JPH0116511B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention is a pachinko machine, for example, when a ball or the like that is fired onto the game board by a firing device enters a specific gaming state, the ball is fired from an appropriate part of the board. This machine relates to a pachinko machine which allows a pachinko game to be played by letting game balls flow out separately from shot game balls.

<Prior Art> In conventional pachinko machines, the balls that flow down the game board to play the game are limited to the balls fired by the player.
Therefore, the game content tends to be monotonous and it is difficult to vary the manner in which the ball falls, making it impossible to sufficiently increase the interest of the game.

<Problems to be Solved by the Present Invention> The present invention fundamentally changes the concept of conventional pachinko machines in which the player plays only with the balls that are shot, and the player can play with the balls that are shot from an appropriate part of the board. The aim is to provide a pachinko machine that allows separate game balls to flow out from an outlet, and adds a new sense of fun by adding the expectation of winning to the unexpectedness of these balls, which are completely unrelated to the player's operation or intention. It is something to do.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The present invention was proposed in view of the above, and includes at least a winning device disposed on a game board surface surrounded by guide rails, and a ball being thrown onto the game board surface by a triggering device. In a pachinko machine that plays games by firing, there is a specific game state detection means for detecting that a preset specific game state has been entered during the game, and a device provided at a specific part on the surface side of the game board so that balls flow out. and a ball ejecting mechanism that has a communication path communicating with the outflow port and is capable of ejecting a predetermined number of balls into the communication path, the ball ejection mechanism is configured to emit balls based on the output of the specific game state detection means. The mechanism is activated to release a predetermined number of balls into the communicating path, and cause the predetermined number of balls to flow out from the outlet to the surface of the game board, causing them to explode in a specific game state. The game can be played on the same game board surface side using the ball fired by the device and the ball flowing out from the outlet.

<Function> According to the present invention, when the specific gaming state detecting means detects a preset specific gaming state, the ball ejecting mechanism is activated to eject a predetermined number of game balls from the outlet provided at an appropriate location on the gaming board. This outflowing ball is completely unrelated to the player's operation or intention, and the game is full of surprises.

<Example> Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a pachinko machine incorporating a first example of the present invention.

Similar to well-known machines, the pachinko machine 1 is configured to bounce game balls ejected from a manual or electric ejecting device 2 onto a game board surface 4 via guide rails 3 and the like.

As is well known, on the game board surface 4, there are winning devices 5, including a winning hole 5a and a variable winning device 5b such as a tulip whose physical form changes to make it easier to win the next ball upon winning a prize. are provided in an appropriate number and in an appropriate arrangement. Of course, in addition to this, there may also be a somewhat large-scale winning device commonly called a yakubutsu.

In addition to this type of known component group, the game board surface 4 has at least one new detecting section 6 for detecting passage of a ball, for example, as a specific game state detecting means (in the case shown in the figure, an upper detecting section 6). An appropriate number of outflow ports 7 for separate game balls from the machine side are provided at appropriate locations (in the illustrated case, one location at the upper center).

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the main part in this area, and in this case, the detection part 6 is made of a frame 8 that is open at the upper and lower sides, and this frame 8 is
Inside, there is a micro switch 1 installed on the back of the game board.
0 actuator 10a protrudes. Of course, the front of the board is covered with a glass plate 12, but when the game ball passes through the frame 8 of the detection unit 6, the actuator 10a is pressed by the ball, and the micro switch 10 closes the contact. This makes it possible to electrically detect that the ball has passed through a specific detection section.

However, as will be the same in the embodiments described below, the detection of the passage of the ball itself may be carried out by any known method such as photoelectric detection or means using a magnetic proximity switch, and the above-mentioned microswitch type is merely an example. It's only too much.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the ball passes through the detection part 6 defined as a specific detection part, the outflow port 7
It is characterized by causing a predetermined number of different game balls to flow out onto the board.

Now, if one separate game ball is released by one ball passing through the detection unit 6, a ball release mechanism 13 as shown in FIG. 2 can be considered. For example, a flow path 16 that communicates with the prize ball storage section 14 on the back side of the upper part of a commonly used pachinko machine or its flow path 15 (FIG. 1) is communicated with the outlet 7. This flow path 16 has an upward step part 17 in the middle, and the balls 19 flowing down are held in such a way that they hit the step wall 17a and do not reach the outlet 7. On the other hand, this stepped portion 17
The bottom 20 of the ball can be raised by the operation of the solenoid 21, through a suitable linkage 22, etc., and when it is raised,
The balls placed on the top flow down into the communication path 16a toward the outlet 7, as shown by the imaginary line in the figure, and are eventually discharged from the outlet 7.

Therefore, if this solenoid 21 is operated once by the operation signal of the micro switch 10,
One ball can be flowed out onto the game board surface 4 as a separate game ball, and if the ball enters the winning device 5, the player can be given the satisfaction of having won a great deal. Further, as shown in the figure, when the outflow port 7 is provided above the detection unit 6, the ball that has flowed out as a separate game ball is arbitrarily changed in its flowing path by the obstacle nail 23 etc. and enters the detection unit 6 again. If something happens, another new game ball will be flowed out from the outlet 7, so if everything goes well, by repeating this process,
You can make any number of balls flow down the game board 4 with a single bullet, increasing your chances of winning.
This can arouse interest on the part of the players.

Of course, it is also possible to cause a plurality of balls to flow out each time the ball passes through the detection unit 6, and in the case of using the ball release mechanism 13 shown in FIG. 2, the solenoid 21 is excited multiple times with a single detection signal. Just do it. Furthermore, in order to eject a plurality of balls at once by one operation of the solenoid 21, a structure such as that shown in FIG. 3A, which is an example of a structure used in a conventional prize ball discharging device, may be used.

That is, a pair of stoppers 24a and 24b are provided in the middle of the flow section 16 leading to the outlet 7 to accommodate a predetermined number of balls 19 therebetween, and normally the lower outlet stopper 24b protrudes into the flow path 16. When the solenoid 21 is energized, it opens and the upper inlet stopper 24a closes, causing a predetermined number of balls beyond the inlet stopper 24a to flow down toward the outlet 7. A linkage 22' may be provided between the inlet and outlet stoppers 24a, 24b and the solenoid 21. Of course, this method is also one example, and may be used from other prize ball ejecting device mechanisms. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, the flow passage 16 is bent into two parts in the middle, an upper outlet 16b of the flow passage and a lower inlet 16c of the communication passage 16a to the outlet 7 (not shown). are arranged roughly one above the other. On the other hand, there is a link rod 22b whose rear end is connected to the solenoid 21, whose intermediate portion is pivoted, and whose tip has a cavity 22a that accommodates one ball. However, under normal conditions, the cavity 22a faces the lower communication path 16a, and a stopper 22c on the cavity 22a suppresses the ball reaching the outlet 16b from above. When the solenoid 21 is energized, the cavity 22a moves upward due to the lifting action of the link rod 22b, communicates with the outlet 16b, and takes one ball into it.
Thereafter, the solenoid 21 is demagnetized so that it faces downward and drops the ball taken into the downward flow path entrance 16c.

When the ball ejecting mechanism 13 releases a plurality of balls as a predetermined number of separate game balls, the size (depth) of the cavity 22a may be set such that the plurality of balls can be taken in.

In addition, regarding the electric circuit that determines the driving relationship between the detection unit 6 and the solenoid 21, there is a conventional drive solenoid between the winning ball detection unit and the winning ball ejecting device, and a drive solenoid between the winning ball detection unit and the variable winning device. electric circuits can be used, and furthermore, a plurality of specific detection units 6...
Processing of simultaneous inputs when using ... can be easily accomplished by using a known parallel-to-serial conversion circuit for pulse inputs.

In addition, in this embodiment as well, the ball passing detection by the specific detection unit 6 not only drives the previously mentioned ball release mechanism 13, but also drives the corresponding number of solenoid-driven variable prize winning devices 5b provided on the game board surface 4. You may also open it.

Based on these facts, an example of a desirable circuit summary is illustrated in FIG. 4. In this case, four detection units 6 are illustrated in FIG. 1, and four variable prize winning devices 5b are illustrated in FIG. Therefore, in accordance with this, the detected pulse signals from the four detection units 6 are sent to the simultaneous input processing circuit (pulse parallel-to-serial conversion circuit) 25, where they are converted into serial pulse signals, and the number of pulse signals is equal to the number of inputs. Drives the solenoid 21.

At the same time, the detection signal of each detection section 6 is sent to an output distribution circuit (which can be assembled with a diode matrix, etc.) 26, and when each detection signal is emitted, a variable winning device of a predetermined number and part is used. 5b is driven.

In the above embodiment, another game ball flows down the entire game board surface 4 arbitrarily in the same way as a ball that is fired, but in the next embodiment, the other game ball flows down the area where the other game ball is diverted. is limited to a specific area partitioned by a frame, and the detection unit 6 is also provided within that area, making this area a kind of accessory.

As shown in FIG. 5, there is a game area 28 partitioned off by a frame 27 at an appropriate portion of the game board surface 4, in this case approximately in the center, and as shown in FIG. 6 as an enlarged view of this area. Appropriate placement within the gaming area 28,
The number of detection units 6 (in the case shown, four in the shape of a cross)...
... are arranged, and furthermore, the outlet 7 is arranged above the frame 27 in this case.

Each detection section 6 is surrounded by a frame 8 as in the first embodiment, and the detection end of the detection section such as the microswitch actuator 10a faces. Further, the outflow port 7 is connected to the ball discharge mechanism 13 including the flow path 16, as described above.

Therefore, the frame 27 that constitutes the winning device as a whole
Appropriate placement and number of ball entry openings (in the case shown, three in the upper part only) 29
In this case, an opening 30 that communicates with a winning ball return gutter (not shown) on the back of the machine is provided at the bottom and is wide open horizontally in this case.

Therefore, the ball 18 that is shot by the player, jumps onto the game board surface 4, and is lucky enough to land a prize in one of the entrances 29 passes through the frame 27 and reaches the opening 30, resulting in a prize winning in a known pachinko machine. The ball undergoes the same processing (e.g. prize ball ejection), but if it passes any of the detection parts 6 on its way down, it will be detected as in the previous embodiment and the ball ejection mechanism 13 will be activated. Drive a predetermined number of different game balls to the outlet 7
The ball is then released from the opening 30 and is subjected to the same treatment as the winning ball. but,
If those balls pass through the frame 8 again during the falling process, similar outflow of other game balls will be repeated. However, if the lower opening 30 is not entirely used as a winning opening, but is appropriately partitioned into a winning opening and an out opening as shown by the imaginary line in the figure, the thrill of the anticipation of winning is added, making the game even more interesting.

Of course, in addition to these, the variable prize winning device 5b in the board outside the frame 27 may be driven to open by detecting the passage of the ball, as in the above-mentioned embodiment. In addition to these examples of providing benefits to players, another application example of the present invention will be described here.

That is, each time a ball passes through each ball passage detection section 6,
The idea is to decide that a predetermined number of points has been earned by the player, and how to utilize these points.

Now, as schematically shown in FIG.
b is worth 2 points each, and the lower detection part 6c is worth 3 points, and the score is 1 point, and the solenoid-driven prize ball ejecting device 31 (No. 1) attached to the known pachinko machine is 5) is driven once, for example. Then, instead of scoring every time a score is generated, the player adds the score to a certain extent and then presses the switch 32 attached to the pachinko machine 1.
The prize ball ejecting device shall be driven a number of times commensurate with the number of points scored.

An example of a circuit that satisfies this usage example is the one illustrated in FIG. 8.

First, when a ball passes through each detection section 6, the solenoid 21 of the ball release mechanism is driven through the simultaneous input processing circuit 25 as described above, and another game ball is released. At the same time, each of the detection units 6a to 6c is connected to a control circuit 35 including an up-down counter 34 via a circuit 33 that outputs information corresponding to a predetermined score. For example, when one detecting section 6a detects the passing of a ball, the up-down counter 34 adds one point, and for two detecting sections 6b, 6b, it adds two points,
The three points are added to the three detecting sections 6c.

The number of points that are added up in this way is
An analog or digital visible display device 36 provided at an appropriate part of the pachinko machine 1, for example, a space 28 as an accessory partitioned by a frame 27, an inner board surface, etc.
It is a good idea to display it on the screen.

The player requests the ejection of prize balls in accordance with the score,
When the discharge request switch 32 is operated, the drive solenoid 31 of the prize ball discharge device is driven by the control circuit 35 every time, and each time the up-down counter 34 is decremented by "1" (the visual display device 36 is also This operation continues until the display returns to zero. However, instead of or in conjunction with the operation of the switch 32 by the player, a score upper limit setting circuit 42 is provided, and when the count number (score number) of the up-down counter 34 reaches this upper limit value, the control is activated. The driving solenoid 31 of the prize ball ejecting device may be actuated several times by acting on the circuit 35 until the up-down counter 34 returns to zero.

In this way, if the winning balls are discharged according to the score, there is no particular need for the opening 30 provided at the bottom of the winning device to communicate with the winning ball return gutter as in the case described above. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the balls that have fallen into the lower opening 30 are passed from a dedicated return gutter 37 to a pachinko ball lifting device 38.
Lifting through the lifting path 39 and supplying to the downstream path 16,
It is reasonable to use it as a separate game ball. however,
Even if the balls enter from the inlet 29, if there are few balls that pass through the detection part 6, the balls may overflow into the lower recirculation gutter 37.In that case, an overflow gutter 40 is provided to handle the overflowing balls. All you have to do is discharge it into the entire circulation path of the firing ball.

In the figure, microswitches 41a and 41b provided above and below the lifting mechanism are for selectively driving the motor of the lifting device 38 as required.

Such a method of artificially determining the score in the detection unit can of course be applied to the first embodiment, and instead of discharging the prize balls according to the score, the number of prize balls can be set as appropriate.
The variable prize winning device 5b may be opened.

In addition, in each of the embodiments, the specific game state detection means is shown in frame 8 to detect the passing of a ball, but in addition to this, a detection means may be provided in a specific winning opening 5a or winning device 5b. , a specific state of the ball may be detected as a winning ball, and the specific game state to be detected is not limited to the above state as long as it is preset, and may be used for roulette games or specific roulette games. It can also be a result mode.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the ordinary pachinko machine shown in the example, but can also be applied to a so-called coin-operated pachinko machine.

<Effects of the Invention> In short, according to the present invention, when the specific gaming state detection means detects a specific gaming state during a game,
The ball ejection mechanism is activated to release a predetermined number of different game balls from the outlet onto the surface of the game board separately from the game balls that were ejected by the ejecting device. Since the ball can be played on the same game board surface side, the player can also enjoy a different game using the ball that is unrelated to the player's triggering operation. Therefore, there are two types of games that cannot be achieved with conventional pachinko machines: one where the player uses his or her own skill to hit the ball and the ball is hit, and the other where the player cannot intervene and relies completely on chance. You can play games with game balls. For this reason, when a specific game state is reached, the game ball moves on the game board in a way that the player did not expect, bringing about unexpected winning expectations in the game content, resulting in a new and varied game. Also,
By setting various specific game states, the game content can be diversified and the player's desire to play can be increased. Furthermore, since the game with the bullet shot and the game with the different game balls are automatically performed continuously, it is possible to provide a pachinko machine that does not make the game feel strange and is more interesting.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the main parts along the line of FIG. 1. 3A and 3B are schematic configuration diagrams of ball ejection mechanism examples, FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of an example of an electric circuit used in the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a front view of a pachinko machine to which the second embodiment is applied. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the main part, Figure 7 is the second
Schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of use of the embodiment, No. 8
The figure is a circuit diagram of an example of an electric circuit used in the second embodiment. 1 is a pachinko machine, 4 is a game board surface, 5 is a winning device, 6 is a detection unit, 7 is an outlet, 13 is a ball release mechanism, 27 is a frame that partitions a specific game area, 30 is a lower opening thereof, and 36 is a display device It is.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a pachinko machine in which at least a winning device is disposed on a game board surface surrounded by guide rails, and a game is played by firing balls onto the game board surface using a triggering device, a preset specific game state is set during the game. a specific game state detecting means for detecting that the game board is running out; an outlet provided at a specific part on the surface side of the game board through which the balls flow; and a communication path communicating with the outlet; and a ball ejecting mechanism capable of ejecting a predetermined number of balls, the ball ejecting mechanism is operated based on the output of the specific game state detection means, and the predetermined number of balls are released into the communication path by the operation of the ball ejecting mechanism. release,
A predetermined number of balls are flowed out to the surface side of the game board from the above-mentioned outlet, and in a specific game state, a game can be played on the same side of the surface of the game board by the bounce ball from the triggering device and the outflow ball flowed out from the outlet. A pachinko machine characterized by: