JPH04367680A - Variable prize-winning ball device of pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the variable prize-winning device of a pinball game machine which can allow a prize-winning ball to flow down in a flow-down state which is not generated up to the present. CONSTITUTION:In a prize-winning space 4, a storage mechanism 53 which can store, and also, release a prize-winning ball received from a ball receiving member 37a is provided, so that the prize-winning ball released from the storage mechanism 53 is dropped down from the upper part to the lower part along the prize-winning space 34 and guided to one of plural prize-winning areas 50, 51a and 51b. In such a way, being different from a state that the prize- winning ball rolls on a ball rolling plate as before, it becomes a state that the prize-winning ball drops naturally in the air, and a flow-down state of the prize-winning ball which is not generated can be obtained.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a ball receiving member that can change between a first state that is advantageous to a player and a second state that is disadvantageous to the player, and a winning ball that is received by the ball receiving member. The present invention relates to a variable winning ball device for a pinball game machine, which includes a winning space through which balls flow down, and a plurality of winning areas formed on the bottom surface of the winning space.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventionally, there has been a ball receiving member that can change between a first state that is advantageous for the player and a second state that is disadvantageous for the player, and a winning ball in which winning balls received by the ball receiving member flow down. Many pinball game machines have been provided on the market that are equipped with a variable winning ball device having a space and a plurality of winning areas formed on the bottom surface of the winning space. In such a variable winning ball device of a pinball game machine, the winning balls received by the ball receiving member flow down on the upper or lower ball rolling plate which is lying obliquely in the winning space, and the winning balls are finally played. The player was guided to one of multiple winning areas, including a specific winning area.

0003

[Problem to be solved by the invention] Therefore, the winning balls accepted in the winning space of the variable winning ball device roll and move in the front-rear direction or left-right direction of the winning space along the upper or lower ball rolling plate. Since the winning balls are finally guided to one of a plurality of winning areas, the manner in which the winning balls fall is uniform no matter what structure the variable winning ball device has, and it is not possible to attract players' interest. There was a problem. The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a variable winning ball device for a pinball game machine that allows winning balls to flow down in an unprecedented manner. It is in.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a first advantageous method for players.
A ball receiving member capable of changing between a state of A variable winning ball device for a pinball game machine comprising a winning area, wherein a storage mechanism capable of storing and releasing winning balls received by the ball receiver member is provided in the winning space, and the storage mechanism This is characterized in that the winning balls released from the winning balls are guided to any one of the plurality of winning areas by falling from the top to the bottom of the winning space.

[0005]

[Operation] Winning balls received by the ball receiving member and stored in the storage mechanism provided in the winning space are released from the storage mechanism when the storage mechanism becomes the release mode and are released into the winning space. falls naturally from top to bottom through the space. For this reason, unlike the conventional manner in which the winning balls roll on a ball rolling plate, the winning balls fall naturally in the air, providing an unprecedented falling manner of the winning balls. This can attract players' interest.

[0006]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, variable winning ball device 30 according to the embodiment
A pachinko game machine as an example of a pinball game machine to which this is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a front view of the game board 1 of the pachinko game machine, and FIG. 6 is a rear view of the game board 1. In the figure, a guide rail 2 is installed in a substantially circular shape on a game board 1 of a pachinko game machine, and an area surrounded by this guide rail 2 constitutes a game area 3 where balls fall. Almost in the center of gaming area 3,
A variable winning ball device 30 constituting the main part of this embodiment is provided, and starting winning holes 4a to 4c are provided below it. As will be detailed later, the variable winning ball device 30 includes a pair of ball receiving members 37a and 37b, a winning space 34 into which the winning balls received by the ball receiving members 37a and 37b fall, and a bottom surface of the winning space 34. Multiple winning areas 5 formed in
0, 51a, 51b, and the hitting ball starts from the starting winning hole 4a~
When a prize is won in 4c, or when a jackpot game state to be described later is reached, the ball receiving members 37a and 37b open and close in the left-right direction to easily accept the hit balls. The variable winning ball device 30 will be detailed later.

[0007] Furthermore, when a ball hits the center starting winning opening 4a among the three starting winning openings 4a to 4c, the ball receiving members 37a and 37b open and close twice at a relatively short time interval, and the left and right When a ball hits the starting prize openings 4b and 4c, they open and close once. Note that the starting winning holes 4a to 4c are integrally provided on one mounting board, but between each starting winning hole are chucker lamps 9a to 9d that are displayed and driven when starting winning or in a jackpot game state. is provided.

[0008] Also, in the gaming area 3, there is a normal winning opening 5a.
, 5b, 6a, 6b, windmills with lamps 10a, 10b (
(hereinafter also referred to as a windmill lamp) and a windmill (no reference numeral) are installed. The winning holes 5a, 5b are arranged on the left and right sides of the variable winning ball device 30, and have shoulder lamps 7a, 7b built therein, and the winning holes 6a, 6b are arranged on the lower side of the variable winning ball device 30. The sleeve lamps 8a and 8b are built inside the lamp. Furthermore, side lamps 11a and 11b are also provided at both ends of the center of the gaming area 3. These windmill lamps 10a, 10b, shoulder lamp 7a
, 7b, sleeve lamps 8a, 8b, and side lamps 11a
, 11b are used to notify the player by lighting up or blinking when the player starts winning a prize or is in a jackpot game state. Although not shown, lamps having similar functions include a rail decoration lamp 13 (only the reference numerals are shown in FIG. 7) provided along the outer periphery of the guide rail 2 and a game effect lamp 14 provided at the upper front of the pachinko gaming machine. (Only the symbols are shown in FIG. 7). In addition, at the bottom of the gaming area 3, any of the above-mentioned winning holes or the variable winning ball device 3
Out port 12 where the balls that did not land in the 0 are taken in.
is formed.

Next, the structure of the back side of the game board 1 will be explained with reference to FIG. In the figure, a winning ball collection cover body 15 is fixed to the back surface of the game board 1. This winning ball collecting cover body 15 is formed with a guide path for distributing the winning balls that have entered the various winning openings described above. In addition, starting winning ball detectors 16a to 16c are provided in the starting winning holes 4a to 4c, and by detecting winning balls, the starting winning ball detectors 16a to 16c detect the winning balls. Opening and closing operations are performed. Further, a guide plate 17 is fixed to the back surface of the starting prize openings 4a to 4c. The guide plate 17 is formed with guide ports 18a and 18b that open rearward on the left and right sides thereof, and the winning balls that have entered the starting winning ports 4a to 4c are passed through the guide ports 18a and 18b into the second winning ball gathering space ( (not shown). The number of prize balls ejected by the winning balls released into the second winning ball gathering space is determined by the number of prize balls ejected from the first winning ball gathering space (where the winning balls that won the variable winning ball device 30 and the winning holes 5a, 5b, 6a, and 6b fall). The number of prize balls (for example, 15) is set to be smaller than the number of prize balls (for example, 15) that are ejected by the winning balls released in the winning ball space.

As described above, the game board 1 is provided with various game devices including the variable winning ball device 30, and is also equipped with a speaker 19 (not shown) that generates sound effects depending on the gaming status of these game devices. (Only the reference numeral is shown in FIG. 7) is provided in the pachinko game machine. Further, on the front surface of the game board 1, two glass plates 20a and 20b (see FIG. 4) are arranged.

The structure of the game board 1 has been explained above, and next, the structure of the variable winning ball device 30 which constitutes the main part of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The variable prize winning ball device 30 has a mounting board 31 that is attached to the surface of the game board 1, as shown in FIG. The mounting board 31 is formed into a plate shape with both sides of the center of a vertically long flat plate extending laterally, and a normal winning opening 36 is protruded from the front surface of the upper part. In addition, a rectangular winning opening 32 is provided in the center of the mounting board 31, and a surrounding frame 33 is protruded from behind the winning opening 32, and an area surrounded by the surrounding frame 33 substantially constitutes a winning space 34. are doing. A storage mechanism 53 and a distribution member 70 driven by an electric drive source are provided in this winning space 34.

Further, on the front surface of the mounting board 31, an upper obstacle frame 35 is provided projecting along the upper opening edge of the prize entry opening 32, and a pair of ball receiving members 37 are provided below both ends of the upper obstacle frame 35.
a and 37b are provided so as to be openable and closable. The ball bearing members 37a, 37b rotate about rotation shafts 38a, 38b that are fixed to the lower portions and extend rearward. Rotation axis 3
The rotational movement of 8a, 38b is achieved by link members 39a, 39b (see FIGS. 4 and 1) fixed to the rear ends of rotation shafts 38a, 38b, and an operating member 40 connected to opening/closing solenoids 41a, 41b. , opening/closing solenoid 41a, 41
This is done by converting the vertical movement of b.

Below the ball receiving members 37a and 37b, there is a transparent plate 42 that forms part of the opening edge of the winning opening 32.
a and 42b are provided. The transparent plates 42a and 42b are provided so as to cover the front surface of the winning space 34 that bulges out to the outside at the central portion, and also to prevent winning balls flowing down from both sides of the storage mechanism 53 to the lower ball rolling plate 49, which will be described later. This allows you to see through the situation.

Furthermore, a lower obstacle frame 43 is provided below the transparent plates 42a, 42b and along the lower edge of the winning opening 32. At the rear of the lower obstacle frame 43, as shown in FIG. 1, a lower ball rolling plate 49 extends rearward and inclined. In the center of this lower ball rolling plate 49, there is a specific winning area 50 and normal winning areas 51a and 5, which will be described later.
1b is formed. The specific winning area 50 has a built-in specific winning ball detector 52 that detects passage of balls. Further, a lower decorative plate 44 is provided on the front surface of the lower obstacle frame 43.

As described above, the winning space 34 includes an upper obstacle frame 35 and a ball receiving member 37 that are protruded from the front surface of the mounting board 31.
a, 37b, transparent plates 42a, 42b, and lower obstacle frame 4
3, the ball falling in the game area 3 is in a second disadvantageous state for the player who would not win a prize under normal conditions. However, the ball bearing members 37a, 37
When the ball b is opened, the ball falling in the game area 3 is caught by the ball receiving members 37a, 37b and reaches the prize winning space 34, resulting in a first state advantageous for the player who wins the prize. Note that when the ball receiving members 37a, 37b are in the second state in which they are upright, the ball does not hit the prize at all. It is also possible to create a state in which it is difficult to win a prize.

[0016] To explain more specifically the opening/closing drive control of the ball receiver members 37a and 37b, the starting prize openings 4a to 4
When a ball hits 4c, one of the starting winning ball detectors 16
When a to 16c are turned on, the opening/closing solenoids 41a, 4
1b is turned ON once or twice at relatively short time intervals. Therefore, the ball bearing members 37a and 37b also open and close once or twice. Then, when the winning ball accepted during the opening/closing operation of the ball receiving members 37a, 37b enters the specific winning area 50 and turns on the specific winning ball detector 52, a jackpot game state is entered, and the opening/closing solenoids 41a, 41b are activated. Again, ON/OFF operations are repeated at short time intervals. For this reason, the ball bearing members 37a and 37b also continuously repeat the opening and closing operations. Therefore, the number of such repetitions is set to a maximum of 18 times, and if 10 winning balls are generated during the 18th operation, the ON/OFF operation of the opening/closing solenoids 41a and 41b ends at that point. (Hereinafter, such an opening/closing operation will be referred to as an opening/closing cycle). Furthermore, if a winning ball enters the specific winning area 50 again during the opening/closing cycle, the right to continue is established and the opening/closing cycle is immediately interrupted, and after a predetermined interval time has elapsed, the next opening/closing cycle is started. do. The number of times the opening/closing cycle can be continued is set to a maximum of 15 times, provided that the right to continue is established.

As described above, the variable winning ball device 30 of this embodiment is structured to generate a large amount of winning balls in a short period of time when the jackpot game state is reached. In order to do so, the ball bearing members 37a and 37b are
The winning balls guided by the player must be placed in the specific winning area 50 of the plurality of winning areas. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the winning ball is placed in the entry prize opening 3.
Finally, a plurality of winning areas 50, 5
1a and 51b. Therefore, the configuration inside the winning space 34 will be explained below.

[0018] In the winning space 34, an upper ball rolling plate 45 which slopes downwardly towards the rear is lying on the upper part thereof, and on both sides of the rear end of the upper ball rolling plate 45, winning balls pass through. Winning ball detectors 46a and 46b which are activated for detection are provided. Therefore, all the winning balls received by the ball receiving members 37a and 37b are transferred to the upper ball rolling plate 45.
After flowing down and being detected by the winning ball detectors 46a and 46b, the winning balls fall downward. In addition, the winning ball detector 46a,
The upper rear wall of 46b is provided with an opening number display LED 47 that displays the number of times the opening/closing cycle continues, and a winning number display LED 48 that displays the number of winning balls accepted during one opening/closing cycle. Therefore, the number of winning balls detected by the winning ball detectors 46a, 46b during the jackpot game state is displayed on the entered winning number display LED 48.

The winning balls that have passed through the winning ball detectors 46a and 46b and have fallen downward are stored in a storage mechanism 53, which will be described later, or are not stored in the storage mechanism 53 and are released from both sides of the storage mechanism 53. The water flows out to the lower ball rolling plate 49 forming the bottom surface of the prize entry space 34. Lower ball rolling plate 49
is formed so as to be inclined downward from the front and rear directions toward the center, and the specific winning area 5 is located at the center of the lowest position.
0 is placed, and normal winning areas 51a and 51b are placed on the left and right of the specific winning area 50. Specific winning area 50
has a built-in specific winning ball detector 52, and the occurrence of a jackpot game state or the continuation of the opening/closing cycle is determined based on its detection signal.

By the way, the entered prize ball detectors 46a, 46
A storage mechanism 53 is provided in the winning space 34 below b. This storage mechanism 53 is composed of a fixed storage member 54 fixed within the winning space 34, and a vertically sliding member 57 that moves up and down above the fixed storage member 54 and constantly rotates.

First, the structure of the fixed storage member 54 will be explained.The fixed storage member 54 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, it is shaped like a donut and has the design of a disk (mother ship) when viewed from the front. Further, a drop opening 56 is provided at the center of the donut-shaped inner recess 55 of the fixed storage member 54. This drop port 56 and the specific winning area 50 are located on the same vertical line, and if the distribution member 70 described later does not interfere, the drop port 56
There is a high possibility that the winning balls that have fallen from the ball will be guided to the specific winning area 50. In addition, the winning balls that fail to be placed on the fixed storage member 54 are placed on both sides of the fixed storage member 54 (the transparent plate 4
2a, 42b) overflows from the lower ball rolling plate 4.
Reach the side of 9. In this case, the normal winning area 51
a, 51b.

On the other hand, the vertical sliding member 57, which moves up and down above the fixed storage member 54 and is constantly rotating, has a disk (UFO) design when viewed from the front. Further, on the outer periphery of the lower part of the vertical sliding member 57, radiating pieces 58 are protruded at predetermined intervals (intervals in which one or two winning balls can fit). This radiation piece 58 is for moving the stored winning balls along the outer peripheral upper surface of the fixed storage member 54 as the vertical sliding member 57 rotates during the storage mode. Therefore, in the elevated position of the vertical sliding member 57 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the winning balls placed on the upper surface of the outer periphery of the fixed storage member 54 including the stored winning balls are in a release mode in which they are guided by the recess 55 and fall downward from the drop opening 56. On the other hand, in the lowered position of the vertical sliding member 57, as shown in FIG.
7 closes the recess 55 of the fixed storage member 54, and enters a storage mode in which winning balls are stored on the upper surface of the outer periphery of the fixed storage member 54.

By the way, FIG.
Explain with reference to. First, a configuration for imparting rotational motion will be described. A worm gear 60 is fixed to the upper part of a rotating shaft 59 extending above the vertical sliding member 57, and a worm gear 61 that meshes with the worm gear 60 is fixed to a motor shaft 63 of a rotary motor 62. Further, the vertical sliding member 57 and the rotary motor 62 are collectively attached to the sliding movement plate 64. However, the rotary motor 62
When turned on, the rotating shaft 59 is rotated via the worm gears 61 and 60, and the vertical sliding member 57 rotates at a constant period (in this embodiment, about 6 seconds as described later). Become. Note that since the rotary motor 62 is turned on when the power is turned on, the vertical sliding member 5
7 is constantly rotating regardless of the gaming state.

[0024]Next, to explain the configuration for imparting vertical movement, the sliding movement plate 64, on which the vertical sliding member 57 and the rotary motor 62 are collectively attached, moves along the rear wall of the prize entry space 34. It is provided so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, and engages with an actuating pin 67 that projects from the front of an actuating cam 66 fixed to the sliding motor 65 at its lower part. The operating pin 67 is connected to the operating cam 66
Because it protrudes at a position eccentric from the center of
As the sliding motor 65 rotates, the vertical sliding plate 64 moves up and down. Further, the operating cam 66 includes a semicircular plate 68.
are integrally formed, and a stop position detector 69 is disposed above the semicircular plate 68. This stop position detector 69 detects the raised position or lowered position of the vertical sliding member 57. In addition, the decorative guide pieces 79a and 79b arranged on both sides of the rear part of the fixed storage member 54 in conjunction with the vertical movement of the vertical sliding member 57 can be placed in an upright state (the state shown in FIG. 2) and a fallen state (the state shown in FIG. 3). state). That is, in the release mode, it is in an upright state, but in the storage mode, it is in a fallen state, and the fixed storage member 54 and the vertical sliding member 57 guide the movement of the stored winning balls while rotating. are doing.

A distribution member 70 is disposed approximately midway between the storage mechanism 53 and the lower ball rolling plate 49. The sorting member 70 has a circular passage hole 71 formed in its center through which winning balls can pass, and when viewed from the front, it looks like a small disc (UFO) flying in the air. Therefore, the distribution member 70
4, and when it reaches the center position, the drop opening 56, the passage opening 71, and the specific winning area 50 are on the same vertical line. Therefore, at this time, there is a very high possibility that the winning balls that have fallen from the drop opening 56 will be guided to the specific winning area 50 through the passage opening 71. On the other hand, when the drop port 56 and the passage port 71 are misaligned, that is, when the distribution member 70 swings left and right from the center, the winning balls that have fallen from the drop port 56 collide with the outer periphery of the distribution member 70. The possibility of being guided to the left and right normal winning openings 51a and 51b increases. That is, the distribution member 70 has the effect of changing the flow path of the winning balls released from the storage mechanism 53. Note that the shape of the passage hole 71 does not have to be a circular through hole as shown in the figure, and may have a U-shaped recess formed at the tip, for example.

The drive mechanism of the above-mentioned distribution member 70 will be explained with reference to FIG.
An actuating pin 75 protruding from the front surface of an actuating cam 74 rotated by a swing motor 73 is engaged with the more rearward engaging groove. Since the actuating pin 75 is protruded from a position eccentric from the center of the actuating cam 74, the distribution member 70 swings in the left-right direction as the swing motor 73 rotates. Further, a circular disk 76 in which a notch 77 is formed is integrally formed on the operating cam 74, and a stop position detector 78 is disposed at the bottom of the disk 76. This stop position detector 78 detects the center position of the distribution member 70.

The general configuration of the variable winning ball device 30 is as described above, but in addition to this, the variable winning ball device 30 is provided with a large number of decorative lamps and LEDs. To briefly explain these with reference to FIG. 2, accessory lamps 80a and 80b decorating the lower part of the upper obstacle frame 35
, the number of openings display LED 47 and the number of winnings display LED 4
Decorative LEDs 81a and 81b (hereinafter referred to as decorative LED-A) decorating the lower part of 8, the decorative guide piece 79a,
Decorative LEDs 82a and 82b (hereinafter referred to as decorative LED-B) that decorate the back surface of the fixed storage member 54, decorative LEDs 83a and 83b that decorate the lower left and right rear surfaces of the fixed storage member 54 (hereinafter referred to as decorative LED-C), and fixed storage member 54. 84 decorative LEDs (hereinafter referred to as decorative LEDs) decorate the lower central rear surface of the
-D), and a decorative LED 85 (hereinafter referred to as decorative LED-E) that decorates the inside of the fixed storage member 54. These LEDs and lamps are controlled to display in a predetermined manner at the time of starting winning or in a jackpot game state, as will be described later.

The configuration of the game board 1 of the pinball game machine including the variable winning ball device 30 has been described above, and these game devices are controlled by the game control circuit shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a game control circuit in block configuration, and is controlled by a basic control circuit 86 including an MPU, ROM, RAM, and input/output circuit. Therefore, the basic control circuit 86 receives the detection from the specific winning ball detector 52, the starting winning ball detectors 16a to 16c, the winning ball detectors 46a, 46b, and the stop position detectors 69, 78 via the detection circuit 87. A signal is input, and a chip select signal is given from the address decoding circuit 88 to the basic control circuit 86 and the detection circuit 87. In addition, when the power is turned on, the initial reset circuit 8
A reset signal is given from 9 to the basic control circuit 86, and a reset signal is given from the periodic reset circuit 90 to the basic control circuit 86 at predetermined time intervals.
A periodic reset signal is given to

On the other hand, the basic control circuit 86 provides control signals to the following devices and circuits. That is, an audio signal is applied to the speaker 19 via the speaker control circuit 91, and the audio signal is applied to the drive motors 62, 65, 65 via the motor drive circuit 92.
A drive signal is applied to each of the terminals 73. In addition, a display control signal is given to the winning number display LED 48, the number of openings display LED 47, and the decorative LEDs A to E via the LED control circuit 93, and the windmill lamps 10a, 10b and the game effect lamp are provided via the lamp control circuit 94. 14, rail decoration lamp 13, accessory lamps 80a, 80b, side lamp 11
a, 11b, chucker lamps 9a to 9d, sleeve lamps 8
A display control signal is sent to the lamps a, 8b and the shoulder lamps 7a, 7b. Furthermore, a drive signal is given to the opening/closing solenoids 41a and 41b via a solenoid drive circuit 95. Also, from the basic control circuit 86, a jackpot information output circuit 96
It outputs a jackpot signal. Note that power having various voltages is supplied from the power supply circuit 97 to the above-mentioned devices and circuits.

Next, the operation of the variable prize winning ball device 30 described above will be explained with reference to FIGS. 8 to 13. First, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the operation of the variable winning ball device 30 at the time of starting winning will be described. FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the operation when opening once, and FIG. 9 is a time chart showing the operation when opening twice. In addition, in the figure, disk A shows the rotary motor 62 that gives rotational motion to the vertical sliding member 57, disk B shows the swing motor 73 that drives the distribution member 70, and the big prize opening is the ball Receiving members 37a, 37
Opening/closing solenoids 41a and 41b that open and close b are shown. After the power is turned on, the rotary motor 62 rotates at a constant speed, so the disk A rotates at a constant cycle (6.00
It rotates at 0 seconds). Also, at this time, the storage mechanism 5
3 is in release mode.

In FIG. 8, when a ball hits either of the starting winning holes 4b, 4c, the starting winning ball detectors 16b, 16
When the starting signal S1 from c is derived, a predetermined period of time (1.
500 seconds) and the big prize openings 41a and 41b will open for a short time (
0.400 seconds) once. Also, big prize opening 41
At the same time as opening and closing of a and 41b starts, the swing motor 73 of the disc B is turned on for a predetermined period of time (4,000 seconds) to swing the disc B in the left-right direction. In the illustrated case, the disk B makes two reciprocations. Then, after the start signal S1, the big winning hole 4
The period of time until 1a and 41b are closed is a start acceptance prohibition period. During this start-up acceptance prohibition period, any ball hit into any of the start-up winning holes 4a to 4c within the period is invalidated as a start-up winning prize.

Furthermore, in the illustrated time chart, even after the grand prize openings 41a, 41b are closed, it takes time for the winning balls flowing down the winning space 34 to reach the specific winning area 50, so the grand prize openings 41a, 41b are closed. 41b after closing for a certain period of time (
3.500 seconds) is allowed for the effective operation time of the accessory continuous operation device. The validity period of the accessory continuous operation device is the big prize opening 41a
, 41b, which is about to close, may enter the specific winning area 50, so this grace period is set in order to recognize the winning as valid.

Next, in FIG. 9, a ball hits the starting winning hole 4a and the starting signal S from the starting winning ball detector 16a
2 is derived, after a delay of a predetermined time (1.500 seconds), the big prize openings 41a and 41b are opened twice for a short time (0.450 seconds) with an interval of minute time (0.900 seconds). conduct. Further, at the same time as the opening and closing of the big prize openings 41a and 41b starts, the swing motor 73 of the disc B is turned on for a predetermined time (4,000 seconds) to swing the disc B in the left-right direction. In the illustrated case, the disc B makes two reciprocations as in the case of opening once. And, after the start signal S2, the big prize opening 41a,
The period of time until the opening of the engine 41b is completed is a start acceptance prohibition period. In addition, in this two-time opening start, the opening time and number of openings of the big winning holes 41a and 41b are greater than in the one-time opening start, so there is a high possibility that the winning balls will be guided to the specific winning area 50, and the jackpot will be won. It is easy to get into a gaming state. Moreover, in FIG. 9 as well, a fixed time period (3.500 seconds) after the closing of the big prize openings 41a and 41b is recognized as an effective time for operating the accessory continuous operating device.

As described above, in any starting winning, the storage mechanism 53 is in the release mode and the distribution member 70 is reciprocating, so the ball receiver members 37a, 37b
Many of the winning balls received in the fixed storage member 54 fall downward from the drop port 56 of the fixed storage member 54, and in the process of falling, they pass through the passage port 71 of the distribution member 70, or the outer periphery of the distribution member 70. or collide with other parts. However,
The winning ball passing through the passage port 71 means that the winning ball passes through the falling port 5.
6, the passing opening 71 and the specific winning area 50 are aligned in the vertical direction, and there is a high possibility that winning balls will be guided to the specific winning area 50, and a jackpot game state is likely to occur. On the other hand, when a winning ball collides with the outer periphery of the distribution member 70, the winning ball is repelled outward and falls into one of the normal winning areas 5.
There is a high possibility of being guided to 1a and 51b, and it is difficult to enter a jackpot gaming state.

Next, the operation during the opening/closing cycle will be explained with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 shows the operating state of the opening/closing cycle at an arbitrary number n (1≦n≦14), and FIG. 11 shows the operation of the final opening/closing cycle. In addition, the accessory continuous operation device in the figure is the specific winning ball detector 5.
2, the lower disk A shows the vertical sliding member 57,
The movable piece 65 represents a sliding motor 65 that drives a sliding plate 64 that moves the vertical sliding member 57 up and down.

First, the operation in the opening/closing cycle at an arbitrary number n will be explained based on FIG. When the accessory continuous operation device 52 operates and the continuation signal Rn is derived, the big prize openings 41a and 41b start opening/closing operation after a certain time delay (3.000 seconds) from the continuation signal Rn. Therefore, until the big prize openings 41a and 41b start opening and closing operations, the disc A starts to descend at the same time as the continuation signal Rn is derived.
Stops at the lowest position. For this reason, the storage mechanism 53
is in storage mode. Further, since the disk B is also turned on when a certain period of time (2,000 seconds) has elapsed after the continuation signal Rn is derived, it will swing in the left-right direction. In other words, before the opening/closing operation of the big prize openings 41a, 41b starts, the storage mode is entered and the distribution operation by the distribution member 70 is performed.

By the way, the opening/closing operation of the grand prize openings 41a, 41b is performed at an interval of 0.800 seconds between the opening time and the closing time, and during the opening/closing operation, the winning balls received in the grand prize openings 41a, 41b are The winning balls are stored in the storage mechanism 53 and rotate on the outer circumferential upper surface of the fixed storage member 54, or the winning balls overflowing from both sides of the fixed storage member 54 flow to the lower ball rolling plate 49, and most of them are normally won. It is guided to regions 51a and 51b. In addition, when the opening/closing operation of the big prize openings 41a, 41b reaches a predetermined number of times (in the case shown, 15 times), or when the winning ball detectors 46a, 46b detect a predetermined number of winning balls (7 in the case shown). When a winning ball is detected, the swinging motion of the disk B is stopped. In this case, be sure to use the distribution member 7
0 is controlled so that it stops at the center position. For this reason,
The drop opening 56, the passage opening 71, and the specific winning area 50 are arranged on the same vertical line.

[0038] As described above, the big prize openings 41a, 41b
When the opening/closing operation progresses and the end condition of the opening/closing cycle is reached, that is, when the number of openings of the grand prize openings 41a and 41b becomes 18, or when 10 winning balls enter the grand prize openings 41a and 41b. When (number of winning balls detectors 46a, 46b
When 10 pieces are detected), disk A starts to rise and shifts to release mode. In this case, the disk A repeats one more up and down movement in order to reliably release the stored winning balls. Since the distribution member 70 is located in the center, some of the winning balls released from the storage mechanism 53 pass from the drop opening 56 through the passage opening 71 to the specific winning area 5.
In many cases, it naturally falls linearly to 0, and the probability that it will continue to the next opening/closing cycle is high. In addition, even winning balls that do not pass through the passage hole 71 collide with the outer circumference of the distribution member 70, are distributed to the left and right, and are normally guided to the winning holes 51a, 51b. In other words, the winning balls released from the storage mechanism 53, those guided to the specific winning area 50, or those guided to the normal winning areas 51a, 51b, are the winning balls released from the winning space 3.
Since the winning balls naturally fall from top to bottom in the air within the 4, unlike the conventional method in which the winning balls roll on a ball rolling board, we have created an unprecedented falling pattern of the winning balls. This can attract the interest of players.

[0039] Furthermore, when the opening/closing cycle termination condition is reached, the effective continuous operation device operation time for the accessory is set in the same manner as described above. However, at the time of the final opening/closing cycle, the effective time for continuous operation of the accessory is not set.

Next, the operation of the final opening/closing cycle will be explained with reference to FIG. 11. When the closing condition of the opening/closing cycle is reached in the middle of the 14th opening/closing cycle (in the case shown in the figure, the opening/closing cycle ends in release mode). (The winning ball was guided to the specific winning area 50 before the
15 is derived. When the continuation signal R15 is derived, the big prize openings 41a and 41b start opening/closing operations after a certain period of time (3.000 seconds) from the continuation signal R15, similarly to when the continuation signal R1 was derived. Then, until the big prize openings 41a and 41b start opening and closing operations, the disk A rises once, descends again, and maintains the descended position. Further, the disk B also returns to the center once, but repeats the rocking motion in the left and right direction again.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the operations of the lamps, LEDs, and speakers displayed according to each gaming state will be explained. The circles in the figure indicate the lighting status.
A display with a cross inside a circle indicates that the display blinks at 1/2 cycle. In addition, in the figure, a game effect lamp 14, a rail decoration lamp 13 (hereinafter referred to as a peripheral lamp group), side lamps 11a, 11b, and windmill lamps 10a, 10b (
The shoulder lamps 7a and 7b (hereinafter referred to as the decorative lamp group), and the sleeve lamps 8a and 8b (hereinafter referred to as the winning opening lamp group) are displayed and driven in exactly the same manner, so they are grouped together in the same column. .

First, in the normal gaming state when the power is turned on, all the decorative LEDs provided on the variable winning ball device 30 are
-D to A each light up and move at a cycle of 1800 ms. In addition, the number display LED 47 and the number display LED 48 are
Both are lit and displaying 0. Also, no sound effects are uttered.

[0043] Next, the ball hits one of the starting winning holes 4a~
4c, all the decorative LEDs-D to A provided in the variable winning ball device 30 light up and move at a fast cycle of 384 ms. In addition, the number of times display LED 47
and the number display LED 48 alternately display "0" and "-" at one period of 400 ms. In addition, the decorative lamp group and the chucker lamps 9a to 9d are flashed alternately at 100 ms before and after the opening of the grand prize opening from the start of winning, and at this time, the sound effect A is uttered. Furthermore, when the ball opens once and enters the starting prize opening 4b, 4c, the decorative lamp group and the chucker lamps 9a to 9d
In addition to flashing alternately every 100ms,
The winning hole lamp group lights up and sound effect B is emitted. In addition, when the hit ball opens twice and enters the starting winning slot 4a, the decorative lamp group and the chucker lamps 9a to 9d are alternately flashed at intervals of 850ms ON and 950ms OFF, and the winning opening lamp group ON45
It flashes at intervals of 0 ms, OFF 900 ms, and ON 450 ms, and sound effect C is emitted.

Next, in the jackpot game state, FIG.
3, the first stage from the activation of the accessory continuous operation device to the opening of the big prize openings 41a and 41b, and the first stage of the opening and closing of the big winning openings 41a and 41b (7 winnings or 15 opening/closing operations) The lamp is divided into two stages: a second stage in which the big prize openings 41a and 41b are opened (until reaching 7 pieces or 15 opening/closing operations), and a third stage in which the latter half of the big prize openings 41a and 41b are opened (after 7 winnings or 15 opening/closing operations).
LEDs and sound effects are activated.

First, in the first stage, the surrounding lamp group, accessory lamps 80a, 80b, chucker lamps 9a to
The first lamp group consisting of 9d and the second lamp group consisting of a decorative lamp group and a prize opening lamp group flash alternately at an interval of 100ms, and all decorative LEDs D to A flash at 48m.
It is displayed blinking at intervals of s. Furthermore, the number of times display LED
47 and the number display LED 48 both alternately display "0" and "-" at one period of 200 ms. Furthermore, the speaker 19 emits a sound effect D.

In the second stage, the peripheral lamp group is 20
It blinks at an interval of 0ms, and the accessory lamps 80a and 80b are 4
Flashes at intervals of 00ms, and the decorative lamp group, prize opening lamp group, and chucker lamp group are ON for 200ms and OFF for 6 seconds.
Flashing at 00ms intervals. Also, all decorations LE
D-D to A are lit and moved in one period of 500 ms. The number display LED 47 and the number display LED 48 display the number of continuations and the number of prizes won, respectively. In this case, when the number of times the opening/closing cycle continues is 10 times or more, the number of times display LED 47 is
Only the first digit is displayed, and the display mode is 100ms.
This is a flashing display at regular intervals. Therefore, the 10th to 15th
In the first opening/closing cycle, 0 to 5 are displayed blinking, and can be distinguished from the lighting displays in the first to fifth opening/closing cycles. Also, when the number of winning balls reaches 10, the 10th winning ball will be changed to “0”.
'' is displayed blinking at 48 ms intervals to distinguish between the two. In addition, in the second stage except for the final round, sound effect E is uttered, and in the opening and closing cycle of the final round,
Sound effect G is now uttered.

Next, in the third stage in the latter half of the opening/closing cycle, the display mode of the lamps is almost the same as in the first stage, and the blinking speed is slightly slower (124 ms). In addition, the lighting movement of all the decorative LEDs D to A becomes faster (one period of 96 ms), and it is reported that the opening/closing cycle is nearing the end. Further, in the third stage excluding the final cycle, sound effect F is uttered, and in the final opening/closing cycle, sound effect G is uttered.

[0048] When the jackpot game state described above ends, the lamp and LE are turned on for a certain period of time (3.5s)
D is displayed and driven in exactly the same manner as in the first stage described above. In addition, sound effect H is also uttered.

Further, when an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine including the variable winning ball device 30, the decorative lamp group is turned on, and all the decorative LEDs D to A and the number of times display LED 4 are turned on.
7 and the number display LED 48 maintain the state before the occurrence of the abnormality, and sound effect I is uttered. Thereby, for example, by looking at the number display LED 47 or the number display LED 48, it is possible to know the gaming state at the time of occurrence of an abnormality.

The structure and operation of the variable winning ball device 30 according to the embodiment have been explained above, but according to this embodiment, the winning balls received by the ball receiving members 37a and 37b are placed in the winning space 34. The winning balls stored in the provided storage mechanism 53 are released from the storage mechanism 53 and placed in the winning space 34 when the storage mechanism 53 enters the release mode.
falls naturally from top to bottom through the space. For this reason,
Unlike the conventional method in which the winning balls roll on a ball rolling plate, the winning balls naturally fall through the air, so it is possible to provide a falling pattern of the winning balls that has never been seen before. It is possible to attract players' interest.

[0051] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the falling port 56 of the storage mechanism 53 and the specific winning area 50 are arranged on the same vertical line, but the distribution member 70 having the passage port 71 is If the configuration is such that the drop opening 56
and the specific winning area 50 are provided on different vertical lines, and the winning balls flowing out from the drop opening 56 to the passage opening 71 are placed in the specific winning area 5.
The shape of the distribution member 70 may be designed so as to lead to 0. Furthermore, the ball receiver members 37a and 37b do not need to be limited to those of the type that open and close as in the embodiment. For example, a pair of ball receiver members that slide, or one or more ball receiver members that open and close in the front and rear directions. Anything you do is fine.

[0052]

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above explanation, in the present invention, the winning balls received by the ball receiving member and stored in the storage mechanism provided in the winning space are When the storage mechanism is in the release mode, it is released from the storage mechanism and falls naturally from top to bottom in the winning space, so it is different from the conventional method in which the winning balls roll on the ball rolling plate. In contrast, the winning balls naturally fall through the air, providing an unprecedented falling pattern of winning balls and attracting players' interest.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a variable winning ball device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the variable winning ball device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of a storage mechanism provided inside the variable winning ball device.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning ball device taken in the vertical direction.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a game board of a pinball game machine to which the variable winning ball device is applied.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the game board of the pinball game machine.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a game control circuit that controls game operations.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the operation of the variable winning ball device at the time of opening and winning once.

FIG. 9 is a time chart showing the operation of the variable winning ball device when opening twice and starting winning.

FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the operation of a normal opening/closing cycle during a jackpot game state.

FIG. 11 is a time chart showing the operation of the opening/closing cycle of the final round in the jackpot game state.

FIG. 12 is a table showing the operations of lamps, LEDs, and speakers in each game state.

FIG. 13 is a table showing the operations of lamps, LEDs, and speakers in each gaming state.

[Explanation of symbols]

30 Variable winning ball device 34 Prize winning space 37a, 37b Ball bearing member 50 Specific winning area 51a, 51b Normal winning area 53 Storage mechanism 54 Fixed storage member 56 Falling port 57 Vertical sliding member

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A ball receiving member that can be changed between a first state that is advantageous for the player and a second state that is disadvantageous for the player, and a winning space through which winning balls received by the ball receiving member flow down. , a plurality of winning areas formed on the bottom surface of the winning space, in a variable winning ball device for a pinball game machine, storing and releasing winning balls received by the ball receiving member in the winning space. The game machine is characterized by providing a storage mechanism capable of holding a prize, and causing the winning balls released from the storage mechanism to fall from the top to the bottom of the winning space to be guided to one of the plurality of winning areas. A variable winning ball device for a pinball game machine.