JPH07155449A - Pachinko (japanese pinball) game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate interruption of a game caused when a lower receiving pan is filled with winning balls, and slowly perform work to carry a ball box to a game player by an employee or work to pull out the winning balls in the lower receiving pan by the game player. CONSTITUTION:A pachinko machine has a first microswitch to detect that winning balls are fully stored in an upper receiving pan 9, and has a second microswitch to detect that winning balls are fully stored in a lower receiving pan 14, and is controlled so as to stop discharge of winning balls only when the fact that the winning balls are fully stored in both the upper receiving pan 9 and the lower receiving pan 14 is detected. The balls are controlled so as to be shootable even when the fact that the winning balls are fully stored in the upper receiving pan 9 and the lower receiving pan 14 is detected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pachinko machine having an upper tray and a lower tray for receiving and storing discharged prize balls.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a pachinko machine is provided with a ball supply unit at a lower portion of a glass frame which covers a game board, and an upper saucer for supplying a game ball to a shooting mechanism section is provided at the ball supply unit. A lower tray is provided below the ball supply unit. In the case of this configuration, the game balls are housed in the upper tray to start the game, and after the start of the game, if there is a prize for the game ball, the number of game balls corresponding to the prize is used as the prize ball. It is configured to be discharged into the upper tray. When the prize balls are fully filled in the upper tray and cannot be stored any more, the prize balls are discharged into the lower tray.

Further, in the above structure, when not only the upper saucer but also the lower saucer is filled with prize balls, if more prize balls are continuously discharged, the prize ball passage of the prize ball discharging mechanism is also prize balls. There was a risk of trouble such as being full. Therefore, in the conventional configuration (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-236079), a lower plate filling switch that is turned off when detecting that the prize balls are fully stored in the lower plate is provided in the energizing path of the firing motor. When the prize balls are fully stored inside, the discharge motor is stopped to stop the discharge of the game balls, that is, the game is interrupted.

[0004]

By the way, in recent pachinko machines, there are increasing types of so-called seven machines and the like that can obtain a relatively large amount of prize balls in a short time when a big hit occurs. With such a configuration, when a big hit comes out, the lower saucer will be filled with prize balls in a short time, so the player operates the lever provided on the lower saucer to open the ball outlet, The accumulated prize balls are dropped into a ball box arranged below.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, when a big hit occurs, it is necessary for the employee to bring the ball box to the player immediately, so that there is a problem that the work is busy for the employee. Also, when the lower tray is full of prize balls, the firing motor is stopped regardless of the player's intention (handle operation), so if the player does not remove the prize balls from the lower tray, The firing motor suddenly stops. Therefore, a player who does not know that the firing motor will stop when the lower tray is full of prize balls may be suspicious that the firing motor will suddenly stop. Furthermore, if the player inadvertently delays the work of extracting the prize balls in the lower tray, the firing motor stops during that time, which may result in the player losing the chance to win in the continuation area. There were times when I felt that I had made an unreasonable loss.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the interruption of the game due to the lower saucer being filled with prize balls, and for the employee to carry the ball box to the player. (EN) It is possible to provide a pachinko machine which can be slowly performed and by which a player can slowly perform the work of extracting the prize balls in the lower tray.

[0007]

The pachinko machine of the present invention comprises:
In a pachinko machine comprising an upper tray and a lower tray for receiving and storing discharged prize balls, the pachinko machine is provided with an upper plate sensor for detecting that the prize balls are fully stored in the upper plate, and in the lower plate. A prize is provided that includes a lower plate sensor that detects that the prize balls are fully stored, and that the discharge of the prize balls is stopped only when it is detected that the prize balls are fully stored in the upper tray and the lower tray. Where the ball discharge control means is provided, and the game ball launch control means for controlling the game ball to be launchable even when it is detected that the prize balls are fully stored in both the upper tray and the lower tray It is characterized by

In the case of this configuration, a winning ball storage section for receiving and storing the winning balls is provided, and a storage section sensor for detecting that the winning ball has been fully stored,
Further, it is preferable that the game ball firing control means controls the game ball to stop firing when it is detected that the winning ball storage unit has fully stored the winning ball.

[0009]

According to the above means, when the upper tray and the lower tray are filled with the prize balls, the discharge of the prize balls is stopped, but the game balls can be launched. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the interruption of the game due to the lower saucer being filled with prize balls. Further, the employee can slowly perform the work of bringing the ball box to the player, and the player can slowly perform the work of removing the prize balls in the lower tray. When the game balls (prize balls) in the upper tray are not full by continuing to shoot the game balls, discharge of the prize balls is restarted and the prize balls are supplied into the upper tray. Also, when the player removes the prize balls in the lower tray and the game balls (prize balls) in the lower tray are not full, discharge of the prize balls is restarted.

On the other hand, in the case where the jackpot is continuously hit several times, the prize-winning ball storage portion for receiving and storing the prize-winning balls may become full. In such a case, when the storage unit sensor detects that the winning ball storage unit has fully stored the winning ball, the control unit is configured to control the firing of the game ball, and thus the winning ball storage unit. The winning balls can be surely prevented from accumulating further.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, a schematic configuration of the entire pachinko machine will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The pachinko machine is configured by attaching a pachinko machine body 2 to an outer frame 1 having a rectangular frame shape, and as shown in FIG. 2, the pachinko machines are arranged side by side in a so-called “island” of a pachinko hall. On the "island" of this pachinko hall, a mounting table 3 is provided just below the pachinko machine so as to project to the front, and a rectangular container-shaped ball box 4 is mounted on this mounting table 3. It is configured to be.

A game board 6 is fitted and fixed to the front plate 5 of the pachinko machine body 2, and the game board 6 has nails, various winning holes, in a hollow circular portion surrounded by a rail 6a.
It is configured to include various display devices and the like. A glass door 7 is provided on the front surface of the front plate 5 so as to cover the game board 6, and a ball supply unit 8 is provided below the glass door 7. This ball supply unit 8 has an upper tray 9 for storing game balls on the front side, and the game balls stored in the upper tray 9 are placed at the ball striking position of the firing mechanism 10.
It is configured to supply one by one. The ball supply unit 8 is provided with an award ball opening 11 communicating with the upper tray 9.

Further, in the firing mechanism 10, when the handle 12 provided on the lower right side of the front surface of the front plate 5 is operated,
The launch motor 13 (see FIG. 3) is energized to drive a hitting mallet and the like, and is configured to launch the game balls supplied from the ball supply unit 8 toward the board surface of the game board 6. There is. Further, a lower tray 14 is arranged at the center of the lower front surface of the front plate 5.

On the other hand, on the back side of the front plate 5, as shown in FIG. 3, a mechanism board 15 is provided so as to cover the back peripheral portion of the game board 6. The mechanism board 15 has a rectangular frame shape as a whole, a winning ball detection device 16 for detecting a winning ball that has won a winning opening of the game board 6, and a winning ball discharging for discharging the winning ball according to winning. The device 17 and the control device 18 (see FIG. 1) are mounted on a wiring board and the like.

Specifically, the upper part of the mechanism board 15 is
A prize ball tank 19 for storing a large number of prize balls is provided, and an upper prize ball flow passage 20 for receiving the prize balls from the prize ball tank 19 and causing the prize balls to flow down in an aligned state is provided. The prize ball discharging device 17 is continuously provided below the upper prize ball passage 20, and the lower prize ball passage 21 is continuously provided below the prize ball discharging device 17. here,
The prize ball discharging device 17 is provided in a rectangular box-shaped case 22.
A ball passage 23 connecting the upper prize ball passage 20 and the lower prize ball passage 21 is provided, and a ratchet wheel for allowing and prohibiting the flow of the prize ball and a solenoid 24 for driving the ratchet wheel (see FIG. 1). ) Is provided, and a sensor for counting the number of discharged prize balls is further provided.

The prize ball ejecting device 17 is constructed such that the solenoid 24 is controlled by the control device 18 so that the prize ball detecting device 16 described later detects one prize ball each time. It is configured to discharge a predetermined number (for example, 13) of prize balls to the lower prize ball passage 21 side. The mechanism board 15 is provided with a prize ball withdrawal path 25 along the right side thereof, and a lower end portion of the prize ball withdrawal path 25 communicates with an outlet 26. With this configuration, it is possible to draw the prize balls in the prize ball tank 19 or the upper prize ball passage 20 from the outlet 26 to the back side of the pachinko machine body 2 through the prize ball extracting passage 25 when the store is closed. It is configured.

At the lower end of the lower prize ball passage 21, a first prize ball passage 27 is provided forward so as to communicate with the upper tray 9 (prize ball port 11). A second prize ball passage 28 is provided so as to laterally branch from the lower prize ball passage 21. The lower end of the second prize ball passage 28 communicates with the lower tray 14 via the lower tray box 14a.

In the case of this structure, the prize balls discharged from the prize ball discharging device 17 pass through the lower prize ball passage 21 and the first prize ball passage 27, and from the prize ball port 11 at the tip thereof to the upper tray. 9
It is discharged inside and stored. When the upper tray 9 is filled with the prize balls, the overflowing prize balls (the prize balls discharged from the prize ball discharging device 17) pass through the lower prize ball passage 21 and the second prize ball passage 28. After that, it is configured to be discharged and stored in the lower tray 14 via the lower tray box 14a.

On the right side wall of the first prize ball passage 27, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example, as an upper plate sensor for detecting that the prize balls are fully stored in the upper tray 9, A first micro switch 29 is provided. The first micro switch 29 is configured to be turned on and off by a detection operation plate 31 provided on the right side wall side of the first prize ball passage 27 so as to be swingable around a shaft 30. In this case, the detection operating plate 31 is in the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 when the inside of the upper tray 9 is not full of prize balls, and at this time, the first micro switch 29 is on.
When the upper tray 9 is filled with prize balls, the detection prize plate 31 swings to the right in FIG. 6 due to the accumulated prize balls, and the operator 29a of the first micro switch 29 is pushed to The micro switch 29 of No. 1 is turned off.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, on the lower left side wall side of the second prize ball passage 28, as a lower plate sensor for detecting that one prize ball is fully stored in the lower tray 14. For example, the second micro switch 32 is provided.
This second micro switch 32 is used for the second prize ball passage 2
It is configured to be turned on and off by a detection operation plate 34 provided on the lower left side wall of 8 so as to be swingable around a shaft 33. In this case, the detection operating plate 34 is in the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 4 when the upper tray 9 is not full of prize balls, and at this time, the second micro switch 32 is on. When the inside of the upper tray 9 is filled with prize balls, the accumulated prize balls cause the detection operating plate 34 to swing to the left in FIG. 4, and the operating element 32 of the second micro switch 32 is moved.
The second micro switch 32 is turned off by pressing a.

A ball outlet is formed at the bottom of the lower tray 14, and this ball outlet is, as shown in FIG.
It is configured to be opened and closed by operating an operation lever 35 provided on the lower portion of the lower tray 14. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the operating lever 3 provided on the upper tray 9
By operating 6, the game ball (prize ball) in the upper tray 9 can be flown into the lower tray 14.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, a gutter cover 37 is provided on the back surface of the game board 6 to cover the entire area where the winning balls are led out, with a space in which the winning balls flow down. Then, on the lower side of the mechanism board 15, a collecting gutter 38 in which prize balls are continuously flowed and collected under the gutter cover 37.
Is provided. The gathering gutter 38 constitutes a winning ball storage section. The collecting gutter 38 extends toward the right with a gentle downward inclination and is configured to guide the winning balls to the right end in a state of being aligned in a line. It should be noted that, for example, about 300 winning balls are configured to be stored in the collecting trough 38, and further, for example, a micro switch is used as a winning ball storage sensor for detecting that the collecting trough 38 is full of winning balls. It is provided.

Further, on the mechanism board 15, a discharge gutter 3 which is adjacent to the second prize ball passage 28 and communicates with the outlet 26.
9 is provided. The discharge gutter 39 is provided on the inner side of the collecting gutter 38, and the collecting gutter 38 and the discharge gutter 39 are configured to be displaced in the front-rear direction. The winning ball detecting device 16 is provided on the right side of the collecting gutter 38 and the discharging gutter 39 on the mechanism board 15. The winning ball detecting device 16 will be briefly described below.

The winning ball detecting device 16 is constructed by disposing the following members inside a case 40. That is,
Inside the case 40, there are integrally provided an introduction path 41 for introducing the winning balls in a line and a discharge path 42 for discharging the winning balls. The left end of the introduction path 41 communicates with the terminal opening of the collecting trough 38. Further, the left end of the discharge path 42 communicates with the discharge gutter 39.
The right end of the discharge path 42 is configured to receive the winning ball from the right end of the introduction path 41. The introduction route 41
A discharge member 43 for discharging the winning balls one by one is provided at the right end portion of the (discharge path 42). The discharge member 43 is configured to be swingable via a shaft 44,
It is configured to be rockably driven by a solenoid 45 as a driving means. Further, a proximity sensor is provided as a winning ball detecting means for detecting the winning ball held in the cutout portion of the discharging member 43.

On the other hand, in FIG. 1 showing the electrical configuration, the solenoid 24 of the prize ball discharging device 17 is configured to be energized and controlled by the control device 18 which controls the operation of the entire pachinko machine. Here, the first microswitch 29 and the second microswitch 32 are connected in parallel to the energization path of the solenoid 24. This allows
When the two micro switches 29 and 32 are both turned off,
The solenoid 24 is forcibly cut off, and the solenoid 24 can be energized if at least one of the micro switches 29 and 32 is turned on. In this case, the two micro switches 29 and 32 constitute prize ball ejection control means.

Further, the control device 18 has a function as a game ball launching control means, and is configured to control the energization of the launching motor 13. A micro switch is provided in the energizing path of the launch motor 13 as a winning ball storage sensor for detecting that the collecting trough 38 is full of winning balls. As a result, when the inside of the collecting gutter 38 is filled with winning balls and the micro switch is turned off,
The firing motor 13 is configured so as to be forcibly stopped. Further, the control device 18 is configured to energize the solenoid 45 of the winning ball detection device 16.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When a game is started and a prize starts to be generated on the game board 6, the winning balls are collected in the collecting gutter 38 and are introduced in a line in the introduction path 41 of the winning ball detecting device 16. Then, the introduced winning ball flows into the cutout portion of the discharging member 43 and is detected by the proximity sensor. Based on the detection signal from the proximity sensor, the control device 18 energizes and drives the solenoid 24 of the prize ball discharging device 17 to discharge a predetermined number of prize balls for the winning. On the other hand, the control device 18 energizes the solenoid 45 of the winning ball detection device 16 to drive the discharge member 4
3 is swung to the lower position, and the winning ball held in the notch is discharged to the discharge path 42.

At this time, the next winning ball is made to stand by in the upstream direction from the opening at the tip of the introduction path 41 by the discharging member 43 which is swung to the lower position. And
When the solenoid 45 is cut off and the discharge member 43 returns to the upper position, the waiting winning ball flows into the cutout portion of the discharge member 43 and is detected by the proximity sensor. After that, the same process is repeated, and the winning ball is 1
The balls are detected one by one, and the prize balls are discharged according to the detected number of winning balls.

Now, when a big hit or the like occurs and the prize balls discharged as described above fill up the upper tray 9, the overflowed prize balls are discharged into the lower tray 14. After that, when both the upper tray 9 and the lower tray 14 are filled with prize balls, the first and second micro switches 2
9 and 32 are turned off. Thereby, the prize ball discharging device 1
Since the solenoid 24 of No. 7 is forcibly cut off, the discharge of the prize balls by the prize ball discharging device 17 is interrupted. Further, in this case, since the discharge of the prize balls is interrupted, the operation of detecting the prize balls by the prize ball detecting device 16 (the operation of discharging the prize balls) is also interrupted.

At this time, in this embodiment, even if the discharge of the prize ball is interrupted, the firing motor 13 can be continuously energized, and the player operates the handle 12 to shoot the game ball. It is possible. Therefore, unlike the conventional configuration, it is possible to eliminate the interruption of the game due to the lower tray 14 being filled with prize balls. In addition, the employee can slowly perform the work of bringing the ball box 4 to the player, and the player can slowly perform the work of extracting the prize balls in the lower tray 14. When the game balls (prize balls) in the upper tray 9 decrease and become full by continuing to shoot the game balls, the solenoid of the prize ball discharging device 17 is turned on by turning on the first micro switch 29. It becomes possible to energize 24. As a result, the control device 18 restarts the discharge of the prize balls, and the prize balls are discharged into the upper tray 14. On the other hand, when the player performs the work of extracting the prize balls in the lower tray 14 and the game balls (prize balls) in the lower tray 14 are no longer full,
When the second micro switch 32 is turned on, the solenoid 24 of the prize ball discharging device 17 can be energized. As a result, the controller 18 restarts the discharge of prize balls.

When the jackpot is continuously hit several times, the collecting gutter 38, which is a winning ball storing portion for receiving and storing the winning balls, becomes full (about 300 pieces in this embodiment). There is a risk. In such a case, when the collecting gutter 38 is filled with the winning balls, the micro switch serving as the reservoir sensor is turned off, so that the firing motor 13 is forcibly cut off. As a result, the game balls are stopped from being fired, so that it is possible to reliably prevent the prize balls from accumulating in the collecting gutter 38.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and the difference from the first embodiment will be described. Second
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the microcomputer 51 is configured to control the operation of the entire pachinko machine. The microcomputer 51 includes the proximity sensor 52 of the winning ball detection device 16 and the first micro switch 2
9, the second micro switch 32, the micro switch 53 for detecting that the collecting gutter 38 is full of winning balls,
It is configured to receive signals from a prize ball sensor 54 that counts the number of prize balls discharged from the prize ball discharging device 17, and a firing switch 55 that is turned on / off in response to the turning operation of the handle 12. Then, the microcomputer 51
Is the launch motor 13 and the solenoid 2 of the prize ball discharging device 17.
4. Drive circuit 5 for solenoid 45 of winning ball detection device 16
It is configured to control energization via 6 to 58.

In the second embodiment, the microcomputer 51 uses the program stored in the built-in memory, the sensors, and the detection signals from the switches.
The firing motor 13, the solenoid 24 of the prize ball discharging device 17,
The solenoid 45 of the winning ball detecting device 16 is the first
The drive control is performed so that the same operation as that of the above embodiment is performed. In this case, the microcomputer 51 has a function as a prize ball discharge control means and a game ball launch control means. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, it is possible to obtain substantially the same operational effects as in the first embodiment.

[0034]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention is provided with the upper dish sensor for detecting that the upper tray is fully filled with prize balls, and that the lower tray is fully filled with prize balls. A lower plate sensor for detecting, a prize ball discharge control means for controlling the discharge of prize balls only when it is detected that the prize balls are fully stored in the upper tray and the lower tray, and the upper portion Since both the saucer and the lower saucer are equipped with game ball launch control means for controlling the game balls so that they can be launched even when it is detected that the prize balls have been fully stored, the lower saucer is filled with prize balls. It is possible to eliminate the interruption of the game due to this, and the employee can slowly bring the ball box to the player, and the player can slowly remove the prize balls in the lower saucer. Can be done It exhibits an excellent effect that.

In the above structure, since the game balls can be continuously fired even after both the upper tray and the lower tray are filled with the prize balls, the game balls in the upper tray (the prize) Sphere) is decreasing. In such a case, when the inside of the upper tray is not full, the prize ball discharging device restarts the discharge of the prize balls, and the prize balls are preferentially discharged into the upper saucer, so that the player plays the game in the lower saucer. It is possible to eliminate the trouble of transferring the ball into the upper tray.

Further, in the case of the above-mentioned configuration, when it is detected by the storage unit sensor that the winning ball is fully stored in the winning ball storage unit, the game ball is controlled to be stopped so that the winning ball is won. It is possible to reliably prevent the winning balls from further accumulating in the accumulating portion, and prevent troubles from occurring.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 2] Front view of a pachinko machine

[Figure 3] Partially broken rear view of the pachinko machine

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional rear view around the second micro switch.

FIG. 5 is a front view around the first micro switch.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view around the first micro switch.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is an outer frame, 2 is a pachinko machine body, 4 is a ball box, 6 is a game board, 8 is a ball supply unit, 9 is an upper tray, 10 is a firing mechanism, 13 is a firing motor, 14 is a lower tray, and 15 is a mechanism. Board, 16 is a prize ball detecting device, 17 is a prize ball discharging device, 18
Is a control device (game ball launch control means), 24 is a solenoid, 27 is a first prize ball passage, 28 is a second prize ball passage, 2
Reference numeral 9 is a first micro switch (upper plate sensor), 31 is a detection actuation plate, 32 is a second micro switch (lower plate sensor), 34 is a detection actuation plate, 38 is a collecting gutter (winning ball storage section), 51 Indicates a microcomputer (prize ball ejection control means, game ball ejection control means).

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A pachinko machine comprising an upper tray and a lower tray for receiving and storing discharged prize balls, wherein an upper plate sensor for detecting that one prize ball is fully stored in the upper plate and the lower plate. Only when it is detected that the lower tray sensor detects that the prize balls are fully stored in the saucer and that both the upper saucer and the lower saucer are fully stored, the discharge of the prize balls is stopped. It is provided with a prize ball discharge control means for controlling, and a game ball launching control means for controlling the game ball to be launchable even when it is detected that the prize balls are fully stored in both the upper tray and the lower tray. A pachinko machine characterized by that. 2. A winning ball storage unit that receives and stores a winning ball, and a storage unit sensor that detects that the winning ball storage unit has fully stored a winning ball, wherein the game ball launching control means The pachinko machine according to claim 1, wherein the pachinko machine is controlled so as to stop the game balls when it is detected that the prize balls are fully stored in the prize ball storage section.