JPH0280076A - Pinball play machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate a jamming condition of prize balls left in a guide route so as to enable the ball to smoothly perform its downflow by providing a pressure relief route, communicating with an opening part with its bottom surface higher than the bottom surface of the guide route, in the sideward of the outermost part guide route of the two or more guide routes. CONSTITUTION:A pressure relief route 88, communicating with an opening part 87 with its bottom surface 91 higher than the bottom surface of a guide route, is provided in the sideward of the outermost part guide route of two or more guide routes 84a, 84b. A prize ball in the prize ball guide routes 84a, 84b is moved in every action of delivering the prize ball further stopped. A ball pressure is applied mutually to the prize ball, when it is stopped, and the reaction force is successively transmitted to the upstream side. The reaction force acts on the prize ball positioned just below a prize ball derivation port 57 in a prize ball tank 50, but even a pressure from prize balls, accumulated in large quantity in the prize ball tank, is applied to the prize ball just below the one just below the port 57, so that the mutual ball pressure is further increased. Consequently, the prize ball in the downstream side of the prize ball derivation port 57 advances into the pressure relief route 88 through the opening part 87. Accordingly, the mutual pressure of the prize balls, left in a prize ball guide trough 80, is moderated, and a jam of the ball can be eliminated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides a bottom surface, a front wall vertically erected on the front edge of the bottom surface, and a front wall projecting from the bottom surface and defining a plurality of guide paths. In particular, the present invention relates to a pinball game machine equipped with a prize ball guiding gutter comprising a prize ball lining wall, and a prize ball tank having a prize ball outlet facing upstream of the plurality of guiding paths, in particular, without causing balls clogging. This invention relates to a pinball game machine equipped with a prize ball guide gutter that allows prize balls to flow down smoothly.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, a prize ball guide gutter for guiding prize balls stored in a prize ball tank to a prize ball dispensing device has a bottom surface, a front wall vertically erected on the front edge of the bottom surface, protruding from the bottom surface;
It also consisted of an alignment wall that partitioned a plurality of guide paths. The prize ball outlet of the prize ball tank faced the upstream side of the guide path. Note that the main body of the mechanism plate also serves as the rear wall corresponding to the front wall of the prize ball guiding gutter.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Generally, a pinball game machine is filled with a large amount of prize balls from the prize ball dispensing device to the prize ball tank.
The prize ball dispensing device operates to pay out a predetermined number (for example, 13 balls) at a time, so each time there is a payout operation, the prize balls in the prize ball guide gutter and the prize ball tank correspond to the predetermined number. It suddenly moves downward by the number of times it moves and stops. At this time, the prize ball downstream is subjected to high earth pressure,
This effect also extends to the prize balls located upstream.

By the way, even in the conventional prize ball guidance gutter described above, the prize ball moves as described above every time there is a payout operation, so the reaction from the prize ball located on the downstream side causes the prize ball located on the upstream side to move upstream. A force moves toward the side, but the prize balls located on the upstream side are under pressure from the prize balls located further upstream (directly below the prize ball outlet of the prize ball tank), so the prize balls are pushed upstream. There were times when there was no place to escape either to the ground or downstream, and strong earth pressure from both sides resulted in a blockage situation.

This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned disadvantages, and its purpose is to allow prize balls to flow down smoothly without clogging due to earth pressure between prize balls remaining in the prize ball guide gutter. To provide a pinball game machine equipped with a prize ball guiding gutter capable of providing prize balls.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the pinball game machine according to the present invention includes a prize ball guiding gutter having a front wall on the downstream side from the prize ball outlet of the prize ball tank. the opening formed and the outermost guide path of the plurality of guide paths, provided on the side of the outermost guide path,
Further, the present invention is characterized in that a pressure relief path is provided which communicates with the opening and has a bottom surface higher than the bottom surface of the guide path.

[Function] The prize balls in the prize ball guide path move and stop every time there is a payout operation of the prize balls. When the prize balls stop, earth pressure is applied to each other, and the reaction force is sequentially transmitted to the upstream side. Then, the reaction force described above acts on the prize balls located directly below the prize ball outlet of the prize ball tank, but the prize balls located directly below are free from the prize balls that are stored in large quantities in the prize ball tank. Since pressure is also applied from the balls, the earth pressure between the prize balls becomes even greater. Therefore, the prize balls on the downstream side of the prize ball outlet enter into the pressure release path through the opening.

Therefore, the earth pressure between the prize balls remaining in the prize ball guiding gutter is alleviated, and ball clogging due to earth pressure can be eliminated.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, with reference to FIG. 10, a pachinko game machine as an example of a pinball game machine to which this embodiment is applied will be described. FIG. 10 is a front view of the pachinko game machine. In the figure, a door holding frame 3 is provided around a frame-shaped front frame 2 of a pachinko game machine 1, and the door holding frame 3 includes a glass door 4 having glass and a front door 5 with one side pivoted. It is attached so that it can be opened and closed freely. The game board 9 is attached to the game board holding frame 33 (see FIGS. 1 and 1) on the rear side of the glass door 4 and on the back side of the front frame 2. (not shown). Further, a batted ball supply tray 6 is fixed to the surface of the front door 5 for storing ejected prize balls and supplying each prize ball to a firing position of the batted ball. In the internal space on the upstream side of the batted ball supply tray 6, there is a speaker 7 that generates sound effects related to the game.
is built-in. Further, the front door 5 is also provided with a stop switch 8 for stopping the rotation of rotating drums 13a to 13c of the variable display device 12, which will be described later. Furthermore,
A batted ball supply device (not shown) that supplies batted balls guided from a batted ball supply tray 6 to a firing position is fixed to the back surface of the front door 5.

On the surface of the game board 9, a guide rail 10 is set up in a substantially circular shape for guiding the hit balls guided from a launch rail (not shown). The area surrounded by the guide rail 10 constitutes the gaming area 11. At approximately the center of the game area 11, there are a plurality of rotating drums 13a to 13a.
A variable display device 12 having a number 13c is provided, and a variable winning ball device 14 having an opening/closing portion 5i115 is provided below the variable display device 12. The opening/closing door 15 of this variable winning ball device 14 is connected to the rotating drum 13 of the variable display device 12.
The combination of a to 13c is displayed in a predetermined display state (for example, when the numbers "7" are arranged horizontally or diagonally)
When this occurs, a specific game state is entered and the game is set to be open for a predetermined period of time (for example, until 20 seconds have elapsed or until 10 winning pressures are generated). and,
When a prize is won in the specific winning hole 16 provided in the opening/closing door 15, the above-mentioned open state is repeated again, and can be repeated up to 10 times each time winning pressure is generated in the specific winning hole 16.

Further, on both the upper and lower sides of the variable winning ball device 14, starting winning holes 17a to 17C are provided to allow rotation of the rotating drums 13a to 13c. This starting prize opening 1
Among 7a to 17c, the left and right starting prize openings 17b and 17c are opened and closed by the opening and closing door 1 when the opening and closing #15 is in the open state.
The ball that collided with the side of 5 is guided and becomes easier to win.

Therefore, the above-mentioned specific game state is entered, and the opening/closing door 1
When 5 is opened for a predetermined period of time, the ball is not only guided into the door 15, but also hits the side of the opening and closing 5i115 and is guided to the starting prize openings 17b and 17c, so a large amount of winning pressure is generated in a short time. will occur.

Furthermore, in the gaming area 11, normal winning holes 18a and 18b are provided on the left and right sides of the variable winning ball device 14, and
Normal winning openings 19a, 1 are also provided on the left and right sides of the variable display device 12.
9b is provided.

Further, the game area 11 is provided with game effect lamps 20a and 20b that light up or blink to notify the player when the specific game state is entered. Frame lamps 21a and 21b are also provided on the upper part of the front frame 2 to provide the same effect as the game effect lamps 20a and 20b. Further, at the bottom of the game area 11, an out port 22 is provided through which the balls that have not won in any of the winning areas described above are guided to the rear of the game board 9.

Further, outside the gaming area 11 and on the upper left side of the gaming board 9, there is a prize ball payout notification lamp 24 that lights up when a detection switch 183 (described later) is activated, and an operation detection switch 101a (described later) is activated. A ball-out notification lamp 23 is provided which lights up.

A lower part of the front frame 2 is provided with an operation handle 25 that constitutes a part of the ball firing mechanism and a surplus ball tray 32 for storing prize balls that cannot be stored in the ball supply tray 6. There is. Of these, a ball firing drive section 26 is attached to the back surface of the front frame 2 so as to correspond to the operation handle 25, as shown in FIG. The batted ball launch drive unit 26 is integrated and provided on a mounting board 27, and includes a batted ball motor 28 as a drive source, a tentacle detection circuit 29 that constitutes a drive circuit for the batted ball motor 28, and a reciprocating ball launch drive unit 26 by the rotation of the batted ball motor 28. Batting rod 3 that rotates and fires the ball
0, and a ball feeding sliding rod 31 that moves up and down in conjunction with the reciprocating rotation of the ball hitting rod 30 and operates a ball feeding device (not shown).

Mechanism Board Next, the structure of the mechanism board 40 arranged on the back side of the pachinko game machine 1 will be explained with reference to FIG.

The mechanism board 40 is provided with various mechanisms for processing the winning pressure from the winning opening provided on the game board 9 and discharging a predetermined number of prize balls corresponding to the winning pressure. The mechanism plate 40 is made up of a roughly rectangular mechanism plate main body 41 molded from synthetic resin and various mechanisms assembled thereto, and one side of the mechanism plate main body 41 is attached to the game board holding frame 33. It is supported so that it can be opened and closed freely. Further, on the back surface of the mechanism plate main body 41, fixing members 42a to 42c that lock the mechanism plate 40 in a closed state are provided. Further, a window opening 43 is provided approximately in the center of the mechanism plate main body 41, and a winning pressure gathering gutter 4 is located below this window opening 43.
4 is formed.

The winning pressure guided to the winning pressure collecting gutter 44 is guided to a winning ball processing mechanism 160 which will be described later.

On the rear side of the mechanism board main body 41, various mechanisms are provided for dispensing prize balls to the player, which are supplied from a supply mechanism (not shown) of the pachinko game machine installation stand. These mechanisms will be explained separately for each component.

Prize Ball Tank The prize ball tank 50 is attached to a mounting recess 51 formed in the upper part of the mechanism plate main body 41. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the prize ball tank 50 is formed of synthetic resin or the like into a box shape with an open top, and includes a rear wall 52 in contact with the surface of the mounting recess 51, and a rear wall 52 in contact with the surface of the mounting recess 51. Rear wall 52
The left side wall 54 and the right side wall 55 that connect the rear wall 52 and the front wall 53, and the bottom surface 56 are arranged on the outside of the left side wall 54 and the right side wall 55.
3a and 73b are provided in a protruding manner, and the prize ball tank 50 can be attached to the mechanism plate main body 41 by means of the attachment protrusions 73a and 73b.

A rectangular prize ball outlet 57 is provided at one end of the bottom surface 56. This prize ball outlet 57 is opened at a position corresponding to the upper upstream side of a guide path 84a84b of a prize ball guide gutter 80, which will be described later, and its width D2 in the front and back direction is as shown in FIG. Total width of 84b in front and rear direction.

It is set to be slightly larger than .

This is to ensure that the prize balls fall from the prize ball tank 50 to the prize ball guide gutter 80. Note that the above width D2 may be D2=D3. Moreover, below the prize ball outlet 57, a prize ball amount sensing plate 93, which will be described later and is swingably provided in the prize ball guide gutter 80, is actually arranged.

In addition, the rear opening edge 5B forming the prize ball outlet 57,
Among the front opening edge 59, the left opening edge 61, and the right opening edge 63, the right opening edge 63 extends from the end of the front opening edge 59 to the rear opening edge 58 end, as shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the right opening edge 63 has an inclined surface shape with a step having a width D4. An acting force acting eight times forward along the right opening edge 63 is applied to the prize ball in contact with the portion 63. In addition, the right frontage edge 63
From each opening edge except for the guide piece 60.62
is extended downward to guide the prize balls that have fallen from the prize ball outlet 57 so that they do not overflow from the prize ball guide gutter 80.The guide piece corresponding to the rear opening edge 58 is A vertical surface portion 71, which will be described later, also serves as the vertical surface portion 71, and in the illustrated embodiment, it hangs down the longest. Further, the length of the guide pieces 60, 62, 71 is set depending on the vertical distance between the prize ball guide gutter 80 and the prize ball tank 50, and is set to an appropriate length.

The bottom surface 56 has a first inclined bottom surface section 64 extending from the side corner of the other end of the prize ball tank 50 toward the right opening edge 63 of the prize ball outlet 57, and a first inclined bottom surface section 64 that extends from the side corner of the other end of the prize ball tank 50 toward the right opening edge 63 of the prize ball outlet 57. A second sloped bottom part 65 that slopes from the side corner part toward the rear opening edge 58 of the prize ball outlet 57 and slopes toward the first sloped bottom part 64 , and the other end of the prize ball tank 50 . It is comprised of a third inclined bottom surface section 66 which is inclined from the side corner toward the front opening edge 59 of the prize ball outlet 57 and which is inclined toward the first inclined bottom surface section 64 . For this reason, right-side openings are provided at the positions where the first sloped bottom surface part 64 and the second sloped bottom surface part 65 intersect, and at the positions where the first sloped bottom surface part 64 and the third sloped bottom surface part 66 intersect. The first intersecting portion 6 extends from both ends of the edge portion 63 toward the other end corner of the prize ball tank 50.
7 and a second intersecting portion 68 are formed. In addition,
In the illustrated embodiment, the second sloping bottom portion 65 actually slopes toward a beading portion 69 that is raised between the rear frontage edge 58 and the rear wall 52.

The ball breaking part 69 is 2 to 2 times the diameter of the pachinko ball from the bottom surface 56.
It is raised to have three times the height, and its upper surface is
A sloped surface portion 70 facing the prize ball outlet 57 is formed, and its side surface extends from the sloped lower end of the sloped surface portion 70 to the rear opening edge 5.
8 and a curved surface portion 72 corresponding to the second inclined bottom surface portion 65.

The prize ball tank 50 configured as described above has a bottom surface 56 composed of a first sloped bottom surface section 64, a second sloped bottom surface section 65, and a third sloped bottom surface section 66. The prize balls stored in the ball 50 move smoothly from the second inclined bottom part 65 and the third inclined bottom part 66 located on the left and right to the first inclined bottom part 64 located in the center, Moreover, the first inclined bottom portion 64 is the prize ball outlet 5.
Since it is inclined toward the right opening edge 63 of 7, the first
The prize balls are evenly distributed from the inclined bottom part 64 of the prize ball guiding gutter 80.
and fall onto the guide paths 84a and 84b. In addition, in the prize ball outlet 57 part, the ball breaking part 69 is raised on one side, so the earth pressure of the prize ball in the prize ball outlet 57 part is always in an unbalanced state.
Balls do not become clogged at the prize ball outlet 57. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the ball breaking portion 69 is located at the rear opening edge 58.
and the rear wall 52; however, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the front edge 59 and the front wall 53
It may be raised between the two positions, or it may be raised at both positions. When raised at both of these positions, it is desirable to set the heights of the ball breaking portions 69 to be different so that the earth pressure of the prize balls at the prize ball outlet 57 becomes unbalanced.

Prize ball guiding gutter A prize ball guiding gutter 80 is provided below the prize ball tank 50 for arranging the prize balls.

The prize ball guiding gutter 80 includes a bottom surface 81, a front wall 82 vertically erected along the front edge of the bottom surface 81, a guiding path 84a protruding from the bottom surface 81 through which prize balls flow;
It is composed of alignment walls 83a and 83b that partition 84b. Then, it is attached so that the bottom surface 81 is inclined so that the prize balls naturally flow down. Note that the alignment wall 83a
, 83b are vertically protruding from approximately the center of the bottom surface 81, and are formed to become higher toward the downstream side. Note that the alignment walls 83a and 83b are formed to be divided into upper and lower parts, and this is because the amount of prize balls that forms part of the bottom surface 81 of the prize ball guide gutter 80 is located at the top of the prize ball guide gutter 80. This is because the sensing plate 93 is provided,
An upper alignment wall 83a is projectingly provided on the prize ball amount sensing plate 93.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the front wall 82 faces a guide piece 60 of the front opening edge 59 of the prize ball outlet 57, so that the prize ball passes from the prize ball outlet 57 to a pressure relief path 88 (described later).
It is blocked to prevent it from entering. In other words, the pressure relief path 8
8, so that the prize balls can enter only through the opening 8, and the pressure of the prize balls stored in the prize ball tank 50 is not applied to the prize balls that have entered through the opening 87. This is for the purpose of

In addition, flow grooves 85a and 85b are formed on the bottom surfaces of the guide paths 84a and 84b, excluding the prize ball amount sensing plate 93, in order to smoothly flow down the prize balls. And the flow groove 85
In order to maintain the strength of the guide paths 84a and 84b with the formation of the guide paths 84a and 85b, connecting plates 86 are fixed to the back surfaces thereof at appropriate intervals. Note that the flow groove 85a,
85b can be used as a dirt trap when the guide paths 84a and 84b are clogged with dirt.

Further, an opening 87 is cut out in the front wall 82 on the downstream side of the prize ball outlet 57. This opening 87 is cut out to a position one ball higher than the bottom surface 81, and has a length in the downstream direction that allows several balls to enter. A pressure release path 88 is formed on the side of the outermost guide path 84b so as to communicate with the opening 87. This pressure release path 88
is composed of a bottom surface 91 that is flush with the lower side of the opening 87 and a bulging wall 89 that stands vertically from the front edge of the bottom surface 91. The front of the bulging wall 89 forms an arcuate curved surface 90 to be continuous with the downstream side of the opening 87 . Further, the bottom surface 91 naturally includes the guide path 84b.
It is formed in a stepped shape so as to be approximately one ball higher than the bottom surface 81 of the guide path 84b, and a portion of the bottom surface 91 forms an inclined portion 92 that slopes toward the guide path 84b side.

Therefore, the prize balls that have entered the pressure release path 88 are always guided in a direction such that they are discharged to the guidance path 84b.

Since the prize ball guiding gutter 80 in this embodiment has the above-described configuration, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out by the prize ball dispensing device 120, which will be described later.
The prize balls remaining in the prize ball guide paths 84a and 84b move eight times at a time and then stop, and the large earth pressure between the prize balls applied when they stop is sequentially transmitted to the prize balls on the upstream side. When reaching the prize ball located near the opening 87, the prize ball enters the pressure release path 88 from the opening 87. Therefore, an escape area is provided for the earth pressure from the upstream side and the earth pressure from the downstream side that is applied to the prize ball on the downstream side of the prize ball outlet 57, and the guide path 8
The prize balls remaining in 4a and 84b do not cause a state of ball jamming, and therefore flow down smoothly and do not cause ball jams.

Also, on the bottom of the upstream side of the prize ball guiding gutter 80, when the prize ball amount sensing plate 93 is filled with prize balls placed on the swinging plate 93 around the spindle 94, it will be described later. Weight 97
The upper end of the prize ball amount sensing plate 93 is pushed down around the support shaft 94 against the urging force of
When the prize balls are insufficient and no longer placed on the prize ball amount sensing plate 93, the upper end of the prize ball amount sensing plate 93 is raised around the support shaft 94 due to the biasing force of the weight 97. .

Well, on the back side of the upstream side of the prize ball amount sensing plate 93, there is an 11th
As shown in the figure, a connecting member 95 hangs down, and one end of a swinging member 96 that is pivotably supported around a support shaft is connected to this connecting member 95. A weight 97 is fixed to the swinging member 96, and this weight 97 applies an upward rotational force to the prize ball amount sensing plate 93. Further, a transmission wire 98 extending downward is connected to the other end of the swinging member 96.

As shown in FIG. 11, a link mechanism 99 is connected to the lower end of the transmission wire 98, and a supply operation stopping member that stops the operation of a batted ball supply device (not shown) is operated via this link mechanism 99. There is.

Furthermore, a pressing member 100 is provided on the back side of the prize ball amount sensing plate 93.
is installed vertically. The pressing member 100 has a lower end “L”.
The bent lower end is located below the prize ball guiding gutter 80 and is arranged so as to correspond to the actuators of the two operation detection switches Iota and 101b attached to the mechanism plate main body 41. has been done. However, when the prize balls are placed on the prize ball amount sensing plate 93, the lower end does not come into contact with the actuator, and therefore the operation detection switches 101a and 101b are in the inoperative state (OF). F). Further, when no prize balls are placed on the prize ball amount sensing plate 93, the lower end portion and the actuator are in contact with each other, so that the operation detection switch 101a101b is activated (ON). In the illustrated embodiment, the operation detection switch 101a is provided in association with the out-of-ball notification lamp 23, and when the operation detection switch 101a is activated, the out-of-ball notification lamp 23 lights up and the prize balls run out. It is designed to inform the player that this is the case. Further, the operation detection switch 101b is provided in connection with a central control computer (not shown), and when the operation detection switch 101b is activated, a notification to that effect is displayed on the central control computer, and a replenishment command is issued from the central control computer to the replenishment mechanism. A predetermined number of prize balls are drawn out and replenished into the prize ball tank 50.

In the middle of the prize ball guiding gutter 80, a ball leveling board 102 and a ball leveling board 103 are suspended or laid. The ball leveling plate 102 and the ball leveling plate 103 are used to line up prize balls that sometimes flow down the prize ball guiding gutter 80 in two levels, one above the other. Note that the lower alignment wall 83b
, and the front wall 82 are made to have approximately the same height because their downstream sides abut against the ball leveling plate 103.

On the downstream side of the bent gutter prize ball guiding gutter 80, the guiding path 84a,
A bent gutter 110a110b is attached to be connected to 84b. This bent part 110a
, 110b are provided to change the direction of the prize balls flowing down the prize ball guide gutter 80 by 180 degrees and to weaken the earth pressure of the prize balls that are continuously flowing down. Bent part 1
A ball extraction device 111 is provided at the bent portions of 10a and 110b, and by operating the ball extraction device 111 after closing, the prize balls stored in the prize ball tank 50 and the prize ball guide gutter 80 can be removed from the ball extraction path. 112 and guided outside the pachinko game machine 1.

Further, ball deficiency detection plates 113a, 1
13b is swingably provided. These ball deficiency detection plates 113a, 113b flip up the hook portions 114a, 114b at the rear end when a prize ball is placed on the tip thereof, and conversely, the prize ball is placed in the bent portions 110a, 110b. When the hook parts 114a and 114b disappear, the hook parts 114a and 114b hang down in a substantially vertical direction. Then, in this hanging state, the control protrusion 136, which will be described later,
When the control protrusion 136 rises, the engaging portion 137 of the control protrusion 136 engages with the hook portions 114a and 114b and acts to hold the control protrusion 136 in the raised position, and the prize ball is finally paid out. I'm trying to make it go away.

Further, the downstream portions of the bent portions 110a and 110b are formed almost vertically, and there are notched holes in the side walls including the vertical portions.
15a, 115b, 116a, 116b, 117a, 1
17b are bored as appropriate. Notch holes 115a, 115
b, 116a, 116b, 117a, and 117b are bent portions 110a.

This is provided so that if dirt or the like enters the tiob, it can be removed by inserting a bin. Further, a step portion is formed at the end of the vertical portion, and a ball receiving portion 118a is formed in this step portion.

118b is formed to weaken the earth pressure so that the superstructure stopper 124 of the prize ball dispensing device 120, which will be described later, operates smoothly. Furthermore, the distance DI+ between the bent portions 110a and 110b is set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the ball, as shown in FIG. This is the bent part 11
The prize balls aligned at 0a and 110b are arranged alternately to disperse the earth pressure, thereby ensuring smooth operation of the superstructure stopper 124 of the prize ball dispensing device 120 in the same manner as above. . On the other hand, the interval D6 between the prize ball storage cylinders 123a and 123b, which will be described later, is set to be approximately the same as the diameter of the balls, as shown in FIG. This is because there is no need to particularly weaken the earth pressure of the prize balls in the prize ball storage cylinders 123a, 123b, but it is necessary to accurately divide the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball storage cylinders 123a, 123b. This is because the entry position of the superstructure stopper 124 must be determined accurately.

That is, the superstructure stopper 124 must always accurately enter between the last ball to be counted and the first ball remaining in the bent portions 110a and 110b, and the ball must be inserted in the prize ball storage tubes 123a and 123b. If the prize balls are lined up alternately, their entry positions will be different each time, and there is a risk that the prize ball payout operation will not be performed accurately.To prevent this, the prize balls are lined up in a straight line in the prize ball storage tubes 123a and 123b. This is how it was done.

Prize ball payout device A prize ball payout device 120 that pays out a predetermined number of prize balls is disposed downstream of the bent portions 110a and 110b. The prize ball dispensing device 120 includes prize ball storage cylinders 123a, 123.
a prize ball storage tube main body 121 integrally formed with a mounting plate 122, an upper work stopper 124 and a lower work stopper 124 and a lower work stopper 124 disposed above and below the prize ball storage cylinders 123a and 123b; It consists of a vertical sliding member 133 that engages to open and close the superstructure stopper 124 and the substructure stopper 142, and an operating member 149 that moves the vertical sliding member 133 up and down. That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the prize ball dispensing device 120 attaches the mounting plate 122 formed on the front side thereof to the accommodation recess 148 formed in the mechanism plate main body 41 with the fixing member 147 (FIG. 11). (see).

As shown in FIG. 6, the superstructure stopper 124 has stopper parts 125a and 125b at the front end and an abutment piece 1 at the rear end.
26 are respectively formed and rotatably supported around a support shaft 127, so that the stopper portions 125a, 125b always open and close the entrances of the prize ball storage tubes 123a, 123b by their own weight.

The prize ball storage tube main body 121 includes a vertical sliding member 1, which will be described later.
The vertical sliding member 13 comes into contact with the back surface of the sliding plate 134 of 33.
3. A guide groove portion 128a for guiding 3.

128b is provided protrudingly. This guide groove portion 128a, 1
28b is formed into a J-shaped cross section as shown in FIG.
It comes into contact with both sides of the back side of 34. Furthermore, rail-shaped guide protrusions 131a and 131b are provided in the guide grooves 128a and 128b to protrude in the vertical direction. The guide protrusions 131a, 131b are arranged to abut on the front surface of the sliding plate 134 while being in line contact, as shown in FIG. Therefore, even if the vertical sliding member 133 moves violently and continuously, the frictional force between the sliding plate 134 and the prize ball storage cylinder main body 121 can be extremely reduced, and the unevenness can be maintained for a long period of time. Smooth vertical movement can be ensured without wear. In addition, the guide grooves 128a, 128b are provided with guide protrusions 129a, 129b at the portions that contact the sliding plate 134, so that the frictional force is further reduced. Therefore, even if some dust or dirt adheres to the sliding plate 134 and the prize ball storage tube body 121,
Since the contact area is small, there is no problem with its vertical movement. Further, stoppers 132a and 132b are provided protrudingly from the inner lower side of the guide grooves 128a and 128b.
It comes into contact with the lower end of the sliding plate 134 and forms the lower end of the vertical sliding member accommodating section 130.

Therefore, the vertical sliding member accommodating portion 130 is open at the top to receive the vertical sliding member 133, and the bottom is formed with a gap between the stoppers 132a and 132b. If dust or the like adheres to and accumulates in the vertical sliding member accommodating portion 130, the vertical sliding member 133 can be pulled out and then cleaned easily.
It is pivotably supported around 5. In addition, the substructure stopper 142 is provided with an abutting roller 144 that also serves as a weight at its upper part, and a prize ball storage cylinder 1 at its lower part.
A stopper part 143a that appears in and out of 23a and 123b,
143b is provided protrudingly. This stopper part 143a
, 143b enter into cutout grooves 146a, 146b formed below the prize ball storage tube main body 121 so that they can appear and disappear into the prize ball storage tubes 123a, 123b.

And, the substructure stopper 142 always has stopper parts 143a and 143b in the prize ball storage cylinder 123a due to its own weight.
, 123b, and the stopper portions 143a, 143b are provided in a step-like manner so that the positions of vertical entry into the prize ball storage tubes 123a, 123b are different. The specific positions where the stopper parts 143a and 143b protrude are as follows:
The stopper part 143a is in a position such that six prize balls are stored in the prize ball storage tube 123a, and the stopper part 143b is in a position such that seven prize balls are stored in the prize ball storage tube 123b. It's the location. In addition, the substructure stopper 1
42 has a structure that can be easily removed, so that the substructure stopper 142 can be attached to the stopper parts 143a, 1
The number of prize balls to be paid out can be easily changed by replacing the ball with a different type of ball 43b in a protruding position.

Next, the superstructure stopper 124 and the substructure stopper 1
The structure of the vertical sliding member 133 that controls the opening and closing of 42 will be explained. The vertical sliding member 133 has a sliding plate 134 accommodated in the vertical sliding member housing section 130, and a control protrusion 136 extending to the sliding plate 1;
A contact convex portion 141 that protrudes laterally from the lower part of 34 is integrally formed. Note that a protrusion 135 is formed on the back surface of the sliding plate 134, and is housed within the space between the guide protrusions 131a and 131b. This is to prevent deformation after molding since the sliding plate 134 is formed into a thin plate shape. Control protrusion 13
6 has the ball deficiency sensing plates 113a, 113 at their tips.
An engaging portion 137 that engages with b is formed, and an abutting recess 138 that engages with the abutting piece 126 of the upper work stopper 124 is formed in the middle thereof. Further, a weight 139 is fixed to the base of the control protrusion 136, and the vertical sliding member 1
33 is always urged downward. The abutting convex portion 141 is adapted to engage with an abutting roller 144 of the lower work stopper 142. That is, the vertical sliding member 13
3 is in the lowered position, the contact roller 144 of the substructure stopper 142 and the contact convex portion 141 are in contact with each other, so that the stopper parts 143a and 143b are in contact with the prize ball storage cylinder 1.
At this time, in the upper work stopper 124, which maintains the state of entering into the upper work stopper 124, the abutting recess 13 of the abutment piece 126 of the upper work stopper 124 and the control protrusion 136
8 and the upper end of the upper work stopper 124, the stopper portions 125a, 125b of the upper work stopper 124 are held in the prize ball storage cylinder 123a.
, 123b is held in a retreated position from the population. Therefore, the prize balls flow into the prize ball storage cylinders 123a, 123b from the bent gutter 110a, 110b, and are in the first state where they are stopped by the stopper portions 143a, 143b. On the other hand, when the vertical sliding member 133 is in the raised position, the abutting convex portion 141 and the abutting roller 144 are no longer in contact with each other, so that the substructure stopper 142 is in a freely rotatable state. When the substructure stopper 142 becomes free, the prize ball storage cylinders 123a, 123
The stopper portions 143a and 143b are pressed and rotated by the earth pressure of the prize balls stored in the cylinders b, and the prize balls stored in the prize ball storage tubes 123a and 123b are released into a prize ball release passage 190 (described later). will be paid out. At this time, since the control protrusion 136 of the superstructure stopper 124 is raised, the superstructure stopper 124 closes the entrances of the prize ball storage cylinders 123a and 123b by its own weight, and the lower end of the contact recess 138 and abutting piece 1 of superstructure stopper 124
26 engages with the stopper portions 125a, 125b of the superstructure stopper 124 to hold the prize ball storage cylinders 123a, 123.
It is held in the position where it has entered the entrance of b. Therefore, the prize balls are in the second state where they are stopped just before the population of the prize ball storage cylinders 123a, 123b.

In this way, the prize ball dispensing device 120 moves the prize balls into the prize ball storage cylinders 123a, 123 by alternately opening and closing the upper work stopper 124 and the lower work stopper 142.
The first state in which the prize balls are fed into the prize ball storage cylinder 1
The second state of discharging from 23a and 123b is repeated. In order to operate this, the vertical sliding member 133 is provided with a control protrusion 136 and an abutment protrusion 14.
A fitting recess 140 is formed between the two. The distal end of the actuating member 149 is adapted to engage with this fitting recess 140 . The operating member 149 has a support shaft 150 whose rear end extends between the mechanism plate main body 41 and the support plate 151.
It is rotatably supported on the shaft. The support plate 151 is fixed to attachment bosses 152a and 152b protruding from the mechanism plate main body 41. Further, approximately in the center of the actuating member 149,
The upper end of the interlocking rod 153 is connected, and the operating member 149 is rotated in response to the interlocking rod 153 sliding in the vertical direction by a rotating member 167 operated by a winning ball described later. Further, in accordance with the rotation of the actuating member 149, the vertical sliding member 133 slides in the vertical direction.

A winning ball processing mechanism 160 is associated with the lower end of the winning ball processing mechanism interlocking rod 153. This winning ball processing mechanism 160 is provided so as to correspond to the winning ball collection gutter 44, as shown in detail in FIG. First, a winning soil placement part 162 is formed at the end of the winning ball guide path 161 connected to the winning ball collection gutter 44. Openings are formed on the left and right sides of this prize-winning soil placement section 162, with the stopper member 163 and the rotating member 167 facing into one opening, and the pushing member 172 facing into the other opening. Stopper member 16
3 is rotatable around a support shaft 164.

Also, an engaging portion 16 that engages with a rotating member 167 at one end thereof.
5 is formed, and a contact portion 166 facing the end of the winning ball guiding path 161 is formed at the other end. Rotating member 1
67 has a "T" shape and is rotatable about a support shaft 168. Further, an engagement convex portion 169 that engages with the engagement portion 165 is formed on the upper part of the support shaft 168, and a winning ball contact surface portion 170 that comes into contact with the winning balls is formed on the lower part of the support shaft 168. A connecting portion 171 connected to the interlocking rod 153 is formed at the rear of the shaft 168 .

Further, the extrusion member 172 has an inverted RL, J-shape, and is rotatably provided within a predetermined angular range by having its lower end supported by a support shaft 173. Further, a suppression surface portion 175 for pushing out winning balls is formed at the upper front end of the extrusion member 172, and a rotating roller 17 is formed at the upper rear end.
4 are provided. This rotating roller 174 has a rotating cam 1 fixed to a motor shaft 179 of a drive motor 178.
77 are engaged with each other, so that the rotation of the drive motor 178 causes the push-out member 172 to rotate in the left-right direction. Note that the support shaft 1 of the extrusion member 172
A return spring 176 is locked at a slightly upper portion of 73, so that the extrusion member 172 is always biased in the opposite direction to the winning soil placement section 162.

On one side of the prize soil placement section 162, the extrusion member 17 is provided.
Winning ball discharge passage 18 through which the winning balls pushed out in step 2 are discharged.
0 is formed. A winning detection member 181 forming one side wall of the winning ball discharge passage 180 is provided to be swingable around a support shaft 182. A detection switch 183 is arranged on one side of the winning detection member 181,
The actuator 184 of the detection switch 183 detects the operation of the winning detection member 181 and lights up the prize ball payout notification lamp 24 formed on the front surface of the game board 9.

Furthermore, a winning ball detector 185 is attached to the end of the winning ball discharge passage 180. This winning ball detector 185
is for sending a signal to a central control computer installed in the gaming parlor, and is provided for creating business data for the pachinko gaming machine 1. The winning balls that have passed through the winning ball detector 185 are guided from the winning ball detector 186 to the ball extraction passage 112 and discharged outside the pachinko gaming machine 1.

The operation of the winning ball processing mechanism 160 configured as above will be explained with reference to FIG. 9. First, the state of the prize ball dispensing device 120 is such that the upper part stopper 124 is opened, a predetermined number of prize balls (total 13 balls) are stored in the prize ball storage tubes 123a and 123b, and the stopper part 143a of the lower part stopper 142, 143b is the prize ball storage tube 123a
, 123b is maintained. In such a state, the winning balls flowing down the winning ball detector 44 and guided to the winning ball guide path 161 are placed on the winning soil placement part 162 while rotating the stopper member 163 in the counterclockwise direction as shown in the figure. It will be placed. Then, the rotating cam 177, which is constantly rotating, comes into contact with the rotating roller 174 of the pushing member 172 and rotates so as to push the pushing member 172 forward.

As the extrusion member 172 rotates, the winning soil placement section 162
The winning ball on the top moves in the extrusion direction, but at this time, the winning ball moves between the pressing surface part 175 of the extruding member 1 and the rotating member 1.
It moves while being held between the winning ball contact surface section 170 of 67.

Also, at this time, the engaging portion 165 of the stopper member 163
Since the engaging convex portion 169 of the rotating member 167 is disengaged, the rotating member 167 rotates in the counterclockwise direction shown in the figure. As the rotating member 167 rotates, the front end of the engaging convex portion 169 rotates the stopper member 163 clockwise, and the abutting portion 166 enters to close the end of the winning ball guiding path 161. and place the next winning ball on the winning soil placement section 162.
I try not to put it on. At the same time, the interlocking rod 153 rises to rotate the actuating member 149 upward. Then, the vertical sliding member 133 rises, so that the contact piece 126 of the superstructure stopper 124 touches the control protrusion 136.
The upper ball stopper 1 comes into contact with the lower part of the contact recess 138 of the
No. 24 stopper portions 125a, 125b enter into the prize ball storage cylinders 123a, 123b and lock the prize balls so that they do not flow into the prize ball storage cylinders 123a, 123b. Further, since the contact convex portion 141 of the vertical sliding member 133 and the contact roller 144 of the substructure stopper 142 are disengaged, the substructure stopper 142 becomes free,
Therefore, the earth pressure of the prize balls in the prize ball storage cylinders 123a, 123b presses and rotates the stopper parts 143a, 143b, and a predetermined number of prize balls stored in the prize ball storage cylinders 123a, 123b are released. It is discharged into passageway 190.

When a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out in the above manner, the winning balls held between the rotating member 167 and the pushing member 172 are placed on the winning soil by further rotation of the pushing member 1 and 2. The winning balls come off from the section 162 and fall into the winning ball discharge passage 180. Then, the rotating member 167 rotates clockwise and returns to its original state, so the interlocking rod 153 and the vertical sliding member 133 descend, and the substructure stopper 14 is moved again.
2 is fixed, the superstructure stopper 124 is opened, and the prize balls are introduced into the prize ball storage tubes 123a and 123b. Moreover, at this time, the stopper member 163 also rotates with the rotating member 167.
The rotation returns to the original state, so the next winning ball waiting at the end of the winning ball discharge passage 161 is allowed to flow down, moves to the winning soil placement part 162, and repeats the above-mentioned operation.

In addition, the winning balls discharged to the winning ball discharge passage 180 operate the detection switch 183 and the winning ball detector 185, join the winning ball detector 186 to the pressure release passage 112, and are discharged outside the pachinko gaming machine 1. be discharged.

Prize ball discharging path The prize balls paid out from the prize ball dispensing device 120 are discharged to a prize ball discharging path 190. The prize ball release path 190 is provided with a bell 191 that makes a sound when the released prize balls collide with each other, and furthermore, a guidance opening 192 is provided at the lower end of the release path 190 below the bell 191. It communicates with the batted ball supply tray 6. Further, on one side of the guide opening 192, there is a communication gutter 19 for communicating with the surplus ball passage 194.
3 is provided to guide surplus prize balls to a surplus ball passage 194. The surplus ball passage 194 is connected at its lower end to a connection gutter 199 attached to the back surface of the front frame 2, and guides surplus prize balls to the surplus ball receiving tray 32. In addition, on one side wall of the surplus ball passage 194,
A prize ball fullness detection plate 196 is provided so as to be swingable around its upper end. Therefore, when the surplus ball passage 194 is filled with prize balls, the prize ball fullness detection plate 196 is pressed by the prize balls and swings.
A slide wire 197 connected to the ball 96 moves to fix the operation of the hit ball supply device (not shown) described above so as not to supply the hit ball to the hit ball firing position. In addition, a fullness detection switch 19 is provided at a position opposite to the prize ball fullness detection plate 196.
8 is provided. And the prize ball fullness detection board 196
When the ball is swung, the fullness detection switch 198 is turned off, and the rotation of the drive motor 178 of the winning ball processing mechanism 160 is stopped. Therefore, when the fullness detection plate 196 is activated, the ball cannot be fired and prize balls are not paid out. Further, a bell 195 is provided in the surplus ball passage 194 to generate a sound when it collides with a prize ball.

In addition to the above-described configuration, the mechanism plate main body 41 is provided with an out ball guide gutter 200 connected to the rear end of the out port 22.

As described above, the prize ball guiding gutter 80 in this embodiment includes a front wall 82 downstream from the prize ball outlet 57.
an opening 87 formed in and a plurality of guide paths 84a, 8
4b, and communicates with the opening 87 so that its bottom surface 91 is connected to the guide path 84b.
Since the pressure release path 88 is higher than the bottom surface 81 of b, the earth pressure between the prize balls generated when the prize ball dispensing device 120 performs the dispensing operation of a predetermined number of prize balls is is alleviated by entering the pressure release path 88 from the opening 87, and the prize balls remaining in the guide paths 84a and 84b do not cause a ball jamming state, and flow down smoothly and do not cause ball clogging. .

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the pressure release path 88 extends to the upstream ends of the guide paths 84a and 84b;
Since the number of prize balls entering the pressure relief path 88 is not very large, the pressure relief path 88 may be configured only in a portion corresponding to the length of the opening 87.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above explanation, the pinball game machine according to the present invention includes an opening formed in the front wall downstream of the prize ball outlet in the prize ball guiding gutter; A pressure release path is provided on the side of the outermost guidance path of the plurality of guidance paths, communicates with the opening, and has a bottom surface higher than the bottom surface of the guidance path. The earth pressure between the prize balls generated by the prize balls is alleviated by the prize balls entering the pressure relief path from the opening, and the prize balls remaining in the guiding path smoothly flow down without causing a jamming state. There is no chance of balls clogging.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the prize ball guide gutter, FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the prize ball tank, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the relationship between the prize ball guide gutter and the prize ball tank. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the relationship between the prize ball guiding gutter and the prize ball tank, Fig. 5 is a side view showing the relationship between the bent gutter and the prize ball dispensing device, and Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the prize ball dispensing device. A perspective view, FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view of the connection part between the bending gutter and the prize ball dispensing device, FIG. 8 is a plan sectional view of the prize ball dispensing device, and FIG. 9 is a plan sectional view of the prize ball dispensing device and the prize ball dispensing device. FIG. 10 is a side view showing the relationship with the processing mechanism, and FIG. 11 is a front view of a pachinko game machine as an example of a pinball game machine.
The figure is a schematic diagram of the back of the pachinko gaming machine. 1. Pachinko game machine (pinball game machine) 50.. Prize ball tank 57.. Prize ball outlet 80.. Prize ball guiding gutter 81.. Bottom surface 82.. Front wall 83a, 83b -- Aligning wall 84a. 84b... Guidance path 87... Opening 88... Pressure release path 91... Bottom surface

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A prize ball guiding gutter comprising a bottom surface, a front wall provided perpendicularly to the front edge of the bottom surface, and an alignment wall protruding from the bottom surface and defining a plurality of guiding paths; In a pinball game machine equipped with a prize ball tank having a prize ball outlet facing upstream of a plurality of guiding paths, the prize ball guiding gutter includes a prize ball tank located on the front wall downstream of the prize ball outlet. and a depressurization path that is provided on the side of the outermost guide path of the plurality of guide paths, communicates with the opening, and has a bottom surface higher than the bottom surface. A pinball game machine featuring: