-called "left hit" in which the pachinko balls flow down a first ball flow path 26a (described later) formed on the game board 20, and a so-called "right hit (rubber hit)" in which the pachinko balls flow down a second ball flow path 26b (described later) formed on the game board 20.

(Regarding the game board 20)
The game board 20 of the embodiment is a flat transparent plate (game area forming member) formed in a substantially rectangular shape with a predetermined plate thickness from a light-transmitting synthetic resin material such as acrylic or polycarbonate, and the display device 17 is detachably attached to the back side of the game board 20. At the front side of the game board 20, as shown in Fig. 2, a game area 26 in which pachinko balls can flow down (move) is defined by a substantially circular guide rail 21 arranged on the front side (board surface), and the pachinko balls launched from the ball launching device are shot into the game area 26 to play the game. In addition, an installation member (not shown) is arranged on the game board 20 to define a storage space between the game board 20, and various performance means such as a light-emitting performance device that performs a performance by emitting light and a movable performance device that performs a performance by the movement of a movable body are installed in the storage space. The display device 17 is attached to the back side of the installation member and configured to be visible from the front side of the game board 20 through an opening (visible portion) provided in the installation member and an opening 25a of a frame-shaped decorative body 25 (described later). The game board 20 may be made of a non-light-transmitting board member such as plywood or synthetic resin with a decorative sticker or the like affixed to the surface.

The game board 20 has a plurality of mounting holes penetrating from front to back in the game area 26, and various game components are attached to each mounting hole from the front side. At the lowest position of the game area 26, an outlet 22 that opens into the game area 26 is opened, and pachinko balls that are shot into the game area 26 and enter the outlet 22 are discharged outside the machine. In addition, the game board 20 has a number of game nails 23 in the game area 26, and a rotation guide member 24, also called a "windmill," which rotates in response to contact with pachinko balls flowing down the game area 26 (first ball flow path 26a), is rotatably supported on the left side of a frame-shaped decorative body 25 described later, and is configured so that the flow direction of the pachinko balls changes irregularly due to contact with the game nails 23 and the rotation guide member 24. The number of mounting openings is determined as necessary depending on the number and placement positions of various game components to be attached to the game board 20.

2, the game board 20 of the embodiment is attached to a mounting port that opens over a large part of the center of the game area 26 surrounded by the guide rails 21, and the display unit 17a of the display device 17 faces the front side of the game board 20 through the opening 25a of the frame-shaped decorative body 25. The installation member is formed in a box shape that opens forward from a substantially rectangular back plate formed in a shape slightly smaller than the outer shape of the game board 20 and a wall portion that protrudes forward from the outer periphery of the back plate, and the game board 20 and the installation member are fixed with screws with the front end of the opening of the wall portion abutting against the back surface of the game board 20. In addition, a roughly rectangular opening is provided on the rear panel of the installation member at a position aligned front-to-back with the opening 25a of the frame-shaped decorative body 25, and the display device 17 is removably attached to the rear side of the rear panel, so that the display section 17a of the display device 17 faces the front of the game board 20 through the opening.

(Regarding the frame-shaped decorative body 25)
2, the frame-shaped decorative body 25 comprises a frame-shaped base (not shown) formed in an annular shape extending along the inside of the mounting opening opened in the game board 20, a eaves-shaped portion 25b provided on the frame-shaped base and protruding forward from the front surface of the game board 20, separating the game area 26 from the display portion 17a of the display device 17 to define the inner periphery of the game area 26, and a thin plate-shaped base plate portion 25c extending outward from the rear edge of the eaves-shaped portion 25b. The frame-shaped decorative body 25 is attached to the game board 20 by inserting the frame-shaped base into the mounting opening and fixing the base plate portion 25c to the game board 20 with a fixing means such as a screw while the base plate portion 25c is abutted against the front surface of the game board 20. Here, as shown in Figure 2, the eave-like portion 25b is arranged to extend continuously from approximately the middle position of the left edge of the frame-shaped decorative body 25 (frame-shaped base) to the upper edge and lower right edge, and prevents pachinko balls from flowing down (falling) across the opening 25a side, i.e., the front side of the display portion 17a of the display device 17.

As shown in FIG. 2, the frame-shaped decorative body 25 has a stage 25d below the opening 25a, and a ball inlet 25e is provided on the left side of the opening 25a to open into the play area 26 (first ball flow path 26a) and take in the pachinko balls flowing down the play area 26 and guide them to the stage 25d. The pachinko balls discharged from the ball inlet 25e to the stage 25d roll left and right on the stage 25d and are then discharged into the play area 26 where the first start winning section 30 described later is located. In addition, a transparent plate 25f is provided at the rear edge of the stage 25d, which rises upward at a predetermined height over the entire length in the left and right direction, and the transparent plate 25f prevents the pachinko balls rolling on the stage 25d from moving toward the display section 17a of the display device 17.

The game area 26 defined on the game board 20 is divided into a first ball flow path 26a along which pachinko balls flow down the left side of the eaves-shaped portion 25b of the frame-shaped decorative body 25, and a second ball flow path 26b along which pachinko balls flow down from above the eaves-shaped portion 25b to the right side of the frame-shaped decorative body 25. This allows the player to freely select a game mode (left-handed game mode) in which the pachinko balls shot into the game area 26 flow down the first ball flow path 26a, or a game mode (right-handed game mode) in which the pachinko balls flow down the second ball flow path 26b, by rotating the operation lever 16a of the operation handle 16 to adjust the hitting force. In the pachinko machine 10 according to the embodiment, when the pachinko ball flows down the first ball flow path 26a (in the case of a left-handed game mode), the pachinko ball is more likely to win in the first start winning section 30 described below compared to when the pachinko ball flows down the second ball flow path 26b, and when the pachinko ball flows down the second ball flow path 26b (in the case of a right-handed game mode), the pachinko ball is more likely to win in the gate section 33, the second start winning section 31, and the special winning section 32 described below compared to when the pachinko ball flows down the first ball flow path 26a.

(About the entrance team)
As shown in Fig. 2, the game board 20 is provided with a plurality of ball entry sections (specifically, a first start winning section 30, a second start winning section 31, a gate section 33, a special winning section 32, and a normal winning section 34, which will be described later) into which pachinko balls flowing down the game area 26 can enter, and a predetermined game can be played by executing control according to the ball entry section into which the pachinko ball has entered. Specifically, in the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the first start winning section 30 as the ball entry section is provided at a position into which pachinko balls flowing down the first ball flow path 26a can enter, and the second start winning section 31, the special winning section 32, and the gate section 33 as the ball entry sections are provided at positions into which pachinko balls flowing down the second ball flow path 26b can enter. In addition, in the game board 20 of the embodiment, a normal winning section 34 as a ball entry section is arranged so as to be located on the first ball flow path 26a, so that a pachinko ball that flows down the first ball flow path 26a can win in the normal winning section 34.

(Regarding the Start-up Prize Sections 30 and 31)
As shown in Fig. 2, the game board 20 is provided with a first start winning section 30 below the frame-shaped decorative body 25, which faces the game area 26 and allows pachinko balls flowing down the game area 26 (first ball flow path 26a and second ball flow path 26b) to win a prize, and a special winning section 32 is provided on the right side of the first start winning section 30 and faces the game area 26 (second ball flow path 26b). Also, on the right side of the frame-shaped decorative body 25, a gate section 33 is provided that faces the game area 26 (second ball flow path 26b) and allows pachinko balls flowing down the game area 26 (second ball flow path 26b) to pass through. Furthermore, a second start winning section 31 is provided below the gate section 33. The first and second start winning sections 30, 31 are provided with start winning openings 30a, 31a through which pachinko balls flowing down the play area 26 can win. Here, the first start winning section 30 is a constantly open type winning section in which the first start winning opening 30a is always open to the play area 26, and the second start winning section 31 is an open/close type winning section in which the second start winning opening 31a is opened and closed by a start opening/closing member (opening/closing means) 31b according to a predetermined opening condition and closing condition. The second start winning section 31 is provided with a start winning solenoid (not shown) that opens and closes the start opening/closing member 31b, and the start winning solenoid is driven and controlled by a main control board (not shown) arranged on the back side of the pachinko machine 10.

The first and second start winning sections 30, 31 are provided with a start winning detection sensor (not shown) as a winning detection means (detection means) for detecting pachinko balls that have won in the first and second start winning openings 30a, 31a. The start winning detection sensor is wired and connected to the main control board. When a detection signal from the start winning detection sensor is input to the main control board, the main control board outputs a control signal to a payout control board (not shown) with the input of the detection signal from the start winning detection sensor as a payout condition for the prize balls, and causes the ball payout device (not shown) to pay out a preset number of prize balls. In addition, the detection of pachinko balls by the first and second start winning detection sensors is set as a start condition for the game, and the main control board acquires various winning information (game information such as random numbers for jackpot judgment) in response to the establishment of the start condition, and a special winning lottery (win judgment) is performed based on the acquired winning information. A sub-control board (not shown) is configured to control the display device 17 so that a pattern change presentation is executed on the display device 17 based on the result of the special winning lottery. That is, in the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the detection of a pachinko ball by the start winning detection sensor is considered to be the establishment of a specific condition, and the establishment of the specific condition is used as a trigger for the main control board to make a winning judgment.

In addition, as a result of the pattern change presentation on the display device 17, the display device 17 displays the patterns (decorative figures) in a fixed and stopped combination (specific display result such as a set of three identical decorative figures) that results in a specific winning display (predetermined specific display), thereby granting the player an advantageous winning game (jackpot game), and when a jackpot game occurs, a jackpot game is played in which the special winning port 32a of the special winning section 32 is opened under specified opening conditions, giving the player an opportunity to win prize balls.

(About the Special Prize Section 32)
The special winning section (winning section) 32 is provided with a special opening/closing member (opening/closing means) 32b that freely opens and closes the special winning port (winning port) 32a that opens in the game area 26 (second ball flow path 26b), and is configured to be displaced to a closed position where the special opening/closing member 32b closes and an open position where the special opening/closing member 32b opens in response to the driving of a special winning solenoid (not shown) as a driving means. In addition, the special winning section 32 is provided with a special winning detection (not shown) as a special detection means (detection means) that detects pachinko balls that have won the special winning port 32a. The special winning detection sensor is wired and connected to the main control board, and when the special winning detection sensor detects a pachinko ball, it outputs a detection signal to the main control board, and the main control board outputs a control signal to the payout control board using the input of the detection signal from the special winning detection sensor as a payout condition for the prize balls, causing the ball payout device to pay out a preset number of prize balls. When a big win game is awarded in which the special winning port 32a is opened and closed in response to the entry of pachinko balls into the first and second start winning ports 30a, 31a, the special winning solenoid is driven and controlled by the main control board after the end of the pattern variation presentation by the display device 17. In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the second start winning section 31 and the special winning section 32 are provided in a winning unit 35 detachably disposed on the game board 20.

(Regarding the gate portion 33)
The gate section 33 is provided with a gate sensor (not shown) as a detection means for detecting that a pachinko ball has passed through the gate section 33. The gate sensor is wired to the main control board, and various passage detection information (game information such as random numbers) is acquired in response to the input of a detection signal from the gate sensor to the main control board, i.e., the detection of a pachinko ball by the gate sensor, and a normal winning judgment (a normal winning lottery) is performed based on the acquired game information. Then, when a normal winning game that opens and closes the second starting winning port 31a is awarded as a result of this normal winning lottery, the starting winning solenoid is driven and controlled to open and close the starting opening and closing member 31b.

(Regarding the regular prize division 34)
As shown in FIG. 2, the normal winning section 34 is provided on the game board 20 at the lower left position (first ball flow path 26a) of the game area 26 so that the normal winning opening 34a, through which pachinko balls can win, is always open upward, and pachinko balls flowing down the first ball flow path 26a can win in the normal winning opening 34a with a certain probability. The normal winning section 34 is provided with a normal winning detection sensor (not shown) as a winning detection means for detecting pachinko balls that have won in the normal winning opening 34a. The normal winning detection sensor is wired and connected to the main control board. The main control board determines the payout of prize balls when a detection signal from the normal winning detection sensor is input to the main control board, and outputs a control signal to the payout control board to have the ball payout device pay out a preset number of prize balls.

(Regarding the display device 17)
The display device 17 is set with a plurality of pattern rows that can variably display the decorative figures as performance patterns, and the decorative figures of each pattern row are set to change when the first start winning hole 30a or the second start winning hole 31a wins (the start condition is satisfied). The display device 17 of the embodiment is set with a plurality of effective stop positions (positions where the figures are displayed as fixed stop displays, fixed stop display areas) that can display one decorative figure as a result of the pattern change performance, and the pattern change performance derives a pattern combination pattern (display result) of the decorative figure that is displayed as a fixed stop display on the stop pattern effective line that combines the effective stop positions of each pattern row. That is, the display device 17 is configured to variably display the decorative figures (performance patterns) when the start condition is satisfied, and then to stop a predetermined decorative figure (performance pattern) at a fixed effective stop position. In the display device 17 of the embodiment, three rows of symbols are set in a horizontal line, and one effective stop position of the decorative symbols (performance symbols) is determined for each row of symbols, so that a symbol variation performance consisting of three rows of decorative symbols (performance symbols) is performed. When the decorative symbols of each row of symbols that are fixedly displayed at the effective stop position of each row of symbols on the display device 17 are a winning combination, it is possible to know that a big win game (winning game) will be awarded.

(About guide pins 23A to 23J)
2, 3, and 4, a plurality of game nails 23 (referred to as guide game nails 23A to 23F when distinguished from other game nails 23) that can guide pachinko balls flowing down from the upstream (upper side) to the passage opening 33a of the gate section 33 are planted above the gate section 33 on the game board 20. In other words, the pachinko balls flowing down the second ball flow path 26b are distributed to the passage opening 33a of the gate section 33 or other areas by the plurality of guide game nails 23A to 23F. In the embodiment, a pair of first guide pins 23A, 23B are arranged side by side in the left-right direction above the passage opening 33a with a gap therebetween that allows the passage of pachinko balls in the left-right direction, and second guide pins 23C, 23D are arranged side by side in the left-right direction with a gap therebetween that allows the passage of pachinko balls at a position spaced downward from the first guide pins 23A, 23B with a gap that does not allow the passage of pachinko balls.The first ball passage 36A that can guide pachinko balls toward the passage opening 33a of the gate section 33 is defined by these four guide pins 23A to 23D. In addition, below the second guide game nails 23C, 23D, the third guide game nails 23E, 23F are arranged side by side in the left-right direction at a distance that allows the passage of pachinko balls in the left-right direction, and a second ball passage 36B is defined between the third guide game nails 23E, 23F, which can guide the pachinko balls that have passed through the first ball passage 36A toward the passage opening 33a of the gate section 33. As shown in FIG. 6, the game nails 23 (guide game nails 23A to 23F) are composed of a shaft portion 23a protruding from the surface of the game board 20 and a head portion 23b, which is a disk-shaped head having a larger diameter than the shaft portion 23a and has an arc-shaped protruding end surface, provided at the protruding end of the shaft portion 23a. The spacing (nail spacing) between the first guide game nails 23A and 23B, the spacing (nail spacing) between the second guide game nails 23C and 23D, and the spacing (nail spacing) between the third guide game nails 23E and 23F are the spacing between adjacent shaft portions.

2 and 5, on the game board 20, a plurality of game nails 23 (referred to as guide game nails 23G-23J when distinguished from the other game nails 23) are planted above the second start winning section 31, capable of guiding pachinko balls flowing down from the upstream (upper side) to the start winning opening 31a of the second start winning section 31. That is, like the guide game nails 23A-23F, the plurality of guide game nails 23G-23J distribute pachinko balls flowing down the second ball flow path 26 to the start winning opening 31a of the second start winning section 31 or other areas. In the embodiment, the fourth guide pin 23G, the fifth guide pin 23H and the sixth guide pin 23I are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction that do not allow the passage of pachinko balls at positions offset to the left above the start winning opening 31a, and the seventh guide pin 23J is arranged at a position offset to the right above the start winning opening 31a. The spacing (pin spacing) between the fourth to sixth guide pins 23G to 23I and the seventh guide pin 23J in the opposing direction is set to a spacing that allows the passage of pachinko balls, and a third ball passage 36C that can guide pachinko balls toward the start winning opening 31a of the second start winning section 31 is defined between the fourth to sixth guide pins 23G to 23I and the seventh guide pin 23J. The fourth to sixth guide pins 23G to 23I are arranged in a generally arc shape with the seventh guide pin 23J side concave.

(Regarding the first restricting member 37)
As shown in Fig. 3, the frame-shaped decorative body 25 is provided with a first regulating member 37 which is detachably arranged to cover at least the guide play nails 23A-23F located in the second ball flow path 26b upstream of the gate portion 33, which is a means for affecting the play of the pachinko machine, at a position spaced forward from the surface of the game board 20. The first regulating member 37 is provided with a flat first front cover portion 38 which extends approximately parallel to the surface of the game board 20 so as to define the second ball flow path 26b between the left rail portion 21a of the guide rail 21 which defines the second ball flow path 26b between the eave portion 25b of the frame-shaped decorative body 25 and the surface of the game board 20 at a distance greater than the diameter of a pachinko ball. At least the first front cover part 38 of the first regulating member 37 is made of a transparent material (transparent resin) so that the movement of the pachinko balls flowing through the second ball flow path 26b can be seen from the front side. As shown in Fig. 4, the first front cover part 38 has regulating parts 39-42 that can accommodate the heads 23b of the guide pins 23A-23F at positions corresponding to the guide pins 23A-23F, and are formed in a concave shape that opens at least to the board surface side. In the embodiment, the first front cover portion 38 is formed with a first regulating portion 39 that opens onto the board surface side surrounding the two guide pins 23A, 23C, the first guide pin 23A and the second guide pin 23C, which are arranged vertically on the left side; a second regulating portion 40 that opens onto the board surface side surrounding the two guide pins 23B, 23D, the first guide pin 23B and the second guide pin 23D, which are arranged vertically on the right side; a third regulating portion 41 that opens onto the board surface side and downward (gate portion side) surrounding the one third guide pin 23E on the left side; and a fourth regulating portion 42 that opens onto the board surface side and downward (gate portion side) surrounding the one third guide pin 23F on the right side.

The inner surfaces of the first regulating portion 39 to the fourth regulating portion 42 formed on the first front cover portion 38, which are spaced apart from the side of the head 23b, function as regulating surfaces (hereinafter referred to as indicator surfaces) 39a to 42a that regulate the displacement of the guide nails 23A to 23F by more than a predetermined amount in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first guide nail 23A to the third guide nail 23F. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the indicator surfaces 39a, 40a in the first regulating portion 39 and the second regulating portion 40 is configured to follow the outer periphery of the head 23b of the corresponding guiding game nail 23A, 23C, 23B, 23D in accordance with the external shape of the head 23b, and is composed of a semicircular arc-shaped (curved) curved portion 43 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the head 23b, and straight portions 44, 44 extending in a straight line to connect both curved portions 43, 43, and the curved portion 43 and the straight portion 44 are spaced a predetermined distance from the head 23b. In the first regulating section 39 and the second regulating section 40, the distance L between each straight portion 44 facing the corresponding guide nail 23A, 23C or guide nail 23B, 23D in the left-right direction (width direction of the first ball passage 36A) and the head 23b is set to a dimension that can regulate the nail spacing of the first guide nails 23A, 23B and the second guide nails 23C, 23D arranged in the left-right direction from narrowing the left-right dimension (passage dimension) of the first ball passage 36A to a spacing that prevents no pachinko balls from entering the passage opening 33a of the gate section 33 from the first ball passage 36A, or from excessively widening the nail spacing to a spacing that allows excessive pachinko balls to enter the passage opening 33a of the gate section 33. This makes it difficult to adjust the spacing between the guide pins 23A-23D to be too narrow, which can prevent the pachinko machine from being unable to maintain its initial gaming performance settings, or prevents players from cheating by excessively widening the spacing between the pins, resulting in the illegal acquisition of pachinko balls.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the indicator surfaces 41a, 42a in the third regulating portion 41 and the fourth regulating portion 42 is configured with a semicircular arc-shaped (curved) curved surface portion 45 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the head 23b along the outer periphery of the head 23b of the corresponding guide game nail 23E, 23F in accordance with the external shape of the head 23b, and linear portions 46, 46 extending linearly downward from both ends of the curved surface portion 45. In the third regulating portion 41 and the fourth regulating portion 42, the first regulating portion 39 and the second regulating portion 42 are also configured with a semicircular arc-shaped (curved) curved surface portion 45 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the head 23b. As with the control unit 40, the distance L between each straight section 46 and the head 23b is set to a dimension that can regulate the spacing between the third guide game nails 23E, 23F arranged in the left-right direction so that the left-right dimension (passage dimension) of the second ball passage 36B is narrowed to prevent any pachinko balls from entering the passage opening 33a of the gate unit 33 from the second ball passage 36B, or conversely, the spacing is extremely widened to prevent excessive pachinko balls from entering the passage opening 33a of the gate unit 33.

In other words, in the first regulating member 37 of the embodiment, the indicator surfaces 39a to 42a facing the sides of the heads 23b of the guide nails 23A to 23F are set to regulate the spacing between the first guide nails 23A, 23B, the second guide nails 23C, 23D, and the third guide nails 23E, 23F arranged in the left-right direction from narrowing the left-right dimensions of the first and second ball passages 36A, 36B to a spacing that prevents any pachinko balls from entering the passage opening 33a of the gate section 33 from the ball passages 36A, 36B, or from excessively widening the nail spacing to a spacing that allows excessive pachinko balls to enter the passage opening 33a of the gate section 33.

As shown in Fig. 4, the indicator surfaces 39a to 42a of the regulating parts 39 to 42 of the first regulating member 37 are set so that the distance L between the outer circumference of the head 23b and the indicator surfaces 39a to 42a (specifically, the straight line parts 44, 46) in the left-right direction is approximately equal when the nail intervals and driving angles of the guide game nails 23A to 23F are adjusted to positions (initial positions) that can maintain the game performance such as the winning rate and ball payout rate preset in the pachinko machine (state when shipped from the manufacturer), and the change in the distance between the guide game nails (specifically, the head 23b) 23A to 23F and the indicator surfaces 39a to 42a can be identified. In other words, if the head 23b is shifted left-right from the middle of the indicator surfaces 39a to 42a (straight line parts 44, 46) that face each other left-right, it can be recognized that the guide game nails 23A to 23F have been adjusted or displaced from their initial positions. In addition, in each of the regulating sections 39 to 42, the distance between the head 23b of the corresponding guide nail 23A to 23F and each of the curved surfaces 43, 45 that face each other is set to be equal throughout the entire circumferential area at the initial position of the guide nail 23A to 23F, so that the displacement in the opposing direction to the curved surfaces 43, 45 from the initial position of the guide nail 23A to 23F can also be recognized.

(About rib 47)
As shown in Fig. 6, the first front cover part 38 is provided with a rib 47 that protrudes toward the surface of the game board 20. This rib 47 faces the second ball flow path 26b so that the pachinko balls flowing down the second ball flow path 26b can abut against the rib 47. In the embodiment, the rib 47 is arranged so as to face the second ball flow path 26b upstream of the first ball passage 36A, and the rib 47 is configured to make it possible to make the ratio of pachinko balls flowing down the second ball flow path 26b that flow down the first ball passage 36A and the second ball flow path 26b other than the first ball passage 36A different.

(Regarding the light emitting means 48)
As shown in Fig. 6, the game board 20 is provided with a light emitting means 48 such as an LED capable of irradiating light toward the first front cover part 38 (front side) at a position facing the first front cover part 38 of the first regulating member 37. Fig. 6 shows the light emitting means 48 provided at a position corresponding to the first regulating part 39, but the light emitting means 48 is also provided at the parts corresponding to the other regulating parts 40 to 42. The light irradiated from the light emitting means 48 can illuminate and decorate the first front cover part 38, and the light irradiated from the light emitting means 48 can be reflected by the indicator surfaces 39a to 42a. In addition, the light reflected by the indicator surfaces 39a to 42a allows the presence of each guide nail 23A to 23F located inside the first to fourth regulating parts 39 to 42 and the change in the distance between the indicator surfaces 39a to 42a and the heads 23b of the guide nails 23A to 23F to be intuitively recognized. That is, when the light reflected by the indicator surfaces 39a to 42a hits the head 23b, if the distance between the indicator surfaces 39a to 42a and the head 23b is long, the head 23b will shine weakly due to the reflected light, whereas if the distance between the indicator surfaces 39a to 42a and the head 23b is short, the head 23b will shine strongly due to the reflected light, and the displacement of the head 23b from its initial position can be recognized by the intensity of the light. In this way, the indicator surfaces 39a to 42a that regulate the displacement of the guiding game pins 23A to 23F have the function of indicating the presence and displacement of the game pins 23A to 23F.

(Regarding the second restricting member 49)
2, the winning unit 35 is provided with a second regulating member 49 that is detachably arranged to cover at least the guide pins 23G-23J located in the second ball flow path 26b upstream of the second start winning section 31, which is a means for influencing the play of the pachinko machine, at a position spaced forward from the surface of the game board 20. The second regulating member 49, like the first regulating member 37, is provided with a flat second front cover portion 50 that extends approximately parallel to the surface of the game board 20 so as to define the second ball flow path 26b between the surface and the game board 20 at a distance greater than the diameter of the pachinko ball, and at least the second front cover portion 50 of the second regulating member 49 is made of a transparent material (transparent resin) so that the movement of the pachinko ball flowing through the second ball flow path 26b can be seen from the front side. 5, the second front cover part 50 has restricting parts 51, 52 that can accommodate the heads 23b of the guide pins 23G to 23J formed in a concave shape that opens to the board surface side at positions corresponding to the guide pins 23G to 23J. In the embodiment, the second front cover part 50 has a fifth restricting part 51 that collectively surrounds the three guide pins 23G to 23I that are biased toward the upper left side of the start winning hole 31a, and a sixth restricting part 52 that solely surrounds the seventh guide pin 23J that is biased toward the upper right side of the start winning hole 31a.

5, the inner surfaces of the fifth and sixth restricting portions 51 and 52 formed on the second front cover portion 50, which are spaced apart from the sides of the heads 23b, function as index surfaces 51a, 52a that restrict the displacement of the corresponding guide nails 23G to 23J in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the guide nails 23G to 23J by a predetermined amount or more, similar to the first restricting portion 39 to the fourth restricting portion 42. As shown in FIG. 5, the index surface 51a of the fifth restricting portion 51 is composed of a semicircular (curved) curved surface portion 53 that matches the outer shape of the heads 23b of the fourth and sixth guide nails 23G, 23I, and arc-shaped portions 54, 54 that match the arrangement of the three guide nails 23G to 23F so as to connect the two curved surfaces 53, 53, and the curved surface portion 53 and the arc-shaped portion 54 are spaced apart from the heads 23b by a predetermined distance. In addition, in the curved surface portion 53 of the fifth regulating portion 51, the distance L between the head 23b of the fourth or sixth guide game nail 23G, 23I and the seventh guide game nail 23J in the approaching/moving direction (the direction of narrowing/widening the third ball passage 36C) and in the arc-shaped portion 54, the distance L between the head 23b of the fifth guide game nail 23H and the seventh guide game nail 23J in the approaching/moving direction are set to the third ball passage 36C in the same manner as the first regulating portion 39 to the fourth regulating portion 42. The nail intervals between the 4th to 6th guide pins 23G-23I and the 7th guide pin 23J that define the path 36C are set to a dimension that can regulate the narrowing of the passage dimension of the third ball passage 36C to a distance that prevents any pachinko balls from entering the start winning hole 31a of the second start winning section 31 from the third ball passage 36C, or the excessive widening of the nail interval to a distance that allows excessive pachinko balls to enter the start winning hole 31a of the second start winning section 31. This makes it difficult to adjust the nail intervals of the guide pins 23G-23J to be excessively narrow, making it impossible to maintain the game performance initially set in the pachinko machine, or preventing pachinko balls from being acquired illegally by cheating by excessively widening the nail interval.

As shown in Figure 5, the indicator surface 52a of the sixth regulating portion 52 is formed in a circular (curved) shape that matches the outer shape of the head 23b of the seventh guide game nail 23J, and the distance L from the head 23b is equal over the entire circumferential area of the head 23b (the head 23b is located in the center of the sixth regulating portion 52). In addition, the separation distance L between the head 23b and the index surface 52a is set to a dimension that can regulate the nail spacing between the fourth to sixth guide nails 23G-23I and the seventh guide nail 23J in the same way as the relationship between the index surface 51a of the fifth regulating section 51 and the guide nails 23G-23I, so that the passage dimension of the third ball passage 36C is narrowed to prevent any pachinko balls from entering the start winning hole 31a of the second start winning section 31 from the third ball passage 36C, or conversely, the nail spacing is extremely widened to prevent excessive pachinko balls from entering the start winning hole 31a of the second start winning section 31.

In the second regulating member 49, the relationship between the indicator surface 51a of the fifth regulating portion 51 and the heads 23b of the fourth to sixth guide pins 23G to 23I, and the relationship between the indicator surface 52a of the sixth regulating portion 52 and the head 23b of the seventh guide pin 23J, are the same as in the case of the first regulating member 37, in that the distance from the heads 23b of the corresponding guide pins 23G to 23J to the opposing indicator surfaces 51a, 52a (the distance in the direction narrowing or widening the third ball passage 36C) is the same, making it possible to recognize the displacement of the guide pins 23G to 23J from their initial positions relative to the indicator surfaces 51a, 52a. The length of the front-rear direction of each of the indicator surfaces 39a-42a, 51a, 52a of the first and second regulating members 37, 49 is set to a dimension that allows the head 23b, which changes its height position from the surface of the game board 20 by bending the guide game nails 23A-23J so as to displace them from their initial positions, to come into contact with the head 23b and regulate further displacement of the head 23b. In addition, the second front cover part 50 of the second regulating member 49 is provided with a rib (not shown) that changes the flow direction when the pachinko balls flowing down the second ball flow path 26b come into contact with the rib. In addition, a light emitting means (not shown) that irradiates light toward the second front cover part 50 is provided at a position corresponding to the second front cover part 50 on the game board 20, and the light irradiated from the light emitting means is configured to be reflected by the corresponding indicator surface 51a, 52a.

Here, the fourth to sixth guide nails (first nails) 23G to 23I have different drive angles into the game board 20. In the indicator surface 51a of the fifth regulating portion 51 of the second regulating member 49, which surrounds the three guide nails 23G to 23I with different drive angles, the portion (curved portion 53) facing the heads 23b of the fourth and sixth guide nails (first nails) 23G, 23I and the portion (arcuate portion 54) facing the head 23b of the fifth guide nail (second nail) 23H are formed into shapes that correspond to the differences in the drive angles, etc., of the guide nails 23G to 23I. That is, the indicator surface 51a of the fifth restricting portion 51 is formed so that the shape of the indicator surface 51a (curved portion 53) corresponding to the first guide pins 23G, 23I that restricts displacement is different from the shape of the indicator surface 51a (arc-shaped portion 54) corresponding to the second guide pin 23J that restricts displacement.

The light emitting means 48 arranged in correspondence with the first and second restricting members 37, 49 is configured to be capable of emitting light in a plurality of light emitting modes with different light emitting colors, and the light of each color can be reflected by the indicator surfaces 39a to 42a, 51a, 52a. In addition, in the pachinko machine 10, a plurality of types with different light emitting modes are set as light emitting effects that can be executed by the light emitting means 48 during the pattern change performance or during a jackpot game. In the pachinko machine 10, the type of light emitting effect to be executed during the pattern change performance or during a jackpot game is determined and executed by the light emitting means 48 based on the winning information acquired upon the establishment of the start condition due to the detection of the pachinko ball by the first and second start winning detection sensors. Each of the plurality of types of light emitting effects is set so that the expectation of a jackpot game being awarded differs depending on the combination of the probability of being selected in the case of a jackpot in the special winning lottery (winning judgment) based on the winning information and the probability of being selected in the case of a loss. That is, the type of light-emitting effects executed during the pattern variation effect is configured to suggest the degree of expectation that a jackpot game will be awarded after the pattern variation effect. In addition, in the pachinko machine 10, as the type of jackpot game, a type in which a bonus state (probable bonus state or short-time bonus state) advantageous to the player is awarded after the jackpot game ends and a type in which the bonus state is not awarded are set, and each of the multiple types of light-emitting effects is set so that the degree of expectation that a bonus state will be awarded after the jackpot game ends is different depending on the combination of the probability of being selected when the type of jackpot game determined by the special winning lottery based on the winning information is a jackpot game that awards a bonus state and the probability of being selected when the type of jackpot game is a jackpot game that does not award a bonus state. That is, the type of light-emitting effects executed during the jackpot game is configured to suggest the degree of expectation that a bonus state will be awarded after the jackpot game ends. In this way, in the pachinko machine 10, the type of light-emitting effect executed by the light-emitting means 48 can indicate the degree of expectation that the player will be granted an advantageous state, such as a jackpot game or a special state. Note that the types of light-emitting modes are not limited to different light-emitting colors, and may also differ in the blinking interval.

In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, a radio wave detection sensor that detects radio waves and a magnetic detection sensor that detects magnetism are disposed near the means that affect the game, such as the gate section 33, the first start winning section 30, the second start winning section 31, the special winning section 32, and the normal winning section 34, which are targets of fraud. In addition, the first and second restricting members 37, 49 that restrict the displacement of the guide game nails 23A to 23J are configured to be located within the detection range of radio waves and magnetic fields by the fraud detection sensors.

[Function of the embodiment]
Next, the operation of the pachinko machine according to the above-mentioned embodiment will be described.

In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the first regulating member 37 and the second regulating member 49 are configured to regulate the displacement of the guide pins 23A to 23J, making it difficult to adjust the guide pins 23A to 23J, and the desired game performance, such as the winning rate and ball payout rate, that are preset in the pachinko machine 10, can be maintained. In particular, the first regulating member 37 and the second regulating member 49 are arranged to target the guide pins 23A to 23J that guide pachinko balls to the gate section 33 and the second start winning section 31 that affect the game, so that the desired game performance can be more suitably maintained. In addition, the regulating members 37 and 49 are configured to be detachable from the game board 20, so that maintenance such as replacement of the regulating members 37 and 49 can be easily performed. Furthermore, by changing the distance between the indicator surfaces 39a-42a, 51a, 52a of the regulating member 37, 49 and the guide pins 23A-23J, it is easy to determine whether the guide pins 23A-23J are placed in the correct position (initial position). Furthermore, in the indicator surfaces 39a-42a, 51a of each regulating portion 39-42, 51 of the first and second regulating members 37, 49, the straight portion 44, 46 and the arc portion 54 are connected by the semicircular curved portion 43, 45, 53, so that the ends of the regulating portions 39-42, 51 can be prevented from being chipped or damaged. In addition, in the regulating portions 41, 42 of the first regulating member 37, the end portions opening downward may be R-shaped to prevent damage to the regulating member 37.

In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the front cover parts 38, 50 that cover the front side of the guide pins 23A to 23J in the first and second regulating members 37, 49 are made of a transparent material, so the movement of the pachinko balls is not difficult to see due to the members that regulate the displacement of the guide pins 23A to 23J, and there is no risk of causing distrust among the player. In addition, the decorativeness of the regulating members 37, 49 can be enhanced by the light irradiated from the light emitting means 48 provided on the game board 20, which can increase interest. In addition, the light irradiated from the light emitting means 48 is reflected by each indicator surface 39a to 42a, 51a, 52a of the regulating members 37, 49, so that the presence of the guide pins 23A to 23J can be indicated and the displacement of the guide pins 23A to 23J can be easily recognized, and excessive nail adjustment by the game parlor or cheating by a cheater can be recognized, and appropriate measures can be taken. In addition, the rib 47 that affects the flow direction (movement) of the pachinko balls is provided on the regulating members 37, 49, which cannot be adjusted by the gaming parlor, so that the gaming performance can be prevented from being altered by the gaming parlor. In addition, the regulating members 37, 49 are detachable from the gaming board 20, so that the rib 47 that the pachinko balls come into contact with can be easily replaced if it becomes worn or damaged. In addition, by replacing the existing regulating members 37, 49 with regulating members in which the rib 47 is disposed in a different position, the gaming performance can be changed as desired without changing the planting position of the guide nails.

In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the fifth regulating portion 51 of the second regulating member 49 has a curved portion 53 that corresponds to the fourth guide pin 23G and the sixth guide pin 23I surrounded by the indicator surface 51a of the fifth regulating portion 51 and regulates the displacement of the fourth guide pin 23G and the sixth guide pin 23J, and an arc-shaped portion 54 that corresponds to the fifth guide pin 23H and regulates the displacement of the fifth guide pin 23H. These shapes are formed to correspond to the drive angle and arrangement position of the guide pins 23G, 23H, and 23I relative to the game board 20, so that the displacement of each guide pin 23G, 23H, and 23I can be appropriately regulated. In addition, the sixth restricting portion 52 of the second restricting member 49 is formed as a curved surface (circular) that follows the outer shape of the head 23b of the seventh guide nail 23J that is surrounded by the indicator surface 52a of the sixth restricting portion 52, so that the radial displacement of the seventh guide nail 23J can be appropriately restricted according to the driving angle of the seventh guide nail 23J into the game board 20.

(About another embodiment)
7 shows another embodiment of the regulating portion provided on the regulating member. In the regulating member 55 of the other embodiment, a regulating portion 58 having an index surface 58a surrounding the head 23b of the guide pin 56 is provided on a transparent front cover portion 57 that covers the guide pin 56 that guides the pachinko ball to the gate portion 33 or the second start winning portion 31 from the front side. The index surface 58a in the regulating portion 58 is formed in a polygonal shape as shown in the figure. The spacing between the head 23b and each surface of the polygonal index surface 58a that faces the head 23b is set to a dimension that can regulate the displacement of the guide pin 56 in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the guide pin 56 by more than a predetermined amount, as in the embodiment. In this way, by surrounding the head 23b with multiple surfaces, the radial displacement of the head 23b can be appropriately regulated in accordance with the driving angle of the guide pin 56 with respect to the game board 20.

(Example of change)
The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the examples and other examples, and can be modified as follows, for example. The following modified examples can be adopted in combination with each other, and various embodiments can be adopted for the configurations described in the examples within the scope of the present invention.
(1) In the examples, a gate section and a second start winning section are given as examples of means for influencing the game, but the means for influencing the game may also be any of the first start winning section, the special winning section, the normal winning section, or the inlet of the frame-shaped decorative body.
(2) In the embodiments, the regulating member is arranged on a frame-shaped decorative body or a winning unit, but the object on which the regulating member is arranged can also be a game board or various other decorative members, etc.
(3) In the examples, the regulating member constructed separately is detachably attached to the object to be placed, such as the frame-shaped decoration or the winning unit, but it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the regulating member is detachably attached to the game board and is integrally provided to various components arranged around the guide pins. In other words, various components arranged on the game board can be used as the regulating member, and the portion of the component located opposite the side of the guide pin can be used as the indicator surface.
(4) In the embodiments, the inner surface of the regulating portion of the regulating member serves as the index surface. However, the inner surface of a through hole that penetrates the regulating member in the front-rear direction may serve as the index surface.
(5) The number and positions of the ribs provided on the regulating member can be set arbitrarily according to the positions and number of the guiding pins that regulate the displacement on the index surface of the regulating member.
(6) In the embodiments, the light emitting means is provided on the game board, but the light emitting means may be provided on a decorative member provided on the game board, a movable body, etc. Also, various light emitting means for illuminating and decorating the game board may be used as light emitting means for irradiating the regulating member with light.
(7) In the embodiment, the indicator surface is formed perpendicular to the surface of the game board, but it may be inclined according to the angle at which the guide pin is driven into the surface of the game board. Also, the indicator surfaces on both sides of the guide pin may be inclined so as to spread out toward the surface of the game board. By configuring in this way, it is possible to effectively reflect light from the light emitting means provided on the game board.
(8) The distance between the head of the guide pin and the indicator surface does not need to be the same length on both sides of the guide pin, and may be different. It is sufficient that the distance between the guide pins that define the ball passageway is set to a dimension that can prevent any pachinko ball from entering the passage opening of the gate section or the start winning opening of the second start winning section at all, or, conversely, the distance between the nails from being extremely widened to prevent excessive pachinko balls from entering the passage opening or the start winning opening.
(9) A configuration can be adopted in which a buffer member (a member other than the game nail) that the pachinko ball can abut before contacting the guide game nail is provided so as to face the game area upstream of the planting position of the guide game nail whose displacement is regulated by the regulating part. With this configuration, the pachinko ball whose speed has been reduced by the buffer member comes into contact with the guide game nail, so that deformation of the guide game nail can be suppressed. The buffer member can be provided so as to be continuous with the regulating member or to be spaced apart from it.

20 Game board 23A to 23J, 56 Guide pin (game pin)
26 Play area 37 First regulating member (regulating member)
39a to 42a, 51a, 52a, 58a index surface 49 second regulating member (regulating member)
55 Regulating member

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine, a gaming area into which game balls can flow is formed on the front side of a gaming board, and a plurality of game nails facing the gaming area are provided,
A regulating member is provided in a removable manner to regulate the displacement of the game nail by a predetermined amount or more in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the game nail,
The indicator surface, which is located on the side of the gaming nail in the regulating member and is capable of identifying the distance from the gaming nail, is located at a predetermined distance from the gaming nail and is composed of a curved surface or multiple surfaces along the gaming nail;
A gaming machine comprising a light emitting means arranged at a distance from the gaming nail in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the gaming nail, which irradiates light toward the regulating member so that the light is reflected by the indicator surface , and which is capable of emitting light in a plurality of light emitting modes with different light colors .