JPH06102104B2 - Prize ball discharging device for pachinko machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to a prize ball discharging device in a pachinko machine, and more specifically, uses a pachinko ball (also referred to as a game ball) for a game medium. A game machine that allows players to play games, and when winning a prize, wins a certain number of pachinko balls (also called prize balls), which is a prize medium, and discharges the above prize balls to the upper and lower ball plates on the front of the machine. Regarding a ball discharging device.

[Technical background]

In a pachinko machine, which is one of the typical examples of this type of gaming machine, as is well known, in the machine body, an upper ball plate for a game ball and a lower ball plate for a prize ball, and a ball plate for a game ball, both of which have a ball removing device built-in. It is equipped with a hitting ball launching device and a ball feeding device, a game board with various winning devices and the like, and an outlet, and a mechanism board that can process out balls and safe balls and dispense prize balls. . Then, based on the interlocking of the ball hitting device and the ball feeding device, the game balls in the upper ball plate are sent one by one to the base end of the launch rail in the machine and launched into the game board. The ball is discharged as an out ball from the out path of the mechanism board, while the game ball that has entered one of the winning devices is
The balls are treated as safe balls and are processed and discharged one by one by the safe ball processing device of the mechanical board. Each time this processing operation is performed, the prize ball dispensing device of the mechanical board is operated once, and a fixed number of prizes are awarded. A ball is delivered.

[Prior art]

Regarding the configuration related to the discharge of prize balls to the upper and lower ball plates in the conventional pachinko machine, the first ball connected to the upper ball plate side is connected to the outlet portion of the discharge main path formed immediately below the prize ball feeding device. A discharge path is continuously provided, and a second discharge path, which communicates from the upper portion of the discharge path to the lower dish side, is branched and connected. As a result, the prize balls dispensed from the prize ball dispensing device are preferentially discharged from the discharge main path to the first discharge path, and thereafter discharged and stored on the upper bowl plate side, and then the first ball from the upper ball dish is stored. After the prize balls are filled in the discharge path, the prize balls are discharged from the discharge main path to the second discharge path, discharged to the lower bowl side, and stored as they are. Incidentally, the storage space of the balls is generally larger on the lower ball plate and the second discharge path side than on the upper ball plate and the first discharge path side.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In the above-described conventional prize ball discharging technique, it is possible to preferentially discharge prize balls to the upper bowl side and then discharge the overflowed portion to the lower bowl side. However, even if the prize balls are in a state of being filled with a considerable amount from the lower ball plate to the second discharge path, the game balls in the upper ball plate are used for launching the game in the subsequent game without the player's knowledge. When the number of stored prize balls in the first discharge path decreases, and the player who is devoting himself to the game notices, only the remaining balls in the upper ball plate become the hand holding amount for the game, and this amount of game The sphere disappears in a relatively short time. For this reason, the player must replace the storage balls in the lower bowl in the upper bowl to continue playing the game.

The above-mentioned ball replacement will be performed by the player himself, and while the game is continuing, the player will directly grab the stored ball in the lower ball dish with the other hand, that is, the left hand, and put it in the upper ball dish. However, because of this ball replacement, he feels very busy and it becomes difficult to concentrate on the game. Especially in the case of a game development condition that is advantageous to the player during the game, for example, when a condition occurs in which many game balls can be easily won within a predetermined short time, which is commonly called a "big hit state", the game condition While being distracted by, there are times when it is necessary to replace the ball, at which time the ball falls out due to the failure to grab the ball, or the ball is distracted by the grip of the game. There is a case where it becomes less popular, and it is not possible to satisfy the actual game conditions.

[Object of the Invention]

The object of the present invention is to preferentially discharge the prize balls to be paid out at the time of establishment of the winning to the upper ball plate side, and when a predetermined portion or more in the discharge path is filled, the corresponding prize balls are lowered to the lower ball plate. We will provide a prize ball discharge device that can be obtained to the side, always allocate prize balls as game balls used for games, and replace the stored balls in the lower plate with the upper plate during the game. It is to eliminate busyness and annoyance.

[Technology for solving problems]

The present invention relates to a gaming machine equipped with an upper bowl plate for game balls and a lower bowl plate for prize balls on the front surface of the machine body, and the prize formed below the prize ball dispensing device equipped on the back side of the machine body. A discharge main path for balls, a first discharge path that is connected to the discharge main path and communicates with the upper ball dish side, and a first discharge path that is branched and connected from the middle of the first discharge path to the lower ball plate side From the first discharge path, a second discharge path communicating with the first prize ball detection means, which is installed at an appropriate portion of the prize discharge path and detects a prize ball full state in the discharge main path. Second prize ball detecting means installed in an appropriate portion of the path extending over the upper ball plate to detect a prize ball decreasing state in the path, and when a detection signal from the second prize ball detecting means is received, An opening / closing control mechanism that closes the second discharge passage and opens the second discharge passage when a detection signal from the first prize ball detecting means is received. And a prize balls discharging device including.

[Action]

The prize ball discharging device of the present invention is arranged such that, with respect to prize balls dispensed in units of a fixed number in response to winning of a prize in the gaming machine, the second discharge path is closed by the opening / closing control mechanism from the discharge main path. It preferentially passes through the 1 discharge path, and then discharges to the upper ball plate side as a game ball, and the prize ball is the upper ball plate and the first ball.
When the discharge path and the discharge main path are filled, the first prize ball detecting means detects this, and the opening / closing control mechanism which receives the prize ball full detection signal opens the second discharge path. Under this condition, the filled prize balls in the discharge main road or the newly supplied prize balls pass through the second discharge path that is branched from the first discharge path, and thereafter are discharged to the lower dish side and stored. .

Then, when the game balls in the upper ball plate are still stored in a considerable amount, when the stored prize balls on the first discharge path side decrease to a predetermined level or less, the second prize ball detection means detects this. Then, the opening / closing control mechanism that receives the prize ball reduction detection signal
The discharge path is closed, and the prize balls that are subsequently supplied can be discharged again preferentially to the upper bowl plate side, and the prize balls can always be used as game balls.

〔Example〕

Prior to the description of a preferred embodiment of the prize ball discharging device according to the present invention, a pachinko machine P schematically shown in FIG. 1.2 will be briefly described. In front of the front frame 2 assembled to the outer frame 1, the glass door 3 and the support are provided. A board 4 is mounted so as to be openable and closable, and upper and lower ball dishes 6.9 are installed on the front surface of this support board 4 and the front surface of a support board 7 fixed to the lower part of the front frame 2. In addition, the openings 5.8 for prize balls are opened on both the sub boards 4.7, and each ball plate 6.
9 has a built-in ball removing device (a part of which is schematically shown in FIG. 11). Further, the operating portion 10 and the hitting ball driving portion 11 of the launching device H are installed in front and rear of the lower portion of the front frame 2, while various winning devices 14 and the like are arranged in the holding frame 12 fixed to the back side of the front frame 2. A game board 13 having an outlet 15 is set so as to be removable and replaceable. Reference numeral 16 denotes a ball feeding device detachably set inside the branch board 4, and 17 denotes a launch rail installed at the lower front portion of the holding frame 12.

On the other hand, in the mechanism board M which is detachably attached to the holding frame 12 on the back side of the front frame 2 and can be opened and closed, as shown in FIG.
However, there is also an out route that communicates with the out port 15 inside the lower part.
23 are partitioned from each other, and a safe ball processing device A is installed in a safe ball processing chamber 24 formed at the exit side of the collecting chamber 22, and a prize ball pachinko machine is provided above the board body 21. Storage container 25 on the sphere, slanted rectifying tub 26 and almost S
A character-shaped dispensing gutter 27 is installed, and a prize ball dispensing device B is installed below the dispensing gutter 27.

In the safe sphere processing device A, as shown in FIG. 3, one sphere receiving portion is provided at the outer peripheral end according to the constant speed rotation of the three-blade drive cam 29 linked to the motor 28 in a constant direction. A substantially semi-circular sphere feeder 30 having 31 is reciprocally rotated within a certain angle range. The ball feeding body 30 moves from the collecting chamber 22 to the processing chamber at the starting end position (see FIG. (A)).
The safe ball passed through the entrance 32 in 24 is received in the ball receiving portion 31 and transferred in the forward movement process in the clockwise direction in the figure (see FIG. (B)), and at the end end position, the ball receiving portion After releasing the safe ball in 31 to the exit 33 in the processing chamber 24, it returns to the original starting end position. Similarly, in the process operation process in which one safe ball is received and discharged for each reciprocating movement of the ball feeder 30, the lock lever 34 pivotally mounted in the processing chamber 24 by the safe ball is followed by the control lever 35. The balls are sequentially pushed, and each time the control lever 35 is operated, the prize ball dispensing device B is operated.

On the other hand, in the prize ball dispensing device B, as shown schematically in FIG. 3, in the case 36 which is vertically and detachably installed below the exit of the dispensing trough 27, the second part of the lower part of the case 36 is provided. The on-off valve 40 is restrained in the closed state, while the first on-off valve 39 at the upper end
Are held in the open position, the pachinko balls for prize balls are accommodated in a fixed number of units from the supply gutter 27 (see FIG. (A)), and in this ball packed state, the safe balls are According to the start of the processing operation of the processing device A, the control lever
While the operating lever 37 connected to the 35 via the connecting rod 38 is tilted upward, the first opening / closing valve 39 is closed and then the second opening / closing valve 39 is closed.
The on-off valve 40 is released to the free state, and the prize ball in the case 36 pushes open the second on-off valve 40 by its own weight and is dispensed (see FIG. (B)). Then, when the operation of the safe ball processing device A is completed, the control lever 35 and the operating lever 37 are returned to the lowered position, whereas the second opening / closing valve 40 is restrained in the closed position and then the first opening / closing valve 39 is opened. The prize balls from the inside of the supply gutter 27 that are held are stored in the case 36 again. Thereafter, similarly, in association with each operation of the processing apparatus A, the first and second opening / closing valves 39.40 are alternately controlled to be opened / closed to perform ball cutting and ball filling.

Note that the remaining structure of the mechanical board M is 41 in FIG.
Is a prize ball amount detection mechanism attached to the rectification gutter 26.
When the sensing lever 42 inside tilts and changes with the decrease in prize balls,
The switch 43 is actuated and, based on the detection signal, the hitting ball driving unit 11 of the launching device H is temporarily stopped, while the ball replenishing device (not shown) in the game store is made movable. 44
Is a safe-ball passage restricting mechanism, which is interlocked with the detecting mechanism 41 when the detecting mechanism 41 runs out of ball, and its restricting rod 45 temporarily restricts the safe-ball passing from the collecting chamber 22 to the processing chamber 24. Again 46
Is a sphere flow detection mechanism attached to the tip of the rectifying gutter 26, and when the sensing lever 47 in the gutter 26 is tilted and changed due to the decrease of prize balls, the switch 48 is operated and based on the detection signal thereof. The motor 28 in the safe sphere processing device A is temporarily stopped.

In the mechanism board M described above, the prize ball discharging device of the present example is such that the first and second discharge paths 52.55 communicating with the respective ball trays 6.9 side are connected from the discharge main path 51 below the supply gutter 27. The first and second prize ball detecting means CE are provided on the discharge main path 51 side and the first discharge path 52 side, and the opening / closing control mechanism D and the third prize ball detecting means CE are provided on the second discharge path 55 side. Each F is installed. That is, the discharge main path 51 is formed immediately below the prize ball feeding device B as shown in FIG. 3, and is formed above the processing chamber 24 at the lower part of the main path 51. The first discharge passage 52 is directly connected to the first discharge passage 52, and the second discharge passage 55, which is formed in a dogleg shape on the left side of the processing chamber 24, is branched from the upper portion of the first discharge passage 52. There is. And the first discharge path
In 52, as shown schematically in FIG. 3.10, a discharge port 53 opened in the board body 21 and a communication port 54 formed in the holding frame 12 are shown.
And, in the order of the through hole 5 of the splint 4, it is communicated with the storage portion 6a of the upper bowl 6, while in the second discharge passage 55, as shown in FIG. 3.11. 55B are formed in series, and thereafter, the discharge container 56 fixed to the lower part of the back surface of the front frame 2 and the through hole 8 of the stanchion 7 are connected in this order to the storage portion 9a of the lower bowl 9.

The first prize ball detecting means C detects the amount of prize balls in the discharge main road 51, and as shown in FIG. 3.4.5, the base 57 is screwed to the central portion of the main road 51. In addition, the sensing lever 58 for the prize ball, which is biased by the spring 60, is attached to the pin 59, and the limit type detection switch 61 is attached to make the whole unit, and When the prize ball amount is filled up to a predetermined portion and the lever 58 is pressed by the prize ball group and tilts and changes to the right in the drawing, the switch 61 detects the lever 62.
The prize ball fullness detection state (ON) is exhibited by being pushed by the operation unit 58a of 58, and a prize ball fullness detection signal is issued to the opening / closing control mechanism D side.
It should be noted that two switches 61 are arranged to be operated under the same conditions, one for input to the opening / closing control mechanism side and the other for input when required separately. In this example, one switch is used. Mainly explained.

In the opening / closing control mechanism D, the second discharging path 55 is controlled to be opened / closed with respect to the discharging main path 51 so that the discharging direction of the prize balls can be switched and changed. As shown in FIG. An opening / closing valve 64 that opens and closes the inlet 55a of the inclined path 55A, a lock member 74 that can lock and release the valve 64 to a closed position, and the member 74 that is held in the locked position. The first electromagnetic operating tool 76, which can be operated to the open position by moving the valve, and the second electromagnetic operating tool 67, which can always urge the open / close valve 64 to the open position and operate to the closed position, are arranged into a unit. And, in the state where the amount of prize balls in the first discharge path 52 is below a predetermined level as in the case of starting the game, etc., a prize ball decrease detection signal from the second prize ball detecting means E described later. By receiving
The opening / closing valve 64 closes the entrance 55a so as to guide the prize balls to the first discharge path 52 side. Under this condition, the prize ball filling signal from the first prize ball detecting means C or the player's prize signal from the player. When the manual operation signal is received, the second discharge path 55 is opened, and thereafter, when the amount of prize balls in the first discharge path 52 decreases to a predetermined level or less, the prize ball decrease detection from the second prize ball detecting means E is detected. Upon receiving the signal, the detection path 55 is closed again.

That is, in the mechanism D, the on-off valve 64 is a lever type in which an arcuate locking plate 64a is integrally formed around the fulcrum portion, and the pin 65 is attached to the right side of the base 63. The lock member 74 is of a lever type in which a locking portion 74a is projectingly provided on a lower portion thereof, and a pin 75 is attached to the upper right portion of the base 64 in a suspended state. The first electromagnetic operating tool 76 is a direct-acting solenoid, and is screwed to the upper part of the base 63. A rod 77 biased in the extension direction by a spring 78 is a locking member via a connecting rod 79. It is connected to 74. The second electromagnetic operating tool 67 is attached to a bracket 66 that is screwed to the left of the base 63 using a rotary solenoid, and a turntable 68 that is biased in one direction by a spring 69 is 1st link 70, base
Crank lever 71 with pin 72 attached to the center of 63 and the second
It is connected to the on-off valve 64 via a link 73.

As a result, in the opening / closing control mechanism D, the lock member 74 is held in the lock position by the rod 77 in the extended position when the first electromagnetic operating tool 76 is in the demagnetization resting state as shown in FIG. 3 (a). ing. On the other hand, the on-off valve 64 is restrained and held in the closed position while the locking plate 64a is locked to the locking portion 74a of the lock member 74, and in this closed position, the second electromagnetic operation in the demagnetization pause state. The rotary plate 68 of the tool 67 is urged toward the open position by using the spring 69 while changing the rotary plate 68 to the working end. Under this condition, the first electromagnetic operating tool 76 is energized and excited to pull the rod 77 leftward in the drawing as shown in FIG. 3 (b), so that the lock member 74 is rotated clockwise in the drawing to the released position. As it changes, the on-off valve 64 is separated from the locking portion 74a and released. Therefore, as soon as the on-off valve 64 is unlocked, the rotating plate 68, the links 73 and the crank lever 71 are displaced by the biasing force acting on the rotating plate 68 of the second electromagnetic operation tool 67, and follow this. To the open position.

The second prize ball detecting means E detects the amount of prize balls in the first discharge path 52, and as shown in FIG. 3.7, a sensing lever 80 having a pin 81 attached to the lower part of the discharge path 52, It has a limit type detection switch 82 attached to the outside of the discharge path 52, and while the amount of prize balls in the discharge path 52 decreases below a predetermined level and the lever 80 is released from the prize ball group. ,switch
In reference numeral 82, the detection piece 83 is released from the operating portion 80a of the lever 80 to present a prize ball reduction detection state (ON), and a prize ball reduction detection signal is issued to the opening / closing control mechanism D side. The lever 80 is biased inward by the biasing force acting on the detection piece 83 of the switch 82.

The third prize ball detecting means F detects the amount of prize balls in the second discharge passage 55. As shown in FIG.
5B has a sensing lever 84 attached to a pin 85 in a suspended state and urged by a spring 86, and a limit type detection switch 87 attached to the outside of the hanging passage 55B. The lever 84 is a prize ball. While the group 87 is being pressed to change its tilt, the switch 87 detects the detection piece 88 by the operation portion 84a of the lever 84 (O
N), and emits a prize ball full detection signal. However, two switches 87, which are operated under the same conditions, are arranged, and each of them is provided with a ball driving unit 11 of the launcher H and a motor of the safe ball processor A.
It is for input to 28. A lamp 99 arranged on the game board 13 side is connected to the switch 87.

As a manual operation means for the opening / closing control mechanism D, a manual operation tool G that can be operated by the player is installed on the left portion (see FIG. 1) of the support board 7. With this operation tool G, as shown in FIG. 9, a push button 89 mounted on the inside of the supporting board 7 and partially exposed on the front side, and a limit type in a holder 90 attached to the back side of the front frame 2 are used. It has a switch 91 etc., and when the button 89 is operated at the time when the player needs it,
The switch 91 has its detection piece 92 pushed through the movable rod 93 to be in an operating state (ON) and sends a detection signal to the mechanism side.

The various electric parts described above are connected to a common control system as shown in FIG.
The first electromagnetic operating tool 76 of the opening / closing control mechanism D is operated based on the individual detection signals of the respective switches 61.91 of the prize ball detecting means C and the manual operation tool G, and the switches of the second prize ball detecting means E.
The second electromagnetic operating tool 67 is set to operate based on the detection signal of 82. In the figure, 94 is an input circuit, 95.9
6 is an output drive circuit, and 97.98 is a schematic view of a lamp arranged on the game board side 13. However, the control system for each of the switches 87 of the third prize ball detecting means F, the hit ball driving unit 11 of the launching device, and the motor 28 of the safe ball processing device A is omitted as a separate configuration example.

In the above-mentioned pachinko machine, the game balls thrown into the upper ball dish 6 are passed through the ball feeder 16 on the back side of the support board 4 and once waited, and then the operating portion 10 of the launcher H is operated. By being operated, according to the cooperation of the hit ball driving unit 11 and the ball feeding operation 16, the balls are sent to the launch rail 17 one by one and the game board is operated.
It can be played within 13 and played. And when the game ball in the board enters one of the winning devices 14, the safe ball processing device A
Is discharged by treatment, and in connection with this, the prize ball dispensing device B is operated to dispense a fixed number of prize balls.

In such a pachinko machine, in the prize ball discharge device of the present example configured as described above, the prize ball amount in the first discharge path 52 becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined level as in the case of the start of a game or the like. In a certain state, by receiving the prize ball decrease detection signal from the second prize ball detecting means E, the opening / closing valve 64 is locked by the lock member 74 of the second discharge passage 55 as shown in FIG. It is held in the closed position of the entrance 55a. Therefore, in this state, the device B
The prize balls supplied from the discharge main passage 51 are preferentially discharged from the discharge main passage 51 to the first discharge passage 52, and thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, the discharge outlet 53, the communication outlet.
It is discharged for game balls into the upper ball plate 6 through 54 and the through hole 5. Then, after the game balls on the side of the plate 6 are full, prize balls are stored in order from the respective ports 53.54 to the first discharge passage 52, and flow out to the second discharge passage 55 closed by the opening / closing valve 64. It is filled in the discharge main path 51 without getting it. In addition, when the prize balls are filled to a predetermined level or more in the first discharge path 52, the second
When the sensing lever 80 of the prize ball detecting means E is pushed by the prize ball group, the lamp 98 lights up the "ball present" state in accordance with the operation of the switch 82.

Then, when the prize balls are filled up to a predetermined part in the discharge main road 51,
As can be understood from FIG. 3 (b), the first prize ball detecting means C
When the sensing lever 58 is pushed by the prize ball group, the switch 61 presents the prize ball full detection state (ON) and issues the prize ball full detection signal. And based on this signal, the lamp
While 97 is lit and displayed, in the opening / closing control mechanism D,
After the first electromagnetic operating tool 76 is energized and excited once to index the rod 77, the demagnetization pauses and the rod 78 is pushed out by the spring 78, whereby the lock member 74 is tilted once in the releasing direction and locked. After the part 74a is separated from the opening / closing valve 64, it is returned to the original lock position again, and as soon as the opening / closing valve 64 is unlocked, the second electromagnetic operating tool in the rest state.
By the biasing force of the spring 69 of 67, it tilts via each link 70.73 and the crank lever 71, and is switched and held at the open position of the inlet 55a of the second discharge passage 55.

As a result, as can be understood from FIG. 3 (b) and FIG. 11, the filled prize balls in the discharge main path 51 and the newly supplied prize balls remain inaccessible in the first discharge path 52. Second discharge path 55
From the inlet 55a to the slanted passage 55A, and then from the hanging passage 55b to the discharge container 56 and the passage 8 in this order, and then discharged into the lower bowl 9 to be sequentially stored. By the way, the prize balls discharged to the lower ball plate 9 side are equal to the level of the communication part between the discharge main path 51 and the first discharge path 52. Therefore, in this prize ball discharge state, although the discharge main path 51 is empty, the filled prize balls in the first discharge path 52 can still be maintained as game balls, and one ball after another is continuously shot out. Even so, the game can be continued for a considerable time.

Then, after the prize balls are discharged to the side of the lower ball plate 9 described above, the game balls in the upper ball plate 6 are sequentially sent out as the game continues, and the prize balls in the first discharge path 52 are reduced. Is decreased below a predetermined level, the sensing lever 80 of the second award ball detecting means E is released from the award ball group at that time, so that the switch 82 exhibits the award ball decrease detection state (ON) and the award ball decreases. Emits a detection signal. And based on this signal, the lamp
While 98 is turned off, in the opening / closing control mechanism D, the second electromagnetic operation tool 67 is energized and excited to rotate the turntable 68 once, so that the opening / closing valve 64 causes the links 70.73 and the crank lever 71 to move. It is tilted back via the locking plate 64
The a is retained at the engagement portion 74a of the lock member 74 and is retained at the closed position of the inlet 55a of the second discharge passage 55 again. Since the on-off valve 64 is locked and held at the closed position, the second electromagnetic operating tool 67 has its turntable after the demagnetization return.
Since 68 is held in the pivoted position against the spring 69, the on-off valve 64 is always indexed by the spring 69 toward the open position.

After that, the prize balls supplied from the device B are preferentially discharged from the discharge main path 51 to the upper bowl plate 6 side via the first discharge path 52, and then the prize balls in the discharge main path 51 are discharged. At the time of filling, based on the prize ball filling detection signal of the first prize ball detecting means C, the opening / closing valve 64 is switched to and held at the open position in accordance with the operation of the first electromagnetic operating tool 76 of the opening / closing control mechanism D. The prize balls can be discharged to the plate 9 side. When the number of prize balls in the first discharge path 52 decreases, the second electromagnetic operating tool of the control mechanism D is operated based on the prize ball decrease detection signal from the second prize ball detecting means E.
According to 67, the on-off valve 64 is again switched and held in the closed position. All the prize balls in the discharge path 51.52.55 can be discharged by opening the ball removing device in the upper ball plate 6 and the lower ball plate 9.

In contrast to the automatic operation example of the prize ball discharge control in the device of the present embodiment described above, the manual operation can be performed as follows. That is, the push button 89 of the manual operation tool G is operated at an arbitrary time required by the player himself after the detection of the "sphere present" by the second prize ball detecting means E, using the lighting display of the lamp 98 as a guide. As a result, based on the operation signal of the switch 91, the first electromagnetic operating tool 76 of the opening / closing control mechanism D is actuated, and the lock member 74 is operated in the unlocking direction in the same manner as in the case of the above-described automatic operation mode example. And the on-off valve 64 is the second
The spring 69 of the electromagnetic operating tool 67 is used to hold the second discharge path 55 at the open position.

Therefore, in this open state, when a considerable amount of prize balls are stored in the discharge main path 51, the prize balls are stored in the second discharge path 55.
To the entrance 55a. On the other hand, when the discharge main path 51 is empty,
A new amount of prize balls is supplied from the time when the prize balls supplied from the device B are filled up to the upper level of the first discharge path 52 or more.
After passing through a, the slanted passage 55A, the hanging passage 55B, and the discharge container 56 are sequentially passed through and discharged into the lower dish 9. On the other hand, when the second prize ball detecting means E detects the prize ball decrease state due to the decrease of prize balls in the first discharge path 52 while the prize ball discharge state is present, the opening / closing control mechanism is based on the prize ball decrease detection signal. The second electromagnetic operating tool 67 of D is actuated, and accordingly the on-off valve 64 is returned to the closed position and held by the lock member 74.

In the award ball discharge state by the manual operation described above, as an extreme example, the second award ball detection means E detects “there is a ball” for the required number of award ball groups in the first discharge path 52. In such a state, when the push button 89 of the manual operation tool F is immediately operated with the lighting of the lamp 98 as a guide, the opening / closing valve 64 is moved to the open position according to the operation of the first electromagnetic operation tool 76 of the opening / closing control mechanism D. Even if the change is held, immediately after that, when the means E detects the prize ball decrease state along with the decrease of prize balls in the discharge path 53, the second ball is detected based on the prize ball decrease detection signal.
It is possible that the opening / closing valve 64 is closed again in accordance with the operation of the electromagnetic operation tool 67, and the prize balls are not discharged to the second discharge passage 55. In such a state, the player can visually recognize that the prize balls are not discharged to the lower bowl plate 9 and can judge that the first discharge path 52 is still in the condition before the prize balls are full.

Then, in the award ball discharge control described above, when the award ball is filled from the lower ball plate 9 side to the predetermined portion in the hanging path 55B of the second outlet path 55, the sensing lever 84 of the third award ball detecting means F is awarded. When the ball is pushed by the ball group, the switch 87 is actuated to generate a prize ball full detection signal. Then, based on this signal, the hit ball driving unit 11 of the launching device H and the motor of the safe ball processing device A
28 is once stopped and the game ball is stopped and the safe ball processing is suspended. In this case, by discharging the full prize balls on the second discharge path 55 side by removing the ball on the lower ball plate 9 side, the above-mentioned rest state is released and the game can be restarted.

[Modification]

Other technical examples are recommended for the prize ball discharging device which is the subject of the present invention. For example, each prize ball detecting means CEF may be of the optical sensor type. In addition, in the opening / closing control mechanism D, the second electromagnetic operating tool 67 may be a normal solenoid and its rod and the opening / closing valve 64 may be connected by one link. Further, regarding the opening / closing control mode of the opening / closing valve 64, the second prize is given. The opening operation is performed a predetermined number of times at a predetermined time after the detection of the "sphere present" by the ball detecting means E, the opening is performed when the prize ball filling is detected by the first prize ball detecting means C, and the manual operation tool G is operated, and the closing is restored after a predetermined time. You may set so that.

Then, the prize ball discharging device of the present invention can be carried out according to the shape of the discharging path in the target gaming machine. For example, as abbreviated in FIG. 12 (a), the discharge main path 51 under the prize ball feeding device B is relatively short and directly communicates with the first discharge path 52.
An example of a shape in which the second discharge passage 55 is branched and communicated from the middle of the discharge passage 52. An example of a shape in which the first and second discharge paths 52.55 are branched and connected in a bifurcated manner from the lower portion of the discharge main path 51 as shown in FIG. An example of a shape in which the first discharge path 52 is branched and communicated from the middle of the second discharge path 55 that is directly connected to the discharge main path 51 as shown in FIG. Etc. can be suitably implemented to achieve prize ball discharge control.

〔The invention's effect〕

The prize ball discharging device of the present invention is equipped with an upper ball plate for game balls and a lower ball plate for prize balls, and is provided for winning a prize in a gaming machine in which a pachinko ball is used as a medium for games and prizes. The prize balls can be discharged from the discharge main path to the first discharge path and then discharged to the upper ball plate side, and the first discharge each time the prize balls are filled from the first discharge path to a predetermined portion in the discharge main path. The second discharge path branched and connected to the path may be opened to allow the prize balls to be discharged to the lower dish side. Then, when the number of stored prize balls in the first discharge path is reduced to a predetermined region or less, the second discharge path can be closed again and the prize balls can be discharged from the first discharge path to the upper bowl plate side.

Therefore, since the prize balls can always be discharged to the upper bowl plate side for the game balls, the player does not need to refill the stored balls in the lower bowl plate to the upper bowl plate side, and exclusively the upper bowl plate. You can concentrate on the game using the game balls inside. In particular, even when a game development condition that is advantageous to the player occurs in the gaming machine, the prize balls that are preferentially discharged are always applied as game balls, and the game development condition is not impaired. You can continue playing, and you can enjoy the game without having to worry about refilling the ball.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 are front and rear views schematically showing a pachinko machine, and FIG. 3 (a.
b) is a rear view schematically showing each state before and after the operation of the prize ball discharging device of this example, and FIG. 4 is a main view of the device of this example based on the line IV-IV in FIG. 3 (a). Fig. 5 is a plan sectional view showing a portion
6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 respectively show the first prize ball detecting means, the opening / closing control mechanism, the second and third prize ball detecting means and the manual operation tool according to the apparatus of this example. Perspective view showing the first
FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are a plan sectional view and a side sectional view schematically showing individual prize ball discharge paths of the upper bowl and the lower bowl, respectively, and FIG. 12 (ab
c) is an explanatory view schematically showing each form example of the prize ball discharge route,
The figure is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of each electric component in the apparatus of this example. P ... Pachinko machine, 4 ... Blank board 5 ... Thread, 6 ... Upper ball plate 7 ... Spindle, 8 ... Through hole 9 ... Lower ball plate, H ... Launcher 13 ... Game board, 16 ... Ball feed device 17 ... Launch rail, M ... Mechanical board A ... Safe ball processing device, B ... Award ball feeding device 51 ... Discharge main path, 52 ... First discharge path 53 ... Discharge port, 54 ... Communication port 55 ... Second discharge path, 56 ... Ejection container C ... First prize ball detection means, 58 ... Sensing lever 61 ... Detection switch, D ... Open / close control mechanism 64 ... Open / close valve, 67 ... Second electromagnetic operating tool 74 ... Lock member, 76 ... First electromagnetic operating tool E ... Second prize ball detecting means, 80 ... Sensing lever 82 ... Detection switch, F ... Third prize ball detecting means 84 ... Sensing lever, 87 ... Detection switch G ... Manual operation tool, 89 ... Push button 91 ... Detection switch

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine equipped with an upper bowl plate for game balls and a lower bowl plate for prize balls on the front surface of the machine body, which is formed below the prize ball feeding device mounted on the back side of the machine body. A discharge main path for prize balls, a first discharge path connected to the discharge main path and connected to the upper bowl plate side, and a lower discharge plate branching and connected from the middle of the first discharge path A second discharge path communicating with the side, a first prize ball detecting means installed at an appropriate portion of the prize ball discharge main path for detecting a prize ball full state in the discharge ball main path, and the first discharge path Second award ball detecting means installed in an appropriate part of the route extending from the above upper ball dish to detect the award reduction state in the route,
When the detection signal from the second prize ball detecting means is received, the second discharge path is closed, and when the detection signal from the first prize ball detecting means is received, the second discharge path is opened. A prize ball discharging device in a pachinko game machine, which is provided with a control mechanism. 2. The opening / closing control mechanism outputs an opening / closing member for opening / closing the entrance of the second discharge passage, a lock member for holding the opening / closing member in a closed position, and a detection signal from the first prize ball detecting means. A first electromagnetic operation tool that is operated when receiving the signal to operate the opening / closing member to the open position, and a second electromagnetic operation tool that operates the opening / closing member to the closed position when a detection signal from the second prize ball detecting means is received. An award ball discharge device for a pachinko game machine according to claim 1, wherein the prize ball discharge device comprises an electromagnetic operation tool.